People aren't always what they seem.
Nine days ago, we arrived at Stagreach. It was attacked by giants soon after we arrived. Well, not quite attacked. More like threatened and ransacked of hazelnuts. The giants were putting up a front. It was tricky to find out what they were saying, as I was dealing with a giant on my own, and I do not speak Giant. I used an illusion from the deck of illusions I have to create a frost giant's illusion. The frost giant was able to translate for me. What I learned here, as well as what I learned from the others when we regrouped, was that these stone giants were starving, but did not want to hurt anyone. They intended to scare the villagers by causing property damage, letting them steal some of the hazelnut trees without humans and halflings getting in the way. I do recall seeing a guard whose arm was broken, but that seemed to be all the serious injuries I saw. The villagers intend to meet with the giants and talk things out. I had told that one giant that I wanted to talk about it all, and he told me where they were staying, so I told the village mayor about that, and they have one of their own who can speak Giant. We were done, after a little bit of shopping and rest, and so we left north to find the Pyramid of Alhras.
Also, that illusion I conjured wanted to do some raiding or something. I'm glad that I can be rid of those illusions so easily. They could cause trouble if they were to not disappear at my whim. They're also troublingly real, in personality. I feel a ping of guilt every time I dismiss these illusions.
We went north three days, then searched for six. It's tonight, on the nineth total day, that we see a camp in the distance. It's very large, but also quite far away still. We've decided to camp here for tonight, then approach it tomorrow. We're camping on some salt flats. It's like a lake had frozen over, as smooth as can be, but it is far from cold. Or, it was. Now that night is falling, the air and ground cool. I'm aware that I have a greater resistance to heat and cold than most other people. I wonder how my companions are faring? I believe some of them are using cobalt butter to keep themselves cool in the day, but I do not fully recall.
These times are oddly comforting. It is nice to have companions who can have my back, as I have theirs. Back at the house, I had only Adriel for my adventures.
I had best sleep.
19th of Quen'pillar, 942 PED
