Moving on, You'll never believe who I crossed paths with! I met Velkos again. It had been a while since our travels, and he seemed... Like more of a ''beggared hermit'' than I.

 Also, it was more like our eyes met and then I tried to NOT meet him as best I could, as swiftly as I could. It seemed like his employers were very dissatisfied with his performance, and had released him of his duties. He has managed to survive this weather thus far, so I have high hopes for him! Now, I do wonder, what is his story... He truly fascinates me!

 I hope we can someday share some fine wine, without him trying to stab me with an icicle.

 Now that I think about it, the paladins might mistake my campfire smoke for signs of the missing older sister's whereabouts. That might be a massive problem, as I have no way of...

 Then again, I don't possess any evidence of me being anything more than this ''Beggared Hermit'' or goblin, or whatever else the lowborn fools have decided to name me. As much as such a predicament humbles me, there is no evidence of me being an Astralist. So I am somewhat safe after all!

 HA! I knew burning those scrolls was a genius maneuver on my part! I even had myself convinced I was a dingus!

 Oh, You genius ME!

 To elaborate on some other occurrences, the kids have stopped coming around. I think they got bored, which, I must admit, has hurt my pride.

 To think children, at the most curious stage of their lives, would find a fascinating specimen such as myself to be dull.

 I suppose the ant can't view a magnificent castle as much more than a plain wall.

 Speaking of castles, I have made myself quite comfortable in my ''royal quarters.'' It isn't much, and it gets viciously cold most nights, yet I am still alive and my fingers are in place. The feeling in my left big toe is numbing though, yet it still beats the pigpen I was given by that snotty innkeeper on that plane of dirt in the middle of nowhere! A bunch of thieves...

 I've also discovered something unusual about this ruin. Not only does it have a double wall on one side, but there is a basement. Well, it is more like a hollow space under the stone floor.

 What has piqued my interest, even more, is that the double-wall seems to not be a part of the original structure, making the need for it quite curious. I suspected it to be simple reinforcement, yet such a reinforcement seems to serve no purpose, as the wall has no faulty foundations. It seems brittle enough, but for now, it is frozen over, and I don't want any cave-ins while I'm sleeping.

  Also, the room below the ruin has no entrance. Granted, I don't even know if it is a room. It could just as well be a cave, washed out by the waves, yet seawater doesn't seem to reach such heights. The stone and dirt flooring seems quite durable and thick, yet in places, You can hear hollow echoes below it.

 I have asked around, but most folks say that this ruin has overshadowed Lockrifta since its founding, so there is only one place where I could find some info. Problem is, it's been infested by something worse than rats!

 This brings me to my plan of infiltrating the local Lord's court!

 The plan is not simple by any means, as the first thing I require is wealth. Something which I sorely lack.

 Somehow I'm still penniless...

 At the current moment, I have traded in all that I deemed of some value. My jewelry has become food, and my attire has turned into animal furs. Yet I'm sure You've already realized, that this is simply the humble beginning of Sabinian, The...

You know who!

 But I digress, my plan, at first, involves acquiring a certain amount of money. How much, You ask? Enough to establish my own trading guild and establish myself as a rightfully respectable Gentleman and Tradesman. Of course, it is not an easy task, as I still must weather the winter storms, but I believe I know where I could start. I have some details to polish, but I can already foresee my success.

 Knowledge is a form of Wealth after all!

 After I've accomplished the first stage, I will make an investment into the ruin and acquire its deed. There probably isn't one, so it will have to be written anew. At this time, I could propose a deal to Lord Heimerich, triggering his ambition. With several connections across Vistar, I have not only information but several bargaining chips I could throw to the table and easily worm my way in as a Court Seat or even a Political Advisor.

 Now, I'm not so ignorant to believe myself an expert politician, as the rest of his court would see this as an intrusion, yet what I would offer him would be too good to refuse. What that would be, depends on his ambitions, of course, yet I do have some clues as to what his image of Lockrifta's future might be.

 And from there I get not only a masterfully renovated tower but also free reign on whatever I wish within Lord Heimerich's realm. From ingredients and specimens to his library and the land's history, all will rightfully, and legally, find their place in my laboratories and bookshelves.

 And believe me, most nobles read worse than children. And most children can't read...

 Isn't this a genius plan? I think so as well!

 I have also heard rumors, that a couple of neighboring hamlets have gone down with a vicious illness. And if it is brought over to Lockrifta, it would bring upon...

 An opportunity, once I think about it. If the whole town gets sick, the religious bastards either die out or run away, I could swoop in and save these lowborn with my elixir's. 'Sabinian The Saint' has a certain ring to it!

 However, I have barely any access to herbs and mushrooms during these times, so it would be almost impossible to- What am I saying! I'm an Astralist! The Impossible is what we do!

 Overall, that is what has happened these past few weeks. Winter is at its height, and my extremities are feeling it.

 I've been mostly bored out of my mind, yet my survival attempts have kept my mind active at all times. I've also been practicing my Astral arts. Because, You know, even Masters must keep their skills fresh.

 For now, I suppose, this marks the end of my 5th entry.

P.S. Almost forgot. Yesterday night, somebody stole some of my rations and a cloak. Scared the shit out of me! Though, I have a feeling I know who that was...