Diary of a Dark One

[Deacon]

Entry - 20

Bards...they always speak in riddles.  Why they can't decide to tell us what they mean without forcing us to solve them is a mystery to me.  This is why the Master Bard Ozymandias' latest quest for me has me baffled.  I approached him in Hlint and asked him why he muses about the Dark Elves.  He spoke only in a language I could not understand.  I bade him to teach me but he said he would only teach me when I had done something:

"Find where the Shadowin Walk,
Where the Shadow Soul Rule,
Find them and find the Guardians"

What this means I do not know, but I intend to find out.  The language he spoke was once used by my race at the beginning, and I wish to speak it to learn more of our history.  Also, it would allow me to look down upon the common darthir, the same way that Ozymandias looks upon us.  Right now I am a common darthir to him, but soon I will be his equal, at least as far as understanding goes...

[Deacon]

Entry - 21

I finally did it.  Not alone of course, my brethren underneath would not allow me to go through unscathed if I were alone.  Nay, I was forced to travel back into the Underdark with the aid of some most unworthy company.  Only one is worthy of mention, the one named Rufus Coldfinger.  The journey began in Moraken's Tower, and we quickly made our way to Arabel.

It was just outside of Arabel that I had my first brush with death in a long time.  One of the infernal Hill Giants who roams the regions outside of Arabel cast a spell that rained down large flaming stones.  The biggest it seems, landed right on my head.  It was at this point that something changed.  I felt a cool chill rise over me, and there was smoke billowing all around me.  I looked up and immediately had to avert my eyes.  One of the minions of Lord Baraeon stood before me, too horrid for me to gaze upon.  He told me it was not my time, and then thrashed me across the back for failing the Prince of Hate to this point.  I said a quick prayer to Baraeon and when I awoke, the humans treated me different.  I know not why, but since they seemed to sense that something was amiss, I abandoned my charade, and donned my armor that reveals my true identity.

From that point on, the darthir did not like me traveling with them.  I could have been vital to them however, had the need arisen.  None of them, save perhaps a few have even seen the entrance to the Underdark, let alone the one the Dark Elves use as their own.  The tension rose almost to a point of boiling over, when a fool hearty elf would not keep his mouth shut.  I believe they call him Talan, but it is of little consequence.  I will see to it, that when I am of some influence, he will be slaughtered.  Also, some human tried to preach to me about salvation of the soul, but I would hear none of it.  I stopped him short and, after a rope had been let down I descended into the Underdark.

Now, this is where it gets interesting, because the riddle the Bard had given me was drumming in my head the whole way through the Underdark.  I do not know whether I have found the answer he seeks, or whether he wants something else, but the creatures we encountered were certainly guards.  They were protecting their master, a Shadow Dragon.  Mightiest creature I have seen and I have seen many.  A paladin deemed it necessary for him to do most of the talking, so he stepped forth to confront the beast.  

The dragon was mad since we had killed his guardians, and requested compensation.  At this point, the darthir counseled with each other, and for the most part I stayed out.  Some of them wanted to offer allegiance to the dragon, sparing him his life when the war with Blood ensues.  A foolish idea, since the Dragon might already be allied with Blood himself or Blood may see fit to use the dragon for his own designs.  The compensation the dragon sought was not that of allegiance, nor did he want his guardians replenished.  He wished that his army be outfitted properly with weapons and arms, and motioned for us to give him something from ourselves to outfit them.  I had nothing to give, save a vial or two of poison, and I said a silent prayer to Baraeon that the poisons come to good use.

Shortly after he had received his compensation, the dragon descended back into the shadow.  With nothing left for us in the cave we came back to the surface, and there we parted ways.  I have yet to run into the Bard again, to ask him further what he meant by the riddle, but I intend to find out what he means, and soon...

[Deacon]

Entry - 22

I spoke with the bard once more.  Still speaking in riddles, but he did allow me some insight on what it was he wanted me to find.  Turns out, he is looking for a mystical vial, and he knows not what is contained in the vial.  He told me of a group of orcs called the Fhrindal stole this vial, but did not tell me from whom they stole it.  I also learned that he has searched far and wide to find this vial, and has not found it anywhere.  The riddle he told me lead me to believe the vial is lost somewhere in the Underdark, a place he has not charted, nor does it sound like he intends to.  

He recounted his previous riddle, but still I draw a blank.  I must find this vial to learn the true history of my kin...

