Hello mother,

I Hope when you read this letter that you are in good health, and it is my wish that I am also in good health. It has been a while since my last letter. For that I do apologize. Al lot has happened since I last wrote. Mirzim’s health is declining because of the iron corruption.

I fear that he is now quick to anger and at times a bit cruel. My cousin has my pity as well as my strength. I had to chastise him for killing needlessly. We argued and I invoked the name of his teacher. He took pause and conceded the argument. Maybe I should start from the beginning?

When last I wrote in my journal I was in a pit beneath the city of Waterdeep. I was trapped by the thieves under the rule of the Rat King. I was rescued, and we all were all granted an audience with the Rat King. The meeting didn’t go very well; he wanted to cast us back into the pit. However we brought it to his attention that others had invaded his land and all we asked for was safe passage. I even played a melody for him to help him relax and understand that it was in his best interest to let us go.

We were led to the entrance of the orc settlement. With smooth talking we were able to find a guide to help us look for Kristoles. We found him in a bar bound and gagged being handed over to the trolls. I tried to reason with the trolls but it did not work. So instead I rallied the orc patrons of the bar against them.

I later awoke to find that my party had been badly beaten and I was close to death. I pushed on, in spite of every muscle and joint hurting. I think I over exerted myself because before I made it to the door I blacked out and woke up several hours later.

Mirzim had been keeping an eye on the trolls and told us that they sailed across the dark underground sea. We went to acquire a boar and were confronted by orcs. It was then that I lost my lute clothes and backpack. The thieves didn’t stop there; they trued to steal my ring and the sword you gave me. This is the second time I felt the blood lust. I wanted to hurt them so badly. I wounded one of the orcs causing the others to flee, even the wounded orc got away.

No longer hindered we got a ship (a small boat really) and we sailed for the unknown troll home. Our guide chose to remain at the docks. I told him I would pay him if he retrieves my gear. He agreed and I paid him half of his money. After hours of rowing we heard frogs and saw glowing red eyes. Our boat was attacked. Mirzim called forth great fire and we saw several bodies floating in the dark sea. Within minutes the attacks begin anew. Our boat was flipped and we found ourselves in the water. Pfren spoke ancient words and the croaking became louder until we heard a voice. Pfren spoke to the glug-glugs (that’s what they call themselves) and told them we are on our way to the troll city. They gave us safe passage because of Pfren. We each lost gear and supplies because of being in the water.

We arrived at the troll docks and snuck up a long path heading deeper into the trolls land. We nearly lost our heads as the trolls hurled large boulders at us using great rock throwers. I hunched on one knee and began shoot arrows at the trolls. Mirzim and Pfren attempted to rush the huge ship at the docks. A troll archer singled me out and we exchanged shots. He was better than me for his shots found their mark in my flesh. I on the other hand did not hit him. This is the third and final time of this writing that I was hit with the blood lust. I sung a melody that gave me the speed of the wind. Within seconds I had caught up with Pfren. Jonas the monk had not been doing much at this point. But as I was going after the troll I notice that his hands erupted and fire spewed forth. He burned a troll with his own hands, which spooked most of the trolls including my prey. The troll I was chasing jumped off the front of the boat and I followed behind him catching him and beating him as we both fell.

This ship was burning and sinking fast most of the trolls were dead or drowning. The monk was no where to be found. But after some time the monk was saved alive and well and unconscious (I should add this is a state he seems to like). We continued on and hid from a band of wandering trolls. We then met up with Meglian. This was my first time seeing a Drow; Pfren confided in me that he was a demon. He led us through to safety (or so he says) but we were attacked by giant spiders. I felt the weight of one of them on me as their stingers pierced my flesh.

I should note mother that at no time during my adventure was I afraid. I knew you and father would really know if I was in trouble. I am proud of my parents and I tell my travel companions that if my parents were here they would know what to do. My only wish is that I age with wisdom that you and father have. Well let me get back to the story.

Having dispatched with the spiders most of us were unconscious or badly wounded. Except Meglian and Mirzim they deicide to go look for a troll witch doctor that Meglian said he saw. I took the time to craft a new lute to replace the one I lost. It took me a while but it is by far the best lute ever. The material that I made it with even glows faintly. I played a few tunes and was able to help Pfren. Music really does heal the mind, the body, and the soul. Pfren in turn heal the monk and me.

When Meglian and Mirzim returned they were surprise to see that we were all in such good condition. I gave recognition to my new lute and Pfren god. We then continued forward to the troll castle trying to figure out a way to get in. Sometimes it just takes the simple approach to do things. We attacked the front gate in a fury. Once opened I surrender, Meglian and the others caught on and also surrender. Mirzim disappeared during the commotion. They wanted to take my Long sword but I told them that were not acceptable. They insisted, and I could not bear the thought of trolls taking the only gift I have from you away. So I disappeared as well after a short poem.

