The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: pejsaboy on September 02, 2006, 12:58:27 PM
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I recently left my home town of Liken in the northeast of Mistone, and have ended up in Hlint somewhere closer to the center of the continent. So far the people I have met are very friendly and willing to help those new to the area.
The first person I bumped into was a dark elf named Miriel. At first I didn't know she was a dark elf as she was wearing a hood drawn far over her face. She showed me around Hlint a little, and offered me a lot of help. The two of us left the walls of Hlint for a cave infested by goblins so that she could gather salt for her hide tanning. It was in that cave that she first removed her hood and I saw what she truly was. I was quite shocked and a bit frightened at first. She told me that even though she had been nice to me, I should be careful around others if her kind. I will certainly keep that in mind.
After leaving the goblin caves, she introduced me to some wild growing cotton, and when we returned to Hlint, got me started in the craft of tailoring. She gave me a couple of tailor's needles, a trade journal, a set of cards for the tailor's table and dummies, and even donated some gold for me to purchase a crafting certificate. In the crafthall she introduced me to Praylor Falcus who also donated some gold to get my crafting certificate.
After crafting the little cotton that we had collected, Miriel needed to sleep, and Praylor helped me in finding and returning some tax records for the local accountant. On our way out we bumped into a fella named Lance Merrick who was also looking for the tax records. After returning them, we returned to the goblin fields and hunted for some more ears of goblin scouts. Quartermaster Talon pays well for them.
Upon returning to Hlint, there was a goblin named Grib trying to eat rocks. He told me about a 'little' named Wymdir who controlled the 'straw demons' that Grib kills. I'm not sure what he meant. Not too long after, an elven fella and a lady named Akki showed up. The elf chased grib around for a while trying to chase him out of town. I also met another halfling named Piper, she was a bit strange. Said she has this dream about marching taters with pitchforks and gnome hats or somelike. I guess she is a wizard of sorts.
Leastwise, I've enjoyed my stay in Hlint so far. There's a bard in the WIld Surge that lost a necklace in the Sielwood forest cave. Perhaps I'll soon find someone who can escort me out there to help find it. Then I will need to find other work and continue advancing my sneaking skills. I already feel a little more skilled than when I left home, but I have a long way to go before I am very good.
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Has been another busy day in Hlint for me. I've made a few more small trips to harvest cotton for my tailoring, broken a few tailoring needles, and made a few bolts of cloth and patterns. According to the journal that Miriel gave me, I've reached the second circle of tailors. That alone made the day great.
I also feel that my skills of stealth have improved slightly again. I still cannot sneak past the rats in the undercity, but they are not too large a challenge. In light of that, I have gathered another handful of mushrooms and sold them to Miriel. She says she will buy all I can find.
The strangest thing happened: a small group were loitering by the bank, and left [seemingly] good pie on the ground, right in the walkway of the Captain. I still don't know why they did it, but they disappeared into thin air while they were watching it. I thought it some kind of trick, but another dark elf ate a piece of it and had no ill side effects. Why would they waste perfectly good pie?
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I met an aspiring wizard this morning, name was Stygian. He says the art he studies is very dangerous, and is 'more akin to weapons' was the way he put it. Not sure what that means really. Anyhow, he said he had an appointment with a lizardman and would see me some other time.
Not long after he left, I was able to have Roy and Daniel Poetr escort me to the Sielwood forest to find both a boar's pelt for Johan, and a lost heirloom necklace for Ragrian at the Wild Surge. It was a very productive afternoon, and I feel my skills have increased just a little more. Daniel and Roy even told me to keep all the gold I collected! They're very nice people to travel with.
While I was returning Ragrian's necklace to her, I spotted a large creepy guy in the Inn. Erag's the name, seems he needs a lesser darksoul taken care of deep in the crypts in Hlint. I'll have to find someone to help me with that next.
Oh yes, postmaster wants me to go to a place called Fort Himlad to deliver a letter since I did so good with the one to Systrian in Hlint!
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Today was another productive day in Hlint for me. I made a few trips out to gather cotton north of town, and was able to do enough work to advance to the third circle of tailoring. I wish I knew how that magic journal keeps track of that information...
I was also able to gather some of the mushrooms from Hlint's undercity for Miriel. I didn't see her today, but she should be pleased when I finally do get them to her.
