The Journal of Rokkon Stonedarr

"We'll be ok, so long as we make it to the cave!" I'm lying, but they don't know that. So many refugees... How can they expect me to protect them?

Their screams are deafening. Yarnath's death squads are feasting upon stragglers. I fall back, trying to buy the children more time. Three ghouls set upon me with ravenous intent. I ready a defensive stance, already bleeding from that oath wight. Zephyr awakens in my hand, wishing to be free. "Go, bring them down." the axe kicks up a dust storm as it tears through the closest ghoul.

Moments later, I rejoin the survivors. The cave they entered is covered in crystalline webs. "Crystal Spiders. You have no need to fear them, so long as you stay close to me." Deeper and deeper, I take them. My fears are mounting as the caverns grow smaller. "We'll be ok when we reach the exit." If there is an exit. I keep that to myself.

Zephyr keeps the spiders at bay while we walk. Only one, an old man, is bitten, but he'll survive. I crush the beast before it can poison him. Shortly thereafter, the cavern changes. "Worked stone", Toranda called it. This is no natural cavern.

It is then that I realize the spiders are not attacking us at random. They're guiding us through this cavern. The halls open to a massive underground hall. Ancient symbols adorn pillars and walls. I can barely read as it is, so this means nothing to me. Along the walls, pillars and ceiling are thousands and thousands of crystalline webs. in the center of the room is the largest crystalline spider I have ever seen. "Stay back! I'll handle this", but before I can move, the spider laughs...laughs?

Sylinthynx

How kind of you to bring me such a sizeable meal.

I ready my weapons, "You'll not be tasting such a meal tonight, beast!" It's over quickly, but I am deeply wounded. The poison is literally gushing from my wounds. But...I saved them. Didn't I?

I am beginning to lose consciousness and I can hear the ghouls coming. A young boy takes one of my throwing axes and moves to stand at the hall. They're not running... They're trying to protect me? I'm not worth it. I roll over on the ground and look at the lattice-like pattern of crystalline webs. It's strangely beautiful in a shiny magic crystally sort of way. "What..was it Gurthmore always said? Don't touch shiny magic crystally things."

"“Where in the hell am I? The last thing I remember, I was in a cave, laying low from a sandstorm. There was this big, shiny crystal and...huh. Knew I shouldn't have touched the damned thing!” The standstorm is a lie. Once again I've failed to protect those who rely on me. It must be fate that I'm placed back with my old companions, then. I dare not abandon them again.

While the heroes discussed what options to take next, I stand apart from the group. With my height I can easily see beyond the crowd... There are no other goliath present.

The Crown

Why have you not told them, rock-man?

"You see my mind, you know the answer", Stonedarr turned toward his companions.

The Crown

You fear leaving will doom them to the same fate as your clan. You cannot have everyone's blame, rock-man. This is a harsh world with few ever meeting a good end. By taking blame in every perceived failure, you doom yourself.

"I complain about you too often, talking-hat. But the truth is, you have provided me with much council; for that I am greatful."

Arshaka

At least he finally admits it.

"Arshaka, on the other hand...", Stonedarr pauses, "...Without you, I would have died many times over. Thank you, my friend. You have been a valuable ally."

Arshaka

I would go with you. You must know that if you asked, I would accompany you.

"Yes, but I cannot ask you to abandon them. I have questions in need of answers, and I know someone who may be of help. Besides, you break too often, anyway."

Arshaka

I'll take that as the compliment it was meant as...

I wait a few more days until we're out on the road before addressing my companions, "I have known you long enough to call each of you friend. You have either saved my life, or I've saved yours, too many times to count", I look away, uncertain of how to tell them, "However, I must depart. I have fulfilled my promise to find the child--one of these two pebbles--and I now have to seek out my clan. It is something I must do alone, and something that would cause you to stray from your mission."

I hold forth Arshaka and the blade reforms into an obsidian staff, "Toranda, take what remains of our friend and let him guide you. He'll talk in your head too much, but some of what he says counts as wisdom."

Removing the crown I begin to walk toward Khossus, my trusted ally--

The Crown

While the human would be a safe resting place, he is not the chosen one. Place me upon the female horned one's head. Her connection to my cosmic sisters makes her an acceptable bearer

"Very well. The crown speaks to Kallista as the rightful bearer. I do not know you, nor do I fully trust you, Kallista, but the crown has always guided me with wisdom. As such, I charge you, Kallista, with the crown's protection."

