The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: Honora on July 22, 2006, 03:51:48 PM
-
So, I finally get out from under the mountains of work at the temple and find myself in the city I was called to, Hlint. Lady, if I never see another needle, or thread, or skin, or blanket again I will rejoice.
I have met a few people, notabley Dust; a beautiful young elf whom I think is looking for her sister, and a dwarf whos name escapes me at the moment. Why is it, I ask myself, that dwarves get the best hair? His was long, thick, silky and had great body. Everyone thinks it's the elven race that has such wonderful hair, but they simply don't look beyond the faces or height of the dwarves. To have hair like that!
I digress. I assisted Dust in helping the local tax collector, and then she wandered off. A young man named Sallaron and a cleric who again, I did not get the name of, assisted in another task that involved the deepest depths of the crypts. I must say that I feel I am on the correct path. My Lady blessed me twice in one day with new spells! And my turning of undead creatures is becoming very difficult for them to resist. I am very pleased by this and will be spending much time there I think.
It's difficult, not having a space to sleep in, or regular access to a bath. I can't shake my vanity. Smelling bad is just something I do not want to do. I have been renting space at the local inn in the evening but it does not come with water. I will have to do something about this.
I'll rest now I think. It will be a few hours getting the smell of the sewers out of my boots anyway.
-
Kergin was the dwarf's name. What a gentleman! He purchased for me a beautiful coppery mace, and the damage it does is far superior to my old one. I will keep an eye out for him to assist him further. Strange that I was given a gift, just for being myself...it's been a very very long time.
I helped a wagoneer with a goblin problem and have a pair of very tough boots for it. I'm glad of that, my old ones were worn through and the leather around the buckles was almost gone. My new boots have no buckles and that looks so much nicer.
I met Dust's sister today. I saw an elven female standing by the temple to Ilsare and was struck by the resemblance. When I asked, she pulled down her hood, and there was not doubt of the relation. I passed on that Dust was looking for her; which, in retrospect, may or may not be true but family is so important, I hope these sisters realize it. Her name is Ash and she is ranger of great, great skill. I can summon badgers and boars; she summoned a tremendous, huge bear that just mowed through the goblins she helped me to kill.
Adding this before I rest; I met a man tonight who is incredible with his sword, named Asher. He was in the Hlint crypts and asked if I wanted to see some "real undead". I've heard better pickup lines but I went along as he was very very good with his weapon. There was a large group of people there waiting to charge the crypt that Asher was showing me, and so we joined them. The undead were horrific; mummies and shadows and skeletons and bodaks. Everything happened rapid-fire and I was pressed to do what little healing I could offer. But, for the third time, the Lady granted me spells. Amazing.
I am exhausted beyond measure after this day's activities. I think there was only one time in my past life I was this tired and that was a party of...how many...twelve? Yes. At least this time I have honest sweat on me.
-
I began making holy water and healing potions today. It's not difficult but requires a lot of concentration and casting. My arms ache. On the other hand, I've splashed so much holy water on myself I can safely skip bathing tonight.
Thank you, Lady, for letting me get comfortable with the new spells I can cast. I am almost ready to be blessed with more but learning to channel the power takes time.
Reminder to self:
-Go to the temple and purchase components.
-Water and food.
-Vials
-Kyle Pandorn? about weapon/shield/crossbow
-Tyrian about ring; ring of divinity as well?
-Asher about armor.
The Weave is life, for it is my body and my soul.
Goodnight, Lady of Spells.
-
A trip with my newfound and very large friend Growls to the Barbarian Isles resulted in still more spells. I'm certain this is the path the Lady wants me to walk. I met a good number of people, I remember Zuga the dwarven woman, and a halfling woman they called Lillian, and a half-giant female whose name escapes me but my she was large. I've gained a lot of confidence in my casting, and kept several of the group healed.
I found a notice from Mrs. Dallorius regarding the ring I requested and found her in Hlint by the description she gave me. Very distinctive hair she has. A competent lady, if brusk. I now have a magical ring and feel all the wiser for it.
Mister Asher also brought me the copper plate I discussed with him, and a huge, heavy shield as well. I'm not used to wearing such protection...well, I'm not used to wearing much at all if I'm honest with myself. But the armor works very well. It's a bit bulky and very heavy but I am sure I won't get hit so much. I lamented the look quietly, so nice Mister Asher would not hear (not that he ever gets off his horse into earshot anyway), and Ash had several rings on her that helped me change the look to something more pleasing to my Lady. She said they belonged to a Miss H, or Honora, a half-orc woman who wears a "small blue outfit" according to Tyrian. I will return them to her if I see her; a half-orc female can't be too common so I'm sure I'll recognize her if I do see her.
Lastly for the day, which has left me exhausted and possibly even a bit thinner, is a lovely elven woman who approached me as I nearly dozed off on a bench. She said her name was Ferrit, and she asked if I worshipped the Lady. I said yes (it must have been my clothes that tipped her off, since I have recolored them blue and white) and she offered me a wonderful magical staff! I don't know how much I owe her, and I hope she's not eager for the cash since I am still in hock to Mister Asher for at least 1000 gold coins. But the staff is light and has magics on it and is greatly pleasing to my goddess. I will have to pass on the copper mace that the wonderful Kergin gave me now, as the staff fits my style much more.
Ah, dwarves named Kergin. I met another, also with wonderful hair and he was as kind as his same-named brethern. I was waddling around with boxes of skeleton knuckles and with the new armor and shield I could barely struggle each step. He offered to purchase my knuckles, and gave me a hefty sum of gold AND healing potions! I can always get more knuckles for my use but lightening my load was a relief.
All in all a wonderful day, my Lady blesses me with each moment. I look forward to tomorrow!
-
I cleared the crypts tonight and earned enough coin to purchase a pair of gloves advertised in the Wild Surge. Just before bed I happened on a man named Dareon Stormcloud who was part of the company I wished to buy from, and he had a pair of the gloves on him. He's also in the service of the Lady, I will have to find him later for a nice chat. Now, with the enchantment on the gloves, I can carry a few more pounds than before. Which is good because the chef's special at the Inn is not too bad and I'm hungry.
I met my friend Growls again, and the bard Lyle who was on the trip to the Barbarian Isles I now remember; and a man named Jaleel, and we went to take care of a mercenary problem. This was just after I left the crypts. We then went to the Haven mines, which perpetually overrun with ogres, and were able to get to the second level before turning back. I learned from my last trip and conserved all my spells for healing. I was not much use on the first floor but the Lady granted me use on the second, where the frontliners Growls and Jaleel took quite a bit of damage. I do need to get a crossbow soon however and will need to find this Kyle Pandorn I've been told about.
I believe I'll stick with the walking stick the lady Ferrit gave me for a weapon, it's very light and works well in one hand. Perhaps I'll upgrade my shield to iron though.
So, to do:
Iron shield and oak crossbow? Kyle Pandorn?
Ring of Divinity? -soonest save gold
Asher Hardrock (what a name...must ask him about it) - 1000 gold to complete payment.
Finish vials, make light healing potions (knuckles heavy!)
BUY NEW BRUSH AND COMB, FACE POWDER, ROUGE (looking blotchy)
And most important PAJAMAS (cannot sleep in armor!!!)
-
In the Haven mines, with Growls and others, again more spells. The Lady continues to bless me and I'm feeling my strength now.
I need to find something to put that strength to a use the Lady would approve. I will ask around and see what things I can do to aid people with more than passing troubles.
Also: Paid Asher the money I owed him, and Kyle the money I owed him, and I'm out of debt to these kind men. Advanced in enchanting and I'm pleased with that. I caught a glimpse of a half-orc woman in a tight blue top and grey and blue leggings running like the wind for the eastern part of Hlint yesterday evening while I worked at the enchanting pool; this must be the Honora they spoke of. Watching her run I didn't even try to catch her to give her those rings. I'd have split my sides and failed anyway.
-
Ventured a bit recently, to Rilaria to do some errands. Helped a farmer with a griffon problem quite accidentally; we were in fact trying to avoid the beasts, and one of them swooped down and tried to eat a party member. Fortunately we killed it, and it contained a cow's collar in it's gut. Which I would have not ever looked for but one of our number was most enthusiastic about searching for loot. Above and beyond, in my opinion...yuck. But the farmer at least knew what happened to that cow.
I've also sailed to Fort Velensk and Port Hampshire. Port Hampshire I especially liked, I've always wanted to visit there but never had the coin until now. Quite an impressive city, shame there is no lodging there. On the way back I saw the most disturbing thing, a wild chicken pecking at a little boy RIGHT in front of the guards to Blackford Castle! They did nothing! I ran as fast as I could but I could not reach the boy before the unusually large chicken killed him. I raged on the chicken, which sounds utterly ridiculous when I look at it in writing. But the dead boy's body makes it a sober thought. I killed the chicken and the guards continued to watch. I cannot tell if they were amused or uncaring or dozing at their post. After I killed the chicken I looked around for the boy's body but it had disappeared. I am still confused on that incident, and I feel horrible inside knowing I was not powerful enough to help. I must win Lucinda's blessing to raise dead, at least I could have spared a mother the pain of a child's death.
I've discovered that my crossbow, while lovely and well-made by Kyle, is pretty useless in my hands. All the broad sides of barns anywhere within 100 feet of me are safe. Well, at least I'm able to attempt to do something rather than hang back when I've used my spells.
I'm becoming much better at enchanting, I'm able to make light healing potions half the time now. Shattered a vial in my hand yesterday though, and that was unpleasant.
I have the money finally to pay for the ring I ordered from the Un-Named. I'm so excited about that, I will be picking it up tonight!
