Fina's Journal - Common - Part II

Day “I don’t know anymore, I lost track” - General Update

I haven’t updated in a while. I’ve been making my way across Isseria westward, only going into towns I pass when I desperately need to steal food or supplies. I’ve learned a lot about the outsiders since my last entry.

• The coins are collectively called currency or money
• Outsiders worship the seven traitor gods; I haven’t seen a single temple to Zaphaqui'rem (I’ve tried to keep up on my prayers in private, but I doubt He hears me).
• I finally got my hands on a map, and… Archia is large. Seven regions, about half of them as large or larger than Jejun. Why do we let them? I’ve seen soldiers, but not nearly as well-equipped or trained or numerous as our own… Whatever. It’s not my place to question Montorra… and I’m not welcome back, besides.
• Most outsiders are afraid of Jejunai like myself, but in Isseria more than Crescen, there are the curious ones who don’t mind. I’m not sure if they’re better or worse; they approach and ask questions, and let me ask questions, but they treat me like a novelty, a lost pup wandering the world.

If I’m still being pursued, I’ve seen no signs. Surviving (and walking!) got a lot easier in Isseria than in Crescen, so as long as I’m not being chased, I think I’ll be more-or-less fine at this point. I might just… wander here for a while. The pickings are easy enough, and the wilds between settlements are mostly safe. At least safer than in Jejun.  

Slow Day

Nothing major to report, but I thought I’d describe some of the surroundings. I think I mentioned earlier that Isseria is pretty similar to Jejun, but that was an oversimplification. It’s still mostly grass and forests, but the natural elements are… less hostile? The trees seem more interested in their own growth than hiding dangers, there’s room in the underbrush to move more freely, flowers grow on the side of the road with seemingly no ulterior motive (I like the little purple ones; they remind me a little of the flowers back home). I’ve seen some animals I can’t name, but they’ve all been more afraid of me than I them, I think.   I’ve been doing a lot of shitting on the outside world, so I thought I’d give some credit where it’s due.  

Bandit Encounter

Earlier today, I was going down an old road, and I heard some kind of ruckus ahead. Around the corner, a couple of bandits with weapons drawn were advancing on an old woman outsider. I’ve kept my head down until now, avoided confrontations, but… I don’t know. Watching thugs target someone so clearly helpless like that rubbed me the wrong way.   Anyway, I wasn’t subtle. I reached into one of their minds, and the first bandit turned and killed the other. Then I flung a stone from the side of the road at the other and broke them. It made me nauseous. I could have driven the other away with my Gift, but… I was a monster. I am a monster.   But the woman thanked me, pressed some coins into my hand, and asked where I was going. It’s strange, somehow I was the nervous one, while she was calm, like she wasn’t worried about the robbery. Wasn’t worried about me. I was noncommittal in my answer, and she suggested I might like Escher, then turned and went on her way. She apparently didn’t have a cart or anything (or if she did, it bolted), but… honestly, I was uncomfortable, so I just went the other way.   ...thinking back on that now, I’m not used to that. Even without my “gift,” I’m used to the looks and being avoided, or being treated like a freak to look at. She didn’t do that. It’s like she looked right through me, which was worse, somehow.   Anyway, I don’t doubt I saved her life--I didn’t even ask her name! But… if I have to be a monster, maybe I can do some good on the way. I can’t save myself, I know I’m damned, but maybe I can just give some good back on my way out. It’s something new, at least.   The map says I’m only about half a week out from Märkenhöfen, which apparently has a ferry over to Escher. Some direction is better than none.  

On the Water

I’m writing this, sitting on a bench on a ferry from Märkenhöfen to Hennebrück. I’m disguised, and there is a family only a couple of seats away. The children are leaning over the railings, the father laughing, the mother trying not to panic. It’s… not as stupid as I thought. There’s something nice about it, seeing a family left to their own devices. Maybe the farm folk back home know, and keep it to themselves, so the rest of us wouldn’t get jealous? ...not that I would have had that, even if my parents were farmers.   ...shit, I shouldn’t be thinking about home. I’m pretty sure, if whatever happened to the Teacher was going to happen to me, it would’ve happened in Jejun, or closer to the border, so… I’m probably safe. Or, as safe as I can be, being Jejunai. But… I can’t just be a wandering thief forever. I need to figure something out. Something sustainable. Maybe in Escher, if I like it. If not… Vibria isn’t far, and maybe being as far as I can be from Jejun means the people there won’t treat me so much like an outsider. Zaphaqui'rem willing.   I need to stop writing and work on finding my way into the storage hold; my spell won’t last forever, and I can’t be seen on the boat like this. I wonder if I can find supplies for a conventional disguise that will hold up?  

