Post by Alakuu on Oct 5, 2015 22:34:19 GMT
I (Siegfried) pullout a leather bound book and open it gingerly. The book is worn and while it is well taken care of it clearly shows signs of age the pages are yellowed and delicate. The ink is slightly faded in oldest entries. I read to myself the first entry and can only laugh. It was an entry from my childhood one of the first things I ever wrote. "My name is Siegfried. I am 6 years old and lerning to right". I mumble to myself "I'm glad I kept that in the journal it always makes me laugh". "Down to business" I start to flip to next empty page but an entry catches my eye.
Entry #45
It's been a while since I've taken the time to write my thoughts down. It's just been a really bad month. I lost my mother well I suppose lost is inaccurate I know where she is but it would be rather futile to contact her seeing as she is rather dead. She was murdered while she slept in the room down the hall from me in our family home just outside the capital of Verahar. I found her in her bed a dagger in her heart and note next to the bed. With unshakable conviction I... Oh who am I kidding I ran out of the house trying to find anyone to report the murder to. I found an authority and he begrudgingly followed me home. He investigated the scene quickly the only words out of his mouth were "yep definitely dead". He walked out of the house just leaving me there. I stood staring at my mother for what felt like days, but was really probably only a few minutes. Finally I grew a pair and walked over to the corpse of my mother. I was rather red eyed by this time as I had been sobbing profusely. I examined the dagger a bit and was surprised to see I recognized it. The weapon was clearly my father's dagger, but... why was it there. Had he killed her? is that why he was not home? I couldn't believe that. He would never hurt her. He was a kind Elf, poor as dirt, but he took the best care he could of my mother and I. I snapped out of my brief daze. My attention then quickly turned to the note which was really a folded up letter. On the outside my name was written as well as a message in elvish "find me. It will be clear". At the time I did not open the letter. I hardly even read the message on the outside of the note. I was to shook-up to focus properly. A few moments later some Guardsmen barged into the house I quickly stuffed the letter into my pocket. For about an hour I was questioned with things like "Was I the only one in the house when I found the body" "yes" "how old am I" "19"... "did I kill her" "NO!" And so and so forth. Eventually they were satisfied with the answers they received. One man ripped the dagger out of my mothers chest the other slung her over his shoulder. "What are you doing!" I cried "we are taking her to be prepped for burial." The man not carrying my mother said. They walked out the door and I just kinda stood there dumb struck. Looking back maybe I should have followed them. Instead when I recovered I went to my room packed my things and walked out the door. I left my home but not the city I used the small amount of money I had to stay at an inn for the night. I spent some time that night trying to read the letter my father left for me but I could not read it. The letter was in some strange language I had never seen before. When awoke the next morning I wondered if the guardsmen went looking for me at home yesterday after I left. I immediately realized it didn't matter. Maybe it looked a bit suspicious, but I answered their questions and they don't really care. Mother wasn't really even going to get a proper burial just dumped into some unmarked grave in the cemetery. I had one purpose left. I had to find out what this letter said. I needed to find someone who could read it. That is what I've been doing this past month. Bouncing around parts of the city to find someone who could read the letter, and doing odd jobs for money. It has been rough but I found someone that could identify the script the letter is written in. It is in infernal... But it is written in some code that the blasted old fart couldn't be bothered to figure out. So now I know what it is written in but still have no clue what it says. I can't keep living like this though I think it is time to put the swordsmanship my father taught me to work. I am going to sign up for the army tomorrow I need the money and something to cling to. Other than this damn letter. I'll find you someday father and you'll have a lot of talking to do.
End of entry.
I flip a few more pages and find another entry I want to revisit. I don't think i'm going to get any writing done but to hell with it. I'll just read how i got here best not to forget the past I suppose.
Entry #285
The army has been something else. Forty years of fighting for the expansion of an empire. I've learned to much about death and fighting. I've seen men turned inside out by magic, impaled by ballista bolts, split in two by great axes, just generally chewed up by the meat grinder that is war. But i have no words to describe what I just saw. They are... kicking me out for whatever reason they see fit. Not dishonorably, more or less they just don't want me here because I haven't distinguished myself enough in my 40 fucking years of service to them. You know what good fuck them and this country. I still have something I have to do. I'll pack my things be out of here before anyone even checks on me. I made the money I need from them. I'll go looking for father and someone that can decipher his letter. If i can't find him or someone to help me on this continent then I'll go to the new world pick up my search there.