[Deacon]

Entry - 23

The raven found me again, this time it was different though.  It was nothing but bones, and when I took the black paper from its talons, it became as dust and was gone.  I knew who the letter was from, and had an idea of what it might contain.  The Alliance has been cleaved.  No longer will the Corathites and the followers of the Spider Lord be matched together.

Where does this leave me, I wonder?  Shall I continue to forge my existence on my own, or shall I try to band together with the remaining Drow to form a house on the surface in hopes that we might one day return to the Underdark and rule?  I will have to ponder this thought more before I truly know the answer; perhaps I will seek the guidance of the others, even though they will probably lead my further astray, as is our way.  Only time will tell...

[Deacon]

Entry - 24

With hardly anyone left from the Alliance that I can trust, I have set out on my own for the last couple weeks since the Alliance died.  I have been out on the roads exploring at my own leisure and have become more acquainted with the surface.  It was in my travels that I encountered a peculiar man who called himself Lorio.  This one had the ability to change shapes into a number of different forms.

This character, who told me to call him Red, and I set off into the forest of broken limbs and killed many undead creatures there.  We had made it about halfway through the forest when we encountered a couple other souls who were obviously trying to kill the same creatures we were fighting.  Seeing no purpose in continuing solo, we joined up with them and fought off some more of the foul forms.

It was in this time, during the travel with these three darthir that I felt a prick from Baraeon.  He granted me new knowledge and insight on my foes, and I feel that I can take on more of the world now.  I am eager to return to my studies of the Lethal Arts, for this knowledge may grant me better skill in that field.  

I have not seen any of the other Drow to tell them of my plans to raise a house on the surface, but they are still with me.  I plan to begin anew and one day be able to strike fear in the hearts of those who would oppose...

[Deacon]

Entry - 25

The humans amaze me.  Somehow this woman named Kit had heard of my toils, something I wanted to avoid.  She wanted me to perform some task for her, and she promised me gold in return.  The lure of gold, and perhaps something more was the only thing that convinced me to help her in this matter.

She wanted me to retrieve some weapons for her to outfit her army with.  The first couple ones were easy to find, since they were available in Hlint.  However, the last item, an Oak Short bow, proved to be harder to acquire.  I inquired about it around town, and didn’t come to much good.  Finally, the human Ramanon told me that he could make the bow for me.  I gave him his payment and in due time I returned to Kit.

She expressed her gratification for the help, and the gold was given.  She also gave me a helmet that proves to be much more powerful that first inspection shows.  It’s been enchanted with bark skin that allows me to withstand many more cuts from my enemies.

[Deacon]

Entry - 26

After many weeks of saving up the gold I could find, I was finally ready to purchase a new long sword.  It took me a few days to find out whom to buy it from, and it turned out to be a goblin.  A mere goblin!  Such a goblin would have been my slave in the Underdark.

It is with that discontent that I bought my long sword.  The silly little goblin said I was nice.  Had he known the truth he probably wouldn't have sold me the blade that could one day be used to slit his throat.  The metal of the new weapon would have looked much better with the blood of that goblin on it, but I didn't strike then.  I am biding my time, waiting for more to come.

I have been pondering this surface house for about a month now.  Ever since the Dark Alliance faded, I have felt exposed, and that is not something that I like feeling.  That is why I am trying to contact the other Drow out there to get their interest in my pact of brethren.  The shadows move swift, and darkness is about to fall on the world of Layonara...

[Deacon]

Entry - 27

Finally, after many weeks of silence I have finally made contact with a brethren.  I saw Ktonosrosin on the outskirts of Point Harbor.  I told him we had to talk about a great many things, but I noticed a human who was hiding in the shadows.  I instructed Kit that we should talk later.  

We left from Point Harbor and headed in a couple different directions to ensure that any pursuers would be swayed from following us.  We then made it headlong into Karthy where we parted ways once again.  I still haven't talked to him of my plans, but I do intend to find him again.

I sailed from Karthy to Lorindar, and then wondered around in the forests for a few days.  I am now in those same Forests of Mist, and I am growing weary.  My search for a proper meeting place has not ceased yet.  The darkness is coming...beware.

[Deacon]

Entry - 28

The humans are so predictable.  They do not stop for a minute to examine things beyond the face value.  Whatever it is, they accept it for what it is.  This is why I was able to slip through the cracks when trying to hunt the leader of the Blood Clan.  I had just walked out of the craft house in Hlint with my disguise on and was easily accepted into the group when I pronounced allegiance to the weak god Folian S'pae.

