Jil's Journal

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

    Things went well, (I hope) with meeting the Prantz Council. So now I am currently waiting on thier decision. Yard and Daren were there for support, of which I greatly appreciate, but I did get a feeling from the council members of a reluctance to my proposal. I just don't understand why they don't want to help the folk there as Lord Boergar stated he wanted to help at the hanging. I sopke with a few farmers today about setting up temporary shelters on thier property while thier homes are being rebuilt. At least this way, those staying in the shelters can help out in the fields and in the re-building.

     I was in the Wild Surge today and this . . woman . . . walked in with her ox. I saiid something to her about animals being around food and such, and she made it sound as if I was harping on her about it, even though I was polite the whole time. Anyways . .

     Goldwin has asked for some cats Grace Scrolls. Made 7 so far, I like a good challenge . . oh .. someone is at the door . . .

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

*She yawns and stretches as she reaches for the quill and dips it into the ink. She pauses for a moment over the parchment, thinking, then begins to write*

Dear Journal,

     It is late, Daren snores in the next room and Sharyn sleeps quietly so I thought I would take a quick moment to note the past few days events. I have been training Rain Darsus for some time in the matters of becoming an Arcane Archer and he has been doing so well. Then, through a montage of incidents Rain was asked by who he called "The Pheniox"; to, I guess, redeem the barbarian tribe he had some sort of connection to, by destroying a number of large worms plaguing thier lands. Now I can not go into detail on alot of this, as it has to do with personal informatin on Rain's part and I do not like to probe where I was not invited, but I offered my assistance in the matter and with good friends we stayed the course and completed the appointed task. Rain seemed much calmer afterwards and still fostered hope that family members, previously thought lost, may still be alive. During all this, his skills with Archery against the beasts and diplomacy with the tribes, had shown me that he is most able to carry on as an Arcane Archer. So to this end, to show him how proud I was, I passed on to him my Mahogany Longbow of the Hunter that I increased its power mightly twice over. It sat in a chest collecting dust and I thought what better way for it to continue to serve in Rain's hands.

     On another matter and as a reminder, Sharyn will be turning 12 in a few weeks. I must think of something different for her birthday gift this year.

     And still no word from the Prantz Council members as of yet.

*She sets the quill in the ink bottle, leaves the pages open to dry overnight and climbs back into bed next to Daren who murmered in his sleep at her movements. *She reaches out and moves the hair out of his eyes and kisses him lightly on the cheek before snuggling in close, holding him and slips slowly into Reverie with a smile on her face.*

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

     Well, the past few days have been interesting, but there were only a couple things of note. First Sharyn turned 12, oh she is growing up so fast. Where does the time go? Daren and I took her out on a picnic and during that, she asked when she would be able to start adventuring with us. I just looked at Daren knowing the types of creatures we face and knew that it was something she shouldn't be facing, but then he gave me a knowing wink and told her thta she couldn't go on all of our treks, but we would take her on small ones from time to time, maybe starting in goblin territory. Well, she just beamed at the thought and that was pretty much the topic of her conversation the rest of the day. I'll have to teach her how to make her bow stronger and make a stiffer leather armor. I must say, even if she handles things well, I'll still be a nervous wreck. I'll have to make sure Kreeg stays close to her. My little girl . . .

     And secondly . . . I was talking with Rain the other day and he was telling me about the guild he was in. He said he had no one really skilled in Foodcraft and Elgon was thier tinkerer (May he rest in Peace) and after Itold him of my various skills he wondered if I would be interested in joining, with his guild family's acceptance also. I mostly wander about and craft for myself and maybe an order here or there, basically crafting just to increase my knowledge. I wasn't expecting to be accepted so quickly. Most of the Guild family are already great friends and a few, and hopefully new friends for those I just met. It looks to be alot of fun.

     Still no word from the Prantz City Council. A few of the local farmers I spoke to earlier have sectioned out an area for the shelters to go up upon approval. They have such faith in me, I hope thatI can live up to that. Well, I should get back to cleaning up the house . . . spring cleaning and such. Daren has so much stuff . . . heh . . . so do I.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Well, it's been a busy year, a few things of note to mark.

