= POST 2 = (Trek through the Wilderness.)
- Entry 5 - Granite Yr 140, Spring -
- The main hall of dwarven hillocks Chamberthrone, dawn.
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Last night, to pass the time I carved some of the bones I was carrying. I made 4 bone rings using my knife. I might be able to barter these for some equipment of currency later. Also made a small statue of my god Ostath, who brings the storms. I’ll keep that with me for good luck.
Now, reviewing the map, I see that 'Malignrushes' is far up north, and somewhat to the west. Part of the mountain that I came down from blocks me to the north. Travelling over mountains takes time, and generally a harder task.
More worryingly, further up north, several goblin dark pits are between me and Malignrushes.
mmm…
So the plan is to travel around the mountain, by travelling east a short distance and then travelling north.
This’ll be enough distance to clear the mountain range.
Then there is a long trek in a more or less straight line far to the west. All of this is to clear the goblin pits.
Assuming all goes well on the walk into the west, I hope to reach 'Urnkiss' hillocks or 'Netfeast' fortress.
From one of these friendly settlements, I will rest and see what I can do. It is then another trek north, to Malignrushes area.
I'm uneasy of facing a fortress head on alone. I'm assuming the dark fortress inhabitants are not friendly types.
I will just try to scout out this dark fortress and see what can be done.
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Erid woke up feeling very hungry and thirsty. He remembered how he ate sparingly last night. Dawn was breaking in the east, and he gathered his things to move out from the settlement of Chamberthrone as planned. He examined the creased map a last time, and stepped out.
First he made his way to the river, and there filled up his waterskins. Having done this, he went on to drink some water before heading off. He made his way north-eastward. Some way down the path, he saw a group of turkey gobblers. He thought of how until now he had only seen herds of horses in this land.
A northward angled river came into view, and he decided to follow it. Sometime later he passed an out-of-the-way dwarven village of a few small buildings. He wondered where he might be able to find trade, but decided traders would likely be found in towns or fortresses.
By sunset he had reached the furthest north-eastern part of Chamberthrone region. The way ahead to the north seemed to be wild country. He stopped at a bridge which he guessed was the last crossing in this region, in to the north.
As he settled down, he thought to travel a bit further, and then as planned, turn and travel straight and far into the west.
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- Entry 7 - Granite Yr 140, Spring -
- Outskirts of the rosy swamps, night
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This morning I woke up uneasily. There was the smell of a wild-beast nearby. I looked around carefully.
Yes, there was what looked like a starving lion prowling in the distance, headed this way.
I gathered my things in haste, got down onto the floor. Started crawling across the bridge, and out of its range of smell.
Calming down. I followed that same river northward. But I was on the wrong side, needing to cross to west.
The land has begun to change now. The dry reed grass was giving way to greener dogs tooth. Rain clouds in the sky.
Walked northward enough, that I am now in the region known as 'the rosy swamps'.
The riverbed ends in a waterfall, and the channel continues now as a wide chasm.
I was testing the waters to see if I could swim. There was an alligator in the water! I was surprised but managed to dodge its attack.
Stumbled back to the upper bank a bit shaken.
Crossed the river further to south at a shallow place. Being careful this time.
As I'm writing this I am sitting by a camp fire I made on the west side of the river. Have rested for some time now.
The air is cooler, and a bit humid.
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The next morning he got up early, feeling uneasy again. Nothing was in sight, but he felt unsettled.
Deciding not to linger, he gathered his items and quickly moved on.
He started climbing the hillside slope to pass the last distance into north, and suddenly stopped,
as his senses warned him of a hidden danger. With an intake of breath, he crouched and squinted in the twilight light.
He took out his crossbow and softly loaded a bolt.
In that moment, on to the path just ahead slid an immense serpent, coiling and winding its way forward, but moving silently.
The creature’s head swung from side to side, and it’s tongue flicked out. It seemed to be seeking out his position, and more than
capable of crushing a dwarf to death in its coils.
The moment the two encountered each other, the anaconda may have been surprised by the dwarf as much as him as him of it.
It gathered itself in sudden motion, to lunge.
Erid let loose the crossbow bolt, which hit it’s winding body, but did little to stop the creature. Erid dodged the savage lunge and sprang back,
trying to put distance between him and it. He drew his short sword, and swung desperately, the blade catching the serpent in the mouth.
It hissed in pain and swung aside. Erid sidestepped and swung again at the creature, and then fell back into the distance.
He realised that the creature was very tough, but slow in its movement across the land. Putting a safe distance between him and it, he let loose two steady bolts from his crossbow. One of which found its mark. He changed his angle of attack, and now drawing the short-sword and buckler, charged in at the creature from the side.
He furiously attacked, cutting deep wounds in the flesh of the creature. As he stabbed at the anaconda, the sword stuck in the creature's body. He freed the weapon as the wounded serpent writhed and tried to wind it’s coils around him.
Stumbling he retreated into the distance, and hung back with ragged breaths, with crossbow at ready.
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- Entry 9 - Granite Yr 140, Spring -
- The rosy swamps, night
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I’ve made my way to the turning point this day. Not seriously hurt from the fight at the start.
In the end that snake died from blood loss, and I feel I've improved a bit in fighting ability with the sword.
Gathered some of the meat and bones from the carcass, and took one of the fangs to carry.
I am now travelling directly west, passing goblin territory up to the north.
I've crossed two northward brooks on my way west.
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- Entry 10 - 19th of Granite Yr 140 -
- The armoured swamps, night
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I've now entered the world region known as 'the armoured swamps'. If I recall, Malignrushes is located in these parts.
Discovered another river flowing at a tangent. There seemed to be something in the water, watching. Might be alligators.
I've been trekking through the wilderness all day. do not want to be caught out in the night. Getting tired and drowsy.
Slogging on west. there are trees all around me, and dense dry zoysia grass underfoot.
Another narrow river blocking my path. After weighing options I dared to swim across it.
I made it with no trouble as the currents were not strong.
A pack of little river otters up north...they were no trouble. No alligators in sight either.
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Groggily Erid awoke from sleep at dawn to the songs of birds in the distance. Feeling stiff from the tramping and the fight, he carried on, on his way into the west, hoping to come across one of the friendly settlements sometime soon.
In the morning he noticed how the forest and grass was getting lusher. Then at one point he noticed a strange whistling. He was not sure what this may be, and felt cautious, and the need to stay alert. He realised that he did not want to spend another night in this wilderness. And so he went as fast and carefully as his fatigue would allow him.
He reached the area ‘the most forest’ around noon. The grass was green underfoot, and it was a dense forest. There were some murky pools of water here and there, but the water was not good to drink from. And along the way he noticed two honey-badgers wandering between the trees. He knew they were tough things, and since they were not aggressive this time, he did not care to pick a fight either.
He passed through ‘the braided prairies’ area without incident, in afternoon. Crossing another brook, he finally came across a pathway, which to him was a welcome sight. He followed it.
Now ahead he could see buildings of a dwarven hill settlement. He felt glad and relived at the sight. Erid reached the hillocks 'Urnkiss' in Ranoelana, 'the wealthy priary', in early evening.
He stopped at one of the path-crossroads, and waited to recover his aching limbs. Then he went on to contact the people who live in this place.
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