This page is dedicated to Lentaralis the Aenarin, from Harn. The documents seems to have been written from his point of view. What I try to achive is a single clear story, even though the source material isn't always clear. Any inconsistencies from what really happened could be either due to my misinterpretation as the documents aren't in the best condition, or that the documents don't tell the truth to begin with. That which is not written in italics is the translator's/editor's (read: mine, PhoenixPaw's) notes. Please also keep in mind that everything is not written as orderly as presented here. The notes about Bognor was actually found on three different papers. I am also compiling a page with translations of words and expressions.
Note also, the dates which are given in paranthesis ( ) is also editors (read: PhoenixPaw's) addition to the journal.
I am Lentaralis the Aenarin, more commonly known as Lentis of Cyen. For you who does not speak Sindarin, Aenarin means roughly "the half-kin". Yes, I am one of the very few "half-elves" as we are called. This mixed heritage is also a mixed blessing. I might live longer than other humans, I might be more resistant to diseases, but note it is *mights*. On the other hand some people have the twisted notion that I am evil incarnated. I am like anyone else. But over to the reason for this journal. I'm going to set out on a journey over the continent of Harn, and it would be a shame if the knowledge I aquire would be lost because it was not recorded. Knowledge should be everymans property.
First a few things about myself. My human father and sindarin mother gave me the name Lentaralis, but since I'm raised by my human uncle I'm called Lentis. My uncle is a charcoaler, who hath four children on his own. I was practically raised as one of his own, and of the children I'm the second youngest. Of the five of us I am the one most drawn to nature, and I guess it's my sindarin heritage that is the reason for that. The pull was actually so strong that at the age of 12 I ran from home to become a Fyvria Shek-Pvar. Since that I have visited my fosterfather and made amends. I may be emotional, but I am no fool.
I'm not much for religion, or I would have become a Priest, but I do feel a bit curious about Ilvir. I know that he is the God that creates marvellous beasts, which intrigues me. He was described to me once as "the craven lord" in an attempt to make me change my mind. However, death is after all an aspect of life, so why fear it.
Generally speaking many are afraid of growing old and die. Ilvirs aid Ibenis the sea-farer is not cruel. He merely helps the soul in it's transition from one life to the next. I don't think he is one you can cheat. We are all subjects to time, and time is the river and sea Ibenis sails on.
Despite being tall (I am actually 6 feet) and well built I'm not the brawny type. My strength is my mind and my knowledge. I've actually felled a warrior with just a thought, but I was quite enraged at the time. Anyway, it was the nineth of Nolus when I decided to start writing this journal.
For a few months I have been living in the forest north west of the city of Aleath. I did so in the company of the few-worded Tim. He is not the most law-abiding fellow I've met. He confessed that the reason he was hiding in the forest was because his old gang of highwaymen had been broken up by forces of the law. Today we decided to venture into the city to buy some new equipment. At the tavern where we ate our lunch we met one old friend of Tim, called Sajeva, who was accompanied by a man of the name Kim. This Kim was a complete stranger to both me and Tim. Sajeva explained that he (Sajeva) is helping Kim, who is on a quest, seeking a man who hath stolen a holy object. A worthy quest indeed. Tim and I asked if we could join them and they did not mind.
Yesterday afternoon Kim had tracked down the man he was seeking. The reason he did not strike the thief down is to me unclear, but on the other hand Kim found out that we should be looking for a certain tome belonging to a Shek-Pvar. Since I am the learned one in this group it was I who directed them towards Orbal. So on my suggestion Sajeva quickly arranged a trip by boat to Orbal. It later came to my knowledge that we are going to Arathel, which perhaps is not the destination I would have chosen, as it will put us on the wrong side of the country, but never mind. I am writing this on the boat, as we set sail at about four this morning.
We are now at Arathel. It was a most uneventful trip here, during which I did not feel too well. I did however not become incapacitated by the experience of being at sea, like some others. In fact, I improved my magical skills on this trip. I now know how to make a Focus for a spell such as Favrins Bar.
A sad thing is that we have some minor (or perhaps major) difficulties speaking the local language. I could perhaps use one or two of my spells, but why waste the time and energy? If we linger a day or two more does not matter when we got this beautiful weather.
From here we will start walking towards Geldenheim.
We have reached Geldenheim. On our way here we happened to be in the path of a landslide, but due to the outdoor experience some of us had we spotted the danger in such a good time we could get out of harms way. Tomorrow we will march for Leriel as it is on the road to Lorkin. Not too far from that town will we be able to find a tome of arcane knowledge hidden in a tower that the thief who stole the holy artefact have need of. It is our intent to get to this great tome before this supposedly renegade priest of Naveh. It seems the quest was given to Kim as he ALSO is a Naveh priest! How can that be when the Priests of Naveh are but myths to scare children with? As we are going to spend the night here (in what I understand is the capitol of this rugged country) we took the advantage of getting some equipment we felt were missing.
