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bohemian-nights · 11 months

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HOTD has a misogynoir problem and it’s the reason why the fandom refuses to see Rhaenyra as a “villain” in Nettles story

The HOTD fandom has divided itself along the lines of the two factions of the Dance, team black vs. team green as if they themselves are actual members of the teams they root for. The inability to see nuance has resulted in major disagreements between the two camps. However, there is something seemingly that the majority of fans irrespective of their chosen team will agree on.

When it comes to the Rhaenyra, Nettles, and Daemon situation, Rhaenyra is viewed as an unquestionable victim of equal, near equal, or in some cases greater status to Nettles.

Despite the fact that she is the one that orders Nettles to be executed in her sleep, she’s somehow a woman we should all feel sorry for and take pity upon because she just had a little “breakdown.” It’s really Mysaria’s fault because she told a “lie” that Daemon and Nettles were sleeping(according to Team Black). Or it’s Daemon’s fault because he “groomed” Nettles like Rhaenyra(according to Team Green).

To put it plainly, Rhaenyra’s victimhood is due to the fact that the fandom will not view a “white” woman as the antagonist of the situation when a “black” woman is involved. It does not matter that she orders the death of an innocent young woman for merely sleeping with her husband. It does not matter that she used classism and racism(before you say “Rhaenyra isn’t a racist,” go ahead and replace “low creature” with the “n-word” then get back to me) to justify murdering said innocent woman.

Her actions are labeled as a result of stress brought about by the loss of her children. Pinning or rather passing the blame upon others who are less sympathetic. Mysaria(who though white in the books is now half Asian in the show and book(s) she is both a foreigner and a prostitute) and Daemon(who’s a white man). The HOTD fandom will not see Rhaenyra as being in the wrong because they view her as an innocent white woman. This article details this assumption, particularly in this paragraph:

In the case of Nettles, who is a brown-skinned black woman, while Rhaenyra does not cry she does have a strong emotional outburst that fans sympathize with. Nettles is seen as a victim, but the woman who tries to perpetuate racially motivated violence against her is also seen as an equal(and depending on who you ask greater) victim. Thus her own victimhood and innocence is lessened.

As far as the “lie” and the “grooming” accusations go, that too can be blamed upon fans' inability to see past their own innate racial bias.

To these fans, Nettles is only an acceptable and likable character when they can put her into a specific box of characterization. That box being that she is unquestionably a child.

She could not have slept with Daemon because she’s a child(she’s his child or he sees her like his child). Or she was groomed by Daemon because she’s a child. She can not be competition, sexual or otherwise, to Rhaenyra because she’s a child. If Nettles is a child she is not a threat because who is threatened by a child?

(Note, this is the whole reason why fans will “fawn” over Rhaena and Baela, when they don’t ignore that they exist or when they are trying to prop up a dead deformed fully white baby, because they aren’t “competition” in that way since they are Rhaenyra’s stepdaughters. Plus they are “white” in the books).

Nettles is a child in their eyes even though by Westeros standards she is an adult:

She did not sleep with Daemon even though the text explicitly frames their relationships as being romantic and sexual(unless you consider it normal for a father to bathe with his daughter).

She was groomed like Rhaenyra(again bringing in Rhaenyra’s victimhood so as to take away from her crimes) even though she’s an adult and her relationship with Daemon is described in a different manner than Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship beginnings.

This:

Versus this:

The only similarities are the gift giving and even then the gifts are of a completely different nature with a different motivation attached to them.

Nettles literally was homeless prior to the Dance so Daemon gifting her clothes, a hairbrush, and a mirror was actually what she needed. Daemon gifts these items and his affection without getting anything in return besides her company.

Daemon’s most selfless acts are done for Nettles. When it comes down to it, he is even willing to lay down his life for her. He sends her away to save her life, the life of a bastard girl who is looked down upon by even her defenders (like Corlys who calls her dirty and ill-favored) at the expense of his own. Disobeying his wife and queen's orders in the process, thus if he is grooming her, he sure is going about it the wrong way.

Unlike Nettles, Rhaenyra was actually underage(14 seeing how she was born in 97AC and the events detailed here happen in 111AC) by Westeros standards when Daemon begins his “courting” of her.

(The last little tidbit also proves that Daemon can not be Nettles' biological father seeing how he was in the Stepstones from late 111 AC until 115 AC and since Nettles turns 17 in 130 AC she was born on Driftmark in 113 AC).

Keep in mind that many of these fans who call Daemon and Nettles relationship abusive, label it as grooming, or deny it exists will gleefully ship Daemyra or Alysmond while saying that they are #toxic couple goals in an approving manner, that they are an epic romance and are or are going to be the OTP of the show, or wanting to see them be a #power couple.

Daemyra is straight-up grooming and as established earlier, even by Westeros standards Rhaenyra was actually a minor.

