Jil's Journal

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,
     How time slips by!  Sharyn is finally in bed, Daren fell asleep on the couch snoring . . I have a little time to write before I, myself must meditate.  At three and a half, Sharyn is everywhere.  The one thing I regret is not being able to take her with me when I am asked to assist in keeping this wonderful land safe.  But lately, being around the house has been giving me one benefit.  Garnet, when not busy has been babysitting for me. (Which has been quite a bit)  H has been teaching Sharyn some dwarven and as for me . . . alot of dwarven. Over these past few years, I have taught him some common . .. its gotten somewhat better . . *Grins* But I am picking up his language quite well.  I can remember when I couldn't understand a word he was saying . . . I guess I bluffed my way though it well enough  .he never said anything. Heh. I think this may come in handy.  A few years ago we (a group of adventurers) traveled to a place where they only spoke dwarven and not a single member of our group could speak it.  That was very interesting.  But now, I think I can handle myself quite well.
     I met a new friend today.  Her name is Sa'kura.  Actually she and another were lying almost dead in the goblin wastelands.  I was able to save her, but her friend was already too far out of my reach.  We traveled a bit .  . yes,  I left my horse in Lelion helping a group out a couple days ago . . and I kind of showed her around.  She is quite bold and moves forward a bit too quickly at the start of battle, but in time  Ithink she will learn to scout the area and find a safer way of engaging the enemy.  I hope to see more of her about . . . she has so much potential.  Oh, her friend . .Rei I think his name was . . . he was pretty quiet.  Didn't say much. *A line looks scribbled as if caught writing in the middle of a yawn* Lai wants an oak bow . . . in trade for a box of silk.  I could really use that.  I'm trying to collect enough dire bear skins to try and make Daren a very nice pair of Gloves of Fury . . . but my skills need work . . . and I need Dire bear . . .  Too tough to handle myself . . . Oh well, goodnight journal.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

*In the quiet of the night, she slips out of bed and pads her way into the main room, tosses a couple logs into the fireplace then walks to the desk and sits down.  Opening a drawer she pulls out a book well taken care of and opens it to where a ribbon marks a page.  Picking up and dabbing into an ink pot, the quill hovers over the page as she ponders  . . where to begin. A droplet of ink spatters on the edge of the page.  Seeing this, she sets the quill aside and quickly dabs it up, leaving a small stain behind.  Before picking the quill back up, she thinks back on the many things she has done and realizes she would be up all night writing everything in detail. Nodding her head once in a final thought decision, she takes the quill to paper.*

Dear Journal,
     The past year has had its ups and its downs.  Its ups . . Learning Dwarven from Garnet.  I'm still working at it . . . my vocal cords get a bit sore working at it too long, Sharyn turned 4 years old, (Laughs thinking of Daren chasing her around the house) Rescued the residents buried in the Temple in Stone, We stopped the quakes and demon attacks on the local towns and getting the house remodeled. Well, still waiting on that as we are next on the list.
     Its downs . . . Murder in Pranzis, The attack on Blackford, A rift opening over the desert on Dregar, and the Lich is back.  It has been spotted in different towns asking about Daren.  We destroyed the orb to stop the demon attacks and this Lich is looking for something we don't have. *Sighs* But as per usual a new problem arises after an old one has been solved so we just take things one day at a time.

To Sharyn,
     Yes, it does look as if trouble follows us everywhere we go and it is not because of a curse *Snickers*.  These troubles actually affect many peoples.  So why do your parents go out and put thier lives in danger for things that are not directly related to them?  Well, they are in so many ways.  You just don't see it unless you look very closely.  A lot of these peoples are our friends, and their friends become our friends. Those people have children, like you. The evil that courses through our lives effects us in so many ways, the greatest being our freedom.  And without that we would surely perish, if not quickly, then a slow painful one.  There are many people out there that care not what happens, they don't assist in these matters.  And in that way, they allow evil to grow and spread.  And no place would be safe for any of us.  
     No freedom to roam the forests, explore new lands, speak with new people, watch the birth of docile animals as they grow, to freely walk in the rain and listen to it hitting the leaves, to see a rainbow cross overhead, listen to the early morning birdsong or the good night of a Whippoorwill . . . and not worry if something is sneaking up behind you to take it all away or to take you away from it all.  Your father and I wish to preserve this world so that you and many other children will have a safe place to grow up and live in. So I hope that though your early years you did not fret so.  At this point you are 4 years and in another year you will get better schooling and you will be taught simple things of the outdoors mostly identifying animals and plants and as for what your father will teach . . . he and I will have to discuss that.  I hope that as your continue to grow you will see that what we do is for the greater good of all and that you also will do the same someday.  
     So, enough of my preaching for in the coming year I will be teaching.  Reading, writing and languages.  Elvish and common from me, Dwarven from Garnet and others as time (and teachers) permits.  And yes, there will be fun too of course . . . we can't forget that. *Smiles*  We love you very much.