Entry# 288
I haven't written anything in this journal for years almost forgot about it couple times in an inn or two ha. I'm glad i didn't though. It has my father's letter (still haven't found anyone that can break that code) in it and all the clues I have found leading me to him. Would have kinda been bad if i lost this old thing. Oh well i digress. In the past 20 years I've only entered two other things in this journal a crude sketch of my father ( to show to people), and a list of my skills to show potential employer's when i need some money. A lot people have "recognized" my father, but my sketch isn't very good so most of the leads were pretty bad. I even barged into someone's house because I was pretty sure it would be him. I don't think I have apologized for anything more in my life. I've also gotten a few pretty good leads though leading me toward the coast. It's what has led me to this port town. One of the captains is 100% positive he has seen my father. Said he couldn't ever forget him. He said a tall elf with jet black hair and icy blue eyes and a stare that could cut a man's soul in two approached him. The elf asked him for passage to the new world offered him some crazy sum of money. The captain didn't turn him down, took him across the sea that was about 5 years ago. I know people and I know that captain wasn't lying to me, and I know my father's stare. It set me straight more than once in my childhood. I just don't know where he got a "crazy sum of money". I suppose i should figure that out since I need to follow him guess I'll find some more bodyguard work or something I make pretty good money that way. Oh well I need to sleep I can tell tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Entry #289
I was right today was a hell of a day got a job though. Just not the type I expected. So while I was asking around town for work when a certain ship captain overheard me at an Inn. The same one that had ferried my father across the way. He asked me "are ye lookin' for a way across kid". I kinda stared at him for a second a bit blindsided and he faltered for a second looking rather nervous (I happened to acquire my father's gaze rather handy from time to time though not this time). I apologized for being rude and told him i was indeed interested in a way across. The captain smiled the dirtiest smile I think i have ever seen which is rather impressive considering the things i have seen. He proposed that I join his crew for a trade run he needed some extra muscle and that would be how i paid my way for the ride. I accepted. Then I got the details of the cargo. we aren't doing a trade run so much as smuggling illegal goods out of the continent to sell. Essentially I am to stand around and look scary to keep prying eyes away from the cargo, and once at sea If we run into pirates I do what I do do best fight and kill. So no big deal i guess as long as we don't get caught. I don't like breaking the law but if it gets me where i need to go for free so be it. Tomorrow i'll be a smuggler fun...
Entry# 290
Dear gods we made it. Also I'm not in jail so I'll count it as a good day. I'm going to bed.
Entry# 291
I'm in a city called Cannich strange place really. All the different races and people from different countries get together here to trade and live. I think I kinda like it here people don't give a crap what race (mostly) you are or why you are here it's kinda great. Not only that but there are so many people with different backgrounds here that i'm certain I can find someone to figure out this letter for me. Hopefully the letter is still useful and will lead me to him, but if not it is still worth knowing what it says. In the meantime I should try to find some work. I can't live off the bit of money i had left before the voyage for much longer. I hear this place has an army I should try to join they might actually appreciate a seasoned veteran unlike some other places I have been.
Entry#300
Took a couple years but I did it back to being a sergeant, feels good. I'm leading a pretty goofy and small squad. I guess they don't trust me with anything more than 3 people yet. There is Grodash he's a half-orc we don't really see eye to eye. But he gets stuff done... most of the time. well that is if he isn't to busy breaking everything, hands down the clumsiest person I have ever known, like a damn dragon in a china shop. Then we have on the other side of the size spectrum our healer the gnome know as Zilkas. He is very serious about his job. To serious, you get a bump he's there with a healing potion. You sneeze he has the damn chicken soup ready like he was expecting you to get sick. Silly gnome. Finally there is an Elvish woman Eildi... well she is our ranged specialist. She really really likes taking care of her weapons kinda creepy. Though when she isn't doing that or being practically enthralled by that weird piece of coal she is pretty normal. They maybe a weird squad but they are my weird squad, I'll keep them safe no matter what.
Entry# 319
Elidi Approached me today and said something unnerving. She walked up to me announced that she was going to die and walked away. I thought she was joking. But then I remembered she doesn't have a sense of humor. when I realized she was being serious it kinda threw me for a loop. She has been a bit off since day 1 but this is just a different level of crazy. It has bothered me all day. you know what fuck it I need to go talk to her and figure out what that was about I can't have people losing their damn minds. My superiors probably wont think very much of me if i'm leading a squad of babbling insane people into battle... guess I'm fucked then because that is what is going to happen.
Entry#319 part 2
When I went to talk to Elidi she was in her room crying. I don't really know what i expected but I didn't expect her to be crying. She didn't really seem like the crying type I gave her a minute to compose herself and she did to a degree. I asked what was up, and she repeated "I'm going to die"... I had enough of the bull. I snapped at her "You are not going to die Elidi! your squad and I will keep you alive!" she shrunk back into a corner of her room. I saw it. Pure fear she really did think she was going to die for some unknown reason. I apologized for yelling and asked her more calmly why she thought what she thought. She explained she had some kind of vision where she died in battle to some explosion, but not just her all of us except me. She then practically shoved that piece of coal into my hands. "keep it safe!" she cried. I asked her what it is and told her to calm down again. She explained it and her weapons were the only thing she had left of her homeland. I'm starting to get her now she isn't crazy just homesick. I felt sympathetic I missed my home as well, I missed my mother and wished to know where my father was. I was compelled to told her about my home and everything that led up to me getting here. It all just came out I needed to tell someone I hadn't had anyone to talk to like that in so long it felt good. After I finished my story she gave me a sad smile and hug. She said she was sorry about my mother and hoped i found my father. She also said she was tired and shooed out of the room. Gods I hope her vision doesn't come true...