As far as Team Greens ship goes, Alysmond has the same power dynamic problems Dattles(Daemon x Nettles). Alys is a 40+ year(s) old woman(she’s described as being at least twice Aemond’s age). While Aemond is 19 or 20 in the books and 16-18 in the show.

Aemond is a prince while Alys is a bastard and a wet nurse. When Aemond takes Harrenhal he kills her entire family while sparing her and taking her as his mistress or rather a spoil of war. The stuff of romance novels people. (Note, I do like Alysmond, but to say it’s somehow better than Dattles is a huge stretch).

What do Daemyra and Alysmond have that Dattles does not? All parties involved are white. Fans don’t mind or are willing to overlook and ship emotionally manipulative incestuous based relationships or questionable power dynamic relationships, as long as both partners are white.

Both sides of the fandom infantilize Nettles to give her a sense of innocence, of blamelessness to the circumstances that befall upon her, while at the same time protecting Rhaenyra’s innocence by giving them a shared “villain.” Usually Daemon(and in some cases Mysaria).

The fandom can only sympathize with her when they view her as a child because a black woman who is a victim of racial violence at the hands of a white woman isn’t relatable. It just shouldn’t be because Rhaenyra is innocent.

Ultimately Nettles is not viewed as a dynamic character who is worthy of a complete arc that includes a heterosexual (I imagine fans would cheer on Rhaenyra and Nettles being together a la “Rhaenyra and Laena” which many fans cared more about than Laena’s relationship that she had with her husband, the father of her two girls who she had a loving marriage with in the books) romantic relationship. Especially with someone like Daemon.

She has to be a child because otherwise if Nettles is seen as a fully sexual being capable of making her own decisions, capable of consenting to a romantic relationship with a man who wants her in turn, a man who is willing to choose her over his white Valyrian(Aryan) wife, a wife who in her anger and jealousy seeks to enact violence upon her as a result of said consensual impossible relationship, she disrupts the natural order of things.

This phenomenon of desexualizing Black women characters who are love interests isn’t new or unique to HOTD. In fact, it’s pretty common in fandoms and is born as a result of misogynoir. This article is on the character Nyota Uhura from Star Trek, but it mirrors what is happening to Nettles right now:

The whole blog is a goldmine on fandom racism, particularly fandom misogynoir. I urge you to check it out especially if you are going to “speak out” on Black female characters when you yourself aren’t Black(this includes other “WOC”).

And before you say, “But Bohemian people ship Nettles with Daeron or Jace so they aren’t trying to completely desexualize her nor do they care about her being with white men because both Daeron and Jace are white,” hold onto that.

While there are some genuine fans of these crackships(neither have any basis in canon and Nettles never even meets Daeron) most of these “fans” are doing so because they know that it looks racist to desexualize Nettles, the only in-canon black character, to the point where she’s the only one without a love interest.

Yes, both Daeron and Jace are white, but you need to look at who their characters are. Daeron has no love interest in book canon so Nettles doesn’t threaten any white woman’s desirability since there is none to threaten.

Jace does have an in-canon love interest(s), Baela. and Sara Snow. They might change it up in the show, but in the books, Jace and Baela aren’t really a couple for long since he goes to the North and meets Sara Snow who he may have married. Sara Snow is a controversial character.

Most fans either don’t believe she exists(and they think she’s Cregan) or they don’t want her to exist(the fandom has a classism and a bastard problem in addition to racism, but again I’m not getting into that today).

Daeron hasn’t even shown up on the show yet(so mostly book fans are invested in him)and while he’ll probably be popular I doubt he’ll reach Daemon let alone Aemond’s popularity.

Jace dies soon into the narrative(he might die this upcoming season). He’s pretty boring in the show and outside of him being one of Rhaenyra’s baseborn sons I don’t think too many people actually care about him.

People are comfortable with putting Nettles with characters like Daeron and Jace solving many birds with one stone while not really stepping on any toes(especially the toes of white women who they actually care about).

It stops people from shipping Nettles with Daemon, because he is too desirable to be with a black woman especially when it would impact his Valyrian queen, it gives Daeron a love interest, keeps Sara Snow from showing up, and keeps the racist allegations off fans back. They are the comfortable choices. They are the non-threatening choices.

So to wrap this commentary up, the HOTD fandom has finally found something which to unite both the Greens and the Blacks. Trying to pidgin hole black female characters into narrow boxes of “acceptable” characterization that desexualizes them which serves to protect white female characters, who they sympathize with, innocence and desirability. As always, nothing brings together a fandom like good old-fashioned racism repackaged as “caring.”

