The Journal of Luciende Talnoch

[Luciende Talnoch]

The words are written upon the first, formerly blank page of an ornate, leather-bound journal with the image of an ouroboros etched upon its front and its back covers. Along the spine is etched an elegant rapier. 

"The following entry was written upon the Twenty-Ninth Sundas of Morning Star in 2E 615 at roughly five thirty in the morning.

Just the other day- immediately as I arrived on Stros M'kai- I met the most interesting person while disembarking from the ship I traveled there upon. She only gave me a moniker- Red Viper-, and she had a dog- Snot- who bit me upon my trying to meet him. I am still, determined, though! I shall prove myself to Snot... Maybe, though, I should not put it quite that way while talking to other Men or Mer? In any case, we talked out in the cold night for a bit until she complained that it would "freeze her nipples off". Just one of the many interesting mannerisms she displayed!

We got to talking about quite a few different things, but eventually she told the tale of how she acquired her "palace". Apparently, a vampire wanted to get to her, so she used it as a lure? That part I am unclear of exactly, but what I am clear about is that- depending upon how well I interact with her and two of her colleagues- I may have found a new lodging. That is... A very exciting possibility! Especially because, if it pans out, and if my impression of her is correct, it may mean I've found- already!- a home and a leader. That is what excites me even more. 

However, I must not let this overwhelm my sense of duty- I came here for a contract, and I must get on it. I was hired to infiltrate the Grave and liberate a prisoner who would know the location of a lost... something. I was never told what it was! But, I imagine it must be important or valuable... Why else would my contract be so lucrative as to cover the seafaring voyage's cost about, oh, maybe ten times over? In any case, tomorrow I will start working on the contract... I have a lot of planning and observing to do!"

---

A tad bit under the last word that was written there is a straight, horizontal line drawn, as if to mark the end of the entry.

[Luciende Talnoch]

The words written here begin after a spacing between the horizontal line drawn between it and the entry written before it.

"The following entry was written upon the Twentieth Sundas of First Seed in the Six Hundredth and Fifteenth Year of the Second Era at roughly four and three fourths hours past midnight.

I have scouted the outside of the Grave thoroughly, and plotted numerous ways in and out. As to the insides... As if luck itself were on my side, I feigned an academic interest in the Grave to some people in the tavern who seemed scholarly. I believe one was in the Mage's Guild, because he told me to wait for him before leaving and, upon returning, he brought an old tome. It included the history of the Grave, biographies of many of it's former- and present!- inhabitants, and even a rough sketch of the general floor plan. What with this gem and my preparation, I feel very well prepared to infiltrate. I just now finished purveying the tome, and light shall come soon... so, though not now, I shall do it tonight!"

Again, there is a straight, horizontal line drawn spaced a bit after the last line of the entry.