[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 23: Growing Kingdom, Growing Threats

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei 

3rd Neth, Oathday

We brought Bokken's brother back to Lorewynd with us intending to arrange for him to be sent to the asylum in Ustalav, and then to return to the Narlmarches to visit Tiressia in her grove and investigate the reports of trolls to the south. But of course the needs of Neotellus would not allow us to leave at once. Already we have heard more tales of trolls, as well as of a dangerous beast eating livestock and if the tales are to be believed, people. Yet we cannot shirk our responsibilities here, so we must remain and see to what is needed.

15th Kuthona, Fireday

The time has passed so swiftly it seems to me I have been here only a week, and yet it is another month by the calendar of these lands. Yet much has been accomplished in this brief while. We heard of a threatening monster troubling our citizenry and Chahana sent a platoon of our guards to deal with it. The people had grown anxious during our absence but their worries have subsided since we returned. We must plan to be gone for shorter periods in future if we can. 

Jubilost Narthropple has sent us messages reporting sightings of orcs and trolls in the mountains to the west. He believes there is a pass over the mountains that leads to the region known as the Dunsward and would reduce the time required to travel to Varnhold. But this territory lies outside the limits of what we have been granted, and we have sent messages to Jubilost advising him to continue exploring the plains between the mountains and Lorewynd rather than attempt to find the pass.

25th Neth, Toilday

An emissary has come from New Stetven to report that an enchanted cloak Reislin sold there was affected by a curse that harmed the purchaser. Reislin has had to make a bargain with the emissary to maintain good relations with the city. 

Other omens have been more favorable, though more reports of monsters have required us to send guards to deal with them again. But our granaries are well stocked, and Chahana has taken on a human woman named Fabrize to act on our behalf when we are away so that the burden of dealing with every detail of the territory's affairs will not have to await our return. This is no grand kingdom where swarms of courtiers look after the running of the kingdom while the king goes hunting.

We have also begun building defensive walls for both Lorewynd and Leveton, though it will be some time before either community is entirely encircled. Because we have found ourselves responsible for prisoners on several occasions of late, we have ordered the building of a gaolhouse near the burial ground. We are also considering setting aside land for a place where visitors from other lands may reside when they visit, as Zander's family are visiting us now. Leveton has acquired a tavern to serve its residents and visitors as well.

29th Neth, Starday

Though we suspected from Bokken's remarks about his brother that he would not show any interest in what had become of his sibling, Chahana chose to send him a message to notify him of our encounter. As expected Bokken stated in his response that though he once had a brother he had one no longer. He also sent us a curative potion and a supply of his beloved squash. It is difficult for me to imagine showing no interest should something so unfortunate befall my dear brother, but perhaps human relationships are different because their lives are so brief, or perhaps there was some terrible disagreement between the brothers that could not be forgiven.

28th Kuthona, Oathday

With the year 4711 almost at its end, we have at last departed from Lorewynd to visit Tiressia's grove. Zander has remained in Lorewynd to spend time with his family. There are patches of snow on the ground in the Narlmarches, though the overhang of the trees prevents much accumulation on the forest floor. Before making our way to the dryad's grove, we decided to visit a cabin we found near the site that has been proposed for the new village of Tatzlford, which will likely begin settlement in the spring. The small cabin proved to be the home of Roi Rezbin, the human man who first sought our agreement to create Tatzlford. We were welcomed by Roi and his wife, and given welcome cups of tea. Roi came to the door with spear in hand, but did not mention any dangers that worried him. Perhaps it was only the caution of wisdom when living in such an isolated place. Before the light faded he showed us where he wished to create the village. He described it with much enthusiasm and dreams of it becoming as large as Lorewynd or even larger. We did our best to persuade him to pursue less lofty goals, at least in the beginning. By the time we finished speaking with him the sky had grown dark, and we remained there overnight, though we slept in Reislin's magical hut rather than impose on Roi's humble home.

29th Kuthona, Fireday

After leaving Tatzlford we made our way to Tiressia's grove, where we found the dryad resting out of sight within her tree while Falchos serenaded her with his music between gulps of wine. When Chahana asked him about his visit to the old woman known as the Beldame, he told us that she was still not favorable in attitude toward us after our previous encounter, for which I can't fault her. When he said that she wanted to acquire black rattlecap mushrooms, which are found near Lake Candlemere, we all agreed we would try to provide these to her as an offering of friendship. 

Falchos also mentioned a kingdom to the south, which he described as a kingdom of monsters ruled by trolls. The troll who calls himself their leader is named Hargulka. When I remarked that it seemed unusual for trolls to band together in this manner, Falchos agreed and commented that Hargulka appeared to be unusually clever for a troll. We will have to look further into this, as it seems related to what the troll we fought last winter spoke of, and that troll was also not only much stronger of wit than any troll we have heard of but was also resistant to the fire that trolls are reputed to be especially vulnerable to.

Falchos showed Maria a great deal of attention as we sat companionably drinking wine with the satyr. I began to suspect that his attention to her was leading to something more, but none of my comrades noticed this. Perhaps it was only my imagination. 

