Entry 7: mysteries and pastries

Dear Diary,
 
Being a witch means doing what needs to be done and saying what needs to be said, even if it's not what people want to hear. Even if it means Luke throws another one of his patented "insufferable little sister" eye rolls at me. Whatever. If people can't handle honesty, well, that's on them, not me.
 
Friendship built on lies is a sugar-coated poison apple as far as I'm concerned. Give me brutal truth any day. Luke thinks that's why I have no friends. Classic Luke logic. Because, duh, I have you, my amazing brother! You're the best friend I could ask for. And you can put my diary down again now and if you ever read it again I will curse you and your offspring in perpetuity.
 
The day started much like the evening before, with Gael, Luke, and me chatting over breakfast. The smell of sizzling bacon and fresh bread filled the air, and did you see the mountain of bacon piled on Gael's plate? And mine?Being on friendly terms with the innkeeper definitely has its perks.
 
Gael brought up a point about power dynamics that got me thinking. He said those in power often cling to it fiercely, afraid of losing their grip. It made me worry even more about the De La Roost family. Are they more loyal to some mysterious Fey King, bound by magic, than to their own people or king? It's a troubling thought.
 
With those worries lingering, we ventured into town for some shopping. Luke indulged in a pricey gem, while I opted for more practical supplies for our journey to Keralon. As we made our way back to the inn to meet the others, a quaint little pastry shop caught my eye so I made a mental note to explore it further later.
 
As we gathered at the inn around noon, I noticed our companions Liliana, Alistan, and Ileas were back to their cheerful selves, the tension from the night before seemingly forgotten. Eager for another adventure, Alistan proposed investigating the attacks by the mercenary satyrs. After a brief discussion, we agreed to seek guidance from Sergeant Berris at the guardhouse, hoping he could provide some answers and lead us in the right direction.
When we arrived, the guards didn't take us seriously at first, seeing us as just a group of youngsters. It wasn't until Alistan mentioned his prestigious family name that they decided to let us speak with Sergeant Berris. From him, we learned that the satyrs had been causing trouble for weeks, but they weren't officially banned from the city. However, the sergeant suspected they had a hideout somewhere within the city limits, though its exact location remained a mystery. Surprisingly, when Alistan offered to assist in the investigation, Sergeant Berris accepted, but not without the condition that we refrain from engaging in any illegal activities.
Something illegal was of course the first course of action suggested by Gael once we were outside to discuss what to do. He wanted to use poor Ileas as bait, by having him free the imprisoned Satyrs and convince them that he is on their side, so they could bring him to their hideout. A plan that was quickly shot down.
 
As we talked about this, we passed by the square in front of the monastery and Alistan pointed out that a crowd had formed at one of the side entrances, a very angry crowd. All that was missing was pitchforks and torches for it to be a veritable witch hunt. Of course we, or rather Alistan, had to go and check out what the issue was, and we learned that the crowd was upset for not being allowed into the chapel dedicated to Belenus that morning.
 
It seemed odd to me that a riot would erupt over something as trivial as being denied entry to a chapel. So, I nudged Luke and asked him to use his magical abilities to sense if there was any sorcery at play. Meanwhile, I transferred my vision to Fiachna, my trusted raven companion. As this makes me unaware of my surroundings, I do this in a safe space where I can focus completely, but out in the open, I need someone to guide me. I surprised Ileas by taking his hand for this purpose. You see, actions speak louder than words, and by choosing Ileas, with whom I had clashed the previous evening, I showed a measure of trust that words alone cannot convey. Knowing what to do and what to say is a potent form of magic.
As I scouted the area, nothing seemed amiss at the monastery itself; the main gate was open, it was just this one side entrance to the chapel of Belenus that was closed. What caught my attention, though, were a couple of suspicious-looking dwarves skulking around the square. They seemed intent on avoiding attention. I urged Fiachna to follow them, but they disappeared into an inn a few streets away.
 
Luke informed us that there was no trace of magic involved in the crowd’s behavior. Alistan, in the meanwhile, engaged in a discussion with the monks who were managing the irate crowd. Through his persuasive words, he managed to sway one of the monks to request an audience with the abbot on our behalf. While we awaited a response, Alistan attempted to calm the crowd, although his efforts yielded only moderate success.
Fortunately, not long after, the monk returned, announcing that he would escort us to meet with the abbot. Wisely, he opted for a servant entrance rather than the barred side entrance, which could have further incited the angry mob.
 
The monk led us through a labyrinth of passages until we finally reached the chapel dedicated to Belenus. Inside, we found Father Eton waiting for us. It quickly became apparent why the chapel had been closed to the public that day. Along the back wall stood three statues of the Sun God, Belenus. Two of them had been vandalized, while the third, middle one, had red streaks on its face and was even shedding a tear of blood. My remark about Belenus being upset by the desecration didn't sit well with the abbot.
Determined to uncover the truth, our group embarked on an investigation of the crime scene. Liliana used her divine senses to confirm that the area had indeed been desecrated. Dadroz searched for hidden passages but came up empty-handed. While the others discussed their findings, I decided to once again tap into Fiachna's senses and keep watch on the suspicious dwarves. It proved fortuitous, as shortly afterward, they left the inn and made their way past the monastery, disappearing into a small park to the north. There, they accessed a hidden entrance leading into the sewers.
 
When I mentioned the dwarves' suspicious behavior, Alistan and Liliana were quick to suggest investigating further, seeing as we'd hit a dead end in the chapel. Why they considered trudging through a sewer an adventure was beyond me. The mere thought made me queasy. And when they lifted the lid to the entrance, the stench nearly made me lose my breakfast. I had to fight the urge to vomit, which would have been a shame for the delicious bacon.
For me, this was undoubtedly the worst experience since leaving Tarn. It only intensified my longing for the open fields and comfort of Lorewood. Fortunately, our search didn't last long. Alistan noticed the sound of activity in the distance, prompting Gael and Dadroz to sneak ahead for a closer look. They returned with news that the dwarves were indeed in the sewers, accompanied by a strange creature called an ettercap, presumably serving as a guard dog.
 
