Being Kenku, Being Creak
This journal is heavily worn, bearing a splotchy cover of brown leather with various talon scratches across the surface. The spine is impressed with a simple title of "Being Kenku, Being Creak" with no fancy adornments such as gold foil or paints.
Flipping open the light journal the inside cover has a short inscription in cleanly written runes:
"Originally I, Creak Silverheart, wrote this book to better understand myself and to come to terms with my own choices. If you are reading this I hope you gain some knowledge from this book and come to see that life is about change and we must each strive for that change in ourselves."
As you flip the pages, every one contains numerous crossed out words, scratches, and annotations, though as you flip further into the book the writing becomes more legible and clean.
This Kenku's Reasons and To My Flock
Before you read this book which tells the stories of Creak, me the author, it is important that you know why it was written. What it meant to me to release it from my talons and allow others, beyond my flock to read it.
You may notice that my writing through these pages improves, over the two years writing these pages my patience with ink and quill has improved. It took a long time but I realized the importance of reflection, thought, and editing.
First, this book was not written as an apology or as an admittance of my guilt. I know the crimes I've committed in my past, those I hurt, and those that deserved better. I won't say I regret them, they have made me who I am, a kenku striving to do better and improve the world for those that come after my brief life. Those that will remain after enter my final flight with the clouds and stars above.
In addition, there are many out there that knew I was writing this book. To them, thank you for your patience. Without all my friends over the years spent here on Arelith I would never have found the courage first to write this book, and in addition would never have lived long enough to see it written in full.
I wish to give a special thanks to all those who gathered with me when I told this story for the first time in the basement of Winter's Rest. Without you all, I would never have found the courage to continue on. Rikus and Ashari Vahl, you are my spirit and my anchor. Together you both keep me focused to be as strong and as unbreaking as you both are.
Angela Amana, you opened my eyes to the memories I was keeping hidden. The many words that make up this tome were freed from my mind and given to ink in great thanks to that evening we spoke together in the Eagle. Without your guidance I would be lesser than I am now, every chance I find to speak with you is cherished.
To the many who make up Guldorand, a place that will forever hold a special place for this Kenku. Aria, Brinja, Ivrathe, Hesaphine, Grymmiirn, Samantha,, and so many others that have become such a part of my life, you each are a part of me. I will never ask any of you not to change because life is nothing if not change, but I hope that you find your true selves.
You, you know who you are. You who travels now but who I hope returns someday. What makes You unique is what is missed and I hope You does not hate me for sharing some secrets in this book and accept that it was needed for me. We miss You.
Finally, I wish to thank someone who will never admit it, but who I know is the true Silverheart of my flock. My brother, Whistle, thank you. If not for you none of these words would exist, for I would have ceased to exist long ago. With you my flight is never dull and I hope it may never end.
Day 24, Month 2 (Alturiak), 183 AR
Creak Silverheart
Faint Memories of Chavyondat and the Bay of Kings - 171 to 176AR
*prior to the first paragraph are various started then crossed out introductions, seemingly none of them suitable for reading they are entirely blacked out before the first readable words, wasting multiple pages alone*
This time is very faint in mind, but think it important to know where Creak comes from, his travel and time in world. Without this many think he just another Kenku, and yes he like many but is Creak, self is not just Kenku.
Creak was born here, in Kenku nest outside of city of Chavyondat, in the Bay of Kings. Among him in nest were his brother and sister, parents and fourty members of his flock. All together fourty-five Kenku, including Creak, not small but not large either. Creak remembers some things from this time but worst of it was fear.
Fear is why flock must leave Chavyondat in year 176 AR, fear of punishment and of losing much of flock. It was late in this year when Creak father arrive to nest, warning flock that guards of city were coming to clear the nest. Kill any they find. Warns flock we must find ship in harbor or escape across plains of Estagund.
