• I tried to imitate the swimming motions my companions used to cross the pond. Swimming is harder than it looks. After three attempts of splashing around and getting nowhere, I grabbed a fallen limb and paddled across. We reached the base of the temple and saw Lucan giving us the hairy eyeball from the top. We climbed a set of stairs and entered a large room. There were six columns in the room designed to look like tentacles.
• Stickpin started across the room when a large manta ray looking creature swooped down and cloaked Stickpin with its wings. The ‘cloaker’ let out a scream which unnerved me. It swung its tail and stung me. The gang attacked the cloaker while Stickpin struggled to get free. I delivered death blow with a vial of fire to its face.
• We started into the next room. Nameless ran into the room and fell into a pit. We seriously thought about leaving him there while we searched for Lucan. HIs recent behavior has the whole gang on edge. We pulled him out and continued. We reached the next room and were attacked by an undead minotaur.
  Wait – the cipher is transposition. Try languages (the last passage is circled and undelined)

Having escaped the warforged/flying Halfling attack on the train, we followed Lucan to a ziggurat in the desert. Gurney struggled to cross the lake to get in, but as he floundered we spotted Lucan in the doorway. This was to be the site of our final confrontation.
We battled through several dark beasts in the ancient ziggurat; strange flying monsters and packs of biting centipedes. During the battle with the centipedes, though, Nameless recklessly plunged ahead, facing Lucan alone. As my companions rushed to help, I was forced to remain behind and provide cover. More centipedes were pouring in and I knew my companions would need to focus; a distraction from the back could prove fatal.
I did not, therefore, actually see Lucan’s defeat or the demise of Nameless. He seemed a lost soul, as his kind so often are, unsure of where his allegiances lie. I do not envy the warforged.
We return to Sharn, (with a stop for our horses on the way!!) then, with our prey no longer alive, even though that was the assignment. I wish I could have been there to help; maybe we could have accomplished our mission properly. We have learned, however, that when dealing with evil chaos reigns. Plans must be abandoned. Maps are redrawn, friendships reconsidered.
On our way back to Sharn Gurney shared with us some of his newly developed powers. I have commissioned a replacement or upgrade for my trusty wakizashi. If he can imbue the weapon with magic, improving its balance and edge, I feel confident that my effectiveness in battle will improve. The price is steep—I will use up all nearly all of my gold. Then again, it is not doing me any good in a bag. I much prefer being well equipped.
In the meantime, I spend many hours in meditation and training, once again with Astra and occasionally Alden. Due to our innate differences, our paths seem destined to diverge; the powers of my companions are mysterious to me, as I am sure my psionic abilities are mysterious to them. What might the future hold?

• I came to tied up next to Theirastra. The Warforged were rummaging through our gear. I assumed we were going to be tortured for info. They stopped when Alden and Rumia entered the car from the far end. As soon as the WF were distracted, Theirastra started untying herself. She made quick work of the knots then untied me. I gave her a healing draught and drank one myself. The WF charged Alden and Rumia. Rumia dodged the assault but a WF tackled Alden to the ground. ’Astra and I joined the fray. With our two best fighters we made short work of the Warforged. Alden took a magical scimitar from the WF who tackled him.
• We rested and recuperated at the train. Darkness fell and Stickpin returned to tell us about his deadly game of hide and seek with the halfling scouts. He followed Lucan to a Goblin temple about a mile west of our position. We headed to the temple. A basic ziggurat design arising from the middle of a pond. The rest of the group waded in and started swimming. Looked easy enough.