I saw Stygian again today. About the time I was asking him to accompany me into the crypts for Erag's request, Praylor overheard us talking and offered to give us a hand. Yet again I was amazed with his skill in battle. He is even more formidable against the undead, as he is somehow able to drop a handful of them all at once. And it looks as though it is effortless for him to do it! Needless to say, I was able to recover the darksoul's essence and return it to Erag.
Along the way I collected alot of knuckles from the skeletons. I asked Stygian what they were good for, and he said that a witch in the swamps would buy them from me. I was interested, and he took me out to meet her. I was told the area was rampant with lizard men, but I didn't see one the whole time. Stygian was also a little confused by their absence. Aside from the gold she paid, the witch also gave me an amulet made of bones. Maybe it was even made of the knuckles I brought her. I'm not sure, but it is still just a little too powerful for me to wear. She told me it would help protect me from the attacks by undead creatures, so I am looking forward to being able to wear it.
After returning from the swamp with Stygian, I talked to Ronus again. He finally feels I am capable enough to help him out! Apparently the goblins in the red caves where Miriel took me have been attacking his supply trains. He wants me to kill the goblins and bring back the head of their chief as proof that his supplies will be safe again. I told him I would do the job, but I will need others to help me for certain. I dare not enter those caves alone.
I almost forgot! I have been collecting animal pelts for Johan as his wife has fallen sick. So far I've collected one of each [with the help of others]: rat, bat, badger, boar, and deer. The next pelt he requested is that of a cougar. I think this one will be quite a lot more dangerous than those before it. I may have to wait a while before attempting it.
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*This entry looks as though it was written in a hurry. It is a bit sloppy, even compared to the others*
Well, had a tiring day in Hlint. Did a little more cotton harvesting and cloth-making, and saw Miriel long enough to sell her the mushrooms I've collected. Praylor was headed to goblin caves to mine copper, and since Ronus asked me to kill a goblin chieftain there, I went along. Praylor also invited another halfling he called Desi, who mined a little copper also. I feel more skilled than days past, maybe soon I will be able to sneak past all the rats in undercity while gathering mushrooms for Miriel. I have also gotten better at attacking enemies from behind while they are distracted, causing extra pain than a normal attack.
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*another hastily written entry*
Miriel and Praylor showed me the beginnings of the gemcrafting today. We gathered malachite from the Sielwood cave, and greenstone from the goblin caves. I feel I am also nearing a small breakthrough in my tailoring.
While gathering, I pulled off many of my sneaky backstabs, both with darts and my trusty shortsword.
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I finally made that fourth circle of tailoring! It is now very easy for me to make bolts of cotton, but I am learning much less with each successful attempt. Soon I'll have to start sewing other things.
Let's see here, what else did I do today...
Oh yes, I accompanied a fellow sneaky halfling and an elf into the gobbie caves. Ronus asked Alisia to get the head of the new chief. I put my stealth skills to work, and did my best to function as an advance scout. It was a successful trip, but Eghaas [the elf] had to cast a spell on us each to make us invisible so that we could make it back out alive.
A while after returning from the caves, I saw Piper again. She was with some other halflings, Kori, Jennara, and Acacea. We ate lots of pie and had lots of chit-chat all over town. There was a fledgling ranger new to town that required a lot of bandaging from Jennara. First from the rats in the smelly sewers, then from the goblins on the hill outside town.
Oh, how could I forget: Beware the Bulbous!
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After hearing from a couple people that there might be some work in Fort Llast, I made a trip up there. Sure enough, the new lieutenant needed some weapons gathered for the militia. Although I spent a little more gold than I earned, I learned the road well as I made many trips between Llast and Hlint. The lieutenant also gave me a helmet that can enhance me with a magical armor for a certain time.
So, it seems that Miriel and Praylor have been doing more than simply being nice in helping me with my crafts: They have been priming a new team member! The two of them have been pooling their efforts for a greater outcome, and now I seem to be a part of that pool. I will have to double my efforts and increase my skills to a worthy level, while also increasing my own personal skills as a stealth specialist. Yes, I like that term, stealth specialist. It sounds... official.
Miriel also had some items for me: A ring that enhances my appraisal skills, a shortbow made of oak, and a set of jaguar leathers that enhance a few of my skills. She says the leathers are good practice for her, though I do not know where she acquired the other items.
