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Arthom

Grumpy bald dwarf druid with a long past.

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Arthoms 33rd letter (S2E19)

*Written in Dwarven*     To my dear cousin Thyria,   Aye, today’s been a test o’ patience if ever there was one.   Started with a drink at the Garrison Pub, where Ko let slip that Master Opah reached out tae her—said there are Triad members inside the academy. So, naturally, we went tae investigate. I cannae say I had high hopes for this place, but I cannae leave this lot tae fend fer themselves. Not after that Eoin said.   The next day, Zy cast some illusion magic, disguisin’ me, Mog, an’ Talu so we could blend in. That was the only part o’ the day that made any sense.   First class, an’ the bloody teacher struck me. Right across the face, like I was some unruly child. I had tae fight every instinct in me not tae rip his throat out then an’ there. Bastard’s lucky I’ve got more restraint than I used tae.   Then we got quizzed on the Four Wars o’ History. Gave a very in-depth recount o’ the Titan War, because if there’s one thing I actually ken, it’s war. But, of course, some wee shite-stain o’ a student mocked me for it. Without missin’ a beat, I said "I'll fookin’ kill ye," an’ the teacher just nodded an’ said "I'll allow it."   Aye. This is the kind o’ school we’re dealin’ with.   Class ended, an’ we went tae the yard. I kept tae meself, watchin’ as Ko, Syrus, an’ Yifeng confronted some Mokuna. It started escalatin’, so I got up tae step in, but before I could reach them, they walked away. Strange, but I kept it in mind.   Back inside, we had some Chi an’ Spirit nonsense. They started askin’ all these "deep" questions meant tae help us harness our chi. A few o’ them hit too close tae home, an’ I had tae bite me tongue more than once. I’ve rarely got time for introspection when I’m surrounded by this level o’ shite, and here is far from the place for such.   Then came the sparrin’ matches.   Ko an’ Syrus went first. Ko tried tae trip him, an’ Syrus just shoved her tae the ground like it was nothin’. He won.   Then came me an’ Talu. I refused tae fight. Told ‘em plain, I’m nae strikin’ me allies for the sake o’ some poorly facilitated "trainin’." If I’m tae train the misfits, I’ll do it properly, not like this nonsense. Might not be a bad idea actually... Talu insisted, though, so I let her have her fight, against a non-combatant. She ended up hurtin’ herself on me face, tripped me, an’ was granted won.   Yifeng an’ Lucid fought next, an’ I enjoyed every second o’ Yifeng tossin’ Lucid around like a wee rag doll. Needless to say she won with little challenge. Much to Lucid's dismay.   Mog an’ Zy followed, an’ the whole match was a disaster. Mog bloody slapped himself, Zy tried tae pull his pants down tae trip him, an’ he just pushed her aside. The teacher finally gave up an’ called it a draw.   Then we moved tae Arcana Class. Master Opah himself was teachin’, an’ he went ‘round askin’ us about magic.   Asked Ko about ley lines.   Asked me about druidism.   Asked Zy about types o’ magic. She answered Arcane, Education, History, War, an’ Art.   The real answers? Arcane, Illusion, an’ Teleportation.   I'm sure I needn't tell ye about the targeted nature of these questions.   After that, we finally got tae lunch.   The others found and opened a letter we’d found in a Mokuna’s bag—it had the location o’ the place the others went tae without me. We showed it tae Opah an’ asked him tae bring the Mokuna tae a classroom so we could question her.   She admitted that she’s datin’ a Triad member, an’ he pays her. Said he was arrivin’ this afternoon tae pick her up. So, naturally, we decided tae kidnap him an’ question him.   Master Opah said he’d handle the rest internally. I dinnae trust the academy, but I’ll see how this plays out.   If this day’s taught me anythin’, it’s that this place is more broken than I thought. I’m nae sure what we’ll find here, but I’ll be damned if we leave without dealin’ with the Triad’s influence—one way or another.   Your cousin, Arty

Arthoms 32nd letter (S2E18)

*Written in druidic*     To my dear cousin Thyria,   Aye, this night’s been one for the bloody record books.   Was drinkin’ in a pub, as ye do, regroupin’ with the misfits after chasin’ down Gurvel. Turns out I missed a right disaster while I was away. They filled me in—apparently, they got covered in shite, found some frog man, an’ freed some slaves from the Triad. Just another day in this gods-forsaken circus.   We decided tae send one o’ the freed slaves, a Lupo named Ocumwhowurst, back tae his homeland via Allil. Seemed the decent thing tae do.   Then Illyana arrived. Looked ‘round the room an’ just asked, “What the fuck happened?”   So, naturally, I gave her the rundown—   The curse on me.   Saib an’ how he might be behind it.   The massacre at the Victri mansion.   The collective madness that is this group.   After some discussion, me an’ Illyana agreed that the best way tae deal with this curse is tae do it the strongest way possible—which means takin’ an ungodly amount of hallucinogens.   Now, Illyana went off tae negotiate with the Nusaru tae get the drugs. Turns out, her form o’ negotiation was… unconventional. Came to an agreement with a big-Breasted Nusaru that involved sex in exchange for said drugs.   I, wisely, chose tae remain at the bar, drinkin’ heavily while they got tangled up in the throes o’ passion. Didnae even make it tae a room. Just went at it on the bloody stairs like wild beasts. Aye. That’s what we’ve come tae.   Zyanna joined at some point, because why not? This night couldnae get any stranger, aye?   Oh, but it did.   In the midst o’ all this debauchery, Ocumwhowurst sprinted past us, mouth on fire, screamin’ tae the gods. And what did the big-breasted Nusaru do? She shoved her bare chest in his mouth tae put out the flames. With milk.   …Aye. That happened.   Then, o’ course, the Mokuna assassins attacked, because apparently even the universe itself decided this night was too peaceful.   That finally got the whole group’s attention. Even in me slightly inebriated state, I grabbed me weapons an’ waded into the fight. Thought eae meself "if I’m dyin’ tonight, it sure as hell isnae gonna be with a FULL drink in one hand an’ a half-naked Nusaru runnin’ around in the background."   Your cousin, Arty  

TheArthoms 31st letter (S2E16)

Written in Dwarven To my dear cousin Thyria,   Aye, today was a strange one.   I was sittin’ in the park, mindin’ me own, when Yifeng went an’ tripped right over me. Had a bit of a chat, an’ at my offer she sat herself down at my wee camp I’d set up in the garden. Then she started botherin’ me.   “Try meditatin’,” she says.   I told her no—adamantly. I can meditate. I’ve done more o’ it than she’s likely ever tried. But I havenae in a long while. Won’t.   But she wouldnae stop. Kept proddin’. So I finally barked, “If I do it, will ye shut up?” “Yes,” she says. “Fine.”   So I sat, breathed, settled. Felt the familiar stillness creep in—somethin’ I’ve avoided for ages. Just as I was about tae give up, I opened me eyes… an’ the city was gone.   I was still in the park, but next tae me sat a green elf. It was Eion.   We talked for a while, an’ it cut deeper than I expected. I'll save some o' the conversation tae meself.   I’ve lived a long life, Thyria. An’ yet I’ve gone nowhere. I’ve built nothin’. Changed nothin’. I’m still fightin’ the same battles, still swingin’ me fists at the same shite I was when I first took up arms tae answer wars call. Eion asked why folk go tae the titans—what makes people so shite? Told him straight, shite people are shite tae each other.   Then he tells me someone needs tae lead this band o’ misfits. Says it should be me. I laughed at that—told him they’d never follow me. He disagreed. Said I’m the best option.   Then he said somethin’ I cannae shake. "If ye save one person, ye save the world."   Told me tae try. Just one o’ them. Pull one from the fire. An’ for some reason, I agreed.   Compellin' bastard.   But if I fail? I’m done. I’ll leave. He agreed.   Before he disappeared, I asked if it was Syrus that tried tae kill me. His answer? "I think ye already know." Aye, real bloody helpful.   Then I woke up, an’ Yifeng was sittin’ there smirkin’ at me like a smug wee shite. Told her tae wipe that look off her face. She just said she was goin’ for a walk an’ asked if I’d join. Told her I’d go if there was a pub on the way. She agreed.   Outside the pub, Lucid was standin’ there. I walked right past him. Nae interest in whatever nonsense he was up tae of late.   An’ then, inside, I saw somethin’ that made me stop dead in me tracks.   Gurvel. Drinkin’ alcohol.   Not milk. Alcohol.   Thyria, ye dinnae ken how strange that is. That man’s never voluntarily touched a drop. Not once. We’ve all tried tae get him tae drink before, an’ he’s always refused. Drinks bloody milk even when the rest o’ us are knockin’ back pints. But here he was, clear as day, tossin’ back a glass o' wine like it was nothin’.   I sat down across from him. Asked him about it, straight as I could. Got nothin’ but smartarse answers. I pressed, but there was nae gettin’ through. Let it go—for now. But somethin’ about it feels wrong.   Then Syrus pulled me aside. Said he needed tae talk.   Turns out his gang might’ve been involved in the assassination attempt on me. Said it was just meant tae put a curse on me—an’ apparently, there’s a chance Saib was behind it. Syrus asked me if it was Saib, would I leave him be.   Told him straight—I wouldnae take action against Saib unless I discovered the truth meself. Also told him tae not tell me where Saib is if he’s responsible. An’ just tae make sure everythin’ is crystal clear—I’m puttin’ a bounty on Saib’s head if I die. Which be attached tea this letter. Syrus agreed, said he’d dig up more information.   When we rejoined the others, Ko made it clear she’s watchin’ Gurvel—lookin’ for corruption or some such. An’ then I noticed it. She was wearin’ the fire lily ring I made her around her neck. Dinnae know what tae make o’ that, but it did make me a wee bit proud.   After some pointless chatter, Gurvel spoke up. Asked why we were all plannin’ tae fight this war against the cults. Folk had their reasons—altruism, personal vendettas, all sorts. When the same question was turned on him, then Gurvel turned tae me an’ said somethin’ I didnae expect.   In Druidic, clear as day, he told me: We need tae stay alive tae kill him.   Then he bloody teleported away.   Aye. Nae idea what tae make o’ that. But I intend tae find out.   Your cousin, Arty   *ATTACHED*   Notice of Vendetta Let it be known:   In the event of my death, the grey elf known as Saib is to be considered solely responsible. Whether by blade, poison, magic, or treachery, if I fall, it is by his hand or his design.   This is not a plea for justice. This is a call for retribution. Any who stand idly by will be complicit in his treachery. Any who would aid him will share in his fate.   Saib is to be met with full force. No mercy. No hesitation. No escape.   This vendetta is sworn and bound in blood and honor. Let it be carried out without question.   —Arthom, Captain of the Joint Dwarven Guerilla Militia

