The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: stragen on January 28, 2006, 09:19:34 PM
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Leaving the Temple
I left the temple in the dark of night feeling the call of Aeridin, or maybe just loneliness at the death of my mentor Father Shay-Wan-Low. I feel that I must seek out my heritage in the west.
Is my mother alive? Do I have any family, these are questions I must know. I am not ready to visit my fathers inheritance. [Ink blot] Just thinking of what it must be fills me with anger. I pray to Aeridin for strength. I have finished my basic clerical training, but I have not even begun my monastic training, as is the custom in our temple. All I know is that I head west. Perhaps I shall find my mothers family.
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The Dragon
I have met a Dragon! Was it a dream? Or is reality more fragile then I know? It spoke to me and gave me a mission. Now I am in a strange land, in a town called Hlint. There are many strange people about. Much stranger then I am. Though perhaps I seem strange to them? I have found no clues about my Mother. However I did help rid the town of a menacing were-rat.
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Death and The Void
I stepped outside the town gates and was killed by goblins. My spirit was stuck in the black void for three days. It was a most terrifying experience. I had almost given up when I found the recall stone. I returned to the land of the living.
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Death, Ghosts and Hanta
I met a warrior woman name Hanta. She instructed me in the arts of fighting, rats and goblins. Together with the elf Lilly, we travelled deep into the goblin infested copper mines in a quest to rid the town of the vermin. I weilded my crossbow and trusted staff with a fury. However both myself, Hanta and Lilly perished at the hands of the Goblins. I was unable to heal my companions and myself. We perished, however I returned quickly to the land of the living this time. Alas for Hanta and Lilly they returned as spirits.
I have come to the realise that my trusted staff is not adequete protection from goblin arrows and swords. Aeridin needs me to preseve my life as well as those of my companions. I have been trained in use of the shield and mace. The shield will preserve my life in dire places. The mace like the staff is a non-maiming wooden handled weapon. I will use these artifacts when in dire need. Perhaps once I have completed my monastic training I will no longer need any artifacts other than my fists to carry out Aeridin's duties.
I have enlisted the help of a Dwarf named Axeodeth, and a half-elf named Vance. Our quest was to find the graves of Lilly and Hanta so that their spirits may return to the mortal realm. The mighty dwarf decimated the evil goblins with his axe as if they were kindling for the chopping. I continued stead fast with my staff but I have vowed to aquire a shield and some armour. We have killed the Goblin leader and found the graves of Hanta and Lilly. Then Axeodeth even had some time spare to do a little prospecting for minerals.
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The Drow
I have faced the drow and I am stronger for it. I knew Hlint was full of all manner of strange beings, I have see orcs, half-gaints, and half-ogres roaming the streets. I guess it was inevitable, I have met the drow.
Standing out side the merchants shop in Hlint a strange looking elf wearing a full helm asked me to point him in the direction of the craft licence shopkeeper. Something about him triggered a reaction in me. I could feel my blood beginning to rise. The strange elf introduced him self as Daralith Del’Mar. I blurted out “Are you a Drow”. The villain admitted it without remorse, calming removing his helm to show his darkened features and pale hair to the world.
Here standing before me was a creature who may have raped my mother. My temper flared into a rage. I gripped my staff ready to beat the evil being into the ground. In a rage I accused Daralith of raping my mother. Fortunately the cleric Sho'kon Mondargan arrived on the scene, having heard my raised voice. He reminded me that beating a Drow to death on the street is against the Laws of Hlint. After taking some breaths to calm down I was able to loosen the grip on my staff. Sko’ pointed out that I share some of the features of this dark elf; who is my most hated enemy. At this point the anger gave way to tears, for the loss of my mother, for the shame that I carry in my blood.
Daralith continued to taunt me, to encourage my hatred, to be like him. His words had the opposite effect. I prayed to Aeridin for strength and I found some level of calmness. I realised this is the difference between good and evil. For if I was to give into may hate, I would have fulfilled my fathers violent heritage. For it is true that I am part Drow. I turned my back on the dark-elf and walked away.
For now I will ignore Darlith. However at some stage I will have to confront him. He is the only link to my fathers people. Perhaps he may even know which band of ruthless mercenaries raped my mother and father me; for when I find them that will be a day of reckoning.
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The Shield
I have finally acquired a shield. I have tested it in combat and the protection was most effective. Using it I was able eliminate a band of undead roaming the forest. Together with the mace that I carried with me from the temple it proved an effective combination. To my mind the shield appears to be a physical manifestation of Aeridin's directive, to preserve life.
However I am still wearing my robes and carrying my staff around town. I am still not comfortable with the shield and mace, and prefer the simple staff and robes. However I have no wish to die again. I have prayed to Aeridin for an answer.
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A Troubled Cleric
For the first time in my life I have questioned my faith in Aeridin. Having been born and raised in a temple devoted to Aeridin for my entire life so far I have never once considered any other path. There was no other choice. However kind and wise Father Shay-Wan-Low was it would be fair to say that our clergy strayed from the mainstream. This may be because there hadn’t been an elf seen at the temple in my lifetime, which to an elf is but a blink of an eye. It may also be because the temple contains both a Chapel with clerics, and a Monastery with monastics. I use to love to watch the monks practice their ka-ta in the morning, the silent physical prayer of mind and body. Perhaps I neglected my own prayers a little, but I had always considered prayer and works of healing to be my strong point. It was my temper that let me down.
I think my temper and the associated violent passions have shocked many of the local followers of Aeridin in Hlint. Many of whom are elves! My faith is but a candle flame compared to the elven clerics who shine like the noon day sun. In a darkened room the candle is bright, but at noon it is pale and wan. All I can see at the moment are the shadows created by my candle in the dark. Is it I who created these dark shadows, or did they already exist? I travelled to the temple-grove dedicated to Aeridin in the forest south of Seilwood. Though I grew stronger in divine magic from the experience I was unsatisfied. Those aspects that attract me most to Aeridin, the Moons and the Earth were not strong in the grove. The great trees though favoured by the elves blotted out the moon, and I longed for my home temple built on a mountain side above the forest with its majestic craggy outcrops and pristine views of the night sky. Though I consider all life including the beasts of the forest precious, many of the animals, the bettles, spiders and ravens attack me on sight; this sends my temper into a violent storm. For even when I ask Aeridin for healing for them they do not relent. I have never previously known such violent behaviour in animals. I wonder why is Aeridin testing me in this way?
My violent passions aren’t limited to dumb beasts either. We, the Elven Cleric of Aeridin Alleina, the Gnome Drugo, and I were camped in the forest discussing our past and our views of Aeridin. Without warning I was attacked from behind by an Ogre. I was wearing only robes so I felt the full force of its attack; the brute nearly slew me before I could find my shield and mace. My companions dispatched it and saved my life. We decided to leave our camp site there and then. My mind was in a fury. The next Ogre I encountered I slew on sight, without hesitation or mercy. I would have continued to on to commit genocide against the remaining Ogres in the forest was it not for Alleina who brought me to my senses. We avoided the Ogres when we could and ran from them when we could not, even though it was they who attacked us. My temper roiled the whole time, both at the Ogres for attacking me, but also at the Elven clerics for illuminating my flawed nature.
Where does this violent nature within me come from? Is it part of my human heritage, a gift from my dark-elven father, or merely a result of my violent conception? For I know the truth of my conception. Father Shay-Wan-Low told me to story of my mother arrival at the temple when he lying delirious with fever on his death bed. It was a gruesome tale. I have come to reinterpret my name Jin-Lun-Lee, to mean “night of the bloody” moon, not “night of the ruby moon” as it would be commonly translated to.
I need to resolve these questions soon, for my sake and that of my companions.
To Aeridin I pray.
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Axeodeth and Armour.
I am becoming fast friends with the Dwarf Axeodeth. He has saved my skin twice, or thrice. It all started out on a quest to retrive a young girl named Nikki grandfathers ashes. I though it would be a simple task to retrive the ashes. I was wrong, it was difficult dangerous and more then I could handle. In the end it took three mighty adventures and my self to achieve the quest. I must admit I was more of a liability then a help. But that is another story.
Following the quest Axe offered to sell me some better armour. I agreed, I am not yet ready to adventure in only robes, and my leather armour is slightly the worse for wear. Axe took me to his home in Hlint and showed me a selection of armours. None of them were quite what I needed. However his home was amazing, it was surpizingly large on the inside. Axe must be a very wealthy dwarf. I was most impressed as he showed me around his home. Then the dwarf revealed his skills as a smith and armourer. Axe crafted me a cunningly designed robe with a fine bronze chain mesh hidden underneath. The robe looks splendid. However I am not used to wearing such a garment in combat. I will have to practice my skills to gain the ablity to wear the robes.
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Poisoned, dying slowly in Sielwood forest.
This may be my last diary entry. I was collecting my thoughts in Sielwood forest after a tough encounter with some kobolds lurking in a nearby cave. I had summoned a spirt of the earth to protect my body while may mind floated free. However I strayed away for too long. The earth spirit had departed to it native plane and I had been attacked by a spider and Etterkin.
Being drained of spells and of health I needed to retreat. However they persisted. I was poisioned and wounded. Now I am trapped at the edge of the forest. Paralysed from the waist down I cannot move. A small spider is worrying my feet. This may be my last journal entry.
At least I am near a grove dedicated to Aeridin. That will give faith to face the end.
Aeridin let my will be one with yours and my life dedicated to your service.
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Dead to undead
I perished in Sielwood forest, the spider poison worked slowly and painfully. Yet here I am again in the land of the living. My spirit continues to be drawn to the mortal plain and to a mortal body. There must be a reason for this. I returned to the bindstone in the Rangers Vale and retraced my steps to my grave. This is certainly and unnerving experience.
Having returned to Hlint penniless I decided to take up a craft. Crafting it seems in hard work and frustrating. I have acquired tools for tailoring and jewel craft. It is hard physical work. Many times I have broken a needle in anger. The raw materials of silk and cotton are difficult to aquire, guarded by orcs and spiders respectively. The greenstone and machalite are heavy and protected by goblins and orcs. I felt like I was making very little progress. Eventually I made a cloak.
I was resting on the bench under the great tree in Hlint when Lilly came past say “Follow me we need a healer”. I came slowly under the burden of the items I had crafted. Outside the gate of Hlint was chaos.
Undead everywhere. Supposedly we were attacked by a Bloodpool General. I called on the power of Aeridin to terrify the ghouls but to no effect. Instead I had to wade in with my mace and shield. In the end the citizens’ of Hlint were victorious. However it appears that war is coming, and I am being drawn into it.
How am I going to find my mother in a continent torn apart by war?
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Lilly Again, Dead Again.
I was meditating outside the tavern in Krondor. My mind floating far from my body; I believe I shall soon be ready to join the monastic path. When Lilly ran past unknown to myself. She had lured into the town an deadly creeping vine. While my spirit was away, my body was killed by the vine. Was it on purpose or an accident? I will give her the benefit of the doubt.
Dead again.
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Lilly is gone
Lilly has left for other lands. I will miss that troubled spirited elf. I recall first meeting her with Hanta. Her common was not so good then, and my elven was weak. We had to communicate via mime. Hanta and I had been racing through Hlint with the thrill of youth and the joy of movement. It appeared that the dainty little elf with the oversize long bow and gruesome armour wanted to join the race. Thus began my assoication with Lilly. She was a fey spirit, much like the wild animals of the woods. She could be very kind and unwittingly cruel in a blink of an eye. Truely a wild creature of Aeridin. I will miss her, inspite of her pranks and troublesome nature.
I will miss you Lilly.
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The nature of violence
Every creature created by the gods has a purpose, to survive to, procreate, to live. It is this natural life that Aeridin holds precious.
I have observed that the each creature will fulfil its purpose in a different way. The rabbit lives by grazing grass and shoots. The fox lives by hunting rabbit. This is that nature of the cycle, without taking the life of the rabbit the fox could not live. Thus the cycle continues. There is violence inherent within the fox, for if the fox did not kill it could not live. Even the rabbit which does eat meat can destroy a bush from overgrazing. Thus there is violence inherent within nature. But the nature of this violence will vary according to the purpose.
Furthermore the purpose of a creature is determined by its parentage. The offspring of a rabbit will have both the characteristics and purpose of a rabbit. The offspring of the fox will have the characteristics and purpose of a fox. The rabbit will never be a fox, and no matter how it tries the fox cannot live the live of a rabbit. These are the truths of nature.
Do these truths also hold for the higher creatures, Humans, Elves and Dwarves?
It is stated that the nature of the Drow is violent and cruel in the extreme. Will the child of a Drow inherit the nature of a Drow. What would happen if ones parents were human and drow; rabbit and fox? Does the truths of nature hold true for higher creatures? Is my purpose anger and violence, inherited from my Drow father? And what of my mother was she rabbit or fox?
I have begun observing the local Drow, hoping to gain an insight into their purpose, and thus my own nature and purpose.
I met Daralith Del'Mar the Drow archaic some moons ago in Hlint. His words and demeanour spark the fuel of my hatred causing it to burn brightly. His purpose is hidden to me as my mind has been clouded with anger each time I have encountered him. All I have determined of his purpose is to acquire wealth and power, with perhaps power over the ‘lesser races’ of most important to him. He purses this through skill in magics and crafts. He openly goads me and tries to fan the flames of my hatred. I expect that violence lurks below the veneer of his intelligence and sophistication.
