Everything so far

So I have arrived here at the tavern, Ghazfar's Inn, from there I met a jovial Khazfari, Karaman, he has an appreciation for storytelling and ale, a wonderful conversation for the regales of life.
met Roger, a noble knight of the local lord and his peer Ella, she seems well meaning but meek somehow. I hope she finds the confidence to believe in herself, or perhaps she is confident enough to let her actions speak for her, it is hard to tell.
Ulyrn, Ah an interesting fellow with the face of a raven and the demeanor of midnight, oozing with presence and magic.
 
We now head to the Jul A Yoon district, this is where we said we would rendezvous with Robert Cromwell and Ela, they said they would meet us at Belethor’s Shelter in zone 5. In most of my time in the Eastern Monarchy I have seen the divide between the peoples grow further, both of class and ancestry, like waves on a pond I feel us all moving apart. I hope one day we may all live as one. One of the Ancient Spirits I communed with once told me the differences between us are merely illusions, and there are no divisions between people other than the ones they create for themselves. I sensed great acumen in them and I hope one day to embody the wisdom I have been given. I do my best to see my allies in all the same light and accept them for who they are while also encouraging them to shape themselves into who they want to be. But if all divisions are illusions how deep does it go? friends and enemies? Good and evil? Perhaps the spirit wanted me to show the same compassion for all.
 
We have just met a new member as a part of Robert’s associates, they are called Xin. They have the same orders as us to investigate the potential cult activity of Ahryuns circle. Hopefully they prove more useful than Stigandr who has done nothing but lose his temper and slow us down. No worry however as we shall arrive all the same.
 
The pit seems to be a spot of keen interest. Has already lost two operatives to the investigation in the pit. Believed to be activity of the cult of Balraan. The pit is currently a prison ground. But the prisoners seem to be left to starve. Such unnecessary pain, I pray that their spirits may rest easy with Seluma.
We have encountered a few of their corpses reanimated somehow, likely by the cult? Most curiously, we all found an especially large foe.
In my watch I have seen the spirit of Gdaya, and he seems to be protecting a well. I see him fall into the well and the land around him corrupts. There are many things this could mean and I shall ponder them in my next meditation.
Now that morning?? Has come down in the cave, our ranger friend has scouted ahead, very resourceful and he speaks of an ancient and spooky looking statute. We have found a dead body inside of a runic circle, it very clearly seems to be dead. Surprisingly, it would seem to be a Pale Elf, long since thought to be a lost people an culture, most curious that it ended up here.
 
We have managed to identify that the body has been affected by Necromantic energy, likely from the runic circle which produces magic of the same school. There is an otherworldly statue staring us down and in his infinite wisdom Karaman climbed it. Like a young boy at the school dance, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
We have now backed out of the room as Karaman continues to hammer away at the runic circle, they also attempted to destroy the statue which I was against, just as it could be part of an important culture. We do not want to be in the room when the circle is broken just in case something unforeseen occurs.
We are now being followed by an unnatural mist which quells light, so we are attempting to stay ahead of it, lest we learn how it affects people. We have managed to collapse the tunnel behind us so it will not follow us hopefully…
 
Now we are headed down the tunnel with the warning “The Dead Walk” As we enter the dead appear to be shambling around, there is a crematorium which Karaman has pushed a zombie inside. This has released a swirling vortex of caustic gas. Ulyrn looks rather unwell but refuses to take off his mask to receive help, so unfortunately, he will remain like that for the time being. He is a strong fellow and is afraid of showing weakness, perhaps it is a matter of trust, I hope soon he opens to us but I'm am willing to wait for him to do it on his own terms. I am still sticking with Xin for the light, as she has an ever-burning torch and seems like the most reliable member of our little recon team.
I do not seem to be on my A game today, I wonder what is wrong with me? Haven’t quite been able to remember my training as well. Perhaps I need a nice holiday somewhere far away. Hopefully my team haven’t noticed.
Tygom crystal, Robert says that it can hold the essence of living beings, perhaps it can be returned?
I am met by the spirit of Hondol when I meditate, I have asked about Halrun, he was the King of his time in the Eastern Monarchy thousands of years ago. He was respected by many, but feared by all, he was the son of the great Suleyman, the 5th king after his great grandfather. New Kings of the Eastern Monarchy after they usurped by the previous rulers. He did not seem to engage in war, he treated his own people as they were cattle for his benefit. He was overturned by heroes banding together to rise against him. His rule starting the Year 678. Perhaps morality comes from perspective, with ample access to plentiful resources and power perhaps he lacked the experiences that make most of us attached to one another. Can a tortoise with no concept of flight comfort a bird with a broken wing? It is hard to know to blame him for his actions since he may have simply been imprinted with a set of values by his lineage. But overall, I suppose it is good that his oppression was brought to an end.
 
We have arrived at the tower at the university of hallenfell, taking it to Guydaya (no not that one), he has told us that these were used in the ages of the old magic. They can also hold the magic capability.
The materials required to make such of these crystals are only available to those in norgebia.
To open the crystal we must retrieve a Djin from the city of Runto, but it is already in service so we’re going to have to finagle something.
The statue in the pit was a statue of Balraan the feared.
 
Guydaya is very experienced and I bet that in his lifetime he has accumulated vast knowledge, he seems to be thoughtful and prefer to speak slowly and with purpose over speaking what comes first. Perhaps another lesson to learn, it is best to speak with purpose than to speak without. My allies seem suspicious or un-amiable to him, perhaps they are afraid or intimidated by his potential to work as counter force to us with our growing suspicions in this investigation. But it is best to judge people by what they have done, not what they may do.
 
Halrun also worshiped Azhagul the defiler, praying in secret and sacrificing many of his subjects to the great betrayer god.
If we were to capture a Marid that would greatly aid in the effort. They live in the sea. We must look for Al-asam in the Marid city, he guards the great city of Irahm. We are unlikely to ever see it as we will be brought to the foreign quarter, as we will negotiate with the Marid-Shah.
The head archivist Nelasser, of the university has gone missing after investigating the cult activity of Ahruns Circle or the Cult of Balraan. When she disappeared, she was researching in her study, possibly she was kidnapped? I grow suspicious of the Regent whom employed her help as he did ours on the behalf of the Highness. But how am I to know that these gut feelings are justified, the problem is if I look to confirm my bias I risk of painting a shadow and blaming the sun.
 
Robert Cromwell has informed us that he has new evidence that the Cult of Balraan is working in tandem with Ahruns circle. He suggests three locations to us to investigate. There is a werehouse just near the Ialids oasis, the password is “yelgs can’t fly”
The final one is in the Hath-Ul-Farad district, beneath the Pyramid of Farad. We may have to ask the Regent for permission to enter the Pyramid.
 
Al-shadeed, a member of this noble family has appeared to question us after our investigation of the warehouse. I hate to lie but I fear if he knows the guards of his wares were so inadequate they may lose more than their employment. I find honesty is significantly less complicated than untruth and lies only build a foundation of glass, easy to stack high but a single crack can topple the entire tower. Just when this web couldn't get more tangled, another lord has appeared I identify as El-Nuri. I used my blistering speed to steal a crate without drawing notice. I have returned it to the basement of the Mossy Mouth, where we opened the crate only to discover taht it contains many dead bodies. Appearing to be human accompanied by an unidentified symbol. This is extremely troubling. Were these bodies killed by the cult? or were they simply unearthed from their resting place. It is hard to know for certain.
 
Guydaya has provided us with a translation of the runic text, which seems to indicate that the cult are attempting to open the fabric between our realm and the realm of Balrann the feared.