The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: Honora on February 22, 2006, 09:41:09 am
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met a dragin todaye. big, gold, tothie. sayd i was to help with somting caled blod. sent me to som town, was mornig. qiet. i mis aubret. som fok here, non to talkie in mornig. writig leter to inirine and her famly, ned to find post. oh, and kild som rats in a sewr. dats al todaye.
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met som nice pepl. one was Lingard. shold hav askd how to spel his nam. he helpd me get bat fur, in the gobbo cavs. he usd magik, ray of red lite that waz very efect effict effective. othr was Jonis? shold hav askd for his spel to. he heeld me otside bury patch criptz. he talkd to me for a whil, askd abot my scars. spelling lokig at my spelig spelling. okae, god, thats in bok.
ned to start loking up words mor oftin.
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met sum mor nise peep people last few days. Klos, helpd me get gobbo overlord hed head. Got a nice par of boots for that. Met Ferit and Kyel, tok me to rilerea to diliver a leter. that was advi adventure! they foght huge bird, a grifon. Grifon was big as a shed, had eten a whol cow. also got our tushs handed to us by som orc gold min leadr. wok up in Point Harbor, Ferit and Kyel musta draged me ther. bunch of my gold fel out of my poket in the fite fight to. i was feling crasy crazy so we went bak to try agan! wok up in Point Harbor agan, mor gold spiled out of my poket and i was prety beet up. that is wher i'm at now, on the doks. othr than that, feling prety strong, ben lerning much. got that circl circle kick right finaly. Been cheking my spelling mor. been talking to people. got a leter to Inirine off in post. and, can talor cloks and robes now. i'm starting to feel at hom here.
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(Written on parchment, in charcoal). Well ben busy. To much tim time spent siting and medetating but its paying of. I went about with Ferit and Kile more. I forgot to menton that Ferit gave me some nise gloves. They keep my hands from hurting so much when I hit stuff so I hit beter. I have been tailoring a lot and I can sew a nise strait seam now. I can make cloaks and pouches and cloth is easy for me. Found some lizard lade in a swamp. Was looking for wisps to help some lade in last but did not find any. But lizard lade gave me coin and advis for each skellie bone I had and I had lots. Also a necklase. Then I left her and got killed by bugs. I went back to pray and got killed by the same bugs. Litle bity bugs. Was unhappy and felt bad but met Alen and he took me back to pray and killed the bugs. Never saw anyone smak a sord around that fast befor. Just read what I wrot. I asked Ferit to look at my spelling and she sed she wold would. In the mean time I read the boks on sewing and tanning and baking that I got from the craft man. Also the recipie cards. I have been cheking my spelling against them and I think its geting beter. Also need to make the first leter of a bunch of words big. That looks much beter. Been fishing to. But all this time siting is to slow. I am half orc. I need to go test my fiting. I need to move. Bonies in the cripts are to easy. I can kill 3 or 4 somtimes at once. I can even kill the spiders in the seelwood. I need more I will see if Ferit and Kile or maybe Bigie want to go out and do some chop-chopin. Bigie is some half giant I met. He don't talk much. Pretty much dumb as a bug but very nise and BIG sord. Inirine has not writen me back yet. Will send another leter soon. Will put this in bok when Ferit is done.
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Went out with Ferit and Kile last night. Met a nome gnome named Rolie and a hafling named Beri. Rolie is a fist fighter like me, I need to talk to him more. All of us and Stump, thats Bigies name, went boar hunting. I need to ree recind what I wrote about Stump. Hes not dumb he just cant talk. Hes very sweet. Been checking posts on ins and such and checking them against my dictionary and I am writing this to see how much Iv improved. Looking beter. Also talking beter, been talking to people a lot. Im happy with that. Can almost hit twice fast. Need to work on it. More fighting! Less fishing! ! means lots I think.
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Very hapy! Met Stump and a elf with black skin and a skeliton face in the gobbo lands. We went bear hunting together, and I have been working so much on kicking fast I finaly got it right. I figured out the (letters smear here, as if page was flipped on fresh charcoal) pivot. I can take more damage now and went to cripts to practice and if I kill something and it drops I can use the (more smearing) momentum to hit the next thing and just keep going. Very hapy!
My skin feels tougher. My spelling is beter. I made a new friend the black elf. He has white hair though. Hes very nice but does not like humans much. His name is Rakish and he does not like being caled Rak. He has a skeliton mask that is very real. We hunted orcs and bear and gobbos and a bunch of stuff. I like Rak he does not mess around but gets right to it.
Killed tree ants. Not what I thought not a litle ant but a big tree that moves. Tough to, hits like a big tree one almost killed me. But I got a nice new scar so thats good.
I like Stump hes a big sweetee.
Now I have 4 friends Kile, Ferit, Stump, and Rakish. Very hapy!
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Bad day. Its dark out and I just left talking to at Stump. Hes a good lisiner. Rolie Rollie and Beri and Stump and me and a music man named Freldo and a tree guy and I think more went to join with a bunch more folk like an elf named Ash and that monk I got the cugar skins from and kill saters. Saters are small goat men but they hit like grifons. They must have done something bad beside kiling a man named Renji because we was a large bunch then like an army and runing around and kiling them all. I still dont know what they did. I feel bad because they didnt have much of a chance against us and they didnt do anything to me.
Anyway. Some fighter guy kept making coments. Saying how there were to many and stuff. I felt he didnt like me and I was part of the to many so I asked and he would not call me by my name even after I told him he could but called me orc. Just orc. Im only half an orc. I dont know why he was so rude. I never even met him until this night. Then he prety much told me to leave. I think thats what I heard anyway. So I left. I dont know why anyone would be this way since I cant help who my parents are and my parents cant help who they are. This must be what Rakish was talking about. I wonder if this hapens to him alot?
? mean a question. Im reading all the notes on the inns that I see and its helping.
So I left and cryed on Stumps shold shoulder for a bit and went back to Hlint looked for Kile and Ferit but they were not there. So Im going to think on this. I will talk to Rakish next I see him.
What would make someone act like that?
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I read again what I wrote. I was wrong to go kiling those saters. There was no reason. Im thinking and thinking and what I think hapened was my orc blood got strong in the fight. I remember being (charcoal smudged) almost hipnotised. I was just kiling and moving and kiling and moving. There was no reason.
I will not do that again unles I know why.
Spoke to Freldo earlier. He told me about Blood and why we fight him and why Im here. Hes very nise but easy to (smudge) distract. Some dark elf lady was there and he kept talking to her and some other guy so I wasnt sure if what he was saying was for me or them. The dark elf lady called herself a Drow. I heard that before. That must be what Rakish is. Drow. Anyway Blood was a general who killed most of the dragons that were at war and hurting everyone and he was banished for using bad ways to kill and he came back and wants to kill more. Hes god powerful and evil now I guess. So thats why Im here.
Spoke to Rolie about his monk order. He told me they respect the elements water earth fire and air. He is water. That explains why he takes water into his hands so much and I guess why he cups them when he greets you. He said I would be a good air. I will train with him some to see if I like it. Im hapy about this.
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Friend Ferrit has looked at my journal and helped me with spelling. I will copy her corrections exactly so I can learn from them. Thank you Ferrit!
I read again what I wrote. I was wrong to go killing those satyrs. There was no reason. I’m thinking and thinking, and what I think happened was my orc blood got strong in the fight. I remember being almost hypnotized. I was just killing and moving and killing and moving. There was no reason.
I will not do that again unless I know why.
Spoke to Freldo earlier. He told me about Blood, and why we fight him, and why I’m here. He’s very nice but easy to distract. Some dark elf lady was there, and he kept talking to her and some other guy, so I wasn’t sure if what he was saying was for them or me. The dark elf lady called herself a Drow. I heard that before. That must be what Rakish is – Drow, Anyway, Blood was a general who killed most of the dragons that were at war and hurting everyone, and he was banished for using bad ways to kill. Then he came back, and now he wants to kill more. He’s god-powerful and evil now, I guess. So, that’s why I’m here.
Spoke to Rolie about his monk order. He told me they respect the elements – water, earth, fire and air. He is water. That explains why he takes water into his hands so much, and I guess why he cups them when he greets you. He said I would be a good air. I will train with him some to see if I like it. I’m happy about this.
Sayter - with a y
I'm - with a mark
Happened - 2 ps
Killing - 2 ls
Hypnotized - with y and z
Unless - 2 s
Nice - with a c
Wasn't - with a mark
Happy - 2 ps
I need to check the merchants for a book on punktuation.
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Wow. Something big happened. I met a man, an elf really who knew Aubret! He came looking for me! His name is Laldeann (in a lovely flowing script) Laldiien, and hes tall for an elf. Almost as tall as me. He told me Aubrets last name and we talked for a long time while I draged him all over Hlint. He met Inirine while she was taking care of Aubrets grave so she got my letter. Good. She also told him my name was Puggy. I hope he forgets that. (in lovely flowing script) He will not. Hes very old. I think I will be spending a lot of time with him, its like my past is touching me. I feel warm in my heart with memories of Aubret and our training. Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien is a bit tense around others and I dont know why but hes warmed up to me a little. I will take care of him as hes a spell slinger and still a bit weak. Hes catching up fast though and hes smarter than all heck. lllll Henrich lll Jr ll Ninya ll Alfend l Aubret llll Dragon l. I guess Im 18 now. I must of had a birthday. Also I got the last bear pelt for Johan and he gave me a super cloke that is so thick it absorbs damage. I tested it with the zombies that keep sneaking into the crypts and half thier blows didnt hurt at all. Good stuff! I saw Ferrit for a moment yesterday but she and Kyle have been very busy. I hope they are not mad at me for something as I miss them. I would like them to meet Laldeann (in a lovely flowing script) Laldiien. I will have to introduce him to Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford and Stump and Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie and Rakish if I see him again and that nice cleric lady I met yesterday, Alleia? and Freldo. And anyone else I forgot.
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Met up with Kyle and Ferrit the other day, got to see thier apartment. It's very warm and nice. Beats sleeping in a barn. Was good to see them they seem happy. I'm writing next to the post board in the Wild Surge Inn. I'm working hard on my punktuation. I read every post and bits of posts and I'm not to bad really my spelling is much better. Been thinking about what I'm doing here. About what we all are doing here. Before the dragon called me I was lost, just tending to Aubrets grave and practicing my forms. Not talking to anyone and I didn't even know about Blood. But these people I meet that have been called to help are all working to something. Making themselves better. Better fighting and cooking and sewing and smithing. Better spellslinging. Better healing. And they are making changes in the world and leaving a mark of themselves. I need to do that. I am speaking to Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie about training and we are going to start soon. When he teachs me all he can then I will travel to the temple and see if I am worthy to join an order. But that is not all I need to do. I am thinking of how people make changes. About how they get better. I think of Inirine, who danced. She danced good and could teach good. She taught me and Ninya and tried to teach Richie but he hated how girly it was. But I watched her teach classes latter and she never got better. She never learned more than she knew. She was happy where she was and I remember a student she had I can't remember the name but she was good, really good. And Inirine could not teach her any more and the girl was better than her in the end. Inirine didn't try to learn more. She didn't work hard at it. I want to work hard and be better. I want to be more than what I am. I am thinking of ways to do this. I can't throw myself at Blood yet it would be sooicide. But I can find people who can help. Aubret never told me the name of his old order but Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien knows. Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien is the smartest person I have ever met. I think I am going to try to find if there are any more of Aubret's order in the world and learn from them if there are. I hope Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien will help me as he is good at hearing things I miss. We have done a lot together in the last few days. I think he's lost like me and since we have a sort of friend together he's comforted like me. He is less tense around me now. He really is smart he's learned so fast its scary. I saw him practice a spell yesterday that was a ball of fire that exploded. Wow! So I'm going to join the order of the elements if I can to learn more and be a better monk and I'm going to find any of Aubret's order that I can to help against Blood. I have a plan.
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First training with Rolie(in lovely flowing script) Rollie. We sat by the new fountain in Hlint, the one by Ilsares temple. Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien sat with us. We talked about the order and what some of the things they all share are. The first thing that he said was respect. Respect all things, even your enemies. He said that's why he bowed to everyone. I found this out when he bowed to and spoke to Elderil who is Laldeann's (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien's little dragon friend. Hes never spoken but he said hello! And thanked Rolie(in lovely flowing script) Rollie for speaking to him! So I said hello and we talked a bit. I did not know little dragons could talk. I will be more respecting from now on. So, I need to learn to respect all things. Then we talked about me, my speed. Why I run everywhere. I told him about Aubret and how he told me that to run better you run. To kick better you kick. But Rolie(in lovely flowing script) Rollie said that I should try to slow down, so I can listen to the elements. We talked about that to. I should listen to all of them wind water fire earth and see which one speaks to me. But I already know that. I didnt want to interupt but I've listened to the wind since I was little. I always thought the wind can talk the way it talks to trees and streams and buildings. But I never tried to understand it. Now I will listen closer. Then we talked about how the elements work together. I never thought about this. When I think of fire I think of fire, not how air feeds the fire or how earth supports it. He used the fountain as a an example.He said the water flowed and was risen as mist by the heat of the sunwhich is fire.The water is spread as mist by the wind. The earth is cool and pulls the water back downto flow again. The earthalso supports the water.
I thought on this for a while. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie is linked to waterbut sees how the elementsneed each other.I will look and listen athow they mix and depend on each other.
Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien spoke of respectto, respect for the weave whatever that is. Has something to do with magik, I will ask him later. I think that if Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien is the smartest person Ive ever met then Rolie(in lovely flowing script) Rollie is the wisest. I have make good friends.
SawStump and said hi, he'slooking rested. We got some batdoots for Laldeann(in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and went to bed. I satby the pond for a long time, listening to the wind and the water, before I went to sleep.
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Wow, been busy. Not much time for thinking. Been working hard on seeing the world. Helped some farmer guy with a scarecrow problem, he was happy about that. No letters to deliver. Saw a lot of the world with Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien, Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford, Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie, Talen, a wizard named Samir, and was he powerful. Also another guy whos name I forgot, began with an i. We went all over, fought giants and ghosts and spiders and I got a lot of venom sacs for Ferrit. Was a great night. No one died. I have been listening to the world. The wind says a lot, it's been calling me to go out which is why I'm traveling so much. I have found that if I focus more I can do some really neat things. I can heal myself now. Not much and not a lot but if I let the wind and sun and earth and air and water fill my head, and relax for even a moment I can make some wounds go away. The first time was so incredible I could not speak. I feel almost useful sometimes. I have been tailoring a lot to. Getting better with leathers. Talked with Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie again, he's checking on my progress and we discuss things. Next time maybe we'll work on some moves. Also we have traveledtogether so I'm watching what he does and learning from that. More later. Must sew!
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Today was for thinking. I'm learning a lot of the world. The wind keeps pulling me to go here and there. Today I went to Rilaria though to get skins. Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien is always having problems carrying all the rocks he gets so I'm going to make him some cougar bags. I also helped Stump deliver a letter. Even then I was pulled to look and see. I looked in the Wolfswood, past the ranger station. I looked in this cave and saw some REALLY BIG mounds of walking rock. I stayed away they didn't look friendly. Tomorrow is for traveling I think. I will let the wind take me. I have started running again because that's what I feel like doing that's what the wind says. Run! I love the feel of the wind on me when I run and I love the feel of my legs streching and moving. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie says that I will know when to walk but I never want to walk when there is so much to see. Rolie(in lovely flowing script) Rollie says the wind is for quick and for flexable so I'm working less on my strength and more on my arms and legs moving around and fast. Aubret told me to touch everything or everyone in a fight and that feels right, I already know how to use my momentum to carry around if I drop an enemy. Time for nap. More later.
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*charcoal smudged, writing slanted and barely legible as if written in great haste* Renji scouting Kade - huge boy dark lots of armor big hammer Goraz - half a giant boy fighter Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie Tegen (in lovely flowing script) Tegan - elf spellslinger girl short Korvlok - male spellslinger furs half an ogre Zandor - male dwarf spells and fights *smudges*
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Finally a chance to sit and catch up. Okay, last entry was my first time helping Mistones allience or ministry of justice or something. A murderer and thief had broke loose from jail and had to be recaptured. Well, not so much recaptured. More like made not a problem anymore. All those name above were there to help and there was a lot of discussion how to do it. Some wanted to kill the guy others to talk to him and bring him in alive. I wanted to give him a chance to speak at least but if he was really evil then if the ministry gives permission to remove the problem, well there you go. He left a false trail to some woods with spekters in them, I've been there before and between them and the spiders it's pretty scary. There was some shadow thing in the forest too (direwood?). (means adding a thought. Or not sure) We did not try to kill the shadow thing but a spek got me and that's a horible way to die. I just kept getting weaker and weaker until I could hardly punch it. It was like the worst dream ever but real, I couldn't even run away I was so drained. Ugh. We found the guy past the direwood and he was evil, he killed a man in front of the man's daughter and did not care. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie tried talking to him to see if he had reasons or to make him give himself up but he was too evil. He attacked Renji and I was right behind him and I attacked then Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien threw a fire ball and that was that. I think we avoided the worst of the blast, because that evil guy was right in front of us. He made a good shield. The ministry guy was happy and gave us all a lot of gold. I felt useful and proud. First step in making a difference! Oh and Zandor was so strong he could pick up a dead half giant. Wow. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie and I trained again, on the nature of water and air and what they have in common. You slap or hit water and it resists, you chop it and your hand goes in. He spoke on the nature of resistance and we talked to Brother Lake in Velensk. Then we went swimming because it was hot. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie is a good swimmer but I guess you'd figure that. Last night a bunch of us, Kloss Kyle Ferrit Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford and Tegen (in lovely flowing script) Tegan went into the ogre mines at Haven so that Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford and I could help Lord Rodan (Rodar? Roden?) who wants the ogres killed for attacking the town. We killed the ogres and thier chief and took the head back. I had to carry it by the way. YUCK. Lord Rod-something was pretty happy and gave us some good gold for that. Have to keep an eye there and make sure they don't sneak back in. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie has some more training for me soon. I'm going to suggest that we start planning for a journey to the temple he studied at so I can apply. He's got a good size brood going, me and Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford and Han too who is half a giant monk and one other but I can't remember the name. I made wolf leather armor yesterday to. I have a lot of ready to use cougar skins and Ferrit helped me by cutting and sewing the lion leather wraps I wanted Rolie to have. I dyed them blue and white to match his clothes. More later naptime.
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Today was a day for listening to the wind. And speaking with people. I found Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie speaking with a man I've heard of named Ozimandeas L-something. (in lovely flowing script) Ozymandeas. He seems very wise about stuff. He said there is a halfling demon prinse running around the world, who fights you by becoming your greatest fear. That got me wondering about my fears. I'm not much afraid of dying, got used to it by now. I'm not afraid of big monsters. I'm not afraid of hurting, I go around bleeding to much Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien says. I'm afraid of losing my friends. Back home I had Inirine and her kids but here I have a bunch of people who like me just because I'm me. Kyle, Ferrit, Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien , Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford, Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie, Stump. More that I know and I'm friendly with. I didn't know what it was like to have friends and now I don't want to lose them. That's what I'm afraid of. We almost went out to see the world some more and the wind tugged at me to move but it's late and my head is full of stuff to think on. I'm going to sit by the pond and talk to sister wind, see what she has to say. Maybe brother pond has something to say to. And brother earth. I'm listening.
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Third lesson with Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie today. By the stream east of Hlint. He talked of the path. When you see the path clearly, it's easy to make decisions. But when the path is dark, you need to learn as much as you can about it, and travel slowly to avoid pitfalls. He demonstrated by touching my cheek and head with my eyes open and closed. We talked about battle. About why he looks for other options. This made a lot of sense to me. If you don't try to ask permission, to sneak by if needed, or use not violent ways, then you will wonder if that would have worked when you are killing and be distracted. If you have used all the other options and you must kill then you can focus on that and make it swift. He called this the final path. I agree with this. And. Running. We talked about this again. I've been trying to not run, to walk. All I feel is tight and wound and angry when I walk. I think I've been using running as a way to balance my orc blood and human. Running keeps me balanced. Keeps my orc from breaking away. I don't want to walk, I don't like walking. I don't agree with him on this. I can run a little and wait. I have to walk really slow when I sneak anyway. We tried to find the wisps in the swamp, Kade, Mave, Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien, Ash, Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie, me and another wizard Kal-something? Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie and I asked the lizardmen if we could pass. They attacked so we had to kill them. All I can say is fire balls are our friend. Two wizards and wow was that fast fighting. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie died once. Didn't find the wisps, Kade thought there were closer to the shallow swamps near Hlint but Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien told me later that he thought they were in a cave farther back. Will investigate later. Listened to the wind, what it has to say tonight after talking to Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie. Big things. Battles on the wind, the smell of blood, people gathering. Things I can't help with because I'd get really dead quick. I'll do my part by keeping the small things under control where I can so people like Ozie (in lovely flowing script) Ozymandeas and those guys we saw last night, Coner and Mist (in lovely flowing script) Myst and the big barbarian guy, can handle the big stuff. Also I ran all through Hlint last night. Ran all over, right by Ronus (sleeping standing up, how wierd) and the captain and everyone. I LOVE TO RUN! Okay, that was not grown up of me. But everyone was asleep except for the captain guy so there.
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Went to Rilaria last night with a blue monk named Dom and his friend Shrubury (in lovely flowing script) Shrubbery. We went because Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien smelled Dom's tobakko (in lovely flowing script) tobacco and liked it and wanted some. On the way we had to fight ogres. Took the boat from Lelion to Hurm. There were pirates! We did not fight them we snuck past. There were too many and they didn't do anything to us but I understand they are nasty evil. But anyway we snuck past and found the tobakko (in lovely flowing script) tobacco and Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien was happy. And Shrubury (in lovely flowing script) Shrubbery gave away a bunch of baking stuff and we saw Analee (in lovely flowing script) Annalee there and she bakes so I gave it to her. She was happy. Then we went toward Point Harbor and went to this underground place called the ruins of madness but there were no mad people, just big cow-men. With big axes. Really big axes. Dom was out of it and resting and Shrubury (in lovely flowing script) Shrubbery said we could go ahead and he ran into a room of them and so we followed and woke up in Hlint, all ghosty. Wonder what Dom thought when he finally woke up? Oh I forgot to mention Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien tried to jump over a rip in the earth and he did this big WAHHHHH thing and fell over trying to land. He wasn't hurt and I tried not to laugh. (in lovely flowing script) It is good that you did not. I noticed the wind talks more and more, brings me sounds and smells. The water still talks to me but quieter and not like for Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie. Fire talks so quiet now I have to really listen and earth I don't hear at all anymore. I'm sad about this, I liked talking to all of them. But the wind is so loud, I don't hear the others much.
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Where to start. Yesterday, today. Wow. So we're at Blackford castle, some nice stone castle west of Hlint. The wind told me people were gathering, so Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien, Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie and I went to check it out. Buncha big mucky mucks there, Ozy and Ayla (she helped me tailor my new clothes from that UGLY robe)...buncha people I don't know. Brisbane elf girl tatoos was a bear a lot listened to the bird song Karl boy fighter Little halfing girl with flag Gotak dwarf fighter nice big scar Daren human boy healer Ozy Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien Ayla human girl healer singer Al sneaky feet boy didn't see face Vin boy gnome sneaky feet Kole big loud boy human Plen human? boy wings healer Sindolin spellslinger elf boy Iradel helped when we went out with Samir did not see face but elf or skinny human boy Jil-someting girl elf spells and bows There might have been more these are the ones I remember. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie, Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and I stood back and listened to them plan to take down a lich general of Bloods, well to find him first. Something about a whipperwill song. I was full and dozed off a bit during this part. Then a demon appeared and I woke up quick. Don't know why the demon was there but they kept talking about Ozy's information network so maybe it was part of that. He didn't attack. Then they asked us why we were so quiet and we said well, because we're way to inexperienced to help you. And they talked about going into something called the rift and going to crypts and invited us along. We kind of joked that we'd be their squires and they let us come. That was amazing. I saw so much of the world, places I've never seen, met so many nice new people and NO ONE had a problem with my half an orc. I tried to make a few suggestions but kept my trap shut mostly. So here's what happened, we went to crypt in Greypeaks, wrong crypt. Went to continent of Dregar and Brisbane kept turning into a bear and listening to a song I could not hear. She followed the song and we followed her to Ozy's house which I've been to before once. When we went to get that pipeweed for Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien. So we camped in Ozy's backyard, his place is great, pond and everything. Then we went to some mountains to follow the song and then turned back and went the wrong way and the group got split up. Then we all met up near the Thunder Peak mountains and they said there would be giants and there were. Lots and lots of them. I killed one but it was almost dead already. These were some evil giants, they didn't even listen as to why we were there just started throwing rocks. So we killed the giants who would not let anyone pass and moved on. You had to climb a rock to get into the rift and Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien had a lot of trouble so they threw a rope down. In the rift it was all undead and some spiders. I helped with fighting as much as I could. We battled inside and just kept going, there were so many things. Skeletons and worse. Then I went into a hall and up and there were vampires. The vampires fought really really hard and then one of the fighters in our group must of got confused because he killed me and I woke up in Hlint. What a night. I learned so much, saw so much. My head just went boom with all the stuff to see and practice. I learned so much I started practicing today earlier, and bam I can hit harder. And better. And I’m more limber. Wow. I asked Ayla about it later and she said that not too many survived that battle. Vampires are not good. Earlier when I was practicing all I’d learned from the hunt for the general was with Ash, Samir, some guy named Boon, fighter type, and Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and Renji who was smooching on Tegen (in lovely flowing script) Tegan the whole time. They are together, they are so cute. Later some guy named Michael joined us, big half giant, I’ve seen him around. He flirted with me. We went to someplace called the barbearian isles where there are evil kobolds who attack the locals and we fought them back a bit. I died when we were ambushed by some big wolf-riding goblins. A paladin had joined us by then but I didn’t get his name. The wind was pushing me to go places the last few days so that’s why all the adventure but today I am tired and I told the wind to give me rest. So all I’ve had is gentle breezes full of smells of friends and food and Hlint grass. Wind is my friend even if it’s pushy.
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Well, much excitement again. I was trying to relax and have a slow day. Some sewing, some tanning, talking to folks. Was down by the bank after a nap and when I woke up I saw some weird looking lady yelling and she looked angry fighting mad. She was picking on some girl I’ve never seen before. Some lady in red was there yelling to leave to everyone and Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford was there so I walked up and asked him what was going on and he tried to tell me this was some demon then the crazy mad lady walked over to Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford that I was standing RIGHT BY and cut his throat. Just like that. I had his blood on my skirt. I stepped back quick and ran into Kyle who was coming to see what the yelling was about. We looked at Beri’s (in lovely flowing script) Berriford body and this crazy lady was even madder. Dunno why she didn’t kill me. She looked mad powerful and must be stronger than a giant to just kill Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford like that. She was yelling to SHUT UP or maybe that was to Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford I don’t know but I was looking at his blood on my legs and just felt sick. Poor Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford. I wanted to help him but this lady would have smashed me. And there were these other people around yelling and some big mucky mucks were just standing there and someone said (the lady in red?) that the crazy mad demon lady was Ozymandeas’s feeansay. Weird. It was getting bad and I asked Kyle if he wanted to go to the craft hall and he said yes. It was just getting crazy and that demon lady (she didn’t really look like a demon though) was looking for an excuse to kill everyone. So we to the craft hall and Kyle was upset about the lady in red, Ireth. He said that if she was supporting demons then she was not his friend. I asked about her and the girl that was getting messed with and he said her name was Rinn. He said she was nice. I told him what I knew and we tried to figure out what was going on. I guessed that the girl was messing with Ozy maybe if the demon lady was supposed to marry him because jealousy makes people act crazy sometime. Then I kinda talked Kyle into going back down to take a look. He wanted to see what was going on with Ireth and I wanted to make sure Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford was okay. When we got down there the crazy demon lady (her name was Kay I think, heard someone say that) was gone. Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford was okay and the red lady Ireth was standing next to the girl that the demon lady had been smacking on. Analee (in lovely flowing script) Annalee was there to arguing with this dwarf who was trying to get in her face (not really, since he came up to her chest). The girl Rinn was crying up a storm and went to the tower to explain. Make a long story short, I was right, she had a thing for Ozy and the demon lady was jealous. I don’t know if I want to be in love, it seems to make people nuts. Except Kyle and Ferrit, they love and don’t act nutty. I would have a love like theirs. I hope they have a baby someday maybe I can be Aunt Honora. Anyway Rinn said her old master had abused her by making her sleep with him and her parents had abandoned her. She was a mess, all wet like she had fallen into the pond. Shivering and crying and stuff. I didn’t have anything to offer but a tanned skin to cover her with so I did and someone else had a cloak so I stepped back and she got covered. Lots more crying and I said I’d sit with her. Later I told her to go to the inn when she was standing alone, it’s warm there and there are people. I saw Brisbane and some of the others from the night we went hunting Drezneb. Another long story short we are going back to hunt with them again. She said something about how me Rolie and Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien (they were there by then we were standing together outside the bank) had fought harder than the heros of Mistone or something. It felt nice to hear her say that. Real nice. They want us to come back and continue the hunt so I asked Wind to help me and let me know when to meet them. Brisbane said she’d send a falcon to. This is getting long. I’m going to have to get a new book soon. After the bruhaha near the bank Kyle, Ferrit, Rolie, (in lovely flowing script) Rollie Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and I went to Haven mines to clear out a bunch of ogres that had snuck in again and Kyle mined iron. I spoke to the wind there, it is an old wind and not happy. The ogres stink and the forges stink and the wind in the tunnels and caverns hates them so I made old wind happy by helping remove the ogres and I raked over the coals of the forge fire to make it go out. Old wind was happy about that. Kyle’s ox died. He’s having bad luck with oxen, he should buy a herd. I need to go to the temple soon, I think Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie has taught me all he can. Water and Wind are different. We talked about this by the pond in Velensk. Water is slow, deliberate. Wind is swift, fast. He teaches me to be slow and careful but Wind does not always say that when we talk. I will start getting things together for a trip.
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Listened to Desert Wind today. Desert Wind is strong and happy. It was nice to listen to it howl with joy. Nothing much, a slow day. Prepared a bit to travel, gathering up hard foods and canteens to fill later. Helped some lady Kit in Haven, she gave my old hat a new spell power. I can make my skin all barky now. Saw Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien, Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie, and Kade who helped us after a bunch of little skorpions stinged us to death in the desert. Made some bandages. Going to try to sell the wolf and cougar leathers I made. Thinking about Drezneb. More later.
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Much stuff. In order: Week ago, met an elf monk lady named Jade Willow. Really nice, we went to Lelion to her place to get me a ring to make me more flexible and she asked about who I was. I told her my whole life I think it was more than she asked for. I started on my hunt for Aubret's order I asked her about it since she's a monk of an old elven order but she did not know the name. She said to talk to Ozy and she'd let me know if she found anything out about it. I'm going to ask Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien more to. She was nice to me and gave me a potion of cats when I left and let me use the portal to Hlint. Then I tailored. A lot. Making bandages and kits. I'm a lot better. Now I can make lion gloves and a lot of armors. Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford was my first customer (more down). Oh and I had to start with alchemy too. I'm making my own cure things for the bandage kits. Hot work. Not relaxing like tailoring. Okay then I ran into Rinn from the todo the other day with the demon (?) lady. She was kind of unhappy so I took her to Rilaria to get skins and deliver a letter for that postman guy. She had a good time and we took down another of those cow-eating griffons and she delivered her letter. We talked a lot. She's angry a lot. I can understand that so we talked about Wind and how to be calm. I ought to know about anger being half an orc and all my blood gets hot. So I tried to help her on being calm. I told her to speak to Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie since he's the calmest person I know. Then we went back to Hlint and I mined greenstones. Two days ago I was talking to Kyle and Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and Ferrit and some other people and Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford came up and was ghosty. We told him we'd help but he died in the Greypeaks and that is not good. There were not enough of us to help him. Then this cute halfling girl came by talking about a party at Blackford castle and Beri's (in lovely flowing script) Berriford's eyes all popped out and he started talking about needing to get better clothes and wasn't she pretty? I had to stuff my hand in my mouth not to laugh because Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford is always pointing out who is sweet on who and he was almost jumping up and down about this cute halfling girl. So then we went back to Hlint and he was all fussy about his clothes which were a bit torn from dying so I pulled out some nice leathers I made and he tried them on and the cougar really looked good on him so he bought it from me! My first sale! I told him to dye it blue he looks good in blue. I went and tailored and Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien got a new bow from Kyle and Kyle and Ferrit and I mined copper for Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and I made my first lion skin gloves. I might give them to Han because Kyle and Ferrit gave me my first pair and it's a nice thing to do. Still trying to sell the wolf leather though. So yesterday Kyle Ferrit Laldeann (in lovely flowing script) Laldiien and me were talking in craft hall. Rinn comes in upset and crying and runs to Kyle who calms her down and she's talking about that halfling that Ozy mentioned who is a demon or something. He is collecting riders because he likes horses? Its wierd when you think about it a demon halfling named Angzeyeity (check spelling) (in lovely flowing script) Anxiety who likes horses and scares people. Really strange. Anyway his riders are now Ireth who is fear and Rinn who is anger and I'm sorry for that because I was hoping she would find a way to calm herself. Rolie (in lovely flowing script) Rollie came in about then and she repeated the story and its this. A halfling who was a demon type who makes people see their worst fears was locked up in Pandemonium which is a place I think which is why I made the first letter big. The person guarding him let him go to get something for themselves which is WRONG and not the right thing to do. I hope they get better guards. Anyway he's loose and running around and I read that there is a meeting to decide what to do about him in a few weeks. And Rinn is one of his riders. I don't know what this means but I'm going to find out. Kyle is going to talk to Jet who is Ireth's boyfriend to find out if she knows she's different. Rinn asked us not to tell Ozy for some reason but we said we would not. Now I have to keep my eyes open and see what else I can find out and I'm going to go to that meeting I think. There are supposed to be five riders and we talked about what the others might be like envy and paranoya (that might be Renji?) and doubt (that might be Beri (in lovely flowing script) Berriford?) and jealosy (that might be Kea Ozy's feeansay). Also she said one might be a unicorn, purity. People started talking about how it had to be a maiden and I'm a maiden if you mean not being with anyone and I asked if they had to be pretty because then it couldn't be me. But I'm not all that good I'm greedy sometimes and selfish sometimes so I'm not good enough or pure enough to be a rider so I should be safe. Need to find out what being a rider means. Okay more later.
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(This writing is in a lovely, flowing script, in ink). Honora. I have reviewed your journal at your request and made corrections to names thatI am familiar with. I have made several other corrections to your spelling as well; I would recommend getting a more sophisticated dictionary than the one you currently have. Your spelling and grammer are adequate for a basic level. Your punctuation needs assistance. Since you have professed some difficulty with the common language, I offer this help. When punctuating a name, the apostrophe (the ' mark) comes before the s only if it indicates that the person possesses an object in the sentence. Example; Rollie's robe, Laldiien's spellbook. When using an apostrophe in a name that ends in an s, the apostrophe may go on the outside of the s. Example; Mathildis' shoes. When punctuating a verb that is the action of a sentence, the apostrophe is only used as a contraction of " verb is, has, have, had". Example; What's a nice elf like me doing in a place like this? It's been raining since the morning. I could've slept all day. The ? does indeed mean a question. It is called a question mark. The ! is called an exclaimation mark, and indicates stronger feeling about the thought expressed. The ( ) marks are called parentheses and are used to add a thought to the main body of a sentence without distracting from the topic of the sentence.
The . is called a period. This you seem to have grasped. Spellguard has several excellent libraries and many bibliotheques where you may borrow or purchase dictionaries or other instructional books. Please take advantage. Laldiien Ter'Valien
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Laldiien read my journal while we waited to pick some aloe for my healing kits. He corrected a bunch of stuff. Okay so Berriford...he never calls himself that, just Berri. Two r's. Two rs? Rollie with two l's. Laldiien with two i's. The punctuation stuff he wrote will help. I met some other elves now like him and I think he's not so much tense as stuckup. He's better than others since he tries to get along and he even let a dwarf borrow his pipe yesterday (more later). But he is stuckup, he thinks his kind of elf is better than others. I see that now. I wonder why he talks to me so much?
Anyway stuff. Saw Annalee and Rinn and tried to talk to them but they the lady Ireth were all talking about horses and riders and the evil lady in Pandemonium who was trying to keep thier horses away from them. Confusing and I wish I could talk to them but it's been weeks since they could talk about anything else. So I just stay away now and hope that this thing that's making them all unhappy will go away. It's either the lady who guarded Pandemonium or Anxiety. Don't know which. After I tried to talk to Rinn and Annalee some god-like lady Bao showed up and let Ireth have one question. She asked about some lady A-something, I wasn't listening by then. But dang the god-lady had shiney shiney armor.
Got me wondering about how all this started with a little crush that Rinn had on Ozy. And all the hulabaloo after, like no one ever had a crush before. Even I did, I kinda liked Stump but he's not been around lately. Hope he's okay. Guess those half-giant boys do it for me, they are unbreakable not like little skinny humans or elves. That Michael the farmer guy is cute too, even if he does smell funny sometimes. He's really nice. He has an attack that is just something to see, he whirls all around and hits everything at once it seems. I have got to learn that! We talked the other day and he told me about his life, that his mother was a giantess and his father was a human. Wow. Love conquers all. His mom died in childbirth and I wonder why since if she was a giantess wouldn't having a half-human baby be like birthing a little puppy? I mean she had to be huge. But I kept my mouth shut he's nice and I don't want to upset him. He found out his dad is alive recently and I hope he finds him.
I left my ox pack off a couple days ago and some nice guy Voon found my stuff before it could be stolen. I'm going to meet him tonight to get it. I was really upset though since I was going to give one of my hides to Tegan and I lost a pair of lion skin gloves earlier on top of that when the world spun funny and everyone went to sleep. Tegan was so sweet and she gave me some stuff to get me started again two panther skins and a cougar skin and some lion skin gloves! All I have to do is make sure to help someone else in trouble or unhappy because they lost something later. She's so nice I really owe her. Panther is hard to work with. It rips easy and I tanned one then tried to stretch it and it ripped in half. I'm going to ask Ferrit where panthers are I bet I could make a nice cloak or boots out of panther skin.
Did some adventuring with some shiney armor lady and a bunch of others. We went to Spellguard and I got a dictionary while I was there, it's got a lot of really big words in it but lots of blank space in the back for journal so I'll move my writing to that when this is full. I'm going to use ink to charcoal smudges to much. Anyway we went to the Blood Desert then around to Port Hampshire and back through the Broken Forest to Hlint again. Was fun, met a nice dwarf named Dran I'll have to fight with him again. He's the one Laldiien let use his pipe. And another was this mage lady Kali, she was pretty and wierd with good spells. She disappeared a lot. Invisibility I guess.
Wind and I have talked a lot in the last few days. Wind says big things are coming. Bigger things than Blood. If I hear and smell correctly defeating Blood with make us noticed by bigger stuff than him. Exciting stuff! Rollie is excited to, he's got something going on. He won't tell me but he keeps putting me off when I ask about going to the temple and applying for the Way of the Wind. I'm getting frustrated about that since I've been training for six months and I've learned everything Rollie can teach me and I want to learn more. I might go try to find it myself. Laldiien is working on being an archer of Aeridan to, he's excited about that. I heard him telling Kyle that he felt Aeridan guiding his bow.
I should go find some maps and see where the temple to the Path is.
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Chaos. Been thinking about that since I woke up today under the Hlint bindstone. Was out yesterday with Tyrian who needed something from Storan's crypt. Ash, Renji, Michael, Mr. Eye, Mave, Rhnn, Freldo, Laldiien, Voon who found my hides, some Drow and a weemik (lion-body man) named Anyx I think, all went. No one was really running things, Tyrian was kinda leading then Freldo and the Drow kept saying stuff and Voon kept saying stuff and Michael should've lead and he was saying stuff and it was a big mess. You need a leader, one person to call orders. We got into the first room off the left of the crypt hall and there were these tall dark skinny undead with really big mouths and teeth (Bodaks?) and they made some kind of awful noise worse than me singing and Michael and Mave dropped dead. One other died too. Then Michael was mad at the cleric Voon and Renji just kinda disappeared and a few others left and Freldo wanted to go higher up the Greypeaks to hunt ogres. I was looking for that oil that lady in Fort Llast needs but didn't see it.
We got into the higher mountains and it was not to bad until we got to the flat area with the rock you have to climb. Aryx died then Freldo went down to help and then every time someone got in trouble someone else would go help until people started dying. I swear there are hundreds or more ogres living in those mountains and they hear when stuff is happening outside and come out of caves to help their friends. There were so many and they hit like griffons.
