Artemis' Notes from the Frontier - Abandoned Castle

*14 Leaffall*

Gods I feel like a child again! Sneaking out on an adventure - only this time it’s hoping Sairina and Alexandria don’t catch me!!

**Teres** looked suitably mortified when I turned up with her name scrawled on my forehead. Bahamut forgive a little practical joke, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to laugh like that! I’d almost forgotten what odd groups form under the guise of adventuring out into the wilds. From the trollkin **Lippy**, who I can’t tell if he’s thinking about the answer to a complex question or just hungry, to the hyperactive halfling **Isaa**, who must surely get tired at some point(?), we have a real motley crew. Despite how my last journey with **Knock** turned out (where the whole party almost got eaten by trolls), it is good to see him again - even if it seems as if he has had a disagreement with Beshaba… not sure if that will be good or ill for us…. The elegant **Char** seems thoroughly bored (or annoyed, it is difficult to tell). Finally, **Elaria** sits on her horse with an easy confidence. After all I’ve heard about her from Sairina, it is strange to finally meet her. She seems more relaxed and somehow more competent, although I know firsthand how “competent” Sairina is herself! The confidence makes such a difference!

*15 Leaffall*

Disaster!

After an uneventful day of travel, we were beset in the night by a whole clan of Trolls! I counted at least six of the foul creatures. Attempting to flee, we seemed to get turned around and confused. **Knock** cowering in his tent while **Char** attempted to fight. In the end, **Lippy** threw himself into the midst of them all and allowed us all to escape. I don’t think I’ve seen a braver act as he eventually fell to their combined efforts. After a miserable night cowering in the trees, we returned to the camp and salvaged what we could before returning to Hope to resupply. **Knock** disappeared almost immediately… I suspect his thinking was to draw the eye of Beshaba away from the party but I hope he’s not too hard on himself…

*16 Leaffall*

**Adalius** has joined us as we push out again towards the castle. It is good to see him but when I try to speak with him, he looks sad (even sadder than when I first met him) and doesn’t seem to want to engage. From the sound of things, he had some sort of breakthrough while I was a tree before tragedy struck. I will need to find time to get the details to see if I can help my poor friend! But for now, we push to reach the castle.

Arriving before dark had truly set in, we began our assault. **Teres** leading from the front was a sight to behold as she leaped along the walls raining death upon the courtyard while the rest of us attempted to move up. **Isaa** wisely pulling up short of the broken section **Teres** had pointed out managed to coax an ogre out to face us. It couldn’t safely reach him and we were able to damage it to the point it retreated briefly. Meanwhile, the goblin spellcasters were causing merry hell as they conjured a pack of wolves and nearly overcame **Isaa**, **Elaria**, and **Adalius**! I managed to help with healing while **Teres** put an end to their concentration and the spectral wolves. As we pushed forward over the bridge, **Isaa** and **Adalius** managed to fight their way through the enemy, with **Teres** leaping onto the back of an ogre from the castle walls and slaying the weakened beast. Aided by the arcane magics of **Elaria** and **Char**, we were able to clear the courtyard.

We sought refuge in a bathhouse (of sorts) and are currently couped up with a goblin by the name of LimJim and his foetid smelling bathwater…

How I missed this “glamorous” life!!