Baern's Journal
Before I get to some of the more current happenings, let me first summarize the chaotic events that have occurred in our exodus from Haven.
According to Savin, the magic appears to have been sucked out of Haven. This has affected both Arcane and Divine casting, although my faith is strong, and I feel Ellaselle has stood by me in this trying time. The failing of magic has led to the great dam failing. It was all my companions and I could to the escape the mad on-rushing of the waters the dam once contained. Much of our equipment was swept away by the flood waters. We managed to salvage only a limited amount of what we once had.
On our way out we encountered a dwarf merchant and his son. The merchant had a nasty gash on his arm. While I tended to the wound he explained how he had sustained the wound in a trading village not far away that was now over run with Orcs. Something did not seem right with this pair, and Orcs sounded like a pretty tall tail given they have been extinct for ages. We agreed to accompany the Merchant and his son to the great portal to ensure they were not beset by Orcs once again. Savin was very interested in investigating what was happening at the Great Portal given that all of the magic seemed to be flowing towards it. I was curious myself as my once strong link with Ellaselle was now little more than an echo on the wind. It would be untruthful of me to suggest this did not concern me greatly as well.
Upon our arrival we were surprised to discover that Orcs had returned to Haven. Were they have come from is a mystery, but they had occupied the Great Portal. These Orcs seemed vexed at the pair of Dwarves that accompanied us, but they were otherwise not hostile. Savin went forward to converse with them about the happenings. It took some coaxing, but we managed to remind Savin that the magics seemed to be fading quickly. Once we got him on track again, he managed to discover the Orcs appeared to have once been the villagers that the Dwarves had a good trading arrangement with. These Orcs or should I say villagers, no longer could converse, although they did comprehend what we were saying. It was obvious that something foul was at work. I am sure Savin will have some theory on the situation, but we really did not have time to discuss such a matter given that magic was draining out through the Great Portal ever quicker. Only a feint whisper could still be heard. The Orcs permitted us to pass without incident, and we investigated the Great Portal.
The Great Portal looked like a massacre had occurred. The macabre scene almost turned my stomach and did turn the stomach of others. Only one of the portals was still active. We determined that it was safe to go through, and we quickly stepped through, so we might investigate the strange cause of the draining of Haven of magic before we would not have a chance. I do not know if the others had something similar occur, but I have spoken to the gods.
Yes, the average observer would discount this as the ramblings of a pious Dwarf, but I assure you this was much more than the whispers the devoute hear from one's god. I have had an audience with the Gods. Not just the Mother Ellaselle or the Father Kurn. When I stepped through the portal I stepped into an audience with Kurn the Father, Ellaselle the Mother, Paksee the Daughter, and Fenor the Son. I am assured this was not just a vision or a dream as I traveled through the Great Portal for when I arrived in Furlough I had the gift that was bestowed upon me in my hand.
It would be natural to continue with the encounter with the gods, but I will address it at a later point. We all stepped out of the portal separately in the same order we had entered, I suspect. As I was second through the portal I cannot guarantee my statement is completely accurate, but it is of little consequence at this time. We emerged from the portal into the dark ruins of the Great Portal in Furlough. Soon after we emerged from the portal we were beset by giant spiders that wanted to make a meal of us. It was a hard fought battle. One that we would have given little thought about just a few days ago, but now we struggle.
The song of Ellaselle is but a muted feint whisper where once I heard it in all of its glory without much of a thought. I must struggle to find the song an channel Ellaselle's divine power. I know my faith is strong, but I still find this very disturbing. I have noticed Savin seems to be struggling with his arcane magic as well. It would seem he may be encountering similar difficulties as I am. I have not discussed these observations with the others, so I do not know if they have made similar observations.
Savin, the scholar he is, was able to determine that approximately ninety seven years had passed since we had entered the portal. I do not know what to make of this yet. I commune with Ellaselle often. The song is becoming less muted, but there is something different about the song.
Baern
Missionary of Ellaselle.
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