Then chaos. So much chaos. Remembers flock gathering all they could and quickly making way out, plan was for all to board ship in harbor and most make it there. Not mother of Creak or brother of Creak, they and nearly half of flock get separated. Never see them again. Maybe they run out too plains and escaping that way? Never find out, never see again, someday...
Rest of flock with Creak and father, who named Shiver if wondering. We find ship in port that only have one guard, remembers watching father throw man overboard. Man scream, then up, over, and big splash. Then ship start moving, slowly first but sail drop and wind take, wind take ship far.
This was scary time, never knowing where ship take them but they go west. Not sure how long but feel like forever. Finally food run out in ship so flock master say we and find new home, and we do. Land outside of city called Calimport.
Is not more to say here really, Creak young at this time and only start learning some of way of flock. He learn much but real learning happen in future, in Calimport.
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
New Chance in Calimport - 176AR to 178AR
Calimport was strange. New and different, place with many, many human and other people. Once hear maybe even millions of people! Even having slaves in this city and so much strange things they do.
But in this new and strange there is place for Kenku to hide and keep quiet. At this time Creak learn much, more than ever. In Calimport he learn ways of shiny taking from the many stall and market. Sneaking between these and sliping of pouches from many.
This come natural, quick talons of the Creak work at this for months before city become like last. Unwelcome to the flock. Earned as much shiny coin as he could in hard works, but one day guards grab him and rest of flock. Take them far from city in covered wagon, not sure how long but sun go up and down many times.
Finally they are throwing us out of wagon and say walk north, good luck, never come back to Calimport unless wishing to die. So we do this, go north. For long time Creak wonder if he reason guards get wise to flock in Calimport, he was best earner of flock so draw much attention and anger from merchants.
Sadly is to late to know, now they make migration north, long wandering through burning sands of Calim Desert. Anyone ever write story about hot poker that sand become after weeks in talons? Someone should, but Creak writes of himself and his flock.
Traveling north was hard, thought is hardest thing he ever do but not expect his future, now it not the hardest thing. But that come in time, you keep read, no skip ahead! As we go north some of flock that older or younger struggle with journey, of rough twenty that make it to Calimport half-dozen fall in sands...
Their names were: Clack, Psst, Buzz, Cicada, Woof, and this one closest friend... Silverheart. This where name he use for so long come from, is not like always saying, that he want to look like proud warrior, want to remember friend he lose.
No more write today, that all, memory of Silverheart hurt to much.
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
Journey North - Mid 178AR
As we journey much of flock talks, of pain and grief of days past. Of new pains of losing those family that travel with us. As we getting closer to edge of desert and see large city in distance once again flock discuss idea, idea of not living in city, not taking shinies from city.
Creak knows nothing else so he against this idea but rest of flock say it time for change. Time for going to live in forest and away from human, elf, and all others. Time for Kenku to care for Kenku and live off land. So we turn away, making long migration past city in distance further north.
We are lucky because desert turn to grass once more and travel becomes easier, flock gains strength again foraging off the land, sadly never finding anything that shines... this continues for many months.
We travel north away from any road traveled by human and their fellows, crossing many rivers, one- two- three. Then this last river take us north through massive mountains that split the sky in half, this one learn they are called Starspire Mountains; maybe these are named after way they touch the star at night...
As we are passing out of mountains a forest revealed to us, one we eventually learn is called The Wealdath. This Wealdath become our home.
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
Life in Wealdath - 178AR to 179AR
Life living in The Wealdath was hard for Creak. It is this place that Creak learns he has no real skills. Rest of flock quickly find ways to make us thrive, make flock strong. We build nests above in trees, homes for all that are ours and safe, some of brothers and sisters prove themself as great builder. Making these home like none we have before.
Others of flock show they are great hunter and seeker, they bring food and other things for the flock to eat and grow, be strong. Each one of flock find new thing they great at, except Creak. Creak is not good at these things, is not builder, is not hunter, is not useful. Only good at taking of things that are not his. Only thief.
