Marpenoth 14th, 1502 DR

Our efforts in Luskan continue; we were invited to a fundraiser to help open the closed teleportation circle. Unfortunately, my drow background caused some suspicion among the staff, so I couldn't get inside and left to provide emergency backup as I patrolled the outside of the venue.

What I've heard from the chatter of those who left early, the Arcane Brotherhood was overly ambitious in requesting too many resources for support, with little to show or offer in return; some complained that even the events were lackluster or non-existent.

It seems the event was a failure, stopping any immediate efforts to have accessible magical transportation to Luskan, but our members who got inside managed to prove themselves worthy for future jobs in this endeavour, and we'll make sure no other attempt at accessing the circle will be stopped.

I did see an interesting blue pigeon there; I would like to find them again. I always leave parties with new friends, it seems.

Marpenoth 4th, 1502 DR

A last-minute change of our job sent us to Hillsfar, where I soon discovered the only charming thing about it was the name. While waiting for our contact, the bartender got poisoned. Fortunately, Azrael assisted them first, only to be jumped by a red-robed individual who tasked us with proving the innocence of a goblin named Bert.

We went to inspect their lair, but we were stopped by the goblin guard, and after a failed negotiation and putting them to sleep (literally), we went deeper inside. We soon discovered the racism and hatred steeped in this place, with enough evidence to prove Bert was set up and innocent, plus some suspicious ooze... and a squirrel deemed important.

We met with another red-clothed individual, and per the description and letters, it was clear they were an ally of Bert who ushered us to assist with the goblin's court hearing. After some daming evidence on our part, Azrael the lawyer, and an awakened squirrel with eyewitness proof, the goblin was proven innocent.

Unfortunately, we discovered the reason for the ooze cult existing... it was in the courtroom all this time, but an oblex was nothing compared to the rest of us, and we splattered it easily... earning almost nothing in exchange, aside from the need for a shower.

I despise Hillsfar, and I don't want to see it ever again.

Marpenoth 2nd, 1502 DR

It has been a while since I had to bear the scorching heat of Calimshan, so back to my leathers it was, but thankfully it was under better conditions. Invited to a festival, which we got access into thanks to Alvis and "the Boys" previous work with Calimport, so we can keep an eye out for a water djin, Sovereign Firtinia, who's looking to sabotage the sultana.

We mingled for a while to gather information, met and danced with a lovely air djin, even if she didn't have much to converse with... But I got a possible trip to the Elemental Plane of Air, so I'll take that as a win. Unfortunately, the fun time ended quickly when a guard came in to lock down the place as the Calimemnon Crystal was stolen.

After some inquiry and recruitment of additional allies, we got teleported to the Sovereign's place with the help of Deryan and Advisor Elçin. Now deep into a watery and freezing place, pushing through several ice elementals, we found the myrid... which we dispatched rather quickly and got the crystal back.

Upon the Sultana herself called to us to be rewarded with quite the bounty and even receive her elemental blessing, which may come in handy.

I should go to the Air Elemental Plane someday.

Eleint 1502 DR

A busy month of Eleint, I assisted with starting negotiations for teleportation circles for multiple cities: Athkatla, because I didn't have enough heat for an entire season; Baldur's Gate, which was run-of-the-mill; and Luskan, which proved to be quite an interesting city of drow that I'll need to keep a closer eye on in the near future. I did have a productive talk with the bar owner, so there might be more to come for me there.

Also helped some druids close to the Syndicate; apparently, some long-running hunt for a druid saboteur that we managed to deal with, and in turn we got paid very handsomely for it.

These jobs allowed me to open up a place of my own in Loudwater, so I'm also close to those I care for, and to eventually run some business of my own. Honestly, good it happened so soon, after the recent capture attempt of Wuyon'e a few days ago, I can't see the Syndicate as a safe place anymore. Someone who's close enough to Sylk and her was part of these machinations, and so far only the Syndicate could house such a suspect... I can't in good conscience spend more time than necessary there, at least until this mystery is uncovered.

We need to tread carefully now, and good thing I'm a dame of means in this upside down.

