Frederick Harlow
Day 8 - On to the next
5th Firstbreeze 812
That sleep was well needed! I don't think I woke up in the night and don't remember the dreams so it must have been peaceful. About bloody time!
We set off from worker's rest, after a job well done, heading back to Phandalin to claim our reward.
On our journey back we encountered a boar on the road, we spent too long trying to figure out how we were to pass such a beast, razor sharp tusks flanking left to right to bar our path.
I thought I was clever, chucked some food off to the left as bait, of which the Boar didn't respond too.
In turns out we could walk straight past with no issues. I need to stop overthinking this.
However further on required more tact as we spotted a few bright red birds flying in the sky.
My heart immediately sank at the thought of phoenix's descending on us.
We hid, well half of us managed too at least, the others ensured we got into the fight and luckily, they were only resurrected crows of some sort. Set upon us by a goblin shaman of sorts.
Fucking Goblins.
Took great pleasure in watching the light drain from his eyes as I squarely booted him in the face even after death and spit on him.
As ever, I patched my team up. My team... is that what I'm referring to them as now? a team.... not just yet.
After returning to Phandalin, stocking up on supplies and collecting our reward. We decided to continue on to our next destination, the Dwarven excavation.
Thrain seems nervous at the thought, I always thought dwarves had an undying affinity with each other. Other than the Duergar of course, but who likes them really.
Our journey there, took a few hours but we made it. Though, as a group we were pretty beat.
I suggested we return tot he forest, find a place that was covered and rest for the night.
The rain still fucking soaked me, again.
I shared the fire with Lorelai taking first watch. She is inquisitive, asked a lot of questions, which I was happy to oblige, though when it got too real, I had no choice to shut it down.
They can't know, not just yet.
We were approached by an older gentlemen, a druid of sorts whilst Lorelai and I shared the fire.
We talked for an hour or so, pleasant guy and even shared stories in druid, which I realised after couldn't have been fun for the elf. I should have requested to speak in elf instead!
The druid told me of dark forces working nearby of which I want to avoid. I'll keep them safe, at least I'll try.
I finally got my head down, Woke Thrain up to take second watch.
I Am SOAKED....
Day 7 - The rat problem
4th Firstbreeze 812
Day 7
The rat problem was more than just a rat problem.
Today I became a criminal, that's what it felt like, and it felt..... good.
The dwarf, Bjourna, she owned the storehouse where the problem was, made life difficult when we were trying to help her with the rat problem.
Something didn't sit well.
We opted to poison the rats in the basement, which we presumed worked but we entered a little inebriated.
Not our my best work.
But what we found was a much larger basement than we were advised on, the dwarf was a store owner and not a carpenter and so I forgive her for the miss calculation.
A couple rats took the bait but we ended up fighting a were rat. Now, not my first 'Were' to fight but certainly the strangest.
This were seemed to act in a clan of some sort, and had a personal feud with Bjourna.
If he hadn't attacked us first, he it may still be alive.
Bjourna thanked us for the job, but one of the others managed to find out something more sinister. Bjourna used to be a Wererat too.
We didn't delve too much into it, we got the job done and we are getting paid. That's what matters.
I almost forgot, we had a little trouble with some wolves, just a pack looking to feed.
We had been up for 36 hours and so rested through the day and night in a bunkhouse.
Now this feels like home.
This bloody cub has peed on my boots.
Day 5 - Phandalin
2nd Firstbreeze 812
Day 5
The driver today decided to drop us off about 5 hours outside of Phandalin.
If we had paid the man, I would have been annoyed.
The 6 of us decided to stick together for now, mainly for the company.
But we learned a bit more about each other.
For instance, I don't believe Lucky is a Jeweller and I've kept my possessions a little closer to myself than usual, I even slipped a few coins in my boot, just in case.
I think I found myself a little useful today, the guards of Phandalin wanted 5 gold each to enter. I showed them my military crest and they reduced the cost to 2 gold.
I was hoping for a free entry myself, but Lucky and Azariel paid the toll for us, which was considerate.
Upon entering the village we had a little trouble at an inn called "the beheading orc inn" which of course didn't sit well with one of our party.
We simply paid for our stuff and left. The greenskin kept her temper quite well. Not what I was expecting.
Seemingly, we all required money and so alas came to the decision of sticking together, at least until we get back on our feet.
Lorelai told us that she has no need for money, yet kept it all the same. Is she and the halfling secretly working together.
I shall keep an eye open.
We managed to find 2 jobs today.
