Morticia - the quest for life eternal.

[Krazy]

It is irking me that the strumpet hasn't been seen, perhaps she had the good sense to get lost after provoking me in the bar? Alas we shall never know until she is found.

One other thing of note, I chanced upon another woman, a sorcerer in the Troll Claw Hills, and a most lucky and beneficial meeting it was. I may well now have what I need to finish my current research project.

[Krazy]

Yes, yes, yes! These texts were of great help. I have now researched an ancient spell to snuff the life force from another and transfer it to myself. It is a powerful incantation, and can manage it but once per day, such is the drain and focus required to cast it.

I have also been infusing my arm with negative energy - and it's powers grow. My testing reveals it's connection to the negative plane is such that it is able to now kill another with but touch alone, where before it might only hold them still.

Lastly, my daily alchemical preparations have been augmented by the new materials and compounds I now have at my disposal, the mistress gave me free reign in the lab, and thus I believe I have sufficiently hardened my skin as to render myself immune to all but the mightiest of strikes.

For now, my own personal research is all but at an end, but the mistress has set a task for me, that I now devote my time to - and a most glorious task it is at that! I now act in collaboration with others devoted to furthering our dark and most feared arts. We aim to uncover the darkest of knowledge and refine our glorious art. I have no doubt the knowledge gained from this undertaking will be of benefit to me personally too. Such power, and to be shunned by ignorant fools who truly do not understand it. They shall learn in time.

These are perilous times for the crew, if by some miracle news of the ship sinking was by our hand got out, I can only imagine the retribution we will face. Not that I am scared - but rather I am finalising my contingency plans. It is one thing to help the crew, stand by them in a fight - but I will not fight for a lost cause, and there are my memories of strumpet. Yes.
Hmm, these thoughts have given me an idea, I must ponder further on this.

[Krazy]

I am weary - recent events have taken a toll on both time and concentration and I find myself unable to keep up with the extra toll of recording events. It is as I feared, the Crew faces enemies from every quarter, and not a few nights ago we were tested to the limit. I am pleased to say that apart from one, the Crew's bond held us together and we prevailed through a night awash with blood, treachery, and a most annoying wine-drinking bard.

As per custom, I often spend a small portion of my day when not on Crew Duty to check in with the Captain at the Goblet, and catch up on any events, but this day was different, there was a knife-ear talking to the Captain, asking questions. The Captain knew this one already from his days past, it was none other than Catam, a blasted Harper.

After the dialogue Vane knocked at the door, and as the door was opened, despite the dread pirate blocking the way, the blasted harper slipped out, and we rushed out onto the docks to catch this annoyance.

Although I scarce give credit to those narrow-minded fools who harp, this one was more than capable with his curved knives, and before Vane had set foot outside he was ambushed from the shadows and his throat was slit. It is not often I see this giant of a man, skilled in combat go down like that, but it was clear this Harper was not against using cheap tactics to bring down a foe. I myself had the foresight to use the secret escape, and could prepare wards before the Harper was near me.

It was a game of cat and mouse - the Harper in his blood lust can add murder to his crimes for slaying an innocent bystander on his way to the Captain. One wonders why we have such a bad reputation - we only murder those who deserve it? Still it was not long before the shadow walker struck the Captain, inflicting neat little cuts before I rushed over and warded his skin and placed an illusion on to make him harder to hit, when the he tried to assault me! The nerve of this creature. It was to no avail though, my wards held strong, and he did little more than slice cuts into my robe. He was adept at making me lose my targeting as a spell was being readied, but nonetheless he made a slip, and was soon overcome.

The unconscious body was taken to the Goblet and tied to the table in the Captain's private rooms, after we took care of Vane. And before long we noticed we had an intruder trying to rescue the body. In fact not one, but two knife-ears were captured in ultimately futile attempts at a rescue. One attempt nearly succeeded, and Vane was once again struck down, leaving the Giant once again fuming. By now, both Red and Floggy had joined us and we had 3 corpses, when the next arrival came.

A woman, pretending to be looking for wine, and generally impertinent and flippant. She annoyed me from the start. She was ordered into another room with myself and Vane as guard - but she proved slippery as an eel when it came to restraining her. Not once by twice she managed to outmatch Vane and ducked and weaved like a master acrobat, all the while being fussy over her wine and flirting. She would soon learn this would be no joke, but that would come later, for yet another arrival, asking to see the Captain.

