Chronicle Day: 158–159 Recorded by Abercrombie Whalan

Day 158 — Breakfast wi’ Esther and the Road tae The Embassy

Esther saw us aff wi’ a hearty breakfast o’ root vegetables, mushrooms, and whatever else she forages frae the forest floor. Throsh thanked her wi’ his usual earnestness, and we set out for a day’s travel without incident.

I named my horse Phillip. It felt right.

Along the road, Rudy asked whether any o’ us had encountered harengon or yuan‑ti afore. The answers were mixed — some had, some hadnae, and Kaz claimed he once fought “a snake wi’ legs,” which may or may not have been a lizard.

Approaching The Embassy

When we reached the gate o’ The Embassy, the gatehouse was empty. Sergei banged on the door until an exhausted elven guard appeared on the parapet.

Throsh introduced us as The Rune Crew, explaining we carried supplies frae Tor’Elyr.

Kaz added:

“Wakey wakey. Kaz no waiting.”

We were admitted and directed tae stable the horses afore seeking out Finebar, the watch commander.

Rudy immediately noted the lack o’ activity and intended tae question Finebar about it.

Finebar and the Illness

Finebar looked like he hadnae slept in days. He explained that an illness — something like sea‑sickness — had swept through the garrison shortly after a new cook was hired. Even the cook fell ill, so suspicion was limited tae food poisoning, no sabotage.

Rudy handed Finebar some herbs frae the supplies. Finebar chewed them raw — apparently the most effective method — and asked us tae distribute the rest among the barracks.

He explained:

• The Embassy normally houses 30 soldiers
• Most were bedridden
• The few still standing were pulling double or triple duty
• Hence the haggard, hollow‑eyed look o’ the place

We delivered the remaining supplies tae the quartermaster for inventory.

Life at The Embassy

Rudy asked about life here. Finebar said skirmishes happen frae time tae time, but nothing they cannae handle when at full strength.

Sergei sought out the training yard and began running laps. Rudy joined him. Kaz, meanwhile, wanted tae ken mair about the cook responsible for the food poisoning.

Rudy and Sergei began sparring:

• Rudy opened wi’ a dagger throw — wide.
• Sergei closed the distance, lifted him bodily, and said, “You’re better than this.”
• Rudy tried again, found his mark, and kept his distance.
• Sergei retaliated wi’ three strikes, the last one heavy.

I didnae catch the rest — we were soon invited tae rest in the barracks, now that the herbs were helping the garrison recover.

Day 159 — Wolves at the Gate

A warning horn sounded.

Wolven shapes had been sighted outside the walls. We were tasked wi’ investigating.

Kaz called out:

“Ahwoo!”

Three “ahwoos” answered frae the treeline.

Goblin wolfriders.

The Skirmish Begins

I fired two bolts — both wide. The goblins retaliated and called for reinforcements.

Ryn hexed the sword‑wielder. Throsh attempted faerie fire.

Rudy struck the bowman twice wi’ thrown daggers, then bounced a third blade intae the swordsman afore retreating behind Throsh.

Sergei rushed the bowman, hammer‑fisting him intae the dirt.

Kaz raged, readied a javelin, and — in a frenzied haze — hurled it at Sergei. Sergei caught it mid‑air and redirected it wi’ his missile‑snaring technique.

Dire Wolves Arrive

Reinforcements thundered in — dire wolves wi’ riders.

Kaz was knocked prone and poisoned. I was attacked frae behind and knocked prone as well. Throsh too.

I rose and struck the wolf that bit me. Sergei took a glancing hit. Ryn hit the blue button, enlarging himself, and smashed intae another dire wolf.

Throsh cast sleep — no effect — then inspired Ryn and me.

Rudy disengaged and hurled daggers at a third dire wolf. Sergei felled a rider. Kaz, in a frenzy, killed a dire wolf and then cleaved through a prone rider’s skull.

The remaining rider retaliated, wounding Kaz further.

I was knocked prone again, then rose and struck back. Sergei was knocked down but unharmed. Ryn dislodged mair riders. Rudy killed another rider, his blade bouncing intae a wolf.

Kaz struck the last dire wolf, but it bit back, leaving him bloodied. Ryn took a light hit. I killed the final dire wolf and fired at a rider. Ryn finished another. Throsh invoked Deshrinigex and sent a starry wisp crashing down like a falling sky.

Rudy threw a blade and declared:

“Your god is almost as powerful as mine.”

Sergei dashed tae the last foe but missed both strikes. Kaz ended the fight by cutting the final rider in two.

Aftermath

I skinned a dire wolf. We looted the bodies and found:

• A battle standard
• Pouches filled wi’ teeth, likely used as currency in the mountains beyond The Embassy

Throsh reported our findings tae Finebar.

We took a long rest, honing our skills and training intae new abilities.

We reached Level 7.