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sallowarchivist · 3 years

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‘The Diaries of Aionna Magnian: Terrors of The Worldwound’ pt. 2

Arodus -- 22, 4713 AR (A correction has been made)

We set out and assaulted the Mongrel cultist's home. I remember we cleared the upper floor of four but I need to take better care of myself- Everything hurts, my face, my back- Potions can only do so much! I remember vaulting one of the barricades- Or, well, failing to after we jumped into the hole that lead to the under level. After that.. It's.. Hazy. I apparently took a few hits. I need to be more careful, Combat isn't as easy as the stories.. The Hero doesn't charge at the enemy and win. We discovered who seems to be the leaders of this cult, or at least those associated with those higher and discovered a letter as well as a magnificent blade once belonging to the paladin Yaniel. Alisa took possession of the blade for the time being and has put it to great use against our enemies! After finishing up and accounting for our supplies we continued, we dattled some fish and discovered a smuggler's cache, dispatched the 'northernmost’ guard outpost, and fought a few demons in a maze they seem to have made before making our way back to the surface! The Devastation is.. I can't even describe it. We are going to bed down for the night, rest and start anew. (Below is a detailed sketch of the destruction of Kenabres) Arodus 23, 4713 AR We were awoken to a collection of monstrous rats assaulting our camp this morning, while we disatched them they struck Anevia. I'll keep an eye on her in case she shows signs of illness. We're going to move out now, heading towards The Librarium of Black Wing where the Riftwardens are supposed to be based before moving towards Horgus' manor. It has been an eventful day! The city is filled with chaos, evident by what we saw on the way and in the Library itself.. A group of minor demons were forcing terrified townsfolk to enact their twisted plays and, when we found them, sent them to fight US. We were able to slay them without hurting the townsfolk and heard a number of wild and disturbing rumors for them before directing them back towards the Mongrel men's home. I pray Sarenrae guides them safely. Truly this chaos has driven men into the hands of their inner demons- we found a group of Tieflings robbing yet more terrified survivors. Lupa, bless her, issued a command for their attention. I think she was trying to scare them- and I guess it worked. They drew arms and, in quick fashion, were cut down. I wish we could have done more for the couple we saved, but we left them in their home. At least they kept their lives for the moment. My prayers are with them and all caught within this storm. I'm not sure if the vermin problem existed before or if it's something brought on by the Demons, but we were attacked again on the road. They weren't difficult to kill, but one did manage to bite my hand after I.. missed it and struck Anevia. I guess I'll need to watch myself now too, it itches like mad.. I've decided- I REALLY hate Rats! (In the margins are a number of doodled depictions of mangy rats being stabbed, mashed, shot, and burned to cinders) But after we could see the Library from the road- and what a sad sight it was. It was a ruin unto itself with only the central hall still standing by the grace of whatever skilled mason set its stones. Aravashnial, the poor man, fell to his knees as Lupa described the scene to him while Dorian checked the Hall's door. Things escalated quickly after that. Dorian signaled us to move up and slipped inside. I tried to follow but stumbled into the doorway just in time to see Dorian sink his blade into a man who appeared to be a knight. HE and two tieflings seemed to be forcing one of the librarians, a woman, stack books around four bound others. I think he intended to burn them all.. Lupa ran in and joined Dorian- while Dorian ran for one of the Tieflings and I offered my bow in support.. But didn't really.. hit anyone.. I wasn't much use in the fight, honestly. Alisa charged in with Lupa and managed to slay the knight and Dorian killed one of the Tieflings while I.. Shot the other who was fleeing.. And killed him. Combat isn't exactly like the books painted it either.. Chaotic and bloody and exciting and absolutely terrifying.. I'm growing a new appreciation for what I Thought I knew. We're going to bed down here tonight and leave Aravashnial with his people. They offered us what they could, an old spell book that was on the pyre, what we could gather from the bodies. Aravashnial even gave us his wand and cloak. He’s a good man, or Elf.. Person. I hope he survives this, that we all do. First light we're going to continue towards Gwerm Manor and probably leave the selfish little man there. Even in the middle of a crisis he thinks only of himself, his needs. He doesn't seem to realize there may not be a Kenabres in a few weeks, days even if the World Wound expands.. We need to find the other crusaders- ACTUAL Crusaders- because we certainly don't know what we're doing other than what we CAN. For now I hope that is enough. We've at least been able to save all the innocent we've crossed. That much I can hold on to. (On the following pages are a full body sketch of Aravashnial and a sketch of the ruined Black Wing Library.) Arodus 24, 4713 AR We bid our farewells to Aravashnial and left him to his fellow Librarians. Our party grows smaller still. I found myself thinking about Sevilis. I wonder if she ever met up with the Riftwardens. I wonder if she was here when the destruction came. I thought alot about my former companions after we departed one another. I hope they're alright out there, wherever they are in the city. We've heard so many