Within the swirling Mist (IC) > Biographies

Journal of William Gatts

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Hades:
The Journal



      "My name is William Gatts.  I was born in the great city of Waterdeep along the Sword Coast of Faerun.  Growing up, I wasn't much different than any other child.  My father was an urchin on Moon street.  My mother was a singer and song writer who worked at the nearby Foaming Mug Tavern.   During the time my mother was not working, she would teach me about the world.  She would use song to tell me stories of the dragons in Cormyr and the treasure's of the ancient Myth Drannor.  I learned a great deal from her.  I was heartbroken when she became ill with plague.  To help my father pay for her medicine, I got involved with a member of one of the local thieves guilds. He payed me to help him cut purses and swipe things from local merchants. 
      When I was sixteen, my mother passed away.  Her loss was hard on my father, who began to crawl into a shell.  A year later, he was robbed by a man who needed money to pay for the growing taxes our city was putting on households.  When one of the guards tried to stop him, he stabbed my father and ran down one of the alleyways.  My father passed away a few hours later from the loss of blood.   After his death, I took what money I had saved and joined with a merchant caravan heading east to the city of Tilverton, where I would attend the Bardic College.  A few short years later, I graduated and returned home to Waterdeep.  I rejoined with the member of the thieves guild, selling stolen wares with him.  Once I had enough coin saved up, I decided to begin my travels on the open road.  Then the mist came..."

Hades:
      "I wasn't a days march north of Waterdeep when from out of no where, I was suddenly surrounded by a thick mist.  I hurried through it when from behind, I was struck by some sort of blunt object.  I never saw it coming.  When I awoke, I looked around to see my environment had changed entirely.  I was near some gypsy camp, in a harsh and cold region that I had never seen before.  Petre, one of the gypsies informed me that I had come to Barovia.  Apparently this is to be my new home.  Not likely, for as soon as I find a caravan heading back to Waterdeep, I'm joining it.  For now though, I may as well explore the nearby areas.  After all, that's why I set out on this adventure to begin with.  I waited in the camp until morning, when I decided to wander toward the sounds of nearby civilization. 
      Following the road, I came to find a large, rundown temple with boarded windows and small pyres burning near the main entrance.  Opposite the temple, was a small Inn.  The sign over the door read, "The Ladies Resting Place."  It seemed the best place to start, so made my way inside.  There weren't many people around, but it was still early.  After waiting around, I noticed a fair skinned elven man enter from the floor above.  I encountered him and engaged in pleasant conversation.  He said his name was Archelous and he had quite a bit of information to give.  According to him, this land is surrounded by that thick mist and passing through it is impossible.  I guess I'm stuck here for now.  Also, he warned me not to travel outside at night.  Apparently this land is plagued with Were-creatures and Vampires.  Doubtful yes, but he seemed sincere.  I think he may just have been a bit out of his mind.  Those things aren't real, are they?  I suppose for now, I will take a look around town.  More later..."

Hades:
On Vallaki

      "I've just returned to my room at the Ladies Resting Place.  I spent the Morning Exploring the city of Vallaki.  I must say, I found it to be almost nothing like Waterdeep.  There is a harbor overlooking Lake Zarovich, but there is little in the ways of merchants or guilds.   I was troubled to find that the locals weren't very warm to my presence in their city.  I was regarded with suspicion and scrutiny by every native that I passed on the streets.  Some places of Interest that I located:

Mernu's Mercantile: A small shop in the Were House district that buys and sells almost everything except magic scrolls.  While magic appears not to be illegal, its highly feared.

The Vallaki Bank:  Speaks for itself.  Good place to store my earnings.

Tigans Rest:  A low quality tavern for thugs and thieves.  There is a blackmarket merchant there that I can get lockpicks and other supplies from.  It also appears to be the base of operation for a faction known as the Red Vardo Traders.  I saw a few of them enter one of the rooms upstairs.  With a quick glance in the door, I noticed a desk and clerk as well as a trap door leading somewhere below.

Broken Bell Tavern:  A middle class tavern in the Market District near the General Store and Smithy.  Good place for some wine women and song.

Blue Water Inn:  A high class establishment.  Maybe a good place to meet people of importance in Vallaki.

