The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: LordCove on November 28, 2006, 05:26:56 AM
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The first several pages of this book are many crumpled, torn and worn sheets of paper, attached to the book by a slight thread.
They detail, some roughly and some descriptively, the exploits and trials of Sallaron Tempest.
"Notes of Sallaron Tempest" - [url]http://forums.layonara.com/development-journals-discussion/105354-notes-sallaron-tempest.html
Compacted of course, they describe events before Sallaron arrived in Hlint, his unfortunate luck which lead him to be homeless, turning to petty crime and thievery, his being taken in by a small Thieves guild....and his betrayal by them, when he discovered the source of their revenue came from slave trading. It describes his near death at their hands, when he tried to free the slaves, and his dissapearance into the woods there after.
Of particular note are some of his exploits...
His role in the tale of Goblins and Golems....the foul essence contained within magic tubes which turned folk into undead creatures, and his success at translating the scrolls which lead to the restoration of his allies.
His time in solving the Mystery of the Black Pearl....attempting to infiltrate a gang of pirates, although he was barely aware as to the true purpose of the mission, and narrowly escaped with his life.
It details many exploits of the Explorers of Mistone, an organisation he founded many years ago, and most notably, there discovery and attempted exploration of a Secret, hidden dungeon on Rilara. He has penned a note here, swearing he will return to bring down the keeper of the dungeon.
A long piece of literature describes his attendance in the Battle of Pranzis....holding off the invading Blood forces during the final battle which shook the world.....and the emergence of Broegar as the new, "temporary" lord of Pranzis.
It also describes repeatedly his attempts to locate Illegal slave smuggling, and to free slaves captured. Most sadly mentioned, was his failure to free the slaves of the Black River Pirates. His arrival was too late, and the Pirates had slain all there slaves, leaving Sallaron enraged and guilt-ridden for some time.
Most recently, and penned in an angry form, tells of " A little Town called Haven"....which it seems he spent much time their, attempting to persuade a council not to steal the emotions of their villages so that all could be "safe" and "well". The event turned badly it seems, as it describes storming the Mayors mansion, killing his guards, and practically torturing the Mayor. His words seem to hold a woman known as AnnaLee partly to blame for the killing, but does not explain how.
Furthur described are small events, but containing the names of those he has befriended and trusts in the years past....and shows the mans love for nature, and crafting of fine goods....but ever present in his words, is the wish to redeem himself in someone's eyes....perhaps his own.
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I met a lady the other day in the Wild Surge Inn....and I curse myself for not remembering her name...seems I'd drank a little too much. But I recall she told me a tale which affected me more than I thought. Seems she and her family were captured by slavers, and she was able to escape, and now seeks to find her brother....who she believes may still be alive and in slavery. That is the purpose of this journal of mine...to remind myself of what is important. I will keep my eye out for her, and render assistance as I can...as I somehow feel, responsible for this. If I were to find Gillen and his Slave traders were responsible....I would never forgive myself.
My line of Bows and Crossbows will hopefully be released soon....allowing a much stronger draw of the bow than normal. I save now for two things.....An advanced crafting kit....allowing me to make much more quality goods.....and a home. How I long for a home of my own.
A few recents excursions I have accompanied the Druid Kyoro. A strange and interesting woman....her beauty and power is matched only by her fury at the destruction of nature and its animals. She is well attoned to the balance....and yet....I believe there is much she must learn.....as I must.....of just how deeply the balance goes.
I will keep my eyes out for Rhizome again....at what point must we strive to maintain the balance, when that which we mean to save.....seems so determined to destroy us instead.
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Omer has been very useful lately....the ingredients and resources needed to complete my work are rare and....ridiculous. Grave dirt....of all thing! Having to delve into some of the darkest places on Mistone, combat unspeakable, undead things.....only to grab a handfull of dirt. Seems pointless in some aspects....although I've gathered a few mushrooms and Bodaks teeth people seem to need so badly. And still....there I am....being pushed to the front of the fight.
" Remember, I aint no Frontliner. " I keep saying.....do they listen. No....they hang behind, protected by spells and wards,whilst I fight for my life...and recently enough, I keep failing. Im gonna have to practice some more fighting skills.....if only to keep me alive.
A few excursions to Dregar with Janice has topped me full of Silver ingots....which, through practice, I intend to turn into Silver arrows....which should keep those undead at bay. Had a few close calls, and a nasty run in with a drake which, of course, ended badly....but all in all, the practice is good for me.
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It's time. I've pulled the old poster from the chest and replaced it on the wall, and sent my letters far and wide. My replies came quick....and every one of the old Explorer's have agreed to the return, save Roy. The bird returned, the message delivered, but no reply. Who know's where he's wandered off to this time.
So we are ready....myself, Xandrian, Pyrran, Godim, Buppi and Cymeran. I am convinced that, as us all being older, wiser and stronger, we would fare better ourselves, but have decided to recruit some other's also to be safe. Shamur is certain, the man's skill astonishes me and will certainly help back Xan in the front.
And this time, I delve wiser than before. Whilst showing Kyoro the tower, we had the fortune of bumping into a local wizard, who told us a little of the history. The tale itself seems a little hard to believe....Katia roaming the lands in human form?! Falling in love with a Silver Dragon?! It sounded like a fairy tale, but the more she spoke of the "Children of the Metals" the more it made sense. The dungeon was filled with Golems and Constructs of all kinds, vicious and deadly. But Kyoro's words keep rining in my ears.
" Do you -really- want to go down there? "
Truth be known, I'm not so sure anymore. But something bids me go anyway....like I'm being pulled down there, as though Im "supposed to go"....and it's becoming rather disturbing.
On a lighter note....Ceilith has done well. Seem's some elves out by Saudiria had been keeping an eye on him, and have nominated him leader of their group. Took some convincing to get the the other parties of Elves on our side, but once Ceilith killed a Giant Chieftain with a single shot, they certainly made their minds up quick enough.
* A little scribble here, where it seems he may have wrote more, but decided against it*
Explorers: http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=499
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* Sallaron sat under the tree in Hlint, a journal and fine quilled pen in hand, whilst the stray cat curled in his lap, purring and twitching softly. Occasionally he would glance to the benches and the road, just to see who was passing, but kept himself focused on his work. Furrow's appeared in his brow often, as he seemed to know what to write, but couldn't find the words*
Iron Hills....a deadly place. Seem's I've been there more in the past few days than I've ever been in my life. First time of course, I was so lost I didn't have a clue where I was, and took me a few days to make it back to Hurm. The second time, was with gracious invite from Honora, Freldo and Galen. They showed me some of the "less trodden" paths in that area, and how to deal with what could be found there. Freldo and his gold lust...ha, makes me laugh.
I headed for Karthy to rejoin Captain Hai San and his pirates for another attempt at freeing some slaves. Seem's however, it was time for the slavers to hit back. They raided Karthy that day, slaughtering many, and it was only through "divine" intervention, so I'm told, that many of us escaped. And to then find our misson was "not" to free slaves, but simply to recover some "relic" from Bricket the Journeyman....well, that topped it all. I did get to meet Kobal Bluntaxe, a fierce bloody warrior. Strange thing is....I thought he was dead.
*He pauses for a long time, lost in thought, and when he begins writing again, it is with a small frown*
Something disturb's me lately. I don't know the whole of what it is....but I feel it, in the air, hidden in the shadows, waiting to jump out when I least expect it. I feel I'm being warned about something, but it's so vague it scares me. I've taken to wandering alone a little, help's me clear my thoughts, the more I explore with people, the more conscious I am of "its" coming. There's only one who banishes the thoughts, her wit and smile seem to push back the chill that comes over me....even though she's as difficult to read as a Draconic book.....*a few lines are scribbled out*
I was disturbed to hear of the death of Janice.....seems strange that such power fades so quickly. There were time's I thought she were invincible.....but seems the soul mother pays particular attention to those with power. I thank my star's I'm not worth her notice.
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*Sallaron hunker's over the bench, quill in hand, candle light dancing around the room, running a shaking hand through his hair as he writes*
So much can happen, it seems, in so short a little time. Kyoro, my feelings for whom have been scribbled from these pages several times. I didn't dare admit to myself....even on paper. By Folian that's pathetic!
She's gone anyway....couldn't stand the barbarianism of city folk. And with her a piece of me. *more was scribbled out here*
...Beli has returned....seems after many years of servitude the monastery was let him go. Was good to fight along side him again.....seemed like old times. I'll see if I can get him on anymore Explorer ventures.....speaking of which.....
*here an obivious effort is made to write cleanly and precisely*
We did it. With most returned for the second attempt, save Buppi, Roy and Cymeran, we tackled the Well of Eon once more. Was several years had passed since we last set foot there....but we fared well. Pyyrean scouted the way, and a good eye, if only his feet reacted as fast. Shamur and Xandrian were our wall....relentless. Then came Godim, throwing spells left and right....and Sala and Serissa....with healing spells at the ready.
We fought our way past deadly books, leeches, flaming sword's and past the guardian, Eon's rememberance. It fell...and we recovered that which had sealed up in the cursed place...the Scion of Balance.
I have it now...packed away safely till it should be needed. If only Kyoro could have seen this.... *more scribbles*
I know not what it does....but seem's right I have it....like thats what I'd been searching for. Seems even more fate was luck that I got it....it was open for all to take.
I'll keep it safe for now.
Feel bad though....Serissa lost her weapons and sheild....seemed one of the foul thing's we attacked down there was a rust monster. I've offered to arrange an expedition to Firesteep to recover some Adamantium, but seem's she has other ways of retrieving it.
And so....with the Well of Eon's conquered, the Explorer's have turned their eyes to North Dregar, to North Point....where fiercesome Minotaur's plague the town.....and a deep cave is where they call home.
Explorers: http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=499
Sallaron's : http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=472
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And yet again....following those bloody rumour's as I always do....I found myself in Raven's Watch, being recruited to save a Captain of the Guard and recover some boots from an old cave. Something about the whole thing had me spooked to start with, as though I were missing all the fact, but I journeyed with other's and trusted them. Later, a whole bunch of Voraxian Dwarves showed up, seemingly looking for some "recipe" needed to cure the Broken woods, and they assisted us along the way.
There were a lot of familar faces, Pyyrean, Shamur, Beli, and some unknown's, but we fared well, cleansing the cave, recovering what we needed, and beating a hasty exit.
Returning the goods to some woman in the Leilon Arms, we received a whopping 20000 True for our efforts.....which is what raised my suspicions instantly. No sooner had she left, than Rhynn and Lin'da began screaming about Illusionists. Turn's out, the lady who payed the whopping sum was one of the seven sister's, and we had just returned from looting "Selian's lair". What the hells were we thinking?!
Well....I hope the recipe "fixes" Broken woods....the place has been cursed for too long now. And poor Pyyrean....accused of being a thief....again. He didn't even accept any reward because of Lin'das accusations. Although.....I don't think he realised how much we were being payed.
And now....yet again, I'm about to spend my great saving's on new Adamantium chain and a new set of leather armour. Seem's just as a new home is in reach, I must spend more on equipment. I've even decided to buy a horse, save me running across Rilara all the time.
I look forward to the next Explorer's venture. We have become a force to be reckoned with....each of us now reading the other's minds in battle, making our tactic's deadly to the enemy. One day....I see we will all make our way to the Far East.....where only the bravest of souls go....and there explore land's seldom seen by the eyes of man. What a bloody great day that will be.
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*Sallaron collapses into his bed in the inn, exhausted, barely able to drag his journal and the quill pen over to him. Propped up in bed, he begin's jotting in it wearily*
Well, I've been working non-stop for days now.....Cornoil, milk, Sage, flour....even made and sold one of those Mighty bow's of mine for a fine profit. After buying a suit of Addy chainmail....my account was empty....but was well worth it, few hit's even penetrate the mail. But I'm filling it back up.
I spoke with Shamur some days ago.....was interesting. He asked what I had planned for the Explorer's in the future, and so I told him of my plans to try and make us an official guild. He was a lot more interested in the idea than I thought, offering to pay half the price of the house we would use as our Guildhall. I was so relieved....seemed I would be working for years before this dream of mine came true. I've priced the house's in Pranzis....around the Haft Lake district....and need to make only another 20000 True before we go and buy one. Then of course, there is the matter of decorating and lay-out. Thankfully, I'll be able to make most of the furniture myself....which should save us a tidy sum.
Then....to speak to the Explorer's to see who want's in. I already know Shamur, Pyyrean and Cymerran are interested.....but I haven't seen much of Godim lately. I'd like the old mage to be in.....since he's been with the Explorer's since the very beginning....and wouldn't seem right at all for him to not be in. Then, once I have the initial 4 members, just the matter of Officially registering us. Will take a few meeting's before we work out exactly what we stand for and what our main goals would be.....but is certainly an interesting time.
I headed for Karthy for a few days, sneaking around the back alley's to see if a chance would arise to spring free a few slaves....but the Guard's around there now seem to have been doubled. It's likely they know my face now....I've bugged and troubled them enough for that....but don't mean I'm gonna be giving up. I keep my ears open....hoping to hear of some Slaver's den hidden somewhere in Karthy. If I find one....by Folian I'll prepare well and free the lot of them.
And as a last note, I had a fun night at the Freelancer's. Had a bit too much to drink, and after some persuasion from AnnaLee and Pyyrean, ended up telling of the taleof the Explorer's recovering the Scion from Eon's Well. A little while later, a man came in, said to be from the Friend's of Hurm, recruiting grand adventurer's to negotiate a truce with the Dragon Black Plague, so trade routes could be opened. I said nothing, but knew what it meant. Some fat cat merchant in Hurm's obviously planning this, trying to get the Dragon removed so he can rake in the True. Only problem is, some of the have "agreed" to this. Bloody madness....if they fail to kill or negotiate with the thing, Hurm's going to feel the brunt of it....again, and the town will likely not survive.
I've decided to attend this quest, against my better judgement I might add. If it fails.....hundred's, possibly thousand's could die. I have no intention of speaking to or engaging the Dragon....but will take the Scion with me. If it makes one move, utter's one word against Hurm, I'll use Katia's Scion and bring the whole bloody Crypt's down about the cursed thing....myself included if need be.
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*Sallaron sit's himself on the bench before the fire, pulling out his journal and a fine quill pen. He glances about the room with a wry smile and start's scribbling*
It's done. I sit now in my new house in Castle Raxwell, split fairly between me and Shamur. It's much larger than I had thought, thanks to Milly the Estate agent showing us around, me and Shamur were able to view and pick which best suited us, though I still owe him around 30k for it, which I've just about raised already. The place has a huge kitchen, meeting room, living room, storage room, even what seem's to be an area we could convert into our own personal tavern. There were three bedroom's, one each for me and Shamur, and after some persuading, we've given the Third to Pyyran. The place is only partially decorated....but still looks well.
( Note: See Shamur about all the bloody animal head's he's mounted on the wall's)
The Explorer's assembled again for the raid on the Ruin's of Madness.....it started well, as always, we worked well as a team, putting tactics and skill to good use. One particular group felt the fury of the Scion....blasting them to dust before they realised what was happening. But there was something unusual when we faced the cheif....it seemed nigh invincible, and we fought and hacked the damn thing for so long, that re-inforcement's were called and we were assailed again, causing several of us to fall. Making our way out from that point was deadly....though we took the Chief's head. At one point, one of the Shaman's approached us precariously, and I took it upon myself to try to speak in Animal to the thing, perhaps get a clear way out of the Ruins. I should have known better to threaten the thing....it spat at me and cast some spell....the next thing I knew was darkness, and being raised again on the cold stone floor.
From then the way was pretty clear, and battered and bruised, we made our way to North Point, the chief's head in tow.
At this point I brought up the guild.....and we now have some firmly involved. Shamur of course, Pyyran, Cymerran, Sala....although Serissa and Xan are already involved in one. Valaria left before I could speak to her, so I'm determined to catch her and get her in with us.....she's becoming as powerful as she is beautiful. And Godim....like always, arrived late, and vanished after the deed before I could speak to him.
Heroes of Change:
I did a little digging into this Pier Krogel of the Friend's of Hurm. I had my suspicions about him and the true purpose of his idea, but seem's they were misfounded. He has a reputation for making deals and negotations with small trading businesses, primarily Dock Fraternity's and low-funded trade guilds. Seem's strange that he has suddenly leapt from small business ventures to arranging such dangerous and lucrative things such as Dragon negotiating...but other than that there seem's nothing to confirm my suspicions. Still, after the last "incident", I feel sure Selian or some aid of her's will be waiting to snatch the damn Cauldron from us once it's out the Dragon's reach.
And finnaly, I've somehow fallen in with a group of bloody misfits. I don't know why I continued adventuring with them, but it's certainly going to stop. They seem to relish in the whole "blood bath" thing, cutting and desecrating corpses and slaying anything in their path. It sicken me....and I'll be disassociating myself from them.
*Sallaron snap's the book shut and locks it in his chest, then wander's out the house, heading back to work*
Explorer's of Mistone....( and other places )
http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=499
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Taking me bloody longer to raise these Guild fee's than I thought....and even when they're paid, I'm gonna have to save again for that cursed Advanced certificate. I swear, seem's all I do lately is work.
Well, I accompanied a fair sized group to the Den of the Black Plague. I've never been so scared in my bloody life. After nominating Ozy and Kobal as our speaker's, we made our way down the moss Crypt's, the Frontliner's hacking their way past thing's I aint even seen in my bloody dreams. Eventually, we came out into a large underground swamp area, and the booming sound of heavy footfall's almost sent me running back there and then.
A Dragon.....as close to me as my front door is now. It lead us to a another cave where it's master sat.....and I remember falling back, practically hiding behind people as it spoke to Ozy and Kobal.
Seemed quite impressed with Ozy, he of the Silver tongue. We made a bid for the safety of Hurm, strange since we had been made aware previously that the Friends of Hurm had no legitimate connections to Hurm at all.....but the Dragon accepted for regular tributes. Then we bidded for the Cauldron, the only reason I went down there anyway. We were denied, the bloody thing admitted it would NEVER give it up. I'm kinda at a loss now, as I think Drogo was too.
A few of the Explorer's went wandering off, found some Limestone Caves ( where we found a Diamond!! ), the Dungeon of Lost Soul's, and the Den of the big creepy crawlie's.....no one fell at all, a feat we were all well proud of. We've decided to make a trip to this Rift, mainly of course since we heard the Diamond's can be found there, and Diamond fever seems to have gripped us since we handed Shamur his fairly won stone.
Well, back to work again for me. True to be made.....as always.
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*Sallaron collapses onto his bed at home, dragging his journal and quill out, jotting quite happily, sipping on one of Godim's Cherry Lambic's by the table*
Well, 75k True is in the bank, ready to be paid to the authorities for the Guild. The thing that clinched it, a final delivery to Rhynn, a bloody huge order of Sage, CornOil, Wheat flour and Hops, two boxe's of each! I swear, my back's gonna ache for weeks after carrying that around. One final thing to do, I now need a mere 35000 True for my advanced certificate.....and then, I'm retiring!
Yes, at long last, I can bloody retire from all this work. I've become self sufficent, got my home, a Guild, and I can make anything I would ever likely need myself. I'm looking forward to spending some time simply lazing around Hlint or the Guildhouse, or wandering off across Dregar sight seeing. I'll never retire from adventuring just yet of course, too much left to see and do.
Found some interesting sight's with the Explorer's last time, we even ventured into Firesteep with several others, and finnally got Shamur some of that Adamantium. God's, the grin on his face whilst he was mining, like he was a kid with a whole, brand new toy. Some of the Explorer's had expressed an interest in trading, though thankfully, I think they were more concerned with crafting for themselve's than opening any kind of a shop, so hopefully we'll be arranging more venture's to get them the thing's we need.
Been spending a lot of time with Val as of late, and I must confess, I'm becoming quite fond of her. She never laughs, never smiles, never makes jokes....at least that she's aware of.....and at first, she seemed too distant. But lately, I've seen a laugh in her eyes, a smile in the way she nod's slightly all the time, and humour in the simple, logical answer's she seems to have for every occasion.
"How did those giant's wander down here?" I'd shout, backing away from the oncoming giants charging toward's us.
" With their leg's. " would come the short, to the point reply. I almost dropped my sword for laughing.
A few of my friend's I think have noticed, but thankfully, they seem to respect me enough not to openly ask me or bring attention to it, knowing fine well I'd be all embarressed. Never was good at that sort of thing. Thank Folian for Good Friends.
Been bumping into Arkolio a lot lately too, the guy seem's to have a girl in every court with that silver tongue of his. Seem's he and Eghass are thinking of opening up some kind of "non-lethal Weapon's shop". Thankfully Eghass never took the time to learn a little Thieve's cant, and Ark managed to explain "exactly" what the shop would be doing.
Explorer's are being dragged off to some Goblin encampment soon. Who know's what to expect when we let our feet go loose....just hope I'm around afterward's to fill another page in this book.
Oh....and Geldar.....I hadn't seen him for year's. Seem's he's been away for a long time and only just returned. Gonna have to drag him off with me for a hunting trip some time.
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*Sallaron sit's on the couch, casting impatient look's at the door and mumbling to himself occasionaly. After becoming a little restless, he pull's out his journal and scribble's in it a little to take his mind of things*
Damn that Pyyran. The last few day's for me have been bloody peace and comfort. And then to come home and find this!
I've paid the True, and retired from work for good. No more dragging good's back and forth across Mistone, no more spending endless hour's in the kitchen's grinding and milling, no more chasing customer's for order's and dropping off deliveries. It's funny, now I've retired, I'm seeing endless post's on the Trade wall's of people looking for what I used to provide....CornOil, flour and such. Surely someone must realise the profit to be made and set up their own business. But....I'm not concerned.
Same day I retired, Val got herself some new Amulet, and we ventured into Sielwood to bless it. Never been to any kind of ceremony like that, and even though I couldn't understand a word that was being said, was certainly peaceful to witness.
Anyway, a few day's of peace and relaxation had passed, till I've come home and found a warning on the walls, asking us to check our lock's and possession's. I did a quick check, and couldn't find anything missing, but before I went to bed, I found a note from Pyyran. Seem's he's allowed some folk's into the Guildhall one night, and as far as the note say's, "thing's went bad". I'm reserving judgement of course, may not have been his fault at all, but still, letting group's of unknown folk's just wander in here.....
*grumbles a bit, pausing in his writing, casting another impatient glance at the door*
Anyway.....coming up.....Toga party. Can't wait for that. Going to get someone to make me a bloody good one.
See Godim and Cym.....I'm wanting these Rod's I got turned into enchantement's of some kind or other. May as well put them to some use.
What else.....oh yes, 6ft of rope......ready for Pyyran coming home.
*chuckles to himself a little, snapping the book shut*
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Something's wrong. I'm growing bored, restless....lounging around the Guildhall all day and doing what are routine trips's to the desert's for silver. Snapped at some folk's the other day for calling out to me....don't know why. Just suddenly felt angry over something. Drinking a bit more than usual too...not that I'm seeing that as a bad thing, but that's maybe's why.
Accompanied a few folk down for Silver, lovely lady Kali, Krys, that Zup guy and another person who never spoke and wore a creepy helmet all the time. We descended into the caves...but, they wer'nt ready for what was down there. Kali fell, and I battled hard to keep the giant's from the rest of them. Afterward's, with no hope of ressurecting Kali, I dragged them out the caves and left them in Saudiria, sick to my stomach.
Thought packing in work would be a breeze, some quiet time for myself.....but it's not working out that way. Keep remembering the early day's, when there was just me and Igrio, roaming about the wood's, aimlessly really. I swear, thinking of those day's....at the time, I thought I had it rough, now, it seem's I had never felt so alive struggling to survive day after day.
Bumped into Gak the Half-Giant a bit back. Of all the people....he saw right through me.
" Youse not's look's well's Sallawon. Your's head's be sick?"
For a blumbering Half-Giant, he's pretty intuitive. Took him down to Berhagen for a little hunting trip, he had a hell of a time chasing after Giant's roaring "Gak smash youse alls!"
I've grown fonder of Val....which, of course, is when the ground fall's out from under your feet. Friend of mine mentioned she spend's much time with a Hardragh guy....probably why she's so distant with me. Second time this has happened, and I'm left standing again. Seem's lately, I feel I'm wasting my time with....almost everything.
Stopped cooking, woodworking, stopped tinkering and Alchemy.....seem's I've stopped altogether.
*with a miserable sigh, Sallaron closes the journal and tosses it onto the bed before curling up into a restless sleep*
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What the hell am I doing! Am I getting worse....or better?
I fessed up to Val....told her how I feel.....more fool me, but I needed to, was making me sick. Or so I thought. She told me she wasn't sure how she felt...no surprise of course, considering how she keeps those emotions of her's pent up. But, I got it off my chest, and for a while....I felt better....
...but then it crept back....that dull, uncaring feeling in my head, where I just want to forget everything and dissapear somewhere.
Bumped into Val and that Hardragh guy....thought it would bother me seeing them together like that, but it didn't.....I've said my piece to her, and that's about all Im going to do....so I bit my tongue and invited the two off to the desert for a little mining. It ended with me storming off, leaving Val and Hardagh. At the time....I blamed it all on his killing spree in the cave's, killing the bat's just to spite me and my almost druidic ways....but now I think back, I was looking for something to lash at.....and he made a perfect target for me. Anyway.....I stormed off and left the two alone.
Returned a few days later with a new group, Ceilith, Rain, Tegan....who kept putting me in charge! Don't she know me at all!....and a lovely little lady called Kinsai....I think we hit it off almost immeditely. Anyway, we all trouped through the desert for awhile, but I returned home to the guild.....
