Journal #28 - The Trial of Ghiravont the Werewolf

Despite our best efforts, the Drev and the Thralls remain, though they are leaderless. They feed themselves, but little more. The goliaths are now working with Nothric, which has established an office within Dhuraam. Nothric will work with the great clans to find the source of the Thralling, and create a regimen to care for them.
 
During my meeting with the chiefs, the first time as an equal, I inform them what I knew of the Filter of Souls. It is not in the Ru’Steppes, but I have an idea of its location possibly in a faraway land, and I am making it my mission to find it now, and to spread the word to wayward peoples that they can return home to the Sunken Summits. Merrys will be joining me in this endeavor, as she signs up with Nothric.
 
Buerig led us to Forge. We took a winding path north of the Ru’Steppes, through B’yor. Before we’d gone two days out of Zuranda, a full moon rose. We had been so accustomed to life underground, that I’d forgotten to prepare for these trials of the captain’s lycanthropy. Before we knew it, he was changing before us. We subdued him with much effort, luckily no one was bitten. It seemed we would never hear the end of it from Buerig, and this new Overwatch Roric. Though, I frankly agreed with their assessment. This lycanthropy is a serious issue. I took it upon myself to guard the captain closely from here on out, around the time of the large moon. With, or without his consent.
 
We had no carriage unfortunately, or else we could’ve locked him up within that. We sent some runners to the elven city of Korrigash’s people to retrieve it, and give the unfortunate news.
 
We continued on, and the mountains of B’yor rose in the distance, and an ancient tower silhouetted atop them. Bar’andul, first beacon of the Dark Lord, a fortress of ancient times, remnant of the first age. We swap stories while within its view. It is said an ancient elvish bloodline lies spirited await at the tower, forever waiting to ignite the beacon and call forth the armies of Malguban. If we followed that road northeast, we would reach the Valley of Ash, and the Black Gate itself.
 
I was happy when it passed out of view behind us. The rest of our trip to Forge was uneventful as we passed through Nornholt and Fort Rodric.
 
It was the dead of winter, and unseasonably cold on top of that - absolutely frigid. Luckily, there was not a whisper of wind. The air stung my lungs, yet my face was not burned. The snow blanketed all, and without a breeze, there was an uncomfortable silence to the land. That changed as we approached the city. The winter solstice was near, and the holiday celebrations were in full force. The city was decorated festively, with lights and music everywhere. It was a wonderful change of pace.
 
My first stop was some fresh clothing, fine and warm. My second was the enchanter who had been working on my medallion for me - nearly a year now! I retrieved it, an amulet of health. I also had my rune shard magically identified; a true Blue Timaranian Rune Shard. Strongly ancestral Primal Alghadan magic, carrying the history of every wielder to have possessed it. Once attuned, only great magic could remove it form me, such as no mortal possess in Terrinoth. However, to utilize it it must be affixed to something, and only the great wizards have been known to infuse items with rune shards. I must find one to affix the stone for me.
 
Back at the home office of Nothric #723, there are some leads for possible new jobs. One interesting one, is at Last Berth, far in the north. An immense presence of Drev are there, with aid requested at a moderate risk level. Apparently it involved an open Vault of Voladryn; long ago in the first age, defenders could not overcome an Un’dradys. To avoid harming the world, they locked themselves within the Vault, and slowly turned to Drev themselves. Someone opened it recently, unleashing them.
 
It was a long day, so we went to bed. The Trial would happen in the morning.
 
Ultimately, it was quite bureaucratic. In fact, I could hardly stay awake. Grumpy over fee-dodging, Lug and Orlando finally joined up officially, as well as Merrys. Buerig remarkably had our backs, though Ghiravont was lectured for poor record-keeping. He was also interrogated about the Aqueducts. He was blamed for the death of Korrigash and his family’s dislike for Nothric now, but that was clearly nonsense as he wasn’t even a Nothric member and simply went where he willed.
 
Esmerelda was not to retire; she was demoted, reassigned to our chapter to serve under review for the period of one year. If after that time she was a member in good standing, she would be promoted to the Board, the governing body of Nothric.
 
We received payout for our contracts and labor. After fees, my share was 4,000 silver pieces. I was quite happy to finally be paid. Really, it wasn’t much of a trial at all, more like a board meeting. With it behind us, we had a relaxing evening and considered our future.
 
The news of Last Berth was interesting, and yet Ghiravont had yet to confront his destiny at Teren’tilith.
 
Either way, our road would be the same at the outset, so we chose to strike for Tamalir, check in with Mirah, and hopefully Malastar.
 
We set out the next dawn. About halfway there, and Ghiravont’s troubles came to us.