One would see us travel 5 hours south to a small village to clear out a rat problem.
The other, east to deliver supplies to a dwarf miner.
Thrane made it clear he was not happy to see other dwarves just yet and so we opted south.
Wonder what that's all about?
Day 4 - I can't escape it
1st Firstbreeze 812
Day 4
So my money is running out quick and I need to find work.
Only thing keeping me occupied at the moment is the nightmares and this journal.
The bed was decent and I feel well rested. I had a hot meal, my first in 6 days and the ale was ..... fine
But today was a weird day, no matter where I go, danger follows me and I can't shake the demons.
Do i actually have mental psy........ No, it was just a ruse to see me out the military.
I was wondering the streets of the Holm to find work, asking at inns, shops, anything really when I spotted a young man who had injured himself.
Though from my experience it was something more than injury, a condition of sorts. He collapsed and was taken by local guards to a nearby ailment house.
Though, thinking about it, I don't know if he would have made it out alive.
Danger follows me, but I wasn't expecting a fucking dragon. Huge thing, covered in ice and scales.
I'd heard of them but never seen one, and wasn't sticking around to make friends with it. Friend's required or not.
I got out of there as soon as I could, followed the gestures of the guards advising where to go and hopped onto a cart with 5 others all escaping the chaos.
I write this entry as we share names, short backgrounds of each other. It was roughly a days travel to the nearest safe village so we may as well get comfortable.
I was squashed next to a pleasant High Elf, due to a 7ft ish half orc taking up most of the room on my left. Poor horses.
There was a dwarf, Thrane, he was pleasant, though fascinated by the works of the arcane, not what I would have expected from a Dwarf.
A halfling called Lucky, a simple merchant really. A jeweller. I feel sorry for him having to leave his business behind.
A pale man sat on the right corner, said his name was Frain, Frayn, Fraen, No idea how I'm spelling that but he kept himself to himself.
The aforementioned half orc, Azariel. I'm not usually one for greenskins, but at least she's not a goblin. I'm also not picking a fight with her that's for sure.
Then there was a high elf, goes by the name of Lorelai. She seemed caring, though also seemed like she was away with the fairies a lot. Meditation perhaps?
Today has been.... eventful. But I await the next stop. The driver says it's a place called Phandalin.
Day 3 - Lockfate Holm
20th Frostfall 812
Day 3 - New Beginning?
It took me 3 days travel but I'm finally here. Lockfate Holm.
It's busy, too busy. So much noise and commotion all the time, reminds me of the battlefield, minus the bloodshed and cries for deities and mothers.
DO I miss that already?
I restocked on my rations and of course, my medicine kit, my pride and joy and find a nice little inn to stay the night.
I have to treat myself sometimes, "Self care is most important" my Ma use to say.
Ironic really. I miss Ma.
Day 2 - My Charitable Day
19th Frostfall 812
Day 2 - Destination, Lockfate Holm
Last night was... rough. I've slept in bad conditions, but last night, the rain did not let up and I stupidly left my tent at home.
So I'm wet, I'm cold, but not yet lonely. My spirits still high.
I continued South from Sleetmire, recollecting last night's dream. Why did he have to go in there, that wasn't the mission.
Lost in my thoughts it seemed like hours days had past, though it was only midday when I heard some commotion ahead.
A horse and cart had been damaged, no attacked, the rider unscathed but his son had a nasty flesh wound to the hip.
I did what I do best. Cauterised the wound and applied a dressing. Hopefully that stops the bleeding.
The bandits who attacked them had taken everything, so I gave them almost everything I had.
I left myself with a few gold Coins and helped fix their cart.
By nightfall we made shelter under the cart, the rain started again. Fucking rain.
The boy slept through the night as the old man, Carlton and I shared stories, turns out he was in the military before. The war of the Cloth, the good old war.
By morning, the sun finally came out, I was dry and full of spirits.
I sent them North and told them there was a village not far ahead.
I hope they make it, they were good people.
Day 1 - Leaving Sleetmire
18th Frostfall 812
Day 1 - Leaving Sleetmire
Today is the day, the day I turn it around. No more will I kill as someone else's lapdog of war. No longer will I be used as a Helm's Bulwark meatshield.
I have made arrangements with Sergeant Gaurner to allow my leave from the military on the account of Mental Psychosis. Though this is not the case. Gaurner owes me, and he knows it.
I may be called up at some point, I may have to revisit the hellish frontlines of war, but so long as I'm aiding my comrades, I'll be able to keep the demons at bay.
SO today is the day, find a new home, find new friends....
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