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.

Perhaps I have made a grave mistake in leaving my post, coming to somewhere I have never seen before, and abandoning the responsibilities I was tasked with for the potential for something grander. Perhaps I am never meant to learn more about this world around me, and I must wait a century or more for my punishment's conclusion to be assigned a new task.

Or, perhaps taking my fate into my own hands is exactly what I need to grow.

Stagnant and comfortable, as comfortable as one can be when tasked with guarding a gate that has not been crossed in decades if not centuries, my bones ache for the thrill of exploration and my mind hungers for knowledge undiscovered. If the two who came across my plight, Stranger and Wanderer, happen to be here, then I will have made the right decision. For now, having just arrived and filled out the paperwork, I am hopeful that they will soon reveal themselves, and we may at once continue the conversations that prompted my swift exodus.

Though, if Surx is to be believed, they are both dead... and perhaps that is just the way of the world.

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

Notes on the month of Tarsakh of the year 1502

I arrived at the Syndicate less than a fortnight ago, on the 18th of Tarsakh. I found the location to be quite well-selected, with a natural defense in the form of the river. I do have some concerns about potential floods, though I'm sure there are some contingencies for this. I was given a contract to sign which seemed quite generous, providing free rooms and board for their members. After a brief discussion with a Kobold member of staff by the name of Saturday, I moved in and got settled.

My first job of the month took place the very next day, which also included my first experience with teleportation magic. My full notes were recorded separately but I felt reassured as I already found leads on the empire of Netheril in the form of Netherese text at a cemetery. I have since started some basic research to see if anyone knew how to translate the text, but I have been unsuccessful thus far.

The second job involved more teleportation, this time on the behalf of the Lord's Alliance. I was allowed to visit the illustrious grounds of Candlekeep, though unfortunately we were not allowed to explore the library at our leisure. In this job, my companions and I met the illustrious Brass dragon, Felgolos. The job was successful and he was generous enough to reward us for our good cheer.

In future months, I hope to forge more connections to members of the Syndicate and continue to take on jobs. Perhaps I will even organize a small expedition towards the Anauroch desert to see if I can get a better sense of it now that I'm here.