I suppose I should update on what actually happened the Spire Of Lament.

Let me start at the beginning.  After dealing with the Guardian Of Shadows Journey we made our way to the Spire Of Lament.  The Resplendent Otta and Morrollan, as well as Morrollan's apprentice Tian, had rigged it a war bird so that it would carry up to six passengers.  Granted, this was in a lifeboat suspended underneath the bird, but it did get us to the Spire Of Lament in record time.

As we approached the Spire Of Lament, a large bat winged skeleton attacked the war bird.  His wings were razor sharp, and by swooping in below the body of the war bird, he cut the ropes suspending the lifeboat.  As we went crashing torts that reuse, certain demise seemed inevitable.  As we plummeted toward the trees and absurd thought entered my head.  For some unknown reason I suddenly thought of the long fourths the natives of the Western Ocean used to surf the waves.  I stood at the back of the lifeboat and using the ropes managed to pull the nose up and I surfed on the tops of the trees.  I realize that it was a life and death situation but oh was it fun!  If I think it may have terrified Pool Of Compassion and Midnight Willow but I think that Fabrus enjoyed it.


After crash landing the lifeboat, width no casualties, we set off toward the Spire Of Lament.  Morrollan and the Resplendent Otta had long since disappeared over the trees ostensibly still heading for the Spire Of Lament.  The trip over land was long and relatively boring so I won't go into the details here.  Suffice to say, we met up with Morrollan at the base of the spire and began to figure out a way to go up.  As luck would have it, some zombies were using something that resembled a freight elevator to come down the spire, so we waited until they disappeared into the underbrush, hopped on the elevator and rode up.

At the top of the spire, we ran into some pretty robust zombies, but eventually we cleaned them up and went inside.  Because Midnight Willow seem to have the most experience with being sneaky and getting around without being noticed, she took point.  We hadn't gotten very far, when the floor decided it didn't want to be a floor.  It decided it would rather be a slide

I cannot say for certain where the others went, but their screens echoed through the darkness as we all shot down slides made of rock.  The twisted and turned and while I'm sure some part of me was suitably terrifying, another part of me simply marveled at the sheer fun over rocketing down that dark passage.  That fund was short lived.

I ended up dumped on the floor in a small windowless room, and there appeared to be only one door.  Gathering my courage around me I walked to the door and opened it, almost scared of what I would find.

I knew that we were dealing with a necromancer, and and so I think it would've been prepared for almost any undead thing, but I was not prepared for my mother.  She was beautiful as I had dreamed her to be, and four other demons held Arashi on a large bed.  What happened next is something that shames me, and I will not go into detail except to say Arashi seemed to be in no pain and that my words contributed significantly, I am sure, to his death.

I cannot even begin to sufficiently explain the lapse in updating this missive.  I would feed business, or perhaps simply a lack of time, but I think that that would not only do myself a disservice but also the history I am trying to lay down.  I know that in the future of a look back on these and wonder at at how far we came.

Looking back I realize that my last entry was at the time of our Exaltation.  Although we have developed much in the way of strength and charms, a group cohesion still seems to lack.  Morrollan and I still have a strong relationship, and I feel that it is one that shall last hopefully for the links of our days.  The others of our group however, with the exception of Fabrus for he has been with us the longest, still lacks cohesion, empathy, and direction.

I must do more research into my heritage for I am not sure if might temper and my willingness to lash out at others is a product of my upbringing, because my father is a rather phlegmatic man and yet my mother is not, or if it is a mark of the demon heritage.  I have discovered something rather unpleasant about myself, that being that either a grudge until it is dead of old age and then had I my way, I would have it stuffed and mounted on the wall.

I had not realized how much I would miss Arashi.  I realize now that my own actions are greatly at fault of his death but I cannot help but think that their others to blame.  I blame my mother a great deal and yet I find myself blaming Midnight Willow as well.  I had not realized when Arashi offered to go to the Obfuscated Cauldron and search for clues to her father's whereabouts, that he would be in such danger.  Granted I did find out, after his disappearance, that he was indeed susceptible, a great deal so, to possession.  Had I known this beforehand, I might have actually asked him not to investigate. 

I suppose that in many ways, my continual anger with Midnight Willow stems not only from what I see is her complicity in the death of a rushing, but also her continual unwillingness to actually assert herself or even to offer an opinion on anything when asked.  I realize that perhaps her life as a ghost blooded has been radically different from mine, but I failed to see how anyone can grow up and reach the age of majority without being able to make a simple decision much less to offer an opinion when asked.  Rather she would be content to play manipulative games with both myself and Fabrus and anyone else who has something she thinks she wants. 

I think I have finally come to accept my heritage, and while I know that I am not bound to evil by my blood, I wonder if that taint has infected my soul, or if I am simply a damned mortal.

