Well, I made it to Andunor, thank Kurtulmak. The boat ride was horrible.
This city is huge! I got some work running packages around the city, and it is a strange place. Everyone seems to be deeply involved in something, but what I don't know. Different races are coexisting in what seems to be relative peace, something I find weird to say the least.
Went wandering through some caves, and bumped into a very strange gnome called "Lul". I was going to kill her, but I saw the ease she dispatched some grey ooze with her glowing hammer, and decided against it. I'm not suicidal yet!
This strange gnome not only wanted to be my friend, but actually hugged me! It was disgusting to be so close to one of them, even if it was a deep gnome. I must get stronger, so next time this wierdo trys to get near me, I can throat-punch her to death.
Going to find somewhere to sleep. Not sure where it will be, maybe I can curl up in the temple next to one of the fires.
The Journal of Yip
Moderators: Active DMs, Forum Moderators
Re: The Journal of Yip
It's been an eventful couple of cycles. Getting better at fighting tooth and claw, but not so much better that I didn't discover a strange maze after I got knocked out by a huge shaggy beast. Very foggy, and I don't remember much about it, apart from never wanting to be in a maze again!
Also met a couple of kobolds who have done well for themselves down here. Some even own their own slaves. Must remember to tell that one from the Rosemaw Clan that her big ugly human slave is an idiot - fool can't even find where he lives without going into every house on the block.
Still doing "fetch and carry" work for others, biding my time, getting stronger. No need to rush, soon enough I will have my revenge on those pustulant worm eaters that exiled me. Then I will bring about the clan of Yip!
Also met a couple of kobolds who have done well for themselves down here. Some even own their own slaves. Must remember to tell that one from the Rosemaw Clan that her big ugly human slave is an idiot - fool can't even find where he lives without going into every house on the block.
Still doing "fetch and carry" work for others, biding my time, getting stronger. No need to rush, soon enough I will have my revenge on those pustulant worm eaters that exiled me. Then I will bring about the clan of Yip!
Re: The Journal of Yip
Been busy. Made some new friends, now I'm a part of the Shadowclaw Clan. Nice kinfolk, Padclaw makes a good partner for writ-work.
Explored the fungal maze with Padclaw. Got lost, and had to "left hand follow" our way out - but we did find the portal below the maze. Unfortunately, we'd got back out of the maze on the way up, and I was distracted by a bat - and fell down a pit. Must have been deep, because I think I died. I don't know who dragged me back up and raised me, but I'm glad they did. Stealing all my gold is a small price to pay.
Got myself a nice little quarter in the Shipyard Tenements. Previous owner left it furnished too. Dragged one ugly chair out into the hallway - if he wants it he can happily come get it.
Just going to see that Duergar with the books and do a spot of reading before I go to sleep, knowledge is power as they say.
Explored the fungal maze with Padclaw. Got lost, and had to "left hand follow" our way out - but we did find the portal below the maze. Unfortunately, we'd got back out of the maze on the way up, and I was distracted by a bat - and fell down a pit. Must have been deep, because I think I died. I don't know who dragged me back up and raised me, but I'm glad they did. Stealing all my gold is a small price to pay.
Got myself a nice little quarter in the Shipyard Tenements. Previous owner left it furnished too. Dragged one ugly chair out into the hallway - if he wants it he can happily come get it.
Just going to see that Duergar with the books and do a spot of reading before I go to sleep, knowledge is power as they say.
Last edited by Alderic on Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The Journal of Yip
Found some books, and bought some others. Read them. Went to look for the Old One to get some answers to something I read, came back and my room had been looted - all the books gone! Maybe it was Padclaw or Krukt, but I doubt it. Guess I'll have to change the locks, just to be safe. Some other stuff too, but the book! Now I really need to see the Old One, I have so many questions.
Tried to take my mind off it doing a writ with Zumi, but I lacked focus and we both ended up on the road to The Wall. Thankfully someone recovered our bodies and raised us. At least I think someone did. Maybe it was Kurtulmak, but if what I have read is true...