Entry# 321
I screwed up. The battle of Whithorn was damn near a disaster. I should have died. Probably better if I did after how bad i screwed up. My squad and I were some of the first into the fight. I tried my best to lead them properly but it was chaos. I fought to save them and all the people around me but I couldn't. First to die was Grodash, Arrow between the eyes. Next was Zilkas poor little guy was trying to help Grodash, didn't even see the mace coming down at him. I couldn't get to him in time... Finally Elidi we Fought side by side she had run out of ammo. Down to swords, she was cleaved damn near in half by a Goliath of man with his great axe. It really was to bad for him it was last mistake he ever made I took his head off his stupid fucking shoulders. Elidi was right about one thing my squad did die just not in an explosion. I must have killed dozens of men but it didn't matter they outnumbered us and were far better equipped. I had to do something We were clearly losing so I tried something a bit desperate... I'll leave it at it didn't go well. Next thing I knew I was in hospital bed, I asked what happened some nurse told me someone found me out cold on the battlefield. They picked me up and dragged me to safety. I asked if she knew his name she said yes. Drelen Polaris. That's the man I owe my life to guess i should thank him. I asked the nurse how she knew and she handed me a note from Drelen. She said it was given to her not by Drelen but someone had dropped it off for me. the note gave me the info I need to find him. When I'm feeling up to it i'll go have a talk with him. We'll figure out how i can repay him together. I asked the nurse one more question. Did I have a piece of coal on me when i was brought in. She said that i did it was with the rest of my things i could get it when i left. At least I still have that. I'm sorry friends I couldn't protect you...
Entry# 322
I visited Drelen today we talked about his past. He described his motivations for joining the army and how they weren't exactly met. Turns out he joined to see the world turns out that didn't really happen for him. He wanted to fight and got guard duty and patrol. Not to fair but probably for the best. New guys like that don't tend to make it. He saved my ass though and that's what counts. After he explained how he got here I told him how I ended up in Astoria. I left out some bits about my past like my father. For now I'll keep that to myself I doubt he has any information anyway. Drelen told me he wanted to see the rest of Astoria that was his dream entering the military, but he doesn't think the military will get him where he wants to go. So he is thinking about leaving he has served his time and has some gold saved up. I asked if he could use any help in his travels I'm a good pack mule ha. He said that the company would be appreciated. So it's settled I'll repay my debt to Drelen by helping him sate some of that wanderlust of his, and perhaps I chance across some information about my father along the way. One thing that bothers me about Drelen though... he won't stop calling me Sieg. I won't complain, but damn I hate nicknames.
Entry# 340
I'm finding more and more that I have to cover for Drelen and his rash nature. I have to keep myself calm and collected to get us out of tough situations kinda tough sometimes but I can do it. Whatever, I met an interesting person today while wandering the city streets. A tiefling by the name Ernon. He seemed rather wary of me when I approached him he tried to hide in the crowd but I grabbed him before he could sneak away. He struggled like crazy but couldn't get away I could sense the fear in him. I told him to calm down I wasn't going to hurt him in fact I might have a bit of a job for him not much pay but something to do if he was up to the task. He asked what kind of task it was. I told him about my father's letter and I asked him if he thought he could decode it. I figure he is a tiefling he knows infernal better than most so maybe he can figure it out. He seemed to be on the same page as me. Hell he even seemed excited "Yes I'll do it for free sounds like fun can I see the letter?". Not here I answered lets go somewhere a bit less busy than the middle of the street. He looked a bit nervous For a second I pointed to some bench kind of out of the way but still had people around. Ernon relaxed and we walked over and sat down. I pulled out my journal and took out the letter from my father. Showed it to him. He looked over It for a while. His brow furrowed. "So you are telling me no one else could figure this out?" He said "yeah" I replied. He said he was able to follow some simple Patterns in the writing already but it still didn't make to much sense yet just gibberish so far. He assured me he would figure it out soon though. I asked him where he was staying he said he had a place. He was lying I could tell. I asked if he wanted to come back and stay at the inn where Drelen and I were staying. It's a complete shit hole but better than the streets... I think. His face light up he agreed quickly. I had To poke fun at him "I thought you had a place to stay though" "oh uhhhh yeah about That" "don't worry about it I'm good with people kid I know when they are spouting bullshit. Most of the time". We both laughed a bit then I lead Ernon back To the Inn.
