Taviera's Road Journal

[taviera]

#24.

I saw Gale conjuring images of a woman, so I quietly approached to tease him. But when I got closer, I realized it was an image of Mystra, the goddess of the weave.

We ended up chatting about magic and the weave. I've known quite a few traveling wizards from living at the harbor, but none were more intensely focused or appreciative of the weave than Gale. Even in his parasited and weakened state, I could glimpse the power he once wielded.

I always thought he was strong, not showing the sorrow of loss he must feel—unlike me with my lost memories. But as we followed the flow of the weave together, I felt his sadness for the first time. I quickly glanced at him, and… did he always have such puppy-dog eyes?

Anyway, I wanted to weave a fun image to make him laugh, but I conjured an image of Gale and me walking under the moonlight. By the tides, I have no idea where that came from! I panicked and quickly cut the connection between us. Gale was surprised—but not as much as I was, I'm sure—then smiled. Thankfully, he smoothly changed the topic and we said our goodbyes.

Dear diary, this is just between you and me. I never expected to feel so connected to someone through magic. With all the dark currents storming through my life, I suppose I craved the warmth of kinship.

[taviera]

#23.

Umm. I don't even know how to begin. I just met a devil, dear diary. A bloody devil.

We were exterminating giant spiders near the stone cliffs, and as I retrieved my lute to my back, I heard a clap. There was an obscenely well-dressed guy who randomly applauded us, then started quoting poetry. While I was puzzled and slow to react, Lae'zel and Wyll rushed to stand before us, ready to attack.

I don't know if it was just an illusion or if we were actually teleported to his lair in hell, but this Raphael guy revealed his demonic form and offered us a deal which I quickly rejected. Raphael laughed and told us to shop around as much as we wanted, then vanished.

It was only late afternoon, but we went back to camp and stayed alert. I don't think this leisurely strolling devil with his poetry would attack us at night, but better safe than sorry. We gathered by the fire and discussed what had happened.

Wyll began by stating that anyone in their right mind knows that deals with devils only result in worse situations than before. Astarion countered—what exactly is a worse situation in our case, when we could all die instantly at any moment? In the end, we agreed to remain cautious since we don't even know what he wants from us, as Gale pointed out. My graceful sea, I have so many stories to tell, but I'm not sure my sister would believe me.

[taviera]

#22.

Dear diary, we met yet another group of cultists on the road. I think it's about the third time now.

Between their immediate hostility and their senseless ranting, we haven't gotten any idea what their deal is. But for some reason, they make the parasite in my brain tingle the same way some goblins do—it's irritating. Shadowheart dislikes them a lot. The other day she suggested we give her half an hour of alone time with them, then she could make them 'docile'—which Wyll and I gently declined. I wonder what she did before being kidnapped by the nautiloid.

Anyway, this time the cultists were siblings. Mistaking us for one of them because of the worm, the eldest asked us to take care of his little brother and sister. He passed away before we had a chance to say anything. Astarion and Shadowheart just wanted to kill the remaining two, but by the tides, I couldn't.

They are right, but I couldn't kill them when they were crying on the ground, hugging their dead brother's corpse, then looking at us with sorrowful puppy eyes. Damn it. Gale and Wyll didn't seem to have a problem with killing them, but they saw my expression and took my side. Lae'zel grunted but let them go.

I know, I know. What must you be thinking, dear diary? Lae'zel and Shadowheart are right—I cannot be soft-hearted if I want to survive this mayhem. And trust me, I'm having a whole lot of training in that regard through my unwanted nightmares.

It's just… the sister had orange-brown hair like my sister does. So… sigh.

[taviera]

#21. Today, Wyll asked us to head in a different direction—he wanted to dedicate some time to searching for the devil he's chasing. We all agreed since we're getting sick of goblins and their foul smell. Well, except Lae'zel. She's growing more anxious by the day.

We came across an old crypt near where we first crash-landed after the nautiloid. After dealing with some scoundrels who attacked us, we ventured into the ruins. The place had a vast underground area thick with dust, but we could still sense a presence lingering in the heavy air.

When I opened an old stone casket, the air itself seemed to tremble and freeze. A being who called himself Withers rose from within. He asked us about the value of a single mortal, then simply left. As soon as he was gone, the oppressive atmosphere lifted like a retreating tide, and we could breathe freely again.

We discussed what he might have been, but found no answers. Shadowheart pointed to broken statues and symbols, telling us this was a temple of Jergal, the Final Scribe. That was all we could gather. He didn't attack us though, so all's well, as Astarion says—and I totally agree. Plus, he probably noticed we were collecting loot but didn't say anything about it! I guess to a being like him, whatever he may be, swords and coins must seem trivial.

P.S. I don't know why I opened the casket. I might go along when Astarion wants to rob an abandoned place, but I wouldn't voluntarily open an enchanted-looking casket. Hmm. Did that being compel me to open it..?

