What happened before?
---------- Jonathan's complaint to the City Council of Nook --------------
I, Jonathan Wickham, humble citizen of this fair city, write to you with the utmost urgency and indignation regarding a most egregious incident that occurred on the evening of the 4th of Frostfall at the Drunken Badger Inn. The event in question was a gathering orchestrated by one Aalborr, a self-proclaimed "Master of Merriment," whose festivities have left a dark stain upon the harmony of our community.
As a frequenter of the Drunken Badger, I initially saw no harm in attending this party. Aalborr's reputation, while eccentric, did not suggest the chaos that would unfold. The revelry began innocently enough, with tankards of ale and cheerful tunes from a trio of bards. However, it was not long before Aalborr revealed a puzzle, which unexpectedly turned into a competitive race, forcing attendees to scramble amidst the chaos to solve it before others.
The chaos began when me and my two companions fell through a hidden hatch in the floor, landing in an unlit dungeon beneath the inn. The injury and confusion caused by this unexpected descent were compounded by the complete lack of safety measures.
In the dungeon, we discovered mushrooms of a highly suspicious nature, likely containing substances of dubious legality. The pungent odor alone was nauseating, and the risk of accidental exposure was high. Having been exposed to said chemical component left me unable to render any action. That such dangerous flora exists unchecked beneath an establishment frequented by honest citizens is appalling and demands immediate action.
As we attempted to navigate the darkness, enormous and unnaturally swift spiders were summoned to frighten intruders. These creatures terrorized us, scattering our group and forcing us into perilous situations. The presence of such threats, clearly designed with malice, speaks to a complete disregard for the safety of the inn's patrons. Had it not been for my swift actions they would have surely overrun us.
To add insult to injury, we were served tea, a gesture that could have provided solace if not for its dreadful quality. The bitter taste and the mysterious, murky contents of the tea only deepened our sense of mistreatment. It was an affront to the dignity of those who had endured so much.
I implore you to investigate this matter with the urgency it demands. Aalborr must be held accountable for his reckless endangerment of the citizens of Nook. Furthermore, I request that measures be implemented to prevent such dangerous gatherings in the future. Our city’s inns should be sanctuaries of mirth and camaraderie, not battlegrounds for magical mischief.
Your swift action in this matter will not only restore the faith of your constituents but also serve as a reminder that Nook's laws and protections extend to all corners of our beloved city.
With hope and respect,
Jonathan Wickham
“Alright, so I’ve been askin’ around about Aalborr and his bloody birdman, but turns out no one knows much. Big shocker there, eh? All I got were shrugs and a lot of people wantin’ to tell me what they thought of our little ‘adventure.’” He says this with exaggerated air quotes, rolling his eyes dramatically.
“Apparently, I’m the talk of the Muck now. Half of ’em can’t shut up about how I ‘saved the day’ with the jelly door—and yeah, alright, maybe I did, but it’s not like I had a better option than takin’ a piss on it! Everyone’s got somethin’ to say about that—‘innovative,’ ‘disgustin’,’ ‘brilliant.’ You’d think they’ve never seen problem-solvin’ in action.”
He shifts uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. “And for some reason, I’m gettin’ grief over what you two were up to! ‘Finn’s got eyes like a hawk,’ they say. Or worse: ‘Oi, Finn, keep your hands to yourself next time!’ Like I’m the one who… Nevermind.” He mutters the last bit under his breath, looking away from Inez.
“And the bloody scones! One moment of enjoyin’ some raisin bread, and now I’m the ‘snack master’ or whatever nonsense they’re callin’ me. What’s wrong with appreciatin’ decent food when you’re stuck in a deathtrap? But no, apparently that’s what people remember. Not the clever plans. Not the knives I pulled from that jelly to arm us all. Just… pissin’ doors and scones.”
Finn crosses his arms and leans back, trying to look indifferent but clearly annoyed. “So yeah. That’s where we’re at. Everyone in Nook thinks I’m some raven-fearin’, pastry-eatin’ idiot with a bladder full of solutions. And no one knows a damn thing about Aalborr. What about you lot? Heard anythin’ useful?”
Dear diary,
Yesterday I managed to leave the house on my own and meet my fellow adventurers again!
One of my fathers clients, of course a member of one of the highest families, was involved in dubious affairs and my father had to guarantee discretion in handling this. Therefore I was tasked to serve as a carrier of sealed envelopes to and fro. (Apparently my reputation and chances of being a proper marriage candidate, went so far down by recent events, that I could do without a proper chaperone..).
This gave me the opportunity to look out for Finn and Jonathan in the streets. The thief spotted me first, logically, me standing out with my looks amongst the town folks. He agreed to arrange a meeting with the three of us and knew a discreet place for such an occasion.
So I found myself in the company of my two halfing friends (Do I dare to call them that, my sweet diary?), in a dubious dark shed owned by one of the many relatives of Finn, a cockfight arena filled with screaming halflings and other folks.
Both Jonathan and I were not at ease at such a place, and it did not help that Finn was chattering endlessly about how he saved the day and was not being recognized for it let alone rewarded and been slapped while being innocent. Innocent, like I had not caught him red handed! (But still, diary, he’s a lot cuter than those pesky so called dignified Gnome boys).
Apparently Finn had ‘investigated’ the bailiwick of Aalborr, what probably meant getting drunk with some of his friends in the staff of the Drunken Badger. But still, he had taken much more effort than me. All in all, it appears Aalborr was very discreet about his actions and people were not keen on speaking about him and his affairs (Unlike a certain gnome lady, point taken, diary).
Hopefully I'll be able to meet my friends (yes, I dare!) soon again, diary!
