Amara Calder's Diary

[CrimsonMist]

///Amara writes her journal entries in the style of letters to an imaginary correspondent.

Kythorn 14, 1349

Dearest Friend,

Without Father's knowledge, decided to explore the ruins south of Wyrm's Crossing. Met a treasure hunter named Al - a pleasant man, though rather rough. Father would be mortified to know I was associating with such types - what fun!

We explored the dungeon beyond the kobold-infested ruins, encountering demons and a small wyrm below. Of much more interest, however, was the healthy profit we both made filling our pockets with the wyrm's hoard!

With love,

Amara

[CrimsonMist]

Kythorn 22, 1349

Dearest Friend,

I have found my knight, though he does not know it yet! In case you are taken, I shall not reveal his name here, but rest assured he is the most lovely man to walk the Realms. His hair is as dark as ravens at midnight, and he is beautiful, wise and charming, as a Knight should be. He seems to glow with a beautiful purple light. Surely it is no coincidence that purple is my favourite colour?

He does not think me suitable as a paramour, though. He is surely blinded by his noble cause, for a knight must first worship his Lady chastely from afar! I shall ensure that he knows how kind and generous and lovely I am, as you do, dear friend. Then perhaps he will fall in love with me and we will be happy ever after!

I have conceived a brilliant plan to capture his heart! I came upon that disfigured Ilmatari Savoth again. How horrible his missing eye is! Still, he believes us to be fast friends, so I have asked him to find my Knight and convince him of my sweetness. To reinforce my good intentions, I also donated a bag of gold to the Ilmatari orphanage. Perhaps they will have some nice cake or something, I care not. Nevermind, my Knight will adore me for my lovely kindness!

I shall write again soon, hopefully with Good News!!!

With love,

Amara


*the page is adorned with various practiced signatures: a practiced eye may be able to determine that they read 'Amara Khross' or various misspellings thereof. The page is also daubed with more perfume than normal*

[CrimsonMist]

Kythorn 26, 1349

Dearest Friend,

I have not had the option to write in a while, and so much has happened!

My handsome knight has 'somehow' heard of my generosity and applauded it in front of bystanders at the Inn. I was so proud that he respected me in such a way! However, he still seems not to worship me in the fashion that he must. I shall give him time, I suppose.

I met the acolyte Millie again while dispersing my new kindness upon some lowly peasants at Wyrm's Crossing. Before long, we also met a Cormyrian warrior named Jaegar. While not as handsome as my knight, he is certainly worthy of notice, in a strong rugged fashion. Sadly, he is not so wise as my knight, or I would truly be torn between them.

He must have found me fetching, for he freely accompanied Millie and I as bodyguard when we journeyed to Beregost to visit her temple. I, of course, was happy to provide a donation to the Morninglord. Every little helps, and surely the gods will reward me with a paladin's hand before long.

Tempted as I was to invite Jaegar to share my bed at the scruffy little inn we quartered at, I resisted. He probably would have been too shy to accept, nonetheless. Rather endearing, in a fashion. Is it possible to have a knight and a lover? I suppose not.

Later, kindly Millie once again roped me into her schemes, enlisting a wise elven sage of Candlekeep and a paladin of Sune to prove that some mumbling fiendborn lass was not black of heart. Despite being a devotee of Beauty, the knight was not as beautiful as my knight, of course. He found the fiendling to be not evil by some fashion of dogmatic interrogation, followed by a display of "righteous" violence, and I was left alone with Millie. She told me an incredible secret, but I am sworn to secrecy and cannot even share with you, dearest friend. I will say it would cause quite the stir if revealed, though!!

All in all, an interesting few days,

With love,

Amara

///if you haven't read Amara's IG diary, you don't know any of this.

[CrimsonMist]

Flamerule 11, 1349

Dearest Friend,

I feel I have been most remiss in not corresponding sooner. As you are no doubt aware, I had spent two weeks back home in Waterdeep, and have raided the estate's library for more reading material. Father will be surprised when he returns, to find half his library "borrowed"!

I had little trouble from Lord Phull's ruffians - I suspect they are too foolish to even recognise me without Father present. Most oddly of all, though, I felt almost homesick, as though I was missing the life of adventure further south. While my acquaintances in Baldur's Gate are, doubtlessly, simple sellswords and mercenaries, I have come to find a handful of them tolerable, and even endearing.

With that in mind, I have chartered a carriage and as I write, am on my way back to Baldur's Gate. News has reached my ears of attacks by mad cultists of Bane in the region, so I pray that we make the trip safely.

In other news, the carriage stopped in Soubar on the way south. How uncouth and rough the people are there! The caravan master said that he heard the Zhentarim control the town. What a horrible thing it would be, having those monsters so close to home!

It is with a great sense of excitement that I note we have only an hour's travel remaining. I shall pack my quill now and make myself presentable for the masses. I shall write again soon,

With love,

Amara

[CrimsonMist]

Eleasis 16, 1349

Dearest Friend,

I write with excitement, for the windsoul Alleyne (who introduced me to mead - delightful!) and I have conceived a plan to organise a party for our friend Alison the Harlequin. It is to be a costume ball, and we intend to invite all the best people. (And the most eligible men!!!)

I am yet to acquire a venue or the funds to organise the party, but no doubt it will be the talk of the Coast before long. (!!!)

In other news, today Lady Tremaine found herself inexorably stuck in the branches of a tall tree. The poor little kittycat was in danger when little Annabel and sweet Nea coaxed and carried her to safety. I have granted them both invitations to the party.

I also met a kindly Ilmateri named Krisaga. I granted her church a donation of a bag of gold, in memory of poor dear Mother. The young healer has granted me a most interesting book, which truly helps ease the pain of having lost my Knight. Page 317, as advised, is indeed the crowning glory. (Gosh!)

I would also like to share some of my research on orcish cranial circumferences. Following extensive sample-gathering conducted by the lovely Soora and myself, I believe I can conclude that the largest-skulled orcs tend to gravitate to positions of responsibility in their tribes. Whether this is merely a coincidental side-effect of their also being the biggest orcs, or whether something more is at stake, we cannot yet tell. (!!!)

For now, I bid you farewell,

With love,

Amara

[CrimsonMist]

*this entry is different to the others, being a hurried outpouring of feelings rather than an imagined correspondence. Teary watermarks streak the page*

Eleint 1, 1349
They have killed him! Father is dead! I know not who did it, but I have resolved to travel back home to find those responsible. With the roads so unsafe, I shall now head to the Docks to see if a ship can be chartered. I pray to all the gods that I reach home safely.

((Amara is going to be gone from the Sword Coast for an extended period. Possibly permanently))