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| | <font size="+2">The Journal of Nish Sigunkobeb</font><br \> | | <font size="+2">The Journal of Nish Sigunkobeb</font><br \> |
| | <font size="-1">Property of Nish Tourdweller of Äkimkulet</font><br \> | | <font size="-1">Property of Nish Tourdweller of Äkimkulet</font><br \> |
| − | </font>
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| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| − | == Granite in the Age of Heroes, 150 == | + | <font size="+1">[[/150granite|Granite in the Age of Heroes, 150]]</font><br \> |
| − | <font face="Papyrus"> | + | In which Nish receives his quest to slay a dragon but becomes lost.<br \> |
| − | <b>1 Granite</b><br \>
| |
| − | It wasn't a pleasant morning. I don't recall last night, but waking up on a bed, or a cot in my case, is a sure sign that something went right at that point. That usually means you've drunken a lot with friends in a grand dining hall or that you've finished a hard day's work under the earth. Waking up in the middle of a battlefield with a headache puts that sort of thing into perspective.<br \>
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| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| − | It wasn't much of a battle either. The enemy were scattered goats and antmen and such, I think. You could hear the sounds of fighting all around but couldn't see anyone. They may have been up on the cliffs, or down in the valley, but they weren't here.<br \>
| + | <font size="+1">[[/150slate|Slate in the Age of Heroes, 150]]</font><br \> |
| | + | In which Nish encounters civilization again.<br \> |
| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| − | Finally comeone came for me. Some Dwarf whose name I didn't catch, though he said he was a Guard, came down the hillside and dragged me into the mountain home Äkimkulet. He could have been a lot less rough as he did really drag me over the floor a number of times; even let gravity help me down a floor of stairs, though I didn't end up hurt. Strange entrance - it was much longer than it was wide, creating the impression of a giant trough. On the way, another Guard - they were dressed the same - helped the first guide me. After descending two floors, I was brought to some dead-end corner to the Dwarven King. I think he was the King. He had either a crown or a pot on his head (it's hard to tell with the lighting). I had a pot on my head, so maybe he was another me, but the way he spoke was definitely noble. "<i>I don't give a hoary marmot's teat about what your name is</i>" pretty much confirmed he was a noble, and I know I wasn't a noble. If I were, I probably wouldn't have woken up on a battelfield with a headache. Then, as if being brought before the King wasn't enough of a surprise, he then told me to go kill a dragon.<br \>
| + | <font size="+1">[[/150felsite|Felsite in the Age of Heroes, 150]]</font><br \> |
| | + | In which Nish explores a Human civilization on struggling legs.<br \> |
| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| − | A dragon! I only woke up ten minutes ago by this point.<br \>
| + | <font size="+1">[[/150hematite|Hematite in the Age of Heroes, 150]]</font><br \> |
| | + | In which Nish seeks the advice of a Demon and is asked to perform a task.<br \> |
| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| − | They shoved a piece of paper in my hand and tossed me out. Of the whole mountainhome, then refused to let me back in!<br \>
| + | <font size="+1">[[/150malachite|Malachite in the Age of Heroes, 150]]</font><br \> |
| − | I swear I woke up only ten minutes ago.<br\>
| + | In which Nish completes his mundane task and starts on a lead to the location of his dragon.<br \> |
| − | <br\> | |
| − | | |
| − | <b>3 Granite</b><br \>
| |
| − | After some searching I've been finding various strewn body parts all around this mountainhome, though I can't tell from what. These must be leftovers of former points in the battle that I still hear going on around me but can't find. Also found a couple of pieces of finely crafted armor without a Dwarf to wear them. You'd think people would be decent enough not to ruin good metalworking like this. I gathered up as much of it as I could find and tried to bring it back to Äkimkulet. There were also some stale rations strewn about all over the place - meat mostly. They were far beyond edible so I left them to finish rotting, to save the good people of Äkimkulet some stench. As I forgot to expect, I didn't get into entrance as there was some kind of party at the base of the ramp, with five Dwarves of various practices standing around and talking. I don't think they heard me over the continued sounds of fighting from outside because they continued to stand there even after I asked them to let me pass. If they weren't going to let me in to return their armor, then I decided I'd keep it myself! I don't need it, so I'll just sell it to someone else.<br\>
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| − | <br\>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>4 Granite</b><br \>
| |
| − | Two suits of armor are heavy.<br\>
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| − | <br\>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>?? Granite</b><br \>
| |
| − | I've lost track of the day by the time writing this entry. I've explored the south of this valley a lot of discover that I'm, boxed mostly in, save for a northern passage. Why did we Dwarves settle here? There's no magma, just brooks for water, and it's rather frigid. Seems like we were randomly dropped here. That's just probably wishful thinking - makes me feel better about waking up on a battlefield without knowing how I got there. The dragon fits into this analogy somewhere.<br \>
| |
| | <br \> | | <br \> |
| − | Speaking of the dragon, I've been looking at this map enough to realize that this is a map of the region where <i>the dragon is</i> not where <i>I am</i>. A lot of good that does me. I could use some fresh food to eat, just like in the bake sale that was being advertised on this flier I was given. I'm not sure why they wanted me to know about a two-week ago bake sale but it must be important if they'd write about it on the back of the map. Maybe they mean "food near the dragon cave."<br\>
| + | <font size="+1">[[/150galena|Galena in the Age of Heroes, 150]]</font><br \> |
| − | <br\>
| + | TBA<br \> |
| − | | |
| − | <b>?? Granite (day after last entry)</b><br \>
| |
| − | I've given it some thought. If I'm going to be fighting a dragon, I'm ill-equipped to attack it. At close range that thing would kill me for sure, and I don't have a crossbow. I have to practice throwing stuff and hope I knock it unconscious first.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
| |
| − | Having said that, though, I just threw a rock, it accidentally hit a mountain lion, but the thing didn't fall unconscious.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>????</b><br \>
| |
| − | Okay, I've completely lost track of the date, and I think the month rolled over while I wasn't looking. For the sake of consistency, just think of this entry as 1 Slate.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
| |