Arthoms 30th letter(S2E15)

Written in Dwarven To my dear cousin Thyria,   Aye, things in Zynii have taken another turn. We’ve decided tae split up and deal with these damned cultists district by district. Divide and conquer, as they say. I was paired with Talu and the two o’ us were sent tae deal with the Prima cult in the Azurite District along with Prince Liuni. There was nae chance I’d be goin’ anywhere near the Morvor cult, especially nae with Lucid. That be a fight I'll only do the proper way, the old way... by making the fight long, slow, maddening, and terrifying. make them fear each step, each blink, each sound behind them.   The rest split up as follows: Gurvel and Yifeng went after the Enkelados cult in Tanzanite District; Lucid and Ko went tae deal with the Morvor cult in Turquoise District; and Syrus and Zyanna took on the Edo’ghan cult in Amber District. The gleam boys, along with Prince Luini, Saa’diah, and both Zenos (aye, the real one and the fake one) joined us. Forge's gleam pods provided us transport. Whisper tagged along too, though the prince sent her off tae find an Aurelian mafia group nearby tae bolster our numbers.   The cultists must’ve known we were comin’, because as we advanced, they launched a bloody tidal wave at us. It would’ve swept us all away if nae for Prince Luini, who parted the water like some kinda miracle worker. We ducked into a side street tae regroup, and Whisper returned with about twenty mafia soldiers in tow.   The mafia lads charged the church ahead, but half o’ them were picked off by these writhin’ water tentacles the cultists had summoned tae guard the place. We waited for the tentacles tae disappear before makin’ our move. Once clear, we charged in behind the mafia soldiers.   The fight was brutal, cousin, but we wiped out every last one o’ those bastards. I didnae wild shape—dinnae trust it since the last time. I let my claws an’ teeth do the work. It’s been a long time since I fought hand to hand, bare and brutal. There’s somethin’ visceral about it, somethin’ that feels... honest. Only thing that felt was missing was Da's axe   When the last cultist fell, I set the church ablaze. As the flames rose, I carved the triad lotus symbol in blood on the floor before the door—a message tae anyone who stumbles upon it. A passing of blame from us to the Triad. These bastards dinnae get tae spread their filth unchecked. Not in Zynii.   After dealin’ with the Azurite District, we regrouped and shared tales o’ what each lot accomplished. It’s somethin’ else, hearin’ the different ways this ragtag crew handled theirs.   Syrus and Zyanna, for instance—they went tae the Amber District. Turns out they cooked every last occupant in the church, killin’ them all. Aye, baked em within the inflammable church, as if they were yule tide cookies. Brutal, but effective.   Lucid and Ko in the Turquoise District? They toppled the whole bloody church on top o’ the cultists. Burned it tae the ground first, then brought it crashin’ down. Overkill, sure, but there’s nae argument that it got the job done.   And then there’s Gurvel and Yifeng in Tanzanite District... They asked the cultists tae leave. Just asked them. And, by the gods, apparently the cultists actually left. I’ll admit, I was gobsmacked when I heard that one. The pair o’ them managed tae solve the problem without spillin’ a drop o’ blood. I dinnae even know what tae say about that. But it doesnae sound right, and gives me cause for concern.   I cannae help but wonder if this is all leadin’ tae somethin’ greater—or if it’s just another round o’ madness. Either way, I’ll keep fightin’ the good fight. For now.   Your cousin, Arty

Letter to Celia

*written in druidic*   Greetings Celia,   I hope this letter finds ye well, I'm writing to ye on behalf of Gurvel who has a request to make of ye.   I realise that given how I left things off with my last letter to ye, and now the lack of letters I've got little pull to facilitate such a request, but I hope I've not tainted all of the good will ye have towards me with my actions...   "Aww hey Celia,   This is Gurval. Arthom is writing a letter for me cause I wanted to ask you a question but I cannot write to ask you the question, so Arthom offered to write a letter for me so I can ask you the question.   My questions is would you and the druids be willing to take in my kids? They're a good bunch, a bit rough around the edges but they mean well and they want to do well, they just haven't had a lotta opportunities to do either.   I'd like to help them, but I'm not really good for much aside from hurting people. You're smart though, and so are a lot of other people at the Emerald Heart. Arthom trained with you guys, and he turned out pretty great. I'm hoping the same could be done for them. You could make a bunch of mini-Arthoms!...baby Arthom's? Arthomlings? Arthomles!   But...yeah. It'd be great to know if you could. Things are getting a bit weird in Zynii, and I kinda want them outta here sooner ratger than later.   Thank's for your time   *Gurvel ia poorly scrawled on the parchment*"   If ye find it within yerself to write a reply to me OR to the big fella, you know how to reach me... Ye'll always be upon me mind...   Your friend? Arthom

Arthoms 29th letter (s2E14)

*Written in Dwarvish* To my dear cousin Thyria,   Aye, it’s been a bloody day tae forget!   It started with a letter from Prince Luini, callin’ me tae some meetin’. Figured I’d go, though the whole journey felt off. I couldnae shake the feelin’ I was bein’ watched. Turns out I was right—nearly stumbled into a bloody trip wire hooked tae some crystal contraption. Dodged it at the last second. Was nae so lucky a moment later—an arrow lodged itself in me shoulder.   I bolted, takin’ tae the back streets, weaving tae make followin’ me harder. Somehow made it tae the meetin’ point and ran into Talu. Inside, there was a right company of armed folk. They seemed busy with their own affairs, so we pressed on seemingly uncared about. I recognized a few shifty faces from the pub where I met this band o’ misfits, but they paid us no mind.   Then some cleric came up an’ offered aid fer me wound. By then, I was feelin’ worse than I’d like tae admit. The rest o’ the conversation was a blur, but Talu dragged me tae the medical bay. As I lay there, miserable as sin, I heard the rest o’ the crew—Gurvel, Syrus, and Lucid—makin’ a ruckus. I dinnae even need tae look; I just used message tae tell Gurvel tae shut his trap. That didnae stop them, mind ye.   They found me, but I wasnae in a state tae welcome them. Everything turned tae madness in my head as i began seeing nightmarish creatures, and before I knew it, I’d wild-shaped inta somethin’ horrid—a bloody bin chicken o’ all things. I wasnae meself, tried tae escape like a lunatic. Syrus used magic tae calm me down, while Gurvel—aye, in his infinite wisdom—decided tae feed me milk. Nae sure what he thought that’d accomplish.   While all this nonsense unfolded, somethin’ clicked in me brain—I remembered seein’ a green Solen just before I was attacked. It hit me when I saw Syrus, so naturally, Enraged and still out of me senses I attacked the poor bastard. Aye, as a bloody bin chicken. Thankfully he punted me through a window, and that finally broke the spell. I turned back tae meself with nae memory of what happened.   Syrus and Gurvel filled me in—ye can imagine the shite I got from them, but as they did it all slowly came back tae me, still very hazy, like recalling a dream, from long ago. Syrus an’ I talked about the green Solen. Might’ve been someone tied tae his gang, or maybe a bloody shapechanger, might've been him although he claims innocence in the matter. Either way, it’s somethin’ tae look out for. Gurvel, on the other hand, asked me tae send a letter tae the druids about sendin’ the kids tae the Emerald Heart. Told him I’d write the letter with his words and send it on his behalf. I suppose I’ve got a wee scrap o’ diplomacy left in me.   Later, Syrus and Gurvel pointed out some magical wall. I walked through it—why not, eh?—an’ found Zeno and some Rojikan woman tied up. Decided it was nae my problem and walked right back tae the bar. Rejoined Zy, Ko, Talu, an’ Gurvel. Zeno wandered in soon after and immediately got mocked by the group, as he should. Zy even scolded him like a wee bairn before draggin’ him back tae that illusory wall. Talu followed her.   Meanwhile, the prince himself joined me, Ko, and Gurvel at the bar. I asked Ko if we were on speakin’ terms, an’ she said “for now.” Fair enough. Figured it was a good time tae give her somethin’ I’d been workin’ on—handed her a leather pouch I made meself with the fire lily ring inside. The same fire lily from diomeda. Nae sure what she thought of it, but at least I tried.   And that’s the tale o’ today. Another round o’ chaos, aye, but it’s startin’ tae feel like that’s just my life now.   Would ye be so kind as tae let the rest of the fellas in the hold know I'm still alive? Feel free tae fill 'em in on my adventures of late. thank ye muchly Your cousin, Arty  

Arthoms 28th letter (S2313)

*Written in Dwarvish* To my dear cousin Thyria,   Aye, today was a bloody circus. We’re off chasing Morvor cultists on some grand ship, with Prince Leuni himself handin’ us a new recruit—Froblina, she’s tae help us on this fool’s errand. Decent lass so far, but I’m nae holdin’ me breath. The prince, o’ course, thinks we’ve the upper hand, though he doesnae have a clue what these cultists might be capable of. Real encouragin’, eh? Still, we set off regardless.   Lucid, the daft lad, decided tae try an’ act the big pirate captain. He hasnae a bloody idea what he’s doin’. It’s atleast entertainin' tae watch.   The monks—Yifeng an’ Froblina—tried tae move the ship with some kind o’ fancy magic. Failed the first time, an’ sent half the crew sprawlin’ across the deck. So, what do they do? Sit down tae meditate like it’s a bloody problem-solvin’ tactic. But, credit where it’s due, second time seems the charm, as it works a treat, though it sent the lot of us knockin’ about again.   An’ then there’s bloody Gurvel, summonin’ his daft cow, Zyanna, after it flew off with Toes on its back. Poor fella, I swear, we'd be best off puttin' the bastard out of his misery than subjecting him to this life any more.   Now, Talu. Aye, she’s been a right pain. She came tae me askin’ tae check on Gallant after the monks tossed the ship about. The lad’s a good sport though, thought all the chaos was fun. Fair enough. But then Talu started pryin’, askin’ about... well, about me. Asked about Celia. I told her as politely as I could muster that its nae her business, but she kept diggin’. Said she wanted tae know my story. I told her folk dinnae want tae hear it, but she claimed otherwise. Left me feeling some type of way that did. But folk dinnae want me burdenin’ them with all that. But I did still appreciate the gesture none the less. Perhaps I misjudged that one a wee bit.   Syrus spotted the ship we were huntin’, an’ Lucid—still thinkin’ he’s some sort o' grand leader—tried tae rally us. It was laughable, but I held me tongue. He asked if I could turn into some sea creature. Aye, I probably could, but the lad’s nae worth indulgin’. Instead, I laid out a proper plan:   Board the ship, negotiate first. If that failed, we’d fight. The monks were tae search for prisoners while we dealt with the elf cultist. Burn the bloody ship, pick off survivors if need be. Simple an’ effective.   When we boarded, Froblina tried peace with the nusaru crew, while Mordhog—the cultist we were hunting—decided tae taunt Lucid, claimin’ he needed tae “wash his father off his hands.” Between ye and I, that be a bloody good comment to make. Lucid, bein’ Lucid, threw a dagger right at him, an’ combat broke out. Lucid got smacked about like a wee bairn until the misfits jumped in tae back him up.   Meanwhile, Froblina managed tae convince the Nusaru crew tae abandon ship once they realised they were workin’ with a Morvor cultist. Smart lass. Lucid eventually killed the cultist—decapitated him for good measure—then tossed the body overboard, but nae before looting his fresh corpse...   We’re back in Zynii now, gifted the ship tae the Black Skull pirates tae clear Lucid’s debt. Hopefully, that’s one less headache tae deal with until such a time as we can give him to them.   Thyria, it feels like the longer this goes on, the further I get from anything that makes sense, and the further I feel removed from any semblance of sane behaviours.   Your stubborn cousin, Arty  

