The World of Layonara

Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: SuperMunch on February 06, 2006, 04:57:19 AM

Title: Freldo Jabutica's Journal and Letters, Volume One
Post by: SuperMunch on February 06, 2006, 04:57:19 AM

Here are Freldo Jabutica (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22152&posts=2&start=1)'s journals and letters (link to class correction approval (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=24158)).

• Time has passed and this part of Freldo's life is over.

Lastest update: Journal Entry: Responsability and Duty (http:///forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22233&start=40#M177897) (/* July 18, 2006 */) Journal Entry: The Story of How I died (http:///forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22233&start=40#M177934) (/* July 18, 2006 */)  Freldo's Accounts: Account of the visit to T'oleflor Home (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=23589) (/* Mar. 14, 2006 */) More on the origin of the bridges and the T'oleflor (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=23589#M148796) (/* Mar. 20, 2006 */) Freldo's Account of the Clearing of the Haven Mines (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=25102) (/* Apr. 24, 2006 */) Account of the Fall of Pranzis (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=27361) (/* Jun. 27, 2006 */)  Archive of Freldo's Corner at the Wild Surge: Turquoise Poetry (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22892&posts=1&start=1) (/* Feb. 24, 2006 */) Of sailors and dwarves (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22723&posts=1&start=1) (/* Feb. 19, 2006 */) Fifteen! Fifteen! and the stars (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22584&posts=5&start=1) (/* Feb. 15, 2006 */) Half-orcs and dwarves (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22474&posts=1&start=1) (/* Feb. 13, 2006 */) All Request Night (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22407&posts=4&start=1) (/* Feb. 11, 2006 */) Round 'o Laughs (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22337&posts=3&start=1) (/* Feb. 09, 2006 /*)

Title: First Letter Home
Post by: SuperMunch on February 06, 2006, 05:47:53 AM

Dearest mother,

I've been in Hlint for two days and I've already gone from a wide-eyed newcomer to a wide-eyed not-so-newcomer.  Hopefully I've made a few friends, but there's so much going on that I really don't know when and if I'll see them again.

My first day here was a bit frustrating, I guess I was up and about way to early in the morning because I didn't get to meet anyone intresting and helpful but I think that my initial shyness was to blame.  I explored the town and ended up learning how to fish.  Yes, I know father will laugh because of this.  Please let him know that around here, you're supposed to cook the fish before eating it, unlike our family's tradition of eating raw fish.

Anyway, I explored the city, talked to the merchants and started to explore the city's underground.  Mom, you won't believe how vicious the rats are here!  Every time I set down the stairs to the sewers a bunch of rats started chasing me down and, on at least three occasions, I was forced to run out in despair but I learned my lesson, exploring unknown areas are best done in groups.

However, I didn't learn that until later on the first day.

As I explored the country side, I noticed a goblin archer on a nearby hill, taking advantage of Eldar's crossbow and archery lessons, I and managed to get my very first kill!  As I celebrated I looked down the hill and saw a hoard of undead following a group of very powerful adventurers.  Seeing that I wasn't of any real use in fighting them on the ground, I took to shooting at them with my crossbow and running away every time one of them got near.

Mother, you can't believe how confusing the frey was!  I ran around trying to avoid the undead while pummeling as many as I could from a safe distance, I managed to destroy one of them (my first undead kill) and hurt quite a few others.  During this battle that I learned my first and most important lesson so far, parties of adventurers are a must when exploring the wilds.  I also noticed that, for the first time, my abilities had become keener and I felt that I had mustered enough energy to evoke more elevated magical abilties, not to mention that my song was now stronger.

Well, after the slaughter (of undead) I hung around the group and tried to understand what they were talking about.  Unfortunately I was lost in the greater deeds of the noble party but I found a quick friend, Korvlok, a half-ogre.  While the weathered adventurers talked of Bloodstone and his generals, we were caught up in a lively conversation on the subject of bunny soup and stew, mostly because I was scared beyond all reason of what I had just seen.

After a while, the group separated and I wen't my own way again, this time I resolutely adventured into the sewers again, this time determined not to get seriously injured with a good reason.  After a little while of exploring and killing rats, I heard a roaring noise, that like a rolling thunder and, out of the blue, a massive man, the size of a small giant appears out of nowhere and destroys the rats that were harassing me.  With him, I confess I forgot his name and I'm ashamed of this, there was Siabo the halfling and Korvlok the half-ogre!  Together we adventured deep in the sewers and recovered the book (that we were sent out to retrieve) but our friendship didn't end there.

Next we took on the goblins in the outskirts of Hlint (we had been comissioned to exterminate them by the town's quartermaster) and once again I felt new powers surging through my veins and now I noticed that my ability with my crossbow was reaching a new high because now I didn't feel intimidated any more while using my crossbow in close-quarters combat.

After the goblins we split up, mostly because I was exausted after a long day of adventuring.

Early yesterday I set out on my own again, this time avoiding unnecessary fights, to explore the region.  While I was taking a break I was approached by a young sorceror, Habril about a trip to the city's crypt.  Underhanded as we were, I invited a brutish half-giant, Anderogg, to acompany us while Habril talked to a powerful cleric (I forgot her name, I must start taking notes in my journal!).

Our impromptu party took to exploring the crypt and it was the first time I was exposed to the vile undead.  Fortunately the cleric was strong enough to eliminate the undead almost on her own, good for us, weaker members, but I know I missed a chance to learn how to better eliminate them.

After our excursion, Habril wanted to find the ears for the quartermaster and we took to the goblins again.

While there the cleric told us about the different professions in Hlint, especially that of Alchemy and I must confess that I was very intrested because then I could save money in the purchase of healing.

During that excursion, I noticed that my singing abilities grew once again, this time not as much as before but I also noticed that now the weave is even stronger in me, almost as if I was tapping deeper into the powers of the world.  Thank goodness!

I'm really excited for being here, mostly because of courteous folk and travelers in of Hlint, I  usually find myself in circles of friends talking about bunny soup and other amenities.

Anyway mother, that's about it.  I'm very happy here, I hope all things go well at home.

Your loving son,
Freldo.

Title: Journal Entry
Post by: SuperMunch on February 06, 2006, 05:56:50 AM

Things to do:

1. Remember the names of the half-giant from the sewers and the powerful cleric from the second adventure.

2. Learn new skills in alchemy.

3. Explore the region a little better.

4. Try to find a group of adventurers to explore more dangerous regions.

5. Write shorter letters home!

Title: Journal Entry: Goblins, bats and the Red Caverns, oh my!
Post by: SuperMunch on February 06, 2006, 05:11:03 PM

I awoke today, my third in Hlint and decided to find something to do, unfortunately there was precious little to do since the weather wasn't very good.  A few fellow adventurers were sitting around the traditional location near Hlint's pond and one of them, Ashand (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ashand%20Fearilan) and his friend Micheal (http://nwn.layonara.com/Micheal%20Mordicai) decided, on the spur of the moment, to adventure in the Red Caverns to resupply their greenstone reserves.  I asked to tag along, mostly because I really had nothing better to do and lo and behold, a brand new adventure opened up before my eyes.  Note to self: Remember that I wanted to start to take a possible intrest in asking myself to get involved in alchemy?  Yeah, add an *urgent* mark next to that note.  Anyway, while Ashand and Micheal destroyed every goblin in site, they allowed me to grab anything I could find on their corpses and, for some reason, I got lucky and collected about 80 pieces of gold when my luck too a change for the best, a pretty elven lady, Elhara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elhara), showed up needing to pick up some copper from a lower depth.  Not being one to run away, I asked to tag along and act as guard.  Well, I most humbly knew that I was going to be more of a bother than of help but since I could tag along with a powerful warrior, I'd help with my songs and with my bow.  Lo and behold, upon reaching the first room rich with mineral deposits, we were surrounded by a hoard of goblins and, suddenly I didn't think it had been a good idea to venture into the deeper caves when suddenly Elhara ripped apart the goblins in a most vile way, surrounded by 5 or 6 goblins she managed to cleave a hole through thier lines with a single fell swoop!  I was stunned...  As a matter of fact, I still am stunned.  Well, I humbly took to guard her back while she mined the copper ore and I like to think that I helped her out by singing for her, but I'm not to sure that my humble song was enough to help her tear the ore from the rock.  Anyway we stayed there for a little while talking while she worked... come to think of it, I might have annoyed her, if I did so I really must apologize.  Anyway, after she was done she was too overloaded with the ore and I offered to help her carry it, after all my picking of the dead goblins had already given me quite a bit of gold.  Elhara then offered to take me to the deepest parts of the cavern so that I could really get good pickings and, not wanting to miss an opportunity like that, I went with her.  After a very deadly trip to the bottom of the pit, she asked me if I wanted to adventure further, into the really dangerous bits.  After a moment of hesitation I came to grips that if I didn't explore any further, I might regret it, after all, danger is my middle name!  (Not really, I don't have a middle name)  In a few battles that I really didn't get involved in (mostly due to her superb axemanship) we took the head of their leader and fled to the surface where I helped her take her ore back to Hlint.  A fine lady she is, gentle but terrible, I must remember never to make her cross.  After that, I summoned a little more courage and, sticking to the main roads, traveled to Fort Llast and Haven, not very intresting towns for the meanwhile as I'm sure I'm to novice to be able to help them out in their woes.  That's about it for today's journal.  Looking back on what I've written, I noticed that I'm writing to much, as it goes, I'll run out of paper in no time.

Title: Journal Entry: Of rats, skeletons, demons and bards
Post by: SuperMunch on February 07, 2006, 04:53:52 PM

Oh my...  Oooh my...  Where to start...  smugdes  Alright, ignore the smudge above, I'll start here.  Today started as a normal day, the weather was fine, the birds were singing and the mosquitos were biting, not that I have to complain about that since I did sleep near the pond.  So there I was, fresh and ready for a new day when, passing the sewer's entrance I see a man showering a young man with many different enchantments.  I was going to look the other way since such show of affection is quite... strange... at such an early hour but I resisted and greeted them.  The man was Nex (http://nwn.layonara.com/Nex%20Wintergaard) a kindy wizard and the young man was Trance (http://nwn.layonara.com/Trance%20Ghono), a relative newcomer to Hlint.  As we were talking about making an excursion to the Crypts, since Trance was ill equiped to handle the undead by himself, a fellow by the name of Kroeger (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kroeger) appeared out of the blue and, upon my invitation and Trance's approval, he joined our little party but we changed out plans, instead of heading to the crypts, we took to the sewers to help Hlint get rid of those nefarious rats, after restocking ourselves with supplies.  To make a long story short, the sewers were a difficult trip but we survived whole.  After the sewers the natural choice was the Crypts and, on the way there we met the elven lady Elhara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elhara), of whom I already had an enormous debt of gratitude for.  I greeted her and told her that my new companions and I were headed towards the crypt and we left.  To my utter surprise she shows up at the entrance and beckons to join us!  Ilsare, or the elven gods, be praised that such people exist in the world!  We entered together and, after dealing with a lot of vile undead, we managed to reach the core of the infestation and rid the crypt of the evil.  Oh, the lady Elhara had found the necklace of that young lady Ragrian!  I was overwhelmed by her generosity, I really must dedicate a song for her and it must be a good one, no, it must be my first masterpiece.  Upon reaching the surface, shortly after splitting up, a demon, a balor (as lady Elhara told me later) - the first one I ever saw, appeared out of thin air!  I paniced and ran away, as I must confess, after all, how could I confront a demon!?  I returned and tried my best with my bow to injure him but it was to no avail, luckily, a strange, dark figure, Ozymandias Llewellyn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) or Oz or Ozzy, as some called him, unleashed some strange fury upon the foul beast and forced it to fly away.  I stayed around during the aftermath and learned of an orb the evil being was looking for and of great deeds that must be done and other things, of which I understood very little of.  Almost all of what I heard had come from Ozymandias.  In my naivete, I approached Oz and, before such a powerful man as I could guess since his song was still strong in me minutes after the engagement, forgetting my manors I asked him about bardish instruments.  I should have been struck dead then and there.  For shame.  No, really, I am now ashamed of not, in the very least, having introduced myself and taken apropriate measures to show my humbleness to him.  He kindly told me that my voice was the only instrument I needed and proceded on his way.  In my awestruckeness I sat with lady Elhara and gave my impression of Ozmandias and, I was so scared by the encounter that only then did I notice how frightened I was of him, such a generous man yet I spoke ill of him.  I must apologize for my stupidity, which is very unbecoming me.  Anyway, at least I tried to make amends with him but failed again to make a good impression because, in my haste to try to make a good impression the second time around, I also forgot to introduce myself.  In his generosity and quiet contemplation, he gave me a few tips and told me that "power can be analised thru freedom, something I lack."  I must contemplate better these words and try to gauge their meaning.  On first reflection, I fear that I may have heard something terrible about that great man.  Maybe he has lost his freedom and all because he has attained great powers, maybe it is better to be a humble man than to reach such towering greatness.  After these words I returned the necklace to the young bard and she was very gracious to me, as most of these people are without my even deserving it, as far as I can tell.  That's about it for today, tomorrow I'll try my hand at alchemy or another of the crafts, I finally feel I'm up to the task.

Title: Journal: Oh no, not again
Post by: SuperMunch on February 09, 2006, 02:43:22 AM

You know, I'm starting to think that Eldar had a very peculiar sense of humor.

I got the impression that the noble profession of heraldry and song was a fruitful one with bountiful pleasures, treasures and adventures but the cruel reality is that it's not so easy.

I'm not an impatient man...  Oh, alright, I am impatient, but that's beside my point...  After taking to heart how foolish it is to explore the wilds alone, I took to exploring the wilds in groups but, for some terribly unfortunate reasons, I'm still getting beaten up into a pile of soft and gooey jelly at every chance encounter!

Either I must start exploring with gentlemen and ladies of highest nobility (like the fair lady Elhara) or I must reduce myself to the role of bard at the local inns.

Then again, come to think of it, I might also invest in some heavier armor - it'll surely reduce slightly my knack for getting to meet the lords of beyond but at the price of my agility, not to mention that clanking metal isn't a good rhythm instrument.

Well, that's about it, I think that tomorrow I'll adventure further than I've explored so far but I'll stick mostly to the roads.

Title: Letter Home: Strange and Amazing Things
Post by: SuperMunch on February 10, 2006, 04:46:53 AM

Dearest mother,

I have found a wit sharper then my own.

I know you and father have always been upset by my ways but it has always suited me but now, I must take a step to the side and humbly admit that one of greater value exists in the world.  Mind you, I know of very few people in the world but I'm so sure of what I say that it's uncanny.

Her name is Acacea Thistletounge (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge), a lovely halfling lady that insists that it is us, humans and other beings, that are of the wrong size and that she is of the correct size.  I'll not try to point out the opposite because I'm sure others have tried and yet, none have convinced her to the contrary.  Last night we spent quite a while talking about many a mundane thing and yet it made so much sense that I almost feel that we've know each other for a long time as her humor, wit and fast tounge were of equal match to my slighty off ways.

I was so impressed by her that I almost forgot the other incidents of yesterday, many were extraordinary but she was the most.

I've promissed to keep these letters down to less than ten pages so I'll try... mind you... try to be brief.

I awoke in Hlint still reflecting upon my previous errors but soon I understood all my foolishness and decided I needed better protection and a keener weapon and that's just what I did after practicing my skills of gem crafting.  Yes mother, I'm trying my hand at things other than jesting, drinking and singing.

I bought a very nice suit of Scale Armor and tailored it's colors to my liking (turquoise, as usual) along with a new shield, of a larger size and a brand new rapier - my old sword was very useful but the rapier has a better feel in my hands.  After that I decided I'd try to get back to Leilon for a courtesy visit back home.

Unfortunately I got lost, at Fort Llost...

But, in a merry turn of events, I met my first "quickling" as they are called or, more simply "quarterlings" as their size are half of that of a halfling, maybe even smaller.

She was a pretty little thing, by the name of Mille Mooneyes (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mille%20Mooneyes).  She was quick to blush and a very charming little person, so small was Mille that she could easily fit in my coat pocket - if she so wanted, which I doubt.  She was accompanied by companions but the only one I managed to get the name of was Grogan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grogan%20Gorsch), a powerful warrior warrior and amoung their ranks there was a strange fellow, of dark elven origins I believe, that looked pretty nasty at me - I bet that their race is not know for being very hospitable.

After losing my way at Llast but meeting the charming Millie, I ended up in the middle of a broken forest where, to my surprise, the fair elven lady Elhara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elhara) was battling the undead.  I could deny helping her and I took a shot or two at the undead and tried very hard not to get in her way as she probably didn't need any help anyway.  Amoung the trees of the forest she pointed out that there was an old oak tree of which I might fashion a new bow for myself and, with her patience, I notched out two pieces (I dared take no more to not aggravate the dryads) and she led me to Krandor, a lovely lakeside town with humble folk.

We parted ways again and I stayed in town for a little while and explored the surrounding area.

After the a break for rest I headed back to Hlint, giving up my trip back to Leilon, and met with a most noble paladin of Toran, Trenton Wetteel (http://nwn.layonara.com/Trenton%20Wetteel), a very kind man that allowed me to accompany him back to Hlint.

On our trip we met three other travelers, Lucius Elevefius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Lucius%20Elevefius), an honored monk of Toran, Tiden (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tiden%20Di'%20Ren), the first druid I've ever met and Adderinn Swift (http://nwn.layonara.com/Adderinn%20Swift) a fellow bard that I had seen many times before but never appropriately introduced myself to.

As we headed back to Hlint, Lucius and I stayed behind for some reason that I cannot recall because, as we reached the gates a wild pony dashed from out the gate followed by the charming Acecea.

Oh, it was a grand day, new fellows were met, a new place of danger found yet only a few arrows needed to be fired!  It wasn't just a grand day, it was one of the best days so far.

Mother, tell Reylia that I'm going to start practicing all the dancing she taught me to start weaving in an out of close combat.  She'll be disapointed her teachings have been used for such ends, but I fear it must be so for I lack the strength of warriors in battle.

Kisses on you, father and all my siblings,
Freldo.

PS. I wrote too much again...  Sorry.
PPS. I would have enclosed a beautiful bonet I found for you, but I've already sealed this letter.

Title: Letter: Tall tales with a short person
Post by: SuperMunch on February 11, 2006, 04:15:38 AM

Dearest mother,

I'll leave this quick letter tacked on our door in Leilon because, well, I'm in Leilon tonight.

I spent most of the night at the Leilon Arms performing with that charming little Acacea, my skills with the piano have gotten better but I really wanted to go to the inn to unload some oak I've come across, a shame nobody wanted it.

Anyway, it was a most pleasant night Acacea has an extraordinary talent, so much so that I won't even start describing them here, I'll tell you more about here during my next furlow - now that I know the way home, I might be coming more often.

Give everyone a hug for me,
Freldo.

Title: Journal Entry: Hags, rags and Will o' Whisps
Post by: SuperMunch on February 11, 2006, 04:24:31 AM

Oh boy, a very long night...

After returning from Leilon I found little the adorable little Mille (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mille%20Mooneyes) and Lucius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Lucius%20Elevefius) outside the Wild Surge and, wanting to investigate the rumors of a dragon to the north we boldly and foolishly went exploring the area but there were no dragons, a shame though.

After that Mille suggested that we take on the Will o' Whisp in the bogs seeing that we were in superior numbers and quality, it was a good fight and we surprized the Wizard of Llast with our deed, it was an intresting fight, to say the least for many lizard folk also set upon us.

Let's see, we also explored the crypts again, mostly because little miss Mille needed to recover the spirit of the shade for the Undertaker (I've heard he has a powerful tombstone piledriver, but he must keep it hidden away in his hut).

Oh yes, just before turning in for the night, we went to the old hag in the bogs to give her the skelly knuckles she wanted for a creepy necklace, which I identified as being powerful against undead, and had asked miss Mille for.  Graciously she also made a necklace for Lucius and I.

That was about it, now I'm off to the crafting house to try to get some practice on the loom

Title: Journal Entry: Luck of Heroes?
Post by: SuperMunch on February 12, 2006, 09:53:11 AM

It has been a week already here in Hlint and I'm stumped.

I'd like to think that I've progressed over the past few days, as I really have but now, progress is so slow that it's almost unbearable.  I lack the skill of arms useful for war, I lack the stamina for surviving endless pumeling and I lack the power of the Weave for spells of combat - the only thing I excel at is song but the beasts' hearts are not calmed by it.

I will stick by my path as it has served me well in the past but I know that I must be brave to face the adversities of my choice.

The past two days have been generous in the throngs of friendship and plentiful in the ways of words but, unfortunately, little can words and friendship help me when I am alone in the woods of the world.

I have traveled a bit further than before, I even encountered a mighty griffon near a place called "Harmony Grove" but I had to flee for my life as it's talons where longer and sharper than my humble rapier.

Oh well...  Here I go adventuring again!  Best of luck to me as I'll need it.

Title: Journal Entry: giants, Giants and GIANTS!
Post by: SuperMunch on February 13, 2006, 04:47:44 AM

Yesterday was a bad day.

My downward spiral is gaining speed as things continue to not work out well for me but at least I have the Wild Surge every now and then.

So, there I was at Hlint, trying to pick up a party to retrive the oil for the horse master of Fort Llast but, despite the numerous adventurers, none wished to go, as a matter of fact, most didn't even acknowledge me with a reply, a shame.

Finally, I decided I'd take on lesser tasks such as reexplore the crypts and the orcs to the north but, to my sheer amazement, I was struck down twice during the conflict with the orcs but, I left the forest to escape more needless deaths and ended up finding good old Ax (http://nwn.layonara.com/Axz%E4ir) and we left for the Grey Mountains together for a bit of sport and recklessness since there were no more volunteers at our ability level to go with us.

Oh my...

Upon reaching the mountains we stumbled upon a crypt and, as usual, I was severely wounded but, luckily I survived thanks to Ilsare but I missed the whole encounter which surly would have been an excelent experience for me.

After escaping the crypt in a hurry we rested and took to the mountains and, on reaching our first plateau, we were started by a nasty group of ogres that, to my dismay, killed me outright with a bottle of fire.

I awoke at the temple of Ilsare and, after recomposing myself, Ax and I returned to the Ogre Vale to give it another try but this time the results were a bit different but not by much.  We took on the ogres at the vale and moved on and were stopped by a pair of VERY nasty ogres, we survived by dumb luck, mostly because the ogres were easy to fool.

We talked a bit and decided it was in our best intrest to return to Hlint since we were very under powered but, upon returning to the ogre vale, we saw a massive group of two headed giants and massive giants battling it out with a group of hardy adventurers.  Ax and I managed to be of some use to them and after the battle we returned to Hlint.

All in all, it wasn't a very good day but at least this time I was able to pick up a few gold here and there, twenty more days like this and I'll be ready to handle a single skeleton on my own.

Title: Journal Entry: Luck did smile upon me, once at least!
Post by: SuperMunch on February 14, 2006, 09:00:02 AM

For some reason yesterday, I was in a slightly silly mood.  Maybe it was because I realized how lucky I was about not becoming a giant's toe-mush or it might have been because I got a few things off my chest, literally and figuratively...  I got rid of a lot of dead weight and talked to the mayor about providing a few tents near the temple for us to sleep in.  After a stop to unload quite a lot of useless garbage and fishing the pond dry of carps (seemingly the only beings that I strike fear into), I went out to the camping area outside of town to light a fire to cook the fish because unattended fires in town tend to be dangerous.  There I was, dancing and being silly when a queer fellow with a nasty habit of skipping articles, came over and promptly fell asleep, almost with his head in my fire!  When he woke up, I gave him a fillet 'o carp, it's not as good as seabass but it's quite tasty.  For some strange reason he gave me a handful of bolts and two big hunks of deer meat!  I cooked the meat and gave one back to him before he took off again.  Strange fellow, I didn't even catch his name.  After dousing the fire I was on my way back to town to take on the crypts when, rushing along the highway, a fellow by the name of Glenn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Glenn%20Thendor), who must've seen me posting one of my petitions for an unfashionable bow (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22429&posts=3&start=1), asked me if I was intrested in having him make me one.  Of course I was flattered, I had asked for an unfashionable bow and someone offered me a new one!  Knowing how precious his time was I asked him if he'd accept my two branches of oak as part of the payment and that brought the price of the bow down quite a ways.  I have him the branches and he went off to make the bows and I was following when I happened to come upon a couple of the fine adventurers Ax and I met near the giants and I finally caught their names, without the excitement of the kill.  They were Brisbane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Brisbane), a lovely half-elven lady and Elladan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elladan%20Peters), a half-elven knight of the highest possible nobility.  I thanked them and apologized for being so... let's say... overly energetic the previous day, they were most gracious in forgiving me.  Before the couple left I comented on how the lady looked good in her tree-like garb and, as a parting gift, she blessed me with a stonelike skin that lasted the rest of the day.  It didn't feel too unconfortable, but it did feel a little strange when I scratched my arms and legs.  Well, back to the bow story, I met with Glenn again and we exchanged to gold for the bow but I felt it was a bit too soon to take on such a powerful weapon, I felt I had to gain a little more experience in the world before using it, which was a pitty considering how much the bow was despired.  We parted ways and I decided to try out my stone-like skin on the camp of mercenaries outside of town but when I arrived, a fine young lady by the name of Anna (http://nwn.layonara.com/MilAnna%20Windword) had already finished off the group.  We exchanged pleasentries and she told me about her husband Quantum, a paladin of toran.  Come to think of it, I think I've already met him, the very I met Tien, Lucius and Acacea...  Yes, it was him, a shame I didn't remeber it at the time.  Also, dare I mention, that most of the ladies are already taken by some nobler men, I guess I'll have to stick to my bachelor ways.  A true shame for all I want in my life is a single muse to come home to, to cook for, to sing songs of and to write epic stories about how undying my love is for her.  Oh, I'm really funny, I almost convinced myself this time.  So, back to where I was, I left for the fens nead Hlint for a little R&R (wRestling and Rummaging) amoung the lizardfolk.  Might I say that the stoneish skin saved my life many, many times.  I couldn't resist the temptation to scrounge around for as many lizardmen as I could to gather some more gold now that my reserves were lowered a substantial amount after the aquisition of my new bow.  After a long day adventuring and killing a lot more lizards then I expected, I returned to Hlint and had a very, very peaceful night's sleep.  I must remember to ask lady Brisbane for another one of those stone-like enchantments, it was so very helpful that I'm almost afraid to admit it.  Well, that was a good day, luck shined on my fragile little body, I hope it builds strength and keeps on shining!  --- Correction: I have not yet met Quantum as a I previously mentioned, not yet at least.

Title: Journal Entry: Giants Revisited
Post by: SuperMunch on February 15, 2006, 03:49:39 AM

I think an unusual and unlikely pair has been formed, I think...

I've already written of Ax (http://nwn.layonara.com/Axz%E4ir), a half-giant that may not be very smart but he certainly is one of the kindest to walk Layonara in this age.

Well, yesterday I woke up and Ax asked me to join him in another excursion into the Grey Mountains.  Of course I let him know that it wasn't a very good idea, especially after the events of the other day but Ax told me he had learned a whole bunch of new tricks, some he had learned especially for the ogres in the mountains.

So, once again throwing caution to the wind, I look up his offer and...  Well... Hit the mountains full of hope, courage and a lack of common sense.

We actually had a good excursion, we slipped past an ogre mage (first one I ever say, I never thought that ogres could be mages) and entered the deep mountains but that's where we stopped, there were just too many of them!  Ax would climb down the valley and attract an ogre up the stairs and, at the top, I'd pummel the ogre with arrows while Ax would strike at them with his massive axe and then I'd heal Ax and we'd do it again, rinse, repeat.  We kept at this until both of us finally got tired of not making any headway, pummeling ogres from afar is nice and all but we couldn't progress on our quest so both of us thought it better to return to Hlint and pick up a few more hands.

The trip was an exciting one and, at the end, despite not being able to pick up to much gold (as Ax would kick the bodies down the cliff face before I could search them) I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So, after returning to town I decided I'll cast my spell of death amoung the feeble fishies of the pond.  Oh, how I struck fear into their little fishie hearts and I made them cry for their mothers while I launched a thousand arrows into their tiny little bodies.  Yes, the fish FEAR me, oh yes they do!

Anyway, after all the fun attempting to genocide the fish, I distributed a few and, on a chance encounter, I met Viralax (http://nwn.layonara.com/Viralax%20Fellborn) and a short little fellow with a most delightful hat that didn't give me his name, but let me call him GuyWithHat (http://nwn.layonara.com/Zill).  We had a pleasant talk and I offered GuyWithHat some of my fish but he was a bit hesitant to eat it so I took a bite to show him it was alright.

What happened next is worthy of lore...  I screamed out in pain and fell over, feigning death.

The look on GuyWithHat's face was worth all the gold in the dwarven mines.  Poor fellow, I expect he'll be even more cautious when I'm around.  In the end, I convinced him the food was alright and he ate some of it, a nice fellow, a bit colorful but that's alright with me.

One thing that he told me of was the crafting stations in the back of the common crafting room.  He told me that he made his hat there and I was honestly impressed so I took a gander and personalized almost everything I had!  I modified my shield, rapier (it looks really good now), armor and every day clothes.  I changed my armor very little, I just wanted to change the colors around a bit and now it looks very, very, very nice!

I hope people notice the changes...

Title: Journal Entry: Wisdom of the world, at the point of an arrow
Post by: SuperMunch on February 16, 2006, 04:48:07 AM

I died twice today.

Normally, that's not a very good way to start an entry in my journal but that's the truth.

Once I died but was resurected and the other time part of my innocence died.

There truly are older and fouler things in the world, as my latest scars can atest, despite the experience gained through such a great adventure, it will be some time before I fully understand what my eyes saw, ears heard and body felt.  I now know that one should not ask for more than one is able to reach and for now, I'll stick to Hlint and region for my adventures.

It all started with... an indecent proposal by a fellow, by the name of Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman), that enjoyed one of my tall tales.  He offered me a spot in his party in exchange for a few jokes.  Little did I know the perils I had signed up for.

I met Cole last morning and he promptly took me up on the offer and I got to meet some members of the party but only later did I catch all their names.

The party was comprised of:
- Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman), a mighty warrior
- Yossarian (http://nwn.layonara.com/Yossarian%20Anvilcrash) (Catchy name, isn't it?), a wise cleric
- Ael (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ael%20Rynthien), a swift martial arts expert
- Abi (http://nwn.layonara.com/Abigail%20Ruzz), the party's scout
- Yard (http://nwn.layonara.com/Yardislan%20Echron), a powerful, scary mage
- Gunter (http://nwn.layonara.com/G%FCnter%20Hatt), a warrior dwarf
- Jil (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jilseponie%20Valhaikor), a swift attacker, good with a bow
- Daren (http://nwn.layonara.com/Daren%20Valhaikor), another noble cleric
- Lokri (http://nwn.layonara.com/Lokri%20Hrendhammer), a warrior dwarf, that didn't take kindly to me, which is to be expected after the dwarf jokes
- Rane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%E9win), a most beautiful elven lady that I managed to upset
- Me, the dead weight.

Our group left, via portal, to North Point where we left for the deep forest, a perilous place but at least I managed to get a grizzly bear pelt, it might come in handy later.

From the forest we sailed to a mountainous land called... errr... I don't know, but the mountains was that of Firesteep, that much I knew.  Upon landing I managed to upset the boat's captain by leaving some bear meat on the ground for him but I was scorned by Rane for littering, an innocent mistake that I'm afraid of ever repeating again.

So, off we went, slowly to keep the group together...  The enemies were small and terrible, kobolds, I believe they are called and some powerful elemental spirits appeared, some of fire some of earth and I was devastated by their overwhelming resistence, a hail of blows fell on each enemy before it fell, I managed to score a shot or two and I always tried to maintain the group under my song for every little bit might help at a time like that.

At a certain point, shortly before reaching a fortified dwarven house, I was felled by a hail of magical missiles shortly after my spell of resistence to such enchantments had run out.  Yossarian revived me through some powerful work of divine intervention and we reached the house to rest, before adventuring into the dark cavern.

We recovered and stepped outside when, suddenly, a fierce cry sounded through the valley...  I froze, as did some others.  The mage Yard said that... the wyrm was coming.

A WYRM!!!

Quickly I rushed into the cavern to avoid swift death and as the group reformed, it was noticed that a few had not entered when suddenly they rushed in and told us that it had arrived.  I confess that I felt a need to go out and take a look but my curiosity was squashed by the possibility of become not only Giant's Toe Mush, but become a light snack for a wyrm of legends.

Onward we went, close together to maintain our powers concentrated until we reached our goal...  A rich vein of cobalt and adamantium, the very precious of minerals used by skilled smiths and tinkerers to make items of powers way beyond my abilities.

After mining...  Well, after the mining was finished, Abi suggested that it was better we move off as there was precious little protection for our party when suddenly Cole shouted for us to run and I did just that!  I ran as fast as I could to the safe spot we had encountered earlier.

I arrived but the group was caught up and rapidly were being felled by waves of enemies and I couldn't resist the temptation to join them and off I went, whisked away to Hlint.

I briefly met with Rane, as she managed to return to Hlint swiftly but was in to much of a rush to stop and talk - I was not going to try small talk as I had much to reflect upon after those adventures.

Of it all, I confess that I gained a keener understanding of how to use my rapier with greater agility and now I feel that I can actually use it in combat without fear - not to mention that my song is slightly more powerful now as the harp in the dwarven house helped me in tuning my voice - a good thing.

However, I came to understand that the world is to much a dangerous place for an ordinary bard like me, I must strive for greater abilities before I accept such an invitation again but I still must thank every member of the party as soon as I find each one again.

Title: Letter: Red Caverns Revisited
Post by: SuperMunch on February 17, 2006, 04:17:19 AM

Dearest mother,

I might be in Leilon tonight, if I do, I'll leave this letter in your hands.

Yesterday started off pretty good, I awoke with a new disposition after the previous night's encounter with death (I'll tell you about it some other time but know I'm alright) and, wanting to prove the new found strength in my fragile, girly arms, I took to the crypts of Hlint.

After cleaning house and delivering a large barrel of bone crunching death to the skeletons, I went down to the next level, to clean up on the ghouls - once again throwing caution to the wind, you and father never taught me to be responsible, so you're to blame for this.  Just kidding!