Magic items I can make

Adamantine Armor – NO critical hit damage
Alchemy Jug
Ammunition 1
Bag of Holding
Boots and Cloak of Elvenkind
Boots of Striding and Springing
Boots of the Winterlands
Bracers of Archery
Brooch of Shielding
Broom of Flying
Cap of Water Breathing
Circlet of Blasting – Scorching Ray spell with +5 to hit. 1x per day
Cloak of Protection
Cloak of the Manta Ray
Decanter of Endless Water
Deck of Illusions
Dust of Disapearence, Dust of Dryness, Dust of Sneezing and Coughing
Elemenetal Gem – Conjure Elemental 1x per day
Eversmoking Bottle
Eyes of Charming. Eyes of Minute Seeing. Eyes of the Eagles
Gauntlets of Ogre Power – 19 Str.
Gem of Brightness
Gloves of Missile Snaring, Swimming and Climbing, Thievery
Hat of Disguise
Headband of Intellect – 19 Int.
Helm of Telepathy
Immovable Rod
Javelin of Lightning
Keoghtom’s Ointment – 2d82 Hp regained
Mariner’s Armor
Medallion of Thoughts
Mithral Armor
Necklace of Adaptation
Oil of Slipperiness
Pearl of Power
Periapt of Health. Periapt of Wound Closure
Pipes of Haunting. Pipes of the Sewers
Potion of Animal Friendship. Potion of Clombing. Potion of Fire Breath. Potion of Growth. Potion of Greater Healing. potion of Poison. Potion of Resistance. Potion of Water Breathing.
Quiver of Ehlonna
Ring of jumping. Ring of Mind Shielding. Ring of Swimming. Ring of Warmth. Ring of Water Walking
Robe of Useful Items
Rope of Climbing
Saddle of the Cavalier
Sending Stones
Sentinel Shield
Shield +1
Slippers of Spider Climbing
1-3 level Spell Scroll
Staff of the Adder. Staff of the Python.
Luckstone
Sword of Vengeance
Trident of Fish Command
Wand of Magic Detection. Wand of Magic Missiles. Wand of Secrets. Wand of War Mage +1. Wand of Web.
Weapon +1
Weapon of Warning
Wind Fan
Winged Boots
Costs
Common 80gp and 1 day to make
Uncommon (most above are Uncommon) 400gp and 4 days to make
Potion of Healing 40gp and 1 hour to make.

• I was revived and cast imbue magic on my mace. Time for some head bashing. A blur of motion caught my eye as I ran through the lounge. Outside, Theirastra levitated onto the balcony and started attacking a group of halflings riding flying mounts. I opened the door to the next car and was staring at Lady Dar and Peggy running towards me. I stepped aside and Dar yelled, “Guards!”
• The station guards rushed at us. We met them mid cabin and the melee started. My first swing missed so I slid my missile wand out of my coat and blasted one point blank. Nameless, Stickpin and Dar rained powerful blows on the guards. We subdued them just as a group of Warforged (W.F.) entered from the other end of the car.
• The W.F. leader, a female, demanded we hand over the schema. Schema? We haven’t had a schema since we left Sharn a fortnight ago. We tried to tell them we didn’t have the schema. They didn’t believe us. The leader told the other W.F. to attack us while she ran up the stairs to the second level. Stickpin peeled off up the stairs next to us. Theirastra joined Nameless and me. Alden and Dar were watching our rear. Two magic wielders and a Warforged against 3 Warforged. The odds weren’t in our favor. But if we stopped every time the odds were against us, we’d still be in Sharn. Once more into the breach.
• The Warforged cursed Nameless as a traitor and focused on him. Nameless parried blows and told the Warforged he wasn’t a traitor. I noticed that Nameless was holding back when it came to killing the W.F. Theirastra and I had no similar compunction. W.F know tactics and they made sure we didn’t surround them. We dropped two of them when we heard a man yelling “Get out of my head!”. Lucan came running down the far stairs with the W.F and Stickpin right behind him.
• Lucan morphed into a dire wolf and charged at us. I was able to get in a blow before he was past us. He leaped from the train, which was now stopped. Stickpin dashed after him. I turned and saw Theirastra was engaged with the halfling flyers. She was calling on every elemental power she could. A steady stream of cursing and blaspheming almost drowned out the sound of howling winds and crackling lightning. I foolishly fired my crossbow at one of the halflings, only to see the bolt get caught in the whirlwind. Not my smartest move. Both of us were weary from the fight and magic use. I got bashed in the head and knocked unconscious. Hopefully Alden and Dar can turn the tide.

