COURAGEOUS CARTOGRAPHER

Mercer started his career off in the unwitting employment of an outlaw by the name of Goldbriar. He had a narrow opportunity to make his way to freedom, so he took it and flew as far as he could manage. He took a harsh gamble, staying hidden in the tempest of the Twisting Crescendo where he knew that the risk would outweigh Goldbriar's willingness to find him. Alone and exhausted, he finally succumbed to the need to rest...

...until he was found by Flynn, one of Lord Sahne's retainers, who had been out on patrol. Mercer was petrified, of course, worried that he'd be punished for trespassing, but Flynn assured him that he was fine, and should come seek shelter within Furvus.

After being taken inside, and explaining himself to Sahne, it was easily agreed that he'd be allowed to stay. Mercer spent a few days recuperating, and then, feeling more himself, asked what he could do to repay the kindness. Sahne considered the offer, and was pleased by the initiative. He told Mercer that there was one way he could repay the favour, and it would also give him a proper lay of the land in all of Sornieth: The Prince's Crusade, which would keep him on the move as well as bolster his strength and fighting ability. All he had to do was find two partners- and soon, he had them.

Raum and Oberon would accompany him on his journey- enthusiastically and begrudgingly, respectively.

⁂

After the completion of their daunting task, Mercer was more than happy to head home. Despite his initial trepidation, he found himself thanking Sahne for the opportunity. Though the Crusade had been long and toilsome, he now felt that he could look after himself-- and more importantly, he knew that he could rely on his allies to look after him, too. No more would he cower in fear in the shadow of another dragon.

Nowadays, Mercer spends his time fine-tuning the many maps he drafted in his journey across Sornieth. Without the dangers of the field, he has ample time and space to focus on bringing the details to life. Dragons across Furvus delight in his attention to detail and his charming illustrations, and he's glad to give first-hand accounts of all the areas he's seen himself.





4TH JANUARY, 2021

Today is the day we set out. I was introduced to my companions not too long ago- Raum found me, first, and asked if he could come along-- something about heading 'home'-- and, needing the help, I said yes. Oberon was... presented to me. He seemed ill-mannered about being a part of the excursion, but Lord Sahne assured me he would make himself useful. Normally I would not mind either way whether someone was 'useful' or not to me, but we are about to be on our own in the wilderness for the next few months of our lives, so I worry about him being able to take care of himself and cover our backs.

At the very least, we are starting easy. Our first stop is the training grounds. My hope is that between fights, perhaps my companions and I can get to know each other a little bit better. I am used to being in the company of strangers, but unused to being able to rely on them. It's something I'd like to become more familiar with.

For now, we're off.

--TRAINING FIELDS--



Notable Drops



23RD JANUARY, 2021



My companions and I have been getting into the rhythm of things... somewhat nicely. I think, for the most part, we can hold our own, and we don't really get hurt all that much. That being said, though, this is our first stop of many, and I know that our enemies here are much, much frailer than the enemies we will come to face down the line. Right now, what we lack most is teamwork. Part of that is my own fault- I shamefully admit that I am a little bit afraid of Raum, despite his amicable behaviour. I don't know what it is, but something about him puts me on edge.

Oberon, however, wants nothing to do with either of us, and in fact, does not want to be here at all. The way he swings that massive axe around is frightening to behold, especially when I'm fairly certain that he wouldn't mind turning it on us if it weren't 'against the rules', so to speak. Right now, I'm hoping that we've shaped up enough to defend ourselves at our next stop, because I think it's going to be a while before we can all see eye to eye with each other.

--WOODLAND PATH--



Notable Drops



27TH FEBRUARY, 2021



We've been out here just over a month, now. I feel like, if anything, perhaps Oberon has grown tired of being angry all the time. He's mostly just quiet, now, though he complains if we talk to him. Raum seems a little unsure of how to approach him, though he keeps trying and getting turned away. I'm giving him space, for now.

On the bright side, it's time to move on. It's been challenging, lingering in one place for so long when I'm so used to being constantly moving. A change in scenery will be nice.

--SCORCHED FOREST--



Notable Drops



11TH MARCH, 2021



Spring is here. It's easy to determine the onset of the new season when suddenly the air is filled with buzzing, and all manner of fauna are picking about under logs and loam to reap the sudden insurgence of insects. In the sweltering heat, we saw only a slim amount of the insects brought on by the springtime, but as we make our way out to the desert, the silence gives way to humming wings and song.

The beach is nice. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

--SANDSWEPT DELTA--



11TH MARCH, 2021 [CONT.]



...Perhaps I shouldn't have spoken fondly of the beach. I suppose we're onto the grove next. Many bugs await us...