*She puts the quill down, lightly sands it over and leaves the book open for the pages to dry.  She hopes Daren puts in a few words and the open book would remind him to do so.  She sits back thinking of what she wrote and sees the enormity of what lays before her.  Taking a deep breath, she smiles knowing that Daren will be there to help, making things fun, some difficult, but just being there all the same. She rises from the chair and on the way back to the bedroom, she drops another log onto the fire and looks out at the slowly approaching dawn.  Another day, she thinks to herself.  She climbs carefully back into bed, beside the hulking snore beast and smiles.  She reaches out, slowly caresses his face, and he quiets.  A smile slowly growing on his face, then fades as the snoring begins again.  She lays beside him, closes her eyes and relaxes into her reverie until he rises with the new day.*

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,
     Just a quick note.  Things have been realtively quiet of late with one exception.  AS I was coming back from Dalanthar one eve, I saw a Malar Panther blocking my path. Summoming Kreeg for assistance and boosting him magically, I found that is was too much of a task and fell.  Upon returning to that place under the spell of invisibility, I found much to my woe that it could still see me.
     On a brighter note, language lessons from Garnet are coming along better.  My throat is getting use to the rough accents.  Watching him and Sharyn playing together is so comical. *Smiles at the thoughts* Well, til later then . . .

[darkwulf365]

*Written very carefully on a small piece of parchment, slid in between the pages where Jil is sure to find it*
Tis still plenny early but I'm headin outta th house now twards Hlint.  I dunt know if ye fergot, but we have that meetin bout the lich tanight. I'm amost worried that ye aint found yer way back yet, but still, ye know what yer doin.  Give Sharyn' a kiss an my love, tell her I'll be back soon, an if'n she has ta go ta bed bfore I get home, tell her that I'll take her fishin tamorrow.

Love ye wit all my heart
Daren

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Its been a few days since Daren's note and yet I've to still hear from him.  Its notlike him not to send word by messenger bird.  I hope things are all right.  Garnet said that he should be fine, knowing Daren . . . just gets too involved in his projects from time to time.  
     My throat is becoming accustomed to the dwarven language now, and the words are becoming more properly pronounced. . . But still . . . I feel as if something isn't quite right . . . Daren's been gone quite some time . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Daren is still gone Journal, andit seems the Lich has him in its clutches deep within the underdark.  We are gathering a group to get him out of there but things don't look so well.  He missed Sharyn's 5th birthday, and we will have to make that up once we get him home.  

     I spoke with Garnet about it after we trekked from Norh Point To Pranzis through the mountains.  He asked me where I had spotted Crag Cats while exploring.  Along the way through the safer parts, we worked at learning each others langauges more.  garnet agreed  Iwas picking things up alot smoother.  He said he would come along to help get Daren back.  Oh how I miss him!

     Spoke with Rhizome yesterday . . . he told me much about the Great Oak.  I found it all really fascinating.  Unknowingly  I was following the ways of the organization that is about the Great Oak.  He asked if I could help spread thier word.  Wiha Treecut was with me and I told her she could help me if she wanted.  She really liked that.  I think she does not interact with many folk as she being a goblin . . *Blinks and thinks back*

     Strange . . . it was goblins that killed my parents so long ago, I always had a seething type hatred for the race.  But . . . she did not appear threatening, her face was originally covered, I wonder if I have finally let go that part of me.  But if I was to see a goblin harassing a citizen in a threatening way . .I'm sure  those feelings would come back, but I like Wiha.  She has alot of good in her. *Smiles*  Anyways .. I told Rhizome if ever he need my bow, it would be there ready for him.  The balance must be kept in check if we are to survive as a people.

