Out in the World

Journal One
After such long and taxing days, life outside the mountain is strangely empty.  Discipline is clearly lacking among these people.  They sleep a full third of the day, and they are often seen laying about.

A job was offered at one of the large gardens, which they refer to as farms.  The labor is refreshing, and the other hirelings are quite interesting.  Learning their ways is vital to achievement.  It is interesting how little they observe what goes on around them.  The taskers said this would be the case.

Journal Two
The work at the farm finished two days ago.  The journey to Vathirond has been resumed.

A traveler was accosted by a group of three highwaymen.  They did not seem to care that he looked quite impoverished.  These brigands were not very good at their work.  The entire affair was easily seen from the hillock.  These men, who make their living off of the earnings of others, should take more notice of what is happening around them.  The gap was closed and the lead bandit was caught in the ectoplasm, before the other two knew they under attack.  They finally showed some measure of understanding and fled.  The leader was foolishly brave.  It cost him.

Journal Three
The city is abhorrent.  No care for personal discipline is in evidence.  The lesser powers are strong in display in Vathirond.  Everything is controlled by these powers.  They substitute work and focus for ease of life.  How can a society exist under such conditions?

Journal Four
The railcraft was teeming with people.  One of the living constructs we learned of was on the rail.  It clearly had seen much of the war.  A child attempted to take the coins given for the task.  He seemed genuinely frightened of a simple threat.  Are their lives so empty that the children are abandoned?

A strange fellow in a longcoat vouched for the child, when the rail reached the station.  He was practicing deception.  The guards did not care for their position of importance.  Can the law be upheld when no one cares to enforce it?

The fellow named himself Morgan.  He was going to the waterfront, and he offered assistance in finding it quickly.  His deceptive way seemed to be temporary, and he was to be believed.  Perhaps he can help in the blending process.  A carrion bird followed him, and it could speak.  A bond of power exists between them.  What could be the purpose of this bond?  Why would he choose a scavenger bird?

The city was filled with singing.  Many of these people seemed to rely on this deific entreaty for their peace of mind.  The world is a strange place.

Journal Five
The Scion Sound was a cold place.  The travel did not agree with Morgan.  Perhaps his lack of focus contributed to his problems.  He spent the early morning time reading from a book and memorizing its contents.  Clearly he is a disciple of the lesser powers.  He has discipline in this area, but not over his body.  Does he not see the dichotomy in this?

Journal Six
The ship travelled close to the mists of which the taskers spoke.  Tension was palpable on the boat.  Exotic fish people boarded the boat.  Gerard, the bondsman of the trader quickly showed his prowess by dispatching three of them.  The effort to assault their minds was not very successful.  Either they were strangely resistant, or more time will be needed to focus this power.  Morgan was helpful by placing some lesser power on my spear.  It was refreshing to release power after many days of silence.  They seemed unsure of the disposition of the water creature that lived.  Authority seems to be divided unnecessarily among several groups.

Journal Seven
Gerard and Morgan are also travelling to the Rekkenmark.  This will be helpful in the travel.  The blending will be easier with their presence.  Gerard is not a bondsmen of the trader, but he did seem interested in a loud discussion the trader was having with a disfigured woman.  The threadbare lodgings were more than adequate.

Journal Eight
The disfigured woman and her cohorts assaulted us on the road.  She claimed that Gerard was a spy of Thrane.  It was good that Marcus and Gerard were not interested in bondage.  It would have slowed my travels.  The engagement was brief.  The task of hiding the bodies in the snow was not difficult.  Gerard questioned the woman, who was an officer of the army.  She begged for mercy, but she had shown no mercy to the trader.  Did she believe that we were simple?  She was quick to give up her secrets with our combined efforts.  A group called the Emerald Claw was working against the sovereign.  She spoke of the warlord Talovar ir’Mandar.  This was most interesting.  We showed her the mercy of a quick death.