"Chuka-Tet, lead them and keep them on the path of preservation."

"Khossus, I jape about your soft flesh and puny hands, but no sword strikes truer."

"Gurthmore... Don't go and get yourself killed."

"May your resolve be of the mountain. One day, our paths may cross again. I would be honored to walk in your steps. Good journey, my friends."

With nothing more to say, I grab my pack and make my way out into the wasteland, "Now, to find Nalla".

I'm getting tired. Should have forced Grak to give us a few before heading down here. My ego gets the best of me..or is it you?

The Crown

Me? You believe I am pushing you on? Your mortal mind is weak, for sooth, but I would never compel you to do anything. Your willpower is your own to control, rock-man.

Yeah, yeah. It's just easier to blame you. Arshaka, what do you know about these catacombs?


Arshaka?

Arshaka

Oh, come on, you're not still angry about me breaking you. It's not like you don't just instantly reform.

Arshaka

What if I am? You don't see me going around breaking you against things.

But you're a magical weapon..

Arshaka

And you're an ignorant goliath, what of it?

I'm sorry, I wasn't meaning to insult you...or break you. I'll try not to let it happen again.

Arshaka

I accept your apology. As to your question, I regret to say I have little knowledge of this place. In any case, your wounds are starting to take. Maybe you should rest and recover your strength. Let the others go on. You can easily catch up to them later.

And let Gurthmore claim the glory like a fat jhakar feasts upon a meal? I think not. "I'm feeling better, guys. I think it's about time we continue on. That girl is likely dead, but we did promise to bring her body back."

I know what you're thinking. I'm going to whine and complain about being exiled or forsaken. Not today. No, today, I am cutting through the body of a gnoll for no other reason than I want this "Hot ba'ath" Khossus speaks of. These gnolls are less than a flea...though that one did trick me into hitting Toranda...either that, or he really did comment on my manhood. I'm not entirely sure.

Anyway, while I cleave this gnoll's head in two, I must admit, I really want this ba'ath. I heard about it, once, while fighting in Nibenay. My sword-brother was a veteran of many fights. As a reward he received a hot ba'ath. He said it was the greatest feeling--all muscles relaxing while the steam rising calmed his spirits. I want this. I deserve this. I will enjoy this.

Arshaka

One really must enjoy the simple things, if one is to survive Athas.

"A ba'ath for each of us when we reach Grak's pool!"

Traitor, nameless, unmarked, and now failure. I have a long list of names. "Another broy," I slump foward in the table, "I said, another broy!"

The bartender looks at me with disgust, "How many more, goliath?" He wants payment. Thinks I don't have money. I throw down a handful of those coins Khossus gave me ealier, "As many as this will buy. As many as it takes."

The Crown

You should stop imbibing that...liquid? It is clouding your thoughts, rock man. And it mash our lins meffled.

"That's the best thing I've heard you say in days." The crown weighs heavily on my brow. With the jewel in place, it's a gaudy display of wealth; something no goliath would wear. Even in the dark tavern, it has a strange glow, illuminating my broy.

"I almost saved them, you know...", I don't know why I'm telling the bartender; this toothless idiot has likely never been beyond sight of his tavern, "We ascended the crawling citadel. I was so close to saving my people. But that fell demon-boar surprised us. We had to move quickly. Kivrin said Yarnath was too powerful a foe. They say a coward dies a thousand times. Kivrin's already started with one."

The bartender stares at me in confusion, "Yarnath? The crawling citadel is a myth. You've clearly had too many. I'm cutting you off--"do so, and I'll cut you, back." He backs away from my drink.

"I've seen the citadel", comes a voice from behind me, "built from the bones of a mekillot. No one has ever returned from the citadel alive." He's a big man, got three friends with him.

"Are you calling me a liar?" I turn to face him, but all I see are the faces of my clan, frowing upon me. He stands up, "I'm calling you a craven who drinks and talks too much. I'm thinking, rather, you stole that crown and since you can't sell it, you're hiding out in this ssurran-hole. I'm thinking I'll take that crown off your head."

That's the best news I've heard all day. I drop a few more coins on the table, "Keep the broy coming. This should pay for anything I break." the first blow lessens the pain I'm feeling. The second removes it, entirely. By the third, all that's left is the big man. He reaches for a weapon -- his mistake. Maybe I'll keep his hand as a trophy.