     Now that Sharyn has turned five, I will be taking her to local safe woods and beging showing her the simple things about nature that only someone her age can understand. Kinds of animals, plants, the animals way of life, this  Iwill do slowly.  She is young, but she picks things up quick.  She is growing up so fast . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Well journal, it looks as if I'll be packing you up for a bit until I get you settled back in Blackford.  The house here in Pranzis is about to be remodeled.  It sure is taking some time to get it done.  Daren had done up the plans himself for the changes so I hope this speeds up the process.  It took some time, but everything is out except for the portal.  I will still have use of it until I get the final word of the construction.

     Garnet has taken on an understudy of a sorts.  He has a trainee to also become a Brother of battle.  He is quite secretive about it.  But he still does have time to teach Sharyn and myself more of the dwarven language.  I have been becoming quite fluent in it now and and I am not so slow in speaking it anymore. Sharyn, I think just likes it when he comes over so she can play with her uncle.  *Smiles*  Those two together are a handful.

I showed Dorena how t oscribe the other day.  not that  Icould show her much as she knows many more spells of the ranger than I do.  She should become quite adept at it.  Hopefully good enough I could get some higher circle spells scrolls from her.  I think she will do really well at it.

  Outside of that . . . As for Sharyn, she misses her father greatly.  We finally found us a guide to take us into the underdark and everything has been prepared.  He got his first half of the payment, the rest upon our return.  I have been keeping myself busy crafting and teaching Sharyn and just pray for the best . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Well Journal, not alot has been happening of late.  My tailoring skills have been improving.  I made another exceptional belt of cunning, my 5th one I think and I've made 2 pairs of exceptional gloves of fury so far.  I have the items to make Hill Hound leather, but my skills are not that good and I am afraid of messing it up.  It requires an enchanted diamond and they are so hard to get.

Sharyn turned six years old, *Smiles* and she is quite the handful.  I think she gets that part from her father.

I've also gotten the dwarven language down pretty good, Garnet still is teching me a few things, but I think he comes over mostly to play with Sharyn.

But, that is about it . . not much else to report, so til next time . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Another year has come and passed, bringing with it tidings both good and bad.  Blood has been defeated, but at a heavy price.  I myself fought to protect the great oak with Oslo, the Dragon that called many here to this land.  Though we won the battle, Oslo fell.  I fought beside him as he helped protect us as we took down the remaining forces of evil, but in the final moments, he fell beside me and the ground shook.  And my heart ached.  As we stood about him, there was little I could do, and I walked to his side and laid a rose beside, silently thanking him and wishing him a safe journey onto his next life.  

Pranzis fell, and now the city has been taken over by the forces that over-ran it.  Some within the city like the change, others do not.  We are still allowed access in, to the shops, its halls, our homes . . . but under the guide lines of the general that rules it now.

Blood himself was defeated and his home exploded and burned for days, the sky growing dark.  Weeks later, the skies haven't changed and are not expected to for a long long time.  At least I can remember what a sunset or a sunrise looked like.  For it will be nothing but a memory in the years to come.

Daren was rescued from the underdark.  I myself found the key to his cell.  As  Iopened the door, he stood leaning against the wall, weakened from lack of food and water, tortured, but he still had that look in his eye of defiance.  We healed him as best we could and climbed from that nasty corrupt pit and made it home.  He has changed . . . but what man wouldn't under those conditions?  But I love him just the same, if not more.  We held each other so tight that first night.  We didn't want to let go.  Just to hold each other in our arms once again.  He was able to celebrate Sharyn 7th birthday.  It was a gift Sharyn will never forget.  Nor will he.

Sharyn is learning the ways of the wood quite well.  She is almost as quiet as I when walking in the wood and she uses the shadows to move almost unseen, I said . . almost.  Her lessons with the bow are improving, her grouping is still a bit spread but as her mother, of course I am proud and I may embellish a bit . . . but there is much room for improvement.  She can get a squirrel to take a nut from her fingers but in her excitement of doing so, scares the poor thing back up the tree in a heartbeat.

Daren still sits up with her some nights.  I can hear them talking downstairs.  Some of the things they talk about I want to interrupt, but, he has her best interests at heart and I'm sure she will make up her own mind when the time is right.  Sometimes I'll be walking down the hallway and pass by the meeting room and they would be sitting on the bearskin before the fire snacking on some fruit or such, and I'll just stand there watching them together, laughing, teasing and I just smile.  Sharyn would look to the door and see me watching them, and she would smile with a small wave and then turn back to teasing her father.  She knows where he is ticklish too.  She asked once about the darkening sky, and the chill that seems to come with it.  We walked outside to the nearby water fall and sat while I told her what what happening in terms she would understand.  She was silent for a moment, her faced scrunched up in thought, then she turned to me and said . . . "Thats all right mommy, I'll be your sunshine," and she put this big smile on her face . . . all I could do was hug her and tell her that she already was.  I have really been blessed.  A beautiful child and a wonderful husband.  Back together again.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal . . .I have been such a fool . . .

