Dear Journal,
Pity upon the fools who are so blind to doubt the power and wisdom of the gods. My faith is strong enough to cast away the darkness of doubt, but it is always refreshing and reassuring to bear witness to the evidence of my king's divine plan. Trusting our hearts, we set out toward the dwarven fortress upon the caverns of Moraldrum. This decision will prove to favor the forces which stand against Dreknar.
As we soared above the frozen and dark terrain, Alyana spied an encampment within a forest clearing. Though shelters and banners were visible, we were too high to discern their origin. We decided to surrender to curiosity, and descended until the banner insignia was revealed to us all. Corath, upon seeing the banner, insisted we land. He explained this banner indicated an old friend was below, and though the encampment crawled with Dreknar troops, he assured us that we would be safe.
As we landed, Corath pleaded with us to accompany him to speak with Lim Shargoth, a contact of his and commander in the Dreknar army. Deisa elected to remain with Without while Talos flat out refused to meet agents of Dreknar without a battle. Alyana, with her reliable vision and aim, would remain as well and support us if we needed to flee. Elwoz and I accompanied Corath as we disembarked and headed for the camp's sentries. At this point, the camp was buzzing with activity, and the sentries were at alert.
Proclaiming his name and heritage, Corath confronted the guards, and asked to speak with Lim Shargoth. A guard was dispatched, and disappeared into a central tent. In a moment the tent flaps parted and out walked a procession of Dreknar soldiers led by a tall and slender form, whos curves were accented by the dancing lights of the soldier's lanterns. It was apparent at this point that this female form was Lim Shargoth herself. As she stopped before Corath, her features became visible through the falling snow, revealing a knowing smile directed at our teifling friend.
Corath, though he must have been 10 years her senior, evidently had a long history with this woman. Her eyes burned with the flames of, among other things, countless battles, her features seemed untarnished and, though aging out of her prime, she still possessed an enchanting and sensual aura. I have often been mesmerized by the elf and the human women of this land, and the horns which mark the infernal pact of the teifling's ancestors does little to dissuade a similar interest in this female. Unfortunately, my mission overrules my appetite, and the way this one eyes Corath tells me to keep my thoughts to myself. Well, done, Korath. Well done, indeed.
They spoke for a moment, and we were told of a planned march upon the dwarven fortress of Moraldrum by Dreknar's army of soldiers and mercenaries. This was but a small contingent of troops meeting up for the battle. The troops were to use the fortress as a base for invasion into Merkemia. The violent storms, she said, were the work of a powerful elf, named Shirou, who commanded chaotic elemental powers. Shirou patrolled these skies on a great dragon and meant to prevent us from leaving Dreknar alive. To make matters worse, Lim Shargoth told of a Dreknar informant within the dwarven ranks.
At the announcement of our intentions, Corath and Elwoz apparently touched upon a sensitive subject amongst Lim Shargoth's forces. Mumbles and chatter moved through the scattered cluster of troops, and soon we had our first defector. An elf, moved by the proclamation, approached us and pledged his service. Brolani, as this elf was named, told us he had lost faith in Dreknar and wished to aid us in our quest. Lim Shargoth didn't flinch at this news. She said she would rather not have any doubters among her ranks and besides, this would even the fight a bit and she wished for nothing less than a challenge. Though she did not always agree with Dreknar, her duty was to her emperor. Honorable, yes. Also a pity.
Perhaps it was the news of our exploits and defeat of Malachi. Perhaps it was the knowledge that Dreknar employed agents of the Underdark. Perhaps, still, it was the inspiring words of our drunken shaman. Soon two others from her ranks joined us: a gnome named Blim, and another proud elf, Lynn.
Noticing a young elf woman leaned against her tent, I approached and introduced myself. I suggested she join us to battle the forces of the Underdark. My confidence was soaring. Surely a fey cousin would see my markings and readily join a follower of Corellon in a most noble quest. I stood speechless and wounded as she spat at me, calling me and my ornaments "disgusting". Disheartened and shocked, I stood and stared, attempting to form the words to contest this absurd attack. Elwoz simply grabbed my arm and tugged me back towards the airship, attempting to reassure me by saying "You can't save 'em all." and belching loudly. I suppose he's right. I suppose I cannot always protect Corellon's children, and nor can I judge them. Turning against the forces of harmony and balance is punishment enough. I pray she realizes her error before she falls in battle beside a vile drow or a drooling goblin.
Alas, we must view these three new allies as a blessing. For our journey will prove easier having additional crewmen on board, and our turns at our stations will be shorter, granting us much needed rest.
That is, unless tomorrow brings more attacks like the one we faced today. As we drifted away from Lim Shargoth's encampment, she warned us that Shirou was watching, and to confirm, the weather worsened yet again. How I have come to despise the snow! Elwoz was able to maintain our course with the assistance of our new crewmen, who volunteered to man their stations immediately in an honorable display of dedication and allegiance. Only Corath and Elwoz needed to remain at their stations, and Diesa remained below deck beside Without.
