Corba's Little Black Book

[Honora]

So, I finally get out from under the mountains of work at the temple and find myself in the city I was called to, Hlint. Lady, if I never see another needle, or thread, or skin, or blanket again I will rejoice.

I have met a few people, notabley Dust; a beautiful young elf whom I think is looking for her sister, and a dwarf whos name escapes me at the moment. Why is it, I ask myself, that dwarves get the best hair? His was long, thick, silky and had great body. Everyone thinks it's the elven race that has such wonderful hair, but they simply don't look beyond the faces or height of the dwarves. To have hair like that!

I digress. I assisted Dust in helping the local tax collector, and then she wandered off. A young man named Sallaron and a cleric who again, I did not get the name of, assisted in another task that involved the deepest depths of the crypts. I must say that I feel I am on the correct path. My Lady blessed me twice in one day with new spells! And my turning of undead creatures is becoming very difficult for them to resist. I am very pleased by this and will be spending much time there I think.

It's difficult, not having a space to sleep in, or regular access to a bath. I can't shake my vanity. Smelling bad is just something I do not want to do. I have been renting space at the local inn in the evening but it does not come with water. I will have to do something about this.

I'll rest now I think. It will be a few hours getting the smell of the sewers out of my boots anyway.

[Honora]

Kergin was the dwarf's name. What a gentleman! He purchased for me a beautiful coppery mace, and the damage it does is far superior to my old one. I will keep an eye out for him to assist him further. Strange that I was given a gift, just for being myself...it's been a very very long time.

I helped a wagoneer with a goblin problem and have a pair of very tough boots for it. I'm glad of that, my old ones were worn through and the leather around the buckles was almost gone. My new boots have no buckles and that looks so much nicer.

I met Dust's sister today. I saw an elven female standing by the temple to Ilsare and was struck by the resemblance. When I asked, she pulled down her hood, and there was not doubt of the relation. I passed on that Dust was looking for her; which, in retrospect, may or may not be true but family is so important, I hope these sisters realize it. Her name is Ash and she is ranger of great, great skill. I can summon badgers and boars; she summoned a tremendous, huge bear that just mowed through the goblins she helped me to kill.

Adding this before I rest; I met a man tonight who is incredible with his sword, named Asher. He was in the Hlint crypts and asked if I wanted to see some "real undead". I've heard better pickup lines but I went along as he was very very good with his weapon. There was a large group of people there waiting to charge the crypt that Asher was showing me, and so we joined them. The undead were horrific; mummies and shadows and skeletons and bodaks. Everything happened rapid-fire and I was pressed to do what little healing I could offer. But, for the third time, the Lady granted me spells. Amazing.

I am exhausted beyond measure after this day's activities. I think there was only one time in my past life I was this tired and that was a party of...how many...twelve? Yes. At least this time I have honest sweat on me.

[Honora]

I began making holy water and healing potions today. It's not difficult but requires a lot of concentration and casting. My arms ache. On the other hand, I've splashed so much holy water on myself I can safely skip bathing tonight.

Thank you, Lady, for letting me get comfortable with the new spells I can cast. I am almost ready to be blessed with more but learning to channel the power takes time.

Reminder to self:

-Go to the temple and purchase components.
-Water and food.
-Vials
-Kyle Pandorn? about weapon/shield/crossbow
-Tyrian about ring; ring of divinity as well?
-Asher about armor.

The Weave is life, for it is my body and my soul.

Goodnight, Lady of Spells.

[Honora]

A trip with my newfound and very large friend Growls to the Barbarian Isles resulted in still more spells. I'm certain this is the path the Lady wants me to walk. I met a good number of people, I remember Zuga the dwarven woman, and a halfling woman they called Lillian, and a half-giant female whose name escapes me but my she was large. I've gained a lot of confidence in my casting, and kept several of the group healed.

I found a notice from Mrs. Dallorius regarding the ring I requested and found her in Hlint by the description she gave me. Very distinctive hair she has. A competent lady, if brusk. I now have a magical ring and feel all the wiser for it.

Mister Asher also brought me the copper plate I discussed with him, and a huge, heavy shield as well. I'm not used to wearing such protection...well, I'm not used to wearing much at all if I'm honest with myself. But the armor works very well. It's a bit bulky and very heavy but I am sure I won't get hit so much. I lamented the look quietly, so nice Mister Asher would not hear (not that he ever gets off his horse into earshot anyway), and Ash had several rings on her that helped me change the look to something more pleasing to my Lady. She said they belonged to a Miss H, or Honora, a half-orc woman who wears a "small blue outfit" according to Tyrian. I will return them to her if I see her; a half-orc female can't be too common so I'm sure I'll recognize her if I do see her.

