Journal of Castamir

Journal of Castamir:

After an appropriate period of mourning I went to secure a postmortem knighthood for Mal and thus fulfil his one wish that I can do something about. As the king(let) had summoned us to present ourselves at the first available opportunity getting an audience was not much of a problem. However, my reward was not what I had wished, instead of an honorary knighthood for Mal; which the pimply king could not grant he said, I got a fief somewhere (I wonder whether that makes me a noble? Knight?). A fief! Me! What do I know of ruling and farming? I am a fighter on the frontier against evil and my first duty is towards Iltharn specifically and vanquishing evil everywhere. I told the king as much but he said that I should just go and claim the land so no others took it and continue my wandering struggle against evil in all its forms. A fief, when I have owned nothing more than my weapons and clothes before, looked forwards to nothing but a good drink and a warm bed, and the fulfilment of duty well done, or indeed a good carouse, or, lately, a warm wench. So, in order for the young child king we have us here to learn to appreciate the small things in live I took him (disguised of course) for a tour of the city inns. We found no fight for me to went my frustrations on as the King’s disguised guards insisted on keeping away from the seedier taverns, but it was good fun. I recognised some of the guards from my training with them the previous days; Toreal, a short and not completely human ranger and Niraon. I also sneaked Adala Harper, a young court lady, in on the trip in the hope that she could divert the king a bit from his suspect Igorian fiancé. Instead they both got too drunk and I had to carry her home, fortunately she is young, slender and firm.
I then spent the next three months fighting the Cho’Rakians with the Iltharnian borderwardens, training concluding in actual combat. They did very well, and the organisation is being set up fairly smoothly. The Iltharnians seem to consider me some sort of hero, which is fine, as they need national symbols to gather around, heroes, banners, religious symbols, figureheads, songs etc. And I got to avenge Mal on someone- very irrational but there you go, it is how I felt.
I was called back by an urgent message from Queen Melrianna though, it seemed that there was a mission of some urgency to undertake that I would be ideally suited for. I was to escort an elf on some undercover mission. His name is Aeiouy, which I soon shortened to “Ai You” and he seems to have some dubious origin (why am I not surprised), but there also seems to be something familiar about him. He wishes to infiltrate Igor in the guise of mercenaries on some mission that he will not divulge. I was asked to trust him by those elves that I trust the most after Mal’s demise so I do, but… Our story would be that we were mercenaries meeting up in the north, even north of Reshall but looking for employment here because of the war. Ai’You is supposedly from Meriandor but has been traveling the north for the past century or two where he has met me. We supplemented each other well, ganged up and have served for the past couple of months together. None of us are eager to talk of our past and we thus do not ask many questions of each other’s. My own story will be that I was from a minor noble family from (appropriate place, we would know though I as Palle do not). Living in the misty highlands in the middle of the island but not caring for farming etc. The family supported the wrong side in a power struggle and I barely escaped with my hide intact, let alone any possessions. I thus travel as a bitter, ambitious and somewhat arrogant mercenary looking for an opportunity. Castamir, as I shall call myself, works as a caravan guard in order to make connections in Igor, as that is reputedly a good place for an ambitious and somewhat ruthless mercenary to make a fortune. What Ai’You wants there, I do not know, but we have common goals and work well enough together that we keep together. My elven chainmail was disguised with various bits of leather and steel and we got some worn but obviously good quality clothing for me in bland colours. I would try to keep stubble or a short beard instead of my usual smooth cheeks etc. The Sword was left in Lagon while I would bring the enchanted copy instead. Since my acting skills are nonexistent and I wear elven mail I am likely to attract attention. That does not bother me as Ai’You will then be somewhat less notable though he is obviously the most suspect one. The hardest part will be to act the part and not be my usual gentle and polite self…

