The World of Layonara

Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: Dezza on April 30, 2007, 07:37:16 pm

Title: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on April 30, 2007, 07:37:16 pm

Events proceed. I feel strange. The last eight years have been spent underground. My new mother and father, my hidden brothers and sisters. Much as I was hidden to them. I do not wear the mask now. But I wish I did sometimes. The security of anonymity.

Now I exist in the world. I prefer to be separate. I see things through eyes as if they are not my own. A hovering perspective. Is this real? Sometimes it does not feel so. Trained as I am to blend into my surroundings. To fade from view. I find I cannot do so properly here. The place is foreign, strange. I need time to adjust.

I met one of those who walks the night path. A Halfling called Dogboy. Strange are the names we give ourselves to hide from the world. Anonimity.

I have been taught to hide emotion, to not let it cloud my judgment. This world is full of emotion. It is a weakness. Quilyn teaches us that to kill you must be cold, merciless. If you allow mercy you can never walk the path of Quilyn again. To be killed by one such as I is an honor. To kill a mark is an honor. To kill someone who is not a mark weakens the strength of the code.

I may be about to weaken my strength in the code. Quilyn does not teach what to do when one leaves you to die. I do not want to lose strength in the code. But I cannot allow this one to live after causing me to fall. Can I?

Virtue Kessen is my mark. No, that's wrong. Virtue Kessen's life is held in my hands now. He will not see or hear the blade that will cross his throat. But he will have the chance to plead for his life. I do not want to weaken my code. Is it emotion that causes me to want revenge? Revenge is best served cold' emotionless. Quilyn teaches that revenge is for the one who buys your services not for the user of the code. Am I wrong then? I must look into his eyes, Virtue's. For only then will I be able to tell for sure.

A priest of some sort asked me the other day if I believed in fate. They were surprised when I said no. We are the moment. The past is lost. The future unknown. We can only know now. We act in the now. Fate is a fools fancy. We act and then we will live or die by those actions. The strong survive and the weak fall. There is nothing else.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 02, 2007, 07:10:15 pm

It is done. I have made a deal that will protect my code. One of the last things Virtue said to me before he left me to die at the hands of that barbarian G'ork was to seek out a mage called Alandric. He felt that he could provide me resources to begin my journeys and go about my tasks more effectively.

I found and negotiated with this man. I could tell he was one not to brook argument with but also not likely to pry into anyone elses business but his own. He had my immediate respect. He asked few questions but negotiated hard.

I sold myself, my services and what gold I had acquired to date as the price for several items that will aid me greatly. I did wonder that he would refuse to negotiate if I revealed that one of the first things I would undertake to do with the items he supplied me would be to confront Virtue and likely slit his throat for abandoning me to the barbarians wrath. I am not easily suprised but I was when he seemed to have little care what I did to the man and did not seek to sway me from my path.

It was that which gave me pause. Did I really want to break with the code before I had even truly developed my skills. Did I want to have Mother or Father come after me for dishonouring Quilyn so early in my life. I realised in truth the honour which I held in the code, honour of the Mother and the Father. I would not slay Virtue for revenge. It is not the code.

There was however never anything stopping one from putting skills into practice against monsters or mindless creatures. Thus when this man Alandric invited me to begin to repay my debt by travelling to a place called the Dragon Isles. I accepted. I learnt much. I will practice more. I will adhere to the code.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 09, 2007, 03:36:24 am

There are numerous bounties to claim in this land it seems. I have enough work for the moment and enough opportunities to travel into regions where I can develop my skills on other lesser creatures.

Some are unworthy to be touched by my blades but as Father always said, in practise those killed are beneath the code. When you accept a mission and your prey is clear then you are within the code no matter who or what the target is. It is within that frame of execution that you must live and serve Quilyn. For only through its path can you achieve perfection.

Daily I practise interacting with those who know nothing of the path I follow. I mimic their emotions, their turns of phrase, there very actions in living. With time I will be able to copy them perfectly and keep the mask that hides who I am well in place.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 15, 2007, 02:28:20 am

I don't begrudge the eight years I was kept within the caverns under Hurm. I knew that we, the followers of Quilyn were to be submitted to an extremely strict training schedule and would be kept aside for whatever purpose the Mother or Hris saw fit. In this way we were protected from unhealthy influences and could keep our spirit entirely focused at what was to be our code. The fact that we were chosen to be followers was considered to be a mission and I felt honoured. I was no one before, nothing. The Mother and Hris gave me purpose.

I accepted the intensive and specialised training. At a point about halfway through my training I noted that I began to receive special treatment. I was better served and thus was an example to some of the others. I was told there was a need for this. I showed promise, I worked hard, I did not complain and by rewarding me it became another factor of motivation for others.
 
We were never given nor allowed to consume any substances in quantities more than was necessary to acquire a taste for them. Excess was weakness and it could affect the strict discipline under the code of keeping ones spirit eternally prepared. We were constantly told how the code is our religion, our purpose and the highest goal we could achieve in life. We were also taught that after fulfilling a mission under the code if we were slain we were to rejoice for in it eternal paradise would be achieved.

I believe in this and in all things I have been told. I have faith in the Quilyn and the path of the Code. I will serve it with honour until the Mother or Hris tell me it is time to enter the final stages of my training.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 15, 2007, 08:37:59 pm

I remember the first time I was taken to my cell. My neck itched from the feel of the unfamiliar hood we all had to wear. It was something I would become used to, something familiar and comforting. The Mother spent a few moments with me telling me how if I was considered worthy by the code I would receive hidden power and timeless wisdom which would enable me to become as important in life as some of the teachers.

Later I was told that each year I spent there was a year of initiation. There were eight such levels of initiation. The Ninth level was that of mastery and something only approached when called for by the Mother and then only if you had shown such spiritual oneness with the code and Quilyn that you were ready in mind and soul.

In the first year of initiation my mind was filled with information and learning, I was educated and also told many things about the world.  I was taught especially to doubt all religious and political organisations, to doubt conventional ideas. If was made clear to me that everything I had learnt to that point in time contained elements of falsity. I learnt to believe that all except the code was prejudiced and open to challenge. I looked to my teachers for the truth, I looked to the Code to hold me firm and I developed in my very soul the essence of what it was to follow Quilyn.  

In this learning I hungered for the words imparted to me from the teachers in all things they were and ever are the only possible source of the proper interpretation of facts.

Towards the end of my first year I began to see more of what the teachers were opening our minds to. The formal knowledge they imparted was merely a cloak for hidden, inner and powerful truth. The secret of which would be imparted when they felt I was ready to receive it.

At the culmination of the year my brothers and sisters and I were called into the great cavern. We stood in rows of 6 four ranks deep. Dressed in the clothes we wore day in and day out; the dark woollen tunics and hoes and the soft silk and cotton hoods that kept our faces hidden from each other.

Here the Mother, Hris and our six teachers called each of us to choose one of them to which we would swear allegiance to for the rest of our lives. Such allegiance sworn under the code could only be broken by death. Myself and one of my brothers were the only ones to choose the Mother. Some felt she was too harsh in her training but harshness was nothing to me I saw and understood her lessons more so than the other teachers. I chose her. I swore on the Code my allegiance to the Mother.

Thus ended our first year of initiation.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 17, 2007, 07:14:47 pm

My second year of initiation was made up of physical and mental strengthening. My brother whom I do not know but from his pale grey eyes, softly spoken voice and lithe muscular frame and I were instructed by the Mother or another teacher called Joama. Joama was responsible for much of our physical training and the Mother for our mental training.
 
Mothers lessons were deep and probing. She questioned our learning to date; she instilled in us the belief of Quilyn and its many rules and intricacies. We were taught to believe that approval cannot be won by observing the prescriptions of Quilyn, unless the inner doctrine, of which we are mere symbols, where received from the Mother to whom its guardianship has been entrusted and to whom we; my brother Dillan and I, had sworn allegiance under the code.
 
We learnt to accept her thoughts and words without question, challenging only when she told us to challenge. At times we might falter, questions racing in our minds and we would speak when not bidden. We learnt quickly that to challenge when unasked by the Mother was to receive swift punishment. The Code is a way of life, the Code is your life. The Mother was in essence our link to the Quilyn and we had to honor her, without her we were nothing.

At times between the mental strain and the physical activities we were forced to undergo we would almost break. In these times my brother Dillan and I sought strength from each other. If I saw him falter, it gave me strength that I could continue and as I faltered it gave him strength. To know you can push past physical and mental barriers over another is a motivator to continue.

There was a time that we spent moments together our hoods still in place to conceal our identities as our bodies entwined to sate lust born from such trying and exhausting activities. There became acts of sheer release more than anything heartfelt, neither of us spoke of them nor thought anything more of them beyond a need to be filled.

The Mother allowed it to occur and in fact it was a more common thing than I realised I found out later. Joama explained to us when she caught us one day that the more attuned you are and the more physically fit you are the more the body and mind demand such moments of release. We would learn to control such urges later in our training but for now it was acceptable when required.

At the end of the year once again we were brought together with our other brothers and sisters to stand in ranks before the twelve assembled teachers and the Mother and Father.
 
Those who had passed were called forward. When my name was called I fought the desire to feel elation as I had been taught. Strong emotion was an imbalancer. It clouded judgement.

There were some left behind. They would complete the second year of initiation again. The rest of us were separated from them, given slightly better cells, a slightly higher level or living than we to date had been allowed. This was a motivator to those left behind we were told.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 21, 2007, 01:21:22 am

In the third year we came to know the knowledge of the physical world. How to use various plants for uses as simple as flavour in cooking or to mask a poison, how to mix mineral compounds to form substances that could ignite and burn and to create acids as well.
 
My brother and I were mainly instructed in such things in the physical world by the Father, Hris. His extensive knowledge poured into us until we felt we would burst. Our minds were pushed the hardest they had ever been. Should we fail to remember something we have previously been told of there was serious repercussions. It was in this year that I first felt that my life was going to end before I had achieved oneness with Quilyn and I would become a lost soul.

Father had finished a particularly difficult lesson on the relativity of matter in the observable universe and asked me a question about the manifestations of energy. I was tired and lost focus and could not answer his question. Without a word he stepped towards me taking from his pocket a leaden sap. The blows came fast and hard and I soon collapsed into consciousness as he with calm dead eyes completed his punishment.  

I awoke several days later having come out of my coma to see Father sitting beside my cot. I had suffered no broken bones but had severe bruising, a concussion and a humiliating lesson which my brother had watched without raising a hand to help me. I was proud of his strength and thankful to the father for my lesson. My lapse in concentration could mean the difference between success or failure on the path of Quilyn.


