Journal Log: 08-27-05

Mother;

We spent the day traveling back to town after we hastily ran about the Baron's castle getting last minute items. I managed to gain the use of a serious healing item from the church in exchange for assuring we would solve the problem with the Earl. The Cleric warned me about a man with a missing eye (apparently he is the killer, but magic is not allowed in the courts here. Strange, a land with so much magic, they don't even trust it). Apparently, he along with another killed the Earl's son.

When we arrived in Lynch Bane it was obvious what we were doing. The guards were efficient, but the Earl's guards were not too eager to cooperate.  I almost had to pull rank on them. The Earl's magistrate arrived in an efficient manner, but delayed our meeting with the Earl. We talked to the Earl in length and told him the truth. Amazingly enough he wasn't as upset as I thought he would be, especially for a human. They tend to get all flustered and weepy eyed. Their passion abounds them. As we were leaving a man appeared in the tower. It was the man I saw in the Cleric's spell.

When we hit town the party quickly vanished. I decided with all the drama I needed to touch base with the only two individuals who knew what is actually going on, so I started with Sho. We talked, but mainly I was talked to. I hate dealing with that no good, honorless dog. He informed me that 'blood will be spilled by elves in the Bellwoods, the elves are behind everything, and I hired the assassin who killed the Earl's son. Needless to say I was not pleased, but he Inn is neutral ground so I did not behead him on the spot. Afterwards I met the bard in the Inn and we both ran into a familiar kobold. He confirmed that the assassin has evidence that I hired the assassin. Poppy cot, there is no way I would do that. Heck I didn't even know there was an Earl, let alone an Earl's son. I decided I need to check on Archi, especially since Sho hinted that he was going to kill him. Fortunately, it turned out to be a quiet night.

I finally met up with Rain the next morning. I partially explained everything to her and Archi. We waited almost half the day, but nobody showed up. So Rain and I went back into town. Sure enough, they were all sitting around eating breakfast (it was nearly mid-day)! For a druid who constantly complains about being in the city, she never left. Hmm, I do believe neither the bard, druid, rogue, and ranger were all out last night. Sorry, I digressed. We had a lengthy discussion on what we needed to do next. I played dumb and didn't say much. Although I did however slip pieces here and there. For a bunch of adventurers they do not spot much. Only the druid noticed anything, but sure enough the rest of the party ignored her. Hmm, maybe they only ignore females who know better. I did it again, I digressed, sorry. They finally decided to check out some missing bums in the park district.

STUPID! We are in the middle of a major political struggle, I am being set up, and Archi's life is at stake. How in the world do they make these decisions? Why am I even staying with them? Maybe it is time to say goodbye. Hmm, maybe they are in league with assassin and whoever is the mastermind of the nefarious plot. Who would gain the most out of a struggle between the Earl and the Baron? Why would anyone want to break the treaty between the humans and elves? The only individuals I can think of is either Sho or the necromancer. Sho would love to get rid of the elves, especially Niessa his competition. Obviously neither the Baron nor the Earl truly gain, but there might be a true power struggle that I am not aware of. Although a previous discussion with Niessa did point out that the Baron really isn't as powerful as everyone believes. Needless to say he is the Baron and I must do what is necessary, no matter what. The necromancer would love to get rid of his only competition for the race to get the book, me!

After hours of hashing out a stupid plan, using the ranger as bait (Lycanthrope! they can smell!), and we would spread out surrounding the park) we snuck Archi into town using an invisibility potion. What the world? It was too EASY! Yah, something is up with the guards. They didn't even bother to check for weapons, armor, or even approach strange individuals for the past two days! YAH, I am definitely getting the vibe that the jig is up. Rain is out there doing the 'oh, woe is me I'm playing marbles in a skirt' routine. Oh yah, her acting skills are stupendous, not. Why are we taking our second best fighter the only one with exceptional tracking skills, and using her for bait? Especially when we have a BARD who does not play his only instrument, a bag pipe. Suddenly, the Lycanthropes flung out a human shoe repair man we had met earlier. He was already ripped to shreds. Archi threw a rock, missed (why?) and the rest of us proceeded to get attacked by the rest of the pack. Needless to say I was preoccupied with werewolves, rain was fighting, the bard was fighting, and the rogue hitting me with arrows AGAIN! Damn, I have had it with that guy, what is his problem? Does he not know how to use that stupid bow, maybe I should just shove it straight up his human dairy air? Oh, and the druid decides to cast a rain shower on everyone making ranged combat even more difficult. Yep, it is a really BRIGHT move! Afterward she continues to cast lightning strikes on several werewolves.

Strange though (later I will explain) Archi did not come out of the woods. Although we could definitely hear him a smashing at something. It sounded like a real fight (that is truly an overstatement, again, later). Finally, after I dispatched like 4-5 of them (rain only 3, bard 1, the rest who cares) I was able to move in on Archi's position (damn armor, I still need to see about getting some type of movement enhancement placed on the armor), but unfortunately it was not far nor fast enough. That is when we all heard the loudest, deepest, howl ever. It was unbelievable. Suddenly, a headless, blood covered ogre fall out of the deep woods. Archi was lying there motionless and we were all at gasp, nobody said or did anything. It was truly eerie. Unknown to us, even though anyone of could have broken away, the druid especially was completely FREE, but none of us made the effort to help, Archi was in a pitched death math with the werewolf assassin! Apparently he barely (he should have died on the spot) survived being completely ambushed by the werewolf who attacked him four times (sword, sword, sword, bite)!

Yah, Archi was definitely over matched. We all needed to be there, but none of us were. Heck we weren't even paired. Nobody was covering anybody's back! During the next round evidently Archi did managed to actually get a chuck of the assassin, what little it must of done to a 500 lbs of solid BEAST! Heck doubtful I would have even survived. Finally, the beast ripped Archi apart and tore off Archi's head, leaving behind a note (in goblin blood, Sho's) and a pouch of 500 gp!  PATHETIC! Now I know what must be done. Their stupidity has cost the life of our comrade. Too many time I have stood calmly behind ignoring their pathetic rambling about MY brain power. NO MORE!  I have had it. Their lack of TEAM work has practically killed everyone, except the druid (yah, I know were most of the stupidity lies). This has to end, I can no longer be a part of it. One way or another, it ENDS. I may not have shown my true feelings at the time, but DAMN it, I need to address this immediately (I truly am sorry about using that cuss word mother, I know she listening), but first I must take care of some funeral arrangements. Plus I need to send a letter that I do not have the words for, Archi's brother.

Love,

E'Ze

-M51