Entry# 342
Maybe bringing Ernon back to join our group was a mistake. Everyone and I mean Everyone hates tieflings. The other day an old lady chased Ernon down the street with A stick yelling obscenities at him it was actually pretty funny Drelen and I couldn't Stop laughing after we broke up the "fight". But, that isn't the real problem. Drelen Has this code to protect anyone that is getting picked on that combined with his Rash nature makes outbursts involving someone picking on our tiefling a rather Common occurrence. I've had to break up more than one fight at the inn between Drelen and another of the other Inn patrons. Wouldn't be surprised if Hobart kicks us Out of this rat hole because of it. I guess camping out wouldn't be much worse than living here though. So now Ernon has shut himself in the room only leaving to Conduct his business. Hell I even go get him food and bring it to the room so he Doesn't have to leave. He is still working on translating that letter. He made A copy of it and gave me back the original... I was thankful. It seems like he hasn't Made much head way. Apparently the obvious stuff he noticed the first time he looked at the letter was a trick when he translated it that way it was just gibberish. The letter definitely mentions Astoria so that is good news. Other than that he is pretty stuck for the time being. Still I can't thank him enough for doing this. So many others have Brushed the task off as beneath them, he just seems to enjoy the challenge. Oh and He is a sorcerer just thought that was worth note.
Entry# 350
I have to say I hate bards. The only thing I hate more than bards are kobold bards with Bagpipes waking me up in the morning. I woke this morning to the absolute worst noise I have ever heard in all my years. It was coming from downstairs in the main lobby of the inn. So I walked down the stairs of the inn to check it out. The Inn was mostly empty just a couple people and It. There he was the most annoying thing I have ever seen. A dancing singing bag pipe blowing kobold. Hobart was trying to get the damn thing out of his inn but the little guy was slippery Dodging and singing "Yibzol love the shiiinney yip yip! Yip yip! He takes your shiney For Yibzol. Shiney! Shiney! Shiney!" I had enough already I walked over to Hobart Who for the first time ever I felt bad for. I told Hobart I would take take of the problem. He looked kinda skeptical and scoffed "whatever freeloader." At which Point the kobold who's name I could only assume was Yibzol ran face first into me With a surprising amount of force. We both fell down the coal I had gotten from Edili Was knocked out of my pocket... I always keep it with me. Yibzol sprung up faster than A bolt of lightning and dashed for the coal yelling "SHINEEEEEY!!!!!!!" Before he Could touch it I got to my feet grabbed the kobold picked him upand slammed him back on the ground with all the force I could muster. Tables close to us shook they were already Pretty wobbly but one almost tipped over. I pinned the kobold to the ground. Yibzol was on the verge of passing out but I was pissed he would even try to take something of mine. I snarled at him with all the bloodlust I could Muster "That is mine you damn flee bitten animal you touch it and you die." The kobold hissed "Yibzol see shiney is his shiney!" I looked over to Hobart and Asked him if he minded if I killed the beast. He shrugged "if ye clean it up and It gets rid of the damn thing I don't care." Good I thought. "WAAAAIIITT!!! Yibzol sorrys no take shiney is elf shiney!" Yibzol yelled. "Good you get it then get the hell Out of here". "Yibzol no do that! Yibzol make sing sing!" I had enough but I couldn't Just murder the thing so I stuck a deal with him. If he wouldn't sing here anymore he could follow me around and see the shiney sometimes. He quickly agreed. I'm Pretty sure I just made a huge mistake, should have killed him.
Entry# 351
So after spending today fighting off an annoying kobold, helping out Ernon with Some errands, and keeping Drelen out of trouble in general I'm exhausted. Can Hardly write this. In fact screw it I'll finish the entry in the morning I'm going to bed.
Entry# 351 pt. 2
Continuing from where I left off. I was exhausted just done as done gets. Didn't Want to deal with anything. Then Drelen walked in the room with a girl. Pretty girl I guess. She had weird bright red hair, and her skin was pale as could be. Couldn't believe Drelen was going Bring a girl back to this dump especially when we only had one bed that we took turns getting to use. It wasn't to bad I was pretty use to sleeping on the ground With all sorts of bugs and what not. But now I was going to have to deal with this. No I told him to get a different room to fuck in. The girl turned a shade of red that was the Same as her hair. Drelen shook his head. It's not like that he said to me. Drelen told me She Said she was traveling with the kobold. That's apparently all Drelen had gotten out of her so far. She is very very shy. But seriously who in their right mind would Come looking for this stupid kobold bard. At this point Yibzol notices the girl He leaps up runs over to her yelling lady!!! you find dragon shiney yes?!. She just shook her head. Drelen has apparently invited her to join us since it seems like she and Yibzol looking for something together. So great Now we have a crazy kobold and his pet silent girl.
I close the journal and sigh heavily. No writing for today I'll make a new entry another time. There is a knock at the door. I get up to open the door. It's Drelen. "Is it time" I ask him "yeah let's go" he replies. "You ready to go explore this new world Sieg" he asks. "Humph. I don't know maybe I'll find what I'm looking for there" "what are you even looking for Sieg" "Maybe I'll tell you some other time friend..."
End of background story.
There will be more to come about Siegfried meeting Drelen, and how that goes as well as possibly how the group came together from Siegfried's perspective.