| − | It's really bugging me, not knowing the date; and it might make this journal look sloppy. I've tried asking all the Mist Flayers I've run into about the date but all they want to do is sting me. So I hack them away with that falchion I picked up back at Äkimkulet. Jerks. This morning I also ran into a cougar but it wouldn't give me the date either.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
| |
| − | There are a lot of jerks around here. I finally found civilization and was going to ask them about a date, but they started pelting me with arrows and chasing after me with weapons. Dark Goblins are jerks.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
| |
| − | </font>
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| − | | |
| − | == Slate in the Age of Heroes, 150 ==
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| − | <font face="Papyrus">
| |
| − | <b>25 Slate</b><br \>
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| − | I finally reached civilization! I know because they're willing to give me the date if I ask them! It's the High Elven town ... just call it Naturenight. I swear that's a terrible mangling of written language and I don't even think they can pronounce it. Whenever I ask I get "Naturenight" but no one will say the untranslated name out loud. At least they live in a real town and not out in the middle of nowhere like those other treehuggers.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
| |
| − | I sold the second suit of armor to a shopkeep who said he sold foodstuff. I don't know how that worked. I also asked him, during the exchange, how he had so many coins when he had nothing to sell in his store. The shopkeep corrected me and pointed to the armor I had just sold him. I guess I can't argue with that. Steel probably is good for you if it contains so much iron.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I kept the falchion. It's good for asking Mist Flayers the date.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
| |
| − | </font>
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| − | | |
| − | == Felsite in the Age of Heroes, 150 ==
| |
| − | <font face="Papyrus">
| |
| − | <b>4 Felsite</b><br \>
| |
| − | I still don't recognize where this map indicates; going on the vague instructions of "to the northeast of Äkimkulet" is hard to do when the only way to have gotten this far is to go all the way west, north, and southeast.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
| |
| − | I came across a mountainhome in a land called Neathäe today and was eagerly anticipating some delicious Dwarven Ale. It'd be easy if there was another party at the entrance, so I could just grab a tankard without bothering anyone, even if I couldn't ask about the map. There was no party and it turns out there weren't even any Dwarves! HUMANS were living in the mountainhome of Bisäsoxunen'pëmupïgí! When I finally found someone in charge, an Elite Spearman, he had said they were going to settle in the area, discovered the fortress abandoned, and decided to make the best of it. Huh. They couldn't help me with my map, but said there were more formal human settlements to the east which might be able to. Since they didn't have any other problems I could help them with, I went on my way.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
| |
| − | Good natured but strange sods. They were living in a Dwarf fortress and didn't even think to refurnish the place. It still lacked most of the essentials, like tables chairs and beds.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>12 Felsite</b><br \>
| |
| − | By the time I stumbled into town I realized I was without my falchion. I must have lost it when playing with those werewolves back in the haunted moor a while back. They were surprisingly happy to see me and came up to pounce. As much as I like dogs, such weight would probably wind me badly so I had to dodge and decline them their initial hug. That didn't stop me from returning their hug and ... actually it doesn't matter. I wonder if this will be like one of those instances where you make friends with the animal and it comes to your rescue in the future; I've heard those things do happen in this world. I left them when they were tired enough to fall sleep so all went well, save for my sword. Fortunately, I was an Axedwarf by nature so all I had to do was pull out the replacement weapon.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
| |
| − | Anyway, the town. Lershicasot in a place called Bopûnühìlpëdû. Bopûnühìlpëdû. I wanted to tell them they missed making that first "o" in the name special, but thought it might be too snide. I found the mead hall easy enough - it was near the temple - but just after entering there lots of strange sounds come from outside: stuff falling, mostly, and people swooning. I stepped back out to watch a group of children move past and, to my surprise, there was a whole lot of fish-related food stuff dropped along the ground. Right at my feet was a mussel. I couldn't understand for the life of me what it was with people and wasting food like this. I collected all of the strewn food from he ground, following a trail that went all around the temple, with the intention of putting it on the tables in the mead hall.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
| |
| − | While doing that, I found the source of the swooning. There was a priest lying on the ground, barely conscious, but he got up and started walking away soon afterwards (I heard another thud after that, indicating he collapsed again, but I didn't see it). There was also a priestess nearby who was having trouble keeping her gloves on and was falling down all the same. I asked her if I could take her to a bed so she might rest. At first she asked me a bit closer because I thought she was hard of hearing, but even right next to her and asking if I could be of Service, she instead did some kind of laying on of hands thing and pronounced me some kind of servant of Nato now. She completely misunderstood what I was talking about--and then collapsed again.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | She didn't look hurt but I carried her over to the mead hall anyway and put her in a bed there. It's at this point I'm writing now and it's at this point I'm going to retire until the morning.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>13 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | The next morning I went and found someone in charge, an elite crossbowman named Dacap Kaspisha. He identified himself as a "Servant of War," which seemed a bit intimidating, but less intimidating than the children from Bisäsoxunen'pëmupïgí and High Elves of Naturelight who called themselves "Servants of Death." I swear the world was getting far too violent for my tastes despite all evidence pointing to me being an Axedwarf now off to kill a dragon.<br \>
| |
| − | <br \>
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| − | Dacap said that he didn't recognize my map but there was a cartographer in some town to the east that would surely be able to help me. Also, we had a brief discussion about the priestess (and the priest). The priest just wants attention apparently, but the priestess faints due to her patronage of Nato. It turns out Nato is a god of war, which would make me a Servant of War. That must mean there must also be a death god to which other people were Servants? No wonder this world is too violent. Where's the god of good Dwarven Ale? Dacap also helped me come to terms with my least obvious problem.<br \>
