Time Spent in a Dungeon

The night has been long. I've never camped in a dungeon before, though strangely it is similar to the lower wards of Sharn. Being surrounded by the enemy is an alien feeling. It is difficult to relax and rest. Things have gone well to this point. We fight as a group for the most part. Wait, who am I kidding, we were reckless during our last engagement. Some of the orcs pulled back setting a trap behind them. In their haste the others triggered it and almost killed one of the captives we've been commissioned with saving. The Dwarf is happy to be alive and Jonathon's been chatting with him like their old friends. It makes me laugh thinking that he almost killed him.

We've taken shifts keeping watch. Even though Sterling is able to stay awake and remain on guard all night it isn't fair to ask him to remain vigilant for so long, he does enough for us. The night has been uneventful, though during the early hours of the morning a slight noise disturbed me. Years of living in the Cogs have left me as a light sleeper. You never knew when a dagger was coming to slit your throat. I reached for Nibbler in case some dirty goblin was attempting to sneak up on us. What I saw snatched my breath away.

Jonathon was attempting to sneak out of the room we had secured. The sight of him tippy toeing in his heavy armour, trying not to alert us almost made me laugh. To my ears it sounded as though a herd of elephants was walking through the room. I can only surmise that he disagreed with my treatment of the goblin we'd interrogated earlier and was going to live up to his word and his honour. What he was likely to do was get us or himself killed. Still, he was our companion.

Rising silently I moved to follow Jonathon. As I rounded the corner in the hall I looked back on our group. All were sleeping save Sterling, his gaze falling upon me as he nodded a silent acknowledgement of what needed to be done.

I couldn't risk something happening to Jonathon or of him alerting others in the dungeon to our whereabouts. Following him was simple, I was a shadow against the wall. Not even the dead spirits of the orcs we slew were aware of me. Sure enough Jonathon released the goblin. A small smile reached my lips as I realized the depth of Jonathon's faith and compassion. He even said a prayer over the pitiful thing. I still think him a fool.

I let Jonathon pass me and return to camp. I could sneak back in simply enough. It was nice to be out and away from the others. Time to reflect on my own and jot these notes down. Morning would come soon enough and with it death and danger. Olladra guide me.

Ethan's Journal - Excerpts

15 Rhaan, 998 YK



We are returning to Sharn. The group seems much more at ease, though there is a gloom about us. Our last battle went better. We feld a pack of Kobolds. Sterling directed our efforts like a General. We centred the battle around Braddoc and the Kobolds fell. Our only shortfall was the death of yet another innocent. Hirelle, and worse a member of the Clifftop guild. Master Dourstone will no doubt be upset with us for failing to protect him. I feel that we need to do more to protect others that are drawn into these conflicts, but I grasp at straws as to how this can be accomplished.


I still notice Jonathon giving me odd looks due to my fighting tactics. Six take him, but his looks of disapproval make me feel shameful. Often I wish that I wore heavy armour like Delian, Braddoc, and Jonathon. That I had the skill at arms to weild a longsword with proficiency. I feel life would be easier, that I might be better accepted by the others. Yet, I know that I'm good at what I do. Perhaps, that's the scariest part. I'm able to take my foes down with calculated, well timed blows. By placing my enemy off balance I exploit his weakness. It might not be honourable, but I learned my lesson years ago about honourable combat. I'm surprised that some of those that I fight with who have survived the war still fight with honour. From stories I've heard the last war was anything but honourable.




18 Sypheros, 998 YK

Olladra has blessed me! A member of the Clifftop Guild! This is beyond my greatest dreams. I shall to work hard to prove that Master Dourstone made the right choice to bestow such a great honour upon me. I have decided to leave my apartment in lower ward and use the lodging provided in the guildhouse. It isn't ideal, but it is safer and will provide greater opportunities for me.

Greatest of all is the adventure I am now on! We are sailing out to find a wreck and lost treasure. This is as close to Xen'drik as I'm likely to get. The salt breeze on my skin is fantastic. My natural balance and acrobatic training is paying off. Where some of the others having been off balance I find the motion of the ship natural. Almost soothing. It was funny as the other day I saw Braddoc bent over the aft railing. His face ashen as he let loose his guts! I must confess that I had a good laugh at his plight. I suppose he'd prefer mountain halls to the open seas.