---------- A pledge is made, as recalled by Finn --------------
Finn leans against the edge of the rickety fence outside the Slynt camp, casually tossing his stolen coin between his fingers as Inez lays out her plan. He listens in silence for a moment, his eyes narrowing when she mentions the Geomancer's Doorway. When she's finished, he whistles softly and grins at her.
"You're serious about this, huh? Pack your bags and march into Magki like we belong there?" He chuckles and shakes his head. "I mean, don't get me wrong - it's not that I'm eager to stick around and hear more 'piss-ants' from the Badger gang. And my aunt has been nagging me for weeks about stealing a 'family heirloom' that I couldn't even find."
He tosses the coin one last time, catches it in his palm, and clenches his fist. "And this Geomancer's Doorway... I've heard whispers. My cousin's nephew - Yago, you don't know him - came back talking about 'visions of the earth' and 'hidden truths'. Sounded like a bunch of bad beer babble. But if it's real?" His grin fades and for a split second there's genuine curiosity in his eyes.
He shrugs and turns to Inez. "Fine, I'm in. But let's get one thing straight: you're the brains behind this operation. And Jonathan can play the moral compass. I'm only here for the fun, the food... and maybe a few of those 'hidden truths'. Deal?"
He extends a hand and grins. "Just promise me one thing: you remind me why this is a good idea when we're stuck eating stale bread and tough meat. And maybe, just maybe, we'll find a stew in Magki that doesn't taste like it was cooked in ditch water."*
--------- Which lead to even more diary writings --------------
Dearest, dearest diary, excuse me for not writing for days, but these were hectic days indeed. Let me try to tell you all.
Arriving home after our meeting I used the staff entrance again, in line with my role as discreet messenger for my father. Stepping in quietly I could hear some of our cleaning and kitchen staff chatting amongst themselves. “Hey, how do you know that your house was plundered by a goblin thief? The lock is picked and your stuff is gone. And how do you find out that an Ogre burglar has robbed your house? No, no, let me tell you: Not only is your stuff missing, but also the door!” “And finally, how would you notice that a halfling thief was the culprit? Well, your stuff and doors would be gone, and on top of that the place is stinking of piss!” A roar of laughter followed, only to collapse when the maids realized I was standing in the doorway. “Hazel”, I said in the most calm way I could muster, “Since you demonstrate such a knowledge of the body waste of the different races, could you be so kind as to clean out the reception room. Yesterday my father entertained a group of dwarven customers. "Thank you!” Without further glancing I walked away, leaving a silent room that bursted out once again after I had rounded the corner to the stairs.
Climbing up I found my father waiting on top of the stairway. After a long sigh he sermoned me: “So my messenger returns, took your time to find your way in the city of Nook, delivering my messages. Or did you have additional affairs to attend to, meeting those halfing suitors of yours? Helm may strike me, all those years of working and providing. Your mother and I came to this town and managed to gain some well doing and prestige. So she did not bear me a son, but still. And you, you could have been married into a proper family! But no, you had to be special, not a suitable spouse for a gnome gentleman, showing off that you’re smart. And what did it gain you? Bullied at school, despised and feared by all marriage candidates. With your features and the stature of our solicitors practice, the best houses would have been willing to accept you...Oh, at some point I was even negotiating with heads of families like the Stardusts and Moonstones (Well diary, I could claim there was some sort of flattery hidden there). But by now, I could only say 'thank you, good sir' very very politely when I was invited to the table by old Shadowbrook!”.
My dearest diary, by now I was sobbing! My father who I respected despite his weaknesses and decline was flaying me. And on top of that, the thought of Silas Shadowbrook as my groom! The meanest bully of my school years, looking more like a bleached goblin that a gnome! When I tried to interrupt his plaint he placed his finger on my mouth to hush me and continued: “Hush, no complaints, no objections, no nothing! This is the best and probably last change for you to become a decent gnomish lady! The Shadowbrooks may be a bit abstruse, but they’re an old respected family, and well off. And let me add to this: From this moment till the moment the carriage arrives, you will be confined to your room!” With that he escorted me to my room and locked the door behind me.
Oh diary, I felt broken and betrayed. And knew I had not much time to escape this scheme. Luckily I had obtained a copy of several keys of the house, including that of my room, in the years working in the practice. And I was a little prepared, my old school backpack was filled with my knives, the booklet (of course), the idol given by the hag (why?) and you my dear diary (needless to say)! That night I slipped away, moving quietly through the house to the solicitor's office. There I took forty gold coins, one for a month's work, a reasonable even low salary. From there I headed to the staff entrance. As I reached the door I looked sideways into the kitchen, only to find my mother sitting there at the kitchen table!
“Please have a chair, dear daughter!” As I sat trembling, she continued: “I know the two of us don't see eye to eye a lot of times, while you and your father find each other easily, or at least that used to be the case. He is not a bad gnome, he married me when there was no change for me to ever find a husband again. He and I had to break with our clans and moved to the city of Nook. It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.” “It hurts to see you running away like we did, but I understand, I even think he will. And I understand we don’t have time now, just please promise me to return one day!” We both stood up, hugged and for the second time that day my eyes were filled with tears. “Now go!” she said, opening the door to the streets.
Hiding myself deeply in my dark cloak I negotiated the dark alleys of Nook to find shelter between some barrels. This is how Finn must cope everyday I thought. How I’m ever going to abide this kind of life! Though there’s no way back, the three of us shook hands on it! There’s no way back you little gnomish girl! Unless you want to become Mrs. Shadowbrook, married to the scourge of your childhood. Well, better two halfling suitors than one gnome looking like a goblin! And with that deep insight, my dear diary, I fell asleep.