Alexandria's Journal - Miller's Daughter II

*18 Highsun*

Reinforcements! As **Ruckus**, **Uklah**, and **I** paused for breath outside the cave (it does reek in there), we were approached by several newcomers from Hope. The hulking **Fergal** has been a valued companion before and I’m sure he’ll be useful in the push further into the caves. He’s accompanied by a couple of new faces. The fierce looking **Coatl** reminds me of home and of my time training. He has a sturdy look to him despite the scales! **Three Point O** is sone sort of construct I guess… She (as indicated by herself) is such a curious creature. She doesn’t seem to have emotions and yet does seem to want them, or to understand them at least. I wish I was was more learned so that I could better understand these people, I will just have to rely on Bahamut that their intentions are pure.

Accursed goblin trickery. We pushed through the caves until we found a blind goblin called Haycrisp (who had a pet giant spider…). Remembering the teachings of Bahamut, I spoke with them in an attempt to avoid unnecessary  bloodshed. I’m not sure some of the newcomers are ready for a spider that size! Haycrisp sent us off down the Northward tunnel as he claimed that was the way the girl had been taken. We arrived into a cave that seemed to contain a large (broken) egg. It feels like a dragon egg, but I’ve gathered up what pieces I can to try and get them analysed. We were ambushed though, some small insects and a giant purple worm that lunged out of the water. I managed to put my self between it and the others, although it did sneak around and land a telling blow on **Coatl**! He kept his feet though (thanks to healing magics from **Three Point O**), he’s a tough one alright! Eventually, we managed to dispatch the creatures, **Uklah** and **Three Point O** with some deadly ranged blows. Our “plan” now seems to be to head back down the tunnel making dying sounds in an attempt to lure any goblins back this way into our trap… I’m writing this now in case I die of embarrassment at the stupidity of this… I know I wasn’t the smartest student, but the teachers would laugh at some of these suggestions. Bahamut bless them for their heart though!

Alas, we have still not found Daise. Pushing through the tunnels (the goblins didn’t fall for our “cunning plan”) we were ambushed by a group lying in wait. While the giant spider harassed our flank, many goblins rained arrows upon me at the front of the line. I may have warned them by stumbling heading through a trap (I must keep practicing my observation skills). **Ruckus** managed to slay the spider while **Coatl** was knocked down by the lying Haycrisp. I managed to slay the goblin and drag **Coatl** to safety while **Fergal** ran to the front to guard us. Their leader, Rotnose, offered a parley and I figured it would be a good way to potentially avoid any more risk to the party. I knew it wasn’t likely to go well (based on the earlier deceit of Haycrisp) but looking at the wounds the team had taken, it seemed worth trying. I had planned to go alone, so they could fly if things turned against us but I hadn’t factored their stubbornness and bravery. What stalwart allies! They followed me in (with **Coatl** even dumping some healing prayers upon me!) and the goblin’s trap was set…  and was sprung after a frustrating attempt to discuss thing reasonably. I will admit, it looked dire for a period, Rotnose seemed tough and was inspiring his little war band to great effect. **Fergal** dashed in to try and gore Rotnose and we were beset on all sides. **Three Point O** turned the tide though! Conjuring an elemental being, it tore through the goblins until it managed to grapple Rotnose.

He offered a deal in exchange for sparing his life. He would tell us where to find Daise if we agreed to let him go. He swore he’d leave the area and head to Fort Harrow. While I have little trust in him keeping his word, I have a responsibility to try and rescue Daise. Bahamut teaches us to show mercy to our foes and to let our honourable deeds be an example… I begrudgingly agreed to his terms…. he confirmed that Daise had been moved to Ragemaw Keep (across the river and SW 6 miles then W 6 more miles) where she is due to be scarified to a dragon in a few days!

We are heading back to Hope now. We left Rotnose with the Elemental guarding him so that we could leave without fear of a trap. I do not know if it is the right choice, but I hope that the other trust my judgement on this and understand why I made the deal… they are good allies and I can see that allowing him to live was not an easy thing to accept. Wise Bahamut, why do I feel so troubled suddenly…?