Alexandria's Journal : Sanguine Lodge I

*1 Leaffall*

Highharvestide has come and gone and as the trees start to shed their leaves, I find myself strangely hopeful for the first time in a while… I see a genuine chance to save Artemis at last and as it is presented in the guise of rescuing another citizen of Hope, I feel the blessing of Bahamut in my soul again. The darkness and distractions of the past weeks felt lifted last night as I sat with this likely group and listened to their banter and squabbles - Bahamut be praised indeed.

“Best Friend” **Uklah** brings me supreme comfort and confidence. Her prowess in battle and disastrous heartbreaks have seen her grow every day I see her. She is a formidable presence and it’s almost amusing to see the nervousness she instills in some (although they are the wise ones, she is NOT to be taken lightly!).

**Sairina** continues to impress me and it is easy to see why Artemis counts her as such a staunch friend and ally. She is more than just impressive armour and I have seen up close her ferocity and prowess. I have a sense she’ll be needed in the days ahead

I almost feel sorry for **Plank**. I’m not sure what he must think of me as each time we’ve met, it’s been as a result of me dumping water on him… my gut tells me he is a true warrior despite his protestations and appearance. Bahamut tells me to trust him and he’s not asked about “rewards” at all, seemingly content in doing something “good”… although he does seem the most nervous of **Uklah**, I don’t sense it’s truly cowardliness!

**Rofir**’s calm demeanour is reassuring. Although relatively new to town, he seems seasoned enough and should provide an invaluable party member. His measured approach so far is certainly impressive, he seems to have a knack for asking clever questions and not getting distracted by petty nonsense

Talking of petty nonsense, I hope **Karson** doesn’t prove a “problem”. He comes recommended as man to solve problems although I still don’t know who really recommends him… I’m not sure I necessarily want to pull on that thread at this stage! Credentials aside, he is certainly confident in his abilities (and looks) although I question how much time he’s spent out in the Frontier and I certainly doubt he’s travelled with companions like **Uklah** or **Sairina** before. If he irks them, he may find he’s bitten off more than he can handle!

Our first day’s travel seemed mostly fine. I’m not totally convinced **Uklah** didn’t get slightly lost, I hope this period of mourning passes soon (at least I assume that’s what has her off her game slightly).

I take it back, **Uklah** is back on form with the amazing presentation of something she called Bentoe Boxes - delicious and gorgeous.  I think **Plank** may have inhaled his - although I do not blame him, they were truly a treat!

*2 Leaffall*

What a night! Perhaps lulled into a false sense of security with the delicious meal, we had yet another reminder that no amount of planning can prepare a party for the dangers out here. Woken to the sounds of ghouls swarming the camp, I was soon overwhelmed and paralysed. Lying there watching **Sairina** and **Plank** throw themselves at the foe, I saw **Uklah** fall too after almost all the ghouls shrugged off her attempts to repel them. Arrows flying out of **Karson**’s tent indicated he was still in the fight but things indeed looked dire. Emerging into the light of the campfire, **Rofir** may have saved us all! The foul creatures turned by his divine urging and allowing a chance for **Uklah** and myself to gain our feet. **Plank** was briefly overcome despite his whirling blades doing mighty damage, but **Sairina** danced through their ranks cutting them down left and right and we soon had the situation back in hand.

We proceeded with caution for the rest of the day. Quiet reflection seemed appropriate as we passed so many familiar landmarks to many.

*3 Leaffall*

The night passed mostly uneventfully. I did hear sounds of potential trouble in the distance (the chittering laughter of Gnolls maybe?) but damping down the fire seemed to help avoid attracting too much attention…

Pushing on, we spotted a cave in the distance that was later revealed to be host to a dragon… we met a party of three beings patrolling with some sort of Elemental bound to their service. Their leader, Naer, advised that the Blue Dragon, Zundaedaerth, “ruled” these lands and that if we were to visit again, we should prepare tribute! Naer didn’t elaborate on “what” that meant, but I suspect it wouldn’t be cheap! Looking at the party, I sensed they didn’t really have much coin on hand. They have thrown in with me on this quest and yet there has been no real ask about payout. I sense the gentle influence of Bahamut blessing us but I also worry if we were to get separated.

