The Journal of a Pilgrim
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-The 4th of Estar, Glomdoring Commune

My family and I disagree over my pilgrimage. Oh, how hard it is to oppose them,
for I know they speak true. Ellia tells me to stay, if not for her (because she
seems convinced my love for her has sunk low, which is not true), then for the
children. The children, corrupted by the modern-day life, act cold, distant. I
know that in their hearts, though, they are suffering, but are afraid to speak
up, in fears of just being turned down once again. They are afraid to risk
their heart once more.

My wife has interesting arguments, saying that I could not have picked a worse
time to go out into the world on a pilgrimage. It is cold outside, gales
blowing left right and centre, snow falling and blocking the roads… But every
time she tries this on me, I laugh it off and say something along the lines of
“What better way to test my resolve?”. I know she is just worried about me.
Even I am not so confident in my abilities. But still, it is something I must
do, and will not be able to continue my life until I do. My wife and children
are everything to me, however, so I’ve naturally taken precautions during my
absence. I’ve asked my long-time Paladin friend from New Celest to watch
after them. He said it would be an honor, but I believe it is because of his
own status that he craves to watch over a new family. His wife and child were
killed one day by an unskilled thief. It was a simple death. Brutally simple.
My friend never forgave himself for not being there for them (for he was
defending the Holy Cosmic Plane of Celestia at the time), and now, I think, he
wishes to somehow compensate for their deaths, if only temporarily.

I leave first thing tomorrow. While I truly wish to see the Avenger for the
first time, I also want to get it over with in hopes of seeing my family as
soon as possible. Life can be so cruel sometimes, forcing such decisions upon a
puny man whose heart can withstand very little.
I only wish that theirs won’t break during my absence…

-The 16th of Estar, Stewartsville

I left Glomdoring early on the 5th of Estar. I did not wake my family up, for I
did not want to see them waving away with fake smiles. My action might have been
cruel, for I gave them no chance of ‘goodbye’, but I believe it is for the
best. And one man’s beliefs are what leads the one man’s life.

I had decided to take the Great Southern Highway to the west, instead of east,
for it would lead into Magnagora and surrounding dangerous areas. East would
have been the shortest way, but like I said, what better way to test my resolve
than to take the hard path.

Walking west on the warm, sunny weather (which, mind you, is a rarity during
Estar), I noticed the beauty of the surrounding landscape once more. I say
‘once more’ because I had already travelled to Stewartsville on a previous
occasion, where my brother from Celest was staying for three days. I had not
seen him for a long time, so I decided to make way there.
The Southern Highway is quite straightforward on its way to Stewartsville, I
must say. One of the easier places to navigate… Or so I think, for I have not
really navigated much of the Basin.

I had met several people during this time, most of which were followed by cows.
I decided not to ask, in fear of being considered an ignorant. After a few days
of camping, walking, camping and walking again, I had arrived at the Gloriana
River, which still held the name of an old nation that ceased to exist a long
long time ago… Its waters ran clean, due to being surrounded by pure nature.
I had a strange feeling that I was like that river â€" flowing down my path
until finally pouring into a bigger and larger group.

I continued on flowing, eventually noticing the place called the Grey Moors to
my left. I had heard from my colleagues in Glomdoring that this place is very
popular among hunters, so I was not surprised to see various people fighting
and killing creatures found there. I can not blame them really. One would think
otherwise, but I can’t. We all choose our own path in life. Mine is faith,
theirs is combat. All paths deserve equal respect. Off to my right I gazed upon
the glittering surface of the Inner Sea, watching a couple of dolphins happily
jump out of the water. Deciding that I’ve had enough sightseeing, I continued
on.

After quite a walk, I arrived at Stewartsville. Having been tired of the trip
and in need of further supplies, I decided to stop there and rest for the
night. My first stop was the commodity shop (which â€" my friends told me â€"
was always stocked quite well). There I met some nice people who, when I told
them I was on a pilgrimage to Avechna’s Peak, gave me some useful advice. One
told me of the Grand Junction to the west of Stewartsville, where the Old
Imperial Road and Great Southern Highway meet, and how north of there leads to
New Celest â€" thus, where I will be heading - and south leads to the Skarch
Desert and Dairuchi. I thanked Flaila (as the person introduced herself) and
went on to seek shelter in one of the local houses. I got lucky as a very nice
family let me stay there over night, for a small fee of 500 gold sovereigns. I
write this now in my ‘room’, which is actually a redecorated basement. I
can’t complain though, it is warm and comfy here â€" no cobwebs, no rats.
I’ll go to sleep now. Tomorrow I continue my long path.

- The 2nd of Urlachmar, Delport

The wind is truly merciless. I learned that in these few days.