Anyway, there I was, running down the stairs when I heard the sounds of battle, I arrive just in time to see a fellow that I had met before, but not explored with, by the name of Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) in heated battle with ghouls.  At once I also took up arms and we quickly vanquished them.  We formed a little party to explore the rest of the crypts when an unearthly quake took hold of the crypts, in an instant, we turned around and fled out of the crypts.

Outside we gathered ourselves and decided to separate rest a bit.

When I came back Renji wasn't there at the moment but an elven fellow, Leneas (http://nwn.layonara.com/Leneas%20Distara) came rushing by.  I managed to stop him an instant and asked him where he was off to and he told me about the goblins so I offered to help him when Renji came and we agreed to help Leneas on his quest.

Once out the gate we easily cleaned up those pesky goblins now that I'm actually of use.  While talking about greater and lesser things a noble knight, by the name of Justain (http://nwn.layonara.com/Justain%20Leonar) came looking for something to do as Hlint was a bit slow.  I remember having talked to him before and having skimmed some of his works, one was a fable (of which I'm sure you remember, I'm no fan of) but the other was a great piece about nobility and a noble man's purpose.  A very dignified work and I told him so, I know how a little incentive can go a very long way.

After talking a few minutes, a stout dwarf Zargo (http://nwn.layonara.com/Zargo%20Stonehelm) and a big black panther show up also looking for adventure.  After battleling the next gaurd of the goblins, we took to the Red Caverns for some fresh excitement.

Mother, let me tell you, our companions, including that smart cat, just ran and ran after the goblins, no looking back and no stopping for rest.  I tried not to stay too far behind but it was inevitable but Zargo was also a bit slow, no offence to dwarves, of course and I managed to help him out a few times.

The companions were so fast they took on the entire goblin garrison without blinking!

Also, without blinking they rushed up to the surface again.  Darned fast folk!

So...  Finally, on the surface, we said our goodbyes and parted after I told Zorag and Leneas to take the head to the wagonmaster since he has a collection of goblin heads, or something.

Upon returning to Hlint I saw Erag standing on the elevated platform near The Old Tree and tried to convince him to come down but that fool just stood there, looking at me like I was an idiot!  I may be an idiot but that's no reason for him to kill himself.  I gave up seeing that he was enjoying the view and went to rest after smashing a few perfectly good gems into perfectly good powder.

Anyway mother, I've come a long way.  I hope to be in Leilon tonight to give you this letter in person.

Kisses,
Freldo.

PS. I think we forgot the black panther in the caves...  If we did, I won't forgive myself.  I must talk to the animal friends to see what can be done.

Title: Journal Entry: Leilon Arms Inn and Going Postal
Post by: SuperMunch on February 18, 2006, 09:00:05 PM

Last night, during the Gypsy Auction at the Leilon Arms, I had the best time of the past months.

Really.

The folks didn't have a union authorized musician on hand to handle the piano so I took the position and in no time, I was drawing laughs, applause and tomatos from the crowd.  It was a truly great experience, even Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali), a gorgeous little elven lady, the auctioneer asked me to come back and I think I will, just to help out.

But that wasn't the high point, Kavil (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kavil%20Yodin), a powerful and quiet master and I started bidding on a bag of bardish tools and, despite his victory over me, he just gave me the back, along with all it's contents, once the auction was over, a very kind man, he is.

Great things happened at the Inn, a scythe the size of a house was sold to a half-elven lady, Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace) and a ring of warding.. or was it something else... was sold to a dwarf after a bitter bidding war with a hooded individual that almost started a bar fight.

Upon receiving the bag from Kavil, I noticed that the violin was of abilities much higher than what I'm used to so I've already contacted Kali for an exchange for a lesser violin.

And that was it, today I spent the day searching for the legitimate owners of a large amount of mail from the postmaster of Hlint (Vale) and of Krandor (Valquirie) to the corners of the western hemisphere.  I got to know a few new places, some of peril some of intresting qualities.  Hopefully I'll remember the paths I took to get to those places.

That's about it for tonight, I'm much to tired to write any more.

Title: Letter Home: Cougars, bears and bears, oh my!
Post by: SuperMunch on February 20, 2006, 05:50:32 AM

Dearest Mother,

I have it on good word that a low profile in Leilon in these days is for the best.  I cannot go into details but know that things might not bode well in the city's political realm.

Well, now that that's out of the way, let me tell you of my recent forays, the first of which was with the fur merchant of Hlint - a strange fellow that stinks of tanning acids and other nasty things but of decent value.  He had sent me out to gather a few pelts of different animals, the first few were easy but... alas, the final three skins were of such dificulty that I went grudgingly.

Of the final three, one was a cougar - a large, fast, spotted cat that live in the souther regions of Mistone.  Trapping one was rather straight forward - I taunted it and after chasing me down, I'd run away very fast until I could manage another shot at it from a safe distance.  It was a hectic race but, in the end, I took one down and skinned it before others of it's kind came after me.

The final two were of the same type, a brown bear's pelt.

Mother, I had ventured into the deep High Wood before but was scared back by the griffon, this time I had to go deep into the forest after the fabled brown bear.  Luckily, I've learned how to conceal myself and I took advantage of this until I found the brown bear.

Another hit and run, run, run, run battle took place but this time I was so injured that I had to retreat and tend to my wounds before trying to confront it again but, after a lot of lost blood, I emerged victorious.  Returning to the fur trader I was greeted by the joyous news that I had to get another brown bear pelt.  So happy I was, I ran off to try to avoid it.

In this avoiding, I met up with the ladies Rane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%E9win) and Elhara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elhara), my thrice savior.  After quite a bit of chatting I felt relaxed enough to go after that awful second brown bear pelt.

Luckily, upon spotting one in the distance, I managed to land a precise arrow to it's head and score two deep rapier stabs into it's heart.  I was very lucky and I thanked Ilsare for the gift of a keen hand.

Upon returning the the fur merchant I was greeted by a cloak he had fashioned from the pelt of the previous brown bear I had taken down - a very nice prize for such a hard task.

Oh, I was forgetting, I made a new friend today, Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard) a dwarven cleric of considerable friendliness.

Anyway mother, that's it for today, thank you for the cookies you sent me, they were, as usually, delicous.

Freldo.

Title: Journal Entry: Ogres, Ogre heads and Lots of Death
Post by: SuperMunch on February 22, 2006, 09:51:12 AM

You know, once in a while bad things happen to good people and less times good things happen to bad people and in a very rare once in a year, good things happen to bards.  Yesterday, I was lucky...Lucky...LUCKY!  Not just lucky...LUCKY but so phenomenally LUCKY that no good that good will come again in quite some time.  We formed a quick party of explorers, led by Lady Elhara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elhara), that was to explore the Havens Mine...  A foolish thing to do, but worth my chance of death to explore a new place in the world.  The party was composed of the usual suspects, Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji), Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard), Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) (she REALLY hates me, for some reason), Exodus (http://nwn.layonara.com/Exodus%20%20StoneCutter) of the StoneCutter clan and a few more folks, not less important but that I really don't recall.  Anyway, off we went to the mines...  and out we came with two dead and a whole wheelbarrow full of gold.  In we went again after the graves of our fallen comrades and out we come again, this time with one less dead.  After such a grueling trudge into the very bowels of the earth, Renji and I were returning to Hlint when a lordly fellow, by name of Asher (http://nwn.layonara.com/Asher%20Hardrock), asked us if we'd like to explore the mines again because he had to mine some iron ore and amethyst minerals.  We went along for the ride and we were acompanied by Exodus, who had been alerted by Renji when we ran off to the bank to deposit our meager earnings.  So...  Down we went, into the belly of the beast, this time, said Lord Asher, to the very lair of the ogre chieftain!  Which was good because I had been comissioned to retrieve it for the lord of Haven Castle.  None of us were felled thanks to the swift sword of Lord Asher.  Ogres fell so fast that piles of dead were gathered around Asher - a sight one must behold to understand and down we raced into the caverns until, at the Chieftain's Lair, Lord Asher told us weaker folk to stand back and offer covering fire, which I gladly did.  The battles were swift and I did manage to get a few notches on my belt and armor by the time we came up to the surface again.  The gold recovered at the end was substantially larger than the previous descent and well worth the risk of decapitation.  We bade farewll and I remembered that I had a mineral amethyst in my vault at the bank, the same one that held a few fish a few weeks ago and really stunk up the whole vault, as I'm told.  I gave Lord Asher the mineral as thanks for the help and ran off to sleep...  It was a most tiring day.

Title: Journal Entry: Haven Mines and Evil Thieves
Post by: SuperMunch on February 23, 2006, 04:29:36 AM

Yesterday I had another trip to the Haven Mines in almost the same party as before but this time there were a pair of ladies, that I didn't catch their names, that spent about as much time playfully annoying eachother rather than strive to stay alive.

Silly pair, must be in love in a way that one must not speak of.

Anyway, at the end of the trip down, led once again by the powerful dwarven-raised Lady Elhara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elhara), we split the loot, or whatever there was around of it and again I managed to make a mess of things, mostly because NOBODY ever says "Oh, I don't want any" or "No thank you, you poor folks should split my share".  All I hear is "what?" and "huh?" and "where's my cut?".  By the looks of it, splitting the gold is a very trying task as most folks just ignore me, that's their problem I guess.

Well, during this trip I found that my powers to tap the Weave had grown a tad and now I was able to unleash a few more enchantments of power (!?).  Not to mention that my rapier and bow are a bit quicker to hit, must be my vision that's a little bit less blurry because I don't cry in panic anymore.

And that leaves me to my second quest last night...  But first, an interlude.

Once again I was talking about how bears hate me when a bear appeared out of thin air and started chasing after me so I just played dead but forgot that dead men aren't supposed to talk so loudly so... there I was... blabbing about the weather, getting pokes and kicks from the folks around until, out of the green, a SNAKE came after me!  If it wasn't a deadly bear wanting to maul me, now I had a snake!

I never get any real breaks - just broken bones I guess.

After the interlude, Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji), Tiden (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tiden%20Di'%20Ren), Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard) and a few others, including an impatient dwarf, a fellow human and ... a nasty fellow by the name of Kerwyn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kerwyn)... set off to the Moors of Hlint in search of the essence of the Will 'o Whisp under the standing idea that I would loot the bodies and divide it amoung ourselves.

The excursion was nice and simple - the lizard men no longer frighten me, except maybe when I'm alone, but even then I'd have to be caught in my underpants and tied down for them to actually frighten me.

However, that Kerwyn fellow ruined it for me or at least tried to ruin it for me - he'd pick the bodies dry, even taking their bones in some cases, and just run off.  Seriously, he's not a team player and I really didn't like it and told Renji and Tiden as much - I won't take any more quests with him around, I prefer to not go than to have a dirty, backstabing cutpurse around.

Well, that was about it, I did manage to practice a little instrument making last night, something a little different from what I'm used to, running away, but I think I'll manage.

Title: Letter: Melissophobia and Dendroaphenpphobia
Post by: SuperMunch on February 24, 2006, 06:02:01 AM

Dearest mother,

Once again this letter will probably be slipped in under your door in Leilon.

I haven't told you this before but I had contracted two terrible diseases but as of yesterday, I'm over them... I think.

The first one involved bears.  I still hate them and I'm sure they hate me but I'm no longer irrationally afraid of them.  It all started one day a little while ago when Hlint's fur trader sent me after a brown bear pelt and I thought "this'll be easy" but, when I finally spotted the bear, it was a crazy drooling mountain of bard eating flesh with teeth as big as VERY large nails!  I took it down with great sacrifice and returned to the fur trader triumphant, but that evaporated quickly when he told me I had to fetch another bear skin.

Son of a beep.

I got that over with but I was so stiff when shooting him that I kinda... sorta... really... got scared of bears.

But that's over with since folks here have started showing me that not all bears are bad, just the ones that attack bards for no reason except sport.

So, I'm over my initial melissophobia...  Now for the other one...  Dendroaphenpphobia.

Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) calls druids and rangers "tree huggers" so I'll call them "Tree Touchers" or dendroaphenpphobia (all those lessons in obscure languages were worth something in the end, don't you think?).

I must have told you about the Lady Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo), the crazy elf that wants both of my ears.  If I didn't, she's a crazy elven ranger that wants both of my ears for some reason, she also hates me, the very sight of me is enough to drive her into a blood lust - no need to worry mother, she's "civilized" and she wouldn't do anything to me if someone else was around.

So, thanks to Ash, I was deadly afraid of rangers - snooping about in the woods and defending bears - and druid - also snooping about in the woods and defending bears and otters.  But then it dawned on me yesterday, Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji)'s a ranger and Tiden (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tiden%20Di'%20Ren)'s a druid and they're both agreeable folks.

You know, the problem isn't the professions but the person, so there.  Done with that irrational fear.

That's about it for this letter mother, I'll try to stop at home before going over to the Arms Inn.

Love,
Freldo.

Title: Journal Entry: Sick leave thanks to mushrooms
Post by: SuperMunch on March 01, 2006, 10:12:02 AM

I wish I knew what happened the past few days.  Mille (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mille%20Mooneyes) gave me a yellow mushroom yesterday and I got really sick after eating it and when I say sick, I was hallucinating!  I felt like I was being manipulated by this guy that was looking at a box that cast light while he pressed pressed down on a flat box filled with buttons and moved a little round box that had a greenish light on it.  But that wasn't the worst part of it!  I also kept saying my thoughts allowed and let slip how much I thought Rane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%E9win) was beautiful... ooops...  In the end, Sir Rolf (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rolf%20Havblod%20Bjoernsen) removed all the "happy" from the mushroom and that pretty much restored me to my usual self but I still haven't gone back to normal yet.  It has also affected my memory.  So, Mille (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mille%20Mooneyes) gave me a yellow mushroom yesterday and I... I just wrote that.  I know I was at the Haven Mines a few times during the past few days but most of the trips are blurred together, the last two times were strange.  Second to last time I managed to pick a fight with Exodus (http://nwn.layonara.com/Exodus%20%20StoneCutter), I guess we were both pretty upset for some reason.  I blame the yellow mushroom since the incident happened just prior to this descent with Exodus.  Luckily for both of us, cooler heads prevailed and things were smoothed out.  Oh, the cooler heads were Axodeth (http://nwn.layonara.com/Axodeth%20Stonecutter), Geddrin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Geddrin%20SwiftHammer), Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kiva%20%22Darkchild%22%20Seidai), Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) and Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard).  Strange... I don't know why I remembered all of that.  Well then, the last time I went down last night I was in a huge party, with several new faces most of which I hadn't made the aquaintance of.  The one that marked me the most was that of Hickle (http://nwn.layonara.com/Hickle%20the%20Nimble), another brownie quick and eager to prove his worth in battle, not to mention that he did show a certain eagerness to meet both Freida (http://nwn.layonara.com/Freida) and Mille (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mille%20Mooneyes), smart little fellow, both are very charming.  So...  Let's see what I can remember that happened these past days...  Leilon Arms, Cynn, Rane and Grampa's Ashes, Oxfordian and... Instrument making.  Let's start back to front...  I spent quite a lot of time grinding hickory into dust these past days trying to gain a better understanding of instrument making and it hasn't been easy...  Actually, it has, but it's a lot of tedious work.  I'm finally pretty confortable in my crafting that I can actually intentionally make saw dust out of the crafted rope and hickory branches, which is a good step up from where I was until recently.  To help me with this task I've bought an ox, which I named Oxfordian that I keep in the stable in Hlint.  Oxfordian's a nice ox, well trained and has quite a gore on him, killed an orc and almost killed another.  The best thing about Oxfordian is that he doesn't leave a trail of dung after him, which is nice for the bard on the go.  About Grampa's Ashes, a relatively large group led by my favorite priestess of Ilsare, Rane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%E9win), travelled down to Krandor to help that child, I don't remember his name, retrieve his grandfather's ashes.  Several VERY tough undead - tough enough to make Rane use all her arsenal of warding spells.  The reward, other than the kid's gratitude was a nice little some of money, enough to cover my spending with my saw dust fabrication training.  About Cynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cynn%20Reyer)...  Nice gal - not the looker type, built like a man - but she does have her charm and... I don't want to talk about it.  Finally, The Leilon Arms Inn.  Another night, another presentation but this time with a few twists...  First one was that I bought Yard (http://nwn.layonara.com/Yardislan%20Echron)'s old Bull's Strength ring, pretty powerful ring, it allows me lift an extra twig every time I go chopping hickory!  The second one was great, but has run into a little problem.  Derrick, the Inn's barman, offered me an iron rapier if I worked there for four nights and he just gave me the rapier in advance, what a trusting fellow!  He even lit it on fire for me...  It doesn't do anything intresting other than being ablaze, it's a neat carnival trick I guess.  Now, there's a snag to my deal with Derrick, I don't know if I'll be able to make it to every opening of the Leilon Arms for the next few months so I guess I'll return it to him and wait for another oportunity to get an iron rapier.  Well, that's about it I guess.  Oh!  I learned a new trick in my singing now!  I can actually give the illusion that the listeners have increased their stamina, not to mention that my attack hand is a lot swifter, I seem to be able to swing the rapier and shoot the bow a little faster than before.

Title: OOC: Freldo's Raison D'Etre and Modus Operandi
Post by: SuperMunch on March 02, 2006, 05:12:19 AM

/*  This is all out of character This entry serves to define Freldo's personality as it might(???) become useful in the future and also serves as a guide for myself if I ever forget who Freldo is.  Freldo's a happy go lucky guy with no real chips, gripes or problems - the world might be falling around him but he really doesn't seem to worry about it.  He's insignificant and he knows it, he'll try to talk his way out of everything and try to reach out to make new friends as much as he can - networking is important to him.  This is an intentional course of action because, as the world's back story goes, he is a tiny, tiny, tiny compared to what other characters can do and, as I wrote above, he acts on this knowledge.  I intend to keep him like this as long as I can, most likely until I'm thrown into something bigger and even then he won't really stop trying to ignore it.  Happy go lucky characters make good epic heroes (or comedic heroes) in my opinion, not for the dramatic flair they have but because they're fun to be around.  Tragic heroes are good in powerful drama but aren't folks that you'd like to be around in real life (Turin Turambar comes to mind in a flash as does Siegmund) so I avoid them as characters.  His cowardice fits into his "comedic hero" role and is, in a very big way, "a corruption of prudence" - he's overly cautious of his own hide and destests dying for no good reason.  As time goes on, the corruption will be cured - mostly because Bards do eventually become more powerful game wise - but he'll remain the sort of guy that will have a few scrolls of invisibility on hand, just to be safe.  Right now, at level 8, he's not really afraid of everything anymore but he'll take his time or go invisible whenever he can.  He has a habit of sweet talk anything that looks vaguely feminine - he hasn't talked to Chanda or other evil female character yet but he'd try to flatter her - this is his way of "spreading love", as he interprets his faith (Ilsare).  Freldo tends to ignore any character's back story when told to him and is intrested in the character themselves and reacts accordingly to his perception of the character - he measures people by their whole that are presented to him, not by stereotypes and archetypes: - Renji is his human shield and Freldo considers him a good friend - Ash is nice but hard to get along with, especially because she like his nemesis, Bears - Jareg's a guy with a funny hat - Freida's the cutest and craziest warrior he's ever seen - Acacea's the fastest mouth and sharpest tongue in the land - Cole is just plain crazy - Abi doesn't like to be called "lady" - Rane is gorgeous, plain and simple - mostly because she helps him from time to time. ...and the list goes on...  Characters that don't talk to him aren't as well liked but he does have a big heart so they'll be able to fit in some day.  As his intrests go, he's not into material wealth - he wants to be able to enjoy the world without to much fear of dying terrible deaths in the middle of nowhere.  He appreciates second hand equipment and isn't ashamed of using it - all items have a story to tell and that's good.  He has a really frugal lifestyle and also isn't ashamed of it, he has a bit of coin in the bank but it's all directed towards being better equipment for battle and components for his few spells.  As for playing him, Freldo is a part of who I really am, like most of my other online characters are but, in his case, he's uncannily like me - most of the stunts he pulls are things that I have really done in real life, which, so far have translated well into the ingame mechanics.  Also like me, Freldo has a very vast sense of humor and, as I do, have to think of something funny during stressful times (while I might think about it, Freldo's very vocal of his silliness).  Well, that's about it...  But... I have something I'd like to say right here for myself...  

Quote

I have only one problem with Freldo...  Some idiot (me) gave him 10 skill points in Parry instead of something useful like Tumble.  I wasted 10 whole points on a skill I NEVER USE.  I'd like to complain about this but it would be a pretty worthless complaint, especially since I SCREWED UP FOR SEVEN STRAIGHT LEVELS.  I don't know why I insisted so much, I guess I thought it might be useful - Andre, you're an idiot.

 */

Title: Journal Entry: What Not To Do
Post by: SuperMunch on March 03, 2006, 04:01:47 AM

Two names:  Allie (http://nwn.layonara.com/Alass%EB%20Hilliaraname) and Silly (http://nwn.layonara.com/Silmarwen%20Hilliaraname).

Another: Master Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn).

...

This is a journal entry but I might as well write the rest of the story down if someone finds this after my charred remains are found and this journal is recovered from my bank vault.

The two girls, twins of the most unusual kind, are very, very, very, very, very, very naive, I'm not.  They're also very good looking, which I am hoplessly attracted to.  Also, their uncle is none other than Master Ozymandias, who I very deeply respect despite frightening me to no end.

So, as things go, I managed to make a donkey out of myself to the girls and I managed to get a slight tongue lashing from Master Ozymandias for trying to explain to the girls why boys keep looking at their "lumps".  I actually tried a simple explanation but it was of no use, their naivete is so great that I might as well just run away from them every time I see them.

Seriously, what kind of woman, or even girl, doesn't understand these things?

I mean, come on!  Even ancient and ugly hags grok this concept, why don't two very smart young ladies understand this?

Seriously, what kind of sheltered existence have they led to have been so protected from men?

I'd actually like to explain this to them, in a PATERNAL way, you sick-o (to the reader of these chronicles), but after Master Ozymandias' "don't do that", I'll keep my respectful distance - by running away very fast - and let someone bolder try their hand at this.

I'm overwhelmed by their naivete, so much so that I'll go meditate about it.

To the reader of these chronicles:  You're a sick-o to think less of my chivalry.

Title: Letter: Under a Mountain of Sawdust
Post by: SuperMunch on March 06, 2006, 05:39:51 AM

Dearest mother,

I've finally started getting somewhere, it took a while but I'm doing alright.

The past few days when not leading some new guy off on a mission for one of the forgetful or clumbsy folks in town, I've seriously taken on a few arts and crafts - mostly the easier ones but I am getting pretty good in my instrument making techniques.  I'm also dabbing in alchemy here and there, mostly making alchemist's fire, when they don't explode on me.

Don't worry Mother, I wear non-flamable clothes and I don't take stupid risks.

Other than that I've come to a strange conclusion: I'm not that useless anymore.

No really!  I have enough arcane, bardic and physically mundane help that allow me to survive conditions that would have killed me until a little while ago.  I may still hit like a girl, but I'm no longer a sissy that had to run away just to survive, I can now stand my ground against many foes - not very tough ones or hordes of them mind you, but I can manage nicely.

I made a few key purchases the past few days that are sure to help me out in the long run - I now have a very nice set of leather armor (much lighter than my old scale mail) that I fashioned into a gladiator's garb (looks very nice, despite what Freida (http://nwn.layonara.com/Freida), says).  I also aquired a necklace of shield from Lady Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace) (a very gentle warrior, except when she's not being gentle, in which case, she's to be a terrifying person).

I think I can actually start looking for trouble now.

Mother, I'll be fine, don't fret.

So, let me tell you of recent days...

Well, I'll start off with the Leilon Arms Inn that had a few surprising revelations...

Yes mother, I was in town but I didn't stop over, sorry.

Derrick (http://nwn.layonara.com/Derrick%20Loadson) asked me to help take care of the bar because next week Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali) will be away on business.  It was a pleasant night, not to many things happening but I helped out as much as I could, in the end Master Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) gave us a few tales of weapons of legends and he told us a few fascinating stories, amoung them his own story about how he came into the service of the Great Wyrm of the Firesteep Mountains.

Derrick paid me, for some reason, for attending the bar but he did threaten to kill me if I dropped another bottle and made a mess.  Come to think of it, Kali also threatened to behead me for the same reason - even Addison wanted a piece of my head, I think it was because she thought it was available for the taking.

The rest of the night was pleasant - a little adventuring with Freida and some lizard killing for pocket change.

The next few days were rather lack luster except that I gained a great deal of confidence in my abilities to not die, which is what I mentioned above.

I met quite a few new folks these past days, Berri (http://nwn.layonara.com/Berriford%20Wyndcliff) (a halfling fighter that seems to be more scared of things than I am), Star (http://nwn.layonara.com/Star%20Nightfall) (cute elf), Alleina (http://nwn.layonara.com/Alleina%20Shiante) (cute elf), Gildren (http://nwn.layonara.com/Gildren) (a mage with a nice full beard), Storold (http://nwn.layonara.com/Storold%20Doesscha) (a relativly weak warrior but he does hold a lot of powerful arcane magic) and Stump (http://nwn.layonara.com/dumb-as-a-stump) (a mute half-giant with a heart of gold, saved him from the spiders in Sielwood and now he's taken to hugging and crushing me).

Oh, I was almost forgetting a few intresting things happened in Hlint...

Arika, a wandering book merchant, with Joe, her pack beetle, tried to sell me some books.  It wasn't really that odd, if not for the pack beetle!  The critter was very smart and followed her and was quite a sight to be seen!

Another thing was a group of fast running jogging gnomes that ran through Hlint shortly after Arika had left...  Honestly, a group of eight or so gnomes ran by us, in formation, towards the east side and a little while later, they came jogging back, said something about something (they talk VERY fast) and took off beyond the gate.  When we came out to see them, we only caught their last glimpses in the faraway hills towards Fort Llast - they REALLY ran fast.

That's about it for now mother, please send everyone my love.

Your son,
Freldo

Title: Journal Entry: The Long Grind
Post by: SuperMunch on March 08, 2006, 06:51:41 AM

Lots of good news today.

I've reached my first objective in alchemy, I can now make alchemist's fire a little more than a quarter of the times I try, not to mention that I don't get burned as often.  Along with this new progress I'm picking up spider's silk to progress further in instrument making - fun stuff to be submerged in sawdust and flaming beetle guts, one of these days I fear I'll set the craft house or Moraken's tower on fire.

Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kiva%20%22Darkchild%22%20Seidai) and I went on a little trip to the High Moors, east of Hlint - he said he needed some money and those lizard men are richer than I am, but I could tell he enjoyed the rumaging through the muck.

So...  We chatted quite a lot there, talked about his name (Kiva Darkchild, I prefer just Kiva, short and sweet), about how he needs to get more sun and how his thoughts on Rane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) which he thinks I'm deeply in love with and that she has a condition, I guess you could call it.  Anyway, we had fun, he almost died and I left with a few more scrolls for my collection.

Well, that's it for the good news.

No, not really, but I won't write about the other good news just yet.

Who am I kidding, sure I'll write it - I keep this in my vault and NOBODY goes through my vault to read it...  At least I think they don't, oh well... let me just jot this down then.

Rane had asked me to write her a song - I think she was kidding at the time but I'm not one to disappoint one as beautiful so I wrote her a poem, not one, but a few, no five - two are incomplete.  Well, it's hard to be inspired by her.

As I was running along, escaping from enemies unseen (more like running along to try my hand at exploding myself) I was jogging past the bench under the great tree in Hlint when I saw a glimmering figure talking to a bunch of folks.  I was going to just run past - you know, semi-transparent people pop up all the time - when I saw it was Ranewin, smooshed at the hands of something or other.

I clearly ignored what caused because, as it seems, I was to fascinated by how good she looked semi-transparent.  Shocking that even in such a state she could reach such greater beauty.

Well, I ran off - people tend to get grumpy after being smooshed and as I was running off to the tower to attempt to blow myself up, again, she caught up with me.

I read her one of the poems...  I read just one, I don't really want to let on how much she... oh, forget it, she KNOWS how she inspires me.  So we sat and talked by the fountain that just popped up next to the temple of Ilsare and I swear Calise was giving us evil looks, I don't think she likes seeing her new flowers being stepped on.

Well, it was a pleasant night and we sat and talked but alas, it was just a lot of words with little substance, I really couldn't ask for much more, she's made of the stuff of stars and even silly words manage to mean a lot to me.

I really do like her and she does inspire me to greatness.  I know we can never be together, she's a long lived elven priestess worthy of lore and I'm just a silly bard with to much time on his hands to write poems and write enormous entries in his journal.

Well, that was about it, I even gave up trying to explode myself last night, at least one night I went to bed in peace.

Title: Journal Entry: Forgot Something
Post by: SuperMunch on March 08, 2006, 09:51:46 AM

I don't think I mentioned this and would like to set it straight when this journal gets stolen.

Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kiva%20%22Darkchild%22%20Seidai) did not gossip to me of Rane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win)'s condition.  We had a heart-to-heart chat and I begged him to tell me whatever it was he was reluctant to tell me.

He didn't want to tell me but I insisted and, being the nice guy he is, he kinda just said it thinking that I hadn't listened.

I just want to make that clear, Kiva's not a gossiper nor is he of cruel intentions, I'm just very, very, very, very, very, very insistent.

Title: Journal Entry: Golden Glimmering
Post by: SuperMunch on March 10, 2006, 06:07:51 AM

Oh no.

I have a feeling that things might turn upside down soon.

Well, first things first - the lighter stuff..  Now I'm just "shucks" bad at alchemy - as opposed to "I hope this doesn't explode" bad, which is nice.  I gave my first batch of alchemist's fire, choking powder and acid flasks to Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) but this next batch I think I'll keep to donate to the temple, Ilsare knows what Calise will do with them, let me just hope she doesn't bombard me with them when I pick the flowers from her garden.

I finally have another full box of spider silk so I guess I'll retake my instrument making again, try to make myself a guitar to complement my mandolin and violin.

Another amenity is that Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) told me that Silly (http://nwn.layonara.com/Silmarwen%20Hilliaraname) and Allie (http://nwn.layonara.com/Alass%EB%20Hilliaraname) are "special" in some way and that their mother is a tough one that'll probably wither me from the inside out if I pester her daughters.  That's also nice to know.  I'll just keep away from them then.

Now, for the thick of it and probably what Freida (http://nwn.layonara.com/Freida), my personal vault thief, wants...

Speaking of which, Freida's gone on a long trip to find the village she is from, or something like that - even left a note (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=23372) for me at the Wild Surge.  She wrote a few things in there that I'm intriged with, especially about Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) and Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo).  She certainly does know a lot more about Rane and Ash, probably because she's a good listener (or she tortured them to find out).

So, back on topic now...

Wait, not yet, I'm still intriged by little Freida's notice and letter she wrote me - it doesn't seem like her to try to steer me out of harm's way, she's usually very happy to lead me to foolishness.  Very odd.

Now, back on topic.

I wrote Rane a few more poems (I also wrote some for other people, little Freida's amoung them) and I see I have found my muse but I am confused by these women folk.

I met Ranewin near Fort Velensk while I was escorting Stump there to get back to his grave and, after her saving the day a few times, we finally managed to sit down and rest.  She runs around the big tree and comes over again with a turquoise dress.

Shocked?  Me?  You bet.  We sat and talked of little things, the usual stuff while the rest of the party talked about the adventure.

Now I don't know what it is, but Rane has been awfully close to me as of late - the turquoise dress was... well... great... but I fear that she might be pulling my leg.  Not that I mind that of course, it's that I know Rane is high above me and I cannot dare touch her or see her in a light other than admiration - in fact, her mearest touch seems to reach my very soul.  If she blows me a kiss, I can feel it like fire on my cheek.

I really like her, she's not only a pleasant, wise and world worn person, she's quite nice to look at also, which is always a plus but I don't wish for things to get wierd.

Well, that's it for now.

I have to meditate on this whole Ranewin deal, I'll do that while I chop hickory and sing the Lumberjack Song...

Oh, I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay,
I sleep all night and I work all day.

