Rise from the White Cinders

April 24th
 
It was long journey from grandma and grandpa's to Rise. The Jungle was quite different from home, at least there was less marshes to worry about. T-Nee had a great idea to make ourselves more presentable by taking a quick dip in the river before we arrived. Unfortunately I still had the flier in my pocket so it got all wet. At least I had the foresight to leave my other things laying on the bank. When we got to Rise, there was a strange bird man named Rico who tried to order me around, but T-Nee took care of it and he left me alone.
 
I raced T-Nee up the stairs he beat me somehow. There I met Rachel, she seemed like a nice lady but overwhelmed. She told us about current state of Rise and this man named Burns. He got people to like him and look up to him with his magic and money. He was foolish to use his power for The White Flame, because it will never help him, only burn what's left of him. The White Flame seems to have a way to possess people, this is quite dangerous, but it does have a weakness. Those The White Flame possesses, have a white flame in their eyes. It's hold may be strong but we'll be able to knew if someone is under their control.
 
Before leaving town we each went our own ways to prepare and gather information. I went with Kat and Mike to see a priest of Pachyderm named Ang. Ang's sight had been blinded by The White Flame, and Pachyderm's influence over the Jungle had been diminished. Ang and I joined in prayer to ask for guidance. For the second time, I received a direct blessing from Pachyderm, a small stone that blesses almost everything I do. With this knowledge and blessing we left the small temple to pursue Burns and those under his spell.
 
After traveling to the west we came upon some old ruins and pillars filled with Evocation Magic, I don't know why they were there, nor did I want to spend much time investigating them. We had no idea where Burns was, or if the pillars were a trap. We found Burns and his multi-colored cloak in an Arcane Ritual with several villagers. He hadn't noticed us so we surrounded and attacked him all at once. The battle lasted for only a minute but we lost four of the villagers and Burns himself. We did however stop the summoning ritual that he was attempting to finish.
 
Then after all the dust had settled, Kerykyon revealed his true name, he wrapped his tendrils around Burns' Head and did something. I'm not sure what he did, but every fiber in my being told me that it very wrong, in the worst possible way. This man cannot be trusted, he and whatever thing that he follows should not be in this world. I'll have to.... have to.... keep an eye on him and try to stop him next time he tries such a thing.
 
We brought back the pillars from the ritual and all the possessed villagers(even the dead ones). We brought them back to Ang to watch over them until they woke up. After waking up they seemed to still be possessed with the white flame in their eyes. So whatever did to they reached through Burns to get to them. From Kerykyon's experimentation with them, they are still in there but something else is controlling and acting in their place. I payed Fi to come over and dispel the magic on them, since I'm unable to master that spell yet. When Fi cast the spell the villagers fell unconscious.
 
Keltron came back with news and riddle that he found on our way to fight Burns. We decided to rest for the day and challenge the riddle tomorrow.
 
 
Apil 25th
 
We sought to find the answer to the riddle, "What you seek lies under the pyre, only seen when using the fire." There were large Braziers near the marking that Keltron found. We lit them one by one with no obvious fuel source and large white Flames came bursting out. Once they were all lit a pathway opened up under a large tree. Once again the party runs in head first without thinking. In the entrance is morale of The White Flame. As we proceeded through we found wild vines that would ensnare those that enter. At the far end was a descrated shrine to Hellja. I believe these were brought here to either protect and halt the White Flame, most likely the former.
 
Further in the Dungeon there was a symbol of two snakes intertwined. Anything that entered would disappear. The Party decided it was a good idea to just enter the room, instead of sending T-Nee through to check it out. I sent T-Nee though and was able to summon him back so I know it was safe-ish and followed. On the other end servants of The White Flame was trapped in some of the vines and were engaged with the fools who rushed through earlier. We were able to clear them up but unfortunately they were immune to my magic attacks and had to use my dagger. I'll need to broaden my spell knowledge if we are going to continue in the pursuit of The White Flame.
 
Not soon after the party broke up into several groups each going their own path and with each splitting breaking my sanity just a little more. They didn't learn anything from the teleporter room.
 
