Adventure Journals

This entry contains story elements from the adventure idea "Right End, Wrong Means" from Throal: The Dwarf Kingdom ©1996 FASA Corp. and the adventure Terror in the Skies, ©1994 by FASA Corp. No challenge is intended to those copyrights.

19 Mawag 1509 TH

These are the official duty logs of our detachment in service to the Kingdom of Throal.

Ulm goes to a local forge to spend the day finding out what information is available "on the street."

Silar uses his Direction Arrow talent to attempt to locate Ambassador Nurnborg, narrowing our search to one section of the city.

Rensil and Lieutenant Nightstar scout this section while Silar, Tomas and Mica attempt to obtain a city map. It is noted the Tyresia Keels has his offices and warehouse in this sector.

Silar repeats his Direction Arrow, giving a very strong indication that the Ambassador is in Keels's building.

Mica finds Ulm and the detachment meets at Keels's warehouse.

The detachment informs the city guard of its suspicion that the Ambassador is in Keels's warehouse. The guards search the place and find the Ambassador unharmed and place Keels under arrest.

The detachment escorts Ambassador Nurnborg back to the embassy.

Personal Notes

I believe I now understand the phrase "duck out of water." Placing someone who has been raised with military discipline among a group of "adventurers" is a huge shock. I do not even begin to understand how these people think. Each seems to believe his talents and abilities, and his alone, are what is needed at any one point in time. Surprisingly, this approach works for them (us?) as these people work much better as a group than separately. I do fear, though, that the lack of discipline, coupled with each member's desire to be a hero, will get some or all of them killed.

As I have been assigned to this group only recently, and perhaps only temporarily, my initial impressions of the others may be of interest.

I shall start with Silar. He seems very moody and self-absorbed. I have gathered from various conversations that he recently had a major personal crisis; perhaps this is what has caused his moods. Whatever the reason, I believe his state of mind makes him untrustworthy. I don't want my, or anyone else's, life to depend on his moods.

One specific incident with Silar has stuck in my mind. His Direction Arrow talent was instrumental in locating the Ambassador, but he seemed reluctant to use it. I asked a few questions about the talent and he refused to explain. I don't understand why he was so secretive; most t'skrang are very quick to talk themselves up and be the star.

19 Mawag 1509 (continued)

The detachment makes initial arrangements for the return to Throal.

During a banquet in the Ambassador's honor, Travar's Air Marshal Drimsby rushes in and announces that a merchant vessel, the Crimson Dawn has crashed in the city. The detachment rushes to the scene to assist in any way possible. Only one survivor is found, but the entire city's efforts prevent the fire from spreading.

20 Mawag 1509 TH

The detachment meets with Air Warden Drimsby and discusses their serving with the city Air Patrol. After checking in with the Ambassador an arrangement is reached. The detachment, plus two local sailors (Karl and Yorlk), will man a drakkar to assist in escorting arriving and departing merchant ships.

Mica goes to check on the elf who survived the crash of the Crimson Dawn. From him we have a brief description of the creatures that attacked his ship: "red skin", "bat wings", "teardrop-shaped", "hollow arms", "up front shoots fire", "also fire out back end".

The detachment, plus Karl and Yorlk, assist in recovering a drakkar that had been missing since the Crimson Dawn crashed. A single t'skrang is rescued from the wreckage.

I will continue my personal notes by discussing Rensil. He is an enigma to me; I don't understand his place in this group. I can't think of any difficulty this group could face that Rensil would offer the solution to. Given his rapport with the sailors during our trip from Throal, I at first believed he was the group's spokesman and diplomat, but after interviewing Keels with Rensil I no longer think so. No doubt my failure to gauge his usefulness is due to my own lack of understanding.

21 Mawag

No summons from Air Warden Drimsby

These are my observations of the troll Weaponsmith, Ulm Curvehorn. (click-thunk) He spent the entire day today teaching himself to fire a crossbow. (click-thunk) The group believes missile weapons may be our best chance to defeat the creatures that are attacking the ships. (click-thunk) Everyone at the inn must have been driven crazy by the repetitive sound of his lessons. (click-thunk) This demonstrates his devotion to duty and to the group, both hallmarks of trolls. (click-thunk) Unfortunately, it also demonstrates his stubbornness, another racial trait. (click-thunk) I believe that if King Varulus himself had ordered Ulm to stop, the troll would simply have asked him to move out of the line of fire. (click-thunk)

22 Mawag

Detachment called on to escort two ships, the Jungle Runner and the Unassailable. No significant occurrences.

How does one describe Mica? Is he really a "short human" as he claims, or a dwarf as would seem apparent? I don't know, and I don't think it matters. Mica is unique nonetheless (or is he? I've heard the tales of his "duplicates" -- I don't know what to make of them).

My first real impression of him came during our trip from Throal to Travar. Ulm had challenged me to a practice sword duel, worried about my ability to protect myself and others in combat. I understood his reasons and was happy to prove myself. Mica completely misunderstood the situation, thinking the bout was just for fun and wanting in on it.

I have seen the same thing on our escort missions. There is a time and a place for hull-jumping, yet Mica is always looking for a chance to try again. While I understand he has performed admirably in combat previously, I worry that he will be distracted by something more "fun".

23 Mawag

Another escort mission, the Lady Ork. No significant events to report.

Last but not least, Tomas Runecarver. He is as unmilitary a person as I have ever met. Other members of the group tell me that they have learned to trust Tomas's judgment, both during crisis situations and calmer times. I recall arguing with him as to whether we should bring the injured t'skrang aboard our drakkar. While I understand his security concerns, there was no doubt the injured sailor needed to be attended to. Many of his other decisions have been similar; while technically correct, they lack any feeling or compassion. I hope the others don't start blindly following him.

One last note before passing this log to Ulm. In reviewing my notes, I fear I have given too negative an impression of these people. As a sailor I wouldn't want to serve under any of them, nor would I want to lead them as an officer. I am, however, proud to serve alongside them.

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