| |
| − | Dacap: "So you're here to kill a dragon?"<br \>
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| − | Me: "Yeah."<br \>
| |
| − | Dacap: "But you don't know it's name or where it lives?"<br \>
| |
| − | Me: "Not precisely, but that's what the map is for."<br \>
| |
| − | Dacap: "The Dwarven King gave you this quest."<br \>
| |
| − | Me: "It could have been his cook."<br \>
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| − | Dacap: "And you don't know why the dragon needs to be killed--"<br \>
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| − | Me: "Isn't that the sort of thing you do to dragons? I think the King said something about it killing someone else ..."<br \>
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| − | Dacap: "Killing who else?"<br \>
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| − | Me: "I don't know. It just sounds like something a dragon would do."<br \>
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| − | Dacap: "Half way across the world?"<br \>
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| − | Me: "I traveled half way across the world to get here and I'm no dragon."<br \>
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| − | Dacap: "And they didn't give you anything more than a blood-covered axe to do it with?"<br \>
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| − | Me: "Oh, no. I already had the axe. It just wasn't blood-covered at the time."<br \>
| |
| − | I needed a bath. Thanks, Dacap; I think I might have not realized how badly I was presenting myself to other people. I must look like a barbarian right now, covered with such gunk. Dwarves pride themselves with how deeply they get in their work, but I do understand how outsider races value being well groomed. Actually, if it were a normal Elf, he'd probably be muddier than me, well-dressed for him. I vowed to take a bath the first stream I found.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>16 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | I came across a town named Malstralulu. It was an odd sort of place as it had no population, save for one person up in the mead hall who couldn't help me much anyway.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>17 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | Another town, this time Batowocgi, TradedGuards. On one hand the town had a population, a fact for which I was grateful as I had started getting very lonely. On the other hand, I was irked that they were all Children! The whole population of the town were adolescent High Elves and Bugbears! Even the lone shopkeep was a Child. I didn't understand who such a society worked and, for that matter, I doubt they did either. They weren't very talkative or helpful but a single Bugbear Child who did give me a bit more than just laughs and skipping away claimed to be one year old. I hoped he wasn't the cartographer I was looking for and I was quite happy that, despite his ability speak at one year of age, he didn't know what cartography was.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Come to think of it, I hadn't seen any wagons for quite some while. I couldn't and didn't want to leave this town of children on their own, but I had to tell someone in the civilized world about this place. Mass adoption in the works, I guess.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | In my boredom, I tried talking to this Nato person. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to go about this and ultimately decided I would address my axe, since a weapon is a symbol of war. Nato wasn't much of a talker and didn't reply to anything I said sadly. I eventually stopped trying, hoping that I might coax him into inquisitively saying something first to see if I was still listening. I couldn't trick him. He was very good at playing this game.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>20 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | You'd never imagine how happy I was when I stumbled across a cave today! Dragons live in caves! Perhaps my journey was finally coming to an end, but I still didn't feel prepared to face a dragon. Even so, I went closer to search.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | There were trinkets and inexpensive jewelry all around the ground near the entrance. Earrings and amulets as far as the eyes could see. I thought for a moment that this might be a home being founded by some well-to-do Dwarves. They were rather sloppy people though leaving all their things in the ground, not even in a stockpile, outside the entrance to the cave. I proceeded to pick up everything I could find, including some berries that weren't attached to plants and some food and fish, hoping to help them a little. I drank some Longland Beer I found out of temptation and hoped they wouldn't mind. It tasted great. It's been two months since I had proper alcohol that even the bits of dirt that had gotten into it wouldn't spoil my enjoyment.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Update: Never mind me, this place isn't any future Dwarven mountainhome. And it's no dragon cave either. The walls are too sandy and the passages too narrow. It's the home of swarming Cave Crabs as far as the eye can see. It's just a mess. I explored the whole place in hopes of finding a dragon's den - whatever they look like, mind you - but was lacking in all my expectations. The crabs wouldn't let me be so I had to knock most of them about until they ran away. I met another intractable--something or other down there named Aleæaæaädöa. Really ugly thing thing, whatever it was. It lashed out at me from around a blind corner and nearly took my arm off. Caught my axe into its flesh for quite a bit and struggled with the thing as its claws bounced off my steel armor and I tried to get my axe out of it. Eventually I maimed it enough that it bleed to death. I still don't know what it was. It's terribly terribly ugly, that's all I know. I stuffed the corpse into my backpack and planned to ask the next Butcher or Ranger I met what an Aleæaæaädöa is and how you can get away with more than one "æ" in your name.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | The caves were a bust. The beer's good though.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>21 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | I came across the ruins of a town. Just the gutted remains of house with no one living in them, really, most of the walls and roofs taken down and the floors ripped away. I couldn't tell if this was caused by a pillaging or a drought or famine leading to everyone moving away, but I think I was starting to understand what those humans in Bisäsoxunen'pëmupïgí meant about making the best of things.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>22 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | I've found yet another abandoned, rundown town. The only difference between this one and the one yesterday was this still had furniture, though it was all broken nonetheless. The good news is no one to bury.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>23 Felsite</b><br \>
