12 Nightal
I have decided to start writing a journal because of the memories that, have been brought back and of what I feel needs to be done in the future. I have always had my goal in mind, but seeing that Thavian wizard yesterday brought back many of the bad feelings I've had towards them. These feelings were quite strong, and my original intention was to send Barjemi after him right away. The only problem is that I got sidetracked on who to have the genie go after first, and because of this, the red wizard escaped. I see that my skills are still not good enough for what I feel eventually needs to be done. I was not at all adequate yesterday in helping my comrades - I must work harder. I will probably get the same share of the treasure as everyone else, but do I deserve it? I have found one of the wizard's spellbooks, and I am almost certain he will be coming after me to get it since Thavians don't like outsiders getting a hold of their spells. This time I will be prepared for him, though. I found out at the battle that there is another genie who I can summon from the ring. He is Barjemi's brother lmejrab, who is supposedly all-knowing. I have no reason to believe otherwise, so I will ask him when this particular Thavian plans on coming after his book and how he plans on getting it. I figure this will be knowledge vital to my life (and his death). The other person who got away may still pose a threat, so I will try to find out how I can prevent this possible threat as well. I figure it's the least I can do for myself and the party. I hope to make up for my previous inadequacy - I'll feel better about taking a share of the treasure.

13 Nightal
The only death we had from our battle a couple days ago, Niel, has recently been resurrected. We are back to full strength, and everyone took shares of the treasure we acquired. Maeli wanted the crystal ball in a big way, so even though I would really like to use it to find out a few things about my parents, Arnin, and a couple Thavian wizards (to name the important things), I also think staying alive is of greater importance right now. I decided to let her have it while I took the broach. After almost being killed from so many missiles, I saw the importance of such an item - I won't be of any help to my parents dead. I don't believe that any wizard who deals with fire as much as I do should be too vulnerable to it, so I've decided to have an item made for me. The ring I wish to have made is going to cost 90,000 gold, 1/2 up front, and will take about 7 months to have completed. I have nowhere near the currency for even the 1/2 up front, so I called forth lmejrab and spoke with him about acquiring substantial sums of currency. The best I could get from him for acquiring it was "... with a lot of luck!" I think I'll start hanging around Mara a little more often. He also informed me that Barjemi is fine, so I think I know how I'll be taking care of both of those people who escaped us.

15 Nightal
We've decided to finish what we started - the Billowing Cloak Run. I hope to benefit the party a little more than our last battle. We had no encounters today, but I don't think that's any indication for future encounters. I feel the need to somehow redeem myself for what I couldn't do last time - hopefully real soon.

16 Nightal
I feel much more at ease after today. We were attacked by a couple hundred goblins, a few ogres, trolls, and hill giants earlier today. They began their attack to the beat of a drum, but we didn't need much preparing. After asking Kragen to stand next to me (for obvious staff-related reasons), I used my staff and cast a wall of fire right in front of the oncoming goblins, essentially vaporizing all but 30 of them, who then decided to run away. Before the other monsters had much time to react, Lathaniel cast pyrotechnics (something I never knew he could cast) on the wall of fire and increased its size ten fold. I'm not exactly sure how they reacted, but each of their reactions had running away as part of their repertoire. Even though the fighters in our party groaned about not being able to actually fight anyone, I'm willing to bet my comrades were impressed with what Lathaniel and I did - I know I was. It's times like this where I feel as if I could just leave the party and go take out those Thavian wizards who hurt me so long ago, but I know better. I know that at this point in time, whatever I can do, they can probably do better. I've thought about sending Barjemi after them, but then they wouldn't know why they were being attacked. I want them to know why before killing them, and it seems most appropriate that someone they tortured so long ago be the one who does away with them. What they did is wrong, and I want to make sure they don't do it to anyone else. Although I do hope I don't have to fight them both at the same time. Or even worse - if they have friends. Maybe I should bring along some help just in case. But who? I don't know who I could ever subject to the torture they would go through if we were to fail. But I don't need to think of that right now. I've got a long ways to go yet.