Title: Journal Entry: Three Days, Good Gods!
Post by: SuperMunch on March 13, 2006, 11:25:44 AM

I'm gonna write my last three days in here but I'll do it in parts because it started off fine, well not fine but it started off well, went throught surreal and in the end - crazy.  Well mannered night at the Leilon Arms with a side trip to fish, a crazy romp through half of Layonara for some material with Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) and Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) and, just yesterday, a trip to some plane beyond the circles of the world.  That was when things REALLY got weird, the situation was so sombre - as it seemed - that it was hard for me to find enough to laugh about, Cole looked pretty grumpy (not the usual "crazy" look, just plain grumpy), Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) threatened to gut me like a pig (which I can safely say isn't her usual way of treating me) and the usually polite Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard) acted like an ass.  Well, first things first...  The First Day - The Day of A Revelation  So, end of the week and it was back to the Leilon Arms Inn for another installment of the four part miniseries "Pay Derrick (http://nwn.layonara.com/Derrick%20Loadson) For The Rapier".  It was a fine night, both Derrick and Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali) were out of town so it was just Jharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jharl) and I taking care of things.  There wasn't much to do other than chat around and play with the new jukebox - loads of fun, I thought it was funny to play some of the more somber tunes when Master Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) started telling his tales.  A shame most didn't get what I did, most of them must just ignore the music.  So, then Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) showed up.  You know, I'd like to write a lot about this meeting but the events of last night and lack of sleep drew away most of my spirit so I'll be a little more objective than I usually am.  Wait, before that, I must write down that I never thought elves grew old - I always thought they just poooofed away when they were old.  Also, they might age, but they still retain their beauty, at least I think so.  So...  Here we go.  ...lots of writing crossed out and a few torn pages...  Oh forget it, I can't be very objective, I'll just embellish things like I usually do.  Let me say that Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kiva%20%22Darkchild%22%20Seidai) was only partly right - she does have a condition, but it's much worse than I thought.  First of all, she's cursed - yes, she's cursed with a fiancée, Trysk.  An alpha-man so incredibly tough that she said "he's saving me when he's here". Oh, real nice, a seven foot guy with the arms like a dwarf's legs that must have the face of a God - I have as much a chance against him as I do against a gang of crazy drunken rabbies infested, black plague flea carrying ferrets.  Second thing, she's cursed - not with the traditional curse, as above, she's cursed for real.  A necromancer drew the youth out of her appearance a while ago.  Good thing he didn't take the beauty in her so she's still as fine as one can wish - she removed a ring and wrinkles and such just appeared out of thin air on her but she still sounded the same and looked the same (just older).  I wasn't revolted mostly because of what she has showed me the past days, beauty isn't skin deep and, no matter what happens, men grow older a lot faster than the fair elven race.  Third thing, I'm blessed - she said "when he's here".  He's away at sea for the past three years and the last she heard of him was a year ago - a year ago in human or elven time?  Well, it doesn't mater, there is some light in this - he may have thought she moved on and Trysk himself may have wed a mermaid, sea elf or walrus, who knows?  Well, adding things up I'll just have to be patient, I can wait a little while, out of respect for Ranewin.  What am I saying, I do not want commitment.  Commitments frighten me more than said ferrets.  So, about Ranéwin, it's good she has a fiancée, I'll keep her as my muse - she's already given to me a lot of material to write with and with her sad tale, I'll have even more reasons to write about her.  Beauty doesn't age, it just gets softer and softer.  Why not?  We all die some day.  Soooooo.....  The Second Day - Magic Ride With A Crazy Man  There I was, sitting around Hlint when Cole and Acacea appear, not out of thin air but they seemingly appeared out of nowhere and, as if my wish came true, I was invited to go on a big adventure to gather goods Cole's friend needed.  I confess that I did ask Cole for another oportunity to adventure with him and I did expect a lot of carnage, mostly my own, but things did end up a lot different than I expected.  Well, we started off in Hlint and went south to the Battle Fens, once there we went off to some caverns guarded by some very mean trolls that could see through my mantle of invisibility.  Actually, the whole adventure was a blur - we almost didn't stop moving until we were in some mines near Pranzis when Jennara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jennara%20Creekskipper), a halfling Acacea's size, was felled by the trolls.  I... must confess that I had my fault in this.  I was weary and running for my life, I saw little Jennara nearby getting pounded and as I was about to use one of the potions of healing Acacea had bought, I was distracted and missed the chance to heal her, instants before the lethal blow fell.  Jennara, I'm sorry.  I am so very sorry.  I saw you - in fact I was right behind you - and I couldn't do anything to help you, I must make it up to you but how, I'll never really know.  Acacea sat there quietly watching over your body lying there, flag in hand.  I'll never forget that scene, seeing her sitting down (instead of jumping around) and her little eyes suddenly sad - is painful even for me to write about.  I cowardly didn't say a thing, a mistake I'll never make again - I didn't speak to save my hide but in doing so I feel I disapointed Acacea and Cole, two very fine companions that seem to have ungodly patience with me.  After that the group ran out of steam, losing one is never easy, and we returned to Pranzis when the most absurd thing happened...  Saying farewell to Cole and Acacea, I had a sudden urge to hold Cole's hands, but not in the standing up way, I knelt down and just grabbed at his hands.  I swear that he does have the softest hands around, even Ranewin would be a hard match to his soft, well kept hands.  I got up off of my knees after a little bit but I am still in love with Cole's hands.  For some reason.  I thought I heard Acacea casting a spell a little before I fell on my knees but it might have been her talking in elvish, something she does from time to time to show off.  Well, that was the end of the second day.  The third day deserves an entry by itself, I think.  Important Note To Self: I learned a lesson on the second day...  A good lesson from Acacea - invisibility can be my best friend since I can sing and heal without revealing myself - I can use healing potions and spells, even giving the added hasting boost to my friends without actually entering combat.  For historical purposes, I list the companions in Cole's Flight: - Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) (fens, desert and mines) - Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) (fens, desert and mines) - Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) (fens, desert and mines) - Goldie (http://nwn.layonara.com/Goldwin%20Blacknight) (venomous tuber fighter, fens) - Jerei (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jerei%20Alekzander) (desert and mines) - Jennara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jennara%20Creekskipper) (desert and mines) - Luna (http://nwn.layonara.com/Luna%20Moonchaser) (desert and mines) - Mith (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mith) (scary wizard that Acacea doesn't like, but is Cole's friend, desert and mines) - Ael (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ael%20Rynthien) (desert and mines) - Kharl Drake (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake) (also known as Carla, at least that's what Acacea called him, desert and mines) - ElvenLadyWithBIGShield (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kutya'I) (I didn't catch her name, desert and mines)

Title: Journal Entry: When I Visited Beyond The Circles Of Layonara
Post by: SuperMunch on March 14, 2006, 08:55:11 AM

The Third Day - When I Visited Beyond The Circles Of Layonara

I awoke on the third day, which was two days ago, and decided I'd take advantage of Freida's absence and traveled to Fort Velensk - Addison told me Freida would try to lure me there just to take me to the arena and beat me up.

The reason for my trip so far south was to feed the chickens there the extra corn I picked up in Mistone - I know, it was a silly thing to do but that's the reason I went, to play chicken herder.  To my great surprise, I saw a very large group of folks gathering near the docks, more folks gathered together than I ever thought possible.  All walks were there some were obviously great travelers with a great many years walking the world and some, like myself, are new to the wonders that the world has in store.

A lady greeted the group and started talking with one of the front men, Rhizome (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhizome) was his name.  I heard talk of "The bridges!  They have all been built!", "They were built to protect those that protect the world and nature." and something about a prophecy being fulfilled.  Queer stuff, I never thought bridges were of any great importance other than not getting one's feet wet.

We were asked to board a boat set for the Serpent Isle and, despite my good sense, I boarded and we left for the Isle, a very nice trip but a bit crowded - especially because the dwarves insisted on lying down on the deck (they must all be very seasick prone).

So, on arriving and after a short walk we came upon the "bridges" mentioned above.  I had to take back what I thought about not getting one's feet wet - those bridges were spanning an abyss, not a body of water, and, even if I could fly, like that winged Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley) fellow, I would just as soon not try, the darkness below seemed to suck the light of the world.

We passed two bridges and stopped before the final one.  I got the sense that great deeds had to have been accomplished just to build each of the bridges we passed.  I was in awe to think of the countless lives sacrificed for each plank, rope and nail used to raise each foot from the abyse below.

Well, as it goes, we all reached the final bridge where a shadow stood upon it, saying that "The bridges of nature and the T'oleflor are built" and that the one greatest with nature (Rhizome, as it seems) was to approach and the shadow gave him a key saying "It is the key to the worlds destiny or destruction. You and your friends will eventually decide that."

With that and a cryptic "My love and I leave and my other love and I part ways" the shadow left with a deep sigh of relief.  Strange words but I'm sure many, many philosophers will ponder what he meant.  To me, he was happy to leave with a new love - whatever it might be - the old love and him probably parted ways during his work on the bridge, probably a force that did not want him to help that Rhizome fellow.

Well, we transversed the last bridge and came upon a large door that just looking at drew life away from me.  I felt cold, very cold, whatever that door guards must be of fundamental power, the essence of the unmaking or making of the world might be in there.  A step after passing the door, the sensation passed and I felt life in me again and trudged forth to a massive oak where we all ascended.

The room inside the oak had mirrors in it, several mirrors of obvious magical properties and in that room there was a dias surrounded by a field of force that, so it seemed, would open only to a name of passage.  While others debated what was to be said as the name of passage, I sat stood attention.

"Try bill", said Mith (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mith)
"Try 'Freldo'", said Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) (I'm gonna kick his butt one of these days).
"Not sure I've ever heard a Name of Passing", said Planearius
"Well we're inside a giant tree, the time of passing for plants is normally winter isn't it?", said a halfling (http://nwn.layonara.com/Lueanne%20Lightfinger).
"Do not simply assume everything! There is more than just your life at risk here. Nothing to be fiddled with.." said Matilda (http://nwn.layonara.com/Matilda%20Jenice%20Landsend)

Time passed as ideas flew from one to another.

"Passing could refer to Shadow himself, as Ozy just mentioned.  After all he did just pass from our existence so to speak.", said Rhizome and he finished the discussion with "The name of passing is Shadow, Shadow of the Tol'eflor".

Upon saying "Shadow", a portal opened and we were all whisked away to a forest as ancient as I-have-no-idea-what.  It was very, very, very old and one thing was very obvious, we were no longer amoung the circles of Layonara.  We were obviously on another plane - everything had it's own greenish light, the trees grew tall, so tall that their tops couldn't be seen without flying and all of nature was in song.

A song, yes, a song as if a choir of a dream - all things were like a song, a place so beautiful that it might have seemed that I was awake in my dreams or in my own death.  Notes sung by heavenly voices were the blades of grass, grace was the trees and poetry were the pixies and other beings on that world.  The water soothed not only thirst but washed away weariness, the rare falling leaves came as a snowflake in the opening of winter, the air was as fresh as that from a breeze in the hills and all about us life was blooming, an eternal blooming.  Green was everywhere, even dark night was built of deep green, the falls and droplets of moisture were of the slightest tint.  I was in a dream, a dream of ancients, of the founder races - of the essence of life.

The door that was chosen not more than an hour before might not be the path to salvation, but it opened unto legend.

The entire group traveled through T'oleflor, which name must mean "The Land of Faeries" and we got to see a number of it's inhabitants, fair fey folk.  About the world, Rhizome told me that it was real, "In fact, probably more real that where we come from.  It's the foundation of our own reality I believe."

Alas, it wasn't a dream nor was it confortable death - a mean tempered Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) was there and told me it that killing me would have been a pleasure for her.  I worry about her, for a ranger she does hold a terrible grudge against me.

Anyway, the entire group reunited near the entrance of T'oleflor's throneroom - at least that's what I thought it was and we got to see their highest nobility, two feys with bright wings and, despite their small size, they were so mighty in commanding respect that all, except Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard) (that I had great consideration for, but I do not anymore), stood in respect.  I swear, Grympint commited a most heinous offense before those that are the founders - the only way he could offend any more was to take his boots off and burp in front of them - I cannot forgive him for being so rude, even other dwarves stood in respect such was their awe.

There was a little difficult time where neither the noble T'oleflorian Lords understood us nor did we understand them but after a little bit they descended from their ancient tongue to our vulgar common and we understood them.

The queen spoke and made us understand that our coming had been prophesized, "The time of the regrowth has come it seems.  Protectors of the world in various forms and races for their own desires and causes.  United strangely to defeat a blooded one, but needing the ancient ones and the Silver Veign."

The king started, "The last plant that was saved by Shadow himself, then defended by him.  We have it here. And with your coming you shall bring it back home, but first you need something of it I believe."

He held out a bottle of silvery liquid and continued, "This is yours. use it wisely.  This vial contains the silver that drips from the Silver Veign plant.  The descendant gives the tools. the heroes build the vessel. The vessel holds the ridge.  The silver veign flows down the ridge the sould flows down the silver veign.  The soul touches the bone of blood with this all is done.

During the heroes winning over the conqueror though.  A darkness spreads, caused by their very hands, the hands of those not knowing, life of plants, animals, and the living shall pass in some numbers.  But this pain is short lived in comparison to the other consequence.  You decide."

And with that the king asked the rangers, druids and all those of nature to follow him and they departed.

I speculate that the silvery content of the vial is what must be used to stop Bloodstone.  From their words I speculate that some time in the past they gave a gift to one of Layonara that was used to corrupt ends and now the time has come to correct that mistake however only us, co-inhabitants of the world's corruptor, may unweave the dark fabric that had been place over it.  I speculate of course.

Plenarius returned to the group saying, "Rhiz is now carrying the Silver Plant, we are instructed to plant it near the heart of the world.  If the plant dies, The Silver Veign ends. The vessel of the world ends and it stops the heart."

Comforting words to which Cole replied "So then there must be those dispatched to guard it.  To stay with it on the constant."

Even more comforting words

Planearius then spoke of the plant Rhizome carried, I write below what I grasped of his speech:

"Once the place is near the heart and tended the one that guards and watches now, the Heirophant will visit her place of resting.  The one who plants the Silver Veign shall take over, and give up all other titles.  That person is then in charge of nature and the world.  With the planting of the Silver Veign near the Heart we can communicate with the Tol again.  To do so they must communicate through the three lords of the land or the Heirophant, no others.  Do not let the heart nor the veign die.  Doing so causes the heirophant and the lords instant death.  The one that plants in near the heart of the world is the one that controls nature.  That does not need to be Rhiz.  The Tol don't decide that, we do.

Shadow gave his life to the world after training with the Tol for three decades.  At the end of that training he and married Selian.  But then he
 chose the patch of sacrifice to save the world.  Selian, despises all the sacrifices and does not believe all of the defences for the Silver Veign were necessary.  Now that Shadow is released and is passed on to the Tol realm, the plant is returned, they do not know what Selian will do to us, the Tol or anyone.  Lucinda has been able to ebb her temper up until this point but now she won't even be able to communicate through the grave.

When the Tol left there was a group of seven of thirteen, known as the Lumbral, they need to be saved in order to aid us and defeat Blood.  But... if we aid them too soon, then the darkness he spoke of earlier won't happen.  Which in our opinion needs to happen.  And if that darkness comes then we have a greater darkness and blight, not onlt of shadow, but of at least one god, or two.  And he concluded, 'we are here.  When it is planted, we may slowly return to the world.  Depening on the protector and lords'."

The discussion of who would plant the Silver Veign had begun and Rhizome warned "The planter will make the sacrifice of becoming the Hierophant, which now not only means the protector of the Great Oak but the Silver Plant as well.  It will be that person's primary duty to protect both and rally others to do the same."  In the end, he was chosen, not by us, but by his own fate as I never did see any reason to debate this.

A cheer was given and the group dispersed, we could tell that our meeting was over.  I bade farewell to the land of T'oleflor wishing to return there soon or, if I am so allowed, upon my parting from the world.

I left the fair land with it's feys and smell of ancient green back unto the dark woods north of Hlint.

Now I am here, at home in Leilon with all my old school's history books to read.  I never took kindly to long drawn out lessons of lore but now I see I must to better grip what I saw beyond the fold.

I'll copy a version of this text and post in the Wild Surge for all to see, some might find it useful - some might have time to correct me.

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These are Freldo's accounts of the events that happened on March 12, 2006 - the completion of the third bridge in the serpant islands, they are in now way absolute truth or are they anything more than a young and inexperienced bard's accounts of what happened.  I, SuperMunch, have not read the complete history of Layonara but upon the completion of this story, I will do so and Freldo might release a newer version taking the complete history into account.

Title: Journal Entry: Strange Days
Post by: SuperMunch on March 16, 2006, 05:21:11 AM

I've been at home studying these past few days and when I haven't been at home, I've been looking for oportunities and search of something to do.

By "looking for oportunities and search of something to do" I mean, "doing nothing and growing bored".

I thought it would be a nice change of pace from the past few days but something's just not right about mucking around and avoiding menacing blades.  Alas, I am wrong, as usual.  Strange days are these where I lack the rush of excitment in my veins.

I honestly miss all the excitment I had last weekend, despite all my complaining, let's hope bigger things show up in the next few days!

Sitting around just isn't fun, no matter how much I try to make it fun, it just isn't!  I tried hiding in Sielwood to try to get the the spider's cocoons to retrieve some silk, I failed miserably, got bitten and then I just killed the spiders, why not?  I traveled to Rilara to gather some gum arabic and licorice root and stayed a little more to explore the region a little on my own but it just wasn't very intresting, every beast I saw could eat me in a single bite, even the elves, so I just stayed away and didn't pick a fight.

Actually, the only intresting thing I did was follow Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) and company to the Satyrs, a fruitless trip that ended up in a lot of people dying for no good reason.  In the end a satyr guardian showed up and scared us remaining folks off, which was a good thing.  Other companions on the little trip were:
Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kiva%20%22Darkchild%22%20Seidai)
Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo)
Stump (http://nwn.layonara.com/Stump)
Jerei (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jerei%20Alekzander)
Berri (http://nwn.layonara.com/Berriford%20Wyndcliff) (despite proclaiming cowardice, Berri's a very stout warrior)
Honora (http://nwn.layonara.com/Honora) (a female half-orc monk I believe, very powerful and she tries hard to blend in)
Rollie (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rollie%20Underheel) (a gnome monk, very quick on his feet)
Talen (http://nwn.layonara.com/Talen%20Sgath) (a Ranger, as it seems)
Sabrissia (http://nwn.layonara.com/Sabrissia%20Ice) (more on her a little further on)

The group was well mixed but lacked a healer so that part fell upon myself so I practiced what I had seen Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) do, I ran around invisible healing, singing and boosting the companions (other than looting, which I'm still very good at).  It's not the most deadly job but it does take a lot out of you, finding your ailing friends and healing them while avoiding proximity with enemies.  I have to practice it a little more, hopefully soon.

Well, as for adventure and such, that was about it but I did manage to get Sabrissia to lend me a favor.  I got her to cast an enchantment of permanent light upon the crystal rose I got from the T'oleflor Home.  A fine gift it'll make but she warned me that I was to give it to who she thought I should give it to...  You know, I'll never understand women and their secret codes and mysteries - which is a good thing because if I actually understood women, that would take away most of their collective charm.

So, here I am in my tent under Calise's watchful gaze in Hlint.  I have a lot of coin in the bank, a backpack full of Gods-know-what, a near empty vault (I've been getting rid of most of my useless equipment I have no use for) and Oxfordian's pack is full of crafting equipment I have yet to use.  Speaking of which, I might as well throw some stuff out but first I'll need to get a few copper ingots to try to make myself some decent arrows, the ones I use are far too fragile.

That's about it for today, I'll probably go ahead and look for something silly to do as soon as I can.

Oh, I still haven't found someone that was at Plenarius' circle near Blackguard Castle - a shame because I KNOW I missed a lot of very intresting lore.

Title: Journal Entry: More on the T'oleflor
Post by: SuperMunch on March 20, 2006, 05:39:56 AM

I missed Plenarius' fireside chat over the whole deal with the T'oleflor but I did manage to hear Master Ozymandias' (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) account of the story and I'll reproduce it here.

Actually, before I do that, let me write how this came to be, a funny story really.

I was coming back from Sielwood on another trip to pick up more spider silk and I happened to see Master Ozymandias on his favorite spot, atop the elevated platform near the Great Tree in Hlint.  He was not in his customary clothing but in a snappy red garb, I stopped, invisible - I get the silk this way, it's a lot safer than picking fights with big spiders.

So, there he was, and I stopped there, looking at him, thinking that invisible I'd be safe...  Lo and behold he spots me staring at him!  Oh, how I laughed!  Nothing escapes him, nothing at all - not even invisible bards running away from spiders.

I understand he's been around a very long time and has a very beaten up journal (my journal is quite new, except for tiny fingers on some pages), he has dealings with the Great Wyrn Fisterion from Firesteep and he has seen a great many things - including the extinction of the Titans from the Grey Peaks (a story that involves a pair of very, very powerful dwarves Rognar and Ta'karsh).

I understand why some look at him with a little suspicion and, sometimes, a little mirth (seems he was, like I am, a silly bard in his youth) but I don't understand why he isn't respected like he should.  He has seen a great many things, his lore of old times is important to us and he does consort with a Wyrm, I'm sure his opinion on many matters is of fundamental importance to all, even the great druid Rhizome (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhizome).

Well, back on track about the T'oleflor...

Thus Master Ozymandias told me (my comments are below)..

Long ago before the great Cataclysm the T'oleflor took an active hand in guiding and guarding this world.  However they were betrayed many times, by those they were sworn to protect and by those sworn to protect them.(1)

In the end only one of the great elven plants, you know the ones elves use to make their most powerful weapons the moonblades, was left.(2)  That one was in a forest known as the Shining woods, however it was under seige on its own merrits.(3)

A ranger from the Glimmering Halls now known as the Broken Halls named Shadow(4) traveled to the forest and rescued that last elven plant.  Then traveled with it to the last bastion of the T'oleflor, there it was decided that the world posed to much of a risk and had to few defenders for it was Bloods remaining forces that had been destroying the plants.(5)  As well as the servents of Pyrtechon and Corath which deeply wish the end of a certain dragon god.(6)(8)

It was decided upon then, that the T'oleflor would seal themselves away for a time until heroes had gathered able to conqour eight difficult challenges and truely learn of the world.  Eight items were gathered and then scattered throughout the land, each one a shard of nature and this world the last was a jewel of souls that Selian communicated with Shadow thru.(7)

So one by one the bridges were built by those of us of Hlint as we sought ancient relics from times long gone till at last the final peice came together.

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1 - At least this part I speculated rightly, the T'oleflor are founders and they were betrayed.

2 - Moonblades, I must look into this, mighty weapons they must be to be made from ancient wood.

3 - Must be the events of the year -210, it does fit the situation.

4 - The bridgebuilder, now departed and freed from his duty.

5 - General Bloodstone fears the Silver Veign, this is obviously important.

6 - I must check this out for I thought the dragon gods had left the world, even at that time.

7 - Artifact relics disguised as mundane items sought after by geasa in the world.  Wise are the T'oleflor to hide them this way, obvious artifacts would certainly be sought after and greatly desired.

8 - I speculate again but the Dragon God they tried to eliminate might be the very one that appeared to me and called me to Hlint not so long ago.

Of course I didn't stop there, seeing that Master Ozymandias had some time from his busy life, I inquired on other things.

-- About what the items were that built the bridges:

"Most of the bridges are a mystery.  We know we did something, we are just not sure what.  The two that govern the great library were charged with recording this information, and failed."

-- About Rhizome's choice, the one mentioned by Shadow, I asked him if it was between the path to the Great Tree that led us to the T'oleflor home or the one that led to the crypt.  He replied:

"That was his choice, each had benifits and each had concequence.  There are two great portals in that region one leads to the Plane of Lost Souls in the Abyss, the other lead to where we went.

With the Soul Mother on vacation so to speak, the plane of lost souls may of been captureable and a new master enthroned.  Blood is a gnat, the soul mother is far more dangerous."

I asked, if we could have used the Soul Mother's powers to fight General Bloodstone and he answered that it was possible be if she tried to stop us, we would all be doomed, however ..."with her powers would of come the ability to open the other door anyway."

Fascinating point, we could have taken a path more perilous but the safer choice was made.

-- Finally, I inquired about the outcome of these events and the possible destruction of General Bloodstone.  His answer was not exactly heart warming, then again, most great strifes never end all at once...

"Once Blood is down then we have to rebuild this world and fast before we suffer masive civil wars."

As for the "and fast" part...  It might be because we opened a portal through which the outer planes might start a war amoung themselves ... and ... I speculate again, Layonara might be their battlefield.

So it seems that whenever the Bloodwar ends, a new war might start, one with fiends from beyond the great expanse of the planes - GREAT.

After this Master Ozymandias told me the tale of the end of the Titans upon The Grey Peaks, a lighter story of dwarves that drunk brandy along with potions of healing while battling the Titans.

Well, that's about it for this account, I'll reformat this and post it in the inns and taverns of Mistone for public viewing.

Title: Journal Entry: No Way! Clay, clay, clay! No Way! Snow-Ay!
Post by: SuperMunch on March 20, 2006, 04:42:32 PM

First of all, a long past few days.  Very long....  Things started off at he Leilon Arms Inn as per usual, my last night there paying off my debt to Derrick (http://nwn.layonara.com/Derrick%20Loadson) for the iron rapier.  It was another quiet night but there was a lot to do like tending the bar, fetching pies, kicking the jukebox and getting kicked back, getting made fun of by Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) (as usual, being her second to Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) does give her privledges), failing to make a better presentation of the crystal purple rose from the T'oleflor Home to Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) and a few other things I don't really want to remember.  A typically non-typical night except for a new twist to my life...  Derrick offered me a job at the Leilon Arms!  Payment will be with whatever knicknacks he manages to find, which is perfect for me - I may explore a lot more these days but Derrick has been everywhere and I'm sure he has a lot of things, useless for him, that I'll be more than happy to accept as payment.  Derrick and Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali) have been very nice to me - except for the usual death threats, daggers getting lodged in the wall above my head when I drop something and other "strange" occurances - it will be my greatest pleasure to help them out whenever I can.  There was even talk of a room for myself in the future.  I like the idea for the prestige it would give me (imagine that, a room at the Leilon Arms!) but I'm not very keen at decorating and I'm sure the room would be ransacked within a week, by myself of course, I'm not very organized.  It would be nice though, a room to place my clothes, instruments and some of the more intresting things I pick up - who knows, I might even organize myself as a better warrior since I wouldn't have to worry to much about the weight I carry.  Well...  That's in the future, I'm happy with the way things are now.  So...  I talked with Rolf (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rolf%20Havblod%20Bjoernsen) about Ranewin and her fiancee - he was a bit stunned of course, out of the blue, a turquoise bard started asking him about personal matters, I'm sure he was a bit shocked.  I needed an opinion from a wise person about where to hide from a jealous fiancee...  It seems I'm doomed when Trysk comes back.  Leaving the Leilon Arms a bit earlier than usual, I happened upon Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji), Cole, Ael (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ael%20Rynthien), Lam (http://nwn.layonara.com/Lam%27lothane%20Xu%27Linarch), Jareg (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jareg%20De%27Brak) (the crazy one with funny hat), Jennara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jennara%20Creekskipper) and a few others that I don't remember right now and Jade (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jade%20Willow), preparing for an excursion to the Three Bridges on Dragon Isle.  Without waiting for Acacea to show up, Cole's Number One bard, we left without her for the southern islands.  I'm sure she'll make Cole pay for that and I know she made me pay for it by telling everyone how much of a good "bartender" I was.  So we arrived on Serpent Isle a nice little place with killer trolls and crazy killer trolls and big killer trolls riding even bigger, crouched down killer trolls.  Some were bloodthirsty, others had bloodlust and a few, a very scant few, really wanted to drink blood.  That was just one part, the Saytrs on the Isle were crazy mad!  They picked fights with us out of the blue, for no real reason I suspect, unlike those near Fort Hope, these Satyrs were MAD, MAD I tell you!  Alright, Blood drinking trolls and satyrs apart we reached the Three Bridges again, the area was beautiful as it had been that day and we walked the bridges in silence - I was amazed to see how sombre Cole and Acacea were, they must have lost many dear friends in the building of the bridges.  I do not know who they were but if both of the "happiest" folks I know could be so serious, I must accept that for the lost each shared a great love.  The masses of land between the bridges had strange runes on them that not even the wisest could translate into any language of Layonara, I'm sure each of the runes must have some deep meaning, they might even be the names of the tasks done to complete the bridges (that I mentioned in my previous entry in this journal).  At last we crossed the final bridge and I ventured, despite warnings to the contrary to the Door which I later learned was the path to the Land of the Soul Mother, touching it I felt a bone chilling cold.  I wish I could describe it here in words greater than just "bone chilling" - perhaps I felt cold as if life itself was departing from me - as if I was departing from this world into a new life in a place so dark and away from warmth that the word "cold" itself would mean "infernal heat" to me.  It was cold, very cold.  We turned back at that point, the place gave even the mightiest amoung us a feeling of extreme unease.  On our way back the good old Cole came back to us and he took us on a raid into a troll lair - we entered and a hoard of shaman attacked us - it was at this point that I practiced what I had seen Acacea do, I hung back and healed the wounded and revived the near-dead with the potions Ael had given me.  I saved at least five lives that day, including Jareg's - twice, despite the ingrate's lack of recognition.  Lam was lost in the lair and Cole thought it was his doing, the poor fellow was really upset over this, once again I saw that which could just be Cole's normal face, not the "I'm SOOOO crazy" one that he usually shows us.  I stop my chronical to talk of one I dearly miss...  Little Freida as we were near her home on the isles.  Oh how I miss her, she may be small and wants to take me to Velensk to fight me in the arena, but she is delightful to have around - her crazy ways and her little notebook with notches for every time she's disapointed with someone.  I dearly miss her, I do hope she returns soon, I even revamped my armor for her.  We returned and I took my leave to rest.  That... was just ONE day...  On the second day, I decided to give some serious thought to make my own arrows, these store bought ones aren't bad but making my own would make me a lot happier and give me something to do when I'm bored of sitting around and writing poems.  My first order of business was to... well... figure out how to make arrows, it might seem easy but there's a lot of little steps that one must do before actually getting any work done.  First was to make arrowheads...  To make arrowheads I needed to make arrowhead molds from clay so I set off with Oxfordian II to gather clay and the begining all I did was make a mess of things.  When I was starting to give up, Kharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake) showed up and comissioned me to make him a box of ring molds.  It wasn't much but more than enough to give me a new boost to my dedication to crafting - so there I went, harvesting clay, avoiding the kobolds and making ring molds.  I spent a long while doing this and was quite successful with my training, I may not be the best in tinkering but I can now make molds with the upmost security in myself.  Kharl is a queer type, he's not bad or anything, he's just a little bossy.  I don't mind that of course but I can see how folk wouldn't like it.  While digging up clay, I met a dark garbed fellow by the name of Count Czukay (http://nwn.layonara.com/Czukay), or just Count - as he seems to prefer it.  He looked very odd, in his dark armor and massive helmet with a command and dark voice - I was a bit scared at first, I didn't know if he would use the shovel on my head and leave me for dead but he was a nice enough person, despite my bad first impression of him.  We dug up clay and chatted a little, it was a bad day for hard work - rain almost all the time - but very productive for both of us.  The second day was taken up with crafting, alchemy, instrument making, a bit of woodcrafting, a touch of fletching and a lot of beetle killing.  Day three...  Started off rather nice to tell the truth, I decided to take Oxfordian II to the woods north of Hlint for some wood cutting.  Cole showed up and wanted to take me to a place to freeze my butt off - while we talked orcs showed up and KILLED Oxfordian II!  Oh dear me, another dead ox - Granvil will probably stop selling me oxen if I let them die all the time.  Oxfordian III is now my ox as Granvil seems to have no shortage on oxen.  Oh!  Cole introduced me to Reventage D'vinn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Reventage%20D%27vinn), a priestess of Ilsare and a part time piano player!  Lovely elven lady and of the correct faith... not that it matters much but I have been know to like elven maidens of Ilsare.  So we started off to the Barbarian Isle to the north but before leaving Hlint we took on another companion, Fair Ranewin.  Oh fair Rane...  Makes me feel good just to say her name.  Ranewin.  I know I should write our feats here, in this space, but let me just write how much I have to respect Ranewin.  While Cole is crazy mercenary with a HUGE sword that has a strange pleasure killing, Ranewin's sweet and sombre ways - typical to that of a priestess of love - goes to vinegar when she gets into battle mode.  I DO NOT want to upset her, in no way shape or form, she call kill me with a whisper I can fathom and I do not wish to die... wait... If I was to die at her hands, even upon her mantle of rage, I'd be happy...  Maybe not, but that's not the point... what's the point again?  Yes!  She's sweet as honey but also as sharp and lethal as a snake.  So...  There we were, on the Barbarian Isles.  Cold as ice, not as cold as the Door Unchosen, but VERY cold.  Cole took us on a crazy romp after the denizens of the cold - crazy kobolds, bugbears, warg riders, spider riders and other humanoid aberrations - that ran around without shirts.  I swear, some really should be taken to the mad house and locked up in there.  Cole, as usual proved his valor in battle and I hastend him and gave him a few bursts of my healing magic but Ranewin... Oh Ilsare, why couldn't she just be a human?  She was a warrior of Cole's worth - not quite, but close enough.  Oh my goddess - even under the barkskin enchantment she looked good and, well, not to be ungentlemanly but she did bend down to chisel off a lot of alexandrite, I actually tried not to notice and I didn't.  Well, alright, I DID look, but just once.  I just have to remember that she can kill me and I don't think I'd like that.  Well, I might...  Stop it right hand, let the left hand write now.  in ugly handwriting m3 nQ wr173 g00d.  r1gH7 H4nd b3773r. stops ugly handwriting  Back to the right hand... You're on notice, write unflattering things about Ranewin again and I'll chop you off..  So, about...scribbles...  The right hand has left the building, this is the new right hand.  Ranewin's....scribbles...  This right hand has to appologize for the two previous right hands.  This one is borrowed from a celibate priest.  We toiled through the spoiled landscape, through more ice than I ever thought possible and found two caverns, one was the home of some kolbods and the other, which was our original destiny, the home of the warg riders - fell beasts like a perversion of forest wolves and more vicious than I ever thought possible.  Cole and Ranewin made "short" work out of them and I tried to pitch in the occasional arrow or two but in the end, I was of more use singing and healing (despite the fact that Ranewin is a lot better at healing than I can ever dream of being).  During this little excursion I felt myself ready for a new kind of song, one that brings harm unto others - I guess I finally found a new calling for myself, I can now harm with words!  Other than that I feel a little more prepared for the toils of the world, I guess I can go talk to the witch of Sielwood and that wizard fellow in the tower north of Hlint.  Sooo... now comes the funny part.  We returned from our long trip to the north - it was long, but since it was just fighting, Cole healing and Ranewin gazing - it was very exciting and very intresting but it paled to what happened when we returned to Leilon.  Cole led us to his room to use his portal into Hlint (a clever shortcut) and, telling us he'd be back and it was for us to stay there... and he left.  I have to thank him for the gesture but it was unecessary as... well... I'm humble enough to admit I'm not quite what Ranewin needs.  Never the less, I must thank him, it was nice of him to set us up like that but I'll just stick to being a gentleman for now, her fiancee's still at sea and I don't want the ire of a fiancee's jealousy washing upon my smallish stretch of land.  Anyway, Ranewin and I in his room with Sinthar's Bane (Acacea's puppy) in the corner napping.  .... uncomfortable silence followed ....  We talked a little but I could see she was ill at ease so we also left for Hlint.  As disapointed as I was for making an ass out of myself twice in three days (in the Leilon Arms and in Cole's Room... In the Leilon Arms) I did manage to talk to her and remind her how much she meant to me - and I finally got to use the crystal rose in the context of my admiration for her.  Despite her flaws (the fact that she can kill me, her curse and her dealings with the necromancer), I find her intriging, as though she's a mystery - which one might say is our case.  We sat under the great tree in the main square of Hlint and, as one could say, she cuddled with me...  I never smelled her so close before, Blood, Sweat and Tears I called it - it was goooooooood.  I truly like her for what I've seen of her, too much for my own good - so it seems.  I want her to know how much, enough that I MIGHT just reconsider my views on commitment.  Forget it Right Hand III, you're fired.  Right Hand I, you're back.  So, about Ranewin's....  ... writing abruptly ends ...