Our attempt to sneak closer almost fell into the water, literally. Sneaking around wasn't my forte, and I wasn't exactly at my sharpest. Alistan didn't fare much better. Thankfully, the dwarves were too engrossed in their work to notice our clumsy approach.
However, they certainly took notice when we entered the room they were excavating. Their leader, a dwarf with fiery red eyes and a snow-white beard, demanded to know our purpose there. Dadroz attempted to bluff our way out, claiming we were members of the thieves' guild being led through secret passages. But our cover was blown when Liliana and Alistan began questioning them.
 
They clearly had no intention of cooperating, and when the idea of informing the guards arose—digging in the sewers being illegal and all—I noticed they seemed keen on splitting us up. Instead, Liliana suggested making a citizen's arrest. Unfortunately, that only escalated tensions, resulting in weapons being drawn and a skirmish ensuing. If I hadn't been preoccupied with keeping my breakfast down and the foul odors out, perhaps I could have intervened. But alas.
The fight didn't drag on for long. Before we knew it, one of the dwarves lay lifeless, an arrow piercing his eye, and I was left wondering if Liliana had ever received any tactical training as a paladin. In her haste to shield my dear brother from the ettercap, something I am always grateful for but in this case was utterly unnecessary, she left us vulnerable, allowing the dwarf she had been engaging to turn his attention to me. And let me tell you, dwarven pickaxes hurt.
 
Feeling a tad disgruntled and nursing my wounds, I eagerly proposed that I return to the surface to summon the guards. Gael, blessed with the ability to see in the dark, and Luke, my steadfast brother, accompanied me. Once we emerged from the foul depths of the sewers, Luke utilized his handy magical prowess to tidy us up a bit before we hastened to the guardhouse. Sergeant Berris required little persuasion to dispatch a squad of guards to accompany us back into the sewers.
Meanwhile, our companions encountered a monk and his guards in the sewers, a decidedly suspicious encounter. Claiming to be from the monastery and investigating the disturbance, they departed hastily, leaving behind an air of intrigue. Their reluctance to disclose even their names hinted at hidden motives lurking beneath the surface.
 
Quick-thinking Ileas sketched a portrait of the monk, which proved invaluable later on. When the leader of the dwarves regained consciousness, he divulged his name as Brother Marek, their employer. He had hired them to excavate for a lost treasure—an ancient book of great significance.
All of this is only from what the others told me afterwards, as I opted to remain above ground this time, deciding to further explore the monastery (and perhaps indulge in some pastries, priorities, you know).
Luke later recounted that upon their return with the guards, the duergar began hurling accusations of assault and murder. They admitted to their illicit excavation activities but argued vehemently against being summarily executed by mere civilians. I couldn't help but agree; we are not law enforcement officers. Though we had sought to apprehend rather than harm, unfortunately, one of them had met a tragic fate.
Consequently, they were all escorted to the guard station for Sergeant Berris to conduct his inquiry. However they were swiftly bailed out by Lady De La Roost.
 
As I reflect upon my short time in this town—mere two days—I find my regard for the local noble family dwindling with each passing moment. Their arrogance knows no bounds, their privilege shields them from accountability. It's egregious! Someone lost their life unjustly, and yet they wield their name as a shield to brush aside consequences.
At least Alistan possesses a moral compass, offering to shoulder the blame for our actions. But Liliana's spine seems sorely lacking. Lady De La Roost prioritizes preserving their family's reputation over seeking justice. Though she didn't express it explicitly, her message was clear: the family name supersedes the value of a life. It's disheartening. She's managed to persuade her children to prioritize their status over principles of fairness and righteousness.
I can only hope that their time in Keralon, learning the ways of knighthood, will instill in them the true essence of honor and integrity.
 
After Lady De La Roost departed, I rejoined my companions. We quickly caught up on the events that transpired, and then made our way back to the monastery. Brother Marek had become a pivotal lead in our investigation, linking it directly to the monastery. It is good to see that the scolding has not deterred my companions from pushing forwards.
During our meeting with Father Eton, he revealed that Brother Marek had parted ways with the monastery several months ago. Apparently, the monastery houses a library brimming with forbidden knowledge and arcane secrets, and Marek's insatiable curiosity led him to seek access to it. However, after being repeatedly denied entry, he left the order. Now, it seems he's on a quest to find an alternative route into the library.
I could sense my brother's excitement at the mention of a library filled with mystical lore, only to see it dampened by the news that we wouldn't be granted access. Despite the setback, our determination remained unwavering. We were undeterred, ready to press forward in our pursuit of the truth.
 
Luke, ever the resourceful one, decided to take another crack at finding a secret passage in the chapel, convinced that it was the dwarves' intended target. With his keen intellect, he cleverly utilized incense to detect any drafts, ultimately uncovering the hidden entrance. Dadroz swiftly opened the door, revealing a small room that served as living quarters with a passage leading down into the sewers. However, our intrusion quickly escalated into a skirmish as three of the occupants were present. Fortunately, I managed to put two of them to sleep with a spell, bringing the conflict to an abrupt halt.
But the discoveries didn't end there. To our astonishment, nestled at the back of the room, we stumbled upon a small shrine dedicated to Morhin, the ancient lich responsible for igniting a war against Keralon over a century ago! The revelation sent chills down our spines, hinting at the deeper mysteries concealed within the monastery's walls.
 
6th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree