And so, by the strangest of happenstances, I once again resume the writing of this journal that I have been parted of for some months now. Imagine my surprise to find it in the market of Ossian's Crossing, for sale by a merchant. He told me an adventurer sold it to him with other various sundries captured during a raid against the goblins that plague this land to which I have traveled.
Oh the tales of the road that I could fill these pages with, but in memory one always forgets details, and I could never do justice to that which has transpired upon the roadway. The months of delays, the strange happenstances, and the seemingly endless repetition of trials and tribulations leading to this land have been many. At last though, a new day has dawned, and it finds me at my destination at long last!
Or should I say nearer my destination? Indeed, upon my travels I met many others who were seeking the new lands promised, and they told me of a city where one might strive to grow and find new challenges. To find brotherhood and allies who would stand beside in the name of what is right and good, and defend those who were weaker.
The road to Brighthaven was not an easy one, but a more worthy journey I had not heard of in quite some time. We shall see if the promise of the city stands the test of time as the shining beacon it is being born as.
The first leg of the journey was overland, through hills and forest, across river. I journeyed to the village of Kindleburn, beset upon all sides by a siege of goblins. Stealing through I united with compatriots from the road, and we rallied forth to defend that fair village from the irksome creatures. I cannot even fathom the number of the creatures that have fallen outside the village, and yet their numbers seem undiminished. I fired my bow again and again, until my very fingertips bled from the thousands of arrows I had launched, before I resorted to spear to give the strings a break.
I can only be thankful that the village seems to have an endless supply of arrows, I fear that should we begin running low on arrows then the creatures shall surely overwhelm us!
The Journey Begins (pt 10 - The Long Road North)
It is an amazing happenstance that I write in this journal once more... Indeed, not long after my last entry I was set upon by bandits and captured, losing much of my gear and belongings. I was able to escape with just a dagger and the clothes on my back, fleeing. I still have a hard time explaining how it was that I managed to survive that flight or the days that followed. Eventually though, I met a dwarf I had encountered previously, by the name of Ultio. This kind being lent aid to a poor traveler in need, knowing there was scant hope I would ever be able to repay that kindness. Even so, his gifts in the healing arts were enough to bring me back from my fevered state and restore me, and I set out then in his company, since our destinations lay in the same direction. As we traveled, it became obvious in fact that we both sought the same place and the hope for new beginning and making a meaningful mark upon this world.
We had been traveling several weeks, making slow time since there was only one mount between us, before we came across a bandit encampment upon the banks of the Sellen river. It was obvious from their location and the deeply dug fire pits that they were avoiding the detection of the nearby village, probably preparing a raid. We slipped around and into the village, warning them of the danger. The sheriff of the village asked us to assist in the defense, and we quickly agreed. Ultio for noble reasons, I for more..personal reasons. I'd run afoul of bandits of my own, and hardly bore any good will towards these.
When the attack came in the wee hours before dawn, the village surprised the bandits completely. Tripwires and clotheslines pulled them from their mounts, and crossbow bolts seemed to sprout from everything not wearing the blue paint on it's shoulder's as they came into the town. It's no more than they deserved, setting upon innocent villagers in the night like that. Catching some of the horses we were able to ride down the ones that attempted to flee even, I think one or two might have slipped off into the woods, but I doubt they'll be volunteering to come back any time soon. The bodies were dumped into the Sellen to be eaten by the fish as they were carried down stream, but not before I made an amazing discovery. Looking over the captured gear, I found my own pack. I hadn't realized it was the same group of bandits, and it may not have been..it's impossible to tell just how such fortune could befall. But as I looked around more, I started finding more pieces of my gear, soon recovering everything but my leather armor.
So we set out again, heading north, and as I'm writing this we are preparing to take boat and cross the Kallas Lake, heading up the Sellen to our destination. This should be the final leg of our journey, and the boat is heavily guarded against river pirates, bandits and orcs alike. By the time of my next entry, I should be within the River Kingdoms themselves!
We had been traveling several weeks, making slow time since there was only one mount between us, before we came across a bandit encampment upon the banks of the Sellen river. It was obvious from their location and the deeply dug fire pits that they were avoiding the detection of the nearby village, probably preparing a raid. We slipped around and into the village, warning them of the danger. The sheriff of the village asked us to assist in the defense, and we quickly agreed. Ultio for noble reasons, I for more..personal reasons. I'd run afoul of bandits of my own, and hardly bore any good will towards these.