Title: Journal Entry: Note to Self
Post by: SuperMunch on March 20, 2006, 04:44:52 PM

Write less.

Please.

Stop wasting ink on your ramblings.

Signed,
- Right Hand

Title: Letter Home: The More I Wiggle, The Deeper I Sink
Post by: SuperMunch on March 22, 2006, 09:30:44 AM

Father,

It's been a while since I've written you a letter - mostly because I've been at home for quite a lot these past days.  In fact, I'm writting this letter while you're helping Mother bake cookies not ten feet away from me.

Oh, thank Mother for the cookies she bakes me - I tell people about it but I they never manage to make it out of your door.  They must be mysteriously eaten by a cookie eating turquoise monster.

Let me tell of what I've been up to, I know you've already heard it told a million times before so I'll be brief...

- I've learned enchaments of speed and protection
- My song now injures my foes (amazing what a little off tune singing does)
- I have been given new gloves that are helping my combat abilities
- Freida, my little barbarian friend, is travelling but I've been practicing fighting hand-to-hand (as per her orders)
- I've taken up a little tinkering and crafting
- I'm starting to fall for someone

You know of all things but the last, I must get this off my chest, might as well be now.

I haven't ever never felt like this and I worry about it, especially because she's an elf - you know, those clients we have that only drink "fresh mountain spring" water (that's what you sell it as) and our "finest" wines (again, that's what you sell it as), pointy ears, fair features - all of them look slightly fey-ish.

I open heartedly admit what I feel - just not to anybody that I know -  but things are more complicated than the massive, oh so massive, age difference - she might be older than your grandmother but looks like a girl not much older than I, well, if you ignore her condition.

Complicated, oh so complicated...  First and formost, she has been betrothed.  Her fiancee has been out at sea for a while time, three years I believe.  She's very fond of him, as is obvious, after all she is to be wed to him whenever that might be.  The complication is not in her promise but with the way she seem to be warming up to me, we sit together in Hlint and stay close to each other, close enough that I can smell the air she breathes....  Well, you know what I mean, you were young once - and Mother says how much of a hopeless romantic you used to be.  The point is, I don't understand women.

That's just one part of the complication, seems to be the biggest one so far...  The next complication is rather easy to understand, in twenty years I'll be old and wrinkled... wait, sorry, you're almost fifty and well... the POINT is, I'll be older than I am now and she won't be more than a few moments older than she is now.

I greatly precipitate things that are out of the question but I must consider this if her pendulum swings from where it is now to where I am.

I talked to an elven lady once that was married long ago to a human - she said their separation wasn't hard especially because he did a stupid thing - but I can tell that if it wasn't for his foolheartiness, she would have felt his loss more dearly if he had passed before she had a chance to age a day.  It wouldn't have been fair for her to see him die, withered and spent as it wouldn't have been fair for him to not grow old with her as you and Mother have.

Life is precious because it is so scant.

Life for elves certainly has value, but due to it's stretch, it seems to us, quick-folk that they value it less than us.  To them we are mere blinks in their long lives and love amoung our folk is a hasted blink while for us it might be a lifetime.  No matter how much value I have in it, our measures of it may never be equal.

Well, I thought the first complication was pretty bad, but writing this I have to change my opinion - this is worse.

Another complication... well... you know, after those two I can no longer gather about me reason nor logic to analyse this situation as emotions surge and assault me.

I could say that I fear to lose a friendship so golden in trade for love that might not take or might not be allowed to root.  I might say that I cannot imagine how we could find each other due to our so many differences.  I might say a great many things but the arrow of knowing my mortality that pierced me was removed but left a wound not cured.

I fear I have gone to far to leave her alone now, I enjoy talking to her and being around her far to much.  If I seek solace in prayer at the temple in Hlint, she'll be there - if not in presence, in spirit for she is a priestess of the Fair Lady.

I wiggle to find my space but I sink deeper into the warm comfort that is this that I feel.

I wish for knowledge and guidance but I know that for my situation, I must find my own way.

With love, your son,
Freldo.

PS. Thanks for the cookies you brought me while I was writing this, they were great and did make me feel better.

Title: Letter To Freldo: Stop it!
Post by: SuperMunch on March 22, 2006, 09:35:40 AM

Freldo,

This is your right hand writing.

STOP WASTING SO MUCH INK!

There are only so many squids in the sea and sources of black ink in the world, stop it before you rid the world of it!

Stop.  Now!

Think of the baby squids that'll have to grow up with parents because YOU CAN'T STOP WRITING!

- Right Hand

Quote

This is not this day's entry, it's this one (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22233#M149376).

Title: Journal Entry: Foolish? Yes. Stupid? Yes. Worth it? YES!
Post by: SuperMunch on March 24, 2006, 05:13:37 AM

I'm stupid and foolish.

But it was so very worth it...

It has been a very long time since the last time I fell, about four months, and since then I've tried very hard not to tempt the Soul Mother in to grabbing a hold of me.  But I couldn't resist the urge...

Last night started off as every night does - nothing to do.

I decided I'd might as well grab some copper ore and smelt it to move along my arrow making objective.  It's not hard work, just a little preocupying because I can't really carry that much mined ore so I can't really count on being able to mine that much before having to surface again.  I snuck in invisible and tore through the caverns until the first deposit I could find - I eliminated the oposition in the area with my curse spell and went to work...  A fine haul I managed, eight nuggets that turned into four ingots, a fine excursion.

I left the equipment on Oxfordian III and was just about to get some clay to make into molds (to make the arrow heads) when the lovely AnnaLee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) appears as a spectre before me.  She told me of where she fell, on her way to Port Hampshire and I offered to take her there to meditate on her grave, why not - I had nothing better to do.  But before we left, Rollie (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rollie%20Underheel), Honora (http://nwn.layonara.com/Honora) and another fellow who's name I cannot remember but he said he was a mage, passed by us on a mission to find some licorice for him.

Having a large quantity, I gave him some of mine and noticed that my reagents were running down so, I thought, after taking lovely red-haired AnnaLee to her grave, I'd hop over to Port Hampshire and get some more reagents, including some Gum Arabic near Point Harbor.

The trip to AnnaLee's grave was safe as was my crossing to Rilara but then I started to think...  Why not seek the solution to Farmer Part's scarecrow problem?

Well...  That's when it begun...

I reached his fields full of living scarecrows and thought that I could handle them indrectly - if I summoned a falcon as bait, I could blast them with my song and other indirect methods of attack so that I could preserve my invisibility.

It was working great, the summoned falcon acted as bait while I hit them with my curse song...  Until my invisibility ran out, at which point, being completely unprepared for battle, I was quickly killed by the straw men.

Oh what shame I felt...  So much shame but I decided, after a little meditation, that I could get back there and finish them off I had took care and didn't act stupidly.

I rushed back to Rilara from Hlint and confronted the scarecrows again.  Such was my speed in getting back that they were all still gathered around my grave!  Just my luck, I would have to confront them without being whole, a terrible risk but one that I felt I could take.

I summoned a falcon and dog and sung to them while I sung a curse at the scarecrows which split to overtake each of my summons except for the biggest scarecrow that stayed... on... my... grave.  Just my luck.

After skirmishing and cursing the scarecrows while invisible both my summons managed to kill all of them, except the leader - which we made short work of and I recovered from my passing.

In hindsight, it wasn't a big deal but it was the first time I complete a quest by myself, with no help at all from noone - it was a wonderful feeling, I felt truly alive, despite the smallish nature of the quest.  I returned to my campsite near the Lady's temple in Hlint with a pack full of reagents, Farmer Part's reward and a story to tell!

But alas, I could not find the one that I wanted to share my story with so I slept under the stars thinking of her.

Title: Journal Entry: Reformed Arms and Reformed Shirts
Post by: SuperMunch on March 27, 2006, 11:16:30 AM

The past few days weren't very intresting but I did manage a few new things...

It started off at the newly reformed Leilon Arms Inn - the locker gnomes that reworked the place did a marvelous job - it looked so good that I had to explore the whole place a few times before actually getting to work.  Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali) and Derrick (http://nwn.layonara.com/Derrick%20Loadson) didn't really notice I was goofing off, which was great!

Kali asked me to distribute a rose to every woman in the house so I did just that - even Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) stopped her usual "I Hate Freldo"-ish ways for a little while.  It was wonderful to actually be useful and help out - Derrick was adjusting the furniture with Jharl and Kali was fixing up the guest's rooms so that made me the only employee tending to the customers for some time and I believe I did a fine job, despite Acacea's (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge) complaining.

The drinking contest was a great surprise with the reigning champion, Kharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake), keeping his crown against tough competition from Master Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley).  A shirtless bard, that I don't remember his name, made a mess of the place, vomiting and soiling the newly polished floor - I had expressed my worries about his drinking earlier in the night after he practically had cleaned the Arms out of Will-o-whiskey.  I went through two mops cleaning up his mess and another two trash cans when Master Plenarius lost and rushed off to... well... throw up.

The drinking contest was a blast, despite all the gunk on the floor.  After it ended things went back to "normal" with the shirtless bard getting cleaned up and putting on a show for us that resulted in his getting roaring drunk and plunging through a brand new bar table (the gnomes quickly fixed it, thank goodness).

So many people came in and so many tales were told that I simply cannot remember all that happened but one thing did happen... better... one thing didn't happen...  She didn't show up.

I heard of the preparations to retake Stone (which ended up happening but there wasn't much to recover from Stone, according to the accounts I heard) and of the planting of the Silver Veign (which Acacea attended but probably will not document for public eyes).  Other things I caught wind of was about the Freelancer's Tavern in North Point (might be a nice place, but I'm more of a Leilon man myself).

After distributing so many roses Tyrian made it a point to give me a bouquet of blue roses.  I was at a lack of words for such a gift, so much so that I might even have made myself seem a little ungreatful - a situation I must remedy as soon as possible.

I stayed at the Inn as long as I could but I had to run - it seems heartache can take the will out of someone.

I awoke the next day to fair weather, green grass and her asking me to accompany her to fetch some amethyst which I gladly accepted, after all I might not be of much use at anything but at least I could spend time with her.  We romped through Mistone and Rilara until we came to the Direwood caverns where she managed to collect a few stones to grind to make into healing potions.

We made a pretty good team, despite the fact that neither of us are very good at hand to hand combat.  She would enter the fray and I'd support her with songs and haste, an unlikely pair but we did manage to pull together very well.  Maybe we'll be able to work together more in the future, I still have to stop choking up and relax a little more - watching her in action is nice.

An intresting incident was that she asked me to explore a cavern she told me she had always fallen trying to clear.  She asked me to hasten her in battle so I took the Acacea Approach to fighting (invisibility as a rule) and we plunged off the deep end - battle was pretty swift and she did manage to transverse the earth elementals in a very short time.  I was very happy for her, her radiance for finishing off those elementals was wonderful.

The next day, yesterday, we took to fetching aloe from the woods to the east of Leilon - and again, as a pretty lopsided team, we prevailed nicely.

Oh, I did get some crafting time in and I did progress in a few areas of my work.

I'm rushing this entry...  I know.

I adore her and I know that it's not a good thing for me to feel like this.

I want to know what to do but nobody can tell me what I need to know so I decided to make myself a tunic in Ilsare's colors and try to dedicate myself a little more to beauty and love to see if I can obtain enlightenment.

I...

Forget it.

Quote

/*
I did do other things this weekend but lunch in Sorocaba with my uncle's family took a lot out of me so I'll keep it "brief".  How I hate going there, so much so that I can't even exagerate on Freldo's deeds nor dwelve in his feelings.
*/

Title: Journal Entry: Bored and Box, Tears and Dirt
Post by: SuperMunch on March 29, 2006, 09:44:28 AM

Two days since nothing intresting has been going on.  TWO DAYS  TWO WHOLE DAYS  Well, that's partly my own fault, Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) sent me one of those quick-as-lightning green feys asking me if I wanted to go after some drow but I had to refuse, "more important duties demanded my attention".  [SIZE=+1]Feh.  Stupid me.[/SIZE]  I should have gone along, at least then I'd see some action.  I've got to find something to do and soon.  Oh, wait...  I did do something, two things!  Very important and worthy of praise...  Ha!  I've donated two boxes of stuff to the temple of Ilsare, lots of potions, scrolls, wines, wands, gems and other odds and ends I had that I was carrying around.  I'm sure somebody would have bought them but I wasn't really up to finding a buyer and I really have to find a way to thank Calise for letting me pitch my tent next to the temple.  The receipts say about five thousand gold was donated, but I'm sure she was just being generous and marking up the items I donated, she's so sweet when she's not giving me the evil eye.  The other thing I did was just as exciting as swapping stuff from one box to another...  I've run around Mistone collecting the stuff that Ranéwin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) took me around to collect - a box of aloe and comfrey and a box of raspberries and elderberries.  Gathering them, I tried myself against the treants and the kobold armies to the north east of Hlint - tough fights but nothing I couldn't handle.  Whoopie doo!  Soooooo much excitement I can hardly contain myself.  Wow!  Actually... stoping a moment, something did happen...  Plowing invisibily through Fort Hope towards my favorite place to collect licorice root, I happened upon a sitting Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Darkchild) and Tegan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tegan) talking.  I was going to interrupt them but I actually heard Kiva talking from his heart, a very subtle difference in the way he talks.  He was talking of how he needs his space, liberty or something like that and how he was sorry at how she felt that way.  "Oh my," I thought to myself.  Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger)'s time with him has come to an end after he did something to her.  I moved on when I felt my spell of invisibility wear off but I fondly thought of the pretty half elven woman I had met a few days before.  I like Kiva, he's a mysterious fellow always rambling of darkness, shadow and stuff that I really don't care about - but, like most people, he's just on his path of discovery.  He's not a bad guy, despite all his "I wear black robes and I'm menacing" attitude but he does have a story to tell, maybe one that I'll be able to sing in the future - but for now, he's the guy I consider a friend that broke Annalee's heart.  Although I didn't know this at the time.  Well, anyway, after getting pecked by the chickens in Fort Velensk and returning to Hlint I saw a sobbing Annalee stumbling through town and I ran after her to talk.  Poor thing, she was in tears.  I managed to convince her to come over by the pond and sit a while - and as I sat, she just fell over and started bawling her eyes out.  It was as I wrote above, Kiva broke her heart - not that it was entirely his fault, he is very plain in his actions and attitudes so an observant person could really pick up on what he thinks about things - but still, she was completely devastated.  I heard her out and I talked a lot - even told her through crooked lines of my hopless ache for Ranewin...  In fact I talked a lot more than she did.  Her long red hair matted against her face dirtied with the dirt mixed with tears.  I deeply felt her pain for I share it in a way - but I can definately deal with it better than she can.  Strange how pretty she looked, even in that way, splashes of dirt and tears on her lovely human face with fine elven features.  Anyway, she talked and I listened then I talked and talked and talked and talked and talked while she cried.  Parting had never been so sorry for me.  I was sad for having to leave that pretty lass by the pool with the woes of the world on her shoulders.  I must see her again, maybe soon.

Title: Journal Entry: Encounter at the Blackford Castle Pool
Post by: SuperMunch on March 31, 2006, 05:27:23 AM

Still bored.

But intresting things abound.

Two days ago I was running around gathering gold and items from the land and I happened on Berri (http://nwn.layonara.com/Berriford%20Wyndcliff) running off to subdue the kobolds northeast of Hlint.  As I was invisible, I followed him and I have him as much support as I could without revealing myself to the foes.  A fair practice of my new style.

Returning to Hlint I found Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) in a state of transparentness.  Sielwood spiders she said so we gathered a quick party - a LARGE but quick party to head out there to seek her grave.  A fair fight, despite our large numbers, it was just Annalee and I against the spiders and the Ettincap guarding her grave.  I was seriously wounded and profusely bleeding but I stood my ground, managing to divert the spiders from Annalee to myself - I think she never noticed this sacrifice, but it's no bother, I wil do it again whenever she needs it.

Upon returning to Hlint we met Masters Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) and Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley) talking about events to come.  I managed to ask a question here and there and I did take note of what was being said - I'll be sure to write an account of it in the next few days.

It was a fine night, boring but Annalee and I did manage to sit and talk by ourselves.  She told me that she was over the events of our previous encounter - I hope she really is.

So...  Yesterday was also about talking, despite Renji's green fey asking me to come along to Fort Velensk for adventure.

I was returning to Hlint after a quick run to pick up Aloe when I came upon Master Ozymandias quietly contemplating the waters of the Blackford Castle's pool.

The oportunity to just talk with such a legendary man of lesser things such as the hardships of a bard and wether it's better to have food or love - was delightful for me.  I've heard him talk before and I've seen him interact with the Masters Rhizome (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhizome) and Plenarius as equals - yet there he was, spending his breath with a lowly commoner as myself.  I was greatly honored to have him share some of his background with myself.

He's a bit creepy, at least to me, but now at least, I understood the origins of this queerness - he's not from Layonara and he is old... Very old...  "Closer to four thousand" years old, he said and he has been on both sides of the battlefield (luckily for us he's not on General Bloodstone's side).  That does explain his queerness and his keen insight on matters large and small.

I gained from him a confession that made my life have a larger meaning - he told me that he knew how hard it was to be a newcomer bard, how hard it was for him to surpass the hump into deeper bardic knowledge and powers but, as I can plainly see, it's worth the struggle.  He gave me tips on spells of great value - seeing invisibility and finding traps are of great worth he told me.

It was a wonderful conversation - I gained a few tidbits of wisdom I'll add to my accounts and speculations of this age but I primarily gained a deeper respect and understanding of the Arch-Bard in his own words.  I am very grateful for the time he dedicated to just throw words out without any set purpose that I could guess.

It gave me gusto to carry on.

Title: Journal Entry: Regret, Rewards, Ruins and Red
Post by: SuperMunch on April 03, 2006, 05:46:59 PM

I haven't written home in a while.

I don't think that really matters much considering I am writing this letter in my parent's common room in Leilon after raiding the pantry for bread and cheese - no prisioners taken.

Busy past few days...  Might as well start with the intresting bits and leave the accounts of my participation in the battle in defense of Blackford Castle (little to no participation) to another entry that I'll probably copy and leave at the Wild Surge and Leilon Arms for all to read.

Let's see...
- Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace)'s trip to the Troll Caves with Kavil (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kavil%20Yodin) (did nothing on that trip, but I wish I had something to contribute though)
- Bugbear hunting with Durthak (http://nwn.layonara.com/Dur%27Thak%20Shadowolf), Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo), Sin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Sin%27Dolin%20Val%27entalith), Maev (http://nwn.layonara.com/Maev%20O%27Leary), Malik (http://nwn.layonara.com/Malik%20Qadir), Tegan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tegan) (what Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) likes, as far as I can see), Tyrian (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tyrian%20Baldu%27muur), Jin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jin%20Lun%20Lee), the lovely and charming Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) and Rollie (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rollie%20Underheel).
- Beetle squashing and spider poisoning with Freida (http://nwn.layonara.com/Freida), Cal (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cal%20Twigfoot), Annalee.
- Helping newcomer Daniel (http://nwn.layonara.com/Daniel%20Poetr) fight goblins with Tegan (again, she is cute and she is deadly - Renji has very good taste), Berri (http://nwn.layonara.com/Berriford%20Wyndcliff) (I'm glad he's getting to be more fearless now a days, he's an excellent warrior) and Grote (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grote) (half giant fighter, tough fellow).
- Killed and skinned thirteen lions for Jil (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jilseponie%20Valhaikor) and ended up with seven cougar bags.  Very useful.
- Killed, by myself, a fat gryphon that ate Johan's cow near Fort Himlad.
- Killed a battalion of Bugbears (the same place I returned to later with the party led by Ash) by myself and my off-tone singing.  The greatest thing I've ever done by myself, Ishould be proud.
- The Leilon Arms was empty last freas, I was there for a while but Freida dragged me out as did Annalee.  Annalee and I met up with a group of adventurers in Hlint and ended up heading to the defense of Blackford Castle (more on that in a different journal entry).  Derrick did meet me and he passed a Cloak of the Panther to me - a bit too small for me, I'm sure he sees me so frail that he gave me a brownie-sized cloak that I gave to Freida as a present.  Oh, that reminds me, I owe Derrick 150 gold for the drinks I gave to Freida and Annalee.

For all my trouble, listed above, I got a ton of stuff, some gold, some weapons but mostly headaches, cuts and bruises but I can recover from all of that but there's one thing that I can't recover from.  No, two things...

One, The First: Roldem

I travelled with Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) to Roldem.

Never been there before and I wish I hadn't gone along.

There are somethings that one can live without, like testimony to heinous crimes or victim of acts of unabashed hatred.

Roldem was that.  I was no victim but the devastation injured me deeply in ways I haven't felt before, glorious buildings razed to the ground, mass graves, fair citizens huddled in tents, some with no protection to the rain, just a shear cloth against the wind blown in from the sea.  The few buildings left standing were in ruins on the inside yet the folk tried to press on their lives.

Wounded wasn't my body, mind or heart.  I was hurt in my largest vein, that of beauty and kindness.  Hatred was stamped on the land, he who tore through that fair town demanded death and was not satisfied until it was served to him on a platter, gold and crimson with blood of youth and love.

Touched and desperate I was.  I didn't show it for fear of even more ridicule from my mighty companions but I was glad to leave.

I was ashamed to leave.

I am ashamed to have left.

I can leave, they cannot.

..................

What happened afterwards to the town I cannot know but my travel with Cole took us (Addison, a mage fellow that I don't currently recall his name, Jennara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jennara%20Creekskipper) and Kharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake) - other than Cole and myself) to a nasty swamp full of undead elves.

Ick and eek!  Undead elves - nasty bite in all of them and it was in one of these battles that Kharl fell and in the frey of battle I couldn't reach him in time.  Then, to make things worse, I called him Carla a few times (at the time I thought it was the best thing to do considering that I've been wanting to tell him that for the past few days but lo'...  Cole chided me for disrespecting the dead.

If Crazy Cole chides me...  I should listen and I sent Kharl a written apology and I expect him to exact his revenge on me in some demented way.

Well, after exploring some windy caverns we were on our way for some "Chests" as Cole called them and our the way there...  I was back in Hlint.  Don't want to talk about that.

That was One... Now...

Two, The Second: Mortal Wound from Robes of Red

Woe is me.  I have been touched by lips as sweet as the rose is fragrant.  Kiss given freely, tender, with meanings hidden that only she can reveal.

Mortal wound I cherish.  Mortal coil, wound tighter with single touch.

Lost I was when it's warmth grazed my lips, lasted a moment and will be remembered for life.  Hidden away from peering eyes on the docks of Point Harbor, just captain saw what he had seen before so many times but never will he understand what that meant for me.

Seared...  Fire lit the sky.  Time stopped - time stops now as I recall.

There I was, leaving the isle of the bugbears when she appeared from out of nowhere (so it seemed) and came to our aid.

After recovering our wounded, we returned to Point Harbor and sat, both of us near some fountain ignored by the image I beheld.  We talked about recent things for it had been a while since our last meeting. and sat, both of us near some fountain ignored by the image I beheld.  We talked about recent things for it had been a while since our last meeting.

Sat and talked and she revealed, through the mist only a woman knows how to cast, that she was seeking me.  Me.  She had come to Rilara for me.  What does one say to this?

We talked and she asked me to escort her to the boats, she had to be on her way.

On the pier.

Blown away she went.  And now?

Title: Journal Entry: The Woes Of A Woman!
Post by: SuperMunch on April 05, 2006, 07:36:21 AM

Quote

Return to Freldo's development index (http:///forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22233&start=1#M138375)

 I really should start writing about Drezneb's attack on Blackford Castle...  I sit down to start writing about it but then something less important comes up and I get distracted.  Oh look, shiny!!!!  ...in a slightly different ink...  Nothing of intrest there, just a brownie running around with a polished iron shield.  Where was I...  Yes, Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace)...  I find I enjoy having her around, she's a brute that lacks a gentle touch but she's well meaning and she does look good in a dress and her green hair does add a certain charm.  Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) and I were listening in to Masters Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley) and Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) talk about their plans for Eon and Drezneb when Addison showed up and kicked me for getting killed on our trip to Rodez.  Annalee was visibly upset (thanks Addison, you klutz) and went to sit closer to Masters Ozymandias and Plenarius and I was left with Addison, mad at me for telling Cole what she felt for him.  Fortunately, others heard her complaining and told her she was very obvious in her ways so she relaxed a bit and just came clean, or slightly clean - you can never truly understand women - to me about her feelings to Cole.  Poor gal.  Brave enough to face giants, strong enough to strike down elementals on a single swing of her curvy keen sword, corageous enough to follow Cole without hesitation but still a woman with feelings.  I should have suspected that, after all one doesn't go through the work of fashioning plate mail into the appearence of a dress if you're not intent on looking vaguely feminine.  As I like Cole for some reason - might be the fact that he is crazy - I sent him a bird telling him of Addison's feelings so that he can, if he wills it, treat her with more gentleness (HA!  But I must do my duty to Ilsare in these matters).  I embellished the message quite a bit, but I had to make him understand how much Addison likes him and, in a way, how much we all like him.  I really should get back to writing about Drezneb's attack...  But I probably won't, Annalee's doing a fine job of telling everybody about it - I might talk to her later and get her input on these matters and transcribe them for public records.  Good girl, doing a fine job with spreading the facts, I fear I distort them to much.  That's good for me, gives me a little more time to hone my fighting abilities, especially with my little friend!  I haven't seen her for a long time...  I'm starting to miss her and my poems are showing it.  

Quote

Edit: Added the header up above.  I hate correcting old posts, it takes their original meaning away but I had to add the final line at the end.  He has a lot of poetry written on the subject but since they haven't been written in his journal yet, I had to make a mention to her.

Title: Joural Entry: Random Rubbish Remembering Rats
Post by: SuperMunch on April 07, 2006, 09:09:52 AM

... Nearly Ninety Days ...

So
Long
Ago.
Still no word.
Heart stops with longing memory.

It's true what they say, nothing like bleeding to know you live...

Lots of new folks in town, a bit of a distraction from my vagrant thoughts of events dearly transcribed.

Let me stop thinking about her for a moment...

There!

Lots of new folks in town!  I've taken a few to see what Hlint has to offer from the merchants to the crafting house to the city's sewers.  How I fondly remember the rats!  How I panicked every time I saw one and now I feel sorry for the poor critters and if I could simply not engage them, I wouldn't but the new folks must work a little so I sing for them and let them attack - healing them if they're ever so injured.

It has been said that one should stop remembering the names of the dragon's new recruits to avoid missing them when they're dead and gone.  Whoever started that cared very little for the memories of youth for most of us are born of love and each deserves to be remembered, if only as a footnote in the annals of lore...  There I go again, depressed again...  Time to stop and take another breath...

So, new folks...  I took Brian (http://nwn.layonara.com/Brian%20Franklin) (farmer's son, prefers fighting with bows), Aurvang (http://nwn.layonara.com/Aurvang%20Ginnar) (dwarven cleric, strong fellow), Thomili (http://nwn.layonara.com/Thomili%20Firestoker) (prefers "Thom", nice fellow) for a trip around Hlint with the every lovely Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel).  We showed them some of the sights and sounds, not to mention how to customize their armor and gear - it should be intresting to see them in the near future, a bunch of slightly less green folks.

Then we plunged into the sewers after meeting another brownie, Shyloch (http://nwn.layonara.com/Shyloch%20Farfarer) (or "Shy" but in our party, the only shy one was Rhynn), twice...  Well, it was a rough trip for most of them but it wasn't my fault.  I kept them safe but the world conspired to keep the rats in there safe from us.

Upon surfacing I saw the ever lovely Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) with Remiel (http://nwn.layonara.com/Remiel%20Delmir) (I met him a few days ago, but I hadn't really talked to him and I still haven't yet).

I fear for Annalee, I know little of Remiel but I do know he has been around the world quite a few times and I despair to think what troubles he might  take her into.  In fact, I even went so far to threaten Remiel of hurting her.  "If you hurt Annalee...  I'll be sad."  Pretty lame, but that's probably the best I could do considering he could crush me with a bat of his eyelashes.

Anyway, that's been the past few days, tonight I am ready to submit to Kharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake)'s punishment at the Arms and I do hope things go well.

Now, I must find something to do before suffering returns to me in waves and waves of despair and solitude.  I really must drop this quill and leave before I recall the warmth... yes, the warmth that drew bright splashes of red upon my closed eyelids as we...

... abruptly ends ...

Title: Joural Entry: Dresses, Giants, Spiders and Female Fury
Post by: SuperMunch on April 10, 2006, 09:04:31 AM

... 90 days ...

Over three months.

Good thing I've been busy the past days.

Let's see...  A dress with apples, hill giants, golems, lizardmen, kobolds, goblins, spiders, more spiders, earth elementals, female, female fury, more female fury, even more female fury, female jealousy and dragons.  Well, maybe not dragons... but the rest is all true.

Start with the easy bits, lizardmen, goblins, kobolds and spiders...

I'm trying out my hand at actual hand-to-hand fighting and I'm pretty happy with myself, I manage to leave a wake of dead, if they're slow and weak fiends, wherever I pass.  It's wonderful to not feel so useless anymore, in a little more time I'll be able to handle tougher foes, maybe even some undead or ogres.

Golems, hill giants, more spiders, earth elementals next...

Renji (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) took me along on two of his little trips...  One into the Cavern of the Eye and one to the mountains east of Fort Velensk.

Berri (http://nwn.layonara.com/Berriford%20Wyndcliff), Jay (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jay%20Peacemeadow), Tegan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Tegan) and the Count (http://nwn.layonara.com/Czukay) were my companions (along with Renji) to the Cavern of the Eye... and boy was it quick.  We made quick work of the gnolls and dire and wraith spiders in the first level of the dungeon but the next level, with the massive earth elementals, was as far as we got.   Tegan fell, despite fighting with all our resources - I was drained of my song of help and curse and of my healing spells and in the end I did what I do best.  I ran away, I fled clear into Fort Hope - when I recovered, I made my way back to find the party fragmented but I did manage to help the party's retreat.

Next time with Renji, it was the Berhagen Mountains and Shoufal.  Renji, Tegan, Jareg (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jareg%20De%27Brak), Ifion (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ifion%20Witseeker) (a bard with clerical powers), Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) and another fellow whose name I missed, plowed through to Shoufal.  On arriving, Renji and Jareg insisted on going to some cavern nearby for some reason.  I accepted, after all, they are both very good warriors and Ash is also a good warrior and I took up the role of warrior also - shield and rapier in hand with spells of protection and aid.

Another series of tough battles that I survived, despite all indication that I wasn't going to make it.  In the end, I was almost killed once but I did survive and when retreat was imposed on us, I led the way out... again...  Eventually, Freida (http://nwn.layonara.com/Freida) showed up and her battle cries were heard, ringing through the valleys while I rested from another near death experience.

There, two down...

Female fury, more female fury and even more female fury...

After leaving the mountains I finally gave up and accepted Freida's invitation to fight it out in the Fort Velensk arena.  At first it was Freida versus Ash so that I could see what had to be done in combat.  A quick fight between them with Ash prevailing.

Next was Freida versus me.  Done and I won an easy battle - if you count Freida's retreat to enrage herself while I healed myself.

Ash versus me.  Done.  Ash went down with barely a trickle of blood of mine flowing...  I taunted her so much I actually felt sorry.

Ash and Freida versus me.  Quick work out of Ash while I dodged Freida and quick work out of Freida and then quick work out of Ash again.

How I laughed!  Invincible against long legged elven women that wear dark hoods and brownies!

Then Freida did something cruel, she went to call Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace) to beat me up.

Thrice in a row I fell at her lovely feet and I only knicked her once.  Even with a rose she managed to knock me unconcious, not that I mind being felled by a fair flower wielded by a fair (yet brute) maiden.  I could write poems about that but then Addison would probably kill me for being so happy to get knocked out by her...  Wait!  Got an idea for something to write for her!

... a little while later ...

She'll want to kill me now for sure.

Now we swing around to just "female"...

Perhaps the dress bit should be addressed first... no... a little later.

"Ee ceela bunch-of-vowels".  I should have learned elvish but I never thought it would be useful, but at least I'd understand what she said to me.  Wait...  I do know, but I'm just not willing to admit it, after all I do know what "ceela" means.

She doesn't want to admit to me what she feels for me in common and, frankly, I'm not ready to listen to it, especially because I have already been snared - but currently I'm just bleeding in the slow torture of not seeing her.  At least Sabrissia (http://nwn.layonara.com/Sabrissia%20Ice) has seen her, which is a comforting thought.

So...  She said those three words to me and invited me to visit Lar with her, to watch over the land from the top of the waterfall.  A scenic view, one that I will probably never forget, with company turned from foe to friend in an instant.  She may be rugged and may have a hard time opening up, but her eyes have a spark that I have seen before in quiet pools and polished mirrors and I do not have the heart to put her down.

Yes, I do not have the heart to put her down.  It may seem like I like to keep my options open but I swear that's not the case - she's a flower... made of forged iron probably... but still a flower and I do not wish to crush her for no reason.

Wait...  I am being selfish.  I would feel bad for this if she was a frail maiden that depended on me (as Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) was with Kiva (http://nwn.layonara.com/Darkchild)) but she isn't.  If she needs me as a dream, I will not deny her this wish but I cannot realize it.

So she told me, in words crooked through lack of use, of how we got off to a bad start.  We sat and talked on the hilltop of things light and airy and a change passed over me, she's as dear as one can desire but just a little out of tune with her feelings.  I don't blame her, being 128 years old and living the life of a ranger must really turn your attention towards might and rage, away from grace and beauty.

Yes, the change is subtle, I cannot feel at ease to jest with her in my usual ways - which is a pitty for I loved taunting her.  Now her armor is no longer just the focus of my jokes.

Oh well...  Fickle are my intrests but deep is what I feel for one that has gone from my life.

Now for the dress with apples...

After laying myself at Kharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake)'s mercy I took up his punishment and dressed myself as Gweneth Pom Pom (http://nwn.layonara.com/Gweneth%20Pom%20Pom) for my evening's work at the Leilon Arms.  It was a blast!  A shame Kharl's appearence was so brief it took the heart out of me.