So I died. And that made me think of chaos. Last night was chaos, we needed someone to say who was going where. After Michael left Freldo was kind of calling out orders but not many listened and maybe they should have since he knows that area well. Someone needs to be in charge, and have a plan.
I talked to Wind about chaos and law. Wind is in balance with the other elements, so it's very predictable. More than I thought. Wind likes to talk about itself and what it does. Then Wind sung me a whisper song with the trees and water to help me relax.
Learned some more grammer. To is used in between words like normal but Too is used to mean more. Like I was going to the merchants, and Laldiien was going too. This looks better I'm starting to write more like books.
Was just looking at my first entries. I don't write like the same person anymore. I've come a long way.
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Rollie just returned from a trip. I have not seen him for a week, he just came back from the temple of the Path! I wish he would have asked me to come with him but he said that the temple is having lots of repairs done. So I have to wait longer to go. He said that the Windwalkers are looking forward to meeting me and that made me feel good. I talked to Wind about it and Wind will send my greetings to them.
Helped Laldiien mine mallakite and met Jilepsonie and Daren? and Tyrian in the kobold caves. Helped a guy M'rin-something get that halfling's necklace. Okay, she loses this all the time and Erag is always needing more essence and that tax lady is always losing those records and I think they are conspiring to send new people in Hlint to die. That's got to be it. They are doing this to cut the population down. I need to check on this.
Other than that, slow day. Made a wolf-hide armor. Will make cougar bags tomorrow. I'm going to nap and try singing to Wind for a change.
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Me, Rollie and Berri went to arena in Velensk last night. We met a nice lady along the was, A-something, she had red hair. We dueled. I beat the red-haired lady, but she was a really tough fight. It's neat how the arena magic works because when you die you don't die or go to the Soul Ma but stay there and then you just get up!
I dueled Berri. He wiped the floor with me in under a minute. It was embarassing but I learned something. I'm not cut out to take on armored fighters as much. He's little but he just kept swinging and carved me up bad and I could barely hit him. He didn't even need to rest when we were done!
Then Rollie and I dueled. That was really interesting. First time we had all our clothes and magic stuff on but no spells (no hat skin or anything) and I won. It was tough but I hit harder, gnomes just don't hit as hard as half orcs. Then Rollie said a true test would be to fight without our magic on so we had to strip to our underthings and his tatoos move. So we got down to almost skin and tried again and this time it was really really close but he beat me. He stunned me twice and I could never seem to hit him he moved out of the way of my blows like well like water. Or air. It was amazing I learned a lot and I'm going to ask him to teach me to move like that.
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So I'm sitting behind the building by the bindstone in Hlint writing. I went to Hurm to help with Drezneb. There was lots of talk about who would go, lots of people showed up. I offered to leave so a more powerful person could fight but Brisbane said I could stay. Same for Rollie and Laldiien I think. So we went. I was excited and nervous and ready to do whatever I could to help. We got into the mountains like before and I waited until some of the better fighters got on this huge bone-thing and then I attacked, and I died. It let out this big yell that was pure pain and I went down and that was that. I'm crying as I write this because I wanted to help, I wanted to make a difference and all I did was die. Just boom and here I am and I don't know if Laldiien or Rollie is okay and I won't be there. I'm no hero of Mistone and not powerful enough and I failed. FAILURE Hard to write (paper smeared). I'd better go back to goblins and kobolds. I can do that. Aubret, I miss you. You would know what to say to snap me out of this. Laldiien would say something sarcastic and Rollie would say something cri cryptic and you would say something that makes sense and makes me feel better too. I hope you're happy wherever you are.
failure
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Feeling a little better. I heard they got the whipperwill in the birdcage and I'll try to die less next trip if I can come. I will try.
I found Abigail and she asked me to call her Abi. She showed me where dire boars and dire badgers are. Dire badgers. I still giggle when I think of that. They waddle up to take a bite out of you! Abi and I talked and I hope to see her again soon, she seemed to like me okay and I would really like to have a teacher and be part of a guild.
Writing this in Port Hampshire where I think I'm going to look for an apartment. I like this place, Wind is very strong and brings word from other places over the ocean, and water dances in the fountains. It's very pretty.
Waiting on something to happen, Wind said be here. So I'm waiting.
Have not heard from the Windwalkers yet.
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Helped a halfling and a couple of cooks today, big day. Halfling (he never said his name) needed the cooks he hired to show up and they didn't and he was almost out of time for a banquet so we went to investigate.
Berri
Voon
Sala and Jako
Geddrin
Vilanos
Lucius fistfighter lightning gloves
Xan
I think that was it. We went to the cooks house in a town I've never heard of outside of Port Hampshire and the furniture attacked us! That was the strangest thing I've ever seen, tables hitting with their legs and books flying and smacking. The big books hurt I got killed by one but Vilanos I think saved me. Knives and forks flew and it was just scary like the house was trying to kill us. We found the cooks and they were being hurt by some imp that hated the wife cook but we scared him away.
I have to note that I am getting a lot better at not getting hit with big boom spells. Been working on that and the imp threw several fire balls and I stood right there and didn't get hit!
We rescued the cooks and destroyed the golum that was corrupted that made the furniture attack and that was tough. It was also covered in pie mix which seemed to be magic and we had to wash it off to kill it so people were fighting and throwing buckets of water and it was messy. Pie was good though. Berri was in heaven. The lady asked us to buy pies since hers were mostly ruined and we ran to Port Hampshire and bought pies with money she gave us and gave the pies to the halfling who was really happy and then we went back for the best meal! Fish and shrimp and beef and little tiny lobsters and potatoes and plant stuff (ick) and more pie! Berri was so happy he almost passed out due to pie eating. Bet his armor doesn't fit tomorrow.
Baked apples were best.
I like Geddrin he's all no nonsense lets get moving type. I like that.
Still nothing from the Windwalkers. And there are no rooms in Port Hampshire to rent so I'll have to look at Krandor instead.
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Been a bit since I caught up.
Went to Dregar with Michael Mordecai and his friend Asher. Giants, mighty good learning there. Also they dropped good coin. Micheal flirted with me again and I flirted back. I don't know how to do this I'm going to ask Ferrit how to flirt.
Went to Haven mines with Ferrit, Kyle, Rollie and a bunch of newer people. The squid-heads got cleared out, Freldo left his writing on that at the Wild Surge. Was fun and the ox lived, Kyle was happy.
Sad news, Laldiien got called back to Voltrex for family stuff. He may not come back. He said he'd write. I will miss him, he was a good person basically aside from being snobby at times. And he was a good wizard. He asked me to say goodbye to people for him.
Rollie told me he's thinking of going back to the temple of the Path for good. He says he's not making a difference here that it's all chaos and no one stops to think before acting. I hope he changes his mind because he's already made a difference to me, Berri, and Han. But maybe he's really unhappy I don't know. He said he'd wait until I went to apply to the Windwalkers but they have not contacted me and it's been a month now since he was there last. I'm getting impatient.
Wind is talking to me about things coming. Blood's end is in the air, Wind feels it. I will join the hunt for Drezneb again in a week or so. Even though I failed last time I will be more careful. I will miss Laldiien at my side (or behind me throwing fireballs). I will have to write him a letter to let him know what happened since he was with them on the last hunt when they found the bird.
I wonder if the bird is the filactory of Drezneb? If he put his soul into an innocent animal that would be hard to kill and a good hiding place.
-
Still missing Laldiien.
Rollie is not around either, maybe he went home already? No, he would tell me if he did.
Went to Pranzis last night, Wind brought news of something to see there. I found Jilsephonie, Jennara, and Kharl there investigating a murder that happened a while back. I think Kyle told me something about that months ago. I joined the investigation hoping to help and they let me come along. We did well, found records pointing us to North Point and went there and found a house that had been created by a sorcerer who was pretty much crazy. He was writing in a book that allowed him to create his reality. Wierd stuff. Jil grabbed his quill and we had to kill him. Jennara tried not to she kept stunning him; is she a monk? But Kharl hit him a couple of times and that was that. We had a nice talk and chatted much except Kharl who does not talk. I like Jil and Jennara, they are nice people.
Ended up back in Hlint. I learned a lot from the investigation though, how to think about things and make sense of stuff. This was the tail end of the investigation so I didn't know a lot of what had happened but I caught on quick.
Drezneb soon.
Still missing Laldiien.
-
Been busy. Taking a break today to speak to Wind about things. I went on the hunt for Drezneb again. Everyone was there and they had a whipperwill bird and a book from the last hunt. The whipperwill was wierd, it looked dead but sang. Mostly we sat around and talked about how to make the book work. I suggested we put the bird on the book since it seemed to like it and then magic power built up but nothing happened. There was a picture in the book of a place that looked like someplace called the Forbidden Isles and no one was happy about that since you turn into undead if you go there but we went there to see if it triggered the bird. It didn't. I rowed a rowboat almost to shore for that trip. Then they decided to go back to the Rift to see if that made the bird and the book work and it didn't but then everyone was tired so we decided to sleep on it and have a go later. Highlights; Got to see the inside of Ozy's house, it's a mess. He never puts books away. Got into a rowing contest sort of with Gotak, who is good folk and I like him. No-nonsense. He beat me at rowing. Helped Brisbane get over her drunk, which was wierd. She's still nice though.-
I think there were too many people. Some people didn't say anything at all or try to help, some people it seemed all they wanted to do was talk. Maybe better if the group was broken into smaller bunches working on separate parts of the puzzle.
I will be on the next hunt though, I am still proud that I'm part of the battle against Blood.
Oh and I didn't die this time.
Went out fighting with Geddrin and a bunch of people in the Auroach desert, we fought snakes and the biggest scorpions I've ever seen bigger than houses, and giants. Was really fun and I learned a lot. Scorpions cast darkness so you have to stay alert and listen. Giants use a lot of magic like fireball and ice rain, but I finally perfected my way of avoiding all that. I dodge and twist like Wind and most of the time now I take no damage from those spells that cover large areas. I also worked on the dodging and twisting to get into and out of battle without giving the enemy a way to hit me while I'm moving. So that's good.
Went to mines near Port Hampshire last night with Daren and Jilseponie. I've seen Daren and chatted with him briefly but now I found out it's Jil's husband! He's very nice and a great cleric almost a fighter really. We fought lizardmen and trolls. He mined platinum. We met a dwarf that I've seen before named Urrah I think. She's....ugly. Not ugly like me but ugly like you can't tell if she's a girl or not almost. She flirted with Daren and Jil told me that Urrah kissed him before which made me laugh and then Jil went to the bank and left Daren to deal with her so I took a nap and listened...it was mean to do but so so funny. Urrah's a good fighter though, has the same attack as Michael where you hit everything in one shot.
Daren and Jil remind me of Kyle and Ferrit a lot, they seem to love each other in a way you can feel not just hear and see. They have a little girl I hope to meet her someday I like kids.
Got to find Michael again. Miss talking to him.
No letter from Laldiien yet.
-
*The entries from this point forward are in the blank pages of a dictionary, "A Compedium of Common and Uncommon Words in Common", in the back. Entries are in ink, penned by someone clearly not accustomed to cutting a nib or working with ink.*
Been thinking again. Took some time to think this week. No answer yet from the Windwalkers. I am wondering if I'm supposed to *smudge, blot* go there? I need to talk to Rollie again I'll look for him tonight. Do they not want me? Wind is not unhappy with me, we talk all the time. Well mostly I listen. I will ask *blot* *blot* darnit Wind to take my message to the temple of the Path.
*tucked in the book is a letter on parchment, written again in badly blotted ink, and addressed to "Inirine Bethelman, white farmhouse with red shutters, Chickory Lane, Town of Center, Mistone"*
Inirine
Thank you for sending Laldiien to me. We got along pretty good until he had to go home for family stuff. I hope you and Heinrich and Jr. and Ninya and Alfend are all doing well. I am very good I have learned a lot and seen a lot. I want to tell you I have been involved in the fight against Blood, I am traveling with a group of very powerful heros to fight his general Drezneb. It is exciting and sometimes deadly.
I am also working to become part of a monk order called the Path of Elemental Balance. I have learned to listen and hear what Wind has to say and I hope if they answer my call I will become a Windwalker. I move very fast now and can fight well enough, and I can dodge magics and stuff. I'm not the little girl you remember and I've learned to speak and write well. I am writing this letter myself no one is helping me. I need to work on ink more though these quills are hard.
I will try to return for a visit I can't say when, maybe in the next few months depending on what happens with Blood. Give my love to your family and please continue to take care of Aubret's grave. If you can I found out his last name and I'd like to have it added to the headstone it was Marenchette. I am sending a bank note along to pay for this. Also some extra to buy yourself something.
If you could also ask around about Aubret, I am trying to learn what his old order was and maybe if there is anyone left alive who was in it or practiced it. I know this is a lot but I would like your help. Just send a letter and let me know if you find anything out or not.
Love to you all
Puggy
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I have seen the temple.
Rollie and I went wandering last night. We tried to find Pranzis on Dregar. We tried first from Hurm and wandered all over. I am good at finding Delanthar now. And Ozy's land which a good place to rest. We ended up in a place called the Dark Forest and it was a bad bad feeling. I felt really out of place in a living and breathing kind of way and the whole forest smelled funny and even Wind there sounded hollow and dead. We left and went to Rilaria through Velensk. Then we headed to Karthy and Rollie was leading and he took me to this lake and then went up a mountain and there it was! The temple!
It was beautiful. It was huge and has a big library and different areas dedicated to the elements. Fire was too hot and there was no one there. Earth was pretty, really nice stonework and had several monks and the grand master in attendance. I said hi but didn't bother them.
Water was educational. I see why Rollie is so peaceful and hates all the bloodshed. The water temple was the most pretty and relaxing place all terraces of streams and waterfalls with a lake at the bottom. You could just lay down there and never move again and be happy.
And Wind. I went to the temple of the Wind. It was at the top of the mountain with all the peaks and chasms. You have to jump from ledge to ledge and Wind howls and sings and whispers there. Wind is not just happy Wind is master. I spoke greetings to some of the Brothers of the Wind all boys no girls. The grand master was away but I was happy to be there. Not as pretty as Water's temple but much much more exciting and Wind had much to say.
Rollie was really happy to show me the temple he knows how much I want to join. We left and went on to Karthy and sailed to Loriander and wandered a bit then went to sleep.
It was a good night. We talked much and it was nice to peacefully explore without killing. I learned where places were and saw more of the world. A good day and night.
-
Another good day. I found Michael and got some rods from him to make more damage on my gloves. I'll have to find Ayla soon to have her finish them. Then Michael gave me a really nice cloak, so nice I can't put it on right. I'll work on it. And he gave me a flower. I felt all squishy inside and kept standing really close to him and that's not like me.
Well he bought a house and has a room for rent. I took it. It's in a really pretty location in Pranzis by the lake. My room is small and expensive it will cost 1000 coin a month but I have a room! Now I can built those chests that Laldiien gave me and keep stuff close. I need to get Jersey over there, I hope Michael doesn't mind oxen. Getting around might be a problem because he doesn't have a portal yet but I think Asher is going to get him one.
Met up with Asher and Kharl and Jharl and Sophia and we went to giant caves to get fire opals for Asher. Was a good trip, learned a lot more than last time. Made almost the first month's rent too.
Still waiting to hear from the Windwalkers.
No letter from Laldiien or Inirine yet. I sent her another one.
Also saw a bunch of anger stuff going on with Ireth, Rhynn, and Ash of all people yesterday in Hlint. Ash seems unhappy, not as talky as before. She needs to get away from those other two, I think the whole Pandemonium thing warped them. I miss old talky funny Ash.
I have a home.
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Drezneb. We found the philactory we think. In a crypt under part of the Forsaken Isles which is not a nice place. The problem with the bird was fixed by using some kind of circle and placing the bird ten feet away and using some ruby staff that a demon was guarding. Plenarius and his lady got that for us. Brisbane got us rings with four rubies and when all the rubies fell out we would not be protected from turning into undead. I kept mine as a reminder. So we get to the isles and found a hole that lead the the crypt full of nasty undead and vampires, I hate vampires. And we found statues with crowns that had souls in them and one was Drezneb. Four crowns Brisbane took them I think to get them checked out. I was killed by a demon when we left. That was the worst I was really scared. It was 12 feet tall and had long curved horns and looked kind of purple and just WHAM I was dead. Daren raised me which was a wierder feeling but I can't thank him enough. The worst worst thing worse than the demon was when I got up I felt sore inside like someone had sucked really hard at my soul. I think Soul Ma got a piece of me. But we got the philactory I think and I suggested we use it to bring Drezneb to us but they didn't think it was a good idea. Then we got back to Delanthar by the portal again and I went right to sleep.
Paid my first month's rent and put chests in my room to hold tailoring stuff. Got half the money for my advanced ceritificate.
No letter from Laldiien yet but I sent him one about Drezneb, he'll be happy to read that.
Nothing from Inirine yet but the messanger who delivered the letter says she got it and to tell me that everyone is fine so that's good.
Nothing from the Windwalkers yet.
Jil showed me how to get from Pranzis to Lorander yesterday so that's good now I know the way. Jaguars too for skins, and she showed me where the wizard's tower is for alchemy and where the horses are. She also told me where in Rilaria to get panther skins and I want to make one of those cloaks so I'm going to Rilaria soon. She's good people. I'm glad I met her and Daren.
Also saw Kyle and Ferrit and Ash! yesterday, Ash was seeming better more like her old self I hope. I saw Rhynn too and she was dressed like Ozy all black with a big staff. Kinda funny. She doesn't talk to me anymore. Said hi to Freldo though.
Okay more going on but I'll write later I'm learning so much so fast got to think it out.
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*the page is covered in drips of moisture*
Almost there. Almost can focus. Inner energy to my fists.
Too many things that don't feel my fists when I fight. Too many things that have magical skins or hides so thick my blows don't even dent them. I will learn how to channel my energy the energy of Wind to strike and damage these things. Demons and undead and twisted things. I barely hit anything when we found Drezneb's philactory and it bothers me.
I am confused about my path. No word still from the Path so I will go there alone. I want to know why they have not spoken to me. I will look for the panthers Jil told me about so I can make my cloak too.
Tired. I will go back inside now. I can practice my fighting outside the house near the lake now. The lake makes me think of Rollie who I have not seen for days but it's hard to get to Pranzis. I need to ask Michael to put in a bath.
Been mapping the city. Pranzis is huge.
Still halfway to my advanced crafting certificate. Have not seen Abi lately so I don't know how she feels about things but I'm guessing she's not interested in an apprentice. Maybe Jil? She's a really super good tailor. I could learn a lot from her.
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I went to the temple again. Alone this time.
I learned something important. I've been listening to Wind and talking to Wind and I can still but that's not what the Windwalkers do. They respect the power of the Wind and they emulate that. They try to be LIKE Wind, not friends to Wind. Move like Wind, sneak like Wind. I watched them train on the mountaintop for hours and learned a lot. The master wasn't there but watching the other monks move was like wow. They sneak up on their sparring partners and appear from nowhere to attack. They move like they are made of air here one minute gone the next. I am not that good. I have a long way to go. Oh and they use that attack that Michael uses and Urrah where you hit everyone at once it seems. I can learn that here! I got the feeling from talking to a few of them that I'm expected soon. It felt good to know that.
I'm going to keep working on my moves then trying to move like Wind and sneaking more. I'm good at sneaking now I practice all the time and tumbling too.
Tried flirting with Michael some. I don't think he gets it. Maybe I need to be more direct?
Oh got two panther skins to try! Going to get more I want to make a really nice cloak.
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Getting digusted with the whole thing. I was called by the dragon and I've done a part but this Path won't let me test and I feel like I'm standing still. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I'm angry. I can't find my balance. My orc want to kill and kill and I'm not holding it back.
Got two more panther skins they are almost wiped out took a long time to find them hiding. I'm not helping and I don't care. Made a panther cloak for myself finally.
Drezneb is destroyed but I can't find out how. I was not a part of that and I guess I feel left out a bit. But I would have died anyway I guess.
Maybe I should just go home. *ink spattered on both sides of page as if the book were slammed shut at this point*
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Not so bad lately. Micheal got me some room dividers and some flowers to decorate my space and give me more privacy. I'm still flirting with him and he's doesn't get it. Definately going to have to be more direct. He told me to use part of my rent to buy a bed. A bed! A bed! A real bed not a straw mat! I went to the furniture dealer and got a bed. A big one with a green cover over the top and stuff carved pretty in the wood. Took a while to arrange my room.
Been moving more like Wind lately. One thing I miss is listening to Wind move and sing while I'm inside the house. I have no windows in my room. But I can always go outside. But I'm working hard on shaping my body to move swift silent around over under. And sneaking more. With my cloak now I can almost be invisible if I want. To most things those tree ants still see me.
Micheal is going away for a couple weeks. He told me to use my rent to decorate the house. I guess this is what heaven feels like. I saw stuff at the furniture dealers that I wanted I even bought another book to help me with my grammer more. They have books at the dealers! I'm going to buy a bookshelf and fill it up.
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Okay got to write this down right. First just to remember went to see Nus the bard tell stories in Fort Hope since I never seem to get out much for that. He talked about some flawless diamond and some gnome gathering and since Starr Sapphire showed up he got all excited something about Beryl. So a bunch of us that showed up to hear the bard went to where this was supposed to happen in Stone, had to sneak a lot and got attacked by purple worms the size of houses in the forest on the way. Saw the gathering, heard there a story about some mad halfling who knows about the diamond so we went to find the halfling and we did and he was really nuts. Water elementals and tiger men and a demon on the way. Went deeper into the cave below where the halfling was, found the diamond, it was glass. We gave it back to him. He seemed happy. A buncha people were really disappointed but it was like they wanted to sell it...I kinda thought if it was real that the Beryl followers would take it back for the church.
Okay now the important stuff. Yesterday was out hunting with Michael and I finally got up the guts and told him I liked him. He didn't get it at first and when he did he couldn't speak. He seemed so amazed that a girl would like him which confused me because he's cute but whatever. We went back to the house and sat and talked for a bit and he said there was a reason that I was asked to go with him and Asher more than anyone else so I guess that means he likes me too. We were really tired though after all the fighting and I just said let's sleep on it and went to my bed.
I think he might like me back. I'm all tingly. YAY!
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I feel good. I found my way to focus. My way to make those things that would hurt me feel my fists even if they have magical protection. Last night out with Michael Jharl Asher Samir Sophia. We were getting silver and opals for Jharl and no matter how many times you ask nice those giants just don't even want you to move through their land and so we fought and with Michael and Asher and Jharl they died. Samir had to leave while we were in the silver mines.
It was leaving the mines, that I felt it. The rush of power to my fists and it was when I was not trying so hard. I was focusing on moving like wind sneaking in and out of battle. I felt it and I know how to do it again.
I've given up on the Windwalkers they don't want me. So I'll just learn on my own Michael and Asher can teach me how to do that everything attack.
I decorated the house yesterday too. We have a couch, a rug, a bath, a table with chairs now. Plus some plants. We sat on the couch and it didn't break so good. But he was not in his armor. Have to remind him to keep it off the couch it might not handle the weight. He fits in the bath mostly so that's good too. We showed Jharl and Sophia around and then the best thing Michael traded keys...one for Jharl and Sophia for one of their house keys for me! They live in Haven so close to Hlint and now I have a way back and forth! I'm so happy. Also sold a whip and I'm closer to buying my advanced certificate. I have 17000 gold plus some. Oh and got a shield necklace from Jharl too good price so now I have the protection bubble too.
I guess the only thing that would be better is if the Windwalkers had wanted me.
Going to have to bring Rollie over to show him around and hunt giants.
'
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Tailoring sewing and decorating. Need to go out and fight, practice. The house looks really good but I have not seen Micheal lately. I added a fireplace and a really big strong wood chair for him. And sconces lots of sconces the light is relaxing.
I keep getting better at healing kits but I still can't afford my advanced cert not now especially. Bought malar gloves from Jilseponie and boy are they nice. She said she'd help me with my tailoring. With that and the decorating though I have no money to get my certificate now. Back to saving.
Going to rest tonight though and learn to cook something in the big fireplace I had put in in the kitchen.
And take a bath.
-
He kissed me
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I love being on Dregar. It's so peaceful even with giants everywhere. Michael is still proving his strength to them and they don't seem to get it that he might be smaller but he's a lot tougher. I think they will though they are not as stupid as people seem to think. Being with him is nice uncomplicated we fight together and talk and he's not like tongue twisty Ozy or flattering Freldo, he's just Mikey. Sweet, strong, smart, focused but not all full of mystery that turns out to be a headache.
I am the same I think. I'm just me. I wish I knew who I was though sometimes I spent so long wanting to learn about the Windwalkers and now I'm just wandering. I learn from Mikey but I can never be as strong as he is so what he does won't work as well for me. I will keep learning how to move like Wind. It's what I do.
Been sewing again getting good and almost ready to get my advanced certificate. Just a little more gold then I can try to make my own monk robes and Mikey gave me some malar hides so I'm ready to try. Jilseponie's malar gloves with the enchantment Daren gave me are wonderful and strong no rips in the leather they still look new. She's such a good tailor!
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Okay, little by little. I noticed a long time ago that all the time I spent fighting in the Hlint crypts made me immune to the ghoul disease and most others it seems. So poison. I'm tired of the Sielwood spiders making me weak. I have a little sac of spider poison from the weak spiders. I'm going to jab myself with it just a bit at first until I can become immune like with the ghouls. Then those spiders will be sorry they keep hitting me when all I want is a little bit of silk!
Made 28 healing kits last night. My fingers are so full of needle marks I look like I've been petting a porcupine.
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Met Soul Ma again last night. Second time I've felt the icy cold fingers around me. Wanted to get a hug from Michael but could not find him he's probably out with Asher somewhere.
No energy to go looking. Too tired to sew. Poison experiment working I think slowly but I feel weak.
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I got my advanced crafting certificate today. I keep looking at it. I need to thank Mr. Asher a lot more, he let me keep all his shares of the coin from hunting from the other day so I could get it. My poison experiment is going well went to Sielwood and took some poison from a really big spider there and it only slowed me down a little. Got lots of silks.
Hope Mikey comes home soon.
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Immune. I am immune. It works. I was on an extended trip to an island to get an artifact for some halfling representing some archeological group and we found it in a sunken ship and a big crystal golum too and took it back to them and after all that and the dosing of the poisons I went to the Sielwood to challenge the spiders and took a hit and nothing. NOTHING! I am immune to poison. Well spider poison anyway.
So been thinking. Worked for disease. Worked for poison. What about spells? Going to be interesting to find a way to practice that.
New outfit to celebrate my poison experiment. I had everything for my new monk robes but the skill. Ferrit offered to try for me and tanned the malar hides perfectly and made my new monk robes with help from Marcus and Rhynn. Wow. I am trying a new look I asked her to make me fitted pants and a small halter top so I can move better. She must have been inspired because she did a fantastic job but it's a lot less that I'm used to wearing and I got stared at a lot. Freldo went off his head and could not decide which body part to look at first and I think it's irritating Rhynn. But I look good I think. Be interesting to see what Michael thinks. Kyle says he'll like it I hope so.
Still holding my advanced crafting certificate. New clothes poison immunity certificate life can't get much better.
Oh and selling stuff Mikey and I found. Got one thing sold already and a bunch more that people have said they want so I'll have enough to get my Bulls amulet made. I think I will go practice my wind katas in my new outfit. It's so much easier to move! I should burn those old skirts.
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It can get better. I was in Saudiria last night with Ash Asher Samir Tyrian Rhynn Freldo this was after Asher died in the opal caves while we were fighting to help Ash perfect a fighting technique so when we got to Saudiria I was just dog tired. So I woke up there a little bit ago and Asher had tucked an invisibility potion in my pack so I could get home. So I ran past the giants on the hill and past the giants by the tents and all the way to the that area right outside Pranzis big gates where they patrol, Dalos lake I think it is. And then my invisibility dropped and I didn't know it until a giant ran up behind me and chopped me almost in two I was almost dead. I ran around the lake trying to get some distance and used my magic hood and one of Jharl's shield necklaces and healed myself up and was mad. I've always felt weak around the giants like I could not hurt them and it started to make me mad and when the giant came around to smack me I started to fight back so what if I died. And I hurt him a lot then he got a good blow in and I saw that I didn't need much more to finish him and I had heal potions and he did not. He couldn't have anyway he wasn't wearing anything but a loincloth. So I ran and healed again and waited for him to catch me and when he caught up I smacked him good! Two shots to the gut and I felt him retch and then a shot to the unprotected nethers with the heel of my boot and down he went and I WON. I BEAT A GIANT all by myself, no Asher, no Mikey, no help.
Some days it's good to be me.
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Michael is back. He was off talking to his giant friend who is teaching him the language and who told Mikey his father is alive. We sat and talked for a long bit yesterday. He filled in his life story and asked about mine. He relaxed in the quiet of the house and got playful that was good to see he's tense a lot. It was a good talk and I keep feeling an undercurrent of something that could be more. I'm not even going to write the word yet. Too soon but this is a good man and I believe he can do what he says he wants to. He needs help though the giants are just not trusting. Maybe I can offer myself as recon reconnis reconis a scout. Went out with Asher and Mikey and we met with Jade Willow who made my cat ring and went out beyond the giants to the scorpions (wow are they big) and ogres and up to the north as far as the dark druids which Asher said would eat our lunch so we avoided them. I got some topaz for Ferrit and Tyrian and some polar bear skins! Jade got some dire bear skins she was happy. We fought days into night just wandering and enjoying the company it was a very good trip. I collected coin again and again Asher gave me his share. He is the most generous man. I wish there was something I could do to thank him but he's got tons of money and can make anything he wants so I guess I'll just have to be his friend.
Laldiien sent me a letter. I will put it in my book later. He's not coming back. He has duties in his city and with his family. He did send a letter giving me permission to use the contents of his bank and so I went and got his stuff the banker was not happy to be woken up that late but Laldiien asked me to not let it go to waste. There was mostly his crafting stuff and some money. I will write him and tell him I got it and hope he does well. He did his part for the dragon he helped with Drezneb and he was a good person to know. I will miss him. He did ask me to make sure Tyrian got his spell ring which I will give to her as soon as I see her. I gave all the oak to Ferrit to give to Kyle and she brought me some garlic for healing kits.
Tired now but a good couple days. The only thing I still wish is that I had a direction. Still feel like I'm just drifting on the wind like dandelion fluff. Maybe helping Michael will fill the gap. But I really want to figure out what I want to do.
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*Tucked into the book is a letter, on thick creamy parchment in a lovely flowing elven script. It is sealed with a button of wax bearing the seal of Voltrex* Honora. I have received your letter and regret to inform you that I will not be returning to Mistone anytime soon. I will explain. Some time before leaving Voltrex to explore, I had submitted an application to study with the Battle Wizards. I was denied. Right before I left Mistone, I had received word that my application had been re-reviewed and accepted due to openings for apprentices and mid-level students. I suppose I can thank Blood for that. I have not spoken to you of my history but watching the Battle Wizards practice and defend the Island is what inspired me to become a spellcaster. It means a great deal to me, and I am pleased to say my studies have come along quickly. I will be staying to complete my training and join the ranks of the Defenders of Voltrex. I have also not told you of how much I enjoyed knowing you. You are a remarkable woman with a tremendous future and I wish you well, with your Windwalkers studies and with this half-giant fellow you seem to fancy. May you find love with him and have many large, happy children. Three things I ask of you specifically: 1. Before I left I transferred my things from the Arcane Alliance to my bank chest. I am including a letter of permission to access my chest and make use of what you will. 2. I left in my possessions a ring of Wizardry. I cannot take the time to come get it so please give it to Tyrian Baldu'muur, a young woman who I think highly of. She helped me when I first arrived, and I enjoy the symmetry of helping her when I leave. If she has no use for the ring, I am certain she knows of someone who will use it. Also there is a quantity of oak, please see to it that Kyle Pandorn gets this with my thanks for his help and friendship. 3. Finally, a thought. You spoke once of your biological mother whom you said abandoned you to be found by another. I would suggest you look closer to your home for clues to her identity. Be safe, Laldiien Ter’Valien
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Tried to make a new outfit for Micheal. I used Jharl as a model but I just did not do the sizing up right, it didn't fit Mikey. I'm dissapointed black and red would look so good on him. I'll have to try again with a half-giant to help or maybe just drag him in and sew it right on him. My outfit turned out good I hope people are surprised. I even made a skirt since I won't be fighting. Not so bad if you don't have to move much.
I'm getting more involved in this orb thing with the MAF. More later on that I'm still organizing my thoughts.
I need to get to Hlint and make some heal kits, sweetie Mikey has me in so much aloe all my bags are full!
I'm still sad about Laldiien but happy he's doing what he wanted to do. Still need to find Tyrian. Maybe she will be at the Arms tonight.
He bought a piano for the house. A piano! I keep wondering why because I know I can't play and I don't think he can but maybe he does and didn't tell me. He also got a telescope which I will use. I saw an old globe at the furniture dealers last time I was there maybe I'll go get it and put it next to the telescope.
I have enough gold to buy all the nice jewelry I wanted. Going to have to find Reventage soon. Another reason to go to Hlint looking.
Been thinking about what I should do with myself aside from making clothes and buying jewelry. That's funny, I'm as much a girl as Inirine or little Ninya now. Never used to think about that stuff. Guess...liking...can do that to you. I put away trying to find Aubret's old order or his family if he had one. I think I'll dust that off. Got to visit some libraries, I know Michael goes there sometimes researching his family so I'll go with and start looking. I need to go back home also and ask Inirine about that and my mother. Closer to my home Laldiien said and he does not know about 227 Haft Lake so he must mean Inirine's house since I slept in the ox barn in Hlint mostly.
I wonder if I could find my mother. I wonder if I want to.
-
*The penmanship of this entry is noticably better, the ink not as blobby and the lines straighter*
I'm writing this at my new desk in the hall that I converted to an office for us. A globe and desk and big bookshelf and two nice big desks and a big wood chair for him and a littler one for me.
Someone is watching me. I felt it when we raided the bugbears to help the lady in Point Harbor, and I felt it tonight when Mikey Asher and I were killing giants. Eyes on me shadows whispers.
I'm scared.
I should tell Mikey but what can he do, sneaking is not his thing. It would worry him and I don't want to do that. He's got enough to do. I need to be extra careful.
Been spending a lot of time with Mikey. I would say I really really really like him but it's more than that now. But I still can't say it. I don't know if it's because I'm not sure or if I'm scared or if I want him to say it first so I won't look pushy. But I feel out of breath with him and tingly and he's wonderful and I think I am. Falling.
Still working with the Mistone Archalogical folks. We visited the cave where Jharl and his team went in and there were snakes and globes and stuff and a big black dragon statue thing. Rawkwin did some magic scry thing on one of the globes and we met Kaya or whatever her name was and talked a lot. More to do. I tried to blend in, check tattoos, that didn't go over well. I thought I could get their trust but I put my foot in it and ended up having to skulk away. Phooey.
Today was a big big day for me. I asked Mikey to show me his defensive posture and for some reason it was really easy to learn I figured it out right away. And I think my spell experiment is working I can feel the flow and I think I'm protected a little now. I have been doing a lot of reading and helping folks with thinking and stuff and I'm feeling a lot smarter these days too.
I said before I wanted to be more. I'm more than I thought I could ever be. And I can be more still only things lacking are my imagination. But I'm still scared of what might be watching me and of this Mikey thing it's too much to process sometimes. I think I'm all grown up and all I really wish right now was that Inirine was here to give me a hug.
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Spending a few days relaxing and sewing so better update.
I started to practice the moves Michael uses when he fights, the spinning attack that hits everything. He demonstrated it for me and he's so graceful at it but I can't do what he does. I tried and fell flat on my face. He showed me why he uses his scythe as a counterpoint and I don't use a weapon. So I'm going to practice some different ways to balance the leap. It's a full circle jump and very difficult to hit targets without some way to anchor the pivot. I'll keep working on it. Then I showed him my knockdown technique and knocked him over. I think that surprised him a little.
Went to kobolds in between working on healing kits and let them hit me with spells. Little yappy things get fussy and attack when all I want is for them to cast on me so I can work on my spell resistance. Sorry to smack them around but they keep asking for it.
Made a lot of healing kits. A lot. Gave Mikey half, kept half. Had a nice chat with Mr. Stormbrow and traded silks for aloe and cures, he's good folk. Told him to come around Pranzis more.
No eyes on me lately but I'm still keeping watch. Still nervous.
Sold a bunch of stuff for Asher. Now I'm going to have to ask to borrow money from him, something I have not done yet. But there is a ring for auction that I want. A monk ring, very expensive and very powerful. I hope I can make a good case for borrowing the money.
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Started showing Mikey how to dance. He thinks he's all left feet but if he can spinning attack he can dance. Just have to show him how. Been reading a lot lately. Books that we find when we travel and things I pick up at market. I'm trying to learn how to communicate better now that I can look up spelling and grammer stuff. I should have someone check these last few entries to see how I'm doing. Still chickening out on telling Michael how I feel. Maybe tonight. Probably not. I'm such a scaredy cat. Went to Hlint yesterday and saw Kyle and Berri! I have not seen Berri in ages I was happy to see him and we invited them to come topaz gathering in Dregar with us but Berri never showed up in Pranzis we waited. Kyle did though so we took off hunting and he had a good time. I told him he needed to get Ferrit over when she's back from whatever she's doing and come with us adventuring. He liked the house. Okay with the MAF. We are on break right now so I'll put some of what I know down. I got involved with the group when Jack asked for help finding the source of an orb that was pre-cataclism. Cataclisym. That was when we went to the island on Silias's boat and found the sunken ship with the golum and orb. Then we went to check on the dig site to make sure the stuff got there and went into the dig to see what it was about and it might be a really ancient site where the old dragon gods were worshipped. There is a spy in the camp I'm sure of that. Alvin is the head person and they have a spellslinger lady Kaya who's involved as well. Guards are high-class no lowlifes so maybe not one of them. The problem is spy for who? It looks like the Vine which is a very nasty assassin group is involved but probably only to run the harrassment. From the last set of conversations before we left it looks like we are going into the dig again and taking another look and to the museum where they keep the artifacts found. I suggested going to Roferien's main library to see if there was anything there or maybe we should ask a high priest of Roferien to just ask the big gold guy himself. Yeah I like that idea I'll suggest it next time. Anyway there is an ancient city to Roferien on Dregar and I suggested we visit that too but all the artifacts are in the museum so that's why the group wants to go there first. Whatever this site is about it was once around an ocean and all the orbs have traces of different schools of magic on them so perhaps to a dragon god of magic, Lucinda's counterpart from ages ago.
It's getting really interesting and Mikey is working with them too so that's nice. And let's see there is Kyle and Ferrit and some cleric I think Rawkwin and Rhynn and Freldo and Jharl who I'm starting to be friends with which is nice and Asea the elf who does not speak common but he's nice and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone. I'm going to keep helping them this is important and engaging work. We were all dragon called and now we are working sort of for the dragon god it seems appropriate.
Going to the Lelion tonight to meet Katrien, Mikey's best friend. It was closed last week. Need to air out my new dress. Maybe make something new for Mikey with him as the model this time. Clean my nails. Okay I'm nervous I hope she likes me she means so much to him.
-
Chickened out. Again.
Lelion Arms closed. Again.
Ended up going for topaz and I forgot to give them to Micheal darn. Maev came with and I met Snippi who is Mikey's friend. He's a halfling who's good with a bow. Nice fellow. Met Rugo too a halfling monk which I've never seen before. Didn't have time to talk to him but I will next time I see him.
-
He loves me.
He LOVES ME.
HE LOVES ME.
He loves me he said he loves me he loves me I'm so happy. Now I will write it. I love him. I love him he loves me.
Other stuff later he LOVES ME.
-
*This is written in a smaller book called Collection of Mistone Dialects, in the back*
Just so I remember. We were going to Haven to get iron to make him some new reinforced clothing. He took me the place we went to before where you climb up the big rock and there is a pond up there with a bench and it's so pretty but last time Ireth was there with someone so we left. This time we were alone. He put his arm around me and we just sat for a while and didn't talk about much and then he told me he'd never met anyone like me before and then he said he loved me. Real fast like Iloveyou. I wanted to laugh and to cry with happy. We kissed for a long time then we went and killed ogres. A perfect day.
Other stuff.
I'm calmer now but I've been pretty giddy. I sent a letter to Inirine telling her everything. I hope Mikey will come visit her and her family with me.
The MAF. We got together again and went back into the caves and took a closer look. More snakes of all colors this time mostly black blue and green. Lots more snakes. Went back to the dragon room and looked all over. Ashiel found a splinter of red crystal in the box that held the roses. She also found a mural on the wall of an ocean scene. There seems to be some connection between oceans and whatever temples these are. There was discussion of Mist and Shinny. Shinny is an old god pre-cataclisym. The roses are still with a person called Key and she's gone missing. Foul play? Rawkwin tried scrying the dragon statue, and a paladin I think named Daniel prayed to Roferien after I asked him to just to try. Nothing. The others are planning a trip to the museum. I won't be there because of the monk but let me put this down in order.