30th Kuthona, Starday

On this penultimate day of the year, we visited the ruined tower once again as Reislin wished to recover the statue and the water clock we had abandoned on our previous visit. There was no sign that anything had been disturbed since then. We had asked Falchos what he knew of the tower, but he knew it only as the ruin we had seen.

Once we had taken the desired items, we set off to the south again. It wasn't long before we came upon the tracks of a horse-size clawed beast which had clearly been dragging prey to its den. We followed that spoor until we found the area where the beast had made its lair. There were broken branches everywhere, marked by the beast's long claws. These formed a kind of passageway into the den. We all readied our weapons as Maria took the lead with a spell of light on her shield. As she moved toward the large den area, the edge of her light's reach fell upon a lizard-like beast with a spiked tail. The den was thickly scattered with the bones and other remains of the beast's meals. Maria realized that it was a hodag, capable of using its teeth, claws, and tail to attack its foes. Reislin added that it was capable of understanding our speech as well, though it couldn't speak itself. 

Annoyed by our intrusion, the hodag roared and charged toward us. Chahana swiftly drew her bow and fired on it but her arrow went wide. The hodag clamped is jaws on Maria and tossed her to one side as a playful hound might toss a bit of knotted cloth. Maria regained her feet at once but suffered a slap from the hodag's tail for her trouble. I could hear Reislin intone the familiar incantation that would grant us all a temporary burst of alacrity. I stepped in toward the hodag and stabbed with my boar spear in both hands but it slid out of the spear's reach before the point could touch its hide. Chahana darted across to the far side of the den and fired several arrows into the hodag. Seeing that she was close to the creature it had been in the act of devouring, the hodag turned toward her. I moved to its side, prepared to flank with Maria, and after my spear scored its flesh twice it directed its full fury at me, though praise the Guiding Light it struck me only with one claw. Maria then dealt it two heavy blows of her blade and it slumped to the ground, bleeding out with her second slash. 

We found evidence in the hodag's den that it may have slain people as well as animals, for there were several hand axes and a great axe among the detritus, as well as an enchanted spear and suit of studded leather armor. The spear we anticipated, for a man named Stass had told us of the hodag during the previous year and had offered that if we found a spear we should keep it as reward for slaying the hodag. My comrades have agreed to my taking both spear and armor, as I have come to use a spear with almost the same frequency as my scimitar and this spear has an enhancement to allow it to deal more damage than an ordinary spear. The armor has also been enhanced so that it provides more protection that typical armor of its type without increasing its weight. 

After we left the hodag's lair, we came upon signs of trolls farther to the south near the banks of the Shrike River. We at first intended to cross the river at that spot, but it is quite broad at that point and lacks any ford. We thought we might be able to swim or wade across but soon found that too difficult in the cold of winter. We will now head back between the two lakes and build ourselves a raft of logs to carry us across.

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 22: Seeking Justice and Finding New Friends

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

24th Lamashan, Toilday

Our dismay at learning of the kidnapped children has quickly made us more interested in learning about the children's fates rather than punishing the cultists. We wish to question the five women we have taken captive, but it is late and we are all weary. Speaking to them must wait until the sun rises again. I have told my companions that I do not think myself competent to participate in the questioning as I am too angry over the death of the child. Reislin also is unwilling to participate in the questioning for the same cause.

Chahana and Maria are more sympathetic to these women than I for they too have suffered hardships in their lives, while I can only count among my hardships the struggles of my people against Treerazer. I did not serve long enough among our defenders before the Guiding Light called me to experience the worst of the demon tree's depredations. 

25th Lamashan, Wealday

After Chahana and Maria questioned the women, they learned that of the four children they said had been taken from their families three had been replaced by changelings and the fourth was sacrificed to Gyronna. I am more determined than ever to convince my friends that we should not permit the worship of that goddess within our borders, or at least if they are not willing to ban her faithful completely we should ban the sacrifice of any intelligent creature in the name of any god. 

Zander says that changelings are the offspring of hags and other beings, and that at some point in their lives they are called back to their mothers although they are able to choose to deny that call, and their natures are determined by how they are raised and not by their hag ancestry. He knows a great deal about such things because he says he knows someone well who is a changeling and who is not a person of evil nature. 

Chahana and Maria reported that one of them women we took prisoner was unrepetant and challenged their authority to make any judgment upon her, demanding to know why we could claim that those who come to Neotellus can make a new beginning here and yet we would require of her that she renounce her faith in the Hag. But we must have the rule of law, and do whatever we can to protect the people. If we say that we will allow anyone to come here, no matter what harm they do to others, we cannot claim to be leaders or protectors. Some must be willing to compromise for the betterment of all. Should we dwell in Cheliax that land no doubt bans the worship of certain gods who would oppose their demon lords, is that not so? I regret taking these women's freedom to worship what gods they will, but the Hag seeks to undermine authority and create strife, and we cannot have that. 

