True Neutral

30 Alturiak 1489 DR We've finally reached Red Larch. I was pretty familiar with the area since it's so close to the city of Yartar and, well, my ruins. We decided to help out some guy by killing wolves for pelts. As we entered the Krypt Garden Forest, we ran into a small pixie named Quill and his hedgehog steed Spike. This pixie wanted us to help him find a magical well that apparently heals any mounds. His wings were broken so he was hoping to get them fixed. We agreed to help in the morning as Quill lead us to the fairy trees. Small houses hung from branches. This was my first time ever seeing fairies before and never knew if they truly existed or not. I did barter for a rune stone. Pretty sure I got fire. Time to camp out. Guess I have first watch. In the morning we headed off deeper into the forest. It was darker and quieter, even with the sun high in the sky. Kinda reminded me of the forest surrounding the tribe. Theres nothing to fear in the dark, I've found out. ...

25 Alturiak 1489 DR I'm on the road now and a lot has happened since I last wrote here. We were able to save Gundren's brother and defeat the Drow. When we returned to town, Gundren was very happy to see us. For some reason, Rain and Luna started harassing him. I get that they're outcast races but Gundren wasn't even being rude. Sure, after they scared him he said they were acting wild, but come on. Rain is literally a wild cat and had acted nothing but insane this whole time. They need to calm down and stop taking things so personally. After that Sildar had to step in (he was talking to some Half-Dragonborne before all this). He was able to calm everyone down before asking us if we'd be interested in pretty much saving the world. Something about the Cult of Dragons trying to bring an ancient Queen of Dragons back to our world. I honestly wanted nothing to do with it but really had no choice. If the world is destroyed I have no tribe to protect. Besides, Catscra...

20 Alturiak 1489 DR Well, we found one of his brothers. Right in the entrance was a dead Dwarf. A couple days old by the look of it. We pressed on and almost got party wiped by swarms of monsters. Catscratch saved us by using some fire ring to funnel the monsters. I was pretty much on my own fighting from the other side until Rain (whos walking on the ceiling. I don't know, Druid stuff man) came to help me last second. We discovered two magical doors and when we finally opened them (Rain charged at the door and tripped inside) a Drow stood inside surrounded by his henchmen. Everyone asked him questions and he responded hospitably. By the end, most of our team didn't see a reason to kill him. He offered to pay 100gp each if we left and killed Sildar. We got into a group to discuss. None of us felt obligated to help Gundren get rid of this Drow and everyone kinda understood the whole "We're outsider races that no one likes, just like the bad guy." In the end, the ...

18 Alturiak 1489 DR We hurried to the next goblin hideout, which was just an abandoned castle. We fought our way through countless goblins and came upon a door. We could hear talking and Rain, being herself, burst through the door and started cussing them out. Inside was a bugbear, a doppelganger, a wizard, and Gundren tied up on the floor. Catscratch one-shot the wizard, only realizing at the last second that he was the man Sildar wanted us to find. Great. We were able to save Gundren and reunite him with Sildar. Gundren gave us a copy of his map to Wave Echo Cave and told us to find his two brothers as well.

16 Alturiak 1489 DR A couple nights ago the family we saved told us about a farm that we could stay at for free. Sleeping in the barn reminded me of all my nights in the ruins. Sure, Inn's are comfy, but I feel more at home sleeping like this. I was the first to awaken that morning and quietly snuck out. Feeding Cwl was my top priority. After that, I ran into the owner of the farm, Qelline Alderleaf, a female halfling. She was very kind and said she was cooking us some breakfast. I offered to help and she gladly excepted. Her house was small and cozy. I had never been in a kitchen before but she was nice about teaching me how to make the food. Her son, Carp, was running around until he was told to play outside. I thought about my mother for a second but quickly pushed away the memory. Once the food was done we took it outside and the others were finally awake. We sat down to a nice meal and...I don't want to say this or even accept this but...it was like a nice family meal....

13 Alturiak 1489 DR Today we decided to do some shopping. Catscratch went off on his own to who knows where while Luna and I visited the Shrine of Luck. Luna gave a coin in hopes for some good luck. If she wants to waste her coin on such things, by all means. But luck isn't going to help you survive in this world. Catscratch quickly appeared before us and even brought someone I've never seen before, a tall cat with a leafy looking cloak. A Tabaxi, I believe they're called. She introduced herself as Rain and told us she had also been hired but was running late. She was asking around town for Gundren but found out about him missing. We decided to deal with the Redbrand situation once and for all after hearing how they were kidnapping people from the town. Once inside the hideout, we were separated when the floor collapsed from underneath us. Luna and I were on one side, Catscratch and Rain on the other. We reluctantly decided to split up. I was honestly a little worried a...

9 Alturiak 1489 DR We all woke up early, packed our things, and headed back to Old Owl Well. Luna told the man that we got rid of the orc problem. She tried to get some coin for the job but he reminded her that he never said he'd pay us. She seemed a little embarrassed. We made our way into Neverwinter wood where the hag was known to be. We finally found her lair and asked about the well. After answering she disappeared, leaving us alone in that hollowed out tree. After telling the man about the well, we arrived back in Phandalin and collected our reward from the Head Master.

