he ournals of rgyle acTavish

Pumice 3/1018

I begin this journal as I sit belowdecks of The Albatross, a vessel that will carry me far from the hearth, across the seas to the human lands of the north. It pains me that I must leave my clan and my brethren, but my Order calls, and I have been sent forth on a holy mission to learn of the threat posed to the peoples of that land by the undead blight.

I fear deep water, as does any sensible dwarf, and find myself ill encouraged by the name of this ship. While the intent is obvious, I consider it poor planning that my passage was booked on board a boat named for an obstacle. I would think the captain oblivious, if he weren't a gnome. Knowing his kind, he probably thought it was a great joke.

Pumice 7/1018

Four days at sea, and my nerves are frazzled. I find I have to spend more time in prayer each day, to stay calm. I haven't seen dry land in days, and am beginning to question Uncle Cameron's wisdom is sending me on this mission. No dwarf should have to go through an experience like this -- it is terrifying to see water to every horizon, and I haven't been able to keep anything down. I find myself wishing we hadn't opened our borders 43 years ago, and had instead remained isolated from the rest of the world.

Pumice 16/1018

I find myself finally gaining my sea legs, meaning I am actually capable of walking to the galley in the evening rather than having some grinning gnome bring my dinner. They have been enjoying my discomfort far more than is necessary or acceptable, and I have upon multiple occasions been tempted to throw one or two overboard. I haven't bothered, as I'm certain they'd consider it a great game, and would attempt to return the favor by attempting to huck me overboard as a joke. Fortunately I weight as much as six or seven of the little creatures, and they haven't much of a chance of doing so.

My first trip to the galley was indeed a pleasure. Captain Pegleg (whose real name turned out to be Zoon Namfoodle, whose peg leg turned out to be illusory, and who seemed genuinely disappointed that I saw through the illusion) opened a bottle of dwarven mead he'd picked up in Norstonport, in celebration for my finally having stopped returning my dinner after eating each night.

I've always known gnomes to have a twisted sense of humor, and have recently decided it is not so much twisted as sprained.

Pumice 20/1018

The crew threw a great net overboard today, in hopes of catching a few albacore. One of the younger gnomes, on his first trip to sea, got caught in the net as it was cast, and fell overboard. For the first time since I've been here, I saw the gnomes somber and blue when they hauled him back in with a broken neck. He died shortly after having been rescued, at which point the ship's cleric had the audacity to raise the little abomination from the dead. After spending a few hours in prayer, I've decided I have to take action.

Pumice 22/1018

The gnomes woke up this morning distraught, over their inability to locate their undead companion. They won't, as he's no longer with us. The creature tried so hard to convince me he was alright, and that he wasn't undead, and that he was himself, but demons are incredibly adept at deception. Once freed from his body, he was able to return to Calaam's realm from whence he was taken two days before. His body, an empty shell, was given to the sea to continue the circle of life.

Pumice 28/1018

The crew again tried to catch a number of a school of fish today, and this time succeeded without losing any of their number. We had an excellent meal of poached bass this evening, which went well with only one exception: I noticed Dimble, the cleric, sitting in one corner of the galley watching me.

I suspect he resents my having spent the past few evenings drinking with Jebeddo, Fonkin and Ellywick. Jeb and Fonkin wanted to hear all about the Purge, so I obliged them. I think the story frightened Elly, an adorable little gnome who really should be at home tending to children rather than sailing with her brothers. Asked about their parents she began to cry, bringing a look of recrimination from Dimble. I'll have to inquire into this further.

Gneiss 3/1018

I spoke with Captain Namfoodle today, and learned that Elly's parents were killed early in the Purge. It seems the community in which they lived was near one of the ancient battlefields, and a number of wights had begun to rise. Several of the townsfolk were drained, including the siblings' parents. Dimble, a friend of the family, had taken the three in, and they've been with him ever since. Namfoodle says Dimble considers the three his own, even though they're fully of age and are adults in their own right.

Gneiss 17/1018

This entry has been delayed due to the horrendous weather of the past week.

Six days ago, a storm blew in. We barely survived, and in fact many of the passengers and crew did not. Of the original 23 crew, 17 are still with us and four of the nine passengers are missing. I knew little of the other passengers, as I don't much care for humans or elves, but the loss of Fonkin will weigh heavy on my heart. He was a good lad, and will be sorely missed. I've been spending a fair amount of time with Elly and Jeb, to console them and assure them at he's in a better place.

In addition to the loss of passengers and crew, many of our supplies were washed overboard, including my gear box. Uncle Cameron will not be pleased that my holy arms and armor are now lying on the bottom of the ocean. What a waste of adamantine.

The storm was terrifying beyond belief. I am certain that it was only because of Dimble that we survived at all, though following the ordeal I am certain he will not. He has been unconscious for three days, adding to Jeb and Elly's grief.

Having learned a great deal of sea-faring magic, Dimble remained in a constant state of prayer to Garl Glittergold, the god of the gnomes, to protect the ship. He did so, and in spite of the loss of passengers and crew, in spite of a split mast and tattered sails, in spite of a gaping whole in the hull and an attack by a kraken, we made it through to smooth sailing. In spite of his prior offense with the young fisherman, I do hope Dimble recovers.

Gneiss 19/1018

Dimble is gone. He died early this morning, having never regained consciousness. The captain asked me to bring him back, but aside from the fact that I couldn't, I wouldn't. Dimble is in Calaam's arms now, and should remain there for all eternity. Returning a demonic shadow of Dimble to his shell would be an offense against all I know to be true.

