Raj Whitehall and his times

[General_Ski]

The master dwarf, to whom I was apprenticed, has recieved good news. He has been selected to head the mining in caves near Haven keep.
We have arrived to Haven Keep. Alas, the place has been beset by ogres. My master gave me my leave, while he went to Berhagen to whistle up some dwarven help. I headed out to explore. Passed by a lake. Stopped there for the night. Fell asleep. Had a very disturbing dream. Woke up.. And I was at the town gates..

Arrived to Hlint just before sunrise. Seems to be a small quiet town at first. Met a few strangers, some of whom refused to remove their hoods, when conversing with me. I found this rude, but have decided to wait my hand since one of them, I think it was a she, by the sound of her voice, mentioned there were recent troubles, and that this town can be rather intolerant of strangers. Having no arms, I'v visited a shop. Bought my self a studded leather. Lacking knowledge about local dangers, I did buy a large shield and a war hammer. One can never go wrong with a hammer. Although am able to wield weapons dual handed, that double sword looked tempting at first, I could not risk spending most of my savings on it. Thus, I will stick with a hammer for now...

[General_Ski]

Helped a tax lady with her records, not wishout outside assisstance. Then me and an archer of note decided to explore the crypts upon undertaker Erag's bidding. First battles were tough. I threw axes at the skeletons that descended upon us in hordes, then switched to dire-mace. While the archer used his bow, and switched to long sword and shield for short range confrontations. We had to beat retreat from an army of ghouls which descended upon us on the second underfloor of crypts. Bleeding we made it into town, where kindly priests attended our wounds. In the second foray, we lured undead and fought them in the doorways. This way we made it to the lesser dark souls place of binding. There, it has almost dispatched us both. Luckily, we managed to deliver a series of simultaneous eviscerating attacks, where it  just fell apart, at the last moment before delivering a killing blow upon us both.

[General_Ski]

We have returned dark soul essense to Erag. For this he thanked us. After spending some time in town and talking to the guards. I found that a goblin threat is a persistant menace for the town. Alone, I went ahead to scout, dispatching any goblin scouts that spotted my presence, taking their ears as evidence of threat. Upon returning into town. Merchant, wagonmaster, told me that I may need to bring more substantial evidence than just goblin ears. A goblin chiefs head, might temporarily slow goblin raids, till they elect a new chief. That left me pondering.

[General_Ski]

I found a pretty drow lass, chaperoned by a large ungainly looking human male, enjoying the weather by the pond in Hlint. After a little chatter and
some uncanny advances from my side. The chap agreed to chaperone me and the lass into Red Light Caverns. Alas, we have been beset by goblins there. So, we decided only way out would be over goblin chief's dead body. This we accomplished, albeit the chaperone chap fell to a raging horde of goblin elites. Luckily the lass managed to raise him.

[General_Ski]

When we made it back to town, it was dark. We said our goodbyes. I spent the night at the Wild Surge inn. Dorand, I am torn. I do not seem to find a weapon I prefer. Yes, axes are fine to chop stone and wood with and hammers are to smith, but they are ungainly when managed, one in each hand. Since I do not have a hand I prefer, and I do find shields an unskillful menial task to wield, for those who cannot block an attack with their own weapon. But, I shall keep on searching, may be I will find, what I do seek.

[General_Ski]

I explored further east. Managed to get to fort Llast, albeit not without trouble. Met a mage there he requested Will'oh'Wisp. On the way back met some adventurers, on a way to Sielwood caves, to pray at the grave of the fallen. Helped them in their pilgrimage, a lawful and just task. In caves, cobold and sleezy sponge like things beset us. We fought back, forming a defensive hedgehog, then proceeding to attack in a formation of bristling weapons. I used a double sword. We found a necklace, someone thought a bard in Wild Surge mentioned losing one int he caves. After soe praying at the graves, we turned back to Hlint. Two giant spiders and a huge ant like thing ambushed us on return. After a brief but violent fight, wounded we made our way back to Hlint. There we treated our wounds, then went to see the bard. Indeed, she has lost that necklace in the caves. After returning it, I headed outside for a breath of fresh air. Alas, none did I find. I wound up at the swamps. Running away from lizard creatures, I was beset and ravaged by mosquitos. When I returned, with help sometime has passed. I prayed a little to help reflect upon my passing. On the way back, lightning struck me. And we were beset by lizard savages and a ball of lightning, which proved to be the will'o'whisp. My companion fought bravely, so did I. But upon dispatching the will'o'wisp. Another group of lizards beset us. My companion told me to grab the essense and run for it. So I did.