The Morning Lord Lance Reslin no less, may he learn the ways of undeath in days to come, came to barter on behalf of our knife-ear captives. The Captain went to discuss matters, whilst we were left with the corpses. I neatly removed an ear from each one whilst we waited and upon their return the negotiations started. The Captain asked for gold and each would be lashed for their insolence. The bone-headed paladin would have nothing of it, and only the though of removing more of their body parts persuaded him to agree and thus the deal was struck. There was to be a public flogging, and yet more trouble.

We all moved down to the Shore with our Captives - and we watched as Catam was first up and after a while he spoke lies and was chastised for his ways. What would that murdering lying hypocrite know about honour and truth anyway? But here things turned, our former comrade Cale Martin, standing by the insufferable bard Scarlett and the Morning Lord, was preparing for a fight and spoke up against our floggings. He asked us to desist and wants to atone and lead a more virtuous path - and attacked us!

The aftermath of the fight was a sight to see, the docks covered in blood, many of our crew were rendered unconscious but luckily the enforcers and crew meant that the foolhardy attack was destined to fail. They could not ever hope to win against such odds, and all were taken prisoner. My own finishing touch to the evening was to ensure that the bard would live her days as a mindless undead, but I had not counted on the High Captain's interference. Reluctantly, I was asked to turn over the zombie to him and the Enforcers promptly destroyed it, I am told she was thrown to the sea. If I ever see her again, next time she will not be so lucky.

There is not much more to say other than the prisoners were eventually ransomed, and I gave each a curse to remind them that to mess with the Hellstorm Crew is folly. Each has a large 'R', around the size of a fist on their face. I am told the Crew's nemesis, the Shovel head made an appearance, but in truth he was too cowardly to fight us, and skulked away. I await the day when he will have his own 'R'. It will not be long I think.

[Krazy]

I arrived at the Cult headquarters after being summoned for an important task. It seems just as the crew has Harper problems, so does the Cult. And thus Sammaster the Mad outlined his plan to lure the Harper out, we would wreak devastation on Gullykin, in the hopes of luring the suspect out and questioning them.

The two wearers of purple were given a copy of a powerul summoning spell - Summon Varmints of Death, we were told to study them, and prepare means to stay out of sight, along with the defenders of purple.

Thus we teleported to Gullykin and began the incantation, and watched in awe as giant rabbits appeared and started trampling all over the village. Buildings, fences, tables, and hin, were trampled in short order, I could do nothing but watch and try to stifle my laughs as the varmints did their work.



Soon we sent one of our group to draw the attraction of 'heroes' and await our prey hidden from sight. The heroes duly arrived and dealth with the problem, but the death toll was high, which was pleasing - many of the hins corpses will be used for own ends. As they left, the one we suspected was lured to the Gullykin Tower by hiding in plain sight as their alter ego. It was a woman, with a flower in hair and red hair.

The woman was taken to the basement and questioned at length. She denied most vehemntly that she was one who harps - and although we did find a wooden harp symbol upon her person - it was just the symbol of Millil. However, that is not to say that the interview was fruitless, her mind was weakened with magic, and it gave up two names, that we will use to track down the one who does harp.

In due course when we were finished, she was thrown down some stairs and magic was used on her mind to forget all that had occured, and she would be 'found' by her friend, who would inform her that she fell badly and also leave false trail that the Red Wizards had planned this whole thing.

A most pleasing enterprise - and I shall be studying this spell at length - perhaps I can adapt it for my own means?

[Krazy]

These troubled times leave one with little time to focus on research, and what time I do spends leads to frustration as any further efforts to bolster my own constitution to withstand the effects of poison, disease or weapon fail. Must I take that last step into the glory of undeath to achieve these things? For now it seems so.

My thoughts on undeath, and when I have a spare moment, I ponder when the right-time to undertake the process will be. Do I undergo the ritual to lichdom, or be reborn as a vampire, to one day achieve the lofty heights of vampire-lord, using my immortality to ensure that I can unlock the greatest secrets in the study of the Dark Arts I so revere? More Questions, more thoughts, but no answers.

There have been efforts by the what can only be described as pathetic knife-ears, but I find that knife-ear and pathetic already go hand-in-hand judging by their abilities, to threaten the Captain. Trifling displays of magic and a warning whispered by a coward - as if they are supposed to frighten one who has looked death in the face before? It seems what-ever mage it was, missed their calling as a court jester or carnival performer. The crew have done nothing but laugh at their efforts, and we await their so-called retribution.