....that's when I found Pyyran's rabble hanging around outside the Guildhall. I kept trying to chase the bugger's, but they weren't listening. I had a sneaky suspicion Pyyran might try and bring them back in, so I waited by the door. Soon as he walked in, I was on him. Told him to bugger off and take his rabble with him, and if Fred turn's up, I'll have some name's to give him. Later I realised this wasn't exactly nice of me....not the type of thing I'd usually do or say at all....but strangely, it made perfect sense to me.
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* The writing here seems barely readable, the hand writing it either very sick or very drunk*
Right......stuff's happened...things....usuall stuffs....
Met's llottsa new peoples....can't remember namess....lots....went places.....didss stuff
Firesteep.....wentt there....oh bloody joyss....Hawklen.....bloddy moron....undertaker....tiried to charge me 10000 Truess for raising me......and Tegans bloody paidis him!! Getting Tegans some food stuff....was nice of er....
Crazy exploring trrippps into desert.....big, huge bloodies giants....someeat to do with....
* the whole section here appear's to have been scribbled out at a later date, although there is a crude map showing the location of a secret passageway in the Anarouch desert in Dregar, although it makes not mention as to where it leads*
What ewlse.....oh....went places....lottsa peoples again....lotsa names....Abi...Krys....Zup.....Honora......
Oh...Kinai....poors lass....all confusesds and stuffs....work's to hards at cooking.....gave her bit stuuffs....
....Val....went places.....dids stuff....stills likes but.....nothing......
Oh....and Pyyran.....tinks im drinkish to much.....infactss....everyone tinkss Im drinkings too mcuhc.....bloody moronss.....
-
*Sallaron sit's on the end of his bed having just awoken, an ale in his hand, watching with a mixed sense of worry and curiosity as his hand shakes uncontrolably trying to take the top off the bottle. Eventually, after much fumbling, he manages to pop the cork and down's much of the ale inside, letting the fine liquid pour down his throat, and breathing a relieved sigh as the bottle emptie's and he tosses it in the corner.
He clamber's to his feet, rubs a hand through his greasy hair, and drag's himself to the desk, slumping into it and glances in the mirror. Dark shadows hang under his eyes, and it seems they have sunken a little more into their sockets. His nose and cheeks are red and puffy, his face a deathly pale. He glares at the reflection a moment, finding the sight of himself uncomfortable, and reaches for another ale, this time taking a few sips.
It's only when he reaches for his journal and quill, that he realises his hand has stopped shaking. He glances back into the mirror, and is startled to find a tear in his reflection's eye, trickling slowly down the reflection's face. With slow, deliberate movements, he move's his hand to his cheek, and realise's its his own....
With a sudden burst on anger, he knock's the ale from the table and throw's the journal to the far end of the room, where it hit's the wall and slides down, dissapearing somewhere behind his bed. But something escaped, and slowly flutter's about the room a little before settling at his feet. Wiping away the tear with a scowl, he reaches down and picks it up.
Several pages, bound by a small thread, had escaped his journal. "The notes of Sallaron Tempest" printed on the front, Sall flicked through the papers briefly, pausing over word's and phrases he could remember writing long ago. How simple those days had been, he thought, and a brief smile came to his face. A gleam appeared in his dull eyes, and an idea swept over him....*
-
*Sallaron sat by the end of the bed, staring at the bulging backpack that rested on the stool in front of him. Once again, though he had done so many times, he checked it's contents, nodding to himself contently when he was sure he had everything he needed. He took out a fine quill pen and wrote a few hurried letters, sending notes to and letters to those he thought should know, then went to grab his journal. With a frown, he stared over at the side of the bed where his journal had fallen, hidden underneath. For a moment, it seemed he would drag the bed aside to retrieve it, but with a slight grin, he shrugged and left it there, out of sight and out of mind.
A flood of names and events came to him, which he felt he should really jot down, if only for his own sake. People who had tried to help him, and he had returned the aid with backlashing and hurling insults, shouting at them for interfering. At the time it seemed only right he should say such things, but now....he felt a little guilty about it all.
It was an unusual feeling, locking his chest's and leaving behind the standard things he would carry around. He placed several things in some of the chests for those he knew would find them....one, which he struggled to part with, but knew he couldn't take with him. The other....something he wished for but seemed could never have.
The chest containing his ales and brews caused him a moments pause, and he frowned and glared at it angrily, almost as though battling it. It was all in there, everything from the Layonara Hotel, the WildSurge Inn, and the last of what he had bought from Rhynn....he had stashed and locked it all away. He felt fine about it now, alcohol still ran in his veins from the Toga party, but he knew in the morning....oh how he would long for it, and he practically tore his gaze away and headed out the house.
It was but a short walk to Lorindar carrying the pack with him and he felt the strain, lack of exercise and too much ale showing. When he finnaly approached the docks, out of breath, the Ship's Captain glanced up from his clip board and nodded as he approached, though still keeping count of the numerous bags and boxes currently being loaded aboard the ship.
" Evening Sall......got yer letter. There be a place on board for ya."
Sall nodded slightly, looking up at the fine ship, it's flag billowing in the wind, the sailor's humming and singing tune's as they lugged cargo back and forth. He dropped his pack to the floor and pulled out a small bag of True.
" How much then?" he asked.
" Well, that depends, " the Captain said, glancing at something behind Sallaron with a raised eyebrow. " Forty True fer you, but if yer bringing yer mutt, I want an extra twenty."
Sall frowned and turned around to find a grey wolf stood behind him, looking at him expectantly, it's tail wagging in excitement.
" Igrio? What the hell you doing here?" he muttered
The wolf barked a few times, creeping closer to Sall and nudging his leg. Sall knelt down and scratched it's ears, the animal seeming to love the attention and rolling on it's back to be scratched. A wide grin spread across his face and he turned back to the Captain.
" Fifteen true....the mutt can stay in my quarter's and I'll keep him out your way."
The Captain considered a moment, then shrugged and gestured for them to get on board. Just as he reached the gang-plank, Igrio trotting happily behind him, the Captain called out.
" So Sall.....just so I know....I'll be headed back from Arabel in a few days. If ya wanna book a return trip, might save ya some True."
Sallaron glanced down at Igrio a moment, who seemed to read Sall's thoughts and bound on board, dashing to the prow and leaping on two legs to stare out to sea. Sall looked over to the Captain and shook his head.
" No thanks mate....For now it's to the East.....and it's one Bloody way."
-
* Streaks of sun filtered through the dark clouds when Sallaron returned home, stood at his front door. Igrio, seeming equally pleased to be home, barked a few times and dashed back into the wood, Sall watching him go with a smile. Instantly, he went to his room, dragged his bed aside, and recovered his journal from the back of the bed. With a wry smile, he immediately began scribbling in it*
And again, it seems so much can happen, in such a short time. In truth, I didn't expect to be home so early, only been gone a month, but if Folian send's my feet here....guess there's some reason. And there was, a letter from Pyyran, a rather urgent one.....so, I cleared out my little camp outside Arabel and came home on the next boat.
Not a drop of Alcohol has passed my lips since that Toga party....and the first few days without were a nightmare. I never realised it had such a hold on me....and looking back, I'm glad to be rid of it. I feel it stunted me....and have embarressed myself infront of many of my friend. There's much I must make up for.
But of this first....I must make mention. Gillen....the evil little bastard who dealt in slaves and left me for dead all those years ago. I spotted him in Karthy by chance, and me, Shamur, Godim and Val pursued the bugger across the land, till at last he stayed at an Inn near Lannisport. We snuck in, and convinced the Inn keep to give us a room.
I knew what I was doing that night....I sent Shamur to move Gillen's horses away, and left Godim and Val in the room....and crept down the hall, looking for Gillen's room. I was going to kill the sod in his sleep....of that I had no doubt....one strike and it would be done. But seem's someone else had an interest in him...and caught off guard, I was held at knife point and took to the kitchen, where a man named Mint told his story.
Seemed Mint knew Gillen was into slavery, and he wanted the Account books so he could bring Gillen to justice. We made a quick deal, I track Gillen and find the book, the slaves would be freed, and Gillen would be mine to deal with as I wished. Seemed like a good deal, so I agreed and told the other's.
But....I couldn't drag them into this. Gillen had to die....and no way would Val forgive me if she saw it....so....I left them there, Godim and Val, sleeping soundly in the room....and me and Shamur left the inn and waited for Gillen to leave.
We tracked him to his little hideout, listening outside for some time. But eventually, I couldn't take the waiting...knowing the bastard was sat in there drinking ale and laughing. Myself and Shamur stormed the place, burst through the door, and were immediately attacked by the Slavers. We made quick work of them, but Gillen escaped out the door, and just as I was about to give chase....I saw them....the room was full of slaves, looking weary and lost.
I paused....I bloody paused! Chase Gillen and finish the bugger off.....or free the slaves and see them to safety. It should have been a simple decision to make....but it wasn't. Eventually, angry with myself....I stayed to free the slaves....knowing my chance of vengance was gone.
But something was amiss....the slaves wanted to return to their "Lord"....and when Mint turned up....ransacking the room for his book, it became clear.
They weren't really slaves....they were Serf's who had been illegaly sold into slavery....and would now be returned to another, legitimate form of slavery serving their Lord. I still offered them the chance to be free....but they huddled around Mint like he was their bloody saviour.
And the worst....he wanted me to "escort" them back to their Lord. He wanted me to deliver these slaves back to their owner....and he would show me where Gillen was! Vengance or not....I swore I would never assist a slaver again....and so.....I left....left Mint with his Serf's....and left my last chance to finish Gillen off.
-
......anyway, now that the whole business with Gillen is done.....what am I missing?
Oh yes....I'm free of the drink, and have things to make up for. Spent over a month with Igrio, wandering around parts of Belinara. Mainly of course, I kept to the path from Arabel to Fort Mitrix....but on occassion's I was able to bump into other adventurer's and wander that little bit furthur....seeing thing's I never thought I'd see. At first, I was terrified, not thinking I'd be of any use and hanging back with my bow.....but slowly, my confidence built up....the gleam re-appeared in my eye's....and before I knew it, I was charging into battle....albeit cautiously. Funny how....being in such mortal peril....such fear for your life....can suddenly make everything seem so simple.
I haven't seen much of Val since I came back.....and am wondering where she's getten to. Several times I've been tempted to just go wandering by Corax lake and the Forest of Mist's, which is usually where I bump into her....but, I'm trying not to. Looking back, I think I maybe's chased her a little too much....and I'm gonna try pulling back a bit. I've told her how I feel....she know's.....it's blatantly obvious anyway......and I guess all I can do is wait.....see how she feels. But....of course, she's an elf.....I'm just a man......how long can I possibly wait? I keep remembering back to the Toga party, all I wanted to do was hold her hand or grab her for a quick dance....but....without the " Yes Sallaron.....it's you" confirmation, I feel I'd be pushing her....and that's not what I want to do. So....I'm gonna keep my mouth shut....continue on doing what I do....or what Folian sends me to do.
Anyway....the reason I came back.....Pyyran and his letter. The guys had one too many encounter's with the soul mother, and seems time's getting short for him. The Coup de Grace....the finest Rapier ever made by man......how he's spoke of it in the past, and now, finnaly, he's set events in motion to find and recover it. Well.....if he think's I'd be useful tracking the thing down....so be it. I owe him enough to try at the very least. So.....off I go to Lar.....ready to freeze my butt off again!
-
So....met up Pyyran at Lar and he told me and Yardislan the full tale of the Coupe de Grace. I recognised this Yard from somewhere....cant remember where, but remind's me of the time the Festival of Light's got cancelled...so must have been there. Anyway....some dwarf made the Rapier, and we fell into talking to an old man in the Inn who used to have it. The guy was a drunk, and I felt a little uncomfortable, wondering if that's what I had looked like only a few months back. Anyway....we did a little talking, got some information out of him....and that was that.
But, when we left the tavern, Pyyran got a letter, annonymous and all. Gave him some riddle which hurt my head trying to work out, but Yard pieced it together. So....we all headed for the Crypt's at Shoufal ( how exactly the riddle pointed us to there I don't know?!?! ) and....er....well.....began riffling through some of the Coffin's out the back. I felt a little uneasy about it, but Pyyran didn't seem to mind. Some were trapped, and despite me pointing out what such a bad idea it was....he opened them, and out jumped some pretty nasty bugger's. Anyway....he found a Rapier in one.....just not the one he was looking for.
Seemed a bit disheartened, but I smell more to come in the wind. Why would someone send an annonymous letter and drag him down there for no reason. More to come I'll wager.
Also....I'm back to work, albeit part time. Gonna fill a few order's for Rhynn and Tegan, if only to put a few more True back in my account. Seem's I'd spent more than I though on ale's the past few month. Bumped into Kinai too, and she's still dreaming of dancing in Shadow's and having trouble with the men. Funny lass.
And....Val.....bumped into her outside of Hlint. We got to talking a bit, told her I missed her and such. She nodded ( of course! ) and said she wanted to hear all about my adventure's in Belinara.....on our date! Date! That's what I'd asked her month's back...what they call it in Pranzis....a date!! And......she's said Yes!!! Well....of course, round about that time, my mind stopped working and my mouth sealed up. All I could manage to articulate was "When! Bloody hells When!!" to which she replied "soon"
Needless to say, I was in a bloody good mood for the rest of the week! So happy....and so confident....
....that I've arranged an Explorer's expedition to Firesteep! Feel I've been a little "too cautious" as of late, and the trip's across Belinara have certainly taught me a few things. When together in full force, fully organised and prepared, the Explorer's are a bloody force to be reckoned with. I've not dared arrange much too dangerous, for fear of losing friends on the field. But maybe's I'm being soft, not having enough confidence in them....and in me. Well.....let's test it!
-
** a crude map has been scribbled on the page, showing the location of some kind of forest and cliff-top.....though the starting location is not noted, making the map gibberish to anyone else*
Can't believe I found it....all by myself. Folian was surely guiding my feet that day. I know Val say's he doesn't really influence us....but what on Layonara could have made me stumble upon such a place....totally by accident.
This time I'll remember where it is....and tell no one of what I've found. Except Val of course....she has to see this.
I'll wager I'll be spending a lot of time around here.....the place fills me with such peace like I've not known in a long time.
-
* the following pages include various notes and journal entries....all seemingly as standard the previous. It seems a great deal of time was spent in some secret wood in Dregar and around the Guildhall. There are a few references to small Explorer's excursions.....but strangely, few references to the usual things which normally dominated his journal...such as work, women and wandering.*
-
Seem's Im getting stuck in the middle of a love triangle. I would normally find it amusing if I didn't care about the people involved.
And there I was.....trying to play the little love Cupid. Oh...er....such and such likes you...." I know....but I like such and such number 2".....so I'd go to number 2 and say "such and such likes you" and they'd say "I know....but I like such and such number 3".....but of course, I couldn't pry the Mr. Such and such from number 3....so who knows how far the circle goes around.
And....weak as I am....I aint got the heart to tell either of them the truth of it all. Probably best not to anyway....let them find out for themselves without the embaressement.
Been given a few new jobs to do....and bumped into Vale in Hlint. He looked really nervous, and I could tell he was itching to ask me something. Tried to get it out of him, but he just said "No, youre an important man" and wandered off.
Important! Me! When the hell did that happen!
Oh...and got some bloody fine clothes of Karn. I'm looking rather stylish if I do say so myself.
Strangely, I seem to keep getting lost a lot lately. Its bloody strange. Hope my mind aint playing tricks on me.
-
Six times now.....six bloody times that Soul witch has ripped a part of me away. I find myself thinking of Cym and Pyyran.....the pair of them keep mentioning their time is running out, and I'm starting to wonder how much time I have left. It's a little scary to be honest, simply because Im just not ready for the end yet....there's still so much I've left to do. A horrible thought occured to me whilst I sat by the lake in North Hampton....I'm the last of the Tempest's. Once Im gone....there'll be no more. I think that scares me more than dying.
And what caused this visit from the Soul Witch...? A bloody Kobold trapper! The little bugger's been dropping traps all over Mistone....and theyre bloody deadly. It blew up in my face, and before I could even cry out....I woke up near the temple in Hlint. In hindsight....it was kinda my own fault. I warned those adventurer's not to go into the Red Caves....but they went anyway.....and there I stood on the road....deciding whether to head home, or go back and try and help them. Well...I went for the latter. Found them in a bad state down in the caves, and managed to get two of them out without the Goblins jumping them. Whilst we rested, I guess thats when the kobold put his bloody traps all over!
Bumped into Dulan a few days back....been years since Ive seen him. He's a little rusty on his adventuring game, but our little adventure through the desert certainly got him back on track. Havent seen much of Val lately....just the once. I fell asleep under a tree near Hempstead, and when I woke up, their she was next to me. Quick visit down in the Brechen mountains and back, was good fun.
Explorers venture to Firesteep....it went bloody well, we stormed through the place with veritable ease. Grabbed a little Cobalt and Adamantium and headed out. Thats when things went bad for me....I leapt out the shadows too early, and a wave of Fisterion's minions battered me. Still....thanks to Tegan....I made my way back and picked up the remnants of my shattered soul.
Speaking of Tegan, we've adventured quite a bit lately. She's a hell of an adventurer, no planning, no afterthought.....she just checks shes got food and water, and she's off. She knows me pretty well....and we have a hell of a laugh....it's strange.....
But we found North Hampton....and some rather dark and dubious looking cave. I feel the makings of an Explorer's expedition coming soon.
-
*Sallaron pushes open the door to his home and bursts in, a spring in his step and an old tune on his lips. He glances about the various decorations and ornament's dotted about, stopping a moment to straighten a picture on the wall and continuing on to his room with a contented smile.
Flipping open the storage chest by his room, he rearranges some things inside and slides off his backpack, pulling out two suits of armour from inside. The first he regards a moment with a smile, a set of red and black studded leather, which he places carefully into thr chest. The second, a suit of red tinged Adamantium chainmail. Again, he regards it in wonder a moment, obviously surprised to be leaving it behind, but again, drops it in the storage chest and snaps it shut.
Stepping into his room, he settle's down on his bed and grabs his journal, noting with a fond smile the glow from the Scion hanging from his wall seems to be glowing a little brighter than normal, the red crystal embedded into the top of the staff pulsing softly.
He pauses a moment, hand on his journal, his gaze suddenly going to his room, to his storage chest, to the Scion on the wall, and then finnaly down to his Journal. A wry smile spreads across his lips, his mind casting itself back to the events of the night before. The smile spreads even furthur, and a gleam appears in his eyes.
" Sallaron, " he mumbles to himself, " You are one lucky bugger."
With a final chuckle, he curls up on his bed and drifts into a contented sleep.
-
Think I'd best leave this journal alone for awhile....I'm filling up the pages faster than I thought. Strange of course, I normally had nothing to write about.
Ive been working a bit....got a lot of Mahoganny bows made, and have started researching on making new equipment for myself. Seems I've neglected to upgrade what I have, and I'm suffering for it. I'm needing another sword, a new shield, a handy set of gloves to stop traps blowing up in my face, and some bloody good potions. Of course,I dont like the idea of working my butt off to get these, so I'm gonna try a new approach. Get the materials myself....and persuade some bugger to do the work for me.
Haven't wandered too much lately, just lazed around town talking with Tegan. Ah yes....Tegan....make a note of this. As from a few days ago, me and Tegan are together. I never even thought I stood a bloody chance with her....she's so out my league I sometimes feel small beside her. So....note to self.....Don't screw this up Sall!!!!
Im wondering what my friends are gonna say....not that I think they'll say anything much other than "Congrats". I'm sure Shamur already knows though....he's a bloody perceptive bugger that one. I should have told him already anyway.
-
I am scum.....the lowest of the low. I can hardly look at myself right now, but...I did what I had to do.
So....there I was, wandering through Hempstead, when suudenly that bloody Hawklen comes rushing over. "I'm gonna spill yer bloods I am's" he says, goading me into a fight outside. Seems it all had to do with me and Tegan, which I knew, fighting Hawklen is just going to land me in trouble with her. So....I tried to get out of it....but the bugger goaded me so much I marched out ready to pagger the bugger. Thing is.....he'd already cast a few things on himself....and no sooner did I get outside, than he jumped me. Well, I did well....but he knocked me to the ground and out for the count.
Strange thing is, afterwards, the crazy bugger said I did well....and kinda "gave" me permission to see Tegan.
Well....I swallowed my bit of hurt pride and took this as a kinda good thing....Tegan and Hawk being so close, and staggered into town.....
....and whilst sat by the monument washing the blood from my clothes, I guess thats when Val turned up and had a little chat with Hawklen. Well....of course, the bugger told her all about me and Tegan....and so she stormed over to confront me.
I'd never felt so wretched in my life....trying to explain what had happened. It was the first time I'd seen her angry, upset....she even shouted! By this time of course, a bloody crowd was gathering, Hawk and bloody Rhynn sat eating popcorn like it was some show! And....of course.....right in the middle of it all....Tegan turned up......of all the bloody times!
I'd never mentioned Val to her....well, I hadnt seen Val in a few months, so of course....she put two and two together and stormed off. So....I faced the remaining bashing from Val, apologised as best I could, and went to collapse in some doorway feeling pathetic.
And thats when floods of bloody useless "advice" came in, bloody warnings to me. It'll not last with Tegan....you made a bad idea.....even Ozy said he gives me a week with her before I'm alone. And like I told him.....it aint something I can just switch off....so, I headed off to find Tegan.
Found her, no surprise, in the kitchen, giving me a bit of the silent treatment. Well....I fessed up what had happened, explained everything. Strangely though, she took hearing about Hawk egging Val on worse than what I'd told Val, so she stormed off to confront him. I panicked a bit! If she found out me and him had been fighting...er.....trying to kill each other, only a few hours earlier....well....things would get rapidly bloody worse.
So...I chased after her, either trying to stop her or warn Hawk to keep his mouth shut. Found him just as she did by the monument....and I guess I managed to get the message to him. The two of them stormed off to argue.....whilst I sat listening to some useless advice from Ozy. I swear, that guy sure knows how to bring you down!
Anyway...to cut it short. I bumped into Tegan later, and we went to Belinara for a little talk. Thankfully, it seems to have cleared the air between us. No secrets now....at least not on my side. I can't help but think of all the "Advice" I got from people, and how it all sounded the same from one person to the next....but....I dont bloody care. Listen to other peoples advice too much....you forget how to make decisions on your own.
And the strangest which I found out at the end of the night.....when Hawklen and Tegan were arguing....he was convincing her to come talk to me. Hawklen....was backing me up! If that aint the strangest turn of events for the strangest bloody day in my life.....I dont know what the hell is!!
But...when I got home, I found a note on the table for the Explorer's.....from Val.
She was leaving us....and the message pretty much said for them to ask me why. I hated that note....it just showed what a nasty bugger I'd been....and I wanted to throw it, hide it away. But....I left it there for them to see.....cant hide from the things I've done....which I know only too bloody well.
-
Well....it's been a long, strange time.
Got a letter from Ark to meet him in Hurm. The crazy sod went and signed me up to help out the Red Bear's or whatever they're called. Involved me and him walking into a group of well armed, fortified slaver's and passing ourselves off as messengers from Savian. What's even weirder, is that we bloody pulled it off! He did all the talking, and I stood there looking mean like I was his bodyguard or something, and managed to break an alliance between the Crescent slaver's gang thing.....and Hurm. Even got myself a new name for the job.....Reaver. I think it sounds bloody good.
Then....a bloody strange occurence. I'm still a bit hazy on it all....as it was like a dream. Had something to do with a little blind girl....and her parents getting kidnapped. Can't remember it all to be honest....but Im sure we saved the day.....somehow.
Well....Ozy can sod right off, cause me and Tegan have lasted the week. The woman's too bloody good to me, and I still fear one day I'm gonna let her down....or she'll see I'm not all she believes I am. Like I told her....she's still that powerful, confident sorceress who helped out a young man down on his luck.....and I'm still the guy who died face down in the swamps.
I still feel bad about Val...I never thought this might alienate her from the Explorer's. But....guess this bloody heart of mine had made up its mind.
-
Bloody hells but Folian seems to have been leading me about a bit lately. I always seem to know when "he's" involved...as I can never truly recall why I was there or where I was going when the bad things started happening.
I mean....I don't know "why" I was on that boat headed for Hurm.I vaguely recall thinking to myself before the boat got tossed towards that deserted island "Where the hell's am I going?"...and I didn't have a clue.
Well...the ship was badly damaged, so was down to me, Muireann, Lex and Aeden to scout the island as best we could. Came across the Cuiriann, a ship carrying the Dragon's tribue to Hurm, also washed ashore, a whole "curse" thing upon it. Well...after following crazy bill's map, wandering down into some caves, and being bloody bitten by Muireean!!, we found the treasure and removed the curse. Bloody Muireaan kept the cursed Bowl of course....selfish wench! Bet it was worth a fortune.
Then....story telling in Mariner's hold of all things. Don't know why I was there either, sure as hell weren't to listen to stories. But anyway, we all followed this Zjorea guy...who....showed us some pretty nasty things relating to honour, and had some strange questions. The whole thing kind of bugs me....he asked for some help in restoring his own personal honour or something.
I cant help get the feeling that this is the tip of the iceberg....and Im likely to get into a whole lot of trouble....very soon.
And Tegan....what can I say. I love the woman. She seems to see something in me that....I just can't. I tried to make my way through the Sinister forest alone, and bloody, battered and exhausted, resting against a tree....who should appear from nowhere surrounded by the weave?
She yelled at me a bit, seemed terrified at the sight of me being half dead, and lead me out. I got a little angry...seeing that young Ranger with his face down in the mud again...but she doesn't seem to see that. She see's some kind of strong bloody hero who can command nature and stuff. I don't know where she's looking.
-
* Sallaron slouches down at his desk, an almost miserable frown crossing his face. He pulls out his journal and fine quill pen, glaring at the pages as though regretting what he's about to write*
Tegan asked me once...whether I loved anyone else.....at all. I said No. I think I lied....both to myself...and to her.