Signed,

- Ssrin

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SYSTEM LOG: 1502 DR - eleasis & eleint

ARCHIVE 1: eleasis

Completed 2x missions. Acquired syndicate allies: D.U.S.K. . Favors: Temoren and D.U.S.K. offered assistance for system corruption.

Observation: mainframe and system infection has not escalated. syndicate allies danger potential nominal. Directive: analyse potential methods of mitigation.

ARCHIVE 2: eleint

Completed 1x missions. Enemies: Kaskur for sparing Feral-Tongue. Penalties: Unknown Chardalyn corruption to the main systems.

Warning: mainframe and system have been infected by an unknown corruption. main corruption within similar detected levels. Directive: discover affliction of new corruption. recalibrate main system function and equipment for higher combat efficiency.

Eleint 26th, 1502 DR

Wuyon'e was captured using an underhanded method, luring her out of safety with a forgery of Sylk's writing to ambush and poison her so she couldn't fight back. We managed to find her trail and assemble a rescue group that successfully freed her with no further complications from any other party encountered.

Everyone is safe... for now.

As the facts currently stand, the only way for these events to have unfolded like so was with the involvement of someone who knows Wu's and Sylk's relationship and has been close enough to know his penmanship. This currently narrows it down to someone involved with the Syndicate, which does not bring peace of mind; quite the opposite.

If a Syndicate member truly was involved in this, it is a breach of our unspoken agreement, for this to be a space where our past lives and actions do not define our stay and safety here. Wuyon'e is not a saint, but whatever sins were made, instead of dealing with them face to face, it was deemed more appropriate to bring our past to the surface to haunt us again, to suddenly gain the right of judge and jury over our lives.

This made it clear to me that the Syndicate is NOT a place where I can sleep safely at night and feel like I'll be accepted, not anymore.

Eleint 19th, 1502 DR

Another teleportation-circle job, this time to open one in Baldur's Gate with Lady Alyth's help, but we need to earn more by escorting a convoy of supply carts to Loudwater for her son, Alan.

A run-of-the-mill job, with the run-of-the-mill outcome: an ambush by highway robbers. We got rid of most of them except for 3 who managed to get out of my grasp and leave with half of the trading supplies. Can't believe a group of ineffective fighters escaped my blade; this issue has to be corrected.

We managed to find their trail easily, but that didn't mean there were no issues... The path was littered with traps, pits, and darts, which made me despise every second in those woods. Thankfully, with the combined perceptiveness, Tealight's airborne mobility... and sheer unexpected brute forcing, we passed the hellish side of the forest and reached their camp.

After a lengthy deliberation of how to infiltrate their hideout without being porcupined by arrows, which revealed they were more incompetent than expected by having no means to see in natural darkness, a temporary distraction from Wu was more than enough to get inside and finish the fight we started. Their boss was quite a challenge, surprising for someone so competent... to even fell me... has such a lackluster crew, but Orri and Maze made sure their compensating efforts were for naught... I owe them for that one, as I do Wu for the last mission.

With the help of our cleric crew, the rest of us ran them through without further issues and got the carts back and some decent payment, although not as good as the last.

Eleint 18th, 1502 DR

We went to a nearby settlement, close to the Greypeak Mountains, at the behest of one of the Syndicate members, Arlis. The place was in flames, and from the druids' tellings, the brother of one of them, an archdruid named Dominic, went rogue and started assaulting the farmhouses supplying Loudwater out of rebellion for people's nature to expand... ironic how a man of preserving nature would go against others'.

On the way up the mountain, we encountered magical wards, but with Salviron's magics, the group's overall perceptiveness, and my sweet boy Velkyn, we avoided the weather defense without much issue. Although the packs of yetties and wolves were not avoidable, it was quite a lengthy but successful fight.

The druids also came to our aid and held off more threats to come as we went directly for the archdruid... who was defended by more yetties and wolves. After an unsuccessful monologue and a near-death experience, but nothing more thanks to dear Wu and more bloodshed and magical antics, we apprehended the archdruid without killing them, as requested by Warden, his brother.

For our great success, outside the allyship of the Enclave, we were handsomely rewarded with magical items, more gold than I've ever gotten from one job... and some strange magical blessing. I need more jobs like this; I kind of like it.

