Messages

I have found a potential long-term assistant for my corpse-picking, sturdy enough, eager and not prone to too many questions. The price? Two orcish corpses, still fresh from the Scald, their flesh blackened from the heat but intact enough for use.

A fair exchange.

The man is simple, though not entirely without sense. His mind seemed a bit dull, perhaps by nature, perhaps by faith. He prattled about duty, or some higher calling whose name I do not presently recall, nor care to. His personal beliefs do not interest me, only that he was wise enough to recognize profit when he saw it.

A tolerable companion for now.

[Tammuz, IY 7789]

Tammuz, IY 7789 A time where lovers shed their tears

The First Dead is said not to have risen by its own will, but by the will of another.

Bleached skeletons, long abandoned, lay nestled in the ribs of ancient dunes—half-swallowed by time, yet still restless beneath the sands. Their bones had been picked clean by those who came before me, their wealth long stolen. All but one piece.

I pried open its crypt with a chisel, a husk lay curled within, its mouth frozen in an indignant scream. When I took the ring from its brittle hand, the air itself shifted. Cold. Bitter. Resentful.

My chest clenched. My breath stilled. Then it moved.

Bones scraped against the stone, fingers clawing at the earth, not alive, but not mindless either.

What causes the dead to rise? A curse? The act of taking? Or does the presence of the living alone disturb the dead?

I ponder these questions...


Necromancy is spoken of as a force bent by will, a power shaped by command and incantation. But what of those that rise without it? Those whose hatred and hunger alone defy their passage through the reeds? Some tutors claim negative energy is a force as natural as the wind, binding the dead in unseen chains. But is it power that compels them... or the soul's refusal to yield?

I have seen corpses rise in anger, in longing, in defiance of time. I have seen the dust in their hollow eyes and felt their gaze upon me long after their bodies crumbled to nothing.

I will seek more, more graves, more corpses. Perhaps the Ashways will yield some answers. Beneath the bloodstained stone of those ancient vaults.

But first I must find another unburdened by conventional morality to aid my passage below...

This worn journal is a collection of writings, sketches, notes and dark musings, its ash-marked pages haphazardly organized and showing the wear of a wanderer's life. Some sheets are stained by sand and sweat, others singed by ash, edges curling from exposure to the desert's harsh elements. Dates are scattered throughout, though many entries are undated.

[Legate Sayburgh,]

Legate Sayburgh,

In accordance with my duty as Absolver, I have captured and executed the Wyrmist known as Mazeed, who scorned Ephia's mercy only to crawl once more before the Ninth Spoke.

This letter also serves to inform you of an incident within the city square. Legate Lhyrian of the Gold Seat, flanked by a contingent of janissaries, confronted me and demanded I lower my arms, claiming that, by her word, the title of Absolver holds no authority within the law and is therefore meaningless.

I am advised that her motivations stem from petty jealousy, and I expect she will soon trouble you with this matter.

Until this disruption is resolved, I will continue to fulfill my duties as they are set before me.

Should you require my words or my service, you need only summon me.

- Absolver Mansur Amun-Rezhir

I always try to get people to do this quest because it's fun and different, and I think it's doable. But when there's a gloom there's a chance it just becomes impossible.

There's a lot of caster rats, and recently when I tried they all started casting fireballs hitting for around 40 damage. While half the party is knocked down. With glooms its too much so I suggest removing them as a possibility from the quest.

Giving this suggestion a bump. I know it's been discussed before, but I don't recall seeing any direct DM input on it.

Currently, when an animal companion dies, there's a 20-hour real-time cooldown before it can be used again. While I understand it encourages players to treat their animal as companion rather than disposable summons, the death timer feels excessive. A 20-hour lockout often means a player loses access to their companion for the rest of the day and well into the next depending on timing.

Given that companions are a core part of the Druid and ranger kit (Especially perks that require you to be near them), the timer ends up feeling overly punishing. Encounters this chapter are pretty deadly, combined with the unrelaible companion AI, makes keeping them alive pretty hard.

