Don't feel good at all. Ouch. Stayed in room whole day. Money slid under door by someone - think it was Captain. Spendin' day here in bed. Everyone says break for 20 days while study and do personal stuff. Sounds good. Goin' back to sleep. Slept all night in tub underwater. Goin' to do today but any throb or bang from downstairs vibrates water. Hurts head. Ouch. G'night.

Month 6, Day 8, Year 127

Feelin' better. Eatin' at last. As everyone is gone, I've headed out to the Hive on my own as Flynne and setup a small hideout. It's set up on the top of a buildin' near some small side street. Its basically a hiding-hole-like-attic but its clear of all random people and watchers. I can change clothes and costumes here. Only way to reach is by climbin' walls which I've planted a lot of razor-vines around. Its also in a more stable area that chances are, won't be knocked down very often. I am only keepin' a days worth of travellin' food, a small bottle of (clean) water, an old dirty robe, some bandages, a knife, a broken piece of mirror, and a small pouch with half a dozen infernals in it. I've hidden the loot such that no-one randomly stoppin' by should be able to find it.

I've now dyed my skin a reddish tone, used some sticky glue and put a pair of small horns on my head and garbed up as a servingperson. I'm goin' to be workin' for Quake Lavender at that nutty tavern I had stated. Though a trifle difficult to talk with, Quake has set me up with some Xao-techs to teach me some of the finer points of movin' quietly, readin' documents and findin' magical things. I'm thinkin' that my best strategy to findin' out a cure for this curse is to sneak into a few places I shouldn't be and read what documents I can and avoid magic slingers. Quake has also set me up on a high-fitness program with an unusually strange woman (a Xao-tech with yellow skin, black pony-tail hair and narrow/pinched features) that jogs the donut-shaped city every day. My muscles are ACHING from the run.

I'm usin' Kimble's services to move around the Hive to get a general idea of where everythin' is - not to mention safety. He's startin' to look a bit better kept - business must be good for him. It has to be better than workin' for Quake though, even with the hard labor, I only pulled up a total of 4 infernals and 13 sols.

Month 6, Day 9 - Year 127

Continued trainin' with Callah, Triangle and Amentep at the Xao-tech spot. Pulled the mornin' trainin' shift from two until ten. I've also double-shifted later (11-19) after that by workin' in Quake's tavern. It seems so strange to dress like a female but its true - no one has looked at me different, though I have had some rather unusual offers at the bar.

I've continued to pilfer small items from the inhabitants though Quake is quick enough to make sure I give back all but the really worthless items - as well as my tips. Today, I've made a total of one cage though it was in infernals and bits as well as a few choice garments, namely an oversized silly lookin' flop hat and an artists paintin' coat - complete with paint stains.

The jog around Sigel with Slig "the Cheapster" was strenuous as well as informative. Slig is a hard runner and its everythin' I can do just to keep up with her... and I thought my muscles hurt YESTERDAY. I've tried to talk her into takin' a few different tracks and I think I've got her in agreement. We've gone down Crystal Dew Lane which is good. Of the taverns there, maybe five or six potential locations but one jumped out at me that had to have been the spot; the Kegged Rat. I'll verify later - assumin' I get the chance, but I bet it's where Silverton was killed.

Note: Slig's discussions are random and free flowin' like a Zao-tech yet she doesn't mash the language as bad (easier to talk with her). I get the feelin' by her words (though I can't pin anythin' down) that she doesn't like ANY of the factions, much like myself.

Month 6, Day 10 - Year 127

Continued to slither around with Triangle and Amentep. Ratsbane, they move quietly. They can also read just about anythin'. Neat folks. They've left me alone completely on my disguise, though they think I am a tiflin' by the horns and the red colored skin.

At Quake's, made nine sols and an infernal as well as picked up a multicolored blue-green skirt. I had a really valuable rin' that someone gave me as a tip but Quake said it was too much and snatched it away. She also said it had some magical qualities but I couldn't see 'em. She told me to go back to my trainin' and off I went. I still think she likes me though. She gets a friendly grin on her face whenever I'm around. The clients though, are a different story. Nothin' like what I am used to. These people are NUTS. There's random spells that slin' around, people snatch eachother's food, they pay me in all kinds of coinage - some I've never even seen. There are nearly dozens of injuries each time... and the races. Wow - just about everythin' but at least they are friendly. They also rarely get mad when I screw up an order - thinkin' they've done it. Thankfully, no bugs though.

Month 6, Day 11 - Year 127

Note time again. Trouble. Here I had thought it had been a few days of nothin' so maybe they've stopped comin' but I got another one. I didn't have the time to mess with it. It said "Good Jobs. Jink at Drop #1. Jjell Dexlin - Lost. Shattered Temple." Great. If I only knew where Drop #1 was I'd be fairly well set. Hopefully though, it won't be that much of a problem. I've been off to trainin' yet again as well at Quake's.

