Temoren Cairnwright - Adventure Notes
Tarsakh, 1502 DR

Another month in the Syndicate, and I am starting to feel… established. Not settled. That would be dangerous. But established.

The most notable development: Fetch.

I have refined the Homunculus Servant spell enough to properly bring him into his own. He is no longer just something I built—he is a companion. Capable, responsive, and far more useful than most people would expect from something his size. He now wears the tricorn hat from the Goat Mayor (long story), which allows him to understand everyone. He still speaks through me, which is probably for the best. One of us should sound coherent.

I have continued sparring with others in the Syndicate and have improved significantly in how I manage my tools and wand together. There is a balance to it—positioning, timing, knowing when to act and when to let others take the lead. I am getting better at it.

My cobbler skills proved unexpectedly critical during travel through the Ice Spires. Long distances, harsh conditions, and not a single member of the party suffered exhaustion from poor footing or damaged boots. I will say this plainly: good boots save lives. People underestimate that.

I have also learned to scribe spell scrolls. I can produce them quickly now, though I would not yet call the process refined. There is still inconsistency in the work. That will improve.

The roads between Loudwater and Shining Falls have proven increasingly dangerous. During one patrol, we recovered a young boy named Milo from some displacer beasts. They were not acting out of malice... just hunger. The situation itself was… unclear. Milo claimed his friends abandoned him. His father claimed he had none. The truth is likely somewhere in between, and not a comfortable one. Either way, the boy is alive. That is enough for now.

The Syndicate continues to grow. New faces arrive regularly, which means new skills, new variables, and new risks. The kobolds remain as they are. Thrax is still… Thrax.

As for me, my atlas work continues to develop. The connections are stronger. More reliable. I am beginning to see how it could scale beyond small groups.

There is still a great deal I want to build.

I am looking forward to whatever comes next.

Every day the road to Loudwater and Shining Falls grows in danger. Solia mentioned the monsters have grown in strength since the Syndicate was founded. I think the strength—magical or physical— of those of us in the Syndicate are drawing more creatures to the space, making it dangerous in general.

Each day either begets fighting against creatures that you stumble upon or set traps if you leave the Syndicate’s doors. But members are nice, a camaraderie is built here that I’m not yet sure what to make of. But either way—it’s good to have come this way.

I can feel myself getting stronger in my magic and have learnt varying protective spells so I’m grateful for it.

Arlie and I talked briefly about staying with the Syndicate and setting roots here. I have to admit, it’s a nice idea. I wasn't with Arlie or Assy since the beginning but it was enough to know. And having a place that's...semi-safer would be nice.

The strangeness of creatures attacking just keeps getting worse and worse. Mimsy died in the Syndicate’s laboratory—Arlie and I barely made it there to defeat the elemental that caused the mess. And I’m not sure what happened but in Loudwater, I thought I saw Ivor dead on the ground. I had been alone at the time and I am not fit to carry others but Fenris seemed to come across him instead. I think he ended up revived but I haven't seen him since.

The rest of the month was a bit busier and we did get more Syndicate members so hopefully things keep growing.

15 Tarsakh, 1502 DR

A lot has changed in a month.

I have gone on several missions for the Syndicate, now, with frequent trips between the hub and Loudwater proper. The road is a dangerous thing, something I knew from the time I arrived over a month ago, facing the metal bull. But there are hags. And fairies. And politicians so corrupt it makes my toes curl. But I smile, and show my tusks are not a dangerous thing.

Someone called me 'the leader' yesterday, after I berated them for a foolish choice. Coranzen, a drow with more sword that backbone. He is strong, and brave, but he is new. I do not know how to take this, as I do not consider myself a leader. Maybe I do. I feel as though people listen when I speak, and respect what I have to say, but I do not believe that is what it takes to be a leader. I stand up to injustice, and advocate for a nonviolent solution, as I have proven with the bandits near Secomber and protecting the Graylings when they came out of the woods and surrounded us, but a leader is more than this. A leader is...

A leader is--...

Not me.

On one of the first missions, I ruined the reputation of the Syndicate, and spent days repairing it with Ivor and Surx, two members I have come to enjoy. Ivor is a warlock with a pseudo dragon named Agrate, and Surx is a fey with a knack of changing his form (a trait that he utilizes to my agitation on occasion). We have returned multiple times since then to the city of Parnast, where we are getting plenty of missions. But I allowed a boy to join us on a dangerous mission. I made that choice, and felt the weight of it on my shoulders. I still do.

The Syndicate, itself, has expanded. Many members are buying homes and businesses, as I have hardly seen Yashir in this month. I am trying to do the same, especially since it is getting crowded around the Syndicate. I have taken up painting, and recently have been selling my series of paintings of Loudwater to get one step closer to that goal. Painting is different than dance; more permanent. I am trying to get comfortable with this forever quality...