Next I visited the Freelancers tavern to talk to Quillwem about apprenticing. There was a meeting going on. AnnaLee was there and that Ireth lady and some dark elves and someone called the Black Pearl a little gnome in black. Also someone called Dur'thak who had a tail, which is pretty neat when you think about it. He looked demon-y but was nice enough. Sallaron Tempest was there who is nice and some elf named Linda. And Quillwem briefly. They were talking about strange happenings in Karthy. People were asked to come up and say what they knew and I said I didn't know anything but I'd like to help since it had to do with Milaria smuggling stuff through Karthy and some group called The Way. Then I remembered something from a bar I stopped in for food after my last visit to the Temple of Elemental Balance. There were people there recruiting for hired help to do stuff that sounded illegal. I ignored it then but when I told the group at the Freelancers they were interested. AnnaLee vouched for me and they took me along to help.
We got hired onto a ship doing dirty work for a group, and there was almost a fight on the ship between the crew and the men who I think were the smugglers. Sallaron got in with them but I had a bad feeling about it so then we went ashore and had to kill some manticores that were blocking the way to a tower the smuggling guys wanted to go to and Sallaron went with them. I snuck behind and followed. I think I really messed things up though because I can't see traps like a rogue and missed a few after they took him upstairs. They knew someone was there then even if they could not see me. An alarm was sounded and I pretty much made hash of Sallaron's attempt to get information. I feel really bad about that and he almost died twice too getting out but I got him out alive thank Asher ten times over for those invisibility potions. We got out and back on the ship and traveled back to Karthy. It wasn't a long trip really.
I told Ireth what had happened and had to go because my identity was known. The others stayed and talked and I got supplies and decided to head over to get cougar and lion skins.
Okay now the monk. I was walking toward Lake Io except I always get lost in Karthy and ended up in some swamp instead. I felt eyes again! I went back to Karthy to go to Lake Io instead and again felt like I was watched. I got pretty mad about it orc blood got hot so I snuck into the lake area and was going to just sneak like Wind to Point Harbor but I saw a man then and he was wearing grey and blue robes. I got madder actually since he looked like he belonged to the Temple but he stopped me and started talking. He said the Way of the Wind was out of balance. He seemed to know all about it and finally I was so curious even though I was mad about being ignored by them for so long, I asked him about it. He said he'd show me. I was still mad, am still mad, but I really wanted to learn so I went with him. Almost died to some trolls. This guy is not what he seems he does not make footprints or ripples in water when he walks, it's as if his feet don't touch the ground.
We went past the nasty trolls to some house and he asked me to get a coin. I went in and there was a bad feeling but I got the coin okay and I don't understand why he could not get the coin himself.
Then we went to a cave in the Wolfswood forest and that's where I am now. He's giving me time to rest before I go into the cave to get some bone for him. Interesting things: He mumbled once about Vengance is Mine after I gave him the coin which by the way is NOT Queen Allurial on the front. Old, old, old that coin must be. Feet don't touch the ground. Kinda sarcastic and he calls me child which drives me nuts but oh well. So here I am and not sure what is going to happen. Ferrit told me the spiders here are very hard to hurt. And I get the feeling more and more that he's not exactly a nice guy even though he hasn't hurt me yet. Oh well I did send a bird to Mikey letting him know what was happening so he won't worry. I hope I'm doing the right thing, I just want to know what the Way of Wind is about. Maybe I should try to go to the temple.
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Stuff and more stuff. I've been to the temple to check on Mr. Gr'aiath. He let me go too. Strange. I talked to a snooty librarian who said that he was a man who killed an innocent. I went to the inner sanctum of the Temple of the Winds next. I felt sad there because when I asked the librarian what was the way to apply to the temple she said that those who are there belong there and those who apply probably don't or somesuch. So now I know for sure, they don't want me, I'm not good enough. So I felt very sad jumping up to the sanctum but I needed more answers. There was a shaft of light like outside on the island and a woman or an image of one in the light with black hair and green eyes. Pretty lady. She radiated a feeling of love which was nice but wierd. I asked her three questions, Who was Gr'aiath, what would she have me do, and how did he betray the temple.
Gr'aiath has a grave marker by the spot she was. He's a ghost or some undead. Great. Not a popular guy either.
What she would have me do she didn't say, only that I had to choose and fast. Choose WHAT? The temple doesn't want me. So I guess I choose to learn from him or not learn at all.
How he betrayed the temple was to make it so the path of the Wind was unreachable, which was almost a direct answer which surprised me no one in this place can just give a yes or no answer to anything.
The last thing she did was touch me and all I felt was love from her not like Mikey love but more like Mom love if I knew what that was. Kind of like what I remember of Inirine when I was little. She said it was "her gift to him" and then she was gone.
*The ink above is smeared as if the book were shut before it dried*
*The ink below is unsmeared*
Could not stand that librarian staring at me anymore. Sitting outside by Lake Io now. So now what. Go back and complete whatever he's wanting me to do and possibly be part of something really bad or just go home. Those are my choices.
Or find out what he's up to and stop it. I can live with not being a monk of the Wind, officially. I don't think I need the temple to hit me with an "approved monk" stamp after all. I mean I've been training all this time, I can define my own path. I can learn from Mikey that whirly attack. I can teach myself to move faster. And from what I see the path of Wind is out of balance. No one seems to know what's going on and the actions feel chaotic to me. I don't need chaos in my life.
But I don't want them to be destroyed by some crazy vengance ghost. And I still have questions. And to be fair, I should hear his side of the story.
So I go back. But Rollie, you were so right. I am armed with information I didn't have. The path I'm walking is not as dark and I can move faster in the light. I need to tell Rollie how much he really taught me.
More later.
-
We've rested for a bit. He's been watching me. Haven't spoke since I came back from the temple. I'm trying to decide how to handle this. When I put this book down I'm going to have to say something about what I've learned. I wonder if I could just walk up and wave my hand through him?
I miss Mikey.
-
...and that was wierd. He just upped and left. Got a strange look and said he had business to attend to and he'd let me know when to come back to train. And he was gone. Practically vanished.
Wierd.
So I snuck past the snakes back to Karthy then back to Pranzis where I bumped into Jareg and Ketil who I made some armor for and he's still wearing it which makes me happy. We went to the forest of Mists and to the opal caves so I could get some opals for Asher. I thought about having to fight a powerful ghost and decided to practice channeling magical focus into my fists again. I worked hard at it and I can't tell if I'm better but I think maybe I am. It was fun watching Jareg and Ketil. They fight very different but Ketil is amazing not like Mikey who basically threshes everything he hits in half but because Ketil hits so fast like a million hits a minute it seems. And Jareg has spells to make him a fantastic fighter and he has the coolest hat. I like them I hope we go out again soon. Those two plus Mikey and Asher and we could take on demons!
Saw Mikey later he was on his way out but I gave him the boots of web resistance I made for him from those sticky glands he gave me and a bunch of heal kits I made. Got a lot of kisses and he's taken to smacking me on the rump when he leaves. Well, if it makes him happy. He's off to watch the giants and I'm tired and confused and going to bed.
-
Went to Arabel on recommendations of several people who heard things. Joined a group fighting to protect the Great Oak. Died, died again. Fought next to Michael. Saw many other good people die.
We suceeded against stuff I've never seen before. Demons of all types. Monsters. Giants. Really nasty demons.
The dragon who called us fought with us. We saved him once, twice, but when we fought the final battle, he fell. There is only one thing sadder than that dead dragon and I heard it right after the final defeat of Blood's forces.
Pranzis is lost. Surrounded and occupied. I have been holding the tears back. I love that town have never been happier but now it's full of demons raiding our things and burning our houses. Our home.
I keep thinking of the lake. And of Jersey, my ox who is waiting tied down by the side of the house for me to come unload all the skins off of him. Who is probably demon food by now.
Blood was defeated. The sun is blotted out by the explosion that killed him. I should be happy. But all I feel is the loss of the place I think of as home. I'm writing this in my backup dictionary in the Hlint stables that I used to sleep in. Hay just isn't as easy to sleep on anymore. And I have come to hate Hlint, all the people running around. All the noise. The expensive materials. No privacy.
I want our home back. I will fight for it whenever and however I can. I will force myself to go to the Wild Surge and read the posts. Pranzis will be saved.
We won. Why do I feel defeated?
-
I can still go home. Apparently the general running Pranzis is letting people in he's more interested in keeping the city alive then burning it. Jersey was even alive but upset and kept trying to follow us into the house.
Us.
We know each other now. In every way I think possible. I was scared and told him and he held me and all of a sudden I just wanted to know and to be with him. It's all so much how we almost lost the world and the death that it took to keep a larger death from happening and Pranzis overrun and all the pain. I needed something to hold onto and so we did.
I don't even know how to write about stuff like that but all I can say is wow. Now I know what all the fuss is about.
And I don't think my hips will ever go in the same direction again.
Sent a letter to Inirine to make sure she's safe with some money in case. Gave her a quick view of what happened. I showed Mikey the Temple of Elemental Balance too and he's a darn good jumper he got all the way to the very top of the Temple of the Wind not falling once. We're taking a break and he's dozing by Lake Io and I love to watch him sleep. Guess I'll have more chances to do that now.
The sky is getting darker and it's colder than it was. The sun is barely visible and sometimes not at all. I wonder what's going to happen?
More later.
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Gr'aiath send word for me to come to the cave.
I left Mikey at Velensk after we went into the Berhagens looking for a temple to the giant god. Grannock? I think that's it. Got to make note that since we were together in the house he's gotten really frisky. We were in Shofall? I think that's the name up in the mountains really pretty town and we climbed up a hill and could see the whole town and he got all playful and snuggly and wanted me again. And again. Afterwards Mikey was so happy and I think he'd climb into the sky and get the moon and stars for me if I asked. Men are funny.
So we parted in Velensk and I headed to Wolfswood to the cave. Gr'aiath was there all ghosty and I just started asking him questions. We moved into the cave to avoid the snakes and talked. He kept calling me "child" which drives me nuts I'm not his kid or even a kid. His story was that he loved a woman that another man loved and that he was responsible for the other man's death somehow and he was cursed. I told him about the black haired green eyed lady who spoke to me in the temple and he was shaken and told me that was her. He tried to scare me but after fighting Blood's forces one ghost is not going to give me the shivers so I just tried to get to the truth and he finally said that all he really wanted was to be with her in the afterlife. Okay so I decided to help him. We fought a lot of spiders heading back into the caves and I found silks yay! I had to squeeze through a tiny space and fight more spiders and finally we were back in a room with a pool in the northwest corner and when I got near that pool the coin I found got hot. I found bones in the pool and they were really old and that was what he wanted so we left. While we were there Gr'aiath kept being angry at the other man and I had to get all Toranite on him and tell him about forgiveness (I need to thank Mave sometime) and also channel some Rollie about how holding onto anger upsets balance and makes the path harder to see. I think he listened but he still kept calling me "child" which I'm not. I got stuck in the tiny tunnel once but got through. So then I was leaving and could not see Gr'aiath and there was a spirit there not man-looking but more spirit-y. He said he was Morach whose bones I found. He seemed all soft voiced and nice but when I started to ask hard questions about who killed who he got a wierd grin and I got a bad feeling. Then Gr'aiath appeared and they started yelling at each other and I had the bones in one hand and the coin in another and I put them together and that summoned the lady spirit and shut the boy ghosts up good.
Her name was Sherissa. She waited for me to figure out what happened but I already knew I think that it was Gr'aiath she loved and Morach was the angry one even though he got killed. So I told Gr'aiath that she loved him and he was just stunned and then Gr'aiath forgave him for what he did and I told Morach to just get on since he was forgiven and dead and all so he faded away and so did Sherissa. Gr'aiath asked me to walk with him.
It goes like this. Gr'aiath was an elven Grandmaster of the Wind order who loved the elf lady but he was kind of easygoing and just not as serious or so I gathered when we talked by the lake later. Morach was his student and all studious and focused and stuff. Sherissa loved Gr'aiath and it made Morach mad since he wanted Sherissa for himself. Morach made up a bunch of lies to make Gr'aiath look bad and was hurting the relationship and the Order by forcing people apart and making them take sides. Then one day Gr'aiath took Morach to the spider cave and Morach made a mistake and died there and Gr'aiath left him dying and then felt bad and left the temple and since he'd been the Grandmaster for so long and helped shape the Path the Path got hard to follow. I think. And Sherissa died of a broken heart. Gr'aiath told me before he faded away that I helped set the Path straight and he also said that "those who belong here are here" and why was I down by the lake when I belonged in the temple? He told me that the Path found me. He finally called me by my name before he left for the netherworld too. I hope he and Sherissa are happy. I went up to the temple and one of the head monks of the Wind knew me and welcomed me and we talked about what it meant to be a monk of the Wind. So after all this I'm accepted.
One more thing. I took another walk around and thought pretty hard about how badly this thing was handled. There could be some changes around here...too much connundrum not enough plain spokenness. I thought about myself and what I can do and I think I may be reaching too low. I think there is no limit to what I can try for. Maybe what I need to do is learn from all the orders not just Wind. I'm going to think on this and talk to the other orders a bit. I'm getting an idea.
Can't wait to tell Mikey and Asher and Mave and everyone what happened!
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We went to Pranzis through Hurm over the last few days. Looks like that will be the way we have to go for a while now. Through the Dark Forest and the desert which have not changed much. We marched along at a steady pace stopping only to
I can't wipe this stupid grin off my face gods I love that man.
Anyway.
We have been focusing on the Dark Forest trying to wipe out the spiders and nasty evil tree ants so that others can use the path. The spiders breed like kobolds though. Mikey and I talked about it and we are not abandoning our home yet as long as we can get to it so we decided to try to get there through Dalos Lake and see what happened. We had to kill some of the ogres and madmen on the way they seem to take the fall of Pranzis as a reason to harass travelers even more. Mistake on thier part this time.
Saudiria is mostly intact and I am wondering about putting a home there until Pranzis is retaken. It's not a bad little town but dusty.
We met Mave and Mercas on the road outside Saudiria. Mercas seemed to be okay but Mave. I did not understand until I stood inside Pranzis again and actually looked around more but Mave had a look in her eyes. She told me what the army did to the Temple of Toran and when she did her voice was as cold as the Barbarian Isles and the look in her eyes made mithril look soft. I pity Blood's army that they got her riled up because they are going to find out what true paladin of Toran can do when she lets it all go.
We went though the forest of Mists toward Pranzis and a lot of the giants were missing either part of the army or slaughtered in the march. Corax lake looked okay just torn up a bit and so did Dalos lake. Many footprints so many that the earth was sunk in and a few guards. That was interesting Mercas just disappeared when we got to Dalos lake and Mave marched off to the side of us. She got a lot of looks but none of the demon-y types did anything since we pretty much headed straight for Haft lake.
I did not look when I ran home the first time. I just ran hoping it was still there. I saw things but I did not see them I was not paying attention to anything else. This time I looked and the gate that I am so used to pushing open is gone. The walls are gone. The temple...it's bad. I did not look in the other districts but I saw very little smoke except for the walls and certain areas so again I see that whoever is running the city is trying to occupy not destroy at least for now.
No one bothered me. I look more orc than human I think so I guess they thought I was okay. Mikey got a few glances and one guard looked hard at him but he's hard to miss and he was in the front lines defending the Great Oak so maybe word got around. They thought twice about messing with him though and we all went straight to the house over the rubble that used to be the gates to Haft Lake.
The lake area is mostly intact. Seems the army kept out. I saw a few people moving possessions into carts and boxes but they are going to need a spy here and since I look orc I'm staying. I'll keep my eyes and ears open and see what I can learn about what's happening here. Just need to find out who to report it to.
Mikey got another futon and put it next to his. I won't be sleeping in my big bed anymore and I won't miss it either. But I have to decorate Mikeys room it's too plain...time to shop if the furniture guy is still there and see if I can hear anything while I'm out.
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I've been thinking about balance. The first time I stepped into the temple and knew I belonged there all I could think about were all the changes I would make. I started going over all the things I would do and how I could go about doing them. Now I've had a chance to sit and watch the training. Watch the monks how they move how they learn how they are taught. I have been sitting in training for all the elements since I was thinking of learning everything but my eyes are bigger than my brain it seems. It would take four lifetimes to learn that much. And I know I can't lead a place like this I just don't have that something that people like Freldo do. But back to balance I was wanting to learn all the elements to create the balance in myself and I thought on this and let my mind wander while I listened to Wind play on Io lake and that's when it hit me. I'm already balanced, and I balance others. It's not just me, it's all the people I know. Let me put this down quick before I forget.
Water. Rollie is my water, my wisdom the place where I can sit and talk and learn and be at peace. Asher is too but a different kind. Rollie is a stream always moving always trying to change a little part of where he flows. He's peace and defense. Asher is an ocean. Asher knows about fighting and places and crafting. He's a ocean of knowledge, always helping others navigate the way. I wonder what he'd say if I told him that.
Mikey is my Earth. He is strong, grounded, the place where I grow. With him I grow love, a home, a future. He is Katia's child and Grannock's child (he calls them his "ladies" that makes me giggle) and he is my balance and my rock.
And increasingly, Mave is my fire. She can be cold when you meet her. She holds herself in check all the time resisting every temptation. But under that layer that people are allowed to see is a passion like a volcano. She tries with all her heart to follow what her god lays out for her, she fights like Toran was right beside her. She is light and heat and burns with her desire to do good.
And I am their Wind. I sneak ahead, I run from place to place. I look for the new and pull them around when one place gets too familiar. And I embrace all of them. My balance are my friends and it all keeps coming back to that doesn't it?
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Mikey and I have spent time together in the Iron Hills and Dark Forest. We're going to look for Grannock's temple in the Berhagen mountains again soon. He seems to think that I'd like Grannock. I don't know I have never felt a god touch me before so I'm skeptical.-
Spent some time watching the monks again. I need to learn a lot about the history of the order and the Path but I see something that is strange.
Not many have found the Path that have already been out in the world.
I am one of the very few that have come to the Path of Wind after travelling so much and learning so much already. Most of the folks here started here. I find I spend more time watching and listening than moving because so much of what they teach are things I've already done. I spar to practice and even teach a thing or two myself but mostly I try to figure out how the Paths were discovered and what being of the Wind means. Lots of meditation. Mostly I see it means what you make of it. Lots of room for self and there are clerics here and some others that did not always use inner focus to create the outer. So it's flexible. I still listen to Wind and hear what it brings and smell what it carries. Wind still sings to me.
Was in Hlint yesterday saw Mr. Darsus and Mercas. Listened a bit and heard this and that about this person and that person. Lot of unhappy people running around. Glad I still have a home in Pranzis even if it's run by some evil dwarf.
Very bad news. Alvin Masty is dead. Murdered. The paper said it was bandits but I don't think so. I'm poking around Pranzis to find out what I can. This changes things and the MAF has to be helped. Kaya has to be found and questioned. And her little imp-thing too. And Jack. Lots to do.
Been looking for someone to teach me orcish. Mikey has inspired me to learn my other language. He works so hard at it and tries to greet any giants he sees. Mostly they attack him. Maybe it's his dialect?
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We finally went out on a date. Been trying to do this for weeks and weeks and finally I got to the Lelion Arms and talked to Annalee who let me feel her belly but the babies were asleep. Talked to Kyle and Rhynn about Alvin we're going to get together soon and then Mikey showed up all dressed nice in the outfit I made him and smelling like Kat's soap and hair all brushed and face shaved and he just looked so handsome. I was in my new dress and I put on that ring that sparkles that he gave me and with my new sandles that show off my feet which are actually quite nice and my nails trimmed and everything darn it we looked good together.
Freldo was running the Inn tonight and he made the most tasty supper I've had in a long time. It was
Smoked salmon with rice
Apple and grapes
Cheese
And some really good wine that I drank too much of. Zeenite wine? Sweet and good. Pretty Boy can sing and cook. He'll make a good wife someday. I hope he finds someone stable soon he's really a nice guy.
Ozymandeas was there and he told the story of the fall of Blood and since he was there he knew what he was talking about. He's quite good he had us really into the story. Funny that someone so grumpy all the time can be so interesting when he wants to be.
Rollie showed up later and we saw Mave and Asher on the docks so Mikey and I changed and we went to Hurm to go clear a path through the Dark Forest again. Mikey was really tired though and we ended up back on Ozy's land and I fell asleep near the cow pens. Just got up but it's still night. I think I'll go back to sleep. Need to get home soon check on things and look into MAF stuff more.
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Yesterday was wonderful. I met Asher and Mave on the docks at Lelion after getting comfrey, and we went to Hurm. We chatted for a bit while Asher described the platinum armor he's giving me to sell so I can put it up on my notice properly. Then Mikey showed up and he had Ferritt and Kyle and Berri in tow! Wow it was so nice to see them and we went through the Iron Hills cutting back the ogre population and mined topaz and alexandrite and then through the Dark Forest taking out the evil spiders and trees and back through the desert to get more topaz and silver and on the way we met up with Ash and Tyrian and it was just the best time.
I missed all of them I hope to see more of them here. Ash promised to come around more often and then after I mentioned that we had a room available since I've moved into Mikey's room Berri said he wanted it. So later after we got into the city I showed Berri my old room. Mave wondered if I should bring people into Pranzis after all that's happened but I look at it this way. Pranzis won't heal until we heal it. Deserting it won't heal it. Shunning it won't heal it. A city needs to live and breathe and you need people to make that happen. I have seen many patrols in the streets and they frown on open weapons and hassle the occasional person but mostly they keep order. It's not I was going to say it's not that bad. Wow. I guess it's not. At least I don't get picked on much just comments mostly on how ugly I am. Which I already knew so I shrug that off. So people need to come back and start living again. That's what I think.
Anyway. So Berri is taking my room. He got all sniffly about it said he'd never had a place to put his stuff before so I wondered about his family but I didn't ask. He seemed so happy and I had just brought the sheets in from outside and put them on the bed so I told him he could keep my old bed since Mikey and I are on futons. He said he could fit 10 of him on the bed but as I left I saw him lying on it and he had a blissful look on his face.
I moved all my stuff this morning. Redid the office and dressed up our room some it was too plain and added rugs and some light to the area in front of the room.
Then I went out to use the craft hall and snuck around a bit listening. Just because the dwarf is not destroying everything doesn't mean that I don't still want Pranzis to be a free city. I didn't hear anything good enough to report to anyone. I feel so sorry for the fortune teller lady and the gnome who sold his inventions and the dwarf who sold ale. They lost everything. I also gave some money to a family in the streets, told them to find shelter or I could port them out if they wanted. They said they were waiting for some family to take them in but they took the money to get food. Cute kids, reminded me my brothers and sister.
Sometimes I wish I had a god, just so I could pray for Pranzis to be freed and to come back to full life.
Well Jilseponie gave me a bunch of pelts I'm going to work on now. She is just the best person always helpful. Her and Daren (who added special damage to my gloves electric and undead killing) are such good friends. I know it's all of my friends that keep me from being depressed every time I go into the city.
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Tailoring getting good. Made four lion bags only messed one up. Very happy!
Berri moved in now, has a key. Paid for four months. He's a fighter I hope he gets along with Mikey maybe Mikey can teach him some.
Found an orc speaker! His name is Kor he's a blue skinned orc which are the shamans he says. He speaks common like I used to but he's already taught me a bunch of words in orc.
Rrhan means WHAT like hello said loud
Pukog means bones
Kng means guts
Aho means fire
Gbatohg (?) means spiders
I can't wait until our next lesson and he says he'll teach me orc traditions and history. I will learn about my other half. Speaking orc is easier than common the words use the fangs instead of work around them.
More later naptime.
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Saw Annalee in Hlint yesterday and she's not pregnant anymore. That Arcane Alliance lady that Laldiien knew whispered for me to not say anything so I just said Hi and asked how she was doing. I asked if she needed any help and she said maybe later so I told her there was a half-orc and a half-giant who were ready to help her whenever. Her stutter just keeps getting worse and I'm worried about her. Where did those babies go? Are they early? Are they safe? So help me all the gods in the skys if anyone hurt those kids I'll fight until Soul Ma has every last bit of me to get them safe.
No one should hurt kids.
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Nothing yet from Annalee.
Spent time playing merchant and also at the temple. I seem to need the meditation more than the fighting training. To sit and let Wind ramble on and just listen to everything it touches, bounces off of, runs through. After everything that's happened I need that peace.
It's much colder now. I might have to change my outfit it gets chilly with just the top on. Going to be a long winter until the ash finally clears from the sky and the sun can come through.
Heard rumors that we're going to meet soon to do something about Alvin and the MAF. Freldo got a bird to me with some information he found out. We need to check Alvin's old office and try to find his house if we can for more clues. I am going to go to the temple of Roferien in Pranzis and just ask questions about the pre-cataclysm dragons and other gods.
Also found a group of people in North Point trying to decide what to do about some lich. I heard something about an Orb so I hung around and got interested despite myself. I remember going into the Underdark briefly to help rescue Daren rom this lich but I was sort of in the way and it was only going to get worse so I left so I would not slow them up with my dying and all. They did rescue Daren which is good because then he was able to make my glove enchantments and I just like the guy. But now they found out the lich might be two people, was a follower of Roferien, was married, and might still have a lost love. Well, all kinds of stuff I'll make note of it all later. So we're planning a trip to some small mountain town where the lich killed a bunch of people to see if there are any clues about who he was and stuff.
Saw Mikey last night, he's been gone a few days. Half-giant hugs very good. Needed those.
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Went to the temple of Roferien in Pranzis. Talked to the head priest there who told me a lot of the same stuff Alvin and Kaya did about how pre-cataclisym stuff was hard to find. He mentioned that maybe Ozlo might have had something to do with convincing the dragons to let Katia acend. I should tell Micheal that. Also he showed me a picture that had cows and sheep in the front in pasture, warm sunny skies, a dragon statue with orbs of light around it, and a dragon which looked metal but I couldn't tell which in the sky over what I think was a beach. He wouldn't let me borrow the picture it's from that time.
Gathered in Krandor to figure out what to do about the MAF. Both old and new showed up. Met a man and I heard his name but can't spell it Z-something. Zow? He was a bald monk human and very powerful. I enjoyed watching him move he was so in control of himself. Way better than me. I wonder why I've never seen him before if he's that powerful but I guess if you have that much skill you don't have to be seen if you don't want to.
We went inside the MAF offices and found a piece of paper with a name Katlin on it which according to Kyle can be translated into Elven. We also found a portal and a lot of people died in the room that was connected to it since it was trapped pretty heavy. The room was full of crates and boxes and someone probably Kaya or Alvin was living there, maybe hiding out?
Daniel found a bag with a stick in it that was yew which I keep hearing about it's a rare wood. The stick had runes on it and we also found a prophesy relating to a dragon Estibana who is balance which made us think of the pebble and petal from healer's heart and thorn. There are three artifacts to bring back one or more than one dragon gods and maybe the metallic dragons. This would be a septer or some kind of staff. We were all dog tired though so we gathered up what we had and we'll keep at it.
A note. Most everyone is the same but Rhynn is getting wierd and crazy. I haven't seen much of her since that whole horse thing except for this work but compared to before she's off her rocker. Laughs when stuff is destroyed does impulsive crazy stuff that gets her killed is bossy and tries to run EVERYTHING. She wants to be in control of the party and hold all the stuff we find. She's way out into chaos and I don't trust her anymore. Something is either wrong with her or this is who she was all along, but either way she's not right. I think Jharl feels the same way I do and we tried to get her to let Rawkwin hold the stick but she got really really upset and then Kyle jumped in. I really don't like her there is no room for law in her heart it seems. But as far as the MAF is concerned I'm stuck with her so I've got to keep an eye.
Mikey's off learning giant again I think which reminds me time for another lesson from Kor. Tailoring is going well and Drawna got me another box of garlic. Now I'm out of aloe she's gotten me so much!
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Wind brings changes coming to the city. I feel both excitement and fear. The chaos feeling is going away and things are settling down to a more lawful feeling but what kind of law? Maybe I've grown to accustomed to the strangeness. I hope I am not tainted with any of the crazyness I always have liked things orderly and accountable before.
Spent more time at the temple. Mine is not a typical Path for Wind. I spent too long outside the walls but I think that benefits me. I don't see the world the same as the ones that stay inside and study all the time.
First things first. Assess Pranzis and decide what to do there. Find out if there is a movement to retake it in the name of the lawful heirs.
Second. This has been growing in my mind. Arabel. I've visited there and it's totally out of balance, totally overrun with lawlessness. I'd like to help change that. So Pranzis first then look at Arabel.
Been listening to Mikey talk about his father and thinking about my mother. I'm not pursuing that right now. Inirine was a good person who raised me well now that I know lots of people to compare myself to. I'm content with that. I got a letter from her after I told her about what is happening in the world lately and she's proud of me for helping to defeat Blood. That made me feel good.
Still need to find Aubret's old order and also his family. Inirine told me she found something in his house when she was cleaning it after a storm, something I've never seen before. A couple of letters from a woman to him talking about thier child! Aubret had a child! Well really if what he hinted at was true he might have had more than one. Inirine is holding the letters for me. Will have to visit very soon and introduce her to Michael.
Lots to do. Best get started. I miss Mikey.
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Met Mikey in Lelion last night. He's even better at giantish, he's really getting it I think. Well I think anyway, no way to know. We went to cull the evil trees and spiders in the Dark Forest again they just keep popping up. I wonder how trees grow that fast? Must be because they are evil. Met up with Ash and some guy named Nepp who's pretty nice. Was a fun time except for when I got too close to that big queen spider and then got stuck in a web and Ash died because of it. She managed to get back though and Soul Ma missed her so good. I felt really bad though.
I learned something at the temple that I didn't know you could do. You can focus your inner energy to deliver a fatal blow in one hit. Sounds scary but it could be useful. I'll be coming to those lessons regularly since I never even thought to try something like that. Not everyone here can do it but the ones following the most inner path can so I'm going to work on it. It's a lot of focus and concentration and meditation before hand and you have to store the energy up to be used all at once.
More later, sleeping in the inn at Hurm tonight. We didn't feel like going all the way back to Pranzis.
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Wanted to record my thoughts on the arena event about a week ago.
Linda
Rocky (halfling)
Lusius (hitting me with my old gloves ha!)
Rollie
Eldred
Dayron
Grok
Drogo (cat boy)
I'm sure I'm forgetting someone. I fought Lin'da twice man those spells are nasty. I can't resist the really strong ones as well and she got me in some kind of hand-force thing and her armor summon just smacked me to death. Did better the second time kept her running but still died in the end. She's good. Funniest thing was watching Linda and Dayron fighting...with weapons! That was a really long fight. Grokk beat me like I was a little girl darn that big axe.
Getting very good at dire bear skins I have a lot of leathers now. Will try those strength gloves soon.
Saw Ash Nepp and met someone named Wren last night with Mikey.
Practicing what I learned last time at the temple. Hard to practice the death fist though I'll have to go to the Dark Forest again soon. Maybe it would work on the spiders.
Mikey is preparing to look for his father soon. He's been doing some research. I'll see if I can help him with that.
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MAF. Rawkwin has the stuff finally, ugly scene getting that to happen. Had to say things I don't like to say so much. Hopefully won't have to be that hard again.
Rhynn and Linda got some more information about the runes and staff. Making progress. Also got a name from a Vine guy we interrogated. Aleus. Ale-e-oos. Alias. So did we really get any information at all? I hope Linda's charmy spell was as tough as her hand spell is. I think so, I hope so.
Need other two parts to staff. Got pebble, need to go to Shinny temple to get purple rose petal. Remember not to call her Shinny in the temple. Rhynn says Estibana may be a city not a dragon name. Freldo and Jharl played and sang part of the magic of the runes, beautiful. I hid it but I almost cried. Freldo can really play that violin if Mikey and I get married I will ask him to play for us. He flirted with Ashiel too that boy never stops.
When they played Ferrit and Glok saw images of ships, Ferrit saw a sea elf with something in her hands (Shinny?) and Glok saw a man trying to turn a ship that was headed for rocks. The runes have all magic tied up in them.
Another word, Okoth. No clue what that means by the time the two spellslingers came back from talking to Peter Simms or whatever his name was I was asleep on my feet. I'll ask someone to fill me in.
Arabel. Been to Xantril now to fight the giants that hold the city from recovering. We did well it was Mikey, Nob, me and the halfling from the arena, Rocky. I think we will be spending a lot of time there I need to help those people. Nothing going on with Pranzis all's pretty quiet there.
Still love Mikey, more than ever. He and Asher got me so many dire bear skins I'm making Gloves of Fury now. Wow I never thought I'd be such a good tailor. I owe them both. Asher already told me I'm paying him back in craftable stuff. Like Mikey said, we all end up working for Asher. Which is okay by me!
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Quick update so I know what I'm doing.
MAF: Regroup and head to Shinny's temple soon.
Daren: Helping the group he's with research the life of the lich. Confusing, need to get this story sorted out. Going to find him tonight, see if he needs any more rods or gold and I can ask him then.
Mikey: Planning to find his father, been doing research on that and talking to his giant friend. Need to see what he needs help with.
Death smack: Working on it. I know the technique now but need to work on getting the vibrations right. Will practice more.
Pranzis: Still quiet. Still worried.
Arabel: Went to clear travel routes again was difficult but we lived. Ash, Nepp (her boyfriend) me Mikey and Mave.
Tailoring: Need more bear pelts.
Writing: The two dots after a word mean there's a thought coming that relates to the word before the dots.
Need to find: Cole (bracers) Balthazar (belt) Lillian (aloe, silk).
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Daren and the lich. More later but got to make note I felt my first hellball tonight. It's a lot of damage and I dodged out of the way of all but a little scratch.
It's good to be of the Wind some days.
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The lich: partly Thomas and partly whatever took him over from the crypts. Still hunting love interest. About to go through door from library well whenever Death smack works now. I can get the vibrations just right. Zow called it quivering palm. I think death smack sounds more suss sucss succinct.
Mikey going away for a long while to find clues to his dad. He said it was something he had to do alone. I will miss him and I hope he finds something.
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Blah blah blah some people never stop talking. Yardislan is telling bad jokes and Ozy is reading that book on summons I found by Thomas and I don't think this door will ever be open so I'll write about what happened with the MAF last.
Freldo and Jharl went to Pranzis to find the museum. They sent word for us to meet them and we all went to the museum either invisible or sneaking or pretending to be drunks like them. Lots of nasty looking guards all around. I snuck the invisible people said that they felt scryed on and apparently there are people working for Bohgar who can see when you use magic which is bad.
We got to the museum okay but then when we tried to sneak in the little halfling door most everyone got stuck. I did it was a tiny door but I wriggled through but Rawkwin and Linda died trying to get through which is partly Drogo's fault because he took bear form to pull them through and broke Rawkwin's neck. What a mess.
Finally everyone was in and we found some artifacts which we took and there were a lot of traps and some people died a couple of times and most everyone died at least once. Kaya had been there and she set up a really good trap that we fell for that had a portal past a trapped door and the whole portal was the trap later we found a secret door in another room. Pretty clever!
Ferrit found Kaya's office and her journal and some painting I have not spoken with her to see if she figured out what was in it yet. Then when we got outside there were guards waiting for us but they didn't see me and the group killed one guard and the guards killed Jharl and Kyle and Ferrit who died at least three times that I know of and finally they got the guards to believe that they were just lost and needing directions. Freldo can really act. Come to think of it, there isn't much that has to do with music or acting that he can't do. I wonder if he can dance too? I think next time we'll be looking at the journal. This is getting deep.
Oh Ash asked me to make her a set of malar armor and I did and I had to let it out a LOT since she's getting pudgy and it's not fat it's babies! Ash is having Nepp's kids! Two of them! I get to be an aunt!
Wow I do kinda think of her as a sister. A little pointy-eared blonde sister who's way prettier than me but a sister anyway. Wierd in a good way.\\
Come ON OPEN THE DANG DOOR!!!
*doodles and sketches done badly cover the rest of the page*
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I have so much to write about I'll have to start a new book.
Okay so first the lich. We went through the door, killed a demon, wandered, killed a bunch more demon types. We were not in the crypts anymore we were in some tower instead. Daren remembered it since it was where he'd been held. We found the lich. The lich did not attack he offered to help and his story was this.
Thomas Arterius (sp?) nice guy followed Roferien wanted to be powerful mage. Snuck into tomb when he was young and found dead mage's stuff. Got powerful. Fell in love with drow lady who was trying to help not-so-evil drow escape the Underdark. Made a deal with a demon to save them when he tried to rescue her from a bad situation and she left him because of it. Made a vow to be worthy of her again and ran out of time so he became a lich. He said he was cursed by her I'm not sure of this part, it was a long story and I got sleepy. He got all evil from lichdom and forgot his vow and who he was and was trying to become a demi-lich using the orb of light and dark or whatever as his phylactory and that's when the first group interrupted him and the orb was disintigrated and the lich's soul was split. The evil part was kind of a demi-lich but only half strength and the good part was left in the lich body also half-strength. Now he's going to help us destroy him after we get his evil half merged with his good half because a lich is easier to kill than a demi-lich. We have to help him find his lost love Adriana and fulfil his vow.
Sure, easy. Some people just don't think before they act do they? He got himself in a pickle and he's been that way for 200 years. When your time runs out, die already. That's one lesson learned here.
Okay then from there got message to meet at Corax lake to discuss MAF expedition. Linda put up some magical defense against scrying and while they all talked I watched her. Oh and Rhynn had been cursed with her mouth shut! That was interesting. I think not being able to talk was good for her. Well it was good for us anyway. Everyone looked at the artifacts we found and the maps and picture and we decided to get a boat at the docks in Saudiria and go to someplace called Sandstone? Not sure I was too busy making sure Linda didn't fall over. Tough bird, that one.
So we went to the docks. Docks, in Saudiria! Never seen them before. But they were there. Oh and some big spider on the temple to Az'atta, that was wierd. But we got a boat to take us to Sandstone and Wind was kind and blew hard on the sails. Then the pirates showed up. We beat them back and they were tough...Crimson Hounds? I can't remember. But they took the crew of the boat we chartered pretty easy. They should have hidden like we said. So we had to come up with a captain and crew and of all people Rhynn was the best at sailing I guess she's done it many times before where she grew up. She asked me Kyle Celgar Lucius Lillian (nice lady, hope to see more of her) and Iridril to be her crew.
I need to make a note here because it just occured to me that this is the fourth time I've been a ship's crew and the most work I've done. Every time I get a little better and this time I spent a long time moving rigging around and tacking sails to keep the ship straight and it was easier I didn't need that much direction. I've got the makings of a sailor, who'd have thought?
So crazy Rhynn did a pretty good job steering the ship and gesturing directions. She couldn't talk but her fairy Thos could and somehow we got it done. Didn't sink anyway. The others either kept a watch or used magical sense to find this vortex of bubbling water that they said might be Estibana itself but since we didn't prepare and can't breathe water Rhynn and others marked it on a map and we kept to our original plan and found Sandstone. We were almost out of supplies though and so we headed back to get better prepared for that and possibly Estibana and we'll get back together in a few weeks.
A few things to remember. Kyle is not a sailor. Take off your armor before you climb rigging. Celgar is a full grown man who acts like he's 12, avoid. Rhynn can sail a ship in a pinch. Blood from your ears means stop spellcasting. Supplies, supplies, supplies.
To top it all off, Mikey came home for a break in his learning giantish and searching for his father and told me when we're going to go look. At least I hope I heard a "we", his being gone this long is making me hurt a little inside. I miss his snores. He started a diary (he calls it a journal) and he's doing it in giantish and common. We spent some time together and he's gone again. I sometimes wish I had a god to pray to just so I could pray for him to be safe and have good luck.
Made a bunch of gloves been working hard with the dire bear skins I've been getting. It is so hard to move needles through that I admire Jil even more for what she did with mine. But I get better and better. On Jil's suggestion I added an armoire to the bathroom to keep towels in I put them on the floor by the bath but they got ruined and I had to throw them out.
Ask Asher about rods. Got to remember that. Give him aloe too.
Last I found that Syn guy that had the ring for sale by accident in a group outside the bank in PRANZIS (Prantz my buns) and got it. Tried to bargain but he's a tough sell but I got the ring and now I'll be all that much tougher.
Now I'm tired and it's bed time.
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Party at the house soon. Mikey's planning and cooking. This should be fun!
Tried to get diamonds in the Rift with Daren, Jil, Mikey, and Yardislan. We got pretty far and then a group of drow rogues spanked us hard. We all died. Was fun though, next time we'll do better. Except Mikey got another bit tore off by Soul Ma. He's half gone already....