I met Zanirth Nûr Drichtsarr amongst a group of other adventures. I have conversed with Zanirth in detail on the nature of violence. She professed to be adverse to violence. However she still “kills for practice”. This we determined is not the same as “practising to kill”. But I am not convinced. Her nature appears to be as violent as mine; however she has little remorse for her kills. To her another kill is just more training to fulfil her purpose; the protection of nature.
What is my purpose? Fox or rabbit?
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The Search for Mother
Where to begin? I had been thinking about my mother since my arrival at Hlint. I had finally decided to begin the search for her. I planned to return the demon infested land of Xantril to begin my search. I requested two trusted companions, Tiden, Sen, and the hooded Renji join me on this quest. Tiden is a druid true, and a friend of nature. I have seen Tiden’s heart in his wiliness to help adventures in need. Sen is nature is shown in his words of wisdom and his willingness to spend hours crafting arrows in the defence of the city. Renji is a dark one, keeping his heart in the shadows with his acts; however he is a valiant in battle and knows the way of the wild things.
To these three I disclosed my story [ http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=21780&posts=14&start=1 ]. We were sitting at the camp site just outside of Hlint. I have just completed my story when a woman in white approached us. She was clearly a healer of Aeridin. Her name was Leila. Leila was travelling to Krandor in Mistone from Northpoint in Dregar. She overheard my story. Leila it seems knew of my Master Father Shay-Wan-Low. It appears that he had visited the Healer of Aeridin in Northpoint. She gave me hope that I may find what had become of my mother.
Thus we began the journey to Northpoint. It was an arduous journey by land and sea. Both Tiden and Sen fell to pirates just outside of Hurm. We ventured the Rift, and almost died from fear, of the strange creatures lurking within. Fortunately we were aided by a strange ranger, and some experienced adventurers.
I met with the Healer of Aeridin, Leidanos, in Northpoint. Leidanos revealed that he was an old friend of Father Shay-Wan-Low. He knew my mother, and that she had passed away some time ago. I was saddened with grief. But then he offered me hope, my mother had another legacy.
Fact Father Shay-Wan-Low had visited him less then a year ago. This would have been just before he succumbed to age and left this cycle. Shay-Wan-Low made a secret journey to visit Leidanos and ask his assistance with a patient. The patient was ill; she was suffering the effects of a drow raid. Raped and pregnant with a Drow spawn, this patient was my sister. I have a sister, her name is Seelceviran, and she like me is part Drow. However it seems she inherited our father’s dark heritage even more strongly then I.
The new rocked me. I have a sister. And she is as the Drow; violent and unstable. But she is also unwell, fractured of mind, and pregnant. My emotions went from anger, to sadness. But with Leidanos aid I was able to focus my mind. Anger and hatred are the cause of violence. Violence in anger is self perpetuating. But without anger and hatred it is possible to fight for the cause of good. My sister had need of me and was able to put aside my hatred. For I was soon to be an Uncle and the child will be a Drow. But this child fills my heart with joy.
I have hope and optimism. I will continue to purse the martial arts, but with a clear calm mind
Seelceviran is in Krandor; under the tender care of the Healer of Krandor. I leave now to visit my sister.
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Family
My sister is as well as can be expected. Her mind was too fragile for me to reveal who I truely am. To her I am just another concerned healer. The healers at Krandor have done a fine job on healing her body. But her mind, that will require the skills of the Monks of the Broken Circle. For that I will need to return home, to Amarylla. This will be a near impossible feat.
Her pregnancy is growing well. I look foward to becoming and Uncle in three months.
I have found a new balance I no longer feel hatred towards Drow. I realise that hatred not violence is a cause of evil. I will continue to fight, and kill when needed. But I will not let my emotions rule me.
The broken circle of my mind has been healed.
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Evil
Two of my dear friends are walking dark paths.
Renji still walks in the shadow. Working for the theives guild, or prehaps worse. He killed a young halfling girl merely for some documents to hide a corruption scandal. But I feel I can redeem him. If he had confided in me a better outcome could have been had. He could have gotton his documents, the girl could have lived.
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Farstrider Pack
I have started a company of adventurers, devoted to good. The founding members are Myself, Tegan and Berilu. After much debate we have decided on a name for the group, the Farstrider Pack. Since the initial meeting we have added Sen and Brenden to the pack. I haven't seen Brenden in a while so he may have left for other realms.
My purpose in forming the group was to create a company to do good in the world. There are tasks and quests that I cannot hope to complete alone. In particular returning my sister to sanity. One of our immmediate goals is to secure lodgeing for the Farstrider Pack in or near Hlint. To this end we have been mutual cooperating to generate funds. I have provided all the group members, who need it with elemental weapon enchantments, and rings and amulets of protection. I return my friends have assisted me in gathering materials. I think we should soon be able to purchase a house should one become avalible.
However lately I have felt that there may be a higher calling for the Farstriders. I have heard much on the war against Blood. I know now where I sit. I will raise the motion at tonights meeting of the Pack that we offer our assistance to Rhizome in helping save the world.
This would truely be a cause devote to good.
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Topaz
Topaz is a useful mineral. In mineral form it can be used to create a rod of electrical enchanment. When ground into dust it can be used in the casting of the spell stoneskin. When cut and polished into a gem and set into a ring of bronze it has properties that will aid a scout. With this in mind I set forth to aquire some topaz from a cave. I had promised to make a topaz ring for Berilu.
Tegan, Berilu, Eric, Jareg, and Xan accompanied me into the cave. The first trip was going smoothly enough until we were mobbed by Orges deep into the cave. We had to flee for our lives. Eric fell just outside the cave.
We returned to assist Eric, and were ambushed by Ogres. A quick peek into the cave revealed that they had setup an ambush, with magic to see invisible. I planned a assult using elemental magic to clear the enterance. The Ogres overheard our plans and protected themselves against my flames. Again I had to flee the cave. We recruited more adventures into the party to storm the cave, Kloss, Barion and Renji. Our plans fell to mud and more and more of my comrades fell to the cunning Ogres.
In the end we formed a truce with the Ogres. I retrived the bodies and raised them from death with the aid of Aeridin's light.
Never again will I risk lives for rocks. Even one as useful as Topaz.
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Farstrider Pack - The Den
After much work the Farstrider Pack have a house to call our own; The Den. To raise the funds we needed to take a loan from Derrick, and we sold one of the rooms to Pendar for his own use.
Last month Renji was invited and pledged into the Farstriders. This month we inducted Xan. Both man bring different skills and abilities.
I have observed Renji for much time. Dispite his dark nature he has proven to be a loyal and caring friend. He never leaves a companion behind, and is willing to risk his own life to protect others. His words may be different but his actions speak louder. I think since he witnesses the events with Rizhome and the discovery of the Silver Plant he has gained a new focus. He still uses the shadows to accomplish his goals, and I may not always agree with his methods. But his heart is in the right place. Even if he doesn't think it is. It is also clear that he and Tegan have great affection for one another.
Xan is simpler, he is a solider and guardian. He lives to serve, and in service he is able. He will make an excellent addition to the Farstriders.
As the numbers of the Farstriders grow there is a need to formalise the organisation. To this end I have begun thinking about a Charter. I will raise this issue at the next meeting.
May the Farstriders walk in Aeridin's light.
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Uncle Jin,
Amazing News! My sister Seelceviran has given birth to a beautiful little girl, her name is Nienna. She has dark skin and the silver hair, her eyes are lavander not red. I am captivated. All my time is taken up with the care of my sister and my niece. I will not have as much time for the farstriders and my adventure companions. We travel to the temple of Aeridin in North Point to bless the baby and then onto Vale. I will live with elves for a while. Hopefully my elven will improve with practice. My sisters mental health is stable but low. There is little I can do to improve it, but I can look after her physically and comfort her when the sadness and anger is too great to bare.
I have left Tegan in charge of the Farstriders. I will settle my debts and leave for Vale in the morrorow.
Uncle Jin!
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Jin Lun Lee - Terror of Lizards
Armolas has joined the Farstrider Pack. He will be a valuable addition to our group. He is along time friend and companion.
After the meeting of the Farstriders tonight, the Farstriders were approached by Captain Garent of Hlint to assist him with a problem with Lizard Men that he was having. He asked to remove their leader in a hope to stop their raids on the town of Hlint.
With careful team work and planning we were able to fight our way deep into the lizard-men's lair. We fought the lizard men, and I slew the leader. I retrieved the head, a ghastly deed; may Aeridin forgive me.
On the way back we rested in a secure room. That was our mistake. My mistake as I lead the group it was my decision to make. It appears that the Lizards were not as weakened as we hoped. The prepared a deadly ambush for us. Lizards flooded out of nowhere. In the end it was me and Xan left standing against a single Lizard Shaman. He ran directly into a trap committing suicide and killing Xan and I.
The bindstone did its work and we returned to Hlint. However the lizards had looted our dead bodies and I had lost the head.
Next the Lizardmen attacked Hlint. A vengeance raid. We aided the city guards as best we could and secured the gates.
Captain Garent and the Quartermaster blamed us for the attack by the Lizardmen and ordered us to remove them completely. I was not pleased with the idea about Genocide and stayed behind in Hlint, watching the east gate as my companions departed. Eventually my fear for their safety overcame me and I trudged to aid them. In my weakened state I was little help and could barely move. Fortunately we encountered a hero by the name of Yard, who assisted us battle the lizards. I fell near-death once. Berilu fell thrice and never returned. Even the mighty Yard fell to the Lizard Shaman's magics. Eventually we reach our graves and I was able to fully return my soul to my body.
Thus restored the Farstriders and companions entered the final chamber. The son of the lizard cheiftan I slew had assumed his fathers position. Alei, attempted to negotiate a truce, but in the end hatred prevailed and the Lizards attacked us. Again like his father, the new lizard chieftain can straight for me. In a brief but bloody battle I slew him and removed his head with my knife. I also recollected the fathers head. A wave of darkness swept over me as I performed the grim deed.
Like father like son. Both had desired vengeance against Hlint. Both had fallen to my hand. I pray that the next leader of the Lizardmen pursues a wiser and less blood thristy policy.
We left the swamps in haste without rest. On returning to Hlint I dumped to two bloody head at the feet of Captain Garent. I spoke to him at length about stopping sending adventurer into the swamps. I hope he will change his vengeful policy.
I grief for my lost companions. I hope Berilu will recover. I feel that the darkness within me is surfacing again. The darkness is a part as me, part of my heritage. As much a part as Aeridin's light is with me. I will go my best to channel this dark power within me as a force for good.
Light and Dark for good.
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Forging the Blade, the Body and the Mind
I have been privileged to assist in a great service to the land in the war against blood. I witnessed the forging of the shadow blade. The details are best left that of the bard Ozy, however witnessing the forging of the blade had a profound impact on me. The blade itself was of a material that both attracts and repels light. It has both the aspect of light and the aspect of dark. The Shadow Blade was forged in the midst of a bloody battle.
This blade could be a metaphor for me. I am a duality, both light and dark.
The light is my faith, the worship of Aeridin the preserver, the life giver.
The dark is my heritage, my drow ancestors, my violent nature and heritage.
Both have great power. So far I have clung to my faith and the light in the pursuit of my goals. However the darkness within is also available to me. This power comes from within. I have learned to control my anger, in this way I can harness it. My training in Amarylla as a cleric and a monk is coming to fruition. The monks of the broken circle train their minds with the force of their will. The negative emotions of fear, anger, hatred, are harnessed with a tight reign. I have achieved control of my anger and hatred. I am ready to put down my mace and shield and fight for life with my fists and feets. I am ready to take up my roll as a monk of the broken circle.
Tegan has made me some fine robes which I have altered. This robe is a symbol of who I am. The white represents my faith, the clerical path of Aeridin. The black represents my dark heritage, the darkness within me, the power that comes from my soul, and tightly channelled by the force of my will. The red represents my conception, my name, the night of the bloody moon.
Thus as the Shadow Blade I am forged; in Light, Dark and Blood.
Light, Dark, and Blood, this is who I am.
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A Missing Farstrider
Renji has been gone for a while on a personal journey of his. I miss the darkone, his wit humour and energy. His loyalty and passion for his friends. I hope he will return when he is able. I am sure is he still alive. I'm not sure when or if he will return.
Missing:
Dark Hooded Ranger.
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A Shadow of a Paladin
I have met a Knight of Epic Reputation, Sir Remiel. He has taken a liking to Tegan, and as a result he has been along on several of the Farstriders quests. As a warrior he is a force of nature, unstoppable. His features and manners are flawless. His personality is reserved with a dry wit. However I heard a rumor from Talan that he has fallen from Toran's grace. Given his abilities he is or was a Paladin of the highest order. He is acting as a mentor to Tegan now, guiding her in the selection of magic and battle tactics. I wonder about his story, and if he will disclose it to the rest of the farstriders.
These are dark times, and shadows of the dead walk the city streets at night. Shadows also walk the hearts of all men.
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A Skull on a Stick.