Coming to the river without too much trouble (**Karson** almost got swept away but managed to make it across eventually) we set up camp nervously with signs of Giants to the North and Trolls to the South. During the night, we were also visited by the sound of beautiful singing and horrific harp music drifting on the air from the South West. Thinking about Muredach’s niece, we have agreed to see if we can find the source and (if it is truly her) rescue the poor girl!

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but if I should fall, my companions should not risk their lives without payment. Sneaking into their tents during my watch, I have ensured they have some payment at least. I don’t like the dishonesty, but I trust you’ll approve of this small lie Bahamut, these are good people (even **Karson**) who deserve your blessing AND some coin!

*4 Leaffall*

Curse these people, they know the weight of their coin purses too well! Luckily, the danger allowed us to move beyond too many questions - although I need to keep an eye on **Karson** who attempted to claim it was his own… sneaky bastard ha!

Our travel drew us closer to the sound of singing and we soon happened upon a run down tower. As **Karson** scouted forward, I may have tripped on a rock and made a loud clank. The harp music (if you can call it that) stopped and we prepared for inevitable combat…

Moving to the right flank of the tower, **Sairina** stopped and shouted a challenge at something I couldn’t see. **Plank** moved to join her and readied himself - although he didn’t seem to feel the need to shout anything…

**Karson**, **Rofir**, and **Uklah** moved towards the left flank of the tower before whatever **Sairina** had challenged responded and I lost sight of her and **Plank** in a cloud of fog. Rushing to the edge of the cloud, I couldn’t hear any sound of them in pain. I invoked the blessing of Bahamut and Moon’s Edge glistened with divine blessing as I charged headlong into the fog. Gods it hurt as the vapour clawed at my eyes and throat but I managed to push through and came face to face with a giant being of some sort (apparently it’s an Ettin). The creature stood well over 10ft tall with two heads that very much harboured ill intent! As I swing away, I tore chunks out of it’s flesh without it seeming to really notice. Suddenly, **Sairina** emerged from the fog to join the combat… she did NOT look happy! Carving more chunks from the creature, it still didn’t seem too distracted. Then **Plank** burst from the fog, eyes also streaming from the poison, and added his bladework to the cause. I saw one of **Karson**’s arrows fly wide of the creature before one of **Rofir**’s struck true. The Ettin seemed distracted by this as it’s morningstar swings flew wide before it seemed to call on magic to heal itself. **Plank** swung true again but was then almost battered to the floor by a brutal counterattack. The sight of it healing itself must have unnerved **Karson** as I saw another arrow fly wide before **Rofir** and **Uklah**’s arrows struck true and **Sairina** slashed at the flank. Spotting an opening, I landed a blow that would normally open a critical artery on most but one of the heads seemed to wink as my blow merely sliced the flesh. As we pressed our advantage, **Karson** found his range by dancing into view and hit it with a telling blow. This seemed to anger it though and it conjured the earth around to erupt, it hurt like the hells and **Plank** crumpled. Before I could even shout, it almost rendered me unconscious with a blow from it’s battleaxe. **Uklah** and **Rofir** dashed to the rescue though and soon had **Plank** back on his feet. He staggered up and hit the thing with a blow of supreme accuracy, although once again the head seemed to wink at the last second! **Uklah**’s arrow then bounced off as an invisible shield sprung up. **Rofir** conjured a brutal spiritual blade and arrow combination  which brought the thing to it’s knees before **Sairina** was able to land a devastating final blow to end it’s life…

As the dust settled, we found it was indeed Alarielle being held captive and offered her the choice to return home or accompany us. She chose to come with us and after we gathered the Ettin’s loot, we headed North towards the pass we had spotted. Sure enough, there was our destination, an inn called the Sanguine Lodge. Entering, the owners seemed slightly suspicious but maybe it’s just the tiredness creeping in… they did at least have a room free and we settled in to rest…