Journal - The Hunt for Kellerot

Elvramar Island

There was a rough path leading up to the ruined tower, infrequently used but I could see that it had been used recently. A group had gone up the hill and then returned dragging something, which was presumably me as that's where I had awoken. We could just, if we strained to see, make out the tip of an obelisk near to the tower above us. That would make sense if I was transported there by Karmana. We decided to head up towards this area, just to our east we reckoned.

Falcor led the way with Arad following and then I was behind. They were still wary, with bows drawn, but I just looked around, enjoying the walk. There was a sail almost on the horizon to the west, and a fishing boat to the south of where we were, but no immediate sign of trouble. It was dry and warm and we reached the area unopposed. What was left of the tower looked like Custor's, but it was significantly damaged (damage that looked to have occurred a long time ago). About half had collapsed between the north west and south east with only the south west quarter at full height still. There was no obvious signs of life as we approached. It did smell, we noticed as we neared, very strongly of bat guano.

The obelisk looked as if it had thrust out from the earth very recently, judging by the disturbed soil, and was a green quartz. Falcor walked up and touched the obelisk and the same "see-saw" symbol appeared as it had on the obelisk in the village. He invited me to try the same, not knowing that I was itching to try to commune with Karmana again, having felt her loving embrace once before. The obelisk was my best chance of doing so, and I knelt down to touch the earth before moving my hands onto the obelisk, reaching out with my mind for the thought, or perhaps the emotion, of Karmana. Almost at once I was overwhelmed once more with energy and love, having succeeded in connecting directly with her, it was like a rapturous joy.

I immediately pledged myself to her service and vowed to heal the damage done to her. I knew deep down that such an immense task was a lifetime commitment that might never be achieved, but at that moment I didn't care about difficulty or consequences; anything seemed possible. I, for a moment, thought that I should perhaps be worried about how my friends were reacting to my "absence", but the thought passed fleetingly as the energy flowed through me, and I tried to control it so that I was not overwhelmed in the way that I had been before.

I had been right about my friends, though, as they had seen my body collapse and were trying to revive me without success. I seemed to be staring into space blissfully and was completely unresponsive, smiling. Despite their efforts it was rather my own reluctant return to reality that eventually brought me to consciousness, having dragged my mind back to the here and now. Apparently a symbol had appeared while I was out, similar to Falcor's and also like the one on Arad's prayer book, but again at a different angle. I was more concerned with looking around me, finding that I was connected to Karmana (both the world and the Goddess) in a way that I had not been before. The world seemed more vibrant and alive, and I instinctively knew that I could connect with it and encourage it to change with me, although only in a limited way, after all... we were all part of Karmana and all connected.

Falcor has a sense that we are being watched - shares with Arad - we are being scryed! A window in the world opens, with a small room the other side - legionnaires with bull symbol charging through towards us.

They run through portal, which closes behind them. Falcor steps forward and shouts "halt" at them. I step to the side, wary. Arad has bow notched, trained on the leader.

They go into defensive formation, close with shields and spears to fore. Falcor steps forward again, shouting "state your business here!"

They keep coming and so I call on Karmana to hold them to avoid bloodshed. Plants come to life and grasp at them, trying to hold them in place. A couple held and others slowed.

Moved forward to join Falcor, who is shouting "we mean you no harm, put down your weapons"

Arad flanks them, keeping bow trained. I flank the other way as they struggle to break free, but two get to the edge and charge Falcor. Arad puts an arrow into the chest of one as he charges, defending Falcor.

Falcor finishes that one as he arrives, driving a dagger into his gut. Spear scrapes off his armour. Falcor spins and drives sword into the other one, grieviously wounding him and then Arad finishes him off with an arrow.

Two more break free and attack Falcor, who stabs one. I sprint forward, shouting at the foe to stop fighting "you fools". Falcor stabbed but cuts one down.

Arad charges forward, looking to tackle the other attacker to the ground, he is knocked to all fours and Arad grapples him, he drops his spear.

Arad keeps him pinned as Falcor ties him up. I try to ask why they are attacking us, but tries to bite me.

Want to give them the chance to surrender, so surround plants and stand ready. Falcor telling them to surrender and lower their weapons as soon as they are free.

When the plants subside another portal appears and last two jump through. Left with the one prisoner.

Refuses to respond - strip and collect weapons and armour, but warn him that his life is in danger if he stays. Must go if he can.

Release him and let him run off behind tower. Then slowly make our way around tower to see what is there. Arad calls on Creator to heal Falcor and his own wounds. Then he and I split off to scout the tower quietly.

Stink is rancid. Obviously fell to ruin a long time ago, so fallen masonry covered in grass. Guano piled on every layer. Ground floor area is a thick, solid layer of guano. So smelly.

Arad wants to poke around in the shit. I baulk at this... not very keen! Dry retching as I get closer.

Arad digs in the shit, disgusting, eventually starts heaving I run in to save him but end up heaving as well! Falcor rescues us both, resisting the stink somehow.

Decide to burn guano off - use my oil and a flaming arrow to set it alight. Then await Elvramar arrival, with me hiding with cloak.