While my companions questioned the women, I went out to perform my obedience and then into the town to grant some of the Dawnflower's mercy to any sick or injured person I found. These acts of devotion soothed my troubled thoughts.

During the time that Chahana, Maria, and Zander were with the prisoners, we all received a message that an army was approaching Lorewynd. We went out quickly, ordering our small contingent of guards to prepare and attempting to organize the townsfolk to assist, although that effort was less successful than I would have hoped. Our concern was unfounded, for when Zander saw the approaching group of people he exclaimed that they were his family. In truth I do not know how the guards though these were an army, for though they were armed they brought children, elders, and tents with them.

Zander used his magic to take flight and went down to greet them, and Chahana rode after him on her horse. I set about calming the townsfolk, who were still distressed at seeing people who appear to be Tiger Nomad tribesmen approaching our town. It was agreed that Zander's family could set up their tents in an area that has not been occupied by any structure. Zander then introduced us all to his betrothed, Ramakka, and it was then we knew how he had come by his knowledge of changelings, for she is of that kind. Zander had told us that changelings are almost always women and can often be recognized by their particolored eyes. We also met Zander's brother, Ben, who does not much resemble Zander.

Ramakka explained that their tribe had regrettably brought trouble with them, for their shaman, an older woman named Maraleaf, had attempted to free someone from an evil spirit and had taken this spirit into herself to imprison it. This had caused her to fall ill. The person who had been possessed by this spirit before Maraleaf imprisoned it was the chief of another tribe, who under the influence of the spirit had been raiding and taking slaves in contravention of their peoples' customs. As we have no priest nor any shaman of greater power among our citizens who could treat Maraleaf's ailment, Reislin intends to study Maraleaf's condition and search her tomes for a solution.

After welcoming the Tiger Nomads, we returned our attention to the prisoners and the kidnapped children. Though we saw the potential for both good and ill doing so, we decided it was best to tell the families of the stolen children what had happened. Each family was approached with all possible courtesy and it was explained to them that their children had been taken and replaced by changelings. Each family reacted in a different manner. The first family regrettably immediately became hostile and rejected the child that was not born to them. The mother of the second child had suffered much in trying to bring a child into the world and refused to accept what she was told even when Reislin used magic to show her proof, insisting the changeling infant was her own babe. The third family decided that because they had already given their love to the changeling child they would raise it as theirs. Now we must consider what to do with the child who was rejected. For the time being the Tiger Nomads have agreed to care for it. 

As we have no facilities here for holding a person prisoner, and we have decided that we will not execute her, the woman who would not repent of her service to Gyronna was tried and sent to Restov to be held. The other women were sentenced to provide service for the people of Lorewynd for a period of time as their penance. 

With the matters of the cultists and the children dealt with as best we could, we decided that the reports of trolls we had received should be our next priority to investigate. Though the rumors we have heard in the past have often been exaggerated, we have yet to hear one that was entirely untrue. Thus it is likely that some creatures are indeed causing the citizens in outlying areas some difficulty, though it is possible that the creatures are not trolls, or that several people are reporting the appearance of a single troll. We shall soon know the answer.

26th Lamshan, Oathday

We determined that we should first make our way to Tiressia's grove to speak with her. We set out from Lorewynd, and at first our journey was quiet. But then Maria noticed that some creature or creatures appeared to be following us. When she moved toward the source of the sound she had heard she found nothing. Chahana climbed upon a large fallen tree to see if that would give her a better view of the surrounding area. Then Zander observed a hunting cat near Maria, and something stabbed Chahana.

An old man had appeared from near the fallen tree, slashing at Chahana with his sword. He was a wild-looking person with unkempt hair, overgrown nails, and soiled garments, but his appearance was familiar. He resembled our eccentric friend Bokken the herbalist. Chahana spoke to him and attempted to find out why he was attacking, but he only kept mumbling that "Only blood will quell the voices." I had been on the opposite side of the log from this person and now climbed over it to take up a position behind him, asking him why he attacked us and trying to calm him without success. When he did not respond I stepped between him and the hunting cat, which seemed to be his companion, and both of them struck me. Maria began attempting to stun the man or knock him down. Reislin created an image of Bokken and asked the man if this was his brother, as Bokken had mentioned to us that he had a brother living somewhere in the territory we have claimed. The man screamed at this image. When the cat sprang on Chahana, I joined Maria in attempting to render the man insensible but I am not accustomed to striking with the flat of my blade. The man responded by dealing me a deep wound. Zander then chose to strike without holding back. The man was quite nimble and darted out of range of his sword. Chahana brought the cat down, and after Reislin sent one of her missiles of magic at the man and Zander slashed him, he also fell.

Chahana took out the manacles she carries from her days as a bounty hunter and bound the man, and after the cat's injuries were treated it was released. We decided that we would carry the man back to Lorewynd and afterward send him to Ustalav where his madness can be looked after at an asylum, as he is clearly deranged. A short while later as we continued our journey we came upon a hovel that was likely his dwelling, for it was as disheveled and ill-cared-for as he was. I am sorry that what little curative magic the Dawnflower grants me cannot remove his suffering.