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| − | I returned to Lershicasot after having turned back from the cave. The first point of order was to rush to the temple, catch the priestess before she collapsed again, and carry her to the mead hall. I didn't see the priest but he probably collapsed somewhere too. Then I ent upstairs and talked to Dacap again, telling him about the other nearby towns I had been to. Apparently, one of the two towns I had found abandoned was intentionally abandoned a long time ago, but the other definitely shouldn't have been abandoned like I had found it. He said he'd get some guards together personally and go to Batowocgi to help the children, but he didn't know what was up with Malstralrulu and it's lone occupant. Somehow two bustling communities had vanished under his nose and the third was supplanted by children, some of whose names he recognized. I volunteered to give more assistance but Dacap said it'd be alright.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | He also confirmed that at least one of those abandoned towns should have contained the cartographer I was looking for, a Trade Diplomat by profession, and not being able to find him like this put me into a serious pickle. Dacap didn't know of any of places east of here personally and he didn't think anyone else in town did.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | He did tell me a bit about the corpse of Aleæaæaädöa that I was carrying around. Not much mind you since he didn't like the thing, I think, but he said it was a Deinonychus and that they were very dangerous normally. Now that the ichor has crusted a bit, it kind of reminds me of a Lizardman but not as upright walking and with a longer snout. Dacap was quite surprised that I had killed it so easily, and commented that, if I were interested in selling the corpse, it would be paid for very well by the local shopkeep Aredas Ramul. I think I'll hold onto it for now that it doesn't bleed badly or smell as poorly, but just for a while longer. Maybe until I explain how an eleven foot corpse can be folded into such a tiny backpack.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Dacap was rather worried about me the first time I had left in search of the dragon. He looked much more confident as I left town this time. He even un-pinched his nose while I was around.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | </font>
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| − | | |
| − | == Hematite in the Age of Heroes, 150 ==
| |
| − | <font face="Papyrus">
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| − | <b>2 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | I have been traveling east from Lershicasot and find myself at the shore of an ocean. I can go no further east until they invent boats. The mist is nice though.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>14 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | I had washed the blood and ichor stains off my armor and weapons quite well, with the emerging problem that I am now soaking wet. Also, there is a blood stain on my right pants leg that refuses to come out. At least I'm not far down south still or else I'd probably freeze. The mist is nice though, like I said.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I only mention the ocean I encountered two weeks ago because today I stand at the foot of another ocean! I decided to head as far north as I could from the shore and I have encountered even more water, just as salty as the last. I was hoping the swamp I passed through had more interesting things in it but I only met Wasps and Mist Flayers.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>16 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | I was accosted by two more of those Deinonychus creatures again today while I was about to sit down and rest on a stump. When not confined to tight regions they have incredible speed! They came out of the foliage like lightning and, were it not for my armor, I'd most likely have lost a great deal in that first swipe. Additionally, the two of them proved very difficult to handle at the same time, and my speed wasn't sufficient to keep distance. I was relieved that one pounced on me because that forced the other to leave me be while his friend had his way. They crouch like birds, they do, but look like lizards! Their claws are also terrible things to behold, long and curled and sharp. Those claws tore at my exposed clothing and I do believe its grasp dented my armor! I stunned it and threw it off, then proceeded to strangle his friend who I surprised with an axe to the face. After bleeding to death, I made swift work of his still-stunned friend. I can see why Dacap was surprised that I had made short work of the first one; these two tired me easily and I'm certian a third would have stolen something of mine that does not gorw back before I had slain it.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Remembering what Aredas said about their value, I cleaned the monsters as best I could and stuffed their corpses into my sack. I, just five feet from head to sole, am now carrying around three heavy eleven foot tall corpses in a fire beetle chitin backpack on my back. This shouldn't be possible. This shouldn't be possible.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>17 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | Scrap my original idea, I just discovered the horrible truth. Both the first and second oceans are one and the same, boxing me in to the north and to the west. I'm stuck.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I sat to consult my resources. I wasn't wounded. I still had a lot of good meat from that cave I stumbled upon and things to drink. I could avoid having to double back to Lershicasot for now and try going around the shore until I found somewhere, but I didn't know which way to head. If I headed along the northern shore, I'd be heading further into the swamps of the Deinonychus heading NW; if I followed the western shore I'd be retreading some of the places I had already passed and would be heading SE. I thought of asking Nato again but like before he was quite silent.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>18 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | I decided to flip one of my coins, calling "tails" for northward. I didn't realize until after I flipped it that the coin had two identical sides with a head shape on it. They apparently had an image of Nato on it. Maybe he wasn't such a strong silent type after all ... ?<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>24 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | I encountered the first real civilization in quite some time but was very wary as it was a dark fortress, admired for its obsidian walls and floors but reviled for their attraction to unsavory races. I'm told they are unsavory anyway. They kill kittens or something. Being the target of arrows suggested the last dark fortress didn't like me, but not that they were evil or unsavory. Undaunted in my thoughts I approached cautiously eager to see any kind of people interacting. I was quite happy, in afterthought, that it didn't attack me. The Bugbears of Shorethfufud paid little interest in me actually, save for the Guards who understandably were doing their job. Many many children (they must breed like rabbits) simply sprinted past me after one another, and other Bugbears of trade professions mill about the perform their own tasks. Bugbears are rather tall so perhaps they don't see just me as much a threat. To make sure I didn't give off those kinds of vibes, I kept Nato in my belt and the Deinonychu corpses in my pack.