Arthoms 27th Letter (S2E12)

*Written In Dwarvish* Dear Thyria,   I write to you today with grave concern in my heart. This band of failures I continually associate with have been called upon to grant aid. To the world. To fight the cultists of the titans that I fought once already. This brings me much dread as I remember the pain and suffering caused last time.   It all started today in a pub, in the emerald district looking for lucid so we could give his undead arse to the pirates and be rid of him. The whole group with exception of Ko'rava was waiting for him and lo and behold Zyanna brings him right to us. As they settle in pleasantries are exchanged, Gurvel gifts Zyanna with the whip we found in the Victri mansion, then he is summoned away by some little leishu kid, before returning with Ko and some mokuna who introduced herself as Yifeng, and they lay out some desire to take down the triad gang in the city. Ko believing foolishly that defeating them will save her brother from the Yakuza killing him as punishment for their collective failures. I have no desire to get involved in this political underworld squabble, not least of all to save someone I dont fucking know nor like, but to add to the difficulty of this request she demanded that when we do it it cant have any ties to the yakuza, thus why she contacted and came to us. She had no where and no one else to go to. She didn't come to us for any personal reason, purely desperation.   But DESPITE her desperation she still blames us for her and her little families failure and inability to do their job, and blames me especially for killing her 'sister'. As if the Wee rat didn't swing her sword at me, try take my fucking life and brandish herself an active combatant, even when presented with this information, she refused to yield and in place of her usual retort and jab at me she opted for silence. If she is this blind to the world and to the situation, then I fear for where her loyalties lie and highly doubt its with us but rather with the yakuza. I fear she may betray us to them to try and gain some favor from them. I will be watching her actions closely. Look, between you and I, I know I'm not in the right here, but I'm no in the wrong either, and as such, refuse, adamantly as is my way to acknowledge guilt where i believe it unfounded, and unwarranted.   While we were having this lovely discussion, the corpse demanded our attention, as if what he had to say was supposed to stir us to action. Apparently while we were all separated after finding Ko, he sought out his father who was in the city, and we watched daddy die at the hands of morvor cultists who were sent by his step mum. Boo Hoo.... kid. Go fight and reclaim yer da's kingdom on yer own time, I'll not be risking my life for that.   Zeno then buying the next round, and returns with a strange hooded figure. I immediately prepared for a fight, but it turns out that it was a friendly, and a man we had met before, and I had even tried to save, Prince Luini Juipius of Diomeda. He filled us in on the events that came after we left diomeda. Turns out it was not destroyed by the volcano like we had thought, the cultists stopped that destruction after the had waht they wanted, the control of the government/leadership, in turn bringing exponential power to the cults of Enkelados and Prima, and that the cultists in command are ruling with an iron fist and have declared martial law across the land. The prince escaped shortly after, I know not how nor do i care to ask at this time, but his desires are set in stone and he seems as determined as an man could be, to reclaim his homeland and stop the cults. I'm currently of a mind to help him. The enkelados cult means death for us all. The collective group then mentioned that the cultists were using some sort of red lightening, much like what Gurvel has begun using since the incident at the victri manor... I worry for him, and what he may have gotten himself into, I'll keep an eye on him as much as I can spare...   Syrus also revealed some of his past, including that he too is currently in a gang, a solen gang far away that is wanting to get involved in Zynii's crime ring and he is here to destabilize the gangs, and he had been doing it for about a year. His plan however is that of betrayal , he wished for his gang to come to Zynii so he can have them taken apart, but once he has aided in granting his gang a foothold in the city his debt to the gang will be settled. This debt that he didnt even accrue, but instead took on in lieu of his brother who had tried to rip the gang off. Sadly he cant return home to his family and brother until he gives his gang a foothold in the city, Despite his disagreement with the gangs ideologies and their seeming previous efforts to get him killed.   Despite all these major acts of political unrest and problems to rectify this new mokuna is apparently a pacifist and wants to remain peaceful as much as possible.... We'll see how this one lasts among us...   Lucid tried to make some inspirational speech about how "we need to stay together" that fell flat on its face...   And then as a group we decided to take out the morvor cultist who killed lucids father, their reasoning was 'justice' mine was simply to be rid of the bastard once and for all. Hoping that with this last act of aid to him he would honor the word given to the pirates and the rest of the group would stop hindering such.   After this we are setting our eyes on the triad so ko can try save that little ranga rat of hers, and so that syrus can report a power vaccum back to his gang and bring them here and rectify his problems.   This was a long night, and Not one i care to repeat not have as a frequent occurance. I'm not tired, and sick of talking, so I shall bid ye farewell, Until my next letter, wish the boys my best, Arthom  

Arthoms 26th letter (S2E11)

*written in Dwarvish*   Beloved Cousin Thyria,   Another eventful day has befallen me our wee band of misfits, but thankfully I feel this day has brought a peaceful close to a chapter that was in much need of attention, for much like a wound festers without care, so too do promises left unfulfilled...   So, as ye may well expect, I found some of the rest of the party , and we has a wee lil' chat about what our next move is as a group, and the general consensus was that we should attempt to mend relationships with the gangs that we can. The Yakuza Hate us after our failed Raid, The victri hate us after our incident at the manor, and the gleam boyz seem to be on our side (as much as they can, despite the dangers of our continued association), so that leaves the Black skull pirates, the crew we promised Lucid to, the very same crew that lent us Toes and Fingers to aid in our journey. Sadly they did nae make it out of the Victri mansion to our knowledge, so we decided to go back there and see what's left of the poor bastards and see if there be anything we can bring back to the pirates to allow them a proper burial as something of a peace offering. Thankfully, we needn't fash about finding the swashbucklers, as they set upon us from the shadows, the bastards had us on the ground, their blades to our necks, before we convinced em to let us up to speak. Their primary concern being, where their captain was, and where their crew mater were. So we were candid, and told them we knew not where lucid was, and that we believed Toes and Fingers to be long dead. They agreed to come with us to attempt to recover their bodies.   Upon arrival, at the charred husk of that cursed manor I could nae help but feel a wee bit of pride as my handiwork, but that pride was overshadowed by anguish, for the return of old behaviors I swore off of long ago. As we found an entrance, the group spent way too much time chin wagging so I just headed in, we did nae come here to mess about. As our merry band was almost all in when the entrance collapsed, trapping gurvel and Gallant outside. Ever the calm pragmatist Gurvel sought another entrance, which turned out to be a window on a further face of the building, but would have probably wondered around for hours had I not used message to tell him where we were. Thank the gods that oaf has a keen sense of direction. Shortly after gurvel regrouped with the rest of us we were met with a series of paths to take, and after yet another lengthy discussion we opted to take the path to the dungeons below.   As we descended, we came across a large prison chamber, cells lining the walls either side, with long dead corpses within. Poor bastards, cannae tell if they starved, dehydrated, or simply were drunk to death by the victri. Up ahead, the one thing barring our entry was a metal reinforced door, the bastard was even enchanted... Sneaky bloodsuckers clearly wanted to hide whatever was behind the door. After a clever use (if i do say so myself) of Heat metal on the latch of the door, and no shortage of strength applied by the big fella, we bent the lock and entered what could only be described as a nightmare chamber from the worst kind of degenerate bards fantasies... They had all types of tools and devices and contraptions to derive sexual pleasure from, some of which remained within the prisoners as they perished. Poor buggers. Few deserve such a fate, and I strongly doubt this lot were among that number. But, dinnae fash. We gathered their bodies, and did what we could there and then to give them the respect they deserved in death. Horrifyingly though, gurvel, while we were showing respects found hisself a new toy, some kind of Victri whip, red and black in color, the like I've never seen before, and wrapped it around his arm that i gave him. I suppose for later use...   Sadly though, there was naught else down here, and we were forced to back track to the junction we were at previously, opting for a different path this time, we sorta just guessed for it, using what little memory we all had of the layout of this place prior to its destruction. As we marched on, I foolishly made a misstep, which left my arse falling through a hole, with a sure fire death waiting below me. Thankfully Master Teviati and Illyana's teachings finally sunk in. I found my connection to the element of Earth and melded with the stone upon impact, and rather than dying, i sunk, deep into the earth itself where i heard an strange and ominous pounding within the stone. Heartwarmingly, Gurvel and Syrus came down to see if I was alright, while Talutah remained with the pirates. I admit I was slightly saddened that she didnt come down too, but I try to remember that both of the boys had much more available meant to get down than she did, so I keep telling myself that be why, Not lack of care, but lack of means.   As we recovered from that frightening experience, we witnessed a warhound coming towards us, starving and crazed. I attempted to reason with it, alas to no avail. the damned thing had nae sense left, and was just desperate. As I matched its form and we battled, the other two fought well and together we struck it down and put the poor thing out of its suffering. In order for us to leave the hole I fell into, Gurvel teleported, and I shifted into my little spider form and climbed upon Syrus so that we could fly out. Saved so much effort trying to climb out. as We three emerged we regrouped with Talu and the pirates, who had found Fingers, and had reclaimed what parts of his body they could and they filled us in as to the situation they were in. As we pressed on to the room in which Syrus and I were drugged. We walked past the carnage I had left in my wake and the group, all for the first time had seen what I had actually done. I felt the gaze of my comrades upon me, I heard talu get feint at the sight of what i had done, syrus I imagine was in disbelief as to the barbarity, and Gurvel seemed to be completely fine with it but I hope that be attributed to his hatred for the victri and not a sign of something more dire.   As we returned to the room in which lacey had me and Toes tied up, and saw several bodies lying around the room. As if this place wasnt weird enough, these bodies had barely decomposed, unlike the ones in the cells below. Yet, logically they should have died at a similar time which left many of us perplexed, but ever stalwart we pushed on looking for toes. In our search we opened many of what appeared to be silken pods, I assume much like what lacey intended to put me in. This room of horrors was clearly a feeding room for that vile monster, draining these people for days, weeks or months until they had no mor life force to give. Opening these pods we found many people who breathed their last breath as they were finally freed, and out of her power. I cannae imagine the torment they endured, nor how long they endured it for all so Lacey could be strong, and survive her wounds we gave her. I thought the Victri were bad before, but now, I have a disdain fer them that I've never felt before. Its like a roaring fire in my breast, driving me onwards, to take them on, to rip and tear them apart. But thankfully before I could devolve any further into this thought process Syrus found toes, ALIVE! he set about using what power he had to heal the man, I promptly joined, and Talu too shortly after. We did the best we could but alas, the damage was done. Poor toes, had lost his legs. I can only assume that as his body began to fail it forsook keeping his legs alive to prioritize hit vital organs. After we stabilized him as much as we could, Gurvel carried him out of this horrible place, as we entrusted his care to the Black skull pirates form here we hoped our alliance can be salvaged still, despite all thats happened. As we parted ways Gurvel summoned he Cow Zyanna (love that he is perpetually calling her a cow with that lil gag) through some sort of red lightening that I've never seen the likes of before...   And now, we head off to try to find Lucid, so we can give his arse to the pirates, and be rid of the bastard. Last heard he was with Zyanna in the Emerald District , so I suppose that's our next destination. Lets see what shite is gonnae blindside us next.   All the best to the family, clan, and Kin. Tell the kids their uncle says "Hi"   Arthom