Next: part 23: Growing Kingdom, Growing Threats

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 21: A Life Restored, A Life Lost

 From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

3rd Lamashan, Toilday

We stood in shock after the Dancing Lady fell and we realized that Reislin's last breath had come and gone before any of us could help her. She was still entangled in the vines, and we could not move her body until the magic waned. While we waited we searched the chamber for any objects of use. We found several things that looked like they might have been brought their by the fey woman, such as a harp, jewelry, courtly garments, and a white bearskin. In a coffer we found a potion, which Maria determined was a love potion and sadly not one of healing.

Once the magically summoned vines vanished, Maria looked at the scrolls in Reislin's bag to see if she had anything in her possession that would help her. She did in fact bear a scroll containing a spell that would preserve her body from decay for a limited time. We realized that this would benefit her as we would be obliged to transport her to another place, likely in Brevoy, to seek a priest who could bring her back to life. We knew that no such priest lives in Lorewynd, nor is it likely that Jhod at the shrine of Erastil would be capable of casting such a spell.

Maria and I both searched our memories and concluded that as best we knew, it would be possible for a cleric of sufficient advancement to bring Reislin back from death but that it would likely be necessary for us to travel to Brevoy to achieve this. New Stetven seems the most promising place to seek such a service.

I picked up Reislin to carry her down to our wagon. The chamber in which she had fallen also contained an antique water clock and an alabaster figure of a beautiful nude elven woman, but these we deemed too heavy to carry, though the others thought they might be worth enough coin to aid in acquiring the spell for Reislin. But I felt that the statue ought to remain in the tower as it may have been made for that place. 

We intended to exit the fort through the gate, but as Zander approached it his foot struck a hidden tripwire that very nearly dropped a heavy portcullis on him. Maria endeavored to lift it but was unable, and we were obliged to exit as we had entered through the broken section of wall.

We traveled for a few hours until it grew too dark and then made camp in the forest. As we sat by our fire we began to discuss what we should tell the good people of Castle Lorewynd when we returned. All of us agreed that telling them of Reislin's demise would be very shocking and disheartening and we desired to spare them that pain, though we were not entirely comfortable with telling them untruths. 

For the two days it took us to return to our castle we discussed this topic. At first we though perhaps we would keep her body in the wagon outside of town while I went to seek out Amis the shrine keeper to ask him to cast the preservative spell upon her, but in the end we came to the conclusion that this would arouse too many questions among our citizens. Furthermore we have been away for some little while and no doubt there will be various matters awaiting our attention. It would not be responsible of us to creep into the castle like thieves and then depart again.

5th Lamashan, Fireday

When we arrived at the castle we took the wagon inside and bore Reislin up to her own chamber to be laid out. I went to find Amis, though we had to wait as he was not at the shrine. When he did arrive he appeared somewhat anxious and also seemed to have a blackened eye. When Maria asked him what had happened, he told us that he had asked one of the women who came to the shrine of Gyronna about it and she told him it was not his business and slapped him hard enough to leave a mark. He was anxious because he was uncomfortable in the presence of the dead, but after examining the scroll he agreed to cast the spell for us.

We will have many things to look into when we return, but for the present Chahana has sent a raven to Leveton to ask Svetlana if she will come and take charge of the castle in our absence.

7th Lamashan, Starday

Svetlana has sent a raven that she is on her way. Despite the sadness of Reislin's demise, I can't help but be amused that Svetlana chose to warn us that should Leveton be in flames when we come there, she is sorry for that. 

9th Lamashan, Sunday

We have reached Leveton. The town has grown since the last time we visited, and the road is much busier. Svetlana will be pleased that nothing has caught fire in her absence. There is no shrine in Leveton, and though we found a traveling priest who could cast the preservative spell again as the first one has faded, she cannot do so today. In the interest of speed we have decided to forego waiting for this.

11th Lamashan, Wealday

We have visited New Stetven previously but I am still impressed by the quantity of large stone structures here. Reislin was not deeply faithful but she did venerate Nethys, however there is no temple to the All-Seeing Eye here. The temples here are devoted to Abadar, Gorum, and Pharasma. We decided that the best option would be to make our way to the temple of the Lady of Graves to request our boon. 

As we arrived at Pharasma's fane, we found that the temple was hosting a large funeral service for someone of wealth or importance. The priests were all busy with the attendees. Chahana went inside to seek someone with whom to speak about our request. After a time she was able to talk to a priest called Salost, who directed us to bring the wagon to a side entrance and arranged for Reislin's body to be borne inside.

We waited with her until the chief priest could meet with us some hours later, though Chahana and Zander did leave us for a time to acquire lodgings and stabling for our horses. After they returned the high priest came to meet with us. This worthy elder, Ambrose by name, was most kind and accommodating, explaining that the service to bring back the dead comes in three parts as it is practiced in the house of the Lady of Graves: first, they must determine if the soul is willing to return to life and is a suitable person, then they must seek Pharasma's approval, and only after the first two have been given favorable responses can they cast the spell to return the soul to the body. They ask a donation to the temple of ten gold pieces for the first service, three hundred for the second, and five and a half thousand for the third as it requires a great quantity of diamond dust to fuel the magic. Maria had already estimated how much this service would cost us and we had brought with us all of the private funds at our disposal to make the payment.