I must assume Corellon sent these men to our aid, for their arrival proved most fortunate. While the ship was adequately manned, it left us well rested and alert for the inevitable attack.
Alyana noticed the swiftly approaching figures. Two mounted blizzard dragons roared through the frozen curtain of snow and headed straight towards us. Materializing behind them was a blustering elemental construct of the very wind which assailed us. Atop each dragon rode a shadar-kai warrior, clad in armor which churned and glowed with elemental magic. Alyana took aim and, with a brilliant show of marksmanship, struck the closest shadar-kai in his shoulder. Luckily this was the arm which held his reins, and he toppled over the dragons back and plummeted down into the white abyss. His dragon roared, clearly eager to continue the battle, but appeared compelled to assist his master. After a slight hesitation and hiss at Alyana, the dragon dove down into the darkness as we sailed onward.
The elemental swooped onto the stern, and the remaining dragon and his rider moved in to flank. Our volleys proved too much for the reptile, pushing it from the stern and causing it to dance to the port side, where the shadar kai dismounted and began lashing out with his bladed chained flail.
Elwoz's spirit magic did well to keep the elemental at bay, as I rushed to join him. Talos struggled to defend the ship from the dragon, who now clawed at the deck and flailed his head about, assailing my allies with his icy breath. His large size, however, hindered his ability to battle upon his feet in the storm and, as a result, he spent most of his time trying to maintain his balance as we sailed into the howling wind. By the time Talos fatally slit the monster's neck, the beast was dotted with arrows, one of which blinded the dragon's right eye. The beast gurgled in an attempted roar, swooned, and collapsed into an awkward heap. We hardly noticed as its corpse slowly slid off the port side.
The elemental, too, knew not what it had encountered as Getty and a host of spirits assaulted it in a wispy blur of a churning, misty haze. Coupled with my bursts of radiant magic, we battled the elemental back towads the fray so that Elwoz could maintain the ship's course. With a mighty roar, Talos swung his sword through our enemy, cutting a line straight through the foggy form which quickly filled with the mist of Elwoz's conjured companions. As the spirits rushed in, the forms collectively twisted and ebbed, collapsing into a grayish orb which then erupted with a boom, sending the spirits sailing away in the wind, and the elemental back to the ether.
The shadar-kai rider was causing a great deal of trouble, dodging Alyana's arrows and whipping the our paladin while he was distracted with the dragon. Now, though, he had nowhere to go. I am not of the greatest use in these close-quarter battles, so I pushed the battle-hungry Corath aside and took his place at the controls of the starboard fin, allowing him to aid in the battle.
Surrounded, the shadar-kai invoked his chaotic magic and desperately swung his vicious chained weapon. Though he fought fiercely, a poorly-timed lash at Diogi left him open as Corath's blade slipped into his chest, piercing his heart.
By now, we had seen the dragon from earlier, with his rider, approach us again from the stern. At the sight of the other dragon plunging to its final resting place, soon followed by his partner who Talos scooped up and slung over the railing, the rider pulled the reins and soared off into the night. Damage to the craft was minimal, and we decided to continue our course. Corath estimates, based on our time in the air and the position of Lim Shargoth's forces, that we are very close to the dwarven fortress.
Splendid and awesome is the dragon. Though often incredibly dangerous, the dragon is still one of the most majestic of the creatures in all existence. Even those corrupted by necrotic energy or chaotic magic are still breathtaking. Such might and confidence! It is a shame most of these creatures are evil if not completely corrupted. They would make excellent protectors against malicious forces. Unfortunately, the opposite is usually true. Take our latest enemies, for instance. The dark scaley figure with its open chest with its pulsing, glowing energy, is an amazing specimen if only in image. Conversly, its mind and instincts are festering cesspools of madness.
If I recall correctly, it was the primordial Umbora which bred these beasts, along with others of varied elemental corruptions, to battle the Raven Queen. They are descended from those dragons who lost their will after the tragic death of Io at the hands of Erek-Hus, the King of Terror. After failing their quest, they resigned to the elemental chaos.
Let the dragons come. Let the armies of Dreknar march upon us. Just make this damned snow cease! I shall set myself before the coals of a dwarven forge and revel in its warmth. For now I have relied on the occasional sip of the swill Elwoz keeps in his flask. "Smells of a bear's taint most dire, but fills your cold veins with fire," he chants. I've come to believe it. I'm starting to think perhaps we should wave this bottle before Without's nose to release him from his trance.
I cannot complain too harshly. I have much to be thankful for. We are in good company. We have this fortunate means of transportation. We are victorious in battle once again. Surely our luck is taking a turn for the better.
I shant ramble on any further, Journal. It is past time for my rest. May His graces continue to light the way.