Val bumped into me again, and I couldn't help but admire her whilst she cursed me and my name. She called me useless, a fool, a user and kept getting angry. I agreed with her...I am useless....but then, I saw something in her eyes....and realisation dawned on me. She "didnt" think that at all.
She was retaliatiing....because she was hurt....and I'd hurt her. Ironic how all the times we adventured together, all I wanted to do was be the one to make her finnaly smile....instead, according to Sala, seems I'm the one to make her cry....and how, all the times we were together, she kept me hanging on a line, never much of a clue whether I ever had a chance with her...and now....now I'm with Tegan....she tells me....she'll wait for me.
Like everyone else....she's expecting this thing with me and Tegan to be short lived.
Anyway....did a little exploring of Corsain....the place Godim keeps mentioning. Got a few jobs to do out there, so I think I'll get the Explorer's out there for a look.
Hardragh and Daralith's apparently hunting for my head....Hardragh for upsetting Val....Daralith because I ticked him off. Normally I'd be worried, but the way I feel at the moment, let them come....I'll pagger the buggers!
-
I keep seeing Val's face...all hurt and upset. It's bloody killing me....and I feel so guilty about it. I've come to accept now...I love them both....Tegan and Val.
Things are never simple....never! Thought being in a relationship at last would be good for me...but gods....it just dont work that way.
I've made my choice of course....Tegan's the one for me...despite the constant warning's Im getting that it will never last, that "this is what she does"....
....but I can't help worry about Val...out there alone. I know Hardragh will help her should she need it, but I dont trust the bugger too much...and I know how proud she is....it's very rare she would ever ask for help, no matter how much she needed it. Its been weeks since Ive seen her, and for all I know, she could be lying in a ditch somewhere, dying..calling my name...
...Argh....it bloody kills me!
So...I came upon a plan.
I tracked down the Half-Giant Gak and lead him to Corax...the poor bugger seems to have been wandering aimlessly in the Singing Forest for weeks. There...I pointed to the forest where she usually passes...and gave him his instructions.
Wait for Val...keep her safe....but don't bloody tell her I sent you.
Hopefully, she won't pry to much into him. Being a little stupid gives him a remarkable advantage of being believed...no matter how ridiculous he sounds.
As for Tegan....the last thing on Layonara I want to do is hurt her. She once said there would always be a place in her heart for Kiva.... I wonder if I'm allowed to nurse the same.
-
* Seems to be a list of various ingredients and resources*
* A few crudely drawn maps are displayed here...although no notes as to where they lead or what the starting location may be*
-
Ugh! 7 chunks of my soul lie floating around with that soul witch....and I wonder how many more I can take before I'm likely never to wake up again.
Still...I almost wish I hadn't woke up this time. It was down in Haven....and those cursed Gnoll's knocked the hells outa me.
I expected to wake up where ever my soul had binded....instead I woke up on the stone floor to a Drow priestess glaring down on me.
" Yes....you may be....useful.." she said. Just bloody great! Another Graverobber....bring you back from the dead and hold you to something you didnt agree on.
Well....I guess we struck a deal...not that I had much choice. I owe her...a favour...in return.... my life and safe passage for us all out of that cursed mine.
Didn't go as planned of course....by the time I caught up...Zug had fallen too....and now he's in the same predicament. Plus...the others were too suspicious....they refused the Drows escape route...even though we'd already paid for it.
So.... a bad day all in all. Three chunks of soul to protect and a deal made with a bloody Drow priestess!
I was sure Tegan was going to kill me when she found out. But...she didn't...and promised she'd help with this Drow thing no matter what...together.
Gods I love that woman.
We did a little exploring ourselves....and found a...rather hidden temple...in er....one of the strangest of places.
We also had a fun impromptu Explorer's venture to the Brech mountains and Krashin....and through a little mining, I've got a handy pair of "stop traps blowing up in my face" gloves she made for me.
Bumped into Kinai too....she seems to be growing up quick. Didn't have much chance to talk to her before the Explorer's turned up...need to arrange a chat with her...it's been awhile.
And Dorena....back on Belinara....went very...very curious about me. Pushing for me to tell her....things. She asked how things were....I said strange....and suddenly she was pushing to find out whats been happening with me.
Of course...I was surrounded by a lot of people I knew and didnt know...so I clammed up and didn't say a word.
But...she surprised me...if I didn't know better....I'd have said she knew "exactly" what was bugging me, and just wanted to hear it from the horses mouth.
Anyway.....seven down.....three to go
-
Well....what to tell.....
The plan!
To take out some cursed outlaw monks on Corsain....and by Folian we're going about it the right way. We're making bombs, scrolls, and a whole host of potions ready for the fight. Normally the task would be suicide....but the Explorer's seem convinced this plan will make it much easier and safer.
So....the preparing is under way.
Dorena.... got all curious again and pulled me aside for a chat. Strangely...I told her the whole Val and Tegan thing. Outright, just like that. Felt good to tell someone, though I wouldnt have thought it would be her.
She made a curious point though. When I mentioned everything was great with Tegan....she asked if it would have been just as good with Val. It kinda stumped me.
I need to stop dwelling on it. I'm with Tegan...I love her....but....there'll always be something there for Val...no matter what. Who knows....further down the line.....
Anyways....did a little trip to Firesteep. Didnt get much ore....but we all made it home. Thats when I missed Val....not so much because we didnt have a cleric....but because it looked grim at some points....and she weren't there to say "it'll be fine. We'll be fine."
I decided then to go the temple....have a word with her....if she doesn't Firestorm me on sight that is.
But first we treked across Tibum....and some bloody Drow mage got the better of me....twice! I was blinded when I got to the Bindstone....and had to get Shamur to show me to the temple of Folian....figured would be a good place to rest and recover....and avoid Tegans wrath for being killed twice...which I dont think she would be angry anyway, I'm just angry at myself....and maybe's bump into Val.
Needing some Addy to get my second sword made....Dust of Appearance off Ferrit....Essences of Sight....Protection from Fire thing.....bah! The bloody list goes on!
-
I said it would cause me trouble....I bloody knew it!
Zoraje and his quest to "redeem his honor". Yeah right!!
So we went to Bear island, looking for a sword that might help him find his lost love. I got a little lost I confess, but seems the sword made whoever held it want to kill things.
So....we headed back to his home, and found poor Catherine in a pool of her own blood, poisoned....probably by Zoraje himself. God knows why the crazy bugger did it....but he's ticked me off now....so Im bloody sure Im gonna find out...with him at the end of a sword or not.
I guess the whole thing ticked me off more than I thought....because a few days later...there I was sat in The Caring heart Inn....agreeing to a little burgalry job....something I swore I would never do.
Still...wasn't so much burgalry, since what we stole had already been stolen....or so we were told.
Heh....I didnt buy that....but strangely at the time...I didnt bloody care. The True came in handy.
Got my bow made....one Mahoganny hunters bow with those mighty parts of mine added....and that Fire resistance thing off Ferrit too. Very hand things both of them....should keep me alive a little longer. Now....just to get some more Addy for another sword.
Explorer's headed out for Sapphire....Krashin, then across Dregar. On route we bumped into Kinai and her team and joined up a little.
Was good to see....when we started, her group was chaotic, charging in and getting themselves killed often enough. I stood back for a moment and noticed, then watched the Explorer's work.....organised....disciplined....each of them knowing what the other does....no one caring who gets to charge ahead first so long as we work as a team.
Kinai asked who was in charge....and Shamur pointed at me. I glanced around at them a moment, and realised it had been a long time since I'd felt that proud and honoured to lead them.
Spoke to Val outside Folians grove. She was not happy....and I was weary of trying to keep between the two. She said she wanted to kill me....so I slumped to my knees and asked her to do it. At the time, I think I needed a reason to hate her so I could move on....and her hurting me back would have done it. Of course, she didn't...and after she calmed a little....she said she would rejoin the Explorer's so long as Tegan wasn't present.
And here's where the madness starts. Few days later, I bumped into Val and Tegan in the same group! Well...I didnt know what to say....I got all nervous....and of course, Tegan noticed straight away and marched me off.
I confessed I had feelings for Val to her....and she told me I had to choose....right there and then! Choose! Tegan or Val!
So....I thought about it....it's strange how....in just a few moments, if you think clearly enough and are pushed, a world of thoughts can fly through your mind and bring you an answer.
So...I chose.
-
Sallaron Tempest - the non-frontlining, constantly complaining, unwilling trouble finding, useless guide and hopeless romantic.
Sums me up pretty much....but lately....that first part....non-frontlining doesn't seem to apply.
I got two Adamantium blades now, weild them together, and bloody hells but I can do some damage. Never was much of a frontliner, but that never stopped me pushing my way to the front, no matter how much I protested I dont do frontline beserker tactics.
Now though, after a few recent ventures, there I am, hordes of giants bearing down on me, and I'm fighting away furiously, expecting at any second to get my head caved in and wake up in a pool of blood.
Strangely, it dont happen. Instead, I take a few glancing blows and manage to hold my own, knocking down giants with ease and finishing them off.
Sometimes I wonder if I should quit tinkering with locks and gears and pulleys, and quit wandering around the woods all the time, and maybe's start some "real" training in fighting. Might do me some good.
The Explorer's are ready for our raid on the monks...and I've paved the way for expeditions to the east....as many of us are becoming more and more skilled by the day. Beli, the little trooper, knocked us up some 80 or so strong potions, a few bombs, and I'm gathering a few scrolls of Muireaan for that extra punch.
The way things have been lately with us all....Im wondering if this is over-kill, and that when we take on the monks, we may find it a lot easier than we thought.
I hope so.
Tegan's been off doing work awhile, so I've been wandering around a little, helping out where I can. Few talks with Dorena, dropping pearls of wisdom at my feet, and one with Rhynn....remember not to bloody pry so much next time Sall!!! Poor lass....yeah, she's a bit bloody scary, but hell....what she told me must be shattering. * Note to self: Be nice*
Bumped into Val twice now....and the first time....she was so cold as she spoke, and she tried to bloody blind me before she left so I couldn't follow. As if I would anyway....what do I look like....a bloody sheep!!!
Well....that ticked me off a bit....and the whole "chose" thing seemed clearer....
...until me and Pyyran went adventuring across Dregar. Bumped into her in Prantz and she came along, then Krys joined up too.
Val had mentioned previously that, Tegan and Krys had been together, and Tegan had dumped Krys for me. Now....that's not what I'd bloody heard, so I made a note to have a word with him.....but, I never got the chance, and realised "me" bringing up something like that may be painful...so I let it go.
The two were "very" friendly....they even hugged each other....hugged! Dont think I ever got a hug of her before! Well....they spent most the day talking to each other in elven, passing little nods and smiles back and forth....and yes....it ticked me off.....yes....I got jealous.
I thought....bah! Sod them! Let them have each other.....until we were all leaving and divvying up the loot.
Then....just to confuse and tick me off further, she pulled out that flower I gave her months ago. Seems....she's kept it alive!
So.....back to square one! I'm wondering if Im better of a bloody alone!
-
It's done. The circles broken.
After Val gave me the ultimatium and Tegan over-heard, I caved....I was so weary of it all....my heart jumping from one to the other.
I made another mistake.....but I pray I can fix it....for the last time.
I broke up with Tegan....it was the third time she'd had to deal with my mixed feelings....and she shouldnt have to. So....as wrong as I was to....I let her go.
Then I tracked Val down at the temple....found her praying there. I thought I might cave again....but as I watched her, I realised it was done already...the feelings I had for her had already gone.....replaced by another who laughed at my jokes, poked my chest and made me pies.
So....I told her it never could be between us....and lost a friend...a good, old friend.....though I hope not for long.
Now....to see if I can fix what in weakness I broke and lost....and if not....my loss....but I swear by Folian....this will be the last time I ever screw up.
-
Fixed! Fixed Fixed Fixed and bloody Fixed!
Despite Pyyran and Kinai seeming to want to talk me out of it....Fixed fixed fixed!
She took me back with open arms....and I'm bloody happy.
But...now to something a little darker.
The Drow wench who raised me in Haven and said I owed....well...she returned, and bade me find some Crystal Ring. I did a little looking, little eaves dropping, but didnt hear much so let it drop.
But then, I got summoned to a meeting at the Orc Bashers. Seem's they had some trouble with someone breaking in, as have others. At first I thought of the Drow wench, but....turns out it wasn't....this was something else. A hooded man after a book and keys or something, which I knew nothing about anyway.
But...Kinai grabbed me after the meeting and we had a few words. Seems it may have had something to do with that bloody book we stole awhile back, the burgalry job I did whilst I was a bit down and out. Anyway, this hooded man appeared in Hempstead stood atop the memorial,although I couldnt see him...other's could. And before I knew what was going on, the bugger was throwing spells at me! Well...he dissapeared and Kinai and her troupe gave chase....
....but just before it happened, I spoke to a Miss Treana, seems the same Drow witch wants her to find the ring too. I lost track of her in the commotion, but sent her a letter to see what could be done.
Godim's proposed a trip to the Great Rift to search for diamonds....and, despite Val's warnings of how dangerous it is down there...I'm going. Providing all the Explorer's go too of course.
-
*attached are a few lists of resources and ingredients he seems to have been collecting*
Well....what have I been doing?
First to note....another mess up!
There I was, sat having a nap around Stormcrest....when several adventurer's turned up....and soon enough, this strange man approached.
Demanded 10000 True from us! Demanded! Couldnt't believe it.
But then the story came out....and he really didnt seem to see it as a bad thing!
His "associates" had kidnapped a girl....and unless we paid, they'd kill her.
Well....I was kinda torn between killing the guy there and then, but he left, saying if we didn't pay up, she'd be dead.
So....we thought, planned, looked about, followed tracks, Sala and Jack headed off to see if a missing girl had been reported. Nothing!
So, he returned, and Sala managed to convince him to stay the deed and handed him a few things, which me and some others contributed a bit.
He told us where to find the girl and his associaties....so, with Rhynn suddenly turning up, we magicked up and stormed the buggers place.
In my defense....we were attacked the second we.....er....kicked down the door. But....we took the guards out, and I spotted this important looking wizard and threw him against the wall, demanding to know where the girl was.
As soon as a puddle appeared at his feet, I knew something was wrong.
Used gain....and again by the very bloody people I've been trying to stop all these years!The Silver crescent's again, those bloody Slaver's trying to get their way into Hurm! Seems the wizard had actually out-bid them to keep them out of some business deal....and we'd stormed the poor buggers home and killed his guards! And he was the good guy!
After the little deception thing me and Ark did with them some time back, and the constant paining I try to do them with the Bears, I was a little wary wondering if they were on to me. Seems not.....though, Rhynn mentioned something about stopping slavery for good....or something. Gonna have to remember to have a word about it.
Anyways....usual wandering of Dregar commenced afterwards....stocking up....Silver...Mahoganny.....the usual boring stuff.
Keep bumping into Val, had a little arguement cause I was sick of her pointing out I need magic to survive. So....I magicked myself up and dived into a fray with Giants....slew every one....which seemed to show her. The next time I weren't that lucky....and had to run back to her for help.
But! To a little of my joy! She tried to run in and beat them off by herself....and she had to run back to me for help! Ha! But...seems soloing wer'e not that formidable....but together....heh....we plow the road.
Tegan's been teaching me some elven....I think she just like's having a pupil to be honest.
I dont know if it's because of the whole "Hawk and Kinai" marriage and pregnancy thing or not, but certain subjects seem to keep popping up. Never thought I'd ever see the day.
And warning.....Katrina.....the bloody crazy woman in Hempstead who's been plaguing me so. I swear.....she's insane. Kept bugging me to buy this cloak off her....and wouldn't take no for an answer! When me and Kinai ran....yes, we actually "ran" away from her....she followed....demanding payment!
It ended where the city guard had to get involved and settle the dispute, or I swear, I'd have done her some bloody harm myself.
* the next is a list of Elven words with their meaning's beside them. Some notable one's stand out - *
Silveny sa yty - Magic me Up!
Cailw el Selala - Lead on Miss
Lailcc - Sall
-
* Sall pulls a sheet of fine Mahoganny paper from a pile, pulls out his quill and seems to frown at the paper a few moments before writing*
I'd hoped I'd never have to do this....but time is getting short.... and I cant judge how long is left anymore.
* This is passed into a secure box in the Pranzt bank, with strict instructions not to be released until Sallarons demise*
The Will and Last wishes of Sallaron Tempest
208 Lor outskirts - Explorer's Guildhouse.
This should be passed in name to Shamur Reatur, on the sole condition that it remains available for use by the Explorer's Guild untill such a time, hopefully never, that the Guild should fall.
Explorer's Guild
I leave this to them to decide who should take my place. The Guild is theirs anyway, it was never mine. Without them, it was just me sat in a room thinking of grand places to go and see.
True
All True is to be donated to the Freelancers....who from my understanding have fought constantly against the rising slave trade in this world. I hope they may fare better than I.
Possessions
All my possession's I pass to Tegan. She may keep what she wishes, and I know her "pass on the kindness" way of thinking will lead them to be donated to suitable charities and peoples or Explorer's, of which I would prefer some go to the Foundation. With the following Exceptions:
The Scion of Balance - hung on my wall.....that goes to whomever the Explorer's deem their new leader.
My leather Armour and a Lily - To Valaria
Sallaron Tempest
-
* the following page has been written rather hurridely with deep indentations in the page, leaving no doubt the writer was either unwell or very angry at the time *
" So....we're going for Titanium Sall. Coming?"
I looked around. Tegan, Varka, Voon, Jin, Ferrit.
" Sure...I'll go. I was only going to go fishing anyway."
Bah! Idiot! First battered to death by Trolls, then Imploded by a bloody Shaman. I felt like a fool!
That evil bugger Daralith turned up just as we we're leaving, and me being my usual miserable bloody self....well, he looked at me, then looked at Tegan. I knew "exactly" what was going through his bloody head....and I agreed with it. What was she doing with such a bloody wimp.
She noticed something I think, and tried to put me at ease saying " take the magic away, and I'm as helpless as a kitten'
Yes love! But I aint got no bloody magic....and I'm still helpless as a kitten!
Then to Firesteep...and I couldn't keep those cursed Kobolds off me, nearly fell a few times. And there I stood, bloody pouring from my arm, watching the others fight. Godim, casting huge spells left and right, Shamur swiping heads off and Beli with his lightning fists pummeling everything in sight.
I may as well have just carried their packs for them and let them get on with it.
Then Val. Asked me to join her at the Temple for a quick prayer, then she told me Folian had blessed her further with his trust and showed me what she could do.
I swear! She called lightning and Acid from the skies....summoned beings from other realms to do her bidding and controled the biggest bear I had ever seen in my life!!
I pointed out must be nice to have such power...and she started off on the whole..." but you can fight. Take the blessings of Folian away...and I have nothing."
Is she bloody kidding! I can hardly fight anyway....and whats that compared to summoning the wrath of Folian and turning your enemies into piles of scorched goo!
I look around now and feel so bloody small and pathetic.... and with only 2 pieces of my soul left... I can see its all going to be over soon for me.
Heh! Explorer's are planning a visit to the Rift....where dead magic lives. I almost burst out laughing. Sure!! Make me more useless.... send me somewhere where all the magicking up in the world counts for nothing!
So....trying something different. New approach to finding this Crystal ring. Stop sneaking about quietly. Shake the bloody tree, make some noise, and see what comes to see what the fuss is about.
If I get my hands on it....I might just keep the bloody thing. Might have some nice little properties to get me back on the playing fields.
-
* again, Elven words and references are jotted here, though some seem to make little sense. Words such as " Captain" , "Point me in the right direction!" and " Pagger the buggers!" are jotted here, with their elven translation next to them *
Well....I've been ticked off a lot lately, which is usually the result of more bloody strange things happening.
Woke up one morning, a strange dream lingering in my head, something to do with knights and mirrors and such....no idea what the hell it meant.
But later that day, I got a note from Kinai to meet her by Stormcrest...so off we went.
Was told that she had been bound to Zoraje, her soul I should say, and if he died, she died. Basically explained he was trying to get his old girlfriend back "through" Kinai. Well...I was already to help all I could....till Zoraje turned up goading us.
First he started in on me, saying I was selfish because of the whole Tegan and Val thing. Dont think he knew what he was talking about, so me being me, I threatened him back....
....and thats when Hawklen started in, threatening "me"....not the bloody wizard who had spelled his girlfriend..."ME!"....
...anyway, after Zoraje took turns goading us all and dissapeared, everyone sat around to discuss what to do.
Thats when I left. Sod them all! I was bloody furious at Hawk! To think...I'd "almost" decided to be nice to him, him looking after Kinai and becoming a dad and all.
Well....sod him....and sod her! Done with the lot of them! They know perfectly well helping Zoraje will lead to trouble, but off they go to do it anyway!
So...I told Tegan where I was going, and left for Belinara, wandering the hills.
Thats when it happened, walking along, all nice and everything, when a group of those huge giants appeared from nowehere and charged me!
Well...to be honest, I thought it was the end for me...but all that anger I had burst out....I drew my sword and charged them, expecting death.
When the rush of battle ended, I looked around to find I'd killed them all. The lot of them lay dead at my feet.
No wizard magic. No blessings of Folian. No hiding behind a frontliner.
Just me.
I think something clicked as I stood there, and I'm still feeling it still now.
I'm "not" bloody useless. I "can" do things right. I "may" just be of some use after all.
-
The Deep. Oh my....how I never thought Id ever go there.
But there I was....fighting in the front lines with Lilian and Angela, hacking at Spiders and Drow and Squid things and bloody Balors, in one of the darkest corners of this world.
Can't say I fared as well as I'd like.....but by Folian I gave it my all....and came out of it with a nice trinket....little magicky stone that floats about my head. Pretty handy Really.
And when I came back, Shamur had another trinket for me....a set of Cobalt Chain shirt....lovely stuff. Should keep me alive down in the Rift I reckon.
Did a nice good deed. That Katrina....poor homeless lass been living in the sewers. I've bought her a room in the Leringard Arms and gave her some jobs to do. Maybes I'm just a sucker for a sob story, but after what she said about being thrown out of places and kicked on the streets....well....my feet just wouldn't let me walk away.
Had a long teaching session with Tegan.....Gods! I miss her after only a day or so. I'm starting to get the hang of Elven now, pronunciation and stringing sentences together. She loves it when I get it right, clapping and smiling like Im her star pupil. Makes me laugh.
Silveny sa yty tyeelan sa el anim meviran weymanyaanad
" Magic me up and Point me in the right Direction! "
Anavil cenala fcyafamma tyeala
" Tegan likes Blueberry pies "
Tyilvvam anira Fyvvamia!!!
" Pagger the Buggers!!! "
Tyymtcya Llelavam
" Purple Avenger! "
-
Explorer's.....the name's had more meaning as of late.
The Rift...not somewhere no one's been, but certainly an interesting place. We massed at Godims, took the long road and ventured down. Ended up bumping into Ket and Beasty on route too, and they joined us down.
Diamonds were chiseled, and Cobalt and Addy mined. The place was bigger than I thought, but we had little trouble.
The Great Oak....Hell yes, for so long I'd wanted to see it, but of course, the tales of death to those not warded kept me from braving it. A small mapping expedition turned into a full blown Exploration, and after chopping a little Yew for myself, Ket led us to the Great Oak.
Instantly I stopped. " Wont we bloody die!"
But he grinned and pulled out some kind of Amulet.
A few minutes later, I stood before the Great Oak, holding Tegan's hand tightly, and simply marveling at where I was and what I saw.
Katrina's been getting into trouble....she always seems to rub people the wrong way, and I seem to be the only one to jump in and try and calm things. Haljamar asked me if she was my sister, to which I laughed of course not, but he shrugged and said " I just wondered why it was you cared and protected her?"
It kinda stumped me and I couldn't answer. The poor lass gets kicked from town to town, cursed and shouted at, ignored, and yet it's obvious she's some kind of mental problem. People are much more prepared to simply cast her aside and ignore her than tolerate her illness.
Besides, sometimes she has moments of clarity and makes me laugh.
Been practicing Elven a lot, using them in my day to day chores, which is causing a few folks to look at me strangely. I'm even able to follow short stints of other's conversations, though they talk way to fast for me to follow it all.
Tegan and me are doing fine....hell....better than fine. I never realised how much time had passed....we've been together for over a year now. All my fears of competition from other's, her leaving me for them, even of me screwing up are slowly fading.
I spend most of my time at hers now, waiting for her to come waltzing in through the door, a fresh bag of pecans and blueberries in her hand and a smile on her face.
Aint nothing better.
-
A Yew Longbow with those special parts of mine added....but with twice the usual strength. I'm currently hanging it above my bed....just so I can sit and marvel at how far I've come in my work. I promised myself all these years I'd only ever use what I could make myself.....and now I have the best I could get, and upgrade Yew Longbow....made by my own bloody hands.
Was going to make Tegan one, but seems she had one fashioned for her some years ago. So, instead, I'll make Val one....and upgrade it for her as best I can.
But thats it....all those years of training and practicing have paid off....nothing much more now I can do with my wood craft. Sure....I can get better....but I can't exactly make anything better than I've already made.
Explorer's have been busy busy busy lately. Seems each of us have our own little projects on the go, but it's good to see we're all helping each other out. Godims making enchantments for us, Im supplying him the shafts and rods, Shamur's digging sand and coal and making us weapons.....we're at work like a real team. Makes me smile.
Had a nasty shock from Tegan. Was telling me about Barion, and in that delicate and flower-surrounded way she does, she mentioned how he had confessed she had feelings for her and asked her out.
That bloody Rat! What was he doing....deliberatly trying to steal her away from me! Instantly I panicked....I mean....how the hell am I supposed to match up to him. But...seems Tegan turned him down....much to my relief.
But still...Im ticked at the guy now! If I see him, there'll be bloody words!
Anyway, she promised me a nice romantic meal when I got home, so off I hurried into the desert to finish my work.