Many years ago I traveled with Honora and Kharl to investigate a strange occurrence, from a place that held so much horror and decadence.  To put it short, I acquired a special Quill.   I thought the deed done, locked it up, put it away, out of sight, out of mind.  Out of mind . . . I feel as if I lost it.  My hands still shake a bit from my encounter a few days ago.  Epheris showed up in Pranzis.  Standing next to my horse.  “You or the Horse?” He asked brandishing his sword.  Not my horse, I replied.  He believed me that time. He wanted something.  HE would take it in trade for my life.  And I said I had no idea what he was talking about.  Then he told me and a long buried memory awakened in me, fear, a growing knot within me.  I opened my pack to him, he wanted me to search my house . . . we went in, looked about and he threatened to kill the entire family.  Sharyn, I’m glad she wasn’t home . . . *Puts a hand to her throat* I can still feel where he put his blade.  I tried to get some time to confer with the others, but it was useless.  He found the Quill buried deep within the desk.  HE said he had other business to attend to . . . I was so emotionally wrecked, I slumped to the floor in exhaustion.  Afterwards I saw Rawkwin and told him of the events.  Gods I feel like I betrayed everyone.

I did not write anything to you Journal, about this, before for fear of someone finding you and reading about it.  I should have taken the thing far from the house and hid it.  And as time passed . . .it was forgotten.  Sharyn had just turned 8 years a few days ago and she was playing at a friends house . . . Daren was away collecting things . . .  I tried staying calm, defiant to his pressuring, I think that is what kept him from getting impatient as we went through the house, but in the end .. . my mind is so confused, ashamed, scared, I’m rambling . . . .

All right . . . the Quill.  Whatever is written with it, happens.  Anything.  And the only way to counteract all that has been done . . . is to kill the author.  The person that wrote it.  It means we have to find some way of killing Epheris . . . which will be an epic feat in itself.

Gods, what have I done?!

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

What  . . is . . oh my . . .My mind goes blank.  Its still in shock from the events a couple days ago.  Demons, Devils, they are the same to me . . . every time I face one something horribly wrong happens.  A group of us went out into the Troll Mountains . . searching for another possessed relic for Corius.  Who turned out to be another person possessed by a devil like Epheris.  They are competing for the collection of 12 items to release those devils into our world I guess.  Anyways . .

We found the cloak.  And it had found a young girl.  She had gone into the Troll mountains to get revenge on the trolls that killed her father using the cloak, of  which one of its abilities was invisibility.  It was freezing cold, windy, and the snow deep and we found her/devil.  The others tried coaxing the cloak away from her, but  I think it started going downhill when they told her WHY they needed it.  Should have just offered a warmer cloak, food and a warm fire for it.  But when our intentions were revealed, the devil came forth wary and would not release the girl in trade for another suitable host.  Lin’Da used a giant hand to hold her and they tried ripping the cloak off . .but it seemed as if the devil was torturing the girl to stop us . . and I took my own action. It did not bode well . . .

I walked around to the side of the party, giving myself a side view of the child.  Watching to be sure her attention was diverted . . . I raised my bow.  I concentrated and mouthed my arrow to seek out just the clasp.  A straight shot across her upper chest, to rip it clear from her, and I released.  It was like it all went in slow motion.  The arrow leapt from my bow straight towards its intended target unerringly.  Then it was as if time stopped.  She turned her head . . . looked at me . . . I swear I saw red in her eyes . . . and she turned into the arrow with a small grin on her face . . . then normal speed kicked back in . . . the arrow hit the clasp ripping it from one side of the cloak then thudded into her chest, dropping her.  I stood there in shock.  I yelled to Rawkwin to do something, the others grabbing for the cloak.  Jaleel got his hand son it and took off into the woods, others giving chase.  Rawkwin was kneeling over the girl’s body.  They caught Jaleel, secured the cloak, and after the girl was healed . .we took her home.  But the devil ripped her mind apart.  In her mind she will always be a little girl even as her body grows old.  How can I trust myself again in a similar situation?  And I . . shot . .a little  . . .girl.  A little older than my daughter. I feel so ashamed, afraid, unworthy of my skills . . . I know it was the devil within her . .but still . . to see a child die at the hands of your own weapon . . . And that was mistake number one.

