{"id":1850,"date":"2016-03-12T11:32:19","date_gmt":"2016-03-12T19:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/?p=1850"},"modified":"2026-09-26T11:44:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T18:44:26","slug":"kalis-journal-erastus-27-arodus-7-4712","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/kalis-journal-erastus-27-arodus-7-4712\/","title":{"rendered":"Kali’s Journal, Erastus 27 – Arodus 7, 4712"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erastus 27 (Riddleport, Late Afternoon)<\/h3>\n

K<\/span><\/p>\n

oya seemed excited by the cache of maps that I brought back from my excursions. I found her early in the afternoon packing up some items in her wagon. She invited me inside and I unrolled them on top of some crates. I had picked up several maps of Varisia, from Sandpoint through the Nolands, and others covering parts of the Linnorm Kingdoms. There were three or four dozen in all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s all this?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re going to need some mementos from this trip, don\u2019t you? And what better way to start than with some maps of where we\u2019ve been, and where we\u2019re going? Pick out what you like from these; I\u2019ll keep the rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked up at me, astonished. \u201cYou\u2019d <\/span>give<\/span><\/i> these to me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s much less than you\u2019ve done for me over the years.\u201d Which was an understatement. Ameiko had a talent for finding healing potions, but she couldn\u2019t mend clothes. Koya could do both.<\/span><\/p>\n

As she started leafing through them I added, \u201cThere\u2019s a mixture in there of practical, artistic, and fanciful. Some are city maps, some regional, others are wider. And we\u2019ll get more along the way, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

My next stop was Sandru, who I found tending to the horses not too far from Koya\u2019s wagon. \u201cI was thinking that we need a little celebration tonight. Some special food and drink to see us off on our trip.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA fine idea!\u201d He beamed. \u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s why I wanted to see you: I need a little help. The food I can manage. Do you think you can help me pick out some spirits?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course! I would be delighted!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a tip: if you ever find yourself with too much money, teaming up with Sandru to buy alcohol for special occasions is one way to solve the problem super-gods-be-damned-fast. It sure was fun, though. And we got personalized service everywhere we went.<\/span><\/p>\n

Erastus 28 (Velashu River below the Celphiac Mountains, Evening)<\/h3>\n

W<\/span><\/p>\n

e had our celebration last night after making camp a few miles outside Riddleport. Though it certainly wasn\u2019t on par with the dinner Ameiko threw back when this all began (I had less to work with after all), it was still the surprise I hoped it would be. I admit that I splurged a little too much, but honestly, how often do you get to try things like a 40-year-old brandy or a cheese made from buffalo\u2019s milk?<\/span><\/p>\n

It will take us roughly two weeks to reach Kalsgard, and the first half of that will be through the wilderness and the Nolands. The experience with the trolls over a month ago, and I suppose with Zaiobe more recently, is why I pursued the spell Thadeus had asked me about. I don’t like it, but out here my options are limited, and I won’t endanger myself or my friends because of my own discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes ideals have to give way to reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

On a more pleasant note, I\u2019ve been learning some Skald, courtesy of books (of course) and some time in the wagon Kelda is driving. I was not the only one with this idea, either: this morning I overheard Sparna talking to her about the very same topic. So, it seems Kelda has quickly become one of the more popular members of our group.<\/span><\/p>\n

This clearly hasn\u2019t sat well with everyone, though, as one of us has taken to messing with her food. Hopefully, whatever the hell <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> is about, it will end soon. Or at least not spiral out of control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arodus 2 (The Nolands, Evening)<\/h3>\n

W<\/span><\/p>\n

e\u2019ve crossed into the Nolands. The landscape and the wildlife are radically different north of the river (which I guess should not be surprising) and we\u2019ve even seen a few bears. So far, though, we\u2019ve been left alone and there\u2019s not even been any sign of Nolander tribes. Our only company has been flocks of birds probably scavenging for scraps of food. Nihali says they are mostly ravens and she is \u201cnot impressed\u201d (that is an actual quote).<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone continues to mess with Kelda\u2019s meals. I am beginning to feel a spiritual bond with Sparna and Olmas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arodus 3 (Jol, Evening)<\/h3>\n