I'm quite pleased to be part of their team, I hope I do not disappoint them. For now, I must rest for the next session of craftwork.
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I have reached a good point in my tailoring skills: Today I successfully made two cotton cloth cloaks and a set of padded armor. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them since they are perfectly good items, and didn't want to just throw them away. Luckily, I bumped into Lady Jennara during a discussion she was having with a few people regarding the situation in Pranzis/Prantz. Afterwards we spoke a little, and I told her about my accomplishment. She asked if I needed them, and told me that they could be used for the survivors in Roldem still braving the cold. I gladly donated them for the cause, and offered to make more cloaks for them. I will have to find a way to collect a lot more spider silk to make the thread necessary for their construction. Aside from helping the people of Roldem, it will be good practice for me and they will not go to waste.
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Today was a good day all in all. Quite eventful I suppose.
First thing when I bumped into Miriel, she had a beautiful panther cape for me. Again she chalked it up to good practice in her tailoring. The cape is heavy and very dark black so as to help me creep silently through the shadows. Not long after seeing Miriel, I bumped into a man named Rain. He was looking for someone who had previously inquired about a shortsword made of iron, and thought it was me. I told him it wasn't me, but that I was indeed interested in such a blade. After making a trip to Haven, presumably for iron, I bumped into Rain again and we made the transaction. It's a very fine blade indeed: balanced better than my old copper one for increased accuracy, and a keener edge to allow for increased injury to my foes.
After purchasing the new blade, I had an excellent time of testing it out. Lady Jennara agreed to take me and Dean to a couple areas for collecting spider silk for sewing thread. First we rounded up what was near Sielwood cave, and then made our way to Rilara to another cave the she knew about. In Point Harbor we met up with a new dwarven friend named Gimli, and then continued to the cave. I believe it was in a forest called Wolfswood. There were indeed a lot of large spiders, dire spiders as Lady Jennara called them. Enough silk was collected that I made four spools of thread. Ultimately I would make two more cloaks to donate to the people of Roldem.
Lady Jennara is concerned about the situation in Pranzis. It seems the dwarf who is in charge setup a fake trial in order to have some nobles killed that he felt was a threat. Along with that, she is concerned that a Citadel is no longer following the wishes of the "Lord Protector." She thinks it has a lot to do with the Dwarf, but is unsure how to solve the problem.
After returning from Rilara, Dean and I helped Gimli to find the darksoul essence for Erag. I always forget how fast Dean can bust up those skeletons! The trek to the bottom of the crypt was a success, but Gimli had a bit of a time finding Erag again when we surfaced.
A little later the three of us and Praylor accompanied a few fresh arrivals into the gobbie caves for the chieftain's head. One of the new arrivals fell on the way out, but we were able to easily return him to the spot. Since we had to return, we checked up on the new chieftain and took his head as well. Gimli was able to turn that back to Ronus.
By the end of the trips today, I felt I've learned a great deal and improved my skills. I'm a little better able to travel unseen and unheard, and my skill with the shortsword has increased as well since I have started using it exclusively.
To finish the day out on a quiet note, I set to work on those cloaks for Lady Jennara and the people of Roldem. With the four spools of thread I made, I was able to sew two cloaks. It isn't much, but it helps to improve my skills. Hopefully I'll see Lady Jennara again soon to give her the cloaks. Well, not only to give her the cloaks. I enjoy the conversations we've had so far. And there's something about those eyes, they almost seem to be glowing in some way...
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*scribbled hastily*
Killed some lizards with Styg, Gim, Hrothgar, and then some gnolls. Gave two more cloaks to Lady Jennara. Praylor showed me and Hrothgar how to fight some ogres at Haven.
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Went on a long trip with Sallaron and the Explorers. Fought some mean Kenkus and wandered to Karthy. Nice day aside from meeting the soul mother for the first time.
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I started working on a bit of tinkering lately. It's tough work shoveling all that clay, but when I get better there are some things I can make that'll be good. Praylor says sometimes people will buy boxes of casting molds, and I need to make some platinum wire for a pair of gloves I think I'll be able to use.
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I've done well lately. Made the fifth circle of tailoring, and getting close to the third of tinkering. It's tough work, but I 'relax' by getting out of town and adventuring when I can. I've seen quite a lot since coming to Hlint, and I'm sure I'll see much more as time goes on.
