New Beginnings, Old Wounds

Hello Journal,
 
A lot to catch you up on... So Kalshana and I have made our way to New Cyre, we were greeted on the gates by a collection of armed individuals, that I hasten to call them soldiers. They were suspect of course but once we elaborated on our purpose they soften and introduce us to somewhat of an authoritarian figure in Terfel Glas.
 
After finding out mine and Kalshanas ability to use healing magic, Terfel sets us up working in the House Jarrasco Clinic under the watch of Thara d'Jorasco, a former field medic. She seems nice enough, but somethings I remember from my time before the Gatekeepers still hold true, that being her House won't allow her to care for those that cannot pay. A shame, I understand that access to healing magic and resources is a rare ability but I feel you shouldn't need to bleed dry financially before you bleed literally. Kalshana and I aren't held under such a code, and Thara I think appreciates that, wishing she was the same.
 
Life went on at a leisurely pace like this for a while since our arrival on the Zaryantr 3rd, till Olarune 20th, The Anniversary of the event called the Morning, the cataclysm that took the home from these people. Their Leader, a member of the Cyran royal house, perhaps the only one left, Prince Oragev gave a speech to his subjects, he spoke with conviction, I'm disappointed he was so rudely interrupted but some blue hooded drongos claiming to bring these people liberty! My instincts kick in and I jump to action, Terfel, Kalshana and another person of interest here, Dax'Athla followed suit. The people here are just trying to get by, they don't deserve this nonsense, though it appears the assailants had one goal in mind: to kill the Prince. Quickly dispatched by our combined efforts, it was unnecessary to take their lives of them but there were unfortunate casualties, we were able to interrogate the survivors. Sadly this proved fruitless as they didn't have much intelligence to share (figuratively and literally) seeming to have all arrived here at random without planning or forethought, but their gear was interesting; well made with what appears to have symbolism I recall belonging to House Cannith, iconography I have seen plenty of in my time but we couldn't be sure of their origins thus taking us to see the resident expert of the settlement, a man called Siebold.
 
The aged goblin is skilled in the practice of Artifice, little rough around the edges but he means well, even offered to give me a look over whilst I was there. Good thing too, it had been many months since my last bout of maintenance after a quick inspection he discovered a dry rot infection within the damaged portion of my spine, given time this would surely have deactivated me permanently! Here's me thinking Warforged don't get sick, it seems we have our own ailments, should monitor this closely. Anyway, he was also able to identify the swords as that of Cannith make, far too well made and expensive for simple street thugs to have acquired on a whim, further investigation was required. Another item of note we found on these thugs was the same pin: Roaring bear with a sword behind it on a blue background. No one in our group seemed to recognise so we took it to another prominent figure in the camp, an old associate of Tefel's, Iona Perch, a priest of the Sovereign Host, one of the more prominent religions on Korvaire so it makes sense they would have a foothold here. She was able to tell us more about it, that the bear and the blue are icons of Breland but the sword stumped her. I took this lull in the investigation to revisit Siebold, said he hasn't had the opportunity to work on my kind often so I'm glad to give it to him, cleared my dry rot right up, but mentioned I need to keep it try to permanently fix the problem, terrible season for it, in Olarune, the showers are relentless.
 
Meeting back up with the group, they had spoken with a local merchant and learned a name for these people, call themselves The Swords of Liberty, parliamentarians who wish to see the royals removed from power in favour of elected officials. Not an unreasonable idea, however, their methods leave much to de desired, but due to to their hindrance to the running of this camp: this cannot continue. Unfortunately, we had no other leads at this time so we decide to seek out the missing supplies that should have arrived a few days prior from Starilaskur, the Brelish town directly north of New Cyre. We were on the road for a few days and typical of Olarune it rained frequently, I kept out of it as best I could, thankfully Terfel was kind enough to lend me one of those sleeping bags I see the organics resting it, it was able to keep the rain from my wounds quite nicely, he's the mate that one. It was soon after we came across our missing wagon, or at the least evidence of the wagon being here, corpses of the fallen escort lay in the bushes, both long dead by Bolts we were quickly able to determine as one pinged directly off of my cranial cap. Using what mentor had taught me, I was able to influence the wilds of Ebberon to heed my call ensnaring our assailants, it felt bizarre but empowering to have such strength at the end of my fingertips, mustn't allow it to get to my head, however, I could feel my force of will waning after its use. Must remember, magic takes a lot of will power to control, I must manage it efficiently. We captured some of our attackers, dressed and armed the same as our previous foes and just as unwilling to talk. Dax's previous method of threatening to eat their limbs (odd but proved effective) didn't seem to work on these fellows instead she elected to get me discussing myself, I was happy to oblige, of course, though I find it a tad upsetting that she would equate that to the eating of limbs! Clever though, had them spilling the beans right quick, we were soon on the trail of more fellas nearby, logic would dictate this is where they have taken the heavy supplies and carts. We quietly approached the camp, attempting to strike at twilight however the fates at other plans, as two of the bandits began to approach us, Dax began sneaking forward, quiet as the wind, knowing she was outnumbered I tried to follow suit, stumbling through the underbrush and drawing them right to me. Knowing I was rumbled I decided to talk it out with these fellas, this gave the rest of our party apt time to strike and eventually overrun the camp.
 