The Mother also continued her instruction on the nature of Quilyn to us. We learnt about the nature and number of the teachers. That the number of teachers represented the sacred number of the world, the number twelve is a reflection of the significance in the spiritual and material worlds and they represent this. The Mother and the other teachers are known as the Sect of Twelve.
 
The Mother took great care informing us that while we had given her our unswerving allegiance we would soon have to choose five other teachers that we would serve in subsequent order should the Mother fall or move onto paradise through death under the Quilyn. Those five we were to successively assume to be our new teacher as if they had taken the role of the Mother, in all respects. Those we did not select were to be regarded as any other person we would meet in our lives. They are persons devoid of spiritual knowledge and unworthy of reverence.

By the end of the third year we came forth once more, my brothers and sisters before the twelve teachers which included Mother and Father. When called upon to choose I chose the Father, he had shown me the path and brought me back to it and I respected him for that. I also chose Jurn for her quiet and patient physical training, Lordran for his skills in close combat which I much preferred over the distance weapon training. I also chose Mograf a hulking brute of a man whose knowledge of intimidation and mental strength had given me new insights into the depths of my own self. Finally I chose Elquirlyn a dark elf steeped in the lore of Quilyn who rivalled the mother in her own knowledge. He had come with the mother from the underdark where she had trained in Quilyn many years ago and aided her in setting up the order deep beneath Hurm. His secret knowledge was deep and vast and it was him that gave her such a good grasp of the sacred language of Quilyn. The tongue of the dark elves.

Once our choices were made we were separated again. My brother and I stayed together but others were taken to other caverns. Our schedules were re-arranged so that we did not see those teachers we had not selected. They were nothing to us now. Our reliance on them had ended.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 22, 2007, 03:47:31 am

Our fourth year was the heaviest year of our learning. The spiritual path of the Quilyn and our place in the multiverse. Day in and day out we sat through lecture after lecture and intoned the words of the Quilyn. The Quilyn is more than life, more than the gods, more than good or evil it is more than magic and more than time itself. Nothing can greater that the code we follow.

Each of my six teachers took turns at instructing me in the spiritual aspect of their fields. The Mother instructed my brother and I in the doctrine of the twelve prophetic periods. The times through which the world has progressed since its creation in terms of spiritual philosophy. This was compounded by studies in the nature of Quilyn, the code and the unique positions of the Sect of Twelve in each enclave.

Overall the mother explained that there were never more than and never less than twelve enclaves. If an enclave was destroyed then the nearest Sect of Twelve would select six more teachers to take a place in their own sect and six of the original enclave's teachers would select six more from their best full initiates to take with them to form a new sect of twelve.

Ancient prophecies in the original dark elf enclaves say that should an enclave fail to be replaced within thirty periods of rest then the remaining will fall and the 'souls of the neophytes would be cast into the most terrible regions of multiverse there to suffer from an eternity of exclusion from the code'.  The prophecies explain in detail the fate to meet a follower of Quilyn and the readings caus even the best amongst the Sects of the Twelve to shiver in abject horror at the thought of it.

Through this training we were also taught the details of each god from the pantheon that watched over our world, inducted into their teachings, and shown the falsities of their beliefs. The only gods that could be relied on in some moderate form were the ones who imparted the laws of Quilyn upon the dark elves so long ago, the Mother of Darkness, Baraeon Ca'Duz and Az'atta before she fell from grace. There is also some level of allowance made for Aragen for the knowledge that is available to all from his followers.

The final lesson that we are taught until we live it in every part of our being is that striving for the purest form of Quilyn is our ultimate esoteric goal and one which will grant us eternal paradise. The hard journey, the sacrifice, the striving for perfection through body and mind is our sole purpose and only chance to achieve this.

At the end of this year I was called forth alone to stand before my six teachers, each of my brothers and sisters underwent the same process. In my case the Mother stepped forward and intoned the rite of spiritual enlightenment;

'Through the code our paths are brought to absolute perfection.
Through the code our lives are brought to ultimate fulfillment.
Through control and discipline our thoughts are purified.
Through Quilyn our deeds become the measure by which honour is allocated. Through honour to Quilyn we ascend beyond the mortal boundaries to the realms of paradise.'

These words I repeated, imprinted on my mind these words can never be forgotten, they are part of the fibre of my being, engraved on my soul.

I was then asked to select the number by which my fifth year would be judged. I felt a momentary distraction by confusion but my mind had grown much sharper over this last year and instinctively I called forth the number of the twelve. Thus in the name of the Twelve I was sent forth to begin my fifth year. The year of the science of numbers was to begin.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on June 20, 2007, 09:48:47 am

My fifth year.

In all the realms, all the nations, all the layers of the multiverse there is only one true language, the language of numbers. Never had I entertained the vast potential locked within a simple figure before being introduced to the purpose of numbers. I found my mind quick and agile from the learning it had been forced to adapt to, the language of numbers came easily to me. That was until halfway through the year before we came to the science of Quilyn.

The path of the code has many forms but in all those forms it contains one constant and that is the relationship of numbers. The Science of Quilyn endeavoured to teach us that relationship. Trying to combine numbers to an ideal as all consuming and powerful as the code was the most challenging part of my training that year. At first I failed to grasp the relationship between numbers and non physical presence and allowed doubt to enter my mind. A thought that was anathema in the code. There cannot be doubt in the code for in doubting the code I would fail in Quilyn. Quilyn is absolute truth, the purest form of truth that exists in the multiverse and that is proven in the numbers and the science.

Theoretically, in both the real and unreal, the existing and the absent Quilyn comes to one number. The perfect number that is the centre of all. The number 12. Hence there are twelve enclaves of Quilyn at any one time; there are always twelve teachers in each sect, our calendar revolves around twelve cycles of passing with 3 sets of twelve days per passing.
 
It is said that the original twelve disciples of Quilyn were formed in a sacred alignment of twelve worlds known to the vastness of the multiverse, that their birth coincided with this alignment and that they came together in the twelfth year of their birth from twelve separate families of the dark elves at the calling of the gods of the dark ones.

These twelve were instructed in the nature and code of the Quilyn; of its transcendent authority and power over all things in the known multiverse. Then they were given the prophecies that had been given to the gods by something more ancient and all powerful than could possibly be contained within any plane, layer, world or dimension within the known and unknown multiverse.

The gods then reached into the bodies of each of the twelve and removed their hearts so that they could never be led astray from the path they had chosen. The twelve then sought eleven others each and so became the twelve enclaves of Quilyn.

I had learned that the Mother had been within one of these enclaves within the Underdark and when another sect was wiped out in a dark elf war she was selected to begin a new sect. The first outside the race of the dark elves to be granted such an honour. The Mother had thus founded her enclave deep beneath the city of Hurm where we were now the Twelfth sect of the twelve, the first to exist outside the realms of the dark elf society from which such perfection had evolved. A factor that I was later to discover that also could be said to have made us to be the most vulnerable.
 
At the end of the year I as brought before my six chosen teachers to intone the learning's of the numbers, the science of the Quilyn. As the last words left my lips my clothes were torn roughly from my body, all except my hood which remained to conceal my true face from my brothers and sisters.  I stood there my mortal flesh revealed to those around me, I sought not to cover my indecency for I had no thought for it. It was mortal flesh, if it pleased or displeased did not concern me, I was more than that. I knew the code, I knew the Quilyn, I was part of that transcendence.

For long moments I stood before them fully revealed until Elquirlyn came forward with a long dark robe of coarse black fibres that scratched my skin as he pulled it over my shoulders and left it fall about me. In the pure tongue of the dark elves he recited;

"Enter the Sixth year of your passage, the half of the full sacredness of the Quilyn. Enter clothed in defiled flesh and blood. Such is the passage of the flesh to the transcendent that will be your sixth."

A hard whip lashed the backs of my lower legs where the robe did not cover, within my hood I winced but I did not call out. I felt the blood trickle down my heels. Thus I was led away to a cell that was to be my home for the next year.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on July 26, 2007, 03:54:07 am

This year proved a challenging one. A year of mental and physical strengthening; of training in ancient methods of calming the mind, cleansing thought. My training this year pushed every one of my senses to breaking point and beyond. The thorough mental and physical preparation and conditioning took its toll on some but as the Father indicated over and over again was if we cannot adapt or prepare for the unknown then how could we survive if it came upon us. My teachers Jurn, Lordran and Mograf constantly repeated to me that we need to be able to react with innate instinct to any situation we find ourselves within, if not there will be a good chance that we will fail in our mission and thus shame ourselves under the code. Their methods would be considered harsh by most and extreme by others but it was necessary to become the code and serve Quilyn faithfully.

Some of the things we had to endure involved spending weeks at a time in small dark confined spaces with only ritual words and sayings to aid keep us sane and focused. To slow our breathing to the point where our hearts would barely flutter, to hold our breath under water or in the presence of gases for long periods, to find calm amidst cacophony, to fast for long periods or suffer from deprivation of water. So many things we were subjected to, to further threaten and push or upper limits, to find our capacity to serve the code.

The hardest lesson of them all was the isolation of pain. We were subjected to regular beatings with staves, lead saps or in hand to hand combat all in the effort to force us to push pain from our minds. In many once they reach a certain level of pain their senses and body shuts down unable to handle the physical stress, we have to learn how to operate beyond those boundaries. Pain only affects the physical body, we can overcome it, our minds are what drives our body, we do not let our body control our minds.

In learning there was very little except repeated lessons from the Mother that we are above the laws that are placed on those who dwell without the code. The code is our law, our canon and all that matters. Its transcendental omnipotent presence was more important than any moral, law or belief held by any outside the code. We were the ultimate holders of Quilyn. Its physical embodiment, constantly we must strive to fulfil our ultimate destiny so that we may attain paradise within Quilyn.

I survived this year. The last vestiges of emotion controlled, pain overridden, and my body mine to command. At the end of the year, when as custom dictates I stood before my teachers I said nothing and showed no recognition as the Mother stood before me and praised me for the first time in six years with the words 'You show promise Leisa, Quilyn surely guided my selection of you'. I did not respond, to do so would be seen as arrogance; I had learnt well. Still, deep within me there was a small piece that was my allowance, my piece of emotion. And in that moment I knew I would willingly sacrifice my life for the fulfilment of the code should it be so required.

As the culmination of the year I stood alone surrounded by my teachers, each took turns to question me on things I had learnt over the last six years. This was the text I had to face to go any further and they seemed satisfied with my answers. Then before them all a ceremonial dagger was brought forth and each cut a circle imposed over an upright equilateral triangle  into the thumb on their right hand and pressed it to my forehead in turn. Then I had to do the same to each of them.