After leaving Stewartsville and thanking the kind family that took me in, I
continued on my way west.There was not much to see along the way â€" a few
people chatting, a male faeling and female merian dueling. They were all just
bystanders, though, none bothering to talk to me or ask me where I was headed.
I don’t mind. The silence just drives me forward.
A few days of further walk took me to the Grand Junction that lady Flaila
mentioned. I noticed the Old Imperial Road stretching to the north and south,
the Southern Highway acting like a river pouring into a bigger river. I had no
reason to linger, really, so I quickly made my way to the right, up north
towards New Celest. However, after two days of walking, something strange
happened halfway to Delport…

Gales of strong wind suddenly rose up. I thought little of it, as it was still
Estar â€" cold winds were commonplace. However, the winds grew stronger and
stronger, until finally I was forced to grab onto a nearby tree (which are rare
along the Imperial Road, mind you) and hold tight. The wind roared beside me,
tearing my heart apart. I had never felt such pull, such suction. I was afraid
it was something unnatural, and thus afraid that it is not combatable. The wind
kept its strength for a few more minutes, and the tree’s roots began failing.
Soon, I knew, the wind would blow both me and the tree away, and there was no
stopping it.

However, salvation came in the last moment. From the looks of him, a merian
Aquamancer came speeding on a beautiful golden dragon turtle and grabbed me off
the tree. A few seconds later, the tree broke off and was blown away into the
Inner Sea. I felt relief like no other, but now there were questions to be
asked.

The Aquamancer seemed genuinely concerned about my well-being. He asked if I
was alright, and when I nodded my head he told me to wrap my arms around his
waist and hold on tight. I felt a bit uncomfortable but followed his
instructions. It was good I did, because the turtle started running at insane
speeds a few moments after that. It seemed he was taking me further north â€"
logical, since his home is that way. However, as soon as we crossed the bridge
of the Lower Estengare, he turned sharply right. I then realized where he was
taking me â€" Delport.

When we arrived to the village, I noticed we attracted a lot of looks â€" two
men on a turtle speeding around. I thought the Aquamancer would soon let me off
the turtle, but he just continued on riding it, until finally we were at the
entrance of one of the most famous buildings in the Basin â€" Delport’s famed
Chateau d’Amour. I had never been to Delport before, let alone in the Chateau.
It was a magnificent building that radiated with some lovable glow. The
Aquamancer stopped, grabbed me and jumped down off the turtle with me in his
arms. He then rushed into the Chateau, right through the door. I was now
seriously scared, as the man was acting like a lunatic. Soon after, a few
stories up, we arrived in a very well decorated room, giving off a kind of
soothing energy. In here was a beautiful trill maiden, looking like she was
expecting someone. When she heard us come in, she raised her head, let out a
screech of relief and ran right into the merian’s embrace (me being dropped
from his arms in the meantime…).

After doing some talking with the trill, I realized that the merian
accidentally drank a love potion, saw the maiden, and immediately rushed off to
do something heroic so she would fall in love with him. I couldn’t help but
laugh that a ‘fake’ love story is what probably saved my life. If the
merian didn’t come to my help, I would have surely been blown off into the
Inner Sea â€" and I can’t really swim, you know. Anyway, I thanked the merian
nevertheless, and left the Chateau (but not before admiring its magnificence
some more). It was already late on the 1st of Urlachmar, so I decided to stay
here over the night. Again there was a family of kind people who let me stay,
and didn’t even ask for a fee. They said they just wanted to help. I guess
there still are people of pure hearts in this world.

-The 13th of Kiani, along the Alabaster Road east of Serenwilde

I am nearing my goal. Nearing Avechna’s Peak. The excitement is what bothers
me, the pressure makes me all tingy and nervous. I keep this journal as a log
of my life, though, and I am bound to write down all that happened since I left
Delport.

The family that took me in provided me with a bountiful breakfast, one that
satiated me most gracefully. I left soon thereafter, saying goodbye to those
kind people who seemed almost sad to see me leave. I guess my charm isn’t so
feeble as I thought.

I slowly made my way up the Old Imperial Road, approaching Celest. I had long
before decided I would not venture into Celest, as I would not be able to
suffer the ramblings about me being ‘Tainted’ or ‘Wyrden’. For now,
first and foremost, I am a pilgrim. Thus I have decided to venture just past
Celest, through the Oleanvir Valley. I had heard from my traveller friends that
the Valley is quite peaceful, and that I don’t really have anything to fear
going through it.

And so, I spent a couple of days crossing the Valley â€" I didn’t really
count, I concentrated more on the tiring walk. I had met a group of Paladins
along the way who â€" strangely enough â€" just greeted me. They did not make
snide remarks, they did not mock me… Was I mistaken about Celest? In any
case, seeing the Alabaster Road and the people walking along it in the distance
was a relief. The Valley is peaceful, sure, but deadly for a person wishing for
company â€" not a living soul there.

When I arrived at the Road, I realized I had lost my bearings. Naturally, I was
scared, but looking around I noticed the Tridacna Tower and walls of Celest in
the distance, cheering me up. I continued my voyage to the north along the
Alabaster Road, very soon coming to Serenwilde. Coming to the part of my voyage
that I feared most. The shortest way to Avechna’s Peak leads through
Serenwilde, all paths around it are either too dangerous or out of my
abilities. I am not an enemy of the commune, so I should not be truly afraid,
but Serenwilde and Glomdoring are rivals out of principle. I might run into a
few… extremists.

