After the last few days of rough adventure I was anxious to be done with Ashden's Point. I had seen enough in the supposedly “quiet” town to last me quite awhile. The whole business with Knute and the mysterious Eastern coins had me eagerly anticipating our arrival in Wildsgate to hopefully gain some more insight into the matter.
We left town much later than I would have liked, due to Erhivor and Gideon making some last minute purchases. As we departed I looked back, seeing the funeral being held for those who were slaughtered in the temple. The sight of it instilled in me an even greater sense of urgency. We continued along the road for a few hours with no significant events. The woods started to feel a little wilder, and we soon were able to spot two huge mountain peaks ahead. I was glad to be back in the wilderness as I am not too fond of towns and cities. Something about them has always unsettled me, and I much prefer the soft noises of a forest after a spring rain and the crisp taste of mountain air.
That night we made camp beside the road in a small clearing that seemed to have been used frequently by travelers in the past. We all decided on a watch order, though I had a feeling that nothing was going to happen during the night. Well, I was half right, for during my watch, which happened to be the last and extended into the early morning hours, I was surprised by the sound of a small twig snapping behind me. I spun around in what seemed to be slow motion and saw, standing not but a few feet away, the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. I was so stunned by her beauty and presence that I couldn’t move or speak. She seemed to be made of nature; her body was short and frail, her skin a light green. She was clothed in what could only be described as a light veil of moss and bark.
Before I could even let out my breath, she approached me and kissed my forehead, then vanished. I blinked once or twice, and lightly ran my fingers across the spot where her lips had brushed my head, lighter than a soft morning breeze. And no sooner had my hand fallen back to my side than I was aware of something different about the land. I suddenly was besieged by the noises of a thousand different life forms breathing, dying and being born. It was as if her kiss had opened a mystic gate, and the essence and energies of wind, water, fire and earth poured into my being. I now felt as if I was connected to everything, and everything passed through me, and in turn I could use the energies which flowed through me to my own devices. I hope to spend more time in the wilds, learning more about this bond and what secrets it might unlock.
Later that same day, while packing up camp, I noticed Erhivor seemed to be much more involved with his books. Not wanting to disturb his intense focus, I said nothing. We continued up the road towards the mountains, and during the course of the day I occasionally caught a glimpse of something horrible lurking in the woods just off the road. I felt uneasy and warned the rest of my party about the dangers of wandering into the woods, hoping to prevent any accidental encounters with something nasty.
During a short break from our march, I happened to glance up into the clear sky and noticed a huge raven circling directly overhead. At first I thought nothing of it, except that such a large creature was quite rare, until it sped off towards the mountains. After a few miles of hiking I happened to look up again and was startled to see the same raven as before circling and then flying off in the same direction. I decided to alert the others of this anomaly and unfortunately, with the exception of Erhivor, they did not seem to care whatsoever. I feel that their naivety will only lead to trouble. I have a very strong feeling that something was controlling that bird, and it was acting as a spy of sorts. For whom I cannot tell, but I believe our dealings with Knute and the undead in Ashden's Point are connected with this sighting. I must remember to inquire about the Easterners and Orgoshi when we arrive in Wildsgate.
Erhivor seemed to be just as suspicious about the raven as myself and asked if perhaps we could travel by a more concealed route. However, my previous sightings of creatures following us and lurking in the woods just off the path prevented us from doing so. So we reluctantly stuck to the road and continued our travels. A few hours later we came upon a massive tree fallen across our path. It must have been over one hundred and fifty feet long and an eight foot climb to get over. I took a quick survey of the tree and the surrounding area, yet did not see anything suspicious.
Soon after we came upon the tree, Penelope noticed a rotten smell. We climbed over the massive trunk and were assaulted by the unsavory stench of death. I looked down and spotted two stripped bodies of what appeared to be young humans crushed under the tree. I had an unsettling feeling about them but still had to get a closer look to see who they might have been. No sooner had I crouched over one of the corpses when something vile burst from its chest and onto me. I was so surprised I did nothing to defend myself from what turned out to be a two-foot-long spider now chewing on my belly. Without warning, more of the vermin scuttled from the woods, surrounding us. In the ensuing fight, Penelope, Erhivor and I were all bitten repeatedly, while Gideon somehow managed to escape with only a minor wound to his forearm.
As I went about tending to the group’s wounds, I felt as if I could channel nature’s power through myself and into my companions. They were just as surprised as me when their cuts and bites miraculously healed before our eyes. I hope that this new-found power will continue to aid us in our travels, and I feel that through practice I might be able to focus this energy into a more potent form.