So a bit more about Siegfried
Age: 95
Height: 5'6"
Build: athletic (not slender but not muscle bound)
Race: half-elf (elvish father, human mother)
He is not very old for a half elf but old compared to most humans. Due to the soldier life he built a bit of muscle. I don't have to much else to say about him just yet I can add the other background stuff when I get home. Sorry for the poor grammar and meh story telling I did my best lol
Entry #45
It's been a while since I've taken the time to write my thoughts down. It's just been a really bad month. I lost my mother well I suppose lost is inaccurate I know where she is but it would be rather futile to contact her seeing as she is rather dead. She was murdered while she slept in the room down the hall from me in our family home just outside the capital of Verahar. I found her in her bed a dagger in her heart and note next to the bed. With unshakable conviction I... Oh who am I kidding I ran out of the house trying to find anyone to report the murder to. I found an authority and he begrudgingly followed me home. He investigated the scene quickly the only words out of his mouth were "yep definitely dead". He walked out of the house just leaving me there. I stood staring at my mother for what felt like days, but was really probably only a few minutes. Finally I grew a pair and walked over to the corpse of my mother. I was rather red eyed by this time as I had been sobbing profusely. I examined the dagger a bit and was surprised to see I recognized it. The weapon was clearly my father's dagger, but... why was it there. Had he killed her? is that why he was not home? I couldn't believe that. He would never hurt her. He was a kind Elf, poor as dirt, but he took the best care he could of my mother and I. I snapped out of my brief daze. My attention then quickly turned to the note which was really a folded up letter. On the outside my name was written as well as a message in elvish "find me. It will be clear". At the time I did not open the letter. I hardly even read the message on the outside of the note. I was to shook-up to focus properly. A few moments later some Guardsmen barged into the house I quickly stuffed the letter into my pocket. For about an hour I was questioned with things like "Was I the only one in the house when I found the body" "yes" "how old am I" "19"... "did I kill her" "NO!" And so and so forth. Eventually they were satisfied with the answers they received. One man ripped the dagger out of my mothers chest the other slung her over his shoulder. "What are you doing!" I cried "we are taking her to be prepped for burial." The man not carrying my mother said. They walked out the door and I just kinda stood there dumb struck. Looking back maybe I should have followed them. Instead when I recovered I went to my room packed my things and walked out the door. I left my home but not the city I used the small amount of money I had to stay at an inn for the night. I spent some time that night trying to read the letter my father left for me but I could not read it. The letter was in some strange language I had never seen before. When awoke the next morning I wondered if the guardsmen went looking for me at home yesterday after I left. I immediately realized it didn't matter. Maybe it looked a bit suspicious, but I answered their questions and they don't really care. Mother wasn't really even going to get a proper burial just dumped into some unmarked grave in the cemetery. I had one purpose left. I had to find out what this letter said. I needed to find someone who could read it. That is what I've been doing this past month. Bouncing around parts of the city to find someone who could read the letter, and doing odd jobs for money. It has been rough but I found someone that could identify the script the letter is written in. It is in infernal... But it is written in some code that the blasted old fart couldn't be bothered to figure out. So now I know what it is written in but still have no clue what it says. I can't keep living like this though I think it is time to put the swordsmanship my father taught me to work. I am going to sign up for the army tomorrow I need the money and something to cling to. Other than this damn letter. I'll find you someday father and you'll have a lot of talking to do.
End of entry.
I flip a few more pages and find another entry I want to revisit. I don't think i'm going to get any writing done but to hell with it. I'll just read how i got here best not to forget the past I suppose.
Entry #285
The army has been something else. Forty years of fighting for the expansion of an empire. I've learned to much about death and fighting. I've seen men turned inside out by magic, impaled by ballista bolts, split in two by great axes, just generally chewed up by the meat grinder that is war. But i have no words to describe what I just saw. They are... kicking me out for whatever reason they see fit. Not dishonorably, more or less they just don't want me here because I haven't distinguished myself enough in my 40 fucking years of service to them. You know what good fuck them and this country. I still have something I have to do. I'll pack my things be out of here before anyone even checks on me. I made the money I need from them. I'll go looking for father and someone that can decipher his letter. If i can't find him or someone to help me on this continent then I'll go to the new world pick up my search there.
