Aylana's Songbook

[Serissa]

Lament for a Paladin (on the death of Aeronn Kirath)

 
 Alas, a noble soul has gone, his flashing blade is stilled.
His amber eyes are closed in death, his mission unfullfilled.
 
 The Gold he loved, the Gold he served, Oh Gold take him in death.
He tried to save a brother's life, and served with his last breath.
 
 Alas, a noble soul has gone, his loving heart is stilled.
Illsare's sweet dart in vain did pierce, his duty called, he willed.
 
 The Gold he loved, the Gold he served, Oh Gold take him in death.
But comfort send to one he loved and called with his last breath.

[Serissa]

[INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] Love Song
[/INDENT] (for the wedding of Amireana & Amgine)
 
 
[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]Oh, the red rose sings of passion, my dear, and the white rose whispers of love.
 Ah, the red rose IS a falcon, my dear, and my White Rose, You are a dove.
 Oh, my fair rose blushes with love, my dear, and your pink lips glisten with dew.
 Fly my sweet Dove swift to my arms, my dear and our love will light up the sky.

[Serissa]

[INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT]Mist's Song[/INDENT]
 
[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]The ocean seethes with fury, as she sings a strident song,  
 But the arm of man is steadfast, and the heart of man is strong!
 
 The wild wind flings the sea spray, as it shrieks through the air,
 But a strong arm holds the true course, and it steers for weather fair.
 
 They say the sea sings dirges, but Mist would say to you,
 That the wild waves' roar's Her love song to the men that battle through.

[Serissa]

[INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] [INDENT] A "Small" Adventure
[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT] Little folk, Brownie folk, cryin' in th' glen,
 Kicked from home, all alone, what a fix you're in.
 Bandits cold, halflings bold, in your home abide.
 All too big, cannot dig, we won't fit inside.
 
 Rock too strong, smoke all wrong, nor will water fill.
 We're too tall, make us small, Menestas, he will!  
 Tiny we, killing spree--beetle, slug, and snake--
 Smashing head, killing dead, halfling hordes we break.
 
 Happy folk, Brownie folk, dancin' in th' glen,
 Now your home, all your own, yours to hold again.
 Tall folk all, respect the small, fighting slug and flea.
 In their way, every day, fight as hard as we.
 
 --------------------
 Adventurers:  Aylana Pandorn, Lance Stargazer, Unther Hardhammer, Jaelle Thornwood, Argali, Trueaxe, Galathea Arnaduillae, Samantha Mansel, Oma Limetree, Yvale, Travie, Caerwyn Ahrail'lan, Cardin Stormcaller

[Serissa]

Song of the Deep Gnome

 
 Darkness surrounds me, covers me, hides me.
 Lest light betray me, in darkness I'll bide me.
 Heart of Beryl, oh, give me your fire.
 Gems flashing bright I desire.

[Serissa]

Wedding Song

 
 (on the marriage of Amgine and Amireana)
 
 He's been searching for a long time...for someone exactly like her. He's been travelling a long way...waiting for his heart to stir.
 
 Someone like her makes it all worthwhile...Someone like her with her radiant smile...Someone exactly like her.
 
 Now his searching has found true love...and his heart beats like a drum. Now they're waiting for life to begin...now the best is yet to come.
 
 Someone like her makes it all worthwhile...Someone like her with her radiant smile...Someone exactly like her.

[Serissa]

Another Wedding Song, this one sung by me and Ben as our wedding vows:
 
Oh, the summer time is coming, and the trees are a blooming.
And the wild mountain thyme, grows round the blooming heather!
 
Will ye go lassie, will ye go?  And We'll all go together!
To pick wild mountain thyme all the around the blooming heather.
Will ye go lassie will ye go?
 
I will build my love a bower, upon the side of that mountain.
I will build my love a bower, by the clear and crystal fountain!
 
I will go, laddie, I will go.  And We'll all go together!
To pick wild mountain thyme all the around the blooming heather.
Will ye go laddie will ye go?
 
We will bide in that bower, by the clear and crystal fountain!
And all around the bower, I'll pile flowers from the mountain!
 
I will go, lassie, I will go.  And We'll all go together!
To pick wild mountain thyme all the around the blooming heather.
We will go, lassie, we will go.
 
Oh, the autumn-time is comin', And the leaves are gently falling,
Where the wild mountain thyme Grows around the blooming heather
 
Will ye go laddie, will ye go?  And We'll all go together!
To pick wild mountain thyme all the around the blooming heather.
Will ye go laddie will ye go?
 
