Fear of The South

I woke up this morning not really feeling any less homesick. I tried to put it behind me as the day began, however. There's no good to be had in thinking about things that can't be helped. After breakfast, Audric, Grumble and I went to Shooma's. She's apparently the best smithy for miles and miles and miles. Audric felt it would be good if we all had some silver weapons, given our most recent brush with lycanthropy. He bought silver weapons for all of us except Grumble, who got his own silver axe. I'm now the proud owner of a silver rapier. It's not nearly so amazing as Rowan's new one, but it ought to do the trick with the wererats.
From Shooma's, we left to head to the library. On the way, we passed a bunch of Gnome run carts. One of them seemed to be having some to-do, and there was a fair sized crowd of folks gathering around it. Upon closer inspection, I found a pair of gnomes boasting an unpickable lock. Not only an unpickable lock, but also boasting that their locks were the best locks around. I may not be locksmith myself, but family pride isn't very particular about those sort of things. The lock they had was impressive, but not any more so than pretty much anything Malick dreamed up on a regular basis. I couldn't let the insult to my family go without a shot, so I composed myself and headed to the cart. The gnome there obviously had no idea who I was, or I think he would have looked a little more nervous when I approached. In fact, as Audric tossed him some coins, I swear he had a "This ought to be good" look on his smirky face. I pretended not to notice as I strode past on my way to the lock.
I've had a lot of experience picking locks since I left home, and I had a lot of experience picking Malick's locks before that, however, I would be lying if I didn't mention that part of me was utterly terrified of failing big time. After all, I have a reputation to uphold, and the thought of blowing it in front of both Audric and Grumble made my stomach swim.
On my first try, I realized how careless I've let myself get since leaving home. I tripped a simple boobytrap and almost got my hand caught. After I pried my tools out and it reset, I took my second shot. There was something about this lock that seemed so familiar, so simple. It took me nearly snapping one of my tools off inside to remember what it was. It was a reverse lock! Feeling a distinct sense of relief, I went in for try number three. Reverse locks are engineered in such a way as to appear locked even after you've unlocked it. Another try will make it appear finally unlocked when in reality it has just been locked back up again. The point is to frustrate a thief until he gives up and goes home. Clever, but not Turen clever. The look on the gnomes' faces when I threw open the chest was reward enough for me, however I actually got something tangible! A gnomish lockpick device, with Silence cast on it! Finally someone realized that silence is more than just figuratively golden when it comes to lockpicking. I know that Dad is furious that I am using family secrets to pick locks with, but I'd like to think even he would be proud of me today. Well, maybe that's just too much to ask, but I know Malick would have been proud, and Audric certainly was. I can live with that for now.
Anyhow, after letting the family name do the explaining to those poor fellows, we were back on our way. We made a quick stop for lunch, and then made it the rest of the way to the library. The library was quite possibly one of the neatest things I have seen since leaving home. Natural Gnome curiosity set in, and I had the feeling I could have stayed there all day without much complaint. There were books and wizards everywhere, and even a huge mechanized model of the planes. I can't really say I know anything about the planes other than they exist in some fashion, but the model was amazing to see. It made me wish I had paid any mind to that part of school.
We headed up to a desk with a very official looking woman behind it. She told us her name was Carthryn, and would be able to help us with whatever we might be looking for, as none of us are wizards. This is apparently a prerequisite for understanding Libraries in this town...
Grumble started us off by asking about his axe. It turns out that it resembles the weapon of a Goldenaxe from a really long time ago. We couldn't get a definite fix on whether it really was or not, but it's looking like Grumble has a very old and important weapon on his hands.
Next we broached the subject of the House of Bel, and I thought for a moment that Carthryn might not be so willing to help us with that. She drew her wand, and all the color slid from her face like liquid pouring from a cup. She ushered us hurriedly into a small study area, and formed an enchanted bubble around us to protect us from prying ears and such. What we heard from her made me feel slightly sick. Apparently, Carthryn is a loremaster, and it's been her job to try and strike the name of Bel from the history, and the face of this earth. The members of the house are two brothers and a sister, though one of the brothers is presumed dead. Apparently they are beings so evil, that generations of families have vowed to send them to their graves. Great. It's nice to know that evil incarnate wants you dead. Carthryn seemed shocked that we had incurred their wrath in the first place, but after telling her our story, seemed to accept that we might be telling her true. We also told her about Baron von Hawkmoor, and she seemed a little troubled by that as well, though reminded me that he is only a man. Ha! A man that seems to feel the need to send Shadowspawn himself to end a dwarf and a gnome! Though I guess I should thank him. I would be a lot lonelier if I had never met Audric. Still, dangerous and crazy folk shouldn't be taken lightly, no matter how "human" they are.
I left the library wondering what the heck I'd gotten myself into. The feeling was made all the worse by a sudden swell of vertigo. When it ended and my mind and sight cleared, I still had to rub my eyes because we were standing in front of a large pool of slime, and a huge, sickening worm thing with nasty tentacles was staring at us. We all knew what had to be done, but I don't think anyone will think less of me when I say I really did NOT want to do it. Grumble and I managed to take some decent chunks out of it before it got a hold of me and started to make me a snack. Audric tried what he could to get it to drop me, but it didn't want to seem to let go. I found myself being pulled into the grossest mouth I have ever been near to, as another creature appeared in close proximity and grabbed Audric. When it finally dropped me, I could hear Audric screaming as he was getting pulled into the other creature's mouth. I was torn between taking out the one in front of me, and trying to rescue Audric. Sadly, I was covered in slime, and not being particularly effective in any capacity. The other creature dropped Audric and grabbed me, and I took what should have been a nasty hit. It felt slightly less so, however, though it still hurt like anything. I thought I could hear Audric's screaming somewhere under my own, but I wasn't sure. When we finally defeated the creatures, the bystanders thought it had all been a show. I guess odd things like this aren't the usual here in Bridinsford.
Shirtly after the battle ended, Nialia and Rowan found us. Apparently they had had a fight out in the woods with a gross beast of their own. This town is really starting to weird me out! Something is obviously not right here. I'm not sure what, but whatever it is seems to be calling out to strange and evil things that don't belong in the city.
Tired and weirded out, we decided to head back to the inn. On our way back, we passed a troupe of street performers putting on what may have been a true theatrical abomination if ever there was one. As I was dismissing it, I saw a huge troll-like thing with no eyes and a giant hammer step out from behind the stage curtain and raise his hammer at the actor. I wasn't sure what I was seeing, but Audric went sprinting past screaming "It's real! Shoot it! Take it down!" Just then, more of those things poured out from behind the curtains and began slaughtering people at will. What is it about this fair that seems to attract ugly things that like to murder innocent folks? Once again we sprang into action, but this time Grumble seemed distracted. He stopped dead as we all raced past and cried out "Glorwynn!!!!" as if he were calling to someone. I have no idea what he was seeing, but I don't think it was what I was seeing. He came to eventually, and we managed to take out the eye-less creatures.
Audric came up to me afterwards, hurt in the same place I was. I don't remember him getting hurt, but he must have, because there was the injury. I tried to ask him about it, but he just leaned in and kissed me. It's almost annoying how that seems to temporarily wipe my mind. I just can't help it, though. He's such a good kisser...
Anyhow, we have a serious problem on our hands now. Those awful things came from somewhere, and we're going to have to find out where so we can attempt to keep this town safe. I just hope Nialia can track them, because I am more than a little tired of evil things ruining everyones' good time!