I'd like to suggest reducing the death timer to make it less frustrating.

Goated EU DM.

[Champion Karim of Ishal]

My fellows of the Gold,

It is a shame we lost our election by the sheer spite and paranoia of the Accorded, yes? But do not be dismayed! Our league shows clearly that we stand far more united than the rabble of the White and the Purple. Let us focus our attention now on the future, so this city might be kept from crumbling away under the empty leadership of the White.

Speaking of the White, do keep a close eye on our new legate. The man strikes me as suspiciously sympathetic to the plight of our enemy, namely the Seekers-after-death.

As ever, feel free to seek me should any of your require assistance...

Champion Karim of Ishal

[Signed:]

Signed:

Karim of Ishal

Warmaster Colmes,

My name is Karim of Ishal, an outlander and bounty hunter who has made his home in Ephia's Well. You may not be familiar with I, so I shall allow myself to do some recounting.

I have fought in the war against Iakmes, at the front lines of Arslan toppling the great bronze giants.

I have done battle with brookers and murderers in the tunnels of the Creep, personally cutting down the assassin Voss to earn my voice.

I have defeated many known champions in Ehpia's own arena, including Aurellio of the Balladeers.


Kha'esh calls us to bleed on the sands, and Ephia shall need to send its best.

Let me be one of them.

~ Karim of Ishal

38 Days since arrival

Master Ishal taught us never to betray our honest feeling, much less record them on parchment. And yet, I feel an undeniable urge to do just that. Perhaps this rumour of 'Awoken' losing their memories is finally getting to me, or maybe I just feel the need to vent my frustrations to a silent listener.

Regardless of reason, here we are.

While it has been some time already, I shall use this journal to record my experiences. And recount the teachings of the old masters, while still more or less fresh in my head. The Gods know these spice-filled nights are no good for my memory.

And besides, what harm could come of it?

My own words would never betray me.

...

...

Right?

[Death laughs in the face of us all]

Death laughs in the face of us all

So it must have a sense of humor, no?

If Creep could get animal bounty board that'd be neat too.

[Student Lorence 'Loras' MontbarronArtisan of the Lost Hearth]

Three of the Five have been found, brought forth by virtuous and daring souls.

As promised they were rewarded generously.

The others yet sought.

Hidden somewhere under stone, under dunes...


Should they be found during thy errantry, I beg bring them forth so they may made anew.

Student Lorence 'Loras' Montbarron
Artisan of the Lost Hearth

[vengeance.]

Iyar 12th or was it 13th? Year IY 7788

The days since my arrival to Ephia's Well have been chaotic in ascension, almost as if it were building up to a breaking point. I have witnessed many a prelude to tragedy and violence in my short time here, the howling of madmen, unapologetic villains and a slew of people who mask their own wicked nature.

Ariel Hysair was many of these things, but she never hid her who she was. The madness that grew in her was displayed clearly for all to see, almost as if she were an actor seeking an audience and stage to act out a tragedy. Indeed none were to surprised to hear her hands were finally stained with the blood of someone undeserving of that fate.

That someone was a dear friend of mine, another wrong forever staining my life.. another thing that I could never hope to mend.

Fury built up in me - I lashed out with the others, brazenly marching into Kha'esh for the sake of vengeance. We did not find it in Kha'esh, but before the new moon rose Koji had seen to it that Ariel would never harm another again. Seeing her broken corpse did quell my anger for her, more than it I felt shame and grief. For even this was a pointless death, another grain of destruction to avert the Lord's gaze upon our once-paradise. What would the old preacher have made of these events? I miss the clarity His words brought me.

I expect the grief will not fade for a while.

This is what it feels like to lose a friend.

It is awful...



---

Koji was rewarded in light of his bravery, graduating into a proper Balladeer. That his first Ballad be one rooted in death has me conflicted. The Hope we swore to foster seems an evermore distant thing among these tragic events.

But I do not misunderstand, it was justice, and justice is a virtue that must be upheld.. I think.