Oh, the winter-time is comin', and the snow will be fallin',
And the blossoms o' the summer, Will soon wither on the mountain
 
Will ye go lassie, will ye go?  And We'll all go together!
To pick wild mountain thyme all the around the blooming heather.
Will ye go lassie will ye go?
 
Still we'll bide in that bower, by the clear and crystal fountain,
'Til our bones feed the flowers, on the side of that mountain.
 
We will go, always, we will go.  And We'll all go together!
To pick wild mountain thyme all the around the blooming heather.
We will go, always, we will go.

 It was a perfect day and a wonderful party, Jular 12, 1456.  I loved my red fox imp costume, and Ben made a handsome panther.  It was a little awkward for Essa, but she came through like a trooper.  Songs, fun, and fireworks, and I won an emerald in the gambling!  A day to remember, indeed.
 
 Ben is trying to teach me Elven.  I should know it already, as both my parents speak it, but they used it mostly to talk about things I shouldn't know, and I never really picked up much of it.  He calls me his raven-haired songbird, which I love.  Songbird in Elven is "laelvfemw".  Love is ceela---that one I knew.
 
 He throws out lots of other words and I guess I'd better write them down to have a prayer of remembering them.  Somehow, it's lots easier to remember songs.  Ogre is evma; pick is tyentyn; mining copper is selelv nyetytyam--no rhyme or reason to it.  Oh, well.  I'll try.

[Serissa]

We stopped by our river after getting oak, and Ben spent some time teaching me elven words.  Mountain should be easy to remember, 'seylanilel' sounds a lot like sentinel. And 'wmilvel' for path--sounds kind of winding or meandering, like some paths.   Falquilsel anirmeamla il menyn el anira meelam.  Benjamin threw a rock in the river.  Falquilsella irailw ela il menyn.  Benjamin's head is a rock.  (lla is possessive)
 
 Oceamam--flower
 Oceamamla omes anira seylanilel--flowers from the mountain
Oceamamla--flowers--la at the end of word..that's the plural form
 Wmilvel--path
 Anmaa--tree

[Serissa]

It's been two years and forty-seven days since Ben's death...  Maybe it's time to start living again.  I've invited Daniel, Bella and Charlie to live with us.  Charlie in particular should liven things up.  I think he and the girls will be good for each other.  And when the baby comes--well, Bria and Katelyn are so excited about that, they're hopping up and down.
 
 I sang at their wedding.  It was so hard, remembering my own...  This was Bella's song:
 
 Mouse and Lion
 
 Oh Mouse, sweet Mouse, come out, come out, your bridegroom calls your name.
 With love you've tamed a lion mate and filled his heart with flame.
 
 Now Lion be, as lions both, you pledge your love to give.
 Defend and keep your love alight, as thru life's trials you live.
 
 Oh Mouse, sweet Mouse, the Dragon smiles, this love was meant to be.
 His golden wings will shield you both, His Light will let you see.
 
 Now Lion be, as lions both, you pledge your love to give.
 Defend and keep your love alight, as thru life's trials you live.
 
 
 And this was the recessional:
 
 Rejoice
 
 Rejoice!  Rejoice! The Gold has blessed this day!
Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Let all the minstrels play!
For wed this day are man and maid, to serve the Gold and good folk aid.
Rejoice! Rejoice!  The Gold has  blessed  this  daay!

[Serissa]

I'm writing this the night before we meet with the orcs. I hope the meeting goes well, and we can all go home, bandits in tow.
 
 ORCS RIFT
 
 The Halberdiers of Ragrian--a proud and fearless band, Stood rank on rank in red and white, with halberds high in hand.
 And with them gathered Munny's Foot and Morrison's brave men. They marched to make the trade roads safe, and fame and honor win.
 
 From Luxia to Lorax town they chased the bandits bold. Then north into the Whitehorn's wilds, they battled more than cold.
 In Orc's Rift deep they made their stand against a fearsome foe. And fighting, won back stolen goods and traded blow for blow.
 
 But then, oh then, they found a cave all filled with treasured gold. 'Twas guarded just by bones of orcs who'd long been dead and cold.
 Then filled with greed, some took the trove and scoffed at orcish dead. 'They need no gold to moulder here,' the grave despoilers said.
 
 With Echo's army far behind, they settled down to wait, But food and sleep by warming fires was not to be their fate.
 As Keppli Quickhands gave report of orcs and goblins massed, It soon became apparent that their peace was not to last.
 