Trainin' was harder but I think I've got the hang of the language thin'. I can handle the majority of documents they swin' at me. Heh heh - little do they know I can do a fairly good job at forgin' 'em too. The jog around the city was its usual harshness. It rained for a bit today so I had to wear a veil the entire time. I've told Slig that I am highly sensitive to water so wore bandages afterwards. I was able to swin' back to my room and re-dye before work though.

Quake's was a chore. Few pixies hit on me and some tall demon like thin' wanted to take me to "hells I've only dreamed of". I tried to say no but he was insistent and thankfully Quake was watchin' and drove him off sayin' I was 'underage' for the likes of him. Made 17 bits and snagged a pair of burgundy gauntlets. I was a bit worried about the walk home that mornin' but Kimble was trustworthy...

Kimble definitely is gettin' some good tips. I'm tempted in findin' out how he is doin' so well, that would be a much better job. I tried to feel him out as Flynne and he was talkative yet he seemed nervous of somethin' as well. We had a long talk about what a 'friend' was as well as what an 'acquaintance' was and if he should be trustworthy to another friend if a third friend was involved with a fourth friend. I got confused after a while and let it go. I'd have been more talkative but I did work a long shift. He sounds like he is feelin' guilty about somethin'.

Rogan is back in town as well. I know because he stuffed a note under my door. It took a while to decipher as he wrote it in the language that Tarsticks wrote his notes in. Basically, Rogan wants to meet for dinner. I can't though until the night after tonight. Mental Reminder: Write a note back to Rogan in the same code before leave for work.

Month 6, Day 12 - Year 127

Long day. Trained from Anti-peak (midnight) until 8 in the mornin'. Had a few hours off and then worked from peak until the twenty hour mark. Rough time. Made 3 infernals and got a pair of mauve wool socks (don't know why I bothered to keep 'em except they looked very warm). The few hour break I did have, spent cleanin' up the Hive-Hole as I have now started callin' it.

The Hive hole is on the 3rd floor of an old buildin' that is deemed in one of the more respectful areas of the hive. It hasn't been knocked down or ransacked for years. I think the main buildin' was an old warehouse of some kind and is now bein' used by a gang or maybe some homeless people - no faction symbols thankfully. I've checked and there is no way to get to the top short of climbin' the outside razor vines. I've blocked the trapdoor and removed the climbin' ladder completely. The top has a pair of small windows big enough for me to enter and exit on each side - but otherwise, not big at all. It would be a hard squeeze even for the Captain.

Everythin' is stashed, properly hidden, in an old wood panel behind an old oak desk. There is also a small mattress which took me forever to get the bugs out of but looks like it will work for crashin'.

Month 6, Day 13 - Year 127

Just finished havin' dinner with Rogan. He's lookin' well. I met him at the Black Sails around 18:30 or so. As he is just killin' time for the week waitin' for everyone else to return I asked him to swin' over to Hangman's court and scope a little information for me. Knowin' his nature, I even talked him into dressin' up as an investigator and gave him what little knowledge I had. Good test to see if I can trust him. He also told me that he has meet with Swider again (the fat slob over in Tradegate that is our connection with the Indepths). Apparently, Rogan blabbed to him everythin' he knew about Tarsticks and what we were goin' to do. Jee - I didn't know we were plannin' on rescuin' him from the Mercy Killer's main prison? Another incredible insanity sparked by too much free time. Mental Note: Find Rogan a hobby.

I also pulled a double shifter. I'm way too tired to write much about it. Startin' at two in the mornin' and goin' until ten, I worked quite hard. It was a good day, made a total of 15 sols and 2 infernals - best yet. I even managed to get a large furry scarf - warm as anythin' too. It bothers me a little bit though, it has this really strange life-like eye on it that even blinks occasionally. As far as I can tell though, its not alive.

At Quake's though, one problem. Some strange barbarian with a big two-handed sword kept hittin' on me. I tried to brush him off but he just kept at it. I even told Quake - whom is normally quite good about removin' people that bother me but she said he was one of the bigger bosses. Figures. My luck. I couldn't piece much of his conversation as it was in Xao-tech as well as barbarian but he said his name was Mordrigaarz Antill and that he was lookin' for the cutter that was killin' all the "Barnies" in the Hive. I told him to look up Cha-kan at Tesh's infirmary. Cha-kan could give him a good fight if he is lookin' for one. Antill kept on me though and wouldn't stop botherin' me until I was so frustrated I left early to go and train. Quake just laughed. Bitch.

