The Journal of Laida Lilyglen

10th of Flamerule, 1491 DR

Tonight , I was part of a group going out to invesigate the nearby haunted mansion that Lady Wei Min used to live in. Upon arrival, there were three froglike demons that we tried to quickly dispatch. Fortunately, we were able to take out two of them before the last one downed me. When I woke up after being healed, my precious longsword was taken away.

It felt like my heart and soul were empty. A piece of me was missing.

Desperate, I tried to search around the area for the longsword that was reminiscent of my master. I could see and hear Maximo being disgusted with me for continuing to search for the valuable longsword. However, I would not give up. Suspecting that the group knew where it was, I asked Maximo. He denied having anything to do with the smuggling of my longsword. However, he was lying. After finding him out, he continually denied its whereabouts and pushed to move on into the house.

Numb without the longsword, I was not able to help them with the fracas in the dining room. My soul cried out into the world, wanting to feel like it belonged to master again. Surprisingly, in return, I received a reply. "Alexios". His name reverberated in my head. Soon, I had time to myself to make the move to run outside back to the area as they took a break after the fight. I was then able to retrieve the longsword. I was ready and raring to go. After clearing a few more areas inside the mansion, we approached the top of the staircase into the 2nd floor hallway.

It was at this moment that my master's voice rang in my head again. Alexios told me to drop the sword as he had something better in mind for me. As we approached the top of the stairs into the 2nd floor, I threw the sword over the railing into the foyer. I could see Alora eyeing the sword while Maximo yelled in shock. I could hear their questions thrown at me, wondering why I would chuck such an important weapon away. I simply replied that I had no need for it any longer.

After, the party continued through the house. We were able to take down many of the mansion's inhabitants on the 2nd floor. In the end, I came out with one of the most valuable diamonds I had ever seen, which would be useful for at most 3 revivifies. I could not wait for Alexios's surprise as I skipped all the way back to the inn.

8th of Flamerule, 1491 DR

I found him. The one. Everything else is irrelevant in his presence.

At the beginning of the day,  Mistress Cala had gathered an assault to storm a stronghold to retrieve the two portal crystals. However, something must have gone wrong with the method of teleportation because we had people switching places with the other assault group back and forth. You could say that for one moment, we had the same people while fighting cultists and then the next it was the people from the other assault group magically popping into place where we had our people. Then, the fighting would resume. I remember popping from a heated battle into the aftermath of another one and vice versa.

At one point, I again popped into the aftermath of a battle and helped heal people up for the next fight. At this time, the group were investigating rooms. One such room was opened by Hal, and, curious as I was, I peeked inside. There was a misshapen mist. It darted away down the hallway. I decided to go and follow it by myself, which, the old me would have said that she should not have gone alone.

I was charmed by that mist that I now refer to as my beloved Alexios. Originally, he put me under a charm that was near impossible to break so I did his every whim and bidding. Under a haze, I believed his promises to keep me safe and unharmed, believing he was my very best friend who knew the best for my welfare. He secreted me away into a small room for my safety. Under the charm, I never wanted to disobey him and leave.

However, the group found me again and I refused to go with them because Alexios needed me here. They tried to convince me to leave but then suddenly the switch happened again, and I popped into a battle full of zombies. I was a little distraught that I left the cell involuntarily but I managed the best I could, holding out hope that I would see him again. Soon, we found ourselves exiting the building to arrive at a decrepit keep, its stones all fallen and leaving a crater in the middle. Small-scale fiends were there to stop us from obtaining the portal crystals but we took them down. However, a large dragon, later identified as a Nargacuga swooped down and almost killed us all. In addition, there were exchange portals to the other side that had the same portals as well. We eventually found that if we sent one over, then they could send another person back. It seemed we were better off than the other side. The other side had it much worse, fighting cultists and other heavy-hitting things.

Miraculously, we were able to shoot down the Nargacuga and the other side had finished their battle as well. I gathered up the portal crystals and headed towards the exchange portals with the others. Coming out, I was suddenly struck by a strong compulsion. At the time, I did not know Alexios's name and his charm called out to me to come towards him. I went eagerly but our group converged on me and dragged me back kicking and screaming. Did they not know how much I needed to be with him? I needed him! Please do not take me away from him!

They dragged me through the portal and tried to beat me out of my senses. In the kerfuffle, they had taken away the portal crystals in my bag. Yet, all I felt was that I was simply lost without him. A little while after, the group opened parcels obtained from the battle. In one of the parcels, there was a beautiful black longsword that reminded me of Alexios. Needing to have it, I took it. It would be the only weapon that I would be dedicated to in battle, which reinforced my determination to meet him again.