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I met with Macelord Tutuyayum Inceststeps to ensure there was no misunderstandings. It took quite some time to find him: if a single Dwarven mountainhome could be nebulous under the hands of many architects, dark fortresses tend to be worse under the guidance of fewer. They have an incredible number of dead ends and everything eventually starts looking the same. There were three obsidian towers in Shorethfufud to go through so I was very relieved to encounter the Macelord after having finished searching the first tower; just one of the towers built up a good thirst. Tutuyayum was not incredibly interested in my reasoning for seeking him out, apparently confident that I was not going to harm or steal anything. He could have been less rude about it though - Dwarves hate being called "short person."<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Eagerly, I asked him if he could help with finding the location on my map. Tutuyayum peered at it for a few seconds, turned the parchment over to read the back, rotated it to look at it upside down, then folded it back up and returned it. He said he couldn't help but, perhaps, their Bugbear leader could. He told me to head to the Bugbear capital city Malignedtepid just a day southwest of Shorethfufud and seek out the Demon Drurumuth Sizzleheats. After that, he shoved past down the hallway, back to whatever he was doing, and I found this dry corner to sleep in for the evening.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Aren't Demons supposed to be more ferocious than dragons?<br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>27 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | Malignedtepid! The second in command here is Master Lasher Futumafat <strike>Sato</strike>TormentLizards but she wasn't very much help. I think maybe she was like the priestess back in Lershicasot because she was lying unconscious on the ground. Three towers. One demon. Could it really be that hard?<br \>
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| − | <font size="-3"><i>yes, it is</i></font><br \> | |
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| − | | |
| − | <b>28 Hematite</b><br \>
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| − | I met the Demon this morning, more by chance than good planning.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I had finished searching the first tower yesterday and slept in the lobby of the second tower last night. When I was going outside to get a quick stretch without blocking traffic, I rounded the corner and saw it. At first I didn't even realize what it was that I was looking at: a burning tree, a massive blob of molten slag, a giant firefly. It cast the shadow of other Bugbears onto the walls of the towers. For a moment, I squinted at it for some time before taking the only appropriate course of action and going to find something to drink. Mornings were always like that. Either you wake up on a battlefield or a cot or pumping magma. By the time I returned, though, the blazing thing was still there, prompting me to realize that there really was something there. The Bugbears just passed by it slowly, even if they had to skid to a stop first, with their heads lowered. I had to agree with them, it was impossible to look at the thing, let alone the ground beneath its feet.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | That was when I realized that, through all the haze and fire, it <i>did</i> have the form of feet silhouetted and swayed by the heat. Legs, something of a body, but my eyes couldn't travel any further. It was too bright to make out carefully and see. Then there was the heat: it felt like a miserable dry desert at midday - did I mention I passed through one of those? - or a magma forge deep in the bowels of a well-to-do Dwarven fortress even at this distance. I went to take a sip from my water skin only to find it had already dried up in the heat; with little to bide the renewed thirst I decided I would get closer.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Getting closer was much more difficult than it initially seemed. As quickly as I approached did it get hotter and no matter how slowed by the heat my feet moved id it ever stop getting hotter. <strike>It was as dry as sand.</strike>I already used a desert metaphor. It was overwhelming, practically forcing me down to my knees just to get closer. I drew Nato and held it before me to shield my face and beard from the intense burning light, to see even its steely blade glow. By the time I was down on one knee just to support myself and still trying to get closer, <strike>a voice</strike> <strike>the sound of</strike> I was <b><i>told</i></b> that I had gotten close enough and to speak.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I tried to introduce myself and explain who prescribed I come here and ask the Demon Drurumuth. I had to speak slowly, with much difficulty, because my mouth became dry and parched easily and my breath vanishing as fast as it could muster. After mentioning the dragon but before I could pull the map, I was <b><i>told</i></b> that I had said enough and that stifled any voice I had. I waited in the stifling ferocity for some time in silence; I was about to draw back when I was <b><i>told</i></b> things again. I was <b><i>told</i></b> that the request I was being given was spoken for by all of Malignedtepid, that I was to kill a wolf named Routedrhymed in a place called Strifefulgloomy the Abysses of Heat. It had killed one of their own named Bresh. If I did this, I was <b><i>told</i></b>, I would learn where the dragon I sought "plundered." Then silence again.<br \>
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| − | It took me some time to get to a distance that was bearable and a few drinks to relax myself completely. My knees were still weak from the encounter and suddenly the normal day felt cold, like Akïmkulet. Futumafat came up to me eventually and handed me a sheet of paper, charred at the edges, the map to Strifegloomy I assumed. It dawned on me as soon as I saw the map that I had already seen the place I was going! It was a small delta on the southern shore of that "second ocean" I had seen before! There must have been a cave there. I was about to ask Futumafat but she was already unconscious.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Now that I think about it, didn't someone say something about making deals with Demons before? Good luck, I think?<br \>
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| − | </font>
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| − | | |
| − | == Malachite in the Age of Heroes, 150 ==
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| − | <font face="Papyrus">