     Joined up with a group to look for some 'seeds'. not sure exactly what they do, but from what I have heard they are to be held and used by druids and bards. But then there are churches that are demanding thier followers to bring these seeds in to them. I know of three folk who are being accused of treachery because they did not turn the seed into thier church. Power and politics . . . when will these people ever learn? Anyways, this group I went out with, we split up into two groups. Mine was to open the way safely to seeds that were known to be in the Firesteep mountains, so that others behind us could safely look for the seeds. THAT was a fiasco. They pushed ahead of us a number of times, and one young man kept falling. Brisbane was in charge of the group to help find the seeds and I think Ozy was doing the same. One never knows with him what is on his agenda. So, we are deep into the mountains and next thing we know, Brisbane and Ozy are gone. With Brisbane I would expect that. She has a bad habit of getting upset and walking out on her party when I have traveled with her before. I am surprised that others continue to let her lead them. As for Ozy, we caught up with him later, but just before a Balor or some such appeared and got the last seed we were looking for. Maybe if we had all stayed together as a group, we might have been able to get it, but maybe it wasn't important enough to Brisbane and Ozy that we work together to accomplish our goal.  We broke up shortly after that and nothing more was done on it to my knowledge.

     I was heading north through the outskirts of Port Hampshire when a dwarf went running past me with 2 griffons on his tail. Never thought I would see a dwarf run from such an easy challenge. Two things went through my mind at that moment. One, possibly his life being lost and second, if he was able to evade them, they would catch another unwary traveller. Not good form on the dwarfs part I must say, so instantly I drew my bow and launched an arrowtoasting a few feathers bringing them both down. His only explination was he was in a hurry to meet up with someone in Fort Velensk.

     Found myself in Point Harbor with Rain and a few others. Went to Bear Island for some minerals. When we got back, a shade or wraith of some type appeared. Basically it saidthe ritual wasn't completed. Not sure if it was someone being tortured, or if it was an evil ritual or what? But we wandered about trying to figure it out, but the thing disappeared and it could not give us a direction nor a place to actually look. So, the others all gave up and left.

     A couple weeks later a group went through Hurm and apparently disturbed a Black Dragon or two. In retaliation, the dragons spread some type of disease. Most of the guild I am now a part of was affected and they stayed within thier homes under quarrantine until a cure is found. Good thing they didn't come into more contact with others or it could have really spread.

     Walked into the area north of Hlint and found a young woman sitting almost naked near the gate. She wouldn't speak. I combed the area, to be sure she wouldn't be bothered by anyone, but shortly afterwards Iwent back to check on her and she was dead. The local church refused to hear my calls for help, and when Iarrived back to the body, Ifion, Daren andI watched the body disappear. Most odd.

     I heard from Daniel Poetr that Barions wife, Sa'Kura has passed from this world. That poor man has seen more than his share of loss. I went to his house for a wake and offered Daren's and my condolances. Now he is left to raise his daughter on his own, but with all the good friends he has, there will be plenty of support.

     Found a way where I can help Daren do something now instead of him always helping me. He has started scribing clerical spells onto parchment. So, there are alot of ingredients to collect of which I have started doing . . . he has seemed quite . . lethargic? . . of late. He disappears at times and when he is about he rarely wants to adventure about. I think he has felt the bite of the Soul Mother of late. Her grip on him has been getting tighter andI think he worries about leaving us. I so wish I could help there.

     Heard nothing more from the ruling council in Prantz about my petition. They are so slow. But through others I have heard some interesting news . . .

     And lastly, a most important occasion is here. My baby girl has turned 13. A teenager now. We have taken her out as she asked and thank Daren for putting stoneskin on her. The goblins trained thier arrows mostly upon her and that put quite the scare into her. A good lesson learned hereI think. She didn't get hurt much, but feeling the arrows hitting her and bouncing off had quite the effect. From that, she has concentrated deeper into her training. She was quite proud when she found one goblin with one of her arrows in its chest. Of course as was I. I think she has a better understanding now of what her parents go through when we travel and that makes her much more careful. She can now get close enough to deer without them running off, and they even take food from her hands. I could never quite get that far and it makes me proud to see her progressing better than I did at her age.

