Session 1

The information Nowhere relayed to me was really good — I'll need to find a way to repay him.
 
He pointed me toward bandits along the highway stealing cultesque items like silver, magic components, and people while leaving other valuables behind. Some of these items were valuable to the city of Maford and Stagdew.
 
While tales and rumors of cults are commonplace, enter any tavern in the late evenings, and someone will whisper about cultists abducting children and their rituals to summon otherplanely creatures. Most of the time, it is ramblings of some drunken old fool, but not this lead. However he came across this information, I don't know, but it led me, and a group of others, to a fort deep within the forests surrounding Maford, and His cultists were there.
 
Of course, He wasn't there, the bastard, but I at least know he's still out there, and it's only a matter of time before I catch up with him.
 
In the thick of it, with my emotions all over the place, anger and fear fueling me — I almost lost myself. I almost tortured a man by wanting to burn his tattoo off, and I would have if Chael hadn't stopped me.
 
I'm not saying these cultist assholes don't deserve punishment and to be judged for the hideousness they do, but wanting to hurt someone like that? That isn't me. I don't know where that ugliness came from, and I don't like that it is within me. It makes me no better than Him and all the horrible things he has done.
 
Guess I need to think about this and maybe pray to whatever God out there will listen to me. Help me overcome this darkness settling within my chest and hope it releases me before I — I don't want to complete that thought.
 
After meeting with Stagdew and running into these new ... acquaintances, I think I'll stick around for a while. They seem like they can hold themselves, and most seem trustworthy, but it might be too early to tell.
 
Mara - a strong, tall young woman around my age, I believe, who carries a terrifying-looking sword and swings it with ease.
 
Ashton - another person with a giant sword. He's got a strong body; maybe he worked on a farm or other manual labor? Doesn't seem trusting of Tieflings, so I will need to keep an eye on him. Sounds like he came from Simmerlake.
 
Arlanval - magic user who came from the Academy in Simmerlake. Brought something to Stagdew, but it seemed to be missing a key, which led to their small group getting involved with the bandit problem.
 
Harper - another Tiefling who has a way with words. Doubt he has ever experienced struggle or strife in his entire life, and I'm confident I could fund the others for the rest of our lives with the bobbles and trinkets that adorn him. I doubt I would have lived a life of luxury like he must live, but I often wonder what my life would have been like if He hadn't chosen us for that sacrifice. But I can't find myself wishing that upon anyone else either, even if there is this gaping hole within my chest that threatens to rip me apart.
 
Chael - this is the young man who stopped me from doing something I would have regretted. Very kind and willing to help. He and Harper seem to be traveling companions and perhaps in business together. Chael made a healing potion for me before we ventured off; I forgot to offer him compensation for that and need to remember to do so.
 
Chael and Harper came with a young woman who seemed wary of Arlanval — I am curious about that. Perhaps in time, I will find out.
 
After reading the journal, perhaps I can talk with the others about helping me find more information on the cult — especially after seeing the vileness of the ritual and the horrors they summoned.
 
Still, I don't know what their end goal is or why my family was chosen.
 
Please, whoever out there that might be listening to my silent prayers, please put me on the right path to finally bring this all to an end.