Temple of The Morning lord:  A small temple in the slums.  A good place to hide from the creatures that prowl the streets at night.

The Ratter's House: Some short and ugly man apparently pays a good amount of coin for rat pelts.  Not sure where he gets the money, but whatever. Coin is coin.

The Prancing Nymph: A casino in the Slums.  Great place for underhanded trading and gambling.

The Drain: An underground society hidden within the Market District Sewers.  Home of the Caliban and of the scallywags not fit for daily life.

      There were a few other locations worth taking a look at, but the ones mentioned are what appeal to me the most so far.  I find traveling in the city to be a depressing endevour.  The locals are unhospitable, most live in poverty and the streets are filthy.  Their close minded behavior and xenophobic superstitions annoy me, but there is nothing I can do but try to blend in.  The government appears to be run with fear and force and woe is the traveler who gets on the bad side of a city guard."

Hades:
      "I met a few interesting people so far while exploring around town.  First I met the blond Elf, Archelaus.  He wears a black suite and a nice hat, even in battle.  From what I've seen he is a very good spell caster, but he is very stingy with sharing his magical protections.  There was also an elf called Karavas, or "The Snowman."  He wears a red long-coat with a red hood.  He's a priest of some god, though I don't know of who.  I also met an attractive young girl named Sholah.  She's a ranger of some kind from one of the neighboring countries of this land, on the west coast.  Her and I stayed a night at Tigans rest.  I enjoyed her company."

Hades:
      "I began some exploration with Archelaus and Karavas.  Over the past weeks, we have explored several different crypts and locations of interest, among them are:

The Vallaki Sewers: Disgusting, but full of riches to be found.  I can only assume the riches make their way to the sewers because of the large population of Wererats within them.  I hear they are known for stealing from their victims.  Avoid the Docks District, for there are very large ones present on occasion.

The Orphanage:  Of all places for evil to be nesting, why an orphanage?  We heard rumors that there were tunnels beneath the basement full of rotten creatures.  They were right.  We traveled through the caves and killed any foul beasts that we could.  We eventually found their leader to be a form of Hag.  We dispatched it and took our leave.  There was some slight treasure to be found.

The Von Zeklos Family Crypt: To the far east of the outskirts, past the Zeklos Keep is a crypt plagued with undead creatures and the bodies of fallen adventurers.  Something terrible dwells there.  We found little riches, but a large glowing orb of some sort.  Fearing its properties, we left it alone. 

The Morning Lord Temple: Beneath the Morninglord Temple in the Western Outskirts, I found that the catacombs are plagued with Undead creatures of different manner.  Its a vile place but there is some riches to be found.  Also, for every five skeletal knuckles I bring to Mother Lizuca, she will pay me with a Healing Tonic.  That could prove very helpful.

The Coven of the Damned: A place I don't wish to return to.  Karavas and Archelous showed it to me on the way to a tower, far north.  Its a bloody Vampire coven!  I was astonished and terrified when we encountered the denizens and their guardians.  Such power they had and were it not for my new elven companions; I would surely have perished.  There was a moderate amount of coin and scroll to be found.

Elketh's Tower: As if Vampires weren't enough, my new companions decided that while on our way to the Mage Tower in the far north, we would stop at Elketh's tower.  That place disturbed me.  According to Archelous, it is the home of a Dark Elf turned Lich.  What a horrifying thought! We fought our way through the tower, fighting the creatures creations.  When we reached the pinnacle, we found that Elketh was no where to be found.  Lucky for us I say.  A large amount of scrolls and a decent amount of gems and coin was found.

The Mage's Watch-Tower: Finally, a place without death.  A tower far north on Mt. Baratak, ran by a group of Magi.  They sell many different magical items and scrolls.  When I have enough money I will surely return to take advantage of this place.  There is much to be learned from them.  I am pleased to have been shown this beacon of hope in this land of twilight.  At least magic is welcome somewhere here.  That puts me at east.

      They mentioned a Lycan Den and a Troll den.  I'm not eager to visit either of those, but in time I am sure my companions will drag me there.  These lands are very interesting and yet, terrifying.  The monsters that plague the night are enough to make most grown men piss themselves.  The fact that we're fighting them - and winning is astonishing to me.  How long will our luck hold, I wonder?  Scratch that, I don't want to know the answer."

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