Luckily, Slig was ready for a jog around tenish. Worked for as I had all that bent up anger. After that, I worked extra hard with Triangle - sneakin' quietly but I was just too worn out to be much good and he let me cut over to Callah for more magical knowledge. We had a good long discussion about magical properties and how to see 'em - it was an excellent distraction... I felt much better.

Rumors are flyin' like mad. Looks like thin's are goin' downhill in the Hive. Apparently, folks are startin' to go nuts and kill/attack eachother. There are burnmarks of strange weapons as well as bodies just disappearin'. There are even new kinds of puddles: magma elemental plane ones, but at least they are easy to spot and avoid. I'm startin' to think somethin' is up. There is just too many strange events - maybe the bugs we killed several weeks ago have somethin' to do with it? Not the dead ones - I'm thinkin' of their siblings...

Month 6, Day 14 - Year 127

Pulled the same shift as yesterday. I KNEW I shouldn't have done it. I'll be changin' thin's around now. I spent sixteen straight hours in the hive. This time I started with a light jog with Slig. My endurance for these mornin' runs is growin' as well as my knowledge of Sigel - its startin' to have a pattern I can see. After that, Triangle and I continued our magical discussions though he lost me a lot. I think I prefer hangin' with the three of 'em at the same time. Bein' the Xao-techs they are, their conversation flutters around like lost butterflies on a sunny summer day. When its one on one, I can't follow as easily as if I'm just listenin' from the side.

Later, was at Quake's and did an eight hour shift. It was the opposite eight hours from before - I didn't want to run into Antill or any strange devils. I only got 2 bits this time - the rest of the money disappeared somehow when I wasn't lookin'. I also didn't manage to find anythin' worth keepin' - and I'm a pack rat which should say how much the day stunk.

The biggest problem though, was returnin' home. So far, I have felt safe that no one has been able to put any of the disguises together. Someone has though. I received a bouquet of daises. Salja delivered 'em but she doesn't know who dropped 'em off in the first place. I told her it was some crazy bitch that can't leave an old man alone. She just smiled - is this disguise a bunch of crap for EVERYONE???? The better question is if the ratfart whom is sendin' me flowers is Antill or not and if he really knows and how? I don't feel safe anymore and am goin' to have to do somethin' about it. Its another ten days before the Captain and Valas return.

Extra note: Rogan dinner in evenin'. Hangman's Court - ten staff members had access to room plus bartender. None rented before as it was under repair. Roof leaked. Check roof? Look for clues? Chances are no successes.

Month 6, Day 15 - Year 127

New Note. Ciro the Bleaker is next. This one I actually KNOW. He's over at the Cold Bowl in the hive and I know where this place is. I've even had a few words (indirectly) with Ciro. He's also a friend of Cha-kan. The note arrived sometime today while I was out. I'm thinkin' of puttin' a note for the deliver-er to meet me somewhere just so we can have a one on one conversation. Maybe I can bluff thin's well enough to figure out what is goin' on...?

Another bouquet of flowers arrived as well. Threw 'em in the corner of the room on top of the other ones. No note but I'm still guessin' whom they are from. I'd warn Quake but that would give it away that I'm from a different part than folks think. Best way out is to lie if it comes up and for now, just ignore 'em.

Hung with the Xao-techs from Midnight until eight. They are late night creatures it seems, though anytime is good for 'em - chaos is the way... actually, "The Chaos, way is." as they would put it. After 'em and the mornin' run with Slig, I took a few hours off and picked up a later work shift (16-24). Made 19 bits too - though the customers gave me a sore neck. Too much runnin' back and forth with orders.

I was plannin' on crashin' in Quake's back room but it didn't work that way. Just at the end of my shift, a petite woman caught my attention and begged a favor. She wanted an escort back to the Lady's Ward as her friends had left her. I wasn't goin' to do it until she offered me this elaborate earrin'. Beautiful construction; solid gold and it had a dancer intertwined on a silver half moon. I agreed at that point.

Her name is Dawn. She was about 5'2" with red hair which was slung over one shoulder and part of her face. The one eye which was visible was brilliant green. She had creamy white skin and was very beautiful. Even the Captain would have been droolin'. Dawn was dressed in fine expensive clothes includin' a white shirt, red vest (exposin' some cleavage but not much), red gloves and red open pants. She had a thick and rich lookin' black cloak complete with fur linin'.

I got her to talk some on the way and she told me she was on Blood Bail (which sounded familiar for some reason). She owned an art store which dealt in sculptures and jewelry (hence the earrin' which she had made herself). The name of the place was Black Cloak's Pleasures. Sounded more like a whorehouse but I wasn't goin' to say anythin' for the price of that earrin'. She then tried to talk to me about sensin' thin's, existin' and such. I figured she was a Sensate and turns out she was. She then tried to talk me into joinin' 'em. Why me? They don't know anythin' about me (do they?) She was a real touchy feely person too - and I just wasn't up for it. I'm willin' to believe stuff I hear just 'cause its too dangerous not to. I don't have to have a bug tear out my chest to know it hurts.

