I have arrived at castle Vebeaux and spoke to the duke immediately. It seems that the peace negotiations are close to completion. Several envoys will soon arrive from Holklanda and Monitor Shigaz has asked for me specifically to help secure the castle and stop any potential assassins. There’s some work being done under the castle. Some new halls are being dug and Shigaz feels that this would be the most likely direction an attack could come from.

I went down there immediately, and promptly got attacked by cultist assassins. I disposed of them and found Shigaz in the next room. He was mortally wounded and, in his delirium, thought I was working with the assassins. He attacked me, so I was forced to defend. I incapacitated him quickly and tried to heal him from his previous wounds, but it was too late. Before he died, he said the duke sent him down here. There’s something suspicious going on. I went through the passages and soon emerged outside the castle, in the woods. The duke’s men were already after me.

I fled through the forest and soon encountered a helping Holklandan who directed me to an escape route. After some fighting, and some dodging, the route led me to a brigand encampment. However, they were not hostile. In fact, they seemed to expect me. Their leader, Minaka, said the rogue Hand, Gavin, told them to expect me. He is here, in the camp, and he want’s to talk to me. I obliged.

I hate getting myself surrounded, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.

Gavin told me he was betrayed by the duke, just as I was. Publicly, the duke works on forging a peace agreement with Holklanda. Privately, however, he is working for the Tavon empire. Gavin uncovered this and was framed because of it. Avadon has failed to prove his innocence or to even show concern for him, so he became a brigand. As for me, I need to somehow get to the pylon and return. He has an idea how, but first I need to help him. I need to kill a hunter that’s become a threat for them. He is to the south.

I went there and realized the hunter is a she. Tender Melisande, to be precise. The same animal tender who gave me several tasks at the castle. I told her the truth about the duke, but she didn’t care. By her own words, Avadon’s time is past. It has become weak and corrupt and the duke has a better path. I said I agree with the statement about Avadon, and she was surprised, but also told me her orders are clear. I guess there was no way out of that battle. She and her beasts were tough, but they posed no threat.

I reported this to Gavin and he decided to help me. I need to clear the way to the east, off the main road, and look for a hidden passage. He will wait for me there. I went as he instructed and soon met the Wayfarer again. No job this time, only questions he needs answers for. He asked me where my loyalties lie, how I feel about Avadon and if I would be willing to have Redbeard “replaced”. I would prefer to just leave, but the mark that makes me a Hand cannot be removed and it also means I cannot run away. The only option is to overthrow Redbeard. Before he left, he gave me advice. I should spare the duke. It will mean a lot in the future. With that, he was gone and I continued. After some fighting, I met up with Gavin, and soon we were at the castle.

Sadly, Gavin soon fell to a trap, so I was forced to continue alone. I fought for a long time, moving back and forth between possible routes of escape, defeating the duke’s lackeys, until I finally reached his inner chambers. He pleaded for his life, explaining his motivations, appealing to reason, and he finally succeeded. I let him go. In the end, he was just trying to protect his people. It’s Redbeard that needs to go down. The duke fled, the way to the pylon was open. Time to kill Redbeard.

As I arrived to Dhorl Stead, I was greeted by militia. They hate their lord, they know he has done wrong, but still they want to defend him and their home. Sadly, I was forced to fight them. I fought my way to the gates of Oghrym’Tor and soon met the Wayfahrer. He didn’t have any task for me this time, he only asked if I feel regret for what is happening. I admitted I do and he left.

Oghrym’Tor was devoid of any guards or soldiers. I’ve reached the throne room, and Carsta’Arl was there, waiting for me. He tried to justify what he had the wizard do, and ended up escaping thanks to some powers the wizard granted him. I went in the only open direction and soon encountered and fought his wife, Antja.

After she was defeated, a new passage opened. I fought through the rooms of the fort for a long time and eventually reached Carsta again. He was waiting for me in the center of the fort. This was definitely a hard battle, but eventually, he fell. He dropped an excellent sword and shield, so my blademaster will be switching to those again.

I won, but it was a bittersweet victory. On one hand, Carsta and his wizard did horrible thing, but on the other, it is a shame that the people of Dhorl Stead got caught in the crossfire. I don’t think this Pact will last for long, and I’m starting to think I will be its downfall. I reported the events to Miranda and she sent me to Redbeard for my next mission.

I find using the same title constantly a bit lame, so I decided to try and mix it up a bit. Let me know what you prefer.

So, last time I wrote, I just returned from the bandit hideout victorious and was about to return to the castle. I didn’t clear the entire hideout, because I was alone. I’ll probably return later, once I finish my report, with my entire party. The duke was very pleased with the results. As for my other missions, I gave the drake egg to the castle caretaker and got a Titansteel Girdle for it. I also brought the news of the incantor’s return to the castle mage and she gave me a nice breastplate with a big strength bonus. I think my blademaster will be using it. As for the rogue Hand, sadly, I had to report I did not find him.

When the area has a geometrical shape, it usually means something’s up.

I returned to Avadon to report in and, as expected, Shima Treespear was on his way through the portal. He has stuff to deal with and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I guess I’ll have to go after him next. I offered to come with him immediately, but he wouldn’t accept it. He did say he would leave some papers in his quarters, though.

I spoke to Redbeard, and he was pleased, but he immediately sent me to speak to Miranda for my next mission. Whatever it is, I will go after Shima first. Miranda said I need to return to Oghrym’Tor and deal with the leader, Carsta’Arl. It seems they have found evidence that he was the one supplying the, now not so rogue wizard. As I said, Shima is on the top of my priority list, so I gathered my party and returned to Beraza Woods.

I went to the location Shima mentioned in his papers and, as promised, It was infested by ogre’s. I destroyed one of their camps and killed their chieftain, but got nothing really of note, other than a nice staff for my shaman. Once that was done, I continued north and soon found Harua Honored Forge waiting for me in the middle of a ravine. He was not alone. Two of his men brought Shima, hands bound behind his back, towards me. He tried to murder Harua in his sleep. Even though he had every right, he didn’t punish Shima by killing him, claiming he, unlike others, is able to rise above clan disputes.

They warned us not to follow and then left Shima with me. He was conflicted. The Honored Forge are well respected by Redbeard and loyal servants to Avadon, but they have killed his family. He cannot let that go unpunished. I decided to help him. He joined my group and we moved on.

The direct route was trapped so we went to find another way in. There were several passages leading in the general direction, but only one of them wasn’t a dead end. Eventually, we reached a well supplied Holklandan camp. This is extremely odd, since there would be no need to have such a camp in this location, unless it is for military purposes. The Holklandans might not be as devoted to the peace treaty as I thought. After a lengthy battle, we finally reached Harua. He had something to say, so I decided to give him a chance to speak.

He admitted that his clan destroyed Shima’s, but he also said that they did not act alone. Avadon was fully supporting this action and even sent several Hand’s and Eyes to help. He offered me a reward if I let him escape because “it is better for the Pact”, but I think I’m done with this pact. He didn’t give us much of a fight. Shima’s vendetta was over.

I returned to Avadon and then took the portal to Khemeria. My mission awaits.