Not much more to write, I've been concentrating on becoming more adept at the spells the Lady has given me to use. A lot to learn!
Oh, there is one more thing. A gentleman in the crypts yesterday whom I healed from disease and wounds gave me a little blue ring as a gift. I forgot how nice that feels, and again, no motivation or expectations...just a gift. I believe his name was Fallon?
Things to do:
Pick up ring
Save for next ring
Order a cunning belt
Tithe at temple
Check calendar!
-
I met a lovely dwarf yesterday, Exodus. I'm impressed by the dwarves in and around Hlint, by and large a group of gentlemen. He even kissed my hand after we chatted!
I bought a belt from Miss Ferrit, so I can cross that off my list. I've spent the last few days either clearing the undead from the crypt or in prayer, with the exception of a trip to a darker, nastier crypt full of undead much more powerful. This was in Krandor, and I accompanied a man named Umbra. We went deep in and then were overpowered by a huge skeleton with a greatsword, and he fell, then I fell. I've never died before. It was cold, dark, and horrible, but I came back to the large cross in Hlint. It took many hours before the shock wore off. Now I know more of why I do what I do. I will fight death with my Lady's power as hard as I can.
Her constellation will be high tonight, so I will spend another night in prayer. I need a direction beyond adventuring, and I hope my Lady will guide me.
To Do:
Get ring from Un-Named
Tithe
-
An interesting test of my healing abilities in a trip to the swamps. I joined a group with Growls, a large gent of dark skin named Caide, Praytor (sp?), a vallient old fellow who is also a follower of the lady named Weston, a slender young lady named Dora, and a few others. I'm terrible at names, truely. How did I remember all my customers all those years? It's age, it must be.
Anyway. We travelled by boat to the swamps past Fort Velensk, and tackled the trolls there. Our first trip through was well coordinated, with no casulaties. On the way back, however, we were ambused. It was pure chaos, trolls and party members everywhere. I healed, I flung down the Hammer of the Lady on them, I did what damage I could but I move so slowly and am easy to hit. My crossbow got a workout! We did manage to get out with skins intact, and flush with victory, headed over to clear some ogres from a cave nearby. Luck was with me and no one else needed the topaz; I was able to mine quite a bit! Now, to find someone of skill to grind it. I tried and my little chisel just slid off the geode like it was covered in butter...there must be a trick to it.
I have taken a great deal of time to pray, as my skills increase. I ask the Lady every night what my purpose is. I must do more for the world than run around killing evil beings.
Lady, give me direction. Make me part of your weave, show me a purpose that I might heal wounds and bring your word to the world through my example.
-
What an interesting day. I was looking for someone to grind my topazs to dust in the Hlint crafting hall when I saw a half-giant talking to Miss Ferrit and a man I did not know. I thought of course it was Growls so I went to say hello but this man was shorter and broader by far. Although short is relative...he was still a good foot over me. He introduced himself as Michael Mordicai. I would have left it at that, needing my topaz dust very much, however he offered me two jobs and in my current financial state I don't have much leeway to refuse. First I am to go to Haven and collect wheat. I will get a set amount per box and that I will do with gladness although the boxes are heavy and I am close to what I can carry. Second, he asked if I could provide protection from mind altering spells, which I can. He hired me then for a cut of the proceeds to accompany him to the swamps up in the Battle Fens and get platinum. I accepted and off we went, after an incident with a lovely bird that flew into the craft hall and took a liking to Miss Ferrit. Such colors! It was like the bird was made of wild strands of the weave, lovely and not skittish like most animals. I will look for more of them.
In this journal I will tell the truth; I'm not sure what smelled worse, the swamps, or him. A friendly and genial man but not an attractive one. I did overhear him say he had recently gotten engaged to the half-orc woman Honora. As strange as that union sounds I cannot imagine anyone else putting up with his smell. As it was I tried to stay out of his wake. However, he was as good as his word and kept me alive as well as giving me an unbelievable sum of money for my time and repeated spells of mind protection and fear removal, as needed. I used my crossbow to assist, although what I was able to do to the trolls was fairly insignificant. However he is very susceptable to several spells of stunning including one I recognized as Hammer of the Gods, and I used my spell of clarity on him repeatedly. So I did earn what I took home. I offered him any more assistance should he need it in the future and we parted near Fort Velensk.
Thank you Lady, for providing when my coffers were empty.
-
Met an irrepressable halfling male yesterday. He bolded up and introduced himself, Thaddeus. Wanted to accompany me to the crypts. I took him down with me and he turned out to be a wizard of decent ability and no common sense; he burned the zombies we were fighting with a fire spell that singed me...TWICE. I had to cut over an inch of burned hair off.
He did give me a large number of skeleton knuckles which I will work with later today. And he purchased an extra walking stick I had found.
But my HAIR! Grrr.....
-
A small break as I sit on the deck of the captain's ship and wait for the others.
*There is a wiff of salty water on this page*
I traveled to Lorindar to explore Dregar a bit, and found a group of fellows in a bar. Included were the elf woman Ferrit who gave me my wonderful staff, a gnome named Miltin and a lady gnome, Meriam, who was dangerous to sit near due to springs and other metal objects that seemed to jump from her continuously. Also a gentlman Weaveworker of some age and good manners named Godim, a dwarf of much ale-drinking calling himself Barif, a soft-spoken elven man named Drogo, and a few others whose names have escaped me. We sat and talked for a while, pleasant people all, and then a nicely-dressed man began near us began to lament the loss of his wife and young daughter to a pirate named Black Jack, who sails a ship called the Midnight. Some of us spoke to him and we decided to help him; it seems my newfound fellows were of like mind, that no mother and child should be thrown to the pirates if a rescue can be attempted.
We gathered information on this ship; namely that it has either undead or demons aboard, and is exceptionally dangerous to cross, and no one has bested it yet. And, that there is one pirate captain crazy enough to possibly do so...whom we have found, and on whose ship I now sit. We had to enlist the aid of a reluctant captain with knowledge of the local pirates, and tamp our revulsion of the trade enough to convince them to let us ashore. So far no problems of any magnitude have arisen. There is much more detail but we sail soon and I don't have time to recount it all.
For the sake of the girl and her mother, I hope we succeed...Lucinda, Mother of my Heart, guide us in our travel and aid us in this rescue.
-
Well, the pirate trip is postponed. Some brassy-haired woman in a red dress showed up at the last minute and the captain decided he had better things to do for the short term. I pray the woman and her child will be alright but we simply have no other way to persue them until the captain is done entertaining himself.
Lucinda my lady, watch over them, please keep them safe until a rescue can be made. Wrap them in your Weave to hold them secure and I swear to you I will sail to help them as soon as I'm able. Thank you, my Lady.
Well, someone new has turned up in Hlint that I admit only here I find attractive. Galen Tweed, a cleric of my Lady and a sorceror as well. Handsome and flirty, charming, funny and way too young for me. I swore off men long ago, and here is this man whose parent's tailor shop I passed several times a week in Spellguard, who follows my Goddess, and who seems truely interested to be with me. But...I swore...
Well, it's comforting to know that he's have no trouble rejecting me if he knew my past. I think.
-
Galen, what am I going to do about him. He's been attentive lately, and earlier before I went to bed he asked to buy me an ale and started asking me about myself! He's being interested. He makes me laugh. And I just can't face what he would think if I told him who I was. I just can't. What do I do? Lady help me...
-
I'm delighted! I was able to save enough to buy another ring with second circle spells and another with first circle to help with my crafting.
And I'm spinning. Galen bought me presents, spell components. Which is funny except I needed them so much and it really helped me, and then he kissed my hand. And complimented my new dress. All things I've had done before but never for no reason, and never without a price. Lady I still don't know what to do. I am retreating to the temple in Spellguard to think things over, perhaps ask some opinions. Maybe even drop by the Tweed's shop, and browse...and see if I'm recognized. Maybe I can hide my past, if they have never seen me I can make something up. Parents killed in raid by orcs? Ogres?
I love this feeling, and I hate this feeling!
-
I've kneeled so long my shins are numb. I can't find answers because my Lady does not answer these questions. I would be giving up and walking past the Tweed Tailoring shop again, wishing and wondering, if sweet Rumilion had not stopped to talk. He is usually polite but even as his mind drifts sometimes he caught on to something bothering me. I always did talk to him when I learned in these halls; he seemed to like me then, and was grandfatherly to me, for an elf. He took me aside today and asked me what bothered me; I told him about Galen, like a child spilling out troubles to a mother or father. He laughed at me! He was worried that I'd started to lose faith. No, my teacher, never that.
He told me a story of his distant past, of love and yearning and what-ifs. It caught me by surprise and even answered the question of why he was so kind to my human self.
I don't know if he answered any questions. But it is good to know others have wondered as I do, and even others to who I hold the highest respect and awe.
Galen gave me a rose last night, and asked me to dinner. He compliments me so, and I'm not upset with that; I am pretty, after all, wrinkles included.
No, if I have to be totally honest, it's beyond even my past that I worry. I've never been in a relationship that did not have boundaries defined by coin. What can and cannot be done. How to speak, and to dress; what choices are mine and what choices are made by my renter.
How do I know these things when the love is free?
-
So much has happened I barely have time to write about it all. But I'll try.
I returned from Spellguard and found Galen almost right away. I found myself flirting back more strongly, and I've already agreed to dinner, so I supposed I'd better come to terms with how I'm going to tell him about me. At any rate, we headed out with a group to poke around Storan's crypt; I need to test my meddle against undead more powerful than those in the Hlint crypts now.