And unsurprisingly, that’s just what happened. I was walking along the road,
looking around nervously, attracting looks upon appauling looks, when suddenly
a group of three Serenwilders came out of the Ellindel Arboretum. They pointed
their accusing looks at me and started pushing me around. When I tried to walk
past them, they made a living wall off which I rebound and almost fell to the
ground. We went back and forth like that for some time, them insulting me for
worshipping Tainted and corrupted Great Spirits like Crow… They seemed really
disgusted at me. They also said something along the lines of us from Glomdoring
being ‘traitors of Nature for worshipping impure and corrupt Spirits’. It
was quite strange and terrifying, really, and I was afraid they were going to
kill me. Suddenly, however, a person came from out of the trees and commanded
them to leave me alone. The person then presented herself as the Guildmistress
of the Serenguard and said that she couldn’t allow such behaviour from fellow
commune members… I don’t think she thought any higher of me, but as an
official I guess she was bound to stop them. Nevertheless, I thanked her and
she sent me on my way, promising that such assaults wouldn’t occur again. I
had no choice but to trust her, so I just continued my voyage.

I always knew such events were possible and very probable, but I never really
understood how I would feel. Battered for my beliefs, my whole life insulted…
Why such hate? My motto is live and let live… I understand the motto is pretty
irresponsible and selfish, but I guess I’m that kind of person. I don’t like
sticking my nose in other peoples’ business… I guess that’s why I never
really aspired for high positions within Glomdoring.

In any case, I’m writing this while passing the Verasavir Valley. I am truly
close to Avechna’s Peak. These days seem to have gone by so fast. And I’m
sure my family thinks exactly the opposite. I must hurry so I can get back to
them quickly. I am actually starting to fel nostalgic about them. Of course I
would miss them, but I had rather thought I wouldn’t be so sensitive about
it…

-The 19th of Kiani, before Avechna

As I approached the Toronada River a few days back, I started to realize that I
had no information on Avechna’s Peak whatsoever. This long voyage of mine was
fed by various information from my fellows in Glomdoring and random people I
met along the road who gave me instructions on how to get to Avechna’s Peak.
However, now I saw that nobody ever told me how exactly I’m supposed to climb
that humungous mountain.

However, it seemed the Gods were merciful to me once again. Coming to the
Toronada River, I noticed a traveler arguing with a ferryman. Overhearing bits
and pieces of their conversation, I concluded that the traveler wanted the
ferryman to take him upstream along the Toronada. The ferryman was very
reluctant, as fighting the natural flow of the river wasn’t the easiest thing
in the world. I don’t know what made me approach them, I suppose my will for
self-preservation fueled me. I thought the traveler might know about
Avechna’s Peak.

So I approached them and started a conversation. After a while, it turned out
the traveler is â€" luckily enough â€" on his way to Avechna’s Peak too.
However, the problem was he was having trouble convincing the ferryman here to
take him upstream the Toronada, from where it is a shorter way up to Avechna
than just starting at the base of the mountain.
I, being desperate, offered to split the price if the traveler agreed to take
me up to Avechna with him. He wholeheartedly accepted, and we together managed
to convince the ferryman to undertake this tough task â€" but he got a large
fee for it. I hid this journal in a special waterproof backpack some of my
friends made for me to prevent it from getting soaked.

When we arrived at the source of the Toronada up in the Northern Mountains, the
ferryman looked as though he was going to vomit. Poor man, having to manually
steer a ferry upstream… He just told us that the money well made up for it,
so I simply followed the traveler as we said goodbye to the ferryman. The
traveler said that we’d have to do some serious climbing now, which scared me
a bit, but it turned out the cliffs we climbed weren’t that dangerous. Rather,
they seemed like they were made to make it easy for a person to climb up.

When we arrived up onto a path (shaking the dust and dirt off of us), the
traveler announced that, to go further up, we need to take the path to the
right. I had nothing much to say, as he clearly knew much more than me. And so
we continued west, making turns, climbing cliffs… Occasionally the traveler
would stop and point to an interesting landmark, such as the Artifact Shops or
the Harmony Cave. Eventually, while we were on a linear path (named the Path of
Nature, as the traveler explained), the traveler stopped in his tracks. He
started touching the cliff that rose to our left as if he was searching for
traces of something… Not long after that, the cliffs unveiled a steep path
up. The traveler told me that this was a secret path and that it shortens the
way up to Avechna by a lot. I thought I could see Avechna’s towering form
from here, but it might have been an illusion. In any case, we continued our
routine â€" climbing, walking, climbing, walking. We eventually got to the
Death Cave, where we decided to rest for a while.

After we finished resting (and boy did we need it), we continued… It took
only one more big climb to come to the highest peak of the mountain. And as we
climbed there, I realized this was the end of my path. Soon, I would return to
Glomdoring filled with joy of meeting Avechna and I will benefit my family much
more. Now, before Avechna… it is time for me to face my fate. This journal is
no longer needed, as my life as a pilgrim ends here. My pilgrimage is over. My
quest fulfilled. I toss this journal off Avechna’s Peak not with the
intention of losing my past â€" but with the intention to make way for a new
future.