After much meandering, I stayed with Mike and waited for everyone else to show up. so could look around together. After the group assembled again the other groups had discovered a what looked like a Map and another group found some levers. We pulled one of the levers and went back through the teleportation room. We ended up in a new room and there were more White Flame servants that when defeated would manifest somewhere else. It might have been better to just to run past them, but hindsight is something you don't have in the moment.
 
We proceeded further down the corridors until we arrived upon more statues, they didn't seem to bare the corruption of the other statues that we found. They each seemed to be missing a weapon, and putting weapons into their hands lowered a barrier. Seems this was designed to disarm the enemies of those holding the shrine. We continued past the barrier and up some stairs. There we found a being made entirely out of Flame who was performing a ritual with Blood of Parentage. At this time, my magics weren't of much use, my reliance of spells of flames would be of little use here. We were able to remove Flame Being and to put an end to the ritual. With the ritual ended the Flame Being and it's servants all dissipated. All that was left in the room was three thrones and the pool. It appears that they where once again trying to bring back those three figures of White Flame. Unfortunately we found no signs of the other missing villagers and returned to town with news that the current threat was over. Upon exiting the temple it sealed itself away, it seems that Hellja was able to reclaim the temple.
 
Rachel seemed happy and satisfied with our tale and would pay us tomorrow. So time I will be working on some new spells and making some potions to assist with our adventures. I'm not sure what draws me to this motley group but we get things done. I can at least sell them some potions.
 
April 26th
 
After many hours of working last night I think I found something that will work well versus the White Flame, a blade made of shadow that attacks the mind. I believe it will weaken the flames link to husks that it leaves behind. I still have much to learn but this should useful tool for the time being. Today we get paid and decide what we should do next.
 
Well......I may be wrong about that kinship that I felt. There is something wrong with Mike, he was up to something last night and used Keltron to help him. Mike then proceed to steal openly from Ang right in front of everyone, and started reading his journal. This man has no impulse control. I might need to tie some bells around that man's neck to keep him out of trouble.
 
A representative from Sassim arrived with Constructs marred by the White Flame. My blade has no effect on them, it seems I came to some false conclusions, I'll need to continue from more spells that will work best against these constructs. The man wanted to take the corrupted villagers as payment for the taxes due. He said that they never collected taxes from Rise because it never made enough money, seems kind of dumb to expect something due that you've never collected on. We disposed of the man and his constructs. He had a interesting device on him a divine spyglass, Eyes of Barak. It didn't see any corruption on it, but it does fit the MO of The White Flame to use such a thing. I wonder what illusions he was expecting to find.
 
We are staying in Rise for another day. Why? I'm baffled as to why but that's what they decided, I hope this village that is need can wait another day. With the arrival of the representative I feel it all the more important that we leave immediately since The White Flame is already on the move.
 
April 27th
 
We traveled all day and spent the night was a merchant. None of his wears really interested to me. But now Kät now is riding a ethereal tiger. I think Keltron may have swallowed an bag holding if the things he holds in there, if he dies I'll need to open him up and see. Tomorrow we arrive at the troubled village.
 
April 28th
 
My worst fears came true, we arrived at the village and it was covered in White Flame. We also found a group of powerful White Flame servants , who appeared to been waiting for us to arrive. These also seemed to have followed the chess motif the constructs we destroyed. They were lead by a Bishop, who was accompanied by a large Rook, and Twin Black and White Pawns. The Bishop knows a large scale teleportation magic, this much more powerful than anything I've seen before. The Pawns had a way to project themselves into other copies. I have a bad feeling that they were more than just illusions. They soon left after our arrival.
 
Of course Ashe decided that was the perfect time to search through all the homes what loot. Because nothing is more important to her than herself. I thought druids would forsake wealth and be one with nature. I guess her loneliness and selfishness drives her, and makes her have to summon her own friend.
 
Mike, bless his heart tried gathering water in his hands to put out flames. All the spells we had little effect, so there was no way to quickly put out the fires. No one seemed interested in staying so are now on our way towards Sassim. I'm not sure what we will really even find there our what we could possibly do if the whole city is corrupted. Because burning it down would probably just feed the flame more. I guess I'll just have to get there and see.
 