On a recent trip to Haven mines, we were a very large group. More of a raiding party it would seem. After returning to the top, I overheard Roy speaking with Nixx [a brownie] about the size of the party. Apparently with his way of fighting, the trip can be accomplished with only a small group of four or five and more tactics. This interested me quite a bit, so I will have to speak with him about it when I can find the time.
Well, I'll be making a short trip back home to see my parents, so I'll be gone from Hlint for a few days. Maybe a week if the visit is extra nice!
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Well, the visit home went well. Nothing out of the ordinary to report, other than eating lots of pie. Haven't gotten much accomplished since I got back to Hlint.
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I still haven't done much since returning to Hlint. I had been toying with the idea of learning to properly wield two weapons at once, but I have dismissed that as it would only tempt me to move closer to the front lines of battle. Perhaps I will focus on my skills with the bow, or even in making arrows. I haven't decided yet.
One thing worthy of note, today Gimli and I were travelling a bit, and Gim got a message bird from another dwarf by the name of Thrain. Thrain needed a hand delivering some hill hound hides to the Ulgrid King. Upon making the delivery, the King told Thrain that he would be... Oh wait, I better not write that down. He said to keep a tight lip about the days happenenings. I would hate to anger the Ulgrids. I did get a nice looking pair of gloves out of the trip though. I can't wait until I'm able to use them!
I do feel like I am nearing a breakthrough in my personal skills though. I wonder if I should continue to develop in my current path, or if I should take more focus in bandaging and/or the use of magical items. I have studied them a little, but am not proficient enough to use any scrolls that I've found so far. I will of course continue my sneaking skills, and likely the trap-springing. Aside from that, I still have some thinking to do.
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I knew a breakthrough was on it's way! I've become more agile to the point it has become a little tougher for the enemies to hit me. And that's without any magic helmets or anything! In turn, I am also able to wield my shortbow better as well as swing my shortsword better. I'm not hitting any harder, but am a little more accurate in my attacks.
I have also been studying magical items a bit more lately. i haven't tried to use any of the scrolls i've collected yet, but I feel good about the chances of them working. Maybe I'll test something on the skeletons in the Hlint crypts later on.
I bumped into Gimli as I was leaving Fort Valensk today. As we made our way back toward Hlint, we stopped in Krandor. There's a little girl there who lost her grandfather's ashes to a skeleton while trying to place them in the crypt. She asked me to retrieve them for her, so I will be looking for some help with that.
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Well, the ashes at Krandor were taken care of. I let myself play the bait for the deadly cloud spells the undead were spewing. That way everyone else didn't get caught in the middle of it. Praylor thought it was especially brave, but I dunno. I'm quick and agile, no reason I shouldn't do stuff like that.
Anyhow, I'm running low on some of the nicer oak arrows that I've been given, so I started asking around for prices. Well, at nearly 1000 coin per quiver, I decided it's time I learn to make my own. I'll only have the hickory ones to start with, but eventually I'll make the oak ones. Ah well, better to keep my coin in the bank than someone else's pocket! Styg and Gimli have been helpful in gathering feathers, and Styg has made some tanning oils for me. I figure I can make bolts for them for the help they've been. And they don't use a ton of 'em, so more material for my arrows *grins as he writes this*
I've also made a few deliveries for Freya of Krandor. So far, I've delivered to Larry and Curly. I have one for Mo. The names sound familiar... perhaps they were famous bards or entertainers of some sort.
// I wonder... three stooges? coincidence? Hmmm
I've also done a little work with poisons. Ferrit will still have to make the tougher poisons until I'm more proficient, but I'm learning. I just wish there was a way to permanently poision weapons. Ah well, such is life.
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I've only done a little more of the arrow making, and have since run out of the small stock I made. I have plenty of feathers left, and made some more arrowheads today. Guess it's time to chop some more branches.
Lots of adventure today, mostly in the Dragon Isle. It was another trip of the Explorers organized by Sallaron. Funny thing- he organizes the outings, but never wants to take the leader's position. Perhaps he simply likes to observe everyone else like me. I'm sure I seem quiet to most, But really I'm just taking people in, getting a feel for them.
Speaking of Sallaron, he was also able to supply the oak shortbow that Officer Kit needed to fill her weapon closet. The new Helmet she gave me is quite helpful. Somehow it has been infused with the ability to cast barkskin [and the preivious mage armor] like the mages do.