Arthom 25th letter (S2E9)

*The letter is written in Dwarvish*   To Thyria,   Hey cousin! how are ye?   I'm writing this letter to check in on you, the family and the hold. How Is everyone? What's new? Any good stories? I know its been a long time since you've heard from me, and a great deal has happened since I wrote to you last so allow me to fill you in.   *Arthom writes in great detail the story thus far, from the druids trapped sleep to, meeting the group In Zynii, to the leyline tour, the tragedy at diomeda, the reuniting of the group, ALL the drama since returning to Zynii looking for Ko. Everything up to the current point.*   So things between myself and Syrus have improved dramatically. And oddly enough I feel a sense of hope for the future again. I didn't realize the true weight I had been carrying since deciding that I would return to my solitude. I cannot state how freeing it felt to have people who wanted me back even if it was only because of what i was carrying. While I like the fella and greatly appreciate the company, I truly don't know why Syrus tried so hard to get me back on side. I cant shake the feeling that I've ruined so much of his hard work since he has been here and he's just doing damage control at this point.   I was surprised to see him actually, and without Saib was definitely a good choice. We exchanged pleasantries briefly and I did try to make it clear that my mind was made up to leave by way of not giving great responses, even by my standard, and barely engaging into the conversation. But as he pushed harder for conversation he managed to get more and more from me before divulging why he came after me, it was to get me to return the crystals I still had possession of. I told him straight up that the ONLY person I'd be giving those crystals to (other than the gleam boyz) would be Ko'Rava. He seemed to accept that as good enough.   He then set about convincing me to stay with the group, trying to use empathy and comradery to pull me back in, but I made every clear my opinion that since this merry little band had joined together we had BARELY done anything right, and had in fact done more damage than good to the people around us collectively. He reminded us of our admittedly few yet impactful victories not least of all rescuing the druids from their dreams. He believes we have collectively only survived what we've been through because we were together.   After some further back and forth between us both I grew tired of the discussion, regardless of right or wrong, and opted to walk out of the tavern and send a bird out to look for Ko'rava, sadly all I could find was a bin chicken, so that had to do.   As I did this i noticed in the distance two figures hiding in the shadows, grey skin, red eyes... Victri... Presumably assassins sent after us (mostly me due to my lack of discretion in my acts against their people.) I returned to the tavern refusing to have this fight alone in the street, as i entered, on alert, but trying to keep my cool i reclaimed my pint, and notified Syrus of what I saw outside the tavern.   As they boldly approach attempting to make civil conversation (Which I don't engage in such with blood sucking scum) and promptly told them both to fuck off. A few more irrelevant words passed from the lips of this pompous leech before the bastard struck me, stabbing my through the stomach. As he did the other one drops her hood, revealing herself to be a deformed Lacey, the same bitch who tried to kill me in the victri party. I was admittedly looking forward to round two, although she seemingly had no interest in me, but was focused on syrus who did kill her fuck buddy after all. good on the lad.   As things began to look a bit bleak the gleam boyz arrived in the nick of time and joined the fight turning the tide, but, just as I thought we were gaining the upper hand on these bastards Lacy pulled out one last trick, and drew some hypnotic symbols upon the air which left most of us, baring syrus in a stupor unable to help, all I could do was watch my mate fight and possibly die... After a brief but grueling fight Syrus using some new sun powers finally got the best of Lacey and shot an arrow right through her skull, killing that bitch. Finally.   As soon as that flamboyant victri bastard who stabbed me realised lacey had died, he fled, cowering into the dark, like their people do. I look forward to seeing that scumbag again, at which I swear to eat his heart...   The moment Lacey died I felt her grip on me break, I ran to syrus, seeing his wound, I healed him for all I could and made sure he was alright. Before attending to Lacey's corpse... I burnt her, to ash. I left nothing of her remaining but dust. Thats one less bastard in this world... It felt soo right.   As we recovered, I agreed to stay with the misfits, at least for a time. I thanked forge of the gleam boyz profusely, and they made it clear I was still in their good books, but they just couldn't be seen actively associating with me consistently.   Thankfully, this shite day has come to an end, as I write this, I feel sleep about to claim me, so I shall rest. Awaiting what more is to come...   I hope this letter found you well, yer cousin, Arthom

Arthoms 24th letter (unsent) (S2E5/6)

*written In Druidic. Barely*   To Celia It started as a plan. A bloody, cobbled-together excuse for one, but a plan nonetheless. Lucid and Talutah were meant to be the distraction while Saib and Syrus scouted. I was to ride the gleam pod straight up to the base’s front door.   Except, of course, nothing ever goes as planned with this lot.   Lucid and Talu, rather than distracting, immediately picked a fight. Not subtle, not clever—just fists flying and chaos everywhere. Somehow, they managed to win, but by the time I reunited with them, I’d resigned myself to the fact that "subtlety" doesn’t exist in their vocabulary.   We made it to the warehouse door, where I turned into a spider to handle the lock. It’s effective, if not dignified. Once inside, the search began. It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon a chest. Naturally, I climbed inside to see what we were dealing with—arcane crystals. Exactly what we needed.   Breaking it free was another matter. I shifted into my warhound form, smashed the chest out of its lock, and bolted. Carrying the chest in my maw, I loaded it onto the gleam pod. Everything was going better than expected. Which, in hindsight, should’ve been a warning.   A ranga Leishu decided to ruin the moment, hurling an arcane shuriken at me and Syrus. I charged, bit the little bastard, and grappled them in my teeth. The child screamed and struggled, but I carried them to Syrus for interrogation.   Here’s the thing: I’m not proud of what came next. Syrus and I interrogated the Leishu, and I didn’t hold back. I could see the fear in their eyes and hear it in their voice, but I pressed on, ignoring the gnawing pit in my stomach. Syrus, ever the pragmatist, suggested, “If they take one of ours, we take one of theirs.” It wasn’t the first time he’d said something like that, and I doubt it’ll be the last.   After splitting the crystals between Gallant and Syrus, I stashed the Leishu child in the gleam pod. The plan, such as it was, had us fleeing before things got worse. Everyone left. Just me and the kid now.   And then she showed up. A brown-furred Leishu samurai, moving faster than I could react. She blinded me, and before I knew it, the gleam pod had crashed, sending me sprawling. The child escaped, of course.   I turned to face the samurai, eyes narrowed, heart pounding. No more running, no more hiding. If she wanted a fight, she’d get one.   Maybe I’ll learn to stop relying on plans... They’re clearly wasted on this group.   As me and the Samurai battled it became clear she was no underling coward, but a genuinely capable warrior, Thankfully I had a new trick up my sleeve, that Vulkan Salamander I communed with while we were helping that Village.   The Yakuza Samurai found herself short an eye due to some timely intervention from Syrus, of which I'm most thankful for, but it did cost him as The little leishu child we had interogated threw my friend from the roof shortly before their reinforcements arrived in the form of some sort of Leishu monk. But to our great fortune, Gurvel, Zeno, and Zyanna also arrive, allowing us to turn the tide of the battle. After a fortuitous few strikes, i caught that samurai in my Salamanders Jaws, as i bit harder and harder, lava filling my mouth an throat, the smell of burning fur and flesh flooding my nose, and reminding me of days gone, I bit through her armor and body combined, spitting her mangled arm and head from my mouth. No stranger to psychological warfare I intended to end further hostility by means of intimidation, grabbing what was left of her with my hand after returning form to my natural form and dragging the charred remains to be visible to the other leishu, who gurvel had already apprehended but was shielding their eyes from my actions.   As gurvel thrawted my attempt to intimidate them to prevent further fighting, Ko arrived. But she was less than keen to see us, for as it turned out these were close and dear to the heart of our little rat, and the one i killed as it so happens was her sister or some such. I wanted to explain myself, to justify my actions, but knew Ko would have none of it so i barely tried....   After she gathered her leishu companions and the remains of the samurai i mangled they all left us there, to reflect in what we had done. But alas, we were still on the job, so as Talu of all people suggested that we go get drunk, we made our way to the tavern that the 'Gleam Boyz," the ones who gave us this task. After a brief exchange they admitted that word has ALREADY spread around the city as to what we had done but more importantly, WHO had done it. As such they couldn't risk further interaction with us at the risk of yakuza retribution. Never the less between myself and Talu we delivered two thirds of the shipment and I promised to bring the rest asap, but they refused only taking half of the total shipment for fear of the yakuza discovering them.   Their refusal hurt. badly. As I had planned on leaving the misfits after finding Ko, as Syrus and I agreed. I don't feel like I'd belong back at the heart after what I've done, and without these people, I found myself feeling untethered, free, but still feeling alone, as alone as i did by the end of my decades of Solitude. I suppose the only places left to me are back to my old home, my hold; or to the wilds once more, to live out my days as the animal I have become one more.   Anyway, without sending this letter my hope is that word of my deeds wont reach the heart, and taint the image of me many of those I value have. Even yours.   Arthom