Bumped into Red, Tialle and Erik...where I bascially enlisted them to get me some more Ore. I er....think I was still angry about the whole Barion thing....cause they didn't say as much as they usually do. Must have showed.
Anyway, once leaving, thats when Erik stopped me a moment. At first he was querying if I knew anything of the Explorer's, and I quizzed him a little. Anyway, I happened to mention Tegans name....and he seemed surprised to find it was me she was with. Suddenly started coming out with all this nice talk, saying he'd promise to back me up with anything, and that there was something "noble" about me, I was "deserving of respect".
I'm suspicious of him now....he's obviously after or upto something. Gonna have to be careful and find out what it is. If he thinks Im gonna fall for the compliments and drop my guard so he can grab whatever it is he's after, he's got another thing coming.
-
It'll be all over for me soon.
The 9th has left me....and only one piece remains.
I've asked Godim to keep it quiet. If other's find out....they'll hardly let me go anywhere. And I'll be damned if Im gonna hide away for fear of dying, wasting my last years scared to leave the house.
But what were they doing there?! Bloody Vampires and Banshee's, throwing death magic around like it wad confetti.
Strange as it seems, Im more worried for Tegan. The thought of her being hurt, even by me dying....
...I know there's a way I can ease that pain for her before it happens...to make it less.....to detach myself....but.....
I'm selfish....I couldnt do that to her or myself. I'll savour every moment I have with her till that cursed bloody day comes. And when it does....I swear....that Soul Mother will have to drag me kicking and bloody screaming to where ever I go.
Wonder if I could get a nice grave somewhere....just to be remembered a little. Something that would just say...." Here lies Sallaron Tempest"
-
Val....I had to tell her how close I was to death....and she just nodded like she always does and said those magic words that still make me smile and feel at ease.
" We'll be fine "
It was so routine...we pick some far off place to go....and off we went...I'd back her up....she'd back me up. The Priestess and the Ranger.
But when our feet took us through the Ire mountains, and we found undead waiting us instead of the usual tribes of Gnolls...I froze and feared.
And then, to the dark cave by Haven....Alindor's something....again, we breached the caves with the Umbers and found Vampries and undead in the bottom....and I feared again.
Seems the undead has become my bane now....my fear. If there is anything in this world which is likely to send my soul to its end....it would be them cursed things.
But....she walked amongst them with ease....smiting them with rays of light and whispered words to Folian. The Amulet she made me seemed to glow around my neck, consecrated in Folian's name, and I swallowed my fear and charged into the fray with her.
I'd been honoured to receive that Amulet from her....not something a simple man myself would normally have received...nor even a Ranger. But there it hangs by my neck....mine. A Guardian it makes me feel like....not that there's much she needs guarding from....but none the less, thats what it feels like....thats my duty....my post....my job.
We checked as far as we could go in the caves, I managed to disable and unlock pretty much any trap or lock we came across....but decided to return with the Explorer's. Seems it goes deeper than we had thought.
Learnt a bit more from Tegan whilst we went wandering Rilara for bits and bobs....mainly more pronunciation and stringing sentences together. Found her in the Alchemists hall....seems she had almost blew the place up looking at the scorch marks on the ceiling. Ha! Seems so familiar.
Sat by the memorial for awhile, listening to some ladies talk in Elven. Took me awhile to comprehend, but eventually I was able to make out what they were saying, once I got to grips with the dialect and speed they were talking.
Of course....once I understood what they were saying...I flushed and left. Best not for a man to eavesdrop on such things.
I'm not sure I even want to mention this....it all seems so hazy to me. I was invited to some kind of dinner party....and....well....I cant remember everything. But er....I have a vague memory of head-butting Pendar, chasing after Daralith like a love-struck youth and er....trying to beat Alleina and Sasha up in the dining room. Whether it's true it happened or not Im not sure, but I cant help wonder at all the bruises I found all over myself the next morning.
-
Daralith! Gonna keep an eye on that bugger!
I dont know what his game is yet....but he's looking to split me and Tegan up....and I need to bloody find out why!
Told her I'd been flirting with Rhynn and Ranewin....I mean....me?!....flirting!
Sad fact of it is....because he's been such a "friend" to her in the past, she believes him! Took a lot of bloody careful words and explaining to get her talking to me....but by Folian I'll be watching that Daralith!
The Academy.
Pyyran's changed....and by changed....I mean "bloody changed!"
He's frail, weak, grey....and like me....down to his last strand of soul.
He wept infront of me....cursing his luck and burying his head in Karns chest.
I...I couldnt help it. Pyyran Rath....adventurer by trade, like me down to his last piece of soul....and weeping on the floor like a girl!!
I dragged the bugger to his feet and reminded him who the hell he was!
He kinda pulled through a bit, and related his plans for this Academy. A grand plan....a little too grand for reality....but I'll help him how I can.
-
Restraint. Oh what a word. I never knew I had so much of it.
It started off innocently enough....me and Tegan taking a walk, me catching up on some more elven. No longer learning words....sentences....long phrases. I can pretty much hold a half decent conversation now, even if I stumble over some of the words.
We bumped into Barion, who started off telling us about his problems with the church...then right like that, he kept telling Tegan how she was in his heart.... and I was bloody stood there!
Well....friend of hers....so I bite my lip and played with thoughts of finding Barion on a dark night with a vial of diluted poison to pour on his food. Not to kill him....but give him a few bloody bad nights sleep.
Then of course turned up Daralith....accusing me again of cheating! But it backfired on him! Barion rumbled him....see's he'd told Barion Tegan had caught me cheating red handed!
I felt so sorry for Tegan....to find two of her best friends had been plotting to break us up....Im just glad Barion's honourable. All he had to do was lie once at that particular moment, and Tegan would have believed everything they said.
The shouting match between us all continued for some time....until Erik turned up....telling of rumour's that were floating around Hempstead. Me and Rhynn together, even that " I " may be the father of her child!!! Tegan and Barion.....Barion and Ael.....me and Ranewin!
Then Hardragh turned up, relishing in dropping words about Val into the fray....and several others arrived just to bloody eavesdrop.
It sounded so ridiculous....and then all eyes turned on Daralith. Oh....he tried to talk his way out of it. But it became obvious what he was doing. He's been fingered now....and Tegan knows what he's been doing. No matter what he says now....she wont be so quick to believe the bugger.
But two years we've been together....and still Im having to fight to keep her with me. Maybe's its time Daralith got himself a kick.
I left just as Val arrived too....I was still furious...I couldnt speak to her. Will have to grab her by the Temple sometime.
Explorer's hit the Monks ruin's not too long ago....long over-due....and unexpected for us to go there. But we did it.
Shamur, Jako, Sala, Astrik, Godim and me....the buggers were fast, with a hell of a punch....but we sharp took them out.
Sala's been....kind of looking after me....hell...they all have I think. We wandered into the swamps and I got a bad feeling...so I asked her for a Deathward.
She smiled at me and said " You already have one Sall. Your the only one "with" one"
I smiled back. Bloody good of her....she's warding me at all times....same as Val. Godim had a sharp eye on me down the Ruins too....pulled me out of trouble a few times.
Thanks Folian for good friends.
-
** Sall clambers from his bed, a frown on his face, squinting around the room a moment. Tegan stirs next to him a moment, and he strokes her hair softly till she falls silent.
He staggers from the bedroom and into the hall, stopping by a table he'd been leaving his stuff on.
His leather's and coat hung on the back of the chair, his two swords hanging from them. On the table, in a glass vial, stood a rose, tiny flames licking and flickering constantly about the leaves and petals, a bright red glow emenating from it. He taps the vial a moment, grinning as the flames rise a little higher from the flower with the movement.
Above it, hung from the wall by string, hangs a large staff with a Red crystal at the top, it too also glowing brightly red, casting eerie shadows about the hall. A slight grin appears as he recalls where he got the Scion, and he chuckles softly.
Then finnaly, he reaches to his neck to where a holy symbol of Folian hang's, consecrated by a Priestess for him alone. He smiles, clasping it a moment, muttering a quick prayer to the Longstrider. Then pulls his journal from his coat pocket and begins scribbling a few notes on the back cover in the bright red glow, before replacing it back in his coat and heading back for bed. **
-
* The items fall from Sall's pack with clunks and thuds as he up-ends the old back-pack and lets everything fall to the floor. It takes him only a few minutes to sift through the things, dumping all the things of interest and used for crafting into a chest at the Guild.
Then he begins filling it with more important things, wands, potions, rope, torches....slipping a few extra daggars in his belt and some fine arrows into his quiver.
A short walk away and he finds himself in Tegan's, strapping the Scion to his back, quickly sharpening his swords and tightening every strap on his armour.
When finished, he writes a quick note, frowning and pausing several times, sighing miserably as he does. He leaves it on the desk, a red rose covered in flames sat in a small vial beside it.
He pauses again, staring at the door, pondering....considering....indecision apparent on his face....
....then walks out the door and takes the long road to Dalanthar....**
-
** Sall lies back on the grass, re-reading what he's just wrote and gazing off across the sea. The wind billows the sails of the ships in Hurms port, and seagulls cry and screech over-head *
Still amazes me sometimes the things Im able to survive. Sure....I aint no devastating force of nature...but by Folian I've certainly managed to outlive any expectations I had for myself.
Still....things have been kinda quiet as of late. I've left the Guildhouse and moved in with Tegan....which Shamur seemed kinda saddened about. I assured him he'd still see as much of me....the guys like the brother I never had....and a few days later, there we were cutting our way through Giants outside Arnax like it was the good old days.
Was kinda a big step for me...asking to move in....but after what she suggested...well, it kinda stumped me. Found myself realising what a big jump it was for her, what a large step she was willing to take by suggesting it. Lotta folk commented on how she doesn't give love out easily, and I cant help but feel proud and bloody honoured that Im the lucky bugger who gets to curl up beside her each night.
So now we're making plans for our next big adventure....or....as she put it....adventurer.
Been a while since I seen Val...so I dropped a note off at the temple whilst I was picking berries. Missing the wise counsel from her...hoping she might drop in and surprise us sometime.
Not much else really....aside from saving some guys marriage. His wife had been clinging to one of the spires of the temple, threatening to throw herself off because she thought he'd been cheating.
A small mining expedition with Muir had me a bit panicky when the Giants dragged in a cart with Rust monsters inside and let them out. We kept to the shadows awhile and made our way out quietly. She still has me smashing gems from that deal we made some ten years ago. I still complain about it....but...like I told her....I'd do it for free anyway.
And Rhynn.....she has an idea....a plan so to speak. The recent capture of some slaver's in Hurms opened up a door of opportunity. Im not gonna mention too much yet....but we're laying low in Hurm a few days till we can have a meeting with Savian.
-
Well Bloody hells!
I know I agreed to it and everything....but by Folian this was quick.
At first I thought something was wrong....she was tired all the time, eating everything in sight....then sleeping half the day away....then suddenly throwing up everywhere with no reason at all.
I got a little panicky and grabbed Alleina....figured maybes she'd been poisoned or something....or some sleeping spell had maybe's backfired on her. So Alleina gave her a little examination....and....broke the news.
I mean....I thought that these things were supposed to take months and months...possibly years....but not this bloody quick!!
So we sat by the Memorial a few hours....pretty much trying to get to grips with it. Val arrived after getting my letter, she was the first we told....then Beli and Drogo arrived....
...it kinda....didnt sink in too much....till Tegan mentioned something later....and I kinda panicked a little again. From what Allei said, there aint a whole lot I can do to help....just be supportive and stuff. I aint liking the sound of that....being a little useless again.
But....bloody hells! Im gonna have to be careful now, no more wandering off to crazy places to fight Glooms or Queen spiders and such.
So....best make myself bloody useful. Gonna grab myself some Mahoganny and put it to use....
...first thing on the list.....a Cot.
-
Well....looks like its slow down time.
After another wander across Belinara and a few trips to Firesteep....Tegan's realising she cant do the same things she used to be able to, now that bump of hers is growing.
So....we're stocking up on things now....diapers, towels, berries, pies....gathering them up for when she'll be unable to walk down the street without gasping for breath. She'll be spending most her time at home now I think. Poor lass.
So....I've decided to join her. Its been nice so far, sitting around all day playing little games and talking, having folks drop in for visits. Godim, Beli and Jako's been named Chief Diaper Changers.....and Sala Chief Baby Deliverer....hehe. At least for the moment.
Beli's been pushing and pushing about this marriage thing. He wouldn't let it drop! Even when Rhynn pointed out she had a kid and wasn't married....he "still" wouldn't let it drop. That guy needs to get himself a girl....then see how quick he talks of marriage.
Learnt a lot more Elven lately. I'll ask her a question, and she'll sit with her feet on that stool, hands clasped over her bump, staring at me silently until I ask the same question again in Elven. Only then do I get an answer. Kinda a fun game until I need to ask something really complex like "How long do I stir the corn oil with the flour before I put it in the oven?" .....no wonder I've been burning so much food lately.
So....for now....seems its gonna be a quiet time for us for awhile.
How I do like the sound of that.
-
** Sall sits on a chair, his feet propped on a nearby table, the journal in his lap and chewing on the end of the quill thoughtfully. The Inn provided by Saviar was quite lavish, much more elegant than Sall was used to, and he found he just couldn't get comfortable **
Well....Tegan's gonna kill me. Two years service in Hurm's forces, training them to....well....Im not even sure.... in Carpentry I bloody hope. Not that I've agreed to it or anything....but....if Rhynn can really pull off what she says she can...I'll do it.
I must admit Saviar had me worried, that whole tale he told about what lengths the Vine would go to to wipe out anyone that tried to trouble them. They'd kill them, their family, their friends.....anyone that ever helped them.
Normally....I wouldnt have cared. Didn't have much to lose. But now....I just saw Tegan and the baby in my head....and I suddenly felt bloody scared.
Two weeks we've got to laze about whilsr Rhynn does.....whatever it is she's doing in there. So....I bumped into Beli getting off the boat, and had a quick trip to Firesteep with the Explorers. No one will notice Im gone anyway, I was just keeping my head down.
So off we went, and had a nasty run in with some Fey. We didnt hurt the things....but they sure hurt us. But when we got to Xora's tower, seems Val weren't happy we'd even disturbed them and we got into a little arguement.
Then she threatened me! Said she could kill me with a word! Well....needless to say I blew! Left her by the tower whilst the rest of us went and got the Addy. Sod her I thought....we dont need her! And we didnt.....little mining....in and out with barely a few scratches.
Bumped into her in Vehl by the Arena of all places. Well....me being me....still rather ticked.... I dragged her in the Arena.
With a word my arse! Ha! Took more than a bloody sonnet for her to put me down...and even then, I had her on the run a few times.
But....that just sparked another arguement. She always likes to have the last word and then walk off before you can answer....well....I weren't bloody having it this time.
Chased her down the graveyard and finished it.
Seems she dont realise that some of the things she says can.....have such an effect on people. I pointed out that telling someone you can kill them with a word is....well....pretty much an insult....and she kinda gave.
I said sorry. She said sorry. Besides....I cant stay angry at her too long.
But....Shamur's gotta do the same. Somehow...I gotta get him to apologise to the Fey he cursed.
Heh! I swear....if I can convince him to do that....Im putting in for a job as a bloody negotiator!
-
Stylish! How good is that! A mass importer of fine clothes and silk's said I looked stylish. Heh.... I hope she was bloody serious. The only thing she frowned upon was the black boots....but then, what does she know.
Anyway, trying to find out some Slaver Trade routes in Audiria required us to put on our "nice and patient" face, which, after listening to talks of fashion and dress making for nearly three hours, I gave up and headed for the Inn, leaving Rhynn and the other's to suffer further barrage from the merchant himself.
Kinai got her soul unbound....but Im wondering if the cost of it aint gonna come back and bite us in the arse.
Finnaly, the crazy mage ceased his riddle games and sat down to give us some answers. Not exactly how I expected it all to play out, but we've a better picture of what the hell happened now.
Only thing is, we've given him our word of honour we'll find Merivion for him and "wont" kill him. I wonder how much stake he puts on some of us actually keeping their word to him. I mean, Im all for keeping my word, but if by keeping it he expects me to do things I wouldnt normally.....well....sod him and sod his word.
Im happy to have played Cupid recently. As usual, smashing rocks for Muireann and just whittering away as I usualy do, when I mentioned something about Shamur, I cant even remember what it was.
She practically leapt on me!
" Shamur! What about Shamur! Tell me"
Well, was a little smug about it, but kept my mouth shut for the moment.
Then I saw them talking in the crafthouse. Naught I know, but I hid behind a bookcase and had a listen, chuckling to myself.
Shamur was oblivious. There was Muir, flirting away, prodding him to take her off on adventures, and he couldn't even see what she was getting at.
A quick word with him the next day put things straight, and as far as I know, they're together now.
Tegan went stir crazy in the house. I went over to Belinara for some Yew, and she caught up with us, waddling along. She's getting really big now, and when I mentioned we still hadn't thought of a name, I thought she was going to burst into tears.
She did mention one which I thought she was joking about, but seems she may have been serious.
Amenacyla .... Trouble in Elven.
Heh! Trouble Tempest! Bloody fantastic!
-
Well....the days getting close.....and we're set on a name.
Anemyfca Tempest .....or Trouble Tempest in common.
We've realised we've both little idea what needs to be done when the babys due.....though Tegan knows more than me from talks with the Clergy. So....to be bloody sure....Im gonna see about kidnapping Sala and Jako and keeping them at our house when its due time. Hope they dont mind. *he laughs to himself*
As a precaution, I've learnt a few handy phrases just incase.....
"Faamilma Anavilla'la oeama ammilanir" - Beware Tegan's Fiery Wrath
She' convinced, with all the pain and such, she may end up setting the house on fire. So Im gonna go around and bloody put resistances on everything from the kitchen table to the flower vases.
Elven.....Im definetly getting there. Just some peoples bloody accents confuse me....they say one thing whilst I think theyre saying something else.
And good old Red. She's bought herself a bloody mansion in Leringard and gave me a key....with access to the master bedroom. Showed Tegan, and I reckon we'll use it a bit. Nip to the Leringard arms when its open, have a few drinks, then stagger across town to bed instead of portaling to Pranzt and walking to the Haft Lake district. Nice!
Bumped in to Muir a lot. She can be a bloody pain in the arse sometimes! Something as simple as " If you see Shamur tell him this".....and she bloody bites my head off! I almost feel sorry for Shamur now.
-
* the whole next pages seems to have several dirty monkey footprints across its page, and the page ear seems to have been chewed a little *
Never trust a mage to truly know what he's doing when he finds something magical! Their curiosity gets the better of them!
Magic rods they were supposed to be, take us to the Heavens the wizard said. And despite saying I wasn't going, Kalin activated the bloody thing....and before I knew it....I was shrunk down to the size of an Ant!!
Kalin the idiot, dropped the Rod that would have returned us to normal size, so, tiny as we were, we had to trek across Stormcrest....which seems like a bloody desert when your that small....to find where he dropped it.
Eventually though, I struck up on a bloody good idea. I hung around near some earthworm holes and, when a sparrow passed by, I managed to tame it....and me and Muireann jumped on its back and had it fly us straight to the Rod.
Wish I could get a portrait done of that. Sallaron Tempest, flying on the back of a sparrow! hehe
Also, I er....kinda made a new friend. Hope Tegan don't mind. The Royal Mistone circus had lost it's performing monkeys, so some of us went out to find them. Most were in bad shape, totally unable to survive in the foreign surroundings so we took them back where they'd be safe. But one....well.....one was doing fine, and it took quite a liking to me....so....despite everyone's protests....I decided to keep it.
But bloody Tristan and his big mouth....told the owner I'd taken it instead of doing what everyone else did and simply saying they couldnt find it. Well....the Owner was apparently gonna put some warrant out for me....but, good old Beli bought the monkey off him and caught up with me later to let me know, since I'd wandered off after Tristan opened his bloody mouth.
So....the Guild's got a mascot....a white-faced Belinarian monkey....named by Beli " Screech"
Sent Val another letter, and we met up outside Arnax for another Ranger-Priestess venture. Things er.....didnt go as planned.
A moment of weakness and....despite me pouring out excuses that would have convinced a Royal Court.....she saw straight through me! After so long of hiding....I fessed up to her.....again....despite telling her nothing could come if it....way too late for that!
I dreaded it....I was certain I was about to screw everything up all over again....and asked repeatedly for her to drop it....but....I feel better for it now. And....she parted her tale....which I'm certainly not going to write in here....I doubt I'll ever forget her tale anyway.
She explained it all....the scar on her cheek.....why she is....as she is...
If she'd only told me years ago.....thing....may have been so different now....
....but like she said....maybe things played out for the best anyway....
-
Tegan looks ready to burst! She's alway uncomfortable, snappy, irritated.... she got really mad one night just because Screech left some er....pellets in the hall, and she set the bloody couch on fire! So....she kinda suggested I wander off whilst she calmed down....so I did.....
...and as usual, thats when trouble found me....
....first off, simply digging a little sand out in the desert on Mistone, when suddenly, this large, black Drake swooped down, seemingly searching the desert and letting out this god awful screech. I hid....of course.....and at first, it paid me no mind, but then suddenly dropped from the sky and nearly took my head off!
I hid again, and started making my way out the desert....when I spotted it again, hovering infront of some Druid like woman, seemingly "talking" to her.
" I'll look " I heard her say, and then she wandered off, the Drake flying off to.
Well, curiousness got the better of me, and so I ran after her. Wish I hadn't.
She told me she'd been "employed" to "find" something....before others do. And, if she didnt find it first " all we know may come to an end"
Well, that scared the bloody hells outta me. It was obvious she truly believed this. She wanted help....someone who could fight. Well....that weren't bloody me....which I told her, and she nearly walked off.
But when I mentioned the Explorer's, that seemed to get her interest. So...it seems Im to arrange a meeting between us and her "employee", to see just what the hell is going on....
...and a little later, just to knock the point into my head of how bloody serious this was....Drakes attacked Vehl! The same bloody ones I think. I heard them screeching as they flew over Hempstead and recognised it straight away! Apparently, they hit Temple in Vehl, and I cant help wonder if whatever it is theyre looking for...is maybe in there.
Rhynn mentioned something about a book....but....I dont know.
Few days later, bumped into crazy Kat. But....crazy no more!
Someone turned up from Blackford to take her to see her uncle, and me and Storold decided to tag along. Before I knew it, robed fella escorting her turned me into bloody bugs!...which was not fun!
When the spell wore off, me and Stor raced to catch up and found them outside Leringard. Storold battle the mage....and....I dont know if we beat it or he fled...but he left us with.....a different Kat.
Shes....sane....totally....but, different. Nasty is the word Id use. She stormed out of town, despite me trying to get answers out of her, saying something about "seeing the world with new eyes".
I got a real bad feeling about all of this
-
So much been bloody going on....and Im feeling so out of my league!
First Red.... I bloody trusted that woman! I dont know what she's doing or why the hell she's doing it to me....but Im gonna find out.
Asked me to endorse her little mansion,which she was going to use for people to rent storage space....she seemed to think having my name on the Leafelts and showing me having the Grand room would give it some respectability....so I said yeah....sure.
Made me a meal as thanks.....and.....well....thats about all I remember.
I woke up outside Leringard with a thumping headache, wondering what the hell happened. But I was late for an Explorer's meeting, and just headed for the Guild.
On route, Rhynn grabbed me and dragged me aside. Seems there'd been sightings of me....Robbing Red's house and trashing some houses in Leringard, staggering around in a drunken stupor! Cant be bloody right!
Val seems to think I was poisoned or drugged or something!
I've got to find her and find out what the hell she did to me! And why!
At the Explorer's meeting, I told them what I knew about the Drakes and the Employer's meeting. Theyre all willing to attend.
But Beli caught me later....he knows something about this....and wont tell me. He's us to act as spys...go to the meeting....learn what we can....and report back to whoever his friends are. Apparently him and his friends have had some run ins with this "employer"...and they aint on friendly terms.
This was where being leader of the Explorer's finnaly kicked me in the teeth. As much as I trust Beli....I wont risk the rest of the Explorer's safety to find some information and give it to his friends....when they dont see fit to tell me what its about.
So....I told Beli he wont be coming to the meeting....which hurt both of us. He's pretty mad....but I cant risk him being recognised and landing all of us in trouble. Im not even going to tell the Explorer's about what he wanted us to do. Way I see it....if they dont know anything....they wont get caught out lieing.
Then....a young Ranger dragged me aside. He didnt speak a word of common....but strangely, seemed to communicate all "cat" like. He basically showed me a Blue scale....and showed me where he claims to have pulled if off a dead Dragon.
Well....the Dragon had gone....sunk in the swamps. Apparently, he'd been trying to tell this to people for days, with limited success considering not many can understand him.
But what he told me had me bloody worried.
It we'rent that a Dragon had fallen dead from the sky....but that it was "already" dead when it fell. Bone and Scale! he kept saying....no meat!
I can only think of some kind of Undead Dragon....which....bloody hells!!!
Gonna meet up with him again and get Storold to look at that Scale.
And just when all the above threatened to bloody make me resign once and for all....
...Tegans water broke.
Right in the middle of cooking!
I panicked....to the point I almost dragged a Cleric of Shadon along to help!
But thankfully....I managed to drag Sala out the Angel's guild.... and by Folian! She knew exactly what to do! If she weren't there....Im.....not sure what I would have done.
But she helped us both through it....and after a lot of screams and threatening behaviour from Tegan towards me.....I....I became....a dad!
She held my son in her arms and....I....felt suddenly small....tiny.... just like Trouble looked....small and tiny.
How the hell am I gonna look after something so small! I can barely look after myself!!!
-
Well....family life sure aint what I thought it would be. It was funny to start though. Neither me nor Tegan had a clue what we were supposed to do with this baby... and changing and bathing times were either a complete joy or terrifying. Who would have thought so much....er....stuff.....could come out of something so little.
