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Jarvyk Entry 24
13 Wealsun, 592 CY
We continued our exploration of the ice caves today, finding intrigue in place of danger. The ice lattice structures, previously thought to be some sort of trap, were found to be seeing devices. Ashton caught some kind of clue while investigating the structures in detail. I do not know what keyed him into their true nature but I can explain his motivations thereafter with absolute ease; family. Finding the location of his father, and thus unraveling the remaining mysteries of his life are of the utmost importance to him. I tend to agree with the depth of his convictions, although not always his methods.
It wasn’t long after that discovery that we found ourselves again at odds with a denizen of this icy tomb. Everyone fought valiantly, pressing through fogs of acid and overcoming the ice strands we have come to despise. Ultimately, it was Greyjek that saved us from the creature. As I understand things, he sent the beast to some remote location, another plane perhaps. I was not clear on the details and didn’t have time to ask for a full clarification.
Things seemed to be looking up for us about that time. We explored a bit more and thought the way would remain clear. Then the tentacles came, writhing up from the ground with their dark crushing persistence. We were trapped in a cramped passage with certain death springing from every direction. These things were as strong as a bear and quick as a serpent. We struggled through their maze towards the only logical source, a looming silhouette taunting us from the end of the hallway.
Ryla was able to best the shadow, a half-Orc, revealing the true source of our predicament. A bone naga, I was informed, stood just beyond the threshold. It fled shortly after losing that protector. A short chase followed, including many perils, and we eventually overcame the creature. Again, it was Greyjek that ultimately relieved our enemy of its life force.
The room in which this creature died had, among its other features, one glaring center point. A series of fleshy pillars, soul pillars we surmised. We would need to spend some time here, but not now. So we retired to a more defensible position and bedded down for the night.
14 Wealsun, 592 CY
We woke in what must have been the morning and continued our trek through the frozen halls of this near-hell. Each passing day seemed to get colder, and yet our resolve remained. I can only thank The Silverbeard for my role in that minor miracle.
As one would expect, it didn’t take us long to find trouble. After some discussion, we decided to plow through a previously ignored pathway, instead of finishing our investigation of the soul pillars.
Right from the beginning I had a bad feeling about our path. First, it was a hallway. That had proven bad for us not nine hours ago. Second, there were ice strands blocking nearly the entire length of the passage. Since nothing seemed to bother us while we were clearing the way, I could only assume that something yet awaited. I tried to warn the others, remind them of other incidents of poor planning. My warning was heard, but not sufficiently followed.
By the time we knew what was happening, a scorching reminder of foresight streaked through our ranks. Lightning blasted from the end of the hall, then a cloud of death followed. I found myself restrained, my essence stifled within. It was all I could do to withstand the next barrage of pain, and more than Ryla could withstand. She fell, dying, very near to me. I rushed to her side, as did Bransen, and we got her back to the fray. And good that we did. When the final blows were landed, and the last wound taken, it was our enemy that fell from Ryla’s crackling blade. Many were hurt, Cyrus severely, but we survived. Another day of combat, another disaster avoided, another step closer to our goal.
A brief search later and we were back to our hiding place, to await the favor of the Gods. Were our souls stronger, we could have continued. As it was, we could do little else but wait.