Ambrose had brought with him two people of an unusual appearance, both tall and slender and near identical in appearance. After we agreed to the cost and the stipulations these two performed the actual magic. It required several more hours of ritual preparation, but in the end, all praise to the Lady of Graves, Reislin was returned to us much weakened by her experience. 

We remained in New Stetven for two more days after acquiring a spell from the temple that can remove some of the deleterious effects of being summoned back from the afterlife. I feel some regret that I lack the riches to give such a gift to other deserving folk, but Reislin is my friend and we need her wisdom and knowledge to help us protect and serve the people of Neotellus.

16th Lamashan, Moonday

We have returned to Lorewynd. There are continued rumors of trolls preying on settlers to the south, which we shall have to see to soon. We have also heard of a monster on an island in Lake Candlemere, and a rumor that the Stag Lord has risen from the dead and is leading an army of unliving bandits. A rumor regarding a creature knows as a shambling mound seems to have come from Bokken, as it speaks of the creature as being useful for growing herbs.

But the matter of first concern is that Zander has learned of a meeting of the followers of Gyronna, and a rumor that they plan some trouble. Followers of the Hag are wont to disdain any form of authority or governance. We must meet them and try to dissuade them from bringing harm to the people of our new country. Zander has heard that they are meeting in the barn of a farm outside the town this very night. We will go there and attempt to have a civil discourse with them if they are willing.

The farm was darkened and silent when we arrived after dark, and there was no sign of anyone in the barn. But Zander found a trapdoor in the floor leading to a cellar. We did not make any effort to be quiet. Climbing down the rough steps hewn into the earth, Maria, Chahana, and I brought out our shields but drew no weapon. When we entered the cellar we found it lit by a few lamps and occupied by a group of half a dozen or more women in ragged garb. One woman clad in blue shouted out for them to slay us as soon as Chahana called out to introduce us. 

Then Maria spied something horrific lying on a table: the body of a naked infant, pierced by a dagger. When her exclamation drew my attention to this terrible sight, I lost all desire to extend the Cleansing Fire's mercy to these women. They swarmed on us in a frenzy, goaded by the blue-clad woman. A dagger of magic began to attack Chahana. I had drawn my scimitar when I heard the woman shout for her followers to kill us, and now I did not stay my blade from their flesh. Any who did not object to the murder of a child in the Hag's name would receive no mercy from me. 

Reislin granted us swiftness, and though the Hag's priestess tried to weaken us with her goddess's magic, Zander slew her and the rest of us slew several of her followers in the ensuing skirmish. Zander took flight and pursued several of them when they fled from the cellar, and I also ran after them with a heart full of anger. Maria was more forgiving than I should be despite having been the first to see the evidence of their sin. She took two of them prisoner. 

When the remaining cultists were free of their frenzy and were questioned, we learned another alarming fact: four families at Lorewynd had suffered the kidnapping of their children and had those children replaced by changelings. I pray to the Dawnflower that those children did not all suffer the same fate as the poor infant.

Next: part 22, Seeking Justice and Finding New Friends

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux , part 20: A Death in the Family

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei 

3rd Lamashan, Toilday

The ancient watchtower we have stumbled upon in the forest has suffered much in the unknown number of years it has stood. The tower on the northwestern side is the most fallen, with the other four outer towers also showing much age and decay. Everything is covered in overgrowth of greener, and when Chahana peered through one of the gaps where the outer wall had crumbled, she described the courtyard within as full of trees. 

We spread ourselves out to look at all sides of the structure, Chahana, Reislin and I going one direction and Maria and Zander the other. 

Maria and Zander found some tracks near the tower that resembled those of a creature like ourselves rather than a bear or wolf, thought they could not make out whether those tracks were of a shod being or a creature going barefoot. They have been able to determine that this creature or person must have left the tracks within a week of our arrival at the tower, but whoever or whatever passed by might only have been passing. There was no way to see if it had entered the tower, only that it had come and gone. 

Closer examination of the walls revealed that they have some runes or symbols carved on their surface, so there are too many vines and patches of moss covering the stones to easily make out what the symbols are.

Zander climbed up the wall to find that there is a walkway along the top of the wall. When I climbed up myself I observed that curiously there are no doors leading out of the towers onto the walk. Perhaps there were ladders or steps of wood that have since decayed. 

Zander then climbed down a tree that had grown up in the courtyard. There he discovered that in the lower level of one tower the vines were twined around many skulls like those of people. Then one of the vines reached out and attempted to grasp hold of him. He looked into the tower and spied a creature he at first took for one of my kindred, clinging to the wall like a spider.