--BLOOMING GROVE--



Notable Drops



26TH APRIL, 2021



The Grove is a pleasant place. Honestly, I'm not that upset at the amount of time we've spent here. It's strange-- we spend these long stretches of time sitting still, and any moment I expect to see the lofty wingspan of Goldbriar on the horizon, heading toward me-- but it never happens. It feels like being coiled up, like a spring, but never releasing. I guess a part of this is going to be learning how to uncoil slowly.

Oberon has gotten a little bit more pleasant to talk to, a little more sociable. It seems like maybe he's catching on that throwing temper tantrums isn't going to do him any favours out here, where we only have each other. Raum is as friendly as ever, never once lapsing in his efforts to get closer to us. Part of me wants to be suspicious of his endlessly good behaviour, but I just can't bring myself to really distrust him. His kindness is a comfort that I find myself clinging to, and I don't want to give that up.

We're heading to the Forgotten Cave, next- a stark difference from the blooms and the sunlight of the Grove. I hope we don't spend long there.

--FORGOTTEN CAVE--



Notable Drops



2ND MAY, 2021



It is the second of the month practically just by technicality-- it's just past midnight as we breach the moonlight. It is an immense relief to be back outside, where the air is fresh. There is an unspoken oppression in the walls of the Cave. I have never been particularly claustrophobic, but something about that endless darkness makes me feel as though the walls are closing in. And some of those creatures, the way they undulate in the dark... it's unnerving.

I'm very glad that we're putting it behind us, now.

--BAMBOO FALLS--



Notable Drops



5TH MAY, 2021



Three days, and we've found something satisfactory. It's a shame-- the falls are peaceful between battles. It's a nice place to spend time. Either way, we must continue onward...

--THUNDERHEAD SAVANNAH--



Notable Drops



13TH MAY, 2021



We're making really good time, I think. I'm a little scared, though-- Oberon is still lacking an Eliminate stone. I really hope we find one soon. We're going to need it if we want to stay in good condition. On the bright side, Redrock is next. Another beach...

--REDROCK COVE--



Notable Drops



14TH JUNE, 2021



I'm going to be perfectly honest: we could have gotten out of here sooner than this. There's something really inviting about this place. Warm sand, gently lapping waves, temperate weather. We did our fair share of fighting, but I think we did our fair share of relaxing, too. We've spent a lot of time talking, and cooking, and ironing things out.

We received a letter from the Prince about an excavation going on, and a need for supplies. We've been hunting for those supplies during our time here, and have found and sent a good number of them back. A few days in, the Prince sent us a parcel- an Eliminate stone. What a relief- finally, we could equip Oberon with it. I think being on the same page has made him feel a lot better about the whole situation. I got the impression before that he felt like he had to try harder to prove his worth, and now he can feel more at ease. I don't think either of us ever felt in such a way about him, but the change in demeanor is noticeable.

We're headed to the Waterway next, and, I admit, I'm a little nervous. I've heard stories about the creatures that live there. I'm not looking forward to meeting any rat kings.

--THE WATERWAY--



Notable Drops



9th July, 2021



Raum had mentioned a couple times to me that the Prince had especially hoped that we might capture one of these. I've not particularly enjoyed fighting any of them-- they're enormous, and unnerving, and I can't help but think about how filthy they must be, but... I know at the very least that it will be well received when it arrives home. Frankly, I'm just incredibly glad to be out of this sewer. I will be grateful if I never return here.

--THE ARENA--



17th July, 2021



We spent so little time in the Arena that this boar was our only noteworthy find. Not that that should belittle the effort that went into wrangling it, of course-- these things are massive, and this is hardly the first one we fought. There are so many of them, and they hit hard.

I'm glad to be leaving. Moreso than the waterway, moreso than the cave, this place unnerves me. This massive, bloodstained monument to struggle and death is exactly the kind of place that Goldbriar would have enjoyed to frequent, I think. Seeing hundreds upon hundreds of empty stone seats... I have to wonder who built such a monument, and for what. In my heart of hearts, I think it was us, was dragons, who constructed it. I know no other race who would contrive entertainment from such cruelty. I hope we never return here.

--VOLCANIC VENTS--



Notable drops



19th October, 2021



It's so hot here. It's so, so unbelievably hot here. This has been the longest three months of my life. I swear on my wings that I will never, ever return to this place as long as I live. I am so, so glad that we are leaving. Oberon shares my sentiment wholeheartedly, but by some strange happenstance, Raum doesn't seem to mind this place at all. 'I like the creatures here,' he says, as if he's not smacking them down by the hundreds. Either way, it's time to move on.

--RAINSONG JUNGLE--



Notable drops



22nd October, 2021



The weather in the Jungle is much more mild than the Vents. Even if the air is thick and humid, it beats the oppressive blanket of heat from standing near actual open vents of magma. I take back what I said about Raum before-- seeing the little 'creatures', as he puts it, in this place... is a little bit delightful. We managed to tame a few of those little amphitheres and by the Eleven, their little faces are so charming.