Entry# 288
I haven't written anything in this journal for years almost forgot about it couple times in an inn or two ha. I'm glad i didn't though. It has my father's letter (still haven't found anyone that can break that code) in it and all the clues I have found leading me to him. Would have kinda been bad if i lost this old thing. Oh well i digress. In the past 20 years I've only entered two other things in this journal a crude sketch of my father ( to show to people), and a list of my skills to show potential employer's when i need some money. A lot people have "recognized" my father, but my sketch isn't very good so most of the leads were pretty bad. I even barged into someone's house because I was pretty sure it would be him. I don't think I have apologized for anything more in my life. I've also gotten a few pretty good leads though leading me toward the coast. It's what has led me to this port town. One of the captains is 100% positive he has seen my father. Said he couldn't ever forget him. He said a tall elf with jet black hair and icy blue eyes and a stare that could cut a man's soul in two approached him. The elf asked him for passage to the new world offered him some crazy sum of money. The captain didn't turn him down, took him across the sea that was about 5 years ago. I know people and I know that captain wasn't lying to me, and I know my father's stare. It set me straight more than once in my childhood. I just don't know where he got a "crazy sum of money". I suppose i should figure that out since I need to follow him guess I'll find some more bodyguard work or something I make pretty good money that way. Oh well I need to sleep I can tell tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Entry #289
I was right today was a hell of a day got a job though. Just not the type I expected. So while I was asking around town for work when a certain ship captain overheard me at an Inn. The same one that had ferried my father across the way. He asked me "are ye lookin' for a way across kid". I kinda stared at him for a second a bit blindsided and he faltered for a second looking rather nervous (I happened to acquire my father's gaze rather handy from time to time though not this time). I apologized for being rude and told him i was indeed interested in a way across. The captain smiled the dirtiest smile I think i have ever seen which is rather impressive considering the things i have seen. He proposed that I join his crew for a trade run he needed some extra muscle and that would be how i paid my way for the ride. I accepted. Then I got the details of the cargo. we aren't doing a trade run so much as smuggling illegal goods out of the continent to sell. Essentially I am to stand around and look scary to keep prying eyes away from the cargo, and once at sea If we run into pirates I do what I do do best fight and kill. So no big deal i guess as long as we don't get caught. I don't like breaking the law but if it gets me where i need to go for free so be it. Tomorrow i'll be a smuggler fun...
Entry# 290
Dear gods we made it. Also I'm not in jail so I'll count it as a good day. I'm going to bed.
Entry# 291
I'm in a city called Cannich strange place really. All the different races and people from different countries get together here to trade and live. I think I kinda like it here people don't give a crap what race (mostly) you are or why you are here it's kinda great. Not only that but there are so many people with different backgrounds here that i'm certain I can find someone to figure out this letter for me. Hopefully the letter is still useful and will lead me to him, but if not it is still worth knowing what it says. In the meantime I should try to find some work. I can't live off the bit of money i had left before the voyage for much longer. I hear this place has an army I should try to join they might actually appreciate a seasoned veteran unlike some other places I have been.
Entry#300
Took a couple years but I did it back to being a sergeant, feels good. I'm leading a pretty goofy and small squad. I guess they don't trust me with anything more than 3 people yet. There is Grodash he's a half-orc we don't really see eye to eye. But he gets stuff done... most of the time. well that is if he isn't to busy breaking everything, hands down the clumsiest person I have ever known, like a damn dragon in a china shop. Then we have on the other side of the size spectrum our healer the gnome know as Zilkas. He is very serious about his job. To serious, you get a bump he's there with a healing potion. You sneeze he has the damn chicken soup ready like he was expecting you to get sick. Silly gnome. Finally there is an Elvish woman Eildi... well she is our ranged specialist. She really really likes taking care of her weapons kinda creepy. Though when she isn't doing that or being practically enthralled by that weird piece of coal she is pretty normal. They maybe a weird squad but they are my weird squad, I'll keep them safe no matter what.
Entry# 319
Elidi Approached me today and said something unnerving. She walked up to me announced that she was going to die and walked away. I thought she was joking. But then I remembered she doesn't have a sense of humor. when I realized she was being serious it kinda threw me for a loop. She has been a bit off since day 1 but this is just a different level of crazy. It has bothered me all day. you know what fuck it I need to go talk to her and figure out what that was about I can't have people losing their damn minds. My superiors probably wont think very much of me if i'm leading a squad of babbling insane people into battle... guess I'm fucked then because that is what is going to happen.
Entry#319 part 2
When I went to talk to Elidi she was in her room crying. I don't really know what i expected but I didn't expect her to be crying. She didn't really seem like the crying type I gave her a minute to compose herself and she did to a degree. I asked what was up, and she repeated "I'm going to die"... I had enough of the bull. I snapped at her "You are not going to die Elidi! your squad and I will keep you alive!" she shrunk back into a corner of her room. I saw it. Pure fear she really did think she was going to die for some unknown reason. I apologized for yelling and asked her more calmly why she thought what she thought. She explained she had some kind of vision where she died in battle to some explosion, but not just her all of us except me. She then practically shoved that piece of coal into my hands. "keep it safe!" she cried. I asked her what it is and told her to calm down again. She explained it and her weapons were the only thing she had left of her homeland. I'm starting to get her now she isn't crazy just homesick. I felt sympathetic I missed my home as well, I missed my mother and wished to know where my father was. I was compelled to told her about my home and everything that led up to me getting here. It all just came out I needed to tell someone I hadn't had anyone to talk to like that in so long it felt good. After I finished my story she gave me a sad smile and hug. She said she was sorry about my mother and hoped i found my father. She also said she was tired and shooed out of the room. Gods I hope her vision doesn't come true...