I am not sure I should put this in writing. I would very much like to get my hands on that tome for strictly personal reasons. The Shek-Pvar's Tome we are seeking is most likely written in the mystical language of Korotanish, which I know by heart. That language flows after all within the veins of us of the Fyvrian convocation. I belive more than one secret is hidden on the pages of that tome. Secrets I could benefit from knowing.
We left Geldenheim the second and started to walk towards Leriel. Earlier today we passed Pethys. The weather last night was such that only the hounds of Morgath and the cat of Naveh would have been out prowling. A horrible weather with pouring rain and whipping winds.
We were just a half days march from Leriel. We considered whether to stay the night there or not. We decided not. Kim spent 10 silver to have his cards read. The seer apparently spoke something about walking towards death with death, and something about demons. I idly wonder how many of those seers use scientific methods to arrive to their conclusions.
We are now camped in a barn. It's a nice and organised place. Every thing in it's proper place. A pity the farmer is so poor. Perhaps I will take some time to help him a little with my craft. It will have to be when there are no other things rushing me. At the same time I will get a good chance to learn the local tounge. Yesterday morning I spotted a small wurm that was showing interest in Tim Alin. It seemed to loose all interest in our camp once I had cast a minor spell. I thought it was no need to wake the others, though some stirred in their sleep.
We are camped in the Anoth swamp-delta. We know on which island the good Bognor have his home. We found it out by a chance encounter with an animated tree. Trees that moves without a wind is no natural occurrence. We are right now camped on a neighbouring island. The Naveh thief seems to have gotten a day ahead of us. Whether he knows were we are, and where Bognor hath his keep, there's no way of knowing.
I found the tower the rough way, or should I say the tower found me? I was none the less hit with a ballista launched spear in the chest. Could they not have been a little more innovative? Now I will have to keep my eyes open for infection in the wound. It also seems the good Bognor is employing garguns. I suspect that more than one thing here is not as the norm. I write this as we await nightfall.
Morning. We managed to investigate the tower during the night until today. Though the wound did cause me some discomfort as we scaled the outside of the tower and entered through the roof. After all, where would the master live if not near the top? We did try to convince Bognor the Liech of letting go of some of his possessions, but unfortunately we had to strike him down. Some day I will return his books and also leave a few things of my own that might interest him. Oh, I had no idea that Sajeva and Kim were such deft climbers.
{the following was found on a piece of scrap paper. Not sure if it is part of the notes of 720-05-13 or not.}
I have begun to look at the script. It is based on Korotanish, but it is obvious the good Bognor hath developed his own script in which he wrote this tome. I wonder if I should embrace this script as my own or if I should develop my own. There are pro's and con's to both ideas.
Evening. We are spending the night outside of Lorkin. The people of the town are afraid of somethin that we might have brought with us. Just because someone is knocked unconcious it doesn't mean he is sick or dying. As if I wouldn't know if it was safe or not to be around him. What do they take me for? A farmer? A village fool? Never mind. The thief {an inkblot makes name unreadable} was handled this morning. He will not last long on that enchanted island with a broken hip and no means to get of the island beside swimming. We are going to sail to Cherafir to "deliver" the book to the "master".
We have now reached Cherafir. The harbour is full, so we are anchored offshore. It was a quite a good trip, so i could spend most of the time meditating. I asked the captain when we will be able to go ashore, but he didn't knew as he was unwilling to use the rowingboat to do it.
At last ashore, at a decent Inn. I wonder what the man at the harbour meant with "Welcome to little Lytia". We will begin investigating who and where the "master" might be tomorrow. Someone (don't recal who) wanted to take actions right away, while Kim wanted to tell his masters in Coronan about our findings. As I suggested we begun investigating who (or what) Ghûl-Matre might be. If not the thief lied to us this is the town where he would deliver the tome.
I did find out something about Ghûl-Matre. Who in their right mind would want to have dealings with an independent deamon? But then, the deamon could have possessed the person we now only know as "master".
I did not know that Tim Alin could read. He claims he can not, yet he say the book he hath been reading have quite rewarding.
I've taken the day to make two minor magical items. My gloves are now enchanted. The runes will not last very long I'm afraid, but on the other hand, I made them. I also attuned myself to the good Bognor's staff. The enchantments will come in handy when I begin study them. Always a good thing to have a working version infront of you of something you wish to achive. The others have been training, so I will take a few days to meditate untill they feel ready to get to this "master".
At "The suffering badger" we got nothing but a note from the barkeeper. The note was written in a language I could not read. It seems that only the (formerly?) cleargy of the Naveh church are to be involved. It is bad enough that Aghrik have deamons under his controll, but a independent deamon who are allied with Naveh should be stopped. Even the supposedly priest of Naveh Kim agreed to this. This comming midnight we are to meet with one of the servants of this "master".
