Ozimius' Journal

Reconnaissance Report

posted Jun 24, 2010, 9:08 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak

The nineteenth day of Undecitina may prove to be one of significance, but nothing like the twentieth.

Xunor arrived at the cabin to report on the situation in Troll's Bridge and it is dire.  It is impossible to pass in and out of the city without a particular substance that Miquilius acquired the knowledge and possession of from Emulov shortly after the barrier was raised.  This substance is steelisin.  I am certain the rest of my friends will have no trouble entering the city since Legeand is likely to lead the way and he is encased in the stuff.  Our passages is gained by use of a small knife forged from this strange metal.

With access to the city by a number of secret ways, we will have little trouble infiltrating.  We will have escape routes and means of using Imhiakaam's activities to our advantage.

Of course, there are the vampires that we will have to be careful with, but in only takes some preparation to prevent them from being a problem.

Tomorrow my people will begin the usurpation of Troll's Bridge's underworld and the rest of the city will not even know it is happening.  So Sajenese.

Beginning the Hunt

posted Jun 10, 2010, 4:00 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak   [ updated Jun 22, 2010, 9:39 AM ]

Having my sanity back and only now talking to my skulls as a ploy to keep my enemies believing I am still under the effects of the disease, I begin anew a journal this eightteenth day of Undecitina of the year 1000 of the Age of Chaos to organize my ideas for hunting Imhiakaam and leading my countrymen back into their rightful position within Saje.

To begin, I need to normalize the situation with Aris and "Balis" to get our forces back into Troll's Bridge while chaos reigns there.  I need to conceal my plans and thoughts and cure, but this chaos should allow me some flexibility and cover as I take on the leadership of my expatriate Sajenese.

Dealing with Imhiakaam will be very dangerous and I must remember that she will likely discover what I am up to.  She must remember our encounter in the Age of Demons and I am certain that she took great joy in impersonating a Sphinx clanswoman.  For the time being, I need to try and keep her in that role if for no other reason than to keep her from attending to her other self-appointed duty of corrupter of Troll's Bridge.

I hope to rally all Sajenese to this secluded location in Tanglewood near Troll's Bridge and re-establish our presence and lay the foundation for utter control of its underground.

Ah, it seems that through some magical summons, my countrymen begin to approach.  The Elder Ring of Khan seems to be pulsing in anticipation of their arrival.  I must prepare.

My Mind's Eye

posted Feb 11, 2009, 11:27 AM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:08 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

I have an odd vision in my mind's eye. I don't understand it. But I will sketch it here. Later, if it's meaning becomes clear, I may understand it. In the mean time, if my mind is lost, I have a record. Perhaps it will help.

Odd Dream

posted Feb 11, 2009, 11:03 AM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:10 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

I had a strange dream. I don't understand it. But it makes my skin crawl recalling it. Is it the past? The future? Or am I losing my mind...

Since the dream my mind has been clearer. THEY no longer speak to me incessantly. I will welcome the respite. Restful sleep, so long just a memory, might yet return. I can only hope.

It seems the ring has some history, or some destiny. I can only wonder what part I am to play. I think I must seek out the kin I thought I did not have. Perhaps they hold the key to my sanity. Or perhaps my damnation.

One thing is clear in my mind. I will carve my own future. If those of my clan will join me willingly, then I will embrace them. If they will not, then I shall let the darkness within me free, and let the blood flow freely. They will pay for abandoning Ozimius Khan.

Afraid to sleep

posted Nov 10, 2008, 5:38 PM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:12 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

I hate to sleep alone anymore. The shadows are my only solace. The dark hides me, comforts me. Sleep eludes me, for I fear the voices. The three of them, they are evil.

The first whispers of plots within plots. She warns me to watch the others. She tells me Legeand wishes to kill me, to abandon me to death. She tells me Oliveryn is deceiving me, that once he has his throne he’ll imprison me. And she tells me Wintersky wants to trap my soul.

The second taunts me with visions of Devil armies. But I am no longer me, I am a huge Pit Fiend. I’m powerful, unstoppable. But I am also a slave, to his will and direction. All run in fear before me, my army spreading like a plague before me, swarming all before them. But I fear myself.

The last is the worst. He calls me names, stupid, fool, weakling. He tells me I am powerless, useless, unskilled, incompetent. I hate him the most. I should have killed him when I had the chance. I could have done it when he lived. Now, I don’t know. I just don’t know...

Prophecy

posted Nov 10, 2008, 5:36 PM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:13 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

Prophecy. Even thinking about it isn’t pleasant. How is a simple man to know the meaning of prophecy? Are we the seven mentioned? Those gathered seem to think we are. Personally I don’t believe it. Why would I be mentioned? How would someone in another time know anything about me or us? Time will tell I suppose.

Even the voices dispute the prophecy. The schemer tells me it’s a trick. Sometimes I believe her. Look at the company they gathered to discuss this whole prophecy idea. Kings and queens. Immortals and Liches. She tells me it’s a trick by the mages and nobles to ensnare us. She tells me they want to use us for their own petty schemes. Power struggles and court intrigue. I don’t understand it. I don’t like it.