[Krazy]

After days of waiting around in Nashkel admiring the snow that now lines the buildings, Vane proposed an idea, I suspect the Carpenter has grown tired of sitting at the Shore swigging Blood Wine and longs to be on the waves once more. I can't blame him, many of the crew are restless.

The Captain mentioned to me to have a look at Vic's blade when I get the chance, he was vague about it, but it was clear he suspects something.

On the day we were to set sail, the Captain had hired two more crew members. Ruby, a favoured of Umberlee, who came seeking the Captain as another blessed by the Bitch Queen and "Gentlemen Jules" or due to his strange metal hat, "Iron hat". I was told it was the fashion in Calimsham. In any case, Iron Hat, proceeded to sow dissent among the crew with his sneers and jibes. He had the temerity to call me Whitey, and was soon promptly ordered to scrub the ships decks. I doubt it will have any effect on him, even as he mutters the words "Oui, mon Capitaine," you can hear the mutiny and arrogance that are etched into his soul in that overly confidant voice.

The voyage started off easily enough, Regor masterly guiding the ship as he has done countless times before. The Crew were in high spirits, happy to be on the seas once more, free from the trappings of politics and obligations, Ruby muttering prayers to the Queen as we passed through her domain. Only Vic did not seem herself, yawning and looking bleary-eyed and taking to uttering "Moo!" at crew members.

However, the mood was soon changed as the ship jolted and the water around us turned black. Whispers went round the ship and the Captain did not seem himself, as he barked the orders to find out what it was. Floggy was lowered onto a rope to get a sample of the water, but I could not find anything amiss with it as the crew were given orders to prepare themselves for battle.

We hit upon an idea, one which I found no small amount of solace, which was to send Iron Hat into the depths to see what was happening. He decided to keep his metal armour and tall shield on his person as he jumped from the main mast into the sea. Before long the rope snapped and we thought that he had gone to honour Umberlee in a noble sacrifice.

Not long after an island was spotted, and we could see a light source, which I ascertained with my now masterful command of the Weave was most likely the result of a "light" spell. Thus the ship was guided towards the island, and when able we alighted into row boats and came ashore. Only to be greeted by Iron Hat going about his business as if nothing was wrong.

He tried to greet us in an amiable manner but it was clear that this man was not who he seemed to be. He claimed that he communed with Istishia to save him as the rope fell, and that his patron intervened and summoned a huge wave to carry him to safety. A story which most of us ignored, we decided it was far more likely that this viper was sent to drown us, coinciding with his arrival seeking membership of the Crew, and miraculous ability to escape certain death. How could it not be otherwise?

Thus, Iron Hat was bound and gagged, and we continued further onto the Island encountering giant snakes and things we were later to discover were Raptors. We found water, hoping to restock our ship's supply but the Captain's extensive knowledge of the Wilderness told us such water would be unfit to drink and we continued our exploration of the Island.

To our surprise we came across another ship, broken in two, battered and now weather worn from the years sat on a beach. There were corpses strewn about the place, with rusted weapons in hand as if they'd been in a fight, but a search of the ship found no treasure. Soon we came across a golden nameplate, this was once the "Wavebreaker" and even to my untrained eyes this was surely once a fine vessel.

But with nothing of interest we ventured further into the island, walking up a slope when we found out surprise a bunch of men. They were feral and it was clear they had been here for many a moon. They did not attack us, and before long it was ascertained they were all that was left of the crew of the Wavebreaker, and the ship was attacked by the Kraken. The Captain seemed pale at this news, as if confirming his worst fears. Their leader also mentioned that to survive they had engaged in acts of cannibalism. The Captain was disgusted by such acts, despite my pleading that it would make sense to keep them alive, not least because we were still short-handed from our losses with the sinking of the Fist Ship, and that they had only done what they had to, to survive, but it was not to be, and we were ordered to slay them, with no quarter.

As the last man was run through with a sword, I looked out over the hill and could see that the Kraken was now attacking Sea Wolf, and our own crew members were being thrown high into the sky by giant black tentacles, and thus we made straight for the ship to try and stop the ship from being destroyed.

We had to fight our way through more snakes, and raptors and on the beach huge giant tentacles, each capable of gripping a man and crushing the very life out of them. There were already corpses scattered about and the ship was in danger. We each fought valiantly repelling the Kraken, whether with axe, cutlass or spell and the creature was finally repelled. Jeers and taunts were thrown at the Kraken as it retreated, Vane in particular calling the feared sea-monster a coward. However, our row boats had been smashed in the fight and we were forced to swim to the ship.