[General_Ski]

In town, I had my wound healed. Met a giant who sold me a bronze full plate. Alas, I cannot wear it yet. Latchings are to complex more me to feel secure in it. I went east to Llast, returned the essense. Then went back to Hlint and spend the night at the inn again.

[General_Ski]

I stored the full plate in bank. Then with a group of travellers raided Redlight Caves again. Saw a postman delivered a letter in town, got another, but alas ship passages cost too much. Then visited Haven again, to see if my mentor has returned. No word. But lord of Haven advised that something needs to be done. Perhaps a raid, and if Ogre leader's dead, their infighting may give enough delay for reinforcements to gather, in time to stop the Ogre invasion. With that in mind I headed back to Hlint. There, finally managed to assemble a force. There were eleven of us or twelve. Led by someone named Kai, and a green hooded elf, who wielded two wickedly green shortswords. First foray into caves, proved almost a disaster. We lost a dwarven master who broke his arxe in the fight. His helm was split, his armor full of holes. We had retreated to the surface. The dwarf, reflecting on his passing joined us again. This time we went, a solid line of fighting men and elves and dwarves in front. Backed up by priests and archers. I had to parry most Ogre attacks, or I'd have perished in the fight. Defensive tactics that I must learn, since I wield no shield per se. Second foray lasted deep into the night. We went in the Ogre chief headquarters, fire blazing at us from all sides. Ogre mages and green armored Ogre guard, beset us from three sides. We fought a well organized defensive siege. Finally, ogre chief lost his head, and after some delay we headed back to surface. Ogre reinforcements besiege us from all sides. Still all reached the surface alive, bleeding, but alive.. After tending wounds loot was split; and ogre head was delivered to Lord of Haven keep. I headed back and at the shop, purchased me a copper half-plate. This I intend to wear, until I learn to wear the bronze full plate I keep at the bank.

[General_Ski]

As I approached east gates a of Hlint. Elves with wild animals, bears panthers and wolves rushed the town. I attempted to have them reign in their beasts, as I heard oxen were attacked recently. They were fuming at me for that. And angrily set their animals to roam town free. I think wild animals are more dangerous than drow, since one cannot reason with them nor do they understand a threat. To stop a raging mad bear is not a task for weak. Thus, I strongly believe that dangerous animals should not roam town free.
Soon thereafter someone led a group of Gnoll troops into town, they (gnolls) attacked the populace with glee. I was forced to disptatch them all with my double bladed sword. This cannot continue. Guard should be set at the gates, and not allow anyone arms in hand into the town.
I have posted a poster at the in about this outrage. http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=15953&posts=1

[General_Ski]

Well, disturbances in Hlint have died down a bit, although occasional bandit does make it to the town street. Just yesteraday I saw some chum, dressed in black, with aponytail, wielding two blades attack the postman. By the time I tried to interefere, the chum was dispatched by another good citizen of Hlint. Certainly guard must be intensified, and those of martial virtue must lead the way.
Also, there was a gnomish convention of sorts. Something to do with a grand device. One gnome made an invention to go back in time and sent a few of his fellows there, but now he cannot get them back. So now he is trying to send him and his machine back. But machine needs water as well as other stuff.. Well another gnomish inventor has been convinced by a weird fellow, wielding a black staff glowing red, to help out. This has been tough since the original inventor seems to have stolen some other invention from this other gnome.

 Alas, the complexity of inventors. Anyhow, this other specialist said there will be no need to open a gate to water plane. That's good because I think they'd flood the world. I offered digging a canal, such as any good dwarven master would recommend, even offered my mentor, provided they compensate him of course, to supervise the project. But I was scoffed at...