We left from Hlint and went east directly into the High Moors.  We encountered weak resistance in the first few parts of the swamp, probably some sentries sent out for long range detection.  The fighting soon escalated though, and we were met with the first agents of the Blood Clan.  They proved to be no match for our strong and cooperative party however, and we made quick work of them.  On the inside of their temple we encountered the overlord, and yet again with our party in good cohesion we made quick work of him.

We made our way out of the temple and back to Hlint with little resistance.  When we arrived back in town the leader of our party, who was dressed in a bright green outfit said that I was no ranger of Folian since Katia refused to bless me.  I suppose it is just as well, but I may need to find a new disguise sooner or later.  Another Drow and I went to collect the reward, but Garent refused to believe us, stating that there was nothing special about the head we were attempting to give him and he wouldn't give us the prize money.  Foolish human.


Afterwards, the drow and I had a conversation about trivial matters.  He chooses not to accept Baraeon as his deity stating that he would rather serve himself and himself alone.  I told him that he made a great many enemies by stating such brave words, but he expressed little concern.  He will soon learn his place, as will the guard captain Garent...[/i]

[Deacon]

[/b]Entry - 29[/b]

A normal trip to Port Hampshire was interrupted by some strange cleric. He was obviously powerful judging from the equipment he wore and the staff that he was wielding; yet I was not worried about him, he follows a weak deity. He was spouting something about how I should be careful about how I use my magic since his goddess controls the ebb and flow of the weave. I am not worried because I do not garner my powers from the arcane like he is speaking of.

After the infidel cleric had left, a mysterious rogue confronted me. She told me that she could help and gave me a letter. The letter read something like this:

“If you seek silence, present this to the Scamp.”

The Scamp it was referring to was a bar not far from where I was so I came in and inquired about the letter. A healer of the weak one Shadon was the one who gave me further instructions. I was led to a room in the back where a woman revealed a secret passage through which I jumped into.

Darkness filled the room, but I knew that I was standing on steps from a dim light at the end of the passage that lay before me. I descended the stairs and I discovered that I was in a large subterranean dungeon. The murky, damp air that issued from the walls reminded me of my home back in the Underdark. The spider webs that covered the walls sent chills up and down my spine; I felt the tingle of Baraeon’s touch on my neck.

I started trying to find my way around this dank dark hole, and I found a rogue holding a torch. He directed me to a halfling who discussed various exploits of the Shadow Thieves. She asked me a few questions before she disappeared into the shadows. A Drow who called himself Hadaar then confronted me, he told me of many things regarding the history of the Drow and also some history of the Shadow Thieves. After he had told me these things, he gave me a task to test my usefulness to the Thieves.

I was to find a crypt located in the Ajari Swamp and infiltrate it to spy on a meeting that was supposed to be going on. There was to be a transaction made that could reveal a lot of unwanted attention towards the Thieves, and I was to get as much information as I could and report back to them. I hadn’t heard of this swamp, but I quickly learned it’s location after inquiring around Port Hampshire.

Once at Ajari, finding the crypt was easy, and sticking to the shadows proved very helpful as I snuck my way down to where the transaction was to be taking place. I encountered slaad’s of every color, some creatures that reminded me of dragons, and also s couple vampires. All of them were unable to spot me, and I made it to the lowest level with ease.

But I was unable to acquire information; the meeting was a ruse to see how well I could stick to those shadows and make my way inside the crypt without being detected. Hadaar said I performed well, and left me with further instructions. He told me about drop boxes located around Mistone that I could use when I acquired useful information. I look forward to my future with the Thieves, and to what shadows it will take me…

[Deacon]

Entry – 30

I have at last made my return from the shadows.  It is good to be back, but at the same time I see little has changed in the putrid village of Hlint.  The villagers still treat me without their respect and the adventurers, well, they are the same too.

I guess I can’t blame them though, what with the history of my people burning in their eyes when they look at me.  I accept it though, knowing full well that they are all weaker than my brethren and I.  

I have once again made contact with the Priestess, but have not seen from her male apprentice, or whatever it is he wished to be called.  I shall have to ask about him later.  She did however have a rather…tasty looking pupil that I had the displeasure of meeting.  They had been collecting sand in the Blood Desert, and I followed after them for some time, their trail was very faint.  However, upon entering the desert I was overtaken by a snake, and my body left my spirit in the Desert.