When done Elquirlyn intoned the sacred words of ritual passing and they withdrew form the room leaving me with dark comfortable robes which I was to wear in my seventh year.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on July 30, 2007, 03:48:32 am

Seventh Year
In this my seventh year my mind was opened to reading the signs in the world, signs placed there by the power of the all consuming and all knowing multiverse. The interpretation of such signs and their use as a tool for knowing became my sole responsibility. I leant about both natural signs such as when night crawlers seek solace on the roof of a cavern there will soon be creatures passing through the area. They sense the tremor in the rock floor and seek shelter naturally, that ducks flying out of formation over a course of water indicates something they see as a threat has disturbed their planned landing place. Any one of these natural occurrences can be harnessed to observe changes in the physical world and thus used in finding our mark. They are provided by the multiverse for followers of Quilyn and those who can read the signs can always be prepared and always know that the ultimate power that is the Quilyn, that governs all things.

Occult learning's of both the world beneath and the land and skies above, all exists from the power of the multiverse. A follower of the path of Quilyn is steeped in arcane and divine knowledge of the past, present and with full enlightenment we hope to see the future as well. In this year I finally understood the level of knowledge my teachers possessed, I began to realise with insight that comes from adherence to the code that I too could possess such knowledge and in essence I come to realise what I would forever seek on the path. It finally became clear to me as well my connection to each of my teachers, my connection to the code and ultimately to the path of Quilyn. In this spiritual enlightenment I begin to see the path. I begin to see Quilyn.  Everything is connected in some way or another. To seek a mark we must see the microcosms of the multiverse and seek to remove that person from that final perfection. In essence we serve the Quilyn, by demonstrating our enlightenment and understanding of it we attain a higher order self and are closer to perfection within the multiverse.

There are so many strands that our feeble human minds can never see fully what we are to achieve, only through death on the path of Quilyn will we finally be inducted into the ultimate mystery and perfection of the Multiverse.

At the end of the seventh year my very soul was humbled by the power of that which I had been selected to follow and as I gathered before my teachers they laid their hands on my head, covered as always with my cloth hood. I was forced to kneel as they intoned in the tongue of the first disciples the ritual acceptance of the completion of this year.

"Taken from the fabric of abandonment, formed of earth and blood, this empty vessel has been filled with the purest forms of power and risen to have revealed unto them the nature of the code and the path of Quilyn.
By the purity of the belief of the first disciples, by the transcendence of the Multiverse, by the code and by the path they are deemed possessed of such knowledge that they exist above mortal men and enter the realm of those who see the path for what it is.

Let no earthly force weaken them, no divine influence deter them, no arcane ritual bind them, they are Quilyn, theirs is the revelation of perfection, they are...."

With that the Mother withdrew my hood and for the first time in seven years, except when bathing and such was done in strictest privacy, since I had donned the hood when I stood with my many brothers and sisters I was revealed. Each of the teachers removed their hoods as well and we gazed on each other for the first time. Only the Mother and the Father had I ever seen before, seven years ago in the orphanage.

In some ways I felt more defiled than the revelation of my body in my sixth year. This was in essence the true me being unveiled and at once I became aware that now I had to trust these people as they had to trust me. I had never trusted anyone in my life but here I began to realise the honour in what had just occurred. I would never betray them, to betray them was to betray the code and they trusted me to hold to the code. The responsibility was yet another revelation of the power of the multiverse and for the first time in as many years as I can remember I wept silent tears.

It was not emotion that caused me to weep thus for I had learnt to control that some time ago it was the overwhelming sense of responsibility and honour placed in me by these six people, an honour I would never betray.
The mother stood before me and bid me to rise before wiping away my silent tears; she then kissed me on my forehead and marked my cheeks with sacred oil. In turn each of the teachers came forth and performed the same action and when done they stood aside allowing me to step through a door where I would undergo my eighth year.  

Once through I replaced my hood, I was now able to remove it whenever I was alone or with one of the teachers alone. I still could not be seen amongst any others without it for no one should know my true identity except my chosen teachers.

I looked forward to what awaited me next.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on September 07, 2007, 05:33:39 am

Already in my time have I engaged in weapons drills and taught weaknesses in armour, shields, magical wards and such. Taught always to think that no matter how difficult it seemed there was always a way. To a follower that believed in the Quilyn they would see the strands of the multiverse that they could alter and affect. Never had I realised the depth of honour there was in killing a designated foe. In this year this revelation came to my mind and a higher level of understanding of the code and its place on the path became mine.

This was the year of the laws of the code, what we could do, what we could not do, what was part of the code and what was beneath it. For example it was beneath the code to slay creatures that had not been marked and I could derive no honour from it. It was allowed to be done of course for how else could the adherent keep their skills honed and see the more mundane workings of the multiverse in action, but it was done outside the code and thus no honour was attributed to it. Once I accepted a target then it came under the realm of the Quilyn and my actions would be judged by the multiverse. It was here when honour was earned. The more worthy the foe the more honour was ascribed to the action. Failure was not a loss of honour as long as I had done all that I possibly could to achieve my mark. Failure in such circumstances would remind me that I have yet to strive for a more deeper understanding of Quilyn. If however I failed because I did not act in full capability then this was to be seen as a failure of the path and the code and I would be forced to end my life and seek redemption from the accursed realm where the multiverse tested all its servants.

By the end of the year there was nothing but vision of the code, adherence to the path and service to Quilyn. Death was my gift, my honour. There could be no emotion for emotion was weakness. Failure to serve Quilyn was to live without the multiverse, a fate worse than any death imaginable and to be avoided at all costs. I was the one who lived within the multiverse, my eyes, the ones that could see the path. There was only I and there was the multiverse.

At the end of that year I stood before my teachers; unhooded, disrobed, but garbed in the power of the knowledge of the code and the path of Quilyn. This was all I was. I was no longer a part of anything resembling the realities that others outside the code existed within. I was a disciple of Quilyn.

The Mother stepped forward and lay clothes of fine dark weave before me. The father stepped forward and laid a pair of short blades over the clothes. In turn each of my Chosen stepped before me and left gifts. Jurn, who had driven my physical development lay a bag full of items used for drills, Lordran, a set of leather gloves and a short bow with a full quiver; Mograf, the hulking brute of a man left a bag of small deadly implements and finally Elquirlyn, the dark elf teacher steeped in the lore of Quilyn who was the only one I knew that rivalled the mother in her own knowledge. Elquirlyn left a pouch containing several vials of potent poisons and some antidotes as well, her skills with such materials unrivalled by any in the sect.

Once all gifts had been presented I was escorted to a place I only vaguely remembered in the underground complex that had been my home for eight years. At times we went outside and trained in the countryside or in various locations. The only time I had used this passage before had been when the mother first brought me to the enclave. We walked in silence after I dressed and concealed my weapons and equipment I had been given. After ascending for some time we entered a large basement where a number of guards, who to my observations looked extremely proficient, stood around the room.
We stopped and waited as heavy iron bolts were drawn back from the iron reinforced door. The Mother turned to me and spoke.

"Remove your hood." She paused while I did so. "Your eighth year is complete. You walk the path of Quilyn and are ready to be tested. You have one year in which to learn about the world, travel, learn, engage in it but do not be lured by it for in reality it does not exist but is only the fabric of the multiverse. Remember your training and return here in exactly one year by the astrological time. If you do so you will enter the final year of your training."
She handed me a plain leather carrying bag which was already packed. "Within are basic things you will need to begin, including some coins. You control your destiny now."
 
Then she intoned the code of Quilyn as a blessing and with her all my teachers,

"Through the code our paths are brought to absolute perfection. Through the code our lives are brought to ultimate fulfilment. Through control and discipline our thoughts are purified. Through Quilyn our deeds become the measure by which honour is allocated. Through honour to Quilyn we ascend beyond the mortal boundaries to the realms of paradise."

The door swung wide and I stepped forth.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on September 20, 2007, 05:05:35 am

The time has come.. the deadline nears quickly. Soon the moons shall rise in the exact conjuction on which I was told to return. Should I fail to meet this deadline and be waiting when the doors are opened once more then it will be as if I never existed. I would be forced to become an exile in the world or succumb to the will of the multiverse.

I can return with my head held high as I have honoured Quilyn as I was trained and called on to do. As well as this I have made my first official kill which fulfils both the code and the nature of Quilyn. It was a clean and honourable kill.

Hired by a family in Kartherian I have been bid to work with a select group formed for a delicate task. Into this group came a priestess of Mist called Muireann by the others within the core group. Knowing the nature of the goddess she served I immediately was apprehensive due to the delicate nature of our mission. The group voted and agreed to allow her to journey with us and to shae the bounty offered by the Alinni family. I continued to watch her thinking she may very well cause the mission to be jeapordised.

It was not long before her chaotic nature revealed itself, after several deaths amidst the party, several arguments things came to a head when the priestess decided to attack our groups main warrior by suprise. With this priestess in our party our mission would surely fail. Under the auspice of the code I took action to protect the mission. As she gloated over her kill I moved in striking swiftly from magical darkness to aid my attack. My challenge took her by suprise and as she tried to protect herself I struck again and again from darkness. Each time she tried to cast her magics I struck until eventually she tried to back away and protect herself. I did as I was bid by the code and by Quilyn. I did not falter in my attack until the target was eliminated. For her it was an honourable death at the hands of one trained in the Quilyn. for myself it was an increase in my own honour under the code that will be accorded to me when I return to my teachers for the final part of my training. it also means our mission can continue and subterfuge and guile can still be utilised.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on October 24, 2007, 10:12:38 pm

The time was upon me; I had arrived in Hurm the night before by ship from Leringard and waited in an inn nearby. Now I stood in the basement of the library and waited. To my right above my head is a grill through which I can see the alignment of stars in the night sky with which I had made my return.

Calmness comes, my breath slow and even, my pulse calm and steady. I hear the clicks of the locks and then the bolts being drawn back. A section of old books swings towards me and lit torchlight greets me.

Black cloaked and hooded figures are gathered beyond. It is the time of the Chosen. When my teachers come to gather me for my final training and final acceptance. I am the 'Returned'.

I step within, everything is taken from me and left by the entrance. Once again I don the hood of anonymity and the black robes of humility. No words are spoken. I am the Returned. Not many survive the training, enter the world and choose to return. For me there is nothing else but the code. Nothing but the Quilyn. I will serve the All and Nothing.
 