We set out for Senachran on 3/6 with the aim of getting hired as guards by a merchant going to Igor. After various subterfuges we finally found and got hired by Calverry, a canny trader with two wagons who needed two other guards on the 4th. The two others are Avir, who is a veteran soldier of The Great War and handles himself as a veteran should, and a callow youth named Esben who immediately took to me.
We left for Khazit and got the routine worked out. Ai’You and I would serves as advance scouts most of the time but would also have to learn to drive the wagons in case of an emergency. The wagons would have three good crossbows cocked and ready to fire under the driver’s bench. Pay would be 1 SP a day until we have proven ourselves. The journey went Khazit- Tigh- Luna- Ruined farmhouse- Misty Mountain (where we would not rest as we reach it midday after a rest at a ruined farmhouse)- Well on Dry Plains (desolate)- Igor- Biari- Rial, which we reached on the 11th. The only eventful days were the 6th (my birthday) where I had a chance to show that I am more than I look. Some giant lizard (giant I assure you) were threatening the livestock of some farms and three farmhands were trying to ward it off with pitchforks, though it seemed likely from their lack of competence that they would end up as dinner as well. Ai’You scared it away but I fulfilled my duty as nobleman and killed it in less than 30 seconds. It was large and ferocious though, and its last bite hit me and penetrated my mail and gambeson and caused some discomfort and bleeding, it was nothing serious though, though it would have killed most men lesser than Castamir. I had bought ale that we shared in the evening. There is something strange with Ai though, he does not drink alcohol unless sorely pressed and that is unusual for an elf, as is the Drow hand crossbow he carries. Perhaps if I get him some elven wine…
Igor was an unpleasant place (though I guess Castamir would like it for its opportunities), they have some sort of wyvern or the like guarding the entrance and feed it with zombies that are too decayed to use. Unpleasant place. While on guard with Esben (who was catnapping as we take turns doing while on guard) I saw two uncanny persons arrive, lithe and graceful as … well as elves actually but much more menacing. Ai later informed me that they were vampires as I told him of them and that Calverry had dealt with them, he too had seen them. There was also some aristocratic woman in the common room of The Tower House Inn where we stayed that everyone apparently feared. She was provided with free drinks, the best space in the room, food etc and everybody who did not just slink away from her was almost groveling. I do not like such behavior but that seems to be the etiquette here; to avoid those more powerful than you while not yourself appearing weak so that those under you will tear you to pieces… Unpleasant, but the not appearing weak part I can manage. I have let slip to Esben while sharing guard duty that I have no intention of staying as a caravan guard but only work as such until something better presents itself. And that I come from a nobler background.
The last noticeable event was in Rial where the barmaid slipped poor Ai some cold pheasant, as he would not eat the stew (suspicious little bastard), and me because I was nice to her the day before while we talked. She told me to beware of tall persons in dark hoods. They were apparently trying to put the competition out of the mining business by violent means. Copper and silver is mined here so the business is probably lucrative. Ai was paranoid about goblins (and hungry so I gave him my pheasant as well) but we saw none.
Esben got ill with some stomach ailment but apart from that nothing happened on our more direct route back to Senachran where he was replaced by a young female ranger; Ilenia. Just out of Ranger school and probably kept as part of the reserve force guarding internally during the war, she is somewhat green and wet behind the ears but performed well enough in the tests we set for her. We agreed that we would work in pairs with her and Avir cooperating because none of them are specialists as Ai and I. While Ai will provide me with fire support when I close with the enemy, the two of them will probably both engage with missile weapons first. I had little success driving the wagon but Ai did better and is the most likely driver of the two of us. Which is only fitting, as he is to provide me with fire support. I believe he has also done some magic enhancements of the crossbows. I am considering whether it is worth it to use my sword-based speed in case of an attack. The advantage would be that I can close faster and start killing attackers and that it would be obvious to everybody that I am somewhat special. But the disadvantage would be to appear too good, which I am trying to avoid…
Ai and I agree that we face three possible ambush types:
1) A typical Goblinesque attack. They will try to slow or stop us (caltrops under puddles - possibly a poisoned dart into a horse), soften us up with missiles from several angles, then close to the kill... at which point Castamir will reveal his hidden talents.
The countermeasures start with knowing the road and checking out any ambush sites before the wagons run into trouble. Scouts could get shot at, but the ambushers might be forced to abort their plan. I agree that we keep the scouts out and alert, if they run into anything nasty they should retreat to the wagons as we need at least two people there at all times. The scouts should only support each other in case of a crisis out there as the obvious choice would be to draw the scouts off to one location and set in the attack from somewhere else. We must concentrate our force, not spread it out. An obvious reaction to an ambush is a short rush to close with the missile armed enemy and drive him off instead of covering at the wagons and getting shot to pieces. The cunning enemy will know this and be ready for it. They will probably not be ready for the likes of us though so we should do OK, especially if those closing with the attackers circle a bit to avoid the direct route and catch them from behind with the wagons and bowmen as the anvil. I dislike the idea of a shooting match with them, as that will likely cost us horses. Instead I propose the closing in with them. They may also set up a double ambush; first an easy one to defeat so that we will be lulled to believe that we are safe and them the true one as we relax and let down our guard.
2) A sudden attack; mounted enemy closing, or chance met travelers turning nasty. They might go for Castamir as an obvious target, or try to grab Calverri as a hostage.
Beyond vigilance and prepared crossbows, there is not a lot that we can do. I am not too worried about this type of attack, because in any kind of straight fight, the enemy are going to take casualties. I'm not afraid of a stupid enemy, and a thinking enemy would only attack this way if they see a sudden opportunity. Staying alert would deny this.
I do not worry overly about this either as they would have to be pretty damn good in order to take us in hand to hand with Avir and I and the rest of you supporting with missiles. The only danger is that we lose horses. That is my greatest fear as that would effectively serve us on a platter for them. Can the wagons be rigged for one horse with ease?
3) Magically assisted.
I don't like this at all, because there is not a lot that we can do to prevent it. DETECT MAGIC is just too costly to maintain.
On the other hand how likely is it that a magician would waste his resources on two wagons? Such an attack is more likely as the baddies discover that we are more than we seem.
I should add that; (4) we could face sabotage before we set out from untrustworthy territory.
Possible but I do not think it likely; we must be alert to avoid it. However, Calverry is one of the only traders and they want trade.