I feel I am coming much closer to being able to wield an enchanted iron weapon. I've been toying with some vials of alchemist fire provided by Styg, and they make my attacks much more potent. I have not had many chances to use the poison vials however, they deserve a bit more, oh, discernment in their usage.
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Got a few more bolts and arrows made today. After toting around the arrowheads for a while, I finally stocked up a little hickory to make shafts from. Totaled about a quiver and a fifth of stirge-tailed arrows, and about two-thirds a quiver of bolts to split between Gimli and Styg. This little production spurt bumped me into the second circle of woodworking as well, so that's exciting.
Gimli asked me to make him some jewelry molds as he's been toying with gem crafting lately. It's no problem for me to make 'em, and he gives me stuff from time to time and helps me out getting copper for arrowheads, so I don't mind doing it for him. Speaking of jewelry though, I need an amulet to match my two silver and topaz rings. Praylor said he's about 50/50 making silver jewelry, so we'll have to plan a trip to the silver cave soon. He said it's in a place called Saudiria. Dunno where that's at, but I'm sure it'll be a long trip.
I've been thinking lately that I need to learn to use a shield and learn the ins and outs of battle a little better. I do pretty well with my bow, and a little with my sword, but I think I could use some more training by someone more knowledgeable. At the same time, I'd still like to stay in focus with my other skills of hiding, sneaking and the like. I think those ranger, woodsy types are kinda along the same line. Maybe one of them could teach me some things. oh! Maybe I can learn to talk to the animals too, that would be fun! I could try to talk to all the cats around Hlint, and maybe some of the animals in the forests. Oh, and Falon when she turns into a bear, or a bird, or a cat...
Where was I... Oh yeah, learning from the rangers. I'll have to put up a flyer at the inns and see about getting a tutor for a while.
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Well, I had no luck finding a ranger to teach me the finer points of combat, but all is not lost. I have been practicing a lot of fighting with two weapons, and I've finally gotten to the point that I am basically ambidextrous and do not suffer so much in my accuracy. I am looking forward to testing out my newly acquired prowess, perhaps the orcs north of town should be thinned out a little bit for the safety of Hlint's population...
I can also finally wear the gloves that I received in payment for aiding Thrain and the Ulgrid king. They are very nice, and will serve me well I'm sure. An amulet of agility to go with the two rings of agility I have bought should round out my jewelry quite nicely, and will go great along with these gloves.
Tilli has recently joined me in Hlint, and it's been great having her around. She is progressing quite nicely as a priestess of Deliar, and I'm sure she will be quite effective in his name in due time. She has also been working enchanting to make holy water and healing potions, as well as learning the baking trade. I think she wants to open her own pie shop like mom and dad's.
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Today is a dark day. It seems the little bit of contact I had with Kyle Pandorn was a little too much. I just wanted a new dagger made of iron, and it seems I contracted the disease that was brought on Hurm by the rudely awaken dragons. Funny I didn't notice anything, but apparently I've had some broken skin in my underarms, the beginnings of the disease I was told.The Aeridinite healer in the ranger's grove of Sielwood forest also told me that a cure was known but had to be recovered, so I should quarantine myself for a few days. Since Krandor is already quarantined, and the Pandorn's have a house there, I figure that's a good place to camp out. Even if I can't get into the Pandorn's place, the town is under quarantine and I shouldn't have to worry about infecting anyone else.
Tilli was in the mines with Kyle and Rain, but was lucky enough not to have contracted the plague. She was sad that I had to leave, but knew it was for the best.
Oh great... once I'm well again I'll have to buy or make some fresh clothes. I hope I can find some way to cleanse my armor. It is very nice, and also a gift from Miriel. It would be a shame to have to burn it as well.
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Well, Praylor delivered me a dose of the cure today, much needed in fact. I'm still feelin a little down from it, but I'll recover. Praylor also asked me to gather some garlic and witch hazel. The witch hazel is part of the cure, and the garlic is part of the centaur trade I guess.
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Been a while since I've written anything. Nothing too exciting has been happening, but I have made a full recovery from my little plague bit. Gotten a little better in my woodworking and poison making, been on a few adventure trips. Got a new compound bow, a fine piece of work by Dalan Stoneaxe. I'd like to forget how much I paid for it so I won't write that here, but it was worth the cost. Hopefully I'll have more to write soon.