My year is spent in deep meditation, discussions of philosophy, distinct enlightened thought and ritual ceremonies. Through the enlightened path I ascend to a higher plan of transcendance. I see my place in the All and Nothing, that I am honoured such to be given the power to take from it that which the code and Quilyn decided must be taken. I finally realise what I had known in my soul for so long. I am the hand of Quilyn, I was..I am...the assassin.

In the final reckoning my deeds under the eyes of Quilyn are made known, the priestess of Mist, Muirean; the ambassadors of the Selene family of Kartherian and the other bounties I had claimed in my time on the surface.

Honour is gained in the eyes of my teachers. I am a student no more and can be called upon to enter the ranks of the Teachers at any time. Till then I return to the surface and carry out my destiny.

I am the hand of Quilyn. I am...the Assassin.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on August 20, 2009, 04:30:46 am

Many years now I have walked amongst the races that litter the surface, learning their ways, observing their strengths and weaknesses, dealing in lives, blood and death. Such is always the path of Quilyn. I was once asked if I believed in fate and I said no, we live in the moment but now I have come to realise that within the code I am truly the hand of fate for those marked for death. It is by my hand that their life shall end, their fate is sealed.

In my dealings I have found that some would try to own my skills, to use them on a more permanent level. I have thought long and hard on this matter, the Mother and Father mentioned long ago that as our skills become know this aspect will appear before us. There is no answer to this under the Quilyn. In this it is one of the true questions each and every adherant to the Code must face, and answer.

I wonder what my answer will be.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 08, 2010, 11:50:56 pm

Lives and blood have departed this realm by my hand for many years now. Always I have adhered to the principles of Quilyn and now I find myself through all my experiences looking toward the future. I dare not look to far for that it seen as arrogance under the Path. We are the here and now, we are finality we are the Quilyn. People live and die by our judgements.

Someone asked me the other day if all I do is hunt what do I want to achieve in this life. I told them that I wish to achieve paradise and as such could only do so by attaining much honour during my time serving the Path. Of course without the knowledge that I have the person was quick to impose her thinking and belief systems on my own. All of which I could easily discount but for one particular thought. Under the Pathwe are allowed a small pocket of whats called oneness, it is at our core and part of who we are, a token personality or emotion state that we can nurture. In the past its found that adherants who had everything of themself stamped out of them in training became nothing more than mindless automatons unable to think for themselves beyond what the training gave them which limited adaptability and reasoning and many other things. So each adherant was allowed this pocket of 'oneness' in their being which made them far more suitable and stable for training and the strict codes of the Path.

I am permitted to feed my Oneness but never to let it grow so great that the emotions contained within it begin to drive my adherance to the Code. But I think of what I would do with it. To serve the Code fully I need more than what I have, Elquirlyn was a grand master at mixing poisons and brews, if there was something I could allow to call enjoyment it was in working with her in their creation. In my work I need ways of nuetralising those who use magic, this might be an opportunity to pursue perfection under the Quilyn and earn honour as well as nurture my Oneness at the same time.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 24, 2010, 03:08:19 am

Goals and attainment. Arrogance is beaten out of an adherant early in their training in the Code. Recently I have begun to follow my own path under the Code. Deriving inspiration from my teacher Elquirlyn I have followed her path, finding a peace and satisfaction allowed to me through my pursuits. It was not long before I reached the peaks that surfacers knew of poisons and their uses and yet I felt there was so much more that they had lost.

I approached one whom I felt might guide me on the path and he generously offered to sponsor a wider pursuit. Therefore I hired people who I had a measure of trust for and had the necessary qualities I required for my undertaking.

In setting our from Dalanthar in my mind the mission was clear. To sweep the Sinister Forest looking for new breeds on hitherto unseen spiders and if unsuccessful to delve into the old abandoned temple to Ca'duz. Surely there I could find lost secrets relating to spiders and the uses of their venom. Neither was necessary in essence. As we pushed through old paths of the forest we came across a being. In hindsight I firmly believe in the strings of fate that the All and Nothng weaves for us to find and follow or lose and abandon. Thus we were drawn together.

A creature of great knowledge and power it very presence demanded life. So I gave it, well one of my party did, but it was necessary to the goal, and he was well paid for the sacrifice. In return the creature promised knowledge of the sort I sought. We were shown a path that led to a deeper and wlder part of the forest where a spider hitherto unknown on the surface dwelt. A spider one would not willingly seek out every other day without great planning and preparation. I was told of the cultivation methods and we proceeded.

For the first time I can recall in my life I felt a deep sense of satisfaction, it was an indulgence I knew but one I held for a short time before forcing it back so that I did not let the emotion overcome my judgment. With the prize in hand we left the place where its juveniles threatened to overwhelm us and returned once mor to the glade where we had met the creature. Promises and agreements have been made. Some have yet to be fulfilled. for now I am content to study the gland I have discovered, measurements are first, size, weight, dimensions, notes of the surface tensions, carrying capacity and the like.
{What follows is extensive drawings and notes taken about the gland and its dimensions including some sketches of the spider and the gland.}

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 25, 2010, 06:24:52 pm

My training continues, when I am not taking a Mark then anything in between must be training to ensure I do not lose my edge, that I am always ready. Such has occured this day. Travelling the desert on Dreger the group I had accompanied emerged from the caverns of silver to find a force arranged on the desert. A patrol of some sort dressed in armour I did not recognise. Without any sort of recognizance the party dealt with the patrol and moved on. My initial thoughts were they were part of a larger force that would come for us once they found their patrol dead on the desert sands. My thoughts were confirmed soon enough when we came upon another patrol near the topaz caves. This time I make sure to scout ahead ot check numbers nd intentions. My observations were confirmed by a party member that they were Dragon Stealers or Cult members.

I studied the fear on the faces of those present in the light of that information. Fear creates weakness and I saw a great deal in their faces. I gave them the facts of the enemy arragement and saw that in doing so it alleviated their fear and they moved into action. I allowed them to deal with the enemy while I sought to ensure there were no more of them and try to ascertain their original path. It became apparent to me they were looking for something. Given their background I suspected I knew what that was.

After the battle I informed the others of my suspicions, the Dragon Stealers were seeking the dragon that dwelt deep in the caves below us. The party decided to try and warn the Dragon and we moved inside. I hesitated at the motivations of the group, many wanted to kill everything in the caves to seek the Dragon but I remembered Mogrufs words to me from my training that you do not earn honour in meeting a master by slaying his dogs. Therefore no blood spilled by my blades as I moved through the complex. While he others slew with abandon.

Reaching the access point to the Dragons lair I found the wards and seals gone, while I contemplated the area many of the party charged through and I soon heard the sounds of combat beyond. Approaching cautiously I saw one had already fallen and many of the others were falling back in disarray at an onslaught of the Dragons forces. As I arrived in the midst of the battle, still yet hidden the mage in our group slew by great magic the protector of the Dragon, then they fled. I do not know what compelled me to act but there was no honour in how such a fierce and honourable creature had been slain so I restored life to her and informed her of what was occuring. I get the impression that she respected my actions. She informed me her master would get my message and that we should leave. I did so at her command leaving the others who had shown little regard for honour to their fates.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on February 06, 2010, 06:19:48 pm

After extensive testing and retracing my steps through my notes I can only have concluded that somewhere I have missed an element in the extraction and preparation of the poison that we reclaimed from the unsual spider. I meditated on the answer for some time going back over events in my mind, I checked all my tools for anything that may have racted with the agents I used and thus affect the poison. I am sure that it is something small, something I have overlooked, something I can overcome if given the opportunity.

The creature must have some means of observing my actions or sensing my thoughts. I was in the house carefully storing the glands of various spiders I had collected when it appeared and asked how my research was progressing. I explained the entire process I followed and my observations and reflections on the failure of the experiment. It was in imparting such knowledge that a clear thought entered my mind as to why the experiment failed and when the creature told me that I had failed on one point I instantly knew what it was. Light.
When I said as much the creature bared its teeth which I suspected was a smile and granted me another chance to harvest the creatures poison. This time I will be fully prepared.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on February 20, 2010, 06:54:29 pm

What follows are several recorded pages of sketches and notes clearly outlining two new spider types, the Arach Natar and the Dryad Spider.

I have encountered perhaps the most dangerous spider I have ever come across before. Its aura has the ability to clouds ones mind and bring negative emotions to the surface with devestating effect. In our attempt to locate and claim the venom of the spider we very nearly succeeded in eliminating each other. There are few times that I have lost control of my emotions in my life, this was one of the worst and I would have lost honour had not everyone else been affected also. I am currently studying the spider and its venom intently to see if there is a way to avoid the mind affect and ultimately how I can generate the poison I need without destroying the venom. I am taking every precaution I can.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on March 20, 2010, 11:39:42 pm

Success! This time the poison has formed a particularly deadly form of neurotoxin. It affects the mind and nervous system of the victims body. In the case of users of the Al'Noth it will reduce their capacity to think about and remember their spells. This will be particularly valuable in my work and fetch a good sum from those who sponsored the finding and making of such a poison.

I have also been busy settling certain matters that needed settling. I located with some effort a dark elf similar in appearance to Duchess and killed her taking her body to the authorities in Willows Weep in order to close that matter. Although I have been unable of late to contact Duchess in order to inform her of the ruse. I suspect she may have gone underground to avoid detection.

I have also taken on a contract to find a missing woman from Fort Vehl who is particularly wealthy. So far the leads are minimal but I will not rest until she is found, alive or dead.

Arkolio has also commissioned my services to work with Dogboy in settling a few accounts with various individuals who sought to interfere with his operations in Fort Vehl while he was seemingly dead. My role was more supervisory as Dogboy used the bashers to get the tasks done by himself mostly.

I have not seen the creature whose knowledge of poisons I had sought since I completed the poison. I understand it was pleased with the result not that that matters to me beyond an indication that I was successful in what I had set out to achieve. I have more questions for it though and would readily seek more knowledge if possible when I see it again.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on June 17, 2010, 05:32:58 am

Time passes and I train and wait for the creature to appear once more. I have tried to seek him out in dark places to no avail. I have need to create more poisons for my work. It is not enough to train and carry out minor tasks for functionaries of different people. Even Arkolio of Fort Vehl has little work at present. I have heard the Priest of Mist Hardragh has returned from a sojourn. It has been come time, perhaps he has a challenge worthy of my skills.

At this time I sense I must await on the will of the All and Nothing. What will be will be in its own good time. Therefore patience is what I practice in my daily routines.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on July 08, 2010, 04:29:14 am

What follows is a complete and detailed list of attributes, actions, affiliations, know alias's and companions of the following people. Each account also includes specific notes on mannerisms, descriptions, particular idiosyncracies and the like. A very detailed and specific account of each individual sent a request to form a mercenary company for a specific mission.