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| − | <b>4 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | While traveling I was accosted by a pack of wolves, about four or five. This is a pretty normal occurrence for me and so too is easily dismissing them with a swing of Nato. I've tried throwing some of my meat in hopes of diverting their attention in the past for I really don't want to kill them but they barely notice it. This time, however, something strange happened as I faced them down. At first it was a dizzying feeling but that quickly turned to one of extreme clarity like drinking some really good beer. <i>Really</i> good beer. My hands and feet moved as if on their own in a manner that I could only call incredibly efficient and graceful. The pack vanished, first in whole limbs flying across the forest floor, then ultimately the wolves seemed to vanish right before my eyes as Nato swiped through them. It was as if their shadows didn't even know they were gone for a brief instant. I don't remember most of it clearly.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | After another dizzying sensation and normal clarity, there was nothing left but the clearing met, Nato, and a few limbs of a wolf. I'm not sure how most of it happened. Was that Nato, the deity of war? Drurumuth's influence? the stagnant water I had drunk a few hours before?<br \>
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| − | <b>5 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | I decided to return to Lershicasot to offload the Deinonychu corpses since I figured they would weigh me down unnecessarily. Once again, the priest and the priestess had swoon and lay about the temple floor, leaving me the job of taking them to the meda hall beds for rest. As I was doing this, I noticed for the first time that both the Priest Gisu and the Preistess Dothan were mising their right hands from the wrist on. I certainly hope self-mutilation isn't a ritual of this Nato-ism. In any case, I as I was moving the priest I happened to pass by one of the pillars of the temple and noticed it was carved with a full body image of Nato, whereas before I had only seen his head on my coin. The inscription read "Human deity of war and death." "War and death," huh?<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Oh, look a masterful depiction of a willow in shale! <font size="-3">I hope that doesn't make me sound too much like a tree hugger</font><br \>
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| − | Aredas the shopkeep, despite appraising the lizard creatures called Deinonychus as expensive 250Γ affairs (they were valued by weight?), refused to take them off my hands, even the mostly perfect corpse of that Aleæaæaädöa one. I thought it was rude of him to do that but said nothing of it as I still had the business of selling off the rest of the baubles I had found around that cave earlier. I thought about donating them but there weren't any charities and none of the objects were toy-quality goods for the children that would be adopted from Batowocgi.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Dacap wasn't in, so I didn't get to meet with him.<br \>
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| − | <b>12 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | Returning to the northern part of the ocean, following the map, I found δräpëgàèjûvîp ïhùpàwïxäth èdæh. <font size="-3">Yes, I forgot what this place was called in the common tongue and the map isn't translated. It's not like I write this stuff down.</font> Oddly, this area was still considered a part of Neathäa. The cave itself was very much like the one from before, with the exception of lacking jewelry lying about on the ground to collect. After making certain there was nothing around the perimeter that would corner me once I entered the tunnels, I ventured inside. The inhabitants of the caves were sparsely-numbered Giant Bats and, once again, I was not interested in killing them. After one of the bats plowed into me from behind and threw us both to the floor in a scratching, screeching, and struggling mess, I decided that I didn't have any choice in the matter. Those bats were tougher than I expected for their size and even when their wings were clipped they posed something of a threat; but, they died all the same. Once again, I'll say that I regretted having to kill them.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | In any case, Giant Bats, but no wolf, which thoroughly tried me just thinking about it. If this was its den, then it was probably out hunting or being hunted or whatever wolves do when they're not in their dens. I decided to camp at the mouth of the cave in hopes that the wolf would wake me up when it got back. I started hoping that it was that werewolf from the swamp way back when and then I could get it to feign being dead and I wouldn't have to kill it; might even be able to bring it to MalignedTepids and apologize in its name.<br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>13 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | I was teasing a bunch of Slugman around the camp and pondering if I would have made a better Animal Trainer than a dragon slayer when the first wolf in hours charged at me from over a hill from north the cave. This was hopefully Pâshôlébïbèìmäbàlìpé <font size="-3">Yeah, I forgot his untranslated name too</font> and at that point I was--beginning to hope that it did want to do battle. I don't know why and what I can say in my defense for that feeling, but I approached it squarely and it continued to charge my position. The wolf was much larger than any I had seen before but I could only surmise it was still just a wolf. I reached into my backpack and produced a piece of cow meat. At the time I thought I could avoid combat by baiting it to not bother me giving me just enough time to get a hold of this feeling of bloodlust.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Somehow it all went wrong. As I threw the meat to the wolf, the meat flew through the air, into the wolf's maw, <i>through the back of the wolf's neck</i>, and landed some far way off. The head and the neck of Pâshôlébïbèìmäbàlìpé landed somewhere different from its body.<br \>
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| − | <br \> | |
| − | I hastily stuffed its corpse into my pack along with the Deinonychu ones, dropped the limbs I could find into the cave, and started running around away from that lethal chunk of cow as fast as I could so that the Slugmen wouldn't be harmed by it. They complied timidly enough. When they had gotten far enough, I snuck myself as close to it as I thought was safe and ignited some berries just near it. I hoped that burning that foul piece of meat would lift whatever cursed it to kill the mouth that tried to eat it. I'm not sure if it worked; I ran off.<br \>