At this point, Iron Hat was released, clear that he was not behind these attacks, and that coincidence had placed him deep in the heart of suspicion, but that is not to say I trust this one, for I do not, but for now he takes up arms as one of the Crew.

As we arrived on the decks the enormity of the damage was seen, we had lost many more hands to the Kraken and the corpses lay all about. Those that were left were glad to see us return and we set sails with heavy heart.

Swanson had stayed with the ship recounted the attack by the Kraken, and we in turn spoke of our own findings. He knew the ship Wavebreaker and confirmed they had not been heard of in three years or so, but he also mentioned they were rumoured to have a secret cove filled with treasure. Sadly with the last of the crew now slain, any information as to it's location has died with them. I can't help but feel the Captain acted too quickly in ordering their deaths, normally taking a considered view and extracting what he can from them, but what's done is done.

The Kraken however, was not done with us, and seemingly more angry than before, launched another attack, this time with many more tentacles besieging the ship which rocked from the onslaught. We were strained to keep them at bay, but luckily we could fetch gunpowder from the decks below and as they were thrown overboard I used my magic to make them explode, further enraging the beast. But nonetheless we prevailed, exhausted, weary and bloody from the fight, and the Captain's legendary tales of exploits and victories now include the Kraken itself, feared by every sailor. But only few will know about the treasure horde that was lost the same day, and even fewer will speak about it.

[Krazy]

The Captain is dead. From what I could gather from Vic and Tam is that they encountered Thedran at Candlekeep, and he engaged them in battle. Thedran was then aided by an elf and prevailed in the battle.

I can only surmise that the Captain, who treats caution as empty rum goblets, to be tossed aside, and what else should one expect from one that is a follower of Fury? It is not their nature? In any case it is pointless to speculate on the whys when the aftermath has wrought chaos among the Crew.

For not only was the Captain killed, he gave a last order that Tamina should succeed as Captain, and this was witnessed by Vic. Tamina duly ordered the Crew assembled and gave the news. Of course Red took such news badly, and on hearing Vicala say that she would honour the Captain's last wish, she might as well have plunged a knife in his heart.

I asked why the Captain had done such a thing, but Tamina said she did not know why, only they had discussed it before, and said that he did not think Red would make a good Captain.
I can't help but feel that Red would make a better Captain than Tamina - and thus the crew was ripped in two.

Vane was in such a rage he was willing to pay 50,000 coin to anyone who would kill Tamina. I for my part, said that I would not proffer support to any side until we had the corpse of Kalma to question his intents as to why he did not want Red to be the new Captain.

Still, a night passed, and cooler head prevailed as the crew assembled once more and voted Thel interim Captain until such time as the true intents of Kalma be known in making such a decision, and it was decided then that a new vote would be held in light of that knowledge as to who the new Captain will be, Red or Tamina.

There have been more undead risings to the South, more fearsome armies of undead plague the lands, and led by even more fearsome generals. Who knows their intent? Are they related to the draco-liches that attacked the knife-ears? Questions, questions, and precious little by way of answers.

[Krazy]

A woman clad in a red robe of Thayan origin thumbs through the pages, remonstrating herself quietly over the impudence and arrogance displayed in the various musings. Of course it was a little joke to herself and really, she took great pride in her achievements. Glancing over at the jars of preserved sliced off knife-ear ears, the ghoul in the cage still gnawing at a little bit of Valkur boy's leg, it elicited the tiniest of smiles upon her pale complexion.

But still, it was time to end this self-indulgence, looking over at her extensive notes and research, which despite considerable effort was providing little in return. There is where she had to concentrate. Her recent acquisition of a powerful scroll was consuming her time. She barely even noticed Red and Vic's disappearance, nor cared one bit that Red placed Tami as temporary Captain. She would have normally taken it is as a personal affront, but she knew as well as Red their alliance was an edgy one, neither wanting to wage war on the other unless the field of battle was stacked heavily in their favour. There was also the fact that both knew that there were enough enemies that wanted both their heads, and so their mutual understanding has lasted. But no matter, the power contained in the scroll could easily be that factor, and she therefore ploughed endless energy into it.

And so without the least bit of remorse, Morticia stands on the deck of the Sea Wolf, utters a few words and the book is sent flying, and not a moment latter, she utters an incantation, fire springing forth from her fingertips setting the book alight.

"Come back dear Scarlett, so I can do the same to you,"

was her last thought.

// Thank you all for reading - this is the final entry. (well unless I change my mind, but I doubt it at this point)