[All that is written here, unless otherwise described, is done so in Darkonese. The handwriting is impeccable. The following covers several leaves of Balbina's book, and many sketches and pieces of parchment can be found tucked into the pages.]
There is much I ought to record in these pages. I shall begin by saying that the past week has been one of the most formative of my whole life. My voice has returned to me since I last penned an entry here. I have come far from the fearful creature who wrote that, though there is still much more to do.
~
~ Herbal Studies ~
Attempted: ~52 Tonics of Cure Light Wounds, 2 Tonics of Expeditious Retreat (cumulative attempts)
Successful: ~ 20 Tonics of Cure Light Wounds, 2 of Expeditious Retreat
Notes: Do not rush the process! Also be sure not to crush or otherwise spoil the herbs before preparation. In sum, take greater care.
~ Alchemical Studies ~
Reagents Used: Fire Beetle Mandibles, Dark Shadow Residue, Acid Globs of Varying Sizes (cumulative attempts)
Stage I - Essences
Attempted: ~14 Essences
Successful: ~ 11 Mixed Essences
Stage II - Varnishes
Attempted: ~6 Lesser Scorching Varnishes, 1 Lesser Negative Varnish
Successful: ~ 4 Lesser Scorching Varnishes
Notes: Work to master the fire mandibles, it can be done! Use trial and error to learn the process required to prepare residue and oozes. Different temperatures and distilling techniques shall need to be applied here.
New Reagents:
A Battle Horror Orb, recovered below Dvergheim
Galven Magen Heart, recovered below Dvergheim
~
~ Personal Entry ~
Where to begin? I was able to summon the courage to speak of what happened to me, at last. The silence had been all-consuming, and I do not believe I have ever felt more lonely than I did then, for though I had wonderful company, I could not truly involve myself with anyone. I floated about, limping feebly, as invisible as if I had veiled myself with the spell. It is a hard thing, to be without a voice, and it made me grateful to reclaim ownership of my tongue, stuttering and imperfect though it is. And I now feel brave enough to write of it.
The man in grey struck me across the back of my head. I woke bound, the dark illuminated by a single candle, its low light rendering my captor's face in shadow. As my senses adjusted, the pain hit me - he'd driven a nail straight through my right foot at the ankle. My leg spasmed uncontrollably. He withdrew something from his coat and tried to shove it down my throat. Tearfully, I choked on it, as he told me it was the flesh of a woman called Chala. I would not swallow it, disgorging myself at his feet. He grew angry then, and bit off the smallest finger on my left hand. He tried to make me eat part of that too, and I am sickened to report that I was forced to swallow it. But the greatest pain came after he drew lines in ink and cut along them at my leg, meaning to butcher me like an animal at the abattoir. When I voiced my dissent, he tore a large mouthful of flesh from my shoulder. By some providence, I fell out my head for a time, and when I returned to consciousness, he was gone. There was a red ring at my neck where I presumed he'd tried to strangle me, but not for long enough, on account of my being alive. My right thigh had been brutalised, and I could put no weight at all on that leg, especially as the nail still resided in my foot. I began to drag myself on all fours through the muck, trying to recall the way back to the rope, the way back to sunlight. But I was too weakened, and flopped into the grime in my exhaustion.
And then Master Rin found me, with another of his apprentices. The two of them helped me up the rope and got me to safety. Rin bandaged me with his wise, time-worn hands, and although age shakes them gently, he is a skilled healer. I was able to clean off the grime and discard the clothing that the man had torn with his knife to reach my leg. Mercifully, I had a stick in my possession, chiefly for extra leverage and to access harder-to-reach places, but now it was repurposed as my temporary leg while the right healed.
I could not say at the time how grateful I was for their aid, for I could not speak at all.
In the following days, Corky and Cade were so kind to me, though the bulk of my time was spent with the latter. He ensured I was always comfortable and safe. He was patient with my silence. There was another of my kind, Myrtle, who stood by me one night so that I would feel protected while I rested.
It was with Cade that my voice returned, a single sentence at first, and though I stuttered more than usual, I was grateful. In time, I was able to give a report of what happened to one of the Vallaki guard. He told me they would do what they could, though if the cannibal attacked at night, it would be difficult. Several days later, he appeared again, and he was chased down and subdued. By the time we brought him to the gates, night had fallen, and the garda refused to open them 'on the words of a pitic.' To think, if I was but a little taller, they might have arrested him then and there. But he came to and fled. Cade, a man called Linus, and Fyzgig chased him down. Cade's ursine companion, Tania, tore the cannibal virtually to pieces. Poor Cade seemed pierced when I expressed disdain at the sight. He feared that he had become just like that cruel man for that moment. I told him otherwise. We took the body to the charnel house behind the temple. It was... truly a burden lifted to know he could not hurt anyone else again.
Not many days after this, Fade came to me and helped me to heal my wounds, drawing on her connection to the earth. My left pinky finger is now longer than it used to be, but I do not mind it - it proves very useful for keeping my place when reading, should I read to flick through to another page. I had missed running, and value my mobility more for what befell me.
The nightmares... do still persist, but I am surrounded by so many who are close to me, they are given little time to linger.
Little time. It is amazing how much has come to pass so soon. I did not expect to ever be so close to another, much less one taller, but sometimes, I have learned, love is curious. Most have been kind about it, if teasing, but I have seen couples of all stripes experience such kind-hearted mockery. There was one woman who implied Cade to be a lover of children for his closeness with me, and it saddened me. I am shorter than him, yes, but I am not a child. I do not have a child's face, or a child's body. I am quite tall for my sex, among other halflings. But this woman didn't see any of that. I should not dwell upon it, but instead on what has been good and wonderful, for that is what pulled me from my darkest moments. Without the words and actions of others, my heart would still lie in the sewer refuse. But thanks to them, it could ascend the rope to light again, with me.
Cade, my columbus, my dove, should you read this book - thank for all you've done for me. I love you dearly.
~
~ Research ~
I had been concerned for Master Rin, as he left after tending to my wounds that night. He seems greatly troubled, and spoke to me of dark things that he saw. I would not wish for him to be hurt, should anyone read this, so I shall leave his words to me unwritten. He seems better now he can focus on his magical tutoring once more. He joined Cade and I on a venture exploring the old monastery out in Vallaki's woodland. There were many spirits there, roaming angrily. We came across old journals and relics of the Overseer, of all things. I did not know his religious influence had extended beyond Darkon. It is strange.
~
Some sketches of Overseer relics.
[A few pages are transcribed here.]
~
~ The Masque Anghelescu ~
[The word VAMPYR has been underlined. An ES is added to the end, the script somewhat shaky.]