When the attack came in the wee hours before dawn, the village surprised the bandits completely. Tripwires and clotheslines pulled them from their mounts, and crossbow bolts seemed to sprout from everything not wearing the blue paint on it's shoulder's as they came into the town. It's no more than they deserved, setting upon innocent villagers in the night like that. Catching some of the horses we were able to ride down the ones that attempted to flee even, I think one or two might have slipped off into the woods, but I doubt they'll be volunteering to come back any time soon. The bodies were dumped into the Sellen to be eaten by the fish as they were carried down stream, but not before I made an amazing discovery. Looking over the captured gear, I found my own pack. I hadn't realized it was the same group of bandits, and it may not have been..it's impossible to tell just how such fortune could befall. But as I looked around more, I started finding more pieces of my gear, soon recovering everything but my leather armor.
So we set out again, heading north, and as I'm writing this we are preparing to take boat and cross the Kallas Lake, heading up the Sellen to our destination. This should be the final leg of our journey, and the boat is heavily guarded against river pirates, bandits and orcs alike. By the time of my next entry, I should be within the River Kingdoms themselves!
The Journey Begins (pt 9 - The Sellen River)
It's been over a week since the loss of the boat, as I journey northwards it seems unlikely I will find a way to cross the river any time soon. The flow is simply too powerful, the river too wide. I was able to steal a bow from an Orc encampment a few days ago, as well as arrows, so that has helped considerably. A couple of fat rabbits and a wolf have helped to greatly extend my rations as I travel, and at least following the river finding water has not been a problem.
The bow is obviously something they had plundered, I think it's made of black pine, and the workmanship is far higher quality than any Orc ever managed to be certain. If I had a long enough rope, perhaps I could manage to shoot an arrow into a tree across one of the narrower points of the river, and use it to help swim across. Probably not though, that would still be an incredibly long shot..
I came across a settlement two nights ago, but it had been burned out mostly, and seemed completely deserted. I looked around a bit, but it appears others had already picked anything of value or use out of the rubble long before I got there, indeed, moss was growing on some of the charred wood already. If I can ever get across the river, I'm buying a horse at the first village I can find that has one, and making all due speed Northward. I'll be glad when I reach the River Kingdoms and can find others who share my desire for a new beginning, it's certainly true what they say about the dangers of traveling alone.
The bow is obviously something they had plundered, I think it's made of black pine, and the workmanship is far higher quality than any Orc ever managed to be certain. If I had a long enough rope, perhaps I could manage to shoot an arrow into a tree across one of the narrower points of the river, and use it to help swim across. Probably not though, that would still be an incredibly long shot..
I came across a settlement two nights ago, but it had been burned out mostly, and seemed completely deserted. I looked around a bit, but it appears others had already picked anything of value or use out of the rubble long before I got there, indeed, moss was growing on some of the charred wood already. If I can ever get across the river, I'm buying a horse at the first village I can find that has one, and making all due speed Northward. I'll be glad when I reach the River Kingdoms and can find others who share my desire for a new beginning, it's certainly true what they say about the dangers of traveling alone.
The Journey Begins (pt 8 - The Sellen River)
I have again been unable to write in my journal the last few days, things have been..hectic..to say the least. I'd decided after all to stay on the boat after Riverford, a decision prompted in part by a refund of a portion of my payment, since I had proven able to help defend the boat and willing to do so. The captain seemed grateful for the additional hand. We set out again, heading north at the usual slow pace, and the first day things went well until almost nightfall. About the time I would normally have written in my journal, all hells broke loose at once.
No one had even seen the Orcs moving along the bank, and before we knew it, they were all over the ship. Strange that there had been no word of their movement or activity in the region at the village or city. Things were hectic, and we fought as best we could, but we were no match either for their ferocity nor their numbers. After the captain was cut down, I grabbed my pack from the rear deck as I went overboard. I feel a certain guilt for abandoning any who may have survived, but in all honesty, I think the captain was the last to fall, at least in my field of vision. Thankfully, the Orcs seemed to think I wasn't worth risking the chilly waters for one probably dead floater.
I managed to get back to shore, just one cut and an arrow in my leg. The arrow didn't hit anything important, thankfully, broke it off and pushed it through. The cut wasn't bad, just hurt like hell.. Wrapped em both up and slipped into the woods. I wasn't even sure until the sun came up the next morning what side of the river I was on. Of course, luck being what it is, I was on the eastern bank instead of the western.