After a terrible encounter with some dark druids Akki had discovered a strange artifact. It was a skull on a stick. She joked and tormented us with it for a while. I could sense the evil innate in the object. Akki was well pleased with her new toy and consider it a friend. It took a lot of persuading to remove it from her. In the end I exchanged the skull for a magical umbrella of lighting protection. Akki seemed happy with her new prop and composed a song about it. The stick writhed in my grasp and I was unable to hold it. I burned the necromatic device in the rubbish bin in Hlint with little fanfare. Then I cleansed the rubbish bin with a blessing. I did notice one disturbing detail about the skull-on-a-stick. It bore the signature of the necromancer that created it...
...Rufus Coldfinger
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Troubles of the heart
I spoke to Ireth yesterday. She is engaged to a young Toranite paladin. Strangely he reminded me of Sir Remiel. Ireth and Sir Remiel have a history together. According to Ireth that was about 10 years ago. She told me her story, she was very passionate about it. Lady Ireth has a long history. It also sounds like Sir Remiel does too. I hope he only has Tegan's best intentions at heart. I'm sure he does, but affairs of the heart are never easy. I wonder how much he knows of Tegan's heart. I'm sure they would have talked about it at some stage.
I wonder what his plans are? Such greatness could be a powerful force for good. Perhaps he already has, and is now retired?
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Glenn Thendor
Glenn Thendor has been depressed for some time now. He revealed to me that he can feel the tug of the soul mother, calling him. His time in the world grows short. I asked is there is anything I, We, The Farstriders, could to aid him. He told me of his last goal in life was to craft a bow from Yew wood. Of course the Farstriders would aid him as best they could in this request. Such a request is beyond us but not that of the great heros in the land. I have approached Sir Remiel for his aid and he was willing to assist. I hope to enlist the aid of the Druid Brisbane if possible. I pray for Glenn that he may go gracefully into then next stage in the cycle.
I pray for Yew.
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Karana of the Elksoul Tribe
Tonight at the meeting of the Farstriders we welcomed a new member into the pack. Karana with her friend Q and Dulan, had approach the Farstriders for access to the Den as a means of travel to Pranzis, where they had recently purchased a house. For them it was merely a business deal.
However the Farstriders are much more then a business. We are pledged to each other and aiding the cause of good in the world. This is a bond that we take very seriously. We are family. The Den is our home. We wanted to aid this group as much as we could but giving them access to the Den without membership was not possible. Our solution to this problem was to invite Karana to join the Farstriders. She is a strong friend to all the members, the obvious next step was to invite her to join. Then she would have a key to the Den and could escort her friends to Pranzis when they needed to travel there.
Her nomination was supported by ever member present, and Karana pledged her life and maul, to the cause of good and that of the Farstriders. We were glad to have her.
Karana of the Elksoul Tribe, and Member of the Farstrider Pack.
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Mael. Leidanos,
Irailcam eo Ilamewel
Anastyca eo Ilamewel
Lemanir Tyeelan, Wmavilm
Maelamaw Leidanos,
E iretya anirela caananam oelwla aey el tyailnya illw irailcanir. Tycaillaa veela sa mavilmwla illw oelw amelairala ane aeym wilyviranam Leila. Tycaillaa a'nyylaa tyeem vmilssilm illw lanymetyan. E irilela faal tymilnyanenyelv sa Acelal nyetyaelv anira Ireca Ana'anla oem Aeridin.
E amilla iretyelv aey irilela laamla el anira irailcanir eo sa laelaanam Seelceviran, irilla iram salanilc laanilana estymeelaw synyir? E tymila ane Ilamewel anirilan E amecc fa ilfca ane oelw il nyyma oem iram ecclalala. Ane anirela alw E irilela faal laailmnyirelv oem anira ammeanelvla eo Lailelan Taurnil Carnesîr. Irilela aey illa el aeym cefmilma anirilan sila iracty?
Iream ela sa ceelaca leanya Nienna? E amecc anma ane maanyml ane Wmavilm oem iram femanirwila. E irilela alnycelaaw anirela ireca ilsycaan oem iram. Tycaillaa naaty ean lailoa illw tymalaalan ean ane iram amiral laira ela mailwa; E nyillaa E we lean maanyml.
Anira amilm ela anammefca illw iretyaoyc. E nyilllean ammeana synyir el anirela caananam el nyillaa ean oilccla elane anira ammelv irillwla. Fyan eym hyalaan oem anira amailtyel ilvilellaan Fceew lailmla anira alw.
Sa Fmeaniramla illw Laelaanamla, anira Oilmlaanmewamla, ilma fanyeselv il tyeamamoyc oemnya oem veew. Anira amecc ilew el anirela hyalaan oem anira amailtyel. E irilela lairiltyaw aniras elane il nycelaa anails illw aniraa irilela lairiltyaw sa anee. Xan, Tegan illw Karna irilela tycawvaw ane ilew el anira oelilc laanilva eo anirela hyalaan. Anira eaniram sasfamla eo anira Oilmlaanmewamla ilma Armolas illw Berilu. Ty Pendar ela ilclae il nycelaa omealw eo anira Oilmlaanmewamla fyan lean aaan il sasfam. Renji ela nyymmalanca selalaelv.
E irilela leanenyaw anira laanmelv nyellanyaneel aniraa irilela ameanir ceoa; alatyanyeilcca el anira ceelala eo anira faillaanla illw anira femwla. Armolas illw Tegan feanir amemlairety Oeceill, aniraa ilma aneynyiraw fa anira ceelala eo faillaanla eo anira oemalaan. Armolas illw Berilu irilela anira ilfeceana ane nyessylenyilana ameanir faillaanla. Anirmeyvir aniras E nyill ilcselaan oaac anira vmailan seaneel eo illesilc ceoa ilmeylw sa. Ean ela il laanmillva laallailaneel, laesecilm el laallaa fyan weooamalan el alalaalnya ane anira ceoa eo anira Ailmanir. Irilela aey illa anireyviranla el amirilan anirela laanmillva laallaa sila fa?
El Ilamewel’la Ceviran,
Jin Lun Lee
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Rev. Leidanos,
Healer of Aeridin
Temple of Aeridin
North Point, Dregar
Revered Leidanos,
I hope this letter finds you in peace and health. Please give my regards and fond wishes to your daughter Leila. Please excuse poor grammar and script. I have been practicing my Elven copying the Holy Texts of Aeridin.
I was hoping you have news on the health of my Sister Seelceviran, has her mental state improved much? I pray to Aeridin that I will be able to find a cure for her illness. To this end I have been searching for the writings of Saint Taurnil Carnesîr. Have you any in your library that may help?
How is my lovely niece Nienna? I will try to return to Dregar for her birthday. I have enclosed this holy amulet for her. Please keep it safe and present it to her when she is ready; I case I do not return.
The war is terrible and hopeful. I cannot write much in this letter in case it falls into the wrong hands. But our quest for the weapon against Blood nears the end.
My Brothers and Sisters, the Farstriders, are becoming a powerful force for good. The will aid in this quest for the weapon. I have shaped them into a close team and they have shaped me too. Xan, Tegan and Karana have pledged to aid in the final stage of this quest. The other members of the Farstriders are Armolas and Berilu. Pendar is also a close friend of the Farstriders but not yet a member. Renji is currently missing.
I have noticed the strong connection they have with life; especially in the lives of the beasts and the birds. Armolas and Tegan both worship Folian, they are touched by the lives of beasts of the forest. Amolas and Berilu have the ability to communicate with beasts. Through them I can almost feel the great motion of animal life around me. It is a strange sensation, similar in sense but different in essence to the life of the Earth. Have you any thoughts on what this strange sense may be?
In Aeridin’s Light,
Jin Lun Lee
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Letters
I have been practising my Elven in writing letters and the copying the holy texts of Aeridin. I have inluded one to Revered Leidanos and a translation in my diary. I believe my grasp of the written language is much improved now. Only my poor accent holds me back from speaking. I have a strong grasp of the language and can follow conversations well. I think for now I will be content to listen and write. Speaking elven is only useful for comminicating with my sister, Seelceviran. All other elves I know speak common well enough. Besides, my sister is a special case, she has been through much pain. I'm not sure if she realises yet that I am her brother. She is a doting mother.. when she remembers. The pain of memories are sometimes too much for her to bare.
I will work on my letters.
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Glenn Thendors Request
Success. Sir Plenarius has offered to provide the Yew from a supply he has at home. This gesture certainly saved lives. The number of heros willing to risk their lives to aid Glenn was amazing. Truely he has touched many. However there is a deeper rift there caused by the Valkar which I should investigate.
With the news of our success the assembled heros nominated to search for Mahogany to complement the gift of Yew. Guided by Glenns close friend Ash Willow we traversed Dregar in search of wood. Given the nature of the quest I though it fitting to not don my customary protective skin of stone. I wanted to be better able to feel the touch of animal life. I think this was a success to start with, as we were able to avoid angering the local pack of wolves just outside Pranzis. We passed by them without loss of animal life. For this, I and Ash were grateful. Every time I see a wolf I think of Armolas's companion String Fellow. Later within a cave of giants I fell under a crush of Gaint fists. Once down their blows continued to pummel me until I was slain. Ahh how I did miss the protective stone skin then. Finally we arrived at the Mahogany, protected by dark druids. The battle for the wood was a nightmare. Of the 12 heros only 3 were left standing, and all the druids and rangers slain, Sir Remiel, myself and Ash. It would have been impossible without Sir Remiel. I insisted that we did not fell all the tree's just prune them, so as to lessen the druids vengance. The journey home was fairly uneventful.
We have yew.
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Elven
My study of the Elven language continues. I think I have reached an epiphany about spoken Elven. The Elven which I read in the holy texts of Aeridin is a glorious flowing language. It speaks of the light, love and life. In spoken Elven this delightful flowing language becomes haughty and superior. Tegan, uses Elven to mock her friends. She often asks me to 'interpret' her Elven insults; a task that causes me great amusement and embarrassment. I think it is this haughty self-confident tone that is the key to being able to speak the Elven language with the correct intonations.
The question remains, why is the language thus?
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Undead and Healing
Many have asked the question. Why is the remains of the undead required to create potions of healing? What healing properties could a skeleton's knuckle or a bodaks tooth possible have?
My answer is that both healing and necromancy are two sides of the same coin. Thus even the most evil of undead can provide some aid to the cause of good. But by the same token, even the most holy of Aeridins priest can create foul works if he should step to the other side.
With that in mind, I ventured into Storans crypt insearch of Bodaks teeth with Armolas, Berilu, Karana and Zan. Armolas ventured ahead eager to test his new holy water traps. However he left before he was protected and fell to a Bodak. It's gaze was instant death. I was able to raise Armolas with the light of Aeridin.
Deep within the crypt away from the teaming wildlife of the surface I could feel the call of the earth once again. I did not hesitate to call the earth to protect me in a skin of stone.
Well protected now we ventured deeper. Again we chased the undead deeper into the crypt searching for the keys. Berilu was able to pick the lock with the aid of her new gloves and the second key was found. Storan was ready for us it appears. One room later Karana fell to a new type of undead the spouts foul acid. I was able to raise her to life with Aeridin's aid. Zan tried to distract them with her vanishing trick but I knew we must face this evil. With the last of our strength we defeated the new evil.
The mummies came out in force. As we tried to leave they blocked our path. I fought a defensive pattern to the door. Holding the mummies away from main door with the others hacked their way out, for it was locked, and we were trapped within. Finally outside we were relived. But no, more undead followed us out, and appeared on the hill.
We retreated further and finally escaped.
I had four bodaks teeth. Which I hoped to turn into two healing potions. I failed at both attempts.
No good came from those undead. I will have to return to Storans crypt to locate the source of this new acid spewing undead.
Storan will pay.
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The Sword Is Forged
I was unable to attend the final ceremony of the forging of the shadowblade. Temple duties called me to the aid with the healing of an influx of refugees in Rangers Vale. However I did my best to prepare the Farstriders. I enchanted Karana's armour with each type of elemental protection I can make. I created to batches of healing potions for them to use during the battles. In the end three of the farstriders attened, Tegan, Karana and Xan. They believe that the ceremony was a success. I assume time will tell.
We have forged the shadow blade.
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Glenn Thendors Request - Yew Handover
In a brief ceremony outside the courthouse in Hlint, the branches of Yew were given to Glenn by Plen. It was a moving event. With several others offering bowstrings and arrows to assit Glenn in the finest work of his craft. Glenn plans to auction the finished work to raise money for refugees. The bow he will name, Cillaanamelair.
Lastwish.
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Undead Hunting
The task of removing undead from the crypts of Mistone is endless. Why do the dead not return to the cycle? Though my passion is great, there is only so much I can do. I need help, but there are few others who are able to attend this deadly task. I have come to realise that part of the problem is the nature of the Undead I hunt. The bodaks, whose teeth I collect to make healing draughts, are death to the casual adventurer. Few have the will withstand their gaze. To this end I have created artifacts of power, rings and amulet, that will allow the partially trained mind to withstand the gaze of death. So far none have take up the challange of hunting the undead. But I live in hope.
In hope of life.
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Dreams of Wolves
I had the dream again. This time I remembered it.