He is a good teacher because he is such a cruel punisher.  If it wasn't for all the ribbing I got for the costume, I would have been depressed because of the way he just blew my hard work off.  I sent him a letter confessing my humiliation at his "don't be stupid" statement and promised to learn to at least respect the dead.  I hope he finds it in him to pardon me for enjoying myself while I was being punished.

Anyway, it was a fun night, a shame Derrick (http://nwn.layonara.com/Derrick%20Loadson) and Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali) weren't around and the drinks all went missing (strange, considering they were all there the week before).

Oh, an intresting thing happened, while prancing around, I heard that the party I was a part of the week before was gathered near Blackford Castle - I quickly ran over there, despite being dressed up as Gweneth (but at least I managed to pull my own clothes on) to try to listen in.  They were all there quietly waiting for the decision to be made and instructions to arrive.  I did manage to wish Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) good luck on the possible adventure to the Great Rift (if they followed up on their previous intentions) or wherever else they would go (if Master Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) had his say on things).

Finally...  After another LONG entry...  Female Jealousy...

While guiding a new fellow in Hlint, Honora (http://nwn.layonara.com/Honora) and Kyle (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kyle%20Pandorn) told me of troubles near the great tree in the west side of Hlint.  Since I was busy with the new guy, I didn't rush over there to get a look on things but when I did...  All the hells had broken loose..  At least a part of the hells had broken loose.

I managed to fish out some information...

Master Ozymandia's fiancée (?!?!?!), Kae, appeared and wanted to know why Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) was flirting around with Ozymandias.  (!!!!!)

Well, I had to laugh.  If not to others, at least to myself.  Who would have guessed that such powers could be bothered by a single lovely example of beauty as Rhynn!

I sat with her and we talked a while and I believe I managed to calm her down, good thing too because she was quite a bit upset.

Wow...

Title: Joural Entry: A Lot Of Nothing
Post by: SuperMunch on April 12, 2006, 06:05:08 AM

Transcribed from another source, the handwriting's neat and organized...  Good Bye  With your kiss, you said goodbye.  Upon the pier I stood and watched, The ship slip out from the bay. Point Harbor, Rilara, So far away.  One kiss is all we shared.  Moments before you had been there, I could feel your breath sweet. After saving me from death, You sailed away.  I miss you.  You sought me out, from north to south, Upon Bear Island, to say farewell. You saved me twice that day, From death and solitude.  I see you when I close my eyes.  Knowledge I lack but emotions I have to much, You left, from the deck you waved. I love you, you slid away, I did not understand.  In dreams, you're here.  I am now left alone in the darkest of times, My priestess, my mistress, my love. Your absence, I greive, Please return.  I never said goodbye. Despair.  ...  Well, that's it then I guess.  I haven't seen her for quite a long time but I know she's around.  Calise told me she had been around Hlint as did Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) but I never seem to see her around and that tears at me.  It's like we're night and day or hot and cold - always so close to each other but just... never in the same place together at the same time.  Long have I tried to find a way out of this place but solace resides just out of reach.  I've made new friends and done a few new and different things but they seem empty, as though I'm trying to fill a bottomless ditch with dirt and sand with a miniscule shovel.  Joy for me resides in friendship and company but the moment I'm alone I return to my ditch to gather my useless shovel and continue the chore.  Comfort, completeness and true happiness escape me.  Unease, emptiness and despair are the tripod that sustains me.  I stand close to the wheel of fire, it's heat slashes me yet little strength do I have to resist it's calling.  I wish I knew how to handle this in a better way.  I've asked Annalee, if she ever sees her around to tell her how much I miss her, however, I fear the gulf between us might have sundered our bonds - subtle as they already were.  Is life a series of moments of joy sandwiched between suffering?  Is this the spice of life?  Am I to be happy I suffer because I suffer for greatest of emotions?  Why am I asking so many questions?  Best get out of here and find something dangerous to do to bring some blood into my tears.  

Quote

/* A happy-go-lucky bard repressing depression caused by projected/narcisic romantic love, desperately trying to cover it up...  This is so much fun.  :) */

Title: Quick Entry: So it ends
Post by: SuperMunch on April 14, 2006, 07:53:14 PM

Quickly before I head off to Firesteep.

Trysk's back and I heard Ranewin talking about him at the Leilon Arms with fondness - I guess old love never does die.

Guess that's over...  Good thing though, no more dilemas about that.

Now, how does one forget?

No, really... HOW does one forget?

Title: Three Letters: Closure, Revelation and Confession
Post by: SuperMunch on April 17, 2006, 06:25:12 AM

Quote

/*
These letters will be sent via LORE.
*/

Letter One: To Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win)

Fairest Ranewin,

When I saw you leaving from Point Harbor so many months ago, I knew something was going to change between us and it did.

Your fiancee has returned and I leave you to your recovered love and to your new life.

I will see you around of course, we did manage to bump into each other from time to time.  Our bonds in faith still hold and our bonds in friendship will forever stand while my spark of brief life holds, I can swear upon that.

Be well dear Ranewin.

Signed,
Freldo

Letter Two: To Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo)

Dearest Ash,

I know only one word in elvish - taught to me so long ago - and it's "ceela" or however it's spelled.  I can only guess that either you love me or you love something that happens when I'm around - who knows, Ferocious Ash may even have a crush on my laughter.

Nevermind the teasing, the fact of the matter is that I know.

I've know since the day Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) convinced you tell me.  If you remember, that same day you took me to Lar, you told me a touch of yourself and I was so happy for it for I know it musn't be easy for you.  I think you're most relaxed around me trying to pummel me in the arena and I'll happily accept your challenges to see you happy - even if you can only run me through when I'm using my undersized short sword.

Ash, I hold you dear to me - very dear.

I recognize what you do when you take off your hood, I know that you know what it means to me.  I enjoying seeing you fight and I won't turn down the chance to fight along side you - wherever it is and even if it's with Larry (http://nwn.layonara.com/Renji) or Curly (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jareg%20De%27Brak).

As you may have guessed, after building up hope in you, I must mine it, at least a little bit.

Ash, I'm not entirely whole.

I have suffered a wound that has ripped the heart out of me and I have sought solace in spilling my own blood and maybe having my heart ripped out.  Poor Calise, at my temple, has had a rough few days patching me up.

I've since started amending this out of my self-sworn duty to Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) but it has opened in my a facet - that of the joy of battle - that I wish to explore with you, if you permit it.

When you first confessed, I was not yet injured but events have brought me to this state in which I languish.  Time will heal it, I'm sure but I may not be the same as you have wished near you before.

As a matter of fact, you've seen it already - I'm not the coward you once knew and that does bleed a little of the one you were attracted to.

Ash, understand that I do like you.  You're a pleasure to talk to and a perfect target for my taunts but I'm not sure I give you what you seek in me.

I'm frail, human, a bard and with a broken heart - I'm not sure how you can like me still but if you do, after this letter, I'm sure we'll form a new bond.

Who knows, we may even be called the Beauty and the Beast (I'm the beauty, of course).

With my deepest affection.

Signed,
Freldo

Letter Three: To Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel)

Dear Rhynn,

When we talked near Lake Rillon - before the terrible incident in which I failed to protect you once again - I never said a great many things - as I'm sure you noticed.  Selfishly, I let you speak of the great harm done to you by your master and when my turn came, I said nothing.  If I did speak, maybe the crazy gryphon would have spared us or at least spared you - maybe, just maybe.

I feel guilty of being so selfish with one as giving, to me at least, as yourself, so much so that I've had a terrible night's sleep because I've seen three great issues that need to be resolved in my life.

The first is to obtain closure for my ailing heart, the seconds is to reveal what I know to one I care about and finally to confess why I've been like I have for the past days.

As I write this letter to you, I've written letters to try to obtain some comfort for the other burdens I suffer.  Now it's your turn - I will tell you what I did not tell you on the banks of Lake Rillon.

I'm a simple man, a scholar and an innkeeper's son with the knack of song, jest and upmost loyalty to my friends but a terrible cook and very easily distracted.  That much you know and have warmed to - those are my qualities.

However, I'm a coward but I've also never had a keen sense as to what "danger" is.  I've seen myself in perilous situations only to run away from them - perception of possible peril is not something they taught me in school or something my bardic master, Eldar, instructed me.  This is my failing.

Quick to rush and slow to perceive is my downfall in where I'm most naive: love.

Long before the Dragon called you, I fell in love - against my wish, mind you.  However I always knew my love was doomed, fragile on many sides - not a house build with foundations of stone but a quickly pitched lean-to with a termite-ridden beam and old dried leaves for walls.

A few boulders were set to roll down the mountain and crush my little lean-to - the first was that her fiancee had set off to sea, the second was that as human, I'd be dead before she aged a year and the third, she didn't need my around - self sufficient as she is.

Ranewin's her name, the same elven maiden that came with you and Annalee to the Leilon Arms at last opening.  That same night, the first boulder rolled and it crushed me, tore all the goodness that comes with that feeling I felt away in the blink of an eye.  Empty shell of myself stood, will to live drained away into some unseen pit.

I don't know if you've known love but I can tell you that you'll know it when it comes but it'll make that burden you carry, Anger, trivial when it leaves.  Grasping onto love is dangerous, if there's a lesson to learn in this story.

I needed to feel the blood in me again - I had to feel it, even if it was seeping away upon the soil.  I wanted to die at Firesteep, but I didn't want you to see me fall in such an silly way so when we returned, I slipped away and got beaten to a pulp by the first ogre I met.

I felt good to be in physical pain - as I told you later.  Losing Ranewin to the outrageous tides of her greatest fortune brought a drought upon my shore and my own blood was all I had to satisfy it's thirst.

That sounds very pathetic and overly emotional, but that's what I felt at the time.

Then you came along - as the metaphorical melting of the great expanse of ice to the far north and further south, you slowly seeped away my willingness to seed the soil red.  In fact, it was at the Arena in Fort Velensk that you all but blew it away when you crushed me in our little duel, I cared very little about the wounds you inflicted on me - I cared about not harming you.

No your trip to Arborea, my being killed laughing (which was definately fun - I had never managed to time dying and laughing so well) and awakening to see you furious with tears in your eyes brought me down to the ground in a new way.  If I wasn't there to try to cheer you up I would have broken down from the look on your face.

I'm the youngest of my house so I've never had to look after anyone - which explains a lot of my selfishness - but now you're here and I feel I must take care of you, however pathetic an attempt I make at it.

I guess that's it Rhynn - I was losing it until you decided that you had to care for me.  Now the tables are turning and I'll do what I can to care for you - on your permission.

Pre-PS: I've actually taken a liking to fighting hand to hand so I'll take an old friend's suggestion and start doing more of it and I will still use it to vent my frustrations but I'll try to be safer now, I won't charge in bare chested anymore.

Thank you for your being around Rhynn and I'm sorry I took so long to confess all this to you.

Signed,
Freldo

Title: Journal Entry: Fire, Furnace or Forge?
Post by: SuperMunch on April 18, 2006, 07:42:20 AM

I got a letter yesterday after sending my three letters...  and my left eyelid started twitching.  I feel like a piece of metal sheet that's being stressed.  If stress is an applied force that tries to deform a body, I'll add a "and soul" and apply it to myself - not that I'm a piece of a sheet or anything, but... well... forget it.  First things first, the past few days in as few words as possible.

• Leilon Arms Inn, good story with Master Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley) and broken heart (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win).
  
• Firesteep with Master Plenarius, Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman), Jennara (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jennara%20Creekskipper), Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge), Owen (http://nwn.layonara.com/Owen%20Lo%27Kiar), Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali), Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) and a few others.
  
• Getting killed by an ogre after being turned to stone by a cockatrice.
• Lar, Chubby, Craftsman, Shoufal, Ulgrid, Lar, Craftsman, Chubby and Book.
• Arborea.  ARBOREA!!  With Rhynn, Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) (I miss talking to her), Mith (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mith) (Fiddle!!!), Durthak (http://nwn.layonara.com/Dur%27Thak%20Shadowolf) and others.  There were a lot of folks, but I was there for Rhynn so I just payed attention to her.
  
• Taunted Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard)...  I'm still waiting for him to invite me to see the sights in Fort Velensk - that is, take me to the arena.  Such a grumpy dwarf, I don't think he'll ever know how much I like him.
  
• Kicked the snot out of a lot of lizardmen with Caighd (http://nwn.layonara.com/Caighd%20Brandemeere), Maev (http://nwn.layonara.com/Maev%20O%27Leary) (she got upset at my blood lust and I bet she has never seen a man with a broken heart before), Daniel (http://nwn.layonara.com/Daniel%20Poetr) and a few others.
  
• Another worthy death, at the hands of some bandit near Point Harbor.
• Velensk Arena with Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace), Rhynn, Master Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) and Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo).
  
• Kicked Ash's butt, stayed attacking Rhynn and got creamed by a half-naked Addison with her flower of Death.
• Beat the snot out of Dervish (http://nwn.layonara.com/Dervish%20the%20Eye) (but told everybody it was the other way around) and got knocked out by Ash (but told her I know that 'ceela' means love).
  
• Fishing trip with Rhynn, got her killed by a stupid gryphon.
• Reworked armor for the thousandth time.  Looks better now.  Maybe?  Dunno - but it's turquoise and easier to put on.
• Sleep.
• Hlint.
And now the story begins...  So, there I was, fresh from a night's rest in the back room of the bank (considering how much money goes through their coffers, they invest very little on some simple comforts like a better bed) and I head back into Hlint.  A bird pops in and, according to Grympint, it came to drop a present on my head but ended up droping it in my hands.  It was Rhynn's reply to my letter and it good thing I sat down to read it for the floor fell out from under me - kind of strange considering I was sitting on the ground in Hlint.  She said "I love you" - and quite a lot of other things but those three words on that parchment stood out like they were written in some obscenely bright letters.  It was then when I first noticed my twitch, or was it then that my twitch started.  Anyway, I sat there in deep thought for the longest time.  Ranewin came to mind, as did Ash and as did Addison and her crazy shocking rose (for some reason, it might be the sight of her in bikini whacking me with that flower).  I thought of how my wound is to recent, of how Ash has warmed up to me, of how I don't wish to suffer from yet another arrow from Ilsare, of a lot of things.  I also thought of my shock to her confession, almost as much as I was when Ash told me the same thing (Ash's was bigger because of the whole "bear" incident).  I thought of Annalee and how much I missed her (she was talking nearby and her lovely voice carries).  I thought of goint to Arborea and Firesteep with Rhynn.  I thought of a big scoop of vanilla ice cream with lots of  pecan butterscotch brittle on top - I was hungry.  What was I to do?  Better, what am I to do?  Well, I don't know but I do know what I did, when Rhynn appeared out of nowhere (she said she saw me getting the bird and went invisible to avoid me) I took her hand and led her to the balcony above the courthouse.  Honestly, I don't remember what I said but I think I told her a lot of truths and heard a few from her - I was in to much conflict at the time and I still am.  I grieve loss yet I now have two knocking - if I was crueler or with less marbles, I'd open the door and let them both in but I'm not that dim and I'm definately not cruel.  Each has taken to me for reasons I cannot fathom but both have come at the most awkward of times.  I'd love to write a lot measuring the virtues of each but fortune has thrown me, a wad of dry tinder, in the fire - I am to be burned but fortune has allowed me to chose which receptacle.  Either I chose or I wait - on chosing I'll betray my own wound and elicit ire but if I wait, the fire will die down and in the end I'd burn alone and risk another comnforting place to burn in.  Poetic...  and pathetic.  Alas, for now, I'll chose to not chose and I must remember that.  To think that I didn't care or want this dilema. To think that if fouler winds had blown, I'd be above it. To think that if they had blown fairer before, I'd be under it.  This must be Ilsare's grace in action - a suffering heart must be a way closer to the lady of dreams.  
Quote

/* Freldo was gonna go bipolar but NOOO some of you conspire against my wishes for a bipolar bard.  Now he goes back to a sense of normality, a naive bard lead by his heart - which is great considering he's a follower of Ilsare.  One thing though, he'll do some strange stuff from now on - spasms, begging foes to kill him, bashing the bodies of the fallen, etc.  He's not nuts, but he's not well. */

Title: Journal Entry: Good Gifts and Bad Gifts
Post by: SuperMunch on April 19, 2006, 10:25:34 AM

Let's see...  So much in such little time that I'll have to try to abbreviate things  Good gifts I got:

• After many, many days of avoiding Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) a thought passed over me...  She's a bard yet I have never seen her with an instrument, not to mention that I did have a little present for her - an extra cougar bag I had but wasn't using.  So, I quickly tore apart an ettercap, dire spider and a hoard of beetles to get some silk and I shredded a clan of orcs to pick up some hickory.  With a litle luck, I managed a mandolin, a violin bow and guitar.  I'm still not to sure of my skill to make a violin for her but I'll work hard on it.  I practically shoved the bag with it's contents (no bow, I want to give the violin to her whole, not in parts) into her pack while she was gathering with Ireth (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ireth%20Telrunya), Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) and Elladan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Elladan%20Peters) to stop Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace) from facing that Koralawyn person (as per Ireth (http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=24901&posts=1&start=1)'s request).  She was obviously happy for the multiple gifts but was too busy to try them out but I think I gave her a little joy and the mandolin did seem to fit her - I don't know about the guitar though.  Time will tell how her talent on the instruments go.  
  
• I had forgotten about the letter I had sent Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) with so many things happening (more later) but we sat and talked.  I told her about my complicated relation with Rhynn and how she needs me right now and I was as honest as I could be with her.  This is listed as a good gift because we forged a new bond, so to speak, and she told me of herself and her hard life.  I felt so deeply for her, such loss and treason she suffered over her young elven life - I don't know what it is, but she seems a lot more fragile than I ever thought her to be.  We talked seriously for the longest while, I heard a little of her tale with Glenn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Glenn%20Thendor) and of other things.  Inevitably, my talk led us to some lighter subjects and she accepted some nonsense, I suspected she wasn't that hard a person.  We exchanged a hug and parted ways.  
  
• Kali sent me a message stating that Room 101 in the Leilon Arms is now mine!  Great!  The only problem is that I never really paid attention as to which room is which.  Might as well go looking in there.
The bad gifts:


• Tyrian and a few others decided to explore Storan's Crypt and that turned into a mess in no time at all...  Our party's cleric, Voom got confused with so many people that he mixed up his blessings and resulted in the first tragedy.  Shouts and cries of battle, sword and scythe in hand, charge!  And four dead in a moment.  Oh, what to do?  I stood by the door waiting for the fallen's return and helped them on their way.  A few got upset at what happened and left the party - a wise choice considering things to come.  We went further into the Grey Peaks, not that much further, just a little further and again death plagued the group.  I was helping the fallen wymic return to his grave when a storm of arrows and flashing of knives cut the valley - our companions decided it best to clear our way - again without thought for reasonable possibility of escape.  Ash had escaped twice from the fight but decided, stupidly to charge in a third time - the final time that was her last in the excursion.  I was in my clothing hailing arrows upon the ogres bellow and by the time I got ready for any kind of battle, I arrived too late to be of any worth.  Nearly all fell and I left the mountains enraged at the colective stupidity that plagued the group - I only stopped and turned back to help Tyrian and Ash return their graves.  All the gold I picked up went right back into buying more healing potions for the next time a group decides to go crazy in the mountains.  
• Rhynn and Addison.  Not that they're bad (they're not!) but they've been overly... let's say... strange?  For as much as I adore Addison and Rhynn, their actions of late are a bit... exagerated.  Upon returning from my conversation with Ash, Addison proceded to slap me, kick me and throw me into the trashcan near the bell tower and the reason was because I was toying with Rhynn and Ash!  Addison's pretty strong and I didn't really understand what was going on until she shoved my head into the barrel.  When I understood I said something that I doubt anyone paid heed to - so I won't even repeat it here.  Addison was blood thirsty - her wild eyes told tales of how her indulgence was driving her - soul aflame and lust for blood.  Come to think of it...  It was quite attractive in a very sick and twisted way.  Rhynn's turn...  First...  Before I went to the Grey Peaks - Rhynn came to find me and  she said Ash was teasing her because of the way I was treating her (Rhynn).  When I spoke to Ash in the Ranger's Vale, she denied this of course, but I tried to explain that this was because Rhynn needs me - I probably didn't say it but if it was her (Ash) that needed me, I'd do the same for her, without hesitation.  Next...  While I was out at the Peaks and with Ash, she tried to drown herself!  At least that's what Addison told me - I thought it was silly to try to drown in the pond in Hlint but, she did bear the proof of such silliness.  Sopping and furious with Addison for kicking me around like that.  When I finally found her we sat and talked and she told me she wanted to run away... so I suggested we do just that, and we ran to the lookout point near Haven.  I guess it was the proper thing to do, run away, if only for a little while - indulge her a little, soften her worries, allow her to talk and calm her anger.  I let her speak but I did talk more than I should have - I definately try to hard at times, at times it's just better to quietly listen and not become one of those knees-bent holier than thou paladin types (preachy).  I saw something that was at once beautiful and sad - she took off her hat she wears from time to time and tears flowed from her eyes.  "Oh" was my only word, despite it not being technically a word.  So much lays on her or maybe she has taken more on herself than she should have.  She insists she isn't helpless and frail, that her past ordeals have driven her into self reliance yet she all but comes undone when we're together.  I don't mind this of course, tenderness in hard times is hard to come by and I do have plenty of it to spare.
 We talked until she fell asleep there on the edge of the cold mountain pond.  I covered her in her own cloak and stood nearby thinking of how hard the world's burdens are and how happy I am to not be part of the great struggles as so many are.  Seeing her safe, I talked to Kit - or whatever her name is, the fussy captain of Haven's guard - about keeping an eye on her and returned to write this entry.  That's about it I guess.  I'm involved in things beyond my comprehension and I willingly do not wish to understand but three people I care greatly about are within this thing's web and I must stand by them, beside them or WAY behind them whenever possible.  Others I care about are running around trying to get killed (or so it seems).  I must confess things aren't helping my reflections on my loss of Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) - no matter how much I seek healing or peace, I'm pulled into something.  Maybe Grympint (http://nwn.layonara.com/Grympint%20Bloodbeard)'s lack of appropriate social graces (he does have them, but just not the kind that appeals to most) is a better way to do things - avoiding deeper connections to others to spare suffering's nasty claws.  I wish I could do that.  I guess we do play with the cards fortune deals us.

Title: Journal Entry: Another page filled with nothing
Post by: SuperMunch on April 20, 2006, 07:26:57 AM

Fantastic!

I need to use that word a lot more - has a nice ring to it, not to mention that it does remind me of Eldar and his black leather jacket, serious gaze when he wasn't amused and with his accent from the north.  He used to say he had many names and that one day I'd also have many of them.

I don't think much of him anymore but I guess that's the way things are, master teaches student, master leaves, student goes back to serving and singing, student forgets his master, student gets called by a misty dragon to save the world against General Bloodstone, student has to fend for himself while avoiding showers of arrows, student gets trampled upon, student dresses up as a woman, student snaps, student gets unsnapped, student goes twitchy, student starts snapping again.

Same old story, with only varying amounts of commas.

Yup, that's reminiscing, something I don't usually do but I guess I can spare some time now that I'm writing this in my own room!  Two of the chests are full with my junk and I can't wait to start accumulating more trash - wait, I should bring some of the stuff that's in Oxfordian III's pack here.

So here I am, in my room again, where last night's events started...  No, not really, they started in Hlint but passed through here.

I packed up my gear from near the temple and stole away before Calise missed me - after pestering her for so long, I think she would actually miss me.  But, as I was passing by the Great Tree, I saw Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) curled up in a ball.  I tried to talk to her but had no initial success...  Suddenly, Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) comes up and throws a waterskin of water on her and leaves...  What?

You know, I'm not gonna describe everything I remember, I'll just cut through the next half hour or so...

I sat with Rhynn where she went a poured out despair, solitude and fear.  She was sure that everyone would abandon her, she was sure she'd be left alone and had to fend for herself and upset with all the lies she had heard.   She was in tears but tried to hide it under her hood and explained her wet face on Annalee's waterskin prank (?) - I played along of course, I pry into other's lives but I won't dig into it if one doesn't want it.

I told her I wouldn't leave, that I wouldn't abandon her but this got her upset - and she was right, I could be lying to her.  So I told her the truth - I don't know about the future, but right now, I won't leave her.  She managed a slight smile and then dawn broke in my mind.

It was this...  I know little of the other "riders" but what I know of Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace), Annalee and Rhynn - they are all sliding down a hill into a swamp of gods-knows-what-but-it-is-foul and I'm tagging along on my volition.

Addison has always been compulsive - which I always found attractive - but trying to throw me in the trash for another's problem is not like her.  Rhynn told me that Addison was going to try to challenge that Koralawyn person, even if it meant death to Ireth (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ireth%20Telrunya)'s daughter - she may be quick to battle, but that's just stupid impulsiveness!

Annalee has faded into someone sad and far away, so far that she told me she had lost her song.  I dearly miss her, it's painful to see her like that, not a smile, not a twinkle in her eyes, only a void of apathy.  It's so very painful I shamefuly find myself avoiding her.

Rhynn is languishing with problems that are way beyond her - she worries about things small and large, worries about simple and complex.  I have noted she's been having terrible mood swings, one second she's curled in a ball silently sobbing and the next she's skipping and laughing.

All their current states are dangerous to them selves but little do they know how much I suffer to see each of them like this.  I hide my feelings with certain ease - all I have to do is remember Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win) and my suffering for them are numbed.  I wonder what will happen when remembering her ceases to stab me back - I only hope it'll lessen after the girls are in better shape.

So then...  Rhynn curled up in a ball...

I haven't found a foothold in Annalee to help her take her mind off of things for a little while but since Rhynn has a huge fondness of me, I convinced her to go for a little trip of exploration but first... A stop here, at the Leilon Arms.  I unloaded my extra gear into my chests and fixed things up while Rhynn explored the Inn.

We left for Rilara, to explore it's regions trying to make it to Karthy (which we failed, mostly because I'm very bad with my compass).  We saw a lot of Wolfswood, giants and rangers but didn't pick any fights (thankfully).

When we passed Farmer Part's place and she told me she thought she remembered the Thalos River and when we ventured beyond Greywatch Tower she told me that she knew where she was now.  When we passed by the bridge near Farmer Part's she pointed to the distant lands and said she remembered the river because she used to sail it's waters.  Outside, all I did was smile.  Inside, I felt strange - so strange that I have no word for it, except maybe SKEJASLARTE (I just made that up, I'll give it meaning later).

We returned to Mistone safe and sound, I stayed here in Leilon while she left for Hlint

I should end this entry now, especially considering how tired I am, but I need to put another two words down...

Confused
Skejaslarte

Title: Journal Entry: Haven Mine Expedition
Post by: SuperMunch on April 24, 2006, 09:26:18 AM

It has been said that the most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the mind to correlate all its contents.  That's what I think and that's how I live.

I'm blissfully ignorant of many things that are happening in the world but I know that dark tides are brewing and when they manifest themselves before me, I quickly shun them to a dark recess.  At least that's what I think I do.

I shall relate the expedition that took us to the purging of the disturbance in the Haven Mines and it's possible origin, but the next step is not yet known.

A hearty group gathered before the mines:
- Brisbane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Brisbane)
- Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) (looked tired and beaten, later I found out why)
- Geir (http://nwn.layonara.com/Geir%20Sigurdson) (a bard that I had never met before)
- Sabrissia (http://nwn.layonara.com/Sabrissia%20Ice) (I've still got to get used to her new "fully clothed" look)
- Key (http://nwn.layonara.com/Keille'leugh) (she tried to eat the illithid, heh)
- Jin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jin%20Lun%20Lee)
- Dervish (http://nwn.layonara.com/Dervish%20the%20Eye) (looting faster than I could)
- Voon (http://nwn.layonara.com/Voon%20%20Loom%20.)
- Karana (http://nwn.layonara.com/Karana%20Elksoul) (part of the group that discovered the disturbance)
- Vell (http://nwn.layonara.com/Vellucia%20Kasha) (depressing person, and part of the group that discovered the disturbance)
- Xan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Xandrian%20Mor)
- Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) (pretty as ever)
- Dulan (http://nwn.layonara.com/Dulan) (our spokesman and a part of the group that discovered the disturbance), at least I think his name is Dulan.
- Me.

The following were also part of the group but I don't think I caught their names.
- Big cleric woman (http://nwn.layonara.com/Dal'Venus%20%20Suranen)
- Elven cleric (http://nwn.layonara.com/Sh'anda%20Discore) (part of the group that discovered the disturbance)

After assembling, Kit told us to report to Lord Rodor for a briefing.

We chatted a little on the way to his office and when we arrived he was talking to Saviar Morgensen who was leveling threats at him ("I'll send my own men down there and you don't want that" and something about Lord Rodor knowing the man's position).

We were informed that we had to clear the mines of the squidmen (illithid, mind flayers, a bad thing to eat even with lots of lemon as Key found out) and find their origin.  Our reward was to be five hundred gold, Dervish got all happy because of the mention of gold and Brisbane exchanged it for a tree to be planted in the courtyard.  Meanwhile, that annoying Vell woman kept trying to put us down with mentions of all of us getting killed and such - such a depressing person.

I found out, during the briefing, that these were not the Alhoon illithid, they were in a small group, mostly assault ones - not the most deadly kind, dog-like attack creatures and umber hulks.  The ogres themselves were being controlled by the illithid but were no part in the scheming.  It was also conjectured that the Umber Hulks might have burrowed the way from the Underdark into the mines.

Anyway, the mines needed to be cleared, and we were there for that.

After much talking we discussed each's role and prepared for our descent.  The tougher ones of us took the front and the rest prepared our volleys of arrows and bolts.  In a group with so many clerics, I stuck to protection spells and buffing the front lines.

The descent wasn't much of a problem, Cole, Brisbane and a few others made short work out of the stubborn ogres, the umber hulks and dog creatures were handled in the same way but with considerably more work (we even lost Dulan during an assault, fortunately Jin revived him).  After bursting through a large group of Umber Hulks and a few more of those dog creatures we reached the lair of the ogres.

The chief, by some unknown hand (later I discovered it was an invisible Brisbane in her bear form), was dragged the chief to our party where he was interrogated about the illithid presence in the mines.

What I managed to gather from his interrogation:
- They came in from "the big entrance" (might be the entrance to the mines or it might be that they tunneled in from above or side tunnels, who knows)
- The illithid had sent an ambassador to the ogres
- They took the iron, coal and gems to make the dog creatures
- They hauled most of the iron and coal away
- The leader of the illithid was a "big brainy guy", but he hadn't come to the mines
- The ogre chief does not understand commerce, so establishing a working relation between the ogres and the Haven Castle to explore iron mining is out of the question.  Poor ogres, getting slaughtered like that so the craftsman can extract raw ore - how I wish I could educat them so that they'd better exploit their position of dominance in the raw iron market without needless bloodshed.
- There were more squibbles in one of the corners of the lair.

Yes, that came as a surprise.

We rushed in there, not really organized and we met pleanty of resistence from a number of the dog creatures, umber hulks and ... a full illithid (at least I think it was a full illithid)!  Battle was intense and many of us were seriously injured but the guards all fell and the illithid "constructor" was left.

Key interrogated him in a very delicate manner (that ended with it's accidental decapitation) but all we got out of the mind flayer was the image, planted in our heads, of a town in flames and on top of the town was a sword.

We explored the lab, I tried to pick up a few things but being as strong as an orc is smart (not very) I gave up but Cole picked up some machine that was surrounded by several incomplete dogs and umber hulks and hauled it back to Lord Rodor.

Ascent was easier than expected, I think the ogres were actually gracious for our ridding them of the infestation - they're smart enought to be gracious, but not smart enough to strike a lucrative mining deal - payment could even be made in cows or any other beasts that they might wish, strange how their brains work.

On returing to Lord Rodor, Dulan served as our spokesman (might as well let him take some of the glory, he was well prepared and he did "discover" the invasion).  We transmited the information above to Lord Rodor (I tried to keep quiet and let Dulan talk) and we were graciously rewarded.

In the end, the sword over the town was tought to be either:
- A symbolic representation of the illithid's desire to attack a town
- Port Hampshire or Lorindar - they have some sort of sword statues
- Hurm - home of the Seven Swords guild that buys a lot of iron from Haven
- Some protected city (like Haven)

Many other speculations were thrown but these were the ones that seem the most reasonable to me and I am known to be wrong.

Anyway, we departed after splitting the gold I managed to gather from the mines and I'm sure Dervish picked up a lot of gold on his own.

Rhynn was upset near the end of the whole shebang, her mood swings seem to kick in when heavier problems arise.

Title: Journal Entry: Revelations
Post by: SuperMunch on April 25, 2006, 08:03:18 AM

So much to write, let me see how I can group all recent happenings...

Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace)
Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel)
Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win)
Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge)
All the rest.

Let me reorganize that:
Ranewin
Acacea
Addison
All the rest
Rhynn

There...   Don't know why that order, but I might as well write this entry in that order.

Ranewin

I met her while I was digging for clay - to make myself arrows, I didn't do that bad considering how my mind was focused on meeting her, the word "awkward" was just scratching the surface of what I felt.

I had a lot to tell her...  no...  that's not true...  I had very little to tell her, I never thought a letter could give me so much closure but it did.  Add to that my keen ability to stay distracted, I found myself over her - I miss her but I no longer hurt the way I did.

I hope I really have moved on.  I'll only know when I see her and Trysk (despite never meeting him before) together.

Acacea

At the Leilon Arms I heard the tale of a noble group's adventure to bring down Eon told by Master Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley) and it tore at my heart to hear the tale.  It's hard to describe why I was so hurt when I first heard the tale - the ending of the tale was the clearing of the path to the destruction of Eon but the path was marred by missplaced trust, a risky maneuver and even a hint of betrayal.

It seems that the downfall of Eon might bring about evil in the future - an evil that might be a part of my generation's bane since the Blood war seems to be coming to a close (with the defeat of Bloodstone's generals).

I saw Acacea listening to Master Plenarius' tale with the attention of a monk and I also noticed how she avoided Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) (and Cole avoided her).  I noticed how quiet she was, as if something drained all the joy from her "right sized" frame...