Still in shock over all that, we traveled to put the cloak in a place it could be protected hopefully from the likes of Epheris and Corius.  Just outside the building before we entered I had been watching 2 crows.  One flew off as we went into the temple.  I knew it was going off to tell someone where we were.  But even with that information .. they still left the cloak there.  Now there are two of the items there , such bait for others.  When we came back out . .. one crow still stood in a tree  .. watching us intently, probably someone listening through it also.  With an acknowledgement from Rawkwin, I sent another seeker arrow towards it followed by three other arrows for good measure.  It rained black sooty looking feathers.  I should have done the same to the first.  That was mistake number two.  I was too wrapped up in grief to think straight.

Is that how others are?  After such a heart wrenching act of shooting a child . . should I have been callous about it?  An ‘Oh Well’ attitude?  How do others handle it?  The emotion?  The pain inside?  And if I was to act in such a way . .how would others perceive me?  Not in a good light I would think.  Daren would tell me . . “Since when do you care about what other people think?” In some ways . .I guess I do.  I see and hear how others talk about different people.  Around them, they are nice, caring, but when that person is away, the comments are rude and they are made fun of.  Of four in particular, I hear all the time.  I do not want to be one of that group, nor do I want to seem cruel and heartless. *Sighs*

So, when I got back, I took Sharyn out to the nearest wood and we worked on her tracking and not being seen.  Then she practiced at shooting her bow against a rotted stump.  But in the back of my mind .. I could still see the shock on that little girls face . . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Hello Journal . . . just a side note really.  Ever since the fall of Pranzis the populace seems . . quiet.  Not in the silence sense . . but as in subdued . . beaten.  This "Lord Broegar" has put down some edicts that must be followed and they all do so like sheep . . . or slaves.  I've spent alot of time since the fall here in 'Prantz' as its now called, and it is really kind of depressing.  And now even probably more so at the destruction of the temple of Toran.  I've seen asmany drow and wicked looking spiders up here recently than I have in my excursions into the underdark.  But there have been whispers, and I keep my ears open . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Well Journal, time really seems to fly.  I have been keeping myself pretty busy, mostly with crafting.  Haven't done much adventuring of late, unless you count taking young children out to the woods, its quite the learning experience. *She smiles* Sharyn will be 9 years old soon even though she tries to act like a teenager and I wonder where all that time went?  And on those occasions, I pick you up, and sit before the fire, and slowly page through the many entries and look over the different items left within your pages.  Time goes by so fast when you are not looking.  Sharyn's movements through the woods is getting better, her aim with the bow is  . . . improving . . . Her knowledge of the elven, dwarven and animal language is doing beautifully.  

I was out gathering corn a week ago, or trying to in Fort Velensk, and I noticed that everytime I got to the stalks, they were already picked clean.  Then I noticed an invisible person collecting outside of Port Hampshire.  I figured, he needed it more than I, so I let him to it.  About that time, a large ant spotted me that he had disturbed and it came after me.  My first arrow imbued with flame, toasted it and my next couple arrows put it out of its misery.  I got cut a couple times and the invisble man (Introduced afterwards as Rain Darsius) healed my small wounds.  He asked about my fire display and when explained he said he had thought about becoming an Arcane Archer himself, but he was too busy at times to pursue it, but the biggest hurdle he couldn't make was finding someone to tell him about it or tell him what was need to get there.  To make it short, Ferrit and Kyle showed up, the corn was for them, Rain now had time.  Along the way to his house in Krandor, I found that he isn't really much different than I.  We both have ranger and wizard abilities, we both have dire wolves for companions and we both have the same familiar.  We sat and talked for a long time about Arcane Archer abilities and what one should know to train properly.  But I had to let him go as his twin 6 month old's were probably waking up and were going to need a lot of attention.  They are so cute.

I have taken Sharyn with me a few times to the kitchens in Lorindar to help me make pies and meats, and  Ireally enjoy the slow rides with her, she is so open with me and we just talk the trip away.  And upon the return trip when we start hitting the city limits, I walk the horse while she rides and hands me foodstuffs that we made to hand out to the poor and the hungry.  You should have seen the confusion on her face when I placed 2 coins at the bottom of a pie before baking it.  Just wait and see, I told her.  When she saw a poor mother hand out pieces of pie to her children and saw the coins there in the bottom and the tears of joy streaming down the womans face, Sharyn smiled and had one of her own tears form before she wiped it away.  She looked at me with such pride in her eyes and I just smiled back.  Now she always wants to help.  No one has said anything to me about doing this, so I will continue doing so.  