I've asked the captain if I can move Elly and Jeb into my quarters, as the combined loss of Fonkin and Dimble has been too much for them to bear. The captain agreed, and at the same time appointed me ship's cleric. While honored by the trust he's put in me, I do not possess Dimble's power. I am too new to the priesthood, having been ordained only three weeks before I began this voyage. I don't know what help I can be, beyond ministering to the siblings.

Gneiss 24/1018

Jeb's finally come out of his funk and has started to eat solid food again. Elly's still too far gone, so I'm continuing to spoon her broth for nourishment. I'm going to turn the task over to Jeb this evening, so I can finally get some rest.

Gneiss 26/1018

Elly has finally snapped out of it, and is eating under her own power now, as well. Both she and Jeb are still in somewhat of a daze, but at least they're out of the stalagmites. I have faith that they'll come to learn that Fonkin and Dimble are in a happy place now, with all their ancestors of the past and no troubles at all. I've told them Calaam's realm is a happy place, with endless streams and rivers of ale and mead, and that they have to carry on and tell Fonkin's and Dimble's stories, to keep their memories alive.

I think they'll be fine.

Copper 4/1018

Elly's decided she wants to become a priest. I hesitate to tell her anything of the Order of Endings, as she still seems fragile at the moment. So instead I've been telling her of the priesthood in general, how you have to care for others and look after others and minister to others and heal the sick and all, and she seems enthused. She knew all this, of course, from Dimble. But I think a push in the right direction, and some encouraging words, were all she was looking for.

Copper 9/1018

Jeb's been staying in the cabin, and hasn't been coming out. While Elly's been venturing forth, and spending more time with the others of the crew, Jeb seems to have developed a fear of the ocean. Odd, for one who has been at sea the past few years of his life. I can tell this is going to require some delicate work, as he's lost his brother and his adoptive father to the ocean. It seems strange for me to say it, but it's really not all that bad (the ocean I mean, not the loss of a brother and an adoptive father).

Copper 17/1018

Jeb still hasn't left he cabin, and now Elly's working on him with me, trying to get him to venture outside again. She's doing an amazing job, and I think she'll make an excellent priest one day. By the end of today she managed to get him to sit at the door and look out, but he wouldn't venture any further.

I realized yesterday that I'd been paying so much attention to Elly and Jeb that I'd been neglecting the rest of the crew. They lost friends as well, and I could kick myself for failing to notice. I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks with them, and leave Jeb to Elly. And interesting turn, given he first came to her aid, now she has to come to his.

Copper 23/1018

I had no idea things had gotten this bad. I've hardly slept over the past few days, talking to the remaining crew. I've been talking non-stop, and have had to pray for numerous cures on my self to alleviate the sore throat. Fortunately I seem to be doing some good, as nerves seem to have calmed somewhat.

Jeb came outside the cabin today, at Elly's bidding, and the two sat with me while I was talking to some of the crew. Elly quickly got into the spirit of things, and began to take some of my workload, doing her best to deal with some of the hurt the others were feeling. I wonder if she realizes what she's doing works as therapy for her own pain? I again say that she'll make a find priest one day.

Copper 16/1018

Land ho! Bliddy, the lookout, says he sees land ahead! We're almost there, and I have to say I'm looking forward to seeing dirt and rock again. I've been cooped upon this ship for nearly three months now, and am looking forward to kicking some undead butt. I've been unable to practice any combat drills, as my war hammer is two miles beneath the surface. I've been doing nothing but talking and praying and ministering to the crew, and while a part of a job, and one I've actually found I enjoy, I need to get on dry land!

Obsidian 1/1018

We've finally arrived in the human lands, in a town called Talport. I hate to leave Jeb and Elly, but they seem to be doing better, and anyway I have a mission to carry out. They've decided to return home, where Elly has definitely decided to follow in Dimble's footsteps. Jeb wants to return home and stay there, though there seems to be some trepidation at another three month journey in the other direction. I don't blame him. I hope when it's time for me to return home, I'll have found another way.

Obsidian 2/1018

It was a tearful farewell, but The Albatross is gone. I'll miss Elly and Jeb, though I'm surprised given my initial reaction to sailing on a gnomish ship (or any ship, for that matter). I've made note of where they can be found back in dwardrukar, and have written them a letter to take to MacTavish Hall, telling my family how I've been and inviting them to stay a while. They'll be welcome there. Mother has always been fond of gnomes, and will enjoy having the two visit.

Obsidian 4/1018

I've spent the past couple of days shopping, to replace the gear lost at sea. Human workmanship is shoddy, but not everybody can be a dwarf. I've acquired a chain shirt and a morningstar, a weapon I have no real desire to use, but these folks just don't know how to fashion a war hammer. I'd do it myself, if I weren't pressed for time.

I've also kept my ears open for talk of the undead. I have heard none, so have decided to head inland to a town called Marrowglen, a week's journey from here. I've left a note for Brother Kerr and the others, letting them know where I've gone. Hopefully they'll arrive soon, as I very much desire the company of my own kind. I've been separated from other dwarves for three months now, and am looking forward to seeing them again.

I've also learned that the locals are not terribly creative with their terms for the months of the year. It is apparently Midsummer here, which is obvious to anybody who pays attention to the seasons. I've had to make a chart to correlate the human months to the dwarven, so I can keep track of what the hell they're talking about.

Obsidian 11/1018

I arrived in Marrowglen this morning, and here I have heard talk of the walking dead. I've noticed an elf bearing the symbol of the Sunbrand, an order as old as the Order of Endings. I don't trust elves, immortal or otherwise, though my orders include seeking not only information but allies.

I've decided to watch this one, and maybe tomorrow will approach him to learn what his intentions are. In the meantime, I have an ale and a leg of lamb to enjoy.