28th of Ches - Night

I just survived my first combat! I put my journal away, got as comfortable as I could on the ground, and hoped sleep would take me before the tears began to flow. I have cried more in the last few days than I have for most of my life. I hadn't been laying there for long when I heard Hunter call the alert, the camp was under attack by the undead!

Dad always told me to keep my crossbow nearby just in case, especially at night. I grabbed the crossbow, stood up, and peeked out of the tent. I saw the group of Val's friends fighting off some zombies to my right and to my left Westerly, the animal hand, was on the ground, trying to keep a skeleton at bay with his dagger. I leveled my crossbow, took aim, and let the bolt fly at the skeleton. And of course, my first shot in my first combat goes wild. I must have jerked my arm while firing, well it has been a while since I shot it. I swore and dropped the crossbow while running toward Westerly determined to protect the teen. When I reached Westerly, I put myself between him and the skeleton. I raised one hand towards the skeleton and grasped my badge of Kelemvor with the other while shouting "Cinnos!", and a radiant light erupted from the skeleton, breaking off part of its bones!

I looked back to check on Westerly and in that moment two more skeletons came from somewhere and partially surrounded us. Thankfully, Westerly took the opportunity my attack gave him to stand up.

I felt the panic rising and tried to think of some way Westerly and I could walk away at the end of this fight. I knew I could use Kelemvor's power again, but we were also very far from the rest of the group.

And then suddenly Val was at my side, he moved as swift as a tiger! It took me a moment to notice, but he looked different, more feral; his feet were replaced by paws with sharp claws. Similarly, his hands were bent oddly with sharp claws at the ends of his fingers.

The skeleton I had just attacked took that moment to thrust back at me with deadly accuracy. Just as fast, Val's sword was between the skeleton's sword and me, saving me from what I'm sure would have been a serious wound! He smiled at me exposing fangs, which looked a bit disturbing as a smile. I smiled back in thanks before I focused my divine power on the three skeletons. Bones flew everywhere! And the original skeleton broke completely apart!

Val moved around behind the two new skeletons, while Westerly stabbed at the one to his right. First Val hit the skeleton between Westerly and me, then with his other sword, he swung and connected with the other one. Bones flew all around us as the undead were eradicated! Naturally, I'm a bit shaken having just survived my first combat, but I somehow managed to keep myself together.

I looked around but didn't see any more undead. So, I took a moment and reached out with my consciousness feeling for any more undead nearby. Pyre and Wilavor came to me about healing the injured, and I told them I couldn't sense any undead nearby. When they questioned how I knew, I told them Kelemvor gave me the gift to sense undead. They accepted my answer and went off to coordinate care for their respective groups. I started my rounds to care for those who were injured. For the most part, everyone looked well enough for being attacked. And all the injuries were superficial to mild, nothing that some tending to and a good night's sleep won't fix.

I know I should feel worn out, and I can feel how weary my body is, but I can't stop my mind. I had hoped writing about my experience would quiet my mind, but it has only made me think more.

Surviving combat and fighting against the undead is not what I expected in my life. I planned to join the ranks of the Mortarchs, I feel at peace caring for the dead and comforting the grieving. My experience with death has given me a better understanding, which helps me connect with those grieving the passing of their loved ones. The church gave me a home and a place to feel safe and accepted. I guess I thought I would live out the rest of my days at the church in peace and doing what I love.

Fighting the undead will not lead to a peaceful life.

But how could I possibly ignore the need to exterminate the undead in this area? I wouldn't be able to call myself a cleric of Kelemvor if I allowed these abominations to terrorize people. A week ago I would have found a Doomguide or Necrobane to take care of this problem. But I've seen my future, and I will be fighting. Maybe this attack is a sign…