• We entered Sterngate and Stickpin offered to buy a round at the nearest pub. Pubs make excellent headquarters for local gangs and intel flows as long as the ale (or coins) does too. On the way we passed Sterngate’s lightning rail. Next train out was scheduled to leave in the morning. Stickpin chose the Mangy Wererat Inn. The lodgings didn’t look promising but the ale did.
• Stickpin was eyeing a dice game and rubbing his fingers together. Alden requested a wine list. Theirastra and I swore/chuckled and dove into our ales. A gnome came into the common room and headed to a table to our right. The same gnome was hanging around the front gate when we entered. A note was passed to a cloaked, hooded individual. We’ve been grassed! The gnome departed with his tip and the cloak and hood were thrown back to reveal a female Dragonborn in armor. A warrior holy woman from the look of it.
• Lady Dar stopped at our table and discreetly revealed a copy of the Dark Lantern sigil and a letter of passage. She was also tasked to track Lucan. She followed our trail and was able to catch us flying on her pegasus, Peggy. We caught her up on currents events and she joined us for some drinks.
• Stickpin entered the dice game and livened up the night by betting a GOLD PIECE on making a hard six. After the shock wore off bets started flying. Three tosses later, Stickpin catches the hard six. Even the losers were cheering when he bought several rounds for all. He also bought us a pair of eyes to watch the train for anything suspicious. I headed upstairs to rest and read my spell book.
• Around 3 am, Stickpin knocked, entered and told me we’re on the move. The train was warming up and Orien guards were posted at the passenger platform. I grabbed my kit and drank half a flask of rum to keep the hangover at bay. The station was lit and there was activity around the train. The train had 9 cars; 2 engine cars (1&9), 2 passenger cars (5&6), 3 cargo cars (2-4), 1 crew car (8) and 1 lounge car (7). The cars were 60 feet long and 20 feet high. 2 guards watched the southern end of the platform and 2 in the north.
• Dar flew out of the stable on Peggy and circled the train cars twice then swooped into one of the passenger cars. Impressive. Stickpin dashed into the shadows and disappeared. Alden, Astra and I cautiously approached the platform expecting the same reception we get at every platform, dominated guards. We were not let down. We got ready to do the Old Dash and Slash when two packs of wolves came running at us from the north. (the front of the train). A pack of 4 charged at me while Alden was bowled over by a guard and Therastra was engaged with the other guard.
• I drew a fire flask and hurled it at the pack. 2 wolves died in the flames. The other two attacked. One high and one low. They both got me. Bleeding was severe. I disengaged and dashed past the guards but the wolves caught me. I screamed in pain and blacked out.
• ‘Astra told me later that Alden freed himself (by head butting the guard) ran through a swarm of bats and grabbed my unconscious body away from the wolves. He carried me onto the train and was able to stabilize me. He’s a good lad.

The airship trip had been, until this point, as dull as I could have hoped. There were kind passengers on board who enjoyed hearing stories of my childhood and our recent adventures. Everyone was getting along, it seemed, and the gentle motion of the fire elemental guiding our ship formed a nice backdrop to meditation.
Then we were boarded by ‘pirates’ who didn’t look the part. Theirastra warned the captain, who didn’t react quickly enough, and then they were upon us.
The crew, including a former soldier and a warlock with little horns fought the intruders bravely, but seemed to be losing. I leapt onto a skiff, tossed the enemies over the side, and was joined by a crew member who seemed interested in following my orders. He steered me toward another skiff filled with archers, which I boarded just as he took an arrow to the shoulder. I never saw him again.
Gurney fought bravely, and Stickpin followed several of the attackers below decks; the narrow passages and dark spaces being better suited to his particular skills.
Anyway, I dispatched two archers, and tried to finish off a third with a shruiken, but the other occupant of my skiff inexplicably knocked it out of the air with his sword. A worthy opponent.
Despite nearly falling off myself, I managed to defeat the three occupants of my ship just in time to see—was it Gurney?—someone fire a ballista bolt into the enemy ship, releasing the air elemental.

The ships collided, Lucan appeared, and the elementals engaged in battle. I think I can control the pilots of the skiff I commandeered—but how to save everyone and finish off Lucan?

While I enjoyed air travel, it is safe to say the novelty has worn off. I long for the gentle steps of my horse, Hafiz. No time to rest, though, there are more pressing matters.