I've been making my way North still, trying to move mostly at night, and avoiding any areas that looked as though they might be good places for ambush. It seems that the increased traffic on the Sellen heading northward has drawn out more than a few parties who are interested in making profit off of the slow moving barges as they travel up river. I've seen at least one company of bandits, mixed races and the like, as well as spotting those Orcs from across the river again. I'm still hoping for a place to get across river fairly soon..I seem to recall there being a village not too much farther north, perhaps a boat there. I'm just thankful I paid for the wax pouch for my maps and journal, otherwise I'd have been lost completely after that swim.
No one had even seen the Orcs moving along the bank, and before we knew it, they were all over the ship. Strange that there had been no word of their movement or activity in the region at the village or city. Things were hectic, and we fought as best we could, but we were no match either for their ferocity nor their numbers. After the captain was cut down, I grabbed my pack from the rear deck as I went overboard. I feel a certain guilt for abandoning any who may have survived, but in all honesty, I think the captain was the last to fall, at least in my field of vision. Thankfully, the Orcs seemed to think I wasn't worth risking the chilly waters for one probably dead floater.
I managed to get back to shore, just one cut and an arrow in my leg. The arrow didn't hit anything important, thankfully, broke it off and pushed it through. The cut wasn't bad, just hurt like hell.. Wrapped em both up and slipped into the woods. I wasn't even sure until the sun came up the next morning what side of the river I was on. Of course, luck being what it is, I was on the eastern bank instead of the western.
I've been making my way North still, trying to move mostly at night, and avoiding any areas that looked as though they might be good places for ambush. It seems that the increased traffic on the Sellen heading northward has drawn out more than a few parties who are interested in making profit off of the slow moving barges as they travel up river. I've seen at least one company of bandits, mixed races and the like, as well as spotting those Orcs from across the river again. I'm still hoping for a place to get across river fairly soon..I seem to recall there being a village not too much farther north, perhaps a boat there. I'm just thankful I paid for the wax pouch for my maps and journal, otherwise I'd have been lost completely after that swim.
The Journey Begins (pt 7 - The Sellen River)
The drifting and waves of the river are a new thing all together, and one I find I am not as settled by as the rocking of the waves at sea. There never seems to be any consistency to the movements of the water on this river. Indeed...it's hard even to tell that we are moving sometimes, and others it seems we must certainly be drifting backwards along the river. We stayed a few nights ago in the village of Riverford...I asked about the name of the village, if there was indeed a ford across the mighty Sellen there, and one of the old men in the village explained that the name was somewhat of a harsh joke that stuck. Apparently, the man who founded the village believed that a ford could be created across the river, and meant to capitalize upon the trade it would open up... When that proved impossible, the nearby towns began calling the village Riverford and eventually the original name of the village was forgotten.
We departed from Riverford the next morning early, heading Northward again, along the Sellen. A rockslide of an outcropping near the west bank of the river meant we had to swing close to the eastern edges, and we encountered the first significant troubles of the trip. Goblins apparently had been setting up ambushes along the river, knowing that the narrowing of the river meant that more boats would be in range of their attacks. I did what I could to aid of course, after all, if the boat were captured I would be as well. I grabbed the bow of one of the guards who had been struck already, firing back. I haven't had much cause to use bow in the past, preferring my blades, but I have to say I'm rather pleased. I managed to score two of the little beasts before we were past that ambush and through. Two oarsmen and a guard were down though, and at least half the crew were wounded. We limped north to the next village on the eastern side and made port around four candle marks past sundown.
Two days recuperating in the village have given me time to consider my plans to travel by boat. It had seemed to provide a safer, quicker means of travel..but I'm finding that it's no quicker to go upstream by boat than by horse, and if we do come under attack, fighting on a boat gives considerable lack of options should things seem overwhelming..
In the morning, I have to decide whether to continue on the boat or take horse out of the village.
I apologize for the lack of update for a few days, my computer has been having some issues. Hopefully I will be back on schedule now.