rumors- Some mad others.. I don't know. Terendelev carried away to the Worldwound, Possessed Survivors, Monstrous demons loose, and even that the QUEEN was a Succubus and betrayed the Crusade. The whole city is going mad and safety is a distant dream.. While we tried to crawl through the blasted and broken ruins of the Gate District towards Gwerm Manor we found a Tailor's shop, Fine Fittings, and inside was a horrific monster of a demon. It was a squat, ratlike little monster who obsessed over destroying things it found 'pretty' and wanted to... wear our skin and tear our flesh from bone- It was harrowing. I tried to help combat the creature and played an energizing song, a real uplifting tune! And. It seemed to work. Kind of.. While the magic bolstered everyone else.. The demon reached out with it's foul influence and- I'm ashamed, but it made me flee. I swear it did, I'm not a coward. I'm not, I came here to HELP. Lupa, Dorian, and Alisa slew it and, despite my absence, the owners rewarded all of us with a fine outfit. It's a beautiful blue dress suit with golden scrollwork on the equally blue vest.. Gloves and frock like aquamarine, Suit Coat lined in white fur. It would look beautiful at a dance back home.. If I ever get back home. I didn't want to refuse it, but I don't even know if I should Keep it. I can't see us attending court anytime soon, anyway.. The difficult demon wasn't the only black spot of today. The Demons took more from us this afternoon than we'd lost since breaching the surface. Five cultists. One civilian. They were performing some horrible ritual, trying to sacrifice.. Them. Before we could even stop them one after the other unleashed waves of malign energy that washed over us- Through us. It tore at our souls.. The Civilian was left desiccated, a ruined, bloated corpse already well into rotting.. We made them pay, slew every last one. Five for one.. Alisa and Dorian wanted to bury them but.. Lupa and Gwrem protested. It would take too long. Too many bodies already.. I prayed that Sarenrae might show mercy upon her soul, but.. I worry their suffering is not over.. When we finally arrived at the Gwrem estate MORE of those demons awaited, I believe Dorian or Alisa called them 'abrikandilu'. I hate them- Hate. My song again rang out and empowered our band to slaughter the beasts allowing us to take refuge in the manor.. Horgus is very upset- It seems that when they left his staff helped themselves to his things- I don't understand why? Why bother looting in a city besieged? Food, medicine, weapons, I can understand- But who steals vases and paintings when Demons are slaughtering people in the streets?! Perhaps the malignant nature of these monsters are bringing the worst out of folks. Perhaps people are just (The previous line is only barely visible and the rest has been blotted out with ink.) I can't think like that. Horgus has paid the funds he promised to Lupa and our band, 2000 gold to be split between us. He even allowed us a night under his roof in thanks for getting him here. I don't think Horgus is a bad man, he tried to sound grateful, in his own way, when thanking us.. He reminds me of my father, actually. Powerful men unaccustomed to the rest of the world outside their sphere.. I'm going to sleep, we're starting out early for Anevia's home. Arodus 25, 4713 AR The morning began with violence, as it seems is the norm anymore here in Kenabres. We stopped a group of knights trying to sacrifice a young girl, a virgin, upon an altar to Sarenrae herself. The Dawnflower! Stupid myths about the blood of the innocence empowering blades to fight against evil- As if Sarenrae would have blessed a murder like that! Even if good intentions were placed in fear nothing good would have come of such profanity. We managed to apprehend and knock the men out. Lupa tried to scare the girl away, but she just managed to terrify the poor thing. Anevia talked some sense into her and sent her home while we woke one of the knights to tent to his fellows and left them to their piece. Sarenrae watch over them, they said they'd make for Defender's Heart and tell everyone about how we attacked them- but as I pen this we're here and they're not... The rest of the day was spent getting to Anevia's- some Half Orc was there waiting for us however and ambushed Anevia with a summoned beetle, of all things! Lupa spotted him right off even with his magic and from there we made short work of him. According to Anevia he was someone Irabeth put away, Vagorg- A cultist charged with arson. (In the margins the caricature of an arrow riddled Vagorg is bisected by a stylized glowing Alisa while Lupa smashes his foot with her hammer in a dramatic overhead swing) Anevia thankfully found evidence Irabeth had been here, a note telling her she would be at Defender's Heart and a passphrase to use when she got there to be allowed entrance. We headed off as soon as our wounds were tended and sped towards Defender's Heart. I was beginning to think we'd finally have a decent rest as we'd traveled for nearly two hours with nary an enemy in sight as we saw the stoke walls of Defender's Heart in the distance. But, no, Kenabres had one more surprise! I think they were probably trailing us and mustering strength because I have never seen so many rats! Near a dozen of them swarming around us, biting and scratching and screaming! I HATE rats! Freshly bloodied, we left the dead monsters to rot in the street and made our last leg of travel unimpeded! the Inn, if it can even be called that, stood more like a fortress than anything. I don't think we ever visited here when father served, but it was a magnificent sight amid the ruin: More than a hundred Crusaders manning stout stone walls- Blades drawn, crossbows readied.. And pointed at us. After a quick explanation from myself