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Me and Hrothgar spent a couple solid days mining and smelting in the Seilwood and red light caves. I've advanced significantly in my smelting ability and can now produce nice, clean ingots of copper on about 3/4 of the attempts I make. This is a great help as my tinkering and woodworking will only benefit from the potential of a larger supply of copper. I think I may start trying to smelt ingots of bronze when I can get someone to do the mining work for me. It is a little tougher to accomplish, but I learn quite a bit more from each success.
With my share of the smelted copper, I started work on making gears, springs, and wires. After I had stocked a few I got some holy waters from Tilli and made a couple of holy traps. Those are significant lessons in my tinkering, even if I'm unable to use them. I am still undecided whether I will do any training with them as I usually find myself too rushed in combat to ever have the opportunity to set them. They would be useful if I spent more time alone hunting enemies, but generally I would be overwhelmed by any enemies that were not of little challenge to me. Perhaps if I were to spend a lot of time and became able to make much stronger traps they could be useful. Still, I do not spend much time out alone where they would be useful.
That may change in the future though, as I find it increasingly bothersome to be tied to a group where the members do not make plans, and do not follow plans when they *are* made. I have tried to simply avoid those who act that way, but it seems they are the only type who are around and looking for adventure when I am. Perhaps if they were to travel to places that would require tactics or end in death, they would be a little more inclined to follow directions and plans. I think I may have to start spending more time with Uilliam, he seems to know his way around Mistone well, and never seems overly bothered when nothing is happening in Hlint. I could use to learn a bit from him it seems.
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I feel like I've hit another milestone in my personal development and skills. I find it easier to hide, to pick locks, find traps and the like. I'm tumbling through battle easier still, and I've become even better at avoiding damage from traps. I have decided against learning to set traps in favor of simply continuing my learning of my already learned skills. Likely for the best I'd say.
I've still been working in my crafts, and have made good progress making poisons. not as much progress in other areas, but a little here and there.
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I recently took on a job for Stygian to seek out a mage by the name of Rufus Coldfinger. He has no information as to where he can be found, and says it may be a very dangerous task. Down payment for the services was 1000 coin, and another 2000 to be paid upon delivery of a parcel to Rufus. I think I'll start by asking the mages about Rufus, it may be the best bet for now. I'll leave this page open for further details about the job. __________ I've made a little progress with the job I think. After speaking to Rhynn, I learned more of Rufus than I should have cared to know, though the information about him will better prepare me for what to expect should I eventually meet him. It seems he is both a powerful necromancer, and a Black Wizard and Corathite. She did not come out and say exactly where I could find him, but instead left me with a riddle of some sorts: "You who'se heart is cold as ice, no fire can quell or thall. So forth: live as cold as heart for the betterment of all." I haven't got a clue what it means, but it's obvious the theme is 'cold.' My first guess is that he lives somewhere cold enough that fire cannot warm it. The only place cold enough to get to me has been the Barbarian Isles, but I hadn't seen any houses out there. I'll have to ask around about other very cold places. __________ I've now confirmed that Rufus keeps a home in the Barbarian Isles. I didn't so much figure out Rhynn's riddle as I just started asking Canius about all the really cold places he's been to. Ozy happened to be around, and named Rufus as the owner of a house that Canius had seen many times in the Barbarian Isles. I've asked Canius to show me the place the next time we meet, and I'm only being required to supply the tinder to keep us warm while we travel. I've sent 'S' a letter informing him of the progress, and since the discussion with Rhynn, have renegotiated the job's price due to the level of hazard that may be involved. __________ Canius showed me to Rufus' house today. Was easy enough to find. I slipped a note inside the door requesting a meeting with him. __________ I've finally gotten correspondence from Rufus, and will be meeting him to deliver S' parcel as soon as he has finished putting it together. __________ I've delivered the letter to Rufus, and have been paid in full for the job. S was most pleased with the outcome, and seemed mildly amused that I returned with all of my extremities intact.
http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=32604&posts=17#M218351 (http://thread-view.asp?tid=32604&posts=17#M218351)
//Original Post in the Wild Surge
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Well, I've finally got a pair of fire enchantments for my blades. I must say, I can't believe I hadn't ponied up for them sooner. I've got a second circle on my short sword, and a first circle on my dagger. Soon as I'm able to wield the extra power, I think I'll be having them both dipped in silver as an aid against the undead and were-beasts I occasonally come across. I figure that will be cheaper and last me longer than saving for a set of adamantium blades. At least for the time being that is. Once I can have similar enhancements on those, I'll have to upgrade. Or maybe just upgrade to a third circle fire enhancement. Who knows. Anyhow, I better put some more use to these things.