Eleint 8th, 1502 DR

I'm constantly put up with these jobs to initiate contact for a new location; I must be good at them. This time around, a lot of familiar faces came along for the job in the city of Luskan.

Nothing too unexpected of a port city full of roguish types, except for our lovely kobold being pocketed by a really slippery drow kid, which was a shocker in many ways. The problem was dealt with with decent speed, only to find out that quite a few drow live and work in this place. The sigil I found on one of them and the bar, One Eyed Jax, have a ring of familiarity that I can't yet put my finger on. Something to look into after the job.

The work given by Serena, the bartender, was simple: clear a basement full of spiders; ironic considering the major populace here. Only that it wasn't as simple as it sounded: a basement of spiders that was more like a trial den that would make even some of the high Houses of Menzoberranzan blush. We got rid of the problem within a day, aparrently some construct used by us to attract spiders was left inside the inner depths of that place. Still, there is no clear idea of the purpose of that place.

This city is full of secrets of the Underdark that I'm keen to find, so now with the job done, I'll stay for a few hours longer and see what I can find about this mysterious organization and maybe who's behind them... and maybe some lead towards the lost souls...

Eleint 7th, 1502 DR

Another Syndicate business expansion, this time to Athkatla, and the big boss made sure that we knew this was a really important one. He's an odd character for sure, an odd presence to him, but that's for another time.

I guess the drow and tiefling nobility weren't a bad pick for this job, even including the construct... can't say much about the naked... snake? lizard? creature. Even so, apparently we found the snobs of the snobility, but an impressive city indeed, with nice lamps and awful heat. Why do I always end up in rich and blazing cities?

A test was given for our worth instead of decent pay, figures, to assist a trade to Baldur's Gate by ship; it seems merchants are always being ambushed. But this time it was worse than lycans or snake-lion creatures: an actual ghost ship of pirates and fiends on top of it, nearly felled by that damned cambion... but at least the cargo was unharmed and managed to sail away from what remained of the assailing ship.

At least we didn't fuck it up as Thraxx hoped, and possibly some future dealings with the devils in the future, but who knows which are which.

Eleasis 1502 DR

The first month at the Syndicate has been quite... eventful. A lot of odd characters in this place, but the lack of questioning has been beneficial. Although I did not expect to meet my kind so soon on my surface journey... and to connect so quickly... and deeply... with some of them... especially after an unexpected meeting with the Matron of Ravens...

As quickly as these bonds were made, so too were they suddenly cracked... because of the tyrant I was made to be. Even so, I will embrace this so I'll keep becoming stronger, making more allies to bring the hurt... and dull mine, and join any mission that will further my goal, my oath of conquering all who stand against us... against all I care for.

They wanted an ilharess, so my ruthlessness shall be their mercy until they're done for.

Signed,
- Ssrin

Eleasis 29th, 1502 DR

As if the normal summer sun in the Savage Frontier wasn't enough, now I have to endure the scorching blaze of the Calimshan desert. Mostly because the teleportation magic went awry and we had to travel for several hours in the barren desert with no civilisation in sight.

We eventually found a caravan of a merchant, Shezar, resting at an oasis. A merchant of the usual sort, but he did have a special package along the mundane for a apparently well know tinkerer, Deryan Kaya, who could be our way in for a more expedite method to travel to and from Calimport. In exchange of an extra group alongside his hired guard to protect him, Shezar agreed to escort us to the city.

First task was to scout ahead in fear of a possible elemental ambust, really odd desert, and report back. The way was clear and seemed the mission would go smoothly... only for his hired guard that stayed back to betray him and steal his special cargo. So we went back with a new mission, get his stolen merchandise and then to Calimport, which may be a more beneficial favor to bargain with.

After following some tracks tha started to look more animalistic, we discovered a cave hidden by am illusion spell. We enter without much scouting, only to find 2 werejackals at the ready to jump at one of us. I quickly dispatched one in one swift strike, which gave us some leverage to negotiate with the other and get relative safe entrance without more lycan bloodshed.

An attempt of an infiltration later where we stopped a pack of lamias and some giant serpent who stole and ate the cargo who I put the fears of the Gods in them, then removed them, we managed to get the cargo with no issues. We returned to Shezar, who kept his end of the bargain and escorted us to Calimport. Quite the beautiful city if it were not in the middle of the desert, but with full of business potential.

