Here goes nothing!
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15th of Galena, 733
My name is Erush Mörulvel, and I am writing this logbook as a recollection of my journey or, should the worst come to pass, a way for whoever finds my corpse to know how I came to be in this state.
I am in the mountainhome of Clawmanor, once a ruin, now a living fort once more, for now anyhow. Between the creatures which dwell below our feet and the creatures that roam the countryside up above, our numbers have dwindled to just a few dozen. Despite this, we live on in defiance of them all. Earlier today, our Expedition Leader, Dastot Athelnoram, summoned me to meet with him in an area of the fortress away from the others.
There he told me he’s heard rumors of a mighty Dwarven fortress to the south, known only as Championvault. He claimed that hundreds upon hundreds of our kindred live there, and that what scant few travelers we’ve had pass through our home may know of its location. He mentioned that through them he’d learned of a Dwarf by the name of Lokum Pulleyspire who resides in Championvault, and he seeks the return of several codices which were stolen from The Deep Vault. One such Codex is entitled Waxing and Waning and the Universe; it is claimed that it has been stored in The Palace of Brains, in Divedact. He ordered me to establish contact with Championvault that they might send migrants to assist our cause, and that along the way I try to recover the codex this Lokum Pulleyspire seeks.
I went to my quarters and gathered my things: a set of clothes, a waterskin, my travel pack, and my trusty copper crossbow. I’ve been hunting with this weapon for years, and never once has it let me down. Along with my own belongings, the Expedition Leader was gracious enough to gift me some armor. Unfortunately, said armor is composed of only a battered copper breastplate and a heavily-dented copper helm, deemed no longer fit for service by the militia. Ah well, beggars cannot be choosers.
As I went to ascend the Grand Staircase to the surface I was stopped by Nish Nêcikrakust, a miner and lifelong friend. Nish said she’d heard of where I was going, that she was coming with me, and nothing I said would change that. Together we went up to the barracks and mounted the two horses (named Kogan and Tulon) that had been prepared for us. The Militia Commander told us that the safest way south would be to take the Underway south through the ruins of several long-abandoned forts. While the prospect of traveling through unmapped ruins was far from appealing, it beats trying to contend with the known threats on the surface.
With that, we set off into the Underway. I shall write another entry when we stop to rest.
16th of Galena, 733
Luckily the commander had been correct. We found a stairwell leading up to the surface, which housed a seemingly abandoned Trade Depot and Tavern, where we rested overnight. I am no stranger to the surface but Nish, having spent most of her days chipping away deep in the bowels of the Earth, took a bit to adjust. While she was busy attempting not to expel last night’s dinner, I picked over the Trade Depot for anything that might help us, picking out what food hadn’t rotted.
A few hours’ travel to the south we discovered a Dwarven hillocks by the name of Bolthanded. The white sand which surrounded the site fascinated me; it was so different compared to the snow-capped mountains of the north. The hillocks were in shambles, seemingly abandoned for some time. Unperturbed, we continued on our way south.
Further south we came upon a Monastery of some sort, which based on the Stone Carved sign was named "Postdweller”. It was full of creepy statues, many of which depicted Dwarves being turned into frightening creatures with monstrous fangs or ghoulish, animal-like horrors by The Mine of Ambers; a sobering reminder not to incur the wrath of the divine.
Despite there being no one else present, I got the feeling we shouldn’t stay long, and we left soon after.
Further south we reached our first major obstacle. In order to continue, we must pass over a small mountain range. Going around is out of the question, as to the west we spy a tall stone tower; with our gear we wouldn’t stand a chance against the creatures that may lurk within. With luck, we shall be over the mountain before nightfall.
17th of Galena, 733
While it took a bit longer than expected to cross the mountain, we’ve had some luck. Early in the morning we came across what appears to be a lair of sorts. Nish insisted we ought to leave it be and continue onwards, but the promise of treasure proved too great for me. I dismounted Kogan outside, and snuck slowly into the warren.
Inside I saw a frail yet large creature, which looked to me like a combination of man and jackal. Not wanting to take any risks, I loaded my crossbow and fired at the creature before it had noticed me.
The bolt struck the beast in the right upper leg, and as it toppled over it suddenly transformed into a bedraggled looking Dwarf! Before I could load another arrow Kogan charged in, having heard the scuffle from outside. Dashing in, the horse bowled the peasant over, before crushing its head with his hooves. To my disappointment, there appeared to be nothing else in the place; this…werejackal had carved out a hole in the ground to hide in, a hole which was now its tomb. Ah well, that’s one less village with terrorized livestock at least.
We happened upon another ruined fort just a bit south of the beast man’s lair. Or rather, it seemed abandoned. Curiously, a host of goblins had taken to living within the fort. While they weren’t looking I grabbed some food, an iron spear, a set of iron armor, and this nifty trollbone crown…It’s not like it belonged to them anyhow.