We live here in Wealdath for many months until finally Creak succeed at one thing he good at here. Talking. Creak convinces entire flock life in Wealdath is not for them. There are no shinies, there is no gold to be taken here. They all come to see from Creak eyes, that Wealdath is not exciting, is not a place for the flock to truly thrive.
This was true failure for Creak. If staying here the future would not happen, flock would still be with Creak and they would all be happy. Maybe Creak should have stayed in Wealdath, learn new things and become better Kenku. But he did not, and the future come. Pain grows and worse things happen.
Flock begins travel north again, long steps and many months until finally we arrive in place called Daggerford. Thought this is new home for flock, place we are living forever.
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
Daggerford Pains - 179AR to 180AR
Daggerford brought so much pain. These words are the hardest this one has had to write and has taken many attempts to get everything right. Rewriting and rewriting, but maybe it is clearer for this.
We arrived in Daggerford late in 179AR, all fourteen of the flock descending onto the city and making our new home here quickly. We find a place that the humans here ignore, a ruined warehouse that we call ours, some of the flock work to fix this up, make repairs. The warehouse becomes our nest and together we take much from those of Daggerford.
We claim all that we see, taking coins, jewels, trinkets, anything that shines and grabs our eyes. Creak is once again best of his flock at this task, builds the hoard of our flock into something that is truly the shiniest thing he has ever seen. Over a few months we start hearing word that the city cannot understand where all these things have gone.
It turns out humans are also good at searching... they formed a force to hunt down the thieves, us, the flock. Creak did not know this until it was too late. Every morning Creak would leave the warehouse before any others, he is their hardest worker. It was one of these mornings that Creak was working the markets when he discovered the secret task force.
Those in the market were talking of a secret plan the task force had, to take a flock of Kenkus and string them up as a sign to others for their brazen crimes. Creak thought it could not be his, but to be safe I began rushing back to the nest to warn the flock just in case. Creak was too late.
As I rounded the corner to the street where the nest was... *there are drops of ink on the page here, it is clear the quill hovered over the page for to long, drops falling onto the page* the entire flock was hanging there. They all flew above hanging from ropes, fourteen gallows arranged for all to see in a neat little circle. Humans treat it like some big show.
Creak led his entire flock to their death. Creak is a failure. Creak ran.
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
Escape to Skal - Hammer of 180AR
*the writing returns to the rapid shortened prose that is more prevalent in this book, almost as if the writer is thinking faster than he can put quill to paper*
Creak ran down to the docks of Daggerford, sneaking way onto the first boat he could find that was not watched closely like others. No guards were before this, Creak was lucky, found escape from Daggerford. Creak hides on ship for many days, eating little pieces from their hold that they are not noticing.
Never knew where this boat goes but he eventually lands in Skal, the cold and dangerous land we are all knowing of. It is here that Creak takes on the name Silverheart, after his friend who was lost to him in the desert of Calim. First Silverheart hid from those of the village, staying away from all these humans, afraid as lonely Kenku he has no flock to protect him.
Over time Silverheart try to speak with them, try to learn of them and is surprised to find he is welcomed by many of this place. Makes many friends over many months here, training and learning together. Silverheart works to show himself as curious Kenku, one that wish to learn about humans but first thought was really to use these ones to find a new home.
It is here that Silverheart, and Creak underneath, instead becomes friends with many. Silverheart was always fake, a facade of lies to these friends even though he hold them close from his time here, some of these names are:
- Hesaphine, the cat, the ward, the close one
- Rikus Vahl, the protector
- Rylen Kalegar, the knight
- Siona Alfidda, the guide
- Basrokei Swifttalon, the creator
- Carna Cobblejewel, the one of commerce
- Ahzi Rubysight, the other of commerce
- Kwalu Kaur, the king not king
- Aerlynn Palelight, the one who is always kind
- Itzli Trefeuntes, the one who is absent
- so many more to list...