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| − | <b>16 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | I arrived back at the towers of Malignedtepid quickly, in part due to recognizing the route, in part because I ran the first third of the journey. I was still thoroughly bothered by that evil beef that had been calling my backpack home for some time and was wondering if I should sanctify the whole thing and its contents. The Bugbears were indifferent to my tale, or my victory against the wolf, and instead the few that did care only asked if I had more meat. In a way, I had decided that I should have expected the wolf slaying act merely a trial of trust with the way no one seemed to care about it. When that thought had initially occurred to me, I realized that killing the wolf may have not even been the correct solution to the trial.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | The Demon, however, seemed unaffected, if you could ever say it acted affected. The exploration was long and I only found its burning form in the third tower soon as I was about to call it a day. I rounded a much more well-lit corner than the rest and immediately had to pull myself all the way back around. The obsidian walls refused to give way, forcing the powerful fires of the Demon through only the corridors, bathing everything near it in a violent but quite agony. The room itself must have felt like the inside of a volcano depending on however long the Demon had been in there. After I had recovered, I drew Nato to block my eyes and started sowly moving as close as I could to the chamber; but, I never got close enough to see around the corner before I was <b><i>told</i></b>, much like before, to speak. Rather than try to talk again, I merely drew the corpse of Pâshôlébïbèìmäbàlìpé from my pack and threw it towards the farther end of the corridor. Even though it was still rather moist throughout, the corpse still caught fire long before it even hit the ground. The environment became brighter and hotter, forcing me to step back some and close my eyes, even shielded by my axe as they were. When the light died back to its previous levels, and things weren't so merciless, at the end of the corridor were nothing but what appeared to be a pile of bones. Even they were started to catch fire.<br \>
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| − | As before, there was a long silence before I was <b><i>told</i></b> anything. I was <b><i>told</i></b> that north of Malignedtepid was the ocean Amareromi. On the coast to the east I would find the human town of Möashiim'amein and traveling directly north of that, on the other side of Amareroami, I would find my dragon. Silence followed. I was to return here if I succeeded, was also <b><i>told</i></b>.<br \>
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| − | I pulled back from the Demon much like before and rested my exhausted form on the side of the door leading out of the tower. Once again, my waterskin was dry and what alcohol I still possessed in my pack was bubbling, leaving me nothing to quench my thirst. Speaking with Demons was more exhausting than I expected, especially when they were on fire like that. I was hoping that Futumafat would run back up to me at any second with another map but she never came. The instructions were very vague after getting to Möashiim'amein: unless it was right where the ocean turned northward, I'd have to trace the whole northern shore of the ocean just to find its den! Additionally, there was no body of water depicted on the map I was originally given. I asked around with what Bugbear villagers I could find hoping that one of them knew something about maps but the most help I received was one Bugbear smearing a blueberry across the page. I hope he was a cartographer painting me my ocean and not a clothier using blueberry as a dye. When I tasted the blue substance to see whether it was just dye or real blueberries, he made a big fuss about something and the Guards escorted me out of town. Perhaps, Drurumuth was much more interested in me accomplishing my mission than I thought, to give me a rushed armed escort out of Malignedtepid.<br \>
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| − | I do hope blueberry dye becomes popular. It tastes pretty good.<br \>
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| − | <b>20 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | I found a part of the southern coast of Amareromi. The jungle is getting thick; following the shore would probably be the most reliable way of finding the village. In other news, my skin is still tanned after having left the Bugbear capital. I wonder when that goes away.<br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>25 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | Still tan.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | Even the shore of the ocean offers me little respite. Wild animals of all sorts, though most on all fours, jump out of the shrubbery and attempt to rend me limb from limb. I faced down three Deinonychu yesterday and fought most of the battle with my back to the ground and the beasts on my chest; there wasn't enough of the corpses left worth keeping. Just before I started writing, I was attacked by four big lions at the same time. They surely would have overpowered me had I not been able to use the trees to block them from all approaching at a single time. Also, lots of running. I'm surprised at how nimble I have become over the last few months.<br \>
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| − | <b>26 Malachite</b><br \>
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| − | At the top of this mountain there is a sign that reads "You are standing at the summit of Fragile Furnaces, the largest inactive volcano in all of Igathögred." The sign was accredited to the efforts of the humans of Safehelped. At least that meant I was on the right track, that there were humies around. I searched all around the mountain but there were no Dwarves here; I might have not been a surveyor and might easily be mistaken between pots and crowns but even I could tell this was very good mountainhome material under my boots. The view from the peak itself was also incredible - I couldn't see across Amareromi, but I could see a large mountainous island out there and blue all around it.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | No matter how great the view up here is - because it really is an awesome view - this entry is not intended to be about that. I had started considering about how I would face this dragon. I've never seen a dragon. To be honest, I've never seen an engraving of a dragon. I only know that they're large in body and wings, have green scales, and breathe fire. It sounded more like I was going against a god of judgment rather than a creature. As good as I could throw, I'd never be able to hit the mountain in the middle of this ocean; no matter how hard I swung with my axe, I'd never be able to break open the crust of this mountain to its molten core; no matter how thoroughly I wash it, this blood stain on my pant leg would never come out. I probably will need some help facing this dragon and by that I mean not just the kind that would egg me on.<br \>
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| − | I wonder what homesickness feels like. Maybe it's just other <i>Dwarves</i> I miss seeing because I can't remember much about Äkimkulet. I remember that its stairs hurt when you fell down a flight of them, but not much more. Reading back <font size="-3">Okay, so I DID write some of this stuff down</font> I also noted an oddly shaped entrance.<br \>
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| − | </font>
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| − | | |
| − | == Galena in the Age of Heroes, 150 ==