18 Nightal
We arrived at the inn today. We haven't been able to collect any ears since the goblins were so thoroughly destroyed in our last "battle", so I hope the chance arises again. Although, it has been a nice relaxing day, and I wouldn't mind if we were to relax a few more.

21 Nightal
We've been stormbound at the Billowing Cloak for the last three days. Just as I hoped for when we got here, we've had time to relax. I have to admit, though, it'll be nice when it stops raining. I've had enough water!

22 Nightal
The storm has finally dissipated, and we have begun our journey back to the Vaasen Gate. No encounters today, but that will hopefully change. I'd hate to return from our trip without any ears after we had such a great opportunity.

25 Nightal
We arrived back today at the Vaasen Gate. Needless to say, we didn't encounter any more monsters, so we brought back no ears. As it probably appears to them, we never came across any monsters out there since we have no ears and nobody has a scratch on them. Has anyone else ever gone on the run and not encountered anything? I guess it doesn't matter. We also got word that Black Wolf wanted to talk tons, so we sent word to him of our arrival, and he came. It appears that we need to begin our journey into the underdark a little earlier than we were planning. This doesn't make me the least bit happy, since I can't even research any spells that could be of use down there. Since I had but one use of each genie left, I decided now was as good a time as any. I sent Barjemi after the remaining two from the party we fought last, and asked lmejrab for a couple of things, one being about my parents. He says they're not doing so well, and how I crave to help them, I know that I am needed here right now. I am not strong enough to help them yet, and would probably hinder them anyway. I hear that going into the underdark isn't something to take lightly, and I may not return. I also hear that drow have some resistance to magic. I'm not looking forward to this at all. In hopes of getting out of there as soon as possible, I also asked lmejrab for a map to the forge. He said he's never been down there, and couldn't give one to me, but was able to give me a hint on where to find it. I hope it's enough. I HAVE to make it out alive.

26 Nightal
Black Wolf woke us up this morning at 2:00am! I couldn't believe it! He's a spellcaster himself, he should have known that some of us may have been trying to memorize different spells for this trip into the underdark. This is my first trip to the underdark, and I sure hope we have no encounters right away so that I can begin memorizing what Black Wolf interrupted. This place gives me the creeps. I don't know how Malaggar did it for so long. We've only just started, and already I don't like it.

28 Nightal
We had our first encounter today - birds, large birds, birds big enough to be my house birds! I've never seen anything like it! They took quite a toll on the party. It looks like it'll take Maeli a little time to heal up since she was taken down pretty hard. I'm not sure if hanging around Mara is going to help my luck all that much, unless that's the reason I wasn't the one who went down. It's so unpredictable down here.

29 Nightal
We spent the day waiting for Maeli to heal up. It's given me some time to think about where we might be able to find the Forge, although I haven't gotten too far. Halls of the ancients where all is dry, a place where an underdark race fled from - the living no longer guard it. I think everyone has figured out (hopefully correctly) that undead will be guarding the forge. The problem is that we have no idea where these halls of the ancients are. It will be virtually impossible to find them without capturing a drow who knows where they lie. I find myself almost hoping we come across some. The last part implies that the living once guarded the forge, so someone down here must know something about it. I wonder if those that guard it now were once the living that guarded it before.

30 Nightal
The remains of the birds we fought the other day were found by a large body of water. I don't know what destroyed them, but I'm glad we didn't have to find out. We finally came across some drow, although I don't know if I should sound so thrilled about that. It's a scary experience for a wizard to see someone walk right through one of his spells as if it just wasn't there. I cast a flaming sphere at a couple drow, and one of them just laughed and acted as if it wasn't there, which I guess it might as well not have been. Something good did come out of it though. Malaggar questioned one of them and found out how to get to the halls of the ancients. Knowledge is power, and this is the kind we need if we want to get out of here alive. There is also a small pool of water we came across that empowers the humans in our group with infravision. I believe that to be a distinct advantage as well. It sure is interesting seeing things in the dark, I hope this lasts for a LONG time. I want out of here, but as long as I have no choice, I essentially need this to increase my survival chances.