We came across so much more than we bargained for. We pushed forward to the door that I had until that night never seen past, the iron door with the horrid trap that has killed so many I've stood with. One of us, a halfling named Ullium?, began to hallucinate and pace, and was very badly affected by whatever lurked on the other side of the door. He kept speaking of scratching noises, and others did as well; a dwarf, and Galen somewhat and our friend Wilwarin. It grew intolerable for them and some of us with mind-clearing spells were pressed to keep them on the ones most affected. A muscular woman with deep red hair and a huge sword ended up curled in a cornor of the large room before the hall leading to the door, crying out in fear and anger, and one of our number, a Praylor, spent a long hour trying to talk her out of her nightmare. Clarity of mind did not seem to help her as much.
The mind spells did help the halfling though, and he very suddenly got the door open enough to squeeze through and we tiptoed in. At first it seemed as if it were nothing more than another room of shadows and revenants, not beyond our abilities, but with half our number behind unable to get through the door we were too separated to form an effective fight and all of us in the room were quickly killed by powerful spells. The spellcasting undead abomination Storan was in the center of the room mocking us and casting us dead one by one.
Well, dead I thought. We may have been merely unconscious, because Praylor shook me awake after some time I cannot fathom, and one by one we straggled out running as fast as our missile-burnt legs could carry us.
After that we broke apart, quiet in our failure, and none of the gold found was shared, nor the item that Storan had that some of us need to complete a task. I don't know if it was found but I'm dissapointed at the lack of disclosure. Certainly I'm no longer trusting some of the number we traveled with.
Which brings me to later. Galen and I met near Fort Velensk in response to a letter calling for adventurers. Several others showed up; I met Yu, another lovely redhead named Brielle, and a man named Roy. Another man came by, a bard named Freldo, but he did not stay. Such a lovely way with the violin, that one.
Perhaps I should mention when I first saw Galen and Yu, she was sitting in a pile of bottles, and clearly deep in her cups. She used all the concentration she could muster to try to play a guitar and thinking she was a bard, I paid her to play, which gave her a good laugh.
Brielle came later; she and Yu know each other, and we spent some time in pleasant banter. Lovely folks all, even quiet Roy, who chimed in now and again but tended to observe more from the shade of a tree. Some time passed when we finally looked around for what it was we were doing there and spotted a device perched on a large flat rock. It seemed somewhat cobbled together, but what do I know of such things? I've seen worse that worked. We examined it until a tall, academic looking human man and a brownish gnome came out of Velensk proper and introduced themselves.
Arthur, and Gimbol. I'll say this, to save myself from writing a book; Arthur is certainly knowledgable, but has no attention span outside of his academic world. He could barely get our names right, and I don't think he once called the gnome by his correct name either. Gimbol is quite bitter about this, and mocked his companion as often as he could. Clearly a disfunctional relationship.
We were hired to accompany them to the top of the Berhagens to set up the device, ostensibly to catch a "para-elemental"; an elemental that is a combination of the four base elements, such as smoke (air and fire) or lava (fire and earth). We agreed after Yu spent considerable time negotiating a degree from the Academy Arthur teaches at in return (whether she got what she wanted, I don't know) and set out.
I will note here that I had to rely once again on my past skills. Gimbol could not get a word in edgewise over Arthur even when he was asked a direct question, and I used a little finger trick to keep Arthur silent while Gimbol spoke. I hope Arthur did not get the wrong idea...still works though.
We traveled upward, Roy and Yu scouting and Galen, Brielle and I guarding the ox and the scientiets. We came to a lovely valley with a native tribe that Brielle remembered was supposedly wiped out. After miscommunication, and Yu charging forth (she is strong-willed, that one, and reckless), we came face-to-face with the tribal leader. There were a handful of tribal members about, but I saw no women; and the first thing the chief did was grab Brielle and throw her into his tent! His intent was clear to me, he was claiming her as his property, and while I stood there watching his gestures and listening to his language, he grabbed me and threw me in as well!
What a pickle. Brielle, it turns out, has more than a few talents, one of which is the invisibilty spell. Thanks to her I snuck out unseen, and she did as well, and the group proceeded forward. We were able to simply shout to each other our intentions as the tribe spoke no common. Some time after fleeing our near-captivity as "wives" I suppose, we heard yells and calls in the valley behind as our extradition from the situation was discovered. But by then we had run far enough ahead to lose them in the upper foothills.
Forward and upward; we rested on a plateau, and Yu and Roy found an old man near a giant camp. He was a bitter old hermit, but with no small persuasion from Yu and Brielle, he agreed to help us for some food and items. He guided us past the giants (which Yu stirred up with spells, crazy little minx that she is) and up toward our eventual destination.
A few things to note for the future. Take OFF plate armor before attempting to jump long distances. I managed to jump (with my heart in my throat every time) until I finally found a ledge I could not get past. Too long...too deep between sides...I would get to the edge and stop short every time. I could not. Since the device could not simply be lobbed over (we had to leave the ox behind well before the peaks anyway, and had been hauling the unbelievably heavy thing up using ropes and considerable back strain) I asked if anyone present was a magic user. Not so much to my surprise, Gimbol turned out to be a wizard, and this saved our effort. Gimbol marked the device, himself, Galen and me with some strange mark that allowed the device to travel magically from peak to peak and turned Galen, he and myself into birds! I was a bird! I've never felt such a wonderful thing, the temptation to just sail out over the mountains was tremendous. I honestly think the only reason I didn't was because I didn't know how long the spell would last and a sudden stop on a rock from one hundred feet above is so bad for my complexion.
This is turning out to be a book anyway. I need to write more often! Well, we made it to a lightning-covered peak, lugged the device in place, and so the experiment began. Gimbol ran the machine, and Arthur took notes. The first attempt brought hostile air creatures, and the second try brought more hostile balls of light that I've no name for; Gimbol had to stop and check the machine as it was not containing the summons at all. To my great concern he slipped something into a compartment, but when I called him on it and told the rest of the group, no one seemed inclined it investigate, assuming it was part of the operations. I think not; it seemed furtive to me. But we pressed on. The third try was sucessful! A huge elemental of electricity, I've never seen such a thing. Truely amazing and frightening at the same time. It was very definately intelligent, and angry; it tested the limits of the containment spell the machine cast, and when it determined that it was well and truely held, it began to observe us as we observed it. Yu and Arthur both kept getting too close. We were to the point where we felt it was time to send it back (I would be quite angry if I were summone abruptly to some other plane of existance against my will as well), and when Gimbol tried to do it, the machine broke with a huge explosion. We were all knocked flat, and the elemental hovered for a moment and then dissapeared!
I was left standing; hard to knock these hips over. I attended to the others and there was nothing more than breath knocked out and a few small bruises from hitting the rocky ground. Gimbol was half under his machine, and as I attended to him I also checked the compartment I saw him insert something into. It was empty. I think there is more going on here than meets the eye; I think he somehow trapped that elemental, but I have no proof. I will be on the lookout for another such attempt, though, as Arthur said there would more research. Gimbol is up to something. I'd like to find out what.
The road back down was much longer, and they insisted on bringing back the machine (and all the parts of it we could find). Arthur was just thrilled that it worked, and we skirted around the valley avoiding the female-deficient tribe, and made it back to Velensk without incident.
Roy is a superb scout; Yu is an acoomplished magic user. Galen continues to impress me with his magics as well, and Brielle's magic got us out of what would have ended up a bloody mess. A good group, and I look forward to meeting with them again.
Now I must think. How to tell him?
-
I wrote, "How to tell him?"
I told him bluntly. He took me to the most beautiful spot, with a little pond and a bench up in the hills. I knew it had to be then. I told him...almost everything. I didn't mention my girl.
Well, he was shocked, and dimayed, and even more so when I admitted that which I have kept close to myself since I came back from Spellguard; that his uncle Bruester was one of my clients. He had to sit down when I told him that. He had just said something..."Why are you telling me this?" And I said, "You need to know. If we went to Spellguard together, someone might recognize me...like your uncle." He just looked at me and said, "Bruester?" And I nodded yes, and he put his head in his hands and said, "mother's brother". Well, Bruesie was well known to us. Not a man for marrying, that one.
It was not a pleasant talk. I was adamant that I understood if he didn't want to continue all the while holding the rose he had just given me that day. He paced, and fired questions off at me, and could not understand how I could do such a thing. I told him it was all I knew; my mother disappeared when I was 14, and with no home to go to, what else could I do? It was what I was brought up knowing. I remember he yelled "Just because I have a needle doesn't mean I have to sew!"
After some time all I could ask was, would he still value our friendship? As a servant of the Lady, it is so refreshing to find another who knows how I feel. Who understands what it means to really love the Mistress. I didn't want to lose him.
He finally told me that it was a lot to take in, quite a shock. But he said that it was my past, and he would judge me on who I am now. And we'd go slow. He even said I could set the pace...so he really does like me, he's not just a big flirt. I have a relationship now. I need to find someone who knows of these things and ask them "what next?"...
-
After a lovely jaunt to Fort Velensk area, I stayed a while to teach a young man who was interested in the Lady's words. Iefin, such a serious boy, with some talents in the Weave that I cannot direct him on and a powerful curiosity about what that means and who the Lady of the Weave is. I met his parents, Rofireinites. They are not happy about their son's direction but they seemed unthreatened by me and so I told him what I knew, and gave him directions to the temple at Blackford Castle, as that would be closer. His parents are discussing sending him there. I will have to check back soon to see how he's doing. It's a shame I can't help him further, but my gifts are not to work the Weave itself.