Zander stepped away from the menacing vine, warning us that it was a kind of plant known as an assassin vine, which was slow-moving but would attempt to choke us if it could gain a hold on us. The mysterious being climbed up toward Maria, hissing at her, while the assassin vine attempted unsuccessfully to reach me. Maria took flight under the influence of a spell that Reislin cast upon her and attempted to identify what the creature was, but it withdrew out of sight before she could determine that. I foolishly wasted some of the Dawnflower's might on the vine, forgetting that such a creature cannot choose its nature. The other creature reappeared and slashed at me with long claws but they slid off my armor. 

Zander meanwhile was wounded sorely by a third creature that moved very rapidly and could scarcely be seen. He was obliged to heal himself. Chahana had also been granted flight and now flew up to fire her bow at the wall-crawling creature, her arrow piercing it deeply. Reislin had managed to clamber up onto the wall herself and now the creature turned its attack on her, wounding her so badly that she fell from the wall onto the ground below. The creature then climbed out of reach. I slashed the vine that was still attempting to grab hold of me, and Maria struck it a final blow. The creature, which we had by this time assumed to be one of the dark fey, descended to the courtyard and disappeared among the trees there.

Chahana and Maria heard something give a sinister laugh from the courtyard, but I heard nothing. Zander climbed up the tree to get out of range of the swift and nearly invisible attacker. A small voice called out to him, "Come back! Let's play," but the creature, likely another dark fey, did not reveal itself. Reislin prepared to cast a spell to deprive it of its near invisibility should it reappear, while Chahana threw a flask of alchemical fire into the area the voice seemed to have issued from. Maria then had to put out the flames that threated to harm a nearby tree, at the same time casting a spell upon herself that she hoped would allow her to catch a glimpse of the fast-moving fey. 

When at last the fey reappeared Reislin did cast her spell upon it and it stumbled away. We all tried to converge on the fey, but it vanished from our sight again and no matter how we fast we ran we could not match its speed. 

With both of the fey fled, we began to explore the interior of the structure. In the center of the circular wall stood a much taller and more ornate tower which was also in better repair than the four towers that were connected to the wall. This tower still bore its many-pointed roof and had an intact door. But before we sought to enter it we checked the other four towers. One of them had a strong door that was barred from within, but because the wooden floors inside the tower had fallen into significant disrepair, Reislin was able to fly inside and have her invisible servant remove the bar such that we could enter. Inside Maria found a chest containing several items of jewelry, a sword, and a moonstone. 

The other three towers proved less appealing. One appeared to be thoroughly infested with rats, and one had suffered a partial collapse and was filled with rubble. The fourth tower had evidently been the home of one of the fey. It was disturbingly decorated with the carcases of small animals attached to the walls, or so we thought, until Chahana realized they were actually scalps. Stored on the broken floor above was an urn filled with gems. 

When we had satisfied ourselves that the outer towers held no enemies waiting to emerge against us, we turned our attention to the central tower. Reislin and I chose to enter first, being attracted to this relic of our people from long ago. As we stepped inside a violet mist filled the entrance. It had no effect on any of us, and we continued, Reislin eagerly ascending the ornate filigreed staircase past murals of our ancestors engaging in various pleasurable pursuits such as dancing and hunting. 

At the top of the stair we found a beautifully decorated chamber, its windows still set with glass. Then the clawed fey we had encountered below or one like him slashed at Reislin and she fell insensible to the floor.

Inside the room stood a woman, who at first resembled one of our own kind but when I spied her claws and fangs I realized she was no kin of mine. Chahana came running up the stairs behind me, and a moment later Maria also rushed in, warning me that the woman was yet another dark fey who would attempt to entrance us with her dance so she could drink our blood. Yet if we slew her she would curse us.

This fey woman attempted to cajole me into bringing the fallen Reislin to her with a promise to heal her, but I did not listen. I bent and let the Dawnflower's healing rays flow from my hand into Reislin's still body, but this did not revive her. She was not breathing. "You cannot deceive us with your lies," I said to the fey woman. She began to move about, attempting to enthrall us with her dance, but Maria engaged with the other fey, a grimstalker. I girded myself with Sarenrae's battle power and moved on the dancer. Zander joined me. Maria slew the grimstalker. The room filled with vines, which tried to wind about my legs and hold me fast. I struck the dancer several times, until I missed my aim and the vines trapped my limbs. Praise the Dawnflower, the dancer could not bite me. She tried to flee down the stairs but Zander leaped down ahead of her and blocked her escape. I broke free of the vines and set my blade into her flesh once more and that was the last of her. As she died I felt a wave of some force pass over me. Something is amiss with me, but I do not know what it is.

And Reislin is dead. 

Next: part 21: A Life Restored, A Life Lost 

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 19: Meat Is Meat

 

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

Fireday, 29th Rova

As we stood outside the walls of the lizardfolk village, the two lizardfolk standing guard over the log palisade seemed disinterested in conversing with us. I called out, "May we speak with you?" as the sound of a child's fearful weeping from within the palisade increased in volume. The lizardfolk made no reply to this. 

