Seonbi's Journal - Broin's Folly

*5 Highsun*

Today I have grouped with a larger contingent of travelers than I am normally used to.  I thought this would yield more efficient results.  Many seemed somewhat competent, but I do have weary eyes for the hagspawn we travel with.  Do others not know of their origins?  I best not be quick to judge though, after all I am used to strange travel fellows.  It is disappointing to see that I am traveling with a bunch of barbarians.  Everyone seems to jump at the opportunity to eat meat.  How revolting.  Do they not know what suffering they must entreat upon the consumption of flesh?  People of higher enlightenment must realize that they are capable of compassion.  It is a shame that they do not practice it.  Even the so called priest and their belief in the intersession of some divine being.  What a shame to be deluded.  Uklah, despite their belief and practice, I have seen exercise sound judgement over the creatures of the land and delicate attention to the spirits around.  They understand that it is not some divine being that gives the spirits around countenance, but the spirits themselves.  Why worship a god of sky or the land when you can ask the spirits themselves?  Why have a divine being intercede when you can learn the lessons taught by the very elements themselves.  Just acknowledging their existence is not enough.  They ask that you forgo eating meat, and other such things to pay homage, and in exchange they offer you command over them.  Regardless I find that I have taken Uklah's cooking for granted.  These cattails do taste better when Uklah prepares them...what is their secret?  Regardless our young navigator has done a sufficient job, Uklah would have done better, I did have time to notice all the different evidence of dangers that exist out here.  I must be careful going forward.  I do not know the capabilities of those I travel with.

*6 Highsun*

I was sloppy in retiring to sleep.  I have taken Jizo's watchful gaze for granted.  It seems my looming shadow is a a better sentinel than most.  A shame though, I could have been more prepared despite my excellent surveying the night before.  I fear the looming eyes of the hagspawn must have distracted me.  Could they have been behind our ambush?  Again, must not be too quick to judgement.  A pity that spider's eggs were squashed.  If we had left them where they were, perhaps other spiders would leave us alone for we are the ones that trespass upon it's domain, these barbarians have no respect.

They think of only their well being.  I had to fight off a giant spider all by myself!  For shame!  I have seen Uklah show great care as to not hunt and give in to the selfish desire for eating animals, I miss their rose tea that they would prepare during the morning summons.  I should perhaps show more kindness to them...if their map skills improve.

*7 Highsun*

I have marked a successful and accurate map so far.  This will make further navigations easier in the future and I can concur with Jizo to see their results as well.  I will admit Jizo's tend to include details I may have missed, but I do find that I have to correct Uklah's though.  It must be easy to just "copy" other's hard work.  This village though lead such great reward!  Not only did we find the village, it was full of skeletons!  Supernatural dealings for certain!  This will make a great addition to master Toubin's Spirit Guide.  I find that my traveling compatriots are adequate when it comes to such dealings.  Despite the many uneducated lobbing arrows at skeletons...how ineffective...alas I did also follow suit, albeit a natural goblin tendency, but I did suppress that will and embraced my ingenuity.  I froze the tips of arrows to garner them a more concussive and bludgeoning force.  My arrow also proved a very effective way to yield a payload of water that I was able to unleash to great effect, turning the "tide" of the battle.  I must say the female did show quite a tactical acumen by keeping the skeletons at bay on one side of the bridge, truly the smartest of the companions I travel with.  A shame they find me off putting.  No matter, saving the people in the village is all that really matters at the end of the day.  It was a pity only one survivor was left.  I was a bit too preoccupied with noting the skeletons we had encountered to pay more attention to the fire elemental.  My Ignan is not strong and I do need to work on my primordial studies, communication would have not been an option do to the dwarf's behavior though.  Did he realize they may have angered the elemental?  The female did prove their bravery though.  I admire that, brash, reckless and poorly informed, but admirable nonetheless.  I witnessed what must have been the dwarve's godly magic.  Curious, the pious may have some power yet, but all could have been avoided if greater respect had been given to the flames that power a forge than fealty to some god of light.  I would like to adventure back to this village one day.  Perhaps try to commune with the fire spirits that are said to be here, use the forge to mold metal out of the earth.  Alas there is much to explore and knowledge to endeavor.  These lands hold much danger and knowledge to be gleamed.  I must tell both Jizo and Uklah of the discovery of skeletons here, restless spirits have been found here.  Shall we consecrate them?  Does this Borin have more knowledge or stories of ghosts and other such beings that were once here in this village?  Are they to be trusted?  I am want to not trust some god or those that worship them wholeheartedly.