It occurs to me, journal that, despite mentioning them frequently up to this point, I haven't elaborated on whom my new Squadmates are, how rude, sorry well there's Kalshana you know, the others are Tefel Glas and Dax'Athla
 
Tefel Glas is somewhat of an important figure around the New Cyre, a true veteran of The Last War, you can see in the way he carries himself, the old war wounds that hinder his movements, his talented with many forms of arms, for sure a bloke you want on your side when the going gets rough. Because of his stature here I give him the proper respect but he has requested not to refer him as a sir, not sure what happened to that practice since my time away. anyhow, he clearly cares deeply for Cyre and many in the camp heed his words, he even has the Prince's ear at times, as I say someone you wanna keep around. He has a son here too! Eger to learn but with the cold questioning demeanour of a commanding officer, in explaining the loss of Kalshana's comrades and the fall of Bull Hollow to him he didn't pull any punches in his comments, asking if we thought ourselves failures, I didn't show it as I'm sure no harm was meant but those words cut like a knife, still, as I'm learning about how to interface emotionally, he is too so it doesn't bother me. It will be interesting seeing how these children develop over time, not something I've had experience with.
 
Dax'Athla and I first met when was exercising my talents in healing potion brewing, however, lacking the requisite materials, she travelled with me to the local wilderness to collect them. She is what a believe they call Lizardfolk, although I'm sure that's not how they refer to themselves as if she didn't intimidate me so I'd inquire. Anyway, my observations have shown she is a true survivor of the wilds where I am merely a guest, at home there able to traverse forested land as if it wasn't even there and with her assistance, I was quickly able to find the things I needed. I think that aptly describes my experiences with her, she is extremely to the point, and has no time for idle chit-chat, reminds me of some of the other 'Forged I trained with. She has talent, a skilled archer and the use of usual crystalline blades make her a formidable combatant, I can respect that. Further observation has determined that she owes Terfel some form of debt (perhaps for passage to New Cyre, like Kalshana and Myself) though as previously described, she commits to the task without hesitation does make we wonder how and why she would find herself here helping these people but given the past week, I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
And last but not least, Kalshana, yes, I know you know of her but we don't KNOW her, not hardly. She proves herself to a true and honest individual whose only true desire is to help those in need, not expecting coin or renown in return, unlike anyone else I've met aside from Azhug. Having spent most of my new beginning and now working means we are spending a lot more time together, she doesn't seem to mind or care who I was or what I am as long as I doing good and I do like that, its rather refreshing not to have assumptions made about you just because of how you were made. Although as I've learned this maybe because shes never once met a Warforged before! I was aghast at the thought, however Sarlona, the content she originated didn't see the war at all so I assume that means no Warforged, how bizarre. I was happy to elaborate about myself and my creation and she took it in her stride, as most of the strangeness here to her. Sarlona must be so different, I hope she begins to feel at home here sooner rather than later.
 
Well on that last note, she's not alone in that, Terfel seems like the only one of this ragtag squad that has a true incline of anything at the moment, however, what we do have is proving fruitful having recovered at least some of the supplies for New Cyre and these having a lead on these Swords of Liberty drongos causing us so much trouble. I am uneasy at to getting too close to these people, not to lose them like I did Azhug, though I could certainly see that happening and that idea makes the cords in my neck tingle uneasily, must ask Siebold to inspect that, can't be operating properly, can it?
 
I could certainly make what they call home here if nothing else I think.
 
Well, the sun is rising, the others will awake soon,
 
Till next time Journal,
Warden - WX-4445