Got her into the lower ward and she left me - though did give me the earrin'. I've stashed it in the Hive-Hole for now - mainly because I didn't know what to do with it and I didn't want to walk around with it. Maybe Rogan will sell it for me?

Month 6, Day 16 - Year 127

Frazzled snakeskins, am I tired. I had only two hours of sleep and was off again to train and work. Nothin' to mention that is worthy. My lack of sleep is showin' up in my trainin' and workin'. I bit at Slig durin' some normal runnin' conversation when she asked about my folks. How am I suppose to know? My mom died durin' my birth and I never knew my father at all (even if I did follow in his footsteps). Mental Note: Apologize to Slig tomorrow.

At Quakes, I had an uneventful evenin'. I pulled a total of 8 bits and a pair of infernals. I also snagged more really strange coinage and am just makin' a collection jar of 'em all now. Someone even had the audacity to pay me in broken ceramic pieces.

Killraven is back from his timin' at the Bottle and Jug. I wished I had gotten out to see him fightin' but I was just too busy. He says he almost beat that Cyclops guy... what was his name, Akra I think... Anyway, he has asked me about some strange man that has a nine colored dagger belt but I ain't seen him. He won't tell me why he's lookin' for him either. He's goin'

to hang around here for another week and kill time while waitin' for everyone else. Hope he doesn't expect me to entertain him - I've got thin's to do.

More stupid flowers today. Its gettin' to be a big joke that the old leper guy upstairs has a girlfriend. I've sprouted that rumor myself. I'm laughin' it off and callin' her a crazy bitch that has got her head on backwards...

Month 6, Day 17 - Year 127

Triangle 3-5

Callah 6-8

Amentep 7-10

Slig 10-11

Quake's 12-20

I hate gettin' together with those three jokers one at a time and then tryin' to work. I'm exhausted after Slig's long run and have to spend eight hours on my feet. Sheesh. At least I got sleep.

More rumors. This time it seems another one of these strange 'attacks' with a body disappearance happened outside of the Hive. The bugs movin' out? Maybe I should mention it to someone like Cha-kan - still a few days before he gets back though. Maybe Hugh? No - he thinks I'm killin' people.

Speakin' of bugs, Quake had me wait on a table of four bugs at the Tavern. THAT SUCKED SHEEP FECES! These chatterin' thin's looked like oversized prayin' mantises. They each had four arms and their heads swiveled all the way around. Their mouths opened up strangely and I wanted to shoot 'em right up then and there. I tried ignorin' 'em except for their meal order but one turned to its friend and said "This one has great fear - good food" and then asked me how much for me. It even tried to touch my arm to get a 'feel' for the 'food'. I smacked it with the servin' tray and it got real upset. I thought we were goin' to go at it right there - which, I think I would have lost but I hate bugs. Really. Bugs. Hate! Hate! Hate! Mental Note: I told Quake I hated bugs later and she said that she "knew". How? At least they tipped me well - made a total of 2 cage and 12 bits today... plus a nice blue-colored dagger.

More stupid flowers... I haven't seen Antill though so don't have anythin' to confront about. If I could, I would but at the same time, it would give it away that its goin' to the right place. I'll keep the rumor goin' about the old man gettin' flowers... maybe even let it grow a bit. I may have to do some collection work as Flynne though, to get this to hold but I don't want to go back to the Mortuary as Flynne after the Elemental Plane of Fire thin'.

Month 6, Day 18 - Year 127

Done hangin' with Callah, Amentep and Triangle. They've taught me all they can right now and have gone on some kind of wild party hunt in some place called Moondover. Sounds non-hostile which is good; hope they come back ok. They were kind of fun to train with.

I'm still takin' my mornin' runs with Slig. I asked her where and when and she's set up a fairly routine route which she likes to go over - strange bein' the Xao-tech she is... and that she will always try and run in the mornin'. I told her I enjoyed it but had thin's occurrin' soon and wasn't sure if I could meet all the time. She just smiled and said "Time-any."

The Captain was back today. He promptly strode into the Black Sails to make that announcement. He's also got a new look - cleaned up a bit. He has short cropped light blonde hair, fair skin, yellow cat eyes and pointed elf ears. He is also garbed in a suit of some strange elaborate black armor (he said it was oriental in design). He even has a strange red-steel cylinder at his side. He's informed me its a gun and it fires a small projectile through a small controlled blast near its base. We'll just have to see about this though. No blast is controlled.