We met with Deryan Kaya, our deeds put us in good favor with her and after some inquires answered, we were sent our way with the assurance that contacts will be made regarding a better teleportation method with no errant magics in the works. Thank the Gods I bought desert clothing, I couldn't have stand this place.

Eleasis 23st, 1502 DR

I wouldn't have expected 2 weeks ago that I would be back on familiar ground so soon. I can't really say I've missed "home", especially when the job given by the Silverymoon people was to clear out a cavern full of fiends, undead... and even driders.

Most of the job went well, aside from another near-death encounter with some demonic entities, but the mission has run us dry fast. Thankfully, Wu was an amazing help with that undead horde and to "peacefully" negotiate with the drider alongside Alvis's... interesting disguise. Honestly, he wore it pretty well; he might be fit for our ranks. I would never mind not having to use my name for "persuasive" negotiations, especially so close to home; you never know what problems that may cause me... or all of us.

It was nice seeing all my drow associates in a fight; they are more than capable of handling anything that comes their way... probably more than me, but I will get there... I must.

Eleasis 21st, 1502 DR

Apparently I was right; the jobs on Phlan keep on coming from the same doomguide, no less, and the same crew with a new addition. I expected more undead problems afoot, which was true, but not in the way I thought.

In short, villages around Phlan were assaulted, based on the reports, by a "ghost fleet", and each new attack was closer to Phlan than the previous one. We interrogated(?) one of the survivors, who was a rambling madman, and all we got were some mentions of a "dracolich" who's watching us. Fortunately, a contact from the Black Fist Order offered us better insight and concluded that each attack happens when the moon phase shifts, for what purpose we still don't know; also, an attack pattern indicating which location is the next target.

With a bit of travel and some... minimal costs to it, we reached a recluse island of fishers that looked nearly abandoned. The people were strange and uncooperative, no clue what their deal was, and it gave me a foreboding aura, but I could not find the cause ot true nature of these locals.

We prepared for the attack, only to do nothing as a dozen skeletal(?) kobolds and a couple of individuals attacked us. Even with the sudden assault, and being jumped by 6 of them at once (kobolds have a thing for me, don't they?), we cleared them with no issue, but with no clear idea of their mission beyond the knowledge of being part of the Cult of the Dragon.

Once again, I do not believe this will be my last stop at this place...

Eleasis 14th, 1502 DR

A last-minute job came up, requiring another mercenary, or it wouldn't have gone through... so I decided to cut my fun time with my favorite people short. The job is back in Phlan, always something to do in that place, but not at some clerical house of the dead.

As expected, some undead infestation needed clearing; with my skill set and the people with me for the job, the work was done without issue; each room was cleared of undeath. We did find a group of Welcomers hidden and scared out of their wits deeper in the catacombs; at least this time we let them go and sent a message to their organization not to mess with us... not before grabbing a few treats out of one of their pockets, of course; no kindness done for free.

Our guide Cassy really kicked ass and even helped one avoid meeting the Raven; should keep in touch with her, she was amazing. There was something odd about this event; a wizard in red robes seemed to be the culprit but vanished not long after... I guess my jobs in Phlan aren't done anytime soon.

Eleasis 12th, 1502 DR

Got a job in Icewind Dale, which, after all the heat and intense daylight from the blasting sun of the surface world, was a nice change of pace to be somewhere colder and cloudier. Plus, being able to rock the wonderful outfit made by Sylk was a delight; I shall commission him for more.

The job was from a goliath clan, and the rest of the party was a mix of familiar faces and some new ones. Apparently, the clan's goat livestock was being butchered and mangled by some unknown beast, and they thought that a group of mercenaries literally made for the job of killing should instead guard and milk goats. Guarding the goats wasn't too difficult, but the weather didn't make it easier; the other milked the goats... well, more like tried to do so, and I even wrangled a lonely one myself.

When I wrangled that goat, we discovered evidence of a nearby kill, mangled as the goliaths described, with constant howling around us. Even though hunting the nearby quarry seemed a higher priority, the shepherd tasked us with delivering milk and the intel... at least Victor was on my side, although he seems kind of unhinged about this owlbear thing that no one has seen.