I enjoyed my time there, but kept me from Hlint. Let me rephrase that, kept me from Galen for too long. I did miss him.
I came back two days ago and he was near the enchanting pool as I knew he would be. He's become quite the enchanter, and is thinking of infusing as well. Well, I should say he was happy to see me, and said things were not the same while I was gone. We sat for a while and caught up and I felt that same simple joy that I do when he's around. So young, so brash, yet so centered. I'll have to ask him to teach me some of the things he's learned enchanting, I need to move forward with that.
Thank you Lady, for Iefin, for Galen, and for this beautiful, magical world.
-
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. I returned to Hlint to find Galen and a group with Ronus, talking about a missing caravan. I think we could have been talking about missing body parts in the care of a dragon, I'd have gone to spend time with him. We queried Raglin the Bard, and she gave us a smattering of information that Yaslin the Innkeep added to, and were able to ferrit out the schedule of caravan deliveries from that. Amazing that these people who get supplies on a regular basis, like Captain Garrent and the merchants, don't remember what day it comes in, but it was this; on Weds., from Krandor, a halfling brings tailoring supplies. On Thurs., from Fort Velensk, a gnome brings armoring supplies. From Spellgard, on Fri., a gnome brings alchemical supplies. And, from Port Hampshire, on Sat., a halfling brings food supplies. Then it was a matter of finding out which of the caravans didn't arrive and locating them; we tracked down all the shipments except the alchemical one, and tracked it back to...a broken wheel. Nothing more than a broken wheel. Still, the exercise was valuable for the teamwork; once again I find myself enjoying a dwarf's common sense, this one named Han; and I got to spend time with Galen. Now as I'm writing this I'm listening to the bustle and murmers in the temple at home, Galen chose to come with me. Diary, I kissed him finally. I'm not sure why he waited but I got impatient. I'm still smiling. There is news in the halls, and has been for months apparently. I'm enclosing the paper: *a parchment within reads* The regency of Blackford, on behalf of the lands of Mistone and in direct representation of Allurial, Queen of the Lands and Chosen of Lucinda would like to announce in formal scripture of the posting of one Eldárwen Hilliaraname for the diplomatic allocation recently admonished by the calling of the Lady of Magic, titled as Beloved of Lucinda. This diplomatic position is from this day henceforth acknowledged by land and faith to enact on behalf of the betterment of Magic. The Beloved of Lucinda will strive to fulfill the ever-present need for magical wisdom, offering insight to all - regardless of faith, belief, social standing, association or intent. Attending only and in utmost reverence to the health of the Weave in our civilization. Sealed and protected by Queen and Legacy of Faith, this notice of acknowledgement is presented in kindness and benevolence to all eyes. Witnessed in Sealing Highstar Belinmeric
So Allurial has shifted some of her duties, I think. I have never met this Eldarwen...I've heard nothing bad yet. But I think I may want to keep a closer eye on the politics of the Church. We've never been one to have an easy time, with mage egos being what they usually are.
Perhaps I need to get more involved?
-
I've been so busy, it's delightful! So much to write. A very long time spent traveling between Spellgard, Hlint and Fort Velensk, praying and assisting and even (Lady help me) sewing. I’ve tithed and volunteered and now I have some time to myself. So I met Galen and a small group outside Fort Velensk a few weeks ago to assist Arthur and Gimbol again, this time to capture and study a magma para-elemental. The machine was rebuilt and looked sturdier. Several others also came; Pyran, Sideus (Sid), and a small woman whose name escapes me, but she was bright and funny. We debated for some time where we might find a lava pool; it was decided that there might be one on top of the Greypeaks, although I’ve never heard that. And wonders, Gimbol had cast a spell on the device that it fit in his pocket; we were able to leave the ox behind!
We did make our way up, carefully, and had to kill many ogres on the way. Once at the rocky plateau, I noticed a bunch of rock pillars. They were the foundations of a temple, and a fissure let our two lightfooted folk in to scout. Once inside we moved carefully in the ancient ruin, although it seemed pretty sturdy. Deeper we found a bridge spanning a molten lava flow, and here our scientists set up the machine.
Well, nothing ever goes as planned. Arthur, more absent-minded than usual, almost fell into the lava, and water splashed on the machine; sadly, it activated and captured a water elemental. I saw her in distress but before Gimbol could release her she died of the heat. It was wrong, and felt like an evil act. I have prayed over this, and all I can think is that it was an accident that can’t be allowed to happen again. Gimbol did something to the machine after she (I think of them as female, anyway) melted away, and captured a steam para-elemental! And just earlier I had been wondering if mist (air and water) could make an elemental. We observed it for some time but it seemed very powerful and so we sent it away, but the machine malfunctioned and captured a magma para-elemental of great size. It made me very nervous; these para-elementals are much larger and seem stronger than their single-element cousins.
We tried then to send it away, but once again there were problems and we were attacked by some flying creatures that the machine attracted. And then, worse yet, the magma was boiling and splashing over the bridge and a little magma creature appeared! At that point, Lady help me, I ran. Though not large it was clearly going to hurt us, as it charged when it formed on the bridge. We made it upstairs with Arthur but Gimbol…Gimbol stayed behind. We could not go back to find him, although Galen made us invisible to the magma creature who persued, because the heat was building and we were low on water. Gimbol never came out. I do remember he’s a powerful mage, and his command of my Lady’s Weave no doubt saved him. He could surely teleport out, if nothing else.
After that mishap, we delivered Arthur safely back to the university. Not too long after I was in Fort Llast and noticed Galen again (and at this point, I admit to myself that it’s not just like anymore) and went to speak to him. There was a woman in black and purple with long blonde hair who I’ve seen once or twice before, I found out later her name is Rhynn. She is a mage with a powerful command of the Weave. Also there was a man who I believe to be a healer of Aeriden, Lexor, and a woman with vibrant aquamarine hair, Treanna. And also a half-orc named Al, who spit; SPIT; on the statue to Toran. Unbelievable. The High Priest came out, Orpheus, and took down our names as witnesses while some other Toranites cleaned the image. Disgraceful. Al did not stick around, and just as well, he flaunted his association with Pyrtechon. Later to the group was a druid, I think he was called Drogo. Quiet but intelligent, and a wild elf to boot. That makes three that I’ve ever seen.
Not too long after the half-orc left, two Halflings arrived; Triba and Acacea. What a pair! They made me smile, Triba with her antics, and Acacea because of how well she cared for Pige. Pige is a young orphan, perhaps 11 or 12, whose parents and brother were killed last year. By whom and why we don’t know but after our investigations we are on the track of the killer. We know this; she came home from delivering something to Orpheus at the temple, and found her mother, father and brother dead. It breaks my heart to think that…so young, and so alone. Acacea was as a mother to her while we traveled back to the farmsite, and obviously cares for the girl. Pige responded well to that.
We found the burial site for the family in the center of the fields now owned by an unpleasant (according to Pige) family named Wilkes. But right away Pige noticed that her brother’s headstone was gone; Drogo confirmed that there was no body later. Those of us with the Weave felt necromantic magic at work, and two spirits rose from the graves; the parents. They did not attack but still Pige was scared to death, poor child. They gave us a message; the boy’s body had been removed. After they vanished I felt around for ritual magic, but since my attunment to the Weave is still developing, I asked the mage woman to help. She right away said that ritual magic had been used. Horrible. Then at Acacea’s urging she scanned the now-sleeping Pige for magic and found the girl had been scryed! This lead us to deduce why they needed the little boy’s body. He was only three, which makes me sick to think of. While in discussion of this we heard the new owners returning, and had a run-in with one of their oxen. Thank you Lady for Treanna, who was able to put the ox down quickly before it gored someone.
We then took Pige to Hlint, to find a portal so that Triba and Acacea could take her somewhere that she could not be scryed and would be safe. And we will be gathering again soon to discuss what to do and where to go next.
There is a wonderful end to all of this for me personally though. My Lady, Lucinda, granted me more spells! As I have advanced enough, not only can I now cast the spell to bring the dead back to their bodies, I can throw out all those heavy spell components for my lower level spells. I am thrilled, and most important, She granted me the spell that heals all. The big heal, as my old teacher at Spellgard called it. This had finalized my decision. Before, I let myself wander, not quite sure of what my Lady wished of me. Now I know. I shall take the path of the Fallan Gis, and learn every aspect of the Weave that can help with healing the sick and damaged.
I am more excited and focused than ever before. I know where I will go and what I will do. I am a healer in the name of the Lady of Spells, and she has blessed me so many times. Lucinda, thank you for all you have given me.
-
Well. I'm just in a state. I'm not really sure how to sort what I've learned.
I received a letter from Galen, asking me to join him near Velensk to adventure. I hurried a bit, I really do need to stop eating the cook's special at the Wild Surge; my armor chafed when I was running.
When I got there I saw a lovely blonde woman in blue, very skimpily dressed. I thought nothing of it; plenty of people dress to impress and not to resist the cold; but after spending just a few minutes in her company I could see she was flirting with Galen relentlessly, and seemed to have more than a passing acqaintance with him! Much more. She was downright aggressive and it made me uncomfortable. I felt an old urge to compete rising...after what I told him, I'm not sure that's the best idea. So I kept my cool as much as I could but I did get rather snippy with him several times.
Aside from her hinting that her relationship to Galen was of a personal nature, the trip was a success. After a few profitable but decidedly strained hours, I asked him to come with me to the Fort where we could speak in private. And I found out that this woman, Muir, has a mate and children; but this dosen't seem to prevent her from wandering, or at least that's the impression I got. It could be that she just enjoys tugging my Weave but this remains to be seen.
