[SPOILERS]Flauros needs no advice!

[Molach]

Travel Journal of Molach, day 6

Still on the road. Our carriage is making good time, but we still have a good ways to go before reaching Gelidia. During our stay last night a raven from home caught up with us - it was a note from Q., saying that he was still working on procuring a copy of a map of Malefia. He was kind enough to write that he enjoyed my writings so far and wished me all the best for when I start working for Lord Flauros.

I have had some time to put my notes and papers in order, and can give an account of the other interesting nations of Arwa.

The Hippus will be mentioned first. A cruel people, led by a cruel and cowardly mistress. Lady Rhoanna needs no further presentation. During the last engagement they were noted for plundering and pillaging the countryside, "for the war effort" I believe their excuse was, but in the end ran away from the Clan forces without offering battle. Now they have regrouped and settled somewhere in Arwa. Their mysterious commander, who insists on wearing the color yellow at all time, has shown his warlike stance several times now - he is also by raven advising the unstable and aggressive Tasunke in battle against the poor agnostic Grigori over the southern seas somewhere. Rhoanna knows how to expand quickly, and the Hippus horsemen are renowned through the world by their ability to make lightning-quick strikes and hit-and run attacks. If they are close to Calabim lands, we must take extreme caution and our walls manned.

There has also been reports of the Illians recent appearance. This festering cult of winter-worshipping zealots are constantly looking for signs of the return of Auric Ulvin, god of winter. They will not stop until the world is covered by frozen snow and ice, a lifeless husk only feeding the chosen people. While others suggest the cultists are by nature in denial of the true world and nothing to worry about, I hold that their own belief is so strong that their real-world actions will be a source for problems. We must devise some way to defend against them if they should be close enough to rush us - fighting zealots and fanatics is never fun. They have never been successful in the past, and will not succeed here. But it is worth noting that they frequently take one nation down with them in flames. It is also worth noting that the new high Speaker, Mardoc, is a very capable administrator, and sure to channel his underlings' raving beliefs into an efficient war-machine.

The Amurites are less hard to explain. They are led by Dain, the mystic. He spends most of his time in his library, which also includes a large section about the occult. Amurites are friendly enough, but they care less for normal human beings than the "Ether", some all-permaeting magical substance which supposedly will enable them to cast magic spells. If this really has base in reality if can be a reason for concern - Amurites have access to metamagic mana and in the past they have been reported to know all that goes on in their neighbours' lands, so they know where to strike or how to defend against attacks.

There are also the Elohim. A strange folk, reported to guard their borders well. I've not been able to find out much about this mysterious people - some say they are a force for good, some think they only care for their people and are capable of atrocities in the name of the "Greater Good", whatever that may mean. We must be cautious around thir people.

Well, in a few days' time we shall reach Gelidia, and I shall know more about my future lands and benefactor - I am finding myself more and more restless and eager to get to work as we are nearing our goal. But now, a well-deserved sleep.

-M

[Qgqqqqq]

[mackoti]

Man realy nice story, i liked alot .

[Molach]

Travel Journal of Molach, day 11

Arrived in Gelidia this evening. Our carriage drove straight to the Golden Krone, where we disembarked. I made my name known at the reception desk, after a few tries anyway.

A most curious thing then happened. The clerk turned towards his superior and they conferred quickly and in hushed tones for a brief while. The language being unfamiliar I did not understand what was being said, but they were evidently talking of me, for every now and then they looked at me, and some of the people who were sitting on the bench outside the door--came and listened, and then looked at me, most of them pityingly. I could hear a lot of words often repeated, queer words, and later on I got my polyglot dictionary from my bag and looked them out.

I must say they were not cheering to me, for amongst them were "Ordog"--Satan, "Pokol"--hell, "stregoica"--witch, "vrolok" and "vlkoslak"--both mean something that is either werewolf or vampire. I must ask the Lord Flauros about these superstitions. Perhaps they are connected to the malicious rumors that the Calabim in ancient times were thought to be connected to the summoning of the Devil himself unto the world? I know for a fact that this was a Kuriotates lie, but perhaps these simple country folk do not yet know the full truth of the matter.

However the head clerk soon turned towards me and spoke my own language, somewhat haltingly, and informed me that Flauros would be notified of my arrival by raven the same night. He also gave me a message which cheered me right up. It was from my old study-colleague friar Mackoti. He said he has received by raven my account of my journey so far, and he immensely enjoyed reading it. He also wished me best of luck on the advisory council of the Calabim.

I then asked if there was any words from the scribe Q., but he replied that no further messages had arrived for me.

I suppose I shall wait for further word, and I hope the map will be ready soon, so I can impress the Lord Flauros with my knowledge of his situation, rather than going blindly into unknown lands. I will have to make a good figure before the Lord, lest he sees fit to end my services in disgrace prematurely.

I had for dinner, or rather supper, a chicken done up some way with red pepper, which was very good but thirsty. Now I am quite ready for bed.

-M

[Ichabod]

I'm dedlurking, by the way. Maybe I can be like this guy here:

[Merovech]

Man, good stuff Molach!

[Old Harry]

I await the messenger ravens which bring further news of your exploits with great curiosity.

[Molach]

Travel Journal of Molach, day 15

I am baffled as to why there has been no messages forthcoming from Malefia - I presume the Lord Flauros is busy, but surely it is a small matter to send a carriage to collect me. I am quite uneasy, for a possible explanation is that he might have no further need of my services. At least there is one aspect in which this delay is fortunate; I still have not received the Malefian map, so I may still hope the map reaches me before I am summoned.

However, my morale went right up this afternoon, because I met three travelling merchant from my home district, right here on the streets on Gelidia. I did not know all of them well back home, other than by reputation, but it was refreshing to hear the language and dialect of my home district again. We went to the inn and had a fine meal, dining on what they called "robber steak"--bits of bacon, onion, and beef, seasoned with red pepper, and strung on sticks, and roasted over the fire. Some local wine quenched the thirst this produced quite agreeably. We then and spent the evening talking.

There was Old Harry, who has been a merchant longer than I, or indeed he himself, can remember. Ser Merovech was present, trading in armors and weapons which he thinks will soon be in great demand in these lands. Then my old friend Renfield-Ichabod, who reputedly can sell horses to the Hippus - and make a profit. Renfield-Ichabod said he was planning to stay rather close to Malefia for some months and that he would be happy to correspond by raven or messenger, and answer any question about local Calabim customs that may baffle me.

I showed the travellers my Journal and was pleased that they seemed to enjoy reading about my travels so far. We then talked a bit about how best to develop the Calabim lands - if I ever make my way there.

I am convinced that to develop a sprawling nation, one must first have a solid agricultural, or indeed agrarian base from which the populace may grow forth and multiply. There was much agreement over this, except for Old Harry who claimed that "if you live in the hills, you need mines". This may be true, but if Malefia does not have lowlands fit for agriculture it surely will be a challenge to develop it!

We got down to discussing what to do after agranism is established. While some argued that without ethics, and a set of laws governing the population, there will never be any true gains towards a better society. However several books concerning the history of anciant times show that nations who failed to develop production would often fall behind on expansion. In short, knowledge of both crafting and mining might be essential - both to produce weapons for the militia as well as giving a means to produce suitable buildings for the district governors.

When we got talking about festivals and the need for 'proper sanitation' there was much mirth and roaring laughter which marked the end of our evening, being expelled from the reputable inn.

Such was my day, and now my bed becons.

-M

[Ichabod]

Damned carriage travels always take so long.

[Molach]

Map from Q to Molach, delivered to the Golden Krone Hotel: