Day 404
Back to where it all began. I entered into this world a little more than a year ago through a portal not far from the cabin in which we stayed during this trip. Under the watchful eye of the Lord of Filth, I slipped through disused as an imp. I wasn’t here long before I saw the events unfold at the portal. This band of complex individuals passing through with three uniformed individuals leading the way. I didnt stick around long knowing what the Lord was capable of, made my way out of the area to a town where I found the form that I take now. That was the day I took on the name Kalen Inkwell.
This Whisper Ridge is very much like all of the others but so different at the same time. Maybe someday I can figure out why everywhere I go they share the same location.
This past trip to Whisper Ridge was complicated and brings quite a bit of complexity to this current endeavor. I have no way to predict how complicated this situation with the Order will get. No matter what though, I cannot let them know my innate abilities.
That being said, I used them for the first time in a long time over this trip. It felt good to use those muscles. I made a choice to trust 2 individuals with that information. I have trusted in others before and it has come back to harm me. Am I feeling too comfortable here? I am not really sure, but it was a calculated risk. Telling the Lady was one thing, but telling Varrick is something completely different. I have gotten to close before and it has accelerated the process.I feel like I can trust Varrick. I don’t think he will betray me.
This trip was meant to be a simple escort trip, helping Kirrin try to get home. I wanted to help her as much as I could but sadly the cards were stacked against us. I was able to get a look at Red Feather though, a raw power that isn’t natural to this world. He even displayed a magic I have never seen before. He had the ability to drain others of their natural abilities. I am not sure to what benefit, but certainly something worth researching. I attempted to parley with him, but he held no interest in me.
Valdis seemed to believe that we could create a magic circle that could potentially split Red Feather into Phalix and Bartiel possibly even trapping Bartiel into some sort of stone or crystal. A fascinating line of research, but to much of a risk and I feel would have brought too much unwanted attention to us.
Red Feather got to Kirrin before she was able to get out. Many of the party tried to do what they can but he out smarted them. I tried to distract him to give them a heads up, but he saw right through it. I gathered a group consisting of Juniper and the Dr.. Neither particularly adept at fighting, but talented in their own rights.
Hermidine was out looking for the crystal that Valdis needed to trap Bartiel, but was not around when the fighting broke out. He took her loss hard. Him not being there meant that he broke a promise, something that he does not seem keen on doing. His honor appears to make him a very trustworthy individual.
Later that day the Moon appeared in camp, I have heard talk of this individual before but never seen them. After Red Feather I was feeling frustrated and decided to try to gain favor with this individual. Through discussion they didn’t seem to care about the “mortals” and in extension myself but were rather here for entertainment. Knowing where I come from, I felt that I had one last card to play. I revealed my origins to them. I was right she was entertained and a bit fascinated. We will see if this leads to any new or interesting research.
The Order had shown up in camp earlier in the day and gave an ultimatum give up the Portal device or they will be back to take it. Knowing very well that the order was very capable of doing so, I found myself out researching as the deadline approached.
I am not sure what happened but when I came back there was talk of Orcs and Androids, and a dead body. They did not seem keen on telling me who died, and the less I know the better. I am only low level in the order and do not wish to turn my back on either party just yet. I have a long way to go before I will get what I am looking for out of the Order and some of these individuals are growing on me. I need to try to stay impartial as long as I can.
Nadia, who had been working with Nova turned out to be a Orc that was able to disguise themselves. This is the first instance of anyone I have met here being able to do that. For her it must have been a learned ability, a way of keeping their true race under wraps. I approached her about the device she has at her side much like Nova’s but a bit smaller. I hope to be able to get my hands on it and could then perhaps utilize it in some of my research.
Before we packed up there was a very curious sight, A group of locals have been practicing necromancy to the point of creating a lich! Fascinating work, and I wish I could have gotten a look at their notes, but Valdis was able to gather some information before everything went predictably wrong.
Normally I would have been right there wanting to learn it too, but with how prevalent the Order has been in our business recently it was too dangerous. I will learn what I can from Valdis when there are not as many eyes on us.
All in all, quite a bit to add to my research.
(Signature in an unknown language)