The Phylactery -Kyr'st E. D'rugen

[Vagrant]

Epilogue
1 Nightal, 1356

There are many accounts of chroniclers losing their minds during their travels only to be restored by the very diaries they keep. Indeed, many a pox can befall even the most stalwart mind as time eventually erodes the very fabric of what binds our mental stability. Senility is the least of these threats to my kin such that; As a Ilythiiri of the Underdark, I am not likely privileged to a gradual demise of cognition. That is a condition left to the Rivvin on the Night Above. It is more likely the timely spell of an enemy or the blow from a calculating assailant will be what staggers my ability to recall anything meaningful. That is, if I am unkilled in the process. So be it, this is my phylactery of a sort. Quill and parch and ink. A place where my potentially broken mind can perhaps journey and be renewed on what has come to pass. Should I find the fortune to stumble across these pages and retain the ability to read of course. Certainly, a contingency needs to be in place to direct me here should these misfortunes strike. This is the beginning I suppose.

4 Nightal 1356
Leaving Maerimydra was not as difficult as I initially assumed it would be. In fact, I did not expect to survive the journey at all. Despite my all the possessions I acquired en-exodus and my practical cunning the probability of surviving the horrors that lie ahead paled in comparison to the Lolthites that pursued me. It was a time in my life where I had never been more certain of death yet. . .never felt more alive. Curious how a paradoxical heart endures.

My sudden expulsion from the apprenticeship severed any political immunity I had garnished and imposed a disfavor from the Yath that I should never recover. How could I blame them? As they behaved like spiders and claimed to eat their rivals, I am the one who weaved the webs. Therefore, I believe Lolth adores me. Not in a healthy reciprocal way mind you. I am after all a lowly male. But in a way that the lake adores a boat skimming across its’ surface. Leaving unbalanced waves which glide to the shore. Yet all too willing to swallow it whole and drag it to the depths.

There has been a profound complication though. During my solo journey through the halls of horrors I encountered a rather feral jaluk. A sargtlin rather, who seemed more beast than sentient being. I do not jest yet, it pains my ego to say what may have befallen me had he been anywhere else at that particular time. Indeed, my rotting corpse would be feeding the carrion crawlers if it weren’t for his timely intervention. I lament to say it was one of the few times in my life that a blunder nearly resulted in a humiliating death. Had this Vicirahc been of the conspiring mind, he could have left me to my fate and picked clean my bones of wonderous magical items. He would never have to work another day in his life! Yet here I am, alive and compelled to allow his company because of this morbid curiosity.

8 Hammer 1357
Sschindrylyn is a welcome haven for our temporary reprieve. The caverns of the Middle Dark are teeming with threats every cycle. The monsters and beasts seem to denounce reverie for a chance at a taste of our blood. I say "our" because Vic, as I have come to refer, is still with me. At first I pegged him as an aimless vagrant, preying upon the remains of what little fortunes fate throws his way. Now I am convinced that he searches for something. I want to assume it is for the next fight. But my intuition tells me otherwise. He possesses a quiet anger, always positively charged for primal retribution. As if in a perpetual state of being the violated and the violator. This seething thing I theory, is both the essence of his limitations and the frightening efficacy of his might. The Carrion Crawlers would testify to that. We take little time in this city since it is dominated by zealots. Although we are able to stay under-divination due to the presence of a robust and healthy merchant presence. There is strife in this city of Lolth, as there always is. Though the tension resides over some fantastic portal found within Sschindrylyn’s domain. I wish we had the time to investigate further, but I know that my adversaries would close the distance. We decide to forego rest and commission a caravan to carry us west.

12 Hammer 1357
The caravan was beset by many raiders during the long journey, but all were repelled with minimal loss to drow life. All rothen fodder were lost and those who were maimed were slaughtered on the spot. Vic has been restless, and it is clear he does not appreciate the more idle times of an Ilythiiri’s life. For me, those times are spent in study and the merchant caravan affords me a great deal of tomes to “borrow” while I have some time to myself.

