Blurred Memories of a Lost Monk

[OldBugEye]

Silver they call me.  It's been weeks and months since I have left the confines of the Temple in Llast.  Those were simpler times for since the dragon's dream, ever have I been on the move.  Fighting the fights that must be fought to preserve the good of the land.

These are but my ramblings of days and journey's to witt's end.  Oh, those days of searching for a bard's necklace or the head of some ill-mannered monster band, the many kindred souls that have taught me life's skills along the way.

Sa'kura was one of the first to look out for me.  Since that first day of drunken celebration returning from the cave's and crypts, her spirt has helped mine climb from the despair I once knew.  Slowly, I have begun to feel part of the team rather than to roam the lands myself...though that I still can not get away from.  Her care has saved me from myself when I was but a youngster to the lands.  Oh, how times have changed me.

When I thought I knew enough to grapple the roads again, Ketilbjorn showed me the error of my way.  That surely dwarf's instincts and fearless abandon have inspired my fighting style.  A man of the cloth and reading my books of healing, here I find myself charging blindly to the aid of my old friend.  Only now as I've aged, it's become a joke as other's watch me act the part of my "Drunken Dwarf Charge" or DDC that we so often call it as I rush into battle heedless of my health to protect the others around me.  I still think fondly of those days when Ket first introduced me to knee-capping a giant.  It seems so long ago.

Once again, I returned to my career methodically combing the lands for evil that must be purged in my own way.  When I chanced upon a character that I can say has changed me.  My drow friend and comrade, Nepp or Nepp'akyo Da'Ladiûm.  A strange fellow... not one to rush blindly in and often that voice of reason I hear behind me as I'm running forward.  His skills of hiding have shown him much more of the land that I have ever seen and I enjoy his company at my side.  He is a character that one.

Well, when time permits, I'll write again of the other worthy folks I've found to aid my life.  Elgon, Robert Hearth, Strykr, Tegan, and so many others that have shared my time and my trials in the land.

Thoughtfully remenincing,
Silverhand

[OldBugEye]

It's been many a moon as my adventures have increased in frequency and danger.  The time to write in my journal has been sparing but tonight that changed.

We ventured to Dregar in search of Fire Opals and Silver...and in the mines there, we were trapped by rock and debris as the cave rumbled uncontrollably.  When we cleared the rubble with several fireballs, a great blue dragon stood menacingly.  We tried to run and I even swung and kicked as we attempted to leave.  It nearly killed me but I lived to stand in it's presence.  Should I find the time, I'll draw a picture of the experience.

Rhynn, Rawkien, Elrend, Eredel and myself.  We cowered before it and Matilda submitted her bond to allow our escape.  We will see what happens but I believe old Long Storm the blue dragon has formed a blood bond with Matilda.

That is all.

[OldBugEye]

The days grow weary and the times dark ahead.  As each sunset wanes into the day, I have only spent the hours honing my skills of combat against the evils of the world.  I shall never rid myself of the need and fear it will ultimately be my end.

I have focused on my stunning punches to hone them to a perfect weapon.  Just a few weeks ago, I was wondering through the berhagen's in search of evil giants when I stumbled through an area with a giant white hairy beast, nearly a giant mind you but with the teeth and claws of a bear.  Some called it a Yeti but I must say, one on one it nearly best me.  Nearly.  It makes me chuckle to think of healing himself from near death after the battle.

Tonight I have reach a new plateau in fighting the undead.  I journey'd to far away Dregar where I keep my things at Strykr's house.  North of Pranzis, a small path leads to an area beset with evil.  I dared not venture into the cave but at the surface, large black snakes and vampires skills in the art of sleath attacks are appently.  To test my skill, I managed to return with a few pelts of the Malar by myself in only my 14th rank of master monk.  It was nearly my death as always but my Healer's Hug belts saved me from my under-estimation of my foes.  Malar can be just as sneaky as the vampires that guard the area.

Left to myself to wander the lands in search of training,
Silverhand.

[OldBugEye]

I don't know why I continue.  Each day, day upon day, I live only to fight.  My skills have increased but at what cost to my mind.  Each day, the endless slaughter of the denziens of evil.  Each day, another day, a warrior of instinct only.  To live for nothing more than the challenge.