Went to Sandstone again and what a mess. Snakes. Man from boarded-up town says they're breeding. Linda says she can take them. Scouts say there's too many. Freldo says wait for rainy season and walks away. Linda goes in. People follow with their magics half gone. Some of us were off talking so instead of a united front it was a trickle. The snakes came out of everywhere. I lived, but Mikey, Rawkwin, Kyle, Ferrit, Jaleel, Treana, and died. Me and Lily pulled them back from the gorge where the snakes were since we can sneak. Then it was back to Saudiria with a pile of bodies beg the temple lady to fix Rawkwin have Rawkwin raise the rest and we got nowhere.
Next trip is decided in advance. A lot of wasted time but I did get to sail again and I'm really getting good at it now days up in the sails teaches you a lot. Rhynn was better as a captain too she's more confident. Even Lucius didn't seem to hate it as much until he fell.
Time to tailor some skins before the house stinks up.
-
Traveled one end of Dregar to the other and back with Mikey. It was just us it was good to get out and stretch my legs and run. He's still slower than me but not really since he has to run in armor. We adventured and talked and laughed and I feel better than I have in a while but I feel like something's coming and I don't know why. Wind is agitated. I'm listening again.
I have not been to the temple in a while. There are things to learn still but the world teaches me more right now.
Nothing else to think about right now. I'm going to listen and watch and wait.
-
I've found another orc speaker to help me learn. His name is Bucko and he's very...orc. We hunted spiders yesterday and he spoke to me in orc and I'm going to look for him to help him learn common too his common is not very good. But he can get his point across. He's kind of druidlike he doesn't hurt animals. I'm glad I found another (in Hlint, figures) because I have not seen Kor in ages.
Gave Ferrit the spider sacs I found in the Dark Wood. She was happy.
Saw Freldo, gave him walnuts, got an apple pie. Going to start calling him Apple Cheeks. I'm laughing while I write that wonder how he'll take it.
-
We found the lich's love Adriana in Karthy. Elves age well she still looks like a young woman. A beautiful lady like so many of the drow are I wonder if ugly drow are even allowed to walk around? We told her what happened to Thomas and it was clear she still loves him and she asked to see him so we're going to try to arrange that. She said he had to meet her somewhere and he'd know where.
Okay before that, a couple things to remember. Rhynn is behaving well let's hope it lasts I even talked to her and Ferrit while we were waiting in the desert for some news on Adriana. She seems calmer and less nuts. Also wizard teleports are easy to mess with we split up to teleport to Karthy and ended up in some mountains full of demons on Rilaria. The wizards said it was outside interference. So from now on hoof it.
Mith's mouth runs with no connection to his brain and he's going to get us killed and by the way he acts he'll enjoy it. Avoid if possible.
Christine Alton, Karthy, one block from Xeen temple other side of street last house. Possible help with Vine?
Meet Daniel in Point Harbor before next meeting. And anyone else that shows. Lake Rillion after dusk.
-
Several days ago I did something I've wanted to do since I picked my first cotton. I was making dire bear skins for gloves and I found malar, jaguar, and panther skins in my pack. I needed space and so I took the skins to the craft hall and with the only silks on me and a few old patterns made the most beautiful monk robes I've ever seen. I think some magic from the moment got sewn into them because I can't even wear them yet. Still a few years on these old things and the new robes are so nice I'll save them for when I'm more powerful.
I'm not ready to say I'm a master yet but I'm a darn good tailor. I can make almost anything now. Practice and patience. I'm smiling.
MAF group got together this evening and Freldo took one group to Lannisport with Lillian and we visted Karthy with Jharl and the long and short is that the Vine found us before we found them. I saw that Christine lady and went to talk to her and she gave us a direction for the Vine headquarters then dissapeared. Next thing a couple of Vine thugs caught up to us and took us to see some lady Reanlaa? who kept flirting with Kyle and boy was Ferrit ready to pop. Now we somehow ended up agreeing to kill Christine but we can't do that so Rhynn says she'll create an illusion to convince her that Christine is dead but those thugs are coming with and they're darn tough and I just don't know, I think this is one bad situation but I won't kill anyone to make this Xeen lady happy. She makes me feel dirty just looking at her, like she's got a coating of slime on her. Now we have to decide and we don't have much time.
I think we're about to mate a dragon without a kiss in a manner of speaking.
-
Well, that could have gone worse. I kept looking around for anything. Anything. Jharl and I went over every detail that we could remember and for some reason I kept looking at the slaver. Short. Very short. Looks like a kid...halfling. Halfling slaver. Then it hit me we sub the slaver for Christine! Free the slaves give Christine time to get out of town and get the rose with only one illusion necessary. I had to do some hard convincing on Daniel and Ferrit and Kyle weren't happy and I expected that. But Rhynn was only too happy so I wonder again about her.
We made our plans. I purchased all the slaves at once and Jin and Daniel took them somewhere safe and calmed them down. Jin I trust Daniel I trust with my life but not to do bad things so having him work with the slaves was good he was reminded of the best part of what we did.
It pretty much went well. Rhynn lead the slaver off after he oogled her and killed him with her fan. Slaves were safe. I pummeled the head till it was just a barely recognizable pulp and put it in a bag. Drogo fried the body. Then we got back together to go see nasty Ranalea again. She bought it. Rhynn kept trying to get her to sign some contract that would make the Vine leave us alone and I can tell you how well that went. She and Ferrit kept trying to get information too and slime lady kept saying "Only if you give me that one" and pointed to Kyle. Finally Boo was starting to look suspicious and the other one Bodoc the halfling showed up and Rhynn was going to kiss this lady for information and with all the sweet kissy talk and the way they were being dramatic with each other I just left. I was getting sick.
I'll put this here where only me and Mikey can see it. I was not happy about what we did. Ferrit made a point of saying "You know this is murder" and she's right. I think it was necessary to get out of that situation and some people got freedom they would not have had but we killed someone in cold blood and it feels heavy in my heart. I'm a practical girl. But this was farther than I've ever gone before. I look at some of the heros that walk among us like that birdman Plenarius and Brisbane and Ozy well maybe not Ozy. But now I understand why they look so...hard sometimes. Burdened. They've done a hundred times more than me and made decisions like this a hundred times more often probably. It wears on you I guess and I hope I don't have to do that ever again.
And to make it worse we got out alive but the rose was gone. Someone had already come and gotten it. Unbelievable. Well, at least the slaves are free we'll take them somewhere where they can learn a trade and I'm going to make sure they have coin to live on.
It's time for bed.
-
Some days. Got to back Karthy just in time to follow Ozy and the group back to Thomas and tell him that Adriana would see him and “he’d know where”. Thomas told us there was this silver bowl for the binding ritual or whatever and we had to find it and it had been stolen by orcs and taken to their fortress around Delanthar. Goody.
We got to the fortress and Ozy waited outside. We fought our way in and I have to say I felt weird. Never seen such organization in orcs before. I kept looking at the building the furniture the decorations...I looked all around at everything. Half of my blood flows in these halls. We did found a library and there were books written in orc! I took 5. I’ll look at them later.
It’s weird killing your kin. Yes they attack on sight and yes they’re evil and yes they kept slaves that we freed (that felt good, again...I'm getting good at it) but my blood can run hot like that and sometimes I can see my face in front of me when I am punching and kicking. But looking around that fortress I can say that my balance is not 50 50. I am more human. It’s like a sword it should balance near the hilt not in the center of the blade Where did I learn that? Anyway the weight is more in the handle and less in the blade. That’s how I balance; more in the human, less in the orc.
So we took the fortress and lost a few folks Ferrit has the worst luck with dying. But we found a helmet and an axe and no bowl. About the time we were getting ready to leave Ozy came in and gave us what for about not looking in the caravans! The bowl was still in the crate it had been packed in. And boy did we feel dumb. But the stuff we found was really really nice and this is the best part we rolled some dice someone had to see who would win what and I won the helmet! It’s ugly as all getout but it makes me stronger and tougher and better protected. I’m really happy about that. Drogo won the axe which drips acid (how do you sheath something like that?) but Daren really really really wanted it and Drogo couldn’t use it so he traded it to Daren for something he could use some enchantments I think.
A good day, even if Ozy made us feel stupid.
-
We regrouped. Some of us who were unhappy about what we had to do asked for information. Both Rhynn and especially Freldo know who has the blue rose. And they won't tell us. Tempers flared. We went to Lannisport to talk to the lady who's making amulets for breathing underwater. Lin'da insulted Ferrit (and us) again and again. Anger drove us. Some flowed in that some not. I was off balance and so was Kyle and Daniel I think. Rollie on the other hand seems to have found a peace in being blind. We went through Stone or something and ended up in the swamps with trolls and more snakes. One person died briefly but other than that we handled it. We got to the house and the lady Miss Tias was gracious and nice and we rested there some time while she made the amulets. Then she gave us a portal to Lannisport and that's when the real ugly started. Lin'da went to bed at the local inn just left. Good riddance I say she was rude and disrespectful of our group beyond belief. Then Freldo split us up and asked me to get the sea captain they tried to talk to earlier drunk and get information about his ship being sunk by sea elves and took Jin and Rhynn and Rawkwin and went to Shinny's temple.
Only the sea captain was not interested in talking and so the rest of us sat up by the merchant house for hours and hours waiting for them to return and Ferrit was really upset although I think we finally convinced her to not listen to Lin'da who will get hers someday that's for sure. When they finally came back and I'd had a long nap by then Freldo went and found the captain and just started pumping him for information and gave him lots of booze. Away from all of us so we could not hear. For hours. And hours. Mikey got grumpy and so did everyone else I think.
Finally we all just left him talking. It was not a good night. According to Rawkwin the purple rose is in a temple deeper in the sea so now we're looking at another trip and a bunch of us left sitting on the boat while a few do the work.
I'm not happy. Well the party is tomorrow so maybe that'll cheer me up.
-
So much I don’t know where to start so I’ll start at the beginning but I want to shout to the rooftops. But back to the beginning.
I went into the crafting hall to make some new clothes for our party and I saw Ash standing by a sewing table. She said she was looking for Nepp. She looked pale and kept gasping and her stomach was huge beyond belief and had dropped low. I remember when my brothers and sister were born and I helped Inirine with them and I know labor when I see it. Ash didn’t though she had no idea she was about to give birth. I asked her if she was having sharp pains and she said yes and I asked her if it was hard to stand and she said yes and I said get your buns home you’re going to have a baby. Or two. We never did see Nepp though he’s going to be sorry his missed watching his babies born.
So I helped her to Exodus’s house where she stays sometimes and got her down on the bed. Got her some water, and blankets, but I knew the party was starting soon and I had to go and I didn’t want her alone so I sent out a bunch of birds and a few minutes later someone knocked and it was Jilsephonie. Thank gods she was home! She took over like a pro and I put some water on to boil over the fireplace then I had to go. I told Ash to send me a bird when they were born so I could share her joy she was so scared and I hope she takes to motherhood.
Then I ran home and changed into my older dress for when Mikey and I went to the Arms on the way. I walked in and Maev was already there in a dress that looked nice on her all blue and white and her head was shaved. I was going to say something but then I didn’t. She’s gorgeous I had no idea she was that pretty. But I guess it makes sense that if you fight with a helmet a lot hair would get in the way. Doesn’t seem to bother Mikey though.
The party. Wow. There was so much food that Mikey and Asher had made, breads and pies and Mikey had gotten ale and beer. Jharl came next and we went to the living room and ate and drank and talked and Mikey seemed really nervous. Then Katrien Hommel showed up! Mikey was so happy to see her he kept calling her little sister or little kitten I’m glad she came. Just her being around made his mood light and giddy. I was talking to Katrien and I heard Mikey saying my name and I turned around and he got on one knee with roses he had hidden somewhere and asked me to marry him. I couldn’t talk. I finally managed to say yes and I’m SO HAPPY we’re going to get married! Everyone cheered and Jharl and Katrien started playing a duet and wow they’re good and we danced and danced and MAEV even danced! She was clumsy at first but she caught on quick and I saw her smiling as she spinned around. I danced with Maev and Jharl and Mikey danced with Katrien and we all just had fun. Katrien took a turn on our harp after tuning it a bit and she played something that was so beautiful I forgot to breathe. And then to top it off I heard horses’ hooves and Asher tried to bring Bug into the house! We made him tie Bug up outside but he finally showed up and he was STILL wearing armor. Bet he’ll wear armor to the wedding. He said it was his formal armor. He didn’t take his hat off but he was still there and happy for us I think.
Right then there was a knock and Mikey went to the door and that’s when things went south. Some guard of “Prantz” which sounds like what you do when your pants are too tight showed up. Right about then I got a bird from Jil and Ash telling us that she had her babies…all three of them! Three! She gave them pretty elven names that I’ll write down later. But anyway the guard evicted us. Right in the middle of the party! Apparently there were some problems with the giants and the Pranzis government feels threatened and everyone with giant blood is being evicted from the city. Michael was so mad I’ve never seen him this upset. The rest of us figured the only way to fix this was to figure out what was happening ourselves so we convinced Mikey to not smash the guy and we left. You know it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Mikey threaten or intimidate anyone. He was frightening.
We left and went toward Corax lake. On the way we found merchants and some giants destroyed and mauled like from a bear or something. Teeth marks. And some tattoo that was on the bodies from West forest that was a sunrise or sunset or something. I scouted ahead and we got the the Forest of Mists and found a fresh human body there partially eaten. Again I went in and the giant camp was empty. Found a nugget of something Asher thought was adamantium in one tent but that was it, they packed and left. I have to say I’ve never seen Asher so interested in anything besides crafting before. He was asking questions and following tracks and all kinds of stuff he talked more in that little time than he’s talked in the whole time I’ve known him ever. There was more human bodies but no giant bodies and they were tattooed. So we checked the giant caves and they were still there and still hostile. We left after having to kill a few and this time it was different I could see the regret on Mikey’s face. I don’t think we’ll come here anymore.
The tracks went toward Vale so we kept moving and found the satyr village destroyed. One was left unharmed and he started to attack us but we managed to convince him we were not going to attack him and he said one thing before he ran away into the forest and that was “Child of Grannoch? Children no more.” Mikey got upset he thinks the giants don’t worship Grannoch anymore.
We were standing around discussing this and I heard a noise behind me. I turned around and before I could do anything there was a giant standing behind me with the same tattoo we’d seen on his chest. He grabbed Katrien and squeezed her neck but she got away and Mikey managed to talk to it some. He didn’t look like the forest giants was he light brown skinned. He wanted us to follow him so we did and we ended up deep in the forest someplace I’ve never been before, an old glade. There was a statue of stone there and it was destroyed but I couldn’t see what it was made of. There were a lot more of these giants, all males and mean looking. They watched us walk in and I swear they looked hungry.
There was a man there wearing the new colors of “Prantz”. He was huge one of the biggest humans I’ve ever seen next to Kade Caighd. He was older too and he was accusing Michael of killing all the giants and really we can’t say much because how many times did Asher, and Mikey, and Maev and me too, come here to mine fire opals and have to fight out way to the gems? So now the forest giants are wanting to go to war and to prevent it he got some new giants from somewhere else to war with them and I don’t remember if they are staying and honoring the treaty or leaving again I was distracted by how they looked at us. And by the man talking because he was huge and broad and his voice was so much like Mikey’s deep but with a young sound to it. I love Mikey’s voice. I kept looking at the man and there was something about his eyes and even though he was much older and grey all of a sudden I knew it was him. I didn’t want to blurt it out so I kept telling Mikey to look at him tell him your full name and then he got it. I think seeing his dad in that uniform after all that’s happened changed how he acted. He just looked at him and said, “Just tell me one thing Derrick Mordicai. What clan was my mother from?”
-
Now that things have calmed down a bit I can finish. I'm sitting in my chair in our office in our home. Candles are lit and I can hear Mikey snoring in the bedroom. It's raining outside and Jersey and Mikey's ox are under the shed eating hay. By the time we got back from finding his Dad totally by accident the giantskin were being allowed back because the attacks had stopped. The guards still follow Mikey though.
Derrick was handsome in an older kind of way. He seemed so sad to be where he was. He knows a lot about the Pranz government and I can tell he does not think he will leave it alive. He was so happy to see Mikey and so happy that we were getting married.
So the situation is this. The giants doing the attacks are from Xantril and worship Pyrtechon. They were imported to subdue the Broken Glade clan after the Glade clan refused to sign another treaty. They have either converted or killed Glade giants. Their leader is a Pyrtechon zealot who practices cannibalism. The Broken Glade clan are planning war on Pranzis to take the land back which I guess used to be thiers. Derrick Mordicai was supposed to get a treaty and when that failed he was to stop them from waging war which he is using the Xantril giants which he says he did not get they were brought in by the other giant commander I forgot his name and Mister Mordicai does not know where this giant came from.
A side note. The statue to Grannoch in the glade we were in was broken. Derrick said that Grannoch was turning from her children but Mikey thinks the giants are turning from her. It's upsetting him. Derrick mentioned something about Sons and Daughters of Grannoch and Mikey wants to look for them.
So it comes to this. We have to convince the Broken Glade to sign a treaty so Broegar will send the Xantril giants back. Our next step is for Mikey to get his giant friend free to act as an interpreter. Then we try to stop this.
Katia and Grannoch, look over your boy and make sure he's safe. He's trying to help us all.
-
Time to start doing something. Time to start finding out what others want to do. Time to start period. I have thought a lot here in front of my warm fireplace. We were kicked out. We got let back in, but others may not have who didn't own property.
Time to talk to my neighbors. Who else wants Broegar out?
Start with:
Jil and Daren
Treana
That big barbarian lady who bought silver
Axodus or was it Exodus whoever's house Ash stays at
Need to find out who some more of my neighbors are.
-
The lich is dead.
So is everyone at Halman's Brook. We got there and had to make a choice. Archteron was ahead and his undead were everywhere. There might have been survivors. But if we stopped then a worse thing would happen. So we left people to burn and be killed by undead monsters while we rushed ahead to smack them together and kill them.
Again with the hard choices. The more I do the more I learn the more I wonder how it doesn't drive some of them crazy. Deciding to leave people behind to kill the greater evil doesn't feel like victory. And I don't feel like a hero.
Anyway we cut through the undead and the demons until we got to Thomas who was still sane thank the gods. The spellcasters got into position and could do nothing but concentrate on the ritual the whole time. The rest of us plugged the door to prevent stuff from rushing into the room and some moved up the hall to fight stuff as it came down. I stayed in the door partly to block it. Then this wierd thing came someone called it a lich but it changed form I swear and was so tough it killed almost everyone including me. Then I don't remember anything until Daren raised me and then everyone was standing around kind of dazed and the lich was dead and Ozy had released them from the phylactory. Stupid phylactories I've had enough of them for one lifetime.
So it's over and once again I'm sitting and my nice big desk in my nice warm house wondering if anyone in Halman's Brook lived and what they must dream about at night.
-
A couple good days, and a right mess.
Explored Roldem with Miss Hommel, Jharl and Mikey and Maev. That was fun! New lands, it was good to see how much of the relief effort had gotten there. People looked fed and had clothing and some buildings were built. Jennara and the rest should be proud. The cold weather is taking a toll though and lots of folks need more layers now. But still, better.
The very next day I finally got around to finding that oil for that Juanita lady and Miss Hommel helped me. Then we went running around the Berhagens with Jharl. It was a great day, Miss Hommel sang like an angel and was in a good mood. We had a lot of fun, and I kept my eyes open for a temple to Grannock but didn't see one.
Then. The MAF expedition. I talked to Freldo and made my peace with him and told him my concerns about Rhynn. I said I'd follow him but with this group a sledgehammer is necessary and Freldo is a rapier most of the time.
The Tide lady showed up. Yash they kept calling her or Yashilla. Most of us said we'd listen to what she had to say but then we didn't. Ferrit and Rhynn were rude Lin'da less so in fact Lin'da was behaving really well compared to last time. Maybe she felt bad? Nah.
The Yashilla lady said she just wanted to know why the red bird was following us. Insults were made. She got angry. She was smirky to start and threatening when she left. I didn't like her she reeked of chaos and destruction but part of me understands what she hinted at that destruction brings about more growth but still.
What does chaos really mean? I say I don't like it but why? I thought on this and here's why. Because chaos has it's place to clean and begin fresh but it also feeds on itself. Emotions run wild actions are without thought or designed to create MORE chaos truth does not exist in any sense because it changes from day to day. A person who is only sort of chaotic might just be someone who follows law in spirit but not in letter. But a really really chaotic person can't make promises because every day is different. Like Rhynn. Every day, a new set of rules. Some days good, some days bad. Some days I almost like her, some days I wish she'd never set foot on Mistone.
How can anyone live like that? Can you know yourself when you behave like a different person every day? Is that what Yashilla is like?
Well I'm not going to know because Miss Tide left angry. But that ugly emotion stayed with us when we revisited Alvin's office in Krandor. And then it got worse. First the office has been visited and cleaned out. Maybe we should have left then but they wanted to see the other office through the portal and I remembered that Rawkwin found a password and the portal opened up. Then Ferrit went to scout and took too long and Celgar and Lin'da went after and took too long and Drogo went and took too long and when I went down to check Celgar was bleeding all over and running around all flustered and Lin'da was lying on Drogo who was lying on the trigger to a trap. Ferrit was dead beside them.
I'm not going to go into how long it took to fix that situation. But I did an entire hem on my cloak in split-stitched blue thread before Lin'da and Drogo staggered out. I tried to help but was pretty much ignored, so I tried to do what others told me to and was pretty much ignored. At least my mantle's hem looks nice.
The bickering never stopped. Ferrit got meaner and meaner and I've never seen her act so ugly before. Kyle didn't know what to do. Celgar kept nibbling and nuzzling Rhynn and oh yeah I popped off at her. She was whining around mad that we were waiting for Lin'da and Drogo and for Ferrit to get raised and she kept trying to take control of the group and so help me if she does I will leave and start a new investigation without her. Anyway she wanted to leave them there and go to Hapur. Well, no they didn't deserve that. So finally I just yelled I told her she was a pain since the first day she set foot in Hlint and if she wanted to go then just GO because I was sick of her. No one said a thing. She left. So for a while it calmed down then we finally were all together and set out for Hapur again and she was waiting for us. She needs someone to watch her antics even if they don't like her.
So we get to Hapur and it's stripped and overgrown. We go into the caves and there is nothing.
Wait, just thought not nothing. Okay in Alvin's office there was several statues the first time but this time someone said one of the statues looked newer. And there was a spider that was stone in the Hapur tunnels. Not much but maybe somewhere in all this is a medusa or gorgon or basilisk or something. I don't know it's not much to go on.
So we left the tunnels fighting each other all the way. I'm going to get Jharl Rawkwin and Freldo together to see if we can come up with something but I think we all agreed to go to Sandstone it should be rainy season now or soon at least. The other dig might have more clues.
I've got to look at all the stuff Rawkwin gave me and make sense of it all.
Oh good news Inirine sent me a letter! Heinrich Jr. is getting married! He met a local girl in Center and they're going to start as assistants to the big cow farmer. He's letting them have a cottage on his land. The wedding is in two months and I'm going to go and take Mikey. I sent her a letter back about that and I'm so excited. Oh hellballs I have a wedding to plan myself!
-
Just got back from the Temple of the Wind. A good time to review rest renew. I trained with some very experienced monks and learned a few things about hiding that I will have to practice a lot. A day of rest at home will be good for me too needs cleaning around here.
I read that Jilsephonie is recruiting help for the folks of Pranzis. I'll have to ask her what that's about.
Okay got to clean the bathtub, kitchen, sweep....
-
Jharl told Michael and I that someone might be organizing to kick Broegar out. We told him to include us.
Visited the temple of the Wind, trained some more on the hiding stuff. It's complicated it's not like using shadows or walking so that your feet don't smack. It's more like learning to be invisible....hard. I have a lot more practice.
I met a Wind monk that I think I helped some the only one that does not look at me funny. I sometimes forget that I'm half an orc.
Been reading the books I took from the Orc fortress and they help some. I found Rrhan and some others words but I need to talk to an orc. I have not seen Kor in forever or Bucko. I'm never going to learn this.
Went to Firesteep with Daren, Jil and Yardislan today. Yardislan is pretty wound up tight he needs to relax. Daren is Daren and Jil was kind of quiet today. Firesteep is huge I never saw kobolds so tough. Daren got adamantium. I got a nice new scar.
I really need to plan this wedding.
-
Well I tried to go to Barion's wedding. But things took so long and I fell asleep waiting and...I missed it. I feel bad.
Still waiting on Jharl to let me know more about a resistance.
Still looking for someone who speaks orc. I have looked through two of the books I got and it's sort of helpful but I don't know enough words yet to really use them. Interesting that the books are written in common though but with orc spellings. I was right Orcish does not have a written language. I wonder who wrote the books there is no name on them.
Maev getting close to vows so I really have to start planning the wedding and Heinrich Jr.'s wedding is soon so I have to tell Mikey.
Meeting soon to either try for purple rose or go to Sandstone since it's rainy season (we hope). Been thinking about colors and roses and magic, I'll put more down on that later.
Wedding invite:
Maev (Cleric) and guest
Kyle and Ferrit (Matron thingie)
Ash and Nepp and Babies if she wants to bring them
Treanna and guest and her boy (name?)
Asher and guest
Rawkwin and Emerald
Jharl and Sophia
Katrien and Lisse and guest
Rollie and guest
Berri (where has he been? He paid rent and I haven't seen him since) and guest
I'll think of more I'm sure.
*scribbled underneath*
Ahh! Almost forgot Daren and Jilsephonie! And Sharen!
Freldo and guest
And Mikey's Dad! and guest
Remember to ask Rhizome if we can use his island for the wedding.
-
Words I recognize and know.
rrhan - hello, what
pukog - bones, skeleton, soup (?)
kng - guts, stew (?)
aho - fire, burn
gbatohg - spider
That's all I can recognize from the books. Must find Bucko again or Kor.
I'll post for help again.
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Well, stuff got done but with cost. Mikey and I went to Port Hampshire to work with the MAF group. We found Silas, we went to the votex of water, I spent a few days there and back in the aft rigging working for a half-orc named Fingers because he's missing some. I would almost call myself a sailor now.
We used the magic necklaces and went underwater through the vortex and it was like a slide we went all the way to the bottom of the ocean and the stuff down there hurts. Ugly frog and lizard like men and huge snakes and huger crabs and sharks which I am really starting to hate. One almost killed me but Rawkwin was able to fix me up. Rollie got bitten to bits and Kyle had to tow his torso and legs and I had the rest in a bag. Sharks are just off my list of happy things.
We found a temple and a room with air and some of the necklaces crumbled. Then some of us found a room with guardians and orbs and stuff and Lucius remembered the color lineup from the dragon room at Hapur and that solved the puzzle which is good because otherwise Rhynn was going to start punching buttons. But end is we got a purple crystal rose petal.
Going back was not so good though. We were short two amulets and after Rhynn found out she could not teleport from that far underwater we had to have Rollie and Jin go into a trance and put them in a cauldron we found that we turned upside down for air and Rawkwin conjured a water creature thingie and she took us to the surface really fast but we all died. Still not sure why...it seemed like a good idea but only Lily Rhynn Jin and Rollie lived and Silas had some magic rod and he raised us all but we sure did look stupid. That and a bunch of us met the Soul Ma again...she took a bite outta me, Mikey, Lucius an' some little elf lady I've never met before for sure, I don't know about the others. Ferrit almost lost her baby she's carrying too and that was the worst but Rawkwin saved it and now she has to rest until it's born and Kyle's staying with her so they might not be back soon and I know Mikey was just fed up with being wet and sharks and the bickering and some other stuff so he might not keep working with us either.
We got stuff done, but we might be fewer for it. When does the cost justify the end?
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I can barely write. They are going to hang Jharl and Katrien. And Freldo, who is still my friend even if he's nutty at times. And Kobal! The nicest dwarf you ever did meet! And some others I don't know...for breaking and entering and murder and being traitors! And the dead king's daughter too... Someone set Jharl up. I remember when he came to Mikey and I and told us about the underground, that there might be a way. Mikey had a bad feeling then, he was right they somehow set them up and now they're going to die. It's not right that evil dwarf hides behind this mask he made of civility and the people have such short memories. This town was the gem of Dregar before he took it by force and now that he's thrown some food at the people he destroyed he's a hero? He STOLE this place! Violence is the problem and Rollie's never been so right we keep fighting and fighting because we fought Blood for so long we forgot how to do anything else but the world is sick of violence so we look like the enemy and maybe we are? If we can't learn to do things a different way to follow laws that are just instead of taking what we think we need even for a "greater good" then we're just little Bloodstones forgetting why we started doing what we did and drunk with our power. I will go. I can't say what will happen if I see Jharl die. I asked him to sing at the wedding and he *water stains* and Mikey will just die inside if his little kitten is hung who will care for Lisse? Why? I'll go I have to but I can't go unarmed and they won't allow weapons so that means words. Michael, beloved I will be in the libraries and guard houses and temple looking up the new Pranzis laws. I won't be home much so send a bird for me if you need me. We have to be smart about this they will smash anyone who tries to fight. Come help me if you can and PLEASE talk to your dad maybe he can give us some ideas. If you can't I'll go find him I can at least pretend to be giving him a wedding invitation. I am leaving this open so you'll read it. Be safe love.
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Shame. It's not something I think on much. But I feel it now.
I didn't go. At the last minute all I could see was Jharl and Kat hanging even though I knew it was just reflections of branches through the windows. All I could hear was the popping of their necks even though I knew it was green wood on the fire. All I could smell was the emptying of bowels in death even though I knew it was just a smell from Jersey coming through the open glass.
I chickened out. I stayed home. I heard speeches even here in Haft Lake, heard roars of a crowd. I cried and hid and could not watch.
I found out he let them go. Broegar let them go except for the King's daughter which he killed. Now the people love him even more and his rules are on signs all over the city and he's doubled the guard they are everywhere. And I could not go and chance seeing what I could not see.
I hope Jharl forgives me.
I'm still searching for everything I can on Broegar. I was looking at the lawbooks but he's got them so full of garbage you can't understand a word so I decided to focus on learning about him. Know your enemy. He must have a weakness and I'm going to find it.
Other stuff. MAF met in Port Hampshire and for once, with just a few of us we made a lot of progress. We combined and made a crystalline coral staff from the yew thorns and petal. This Tide guy came by with the blue crystal rose and we ended up with it thanks to Drogo. We used the pebble and water on the rose and got the circlet with an illusion of a vortex.
And I spent some time reading what Rawkwin gave me. Gave to me because he won't be back for a while maybe ever the church called him to duty. He was a good man and will be missed sorely.
I think the great coral beast that rose from the waters when that elf woman died in the stories told was Estibana.
More later knocking on the door and since the giants incident I'm alway scared of that.
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Busy and feeling purpose. I was in Hlint to give a robe to some young monk in exchange for cotton and I saw Jharl. He looked...defeated. And I knew then that what I wanted to do might help him and I wanted to talk to him so we went to a very nice house in East Hlint that I'd never been to and it was Katrien's house and she was home.
We talked for a long while. I found out what she wanted to do, what happened and why. I told them that I wanted to find out who Broegar was and we talked about that and Kat told me some things about Broegar that made my arm hairs stand up all prickly. They told me what they were doing and suggested that I get a job with the Pranzis government so I can be thier ears. And I'm going to try.
I'm pretty scared not so much because I have to follow Broegar's rules as because I have to make sure others do. And the penalty for everything is death. I'm going to try for demi-human affairs and I have to go talk to Derrick.
I haven't told Mikey yet. I don't think he's going to like this. But I have to do something I can't keep writing about how much I want things to change and not making it happen.
I'm also going to start hiding this journal.
Oh! Went to Junior's wedding it was fantastic the bride was so lovely she's a really nice girl but I helped her lace up her gown and saw something that told me why the wedding rush. Been round enough of them lately...I hope Inirine doesn't start counting months when it's born! But I'm happy for them Richy seemed really happy and proud and he looked so handsome I can't believe he's all grown up. I cried the whole wedding. Wish Mikey could have come.
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I've started. Dummy journal is on the desk and I got cramps rewriting all that stuff. This journal has a good hiding place and the house is nearly clear of anything that could link us to a resistance. One more trip to get rid of adventuring loot and I'm done. I'm nervous. Been practicing the new me, Honora the tailor. Got to make sure Mikey plays Mikey the smith and tinkerer. Been walking around town a bunch talking to folks buying goods and getting friendly with the merchants so they can say yes we see her all the time. Especially the dwarf who sells tailoring goods. Spending a lot of time in the crafting halls. I am taking a vacation though for a few days heading to the temple to study combat invisibility and visit the grandmaster. I'm hoping he'll let me guest teach another class. The mountaintop calls me and I miss the Wind. Ferrit had her baby, named it Cole I think after that big jolly fellow with the huge sword that I saw about before Soul Ma took him. I need to visit soon I used some of my esp expi espionage time to make baby clothes! Warm dire bear baby outfits...so cute!
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Which journal to put this in...here, I think, since it's Maev.
Went to her ordination yesterday, it was lovely! She was in a simple blue robe, and the mysterious Q that we've heard about was there to officiate and was a tall blonde human. Nice guy. Mikey was there and Balazar, and some others I don't know. Some of us said some nice things, then she took her vows all lying down in front of the alter. I didn't know you had to do that I bet the floor was cold.
So she's a cleric now, which means we can plan our wedding and we gave her some nice gifts and I asked about a party but they said Toranites just pray. I can't decide if they were kidding or not.
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Success! What kind we don't know but Jin says we did something good restored a balance. I'm thrilled we all worked hard some had more to do than others and I don't think Jharl will be singing much for a while his throat has to hurt but Lin'da did great figuring out the schools of magic in the music and Jharl played and some folks found the guardians and Kyle found the place to begin with and everyone yelled up when oh geez I'd better start from the beginning.
Knocking again who could that be?
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Okay, phew, just a neighborhood kid wanting to pull our weeds for money. I paid him 20 gold. Clean the place up a little.
So we met in Hurm and traveled to the Bay of Carosca where I thought we'd need to go and we fought sharks and found an old Shindy temple but no mountains. We figured I was wrong so Lin'da thought it was the Rift and she was pretty convincing and then Jharl had an idea that it was the Serpant Mountains since he thought they used to be called the Fangs or something. Brilliant so we took off but we lost Rhynn along the way. Well I should say she finally quit partly because she got tired of being ignored (although after the first pouty fit we tried to listen then she clammed up and said nevermind) and partly because the entire team...and it did feel like a team, last night...got just royal sick of her fits and demands and poor behavior. I mean you can whine all you want and pout and run off by yourself waiting for someone to follow so you can complain and be difficult and try to run things unilaterally but eventually people are going to get sick of it and we did. Not even Kyle waited this time; when she threw herself down in front of Ozy's and said "go on without me" we did. No regrets I'm actually kind of glad she's gone. Lin'da can be difficult enough is that a thing with spellcasters? But Lin'da doesn't pout or whine or throw fits. And Lin'da is a darn good wizard, no doubts there. To be fair Rhynn did some good work with Rawkwin and had some good ideas but what a pain in the posterior personality.
Well enough about that. So we continued to the Serpant Mountains and Kyle Eagle-Eyes saw a little niche through the trees from the top of a mountain near the bugbears and Jin found it on the ground and we followed it though. Found some beautiful land on the other side through the range with these big deer-like things I've never seen before big old antlers but not like deer, bigger. Stripes too and some of them were black. I need to ask Drogo well I need to ask Kyle to ask Drogo what they were.
We climbed the mountain and found of all things a big statue of a cat! More like a lion sitting with a sort of human face but feline colors...six orbs around it. We were all pretty pleased and then someone else I forgot who found some instruments and the symbols that we found near the other guardians on the ground and someone else saw some guardians across a divide that were guarding a dam.
Okay so I tried the staff on the statue and Lin'da tried the staff on the statue then her Lucius Jin and Jharl went up to the instuments and some of us roamed and some of us hung out by the statue and Lin'da Jin and Jharl figured out how to activate the orbs. It was excitings stuff we felt good but we missed out window after all the orbs were activated by singing or playing songs about the different schools of magic because the sun came up. So we waited another day and I have to say that it was kind of nice it was beautiful and we had fresh water from the waterfall and everyone seemed really relaxed.
So at sunset me and Jin figured out Jharl should sing from inside the circle of symbols and wow did he sing. A bunch of us cried it was so beautiful and the song made magic that caused some big booms. Near as we can tell when we did that the dam started to drain and then someone said maybe the dam was the chalice...who knows but we all got the feeling we did something good. We left relaxed and happy and feeling...proud. Yeah it was good.
Well I'm going to suggest they all go to Sandstone next but I can't go and I'm sad I'm going to miss it. But I've got my undercover work and Jharl has the staff and stuff now. As much as I want to what I'm doing for Pranzis is more important right now.
Time to hide the book....
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Done. Prettied up the house and bought some new furniture but that wasn't spy stuff that was me I love what Katrien did with those little round tables and a nice purple cloth. Hope Mikey doesn't mind some more furniture to move around.
House is clear of adventuring stuff. All clear. Notebook hid well except for now but..ow my head.
Been tailoring more, been friendly to the guards, even got the name of the one by the entrance to Haft. He's not so bad. He lets me run anyway.
Soon.
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Before I forget.
Hunting malars. Two vampires down and why do they always dress like they should be hanging around the docks in Karthy? Just because they can't feel the cold?
Anyway the malar had me. I knew I was going to die and was prepared for it hoping Soul Ma wouldn't notice me and I ran so I could have a moment to focus my healing and WHAM I was healed, all the way, and could move as fast as if some spellslinger had cast that hastey spell on me. Wow. I beat the malar but still just barely and then I looked all over for the person who did it but there was no one around and I never heard any chanting.
Could a god?....no, why would they. I don't know what happened because I didn't get the tingly that you get when someone casts a spell on you it was like someone touched me.
I'm confused.
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A sickness has popped up in some village. I was told it's like the effect of the Orb...even with the Lich gone that Orb still causes trouble. I'm traveling to Hurm to help and postponing my application a bit. The Voices are moving slowly and carefully so it should be okay.
FA told me about problems with the homeless in Pranzis. We agreed to exchange information...I need to get her and the Voices together to talk.
Maev said she was looking for a home. I wonder if she'd like to move in with us? Or would that be a good idea with me about to go undercover. Have to think on that.
Tyrian has lion skins for me, I have to find her soon so I can get rid of these cougar bags and courior boxes and replace with lion bags.
I'll send her a notice.
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Been busy. First went to investigate a plague in a town near Hurm and found the orb of Light and Dark right there in the floorboards of a broken-down house. Seems the orb was making everyone sick with negative energy sickness or so Ozy said but when we found the orb this huge demon showed up named Plo'Taug and just took it. Not like we were going to argue with him. Apparently he's an enemy of someone that some other folks are fighting so this could get complicated, the other is some Marilith named Galderemess. Must ask someone about the story behind this and I think I know who. Was sitting by a campfire waiting for a few of the group to finish talking to some people and was practicing Orc and Daeron corrected me...he knows how to speak it! I'll find him and see if he can fill me in and maybe teach me some. He seems like nice folk, focused but not unapproachable.
Voice one made me a wedding dress. It's frilly and lacy but it's pretty but oh gods the hat is ugly Tyrian even said so. Got to lose the hat.
So ready to do this still nervous and I put it off so I can run with the MAF group tonight but soon.
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I'm undercover. Got to be careful. Went to courthouse to apply for a job and now I'm working as a clerk. One of the jobs they have open is someone who can use living or recently dead bodies to call forth demons and devils and bind them to their will...that one I sent to Voice and FA. I didn't lie I thought about it but used my real name and address because I think lying would not be the best way and besides they have our records.
Now I'm in the dark and musty bottom floor of the courthouse with some guy I didn't even get the name of, no other help, transferring information about Pranzis citizens from one file to another and marking all the files that are infants, orphans, homeless, or just moved to the city. I think I know where those homeless are going to.
Bunch of names marked PKIR too. More later on that.
First day heard some people talking when I left to have the old records destroyed. Someone who I later found out was the Voice of Broegar, some guy named Wyleth, and some woman whose voice triggers a memory I can't grasp. They were talking about "what HE wants HE gets" and Wyleth's "place in all of this". Then they talked about "her naked in the city center" and how she was a "thorn in their side" and Wyleth said if the opportunity presented itself he could "take care of her".
I sent message to Voice to meet me someplace cold but not right away so it wouldn't look suspicious I think they can track magic in the city. We met and I told Voice one and Voice two everything I knew. I don't think I was followed and they seemed satisfied that we were safe. They listened and took notes.
I'll continue this. Need to find out what PKIR means I think the PK means Princess Kayana but IR? Much to do.