1 Hammer
Velcro is gone. The distance below the surface we'd be traveling and the amount of time we'd be spending down here never really sank in until now. Velcro has paid the price for my stupidity, I pray no one else ever has to. Velcro - I'm sorry.

5 Hammer
We came to our first junction today -how exciting. It may seem strange, but for me it actually was. After traveling through the same tunnel for four days, it's nice to actually think again, even if it was for only a few brief seconds to recall the direction we were told to go. If it wasn't for this newly found infravision, my eyes would really be playing tricks on me. The worst part about it is the fact that since I don't know what to expect down here at any given moment, I can imagine what things my eyes would come up with. Whatever they'd be, though, I'm sure that I'd be trying to flame it all by now. This was a bad idea to come down here. I need something (or someone) to take my frustrations out on - where are trolls when you need them?

10 Hammer
We finally came upon creatures other than ourselves. I was itchin' to take out some of my aggressions, but when I saw both Kragen and Malaggar making the effort not to start anything, I realized that the underdark is having a bad influence on me. We weren't even being attacked, and I was ready to flame these creatures, just to make myself feel better. What's wrong with me?

13 Hammer
Today is the 13th of Hammer. All day long. From the beginning to the end. From midnight to midnight. Never-ending cycle of days that goes into rides, which turns into months, and then years, decades, centuries, etc. Ugh!! I HATE THE UNDERDARK!!!!! Writing this entry is the most amusing thing I've been able to do since I got down here!

16 Hammer (I think)
This entry is to help me keep my sanity. Everyone seems to be in agreement that today is the 16th of Hammer, so that's why I've written it in as such. For those of you out there reading these entries (who don't happen to be me), shame on you! This is private property! I plan on flaming your family, dog included!

17 Hammer
What good is being a fire elementalist if you can't cast any fire!!?? How much longer do I have to wait? We came across a caravan containing humans and githyanki, and they were polite to us! They wouldn't even give us a tiny reason to attack! The only thing keeping me alive is the knowledge that we're supposed to reach our destination within a couple of days, and if there are undead guarding the forge as most of us are under the assumption, I'll be having a hay day (Hay, undead, catch!) - ~ FIREBALL **!

18 Hammer
Under normal circumstances, today would have been really scary. But as it turns out, I had a "BLAST"! We finally came across the city of the ancients, and as expected, there were undead guarding the forge. In fact, hundreds of them! My dreams were answered! Azuth must have been watching over me! ...Ah. I believe I am now ready to begin the trek back to the surface.

19 Hammer
We're finally underway with the forge. Now all we can do is hope we can make it back out alive. Carrying this forge will be quite the hindrance if we're attacked. At least we know how to get out of here. I'm almost out of ink - I hope I live long enough to get more at the surface I have no idea - Today we ran into someone that Kenji "follows" (along with a large group of his students). His name is Monkey, although I'm not sure if it has to do with his appearance or if his parents just didn't like him. He certainly is a strange one, though. Who in the world would want to bring students down into the underdark just for the fun of it? The answer: Monkey. I wonder if this is just a preview of things to come from Kenji. I sure hope not. Although, I do have to admit that I am thankful for Monkey's strangeness. It's because of that particular quality in him that we essentially have a clear path back to the surface. I do not enjoy being around drow - my spells don't affect them!

12 Alturiak
I kissed the ground as we arrived here at the surface about 1:00 this morning. At least, Black Wolf, Mara, Lathanyl, Maeli, and I did (arrive that is). As for the fighters. I'm not so sure. Monkey and company didn't end up with us either, so I can only assume they are all together somewhere. I'm sure they'll be back soon. They make up a large number of fighters, so I don't see any problems with that. My first order of business seems to be adjusting my body's clock back to "normal" time. Seeing the sun again (that beautiful ball of flame) definitely helps me mentally, but physically there isn't much I can do. I've been thinking up some new spells to research, and since we're planning on spending some time here, I hope to have them ready by the time we leave. Some of my items and share from the mithril door we brought back will help finance these spells and put a down payment on the item I'm having created.