Lastly for the day, which has left me exhausted and possibly even a bit thinner, is a lovely elven woman who approached me as I nearly dozed off on a bench. She said her name was Ferrit, and she asked if I worshipped the Lady. I said yes (it must have been my clothes that tipped her off, since I have recolored them blue and white) and she offered me a wonderful magical staff! I don't know how much I owe her, and I hope she's not eager for the cash since I am still in hock to Mister Asher for at least 1000 gold coins. But the staff is light and has magics on it and is greatly pleasing to my goddess. I will have to pass on the copper mace that the wonderful Kergin gave me now, as the staff fits my style much more.

Ah, dwarves named Kergin. I met another, also with wonderful hair and he was as kind as his same-named brethern. I was waddling around with boxes of skeleton knuckles and with the new armor and shield I could barely struggle each step. He offered to purchase my knuckles, and gave me a hefty sum of gold AND healing potions! I can always get more knuckles for my use but lightening my load was a relief.

All in all a wonderful day, my Lady blesses me with each moment. I look forward to tomorrow!

[Honora]

I cleared the crypts tonight and earned enough coin to purchase a pair of gloves advertised in the Wild Surge. Just before bed I happened on a man named Dareon Stormcloud who was part of the company I wished to buy from, and he had a pair of the gloves on him. He's also in the service of the Lady, I will have to find him later for a nice chat. Now, with the enchantment on the gloves, I can carry a few more pounds than before. Which is good because the chef's special at the Inn is not too bad and I'm hungry.

I met my friend Growls again, and the bard Lyle who was on the trip to the Barbarian Isles I now remember; and a man named Jaleel, and we went to take care of a mercenary problem. This was just after I left the crypts. We then went to the Haven mines, which perpetually overrun with ogres, and were able to get to the second level before turning back. I learned from my last trip and conserved all my spells for healing. I was not much use on the first floor but the Lady granted me use on the second, where the frontliners Growls and Jaleel took quite a bit of damage. I do need to get a crossbow soon however and will need to find this Kyle Pandorn I've been told about.

I believe I'll stick with the walking stick the lady Ferrit gave me for a weapon, it's very light and works well in one hand. Perhaps I'll upgrade my shield to iron though.

So, to do:

Iron shield and oak crossbow? Kyle Pandorn?
Ring of Divinity? -soonest save gold
Asher Hardrock (what a name...must ask him about it) - 1000 gold to complete payment.
Finish vials, make light healing potions (knuckles heavy!)
BUY NEW BRUSH AND COMB, FACE POWDER, ROUGE (looking blotchy)
And most important PAJAMAS (cannot sleep in armor!!!)

[Honora]

In the Haven mines, with Growls and others, again more spells. The Lady continues to bless me and I'm feeling my strength now.

I need to find something to put that strength to a use the Lady would approve. I will ask around and see what things I can do to aid people with more than passing troubles.

Also: Paid Asher the money I owed him, and Kyle the money I owed him, and I'm out of debt to these kind men. Advanced in enchanting and I'm pleased with that. I caught a glimpse of a half-orc woman in a tight blue top and grey and blue leggings running like the wind for the eastern part of Hlint yesterday evening while I worked at the enchanting pool; this must be the Honora they spoke of. Watching her run I didn't even try to catch her to give her those rings. I'd have split my sides and failed anyway.

[Honora]

Ventured a bit recently, to Rilaria to do some errands. Helped a farmer with a griffon problem quite accidentally; we were in fact trying to avoid the beasts, and one of them swooped down and tried to eat a party member. Fortunately we killed it, and it contained a cow's collar in it's gut. Which I would have not ever looked for but one of our number was most enthusiastic about searching for loot. Above and beyond, in my opinion...yuck. But the farmer at least knew what happened to that cow.

I've also sailed to Fort Velensk and Port Hampshire. Port Hampshire I especially liked, I've always wanted to visit there but never had the coin until now. Quite an impressive city, shame there is no lodging there. On the way back I saw the most disturbing thing, a wild chicken pecking at a little boy RIGHT in front of the guards to Blackford Castle! They did nothing! I ran as fast as I could but I could not reach the boy before the unusually large chicken killed him. I raged on the chicken, which sounds utterly ridiculous when I look at it in writing. But the dead boy's body makes it a sober thought. I killed the chicken and the guards continued to watch. I cannot tell if they were amused or uncaring or dozing at their post. After I killed the chicken I looked around for the boy's body but it had disappeared. I am still confused on that incident, and I feel horrible inside knowing I was not powerful enough to help. I must win Lucinda's blessing to raise dead, at least I could have spared a mother the pain of a child's death.

I've discovered that my crossbow, while lovely and well-made by Kyle, is pretty useless in my hands. All the broad sides of barns anywhere within 100 feet of me are safe. Well, at least I'm able to attempt to do something rather than hang back when I've used my spells.