Too many questions. Going to change the locks now, hope Padclaw and Krukt don't need to get access before I can give them new keys. Will also look for the Old One, I have to know the truth!
Tried to take my mind off it doing a writ with Zumi, but I lacked focus and we both ended up on the road to The Wall. Thankfully someone recovered our bodies and raised us. At least I think someone did. Maybe it was Kurtulmak, but if what I have read is true...
Too many questions. Going to change the locks now, hope Padclaw and Krukt don't need to get access before I can give them new keys. Will also look for the Old One, I have to know the truth!
Re: The Journal of Yip
Curse that book, or more likely I have been cursed by that book! I can do nothing until I speak with the Elder, but he has vanished. Stupid goblins are no use, they don't even know who he is! Who doesn't know the Old One? He has been here so long even the stones have learned his name!
I tried to explain it to Padclaw and All-Watcher Krukt, but there was too much to explain without that damned book. Padclaw, devout priest of the Steelscale, of course says the book is lies; and that I should forget it. Would that I could, life would be far simpler.
Krukt says I should be careful, for the Elder is not afraid to use manipulation to achieve his own goals - but is that not all of us? Even this cycle while I hid behind a chair in the hub hoping to catch the Old One passing, I heard him playing the game of Kings. Not that I object, he is my All-Watcher after all, and I can only trust that he does so in the best interests of the Shadowclaw.
But so did the Elder, if the book is true, for his clan - and for all Koboldkind. He defied Stingtail, and saved the souls of his clan from eternal torment.
I have tried to turn my thoughts away from these questions. I sat with my tools and tried to shape some gems - ruining a lovely sapphire because I wasn't concentrating. The gem would have been large enough for the All-Watcher to fit into the eye-socket of the paladin's skull he was showing off - but now it is just dust. Such a waste.
I need answers soon, or I might as well give up trying to fight with tooth and claw. So much disorder in my mind at the moment, I'm more a danger to myself than what I strike.
Maybe I can commission a mage to wipe the last tenday from my mind? Life was so much simpler before I found that book. I had my faith, I had my vengence to exact, and my mind was clear and focused. Now, I am as useless as the Derro!
I tried to explain it to Padclaw and All-Watcher Krukt, but there was too much to explain without that damned book. Padclaw, devout priest of the Steelscale, of course says the book is lies; and that I should forget it. Would that I could, life would be far simpler.
Krukt says I should be careful, for the Elder is not afraid to use manipulation to achieve his own goals - but is that not all of us? Even this cycle while I hid behind a chair in the hub hoping to catch the Old One passing, I heard him playing the game of Kings. Not that I object, he is my All-Watcher after all, and I can only trust that he does so in the best interests of the Shadowclaw.
But so did the Elder, if the book is true, for his clan - and for all Koboldkind. He defied Stingtail, and saved the souls of his clan from eternal torment.
I have tried to turn my thoughts away from these questions. I sat with my tools and tried to shape some gems - ruining a lovely sapphire because I wasn't concentrating. The gem would have been large enough for the All-Watcher to fit into the eye-socket of the paladin's skull he was showing off - but now it is just dust. Such a waste.
I need answers soon, or I might as well give up trying to fight with tooth and claw. So much disorder in my mind at the moment, I'm more a danger to myself than what I strike.
Maybe I can commission a mage to wipe the last tenday from my mind? Life was so much simpler before I found that book. I had my faith, I had my vengence to exact, and my mind was clear and focused. Now, I am as useless as the Derro!
Re: The Journal of Yip
How is it that until I found that damn book, the Elder was always around The Hub, but since then, he has been absent? Perhaps he has gone into hiding, as The Hub has become rather a dangerous place of late - several times I have almost ended up the accidental victim of some battle or another going on. There must be some internal strife in Andunor, but I don't know what it is, and frankly I don't care. All I want is answers to the questions I have!
