Molistead arrived exactly on time. Namon’Shoon was right, as always. That they entered what is now called the Path of the Dead is impressive. The way they handled the lesser boneyard was comical. I will forever associate a wave of bones with the white cloaked human. Perhaps I will use his bleached bones and cloak to parody the image. My lord would like that, I think.

I believe they will handle my Bakamano with little trouble. There were many more than I was lead to believe. The prophecies name three: Molistead and two guardians, one spiritual one material, one a sword against the magic, one raging magic to counter swords. I am perhaps the best deathdealer in Spritha, and Namon’Shoon is my lord, but he is crazy if he thinks my best work will come from such sloppy information.

I must alter my other tests in light of these others. I have given Molistead three months to search me out. I will await him at the Bones, and should he survive, he can face me there. If not, then his death will be worthless and will find him sleeping in the night. I need destroy only one of those in the prophecy, but it is his death my master has ordered. It matters little, for I will enjoy bringing death’s hand to his entire horde.

It started about a month ago, I think. An earthquake shook our mountain home, and opened a hole beneath our crypts. Brother Durham, along with Acolytes Smetha and Toldam entered the holes to reclaim and return the bodies whose rest the earthquake surely disturbed. They discovered a cave system leading into the barrier, and were asked to investigate, which they did, (see reference to Vampire).

Two days later, a Devil-marked appeared. He wished to renounce his evil lord and rejoin the ways of light. Talengar and Dothriel met his companions, and allowed him entry. I did not expect to witness such a sight in my life. Then again, his coming here has been marked by many things I never expected in my service.

He was granted a ceremony to remove the link to his former master, even though we knew from past experience that this would provoke an attack on the monastery. If I overheard the elf, Annu, correctly, the Devil Lord Malgrim was the one who had marked him. Hehe, that rhymes, Malgrim marked him. That the Duke of Unlife was his evil lord concerned me. I have often wondered if Malgrim was in any way connected with the Greater Devil trapped by the boundary, and now I believe his is. But these thoughts were not until later. Anyway, the ceremony:

In the morning, Xon, the Devil-marked, was lead to the keystone. Powerful magics were released as the gems sent by the Dwarfs of Helmdill were crushed and incantations forced a flow of the barrier to surround Xon. Moments later, a skeletal winged bat with a large stinger burst from his shoulder. Rather, a tendril of energy from the barrier pulled the creature out, separating it from Xon. Xon defeated it in single combat, breaking his link to his former lord, but opening one to this place. Through it, the Duke would have a one time chance to send minions here to collect Xon and wreak whatever damage they could before their mission was accomplished.

It was five days after the ceremony that the minions arrived. It was five days after the ceremony that the undead arose. The minions, if what I was told is correct, appear to have been soulsniffers. A lesser devil, but the Duke used their lower power to send two through the rift, whereas others had sent much more powerful entities. These creatures would have been as nothing, if it had not been for the undead rising to break the barrier. Our forces were deployed to stop the “invasion”, and my dear brother Thalin was nearly lost to the rotting claws of ghouls. I thank Kelemvor for Ravensong, who saved him while bringing our fallen warriors out from beneath the barrier.

Xon and the rest of his friends had stayed within the monastery, and so were not with us as we dealt with the first wave. This is as it should be, for protecting the boundary is our concern. It was lucky as well, since the clerics strengthening the boundary would have been defenseless against the soulsniffers. That is a harvest I am more than happy was never reaped.

The undead, mostly ghouls led by ghasts, had already breached the top of the stairs by the time the gong had called us. It was a close thing pushing them back. I am surprised only two brothers fell. Both were saved thanks to Ravensong’s quick actions.

Ravensong says her friends were fighting Lemures and two Soulsniffers (at least, this is what I suspect they were based on her brief descriptions) while we were fighting, and that there was little that they could do to help. By the time they did join us, we had contained the undead in the stairwell, and while we could not push them back, they could not advance and bring their unspeakable numbers to bear. That is about when I saw the monstrosity.

There are boneyards within the boundary. Nothing lives there, at least not for long. People sometimes try and use it as a pass. When they fail, when they die, they are reanimated by the negative energy washing off the Greater Devil. Over the centuries, their corpses rot, and they are nothing but shambling skeletons. As often as not, they collapse amongst other skeletons. Perhaps this is by design, perhaps not. The monstrosity approaching us seemed to be an entire boneyard animated as one walking mass of evil.

We brought to bear our best weapons, enchanted via wands long kept against just such a threat. When it came in range, we peppered it with blessed arrows while Fethe blasted it with holy fire and Xon literally rained holy waters from above. That no one was lost is a testament to the preparation of generations before, and the shear number of arrows we could send at this creature.