Arthoms 23rd letter (unsent)(S2E4)

*thoughtlessly and messily written in Druidic*   Celia,   Once more I write to you, as I have no one else to write to. Although I doubt I'll ever send this letter it helps me to clear my thoughts to write them out.   Trouble found me again today although that's no real surprise .   I’d barely settled into some semblance of peace in a dwarven tavern when the group managed to track me down. Of course, Talu was the one to interrupt, striding in like she had all the answers. Before she got to me however she mistook another dwarf for me and decided to bother him as he was having … let’s just say “an intimate moment” with a woman. I could see the irritation boiling off the poor bloke as she pestered him before realising it was not who she was looking for. He was so furious I could almost smell the anger, and honestly, I don’t blame him.   When Talu finally got around to pestering me, she tried to convince me to come back to the group. I far from being in the mood for her usual nonsense, but the conversation was cut short when a gleam pod rider ironically named Ryder, wandered in and came straight to us. After a quick introduction and exceedingly brief chat, she left to rejoin her companions, and Talu, bless her nagging little soul, wouldn’t shut up until I went to talk to them. So once more off I go, doing shite I dinnae want to.   The trio wasn’t bad company however, especially Forge, their dwarven mechanic with a sharp wit and a lot to say about gleam pods and dwarven homelands. It felt better than I expected to speak of home and my childhood. Talu however was busy grilling Forge about the Yakuza while Saib, unsurprisingly, was off trying to charm Ryder. It was pathetic, really, so I made it my personal mission to make his life just a little harder by making the man reek of rotten fish. but neither seemed to truly notice.   Forge, turned out to be the kind of person I rather enjoy talking to practical, direct, and surprisingly fun. He invited me to drive one of their gleam pods, and I wasn’t about to say no to one of my own kind who i ACTUALLY get along with so well. Turns out, I’m pretty damn good at it too. I even managed to get the pod sideways, they called it 'drifting' and according to forge its something no one else had done before. I couldn’t help but feel a little smug about that if I'm being honest.   Ryder, clearly impressed, challenged me to a race but passed out before she could back up her words. Chatter however the third of their trio, stepped in to take her place, and off we went. The race did not start well for me as I felt like I’d forgotten which way was up, but after a bit of struggle I pulled it together. By the end, I was cutting corners, blocking Chatter, and even managed to cross the finish line first. A win’s a win, and I’ll take it any day of the week.   Celebratory drinks followed between myself and chatter, but things got complicated as they had a proposition for me, to rob the Yakuza. In return, they’d provide us information that could hopefully lead us to Ko. Seemed like the kind of opportunity I couldn’t pass up, especially with Ko’rava’s fate still uncertain. I brought the plan back to the group, and as expected, everyone had their grumbles and opinions, but we did ultimately decide to go ahead with the heist and began to plan it out.   Afterwards, I sought out Saib to speak with him, starting our wee lil chat with a solid smack to the face. A justified action as chatter had divulged that Ryder, despite her drunkenness had been gathering information on us, from Saib as he attempted to get into her pants. His inability to control his lust could well have backfired massively, if not for the fact that this specific trio as it stands is friendly and not out to kill us. But if we wern't so lucky then he well could have gotten us killed by being soo loose lipped in his desire to be intimate.   Syrus not long after had a go at me for how I've been treating the rest of the group. As if I've not treated each member with the respect and intent they deserve. He mentioned how I've treated his Idiotic friend and that Bastard Lucid. He even claimed that I treat Talu poorly, which may be a fair point, maybe, but I’m not in the business of coddling people. He suggested that once we find Ko, I should leave. Honestly, I agreed before he’d even finished. After all. He’s right I don’t belong here. I don't seem to belong anywhere anymore. Still, agreeing didn’t feel good. It felt like one more thing I’ve lost strangely enough.   Regardless, the job’s set, the plan’s made, and we’ll see what tomorrow brings, If we survive... Thanks for reading, Arthom

Arthoms 22nd letter (S2E3)

*Scrawled in Druidic and dwarvish collectively*   Celia,   You were wrong! Giving people a chance DESPITE MY BETTER JUDGEMENT was a massive mistake. Your teaching and poor advice almost cost me and the rest of these misfits our lives.   Having exhausted the few leads we had to try and find Ko, we decided to go to the Victri party, to possibly ask around, see if any of these people knew anything about her, or this yakuza that supposedly has her. Gurvel protested fiercely and almost didn't even go but we managed to convince him to go and to just sit quietly in the corner.   After our arrival, we met our host Lacy, who invited us in, and led us to the coat room, and proceeded to judge our clothes and say they were insufficient for the party. All but of course gurvel got changes into more appropriate attire, I even put on a shirt again if you can believe it. Gurvel looking like a farming peasant, I thought it best to at least hide his tattered and filthy robes. so I unrolled my kit and gave him my families feileadh mor to wear as a cloak. Despite his displeasure for being there hew seemed happy to have been trusted with something that meant soo much to me.   As we emerged from the cloak room, Lacy introduced me to another Victri, celeste, who she seemed to have.... strong affections for shall we say. Ever the horny bastard Saib set about making a fool of himself trying to flirt with them and in the process clearly set about physicallt excluding me from the conversation. Naturally, I had to respond in kind. With a bit of effort (and no small amount of satisfaction), I made sure Saib’s pants split wide open at the seams. He ran off red-faced to fix them, and I enjoyed the brief reprieve from his nonsense. Syrus clearly noticed but said nothing. Seemingly taking this as an opportunity the 2 victri women invited Syrus and I to have a smoke of their Shisha, but of course, it wasn’t just shisha, it was however laced with something far stronger. The haze took hold of me quickly, and I found myself sinking into a stupor.   When I came to, I was naked, bound by silk threads that seemed to hum with some sort of magic. Lacy stood over me, and I could feel her draining me, drawing my very vitality out of my being. Her betrayal was hardly a surprise, but was enraging as I knew better than to trust one of her kind. But you convinced me otherwise! As I felt i was nearing my end, she sprinted off, as if summoned with dire haste. As soon as I found myself free of her failing binds, I assumed my beastial form, and took off hunting her down only to find her crying over the top of Celeste's corpse. I witnessed Gurvel kill her, with some sort of red lightening that resembled what the Cultists of Diomeda used. As the lightening built up more and more she eventually burst into a blinding flash of light.   After such betrayal, after failing myself and these fools who rely on me, and after not listening to what I KNEW TO BE THE KAZZIKING TRUTH, I found myself not the man I have been striving to be. I found that after all these decades, all this training, all my solitude and loneliness and suffering and nights tormented by visions of what I once did, I found that I haven't truly changed after all... I'm still the same animal that took pleasure in suffering, that set FEAR into the hearts of my enemies, and that relished in the blood I spilt. As I unleashed my fury upon the remaining Victri, none were spared. Not the women, not children escaped my wrath. I tore them apart... gutted children before their mothers, rent flesh from the toe to the throat on some, and left others to bleed to death in agony... Nothing was off limits nor un wanted to be done to these scum.   As I finally emerged from the manor, blood thick upon my face and dripping from my beard once more, Gurvel began to berate us. I know not nor do I care as to what he was saying to us. All I could find myself doing was reflecting upon what I had just done. how far I thought I had come, only to fall soo far down. While the memories of all the horrors I had committed came rushing back to me, I found myself furious once again, not with the just the victri, but with myself too. I struck out at the group, knocking some off their feet as I sundered the ground beneath them.   Gurvel and I began to argue, but i know not what either of us said, for my mind was not here, it was dwelling 100 years ago, back when I was a soldier. I couldn't escape the visions of my monstrous deeds.   Shortly after Gurvel fled from us in a flash of red lightening.   I couldnt remain with these people, so I too fled. Running into the night, blood on my thoughts, and death my intent. As I hunted down those I could from the party. Leaving their mangled corpses for the others to find easily...   You were wrong to think I could change, I'll always be who I am.   Thanks for trying though, Arthom

Arthoms 21st letter (S2E2)

*written in druidic*   To my dearest Celia,   We've arrived in Zynii, and headed for the Topaz district as we saw a poster not long after our arrival that spoke of Zyanna and Zeno, performing in a certain club of which name escapes me. It took almost no time at all to find her, and a a group the others went to speak with her, whilst me and the other Dwarves began "drinking" except I was drinking clean liquid, no alcohol, as I was using that little trick we learned some years ago, for when we don't desire drunkenness.   As only gurvel would he was going to step upon the stage, for reasons only known to him, but I just HAD to witness the aftermath of that action so I went to accompany him. as we approached the stage some grey elf stopped Gurvel and 'advised us' not to, if we wanted to avoid trouble. I admit I was rather disappointed by Gurvels compliance in the whole matter, as he went off to speak with some Makekuna, who escorted him out for his very, bovine smell. I considered going to help, but It all looked remarkable peaceful, id even go as far as to say friendly. He claims while he was outside with them they told him all about the Yakuza and other bits of information regarding the city, so I suppose it wasn’t a complete waste of time.   While Gurvel chatted outside I took the chance to catch up with Syrus, It was good to catch up. He shared the\ concerning news Zyanna is connected to something called the “Topaz Triad.” According to Syrus, they’re bad news, the sort of group you would exactly trust or want association with. Naturally, I asked if Syrus himself was tangled up with any unsavory alliances. He assured me he wasn’t, and he hasn’t yet managed contact to the local thieves’ guild yet. It seems rather impressive that in all this time he has not succeded in what would seem a rather simple task.   Eventually our reunion was caught short by Gurvel barging in and asking us to step outside to talk, after we stepped into the brisk night air he revealed what he had discovered, Ko is with the Yakuza, apparently they're child traffickers. He also mentioned that they’re usually found in the Amethyst District. It’s a thought i dare not entertain, Ko being wrapped up in something so vile.   Barely finished conveying this information Gurvel was interrupted by Saib, Syrus friend emerging form the pub, looking utterly disheveled It was painfully clear what he had been up[ to, and I couldn’t resist whacking the horny bastard on the head with my staff. He seems like an untrustworthy sort, the type to thing with his pecker and not his head.   On the upside, we now seem to have a potential contact with both the Topaz Triad and the Black Skulls.   After returning to the pub, me and Syrus went to get a drink, and as we were sat at the bar we were approached but a victri woman. I know right?! It took a lot from me to even speak with her, but your words and encouragement to give people a chance were ringing in my head, so I made the effort. and I was seemingly rewarded for it I suppose with a party with a party invite.   Gurvel claimed that the triad were attacking the Yakuza tonight, and as we sought to get ourselves involved we realised how foolish we had been for trusting information from our resident OAF. He was wrong, nothing was going down tonight. as such we went back to our accommodation for the evening and rested, and thought of what in the world to do next to find this wayward child.   I've little energy to keep writing, so I shall fall to slumber now, I shall attempt once more to dream to you.   Yours, Arty