that we were here with Anevia and knew the codeword they quickly brought us in under guard- but not before Irabeth herself charged out to embrace her wife. It was.. Moving. Days we've been out here exposed to one horror after the next- I'd forgotten what it looked like to be safe. I wasn't sure if I'd see that kind of love again. Irabeth holding Anevia for dear life, like she’d never let her go. If not for us, would she have? I am blessed to have been a small part in their reunion. (Below is a quick, rough sketch of Defender's Heart's entrance and several figures armed and armored dotting around it's walls. But the focus is of Anevia and Irabeth embraced at the entrance.) I believe we've become quite popular here, thankfully. After selling off what we've gathered over this grueling week everyone settled in to relax- Actually relax! For the first time since falling below Kenabres. Lupa has been drinking with anyone who will share a seat with her and there is no shortage there. Alisa has been hovering around the Paladins and clerics- I don;t know if she's actually talked to anyone, but she looks happy at least. And Dorian has been enjoying himself as well with a little drink and actual food. I'm glad they can all unwind. We met someone else today. After explaining things to Irabeth and making plans to head to Topaz Solutions a battle exploded outside. It was a swarm of little malformed beings apparently called 'Dretches'. They're like bloated little flesh-colored goblins... The Guards and a Mage made short work of them just as we all came into the street to aid. (In the margins are several doodles of Vic's forehead tattoo, two sideways 'V's with a dot separating them.) The Mage reported to Irabeth who'd come outside with us, he apparently had gone out and made contact with Sull- they'll get their chance yet to fight.. He also introduced himself to our party as Victeren Morgathai. He seemed affable enough- if a little forward. But he holds himself well. In fact I’d thought him a lord by the name when he kissed my hand and introduced himself, the Elven Morgathai's are well known- but he insisted he has no rank nor title but recognized my name and claimed to have served with my family in the fourth crusade, but I don't recall ever hearing of father battling alongside a Morgathai... Still he is a capable caster and wasn't shy with his spear either, so his skill certainly speaks to some truth. For now as we all head for our rooms, we're here, we're alive, and we're moving forward. Tomorrow Topaz. Arodus 26, 4713 AR We found a new friend in Victeren this morning and have added a fifth again to our party! With our Elvish ally in toe, our crusading quintet marched out from our new port in this storm towards Topaz Solutions! Where we again met with these Large Rats. Lupa cursed at the vermin control in the city once they were all dead and Victeren cleansed me of the filth they carried- he doesn't look like a Cleric, but he doesn't have a spell book either.. I think he might have a point- The Rats having been changed by the Demonic incursion. (In the margins there are various simple drawings of a man with a rapier skewering rats, a tall elven man with several stuck on a spear, and two women, one armored canine with a sword, one human with a hammer, smashing rats.) Topaz Solutions, when re arrived, looked to be in bad shape- windows shuttered and its door off one hinge. I would have preferred a little more planning, but with Lupa and Alisa the direct path is the most well traveled. They spoke with looters inside- One thing lead to another and Alisa mentioned 'the Law' and blades were drawn. I think they were used to 'easy scores' because they seemed woefully under prepared for combat. One kept fumbling with his bow, Lupa actually DRANK as swung around her hammer- It all seemed like a lot of chaos, but they all died and we were a little worse for wear but standing.. They had gathered a lot of potions, some silverware, cut a handsome man's portrait from its frame. I wonder if he was a noble here- Or someone of note in the city? We gathered everything for the effort, I'm sure someone back in the Inn can make use of it. After gathering what we could use we searched the store we found a secret door at the back of the building that led down into a hidden basement- Damp, horrible packed earthen walls and floor- It was definitely 'Do it yourself Dungeoning' and the floor was stained in spots with rotting plant matter. Along the back wall the cult had painted Baphomet's mark above a table and some horrible little snake-woman monster figurine with swords and a bottle atop it and a chest under the table. It was a trap! It should have been obvious it was a trap- We knew it was a trap! We looked! But the moment we got close to the table the Goat head in the symbol seemed to speak, "Ah, I hope you are among Iomedae's slaves- I would hate to think of mere peasants wasting such a personal greeting from Lord Baphomet!" 'Baphomet' seemed to serve as a trigger phrase for the doll and it brought it's swords down on the bottle, gas filled the room, and some kind of horrible plant-thing lunged out of the plant refuse onto Lupa! Lupa threw the damned thing off while choking on the gas, Victeren stumbled out sick, and the rest of use worked on killing the horrible thing. (Bellow is a sketch of a monstrous child-like creature made of leaves, vines, bark, and tubers with a wide mouth of horrible teeth-like daggers.) With it dead we staggered out of the gas and waited for it to fade. I have the feeling that whoever laid this trap has either an inflated sense of ego or a terrible sense of humor. Maybe both. Between the 'personal' message from their fake painted Baphomet to a message he left in the chest- They actually taunted us, a note that read "We don't need these anymore, but figured if you survived our surprise, it would be just plain rude to leave behind an empty chest for your troubles!"