There have been so many times when indulging the darkened side of my soul was so gratifying, allowing that part of me to come out to play.  It hasn't happened, at least not with anyone unwilling, in a while, the last being the Yozi cultist I scared to death.

I have dreamed of my mother, and while those dreams do not scare me, they tempt me into things that the sunlight would have no use for. I
think, for whatever reason, there are those who would see my demon-blood heritage rise to the ascendant, working and worshipping to
that end, and the power there entices me.

I have dreamed of a group of worshippers in the north, and in the west, and while I have not seen them, I feel sure they are still there. Why, I do not know.

I dreamed of things I do not understand recently.  I began to dream of someone, perhaps my mother, offering me help in my attempt to rescue
Arashi, but for some reason, I was hesitant to accept.  Then, as I turned from the proffered help, the Unconquered Sun appeared and told me that I attempted this with his blessing.  I woke feeling optimistic and refreshed, although I was still slightly nervous about the coming fight.

We have reached the Spire of Lament, and I fear for us during the battle.  We have little cohesion, and it seems that we are but tools to be used by both Pool of Compassion and Midnight Willow to accomplish their end goals, while ours are of no importance. 

The Unconquered Sun has weighed my soul and found me worthy.  I am terrified.

In between updates, but by the ten thousand little gods, when has there been time?

Hmmm.  Perhaps I should start with a brief overview, or outline and then fill in from there.

- After coming up rather empty, I informed Midnight Willow that I have no further information for her about her father's whereabouts, nor am I willing to extend more of my personal resources on a person I do not know, who is working for people I do not know, nor that I have any business connections with.

- She was evidently Very Put Out with this news, and feels that I am being unfair.  I am slightly confused by this attitude and am unsure as to what end she thinks I should endeavor.

- Arashi disappeared, while investigating the Obfuscated Cauldron for Midnight Willow, as a favor to another Ghost-Blooded.  I am *NOT* amused.

- A man named Steward Kashiritov will be conducted the assault on the Scion's lair, and we will be with him as an adjunct troop.  (For those reading this missive in the comfort of their homes, that did not end well.)

- After the attack on Scion's lair, we left Lilia with the Dragon Kings, although I'm afraid we have to go back to get her, and headed to the Spire of Lament in the Resplendent Ota's flying machine.  What fun!

- Well, it was fun until the skeleton with bat wings clipped the cables holding the lifeboat to the warbird, and we fell.  I did, however, recalling a recreational sport in the west known as "surfing," manage to guide the boat into the trees and from there, into a river.  Pool of Compassion and Midnight Willow (doing something other than feeling entitled) attempted to keep the boat from going over a waterfall, but were unsuccessful.  However, with a bit of fancy shooting, a great deal of help from Fabrus and my hair, we did manage to not die.

- We headed to the Spire of Lament, used the elevator lift to get up to the door, got our clocks cleaned by the door guards and are now contemplating an attack.  This seems fairly suicidal, but I am always up for an adventure.

And with it, perhaps, a better day.

He came to my door this morning, and apologized for his words last night.  After a long while, including some physical release of the anger, I have forgiven him.  He is impulsive, and has not had the reason to watch what he says, unlike myself, who can rarely get a sentence out without some sort of flowery speech.

I have realized something.  Morrollan is, as I did NOT expect, jealous.  For some reason, he thinks a pretty alliance with a Sijan family will sway my plans for the future.   While I cannot, due to my constraints with the Guild, marry him outright, I did give him the token I had made here in Sijan.  It is a pretty bit of red-gold, fitting heavy and close to his neck.  I thought a ring or a bracelet might impair his working, and so, settled on the choker.  He appeared pleased, and I hope he has realized my intentions are not so light as to be blown away in a stiff wind.

My heart, while still a bit sore, is intact and I hope this will not repeat.

And a very impatient pigeon was waiting for me this morning when I woke.  The missives I send to my father are highly edited from these journals, but I still do need to at least set down what has happened in the past days.

Seeker is also sitting beside my chair, managing to look as though he has not eaten in a month of Sundays, and perhaps I might consider letting him eat just a *small* cow.  I must wonder how, after eating his way through six or seven pounds of meat a day he still manages to look as though I never feed him. 

However, that is beside the point, and as much as I would love to expound on my faithful hound's health, I think it would be less amusing for those who read this.

After the attack on the Scion of the Grave's Mistress' lair we retired to the city, only to find that I had, inexcusably, managed to forget a social engagement.  The Underlord Arnett d'Mork, heir to the d'Mork trading house and one closely aligned with my father, had arranged an evening soiree, with myself as the guest of honor.  I must say, I am highly flattered that he finds my House to be so desirable, and in order to repay his generosity, I required my entourage to attend. 