Anyhow, the second gnome will attempt to pre to prs to pressuroise the water in small containers. I take it they will try to fit the steam in there, but that would be like  melting boiling kettle shut.. Dangerous work. I know master dwarves use steam to separate ore from stone... But this...
Well.. Best of luck to them.

Assisted a half-giant, I still don't know how I feel about those, some I do begin to trust, Spurgie to reflect upon his soul. Had to use my two-bladed sword to fiend off goblin threat in Red Light Caverns, so he could calmly pray. Bare and some others I just met, provided escort to Spurgie, just as well.

Smelding local ores is a treacherous task. I had more luck cutting some gems. Although polishing them may take a while, since it's expensive and requires oil.

[General_Ski]

Two days ago travelled with a dwarf Bjorn and a company of a few others. We managed to mine Haven caves under a constant assault of Ogres. Where do al these ogres come from? They must have a base somewhere on Mistone. On the way back a priest travelling with our group, Logan, I believe was his name, got ambushed by a mob of ogres from behind. They beat him into a pulp before we turned and slayed them. It burns my mind with anger. A man of peace and law has been beset by bandits.

[General_Ski]

Yesterday. I was running for my life in goblin caves. Ambushe by goblins, if not for my two-bladed sword I would have been slain. An orkess, they call her Mary, of all things saved my life. Ungrateful was I in return, despite all that. My hatred for the orks and their kind runs deep. I can't forgive them my oncle's death.

Someone named Sahala had to meditate and pray. Me a dwarf Mettew I befriended and a bunch of others, as well as wizard Bopthor set to her rescue. Rescue her we did. I acquired me a cougar pelt on the way.  But, were beset by a horde ogres in a cave off of Velensk. Wizard used an untimely ball of fire.. It hurt us more than ogres. We almost perished then. Then ont he way back lizardmen beset us on all sides. We ran, dispatched those who followed, but then ants attacked, we barely managed to kill the ant off, more lizardmen came in and beat our party into a pulp, the wizard perished so did some others. We helped them recover their souls and pray.

Then we travelled back through Broken Forest and Sielwood. Treacherous places. Broken forest heaves under the death  weight of undead. Without me two-bladed sword, which I used to fend off incoming hordes, I surely would have perished.

[General_Ski]

Having gotten confident in my ability with my two-bladed sword. I decided to put it to good use, and hire out as a bodyguard/caravan guard. I have posted a notice of my availability in such a role at Wild Surge inn.
http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=16252&posts=1

[General_Ski]

Yesterday, a group of miners, headed by Bjorn, and an elven lass I once helped, headed to Haven's caves to scout and mine. I was tasked with collecting the tax the ogres owed for using them moines. All went well however, one duergar, in our group, greedy lad, took taxes for himself, and mined without sharing. Bjorn sent him away from our camp. Since bandits we did not need.

We passed by Logan's grave on the way in. I prayed. Wielding my two-bladed sword, I helped defeat the onset of the nasty ogres, dealing a few deadly blows. But the majority of fighting was done by Bjorn and an elf with spiderweb upon his shield, all clad in black. The elven lass moined gems. I just taxed ogres and helped moinin' some iron, which given the inadequacies of the local forge I cannot seem to smelt just yet. But I'm learnin'.

When we returned to Hlint, I made my way to the inn. There I fell in slumber, interrupted by the dreams of me and my two-bladed sword, fending off ogres, till help could come.

[General_Ski]

My first return to Berhagen mountains did not go as planned. Rell, Victor, a drow with the spider web on his shield, and a few others. Now, I know why my master never came back with dwarven reinforcements for Haven caves. Berhagen is beset by giants and huge magic loik creatures composed of precious rocks. We had ahard time against both, but made it into Shoufal. My two-bladed sword slayed some giants, however, it was useless against the rockloike tings.  But Rell had his sword glowin wit magic that changed der toide o battle. I think that I will have to have me sword imbued with fire from der dwarven forge.

After der trip I purchased a dwarven made iron two-bladed sword from master smith Windsmith or somethin' to the loik was his name.
Then halped dwarf, Mattew from der Iron Drake, moin iron and bough iron half-plate from 'im. We slaughtered many an ogre that day.