Galen and I spoke at length. I told him how I felt, and we kissed for a while; a first. For someone with his remarkable good looks and charm, he's very...unpolished, when it comes to actual physical contact. Still, it seemed to make him happy and I know it pleased me.
I'm not ready to throw myself on him but at least now he knows how I feel. He does not seem to mind the eight years between us. And we are a good team. So why is my stomach so knotted?
I need a cookie.
-
He's been so sweet lately. And he kissed me again.
I feel twelve inside. But I'm so happy!
-
I met up with the group that started helping Pige again. Sweet Acacea has been keeping me informed with bird notes, Lucinda bless her (and She does!). Triba was there and Miss Rhynn, briefly, although she appeared to be under some sort of malady. A few new faces, a lady named Clarissa and one named Clover (who I accidentally whacked with my walking stick; clumsy! She forgave me). We were rushed or I'd have examined Miss Rhynn; she certainly looked to be under exhaustion. She did head for an inn and take to bed which is good. I'm sure she's alright. There was also a man named Connor, quiet and practically throbbing with the Weave, and Treana was there. A few other people I did not interact with much, a Klaug and a plain-spoken man who spent most of his time around Treana.
And best of all, Galen was there. He was so affectionate, it was as if we were lovers. Perhaps we are. We snuggled and held hands and he seemed more relaxed with it than ever. And for the first time I noticed how strong he is; he was able to lift an unconscious man where the paladin was not! Such good health for a spellcaster, his time outdoors serves him well. Such nice arms and shoulders...
I digress.
Pige is safe, according to the halfling ladies. They have found the bones of the brother and the mage who was scrying them in Luck which is a town a few hours walk from Hlint. So close is evil sometimes. But the mage I'm told is quite insane and therefore not accountable for his actions, and it did not seem probable that he was responsible for the murder. Only a tool, and a badly used one at that. He's malnourished and exhausted, clearly not sleeping and overworking himself badly. He was not conscious any time that I saw him. He showed no signs of physical damage; no one is beating him; but his eyes are scarred from a scrying accident I hear, and he is blind.
Since he was in such poor health, we split up to persue different threads of the mystery. I followed Klaug and Galen to the inn in Luck where they put the man in a bed for some rest. Clarissa left him some food, as well. His house seems fine to me except for the basement (which Triba and Acacea said "sort of might have caught on fire the last time they were there") but they wished to keep him from the house. As it was, this was a good thing since searching the house turned up a clue. Triba found the mage's assistant, Sahara, who gave us some potentially valuable information. To summarize:
About 7 or 8 months ago, he received a letter from the Welkes. The contents she did not know.
About 6 months ago, he began to instruct her to turn away work and he focused on some unknown project.
About 5 months ago, he got a rare visit from a woman described by Sahara as "dark-haired and dressed in purple and black scarves and cloth", somewhat gypsy-like. The woman teleported into the home, Sahara was instructed to stay away, and the woman left a few days later.
We left her caring for her boss, and returned to the house as Clover wished to search. We found the rest of the group there looking already, and joined them. Not much else was found except for the papers Ferrit (oh, I did forget to mention her) had already found earlier. Connor did discover a crystal that was heavily warded. Acacea helped him work through the wards while the remainder of us took some time in the hall to discuss matters and rest our legs. Some hours later the mage showed up with his assistant and I won't go into all that happened except to say that Lucinda bless all the magic-users there and copper-plated clothing makes a lot of noise. We did manage an escape though, and retreated to Hlint to study the crystal in hopes it would point us in the direction of whomever was paying the mage to do his horrible scrying.
Oh, and I found out that the little boy's soul is inside Connor's head. How odd that must be...
Well, my story ends there in Hlint, leaning up against the old well near the merchant houses, snuggled into Galen's arms, and sleeping like a log. You'd think the others would have realized that I was asleep when I finally stopped talking! I'm sure Acacea will tell me what was discovered later, if not I will find someone who knows.
I have been attending classes in Spellguard with teachers of the Fallan Gis. Facinating; the more I see of this, the more I want to learn to be a doctor as well as a cleric. I will make my intent known; they have some excellent doctors, and it would be wonderful to use that in addition to my Lady's gifts. We did some dissection, and there was an excellent class on the different anatomies of human, elf, dwarf, halfling, and gnome. Facinating! I learned much and I'm so eager to continue! Better still, I shared what I'd learned with Galen, and he wishes to learn as well! We've planned to attend some classes together. I hope they accept me as worthy of further attention. This is something I have felt so drawn to...this is what the Lady wishes of me.
Thank you Lucinda, for all your gifts and the clarity to use them.
-
A class on bone structure and different healing methods.
For long bone breaks (how interesting to see this finally, rather than healing through the skin!) deep healing is needed, a series of short, lesser-power heals might not fully seal the fissure.
For smaller, hairline fractures, lesser heals are sufficient; a deep heal can stress the tissue by forcing it to close too much and cause soreness as the area stiffens.
For any fracture that breaks through the skin, if time permits, setting is advised before healing for the same reasons stated above; forcing the bone back into place with divine power might stress the tissue and "over-heal". Of course, in combat, this is unavoidable.
Facinating. I've put forth my application.
Oh and Galen is cooking something up. Often when I see him he's scribbling madly in his journal, and he seems focused as I've never seen him. Wonder what he's got planned?
-
Still no word on what Galen's up to and he's in Prantz doing something. I sincerely hope he's alright, that city gives me the chills.
I have another lesson today; healing animals!
-
She is gone. The Queen, the Chosen, is gone.
How should I feel? Happy, that she's in the Lady's arms now? Sad, that we've lost a living link to the Weave? Apprehensive, that Mistone is open to all the evils of the world now, without our rallying force to guide us? Or hopeful, perhaps, that she felt she could go to her rest and leave the world in our hands.
I settled first for a more immediate emotion. One found in Galen's presence, one that gives me comfort. We talked last night more than we ever have. I told him my fears, my hopes; some dreams as well. He told me as much...we were both in shock I think. He's seen so much more than myself. He was part of a group that saw the story unfold of the Seven Sisters, from a magical mirror in the possession of the Sielwood Witch. He watched the Lady of the Land die by an arrow made out of hate and revenge and a sister's bond lost. He saw betrayal and the great dragon who destroyed Hurm. He saw much more but I will have to know much more to make heads or tails out of it.
The dragons are restless, Galen says. I must get out with him more often and see for myself what is happening. But I'm torn, as I want so very much to learn the secrets of the healing arts and how it applies to the arcane.
But I know my Lady wishes me to do both, and so both I will do. I even introduced myself to the Warder last night, Alterial. What a gracious lady she is, and she remembers me from my vows! Normally I'd dismiss this as polite politiking, but this woman, I believe. I also saw many others, some of whom I didn't recognize although dear Acacea pointed out some names. I felt so close to my Lady then, in and among her faithful and knowing that she is woven into all our lives.
Galen had a wonderful idea, and brought two bouquest of blue roses. He enchanted them with a small spell to bring the brightness forward and cause a sparkle around the petals, and we would have presented them to her if we'd had that opportunity. But as she was spirited away in the arms of an angel of Lucinda's, instead I scattered some of the petals into the wind blowing in her direction, and Galen and I then placed the bouquets where she had stood.
I still can't believe she's gone.
I've spent the morning in prayer and I must sleep soon, as Galen and I stayed up conversing most of the night. I will not forget how our Lady parted the clouds and dust and let the sun shine on our faces, if only for a few minutes, though. Warm breezes and warmth on my skin, and the smell of morning dew...
Hopeful is what I will choose to be.
-
The Lady has blessed me again and again, and again. I have more of her gifts in my mind, and I was able to for the first time raise someone from the dead. It could not be more ironic that is was Galen whom I raised; he was felled by an ogre in the Iron Hills and I was there, able to pray to our goddess and bring his willing soul back to his body again.
It was an amazing feeling. All my love and all our shared Lady’s power in one beautiful moment, feeling the threads of his soul return to my fingers to be woven around his body again. I have since raised another, a young lady named Melody who could not have been more properly named for her lovely voice, but that first time will be etched in my mind until I pass to the Lady’s arms. I am more sure than ever of my path.
I have submitted a request to be tested for advancement in the Fallan Gis, and am awaiting their response. Galen I believe will do likewise, although with his arcane gifts he is interested in being Affirmed as well as Ordained.
I traveled Dregar for the first time, beyond Prantz and the giant’s woods surrounding. I went from end to end almost, seeing most of the incredible desert and meeting people I both admired and people I was uncomfortable with. I do hope to meet Jade the monk again, what a lovely elven woman she is, who follows our friend Folian. And Starr, the well-dressed gentlegnome who follows the lady Beryl. And certainly Melody, such a sweet voice and a happy, fun person.
However, life has its twists. I met a strange, reticent man named Jeran who confessed at some point to such misdeeds I called upon Lucinda to tell me what she thought of him. Not much, was the answer; not much at all. Given our situation (we were deep in a mine filled with giants, trying for gems around them) I made peace with my sudden ambivalence but he found my spell intrusive and has taken to calling me “the bad manners lady”. And it could not be more strange that he turns out to be the boyfriend of Muir, the woman who took (and takes) such fiendish delight in teasing Galen and plucking on my nerves. I suppose they deserve each other, although they shower each other with affection. While her children sit home (presumably) with her husband, waiting.
I suppose I’d better not continue that train of thought. There are some things I haven’t the right to be haughty about.