7th of Flamerule, 1491 DR

Woodcarving with Commander Taylor is a very fun and calming activity. I greatly appreciate the time he takes with me in teaching me how to woodcarve. There are lots of times where our hands touch but I am not sure if he notices. I definitely do, which means I am a literal tomato all the time. At one point, we enjoyed a nice lunch together and I admitted to him on how I sometimes think and write of him inappropriately. Well, that's all I can report on today. I am glad that Ilmater has brought me to Autumn Hills for an opportunity like this.

5th of Flamerule, 1491 DR

I woke up way too early in the morning and probably looked deathly from the few hours of sleep I received. I was brimming with excitement, though. Quickly, I ran through my morning routine; I cleaned myself up, got dressed, and then ate breakfast. After morning greetings and thank you's to the innkeeper and bartender, I rushed out the door with my bag.

Soon, I was at Nevergarde Keep, which happened to be a decent size for a keep.  After my introductory with the guards at the gate about meeting Commander Taylor, they let me in. I had to find my way inside but to my delight it didn't take long and I was able to spot the commander at his desk. My heart beat so fast at the sight of him. Sure, he was much older but to me, the age did not matter because I was more enamored with his character.

I reminded him of the interest I had in his woodcarvings and he lit up like a kid at Christmas. Those emerald eyes shining again...my poor heart. I really wanted to spend more time with this man. Excitedly, he led me to a back private room and showed me his woodcarvings collection. It blew me away. Such beauty and craftsmanship was stacked in one room. I had to tell him how much I appreciated all the effort in each piece. He seemed moved by the compliment. After taking a while to discuss each piece, we were reaching the end of the showing.

I wanted more time with him on top of having an increased interest in woodcarving, so I asked him to teach me how to carve wood. With a wonderful smile, he accepted. Then, he set me on a chair in front of a large chunk of wood and handed me a woodcarving knife. The next thing he did had me holding my breath for quite a while. Behind me, he extended his arms around me, laying a hand on my hand on the knife, then guiding it over the wood to start to carve out the shape of an animal. This went on for quite a while, at least half an hour. I eventually relaxed my breathing but I was furiously and increasingly blushing red the entire time.

Afterwards, he tried to ask if I was okay, assuming I was sick with fever since my face was so red. I informed him that I was fine and appreciated his help. He then handed me a small chunk of wood as he set me on another chair and let me borrow a spare knife. I started to shave off what I thought was a bear's ear but then Commander Taylor wrapped his arms around me again to guide the hand on the knife. I took in a little breath and blushed again. He was oblivious, I knew. When the ear was done, he detached and I attempted to calm myself to continue. He asked if I was fine. I said I was.

After a while, it was time to go and rest assured I would come back the next day for another lesson. He was excited about that. However, before I left, I quickly let him know that I was interested in him in a certain away and a little joy leapt in my heart at the sight of him speechless and red for once. On the way out, I got a shock. He slapped my ass! Twice!

Well, it must have been a while since someone expressed an interest in that way towards him so perhaps next time I'll tell him it's not too appropriate to slap a lady's butt even if said lady was ok with it.

4th of Flamerule, 1491 DR

Haleigh and I became a little closer as friends last night. After the ordeal, we slept in the same room as Maximo, who I discovered had night terrors. In this situation it is best to leave them alone yet to make them as happy as possible when they wake up and to also give them support all day. However, Maximo woke up in an unusual fashion, muttering about something and walked out of the room almost as if he was sleepwalking. We followed hime through the tavern and out the door, some other people tagging along with us because they knew Haleigh and Maximo.

We were led out to the forest and I assumed that he was out here to calm down his mind. Immediately, this assumption was laid aside for the very trees that we had as cover were actually living tree creatures that wanted to kill us. Maximo was dazed by them, as if led on to bring us here for our deaths. The battle happened quickly. At one point, I wanted to run away after seeing how half our group was more than a little injured and there were so many of the tree creatures. There was even a giant treant!

However, the group gave me enough encouragement to stay and so healed people as best I could. With a lot of coordination, we were able to take down the smaller tree creatures and soon were to face the treant. Twice, maybe three times did some of the people fighting it up close went down. The final blow was given by Haleigh. She shocked the living shit out of the treant. It was amazing! The few tree creatures left were eventually dispatched and Maximo broke out of his stupor.

After that violent wake up call, we made our way back to the inn to relax.