He also said it was time to start my karate trainin'. Motheaten hen-buggers this is goin' to be tough. We met on the rooftop of the Armory where he spent an hour basically poundin' on me with his fists and feet. I've picked up a bit but its makin' me bruised and sore. On the brighter side, he is OK with my curse thin'. He said because he cleaned up it was my turn to show what I was hidin' and I just took the glasses off. Is no one surprised at these kinds of thin's? Its not natural for my homeland that is for sure. I told him the garbage about how I got this way and he told me about how he had been here for a long time and is a serious undead hunter that keeps gettin' some of his life essence drained by the tougher nasties. And I want to hang out with him??? Mental Note: Avoid contact with Braineaters...

The Captain also said I would make a good Doomgaurd 'cause of all the entropy I added to thin's. No. I'm not into that. I don't want to be in a faction. I don't like these pointless gangs or the laws they live by. I don't even think Sigel is all that special...

Worked at Quakes from 14-22. Got a cage tip from someone as well as 4 bits. Nice! I also found a pair of fuzzy pink earmuffs and thick pair of grey wool pants. They look VERY warm and should do if I ever have to go scroungin' around the arctic wastes at all... hopefully I won't though.

New note under the door. Sival(?) Xaotech. In the Hive. Fine. I know where the Hive is. Of course, I can barely find my way around. I've got to take an afternoon off and see if I can find out what happened to Ciro and Dexlin. I'd warn someone - but who?

More stupid flowers delivered today.

Month 6, Day 19 - Year 127

09-11 Slig and jog around City.

11-12 Hive-Hole and change to Flynne.

12-13 Karate with Cha-kan. Its a bit easier and we get a chance to talk. He wants to know more specifically about the curse and I explained best I could but I'm more tightlipped now. Today wasn't the day to talk. The flowers are drivin' me nuts and my room stinks of mornin' lilies. I'm instead learnin' the advantages of punchin' and kickin' together though the blockin' thin' is defeatin' me badly... OUCH!

14-24 Quake's for workin'. Picked up a ten hour shift today to try and make some extra coins. I pulled 27 sols which is a haul. I also snatched a pair of long sleek pants which fit snugly. I've seen Slig wearin' one before and she likes to exercise in it. They are black, sleek and very smooth fittin'. I'm afraid they are a bit TOO clingin' though to dress in right now unless I want everyone watchin' me run with droolin' teeth. Lucky for me my disguise has a scar that lowers folk's interest a little bit.

Month 6, Day 20 - Year 127

09-11 Slig and jog around City.

11-12 Hive-Hole and change to Flynne.

12-13 Karate with Cha-kan. More of the same though today I had the blocks down but not the offense. Cha-kan flipped me several times on my ass. I'm feelin' awful clumsy and in a rotten mood too. Must be all the work.

14-24 Quake's for workin'. She tried to tell me I was bein' too predictable and needed to work more randomly. I argued back that by pickin' the same time I was bein' random. No one expected me to work the same shift... She smirked and excepted the argument. One for me! Cash at Quake's though wasn't very good. I pulled a pair of old bits but did find a great wool coat. Its heavy and thick. Its got some snakeskin woven into it here and there and has a big scorpion design on the back. Its even got a thick fur hood on it with bone buttons up the front. Very nice item - bet its valuable but no one asked as I walked out and for once, Quake didn't bother me about it. I think she knew that tips sucked today or maybe she didn't like the owner this time...

More stupid flowers.

Month 6, Day 21 - Year 127

09-11 Slig and jog around City. I hate bein' this predictable but its becomin' a habit. Thankfully, I have tried to lose folks that may be followin' me by runnin' around in the Hive beforehand. Its gettin' dangerous here though, more rumors of folks goin' insane, killin' eachother and seein' strange thin's. I'm thinkin' that soon I am goin' to have to quit Quake's just to be on the safe side.

11-12 Hive-Hole and change to Flynne.

12-13 Karate with Cha-kan. I've suggested to him that perhaps he should figure a few thin's out about the rumors runnin' amuck in the Hive. The denizens there are startin' to get upset and more and more attacks are occurrin'. I told him I think it may be the bugs. I've also mentioned a few are goin' crazy and somethin' is causin' 'em to lash out unreasonably at eachother. He says he will. Now if I only I could get down the defensive strategy of defendin' myself correctly I'd be set.

16-24 Quake's. I think I ticked her off again. I've started comin' in at a regular hour and she was gettin' upset and then I came in several hours later. I think she was almost expectin' me to come in at a semi-normal time. No one was here to take orders or deliver food. She drafted some customer under a half veiled threat to do the job until I arrived. I only made 3 bits and didn't get to keep any of my other findin's. Sheesh, these Xao-techs are oddballs.