One day I was walking to the craft house with a load of mohogany for arrow crafting and saw a bunch of men and women crowded around a small fire.  They said nothing and smiled nodding thanks when I dropped two large branches upon thier fire.  Sorry Yard.  Thats three less scroll papers your not going to get.  

It is pretty rough looking here in Pranzis.  I've decided to make this my main home where I can help these poor folk.  They need someone to help them as the local governments are undergoing many changes and they just don't seem to have the manpower or the time to care for everyone.  Oh, I do not know all that is really going on behind the scenes, but I see what I see and will do what I can to help. But it is late and I should do Reverie and finish before Daren gets up, well, that is if I can tune out the snores . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Today, like many other days, you make plans to do something but then a bird lands upon your shoulder and changes everything.  Sometimes a good thing, sometimes . . . an amazing thing.

I arrived in Pranzis early this evening, and I was going through my chests to take some mahogany to the crafthall and make some assorted items for donation when I heard a tapping on my door, not a knock, but a tapping.  Upon opening it, a very flustered bird flapped its wings in my face as it landed on my shoulder.  Honora needed my help at Exodus Stonecutters house . . . She was there with Ash Willow.  I made haste down the street and after  Ihit the door once with my knuckles, Honora had the door open and was ushering me in . .

Ash is in labor with child! She said partially with nervousness.  I never asked if she had any experience with deliveries before, but she had someplace important to be at and didn't want to leave Ash alone.  So I told her I would stay.  And it also appeared that this was Ash's first time also.  So quickly looking about the room and a few questions later, I had asessed the situation and within a few hours new life filled the room.  Things were a bit tense on the third child as I saw feet attempting to come through first, but Ash stayed steady enough for things to turn around and it all came out fine.

I must say though that I believe I was in the presence of something not heard of in the lives of elves.  For Ash had TRIPLETS!  Something that is so rare.  If this portent is of something great to be happening, I hope the children do themselves well as they grow and mature.  

Nepp, her husband, apparently was away, so as she rested, I went out and brought back some milk for the children and some sillk cloth to wrap them and keep them warm.  I know she will do well by the children, though I do worry that three babies will wear on her.  The feedings, changes, diapers, milk, clothing . . . I hope Nepp will be there to help  . . . I recall as if it was yesterday . . and I only have Sharyn . . they have three . .  oh my . . I offered any help I could give and was very sincere about it, all she had to do was ask . . but the experience has quite worn me out and I think I'll go into Reverie a bit early this evening . . . Now I know how Daren felt when he delivered Sharyn . . . to watch life spring forth from the womb.  Now I have seen it from both perspectives and I feel blessed.  What a wonderful feeling  . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

I had a most distressing yet confusing dream, if it can be called that.  I travelled with others along a "Dream Path" of sorts fighting with dwarves, attending a wedding, and playing with children til I came to what I thought was the end of the road and stood before a mirror.  At first it was cloudy, but as I stood before it, a change slowly occured.  I stood there looking at myself.  My reflection stood proud and tall, my bow and an almost empty quiver of arrows on my back.  I looked as if I was a conqueror, a great leader.  But then behind my reflection, the background came slowly into view.  There behind me at my feet and spread out far and wide was a swath of bodies bloating and rotting in the hash sun that beat down.  I could see the heat waves rising from the ground and the corpses, carrion birds circled in the sky.  Then I looked back at my reflection, she seemed to be staring directly into my eyes and she spoke . . .  "Am I you?"  

In a whisper with tear rimmed eyes, I said "No."  It couldn't be.  There was such mass destruction and the look on my face . . . That can not be me.  I will fight for my life, my family and for my friends, but what I saw there . . . was . . . Oh, I do not know how to describe it.  I do not know if the dead there were friend or foe.  If it was friend, I would sooner give my own life than to have thiers taken.  If it was foe . . . Blood thirst?  Is that what I saw in her eyes? Was the dead to represent a path of destruction and death I have left in my wake of waking life? I am so confused . . . but I had to note this down, every detail.  Maybe something will come to me later.  I'll leave space below to insert any thoughts at a later date.  But now . . *Shake her head with sadness*  . . . perchance to dream again.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear *Yawns* Journal,

Yes, I'm a bit tired, haven't gotten much reverie of late.  I keep seeing the dream over and over, but nothing new has come of it.  Maybe I'm dewelling too much over it.  I'll just put it aside for now . . .