I of course was not in the brightest of moods, if such a thing exists for a Dark Elf.  But the pupil did agree to help me retrieve my spirit.  We did so and I was escorted back to Hampshire, where the human female left me.  I may not be able to understand the human women, but I can say that I can see why they drive human males crazy.

[Deacon]

Entry – 31

Upon returning to Haven from a short trip into the Nameless Dungeon, I found myself surrounded by darkness.  With the faint smell of onions in the air, I knew what was amiss.  Sure enough I was right, eccentric wizard who calls himself Albert has once again made himself known to me.

We had quite an encounter, with this young Drow quickly stirring things up among us.  That one will need to learn to watch his words, because the next time Tathnolu may not allow him so much leeway.

We spoke of the races and our relationship to them, our ambitions and our lord, the Prince of Hate.  I also learned quite a lesson today, one that I shall not forget soon.  A foolhardy gnome wizard interrupted our counsel, and I did as per my ways and threatened him to leave.  It was only later that I was corrected for the folly of my ways.  

The Prince of Hate will not bring honor to me for slaying such a wizard, nor will he honor me for being hunted and slain by the authorities before my full plans are laid and carried out.  I must learn to control, and harness my hatred to a more focused cause.  Only then will I truly be able to survive.

I have also learned that trust has no place in my life.  Those that I thought I could “trust” at one point, I know now that they would only strike me down if they had the chance, as I would do to them should the opportunity present itself.  This point was driven home when Tathnolu encased my body in stone, telling me the next time may not be so lucky.

[Deacon]

Entry – 32

The one who calls himself Albert has once again made contact with me.  I found myself with the Priestess again, and her group of Corathites, and he found us.  Actually, it was more like he was waiting on us, as if he knew we would pass by that very spot.  I know not how he does what he does, but I do not inquire either.

We were in Dregar to gather silver, a task that was made much simpler with Tathnolu there.  He was able to cast his powerful spells, and we made it through almost unscathed.  We made our way to the River of Sorrows and I stepped foot on the first tiles of holy ground I have seen on the surface.  Or at least it was holy, before a second betrayal by Az’atta and her followers.

Some years ago, they attacked the temple, and defaced the statue of the Lord of Spiders, and now the temple has been abandoned.  The hatred inside me mounted, almost to a point of bursting, but I was able to keep it under control with Tathnolu’s help.  I asked him if he had laid any plans for revenge, to which he told me that it would have to take time.  The traitors have powerful allies, those that I will not cross…at this time.

We continued on our journey for a little longer before heading back.  Tathnolu remained at the temple while the Corathites and I made our way back to the village of Hurm.  We stopped in a small clearing near a farm to rest and talk for a minute.  This is where I talked some business with the human female Cassandra.  I laid out a trade with her for a couple rings that I wanted, and the deal was struck.  I got my rings, and soon she will have per payment.  I traded the two rings I had, agreed to pay 1500 in gold coins, and I am tasked to collect a box of eggs for her.  A small fee to pay for the benefit I will receive from the new items.

A few days later I encountered Tathnolu again.  Yet again, he appeared as if he knew where I would be.  I had just died at the hands of some undead in the Broken Forest, some fool elf attracted too many of the things to me and I was killed, when he found me in Leilon.  I asked if he would help me retrieve my spirit, to which he shrugged and motioned for me to lead the way.

Once back in the forest, we got my spirit, and put it to the undead that remained there.  The hatred I had experienced by dieing at their hands easing within my black heart ever so slightly at seeing them parish.  We did this for a short while, before Tathnolu said his goodbye and disappeared into the darkness.  I had some coin in my pouch and a renewed sense of hatred for the creatures that Lady Chanda commands.  I am pleased.

[Deacon]

Entry – 33

Phillip Underwood, an eccentric human who appears nervous, and inspects everything around him.  He has an affinity for home cooked food, and does not like the bland tasteless stuff that they serve in the taverns.  He thinks he is a guard of the village town of Hlint, and has even attempted to make arrests on innocent citizens around the village.

Phillip Underwood, a disguise for the death that lies beneath.  He is a ruse to hide my true identity while I lay the carefully thought out plans for vengeance.  He is nothing more than a figment of my imagination, through which I can move freely among the surface dwellers, learning of their secrets and their movements.  They will not think that a crazy human will betray them.