And at first....Screech was a pain when we brought Trouble home. I really think he was bloody jealous of the baby....but....a week or two later....and Screech sits around Trouble now, almost playing with him.
But, we managed to hit a routine. I'd stay at home....and Tegan would go visiting...or she would stay at home and Id go out. Lately though, she's made friends with this Esther lady who seems willing to babysit more and more... so we actually got a chance to go out together. But of all the places.... this was one I didnt have in mind....
...to the Portal of Pandemonium. I was bloody terrified....Gensai throwing Death magic....Slaad's throwing Implosion.....and not a bloody cleric in sight!
Still....I came away with a nice trinket or two.
Shame I couldn't tie down one of those floating chairs and take it home though. Like Tegan said....a child, a monkey...and a Demonic chair. That would be brilliant!
The meeting with the "employer" went.....er.....well.
I'm not gonna write much about it at this point....but....safe to say.....Im getting myself in deep trouble. I'm not sure whats going to happen....but I fear I may end up....er....betraying some people.... for the ....greater good.
I just need to find out....which side "is" the greater good...and er....get the usual *nod* of approval from her.
Death. Bloody dying. Im a little more afraid of it than I used to be now Trouble's arrived....but....like I told Rhynn when she told me to go home...." What you think Im gonna do? Sit indoors all wrapped in cotton for the rest of my life?"
Hell no! But....I keep hearing something about some....secret....some....way to keep the Soul mother at bay a little longer. Gonna have to pull some peoples ears and find out what the hell this is.
But...if they think Im gonna go meditate for a year to find the answer....heh....they can bloody forget it.
-
Bloody Red... will never figure her out! One minutes she's backing me up, saving my life, or telling me to take my shirt off.....the next she's telling me to burn in hell and doing everything she can to get me into trouble.... including getting everyone in the Temple of Xeen chasing after me for....snuggles. I swear....nearly broke my leg leaping off that balcony to escape.... but I bloody did it. Now, whenever Tegans around, she seems to enjoy mentioning it as much as possible. Bloody woman!
I kinda slipped up a little.....had another arguement with Muir....seems like its all I bloody do when she's around. All about dresses and trust.....which....kinda veered off onto different subjects....but, I kinda let slip about the whole "employer" thing...
...strangely, she seems to have some idea as to how to get some information I could never have getten. The only problem is....which....I daresnt really tell her....is I really "dont" trust her enough to tell her everything. I'd like to....but.... I aint stupid. She aint a "bad" person....she can just be.....unpredictable.
I'm thinking somethings up with Val. I aint seen her for awhile....last I saw of her...she stormed off in the middle of the Rift because we ignored a question from her. Aint like her at all....and put us in a dangerous position.
Said she dont like to be ignored.
I showed her exactly what being ignored was....and just walked off and left.
Currently....some folks have found themselves some kinda Treasure map...and as usual....Im somehow involved....following them along and getting my self into no ends of trouble. Somehow I doubt we'll find "real" treasure.... more likely some pirates hidden stash of socks.
-
* Sall bursts through the door, a skip in his step and a wide, proud grin on his face. Screech the monkey, perched on the coat hanger as always, regards his unusual cheerfulness warily, before leaping onto his head and skittering up and down Sall's shoulders as he walks to the kitchen.
He spots Tegan at the stove and sneaks up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and giving her a huge kiss.
" Whats gotten into you then Captain?" she smiles, kissing his cheek.
He grins broadely, widely, like he's just won his own kingdom somewhere and pats her bum before moving off into the living room, Screech finnally deciding his master is "too" happy and leaping from him to a cabinet.
He finds Trouble in the room, the little child crawling frantically around in the large pen built for him. With childish "Ooohhh yaa bugger!" he sweeps the giggling child up in his arms and lies back on the couch with him.
" Well....little Mr Tempest" Sall laughs, patting Trouble's nose gently.....
" You will never believe what happened to me today"
With a soft sigh, he sinks further and further into the couch, eventually, finnaly.....content.
-
That lying....cheating....scheming....bloody sodding WITCH!!!
Im gonna kill her!!
Why the hell does this keep happening to me?!? I was content....happy.... but now Im bloody runined!!
When the guards finnaly led me away, I realised just how long she must have been planning this! Even when I'd been helping her, adventuring with her....a ll along she'd planned to screw me over!
I'd been sat at the guild, just sorting through stuff when a knock came at the door. And there Red stood.... with some Rofi's in tow. They bloody shackled me up and dragged me off to see some Judge Rufus....despite me protesting they were making a mistake.
And then Red dropped the bombshell when she pleaded her case to the judge.
She accused me of breach of contract, saying I owed her 250k for renting the star room in her little mansion! And she produced a contract Id apparently signed too! When? I dont "EVER" recall signing anything other than those bloody leaflets of hers!
And burgelry! That I'd robbed her house! I can see where she tricked me here though.... I vaguely remember her serving me dinner or something, and the next thing I recall was waking up in the woods outside Leringard. Red had said Id been drinking....which isnt like me....but....it seemed more plausible. But Val had suggested poisinong or drugged, Rhynn mentioned some Domination spell!
Whatever it was, she produced a witness who said I was the one seen fleeing her house with a bag of loot, and showed the Ownership papers for Screech I'd apparently "left" in her house whilst I ran off with her belongings!
And then... added to all that... Drink and Drugs charges.... resisting arrest.... the bloody witch even had a torn piece of my coat as evidence I didnt even know I'd lost!
Well.... the judge ruled instantly.... despite any protests from me! Personally...I think the judge was a moron. It appeared to me all he wanted to do was finish the trial quick and bloody go home!
Even threatened to arrest my friends and family if I didn't sign and agree to the court order! And said I wasn't allowed to talk about this as it may "smear" Red's name!!
This is rubbish! A Re-trial! Thats what Im going for! The whole thing was a bloody sham! I wouldnt be surprised if Red had paid off the judge herself!
I'll get the Tori's involved... if anything.... they may like the chance to rub the Rofi's nose in it and show them up.
But....to bring it to an end and keep the family safe.... I signed it.
55% of everything I own is now that bloody WITCHS!
I'd have killed her already, if the judge hadn't warned that any harm comes to her, and me and the family would pay.
And now I see bloody posts on the Guild wall....signed by Red....our new "Leader of the Explorer's"
Well....if she thinks thats it....that Im beaten and gonna lie quite....she got another bloody thing coming.....
-
Well....lets see....what now....
Red.... she's loving the fact shes got me in debt to her. Insulted me to my face.....threatened me, Tegan, Trouble, the Explorer's..... and when she said she'd snatch Trouble away from me....well....that was it. I blew and smacked her silly....knocking the witch to the floor.
She seemed to think it was funny to tell Judge Rufus about some of the nasty things I did when I was young and homeless, living on the streets. The stupid woman thinks she knows me.
Well... I know how to get her hands off the Explorer's....and once thats done...well.... she threatened my family. There aint no going back from that.
And yet another one of those dreams hit me.... but...somethings changing. Im waking up and remembering more and more.... some young woman seems to keep appearing in them, a teenage lass. Last time when our ship sank....yeah, that was a strange dream....and this time, trying to save some books from a burning library.
That Crystal ring the Dark elven Priestess bugged me to find came up...and seems bloody Angela had it all along. Its gone now...she gave it to the girl to get the rest of us out of the....er....dream. But what did the Dark elf want it for? Was its whole purpose simply to get us out the dream? I bloody doubt it.
Had a few talks with Rhynn about the whole "employer" trouble im into. She knows a lot....a hell of a lot...and pretty much gave up what she knew without wanting anything back. The Lumbral....the Shifter.... the curse of Blood. Im still no further forward though....should I just sit back and let Beli and his friends release them? Or should I listen to the Dragon and try and do something to stop them? Its all a bit.....too much for me. I mean....what the hell am I supposed to do about big things like this?!?
But...aside from that...been a little peaceful. Tegans thinking its time we started taking Trouble to Folians woods....teach him to learn of the animals. Im not sure why this is something shes so determined he learn....but hell...I dont mind. Will be good for all three of us to get out the house together.
The two of us went for a little wander across Voltrex....which er.... didnt go as planned. But then...how was I supposed to know 20 fully armed orcs were hiding round the corner? Even with the Scion raining acid and lightning on them....they over-whelmed us... and with a rush of pain and sudden darkness....we found ourselves lying outside the bindstone in Dalanthar.
Still...we hit the inn and....heh...had a good night.
-
Finnaly....finnaly.....my bow's done....and quick the work of bloody art it is. Only took me 6 tries and weeks of bloody mining to finish it off. But its done... I dont think there's anything finer left for me to make out of wood.
Whilst on my....hmm....4th try in the crafthouse, Sala and Jako wandered by, and I ended up knocking up some Rods for them. She had a bit of a go at me when I told her how I went alone to places like the desert caves to dig sand mine coal by myself.
" You've a family to look after now Sall! You shouldnt be taking such risks!"
Heh...Im glad I didnt tell her of some of the more "dangerous" places I've been going myself. But I kept my mouth shut, and they came with me to Dregar....
... during which, Rhynn found me. Seems she'd been looking for me... which kinda made me nervous. After I'd made what I could for Sala, we headed back to my home for a chat, me secretly praying Tegan wasn't home. The two of them don't seem to get on.
Anyway, she wasn't, and Rhynn started quizzing me on this whole... Red thing. She seems to think Red might have spelled me.... to the point I would trust her impicitly. It didn't appear she had....it was just me... I'd trusted her blindly and got my arse kicked for it.
We talked a bit more and....well....things went kinda strange.
The stern, self-controlled Rhynn I thought I knew vanished... and suddenly, I found a woman sat next to me, asking to help, feeling sorry for herself almost, missing friends long gone... even asking what it would take for her to join the Explorer's.
It....kinda threw me... and I did my best to be polite.... but within a second her mask was back on. She pretty much left at that point... leaving me feeling a little pathetic for not being the consolable type.
But then.... a little later...it clicked.
This is what people do to screw me over! They put on a sob story, for which Im a sucker.... they work their way into me...and then Whack! snatch whatever they want.
Hell...the last woman to do that... now owns half of everything I bloody do!
I even thought of Saira.... the dark elven woman I met a while back. Same thing. She seemed scared, begged me not to hurt her.... so what did I do? Blindly, like a fool, without a second thought, took her aside and helped her as best I could. I was lucky that time... but had it been a trick....I would have fallen into it with more than bloody ease.
Could Rhynn be doing the same? And if so....what's she after?
So... I collared her in Hempstead.
" Why then Rhynn? Why you wanna help? Cause if its just to rub Beli and his friend's noses in it....well....that aint much bloody good to me."
Then came an answer I was expecting. Something....innocent.... harmless....something that would usually have won me over instantly.
" I dont want you to die."
I simply rolled my eyes. There it was. What was she after? Information? Some kind of artifact or something? Did she want the Lumbral free? Or did she not?
Well...I didnt believe her for a second...and told her so rather bluntly...at which point she stormed off and her drooling eyeball appeared trying to torment me.
I managed to ply it off with some pie.... and eventually it led me to her...but... still....
Have I been screwed over so many times that.... if anyone offers me help... I become instantly suspicious? I think back to all the things that cleric told me... about me being "noble" and "deserving of respect".... that instantly made me wary about the bugger.
I wonder whats actually safest? To trust people and take the chance they dont rip your insides out when your on the floor? Or just never trust people... and save yourself the hurt and dissapointment when they stab you in the back?
I wonder if I even get to chose...
-
Well.... that druidic woman burst through our doors at home.... and told us to get our butts to Krandor... where apparently Beli and his friends would be.
I dont know what she expected us to do.... but off me, Val and Shamur went anyway.
The timing was kind of bad. I walked up and explained who sent us....the Dragon.... and of course....didnt realise till a while later they had just been attacked by some of her troops. So of course... they didn't trust me a bit.
Not that I can blame them.... I didnt give them much reason to. There was I telling them a Dragon had sent us.... the same dragon that had attacked Vehl and sent her armies off to kill them countless times.
So... off they went to free the Ancients. I only hope Storolds right.... and they "do" know what theyre doing. Cause...I have a feeling....if they do wrong... my usual " I told you so!" speech aint gonna make me feel as good as it usually does.
But.... we'll know in a few days what happens... either nothing....or the sky will fall on our heads.
Anyway... not a few hours later... I got a letter from Rhynn... and headed off to Stormcrest to meet up. I was a little vague on the facts, but it all boiled down to yet "another" crazy bloody wizard summoning demons and causing havoc for local farmers.
Well.... after some info gathering in Spellguard... we found a rather creepy old city in the back end of the desert.... the usual deaders and vamps floating about the place.
Well... like the adventurer's they are.... they fought their way through them till we came upon the big bad guy himself.... which is when Rhynn and Storold impressed the hell outta me.
First off.... Storold did some mind control thing... and actually made the wizards pet, some Drake....turn against him. And....the Drake killed the Wizard!
And just when we were patting him on the back.... a huge Balor turned up, screaming for us to leave
Well.... Rhynn and Stor just looked at each other. Rhynn cast one thing... Storold another.... and before I knew it... the bloody Balor vanished with an agonised cry. Simple as that!
Heh... wizards. Clever buggers.
-
Dear Journal.... today.... we blew up an island.
I confess ... it wasn't me who actually "did" it.... Angela took the first swing... but I did think it was a good idea.
Well... next thing I know.... fires shooting from the cracked crystal she smashed.... and the Island went up in a blaze. We sailed out of there with all bloody haste and headed back to Lor... a little.... ashamed.. considering how many may have died on there.
Had a lot of spare Yew lately... so I knocked up a few posters and nailed them around... trying to sell some bows for coin and such. A day later I got a letter from Rhynn... reminding me that anything I made... Red would be entitled to 55% of. But an idea had already hit me about that.... so I left the posters up.
Still... she didn't have to tell me about that... was nice of her. Maybe's I had her all wrong.
After sitting on a ledge for one boring week making notes of caravans and slavers passing by a secret pass... I headed back to Audiria to let her know what I'd found. Bloody nothing.
Rhynn got a little riled, considering we'd been trying to find a knich in the Slaver's armour for awhile and had come up with nothing. But... her next plan certainly got results... though not to my taste.
With Audiria practically burning to the ground behind us.... we proceeded to torture the poor slaver Jirger, and finnaly got some decent answers for ourselves and a lead to go on.
Words spread of what happened there though.... and Im kinda hoping all the dragon rumours of late will kinda... hide the fact of what actually went on there.
Me and Tegs dropped by to see Muir for a little.... considering her whole link to this Astral thing. But, she was tight lipped, and seemed more interested in arranging for me and Tegs to go to the Temple of Xeen together.... which er... I'll not write much about here....
... but when Tegs left, Muir became here usual self again... and for the past two days we've been at each others throats. She don't seem to know how to receive help ... or even know what a "so-called" friend is for.
Well....sod her. After she ear bashed me repeatedly and just didn't get that I was trying to help... I told her to bite it and stormed off.
But.... everyone was badgering me for scrolls and Rods... we me Sala, Godim and Tegs hit the peaks and the desert, loading up on everything we needed.
It was in the caves, just the two of us, Tegs dropped a bombshell....
... Late... she maybe late....
... at first the thought freaked me out... another kid running around, more responsibility....
... and then it hit me....I didn't mind Trouble... I loved the little bugger. How could another one possibly be bad? So... I told her so. I dont mind... and we'll need to wait and see if she is with child.
But I swear.... if she is... no more.... thats it!
I'm sure I heard the cleric's have some kind of... spell or something that will stop me from being a... er.... kiddie maker. Might have to have words... so long as its painless.
Also.... I've got a plan forming... which is usually when the ground falls out from under my feet. After everything we....I....have been through.... and what shes put up with... Im surprised I never thought of it before.
But...it's another crazy Sall idea.... and I'll likely wake up in the morning thinking " No....Im getting that " This is a bad idea Sall" feeling "....
...
... but lets see.
-
Well.... no child number two on the horizon. All a false alarm. Strangely... Im neither happy nor sad about it. But.... plenty time ahead of us I reckon.
Bloody Drea's been a pain lately... she just likes throwing insults out for no reason. Heh... but I kinda enjoyed tieing her up and trying to convince Cassius she was insane and needed to be locked up. Dont think it worked... since a few hours later she appeared on the Vehl road.
I feel a little guilty. Poor Cassius. I wonder what the hell she did to him.
Tegs has been taking up a new craft.... one Im pretty good at... so I've been helping out. She gave me a gift.... another one.... a sword of the Dragonslayer, with a bloody strong enchantment on it... plus various potions and such. Still makes me feel small when she does that.... since there's nothing really I can give to her.... except.... well.... my little idea of course. But.... the people I need to help with it are gone... last I saw them..... they were the ones heading off to "free" those bloody Lumbral.
Still.... we've took Trouble out to the grove plenty of times now. He's getting good with the animals now.... they don't fear him.... and me and Tegs watched in awe as a squirrel just, scarpered down a tree and.... very slowly.... crept over to him whilst he played.... just curious I guess.
Of course.... its strange... but him and Screech are almost inseperable now. The monkeys forever perched on his shoulder, skittering around his shoulders and screeching away at anything that gets to close to him. Its sooo cute.
The pair of us went on a little guided nature walk with Arynne and Ron and a few others. Im sure those two should be getting together by now... but seems Arynne must already have someone, considering she had her daughter with her.
Plus.... I messed up a little. Heard the Arms had opened up... and.... since it had been so long... I went and decided to have a drink.... just the one.
Well....I guess one turned into two....and....then into...er....several...
It's a little vague... but... I guess Tegs tried to drag me out the place.... to which I refused... at which point she apparantly dumped drinks over my head.... twice.
And.... then... I woke up in my old room in the Arms... Tegs sleeping on the chair next to me.
I didnt even want to ask how I ended up there and not at home.
But Tegs made sure I knew it was a bad thing.
Having a hangover.... and having your girl throw Thunderclap spells in your face is.... well.... bloody torturous.
Needless to say.... dont think I'll be straying onto the drink again.
So.... back to work. Dig dig dig. Sand sand sand.
I need to make a box of 3rd Tier rods to sell... and five 4th Tier rods to give to Boon for the rather handy bloody belt he gave me.
-
Ahh the Deep. What a wonderful place.
Heh... not bloody likely.
Boon arranged a venture there... and at first... I didnt think I could make it. But... chores got dismissed and Esther volunteered to watch Screech and Trouble for a few days... so off we went.
I fared a sight better than last time.... and we made it well deep into the heart of the place....dodging squiddys and Dark elfs and bloody time-freezing Balors.... right up to the cavern where the emeralds lived....
.... and found it bloody caved in. Sodding typical!
I've no doubt the Dark elfs or Golems will remove the rubbel so there's passage back into get the Emeralds... but we couldn't exactly wait around for that.
So.... bloody sickened.... we traipsed all the way back out again. Still... Im hoping when the loots divyed... we found some nice little Dark elven toys to play with.
Well... for once. It aint me a whole lotta trouble's found. This time its Tegs.
Apparently.... she found some metallic dragon injured and poisoned. Her and whoever she was with tried to heal it.... and took it...well... somewhere... I aint gonna write in here where..... but... it seems its still poisoned.
she found somekinda vial of.... stuff at the scene... and seemed to think I'd know something about it. So off we went to the Hall of the Weave to mess about with it.
Well.... it weren't like nothing Id ever seen.
Was only a bit in... but the stuff moved and such. Was kinda attracted to Teg's magic... even tried to break free of the vials I put it in.
But.... it gave us an idea of how to cure the metallic. So off we went to try and do the good deed.
But.... Tegs spotted her first. Some woman.... and we later found.... she must have been watching Tegan for awhile.... maybe's even days.
She tried following us to the metallic.... but we managed to turn it around and surprised her. Not er.... the way I would have "liked" to surprise her of course... but.... it kinda worked.
And well.... we'rent good. She was after the Dragon.... and seemed no matter what we did, she'd be able to follow us to it.
So now.... we're stuck.... wondering how the hell we can get the message there without it being intercepted or us being followed. Tegs has an idea though.... but I just hope its in time.
-
Well... Red seems to be back on the scene. Cursed bloody woman!
I had hoped she'd ticked someone off, been assassinated, broken her scrawny neck in a hole or even died of old age.... but apparently I aint that lucky.
Desperately need some True... and I stuck up some posters to sell a few things. Next day, there's a bloody copy of that contract slapped all over it. I doubt anyone will buy anything from me now.
Rhynn sent me another warning letter... "silly silly boy".
Heh... charming. Made a good point of a clause to at least get the Guild out Red's hands... which.... I've already set in motion. But it still dont help me to sell things.
Still... they wont buy it off Sallaron Tempest... but er.... maybe's they'll buy from... someone.... else....
And now she's back. Im wondering if its her sending me these bloody love letters. The last one that dropped from the Falcon, said whoever was sending them was bloody pregnant!
At first I thought it was merely mis-delivered post. But bloody hell... this one had my name wrote all over it.... from... "my little Tigeress". My moneys on either Red or Daralith.... trying to get me into trouble. I really should show Tegs but.... bit scared she may flip out.
Been thinking about the so called "good ole days" lately. Im kinda missing running wild around the countryside with all the Explorer's. I put it down to all the problems as of late, and of course, watching Trouble, that I aint been out as much. But.... Troubles getting big now... nearly six.... so... I may start dropping posts in the Guildhall... get us out and about again.
-
Well... finnally selling some thing.... thanks to my favourite Illusionist and some bloody good acting skills on my part. Sally Storm sold her first set of 4th Tier Rods.... and made quite a profit from it. More to come... and if all goes well... I stand to make a lot of True that Red will never know about.
Tegan had been doing some digging into who would have posioned the metallic Dragon.... and her search led us to a Kattryn in the Leringard Arms.
We worked bloody well together.
I took the hulking Half-Giant bodyguard aside and rattled off some tale about dragons and flower beds, whilst Tegs made out to be a waitress and peeked in the womans room. Once we were sure it was the one we were looking for... thats when the fun really kicked in.
We had to get them out the room so we could rummage... so....
... Tegs pulled off some spell... and had it looking like the whole of the Leringards was about to burn down. People literally raced outside shouting and screaming.... while Tegs stood in the corner... working her magic.
Meanwhile... I picked the lock and broke into the lasses room. Gods! I'd never felt so alive for years. It must have been.... nearly 20 years since Id broken into someones house.... back to my young years living on the streets. And I must say... it felt bloody great.
The lock was easy.... the trap on Kattryns chest was obvious. I cracked them both... took a whole loads of documents and goodies and raced outside with Tegs. A few hours later, and we'd leapt on a boat to Lan's port.
Turns out this Kattryn and her colleagues are Dragon hunters, and from the look of the things in her chest...they'd managed to kill a few.
So... she's busy forming a plan
But... despite the good day... I've still managed to screw up. This was a few months back though... I just... didnt dare write it here.
I'm not even sure how... but... somehow... I woke up in bed in the Scamps Tavern... the er... serving girl in bed next to me.
And I don't remember a bloody thing!
Sure... I remember getting served dinner off her. I remember the dwarven and half-orc miners leering at her... and I remember having a little arguement with one of them when I told them to leave her be.
Well... one of the dwarfs kinda liked me mocking the half-orc... so.... he dragged me over to join them all. Seems.... Id somehow won a bet to see who could make the lass smile.
Its stupid really. I could have just said no to the ale and left. But.... the bloody half orc kept calling me a girl and a coward... so....
...I drank.
... a lot.
... for a long time.
... and woke up.... with... Gah! What the hells!
I freaked in the morning! Practically dived out the door whilst she cried her eyes out... saying men were all the same.
I am soooo screwed!
I aint gonna tell Tegs.... hell... no one... not even someone I bloody trust.
All its gonna do is hurt her.... and.... in turn.... hurt me. Best keep my mouth shut, and keep quiet. Its possible the two of them will never even meet... and even if they do... they'll never know who the other is.
So... Ive kept it in the back of my mind... whilst I busy myself digging sand, mining coal, making rods... and occassionaly, working out on the combat dummy at home. Actually practicing how to fight a little better... for all the good it will do.
-
She killed me! That cursed bloody twisted witch killed me! Or at least... she nearly did!
Fishing... the most peaceful thing to do there is... outside Leringard... when the old hag appeared, demanding her 55%. I was in the middle of telling her where to go and where to stick that 55%... when out the shadows, this bloody female dwarven monk jumped on me... knocking me to the floor.
I struggled and tried to kick the bugger off, and eventually managed to, but not before the sod had broken my hand and shoulder, and Red had pretty much tortured the truth out of me about " Sally Storm" and my Crystal Rod selling spree.
But... I flung the dwarf off... and standing there... regarding the two of them and holding my broken arm.. i had only one option. So i jumped in the lake and tried to swim off.
Wasn't a good idea.
I remember my lungs burning... gasping for air... and vaguely remember being fished out of the water... and... Red giving me some... ultimatium...
.. next thing I know... Im being raised by some Toranite cleric outside of Pranzt. She assumed id been beaten to death by the Giants... and... to my shame...I didnt tell the truth.
Now... I feel pathetic... and... I've started drinking more. I know I shouldn't... but.... well... why the bloody hell not. Can things get worse? I dont bloody think so.
Besides.. Tegs is a hypocrit... says I cant drink.... but wandering into the Leringard arms and who should I see drinking Iron Bock herself? Exactly. She didn't seem impressed... but heh... she can drink and I cant?
Like hell.
-
Things are....not... going well.
I cant look at Tegs... without feeling... pathetically guilty and useless.... and... I can feel it taking its toll on me. It seems to be showing... and people seem concerned... and.... I just lash out at them. It kinda makes me feel better. Much better to be angry than feeling guilty.
But... she's seen straight through me... and... she keeps pushing me... trying to find out whats wrong.... and of course... all I can do is push her away... which is leading to arguement after arguement.... ending up in a row in the Arms the other night.