Lord Arkolio Salvorre
Brandin aka Dogboy Fleetfeet
Kromlek the Dwarven Axemaster
Dr Vensk
Marin the elusive sorceror
Torroc the Singer
Tralek the Gifted
Vrebel the Mighty Warrior
Nastor
Liar Muck aka (multiple alias's)
Eleandilethessa Quilyn (Very little notes here on this one as if the writer decided not to record details)
Gladyus of the Adamantine One
Trax the Fort Vehl Mercenary
Bella aka Viper

Title: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on September 20, 2010, 08:39:09 pm

We have a short time in which to prepare ourselves for what is to come. The journey to the old keep inhabitated by the strange wizard known to us only as Old Grey beard has been dangerous and we have sustained a number of losses. Attrition has also played its part, A number of those initially enlisted for the mission have failed to meet the terms of the contract. At present I believe the contract with the creature can still be met even with the losses sustained.



We now know that at least two of the targets are present in this place, access to them may be difficult and time is working against us. But I suspect we can use Old Grey Beard to our advantage. He can protect those here far longer than those who are on their own out in the open. The Mist creatures will target them first since it will require a great deal more power to overcome this Grey Beard by my assessment. If there is a way we can work with Grey Beard to find the others then that gives us a viable alternative to traipsing around the world trying to find leads.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on November 05, 2010, 06:15:59 pm

During my years of trial I had many teachers, eventually I had to choose my life teachers which I did.

The Father, he had shown me the path and brought me back to it and I respected him for that.  The Mother, she who rescued me from a life of dull drudgery, I saw in her, achievement, and recognition of who she was as head of the Sect.  Jurn, ever patient and quiet yet who drove Leisa to the limits of her own physicality and then beyond.  Lordran, for his skills in close combat, the basis upon which I seek to deal with my enemies. Mograf, the hulking brute of a man whose knowledge of intimidation and mental strength had given me new insights into the depths of my own self. A man that reminds me of the mercenary known as Gork, whom through stories I have come to respect. Elquirlyn, the dark elf steeped in the lore of Quilyn, the only one who surpassed the mother in her own knowledge. He had come with the Mother from the Deep, where she had trained in Quilyn many, many years ago and aided her in setting up the order deep beneath Hurm. His secret knowledge was deep and vast and it was him that gave her such a good grasp of the sacred language of Quilyn. The tongue of the dark elves.

And now I add to that list another who the All and Nothing has provided for me to learn greater knowledge from. The strange creature who we stumbled across some years ago in my search for the greater poisons that those available to the surface peoples of this world. The creature promised such knowledge in exchange for service, service freely contacted into.

It was from here that I sought to subcontract to others due to the need for certain skills and proficiencies when the creature appeared once more after a long absence and demanded a heavy price for further knowledge.
Knowledge being far more valuable than any coin I sought to complete the contract as given. Nine lives lived, nine lives to return to the All and Nothing. There was great honour to be achieved in completing such a contract.

Seeking suitable candidates for the tasks at hand proved problematic, yet a number were acquired with the knowledge that some would not doubt decline the offer. Such was the case, despite complete profiles and assessments of each candidate there were some I did not expect to leave that did. Others came and went as the task required which was my intention. There is also one outstanding matter of a traitor within the ranks that I have yet to deal with although plans are in progress to deal with that matter.

The core of the contract was for my knowledge alone, yet I sought to share such knowledge with a select few, this proved to be beneficial as both Ele and Nastor became confidants during the most difficult aspects of the mission and while I have been trained to trust no one, especially those who first developed Quilyn I found I could rely on them to complete certain specific tasks without question. It all comes down to nature and personal desire as Elquirlyn so wisely told me a long time ago.

The Mist creatures because the first obstacle to the successful completion of the contact. Each time I put elements in place to deal with a mark the Mist creatures would appear and try to steal the mark from us. Skill, planning and precision saw us remove several marks before the Mist creatures were able to do so.

It was only in seeking the mage Greybeard that we finally got an insight and intell on the Mist creatures that seemed to be able to track the same individuals we sought. Through subterfuge we were able to infiltrate Greybeard's confidence and hence discovered some of the truth of the nature of the creatures.

It seems that some time ago Greybeard and the other nine individuals were a mercenary company of sorts and treasure seekers. It is unclear at present the exact details of how the creature came to be involved with them but the company had amongst their number a Corathite necromancer known as Kepcha. They became aware of a large treasure horde and attempted to steal it but fell to infighting.

This is where the company led by Greybeard realized they could not prevail against the Corathite and the creature appeared. The creature offered to help Greybeard deal with the Corathite in exchange for a share of the treasure. Through some mystical ceremony where a small essence of each of the company was used the creature and Greybeard managed to banish the Corathite to an unknown Pit, they split up the treasure and each went their own separate ways.

For some time each person lived their life off the wealth they had accumulated until the Mist creatures returned. Greybeard and the creature both became aware of them around the same time and knew they were honing in on the essence of each person from the original group that had banished the Necromancer to the Pits.

This is where different ideals took place, Greybeard called those in the company back to him that he liked and left the others to their fates. Greybeard knew that each time a Mist creature took one of the Company Kepcha would gain greater power and eventually be able to return so he sought to protect them until he could find a way to stop the attacks.
It took some time to understand what the Creature wanted me to do, the creature realized that the most effective way to prevent the Corathite from gaining more power was simply to eliminate the targets. A strategy I see plainly as the most effective. As we set about to bring this to fruition I used the tools at my disposal for each of their specific traits and skills. For the most part it worked smoothly however there was towards the end the indication that there was a traitor in the ranks. I had my suspicions but without evidence simply monitored the situation and tried to prevent further damage from occurring. Now the task is complete I have put plans into motion to find out who worked against me. In my mind they failed to adhere to the contract and therefore should be reminded what happens in that instance. I will bide my time and do the investigations properly and thoroughly as I always do.

Once Greybeard realized what was happening he sought aid from the Rofireinites and Toranites and appointed his own champion in Argali Trueaxe. An honourable and worthy opponent or ally however the case may be. I have worked with her before and know her true value. As suspected Greybeard had duped her into aiding him against us. His plan would never work whereas ours had a far higher chance of success. When this came to a head the creature managed to talk Greybeard into opening a conduit for us to travel through to deal with the Corathite Kepcha. In this endeavour we found our ideals united and Argali was accepted as part of the team to travel to the Pit where the creature lived.

There we found that the Corathite was not the true force behind the Mist creatures. In fact the Mist itself appeared to have its own life force and was using the Corathite as a vessel through which to access Layonara. As per the contract we forced our way to the repository of the Corathites body and slew it so that the means by which the Mist was accessing Layonara was closed. There was a very interesting battle with what I can only explain as a manifestation of the Mist, this battle took some time and tested all our skills before it seemed the Mist finally dispersed. We took a number of loses in the Pit but they were acceptable in that we achieved our goal. Those who died did so in honour. As per the Code I have adhered to the path of Quilyn and brought honour to my soul. I have been filled with the purest form of power and risen to the nature of the code and the path, by the purity of my belief, by the transcendence of the All and Nothing, I exist now above the realm of mortal men and women and see the path for what it is. From this moment on no earthly force shall weaken me, no divine influence deter me, no arcane ritual bind me, I am Quilyn, mine is the revelation of perfection, I am.

For as the code teaches us:

'Through the code our paths are brought to absolute perfection.
Through the code our lives are brought to ultimate fulfillment.
Through control and discipline our thoughts are purified.
Through Quilyn our deeds become the measure by which honour is allocated.
Through honour to Quilyn we ascend beyond the mortal boundaries to the realms of paradise.'

Now I learn from the creature, some of those secrets to which I have dedicated my part of self to learning.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on November 08, 2010, 01:42:07 am

In carrying out an intell gathering mission on giants in the lands surrounding Hilm recently I stopped in Fort Miritrix and as fate has it met with Lord Arkolio and his nephew Trouble. Taking time out to engage in some training I joined them in the bandit infested regions nearby.

During such time an incomplete contract, by fate again, came into our possession. It seemed a local worker from Fort Miritrix had had enough of a certain trolloc targeting his goods as they passed through the woods and wanted the problem eradicated.

We accepted the contract and moved to locate and secure the Mark, finding it some time later in a dark region of the woods in a small makeshift camp. The creature was promtly dealt with and the contract initiator informed of the completion of the contract. The opponent was worthy and honour was earn't in the completion of the contract.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on November 26, 2010, 05:24:14 pm

It seems the heritage of which I am a disciple continues to grow and form around me. Fate calls it to me, I am now one with the path and I see its direction. Quilyn is me and I am it, I am the tool with which fate decrees life or death. As is the pattern of the All and Nothing.

Fate has drawn me to another of the elite race, one whom I had met many years ago but as I was not ready nothing could have come of it. Now, in a meeting of fates she has evaded her capture and returned to the surface where we have been brought together.

I shall accept what fate has given and aid her as I can, if she seeks to betray me then I will know that fate has decided for her life to end. When she is ready I shall introduce her to Nastor and Duchess, being her own kind they will know what more is needed, or, they will decide what life will be hers to have.

For now, I must travel to Dreger yet again to make inquiries into a merchant faction for a client. I will also need to collect more venom samples soon in order to restore my dwindling stocks. The new poison seems to work fairly effectively. The method of delivery is problematic and not as secure as I would like, I shall continue to work on this aspect.

I have not heard from the creature since he left me back near Dalanthar. I have several questions about delivery methods I would ask him. Fate will decree if I ever see him again and have those opportunities.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 28, 2011, 05:54:52 am

// please note all prior references to the All and Nothing are to be read as 'The Fate Beyond' as discussed with the Loremaster.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 28, 2011, 06:10:50 am

Some time has passed since leaving the service of Master Pe'tula. Upon leaving he granted me his honour by allowing me to call him by name. I have learn't much in my time with him on the nature of poisons both of the surface and the Deep. I have also learn't much of strange and unusual creatures that carry other forms of poisons that he has suggested I should try and collect and study. Some possess magical qualities in their refinement and could prove a beneficial addition to my work.

In my time since I have not been idle. As soon as I was freed from service I sought Captain Argali in order to rectify the error in her thinking about the nature of the Al'nothist known as Greybeard. It was an enlightening conversation and we spoke for a number of hours on the nature of honour, what she calls right action and on things related to the Cult in Belinara.