Arthoms 20th letter (S2E1)

*written in Druidic*   Dear Celia, As you're well aware, I've left the grove to travel back to Zynii with gurvel in an attempt to rescue Ko'rava.   That Giant Lizard form came in very handy to cover the large distance from the heart to collect Talu from her father, Who it would seem was attempting to marry her off to another, much to her disgust. This open many doors for a wee bit o' banter. In the process her father may have been less than kind to Talu, and I may have lost my cool a little... While she may be painfully Naive, she has a kind way about her and I've come to realize in our time apart that I actually appreciate her hopefulness, though I'd die before I EVER admit it. I don't want to see that beaten out of her by the world and I'll do what I can to keep her from unnecessary harm.   After the Trio of us were reacquainted, we made all haste towards the port town of Fiain, where much to my dismay, we encountered by great misfortune, Lucid. Apparently Gurvel told IT about ko'rava being in trouble and as such he has joined us to return to Zynii. Yay.......   As we headed out from port, Gurvel came up to me as I was appreciating the view and began to annoy me, as he seems very fond of doing. In an attempt to prompt some quiet I gave him that wooden arm you've seen me working on for a while. He seemed to appreciate it more than I could have anticipated. Quite literally JUMPING with joy and shouting about his new gift I gave him. I'll admit, I did have to stifle a smile a little bit. His simplicity does make his reactions.... pure I suppose, unrestrained and uninfluenced by societal norms or the nuances of the situations he finds himself.   While sailing we were set upon by pirates who claim to be from the Black Skull guild. These fools attempted to convince our hired captain to hand the ship over, to which they obviously had an issue with, which prompted an annoyingly lengthy discussion between all present parties to try and negotiate an alternative, which to no ones surprise quickly derailed and became an obvious lost cause. But, to our benefit, the discovery was made that the soul that Lucid had absorbed ws in fact that of their former captain, and seemingly lover of the new captain. Once this realization kicked in the pirates VERY quickly changer their tune, attempting to coerce Lucid into Joining their crew. Eventually they made an outright offer, some assistance from them, and the chance to leave peacefully, in exchange for Lucid to Rejoin them after Ko had been saved. I agreed to these terms Without hesitation, as did Gurvel, and even the captain of our vessel. The only one who disagreed with this deal was of course, innocent Talu, trying to be friends with all around her.   They sent two dwarven crew members with us to Zynii, and all we gotta do is bring them and Lucid alive back to the ship after Ko is saved! This is a great deal to my mind.   We're about to come into dock at Zynii, so I'll have to dash. I'll write to ye again when time permits me to.   Yours, Arty

Arthoms 19th letter (sessions 12-13)

*Written in Druidic*   My dearest Celia,   Long and rough have been the last couple days. When last i wrote to you I was filled with hope for what was to come and rather looking forward to the next tale to be told. But now I write to you as the same embittered old dwarf that left the heart to save you and the other dreamers.   I'm soo over the world and its schemes and behaviors and drama and plots. I wish little more than a quiet life for the remainder of my days. I've gotten carried away. Allow me to explain where these sudden frustrations comes from. As you're aware we were invited to the ball of the king of Diomeda due to our victory in the arena, as such we stayed the night in the keep and met prince Jupius, who, in a few more words essentially told us to go to the markets and acquire some more appropriate clothing as ours was not suitable. As such i requested my Fèilead Mòr Ainmeil to be cleaned my the fancy cleaners in the keep, and headed out wearing my ancestral Fèilead Mòr for the first time in a pretty long while.   As we left Nakkah surprised us by bringing gurvel and Zyanna back to the group, by means of dropping the oaf ON MY HEAD. All this after he had managed to lose them on our way to the arena itself. I mean honestly how do you lose someone like Gurvel in a teleport. Its ridiculous. as we headed to the markets, Gurvel attempted to fill me in as to what happened while they were away, but It all sounded a bit nonsensical at first, then he mentioned coming by the heart, and seeing you... and yes, I did get your message, and I shall try my darndest to not kill the buffoon, but after all, inspite of his lack of intelligence he seems to be more capable that half of this band of gobshites. Anyway, I then filled him in as to the arena fiasco.   While we were here I remembered the small flower pod that Ko rava gave me the other day. Using the trick you taught me in the heart i made it bloom, and attached it to my brooch. After which I found myself in a tailor, not truly knowing what would be appropriate to wear to a reception with the king. WHich lead me to asking for advice from the wee rat for clothing advice, as she has not really done much to hide the fact her or at least her family are rather well off, I figured she might have some advice or suggestions for an old hermit like me. To mu surprise she did more than just advise, she actually took me by the hand and dragged me to a much nicer tailor. The kind where II felt immediately unwelcomed due to how... disheveled i appear these days. After a short time we decided on a nice shirt of silk, with frills and lace upon the stitching. When time came to pay for it the tailor said not to fret about payment. I have a sneaking suspicion that She actually paid for my shirt from her own pocket. As much as i hate to admit it, I may have misjudged the wee rat. That is kindness I didnae expect, but appreciated more than I think she knows. I'll need to find a way to repay her.   After our whole party reassembled, each with a new outfit, gurvel with a new favorite food (I hate to admit it, but it is pretty amazing), and some with a date for the Ball. Talu bargained for a free dress by taking the tailor to the ball as her date, and Zyanna was asked to the ball by one of the rival gladiators with her. Seems a bold choice, but hey, so long as they dont cause trouble who cares. That did however leave us with the problem of Nakkah, and Gurvel not being invited as the didnt fight. Gurvel asked to come as my date and since you wern't going to be here any time soon, I thought it

Arthoms 18th letter (session 11)

*written in druidic*   Dearest Celia,   I must be brief as there are preparations I must attend to presently which rob me of the pleasure of writing you into We've been on yet another wild ride while travelling at the whims of the fool nakkah.   This time we found ourselves in a gladiatorial arena, forced to fight. Although some of these travelling companions seemed more keen to fight than they probably should have been. Each stepping into the arena in pairs, ready to square off against fearsome combatants, some more brutal and capable than others.   Two of the teams consisted of a gladiator and a captured cultist of Enkelados. and one was a pair of incapable twins of buffoonery. they had a ratio of 1 win to 8 losses. How they survived this long is obscene, truly.   I will say, while I have little compassion nor thoughts towards the cult of Enkelados, I believe it to be a mistake to execute their members in such a public and shameful way.   But I do digress, the pairings continued to whittle down our little group, until only myself and the child remained as Nakkah had flitted off somewhere to attempt to close this leyline. I as you can imagine blatantly refused to step foot into the arena to fight for sport and the entertainment of others, that's not who I am, but upon the guards pressing the issue Ko Rava caved and stepped into the arena alone about to fight the incapable twins. As I'm sure you know, there was no chance in hell I'd allow the young one to step into such peril with no aid nor protection, so I rushed in just before the gates closed for the fight.   Turns out I wasn't even needed for the fight as the boys actually managed to knock themselves out, BOTH, by way of high-five... I was truly something to behold, and not in a good way. That being said, the lil rat fought very well, particularly given her age. I actually stood rather Impressed to see what she was capable of.   As a reward for our victory ( yes somehow we all actually won) we were granted in invitation to a ball held by the king of Diomeda himself, thus the preparation that needs be done. I may not like royalty and all it's pomp and ceremony, but I'm not boor, nor am I truly willing to disrespect their hospitality by being inadequately prepared for such an event. THat being said I wont let on my knowledge of such matters. better to still be thought of as a hermit than be expected to help with such regal affairs, which I know only the basics of.   I must be off sadly, as I have much to do and feel the need to ensure these Eedjits don't get us all killed due to their stupidity.   I miss you already, even though it's only been a few days...   Yours, Arthom

Arthoms 17 letter (session 9-10)

*written in druidic*   To me dear Celia,   We have travelled away from my home once again at the guidance (if it can be called that) of Nakkah. This time however he lead us to a snow capped monastery high up in the mountains, where we were met by a Rojikan, Roza baze who had hunted us from our time involved with the phrat'ii. she was in search of the dragon egg that we had collected from the battle at Dabh and that Ko Rava had been caring for, and demanded that we hand it over to her for "protection'. None of us planned to hand it over to a random stranger, and for the first time in a while found ourselves all united in our opinion and our stance.   As things were about to get heated between us and her a mokuna monk from the temple emerged from behind large ornate doors, and welcomed us to the temple, and informed us of the nature of this temple, to be a place for worship for the four elemental gods. We were then by chance attacked by frostkyn who were seeking the egg as well, but with marginal group effort from us and this new found "friend" we managed to fend them off and were summarily invited into the temple.   Upon entry and some brief interactions with the monk we were invited to a guided meditation with the monk in an attempt to commune with the elemental gods, which I was originally apprehensive due to my distrust of the group I found myself there with, I struggled to relax enough to focus properly, but after some work we did successfully commune with not one, but all 4 elemental gods and had brief conversations with them.   I hope you'll forgive me but I'll keep the contents of the conversation to myself till I see you in person next.   Afterwards we headed off to close the next ley line portal after nakkah had successfully closed this one.   I apologize for the briefness of this letter but I find myself caught within my own thoughts after the conversation with the gods.   I will be more forthcoming when next we meet.   Yours, Arthom

Arthoms 16 Letter (session 7-8)