April 29th
 
On the way to Sassim we came across a man with a cart, all his features had been bleached white. I'm not sure if it was fortunate or not but make really wanted to know what was in the cart and found White Servants inside and started to attack him. The party split, again as some proceeded to leave and Keltron and I tried to help Mike. After what seemed like an eternity the true nature of these things revealed themselves. They were corrupted beyond saving. Mike and Keltron wanted to save them, hoping the servant was telling the truth that he was getting treatment for them. Not seeing the corruption in the man. With them wanting to leave after starting the whole mess, I lost it. I was goaded by Mike and attacked him.
 
As we begin to leave a hooded figure called out to us and end the evil. Of course Mike and Keltron listened to him and not me. I guess he I much stronger than me, they respect power more than other things. This man revealed himself to be part of the Nameless Vanguard. He somehow knew all the secrets of those in the group, and said the stupidity of the group would be useful in Sassim to lower the guard of the White Flame about us. I think he might overestimating us there.
 
We agreed to destroy the lumber mill to prove our worth or something, and then help him take down the people in the manor. I don't trust him, but he's a powerful ally and may assist with our current goal.
 
Currently there large fires in the forest that is raining down white "ash" all over the forest. The ash is really smaller flames, this isn't good. The flame is spreading rapidly and will reach Rise in little time. The ash is also spreading from Sassim itself, they White Flame has taken over all the homes and constantly have all the fireplaces burning creating flames. My guess is the lumber mill has some way of treating the would to make it burn with White Flame and that's why we need to take it out.
 
I've taken on the appearance as more of the more corrupted servants and been following people around. They are completely lost. We may need to tell Ang to put the corrupted villagers out of their misery. I was hope that dispelling it early enough would save them, but they may be lost. There was a man that said he could help shield one's mind and prevent it. We have decided to follow him and see what this and maybe use it ourselves.
 
April 30th
 
It's worse than we could have even imagined. The man was a white flamed changeling and was able to disguise his own corruption. He was tricking others and corrupting them as well. I had to end his life so the flame couldn't use him anymore. We then spent the next day scouting out the lumber yard that "The Nameless" wanted us to destroy. All the lumber I saw and everything coming out of it seemed normal. I don't see how destroying it would really be a benefit to anyone. I guess we'll see what happens.
 
May 1st
 
The situation just keeps getting worse and worse. I starting to doubt if we will be able to pull.....Kerykyon is dead. A blood hunter showed up and just killed him with just one attack. I don't know how they can't use their power to stop the White Flame, before it corrupts them too. I don't know why so many powerful things exist but yet they won't stop this true evil. My spells that I was so proud of are useless it seems, I'm just a conjurer of cheap tricks in comparison to them. We have to do what's right though, even if everyone leaves and gives up I'll do what I can to stop this evil. It's what Gran and Gramps would have wanted.
 
Oh, we did find some shipping logs of corrupted arriving and leaving here. They appear to be going all over the place. I also found some elemental power that appeared to have some divine attribute to it. Are the divine connected to elemental at a primal level? This powder is beautiful, the changing lights helps calm me during these troubling times. I'm unsure what's even gonna happen, maybe we find a miracle a pull this off.
 
May 2nd
 
It got worse again. That's what I get for being optimistic. A giant flying flaming castle landed on the mansion in Sessim. At least we weren't inside when it happened. The statue in the middle of the city was devoured and consumed in flame. Sessim is doomed and needs to be cleansed. There was this figure that we saw, his power was so strong that I could sense as we left the city. I don't know how any one group can stop the flame. Maybe somehow if we could use all of Moria we could do something, but I don't think that will ever be possible before the flame consumes all.
 
Keltron, Zhepie, and I are headed to Stpnfirn to setup shop and maybe find others that we can help defeat the flame. Kat....soon to be another "Nameless" decided to seek power and forsake everything else. He wants to protect his village, but when you forsake it can you really go back and help it? There is a long road ahead and it doesn't appear to be an easy one.