 'Deploy the troops to guard the gaps!' the sergeant shouted loud. Valanca Jatyiram stepped forth and organized the crowd.
 Ah, Keppli scout and Portlie push those barrels in the gap! And Draman Hawk tear bandages. Now let me see that map.
 
 Then on the field appeared two orcs of fierce and stately mein. So bold were they, they showed their hands--perhaps that they were clean?
 'Stay back behind the barrier!' was shouted, all in vain. So eager were adventurers, they boiled across the plain.
 
 They struck, they killed, and noticed not--those warriors raised no blade. A lull of silence ominous...and then a grim parade.
 Full rank on rank, the orcs they came, with goblins in their wake--A wave of death that crested high and many lives did take.
 
 The mist curled round the mountain top and hid the fearsome view. But as it ebbed and flowed away, I saw the horrid grue.
 Both friend and foe lay tangled there, a foul embrace in death. Alive behind the barricades, the living caught their breath.
 
 The Halberdiers of Ragrian--a proud and fearless band, Stood rank on rank in red and white, with halberds high in hand.
 And those who fell sold their lives dear, with foes heaped high around. To honor them their comrades stood and blessed each earthen mound.
 
 But honor is a fragile thing and pride may lead astray. For greed and haste and battlelust, the living now must pay.
 The tomb they robbed was hallowed ground, the bier of chieftain old. The orcs they killed, ambassadors. No weapons did they hold.
 
 Legodia the druidess this sad tale did convey, And bade us meet with orcs and then, our debt of honor pay.
 And thus we met on sacred ground--where orcs of old had died, And though they lost, had saved their land--a legacy of pride.
 
 On their request, we journeyed deep within a loathsome hole. Foul demons black we slaughtered there, a score to reach our goal.
 Through monsters, minotaurs, and beasts, we made our bloody path. Then spiders huge and venomous were made to feel our wrath.
 
 At last the giant, Shurelec, we cornered in his den. First Azk'a charged, to be rebuffed, and then we all pitched in.
 We beat him down with blow on blow, then with a mighty heave, dwarf Azk'a of the Thunderaxe his evil head did cleave.
 
 And now we bring the bloodied head and give it to renew The honor lost when we forgot that orcs have honor, too.
 Their code is not the same as ours, yet it has value true To order life and honor death as other races do.
 
 The Halberdiers of Ragrian--a proud and fearless band, Stand rank on rank in red and white, with halberds high in hand.
 And with them gather Whitehorn Orcs, clan steeped in values old. They talk to make the trade roads safe, and honor's story told.

[Serissa]

I've been traveling occasionally with the Worg Pack, a group of nature-loving goblins.  They want me to write a song just for them, but it hasn't come to me yet.  And now, I'm afraid they've bitten off more than they can chew.  Something 'calls' to them from past Brenuth, and when we went to investigate, we found a large gathering of  orcs, giants and goblins.  They're planning to overrun Brenuth!  Nonac just can't accept not being top dog, so the Pack will not join them, thank goodness.  But how will we get out of this?  There might be a song in that, if I survive...

[Serissa]

A terrible plague is spreading through northern Dregar.  I don't feel at all like singing.

The problem:  The curse, or sickness, appears to burns the victims skin. Hair falls out, and a fever and madness are first signs of it... *slowly tells him what he knows and has been told in North Point*
Burns from within, no sores, no cuts or bruises unless inflicted personally.  Rats and vermin avoid the bodies.  Sometimes madness is seen before the end.  Those originally affected worked a certain mine shaft . .and spread it to their familes ... all dead.  Apparently some left town and spread it to Weston ...An old coin was found on a skeleton at the bottom of the mine shaft ...

In the library of the temple of Aragen in Bydell, we consulted Eustace, who told us about the Curse of the Destroyer.

He said that, in the era before Sinthar Bloodstone, a sect of Pyrtechnon created a necklace with a flawless red ruby called Blood Fire held in a dragon's claw. Its purpose was to spread destruction though all it came into contact with or were in proximity. Specifically it caused a great curse to befall on the people in which they were stuck down by a plague like fever and burned from the inside out. Healers attempted to cure this malady but such was the nature of the curse that it sometimes infected them as well. This curse was mostly unresponsive to all known healing magic of that time and even to intercession of the gods in removing curse. (apparently rarely tried as it was thought to be a plague and not a curse.)