Some of these have long gone to other places or are not showing themselves to Creak, but they are still in his heart. Remembered every morning. After much learning with these, Silverheart travels to Guldorand, seeking new people to be friends with.
Those still here Creak hopes they forgive him for these lies...
Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
Sails for Guldorand - Tarsakh of 180AR
After much time in Skal, Silverheart decide it is time for him to find his friends that have already left. Finds his way to Guldorand and discovers the place, becomes familiar and then begins making connections. Discovers this city and those around Arelith are overflowing with coin, shinies.
Silverheart always acts like a friend in Guldorand but... works in other places, learning secrets and finding ways to take much coin from those he does not know. This is something he feels shame for now, knowing the pain he causes sometimes, but do they really need so much while Creak has so little?
Over time... acting has become less of act and Creak realize in truth he enjoy company of those here. Enjoys company of all those he meet in time in this city, many are friends he now holds close and can never forget their names. This make it harder and harder to say his name is Silverheart when truth is he is named Creak.
Creak is the true name behind Silverheart. Creak considers so many of the city his friends but he lies to them every day.
He lies to all his friends from Skal, Hesaphine, Rikus and so many more.
He lies to Ashari Vahl.
He lies to Luca Antares.
He lies to Syracostra Magna.
He lies to Salah Al'Layth.
He lies to Aria Aspenleaf Quan.
He lies to Grymmiirn and all his kin.
He lies to Anelace Gralhund.
He lies to Nyle Sylzerios.
He lies to Kyelet Soris.
He lies to so many more...
Is time to not lie anymore and be known as he is. As Creak. The thief. The spy. The not friend. Creak is sorry for what he has done to all his friends, the pain he is sure this all brings.
Creak will leave the island for some months while all these friends consider his lies. When returning, Creak will discover if he has friends anymore, or if he is alone again.
*a solid line is scratched hard across the page followed by a few simple words*
I do not deserve forgiveness or any of you.
Day 22, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
My Crimes for Judgement
Below is the list of crimes committed by Creak on the isle of Arelith. Many were for pay, profit, or simply for the thrill. They do not deserve forgiveness, they do deserve judgment.
Theft of property
- Pickpocketing across Arelith
- Breaking and entering
- Burglary
- Theft of art from estates of Cordor and Andunor
- Theft of tomes containing secrets of Cordor, Guldorand, and Andunor
Spying for the purpose of earning coin
- Against citizens of Guldorand
- Against citizens of Cordor
- Against citizens of Andunor
- Against citizens of Brogendenstein
Collusion
- With various groups with the intent to and the act of committing crimes in Cordor, Guldorand, Myon, and Andunor
Deception
- Using a fake name, Silverheart, to trick others into accepting him for something he is not
Day 20, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 181 AR
Creak
The Breakout of Sneezer - Alturiak 182AR
Creak keep this entry short but wish to make record of what was done. Together with some of his flock Creak worked to free one of his own kin from the jails in Cordor. After hearing that he would be put to the noose like so many of Creak's kin have in the past this one could not remain idle. Thought it was best for flock but in end it bring so much pain to those of our kind that saving one was maybe not best choice. Is hard to say, Sneezer alive at least but so many others put to blade.
Much regret came with what we did, how this breakout happened but that cannot be changed. Just like what come after cannot be changed. Creak will live with this pain forever, accepts what this is and his part in it all. Continues trying to be better, this is why as written in next entry Creak gave himself to Cordorians to be questioned for his crime.
Creak is sorry but also thinks saving Sneezer was right decision at time, could not know what come after.
Day 27, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Creak Silverheart
Questioning of Creak
In early Alturiak of 182 AR there was a note on the floor of Creak?s home, a small letter which when opened spoke of the kenku bounties posted to the boards of Guldorand. Letter was from a group of bounty hunters seeking those fitting the descriptions, Creak and two of his kin.
In instant Creak decide he must protect his flock, even after earlier words with his close brother that he will figure out way to keep us safe, Creak would protect his flock instead. Gathered some friends from the city and posted a wish to meet with them in Shadovar Trade Post.