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I've been selling scrolls to a woman named Lalaith lately, and have begun seeing her in town more often. The other day there was an incident involving a fellow Hlintite who was being drained of his energy by something. He said he had also recently been imagining children in his mind, and that they were asking to be fed. Anyhow, Lalaith was around with her brother Talan, and she disappeared to the shadow plane to look for anything that was following the man. She came up with nothing, but told him to be careful and to seek out a competent mage if it happened again.
A day or so later, she popped up behind me and a few people in town by the bank, and I was able to have an... interesting conversation with her out by the campfire just out of Hlint. She explained that she was able to use and manipulate the very shadows, even during the daytime. She called it Shadow Dancing, and said that the shadows grant many gifts to those that learn to seek them. Or rather, in her opinion, she felt that the shadows seek out those who are to receive the gifts.
While we were out by the campfire, She showed me how she could pull the shadows from all around her to summon a shadow to command as her own. Perhaps it was her own shadow that she was manipulating, I'm not exactly sure. She spoke to it in a language I'd never heard before though. Then, just as quickly as it had materialized, it was gone again. She also demonstrated another gift of the shadows, and put a nearby pack ox in some sort of dazed stupor, causing it to stumble around a little.
She had started to explain how she moved into the plane of shadows, and compared a slight similarity to the Greater Sanctuary spell, but then we were interrupted by a wandering adventurer come to the fire to rest. I'm intrigued to say the least, and will have to spend more time learning on the subject of this... Shadowdancing.
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It's been a while since I sat down to write, so it's a good time to put something down I think.
Tilli has come a long way in her goals to start her own pie business, and has made her first few pies recently. Most have been rhubarb, but there's been an apple one too. She's also been working in enchanting, and is becoming competent in making weapon elemental enchantments, and elemental resistance rods for usage on wearable items. Once I work my way into a few items that will be sticking with me for quite some time, I'll likely have her make me one of each for fire, lightning, and cold. The acid would be nice, but the chance of coming across any emerald dust is pretty slim. I've never even seen an emerald yet.
Anyhow, Tilli informed me that I am one of the more accomplished locksmiths in Layonara. From what she was told, I am one of a very few who are able to unlock and untrap a certain gate in the firesteep mountains that gives access to some rather valuable and hard to get crafting items. Well, I haven't actually disarmed the trap yet, but I can feel that I am just within a hair of disarming it. I think with the proper motivational song, the trap will fall to pieces at my hands. And if it doesn't, I'll just push Gimli into it. *he laughs a little bit at this* Not really, although I'm sure he could handle whatever damage it would unleash.
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There's been very little to record lately. Mostly I've been spending countless hours at either the alchemist's table in Moraken's Tower, or at the gem cutting and polishing stations in Hlint's pulic craft hall. I've nearly advanced enough in my alchemical studies that I will be able to supply my own oils and acids for working pelts into leathers. Then I will concentrate on my sewing skills, as the leathers are the next big step to work with. Really I'm not sure why I focus on any of the tradeskills. Any equipment that I need, I won't be able to make before I need it. And I seem to have a terrible time selling anything that I do make, so I just don't make much of anything. It's all more practice than anything. It is something to keep me occupied I suppose. Maybe one day I'll be able to make sought after items.
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I've recently refined a technique of dodging between two enemies during a fight, and I've noticed that it helps keep me from getting hit just a little. It's not much, but everything helps at this point. Especially when I'm getting swung on by giants wielding axes larger then me! Along with this technique, I've found that I'm overall slightly more agile than I have been in the past. These two new discoveries have been great for me, and I've noticed that I can also wield both of my weapons with far better accuracy than I could previously.
Along with the new developments in myself, I've purchased a hood that not only helps me to hide and sneak, but also offers a small amount of protection. I'm also planning on purchasing [when I can come up with the coin] a full set of diamond jewelry that will enhance my agility. This of course, will be a significant expense, and will likely take me some time to earn the funds.
