Nature's Champion 

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

John Muir

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Name: Croídhamhsa (KREE-gow-suh)

Class: Druid 5 / Verdant Lord 6 / Barbarian 1 / Master of Radiance 3

Alignment: Neutral Good

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 30

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 170

Hair: black and slightly wispy

Eyes: green

Armor/Clothing: Well-made hide armor over green druidic robes

Weapon(s) of Choice: Originally:  scimitar, summoned animals, lightning, flame, stubborn determination. Nowadays:  greataxe, lightning, flame, sunshine, and the Raging Treant of Doom.

Tactics: Croi is an expert in both divine and mundane methods of healing, but often participates actively in combat, either with elemental attacks or with greataxe, divine aid, and rage while wildshaped into Treant form. He used to summon wolverines and other creatures into battle, but rarely summons anymore, and hasn't opted for wolverines since "the incident" during the battle with the black dragon.

Croidhamsa Art

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Until recently, Croidhamsa spent his days wandering the peaceful wilds of the forest, contemplating the grandeur of nature, and becoming one with the trees. After all, what Druid doesn't love casting Tree Shape? Then one day, his master told him a tale of parasitic worms that turn the living into the unliving, a chilling tale that became more fearsome still when his master revealed that it was true. Thus, Croi set out to find the source of these dreadful abominations, hoping to prevent them from infesting more of the creatures in his beloved forest home. Somehow, he had not imagined he would have to travel quite so far apart from nature to save it...

 

Croi is even-tempered and calm, but very firm in his convictions, and tends to label almost anything unpleasant, unusual, or arcane as "unnatural." At Chaim and Talin's urging, he came to tolerate the presence of a bringer of death named Filge in the adventuring party. As he fights side by side with this necromancer, Croi has started to see Filge's humanity and believe that he is becoming a better man. Nevertheless, he still spends his idle moments quietly plotting to dispose of every last undead abomination -- although he has finally gotten used to the presence of Filge's undead familiar Motey.

 

Croi's ongoing encounters have already shaken him to the core, and are expanding his understanding of the world's many shades of grey. However, his devotion to Nature and its defense has only been strengthened by the direct experience of combat with the darker forces of evil and abomination.

 

Croi used to have a traveling companion named Insight, a cute and loyal shocker lizard who was very protective of a child the group rescued in the course of their adventures in the Dourstone Mine. Croi had a tendency to forget about Insight's presence in the heat of combat, but spoke to him from time to time in Druidic, even though the lizard couldn't speak or understand languages. Insight may not have understood, but he appreciated the attention and could sense the tone of Croi's words.

 

As the strength of Croi's divine magic grew, he soon gained the ability to awaken animals to a humanoid level of sentience. In honor of Insight's years of companionship, Croi awakened him and encouraged him to pursue a new life for himself with his newfound sentience. As this druidic rite of awakening is usually reserved for natural animals rather than magical ones, Insight may well be the only awakened shocker lizard in the world.

 

Croi briefly had another animal companion named Sophie, a large ape with massive muscles yet an equally massive heart. Much like Croi, she was often calm and introspective outside of combat, yet fierce and fearless when the battle was at hand. Shortly after the brutality and sheer oddity of the Arena games, Croi decided that he didn't have the heart to bring such creatures into harm's way and would rather do his own fighting without an animal companion.

 

Croi still considers himself a druid through and through, but the exact nature of his druidic studies and practices has shifted dramatically over the past several month of almost nonstop adventuring. He has never fully accepted the death of his parents at an early age, and frequent contact with abberant villains similar to those who killed his parents has inspired him to unleash his wild rage on the field of battle. As a Verdant Lord, his affinity for trees and plants has shaped the development of his magical abilities and altered his very nature, allowing him to derive nourishment from the sun and transform into a Treant when the need arises.

 

More recently, a variety of factors have been leading Croi in a new direction. His fondness for trees, his fire magic, his disdain for the undead, and his many experiences in dark, dank dungeons have all combined to inspire a great reverence for the beauty, glory, and power of the sun. He has learned to feel a spark of this power burning deeply inside of him and call upon it to aid him in fighting undead, protecting companions, and letting the sun shine from within him even in the darkest of dungeons.