I also had a wonderful, embarrassing, and wonderful again experience in the Berhagens. I was with a group wishing to explore the mountains, and having never been, I readily accepted. There were golems of incredible beauty there, at least until the group killed them. That left me uneasy and I should have spoken up then, but did not. We traveled to Shoufall, meeting a small band of hostile giants along the way, and there visited the crypts. Normally I’d be both excited and nervous, as much undead is still too powerful for me to effectively turn, but these crypts were stunningly carved monuments to the fallen and as clear of necromancy as any you could hope for. Again, my respect for the dwarven people is raised.
Leaving the warmth of the crypts we met a dwarven man who was headed up toward the Ulgrid Fortress, which until that moment I had never heard of. What a funny soul he was, he complimented me by telling me I looked like a tall dwarven lass!
He joined us, and we found ourselves not too long after inside the mountains embrace, standing in front of row after row of stone columns with braziers on top. Simply amazing.
He (he, I have forgotten his name already, shame!) took us to meet the King and Queen of the fortress, and they were gracious until it came up that we would be invited to see the temple to Vorax within. I was moved then, in the spirit of honesty, to reveal my love of the Lady. This did not meet with a warm reception. The King requested that I “do what is right for our god and for yours”, and so I left, saddened because of my esteem for the dwarven folk. But Ferrit, dear Ferrit, chased me down, and said that the King bid me back. It was agreed that I could continue the tour of the fortress so long as I did not step foot inside the temple, which I would not have anyway.
We were then taken to a wonderful underground dock, and shown waterfalls with an almost purple sheen in the deep light. We all sat at the edge of the water and listened to the tale of the finding of the lost elven library, now the Great Library in Voltrex, which I truly hope to see someday. The dwarf told the story and shared ale with a dwarf in our party, and questions flew. I felt warm and tired, listening and letting my eyes wander over a boat scaled to dwarves that lay in harbor there. I asked if the battle scars on the ground and rocks were from dark elf attacks, and he said aye but they’ve fought them off every time.
After the story was done and questions answered, we were taken to see the temple. I elected to remain outside, but urged the others to see; it would have been disrespect to both Lucinda and Vorax to have entered. Some of my companions pushed for me to take a peek but I refused, instead admiring the stonework. Daniel remained outside, as did Kyle and Ferrit who follow the lady Ilsare and would have been equally uncomfortable inside the war god’s home. We talked long, about many assorted things, and when the others came back, we drifted out saying goodbye to our dwarven friends. I can respect and admire a dwarf without being friends with his god, after all.
And now I rest, having run myself silly all over, and pray, and read the book on skeletal systems I was lent from Spellguard. And wait, to hear from the Fallan Gis, and pray my Lady has faith in my abilities.
-
Nothing yet from the temple, and it frustrates me; however my request may have become lost. I will re-send it to another to make sure it gets read.
Other than that, Galen is wonderful, Lucinda is giving me time to adjust to my new spells, and I've some newer people to Hlint.
-
Galen has bought a house. He lives on Dregar, under the protection of Lor and Castle Raxwell. A nice neighborhood, on a hill. And very near Prantz which while it still makes me nervous, is a wonderful place to purchase things. Its a bit orderly for my tastes however. How do I know all this? I live there now! He invited me to come stay upon which I thanked the wonderful people at the Wild Surge, packed every single thing I own, and gleefully tossed my key at the Innkeeps's wife as I dashed out the door!
I live in a house, with a man that I love. And I know he loves me because he told me so. I was not as nervous as I thought, perhaps both of us have been thinking this for a while. He's a gentleman and he loves the Lady as I do and it's so easy to love him. Oh, and he put a lovely private alter to the Lady of Spells in a small room near the back, so we might worship quietly and become closer. I have already found this room to be the one I prefer to study in; as I read the books of the Fallan Gis, become clearer on what would be expected of me, doing so in Her presence makes the concepts understandable and keeps me alert.
No word yet on my desire to test for a higher position. But I'm busy helping Galen decorate; he's got a touch he didn't know about!; and meeting my new neighbors, so I'm quite busy and as happy as I've ever been!
-
My life has been wonderful but I have not much to report. I have no news from the Fallan Gis, and I've spent most of my time acquainting myself with the area so I have not tested my abilities. I have nice neighbors, Mister Tempest lives next door and a Mister Silverhands I believe his name is? is on the other side.
Galen and I grow closer every day and tonight, tonight we decorate! He's done a lot but he's asked if there is anything I'd like to add. Well, I hadn't said anything, but there is a APPALLING lack of flowers and plants around here! I'm going to spruce the place up a bit, add some color.
I do hope he doesn't mind flowers! And some new rugs, and sconces for light, and perhaps some curtains? Oh, and maybe some table covers. And paintings!
I'd best get shopping!
-
Well, we've decorated. He admitted the house looks much better with the new furnishings and the plants and the new rugs. It has a "home" feel now, and I'm much more comfortable.
Galen is so sweet. I've lived here for almost two months, and he hasn't made any moves on me. He's a perfect gentleman, truely.
Perhaps, and I smile as I write this at my new desk, it's time to change that...
-
I've been by the Fallan Gis several times for classes and to discuss concerns or questions and something is happening. I am not in a position to know, but I sense discord and worry.
More worrisome is the changes I feel in my prayers and the way they are answered. I fear something has happened, something is not the same with my Lady. I must seek out the Beloved and ask as soon as I am able to get to Blackford.
Galen and I continue on a path together. He's been more...shall I say aggressive? I rather like it.
Other than a chance meeting with Muireann and Jeran the other day, things have not been very exciting. Although it was less unplesant that I feared as Muir held her sharp tongue a bit and Jeran was unusually funny despite my unease around him.
I must seek the Beloved. I will leave as soon as Galen returns and I can tell him where I'm headed.
-
I've been distracted by the Gloom Woods. Never have I had so much fun at what I do! Galen comes with me sometimes, and my powers at destroying the walking dead have grown. It is very satisfying.
I still must find the Beloved though.
-
I've seen something distressing at the Fallan Gis and I must write about it. I knew something was wrong but I couldn't put my finger on it. Now I can.
It's been months since I started learning here, and my time trying to help Gimbol has pushed me to learn of magical ailments. I've been in and out of the temple building and libraries and talked to the teachers and priests. And in all that time, I have seen no new initiates of the Fallan Gis wandering the halls lost, pouring through the anatomy books, learning the intricacies of the Weave as it pertains to bodily humors. I've seen the same faces for over seven months.
Where are the new students? Where are those called to learn the art of healing with magic? I can't get a straight answer from anyone. Are they closing the school down? Are they moving it? It's so very frustrating!
However, my time spent with the group trying to help Gimbol has been very valuable. It seems our friend the gnome was not destroyed by the magma paraelementals after all, but seemed to survive in some quasi-state between this world and another. It's like he's his own paraelemental, and this facinating halfling called Emwonk and a number of others such as Jenarra and Clarissa and a nice woman of the Weave named Elohanna, and the always lovely, always engaging Miss Acacea, are trying to solve the mystery and bring him back.
Three orbs have been found thus far that allow him to regain strength in this world; the third just the other day when Emwonk channeled wild magic from a poor mageborn girl into the first orb found, which was empty of Weave at the time. There are many theories regarding frequencies, which makes sense in light of the machine. Could he have trapped himself in its field? We should go back to the temple and see as soon as possible. I'll suggest it.
Galen is good but distracted, having just had a brush with the law in Prantz. I could not even tell him how afraid for him I was when I found out he went before Lord Broegar! He's been around the house more, and has taken to working with Acacea and Conner and the others on Mistone for the purpose of finding out how to aid Pige. I hope he succeeds, I spend far too much time studying to pursue that and help Gimbol.
And that brings me to this promise. With all the time I've spent, with all the studies I've done in both magical and mundane illness, and with my new training on the healing arts not depending on the magic of my Lady, I will take this and put myself in a position to teach. No more Threadbound for me.
I have my eye on the knowledge that the Threadborn or; dare I say it? The Dawnwoven hold. It's time for me to take that step.
-
We're sitting in the foyer of a home waiting for the Lord to speak with us. How we got here, without ever using the front door, requires a bit of explanation.
First Emwonk, then Elohanna and finally I examined the orb. Elohanna and I agreed that it did not "feel" like Gimbol; magically, there were many schools but necromancy was strongest, and the entity contained seems whole and malevolent. Emwonk at first felt that it was a shard of Gimbol's personality but later, after the clever dwarven monk - Belly was his name? - hired a capable bard as Acacea was called away, we were able to call Gimbol to our location and Emwonk indicated to me that the orb did not call to Gimbol at all. So now we have an orb with...what? It is strong willed and will try to assume the corporeal body of whomever can touch it with the Weave, as it did little Druissa. She said it had a name: "Mister Sparkles".
Druissa's parents asked for help with her, and Miss Jennara then asked me to speak to them. I first discovered her latent abilities were as a sorcerer, a rare gift from my Lady indeed. I then found the local shrine after assuring her parents that the fires, lights, and sounds she manifested were all perfectly normal, and was sent to the magic shop in town where I found a Miss Abby. A kind old woman, I sensed her devotion to the Lady of Spells immediately. She needed little convincing to take on a student of such special qualities and I brought her back to speak to the parents. I hope the young lady takes Lucinda as her goddess, but it is homage enough to find her training. I gave my address and information to the shrine's keeper and Miss Abby, with the notation that any charge to her training I would cover.
Ah, I hear footsteps. I will return to this later!
-
The caravan is resting while Bear fixes a wheel and so I can write. Galen is sleeping, Lucinda bless him. He's been very protective of me since he found out and stays up too long watching over me. We will have a quick ceremony when we get to Spellgard. I think the others won't begrudge us that.