I... I soo.... want to.... tell her.... and.... that I'm sorry.... but.... that would actually mean... telling her... what happened.... what I've done.... and.... I cant do that.
She stood there silenty in the Guild before I left for Westgate, just, pleading me with her eyes to come clean and spill whats been eating at me. And... I almost folded.... but.... what more damage do I want to do to her?! She don't bloody deserve this rubbish I keep getting her mixed up in or involved in.... or me screwing up all the time. She deserves a sight better.
So... I put my head down.... and walked for the portal.
A few days later though.... something happened to make me smile a little.
After months of preparing, investigating and interrogating... we finnaly found the lair of the Shar, the leader of the Silver Crescent Slavers.
For bloody years and years I've been poking slavers where ever I could find them.... and thanks to Rhynn... I had a chance to really kick them in the teeth. And by Folian we did.
Escorted by Miss Tikiri, we found our way into the fortress via underground tunnels, and appearing in the library, with little chance of successfully sneaking about... we quickly stormed the place.
The leaders of the Crescent there fell.... and we grabbed whatever evidence of their doings from the tables and did a sharp exit, which resulted in me being carried off by Brisbane in the claws of the Dragon she'd become.
Of course... if word gets back to the rest of the Crescent.... well.... er... I could be in some serious trouble. Rhynn and Ozy have left I think.... moved away somewhere for a fresh start or... maybes just to keep out the way of the aftermath. I don't know.
But... a long time goal of mine's done. I think.... I think Ive finnaly made amends for the things I did when I was young.
I stopped off by the docks, ready to board a ship... and stopped.
Trouble and Tegan. Eventually.... its going to come out. Both what I've done to Tegs... and.... what I've done to the Silver Crescent. Will they hunt me down? Will they even know it was me? Do I really want to bring "more" trouble to Tegans and Troubles door? Would it be better if maybes.... they just thought... I'd died in the Shar's fortress?
And now... I'm sat in the Tavern by Westgate.. writing this and sipping ale.... wondering.... wondering if I should even go home at all.
-
So... I went home. She wasn't there... so I headed off to make some rods for Boon... keeping my head down and wearing some old clothes on the off-chance someone was looking for me.
Eventually she turned up at the forge beside me.... giving me the silent treatment. So... I told her about Red and what she'd done to me.
I thought telling her this might... kill off some of the guilt I'd been feeling... perhaps... smooth things over.
But.. we just ended up arguing and shouting at each other.
Next day I used the portal and jumped over to Dalanthar. Almost instantly I spotted her tracks, heading into the Singing woods. Single tracks. She was going alone.
So... I followed her tracks... and figured she was heading to Firesteep.
Thought I could maybes help out somehow.... and caught up to her. Well... she was still mad as hell... so... I put my head down and kept quiet, determined to just help however I could and not say a word.
Brian caught us up to... and the three of us headed into the caves.
** the remainder of the page seems to have been scribbled on furiously **
What a sodding plonker! I'd have been more use if I just helped carry their backpacks and stayed well out the way!
A few spells from the Shaman and a couple of kobolds leaping on me.... and I was cut down... waking up in Willow's Weep under the Bindstone.
A few days ago I was storming into the headquarters of the bloody Silver Crescent slavers... cutting those slaver scum in two....
... and today... a bloody kobold killed me!
I... threw my sword in the river.... and stormed to the Tavern in North Point to think things over.
I ... think... Im losing her.
Hell... it don't surprise me. After that debacle... she must be wondering what the hell Im good for. And it aint like I've been the most reliablest sod lately.
I just dont know what the hell Im supposed to do anymore.
Maybe's I should just... retire or something. Keep to the little things.
I recall Oma was after a mahoganny pipe and a tour of the Mountains.
Maybe's I should just keep to small stuff like that.
-
I'd been trying to be good lately. After the Firesteep debacle and some words from a wise friend... I realised I've been way over-doing things... trying to be someone Im not. So... I've went back to my old ways... and am fighting my way back into Teg's and Trouble's good books.
Not that Trouble was mad at me. I made him his first bow lately, and been teaching him how to use it. He's a hell of a shot! I can smell a bloody good archer coming out of him.
Teg's was over-joyed to see her own silver hair coming through on his head.... I think she almost had a tear when she realised.
But... I'm still sleeping on the spare bed in the living room... still... being as nice and considerate as possible.
Even tried to help Oma find her missing things the other day... which... turned out kinda well.
So... things were good... and... I was finnaly getting smiles out of her....
... until I got the letter from Val.
When I saw her walking round the shore at Corax... hell... I realised just how much I'd missed her. All the old feelings came flooding back... and I bottled them all up.
" What once was about to fade, now begins to blossom again"
And there was me thinking she was talking about the weather.
Elves are funny creatures. So much time had passed since we'd spoke... and I thought she'd maybe's forgetten all about me. Apparently not... she'd come back -for- me.
For so long I'd wanted to hear the words she spoke to me that night... for soooo long. She was so... honest about it all.... I think her journey's across Belinara have awakened her more than she knows.
She told me it wasn't too late... that... our paths have crossed again and.... peoples directions could change... I could swap paths whenever I desired...
As the moon shone down on us, across the lake, a silvery blanket over the land.... as the question was asked, and, for a moment, as I floundered... I felt so lost and confused like I'd never had before.
She needed me... and.... I needed her. Part of a key. A lock.
But i knew what was to be done. It became so clear the more I thought about it.
I leant forward... and for the first time in all the years we've known each other...kissed her softly.... and held her close.
I told her she had always been loved... whether she knew it or not... and always would...
... then I bid her goodbye and walked back to my home.. .to my family.
Path's can cross more than once... who knows what fate the stretches of time will bring... or when they will appear.
-
** Sall sits in a shadowy doorway, coat wrapped around him, tilting the journal into the light from the window behind him. Inside he can hear what appears to be a young couple fighting and arguing. With a slight, irritated frown, he begins writing, glancing up occassionaly to the building in front of him... the Leringard arms.... and a particular window where the light never seems to go out *
No point in letting us live much longer the note said.
Like bloody hells.
I'm not too sure why they'd even bother trying the death threats... maybes into scaring us into showing them they way.... or at least.... what they think is the way... to er... Max.
Max? What a stupid name for a... well....
Anyway... be damned if they think I'm just gonna keep low and play nice. Tegs aint gonna show them. I aint gonna show them. So... one option Lexx gave was to get all my friends together... be protected and safe.
And then.... sit.... and... wait......
Sod that.
* Sall pauses a moment, then drops the journal and grabs his bow and an arrow from the steps next to him. In an instant he has an arrow knocked and aiming at the slightly parted window where he'd seen the messenger birds come and go from the Leringard Arms.
When nothing happens... after a few minutes... he settles back to the floor, re-opening the journal but keeping the bow close by*
No frontlining. No bloody charging in or facing people off. Im best of doing what I do... best... I reckon. Or at least I bloody hope.
Anyway... a chance letter dropped by the other day... and before I knew it... Im looking up at the grim skull of the Emerald crypts.
It started like... really bad.... after a few steps inside... Hard got wiped by some... dead thing... and I we'rnt far behind him. Drea irritated the hell outta me the whole way... as always... and Angela and Allei's girly fights were er... * the writing trails off here, and some has been scribbled out*
Anyway... Phase one is bloody done. And aint cost me a True coin yet.. thanks to Alantha.
Gonna try and see if I can keep it that way. Surely someone can be made to see that.... for what Im trying to do.... it shouldnt cost anything to enchant it? Surely....
And shopping... remember these Sall:
Sand... Coal.... Corn.... Sage.... Coal.... Sand..... Screech's flea killer.... Fresh milk... Sand.... Coal.... new mattress for Living room bed ( or a cheap back massage )..... Wheat.... Chop the Mahoganny in the chests..... Sand... Coal..... New shirt and trousers for Trouble ( next size up from last ones )..... Blueberries and pot of whipped cream x 4 ..... oh... and Sand and Coal.
-
* Sall sits in bed quietly, the duvae pulled up right to him and his journal resting on his lap, chewing the quill thoughtfully. He glances at the sleeping form of Tegs a moment beside him, grinning widely as her soft, purring snore starts to get more loud and apparent*
Phase Two for Tegs. I didnt need to do it. My coat got a few slash marks on it, and whilst rummaging around Tegans sowing kit for needle and thread... I found some notes for something she was making. Some kind of sorcerer's belt or something... which needed an emerald.
I wasn't sure what to do. Still make her the ring I'd planned... or... let her make what she wanted with it. So.. i gave her the cut and polished gem to do with as she will. But... still think I'll make her something... something just to say... Thanks... since im out of the spare bed and back into the bedroom. Thank Folian... that old mattress was killing my back!
I promised Trouble I wouldnt tell her... but... Trouble's becoming a killer shot! We were out practicing with the bow in the Forest of Mists... chasing down an unfortunate rabid fox. Well.. we lost sight of it a second... but way way ahead we saw a bush rustle. I pointed it out... and Trouble knocked his little Hickory bow and took a shot.
There was a slight cry of surprise and pain....
... and a bloody Katian Ranger suddenly stepped out the bushes... an arrow stuck in his butt!
I couldnt stop laughing! Even Screech began screaming and screeching and rolling around on the floor! What a shot! So much for sneaky and quiet rangers... my eight year old son took out one from nearly a hundred yards!
He seemed so upset by what he'd done... and couldnt stop apologising to the Ranger guy... who.. a little embareesed... ripped the flimsy arrow out his butt and wandered off.
I promised him when he asked that I wouldnt tell his mom... but by Folian I was bloody proud that day!
* he turns to look at Tegan, chuckling, as her snoring rises to new levels. Gently, he pokes her in the back, and she snorts loudly, mumbles something like "Monkey in my breadbin!"... and rolls over, snoring quietly*
I signed up for another expedition with the Red Bear.... thinking another slash at some Silver Crescent slaver's would be fun. Ever since we stormed the Shah's fortress... it seems Corsain and surrounding areas are "almost" Slaver free... so I was curious to see where they intended to hit.
Had nothing to do with slavers... was some old elven pirates bloody treasure we were after. Still...made a few coins... but after having to watch that poor elven lass stowaway get whipped... it took the fun out of it.
Still regret that... I shoulda bloody stopped it earlier.
But... come the morning... Im off to look into these rumours about some Hall of the Gods being discovered in the desert. The names familiar... reminds me of when I was real young, living on the streets, stealing this and that and pulling scams with Gillen.
Who know's what I'll find... if I even make it to the gathering.
-
* Tegan and Trouble stood at the door to the locked bathroom, their ears pressed up against it and looking at each other with amused smiles.
From inside, the sound of splashing water , laughing and uproarious singing could be heard.
Tegan looks down at Trouble in amazement, stroking the boys strands of silver hair... " I can't believe he's still in there."
" Still? " Trouble pipes, " That's his -fourth- bath mommy. I think he's gonna wash himself till his skin falls off."
The two giggle a moment and wander away from the door, and a few minutes later... the door swings open to Sall, bursting into a chorus of an old Leringard tune, a towel wrapped around his waste and a crown of bubbles in his hair. He does a little dance, leaving watery footprints on the wooden floor and prances into the living room.
Mother and son, at the sight of a over-excited and happy Sall, almost back away into a corner in surprise, Tegan even holding her son's shoulder's as though protecting him from something.
At the sight, Sall just laughs.
" Oh come on. I'm not being "that" bad."
Tegan nods slowly... " Yes love... you "are"."
" Pfft! " he waves a hand vaguely, then grins at Trouble, a gleam in his eye. " Where's your fishing bow son?"
The young lad points vaguely to the door, still surprised by his dad's unusual cheeryness. " I.. left it at.. Tyra's... I was... showing her...." the young boy suddenly blinks, and a gleam appears in his little eyes and a wide grin, mirroring Sall's.
" We're... going fishing?" he pipes excitedly.
" Too bloody right we are son... go get your stuff. Hell... tell Tyra she can come along too... and the little one.. Drakkie."
" Woohoo!" with a cheerful cry, Trouble darts towards the door, pausing for a brief moment by the hat-stand, where Screech the monkey suddenly leaps from inside his coat and onto the lad's shoulders. In an instant, he's out the door and racing up the street, the monkey clinging for dear life to his shoulders.
" Oh.. and what am -I- supposed to do while your gone Mr Tempest?" Tegan says with a grin, hands on her hips as though being stubborn.
The gleam still in his eye, holding onto the towel around his waist, Sall indulges in a little impromptu dance step towards her.
" And who said... my dear Angel of Rescue... that you were staying here... huh...." he chuckles, clasping her hands and forcing her to dance around the room with him.
" ... who said... I didn't have something nice planned for you too... huh? Nice camp fire... some roasted nuts on the fire, steamed fish, I even bought some Xeenite wine... which of course...." holds a hand up innocently, " .. which of course... I won't touch. All for you. And while the kids are off fishing.. .we can lay by the stream and...."
He leans forward, cupping her chin in his hands and kissing her softly.
Sighing, she looks up at him, a grin curling on her face.
" We can "what" Mr Tempest?"
He shrugs slightly,a huge grin on his face, and the movement drops the towel to the floor.
-
** curled up on the sofa, his feet sprawled across the arms, Sall begins scribbling in his journal whilst the house is empty **
Well... what to say. Confession time I guess. Of course.. this is just for me.
So... a visit to a Casion, and it was blatantly obvious the bugger's were cheating. I thought I figured it out... and... being a little over-confident... I thought I'd teach them a lesson.
So I bet 100000 True.
Seemed like a good idea at the time.
I dont know how, but they still beat me... and before I knew it.. I was being dragged aside by the guards to cough up my wager.
Well... er... obviously, I couldn't afford it. So... only one alternative. They shipped me off to see the wizard who apparently owned the Casino, and he offered me a way out.
Be a Guinea pig... basically... for his little experiments.
Well... owing 100000 True and the thought of Tegan finding out and reducing me to a pile of ashes... I agreed to it.
It would have been straight forward... only... well... the Wizard swapped our... er... minds... mine into a Goblin... and a Goblins into mine. Only trouble bloody was... the Goblin in my body broke free, killed the wizard and made a run for it... and.. I didn't have much choice but to try and chase after him.
Strange thing about goblins.
Small minds... but not dumb. I kept forgetting things... always, and had to find other ways to remember.
I remembered who I was... but only remembered three people. Tegan.... Trouble.... and Valaria.
It's obvious to me why I only remembered those three... but... just seems strange how my mind was so selective.
Their mouths and jaws are... obviously different. Having used my own for nearly 40 years... I just couldn't seem to manage speak clearly.
And emotions... their emotions are raw. I found it bloody hard to control them.
Anyway... a lot of trouble came about during that time. Not to mention the fact that bloody Goblin in my body took over a Goblin tribe and started wreaking havoc.
But hell... I sure as hell had the worst of it. Shunned, beaten up, Thank god for some of my friends... they looked past the little goblin and helped me out.
But the worst. Captured. I'm not even sure who by... by they were after some magic bowl I came across.
So they stole it... threw me in a cage... and tortured the hell out of me for information about it.
Well... I didn't know anything about it... but it didn't stop them. They cut me up, broke my arms, stretched me on the rack... it... was.... nightmarish.
Somehow... I managed to pifler the key off the guard when they threw me in the cage one night... and... although it's still a bit of a blur... I somehow escaped.
And... this... is for me only. I gave up that day.
I couldn't take it no more.
And climbed up one of the cliffs of the Ire mountains... ready to throw myself off and end it all.
Heh... I couldn't do it.
So... terrified... I just wandered about, keeping out of sight.
Until she found me. My Angel of Mercy.
Within a few minutes... she tried to remind me who I was supposed to be. That didn't affect me too much... all she reminded me was what I "really" wanted. To get home... be with her and Trouble.
So... I picked myself up and.... a few days later... myself, and many of my friends who risked a lot for me... found our way back to the wizard, the Goblin Sall version tied up and in tow behind us.
And what was needed to turn me back to normal?
Strange as it bloody sounds... the Scion.
I always knew I was supposed to have that thing. Never thought for a single bloody moment it was for this.
And that was it... back to normal... er... aside from a little er... contagion my body had picked up whilst... er... apparently... er... associating with some Goblin women. Thank god Grohin kept his mouth shut about that.
So... Im back to normal. But... a site wiser.
I owe some people a lot... a hell of a lot... and I owe one person more.
Jaigan found me... told me he was there the day they captured me. And he confirmed one name I'd had in my head.... though I didnt know why.
Travie.
He had something to do with me being captured and tortured... and with the bowl too.
He's on my list now.
I don't care what the bowl was... what it does... or even how I got it.
What bloody ticks me off is they took it... and beat seven shades of out of me to get it.
Well... lets see if I can't return the favour. I'll work on Travie first... see where it leads me.
And next....
Godim.
He fell... the magical heart of the Explorer's has fallen... and I wasn't even around. Of everyone, I thought he would be the last to go.
And so.. it seem's the Guild I made so many years ago is falling.
Godim's lost... Val's somewhere on Voltrex, and after our last meeting, I'm not sure if I'll ever see her... and Shamur's off traveling far and wide, which is a shame, considering Muireann herself seems to be a mess lately. Always looking ill... and always trying to tell me she's "fine". Heh.. she must think Im stupid.
But... the Guild. So many lost. And Beli's asking if maybe's we should start a membership drive... get new members in.
Im not sure about it though. I can't " replace " these people.. .Godim... Val... Shamur. They "were" the Explorer's. I guess I just can't see it being the same without him.
Besides... I don't have the time at the moment.
Trouble. Godim's death hit him hard... both me and Tegan noticed. He's so serious and distant lately. Despite my attempts to bring him back out of it... I think he changed a little the day his uncle died.
I've no doubt he'll be fine... the little guys nearly hitting ten and seems to be tougher and smarter than I ever was.
And as for Tegan... I'm trying my hardest to keep out of trouble, if just for her sakes.
Me and Rain got kicked out of court during Khuren's Trial, and he had some idea about breaking back inside to keep an eye on some suspicious woman he saw. Normally.. I'd have been a step behind him.
But I told him no this time.
An anonimous letter turned up, asking me to find a way to remove the spells and grates keeping the Druid locked up. Again, normally, I would have went and poked about.
Not this time. I'll wait for a thumbs up from Tegs before I do anything stupid again.
Well.. that's it for now.
* Sall clambers to his feet, clenches and unclenches his aching hand, and slides the journal back into its hidden position. Then, he wanders off for a bath. *
-
Well.. Ive been good... kept out of trouble. Not much trouble I can cause running back and forth making potions and doing little escort jobs.
A little trip to the Rift and Thunderpeaks with Barion... which didnt go well for him either time. I think he's getting a bit reckless.
And another trip with the Ravens to the Rift... which worked out much better. We came back with a whole pile of diamonds and ore... which I realised I didn't really need anyway. They certainly are a tough bloody bunch... bit weird and addled in the head... but tough.
Muir's still acting weird... and strange enough... Hardy didn't seem to know a thing about her being ill... but asked if I knew about Bob. Well... I weren't sure I should tell the bugger anything... so played it dumb and said I didn't have a clue. Bit strange him not knowing about Muir... I mean... she's supposed to be his priestess... he should know things like this.
And speaking of Priiestess's.... mine came back to throw my world around again. Always a joy to see her, but she always seems to confuse me and get some kind of reaction from me. We talked a lot... things came out again... but in the end she left.. leaving the same haunting words from last time which still cling to me.
but... a day or two later... I got a note from someone... telling me I had to chose... Valeria or my son. I can only assume someone was watching, and now things they got something over me... some leverage... something to bribe or blackmail me with.
Anyway... met up with Tegs... did a little Iron mining, and she pointed out to me what her and others had noticed. I'd been turning down too many trips, too many adventures, playing it safe for too long...
... she said she didn't mind if I went off and rocked some boats... so long as I didn't keep anything from her.
So... I bit the arrowhead... and told her everything about Val and the letter. I even confessed to the kiss.
I... dont think she liked it... but... at least she knows the whole story.
So now... if some bugger comes up and tries to blackmail me over it... heh... I'm free to smash their face in for trying to stir trouble.
-
An Avatar of Pyrtech... I confess I have no idea what the hell that is. Times like this I wish I'd gone to school.
A lot of people talked for a long time about a lot of things... and ... through the most of it.. I seemed to just nod along, pretending I knew what they were talking about... or threw in some rather stupid ideas or theories.
One thing was apparent though... this seemed to tie in a lot of thing's Id been hearing about lately... and gave me some clarity on what some people had been doing.
Another Rift run with Val and the charmingly bizzarre group that is the Ravens ended in a long discussion about this Avatar. They seem to have a ... slight idea of what to do... not that I bloody like it. But... seems me and Tegs may have a slight part to play in it.
So.. once again... seems the two of us may shake the hornets nest and see what flies out.
Danger came to Wayfare in the form of some undead attacks, and me and a few others found ourselves helping out. Found an old crypt which some Lich type creature had seemed to breathe new life into. We managed our way through it, and cleared the crypt of the undead... but the Lich did a sharp exit... thankfully. Not sure I would have wanted to battle it.
But... at the end... three goblins, under the disguise of being halflings, were hailed as heroes by the people of Wayfare. By Folian that made me smile.
Bumped into Val a few more times... and like the old days... we stormed across Dregar like the old Ranger and Priestess, not much getting in our way. It's great to travel with her but... there's a wedge there now.... something we try to keep hidden and not talk about...but... we know its there.
We bumped into Tegan on that expedition... and... she was... distant, uncomfortable with me being with Val. Which... she had a right to be I guess.
A little talk with "still ill" Muir taught me a few things. But a selfish git I dont think I am. I'll always be Val's so-called Ranger... but... I'll also always belong to Tegan. How the hell am I supposed to keep that title without hurting Tegs?
Me and Trouble's opened up our little Carpentry shop. The lads excelling in some things now... woodwork being one. And... his ability's with animals now is bloody astounding. He can communicate with all kinds of creatures with ease... like... like it was a second language. We spent to long teaching him elven... only to find he taught himself to speak to Animals even better.
He's getting opiniated too. Wouldn't let me chop down no branches from the trees for our work... until we'd checked the ground around them for fallen ones we could use.
Heh... clever bugger. Love that kid.
I know Tegs mentioned she could sense the weave growing in him.,.. but... I aint seen nothing of it. Hell.. I wouldnt even know what to look for. I'll leave that to her... and just hope he dont accidentaly burn the house down or anything.
-
Kids... heh
Seem's Trouble and Tyra are becoming quite the mischeivous duo.
Shiff aint exactly said who was to blame... but seems Trouble and Tyra decided to fill his old couch full of arrows and set it alight.
I laughed at the time... just seemed kinda hilarious... I had pictures in my head of Shiff and Val running around franticaly trying to put it out and reprimand the both of them.
Heh.. I shouldn't laugh really. Teg's seemed to think it was a bit serious at the time...but...kids will be kids I guess.
Got a strange proposal from Barion in regards to the OrcBashers. Not too sure what to make of it... but I've put it to the Explorer's to see what they think.
In honesty, I think it would be a good idea... and... I think I'd quite enjoy it... the Explorer's have been quiet as of late... but... I'll wait to see how the wind blows.
I think I might be in trouble again. All thanks to a flirty daughter of Rain's called Sil and her drinking spree in a tavern. Hells.. how blunt do I have to be? I think the lass just aint used to taking no as answer.
Me and Trouble's finished our order's for the carpentry shop... and got another order in from Jaigan just this morning. Still... it's all small things at the moment.. small True. Why can't some bugger order a Yew bow or something... fill my bank account up again. There's a set of armour the Raven's might have in stock Im just dying to splash out on.
-
Well.. I... dont know what to make of this.
I confess.... I'm scared of anything Weave related. It's become obvious I aint got a single magical bone in my body... nor any understanding of it.
A few people of course manage to reduce that fear... Tegan, Val, Godim....
.. so anything magical I refer to Tegan.
But when she told me about the accident with the chisel, cutting her hand open and Trouble somehow managing to heal it a little... I thought " Whoa! Well.. thank Folian Teg's will know what to do."
But then to have her tell it was neither magical or Divine weave that healed her... well... Im at a bloody loss.
We talked about it a fair bit whilst Trouble was out doing whatever it is he does. Nearly ten now... he still seems like a child to me... but... acts so grown up at times.
It was Grohin who suggested, in his own elegant words, the magic may be "Tree hugger" related. Naturistic in... er... nature.
So me and Tegs talked a bit... wandered... and talked some more. What do we do? If anything?
I'll quickly interject her with something... though its hardly a prime point at the moment. But just so I remember.
We found Travie. I tried to take Tegs on a little holiday break. Few days up in Audiria, catching a tan, swimming in the sea.....
.... but we found Travie in the Inn we planned on staying. I felt a little guilty sending Tegs in to flirt with him and throw him off guard... especially considering she did it really well.
But hell.. i was two feet away... and we learnt plenty about where the bowl may be.
But anyway....
** Sall looks up from his journal, sprawled on the bed as he hears his name being called **
Well... Boon told us some... not so encouraging stories about Druids. And it was at that point we realised... we.. basically... just had to sit him down and have a talk.
** Sall sighs softly, a concerned look on his face as he snaps the journal shut, lifts up the loose floorboard and hides his journal underneath, ensuring the floorboard is replaced perfectly.
Leaping off the bed and smoothing down the creases of his coat, he opens the bedroom door to see Tegan waiting for him, a smile there but, a serious and worried expression also.
Taking her hand with a reassuring smlie, they walk into the living room, where Trouble sits on the couch,with Screech on his shoulder. His expression becomes nervous as they walk in, and the monkey, seeming to finnaly agree with the parents, leaps off his shoulder, skitters along the floor and clambers up on Tegans shoulder*
Son.... me and your mother would like to have a word.