Oh, got rid of the hat on the dress. Much better!
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IR. Immediate relative? Check on this. The MAF. Two years worth and last night we did something amazing better than when we released the dam. First I'm going to copy down all the stuff we had written. The Prophecy: A petal from the healer's heart. A thorn from fire's within. These we need to mend the wood, To make it begin again. Azure is the ocean's tide, A pebble black as night. For these require a gentle touch, To infuse the wood with might. Sunsets low on mountain tops, Their feline color comforts still, Beware the golden orb of stone. A prophecy to fulfill. For if you gather all that may. Occur in nature's glow. The last light bright as day. Is hidden down below. Beware the guardians, crystal made, They stand through all the ages, Reflections of the weave they hold, Leave trails for those in pages. From the parchment inside the staff: A season of dark, A season of hope, A season of fear, A season of reason. A time will come for past renewals, A time will come when wings rush past, The wards will fall, The orbs will glow. Out of the cold the past will rise, Out of the dark glory will shine, The scepter points the way, The chalice holds the promise, The circlet binds to two, Only with three can one rise again, Estibana rise. The Colors Of Magic: Purple = Conjuration Red = Evocation Orange = Transmutation Yellow = Abjuration Green = Enchantment Black = Necromancy Blue = Illusion
Symbols and colors:
Purple/amythest = Conjuration = Heart Red/crimson = Evocation = Flame Orange = Transmutation = Statue Yellow = Abjuration = Sphere Green = Enchantment = Waves Black = Necromancy = Fish Blue/Azure = Illusion = Eye White = Divination = Serpent A poem found in an old lighthouse about Estibana: Silan anira nyemilchla eo anira ry'anan lair'lra Oemaelam 'lr ir'la s'viran Anira tyailmch eo nlreamchawva von'chwla anira laty'mala Oemaelam 'lr ir'la la'viran Vmilnya illrw nyirlms An'wa illrw An'sa Pochalala onla Iream Pochalala onla ilchamilanla Amilm ilma anira nyonmmalranla anirlan anillair eonm poilanla Laontytycha anira anmaala anira lairachanam anira nyeelala Silan anira enyaillrla tymeel'wa ilchch anirilan ma lraaw Silan anira poa am'ananir onla onlr'ch ama vmeam echw Ama tychawva ane poa laanaamilmwla Ama tychawva ane anilna nyilma Estibana 'la anira tymes'laa Ama am'chch ilchamilanla poa anirama May the corals of the city shine Forever(?) in his might The pearl of knowledge guilds the spires Forever(?) in his sight Grace and Charm Tide and Time Bless us now Bless us always War are the currents that (??) our bays(?) Supple the trees(?) the shelter the (??) May the oceans provide all that we need May the (??) be with until(?) we grow old We pledge to be stewards We pledge to take care Estibana the promise We will always be there The Parable of Estibana: There was a time when all elves call one another brother, there were were division between wood, grey, dark or any other kind of elf, they were all kin. If you believe the legends, there was an Island in the Glittering sea, a paradise on Layonara it was. Warm breezes caressed white sands, birds of all colors and types filled the forests with music. Indeed the wind itself created music as it blew past the spires of elven architecture. Legend has the spires of mother-of-pearl, so they glistened in the daylight and glowed under the light of Ausir and Orn. Fountains of rose marble and exquisitely carved statues, the very best of elven grace. But... with time those of the Island thought themselves better than their peers, their achievements and refinements somehow made them a step above all others. The story goes that the people of the Island sought to have one of their kind acend to the heavens, to ursurp the dragon gods that ruled gor they had become better than their creators. Indeed they were a cuture of powerful mages and skiiled warriors, it is said thier skill with the bow would make Voltrex archers look like recruits. Like today, the heavens wasn't all tea and crumpets, the dragons gods weren't all friendly with one another and seeing the discord the islanders were trying to bring, there were some that tried to use it too their advantage. This was about the time of the prelude to the dragon wars. The heavens and the earth became involves as each took sides, the Island in the middle, and as the war began it was a target. It is said that in a mighty battle between oposing forces the Island was sent to bottom of the ocean, it's art, culture, and architecture... lost for all the ages - the cost of it's pride, It's ego, it's downfall. Saquan’s Story: Saquan Silversides was the beautiful daughter of a powerful ocean cleric who ministered to the waters East and South of Alindor shortly before the time of the Great Dragon Wars and the rise of Bloodstone. A bleak time, Black Dragons had all but decimated the elven cities long established in the wake of Harj's Breath - a warm and rich undersea current in which most undersea civilizations grow off of, it extends from the Sea of Furys to the polar regions. While the Ocean Mother's clerics could see Sinthar for the his evilness they did concede that the Dragon purge did serve to save the coastal waters from destruction. There was a cost involved as well. Human sailors at about this time discovered that many of Mother Ocean's charges used the great current as breeding grounds, large gatherings of whales, white and blue kratkins, and even the gigantic but peaceful stonefish would congregate in the current. This knowledge lead to the development of huge fishing fleets that would assemble to hunt each spring and fall. Saquan was a bit of a loner among her own peoples. She was born with the gift of the weave as well as with a voice that could be as soft as newborn porpoise skin or command the attention of bugler seals - she was, as all legends are, beautiful - a bard of sorts but more in touch with the weave. She was more at home in the colonies of Merpeople that called the shores of Alindor home than she was in her home city of Arcicaia. She would spend many a day frolicking with the mermaids on the rocks of Corals of Erion. She'd help with her gift of healing any animal or humanoid that happened to come to peril along the rocky shore. Any of the human or elven sailors that she saved must have thought her one of the mermaids of the area as sea elves even in those times were quite scarce. As time passed she became bolder and would slip along into the bays and inlets of civilization and watch her elven kin and the other races. It is said that is how she learned to channel her natural energies for the weave. With that, she befriended an elderly elven sage one who could remember the days when all elves called one another brother and sister, and he helped her to develop her talents. More time passed and when this woman was in her mid years, tragedy struck her life. The fleets of fishers had become more and more numerous with passing time. The numbers of sea creatures began to dwindle. The calves of the whales were not being allowed to mature and have calves of their own. The slow to reproduce Stonefish numbers were rapidly falling and the clumsy clowns of the seas, the Kratkins were becoming rare. All of this troubled Saquan, the merfolks and her sea elven peoples. Even with the numbers falling, the men came year after year to violate Mother Ocean. The clerics tried channeling Shindaleria's powers into choppy seas and dangerous vortexes, but still they came. The merfolks had co-existed with the fishermen for centuries aiding injured seamen and guiding lost ships but still they punished the Mother's gifts. They confronted the spring fleet and the result was what is known in local legend as the Battle of Bloody Waves. Saquan was away when this happened but quickly swam to her friends' aid as soon as she received word of the battle occurrence. She arrived in time to see her friends decimated by spears, harpoons and nets. Sailors they had once called friends attacked with a viciousness and cruelty that was then unfathomable to Saquan. In reaction the sorceress sea elf rose out of the water and positioned herself on the breakwater of the Corals of Erion. She called the weave forth onto the unsuspecting ships. Lightening, fire, and explosions of magic rocked the vessels and along with those merfolk who managed to escape the nets and the sea elves that came to aid, the spring fleet was sent to the bottom of the ocean. No mercy was shown to the sailors and all were slain. Mother Ocean had moved in one gigantic wave to erase them the seas. The battle was over and the seas placid once again, Saquan is said to have sat on the corals and cried. In her grief rose a song that touched the very heart of Shindaleria. Saquan clutched at a piece of driftwood near by and raised it high into the heavens as her song of grief and anger rose. The emotion of her body and soul freed the constraints on the weave as it crackled around her. Wind whipped as the moons rose high in the skies. What happened after that is only for legends to know. It is told by some sea elven bards and the merpeoples that a great ball of light enveloped Saquan. That Shindaleria's avatar joined the sea elf in the lament. That song, divine and arcane intertwined as lights of colors circled around the pair as they stood on that rocky face. As their grief and anger reached it's zenith it is said the unbelievable occurred. In a blinding crash of white light both were gone. The seas in front of the corals boiled and churned. In a thunderous crash a great crystalline coral beast rose from the waves and took to the sky for a moment before crashing back down into the ocean. From that time forth the waters of the Corals of Erion have become treacherous for seamen. The currents can turn unpredictably and storms can rage in moments. Some say it is the folly of Mist but other sages say it is the ire of Mother Ocean that marks that area. The Corals of Erion are known now as the Corals of Faces, the mist and fog that hangs over them is perpetual. Stories tell that the wind that blows through the region are a woman's song... Saquan's song.
Drayton's Tale: The Witch, Saquan, held aloft a scepter that drained Mist of her powers. - The light that enveloped Saquan was that of Mist's vengence, not of Shindaleria's lament. - A great beast rose from the waters and took to the air momentarily before crashing back into the waves as she vanished.
Lucius, Jin and Rhynn came up with the correct sequence for the final room where a lady important to Estibana and Shindelaria was in a box (Lucius thought the colors were in the prophecy and they were and Jin thought that the sequence was and he was right too).
EAST, Purple, + Crimson = Heart and Flame NORTH, Azure, + Black = Eye and Fish WEST, Orange, + Yellow = Statue and Sphere SOUTH, Green, + White = Waves and Serpent I'll transcribe the book we found later lots of writing there.
Okay. So we figured out the puzzle and Jade and Lucius did the orb turning and button pushing with Rhynn directing. We only got one wrong and everyone agreed on it; we thought necromancy was serpent it was fish. Nasty electrical trap on the puzzle. But we got the rest right and got to the book. I read it while Lin'da carefully turned the pages she's better with books anyway being a mage and all. Pendar and Rhynn and I think Malor transcribed while I read. Treana kept guard and I'm glad someone did I wasn't thinking of that. Wow it was hard to read I had to be extra careful to speak clearly and my fangs make that difficult.But I got through it and the group said it looked like a figure inside the box well more like a crypt thing sarcophagus?
Basically the book was the last days of the city we were in and the account of an attack by enemies who used a wedding to destroy them all. The book spoke of a healing magic to fix the princess that was getting married and said the staff had something to do with it. We figured the princess was in the box. Said she was pregnant too guess that's why she had to get married.
When I finished reading the only door in the room opened and there was a portal. Lin'da said it was a two way portal and Ferrit scouted and said there were trapped doors and a golum thing. We went through and Ferrit was able to disarm the traps on the doors but there were false walls and the golums attacked. We ended up having to kill them they were different colors like the colors of magic but we didn't find a way to disarm them before they attacked. Then we found a tunnel that lead up to the desert and the ghosts of merfolk attacked us and I almost died. Jin fixed me up though. The staff started leading at this point it was tugging at my brain and almost pulling my arm and we fought our way to a door in a wall and Daniel died and Maev asked Toran to raise him and I think Toran was a little tired of being a cosmic bandaid at that point and she told me her holy symbol was throbbing mad. But no one died after that so we didn't have to test it.
We went inside and there were two portals that we didn't figure out someone said they didn't work. Oh and a huge honking orb that was trapped with more electrical traps and the staff actually did turn my arm that way I swear it wanted to go to the orb. There was a throne there too and little orbs but the big orb was what the staff wanted and I just started walking and walked right up onto the traps without getting hurt I felt like the staff was directing me not the other way around. Someone saw a keyhole and Jin threw me the key and Maev pointed out the keyhole and I opened it up and there was a place for the staff. I put the staff in and the whole building felt like healing magic and I thought of the box upstairs so Treana and Daniel and Pendar stayed below to guard and the rest of us ran up to see what had happened and there was a woman kind of ghosty standing there and she said she'd been watching us. Wow. Rhynn remembered the guards and she summoned them up just like that poor Treana was pretty confused. Then the lady said we'd done good and handed out little gifts but she kept fading in and out so I guess we freed her soul but did not save her life. Everyone got a nice necklace that heals and that was super nice but some of us who have been working on this for a long time got some really nice stuff and I got some ocean-blue slippers that look a lot like my old sandels. They are amazing they make me wiser a better leader and more nimble to boot and have renewable spells on them to help protect me and even make me harder to hit. Wow. Then we asked if there was something more we could do and she said to remember Estibana. I'm going to do more. I'm going to bring Estibana back. I've been part of this for years and I want to see that city live again. I talked to Jharl and he said he'd help. I'll ask Daniel too, and probably Kyle and Ferrit, maybe a few others. This is going to be a while but I'm going to work on it. My goal.
Welp almost time for work. Need more papercuts. Going to take a pie for my coworker he's much happier when he's got some food in him.
-
Okay. The box the lady was in was constructed of an entire chunk of white crystal coral. It was see-through on the sides but not so much on the top. The book was on the top, old and bound in wierd leather. This is what it said:
“All thoughts of the city were focused on the upcoming festival and the wedding. The appearance of strange vessels in the harbor was not noticed as many foreign dignitaries had been invited to attend the nuptials of the King and his beloved. We should have been more diligent. For when would be the more perfect time to effect change in a large area but when leaders, princes and Kings were gathered all in one spot like fish in a net. The thought that one could be so despicable was not imagined and thus our defenses were not what they should have been.
The raids began at dawn, shortly after the relics were taken by the Keeper of the temple from the undersea vaults and brought to the surface for the wedding. It was well planned.”
*the tome goes on to describe a bloody battle between sea raiders and the city and temple. The men at arms of the various dignitaries were called upon to help defend the city and did so with much valor, those representing a fledgling Rofireite line in central Dregar with exceptional valor. It was not enough. The raiders choked the river and sea exits and had inside information on the bus port city’s defenses. Their aim it seemed was not conquest but destruction. The temple was breached late in the fighting.*
“We cannot let the relics of the holy city fall to such despots. Adwenth and Rithen have been chosen to take the chalice and the crown to a secure location, at least until the chances that they fall into unsavory hands has passed. May the Mother bless them and keep them safe on their journey. May the spirit of Narasa watch over them as well if the great one still keeps us in his eye.”
*What then follows are more accounts of the battle and the siege of the city. The writer describes in much sadness the reports of the monarch of the city being slain and his bride to be taking refuge within the temple, badly injured*
“The Keeper has tried to stem the lady’s injuries but we fear they are even too grievous for her to heal. It would seem some evil has been done to her, some taint that even the rosary cannot remove. There has been talk of retrieving the Holy Scepter from the vaults to see it if may heal the lady and the child within her that is the future of this great city. The risk is great though should the brigands breach the temple with the vaults open. The guardians are strong but the unnatural powers of these raiders may prove stronger. I trust in the Keeper and her wisdom to see us through this”
*the pages are bloody and torn after this, eligible except for the final entry*
“The unthinkable has happened. The Keeper has been stuck down. The scepter lies in pieces, and the temple in ruins. It must be protected. In her last breaths she told me what has to be done. I will see that the sister temples comply. The song will not be lost. We will persevere. Someday the scepter will return to its place. I pray I am right.”
-
A few days off from working to think on things. Working has kept my mind off the fact that I have not seen Michael in months. Months.
I'm worried. He's never been gone this long. What if? Soul Ma has munched on him so many times. What if?
Found Kyle and Ferrit fishing in Corax and I think they sensed I was worried because they suggested some adventuring. We found Maev near the giant camps and she came along, and we ended up chatting and traveling across Dregar. Was a good time, nice to be around friends. My heart hurts and for a little while I forgot.
Going to hang up that wedding dress for now, keep it safe. I hope...
-
Got a note from Mikey, just to let me know he's alive and sorry about how long. He didn't say where he was. I about cried though at least he's not dead.
Was in Delanthar for cotton and found a group investigating some item causing deaths in town that sounded familiar so I joined to see. Wasn't an orb, was a ring and every time you scry it or use magic on it undead appear and not nice ones very hard to kill. Anyway Rhynn was there and running things and I gotta say we spent a lot of time running around and watching her talk. Some big giant lady (bigger than Mikey by a lot she was HUGE) got mad at Rhynn for just doing everything and pretty much ignoring everyone except Malor who she's dating now what happened to Celgar? and Storold. Kinda the spellchucker buddy system I guess. Malor isn't too bad and I like Storold so it was tolerable guess I should be glad we won't be seeing Celgar hanging on her very short skirts.
Okay got to write about the best part. I should not feel this way but hellballs I'm no paladin. Anyway this drow Daralith was there and he kept on Rhynn all night and he was FUNNY. He was so pompous and overbearing and rude and at the same time witty and sharp. It was all I could do not to bust out laughing when he got a good zinger in on Rhynn and I kept telling her to just let it go he's only trying to needle her but he worships Ca'Duz or something and she didn't trust him and she kept getting madder and madder. Well, I don't trust him either but he didn't do anything overly evil just kept picking on her (and me and I found it funny too gave him back as good as he gave and I think I saw him smile once but with the big spikey helmet hard to tell). He wouldn't let up and eventually she blew and tried to make us choose him or her and well we just didn't. So she came back and rejoined without a word about it and that's when it became clear; she needs us way more than we need her. She can't stand to not be a part, not have attention paid. She can bluster all she wants but she HAS to be there. I wonder if she's sick in the head maybe? Someone told me you can't cure that with cleric spells.
So we ended up in Highpass and found an inn with some instruments I didn't pay attention Rhynn was doing all the talking there. We found out that the ring was a reward for bard stuff and it had music notes in it and Delanthar might have more information on that and there were two fiddles left behind that had magic on them and we took them. Daralith said one of the fiddles had a soul in it and got all heavy-breathing about seeing the ring and didn't want to give up the fiddle but he did. Oh I forgot to mention the half-giant lady was with him. I kept imagining things based on how they acted that I shouldn't and giggled all night. Malor and Jade (so nice to run next to someone who doesn't fall behind!) and this paladin type Klaug? went to Delanthar and we stayed behind by Ozy's. They found out lots about the ring and apparently some mage type used spells to pretend to be a bard to get the ring for whatever reason and cheated and was run out of town. I asked Storold to check the fiddle and he said it only had part of a soul in it. Oh and Daralith took me aside and told me that we could free the soul and just ask it who bound it but I think all he really wanted was the fiddle. He's not into nice things someone said he was a necromancer. Ugh how can you do that? The smell!
So it was an interesting evening. More on that later I think.
Oh Gunthar was there too and who else it was Storold Malor Me Rhynn Gunthar Jade Giant Lady Daralith Klaug? Klaus? something and Lucius. That was it.
-
I hate ogres. Was on my days off from work and was near the Iron Hills becaues I hoped to find Mikey there and a bunch of them saw me when I was just standing there, not attacking. Wasn't close either. They charged me and I ran and tried to defend myself and they just kept coming and finally they wore me down and I died.
Feeling sick after my death experience I went home and portalled to Hlint. Luck was with me and I found Jharl and he was willing to help so we went to Hurm where some preacher boy wanted to join he was so cute. Just a pup he was but all brash his name was Galen. We sent him back to Mistone but with that much starch in his shorts he'll be back soon enough I think. Anyway Katrien showed up and we went to get my grave and it was GONE. We looked everywhere and could not find it! Some dwarf named Harg came by and he and Jharl had some fun with the ogres and I was just walking to Delanthar to sleep off my death when Harg came running out saying he found it. They MOVED IT. They moved my grave! Into the stupid caves they hide in! Okay that was it. We went in fully armed and kicked ogre tail all the way down. I felt better after recovering my grave, much; they chipped it though clumsy oafs.
Then we moved to the Dark Forest and worked on those treeants. Kat told me that Eon had created them and Harg has been away a long time because he didn't know that Eon and Drezneb and Blood himself were dead.
We ended up in some dungeon Mikey warned me not to enter, the Moss Crypts. Supposed to be a black dragon in there somewhere but we didn't look for him. Lots of acidy skeletons though and it was nasty work and mummies and all kinds of weird creatures I've never seen. I started practicing my concealment like I learned at the temple last year and I've worked on it on and off, and suddenly I got it right! Just came to me what I had been doing wrong! I am happy about this.
Also it was like my birthday or something Jharl gave me those robes we got off the evil monk grandmaster and wow are they nice. Messes with anyone trying to hit me for sure. They are black and have lace at the top which is wierd I didn't see that when Jharl was wearing them but maybe he didn't want it to be seen. But the sleeves have to go. And he gave me some roast and whiskey which was just really strong and I could only sip a little at a time.
All in all a good night. Good to be with friends.
-
I'm moving away from the Wind. So many things have needed attention lately, and with me working in the government and researching Estibana in my spare time and still trying to tailor I have not been by the temple in months.
I don't miss it.
I still feel like an outsider there. The students that live there stare at the strange half-orc woman and wonder what she's doing there when I visit. And I did learn stuff but I'm content that I can learn on my own from now. I just don't feel connected, not to the temple at least. I still listen to Wind but I don't hear it as much with being so busy.
Be honest. I still resent the temple for rejecting me for so long. Such a chaotic way to do things "you'll know if you belong". How much good talent are they missing out on with that attitude? How many could benefit but can't because they don't know that they belong?
Making my head hurt. Simple as this though, it was useful for a time but it's not my Path anymore.
The Voices are my Path for now more a side trail then my Path leads to Estibana.
-
Shame again, and this time I got people killed. Investigating a suicide cult in Arabel with Lily as our bait. When she didn't come back we followed a trail she left and found a cave under a cliff that seemed to point to her. Statues in the cave. I was feeling sneaky and wanted to scout and when Lin'da told me to go I went, triggered a trap and sent the statues after us and they beat a bunch of us to a bloody pulp because Kobal was off scouting and Rhynn was deep in a book and the others were unprepared.
Way to go, me.
Two things learned; check for myself if everyone is ready. I usually do this so I guess what I'm really saying is make sure I'm not overeager to move. And don't listen to the headstrong wizard who is known for rushing in if I have doubts.
I hope Lily is okay...I don't really know what happened except I woke up in Pranzis with a guard poking me and asking for identification. Glad it turned out to be Haugrun, who works at the courthouse sometimes.
Met with the Voices last night, info passed.
Been helping some youngsters in Hlint when I'm there, building up favors. One is a spellslinger/cleric I call Preacher Boy, seems to irritate him a little but it'll thicken his skin. His fault for trying to preach Lucinda to me. The other is a druidy type elf who calls himself Butterfly. Not too flighty though they're good folk. I should do this more often feels good to help out like I was helped. Give something back.
I'm spending time in meditation now and tailoring in between to clear my head from my mistake. Less rushing more careful.
-
Almost forgot the biggest news.
I've been noticed.
For what? I don't know yet.
By who? I don't know yet.
But things are happening.
I hope this helps me help the Voices.
Oh and a gift a cloak of deep blue that makes my feet even more silent and me harder to see in shadows.
Thank you, lady in blue.
-
Another investigation into the violins this time we found two more. More undead. More tantrums and stalking away and look-at-me-look-at-me behavior from her. Got angry finally I've held my temper for way too long. Someone needs to step on her and soon. I have some ideas.
But moving from the negative to the positive I'm beginning my investigations into raising Estibana. I'll start with location and history and I have some friends who can help me with that. Going to try to contact Kaya too.
Mikey is gone I have accepted this. I have asked Maev if she'd like a place to live, and she accepted graciously so she'll be here soon.
Still undercover but if I have nothing to hide then having a cleric of Toran live with me is nothing to be ashamed of. Smiling as I write that.
The Wind is howling. I'm going to howl with it for a while.
-
Deeper in. A mission, of sorts. A situation that was not what it seemed. A difficult decision. An answer, for now.
I'll write more later. I'm still figuring this out.
I'm "on call".
-
So much to do. A few days off and I need to check and see if my gift arrived to the Voices.
Names that I gave to the Voices:
Mary Johhanson
Alfred Friederman
Noma Fletcher
Geerlock Winktoddle
Stubby Pickmason
Analynn Fer'thaline
Omarith Nylantha
There needed to write those down.
In other news, went to hear a speaker in Hurm about some seeds, partially unintentional. I was going to go to Dark Forest and work off some frustration on the trees and spiders there and there were a lot of folks gathered around the arena. I hung around to hear and it was something about seeds of change. No one explained what they did just that there were four one for each season and the Church of Rofirein wants them and the druids want them to fix the Broken Forest which is more broken than before due to some witch sister of Alluriel's. A powerful and evil witch sister apparently one of seven. A trip was organizing to the Rift to fight Balors and try to find the bright seed which I guess is summer but they should just name it the Seed of Summer or something because winter can be bright too with all that snow.
Anyway there were a bunch of folks that talked and here's what I got:
Powell, Blackford Castle library said a brownie was chased near Hlint by a Balor. The Balor wanted a seed. Powell is offering 2500 gold to anyone who turns the seed in to him for whatever reason they want it but all he said was to keep it out of Balor hands.
Then a Guddwick Muggins stood up and told a long story about an adventure he had. Wasn't clear on whether there was more in his group but I think he said "we" a few times. They found a note in a druid camp in a bush in the High Forest that said if the Balor wants it, it needs to be under druid control and let them who opposed feel their ire or somesuch. A seed was found with the note and I think he gave it to Brisbane. So I'm calling the druids Player 1.
They went to a temple in Fort Velensk where they found another note in the temple there and it said if the seed the Balor was looking for is a force of law then they (the temple guys I'm guessing) need to know more and recruit and read and check bards and make laws to cover. So that's the Rofirein angle and let's call them Player 2.
Then they ended up in Blackford Castle where they found out that the summer seed or bright seed's history was with the druids of the higher path. Never heard of them.
Finally in Point Harbor Guddwick told of a painting woman who said imps chased a brownie in the Sielwoods and then the group had to battle a bunch of flying beasts and a nasty stone monster which they defeated and got a stone with writing on it. The stone said to wait for the return of the Balors and if they had the seed to tell them where to go next. This is from the witch sister (Selian, heard Brisbane say her name) and Selian is now Player 3.
Serissa stood up next to give her perspective on when the brownie was chased into Hlint. Barion killed the Balor and imps that chased her and the brownie was healed and the brownie said she saw a wizard lady sending out bigger Balors to hunt for the seed on Fire Isle.
Then Brisbane spoke and was going to tell us a poem about the seeds but didn’t end up doing it so a lot of folks were confused I think about why they’re important. She did say they found autumn’s seed in a tree in Willow’s Weep and the seeds will not leave druid hands because they are to fix the Broken Forest and that got the Rofireins talking and someone mentioned Balors on Firesteep. Drogo also said that Legodia (druid lady? No clue) had said that the seeds stay in druid hands so then more mutterings and arguments about who should get them. Powell tried to get Brisbane to give up the seed to him and that went over like a dire bear petting zoo.
Did get a little info on Selian who is most powerful and nasty temper and has one other of her sisters the
“Striker of Fear” (someday I want to meet a really evil person called the “Petter of Bunnies” or something, they always give themselves such corny names) as an ally.
So we split up into two parts Michaelis to lead the front group that cleared the way in Firesteep and Brisbane to lead the druid bunch to find the seed. That worked for a little bit then because we were moving slow and sending out scouts (I went with the clearing group because Jennara was in it and I wanted to ask her questions but she turned out to be a scout so I couldn’t talk to her as much as I’d hoped) the second group caught up and ran ahead. That got Michaelis mad as hellballs because Brisbane just pushed ahead and what did he expect he put Lin’da in that group too. Those two women couldn’t slow down if you chopped their legs off. So then there was much fighting and also the druids wanted Quill who is the only real powerful cleric we had and Michaelis was mad about that too since we were the ones supposed to do the fighting and things went rapidly worse from there. People started running ahead and dying and there was a lot of anger and I just stayed out of it. It would have been better to put Rhynn in the druid group though so Michaelis could keep a handle on Lin’da. Then there was a really bad fight with some elemental types and I admit I saw fighting and joined in until someone yelled STOP but with all the confusion who knew? But then they followed them down and someone found a chest on a beach with something in it and Ozy took and and went off happy (elf giggling. Weird.) and Brisbane disappeared and we kept going and found another chest that was empty and by then Brisbane had left and no one knew what was going on and Michaelis was hopping mad. A bunch of us were. Leaving us up in the mountains with no direction? Not even a good-bye? Not too happy about that yes it was disorganized but most of us were listening for directions. Not everyone was behaving badly.
So we trekked down to some mines and by then the anger was all over and the trip was chaos. We combined what was left of the two groups and Jennara was mighty angry and the Vin went into some mines on Ozy’s advice and found another bark chip. Oh yeah, that’s what we found bark chips not the seed. Then a Balor showed up and said he had the seed and we’d have to deal with him and left which makes most of what we did seem pointless. I learned some things and watched Michaelis for clues on leadership but overall it wasn’t much fun except I got to see the Rift again and climb a lot and listen to Wind there. Hot.
I’ll write more about my work with Prantz later my fingers are cramping. Going to hunt down Freldo and go sailing if I can find him. He promised!
-
I took some time off after the dwarves. They got to Hlint hope Kat wasn’t too surprised. I have to sit down and tell her and Jharl what’s happened soon. I guess Prantz is happy with me because they let me take a week off. Bribe? But anyway, I went home. Stealthed all the way tree to tree just in case because now my family is in danger. I didn’t tell them what good would it do?
Family. It was so good to see them all, Inirine has been sick with a really bad cough and from what I heard it was something that’s passed around some other cities but she seems to be pulling out of it she’s teaching again. She’s so much older than I remember though. The woman who I hold in my head from my childhood is older. Old, even. Still beautiful though and graceful.
I visited Richy and his wife Rosa and their new baby Lila. Well she’s not so new she’s crawling now! What a cutie pie she is she looks like her mother who was very nice and remembered me from the wedding and didn’t seem scared of my orc blood. A very nice lady indeed.
Lila is such a wonder. I held her and she looked up and touched my fangs and nose with her pudgy dimpled cute little hand and she was just interested. Babies don’t judge and it’s so nice. I sang for her and she didn’t cry although I though Richy might. He finally begged me to stop he said I was making the baby Toran weep.
I saw Alfend and Nina too she’s got her first boyfriend and is all giggles about it. I taught Alfend some simple katas and he seems interested in maybe learning some inner discipline. He seemed amazed by what I could do and I’ll help him all he wants if he asks.
It was wonderful to go home. I stopped being Honora and was just Puggy for a week. Also I finally got to admit to myself that I haven’t dealt with losing Mikey yet. I need to. He’s not coming back…I’m alone now. I’ve looked for him in the Iron Hills, the Dark Forest, all over Dregar. Anyplace we used to go. Even in Arabel and I snuck around the giant territory there too. Nothing. He’s the strongest man I know if he can’t come back from something I won’t either. I miss him so much if I think too hard it’s like an icicle in my heart. So I stay busy and try to believe that he’ll return but he won’t. I need to talk to Derrick about the house Mikey didn’t have a will and we didn’t actually get married and oh gods I’m crying now.
Need to talk to Derrick. Find out how to keep the house. Send bird to Freldo I must sail and soon.
-
What a night, what a day, what a night and day again. So much to write.
Begin at the beginning I'm told so the beginning is me waking in the Wild Surge after business in Hlint. It was late Freas and no one I knew was around. I overheard someone talking about the Arms being open and I needed to talk to Kat and Jharl anyway so I ran there hoping to catch them. I thought it would be quiet like it's been before. I saw Tyrian on the way and we ended up there about the same time. Inside was warm and smelled like Freldo's bread like I remember but quiet? Not on my life. There were at least twenty people there and more came after me. Kat was there and Jharl and Freldo and some red-haired lady were there running around trying to fill orders and the music box was playing tune after tune and the whole atmosphere was cheer and friends and good food and wine.
I saw Jennara and we went to the fireplace to talk. I asked her so many questions and got some answers that even the temple could not give me. Was good to talk with her she's so calm and determined but her devotion to Rofirein might be part of that. From her I learned: I will only get faster. My eyes might glow too and maybe even blue like hers. My skin will get tougher like I feel it doing now hers is like iron already.
Then Kat sung the song of Kayana and everyone was in tears. Jennara can play the fiddle! And Freldo joined in and so did Jharl and let's see Ferrit, Kyle and Cole were there and that Mistie cleric from way back when we were investigating Estibana with her baby and some guy I did not know and AnnaLee came and Jennara I mentioned her and Galen was there and some dwarves and a lot more people I don't know and some heckler type in gaudy clothes that Freldo had to get rid of and Tyrian and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone. Oh that redheaded fighter that I helped in the Greypeaks too.
Kat had us all sing together and I sang I think Jennara could have lived without that since she was right next to me. But then Kat came by and she sang with me and I kind of learned how to carry the tune so it wasn't so bad. Galen can sing too. And Kyle has a nice rough voice.
It was a great night. I loaned Tyrian money to help her buy a house and she was so happy it made me glow. The redheaded elf lady came out with wine and juice and gave some to everyone as a gift and it didn't affect me at all but was tasty. Freldo said his whiskey would and I mentioned Jharl's and then got to try Freldo's and his wasn't as potent I'm sorry to tell him. But Jharl's knocked me on my butt and Freldo's I could take a swig of. It was smoother though and I told him that later on the ship.
The ship. The ship is wonderful. I was on the docks at sunrise the next morning and he showed up right when the sun pulled fully out of the water. He was dressed less wild with dark green pants and a thick black jacket. He showed me his ship and I could see how proud he is of her. She is the Lusty Bard and a beauty. A two-mast schooner with bright white mainsails and turquiose paint on the trim and everything looks new. He just beamed over every detail and she's eighty-two feet long and pristine. I wanted to see everything, and he wanted to show her off so it was a great tour before we set out. She's gaff rigged and fast as the Wind, no resistance to a breeze there.
I met Sal, his friend from his beginning as a sailor and his newer crewmate Timael who is a dark-skinned Calishanite and they both worship Mist so I didn't talk about any more MAF stuff. Such a small crew for such a large ship but it's been fitted to run on a small crew and to summarize we had a blast skimming around bird islands and just sailing into the wide open space.
So many thoughts. I loved sailing again I was up in the sails most of the time. When we threw anchor that night and sat on the deck with blankets against the cold Wind we talked about so many things and nothing important. I watched Freldo and I can say that he's not quite the same. I mean he's still Freldo and still the irrepressable bard but he's focused. I used that word. He's different he looks sometimes West sometime North and a bunch of times got out his compass and took bearings. He seemed calm though which is not a word I would have used for him years ago. Calm? More like centered. I asked him once about that about why he seemed less flippant and he made a joke right away so I don't think he wants to discuss it and I let it drop. But he's different. And at the same time, he's the same. I saw something that I never noticed. We were sitting watching gulls dip for thier supper and Wind was picking up, rocking the boat a lot. And Sal and Timael were throwing some dice and trading bawdy limericks and Freldo was just sitting there listening to it all and suddenly I got it.
I imitate the Wind. I move quiet in and around striking fast and moving away. I IMITATE the Wind which is chaos and moves wherever heedless of the why's that I live by. Freldo understands the Wind. Freldo has the Wind in his soul; he understands chaos moving from place to place going where you will and not worrying about it.
And just at that moment I understood a little of him and a lot more of the nature of that kind of person. I'm not of chaos but I try to use a chaotic approach. I try to understand what I am not and I see the value in it. So I should not be so confused and angry at those who do not follow the ways of Law because they have something to offer too something that I need too.
It was a big thought for a little moment and I let it go until now because I know a sea ditty too from being on Silas's boat and I shared it. I didn't even sing as badly as usual but I could see Freldo wincing so I have a long way to go. I'll have to ask Kat to help dangit skirts and lace and now singing she's such a bad influence on me. What's next? Makeup?
The sea shanty I know:
O come list a while, and you shall hear,
By the rolling sea lived a maiden fair.
Her father had followed the smuggling trade,
Like a war-like hero.
Like a warlike hero that never was afraid.
Now, in sailor's clothing young Jane did go,
Dressed like a sailor from top to toe
Her aged father was the only care
O this female smuggler.
Of this female smuggler who never did despair.
With her pistols loaded she went aboard.
And by her side hung a glittering sword,
In her belt two daggers; well armed for war
Was this female smuggler,
Was this female smuggler, who never feared a scar.
Now they had not sail-ed far from the land,
When a strange sail brought them to a stand.
'These are sea robbers,' this maid did cry,
'But the female smuggler,
But the female smuggler will conquer or will die.
Alongside, then, this strange vessel came.
Cheer up,' cried Jane, 'we will board the same;
We'll run all chances to rise or fall,'
Cried this female smuggler,
Cried this female smuggler, who never feared a ball.
Now they killed those pirates and took their store,
And soon returned to old Eng-a-land's shore.
With a keg of brandy she walked along,
Did this female smuggler,
Did this female smuggler, and sweetly sang a song.
Now they were followed by the blockade,
Who in irons strong did put this fair maid.
But when they brought her for to be ter-ied,
This young female smuggler,
This young female smuggler stood dress-ed like a bride.
Their commodore against her appeared,
And for her life she did greatly fear.
When he did find to his great surprise
'Twas a female smuggler,
'Twas a female smuggler had fought him in disguise.
He to the judge and the jury said,
'I cannot prosecute this maid,
Pardon for her on my knees I crave,
For this female smuggler,
For this female smuggler so valiant and so brave.'
Then this commodore to her father went,
To gain her hand he asked his consent.
His consent he gained, so the commodore
And the female smuggler,
And the female smuggler are one for evermore.
We came back into port after a day and night and another day and I had to run to work but there are promises to do it again and I left feeling freer inside than I have in a long time. Time to copy charts and listen and watch.
-
I need to get a boat. Saw Freldo yesterday and I was right away reminded of our sailing trip. I think maybe I'll get a little sloop he said he could get me a good price on a slip in Lelion. Maybe big enough to move some small stuff onto in case things go really wrong with Prantz.
Plague came through and Hurm is closed. Bunch of folks went to Moss Crypts and "Black" as Harg called him apparently didn't like it and destroyed half of Hurm and set loose a sickness. It got all the way here to Mistone but the Voices say it may not be dragon-made, at least not all of it. I've heard different stories about why that is but I'll keep it to myself for now. Lots of people are blaming the ones who went into the crypt but I've been there and I don't think it's their fault. Could have happened anytime. Dragon was just looking for an excuse.
Nothing so far in the government but charts. No stray gossip. I did find directly from a source that Rhynn might be trying to do what I've been doing, going undercover.
That ought to be interesting. I'd best do some preparation.
Followed some folks who were following some voice (that I never heard) from outside the Hurm campfire last night. All the way to the Sielwood, to the Ranger's Vale, then back to the Sielwood through a path to a cave, which were tombs that no one had found before. I stayed hidden until just before they went into the Vale. They didn't seem to mind me popping up. Lots of undead, not too hard for me and the folks with me have not traveled as much so I stayed out of the way and healed instead of fighting. Nice people so far as I could tell, dedicated and curious. A good way to feed Soul Ma, and just like me so I liked them. Kyoro, Tylean, and some fighter in red armor who I think was named Val? Can't remember. Anyway, we met a man who invited us to dinner but his relatives turned out to be boors and we uninvited ourselves.
I have a funny feeling we'll be seeing him again though.
-
Another night that reminds me why I do this. Met up with J and K, and Jennara stopped by. I brought pies to give.
K wanted to go investigate something new, a secret door in some tower. And we went and it was great. I mean there were layers and layers and it seemed to go on forever and there were some sticky parts toward the bottom but all in all it was so good to stretch my legs and be with friends. Good people.
We found a stick. K and J says it has magic but it looked more like a stick that had been wrapped like a torch. Eon left it, and some other stuff. We collected all the gold we found and gave it to K for the agency.
Was a good night and I slept well.
-
Hardly been home to write but quite a few things to catch up on. Okay first we regrouped to try again to rescue Lily, and this time we did well. Everyone worked together, Harg came and the gnome in black from Drezneb (Kobal and Harg together double dose of dwarf!) and no one and I mean no one acted crazy and this time we got things done. Was good. Lily had us fooled but she was faking the cultists were just nuts all they wanted to do was die. We found them in a large cave after using some amulets to get past the statues that made paste out of us last time. The cave had big slabs that had apparently held bodies on top by a statue that didn't attack (don't think it was one of "those" statues). There were four of these. Then in a chamber to the right of the slabs were the cultists and they were hungry and cold. We gave them food and I gave them everything I had not thinking how long we'd be down there. To the bottom left of the slabs was a grotto with an alter and a knife. I won't go into all the things the cultists did but suffice to say they are nuts.
We got the prisoner I'd been guarding for days (spitboy) and brought him down and all he did was sit there with that same smug look and lob gobbits of saliva at us. I swear I cut back on his water to keep him from spitting so much and it didn't stop him. He must have a special organ just for spit.
Drogo saw something in the water and we got ready and it was some lady that Rhynn said looked like a drow with red eyes and hair but she looked kind of like a nymph to us. She had sugary words and Kobal threatened to destroy the alter and that's when I passed out. I forgot how much I have to eat (half-orc and all) and I just fell over even after I got some bread from Storold. Embarassing.
When I came to I was topside and apparently the nymph-drow was a devil who was behind the cultists sacrificing themselves and was using their souls for something and she turned loose all kinds of evil on the group but since I was already lying flat they left me alone. Double embarassing.
