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Raloria Kathie
Inatius Roy
Belok Robert
Maximus Mike
Finnius Gabe

We awoke for the new year in a time and place we did not recognize. We
were naked and without even the smallest of reminders of home. The
first order of business was clothes, and we quickly fashioned some
crude coverings before exploring our surroundings. It did not take us
long to determine that the clearing in which we awake bore strong
resemblance to that of our home. It was the same, but yet it was
different as well. The air was clearer. The smells were stronger. The
water was more refreshing. Everything was just more in all ways that
we could determine. Also, we began to see other differences; there
were wee-folk aplenty in the place. And places that were as familiar
to me as home we not there – trees and landmarks and such. Most
damning was the well which feeds the magic of this area. In its place
was the barest of bubbling brook, filled with magic. This did indeed
appear to be our home, but not our home as well.

We that were there, myself, Inatius, Belok, Maximus and Finnius, sat
down and this point and put our intellect towards unraveling the
problem for which we were presented. It took us not long to determine
that we felt we had traveled back in time to a period before man lived
here. This is a feat beyond our magics, beyond in fact the power of
hermetic magics. So we, as a group, would be unable to devise a way
back without help. Perhaps, we hoped, this was merely a minor side
effect for some experiment of our Primus and his study of the Tempus
book and he would bring us back himself. We could not be sure,
however. Maximus, of course, was enthralled at the idea that we might
be someplace else in time. He longs to stay here for a while and study
what we can. He hopes that we can travel off of the Isle and move over
to the continent instead. There he hopes to make contact with the
fabled Order of Mercury. With these possibilities fresh in mind, we
decided to rest for the night and set off again in the morning. We
would move east, to the towns with which we did business. If this
place were indeed in the past as we feared then these larger
settlements would be our best bet of finding other men. If we were not
back in time, but instead in some sort of regio, then perhaps the
movement would allow us to walk out of this place and back into our own.

During the night, despite our protective magics, we were attacked
while we slept and awoke on the backs of centaurs. We had moved away
from the place with which we were at least a little familiar with and
traveled, as best could be determined, in a northeast direction. About
our wrists were small vines with a beautiful white flower. Though they
did not confine us physically, there did seem to be some magics about
the blooms for when I attempted a minor spell upon one I was treated
to a painful jolt of energy. We traveled for the rest of that day
before finally arriving at our destination: a city of the fey.

The city stretched over not so large an area of ground, but it reached
high into the air. Bridges and causeways stretched between trees and
small houses; going up and down as well as straight across. In the
place we were offered food, drink, and any entertainment that we might
desire. Also, our questions were answered as best our hosts could. Man
was little known here, and he was uncivilized to say the least. The
Romans had not yet come to the place, though there were stories and
rumors of them. We asked our hosts assistance in returning to our
home, and it was requested that we take some time to enjoy ourselves
here while they discussed the possibility. We would be summoned when
they knew more.

With blatant disregard for propriety, the majority of my brethren took
then as an opportunity to delve into whatever depravity most suited
them. Maximus took off into the wilds of the nearby woods and communed
with the world around him. An elementalist at heart, he was most at
home here. He came back disheveled and dirty, but happy. Inatius and
Finnius took their pleasure in the more mundane activities presented.
There was much drink and fornicating that went on. While I managed not
to view it, I did hear about it as the fey are not circumspect in
their dealings. Belok took to the books, though he has not shared if
he learned anything of import, presumably there was at least much of
interest. I explored. I explored the village. I explored the nearby
forest. I explored the people, meeting and conversing with whom I could.

Finally, after several days, we were summoned back to learn of our
fate. They fey had a feast in our honor, and at this time we laid eyes
for the first time on the king and queen of this domain, as well as
their son. It is unfortunate that the infant Prince holds the power of
frost. It has roused the suspicions of my brethren and myself and we
will have to pursue this matter. If this is, indeed, the Frost prince
with which we battle on the future there may be something more to
learn or do here than we knew.

The news the fey presented at the end of the feast was not good. It
was unlikely that they themselves have the capability to return us
home, but they knew of someone they felt could accomplish such a task.
In exchange for the name and location of this person, they required a
task of us. In the mountains to the north lives a shaman who likes to
feast upon the fey that it can find. They requested that we dispose of
this creature as their warriors have been unsuccessful in doing so. We
agreed because, really, what choice did we have? When it comes to
bargaining, we have very little with which to negotiate. So, upon the
backs of the centaurs that brought us here we departed for the
mountains. It is of interest to note that only when we left the fey
village did the vines and flowers fall from our wrists and our magics
worked unhindered once more. We left with more than we had come as the
fey provided us with armaments, weapons, and vis for our upcoming battle.

In route to the plateau my dear Henry returned to me. He had been
conspicuously absent these past days and I had fretted greatly his
loss. He was able to confirm for me that we were indeed in the past,
lost perhaps some thousand years or more. He was unable, however, to
tell me about the future, our present, as he left to look for me
immediately upon realizing my loss. He also expressed some intense
trepidation at what awaited us atop the mountain we sought. He gave to
me an image of what was there and I was able to trace it out for my
fellows. Upon view of what was above Inatius became much concerned.
Apparently this place is known to him in the future. It is the home of
the stone giants, who owe us some great amenity. I have pondered if it
is our actions here which caused suck them, but these thoughts lead
round and round in circles of confusion to which there are no answers.