I went back to check on Druissa and found that we had missed an orb. The house was a magical shambles, with the parents and the lovely Lucindite teacher I found for her locked in bedrooms while some...entity...had his run of her mind and powers. Mister Sparkles she called him.
The orb, which her parents handed over in due haste, glows faintly green. I hold it while Emwonk holds the evil entity orb. Excellent work on the part of our group while I was dealing with Druissa traced the man who bought the orbs from the Estate. We found him in Fort Wayfare, where incidentally we were finally rid of the foolish and very probably evil-minded Hawklin. His wife Kinai (I presume) was upset but not so much to leave with him which I found interesting. Those who follow a dark path don't offer each other much comfort do they?
I digress; we found Bear, and the story of how he got the orbs and a statue which we then looked at. By Lucinda's name it's Arthur, petrified. I don't know who and how but he is and so we have bought the statue and the kind trader is helping us get it to Spellgard on this long trip. Oh how my hips long for a real bed! Fortunately the baby is new in me and my stomach is no larger than it usually is. Which is large enough.
When we reach Spellgard I'll update this. For now we protect the statue and travel on. Thank you Star's Mage for giving me comfort and for the life that I hold in the name of your sorcerer and cleric. You bless me every day.
-
We've had so many stops and starts I've become heavy with child. Galen is helping his friend Honora and is gone, which figures, although his last letter said he was terribly worried about me.
I'm worried about me too. My temper has been short of late, too short. We had a dream...or an experience...when that little spoiled goggle-faced freak Emwonk
Why did I write that? Didn't I used to like him? I can't remember...
He stared into the orb too long which figures, he works off half of a brain. Then we awoke in a place of strangeness, with food and a caged man and a beast and a checkers board. Two names, one was Gilderad, I cannot remember the other right now as I'm very tired.
At any rate, I ate the food, awoke, and started waking the others. Since then, the lady Acacea tells me, I've not been myself. I can't tell and it worries me. I have not written Galen to tell him about how I'm doing because all I can think about is how he left gem dust ALL OVER the floor and didn't sweep it up and who am I his personal maid? I mean!
Worse, recently while traveling through Hlint I noticed a great many frogs. Too many. Far too many, and worse, they were coming in my wake, and it seems my every step was producing them in the wet ground! We found a golum, old but working, and that seems to tie to Gilderad whom Beli found out was a master crafter. The golum touched his head to mine, and I heard an argument, and then it moved on.
It is all so strange and I'm starting to feel like I'm walking in a dream while awake. I worry terribly for the child though, how can this be affecting it? I pray to my Lady day and night to watch this little one. I should go home. I should be safe, but Arthur...something keeps me here.
I will write Galen a letter. He must know I'm safe at least. I hope this is worth it, and that we get there soon. I'm only three months from the birth and I won't have this child in the back of a wagon!
-
It's a boy, with my dark skin and Galen's light hair and eyes. He's so lovely it hurts.
I had to leave, finally, as the travel was too much for me. Galen was so happy to see me home and the next day after I arrived he had a friend, a cleric of the Lady, come and marry us in front of the alter in the house. The wedding was simple and quiet and when we said our vows in the circle of blue and white flame I felt closer to both Galen and my goddess than I ever have. I am Corba Tweed, now, wife and mother.
But. Arthur's plight keeps calling me back...and months at home have me a little restless. Galen has suggested I go for a while, to see if I can help. I don't want to leave him or our son but...
Time away has me thinking about my disposition, as well. Perhaps this is not merely the pressures of pregnancy and parenthood? It is hard to tell. I work at controlling it but I'm still snappish.
I think I must go back, try to meet them on the road. I feel there are answers waiting there.
-
*A letter is tucked inside the exquisite leather-bound pages, written meticulously and sealed with the official seal of Lucinda*
To Corba of Lucinda, Strandbound Fallan Gis,
It has come to the attention of the temple that you have offered your healing services to a direct representative of an enemy of Lucinda. We wish to know and understand the reasoning behind this action. Please respond to this letter before any action is taken. If the reasoning is not something of dire importance to Lucinda we request that you immediately rescind your offer. Lucinda does not look kindly upon those faithful who willingly offer their aid to Her enemies.
The Weave keep you in all that you do,
Threadmistress To'Rania Mistreaver
*Another letter is beneath it, obviously a first draft by the crossing outs and hasty writing in a small, tight hand*
To Threadmistress To'Rania Mistreaver
In the spirit of friendship *crossed out* I have indeed offered help to the paladin *crossed out* Champion of Toran known as Clarissa and feel my reasons for doing so are valid. I will explain.
First and foremost, while she may be a stated enemy of Lucinda, she has been actively working to help with a conundrum with implications for our Lady *crossed out* mages everywhere. For some time we, along with others, have been involved in an investigation of Arthur Zein and his assistant Gimbol and their activities in calling forth and in Gimbol's case trapping para-elementals. We first began this investigation some years ago *crossed out*
For the sake of narrative I have enclosed a separate report of this inquiry, including the times that we have come to the Temple in Spellgard seeking assistance. Arthur resides there now while he recovers from his inadvertent mineralization.
Second, Clarissa has, over time, become someone I can feel I trust *crossed out* respect *crossed out* trust. Working with her at first was annoying *crossed out* difficult - she was and is a strong-headed woman - but I have been in her company now for several years. While she can be as thick headed and insensitive to the Weave as any other Toranite, over time she has *crossed out* she is willing to flex a bit more than most and has certainly learned to stand back and let the mages do their jobs without barging forward and trying to figure it out herself. What I suppose I am saying is that during the course of this investigation, this one woman has become a friend. I apologize if this is a sin in the eyes of the Church but friendships often do not follow neat lines on a chart. I apologize if this is a sin but I am sure that friendships don’t *crossed out*
Putting this together, when I learned of her curse *crossed out* predicament, I offered my aid as someone who has a vested interest in a solution that she is also trying to reach and as a friend as well. If this explanation does not suffice, I will submit myself to the justice of the Illumination.
Ask or not??
Threadmistress, I do have one question. In my time at the Campus at Spellgard I somehow managed to miss the lecture that explained why Toran and the Lady don't get along. I do not know, and I have never known, the true reason for the ill-will between two gods whose agendas for all I can tell are not dissimilar. Would you do me the favor of explaining, regardless of the outcome of my case?
With thanks and may the Weave surround and protect you,
Strandbound of the Fallan Gis Corba Tweed, of the Spellgard Tweeds.
*Smoothed flat between the heavy pages is a third letter, also sealed with the seal of Lucinda’s Church*
To Corba, Strandbound of Fallan Gis,
In regards to your reasoning, I am afraid these things do not matter when you speak of a divine representative of an enemy to Lucinda. I can understand how it might be easy to over look the inconsistencies of the morally righteous, however, as ones who wield the blessings of Lucinda we must be ever diligent that our actions do not bring harm to Her or that which she bids us protect. While I can understand the necessity of a temporary dealing on this case you present, directly offering aid of your own free will to such an entity is an affront to the goddess you claim to love and serve. This highly publicized curse lifting is neither a threat to Lucinda nor is it a boon for Her that it be lifted.
Lucinda has seen fit to discipline others over this proposed event, some even falling from her favor. She is kind in her ways, as a mother protecting her children from harm, and we ask only that you see this. Please do not subject yourself to these trials as well. Her favor is not lightly given or taken.
As to your question, that is for Lucinda herself to decide whether or not to share. It is not for us to question but to serve.
Yours in Lucinda's faith,
Threadmistress To'Rania Mistreaver,
*On the heavy cream-colored pages, in Corba’s small script*
And so that is that. I did return to Arthur, and despite the weakness brought on by childbirth I travel to and from Spellgard to visit and help as I can. He was freed from his mineral prison, and much has transpired. Gimbol is not what he seems and must be investigated further, and I am pushing for us to find one of the SEARCH machines. But more on that later.
What’s really on my mind is Clarissa and the letters...I have thought so long and hard on this. Why did I offer? Why did I think to do that?
Friendship is strange. You know someone for so long, and it becomes second nature to be there. But all this time I have been forgetting that my Lady and her lord do not see eye to eye. I have prayed to the Lady, spoken to Galen about this, and postulated to Theo endlessly while we snuggled or he fed. Thank goodness he’s finally weaned, as a side note. Those teeth were starting to hurt.
I must remember, bless the Lady, that who I respect and who I work with is separate from my ties to Lucinda. I can respect whom I wish, if they are worthy of it, but I cannot go against that which Lucinda wishes. I owe her much and while I will never stop questioning – I think to stop wondering is to die – I will absolutely be more careful in the future.
I wonder how this will affect the investigation?
-
Wrenklin is doing slightly better. Galen and Theo arrived yesterday, the lovely people of Stone are letting us stay in some temple rooms. Galen and I consulted on his healing and I showed him how I'm "unraveling" the threads of the Weave snarled around his being. I will draft a letter to send to the temple to Aeridin in North Point, this falls into their territory too. At least Wrenklin's pain has eased a little. This will be a long task.
I must write down what I remember of what happened with the old golum.
Oh dear, Theo's dropped the salve...remember to write about Gilderad and Rhemus, self!
-
A long trip and a tiring one, for myself and my family who waited. Galen did excellent work on Wrenklin while I was gone and his suffering has visibly eased. It will take longer than I thought, however. The learning though, the ability to see how the Weave is actually a part of a person - the weaving of it back into form - I'm glad I'm taking notes on this. The Fallan Gis might want to know, if I can find anyone from there. The halls at Spellgard are busier than ever but where are the teachers of the Gis?