Entry# 321
I screwed up. The battle of Whithorn was damn near a disaster. I should have died. Probably better if I did after how bad i screwed up. My squad and I were some of the first into the fight. I tried my best to lead them properly but it was chaos. I fought to save them and all the people around me but I couldn't. First to die was Grodash, Arrow between the eyes. Next was Zilkas poor little guy was trying to help Grodash, didn't even see the mace coming down at him. I couldn't get to him in time... Finally Elidi we Fought side by side she had run out of ammo. Down to swords, she was cleaved damn near in half by a Goliath of man with his great axe. It really was to bad for him it was last mistake he ever made I took his head off his stupid fucking shoulders. Elidi was right about one thing my squad did die just not in an explosion. I must have killed dozens of men but it didn't matter they outnumbered us and were far better equipped. I had to do something We were clearly losing so I tried something a bit desperate... I'll leave it at it didn't go well. Next thing I knew I was in hospital bed, I asked what happened some nurse told me someone found me out cold on the battlefield. They picked me up and dragged me to safety. I asked if she knew his name she said yes. Drelen Polaris. That's the man I owe my life to guess i should thank him. I asked the nurse how she knew and she handed me a note from Drelen. She said it was given to her not by Drelen but someone had dropped it off for me. the note gave me the info I need to find him. When I'm feeling up to it i'll go have a talk with him. We'll figure out how i can repay him together. I asked the nurse one more question. Did I have a piece of coal on me when i was brought in. She said that i did it was with the rest of my things i could get it when i left. At least I still have that. I'm sorry friends I couldn't protect you...
Entry# 322
I visited Drelen today we talked about his past. He described his motivations for joining the army and how they weren't exactly met. Turns out he joined to see the world turns out that didn't really happen for him. He wanted to fight and got guard duty and patrol. Not to fair but probably for the best. New guys like that don't tend to make it. He saved my ass though and that's what counts. After he explained how he got here I told him how I ended up in Astoria. I left out some bits about my past like my father. For now I'll keep that to myself I doubt he has any information anyway. Drelen told me he wanted to see the rest of Astoria that was his dream entering the military, but he doesn't think the military will get him where he wants to go. So he is thinking about leaving he has served his time and has some gold saved up. I asked if he could use any help in his travels I'm a good pack mule ha. He said that the company would be appreciated. So it's settled I'll repay my debt to Drelen by helping him sate some of that wanderlust of his, and perhaps I chance across some information about my father along the way. One thing that bothers me about Drelen though... he won't stop calling me Sieg. I won't complain, but damn I hate nicknames.
Entry# 340
I'm finding more and more that I have to cover for Drelen and his rash nature. I have to keep myself calm and collected to get us out of tough situations kinda tough sometimes but I can do it. Whatever, I met an interesting person today while wandering the city streets. A tiefling by the name Ernon. He seemed rather wary of me when I approached him he tried to hide in the crowd but I grabbed him before he could sneak away. He struggled like crazy but couldn't get away I could sense the fear in him. I told him to calm down I wasn't going to hurt him in fact I might have a bit of a job for him not much pay but something to do if he was up to the task. He asked what kind of task it was. I told him about my father's letter and I asked him if he thought he could decode it. I figure he is a tiefling he knows infernal better than most so maybe he can figure it out. He seemed to be on the same page as me. Hell he even seemed excited "Yes I'll do it for free sounds like fun can I see the letter?". Not here I answered lets go somewhere a bit less busy than the middle of the street. He looked a bit nervous For a second I pointed to some bench kind of out of the way but still had people around. Ernon relaxed and we walked over and sat down. I pulled out my journal and took out the letter from my father. Showed it to him. He looked over It for a while. His brow furrowed. "So you are telling me no one else could figure this out?" He said "yeah" I replied. He said he was able to follow some simple Patterns in the writing already but it still didn't make to much sense yet just gibberish so far. He assured me he would figure it out soon though. I asked him where he was staying he said he had a place. He was lying I could tell. I asked if he wanted to come back and stay at the inn where Drelen and I were staying. It's a complete shit hole but better than the streets... I think. His face light up he agreed quickly. I had To poke fun at him "I thought you had a place to stay though" "oh uhhhh yeah about That" "don't worry about it I'm good with people kid I know when they are spouting bullshit. Most of the time". We both laughed a bit then I lead Ernon back To the Inn.
Entry# 342
Maybe bringing Ernon back to join our group was a mistake. Everyone and I mean Everyone hates tieflings. The other day an old lady chased Ernon down the street with A stick yelling obscenities at him it was actually pretty funny Drelen and I couldn't Stop laughing after we broke up the "fight". But, that isn't the real problem. Drelen Has this code to protect anyone that is getting picked on that combined with his Rash nature makes outbursts involving someone picking on our tiefling a rather Common occurrence. I've had to break up more than one fight at the inn between Drelen and another of the other Inn patrons. Wouldn't be surprised if Hobart kicks us Out of this rat hole because of it. I guess camping out wouldn't be much worse than living here though. So now Ernon has shut himself in the room only leaving to Conduct his business. Hell I even go get him food and bring it to the room so he Doesn't have to leave. He is still working on translating that letter. He made A copy of it and gave me back the original... I was thankful. It seems like he hasn't Made much head way. Apparently the obvious stuff he noticed the first time he looked at the letter was a trick when he translated it that way it was just gibberish. The letter definitely mentions Astoria so that is good news. Other than that he is pretty stuck for the time being. Still I can't thank him enough for doing this. So many others have Brushed the task off as beneath them, he just seems to enjoy the challenge. Oh and He is a sorcerer just thought that was worth note.
