Joyce's Journal
Magicks and Alliances
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It's queer; it took so many years for the thaumateurgical concentration to reach notable levels last time, yet this new fortress already as enough of one to wake me from a century-spanning coma. I'm not sure how many of the citizens notice it, but in my years I've grown to learn that—hidden amidst the peasantry—crazy sorts of figures prowl. Perhaps there's an artifact somewhere here—the scribe carries several ancient tomes on him. I'll be sure to find the source eventually.
In the meantime, I've sought to compile information regarding the groups of this fort; the more groups there are the more discord can occur within.
The Order of the Knights of St. Zane: What an history these ones have. Founded by Urist McKnight, they dedicate their lives to fighting the bloodkin. I had a run-in with them a while back, and nearly lost my life in the process. It was fun whilst it lasted, though—got a few drinks here and there. The very presence of the order in this place lays credence to my theory that I am in a fortress designed to stop the invasions. The local leader, Sir Brenzen, is the current low magebane of the order, and the current commander of the militia here. Apparently, he's not too popular here; pulled some crazy stunts and lost a lot of approval, or something along those lines.
The scribe—Tarmid, I believe—is an active sort of dwarf. He's always buried in some dusty tome, studying and trying to teach mathematics to the peasantry. I think that he suspects my true identity, and he's poured over countless tomes on Steelhold within the past day alone. Through Gnora, he has provided me with this book, as well as my pens and ink.
The Olympians: A reasonably-sized group of anti-Bloodkin troopers lead by a edgy chain-smoker named Thanatos. Threat: minimal.
No doubt more will arise after I leave, but these are all that exist here as of now. I have grown slightly bored in my searches for the source of the magick, and I believe that I will take up a new project in between investigations. I'll send Gnora to pick me up a blank folio from the scribe.