I asked again, this time requesting that someone come out to speak with us as we would have to cross the water to reach the gate and we knew not how deep it was. One of the lizardfolk sentries asked why we wished to speak with them. I explained that we were seeking a lost child and wanted to know if they had seen him, as I didn't desire to accuse them of having taken the child when we had no idea why they had taken him or how many of their kind were within the village. 

The sentries then began to talk with each other, their voices too low for me to hear, but Chahana told me that they seemed to be conversing about the boy. One of them appeared to feel they should hand him over to us. They then gestured for us to approach closer to the palisade. This was not an action we were eager to take as a stretch of water perhaps ten times my height stood between us and the lizardfolk village. But there was nothing for it other than we should try to cross. The river bed was thick with mud and within a short stretch we found ourselves unable to touch it with out feet as the water was too deep. I was glad then for having chosen not to wear such heavy armor as Maria does, though it was difficult enough to paddle through the water with my shield and spear on my back.

The palisade itself stood on a hillock that was twice as tall as I, with some tree limbs or roots buried in the earth to form rough steps to the wooden gates. I could now see the sentries more clearly and observe that their armor and weapons were of no great skill in making, but they did have mouths full of fangs and fingers ending in sharp claws that they could no doubt use to do harm. 

The child's wailing grew louder still now that we were near to the wall. One of the sentries asked if we had come to take the man-child, to which Chahana responded that we had. The second sentry stated that the child was not theirs to give. The sentries opened the gate for us, and after a brief consultation among ourselves we decided that we should enter to show them trust. We stepped just inside the gate. We asked if we could speak to their chieftain, and one of them began to walk away, saying, "Come take the man-child." 

We looked at one another and then fell in behind him. The sentry led us among simple mud huts with geometric designs painted on their walls in red and violet. He took us to one such hut, where the child's weeping was even easier to hear. A glance through the opening let us see a large lizard of a kind known as the Narlmarch mugger within this hut - a poisonous creature, but its venom is not very harmful. This one wore a collar studded with crystals and was held by a long rope of plaited vines so it could not quite reach the human child who was similarly restrained on the opposite side of the hut. The mugger kept lunging to the length of its lead and clawing at the bone-littered floor of the hut, its threatening movements eliciting more cries and tears from the boy. 

Zander did not hesitate to enter the hut and begin untying the sobbing child.the lizardfolk who had shown us to the hut grasped the mugger's lead and pulled it away. As Zander released the child, the flap covering the opening of the largest hut at the center of the small village flew aside and an exceptionally tall lizardfolk emerging bearing a trident in one hand. He stood half again as tall as any of us. Though the features of lizardfolk are difficult to read, it seemed likely by their reaction to this tall one that he was their chieftain. This one gruffly demanded to know what we were doing there. Chahana replied that the others had told us to take the child. This clearly displeased him, though he indicated that it was their tribe's shaman who wished to keep the boy. Maria attempted to bargain with him, trying to offer something he might desire more than one small human child, but he would not accept any offer, not even when Chahana joined her words with Maria's. The lizardfolk chieftain declared, "I am King Vesket. You cannot take the man-child."

I tried to convince him by praising his warriors and asking if they could not find better meat than one child, as I remembered that the lizardfolk do not differentiate intelligent creatures from simple beasts when they hunt and would as soon have human flesh as that of fish or fowl. But my words did nothing to persuade Vesket. His demeanor toward us was entirely hostile. When he mentioned their shaman, Stisshak, we asked if we could speak with him but Vesket said Stisshak would speak only to warriors of their tribe. Chahana used Reislin's magic to suggest to me that I say to him they should be able to find something better than a weak child. 

Then the sentry who had guided us spoke up, saying that what they had done to the boy was not meat but torture and was wrong. More lizardfolk had emerged from their huts by this point and I sensed that perhaps half of them agreed with the speaker. Maria said to Vesket that the strong shouldn't need to prey on the weak, and offered to trade them meat for the child. This only seemed to enrage Vesket more. He thrust Chahana away from him as he suddenly saw Zander carrying the child toward the gate, and shouted, "They are stealing our meat! Kill them! Kill them!" Then he let out a mighty roar, which he no doubt hoped would cow us. In that he would be disappointed. The Dawnflower lends me her courage, and when my comrades stand near to me they also gain a measure of her strength.

Reislin cast her spell upon us all so that we might move more quickly and we drew our weapons. Chahana stepped back with her bow in hand. Zander ran toward the gate with the boy under his arm. Vesket had brought out two of the local caimans when he emerged, and one of these snapped at Chahana while the other tried to close its jaws on Maria. 

I attempted to taunt Vesket, saying to him, "You would die for a man-child? Who leads this tribe, you or the shaman?" But my words did not sway him. He thrust his trident at Maria, piercing through her armor. Though I did not see this at first, Reislin took flight behind me and Zander began to battle a lizardfolk brave who pursued him. Maria swung her sword at Vestek. I slipped between him and one of the caimans to take up a flanking position, which was not the wisest move I could have made as both Vestek and the caiman were able to strike me and sorely injured me. But I thrust my spear into Vestek several times all the same. Maria's sword also dealt him several harsh blows.  