Morrollan, who was more interested in the journals we recovered from SotGM, sulked a bit, but I finally convince him to attend, mostly through threats of bodily injury not to his liking.  His wardrobe was...not quite up to the occasion so Fabrus and I dragged him to the Guild clothiers on the main floor of the Guild Hall.

So prepared, the Master of Ships, Pool of Compassion, arrived, with the courier Midnight Willow.  I was a bit confused, but it appears he hired her as a companion for the evening.  Well, I can see worse.

Arriving at the underground ballroom, we were greeted by a lovely crowd.  M'Lord Arnett was gracious and flattering and I believe he is interested in a more personal alliance than I originally thought.  I do like the man, so have tried to redirect his attention to my cousin, Winter's Leaf.  Her family is not so well-moneyed as we, but more well-born, and she has the social graces I am sadly lacking.  He did seem receptive to the idea of meeting Leaf, and so, I shall send for her immediately. 

I do feel she is a much better match for him, and even were she not, I have commitments that make a marriage alliance out of the question.  I am horrible at affairs of the heart.  Were this a Guild contract, I would have the skills, but it is not, and I am rather at sea.  This was plainly evident later in the evening.

Dinner was...impressive.  Two tyrant lizards, roasted whole and served with a variety of side-dishes, enough to please any gourmand.  After dinner drinks were lovely.

Two incidents marred my complete enjoyment of the evening.  One, in all honesty not surprising, was Lilia.  Evidently, she drank three bottles of port, drank Bobd under the table and proceeded to swing on the chandeliers.  Literally.  Luckily, Arnett was willing to be distracted by my dismal dancing, and I prevented the murder of the Fae-child by d'Mork household retainers.  I may kill her myself, however.

The second is more troubling.  I am, as noted above, horrible at heart-matters, and I am afraid I am very much a Guildswoman born and bred.  Were it not for the City, and Morrollan, I would probably have wanted a long life in the Guild, working my way upwards in the family, to hold the position of Factor upon my father's retirement.  Morrollan, however, is...not happy with things as they are, and would rather we tear down all we have accomplished and start over, in a world where there is no Guild, as we are all evil and corrupt and would cheerfully climb to the apex of our power by grinding the impoverished pseudo-slave consumers under our heels.

I find it saddening that all I have grown up with and worked for is so easily dismissed.  He also seems happy enough to use my experience, and my Guild-tainted money, to accomplish his dreams, while telling me how horrid it all is.

Perhaps I am best served by keeping my heart protected.

Has not proved to be difficult, however, what in the name of Unconquered Sun do we do with all the refugees?  I cannot imagine they wish to return to either Ashelat's Night or Mirallus. 

Morrollan and I believe that perhaps we have discovered a way to keep the Dragon-King young alive while we search for their elders in Rathness.  It will require much work, but in the end, I think it will be worth it.  The Dragon-Kings predate us, and it seems a shame that they be used as pawns in some twisted bid to conquer Sijan.  I think perhaps I was wrong, and we should have destroyed the cylinders the younger adults were being stored in. 

Morrollan does not wish me to call in my marker with Relagant, and if our plan works the way it should, I will not.  I am worried, however, and I wish so very much not to have to kill the young.  After all, it was I who insisted we bring them with us, and if we cannot control them while they are maturing, the blood of yet more of this ancient race will be solely on my hands.

I so pray that we can do this.

I have decided to use this to draft my letter (request) to Relegant.  I had hoped to use it for something more related to Srorrim Foy'tic, but it appears I have more pressing issues.  Like 20 some-odd omnivorous lizards that I need to civilize, or kill.  I'd rather civilize them, but not at the expense of my caravan-folk.

To return to the subject, the trip itself was uneventful, and as we approached Mirallus, several things struck us as unusual. The absolute lack of any bodies, human or animal, and the deadness of the entire area.

Drat. A clerk is handing me paperwork on the damaged wagons, and I must needs attend to it. I'll fill in more and leave with a short summary.

We have, we believe, pinpointed the origination point of these two attacks, and will be heading that direction to scout the area.

As we rode to the what we believed to be the origination point of the attacks, we found several deserted farms, and spoke to one farmer. He was somewhat helpful and pointed us toward another abandoned farm. When we arrived there, we found no one at home, and a note on the kitchen table. The note, while somewhat illegible, mentioned zombies.

We found a trail of blood leading to a root cellar, and inside was a zombie. I was rather impressed by the farmer and his family, as they had trapped the zombie using their chickens. Not easy and certainly not what I'd expect out of a farmer.