Note to self: More pies. Less sympathy for nutty cultists.
I'm sure we're going to be working on that issue. Most of the cultists died.
In other news, the dwarves did NOT make it to Hlint as I thought and I'm dressing to go after them (after a nice bath, missed my bath). Got to find them. I have two days before I'm due back to Chart Hell.
Also I heard that the Explorers got back together and I'm going to have to find a way to get back into that. I'll send a note to J, find out more.
Estibana rise.
-
A lesson in diplomacy. We killed the Necromancer and no one is sure if we even had to. He was evil and raised undead and so he had to die. We think.
The story is this. A spellslinger who thinks he is a bard uses magic to win a contest. Well other bards use magic (Freldo does and so do Jharl and Kat) so is it that different? But the other bards get mad and take his prize away. Our bard is not right in the head and gets really mad and goes off to become a powerful necromancer to take revenge. He attacks Delanthar with undead and we get tricked into taking care of the problem.
All he wanted was that stupid ring back. His prize. We think. But we do so much and deal with so much and assume so much and the ring must have something powerful about it because the violins held his soul bits blah blah so we don't give it to him and he goes nuts and summons an army of nasty stinky dripping undead. And it was just a stupid ring with some writing. It was just a prize for a stupid local contest.
So now he's dead and the half-eared man who gave us the ring is babbling excuses and Daralith is making some actual good points about hypocrisy (but all he really wanted was the other guy's stuff) and Rhynn is crowing about how her magic saved us all (like Malor wasn't even there, or Storold or Godrim for that matter) and Maev is trying not to kill Bakee and gritting her teeth so hard I could hear them chipping and everyone is talking and it made my head hurt.
Still some undead running around. I should get some help and do a clean-up.
Just took Galen through Haven mines for gems. Good to be around someone who isn't full of his own agenda beyond enchanting. He's still young and fresh and guileless. I swear between some of the people I associate with and the government I work for, I feel like I need to bath six times a day and I still feel slimy.
Going back to investigate that devil woman from the cult thing soon. Godrim gave me a roast so that should keep me fed.
Still nothing on Henry and company.
Missing Mikey. Going to tailor.
-
So much to write about. I've only been sitting here for hours going over all of it in my head. Paintings and sailing and death and decisions.
First things first. I was in Lelion looking for passage to Hurm since I decided to make sure there were no undead left wandering from that Necromancer. It was our mess and I wanted to make sure it was fully cleaned up. I was about to haggle with some shifty-eyed captain when along came Freldo, loaded for bear with cargo and looking cheerful. He was going to Hurm and asked if I wanted to sail with him. I think I was up in the rigging before he finished his sentence! Lots more crew on the Bard this time longer trip. I picked up a few new tricks since the Bard has different sails than I’ve used before. It was great. I listened to the men (and the one other woman) and picked up a little about Mist but that’s for later. There were storms, rain, even snow and Wind! Lots and lots of Wind…I have some new respect for Mist, she makes my favorite element sing.
We got to Hurm in one piece and the crew started unloading and we talked. Freldo is going to adopt! Ireth is helping him take in some of the local children. Must admit I’ve never seen Freldo as a daddy type before but if there is anything I’ve learned about him it’s that he cares. A lot. And with the Arms providing a home he loves I think he’ll do a great job and I told him as much. Got me thinking of adopting. I don’t count birthdays never saw a reason but I might be too old for kids now if I could even find a husband.
Well that will be for when I’m older. Still undercover. Still more to do before I’m ready for the rocking chair in front of the fire.
Anyway we trekked from Hurm to the Iron Hills, then all the way to the marsh and back. No undead just the usual unfriendly locals. We got a nice quantity of gold, and talked quite a bit. He will be a good daddy. I’ll have to offer to show his kids some ways to keep themselves safe when they don’t have a weapon. Which means more time at the Arms which is never a bad thing.
After sailing back I had to run to work and didn’t get time to myself for a bit. Then I overheard something about meeting in North Point, and I could swear I heard Alvin Masty’s name. That got my attention. So I checked out this meeting and there were a lot of folks gathered to investigate a painting. I’ve got some notes on this so let me organize that.
Boy who is Alvin’s nephew looking for him. Has picture that was stolen from Injam castle on Alindor of a noble leader type and a lady by his side standing, and three women sitting in front of the big chair, and two men to his right and one to his left on the other side of the standing lady. They were wearing blue talberds with designs.
Artist is Joseph Ventigo according to Freldo.
Also from Freldo; the folks are the Knights of Erylin. Military group, probably leaders in the painting. Guy on the big chair has a crown so he might be a king of Alindor from before Milaria, which would make the painting over 250 years old. Might be the last king. All the Barons and Baronesses would be relatives of the king. Uniforms have nautical theme; seashells, half-dragon, half-fish things.
Nautical theme. Nautical. Shindy. Estibana…what if these people are related to the folks who fled the city? Got to bring that up and do some checking! Also lots of expensive jewelry. The folks in the painting have coin to burn. Some statues in the painting a woman and child and some elf with some decorations on it.
Okay so we head toward Injam to meet some Baroness named Althalia and Quantum and Jharl give the painting back to her in exchange for an audience. Didn’t go to good. Too many folks firing off questions and some of them not very polite. But I suggested that they try to match the nobes to the painting and the lady was a dead ringer for the woman standing next to they guy in the big chair. Maybe she’s a vampire but I saw her breathing I think so maybe not.
Anyway these guys sent out some servants to get every bit of the caravan with the picture that was attacked by giants including debris. They worked at night so there’s another hint. This barony is south of Fort Himland and close to King’s Landing. The commoners look scared and Freldo talked to a couple and found out about a curse (from Milaria?) that keeps the nobles alive or something. Oh the man noble was Beidel. Didn’t see if he was one of the guys in the picture. Freldo thinks we need to go investigate King’s Landing for more clues and since we don’t have the picture anymore we’re going to do that. This group is new to each other lots of people with an interest to help but I don’t know except for Quantum Jharl Freldo and Jilsephonie (more on her later). Also that Rain guy who kind of put his foot in it at the noble manor house and some Halflings and a young monk and a druid and I’m sure I’m missing someone.
One complaint; too much elven being spoken. Rude to us folk that can’t understand it. At least Drogo is trying to learn common.
Okay so decisions. Basically Jilsephonie is trying to get a homeless shelter and orphanage for the folks in Pranzis. And she told me some guy got into her house and told her to go watch some trials and he might be able to help. She asked me to come so I waited and went to watch after work. She had Daren with her, his hair is getting pretty with the deep blue and then all the silver. I kind of think I shouldn’t tell him that though. Anyway, it came down to this: a man, who kept the memory of the Queen alive, or a woman, who was going to be separated from her kids for 10 years if she even lived through the labor camps.
Aside. Do not get arrested in Prantz. You will be guilty, regardless. The poor defense attorney seemed to be trying a little but from what I’ve seen before and that day there is no hope. You will be found guilty and killed or sent to labor camps or worse. Worse because I remember when I applied to work there they asked if I could summon creatures from dead bodies…
Then after we saw the corruption of the courts and I swear the judge and prosecutor have something going we went outside (I hid so I would not be seen with them) and the man she talked about came and asked her to make one choice. She made her choice; not the choice I would have made but the choice I would have wanted to make. So now she waits and I have learned more about these labor camps and about the government. Perhaps I need to take a look at a few of those camps, get a feel for what we would be up against. For how many people it would take to liberate one. Perhaps if I could find a location and get the information to the right people.
One other thing is clear. I’m far from the only person on the inside working against Broegar. I need to look into that as well.
Finally…death. Ash Willo is dead. Soul Ma took her final taste and Nepp put up flyers everywhere. I ran to find the kids and they were not with Exodus but I found out they are with Tyrian and safe. I wonder who will tell them. Ash could not stop wandering. She was a good ma when she was with them but could not stay with them all the time. I don’t worry that Freldo would go get himself killed and leave his adopteds alone, or Kyle and Ferrit going all reckless and dying on Cole. I guess it’s the person. Some folks should not have kids. I feel so sorry for the little guys, and I need to talk to Ty anyway since she said she had money to pay me so I guess it’s time to pay a visit. Maybe this big green lady can make them laugh for a little while.
Also still have to do something about this house. Must speak to Derrick.
-
Lots of stuff of no consequence. I remember when I would have to look that word up.
Spent the last two days wandering Dregar with Freldo. Dragged Preacher with us since I promised him I would after getting him killed and killed and killed again last month. He's gotten better knows when to stand back and when to step up and his speed spell and heals and strength spell really made a difference. Might have to start bringing him along more often I forgot how handy a caster can be. And he's a twofer I get a mage and a cleric in one. Handy.
Freldo and I have a comfortable hunting and fighting mesh now. We compliment each other so well when we're in battle. We didn't talk as much because we didn't need to this time; it was just a flow.
Also got Preacher to help me make some stuff, mostly gloves. I tried to make a malar bag but could not get the seams right dang those hides. Totally botched it. Bought seven more hides off Hawklin though so one more and I try try again.
Also dug sand with Freldo and Galen and traded it to Daralith of the Big Hat for a nice cold resisty enchantment. Now I've got cold, fire and lightning. And robes of acid. Set!
Turns out Preacher Galen is working for Kat now and she seems to trust him. So I looked around my big empty house and decided it was time to share a little. I gave him a key and two crates to use. Set up some house rules though.
No parties.
No guests unless they just need to use the portal.
Front bedroom's mine back bedroom's Maev's so if you have to sleep here use the couch.
If you MUST use the bath no using my soaps and salts and no hair in the drain.
Hope he doesn't abuse my trust if this works out I might rent out some more crates. Got a lot not using too many.
Still working still waiting. Still saving. Tyrian paid me back in full and partly with the most beautiful amulet of topaz in silver I've ever seen. She does good work.
Oh forgot to mention got to actually sail the Bard when we first went to Hurm. I got to captain! A little. Under Freldo's watching eye. I think he wanted to fuss when I overcorrect courses and didn't steer well but he held himself back. I'm going to learn this. I love to sail.
-
We confronted the demon lady. Nlla? Something like that sounded like a kitchen spice.
We got back together after recouperating from the disaster last time and got our game plan. We went to the cave and sure enough there were demons or devils or whatever they were. Someone said "abashi" so I have to look that up and I think someone said Azur or Lemur or I don't know there were a lot of them.
We battled them pretty much constantly and the big statue guardians too only this time we managed to take them out. Kobal got a trap set on the alter and Nlla showed up and smacked us around then when she got a few nicks and cuts she teleported. Chicken.
So we blew the alter and the entire cave I think. I still wonder what those slabs were for but I'm happy that for now Nlla (sounds more like a cookie. Yes.) can't use people's souls to make armor and weapons. Ugly idea! Vin almost ended up one I forgot to mention he died and she was going to sacrifice him. He's not a very pretty damsel in distress though. But I bet he'd have made a vicious blade.
Took Sallaron and Preacher with me and Freldo the other day. Was fun. Then last night Kat, Jharl, Jennara, Drogo (poor Drogo), Gunther for part, Samir, and some lady named Kayla (until she left; I guess she was bored) went to Roldem. We poked our noses into that nasty evil monk cave and a few of us died for it but the Grandmaster was kind enough to donate his robe to Jennara. Posthumously. I can only assume if he wasn't so busy trying to pummel us that he'd have given them to her anyway.
Wandered a bit more, found some frog-men (wierd) and some little guys with blowguns that were just nasty, and came back. Was interesting but we need to work on our battle tactics a bit. Next time!
-
So I met Milaria. Well I didn't meet him I watched that bird guy talk to him, Plenarius? About 30 of us made a deal. He wants to be left alone to do whatever and wants some space to do it in and I listened when we first met up and found out that the colorful dragons (not the shiney ones) have been stirring up trouble. So we would have to fight a war on two fronts and he offered to withdraw from Alindor. Long story short we talked all of us and it was decided to make a deal for seven years. *inserted here is the official post from a tavern on Alindor* This is a contract signed by Plenarius Ashaley and Milara. It was witnessed and agreed to by thirty Heroes with Plenarius Ashaley at the time. The contract states that Milara has absolute control and rulership over the following lands and borders, regardless of what their names are now or later. The term of the contract is for seven years. Milara controls all of the Iriand Mountains, to include the sky to the heavens, the land itself, and anything below the mountains—everything. The borders are Bone Hill, Viotrim Canyon, ten miles around Bloody Gate, Region Forest, and Storms End (Milara does not control Bloody Gate). Bloody gate is not allowed to fortify or gather forces during the period of this contract. They may live freely, day to day, but with little to no buildup in troops or fortifications. Nobody is to set foot in to the mountains without the approval of Milara during this time. That includes adventures and heroes, militia under the control of rulers or kingdoms or invading forces not under the control of Milara. No military build may occur within 500 miles around the Iriand Mountains. If dragons fly over Milara’s territory it is his concern, nobody else’s. If anything is broken the contract and deal is off. In return. Milara shall leave nature alone. Milara shall also remove all forces under his control from all locations. That includes cities and areas that he rules on Rilara. (as a note, this is going to put cities in to collapse as nations can no longer rule themselves). Milara will stay out of the activities of the world for the duration of this contract.
So there it is. And we made the decision because we had to. The paper makes it sound like a bunch of adventurers just trotted over to his Courtyard of Really Huge Monsters and chatted up a deal on a whim but he had threatened us directly with the death of one creature for ever feather of every bird on the continent. So it wasn't like we had a choice. Deal or kill him. And already Alindor is falling apart because he's taking his troops out of cities and bandits are roaming now and terriorial wars are brewing and it's getting ugly. It seems everything we do makes things worse. We killed blood (we the heros not me-we) and the world gets colder and people starve. We make a deal with a tyrant and a continent starts to fall apart. Is this what being a "hero" is about?
Watching Alindor makes me more cautious. I'm working to bring down Broegar. But he has brought stability. If I suceed it must be with Kat's help and Jil's and anyone else and there must be a strong government ready to step in. I'm learning.
Speaking of which Rhynn posted her notices on Dregar even before Milaria did and guess what? Now all of a sudden there's a beehive of activity around Broegar's barracks and whispers in the halls. Alindor is wide open. I'm keeping my ears to the walls this could be bad. Haven't heard anything specific but I'm listening.
And I saw Asher again. Was good, if he's going to be around I'm comforted. A little bit of those happier times with Mikey to hold to.
-
Time with family. Big dinner at Jr.'s house and Lilah was all over like a hasted baby panther. She's walking and talking and so funny! I laughed to hear her imitate people and she does this tickle thing. Richy and Racheal are doing great they're supervisors now in the cow farm and Inirine has finally retired from teaching dance and she's painting of all things and she's pretty good. I never knew she could do that. She's a lot more bent over than I remember and her hair is silvery. Heinrich Sr. is doing numbers now for a newer farmer who's growing these mushrooms but the new guy can't read or write. But we had some of the mushrooms for dinner and they were great! A clever crop when there is no sun and the caves he's using to grow them stay warmer.
Watching life made me think. I ran across Dregar a couple months ago and it winded me. I lifted some of the chests around the house and almost couldn't. And my back hurts sometimes.
Am I getting old? When I look in the mirror by the tub my hair is still dark brown. My face is what it is but no wrinkles really. I'm not starting to bend like an old woman does. But things aren't as easy as before. Soul Ma does wierd things with your body. I look like I haven't aged but I'm sure I have.
I'm saving to buy the house. Got plans to remodel. Can't think about what might be happening got to press ahead. Nothing new with work but I'm not there every day since the charts have thinned out. We got a lot done. Still working on the King's Landing puzzle but the Milaria thing has it on hold till things settle out.
And Maev. Rhynn sent Jharl a message asking for 20,000 True to give to the Vine to ransom Maev since she attacked them and got caught. This was months ago. I said no I don't trust her as far as I can throw her and we planned to rescue Maev ourselves but so many things stopped us. I saw a notice calling all Toranites to help and I plan to go with them when it's announced. I don't pray but I've been praying to Grannoch one of Mikey's Ladies that she's alright.
Okay enough. I'm starting to sound depressed when I write. I'll hang on to the memory of little Lilah and go hunt some skins. Need to feel thread in my fingers again.
-
More time at King's Landing, and we got to smash some Vine punks. That was way more satisfying that I should admit to.
So we get there and the town guard are trying to take down a thug who was giving them a run for their True and finally they subdue him. Turns out there's a lot of thieves and thugs now since Milaria has withdrawn and the guard is stretched too thin to protect everyone so we offered to help and it's a sign of how desperate they are that they just said okay and gave us permission to break into the old courthouse without asking anything about us.
We found a bunch of spiders and an old body in there, and a sort of map of the sewers where the thugs are based. We cleared out the spiders and went into the sewers and dang were those guys tough. Vine fighters and hit like a draft horse and could take some damage. But since their code is never surrender we had to take them down. Lost Preacher and one other and ended up inside the castle; there's a secret entrance!
Castle was full and I mean full of undead. That gives me a hint as to what might have happened to the king. Most interesting thing was finding eight orbs like the ones we've seen before but not active. And a coral throne that is the same coral as the staff in a protective bubble and there was probably more but the spellslingers got crazy with the lightning and so there wasn't much else to find. Acacea found a secret door (I think it was Acacea) and while everyone was looking around I sketched everything and took notes. Behind the door was a small library and we found a few things of great interest. I got a big old book that had an old story in it which I will summarize soon as I finish reading it. It is a really big book, like 2 inches thick. Jil found a map, and someone else found some other stuff that we're going to look at.
All in all a very exciting trip with lots of new info. We're making progress!
Oh, and I made a malar bag!! Jharl asked for it so now I've made up some money to buy the house!
-
The rains of the wet season swell the river like the belly of a beautiful wife. It is the rains and the river that sustain us, yet all things return from the river to the oceans. It is the return to the ocean, the right of passage that marks the switch from Jasid to Jarhrid for the rulers of the mighty city. It was just such an expedition that Jasid Hasanji set forth upon before claiming his seat at the foot of the River Goddess. In the past the Jasidi of Xar had generally sailed to the islands outlying the coast of the continent, spending a few months in diplomatic negotiations and trading to then return and claim the bejeweled cup, crown and scepter of state. Hasanji’s voyage was to be different. He had a yearning to sail farther, to explore more of the ocean’s mysteries. He had heard tales of water solid enough to walk upon at the tail of Harj’s Breath. Fishes that were the size of boats, rising out of the waves to crash into the waters again were also popular sailor’s stories. As a young Jasid at the feet of his father and siblings, he reveled in suHasanji’s voyage was to be different. He had a yearning to sail farther, to explore more of the ocean’s mysteries. He had heard tales of water solid enough to walk upon at the tail of Harj’s Breath. Fishes that were the size of boats, rising out of the waves to crash into the waters again were also popular sailor’s stories. As a young Jasid at the feet of his father and siblings, he reveled in su (unreadable).
He meant to set off to discover the truth and should such things exist, establish trade for the city.
The fleet of ships assembled in the mouth of the Rexari River as it opened in to the Great Sedarian gulf was impressive indeed. In truth it was a send off for the Jasid. He has chosen to captain only the Adeela on his voyage to discovery. So as it was, at the end of the water festival, the prince set sail to find his destiny and destiny of the entire city of Xar.
Didn't mean to copy that much but it's the beginning of the book. Names and such. I'll add more later.
Finally got over to Jil's Hope House, to see her kids. Was an eye-opener. I almost cried when I saw the baby room. All those little tiny babies without mothers it's lucky Jil was able to find wet nurses for them. She's put so much of her soul into this the kids love her like she was all their mothers. I went after work and stayed to help bathe them and feed them and put them all to bed. I read stories to a group and I tried funny voices and the kids laughed. Kids are so different so untouched. They asked me about my green skin and my fangs and my nose and asked what being an orc is like but without hate, just curiosity. I had to tell them that I don't know since the lady that raised me is human. I went back again to teach some self-defense and the kids loved that, it was a sunny day and we went outside with the ones coordinated enough to stand on one foot and I showed them how to take a big man down quick if they had to and some exercises. Jil tells me some of them are doing the moves every day. I'm going back again I lost my heart there.
Funny to think if Mikey were still around I'd adopt a few, might still. But at least I have some time to give to them. Noticed one in particular, she's eleven and her parents disappered last year. She's sad a lot but she took to my teaching and is fast as a little freckled snake. Her name is Aubrey and I think I'll teach her some more she's got good balance and a good head on her shoulders. Also the little elf boy, he's only five but he's got better balance than most adults.
Perhaps I should think about trying to meet someone. If I pretty up I can be almost average except for my nose. And teeth.
Maybe not.
-
Called a meeting of the other group and ours to get information around. This pretty-boy elf Karn (Carn?) showed up and Daniel was there and Drogo showed up later. Let's see Gilli was there (or was it Tilli I can never remember) and Freldo and Galen and I think that's it. And me.
So basically we found out this: the Knights of Erylin were part of House Drayton who had seven sisters that were all Baronesses (nice work if you can be born into it) and I guess one brother but I need to check on that. 200 years ago they fought Milaria on the Plains of Caitlin near Bone Hill.
Elraith Dranna (not sure of spelling was having a bad handwriting day) was the first King of Erylin. Some name Elrathidana is in my notes too I'd really better write more. Need to check on that since they are almost the same name. Two other things I noted Region's Forest and Storm's End. Rats I REALLY need to take better notes.
Meant to write down about the chess pieces in the Castle in King's Landing. Left group was four pawns surrounding a black King. Middle group was a black Bishop holding a white King in check and the King had three pawns behind him. The right group (as you face the throne room with the preserved coral throne forgot to mention that) is a Queen surrounded by four pawns. Need to check whether Queen was white or black.
Malor found something too, records and such. What got my attention was this:
* Milara shall have absolute sway over the Iriand Mountains, from the upward heavens down to the deepest crevice of the earth and all that exists below.
* None shall enter the mountains of Iriand without leave of Milara
* None who would oppose Milara shall mobilize or marshal any forces against him, or any whom he would hold as an ally. Milara shall not mobilize or marshal any forces against those people of Alindor who choose not to willingly subject themselves to his rule.
* No military of any sort is to be mustered within a distance of less then five hundred miles around the entirety of the Iriand Mountains
* These accords shall be in effect for a period of seven years, no more, no less.
* Any violation of the above accords by either Milara or the people of Alindor shall result in their immediate nullification of all.
I was shocked stupid when he read that. THE SAME DANG THING. What is that bugger up to? We got seven years to find out. But this gives a clue:
To those faithful to the future peace and prosperity of Erilyn:
It is not as your king, but as one forced to taste the bitter bile that pride has led us to drink, that I ask for your help and council, and of any whom you deem worthy and able in perhaps ridding us of this...of this which we have been afflicted.
King Briant
So they got cursed, and trues to pastries it's Milaria's fault. And even better if I was a betting half-orc I'd say he's trying it again since it worked so well the first time.
This has to get to Plenarius and those other mucky-mucks and soon.
-
More later on Explorers group.
Been training the kids at Hope House. Most of them are great. A few are having problems adjusting but Jil is so patient and for an older kid it's so hard to think about not having your parents anymore.
I'm working with Aubrey more than the others. She's a little firebrand always moving and strong but serious as well. She's lightening up though. It's possible her family is still alive since she said that the dwarven guards took them and thank the gods she didn't have any brothers or sisters. I'm going to take her home to Center. I think Inirine and Heinrich would be good for her not to mention the kids and Lily.
Jil is opening up for adoption too. I'm home a lot now...
Can't seem to find Maev anymore, so I'm not holding the room. Aubrey'd like her own space she's almost that age now. And Shar'yn would be good company she could still help her and Jil with the other kids.
I'll ask her.
-
We had a long talk. Aubrey is so excited that I would give her a home I had to hold her back. I had to tell her some cavat caveats to the deal. Going to write them down so I don't forget.
1. I'm not your mom but you have to listen to me like I was because I'm responsible for you. This means I'm going to tell you no and even discipline you sometimes. It's part of "being responsible".
2. I'm away sometimes. This means you have to go to the House of Hope and help Jil and Shar'yn while I travel. No arguments and no you can't stay home alone.
3. You are not to run around Prantz by yourself. If you have to go to House of Hope you go to Jil's first and travel with her and Daren. Or if you are alone for any reason you go to Caniel's or Exodus's or Jil's or whoever is home. You do NOT run around by yourself.
That was a hard one to explain. She kept saying that there were guards on every corner and how safe the city is. How do I explain that it's not? How do I explain what a young full-of-life girl without a family would look like to a city that hires people to do demonic summonings? I finally got her to listen when I reminded her how many of her little friends from the time between her parents disappearing and Jil getting her have just vanished. She said she understood.
4. Jil has to approve this. She is Aubrey's Warder and I have to get permission to adopt.
5. If her parents are found of course she goes back to them.
6. Toran has no church in Prantz and bringing his name up is not a good idea so worship at home. Toran will understand.
I need to find Maev. I don't know if she still believes but she can help Aubrey maybe since Aubrey's parents were or are Toranites. Oh, Lucius too.
7. No snooping. You have your own room with your own chest and your own books. If it's in my room, or if it's hidden, it's there for a reason and keep your little freckled nose out of it.
There I think that's all. She's asked me a dozen times when she can come to the house and I've never seen her smile so much. The kids just need someone to care for them to love them and to give them guideance. I've been rewarded and also so torn up when I work with them. I hope others adopt them and I really hope some of their parents can be found.
Oh and about the MAF. Snuck back to the castle after some of us met with Drogo and Daniel and searched more and got caught by the castle guards who let us go and I got killed by a snake. So did Galen and his pal Chumley. Thank the gods Quillwem was there. We didn't find anything new except Ferrit found a book with that crest on it. So we've split up and are doing some stuff independantly and Quillwem is holding a couple meetings of the groups to compare notes. Freldo and I are going to investigate bishops and clergy from that time period.
That's about all nothing new at work. Filing and more filing.
-
Well. Let’s see.
First, before I get into the whole thing with the priest. Talked to Jil, found out I have to go through Prantz government to get Aubrey as a legal ward. Ugh. I told Aubrey this and she was crushed. She’s only just going on 12 but she picks up stuff fast and knows what Jil went through to get the orphanage started. So she knows how long it might take. I told her she can come visit often and I’m going to apply and continue to teach her. I know it made her unhappy but it’s all I can do until I can make it legal. I’ll get the paperwork tomorrow.
Second. Heard that the high priest of Rofirein was going to speak and went to see along with a large group. I saw Jil, Jennara who was really interested in this I can imagine, that guy I bought cat’s potions from, Rhynn, Michaelis, Caid (the biggest human I’ve seen ever; tall as Mikey was, taller even!), some brownie who kept scribbling stuff nonstop, a few folks I don’t know, Jharl’s wife, Ferrit, Yardislan, Preacher was there, that’s about all I remember.
We went to listen in front of the courthouse. And this guy came out and talked and as soon as I heard his voice I knew. It took a little bit to put it together though. Wyleth. The one was supposed to kill Kat. Not good.
The priest, Hiruman, came out after and said that basically it takes some things to find out what you’re made of, and that despite his trying to argue and convince Broegar they had “come to an agreement” and while I was studying Wyleth and he was talking apparently some excitement happened. We never found out what the agreement was; next thing we know the priest has a knife in his shoulder and Wyleth is covering him with his body and folks are yelling and guards are everywhere. I used the commotion to slip away and around to watch Wyleth and the priest since I didn’t see where the assassin went but I saw Jennara take off like someone lit her tiny halfling buns on fire. And she’s faster than I am!
I watched and I didn’t see Wyleth do anything to the priest but he did put on a good unhappy face. Yelling orders and what, acting all upset and concerned. From what I know of him this got me curious. So I waited until they took the priest away and followed Wyleth into the courthouse. I saw his face alone in the hall. I saw all sorrow just fall off it. He got a totally blank look, went into his offices, shut and locked the door and I heard some furniture move then him writing.
Interesting.
Caught up with the group a little bit later apparently Yardislan had deflected the knife and then the guy ran and they chased and Jennara and the cat’s potion guy caught him. But he drank some poison or something and was stone cold dead. He was really unremarkable and no one recognized him, I didn’t either. But he had a note on him that I’ll get a copy of from Jil who found it.
Got to wonder here. From what I heard Yard was on the leftish of the guy and deflected the knife to the right. It hit the priest. What if the knife was never meant for the priest? What if it was meant for Wyleth?
Poison makes me think thieves. Knife throwing and assassins too. Got to talk to Ferrit about that. She’d maybe be able to find out if Broegar left any guilds working in Prantz though I doubt it.
Time to go to work. Keeping my ears open now. After work: Hope House! Going to work on tumbling with the kids they love that and Aubrey will be my assistant. She’s almost as strong as I am when I’m not wearing my jewelry!
*tucked inside is a hand copied slip containing the information on the note*
Abram Cove's Almanac
for the Everyday Upright Man
Your lucky number is 4
Todays Brain Bender
r s t is i i s
T P M K M Q I D K D Q Z R Q Q D K T A P I
Recent Deaths: Alleal Esilurd, Petra Peliarsi, Ladluir Donanr, Hobert Coir, Fli'gar Olodare, Meli Broedleau
Recent Birthdays: Corletta Criang, Elldor Atronkin, Gralash Ironblood, Wyleth Rothbak, Staad Dalewind, E'lenya Volraen, Darien March, Alana Nieves, Carmine Ellison, Hagur Foecrusher, Latdial Nis'heas
More lucky numbers: 84 7 20 70 63 42
Advert: Many have pondered the question, what if? The end of the Bloodwar, The takeover of Prantz. Weather patterns and climate changes have swept across Layonara from corner to corner. Many new things have come into our world lately, many for the worse. These changes touch more then just the ones we love and care about. Our forests are getting thinner, fewer birds fly the skys. No longer are we safe from this ever changing world. It doesn't matter if you're from Mistone, or Hurm, next time you get the chance, please
-
Couldn't have been a stranger day. And here I thought I'd be just dragging a corpse outside the city, finding a way to get rid of it, then wandering back to the house to get ready for work and maybe visit the kids later.
Right.
So right about the time I scribbled the above entry we were done talking and standing around "Fred" and ready to move. Jil noticed guards watching and told us to get moving. I hoisted Fred and right about then a bird came for me to report to the courthouse. So I dropped Fred onto Galen and went on over to see what I was needed for. I'd be lying if I didn't say my mouth was as dry as the Great Desert and my stomach was knotting around those pears I ate. Was directed to the same room I've been in twice before, and same voice hidden in darkness. Wyleth. He told me that the persons responsible for attacking the high priest had to be caught and their skin removed from the mortal coil. I told him I'd find out and "disappear" them. Note to self that I technically didn't agree to kill them. Cause Jil was pretty certain that Wyleth was the target like I thought based on the note we found. Irony, more on that later.
So I agree to investigate and "disappear" those responsible and he's going to want a report. I wandered by his office again before leaving. He was in and the door closed but I heard the well-oiled hinges of another door (I think; could have been a drawer) and then a "thud" from across the room and a draft of cold air from under the door. It wasn't until I was sitting here in front of the nice fire in Sallaron's cozy guild house that I figured out what I must have heard when I first listened. Wyleth was penning the note to summon me.
In the quiet of this rustic room I am thinking a few things that I need to keep in mind. Wyleth may know about the rest of them. I was stealthed most of the time so if they can see me I've been a dead woman since the beginning but if not, they don't know I know these people. And they sent me after them on purpose. Or, Wyleth might be involved in something else against Broegar. If they know about my sneaking; if he does; then he's given me a free pass so far.
This makes my head hurt. Anyway, snuck out of Prantz and followed the drag marks to this guild hall. I'm no ranger but they weren't even trying to hide their trail. I scuffed it up as best I could to make it look like just lots of feet.
Got to the house and found them arguing about what to do with the body and that's when Galen yelled HE'S NOT DEAD which got everyone's attention right quick. Turns out Preacher tried to raise him, but he's not that good yet so Fred was breathing and whatnot but no mind upstairs the soul wouldn't come back. So after that shock and no one knowing how to bring him back and Jennara leaving upset and Michealis and Pyrin going to talk to her Galen said we had to kill him again so he could be raised proper.
Well, that put a bee in some bonnets. Now I'm not cold hearted especially since I think this guy could help us and killing him was hard. I agreed but didn't participate which is the same as being there in a Law sense but it's not the worst thing I have done knowingly. A certain slaver comes to mind. I'm surprised I can still sleep at night sometimes.
Anyway. Pyrin did the deed and Galen assisted along with Kyle and Ferrit. In the kitchen of all places. Remind me not to eat dinner there. Michaelis came in right as they finished apparently and was just furious that we didn't stop it or tell him but he'd have prevented it and we had to know what he knows. So Pyrin finished before Michaelis could stop him he drowned the guy but with no mind did Fred even know? And we took Fred along with a fuming Michaelis to the temple of Prunilla for a raising by someone who had experience in it.
Bout this time too Jennara and Caighd left and the little brownie reporter was gone too thank gods because he kept asking questions that I couldn't answer in case they ended up in print. They headed to Prantz at least Caighd and Jennara did don't know where the brownie went. I gave Jennara a key to my house in case there was trouble so she could portal out.
So Fred is alive. Again. He won't talk to us just to Ferrit and Pyrin who he must have recognized as kin. So at this point we're back at the guild house and two things have happened that make me very uncomfortable; I find myself agreeing with Rhynn who for once was lucid and making sense and I was trusting my life and more to two rogues one of which has tried wheeling and dealing me before. Trust isn't easy on a good day for me. This was a very hard day.
But I told them as much as I dared. Not about the first test but about what I did and what I saw. They agree that there is a secret passage and it should get looked in to. Michaelis says the Tornaites are doing something about Broegar and that's something I'd like to know more about as well.
Pyrin came back after letting Fred go and none of us saw him leave. I copied what he said exactly:
"First and foremost, Fred would not give out his name. At all. And precious little about our friend, Abram Cove, the Naked Man... But Fred said he didn't know more, and there wasn't any budging him. He didn't respond to threats except through professional courtesy after a fashion... Confirmed all that we already knew, though. The man he was to kill was that Wyleth fellow, with weapons and poison he picked up in Lannisport - that's our next stop, by the way, and I'll explain why soon - but that went foul, as we all know. Turns out that the "Flying to Hurm" was right on the money, and my doubts were wrong... If things went bad, there was a contact waiting there, and probably will be for some time.
I tried getting more information out of him, but he wouldn't budge, and it was either kill him or let him go. I'd already killed him once, today, so I wasn't too keen on doing it again... If, in fact, I could've done it at all.
Now, though... As to why we need to go to Lannisport, first. The man who made Lucky Number Four's birthday present should still be there. However, I'll at least need to speak with him without a parade of paladins at my back first, if we're to get any useful information from him. I'll gladly have along anyone who is or can seem shady enough to not be amiss in speaking with a poisoner. He'll not likely be there long, though, so we'll have to hurry, which means heading through the Swamp of Lost Souls."
Okay that's not bad, pretty good transcription. Couldn't get his accent though. So that's where we are now. Fred is gone, and I've no doubt he'll disappear just fine. And we're onto the path of those that don't want the dwarf in power any more so good for me. Now how do I spin this to Wyleth? And how do I find out whose side Wyleth is on anyway?
I've got to send some notes to Aubrey telling her I'll be gone a little while.
-
I’ve heard about things like fainting spells and vapors and attacks that leave a person unable to act, paralyzed within their own mind.
Sometimes I think that’s happening to me.
So much so soon. We looked deeper into the Wyleth thing. The more we hunt, the more convinced I am that he’s not Broegar’s man. Whose man he is remains to be seen because we can’t find him.
Let me back up. Pyyran pretty much decided it was his investigation when he took Fred into a back room, stuck Ferrit as guard and interrogated him without letting anyone else have a say. And Fred got away without anyone’s say either which really started this mess we’re in. Jennara wanted to put him in jail for what he did and is deeply suspicious of Pyyran (I am too he’s kind of like a used ox merchant sometimes) but this was flame to tinder. Now Jennara is convinced that Pyyran will be keeping whatever suits him from the party and things kind of split up along loyalties from there. It got uglier later on but I’m getting ahead of myself again.
We went to Lannisport and checked around and I saw the “white-haired lady” (it’s blonde really, just pale and its Sophia Jharl’s wife but that information is better left unsaid) in a bar. Started to talk to her but got distracted by what was obviously a thief talking to two men in a corner. Don’t know what twinged my ear tips but I excused myself and followed him.
Lost him, Pyyran and Jil and Ferrit were following too. Things kind of got chaotic from there until the two men from the bar came out and introduced themselves. At this point I stayed hidden the whole time. Seemed prudent to listen rather than talk.
We followed them to their house outside Karthy. Barnard and Percival I think their names were, brothers by the look. A lot of talking took place and mostly they stood around; I hid by the kitchen. No idea if anyone saw me. Again Pyyran did all the actual talking and we managed to find out a few important things. Wyleth was once Branderbackian. They are not pleased with him for turning “traitor”. And likely they commissioned the hit and for sure Barnard made the poison. At that point Elohanna was really wanting to leave and seemed to have good reason even though Pyyran wanted to stay and eat. Ferrit was able to sneak over by a table and get a look at a note and we got out of the den alive. And their mother…interesting woman. Scary.
Ferrit she managed to get a good look at a note that was lying on a desk in the dining area. It said that a white haired woman knowing the code words was found in Hurm, but she eluded pursuit and fled somewhere else. Apparently Sophia avoided them and the mission was a failure, guessing that means the hit on Wyleth.
So then we end up meeting in Lorindar. This was after a break; I went to work and listened to the chatter, seems the officials of the government are not as cocky as they were. They scuttle back and forth from building to building as if a volley of knives were aimed at them unless they move fast enough. I also got to take a bunch of folks out on a romp around Dregar and the Berhagens, mostly younger kids who haven’t seen much of the world. It was a blast.
Oh, my eyes started glowing purple. This was in Karthy, after we left the thieves den. Strangest thing, just like Jennara told me, my skin which has been feeling tougher and tougher finally just felt like iron underneath. And my eyes glowed. I dyed my clothes to match it looks pretty good. Kind of girlie, I’m sure Kat would approve. Aubrey came over and I had fun explaining to her why. She seems determined to follow the monk’s path and I’m glad to instruct her. She stayed overnight and we tried to bake pie but I’m so bad at it we ended up eating the cooked fruit from the shell because it didn’t set up right. Still tasted good though!
Then Lannisport and that was a mess. Everyone was first all clotted together (this after attracting attention in Karthy for the same thing). I went sneaky to avoid prying eyes the the others scattered after Jennara and Pyyran got into it, she being even more obstinate on the side of law and he getting even more smirky and smarmy on the side of his objectives. Rhynn went off to gather information, I heard her saying hello to folks and saying she was going to sell food or something. Which would give me a chuckle except that she has posted a food list on the Surge. Rhynn a baker…who’d have thought.
Anyway Galen tried very very hard to convince Pyyran to back down, and he was absolutely convinced that we needed to find Sophia. After listening to him talk I could see his point so I snuck off to a temple and sent her a bird. It was long and I had to really thing about what would bring her here. I was pretty sure she’d refuse but she agreed to meet me at the Inn in Lorindar and I’m super glad she did. We owe her; the Rofireinite Church owes her which is funny because she’s a Xeenie. I can see what she’d demand in payment for her contribution…and she was eyeing Caighd earlier in the investigation…
Anyway. Sophia found out the nerve toxin in the poison used on the priest. It’s some plant from Vanavar. She let me copy her information and she took a big risk in coming because of some guy she was on the run from that she met in Hurm and she wasn’t giving me any more details than that. But thanks to her we got something to work with.
After the group wandered around asking every living soul in Lorindar if they’d see Wyleth by his description, pretty much making sure he won’t surface for air for weeks, everyone kind of just left. Some information was found though. Ferrit found out that a man who looked like Wyleth bought a boat ticket to North Point. So now they want to go there.
Here is moral quandary one. Caighd is pretty clueless to what’s going on and said so. So I invited him to the house to fill him in on what’s been happening. Kyle and Ferrit were there and they’ve been curious too about what I’ve been doing and they’re my first and oldest friends so I invited them along. Jennara was still miffed and close by and her input is always valuable plus I figured she and Caighd both would like to hear about the poison so she came with. Jilsephonie I looked for but could not find. I sent her a bird earlier today anyway.
So we get to the house and talk it all out and I tell them about the poison and my role in this and my suspicions about Wyleth. We had a good long talk; so long that Caighd fell asleep in Mikey’s old big chair by the couch. Jennara flopped on the cushions, which made me feel good she felt comfortable enough to relax. She even raised her voice to a normal speaking voice but this is obviously hard for her and she only did it once.
Everyone had excellent thoughts; Galen wondered if the poison was meant to incapacitate rather than kill, Ferrit expounded on the properties of poisons and agreed to do some research on a cure, and Jennara, Galen and I discussed a bit of a ruse based on something Ferrit noted.
