Order of Hospitalers Journals

Sling discovered a collection of old, worn journal pages at the Order of Hospitalers Temple kept by the Mothers Superior of the Order.

These are transcriptions of those journals. There may be errors, they are a best attempt.

1352 DR (Mother Sophia Acquaviva)

12 of Murtul, 1352 DR

Today our expedition finally bore fruit. In the foothills of the Omlarandin Mountains, we discovered a spring of the purest, most invigorating water I’ve ever encountered. I am certain the gods have led us here. Sister Marta’s fever subsided mere hours after drinking from it. We shall make camp and observe further.

3rd of Kythorn 1352 DR

Word from Sembia at last. The High Mother has granted us permission to establish our order here. Praise be to the gods! There is much work to be done, but I am filled with purpose. In honor of my late father, who always supported my calling, I shall name this place Bad Doric. May it become a becaon of healing and hope.

18th of Eleasias, 1352 DR

Our first structures are complete - simple and humble as befits our vows. Already, word spreads of the healing waters, and a trickle of pilgrims has begun. Sister Elara shows great promise in organizing their care. I must remember to commend her dedication.

7th of Marperoth(?) 1352 DR

The onset of autumn brings new challenges. We must prepare for the harsh mountain winter ahead. Yet my heart is glad - three new novices joined us today. They are young and untested, but their eyes shine with faith. I shall be firm but fair in their instruction, as the future of Bad Doric may well rest in their hands.

1382 DR (Mother Bianca Fontana)

{illegible} of Flamerule, 1382 DR

With a heavy heart, I write that our beloved Mother Sophia has passed into the embrace of the gods. Her last days were peaceful, filled with the sound of the healing waters she loved so dearly. We laid her to rest in the sacred crypt beneath our temple, as is our tradition. May her spirit continue to guide us.

21st of Flamerule, 1382 DR

Today I led my first ceremony as Mother Superior. The temple was filled to bursting, not just with our sisters, but with townsfolk and pilgrims alike. How Bad Doric has grown in these 30 years! Where once stood only our humble dwellings, now a bustling town thrives. The gods have truly blessed us.

3rd of Eleint, 1382 DR

Troubling news from the south. Tensions between Amn and Tethyr grow, and there’s unrest in Sespech. While we enjoy our independence, I fear for our safety. We have no army, no walls. Our healing touches all who come, regardless of nation. But will that be enough to protect us if conflict spreads?

17th of Marpenoth, 1382 DR

A delegation from Aureltaran visited today, offering protection in exchange for fealty. I sent them away with blessings and healing waters, but no promises. Our independence allows us to serve all equally. Yet, I worry. I shall pray for guidance on how to keep our people safe while staying true to our calling.

28th of Uktar, 1382 DR

Winter approaches and with it comes a surge of those seeking healing before the mountain passes close. Among them was a group of refugees from the Sespech unrest. Their stories are heartbreaking. We’ve opened our doors to all as always. I pray our compassion will be remembered if dark days come to Bad Doric.

1402 DR (Mother Lucia Torrente)

2nd of Hammer, 1402 DR

Today marks my first entry as Mother Superior. Mother Bianca’s mind has sadly begun to wander, and she can no longer lead us. We’ve made her comfortable in the infirmary, where she still brings joy to patients with her gentle presence. When her time comes, she will join Mother Sophia in our sacred crypt, her legacy secure in the thriving community she nurtured.

10th of Ches, 1402 DR

Troubling reports from our western contacts. A new ailment, dubbed the “Sweating Sickness” spreads from Chult through Calimshan. While rarely fatal, its symptoms are most unpleasant oily sweats, blisters, and stomach cramps. I’ve begun researching potential treatments, should it reach us. Our waters have proven efficacious against many ills; perhaps they will help with this one too.

7th of Mirtul, 1402 DR

I’ve initiated a systematic study of our healing waters properties. Sister Elira thinks me sacrilegious, but I maintain that understanding the gifts of the gods can only deepen our faith. Today’s experiments showed promising results in alleviating joint pain. I must remember to record the exact procedures for replication.

30th of Kythorn , 1402 DR

Bad Doric continues to flourish. The town council approached me about expanding the aqueduct system to acoommodate our growth. A sound idea, but I’ve cautioned against over tapping the springs. Balance is key. In other news, our novices’ education program is thriving. I’m particularly impressed with young Chiara’s quick mind.

14th of Eleasias, 1402

DR A merchant from Calimshan arrived today, bearing news and, unfortunately, symptoms of the sweating sickness. We’ve quarantined him comfortably and I’ve begun administering various treatments, carefully documenting the results. This firsthand observation is invaluable though I pray the illness spreads no further. May our waters prove as miraculous as ever.