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It's been quite a long time since I've written my thoughts down, and unfortunately, my first for this entry isn't a happy one. I had my second visit from the soul mother today in a giant infested cave on Dregar.
In other news, I'm progressing nicely in both poison crafting and gemstone crafting. Not so much in other areas, but a little.
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I had a rather refreshing trip with Hrothy the other day. We took a a few mining picks out into the desert a ways out from Audira looking for silver. It was just the two of us, and not long after I had bumped into the soul mother in exactly the same cave. Needless to say, I was a little nervous about it.
We had a good plan though: He can mine the cave clean alone, but it takes him nearly four stacks of bandages to patch up the burns those witchdoctors give him. Since I can easily dodge any of their fiery spells, it was my job to pull the axe wielders away from them and back into the hallways. Once there, Hrothy easily dispatched them, with me ducking in and out to slice at their calves. After the axe bullies were taken care of, I would run at the mage a few steps in front of Hrothy to draw the fire before it scorched him, and then we would finish them off. It was a great plan and we came out with all the silver we could carry.
This got me thinking though: If the two of us could do so well with a basic plan, larger groups could likely tackle tougher areas with less casualties by the same pre-planning. I think I'm going to test my theory out in Firesteep. Hrothy needs adamantium to further his weapon crafting, and I need an adamantium short sword. It will help us both out, so I think I'll start advertising to put a mining expedition together.
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I've been spending a lot of time in the shadows lately. Mostly collecting odds and ends for sales or trades. Normally I'll go out in the evenings or early mornings when the shadows are most easily observed. While I'm out and about, I try to focus on the shadows as I use their cover to gather my items in safety. At times I think I 'feel' them, but being the early and late times of day I usually chalk it up to being less than fully aware. Lalaith said that the shadows seek out those worthy of their gifts... Could they be reaching out to me?
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Not five hundred feet from where I was recently visited by the soul mother in that silver mine, I met her again. This time, it was not even the result of a battle gone wrong, but an errant stranger being spotted in the hallway between the silver ore and where I was resting. Of course the stranger made his way down the hall unscathed, but the giant continued on having seen Tilli. I had to try and protect her, but it cost me another shard of my soul.
Regardless, I've come to find myself buried under a heap of giants far too often for my liking, and have decided that I'll be carrying a much heavier stock of arrows from now on. No longer will I be standing toe to toe with anything that can beat half the energy out of me with one direct hit.
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I met a strange fellow the other day named Matthias. He claimed to be asking for "donations" for the temple of Rofirien, but I have to wonder if he was just conning people for his own pocket. Needless to say, I think the man was a little touched in the head, as his antics would swing wildly from direct insults to asking for help in his travels. Not only that, but he made a donation to Tilli for Deliar's temple... Strange fellow indeed, I'll have to let Jennara know to keep an eye on him next I see her.
Aside from strange Rofi's, I've felt my skills overall have improved. Along with a new belt that I can finally wear, I now have the skills to use low power spell scrolls fairly consistently. My skills in travelling silently and making use of the shadows to hide myself improve as consistently as ever, and I feel as though the shadows even provide themselves in opportune places for me to take advantage of them from time to time. Now that I think of it, I can't remember the last time I was noticed while lurking through the darkness...
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It's a happy day! Tilli, Hrothy, and me finally bought a house in Haft Lake near Pranzis! We haven't had much money to decorate with yet, but we've got a couple storage crates so far. I think the three of us will do much better with our crafting once we have plenty of chests to store a larger amount of supplies.
Also, we've decided to have a house warming party sometime soon. Tilli is going to make a few crates full of roasts, bread, juices and ale for the guests, and then once we get decorated we'll have everyone over.
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*This particular page is noticeably stained by tear drops, and has become brittle*
It's been ten years since I've been back to my home in Haft Lake. Pranzis has changed drastically, apparently its been taken by followers of Sulterio. Its great walls seem even more heartily fortified, if that is possible. They are taller, if nothing else. I've not spent much time in the city just yet, I was more concerned with verifying that my home was still... mine. Luckily, it has not been repossessed by the state and sold to someone else.
With that worry out of the way, I feel I can return to my adventuring. First order of business will be finding some income. Prior to... returning home... I had spent my life savings on a house and some high end equipment.