The fiery one tells me they’re plotting to enslave me again. He tells me run, hide, fight. Submit to the visions he taunts me with. Become powerful, become immortal. Become immune to the plots of mages and kings. Rule my own kingdom in hell he tells me. I feel swayed by him. He is seductive. He promises all I desire. But I am unsure. Lies hidden in half truths he whispers in my ear. Find you past he advises. Find who you are. Whispers of power and strength, riches and prestige are his currency. He knows my desires, he’s seen my soul. Release yourself he tells me; give in to the anger and the hate. Feed on the pain of the past. None of them understand me, only he is my friend he whispers. I am confused. I don’t understand. He tried to kill me. He tells me he only tried to release my inner power. I don’t know anymore. Is he friend or foe? Does he seek to aid me or destroy me? Deception or truth? I no longer know.

Perhaps I will seek my past. Perhaps I will try to find out who I was. Where I came from. My parents are dead. But surely the know on the plantation. They must. The taunter tells me I will fail. But I can’t. I must succeed. They will tell me what I need to know. They will tell me, willingly or not. I owe them for my past. I owe them for the pain. They will talk, they will speak the truth, and blood will flow freely if they hesitate. I will have the truth. The hate and the pain can become my strength, my power. Let them remember me. Let them fear me. Ozimius will return home and he will know the truth!

Deceivers

posted Nov 10, 2008, 5:35 PM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:15 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

Voices, voices speak to me. They no longer whisper, but speak as though they were with me. I know them now, all three of them. Deceivers! Lies! I keep them close to me now, one never knows where magic is involved. They could come back for me, hurt me, kill me. I keep them close...

Whispers

posted Nov 10, 2008, 5:34 PM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:16 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

The whispers are getting louder. The haunt me in my sleep. They mock me, taunt me. They tell me lies, or at least I think they’re lies. I’m not sure anymore. Perhaps I should tell Sparta. That little man is a mountain of loyalty and common sense. He might believe me...

Strange Company

posted Nov 10, 2008, 6:48 AM by Unknown user   [ updated Feb 8, 2010, 5:17 PM by Stephen Pliska-Matyshak ]

OK, things are getting a bit complicated, and somehow I've managed to stay out of trouble for a few days, so I'm starting this diary to keep things straight in my head.

We picked up a new addition to the group today. Mask is her name. At least I think it's a her. She or He wears robes and a mask so it's hard to tell. Maybe it's a girl, maybe it's a man with no "parts". I don't think I want to find out....

Senafar met us at the party after the devils attacked. She showed me a vision of myself as a Lord. Gods imagine that! Me, a Lord! I almost fainted. That will never happen. I'll be lucky to not be hung.

Speaking of the Devils, they had nice wings! Boy I like flying. I thought about having someone sew a pair on my armor, but they desolved when they died. Sad, that. Oli said he would teach me to fly like he does, but I don't think it will work. I don't seem to have any his magic abilities. Oh well, I'm sure there will be more devils and more wings I can steal!

One thing concerned me today. I heard a voice tell me I killed his son. I can only assume it was Imhiakaam. I don't stand a chance against that one. And I can't seem to get rid of this damned dagger. It keeps coming back for more, like it has a mind of it's own. No one will tell me what it does or why. I can't help but wonder if they don't know or they just don't want me to know. I am a bit worried that Nagav wasn't the only son of Imhiakaam.

Tesela hasn't paid me a visit since I had my "misunderstanding" with Gaultarkis. I wonder if she's mad at me for what happened with Gaultarkis. I still don't know what happened with that guy, but he was strange anyway. He never did seem to get along. Funny, I had a better relationship with Nagav and he was a Fiend and tried to possess me. I just don't seem to have much luck with making friends here. Other then our group, my only friends are Tesela and Tracyka and maybe Luvian. Speaking of Tracyka, I have to work a bit harder with her. Still not having luck getting her in my bed, but I'm persistent!

The group is a bit odd of late. Since Iyam died, it's changed. We picked up a strange woman named Wintersky. She's nice and I like her. She sleeps with her animals, in a cone shaped tent she calls a Teepee. Not natural if you ask me. But she's a good spirit and a good person. She has a thing for Oli I think, which should be interesting to watch. And she doesn't seem to judge me, even though I'm a bit less noble then the others.

Legeand on the other hand I don't trust. He's always complaining about me getting into trouble, as if I'm doing it on purpose. I think he'd like it if I wasn't around at all. I'll be watching that one closely. He seems to be fascinated by magical weapons. Perhaps that's his weakness.

Oli is a bit preoccupied of late. It's the heir thing I think. Plans upon plans upon plans. But I still trust him. He's never lied to me since that time when we first met and he tried to fool me into thinking he knew where his father's house was. He's a good man, even for a bard.

Nyza's been growing in power. She seems to be fascinated by fire. I hope she keeps herself safe. Magic is a strange thing, and I don't trust it.

Sparta, well he remains Sparta. I trust him completely. He's always willing to cover my back when I get a little over ambitious.

Well, my money's running low so I better get to work on some ideas how to liberate some more for myself...

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