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The moons Orn and Ausir were both in the sky and their paths crossed. I watched in horror as they slowly collided together. Terrible red wounds opened on the Moons and they merged into a single blood-red moon. As I watched the heavens it appeared that single moon, which was first blood red as a rose in bloom, was changing again. The red faded to white, and a pure white light shone down upon me.
By the white light I could see I was in the forest, not the mountain forest of my home, but another. I walked in the white light of the single moon. Around me were the lives of the animals. I could feel the beat of a heart. It was a wolf. The single heart beat was joined by many. Then there were other wolves. The wolves followed the pack and I ran with them. Swiftly I ran through the forest.
The hunt was on and darkness fell. I looked up and saw that the light of the moon was black; black light from a black moon. Terrible power ran through me; the power of the darkness. I was the master of the hunt, and terrible was my vengeance. All light was swallowed by me. The beat of the hearts grew powerful and terrible, the wolves deadly in their chase. All others fell before their jaws. The forest was bleak and lifeless.
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I awoke with a start, full of fear and thunderous anger. Quickly I calmed my mind, and willed the beating of my heart to still. Again I slept and again I dreamt. This time I withdrew my consciousness from the dream and watched as the dream events unfolded.
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The moons Orn and Ausir were both in the sky and their paths crossed. I watched in horror as they slowly collided together. Terrible red wounds opened on the Moons and they merged into a single blood-red moon. As I watched the heavens it appeared that single moon, which was first blood red as a rose in bloom, was changing again. The red faded to white, and a pure white light shone down upon me.
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From within the conscious core of myself that stood apart from the dream I realised that the bloody moon was a symbol of my conception and birth. The white moon was my childhood and upbringing in the temple of Aeridin. Again the dream continued.
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By the white light I could see I was in the forest, not the mountain forest of my home, but another. I walked in the white light of the single moon. Around me were the lives of the animals. I could feel the beat of a heart. It was a wolf. The single heart beat was joined by many. Then there were other wolves. The wolves followed the pack and I ran with them. Swiftly I ran through the forest.
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My conscious core raced to change the direction of the dream. I grasps the threads of the dream with the force of my will to guide the seeming inexorable direction of events.
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The hunt was on and darkness fell. I looked up and saw that the light of the moon was black; black light from a black moon. I willed the white moon into existence, and it was there hidden behind the black. Terrible power ran through me; the power of the darkness. I searched for the hidden moon, and joyous power ran through me, the power of light. I was the master of the hunt, terrible was my vengeance, and infinite was my compassion. All light was swallowed by me, and shone from me. The beat of the hearts grew powerful terrible and joyous, the wolves deadly and beautiful in their chase. All other darkness fell before their jaws. The forest was alive and the wolves the guardians of life.
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I awoke with a start, full of fear and wonderous joy. I wept in fear and joy.
I pray I can hold strong to the light.
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The Pack Hunts,
The wolves travel far in search of their quarry. The pack hunts and she leads. She speaks the language of the forest. I listen and respond with my own call. Our sister is strong in the hunt. Wide we roam, but the quarry eludes us. Beasts appear and try to stop the hunters. They fall before the many jaws of the pack. More appear and the hunters fall. They emerge again slinking with tails hidden. The pack is reunited once again. Undaunted they leave to return another night.
By the light of the moons.
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Undead Hunters,
The position for the two undead hunters have been filled. The successful applicants were Silverhand and Maev O'Leary. Maev had a particularly troubling encounter during her training mission. The bodak taunted and reviled us. Maev had to retreat as her spells failed. I removed the troublesome bodak without much damage; apart from possibly to Maev's confidence and self belief. I fear she may regard her retreat from the taunting bodak as an act of cowardice. She left on my instruction as staying would have been foolhardy.
http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=26573&posts=4&start=1
I have been foolhardy myself lately. I was carelessly exploring deep into Krandors crypt returning undead to the cycle when I encountered a evil that was too much for me. In my exhasted the state the beast slew me. Fortunately the gaze of the soul mother was adverted. With grim determination I returned in my weakened state. I fought hard and carefully to reach my gravestone. Each battle conducted with tatical precision. Finally the keeper of the crypt awaited, the evil that slew me before. I prepared with prayer and stardust. The battle was swift and violent. I took many blows but I prevailed. I knelt before my grave and my soul was fully restored to my body. I fled from the crypt in haste, with all manner of undead chasing me. Stopping outside I waited to see if they would follow. All is quiet and I slumped in the peace of the cemetary to write this entry.
I am grateful that Maev and Silverhand have taken up this task of hunting undead. As the endless battle with undeath was driving me deep within the dark recesses of my being. I long for contact with the living again. I will return to Hlint tomorrow.
In hope of life.
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Preparing the Wolves
The Farstriders are preparing for the final confrontation with blood. The meeting this week discussed tactics and strategy. We, the Farstriders, decided that we would serve the cause best as a single unit working together. We will aid in the defense of Lorindar, Pranzis and most likely the rest of Dregar. While other Dragon Called will defend nature, and a elite group will provide a counterattack on blood.
We suspect that Bloods Demon Fleet will be invading Dregar via Lorindar, Sauradia, and Hurm. We surveyed these sites and familiarized ourselves with defensible locations. Sauradia looks particularly venerable, while Hurm could be well defended with a strong fleet, unless the local pirates side with Blood.
Having not faced Demons before Tegan, Armolas and I ventured to the Bloody Gate to inspect Bloods forces. We fought a single demon and it took all our energy to defeat it. Armolas arrows could not hit it. Tegans magic did not harm it. Finally I had to engage it at close quarters; with divine magic flowing through my veins I was able to pummel it to a messy ruin. My fire enchanted gloves did not help. It seems most demons are immune to fire.
For Divine Aid I Pray
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A Dark New World
Pranzis has fallen.
The Great Oak and the Silver still live.
Blood is defeated.
I was in Pranzis when it fell to Blood's general, Broger. The battle was chaos, blood and death. The only area that didn't fall to Broger was the Citadel of Roferein. Voon, Zug, Q and I managed to hold this small area. Elsewhere was chaos and demon. With this defeat the light within me was engulfed in darkness.
The refugees and wounded fled here. They gave me something to focus on. Healing the wounded. Tending the sick. It has been a over a month and I am still working here, in the disease and misery. I cannot face my friends, my family, my pack members yet.
The darkness in the sky matches my heart. Yet in darkness there is hope. For the dragoncalled have accomplished their purpose. Blood is defeated.
The dragons have returned
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The End of The Dragon Called
I have returned to my old routines of running with the pack. There have been many changes. Most notably the Dragon Called are called no more. The Gold Dragon is dead. Yet the Dragon Called mill around Hlint without purpose. What different are we from adventurers, thugs or bandits without a goal? The same is true for my Brothers and Sisters of the Farstrider Pack. We were founded to protect the land. But now the land freezes in cold and dark. We are poorly equipped to aid the farmer with thir frozen crops or clear the shadow that covers the sky. Still we need a goal. There must be something we can do. What is the cause of this shadow? Was it use the destruction of Blood in the east? Is now the time to return to my homeland?
Again my faith is being tested. These dreams of wolves and the impingement of Folian S'pae icon on my dreams does not sit easily. Perhaps it is nothing more then a vision for the Farstriders. There must be something we can do to aid the world in these dark times. The wilds are darker and wilder then before, and the populations in the civilised lands bows under the ravages of war and famine. I will speak with Healer Leidanos in North Point about concerns. I heard a rumour that something was stolen from his temple.
In Aeridin's Light.
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Glenn Thendors Passing
Glenn Thendor is no more. I am torn with grief and only hope that he will find joy in the next life. I will visit his body in the Temple of Folian S'pae on Dregar. This fills me with sadness and dread. I have not see Ash Willow in a while, I hope she is surviving well.
May The Longstrider Guard His Soul.
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A Meeting Of The Farstrider Pack
In some good news the plans for the remodelling of the Den are going well. Looking at the plans the renovated Den will be well suited to our needs.
My practice of spoken Elven with Tegan is progressing slowly. Understanding is not a problem; it is speaking that causes trouble. However Tegan herself is more weary then usual. I think she finds the attention of so many men draining to deal with. She did not join with the pack joyfully examining the plans. But just slept on the couch.
To a new Den.
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Wolves
Tegan has left the Farstriders. Yet her heart still remains. She is troubled by a lack of respect. I believe she will find the respect she desires. Then she will return.
Armolas was almost eaten by a purple worm. There is more to the tale, but I do not understand it. He thinks there is a connection to some trouble in Hlint. I must check on AnnaLee.
Karana's wedding is on hold. The temple of Toran in Pranzis is naught but rubble. She is determined to wed in the temple of Toran in Pranzis. This means removing Broger from power... But who would replace him?
Berilu is busy cooking.
Xandrian is quiet.
Pendar joined us for a meeting, we suggested that he might join the Farstriders. I will wait to see how he works with the pack before I nominate him.
Tommorrow I journey to North Point. I hope I can find some answers to my dreams for the sake of the Farstriders. The wolves need guidance and direction.
In Aeridins Light,
Jin Lun Lee
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A Dream Too Real
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Startled I awaken, soft wet things flap against my face, head and arms. Its dark and I am disoriented at first. The earth beneath me is damp and cold. The air is so fresh that mist expels from my mouth as I breathe. All my senses are working overtime. This is not where I went to sleep. Slowly I realise I am lying on the floor of a massive dark forest. The fronds of ferns heavy with night dew resting upon me. As I begin to realise where I am my mind begins to turn to why. Looking around into the darkness as I stand I see even darker shapes of large thickets or the broad trunks of trees.
Just then the sound of a wolf echoes in the forest. Its call taken up by several others until then from somewhere to my east a deep sinister howl ripples through the forest. The howl is like nothing human I have ever heard. The pure malevolence and evil it expresses causes the hair on the back of my neck to raise, shivers to flow down my spine and a deep sense of dread to fill me.
As the forest suddenly fills with the sound of the wolves howling and the howl of this darker force a light drifts through the trees to my north. Sensing somehow a chance to escape this place I set off after the light.
As I run through the dark forest I manage to avoid most of the hazards, but still I am slapped, scratched, tripped by tree branches, roots, and bushes. The light is drifting ahead of me, the sounds of the wolves closing in....then suddenly...silence...except for the pounding of my heart. I skid to a halt just as the forest explodes into motion around me. Dark shapes flash through the air both large and small. Teeth gnash, growls emerge, howls of anger and of pain as two forces battle around me. I see wolves fighting larger worg like creatures with dull red glowing eyes. The scene is horrific as they tear and rip into each other. The light hovers in the distance calling to me and I turn towards it dropping into a crouch to hide within the brush. Fleeing the scene I trip over something soft and hear a whine of pain. Turning back I realise one of the wolves has found a hole to hide within as its life passes from it. Vicious bites cover its back and its blood stains the ground.
I turn to see the light moving away from I sense it may be my only chance to escape but I still turn back to the wolf. It gazes at me and I realise its trying to determine if I am an enemy or not. In that second I make a decision and calmly kneel down to the wolf and call forth the powers of healing to it. Nothing happens but suddenly light bathes my face and I see nearby the light has returned and hovers away from me. It pauses as I call forth to Aeridin to heal the creature. Once again nothing happens but as the light seems to turn from me, I feel warmth flow into your hands and the wolf’s wounds flow together as they heal.
I turn to the light and see that it is fading and distant just as the wolf leaps up to its feet and bites me viciously on the right forearm before dashing back into the forest.
Startled and shocked I stare down at the blood-filled bite mark on my arm.
I awaken, this time truly in the place I went to sleep in; realising that it was all in a dream. Then shock fills me as I draw my right arm from beneath the covers to find it covered in blood. Calling on Aeridin to heal the wound the response is slow but the healing comes leaving a series of pink scars where each of the wolf’s teeth penetrated the flesh with its bite. What does it mean...I dont know...but it’s the third time I have dreamt the same dream in the last fortnight. This however is the first time I have suffered an attack and awoken to find the bite real...somehow I need to find out about the dreams.
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Adapted from a private message by Dezza
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Demon Slayer
I awoke with a promotion something evil was coming. My premonition it turns out was right. Of the changes that it would engrave on my soul I had not a clue. The dream, and the bite mark they were physical manifestations of the wounds I had sustained so far. There was much more to come. The price exacted on my body would amount to nothing compared to the wounds to my soul.
The Farstriders gathered to my call. The old and the new, the jovial and the morose these were my family: Berilu the scout and mother to the group, Tegan who left but is always welcome, Xandrian the solider, Karana the Elksoul warrior, and Pendar the lore-seeker who is friend but not a brother. My brother Armolas the woodsman was away on private matters. I told them of the dream and showed them the traitorous mark on my arm, the wolf bite that appeared in my sleep and would not heal. Even then I knew my spirit was in turmoil. Thus, I asked my family to accompany me on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Aeridin in North Point. There Healer Leidanos, the friend of my old Master Father Shay-Wan-Low, awaited me. I had previously written to Healer Leidanos regarding my troubled dreams, but I hadn’t received the solace I desired.