Theo has just gone to sleep as I write, on my lap, and the cramp in my hand from stretching to the table is worth every moment of pain. I was gone too long and he's too young for that yet. He's delighted most of the gnomes here (although not all, it must be said). He's curious and manifesting quite a talent in our Lady's power which pleases Galen to no end. He's quite powerful with the elements already as if the waves in my tea and the bursts of flame in the fireplace weren't evidence enough.
I'm dancing around my subject here. Galen was glad to see me but is gone now, angry, more angry than I've ever seen him. I told him how we spoke with Lady Emberblade. And all he could say was "A dragon? You spoke to a dragon? You walked right up? What if she had killed you!?"
I know some of his anger is love but it shook me. My pursuit into Gimbol and our meeting with him also frightened and angered him. I told him Storold had the matter well in hand, neutralizing every spell Gimbol threw with arrogant ease, but still. It's dangerous and I am the mother of a small boy and his wife.
Perhaps, hopefully, the repair of the machine will not be so controversial...or potentially deadly.
For my part, I fully intend to return to the Lady Emberblade and keep our promise to tell her the full tale. I asked Miss Acacea to teach me how to better tell a story, and I should thank Miss Ferrit a dozen more times for thinking of that. She probably saved us but I get the feeling she does that quite often. Such a competent woman!
Until a safe place is found to tinker with the SEARCH, however, I am here, tending to my family and Wrenklin and finding out I really do like the gnomish people, bless them...but not so much their cooking. I think it's time to make a batch of cookies.
-
I've learned more recently about Lucinda's gift than I have in all my years of living. How magic links into a mesh, and how it can snarl and twist. How one gnome in the middle of Lady-knows-what kind of magical explosion can have his very essence unhinged. I sit in front of him on an interesting device the gnomes have invented to speed their work - a chair with wheels! I rotate around him from time to time, with my hands just a hair above his pulpy flesh, coaxing and pushing the links of magic back together in what I hope is the right configuration. Never have I had such an opportunity to actually touch a being - the spark, it seems, of the soul. Perhaps we are all magical beings in some way. I'm not sure.
But I am almost sure of what I felt just before I returned to the group and we recovered the SEARCH. I have put off writing about it. I was unwinding a snarled strand, following it as I put it right, and linking it to the next...in writing this I realize how strange it sounds. But not stranger than touching a strand that seemed to pull away. It "felt" near his heart, and I tried to follow it but could not. It was bent, this chain, this strand. Bent is the only work I can use - like chain with links open in many places. But it was strong and intrigued me and so I followed and felt a hugeness...a blackness and an emptiness that was terrifying. It went beyond him and toward this.
I have no idea if what I felt was real or a byproduct of spending so much time in touch with one man's Weave. It shook me, and I stopped then and left the next day. For I think I touched a soul strand. I certainly am not sure, but it was frightening. And...exciting. What was it? I don't know enough to know and I have never done anything this intricate before but I even as I fear it I want to know more.
Wrenklin is doing much better and this is going to be a long slow process, it's best to give him time to rest between treatments. At least that's what I tell myself as I rest from a few hours of piecing together the SEARCH. Galen has just about forgiven me for the Lady Emberblade incident...I suppose I should wait to tell him I'm going to have to go back.
Now where in the Lady's name is Emwonk going? What wardens? I'd better check my wards.
-
We have reassembled, tested, and used the SEARCH. Gimbol has been confronted and driven back, once again by Acacea's song. The salt guardian has been returned to Ezlab. It was the most difficult fight so far and perhaps one of the more satisfying since we seem to have a direction now.
I am home, holding Theo as I write this so if anyone is reading forgive the handwriting. Tonight I will be coming together with Acacea and Emwonk to try to put Wrenklin right.
I can't do it alone. I felt I could, and I have done some good. But if he is to be saved and restored whole in Lucinda's mesh I need help. I trust my friends can help me - Acacea's knowledge of the Weave, and Emwonk's abilities will tip the balance. And maybe...maybe I can figure out what that strand was if it does not hurt Wrenklin. I can't wait, regardless our combined power will help help him greatly. Perhaps he'll be able to talk with ease, or even take a few steps!
I am excited as well because my Lady has blessed me with more power. I know I am on the right course. And the Protector Storold gave me a gift to enhance my powers further, Star Mage bless him. We had a lovely chat near Stormhaven the other day where I brought him up to date on the elemental investigation.
I have found my time in Stone relaxing and friendly, and developed a whole new appreciation of Beryl and her followers. I see now why her Perfection and my Lady get along so well! I might pursue an apartment here, I can see us visiting frequently.
Thank you Lady of Spells, for all your inspiration and guidance and love. Thank you for my husband, and our family in your faith.
-
Men. MEN! A minor emergency with Theo, merely a broken wrist and children do that to themselves from time to time. Boy child, tree, climbing, falling, breaking. How many children did I heal in Spellgard?
I do appreciate that he got me word, but with the Gimbol mystery nearing some sort of conclusion and a Wrenklin visit in the works, it angered me to have to go home.
I feel shame for that. This quest to restore Ezlab is consuming me. When did being with my family become a burden on my time? I'm lucky Galen is a wonderful and understanding father to Theo.
Nevertheless, I missed the rebuilding of the SEARCH. Thankfully, Emwonk was there for the whole thing and is now the expert at the machine. I was able to copy notes for the use of it, and I'm very glad that Wrenklin was able to help us. I have sent him a thank you note and I promised Theo we'd go back and visit when Gimbol is safely apprehended. Or dead.
In the meantime, I have to think on what I've done. I sang to a smoke guardian last night. Or rather, I TRIED to sing to it. I'm quite sure that what it (and the rest of the group) heard was not melodious at all. Lucinda forgive me, I'm no bard. Yet after I thought I'd failed, and we sent the guardian away, Emwonk was able to detect a shard of Ezlab in me. At least we hope it is - they say I can sing the song now as Acacea does but I cannot hear it when I sing. How odd...perhaps only a musician or someone attuned to music can feel it?
We tried to lure Gimbol back to use the new portion of the machine to trap him and he hurt us, badly, and killed Emwonk again. I do fear that my friend is flirting too much with the Soul Mother and I worry about him.
But we did manage I think to bring him closer. So, building on that, when we call what we hope will be the next guardian, the mages and clerics will combine powers to focus on Gimbol and target him without the need to see him. His Weave signature is as bright and familiar to us now as a bonfire and his Weave lines radiate that elemental energy he's absorbed. A downside to being so cocky and evil. I think I could follow his Weave path in my sleep now.
Lucinda my Lady, forgive this obsessed and angry servant of yours. I can't let this go. It's...personal now. He must be brought to your Church and made to answer for what he's done. Thankfully, the group seems to agree this is the best path as Jennara points out, we have no proof that he's broken any secular law. But to you, my Lady? He is an abomination.
I will pray now.
-
I've slept for almost 12 hours. I'll pick up where I left off - obsessed and angry. Well, the Lady blesses me and those poisons have left my soul. I am more thankful than ever that She gave me the epiphany I needed looking at Gimbol's sad, naked, broken form...pity, after all this time.
We defeated him. Everyone played their part and we truly came together to remove his ill-gained powers. The poor SEARCH though...did not survive the attempt. I do believe Emwonk cried, the poor dear. He was so proud of himself, and well he should have been. He's certainly stretched himself and his abilities on this chase. I took recognizable bits of the SEARCH and put them on leather strips for everyone. Emwonk, I gave the lever to activate Gimbol's draining. I kept the power dial for myself and am wearing it now.
Acacea called into herself the pieces of Ezlabeth that appeared. What an effort...all of the Weave sensitive pulling, pulling, pulling the threads of Ezlabeth with the SEARCH's help. The weapon experts fighting everything that Gimbol tried to throw at us...dear Krysthalien throwing himself into the vortex surrounding Gimbol to try to subdue him...poor Peanut getting tossed a mile when trying to help. We all put forth our very best effort and I have never been prouder to stand with people of that quality.
Acacea says Ezlabeth has the power now to call the last few bits of herself, so the SEARCH is no longer needed. Everyone is resting, however. And Emwonk was almost sent to the Soul Mother again. I believe we'll be in camp for a bit until recovery is finished.
But as for epiphany, looking down at Gimbol I could only remember over and over how I would have stopped at nothing for the very result I was experiencing. Staring at him, defeated and exposed. And in a flash I could sympathize with him...his obsession with gaining power, stopping at nothing to have more. We were both caught in the grip. Perhaps I had the moral edge - at least to me I did. But our methods and motives were not so different.
His mind is broken from the SEARCH pulling from him all of Ezlabeth. He has not woken and I do not believe he will for a very long time, if ever. He's carefully covered and bound and I understand the group has agreed to take him to Spellgard for trial, if applicable, and keeping. I will take an active hand in learning more about him I think. And helping Arthur get his school active again if he wishes. He can use our house, if Galen agrees. A magic school in our home! I'd like that!
I've sent notice to Galen that I will be home soon. And when I come home, I will not be distant or pacing, waiting to leave again. I owe him so much...
-
We're so excited! We're working on the back room, and Arthur is very interested in starting up his University again. This time, however, he'll have Galen and myself to help teach and no Gimbols running around misusing the Weave.
Although Theo might come close sometimes. And if you read this, my beloved son, you are NOT FORGIVEN for setting the bookcase on fire and get back to cleaning the lawn or you'll be grounded for a week!
There is so much to do...permits...schedules, materials, and more permits. I'm not sure if Lor has to give permissions or the folks at the Castle?
So much to do!