After fleeing Eltekeh with the Monks I landed somewhere east of Arctimas. Dealing with the locals was alot trickier than I initially anticipated. I guess I took my privileged life back home for granted - I was afforded respect, fear and adoration. Here on the mainland I was no one. Something to be reviled and demonised. Ignorant fools - evidentally Tieflings are and ill omen to parochial inbreds.
So I have learnt to hide what I am as well as who I am. I hide my brand and 'gift' of Cadentia, saldy to those who are not stupid it may be gleamingly obvious where I am from.
Some five months ago the dreams began, the same reocurring nightmare of a man being torn apart by a demon. I turned up to some little town in the west to meet with a wizard who apparently could help me. There I met three others who had been having the same dreams. An Elf named Lae'den, a human from the north called Ailas and a boorish oaf of a Dwarf who simply went by Stormbeard. The wizard gave us instructions to bring him something of power to aid us, he conviniently forgot to mention the demon that resided in the dungeon. Upon our return two others were waiting in the wizard's parlour who had also been having the dreams. A human girl, I call her a girl for she was barely eighteen and a Gnome - Lily and Haldor respectively.
We have lost some companions along the way for varying reasons. Most notably the Ebonite Lily. Lily was a strange girl. She had a babe, not yet a year old and a camel. She set out from her gods-forsaken country in search of her husband. I do not know who he was but I assume he was an important member of Ebonite society as he wasn't back in Ebon, but gallivanting about the world somewhere. Probably encouraging his men to rape and pillage more innocent cities. Politics aside, she just disappeared one night. No farewell or prior warning. Presumably her quest was more pressing than her friendships. It grieves me to admit I had developed a fondness for her and miss her.
I have been travelling with these people for some time now and I feel like we are slowly beginning to trust one another. Our past lives have been uncovered and it turns out we have alot more in common than I previously anticipated. Haldor too wants to overthrow his former patron deity and Lae'dan turns out to be from Eltekeh and wants to free his people. As for Roug', who knows? She is still young and enjoys eating too much. But she has a good heart and is willing to fight with us. Perhaps in time she may grow up and we could all reach some form of agreement as to how we are to meet our goals.
Until then, I will remain friendly if a little wary. I believe we'll all be like that though.