Ghûl-Matre is no more a threat. Once we had located her lair in the sewers {part missing} get back to Coronan to {part missing} meet my master on the way. {the rest of the page is highly unreadable. I managed to decipher this sentance:} was fairly pleased to have recieved my journal.
We have now reached Coronan. Let's see if I find use for what I learned on the boat. On the persional side, I wonder what nightmares have kept Kim from writing his journal untill today.
I have now spent a few days trying to examine the spell stored in the staff. I realise what it does, but not really how. Yet. It is a complex spell to cause petrification. The knowledge that I gained from the spell have inspired me. If a whole person can be turned into stone, why not a piece of clothing to something more stony. If done right it would cause the cloths to be too stiff to move about in. It will wait though. It really isn't the season for spellcrafting. I am going to take a few days of meditation as my companions are busy training.
I'm ready to go and so are my companions. Thus we set out again tomorrow. This time to hunt for highwaymen. Not just any highwayman, because that we got two of in our midst. No, we are seeking those who struck down on Sajeva and Kim.
My master sought me out at the Inn today. I handed over Bognors Tome to him as one of the magical items for my graduation to Sheneva. He seemed most pleased. He hath after all more time to study that tome than I seem to find.
We reached the city of Golotha. It's not a very interesting town.
We are now on our way south to talk with an undertaker to see if he hath seen anything strange. Be it graves that have been plundered or dead walking.
I've found what I was looking for. Only Scabban would wish to live in a place like that. I do realise the benefits for a necromancer to live on a graveyard. I mean, necromantic spellcomponents are quite abundant, if you can stomach digging for it. To be honnest, I'm not compleately comfortable doing this for my master. What strange ailment that caused Scabban to turn against my master may one day afflict me. I place my hope that Ilvir, or Ibenis, acts before such a day.
Scabban is no more. Is that supricing when I am the champion of Chuchlaen the wheelwright? I don't think it a coincidence that Scabban would hide in a chapel of Ilvir so that I would find the remains of the previous champion and take up his burthen. I will put the gift the last champion left for us to good use.
As we left the chapel, after the demise of Scabban, we were waylayed by four twisted humans. They where, fortuneatly, not as twisted and inhuman as Scaban, but on the other hand they knew firemagic. Was it chance or intent that they struck at me first? I guess I'll never know. That my companions won the fight without me is clear.
We visited the physician in Menekod this day, and he managed to patch up us quite well. Even Sajevas mangled left hand might heal without causing him much pain in the future.
I recived payment from my master for having handled Scabban the renegade. My companions seems not to appreciate the gifts all that much. I on the other hand concider it a gift to have served my master and that he hath in all but deed written the concensus of raising me from Satia-Mavari to the status of Sheneva.
Today I signed the contract for a house in Aleath, and also invested in cargo. If the goddess "Hale-Ea" or how ever she spells her name, who the merchant worthships smiles uppon him (and us), he will make a good profit.
My studies never end, but then life is a school to prepare you for what comes after death. Or should that be "what comes in death"? I have anyway taken up the study of Kruni. Compared with Lakise it seems a crude writing language, but it hath a certain charm.
{here came some notes I could not for my life decipher. The symbols used were not the least like that of Lakise, which all else have been written in}
Morning. My first note in Lakise for two months. Why not practice Kruni once it's learned? I thought about writing these notes in Jarinese, but I don't see the point. Few will read these journal entries who will be able to correct my language. I wrote in the Krunic notes that I thought I know how to petrify things. Thing is that I still have to verify that it works outside of controlled conditions.
We are now a bit north of Aleath, looking for the ones who humiliated Sajeva and Kim. Our group is now accompanied buy Eghil, who is either an Orbalese or Ivinian. The axe he's carrying looks nasty.
The blood thirst is quenched. At least for now. Most of the bandits we left alive, and unharmed, but concidering the turmoil that will ensue from the death of their leader there will not be much praying on travelers done. We struck down no more than eight men. That leaves about twenty more men in the camp. I fully expect that at least a quarter of them will die while leadership is determined. Another quarter will be unhappy with the choice of leader, and walk off. As for the women and children, they don't harm anyone.
Oh I hate being disrupted. All day long yesterday there was: "come look at this", "could you do that?" Is nothing sacred to those I share the house with? It would be money. Anyway, we are waiting for some to heal their wounds.
So. Now is everyone fit for a fight, as they say. I'll suggest we do what should have been done some months ago. Namely get ourselves to Ara-Kalay. There is a fair chance they will have some usefull book about Chuchlaen the wheelwright, and the tasks that lay ahead of me.
That is all that I found that could be from that person's journal. There were other documents that seemed to be some kind of book-keeping for a household as well as documents that seems to be some form of disquisition (in runes i can't grasp).