I notice too that the others feel ill at ease. We have been warned that we might be attacked at any time by Shaughin who live in these waters. We were also warned against wearing heavy armour lest we get tossed over board and sink like stones. Their constant pacing and brooding due to lack of activity is depressing and so I spend my time on the deck, removed from the others. I feel free, and it feels good.

One more thing have I noticed. That is Larien. She seems distant, pre-occupied by her thoughts. She doesn't have her bow at her side all the time and when she does she holds like it is an alien object. I worry for her, but don't know what I can do to help. Perhaps it is just being at sea. She is a full blooded Valerain elf. I suppose she'd rather be astride a horse than at sea. Perhaps dwarves and elves have more in common than I thought.

Ethan's Journal - 8 Rhaan 998 YK

This dagger is exquisite. The balance perfect, the tip sharp. Even the blade, normally dull on a dagger, has a razor's edge to it. The hilt and crosspiece are intricate in their design and the jewel in the pommel must be priceless. I've never seen anything so beautiful, expect Larien, but that's different. Surely this dagger was crafted by a Master Artisan of House Cannith! Olladra has shone her light upon me to bless me with such a gift. I will call it 'Nibbler' for it's ability to strike through my enemies defenses.

It bothers me that Jonathon dismisses the find of the dagger so easily. Tower Spit! Does he not know what a treasure such as this is worth to me? Likely not, he grew up with dwarven craftsman and has seen weapons like this his whole life. Well it matters not what he thinks. Nibbler is an upgrade from the rusty blade I was using previously. I'll need to speak to Sterling about proper care and maintenance of such a weapon. He's always fussing with his equipment so surely he'll have some pointers for me. Perhaps I'll even get a closer look at the blade he claimed.

Jonathon's criticism aren't without merit. While my companions and I lived through the day, one of the people Eranin sent us to save did not. I hope he does not subtract this death from the gold he has paid us. Delian and Jonathon have come to words over this. Delian faulted Jonathon for his rash actions. For going in when the rest weren't prepared and for not having a plan. Yet, I can't fault Jonathon. He acted and followed his principles. My own instincts are to act, to just get the job done. Yet, I can't help but wonder if a plan might have aided us.

Another possibility tugs at me. I wonder if my own skill isn't up to the task. I had that one thug dead to rights! Six take me, but my shot should have dropped him. He didn't even see me. My bolt hit home between his ribs. It should have killed him. Instead he raised his halberd and killed that poor man. Delian and Jonathon are busy pointing blame at one another, but I fault myself. I feel that I have much to offer, but that I'm always falling short of what's required of me.

The bear we encountered in the caves was a terrifying sight! Ogre's Eyes, I thought Bug Bears were bad, but this beast was colossal! Braddoc's plan of dropping the gate on the creature was genius. As I reflect back on the encounter I realize that I was gripped with fear and for several moments was unable to act. My hands still shake as I think of it. I'll need to mask this trembling lest the others question my abilities. I can't let them know how truly terrified I was, this group is as close to a family as I've known. I don't want to loose them, I don't want to be cast out.

My thoughts now turn towards Delian's speech to the group. His words were harsh, yet he spoke with such conviction. I'd always heard that those who followed the Silver Flame were steadfast in their beliefs, perhaps this is an example of that. I wonder though if Delian isn't trying to subvert Jonathon and the Sovereign Host. My limited knowledge of the Silver Flame is that they don't have time for many other beliefs. I'll have to pay closer attention to what Delian says. It's all fine and well to believe in something, but not if it sabotages our group!

I also think I'm going to need to learn Dwarven! It angers me that Jonathon would insult the rest of us by speaking openly to Braddoc in a manner the rest could not understand. Clearly they shared some jest at the rest of our expense! Jonathon tries to live a life of honour, always quoting how this deity or that deity influences his actions. Then he deliberately slights us. If he has something to say, he should say it so that we can all hear and understand it. I know that Larien would never do such a thing.

Such thoughts tire me. Though I enjoy this new freedom I've discovered and I yearn for the next new adventure. I have come to realize that life was simpler back at the guild house. When all I needed to worry about was cleaning the stables and unloading freight. I'm afraid those days are gone for good. I miss them in a way, I realize I've lost some innocence. Though my life has never been easy, I'd managed to find a place. Now as we travel I question whether I'm up to the task, if the road Olladra has placed me on is right for me. I suppose I'll just have to trust and to do my best.