8 Alturiak, 1489 DR We visited the town hall and learned about Orcs nearby at Wyvern Tor that needed to be dealt with. The town master also seemed to brush off any mention of the Redbrands (a group of ragtag cloak wearers bullying people). After breakfast, we confronted some of the Redbrands to find out more about them. They wanted nothing to do with us and Luna had to hold Catscratch back from stabbing them. We did end up finding and entrance to an abandoned castle. Inside were a few Redbrands we took out. They packed a punch so we decided to retreat for now. Heading out down the Triboar Trail we went pas an abandoned town. Connyberry, if I remember correctly. We ended up at The Old Owl Well. As we approached, hundreds of zombies started pouring up and out of the under ground ruins in the area. We were ready for a fight when a man hurried out a tent and called them off. This man mentioned the orcs as well and also wanted us to find some hag who can answer any question. He ...

7 Alturiak, 1489 DR Woke up in the room Sildar booked for us, grabbed my stuff and headed downstairs. Gundren and Sildar had already left by the time everyone was ready to head out with the cart of delivery goods. We traveled south for some time, the sun high in the sky. No one really talked besides Luna, the Half-Dragonborne, who seemed to be trying to get to know everyone. I honestly didn't have much to say to her. My life is none of her concern. As we finally headed east on the Triboar Trail, we came upon two dead horses. Luna stopped the cart as Catscratch and I went to investigate. A couple arrows poked out of the horses which looked to have been dead for only a couple hours. Suddenly, we were ambushed by a group of goblins! We were successful in defending ourselves but I won't lie, those goblins hit hard. The three of us decided it would be best to continue on and get the goods to Phandalin. When we arrived in town a few hours later we delivered the goods to t...

6 Alturiak,  1489 DR Took a job today in Neverwinter with the bird. Its just a delivery job so it should be easy coin. Going to meet up with the client soon to discuss some details. -------- Ok, so apparently it's not just us helping. There's also a Half-Dragonborne. And this dragon HAPPENS to be someone Catscratch and I met a while back. Greaaat. She's honestly a bit annoying and unreliable. Anyway, our client, Gundren Rockseeker, wants us to deliver some goods to the town of Phandalin, a few days ride from Neverwinter. Fine by me honestly. That's the way we'd have to go home in the end anyway. A man named Sildar Hallwinter (a friend of Gundrens) explained that he'd go on ahead with Gundren and to meet them in Phandalin. We'll head off bright and early tomorrow morning. _____ *SUPPLIES* -Bedroll -Backpack -Mess Kit -Herbalism Kit -Tinder Box -50ft Hemp Rope -10 Torches -Rations -Water Skin

15 Marpenoth, 1488 DR The bird seems to come and go as he pleases. He's never brought anyone back so I shouldn't fear in anyone finding this place. Through strange noises, I have finally learned his name to be Catscratch. It seems like he steals for a living, most likely the reason the guards were after him. He also doesn't seem to understand currency either. I'll most likely teach him so he doesn't have to steal anymore. Oh, right. He's also a wizard. That was unexpected. __________________________ *HERB NOTES* -Sage placed on a windowsill will help deter flies -Dry and hang picked herbs away from the light -Rosemary can be picked and dried any time of the season -Plant more Parsley, Dill, and Fennel, than you think you will use to attract swallowtail butterflies -Always store dried herbs in glass containers -Herbs have the highest level of flavor in their leaves just before they bloom (Harvest at this time) -Thyme has powerful preserv...

10 Marpenoth, 1488 DR Something strange happened today. I met a bird and now he lives with me (?) or at least just won't go away. Ok, ok, let me start from the beginning. I was in Yartar walking down the street when all of a sudden someone bumped into me. A bird, Kenku, looked up at me in surprise. Guards rounded the corner, chasing after the Kenku. The guards somehow came to the conclusion that I was an accomplice so I had no choice but to help the bird up and run. We pushed through the crowd as the guards yelled out. I quickly dragged the bird into a side alley and covered his beak. Shh...I gestured. The guards ran past and out of sight. I tried asking the bird questions but eventually figured out that he can't talk. I told him to stay out of trouble and went on my way. To my surprise, the bird followed me out of the city and to the ruins. I was unsure about going home, not wanting him or anyone to know where I live, but he can't talk. I guess I'll have to keep ...

2 Nightal, 1487 DR Went into town today to look for a job at the tavern. As I scanned the help wanted board a cloaked figure in the corner of my eye hurried out the door. I turned and followed. It was freezing cold as the cloaked figure quickly weaved through the crowd of people. I followed them out of the town as they glanced behind, noticed me, and took off running. I followed suit until the figure finally turned to face me, "Blasted child. Stop your pursuit!" Removing the hood revealed a dark, red-haired woman with tan skin. She looked angrily at me as I tried to hide all emotion. I asked her what she was doing so far from the village and she told me it was none of my business. I persisted. It wasn't every day someone would leave the tribe. She reluctantly revealed that the dark spirits were pushing their way through the forest and closer to the village. They most likely were going after...well, its probably for the best not to mention it here in case someone f...