In my time with Master Pe'tula I had not had chance to hear much information on what has been occuring in the world. Captain Argali was most concerned that I would take up the contracts offered by Kuhl against adventurers. I told her truthfully as I felt no need to conceal my motives that I had considered the contracts but had decided against such a course of action. My motivations were that I myself in reflection was classed as one of those that Kuhl was hunting so the delivery of any captives would be problematic in itself, also the contracts would provide too much attention to myself when adventurers started disappearing. The chances of someone noticing eventually could have damaged my future contracts. Therefore I informed Argali that I would not be taking up the contracts.

It was curious her response, she seemed greatly relieved, in retrospection at a later time I considered the possibility that she was emotionally worried that I would, and perhaps had an understanding of what I could have achieved. I still struggle to understand at times the emotional attachments people have with each other. I share honour with Argali but if she died it would mean nothing to me.

With my revelation about the contracts to Kuhl Argali then chose to offer me several contracts herself. The first to extract some documents from Lord Salvorre in Fort Vehl. This was readily accomplished without his knowledge and the documents provided. That provided a further opportunity to find and reveal any stonebound hunters working in and around Fort vehl. That work continues in between several trips to Katherian of in the last few months.

I had decided that it was time for the Patriarch of the Alinni family to be reminded of the need to honour a contract. It has been many years since he tore up the contract5 he had made and refused to pay when it had been completed and set his men to hunt and try to kill me. I had escaped, just after a reminder to him that he chose the wrong guild to cheat. Dark elf memories are long and deep and dark.

Thus the time is close for him to be reminded of that fact.

Once that matter is resolved there is another personal matter I will endeavour to investigate. That, is a subject for another time however.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on March 05, 2011, 03:39:19 am

A contract that has remained open for many years is now closed. Lord Kirth Alinni, Patriarch of the Alinni family is no more. As always I feel no joy with the termination and completion of the contract simply to say honour has been reclaimed. The Alinni family know that if they hire a member of the Quilyn then they must accept responsibility of the terms of the contract whatever they may be. Failure to comply or to adhere to the tenets of the contract will result in repurcussions. I am not aware who will step forward to claim the vacant position but I will assume until noted otherwise that they will not use the Quilyn for services again and will instead use the lesser organisations whose allegiances are often wayward and their honour entirely questionable.

Now I turn my thoughts to the next task in hand. The Doctor has left to go to Arnax and will be indisposed for some time so I will need to pursue other avenues in the meantime. I need to find someone more reliable anyway as the doctor, while excellent, can be erratic in his methods and killed the last subject almost before we even had begun.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on April 08, 2011, 06:30:01 pm

Leisa emerges from Moraken's tower a week or so after the eminant mage stormed out of the Blackford council. Her expression as always guarded and emotionless.

Removing the lucindite garments that allowed her entry she drops them into a bin near the door and takes the path towards the goblin wastelands.

Several hours later a single goblin scout jummps out before her on the path uttering unintelligible words and waving a spear in her face.

A moment later the hand that held the spear lies twitching on the ground next to the creatures head. A quick kick and the head flies with a bloody splat into the brush near the path. The only sign of emotion leisa gives.

To those that know her it would be regarded as a significant expression of emotion to others, merely nothing.

Leisa continues on her mind turning over and over in her head the conversation with Moraken, trying to piece together elements that might work to her advantage. She had received the response she had expected from the start. Now she had to begin looking elsewhere.

For a brief moment she considered returning to the tower and interferring in his research but the years of training kicked in and the thought passed by briefly and her usual determined demeanour returned.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on June 17, 2011, 09:33:03 pm

*Leisa returns to a particular house in the dead of night after long months spent trekking the frozen wastes of Krashin and Bastil. Ignoring the sounds and odd characters parading round the house in the dead of night she makes her way to a small room near the back of the house. Removing her wards she slips inside and locks the door securely behind her so she wont be disturbed.

Lighting a candle placed exactly where she left it months ago she methodically unpacks her bags placing numerous vials and glass containers on a small work desk in the corner. Next a pile of parchments are removed from a scrolltube and placed on the desk near the items.

Finally, moving to a small cot she pulls it aside and opens a secret compartment on its underside and removes a simple but worn book and writing inplements. Crossing back to the desk after rearranging everything as it was she sits, opens the book and begins to write. Several hours later she rubs her eyes and replaces the worn down candle.

In the book before her are detailed drawings of each and every item upon her desk, along with notes and arrows with key points. Leisa takes several pieces of the parchment and moves to a cupboard removing a shallow metal bowl and placing it near a wall where a small stove sits. Carefully she lights the fire in the belly of the stove and when burning well she places the parchment inside watching them burn until nothing is left but ash.

Task complete she moves back to the desk and grabs the remaining pieces of parchment, taking some time to arrange them in procedural order she begins to write again.



Ceremony procedure - Phase 1:

Heat water and add components - mixed paste of roots and leaves (Note: tree (details included) must be in the process of dying, tree displaying living and dead branches for harvesting bark and fungus, roots and leaves.)

Heated mixture forms drinkable substance not unlike a bitter tea. Bark added at point of boil then removed and allowed to cool.

Tea mixture strained to remove additional particles.



Phase 2:
Mixture prepared then the paste for the body must be prepared. Enter phase 2 of the procedure.

Paste of berries (refer page 17 berries from noted trees situated along the river). Berries collected and ground into paste. Additional additives - refer bark and fungus page 18 of notes.



Phase 3 of procedure:
Chest: (use of berry paste)

Body uncovered initial drawing starts directly over the centre of the bodys heart. {A circular drawing appears here narrow tight lines in the centre and circulating outwards forming a spiral pattern, lines grow bolder and have more open space between them as they enlarge - attention to detail is clearly evident}

Face:  (use of berry paste)
Lines centre around eyes and mouth of the body. The eyelids have particular focus and detail. {Careful drawings once again depicting images drawn onto the face and additional detail set to the side for each eyelid}


Phase 4:  (use of berry paste)
Preparation of the Caller - The one calling the 'spirit' back to the body must have patterns reflective of those on the body of the spirit being called. refer here to images already drawn.


Phase 5:
The calling - Caller must drink the bitter tea created for the cermony, must be fresh and lukewarm. Caller enters a trancelike state similar to Vilmhenla meditation in the Quilyn. It is implied here that the Caller must have the ability to access the Al'noth in order to perform the ceremony.


Additional notes:
Ehrok and Gilron both have impressed upon me the fact that everything must be prepared carefully and in full. Failure to do so was not made readily apparent beyond a failure to recall the dead persons spirit.

The Caller must have use of the Al'noth.

The Spirit animates the body to a small degree and is able to answer a limited number of questions based on the power of the Caller and the preparation of the materials.

The Spirit has no memory of its own death, but can recall the last few moments of death.

At the point of death there seems to be no recollection by a spirit of transcendance over two worlds, the living and the dead, therefore they cannot either see or recall anything in that moment.

The spirit indicated that it cannot see its own or others Soul strands from the world of Spirit.

When a spirit form looks at the living it cannot 'see' soul strands merely a positive frequency of energy that encases the living.

A caller can call a spirit back to its body but cannot cross into their world. A spirit that crosses into our world becomes an undead either in a corporeal sense of incorporeal ie the shades and ghostlike creatures that inhabit the Spirit Dunes.

The tone and pitch of the intonation created by the Caller is important in recalling the spirit. I sense that this sound is relevant in some way and may have to investigate this further.

Spirits that exist between this world and the next become angry and twisted seeking only to detstroy those in the world they cannot be a part of.

A spirit that is honoured and was honourable in life is more willing to return to answer questions for the living.

A spirit that is 'hostile' to the Caller is far more difficult to recall and being unwilling far more cautions need to be put in place to hold them long enough to try and gain information from them.


Future investigation:
I will need to look into the use of sound, tone and pitch in the calling and its affect on the creatures of the other side. Perhaps I can find an Ilsaran well versed in music to extract such information from. or possibly the Aragenites have an entreaty on sound. It may be that some scholar in the past has studied such things and its relation to things living and dead.

While I have a good understanding of the Al'noth and its ways, enough that I can utilise the power from scrolls written by the hand of Al'nothists I need to see if I myself am able to access such power. Perhaps Tralek can aid me in this area.

I will need to find the Doctor when he returns from Belinara. While his methods are unreliable his information on the dead may prove useful in this endeavour.


Morning dawns outside in the city but in her dark room leisa is oblivious. She sits back and stretches tired muscles from sitting in her chair all night. Carefully, methodically, she puts away her writing implements and the book. Then takes the remaining parchments and burns them in the fire, restocking it again to get the flames burning. The heat begins to warm the chill air of the room as Leisa takes each item in vials and glass jars from the desk and opens a heavy cupboard, removing several locks and wards to do so. She places the now labelled jars inside where dozens of other materials and regeants, poisons, toxins, antidotes and all manner of chemicals and substances remain under lock and key.

Everything back into its place leisa sits on the floor and spends an hour in quiet meditation before finally undressing and after checking the locks on her door moves to the cot and curls up to sleep.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on August 19, 2011, 08:11:56 pm

The last few months has seen a great deal of activity. It seems after some years my status in the Quilyn is beginning to show. Certainly the work Naster has provided, while relatively straight forward, has been to the benefit of his people, the perfect race and has given me new avenues to pursue in developing various persona's. It also gave me much honour to provide the escape for one I would call in name sister. While it is not unheard of, it is extremely rare to take such an attachment to another when in service to the Quilyn. There comes with it an even greater responsibility not to become emotionally involved should others seek to use that attachment against me. Not that I expect that to happen. She is more than capable, even moreso than myself.


That matter has taken up some time, particularly in travel back and forth and in observation in and around Fort Wayfare but even as I write this it is almost complete. One more waits to be honoured as my sister was. His death awaits.


It has worked well with my primary concern at the moment. Finding the components the Master has determined are necessary to re-create the ancient poison. It has been onorous negotiating on the necessary components but worthwhile. All I await upon now is Nastors contribution. I am concerned that his attempts at playing master manipulator with the surfacers has distracted him from his task in this. I must admit to a lack of understanding of his methods. He seems to enjoy the situations he creates the longer they last. This is against my innate reasoning. The Quilyn teaches us patience yes, but it also teaches us that the best solution to any situation is the quickest and most final. Not the dragging out of the situation. The more you drag something out the greater the variables that come into play that can affect your primary goal. Still, he seems to know what he is doing most of the time. I will just have to remain wary and conscious of my own self in all this.


My final concern is something I am not yet fully understanding but will dwell on more in the coming weeks. A strange message I received indicating that something is about to happen in the world that I can help prevent. Of course my first question is why would I want to? It is not my concern. Only the mission and the Path is my concern. And yet, I know I must at some stage seek an answer to what is going to happen. If it is going to impinge on my ability to seek perfection then I will have to act to prevent that in whatever capacity is needed. Once my most immediate concerns are dealt with I shall investigate this matter to establish its credence.