- And ACTUALLY coated five symbols of Iomedae they'd used to pose as worshipers in CONTACT POISON! I wish we could return these to the faithful, but we just didn't have anything to cleanse them with. I left a note of warning- we can send someone for them later. Lupa smashed the symbol for good measure and, I think, to work out some of her anger. I did, however, take the little doll- I didn't feel right leaving it here with the symbols. Moving swiftly from Topaz Solutions we trekked back into the city determined to clear all the Cultist hideouts. Along the way however we ran into a small. Problem. More rats. THANKFULLY they seem to be thinning out, or at least the ones we ran into. Dorian and I finished one while Victeren and Alisa killed two more and Lupa smacked one off down the street. I think she is legitimately building a hatred for rats- I mean I can't blame her, horrible little vermin. On the way to the Tower we devised a strategy, or at least something approaching one since the shop went sideway quickly. We decided to approach as though we were cultists! We even planned to use the password! And when we got there it even worked! Dorian led the way, knocked and said the word and they let us right in! We were supposed to debrief with someone called Faxon before we could 'rest up' and we were going to do just that. Only- It was a good idea, it really was. All the cultists were dressed up as Iomedaean worshipers, not Desnites , so trying to play Alisa off as a captive was a really good idea if anyone got curious! It just- One of the cultists judged Alisa a little on wearing Paladin symbols and seemed to be 'palling' around with her. And Dorian told him not to talk to the prisoner- so he asked why she was still armed and I said we had her charmed and were using her for protection and- I can't lie to save my life, I guess. Literally. They raised the alarm and everything went down from there. One of them ran downstairs to warn 'Faxon' and I failed, again, to catch them with hold person- It was a mess. In the end half of us ended up stuck in the stairwell while Alisa, Dorian, and Lupa killed the other cultist and Faxon, a tiefling apparently. We gathered up their supplies in the basement and found an absolutely WRONG place of worship to Baphomet- Stained altar with curving knives and horns, walls painted with star-shaped symbols, and a giant bronze minotaur head on the far wall. Thinking about it, It's kind of strange. I wasn't aware Baphomet had a Star symbol.. Maybe its just a general cult-y thing. The whole place radiated wrongness, Lupa and Alisa tried to cleanse at least the altar with some holy water, but it didn't really seem to do anything. Alisa also pried the Minotaur off the wall, apparently it was magic? I. Probably should use the cantrip Detect Magic more often. Note to self, Read above. Among the looted items we found a number of troubling documents. Such as years of detailed paperwork from the Ivory Labyrinth detailing plans and movements. They've been spying for a very long time on the Crusade. With all these names though we're sure to take a hit at their network. More troubling however was a note from the Demonic ruler of Raliscrad herself, Minagho, detailing plans to use something called a 'Nahyndrian Crystal' on the Wardstone to 'finish the job and turn the Wardstones fully to our use.' More over its to be delivered from the Abyss by VORLESH herself! The Architect of the Worldwound! Here! Thankfully the Manor wasn't much. We arrived at a ruin and a hole in the ground. The destruction has nearly annihilated the whole structure completely, anything else was just lying in heaps. If there was anything from the cult here, we weren't going to get it so we turned back. Rats. Again. On the way back. I'm honestly worried, I mean I assume there were always rats in the city, it's a CITY. But this is like. A tide of vermin. Everytime we creep out into the city for a few hours another wave crashes down. And these are demon dire rats! Even if we do save the city, how long will these plague bearing monsters hide in the ruins and rubble? And those that escape under the city? I'm legitimately concerned. Vermin aside, we made it back to the inn safely and most of us just wanted sleep. Dorian and I gathered together the notes and explained to her everything we learned. Understandably she was very disturbed, but rewarded us for our efforts with a hefty amount of gold. And even more when we delivered the plans of the Ivory Labyrinth. Apparently even one of their spies were here! Irabeth had her people make 'short work' of him. She alluded to wanting to speak to us first thing in the morning. Someone around that she wants us to meet after she spoke with them about our information. I'm just glad to have made it another day, here in a warm bed. Tomorrow we live to fight again. Tomorrow I hope to see this bed again. Rest again. One day at a time. Arodus 27 4713 AR We're about to head out again after speaking with Irabeth. A lot has happened. The man Irabeth wanted us to meet is Quendnys Orlun, the founder of the Blackwing Library. He's been helping constantly with the effort since the attack and was very thankful we managed to do what we could for his people- Aravashnial even made it here! Irabeth however had very grave news: She believes the attack on Kenabres is just the beginning of a far worse plot. The blow the demons struck was meant to draw people in, attracting as many forces of the crusade to the city like moths to flame. The Wardstone is believed to still exist in some form as the barrier is still up and Irabeth believes it has been taken to where the Locust Host has martial in Old Kenabres. The belief is that they