--BOREAL WOOD--



Notable drops



7th November, 2021



After spending so long in the heat, I'd nearly forgotten what the frigid cold felt like. Even still, there's a certain beauty to this place. The way the sun bounces off the snow and casts a rainbow of colours across the surface around dusk and dawn... seeing things like that makes the cold and the toiling worth it. Oberon takes less kindly to this weather-- though, I'm not surprised; he's really not dressed for it. I have to wonder how long it takes him to clean all his silks and jewelry after a particularly messy fight...

--CRYSTAL POOLS--



Notable drops



4th December, 2021



I've had mixed feelings about the Pools. On the one hand, it's a very beautiful place. The water, the shining stones, even the creatures we face here are ethereal and otherworldly in a dazzling sort of way. On the other hand, our foes are also fairly formidable... and unrelenting. We haven't found much in the way of supplementary materials here, either-- just typical monster materials. That being said, I'm pleased with what we've found, and I'm sure His Highness will be, too.

Our next stop is the Harpy's Roost. I'm a little nervous about getting so close to Talona's scouts, but... I'm sure we'll make it out okay.

--HARPY'S ROOST--



Notable drops



7th December, 2021



Well, it seems like there was nothing for me to worry about. Well- apart from the MASSIVE amount of Rocs we fought. There were SO many. Honestly, this is the most we've gotten hurt in a while. Oberon isn't too happy about having to make more repairs to his fancy clothes... I still don't know why he wore them out here. Truly, a man who suffers for fashion...

Our experience here almost feels like the opposite of our time in the Pools. An eternity in a beautiful place, versus a few days in a drab, dusty one... fine by me.

--GHOSTLIGHT RUINS--



Notable drops



22nd December, 2021



The Ruins are... frightening, to say the least. It doesn't help that Nocturne spawning season has begun, and the whole place is absolutely crawling with mimics. Even the typical residents are terrifying to behold, but the extra influx of aggressors certainly doesn't help.

It was Raum's idea, of course, to try and bag one of the spirits. We'd caught plenty of the smaller ones, he said, so nabbing a bigger one couldn't possibly be that hard. It WAS hard, for the record. These things are brutal. One of the ones we'd fought earlier hit us so hard I thought we wouldn't make it.

...But we did. And we're here. And we're moving onto the Mire, now.

--THE MIRE--



Notable drops



19th February, 2022



It's sometimes hard to believe that the Mire is in Plague territory. I'm not sure why, but treading in Plague space always makes me nervous. Even moreso than other territories... Honestly speaking, I should be more afraid of Ice territory. I digress. We spent a lot of time wandering, here. It's difficult to find places to camp when everywhere is... swamp. Swamp everywhere. It's been nearly two months, so we'll need to work hard to catch up.

I've heard that the Kelp Beds are a beautiful place to behold. I'm doing my best to look forward to them.

--KELP BEDS--



2nd March, 2022



Oh, I can finally write in my journal again. Can't do much of that while you're underwater. I have... mixed feelings about the Kelp Beds. True to what I've heard, it WAS very beautiful. Its denizens, however, were less so. I don't think we've had this much trouble in quite a while. We got pretty hurt here, and... where we're headed next is so positively dreadful that I can't say I'm mustering much in the way of courage at all.

I've talked with the others, and we're taking a slight break before we head on to the Workshop. We've been told that we need to re-evaluate how we approach battle. Less speed, more gusto...

--GOLEM WORKSHOP--



Notable Drops


6th March, 2022



It's fortunate to say that we've spent a lot less time in the Workshop than some of the others who've been on this expedition. The time we DID spend here wasn't easy, but that was, of course, to be expected. It's frightening-- fighting machines. I have to wonder if they feel, and if they do, to what extent? Why do they fight at all?

We're headed to the Portal, next. I asked Raum if he was excited to be heading home, and he wilted a little. I think he's gotten attached to us. Even now, he still maintains the most chipper demeanor of the three of us. He's constantly doing his best to ensure that we're as upbeat as we can be. Even Oberon, who has since mellowed out quite a bit, has warmed up to him. Truthfully, if he DOES decide to leave, I'll miss him greatly.

--FORBIDDEN PORTAL--



Notable drops


24th April, 2022



We are done. We are finally, finally done. We have fought more monstrosities than I can even wrap my head around... and SO many frogs. So. Many. Frogs. But we're out now. And... Raum is coming back with us. I'm so glad. Truthfully, I don't know if I could make the journey back without him. It would feel empty. He told us he loves us- that he'd rather make his home in Furvus, with us. Even Oberon softened at his words.

So tonight, we head back. Tomorrow is Wavecrest-- it will be nice to return home while the festival is happening. I'm looking forward to warm beds and delicious food...

TOTAL TIME ELAPSED: 475 DAYS (1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS, 20 DAYS)