At some point also I must address the personal matter I have chosen to attend to. Once again it raised its problem recently. A problem needed to be removed and the problem was a Stonebound. I was unable to act against them directly because of the knowledge that they would use the stones and then return to seek me out. This continues to pervert the nature of Quilyn and the sanctity of my identity. I must pursue this sooner rather than later. I have several ideas on the matter and will need to make enquires. Hardragh has offered to help me with this so I shall seek him out once again.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on April 11, 2012, 09:44:13 pm

//Noting this thread as a contiuation of her search and after RP with Alandric Vensk aka The Mad Doctor.

http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/285470-bounty-hunter.html#post1738447

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on April 11, 2012, 09:54:07 pm

Leisa returns to her room going through the same procedures as always in unlocking and locking the room. Once again she notes that one of the houses other inhabitants have yet again tried to gain access to her small room and once again has failed. She notes the poison coated lock is untouched the poison a mild one that creates numbness in ones fingers.

Entering the room she puts the cloth covered dagger onto her workbench and moves to uncover several magical light sources around the room. She sits at the bench and unwraps the dagger spending the next few hours studying its construction, materials, runes and other oddities before deciding that if it did what the Mad Doctor claimed, the means which it did so were not apparent to her. Yet again she wondered whether she needed to pursue some studies with the Lucindites in Spellguard to further her own knowledge beyond what she could read about.

Setting the dagger aside she took out her diary and swiftly sketched the dagger from various angles, including each rune as well as additional notes on the daggers construction.

Once done she wrapped it up and placed it into a well locked iron box and placed it into her heavy, iron reinforced, oak cupboard. At the same time she removed a small box with several vials inside and placed it on her desk.

Undressing quickly she took one of the vials and sat on the floor of her room assuming a meditative pose. Quickly she drank the vial of diluted poison and began to meditate, keeping mental note of the effects the poison had on her system. She had been doing this same routine for years with the various poisons she worked with, just in case. The idea being that her body could, over time, develop some immunity to the effects of poisons, useful in her line of work.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 17, 2012, 07:47:01 am

*several pages contain sketches of crop plants, seeds and parts of the plants in detail complete with descriptions.

Dozens of samples have now been collected and I am ready to begin my study of them to ascertain whether some form of posion has been used to damage the crops. This is as per Nastor's request since he will soon be returning to his homeland for a time. My initial phase of supposition will revolve around the assumption that poison has been used. Making ascertions that the means of dispersment of the poison would have to be based on several different forms;

airborne agent - designed to spead by air to poison the next plant, specifically designed to target edible species of plant, this would mean specifically cultured with in depth knowledge of plant genus and acute knowledge of poisons as well to create a substance able to fulfill this prospect.

ground water poison - Given the locales where the contagion is affecting this seems unlikely but if we are supposing it could be this then the poison substance would need to be delivered in vast quantities into the natural water basin beneath each continent. The problem with this scenario is that such widespread delivery would surely mean all plant life would be affected but to date the problem seems to be limited to edible food crops leading once again to the assertion that an agent of force is behind the situation.

War based event - Given the nature of the war against the Cult in Kuhl and the widespread usage of poison by the Green Dragon Cult it is not impossible that soldiers in Hilm were affected by fall out from the dragon poison and have inimically taken elements of the poisons unknowingly back with them to their countries of origin. Upon return the remains of the poison has entered the enviromnent causing the current crisis. Given that the main affects seem to be human crops it seems logical based on this scenario given that most soldiers would return to civilised lands and enter such regions where crops are raised and other areas would seem to remain unaffected where few people travel.

Natural event - It could just be a natural cycle of events, a slight lessening of rainfall, a change in weather patterns, there are any number of randomly occuring features that may or may not trigger a weakening of food stocks.

Alnoth - Given research at Spellguard it seems possible in my mind that an agent of one of this worlds dieties or possibly a singularly powerful individual or group might be capable of creating such an event as is occuring. Should this be the case there must be some motive for this to occur or there will be signs somewhere in the world to indicate such is the case. This is no small feat for such not to be so. Determining this aspect will require careful observation and investigation.

Further speculation is probable however before doing so a thorough inspection and analysis of the samples must be undertaken to detemine if residual foreign elements exist within them. Results of such will follow.

*Several pages are left blank to record findings of the samples*


*Several sketches appear of a gem*
The emerald supplied by Nastor has many unique qualities. That is has been enchanted is unmistakeable, that it is also hollow is indeniable. It does not fit the natural convention of the growth of crystals that a gem of this nature can be hollow, thus Al'noth has caused it to be so for the soul purpose of it being the repository of the liquid contained within.

The liquid within, dark, murky in appearance, clouds of black, dark grey and near black appear when the liquid settles or is moved. It appears also to give the impression of having a vapourous state, or at least some element of it is.

Use of such a poison seems problematic without an effective method of delivery that contains all elements together within it. I would suggest that extracting the poison without drawing the mixed elements in the right quantities will render the poison ineffective or reduce its capacity.

For now I will place the gem in a secure location and focus on Nastors immediate request which is to determine if a poison is being used to create the famines and if so who may be orchestrating such an elaborate scheme. No small task assuredly but he knows the value I have placed on the gem and its contents he has given me.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on May 21, 2012, 09:17:52 am

*Several pages of scribbled notes and comments in regards to numerous experiments and observations continue until.*

Test after test completed with near on negative results. However this does communicate a lot. I think I can now confirm several key aspects of my studies.

Firstly, that insects are not affected by the damaged crops.
Secondly, when healthy plants are brought into contact with unhealthy plants they also become unhealthy.
Thirdly, there is no apparent affect on omnivores.

This leads me to suspect it is some sort of wasting disease of poison causing the problems. this is in itself also problematic due to the apparent limited field of affect.

However, I have been able to ascertain a few other key points of information from discussion with several individuals.

Firstly, that it has been reported that chickens have laid unfertilised eggs and secondly that some births have resulted in sick infants. When I put these pieces of information together with the notes I have made regarding the status and apparent malformed dormancy in the seeds of the unhealthy plants I can only reach one conclusion at this point in time.

Whatever the disease of poison is and however it is passed on, it affects the fertility centres of the plants or creature it is absorped by.

One issue I have at this time is that humans are also omnivores and yet it seems they, or their offspring are potentially affected which is not supported by my findings so far which says that omnivore creatures are not affected. It is possible that due to diet the affects in humans and potentially chickens or other creatures we are not yet aware of may be lessened.

I shall conduct an experiment to test this theory by mixing traces of meat into the meal of an affected creature and observe the results.

The symptons align somewhat with a form of wasting disease, so to test that theory at the same time I will culture three plantings and use cure disease, lesser restores on two of them and fresh soil and cure disease as liquid growth on a third. If these fail then I shall add blood and bone to a forth to assess any changes.

While these are growing it will give me time to study a collection of insects and rodents taken from a site of famine.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on June 01, 2012, 08:12:41 pm

Leisa stands in the middle of one of the many labs belonging to the Doctor. Finding her own spaces unsuitable to the task she collected all her research and mov ed it to a more suitable location. Ignoring the cadavers, jars of body parts, and vicious instruments, the blood stains, the buckets of entrails and everything else the Doctor collected in his private labs she got on with the task of examining the rotted inerds of several creatures.

Labourious notes are written, page after page of images and pictures, suggestions, opinions and more in small neat hand writing. Before finally a solid slab of text is written.

Extensive examinations have proven to serve as a means to eliminate probable causes. I have taken the Doctor through part of the research and he only became interested when dealing with the afteraffects of the famine disease on the animals inerds. A rotting disease or necrosis that affects internal organs. He has claimed his associates have access to a great many of these types of diseases. I know they have the capability in poisons as I have provided many for them but this is not a poison.

I have given him some samples to see if his associates can determine if any sort of Al'noth remnants exist in them. If such is the case this may provide definitive proof that the famine itself was a deliberate action. This is really what Nastor is interested in. If we can determine an al'noth remnant then it is possible to isolate the potential source.

If no such traces exist then I will approach those in Fort Vehl currently investigating the phenomenon and determine further avenues of thought.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on November 20, 2012, 03:34:23 am

// This entry has been approved and contributed to by Pseudonym on behalf of Arkolio

Having spend almost a year traversing different regions of the world, questioning numerous sources and following multiple leads Leisa finds herself once more in Katherian. Keeping a low profile she again looks up old contacts in the Vine trying to get a handle on the source of the famines and those responsible for an intricate and subtle manipulation of places around the world to spread the plague and cause upset, difficulty and even distrust amongst those on the surface.

Eventually, having exhausted all prior leads above ground and credible ones from the Deep she can marginally trust she makes for a large winery on the outskirts of Katherian.

The Salvorre Family winery and College for Disadvantaged Children stands before her as she walks along the long gravelled road leading to the impressive manor house that dominates the estates. On the wide porch that covers the full length of the house a table setting is presented with white cloths and cushioned seats. Platters of fruits and sweet meats are arrayed on the table including several crystal decanters of water and wine.

A figure sits in one of the chairs dressed in a dark suit after the latest Katherian fashions and at sharp contrast to the start whiteness of the setting. A child with dark curly hair plays with a rocking horse on the porch and a woman of noble beauty stands beside him.

Leisa has time as she draws closer to note a number of guards at intervals around the property and several hidden ones as well before she draws up to the stairs leading to the expansive porch. She pauses and looks up as Arkolio stands lazily and swaggers to lean against one of the columns supporting the overhanging roof of the level above. A coin idly flips back and forth across the back of his knuckles.

"So you finally took me up on my offer?" His cheeky reference to the many times he has tried to lure Leisa into showing romantic affection for him yet again fails to make any impression on her. Nearby Arkolios wife barely even registers the comment, so used to his flippant ways.

As if remembering she is there Arkolio turns to her, "Hun, I've got business to attend to, take him out the back will you."

Lady Salvorre takes the boy by the hand and leads him through the huge doors into the manor house. Arkolio stands straighter and motions Leisa up to the porch and to a seat.

Leisa sits and carefully places a small bunch of grapes, a piece of cheese and a particular sweet meat onto a plate before her.

Arkolio once again flops down into a seat opposite her as a servant arrives to top up his glass before disappearing inside the house.

"So, you wanted this little meeting, you're lucky I was actually here, the Vaults profits are down and I've been back and forth over the last few months."