I learned quite a few things while portraying Phillip in and around Hlint.  I learned of a race of half-lions, who are referred to as Wemics.  I also learned of a certain group of lovers who strike me as most odd.  One is a human, one is a drow, and yet both are females.  They refer to each other as Moonlight, and they move about doing this freely.  I consider it to be a fallacy, since drow do not often associate with the lower races, and we certainly do not fall in love with them.

The Drow, who goes by the name of Eámanë, has said that she owes her life to this woman, and thus she will hold true to her.  I will never accept it, but at the same time I do not really care what they do with their lives, it is not I who will face judgment from the gods.  The human is insignificant, but she did much of the talking.  She has quite a mouth on her, and I think that the Priestess might like her, but that will come in time.

[Deacon]

Entry – 34

The arcane arts, archaic and useless practice, at least for my tastes.  However, Tathnolu seems to think they are one of the best things to have happened to this world.  He shows me his tricks casually, as if I am to be impressed by the smoke and mirrors.  

Magic he says, hah!  We’ll see how magic serves those who study it so closely when my blades are run through their backs.  

*Caldiir stops writing as a grin crosses his face*

Whatever the case, his tower is quite impressive.  I almost felt a honored when he told me I was to be the first to tour the arcane tower for the instruction of more fools, ah, students as he calls them and also to further the research for the arcane arts.  It all seems like a waste to me, but it was impressive nonetheless.

The main entrance was decorated with statues to a couple of the weaker deities.  The likenesses of Lucinda and Aeridin seemed to glare at me as I passed.  The great hall was possibly the most impressive of the sights I saw this day.  There was a table greater than those I had ever seen, with places set for a full company of wizards, and three special chairs adorned the head of the great table.

Tathnolu led me through many different hallways and stairs that I hardly remember where everything was.  The most impressive room of the whole tower was in the basement of the building.  In the middle of the room was a great platform, surrounded by archaic runes, with mysterious wards in the center of the platform.  He explained that the room was used for summoning demons, and the wards kept them under control while they were ripped from their planes.  All bit of a bore to me, but the power I felt while in the room made me respect the power that these wizards possess, even if the respect I have gained is a very minor one.

It was in the privacy of the tower that I revealed Phillip Underwood to Tathnolu, and he seemed impressed, even though I know that the personalities of the two would conflict to the limit.  Tathnolu was tempted to strike him down on the spot, after refusing to be the first out of the door…a ploy to try and lock the master out of his own tower.  What a story that would have been!  Phillip would have enjoyed telling others that he had outsmarted an onion.

*Caldiir grins again, both at the thought of fooling Tathnolu and at the threats that were directed at Phillip*

Once we made it outside of the tower, Tathnolu showed off more of his tricks.  He called down meteors from the sky.  A display of power beyond that of the wizards I had known back in the Underdark.  A little brash and conceited, but it reinforces my judgment that I should not cross this onion eating wizard.

[Deacon]

Entry – 35

Eo’wyn…I had not heard the name in years, even from my own lips.  I have tried and searched in those years to find someone who might have survived the attack on our complex…but as of yet my attempts have been in vain.  Until recently, as it has come to my attention that indeed another survivor does exist but he has already let himself be known to the surface dwellers that he hails from the Eternal Night, and furthermore that he was a member of House Eo’wyn.

I wanted to kill him on the spot when I found out that he had given the name out…something that we have guarded for ages ensuring that our victims only know who it was that struck them down in their last death throws.  However, I chalked it up to his youth, he must have been young when he was accepted into the house, but he did mention Tel’ris, and if I remember him well enough he does not choose his pupils loosely.  

Perhaps it was this promise of potential, or maybe it was my curiosity of how he might have escaped that compelled me to inspect this drow further.  Upon meeting him in the sewers I engulfed him in darkness, then snuck up behind him to check for the mark of Eo’wyn, and sure enough it was on the back of his neck just as the elders branded it.  Then came my first surprise in almost a decade.

This drow’s Test had been to seek out a warrior who follows Az’atta, and strike him down before he had a chance to do any damage or collect any information about our discreet operations.  He succeeded in this mission, but this also gave cause for the other followers to come and raid our compound.  This means that he is responsible for the attacks, having set them off.

