The day started off like any other. Calm, quiet and peaceful. Like we all know, in Freehold, that is always subject to change. The first portion of the night was spent at the Fir Bolg celebration. There was plenty of mud and blood to go around. I learned that it was an annual celebration to bid farewell to the cold and welcome the warmer weather in hopes that the growing season goes well. Or something along those lines. There was food and fun and friends. There were plenty of comical drunken stories to be heard but when it came to drunken combat with them, I thought it better of me to head back to the inn.
I spent a lot of time in the inn that night. As per normal, I received my letters, read them and shared. Shortly after mail time, Teacher Truthful came to visit. We talked about my soon-to-be marriage to the Lieutenant and some doubt about my new position as envoy. There are people back in Ixia who feel as though I should not be envoy. I was told that the King and Circle of Teachers approved of Truthful's decision but the public feels as though a twilight elf should have been appointed. Perhaps that is why there is all the trouble. It hurts me that my nation could be the cause of all these problems. It is something that I have thought a lot about since being away from Freehold, but I digress. Teacher Truthful and I had an argument and she left with her guards. It was a note I did not want to leave her visit on and it deeply saddened me. Trusting that her guards were competent, I watched them leave.
It was time to go find trouble. With smiles on our faces, O'Conell and I were told of the possibility of spiders in the Hinterlands. With a small group, we went out in search. Before we all knew, spiders were running amok. Like the beasts we had seen before, they had the power to posses people and they certainly did. There were people in the webs. All of them asking for help. It was a painful sight. In our attempt to help we were a bit too confident. Like most occasions we went in, swords-in-hand, ready for battle. This time we bit off a bit more than we could chew. Ackneminol was possessed by the spiders and when we returned, the first thing we had to do was strike down a friend. He was saved but unfortunately those who were in the webs when we first arrived were lost. When all was said and done, Ack was saved and we went our way.
After returning to the inn, I had a good feeling about the day. Tomorrow was feeling good. There was going to be a birthday, a wedding, a singing competition and, who knew what else. I turned in for the night and it was the biggest mistake I had ever made. The next morning I was woken up by Segan. Brave soul he is, decided to wake me up with terrible news. He couldn't finish his sentence before I was up and halfway out the door. Outside, I found Teacher Truthful's body left at the entrance of the inn . In her hand was an apology to me for our argument. I was immediately filled with rage. There was no sign of anyone and believe me, I looked. Thank the heavens for Sidonie and Hanzo who helped determine what had happened to her. Sidonie began to research and was later joined by Levar. I was beside myself but there was work to be done. I was told to protect her and failed. I went to the Hinterlands looking for trouble.
The Dusken Vale was back. They were controlling these mud things. The mud meant business too. I assume because it was spring that there was so much mud but it was so surprising. Mud just kept rising from the ground. After it was safe to leave, the quarter of town I was with, went back to the inn. V'tani had finally made her way to the inn. That meant wedding time. A little after noon, almost the entire town of Freehold began to make their was to the bastion. Now walking there, I thought to myself that just walking there would be way to easy. I was right. Half of the townsfolk were getting harassed by water elementals. With a long sigh those of us who were at the bastion already joined the fighting. The fight itself went on forever. Long enough where Ash and Levar attempted to convince O'Conell and I to have a mid-battle wedding. That did not work out very well. I personally felt bad for the water elementals. They stood no chance against the entire town.
When all was said and done, an amazing number of people fit on and around the bastion. It was the happiest point of my day. Then Malkris said that I was his for questioning. He was, and most likely still is, very convinced I killed Teacher Truthful. He called it his 'inquisition'. I was not allowed to go too far and could not take a weapon. I was technically a prisoner. There came a point where I felt as though they were going to arrest me. I am not proud of it but I took the coward's way out. I hid.