The trolls led my party away grunting that if anyone else disappears they would kill those who remain. I stay behind them following them quietly. The troll guard was a cunning one, on a couple of occasions he tried to ascertain whether or not someone was following him. I heard Mirzim call me but I could not see him nor could he see me but it was comforting to know he was there. I marked each cell with a scratch that held my party. Meglian escaped (how I do not know) but he and Mirzim left to deal with the guards while I freed the other members. You see I had borrowed the cell keys off a sleeping troll and unlock the doors. I then played a few notes in an attempt to find Kristoles. It didn’t take long for him to tell me that I was playing out of key.

Having freed Kristoles he told me the most disturbing news, he had left the scroll in the building up in the town of Waterdeep. It really didn’t matter however because I could not bear the thought of him wasting away in a troll prison. Meglian led us out and right into a trap, I don’t think he did it intentionally but that is twice now he has not set well with me. We fought with heart and valor but were still overcome by the trolls. They were more prepared for us. We all were bound and gagged and the floor was laced with dust, in an attempt to find those who were invisible. We were taken to the troll King and he condemned us to death. Meglian then offered a vile that he said was a gift to him. The troll King eventually drunk it and keeled over. The new trolls King took over and order us to the prison for our sentence.

Before we could do anything an entourage of a wizen troll and others appeared barking orders to the new troll King. I had a hard time understanding but whatever it was worried the new troll King. We were release and order to follow along as we took this trip. Once again Meglian manages to disappear. I will say this mother; so far I do not like this Drow. I am trying to be open minded and hopeful that this was just a bad experience but he was a little too sneaky for my taste.

The trolls wanted us to carry these glowing rods and place them in them in sconces near this statue. The only problem we had to traverse a narrow cliff to do so. The fighter that was Meglian friend was the first to go; he failed and plunged a hundred or so feet to the black murky water. I was next, and I fail as well but I was able to recite a poem which slowed my fall enough to let me grab on to the rocks and pull myself up. I did this multiple times and finally I fell as well. I fell into the murky waters and pulled myself out. Mirzim was there waiting for me, he was a sight for sore eyes.

We then met up with Meglian, the other fighter, and another person whom I haven’t seen before. After much rest we deicide to rest up and the go to free the others. Later we found out that the troll king wasn’t dead after all and was challenging the new King. Pfren put up a good fight but was overcome by the sheer might of the original troll King elite guards. The use long hollow rods shaped like dragons on the end and it shot some time of projectile that killed many. The Drow managed to smuggle a few under our noses but I will get to that later.

The Drow and his friends start smoking mushrooms and then they acted like madmen. The walked up and marched into the troll castle. Idiots to say the very least, so Mirzim and I came up with a plan. I would go in and try to barter for our companions safe return. If I didn’t return he would unleash his powerful magic upon the town.

I entered the castle hidden from the naked eye. I then used my lute and made a silent image of myself speak before the king. Savages every one of them, the King order his guards to attack my image. But when they passed through the image, you could see how spooked they were. However that didn’t do anything to slow the king down. He continued to throw objects at my image and taunted it. I tried to free the others but the trolls there had keen ears.

With all my diplomacy I could not convince the troll King to release them. When the time was up Mirzim release a great fire and destroys the door. Meglian then makes his entrance know and frees everyone at once and kills the troll King. Mirzim gallops in on his nightmarish steed and I hope on back of him. However this is where my luck ends. As we leave I am assailed by multiple trolls who found the courage to sharpen their skills in the midst of such chaos. I drop the sword you gave me mother. Later when I came to it was give to me by Pfren who knew how much it meant to me. I am so grateful of Pfren; he among us does not seem tainted by these lands.

We headed to the troll boat dock and acquired a ship. The trolls we in quite disarray, Meglian seized this opportunity to bully a ship captain out of the tavern and have him cast sail. Without clearing it with us he took us to the dwarven ruins and Meglian left. But before he left he held two of those dragon fire sticks. He shouted that there is much to be had at this land. No doubt about it, I dislike him and I hope I never see him again.

As we sailed along I allowed myself a good night sleep. I then had disturbing dreams about the monk. Father was there telling me to help some man that was dying. When I awoke I heard the monk speaking a prayer in elven. Mother it must had been very old because I could not figure out what it was. I asked Mirzim and he explained it is an incantation to summon something and that we should not let the monk utter it. It was then that I chastised Mirzim for his cruel ways. I held back because I don’t think he is completely to blame, the land it self brings about bloodlust. We are ending our voyage and I will be leaving Waterdeep soon. I promise I will write again soon.

Forever your son,

-Seth