星期四 -- Mother Ekrimala called for me, interrupting a long and luxurious bath, but one cannot deny her call. She "requested" I locate some missing girl named Sutrahmunah. There is obvious history there and it is clear she is not telling me everything she knows, but I know enough not to question such things. There is no mention of reward, but it always best to be on the list that Mother Ekrimala owes and not on the one that owes her. I set off. 星期六 -- I meet two that may serve me well in this mission. Moggojin, an excitable and bloodthirsty man, like all of his people. But, he once helped me out of a tight spot. If not for him, the scar across my neck would have been longer. And Zoya, a magic user that holds great potential and great beauty. I am sure they have their own reasons to join forces, but I do not choose to question serendipity. 星期日 -- As we approach the ruins, we come upon another group -- a large one who are also seeking, it seems, a girl, though it seems to be a different one than the one we are after. They say the interior is full of cannibals, filthy creatures indeed. They propose we join forces and one sallow man named Chamash obviously wishes for other joinings to be had, but there is an oily nature about him that I do not like at all. If he tries, he shall find my dagger.There is a surprisingly cultured executioner with a large axe named Severos. He carries it easily in his hands, but speaks little. There is another, an equally muscular man named Lother, who wears a strange helm with a dark aura about it. Arshaf, who I somewhat recognise, says that he has met me before, and he seems like someone to keep an eye on. They have a captive named Borak, who I trust not at all. He seems a fanatic, though they trust him enough to follow his instructions on how to get into the compound. He speaks of a Ragged King. There are many slavers among them as well, but they are weak and beneath the need to converse with, though one looks to have strong hands. Perhaps I will make him massage my shoulders when we are done with this. We go over the wall, led by Lothar, who climbs nimbly up the rope. There are the screams of a man, but they are set on finding the woman and ignore them. We make our way to a chamber and find the Ragged King immediately, savaging a girl. Zoya puts her out of her misery as she fires lightning at the King. He is no mere man -- he has tentacles and an aura about him that causes fear, though it does not bother me. But, I was right about Chamash -- he succumbs easily and runs like a scared child. At least his men stayed. It was a very lopsided battle as we had little that seemed to pierce the enchantment upon the creature. Severos' axe could hit him, but being so close to the abomination took it's toll. Lothar, Zoya, and Severos were up and down, sometimes wrapped in the creatures foul tentacles. I stayed back, sneaking up to whittle away at the beast. I need better daggers. Mother Ekrimala was stingy to send me out so ill prepared without even much in the way of rations, but that is her way. We did manage to kill the creature, but at a heavy price. Severos fell and did not get up again. Moggojin, in fact, grabbed up his mighty axe and made the killing blow on the creature, even though it was obvious he was not skilled in such a weapon. We did our best with the body that we could for now, making sure to take anything useful. I did not know him long, but he seemed honourable enough and definitely someone who could hold his drink. I shall toast to his honour when I am able. I did find some treasure hidden behind the creatures throne: an enchanted battle axe, 80 gold, and a silver ring worth, perhaps, 9 silver coins. And, of course, there was the ragged king's black crown. We wrapped it up for safekeeping. I, for one, did not want to let Borak anywhere near it. We went on, finding an old armoury full of ancient weapons, but none were in a condition to be used without repair. Then Lothar heard more feminine cries and rushed forwards. He is definitely a man who appreciates women, or so it would seem. We followed after, just managing to catch hold of him before he rushed in without heed. The room before us looked a plague pit of despair. More of the savages like Borak were ravishing some unfortunate women, who had nothing in them but to lament. A fire pit burned brightly and next to it lay what looked like a warrior woman, trussed like a pig. (Session 1: Gained +1 Axes, +1 Healing, Heroic Ability: Fast Footwork; treasure not yet split up)