Volume 4, Chapter 1 - Gamble's Journal
General Summary
Journal Entry – 1st Orst
Dear Journal, Today was quite eventful, as always. Lavanel, Jed, Karnak and Karu separately returned to the tea house. Jed, always the shrewd negotiator, managed to strike a deal with the owner to clear the bathhouse for a fee of 25 gold pieces. I believe he used the opportunity to Oloch. As we settled down for a meal, Lavanel couldn't help but noticed that Shin was missing. She sneaked a glance outside and saw him conversing in hushed tones with a cloaked figure, roughly the height of a dwarf. The figure spotted her and disappeared into the darkness. Shin followed her back inside just as Karnak was demonstrating her impressive skill of fitting 10 gyoza into her mouth at once. Jed, ever the ‘jester’, tried to dare us to drink sake through our eyes, but strangely no one took up the bet. Someone even threw a gyoza at Jed, but he caught it with ease. Lavanel and I managed to negotiate a reasonable price for our room, using the fact that we had saved Mitzu as leverage. Lavanel seemed worried about Arpeggio leaving, and Jed couldn't resist using an octopus as a towel. He then asked Shin about our next destination, but Shin mentioned that he had not had any visions lately. We discussed whether the magical items we had acquired were affecting Shin's visions, but he had experienced them even after attuning to them. [Editor’s note: While this is happening, far to the North, Petryan is having a terrible time] As night fell, we settled down in a large room to rest. However, I couldn't help but stay alert, knowing about Shin's mysterious meeting outside the teahouse that Lavanel had shared with me. It wasn't long before Shin started tossing and turning in his sleep, mumbling incoherently. I moved closer to listen and noticed his eyes darting around under his eyelids, and he was sweating profusely. I reached out to hold his hand, and that's when it happened. I found myself floating above the vast sea, feeling a strong pull that propelled me forward at an unimaginable speed I came to a stop at an island with beautiful white sandy beaches leading up to a large palisade. Behind it were houses and narrow streets, and beyond that, bountiful hills of vineyards, leading up to a central peak. The mountains seemed to come out of nowhere, and it was breathtaking. I was moved forward to the most impressive villa on the island and saw an elf with long golden hair on a sun-drenched balcony. The scene was mesmerizing. But just as quickly as I arrived, I was wrenched away again, flying over more ocean until I reached a coast with dark waters, weeds, and cliffs. I spotted a ship I recognized as a Milagonian vessel, and the waters were dark with tentacles reaching out. The sailors were trying to fight, but the ship vanished suddenly. Another jolt, and I was zooming along the coast, coming to a stop at a port, the biggest I've ever seen, with every type of boat imaginable. I flew over city walls and through twisting narrow streets, out onto a bridge made from two giant stone hands reaching out and touching. Beyond the bridge was a tower, and behind it, a forest leading out to a path. The path led to gardens and a mansion. Inside the mansion, there was a lady dressed all in black with a veil over her face. I stopped in an octagonal room where a figure was crouching before a broken mirror scattered on the floor. He had golden hair, green eyes, and a scar across the top of his left eye. It was Arpeggio, but older than I remembered. I called out his name, but he seemed oblivious to my presence. I shouted louder, and when he still didn't respond, I reached out to touch him. That's when I found myself back in the teahouse. I couldn't contain my elation as I shared my vision with the rest of the party. Shin confirmed that he had seen the same things, except for Arpeggio. We discussed the locations in my vision, with someone pointing out that the bridge of hands sounded like The Bridge of Lugos in Paragan, the capital city of Milagon. Another person mentioned that the sunny island I saw might be Tal'Anar, one of the sovereign states of the Anoron'Quessir, the Sun Elves, located off the southwest coast of Milagon. We concluded that there was nothing more we could do that evening, and we returned to our rest. But my mind was racing with questions. How is Arpeggio alive? What does this vision mean? And what is the significance of Tal'Anar and The Bridge of Lugos? I knew we had to investigate further and find out the truth behind these revelations. The next morning, we woke to find the Arakon, pale but in better health than the last time we saw him, waiting at the teahouse door. We dressed quickly and followed him to the imperial palace, making our way to the throne room. The young empress was seated on the throne, looking visibly nervous with her face painted in the traditional Mitzui custom. The Isika stood to one side at the base of the steps, and Karu remained by the Arakon's side. The empress's mother stepped forward and welcomed us on behalf of her daughter. She expressed condolences for our losses and gratitude for our service. She also declared that those loyal to the Obliviati would be hunted down, and that the royal house would seek help from others now that they were no longer hiding behind a curtain. Following a moment of silence, as gong was rung three times. The empress's mother then announced that although we had returned the Eye of Mercannan, we had failed to protect the Emperor, which was the sole duty of the imperial guard. As per tradition, the penalty for this failure was death. I saw one of the Isika smiling at this. However, the empress's mother acknowledged that we had saved their lives and helped uncover the deceit that had infiltrated the palace. The Captain of the Guard was called forward, and I stepped up to the dais. My rank was stripped, and I was asked to hand over my weapons. As I did so, I was magically hurt, and a mark was left on my cheek that only partially healed despite the healing spell that was cast. The empress's mother then allowed the rest of the party to leave if they wished, on the proviso Lavanel and Karnak handed over their Szhengo steel weapons. Shin, however, asked to remain and was promoted to Captain of the Imperial Guard, with my swords handed over to him. He seemed honoured by this decision, but I was quietly devasted to lose them. Shin returned the Ring of the Storm to us. We left the palace and made our way to the dock where our ship, The Red Princess, awaited us. We set sail from Mitzu, heading east and eventually reaching the Ebrion coastline before sailing south to Milagon. The journey took about 20 days and was uneventful, although Karnak tried her hand at some matchmaking and announced her preference for hotdogs over tacos. As we sail towards our new life at sea, I reflect on the events that have transpired. Despite the challenges and losses we have faced, I am grateful for the friendships and camaraderie that have been formed during this journey. I am also determined to continue our mission to uncover the truth about the Obliviati and protect those who are vulnerable to their deceit. The sea holds many unknown adventures, and I am ready to face them with my trusted companions by my side.Day – 30 Orst
Finally, we spied Tal'Anar. As we approach the island, Jed takes the helm and brings The Red Princess in a little too fast, causing some superficial damage to the ship. We let out a collective sigh of relief that it's not worse and prepare to disembark onto the white sand beach that stretches ahead of us. The island looks like a paradise, with villas, arched walkways, and vineyards in the distance. We are greeted by a sun elf named Praedius, and Jed steps forward to make introductions. Praedius listens attentively as Jed describes the elf that I saw on the balcony in my vision, and confirms that it is likely Palaneus Mal’Salma, the ambassador for the Anoron'Quessir. Praedius leads us along the beach, and as we walk, we catch the curious glances of the swimmers and sunbathers, who seem to pay us little notice except for one particular pair lying under an umbrella. One of them, a statuesque elf with a curvaceous figure and small tinted circular spectacles, asks me who my master is. She is dressed in silk and exudes an air of confidence. I am taken aback by her directness and the sharpness of her gaze. I respond cautiously, explaining that I have no master, but as a half elf, I am apparently viewed here as lesser, too. Seems familiar. Praedius leaves us momentarily to check on the ambassador's availability, and I exchange wary glances with my companions. Something about this encounter feels off, and I instinctively grip the hilt of my sword, ready for any unexpected turn of events.
Report Date
09 Jun 2021
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