Editing Game-Summaries:9/23/2017 Recollections (section)

==Recollections by Jorg==
I finally managed to get more bolts forged for Dakasuta's Crossbow! 5 ballista bolts may not seem like much, but these punchers can do worlds of damage! Needless to say, I've been itching to give 'em a go. At my first chance, I jumped into conversation with other initiates. Honestly, how many initiates are in my class? Even with a large class size, the clerks have no right to treat us like dirt, or look forward to our deaths as Melvin did. 

Leading us down to the Defensible Perimeter training, I acquainted myself with my fellow initiates. [[Ford]] is a human skulker that is all about meeting objectives. I can respect a man that prioritizes the moment so totally. The elf, [[Pearl]], was a thoughtful and decisive elf who's nature affinity we came to rely upon. [[Tallulah]] was excited to put some of her newly mastered nature craft to use in a tactical scenario. [[Jeroy]], on the other hand, is a dwarf I would love to partner on the battlefield with and help him drink a tavern out of inventory. 

As the scenario formed around us, we were to "Defend the Keep" from an unknown invading force. With an hour to prepare, Tallulah scouted the attackers, Ford and Pearl oiled openings in the keep walls to slow attackers, and I set up several standing ballistas strategically. With Jeroy mending the main gate, we barred other entrances to funnel attackers into ballista range. This also funneled intruders into Jeroy and myself. Tallullah reported back some troubling news.

Approximately 20 greyish elves and dwarves circling toward our position. Behind the shuffling mass was a black-skinned, brawny elf-ish character. The description matches the two brutes below Shander's Inn enough to connect them by race, whatever race that maybe. This hulk was riding a giant lizard beast via chains sunk into its flesh. Whatever this race of invaders is, they are a cruel bunch to treat their mounts and companions as such.

With 10 minutes to spare, we take position and ready for their attack. As the invaders crest the hill, they begin to charge. We let lose the ballistas. Most of the ballistas. My personal ballista had a snapped string. That is the LAST time I let a dwarf handle something so fine! Tallulah's keen eye and fierce bow find the brawny commander long before our ballistas are even in range. As the ballistas begin to volley, we see the charging grey-skinned attackers puff into dust (spores, we learn later) upon death. Their lines meet Jeroy and I. 

Battle ensues. I needen't describe each exchange, for a fight is a fight. If you haven't been in a skirmish like this, I highly suggest it. You will learn and reveal much of yourself and, more importantly, learn with whom your companions truly are. I learned that Ford is a man that will ignore personal glory for the sake of the mission at hand. Tallulah will remain calm while chaos swirls adjacent to her in order to ensure the critical shot. And believe me, she'll take that shot every time. Jeroy will fight to the death: his enemies' or his own. I don't know many dwarves, but if he is any representative, it's no wonder they're so respected. Finally, Pearl's calm calculation changes to fervent compassion when her allies are truly threatened. I owe her my life. 

Once the lizard shadow beast was put down, Pearl learned the rest of the possessed attackers had fled once the leader was killed; some kind of influence? Pearl surmised it most likely had to do with the mind-altering fungus that we narrowly avoided inhaling during melee combat. The commander wore a cape with the [[Black Ice Gang]]'s logo. We deduced it is Lolth's emblem, after recalling the exploits of the White Fire Gang. 

Making our survival known, much to Melvin's disappointment,  we report to Kord, the [[Captain General|Paragon Naturae]] (Captain General). If only the clerks were half as understanding and kind as the upper [[Magistery]], I would not despise them so. The Paragon was surprised and impressed at our tactical preparations, execution, and ability to survive. No safety discs needed. He did not disclose how that hulking commander was so accurately represented, nor how those fungus beings came to be. I have never heard of those things on the surface, but the Magistery seemly has records of them. There is much we need to learn if we are to do anything of worth. It is time to learn more of the histories that Magistery keeps dear.