I try to busy myself with Writs, but they seem to be far more difficult now I have lost focus. All my training in fighting Tooth and Claw seems to be for naught - I just can't focus properly. Still, the Derro are a useful and profitable distraction, and they pose insufficient threat to truly be a danger to me, even in my distracted state.
I have tried to follow Padclaw's advice and ignore the book, and I've even tried to pray to Kurtulmak for guidance. My prayers of course have gone unanswered, and rightfully so - my prayers are at best half-hearted, and I doubt I would believe what He said, even if Stingtail appeared in person. I have considered praying to Tiamat, but that is a step I am not ready to take just yet - Kurtulmak is not so welcoming to former apostates., and I certainly don't want to become one of the Faithless!
A kobold of barely 7 years doesn't need this burden. Curse that stupid book.
I try to busy myself with Writs, but they seem to be far more difficult now I have lost focus. All my training in fighting Tooth and Claw seems to be for naught - I just can't focus properly. Still, the Derro are a useful and profitable distraction, and they pose insufficient threat to truly be a danger to me, even in my distracted state.
I have tried to follow Padclaw's advice and ignore the book, and I've even tried to pray to Kurtulmak for guidance. My prayers of course have gone unanswered, and rightfully so - my prayers are at best half-hearted, and I doubt I would believe what He said, even if Stingtail appeared in person. I have considered praying to Tiamat, but that is a step I am not ready to take just yet - Kurtulmak is not so welcoming to former apostates., and I certainly don't want to become one of the Faithless!
A kobold of barely 7 years doesn't need this burden. Curse that stupid book.
Re: The Journal of Yip
I have adapted my speech to the patterns of my kin in the city. They all speak in the manner of slaves, with their "this one" and "that one", and even the cleverest of them mostly speak as though they are slow in the head. Someone said it was because we were created as slave/servants to dragons, but personally I think it's to throw off the other races. Kobolds are believed to be stupid, useless and servile - so act stupid, useless and servile so nobody takes notice of you. One thing I have learned is that "being noticed" is a bad thing.
Still looking for the Elderscale, but nobody has seen him. I have to be more carefull in my search - I have restricted asking about him to kin, but some of them have been, "obviously hostile" at the mention of his name, or of the Shadow-Quartz clan. Do the clan wars still exist down here in the city and the underdark? I have so much to learn about those who did not return to the surface!
I never thought I would miss the sun. Before, it was a thing to be wary of, as the surfacers were more likely to spot you in the day. Yet now, in the constant dark, I lose track of time. Cycles are not so easy to count when nothing changes.
I think I have seen every vendor and every bookshelf in the city looking for another copy of that cursed book. Even the great library has nothing. Maybe I dreamt it? No, the words burn too clearly in my mind. Not a dream, not even a nightmare - the words were real. The Elder is not around, and I have no other options - I will need to learn more of the Weave, and devote myself to learning the Lore. Maybe if I awaken the Old Blood in me, I can walk the same paths as Crinukh and find my own answers? Maybe not the best choice, but certainly better than running around in circles looking for an Elder that has probably passed into the long sleep.
Still looking for the Elderscale, but nobody has seen him. I have to be more carefull in my search - I have restricted asking about him to kin, but some of them have been, "obviously hostile" at the mention of his name, or of the Shadow-Quartz clan. Do the clan wars still exist down here in the city and the underdark? I have so much to learn about those who did not return to the surface!
I never thought I would miss the sun. Before, it was a thing to be wary of, as the surfacers were more likely to spot you in the day. Yet now, in the constant dark, I lose track of time. Cycles are not so easy to count when nothing changes.
