23rd Blossom, 801

Accursed Isles, Thieves Island

After dividing the spoils from our battle, we disposed of the thieves bodies in the most expedient way possible...we fed them to the resident sea monster. DeVal and Bran disappeared for a while, much to Melanie's dismay. I'm guessing his/her tracking skills were confused by the body switch, because he was gone for quite some time searching while Bran had reappeared beside the gigantic camphor tree where we are encamped. She/he reported that the island has a very strong life force (evidenced by the chattering of what sounds like hundreds of birds overhead), and that DeVal had taken her to a sacred space to meditate.

Arnestra was writing, Melanie meditating, and I memorizing spells (hard to tell what I might need) when I noticed Bran, watching DeVal doing some kind of cat dance with an unseen partner. I was so charmed that I didn't notice Skelley, who had been keeping watch, suddenly leap to his feet. The tall grass began to wave and rustle and we were beset by a pack of vermin. The first of them popped out of the grass near Arnestra, who dealt it a mighty blow. It's counter attack was swift and terrible, leaving Lia's body gashed and bleeding (horrible!). About this time, I saw Bran grasp the claw around her neck. She shimmered and instead of Blackhawk's body, there was a cougar. Skelley took a shot with his new crossbow, just grazing one of the vermin, then it was my turn. Alas, it has been some time since I shot a crossbow and even with a masterwork bolt, my shot went astray. There were six vermin visible by now and I feared for our survival when Melanie cast an entangle spell. While the beasts were trying to fight their way free, Lawrence threw a bottle into the midst of them and most of them expired, thank the angels. Skelley was singing a rousing battle song when Arnestra, who had fought his way clear of the entanglement, was hurt again. I hit one of the remaining live vermin with a magic missile and Skelley hit it with a bolt from his crossbow. Bran, as cougar, shredded another one, and the fight was over. Lawrence gave Arnestra an antidote to the poison bomb she had thrown since he was on the edge of it's area of effectiveness. Bran, as cougar, wandered off into the woods, presumably to wash off the poison.

We took the opportunity to speak at length with Lawrence. She said that she was somewhat concerned that people in Puddleby would recognize her body, and since it is inhabited by Jotork and being called Arnestra, that it could cause some confusion. She did spend a good bit of time there. We asked if there might be a cleric or priest or mage there that could reverse the effects of Umbrion's spell, and she replied that there was some small possibility. She told us that there is a very old chapel in Puddleby at the north side of the town square where strange things happen. For example, bodies of people who have died have shown up on it's altar, alive, but injured. She suggested that, if worse came to worst , we could all die and let God sort us out. Not the best idea I've ever heard, but something to keep in mind if things get really bad. I hope we never have to use that option. She said there is a deity statue of some kind there, and a temple to Gaia.

Bran was still off somewhere in the woods when we heard the familiar rhythmic thumping of an orga. Skelley fired a bolt and hit, as did Arnestra with his spear. Lawrence then fired a volley of missiles from her fingers and the beast expired.

(an aside, It was interesting to see my body doing that kind of high level magic...)

Lawrence then continued our question and answer session about Puddleby as if nothing had happened.

The Ardh Righ Gate is in the middle of Puddleby, guarded by an iron gollem and humans as well. The gate is still in use, but you need one of the scepters to activate it. Puddleby was constructed as a prison colony about 8-900 years ago. There are ancient ruins from the time it was part of the empire, structures both elvin and halfling in origin. It was a mining area and there are lots of boggy areas and sink holes, puddles, that gave the town it's name. The people there are good, resourceful folk who should accept our story if we prove ourselves to be kind and reasonable. There are gem mines in the wilderness and copper mines to the east. There is a religious group there called the Nox Sonora, the Sisters of the Night. They are apparently involved in some way with the large number of undead in the area. Since they are nice, upstanding women, no one seems eager to pursue it. There are also souls free floating in the area looking for bodies. It sounds as though we must be vigilant. The original settlers in Puddleby were people the Ardh Righ didn't want to kill...bards and druids, etc.

DeVal and Bran are still missing. I wonder what has become of them?

Respectfully submitted by Maxfield Jaden Fox, in Stephen's body, currently called James Douglas.