No notes. None at all - but more stinkin' flowers!!! I'm goin' to have to put a stop to this down in the main room. The gossip is a bit hot even for "Flynne" to handle right now. A few people started to greet me like they knew me and wanted to know about "her" and I wasn't up for it. I was gruff but that's the kind of attitude that makes people even more curious. Perhaps its time for "Flynne" to disappear for a time.

Month 6, Day 22 - Year 127

1-9 Worked at Quake's. I caught all of 30 minutes of snooze time before pullin' another eight hours. Made out a bit better - got a plaid scarf and a long billowin' shirt with lots and lots of pockets sewn on it. Also racked in 17 bits and another infernal. My cash budget is startin' to grow enough that I can afford a few small items. Mental Note: Get candles, more disguise ink, writin' ink, paper, sewin' thread, sewin' needles.

9-10 Ran with Slig though exhausted. I told her that and was goin' to cancel but she said it "builds character." Sounded so much like o' Uncle Eldameir that I couldn't resist her. Too bad I had to quit after about 45 minutes as I just had nothin' left.

10-12 Collapsed and slept for an hour then got into Loki.

12-13 Karate with Cha-kan. Chatted about pointless thin's though I think his mind was on somethin' else. He was mostly business about the moves and forms. Very educational and I just ate it up as best as possible.

I spent the afternoon checkin' up on those notes to see if I could find anythin' out. I think its better to build a summary and then look for a pattern hence I have one now. A summary that is - not a pattern.

First off, went to find Dexlin at the Shattered Temple. That place wasn't too hard to find. It is another of the major landmarks near the Lower Ward - basically within spittin' distance of the Hive. The Temple part sits at the center of an area of ruins the size of several city blocks. Its got the same general feel as the slags but not as intense of a layer of destruction. Bricks and timbers lie broken and blackened nearly everywhere as well as uncontrolled patches of razorvine. Good place to find buildin' material if I can watch out for the razorvines.

The inner temple is a blasted shell of a once huge cathedral. Most of the outer walls are gone, leavin' only a few teeterin' buttresses. The ground floor of the remainin' rooms have been shored up and repaired - leavin' little buildin's. The upper rooms seem to be still deserted and broken. At a guard shack, a couple of guards stopped me. I asked 'em about Dexlin but they kept sayin' he was "Out of Touch" and that they expected him back REAL SOON NOW. Hrumph! Figures. They don't even know he is dead yet.

I also made my way over to the Cold Bowl - knew where it was. I quickly met with a few inhabitants over a small bottle of some bad tastin' alcohol. Yuck. They told me Ciro was dead though they mentioned he died from somethin' called the Grim Retreat - basically, he just stopped eatin' and then wasted away. Strangely enough, he wasted away very rapidly... though they couldn't tell me how rapid is rapid.

I tried my luck in the Hive lookin' for Sival. No luck. Though I can find the HQ there is such a disarray inside I can't even find MYSELF - I need a guide. Goin' to ask Slig to be my guide - maybe a cage for her troubles as she is down there often.

Month 6, Day 23 - Year 127

02-10 Quake's. After all the sleep, I had a lot on my mind. Thankfully, talk was oriented around other thin's and folks left me alone. Seems that there are heaps of rumors flyin' around. Folks are havin' visions, lashin' out at each other, seein' strange nightmares - those kinds of thin's. Things like bleedin' walls, monsters flyin' and eatin' their friends, those kinds of thin's. Most of the Xao-techs think its the Patricians seekin' revenge. Revenge for what?

Made 12 Bits and an infernal. Didn't keep anythin' I had 'cause on the way home I saw a poor woman beggin' in the street and felt guilty for my own success. I gave her the few scraps of clothin' and the leftover food I had walked out with. She gave me a kind thankyou but I only nodded and told her I knew how it was and kept movin'. I've been hungry before.

10:15ish. Valas came back to the Black Sails bent on questionin' me. I was more tired than a three-legged draft horse. I let him in and nearly talked my ear off. He wanted to examine more but I only let him take a peek at my arm and head region as well as part of my back. I can't feel comfortable lettin' him look around even if he is a doctor. I just don't trust him. Can't trust Lilah either. Knew it. She's a mage, I should have been more tightlipped. She blabbed to Valas - wonder who else she told?

He said that by his examination he believes the dismissal is incomplete. The spell was interrupted and is only half workin'. The strange thin' is there is no illusion magic associated with typical invisibility spells. He also noted that its like my body has plane shifted half way and the other half of me is floatin' around somewhere. Maybe even a tightly held cloakin' field that bends light around me. On the depressin' side, he said there was some Necromantic magic that is not only maintainin' life but is speedin' up my metabolism to that of at least twice as fast as normal. Ek! This has got to be stopped and fast. I may only be around 60ish but even twice as fast cuts down some of the best parts of my life by two.