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| − | <font face="Papyrus">
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| − | <b>6 Galena</b><br \>
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| − | I was rather surprised this morning. I was expecting the next thing to jump out of the bushes to be another Tiger when it instead turned out to be a Human Ranger withh a crossbow trained. He must have thought I was the Tiger. Quickly sorting some things out - yes, I was a Dwarf - he had the courtesy to lead to back to his town - Creedpacked! I finally made it. If everything else the Demon said is accurate then my dragon is somewhere on the northern shore of the ocean relative to this point.<br \>
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| − | I spoke with a Clerk who claimed the town leader of the forest retreat was busy. No one had seen a Dwarf in these parts for about twenty years and his major concern was whether I was looking to settle a mountainhome on top of Fragile Furnaces. I could only assure him that I was only here to hunt a dragon. His reaction made me think that dragons must be more dubious than Dwarves on this side of the Amareromi. On second thought, it was probably the blood splatters. He didn't give me a chance to explain, though, because he rudely dismissed me and darted away.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I had free run of the town and I wanted to make best of it as I could. Bugbear society had been rather lacking and even Lershicasot was rather sparsely-populated compared to Creedpacked. The first thing I noticed is that most humies had guarded homes. Each window I saw through was occupied in some corner of the house by a Swordsman or a Pikeman or one of the Guards. One of the many, many Guards. They didn't give me much the time of day - it was nearing dusk when I was asking them - so I could not get a straight answer to any of my questions. As I was exploring one of the barrack housing buildings I discovered a Silver Xelic in one of the rooms, completely out of place with the rest of the human population. Almost as displaced as me. Xelics were an odd group of the beast-men races, more insect-like than animal, and the Silver variety were much more peaceful than even the treehuggers. He was willing to talk with me.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | The Wrestler ëtuyoyï Kunoxïgitiru had come from the Silver Xelic capital of Lunchmarkets on account of his cousin Arerà Pullstorm. Arerà was apparently the real Xelic of Creedpacked and had just recently slain a humie named Oli Admireoutrage. He didn't know why but the humans had taken a personal indignation and had called something they deemed a "trial" to decide what to do with Arerà. I asked about this thing called a "trial" but the more ëtuyoyï explained the more I realized he only vaguely understood it too. It was some kind of tournament before a formal resolution to decide whether and how to punish his cousin. The process was convoluted and lost all sense of sense shortly and ëtuyoyï apologized for failing to explain. I don't get why the whole song and dance. Just hit him with a hammer until he repents or dies and then chain him far away from booze for a while so he can cool his head. If that punishment was good enough for a Dwarf, it was simple enough for a human to understand.<br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>7 Galena</b><br \>
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| − | ëtuyoyï let me bunk in his room rather than the noisy mead hall. He apparently stepped out a few times last night on account of his cousin. Also, he had molted. Unlike the Clerk, ëtuyoyï was more interested in hearing the story of why I was here. I'm no Bard but I think I carried the explanation well enough, though the only real emotion he showed was surprise at hearing about Drurumuth. His advice was something about Demons only being self-interested, or something, and to be careful. Obvious but good sound advice, especially since I was taking on a dragon. I wanted to know if he had learned more about this thing called "trial" in the night but a Human appeared at the door and called him away, probably to do something with his cousin.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | My continued exploration of Creedpacked made me want to get something drink, only to make me realize I had lost my waterskin somewhere. It was probably those Tigers from before. The local outfitter's shopkeeper Mobma greeted me with "Life is, in a word, war." Since the local deity was Iño and not Nato, I was forced to conclude that his was a bleak outlook. Until I paid him that seemed to be the case anyway.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I had wanted to explore their keep a little but Guards barred my entrance, stating something about official business and that it was nothing I could offer my Services for. Inside I did catch sight of a Xelic - couldn't tell if it was ëtuyoyï - with a number of weapon-holding Humans, the Clerk from yesterday, and someone seated at the end of the room where they were. This must have been something to do with the "trial" but I wasn't permitted time to take notes. The bend up the Eastern side of the ocean isn't far from the forest retreat here anyway; I should get to it.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>8 Galena</b><br \>
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| − | I swear the bend wasn't this far when I was atop Fragile Furnaces!<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>9 Galnea</b><br \>
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| − | The first civilization I encountered after rounding the south-eastern corner of Amareromi was the Silver Xelic "town" of Yhoskajuluouquoo. Actually, I completely stumbled into it by accident. I had forgotten that Silver Xelics lived much like Elves, without formal buildings or tunnels to call home. At least they didn't name trees with silly titles. Oh, and they had also built this marvelous stone walkway through their village to the next. As long as they have their surface-dwelling priorities straight. Take that, you lazy arrogant treehuggers!<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | The village had loads and loads of young Xelics running around and playing. Their leader was a friendly Druid named Ade ïefeihedraëtaihe who, thought she didn't have any knowledge of dragons, suggested I go and visit their capital Shakenhooves south of here. Two capitals in close proximity? When I mentioned ëtuyoyï and Lunchmarkets, the Ade just nodded. That wasn't an answer. She was highly curious about "trial" that was occurring when I mentioned it and I try to explain exactly the disorganized account I had been given. He expression was unreadable - as far from readable as a face made a chitin plates permitted, you'll grant me - but I could see she needed a drink to let that soak in. So could I.<br \>
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| − | <br \>
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| − | I had entirely forgotten that Xelics didn't ferment their own alcohol, substituting it for tree sap mostly. Only part of the whole visit I didn't like.<br \>
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| | </font> | | </font> |