Eustace said that not only did the healing not work, but it made the curse stronger in the victim....and it also sometimes spread the curse to the healer as well.

in fact it was the intercession of the gods that destroyed the gem once and for all...Rofirein and Pyrtechon are the only remaining dragon gods of Layonara, and they are bitter bitter enemies.  The Rofirein Church summoned a great host of allies to make a counter curse of sorts in the form of an amulet called Life's Tear. Its components and making were a summation of all those Pyrtechnon viewed as enemies.

1. First coin of profit made by the high priest of Deliar.
2. A perfectly formed Emerald, cut and sanctified by the Priests of Beryl.
3. Setting was formd from the metal of a hero's axe, and it was designed and fashioned by those of the Illsarian faith.
4. Dragon's Blood was supplied by the Rofireinites.
5. Blood of a True Saint supplied by the Toranites.
6. Ritual of the necklace's making was designed by the Lucindites, and they may hold the complete list of components used.

Eustace said that when the Life's Tear met with the Blood Fire the resulting explosion was so great that it caused a section of mountain to crumble... and everyone within range was killed.  But they managed to complete their mission and the Blood Fire was destroyed along with the Life's Tear.  It was another point of genius really.  The way to destroy something that only destroyed was to let the something be destroyed and have it destroy the destroyer in the process

Theories are that the last known sightings of the Blood Fire were somewhere on the continent of Dregar... but since the crusaders were all killed, the information was never truly obtained.

Seeing a sketch of the coin found, Eustace said it looked to be of the same time period.   But not the same coin  That's how components work.  They're used to channel the magic in a specific way but they are generally consumed by the magic in order to...make the artifact.

Eustace said you likely could use different materials, but it's said that the materials that were used were of great value and importance to each sect of the faiths.

===========
From Daniel: possible Cure for famine:  Gather 5 true Toranites in a circle holding hands.  Carry 5 different tokens of the Dragon.  Carry 5 pure crops blessed by Prunilla.  Gather in prayer at ... ?

When you have gathered the people and ingredients at a place where poppies freely grow under a full moon each must repeat aloud:  'See, hear, and drive outwards near and far heal the land.'  This will gradually heal the land outward in a circle from that point. If the curse is particularly powerful the spell may need to be repeated at a similar location and time.

[Serissa]

Perhaps a song will come of this.  At any rate, it is worth remembering (//Cultists Abound--Ivy).

In Hempstead, we heard rumors that sailors were disappearing and Tia said a sailor at the docks was under a chaotic influence.  Most immediately headed for the docks, but Connor & AnnaLee went to Tribute to Allurial. They discerned what seemed to be a hive of cultists there, noting wards outside, powerful enchantment magic inside, and several things that did not belong there.

We found that the Silver Maiden, flying a horse head flag, was hiring sailors. We signed on for a round trip to Arnax and were each given a coin with a horse head stamped on it.  Zarianna and Tobias talked to the captain, noting that he was wearing a horse head coin and mentioned a Lady Silver Throat. Others spread out over the ship.  Some protected their minds with spells.

Tia, sensing something wrong, ran to find Connor and AnnaLee. As they approached the ship, Connor tried to get the captain to appear, claiming the cargo had not yet passed inspection.  The captain refused to appear and instructed his crewman not to approach Connor.  At that point, Connor declared the cargo was impounded.  AnnaLee signed to Zari to leave the ship and then began to sing.  As we attempted to leave the ship, we were attacked by a Shadow Horse, Cultists, assorted Outsiders, and the Captain.

After all opponents were defeated, a fire broke out below deck. Toby ran below to rescue a parchment written by the Captain.  He saved a fragment which said "Arnax, Kill Furystorm, more coins" and it also said "Madragail".  Zari put out the fire.

AnnaLee explained that the coins were attacking our minds, and those still holding one tried to drop it. All but Kurn were successful.  Kurn gloated over his extravagantly, exclaiming "REVEL IN THE GLORY OF THE HORSE OF INSANITY FOR HE IS THE KEEPER OF THE MISTRESS!"  After multiple attempts to uncurse him, Ryubi cast Lesser Spell Breach on him, then Zari cast Hold Monster.  Kurn was successfully dragged away from the coins, but the enchantment on him increased until a Shadow Horse appeared beside him.

We managed to kill the Shadow Horse after a protracted battle in which Zari was killed by the horse's gaze.  Daniel was struck dead by his god for raising Zari.  Kurn at first seemed to be still cursed, but the effect lessened and then disappeared, though he still seemed regretful.  Connor declared that we needed to break the coins.  At that point, we decided to adjourn and meet again later.