Journal Entry: 02 – 04 Jevar’Kiev 174 Rat-on-a-Stick & Lamentations for Liam

by Nyneva

Once again I take the stylus to paper as my masters have bade me do, to gain wisdom and experience from these musings.

The day started out quite well, actually. After Graytar gave us our mission and paid for our training we went shopping. That’s when things got very interesting. We can never seem to just “go shopping” with this band of brothers. No, this time there was the challenge of stringing a bow. Doaks made mention of a strange Fairy notion called “Seinfelding” which is what we ended up doing… a lot for nothing.

For a group of people trying to keep on the down low, we’re not doing such a terrific job. Still, our honor is getting stronger. It’s a good thing Rue couldn’t string that bow, we might have had to leave town for being so well known? HAH! Yes, he couldn’t string the bow. He tried, really. We lost some money on the day, but at least we didn’t lose too much. AND… we sold a LOT of rat on a stick. We sold something like 300 rats. Kailen is pretty darn good with the frypot. I think I heard him whistling while he was working. Yes, Kailen was actually working and liking it.

Adding to that a little trick from Doaks that made our first customer GUSH over the food, we could barely keep up with the Rat on a Stick demand. That’s unfathomable. Next time we’re charging more! That was way too much work for so very little return. Plus, we ended up losing money on the bet and having to get Rue out of jail.

I can’t get the smell of fried rat out of my nose, still. I swear I will not eat another rat for a long time to come. They were getting a little squishy there at the end. Blech. It’s a good thing we stopped. We might have poisoned someone.

Speaking of poison…

Another death.

This time, we cannot resurrect.

We were barely able to walk, some of us, so stung and poisoned by the spyders that dropped from the canopy of the forest above. We, stupid few, nay, unwise, went forth into a forest knowing of the danger of the hairy spikey leggéd things and what did we forget? In all of our shopping? What? Spider poison antidote.

Rats distracted us…made us giddy with the exitement and made us foolish. Now, because of our stupidity, have lost our Liam. Talented bowman, sweet caring Liam with a talent for finding the wrong thing to say–gone. Though he did not claim Benyar for his God–I was soooo close–I beg Benyar to find within this tiny gnome, a heart that was strong with courage to be worthy of the friendship of a Benyarite.

Face down in a cold stream Liam, blue faced and choking having been bitten in the neck… the NECK… by this dispicable creature, died while we were fighting for our lives. Owing to the poisoning, we yelled forth from the woods to the double-axed, mighty warrior, Rolando. Our friend took off to the town in order to get some antidote. Rolando, our wisest compatriot, took off alright. No, I cannot think he has abandoned us. Maybe captured? But why?

I worry. He is a follower of Benyar, a true and trusted friend, he would not leave us. I fear he has been subdued or killed somehow for Nick, the horse. Still, it must have been a mighty band because Rolando is truly a fierce warrior.

Benyar be with him. Benyar preserve him. Benyar be his guide. Let the crows of Happenstance and Mishap fall upon whomever has taken our Rolando. Dogs!

Because of Liam’s death, I am even more resolved to do more within our party to learn better methods of healing. I have now the ability to hold one more small spell. I must pray harder. Fight harder. Work harder. I must get to the next level of learning so that I may heal my friends faster.

Speaking of powerful, Doaks has learned a new and useful spell. While I do not understand his magical ways, the rose petals are a nice touch. Shhhh… he says and everyone of our enemies hit the ground — out cold. Unfortunately for me, while I was finishing the job on one of the downed spiders, I was bitten and so was afflicted. Note to self, do not ask for free healing from Graytar, you end up looking stupid. My eyes scare me…Thankfully, it will wear off. Magical healing hocus pocus is no match for good old fashioned Benyarite clean heals. I can’t complain, at least I don’t have the white hair.

Adventure Reports Nyneva