The goliath chief, upon hearing our report, requested that we find the clan's druid to discern more about this beastly encounter. After traversing a frozen river and fighting some ice elementals and an ice toad, we arrived at their lair. Once opened after an annoying set of useless negotiations, we found the lair empty, with a note telling of the druid being overcome by some corruption of a Thzunn entity, under the pseudonym Feral Tongue, who began corrupting other animals from the Dale alongside some creature called Frostclaw.

We decided to bring this revelation back to the chief, but not before being ambushed by a pack of dire wolves in the middle of the night, with the large head of the pack wolf corrupted by some strange magic, giving it more strength and mystical powers. We managed to deal with no issue and report this information back and get our pay, but not before the camp was suddenly ambushed by a creature that left as quickly as it came, leaving a mark similar to the one we saw at the very beginning of the job. Icewind Dale sure is a mysterious place full of odd entities and powers.

Eleasis 10th, 1502 DR

First job as a Syndicate member. I may still be fatigued from my recent rise from the dead, but I will not let that stop me from getting stronger... and repaying the debts I owe. This job had some unexpected outcomes and intriguing allies on the job: a murder-obsessed armor construct, a dragon-obsessed kobold, and 2 charming tieflings. If all Syndicate jobs are like this, then I'm going to have a lot of fun in the future.

The job was simple really: disguise as a merchant, keep the buyer distracted so the others can implant a magical tracker, and collect the item from the merchant using fake money, which was a dragon egg. I don't understand why we did so much planning when we all had the tools needed for this type of job, but nevertheless the quarry was marked and the cargo was acquired... until a group of opportunistic, still-green thugs tried, and failed, to steal our cargo. I will say it was fun making their leader squirm and beg under my boot and blade; although killing him wasn't necessary, the sight of him crawling away naked and scared would have been more entertaining. But as the job concluded, we discovered the egg was a fake, ironic, if I think about it- but we still got paid by the mysterious agent.

Returning to the meeting point, Madame Freona's Tea Kettle, is when things got interesting; aside from almost being made to explode for her fiendish scones, a new, sudden job arrived. Given by some disinterested guards, why are these people even paying taxes? It was information we heard across the room, from a scared woman who mentioned a goblin raid that captured some humans. The place was not hard to find and after a bit of goblin murder and actual negotiations and purchase of the humans, because that's where the morals lie here I suppose, we freed them. Oh, we also killed the bugbear and got our money back before the army of goblins came. We got some extra cash for a Zentharim member to keep quiet, which a girl has no reason to deny.

Overall, quite a good first mission, even if with odd outcomes and even odder actions by us, I believe this is a sign for a lot more fun to come... I should keep in touch with that Zentharim agent; he might know something.

Eleasis 9th, 1502 DR

I finally arrived at Glassfang Syndicate just a day ago, all the "inquiries" I did along the journey from Menzoberranzan led me to this place as being the least "picky" about the type of hired work they accept in their fold - perfect for a temporary place to stay if nothing less, and if I'm lucky maybe find other of my own or those entaglened with them to gather intel.

How lucky I was, not only finding a rivvil, but a full-blooded young noble, maybe a captain or some future consort; he looks the part for either (especially the latter). I did a small "interrogation" with both of them and two humans and... well... one thing led to another, and I found myself spending a long night at the drow's place, Sylk, alongside one of the humans, Tova, who's apparently his partner. Perfect opportunity to learn more about his situation and the neighbouring city around the Syndicate, which I'll explore in the morning.

[Notes scribbled weakly]

Eleasis 10th, 1502 DR

I... can't believe this... me... a first-daughter... brought to the Raven Queen's domain... by some lowly packs of BATS... I... should be stronger... I should have endured...

This was humiliating... and... harrowing... all I saw after was... a bed of raven feathers and... feeling like I was pulled from 3 directions... to the point of breaking... there was skittering... and hisses... and melodic hums... all accompanied by raven cries...

That would have been... the rest of my existence if not... for Sylk and Tova... they brought me back from the Raven's slumber... with the help of 2 orc women... I only met them a day ago... that short time spent was amazing... but I didn't expect to do such an act... for me... why is my heart pounding?