What follows is the Diary of Caldius ap Hurris ap Ferrus

September 21st

Work in the stronghold is running thin... we haven't been attacked by Scandian forces (or any other forces for that matter) for quite some time... the demand for my father's chain armor is at an all time low and with him unable to create full suits of decorative plate hard times have befallen us.

After numerous amounts of discussion with our lord - who is indifferent to my leave - and my father - who has given me his blessing, nay encouraged me to go! - I have decided to set out into the world and attempt to make my fortune. There isn't much work available in the surrounding woahs and I will NOT chop and haul peat for my life so I have taken it upon myself to attempt passage to a grand city in the world where my strength may be put to use.

I have been using bits of scrap metals to draw wire for sale in the market or to traders so that I might have monies for passage in whatever form may befall me.

September 22nd

Excellent news has come to me! There are trader ships in the port of Farfax! I must set out immediately so that I arrive before they depart, it is nearly a whole day's walk!

September 23rd

After a lengthy discussion with the captain of the Hibernian vessel I will be traveling on I have agreed to work on the ship loading and unloading cargo in exchange for my passage to this city he speaks of... Neopolis. I have secured my belongings - a Greathammer for large-scale smith works once I have established myself and a patterned sword given to me by my father who received it as a gift from our lord. The journey will take a week by waters to arrive... I am nervous of the sea monsters which inhabit the waters and fear for my safety on the boat.


September 27th

I spend my little free time on the ship wondering what kind of a city Neopolis is and what wonders must inhabit it. There must be much to do given that all three of the trading vessels were going to the same city. I can't wait to make port and apply myself to my new labors in establishing my vast fortune for myself and my family. I wonder how my brother is doing? I pleaded with him to accompany me on this journey, for he notices far more than I and can take a good beating should I need to hone my skills in combat... he probably developed his vast constitution from growing up with me!

September 30th

I am beginning to regret leaving the stronghold. This city crawls with lunatic people and urchins and I get a feeling that wealth will not be found here. Whilst leaving the ships and traveling the docks I chanced to encounter a fellow wearer of Plaid. He informed me that there is good monies to be made in the business of killing all manners of creature outside the gates for the services of those strong -or crazy- enough to live on their own beyond the gates.

I requested to join them so that I might have a good starting ground to form my empire of wealth and was given a gift of armor, sword, and some jewelry which is cool to the touch at all times. I think the ring may be beyond normal craftsmanship but it is only a feeling I get.

My adventuring companions go by the names of Ginjo, Thog, Gin, Donny, and Croc-meat. I am told that tomorrow we set out for great adventure and so I lay my head down to sleep now.

October 1st

We have arrived to a great tower whose owner wears a fabulously crafted shirt of mail much like the one gifted to me by Gin. The dealings between Crocmeat and the owner were kept secret to me so I have not much to speak of in that regard. I will though make mention of our method of travel! A carpet that flies! I have never felt such wonderment in my life. Truly, this adventure will bring me great wealth!

October 1st, Night
Written in a slanting scrawl

I have been told that our enemy is the orc menace. I don't know what an orc is, but as it is a menace I am imagining them to be quite troublesome. I have drawn first watch with my fellow Welshman and have taken to writing while I keep eyes around the camp. We cannot light a fire, and I dare not with all the waste of the orcs around. I wonder if we will see an or-

The writing becomes even more sloppy here and much larger

Our doom approaches. Crocmeat was very loud upon being woken and startled the orc who came to do his business. I am sure that he will get help and come to crush us. While my new companions seem un-phased by this as they are butchering pigs for breakfast later I am not so sure. All I can hope for is a chance to use my strength in battle and vanquish the orcfoe. May victory find my blades and hammer.

What follows is the diary of Plaxico ap Hurris ap Furris, Older Brother to Caldius

September 20th

My brother, as smart as he is, should realize by now that Lord Osrich does not care if he stays or leaves but I guess he's just not too sharp on social situations and interactions of common occurrence. This is the third conference he has requested for leave from the fortress and the third time that Lord Osrich has expressed his indifference. I guess that Caldius wants his Lord's blessing prior to embarking on what is most likely a fool's journey.

