Session Notes 2025-01-11
Travelogue of Flint Silverspire, Starday, Eleventh of Abadius, 4721 AR
Continuing on yesterday, where I had returned to the Gauntlight Archaeological Outpost shortly after encountering (and bearing witness to the incineration of) an Urdefhan camp, I was pleasantly surprised to once again find Morgeth within our midst. An elusive one, to be sure, but always a welcome ally. As our party once more regained it's full strength, I began my typical morning routine before following Nali and the others back below.
It just occured to me - I have never once explained what a morning consists of when preparing to delve into a haunted, forsaken ruin. Now while I doubt the information will be of use to anyone (as only the brave, desperate, or truly insane would even attempt such a feat), I shall list it here for posterity's sake regardless. Naturally, I shall omit the mundane aspects such as clothing oneself or basic hygenic practice, as I would assume anyone with the capacity to read this would be aware of such things, and I would hardly allow one incapable of such access to a personal journal anyway. The most obvious thing for a person such as myself to engage in would be Spell Preparation (which I shall not detail for brevity's sake), but less obvious would be the ongoing nightly communications I maintain with my friend Cordelia. The nature of dream-based conversation is more akin to writing and receiving letters than actual verbal dialogue, yet I would prefer to keep my friends close in a time where any day could be my last. The act of Investing magically-infused paraphernalia is also a large part of what keeps me occupied while the others socialise, yet the exact process varies between individuals.
After a short and somewhat uneventful trip back down to the caverns (conversation with cultists and the evasion of monsters deemed too time-consuming to eradicate has become unsettlingly normal for me by this point), we found ourselves back within the scorched camp. We agreed that moving on without thoroughly investigating the site would be dangerous and a waste of a good opportunity that may close if any of the other… locals should chose to move in. Naturally, what awaited us was yet more bloodshed. (Note: to whoever finds and reads this, I promise you that with Erastil as my witness, I am not insane, just very deep in things beyond the ken of those considered normal.)
We cleared another three rooms today, each smaller than the main chamber and connected to it via a short tunnel barred by a thick leathery curtain. The first of these was occupied by more Urdefhans, some of which were capable of tapping into Divine power. I know not which fell god would grant powers to these creatures (assuming their power was not of Sorcerous origin, that is), but rest assured they gained a handful of Petitioners today. They held one captive, a Gnome whose name I forget, within a metal chest adjacent to a summoning circle that I was able to identify thanks to Nali's prior tuition. The strange fellow hardly had time to thank us for his release before the mention of the name “Theodore” had him running off to Nethys-knows-where.
The second room contained, to the surprise of none, more conflict. This time, very little tangible gain was made. I was able to tap once again into the myriad worldlines I have learned to subtly weave, and pulled forth an echo of Tzaddi to strike a foe down. Given Tzaddi's newfound strength, perhaps I should reconsider the value of this spell.
The third and final room presented a challenge, even to the likes of us. A lone Urdefhan swordsman, clearly an elite of some kind, was able to elude the knowledge bleeding back from my future. I found this deeply unsettling, as this implies my future self never once interacted with this individual. Previously, I was under the impression that he - that is to say, I - will explore every facet of this ruin until I find the knowledge I need to become him. Perhaps this wasn't necessary on the journey? Or maybe, there is more deviation between this point in time and it's preceeding present than I have been lead to believe. Regardless, we managed to walk away from the encounter.
Two things of interest have found their way to me today: Firstly, the wand sent to my by Cordelia has proven to be useful (although I doubt one without any sense of adventure such as herself would find it as such), and secondly, Nali is not fond of wands despite owning at least two (one of which she kindly lent to me for a moment, which I was able to activate by mimicing her incantations and gestures).
As a footnote, I have often looked with hindsight to my spell choices and found only regret. I must endeavour to branch out into yet more arcane secrets, and look further into magical observation, mobility, and obsctruction. So far, it seems that my allies have the direct aspects of combat covered, and I will achieve more in a supportive role. Fitting then, for one who aims to be a tutor later in life.
Tomorrow will be difficult, I know it.