[taviera]

#20. I met someone—well, I don't know what it was, really. Dear diary, I woke up after yet another nightmare and decided to go for a walk to clear my head. When I headed back to the camp, I heard a light, creepy voice filled with joy. It was calling me master and introduced itself as a butler. I live with my sister in a small cottage that is a bit cramped for two people. We do not have a butler. But it kept calling me master, and said someone was very pleased by 'my show' of torturing Alfira. Then it disappeared again. If it wasn't for the cape it left behind, I would chalk it up to a dream. Graceful tides, I'm too tired to feel scared anymore. All I feel nowadays is mostly tiredness.

[taviera]

#19. After getting info from the mercenaries, we headed to the blighted village where Halsin was last seen. It was packed with goblins, goblins, and more goblins. No wonder the mercenaries just ran off. I mean, if I didn't have such a strong and wonderful crew with me, I would have run too. Lucky for me, and not so much for the goblins, Lae'zel and Wyll exchanged a look and charged in, while Astarion snuck up to the roof. Shadowheart and Gale took the rear and cast spells. Me? Well, I was in the middle, frantically playing bardic inspiration and sending malicious tunes to the goblins. I tried to look as confident as the others, but I failed miserably. I was looking left and right, trying to decide what would be the best move, feeling like I was drowning in the chaos. Ughh. Maybe I should join Lae'zel for her training sessions. It took a looooong time, but we cleared the village out. Phew. P.S. When we got back to camp, Shadowheart complained about the stench of blood. I didn't even notice, and even after she mentioned it, the overwhelming smell of blood doesn't bother me… And that fact bothered me a lot.

[taviera]

#18. Wyll is a sweetheart. Yesterday I was having another nightmare, and Wyll woke me up. I couldn't go back to sleep after seeing myself laughing at the corpse I had just sliced. Wyll stayed by the fire with me until sunrise. We didn't talk much, but being with someone while listening to the soothing sound of crackling fire was… comforting. Today, when he found a fishing pole beside an abandoned hunting hut, he suggested making a little fishing spot. Dear diary, look at this beautiful, peaceful place we created. Isn't it perfect? I promised him big fish for all of us to eat. I cannot wait to let the rhythm of casting and waiting wash away thoughts of parasites and dark urges. Graceful waves, I know it's only a river, but please grant me delicious fish for my kind companions. Let me feel at home for a moment.

[taviera]

#17. I noticed Gale looking pale yesterday, but didn't think much about it. Today, he was swaying a bit in the morning. I got worried, but he said he was fine. Well, he wasn't. Shadowheart and I saw him panting while clutching his chest. We rushed to him to cast healing spells, but Gale stopped us and shared his 'condition.' He explained a lot about magical conversion rates and how raw magic influences runic power and whatnot, but it all went right over my head. In short, he needs to consume magical artifacts rich with weave to keep things in balance. And if that balance is broken, something bad will happen to all of us. Lae'zel scoffed at it, but gave him a ring she'd found off a dead adventurer. It was incredible to see how Gale absorbed the magic within the ring. I could hear the weave around him flowing more harmoniously as his pallor improved. When Gale finished absorbing the magic, the ring turned to ash and crumbled away. Gale apologized for not telling us earlier, but honestly I don't think it was necessary. Every single one in this party has secrets, after all. We looked at each other and shrugged it off. I just hope we can find enough artifacts to keep Gale afloat.

[taviera]

#16. Goblins attacking from the left, cultists attacking from the right—I have no time to process or apologize to Alfira. Alfira's death has only made us more urgent to find a cure. We're carrying on the journey like nothing happened. I guess I'm grateful that the constant combat has exhausted me so completely that I have no energy left to think about Alfira and my lost memories.

[taviera]

#15. No. This must be a nightmare… I cannot have done such an awful thing to anyone, let alone an innocent tiefling. As soon as I woke up, I called for everyone's help, but even then I knew it was too late for Alfira. The gruesome flashbacks and small scratches on my arms… I know it was me. Why? How? I know my memory is not perfect, but I am just a merfolk who recently finished training at the bardic college of glamour. No matter how many holes riddle my brain, the girl who lived with her sister in a quiet village near the harbor could never torture anyone. I don't know what to do. Is there anything to be done? The others, I think they believe me. But still, I can feel the tension rippling through our camp like a dark undercurrent. Graceful tides, I hope you sweep me away from everything… I'm so sorry, Alfira. May gentle waves embrace your soul and carry you to peaceful depths.