*Written in druidic*   To My dear Celia   This has been an incredibly eventful few days to recount so I may have to be somewhat brief as my memory is beginning to fail me of late.   As we set out to attempt to deceive the Pharat'ii into walking into an ambush, at the hands of the solen, we reached the camp, and barely managed to convey the message to warlord Kun, and as he and his forces set off with Gurvel at the helm spirits help us if that oaf ruins this ruse, myself and lucid snuck off to attempt to rescue the dog and the little green mokuna Nakkah. In the process somehow despite his elven heritage, and seemingly fleet footed nature lucid almost gave us away by sheer clumsiness. He then walked blindly into a tent with the slave he was granted by the warlord who seemed to be infatuated with his skinny ass. No idea why. I'd prefer not to get into further details about the following events between them as such sight haunts even me a wee bit.   Regardless we finally found our captive allies and freed them, then heading towards the city of Dabh to rejoin the rest of our allies and to aid in the coming battle. Something I was not looking forward to...   In the skuffle of the battle as we struck down the Warlord, the elf Lucid was wounded, mortally so, as we brought him to our home at the heart, the Phrat'ii slave, Slender came with us to try and save him as a loyal servant. Somewhat admirable if I'm honest.   As you all attempted to the best of your abilities to heal his wounds I think all of us realised that it wasn't going to happen... that we may have had to say goodbye to this poor fella who, on his death bed chose to make his final request of his life to me of all people. I did feel somewhat honoured that he thought so highly of me to have asked me to deliver his dying words to his old man, then again, its likely more related to the company we keep. Who knows... He did ask something that hurt to answer a wee bit. He asked if I would do whatever I could to save him, which I had to be honest with him and tell him no, and they I refused to compromise my beliefs to help him, as it had been revealed that Slender had managed to smuggle a soul from the phrat'ii camp and planned to give it to Lucid. A heinous crime against nature, and an abominable act of truly the most vile sort.   Gurvel and I once again found ourselves in agreement about the use of the soul as a method of restoring life to lucid, in steadfast refusal. Yet the rest of our merry little band of fuck wits deigned to lower and debase ourselves as a collective to save this man rather than allow him to die with the honour and dignity that we should all be so lucky to die with. They tried a few scheming tricks to distract us in an attempt to use the soul with no objection or attempted prevention from either of us. They clearly succeeded at distracting the oaf. I however refused to be dissuaded from my task, and demanded the soul be given to me, not for destruction but purely to prevent its use till an agreement had been reached.   Unfortunately I too had been deceived, ad behind my back Mura and Slender had worked together to administer the true soul to him, while I was left holding what was little more than a large marble. The Cowards, they have shamed themselves and me with them. This is an unforgivable transgression as far as I am concerned. For which Slender paid a heavy price at the hands of gurvel, who found no objection from me.   They will all be held to account one day. And that fookin elf will not be getting any god damn aid from me. If death claims him, it will right the scales of nature that stand currently unbalanced. I however will not balance them, as I am no murderer.   I'm not sure how much longer I can tolerate brazen recklessness like this for. I Cannae wait for this tsk to be over so I can be free of them.   My greatest apology for leaving soon soon after arriving, but duty does indeed call.   I hope to return to you soon,   Yours, Arthom

Letter 15 (session 5-6)

*Written In Druidic*   To my dearest Celia,   Another eventful couple of days have transpired. But the situation demands that I be brief in this correspondence.   We've immediately been roped into a racial struggle centered around a dragon out here! Of course the Phrat'ii are trying to claim its power, but the solen wish to support the dragon. I truly do not know which is worse. We stepped out of the portal and immediately found ourselves in a cell with believe it or not ANOTHER victri, though this one is a half breed, victri and Dwarf blood. It makes me sick to think about one of my proud people consorting with the likes of them voluntarily. As we were brought from our cell, we found ourselves surrounded by a warband of pharat'ii weapons drawn. and Lucid and Ko'rava thought it a good idea to attack, desite being outnumbered by more that two to one... The pharat'ii leader is a bastard, and threatened us upon first meeting. He then proceeded to Demand our aid, only after which he offered us to share the power of the dragon. I WILL NOT be a part of this violation of the natural order! I'd rather die, but from what I can tell of the rest of my party, not a one of them are inclined work with the scale skins either, except for Lucid, who seemed all too eager to haggle with their warlord in exchange for power. I will be keeping a VERY close eye on him in the days to come... Thats the second time he's tried my trust this day. Not to mention his wandering off in the forest of Nariel.   After being released from the camp to attempt to set upon the solen, we entered their city after feigning the capture of Gurvel and Talutah, as we knew their presence as free roaming travelers would potentially upset the Solen, and given the Information we carried we thought it best to not draw any more than the necessary amount of attention to ourselves. As a side note, a feileadh mòr is truly uncomfortable to wear in the direct heat of the sun while surrounded by desert. Unfortunately to move the massive oaf Gurvel I needed to take my animal form, and my memory is a bit rough from the entry of the city. I do recall both gurvel and Talutah being accosted as we went though the city. We met the pharoh of the solen and Told her of the situation, and my friend Syrus explained the situation and our position. We struck an accord with her to aid her people in defeating the Phrat'ii. We then decided to split the party, some to return to the warlord and lead them in to a trap, and to rescue the allies left within their camp. As one of the few able to speak the Pharat'ii Language, It falls me to lead the deceitful section of our party. As you know Lies do not sit well with my morality so this is going to be a struggle for me. I will do all I can to ensure our success, though it will pain me.   I hope this ends well. I shall write to you when its all over. Till then, duty calls.   Yours, Arthom  

Letter for Master Ilyana Slatara (session 4)

After all the years, I've finally done it!   I Didn't wish to awake you, but know your teachings haven't been lost upon my thick skull.   The animal spirit I connected with you ask? The mighty and proud WAR HOUND!   I promise when next we meet, we will finally run through the wilds as is customary for master and pupil.   Until then, My Best Wishes always, Arty   *there is an accurate drawing of a paw print in the bottom corner of the page*

Letter Left for Celia (session 4)

*written in Druidic*   To me dear Celia,   I've delighted in catching up with ye since you awoke! We've spoken in great depth about yer dreams and what happened to you, and I've regaled you with the tales of my adventure since setting off to try and save ye, but I cannae help but feel I've been dishonest with ye. I've disregarded what happened within my own dream.   As ye would be aware Master Tevitavi aided us all in our endeavor to dream walk, as ye ken well, I have never had talent for yer art nor the desire to truly grasp it until ye fell into the nightmare. I miraculously managed to dream walk once before, to try and reach ye, and i got only more questions, and that was why i got sent to Zyniii to find help. Tevitavi thought it best, not to risk our groups endeavor to rescue ye on my lackluster skills. As we drifted off I noticed us all being separated, not like the groups walking different directions, more like laying on a sled on a drunken night and being gently pulled in differing directions by yer Bràthair's. I know not, What happened to the rest of the group, as I haven't the desire to ask most of them, and those I would ask I dare not out of fear of being asked what happened to me. I confide in ye alone my dear....   When we finally regained control of our dreams, I was stuck with the Oaf, Gurvel. Of all the companions I could have been stuck with, he was not the worst, despite his stupidity, he at least seems to share some sentiments in regards to some of the races of the world, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Upon arrival we stood within a torched forest, the devastation reminded me of what was left of some of the beautiful forests during the war, and it brought me right back to that time, a young man in over his head, given a command above his peers. Ordering them to take the life of the enemy, or give their own in sacrifice. As I gazed around me, horrified by what had been done to this land that ye had described to me in such detail that I could almost see its beauty in yer words manifesting in my mind, THAT is when i saw it... A lingerer... a grotesque amalgamation of shadow and fire, of charred wood and bone, with blazing eyes that threatened to engulf the whole world! My blood boiled in my veins, and my skull ached as I looked upon the beast, my hands trembled and my need almost buckled. I could nae stand against this monstrosity, not even with an entire squad of gut-busters at me back. Gurvel wished to fight it, but I believe he recognizes my wisdom to some degree, as he followed me without much quarrel.   As we fled, blindly charging into what was left of this forest we stumbled upon some sort of magic user, turns out to be some type of warlock. She was doing what appeared to be a control ritual standing within a spell rune, presumably for the Lingerer that we fled from. Simple situational deduction says, remove her from the rune, control and the presence of the lingerer would disappear. So gurvel and I tried to remove her from the rune, and he was successful where I failed. We realized she was a dirty Victri, of course she was... We began to interrogate her, and I must admit, the Oaf has talent for such... He began to beat her almost to death, then he would heal her wounds, restoring her to fine health, before beating her almost to death once more. It was rather a sight to behold. I found myself enjoying what i was witnessing, and taking pleasure in it, even though I swore to leave that behavior behind me, it appears its still somewhere deep inside of me... Gurvel and I were both about ready to kill her when apparently, miraculously, his god, the Alpha, spoke to him. Only a few words, he said "not yet!" and that was that, he stopped hurting her, she confessed to being a warlock, and told us who her god was, and the at its command she had been withing the dream world and corrupting it, and defiling it, but she swore that she was not the initial cause, only that she furthered the blight upon the realm. As much as I wished to see her head removed from her body, I was not about to fight the Oaf to do it, his strength may well be needed in future, and I'm not even sure i could take them both alone, not while still recovering from what I saw. I did also hope the druid's justice would find her when I told them what she had done, but alas, nothing came of it.   I remain haunted by the sight of that creature, Its almost as though it lurks behind my eyes... There is a solution I found, that rids me of the horrors of what i saw and felt. You. The memory of yer smile is what gave me the strength to flee in the dream, and its what gives me the strength to rid myself of the nightmare. This gave me an epiphany. Yer smile is not just in my past, but its a future I fought for, and that creature, is in my past. I cant unsee it, but i can begin to replace the thoughts of it with more pleasant ones and focus on the good in my life and in my future, like ye, like this group i find myself a part of. This thought brought an immense wave of peace to wash over me. As this happened I felt a presence around me, but saw nothing, I heard snarling, but could see where from, so I listened to Master Ilyana's teachings and spoke and to my shock, I heard a low husky reply, I remember not the words said by either of us, but i do recall a profound sense of comradery with this voice. As we spoke I found myself sitting in the wilds beyond the confines of the grove before me sat an imposing War Hound, glowing into the night, but casting no light upon the trees around us. As I saw this, I looked to the hound, and stood, Extending my hand, and bowing my head, hoping after all these long years to finally have a connection with an animal spirit. As I did this i recall the voice proclaiming so loudly that I felt my very bones shake "My strength is yours, defend my kin as if your own!" After which I felt a wave of warmth engulf me, and as i looked to my hands I saw not hands, but paws! I HAD DONE IT! FINALLY!   It's taken years, but I feel as though I have grown and actually been able to apply the wisdom I've accrued over the decades more in these past couple weeks with this rag tag group than I had previously. as such, despite how much it pains me to say goodbye, I feel as though this is where I'm meant to be. But know I WILL return to you. The gods themselves couldn't even stop that. I swear to you.   I am a true primal shifter, and I have you to thank for bringing me the first bit of peace I've felt in years. THANK YOU. Truly...   All my heart, Your Arty.