Wyleth was never seen leaving the city. He was never seen boarding the boat.
We may just let them leave; grab Jil out and send Caighd and maybe Kyle with if they will help with the ruse, and let the rest go unknowingly. Then we’ll smoke out Wyleth if he’s even there. It’s a gamble, just because he wasn’t seen boarding doesn’t mean he didn’t make a break for it. But it’s a chance I’m willing to take. Jennara and I had to discuss it though; deception does not come easy to her. And she’s not fully decided if she’ll do this or not. But it would be convincing if they didn’t know. And we’d need Kyle and Caighd to make it more so. We’ll see; Jennara has to decide and preparations have to be made and I need to buck up Galen’s sneak gear since he lost his bag with his cloak and armor inside. He’s still paying me back and I can tell he’s sick of making patterns and gathering silk but that’s tough.
I got a letter today from Inirine; well, it’s from Heinrich actually. Most of the family is well but Inirine is sick and he’d like me to come visit as soon as I can. I’m making plans now, I’ll travel as soon as I can let certain people know where I’ll be. I hope it’s nothing serious.
But all this; all the intrigue, which isn’t in my nature either, and Inirine being sick, and not knowing if I’ll be allowed to adopt Aubrey, and not knowing if I’ll be able to get the house in my name, and just feeling older…this morning, I work and didn’t want to get off the futon. I just lie there, covered up, not moving, not wanting to move.
I don’t know if I should keep working for Prantz or not. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
-
I saw Inirine. She's very ill. I'm more worried than I ever have been and Heinrich is too. I'm so glad Ninya has taken a job with the local seamstress (now that I did not see coming). I visited Ninya to compare sewing styles, it was comforting and we grew closer. That leaves Alfend, with Richy out on his own. Alfend is kind of wandering but Heinrich keeps him busy but I can feel the tension. Inirine can't even get out of bed. It's like I'm losing my mother, or the closest thing I have. She gave me a letter to read if she dies and I cried like I have not cried in years when I thought of that happening. She's so much braver. She was like "Now Puggy, it happens, Ilsare will take me home and I'll be at peace". I never not until yesterday even knew she followed Ilsare.
Gods anyway. Like they care. Blood tries to take over the world and it took some gold dragon - that was NOT Rofirein, god of justice or whatever - to care enough to prevent it from happening. They give their clerics enough power that they can suck on the belief, I guess it makes them stronger, but they don't care. Inirine has had four healers look at her and they all said the same thing; wasting sickness, no cure. So what good are gods if they can't help the sick?
My heart is breaking and I should be happy. I got the house almost as soon as I put in a claim to it. Funny that, but Derrick was okay with it. I sent him a bird. So I'm a home owner and I amended my adoption request to add that which will hopefully make it look better and still I'm crying as I plan my renovations. I'm getting the drawing parchment all wet...
Guess I should mention that the investigation into the curse on the royals of Erilyn has heated up, Ferrit got a reply to a letter she sent, Galen lead a group of spellslingers into the tomb to do some tests on the mirror portal, and we've consolidated the two groups investigating to move faster because we are running out of time. The Vine is involved and possibly Milara too and we need to break this curse. I had the idea that gems of the same colors as the schools of magic might be involved to use the portals and so we are heading out soon to try and find the central tower. I think the portals all lead to the central one, and a gem is needed to get back to the one you came from. Imjam is also closest to the battlefield and the least cooperative, so she bears looking at along with the history and some of the stuff Freldo got from it about her looting the tower. Too much to write now, my hand is shaking, more later.
Ferrit lead a small team to find a cure for the nerve toxin affecting the high priest, Jennara sent word that they have some more information. We gather tonight. I hope I can concentrate.
-
I've had some downtime and it was good. We broke for a while on the hunt for the cure and Wyleth, not for long, but Rhynn says the priest is stable and we were all frazzled. So I went and put in my remodeling request with that gnomish group, Winktiddle, Cogsproket and Nobwidgit. They've been very helpful in planning the changes but wow do they do a lot of drawings and I had to nix some of the crazy things they wanted to add. Just a shuffling around of walls, some more bedrooms, and fix the plaster and add more wood is all I want.
Oh, and new rugs. And a fountain. That's all I want.
Spent the weekend at Hope House, keeping company with Aubrey and the kids, teaching some more defensive techniques. We had fun, Jil got a break for a bit and some lanky skinny boy came around for Shar'yn a couple times. When Jil came back I told her, probably shouldn't have but Shar'yn isn't a grown-up yet and Jil just smiled and seemed kind of proud. She said her girl can take take of herself so I can only assume she followed them and the little twit tried something with Shar'yn. Serves him right, that girl can probably kick his teeth in. And it's good that Daren doesn't know because if anyone messed with his little girl, Blue would put his big green axe to good use so I'm sure Jil must not have told him.
Nothing from home yet.
Galen is happy as a pig in mud since he got a new house. He's south of me and cleaned out all his chests and thanked me and even swept the floor before he left, good man. I'm considering doing a will now that I own. If I can legally adopt Aubrey then she'll inherit but I need an executor and neither of my Voices can do it because of Stubby McEvil. So I'm thinking of Galen, he's pretty even-tempered and has his own nice house and has been a good friend. Mave would have been my choice but she's...she's on a learning curve to a new person. It's hard to watch her drink, smoke and flirt and not be a little off center. I hope she finds her balance soon but I gave her a key anyway she can always stay here.
So Galen it probably is to hold the house in trust until Aubrey can run it herself. If I get the adoption papers through. Bueauracracies!
I need to think. And sleep. So tired.
-
Rest has been good to me. I took Aubrey to see Inirine, they just loved each other. Inirine is still in bed though she's not looking very good and Heinrich is just getting older every day because of it. It's breaking my heart. I never thought of Heinrich as "Dad" I guess, any more that I think Inirine is my mother. But he's been the closest thing and I remember him helping me learn to swing an axe for wood, and teaching me all the trees in the forest when we sometimes went for walks. And he would get really mad if kids threw rocks at me and even threatened to cut off a supplier and blacklist him if his rotten little monsters didn't leave me alone. He cared that much and to see him so miserable hurts.
Aubrey was like a summer breeze for them though she's my little Miss Sunshine. She told them about herself and her folks and her hobbies and Toran, and for a little while everything seemed alright.
We didn't get to visit Richy because they were out of town. But it was good and Inirine wished me all the luck in the world adopting.
Well, the gnomes came and went and I have to say they did a fantastic job. I mean the house is perfect every cornor as flush as can be and the walls all done right and I think a dragon could hit the house and it wouldn't budge. I have a fountain like I wanted near the front and of all things they even left a rug by the door with my initial on it! I was so happy. I have not unpacked a single thing I keep walking around looking at all the craftsmanship. And I was worried!
Got to unpack soon though and put up flyers; two rooms for rent.
-
We messed up. Badly. I learned a lesson I'll never forget and once again shame. That crazy monk Belidil could not leave enough alone and neither could Rain and neither I will ever trust again. Blame was everywhere and yes they and Drogo shoulder most of it but if you come down to it I'm responsible. So is Galen. So are Jharl and Jil and Kyle and Ferrit and Galen and anyone who didn't stand right in front of that mirror and say OVER MY DEAD BODY.
Hope Imjam likes her new rift.
But leave it to me to be more upset about what followed. Opening up a rift is bad enough but inside I might be able to live with it if we lifted the curse.
But no. We made a complete hash of it with argueing and stupid decisions and to beat all we now every single ONE OF US are indebted to some powerful Mistie who picked up our mirror shards ahead of us.
That's all she had to do, pick up some shattered glass and put it in a bag. And we all owe her a favor now.
Oh, and kill Jharl with a gesture and kill Mave because the new hard-fighting heavy drinking sod could not keep her mouth shut. What happened to my Mave? Did I ever know her? Is this who she is? I thought she needed to be grounded was all. Now I know she does but only if it means she doesn't leave the stupid house.
I owe Mist. That means a few things I think. First I will find out who that woman was if she exists. Middle aged beautiful and those eyes should trigger some memories. And barefoot too. I will teach myself about this and I will fix what I have done. I will find the chalice and mend the rift if I can and lift that curse. I have to.
I am going to need help and I know who might answer the call. I trust Jil with my life. Same with Kyle and Ferrit. We'll need Jil's eyes and Ferrit's skills and Kyle's martial training. And Galen. Boy, do I need Preacher now. I don't think he'll let me down.
And Jharl. He was with me every step on the first trek and I with him. He can't be left out. We've got to do this.
I have already gotten some books to research and I'm transcribing copies of what we learned below. I'll write more later on everything that happened in that...place we went. But for now, I need to plan and to learn what exactly I've gotten myself into. Not every Mistie must be a snippy murderess.
What was the name of that girl from years ago? Miriam? Meriann?
Story Mave found:
When I was but a wee lad of not quite 10 summers my father and I traveled north from Homestead to deliver a load of cheese and linen to the elves of Faroth. We’d got not but 2 days journey into the wood when a great bear happened upon our wagons. The elven ranger that was guiding us tried in vain to calm the creature but it was to no use. It was it seemed out for blood and our guide perished that day. My father was nay a woodsman but a farmer and we were in dire straights. The trees seemed to close around us as we continued along the faint trail. The horses were uneasy after the encounter with the bear. It weren’t but a day later when we spotted another elf. Tiny she was and she was a bare as the day she was born. She took no notice of me but my father got all soft in the head. She was laughing as he chased her though the trees and then I never saw him again.
Alone with two pack horses and our merchandise I was stranded in the forest. I tired to recall what the rangers had taught us about being lost in the wood. It was not much use as the thick canopy of branches all but blocked out the sky. I could not tell where the sun was traveling much less guess east from west or north from south. Aimlessly I walked and I hoped that sheer luck would bring me to aid.
Twas about the third night on my own when I saw it. I had made my way to a small clearing and set up a camp hoping that I could discover where the sun was rising in the morning and make for that direction. I had supped on some of the cheese meant for the elves and was checking the lines to the ponies when I saw the lights. Red, yellow, purple... every color of the rainbow they were. They danced and floated in the grove. It seemed like hours that I watched them, and then I saw her.
I saw another elf. I was excited at first, thinking I had been rescued, but then I notices I could see the trees right through her. She walked across the grove and looked in my direction. Her eyes were sad and she was the oldest elf I had ever seen then and still now. Her dress was all flowy and had strange patterns on the sleeves that glowed. She seemed not to notice me as she walked past but when she got to the far edge she stopped and turned toward me. She motioned for me to follow her and I felt my feet move as if I had no say in the matter. When I approached she turned and walked a few steps into the forest, then she outstretched her arm and pointed. In the distance was a tower. It glowed like the patterns on her dress. The colored lights danced all around it as mist from the water surrounding rose into the air. I turned my head to ask what it was but … she was gone. When I turned to look where the tower had been it was gone as well. A voice in the wind whispered “A season of dark, A season of hope ,A season of fear, A season of reason, A time will come to begin again, A time for past renewals, A time will come when wings rush past, The wards will fall, The orbs will glow, The weave travels on, The rivers flow”
Then a bright light burnt into my brain. I covered my eyes as it hit me and fell to my knees. When I looked up I was sitting beside a small well. The horses were grazing just a few steps away and I could hear people. I was in Gellion. I was a full 2 weeks journey from Homestead.
Folk tale: origin: Alindor, Region of the Wolfswood forest: Date and original author unknown.
Something Kyle got from Kat:
Dregar: Days Past - A Discussion
The Great Desert is an ocean of sand that fills the belly of the Dregarian landmass. Once though, many eons ago, this ocean of sand was cut with a river of life. Said to have it's origins high in the mountains ro the northeast, this river, whose name is lost in time, cut a meandering path thru the sands to deliver its waters to the great Sedarian Gulf.
Peoples of the desert relied on the river for water for themselves, their livestock and to water their crops. Farming villages grew to towns and towns grew to cities. Of these cities, few rivaled the great city of Zxar.
It is hard to imagine, when one views the landscape of Dregar, that a great port city existed miles inland from where we see the ocean today. Exist it did, if one believes the tumbled pillars, broken limestone walls, and the rare but exquisite artifacts that surface from time to time.
What we can piece together from the knowledge left behind is that the city was indeed quite large. It would rival Pranzis in its complexity and area. At the center of the city, were three structures. The royal palace home of the ruling Janair family, the Mazaraj, a complex devoted to the study of magic, and a temple to the Water Goddess. Each of these was a grand affair. Arrainged outward from the center were the various structures, all leading down to the all important port. Barges brought cattle, fine desert horses, food, marble and gemstones from the desert for trade around the breadth of Layonara. The homes of the nobility flanked the palace, then the villas of the powerful merchants. Slowly spreading across the desert landscape were the various streets and avenues of markets, theaters, public baths and houses, as well as the limestone abodes of the common folk. Stockyards, warehouses and places of revelry crowded the riverside. Present within the city were also temples to other gods and goddesses. We know one existed to honor the golden dragon god Rofirien, as its remains were reclaimed from the desert by the Mistone Archeological Foundation well over 30 years ago.
What happened to cause the downfall of the city is unknown. Most likely it was the effects of the great cataclysm that caused the landscape to change thus shifting the balance of power in the area. Some, however, think that there were other forces in play before the landscape changed and perhaps it was not the cataclysm that caused the Great Desert to reclaim Zxar into the sands. The Rexari River no longer exists. Nothing can be found of its source or even its exact route. If the river were to have failed, this would have spelled disaster for the peoples of the region. Water from the river was their lifeline in the harsh desert climate.
There has also been speculation that the damage seen on the ruins of Zxar may not be contemporary and may be the result of some grand battle in the city. Should the capital have fallen, it would stand to reason that the vaccum of power in the region may have created enough chaos to topple the entire civilization. Had the two events, the decline of the river and the loss of the city coincided, the effects would have been quite decimating to the peoples.
Song from the Shindy temple:
Spirit touched and adwenth becon
oceans boil into cracks
magics ancient released
Tides betray hearts
hearts betray blood
blood splilled , great ones lost
Bounty broken and never renewed
Magic of Mother protects one but not all
Jarhrid swims lost
That which blesses bounty frees
blood scatterd
Hope gathers
Poem Jil found in the tower bedroom:
Perched high on the breast,
A badge of honor,
Envy’s the one,
Who gets to don her?
The keenness of edge
Picks up on its glow,
Fiery light,
Means death to a foe
Like a circlet of stars,
Pale shimmer of light,
Drip down from the gold,
That carries its might
It shores in a drop,
A tear for the ocean,
Lay nestled in neck,
To protect it from motion
Dangling from lobes,
Like droplets of wine,
Paled in the fall,
They shimmer and shine
A portrait of vanity,
A sun in a shell,
The image of beauty,
For those that can tell
A cold stone of passion,
Caps the scepter of fates,
Plain in its purpose,
It steadies the gait.
Mystery and power,
Reflect the raven’s feathers
Bands of white gold,
The fates, they do tether.
King Briant's journal found in the tower: Readable bits.
… How could we have been so foolish? We thought ourselves in the position of power at last over the evil that has long plagued this land and in our pride we face the very real threat of being not but servants to that evil….
…. Adwneth was livid upon her return to the palace. I had ignored her warnings that something was amiss. I doubted her council that has stood by this family for more that 10 generations as the musing of a paranoid old elf. I have never in my days seen her that angry. I am not sure to whom her anger is directed more to us or to Milara for desecrating the holy Chalice of Bounty?
…. Nadia visited my chambers today. It was good to see her smiling face though it pains me to remind me of my Catherine dead at an assassin’s blade. She and Nadia were so very close, almost as sisters. I could see the pain in her eyes as she looked upon the terraces that once listened to the laughter of our trio. She said that Adweth was working on the curse and not to give up hope. We would overcome that devil Milara.
I feel as tired as my Kingdom. Long has war ravaged our people. Those who once were our allies have turned the cheek to us. I know that giving into this evil is wrong yet I find it difficult to muster the will to fight on. I will speak with her in the morning. Perhaps once again she can find a way. This truce, however grisly the outcome may be just what my people need. A chance to sleep and maybe to dream of a time when evil does not walk in one’s shadow.
… I send the decree. I wait now to see who will respond. Layers and layers, with secrets and secrets. She is still suspicious of one corrupted within our midst. She says the stones tell her one’s heart is undecided. One will undo all if given the chance. By the waves I know not if she is just a crazy old elven witch that is wiser and luckier than any I have ever met or if she is just crazy.
… The tide was as full as Ausir and Orn when they arrived. At first I could not believe what I was seeing. Good Mother preserve us all, I walked in the wake of a legend.
We will tap the power of the ancient well. It will require every minute of the time we have remaining but he says it can be done. The course is laid before us. We begin in the morning. The portals shall ensure the secrecy; the guardians will protect us…
…I held the first of the stones in my hand. The corruption done to it burned my very soul. How beautiful it was to be so deadly. The gross intricacies of the complex designs seemed to boggle the mind. We count ourselves as above those that came before us, as more intelligent, more learned and more wise. I am beginning to see how foolish we stand. The ancestors tapped into veins of power and wisdom a mere mortal of a man like I will never understand. As I handed the stone back to the makers I indeed could understand the intoxication of such power. I pray to the Mother I have the soul to resist it when the time comes to face the test. … She has given me the first key to the ancient door. This one shall be mine. I look upon my own reflection in its plain design and I see the beauty that exists within. On the morrow I shall depart and make my pilgrimage to the well. I know in my heart what I shall ask of the ancients.
… The pilgrimage went well. I was surprised to see Challum there though. Saeeda does not take well with his choice of patrons. Long has that old contention been a thorn in the side of this family. We are blood of the sea, and the sea has many faces. Challum walked with me for a spell. Something troubles the youth. I woman I think has his heart in her clutches. I pity his heart. Not a day goes past I do not see her smiling face then the twisted pain of the poison that took her from me. I will avenge her murder.
… Adwenth spent the entire day staring into the facets of that orb. Her sanity I question these days. She mutters about darkness lying within while all the while we make progress on the chalice. It is almost complete I am told. The taint is slowly being siphoned away. Time is of the essence. I feel no change in my being, but I have come to dread each sun setting as that puts us closer to the abyss of eternal breathless life.
… It is almost time. The artist arrived today. He seems a good natured soul to accept the task placed before him. We gathered at the palace for the sitting. The spell was cast, none will remember. It was for the best. That is what she tells me. She is certain all is not as it looks.
… The missives have been sent. The Rofireite proctor measured the distance. We marked the spot. The field will begin to assemble. There will be no breakage of our word but we will assemble and defeat this menace once and for all. When we assemble in our glory and hold aloft the restored chalice, Milara will feel the wrath of a family wronged. Our lives for Alindor and hells take back that devil and his minions.
…Oh the Gods what have I done? Ruins… it lies in ruins… One whose blood runs ……
-
So. It's quiet, Aubrey has gone back to Hope House.
So. That place.
It was dark, at first. Magic didn't work. When it became light we could see pockets of wild magic; different things appeared, and many of the group heard "whispers" that seemed to affect them badly. I heard only one, which was something along the lines of "doom doom doom" and I ignored it. Nonsense.
Some of the others couldn't though...Kyle told me that he kept hearing how Ferrit didn't really love him, and after she died in that awful place, how he failed her. Mave...
Mave. I'll come back to her.
Anyway many people heard many things and everyone was shaken. The native life looked normal but wasn't, horses and badgers were powerful and hostile and tried to tear us apart. There were men shaped things too, that fought like demons. And everywhere there were shafts of color, which we figured out later were the different colors of magic. Someone; Clarissa?; said maybe it was fragmented magic, but I don't know enough to say.
Three people had shards of the mirror stuck in them. We kept them, didn't know if they'd be useful or not, and glad we did later. We kept finding them. It was like the mirror portal had imploded and we got sucked in, along with the pieces.
Eventually we had all but 5. And we came to a hill and on that hill was a headless man, standing in front of a shattered mirror and wearing the livery of Erilyn. We think it was King Briant. There was a tower beyond him, the second tower?, and Jilsephonie said there were sea creatures inside, ready to fight. But before we could investigate that further a woman showed up.
I must describe her since I must find her. She had long dark blonde hair with lots of silver and grey, and grey eyes that
that were like looking into the eye of a storm I was going to say. Grey. Shifting from light to dark. You could see her power in them. And she was wearing a simple robe of blue and grey and she was barefoot. For some reason that stuck in my mind.
She had a bag with the last five shards. She was very pointed and nasty to those of us wearing Shindy's gifts and killed Jharl simply for calling her Adwenth by accident. Just like that, she lifted her hand and he died. Then Mave got
Mave, you stupid hotheaded fool. Gods woman why? I loved you like a sister and here you are wrapped in magical shrouds and half-rotted on my floor. WHY??
The woman took a boon from us. The thought is she's an avatar of Mist but I don't know. Now every person in the party owes her a favor; her personally, I got the feeling; in return for the five shards. And we did it, because we knew we needed them to get home. We put them in the mirror and were transported to the temple of Mist in Leringard. And that was that. I left; I will take care of this in my way on my time and the hells and all their heat with certain people who don't have the common sense Rofirein gave cabbage.
Now to write what I don't want to write. Mave is dead. She's an eyeless green corpse on my floor. I've cried myself dry, or so I think. I don't want to belabor this. So here's what happened.
Went exploring with Galen. Saw body near Orc's Watch. Saw shield with Mist's emblem on body. In fit of pique, ignored body. Went out again a few days later with Galen and Jennara, to walk, talk, and Galen wanted to see the horses in Orcs Watch to perhaps buy. Wanted to look at body again; guilt? recognition? I don't know.
Giants near body. Giants picking meat off bones. Went sneaky and took a look.
Mave.
Went nuts, Jennara distracted and I took down some giant with a huge axe that had been picking at her; this just in my mind Sunset's Dawn?; and then we finished them. I was in a rage. I killed and took pleasure in it. I think I scared Galen.
Took her home. Cleaned her up and got magical shrouds to keep her from rotting further. She'd been there a while. Suicide by giant? Whatever. And she had MIST'S EMBLEM ON HER SHIELD!!!!!
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!!!!!
-
It has been a long week. Mave has been in my chest, the one that keeps food fresh, for all this time. I locked it so Aubrey wouldn't find her.
Mave, dead in a chest in my house. I think only now can I appreciate the black humor of it.
I won't be using that chest again, though.
Had a little chat with a Mistie. Found one through Galen, of all people. And another irony is it was the one I was orginally looking for. Murianne.
She was reserved but willing to speak to me. We went to the temple of Mist that I marched out of, Mave's body over my shoulder, not two months ago, and we sat in a corner near waterfalls, in the rain.
My first impression is that it's not as unpleasant as I thought. The rain was not hard but gentle and the winds didn't chill to the bone, and I never got hit by the lightning. I half expected to. More than half, actually.
She told me about Mist, about self-sufficiency, about overcoming obstacles. More, she told me that Misties are expected to revel in the power of the storm. To respect it, not to control it or prevent it. Now, that's chaos, in a way. But as I listened I heard a voice in the back of my head. That tenor, quiet but firm, when Aubret would say "Use your orc blood. Respect it. There is a time and a place and don't be ashamed and try to hide it. It will save you at times."
There is a key issue here of control. I had to tame that side or I should say learn when to express it. When I found Mave's body and was faced with a giant who clearly was better trained than the others I just let it go. I harnessed it then, but didn't control it, and beat that giant with the shimmering axe to a bloody pulp. But it was that unleashed bloodlust that carried me.
So as the cleric talked I heard things that I could understand. Perhaps I should have done this sooner. Does this change my mind? I don't know. But while Shindy still feels "better" to me...I no longer feel a blind hate toward Mist. She was a powerful woman, as her story goes. She took her own place in the Heavens. I can respect that. I only wish there was a way to get Shindy and Mist to stop warring...
So anyway then Jeran shows up and he's her boyfriend apparently. They started getting cuddly and I had heard enough so I left, and tithed the church in Murianne's name before I left. So much learned. I chickened out on asking her about what Mist looks like, and if she's a silver-blonde haired lady with stormy grey eyes who goes barefoot. Maybe next time.
I told her my need was based on a eulogy for Mave and I wasn't lying. So now I will write one and then think on it to edit.
For Mave.
We knew her first as a paladin of Toran, strict but kind, reserved but passionate at her core. We loved her then, because we could depend on her. Because we knew she would defend us if we needed.
We knew her as we adventured and investigated with her; we knew a sharp mind and an inquisitive wit. We knew she cared and would stand by us until an end was reached.
Along the course of her life she felt the call to cleric, and we saw again how special she was. Some of us saw too, that she was changing. That her passions were greater for living and her emotions stronger. All this we saw together, whether clearing spiders from a dark forest path or exploring the past. Perhaps we think it was change; I say it was a peeling away of years of expectations.
For some of us life is an easy path. You decide what you want to do and you do it until you die or the Soul Ma comes and snaps you up. For Mave, it wasn't so easy. I stand here and tell you that there is a part of me that will never forgive not rescuing her sooner from the Vine. Would she still be Mave, if I had?
But.
If I had, then she would have never known the fullest part of her. The part that liked beer, that laughed long and hard at jokes, that knew love in all its glories. Those shackles of her childhood that put her in the talberd of Toran would have kept her firey soul hostage. We all worried when what we knew; control, reserve, narrow focus; went away. But it was for us that we worried. For her part, Mave was happy...delighted...free. For the first time perhaps in her life, she was herself, and not the image of her father. And most of all, her core didn't go away. She still stood by us, dedicated, loyal to the end.
You see this shield, with the emblem of Mist on it. There is a story there. I confess, as some of us might, that I did not understand why she would pick THAT god, THAT way of life.
But now, I do.
Mave only ever wanted to be free. I understand now, that Mist represents that. There are other reasons...many more than I'm sure I even know. But in the end, her soul was hers, and she died on her terms and understanding the risks. As we put her into the earth, next to her father...let us understand that a lifetime spent trying to please a ghost, a memory, in the end is not worth it. Live for yourself. Overcome your adversities, and live free and true to your ideals.
I think that will work.
Oh I have a renter now. A gnome, fast and green. His name is Zup...Zupsupandsway? Zupsup Answay? I don't know. He paid for two months, and agreed to my terms. He's a tailor though and a good one, so perhaps we can hunt for skins sometime. I can't wait to introduce him to Aubrey, she likes the gnomish people.
Time to think.
-
We rest somewhere in Vanavar and I have so much to write my hands cramp just thinking about it.
I'll catch up the basics. Two renters; Zup and a gent named Lions who is one of Jennara's Rofie boys. Seems a nice guy though and very polite. Zup paid up two months and Lions paid the same I guess I'd better note when they paid.
Zup was a couple weeks ago so he's due again the 16th M. and Lions the 24 M. I don't see them much but there was hot tea on the table the other day so someone is in and out.
Much to write about Wyleth. Much. Prantz let me go anyway so it's good because I have the time to persue this and I will.
Oh, there is much to write. Life and especially death.
Mave is buried.
-
We're camped and this book will do until I can transcribe it.
We have the antidote. Plant-men and snakes later, the whole time with Wyleth smirking in our ears, we have it. Been a lot of discussion about what to do with it. Three doses, one to Jil bless her brave heart, and two left.
One has to go to Barvath or whatever his name is that I keep messing up and getting suffering looks from Jennara. One to hold on to in case the cure does not get to him.
Let me summarize, some day I'll need this when I can't remember whether I put tea on let alone what I did when I was 32. Oh, and I just had a birthday again. Danged things keep coming.
We witnessed an attempted assassination of Barvath. Wyleth was there too as an assistant, lying scum. Yardislan the Righteous Prig tried to deflect the knife and it hit Barvath but we now know the knife was intended for Wyleth.
Jennara and a few others chase "Fred" the assassin. Fred dies. We all stand around his body wringing our hands until the guards start to come and I pick him up along with others and play "he's not dead he's dead drunk" with the body. Get him out of the city.
Galen tries to raise him. Galen can't raise an eyebrow and we get a zombie. I feel slimey writing this but we end up pretending not to hear Ferrit and Pyyran re-killing him so we can raise him proper at the Prunilla temple. Michealis comes to investigate and the whole smashing irony of the situation left me laughing. But it was funny...I wish I could be all smug and good about it but it was funny. The way he marched down the hall and he got to the door just about the time Pyyran was pulling "Fred's" head out of the water...
So we raise him and find out he's a rogue type (Pyyran and Ferrit interrogate alone, rest of us hang out in Sal's front hall). Get a name and location and go there. Find another name and location and go there and long story short it was this family of Branderback types, Barnard was one and there were a few others and their mama in the kitchen. Barnard planned the assassination with poison he made himself and something about Wyleth being a dog or a curr or something. Apparently Wyleth decided to drop his assocation with Barnard's "family" and they didn't take kindly nor to the new rules in Prantz.
Okay. So now I think we need to find Wyleth and then the cure. Some folks decide not to get involved with this mess and we end up with just a few. Jennara only agrees because Wyleth might help us get the cure. We head to Lor and Sophia and Jil scry on Wyleth with some clothes we get there of his that he pawned. Sophia gets the attention of the Oom Karik and that's bad; they are apparently magical bloodhounds and terrifying to boot. Sophia also sees the monument in Prantz to the fallen and North Point which is where our boy is. Oh, and Miko (?) is hunting Sophia and I see him once he's headed to Prantz with another one of those Alindor Branderback family theives.
So we head there and catch him trying to hide out while Stubby's boys hunt him. I help him get to our ship and we take off and all's well for about five minutes.
Then we interrogate him. He's a smug son of a dog, he is. He tells us a lot of what we know, very little we don't. I fail to see the use of him after he says he was going to use Aubrey as a hostage to make me kill Katrien. Pretty much that's when I decided to kill him. Lex the Cleric of Aeridin That Would Rather Talk About Preserving Life Than Actually Do It protests and I swear is about to throw himself in front of Wyleth to "save" him from bloodthirsty me and Galen who I never appreciated more and then it's decided by a majority to leave him alive and so I relent.
For now. I have a little trick they don't know about.
Anyway, so now we go to Vanavar to find the cure after a brush with a "pirate" ship that turns out to be just a regular ship and Kyle visits his family and we throw Wyleth in the town jail and go hunting. Find the leaves at cost (couple of deaths, but the healer types are able to set them right) then the venom. Who under the heavens of Layonara names a snake the "four-eyed lemon snake?" I think the druids are smoking too much nature.
So we pick up Wyleth, head back to North Point, get the antidote made and here we sit. So many questions. How to get the antidote to Barvath who is inside Broegar's castle; well, Jennara says the acting head of the Rofireinite church will help with that. What to do with Wyleth; seems we're kind of for giving him up to the Rofireinites quiet like, without telling the Prantz government. And I'm going to kill him but that's later.
I just want Barvath to be cured and for the gods sakes tell us what he was going to announce that day months ago. I've been away for months. Letters to Aubrey, home briefly to say hello and take on my renters and that's it I'm back on this again. No time to be her friend, no time spent listening to her thoughts and troubles and trying to teach her to be the best she can be. What kind of mother spends all her time away? I'm no better than Ash was with her kids. For that matter I need to check on them, see how they're doing; Ty has them I think. But I need to get home and stay home and be her mom even if Prantz can't decide if that's okay or not. Hells with them she needs a mother. For that matter Jil's been with us the whole time and I know Daren can't be happy trying to run that orphanage with Shar'yn. He's going to pop when he finds out she got poisoned.
Need to send a letter to Kat about the cure when we get closer to Prantz. And as soon as I get some time with Aubrey I head straight to Inirine and check on her.
I want to go home.
-
Things have settled down, some questions answered. Aubrey is out practicing on the pell I made her, but it won't last long, I'm no carpenter. I'll have to ask Kyle if he can make a better one.
Things I won't forget. We set sail for Audira after a false start over land and met a really strange halfling on a stranger ship. Robert, I think that's what he said his name was. And a LOT of halfling sailors and some humans. They snuck up on us before dawn and even Jil couldn't see the ship in the fog and dark because the whole dang thing was painted black! Even the sails, the oars, the ropes, the mast. Everything. Turns out this Robert wanted Wyleth, who by this point was insufferable smug and way beyond not worth the trouble, and we ended up having to pay 25,000 True to prevent what would have been a really nasty battle. Us, against over a hundred crewmates. With the crew of our charter hiding downstairs. Interestingly, they ran below decks when the black ship first showed up visible, so they must know who it is.
Anyway, Kyle and Ferrit both had Angel money on them from business transactions, so we lucked out there. And even better luck, after all that I went down and looked through everything Wyleth brought with him and found a really shiney sword with some sparkly to it. Gave it to Kyle and he said it was worth a lot, he sold it later in Audira and got most all his money back. So that worked out.
We traveled from Audira to Corax, Lake, desert feels hotter than it has before. Then Jennara went to talk to Reus and I snuck behind to check out Wyleth's office.
Okay, going to summarize here because so much happened.
1) Office secret passage found. Bad news for Wyleth. I sneak up give Jennara the key to my house and go get the others and we head to my house to wait.
2) Jennara talks Reus into trying her prisoner separately but does not mention it's Wyleth or she did and Reus didn't hear her. Most likely second option since she's always whispering anyway.
3) Meanwhile we all agree to take Wyleth who is still chatting away to Sophia to Vehl, but something about this sits wrong with me. I don't second-guess group decisions but I wonder about Reus. After all, Wyleth fooled the Rofies once. I ask Jil to go check on him. My idea is to get Wyleth tried elsewhere by the Rofies and turn him in to Prantz dead, more on that later.
4) Jil comes back and Reus wants Wyleth turned in to Prantz. He didn't know it was Wyleth we had. Hours of discussion, again agree to take him to Vehl to protect Jil, her kids, and myself. And sometime while all this is going on, Galen leaves.
5) We're getting ready to go. Knock on door. Galen with the Prantz guard. Half of us were in shock, Jennara had already left to go talk to Broegar with Reus or she'd have arrested Galen on the spot I think. Some dwarf named Taggert marches in with a bunch of guards behind him, into my house, and grabs Wyleth and drags him out by the hair. He orders us to follow and we do. Galen does not look at anyone but the anger was as thick as stew. We follow Taggert to the castle.
6) Get inside, Broegar is hearing Jennara and Reus who I found out later turned Wyleth in anyway from his conversation with Jil. Reus and Jennara are dismissed, Wyleth comes up, tries to turn me in as a known associate of Katrien, and Broegar tells him that he was never supposed to kill Kat, just watch her. I wonder because Wyleth was pretty surprised, and Broegar was all condescending then about how orcs don't make good espionage agents. That makes me laugh a little. Then Wyleth's activities that Broegar found out about after the fact get brought up, and he's sentenced to death in the morning which by all the information I can gather actually happened. We are commended and given a small sum of money, I don't even know how much since I just had them give Jil mine for Hope House.
A couple things occured to me over the course of this mess. One, I tried to kill Wyleth, so I'm not quite as nice as I thought I was. He was such a smug, smirky wanker, always laughing at us even as he made his plans that Sophia was trying to tease out of him it turns out. Don't underestimate her, ever. But on the road from Audira to Corax, I had enough and tried to death smack him. Insufferable child of an unmarried mother just laughed, although I did hurt him some. Embarassing.
Second, and I need to tell Kat this; oh, and I did get a note off to her and her latest Voice has the scoop; I don't think Broegar has clerics. At all. He hates religion, hates it. No religion, no clerics, and I wondered why they could not cure Barvath. I mean, poison is tough, but clerics can raise dead even. Curing a poison isn't that hard, I've seen demon poisons be wiped away by a god-man's touch, how can a terrestrial snake's venom be so hard? He doesn't have them, I'm sure of it. I'd bet only healers. This is important for anyone who tries to stop him to know. And I know it won't be me directly anymore, the third thing I've decided is that I have too much to lose. And I know people with more to lose. Jil, Daren, Shary'n, Ferrit and Kyle, any of my friends. I won't put them at risk to play spy.
I'm moving on. I've done a part, but the rift on Alindor needs my attention and so does Aubrey and Inirine. And speaking of that, she wants me to help her tie the head back on the pell...I really need to find Kyle!
-
Answers from Galen.
I saw him running to his house while on the road to Lor. Dashed back and got Jil to come with me. I will need them both to fix this Rift puzzle with Kyle, Ferrit and others too but Galen had some explaining to do. So we ambushed him.
I went in and Jil sneaked in after me and I told him we needed to talk. We sat and I basically said WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!! The Prantz guard IN MY HOUSE?? I got pretty mad. He got smug for a second, saying he saved us all, and then Jil stood up from behind the couch he was on and stuck an arrow in his ear and her fingers were quivering on the bowstring, I wonder why she didn't just let go. She was beyond mad. He jumped up and she was forcing him back step by step yelling about the dangers, her name and her families name and the House of Hope all being in Broegar's sights now and I may be ugly but she actually scared him.
I'll admit this here and only here. That was pretty priceless to watch.
Well, a lot of talking got done but he basically said that we could NOT have taken Wyleth (am I sick of writing his cold, dead name yet? Oh, yes.) out of Prantz or we would have been in way more trouble. Aiding and abeitting or somesuch. And I did some checking and it turns out when I asked Jil to talk to Reus, he was going to mention Wyleth to Broegar so if we had moved him we'd all have been sunk. So he was right, he might have saved us all. We had the same motive, different methods. I forgave him, Jil as well but much more grudgingly. Well, she didn't kill him.
So that's got potential to be fixed. Now to get Kyle and Ferrit back on board, if ever I need their skills, brains and level heads it would be now. Ferrit sent me a message that she has some information for me, I need to meet with her soon.
-
Heinrich sent me a letter to come. Nothing more. I have a really really bad feeling about this.
Shoving that aside, I've decided after talking to Clarissa that if she'll do it, I'll ask her to train Aubrey. My little monkey is a teenager and almost a woman and wants to follow the path of Toran. Clarissa reminds me so much of when Mave was happy with her path, but she seems...like...she's going to follow it, and her past won't hold her back. And Aubrey wants to get some training as a warrior to her god then try to join the holy warrior ranks. I think Clarissa will be an excellent teacher and most of all she's kind of fun, not all stiff and self-righteous like some holy warriors. All that frowning they do. She laughs and I like that.
Beyond that I've asked Annalee and Storold to help with the Rift and the curse. I need to get everyone together, meet, talk about what we want to do. It was good to see Annalee, and Ferrit has been spending time with that funny Abiorn and got some really good information that puts a bit of a rush on our work. So we needs to start this ball rolling. Let's see I've invited Ferrit, Kyle, Galen, Jil, Annalee, and Storold. Jharl was invited but Kat tells me he's back in the cold lands spending some tribal time or something. Don't even know where to look for him. So time to get moving on this!
*tucked in the page is a letter on plain ivory vellum, with meticulous penmanship*
Honora,
Please come home as soon as you can. Send a letter telling us when you're expected.
Heinrich Bethelman
-
Watched Clarissa with Aubrey the other day. Clarissa is as patient as I figured she'd be. Aubrey was just eating it all up and getting the moves and turns right half the time from the get-go. Every once and a while the little girl in her would come out and she'd yell "MOMORA! COME SEE THIS!" and do some move.
Momora. That's her nickname for me. Wonder why I never mentioned it before. Most of the time now she just calls me Mora even and for some reason I like it. I call her Aubbie but she doesn't like it now, only in the house, not in public.
I live in a Kingdom now. City's been buzzing for days about this, now I find out Broegar has installed the Rofies as the new courts in town and claimed the southern part of Dregar as his own. Wonder when he'll try for the world?
Inirine is dead. I went home. Everyone was there. Heinrich cried the whole time, I've never seen him do that. And Inirine was all kind of pale grey and already in a box ready to bury. I haven't cried yet but my shoulder got pretty wet. Ninya was the worst she always was Mommy's girl I think I held her for hours the first night. I've told Aubrey and she's upset but not devastated so that's good. I think she's more worried for me. I just haven't felt it yet. I've that envelope in my hands and I can't open it yet.
Whups she wants to show off again. She's really getting good. Clarissa seems pleased. More later.
-
*Tucked into the journal, on pale yellow vellum, the handwriting unsteady and slanted*
Puggy, Honora.
I dont now how to rite this so let me say this first I am prowd of you. I hear abowt the things you do and I think how lucky I am to have a dahter like you. You are my dahter. I was afrad to tell you and so I never did. But you are my litle girl my first child.
If you havnt torn this up in anger let me explain. I was just a girl and my papa wanted to mary me off. I now you wont understand but if I had not done what I did then it wuld have been bad for both of us. The world is not kind to you baby girl and I didnt want you to ever be hurt.
Apart of me died with pain that I culd never tell you the truth. Please please understand how much I love you and I kept it secrit so they wuld not take you away from me.
Take care of yor brothers and sisters. I have alredy given Heinrich a leter so he nows to.
