Marcus Arnham, warrior of Tempus

[Mausman]

a Poet? ...I surely am not. T'is but a part of my upbringing...I explained to the young Skald...

She is...a curious one. It was a worthwhile wander, escorting her back to the Gate.

Earlier I ventured into a maze of sorts, encountering Minotaurs along with Serlor. I like the man and I respect him. He might not wield weaponry...but his heart is a stout one and he does not fear using magical arts in close quarters while in glorious combat with our foes. His skills and mine combined...prove to be a deadly force. The Minotaur chieftain learned that the hard way.


Tempus be praised...I am blesssed for meeting men and women with stout hearts and honest minds. My presence in these parts was meant to aid and guide those who seek to hone their skills and spread Tempus' faith. And so, I shall.

[Mausman]

* As Marcus is sitting at the wagon camp, which is empty save for himself, he sharpens and cleans his greatsword, his thoughts becoming an inner dialogue*

So...there are relics in these lands...relics of my ancestors. Curious how that scrawny lady parted with that ring. I shall not forget that deed.

Aerie, heh...what a curious individual that is. Never seen a woman with that much spirit for battle. Her presence seems to clear up the skies a bit when I find myself wandering on my own at first and bump into her. Wait...Marcus, stop blabbering this soft nonsense! *He shakes his head*

Better stay focused...

Haven't seen Mikiiel lately, hope he is doing well. Same for his student.

Discovered this merchant selling stuff I need in The Gate, but I also spotted a pair of boots in Nashkel I sure as hell need.

The good part of this all is that I get to do many battles to obtain the treasure I require to bolster myself before I can finally start comitting myself to the more worthy battles. I mean...dragons...undead...I surely want to be part of those battles!

Tempus guide me, these lands are troubled in many ways...and lacks men with spines. And has way too much formal rules...My cause shall be to rid this place of the powerfull foes in glorious battle. It's up to the people themselves what they will do after, I care not much for what they do.

*He grins, tucking away the whetstone and piece of cloth which he cleaned his blade with*

[Mausman]

It seems one in these lands is getting to know me better than most do...she has this interesting and intrigueing manner of speaking, a manner I like a lot. I think I have this one figured out pretty fast, and I think she will make a wonderfull ally in both present and future.

She suggested to do battle in "The Tower" if I wished to find more coin. I better train hard then...stupid stinking drow down there...

*Marcus crawled up from the floor in his room and started preparing his armor after closing his journal and tucking it away*

[Mausman]

* Marcus grins to himself, remembering some recent moments*



So...let's sum this all up...

I owe Randy bigtime still. Seems I can't provide her with that date she fancies...so fight alongside of her it will have to be. I hate to be in someone's pocket though...but hey, I can't be picky towards someone who revived me back to my rotting carcass now, can I?

Mikiiel is up on his feet again, thank Tempus. Seems his siblings tried to snuff out his life. Pay heed, little journal, I'll live to see them die by my blade soon enough...I promise this.

Amaliel and me have been spending a lot of time together and we tend to think alike alot. I enjoy her companionship and her plans regarding Mikiiel's siblings seem good. She's the stealthy one...I'll charge in when the time is right.

Haven't seen Aerie a lot lately...just a quick meeting at the fire and poof, she was gone. Which is a pity, I'd like to catch up with her sometime soon.

Vicala...fantastic verbal opponent, heh. The wordplay I can have with her is on a fantastic level. I wonder if others appreciate it in her, but I do. I enjoyed the time we spent together and I think she did as well, I wonder if my fellow battlebrother of Tempus realises her true nature though? It's not my place to make him see...for I can not deny him a life lesson, even if he might hold it against me someday.

I've collected my new furs at my contact in Beregost, I feel whole again!
- The journal entry ends

[Mausman]

An old friend of mine, Nigel, has appeared in these lands!

Turns out him and me both thought we were kicked out of the army. While he hasn't exactly been kicked out, we find ourselves on a bit of a similar path.