I hid for about three hours. While in the Hinterlands, I was terrified. I saw enemies everywhere near me. I was stuck. Thank goodness for James! I swear, I have never seen anyone best enemies so efficiently. That was when it was decided that I should hide in Freehold itself. From my hiding place, I heard the bard competition. It was faint but highly comical. I was sad to have missed Tia and Toby's birthday. I'll make it up, I swear! I was very surprised to see who my friends really were. Verda and Elias came to help me hide from the possibility of arrest. I took up refuge at the Empty Purse for a period of time. This is when Malkris had a change of heart.
I was lead to the inn and there I was told several interesting things about all of this trouble. There was a lot of people in trouble. I heard that Gorfen was poisoned and that that poison was the same one or something very similar as Teacher Truthful's poison. I was told that the envoy from Gotterdammerung was poisoned as well. Three “Kenrei” assassins came after O'Conell. I found that odd considering that I had seen the envoy earlier in the day. I was not allowed to attend feast or a giant adventure. I hid in the inn. That was when the Brotherhood showed up. They came to help and solve the mystery.
Sister Ama and Brother Garn sat me down and asked me all the questions I was asked all day. Then they told me I needed to get five people I trusted with my life. We needed to go find the Kenrei envoy. Myself and Gorfen were accompanied by our five and the Brotherhood members to find this envoy. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. He met his fate and passed away.
Freehold. I am going to give you everything I know. Do with it what you will. This is a warning. Lives are at stake.
What was determined through research is that a group known as the Lotus Eaters are targeting people of importance, such as envoys. They are claiming to be from Kenrei. These individuals have been described to me as twilight elves. Both Teacher Truthful and the envoy from Kenrei were killed by Ixian blades which held a combat poison. That combat poison was no joke. Ask Gorfen. There was a magical aura on each of the bodies which leads me to believe there is something more going on. I urge you Freehold, keep a look out and keep safe.
~Smiling Flowers
“Patience is the first step upon the stair of Enlightenment”
Rumors abounded at the inn this moon. I spent a great deal of time in the inn training other bards to earn coin for my upcoming wedding to Will Grafton. Since my return, I have found the kindness of the townsfolk and the spirit of the people of Freehold exceptionally uplifting. My company and compositions are greatly welcomed and I relish the opportunity to teach and learn new songs next moon.
I heard that the Black Market was open, but was encouraged to stay in the inn. I believe my friends were concerned for my safety after recent events. I have yet to attend this illicit market, but have heard that some significant dealings have proceeded there as of last moon.
Some events also occurred at the inn, even in my brief absences. I heard that Executor Hammerung was viciously attacked en route to Annie’s and that my dear friend Envoy Gorfen was poisoned under the very roof of Annie’s Inn—during Annie’s absence. I am unsure of where she went, but hear that she is safe and well.
Teacher Truthful, esteemed friend to many, also fell to the blade. This tragedy came as a great shock to some residents of Freehold who had appreciated her teachings. The Ixians were in an uproar over this and new bride Smiling Flowers was implicated in this murder.
The envoy from Kenrei was also brutally murdered. Rumors have revealed that this was the work of members of the Lotus Eaters, a faction from Kenrei. I do fear for my safety and the safety of my beloved future husband and dear friends in Freehold; hopefully we will prosper in future months.
--Genevieve du Lac, Bard of Freehold
This month saw the return of my nemeses, the evil and destructive Dusken Vale. I was ready for them this time, having sought more powerful connections under cloak of night. As the people of Freehold have been gracious to me, I have decided that it is in my best interest to remain in the coven and assist them in their endeavors.
Generally, the people of Freehold were concerned with the rising flood waters. The Dusken Vale took advantage of this and exposed the elements of mud and flood to the villagers. These forces also attempted to prevent the collection of magical wood for the building of a dam, but the people of Freehold succeeded in building the dam and bringing some amount of balance to the elements. However, the increased waters has caused us to rearrange some of our encampments and may have even shifted the borders of the Hinterlands. I hope the villagers are wary of this and sensitive to these shifts.
Lastly, there was a great deal of positive energy emitted from the villagers. I heard many songs sung as merry folk were filled with drinks and happiness. I also felt the celebratory energy from the Festival of Fuil, though I had more secretive matters to attend that eve.
--Epona, Known Dark Witch of Freehold