Into the Shadows
Kythorn 26, 1371 DR

Following the example of some of my companions, mainly Cedar, I have decided to record some of our adventures. I believe that this reflection, much like meditation, will allow me to better understand my own actions as well as those of my companions. Master Wu often speaks of the importance of reflection and introspection, saying that it allows the mind to become uncluttered and unfettered with day-to-day concerns since they have already been dealt with. This, in turn, enables one to act in a focused manner, unhindered by stray thoughts or concerns. And perhaps this added introspection will help me in deciphering my path.

We recently, just five days ago, returned to the present from the mists of history. Having followed Peraus Wands through a strange time-portal in his basement, we found him and apparently became heroes during the long-ago age of Netheril. Fleeing from hordes of trolls after assuring the safety of the inhabitants of Coniferia, Daggerfalls' ancient predecessor, we returned to our time through another time-portal constructed by Peraus. Primula convinced the paladin Gilomide, protector of Coniferia, to return to Daggerfalls with us. While she used deceptive tactics to do so, I must say that in this case they were justified. Gilomide would have been slain had he remained behind. And he now seems content to become a protector of Dagerfalls in our time. He seems especially intrigued by the Paladin's Guildhall that has been established in conjunction with the temple to Lathander.

Oskar and Cedar took care of introducing Gilomide to Holly at the Guildhall and it seems that he has been welcomed, a magical necklace was even provided to him such that he could easily communicate with others and so that the fact that he is from ancient Netheril can be kept somewhat secret. I understand Peraus' concern in this regards since it shouldn't become common knowledge that he can venture both into the past and the future.

After these arrangements were made, we met with Lord Morn. He had left word that we should seek him out at our earliest convenience about a matter of utmost importance and urgency. Meeting with him, we were introduced to a Harper agent named Deveral. Deveral, a wizard, has been working within the Zhentarim for quite some time. He has done this at the request of the Harper's and believes that an opportunity has arisen in which he can gain more information for the Harper's about the activities of the Zhentarim in the region. During this time, he has gained a position of power and unquestioned loyalty to the Zhentarim. Based on what he has said about the costs of gaining the trust of the Zhentarim and rising in their ranks, I hate to think of the things he must have done to have attained such respect within that organization.

Deveral, and Lord Morn, are both concerned with what is happening to the north of Daggerdale. It seems that Zhentarim activity continues unabated to the north of the dale. While the actions of the Eight-and-a-half and the war to reclaim the dale seemed to have put an end to much of the Zhentarim activity in this region, apparently it has only been an inconvenience to them. They have merely shifted their activity further to the north and still uncomfortably close to Daggerdale. Zhentarim caravans continue to move around the edges of the border forest and into the Desertsmouth Mountains to the west. Deveral and Lord Morn want us to determine where these caravans go and what they are doing. Lord Morn expressed his frustration with the Zhentarim and his desire to rid the dale of them once and for all.

To this end, he asked that we undertake what could be the most challenging and dangerous mission of our adventuring career to-date. After considering the implications of this for a day, we unanimously accepted. It will be extremely challenging. We are now working with the Harpers in a covert operation to determine what the Zhentarim are doing in this region. Deveral has deputized us as Harpers, providing Harper pins that will help to conceal our true nature and intent from the Zhentarim. And, using his authority within the Black Network, he has vouch-safed us and assigned us to guard a caravan headed into the Desertsmouth Mountains. We will be acting not only as caravan guards, but also as a special forces team for the Zhentarim. I only wish we knew what exactly we are getting ourselves into with this. It is intriguing, though I hate to consider what this may cost some of the members of our group on a more personal level. I don't know how well especially Primula and Oskar will do under the potential duress that this will cause. I know that they are both strong individuals and their patrons made it clear that they approve of this task - providing divine blessings that apparently conceal their true nature from all observers. I, on the other hand, am confidant that my training under Master Wu will help me to bear the burden of the atrocities that I may have to witness or partake in to gain the information sought by the Harpers.