He was interested in the plans I had formed a bit with Amaliel and Mikiiel, a Mercenary group of our own, possibly escorting merchants or sorting out bounties. Or hired to fight off whatever kind of threat a town or person may deem worthy coin to be paid to get rid off.

He still has a long way to go, but I welcome his massive shield alongside of me. I recall the days where his shield would cope with enemy blows as my blade lopped off their heads...I also recall the days we had to leg it due to being overwhelmed during a patrol we were sent out on. Good times...glad those times might return once again, without annoying superiors to nag

[Mausman]

Damn you Randy...you better win! I am not planning to touch you with a ten foot pole!

-Journal entry abruptly ends-

[Mausman]

That place in Nashkel proved to be...rather interesting and enlightening.

Amaliel and me are becoming closer as time passes by, sharing quite some mutual goals.

I wonder how my old friend is doing? Once we head back for the Gate, I hope to see him again so we ca catch up and adjust our plans.

Amaliel and me spoke with Drazius, Mikiiel's father. Something...is off. It seems his devil-wife still has a firm hold of him. I worry for his and Mikiiels safety, since so far, both of them seem to lean towards freedom.

If their hearts lean towards light or shadow, is not of my concern, all that matters to me is what they show, deeds wise, in the here and now.

I am not sure however, how much influence Mikiiel's heritage could have on him, despite hi sown free will. As for Drazius...a conversation with the kind, and my little savior, Berry, it seems he might be responsible for opening the rifts so Mikiiel's siblings were able to come here in the first place...

I am afraid Amaliel and me will have to gather more information before acting.

P.S Never let any word get to Randy that I took another Wyvern stinger in the gullet and nearly died of it again...I'll never hear the end of it ...

[Mausman]

So...my own agenda...blurted out on the docks. Revealing my true reason of my presence in these lands.

I..must admit, I was amazed at Amaliel's and Nigel's reaction.

Nigel encouraged us to pray, united. Nigel kind of pushed me to lead it...so I prayed to Tempus in my own...how to say...informal way?

I am horrible at praying...I tend to talk to Tempus as if he's my father or something. I know there must be -some- form of appreciation from his side, or I would not be able to infuse the divine into blessings to aid Battle Prowess or mend the wounded.

Amaliel and I had an inspiring and open hearted talk after. Seems we remain on the same page even still, a very good thing indeed.

I wonder how Mikiiel, Vicala and Aerie are doing...

[Mausman]

Today was a weird day...

- Had words with Marjolaine, but it got better once we talked
- Ended up in a fight with Dancing Tin Can, things were sorted after
- Roamed all over the area with Nigel, Amaliel and a new friend of Marj
- Ended up at some beach area, polished armor there. Bleeding sand and salt water...
- Did some spying to enhance the chances on completing my own goals
- Slaughtered Minotaurs
- Agreed to meet up with Amaliel back in Nashkel

I liked the final two parts best...


-Abrupt end-

[Mausman]

* Another quick jolt*

Randy! Damn you for nearly having me choke on my own spit! I'll get my own back...though, I have to admit...that -was- rather funny

[Mausman]

So...Dean's offer well talked through and my points made clear. Let's see what this is going to bring.

Not that fond to have blurted out what makes me tick in front of a couple of more. It's actually not their burden, but mine. -Mine- yes...

I like Marjolaine a lot...and I understood her "we"... but she doesn't know me as Nigel does or as Amaliel does. It's far from easy for me to give control away...let alone that I -want- to give it away...

Sincerely, I've come to love Beregost. It's a hamlet that reminds me of home a bit. More because of how the homes are built...the smell of freshly baked bread when I walk the cobblestones in the morning...the cowbells in the distant fields. The plenty of inns that offer refuge for many a traveller... It's a central hamlet with a hardy folk living in it, required to fend off various threats from multiple sides...and the first hamlet to face a possible invasion of Giants should Nashkel fail in it's own defense. If there's any place I can develop and implement my skills...it's here I guess. It also provides me with a solid staging area for my own goals...Tempus be willing.