If only that had been the end of it…

The day after the ceremony to free Xon, three of his companions were kind enough to accompany my brother and I on our first mission for our temple. We had been asked to find Brother Durham. He, along with two Acolytes, had descended into a cave system beneath our monastery, and had failed to report. The standard divinations were being blocked, and so Talengar decided that someone should be sent to investigate.

Descending into the cave system below was easy enough. Just beyond the barrier, we were set upon by ghouls. The negative energy in the barrier had reanimated the bodies that the earthquake stole from the crypt. I discovered that not everything is dead beyond the barrier, for we discovered both stirges and a large amount of fungus. Beneath the fungus, we found the bodies of our fellow acolytes, drained of blood. Bellum, the dwarf who had accompanied Xon, indicated that the far corner of that chamber looked as if it were a caved in passageway. Perhaps that is where the stirges, fungus, and orcs originated.

We found Brother Durham after a furious battle with some Orcs. They had waited in ambush for us, but it didn’t help. Thalin laid many low, and after we crossed the chasm, we discovered Brother Durham. That is, we discovered what was left of him. He seemed in bad shape. He had been bound and gagged, but I suspect now, that it was his own doing. As we recrossed the chasm, he attempted to hurl Annu into it, but was stopped by Dante, the Asimirian monk.

Once Durham revealed his true colors by draining a portion of Dante’s life with a touch, Thalin and I knew that we must destroy the abomination that our brother had become. Calling on the holy energies that bind the death and destruction of the Greater Devil, I banished the vampire, and he retreated at the sight of my faith. Dante’s hands burst into flame as he pummeled the fleeing creature, and it was mere moments before Brother Durham left this plane for a second time. We gathered some treasure that the orcs, or Durham, had stored in the back of the cave, and returned to the surface to report what we had found and done. Thalin and I took a fifth of the treasure to donate to the monastery, agreeing that those that helped us were more than welcome to keep the rest.

The day after the undead assaulted the monastery, all of Xon’s companions reentered the caves below the monastery to search out the evil that had corrupted Durham. They returned with a body, a spellbook, four shields, and four longswords. The body quickly evaporated in the light of day.

This is one of the writings we found in the Temple of the Wind. There were several pieces scattered about the Library. The scribe must have been stuck in that room hiding from the evils that befell the temple, for his body remains there still.

From these writings, we discovered quite a bit about the temple's history and what happened there.

Four strangers entered Rybath on the eight of Tarsakh. While it is still early in the year for travelers, they were a welcome site. It has been quite some time since a decent bard has performed at the Artificer’s Inn. A tattooed dwarf with the anvil eye, an otherworldly monk, and a powerful druid in peregrine form accompanied this bard of mixed blood.

They had recently come from Andunna’s cottage. I mourn for Justidian, and hope he will taker her tragic death as a lesson both in life and in magic. She was too sloppy and careless in her castings. That is what brought about her sad fate at the hands of what sounds to have been a Belkier. If those four had not happened by, I can barely imagine the destruction that creature might have caused. I must remember to ask Balith to see to a proper burial for Andunna. As a cleric of Boccob, I am certain he will confirm the events as I see them now. I wonder if Raymond will give Justidian the time off, that he may quest for the Boccobian sect in exchange for returning Andunna’s life. We shall see.

But it is the strangers that I now write about. Raymond has discovered something about them in one of his tomes. Though my master has been practicing divination for over two centuries, it is still unusual to meet someone mentioned in prophecy (no matter how trivial a portent it might be). At least, I assume one of them is so mentioned. And it appears my master has plans for them as well. As is his wont, he has challenged them to a number of contests with rewards ranging from a night’s stay at his inn to his most cherished weapon. The talent displayed by monk and bard far surpassed my master’s skill, though I see he will win the archery contest tomorrow.
I can not tell if it is his skill alone, or magic that makes his shots so sure. The fog of time is difficult to pierce, but I know he would have no compunctions against lying or cheating to win a bet he considers important . . .

. . .

A Remorhaz this far south! It is a sign of bad times to come, I am sure. My master’s skill with the bow has impressed these adventurer’s, though he claims they defeated this snow-worm in less than ten seconds. While my master is prone to exaggeration, they carry the eyes of the slain beast, still glowing with the heat of its so recent life. They will leave soon, on an errand for Raymond. I wish them luck, and also hope my master may aid them in the turbulent currents of fate.