Creak went there, with Aria Aspenleaf Quan, Samantha Goodman, and Flan Vale. All who are close and dear friend to Creak. It is here that the bounty hunters met with all of us, and it is here that it was decided that Creak would go with them, be taken as the only bounty they are hunting to the Cordor Jailer.
Before going, some more detail was shared with Samantha of why he was being hunted, of the breakout of Sneezer from their jails. Of how we did not mean to free more dangerous criminals from the other cells but a distraction was needed. The flock did not mean for harm to guards, did not know the prisoners would have weapons, prisoners should not be allowed weapons?
Back to what happen, Creak went with hunters to the jailer, to the same cell we passed when freeing Sneezer. This time Creak was put inside, behind the bars. Cordorians were brought to question him, led by Lefric Ruston, luckily Creaks' friends were allowed to stay to support him.
Sadly, Creak was told he must be honest, so he was. Told them all that he could of the breakout, of freeing Sneezer and why. That Creak could not bear to watch another of his kin hang from the scaffold. Not for such small crimes as stealing little wealth from the rich. Creak explained that plan was not to free all those prisoners, we only let out a few but they were breaking out all the rest. Lefric says that we are cause of prison riot, of great harm to Cordor for this.
Lefric also explained that he and rest of those present from Cordor think Sneezer took more, an activation scroll for some dangerous weapon, what this is they are not explaining any further. Creak now questions what they did, if Sneezer really did work with cultists to get the scrolls for this weapon.
In end, Creak is told if he is working to find and bring them Sneezer, to be questioned on what he took and for who. For this, only Creak will be held guilty and the rest of his flock will be safe in Guldorand again. Was promised they would immediately remove the bounties and see that the kin are no longer hunted for what they did.
Must note, that this was done as way for Creak to fix what went wrong. To try his best to protect his flock, his brother and all those around him. What they did freeing Sneezer was not how it should have gone. Creak failed in being better than he was in past but will continue trying.
Day 18, Month 2 (Alturiak), 182 AR
Creak
The Aftermath - Alturiak to Tarsakh 182AR
*the writing of this entry in the journal shows clear improvement to the writing of past entries, the penmanship is more focused and deliberate, each letter is showing clear forms and the sentence structure alone is greatly improved*
Since the questioning of Creak by the Cordorians so much has happened. So much pain, uncertainty and life has come and gone. My own kin were wiped out from the sewers beneath Guldorand, mostly because of what myself and my flock did but the writ agents continue to send adventurers down into those tunnels as well. The bounty hunters did not help, their hunting of Kenku alone ravaged the sewer flock.
Having gone down in those tunnels myself since it pained me to see how few of the old flock that called it home still live there. Some do, protected by a dwarf named Bodger, but their numbers are few maybe someday their numbers will return. After this hunting though the pain did not end, with the events at the Weatherstone the sewer tunnels flooded, once more killing countless of our kin.
Over these months so much pain has been felt by myself, Whistle, and others of our kind. We are not alone, these days with the Weatherstone in its broken state have hurt many on the island and, luckily, we came together. Working as a community to repair what was broken, to end what the cults in the deepwells and many others called our Doomsday.
This coming together reminds Creak of how important helping this island and those that live here is. Will push myself more than ever to help where I can, be a friend to those that need Creak, work together with Guldorand and everyone here to make this home safe for those that deserve it.
Maybe in the future the pain felt in these past weeks will not be something that others will need to feel, even if that is only true for a few Creak will feel good for those he helped.
Day 27, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Creak Silverheart
The Aftermath - Alturiak to Tarsakh 182AR
*the writing of this entry in the journal shows clear improvement to the writing of past entries, the penmanship is more focused and deliberate, each letter is showing clear forms and the sentence structure alone is greatly improved*
Since the questioning of Creak by the Cordorians so much has happened. So much pain, uncertainty and life has come and gone. My own kin were wiped out from the sewers beneath Guldorand, mostly because of what myself and my flock did but the writ agents continue to send adventurers down into those tunnels as well. The bounty hunters did not help, their hunting of Kenku alone ravaged the sewer flock.