intend to corrupt the Wardstone and use them all against us to cripple, if not completely destroy our forces. The Crystal is key and we have been asked to raid the Garrison before Vorlesh arrives with it to complete her plot. To this end Orlun provided us with a magic rod to cancel the Stone's power. Like Victeren I wish we didn't have to, but Irabeth is right- while the field here still stands, the ruined stone will always be a threat- Indeed if the stones can be corrupted and used against us they may not even be safe anymore all together. Irabeth said the end of the Crusade was upon us, and I think she is right. We have to save Kenebres. The crusade has to push the demons back from the border. If they can't there will just be another Kenebres- and people like us might not be here to help then. WE might not even succeed now- Regardless, we're gearing up now. The others are speaking with the suppliers, Irabeth is going to be joining us- We either need to hit them hard and fast or coordinate in stages with the other Crusaders- One way or the other it comes down to us. We need to slip into the Gray Garrison and stop this. Thankfully we have some Descendants joining us, Chief Sull met with the Crusaders during our planning, it was good to see Lann made it up- It's strangely heartening to know the children of the First Crusaders are at our backs for this.. Aravashnial also came down to give his thanks, he geared us with some items that will certainly come in handy, not to mention the gear Lord Gwerm pledged. I'm glad they made it here safe. Even if Lord Gwerm had to be escorted. I'm going to speak with one of the suppliers, we're nearly ready to go. Note, Sketch Orlun and Victeren later We've just returned from the Garrison- Things there are bad, not worse than we thought- But Bad. On approach Lupa nearly gave us away trying to smash a rat poking through the ruined road, Irabeth confirmed my suspicion- Rats were not a great problem in the city until the Demons came- Horrible little shock troops, like imps to Demons, I think. Or something to that effect.. At the Door to the Garrison we saw two guards that some of us recognised instantly: Lord Mayor Hulrun and Kandro Nyserian of the same manor we'd investigated. Both men were hideously bloated and bare of any clothing. Corrupted by Demonic influence. I, Dorian, and Descendants force moved into the ruins to get line of sight on them while Irabeth, Alisa, and Lupa approved to have words with the men. I don't know what words were said, but Alisa approached the doors and the two former nobles attacked! The combat was violent and horrible- The men had indeed been corrupted- their formed home to horrible worm-like creatures that burst from their head and used their bodies like puppets! They discarded their flesh as our warriors hacked away at them and quickly ruined the monsters. After the fight we had words what to do with the men, despite being a traitor we decided to pull Hulrun and Nyserian aside to take back for burial- it only felt right And Lupa shed her human form again after giving a short warning to Irabeth and Victeren- I'd like to think she took some comfort in my own appearance since Victeren's talk, she should feel comfortable around companions. After Dorian moved to sneak in to scout the first room while we posted at the entrance- Unfortunately he made some noise and alerted a band of Tieflings inside- I question these men and women and their motives. Why would they do this? Even the descendants, in their malformed shapes, fight for the side of good despite their corruption. What has made these Tieflings surrender to their base blood? I wouldn't have a chance to ask, we didn't take any prisoners. One ran to sound an alarm and Lupa sped in to check him with her hammer killing him. The fight was a slaughter from there- as we moved in their resolve broke and they just tried to run for help. One of the six made it and we let him go figuring surprise was out now. In the side room sat a befouled shrine to Iomedae and we, of course, did the right thing in cleansing it. Washing it in holy water and scrubbing the filth and blood from it. Dorian and I even discovered while scrubbing it's base that looking up from such an angle revealed secret celestial runes- If I ever make it back home I will need to thank Father Ruwell for including Celestial in my studies. The Shrine read 'Let us Inherit thy arms, Iomedae'. A phrase that will become important later! At the time though Alisa, I think, took it as a sign of dedication and assumed the Inheritor's Pose with Radiance and repeated the phrase- I hope it brought her some solace and that her goddess Desna doesn't mind too much.. Honestly I never met a Paladin of Desna and father never had a high opinion of her presets. Vagabonds and cheats- I don't think Alisa is like that though. Quiet, but not conniving. Still a dedication couldn't hurt, I followed with Sarenrae's wings before we moved on. Victeren, bless him, felt demons in the room beside us so rather than pursuing the Tiefling we moved to handle the demons- There isn't a single demon that I like, but the monstrous beasts called 'Abrikandilus' are near the top of my list for most hated. They wreck and ruin anything that isn't as awful as themselves with manic glee and wild abandon. Just like they ruined the museum we found these two in. Everything smashed to bits- Even the shelves! Obviously we charged in to destroy the monsters and managed it quite well, but we did see one of them SUMMON a second. Some stories ring true, Demons can call forth their blighted brethren. We'll need to be careful of this in the future, I think. After we slew the lot of the demons we found the bodies of two dead Crusader knights, their heads taken, bodies broken, armor smashed and dented. We did what we could for