 

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Persons of Note

(as described on a collection of loose pages at the back of Croi's journal)

 

Talin

#1#

Where would the party be without her peacemaking, her healing, her common sense, and her attention to ethics and compassion? She may not share the same dramatic flair for combat as the others, but between her considerate attitude, her healing abilities, and her other various skills, I'd say she is the one more than any of us who holds the party together. Everyone else leaves me with mixed feelings, but I grow more fond of Talin with each passing day.

 

 

#2#

I was rather upset and confused to learn that Talin and Filge are lovers, and probably have been for weeks now. How did I miss this? Even if they sought to keep it from the party, I should have known that her desire to protect him and mend his wounds was more than just an act of compassion. More importantly, what does she see in that man? He is a clammy, sarcastic, aloof, brooding shell of a man who dabbles in dark arts best left untouched. Yes, she is open with her affections, and as a man who is well familiar with the wild fertility rites held in the greenwood in the Springtime, I can understand that attitude. But why him? And is this a dalliance born out of pity and attraction to forbidden fruits, or perhaps something deeper?

 

I doubt she would've even given the man a second glance if he hadn't been beaten within an inch of his life on more than one occasion in the first week or two of our adventures together. Maybe all of that time spent healing and shielding him has inspired her tenderness for him. Maybe he is like a bullied child, or a wounded puppy to her. Or maybe it's the fact that he has turned away from the darker elements of his trade and sought to make himself a better man for her.  But has she forgotten the horrors of his tower? The undead dinner guests, all gathered around to flap their lifeless jaws in praise of him?

 

These past few weeks of constant travel and exploration and battle have shown me that Talin is not the innocent idealist I first took her to be. Even so, she is one of the few among us who has consistently sought to keep the party focused on that which is good, and at times simply that which is sane.  She could do so much better -- and I worry that the touch of that cold, bitter, selfish man may be corrupting her.

 

 

#3#

Talin continues to be a beacon of light and hope and reason for a party gone half-mad from wrangling with liches and devils and unspeakable horrors which are best left unnamed. Her devotion to her god of travel has empowered her to move quickly and freely about the battlefield in ways that defy my understanding, and her healing powers and other divine gifts have only grown with time.

 

At first, I questioned her connection with Filge, but now it makes a certain sense. His affection for her is often quiet and subtle in the presence of the party, but I have no doubt that it runs deep and true. She seems to appreciate the way that he has sought to become a better man for her, and he offers her a place to turn with the dark, angry, frustrated side that she seldom shows the rest of us, except perhaps in battle. I still don't entirely understand it, and I still don't entirely like the man, but she has taught me to see the good in people, even when appearances may indicate otherwise. And I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can offer me such an important lesson, though I must admit that at times it is a bitter medicine.

 

Fern

#1#

I feel we're quickly learning that Fern is a good deal more complex than she lets on. She puts on a brave face of perpetual good cheer, but the moral quandries we've encountered along the way seem to weigh heavily on her tender heart. In combat, she is amazingly nimble, strong, and brave to the point of being foolhardy. Truly, I pity any creature who dares to commit acts of cruelty or evil in her presence, for she has both the skill and the conviction to deal with them accordingly. Yet her prowess in battle is tempered with a great compassion and a preference for peaceful solutions rather than bloodshed. Her one great weakness, though, seems to be her lack of mindfulness. She's quite bright, but not terribly good at paying attention to what's actually going on in the world around her. I do respect her for her efforts to keep the party ethical, though, and I've actually grown rather fond of her.

 

 

#2#

Fern never ceases to amaze me, though it's not always in a good way. When I met her a few months ago, she was an inexperienced combatant, merely playing at her title as the Dancer of Death. Now, she dances around the battlefield like some demigoddess of beauty, grace, and overwhelming martial prowess. The faculties of perception granted to me by the blessings of the gods and the power of my periapt allow me to grasp the interaction of constantly shifting physical and mystical energies in ways that most mortal men can only dream of. And yet, this Dancer of Death, this Scorpion Queen, this elegant elven warrior, twists and twirls around the battlefield with a deftness and quickness that my mind can scarcely even grasp.

 

Her lithe elven frame moves in ways that defy all reason.  And yet, so does her mind -- and not in a good way! Her intelligence is undeniable, as I have seen her outwit clever foes and deliver her tripping blows with a timing and precision that require great mental acuity. And yet, her mind constantly dances and twirls in fruitless directions, with barely the capacity for focus or direction required to complete a sentence. I dare say I've seen small children with more focus and clarity of mind than her! She can be quite admirably strong-willed and focused on the battlefield, but once the moment has passed, her mind resumes its endless fluttering dance.