Having gone down in those tunnels myself since it pained me to see how few of the old flock that called it home still live there. Some do, protected by a dwarf named Bodger, but their numbers are few maybe someday their numbers will return. After this hunting though the pain did not end, with the events at the Weatherstone the sewer tunnels flooded, once more killing countless of our kin.
Over these months so much pain has been felt by myself, Whistle, and others of our kind. We are not alone, these days with the Weatherstone in its broken state have hurt many on the island and, luckily, we came together. Working as a community to repair what was broken, to end what the cults in the deepwells and many others called our Doomsday.
This coming together reminds Creak of how important helping this island and those that live here is. Will push myself more than ever to help where I can, be a friend to those that need Creak, work together with Guldorand and everyone here to make this home safe for those that deserve it.
Maybe in the future the pain felt in these past weeks will not be something that others will need to feel, even if that is only true for a few Creak will feel good for those he helped.
Day 27, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Creak Silverheart
The Final Flight - Ches 182 AR
During the pain and uncertainty of the Weatherstone incident and all the strange happenings from this, by Whistles suggestion, we made a pilgrimage to the peak of the Skull Crags. We did this together with close friend Syracostra Magna. This pilgrimage was taken to find a proper place for giving farewell to our fallen kin.
Those many lost in recent days and weeks, to bounty hunters, flooding, madmen, and all others. This Creak saw and how it grew to be too much for Whistle especially. Creak was more familiar with this after all that happened in Daggerford, but he feels it too. Whistle was right to plan this moment, to give those that were lost back the sky and the winds.
Atop the peak of the Skull Crags you may still find it, a memorial stone carved by Whistle himself which depicted our kin leaving Guldorand and then taking flight upon wings to join with the skies above. It is an impressive piece that moves me every time I visit, which is more often than one should admit. I hope the Magpie sees this work of Whistle and appreciates his efforts.
The ceremony was short with each of us paying respects in our own way and giving a piece to the winds to take our lost brothers and sisters back to the winds. Sending those who have left us to fly their final flight high above, floating on the gusts and drafts for the rest of their days.
Day 27, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Creak Silverheart
Return to Daggerford - Tarsakh to Kythorn 182AR
After what Whistle did for the kin lost on Arelith, I wanted to give the same to my flock that was killed so many years ago in Daggerford. Those that were hung by the magistrates and guards of the city.
On the twenty-fourth day of Tarsakh in the year 182 AR I took a ship from Arelith back to Daggerford. Where before I was stowed away in a hold to eventually reach Skal, now I paid my fare and rode with the passengers. A lot has changed in the last two years and I thought coming to the city and showing myself as I did in Guldorand would allow me the freedom to do what the dead deserve, and it did.
Things moved quickly once arriving in Daggerford, my plans went better than expected and through meeting with many of the city folk I learned of a single Kenku still living in Daggerford, a retainer to one of the noble houses as shocking as that may be. The shock was more than I could imagine, when I met her and discovered that it was none other than my own sister. Thought lost back in Chavyondat but alive and well, living in Daggerford even when I was there with my lost flock.
She told me of how she was rescued by this noble house when she was separated from the rest of the flock back in Chavyondat, she doesn't know what happened to the others that we lost there sadly. Creak did tell her of what happened to the others, those hanged here in Daggerford and she already knew, recognized some of the faces that hung from the gallows. As it is she had already seen to the rites for the flock, had the bodies of my kin collected by the house she serves and freed to the skies atop the peaks of Mount Helimbrar north of Waterdeep.
From this rite she kept one of the nooses used on my kin which she gave to me to remember them by. Together we travelled back to this memorial atop the peak of Helimbrar, it is there we wept together, it is there the frigid winds from the north took our tears and gave them flight to honour our fallen kin.
