Session 20230511 Jackdaw's Ambush
General Summary
Bertrum's Journal
Dear Journal,
In the wake of the miller's apprehension for the malevolent curse he wrought upon Davala, a tempest of anger swelled within the hearts of the townsfolk, demanding that I, Bertrum, relinquish him into their hands. Yet, with fervent persuasion and honeyed words, I managed to sway their passions, guiding their ire towards a higher purpose. I convinced them that the miller must be escorted to the presence of Blood on the Snow in Gavirat, where his transgressions could be judged, and the blight that beset the town lifted forever. This explanation seemed to assuage their fervor, mollifying their rage.
In a town gathering, I beseeched the people of Davala to appoint leaders, stalwart souls who would bear the mantle of responsibility, overseeing the arduous task of town reconstruction and equitable distribution of sustenance. My entreaties found purchase within their hearts, prompting them to promptly assemble a council, a beacon of governance amidst chaos.
Lo, as the celestial wheel turned, the magic vessel, under the skillful guidance of Itoco, arrived at our shores. We embarked upon its enchanted hull, carrying the burdened miller, bound for Gavirat. Alas, the countenance of Blood on the Snow was not swathed in delight upon receiving the mantle of judge in the case of the miller. He now found himself thrust into the labyrinthine realm of justice, where he must fashion a system befitting the complexities of the realm. Though discontent was his companion, he accepted the weighty task with grace.
We convened, in earnest discourse, to deliberate upon the myriad troubles afflicting the towns of Ardeleth. Our gaze alighted upon Kunin and Talurat, where a wave of disappearances beset the weary travelers traversing those hallowed lands. It was thus decided that our next endeavor would be to venture forth, to unravel the enigma and bring solace to the lost souls and shattered families.
Preparations were set in motion, our collective efforts aimed at fortifying our resolve before facing the unknown in Kunin. The benevolence of Blood on the Snow bestowed upon us four vigilant guards, a bulwark against the tide of adversaries that may assail us on this treacherous path. Embarking on the vessel that had borne us to these shores, we journeyed to a point two days' march from Kunin, and from thence, set foot upon the hallowed ground, traversing the untamed landscape.
As twilight's ethereal veil descended upon the realm, a haunting melody of avian trills wove its way into our ears. An unsettling chorus, drawing nearer with each passing moment, alerted us to an imminent threat. Swiftly, we assumed a defensive formation, readying ourselves for the perils that lurked within the encroaching darkness.
With the dawn's golden rays casting their resplendent glow, we resumed our pilgrimage, only to chance upon a peculiar sight. A man, positioned a mere hundred yards before us, exuded an air of nonchalance, as if the specter of danger could not touch him. I hailed him, beseeching him to enlighten us regarding the disappearance of countless souls in these forsaken lands. He, in turn, issued an enigmatic demand, urging us to lay down our weapons, promising unharmed passage. But such an entreaty we could not heed, for our blades remained steadfast in our grip, ready to defend the honor of the lost and the fallen. I queried whether he, this self-proclaimed Jackdaw, held responsibility for the grievous disappearances, and he confirmed our fears.
As the negotiations with the enigmatic Jackdaw unfolded, the air grew heavy with an ominous foreboding. The rustle of unseen creatures emanated from the depths of the surrounding shadows, assaulting our senses with their nefarious presence. In the blink of an eye, Nightshade, a silhouette of feline grace, melded into the darkness and swiftly dispatched an ogre on our vulnerable right flank. The clash of steel against flesh signaled the abrupt end to our fragile parley, thrusting us into the merciless embrace of battle.
I, Bertrum, summoned forth every ounce of eloquence and cunning within my being, seeking to sow seeds of doubt and uncertainty within Jackdaw's heart. Alas, my endeavors to unsettle him, to convey the formidable force we represented, bore no fruit. Our adversaries outnumbered us with unwavering tenacity, and our valiant guards succumbed to the overwhelming odds with alarming swiftness.
Realizing the futility of our resistance, the specter of surrender loomed before my eyes. I acted swiftly, covertly instructing "Spring's First Kill" to heed my words. I implored him to follow us back to Jackdaw's encampment, serving as our unseen guardian, while his wings carried him to beseech the aid of Blood on the Snow. He, with the noblest of intentions, pledged his support to this cause.
With the realization that victory had eluded our grasp, and mindful of the lives at stake, I made the heart-wrenching decision to surrender our beleaguered forces. Our weapons, symbols of our valiance, were relinquished to Jackdaw's grasp, while I, clad in the garb of a healer, tended to the wounds that marred the bodies of our fallen comrades.
Fortune smiled upon us, for Nightshade, a phantom of resilience, managed to elude the clutches of our captors, her spirit unrestrained and free. With her nimble form vanishing into the tapestry of night, a glimmer of hope illuminated our path. Furthermore, Spring's First Kill, laden with our plea for aid, embarked upon a perilous journey to beseech the aid of Blood on the Snow. Thus, all is not lost, for the seeds of redemption have been sown.
In a surprising twist of fate, Jackdaw, our captor, has granted me respite and allowed me to maintain the sanctity of my cherished journal. Within these pages, the echoes of our trials and tribulations shall resonate, and the whispers of hope shall endure.
The fates have cast a shadow upon us, and the road ahead seems treacherous and uncertain. Yet, the indomitable spirit that courses through our veins shall not waver. We stand united in the face of adversity, steadfast in our resolve to unravel the mysteries that beset Kunin and Talurat. The sun may be veiled by clouds, but our spirits shall burn brightly, for within the crucible of challenges, heroes are forged.
Until the quill finds respite in my hand once more, I remain ever vigilant, ever hopeful, for the dawn of a new chapter in our unfolding saga.
Yours faithfully,
Bertrum Blumenthall