I'm becoming much better at enchanting, I'm able to make light healing potions half the time now. Shattered a vial in my hand yesterday though, and that was unpleasant.

I have the money finally to pay for the ring I ordered from the Un-Named. I'm so excited about that, I will be picking it up tonight!

Not much more to write, I've been concentrating on becoming more adept at the spells the Lady has given me to use. A lot to learn!

Oh, there is one more thing. A gentleman in the crypts yesterday whom I healed from disease and wounds gave me a little blue ring as a gift. I forgot how nice that feels, and again, no motivation or expectations...just a gift. I believe his name was Fallon?

Things to do:

Pick up ring
Save for next ring
Order a cunning belt
Tithe at temple
Check calendar!

[Honora]

I met a lovely dwarf yesterday, Exodus. I'm impressed by the dwarves in and around Hlint, by and large a group of gentlemen. He even kissed my hand after we chatted!

I bought a belt from Miss Ferrit, so I can cross that off my list. I've spent the last few days either clearing the undead from the crypt or in prayer, with the exception of a trip to a darker, nastier crypt full of undead much more powerful. This was in Krandor, and I accompanied a man named Umbra. We went deep in and then were overpowered by a huge skeleton with a greatsword, and he fell, then I fell. I've never died before. It was cold, dark, and horrible, but I came back to the large cross in Hlint. It took many hours before the shock wore off. Now I know more of why I do what I do. I will fight death with my Lady's power as hard as I can.

Her constellation will be high tonight, so I will spend another night in prayer. I need a direction beyond adventuring, and I hope my Lady will guide me.

To Do:

Get ring from Un-Named
Tithe

[Honora]

An interesting test of my healing abilities in a trip to the swamps. I joined a group with Growls, a large gent of dark skin named Caide, Praytor (sp?), a vallient old fellow who is also a follower of the lady named Weston, a slender young lady named Dora, and a few others. I'm terrible at names, truely. How did I remember all my customers all those years? It's age, it must be.

Anyway. We travelled by boat to the swamps past Fort Velensk, and tackled the trolls there. Our first trip through was well coordinated, with no casulaties. On the way back, however, we were ambused. It was pure chaos, trolls and party members everywhere. I healed, I flung down the Hammer of the Lady on them, I did what damage I could but I move so slowly and am easy to hit. My crossbow got a workout! We did manage to get out with skins intact, and flush with victory, headed over to clear some ogres from a cave nearby. Luck was with me and no one else needed the topaz; I was able to mine quite a bit! Now, to find someone of skill to grind it. I tried and my little chisel just slid off the geode like it was covered in butter...there must be a trick to it.

I have taken a great deal of time to pray, as my skills increase. I ask the Lady every night what my purpose is. I must do more for the world than run around killing evil beings.

Lady, give me direction. Make me part of your weave, show me a purpose that I might heal wounds and bring your word to the world through my example.

[Honora]

What an interesting day. I was looking for someone to grind my topazs to dust in the Hlint crafting hall when I saw a half-giant talking to Miss Ferrit and a man I did not know. I thought of course it was Growls so I went to say hello but this man was shorter and broader by far. Although short is relative...he was still a good foot over me. He introduced himself as Michael Mordicai. I would have left it at that, needing my topaz dust very much, however he offered me two jobs and in my current financial state I don't have much leeway to refuse. First I am to go to Haven and collect wheat. I will get a set amount per box and that I will do with gladness although the boxes are heavy and I am close to what I can carry. Second, he asked if I could provide protection from mind altering spells, which I can. He hired me then for a cut of the proceeds to accompany him to the swamps up in the Battle Fens and get platinum. I accepted and off we went, after an incident with a lovely bird that flew into the craft hall and took a liking to Miss Ferrit. Such colors! It was like the bird was made of wild strands of the weave, lovely and not skittish like most animals. I will look for more of them.

In this journal I will tell the truth; I'm not sure what smelled worse, the swamps, or him. A friendly and genial man but not an attractive one. I did overhear him say he had recently gotten engaged to the half-orc woman Honora. As strange as that union sounds I cannot imagine anyone else putting up with his smell. As it was I tried to stay out of his wake. However, he was as good as his word and kept me alive as well as giving me an unbelievable sum of money for my time and repeated spells of mind protection and fear removal, as needed. I used my crossbow to assist, although what I was able to do to the trolls was fairly insignificant. However he is very susceptable to several spells of stunning including one I recognized as Hammer of the Gods, and I used my spell of clarity on him repeatedly. So I did earn what I took home. I offered him any more assistance should he need it in the future and we parted near Fort Velensk.

Thank you Lady, for providing when my coffers were empty.

[Honora]

Met an irrepressable halfling male yesterday. He bolded up and introduced himself, Thaddeus. Wanted to accompany me to the crypts. I took him down with me and he turned out to be a wizard of decent ability and no common sense; he burned the zombies we were fighting with a fire spell that singed me...TWICE. I had to cut over an inch of burned hair off.