Murder in Waybury Outpost

I’ve met some… very interesting people, coming into Escher. A pair of street cons (who are surprisingly charming), as well as a… priestess? Missionary? I don’t know. She worships “Evesk,” who is apparently a crueller member of the Traitor Gods… but, the missionary seems useful to my current goal, willing to do some general… good-ness? They all seem aimless, and talented, but… they don’t strike me as dangerous (mostly), which means they’ll take eyes off me. And a troupe of people makes it easier to accomplish things… we got rooms at an inn (a fancy paid dormitory) together for the time being, and I’d like to make this partnership last, at least through the current opportunity. I’ll give more detailed descriptions of these others in my next entry. Too much to talk about right now.   I learned about a murder (or string of murders?) going on in Waybury, and the group unanimously agreed to look into it with me (a good sign). After some investigating, we found the victim and the crime scene, and did some investigation.   It was a poorer side of town, and the victim was a human woman in a simple dress. She was barefoot, not Escheran, and there’s no record of how she got into town. I think the body may have been dragged from elsewhere, from the blood, but I’m no expert. The Inquisition (whatever that is) has been summoned to investigate, but won’t be here for a few days yet. Hopefully we can put this to bed before this other group arrives, or there’s another victim. It’s a good start, honestly. I have some ideas for following up on this tomorrow.   [Between pages here, there are a handful of pressed lilacs.]  

Traveling Companions

Nyandrea [she/her]: a Tabaxi (cat-person), about 6 feet tall, black fur, amber eyes with gold flecks, wears simple Isserian dress

An Isserian missionary of the “Worshipers of Evesk’ani”, like I alluded to earlier. She’s complicated; she’s kind, soft-spoken, naive, likes lilacs (the ones on the side of the road I liked in Isseria), she didn’t reject me out of hand… but she worships that god (I won’t write the name again), and talks of the other gods. She’s charming, but those stories make me very uncomfortable. Though… learning will help me blend in… I don’t know. Zaphaqui'rem help me, but I do like her.
I don’t think she has an agenda beyond sharing her stories, though, which suits me fine.  

Feliks [he/him]: a blue Genasi (djinn-born), 6’5”, light blue skin, shortish white hair, grey eyes, well-kept beard but messy wind-catching hair; dresses nice, armed with a dagger, fidgets with a ring on his finger

Apparently a djinn-born despite human parentage (somehow, it was complicated), from Anabe. The older of the two con artists. He seems the more sensible of the two, at least, though quick to jump in on the smaller one’s antics. He seems quiet but wry and shrewd and distant… which means I’m not sure what to make of him yet. He and Star seem to have gotten into some rough adventures before coming here, though, so he is definitely an asset.
Though, he’s also the one that I’m most afraid will realize what’s wrong with me. He tries to blend into the quiet of a conversation, so I need to keep that in mind.  

Star [he/him/any]: a bit darker blue than Feliks, 4’6” (I’m still not used to seeing others shorter than I am), light blue hair, violet eyes, messes his own hair; wears a white sailor’s blouse and pants, no shoes, and is loaded with daggers

The younger of the con artist brothers. Apparently was a pirate (pirate), as well as a talented grifter. Also, extremely, extremely, extremely energetic and wild. Definitely the one who’s going to draw eyes off me. It’s hard to tell if he’s as clueless as he makes out to be, or is a gifted liar. He also seems like some kind of shapeshifter, and has a magical talent.
If there’s anyone in this group who is a risk to me, I think it’s him. He feels brash and impulsive, even if he’s trying not to be, but his brother might keep him in check? Maybe?   ...we… I used my Gift in front of them, and only Felix seemed put out by it. It’s… I thought they weren’t afraid of me, but they all shared one room to stay away from me. I don’t know. I don’t know, but… it’s nice to have someone to talk to, finally. Even if they’re pushy…   ...will they still feel the same way if they knew what I am? What I did? There’s no way. Best that they never know. They’re a curious bunch, but I think I can manage.   ...I pushed myself too hard. Nose is bleeding again, and I heard… well. Going to turn in. Tomorrow’s another day.  

Investigation

My morning started rough, but recovered quickly. I… completely ruined my disguise, but Nyandrea fixed it, and Feliks brought donuts (these outsider pastries are amazing). Nyandrea mentioned something called a pie that’s apparently much like these… I need to hang on to these people, no matter what, because the outsider lands have so many secrets I’ve missed out on.   We’re heading back to the border checkpoint to see if we can find some suspects for the murder. I’ll update this entry tonight.