• 4 skiffs were circling the ship. 3 filled with boarders and one filled with archers. Two other passengers appeared on deck when the alarm was raised. A creature with a tail and horns and a tipsy looking human fighter. The fighter launched himself off the deck onto a skiff. He proceeded to bash the boarders bare handed. The creature on deck launched burst of Eldritch power at a group of boarders making their way below decks. I heard foot steps behind me and felt an arrow hit my back. The wound was superficial.
• I spun and drew my crossbow. Six boarders had landed on deck. Three rushed me and three ran to the port side. After missing my shot, I reached into my satchel and pulled out a fire flask. I chucked that at the port three. Finally hit a target. Actually three targets. It was time to take care of my immediate threats. I drew my missile wand and dropped one of the pirates. I use the term pirates loosely. They looked like pirates from a pantomime. They were all dressed alike right down to the striped frocks. What little I know of pirates they don’t dress in uniforms. A motley crew is what you’d expect, not a troupe of mummers.
• I fell back to the tavern area and alerted Stickpin of my thinking. He made his way below decks. Rumia leaped onto a skiff and cleared it except for the skipper. He fell for Rumia’s physical attributes and martial abilities. The fighter and warlock continued to fight with us.
• Capt. Morgas made his way below decks. Looks like this melee is moving. Hopefully Stickpin will use the fight to get into the looked room. The Cloud’s Destiny’s crew fought ferociously and slowed the boarders. Morgas manned the starboard ballista and I took control of the port ballista. The Jade Fire (the name on the pirate ship) approached on my side. I fired up at the pilot house. The ballista passed through the Jade Fire’s air elemental which unleashed it from it’s pilot.
• The Jade Fire veered toward the Destiny’s port side. Our pilot lost control of the fire elemental and both elementals attacked each other. The Jade Fire crashed into us. Probably not the best time for my aim to return. I hope Theirastra’s Feather Fall spell works on seven.
• I cleared from the ballista and made my way for the stairs. I caught up with Stickpin and told him we may have a chance of surviving. Hiding in the ship’s galley. The galley contained magical cabinets similar to Bags of Holding. We could get inside, survive the crash and step out when we thought it was safe. We did this with House Cannith chests and closets of Holding. As long as we stay together and in contact with the portal entrance we could survive. Stickpin was speechless but the expression on his face told me all I needed to know, the cabinets would be Plan B or Z.
• We emerged on deck and saw Rumia and Alex the fighter clearing a skiff. Capt. Morgas and the remaining crew members ran down stairs to stow themselves in a cabinet. I smacked down a boarder with my mace and made my way to the skiff. I shared my plan and the rest wanted to take the skiff to safety. Hmph. Alden and Therastra sailed the skiff to the crash site..
• Capt. Morgas and the surviving crew members emerged unscathed from the cabinet. Morgas tried to berate us but Alden pulled rank and told him the Lyander Ship’s Guild would hear about this debacle. I had to bite my cheeks to keep from laughing. We started off toward Staringrad in the skiff. We traveled most of the night and arrived at a gated, walled town. Alden almost got us in. He impressed the first guard, but a second was not impressed. Time to use our backup – the travel passes.

• Captain Morgas is a gruff sailor. Closer to surly than gruff. Probably because his domain has been invaded by a group of armed adventurers. From the deck we could see 5 loaded ballistas. 2 on each side and a bow chaser. Not enough ballistas or mortars for a warship. (smuggler keeping other smugglers at bay?) Therastra and Stickpin used the tickets we had and Rumia, Nameless and I spent 200 gp for our cabins. We have a 100 hour trip with three stops, Staringard, Flamedeep and finally Korth.
• Once settled, we headed to the lounge for drinks and snacks. While we chatted up the other passengers, Stickpin went off to do his sneaking an peeking. Nameless continued to act erratically. He headed down to the lower deck and encountered Stickpin and greeted him! Stickpin casually denied knowing the Warforged and told us what happened. We may have to frag Nameless. Not fan of destroying Warforged but he continues to thwart our plans at every turn.(is he working with the Lord of Blades?)
• Theirastra went on deck as soon as she was settled. She looked thrilled to be on a ship I’m sure she will charm her fellow tars and gather some info. Rumia chatted up our fellow passengers and I settled into my cabin to study making potions of climbing. Stickpin told me about his recon. The lowest deck contained a locked door guarded by a merc. I devised a plan. I would smash a smoke stick at the bow of the lowest deck, the guard and crew would rush to check out the smoke and Stickpin would get into the locked room. Unfortunately the merc guard didn’t move when I tried the ruse. I headed to the deck and cleared my throat with some good rum. (might as well drink what sailors drink. Not going to water it down to make grog though.) I noticed that an air elemental ship has been shadowing us for the better part of the day. We’re in a busy shipping lane, but we’ve been passing ships and vice versa all day. I know a tail when I see one. Nothing I can do now. Nap time.
• I was in my cabin when a yell of “PIRATES!” woke me from my nap. I rushed on deck to see our tail floating above the Destiny. Pirates in skiffs were circling the deck. I hope my aim is true.

• After Krell and Meena calmed down they handed us a packet. Inside were 8 passports and tickets for a Lyander sky ship. The ship, Cloud’s Destiny, was docked at bay 94. It was leaving in a hour. We stopped by the tavern and grabbed our gear.
• Cloud’s Destiny was impressive. A fire elemental kept the thing ‘afloat’. We walked up the boarding ramp and saw a group of Gnomish stevedores blocking our way.
• Without warning the group opened up and two archers fired our way. Nameless caught an arrow right in the face. Alden used his wind power to knock 2 Gnomes over the railing. Theirastra looked like she saw a ghost. She cast feather fall and kept the Gnomes from dying. I wouldn’t have bothered, but I guess Theirastra has seen her share of shipmates go overboard and acted without thinking..
• Again the rest of the group showed their martial prowess while I wasted crossbow bolts missing all my targets. 3 more Gnomes went over the side and Theirastra was busy stopping the Gnomes from unmooring the ship. We made it on board only to be stopped by the Captain. (Capt. Morgas) Alden wandered off to the Lyander deck and left us to cope. Typical noble.