D'Saferate Family/Corwin/Journal/3
Chapter 3: Itorunt
My men and I, now numbering 16 after finding a few new recruits in Ibladesh, headed deeper into the forest. The path my scout chose was old but still easy to follow. The ancient cobbles buried beneath the rotting vegetation constantly fought to trip us up as we trudged on deeper into the woods. We finally emerged onto a new and well-kept road. A sign informed me that I had entered Itorunt, the southernmost realm on the East Continent. After continuing south-west for another day we reached a small village on the edge of the Inner Sea. A local messenger took my official welcome off to the capital to inform the rulers of my arrival, I wouldn’t want them worrying about armed strangers in their lands asking questions. Across the Inner Sea (also called Lake Lucian), Ibladesh city could be seen. Not more than a few days ago I was there. The world seems so big, yet small at the same time.
After interviewing the locals a bit, I found out that the region in the worst shape was one called Dayr, a few days west of here and on the ocean. Whilst we might not be able to do anything for the peasants there, at least it was something we could try, and it would give me a good tour of the lands of the Itorunt. During the journey I received letters from a few individuals, One letter I received from Robert told me the history of East Continent with a special focus on the Kalamar, and Avamar situation. Other letters I received were from Wilfred and a trader and scholar named Tomaas. Tomaas informed me of the existence of the Academy of Knowledge. A continent-wide guild dedicated to learning and wisdom. I think I will check into that when I finally reach the city of Semall. He also told me tales of Oligarch, an ancient realm now destroyed.
After arriving in Dayr my men and I were approached by a screaming peasant boy who informed us that his parents were about to be eaten by a monster, so we set out north and when we arrived we saw the awful beast, a huge ape-ish creature covered in dirty, foul-smelling hair. Not much of a match for sixteen men, but it was work. The beast was trying to break down the door to a small house, and doing a good job of it too, when it sensed us. The beast turned around and let out a loud screeching wail and nine more of them emerged from the nearby trees. The healing scar tissue in my side reminded me how badly things like this could go, but I decided that if anything leadership might just pull us through. I rallied the Blood and set them up to charge the beasts, Cedred (the captain of the Blood) and I were barley done yelling our orders before the enemy was upon us. The fight was long and gruesome, and in the end all ten of the beasties lay dead at our feet, the cost was steep though, five of my men were dead and seven were wounded. I myself remained unscathed, although winded and in need of ale.
After a brief rest me and the Blood set out to Semall where we re-fitted and were invited to many discussions about military tactics and realm matters. In contrast to Ibladesh, the nobles of Itorunt openly talk of strategies and promote experimentation. Some of the local lords even funded nobles experiments and realm-wide discussions took place about everything from recruitment centers to the effectiveness of line settings in combat. It seemed that anyone who had a request or just had something to say was heard out and treated as an equal. I am truly amazed with the realm’s organization and if things go well I would very much like to return for a visit someday. For now though the wind is blowing and it is time to head back north, for the East Continent is large and I’m not getting any younger.