Be strong Puggy. You have big things left to do and I will watch you from Ilsare's arms.
Love your mother
Inirine
-
Lots of stuff I can't think about so let's not. Haven't been home yet. Since.
Meeting coming up with Jil, Storold, Rowana, Kyle, Ferrit, Galen, Clarissa and Jharl. Well, Kyle is coming down with something according to Ferrit and Rowana said she might be busy so they will join later. But it's time to fix the Rift and the curse.
I've been busy with family
Family lately. Family.
This is harder than I thought. Much. Aubie's been close since. Clarissa is still training her and she's begun to want to earn a place as a holy warrior of Toran but she stays around and goes out with me rather than head to Tilmar like she should. I should push her but I've been enjoying her company because I haven't had to think when she's around. But it's time, she's grown, even Clarissa says she needs to go to the Temple and get her hands dirty with those who will train her.
I will give her enough to get her there and a little as backup. She knows the armor, sword and shield are hers when she can wear them. I will miss her, gods I will miss her. I can't stop crying now. But she's grown and it's time.
A moment of joy yesterday and unexpected. I bought one ticket to Kali's raffle for Stone. One ticket. Number 73. And, the neat but noisy gnomish raffle thingie seemed to have lost that number. Which is okay it's for a good cause and it is gambling after all. I was happy to donate.
And after all the numbers were picked there were two of us who had watched the machine wander past ours; some guy in green, someone called him Ren, and me. 73 and 76. So Kali calls us up, then calls Lillian who had shown up later, and has these two little gems in her hand. And by gods they are ioun stones which I've always wanted and she had us roll dice for them and I won. Well, I won my choice and Ren got the other and neither of us was unhappy mine makes me stronger his gives him protection. A nice touch for the losers; I should lose more often. Kali and Quillwem are good folk.
But after. Walking out, content, happy with my new toy, Lillian runs up behind me. Presses something else small and shiney green into my hand, all sparkly. I was speechless and still am. And she was laughing at me and saying "don't say you'll never see one now!" I actually hugged her, no one's ever given me such a gift. I know we spent time together in the sails of ships and solving the first part of the Zxar mystery and we've always been friendly but wow.
So some good, some bad. I can't even say the word yet but maybe I can write it?
Mom
-
The Freelancers is warm, it's cold today. I haven't seen the inside of my house for a month. But, it's nice to be here. I never knew Annalee as well as I'd have liked and now I have had a chance to. I was not wrong; she's got a core of pure gold, warm and lovely.
The hunt for the King and Chalice continues. We're close, so close, only one thing left to do before we enter that rift. I won't let the others know but I'm nervous as cats in a dog pen so much could go wrong. But we have come this far, and so many of them have gone so far out of their way to help.
So I won't forget:
Ferrit, taking a job at Imjam's to get information. Putting her life; and her children and husband; on hold to help me.
Annalee, running all over Layonara in search of information to help us fix this mess, and she didn't even help make it!
Kyle, speaking to the human-hating elves of Wolfswood, finding out that there is someONE inside the rift corrupting it...he seems to think he didn't do anything but that little tidbit tells much.
Jilsephonie, adding her thoughts, leaving her orphanage to come along, keeping the books from the tower safe all this time.
Galen, speaking to the Lucindites and getting all that information, arranging for portal keys in! Brilliant he is...
Storold, researching ways to fix the portal, finding and learning the spell that might allow us to do that. Another fine mind.
Clarissa, offering her sword and her willingness in the face of what we did. Speaking to the Baroness Nadia, and her mind is sharp as a tack's as well.
Jharl, my rock, offering a stable hand, his knowledge of all we went through together, and his turn researching the many libraries that might have information.
Daniel. Dear Daniel, leaving a comfortable retirement to put on his armor; he's still as handsome as ever in it; and help us solve this. He feels so close to death, real death, and he's still here regardless. His faith I really hope to one day understand.
We go into the rift soon. Some of us might not come out whole, we all know what's in there. I prayed to Shindy for help, maybe she'll listen.
People here. I will write more after we visit Baroness Alathia Imjam. Gods, watch over us.
-
So I just reread what I wrote. I'm in front of my fire now and it's lulling me to sleep but I have to finish this while it's fresh in my mind. Cricket is sleeping already because he ate an entire pecan pie that AnnaLee gave him and I really didn't know that such a small thing could hold so much food.
He snores too.
We did it. After months of spinning our wheels, trying to find a solution for a problem unique to Erilyn, we did it. And I've learned to listen to people better than ever because it was AnnaLee that convinced me that we had to talk to the Baroness Imjam. The answers were there, and boy is that lady sharp. She built those mirror portals!
After some well-deserved scathing words from her regarding the large rip in the fabric of magic in the Kingdom, she softened; AnnaLee says I touched her by understanding the mind of a mother, and maybe she's right. But the Baroness gave us one chance to help her, so that she would help us.
She asked us to find Challum, her son, captured and twisted by Milara.
Which meant going under the veil.
Yeah, I was nervous.
But with Jil and Ferrit, all of us in full sneak and with no magic, in we went. The Baroness gave me her staff to help. We encountered a few nasties but were mostly able to sneak by and made it into Viotrim Canyon, where we found a cave through the mountain to the ocean side. The staff had given me a vision of cliffsides by the ocean so in we went. It was strange, for every once and a while if I started into the ruby I could feel Challum's regret, loneliness, and anger.
We found a temple, snuck past several undead guards (and killed one other) and found Challum. He was dark as night, a shade, and he was half out of his mind and attacked us repeatedly in between talking and running away. I finally killed him by striking him with the Baroness's scepter, it seemed like talking was not what he wanted. And after that his spirit appeared, and thanked us, and disappeared.
Well, we were just about to look around when the Lady in Blue shows up. After our last encounter, she was in much better spirits, saying that Challum was a favorite of hers and we could not stop doing her favors for some reason. She told us of the chest that Challum had guarded (I hadn't noticed it before then) and told us she wanted three items from it, and we could choose.
We opened the chest the monk way. I just walked through the traps, they were above Ferrit's ability which is really saying something because she's the best I know. Inside were the gems of state; an ornate sword, a simple teardrop necklace, a finely worked black stone ring, a huge sapphire on a pearl necklace, a plain compact, and a simple small ruby on a mahagony scepter.
If only I knew then, or had remembered, the motto of Erilyn; I will never forget it now that's for sure. Simplicity in Life.
As it was I chose the teardrop, the compact, and the sword. Ferrit, to whom I owe a great, great deal, bargained away her Shindy hat for the scepter on a hunch that turned out dead on, but what a price...she seemed glad to pay it though.
The Lady in Blue destroyed the undead and left, and we exited only to see Milara's smiling face outside the cave. We all ducked and hid, and we're still not sure if he saw us. But we hurried to return to Kyle who had been waiting by Bloody Gate all that time in case we took too long and collected the others to go see the Baroness.
Jil had scooped up the ashes of Challum that were all that was left of him, which we returned to her. She was pleased, and then shocked when we showed her the jewelry! She immediately took us to a room off the library all the Lucindites were working in and showed us copies of all the jewelry in the poem, three to four of each. She said that she could not tell the difference, and I think it was Kyle that suggested that was the spell affecting them. Decoys were made and the family could not tell which was which...such a simple spell with such huge consequences.
We stared at them and they were all only slightly different; either Clarissa or Jil, I'm not sure which, said they got progressively nicer. Maybe it was Jil. But for some reason the crest of Erilyn that Ferrit found all those years ago and I copied would not leave my head and so I asked Jharl what it meant again.
Simplicity in Life. Right then I knew and Clarissa who makes jewelry helped pick out the very simplest of the gems. The only one that didn't have a simple version was the ring...and I knew right where that was. We gained permission to take the gems from the Baroness who grew faint in their presence and Storold did too, and Kyle said the gems themselves must have been filtering the curse. So that's what all those mathematical calculations were about...elegant, and not magical so it slipped under Milara's nose.
We moved fast after that. Jharl and I got the ring from the crypt and we went right into the rift after getting keys and got inside the tower which was partially rubble. The first level was a maze, we found some of the rift-affected nymphs and had to kill them. I wish they could have been saved but they were mad from exposure by then. Oh, and AnnaLee made fools of us all but it was pretty funny because we were attacked by a penguin, like the ones from the rift before, and we were fighting and fighting and it was ducking every attack and we kept having to pull blows to avoid hitting each other and she was yelling and finally got in between it and us and...picked it up. It just flapped there, and she calmed it down and healed it and let it go.
Picked it up. That, and her suggestion to see the Baroness and come clean, and also that we should just pick up the mirror and move it by hand out of the pool way back at the beginning...that woman is genius. Simplicity in Life.
Whups Zup is here, I should let him know about Cricket. More later.
-
*in blotchy print with scratch marks*
Green lady needs to put her book away when she is done! Good reading!
Figures they'd get along. And apparently Cricket can write. Joy. I see what the Baroness meant by busybody...somewhere in Erilyn Alathia Imjam is eating a slice of pecan pie unmolested and having a laugh at me.
Where was I.
Oh, I forgot to mention the Baroness gave me her ring to find the portal. That helped. So we were in the tower, or the ruins of it, and walked through a gate that was holding back water...we were underwater, inside a rift and in a wild magic zone. There were air bubbles so no one drowned although Jharl took in some sea water.
So with little fight we found the portal, on the bottom of the well that filled the tower. When I concentrated on the ring it told me up...first we tried to swim up but the water was so heavy, then I thought I heard a voice. You know, it kind of sounded like Aubret now that I think about it.
"undo what has been done"
So I did. I grabbed that mirror portal and swam like crazy, I remember calling on my father, imagining him and how strong he must have been. It helped, and everyone else helped and pushed and pulled and we got it out. Heaved it right out of the pool, and I remember Storold standing there with a smile, so I knew we did alright. Then the tower began to shake and I remembered what the Baroness had whispered to me, that we would only have once chance to find the King...so I knelt and got everyone else to concentrate on him, to pull him out of the pool.
Well, Kyle walked in instead! Storold told him not to but he did, and Ferrit followed, and I just had a feeling...he had the King's sword. So I followed and we all joined hands and went where the sword lead.
We seemed to move through light and found ourselves in a room that looked just like the throne room of the palace in King's Landing. There was a statue of Shindelaria, a statue of a dragon, and a man in stone on a stone throne. There was a field of magic blocking our getting to him and he was inside the same protective bubble that surrounded the throne in the palace we were in.
We studied the orbs, and we found that they had lids and you could put stuff inside them. We each had one piece of jewelry because Storold said since they had the curse in them (that was Kyle's idea, did I mention that?) that putting them all in one place would make the holder sick.
We were trying to figure out what order to put the jewelry in since that seemed reasonable, eight orbs, eight pieces, and we had eight people lucky enough. That's when Kyle thought of the poem! It had the order...Annalee suggested left to right, like reading, and we put the gems in as Clarissa read out the order in the poem.
Letters appeared. Jharl, Ferrit, myself and Kyle all immediately yelled ESTIBANA because rearranged that's what they would spell. We moved the jewelry, the word ESTIBANA showed up, and there was thundering and booming and the King disappeared and then the dragon statue poofed and there was a ghost of an ancient dragon...huge, a kind of ghosty aqua color like the coats Freldo used to wear, and with webbed skin between his claws. Wildest thing I've ever seen. A sea dragon!
It walked right to me and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. It reached out, touched me, and nodded, and left. That was it. I still don't know why, but it seemed satisfied. Narsa spirit...the spirit of Narsa...
Then in the empty bubble the Keeper appeared! I was so happy, everything just felt right, and then Adwenth...somehow I knew it was her...came to talk to me. I waved to the Keeper like an idiot but she waved back. I've been praying to Shindy a lot lately, it's still strange but she seems to like me.
Adwenth did something that slipped right by me until I heard the others repeating it. She called me a Daughter of Erilyn. We talked, we asked some questions, and when the others asked if the King was safe I knew he was. I knew he was back in his throne room right then, safe and sound. She nodded and said I looked like "him"...."him" turned out to be Aleander Kartin, Councilor to King Briant and Knight of Erilyn. I'm related to a knight! I am truly a daughter of Erilyn...
Well, we talked a while longer then Adwenth's ghost and the Keeper left. The Chalice is cleansed, the curse lifted (it was all part of what we did) and they went back to Zxar I assume. I think...I think we were in Shindy's place though, because of...I don't know. Just a feeling...it was her realm, or close to it. Adwenth told us before she left to stand in the portal and think of where we wanted to be, and we agreed to go to Baroness Imjams. Well, guess what, she was gone to King's Landing right before we got there. That woman knows EVERYTHING...but I know she wanted to see her brother safe and sound. We left a message to leave word if they needed anything else with Annalee at the Freelancers in Mariner's Hold, and went home, tired and happy.
We did it.
-
We've been invited to a celebration to meet King Briant. I made a special dress, and the Baroness sent me a copy of hers, sized to me, in the Erilyn colors! It's fantastic, Katrien almost fell over when she saw me in it.
The Baroness said I could not wear it to the ceremony though since she's wearing hers. And I think Cricket got my measurements and I just don't want to know how. On top of that he wants a cummerbund! And a vest!
Oh, he's officially the "Court Liason" so he gets to spy on me for Erilyn basically. He's right good at that.
Other than that, nothing much, the Freelancers is closed and I miss talking to Annalee. Before the ceremony I am going to see the new temple to Toran - Aubrey says it's completed, her letter just glowed - and visit her and Huangjin for something different.
-
Well, the King had a party for us and I wore my new dress and kind of forgot to read the letter that was sent - I meant to but I was busy! - and then got lost trying to find King's Landing until Cricket showed up to tell me that I was supposed to be at Mariner's Hold waiting for a carriage and then I got attacked by those nasty little acid beetles outside the city and had to resew my new dress AND this was all after realizing that Kat had accidentally locked me into her house after I stayed over!
But it got better. Kyle, Ferrit, Jharl, Storold (who was a grumpy as I've ever seen him) and Clarissa all came and Jennara as well. Jil had an emergency at the orphanage I found out later, and Annalee had to visit some distant relatives for an important matter. I remembered to mention them and their contributions to the King and court.
The party was spectacular. The Kingdom is doing well and the food was good and plenty, there was dancing and singing and so much joy.
Oh, and I got knighted and made King's Councilor like my ancestor. King Briant gave me Aleander's cape, thick and green with a modified crest of Erilyn on the back with a sea dragon! It is the finest workmanship I think I've ever seen, better than I can do, and it smells a little like coffee and pipe tobacco even now. It's like I can picture him sitting at a desk writing, thinking, with curls of smoke coming from his pipe and drifting out the window over King's Landing...
My liege. My King. My life for Erilyn. It's strange, but it feels so good at the same time.
I noticed that the King said that Erilyn's current swordsmaster is aging, needing help, and I saw a little gleam in Kyle's eye when he heard that. I hope, I hope he volunteers. He is such a good man and warrior and would be perfect for that and they could use some fresh blood to fight Milara.
I've just written my first report regarding the pirate situation in Hurm from my experience. Cricket's been around, he helps me write reports sometimes. If I ask nicely. If he's in the mood. If I have pie on me. But he's darned good at chess and seems remotely interested at least in me not making a fool of myself as a Knight.
Dame Honora Tannerson. Well, next letter to Aubrey then! I think my little Aubbie is going to be surprised to hear this!
-
My Leige, Briant King of Erilyn.
I am relaying events
*yes, thank you Cricket, I know how ta spell relay. No, it ain't got an "i" 'ceptin' in tha "ing". "Ing." What? Course I kin say "ing"! Countin, speakin, fightin...shut up Cricket.*
that have transpired near Port Hempstead. A mage of power was kidnapping and torturing and possibly sacrificing farmers there and I came late to the investigation
*I was busy. BUSY! Ya know, like writin' these reports busy? Like elsewhere? I know she sent me a letter! Iffn ya'd stop OPENIN' THEM an' leave 'em on tha table where Zup puts 'em mebbe I'D GIT TA READ ONE NOW AN' AGIN!*
and after finding another farmer in a state of near death, a decision was made to follow a lead given to his location. Due to the traffic on the roads outside the city I decided to stay and keep the fields and roads clear of the mage's summoned minions to protect the populace.
*Yer a minion. Of course not ta me, ta tha King. Yeah, git used ta it. Minion! OW!*
I was told by those who went on that the mage and his demonic summons were dispatched, albeit with
*It's a word. Ya sure ya speak Common? Albeit, fancy word for "although this also happened an' it weren't too great but there ya go". Look it up!*
some loss of life. Given the nature of mages and what Cricket tells me (again and again and again) about them, we might not have seen the last of him. His signature is flames and he usually pays others to do the dirty work - I am sending another missive
*Letter. Look, the dictionary is right there. An' no, I don't speak Abyssal, are you mad?*
with the details of the mage specific. I hope all in Erilyn is well, I will come for a visit soon.
Your Knight Councilor,
Honora Tannerson
*in scratched, blotchy print*
and Cricket!
-
I haven't had this full a house since...ever. I sent a letter to Annalee, wanting to see her since our adventure and my knighting. She met me with four kids in tow - her son Lindel, and three toddlers. The little ones are just past two years and so active, so wonderful to watch. We sat for hours talking, and I taught Genna, that's the girl, how to float because she's so interested in water. Jennara came by and sat with us and the little quiet one Jesse was interested in our eyes and why they glow.
Genna, Jesse, and the rowdy one, Geoffrey. And I can hardly believe I'm writing this but they might be mine. Annalee apparently delivered them on a battlefield as the mother died, with the father already dead, and no relatives to be found. She took them and has been raising them but she's already got her boy, and she's raised so many children...all her orphans. Gods, I think she said it was 200 now?
And I've been wanting to adopt again. There are (miracle of miracles) no babies at Hope House. Older kids, but no little ones. Lord Rael seems to be allowing free trade and the people have enough to eat, and with the sun shining all the babies are being taken care of. Even a few of the older kids have found relatives and I know this brings joy to Jil's heart, to see the kids in a home again.
So I'm thinking of adopting them. They're all over and I had to put a chest in front of Zup's door so they wouldn't keep going into his room (they seem to find Lyon's room boring). But Annalee has let me keep them for a bit to see if it's a good fit since I won't break up siblings and they mind pretty well. I'm used to kids anyway, how long have I been helping Jil at the orphanage?
There is a forth sister, Adria, who Annalee adopted to a ranger named Arian? after the birth. I will have to seek her out and get the children together. They're family, however awful their beginnings.
Who am I kidding, I'm going to take them. I have a home, money, time. And Cricket has just about stopped pouting about them. In fact, he was playing hide and seek with them the other day and letting them find him so that's a good sign.
Genna, Geoffrey, and Jesse Tannerson. I'd better write Aubrey and tell her that her old room is about to be full.
-
Today was the funnest day we've had yet and that's saying a lot after Caighd's visit a few nights ago. I am loving being a mother again. Aubrey wrote back and could not believe it, she'll be home in a week to meet them.
Took the terrible trio out for a long walk in Haft, playing by the lake, teaching Genna more about swimming and Geoffrey too. Jesse kept playing with the ox. He is different from the other two. Always looking for animals, always so excited when he sees a bird or a bug or a squirrel. Always pushing plants back up if they're trampled. I think I'm going to have to make sure Annalee stays in touch with him, he might find Katia's teachings good. She sent me the information on the fourth child and I need to contact the mother soon.
Geoffrey, he's my fearless one. He adjusted fastest to the new house, the new "mommy" - the other two still cry for Annalee. He was the first born, the biggest, and he protects the other two already. He was fascinated by Caighd and Caighd's shiny armor and shield. He spent part of the evening in Caighd's lap, just staring at him, and part of his time getting little fingerprints all over his nice golden breastplate.
Genna is already showing herself to be physical and in love with water. She jumps up and down every time she sees a fish, loves to swim, and never cries when you get water in her eyes while bathing. I think I will share the teachings of Shindelaria with her, when she's older. I think she'd like what Mother Ocean has to say.
I don't want to decide for them who they will be but even at two and a half, they're really showing their personalities. When Caighd comes over for dinner, I think I'll ask him to tell Geoffrey about Rofirein. Energy and charisma like that boy's needs to be directed right, even if he's young to understand it.
Caighd's coming for dinner! I haven't felt this stupidly happy since...
Now I need Jennara to save my butt because I can't cook. Please, Shindy, let the Captain of the Wyrm be willing...
-
*A letter, with a shaky but properly shaped script.*
My Liege
I'm writing to tell you of rumors I've heard. I know a number of people who travel the world, and they tell me that the dragons are returning. Where before they'd be legend or myth, now even people I've met have seen them or spoken to them. My friend Galen Tweed says his wife has met one now and he was rightly unhappy about that to be sure.
I can't say what this means but I will keep my eyes and ears open. In the meantime, I am helping a friend who is searching for information about her long-lost father. I think you can understand. I will be traveling to the library in Bydell soon and might have to use my title to gain respect. I don't know how they'll take a half-orc walking around their books. I am on the way to Baroness Imjam's now to beg for a few more lessons in properness as this courtly stuff is still pretty new.
Oh, and I have adopted several young ones that I'll bring to meet you soon. I think you'll adore them, their mother was killed in childbirth and no relatives could be found. Four of them at once! I have three, another woman adopted one of the girls early and my friend Miss Annalee who helped me find you was keeping the others until I offered. They can already kind of sing Erilyn's anthem, it's so cute!
I will submit a full report of the rumors I've heard when I'm home after my trip to Bydell. Wishing you health and strength.
My life for Erilyn,
Honora Tannerson.
-
*splotched print, scratchy and uneven*
Green lady ask Cricket to check on things at home. Cricket has some things to say about that! First. Cricket sees no pie. Cricket not care if little humans would get into it! Little humans need pie too. But not as much as Cricket.
Second. Cricket read all of Green lady's books and is bored. Cricket knew all that stuff. Cricket wants new books.
Third. Cricket overhear that neighbor is entertaining a person during the day that is not like the one that comes home after working in the fields. Did Green lady know this? Cricket find it most interesting. Wonder if man who comes home late knows this?
Forth. Little people are fine. Archer lady taking care of them but they happy to see Cricket. Green lady should be happy to see Cricket! They play, say that they miss Green lady. Green lady should feel bad for being gone so long.
Fifth. Note left on door. Big black man was here looking for Green lady. Something about a trial blah blah. Note ON TABLE.
Cricket going to visit Baroness and King.
-Cricket
-
The children are fine but upset I've been gone so long. And I have to go again. Jil has been keeping them busy, and Caighd came by to play with them.
He left me another note, thank Shindy it was after Cricket left. Ferrit is suspicious and of what? I mean, we're just friends, me and Caidgh are....right?
I keep looking in the mirror. I think I've finally grown into my face. It doesn't look so long anymore, and my teeth are not so yellow, not so large. Years of chewing can do that. I wonder if pure-blood orcs lose their tusks as they age?
What is wierd is how much it's bothering me, how I look. Because if I'm honest I know in my heart that it's more than friendship, at least for me, with Caighd. And he's human, and he's not ugly. With Mikey it was easy - I was clearly not too ugly for him and not too "orc". We were the hands-down ugliest couple on the planet but that was okay.
But this is different. He's human, even if he's taller than Mikey was. And people have stared, when we've walked together. Does he feel like I do, and if he did, would he even act on it? Does my skin and my heritage bother him?
Still, not as ugly as I used to be. I guess that's something.
Geoffrey is still imitating everything Caighd does, and I've even overheard him praying to Rofirein the way Caighd does. Genna prays with me to Shindy every night at bedtime, she even has her own prayer now:
Mother Ocean lay me down to bed
Dolphins and coral dreams in my head
And when I wake, to Shindaleria I pray
To send me gentle currents and a peaceful day.
So cute! She's a good swimmer now and I'm training her in the ways of unarmed fighting. She says she wants to heal as well, so I might have to find her a tutor.
Jesse is still the animal lover. His part of their bedroom now has three squirrels and a turtle and would have more if I let him. Good thing Lyons and Zup are feeding the squirrels, they should be well enough to let go soon. They are not nearly as docile for anyone else as they are for Jesse. I will take him back to Annalee soon as Kat's done with me, see what she can teach him - I know she loved the children, but was overworked and needed a break. Perhaps tutoring won't be as taxing?
I am going to finish this letter to Caighd, take the children back to Jil's tomorrow, then head to Port Hempstead to meet Kat and the others. I'm really looking forward to my own bed.
-
Well, the M'asty name rears it's head again. I have been relaxing since helping Kat a bit, although not as much as I'd hoped. But she seems happy and that's all that matters. I stayed home with the kids for a while, saw Caighd once...that might be a story for another day. And I went to the Arms in Leringard to see some folks since I've been home a good bit lately.
Well, I learned something I've never heard of. Plenarius was there and he told us the story of the Lumbral. From what he said, when dragons still ruled Layonara, there was a Sundering in a battlefield and a bunch of Tol and others got sucked down. When Blood destroyed the Council he cast them down there too. Plen was there when some folks found out about Arindor's Winds, which lead them to the Lumbral in a resonance between Shadow and the mortal plane. Apparently the Council was unwilling to go completely to shadow so they wouldn't go evil. And later, they were going to die from no energy and so the Veil was created.
Interesting stuff. Then, Jennara asked to speak with me and when I went to modify my top in Hempstead, she was there working on something. So we talked, for a good while. Basically, Alvin's nephew of the Painting of Erilyn fame asked her to help find hidden artifacts from the MAF museum. The Lady was in on this and her captain I'm sure. They went to Hapur, found a magically locked door, and there was one of the dragon statues there along with one with a Rofie feeling which she recognized. She got a key from it and they found scrolls and papers. She showed it all to me and was going to take it to Spellgard. I suggested she take Galen, since he was born and raised there, but since he's home with his kid now she said she might ask his wife. She knows the woman apparently.
This has me intrigued. Cricket showed up for most of the conversation and I commissioned five pecan pies to bribe him into helping me work on the notes. I think I want to know what this is all about...
I'll scribe the notes here later, Jesse just brought in a skunk!!
-
And here I thought it got easier. Caighd came for dinner again and here I am babbling and nervous and wearing that outfit that I thought looked sultry when I sewed it...what was I thinking? Still. After all that, we finally got past the stupid fears and just said what was on our minds. Although I thought he was going to say he wanted to be "just friends" for a minute there and that is the worst feeling in the world. Shindy was watching me though and I was wrong. He's as interested as I thought he'd be.
Better yet, he's moving into Lyon's old room! The kids were so excited when I told them that they jumped around the house for an hour. Geoffrey asked every ten minutes if Caighd was going to train him and could he be a squire and could he polish the armor and...on and on. I'm so happy I could pop.
Drat those Rofirein oaths though. DRAT THEM! Why couldn't it be poverty or something?
Cricket dropped by to eat the pie Caighd brought for supper and make fun of us before heading off to...wherever he goes. It's not like there are any wizards with familiars he can talk to hanging around Prantz these days. And he's pretty snobby about that anyway, calls them Weavebound lackeys.
Well, I'm off to gather papers and try to make sense of the stuff Jennara gave me and clean my dress for my audience with King Briant.
*in splotchy print*
Cricket protest! Cricket left Green Lady two pieces of pie! Cricket does not mind Big Black Man living here. Black Man's shiney head makes good mirror!
Cricket will be at King's too.
-
Between teaching three kids how to read and write, spending time with Caighd and helping Jennara and the others investigate...I'm tired. So tired. At least the kids are learning fast.
Genna and I are taking a trip to a temple of Shindelaria soon as I can find one and some water breathing stuff. Annalee has taken Jesse under her wing - he's taking trips with her for up to weeks at a time to areas sacred to Katia and he's talking about taking vows as a healer of nature. Until he changes his mind and wants to be a warrior of nature, unless it's a day he wants to be both.
It's no secret that Geoffrey wants to be just like Caighd. He'll turn those little hazel eyes on my giant dark man and Caighd just melts. He's so good with children...I asked Geoffrey if he'd asked to be Caighd's squire and he got all serious like kids do and said "that's church business Mother". I had to fight not to laugh...but in my heart I'm happy. My children have found callings so young, and all on their own. I didn't cajole any of them.
The only thing I wish I could do for them is find them some blood family, but from all I can tell their mother and father were alone. I'll keep looking.
Tomorrow I meet with the investigation and find out what I've missed. Jil and Caighd have the kids until I come back. Can't wait to show everyone how I've been working on my speech!
-
What a wonderful day. I took the kids to Port Hempstead early in the morning, so they could see a real city in action. I won't take them to Prantz and they know why but Haft Lake was getting too small for them.
They all behaved pretty well. We got funnel cakes and met quite a few folks. Kyle and Ferrit stopped by and I swear if Jesse "moos" at Kyle again...
Cricket came by, we saw some old friends - Timulty who I have not seen since well before the kids, and Earl from....decades ago. Storold was by the fountains but he didn't engage us much. Then again, he was publicly nuzzling some lady named Clover who I think I might have met but I'm not sure. Where's Mylindra? And the boys?
Caighd came as soon as he could get away from the temple and we just enjoyed the day. It didn't rain all morning, the kids got funnel cakes and talked to many people. And Jesse got to meet a druid lady named Miss Katie and was just speechless about it. All he can say is "I want to learn that. I want to learn that." Especially after Miss Katie took snake form to talk to Jesse's latest friend.
About the only thing that put a damper on things was right after Bumblebee introduced himself and the five of us were walking toward the fountains, a man in a hood basically said that if I didn't cough up 1000 gold he could not guarantee our safety. Thugs! I was so mad, my blood ran so hot right then that if they kids hadn't been there...I might have pulped him.
But they were, and they need to see better of me. So I told him to get lost and continued. Later, a young woman that I've seen before - one of Rain's many, many kids - noticed him sitting on a bench watching us and Caighd went over to speak with him. Took him a good long while and I don't know what was said but the hooded man ended up walking past me with Caighd not far behind and then called me a beast and spit on me and left.
Caighd does have his ways...I felt much safer after that and the mood certainly lightened. Actually I think Cricket was the maddest of all, he doesn't like it when others pick on me. Kind of thinks that's his job.
Jennara, Acacea and I have been to visit the refugees of Phal, and I have some research to do. But for now I think a swim in the lake would be nice and so does Genna!
-
Damned dust. Stupid urn.
*page is wrinkled as if liquid had spilled on it*
-
I went to Port Hempstead yesterday, just on a whim.
Quiet these days, or at least when I was there.
Felt good to get off of Dregar, out of the house. Two years. Two years of teaching three children to read, to write, to look up words they don't understand - Genna has my dictionary now, journal and all.
Two years of teaching, praising, correcting.
Ferrit happened by and we sat for a few hours and talked. She didn't say anything but I've noticed something very different. Since Caighd came to stay, and since I've been working on "proper" Common with a bunch of little ones, my speech has changed. It wasn't the time I spent in Erilyn's court trying to pronounce things right, it was trying to show a lisping little girl how to say "you" and "shoe" and "blue" and be understood.
I don't sound the same to myself. My Liege had a laugh at that - he's been very kind in letting me stay home and tutor them, my little excursions with Jennara and company excluded. But now I'm restless and the children are getting ready to move on. Jesse, my skinny wild weed of a boy, is going to spend an extended period of time training at the temple to Katia on Dregar. Geoffrey is planning on spending a month or two at the Citadel to see if he likes it (which he will) and assist Caighd as a squire when Caighd is there. Genna's staying at home for now, near the shrine to Shindelaria she's built in the waters of Haft Lake. She's gone far beyond my mumbled prayers - she's told me that she believes Shindy is answering her prayers, and wishes to explore spellpraying and monk-style fighting. I can't teach her the spellpraying so a hunt is on for a tutor that will stay in the house or nearby.
I'm proud of them, of all of them, Aubrey included. She's still in Huangjin, now a paladin in her own right although she's specialized in doing counseling and providing help to others in difficulty. She tells me she's in love too...my next trip will be to meet this man and decide if he's good enough!
*splotchy print* Cricket says he's good enough. Bakes pies and sings!
I need to close this when I've walked away apparently.
Speaking of love...Caighd. What to do? Ferrit told me she had some ideas on how to motivate him to propose. We talked about that mostly. About how it's not the sex or Rofirein-mandated lack thereof, but that we've existed as ALMOST a family for so long now. The children think of him as their father...but they don't feel right calling him "Dad". How I would love for them to be able to say "Mother and Father" instead of "Mother and Caighd"...should I rush him? Should I ask? I trust Ferrit and her idea was a wickedly simple one, so perhaps that first. But is it that he does not want to?
Too much to think about right now.
-
Honora Tannerson Brendimeere? Or Honora Brendimeere? Or just Honora Tannerson?
I can't believe this ring. So beautiful...the dragon and the dolphin...Genna loves it, Geoffrey loves it. The children went crazy when we told them! Nuts happy! Even Cricket cracked a smile, and gave his blessing - with stipulations that pie be baked regularly.
I'll have to tell Ferrit soon how wonderful her idea was...she was pure gold, that woman. Caighd dropped to his knee - and that's saying something considering how long it takes for him to get back up some days - and I remember laughing and crying a little and just telling him to stand up and kiss me darnit.
Who to invite? Ferrit and Kyle, Treana and Daniel - oh, there's another story. A'Tulsaiir Na'Biirisa, that's what I'm going to be. Official. I'm flattered and scared out of my mind I'll forget something. And if Cricket shows up and starts flirting with Treana? Daniel will...well, I don't know.
Actually, that would be pretty funny.
Ferrit, Kyle
Treana, Daniel
Annalee, date? Her son probably
Katrien, date
Galen and his wife (if they're in town)
Storold, date - that woman I saw him with in Hempstead? Got to get her name.
Plus whoever Caighd wants.
I have been agonizing over who to ask as maid of honor until I saw the kids jumping all over Caighd with pure joy, asking if they could call him Daddy now. Who else? Genna, with Geoffrey as Best Man and Jesse as ringbearer.
[FONT="][/FONT]Honora T. Brendimeere? No, bad. I think Honora Tannerson Brendimeere. That looks good.
-
Welp, I married Treana and Daniel. With only one major heart attack for Treana...poor Cole. The kid was just kicking himself the rest of the ceremony. It was hard, we ended up switching to Common for most of it but Treana and I kept up with the ancient language as well. Her, for her history I'm sure, and me, cause I didn't memorize a whole bunch of crazy syllables for nothing. All the time Cricket spent laughing at me had to count for something!
It warms my heart to see them, makes me think of Caighd and I. Love is not just for the young.
-
A letter from Jennara, after all this time. And Caighd playing keep-away! If my back wasn't aching I'd have wrestled it from him but - age.
I've written her back and started stretching, running again. Aubrey drags me out with her, blast the girl. I never thought I'd walk and now I get tired when I run. Age.
Am I scared? Do I need to go out and prove myself again?
No. I need to help a friend. The kids are grown and pursuing thier lives, Aubrey and her daughter here with me. How I love being a grandmother! I look at my girl, my Aubrey, and just wish I could love the pain away but I know, I know how hard it is to lose someone and never know why. We both do, Caighd and I.
We really ought to get married one of these days. I've been saying that for fifteen years.
Well, I'll write the Commander - Captain? I can never remember. Should be a General by now. I'll write the Baroness of Biscuits back and let her know I'm coming. Caighd can argue all he wants but I'm going to help. She was there for me. I will be there for her.
But perhaps a nap first.
-
Packing for Creedo. Cricket wants to come; he's always liked Jennara. I'm sure it had something to do with the pie.
I'll be glad of the company, though.
Caighd argued and Merry cried and is clinging to me and Aubrey just gave me that look. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve though; I haven't taught fighting for thirty-odd years for nothing. Fight smarter, not harder.
Shindy, my Lady, watch over me. Don't let me do anything stupid.
-
*The battered leather cover of the journal is opened, stroked by pale unlined fingers. The hands rest on the inside cover for several quiet minutes, before they lift the vellum of the first page over. They lay at the edges of the book, moving only to gently turn a page or touch a sentence. For hours the only sound in the room is the whisper of pages turning. Then, abruptly, the book is closed and shoved aside. The hands rub the patina of the mahogany table restlessly, occasionally tapping the wood, and then draw out a letter sheet, ink and quill and begin to write.*
-
*Pale green, deeply lined hands slide the folded sheet of thick parchment from the journal. The letter has been carefully placed after the last entry. The page crackles like a tiny spark when opened, and is smoothed flat with rough fingers. The hands lay at the edges of the missive, moving only to touch a sentence briefly.*
Mama.
It's time for me to go. I have felt a pull for months, getting stronger every day, and I know I have to leave. I know, I know, I'm your baby. But Erilyn still needs you, Caighd needs you, and I think that you've taught me to be strong enough to not need you anymore. Well, much.
I finally read your journal. Even though you said we could, it always felt like something that I couldn't touch, like it was your essence or something. I'm the last, because I know Geoffrey and Jesse and even big sis read it. Now I know why they were so quiet afterward. You're a great woman, Mama. Mostly because you don't know it and never let it get to you the way others do. You've never demanded, never thrown a fit. It's not you. But you are a hero because like you taught us, a mistake is not the end, it's the beginning, and you always let your mistakes teach you. And you always cleaned up your messes, even if it took a while.
So that's what I'm going to do. I have learned as much as you and Shioko and Corba can teach me. It's time to go out there and figure out who and what I am going to be - and to do things that will make you proud. And I can hear you right now, you're always proud of us, of Geoff for taking the Knight's path like Caighd did, and Jesse for being a defender of nature, and Aubrey for also taking a Knight's path (think we'll ever get Geoffrey and Aubrey in the same room without a debate? Me either!). And me, for loving Shindy the way you do, and for taking a healing path even as I've learned to fight like you.
But it's not enough anymore. See, I can see your smile, the way your head dips to the left and your smile curves up with it, and so I know it's okay. But I had to write. I don't know when you're going to be back although Cricket was here to let us know you were out adventuring (really, Mama? What about your knee? Caighd is beside himself with worry!!) ((And he said you'd be sleeping with your ox if you didn't get home soon!)) But anyway, here it is, I'm going now before this feeling gets any stronger.
Wish me luck, when you read this. I'll write and visit but I'm not sure where my path will take me yet. I hope someday to be accepted into an elven temple, underwater, if I can figure out how to breathe. Well, you did it before, so there is hope.
I'm dragging this out. Okay, goodbye, I love you Mama, be good and let that knee heal darn it!
~Genna
*As the letter is folded precisely over and tucked back into the journal, a soft soprano voice, husky as if hinting at tears, speaks. "Good luck, Genni. Shindy hold you...good luck."
-
So much to catch up on. Heinrich died. Ninya wrote to let me know almost a month ago. I could not contact Genna, although I did get a note from one of my little "birdies" in Port Hempstead that she's doing fine there, so it was just Aubrey, Jesse, and myself at the funeral. Geoff was taking some vows or something - Rofie stuff. But he did send a kind note and his sympathy along with a generous amount of True for the family.
Alfend, his wife Charie, and thier boys Thomas, Edward and Richard have moved to a farmhouse in the Port Hempstead farms near Richy and Rosa. Lilah works in Port Hempstead as a waitress now, with her new husband Shaimes (and I'm so glad she found love again after Edrich died, she was so young to be a widow), and Richy's younger boy Merrik works on the farms for his dad and uncle. Everyone seems happy - but me most of all because Ninya, Teddy, and Kam have moved to Erilyn! It was fantastic to rent a sloop, stock up, and sail them myself all the way to Alindor. Erilyn is a hopping Kingdom now with so much to offer and Ninya is a master seamstress now. She's already set up shop and has Kam in a Lucindite school, in just the last two weeks! And now I can see family when I am with the King. My leige's wife is a lovely woman who is always needing court clothes. I will pass Ninya's name along.
So, all my babies are grown and out of the house, I am able to take some leisure now that Erilyn is strong, I have a wonderful husband who still likes to go out and see the world. How strange to have a second wind at this age.
Caighd likes my hair. I was hoping he would - it's all silvery grey now, down to my chest. He's always walking up behind me now and stroking it. Although I keep it in a ponytail because it's a lot to deal with.
Everything feels so together right now. I think I'll just take my handsome husband and go for a sail around the coast.
*in blotchy print*
Cricket too!
-
*set on the pillow on the left side of a neatly made bed*
Caighd.
I am called back to Erilyn. I'm not sure for how long.
I feel Mother Ocean calling. I don't know if I will return or not.
If I do not then of course the house and all the things in it are yours. But you knew that.
I have loved every minute of our time together in case I never get to say that to you again. You are my gold and the greatest treasure of my life.
If I don't come back please let the children know how proud I am of each one of them. Their mama loves them.
Hope this isn't necessary.
Love,
Puggy
-
*On Jenra 3rd, 1488, Honora Tannerson Brendimeere died in her sleep, at home. She is survived by her husband, Caighd, who becomes the executor for her estate, and four children; Aubrey, Genna, Jesse, and Geoffrey Tannerson.*