[General_Ski]

Next day me, Mettew, a good feller dwarf Oi met a few days back (he calls me a half dwarf, I guess due to my abilities in said language and knowledge of dwarven way of life), Victor, one of the travellers to Berhagen, travelled to Velensk, got lost and wound up in swamps; swamps full of trolls. The exploration was slow and hard. We formed a dwarven wedge, and travelled slowly,  fought hard against all who tried to slow our progress.

Trolls mobilized and then attacked us in great mass of bodies and limbs. Their  [troll] leader, an imposing sight, fought hard and led his troops with skill. Battle shock threw Mattew back, while me with my trusty iron two bladed sword, that I acquired form Mr. Doran Windsmith, a dwarven smith of some renown, and Victor, fought the troll chief and made him and his troops retreat.

There behind the troll's main camp we found ruins, stone columns, it looks like this may have been a temple or a grand building of some other sort. We have decided to find out moe about these ruins. We managed to dig out a stair well, and squized through after a few attempts.

There a grand hall with two bridges over a great chasm opened up. On the other side we spotted some frog loik creatures walking on two feet. We tried to talk to them but they attacked hurling magic and then following the magic with warcries and engaging us in combat.

We were hurting after throwing the onslaught back. So we beat retreat. But as we got back to the surface, troll chief brought reinforcements to ambush us. We fought hard. Last thing I remembe the chief fell to my two bladed sword. Then something hit me on the back of my helm.. and I blacked out...

I came to in Hlint. My companions were nowhere in sight. I tried to reflect on my loss, but my head hurt. So I rented the room at the inn, and spent the night there.

[General_Ski]

The other day I spotted Mattew in town. Having aquired enough means I wanted to purchase an armor from him and Iron Drake guild which he represents. He had no iron, so I volunteered to accompany him on that task.

Ogres decided to do their utmost to stop us. While we were mining (or actually Mattew was), I was watching his back. We had to repulse three ogre counter attacks, after we cleared an area where iron vein was accessible. Luckily between Mattew's axe and my to bladed masterpiece, striking in swift succession, the bandits were dispatched.

We went back to Hlint, there Mattew made an iron half-plate, and sold it to me. I promptly painted it obsidian/purple. Obsidian a good sharp stone, but it can shatter in a novices arms. Oi think Dorand might approve.. Purple.. Well purple... I heard somewhere it was a color of royalty. And since it was royal pain that me two-bladed sword unleashed... Well... I could not help but commemorate this on the color of me armor and me helm.

[General_Ski]

Almost a week has passed. I hath helped lead two expeditions into the troll swamps. We managed to find the ruins again but did not venture into them.

Deeply inside I hoped we could find a path through the swamps so a quicker trade route could be established from fort Velensk, leading inland. But that has not happened yet.

After a second expedition, me, Mr. Q and Klugger, lost our way and wound up in a forest. They called it Direwood.. Full of ghosts it is, violent ghosts. I had to wield my blade (two-bladed) sword expertly to fend off multiple attacks.

I think. That depserate defense impoved my skill in wielding that blade much. No longer it's a twirling of the stick. My skill has made it into a strict pattern of attack and defense, though unpredictable and impossible for others to discern.

Finally we found our way back out of the darkness of that wood. There, while encamped, we talked some. Mr. Q expressed an interest in a stone of Alexandrite which I had found just before we set to the troll swamps. A deal in principle was reached, with precise details to be determined at another time.

There we parted ways. And I proceeded to fort Llast. In fort last I talked ot the lieutenant of the guard and have delivered weapons he has asked for. In return, I got a helm, which I had promptly reshaped and applied new paint to.

Then I proceeded through High Forest, having heard of orks infestation. I did not find any orks but did slay a brown bear who attacked me.

On the way back to Hlint. A stanger stopped me. I was startled and I tripped, with my sword hitting him on the shoulder. He was insensed.
But I calmed him, saying if I wanted him dead, he'd be already. He gave me a message to pass to one named Ketzia.

As I walked into Hlint a big crowd met me at the gates, I asked them if any had known one named Ketzia; some said yes. Well, I passed message to them and they promised to pass it along.

Tired from my travels I proceeded to the inn, promptly falling into slumber in my room. Heavy dreams of whirling with my double edged blade, defying jaws of death plagued me again.