The Journey Begins (pt 6 - The Sellen River)
I'm amazed at how different traveling the Sellen River is than the Inner Sea. The boat doesn't rock nearly as much for one thing, though it's not quite as large as the one I traveled in before. I had wondered how they would manage against the current of the river, but the boat has made what I would consider decent time. A mixture of oarsmen, poling in the shallows, and sail power has propelled the boat along at a serene pace today. There's a small cabin on the back of the boat, and I'm bunking in one side while the captain has the other. The crew seems to sleep on deck, though I will say they have canvas rigged to roll down if the weather is inclement.
We're following the western shore of the river..I asked about it earlier and the captain explained that, considering the eastern shore is most likely to have trouble, they always preferred the western on principal, even when things seemed quiet.
As a passenger on the vessel, I find this caution both respectable and appropriate.
I've been watching a group of travelers throughout the day though who are moving along the bank, and they seem to be keeping pace near perfectly with us. It seems as though perhaps traveling by horse up the river might have accomplished the same speed as riverboat. At least on the boat I'm vaguely less likely to be attacked by monsters..I hope.
Captain Smykes says that we'll reach a village near nightfall tomorrow, so will spend the night there, as the boat makes frequent stops as it travels northward to bring goods from the port to villages along the river. It seems a good arrangement..bringing wood and resources to Cassomir on the down river trip, and imports on the return trip.
We're following the western shore of the river..I asked about it earlier and the captain explained that, considering the eastern shore is most likely to have trouble, they always preferred the western on principal, even when things seemed quiet.
As a passenger on the vessel, I find this caution both respectable and appropriate.
I've been watching a group of travelers throughout the day though who are moving along the bank, and they seem to be keeping pace near perfectly with us. It seems as though perhaps traveling by horse up the river might have accomplished the same speed as riverboat. At least on the boat I'm vaguely less likely to be attacked by monsters..I hope.
Captain Smykes says that we'll reach a village near nightfall tomorrow, so will spend the night there, as the boat makes frequent stops as it travels northward to bring goods from the port to villages along the river. It seems a good arrangement..bringing wood and resources to Cassomir on the down river trip, and imports on the return trip.
The Journey Begins (pt 5 - Cassomir)
Another day, and I'm still here. I've looked over my maps, and settled on a decision to travel via boat the first leg of the journey after all. I headed to the docks this morning, searching for a river vessel heading back up river, and was unable to find anything until well into the day that I both trusted and could afford. Finally a lumber vessel came in, shepherding quite a haul of logs to the shipyards, and I was able to book passage with them as they headed back up river. They'll get me most of the way to Bellis at the least.
The fever from whatever was on that wretched thugs knife has finally subsided completely, and I'm certain now that I will be fine in a day or two. However, the incident has left me a little concerned. I hadn't the coin for a potion of curing for disease or poison, but I was able to acquire a vial of antitoxin and a healing potion. They might come in handy down the road..though I'd certainly prefer to be traveling with a better stockpile.
The Inn has been rather quiet the last night and tonight, most of the patrons having moved on. I asked the serving girl in the tavern about it, and she said that it always seems that travelers come through in waves, leaving and going in groups rather than as individuals. I suppose I'm odd in that I am traveling alone, perhaps I should look to find some companions for the road ahead after all. If the incident in the alleyway has taught me nothing, it is that a single person is an inviting target, even when they are under arms.
It's something to consider. My boat leaves early in the morning, so I'll take breakfast in the Rusted Rudder and never see Cassomir again it is likely. The journey continues onward, and tomorrow is a new horizon to see!
The fever from whatever was on that wretched thugs knife has finally subsided completely, and I'm certain now that I will be fine in a day or two. However, the incident has left me a little concerned. I hadn't the coin for a potion of curing for disease or poison, but I was able to acquire a vial of antitoxin and a healing potion. They might come in handy down the road..though I'd certainly prefer to be traveling with a better stockpile.
The Inn has been rather quiet the last night and tonight, most of the patrons having moved on. I asked the serving girl in the tavern about it, and she said that it always seems that travelers come through in waves, leaving and going in groups rather than as individuals. I suppose I'm odd in that I am traveling alone, perhaps I should look to find some companions for the road ahead after all. If the incident in the alleyway has taught me nothing, it is that a single person is an inviting target, even when they are under arms.
It's something to consider. My boat leaves early in the morning, so I'll take breakfast in the Rusted Rudder and never see Cassomir again it is likely. The journey continues onward, and tomorrow is a new horizon to see!
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| Dinner at The Rusted Rudder Inn & Tavern |
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