The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: foxfire on April 03, 2006, 10:17:58 AM
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I have decided to begin my hunt for my lost family members in Mistone. I do not know why I decided to start my search there. Lately, I have been having dreams.. perhaps they are the source of my inspiration. Using nearly the last of my money I took a ship from Dregar to Mistone. With some old maps, I found my way to the small town of Hlint. I was told by some friends from home that Hlint was a city of adventurers, and that it might be prudent to begin my search there. This is the first time I have left the desert, and I already miss Saudiria dearly. It is unbelievably different here - new sights, smells, sounds... I suppose I should try to get used to it. The first thing I noticed on my arrival of Hlint is the vast diversity of the population here. Wandering down the streets casually are creatures that we would consider monsters back at home! I am surprised that I was able to stop myself from screaming (on more than one occasion!) I need to get myself situated.. I have a small pouch of gold coins left, which should do me for a couple of weeks in the local inn. I should probably try to find a few small jobs around town and make some coin to buy proper equipment for my search. If I am to do this, I must do this right from the beginning. Perhaps tomorrow I will start asking around if anyone had seen my grandfather.
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When I woke this morning and gazed out the window I could think only of my grandfather.
I did not sleep well last night, as I kept having dreams - one specifically stood out in my mind. I believe I have had this dream before.. I am not sure. Within this dream was a large dragon that spoke to me of a larger purpose of my life. I am not quite sure what he meant, but it was only a dream. I wish I could head back home and speak with the Grand Seer of Saudiria. He is well reknowned for reading dreams. Perhaps there was a deeper meaning, perhaps not.
As I changed this morning, I noticed that I had a large tear in my skirt. Perhaps it was from the long journey to Hlint... Anyways, I headed to the local community crafthouse to mend the tear and I ran into the largest man (?) I have ever met. This ..man.. towered over me by several feet and appeared to be stronger than the bodyguards of the emperial vault in Saudiria! He appeared to be a little slow, but he seemed nice enough. A person by the name of Ferrit introduced him to me as the half-giant Han. I had no idea that humans could .. well.. breed with giants! I suppose anything is possible. I met several other people throughout the day, however, no one has seen or heard of my grandfather. I must not get discouraged, it has only been one day.
I went through some basic exercises my grandfather taught me throughout the afternoon. It is becoming clear to me that his style has a focus on his strength.. which is something that I do not yet possess. However, I do have my own strengths - mainly my agility and speed. Lately, I have been trying to play on these strengths by modifying some of my grandfather's techniques. I have discovered that if I keep my center of gravity low to the ground, I can focus on my balance and mobility in combat. While blocking is a good way to protect yourself, perhaps avoiding the blow altogether would be something that would be of greater benefit.
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I have spent the last few months searching for my grandfather. I admit that I have grown up somewhat sheltered and innocent, but one thing is for sure I am no longer a stranger of the road. I have asked many people and even caravans to and from Saudiria.. no one has seen my grandfather. However, I cannot think him dead, there must be a reason for his disappearance. I know he would not leave without saying anything to me.. I know.
I have been training extensively with the scimitar, and my swings are becoming very natural to me - almost as if they are an extension of my own body. I have grown stronger, faster and more agile in combat. While first wielding the weapon I found myself favoring straightforward attacks, but now I find that the curve of the scimitar favors sweeping agile attacks. Almost by second nature I find myself stepping between my opponent's blows and striking for exposed critical areas. I have even learned attack multiple enemies in a single strike! I know I have a lot of learning to do, but I am confident that if my grandfather was by my side, he would be proud of my progress.
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I've spent a few days asking around about my grandfather.. no one has seen him or even heard of him. Perhaps I was wrong in coming here to Hlint.
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I suppose I was hasty in making that last entry! I have met a curious elf by the name of Ozy, and he claims to have met my grandfather! I was skeptical at first, but then he started mentioning things that only one who has known my grandfather would know. How long has it been since that incident...? Nearly six months? Ozy claims to have seen my grandfather trading small goods a month ago! While I doubt he is still there, I am very happy to hear that he is still alive. I begin to wonder though, did he run away leaving me with his problems just to open a new business elsewhere? No, this cannot be true - he is like a father to me and would never do such a thing. I know for certain that he values my life above even his own. Ozy seems to think that my grandfather was trying to lead.. them.. away from me to protect me. I do not even know who "them" are! But someone is after my family, and I fear for my grandfather's safety. Ozy thinks that I should abandon my search for now, and use the time to grow stronger. Maybe he is right.. what if one of my family's persuers is alerted by my search? I would have no way to protect myself and everything my grandfather has done for me would be in vain. Perhaps he knew this time was coming.. after all he insisted to teach me the art of the scimitar even against my father's wishes! All this time.. I thought it was for fun - and now I find my self fighting with those lessons in my heart every day. I CANNOT let this all be in vain, I will grow stronger no matter what. I will master this weapon as my grandfather did 50 years ago. I feel myself walking down the same path he did in his past. Ozy has told me that he knew my grandfather even 50 years ago! He told me that he was a legend with the scimitar, who could fell mighty giants in a single blow! He promised to tell me more stories of my grandfather in the future.. but until then I must train. I will grow stronger for my sake and my grandfathers - I swear it.
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I have been training extensively this past week. I wake up in the morning, I go out for a jog and practice my techniques on the local vermin and/or monsters, and relate the experience to my training. If I can find a group of adventurers, great.. but if I do not, I will not allow that to keep me from my goal. Sometimes I am successful in battle, sometimes I fall but I have been learning from my experiences. My most notable encounter this past week has been in the forest adjacent to Haven keep. A group of us were exploring the area and found some dwarven mercenaries that wanted nothing to do with us. After ambushing us, we defeated them easily. However, near the camp, we found a cave that lead deep underground. Not knowing what to expect, we ventured down inside more out of curiosity than anything. What we found was a great surprise. We stumbled upon a large frog like creature with large eyes about its body. This creature upon spotting us cast some vile spell which caused an earthquake in the cave. Rocks fell on us, and half of us tumbled to the ground gravely injured. We were able to defeat the grotesque creature and tended our wounds. Out of nowhere, a large rust colored insect like creature came down the tunnel. I hit the beast with my sword and the weapon turned to rust, right in front of my eyes! At first I did not comprehend what had happened, but out of fear, I pummeled the creature with my fists, defeating it in my rage. I later learned that this creature was a rust monster and actually ATE metal. I could not believe what I was hearing, I wished someone had warned me! I have lost the scimitar my grandfather gave me and I am heartbroken. I suppose I will have to have another one made.. but not yet. I am sorry grandfather - I have been trying so hard to grow stronger, but I keep reaching setbacks like this. Now I have gone and lost the sword you gave me! Please forgive me.