The Journal of Ser Osric Longbow III

Blackheart is dead. The dragonborn general, Barothean, has formed an alliance with me. Tal'Orik found the redemption he sought. There are so many reasons I should rejoice. Erathis has spoken her will and I intend to follow.

Yet, all I feel is failure...

I failed Zanne. He followed me, for good or ill, without question. When he needed me to follow him... I could not. I will see this war to its end, but not for glory. No, I will see this end to ensure no one else is forced to choose as Zanne did. He chose nation over god. Was it the right choice? In my heart, I cannot say. It was a choice, however, made out of necessity.

All I know is failure...

I failed Jenny. For almost twenty years I sought a way to free her from the demonic pact. When the church failed to exorcise her, I brought her with me. The great wizard, Caeradwyn, knew no ritual that could break a pact. Even the dark magics of the Night Monarchy failed to locate a cure. She will forever be my greatest failure--as a Templar; as a Man; as a friend...


...As a father.

While knee-deep in dragon-kin warriors, Rohm squares off against their general, Barothean.

"That is the last time we trust Tal's information, Zanne! A very important piece of that was the general being Dragon-kin! Jenny, stop those assassins! Tal, get your carousing butt over here and start fighting!"

...Killing this scale-faced worm will halt their progress for a short time, and if they're attacking tonight, we'll need every spare moment...Wait? Did Lady Exeter just claim to be a warlock?

Landing blow after blow upon the general, Rohm released years of anger unto his foe, "This is for everyone you took from me, murderer!" It was only when Rohm saw the silver dragon's head pendant fall from Barothean's tabard that he hesitated. That damn mark again! Who are these dragon-kin? They do not act in concert with their bretheren. I have seen them show compassion...

Barothean is falling. I have fought enough in my day to know when the fight is out of my opponent. This was easier than I thought!

"You have won this day... Human. Show me mercy and we will aid you against these demonic abominations... I give you my word that my warriors will not turn against you..."

"...Very well. You will not die here; but cross me and I will kill every last one of you scale-faced lizards!" Strange that I find myself fighting side-by-side with an enemy I have seen in my dreams. Yet, if I kill him, I undo everything I believe in. Failure here could lead to the destruction of my world, and I cannot have that...again.

With the combined might of the dragon-kin and the heroes, Lady exeter and her demonic thralls were put down. Swords then turned to each other...

While heading to the meeting place within the mine

Zanne, I believe we missed an important piece of the puzzle. Letting our fears get the best of us, we assumed Harkin was working for the Arkhosians and a conspirator within Argentium.

I no longer believe that to be the case. From what Tal told us about the Baron's tryst with Lady Exeter, I think we are merely involved in a game of thrones.

Harkin's own notes state his irritation toward holding Ahn Tir and his desire for more power and wealth. He has clearly spent what money he had on gaining the eye of the oft ignored Lady of Argentium. To what end? How would gaining her aid truly help him in plotting for the Arkhosians? The answer is, it would not.

Rather, I belive Harkin was planning a coup of Duke Exeter and has made arrangements with his general, through Lady Exeter. If there is any link between Harkin and the Arkhosians, that was likely severed with the banishment of his devil.

No, I fear we have involved ourselves in nothing more than petty lordship squabbles.