* WILD SAGEROOT * -Look for tall, white blooms -Flower makes bitter tea, roots are highly medicinal -Should be soft, fuzzy -1-3 inches *MILKWEED SEEDS* -Cut to harvest -Tiny transparent seeds - Amplifies sage root healing! ^^ DO NOT EAT ALONE: May cause nausea/vomiting *DRY EPHEDRA* -Found in deserts/arid areas - Enhances sage root's effects! -Can be used in dyes -Watch out for thorns! *MANDRAKE ROOT* -Easily identified by large waxy leaves -Cooked leaves taste like cabbage! -Serrated, wear gloves! -Can be cooked, bland but filling - Eases disease/poison -Slice lengthwise to reveal soft flesh -Save and replant tips ^^ MANDRAKE TRAVEL TABLETS:          *Dose: 1 tab per 100lbs          *Mash finely, squeeze out liquid, dry in sun, break into small bits

11 Marpenoth, 1487 DR Today in Yartar I overheard some men talking about someplace called a brothel. Apparently, you can pay coin to hang out with women? Why would anyone waste their money on something like that? Cwl was with me and I asked him if he knew anything about it. He said he only knew about the basics but didn't understand the need for such things. When we got back home I asked him to explain further. That's when he gave me "the talk". I guess I never really thought about where babies came from or how they were made. I can't really imagine doing such a thing. Cwl only knew the basics/ how to's behind such things. He was as confused as I was when it came to actually having a desire to do so. He said spirits can't procreate, that they don't have any genitalia as us humanoids do, they don't even really have genders. They have no desire to do such things. Most don't have any feelings what so ever. Maybe I'm more spirit then hu...

20 Eleint, 1487 DR Only two things in life are for sure: We need to eat and one day we'll die. I never expected spirits to need to eat as well. Actually, only night spirits need to eat. I guess that's why they're seen as evil. When you make a pact with a spirit, its a mutual relationship. Shifters borrow the power of the spirit whenever need be to get stronger for a certain amount of time. That's it. No strings attached. It's quite a serious relationship and the spirit just does the Shifters bidding so it can have a physical form. As for night spirits, there's more of a catch. When you make a pact with one it needs to feed on your life source to stay alive, physical form or not. These spirits have been cursed to feel hunger like the mortals of Faerun. If they don't feed they go insane which is why most go around possessing and killing people. Cwl revealed all of this to me when I turned 18. He had been starving himself for five years until I reache...

14 Eleasis, 1487 DR Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I didn't go into the forest that night. If I could have just matched with someone as easily as the others did. I tried, I really did. My mother was so upset that day I came back without making a spirit pact. She said no ones ever not connected before. My father worried in silence. I felt like I had to do something so I broke the tribal rule. I went into the forest at night. All the children had been told the stories of evil spirits eating souls, of how if you made a pact with a night spirit your soul wouldn't cross over to the afterlife when you died. The spirit would keep it, devour it. I didn't care. I had to link with a spirit before the Coming of Age ceremony in the morning. So I snuck out of my hut and ran into the darkness. I headed into the deepest part of the forest, the forbidden part. The part of the forest that stayed dark day or night. It was cold a quiet. I was scared. Eventually, nig...

3 Eleasis, 1487 DR Ever since I was young I had a fascination with cartography. I've been practicing and think I've finally gotten most of Yartar down. It took a while but I'm pleased with it. Even had a Dwarf in town give me some pointers. Now that I think about it, there's quite a lot of Dwarves in Yartar. I may need to try and learn some Dwarvish.

25 Flamerule, 1487 DR Just got back from a job in Yartar. Had to help out the Lionshield Coster with some deliveries. I usually don't care to do work for coin as Id rather survive off the land as my people always have, but I've been getting into herbalism as of late. The book shop in town had a nifty looking leather-bound journal of herbal information that I really wanted, so I had no real choice but to take a job for the coin. The sun will set soon so hopefully tomorrow I can go out looking for herbs to practice with. Not to mention hunting for food (might try fishing in the Dessarin River) and fighting practice with Cwl. Busy, Busy, Busy.

22 Flamerule, 1487 DR Cwl had returned home not too long ago with this journal in hand. He said it was a gift for my birthday and I had completely forgotten it was today. I don't like to think about it much for whenever I do I get sad, or mad. Maybe a combination of both. The last time I celebrated my birthday was years ago. I was young and my mother was preparing me with the proper attire and face paint. My father was out hunting with some of the tribesmen for the feast prep. It was a long night of eating and dancing. Some of the elders even told stories of the brave Shifters from our tribe of old. A few months later it was time for the Coming of Age ceremony and...here I am. Alone in this gods forsaken ruin of a home. I've been here for years now and it's honestly not so bad. I don't mind the seclusion. Besides, I have Cwl to keep me company. He's my only family now. Or at least that's how I see it. I don't think a spirit like him understands what a ...