O<\/span><\/p>\n

ur first encounter on this leg of our journey was not what I was expecting. When Nihali landed on my shoulder this morning, she was pretty agitated. I asked her what\u2019s wrong and she said, \u201cJust a raven. But I\u2019ve never seen one that big before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Nihali is concerned, I am concerned. \u201cHow big is it?\u201d I asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s right there. You can see for yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And I looked up and there it was. A raven. A <\/span>huge<\/span><\/i> raven, about the size of a small <\/span>dog<\/span><\/i>. Just hanging up in the sky, lazily following us much like the flock that had been with us since we crossed the river. It was still with us when we stopped for lunch, and I discreetly started spreading the word.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, a couple of the others had seen it, too, but it hadn\u2019t reached the level of \u201calarming\u201d. But they aren\u2019t Nihali. This is what she does.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Ivan pointed out something interesting. \u201cI saw a flash of red. Maybe red feathers on its wings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ravens with red feathers? Etayne and I talked it over. It\u2019s not unheard of, but the peculiarities were starting to mount. So I went to see Koya for her opinion. I mean, this is precisely why Varisian caravans have fortune-tellers, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, I got the Varisian answer: blood feather ravens are an omen. Specifically, an <\/span>evil<\/span><\/i> omen (are there any omens that aren\u2019t?), and it\u2019s bad luck to have one following the caravan. And so on. But I pressed her on it because I wanted something more concrete than spookism. \u201cWhat should we <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Koya pulled out her cards and I let her work. After a few minutes, she said, \u201cThe cards are hard to read. We should continue our journey, but there is evil stalking us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Right. That\u2019s what I needed to know. We were probably being spied on, and that <\/span>would not do<\/span><\/i>. I went to the others and, speaking in Elvish, suggested that we get rid of it. Permanently. It was flying too high up for weapons, but I could send an air elemental after it. But when I went to find it in preparation for the spell, it was gone. I told the others, \u201cI can be better prepared for it tomorrow, anyway. I can send <\/span>several <\/span><\/i>air elementals at it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We reached Jol late in the afternoon. Mom knew something about it, of course, because it was built on the ruins of an old Thassilonian city, which apparently makes it her business.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is the most tightly packed city I have ever seen, and I have seen a <\/span>lot<\/span><\/i> of cities. And it stinks. I mean it <\/span>literally<\/span><\/i> smells bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, we aren\u2019t staying inside the city walls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arodus 5 (Grungir Forest, Evening)<\/h3>\n

F<\/span><\/p>\n

or two days we didn\u2019t see the raven with the red feather, and when we emerged from the northern edge of the Grungir Forest to make camp it was there, waiting for us. It flew off as soon as we spotted it, far too quickly for me to take action. This thing is pissing me off.<\/span><\/p>\n

The forest itself was pleasant enough, but only because we knew to stay on the road, or if straying from it, to at least keep it in sight. Grungir is the domain of the fey, and it\u2019s best not to tempt the descendants of the First World.<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked what we might find here, Kelda replied, \u201cFey. Gnomes. Wild animals. A linnorm if you\u2019re unlucky.\u201d And I think that about sums that up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tomorrow morning we\u2019ll take a side trip across the river into Losthome, a brief visit to trade, find updated maps and get some information about the way ahead, but we\u2019ll return to the road by early afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, and I suspect that Etayne is our prankster. I don\u2019t know what she has against Kelda, but as long as it\u2019s just stupid tricks? I am staying out of it. For one, Kelda can take care of herself. For two, Kelda would probably just get pissed off if someone intervened on her behalf, anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

It sure does bring back some shitty memories, though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arodus 7 (Thundering River, Eldentre, Noon)<\/h3>\n