1412 DR (Mother Chiara Ruscelli)

5th of Flamerule, 1412 DR

My first week as Mother Superior has been tumultuous. At 32, I’m the youngest to ever hold this position, and not everyone is pleased. Sister Marian, in particular, seems to think my newfangled ideas will be the ruin of us all. I must tread carefully, balancing progress with tradition. The gods have placed me here for a reason, I pray for the wisdom to fulfull their purpose.

19th of Eleint, 1412 DR

A group of travelers, the Stoica, arrived today. Among them was a young woman Isabella, heavy with child. Sadly, she miscarried shortly after arrival. Our healers did all they could, but some wounds run too deep for even our blessed waters to mend. To my surprise, Isabella has asked to join our order. A young mind from outside our order and heritage may bring new wisdom.

3rd of Marpenoth, 1412 DR

We laid Mother Lucia to rest today, another victim of the sweating sickness. The irony that she succumbed to the very ailment she worked so tirelessly to understand is not lost on me. However, her research proved invaluable in treating others, and the sickness’s spread seems to have finally abated. Her legacy of combining faith with scientific inquiry will live on through our work.

21st of Wetar, 1412 DR

Isabella has become a dear friend and confidante. Her outsiders’ perspective is refreshing, especially as tensions within the order grow. Some sisters resist my efforts to modernize our healing practices, claiming we’re straying from tradition. Isabella reminds me that change, while uncomfortable, is often necessary for growth. Her wisdom belies her years.

10th of Nightal, 1412 DR

Another heated debate in the cloister today. My proposal to train lay healers was met with fierce opposition. Isabella suggested a compromise: we’ll start small, with a pilot program in Bad Doric itself. It’s a sound idea. As Mother Superior, I must unite our sisters, not divide them. Perhaps this middle ground will help ease the tensions. The path forward is challenging, but with Isabella I feel equal to the task.

1442 DR (Mother Viola Laguna)

3rd of Hammer, 1442 DR

Mother Chiara is dead, murdered by a deranged pilgrim we welcomed with open arms. My heart is heavy as I assume leadership of our order. Sister Isabella urges we close our doors to protect ourselves. It pains me, but she’s right. We cannot risk another tragedy.

17th of Alturiak, 1442 DR

Dissent grows among the order, particularly between the sisters and lay healers. Many refuse to accept the closed door policy, claiming it goes against our very purpose. I understand their concerns, but we must adapt to survive.

9th of Kythorn, 1442 DR

Goblin raids from the Omlarandin Mountains grow bolder. The town begs for our help, but we lack the means to defend them. Some sisters want to sppeal to Amn or Tethyr for protection, but Sister Isabella warns against involvng outsiders. The order fractures further with each attack.

22nd of Eleasis, 1442 DR

The unthinkable has happened. A newborn child drank from our spring and fell ill with fever. I’ve worried our healing springs may have lost their vigor, but to sicken a child? Is this divine punishment for our failings? I pray for guidance, but only silence answers. I am set upon by nightmare, as always those gray, worm-ridden eyes watching me. What have I done to deserve this torment?

5th of Marpenoth, 1442 DR

A cleric of Ilmater arrived today from Port Maraisa, across the Mirefen Swamp. The sweating sickness has returned with a vengeance. He begged for our aid at his quarantine camp, a Lazaretto he calls it. Sister Isabella volunteered to go. I’ll miss her wisdom, but perhaps this act of charity will redeem us in the gods’ eyes.

1442 - 1443 DR (Mother Viola Laguna, continued)

**–th of Nightal, 1442 DR

Bad Doric is a shadow of its former self. Half the order has left, some to join Isabella at [[the Lazaretto]], but most to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Those who remain are divided and distrustful. Without the springs’ power, pilgrims no longer come. I fear I’ll be the last Mother Superior of Bad Doric.

30th of Hammer, 1443 DR

I can no longer deny the truth. Our order is finished. The last of the faithful sisters left today, unable to bear the constant goblin attacks and the loss of our divine purpose. A few lay healers and I alone remain to tend the empty halls and the crypt where my predecessors rest. Those accursed eyes haunt my every moment. What went wrong? How did we fall so far from grace? My place in the crypt waits for me, and sometimes I just want to lie down in it and make it stop

15th of Ches, 1443 DR

The goblin and orc tribes are uniting under one leader, an orc named Korgath Drokk, though they call him the white skull. How do I know? I saved him. Mercy required it of me though I fear what may come. He had been scalped in some fight, I don’t know or care about the details, and the wounds round his exposed skull were infected. Our waters still run pure enough to save that vile beast, and now I know the gods are cruel. Korgath says I am his now, a blood-wife, and that it is an honor.