At this I yet again wanted to slit his throat, but yet again something was holding my blades and I could not carry through with it.  I hope Tel’ris was right about this child, and that he does indeed hold a lot of potential, because he will need it to account for his actions…

[Deacon]

Entry – 36

Fresh faces.  What they think they can do to help in the war against Blood is beyond me.  How much I have learned by just wandering the streets of Hlint.  The bard Ozy has been trying to educate the ones who are new to the surface, and I have been there every step of the way trying to discourage them.  It is a good partnership if I do say so myself.

All these fresh faces seem to think that they can take on the world, with no fear for anything.  If it wasn’t suicide to attack of one of them in a public place, they would see just how wrong they are.  One darthir in particular caught my eye, and frustrated me more than the rest.  I did not catch his name, nor do I need to because he will surely be killed when I next get the chance.  

He insulted not only me, but my intelligence and my toughness.  Both of which I am sure I have more of.  It simply does not make sense for one so new to the area to be ridiculing those who he does not know.  It is especially foolish to ridicule those such as I, who have very powerful friends.  Oh well, if he has decided to write his own death warrant, then I will not stand in his way.  I will just sit back and wait for my vengeance to unfold.

I have finally put an end to some of the burdens that the surface dwellers have put on me. I of course was not able to do this on my own.  I had help from the Onion, who assisted me in slaughtering countless ogres who reside in the Grey Peak Mountains.  One of which happened to be carrying the Oil of Vukas, a particular substance that the human female Juanita requested of me to find.  

I later went to Point Harbor to try and find Borden at Fort Himlad, to give him the necklace of his precious sow.  I had just left from the city when I ran into the Priestess, and I asked her to show me the way as I did not know it myself.  She agreed, and it turned out we were only a few hours distance from the Fort.  

On the way we had a conversation about the dark group with which we used to travel almost weekly.  She informed me that business kept her at Arabel, a town I have only been to once in my lifetime.  I hope to remedy that in the future, but yet again I do not truly know the way.  Perhaps one of these days I shall have her show me and I can get a taste of what it’s like to be back in the Eternal Night…

[Deacon]

Entry – 37  Today I have seen something that surprised me.  Yeah, it is not every day that something can surprise me, but this man did.  He is a mere human, inferior to me in almost every way, and yet he showed me how truly useful the shadows can be.  I had only but chipped the surface…  I was near Port Hampshire, when I found a group traveling to Shoufal to do some damage to the giant population who resided around that village when I decided to join them.  It was not until much later that I realized this group would be great company to me.  One of the group, not sure what his name is, was a cleric.  He proved to be most annoying throughout the trip, but I am grateful he was along because he healed my open wounds more times than I can remember.  Then it was that I saw the man who held a surprise for me.  He was able to disappear into the shadows, even when I was watching his every move.  He came and went as though he had command over the shadows, and they were his own.  He cast a spell that reflected the light around his body, to ensure that he could indeed hide from any prying eyes around him.  I spoke with this human, whom they call Renji about learning his ways.  He told me that he is but a learner himself, but he said perhaps his master would take me as his apprentice so that I too may learn these strange arts.  I asked Renji further, when I may expect to meet his master, to which he replied: “He will find me in due time.”  I await the arrival of this master…
  [This is the beginning of Caldiir’s development towards becoming a Shadowdancer.  Not quite the path I had originally set out on, but certainly a path that I am looking forward to pursuing.  I will continue to update his progress in this profession until I am ready to be approved for Shadowdancer (shooting for level 12)]

[Deacon]

Entry – 38  I have traveled with Renji a few times since that day he had told me about his master.  I have continued to watch the way that he bends the shadows to do his will.  He operates not as if he is using the shadows, but as though the shadows are working along with him to keep him hidden from those who wish to see him.  It is a feat that I wish to be able to carry out myself soon.  In the meantime I have changed my blades.  I am now using rapiers because if their light and elegant balance I am able to wield them with little challenge.  I have also enchanted them with a bit of fire to give them a scorching touch when they attack my foes.  Soon I shall have to remove the glow from them much in the way I did with my leather.  While all this has been progressing I have taken up crafting again, seeing how much money it can make the others around me.  Perhaps I can start making items for sell to the Priestess, as she can sell them with more success than I.  If not then I shall just continue to sell them myself. “I await the embrace of the shadow, that it may make my vengeance all the more devious when my carefully laid plans have come to fruition.”