The Journal of Kyla

For most of the day I surveyed the land surrounding our little cave campsite. It was nice to be outside again after the sunless cave.

As dusk approached, I began walking back along the rocky hillside. I stopped. On the slope ahead of me a mountain lion was begining her evening hunt. A small flutter of wind rippled along the rocks. She paused at my scent. As she turned to face me, I began almost instinctively the rites of my early teaching.

It was on offer of friendship. She came down and took the dried meat I offered her and pressed her head against my leg.

As we walked back to the cave, I told her about my other friends, and that she did not need to be afraid of the horse and the mule. Finally I had someone to relate to. I went to sleep that night with a deep calm and sense of completeness.

Awakened from the night of rest Kyla goes out in search of berries for breakfast and healing.

What on earth is going on here? Zombies, strange monsters, and water that must have been cursed. I fear a sinister intent may lie in wait for us below.

And what of myself? The earth mother favors me with many spells now. So soon have I progressed through the circles in her eyes. Perhaps Oleanne knew of the opportunities that would arrise with this group. This place should offer plenty of opportunity to advance her cause with this new power if my hunch is correct.

Finally locating a small patch of gooseberries she imbues them with healing power and returns to the cave.

Today while they are resting I shall explore this land. Oleanne gave me a very rough description before hurrying me on my way. Perhaps I will find a suitable companion for my journey.

As she returns and offers her find to the group, her old boots, still a bit damp from the lake, remind her once more of the unnatural forces at work here.

I must discover the source of this corruption. Dead walking, the very water of the cave so subtly altered. I could detect no polution in it, but tomorrow I shall ask for the ability to detect magic. Surely that will uncover the nature of it.



The rogue had insisted on carrying up piles of items from the fight below, and Eek took some time determining what of the magic items to investigate.

Seped's interest in this all seems a bit much, but I am rather happy with my new boots. They should serve me well for avoiding the general melee, my aches tell me this would be a good plan. Seped nearly tripped over his jaw when we found the chest inside the magical house though. I hope that with such funds the group will spare some for an herbalism class or two.

Note to self: remember to speak with Eek about his expertise and the exploding lights spell

Well, we survived...barely. Where to start?

I was approaching the cave as Oleanne directed me, and as I arrived I encountered a gnomeling named Marten who claimed to also be looking for this same group. As we entered the cave, the sounds of combat were just dying out. It appeared as though the party we besought had just killed a few dirty men. Presumably they were involved with the trouble we were here to take care of. As we were concluding introductions one of them came to and tried to run off, after he told us the rough path to take to find that which we were hunting. I say tried to run off as he was attacked from behind as he tried to move away, and then was killed like rest. All the better it turns out as his untimely return might have proved devastating later.

Eek and Marten seem well entrenched in their racial prejudices; hopefully it will not hamper our success.

After a brief encounter with a piercer, we proceeded to follow the late gentleman's directions through the cave and came upon a well lit chamber with a small wooden shack. This it turned out was a trap. Three men emerged from the shack, and as we were fighting them, a horde of zombies with two casters behind them moved in behind us. Alas I had not prepared my spells with combat in mind, and was only able to give strength to the big fighter before resorting to my trusty scimitar. Even that spell had little effect as the woman caster immobilized him somehow soon after. The fighting was grim and several of us nearly died. It seems I shall have to work on my healing arts for the future.

I did learn a bit more about my new companions from their fighting. The rogue Seped was always out scouting and trying to be sneaky, once combat started he went straight for an old enemy and then split off from the group to harass one of the casters. He seems quite content to opperate alone, but required much healing from the cleric Voras. William seems to be a solid fighter, though he did not display as much knowledge of tactics as I am acustomed to expect from the type. The rogue Marten was often trying to get behind things and keep his head down (relatively easy due to his stature). The pixie fairy Eek is a magic user of some type, and made an astounding amount of noise with an ability that blew up fire lights! This also seemed to make anyone near said fire lights rather unhappy. I attempted to aid him in this tactic, but the efforts of the female caster spoiled the attempts. Ez appears to be a fighter of some type, but I think he spent much of his time trying to get out of combat rather than trying to assist the others, perhaps there is some tension in this group which I have not detected yet. I am not sure what to make of the cleric Voras yet, only that his healing was what let us prevail in the end.

I am still not entirely sure what is going on here, but Oleanne felt I should assist this group, so that is my plan for now. One thing is certain, I am going to need to keep more combat oriented spells prepared than I ever have before. My brother would be so jealous of me. Perhaps I will get around to writing him... oww.. after I can move without hurting that is.