them, praying for their souls and their rest. In addition we also recovered the only thing to survive the destruction: a Morningstar forge of Numerian Steel! Actual Adamantine! Not only that, but it also seemed to hold some magic within it as an enchanted weapon. Needless to say, we recovered it for the Crusade. After we moved into the Hall and Dorian tried a door to our left. He heard voices saying 'We have intruders' and 'Don't open the door' so we left them be and moved across the hall. What followed may have been our toughest fight yet, and not without cost. Dorian, Irabeth, and Victeren charged in to find three Cultists and the Tiefling that escaped us there in the ruined Garrison's temple. The cultists charged and battle was joined, but before Lupa and I could enter we saw the room behind our friends open and a vial of some explosive substance fly out and explode! Lupa charged after the ambusher yelling for us to take the Cultists- Which we tried. The Battle was long, blow for blow they wore at us with their fowl energies sapping our life and energy. I managed to daze one while Dorian and Irabeth fought. I called out to the Descendants to support us, bless them, and support they tried. The chaos of combat was overwhelming- Victeren slipped between stabbing with his Spear and casting spells to heal out people all the while we could hear Lupa's howls of rage and explosion after explosion. Dorian threw something in after her and shortly after Victeren ran in after her- One of their number fell, then two, then three and then everything went black as smoke choked and billowed around us. I heard- flet people running. I.. Ran out to find Lupa screaming at a Cultist lunging for the door. He rapped his hands on it and it swung open. I saw more cultists inside- One of our Descendants screamed, a body hit the floor. Lupa and the Cultist lurched as though something unseen pushed past them and the door slammed shut. Lupa howled and it was then I realized she was on FIRE! She grabbed the Cultist and. Ate his throat. And then started trying to batter the door down herself. Nothing I said seemed to reach her- It wasn't until Irabeth told her to calm herself that she finally seemed to come back to us. She growled and worked on patting herself out and followed us back into the temple where she promptly slid down a wall and settled in. At the end of it all we were tired, bloodied, and one of our men had been killed, his throat slit in the confusion. We took stock and decided the best course now would be to look over the Temple and adjoining room before withdrawing to the Defender's. With our Descendants watching the door we did our best at cleansing the temple. Lupa tore down a grotesque array of stitched arms, I assume to Deskari, and broke it apart while Alisa and I righted and cleaned the altar. Under the sight of the remaining battleworn statues of Crusader heroes I felt.. Something. A warmth, like a steadying hand on my shoulder. Maybe its just in my head, but it feels right, what we're doing. And I believe Iomedae is looking out for us, because once we'd finished cleansing her temple a part of the far back wall lit like a light glowing through the cracks of a door. I knew what it meant, a secret phrase for a secret door. I spoke the words we'd discovered at the altar and the wall slid away to reveal an impressive armory. Irabeth called it a gift from the Inheritor. And I think she is right. We gathered up the supplies, some for ourselves some for the Crusade, and explored the far room Lupa had fought in. She said he was a tiefling and I suspect this was his personal room. He'd moved many of the chairs and a table against the far wall and had destroyed what was once a tapestry map of Mendev- Again it seems all they adhere to is destruction and ruin! I cannot imagine what has twisted them to desire the destruction of all things as fellow mortals. Victeren found among his things plans to create an alchemical formula to befoul things, specifically Holy Symbols, with demonic plague. We gathered his notes and his equipment to deny him as much we could. Additionally Alisa found a sword case with, apparently, Irabeth's family sword. According to a note Nyserian, the man Irabeth sold it to, had brought it here with him to provide to Staunton Vhane in exchange for a new life in Drezen. At least that is what the Tiefling, his name revealed as Othirubo, believed. Instead he took the sword to give to the Dwarven traitor-lord himself and infested Lord Nyserian with a 'Vermlek' for not turning the sword over as soon as he received it. Irabeth says she sold it to the lord for coins to buy her wife a potion- I think it would make a very nice love story myself. Mighty Paladin selling her family sword to give the love of her life a life-saving potion. Note to self, ask the Tirablades permission to write love sonnet. Without further discussion we returned her family blade, to her teary thanks, and then made a quick retreat with those who needed burial. Now we sit, resting. Dorian has been at my side for some time as I write this, hand stroking my head as mother used to. It's... comforting, better times. Lupa has been drinking with Alisa and Victeren and seems to be in at least some better spirits since relaxing with them. I'm glad we've all made it back again- But someone didn't. I don't even know his name, but I commanded him into battle all the same. Sull assured me he knew the risks and it was an honor for him to die under duty like that... But alone? In the middle of a group of allies? Throat slit in the dark and chaos? That isn't how heros die. I will remember him. I will pray for him. (On the reverse page is a drawing of a lightly armored Mongrelman armed with bow and club. Below it the date Arodus 27 4713 AR)

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