Whatever the reason, I hope my brother gets a move on before Osrich changes his mind. Indifference can turn to disapproval just as quickly as it can blessing; as for myself, I will be content here helping father. He's getting older and the tongs sometime slip from his grasp

September 21st

I have convinced Father to give Caldius his blessing and subsequently requested that Osrich give my brother a nod that he can misinterpret as approval so that he will be off. There's really nothing for him to do here with his freakish strength except cause problems and eat the food. Perhaps this will finally rid us of his constant seeking of work. It gets annoying after a time.

September 22nd

Caldius was gone when we woke this morning, I caught wind of Trader vessels at Farfax and can only assume that is where he has gone. A celebration will be had among the family in honor of my brother's departure and our eventual calling back to live in some castle.

While we know it is untrue, we are glad to have one less mouth to feed and are confident in Caldius' strength to protect him.

September 24th

Damnation! I have been commanded by my father to go and look after his precious brute. He has sent me with a smith's hammer and his personal copy of Arms and Armaments so that I might make a living away from here in the event that I can not find my brother.

I hear tell from the dockmen that Caldius boarded a Hibernian ship which set-sail yesterday for Neopolis. The Scandians are headed that was as well, and I don't share my brother's unfounded prejudice towards the Scandian people, I negotiated passage to the city with them and now pursue my brother.

October 1st

I have spent the whole day around the docks searching for tell of my brother. After much inquiry I discovered that the captain of the Hibernian ship was in town waiting for his merchants to sell their goods at market. Searching about, I found some wire that seemed to be of my brother's make and inquired as to the locale of the captain.

Having spoken to the captain, I am now informed that a fellow Welshman and his companion approached my brother and set off with him towards the housing district of Neopolis. Having asked the captain for his advice on finding someone in this city I now alternate between Temple Row and the Tax Collector's Gate. Hopefully I come across Caldius before he gets himself killed.

October 3rd

Caldius has been slain! I was walking past the temples and saw his body being carried in, a viscous gash to his head the likely cause of his demise. The temple, I later learned, is not known for bringing the dead back to life but rather providing those who have past with proper accommodation and service.

Seeking knowledge of the nature of Caldius' passing I have joined up with the men who were carrying his body. A plentifully bruised man named Gin was in possession of my brother's sword so I assumed him to be a friend. This notion was further established when Gin buried him with his sword. This man has my debt for now.

I insisted to Gin that I follow along and provide service in exchange for the final debt incurred by Caldius. He relented and presented me with the equipment he had gifted to Caldius before he was slain. The fit is a little tight, but otherwise good... it feels odd to wear my fallen brother's armor though.

October 4th

I spoke with the others in this band of "adventurers" about the circumstances of my brother's downfall. They all agreed that the battle was quite fierce and that Caldius was not the only one to fall. They say that he fell in battle after having stuck an Orc atwain and alerting the others to their presence. At least my brother could fight with honor before he died. Genjo, the Welshman and soon to be friend I hope, saw fit to find the diary my brother kept prior to his passing.

I have read through it and it pains me to realize that my younger brother was anxious about this trip for the welfare of the family whereas we were simply happy to have him out of our hair. The passages he wrote suggest to me that while Xavier, he man he calls Crocmeat, may be an outstanding fighter that he might not be the best tactician. I will be wary in the future and attempt to guide these men so that the risk of death is never upon them as it was before.

October 5th

It is hopeless. Today we encountered a large beast looking a cross between a swamp demon, a lion, and some kind of puckered mouth monster. Rather than pulling back or attempting to set a trap for the great beast, Xavier charged in and set about to hacking the monster to pieces. Fearful to get near to something of that size, especially not knowing what foul implements it may possess, I managed to throw large rocks at it, but they seemed to have no effect on it considering its size.

I'm beginning to think that perhaps the full details of my brother's death have not been told to me.

October 6th - Early Morning

They won't stop... the banging against the walls, the wails of that old woman in the throes of pleasure... it haunts my dreams and torments my restful sleep! WILL IT NEVER END!? I pray a day of vast discomfort to Xavier and a many children to the old wench.

At least we set off for revenge against the Orcs and those who organized them later in the day... I will now set about to search for small balls of wax that I might plug my ears and actually sleep.