Mimsy died yesterday. That felt oddly permanent, too. I nearly died the other day. That felt permanent.

I do not like permanence. I live for the ephemeral, the intangible and impossible to contain and hold down. This is what dance is for, the power of a moment, a movement, a gesture... But, I have found that I cannot save everyone, despite my best effort. I try. Gods above I try. Everyone around me needs to be permanent so I may flow freely around them. When they shift, when they fall... I feel stuck.

I feel rooted.

I am not a leader. I am not a rock for others to rely on. I am a reprieve from the weight of the world.

I am here to ensure everyone gets home, no matter what it takes.

I hope to continue to do so...

Until next month
Na'ima

Mimsy

Tarsakh 20, 1502

I died a few days ago. I would not recommend it.

But overall, my time here has been... fine? This is not a good way to make coin, but it is a good way to make allies. I've settled in with a group that seems capable against danger. Ive explored the study of alchemy. I will update this as more develops.

Ivor Bersk

Second month in the Syndacate

Life keeps going, I think I have found my rhythm and some people whose company I enjoy.

There are some interesting points in the region, looking forward to know more about them.

22 Tarsakh, 1502 DR

its been a month im here, fun place this is, the people certainly are different everyone has their on little quirk and history.
The region seems chaotic, so many things try to kill you.
The missions are something else too, heard the other day some of the new guys stoped a ritual that would destroy the world, and me myself discovered a plot to revive a angry serpent god and stuff. well aint much to say for now, the plot is still on going and only time will say if they will do it

well since we talking about missions, Parnast, hate the place, the mayor or what ever Raggnar is, DONT GO THERE!

-surx

Arlis

I've... had a lot to think about lately. There's been a lot of shit happening not only on the roads, but also in town. Got attacked by fish people... Ivor and me almost died trying to get away. Some ghost spectre of a neighbor attacked me, Sal and Mims when I was moving a wardrobe for a couple of shitty geezers... there was a bunch of other stuff too... Mims died at the Syndicate. Some water elemental got to him before Sal and me could. We did our best and raise up the money to revive him. 2,000 fucking gold... just... I've never seen that much gold!

But beside that... I had a few talks with people that got me thinking. They... actually see me. I'm not a shadow, or just some dumb fucker that hits stuff.. They see me. Asked me what I liked and what I wanted to do... if I was gonna set root here... I talked to Sal and even though it's real dangerous here... we both like it here... so... yeah... I think I will...

I also had a,weird experience the other day. Found a circle of stones with a little tree in the middle... the rain wouldn't reach the inside of the space, like there was a barrier. I think I finally know what that tree is from my dreams...

22 Tarsakh, 1502 D.R.

This month has been characterized by cleaning up the messes of the past month, and discovering or creating new and exciting ones.

The Syndicate continues to grow in renown, not to mention in membership. I met several newcomers to our ranks, and there are many more I've yet to meet -- for I have largely absented myself from the hall to deal with my own affairs and side projects. Solia and I have reconciled, at the least, and this is good and fortuitous; I disliked being at odds with her. She and Shev are still very much at odds, though they work together with cold courtesy. Bri accompanied Solia and me on a mission to hunt down Orlak, the goblin that slew her, but she is taciturn at best, and I feel as if the opportunity to get to know her better was wasted.

The actual work has slowed, for me at least, perhaps on account of competition from the new members; there are fewer jobs to go around for the number of willing hands. Those jobs I have taken have been mostly continuations of prior ones. Yet my own business flourishes, and several members have set up their own -- Jax, Solia, and Na'ima, that I know of. I hope that theirs do not face the tribulations that mine has. Shining Peaks has been beset from all sides, suffering some four attacks in as many tendays. Yetis, giant toads, harpies, and vindictive cyclopes angry about the deaths of the harpies. My grounds are running out of room for trophies.

As fast as the Syndicate is growing, it is not without its own troubles. Shev and Bri were apparently beaten and robbed in an inn in Loudwater. Both Solia and Mimsy, who I've only met in passing, have met their demise and been raised. Across the region, we seem to be met with suspicion despite our efforts to quell the disproportionately common monster attacks and misfortunes that seem to surround us. It is disconcerting, to say the least. One can hardly travel the road to Loudwater, or even be secure in their own home, without facing attack.

Still, I have hope for the future. Our powers have for the most part swelled in proportion to the troubles we have been obliged to face, and suspicion notwithstanding, we still find welcome about town. I am confident that with time and continuing effort, we will soon establish ourselves securely.

-- Yashir adh Rumahr