Reislin's magic blinded the caiman that was nearest to Maria, while with a few more well-placed arrows the caiman nearest to Chahana died and she turned her bow against the blind one and against Vestek. Zander returned, having left the child outside, and with a mighty two-handed jab he brought Vestek down. The two caiman had also been slain, and this seemed to take the fight out of the other lizardfolk. 

But we were not done yet. We had expressed our regret for having slain their chieftain and had just begun trying to convince the lizardfolk that they should not hunt humans when I felt a dark presence behind me and I could see that Maria felt it too. Stisshak had appeared - though he was not a lizardfolk as we expected. It was Maria who realized the creature that floated from behind me was a will-o-wisp, thought it did bear the appearance of a lizardfolk skull wreathed in a strange energy. It hissed at us, "Only I will decide what meat they eat. And I shall feast on your fear." 

Of course I was protected by the Dawnflower, but my companions were too far from me to gain her blessing. Despite this none were affected by whatever the creature tried to do, though it did wound Maria with a blast of lightning. It was floating overhead but we approached to strike at it with our weapons while Reislin relayed to us that no magic could harm it other than one of her missiles and it could also become invisible. A moment later she realized that it was draining energy from one of the caimans that was not quite dead, and she used a missile to slay the beast. The will-o-wisp did not become invisible, and it was not a hardy creature and did not withstand our blows for long. But it also struck me with its lightning and by then I was so weak I had to lean against a hut while I healed myself with Sarenrae's light.

Fortune smiled on us that the lizardfolk did not turn on us then. As Autumn comes they are slower in their movements, and they were more concerned with choosing a new chieftain. They did not entirely seem to accept Reislin's words when she explained that Stisshak was not the spirit of their shaman but a monster that fed on fear and death. Still, they asked us if we would cleanse his hut for them with our magic. None of us are priests who can remove the curse of evil, but I did fill the hut with some of the Dawnflower's healing fire, which had the advantage of healing some of my own hurts and those my friends had suffered. 

In the center of the hut, which appeared to have been unoccupied for some time, we found a heap of bones, feathers, and other items that seemed to form a kind of shrine though we knew not to what god. There was also a collection of offerings, including a longspear that seemed to be made of cold iron, an assortment of gemstones, a jade ring, and a feather which Reislin said possessed a magical aura. The ring had such an aura as well. She could not determine what magic affected the ring until the following day, but the feather could transform into a tree like the tokens we had previously used to restore the trees at the nixie's grove in the forest. I have asked if I may keep the spear.

Starday, 30th Rova

It took us a day and a half to return to Lorewynd, arriving late in the evening. The boy's parents were naturally joyful to have him safely home. 

Sunday, 1st Lamashan

Autumn has come to these lands. The leaves have begun to shed their green for gold and fiery orange.

Though we have been back at Lorewynd for only a day, we have decided to leave again to pursue other explorations while the weather is still favorable. We will seek out Tiressia the dryad and her satyr companion Falchos to find out if they know of the old woman in the swamp, the Old Beldame. Chahana wishes to ask them to act as our go-betweens to mend the trouble between us. 

Moonday, 2nd Lamashan

We found Tiressia and Falchos, hearing Falchos' singing first before we saw him. At first it seemed they did not know the Beldame, but with a bit more conversation it became apparent that they had not seen her for many years and knew her only as a much younger woman. In the end Falchos offered to go and speak with her as Tiressia didn't wish to leave her tree. Chahana gave him a magic garment to gift to the Beldame as a token of our apology to her. Tiressia and Falchos say that her name is Elga. 

I think that we remained with them longer than we meant to. The fey folk do not follow time as we do, and when in their company it is easy to overlook its passage. 

Toilday, 3rd Lamashan

We parted from Falchos and Tiressia after telling Falchos how to find Elga's hut. We have learned from them that the 'mad hermit' we were told of lives somewhere between Tiressia's tree and the Beldame's hut. They also gave us information that makes the rumors of the dragon and the hodag in the south seem more likely. 

As we made our way to the south, we came upon a most unusual sight: a very tall, old pine tree that was partly surrounded by a ruined wall. Closer examination demonstrated that it was made long ago by Reislin's and my people, perhaps even before the Earthfall when our kin dwelled in these lands. Zander collected a few bits of tile decorated with trees and stag, intending to take them back to the museum in Lorewynd. Reislin speculated that the ruin might once have been a watchtower.

We went on from there toward the Hooktongue Slough region, which was given into the hands of the Ministers of Restov to claim and is not a part of our granted territory. It was later in the day that we came upon another tower, this one still intact though damaged in places, its walls so overgrown with vines and moss that it was difficult to see among the trees. Though the arched entry was empty of a gate, the circular central structure and its four towers still stood solid. Reislin was very eager to enter and explore it. 

Next: part 20, A Death in the Family