** with that, the two sit on the couch, and start a conversation that could never be found in any parental instruction manual.... anywhere **
-
Well... I can't find Tegan's journal anywhere. I don't know where she's hid it... but she hid it bloody well. She's up to something... always seems tight-lipped or, making exscuses.
Plus... she's spending more time with Trouble at the moment, and, apparently, the little guy's learning to control his weave. Which leaves me sat about with little to do. So, made myself busy.
One hundred True fine for a re-paint of the Hall of Weave's Ceiling! I could paint the whole sodding building for that!
Yeah... so what if some of my potions kinda... scorch the ceiling and er... billow a lot of smoke about. I don't seem them charging those Infuser's for floor damage. I mean seriously... all the Infuser's bench's look like some wizard just blew up next to it... but I have to pay for ceiling damage? Bloody joke.
Muireann. The sneaky, sly bloody wench she is. Basically bribed me into lending her some "help" with something in the future... something I may not bloody like. All so I could get my hands on some old book and a document, she twisted my words and plied this and pointed out that.
Stupid woman. All she had to do was ask for help and I would have said okay. Instead she spent nearly two hours negotiating this and twisting that.
Raven's dragged me off on another interesting jaunt. I swear... where do they come up with the idea's to head off to these bizzare bloody places. Shadow Temple or something... lots of Monks running around and kicking and punching.
Still, nice library, and I grabbed myself a book for some... heh... light reading.
Also got some kind of Horn Alantha very neatly ripped off the head of a Balor... said its got some use to it, so I snatched it up before I headed home.
Don't know how... but Pyyran's found out I got it... and sent me a letter.
" Heard you got something useful I could use. Im interested. Leave it in my study for me."
Heh.. yeah... right mate. Why don't I pass you my good front teeth and my healthy kidney while I'm at it huh.
-
Trouble's getting a little sneaky. I aint sure where he's going.. .but he's wandering off for hours at a time by himself... but telling me and his mom he's off to see Tyra and Drakie. But... when we nip around to take him home... they're telling us they haven't seen him all day.
Aint good for a 11 year old to be doing this... gonna have to follow the bugger... see where the hell he's been going.
Our little carpentry shop's getting some bloody good business... and we're working our butts off to keep up. Just wish someone would turn up with those bloody Dusts of Appearance before I have to withdraw all the Hunter bow line.
Being trying to keep out of trouble, but, not as much as before. Been wandering the Ire mountains awhile now. I know there's some temple or little base for those bloody Coraths, and Im sure thats where they took me. On one ramble, I actually stumbled upon some of them talking, and managed to eavesdrop. Bits and pieces, about artifact's and such.
Had Gork in tow, but, we got spotted and attacked, the last Corath managing to bloody escape.
Muir. How bizzarre.
The meeting with the Orc Basher's didn't go well at all, simply because she was with us. I was put on the spot.... and well, yeah, I guess she is an Explorer, she's been with us for years. But... a merger that could have strengthened both guilds is gone now.
However, Muir's an official now. Not sure what difference it will make, between looking after Trouble, keeping the Carpentry shop running and following my little "leads".. I hardly have time for anything else.
Bizzarrer though... she fessed up about what's been wrong with her... always being ill. I gotta say... that was a bloody breakthrough, finnally telling me, even for her. Just hope she knows what the hell she's doing.
Another wander off somewhere with the Ravens, with Kobal and a few others. They may be reckless and, go some pretty strange bloody places, but I noticed, if things look bad, they watch your back. They seem to have a fondness for taking the mickey out of me... and yet... never take it too far.
I reckon one day, I'll snap and explode on them... just for fun... just to see what happens.
And.... no the news. Tegan says Bear and Abi are getting married....
... she also says Trith and Clover are getting married?!?
What the hell?? Aint that fast?
It made me a little nervous hearing it. Me and Tegs have been together 16 years... and... not a ring between us.
Makes me wonder. Should I? Would it matter? Or is this something I should have done so long ago... doing it now wouldn't make an ounce of difference.
-
Worked my butt off I did. More sandpaper than I ever used for Yew before, and I got blisters all over my hand, making something as small as that. The leaf effect and blossom in the centre took me even longer. It had to be perfect. And ever time I felt myself getting a little weary or sloppy.. I put it down and left it.
Of all the things.. I'll be damned if Im doing this half arsed.
Trouble. What to say.
It's Folians grove he's going to. I woke one morning, heard him mooching about in the cupboards, and leaving Tegs still snoring in bed... i followed him.
He took Screech with him, no surprise there, and seems to have either found or made his own little short path to get him close to Folians grove pretty bloody quick. Quicker than I ever knew.
I almost screamed and drew my swords when I saw him walk casually over to Old Grumpy, the resident grizzly bear of that part of the woods.
Well... I couldn't help it. A bloody tear came to my eye.
I'll be damned if that huge old bear didn't lumber over to my son, nuzzle him, toss him onto its old shoulders and carry him around like it was entertaining a guest.
Damndest thing I ever saw.
Gonna be something special that kid. I know it already.
Trith's marriage. And.. Im the best man. Hell.. not even sure what I should do for it. Im was hoping a visit to the Temple of Xeen in Katherian might have been good enough.. but Tegs kinda looked at me funny and said it might not be such a good idea for someone supposedly getting married the next day.
-
So... been quiet lately... kind of.
Teg's is moody as hell... and I mean moody. Nothing like the monthly thing or the time I went away for a few weeks without a word... or when I kinda locked the two of us outside the house, leaving Trouble inside in the cot on his own.
But I mean real moody. I haven't suffered any permanent damage or anything that requires a visit to a Cleric... but its in the post.. .I can feel it.
She won't tell me whats wrong... but Trith's involved somehow. He keeps pestering her or bugging her about something... and wont let it drop... although I aint got a clue what that is.
Well... enoughs abloody enough. Gonna find him and tell him to shut it. He aint the one gotta creep around the house all quiet for fear of a fiery arrow flying for his head. As if her fetish over me wearing pink shirts wasn't enough.. now I got this.
Besides... I gotta a little more "claim" to be intefering now.
I'd made her a ring, in secret. Carved and polished from my last Yew branch. Took me ages to make. Not as a wedding ring or engagement ring or anything... just as a... " here love... here's a ring... er... just because."
But... could never find the right moment to give her it. Thankfully... she found the right time for me.
Walked through the gates of Hempstead and there she was, hot little vixen she is. Had something for me... been keeping it in that bag of hers for ages now. So.. a little warily... I did what she said... and turned around and closed my eyes.
Well... in true dwarven style.... she pulled out a shovel, whacked me smartly across the head with it... and claimed me as her own.
I aint kidding.... it bloody hurt! And lay there on the floor, looking up, a little dazed.... I could hear Marcus's voice in the distance, saying some kind of wedding vows or something, and people grabbing and shaking my hand congratulating me.
So.. when Tad checked and made sure there was no permanent damage.. I gave her the ring.
Mr and Mrs Tempest. Heh! I would never have thought it.
We celebrated with Trouble good style when we got home... which I was surprised to find he was actually home for a change.
-
So... the tale is... Vampire's are abound.
Oh.. I believed it. I'd heard what happened to Abi and Bear, and I think it was Kry's wife who apparently got kidnapped by one... poor lass. All this I heard from Storold and Sala's conversation.
But usually.. I hear these rumour's... and see nothing about them for myself.
Well.. until I went out venturing across Dregar. Poor kid came running right up to us.... terrified... and not one of them... Ark, Jaelle, Gravas, Argail, Brian, not one of them knew what to do with a terrified child.
Well... I put on my "daddy" head and calmed the lad down, and found out what happened. Ticked me off big time.
Whole family killed by Vamps... or... possibly all.
And it would have been all. We tracked them to the woods near the Back-bone mountains... and thanks to Brians scouting and Ark's " Baiting" Techniques... which I gotta say... when I saw him dart past me with a dozen vampires chasing him... are sadly lacking. But still... he did it long enough for me and Brian to grab that lass from the back of the wagon and drag her to safety.
And Trouble! This ticked me too! Tegs says he wants to go and spend a week in Folians woods....
...alone!
Is he bloody kidding me... a close to twelve year old kid... spending a week in the woods alone? And he asked Tegs to ask me?!
Not a bloody chance!
One night.. thats what he can have. And unbeknownst to him... I'll keep hidden to the shadows and watch every move he makes the entire night.
Yes... I know Folians Grove is sacred and safe... but it dont mean Im stupid enough to let him roam around it for a week alone.
He could fall down a cliff, into a river... hell.. there "is" a balance... and Im sure children are part of the bloody food chain there too!
-
I'm starting to feel... kind of useful again.
A chance encounter with Miss AnnaLee in the Whitehorn stirred up some old memories... back to the days of the fiasco in New Haven.. .the er.. whole "Mayor killing...mayor reviving... mayor torturing" situation.
I still kind of think it was her fault it went bad.... and she still thinks she did the right think... but hell... that story was way too old for me to still hold a grudge. Anyway... we got ourselves mixed up in this whole trouble going on with Leringard... Tegs too of course....no surprise there. Where trouble follows me... it follows her... where it follows her... it follows me.
Anyway... Miss Lee expressed some er... concerns over one of the Leringard guards... so off I went to do a bit snooping.
Then... a letter came from Beli... a request for me to find someone for him. When I read his letter, I was kinda surprised he needed me to find this person... especially if what this person knew had such er... an important impact on what was going on.
But... I sent that good old halfling Delivery service business out... and sure enough... I've got a lead to go on. Just gotta find the dwarf... and see if he can lead me to this Rufus.
Trouble's dropped his "let me be alone in the woods" request... mainly after him and Tyra got into some bother with some hunter's or something out in the woods. Still... I'm surprised they eventually told us at all.... so I gave him credit for that.
I think he's still a little scared though... doesn't want to leave the house much at the moment incase they come looking for him. So.... despite the constant earbashing he gave me before... I've let him come along to make these new bows Im busy with.
Unbeknownst to him though... once he's feeling a little better... me and Tegs have decided to ground him for awhile. She thinks its likely to backfire on us... and in honesty I agree.. but hell... can't have him doing what he likes when he likes.
And poor Tegs. Heh... she's so easy. I keep joking on about kicking Trouble out the house or putting him up for adoption... and I think she "really" believes I'm serious. I wind her up for hours and hours... laughing my back off.
Heh.. marriage aint so bad.. but then... nothing seems to have changed anyways.
-
Bloody horses!
We'd set up Trouble with a babysitter....er...sorry... I'm not "allowed" to use that word no more *rolls his eyes as he writes*
We'd set up Trouble with a "housewatcher" and headed off to Orc's watch for a night in the Inn. A bard was supposed to be playing...a few drinks... an early night away from all the bloody animals swooping down on our home and those incessent bloody woodpeckers in the attic!
Trouble say's he doesn't know why they're here... but I know fine well he does. Hell.... all he has to do is ask them... which I think he's already done. Seems strange they all bloody turn up "after" we ground him.
The neighbours have been complaining about deers in their garden and rabbits eating their vegetables... even one of those sodding dwarven guards stopped me and told me matter-of-fact it will "not" be tolerated for long.
*he sighs and mutters a little as he tilts his head, hearing the sound of Trouble's music blasting from the bedroom, then shakes his head and goes on writing*
Anyway... horses and Orcs watch. Some horses had been stolen... and true to her ways... Tegs was already caught... wrapped up in the middle of it. So I joined in... and headed off to Blackfeather mountains.
It was only a bloody slip of the tongue... I never even realised what she was angry for till later. We needed something to pick up the scent... and someone asked if that wolf still followed me about.
" Igrio?" I said... " Nah.... he went off and joined up with MY Priestess a few years back."
It was said innocent enough... but... she blew her top... sputtering " My?! My?!?"
So... I tried to play nice and be nice... even crept up and followed her when she decided to follow a set of trails with Jin and Serg and Brian. But she's still mad... and... I'm not sure why to be honest... but Val is such a touchy subject between us... i really dont wanna stir it more.
Anyway...we of course... found the horses... and low and behold... killed off the mad wizard responsible. Er... with... a little help here and there of course.
So of course... after that... no free night... no drinks.. no bard... straight back home... where Im expecting the silent treatment for awhile.
*he sighs again, folding the journal and laying back on the bed, arms behind his head, toying with the holy symbol of Folian about his neck, and staring aimlessly at the toy snow Globe of a Golden Dragon on the bedtable*
-
Oh how my life can suck! Let me count the ways!
* Sall simply storms into the house, flings his journal off the wall and curls up into bed miserably.
A few moments later... he hears the familiar sound of Trouble's music blaring from the bedroom. For a brief second, a smile plays on his lips...
... then he curses and drags the quilt up and over his head, falling into a fitful sleep.*
-
** Sprawled out on the couch, nibbling absently on some blueberry pie, Sall scratches away contently in his journal*
Okay... maybe I was a little presumptious. Not too sure what it was that got me down to be honest.
Maybe's it was the big fight with Muireann...
the fact Tegs had seemed so different and distant lately...
or that Beli leaving for the OrcBasher's finnaly drove home the fact that the Explorer's was gone.
Or Maybe's it was the constant arse kicking I'd been receiving lately from things I should be able to handle.
Or perhaps Trouble's rebellious finnaly stressed me too much.
What ever it was. I dealt with it badly.
But things are better now.
Muireann I know will talk to me... she always does... no matter how much we fight. She's still got the whole ....erm.... traveler with her... sucking her will on a daily basis. Oh I could rant and rave and tell her she's nuts... but... what good would it do.
Tegs isn't growing apart from me. Just cause she's wearing a new dress alot lately doesn't mean she's having an affair... no matter what Ark says about this Balth guy. Don't know why I even thought of that.
There's definetly something bugging her... but after the little arguement outside Phall... I don't think its all about me. Sure... the whole tongue slip about "My Priestess" still bothers here.. but that aint all of it.
Best make some time for her... which I should have bloody done ages ago. Find out whats stirring her and... well.. do the husband thing.
I've known the Explorer's were dead for a long time now. The name's no longer needed. It served its purpose... and name or not... we're all still the same friends whether in the Guild or not. Maybe's I should just disband it... or hand it all over to Shamur.
And yeah... why I keep trying to be something Im not I dont know. I "cant" fight as well as some people.... thats true. But a few ventures with the Raven's and wander's up the mountains taught me something.
I can do other things they can't. Show me a lock or a trap... and I'm the man. Need something finding... I got eyes like a bloody hawk.
And fighting style? Sure... one on one... I aint got a chance. But if the bad guys busy fighting one of my friends? Hell... I can sneak up behind and hit him where it hurts... and holy hells does it hurt.
And Trouble... sure... he won his little point with us... or thinks he did. Had to unground him when all the animals showing up got er... kinda out of hand.
But he's growing fast... real fast. Either that... or time's flying by.
Fourteen he'll be soon... but he's so grown up. And the thing's hes able to do... control animals and plants and such. Sure... I've seen this from Druids before... but this is my son.
Can't even begin to explain how proud I am when I see him do these things. I just smile and watch and think... " bloody hells... thats my son."
** Sall finishes up quickly, hearing the door knock. In the margin, he writes a few notes for what he needs to enter next time**
The Artificer's lair... the diary and what we found
Looking into Phall... Bastion the Protector
The Dusty book and the Ravens trip... and the Portal shard.... and Allei's secret love for me
-
Trouble's 14th Birthday was a little while back. Was a fun day. He dropped all this rebelliousness and argumentative attitude... and became our son again for the day. He spent most the morning out with Tyra and Drakie of course... but the afternoon we went to Folian's grove... where we had a little picnic... told a few stories... and Tegs put on a magicky light show for him... which scared the wits out of his bear Old Grumpy. Trouble had to go chasing off to bring it back.
We also, with several others, found the lair of this "artificer" Padraigh wanted us to find. I managed to find a diary in an old cupboard down there... but the place was a mess. From the looks of it... the things this Artificer had built actually turned against him. Just waiting now to sift through the old pages and see what it all says.
Also joined Sasha. She'd heard rumours about Phall and something to do with the Green Dragon Cult me and Tegs had been in bother with. Well... the group slit up and made our way there... and holy hells!
They have a Dragon... called Bastion.... that does the bidding of the town and Lord there. But! The bloody thing is poisoned! With the same stuff me and Tegs stole from the Leringard arms and gave to Q.
Not only that.... whilst helping out some merchanteers in Audiria... we stormed what we thought was a "basic" pirate cove. Like hell was it!
The Sederan army stormed the place, and in the midst of the fighting, a gold Dragon turned up, posioned too! It took out a huge portion of the pirates before flying off west!
Someone's doing this... and I'll bet my butt its these Green Dragon Cults.
I've tried a lot lately to keep out of trouble... not get too involved...
...but...
... this is getting bloody serious.
Me and Tegs... kind of ... hit a bad patch. I thought she was distancing herself from me... she thought I was from her. Guess I'd become comfortable.. it had been a long time since we traveled just for the hell of it... none work involved... or we'd sat down just to talk about things not concerning Trouble or what the house needed or who was fetching This and That from the shops.
I'm trying to make amends... same as her... but after finding Triths parents... the father who... apparently... is "her" father too... I think she may be more confused than normal. But... we helped Trith deal with the Vampire trouble... and by Folian... the Tempest's did well that day.
So... I'll speak to her about it first... but I think we need to poke our noses into this Poisoned Dragon trouble... see if we can't help out again.
Hmm.. what else.
Ravens trip... managed to tag along a few times lately.
First off to... I dont even recall the name... this kingdom... and an old castle.
I bloody swear... Emeralds and Mithril and piles of gold just lying around the bloody place! But could I touch it? Oh no... all went to the Foundation... not that I minded so much.
Me and Angy helped out some Toranites clear up some undead... which.. to my joy... allowed me to stick a thorn in the Corath's backside.
Allei snatched me up for some Iron and wood gathering. Seems she's wanting to build herself a house in Stort or Nith or somewhere.. so think I'll be nice guy and see whats lying around the wood shop for her.
And Linny... knocking me on my butt again with her spells whilst we raided the pirate island. Still... she kept calling me over and keeping me warded. She didn't need to... so... Im thankful for that.
They may be a bloody crazy bunch... but they aint bad.
Bloody hells... I've rambled a bit today.
-
** Lay comfortably in the bath, the room slowly filling up with steam to the point it was getting diffiuclt to see the opposite wall, Sall hummed an old Leringard tune to himself as he lazed and soaked contently.
Then the sound of the front door being banged upon sounded, and he tilted his head.**
"Tegs! Door!" he shouted
*no reply*
" Trouble! Door!"
*again, no reply, and the door banged again, louder and more impatient.*
"For Folians sake!" he muttered, and clambered out the bath, wrapping a towel around his waist and padding out the bathroom and down the hall, leaving squelchy wet footprint marks behind him.
At one point, he slipped and nearly went flying backwards if it was'nt for the coat rack by the door. But in his haste, he pulled the coat rack to the floor with a clatter, hats and coats flying across the floor, and Screech, who had been soundly asleep on the top, suddenly screamed and screeched in panic, leaping up to the ceiling roofbeams and skittering about them.
Less than amused... he swung the door wide open.
Two young girls stood there... .at first smiling innocently with a giggle in their eyes and dressed rather prettily. But upon seeing the rather disgruntled and semi-naked Sallaron stood in full view of the doorway... their mouths dropped open and they glanced at each other, unsure what to do.
Sall, a little flustered and embarresed, quickly hid behind the door and poked his head around the corner.*
" Ermm... something I can do for you young ladies?" he coughed, a little embarresed.
*The young girls quickly regained their compsure and peered past Sall and down the hallway, apparently hoping to get a glimpse of someone.*
" Oh... Hello Mr Tempest. Is Trouble in? Can he come out to play?" they piped shlyly, one of the girls giggling and nudging her friend when they spoke Trouble's name.
" Trouble? Erm... he's not in I'm afraid. Probably out with Tyra somewhere or other. Er... you want me to leave him a message?"
*One of the girls frowned a little and glanced at her friend at the mention of Tyra. But the other girl simply sighed and shook her head.*
"No.. that's okay Mr Tempest. We'll come back later. Oh.. and my Mom said to say thank you to Mrs Tempest. Her pies went down well at the birthday party."
* Sall simply nodded and smiled, still only his head visible behind the door. *
" I certainly will. Be good ladies" he said, and closed the door slowly while one girl still seemed intent on peering down the hallway.
With a sigh and a chuckle Sall locked the door and began padding down the hallway back to the bath....
.. a few moments later, a squelchy skidding mark could be heard, followed by a loud thump and the sound of plates and cups shattering on the floor.
Not two seconds later a loud " BUGGERRR!!!" could be heard from outside the house.*
-
*hunched over the table, Sall scribbles neatly on various posters of his " Sallaron and Trouble Tempest Carpentry shop", adding an extra line in large print along the bottom. He sighs with every copy he completes, until he has a large pile next to him.
Tegan sneaks up behind him and leans across, massaging his shoulders and reading one of the posters out loud*
" Due to time constraints,a lazy teenager *she chuckles at this* , bulk and type of orders, and the fact I am bloody exhausted... Sallaron and Trouble Tempest Carpenter's are taking an extended holiday. For the moment... no new order's will be taken.
Order's already taken will be honoured?? Sall... your closing shop?"
*he turns and smiles up at her*
" Hell no sweets. But Im bloody knackered. All I ever to from morning to night is run here and there, make this and that... and to be honest... it's for True we don't really need. I mean... it's not like we're starving or anything.
I want to get out more. Lie about Hempstead... go off with folks doing the usual stuff I used to bloody do."
*she smiles down and gives him a nod*
" True... very True. But you better not be thinking of lazing about the house Captain. If your not going to be working... Im sure I can find some house chores for you."
*Sall chuckles and pats her hand*
" Oh joy."
-
So... despite my attempts to go on holiday and take a break from work... Im "still" running around like a headless chicken making this and that. The Saddlebags order's out the way, now there's just Kobal's parts for his bow ( I never want to make another one of those bows as long as I live!) and Caerwyn's parts.
But... despite the want to move away from work... something sprung to mind... and I'm making investigations into it.
A boat.
Always wanted one... I know how to sail pretty bloody good... and a nice, run down old barge or something I could do up and take off in sounds like a dream.
Sure... it's more work... but its a different kind of work.
Dragons are getting about these days. Me and Tegs joined with some to track down and find Earth Whisperer. Contaminated by the poison, it went on a wild rampage, and despite our best attempts... we couldn't help it.
Although, the Voice of Fisterion came to take it to the Red Dragon itself, it's escaped and is loose again.
Also, I've started making notes on a book... regarding adventuring. And lately, I've taken some pretty good notes. Regarding a Priestess trying to track down some old Poems and works of Art.
I swear, these people have no idea why the items are being collected, how much danger theyre getting into, they even know its likely they're "not" being told the whole truth about what theyre getting into... but STILL they just agree and go along.
No planning or considering consequences what-so-ever.
I mean, after seeing Voon fall in the crypts... how can I risk my neck for a seven hundred year old poem... or a tattered old painting done by some dead guy whose name I cant even remember!
What else.. oh... me and Teg's are making trips across Belinara.
I gotta say... we kicked some bloody butt that day! Took down a legendary bear that had moved to the cave to die... and gathered some Yew... despite the Guardians throwing spells at us like it was confetti.
After that, I must confess, I er... felt a bit more confident with what I could do.
So.... I dropped into the Explorer's Guildhall and left a note...
... and they replied.
Been years since we gathered to put our minds to something! Cant wait to get back out on the road with them.
-
That bloody woman! Don't know whats bit her butt.. but of course... whatever it is... all seems to be my bloody fault.
Thunderclapped me.. amongst other things... she's always sharp and ... well... pointy... wouldnt wait for me or grace me with a nice word. If this is just one of those bad months then its a "long" bloody month!
Wondering if because Troubles away exploring she thinks its a chance to spread her.. " Oh yes... I "will" annoy you" wings.
And yes... oh yes... the bloody joy of not working. Which... somehow... ends up with me working "exactly" the same as when I "didnt" want to work.
How the hell that works I dont know!
** Sall mutters and finishes the passage, sliding it into a hole under a looses floor board and curling up, rather uncomfortably, on the couch*
-
" I'm sorry what happened to your wife" Goldy said.
He said it with such... sadness... that.... I felt myself go cold all over... and panic rose up in me.
" Er... what?" was all I could blurt out.
It was that mountain! That stupid sodding bloody mountain and those Giant things that seem to be moving closer and closer to Dalanthar! They jumped them by the lake... and Tegan.... being her usual self... threw herself in the fray to try and save someone.
I almost wanted to throttle Goldy! Theyr'e supposed to keep an eye on her.. protect her! Well they were doing a bloody job!
But then.. I realised... he felt bad about it himself... like he'd let her down.
And now.... she's... she's talking about Wills and.... final requests and.... and.... ugh... I dont know what to bloody do.
The thought of losing her... I... I'm truly not sure... I could handle that. I "know" I couldnt handle that.
I dont want to... and I bloody Refuse to have to handle that!
And there we were, not a few days prior, arguing and fighting or, barely speaking to each other much.
** he sighs as he continues writing*
Anyways... I've finished some work... the Ravens helped me out a lot, mainly for me helping Allei with her house... Alantha wants a....
** he pauses a moment, thoughtful, and swallows a lump in his throat*
.. gah... what does any of that matter.
I'm close to losing my bloody wife.
Nothing else matters.... but that.
-
** The mist of the Thunderpeaks billowed all around, and Sall gazed up thoughtfully, chewing the quill in his hand, wondering where the mist ended and the clouds began. His hand poised over his journal, and had for some time now, uncertain what to write, how to start it, what even to say. The sound of stifled laughter caught his ears a moment, and with a smile, he glanced over to the camp fire, where the rest of the adventurer's caught up in this affair ate and slept and passed the time.
Thoughtfully, he cast his mind back to events a few days previous....*
Tegan woke with a start, bolting upright and gasping for breath.