Valas's other theories may all be tied together. He thinks that maybe a Wild Mage casted the spell and was interrupted or perhaps it was a Planar Creature that did the deed. Either could have caused such an effect. The final idea is so far fetched that I don't even acknowledge it except in theory. He thinks it could be psionicly brought about and I could be unconsciously maintainin' my own invisibility. That's a MOUTHFUL.

Valas also asked if I was male or female. I didn't respond truthfully when I told him "male will do". Lyin' isn't easy to folks I should trust. I'm just not comfortable yet. Mental Note: Pack disguise in front genital region such that random contact will (hopefully) look male.

12-13 Karate with Cha-kan. We had a fair time in the beginnin' but thin's went downhill very fast. Halfway through the session, I asked him about psionics and he answered me in my mind. I heard him say "a-lot". I also heard another voice as well say somethin' that sounded like "Huh...hey, what's goin' on?" - I KNOW I heard it in my mind and not out-loud. I just KNOW it. After that my brain thoughts were scattered completely. I wasn't concentratin' on karate as much as I was shieldin' my thoughts... Fish Gumbo. Fried Fish. Baked Fish. Fish on a Stick. Fish Chops. Spiced Fish. Fishsticks. Smoked fish. Broiled Fish... Near the end of our trainin', however, he noticed my distraction and explained the contact was only one way and by a bracer. He even let me try it. The bracer is made from a dark silver metal and has strange runes on it that I didn't have enough time to make out.

The rest of the day was basically a loss. I tried to hunt around and gather what I could but my thoughts were rather disturbed thinkin' that I was the one that was causin' such an imbalance in my own body.

12-24 After a nice long nap, went back to Quake's. Made 7 bits though it was partially disturbed. Durin' the time I was takin' a break, shortly before the new day, I caught movement outside. When I went to check it out, I spotted nearly 70 cloaked figures movin' by quickly. They seemed to be headed for the Slags and I could hear the chink of armor.

I slipped out and tailed 'em. After a time they broke into two evenly numbered groups. Half of 'em went into a buildin' and the other half headed down to the Slags. I scooped out the construction and got to see about thirty of 'em march down into a hole while the remainin' five set up a strong guard shift. No way I was gettin' closer to 'em. I instead chose to scramble after the other thirty-five headed to the Slags.

Once they got near the Slags it seemed that hell broke lose. For all I know, maybe it WAS breakin' lose. Pillars of fire arose and sprouted flames, I could hear hissin' noises and these terrible lookin' heads with win's (no, no bodies) flew out of several high towers like bats and attacked the small company.

As I got closer I was able to spot several groups in combat with some of the bugs we had encountered before. The kind of bug with the multiple mouths and long sharp claws but only two arms. A pair of 'em tore up three of the men at arms though they were able to finish the bugs. Their blood hissed and bubbled and I could see the very ground dissolvin' - acid.

I quickly sprinted into the Slags - hopin' Catix had other business and ran to the bodies. Searchin' 'em I determined their weapons were wooden (they expected 'em to be trashed apparently) and they were wearin' the Doomgaurd symbol. As for the bug bodies, I couldn't get very close because of the acid but I remember Cha-kan havin' a good gauntlet made from their skin so I tossed rocks onto one body in a (poor) attempt to hide it as best as I could. The flames were slowly dyin' down but now the ground bucked many times. Rocks were tossed all around but thankfully none landed on me (they did cover the body better than I was doin'). Soon though, I caught a faint cinnamon smell and heard footsteps. I ran and hid in the nearby shadows. Thankfully - never know if Catix was comin' or not. The bein' that walked around the corner though wasn't a demon like thin' at all. She was tall and elvish with long blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her face was fair though marked with a wavy burn on the forehead much like Cha-kan now had. Dressed in a 'workin'' grey garb she strode up to the bugs. She even stood in the blood pool (I suspect her shiny black boots had somethin' to do with that). Soon she took a knife out and went to work on the bug carvin' somethin' from its body. Suspicions are strong it was the same gland which Cha-kan took from the earlier one. She then found the other bug I was disguisin' and lifted all the rocks off of it with a wand at her side. Handy item. If I had that wand I could have brought the whole body with me. Again, she took her strange knife out and cut a portion of the critter's body out. Then she looked around and left.

Afterwards, I covered the body (again) and left. I wanted a portion of it later. Returnin' to Quake's, I finished my shift. Six hours later, I quickly jogged back to the Slags. Thankfully, rumor has it Catix sleeps durin' the daytime. I was able to hustle forty feet in to where I had buried the body. All the other signs of combat were gone (except the acid burns). I took out my knife and sawed off the arm of the monster (the bug, not Catix) and ran as fast as Slig had taught me. I only stopped when I had reached my Hive-hole and then it was to change cloths.