After accepting the task, we requested some time to prepare. Lord Morn granted us a writ entitling us to any equipment we might need and with this we set about preparing for our challenge. We also arranged to make an expedition to Sigil. Several of us have been saving our funds, hoping to visit the magical tattoo parlor of the exiled dabus Fell. I was one of them, for I am intrigued by what I have seen of his art and the idea that tattoos could further enhance my physical prowess is very tempting. I'm not sure if Master Wu would approve, or if he would consider this a weakness, but it matters not for I have now been marked by Fell's art.

When we arrived in Sigil on the 23rd, Trillet, the halfling tout, was near at hand. She quickly warned us of the danger of associating with Fell. This was when we first learned that he is an exiled Dabus. She told us a bit about Fell's past, his connection to the prophet of the god of Portals who was struck down by the Lady of Pain herself for proselytizing about this god (from what Trillet said, it seems clear that he was stating that the Lady truly was the god of Portals). Apparently Fell was close to him and still lectures some days on the site of the old temple that was destroyed by the wrath of the Lady. Trillet warned that dealing with Fell could be dangerous because many folk figure that the Lady will someday come down hard on him as well. But this history lesson was cut short when some of Trillet's friends ran past us, warning of a barmy cutter, a Githzerai warrior who had been somehow affected by his time fighting in the Bloodwar, who was causing a lot of mayhem, death and destruction in Ragpicker's Square. Offering our help, Trillet quickly led us to the Square. Oskar and I charged in immediately, bent on stopping his madness once and for all, for many lay dead and many others had been horribly wounded. The axe he wielded was huge, far larger than anything I would've believed he could've carried and Oskar and I were both badly injured by the powerful blows he delivered with it. He also seemed to radiate a sort of madness that affected Oskar's loyal mount and I found myself facing not one, but two very dangerous adversaries. Thankfully, we managed to keep him occupied while Xan and Cedar inflicted heavy punishment on him from a safe distance. Having survived yet another life threatening battle, thanks to the careful ministrations of Primula, we decided to take the axe back to the Adventurer's Guildhall as a trophy. We then packed up and headed for Fell's tattoo parlor. Xan and I, and several of the others got tattoos. I had already made a deal with Xan, selling him my magical gloves so that I would have more funds for tattoos. Besides, the gloves interfered with my climbing ability, so I was glad to be rid of them. Fell calls the tattoos that I chose the Tattoo of the Deceiver and the Tattoo of Warding. They both help to enhance my fighting ability aiding my combat skill and providing some protection against the attacks of my opponents.

Later the same day we met once again with Lord Morn and Deveral to learn the details of our new mission. Deveral had promised to provide us with a letter of introduction that would insure that our reliability on this mission would not be questioned. What he hadn't mentioned was the great personal risk he was taking in doing so. He had written out the letter of introduction already, but signed it in our presence forging the name and wizard sigil of Manshoon - one of the leaders of the Zhentarim and what happened as a result was truly frightening. Cedar later explained to us that what happened is known as Mystra's Trifold Curse. A vision of the god Azuth appeared and declared that Deveral's forgery was "falsely done." Immediately we saw changes within Deveral. His health was shattered and intellect failed - a tremendous price to pay simply to get us accepted by the Zhentarim for this task. This act convinced me of the true importance of our task and I am resolved to see it through. Too many have suffered already for this information for us to fail. Lord Morn and Deveral have requested that we maintain our cover until we have gathered as much information as possible about the destination and purpose of these caravans.

We left Daggerfalls on the morning of the 24th headed for our rendezvous with Khemed, a Calishite sorcerer and our employer for this journey, at The Adventurer's Way in Hadreth's Glen. We made White Chalk Hollow on the 24th, and arrived in Hadreth's Glen late evening on the 25th. After an apparent practical joke on Khemed's part, which I still don't fully understand, he accepted us without question based on the letter of introduction "from Manshoon." Our group departed Hadreth's Glen just after midnight and we met up with another caravan under the direction of Darvin, seemingly another Zhentarim wizard, after a few hours of travel. His group joined our trail from another trail from the north and we continued towards the Desertsmouth Mountains. After several more hours of travel we camped until dawn and then continued on into the mountains. About midday we were attacked by a band of ettins. Huge, ugly two-headed beasts that we managed to fell with missile fire and some spell support from Cedar, Khemed and Darvin thanks to the advance warning from Xan, our lead scout.