Anyway, we released the zombie and using one of Arashi's charms, managed to question him. We got a fair bit of information out of him, and did confirm that we were heading in the right direction. Our adversary, Scion of the Grave's Mistress, laired a distance from here, and we resumed our ride.

The scattered farms began to dwindle in the distance and a copse of trees slowly crept over the horizon. I have failed to mention the day and a half of rain, but I think that's because I'm trying to forget it. Oh, how I loathe being wet and in armor. Chafed spots tend to pop up all over! I need to get my saddle adjusted, as a small spot on Wind's Faithful Companion's back is rubbing. (Yes, my horse came with a name as big as he is. I usually just call him Wind.)

As we approached the copse of trees, Seeker began to growl, and we stopped to figure out what he was growling at, only to spot one of the most gruesome sentry systems I've ever seen. At a marked interval through the trees were arms, mostly human I assumed, holding large eyeballs. The hands were swiveling back and forth in a disgusting display of necromantic paranoia. Ew. Let me restate that. EW. Gross.

So, we make plans on how to distract any guards in the area, using arrows, fire and a fast horse, but as Seeker and I are loping around to make the attack at he rear of the perimeter, he spots a downed eyeball and we double back quickly to get the others. Let me add here that many, many eyeballs do not lessen the disgusting nature of the sentry system. Rather, I think it gets creepier the more eyeballs you add.

We managed to get through the gap in the perimeter, and as we did, the appearance of the copse changed. In the Black Chase, the trees are skeletal and they make the most horrible clacking noise as they sway in the wind. These trees were much the same, and so, our suppositions that this is a rival Deathlord may not be far off.

We discovered a cave entrance, and as these are known as the Caves of Lost Splendors, that was not much of a surprise. It was interesting, as we could feel the change when night fell. Shadowlands become the Underworld at night, as so, as a fledgling Shadowland, this followed the norm.

At the bottom of a ladder, Morrollan found a sentry ghost. Morollan neatly neutralized him by sticking Everburn in his ear. When in the Underworld, ghosts are as subject to physical harm as humans are in daylight, and so the threat of being sent to the Lethe or the Cycle of Reincarnation was enough to get him to keep him quiet.

In questioning him, I found Ikarov was working with the Scion of the Grave's Mistress under compulsion, as his daughter was a captive. In exchange for his help, I promised to free his daughter and see her well taken care of. This was agreeable and he sketched a hasty map for us, as well as alerting us to the five war-ghosts left to guard. However, like soldiers of any time and place, they were far more interested in playing a game (in this case, Gateway) than conducting roving patrols, and for that I was profoundly grateful.

After looking at the map, we decided to make a circuit of the lair, starting with the “Experiment Room,” then the “Master's Chamber,” on to the “Laboratory,” to the prison and finally out. On the way to the Experiment Room, we found a side chamber with a large clutch of lizard eggs. Most of the eggs were not at the hatching stage, as their shells were still soft and fairly pliable, but as we had no clue what type of eggs they were, we went on.

In the Experiment Room, we found some truly odd things, things Morollan believes are from the First Age. Large glass cylinders, filled with some type of fluid and bipedal lizards. Morollan was in favor of freeing the lizards, but Ikarov convinced him they were simply too brutal. Evidently, there was a colony of these lizards, but the older, sociable ones were killed off to take control of the many young.

After sabotaging the equipment, to slow the rate of experimentation, we moved on to the Master's Chamber. The lock on the door was easy to pick, and inside, we found little of interest except a desk. There were four large books, and many scrolls and we helped ourselves to all of them. I would guess, by a quick look, that these are notes of procedures and experiments. Hopefully, the loss of them will slow the Scion down considerably.

The Laboratory was inhabited by zombies, so we decided to skip that room and move to the Jail. We found 15 refugees, and Ikarov's little girl, along with a very interesting prisoner, one bound in chains and in a cell of Soulsteel. We freed her, and Seeker of the Sepulchral Vale as she is known, filled us in on some missing details.

The lizards are what we know as Dragon-Kings, and predate the Primordial War. After the Contagion, they all but disappeared, and it's very hard to find any civilized one. The Dragon-Kings in the cylinders are known as Raptoks, and were the closest to humankind.

We freed the refugees and began to make our way back to the entrance. On a thought, we loaded each refugee down with an egg, and I will be using my favor with Relagant to see if he can put me in touch with a Dragon-King enclave so that we can get these young back to their kind. If they don't eat us all first.

Vale took care of the war-ghosts, and we chivvied everyone back. Now, I think I shall figure out how to work my missive to Relegant, and take a very hot bath. I'm still finding mud in the most uncomfortable places!

This is an OOC post, recapping what I've written in my normal LJ. 

6 Oct 2007-


8 Nov 2007-


8 Nov 2007-


28 Nov 2007-


30 Nov 2007-