Jonna

I feel like an imposter, this is not my city nor my clan. And yet here I am. The guards still do not talk to me, I am not one of them. The only company I have is the Stygian swine, Chrysanteos, but I have forgiven him for being Stygian, he cannot help it afterall.

I found tracks inside the city today. Someone has been here, but I must have missed them while I was harvesting. The guards said nothing.

I am lonely, but I will only say it here in this journal.

Jonna

This is my Journal. I found stories and books of the old citisens. I have been reading them. They are actually my only link to the keeps past. And as a way to feel like a proper citisen I will write this journal. To keep the traditions alive, and to make everyone know that I am of this keep.

But why do I still feel like an outsider trying to only look in?

Maybe I should say something about myself-

...I need words. The Stygian is trying to teach me to write and read better, but I am not some dusty aquilonian scholar, I am a proud Cimmerian. Maybe that is enough. I am a Cimmerian. Or maybe I should tell you my story.

But it is getting dark and my candle is burning low. I will continue tomorrow.

...Oh, we are getting closer to building our armorsmith workshop. And Khorion from Brandock Village said I was doing pretty well, even if I am a bit old to properly learn the art of armorsmithing...I like him.

Jonna

I am truly happy for the first time in ages. I met a group of warriors. They were on their way to raid Kyllikki's crypt. I was lucky enough to be allowed to follow them, I do not know if I was any use to them. But they did say I might come and follow them on some of their other raids too.

It is amazing what a good fight can do to lift my spirits.

The keep is growing. Chrys has brought his friends in here too. This truly is a glorious day.

Oh, allmost forgot. I met a visitor to the area today. He was...interesting. First he attacked me, but then we started talking. He is a fine Cimmerian man called Menno. Though I fear he might be a bit mad- he promised to bring me the heads of his enemies. What do I do with those heads? I only take the heads of my enemies. But I didn't want to upset him. And he is company.

I do so wish the group of warriors will come through here soon again. My blood is pumping with the thrill of war. I do so miss the raiding parties back home.

Sometimes I wish I could go back.

Jonna

I killed a man today.

He was not my enemy, I did not know him, he did not attack me. But still, I killed him. Why did I do that?

Maybe it was the swamp. I hate it. I hate all of Stygia. The heat, it is so oppressive, no wonder the stygians are murderous bastards the lot of them. I think I would be mad too if I grew up in a place like that.

Or maybe it was the company. But I needed help to gather the blood of vile demons. The stygians call them beguilers. I call them food. Everyone warned me against asking for help from the group who call themselves Scum. They bring out the worst in me.

His name is Geminius. He was very quiet about himself, as was I, so our little hunting trip was spent in silence. But while we were making food at the campfire, he told me something shocking. He used to be the Guard of this Keep. MY keep. I was so shocked I couldn't speak. I staid up all night watching the stars and thinking (and killing bugs-damned swamp). I had so many questions, Were is everyone? What happened? Was it a plague? Famine? Did something happen in the city? But he just smiled. And told me to keep it safe and build it. Annoying bastard, only thinking about the wenches in the city. You really can't get any info out of a man who is thinking about scarsely dressed stygian wenches. Damned Stygians.

Jonna

I have been away. In the big bad world. I grew restless here and I had to go.

Very well, I’ll admit it. I grew greedy. I work from sunrise to sunset gathering basalt, and I am still as poor as I started this. And it does not help that the keeptrader is allways telling me how much I would get if I just sold the basalt. Maybe he is feeling useless.

But I was talking about my trip. Geminius mentioned that there are allways people searching for mercenaries in old tarantias Noble district. And he was right. I managed to get work from 5 different houses. It was hard work, but payed very well. Now I feel rich again.

The only thing is that now I smell like a dusty city and a rotten swamp. I will go wash up in the waterfall later. How can they live in such a crowded way?

While in the city I heard a rumor that there is a meeting in a tavern in Tesso soon. I hope to have the smithy built by then, so I can have some new armor. I have never been there before, wonder what it is like.

Jonna

Oh, my head hurts.

We built the new smithy finally and then started celebrating, and didn't stop for a week. Even the guards joined us. Hah, I knew they would speak to me eventually. Victory!