The journey to North Point was uneventful, apart from the bickering of Karana and Pendar. Karana had fixated in her mind that I was becoming a werewolf and that the cure was the immediate amputation of my arm. Pendar called Karana a Barbarian and suffered the wrath of her displeasure. Their bickering caused me to chuckle within, but the mask of my face was deadly serious. Arriving in North Point, my delight at seeing Healer Leidanos again was short lived. He reconfirmed my suspicions that my fellowship with Aeridin was in jeopardy “The light represents Aeridin; that he moves away from you does not bode well Jin my child”. He could offer little new in the way of meaning “The rest of the dream I cannot help you with as I am not a dream reader.”
Both Tegan and Pendar knew of a dream reader, Mother Elys of Karthy. Thus, the path for understanding took us to Karthy, via Pranzis and Lorindar. Pranzis, or Prantz as it has been renamed under the Dicatorship of Broger, is an uninviting place. The ruins of the war still scar the city its people crushed under an iron yoke. The sea journey was rough, with threats of pirates and slavers worrying our sea captain. Karana soon settled the captain, through veiled threats and her knowledge of the sea.
It appears Mother Elys was reluctant to take visitors due to an attack on her by her last customer. Fortunately we were able to win her over. Her reading of my Dream was disturbing to say the least. She told me I had a choice to make and no matter which way I chose… Mother Elys foretold “You will loose more then you gain”. The choice I had to make was between good and evil. This disturbed me as I never considered that I would succumb to my darker side. For me the path of good was fixed in stone, so I told myself. Mother Elys could tell me little more then the nature of the evil and pointed me in the direction of Harikan, a ranger at wolfswood.
Harikan was a fountain of lore when it came to the Prince of Wolves. He spoke of a tale in the distant pass, when the forests were young and wolves roamed the land. In the world there was a dark forest, with evil living at its core. Surrounding this was a light forest where wolves roamed; these were the children of Folian S’pae, the Prince of Wolves. Eventually the wolves encountered the evil and did battle with it. The evil they named the Demon Visnar. The wolves fought the evil and fell in battle. However the remains of the fallen rose again as foul aberrations, hideous monsters with the form of a wolf, yet not. Folian S’pae changed some of his followers into the shape of men, so that they may gather aid from around the world from those with the power to defeat the demon. With the aid of these Heros the wolves were able to subdue the demon and bind it within a dark and twisted tree in the heart of the Dark Forest. Harikan feared that my dreams portend the escape of the demon Visnar from its prison. After giving this grim news Harikan left to seek the council of druids to confirm the events of my dream. We were to meet again a month later.
I did not spend the week idle. However, my first act should have been a taste of the events to come. In the forest nearby the rangers’ camp there is a coal mine, troubled by earth elementals. I entered the mine curious to see the elementals. They attacked me on sight, despite my connection with the earth. In a terrible drawn battle I was able to defeat them, but not without exhausting myself of divine energy. Before I was able to leave or seek rest another group appeared. I fled the mine. Somehow one of the brutes had managed to get ahead of me and blocked the narrow path to the surface. In the confines of narrow path to the surface I was no match for it. I tried to lure it back into the mine, but to no avail. I ran back into the mine and evaded the elementals for a while. Eventually I had to stand and face them. I defeated one, then another, yet still my path was blocked. Stony fists pummelled me and I fell to the floor bleeding and broken. My spirit left my body, and I watched as my life blood slowly seeped onto the earthen floor of the mine. I died. The Soul Mother was watching. She claimed a part of my soul for the first time.
The bind stone worked it magic, and I was alive again, minus the part of me the soul mother claimed for her own. Dying is not a pleasant experience, as I have found through past experience. Loosing part of ones soul even less so. As painful as this loss is, it was a small taste of what awaited me.
Pendar and I petitioned to druid Brisbane for assistance with finding a method to defeat Visnar. Pendar’s methods were less then discreet, and he earned my ire for his roughshod treatment of my privacy. Nevertheless I was able to approach Brisbane later and gain some additional information, the location of the tree in which Visnar wrathful essence was encased. Though Visnar was still trapped its energy was escaping. Still I had no clue about the power needed to defeat the demon.
As I scoured the lands of Dregar for any clues to defeating the demon, I encountered Sak’ura and a band of her friends. She was on a quest to find her mother and rescue her from the clutches of a demon. The demon it seems was some form of vampiric monster, deriving eternal life from the etheric life-force of her victims. Its current victim was Sa’kura’s mother, and the next in the menu was Sa’kura. Unfortunately for the Vampire it had not counted on Sa’kura’s friends coming to her aid. We were able to trace the Vampire to it lair and unravel it plot to add Sa’kura to its list of victims. Sa’kura was able to free her mother. I am glad Sa’kura demon was just some particularly insidious form of Vampire, and not a true Demon. Otherwise the cost of defeating it may have been beyond that which anyone should have to pay, as I was later to discover. I smiled at the thought that Barion, Sa’kura’s partner, will soon be having his mother-in-law living in his house.
As I was leaving the Barion and Sa’kura, two of the monstrous Worg-like creatures from my dreams appeared in the flesh. They attacked with frosty breath and snarling jaws, but they were quickly dispatched with Aeridin’s divine aid. It seems my demon was aware of me. Visnar was attacking me, was it afraid of me? Why? I had not yet found the power to defeat him. The answers to these questions eluded me. Perhaps Harikan had found some more clues. I traversed the lands then seas at a pace to keep my appointment with Harikan in Wolfswood.
I arrived with the rest of the Farstriders, including Armolas this time, eager to hear the news brought by Harikan. Harikan was travel worn and weary. He had troubling news. The Demon Visnar it seems had been summoned by a foolish mage, who lost control of it. The bungled summoning had weakened the bonds of Visnar’s prison. Visnar’s escape was eminent. He urged us to hurry to remedy the situation, no other resources were available. Harikan outlined two possible methods of defeating the Demon, Binding and Banishing.
Binding involved reworking the protections that were forged by the group that originally subdued the demon. The details of the ritual required were lost, but they would require arcane magic, divine magic and druidic magic.
Banishing involved creating a temporary circle of protection inside which the caster and the demon would be encased. Within this circle the caster would then need to banish the demon from the Layonara material plane. The method and power needed to banish the demon were unknown.
With these thoughts in mind we sailed for Dregar. During the voyage my dreams were haunted, by demons and wolves. Finally I had a perceptive dream. In the dream I was meditating in a forest. Two benevolent beings were watching me as I held my holy amulet in my hand. The golden leaf of Aeridin was cold and heavy in my hand. From the forest came a wolf, I recognise it as the one I healed. It came towards me as I sat motionless. It breathed and licked my amulet and then it was gone. The amulet was still cold and heavy within my hand. The dream, I intuitively realised, held the key to defeating Visnar. But as of yet I had no clue how the two were related. As far as I could fathom the dream offered me a choice. As I awoke from the dream the bite mark on my right forearm began to bleed and throb painful. Clearly I had been marked by the Prince of Wolves, and the wolves were now in pain. Visnar was nearly free.
A rapid journey across Dregar was needed. Into the depths of the dark forest the Farstriders ran. Our path was blocked by all manner of hideous aberrations of fur and fang. They ran on all fours breathing hoar frost and barring fangs. Then the true wolves came to our aid. With the wolves aid we battled deep into the heart of the dark forest. My arm bled profusely with each wolf that fell to their demonic counterparts. I hardly notice the searing pain in my right arm amongst all the other wounds I received.
As we pressed deeper the battles intensified. Karana’s mighty two-handed axe cleaved the demon-wolves in twain. Xandrian’s deftly controlled longsword produced a whorl of death. Armolas bow sang with a storm of arrows. Beruli was unseen and deadly with her silently placed arrows. Pendar’s magic aided us in subtle ways, while his longsword was every ready for breaches in the frontline. Tegan burnt, froze and annihilated all that opposed her with endless arcane might, while still having power to spare to enhance the warriors physical prowess.
There was a brief lull in the fighting. I glimpsed a dark and twisted form in a clearing devoid of the redwood giants that define the dark forest. It was the tree within which Visnar’ essence poured out of. The evil energy brought forth a wave of nausea, and started my arm throbbing with new pain. The quiet lull lasted but a moment before the snarling demon-host erupted from the shadows. The battle was brief and bloody. But we were still standing.
Now just Visnar remained. The trunk of the dark and twisted tree started to splinter crack. We had minutes before Visnar escaped. Not having a druid in the party were we out of options. It would not be possible to rebind the Demon into the living form of a tree without a druid to work the nature magic. I would have to attempt a banishment.
I quickly instructed Pendar and Tegan what was required for the Banishment. They were to weave a protective circle in which to encase the demon. I drew the circle in the ground and began the magical spell that would hold the demon… for as long as a spell caster survived to maintain it. As the ritual came to a completion I stepped within the bounds of the circle. In that moment Visnar’s essence burst forth from the ruins of the tree, showering me with rotten splinters of evil. In front of me stood a man shaped creature with the head of a wolf. The wards on the protective circle sprang into place. Visnar was trapped within the circle, as was I.
His anger was terrible. The sky blazed with fire and evil. My friends outside the circle were accosted with all matter of demon spawn and foul magics, Visnar battered the cage of his encasement.
His anger sparked a terrible anger within me. My dark nature came to the fore. I attacked Visnar in the instinctive manner of a drow, all thoughts of banishment pushed from my mind in the terrible fury of my anger. I called darkness forth in the manner of my dark-elf ancestors. I preceded to a pummel Visnar the deadliest weapon at my disposal, my body. Terrible pain wracked my right arm and it gushed blood. I knew from the pain that a deadly battle was being fought outside the circle as I grappled with Visnar within. My arm was dead with pain, a useless appendage in my battle with the demon. Even at the peak of my physical abilities I doubt I could have defeated this demon in a battle of brawn. After weeks of broken sleep, frantic travel, and days of battling demonic wolves my resources, both physical and spiritual had come to an end. Though Visnar could not see me, in the magically spelled dark, it laid waste to my body with powerful blows and dark magics. The terrible wounds Visnar inflicted on me were enough to end my life several times over. Visnar must have though I was dead as he turned his attention to my friends outside the circle. He mocked and raged against the circle. The potent healing potions I had quaffed in dark did their work, and my body was repaired enough for me to function. I rose unnoticed and saw that my friends had been battling for their lives… Pendar and Armolas were slain, yet the circle of magic still encased Visnar and me. Tegan was still alive and holding it in place.
I stood watching Visnar as it cursed and probed for weaknesses within the warding circle. My gaze fell on a small skull amulet that hung from Visnar’s neck. This I realised was the source object that I needed to work a banishment on the demon. Unseen I leapt upon Visnar intent on snatching the amulet from the Demons neck. Time slowed and I came to the realisation. I knew where the power to banish the demon was, it was within me. I knew the meaning of the final dream. By sacrificing my divine connection to Aeridin, I could complete the ritual and banish Demon. I did not hesitate in the sacrifice. I had already made my decision by the time my mind had grasped the meaning of the dream.
The light of Aeridin poured forth from me obliterating the Demon’s form, banishing it from Layonara material plane. I am told that in those final moments I called forth name of Folian S’pae. I do not remember those words. In my next moment of conscious memory, I was lying on the ground my face planted in the dirt. The overpowering sense of evil was gone, the demon vanquished. But also the light of Aeridin was lost to me. Not a single mote of Aeridin’s holy power remained within my being. My connection with the divine was gone.
The soul mothers untender removal of a strand of my soul could not prepare me of the loss I felt. The terrible crippling despair wrenched my gut, and I vomited profusely. I would imagine that loosing ones eyes and being thrown in a world of darkness would conjure despair in most. For me, the loss of my sight, my arm, or a thread of my soul could not compare to loosing the touch of the divine. I was empty, only half complete, for there was no more, love, aid, solace, coming from the link with my god.
Yet the wound on my arm still throbbed dully. I looked up in wonder as a wolf entered the clearing. Xandrian Karana, Tegan, and Berilu had gathered over my shattered form, they also turned to watch in wonder. The wolf breathed over the bodies of the fallen, Armolas and Pendar, and they stirred. Here was an avatar of the divine, a servant of the Prince of Wolves. My bitterness, despair and anger were briefly suppressed by the awe I felt in the presence of that holy wolf. After a fleeting gaze that filled me with hope, it once more vanished into the forest’s shadows, a flicking shape amongst the dappled light of the trees.
We had defeated the demon. The forest was safe. Yet I paid a terrible price. I felt as weak as a newborn babe on the homeward journey. I could not fight, without Aeridin within me my physical prowess was greatly diminished. I could not heal, as my healing touch was a gift of the Lifegiver. Disheartened my friends tried to lift my spirits with humour and good advice. I returned their banter as best I could; trying to sound optimistic about the future as a cripple. For, though my body is sound, my heart is crippled with a terrible loss.
As I write this journal entry I know that I must look forward to a life without the touch of the divine. The only assets I have left are those granted by my dark heritage, and my martial training. My will is still strong, my mind is sound, and my body will recover even without the aid of divine healing. It is merely my soul that is sundered.
I still have tasks to complete and responsibilities to bear. My sister and niece need me. The Farstriders need me. I have one final task to complete in the service of Aeridin, to ensure that the legacy of Amarylla is not lost with my departure from the church. I am no longer a man of faith. I now know a terrible truth on the path to realisation.
A priest may banish but one true demon…
-
A Layman
The cycle of life continues. I may be crippled in spirt but that does not mean I cannot be whole. I am amazed and in awe of the laymen and women who live their lives without ever touching the divine. I am truely blessed for the time I spent with Aeridin at my side.
