Characters:
- Teslan (Paladin)
- Fae’ael (Ranger)
- Florian (Barbarian)
- Gloom (Wizard)
An Excerpt from the Diary of a Glass Man
Days Since Last Near Death Experience: 3
My journey began once again with a new ally I had not met, a man of metal that spoke as well as I, potentially a new friend in magical rather than organic life, but time will tell. We started our adventure from the Lake of Crystal Tears. We set off to the north west and immediately seemed to require the rest of my counter, a large hydra like creature attacked us as we marched through the Jinxwode. We were lucky and managed to take it down, but not without my new metal friend taking heavy damage and requiring time to recuperate.
It seems the counter rattled the elf, as for the next several hours we seemed to veer off course and headed in the opposite direction than we intended. We bedded down for the night in the forest, and were exceedingly lucky that nothing occurred through the night. I found it unusual that I did not need to dream walk to have someone to chat to throughout the night. We chatted about the worlds we originated from. I learned of the Kingdom of Valorne, headed by Good King Aric Durand and his band of warforged, known as the Order of Iron. It was a great learning experience to hear that other words resemble this one, rather than the desert from which I originate.
After a healthy rest, we journeyed into the mountains and continued to walk throughout the day, finding a lovely view to stare at as we rested once again under the stars. Unfortunately for us this time, we were attacked by some Peryton’s in the night. Edrick, our lovely Human friend took most of the beating the creatures dished out. I got very lucky and they missed me completely. I have to admit that the flying creatures are much more colourful than the ones I remember back home!
We pressed on to the forge atop the mountain range the next day, thankfully Edrick seemed much better. I was expecting something similar to the forge in Sophia’s rest, but this was nothing more than a slab of rock with a large hearth to one side built for metal work and a few containers, not even a bed to be seen for the man that was busily working away. The others seemed hesitant to approach while he worked, so I found myself a spot to sit and watch the man at his craft. He seemed to take notice of us but did not make any move to greet us or move away from his work. It felt like an age waiting for him to finish, but he did and finally he approached. Those that knew him greeted him, apparently those of the town have named the forge after him as his name is Anahel. After offering him a greeting, I provided my customary answers to the most common questions I am asked – Yes I am made of glass, as odd as it may seem and No, I do not know how I came to be in the desert of my home. I just… am. Apparently Anahel took some interest in me as he approached and wished to examine me. I offered him my arm which he struck with a small hammer and showed him my innate ability to dismantle myself. He had no answers for me, but had platitudes and general wisdom of a creature that has reached an age where they tend to ponder on those things. Although I still struggle to actually tell a creature’s age simply by looking, I can only assume I am correct because I am constantly told it is impolite to ask. Those that came with weapons to reforge, or requests for their creation put their queries forward and seeing his responses, and his seemingly superior knowledge of magical artefacts I asked if he could help temper me so as to make me… less brittle in fights with my friends. He advised I am to be studied and to study with him, so I told him I would be back later for this task. It was then I learned of another of this being’s quirks, to get the items the party sought he must understand our convictions by combat. I was not happy to fight the one who had just agreed to help me, but it seemed like this argument would hold no sway over him so I readied myself for combat…
My dearest diary, it really pains me to put this in writing but… this… master of the forge was able to best me completely. Thankfully they did not make the finishing blow but I came close to losing my life. I am reminded once again that I am possibly more a hindrance to the others than a help and must continue my studies to improve my magics, and must find a way to better my defences if I wish to be of any true aid to a party leaving town. Thankfully Fae’ael was able to get me back into the fight quickly, and we seemed to have passed the test as we left with weapons far more suited to our party than when we arrived. Fae’ael seems enamoured with their upgraded bow, and have taken to calling it ‘Storm, The Lightning’s Memory’ after it was infused with the power of another weapon they held. I wonder what significance that name has to them?
While Anahel crafted weapons, we were able to rest more deeply than we had in the forest of the Jinxwode previously. I felt far better the next morning as we set off home in a round about fashion, as we headed north west further into the mountains. We came across crumbling ruins later that morning, where we managed to find some items that would be worth selling once we got back to town. We continued north into what I am told is Green Dragon territory. I’m so glad we didn’t run into such a creature as I fear we may not have been a match for it. From the top of the mountain range, we served a small forest that had not been recorded previously. We rested in the mountains, with a view of the forest beneath us. I could see a river in the distance… running water still seems like such a mystery. I wonder where it all comes from?
We had initially planned to ignore this new green discovery, and continue our path through the mountains towards the shelter of the temple between the dwarven ruins nad the village ruins. It seems like Fae’ael had not slept well, or maybe was distracted by their new weapon as they immediately led us straight into the forest. We travelled north west through the dense vegetation and stumbled upon a bandit infested fort. Before we rested for the evening, we attempted to put as much distance as we could between ourselves and our new discovery. Unfortunately it seems it was not enough, as they tracked us and interrupted our sleep. After some… percussive suggestion against these vile creatures that attacked us in the night we learned that they were just as trapped as we were, and had no true knowledge of this place.
The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful, except for the occasional midnight visitor. I’m not sure what it is about this place, but there seems to be far more nocturnal activity here than even that of my home, and that I believe is saying something when everything wants to avoid the scorching heat of the suns. It took us another three days to get home, although thankfully the latter two were all road travel
~ Gloom
