Journal Entry 4

Description of accounts between the 12th and 17th of the month Snowmoot, in the year 240. (Adventure date: 2nd March 2018)

 
*Journal entry written by Kaecil Kayessan during his recovery at the Vareholm shrine. It details the events between the 12th of Snowmoot and the 17th of Snowmoot. It is unclear to Kaecil exactly how much time passed after he lost consciousness when he was carried away by the Roc.*
 
 
Where to begin? I’m struggling to exactly detail everything that has happened during my most recent outing into the wilderness, so much has happened. Somehow a pearl finding expedition ended up with me being snatched up by an enormous Roc, and being thrown in a cage in an orc camp. Only to end up waking up in a hospital bed with severe burn scars.
 
 
I suppose, as with any tale, I should start at the beginning.
 
 
Pearls. Yes. Pearls that was the catalyst for this adventure. I wanted to go out and gather pearls. I, myself, had a specific need for pearls in arcane rituals. It is used as a component in spells to identify an object’s properties and any spells that affect said object, or a creature. I intended to use this pearl to provide identification services for everyone in Vareholm. Thus I posted my notice and waited for any interested parties to show up.
 
 
I had plenty of takers but ultimately my escort consisted of Irhtos, another wizard who I’ve traveled with before, Caelam a true fighter, Taur; a cleric knowledgeable in herbs and nature, and finally Wesley, another person I’ve traveled with before and I knew him to be a very capable fighter. Plus he had experience as a sailor and navigation. Skills that could turn out to be very useful in this venture.
 
 
We gathered in Galloran’s Hearth for a quick round of introductions and the basic plan was laid out. Afterwards we set out toward the docks to ask the local fishermen for some directions. The stretch of coast we were pointed to ultimately didn’t require any water travel, so we hiked our way east along the coast in search of sandy beaches.
 
 
The next few days were rather uneventful and was made up of a routine with setting camp and shelter then spending the rest of the day fishing for pearls. The first shelter was quite sturdy and will probably remain standing for another six months. A testament to Taur’s survival skills. The only thing of note during the first day is we saw a giant bird fishing in the ocean, this might’ve been the same Roc that attacked us but I’m not sure, it looked smaller. In any case the next day we move camp and repeat the process. Same for the third day, during we actually manage to find a pearl of significant quality that I can use. We found three other pearls over these three days but were not large enough but could be sold for gold.
 
 
It was on the third day our luck seemed to turn. Before we got to the beach we were detoured and turned around whilst navigating around a cliffside. Trying to work back toward the coastline, we were attacked by seven wolves. Unfortunate, but not a real problem for the skilled crew in my company. Three wolves were killed, the others fled. Wesley managed to retrieve 2 good quality pelts from the slain wolves.
 
 
During the night of the third day fish-men rose out of the water and attempted to attack us during our rest. Luckily our watch, Irhtos, was able to spot them in time. Although not quick enough to prevent from being backed into the tight space of the shelter. After exchanging multiple blows in this cramped space, my fellows landing some good blows, I managed to put the foul things to sleep with a spell. Wesley and I wasted no time in finishing them off.
 
 
Thinking our problems were over Wesley and Caelam, very wisely in my opinion, chose to dump the bodies away from our shelter. Unfortunately this may have attracted the notice of a goblin hunting party, we had just fallen back to sleep, and yet again were roused awake by our watchman, it was Caelam's turn as watch. This time, learning from our previous mistake, we immediately spread out in a defensive perimeter. Ten goblins soon appeared from the edge of the treeline. A significant number, certainly not to be underestimated. However my companions again proved to be very capable and we managed to prevail. Irhtos and I fired arcane spells at the creatures. Whilst Taur was using the hut as a defensive barrier to lash out at them from a protected space. Caelam moved around the battlefield firing arrows and engaging them in melee. Once again I put some of them to sleep making the fight a little easier, and setting a few ablaze with a fire spell. Wesley, however, was truly a martial force during this fight. He moved so fast that even my astute eyes had trouble keeping up. Seven goblins were dealt a killing blow by Wesley.
 
 
With all ten goblins defeated we decided we've had enough and heading back towards Vareholm. It was then when things truly started going wrong. We spotted a mysterious figure near a cliff. It seemed to be an orc shaman. He had an elaborate headdress made out of antlers, holding a staff with a bird skull on top. There was marking on his arm in the form of an orc eye. It seems to be an identifying mark of either the clan or this particular orc. Whatever the case I ended up being branded with the same mark at the end of this story. Not wanting any trouble we circled around the mysterious orc. Our efforts however were in vain. He tracked and followed us. We run we simply run. Because we hear the Roc coming toward us. Apparently the shaman had control of the damn bird.
 
 
What happens next is basically a race toward Vareholm to, Wesley speeds ahead with our treasures. I gain some ground but trip and fall. It spelled my doom, the bird was on me snatched me right up. It goes dark for a quick moment. I hear some words being shouted by Taur and I regain my wits. I struggled free from the birds grasp not realising how high I'm off the ground already, this bird was fast, I drop and am falling. I had just enough time to cast feather fall on myself for a safe landing. Scared out of my mind I start moving toward the town but the Roc was on me again and this time I wasn't getting out, everything went black.
 
 
The next thing I remember is briefly regaining consciousness during the flight away from Vareholm passing over a river. Once more losing time I wake up in a cage which was magically sealed, believe me I tried getting out. Ultimately it was the daring rescue of Whisper, Kruger, Kurt, and Neris that freed me and returned me safely to town. Actually it was Whisper who broke me out of my cage with great effort. In trying to break me free I was terribly burned and blacked out from the excruciating pain, next thing I know I wake up at the shrine in Vareholm suffering terrible burn scars and branded with that damn orc shaman sigil on my neck.
 
 
Signed,
 
 
Kaecil Kayessan (Bonehunters, Squad mage, 8th Legion, 9th Company, 4th Squad).