My abilites are much decreased. I have died several times while learning the new boundaries of my ability. The giants of Dregar are now beyond me. I am still able to work some change for good in the lives of others.
I met with Barion and Sakura and spoke to them about the battle with the Demon Visnar. Sakura offered some insight into my condition. She suggested that I look for the Divine in Folian S'pae. This gives me great hope and optomism. In my mind I know she is right. Yet my heart is not ready for the next stage of the journey, I grieve for my loss of Aeridin.
I tested a small prayer to Folian S'pae on my lips, and it brought hope to my heart.
May the Longstrider guide my steps.
-
Trouble in the Seas
((Exploring the Past))
I have returned to an old task left unfinished. Almost a decade ago I was part of a group of adventurers hired by the archaeologist to recover some ancient artefacts. What we found in that dig was a crystal rose. The rose was stolen by bandits. It appears that this artefact is connected to a hidden land under the sea, and an ancient conflict between Mist and Shindaleria. Once again I have become involved.
We tried to retrieve the rose from a group called ‘The Vine’, a Xeenite associated criminal gang. A deal for the rose was struck and a promise broken; the rose fell into the hands of a Cleric of Mist. Meanwhile we freed a group of slaves and escaped the clutches of the Vine. We trekked through troll infested swamps to find a jeweller able to create amulets of water breathing. The amulets were used to visit the temple of Shindaleria. It was a beautiful and strange place. There we were given sparse information about the location of the next undersea location.
When gods war the world of men and elves suffer.
-
Hunting
Though I no longer have my previous abilities I am far from helpless. Following the nature of wolves, I have taken to using stealth and silence to hunt my prey. Armolas is educating me in the lore of wolves. I have gained a strong craving for fresh meat. Cooked or uncooked, it doesn't bother my stomach. Along with this I am still away of a dark magic within me. Though I cannot call on Aeridins divine aid, I still have the ability to throw darkness and shadow about me. I have only used this ability in dire need. The ability to throw darkness about me can only be explained as part of my dark-elf heritage. It becomes stronger when anger and rage runs through me. The last time this happened was during my battle with Visnar. The scar on my arm is still there, the pain is gone. But faintly I can feel a connection with the wolves.
I continue to hunt.
-
Karana Warrior of Krashin - Fathers Sword
We have done it, we have secured the Greatsword that used to belong to Karana Elksoul's father.
Karana came from the Elksoul, a tribe living in the icey-wastes of Northern Krashin. As a girl she longed to be a warrior like her father. But when her father died she was denyed this path. She fled the tribe, stealing her fathers sword instead of burying it with his body. She was captured by Orcs and held as a slave in a dank Orc cave for two years. She was sold to human slavers who she killed and finally escaped to be called by the dragon. This is the story she told us, the Farstriders. Now her tribe needs her, the Elk are dying in the cold weather and dark skys. But first she needs to reforge her place in the tribe. To do that she needed to recover her fathers greatsword from the orcish slave pit.
Thus we, Xan, Armolas, Berilu, Shanda, Jamesan, Karana and I, travelled deep into Northern wastes. After fighting tribes of fierce Orc warriors we were able to locate the greatsword among a powerful tribe of Orc warriors. Karana, showing greatwisdom and restraint, was able to bargin for the sword from the Orc warlord.
We have the sword, now how will the Elksoul tribe receive us?
-
A Frozen Land and a Frozen Culture,
Karana did it. She returned her Fathers sword to his grave. It was a private moment for Karana, she had to complete the ritual of the tribe before the spirits of her ancestors. It appears they were not kind in the test of her, character, courage and strength. However, she survived and she was able to speak to her fathers spirit.
On returning to the tribe she did not do as well. Dispite her survival of the Elksoul tribal test she was not welcomed back into the tribe. I fear her exposure to other cultures and ideas have expanded her horizons beyond that of the tribe.
The tribe is slowly starving as the frozen north becomes even colder. The is no more summer thaws in Krashin. The Elk are dead and food is scarce.
Karana tried to convince them to leave, but the Chief clings to his heritage and his home.
I spoke to the shaman, and he assured me that the cheif will see reason eventually. I hope he does for the sake of this tribe, the hunters, women and children.
May the Longstrider Guide Their Steps to New Hunting Grounds.
-
A Priest of the Prince of Wolves
Lately I have taken to standing just outside the Temple of Aeridin in Rangers Vale, watching the light. It attracts me like a moth to the flame. Occasionally I venture within, but often the grief and pain is too much to bear; like the moth I am burnt. It is much easier to enjoy the light of the temple of Aeridin from the cool shade of the surrounding forest.
From the shadows of the trees few notice me. Only those with sense keen will spot the wolf in the forest. Thus it was to some surprise when the tree I was standing near opened up, and a gruff voice said “Come in”.
I had been standing outside the home of Enzo Reynolt; there was a door discreetly set within the tree stump. The famous ranger and priest of the Longstrider had heard me outside and usurer me within. After some brief small talk I told him of my loss. I spoke of the dreams of wolves. I showed him the mark of Folian S’pae. I told him of the terrible battle with Visnar. He knew some of it, and asked questions when I needed prompting. But mostly he listened as I spoke for the hours.
I asked him how he found Folian S’pae, and his answer was surprising and hopeful. He told me how he searched for the prince of wolves as a youth. He was told by an old ranger that he would never find Folian S’pae while he looked for him. Then year later, while he was travelling through the Grey Peaks, he and his life-partner were ambushed by Ogres. She was killed. He wept for the loss of his love; sending a true prayer to Folian S’pae. A will-o-wisp appeared, and granted his wishes, returning his love to life.
I am almost ready undertaking the duties that come with this mark on my arm. I can believe in a god who takes compassion on the lives of mortals. Healing the sick and restoring the lives of the lost. A god who does not hesitate in baring fang and claw to defend what is good.
To walk in the steps of the Longstrider.
-
A Miracle and a Calamity
I can no longer deny the interest the Prince of Wolves has taken in me. It began at the recently remodelled Den.
I had invited a group of adventurers around for supper, and to share with them my intention to travel across Dregar. More then I expected turned up, some of who I didn’t know, and I don’t know where they heard of this venture. There was, Eghaas Treebringer, Muireann, Tarradon Duvall, Thorn Thistletoe (the fifth), Arkolio de'Averlain, Ranewin, Alleina Shiante, Hilda Von Axeweilda, Shamur Reatur and Pendar the Hooded one.
The supper was strained, with tensions in the group. It seems that no-one but Arkolio can get along with Muireann the cleric of Mist. While very few will trust the scoundrel Arkolio. However, somehow when they are together they become a tolerable pair. Shamur was a mystery, and I am still unenlightened. Tarradon is a confident and proud Paladin of Rolferin, perhaps overconfident it would seem. Eghaas, is a friend and Aeridinite sorcerer. Thorn, was trouble in a half sized package. Alleina, is a old acquaintance and priestess of Aeridin, who should have been a Lucindite.
After sailing to Hurm with some trepidation we crossed Dregar with a little bickering. However, it did give me a chance to evaluate who I could trust, those who could be Farstriders, those to whom I could entrust the most sacred of missions; the restoration of Amarylla and the healing of Belinara. Some of these adventures I will invite back again. Eghaas is a potential Farstrider, of the others I do not know yet.
After some time, some companions left us and headed back to Hlint via north point. The smaller group travelled to Sauradia in search of silver. Here we were beset by Giants. One of the creatures overcame the front line and smashed Eghaas into pump with a massive fist, killing the elf instantly. I was too late to heal him by conventional magic or potions.
For sometime I wept and prayed to the Longstrider for my friend, asking him to guide Eghaas’s soul to the next life. I think my other companions gathered around, and started to lift his body. It was at that moment that Eghaas a miracle occurred. Eghaas’s heart started beating again, his broken bones and smashed body healing itself, he was alive again.
With joy we continued on. Tarradon found a cave, in it were more giants, and he told us a dragon. Standing just outside the Dragons lair Tarradon told the group some History about the war with Blood. How later the Black Dragon sided with Men, Elves and Dwarves to escape being destroyed by Blood. It was at this minute that Giants sprang from the depths of the Dragons Lair, while Tarradon was in full lecture. The Black Dragon’s minions pounced on us and slew us in short manner. Eghaas was first. We fled the battle. I tried to prepare and rejoin the battle but more Giants chased me. Shamur and Tarradon heroically tried to lead the Giants away from me, but they fell fighting this rear-guard action. I owe them both a word of thanks for the bravery. Eventually the Giants surrounded me and I fell to their fists, clubs and axes.
The soul mother tasted her second piece of me.
-
A Growing Family
Some great news, Quilus has asked me to be the best man at Karana’s and his wedding. I am touched and honoured. I have two diamonds I was planning to use to make enchanted rings for Armolas and Berilu, but perhaps I can spare them to make some simple diamond wedding bands as a gift. Though I expect Karara would like a more practical wedding gift. The wedding was put on hold since the destruction of the Temple of Toran in Pranzis. But now Karana cannot wait any longer. I shouted Quilus and everyone within earshot a round of drinks on the news. I am sure there will be an official announcement in the Dragons Whisper once the date and place have been finalised.
Karana suggested that Quilus and Shanda become members of the Farstriders, and that their business venture ‘The Unnamed’ merge with the Farstriders. We would all welcome Quilus and Shanda into the family. It would also welcome Karana’s merchant expertise in adding a shopfront to the Farstriders. However we will need to changed The Unnamed’s policy on selling, weapons and armourments. The Farstriders will not be aiding Villains and Rogues by equipping them with weapons. I called a meeting to discuss this, but only I and Xan were able to make it.
It is time for the pack to grow.
-
Of Demons and Lost Cities
[small]{Underground War II}[/small]
I went with Ael his wife and a mixed group of adventurers to a lost Cathedral of Shindaleria. We travelled beneath the waves using vapours of water breathing. Much safer then the amulets I used on the last trip into Shindaleria’s domain. Our host was a Drow, whom it seems Ael may have known before. He requested our aid, and expertise in ridding himself of a Demon. Ael struck a bargain, the destruction of the demon in return for aid in recovering the Orbs of power. I may not return to aid this drow.
[small]{Quest time changes will limit Jin’s involvement}[/small]
[small]{Exploring the Past}[/small]
We have succeeded in restored the balance of the struggle between Shindaleria and Mist.
[yellow]Tears of the Land Feed the Sea
The time will come when the sorrow of Ages
Will be released
Blessing of Mother Ocean that the cycle may continue.
[/yellow]
We have released the Tears of the Land to Feed the sea. We journeyed to the ruins in Sandstone where we found the final orb and the final piece of the puzzle; a white key, glowing with the light of divination. Finally we have arrived at the hidden city, a secret location. As I write these notes we stand gathered around the mechanism that I believe could restore the city. The question should not be how do we restore it, for I know we can, but what would come of restoring the legend.
[small]{Jin has been involved in this long running quest series since the first adventure, when the crystal rose was found. He didn’t attend for a while when it moved to a different timezone}[/small]
Men and Elves have the power to make great changes in nature, but with power comes responsibility.
-
The Staff is Returned
[small]{Exploring the Past, Quest Series Completed Successfully}[/small]
An amazing thing has happened today, the wrongs of an ancient war have been set right. We, Honora, Lucius, Jharl, Linda, Rhynn, Jade, Pendar, Daniel, Kyle, Ferrit, and Malor had reached the city of Estiban. There we found a coral crystal chest, surrounded by a deadly ward. The key to reaching the container was the devices surrounding the chest. These were a puzzle with coloured orbs and magical symbols. What we needed was the code to remove the trap. The combination we realised was hidden in the poem.
[yellow]A petal from the healer's heart. (Purple)
A thorn from fire's within. (Red)
These we need to mend the wood,
To make it begin again.
Azure is the ocean's tide, (Blue)
A pebble black as night. (Black)
For these require a gentle touch,
To infuse the wood with might.
Sunsets low on mountain tops, (Orange)
Their feline color comforts still,
Beware the golden orb of stone. (Yellow)
A prophecy to fulfill.
For if you gather all that may.
Occur in nature's glow. (Green)
The last light bright as day. (White)
Is hidden down below.
[/yellow]
Below is a copy of my notes from the puzzle, this was the correct sequence.
[yellow]The colours are hidden in the prophecy, and the compass locations are also hidden within the prophecy.
EAST, Purple, + Crimson = Heart and Flame
NORTH, Azure, + Black = Eye and Fish
WEST, Orange, + Yellow = Statue and Sphere
SOUTH, Green, + White = Waves and Serpent
[/yellow]
I have also included the correct key for linking the colours of magic, to they symbols used by the ancient sea elves.
[yellow]Key:
Purple/amythest = Conjuration = Heart
Red/crimson = Evocation = Flame
Orange = Transmutation = Statue
Yellow = Abjuration = Sphere
Green = Enchantment = Waves
Black = Necromancy = Fish
Blue/Azure = Illusion = Eye
White = Divination = Serpent
[/yellow]
The chest contained a figure, bound in suspension. On it was a book telling the tale of the last days of the city. There was to be a marriage and celebration in Estibana, with rulers from all over the world attending. This was cut short by a deadly attack by the forces of Chaos (Mist). The staff was broken and scattered, and the keeper of the staff protected in suspension.