As we travelled back to Daggerford where I knew a boat would await to return me to Areltih I asked my sister to join me, to come meet all those that are now my flock. Sadly she could not, she had her own flock among the noble house that had been her own escape years past. Instead she now knows where to find me if she ever wishes and now I know that she lives, the only one from that old flock that is known to me.
Day 27, Month 6 (Kythorn), 182 AR
Creak Silverheart
Of Plagues and a Song Lost - Eleint 182 AR
At the end of Elasias, month eight of 182 AR, Guldorand was bombed. Its mortar and bricks were shaken by multiple explosives that felt as if they would tear the city to pieces. The city came together, as it always does and we all helped one another, finding our strength as neighbours and friends.
We rallied, but in this some of us didn't think to take care of ourselves until it was much too late. Shortly after these bombings people in the city began to fall ill with an unknown illness, as ever we did what we could to help but the plague was nothing we expected. In this time I did all I could to help anyone that needed it, working with others to distribute wands, potions, and scrolls to ensure all were cared for.
Even seeing so many fall sick it was a shock when he found Whistle in the Elven Quarter, coughing and barely able to move. The pain of seeing someone so strong and unflinching reduced to a husk of what he was by this vile plague concocted by evil minds was devastating.
Luckily an infirmary was set up in the lower Freeport by smarter minds than myself and Whistle was brought there. Once he was safe and being cared for I headed out once again to help wherever possible. Though I should have stayed for a few days later I collapsed into the arms of Rikus Vahl who carried me down to the infirmary.
It was in the infirmary that I was cared for by all those who came to the city in its moment of need. Aera, Seitera, and Mocla Goldenaxe to name a few of those I remember, sadly my memories of this time are hazy still. The plague weakened me, Whistle, and all those others who were sick alongside me, like Lomiron Dan'odel.
In the end many were cured, most by the Zhentarim cure that was bought by the city to save lives when there was nothing else to turn towards. Though, both myself and Whistle never took this cure, instead we were cured by an experiment by Aera.
Sadly there was never a chance to ask what this cure was but it worked, I still remember the radiant and shining woman who spoke to me as the cure ran through my body and her image will always be imprinted in my mind.
In the end, the plague took much from me, my voice which I used to sing the songs of my flock was ripped from me and broken. Even now if one of the songs calls to me and I wish to answer, the coughing fits return to me. I've come to accept this with time, though the pain remains with me.
Day 24, Month 2 (Alturiak), 183 AR
Creak Silverheart
Departing Guldorand - Hammer 183 AR
I will keep this entry brief, as even now it is hard for me to write. Guldorand has been my home for two years now and in that time has changed me deeply. After the ordeals faced in recent months though it felt as though a change was needed.
All the good of the city often comes with harsh truths that are difficult to face. Even after our many attempts to change the conditions for our kin in the sewers things remain the same. The agency continues to send travellers to hunt, maim, and kill our kin and the city continues to allow it instead of finding a compromise or a change for the sewer flock. I do not know who to blame for this, if anyone, the situation is difficult and perhaps there is no solution, but being close to it was too much and a change was needed.
Those friends and allies still in Guldorand, know that I do not blame you and did not leave because of you. I left because it was time for change, for me, for life is nothing if not change.
In the end it seemed right to visit Bendir Dale for a time and in these visits together with Whistle we came to know new friends and find acceptance and a welcoming spirit. It was this that led us both to decide to stay there for the time being and see where the next chapters of life bring us.
Perhaps someday I, and my kin, will find a safe place that we can call our own on the island or in the greater world. For now I will call Bendir Dale that, who knows what the future might hold. Thank you, reader, for taking the time to better understand this kenku, maybe we will meet on one of the many roads of Arelith someday.
May the wind take you high and knowledge guide your steps.
Day 24, Month 2 (Alturiak), 183 AR
Creak Silverheart