He did give me a large number of skeleton knuckles which I will work with later today. And he purchased an extra walking stick I had found.

But my HAIR! Grrr.....

[Honora]

A small break as I sit on the deck of the captain's ship and wait for the others.

*There is a wiff of salty water on this page*

I traveled to Lorindar to explore Dregar a bit, and found a group of fellows in a bar. Included were the elf woman Ferrit who gave me my wonderful staff, a gnome named Miltin and a lady gnome, Meriam, who was dangerous to sit near due to springs and other metal objects that seemed to jump from her continuously. Also a gentlman Weaveworker of some age and good manners named Godim, a dwarf of much ale-drinking calling himself Barif, a soft-spoken elven man named Drogo, and a few others whose names have escaped me. We sat and talked for a while, pleasant people all, and then a nicely-dressed man began near us began to lament the loss of his wife and young daughter to a pirate named Black Jack, who sails a ship called the Midnight. Some of us spoke to him and we decided to help him; it seems my newfound fellows were of like mind, that no mother and child should be thrown to the pirates if a rescue can be attempted.

We gathered information on this ship; namely that it has either undead or demons aboard, and is exceptionally dangerous to cross, and no one has bested it yet. And, that there is one pirate captain crazy enough to possibly do so...whom we have found, and on whose ship I now sit. We had to enlist the aid of a reluctant captain with knowledge of the local pirates, and tamp our revulsion of the trade enough to convince them to let us ashore. So far no problems of any magnitude have arisen. There is much more detail but we sail soon and I don't have time to recount it all.

For the sake of the girl and her mother, I hope we succeed...Lucinda, Mother of my Heart, guide us in our travel and aid us in this rescue.

[Honora]

Well, the pirate trip is postponed. Some brassy-haired woman in a red dress showed up at the last minute and the captain decided he had better things to do for the short term. I pray the woman and her child will be alright but we simply have no other way to persue them until the captain is done entertaining himself.

Lucinda my lady, watch over them, please keep them safe until a rescue can be made. Wrap them in your Weave to hold them secure and I swear to you I will sail to help them as soon as I'm able. Thank you, my Lady.

Well, someone new has turned up in Hlint that I admit only here I find attractive. Galen Tweed, a cleric of my Lady and a sorceror as well. Handsome and flirty, charming, funny and way too young for me. I swore off men long ago, and here is this man whose parent's tailor shop I passed several times a week in Spellguard, who follows my Goddess, and who seems truely interested to be with me. But...I swore...

Well, it's comforting to know that he's have no trouble rejecting me if he knew my past. I think.

[Honora]

Galen, what am I going to do about him. He's been attentive lately, and earlier before I went to bed he asked to buy me an ale and started asking me about myself! He's being interested. He makes me laugh. And I just can't face what he would think if I told him who I was. I just can't. What do I do? Lady help me...

[Honora]

I'm delighted! I was able to save enough to buy another ring with second circle spells and another with first circle to help with my crafting.

And I'm spinning. Galen bought me presents, spell components. Which is funny except I needed them so much and it really helped me, and then he kissed my hand. And complimented my new dress. All things I've had done before but never for no reason, and never without a price. Lady I still don't know what to do. I am retreating to the temple in Spellguard to think things over, perhaps ask some opinions. Maybe even drop by the Tweed's shop, and browse...and see if I'm recognized. Maybe I can hide my past, if they have never seen me I can make something up. Parents killed in raid by orcs? Ogres?

I love this feeling, and I hate this feeling!

[Honora]

I've kneeled so long my shins are numb. I can't find answers because my Lady does not answer these questions. I would be giving up and walking past the Tweed Tailoring shop again, wishing and wondering, if sweet Rumilion had not stopped to talk. He is usually polite but even as his mind drifts sometimes he caught on to something bothering me. I always did talk to him when I learned in these halls; he seemed to like me then, and was grandfatherly to me, for an elf. He took me aside today and asked me what bothered me; I told him about Galen, like a child spilling out troubles to a mother or father. He laughed at me! He was worried that I'd started to lose faith. No, my teacher, never that.

He told me a story of his distant past, of love and yearning and what-ifs. It caught me by surprise and even answered the question of why he was so kind to my human self.

I don't know if he answered any questions. But it is good to know others have wondered as I do, and even others to who I hold the highest respect and awe.

Galen gave me a rose last night, and asked me to dinner. He compliments me so, and I'm not upset with that; I am pretty, after all, wrinkles included.

No, if I have to be totally honest, it's beyond even my past that I worry. I've never been in a relationship that did not have boundaries defined by coin. What can and cannot be done. How to speak, and to dress; what choices are mine and what choices are made by my renter.

How do I know these things when the love is free?