I think I have seen every vendor and every bookshelf in the city looking for another copy of that cursed book. Even the great library has nothing. Maybe I dreamt it? No, the words burn too clearly in my mind. Not a dream, not even a nightmare - the words were real. The Elder is not around, and I have no other options - I will need to learn more of the Weave, and devote myself to learning the Lore. Maybe if I awaken the Old Blood in me, I can walk the same paths as Crinukh and find my own answers? Maybe not the best choice, but certainly better than running around in circles looking for an Elder that has probably passed into the long sleep.
Re: The Journal of Yip
Finally! Found the Elder, and spoke. Many questions were answered, many more remain. Elder advised caution and not rash actions from a youngling like myself. Now I must walk in the shadows, and even my words here must walk in the shadows too, lest someone discover them and my heart is sucked out through my brain.
Now I must look for the creator of the creator, or maybe it was his creator - many words were spoken quickly. I dare not speak his name even here, lest my words burn in the light. I am sure I have seen this book before, but I dismissed it as a tale for silly surfacers. Maybe the library has a copy?
Why was I not born a mage? All this book reading is foreign to one who trained in Tooth and Claw! I am even starting to understand the scrolls I find sometimes on the Derro I have read so much!
Maybe Yip had a hard time as a hatchling to make him ready for a harder time later?
Must choose a better name too. Time to remove the shackles of my hatchling years, time to be called something other than the sound I made when I was kicked.
So much to do, so little time!
Now I must look for the creator of the creator, or maybe it was his creator - many words were spoken quickly. I dare not speak his name even here, lest my words burn in the light. I am sure I have seen this book before, but I dismissed it as a tale for silly surfacers. Maybe the library has a copy?
Why was I not born a mage? All this book reading is foreign to one who trained in Tooth and Claw! I am even starting to understand the scrolls I find sometimes on the Derro I have read so much!
Maybe Yip had a hard time as a hatchling to make him ready for a harder time later?
Must choose a better name too. Time to remove the shackles of my hatchling years, time to be called something other than the sound I made when I was kicked.
So much to do, so little time!
Re: The Journal of Yip
Today I moved out of the tenement and into a nice cave the All-Watcher found on the edge of the city. So much better to feel real living stone under my feet than the claustrophobicly square and level feel of the tenement. Plus I'll save a bit on getting rides back and forth with the boatman all the time.
The All-Watcher wants me to "own" this part of the cave he has decided to claim for the Shadowclaw, because the laws of the city dictate that each being may only own one "quarter". It seems strange that anyone is limited so, we should be able to claim whatever we are strong enough to claim - but the law is the law, so we will work within it to secure our place here.
I do wonder how we will get the others who have quarters here to move out though. Perhaps we can simply kill them and throw their bodies into the lava below the fungal maze. There is certainly no law against such killing in the city, many times I have seen the dead paving The Hub, and on at least one occasion I saw it happen before my eyes. I would happily remove these creatures that are in the Cave of the Shadowclaw, purely to prove myself to the All-Watcher and strengthen my new clan.
Unless of course they were kin. Since speaking to the Old One, I worry for the souls of my kinfolk, however I am but one, and the time for great deeds is not yet mine.
The All-Watcher has tasked me with finding a shop to buy in this city. Stupid me, I declined to buy the shop that I was offered by the Half-Orc, I thought 40000 pieces of gold was too much. The All-Watcher was kind enough to forgive me for my idiocy, but I know in his heart he was displeased.
My focus has returned somewhat since speaking to the Old One, and yesterday I ventured to the Fungal Maze alone. With potions of the Bull and Owl, and the one that makes the scales hard like a tree, and some Alchemist's Fire, I managed quite fine - however once these things were used up, it become quite the challenge - but one I was up to. Soon, Yip will venture outside the city and start really making a name for himself.
Still deciding on a new name. Maybe Siigoihu Shadowclaw, but I doubt whether those without the snout could pronounce it properly. Perhaps I should use it's meaning in Common - Seeker. Seeker Shadowhawk. It suits me I think, but I will need to ponder this further.
Anyway, the cycle wears on, and I have a shop to find.