 

I admire Fern, and her unsurpassed prowess on the battlefield has saved our lives on more than one occasion. Her overall commitment to acting for the good of the party and the advancement of our quest has always been a tremendous boon. Whenever we encounter some terrible act of cruelty or oppresion, I can always feel Fern's desire to lash out at the cause, right along with my own rage and Talin's righteous indignation. But Fern and I live in different mental worlds, and I fear that there will always be a gap between us because of it. Also, given my far more slow and measured approach to combat, she may see me as living in an entirely different physical world than her.

 

Thomas 

#1#

I've met wizards in passing before, but this is the first one I've gotten to known at any length. He strikes me as highly intelligent and strong-willed, yet also rash and arrogant. He seems to think that magic can solve any problem, including those created by magic in the first place. And while his magic is truly powerful, such power will do us little good if used rashly, or if we get ourselves killed before we even have time to invoke such powers.

 

Something seems wholly unnatural to me in the way that these arcanists use complex mathematical formulae and bizarre alchemical ingredients in order to alter reality itself. It's as though they're finding quirks and holes in the fabric of reality and exploiting them to their own advantage. A cleric's magic is shaped by, and in turn shapes, their faith. My druidic magic is shaped by, and in turn shapes, my spiritual connection to the natural world. What is it, then, that shapes the magic of these arcanists? And how does it shape their minds and hearts in turn?

 

 

I worry that long hours spent studying these strange and unnatural paths to powers may have twisted his mind. Indeed, this may be the fate of all arcanists in the long run. I'll have to keep an eye on him and see what any other wizards we encounter may be like.

 

#2#

 

Will Thomas ever learn to curtail his headstrong behavior? One minute, he's charging off into dangerous territory because he's convinced that he has found the solution to whatever problem we're facing. Another moment, he's trying to sneak off on some mysterious errand because he knows that the party will not approve of what he's up to.

 

I don't think that the arcane energies of his magic are warping his mind, per se -- I suspect that sort of thing isn't as much of a problem as I originally feared. However, the tremendous power he wields may embolden him to be rude and reckless, just as Fern's incredible martial ability leaves her remarking aloud that we can defeat any foe.

 

My concern here should not be mistaken for animosity. Thomas has been a great boon to the party on many occasions. He has gone out of his way at times to put his life on the line for us in the heat of battle, and his growing spell list and magical item creation has been indispensible to all of us. I worry, though, that all of this power has only served to feed his arrogance. I trust him to share in our defense when we are in danger, but worry that petty squabbles, headstrong behavior, and a hunger for magical wealth may cloud his judgment and lead us all astray.

 

Filge

#1#

I still can't believe that we're letting a necromancer join us in this investigation! I can understand why we needed him along at first. He did have special knowledge of the situation, and I did feel terrible about the harsh treatment they gave him during his captivity and interrogation. But good gods! Have they all forgotten who he is? And what he is?  And what he has done? I will never forget the sight of those poor souls gathered around his dinner table, twisted by dark powers into singing the praises of the man who preyed upon them.

 

I understand now that he is, indeed, a man and not some sort of monster of undeath. But given his history, I'll not be turning my back on him anytime soon. I've got my eye on him.

 

#2#

Filge and Thomas have been spending a bit too much time together. The optimist in me wants to hope that their shared interests will help them to bond as friends and perhaps both become a bit more personable in the process. But I see what they're up to when they think no one's watching, and it's not anything good. They talk in hushed tones about which bits of dragon flesh are best used in what arcane arts, and what powers they may unleash with their combined spellcasting ability. I fear that Filge may learn something of Thomas' brazenness, and Thomas may learn something of Filge's appreciation for the dark arts. Maybe it's best that we're busy with the search for Kyuss, for I fear what these men may do with their time if not occupied with such a worthy task.

 

#3#

Curse that wretched, filthy, scoundrel of a man! How dare he take advantage of Talin's kindness and pity like this! If he does anything to hurt her, I'll...

 

How could I not see this coming?  I know I've not been sleeping in the inn with the others, but you'd think I could see it in their eyes. Maybe I didn't want to believe that her pity for such a man would cloud her good taste and judgment. Or maybe I... 