We travelled down further into the ruins of the lost city where we found a great Orb. Again the device was warded. However the staff was speaking to Honora. Using key I recovered, Honora was able pass the wards unharmed and return the staff to it rightful place. The healing magic of the staff was triggered; restoring the suspended figure of the keeper in the chambers above.
We returned in awe to find the keeper of the staff holding the staff once more. I suspect she is an avatar of Shindaleria or close to it. Before she departed to be with Her God, Mother Ocean, she blessed the group with gifts. I received an amulet with healing properties.
Mother Ocean may your seas be always gentle.
-
Fox or Rabbit?
Many years ago, as I grappled with my nature, I wrote in my journal a question.
[yellow]What is my purpose? Fox or rabbit?
[/yellow]
Today I know the answer. I was wandering the desert with Hargranar Craggenhilt when I heard the sound of wolves distance within my mind.
I fell into a waking trance and was transported to the forest of my dreams. There my brother, the wolf awaited me. It was time. I had been alone with my grief for many years, my mind slowly healing. Now a new duty awaited me. I was offered to choice to serve once again. I accepted without hesitation.
The mark on my right forearm was opened once again with a savage bite. My blood flowed into the leafy earth of the forest floor. I felt the pulse of my blood and the throb of the forest. The ritual was complete.
What is my purpose? My purpose if clear, I am the guardian of the pack, of life, servant of the Prince of Wolves.
I am a wolf.
-
A Man in the Form of a Wolf
The two years I spent in the forests of Dregar, in the Hidden Temple of the Prince of Wolves have been cathartic for my torn soul. The fires that raged silently within me are now mere embers of devotion to my God; burning with steady patience. I have learnt much about my new duties, in my time away from the cities of men. As this learning consolidates to new understandings I will write about them as is the manner of men and elves. Soon my time of respite was over and I returned to the world of men as Folian S’pae will was calling me.
Perhaps it was not surprising that the first creature I met just outside the gates of Hlint was a man, most likely a druid, in the form of a striking Gray Wolf. It was a carefree and happy soul, when in wolf form. But it appeared to be running from the pain of it Human form. I struck up a conversation with the wolf, which I named ‘Free’ for he had no name and no pack, and tried to get it to confide its troubles. It appears much of Free’s memories have been lost. Changing into human form causes Free crippling pain. I am not sure all druids undergo such pain during there changes. I showed Free the local woods and the best deer trails, so the new wolf may care for itself. I spoke about my Pack, the Farstriders and offered Free to seek us out.
Prince of Wolves guide Free to the path of healing and wisdom.
-
Of Tegan and Spiders
{An on-the-fly quest}
A strange occurrence, Tegan and I had entered the drift lands caves to aid some young adventures who had got themselves trapped their, having been separated from their party. The adventures were easily rescued by Tegan using her invisibility magic. I was last out of the cave and was beset by ogres as I left. Tegan and a strange dark one named Avar came to my assistance. Then all of a sudden spiders and snakes were upon us. The battle was swift and deadly, with one wrong move and a spider bite could become fatal. The noise drew Hawklen, who is often mining the caves for silver. Tegan though deadly afraid of spiders is also a curious creature. Thus we tried to determine the source of the spiders. Tegan made a discovery; they were being controlled by mechanical devices. Hawklen lost his sword to a strange beast of acid; it dissolved as his stuck the creature. Then as we were leaving he lost his life to a snake bite.
Tegan and Hawklen returned to the cave invisible to find Hawk’s grave. I don't trust Hawk, but losing ones life is something I would not wish on a friend of a friend.
I pray they return safely.
-
Farstriders
The Farstriders are continuing to evolve. Some old faces are not seen as frequently, while some new faces are appearing.
Berilu
After many years without a word Berilu is back, she has found her husband Korgo! Korgo was not killed at the sacking of stone, but was taken as a slave. The story of his escape and Berilu’s deeds in finding him is one of great heroism and bravery. Berilu has hung up her adventuring boots to rebuild her family with Korgo. They are now regular fixtures at the Den.
Karana
Karana is back from her time in the North. However, her betrothed Quilus is missing. I believe that he left to find her, but has not returned. Perhaps he is on Voltrex? I miss the gentle sorcerer. Karana herself is busy restoring her armoury and weapons business, the unnamed. She still manages to find time for adventure.
Coyote ( Nyeaeana Irylanam )
We have a new member of the Farstriders, Coyote. This irreverent Elven druid is a true hunter with a great love of the hunt. He is a good match for the Farstriders. I hope he will be able to do much good with us. He has aided me in gathering mushrooms and sapphires for healing potions.
Grena Rockbasher
Grena is a potential new member of the Farstriders. In many ways she reminds me of Karana. She has a great heart for good, but a fierce temper. With time and wisdom she would be a great asset to our cause.
Kalin Sundar
Coyote has a close friend called Kalin. Kalin is driven by a dark past to do acts of good. Coyote believes that he would be a great asset to our cause of good. I agree, but first he must meet his past and take responsibility for the own darkness. This small step accomplished and he may become the cause’s greatest asset.
-
City Wastes
{Weekly Standalone Quest: Shadow}
I am never lonely for I have the company of Wolves. Yet sometimes I crave human company. The city of Hempstead is one of the greatest and prosperous in the world with statues and marble abounding. Yet every great city has it dark side. These cities produce vast amounts of wastes. The wastes enter the sewer system, then where, into the sea?
I seemed that city was having trouble with the wastes in the sewer. The sewers were filled with acid, and strangely mutated rats and mushrooms. A group of freelance plumbers and adventures had gone to investigate. Concerned for the impact that these wastes were having on the local region I followed. The sewers were deadly, one hero a young swordswoman died. The source of the waste we discovered was pipe, coming from the hall of weave. Waste magical products I deduced.
Heading to the Hall of Weave it was clear that there was a division in the group of adventure-plumbers. The conflict was fuelled by my old nemesis Daralith Delmar. Eventually we were able to identify the source of the wastes, a mage working to mass-produce acid resistances. The acid affect of the waste we were able to neutralise though magic and alchemy, adding chalk and powered limestone to the waste.
Acid and alkaline counter each other to make salt, can the same be said for good and evil? The solution to this quest taught me much about the properties of these.
-
Hunters Become the Hunted
{Hunters Become the Hunted: Dezza}
The disease had emerged again, in a virulent and deadly form. Half-breed were-wolves were once again sweeping across the island of Ceasin, killing or infecting everything in their path. Watching the rapid progress of the disease fascinated him. There was still much to learn on the lore of were-wolves. This strain of the lycanthrope virus was not native to Ceasin. Harikan knew what steps needed to be taken to cleanse this infection. Moving through the forest without trace of passage he returned to the docks to inform Jin Lun Lee of his observations.
The adventurers had gathered on the docks. A mixed group, some had come to aid the Satyrs, most had their own reasons for begin here, fame, fortune and the thrill of the hunt. Jin Lun Lee stood still watching from the shade of a tree. He recognised, his brother Xandrian Mor; the veteran solider standing out from the crowd of adventures in his humble confidence. The priest of Mist Muireann was on the docks as well, why was she here, a whim or the call of chaos? There were four others he didn't recognise, two swordsmen, one fair and clean shaven, the other darker, a dark robed and hooded man, and a hooded female druid with elven build. When Harikan arrived Jin stepped out of the shade. Rubbing the old scar on his forearm, a wolf bite that never healed, he listen to the woodsman's lore on the lycanthrope problem. After listening to Harikan it became clear that Alpha-Male behind the outbreak must be slain.
...
The fey-folk of the forest were surprised and fearful of the group of adventures that arrived at their secluded valley refugee. The retreat from the furious onslaught of the were-wolves had taken their toll on their lives, and fear and caution played on the minds of the fey folk. The adventurers had disrupted the Treants that guarded the forest proper, and a pixie had been killed almost instantly when it decided to play a prank on the adventures. The adventurers knew how to kill, and it was killing that was needed to end the were-wolf plague. There was also a good chance that some of them would die fighting were-wolves. Better to send adventurers to do what they did best. After some tense and difficult introductions the adventurers left the valley headed in the direction of the Alpha-male werewolf.
...
The bear was furious. Rising onto its powerful hind legs, it gouged a massive set of lines onto the cliff face. The were-wolves had invaded its territory. They ignored the boundary markers it had placed. They were not foolish enough to tackle it, but they had driven or killed any other prey. The next creature that wandered into its territory would feel his wrath, and fill his belly.
...
Jin noticed the claw marks on the cliff face. They looked liked claw marks from a bear; except they were gouged into the granite cliff at four times the height of a man. He looked back at the bedraggled group. They would not be able to move silently through the bear's territory. They had barely survived the sentient mushrooms in the valley, and the later ferocious attack by the beta were-wolves. Jin wasn't here to hunt bear; it was the alpha were-wolf that was his goal. He would attempt to empathize with the bear, and allow the others to pass. With an iron will he stepped forward arms hands empty he approached the bear's lair slowly. Jin was greeted with a thunderous roar and the bemoth bear charged forwarded.
The man smelled of wolf, a were-wolf most likely then, and his promised meal thought the bear. The meal stood their passively waiting to be eaten. His massive paws cut open the man's flesh, his jaws closed around its torso. He would have eaten then, but more men creatures cut at it back and side with their metal weapons. Magic filled the air burning stings into its side. It turned and cut down another of the men things, but there were more. Pain filled it back and sides. The centuries of the ancient bears rule came to an end.
Jin awoke to consciousness with a start; agony tore through his torso and limbs. His heart had stopped he recalled. The man called Lucas had saved him. The powerful healing potions restored his body to function yet he still felt weak. I looked across and thanked him. He glanced and saw the dead carcass of the ancient bear, and sadness touched him at the loss of the magnificent hunter. Standing weakly he rejoined the others as they hurried to leave. The hunt for the Alpha-Male still continued.
...
Xandrian watched Jin closely. He knew his brother Jin was still weak, yet he continued to push himself. He was likely to do something heroic and foolish again. With his silvered longsword in his right hand and shield on his left arm, the warrior and solider that was Xandrian Mor was more then a match for any single beta were-wolf. But these creatures came in the dozens, wave upon wave. They had been fighting for days now, but the Alpha-Male's lair was close. Xandrian watched as Jin spoke in wolf growls and slight motions to the great true wolf that was at his side. The beast had been invaluable in finding the path to the were-wolf's lair. Jin exhibited many strange wolfish traits these days. Xandrian remained silent as the priestess Muireann lashed Jin with her acidic tongue, her barbed and unsubtle jabs at his brother's wolfish habits.
With a nod Jin confirmed that they had reached the Alpha-Male's lair. They were high into the mountain now. Shadows broke away from trees and dark shaped moved towards them out of the night. Screams and howls echoed out of the night sky. Xandrian saw the Alpha Male then. It's monstrous form blending with a small tree. The group of adventures surged forward. Xandrian lead with his silvered sword engaging the Alpha-Male. Jin flashed in landing strikes with his fists his feet and the magical banner he carried. Xan's sword cut wicked blows, but creatures rage was incredible. Three blows and Xandrian was needed to retreat as jagged claw rents appeared in his amour and flesh. Jin paused in his attack to aid his brother. He called on his god, the Prince of Wolves to heal Xan, instantly the wounds closed. However he paid the price of attacking the Alpha-Male's fully fury. A kick to the creatures head resulted in powerful jaws closing around his thigh. A finger strike to massive muscle behind the jaw caused the jaw to loosen. Jin rammed the butt of his staff into the mouth, freeing his leg and breaking a few of the jagged teeth. Bleeding badly he still managed to tumble of the creatures reach. As he spun back he saw the tip of a silver sword protrude out of the creature's chest. The beast collapsed dead revealing the form of his Brother Xandrian Mor standing behind it.
The lycanthrope plague was over.
-
Sunlight
Sunlight. Not just a glimpse as the clouds part for a moment but true sunlight. I was not involved, but brother Coyote was, the Wizardress Sabrissia was there too. From their accounts I gather it was the contributions of many heroes that made this possible. Each gave a little of themselves, their magic or the symbol. Some like Chanda unwillingly. Sabrissia said they cut off her hand when she would not give a fingernail.
Evil, the term commonly used for selfishness is self-serving and ultimately short-sighted. The Longstrider teaches that all are part of the pack. Small sacrifices on the part of the self for the good of the pack will result in the long term for greater rewards for all.
I can hear the birds calling in the trees outside. Spring is here, joy and light. Spring is not the time for spending time indoors writing.
Sunlight.
-
Stone Headache / The Dagger of Corath
{Quest By Shadow, with appearance by a plot related NPC}
The hand of Corath has shown himself. Pendar and I were assisting Professor Periwinkle to retrive part of a stolen statue, a great stone head, from a group of bandits. The adventurers included, Ian Wrath, Yori Marblefist, Vlanin, Eghaas Treebringer, Arynne Liadon, Sasha Tomyris, Alleina Shiante and a hooded woman who didn't give her name. We had just left Dalanthar headed for the crossroads, when the half-orc appeared. He was standing just past the great stone bridge. He held in one hand a young girl, and in the other a knife which he pressed to her neck.