The All-Watcher wants me to "own" this part of the cave he has decided to claim for the Shadowclaw, because the laws of the city dictate that each being may only own one "quarter". It seems strange that anyone is limited so, we should be able to claim whatever we are strong enough to claim - but the law is the law, so we will work within it to secure our place here.
I do wonder how we will get the others who have quarters here to move out though. Perhaps we can simply kill them and throw their bodies into the lava below the fungal maze. There is certainly no law against such killing in the city, many times I have seen the dead paving The Hub, and on at least one occasion I saw it happen before my eyes. I would happily remove these creatures that are in the Cave of the Shadowclaw, purely to prove myself to the All-Watcher and strengthen my new clan.
Unless of course they were kin. Since speaking to the Old One, I worry for the souls of my kinfolk, however I am but one, and the time for great deeds is not yet mine.
The All-Watcher has tasked me with finding a shop to buy in this city. Stupid me, I declined to buy the shop that I was offered by the Half-Orc, I thought 40000 pieces of gold was too much. The All-Watcher was kind enough to forgive me for my idiocy, but I know in his heart he was displeased.
My focus has returned somewhat since speaking to the Old One, and yesterday I ventured to the Fungal Maze alone. With potions of the Bull and Owl, and the one that makes the scales hard like a tree, and some Alchemist's Fire, I managed quite fine - however once these things were used up, it become quite the challenge - but one I was up to. Soon, Yip will venture outside the city and start really making a name for himself.
Still deciding on a new name. Maybe Siigoihu Shadowclaw, but I doubt whether those without the snout could pronounce it properly. Perhaps I should use it's meaning in Common - Seeker. Seeker Shadowhawk. It suits me I think, but I will need to ponder this further.
Anyway, the cycle wears on, and I have a shop to find.
Re: The Journal of Yip
Just a short note before I rest my battered and bloodied body.
I have decided to keep my name as Yip, to remind me never to let anyone "kick me" again, in any way. I have also adopted the tribename of the Shadowclaws, so now I am known as Yip Shadowclaw. It is fitting in a way, the first was where I began, and the latter is where I am now.
I am stronger now, not so strong that I can return and have my vengence on my former tribe, but strong enough that I can begin to explore outside the city somewhat. The All-Watcher kindly agreed to escort Zumi and I to the Outpost, and thence Zumi and I were going to complete a writ she had for the stinger caves.
At first, we had no issue, and dispatched many of the stupid creatures. Granted, wounds were had, but we initially had plenty of supplies to carry on. We searched several of the cave mazes in search of something called a "resonance chamber". Unfortunately we were totally unprepaired for the number of stingers in there, and the ferocity of the defence. I was stunned by something, and next thing I knew I was back in the foggy maze to the Wall. Zumi arrived soon after.
For reasons I won't go into, I was filled with dread that I would not be returned to the land of the living, but Taimat be praised I came to in my body at the gates to the city. I can't see that my body would have been recovered and brought there by someone, so I have to believe that The Great Dragon herself has granted me the boon of life once more.
On other things, the All-Watcher has secured a shop near the entrance to the shipyard. It is not exactly an "optimal" place, but it will suffice until something better pops up. I still curse my own stupidity that I didn't snatch up that one in the Spider Inn when it was offered to me. Never again will I make that mistake.
The quill is slipping from my claw now, I must rest. Dying really takes it out of you.
I have decided to keep my name as Yip, to remind me never to let anyone "kick me" again, in any way. I have also adopted the tribename of the Shadowclaws, so now I am known as Yip Shadowclaw. It is fitting in a way, the first was where I began, and the latter is where I am now.
I am stronger now, not so strong that I can return and have my vengence on my former tribe, but strong enough that I can begin to explore outside the city somewhat. The All-Watcher kindly agreed to escort Zumi and I to the Outpost, and thence Zumi and I were going to complete a writ she had for the stinger caves.
