Black Feather Blog
Artrilla's Journal 18
Tracy Borup
Aug 16, 2017
16th of Pharast 4717Episodes 20 & 21
When you stare into the abyss long enough, the abyss will stare back…
The reader must forgive my unsteady hand as I journal our latest battle at the infamous Harrowstone Prison.
After conversing with our spirit friend and confidante, Vesoranna, the four of us climbed the stairway to the upper prison cells.
I was aghast at the number of prisoners bound in their cells and left to die a slow and wretched death. While surveying the grim sight before us, my heart clenched inside my chest and my breath stilled altogether. For my ears were suddenly assaulted with the haunting melody of my nightmares! As I reluctantly turned my eyes, I beheld the mad killer himself! My whole being was instantly transformed into stony immobility. I could neither scream out in terror or make a move in my own defense.
But I am Artrilla! Mighty warrior, bravest gnome in all of Golarian!! Thus reminding myself of this powerful truth, I persevered and gained control of my faculties once again! The wand I carried was brought swiftly from the hidden pockets of my vest and aimed at my target and the vile haunt began to dispel. Alas, the monster re-energized his assault on my senses and I faltered and stumbled yet again.
The hulking protector, Parod, seemed to sense my peril, for he stepped between the beast and myself. With his mere presence and unwavering courage, my fighting spirit was renewed. Standing behind Parod, (or as I will forevermore refer to him as, The Shield), I placed his giant hand over mine and together we brought the Piper to his near demise.
As quickly as our unity came about, it was broken by a cry from Little Min and a shout from Marcus as both fell to the floor with unnerving crunches and the clattering of wand and weapon.
Rushing to the aid of Marcus, Parod left me with one last encouraging look. I once again faced the enemy of my soul.
With an oily voice and beguiling tone, he tried to entice me to his cause. As if I, Artrilla, famous gnome and true adventurer, would join forces with the evil pack of mongrels that murdered my beloved Professor!! The gall and audacity of his slimy and repugnant pleas to lure me to his side, made my stomach lurch and my heart swell with a strength I had never before experienced. With a final surge of positive energy from my wand, The Piper of Illmarsh was blasted to the hell from which there is no return!
My blood coursed through my slight body with incredible speed and I felt as if I could fly!!
So triumphant were my feelings that I desired with all my being to explore the rest of the top floor!
I should have listened to the pleas of my Little Friend…
In short order our team destroyed an unholy animated scythe. Our bellies were full of satisfying victory and despite Min’s pleas, we explored even more of The Piper’s playground. We entered a cell that had an actual bed for, I presumed, was a “special” prisoner. When he used it soon became a mystery as we discovered the unfortunate man chained to the opposite wall.
That’s when Little Min, who I’ve always suspected of being fragile of mind, began to lose his grip on reality.
After smashing the skeleton to bony ash as the rest of us looked on in a stupor of amazed confusion, Little Min’s behavior became even more erratic. When I began to lead him out of this troubling cell, he swung his staff at an empty space behind him! Turning a ghastly shade of grey, Little Min began to tremble and nearly faint beneath my hand!
I turned to The Shield for advise and it was decided that venturing any further today might cause our Min irreparable damage to both his mind and spirit.
Upon leaving the god forsaken prison behind, I could see Min returning to the cheerful oddity I had begun to call my friend. I’ve never been happier to have the strange little one back.
As we continued towards the Lorrimor household, Marcus brought our attention to the sheriff beckoning us from the nearest rise, and we proceeded in that direction.
As we walked towards the sheriff, we could hear a sound above us, as a few majestic ebony birds called out to each other. As they swooped and circled, several of their lovely, dark feathers fell and drifted towards Min. Four feathers landed in a circle around him and I heard him whisper “Thank you Erastil. We will become The Black Feather Few”. Feeling my gaze upon him, our eyes became fixated upon the other until it became equally clear to us that our group had been called and named by the Gods to fight this battle between good and evil, until one, or the other, perishes…
Read our August newsletter here! Is it really someone else's birthday? Can we take a break from the birthdays yet?
Read our July Newsletter! Lot's happening this month, gifts were given, and I think it's someone's birthday.