Rain sent me a bird yesterday.  Apparently he and a group wereout adventuring and looking for supplies for thier guild and could not find the rye they needed, probably for rods, and the note asked if I knew where they could find some.  I sent back a reply to have them meet me in Saudria (They were in North Fort). Well, Rain read it wrong and came himself to Saudria (Chuckles) then we waited for the others to arrive.  Passing through the oaisis and surrounding areas, Rain fell to the giants.  I think he was standing up on the rock where he fell to be the same height as they, but they knocked him from his perch, dead.

Afterwards we stopped at Dalos lake and we trained a bit more on his Aracane Archer skills.  From the cliff above I had him concentrate on a school of trout far below.  After burning through many arrows, and a small boost of a cats grace spell, he was able to reel one in.  He has the ability, now to see if he can find it within himself.  

Afterwards I invited him to the house, showed him the remodeled work.  He was a bit amazed at seeing I had a working oven, he thought it was like the ones in the inns, but I had shown him how it worked and he thought that was better than building a campfire everynight.  Then Goldwin sent me a bird (Came down the chimney, poor thing) telling me he had the upgrade for my yew hunter bow finished.  So Rain left, he portalled back to Mistone and I went to meet Goldwin.

He was talking with Lia, who said she was looking for adventurers to follow her into the abyss, she is going after something there, not sure what.  But she asked if I would join her.  I told her I would think about it.  I have heard horror stories of the place and I am not sure if it is something I wish to venture into yet, but I would like to do some research on the place first before giving any acceptance.

I have been cooking more of late and handing it out here and there in Prantz.  I have started collecting coin for the rebuild of the homes that was destroyed in the war.  I can see that it is going to be a long, long road . . . . there is so much to do. *Yawns again*  I think I'll slip into a deep reverie journal . . . I'll leave the dreams for another time.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

What an Interesting day yesterday turned out to be.  The Lich that has been plauging us for the past few years has finally been laid to rest.  Permanently!  And it was Daren himself who laid the final blow!  It turned out the Lich was separated into two halves by our intrusion in what we thought was the destruction of the orb.  You might say, a good side and a bad side.  We reunited the good side with his past love to reconcile differences qand in return, he gave his life to help put the halves back together again.  Basically we killed them both, they joined in the phalactery, and that, we destroyed.  But the orb is still out there . . . somewhere.

The party was quite relieved that it was all complete and we all went happily to our homes . . . that is, except for the trouble we ran into.  Daren was walking, I on my horse as we strode through the last of the Serpent Mountains.  I summoned Glacia, my familiar, to cast an improved invisibility for me to pass undetected past the clan of bugbears that resides atop the mountain.  Daren had cast a greater sanctuary upon himself.  Well, me being on horseback, I passed into the Blackhills first and waited for Daren to catch up.  As he rounded the last bend into my sight, he had two of the bugbears chasing his pink-colored self and he was bleeding and hurt so bad I knew that another blow from them would lay him low.  MY spell was just wearing off as they passed me, so I drew my bow and let fly at the one towering over Daren.  As it turned to me, I fired at the second then turned and drew them away far enough for Daren to get to relative safety and heal.  It was a good plan until I realized they were not going to give up on me.  I urged Symphony into a run, and with the training I gave her, we sprinted ahead, stopped, fired a number of shots, and continued doing so around the hill until I met back up with Daren, who by that time had healed and protected himself . . . but the bugbears wanted nothing with him.  Daren stopped one, but the other shoved past him still coming for me . . . so I continued leading him on with arrows taunting him.  I could then hear Daren yell for me to turn around and bring him back, but at that moment, I had taken careful aim and plunged a final arrow into its head, leaving it lying in the dirt.  Dinner for the firedrake that resides atop the hill there.