Thus it was, with some trepidation, that we ventured forth to do
battle. Inatius rose first, as is his customer, and things became a
blur of activity from that point forward. Suffice it to say that we
were victorious in our battle. There were several casualties on their
side and none on our own. The shaman brought forth elementals of stone
and fire to battle us and the giants themselves struck out when
threatened. It was finally Belok and his magic which crushed the heart
of the shaman, fulfilling our task. Outside of the shaman, the giants
fought only when attacked, and seemed more concerned with sheltering
their women and young. Again and again I question whether we did the
right thing that night.

We returned to the fey village victorious and were greeted with
another feast. After the celebration and our recuperation we were
provided mothly mounts and directions to the man the fey felt could
lead us home. Imagine our surprise when we dismounted near where we
had started; at the brook that would become the well in Malfourth near
our covenant. Although I had not yet joined the covenant when they
ventured into the lair of the dragon I had heard tales of this
adventure. Also, there had been stories in my own time and place of
the wyrm in this area. We all, I feel, had our suspicions at this
point which were only confirmed when we saw a great wyrm sweeping
through the sky.

With no contact from our host and night quickly approaching, we
settled down to camp for the night. Even used to magics as we are, it
was still surprising when the man stepped out of the rocks and
inquired about our presence. We began our tale, and as it became more
confusing and convoluted him finally invited us in to discuss matters
in more comfort. Our host, who refuses to give his name, has a home
that is most well appointed. Later, Inatius confided in me that this
was indeed the lair of the dragon. This was doubled confirmed after
our host left quickly in the middle of discussions and rushed
outdoors; soon after we once more heard the roar of the wyrm.

While our host was gone we did as bade and made ourselves at home. The
library had been opened to us and contained within its walls treasure
beyond belief. It is unfortunately in only two ways. The first is that
many books and scrolls are written in a language to archaic for even
us magi to read. The second is that the books of great import are
hidden, as my compatriots know, in a secret study that we are not
allowed access to. None the less, we made best use of the books at our
disposal and enjoyed them greatly. Maximus and Inatius also discovered
that our host kept the final stock of Atlantean wine locked in his
cellars. A mere sip and they was as intoxicated as I have ever seen. I
truly believe that Inatius would probably give up his gift if it would
provide him with a supply of this nectar for his lifetime, such was
its quality.

Before retiring, Maximus once more broached the subject of delaying
our return home. In many ways I find myself agreeing with him. There
is much we could learn here. There are many things that have been lost
over time which we would be lauded as heroes if we could return with
them. Alternately, I understand the reluctance of my other fellows. We
know not what happens to our home and our friends in our absence. And
unlike the men, I find myself yearning for my young. To be separated
from them as I am is more traumatic than I expected. It bodes not well
for the time when they might be taken from me. In this matter I take
consolation that thus far both children are promised to me to train
and raise as I see fit, though of course my youngest shall be
apprenticed. At least he shall be apprenticed to me.

Finally, our host returned, and revealed to us some information on his
nature. He is cursed, and the wyrm is his curse. When he changes he
must feed and thus he flies fast and hard, away from his own domain.
He fears each time that the wyrm may win and will be unable to return
to his true form. Apparently this curse was put in place around the
time of the great wizard wars. His foe resides not too far in the
north. Though our host did criticize us for the wanton destruction of
the stone shaman before we fully understood the situation and its
ramification this did not hinder him from requesting much the same
sort of task before he would provide us with assistance. It was put
upon us that we must travel north and, using our different magics,
engage his enemy in battle. Though this mage is supposedly evil, it
does bother me that in this place we have become nothing but a tool
for destruction. And again, I fear that our actions may have
ramifications on our future. Does it does us better to act and take
whatever steps are necessary to ensure our return home? Or are we
better to stay here and try to do little to change or interact with
the other creatures here? Does our very presence change history? Or
are we truly just in some sort of dream? What if we kill this wizard
and our host ceases to be a dragon? How can Maximus and Inatius have
traveled to the dragon's regio if the dragon ceases to resist? What of
the magics in the water that feed our lands and village and the
fruitfulness that results from its use? Do we risk all of these things
in our undertakings? If we are, in truth, in the past then have these
things already occurred? Does the fact that these things exist in our
present mean that we fail at this endeavor? Once again, I find myself
in circles of logic with no true end in sight.

I have seen the beasts upon which we will ride on the morrow.
Griffins, if my knowledge of fantastic beasts holds true. I have
written this as a memoir of sorts. I will ask our host to place it in
his secret study and magic it so that it may survive the upcoming
centuries. Perhaps, if we never return from this place, Maximus and
Inatius will find this when they search the study; though in truth
they have already done so but again, they have not. Perhaps it is my
being here, thrust through time between these two times which makes
all the difference. Maybe it will be my actions that determine the
outcome. If we do return successful I will retrieve this from our
host. If I do not, maybe it will be a warning from ages past not to
two too much with the book of Tempus. Though I understand why they
studied it, I fear sometimes that Bonisagus had a reason for leaving
this force out of his studies.

Raloria