Musings of a Future Baron - 4. Remus/The Tomb

Starday 17 Gozran 4710

Our party set out a little late today. We’ll need to tighten up our rests. Amiri says she should be able to handle hunting, but she denied my offer of a bow from our stores. Apparently she likes to chase her prey down. It’s utterly ridiculous, but I’m not about to complain to someone who uses a sword as big as she is. That thing would be big on a giant. I’m starting to understand why Linzi is scared of her, but I really can’t argue with the results. When pointed in the right direction, that barbarian becomes a weapon of mass death.

Early in the afternoon, we ran into a strange man, jittery and mad. The group seemed a little wary, but he spoke of the fog. Amiri wanted nothing to do with him, believing him to be a witch. Having known a witch in Kyonin, I was reasonably sure he wouldn’t be too dangerous so long as we were respectful.

To that end, I struck up a brief conversation. The man said he was named Remus, though he didn’t seem too sure about that himself. We discussed the fog, the man pointing out that it didn’t hinder sight so much as speed this far out. He seemed to be relatively unaffected by the fog, and I asked if he could help us through it, but he shook his head, saying he didn’t wish to try.

When I made to leave, he brought up Tartuccio, saying that the gnome was hastening in another direction, after power. To be fair, our party is also seeking power, but I have the feeling he’s looking more for personal gain. Granted, that’s where I started too, but now I don’t have that luxury, do I? I need to keep people alive.

It sucks.

From what Remus told us, Tartuccio is seeking some sort of immortality. If he is the Pitaxian spy (and let’s face it, he has to be, as Linzi is too… free with her words to ever be a spy) immortality would be disastrous. But then, we have to defeat the Stag Lord still. Thorn Ford lies to the southwest, Tartuccio just south. We can’t do both at once; I will not risk splitting my party.

Something he said stuck with me though. “Many follow him who could be turned, and still might.” Perhaps there is hope for Harrim and Theofrid, though I will not have Jaethal haunt my lands. Undead have no place here.

Side note, does the Stag Lord have a connection to the Stag God Erastil? I would assume not; he doesn’t seem the familial type. The dryad who everyone says they couldn’t see seemed to know a lot about the Stag Lord. I’m a little suspicious about her. Maybe Amiri is right, and people talking in my head is not a good sign. Guess I’ll have to abdicate the throne…

We are camping about four hours north of the Thorn River. My plan is to follow it south to the ford, deal with the bandits, then head back to Oleg’s for some quick rest and recuperation. I know we are on a time limit, but I will not have people dropping under me if I can help it.

One would wonder exactly what Tartuccio’s game is. If he is a spy, does this King Irovetti command his allegiance? Is this all some elaborate scheme to claim the Stolen Lands for Pitax? Why the duplicity? Restov seems all too happy to send their own people to take the Hinterlands; why can’t Pitax do the same?

It occurs to me that I really need to learn more about these lands. Linzi claims to have studied in Pitax, perhaps she can tutor me over the next few months, give me a crash course in politics. It would be better than nothing at least.

Sunday 18 Gozran 4710

Nothing to report. We reached the river. Amiri spent fourteen hours in a fruitless hunt. I might send Valerie with her tomorrow. In the meantime, we have a few rations left.

Moonday 19 Gozran 4710

Reached the ford at dusk. Will search for the camp in the morn. I pray Linzi’s camouflage can keep us hidden tonight.

Gozran 19 4710

Two days without comment. I need to get better at writing, but we’ve been taken to task by Tartuccio. How did I ever think following him was a good idea? We dig through sarcophaguses… sarcophagi? Disturbing bone and tomb alike all for some bauble we aren’t being told anything about. There were no undead here, merely a gnome who desires evil for evil’s sake. Forgive me Sarenrae, I cannot escape.