It wasn't the noise that woke Sall, since she made none. It was just the movement, and just as fast, he woke and sat up, rubbing her shoulders.
" Again?" he asked hesitantly.
She simply nodded, chewing her lip and gazing out the window to the darkness.
" It... its wasn't as... scary this time. It just felt so lonley.And I think its a boy."
Sall arced an eyebrow.
" A boy? The dark figure in your dreams that has you waking up every night... is a little boy?"
Finnaly catching her breath, she just shrugged simply and lay back on the pillows, staring out the window. A little concerned, Sall leant over and rested his head on her shoulders.
" You gonna be... okay while Im gone?"
She smiled and patted his head like a child.
" Of course Captain. It's only a dream. I'm more concerned whether "you" are going to be okay. I... dont like that mountain and what's been going on up there."
Sall grinned a little.
" The mountain I can handle sweets. I'll wager a lot of tough cookies will be going to see the Boymeister about this. Lotta people for me to hide behind. Hell... Im more concerned about this letter to see the Admiral than anything I might find up that bloody mountain. If I come back... we'll head straight to Hurm."
Tegan frowned, and turned on her side to glare at him, moonlight shimmering in her silver hair, her eyes narrowed at him.
" Dont you "if I come back" me Mr Tempest. You bloody well come back in one piece or I'll be coming up there to drag you down kicking and screaming!"
He chuckled and kissed her brow.
" Yes dear. And maybe's after... if your still having these dreams... even though I bloody think they're a bunch of charlatans. Go see one of those er... Sage type.. people. Though personally.... " he smiled before continuing, " I just think its your innate "momliness" waking up. Kinda strange how you get the idea to adopt and then these dreams kick in."
She smiled a little, slyly turning to her side in a seductive manner, mischeif in her eyes, her finger trailing a line up his chest.
And quick as a flash, she whacks her pillow off his head with a thump.
" Innate momliness! Hmmph! For that your making breakfast! Now get to sleep Mr Tempest!"
A little stunned, chuckling to himself, Sall roll's over and curls up to sleep.
-
And he's gone.
Just like that... he packed up some meagre things... borrowed a few True from me to get a boat to Hempstead... and off he goes.
Against my better judgement, I offered him an old sword I had lying around, which he kind of just grimaced at and shook his head.
I'm glad he refused it... because it's the only help im going to give him.
Oh I mean... if he gets into trouble or something... I'll help of course... but financially and.... general "helping"... hell no. He's on his own.
Same as both me and Tegan had to do... he's on his own.
No one was around to give us a silver spoon or helping hand.
If he's gonna learn anything... he's gonna have to do it himself.
-
Five years! Five sodding years I've kept my head down... been good... not getten myself embroiled in any of the usual trouble that used to plague me.
The last time I screwed up... the Goblin change. Well... this bloody pales in comparison.
Payback... catchup... interest... that's what this bloody is!
The children... the four kids.
I was ready to give up... hand myself over... just like Sala did without a moments thought.... though... I took a little longer to get to it.
Then a blur. Im not sure who it was who fired the first arrow... but I just remember being unable to take my eyes of that kid as he fell down the cliff... further and further... faster and faster.... that bandit scum just stood with that twisted smile on his face.
Time seemed to slow down as me and others raced to that tent to save the other three... I guess it did slow down... because we were way too late.
It was all we could do to race to Vehl with their bloodied bodies in our arms.
And that was bad ... but then... like always.... I dealt with it... as best I could.
Maybe's I was a little angry and... troubled by it still. Wanting payback on someone... or something.
Maybe's thats why I eventually agreed to Arwal's proposal.
Oh... I protested about breaking the Alliance sure... but in the end... I agreed... we all did, especially when it seemed we would be shifting the blame to those who were already our enemies anyway.
But for it to come out like this.... tricked... deceived.... blood on our hands, an Alliance broken and the protection of god knows how many protected Dragons thrown to the wind. Who knows how long it will be before the Cult make a move and take control of them. Hell... they could be doing it now for all I know!
And Leringard.
I couldn't bare to stay too long amidst the ash and the fires and... the dead.
I'm not stupid... I know eventually... I'll have to pay for what happened there... we all will. And I will.... gladly.
But not right now.
I've wasted no time getting on the trail of what we stole.... and I'll bloody follow it all the way. Not only to fix what we did... but to get this bloody thing off my chest... literally.
But then... I have a feeling... that both the teeth marks on my shoulder... and the symbol on my chest... no matter how much time passes... these things will never heal.
-
Everyone has a secret.
I don't care who they are... where they come from.. or who they pray to.
Everyone has a secret.
Beli has one.
Not sure why he kept it. I was bloody pleased for him... and about time too. I never asked just "how long" he'd been married for... not that it matters.
He'll be under the thumb now... and I hope to see some mini-Beli's running around in a few years, punching holes in doors and waving their hands at kicking.
Jaelle has one too.
The woman seems to poke her nose in everywhere, snooping out this and that. She knew something about the Mark and Leringard before we even fell in the Well... and I cant help feel she knows more.
If she knew "exactly" what we'd done and what we have to do... why offer help like that? Unless she's got a card up her sleeve or something.
Even Trouble has one.
Think's his dads a drunk. I have to admit... it hit me harder than I thought when Tegs told me.
Seems the young lads been making his mouth go on some adventures out and about... and Im not seen in the nicest of lights by him.
* he sighs miserably as he continues writing*
Not sure what to do about that. Tegs said she'd had words but... if I know Trouble... if he thinks something is as it is... takes a lot to persuade him otherwise.
Should I even try and prove Im not?
And me.
My Secrets.
Oh I got plenty. More than I like.
But sometimes... the best thing about keeping a secret... is not letting them out.
The world turns much sweeter when our friends and families dont know the dark things we've done... or the dark thing's we think about
-
The further north we go.... the more I think I'm in way over my neck.
Find the Tear.
Should have been simple. Hell... it didn't seem so hard stealing it from the King of Dragons. How hard should it be stealing it back from some nutbar Cultists?
Pfft... what the hell did I know.
But I pulled out all the stops anyway.... and accompanied by the most unlikeliest of companions... an elven Sorcerer I have a minor bizzare history with... and with the most craziest of an idea I've ever brewed... which seemed plausible... we made our way into Kuhl together, taking about two weeks.
Should have been simple... make rumours up... stir discontent and shake the boat, let the elven lass poke her nose in here and there and see what's onboard.... basically lay the foundation ready for the rest of the "marked" to go in and cause some real damage.
Well the boats already shaken... hell... it's floundering... bloody sinking!
Fighting in the North of Kuhl... but with what? The tracks me and Jaelle found give me a fair idea of "with what"... but that just dont make sense! Why give control of your towns over to a group... and then march your armies north to fight them? Unless the Queen dont know it's the Cult.... or maybe the Queen aint even in control... or maybe's its like Sasha said... all a ruse.
Barely had much chance to be home as of late. Folian only knows what Tegan and Trouble have been up to these few week's I've been away... the lad came back for a little visit before I left, and Tegan's gone on a whole Ring-making quest of some kind, so I left her a pile of diamonds to play with.
Sometimes I wish I could just stay at home with them... hang up my sword... open the shop back up and forget all about this stuff....
... but then I wake with bad dreams in the night, that bloody carving on my chest burning and aching like the first day I got it.
Maybe's one day.... but not today.
-
** Sall sat huddled against the wall of the cave, Tegan, to everyone's amusement, snoring softly beside him. Muireaan and Ark sat on the opposite side, all trying to dry their clothes off by the small fire, not daring to light anything larger for fear of exposure.
The small one footed deep gnome lay curled up in a ball like a child, probably finding its first night of restful sleep in years.
He eventually pulls his journal from his pack, drying the pages out as best he can and making a best attempt to scribble in it by the light of the small fire.**
I've never before felt so bloody small!
I don't even know what I'm doing here!
If we never get out of here .... if someone ends up reading this .... we just tried to do a good thing ... that's all.
Stop some slaver's ... free some slaves ....
... but to be left so far down in the Deep .... on the brink of a war ....
... its funny but... seeing the operation going on down here, knowing fine well just what effect this will have on the surface.... all the lives that will be lost ... cities probably burnt to the ground... thousands of people enslaved....
... and all I can think of or care about right now is how to get us home.
* he snaps the journal shut quietly and tucks it away, snuggling into Tegan and trying to get some sleep. But the firelight glints a moment of Arkolio's open eyes, and the two of them exchange a moments glance, each reading the silent, dread thoughts of the other. *
-
* Sall lumbered along behind the small convoy of Eye Tyrants, not seeming to get comfortable for a single second with the realisation of what he was following and had agreed to do.
They were a curious creature, their bodies seemed slimy and grotesque and clumsy, but they hovered and glided so gracefully through the air, their many tentacled eyes seeming to work individually to look this way and that.
He'd seen them before of course... many times... and it was hard to shake the fact that each previous time they'd been so intent on killing him... in any way, shape or form possible.
But now to be... pretty much... conscripted!
He glanced behind him at Tegan and Ark and Muir, and at the huge caravan of hundreds of slaves trundling along in carts and processions behind them, Ark still seeming to revel in his claiming of the three girls despite their predicament.
So close! So bloody close!
He could have almost smelt the fresh air and sunshine!
There was even a moment where he didn't give a about what was going to happen on the surface, so long as they all got home safe and sound
... so long as he could put his feet up on the couch....
... wind Tegan up till she decided to Spell him with something....
.... shave down a door or fix up someone's leaking roof...
....even enjoy chasing those bloody raccons out his rubbish bins one more time!
But instead... what do I bloody get?!?
He began mumbling and grumbling quietly to himself, keeping up with the bizzare beholders infront as they led him to... heh... Folian knows where... to do Folian knows what!*
-
Sall takes a deep, shuddering breath and dunks his head into the pond by Dalanthar, whipping his head back out and shaking, sending spray flying from his long black curls.
With a slight frown, he looks to Pik, the little Deep Gnome, who looks back at him and shrugs softly
" They think you be owning them sires... they be look to you for whats to do."
With an irritated mutter, he knocks over a pile of crates beside him and steps atop on, using it as a podium, waving his arms and shouting " Hush! Hush! Shut up!" a few times.
Silence descends, and a thousand eyes turn to him, making him suddenly flush and feel pathetically tiny.
The slaves stood around in various groups, though all collected together as best they could do. Various races, humans, dwarves, gnomes.... all in varying states of exhaustion.
The Dalanthar militia had been called out to keep order the second the 1000 refugee's had stumbled into town, and it was all Sall and Tegan could do to assure them they would be gone by morning. But they were told, quite bluntly, Dalanthar could not and -would- not support the hungry and thirsty mouths of 1000 refugee's at such short notice. For a hefty price, they were fed and watered that one time, but it wouldn't last.
Sall begins shouting across the noise, until he can finnaly lower his voice as the ex-slaves fall silent.
"Okay... folks... folks... FOLKS!"
*it falls even more silent*
" Okay...." *he sighs a moment and looks at Pik, before looking back to the 1000 slaves... " it's er... come to my attention... that you believe your being sent off to work, like you have so many times in the past.
Now... I admit... the way we left... it may seem like that.
But its not. Your free. Your all bloody slaves no more.
Your free... or... at least as free as anyone can be.
Now.. I know your still tired.. but we need to press on further. This town cant support you all.
This man here.... " he with a slightly begruding look as he points to Arkolio, who seems surrounded by three beautiful women, clinging to his every move, " .... is going to get you to Vehl. There... you'll be given a place to live... and if you chose... taught skills to help you ... er... well... live. If you don't want that... er.. .well... your free now... so do what the hell you want."
Sall paused. It occured to him, with so many eyes on him, he should say something clever and inspiring. He racked his brains a moment and came up with nothing, clambering down off the crate just as Ark climbed up to begin his organising.
Not a moment later, a young man in silken gowns with the stamp of Hurms guard on the shoulder came over.
" Mr Tempest... yes? I come with a message from Admiral Red Bear, requesting your presence at the earliest possibility for de-briefing."
Sall groaned a little, running a hand over his face as Tegan came up behind him, massaging his shoulders. For a moment, his eyes had indecision in them, but as the stress ebbed out his ached muscles, he smiled and reached into a pocket, pulling out a sealed letter and handing it to the Hurm guard.
" Give the Admiral this. It's all he needs to know for the moment... and get it to him quickly. Tell him I'll arrive within a week or so to fully debrief him. I er.... have things to attend to first."
Rather surprised at this, the guard took the letter gingerly, slipping it into his belt and looking at Sall.
" Very Well Mr Tempest. But... may I at least know what business keeps you away from the Admiral... so I may advise him when he asks."
Sall simply smiles and wraps an arm around Tegans waist, resting his head on her shoulder.
" Sure. Tell him... er... tell him... I've gone home."
-
It's always the same.... good then bad... good then bad.
After surviving the Deep, breaking the invasion and freeing the slaves... it's seemed like every day after has been the brightest, happiest of days. A trip with Tegan across Belinara made me feel like I was twenty again, we laughed and loved, and I'd never been so happy for a long time....
... until she told me of what my son's been up to. Of all the people, she was the last I thought he'd be with... especially after I warned him away. But I should have known. Tell him to do one thing, and he does another.
That at least I can understand. But Jaelle... after the help I tried to offer.... pfft... I should have seen this stab in the back a long time ago.
I feel nothing but despise for her now.... and yet, I still have to work with her.
Things had moved forward with our search for the Tear and the Cult.
I managed to purchase an audience with the Queen... and whilst it appears they actually know "less" than we did, at least it doesn't seem Kuhl is allied with the Cult like I'd first thought....
... until Jaelle revealed her intent against Bastion. The plan is fool hardy, and may push everything into a confrontation way too early. But as she said.... she has no choice. A part of me.... really doesn't care if her life is on the line... but then another part...
... well, if this attack on Bastion is going to happen regardless, I should really lend a hand. There is a way to help though.... it was as though looking in Sasha's eyes, I could read her same thoughts.
But.... would he? Would he commit to end the Cult? Or, which is more likely, would he do whatever served his own purpose?
And why the hell should it be me that asks? I'd rather not.... but at the moment, I'd rather not bloody lose either.
* he sighs a moment, scratching his neck and glancing around the empty bedroom before writing again*
I guess I'll have to. But first... a word with that son of mine.
A careful word, diplomatic word.... just incase... this word is my last.
-
A perfect day.
Totally.
Even if I'd wanted to... how the hell could I have said no.
-
The Wedding went beautifully.
She turned up... so what more did I need.
And she looked beautiful... like I'd never seen her before.
Purest of white, angelic... with a smile only for me.
By Folian I have to be the luckiest man alive.
We stayed for the party, but not too long.
Said our goodbye's... kept an eye on Trouble, who seemed to be drinking a little too much for my liking... we asked that curious elf lass friend of his to keep an eye on him... and stepped through the portal to Spellgard, spending three days in the finest, most luxurious Inn in town.
Walks by the beach, fine meals in expensive restaraunts, lazy mornings and... early nights.
But word found me... as it always done... with news from Kuhl.
I was torn at the time... but I knew if I didn't go I would regret it. And Tegan understood, and made me promise we continue our honeymoon the second I got back.
I agreed... and secretly, I'd made my mind up about more than just that.
This will be the last deed I do. For Fisty's search for the Tear.... for finding and finishing the Cult... and for protecting Kuhl.
I've done more than could be asked of any one man anyway.
Time to let someone else take my place.
I have a gorgeous wife, a son whose power grows and grows, and whose name I can see being steeped in legends, and the promise of a peaceful, content life ahead... with no more chasing across kingdom's battling enemies I could never hope to defeat.
So sod it.
I'll go to Hilm... I'll hear what they have to say... and if it helps Kuhl this one last time, then I'll do it.
But once I get home... thats bloody that.
-
* The hand writing on this page, is unfamiliar compared to the rest of the journal, as though wrote with a shaky hand.
Even though only a few lines... the rest of the page is left blank.*
I did have a lot I needed to say.
About Jurn, the child we saved from the Slavers, who now lives with us.
About being captured by the Cult in Westgate, and Fisterion's use of me to scry the leaders.
About the Cult and Nesar, and the Fleets.
About the venture to the Deep, which, the closer it draws near, the more I realise I'll go.
But none of that is important anymore.
None of that really matters.
My son is dead.
-
Life... goes on. Is the saying.
Funny... I keep telling myself that over and over.
And the more I tell myself it... the more I think of Trouble... and the more it bloody pains me.
Jurn.
Poor Jurn.
Tormented and plagued by what happened to him and his family on that boat... having to have some Aragenite mind-block thing to stop him remembering... and finnaly... finnaly... passed to us... to be looked after and cared for.
And not five days later.... my son dies.
It's still there. I cant help but feel... it was a trade.
Trouble... for Jurn.
I think thats maybe's why... sometimes... when I look at young Jurn playing... I... I cant help it. Sometimes... I just hate him so.
But I'm trying... my best. Best as I can.
Trouble's coat is still draped across the couch. I know not to touch it... Tegans left it there for a perfectly good reason... and it pains me to know it.
Not even Jurn dares touch it.
So for now... till she's ready... there it will stay.
The Deep grows closer... and I have a horrible feeling... things are going to switch so fast. That some are gonna lose sight of our goal... maybe for their own ends.
I... I just need to remember.
I have my own ends. And... mine... are more important... than theirs.
And so... life... goes on.
-
* Sat quietly at the table, the quill unmoving in his hand, he listens and thinks. Sword still by his side, his hand seeming to move of its own accord every once in awhile, as though assured to know its still there.
He watches Jurn awhile, twisting and turning the wheel's of the old Lute he'd bought him, trying to get a decent note out of it, before he turns and begins scribbling*
The Tear got returned. Thank bloody Folian for that.
But not before some showed their true colours.
It was pathetic to witness... and I'd truly never known such stupidity existed in those I knew and may have once called friend.
I've marked them now... in my head. Wiped anything that might have given me pause to trust them. Especially one. His betrayal and.... complete foolishness and belief in his own completely under-estimated "killing" skills got many killed that day that didn't need to.
Thankfully... I aint alone in thinking that.
But now.... we're called back to Fisterion... on the wings of some vision I keep having. Back to face off the Dragon.
And on top of that... the Shadow's keep leaping after me... and others as well. I've been warned to keep out of Hempstead or... not cause trouble there.
And before I began preparing for the trip to the Molten Isle... a letter from Gork.
I actually thought he was one I needed to watch out for. Seems not.
We struck an... unusual bargain and exchanged some information.
Although with some things... I think I can trust him... I aint stupid. That trust's only gonna go so far.
But the information was needed and... bizzare to say the least.
So I'll be keeping my eyes open.
And during all this... I'm trying to keep it all seperate from my home and family.
Time still hasn't mended the wound Trouble left when he... passed. Never will.
But I've come to let go of some of the hate I'd felt for Jurn.
The more I think on it... the more I was a bloody idiot for thinking such... even letting the fact I could be making him feel such.
The poor sod's been through more than I could imagine... and he's still just a kid. He may not remember what happened... but I'm pretty sure he knows there's something ... dark inside of him.
I took him fishing and gave him that Journal Tegs wanted me to hand him.
He hasn't touched it yet. I see him... just stood staring at the first blank page for some time.. before closing it and going to play with Argos over the road.
I'd let some things slip by me lately. I didn't think it mattered what the future holds. That Dragon army could have swept across the lands and.. at the time... I dont think I'd have cared.
Losing Trouble... the betrayal for the Tear... it made me think there weren't nothing saving anymore.
One look at Tegan in a new light on Hempstead fields, and hearing Jurn sing softly to himself in his room.... that was all it took.
-
* Sall walks into the house in a foul and furious mood.
He stalks into the front room, seeing only various of Jurn's toys dotted around the carpet, but neither sight nor sound of his adopted son or wife.
He storms into a small side cupboard, flinging it open and opens a small chest at the base.
A few moments pass thoughtfully, until he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small amulet.. the Symbol of Folian, the Wolfs head carved into the centre.
He toys with a moment, muttering to himself.
"First time.. I had no choice. I could be forgiven for that.
This time... I had a choice. So.... I'm sorry."
With that he lets go of the Amulet... letting it clatter into the chest, snapping it shut and locking it with a small key.
He looks at the chest a few more moments, sadly, absently rubbing his chest... before he closes the door on it and leaves it in darkness.
-
* Sall fidgets on the bed, journal in his lap, stuffing the cotton wool balls into his ears as he tries to get comfortable. In the background.. a hideous din of out-of synce drumming, out of tune guitar's and a screeching din of violin's can be heard from the front room.
The sound now as muffled and drowned out as he can get it, he picks up the quill and starts scribbling.*
This is reminding me of Trouble and his ohh-to-loud music box.
No wonder Tegan suggested Freldar's for Jurns "band practicing" music night.. she knew she wouldn't be here! Her bloody Temple visit night.
Jurn and Argos got the idea of starting a band... and Tegs being Tegs... oh yeah, we have to be supportive. So the kids got a few hours training from Dredick.. the part-time bard down the road.. and we bought him his first guitar.
Bloody hells... they need some more practice! What a sodding din!
I'd have joined her at the Temple.. if it didnt feel so wrong going there and praying to Folian anymore.
Everything seems to be going backwards. Those I used to trust in things regarding the Cult.. now look at me with mistrust and disdain. Seems some only see what they wanted to see... which hit again when I spoke to Abi.
He had it in his addled mind it was "me" who attacked when we took the tear!
Me?! I had my bloody back turned to everyone... they attacked "me"!
As bizzare as it is... Tegans side comment made the most sense. The most useful person I've come across in all this Cult malarky has been Fisty.
Still.. there's some others.
There's something we could try... but it means a poweful scryer... which means Spellgard... and Storold seems to have fallen from grace there.
Still... worth a try.
Ark's got something up his sleeve too... some Ruby that summoned some dark elven necromancer. Not that he seemed to know thats what it would do... but it did.
All thats lef.....
* his scribbling comes to a stop when he looks to the bedroom door and see's Jurn stood there, looking devastated.... the guitar in his hand with one of the strings snapped and drooping uselessly to the floor.
He sighs softly, smiling, and pats the bed... where Jurn grins and leaps up onto it... bouncing with a happy smile as Sall carefully restrings the broken string to the guitar*
-
*Candle light flickers around the quiet house, eerie shadows dancing against the walls and bookcases as Sall sits quietly in his chair, scribbling this and that, pausing in thought with the quill in his mouth, before continuing writing in earnest.
He seals up and stamps a few letters, then places them all in one huge envelope addressed to a halfling courier service he'd used many times before.
He then drags his journal across the desk, carefully undoing its bindings and turning the the last page... the very last page of the journal... the one he had been saving for so long.
And with no seeming anger, regret or distaste at the task, he carefully, with great sweeping strokes begins the title...*
The Will and Last words of Sallaron Tempest
-
* In a sealed envelope, stored with hundreds more in bookshelves and cabinets, with Trustee's from Lor*
To who it may concern,
Well here it is. Will and Testament.
This is pretty much everything I want done when I kick it.
Let me ramble a little though... cause hell... I sure didn't think I'd have anything worth handing out when I died. At least not when I started out in this life.
A kid doing small time robbings and burgalry's on the streets, to selling bags of corn and flour on Hlint's main road ... trying to pass myself off as a "useful" DragonCalled.
I had no fashion sense what-so-ever... and had to fight twice as hard just to "pretend" I was some kind of adventurer.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100472/6BFA934F-F98D-475A-AF8A-FEAC52A78C3B)
And hell... it might have stayed that way.
If I hadn't discovered the most powerful thing in the world.
Something that... once you have... can make you the most skilled fighter.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/vall.JPG)
It can turn your sword into something from legends... your shield into a wall of bloody mithril ... and can help your thoughts and ideas become something even the smartest mage would bloody gasp at.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/1EB5FCA2-5127-4FE4-BA8D-079273B1509A)
I am of course... talking... about friends.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/Deep.JPG)
So for them.
My bro... and any remaining Explorers who aint pegged it yet.
I'll put the house in Lor into Shamur's name... but its all yours.
Do what ya want with it.
Just remember to put my name on the plaque when I go.
And for Val....
.... who knows what might have been. I still wonder sometimes.
If anyone ever even finds her in that Great Forest.
Just er... give her a Lily.. and... tell her ...
... as useless as I was... I'll always be her Ranger.
And for the last....
-
... but sure as hell not the least.
If it weren't for her... I reckon I'd have pegged it a long time ago.
And probably might have looked forward to it.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/Designer2.JPG)
She's my sun and moon... my north and south... my wind and rain.
Never thought I'd write something like that about some one in a will.. but there it is.
The day don't bloody start till I see her... and it aint worth waking up if she ain't around.
I'm sorry about Trouble ... I wish I could have been there to pull him out when he needed us. Same as you... I lost something that day.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/sallerontempestdet3.jpg)
And I'm sorry I couldn't have given you another.
But.. and you'll laugh about this now. Yeah... you were right.
You were -right- for us to adopt Jurn.
He didn't replace Trouble.. obviously not.
But he made living with his loss... worthwhile.
So for you wife.... I'm dumping everything on ya.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/thumbs/Wedd1.JPG)
All the True in the bank... anything that might be mine in our house.
Its all yours.
I might owe Old man Marley down the road a few true for sneaky ales... and if grumpy Mr Wilson shows up complaining about another hole in his roof... tell him to sod off and stop walking on it.
And seriously.... if Im gone now... buy some rat poison and kill those sodding raccons that live in the trash can outside. It will save ya a -whole- lot of bother in the mornings.
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/100499/Dragycult.JPG)
If they find my body... take my swords and armour... helmet, bracers.. everything Im wearing... and drop them in a chest.
And if ever anyone with potential catches yer eye who can use them.. give them to them.
Anything I aint wearing... do what ya want with.
An thats it sweets.
Hope I see ya soon... but... not too soon.
Sall
(http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/data/500/sallerontempestdet2.jpg)