Charge with reckless abandon for each day brings but another creature to its end only to hone the body.  Each day, what ever shall I do.  I feel as though I slip into nothing more than some mage's golem.  Focused on solely on my prowess as a soldier, not on the calm mind and teachings of my master.

If it were not for the reassuring measures of Eredel and Cymerian, I wonder if I should exist at all.  The days grow long indeed and only my evening's studies give me focus for each coming day.

[OldBugEye]

Oh, I have wandered.  I've seen things to put a man's heart to rest, Dragon's even.  The constant battle has caused hurt in my heart but I have finally returned home.  Just a few days ago, I wandered into the Church of Toran, in my home town of Fort Llast.  It's been... it's been years, it's been since the Dragon's dream.  

The memories of my childhood have flooded back to sharpen my mind once more.  The focus is so reassuring.  With little warning, I felt the need to sit and write.  I posted my note on the wall for those to see as I have purpose once more.  

// Message Posted Here: http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=33265&posts=2&start=1

Quantum found my note and found me in Pranzis sitting by the lake.  We've spent hours talking of the church of Toran and of the Shining Hand.  I have begun my studies of their history.  I seek tales great and small, books and such.  I have focus now.  I shall focus on becoming one of their number and when I wear the robes of a Greater monk, I shall apply to their group.  

That night, I dreamt a dream I dare not say.  Someday, maybe Toran's light will guide our order of the monastary.  Not the Shining Hand... but maybe, just maybe the Shining Fist! Ha Ha! But those ARE just dreams of a young monk.  We shall see, we shall see.

Lost no more,
Silverhand

[OldBugEye]

I have moved from here to there and back again in a service to Toran and in service to those in need of aid.  For I know not what else I can do to return law to lawless lands.  Quantum has taught me much for his a wise man and our goals are not unalike.  

From town to town I move now, helping those in need and putting justice where it is needed most for I will not shy from any righteous cause in need of a champion with Toran's light in my heart.  I do not travel as much as I used to but I do often enough to meet the many in need of my service.

Humble servant, emissary of Toran's light,
Silver.

[OldBugEye]

It is with Erk's passing that my soul does not feel part of me.  As I lit the candle and took my long walk amongst the hills (ref: http://www.layonara.com/wild-surge-inn/114949-erk.html) it is with a dark heart I go.  Times have changes and old friends, once numerous, are gone.  The star's a dim, the sun behind clouds and the air damp with decay.  Toran's light is no longer so bright to me.  This I shall have to ponder.

No good can come from this ... these have been dreary months indeed.  I am infetished with the drink and find solice only where I find the bottle.

Only time will tell...
*his hands shaken for what was once a solid and flowing script is broken and uneven*

[OldBugEye]

Bloody hells, the bottle draws me so.  I look for the drink wherever I may and scoffs at a shot of water.  What's happened, times used to be so simple and now I fear I'd trade my soul for another few bottles of Will-o-Whiskey.

Even Rain commented in his house that this would lead to a path of ruin.  A path not of salvation but of greed.

Yes, if only to find some more coin, to buy some time in an inn.  Again, and again, and again.  My life is a blur.  I feel no more than a mercanary, carrying out the orders of those in need.  For a coin and a bottle wherever I may.

*spills some dwarven mead on the paper*

Ah, bugger, enough o' this diary.  I need another drink.

[OldBugEye]

Times passes now, not in meditation but at the table with a cup in my hand.  I wait here each day and night until I wander out to meet the morning's rays with eyes red like fire.  

And then another messenger bird find me with some new task.

That's the way of it.  I haven't slept in days it seems, I guess that is one thing my past training has garnered me.  Off I go in search of some trinket or rock that some wizard wants for his study.  Always the way of it.

*thinks to himself - I didn't think I had fallen this far but when Clarissa, Manadalorian, Balazar and Rose confronted me, it was all I could do not to throw up on Quantum's shoes.  Instead I made it to the railing and exhausted what little I ate into the fountain.*

I do not worry about their troubles any longer.  I just look for another bird each day so I can find more coin to pay the serving wench.