[taviera]

#14. Dear diary, I woke again in the middle of the night, but not from a nightmare as usual. I sensed something approaching and snapped awake. Astarion was quietly getting close to me. Too close. When we locked eyes, he quickly backed away. Under the bright moonlight, I realized what he was—a vampire. With his hands in the air and me standing there puzzled, we chatted quietly. He was a vampire spawn, a lesser version of a vampire. I don't understand why he tried to hide it, but apparently around these lands that's severely taboo. Luckily for him, we merfolk have no such beliefs beneath the waves. Astarion didn't want to share his past, but his hesitation told me everything. I'd never seen him clam up like that before. It must have been terrible. In the end, I told him I'm okay with him having some of my blood from time to time. He tried to make light of it, but I can't forget his genuine surprise when I offered freely. This morning, I feel slightly dizzy but I'm glad I could help him. The others teased him a bit, but they're all okay with him being a vampire. Astarion seems more relaxed around us now. We're becoming a good crew. I'm happy for him.

[taviera]

#13. Umm. My dear diary, so much happened today. One moment I was on the forest trail getting to know my travel mates, then suddenly I was plucking strings and bellowing battle songs at goblins, hobgoblins, and harpies. Phew. We heard someone shouting "Open the gate!" and rushed toward the sound, only to find ourselves in the middle of a huge battle between tieflings and goblins. By the tide, there were so many! I got knocked down a few times, but we managed to kill the monsters without any casualties. The Emerald Grove welcomed us warmly—a sacred community of druids, though there's clear tension with the tieflings. After their leader Halsin went missing, the new leader wants to seal the grove and kick everyone else out. We had a busy day: helped a tiefling girl caught stealing, learned the druid healer's only solution for us is poison, met a weird definitely-not-cow, rescued a boy from harpies, and encouraged a bard to write a song. Wow. No wonder my muscles ache so much. Now we're setting up a tent for our new friend Wyll—apparently, he's famous around Baldur's Gate. Seems nice, maybe a little arrogant? Hmm. We're planning to search for Halsin tomorrow. I need all the sleep I can get. Good night, diary. May the sea protect us.

[taviera]

#12. What in the name of the tide??? My lovely diary, I told you that I don't like this beach before, but I have to say it again for emphasis. I. DON'T. LIKE. THIS. SEA!!!! You see, I went out to collect some clams for lunch with Shadowheart while the others set up their tents at the camp. We were just walking when suddenly these mad crabs popped up from the sand and rushed at us. Like more than 10 crabs charged at us! For a second, I thought I was hallucinating, until a nasty crab bit my toe. It wasn't a dangerous fight—I mean they are just large crabs after all—but Shadowheart and I kept yelping "ouch" the whole time. Well, at least we got lots of crabmeat to eat for our trouble.

[taviera]

#11. We found Lae'zel. It was hilarious. I know she could have freed herself from the cage if she'd had the time, but it was more fun to free her and tease. I know Shadowheart enjoyed it for sure. Upon seeing Astarion and Gale, she rolled her eyes but didn't make any comment. Astarion tried being chatty with her and got shut down real quick, while Gale seemed fascinated to see a Gith. Everyone has so much personality—I think we can be a great party together.

[taviera]

#10. While searching for Lae'zel, we met two new friends from the nautiloid ship, Astarion and Gale. They both made a lovely first impression: Astarion put a knife to my neck, and Gale was stuck in his own portal. Shadowheart is skeptical, but I know the waves get stronger when they join with other waves. I told her they both survived the mayhem by themselves, which means they have some skills we can use, and she agreed. But honestly, I'm just glad to have more people around me. Though I never wanted this kind of journey, I'm already caught in its current. My sister always said travel is more fun with friends. Maybe having companions will make this nightmare feel less like drowning alone.

[taviera]

#9. Shadowheart and I made a fire in the middle of the camp for the night. While Shadow was mumbling some possible strategies, I lay near the fire. I wished to help her but I'm just a bard. I know that I wouldn't be able to come up with anything that Shadow couldn't. I'm so exhausted. I fell asleep right away, but then… I had a series of nightmares, one after another. After what happened today, I guess it's expected to have one, but it bothered me because it wasn't about anything that happened today. Flashes of images. Snapshots of me laughing. It wasn't 'my laugh' though. I never have laughed like that. Like some kind of maniac. And the scenes. There was so much blood, I think? Or maybe it was just shadows.

I'm not sure, my lovely journal. As I write, the memories of the dream are fading like the tide pulling back from shore.

[taviera]

#8. Shadowheart and I found a remote place perfect for a campsite. It was a quiet and peaceful place. I think there was some kind of building a long, long time ago. While Shadowheart was setting the perimeter on the landside, I told her that I'd check the waterside, as I know more about that, being a merfolk and everything.

But to be honest, my lovely journal, I just sat by the water and cried a bit. I like this place. Not because it seems safe to rest, but because I could hear the soft sound of flowing water. And….. and because it's a river. I think I can't handle being so close to another's sea right now. The unfamiliar seagulls' calls remind me how far I am from home.