Later in the day, I found myself watching men and boys sparring outside the cemetary. Yuka was there and I hung out with her to watch the fights. As I was having a nice conversation with Yuka about her offering me some cleric training, a man, who introduced himself as Varys Arralis, tried to creep on me. He kept offering drinks at the tavern, though. However, accepting his offer would encourage him so I declined.

The uncomfortable thing is that even though Yuka and I walked around to watch the fights, he kept following me! I wish he would stop, it was getting very creepy. Finally, a saving grace came upon our group. A butler from the baroness's mansion invited us to a banquet. The atmosphere was merry, there were lots of new people to meet, the food was delicious, and it was the perfect opportunity to skip out on Varys. He still sat at the same table but separated by my new seat companion, Commander Taylor.

When I first talked to the commander, he seemed very bland. He kept talking about contracting for the nearby Candlewood Keep, as if it was a spiel he'd mention to an adventurer thousands of times. It had already put me off in my thoughts, thinking that he was a bad conversation partner. However, some part of me urged me to ask questions different than the norm. I am glad that I did. The questions helped reveal that Commander Taylor was more than just a dedicated soldier. He was passionate, had his own interesting hobbies, plenty of stories, loyal, admired by his men and providing respect in return, and apparently very skilled in woodcarving.

As the night wore on, I felt more endeared to this older gentleman. His experience and passion swayed the conversation into a more than pleasant state. I found myself smiling and laughing along a lot more. I found his enthusiasm and expressions cheering me up. His smile was so wholesome and his eyes sparkled with mirth like emeralds in the moonlight. Unfortunately, our time could only last this long so I then offered to look at his woodcarvings at the keep the next day.

I do not think I will be able to sleep much tonight. I am a little too excited to go to Candlewood Keep.

3rd of Flamerule, 1491 DR

Hello again journal.

Tonight I write this in an uncomfortable manner. I have just come back unscathed from an extremely dangerous situation. The persons in my group in this situation were Maximo, Haleigh, Yuka, Nexus, and Alora. I had arrived to Autumn Hills because Ilmater guided me here to help out its townspeople. Maximo recruited me and a few others to help Mistress Cala with a mission to retrieve crystals in the country of Thay.

Ilmater bless their people, for they keep slaves and I feel their suffering in my soul. As much as I wanted to free them there and now, it would have done more harm than good. If things are to change in this country, then it should be done systematically. We snuck into Bezantur, a bustling city at the edge of Thay where much of the magic trade happened, especially the trade of slaves. Again, bless their souls.

Our cover was as a family with a giant weasel, who was Alora. We did have a plan as we had no idea where the crystals were. Our first step was to lay very low and gather information. We spent a while watching auctions in the main square and were thinking of adding Alora to the auction listing of the day. However, something terrible occurred.

Our druid, Alora the giant weasel, had the bright idea of escaping Maximo's grip on her leash and attempted to run to the auction stage. Apparently, she wanted to look good for the Red Wizards so that she'd be a hot item at the auction. However, this backfired majorly as the Red Wizards were the type that hate it when business is interrupted. I was walking with Maximo through the square to see if we could calmly retrieve Alora but he piped up and drew somewhat attention to us. We looked very suspicious. I tried to push him to the side to give me space from him so I would not be included but alas the effort was for nothing.

People at the auction started filing out away from us as soon as the Red Wizards stood up with menacing glares and expressions. It seemed too late as they tried to apprehend us and everything seemed to move too quickly. Haleigh sternly tried to telepathically tell us to pop our crystals as soon as possible. It seemed she was attempting to save Alora from the grip of a Bigsby's Hand spell. A necromancer from the red wizards unleashed death fog.

Many citizens died, some of their own from the Red Wizards, and a few in our party. I barely survived thanks to the magic coin that Mistress Cala granted earlier. Anyone in our group who was downed I casted Spare the Dying and healing spells. Soon, fireballs were being thrown left and right. I had already been choked out by the death fog and I felt like I could not survive another barrage of fireballs, so, in panic and regret, I popped my 'Teleport Back' crystal. I landed in the middle of the street, sobbing. A stranger, Hal, asked me what was wrong but I could not say.

I was shaken.

I stayed there in the street numb.

Joyfully, and praise Ilmater, for my companions returned from popping their crystals, albeit somewhat and others extremely injured. I did as much as I could to provide aid. After it all, none of us could talk to Alora for what she had done.

Ilmater, guide her soul for her actions have caused great distraught among us. Please remind her to think before she does anything.

I am glad we came out alive. Thank you for your protection, Ilmater.

With many blessings, Laida