26 Hammer 1357
Disaster for the caravan. As I predicted. Without the rothen most of the merchants were reluctant to stick their necks out to defend material treasures. Being that we were beset by Mindflayers didn’t help the odds either. I counted six during the madness. Though they were unable to detect me. As it turns out, all that snooping I did back home finally paid off in practice. Vic wasn’t so fortunate…well, if it hadn’t been for me. Although the entire caravan was overwhelmed and most were scattered to the depths or killed in ways I dare not utter here, Vic and I survived. I found him struggling against an Illithid who had enveloped the sargtlin completely. Those greasy tendrils has already made their way into his nasal cavity. I could see it in his eyes that they had not taken hold of the sweet meat they so desired. A well placed strike with my blade severed the mindflayer’s penetration of my companion. This was all the time Vicirahc needed to literally bite the things throat out. I feel we came to a conclusion at that moment. Perhaps our journey together was meant to endure a bit longer.

27 Hammer 1357
Sshamath

We have arrived. Strangely enough our trek from the ruin of the caravan was rather peaceful compared to the carnage that was set before us nearly every step from Maerimydra. Sshamath is a busy city and a welcome energy is elicited from its’ bowels. There is no quiet tension here, just open and flagrant contests of will. This is a faern’s city.

28 Hammer 1357
Vic and I have begun the subtle steps to infuse ourselves into society. I’ll be honest, Vicirahc is not one for social eloquence but he does seem to tolerate the chaotic business of this city. Even a predator like him can appreciate the limitless opportunity for. . .whatever. For me, I look forward to visiting Stonestave and the flirty librarian on the bazaar outskirts.

30 Hammer 1357
Things are progressing well. I have found several marks who happily divulge information best left to the underground rather than pay coin to their failed bets. Though I still seek a solid and reputable source.
Vic and I have encountered our first Lolthite noble, if you want to call him such a thing. Zygorian or Zvyarian of House Auvrvega? It does not matter. Never have I seen such a desperate display of strength. Why, in the first five candle flicks alone of our interaction he managed to bestow all of his strengths and weaknesses. He seemed to think we are enamored with flame and speed. As if such things may validate him as a force to contend with. He may attempt to carry the title of a noble Quellar, but he possesses the eloquence and intelligence of a gol. It is amusing to see such insecurity devour pitiful jaluks like him.

31 Hammer 1357
Vicirahc is contending with quite the learner’s curve here in the outreaches of Sshamath. The creatures are well prepared against drow assault and have gone to drastic measures in order to repel us. This forces us to consider our tactics differently, drawing on strategic competence rather than full forward brutality. In any case, I should probably complete my study on energy immunities to compensate for the ring I gifted Vic. But I have a few research articles to publish first. I have commissioned a new sargtlin and a rather interesting counterpart to Vic. Where he is given to sheer rage and carnage, she is measured and calculating. To see them in battle together is. . .well, they suck right now. But I observe a coin and its’ two faces and see potential value in them together. There have been glimpses, breathtaking observations of what they could be on a battlefield. I cannot help but smile.

1 Alturiak 1357
A priviledged encounter with an amazingly beautiful noble from House Zau’afin. Haelayna is her name, whose elegance and presence did not disappoint. Chalindra (the female sargtlin I failed to mention before) and Vic were there as we conversed just outside the Gloura’s Wings. Things were going swimmingly until, Zyvorial arrived. Never before had I ever seen someone so desperate to impress their worth upon others. After another five candle flicks with this supposed noble of Auvryath, I finally realized that he is exactly the opposite of what he wishes to be. In DragonChess he would most certainly be a Pawn, only capable of seeing and attacking what is directly in front of him. The irony is and likely lost to his feeble mind, those pieces get sacrificed first. I am still undecided whether or not to tell Haelayna that the pathetic Zymorias insulted her Quellar as we passed by it a few cycles ago. He only hates what he believes he can defeat and grovels before what he cannot. A delightful coward.

[Vagrant]

2

3 Alturiak, 1357
The cycles seem to hasten past as we continue to assimilate into Sshamath. I say we because Chalindra has become a full time participant in my retinue. She is the perfect compliment to the visceral and often times maniaical approach Vicirahc takes.