W<\/span><\/p>\n

e haven\u2019t seen the raven since the forest. If it holds to its previous pattern, it should appear tonight or sometime tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I was starting to fret over this, so I went to Koya for advice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cWhat is it you want to do if you see it again?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m going to summon air elementals and send them after it. To attack it, and kill it if they have to. It\u2019s spying on us, I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    She thought for a moment, and then pulled out her Harrow cards. \u201cI have something I can try\u2026if you are willing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    I said yes. She cast a lengthy spell I did not recognize, then drew several cards from the deck.<\/span><\/p>\n

    I can feel the effects, and they are strange. Almost as though a blessing of Desna is on me. I don\u2019t know how else to describe it.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Kali's<\/a><\/p>\n

    She says this will only last for a few days, or until I have my chance to go after the bird, whichever comes first.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Arodus 7 (The Skalsbridge, Night)<\/h3>\n

    W<\/span><\/p>\n

    e were attacked tonight and thus my suspicions have been confirmed: the raven had been spying on us. I wish now I had taken action when Nihali had first come to me, but logically I get that there was no way to have known at the time. I don\u2019t want to be the kind of person who attacks someone or something on just suspicion alone, although taking this stance means we must suffer such affronts as being ambushed while we sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

    I am pretty sure no one took me seriously when I called out, \u201cI\u2019ll soften them up!\u201d (I mean, really, when had I ever softened anything up? So I guess I don\u2019t blame them.) Ivan was right next to me fiddling with the necklace he picked up in Brinewall and said, \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m going to do,\u201d as he pulled off one of the orbs and flung it, hard, into the moonless night. A tremendous burst of fire lit up the advancing horde, and several of the raiders dropped in a chorus of screams.<\/span><\/p>\n

    And then my spell hit.<\/span><\/p>\n

    I won\u2019t mince words here: it was pretty horrible. I didn\u2019t see the torrent of stones and dirt, but I heard a sound worse than any hailstorm, a roar of sickening, dull thuds against earth, armor, and flesh, followed by more screams. It lasted only seconds. I reminded myself, <\/span>They are trying to kill you.<\/span><\/i> Because it helps to keep perspective when people are dying by your hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

    At the edge of our camp light, the surviving attackers met us and were savaged. More spells, more fire, and flashes of steel. At one point in that fight, two of them, who I could now see were Ulfen raiders, descended on Kelda to outflank our defensive line. Radella took one of them down, and I used a spell to grease the other\u2019s weapon, buying Kelda some time to reposition and seize the advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

    When the battle was over, there were forty dead. <\/span>Gods, <\/span><\/i>forty of them!<\/span> Forty!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    Kelda remarked, \u201cIt\u2019s unusual for Ulfen warriors to attack en masse just randomly on the road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Yeah. About that. There was obviously nothing random about this. Kelda said she spotted the raven on the Skalsbridge, just barely making it out in the dim light from our camp. It flew off as soon as Kelda spotted it (<\/span>Damn it! Again!<\/span><\/i>), or perhaps just as the longboat was coming ashore. Fortunately, Kelda was able to alert Qatana, who woke us all in time. But only barely. We had maybe a minute to get ready, if that. It was that close.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Kelda examined the bodies, pulling a gold armband off of one. Engraved on it was a stylized lion\u2019s head which she did not recognize.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Their boat, which was named the <\/span>Aril\u2019s Hammer,<\/span><\/i> was beached just west of the bridge. It was over fifty feet long with nearly two dozen oars. Someone had made a significant financial investment in our funerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We decided it would be best if our assailants simply vanished. We scuttled the boat and weighed down the bodies before dumping them in the river.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Gods.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Erastus 27 (Riddleport, Late Afternoon) K oya seemed excited by the cache of maps that I brought back from my excursions. I found her early in the afternoon packing up some items in her wagon. She invited me inside and I unrolled them on top of some crates. I had picked up several maps of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_import_markdown_pro_load_document_selector":0,"_import_markdown_pro_submit_text_textarea":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[32],"class_list":["post-1850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-journal","tag-kali"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1850"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1850\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5679,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1850\/revisions\/5679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}