"You are aware of course of the food production problems associated with many lands around the world over the last year or so are you not?"

Arkolio sighs and places his glass down on the table. "Always straight to the point, dont you ever relax? I certainly do, lifes too short to waste it on serious work."

"Then you are aware of the incidences."

Arkolio grinned at her across the table, "I make it my business to know lots of things."

"My investigations have led me to believe that this is a worldwide coordinated event initiated by various factions and organisations predominantly based in the Deep. What I have gathered so far is that the Corathites, a Slaver group from the Deep, the Vine and some as yet unknown groups in Liwich and Morholt have benefitted from the situation. It has been increasingly difficult to determine any links as the more I dig the more secretive they become."

"What do you care? You dont do anything without a contract?" Arkolio flicked a coin into the air, his eyes watching its every turn before catching it again and then rolling it across his knuckles.

Leisa ignored the question and pressed on. "Many years ago you contracted me to accompany you to a place that we cannot name nor discuss where a person whom we are not allowed to mention dwells."

Arkolio suddenly became more guarded looking around to make sure none of the servants were in earshot. He sat forward in his seat and lowered his voice across the table and its contents. "Be very careful what you say from now on, remember the terms of your contract and what you swore to him."

"I have never failed to adhere to a contract, I will not fail now. This person needs to be made aware that someone in Katherian is benefitting from this, and that may tip the balance of power when events finally move to whatever destination they are progressing towards. I have as yet been unable to determine this specific outcome but I am slowly working towards it and hope to as yet determine the source and their intentions."

For several moments Arkolio sat forward in his chair the coin still in his thumb and forefinger. Eventually he slowly leaned back into his chair a thoughtful expression on his face. "Who hired you? Who is spending valuable coin to have one of the worlds best assasins trecking the globe searching for obscure clues?"

"I cannot tell you that."

"Why should I do this for you? Whats in it for me?"

"You get to be the one to bring the knowledge to this person and avoid a shift in the balance of power that they did not initiate."

"You presume a lot, what if your information is wrong and nothing ever happens, then I look like a laughing stock. No, I'm sorry but I need more assurances than that."

"What do you want?"

Arkolio's grin returned and he stretched, obviously enjoying the fact that someone needed his help.

"I want to know who hired you and I want two more...candidates, the same as last time."

Leisa's dark eyes flickered, a sure sign that Arkolio had annoyed her to some degree, enough to crack her usual emotionless exterior.

"That will take me some time to achieve."

Arkolio sipped his wine enjoying the moment before responding. "So will what you have asked of me, and I'm not about to expose myself to potential discreditment in that person's eyes, not after its taken me such a long time to establish this relationship. Those are my terms Liselle, take them or leave them."

Leisa placed a grape carefully into her mouth and chewed for a while before swallowing. "Very well, but I will hold you to account for this information as I have in the past. we each have too much to lose if the other dares act against them.

"Fair enough," Arkolio smiled amusedly, enjoying the game immensly.

"Nastor hired me to find the source of the plague, if possible to find a way to turn it around or at least discover how it is passed on and spread. If I can find those responsible he wants to know."

She paused for a moment watching Arkolio barely paying any attention then continued.

"What about your part?"

He looked up, "All in good time Leisa. I believe you owe me some new candidates. I can't go empty handed as you know, its not polite."

Leisa's eyes flickered again. "Very well, I shall return in two months with what you request."

"I look forward to seeing you again, really we must do this more often, brunch on the porch, it is a wonderful thing."

Realising she had been dismissed Leisa stood, took the bunch of grapes from her plate and calmly proceeded down the steps and back to the road heading out of the estate.

Behind her Arkolio chuckled as he watched her leave, "Never changes that one."

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on December 27, 2012, 11:17:02 pm

I recently met and worked alongside an Al'nothist whose motivations are purely self centred. Nothing given without nothing received. I could appreciate this and it made negotiations easier as we each in the end understood what the other wanted and what we wanted out of the deal. As it turned out he was an Al'nothist seeking to learn traits that I have acquired extensive skills in, stealth, locks, traps and the like. Iit was a simple enough solution. He would test and train me in the arts of the Al'noth and I in turn would reciprocate from my own knowledge. It was a fair deal and one both of us stood to gain from.

In our first instuctional venture I think he was suprised at how quickly and easily I could utilise scrolls to cast Al'noth from. Even the highest level of scrolls he possessed I could read without error and bring their written elements into being. I explained to him that items containing Al'noth possed no difficulty for me either.

Seins only comment was that if I had the capacity to do all that and read the highest level scrolls without error there should be no reason I could not find it within me to call on the Al'noth and shape it to serve my demands. He also pointed out that casting from a scroll was one thing, actually channelling it through my body was completely another.

And so the lesson proceeded with several exercises he has given me to work with for now.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 13, 2013, 05:30:29 pm

Another lesson, this time involving activities designed to help one access the part of you that draws Al'noth. i wonder if this element remains dormant in all people until it is opened or awoken. It certainly seems possible given that the techniques Sein have shown me are similar in basis to techniques I learnt from The Mother and The Father and several of my previous teachers to unlock different abilities and skills within myself.

The Quilyn training seems so long ago now but I remember it like it was yesterday. It is the core of who I am. It is good to be training again in other ways than killing. That is a means to an end. The ultimate achievement of perfection. This, this is for that part of me that seeks forbidden knowledge. If I can unlock the power of Al'noth within me then entirely new potentials await me and I sense that I truly am on the right path for achieving ultimate perfection. Physical, mental and spiritual mastery shall be mine.

On another note I need to find myself a new location to dwell. My wards were not enough to stop the Corathites raiding my room. They have grown bolder since the Doctor has been busy elsewhere. I cannot risk my experiments and equipment falling into their hands so despite the Doctors assurances my things would be safe their it is evident that this is not the case. I have begun exploring certain options and at this stage an leaning towards Succession. If I can work my way into the Leigess of Nehar and find favour with Count Christophe Rennick then I believe I can find a secure location from which to begin undermining Rael. He cannot be allowed to drive the Dark Elves from their lands in the Deep. His kingdom and power needs to be diminished.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 21, 2013, 10:48:02 pm

For weeks now I have practised the exercises the Al'nothist Sein gave me. I am beginning to sense he was leading me along but a recent encounter has assured me that I am not far from the right path.

For some time now I have sought the famed Protector of the Al'noth Storold. Many have told me he regularly is seen in Center and to this end each time I have travelled that way I have checked to see if he was in town. Most of these trips were to no avail until recently. I had begun to suspect I had been led astray in this also until I saw him on the seat as I had been told he would be.

It was a difficult encounter at first, I had nothing to lose by approaching him but he was concerned over who I was and my motives in approaching him. When I told him why I wanted to speak with him his first question was why didnt the Lucindites in Spellguard help me. At first I was reluctant to speak of why this was so but in the end I decided I lost nothing in the telling but may gain the opportunity to learn more from the man.

Thus I told him of the time when I disguised myself as a Lucindite and infiltrated Morakens tower, how I worked alongside the Lucindites for more than two weeks in the tower as I scoped out its wards and Morakens comings and goings. I told him how one day I was able to sneak into Morakens personal chambers and wait for him to return there so I could ask him some very specific questions. I also spoke of how Moraken was not happy with my infiltration past his wards and though he did answer some of my questions he handed me over to the Lucindites. They then evicted me from the tower and warned me never to return. That is why I could not learn in Spellguard or from the Lucindites.

Even after I had explained this and my reasoning for wanting to learn about the Al'noth he was suspicious of my intentions. Thus I proposed we make a deal. I have to date never renegged on a contract or deal nor intend to in the future. The Fates were with me this day and he agreed to such a measure.

His deal was that he would teach me how to use the Al'noth if once I learn how I ensure that I follow the intents of the Star Lady in the use of Al'noth and never knowingly work with anyone seeking to weaken, destroy and change Al'noth in any way. I questioned him on the parameters of such a deal and in the end we were both satisfied with the outcome. Thus, he began to teach me about the Al'noth and how to try and use it.

I went through everything I had been told and taught so far, outlined how I have spent years to be able to cast spells of the highest order without error from scrolls and to use items few if any beyond Al'nothists could use. He seemed impressed by my dedication and training to those aspects.

Coming to terms with reaching myself for the Al'noth however has proven to be another thing entirely. Storold has set me on a path that I feel is the right one, I do get a sense for the Al'noth as if it is just beyond my reach with my mind but that with time it is possible, and this just from his early training.

He has agreed to allow me to seek him out again in future for more lessons on the Al'noth and in its usage. I look forward to learning what so far in my life has alluded me. Truly ultimate perfection shall be mine.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on January 30, 2013, 07:12:06 am

Some weeks have passed and Storold has proven elusive as has Sein. The Fates must have decided that this part of my learning shall take time as has all my learning in the past. I did however managed to meet briefly with Sein recently and he showed me some books with spells within them asking me if I could use them. When I told him I could he was surprised. He seemed to think then there was no reason I could not find it within myself to cast spells by drawing on the Al'noth alone.

Thus I continue to practice all that I have learnt so far from Sein and from Storold and meditate on connecting fully with the Al'noth. I sense that it is at the moment just out of reach. But I have never left a challenge unanswered yet. I am determined to succeed in this. My entire future depends on it.

Title: Re: The path of Quilyn - Leisa Margreve
Post by: Dezza on February 08, 2013, 03:25:48 am

Finally I have once again cornered Sein and taken up as much of his time as I could. I made him cast a number of spells while I studied his movements, his words. He spoke of the materials he once needed in order to make the spells work. We spoke at length about these and most of them I recognise and can find without too much effort.

For all intents and purposes I am ready, I just have to cross that invisible threshold when it all comes together and the mist will clear and I shall ahve access to the Al'noth.

Title: Time continues to pass. I
Post by: Dezza on December 09, 2013, 03:47:07 am

Time continues to pass. I have trekked many lonely paths across the length and breadth of this world. The last few years I have followed up any myth or legend of ancient shamans and wizards, priests and tribal witch doctors I culd find, seeking the answers I have long sought. I have come to the conclusion that nothing on this world can give me what I need.

There is only one answer that I can see. I must find the Harvester...and failing that...the Soul Mother herself. These are paths not taken lightly and I find myself asking if this is truly what I want. Perhaps all I need is a blade crafted or imbued with the Harvesters power. One that can cut though the very essence of life itself. But to find even a fragment of such power means placing my life at risk. The Quilyn teaches us that to strive as hard as we can and fail still earns us honour. To never strive for fear of failure is a loss of honour in the eyes of the Path.

I will finish my wanderings, and when the time comes I will make my choice.