I must admit, I am still disturbed at the losses of Terrion and Deirdre. They did not deserve their fate. They were brave. They gave their lives to make Icaria a safer place. I am finding it difficult to concentrate on much else. I must not dwell on the past, however. I will press on, honoring my fallen friends by completing this mission. We will find the Tear, destroy it, and punish Malachi for bringing this evil upon the world. By His light, they will not have died in vain.
Our backtracking proved to be tedious and dangerous. I am often too preoccupied with the divine powers I channel to remember my own magical abilities. I consulted the arcane powers to help us find our way back on the trail which led us here.
We came upon decrepit dirt road which eventually came to a fork. At the fork, in a rusted cage, hung a skeleton which animated at our arrival. He told us his master was awaiting our arrival, and was eager to help us. He then collapsed in a heap. After all that, he didn’t even bother to tell us which path to take at the fork.
Talos, Diesa, and I knew that anyone employing the undead were not to be trusted, but instead should be stopped. Unfortunately for our enemies, we picked the correct path. We came upon a clearing where sat an enormous stone. Here, the trap was sprung. Elomir, whom I had not previously had the honor of killing, stood reanimated as a corpse. Alongside ghosts and undead behemoths, he attempted to get the best of us.
When will the undead learn? No creatures of the darkness can stand the light of the divine. We made short work of Elomir once again. Hopefully this is the last we will see of this pest.
Pressing onward, we came upon a portal guarded by demonic insect creatures. They did not seem to enjoy our presence, but initially made no hostile moves. Elwoz spoke with a demon guarding the portal, and was convinced that they would allow us to pass unharmed.
I think the liquor is taking its toll on Elwoz. Why would anyone negotiate with a demon?
I forgot who stepped through the portal first, but as soon as we were separated, the monsters struck. One by one, we made it through the portal into a frigid wasteland.
Adrift on an ice flow, we found ourselves outnumbered and surrounded. Corellon's mercy was abound during that battle, for I managed to give swimming lessons to a few of our enemies while the rest of our band held their own.
As we began to gain the upper hand, Without, who today walked and spoke like ghoul, commanded his orb to act. Before I could blink, a catfish flipped upon the ice where a demon once stood. It was then that our canine companion gobbled him up. I am apprehensive and intrigued at this object, and I pray I do not fall out of favor with it.
We pressed onward over the ice toward a frozen cliff side on which stands an impressive fortress. Alyana and Corath scouted ahead and found an entrance through a vent well over 20 cubits high on the cliff's edifice. We were spotted, however, by sentries stationed atop the plateau. A horrible insect flew down to greet us, only to have Without's “eye” turn this creature into a fish, which fell to the icy waters below. Needless to say, this was quite convenient.
After dodging arrows, and hauling Talos and his lead armor up into the vents, we were able to find a safe room to rest. There is a gas in these halls which, though painful to breathe, seems to withdraw in the glow of firelight. Our torches aided us in our search for safety.
We have barricaded the nearest door, and I have been watching the hallway entrance to this room, which appears to be service quarters. We are definitely in the lower levels of the structure.
I must take my leave now, for I have yet to clear my mind and commune with my king. To be honest, I feel quite strange. Perhaps I am spending too much time among these abominations. On the other hand, I can see heat vapors pouring out from our little sorcerer friend. Perhaps my proximity to this orb he carries, or his reckless and untamed magic is the cause for my apprehension. I suppose we shall see.
May his light shine upon us and his blessings never cease. Until tomorrow, Journal.