Entry# 350
I have to say I hate bards. The only thing I hate more than bards are kobold bards with Bagpipes waking me up in the morning. I woke this morning to the absolute worst noise I have ever heard in all my years. It was coming from downstairs in the main lobby of the inn. So I walked down the stairs of the inn to check it out. The Inn was mostly empty just a couple people and It. There he was the most annoying thing I have ever seen. A dancing singing bag pipe blowing kobold. Hobart was trying to get the damn thing out of his inn but the little guy was slippery Dodging and singing "Yibzol love the shiiinney yip yip! Yip yip! He takes your shiney For Yibzol. Shiney! Shiney! Shiney!" I had enough already I walked over to Hobart Who for the first time ever I felt bad for. I told Hobart I would take take of the problem. He looked kinda skeptical and scoffed "whatever freeloader." At which Point the kobold who's name I could only assume was Yibzol ran face first into me With a surprising amount of force. We both fell down the coal I had gotten from Edili Was knocked out of my pocket... I always keep it with me. Yibzol sprung up faster than A bolt of lightning and dashed for the coal yelling "SHINEEEEEY!!!!!!!" Before he Could touch it I got to my feet grabbed the kobold picked him upand slammed him back on the ground with all the force I could muster. Tables close to us shook they were already Pretty wobbly but one almost tipped over. I pinned the kobold to the ground. Yibzol was on the verge of passing out but I was pissed he would even try to take something of mine. I snarled at him with all the bloodlust I could Muster "That is mine you damn flee bitten animal you touch it and you die." The kobold hissed "Yibzol see shiney is his shiney!" I looked over to Hobart and Asked him if he minded if I killed the beast. He shrugged "if ye clean it up and It gets rid of the damn thing I don't care." Good I thought. "WAAAAIIITT!!! Yibzol sorrys no take shiney is elf shiney!" Yibzol yelled. "Good you get it then get the hell Out of here". "Yibzol no do that! Yibzol make sing sing!" I had enough but I couldn't Just murder the thing so I stuck a deal with him. If he wouldn't sing here anymore he could follow me around and see the shiney sometimes. He quickly agreed. I'm Pretty sure I just made a huge mistake, should have killed him.
Entry# 351
So after spending today fighting off an annoying kobold, helping out Ernon with Some errands, and keeping Drelen out of trouble in general I'm exhausted. Can Hardly write this. In fact screw it I'll finish the entry in the morning I'm going to bed.
Entry# 351 pt. 2
Continuing from where I left off. I was exhausted just done as done gets. Didn't Want to deal with anything. Then Drelen walked in the room with a girl. Pretty girl I guess. She had weird bright red hair, and her skin was pale as could be. Couldn't believe Drelen was going Bring a girl back to this dump especially when we only had one bed that we took turns getting to use. It wasn't to bad I was pretty use to sleeping on the ground With all sorts of bugs and what not. But now I was going to have to deal with this. No I told him to get a different room to fuck in. The girl turned a shade of red that was the Same as her hair. Drelen shook his head. It's not like that he said to me. Drelen told me She Said she was traveling with the kobold. That's apparently all Drelen had gotten out of her so far. She is very very shy. But seriously who in their right mind would Come looking for this stupid kobold bard. At this point Yibzol notices the girl He leaps up runs over to her yelling lady!!! you find dragon shiney yes?!. She just shook her head. Drelen has apparently invited her to join us since it seems like she and Yibzol looking for something together. So great Now we have a crazy kobold and his pet silent girl.
I close the journal and sigh heavily. No writing for today I'll make a new entry another time. There is a knock at the door. I get up to open the door. It's Drelen. "Is it time" I ask him "yeah let's go" he replies. "You ready to go explore this new world Sieg" he asks. "Humph. I don't know maybe I'll find what I'm looking for there" "what are you even looking for Sieg" "Maybe I'll tell you some other time friend..."
End of background story.
There will be more to come about Siegfried meeting Drelen, and how that goes as well as possibly how the group came together from Siegfried's perspective.
So a bit more about Siegfried
Age: 95
Height: 5'6"
Build: athletic (not slender but not muscle bound)
Race: half-elf (elvish father, human mother)
He is not very old for a half elf but old compared to most humans. Due to the soldier life he built a bit of muscle. I don't have to much else to say about him just yet I can add the other background stuff when I get home. Sorry for the poor grammar and meh story telling I did my best lol