The half-orc threatened and extorted money from us in exchange for the girl's life. We retreated from his extortionate demands. In the end he cast blade-barrier and threw the girl at it. I managed to reach the girl before she collided with the lethal spikes. He then cast storm of vengence. In that moment he left is guard open and I stuck his jaw with my fist aiming to knock him unconscious. All I managed was to bloody his lip. His storm struck me, stunning me and killing the girl. Pendar saved my life, by healing me from the storms wrath. The good hearted and acidic tongued librarian Pendar then raised the young girl to life.
The Orc escaped, he used great sanctuary. I noticed in the fight that he carried an unholy symbol of Corath around his neck. He was there to toy with us. But all he did was manage to invoke the wrath of the Longstrider. Both my wolf and Arynne's panther have his scent. The hunt for evil begins.
We were joined at the cross-roads by Bumblebee. The rest of the adventure passed smoothly. The stone head was recovered from the bandits lair without too much difficulty.
-
Slavery and Anger
{Grenna Rockbasher CDQ}
Sister Grenna was engraged. Trolls had captured and taken dwarven miners as their slaves to work the platinum mines of the swamp.
I traveled with Grenna, Xandrian, Dalan, Trenton, Keti and a few others on this quest to free the captured slaves. Our first stop was the dwaven fortress of Ulgrid to deliver an urgent request for aid from the Dwarven General to the king. Grenna delivered the message in person as the dwarven courier perished on the deadly journey into the mountain fortress. The king was moved by the plight of the slaves, and the request for aid of his general. He sent forth his vengence a kuldjargh known as Hulka.
Our group linked with the General in the swamp then pressed on deep into the mines. The trolls were fierce. We reached the slave pen with some feice fighting. Grenna and Hulka were enraged axeweilders of destruction. Hulka’s presence seemed to send Grenna into a greater frenzy then usual.
We reached the slaves and managed to free them. They told us that dark elves were supplying and directing the trolls. Grenna’s quest for vengeance continued unabated. The thought of dark-elves rekindled a terrible fire of anger within my core. The hatred that I thought I had smothered. My fists and feet joined the choir of vengeance, the dark ones fell swiftly; the last to my fist.
We returned to the surface with but two surviving dwarven slaves.
Vengeance was the price of slavery.
-
Captured {Shadow}
// Jin along with a group of adventurers was captured by pirates. Forced to fight in the arena Jin witnessed a captured gold dragon.
Dragon Storm
// Jin assisted with stopping the green dragon cult capturing snow tooth.
// http://forums.layonara.com/folian-spae/149782-dragon-storm.html
Rescue Gold Dragon
// Jin assisted Sasha in trying to free the Dragon. Alandic betrayed the party. Jin was the one who realised that the dragon was force grown.
// Jin has this note in his possession
http://forums.layonara.com/729552-post13.html
-
Dragons
Dragon of around the world are being poisoned. This is being attributed to the Green Dragon Cult. However, it is likely that this is deeper and more sinister then any suspect.
Knowledge of the Pack (http://forums.layonara.com/folian-spae/149782-dragon-storm.html)
I started a dialog with the pack. Together we will be able to survive the coming storm.
Bastion
We continued to investigate the Dragons in Belinara. I travelled to Phal in Kuhl Kindom with a large number of adventurers. We broke into smaller groups. I was part of a pack with Emie and Ranewin and Jacchri. At Phal we discovered another corrupt dragon - Bastion. Bastion was the defender of the town. Dragons are being used as weapons of threat and deterrent by the rulers of the land.
Sederian Navy (http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/171112-news-audira.html)
An impressive force of pirate vessels had blocked shipping in and out of Audira in Sederia kingdom on Dregar. I went with a group of adventurers to investigate the blockage. The pirates were well trained as a fight force and deadly. But they were ill prepared for sea battle and poor sailors. They were most likely mercenaries or the armed forces of another nation. I suspect the blockade was politically motivated. The battle between the Sedrian Navy and the massive group of pirates would have ended in suicide for navy. However, at the last moment a large Tarnished Orange Dragon appeared. It single handedly wiped out the thousands strong host of Pirates. It did not attack us or the Sederian navy.
Within days of the victory an alliance between Sederia and Kuhl kingdoms was announced. Thus the use of tainted Dragons by nations has spread from Belinara to Dregar. It is likely that Sederia has now fallen under the influence of those behind the Green Dragon cult.
Jnaar Itenu Ravorinin of Sedera and Queen Alise Langovale of Kuhl are happy to announce the successful signing of a mutually beneficial trade agreement between the two nations. Both rulers foresee this new trade arrangement and it's significant reduction on trade tariffs as the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship for the two kingdoms. Although a representative of the Jnaar was unavailable for further comment, it would appear the new agreement is to take effect immediately and several merchants have already begun the journey across the Sea of Fury with laden ships.
Another Bastion (http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/176692-another-bastion.html)
Another dragon has appeared. This was in the city of Ash in Kuhl Kingdom on Dregar. This dragon was Red.
Earth Whisper (http://forums.layonara.com/farstrider-pack/174462-green-dragon-cult-strikes-again.html)
Argali, Armolas and Abigail also encountered a Dragon named Earth Whisper. It also had been captured and poisoned. They had decided to bring it to Fisterion when they discovered a traitor onboard they boat they were traveling on. A deep-dwarf which kept the dragon's mind poisoned and under control. This is my first clear indication of the handlers used by the Green Dragon cult. The deep dwarf was almost certainly working for Fisterion. When the traitor was slain, control over the dragon was lost. The voice of Fisterion tried to sink the boat, he said, "if it cannot be controlled it must be killed".
Earth Whisper managed to escape into the wild. Armolas believes that it soul is still within the core of it's being, hidden under the madness of the poison.
-
Essrantor's Veil
(Wisdom of Willows and Thundering Hammer Quests, Mixafix)
War, the Giants of the Thunderpeaks have descended into Boyer kingdom. Heros from many nations joined the effort. They quested far and wide for a way to stop the impending doom.
One small group left to seek the Wisdom of the Willows. Following the cryptic clues of an elven bard the descended into a perilousness crypt. There they gained insight into unraveling the mighty rune magic the blocks the use of the weave within the Thunder Peak mountains.
From the shadows four figures arrive at a campsite high in the Thunder Peaks. Two half-elves, one male and one female, a human in wizard robes, and a dwarf. As they enter the light they are revealed, the Mystic Jin Lun Lee, the Scout Ferrit, the Mage Serg, and the Defender of Vorax Argali. How they reached this camp site though the lines of the Giants' army is certainly an epic story.
"Greetings Kobal. The Grace of the Longstrider to you and your companions."
He looks over the dwarves in the group.
"Is that Master Grohin?"
"Well here I have an artifact for you. Ragnor's Hammer (http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=123502). As well as this poem (http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=123492&size=big&cat=), by the bard Elphonse."
"It is likely that this Hammer can be used to destroy the pillars of Essrantor's (http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/search.php?keywords=Essrantor%27s) Veil (http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/search.php?keywords=Veil) and restore the use of the weave. The there are four rune on the hammer. The first three we have discovered: Heal-Aeridin, Magic-Lucinda, and Nature-Katia. The fourth rune we do not know and cannot read. Our best guess is that the forth rune is Craft-Dorand."
Jin hands Kobal the hammer and note. He looks across to the tower.
" You have in your hands an artifact of rune magic. May the Longstrider Guide your path that you may use it with wisdom."
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100427/thumbs/Ragnors.gif)
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100427/medium/An_Elven_Reposte_by_Elphonse.gif)
-
Essrantor's Veil
Looking back down the mountain side from high in the Thunder Peaks Jin spots a falcon. It circles upwards towards him. It dives delivering a message before taking wing.
Brother,
I trust this message finds you well. I write from Dalanthar sitting under a tree overlooking the water. It has been a long and tiring month but I am pleased to report to you that we have won many allies in the battle to come. We have secured the aid of those in the Misted Village and with some luck, the alliance with Dalanthar will hold beyond the coming conflict. We have also made contract with a creature called Ilarian who holds control over the spirit of an ancient dragon and have secured the aid of the spirit in the conflict. Lastly we have investigated the disappearances of a great number of people in and around Dalanthar. Our investigations found the cause to be a brood of Werewolves that dwell on the mountain that were trying to assemble an army. It is not known if they were in allegiance to the giants or if they were looking to defend their turf like us, but they had taken residence in a cave system that underlies the crossroads and leads all the way to the Bay of Carocsa. We were able to root them out and free almost 500 who had been enslaved that had not been turned. In the course of our search we were able to find the pack alpha and destroy him along with several strong betas. We have dispatched Dalanthar city forces to secure the cave entrances so they will not be able to be used by the enemy to gain advantage. I can say with confidence that we have done all we have been able to do to insure victory in the coming days. I pray Folian that your efforts have met with similar success and our friends will have sufficient forces to throw down this Essrantor and his minions and bring peace to the region once more. If I do not see you until after the conflict, I wish you well and luck in the days to come. May Folian guide you in your hunt.
In the tracks of the Longstrider,
Armolas
-
Shattered Mountain
Dalanthar and Boyer Kingdom are in turmoil following the war.
The rule of Essrantor is at an end. The mountain upon which his tower was build has been destroyed.
Kobal told one of the three pillars within the tower was destroyed through the use of the hammer of Ragnor. When they hammer struck the second pillar it was the hammer that shattered.
I suspect that the use of the rune magic, and lore surrounding the mysterious forth rune was needed.
The resulting magical imbalance destroyed the mountain, felling both hero and villain alike.
I will mount an expedition into the mountains to seek the remains of the shattered hammer of Ragnor.
This tale is broken, not yet finished.
-
Abigail Firesteed - Her Last Quest
Palmer Felch tells the tale of why half-elves are infertile.
"Why are you not fertile anymore? Some say it was done out of spite. Some say it was done out of anger. Others claim it was done out of neglect, or even by ignorance. Sadly, all of them are mistaken."
He sighs slightly.
"Let me tell you what really happened. It was the year 1415, and terrible abominations were starting to appear across the world. From birds with frog legs, to rats with scales, it was clearthat things were not well. It started as isolated reports, some from the Silkwood, others from the Forest of Fogs. When reviewed individually, it did not seem a threat at the time, perhaps some experiments from a wizard that run afoul but nothing more than that."
"However, that turned out to not be the case. It took us the better part of a year to put all the information together and see a pattern. A significant increase of abnormal animals, as if somebody was deliberately playing with their astral locks. The Caring Light had to act himself and sent a physical representation of himself down towards Layonara. He knew at the time that a representation of Corath, Preto Sangue, was walking the lands, and that he was the one responsible.
His plan? To unlock the Astral Locks once and for all, and be able to change living forms with a whim. Rumours of the aspect were dismissed initially and requests for aid were met with suspicion, even by those who follow Aeridin himself. Perhaps, if they had listened, things would have gone different, but in hindsight everything is easy."
"Truth of the matter is, that when he finally caught up with Preto Sangue in 1417, he had to battle it alone.
In an act of self sacrifice, the Livegiver's aspect destroyed him, but with it went Aeridin's hold on the elements. The Astral Locks were whisked away from the clutches of Corath and safely returned to the Keeper of the Life's control. If we had acted sooner, things may have gone different."
"This is what happened."
Jin Lun Lee frowns. "Something is nor right with this explanation. A few year after this event. I saw my first half-dragon."
Abigail Firesteed Continues her questions.
"So you told us what happened, now tell me why he wont let me have cubs. He has control over the locks after all?"
"If he opens the locks again, Corath will use them again." Replied Palmer Felch.
"Yet the Green Dragon Cult is still creating half-dragons." States Jin.
"It seems that the astral locks for Dragons are being openly manipulated by someone, while those that allow half-elves to be fertile are closed. We need to find the keys to these astral locks."
-
Reach for the Stars (Harlas|Plot Quest)
My lack of faith and conviction has destroyed my city of Leningrad, scarred my friends and aided the evil machinations of those that are behind the Green Dragon cult.
I was duped by a false Lucindite by the name of Arwal. He coaxed a group of us into recovering the Tear of Orn, a device that could scry the location of the Green Dragon cult.
I suspected that we were working for the cult and not it enemies. I asked Sallaron if he trusted the man. He did. I was shocked and horrified when Sallaron gave Arwal the gem.
Our foolishness was revealed. We were captured by the Ancient Enemy. I escaped through the Grace of the Longstrider and the druid Khuren escaped though his manipulation of natural forms. Gork, Sasha, Steel, Argali and Sallaron were no so fortunate. I watched the enemy brand powerless against its might. They have been marked.
Now we work to at least undo that which we have done.
-
Death and Life
Abigail Firesteed has passed into the Forest of the Longstrider. The sorrow that gripped me awoke old wounds, the death of Abi’s mother. Ye my grief for Sa’kura and Abi cannot compare to that of Barion. He has lost both a wife and a daughter. It is a terrible thing when parents out life their pups. Yet Abi’s life was rich. She acoomplished much, she questioned the Gods and they have given an answer. Her quest will be told. I will continue her quest. There will be pup’s again.
Polly - Berilu’s daughter - that young pup is growing fast. She captures all the joy of youth and spring. I have given her my blessing, and guidance. Now she will use her own ears to follow the call of the Long strider.