16 Alturiak
I have begun researching my first spell recently - Fire Protection. I see it as a must for a fire elementalist. I plan each spell that I research to take me one step closer to helping out my parents. I asked Maeli to scry on them, but nothing came up. I'm under the impression that they are using protective devices against scrying, which means things are worse than I thought they might be. The only thing I can do for my parents right now is to purchase nothing that will protect me from scrying. I want them to be able to scry on me and see that I am safe. In fact, if my mother, father, or mentor are scrying on me right now and are looking at what I am writing, please, SOMEHOW, get word to me about what's going on with you. I'm currently wintering in Damara. I want to be able to help you ANY WAY I CAN. At least knowing that you haven't been captured and are safe for the moment would be something. The worst thing is not knowing. Father, I hope to be able to fight by your side someday. I'm doing everything I can to strengthen myself as best I can. I want us to be a family again. - By the way, you don't happen to know the names of those two red wizards who cast those spells on me so long ago, do you? I wouldn't mind paying them a visit some day.

15 Kythorn
The past few months have been quite intense for me. I never realized that it took so much effort for researching. I was more than happy to spend my last two weeks finishing up my karate training. I would have gone crazy otherwise. We left Damara today with a ship we purchased recently, decreasing travel times from now on considerably.

16 Kythorn
We brought our ship down in unfamiliar territory today. Malaggar, Maeli, and I went to at least get an idea of where we were and ended up coming across our old buddy Kymel. Luckily, he didn't see us, although he knew someone had been there. Especially since we ended up freeing the slaves that were there, and took them as crew members for our ship. Something to note that doesn't sit well in my stomach is the person Kymel was speaking with - Tootonis (sp?), leader at Iron Fang Keep. I'm not sure if Kymel still holds any grudges against our group, but if he does, his choice of allies could lead us to an unhappy future. We were followed up as we left and probably would have been boarded if Maeli hadn't used some of her powers to blast a nice sized hole in the other ship. I'm hoping they don't know exactly what it was that she did, but part of me believes someone now knows more than we need him to. Although there isn't anything that can be done about that now, it's too late. Regardless, I think Maeli did the right thing. Later on (this has been an eventful day), we took a tour of some of the neighboring planets and ended up on one of the Tears of Selune, known as the Rock of Bral. We were lounging in a tavern called the Rock Rat when Malaggar ended up making another enemy for the party, one of the members of a pirate ship. I don't want to make it sound like Malaggar was just being a jerk, since he wasn't. I think it had to do with the fact that the pirate was totally drunk, and Malaggar wasn't about to let anyone try to intimidate him. I'm just having a difficult time finding out where our allies are.

19 Kythorn
The last thing I remember from yesterday is using the helm to fly the ship and then being attacked and feeling an overload of energy drive me to unconsciousness. I awakened today to find that we made a successful landing (successful meaning we, with the exception of myself, were able to walk away from it). The most ironic thing of it all is that we landed in the midst of a person that we were supposed to eventually seek out, the merchant Hadrogh Prohl. One would almost believe that our crash was for the better, except that our company has decided to accompany Hadrogh into the underdark. This must have something to do with Mara leaving the group a few days ago. Why did she have to get married?! The only positive thing about entering the underdark is the promise of large sums of currency. If I knew we'd be entering the underdark again, I would have researched something that would be useful offensively against the drow. We are entering with two less fighters and one less mage and priest. All I can do is hope for the best (and down there, the best might mean only half of us get killed).

24 Kythorn
Each day of my life gets more and more interesting. We spent the day resting due to an encounter we had last night with some owlbears. I decided to try out my new Torch Demon spell. Well, the torch demon is essentially that - a demon! This isn't exactly what I intended to summon. Although, I have to admit, Stevie is every wizard's dream to have as an apprentice. He bows, grovels, and does anything else he's commanded to do. He would probably be a really good bodyguard down in the underdark, although I don't think there 'II ever be a two minute time period that I can take to cast it. By the time I get it cast, the fight'll already be over or his help will no longer be needed. I guess I'll just have to see what happens.