What a debacle. We found the note the evening the were-panther approached the town gate. I knew immediately that it was not a natural panther, and moreover, that the intelligence behind this beast was not trying to enter the city itself. Apparently, it had accomplices, or wanted to make us believe it did. In my line of work, you always err on the side of paranoia, and so I set my trap.

I sent the guards to the inn to let slip the information. If the outsiders were looking for a message from their Black Blood allies, then they would search for the note, and attend the proposed meeting. This they did. I could not make out what they spoke, but Falahara and Jaga parted amicably. I immediately detained them, but none proved to be were-creatures. All were vulnerable to cold steel. Falahara insisted that she was setting up an ambush, and I decided to play along to see where her intentions truly were. That her father was a ranking member of the enclave didn't hurt her case either. Of course, that could all be fabrication. I had to get in contact with Taliesin and try to confirm her story in the next three days. Until that time, she and her companions would remain under observation.

That very evening, Falahara and her group were apparently attacked. That is strange for one of Raymond's guests (in fact, this is the first time it has occurred during my tour of duty here). Guards found evidence of four intruders, but no means of entry (their rooms were searched while they were traipsing in the graveyard). Their actions in the cemetery strengthened their case of not being pure evil, for they destroyed three demons there. Then again, the blood is not known for cavorting with demons.

That fight led me to believe in their skill. If they were enemies, this town would be in trouble. Furthermore, I could not in good conscious position my men too close to the meeting zone for fear that they would turn on us. Their sorcerer alone was powerful enough to bring their entire party airborne while facing the demons! This was my mistake. My men were too far back when it became apparent that they were not working with that creature of the Blood.

Four winter wolves attacked. This confirms that Jaga works with Kisenth's branch of the Blood. They are the only werewolves in the area, that we are certain of. Their party focused their attacks on Jaga, but he managed to flee. The wolves brought the Auhron and Annu down in mere moments, and Falahara seemed to be strangely fumbling. It could have something to do with the last spell Auhron cast (a cloud of glittering dust that outlined the fleeing Jaga, and coated Falahara as well). If it were not for the Hound Archon (another point in their favor), we would have come upon only corpses. As it was, the bodies of the sorcerer and cleric were wisked away as my men closed the distance to the two remaining combatants.

Before my men were close enough even to be heard, Xon unleashed a mighty fireball, and the archon returned. Apparently, there is more than one magic user in their group. The archon grabbed Xon and Falahara and then they too were gone. The two remaining winter wolves were badly injured, and I managed to run them down. Then my men and I set to tracking panthers.

-FLASH-
The world bounces as if seen from from the back of a pack. Two dozen dark-skinned elves walk cautiously down a winding path. One male elf stumbles slightly as his burden, he seems to be carrying Dante bound and unconscious over his shoulder.

-FLASH-
Besides the one carrying Dante, several other elves are loaded down with full packs, weapons and other equipment. Turning a bend, the group follows close to the hillside.

-FLASH-
A dragon-shaped building is seen nearby, but the elves turn toward a ruined section of the city.

-FLASH-
Everyone has stopped. A female voice commands, "You two, forward. Now!"

The view swings around to reveal two male drow looking at each other worriedly, as another voice says, "It is a pity to waste them, couldn't we just kill the beast instead?"

"No, you fool! We must not endanger the holy mission. We have been dedicated to the hunt and must not draw blood until the end of the sacrifice, lest we lose Loth's blessing."

The two in question proceed along the path cautiously, but take only a few steps when suddenly two large black tentacles grab them from the path.

-FLASH-
Down through a trap dor, its lock clicks shut. Along an underground passegway, down a stairwell. Past two hulking Orc guards, one carrying a giant two handed scimitar, the other a scythe and a dark hooded cowl. Down another hallway.

-FLASH-
The inside of a large storage room with a large wooden door with a teardrop symbol carved into it. Various equipment is laid out neatly on several tables. The view drops down to one of the tables between a set of fine kukeris and few finely engraved longbows.

A haughty voice commands, "We must wait for Oolion to identify these, I claim the scrolls for myself, divide these mundane items as you see fit."

"Olnak!, guard this room. We shall prepare the Light One's Spawn for the ritual." The shadow of a large hulking form closes the door, so that only the light from several glowing items on a nearby table illuminates the storeroom.

-FLASH-
Vision slowly returns to normal, as sleep-filled eyes clear. Everyone in the party seems similarly bound to nearby trees, also wakening from drow-poison induced sleep. The scene is grim, but only worsens as two cat-like creatures with six legs and two whip-like tentacles upon their backs snarl from a little ways down the path.