Afterwards, he complimented me on how I handled the situation and I replied . .if it wasn't for Symphony, I would not have been able to stay ahead of the creatures.  He scoffed, but I knew they could run faster than I on foot.  I was proud to have completed such a maneuver as he said, but Daren seems to have no patience with horses.  I guess that maybe I was deserving of all his praise, but I know I have to give some of that to Symphony, she had the speed.  I brushed her down good and gave her some oats and an apple for her hard work, then Daren and I headed of to bed after the long day we put in.  It was quite a while before I slipped into Reverie . . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,  Today I met up with Rain again on his training to become an Arcane Archer. He has the drive, the gumption, an eagle eye and after a few hard lessons learned these past months, the intelligence of its uses when travelling with a party. His marksmanship has improved greatly . . . especially after I had him shooting fish from up upon a cliff side. He was frustrated at first, but after some calm instruction he actually pulled a few from Dalos Lake. Heh. But today he really surprised me. We were fending off Golems in the Berhagens and he was slowed. And they easily caught up to him, but as I kept thier attention long enough for him to pull away, he set up in a good area and helped me turn them into rubble. He put himself into a safe zone and still helped. We were a good team out there and I would fight beside him any day. With his combination of spells and ranger abilities, I think he would make a great Arcane Archer, and I told him so.  Later in the eve I went to Michaelis trial and he has quite the task set up before him. It looks as if we'll be making a pretty rough trip and he will need more help. I'll ask Daren to see if he can help. I'll ask others but the final decision is up to Mich. The party will have to be well balanced if he is to succeed.
 So, other than that .. not too much else has happened. Sharyn's 9th Birthday is coming up soon. She is becoming quite adept at the bow now . . . she skins her own hides and has tried her hand at tailoring. She doesn't do too well at some parts, but I I help out when I see it is getting to her. I just hate to see her fail, but then, it is also a way of learning. We still cook together and hand out meals to the homeless wandering in and outside of Pranzis, though this new Lord says that the problem is not there, makes me wonder. Sure, the town may look clean, but something just isn't right. I just can't put my finger on it. But if things start looking like they might get . .difficult . . . I will send Sharyn back to Blackford. I'm sure Uncle Garnet will love to watch over her while I look into things.
*She puts the quill into the bottle of ink and leaves it there and leans back in the chair. She stares at what she has just written and thinks about the people of Pranzis/Prantz. She thinks she should keep a sharper eye out.She stretches, puts her journal away and rises fom the chair and walks to the window gazing out at the dark-grey sky and sighs* I really miss the stars . . . *She murmers and quietly goes into the bedroom and glides carefully under the sheets as not to disturb her snoring husband. *She looks at him and smiles, then leans over kissing him on the cheek. His snores temporarily stop, long enough for her to fall into Reverie.*

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

I attended the supposed hanging in Prantz.  I hung to the rear watching Boergar and his helpers.  It went as expected.  As I expected.  Not creating martyrs but making himself look like to be everyones best friend.  If he was that just and forgiving, why did he kill many people and storm the city?  It really angered me to watch and see the peoples responses . . . matter of fact, I'm still angry now.  Too disgusted to write anything else . . . *She drops the quill into the inkwell, slams the journal shut and walks off into the kitchen to fix some dinner.*

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,   Where has the time gone? Boergar has ingratiated himself into the local populaces graces, though something seems to be missing. I can't quite put my finger on it.    Daren has been quite busy of late. I don't see too much of him, at least not as much as I would like, but there are others out there that require his Goddess' ministrations and I can't deny them that. At least he has a calling to follow. Mine is my quickly growing daughter who just turned 11 years. She has become quite proficient with the shortbow and is trying the longbow now. Her steps have quietened greatly in the wood. She was able to reach out and touch a deer though it bolted. She is able to get close enough to squirrels to feed them, but the deer are still a bit skittish. She is doing so well. She recognizes many tracks and can follow most unless they run over hard ground. She travels with me on occasion these days, though I do summon Kreeg and Glacia to keep a wary eye out for any dangers and we all still have fun. I do not go anywhere I can handle on my own with her so as to ensure her safety. And yes, she gets bored easily but I keep the different excursions short and varied until she matures a bit more.  *She looks about the empty rooms, listening to Sharyn's breathing as she sleeps and wonders how Daren is faring. Is he safe? Is he eating or working himself into starvation as usual? Starvation . . . she thinks about those homeless outside and in the surrounding areas of Prantz. She should rise early and take out more food to them, some blankets too, the air is a bit chilly in the mornings. She sighs and sets the quill down, closes the journal and puts it away. She walks quietly into Sharyns room, gives her a kiss on the forehead, then crosses the hall into her own empty room. She climbs into bed, hugs his pillow and slowly falls into a meditative state.*