You know, that's why the tale struck me so deep.  Acacea's reaction to it.  If the events surrounding the elimination of Eon's phylactery managed to drain her infinite lake of mirth, there must have been terrible things surrounding it.

After the group seperated she came to the bar where I retreated to after the shock and told me her account - it wasn't at all different but gave greater depth to the matter.

It seems that the rush to get things off to find the phylactery led the party to the very unwise decision to accept help from a group of dark wizards - in the end the dark wizards kept their partial word, to empty the phylactery of Eon's soul, but have kept the vessel whole for their own use.

Acacea told me that this was going on while another feasible plan was being worked out that did not envolve any party except the world's current heroes.  She was upset that the mob, as she called it and I've since adopted, stupidly chose a risky course because of haste and a few words given by trusted members of the party.

I was happy to know that the Priestess of Ilsare Reventage (http://nwn.layonara.com/Reventage%20D'vinn) (that I met once, long ago) stood with the reasoning that it was better to seek out an independent solution without help from the dark wizards.  It might seem silly, but it's good to know that my own choice would have been a reflection of the choice of one of the high priestesses for the Lady of Dreams.

It was a depressing night.  Acacea only made it worse but her keen observation of the matter made sense of the gloom that settled over the patrons and myself.  Mind you, she made it worse but a good shot of reality is always better than a lifetime of fantasy.  Anyway, I am once again in her debt for teaching me much of things that I ignore and gloss over.

Addison

She's mad, MAD I tell you!  But, she is a lot prettier now.  Maybe she's become passable as woman in her appearance and her ways.  She removed the green dye from her hair, changed her manner of dressing and seeing her around Cole changed the image I had of her.

Cole is doing her a wonder of good and I think that's fantastic.

Except when she's nuts.

So, she was there at the Leilon Arms next to Cole, I kept hearing them whispering of sweetly to each other and my first reaction was to empty my stomach somewhere - imagine that, the two hardest fighters I know talking amenities in a public arena.  Yuck... but that's when I noticed Addison's change, it was like looking a picture for years and not seeing what it represents but then, suddenly, noticing that it's a picture of a vase with flowers.

I liked it.

A shame it didn't last long.

I was walking through Hlint when she grabbed me and told me I was going to the Haven Mines with her, lucky for me I had been withness to the cleaning out of the illithid threat.  It was a fun descent with Riley (http://nwn.layonara.com/Riley%20Alexander) and Angela (http://nwn.layonara.com/Angela%20Greystone) (not THE Angela, an Angela) - since we were in a small group, it was a very lucrative descent and she was back to the gal I know.

I thought my fun with Addison was over until, as I stepped out of the bank in Hlint, she dragged me off to fight some Gloom character.

lots of scribbling, words like "crazy freak", "wacko", "less coffee", "smite her" can be seen

To make a long story short, she chased me around when I went invisible with that gnomish lens of hers but I did manage to run away from her into the crypts (then she gave up and left me alone).

I also saw she bought a horse.  Feh.  Now she'll be able to trample me when she's up for some "entertainment".

There's more to be said about her, but I'll stick with this - I have a lot to write about.

All The Rest

I met the Angela (http://nwn.layonara.com/Angela%20Swann), she might be insane but she sure passed herself off as a predator.  Asked me to turn around for her and she was licking and kissing everyone around.  Kinda strange, in a good way.

Brisbane (http://nwn.layonara.com/Brisbane) has a sense of humor, who would have guessed a druid with a sense of humor.  "All the good ones do" is what she replied and she's probably right.  After receiving our reward from Lord Rodor, I was outside splitting the gold I picked up and along comes Brisbane with a cow on her heel, she makes the cow walk up to me and "lick his head".  I was too distracted counting coins to notice the slobber but the folks around me did step away.  I guess that's why one of them make a yuck-face when I handed them their money.

That Vell (http://nwn.layonara.com/Vellucia%20Kasha) character really depressed me but good thing she's nice to look at.

Rhynn

Last but first.

Oh my.

Where to start?

No, really, where to start?  I've been spending a lot of time with her and it's been a well invested time.

We adventured into the Haven Mines together - she was upset down there and when we returned, but it was nice to see her blasting away with her magic, it's exciting to see her in action.  She got injured with most of us during the final confrontation with the illithid but she made it out in one pretty piece.

Later that day, when she arrived back from a trip to Dregar with Ash and company for some giant bashing, she stayed at the Leilon Arms Inn to hear part of Master Plenarius' tale of the fall of Eon.  She had missed the first part but I think she caught on listening to what Acacea told me and the tiny bit I told her.

As we were closing up the Arms, Rhynn was beyond cute helping Jharl, Acacea and I out in cleaning up - so much so that Jharl and I talked about suggesting her name to Kali as a new employee.  I'm not an unbiased party in suggesting her and felt I had to tell Kali that.  As we left the Arms Inn to find something to do, I suggested Rhynn take me to her home and her face lit up like a clear spring morning after a night of swift rain.  I don't know why I proposed such a trip, it felt the right thing to do, I guess...  Well, that was that and we were off to her home in Rilara.

Seeing her in her home was different - she took great pride in the surrounding area and in knowing her way around but she was defensive in the begining - especially when her sibblings showed up.  I laughed to myself when her sisters thought I was her husband and she tried to explain that we weren't married ("yet" I swear she said that once) but I kept mostly quiet around them because I saw how delicate her relation to her family was and I didn't want to ruin it with some measured words.  Her brothers were a different story, we spent time fishing (which I do a lot these days) and I taught them a song or two, mostly the funny ones - they took to it better than the ones about the strife that covers the world.  I found out very little of her past but then again, I rarely pry into such matters.  As a side comment, she kept her family's beauty mostly to herself - lucky me.

I could have stayed there forever if there wasn't a need for another bard in the world.  Wait, what am I talking about, the world doesn't need another bard...

Anyway, she took me sailing - it was nice to be in her steady and able hands, a change from my taking care of her.  I felt whole again for some reason - it might be from looking into her face while she maneuvered the boat (while I held the anchor down in the water), despite her hard work in handling it, she was still smiling.  Yeah, I'm a bad person, but I'm a bad person for the right reasons - at least that's what I try to convince myself.

Again, as I pry little into such matters, nothing was spoken of Saebhel.  I hope she manages to surpass her hatred, or whatever feeling it is, for him.  She seems the happiest when she's thinking of now and the future, not of events before the dragon summoned her.

We returned, much to my chagrin, and we've been even closer since then.  I don't know what happened but when I finally talked to Ranewin again and felt that I had nothing there to hurt, I longed to be with Rhynn.  Strange, this thing called...

We've been around a little, but I don't feel she's ready to go out exploring with just me, I appreciate her tutor - Mith, a pretty mean fellow but seems nice enough and he does take care of her, when she doesn't err.  It must be terrible to become a mage, the training is brutal because of the power they wield - so much so that the master must teach the pupil that failure and error are not acceptable options.  I believe Mith teaches Rhynn that, he even let her mind be garbled by Chanda (http://nwn.layonara.com/Chanda) - it might seem cruel, but it taught Rhynn to not trust Chanda and other followers of Corath - a lesson I'm sure she'll never forget.  If I was a wizard, I'd be dead in two shakes of a stick, being as lazy and resistant to lessons of good practice as I typically am.

Oh, a funny story...  Well, not really funny, but amusing at least.  I had ordered a ring from Ireth (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ireth%20Telrunya) but I had forgotten I had done so and I ended up buying the same ring type from Kat (http://nwn.layonara.com/Katrien%20Hommel), I also had a ring I bought LONG ago.  That left me with three rings and only two fingers so I did the next best thing, I made a present of the extra ring it to Rhynn.

I felt a little stupid for giving her "leftovers" but I reasoned that she might be able use the help the little help the ring gives, not to mention that I did give her the ring I had since I had first learned to wield the rapier with more agility so it wasn't the newest ring, it was the one I had on the longest.  I'm trying to justify a silly gift, but it is a part of me and I told her such - I might be her strength when we're together but that ring will give her a little boost when I'm not.  I even engraved it with "FRELDO" the other day but I think I ended up writing "FRELOO" insted (hard to make the curve for the D so I squared it off).

About her garbled memories, I had a lot of fun with her - many things went through my head as I talked to her, trying to bring her mind in order.  I though she had been struck on the head or her memories wiped from her by that Koralarwyn person so I took it easy - I asked her about things she remembered and heard and she told me of her old Master Saebhel turining into a dragon and I remembered she had told me that Mith could do that, then I started exploring her relation to Mith until she snapped back, good as new, with memories of Chanda's taunting.

I did learn one terrible thing about Rhynn's past - she was beaten by Saebhel, almost for his own perverted pleasure.  My heart skipped a beat and I felt her, as if I understood some of the origin of her cute and not-so-cute quirks.  I want to tell her what I feel so much but I don't want to hurt her, I'm not a virtuous man and I'll never become one, she needs a man to undo the perversion done upon her and I'm not sure I'm the right one for it.

I'll be with her, caring for her, loving her in the way she needs it.

Oh my.

I love her.

...smeared ink from the journal being hastily shut...

Quote

I did not reread this entry because I'm a day late in posting it, it should be funny to read how my mood swung from when I started writing it to how I ended it.

Title: Some fragments on a loose paper in his journal
Post by: SuperMunch on April 26, 2006, 12:48:39 PM

...On a loose piece of paper in his journal...

I spend my days talking with you,
Yet I wish the days were longer so we'd have more time.
...
I tell you a great many things,
Yet the one I most want you to know, I cannot utter.
...
How I wish I could tell you, but in you things are already a chaos.
...
I want you well, even if, in the end, you might turn away from me as if we never were.
...
I'll go with you not for your sake, but for my own need to be with you.
...
We've yet to share a moment but I know it's fire will consume me.  The flames rage within me and words are violence against my silent desire.
...
Your spell enchants me beyond any and all magic that can be spun from the weave, ask me and I'll do it.  Whisper it to me, and it'll be your willing servant.
...
To whisper into your ear a word or four, might unlock in us a place where we might not wish to go for you are of the weave and I'm of the air.  It might not be wise to tamper with such powers.

Yet love rarely attracts wisdom.

Title: Journal Entry: Oh no...
Post by: SuperMunch on April 27, 2006, 05:56:29 AM

Now I've done it.

I've taken a course that I had thought didn't exist and now I'm commited to it, in my own way.

Right about here, I should make a joke, as I usually do, but... well... let me try...

I'm doomed.  Completely.  Half of the women I play around with will want to kill me (or her).  After so much playing around I'll be sure to get a good crushing after, what will probably be called, taunting them and teasing them.

I can see it now...  Gingerly walking through the wood and bam, back at the Temple of Ilsare with a Bard-Killing arrow stuck in my back.  I can also see a Staff of Turquoise Bard Killing turning the corner, right before I pop up under Calise's frown for another stupid "accident".  When news of this spreads, I'm sure the forges will glow blue in heat while mighty weapons of Frilly Smiting are churned out by the dozen and unleashed upon the general populace.

I'd better start donating to the temple again, Calise will, once again, grow tired of seeing me dropped there.

There, joke's over...

It started off innocently but it has now come to bear fruit.

Not a bitter fruit, not a violation of trust, but an impulse - savage and hot threw me to prepare a snare - sweet and stupid, gentle and simple - to steal her kiss, the next was given, but the first... aye, the first, tenderly usurped.

It's as if a whisper - a hushed suggestion blown in upon a cool autumn breeze - unlatched my manacles and cut me loose from restraints of reason, respect and responsability.  For an instant, I was unbound and free... and I tenderly cheated a kiss.

We stood stupid, of course, she didn't expect it and neither did I - it happened and we stood like slow-witted children while the world spun around us, or around me at least.  It was appropriate, kind and warm - as things like this should be.

"Strange, to give rather than to receive, to take rather than to ask." was what I thought as she gathered herself in her lovely black dress.

All fantasy aside, I still do not know what is happening.

Customs have taught me to not play others, I have danced around the fire to avoid plunging into it but what I've done is to step into it with very little regard for myself or for her - I'm a dim, vagabond bard (with a room) and she's a slightly naive caster of the weave.  Together, even in our most earnest desires, we're no more than the equivalent of a pile of uncooked beans - we'll be able to feed a few ogres if well cooked - but not much else.

Another point, I fear I'll just grow tired of her quicker, now that it has been fulfilled, and move on.  It's an uncanny thought but one I must ponder upon for I know myself - if any of the few that I sight were to give me a subtle movement, I might plunge and it's a good thing they don't.  I care for her deeply and completely but I don't know if a wanderer is what she wants.

Yet another point - it has been ages since I've been out to stretch myself thin.  I adore being with her, but I miss the call of ringing blades and the rush of blood before the charge.  I want to take her along, but I can barely defend myself - I know she can take care of her self and she can do what she wants - but I see her as a gentle maiden and treat her as such.  That's why I think her choice of necromancy and being accepted as a master's pupil is good - then, at least, I'll be able to treat her with the highest regard (as one must).

The wild calls but she does also - one seduced me, the other is seducing me, which is the greater?

Now I'm in need of a good fight, or do I need to hold her tight?

Tough choices...  I'll have to deal with this soon.

Quote

/*
I need to level to get See Invisibility ASAP...  There are a lot of curious folks hounding Freldo.  :D
*/

Title: Journal Entry: On the shores of the Lake of Tarn
Post by: SuperMunch on May 02, 2006, 06:53:01 AM

There we were...

After a great ritual of binding - that, in the end, was useless - descending into Pandemonium, exploring a netherworldly city, stopping at a tavern in that city, entering an insane asylum, hunting down Koralawyn and trapping her, bringing Aranna (Ireth (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ireth%20Telrunya)'s daughter) back to Layonara and restoring some strange balance to the planes.

But what mattered is that we kissed on the shores of the Lake of Tarn in Celestia.

Come to think of it, it was a very long, hard and heartbreaking journey where many fell, myself included (twice).  Despite the group's size, a great many foes inflicted a great many wounds upon the mightiest of warriors, the wisest of clerics and most powerful of mages - even Master Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) himself was hard pressed to keep us all alive and well.

Yet, despite strife and toil, in the end, we kissed upon the shores of Lake of Tarn in Celestia.

No slaadi attacked us - and I even met a few wonderful and nice frog men - one was Slorg, now a resident of Celestia (Ilsare bless him) and the bartender Buggup of the tavern in that city in Pandemonium.  However, the journey wasn't without it's share of fiends, the infamous animated chests, that Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) was taking me to see so long ago, petitioners of pandemonium, insane patients of the assylum, strange floating skulls and beings that could crush your soul just by looking at you - I fell to two of these.  Not to speak of Koralawyn's killing of Remiel (so I heard, I was dead at the time).  She fell only once, at my side, as we watched Koralawyn taunt us holding the amulet that was to bind her, she fell moments before I did and my will was gone in that instant.

Despite the bloodshed, in the end we kissed upon the shores of Lake of Tarn in Celestia.

When we returned, Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace) was back to normal, as was Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) - I've yet to see them after we returned but their spirits seem so might lighter that I end up grinning stupidly when I recall them.  Oh, how happy I was to see Addison's bright face when we returned to Layonara, not the face of a woman obsessed with blood, drink and lust (not that I really mind the last part), but that of the feminine warrior that managed to touch Cole's heart.  Annalee is spending a lot of time with Mith (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mith), who's also back to normal, but she seemed pretty happy.  Mith is Mith again and on the hard road back to regaining his fame as a grumpy wizard - we're going to help him out of course.

For us, the best thing was that we kissed upon the shores of Lake of Tarn in Celestia.

We did as we planned, both of us stayed away from the focus of battle - I ran around healing the wounded and casting protection from evil spells, while she offered magical support and a volley of bolts from her light crossbow.  We tried hard to not burden the heroes and I think we did a good job despite being little more than fleas in a party of that power.  When despair hit her after Mith was killed in the Sanitarium's Catacombs, I told her what I've been wanting to tell her for a long time, to help her regain her focus - I told her I loved her.  Amoung the insane figures of planes beyond our understanding, on the cold floor of stone hewn from the netherworld, under lights that shined with sources alien even to scholars, I gave her my heart with three simple words.

And when it ended, we kissed upon the shores of Lake of Tarn in Celestia.

I would say that I don't care for the things mighty and small that passed on our path but I feel their importance and understand, even in small glimpses, what happened.  However, in my selfishness, I know that the greatest thing that has ever happened started on a filthy floor of a forsaken plane and was sealed on the shores of a holy lake in the plane of the lady of dreams.

We kissed upon the shores of Lake of Tarn in Celestia.

Under Ilsare's eyes.

Title: Letter Home: Good news everyone!
Post by: SuperMunch on May 02, 2006, 07:44:34 AM

Good news everyone!

Actually, it's good newses (plural).

I don't write home much mostly beause I now live close to home and I steal away in the middle of the night to steal some of mother's cookies and leave cryptic little pieces of paper just to mess around with everybody.  That and the fact that I regularly visit.

First of all, I've finally reached an agreement with The Weave as to which spells I want!  Now, when I'm home again, I'll be able to make stuff invisible and find it later - so that invisible chair that has been haunting the common room will now be found and placed in a decent spot... for folks to trip on.

Second, I've taken mother's recomendation and I've decided to learn how to cook.  Well, not really cook well but at least well enough to not shame myself when I have to water down the wine for the paladins - remeber that time I added distilled clear spirits to the wine and drove those Toranite Paladins into a blood frezny?  Yes, good thing they were too drunk to remember it.

Next, I now have a nice suit of armor, a nice iron chain shirt, just like the one I used to wear long ago and a nice big shield to go with it.  I'm actually something to be seen, a bard with a taste for hand to hand conflict.  I'm still not a great, good or even standard warrior, but I can pull my own weight in melee - I can prepare myself with a few spells, use a few items that I have to boost my abilities, sing and plunge into battle.  With two standard warriors at my side, I can actually take on an assault on ogres!  I'm still a coward when rushing into an army of poisonous creatures but I'm close to passing over that hump.

Finally, things are looking better after that gal I wrote about so long ago got her fiancee back.  It's strange how much I suffered when news of his return came over me but now I'm fine.  Time healed that wound.

That's about it for now!

With love,
Freldo.

PS. Postmaster Vale promised he'd stop eating the cookies mother sends me.
PPS. Please do not take heed to the tales that have been circulating about me.
PPPS. Except for the one involving a girl called Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel).
PPPPS. And the ones involving my trips to other planes, those are probably true.
PPPPPS. As an afterthought, let me tell you all about Rhynn...

We met a long time ago, a little before she got thrown into the pond in Hlint for developing a crush for a certain archbard that I'm sure you've all heard of before.

I tried to ignore her but seeing that she was defenseless and frail - at least I think so - I couldn't help but hang about her like a fly to a wad of sticky but sweet smelling paper.  It's a terrible analogy but it was a truthful one.

Anyway, our friendship bloomed and when the bottom fell out from my love of the elven lady I wrote to father about (he'll tell you all the whole story another time), I clung to her even more - out of friendship at first.  In a letter she told me of her feelings for me and there we started spending more time with each other - and still, I kept her close to avoid harm to her.

Time passed, wounds that were to have healed and faded were cauterized and in me a storm began to brew.  I knew I would never be the same after my love for the elven maiden and new surge grew in me, one that brought the desire of glory, seared in when Rhynn came along.

So my need to care for her has changed, I am with her because I want to be with her - I know she's strong enough on her own but we're working on how to best combine our skills.  Together we're a formidable pair in abilities and with the ringing of steel, the smell of blood and the scorching of my rapier's it brings out my savage side - which she seems to like, so I make no great effort to hide.  Bloodlust, I understand it now - savage and nearly uncontrollable.

However, together we're almost sickening as a couple.  That much I must admit, the amount of gagging and dry heaves I see when we're together is more than enought to prove how much we're a nice couple.

She had declared her love of me a long while ago, but I only did so on a slight detour we took that lead us into the bowels of Pandemonium - not the tavern in Hurm, the PLANE of Pandemonium.  We've been together for quite a while and things look good for us, I'm sure I'll take her home any day now to visit and steal some of mother's cookies, that will probably never make it out the door, as they never seem to do.

One might say I love her completely, of what I know about her past, she's quite a person for having grown way beyond what her family desired.  Out of her family of zealots and priests, she's the only crafter of the arcane which makes me all the happier to be able to swap scrolls and spells with her.

All I want to know is what she means when she calls me a fiend, maybe mother can explain it to me.

Title: OOC: State of mind and directions
Post by: SuperMunch on May 02, 2006, 10:26:46 AM

/* [SIZE=+1]This is all out of character[/SIZE]  Two months after the first post, here's Freldo's current state of mind...  His State of Mind: That is, what he's feeling...  Ranewin leaving him marked him, he was going to go bipolar but instead, with Rhynn picking him up, he has taken his bipolar "need of pain" and transformed it into lust for blood.  Now he buffs up and charges into the thick of it if he has any chance of helping out and stays back and supports whenever he can (because he's not stupid).  His support style is based on Acacea's way of participating - running around healing folks invisibly and cursing or singing the fighters.  He's only been whacked twice doing this - once in the middle of a meteor swarm and the other by those killer vines - so I think I'm gonna stick with it when he's not actually in the middle of the fight.  On party interaction, he's starting to be more aggresive in groups and parties, usually taunting the slowpokes, the mages that fire off magic against dead foes (he is an arcane caster with lots of points in spellcrafting, so he _does_ know about magic) or the ones that talk a lot - he doesn't consider himself as a loudmouth but he will keep quiet for a few minutes if someone tells him to shut up.  He knows he's not useless in parties anymore so treat him well if you want to be healed first in battle (except if you're Grympint, he'll heal him first just to spite him).  The ones that mistreat him will also be healed, just not first.  Inter-characters, he's taken his slightly raised aggressivity into that as well and added a large heaping dose of flattery.  He's been taunting folks a lot more these days, especially the ones he doesn't know and the ones that offends him in a personal manner.  However, if you're a semi-attractive woman, he'll flatter you.  Heck, even if you're an ugly woman or a married one, he'll flatter you as well.  The usual stuff but, as Casanova, he's not intrested in taking advantage of them - it's all about the game, not the score.  His relationship with Rhynn depends on a great many things, most of which belong in the section below this one...  Personally, he's reached a new high - he's gained confidence and he's begining to feel that he might become something useful.  The time might come when folks will want him to come along, despite all the yapping and propositions to establish trading alliances with the ogres of the Haven Mines.  His Direction: That is, how he's played...  You guys are all fantastic!  I play almost exclusively off what you guys do and how you interact with Freldo - rarely do I introduce something in his interactions that wasn't presented and twisted by him.  I still intentionally keep him yapping, even in battle, and doing things the strangest ways I can just to make the characters react to him in some way - and it usually does.  Some examples of great reactions from you guys: - Kharl's reaction to his crossdressing was golden, and despite not talking to Freldo anymore (OOC knowledge, of course), Freldo still likes Kharl very much as it's not anybody that managed to knock him off his horse.  - Ozy's reactions to him are also great - whenever Freldo says something REALLY stupid it seems like the archbard is there to reply.  - Grympint.  Anytime the two interact I have a ball, be it Freldo throwing shiny coins to make Grympint go away or Grympint telling Rhynn he's been charming the boys.  About Freldo's relationship with Rhynn, it was against my wishes for Freldo but I had to cave in because it would have been pretty harsh on his part to just dump her after the Pandemonium Horses arc ended.  Yes, I was going to have Freldo dump her, but I reconsidered because it would have been a REALLY cruel thing for him to do after so much interaction - it wouldn't have been like him to seduce someone and dump them because he wanted to move on.  Still about Rhynn, in a player-to-player point of view, LynnJuniper and I have similar typing speeds so our interaction is pretty fluid, which makes the whole interaction between them so crisp, sappy and mushy.  As usual, I play by what I'm given and Lynn gives a lot to play off of so I have a great time and I'm always throwing in Freldo's not-so-bright side.  I try to keep their atmosphere as charged as possible because it's in his character to toy and tease her when they're alone but I will tone him down if it's requested and roll with it, who knows, it might even add darkers tone to him by repressing this angle.  Come to think of it, I should ask LynnJuniper if she minds it...  As things are going, I'm focusing on getting to level 11 to start strengthening him up and turning Freldo into a battle bard by level 12 (hopefully he'll get Still Spell as his feat), he'll still have 75-ish HP by then but with the +16 HP from the song, buffers, buffs and curse song, he won't be that bad at fighting (hopefully).  Well, as for other things, I've been trying, in vain, to reduce his journal entries but with his interaction Rhynn changed the focus of the entries, which is refreshing from my simple reading of events to looking at events through a different set of glasses.  That's about it for this month's state of union address!  Stay tuned for more... in a few weeks or months.  */

Title: Journal Entry: Darkness Receded
Post by: SuperMunch on May 04, 2006, 05:40:54 AM

We are born to die one day...

At least that's what most of us do.

The rub is to fill what's between those two dates with things that make each day worth it.  Some live it out to extremes: spitting in the face of death or challenging powers from beyond the circles.  Some live it in quiet contemplation by atoning with the world, living in harmony and correcting the wrongs done unto the world.

I live to live.  No moment is wasted, be it sitting on the bench in Hlint waiting for something to happen, cooking and crafting or lying down on the hills near Castle Blackford just talking of things small and smaller.  Every moment doesn't need to be lived as thought it was the last, an hour might be lived as a pause before the next or every second of an hour lived in it's fullest with all the senses tingling in a constant euphoric explosion wrapped in warmth, comfort and ease.

I know very little about what's out there, a stone's throw into the shade held back by the frail light of hope, but a touch and an embrace have given the frail light a new companion to stay the dark.  When I look back, there was no need for actions to frighten the blackness, for it was already there, but the bonds tied with deep crimson ribbons seared into me.

Fire and water, course and smooth, quiet and loud.  The song was danced to music unseen in time unknown on the stage.  No strangeness, no awkwardness.

Sights and sounds were fused into a rush of spinning lights and hums before a curtain of sleep fell...  When I awoke, the air still bore the slightest memory and the room was as it used to be, still.

To think that it begun with a drunken confession to foul lashes dealt in the past and promises of future we have no way to control.

Cuts and burns and scars deep into her very self, poison suffered yet guarded by defenses worthy of mighty fortresses but unlocked by the humble key of kindness.  These lashes, seen and unseen, are deep and uncureable by my hands - maybe vendetta, maybe reflection, maybe time or even maybe myself can cure them of it's sting.

I know more than I cared to know and I know my time will come to stand by her, the one who stole from me the sweetest of deaths.

Title: Journal Entry: Pies, Ice Cream, Dessert and Stick!
Post by: SuperMunch on May 08, 2006, 09:12:14 AM

It was another opening of the Leilon Arms Inn and I was late, as usual.

It was Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge)'s birthday (or something, I'm willing to bet that she tells everybody every day is her birthday), and all the other halflings were also honored guests so we had the presence of Jay (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jay%20Peacemeadow), BB (http://nwn.layonara.com/Bandikoot%20Baittoes) and Triba (http://nwn.layonara.com/Triba%20Gues).

A fine night with the feature drink being Firewood Lager (Jharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jharl) must have had a lot of ingredients to spare), served by an enigmatic elven woman, Shielle (http://nwn.layonara.com/Shielle%20Eventide).  She said she was helping serve the drinks because of some kindness Kali (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kali) had shown her.  We talked a little, she told me that she was from Voltrex (http://nwn.layonara.com/Voltrex) and had something to seek here in the west - a fine woman, polite and well meaning despite being strict in her moral ways.

The evening pressed on in a whirlwind of events, Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace) and Treana (http://nwn.layonara.com/Treana%20Min%20E%27Zoenna) were talking about Treana's training while Addison tried to force me to buy a necklace.  Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman), who had left before Addison showed up, was dressed up in a white costume that I had never seen before...

Something struck me while he was out of his traditional "casual" armor...  Cole isn't a young man, in fact, he hasn't been a young man for a long time and I'm afraid his legend might be forgotten if something bad happens to him.  I remember him as the first veteran to lead me around (to Firesteep, no less and where I first set my eyes on Ranewin (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ran%C3%A9win)), I remember him taking me to Roldem to see it's devastation (which marked me more than I care to confess), leading me around Dregar to the desert and introducing me to so many other veterns.  I owe him so much that I know I cannot repay, not in this life or in the next few hundred.  I worry his thread grows thin, his ties to Layonara are stretched to within breaking yet I know little, far to little to adequately recount his story and, as one that I greatly admire, I cannot let the story of such a kind and generous man be forgotten.

That was one thing on my mind, how much I need to learn more about Cole.

Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) was there, got her cards read by Kali (which moved her greatly) and was around for the best events of the evening.

First, Daeron (http://nwn.layonara.com/Daeron%20Stormcloud) bribed me into pouring a bottle of whiskey on two pies, one for Acacea and one for Triba.  I accepted his money, as part of it was to cover the price of the pies and whiskey and went ahead with his plan when Acacea slipped into the kitchen and caught me with the bottle in hand and the pie in the other.  I had to tell her the truth after a quick interrogation and we decided that we would pretend I poured the whiskey on the pies and she'll find a way to tell Triba of our ploy.  Unfortunately for Acacea, she couldn't keep the guise up for very long, the humor of the situation must have really gotten to her especially with Triba saying the pie tasted like an old boot.

Second, after nearly everybody left and I was cleaning up, Rhynn started chatting with Triba and Acacea.  Rhynn was typically reserved and didn't want to talk at first but with a little nudging and Acacea's curious nature she said a great many things - including a few things that I didn't know - like her real name, which is pretty funny but she'll kill me if I say it or even write it down.

Finally, Rhynn touched upon the point that I had greatly wanted her to speak of in front of Acacea - the Arcane Alliance.  I had suspected a great many things but I knew it was not my place to say things that might be considered poison to her ears - so I let ones that knew for certainty talk and they did their job true and struck, confirming my suspicions.  I might be willingly ignorant of a great many things but I do pick up on things and I'm glad that once again I was confirmed.  Point for me!

Anyway, Rhynn and I talked after both the little ladies went their own way and I told her of the basis of my suspicions, how I met some of the people involved, why I trust Acacea's word on such matters and of other things that I had caught wind of and seen.  In the end we departed in search for something to do when Addison and Cole showed up and invited us to the Barbarian Isles - for some "fun in the snow".

There we went, the two couples, for a double date in the freezing north - romantic if you're into that sort of thing.  Rhynn managed to stay out of trouble for the most part as we struck down the same caverns as when Cole led Ranewin and I so long ago.  The warg riders and kobolds were as tough as ever but Cole and Addison made very short work out of them - how they work well as a team, all they need is someone to cast a few wards and protection on them and they're ready for battle.

Again I return to Cole, after talking quickly to him at the Leilon Arms and feeling him thin, I ventured a few questions into his past and I learned a few little nuggets, he is an orphan with his bloodline coming from the isles, there is a mage fellow that calls himself Cole's cousin, the first time he ventured into the mines of the north were twelve years ago and that Addison fashioned her armor to resemble Cole's.

Speaking of Addison, she is buying a new house in Pranzis.  I have no idea why that's important but it is an intresting bit of information, maybe I'll actually start venturing into Dregar if I can find a way out of that continent and back to Mistone!

On our way out of one of the mines, Rhynn rushed up and was caught in the exchange of arrows and I went into panic - I fumbled with my potions and healing kits and spells in my panic and if it wasn't for Cole and Addison's clearer minds, I would have lost her.  It wouldn't be the last time she ventured too far into dangerous waters with dire (or nearly dire) consequences in the past few days.

At least getting back to Leilon was nice, very nice...  Oh, so very nice.  Warm, wine, wow!

Next up...  Dregar desert with Cole and Bjorn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Bjornigar%20Ironguts) (or "Fat Dwarf" as Cole affectionately called him) for some giant slaying with a sizeable party but with no supporting clerics.  Giants, giants, giants and giants!  Oh SO many giants.

A drake trapped Lam (http://nwn.layonara.com/Lam%27lothane%20Xu%27Linarch) and as I called out for help, I saw the drake kill him and to my horror, the Soul Mother showed up and took a bit of Lam's soul off with her.  To my continued horror, Cole was stunned the instant he attacked the drake and was being eaten alive by it before I could heal him back into fighting condition.  I was taken off guard, shocked and I almost panicked again - in less than two minutes.  But worse was yet to come.

Yes... worse...

Rhynn got caught in a fireball leaving the silver mines and was quickly killed.

Everytime she gets killed and I'm around, I try to pretend like it doesn't bother me, but it does.  I try to teach her restraint and caution in battle but it seems like she's very good at ignoring me.

We returned to Vale to where she was bound and led her back to the mine to recover her grave.

She was lucky and the Soul Mother spared her.

I was upset with her, even as we headed back to Leilon from Hurm.  She's not a stupid child with constant need for care but she does get herself envolved in stupid situations, ones that even I know how to avoid.

We talked a little and I gave her some of my scrolls before she went off for a well deserved rest.

I stayed up organizing the boxes of the Inn, adding to it the foodstuffs I managed to find in Dregar.  I find that I actually enjoy helping out at the Arms Inn, I used to see myself as a pensioner paying his stay with work but as time goes by, I'm feeling myself a part of the group.  Now that I've actually started to learn how to grind, press and cook - I'll be trying harder to be more useful.

So then there was Silool (http://nwn.layonara.com/Silool%20B%C3%A6rath), Addison and I mining topaz for Rhynn.  Rhynn was supposed to come with us and I was supposed to try out my new bow I bought from Jil (http://nwn.layonara.com/Jilseponie%20Valhaikor) (such a wonderful person, with a marvelous sense of humor).  Well, it was supposed to happen but I took up my rapier and shield and fought beside Addison in the mines with Silool healing us.  In total, we gathered 20-something crystals that Treana made into 35 bags of dust - a VERY lucrative trip especially for Rhynn.

The problem was that Rhynn wasn't with us.  Silool caught up with her in Port Hampshire while I was at the Rebuilding Hall...  I know of this because I left the hall invisible and saw them both talking about why Rhynn didn't go along (she felt she was abandoned when Addison rushed off) and about us (Rhynn and I) near the docks.  I let them talk but I felt something was wrong with Rhynn.

She has a funny way of hiding her true feelings - something that I only found out later when we returned to Hlint when she told me that she learned to repress her being upset.  It seems she got upset that I ran off with two women but only one of them I can actually call a woman, the other is temptation manifest - but that goes with being a priestess of Xeen.  What more, she was upset that Silool didn't call her when she was sitting with the chickens in Fort Velensk.