I'll just pop this little present on Cha-kan and yell at him for not invitin' me to his little Doomgaurd party.

Month 6, Day 24 - Year 127

09-11 Slig and jog around city.

12--- No Karate with Cha-kan. He was unavailable. Bet he was involved in that mess last night down near the Slags. He could have at least invited me. I'd have been happy to tag on some bugs.

12-24 Work at Quake's Tavern. Good evenin' for rumors. There are dozens of stories as to last evenin's events. It seems part of the Hive exploded yesterday causin' the ground to sink near the slags - Catix area mis-fortunately, expanded. Of the stories I have heard, I only believe the first but I've listed all of 'em just in case.

a) Doomgaurds doin' an act of entropy.

b) Catix movin' outward.

c) Bloodwars returnin'.

d) Lady of Pain renovatin' hive the hard way.

e) Legion of Patricians startin' a way.

f) Sigal's end is near - slide into another plane.

g) Doomgaurd's private internal civil war.

h) New Factal of Doomgaurd now. Military Coup.

i) Fire Elemental mage party got too wild.

j) Magma puddles combined to open portal to the elemental plane of fire.

No comment on these flowers, they are annoyin' me to no end. I've taken to sneakin' out and tossin' 'em in the garbage. No cards yet either.

Month 6, Day 25 - Year 127

00-05 Continued a 2nd shift at Quake's. Folks are still shook up as ever about the Slags expandin'. Made 3 infernals and am thinkin' of movin' back to Black Sails.

10-11 Met up with Slig and chatted with her. Thankfully, was able to catch her mid run. I asked her opinion on the explosions last night and she is in favor of choice ####.

12-13 Found Cha-kan for Karate. Tough day on him. I actually snagged him a bit and he stopped us early. He looked rather beat up. I think he was just distracted - no way is my style gettin' that good.

This afternoon, the group of us met in Tradegate and had a little meetin' on what to do with the sword Light Bringer that we had gotten several weeks ago. I had nearly forgotten about it. Valas did some heavy studyin' on it and determined it was just a normal sword with some good fightin' ability in it as well as a powerful light spell. That's it. Nothin' intelligent, etc. Just a borin' sword.

After Cha-kan's spiritual readin', we had two choices left to us. The first was to give it to the Lady of Pain as a peace offerin' (as we had let Timin out). The second was to sell it to the highest bidder, take the cash, and run. I was up for a third choice actually, and that would have been to offer it to the Harmonia yet say the Mercy Killer's stole it. A faction war between those two would have been fun. Maybe we could have even traded it for Tarstick's life.

The group choice to give it to the Lady as Cha-kan's readin' said "good tidin's" would result if we returned it to her. Sheesh, hope she gives a reward for it.

20-24 Worked at Quake's. Made only 2 bits. We also planned the meetin' with the Lady on the next day at noon in some park in her ward. Wonder what she is like...

More stupid flowers - this time its a bit more elaborate. Blue roses wrapped in razorvines. Must have been a bitch to make.

Month 6, Day 26 - Year 127

0-2 Worked at Quake's. Made another 2 bits. Went and took long nap after that and did some soakin' in the tub. Its been a while since I have relaxed.

9-11 Jogged with Slig. She was all business today. I think she had somethin' on her mind but she wasn't talkin'. I didn't push her very much. I should have asked her what she thought of the ruler of this city but I didn't feel like it.

12 - High noon with the Lady. I KNEW we should have sold that stupid sword - or just thrown it away. More trouble than it was worth. OUCH. I hurt all over. We got to Bloodgem park and it was (surprisin'ly) deserted. Guess word of events had spread or somethin' like that. A huge fountain was in the center and it even had good lookin' water in it. The grass of the park, though, was all a smaller version of razor vine. Probably cut anyone walkin' through it to shreds. After a few minutes we saw this tall 'lady' walkin' past the outer walls. She must have been 20' tall if she was an inch. Her face was made from what looked like swords. Her outfit was elaborate and decorative. She had an attractive air about her like a typhoon - beautiful to look at but I didn't want to even breath the same air. She just came toward us and looked at us all. I felt my brain prickle though I was thinkin' of fish (again). Suddenly, the sword lifted out of Killraven's hands and she took it (magically) with her.

About this point is when thin's got bad. She turned her back on us and walked away. As she did so, her shadow fell across us, though thankfully, it was only the fringe. As I fell into the darkness behind her, it was like a chaotic shimmerin' of knives that slashed through my body. Instantly, I was cut up and bleedin' from a hundred separate gashes. I glanced around - my companions were in the same torn up state though somehow alive and on their feet. I'm spendin' the rest of today lyin' in my tub and nursin' my wounds. Mental Note: Do not stand in the shadow of the Lady of Pain... again.