Sad tidings

Dear Mom,

Once again, this quest is proving itself to be serious. When I was last in Verbobonc I told you about the loss of the gnome Baerf, as well as the death of Sir Ingish. There have been some mixed blessings since we talked.

Sadly, I lost my horse to a wild bear who refused to listen to reason, but, on reaching the elven keep I mentioned before in regards to the young man who accidentally shot Kaldan (you remember Kaldan, the paladin of Hieroneous who came to town with me, the rather severe lady with the lightening bolts on her head), the lord gifted me with a fine filly. She's beautiful, and I've named her Aure, which, as you may remember, is elven for sunlight. She's as fast as the wind, and I swear she knows what I'm thinking sometimes. I've never been happier with a horse than I am with Aure. Pelor has really blessed me with her; I thank him daily when I pray for your safety, Uncle's health, and the success of Bishop Hadrian in his endeavors.

When I left Verbobonc again, I found that the others I'm traveling with had taken in a keen young man with an unhealthy obsession with fire. Magic can be put to good use, and the light of Pelor is always welcome, but I'm not too sure about this glee in burning things. Galvoran is very gifted for his age (he's younger than I am, in a far more studious occupation!) and I believe that with care and patience he could be brought to Pelor's fold, but his mind is such that I'm watching him carefully before I try to convince him. His recent scare with a roc may be a good opening to help him with the condition of his soul. Which brings up another point, but I'll bring that up later, as I'm trying to keep things in some sense of order. You know how I get.

So, we headed out in search of Philadore the Blue, an ancient mage who doesn't seem to like visitors—this is when I lost my horse and gained Aure—and eventually stumbled on his tower. It didn't look like much at first, but I guess that's why he's a powerful wizard and I'm not. It was fantastic! This tiny pillar shot up into a huge tower and the force knocked us all over! Then Philadore (who really likes blue) came down and told us where we needed to go, and then, remember that sword I told you about before, that I showed you when I came home, he looked at it and said that it was full of untapped potential or something and that he'd make it better for me while I went with the others to hunt for this artifact we need. He kind of looked at me funny when I offered the blessings of Pelor to him, but I guess when you're that old you get a little confused sometimes.

It was after this that we ran into the roc I mentioned before. Galvoran seemed to be the most shaken by the fight, but we were all saddened by the death of Marid. He wasn't the most savory of characters, but he was a comrade, and I mourn his loss. He could have been redeemed, I'm sure, if I only had had more time with him. Time to talk to him about why it's wrong to hurt helpless prisoners, even if they were just trying to kill us moments before, for example.

I write this as we rest after fighting that oversized chicken, and will request my compatriots, in the event of the unthinkable, to deliver it and my possessions to you. I'm confident that I'll come back to you unharmed and wiser about the world than I left you, but I just want to be sure. I know people think I'm too optimistic about things, but I can be practical. I want to know that the only woman I'll ever love will be taken care of, even more than the gold I already gave you can provide. So long as there's evil in the world, you won't be safe, so I'll keep doing my part to help clean things up. Give my love and regards to Uncle, as well.

I miss you,
Jeral