Today started out normally.

I could begin a philosophical discussion on the meaning of the word normal, but currently lack the brainpower. Think I’ll leave that to the Professor and Inquisitor.

The new member of our party and the Cleric settled their differences. Cleric agreed that killing dragons is fine if they are planning to eat us. The Paladin agreed to not kill pretty things if he doesn’t have to. Glad we got that settled, but rather disappointed Cleric will not be driving Paladin mad again any time soon. I have not been that amused in some time.

The Halfling now has a wolf companion. This brings the number of canines in our party up to a quarter of the total. At least we can bite things to death.

Party is still headed toward Trader’s Point. I am fairly certain the Professor was hitting on the Sorceress. Considering matchmaking entire party during next period of extreme boredom. Lack of females might make that tricky.

While walking through forest, I heard something fly overhead. Caught glimpse of leathery wings and a body. Wonderful. I hope this creature is merely lost, not following us. Of course, the chances of that are very remote.

The instant I told the party what I saw, the Paladin ran off after it. He crashed into tree. Amazed he has survived this long.

Oh, wait. Tree alive. Scratch that last part.

We fought three giant Ents, or, rather, the rest of the party fought. I could not seem to get a chance for attacking. Was turned invisible at one point by the Professor, but wind caught the only arrow I fired. Should probably inspect arrows for inherent flaws. Again. There is only so much I can find to do around a campfire.

Party killed two of the Ents. The Gnome and Sorceress did most of the damage with bombs and fireballs, respectively. The Inquisitor caused the third Ent to flee in terror, but is currently unconscious. Still need to ask how his escape from the tentacle creature was managed. Beginning to think he made it nauseated and was vomited up. Would explain a lot.

The Gnome, Sorceress and Paladin have run after the third Ent. I am currently assisting the Cleric in locating her fox.

Perhaps I should start learning my party members’ names. Such knowledge is bound to come in handy at some point.

Found the Cleric’s fox in a clump of bushes, evidently scared of the walking trees. Do not blame him.

We caught up to the remainder of the party. Gnome unconscious. Not sure if he was injured by the Ent or knocked out by an annoyed companion. Will ask.

Gnome fell unconscious after picking up magical spidery stone. The dragon and the other two Ents also left spidery stones upon death. Should ask other party members about this.

On second thought, if it is important, they will say something.

We dragged the Gnome and Inquisitor to a clearing and made camp. A lengthy discussion ensued over what to do with the Inquisitor. I am fairly certain we have managed to convince the Paladin that the Inquisitor is untrustworthy, as he suggested tying him up. Eventually we went through a cycle of tying the Inquistor up, untying him, and considering torture. Ultimately went with Professor’s suggestion to try nothing without a distinct plan. The Cleric healed the Inquisitor and Gnome. If the Inquisitor was conscious, he would be angry.

The Sorceress and Halfling are telling stories around campfire. I have not heard a good story in long time.

Need to rest now. Will inspect arrows for quality first.

Terrifying dream about giant spider attacking Trader’s Point last night. Think magical stones are influencing mind.

Oh, wait. Apparently the entire party shared the same dream. The Gnome thinks this is due to the power of suggestion. The Professor suggests it is the aftermath of a powerful spell or something similar. I am more inclined to agree with the Professor. He’s smarter.

Both invalids seem fine again. Probably the work of the Cleric. I am rather surprised she healed the Gnome, though. The party voted to continue on to Trader’s Point despite our dream. Hoping strange winged creature does not return.

Met seer from Trader’s Point at well in plains. He was evidently in the last few days of life. There was some debate among the party as to whether we should stop and listen to him or continue on, but we agreed to give him half an hour or so. The Gnome was highly disrespectful, but the Paladin whacked him a few times and he shut up. We should keep the Paladin around.

The seer told us history behind the giant spider in our dream. Apparently it is a god and is trying to destroy world and remake it to suit himself. Lovely.

The seer died moments later. The Sorceress, Paladin and Inquisitor marked the well area with magic to commemorate him. The Gnome insulted his memory and was promptly whacked by one of the seer’s gypsy companions. Serves him right, I say. I personally would have hit him much harder.

A little later, we reached a small group of huts with three or four people wandering around. The Halfling attempted to speak to one, but could not understand his language. The Professor and I apparently were the only ones that understood the dialect, and were forced to act as translators. The Halfling tried to convince the villager he was some sort of god. Resisted urge to throw a cloak or something over his head to shut him up.

Another human appeared with a cask of wine. Wait…

Revenge.

Fought a strange shadow man who the Paladin said was chaotic neutral. Not that chaotic neutral really tells us anything. He appeared to emerge from a marble that the Sorceress picked up. I am not quite sure what to make of that.

I attempted to stab him, but succeeded only in splitting him in two, which left us with two opponents instead of one. One of said opponents grabbed me and dragged me away from fight. He seemed to have a personal vendetta against me.

The party destroyed one of the shadowy men. He dissolved into dust. Strange. The other opponent was eventually overpowered – the Paladin broke both his legs. Strong people are very useful to have around.

The Paladin asked shadow man about his motivation in attacking us. He gave conflicting answers about doing a job and, yet, not being hired, then refused to answer any other questions. When threatened, he said he would only speak to me, to the apparent confusion of the entire party. I have a feeling there will be much explaining to do.

He asked why I left him. I quickly set the record straight and reminded him I was not the one who left. He said he was forced to leave. That, I do not believe, as he never had much respect for what he considered unneccessary laws or customs in the valley. I told him I didn’t believe him. He insisted that “we had a chance.”

I thought the party would suffer a mass heart attack. Will have to explain when the world is not ending.

I asked why he did it. He said it was so we could be together. I apparently overestimated his intelligence during the time we spent together. What made him think that destroying my life would restore our relationship is beyond me. No remorse was visible. I kicked his newly-healed leg for good measure.

I asked where Aistano is. He said he could not tell. Kicked him again.

He sold my baby into slavery.

I am going to kill him.

He sold him to the black-robed man.

Suddenly, death seems too easy.

The Inquisitor suddenly became interested in the situation, suggesting torture and maiming, followed by just enough healing to allow him to live the rest of his miserable life. The Halfling suggested burying him in earth up to his neck, coating his head in honey, then summoning giant ants. Someone else mentioned just tying him up and leaving him for the wild animals. The Cleric wanted to drive him mad. I gave her permission.

Screaming has never sounded so good.

We are now trying to decide what to do with him. Most of the others are still in favor of torture and death. Apparently it is to be my decision.

We’ll keep him alive for now.

The Paladin agreed to carry the rhaichon. I think I am in his debt.

We decided not to stop for the night and continued toward Trader’s Point. That is where the black-robed man was when Aistano was sold to him. I will not be able to avenge Aranos until I have extracted more information from our captive – right now, I do not have enough to find my son. The Inquisitor may prove useful after all, since our captive is not a follower of Iomedae.

The winged creature caught up with us. Arrows did no damage to it. I do not think it had a physical form. Party managed to dispatch it with little trouble due to fire-related powers of several members. Decided to camp after all, since everyone is tired.

Gnome’s bomb killed captive.

If I do not find my son, I will kill him.