Letter 14 (Session 3)

*written in druidic* To my dearest Celia,   The last couple of days have been a wild ride, you'd have loved it, but let me start from the beginning.   We've arrived in Nariel at the behest of our elven friends, who it turns out are all connected to the chief of Nariel, Chief Bran. While here, we were informed about the the supposed return of the dragons, to which I was obviously skeptical of, they've been gone for such a long time we that the world had started to forget they had even existed, but the more they spoke the more I begun to believe them. In return for help in slaying the dragon, they offered help to you and the others in the grove. Supplies, food... I know how hard things have been to make ends meet between the needs of the dreamers to keep you all alive and well, and the typical needs of the rest of the grove, and not to mention the requests of travelers seeking aid and help from us. I could not in good faith pass up this opportunity to provide help.   They requested our collective aid to track down the Dragon and rid it from these lands. So we set out to find it and end it before it could do any more harm, while accompanied by our allies from Nariel. 'pon arrival at the location of the woods where it were last spotted, Immediately I could tell something was off with these woods, something felt... Cold? Threatening? something... Despite my warning one of our allies Ailil of Nariel suggested we divide and conquer, and for some reason I didn't oppose, which is hindsight was a potentially deadly mistake... Although I used that little trick Ilyana taught me with the messenger birds, and sked one to keep an eye on the others.   The other group had our oafish Lizard Gurvel, the bartender Mura, and the Solen Syrus, accompanied by Ailil who is one of you, a dream walker. I know not the full extend of what happened to them, but from what scattered information I could gather from their incoherent ramblings, a couple of them got poisoned by a plant, found the tracks of some large beast and blindly assumed it to be a dragon, and miraculously were right, and then they manage to let it fly away.   I however was accompanied by the naive lupo Talu, the sneaky and quiet elf Lucid, and the other elf from Nariel Ozgar As we pressed on further into the woods, the temperature seemed to get colder and colder. I was soo thankful for me Fèilead Mòr Ainmeil today I was. All of a sudden we heard a loud roar in the distance, and given the state of the land we were in, theres very little creatures that could live her big enough to be that loud. I figured it had to be a Dragon, so we headed towards the sound. Whilst heading for the sound, there's repeated attempts to drive us from the path we were on, tempting us with things we desire deeply, starting with a pouch of gold, which did not deter me as you could imagine, and despite my warnings to ignore it, Lucid tried to claim it, only for it to 'run away' from him before he came to his senses and returned to us, by which point Talu had wandered off alone, later she told me she was chasing after some other Lupo... the fool. Even I was tempted... seeing that locket of yours hanging on a tree, before realizing that there's no way it could truly be yours... I know all to well where you are, and what's happening to you... We then tried to find that foolish Lupo who wandered blindly into the woods. But to No avail.   After stupidly getting ourselves lost trying to look for her Lucid began to see small sprites floating around my head, and mocking me, gesturing for him to follow them, but thankfully he at least seems to have some sense, unlike Ozgar who became immediately enthralled by them... All the while they hid from me... Bloody fooking Fae... Trying to release Ozgar from his enthrallment we stumbled upon a clearing with a green portal in the middle and lo and behold, from it emerges the gold Elf Zyanya, the little rat Leishu Ko'rava, and one of the green humanoid monsters. I attempted to strike at the monster, but the other elf and rat decided to defend it and claim it be their slave, and wont harm us. I didn't believe a bloody word of it but before I could get to the bottom of it all, my little feathered friend returned to warn us the others found the dragon, and off we went to try and help, but funnily enough, before we could even leave the clearing the dragon arrived here, followed soon after by the others, excluding the oaf who was apparently carrying a keg of milk.   Thankfully, the druids taught us to commune with all animals, and as such i found a language that the dragon understood. The big lizard decided to open another bloody portal and releasing some half breed canine people who declare the dragon to be their god and creator or some such nonsense. Even the dragon claims its purpose to be to "bring new life to the world" or some shite all while gesturing to the mutants hound people it apparently created just before flying off into the distance, with us helpless to stop it and its allies. FINALLY the little green one Nakkah arrives, after all of the excitement has passed, and closes the portal and takes credit I'm sure.   We've since reported back to Nariel and the promised aid is confirmed, and we're coming home with help. It'll be soo good to see you again. Hopeful with these new eyes we can see a solution to the problem. I've missed you soo unbelievably much...   I look forward to seeing you again soon. Its been far too long my dear.   Yours, Arthom

Letter 13 (session 2)

*Written in Druidic* To my Dear Celia   So, today was a an interesting day   Following on from my last letter the new found group I'm allied with have collectively decided to follow the little mokuna, to attempt to close another tear. Thankfully when we arrived to the other side there was another tavern, and one that I hadn't been barred from purchasing from. Even more thankfully the little Rat of a Leishu didn't emerge from the portal with us, hopefully that's the last we see of her. The gold elf also didn't emerge, which doesn't seem to be that great a loss either   The Bartender was a fellow dwarf named Lottodad Squire, he was a truly kind soul and a fantastic brewer. He had a daughter Frannie who was a kind and quiet soul, visibly heartbroken, apparently by some demon who laid with her then disappeared. You would have liked them. I do hope we can return their kindness some day. As soon as we arrived we were offered drinks consistently and they were incredible! I haven't had good dwarven ale for a long time, and it reminded me of home. Didn't realize it had been so long since I saw my early childhood home. I do hope we can return the Squire's kindness some day.   While we were drinking and making merry, the others began to speak to the bartender about a possible tear he may had seen, and then being referred to his daughter as she was an alchemist and he was simply a brewer. She requested that we go and collect a vial from her lab downstairs as she needed to man the bar, and bloody Gurvel volunteered to go down, to which I of course followed him to prevent to oaf from doing more harm than good, and that did not go well... We were also asked to collect another keg of ale while downstairs, and somehow Gurvel the fool, tainted the keg, I've still no idea how he managed to do such a thing, but I clearly need to remain more aware of his actions in future. The tainting that he did to the keg rapidly spread around the bar as more and more patrons began to show various effects, some shrunk to about 3 inches like yours truly, some began to apparently see things that no others could, some began to perform like grand bards, some men became women and visa versa and some even became frogs! There's even a few people who seemed to be effected by a love potion including Frannie, who drank a second mug of ale and became a man as well. But you know me, I'll rarely pass up some lewd fun. We enjoyed each other despite my height and her being a man, and even when the more physical effects subsided continued for just a moment longer. After which when we returned, sadly she opted to brew a potion of forgetting. That kinda hurt...   After all that nonsense happened, Gurvel decided that we all had to play the whole "get to know each other game" which was about as enjoyable as a pinecone up the arse. Regardless I did learn some more about these travelling companions:   Gurvel the foolish oaf only has one arm I discovered. I think I'll call him stumpy one day, though the humor of it will be lost on him. Turns out he is a follower of the Alpha. THAT Alpha, aye. Been a long time since I met someone with his devotion. I admit its admirable, although i imagine devotion come easier with less intelligence. Syrus claims to be a good tracker, which is a skill that will most definitely come in handy depending on our environment and future tasks. Lucidius apparently had a rough childhood. I feel for the fella. He claims to be or have been seeking a family of his own. I wish him the best in that struggle. It's not easy. Talutah, the naive Lupo decided to join this merry band of fuck wits to go on an adventure?! Honestly... Young people these days... Mura, our bartender is apparently an alchemist and is travelling to try and learn more about it. Seems a weird choice. the rest of them I don't really care about their desires so I simply didn't pay attention as I'm sure you could imagine.   Now, were off to join a hunt with the chieftain of a very well respected clan and his sons, sadly the name of which escapes me as of writing this letter.   That's all I've got for you today sadly. Hope you're doing well Your friend, Arty

Letter 12 (session 1)

*Written In Druidic* To my Dear Celia   Right, well, today was certainly an interesting day... Today when going to the tavern that i go to to remind me of the grove I waylaid unto some other task, which I dearly hope will either serve to aid my mission, or at the very least, not take too long. That being said I do appreciate having some direction as to what needs to be done for the first time in a while. Some green skinned monstrous humanoids ran through a portal that opened in the middle of the room. Somehow myself and the denizens of the tavern at the time managed to fend them off and close the portal. I'm now caught up in some inter-dimensional shenanigans trying to close some portals connected to the arcane leylines I assume. Wizards...   Firstly I think i might have made a mate, Syrus, he's a Solen and one of the few among this rag tag group of bastards. He's looking for some criminal underworld or something? Hopefully we can be of help to one another.   I got picked up by my head by a Pharat'ii named Gurvel I think and forced into translation services to ask about some monkey he was looking for. I don't like him. But he has good taste in food, i must admit.   Then there's the little green mokuna, I don't like him either. He's too eccentric. Doesn't seem to know restraint. But he closed the portal, so it seems there might be some validity to his claims of greatness.   The Leishu child, whatever her name is is rude, undisciplined and arrogant, I wish deeply that our interactions will be limited, brief and that i wont need to associate with her for long.   Theres also a Lupo amongst us, I've barely said two words to her as yet, but I've always been on reasonable terms with the Lupo, so I do hope this one is similar to the rest of her people, if so, We'll get along fine...   We are also accompanied by a Gold Elf, I haven't spoken with one of her kind in decades. So long as she doesn't subscribe to the practices of her people as fully as the last I encountered...   For some unknown reason the bartender from the tavern is with us aswell. I hope she proves useful and hasn't gotten herself in over her head.   There's also 3 elves, I don't know their names, nor do i particularly want to learn any more names.   It's been a long time since I felt anticipation about what is to come, but then again, not much has happened for a long time. Never thought I'd miss the grove this much.   I hope things at the grove are well, or at least as well as they can be, given everything. Annoyingly we have come almost all the way back to the start of my journey, almost all the way back to the grove.   Your friend, Arty          
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Mayhaos
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Matty.Tee
Publication Date
5 May, 2024
Creation Date
5 May, 2024
Last Update Date
5 May, 2024
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