Ah yes, Vic as I’ve come to call him, is as unrefined as a drow sargtlin can be. Sometimes I think Lolth stole the soul of an orc and in all her chaotic mischief, stuffed it into a drow male. He is a persistent and enduring brutality, wearing its’ intentions out in the open. For the rest of the world to feel...

I believe our destinies become more intertwined by the cycle as he has settled into doing my bidding. Even at the great risk to his own life. I compensate him handsomely with trinkets and clinking currency. But I feel his reward is the blood he is opportuned to spill.

Regardless of these ominous characteristics one thing is clear. He produces results. Not two cycles after I commissioned him to secure additions to our house he procures two profoundly talented Ilythiiri.

Rac’sha and Loniar present as quite the duo. It became obvious at once that they are not estranged from the rugged horrors of our beloved Underdark. Each of them wield a unique (if not bizzarre) skillset contemporary drow may scoff at. No doubt the scorn a female of my kin endures for not being of the Yath is prevelent. Yet a special rebuke awaits those who possess an exquisite talent in addition to diverting their path from the cloth.

Do not mistake my words however. I delight that our social norms are upset at times. Chaos provokes opportunity for change. And change gives birth to opportunity. A reciprocal blessing to be sure.

The greatest challenge now will be to get these four very distinct individuals to coalesce into something more formidable. My kin is notorious for their deeply rooted suspicions and paranoia, especially so against their own people.

It becomes clear in order to achieve this unlikely unity, a common motivator must be recognized. Thanks to my enduring creativity and the perfect medium, The Underdark, in which to work; developing a focused goal for them is not outside the realm of possibility.

5 Alturiak 1357
The fortuitous meeting with Jyn and Bregan D’aerthe was productive as it was pleasing. No other organization has the scope and depth of intelligence than that of my newest associates. They allowed Rac’sha, Loniar, Vic and myself to the formal stronghold after we shared a drink together in the entertainment foyer. A boon to our cause indeed. I’m certain that my contingency didn’t understand how profoundly blessed or cursed guests are when invited to such a place. Depending on whether you are an asset or obstacle of course, which thankfully we did not present as the latter. Refreshed we departed the formal hall unkilled and without trauma, not to mention a little wine in our bellies to boot. It's refreshing to encounter my kin with such semi-casual disposition, even though I am certain we were being weighed and measured. Bregan D’aerthe does not disappoint the lore.

I was somewhat disappointed in not having enough time to stay longer and study the mysteries of Tinia along with nourishing what I hope to be a healthy relationship with my other hosts. Still, I must be careful here. I have much to do and cannot afford to become distracted. I will maintain a strict professional proximity to Tinia for the sake of all I hope to build. The rest of Bregan will garnish my full attentions when possible. Convincing them that our goals are not very different will take time and exposure. I lament being so focused sometimes. Knowing oneself is also knowing your own weaknesses.

The Menzobarrenzan Azure was the best I’ve had in over 100 years...

6 Alturiak, 1357
My quartet have completed their first commission together after much strife and turmoil. As wondrously unique as they are, I knew at once that communal tactics were sorely lacking. I could have explained my suspicions up front but my words would have landed hollow and slid down the shield of their egos. As it turns out the threat of mortal demise and acute trauma delivers an irrefutable tutorial. Pain is an efficacious mentor.

It did not seem to matter that the Tome I commissioned them to retrieve was actually a forgery I had placed there just before they entered the Crypt. Waiting on such a vital publication was never an option due to my voracious appetite for knowledge. Besides, the thought of any of them but Rac’sha handling such a prize is enough to send shivers of dread down my spine.

You may as well put spectacles on an Umberhulk.

Encountering Xyn and his band of exceptional rogues was another small victory. As each cycle passes I am certain that my purpose here is divinely subsidized. I do not believe in coincidence, so all of these meetings and potentially profitable encounters embolden my efforts. They invited me to a raid upon a land close to Oghrann's, though I had to refuse with certain disappointment. It will be interesting to see how my entourage' responds to such a high presence of tiefling.