What was revealed?
The shit more or less hit the fan…
• Two- three religions have been exterminated or driven underground.
1. Cult of Kahli seems to have been first. I forget how.
2. Church of Loki. Do we know how that happened?
3. Church of Levi-whats-her-name, Maiden of pain. The High Priestess was taken out by Alvin, the other priestesses by ## (I forget), Miss Spank-Me-Spank-Me also saw snakes, but only Ayioe knoes this.
4. Temple of Seth has grown in power.
5. Temple of Selune (Moon-maiden), has gained less.
6. Temple of Death is taking in more provisions and probably arming up and preparing in order not to be next in line.
The obvious question is; who benefits from this?
Temple of Seth does, if they have a benefactor/supporter amongst the rulers of the city, he/she will as well.

• Somebody played Fardema and Alvin off against each other.
Again the obvious question is; who benefits from this?
Their rivals do, but it may also be a Divide-and-Conquer by Keruna.

• Drug addiction is on the rise.
I cannot see who benefits from this in the long run, I can see who does in the short one; whoever controls the drug market. According to Calverry’s notes, likely Keruna, but this makes no sense at all. More widespread drug addiction leads to more unrest, violence etc.. It also leads to Vampires becoming more desperate for food and thus even more fear and unrest. This works against Keruna as a restless city is never good for a ruler. Especially after the populace had started to believe things were becoming better.

• The population of Igor is falling.
Not good at all and does not benefit anyone. Why then, not work to create stability, trade, wealth and population increase?



Where does this leave us?
I think we should build a giant rabbit out of wood…

We are more or less supporting four factions.
• Ilenia’s relationship to Anoral has tied us more to him and Kahli (at least in the eyes of watchers, and perceptions has a way of becoming real).
• My relationship and our current Vampire hunt ties us to Fardema.
• Ayoie’s joint venture with Zita ties us to her.
• We have obviously chosen Black Daggers over Poisoned Cobras.
• In fact with all these interests and accomplishments we have become a minor faction of our own.
What to do now?
We have some loose ends to tie up or possibilities for further advancing.
• Anoral vs. Temple of Death. I think a Red Herring, and furthering the power of Seth by diminishing power of competition. Problem is that Ilenia is in a relationship with this fanatic and possibly becoming a worshipper herself. This might make her want to pursue this road.
• Black Daggers vs. Poisoned Cobras. Another red herring I suspect, but eliminating one of the underworld factions will increase stability in the city.
• Fardema vs. Alvin. We are already sort of in that. Further, Alvin Kidnapping Ilthiel (The Drow, name?) makes it us vs. him. We could ignore it, but;
1. We, our original selves, cannot abandon a maiden in distress (sigh).
2. He has now attacked us and in Igor if we let him get away with it, we show ourselves as weak Which is never a good idea.
So I think we proceed to get him. But How? …
What is it he want? What does he expect us to do? What does he want us to do when coming for him?

For further developments, see Chronicles of Ai'oye. For Adan's adventures as a Valoneese knight, see http://cthain.blogspot.com/