I'm going to make my own patrol through Sharp Teeth now...I need to see that Banite Temple more up close...

-entry ends-

[Mausman]

Patrol got postponed...damnation...I better do it soon though...

Me and Hruka spoke...and...my opinion has altered. Not sure why he was that forward with his tale, but I would be in the wrong to deny him aid. After all...we share heritages...even if he is of the most unlucky mix of bloods that one could have.

I am bound by blood...even if it is distant for both him and me. His actions shall speak for him. Both no saints..both live for battle. Time shall reveal more of this one, I am certain.

[Mausman]

Recent happenings to Amaliel and Hruka being near when it happened, brings up the doubts again...however...if his claim is true...the blood prevents me from doing anything, unless there is proof that he broke the bond first with treason...

Amaliel and Gareut both distrust him...so my initial thoughts and feelings might prove accurate after all...I am glad she lives...and I can but wonder what Bane is up to...or his moronic followers...Tempus...guide me...I need you now more than ever...fate is meeting me head on it would seem...

[Mausman]

I awoke yet again with a gigantic gash over my chest...I am lucky enough that Thunderhammer Smithy has the meanings to restore most armors rather swiftly.

The patrol I made went smooth at first, nothing but some blackbloods to drench my blade with. But once I approached that temple...my heart became filled with dread. I called out for Tempus, not wanting to give in to this gloomy sensation that crept upon me like some dark stained muck.

Once I was close enough, I could see an Imp hovering outside...some guard I assume? There was preaching too...I could hear a booming voice in what would appear near hissing demeanor, speaking of Death and Decay...from the responses from the flock inside...I think they were with five inside, but I can not know this for certain, this will require more time I fear.

I have spoken with Dean, I have spoken with Marjolaine...I do not like dealing with upset friends, but it has to be done if one values friendships.

Dean is dissapointed, understandable. He feels let down and I stand in the middle, bound to follow orders but also not entirely agreeing. I never was much of a political person. I can not afford, however, to go against it. Not with the actions I have done already in the past. All I can offer him now, is tactical aid in battles where he needs a bit more strength than he can muster now.

It's up to him to decide if he wants to make use of it or not.

Marjolaine felt passed on by regarding decissions. I understood her point of view and I regretted that she felt she was someone who did not matter to us at all, for she does. I urged Nigel to speak with her again, she is part of us and that is final. If the two of them keep busting heads, so be it, we all have to learn to cope with hardships...even I.


Met up with Vicala again. It was good fun and I think our...agreement as to a next meeting shall be...interesting, again. The mood beforehand was a tad heated, due to the false claims the Elitist Elves dare to make against my Ally, Gareut. A pirate and scallywag he might be, yes, but robbing women of their honor? Never, I would leap through flames for this man given his actions, and if remains being slandered, I think it is time these Elitist pointed ears are to be given some pause in their abusing of power. I have been warned about their prowess, but I care not. Their behaviour is despicable and not fit for guests in these lands. After all, they do -not- own it...

[Mausman]

I awoke...bathing in my own sweat...-she- was resting beside me...unaware of my haunted dreams, I reached for the half-empty bottle and resorted to this writing...

I had prayed before sleep...and my sleep became filled with...visions. Tempus rode with us all, Nigel...Marjolaine, Amaliel, Dean, Kalek, Randy, Gareut, Vicala, Me...his feet on both Veiros and Deiros...what a sight...such embodiment of the Chaos of War!

Both horses trampled Banites as if they were pathetic worms...they were crushed by our ranks with ease...cut assunder or in twain, and I could not help but smirk in utter delight as their blood coated my armor...splattering in my face...achieving the ultimate combat rush.

An instant later however...Tempus rode with our foes...both horses still...so there was no clear indication wether our side or their side was to be victorious. Why did he ride with them though? Are Banites worthy warriors? Are they not without honour in battle?

Tempus...what is it that you try to make me see here? what is it I need to learn...

*The entry ends*