At first, we had no issue, and dispatched many of the stupid creatures. Granted, wounds were had, but we initially had plenty of supplies to carry on. We searched several of the cave mazes in search of something called a "resonance chamber". Unfortunately we were totally unprepaired for the number of stingers in there, and the ferocity of the defence. I was stunned by something, and next thing I knew I was back in the foggy maze to the Wall. Zumi arrived soon after.
For reasons I won't go into, I was filled with dread that I would not be returned to the land of the living, but Taimat be praised I came to in my body at the gates to the city. I can't see that my body would have been recovered and brought there by someone, so I have to believe that The Great Dragon herself has granted me the boon of life once more.
On other things, the All-Watcher has secured a shop near the entrance to the shipyard. It is not exactly an "optimal" place, but it will suffice until something better pops up. I still curse my own stupidity that I didn't snatch up that one in the Spider Inn when it was offered to me. Never again will I make that mistake.
The quill is slipping from my claw now, I must rest. Dying really takes it out of you.
Re: The Journal of Yip
Finally, I have recieved an answer to my prayers! I spent the cycle in prayer to Tiamat, asking for guidance on what I should do next, and I felt something click in my mind, and I am now able to cast spells as a Sorcerer! Granted, I am still pathetically weak at it, but I will grow stronger until I am able to cast as well as I can fight with tooth and claw!
Never have I recieved such a clear sign from the gods, truly I must be under the gaze of the Dragonqueen. How else could I so quickly, nay instantly pick up working the weave, when wizards spend years mastering even basic cantrips! I yearn to learn more, possibly even awakening the Blood of the Dragon all kobolds carry within them.
I hope I can sleep this cycle, I am so excited at the possibilities, and the raw power I have just begun tapping into. Soon my former clan will have no choice but to bow at my feet and grovel for mercy!
Never have I recieved such a clear sign from the gods, truly I must be under the gaze of the Dragonqueen. How else could I so quickly, nay instantly pick up working the weave, when wizards spend years mastering even basic cantrips! I yearn to learn more, possibly even awakening the Blood of the Dragon all kobolds carry within them.
I hope I can sleep this cycle, I am so excited at the possibilities, and the raw power I have just begun tapping into. Soon my former clan will have no choice but to bow at my feet and grovel for mercy!
Re: The Journal of Yip
I have learned that magic is very dangerous if one is not careful! I decided to test out my new abilities in The Scar against some Drider, and tried to pull forth a simple Mage Armor spell to shield myself from damage. Next thing I knew I was waking up back in the clan's nest, feeling like I had been ripped in two and turned inside out.
After checking myself and determining I was physically okay, I took a stroll to the hub to see who was about. Upon reading the message boards, I discovered, to my surprise and frankly terror, that some 6 months had passed by! Somehow, I had torn a hole in time itself, and moved ahead a full half year!
I had no idea that even minor magics could be misscast so badly, and am amazed that somehow I survived. Sadly, I have no recollection of how I misscast Mage Armor, and am completely at a loss as to how to recreate the effect - a pitty as I am sure that many a mage would pay a princely sum for the knowledge.
I need to get my head together, find the All-Watcher, and be much much more careful in future with my casting - but first I need to get rid of this splitting headache! Maybe a hearty meal and some ale....
After checking myself and determining I was physically okay, I took a stroll to the hub to see who was about. Upon reading the message boards, I discovered, to my surprise and frankly terror, that some 6 months had passed by! Somehow, I had torn a hole in time itself, and moved ahead a full half year!
I had no idea that even minor magics could be misscast so badly, and am amazed that somehow I survived. Sadly, I have no recollection of how I misscast Mage Armor, and am completely at a loss as to how to recreate the effect - a pitty as I am sure that many a mage would pay a princely sum for the knowledge.
I need to get my head together, find the All-Watcher, and be much much more careful in future with my casting - but first I need to get rid of this splitting headache! Maybe a hearty meal and some ale....