Covered in ichor and still somewhat pained, we marched in a ragged line up the road and into the night. Finding an alcove against the mountainside, we decided to set up camp in this seemingly safe location. Again watch was posted and uneventful until Penelope’s shift. Pacing back and forth by the fire trying to keep warm in the chill of the mountain air, she heard the growl of something above. Whirling to face the threat, she was knocked to the ground by the enraged assault of a mountain cat.
Her screams woke the rest of us, and we jumped to our feet to witness the cat raking and clawing at her belly and face. Gideon, quick as always, picked up his bow and loosed an arrow that knocked the cat from poor Penelope. She sprung to her feet and swung her maul in a brutal retaliatory attack that sent the beast staggering back. Suddenly aware that it might have gotten into a very adverse situation, the cat retreated away from Penelope and the party. I turned to watch Erhivor muttering some weird and wonderful words and to my astonishment a small globe of pure acid formed in his upturned palm. With a final decisive word he hurled the liquid death across the night and directly into the mountain cat’s face. The shriek that it let loose when the acid disintegrated its eyes and finally its brain I won’t soon forget, and I felt sad that such a handsome beast had to depart this life in such a horrifying way.
Turning my attention to Penelope I quickly assessed the situation. She was extremely hurt and needed my immediate attention. I once again called on the force of nature to aid me in healing my wounded companion. When I opened my eyes everyone was staring at me. Penelope's deep cuts had healed completely. I was relieved to see that she had been healed, and said a silent prayer to the gods in thanks. Gideon continues to act bewildered and confused by these acts of miraculous regeneration. While I normally don't care what he thinks, I hope that he will soon come to accept my newly gained powers and respect me for my aid.
Waking early in the morning, we continued our journey. After a day of hiking with no more dangerous encounters, we arrived at a small hunting lodge with three men outside cooking meat over a warm fire. After the usual hails and greetings, they invited us to sit and eat what turned out to be bear cub. I was horribly appalled by this, but out of courtesy and futility I said nothing. Over the meal they spoke to us about where we were traveling, specifically the forests surrounding Wildsgate and the lands ahead. My heart sank when they spoke of terrible things lurking just off the path – ghosts and demons. Gideon inquired about the tomb of some long ago hero of sorts, and they only knew of one, but those ruins were now haunted and inhabited by the undead. Again I had a feeling creep down my neck and coil itself around my heart, the distinct feeling that we would soon be heading to those ruins.
An uneventful night’s sleep later, we again continued walking down the path and soon came upon a great river. It was impassable from where we stood, but the road turned abruptly and followed this body of water to the west. This road seemed much more traveled, but as these people would pass us, they ignored our friendly greetings and only warned "Stay on the road!" Soon we came upon a farmer and his cart being pulled by an ox.
The weather was quite warm, and as we walked, a welcome patch of clouds cast a nice cool shadow. But as we glanced up, we soon realized that these were not clouds at all but giant bats carrying Orgoshi warriors! We immediately readied for battle and ran to the aid of the farmer as these foul creatures began hurling javelins at the poor fellow. As we closed in we heard the distinct wail of a baby and realized with horror that this little infant was also a target. In the resulting battle we were not harmed much, but the poor farmer was speared badly. The bats appeared to fly directly towards where we had learned the haunted ruins and tomb lay in the forest.
After another channeling of power I restored his health, and he immediately rushed to make sure his baby was safe. The now eternally grateful farmer drew us a map of the area and recommended several places to stop in Wildsgate, namely a smithy and a reputable inn. Then he gave us a ride into town in the back of his cart.
Upon arrival in town, my companions went about securing lodgings. We all gathered at the smithy where Penelope acquired a wicked scary maul and Gideon purchased a simple yet deadly dagger. I myself ordered a masterwork scimitar to be made, but hope in the future to stay back from the fights and lend my healing aid instead. I then remembered that a passing traveler had told me of a terrible curse that affected the noble Baron here in Wildsgate, so I set off to see if I could seek an audience and offer my aid in some form.
During a restless night’s sleep I continued to wonder what awaited us here in Wildsgate. I wonder what exactly this curse on the Baron and his family consists of, and I truly hope that my companions and I can possibly break this curse. I believe that we will soon be heading towards the haunted ruins of the tomb of the ancient hero, and I only hope we are ready for what awaits us there.
- Recollection of events dictated to Gwyneth the Bard
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