It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to update my journal.

My companions and I managed to save Dimitrus. The rogue and I snuck in and got him out along with some other prisoners which threatened to alert the guards of our presence if we didn’t take them with us. Ironically they did that anyway without intention by being loud, foolish humans. The guards were alerted to our presence and we all ran back to Braxilius where the protective magic of the city killed our foes.

I felt dishonored running like that. I would much rather die fighting than live like a coward. The only reason I didn’t stand my ground and fought was because I was the only one who wanted to do that and I care for my friends too much to leave them on their own, especially after what happened in the caves where they almost died without me in mere minutes. All and all it was a successful campaign in that we got what we went for.

Dimitrius told us that Alara Silverstroke has been taken to an island where there are tribes of orcs buried. This has trouble written all over it. Although I do not care for Alara’s well-being having those who raise the undead so close to so many corpses has me more than worried. We shall go to the island to see what we can do to prevent the followers of Orcus from raising a seemingly unbeatable undead army. However, on the way there we shall stop in Luxandale for the ball.

I am not sure why some of my companions decided to come to the ball. I am the one who wanted to get to the Duke in order to see if I can help the Tiefling slaves have a more bearable existence while working the mines. Although I spoke to all the major houses and the Duke himself I don’t feel like I made any real progress. It seems like it was a waste of my time. I wish I had more opportunities to convince them. It didn’t help at all that my companions were making themselves unpleasant and drawing undesirable attention. It went as far as I had to pretend I did not know them in order to gain the favor of the council.

The Duke himself seems to be a drunken, whoring careless dragonborn. I can’t imagine how he got in this position of power; it’s not like he is built to fight or seems very intelligent. I would not be surprised if he was overthrown by his own people soon because of the negligence and lack of care he is showing. It’s like he is turning his back to them and saying “Here! I am not watching my back, go ahead and stab me.”

Regardless of the Duke’s worth, I believe I gained his favor through what he interpreted as me saving his life. Also by pretending not to be with Orog or my other trouble causing companions, I managed to distract the guards from attacking my friends. I can’t imagine what they were thinking being in the situation that they were and doing the things they did. The thing that was most interesting at the ball was the raising of the three thieves who were killed to make an example out of them. Apparently one of the offerings to the Duke was a rock who raised zombies. That is most odd. I am half-curious to see where that stone was acquired and who is making/bringing these types of objects into the world. It seems to me that Orcus is behind this, because all the undead we have been fighting are courtesy of him.