Today’s snippet, titled “Rizlin’s Road Diary, Part Four”, is a piece I wrote about an NPC in my Pathfinder Campaign (sort of the “King Maker” adventure path). The intention behind this was to illustrate events occurring in the world, but away from the PCs. They’re supposed to be writing their own pieces about actual in-game events. We shall see if any materialize.
Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below.
– – – – – – – – – – –
Lamashan 28th, 4709
Dear Diary,
There can be no end to the tragedy this world holds for us.
Phoenix Rising and company arrived this morning at the hut of a strange fellow named Bokken. They gave him a bushel of fangberries and were rewarded somehow – though the details eluded me.
Then, with hardly a breath, we pressed on, backtracking to Leveton. There, before the grooms could unsaddle all of the mounts, Ava brought forth an armful of scrolls. Seven official ones, marked with the newly minted sigil of Phoenix Rising, and one that turned out to be a personal missive from Zehavah’s nanny.
The horrors that note held are beyond me. I was not able to read it, but Gavriil has since told me all that Lexi related to him and even in vague details, the evil is evident.
One of the orphans that Zehavah adopted, was murdered in the streets of Restov. There is no possible way we could try to slow a grieving mother, or prevent her rushing northward to her children. Thus, within the hour, we had remounted and were racing toward Restov once again.
I fear Sathyan will never forgive the strain I have put on her these past weeks, but she is a strong, beautiful beast and I love her dearly.
Strangely – our new friend Buck decided that he is not ready for “the city” and will wait behind at Leveton. I think perhaps he has a bit of a crush on Ava, but I sensed genuine concern for Minnie Lamb as well, and Gavriil chuckled to me later that he was certain Buck’s eye had wandered to one of the marriageable women in the area.
Tonight, we sleep, and tomorrow, despite the chill in the air, we ride for the city, for answers and vengeance, for… a soft bed, a hot bath, and by all the Gods, if I cannot get a wood-seared steak with mashed root vegetables and rosemary-leek gravy, I shall scream!
~Rizlin
Lamashan 29, 4709
Dear Diary,
We have made a new friend in the unlikeliest of places – and of the unlikeliest type… in the wee hours of dawn this morning (we have not even set-out yet today!) an elf approached our campsite.
How queer, yes? Stranger still, Daechir is an old friend of Dash – they have known each other for quite sometime, apparently.
Gavriil estimates, at our current pace, we will arrive in Restov tomorrow. I cannot wait for this sorrow-filled adventure to be at an end. I pray the next journey – whatever it is, wherever it may take us – is more joyous.
~Rizlin
Neth 1st, 4709
Dear Diary,
The past three days have been so incredibly busy. I cannot even decide where to begin!
Immediately upon reaching Restov, as Gavriil and I paused to tally his ledger before entering the gates, Zehavah broke ranks to race home to see her remaining children, Lex rushed to the temple of Sarenrae… it was chaos.
I cannot speak to what Lex found at the temple, nor what waited at home for Zehavah, but the remainder of the day seemed to be spent moving between meetings with the Reeve and the Sheriff, the accused – no, the convicted – murderer, and Gavriil’s former lover, Rilla Reznikovsky.
The first surprise of the afternoon was word that the Sword Lords had further work for Phoenix Rising and that there would be a meeting the following morning.
The second surprise was that – despite the Sheriff’s stoutest insistence otherwise – the convicted child-killer, Nabiril Nerisaga, was likely set to task by another. We suspect – I count myself amongst them and pray that they will not be offended to know this – that his tattoo names his patron directly… it is a fine representation of a Naga.
The third surprise was that Gavriil and his mistress, who are friends as much as lovers, have an on-going arrangement. I suspect he and I will have a long talk about the implications and such – but he knows my feelings toward it. I am a practical, reasonable, nobly-born woman. I understand a man’s entitlements. Yet, I do not intend to share his love, affection, or time – not to mention his cock.
Rilla is a lovely girl though, for one so rough. Her family are fairly successful jewelers here in Restov and though she hasn’t a drop of noble blood in her veins, she is gently-mannered and much less… “ew” than I had expected of a whore.
Oh! Never tell her that I so referred to her. She would be most offended. But I am being utterly honest upon these pages and yes – after learning of her fall, her occupation, and her arrangement with Gavriil, I expected a whore.
I admit this, even here in the secret unburdening of my innermost heart, reluctantly. But, though my memories are hazy from the wine and incense, I feel I must recognize the event. That night, upon a lush velvet-covered couch, Gavriil and Rilla and I, shared more than words and wine. My cheeks color even now, to remember how first he, then she, kissed me and- No more. I’ll say no more, the remembrances of that evening are enough, I shall not want to relive it in prose.
Yesterday morning, Lex visited the temple and emerged, once again, as Lexi. I was so happy for Zehavah and she, they are quite immensely in love and I envy their certainty. Gavriil makes overtures that we have a future, and I know that he treasures me, but until a band of gold circles this little finger of mine – how can I be sure?
Where was I? Oh yes – yesterday. Phoenix Rising had a lucrative meeting with the officials here in Restov. The were rewarded greatly for the completion of their original task – they have been granted leave to found a colony deep in the Stolen Lands, and are gifted with gold and stone and materials galore, with laborers and crafters and settlers as well.
This is truly exciting, is it not? Though a full month of preparation remains, I believe it true that I shall be joining Phoenix Rising and perhaps serving as High Priestess to this new settlement! My mother would be proud – and perhaps my father, too – but I fear that Uncle Poul will not be amused. Bugger him. This appointment is more than I dared dream1
Of course, the day was colored with a darkness as well for the execution of the Nerisaga man was carried out. He died badly and I shudder to remember the way he struggled on the end of that rope.
Today was a flurry of activity – though I participated in little of the buying and selling and meetings. Instead, I went to the Grey College to pursue their law library and make order of a few dozen tomes to take with me when we head south.
South! Again into the unknown. I am so excited – truly. This month cannot pass quickly enough.
Thirty days to prepare! I shall wait until the very last moment to tell Uncle Poul…
Gavriil is the only one who knows my secret, and I his. To think, the two of us meeting this way. My uncle will have an aneurysm when he finds out… an apoplexy.
It is naughty of me to say so – but I do wish I could see his face when he reads my letter, signed: Pontiff Rizlin Crestbronze, High Priestess of Phoenixa.
Hah!
~Rizlin
– – – – – – – – – – –
Note: Image is “Handwriting” by MZachafrom SXC.hu