Updated 1/16/24

28th of Ches - Night

We were just attacked and 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 lying 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 close at hand while we were on the road, just in case, especially at night. I grabbed it and the quiver of bolts from beside my bedroll and leapt to my feet. My heart was pounding in my chest as I crept to the tent flap and peeked out.

The scene was chaotic. People were pouring out of their tents and rushing in all directions. I spotted Val and his friends fighting off some zombies to my right, but to my left, Westerly, one of the animal hands, was on the ground. A skeleton was looming over him, and Westerly was trying desperately to keep it at bay with his dagger. I stepped clear of my tent, leveled my crossbow, took aim, and let the bolt fly at the skeleton. Naturally, my first shot, in my first combat situation, went wild.

I can hear my father's voice telling Envon and me, "You must practice often so that your body knows what to do when you need it to." I should have listened and made the time to practice after moving to the church.

Swearing, I dropped the crossbow and ran toward Westerly determined to protect the teen. When I reached him, I planted myself firmly between him and the skeleton as I began to summon Kelemvor's power. With one hand raised towards the skeleton, I grasped my badge of Kelemvor with the other, and shouted, "Cinnos!" As the holy power surged forth, a radiant light erupted from the skeleton's chest, sending several bones flying!

I glanced back to check on Westerly and saw two more skeletons moving in to surround us. Westerly climbed unsteadily to his feet and set his back to mine. I felt the panic rising and tried to think of some way that the teen and I could walk away from this. I knew I could use Kelemvor's power again, but there were three of them and we were very far from the rest of the group.

Suddenly Val was at my side, racing in as swift as a tiger! His face looked different somehow. A feral light shone in his eyes and his teeth seemed sharper and more menacing. His feet had been replaced by paws with sharp claws, and his hands were bent oddly, with claws sprouting from his fingertips as well.

The skeleton I had just attacked took that moment to thrust its sword back at me with deadly accuracy. Impossibly fast, Val's sword flashed between us, parrying the skeleton's blade, and saving me from what I'm sure would have been a serious wound.

Val smiled at me, exposing his fangs, which looked as disturbing as it was reassuring. I smiled back in thanks, then focused Kelemvor's divine power on the three skeletons. Bone chips flew in all directions, and the original skeleton broke completely apart!

Val circled behind the two remaining skeletons, while Westerly stabbed at the one to his right. Val struck the other skeleton first, his blade shattering through its ribs and severing its spine. Then, a moment later, his other sword connected with the last one. Bones flew all around us and the undead were eradicated!

Naturally, I was feeling 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 still standing. So, I took a moment and reached out with my consciousness feeling for the unholiness of any more undead nearby. Nothing. It was over.

Pyre and Wilavor came to me about healing the injured, and I assured them I couldn't sense any more undead nearby. When they questioned how I knew, I explained that Kelemvor gave me the gift to sense undead. They seemed to accept my answer and went off to coordinate care for their respective groups. As I started my rounds to care for those who were injured, I couldn't help but think we got off lucky. For the most part, everyone looked well enough for being attacked. And thankfully all the injuries were superficial to mild, nothing that a few bandages and a good night's sleep wouldn't fix.

I know I should feel worn out, and I can feel how weary my body is, but I can't seem to stop my mind. I had hoped writing about my experience would quiet my thoughts, 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…