She knows what I feel for her and she knows that it's very hard for me to not look but I don't want her to feel disrespected so I told her to nudge me, kick me or do anything to me, when I'm being inconvenient.  I'd better get a Ring of Protection from Rhynn soon.

Well, back in Hlint I modified a nearly spent staff I picked up to go with my new turquoise coat and teal hood that I got.

Stick is nearly dead!  All hail Stick!

I think that's about it for today.

Cole, Addison and Rhynn are today's key words again.

Wait, there was Eighty-Six-Percent!  A fellow with a peg for a leg, a hook for a hand and a patch over one eye, 86% whole!

Title: Journal Entry: Odds and Ends
Post by: SuperMunch on May 10, 2006, 12:34:51 PM

Eon and Drezneb have been vanquished, at least that's what is being said.

Eon's death blow was struck by Lady Reventage (http://nwn.layonara.com/Reventage%20D%27vinn) and Drezneb was killed by Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) - Ilsare's High Priestess and my friend were both instruments in setting the stage of the final battle.  In a way, I feel lucky and honored to be a follower of the Lady of Dreams and one of Cole's bards.

There were, of course, a myriad of other heroes that participated in these two battles and I'll be sure to gather their names to make sure history doesn't ever forget them, be the future what it may.  Triba, Master Plenarius, Ozymandias, Connor, Jennara, Sin and Remiel were amoung them, I believe, but there are more names that must be remembered, even if I do not know their owners.

I am no historian nor am I a wise man but my part in the story might be that of just being one to remember the names of the mighty men and women that turned the evil tide, or - if hope flutters and dies as a candle left in the wind - the ones that stayed it long enough for the world to prepare for the fell winter under General Bloodstone's hand.

I desire no credit for memory, but I will do my best to keep their names alive.  Maybe those that come will be hear the name of Cole Norseman and smile as they remember the long dead tales of how he beheaded the greatest lich that ever was.

We are the dead walking, those that will walk Layonara in the future ages will not ever know my name nor that of all that now live but my hope will be that none shall forget those few that made a difference.  Be them those that triumphed and who's names were celebrated or those that failed only at the very end - for tyranny is never eternal and their most valiant efforts will be celebrated again, whenever the wheel brings an age of wisdom.

Imagine in a thousand years from now the names of those that I know or are my friends become words of quality, valor and dignity.

Time will tell and fate will govern the spinning dice of fortune.

---

Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) told us of the hunt for Drezneb and Eon's phylactery and their destruction - I knew some of it from rumours I've heard and of Cole's telling of it but with his telling I was able to paint a broader picture of the events that shook the world and broke open the doors for the final confrontation.

Many names were mentioned but I'm sure many more are also involved and I must get at least two more versions of the complete story before I feel confortable with my knowledge of the events that unfolded on the other side of the world not so long ago.

---

Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) has been swinging up and down lately and I know I had my part in it.

I have been treating her as a defenseless child and I confessed it to her, it seems everytime we venture out she gets seriously injured and I end up fumbling around not able to heal or help her.  The fumbling's cause is obvious - I fear to much for her and that's not good for either one of us.  I will allow her to enter harm's way and I'll keep the worries to myself.

On top of that comes her insistence on necromancy and how that's begining to effect others around her.  I don't really care where she decides to focus her skill of the weave but I know that the art of the dead is very badly seen.  She makes no real effort to justify her preference nor her reasons - which I kind of understand, but I'm not very confortable with - and that also doesn't make acceptance any easier on others.

Chance threw Acacea and Triba into our midsts to warn her of a bad decision she took and now can't get out of.  I consider leaving it to chance to warn her of how this silly plan of hers isn't necessarily the best because I don't want to impose my will on her.

I wish I could tell her to forget her plans but... well... maybe I should, tell her how much it saddens me to see her follow a path that typically leads to darkness but I fear the rage in her blood is stronger than our bonds of love.

Aye, the old dilema - others or self.  I chose the mix of both, I am myself until I feel others are bothered at which point I walk the line teasing the other side.  Most find the line tough to encounter and live their lives for others in selfless existence without personal pleasure or for themselves with no regards for others and their well being.  This is a lesson I cannot teach Rhynn and she must find it on her own but it aches deeply to see her talk of isolation.

I want her well and that means I want her whole - happy in arts, friends and love - it seems like she is neglecting one or two in favor of just one.

I must act on this matter soon before things progress beyond the point of return.

Title: Journal Entry: Annalee & Mith, Rhynn & I and Addison
Post by: SuperMunch on May 15, 2006, 06:53:29 AM

I write this as Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) sleeps peacefully.

Curled up in a little ball from a time that I wish she knew how to forget.
Facing the opposite wall, in full view is her fair yet deeply scarred back.
Snoozing softly and happily.
At least as she sleeps no demons torment her.
At least when she sleeps here, with me.
She'll awaken and I won't be here.
But I'll find her soon, I'll find her like I usually do,
And with that little absence I'll tell her once again how much I missed her.
How much I love her.

...

When I first heard that Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20McGregger) was to marry Mith (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mith) I was shocked but then again most of what Annalee does shocks me in one way or another.  I have my reservations with Mith, especially because his alliance still isn't clear to me, but ever since we returned from Pandemonium he has shown me very little of his grouchiness.  He has even gone as far as buffing me to help him dig sand and fight ogres in the Blood Desert!

Well, they were married in a lovely elven-ish ceremony on the bridge in the High Forest near Katia's temple.  I even heard Mith's true name - or so I think it is, and when he started speaking it I almost fell over in a fit of laughter - "Mith" is so elegant and powerful, "Whatever-it-is" wasn't so elegant but it did sounded elvishy.

So that was that, on the bridge Annalee was wed to a grumpy wizard.  Long shall their union persist.

And Rhynn sleeps peacefully...

Rhynn and I are the same as we ever were, which is perfect since it's always on shakey ground - I have to work to deserve her affection and she has to work to deserve mine...  Well, she really doesn't have to work to deserve mine.

Anyway, we were together at Annalee's wedding and she was as lovely as ever and for the first time... well... second really... I saw her cry tears of joy.  The ceremony was much more significant for her that it was for me - being a woman and being much closer to Annalee and Mith.

She glowed as she looked upon the couple, as though a little flame in her was being licked by tender winds.  I know her and I know myself enough to know that what we have is perfect for us, but in the shine of her eyes and the light of the exchange of everlasting love, she seemed to radiate light and I loved her even more.

But things took a strange spin when we arrived at the wedding reception at the Freelancer's tavern.

Suddenly, as Ash (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ash%20Willo) and I talked, Rhynn got up and left.  I followed her and saw her in a trance like state, as though charmed or being called someplace.  I tried in vain to stop her but she just kept walking to the place that we went to a long time ago, after a house of some sort, at least that's what she told me when I caught up to her.

Then, as she sat there waiting for the house to appear, I tricked her into following me - I told her she was at the wrong place and that I was going to take her to the right place.

She's asleep here, not more than a yard away, with an air of comfort and with sounds of rest but during our slow return to Point Harbor she was stiff and in turmoil.

Eventually we parted for Port Hampshire, leaving Rilara and Saebhel's grasp one more time.

I gave a very bad excuse as to why we weren't at the reception anymore because I didn't want to scare her at that moment.  Eventually, just before we came to bed, I told her the story, might as well let her know the truth of the whole thing  so she might stay away from the southern continent (for now at least).

Captain Garent decided to talk to me, at last, and comissioned me to retrieve the head of the lizardmen chieftain.  Kharl (http://nwn.layonara.com/Kharl%20%20Drake) was nearby, offered to help me out and accepted that Rhynn come along.  It was a tough fight as the world seemed to crawl slowly along during the battles and once I even managed to get so confused that I almost didn't make it to Kharl in time to heal him but we managed alright.  Before we left, however, we were assaulted by a pair of shadows that are haunting the land - Rhynn was seriously injured by them but Kharl managed to wrestle victory from the hands of defeat and we left before more of them could pop up.

So that was about it with Rhynn.

Sweet fair girl that sleeps in peace on the bed.

And Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace)...

Poor girl.

After plunging into the Bugbear cavern on Bear Island to retrieve feldspar and gold from the caverns near Point Harbor I told her she must be happy to getting her own house in Pranzis.  I told her it must be nice to have her own place for her and Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman) to settle down to raise "Addison Junior", I joked.  At that she stopped and started crying.

She said Cole has no intention of settling down and that he seems to want to part from the world - to die his final death and part from this world for good.  Addison was in raging tears as though she would never accept his parting, as though all the world would collapse when he passed on.

I hugged her and told her that if it matters at all, I'd be there for her if anything happened to Cole as a friend and companion.

I think I'll send Cole a bird asking him for a few minutes of his time in the next few days.

...

Sleep sweet fey,
I'll leave you now to rest without my quill's incessant scratching.
I'll cover you tightly before I leave to stay early morning's cool,
I'll see you soon my darling.
Sweet dreams, my darling.

Title: Journal Entry: Life on a thread
Post by: SuperMunch on May 22, 2006, 05:59:24 PM

Where to start?

Acacea (http://nwn.layonara.com/Acacea%20Thistletounge)'s tale, Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel)'s touch of depression, Addison (http://nwn.layonara.com/Addison%20Scarlace)'s depression and condition, Annalee (http://nwn.layonara.com/AnnaLee%20Ohtartel%27selu)'s condition and Cole (http://nwn.layonara.com/Cole%20Norseman)'s interview.

If I had enough time, each of these topics by themselves are worthy of a book but as it is, I'll only be writing a book on Cole and the girls will have to accept a journal entry with not-so-many facts but a lot of truths.

Facts are cold, hard and universal but the truth is filtered and individual.

I'll depart from telling the facts in this entry so that I can tell what I think, what I consider to be truths.

Acacea

Fact: She told us the tale of the Soul Mother's absence in the past few years.

Truth: It wasn't the story that moved me as much as her telling of it.  When she spoke, played and sang I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before about myself: I do not tell tales.  It's time I stopped just learning about these fantastic stories and started telling them.

I've heard Ozymandias (http://nwn.layonara.com/Ozymandias%20Llewellyn) and Acacea enough to learn how it's done, I guess I really should step up and try my hand at it.  The only problem is that most of my tales are second hand and, on top of that, I really don't have all that much to say.

What can I tell them of the events that are shaping the world?  I've been here and there, but nothing that I've been involved in has shaped the world - just the lives of a scant few.  I can retell the tales I've heard but I lack a part in them, I lack the affinity necessary to sell a story.

Folks today don't seem to be intrested in tales of old and of the deeds that are happening under their noses and that also poses a problem.  Despite the tales that Acacea and Master Plenarius (http://nwn.layonara.com/Plenarius%20Ashaley) had - of the Soul Mother and of Shadow and the Broken (Sundered) Forest, there was very little intrest in the new folks.

"Kids these days" - they say.

"Kids these days" - I say.

Rhynn

Fact: She's as pretty as always and is getting a lot better in her craft.

Truth: She has been pushing everybody away from her, even her friends, her tutor and myself.

When her mood swings low, she's close to unbearable - so foul that I find myself avoiding her again, to my own shame.

"Dump her," was what I heard.  "I can't, I still have faith in her" was my unspoken answer.  I have faith that she will come to understand that ravenously clininging to "her way of doing things" is not a way to live.  Others learn, in time, that compromise between what I want and what you want is a better way to go through life - that and lasting friendships, even with folks that you might not have that much in common with.

At the same time as she pushes others away by denouncing them for not sharing her view, she pays heed to words uttered to intentionally offend her.  A shady drow started calling her slave and she hung around to hear him out!  The paladin fellow that so sings her praise - that offend her for some reason - annoys her yet she stays in her place imagining he would stop!  I have given up on this part about her, I will not change her for myself - she will have to do it for her own sanity and sake.

However, I did force my will upon her when I told her to give up on sacrificing herself to save Cole and Mith (http://nwn.layonara.com/Mith).  She said she had promised this to Annalee but was regretting it.  I don't understand her in this - promises are made to be kept, hence I make no promises.

Earlier Rhynn was upset that Addison was going to track down the Soul Mother to get Cole back, if he was lost.  Others willing to die for the right thing is wrong but her sacrifice for all the wrong ones is right?  Forgive me Rhynn, but that makes no sense - they deserve to see their children but Rhynn has no business telling their wives what not to do.

Addison

Fact: She's a great fighter, she's pregnant and, for this and other reasons, will have a hard time if Cole ever dies for good.

Truth: She's cracking and I'm afraid she will do something stupid if the worse happens.

Addison took Treana (http://nwn.layonara.com/Treana%20Min%20E%27Zoenna), Maev (http://nwn.layonara.com/Maev%20O%27Leary), Exodus (http://nwn.layonara.com/Exodus%20%20StoneCutter) and I on a trip around Dregar, from south to north and the only thing we didn't fight was the drake.  At one point we were aided by Daren (http://nwn.layonara.com/Daren%20Valhaikor), to Maev's luck since she fell in the silver caverns in the desert.  It was a great trip with an impressive showing of Addison's skill, Treana's willingness to fight, Maev's need for more focus in battle - she fights well but needs to learn how to survive more, I used most of my healing potions on her and Exodus' dwarven battle fury is almost as fantastic as Addisons'.

All the trip, Addison being in danger, she was pregnant.  Rhynn told me she was pregnant much later but, being afraid of Addison's wrath, I kept quiet until things presented themselves so I could seize it.  In the forests of Roldem, I had my chance as Cole chided her for endangering his child.  I hadn't noticed how radiant she was - the glow a woman gets when she's with child - until I stopped her and called her a fatty.

At the end of our trip in Dregar, we stopped at the Weeping Willows and saw the Tomb of Fallen Heros where the remains of Gotak Gungur (http://nwn.layonara.com/Gotak%20Gungur) were freshly placed in a brilliant tomb worthy of a mighty dwarven warrior.  I choked back tears for the room was empty except for various mounds prepared to receive the remains of the next fallen hero which might just be Addison child's father.

I have known her for a while and I've grown very fond of her and to see her in pain of the heart, not that of swords, tears at my soul.

I was a mess - but I did what I could to keep an optimistic front for the darkest of my fears.

It wasn't until I was adventuring with her and Cole in Roldem, well after Rhynn's swing from interrupting grief to foolish sacrifice, that I made my choice about Addison's plan.  I will stand by her and I will do what she thinks best - not only for my love of Cole but for my love of Addison also.  As her former teacher turned lover, she has showed nothing but kindness for me and my shenanigans and, if the worst comes, all of my love for him will be placed on her and I will follow her in her choice, however desperate it may be.

And Rhynn will not come, not in her state of doubt and fear of the world undoing itself because of a single man.

It will be Addisons quest and whoever else of chose to come, and I might even see the Soul Mother's face.

Annalee

Fact: A sister in song and lover of nature, her wedding to Mith has drawn her into a new, brighter world.

Truth: I fear for her more than I fear for Addison.

As with Addison, she is with child (Rhynn told me).

As with Addison, her husband is near leaving the folds of the world for good.

As with Addison, Rhynn has stated she will sacrifice herself for her husband - but with a real reason this time, as Mith is her tutor.

However...

Unlike Addison, Annalee lacks hotbloodness to desire him back.  At least in what I know of her.

Unlike Addison, Annalee lacks obvious bullheadedness to not give up.  At least in what I know of her.

Unlike Addison, I have only now started to develop a better relationship with Mith.

I seen very little of her for some reason, I usually hear her singing in the High Forest when I pass through - respecting nature of course, in my affection for Annalee - but I don't see much of her.

I lie...  I do see her often with Mith but he intimidates me and I can respect his lack of need for my silliniess.  As I stated above, my relationship with him is still to fresh but my friendship with Annalee extends to him, by default.

In time, her child will reveal itself and I'll call her chubby - but until then I'll let it play itself out.

Cole

Fact: Warrior, mage and friend.  Layonara will be a sad place without his friendly, gruff hands.

Truth: Warrior, mage and friend.  I will be sad without his friendly, gruff hands.

I said farewell to him in Dregar, near Pranzis, promising that I wouldn't let Addison drink while she bore his child.  It was also my promise to care for her if anything happened to him, just like how I've tried to protect him in the recent past, I even took up new spells to be able to help him and her, whenever I'm around.

He as touched me in so many ways - the first was taking me to Firesteep where I first met her.  Then I met him on the way to the T'oleflor where he told me that he hardly knew me (which I said was true but that it didn't matter).  Then he took me around Dregar and finally to Tibum where I first saw the destruction Bloodstone can bring.  Then it was time to explore Dregar and Roldem with Rhynn - and he taught her how to better use her magic to aid fighters which I'll take her around to practice, if she's calm enough to focus.

There are many tales that I can tell of him in the first person and there are many more he told me when I interviewed him after the tales were told at the Leilon Arms.  He even gave me access to his room and to his notes and letters - he might have been a brute, but he was a very smart brute - all his notes were neatly organized - so that I could elaborate more on his tale.

I might never know what Acacea stopped being his number one bard, but I have very large shoes to fill and I'll do my best to fill it, in case worst comes to pass.

I know that if worse passes, I will be by Addison's side in whatever she choses to do.

I wished him safety in his travels when we parted near Pranzis but what I wanted to say was how much I'd miss him if he ever left, how much I love him.

No live is worth the lives of many, however, on a rare day, a single person is.

Quote

/*  OOC:
Come on, you tell your fathers you love them, there's nothing strange with a guy loving another.  Besides, Freldo is Ilsarian.

Oh, I also write this knowing Cole has permed...  I tried to write without "knowing" it, but it was hard - hence a very late monday post.  :(

2006.05.23 edit: I left an incomplete sentence up there, fixed it - I think.
*/

Title: Journal Entry: Travels of a Norseman
Post by: SuperMunch on May 26, 2006, 06:46:34 AM

Since he gave me permission, I've been going through Cole's notes, journal and chest for the past weeks.  For a mercenary with more apparent muscle than brains, he sure has a lot of brains!  Much more than is generally known, in fact, he's pretty smart!

With his journal, letters received, notes and story he told me when I interviewed him I can paint a pretty good portrait of him - which was just what I wanted, a glimpse into a persons life and he did document it very well.

His travels aren't well documented, I'm sure he did a lot more than what he wrote into his journal, but what he did write is very intresting by itself.  His training with the greatsword, his donations to the orphanage he grew up in, his teachings to a young man who wanted satisfaction, his companions of when he was called and how many of them had gone missing.  Names of ones, mention of others, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for them and tell them and talk to them to understand how lived young Cole.

About his companions, I sensed in his writing sadness - as though he was receiving a torch from one generation and holding on to it until a new generation came along so he could pass it on.  It's tragic that now, as his life grows dim - the fate for all that fight - none of those that marked his life can be found for another drink, another round of laughter or another tale.

At least I haven't seen Cole around folks that I've never seen before.

Cole's torch is bright, he grew from misery to greatness with fierce loyalty.  From gathering coins fallen to the ground to rolling in wealth - which he invested into his gear - he grew into a generous man that would hunt and gather happily and freely for his friends.  From fragile, humble boy he grew into a stout warrior with talents in the arcane.  Orphan to soldier, to mercenary, to blademaster.  Lonely to beloved.  Scorned to loved.  Humble, always humble.

If worse ever comes, I will stand by his legacy and continue his work.  I can't ever be a tenth of what Cole is, but I'll do my best to be the best tenth part of him I can.  I'll stand with Addison in whatever she choses to do, I'll care for his child in whatever way I can, I'll seek out those he knew and I'll help his first home, his orphanage.

If he leaves, he would leave a great deal of orphans, not just those here in Leilon - but those that will sit and remember him, write about him and talk about him with fondness.

Well, I sure hope he manages to give me the rest of his notes that he leaves in the bank.

Now, I'm off to Leilon's Home for Delinquents, if the children were afraid of Cole, I imagine they'll have fun with me and besides, I want to see that pretty girl he wrote about...

Poor Rhynn, I just hope she knows that she's still the one for me.  I know my pasture is green enough, a shame folks don't understand this and think less of me.

Anyway, pretty girl in fifteen minutes!

... written slightly later ...

Make that three hours, despite living in Leilon all my life, I never once managed to not get lost in this city.  I took a lap around the city and ended up here again.  I think I'll ask for instructions this time.

Title: Journal Entry: Reflections on Passing
Post by: SuperMunch on May 29, 2006, 07:45:12 AM

The curtain has fallen,
The lights are out,
The actor has gone,
The stage is now empty.
The show has ended it's run.

Ended in it's height,
Ended before it's time,
Ended.

Yet the audience, still on their feet,
In front of their seats, still applaud.
They will stand and clap,
Never moving an inch,
Never pausing to rub their hands.
In front of that stage, they will acclaim.

They cheer and bellow,
Knowing no one is listening,
Director, writer, actor... gone.

The stage is now gone, ruined walls and rotted seats,
The crowd still applauds with joy.
New ones arrived, brought in by stories
Spread by the heralds of their clapping.
Time passes, the crowd waxes and wanes
But time still passes and memories are washed away.

Now, of those few that are still there,
None had seen it, the rest have only heard,
But they still applaud.
The legend, the myth, the fable.
Of the show called Cole.

Cole is dead.  Long live Cole!

Fortune smiles on us all, some have it shine in flashes, some seem guarded by it and some seem to be shunned by it.  For me, fortune smiles at my every step, as though the gods want me around for some reason and I'm begining to understand it.

Fortunate I was to talk to him before his end, fortune has it that he gave me his notes and journal, fortune has it that I said goodbye, fortune has it that I knew him, at least a little.  Instead of grief, I recall his face laughing, his strangely soft hands, Addison, Wicked and his bags and bags and bags of tinder.

Much do I have to write about what has happened, but I'll recall his final words to me on the shores of Lake Corax and start from there.

"Take care of her Freldo..."

Addison

I've come to know her to the point that it's no use to keep her locked up and away from her vices - be it drink or fight - so I'll pander to her with lesser evils.  A fine wine I had brewed from the finest grapes from Pranzis - better than her whiskey, my invisible help and healing when she decides to kill things and a plea for sanity when she decides to face certain in the shape of the gloom.

She is inconsolable but the privledge of grief is not only hers.  I want her to know how I also grieve him, how I miss him but, being as thick skulled as she is, she already rejects my grief because it's not like her own.

She is now mine to protect, if I can find her.  I cannot fight her fights but I can make her fight safer and with more power, hopefully I can learn how to make my spells last longer to be able to give her a greater edge for longer periods of time.

Rhynn

From up to down to up to down again in a minute.

I tell her I don't mind settling down, having kids, retiring from adventures, becoming a story teller and growing old with her.  Yet I hear an anxious "When?" as a reply.

She expects that we can act in the same role in combat, when we clearly cannot - I am the second line, I run with the fighters and keep spirits up, her role is to strike from afar yet when she sees me break and flee, she stupidly engages my pursuer.

She expects that my protection of her works both ways, she cannot do what I can, she doesn't have my experience in battle and she doesn't have my stamina - yet she thinks she can protect me.  She should first learn how to protect herself.

All that said, I scolded her.  I know my affections get in the way of clear thought but what can I do?  She has already lost a thread of her soul in the past month while I have only been killed once in the past year.

She comes back by telling me that she doesn't die with others, my response in fury would have been "go with them" and leave.  For my love of her I listened and tried, futilely, to reason with her but we left it at that since we parted on another run of Dregar.

Title: Journal Entry: Copies of Letters Sent
Post by: SuperMunch on May 30, 2006, 12:22:28 PM

Dear Jennara,

With the passing of our friend Cole, I have taken it upon myself to write his story.

Since you have known him for a while, I would like, if you're willing, your thoughts on our lost friend such as what you found most endearing in him, what you most liked about him and so on.

Please send me a bird with your reply or look for me in Hlint or at the Leilon Arms.

Thank you very much.

Signed,
Freldo

......

Dearest Addison,

I should ask you this in person but I believe a letter, even being less personal, is the best way to approach you on this matter.

I have decided that I will write the tale of Cole and since you are the mother of his child, I would like your thoughts on our beloved friend.

Talk to me about it if you wish as I'll always have an ear for you.

Signed,
Freldo

......

Lalaith,

We have not met but we shared a mutual friend, Cole Norseman.

Before his parting from the circles of this world, he allowed me access to his notes and letters and I saw that you had recently been in contact with him.

I do not wish to know of the reasons, nor will I ever disclose it's contents but I can tell that you had him as a trustworthy companion.

As for the reason and intent of this letter, I am a humble bard that had the privledge of knowing a Cole and as need would have it, I have taken it upon myself to write Cole's story.  If I may and you are willing, are there any thoughts or cherished memories that you would like to share about Cole?

If you wish to talk to me, I am easily recognized by my turquoise or teal garb.

I thank you for your time and I humbly hope to talk to you or receive a bird message.

Signed,
Freldo

......

Lady Reventage,

I do not know if you remember me, but a mutual and departed friend of ours, Cole, introduced us a long while ago at the temple of The Lady of Dreams in Hlint.

I humbly send you this bird for two reasons, the first is that I ask of you a few words about Cole, the second is that I seek your blessings on my first true labor of love, the writing of Cole's story.

Of the words about him, I would like your thoughts on him as he seemed well at ease with you and you with him.  From his journal, that was left in my hands shortly before his passing, mentioned how many times he was cared for by our beloved temple in Hlint by Calise and her predecessors.  He many not have been a religious man but he did hold a place in his heart for The Heart of Gold and, as I read onwards in his journal, for you, my lady.

As for my work, I will write about him so that his name will not die with time.  Despite all his flaws, he was a man that loved what he did, his passion - even if it was for his blade - was known to all.

Please send me a bird or, if you are inclined seek me out, I am know for my turquiose coat.  Red makes me look palid and sickly, I'm pretty sure the Lady can forgive this transgression in my devotion.

May the Lady of Dreams guard us in her love and take Cole in her arms, if she so wishes.

Signed,
Freldo

......

Dearest Acacea,

I had noticed that you and Cole haven't been talking to each other recently and I respect your privacy on this matter but considering the affections that he had for you and you for him when I met you, I humbly ask that you share with me your a dearest memory or two of our lost friend.

Please know that Cole never mentioned to me a reason as to why you didn't speak to him anymore so I can only presume that he held you close to his heart until the end.

Seek me out or send me a bird whenever you have the time.

Also, as his Number One bard and if it's not to much trouble, do you remember any name of other close associates of Cole that you are willing to share with me?

Title: Journal Entry: Cole's Orphans
Post by: SuperMunch on June 01, 2006, 07:37:13 AM

Delinquents?

Leilon's Home for Delinquents, such a bad name for such a nice place.  Mind you, not all the kids there are angels but to call them all delinquents is very unfair.  I wonder if Delinquent for them means "children with no hope"?  As I sat and told them tales and filled them with stories of the world, they lit up and we filled with joy as though hope of being able to do deeds of worth came to them.

The first time I went, I was there as a friend of Cole as I didn't know of his sad fate at the hand of the trolls.  The second, I knew but I didn't have the courage to tell the headmistress, the ache was still too strong - I told little tales of Cole's adventures and I told them of the evil froggies, Kua Toa, that Cole took me to see and, at the end, he smashed them all.

While the pain hasn't lessened, recent events, have allowed me my smile back.  Cole's soul may have left our presense but he still lives on within each one of us and so I gathered as many instruments as I could make, as much food as I could buy and borrow from the Leilon Arms and as much gold as I could spare and went to tell the headmistress of Cole's passing.

I expected sadness from her but when I finally told her the news as we sat on a sofa in her office - she prized in telling me it was due to Cole's dealings that the sofa was given to them.  After the first hand account of his final day and second hand accounts of his end.  The news was a bomb, the light of the room seemed to drain as the headmistress looked at me for the longest instant before understanding what I had just told her.

She sat strong, fighting tears and despair, summoning strengths from years of dealing with children in terrible shape and nursing them into good citizens.  I felt her breaking and saw in her eyes the mirror of my own despair and I broke in tears as the waves of guilt for having left him swept over me.  At once she took me in her arms and tried to comfort me - a comical scene considering that my intent was to do the comforting and she, the weaping.

We talked more when tears passed and laughter, from fond memories of him rushed back - I had tales of his swordsmanship and keen insight and she had tales of his generosity and fondness of the home.  She told me of Cole's dedication, of how much he cared for the home, of how her predecessor (she wasn't the headmistress when Cole was young - not that I couldn't guess that myself) had told her of the man called Cole, labeled as a mercenary but with a heart of gold, that would drop off presents and gold and tell the children tales.  She told me of how he had brought in Lyn and Steel, of how he cared for them and asked... nay, implored for Lyn to stay at the home.

In time I told her that I am no warrior, able to gather hoards of gold from fallen foes, nor am I capable of helping the home as Cole did with his contacts throughout Mistone and the world but I would do what I can and I presented her with the things I managed to gather.  She was very gracious of course and when she saw the instruments she smiled and told me of how music was missing from the orphanage and I swore I'd teach at least one of the children in the ways of the bard - to which she made a "please don't" face.

Ha!  No respect for bards.

She introduced me to the children as Cole's friend and asked that I tell them of Cole's journeys, after telling them that Cole went away, on a very important mission and wouldn't be back for a long time.  I must have been a sight to see, far removed from Cole's awkwardness, I loved being with the children as I told them lighter stories of my first trip with Cole to Firesteep, of Acacea's little unicorn (I made most of it up, as usual, I never did get the whole story right), of Ashie the Ranger, of Rhynnala the Fair, of Jareg the Madman and of Freldo the Brave.

They enjoyed my tales greatly with rounds of laughter and applause but, needless to say, they didn't buy the story of how I faced a dragon by myself - but it was worth the try.

I told the children of how I had in Cole a friend and that while he is gone, I would be coming by with stories and to teach them to sing and dance - which was greatly welcomed by the few girls but attracted moans from most of the boys.

A little boy came to me and told me how he liked my stories better than Cole's - he said that some of Cole's stories ended in swordfights and always had a fellow called Wicket that would usually save the day.  I smiled at him and said that Wicket would always save the day and that I knew Wicket, one of the mightiest to ever walk Layonara and he was with Cole, protecting him from peril until he returns to tell us all of his voyage to the all of the far corners.

Then I sought out Lyn, which wasn't that hard to do, a lovely half elven girl, at the age where men start promising fortunes to have their ears for a moment.  She looked into my eyes and told me flatly, "he's dead, isn't he?"  I know I don't hide my emotions and I don't think I ever will, so I told her the truth.

Her tears were pure, as a child losing a father.  When she was done with tears I told her that I knew of her story and of her brother's - at least the part that was in Cole's journal.  We talked of Cole's more dangerous deeds, the ones that might scare the children if not told in a lighter way.  We chatted for a while and her sadness for his passing was always there, lingering at the border of an ill chosen word.

In the end, I told her that if I find Steel, I would tell him of his passing - if he doesn't know yet - to which she flashed a slight smile and told me to be prepared, her brother isn't an easy person.  I chuckled and told her that if he happens around, tell him that Freldo the Turquoise Bard means him no harm and he wants to help him, if he can.

I left after the long day at the orphanage refreshed as though I had found a new calling, something to give me the will to carry on - I can make a difference, not as much as Cole could, but I can, at least for those children.

Come to think of it, if those are delinquents and they were lovable, imagine my own children and how lovable they would be, best keep this to myself for now.

Title: Journal Entry: Freldo The Bard
Post by: SuperMunch on June 14, 2006, 09:43:14 AM

I felt like a part of me is missing...

It wasn't until I was sending a bird that I noticed that it had been a while since I had written in my journal.  The pages were finally dry and I had to add a touch of water to my bucket of ink to make it useable again.

Poor journal, after so much abuse... such a long absense on my part.

Things aren't as whole as I would want them to be, I grew beyond my old shell and now I'm in a new one - I think.  New boots, belt, clothing and soon new gloves and cloak, all my size - yet I feel like it doesn't fit, to large, to short, to tight, wrong color...

On second thought, it's not just my shell.  It's who I am, something happened...  My view of the world has changed, responsibility has shown it's face and I am not scared of it anymore.  I'm not ready for what is happening but, as they say, you never are for these things.

On third thought, I am a bard.  I'm Freldo the bard, might as well accept it as a fact now.

Oh well.

I might as well seize what I have and write a little something down... by little I mean a lot.

- Being a simple mistonian boy I know very little of the politics of Dregar.  That is, I knew very little of it until I witnessed the passing of King Waylend.

- Archeology is nice word, but it's a very boring job.

- Rhynn (http://nwn.layonara.com/Rhynn%20Saebhel) is coming into her powers.  Better now than never... then again, the same might be said for me.

- Cole, Cole, Cole...  It's been a while now, but I still haven't yet managed to write his tale.  A shame most of the folks I'd like to talk to are always so busy.

On King Waylend  (/* Note 1 */)

Katrien (http://nwn.layonara.com/Katrien%20Hommel) had invited little old me to help her in her quest for a better understanding of spinning the weave through song.  As we sat throwing random bards in the Lorindar harbor, gathering our bearings on where we were going, a runner came in from Pranzis searching for Katrien...  Something about a woman and her need to talk to Katrien.

Next thing I knew, I was in the king's chamber with Katrien and company.  In the next moment, as I stood wide eyed next to the princess, the king passed on.

But that wasn't what marked me the most...  It was Katrien's music.

The portrait painted by Katrien's flute moved me deeply.  I had only heard Ozymandia's and Acacea's song but to hear Katrien's flute was as though I found a real use for my abilities with the fiddle, no longer as company for my voice, but as a brush to paint murals.

I'm still timid in it's use but that will change soon enough.

Archeology  (/* Note 2 */)

"Dig a hole, peer in and remove objects, fill the hole and repeat."

"It's a sad day when a bard makes more sense than anybody else."

The first applies to the tedious job of exploring the past... However, once upon a lifetime of an elf, a great discovery occurs.  Orbs and relics from before the Great Cataclysm were unearthed and now it seems that a small group of smart folks in the middle of a larger group of crazy folks, have gathered to discover more about it.

The smaller group is of Jharl, Honora, Rawkwin, Rhynn and I...  Yes, two bards...  The large group of crazy folks varies from pious Maev, through to crazy Maev to dead Maev and takes a stop by at Golem treat Maev before heading into the realm of living rock baiting Maev.