 

I learned last night that Filge and Talin are lovers. I've fought side by side with Filge for many weeks now. I believe he's trying to become a better man, and I'm sure that his desire to please Talin has played at least some role in that. Is she the only reason that he's seeking a nobler path? If they part ways, will it just give him another excuse to curse the world? Or is it the other way around? Is Talin able to see something in him that longs for a good life, and that's why she appreciates him?

 

I will think long and hard about this. And as soon as I get the chance, I must talk to Filge directly. If this is truly a case of mutual love, then maybe they will both be the better for it. But I still don't like that man, and still can't fully trust him after what he did in that terrible tower of his. Someone needs to let him know that if this is all just some ploy to get in on our good side, and if Talin is hurt in the process, that there will be hell to pay.

 

#4#

The talk with Filge went better than I expected. I still sense a darkness in him that he may never fully be rid of, and that darkness may yet consume him. But I also sense a change in him. Perhaps the long hours spent traveling with us, facing unspeakable horrors together, and finding comfort in the arms of Talin has brought out the best in him.

 

We are very different men, he and I, but he certainly knows a good thing when he sees one. And in the heat of battle, we have each placed our lives on the line to protect the other. There is a kinship in that which goes beyond words -- especially when there is a sense that it was done out of genuine concern rather than self-interest.

 

Though he still deals with the energies of death, he has thus far held true to our dictate that he not go about creating more undead abominations. Instead, he channels the energies of death and undeath where they are already present.

 

Death is a part of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Though his manner of working with it is alien to me, I can understand the concept. I still worry that it is an inherently corrupting influence -- but perhaps he will prove strong enough to win out against it in the end. If not for his own sake, then for Talin's, for I can see now with crystal clarity that their love is a genuine one. Who can say if it will last, especially given the differences between their life paths. But as it stands, I wish them the best, and hope that it will bring out the best in him.

 

Arijen

#1#

So far, I rather like this new member of our adventuring party.

 

In general, I have mixed feelings about the followers of Heironeous. On the one hand, they are famous for their service to good and righteous causes, and these days there isn't enough goodwill in the world of men. On the other hand, they are almost inherently religious extremists. They are always at odds with the far more zealous and destructive Hextorians.  The two sects keep each other in check, but the resulting wars and battles and endless martial training leave the world of men terribly out of balance. Indeed, the conquests of both sides have a tendency to ravage the land itself, littering the soil with ruined fortresses and fields of corpses while the miners tunnel ever deeper in search of metal for the armor and armaments of their armies.

 

Arijen, though, has helped me to see the good role that Heironeans often play in keeping forces of unchecked chaos and evil at bay. As long as such forces run rampant, there is a place in the world for the likes of Arijen. He has also played a stabilizing role in our party. We have a tendency to rush off in wild and conflicting directions, while his discipline and relative humility keep him focused on addressing the task at hand in a steady and methodical manner.

 

Even so, we all have our flaws. In the end, I think he shares the same headstrong attitude as the rest of us. He's simply a bit different in the way he goes about it. And while I applaud the renewed moral focus his presence has brought to the party, there is something in the tone of it that worries me -- a certain unflinching absolutism characteristic of even the humblest of Heironeans. It serves as a counterweight to some of the evil and chaos we've encountered on this journey, but left to its own devices, it would become a source of imbalance all its own.

 

Chaim

#1# 

I'm never quite sure what to make of this young man. He tends to be a bit quiet and brooding at times, leaving me to wonder just what he may be thinking. When he finally chooses to speak up, however, everyone seems to listen, whether it's in the heat of battle or the midst of a crowd. He's very thoughtful and considerate, yet lacking the warmth I've come to expect from most sensitive people. Something painful and unresolved in his past seems to be contributing to this aloof and cool behavior, but since he doesn't seem comfortable talking about it, there's little that we can do to help him.

• Something worries me about the time that Vincent and Chaim spend talking to each other away from the rest of us. It's good to see them developing a rapport, but since their conversations seem short and sullen, I worry that they may be feeding each other's negativity rather than alleviating it.
• Apparently, Chaim is using parts of the black dragon to create a special magical instrument. It stil disturbs me to see the parts of a sentient creature used as ingredients for arcane spellcasting... and since Chaim didn't tell most of us what he was doing, he must know that it disturbs some of us.
• There must be more to Chaim than meets the eye. Vincent can see in complete darkness because he's a tiefling, but why can Chaim? I'll have to ask the others about this soon...

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