It seems an ancient dragon god of the seas has surfaced and some brigands, followers of Mist, are after something we uncovered or have taken...  Might as well help out doing the two things I do best...

Singing, playing and making jokes.

The third thing, which isn't one of the two things I do best, is the third thing I do best and has even deserved me a new nickname...  Apple.

Rhynn

We talked a while ago about what our goals in life were.

I see the lack of good quality storytellers and I wish to help fill the space, if I'm allowed to.

Rhynn has no greater aspiration than to live her life.

I thought it was a bit pathetic at first but I see her wisdom.  Either we live our lives for us, we live it for others or we find a balance.  It's so much easier to just live it for ourselves - nobody to please but ourselves.  To live for others we vanish in the other and become slaves to the other.  Balance is the hardest - live for ourselves yet still reach out to others.

Rhynn is strong now, she's able to make her own choices and spin the weave to her own liking - sometimes to the point of foolishness (I only hope she's smart enough to know what she's doing).  I trust in her abilities now, I trust her instincts and I trust her - I don't feel the need to treat her like a child anymore but sometimes she seems to want me to.

Anyway, for the past few months my search for lore have led me far away from her, I've been traveling up and down Mistone, left and right of Rilara and even a little in Dregar and Roldem.  I've been making up stories to cover my prolonged absences as I travel from library to library in search of well written tales so that I may learn a thing or two on how to tell a story.  I've even, as I wrote on the previous page, learned that my instruments can become brushes for the background art of my tales and maybe even the main voice in them.

I want to be near her as much as possible but I know we need our own space - I'm the bard that will keep you alive and she's the wizard that will strike down most foes with a sweep of her hand.  We grow and we distance but that doesn't mean our bonds are lessened.

Cole

Of the letters I had sent out, Jennara, Lady Reventage and Lalaith have sought me out - not a peep yet from Acacea or Addison.

Jennara told me very little of Cole but knowing her discipline and dedication to her causes I pieced together a good portratit of who Cole was for her.  Despite being a mercenary that had no real loyalties that she might agree with, she trusted him.  Proven trustworthiness was one of Cole's noblest qualities, enough to merit respect from one so fiercely dedicated as Jennara.

Lady Reventage sent me a letter inviting me for tea...  A shame that when I'm free, she isn't - I guess being Ilsare's High Priestess does carry it's responsabilities, I hope to be worthy of the time she manages to spare me.

Lalaith...  Strange elven woman, hooded and dark, ran up to me (as I did describe myself and I'm pretty hard not to notice) and fondly spoke of Cole - we'll have to set a date for her interview, maybe a nice quiet night in the near future.  It seems they had a special bond of some kind and I'd like to know a little about it as it seems it has something to do with Cole's regenerative abilities.

As for his orphanage, I've been passing buy and dropping off gold, food, instruments and toys I've been making.  It seems, however, that the greatest gift I give the children is that of my tales and songs - children are easily amused so I can't assume that I'm doing a good job based on the faces of children and young adults but they enjoy it greatly, even the folks that work there seem to enjoy them.  One tall tale I told them, that of "Ash the Grouch Gets Eaten by a Grue", had them rolling in laughter more than my personal favorite, "Crazy Jareg and the Hat".

Worth mentioning is that Rhynn told me Steel is a Dragoncalled, a surprise but not yet a complete one since I still haven't been able to find him - I keep staring at every blue-ish fellow that walks around (and isn't a sea-elf) hoping to spot him but, as of yet, no luck.

Well...  I still haven't written Cole's tale.  I know what to write but my time has been so short recently, I beg his pardon and will do so as soon as possible.

Quote

/*
It's been a while since I've written and I'm in a bit of a real life rut but Freldo's activities have been pretty much the same, except that he's working hard on wood working (to make wands for Rhynn), gem crafting (to enchant) and cooking (for the Leilon Arms).

Note 1:

Details on the King's passing and events around have been left out of Freldo's journal until Katrien's WLDQ has been completed.  I only mentioned the king's passing because the news is out there and Katrien's playing has now become part of Freldo's development.

Note 2:

Ongoing quest also, skimpy details for now.
*/

Title: Journal Entry: Wish Granted
Post by: SuperMunch on June 19, 2006, 07:57:04 PM

As though a wish was granted to those that hate me, I'm a broken man again.

Funny thing is that it's so much easier to deal with this time considering that it came to an end with Rhynn's confession of outright betrayal as though she was right in doing so and I was wrong in not liking it.

What was once precious is now common,
What was once in light is now manure,
What was once cared for is now indifferent,
What was once love, now isn't anything.

All things end, now it's done and I wish her nothing,
Not joy nor sadness, not life nor death.
I simply don't wish her anything.

No more, no less than nothing.

Mith had his fun with her and now laughs as he enjoys destroying me.
Perhaps that was his plan all along, a plot to destroy the spirit of a bard.
He failed, even in such a small task, he failed - all his powers and not even a dent me in a permanent way.

Quote

/*
Kids.
*/

Title: Journal Entry: A New Day
Post by: SuperMunch on June 21, 2006, 04:59:47 AM

... several pages are missing from the journal, not torn or ripped out but cut out with great care ...

When the cat's away, the mice will play.

I was wondering how to best preserve Cole's room here in the Arms Inn and I found the solution - It's now my room.  His decoration and style will still remain with as little modification as possible, just a pair of locked chests for my personal items and an armoire that isn't locked to store my outfits and armor.

I could care less what other might thing of my move, if they can think of someone else that might preserve the room in better shape, let them speak.  I rarely stay at the Inn anyway between travelling to the Great Library, seeking rare books in Port Hampshire and Spellgard and generally running around looking for themes for the next opening of the Leilon Arms, while Kali is away.

That's that, Cole Norseman's room is now my room.

As I emptied my chests from my old room I came across several items that bore vivid memories of a time nearby but so far away, an old bottle of wine, a gem of light and so many other odds and ends of a life wasted.  As I took them to Cole's room I pondered what to do with them, after all, as I can recall, they were of so much value to me at one point but their meaning is now lost as love thrown to an evil tide.  I didn't pack the items in their new home but instead took them to Cole's orphanage along with some fine robes, instruments and toys I carved - perhaps children will give the items new worth and the staff will appreciate the wine and salute it's maker as I no longer will.

I'll miss my old bed, window and desk - the air in it still carries the slightest touch of something rare, now turned common.  Expressie was at the window sill, eagerly awaiting a new message to be sent, chirping and bouncing the way he usually does, I coaxed him back into his cage and led him to his new window, with a nice tree outside with lots of wet soil for him to dig up his morning worm.

Life goes on, in a way.

Kali's song is gone from the halls, Derrick's heavy feet also, the guests are all out on some important errand.  Yet here I am, a beaten and worn desk with a view in front of me this time, Expressie and his friends singing out side and silence in here.

Silence in here.

The sun sets on my heart again and here I sit, pouring myself on these pages.  Nearly a month since the end and the wound has just closed as the other had so long ago - but the scars will remind me of the fate of those that love.

To lose one in such a way is terrible but onward I step, tomorrow is a new day.

Well, I had better get some work done in the kitchen to start preparing for the next opening of the Arms.

Title: Journal Entry: Rumors in Dregar
Post by: SuperMunch on June 23, 2006, 05:35:33 AM

... several pages between this entry and the previous one of his journal have been neatly removed, as though he doesn't want himself to read them ...

Dregar, out to get cherries, rye and even more hops but I ended up getting a lot more than I bargained for.

Upon entering Pranzis, on my way to catch a boat to Karthy, I was surrounded by a mob... of two... wishing to tell me of rumors they've heard.  I was tired, my coat was wet and dirty and yet... they wanted to talk to the turquoise bard.  I didn't even bother correcting them as my clothing are no longer turquoise, I've taken a dip in the vats of duller colors, but the idea is still the same.

I stood there.. then sat down... then stood up... then sat down... then stood up and tried to go home... then was forced to sit down again... then became invisible and ran away as fast as I could.

Here I write what I was told:

... several reports are listed below ...

"We've seen..."
"I've heard..."
"Elementals!  Can..."
"Shadows passing..."
"There was a grue..."
"Treason..."
"Moose bit my sister..."
"Descent..."
"Freldo was betrayed..."
"Lights in..."
"Drow and wizards..."
"Conspiracies..."
"The enemy is..."

They even told me my own recent tale, since I don't have the habit of giving out my name when I present myself, they must not have known that I am Freldo and I know that story pretty well.  So much information, too much information in fact...  I must filter it out and prepare it for the Arms Inn opening.

Anyway, that was my trip to Dregar, the next one will be to Lorindar.

After finishing this up, I'm headed to Cole's orphanage, I got a few stacks of simple music I wrote and a few more instruments for the kids, along with a pretty big box of bread and fish for them.

Quote

/*
Too much OOC knowledge abuse regarding Freldo going around, I'm not writing details of current events anymore.
*/

Title: Letter Home: Winter is upon us
Post by: SuperMunch on June 26, 2006, 11:00:56 AM

Dearest Mother,

Now that I really do live in Leilon and visit you almost every week to tell you of things small and useless I rarely write to you.  This time, however, it's diferent - we are the last few and these words must be put to parchment for fear of losing them in the oblivion of our passing.

The ashen skies, the fall of Bloodstone, the defense of the Great Oak, the falling of Pranzis, the snap of cold and dragons.  Needless to say, the land has suffered the death fury of the Great Enemy and his undoing in The Battle for Layonara.

The world is changing, the rich earth and clear streams will soon flow dark, the harsh winter from the frozen north will descend on Leilon and slowly change the face of the northern lands.

What was once green fields will now wither and fade into famine as livestock will now grow frail and light, becoming bones on a landscape of eternal winter dotted by the hungry few that scavange the land in search of warmth in a morsel to eat.

Despair, Fear and Uncertainty are the words that father and I will use to describe the next years.  Hope only rests on knowing the great enemy was defeated but the cost of our victory, once known, might too briskly fan the embers that sparkle and sputter in the dying fire.

Before I write for father to retell what I know, allow me a dire order.

Stock the basements with seed and grain, dig deeper the well that feeds the Inn, hunt and salt all meats and fish and, especially, hug your family and let us know you love us as we love you.  We're faced with winter savage and unrelenting where men will revert to beasts - Love will hold the gate until the sparkle of the first sunrise comes again.

I stood on the Lorindar Docks playing to the silence a violin borrowed.  Not even the great commotion at the docks where the feet of living legends walked disturbed the silence.  Lady Reventage and Lord Kobal were amoung them, there were many more but it was those two that I saw and honored the most.  Not even their fanfare and greatness could cut the silence as more of us flowed in by the boat full from Karthy - hope in our eyes, belts of potions and parchments at hand, armor and weapons polished, bows and leathers slick with new resin and Katrien's violin calling the dragoncalled.

I finished my song knowing that all was set, the beating of the ocean on the docks stopped, as if at the end of a great breath, Layonara held it and shuddered.  I blinked in what seemed like an eternity and turned to face my death for Katrien and I knew more than most of what we were up against.

The fifty or so that were brave enough to answer the call stood ready.  It was to be the finest hour for some of us, for the others, a simple tale to tell.

A bloody soldier entered from the north gate, Pranzis was under seige.

Havoc.

My group, slightly better organized and united, took the west gate and formed a line just inside the gates with troops from all of Dregar and Mistone.  Men from Leilon, Haven, Spellgard and some that I had even seen in Hlint were there, fear glistened in their eyes but their stance never betrayed their training.

A wail came forth as the dwarves that took up Master Kobal's call engaged the vanguard of the invading army as I played for the lines to keep them from despair.  The defenders were repelled as the a stream of wounded were brought in and taken to the citadel for care.  Enormous dwarven defenders whose arms were as thick as my waist came in stricken in fear as though death had only spared them to frighten those that were guarding the city.

Despair took over the lines and my song could no longer maintain morale until Katrien's violin began echoing in the mighty city.  Resolve and tenacity was restored as the soldiers along the walls stood fast and the army stood strong.

At the peak of Katrien's song, the gates were torn open and the first wave was upon us.

The line stood strong under Matilda's command, not to many casualties, and they were forced to withdraw, as our spirits started to fly, cries for help from the east gate rung out - they had been beaten back.  I rushed to aid the wounded only to hear that the merchant's district was also being breached and there I went to take my song to the defenders positioned there and the invasion from the square were repelled.

I tried to stand with the east gate defenders but their ranks were in disarry, their leader was an idiotic barbarian woman with no thought of honor except hers and her own clan - "This is Karana's gate" she would say... from 50 feet away, behind a barrier of wagons - I had met her before and was not impressed...  No matter how much I tried to gather them to retake the gate, hope there was at an end and I returned to the west gate in the hope that something could be done to repell them for good and assemble a strike team to retake the west gate.

As I reached the west gate a voice called for our surrender and they were sending us a gift in the form of the sharp twang of a catapult, the body of Varka, a dwarven rager fell in a heap near the gate.  He had issued forth to challange their general, Boerger to single battle.  Slain and dejected after being crushed by his foe, Varka told us of the massive army beyond the gate and ushered us forward in a desperate charge to break their legion.

At this moment, I noticed a few gathering around Katrien, scrying and seeing with arcane eyes the army beyond the gate and to my despair...  The army was a real one, thousands strong - dwarves and devils from Bloodstone's troops ready to descend upon us in a moment's notice.

My heart broke for I knew Pranzis was to fall.

I played harder and decided to give the eastern defenders hope and rushed to their lines as the seiging army's horns signaled the rush of another wave.

Market Garden fell.

East Gate fell.

West Gate was over run.

We fled to the Guild discrict and prepared, in tight formation for a long seige.

A single figure approached us, rapier in hand stabbing the bodies of our fallen comrades in arms.

We were to surrender or suffer General Boerger's.

We chose to suffer.

And we did.

A hopeless battle ensued as we were beaten back towards the castle, holding the invaders back only enough to protect the civilians, bodies of the called litered the streets now as the final defense was held outside the castle gates.

The doors were sealed and refugees were ushered into secret passages away from the city - lovely Princess Kayana and Shiravo were already in safety far from Pranzis as the last few of us closed the gates into the underground away from Pranzis.

The Seat of the Crown, The Mighty City of Pearl and Silver, The Beacon of Civilization, Pranzis fell to hordes of dwarves, demons and devils.

I rushed back to Hlint, the crossroads of the world, after escaping to Lorindar and sailing to Leilon - in search of news from the far east.  While I waited, I played a song for Dregar, inspired by Katrien's song for the few that cared to listen - my companion in arms seemed unscathed by the carnage we had just seen - I guess each must deal with it in their own way.

It was as I stood there that the Great Heave shook Layonara and ashes rose from the far east to cover the sky.  I stood shaken until the single figure of Barion approached from the portals to the north of Hlint with the news that Bloodstone was dead, he had been defeated and it was his destruction that resulted into the explosion of an entire mountain range in Xantril.

Time crawled to a stand still again as I spotted a memory of a glorious past out of the corner of my eye, it was Ranewin.  We stood and talked while I bathed in her light as we watched the gate near our temple as workers, farmers and adventurer came in from the region of the tower.  She took her leave and I remained at my post, a little lighter from setting my eyes on her and her fragrance.

A friend, Addison, came marching down the corridor defiantly, "the Great Oak is safe" she said as I hugged her out of joy for seeing her alive and well.  She went in search of Treana and I could finally go and sit a little, ignoring the darkness in the sky and great figures roaming it.

Ozymandias, Lady Reventage, Triba and Acacea and a wave of the world's heroes soon came in succession and more news was made known to me.

Layonara is destroyed and a general has taken the seat of the west's power.  The Great Enemy is dead and our heroes still live but will might and magic be enough to heal the world?

The eyes of those that I talked to showed little hope.

Winter is upon us Mother.  Hug your family and tell them you love them as I did to you when I handed you this letter for today we live, tomorrow we might not.

Share this with Father and my brothers and sisters.

I shall be around soon.

With love,
Freldo

Title: Journal Entry: The Fields of The Dead
Post by: SuperMunch on June 28, 2006, 09:49:00 AM

Haste, invisibility, a disguise, my old violin, a telescope and courage.

From a hill overlooking Pranzis I took guard to see what new atrocities were being commited and was slightly pleased to find none, all that was good and wholesome in Pranzis was long gone - only the Foul Horde stood.

I saw them removing cart loads of dead from the city and throwing them into massive trenches hastily dug in the once green fields, now trampled and brown, a few miles away from the main gates.  I watched in frozen silence as hundreds of carts full of bodies, small and frail to large and strong, were hauled out of the main gates and taken to the graves.  All day and night they worked, finishing filling one ditch while another was being dug.

In time, the wagons trickled and ended and I left my position and set about to do what I came for.

I came to remember these fallen souls and sing them into the heavens.

A foolish task some would say but that I felt I must do for who will remember them as time wears on?  As a number, they might be remembered but for me, they would be much more and perhaps theirs souls would be eased as my song cleared the air of the stench of the horde.

I approached with my violin held high and Katrien's song flowing.

One by one I looked at the faces of the dead, imprinting each to my soul.  Faces fair in life, fair in death, beautiful children, city guards stripped of their armor and rank but valor kept intact, defenders of different faiths lying next to each other to prove that this was against civilization, not against ideals or faiths.  Elves, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, half-orcs, half-giants and men, together bound by their resolve to life together - dead at the point of a destroyer's lance.

The Enemy's fallen were not thrown amoung these, they must have been kept elsewhere or burned for not a single touch of rotten was amoung them.

To each face I gave a name in my soul, to each child I told a story, to each group of soldiers I sang their praise, to each humble worker I sang their profession.

An endless evening and night wore on as I slowly came apart with every step.  Every time I wished to stop and turn away I remembed that no one would come for these, many entire families were togther in those wounds upon the earth - I was there for them, a pale figure clad in red, praising their lives despite not knowing any of them.  I was their bard, all those shells and souls were mine to know and love and I wore on, coming apart at every step.

As dawn was breaking a figure amoung them caught my eye.

It was the second day of the seige and during the battle, as I tended to the wounded and took Katrien's song to those that couldn't hear her from afar, I saw an elven woman, a fierce fire in her eyes, her bow singing loudly as her quick arm danced from quiver to string to quiver to string.  Blazed in red armor her bow cried tears as she never flinched nor moved - such was her intense profile that I knew at once she had more to lose with the fall of Pranzis than all those that were like shadows fighting beside her.  Arrows and arrows were taken to her, her stance never failed, her arms never stoping.

There she laid, pierced through her heart with a single foul bolt, cloven bow still in hand.  Peace on her face and an amulet to Ilsare around her neck.

I stopped my song and did her honors as one must and I'm sure that if we had won, such honors would be done upon her.

Gently and slowly, I pulled her to a patch of earth and removed the bolt to cover her wound and chanced upon a small leather pouch pierced by the bolt that struck her heart.  It was a letter to a person in Krandor.  I positioned her body, and noticed the same name on her bow arm, a love, her child?  I would ask about the name at the shrine in Krandor.  I took the pouch with the letter, amulet and remains of the bow and put them away carefully.

Next to her body, I played a song Calise had taught me, a song for the Archer of Love.  Fire and blood was drained from her expression and she had found peace.

I finished the song and continued my duty but not fifty paces onward I turned to look upon her again, the image of an elven Ilsarian archer fallen in a land that was not hers finally broke me and my song studdered.

The earth greeted my knees where I was and sadness and shame washed over me.

I had been spared this fate and here I stood - perhaps this was my calling eased the tide of lament but I stayed and wept.  I blinked behind tears and the day was at it's end again, my invisibility had worn out hours ago but I was left undisturbed in my sleep.

Things aren't going to be the same again.

Title: Journal Entry: To wait or to seize?
Post by: SuperMunch on July 03, 2006, 07:48:27 AM

The statement of fact that a slowly heating pan is the best way to cook a frog is false.  It's best to bash the frog's head on the counter and throw him in the boiling water.  Gods know why one would cook a whole frog when only the legs are edible, but that is the truth.  To wait... for the water to slowly heat?  To heal one's self? To seize... to stun the frog and cook it?  To become one's self?  To seize.  Not even three months after the end of one life a new one begins and in the middle there was a chance to say something that was on my mind for a long time.  The end...  I see her every so often and...a few long paragraphs follow...  The end.  I can confidently say that I know what it was.  The other...  I told her my truth.  I told her what I felt before things went sour.  I found it strange that I could remember with so much clarity, perhaps it was the shock of being torn that exposed to me what I had hidden for so long, as a fig torn open revealing the sweet fruit within.  Words flowed through me as emotions long hidden in cages were finally set free - how I had wanted, wished and waited but as I grieved, she floated away, then she was taken.  I told her my truth.  I know that things will never return to the way they were, not ever again, but I had to let her know.  She will always be my friend for in our fall and in our rise, our lives are tied.  We are mirror images, inverted in many aspects but the same at the core.  The new life...  Again the fates are cruel to this humble not-so-humble man.  So long ago, in a young naive man's life, a star fell into his heart and it's shine was kept sacred and cherished - fear of losing it always close to the young man's heart.  Despite his guard and attention, the star was not meant to be his and it faded but left a vacuum that the young man rushed to fill.  On gaining substance to fill what was lost, an empty hole was the result, deep red stains across it as though seared by the fires of things unknown to him.  As the young man contemplated the wound, he saw no life nor any hope, despair and revenge were his only thoughts.  But there was life there, chance presented itself and he snatched it.  He spoke from his heart to let one know what he had once felt and the wound was made wholesome again.  Naivete was transformed to grace as despair and revenge turned into peace with as many words as a song of rebirth.  Now he was whole once again.  Words, once like violence, flowed off of him with the ease of a spring creek rolling down the hill.  He stood once again but alone.  Then the fates threw him another miracle, the same star fell again - once thought faded and lost, it came to him.  Unchained and free this time, it's light fierce, it landed in the place filled the hole wholesome and bright.  The fates twisted and torn at me to see if I had resolve. I did and when the wheel turned and I was given a new chance, I seized it and the laurels are mine.  The naive young man who needed acceptance is dead.  ... A few words, as though notes, are written after this entry ...  Ranewin, Lark, Lar, Ozymandias, home, Caelas, key, Key, pie, Lady Reventage, tea!  

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/* Fortune protects children, fools and Freldo. */

Title: OOC: Fourth of July Extravaganza!
Post by: SuperMunch on July 04, 2006, 05:43:07 AM

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/* [SIZE=+2]OOC[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]Fourth of July Extravaganza![/SIZE] - not -  As stated before, OOC abuse of Freldo is out of control so this won't be a tell all post as others have been, just a few pointers for myself in the future.  Freldo just turned 25 (or is close to 26, depending on how much of a precision freak you are) and his life has taken another twist.  I was going to rest Freldo, bury him and take a breather for a few months (coming online only for the Leilon Arms) to let the stories about him spread and bloom, thus starting a defacto CN shift - not my original intention, but he was being forced on the path by others - while I developed Caelas.  However, once again, my plans were shot out of the water by Ranewin's return, Lark's entry into his list of people he knows, Ozy's handing the sceptre to Katrien amoung other things.  Now it seems Caelas will be the one buried while I refocus Freldo in his "new" world.  He has become battle hardened in his relation with others and he's starting to live by his principals all derived from the events that happened in his ingame life.  His role in groups will probably change now that his charge is gone and seemingly forgotten by others.  As for my accusations of OOC abuse, let me rant a little.  Some characters have really aggresive, unjustified and strange behavior towards Freldo in game because of out of game knowledge and this has -really- upset me. */

Title: Letter Sent: Broken Heart, Part 2
Post by: SuperMunch on July 16, 2006, 04:17:30 AM

Dearest Ranewin,

I walked away after you handed me the key because my head is still hot from having to let you go... again.

The Lady, in her dreams, brings us together and takes us apart... again.

I will wait for you... again.

The words that I spoke to you are still true, they will always be.

I understand what happens to a heart of ice when the old flame flickers near it, it has happened to me before as I stood near the Wild Surge not that long ago and I'm sure it's allowed to happen to you.  However, you spoke a word to me that I cannot accept.  "Bye".  If anything with our strange and twisted lives, this will not be the end nor a farewell, you are still dear to me in a way that you must know for I would not take back a single word I spoke to you - I will not lessen any heartbeat I had, not a whisper reworded.

I still and always will love you.  Truely, deeply and purely.  If I am to lay my eyes on you one last time in the future, as I lay at my final days, weary of old age us humans seem to stumble upon so soon - I will love you as much as I do now.

Perhaps it's the way things are supposed to be.  I am to live and long eternally for the single one that I cannot have no matter how much I desire it.  A tragic fate, but one that I can live with - love for me has a single, elegant, simple name, and it's Ranewin, my anchor, my first love.

In a few days I'll have calmed my hot head and allowed things to return to normal in me for you are still my pristess and I do need your guidance and council on a great number of matters but for now, I wish you joy and warmth - the same that you brought and will still bring me at every encounter.

May Ilsare continue to bless you and illuminate you for I will always be there to sit in your light.

E ceela aey, forever.

Signed,
Freldo.

Title: Journal Entry: Responsability and Duty
Post by: SuperMunch on July 18, 2006, 04:52:53 PM

There are three words I used to hate.

Hostel
Responsability
Duty

I hate hostel because it doesn't sound right, it's an appropriate word but I just don't feel comfortable using it.

Responsability I hate because of the pressure it brings.  Unlike Destiny or Fate, responsibility is a burden you assume for yourself, carry it on your shoulders and live with until it's relinquished or you die.  A child is a responsibility, a geas is a responsability, care for another is a responsability.

Duty is a kind of responsability but a moral one.  Chaos and selfishness are put aside by duty to your god, to your nation, to your faith and to a cause.  Duties are burdens that restrict free action.  Paladins are bound to duty as are marriages and oaths.

I still hate one of those words but two of them I have accepted as part of me.

Responsability:

After a long talk with Lady Reventage I have come to the conclusion that little of what I think and do are a violation of the Ilsare's calling, in fact, I seem to be a very good disciple, from what I gathered.

It was incredible sitting before the high priestess in her own house drinking tea while I sought her council on a few matters and inquired on others.  I knew a few things about her from what I had gathered from stories in which she was involved and the occasional word or two from Acacea, especially the story of her being Ilsare's Harper, which led to a wonderful tale that I must follow up on as soon as possible.

Lady Reventagage told me of what she saw in Cole and I found that, in a way, he was passionate for life despite knowing how short it would be.  Passion and devotion, a love for life and all it's aspects that she found to be worthy of her notice.  If I had any doubts about Cole's love for life, Lady Reventage brushed them off my canvas with two swift strokes.  I am now able to tell his story and will do so as soon as I manage down and start it.

In our tea, I learned a great deal of how the Lady sees things through Lady Reventage's voice.  I found them all to be true to me and I have accepted the responsability that I kept hiding from.

I am one of Ilsare's bards and it's my responsability to do her wishes.  Strangely, it even seems that I have been doing this all the time.

Responsability and devotion mix in this, they have always been mixed.

Might as well admit it and find a word to substitute "Responsability" on my list of words that I hate.

Duty:

To a vow and to a person.

Again I spoke the phrase that seems to be the core of Layonara's current problems, "when a bard is seen as a reasonable person, there is something wrong with the world".  I have been called reasonable by too many people to ignore the fundamental wrongness in the circles of life.

I spoke a vow to a person I greatly respect.  I did so willingly, much to my surprise, for I believe that if one can undo what has been done it might be him, a man of patience and contemplation - a friend to a part of my soul that left - but, when actions are required, he strikes true and furiously.  I vowed not because of his cause but because of him, on his name I will hold my vow - even if it drives me bonkers.  A duty I accept.

To a person it is now my duty to serve.  I have heard things that may be true about her but I have yet to see it's face and even if I did, I will not sway from my word.  It was through her that I new songs became and with her I can learn and expand beyond what I know.  I will follow her for in extending her reach I grow.

Hostel:

I still hate that word, it just doesn't seem familiar to say.

---

It has been a while since I write and as I can see by my tone in this entry, it is time to close this journal and start a new one.

I have gone from wide-eyed twenty year-old boy to a confident old man of twenty-seven.  From not know how to survive to choosing how I die, from unprepared to sharp, from trusting and not knowing what love is - to trusting and knowing love's sweet sharp bite.

I am no longer the boy I was when I started this journal.

This journal will end so that I can start a new one with none of my shadows and ghosts chasing me as I write.

Words new, friends old, new loves, old ways.

Title: Journal Entry: The Story of How I died
Post by: SuperMunch on July 18, 2006, 06:12:52 PM

On the docks of Port Hampshire an old man stands with an old, worn, turquoise coat the he had not worn since his youth.  A violin, old and worn but still sharp and alive are in his hands as he plays the song of his life to the winds.

He lived more than most men, he had seen more than most men and he had felt more than all men - he lived his life to the end, he spent himself in pursuits small and grand, he had kissed the lips of death so many times yet always returned safe.  But on this day, this cold summer afternoon, he will no longer be.

His tired eyes are closed as his heart beats it's melody onto the strings of the instrument.  A smile, radiant and bright despite time, etched across his weary face, gives company to the warmth that the song brings to those that can hear.  Ilsare's grace shined on the old man for he was forever in her service, from the first day he chose to sing and dance to this, his final day.

The song tells of his birth in the now lost city of Leilon, frozen under a sheet of ice as hard as glass.  His childhood under the warm sun that neither his children their children have ever seen.  Laughter and games as he grew, a stolen kiss - the first of thousands - a whispered truth and the flat out lies of when he was young.  Then the dragon called, the naive young man of twenty was called to do his part to take down the Demon General himself, Bloodstone - now but a name in books but known to be the bringer of the world's slow rotting.  He took the calling and lived it out, doing his part as best he could without focus, without a goal, until the final day of light came.

The song saddens as he stood at the gates of Pranzis, the once mighty Pranzis, as the foul hordes invaded and siezed the great city.  This was not the first time he had been given reason to sadness, but it was the day that his world had changed for in the carnage that he saw, focus and goal dawned on him as the world's sun set for the final time.  Boy became man as men lost their lives and died.

He sung to them after the smoke had cleared, to the dead - lost and forgotten.  He learned their faces and kept them with him everywhere he went, souls lost but not forgotten.

He had lost a piece of his soul a few months before the Diming, a man who's soul was as hot as his but far braver.  The loss of Cole Norseman and with it a shard of himself, shook him so hard that it wasn't until two years had passed that he could face the whole it left and cherish what was once there.  The Soul Mother would not spare the young man's heart for before he could even have started to tell Cole's tale, he lost another - a love that he never proclaimed but knew to be - Addison Scarlace.  Fierce and foolish, a trusted friend and mother to Cole's only known son she passed on from life to death as her coil was unwoven in the deep recesses of the world.

He was numbed.  Cole, Pranzis, Addison.  Dead.

Over time many of those he cherished passed on, the world was saved but troubles never ended in his world.  One by one they passed from beyond recovery - one by one he cried their parting - one by one he said goodbye.  The first was the hardest because of his youth but there were many that he would have gladly gone in their place but he remained intact and whole.

Solitude tore at him as he looked for solace in love but was greated with open arms that led to closed doors.  He accepted what he was destined for - radience yet solitude at the core - and lived his life from bed to bed, arms to arms, woman to woman.

The violin's song grows wild as he lept from one love to another, deeply loving them and being torn apart at each separation until he does not jump anymore for love had taken hold and didn't release it's grip.

He found the one that was born to be his - a love born from partnership for they had roamed together.  He called her Love for that was all she needed for a name.

Bathed in love, they grew to become the very stuff from which legends are made - their names were known to all despite knowing few.  A team, a pair, companions, one person in two.

As all stories stories should, blessed children came to their lives and the cries of babys were always heard in their house for a great many years until enough was enough and Love cried that six was more than enough.  Each child blessed with either the father's art or the mother's - all were loved as the only one and together the little clan brought joy and happiness to all they touched.

The song plays for what seems ages the life of each child with their parents - each one as tender and loving as the other but all different, none alike.  He radiates light as he does so, his pride as a father grows deep and true to his core.

The man, now older and wiser, smiled as he held his love in his arms on the day they parted.  They had grown old together and their love never lessened - their tree had born only good fruits and an orchard had blossomed from their single winding soul.

She breathed her lasts breaths as she saw him smiling, telling her he'd be there soon - his only lie to her in their entire shared and golden life.  Unknown to him, he would linger on for that was his last true smile and he know that when he next smiled his true smile he would leave the world for the last time.

The years passed, his soul never cold but never hot again as he watched his children grow into grandparents.

The world was not what he had known it to be anymore, times were not his anymore.  The changes the cold brought to men were savage and his family and that of his brothers and sisters were striving to keep hope's candle burning and the light alive.  He had taught his children and nephews, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren of the times before the white and grey skies - he taught them hope and made them feel the sun's warm rays despite the great yellow ball not having shown itself for the longest time.

His life had purpose yet he was alone, far from the prime of his life.

On a trip to the great library of lore, that he had once helped stock, he came upon an old book - written in his very own handwriting, "Freldo Jabutica's Journal and Letters, Vol. 1" it had on it's cover.  It was the story of his life, or a part of it at least.

Sneaking the book and it's other volumes away, as it certainly wouldn't have been missed, he returned to his home and read it and joy spread as he read his own silly tales and stories, his own letters to his parents and to his loves.

He felt his age melt away and he reached for a locked box that he always carried with him and unlocked it with a quick whistle, he still had his way with the weave and that box was his prized collection for in it, there were his most precious objects.

A use bottle of ale, pressed flowers - some common, some rare but only he would know their worth, a cake and a piece of pie magically frozen to preserve themselves and many other objects of little worth to other but of immense wealth to him - he was no fool and he had left in that box a sheet with the list of the items and their worth to him, in case he ever forgot.  In that box was a suit and coat in turqoise along with a long costume in red - coat and his disguise from his youth and an old worn out hickory violin and bow, his first instruments.

Putting the suit and coat on - they still fit despite the time - he left his room looking back only once to make sure he had left the box open and the paper visible for his familiars.  He left the manor under a mantle of invisiblity he could still pull from the Weave.

To the docks he went.

Dispelling the mantle, he begun his song.

As the song reaches it's end, the old man vanishes.

His song became the blowing of the wind and his laughter spread through the land one last time as Ilsare took him to be forever with his love.

---

This is the end of Volume One.