      So, the year has been busy, the sky is still cloudy all the time, dragon sightings are numerous and life still goes on.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

First, my apologies for my writing to appear hastily written as the days events were a bit infuriating, but this is somethingI want my daughter to learn from. And the day went as such . . .

I just had to write the occurances that happened yesterday, not only to remind me of the types of people out there, but also in the hopes that Sharyn will learn something from this.

First, I was asked to help assist make a run into the Haven Mines for some Iron and Platinum. There were a few folks there that were sort of . . . green . . . to adventuring. Daniel Poetr headed up the group and things went pretty well. Afterwards, Daniel left and the .. green . . folk wanted to go for topaz near Fort Velensk.

On our way there, we passed through the battle fens. Instead of following the wall to Velensk, one person stealthed his way though the middle of the swamp stirring up the locals. Someone alsohad a summoned creature following us. Then I got filled with quarrels as I had the lead going though the area. Looking back where they were coming into the swamp area, they had spread out instead of following the wall. There were lizards everywhere. Just as my life force was about to run dry, I was able to stagger into Fort Velensk, someone started healing me, but that was counteracted by quarrels from 3 lizards that followed me into the area. I whipped my bow back around and filled them with arrows while being healed at the same time. When we finally all gathered back together, I was NOT happy.

So then we went on to the cave to the north. As they prepared spells to enter the cave, they got the attention of a band of bandits, which they didn't seeem to notice or care about and were going into the cave anyways. I didn't want to be followed in and get pinned. So, I cleaned up and saw more looking down on us from above. I told the group to stay off to the side, I would take care of them so as not to waste thier spells and potions, but as I was taking care of business, here they come. So after they brought down the whole rest of the camp upon our heads and we cleaned up the area, they had to rest and heal once again.

Inside the cave, we took out the first two sentry posts with no problem, but thenI guess the scout wasn't working fast enough and they started pushing ahead, then the ogres must have organized and we were being hit from three sides, everyone scattered. Couldn't form up and protect each other. I saw fireballs taking out single targets. Seeing that everyone was running, I let fly a hail of arrows and got most of the ogres attention and drew them all to me, leading them on a merry chase through the cave to the entrance, leading a number of them outside into a nice ambush. I buffed a bit and went back in for the two adventurers left inside. We took out the 4 ogres standing guard and joined with thier friends.

No, I was not happy, it could have turned out much worse. They were impatient and quite unorganized compared to the run through the Haven Mines. many of them could have been killed so easily. I guess some folks don't value thier life so much. Maybe someone should set up some classes for new adventurers. Luckliy we had no deaths, but if things had gotten worse . . .

. . . Like in the Sielwood where the Forest Render lurks . . . took 2 folk back to thier stone there after the last fiasco . . and saw five grave stones all in a row.

Sharyn, Your father and I will teach you combat strategies and common sense in battle and from situations like this hopefully it will save you alot of pain. Just a lesson to be learned. ~ Mother

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Well Journal . . its been interesting and for you Sharyn, lessons learned.

 I was travelling backthrough the serpent mountains with Rain and Daniel as they were escorting me from Dalanthar and we reached the last mountain to climb where the bugbears guard the mountain pass. Rain and Daniel were invisible, I was stealthing my way along . . (Glacia my familliar got excited over a dire boar and wasted my spell) . . and I was half way up the mountain when I heard a "Hello";. I saw Hawklin speeding past me under whatI percieved to be a haste spell. As I watched him go past, I saw the bugbears sweep in behind him, following. Great, I thought to myself. I got over the pass and made it to the Black Hills where a bugbear stood guard. I saw Rain nearby and he indicated when asked in sign how many there were and he said he saw only the one. I, being on horseback (yes, as usual. She has kept me out of harms reach so many times) quietly put a little distance between us and fired away, leading it on . . . I trotted back a bit and fired more, Symphony well trained in the tactic, then Rain appeared behind shooting, thus confusing itand we dropped it.I wandered about the area, making sure there were no others. I guess it wasn't good enough. No sooner did I make it to Corax Lake, that I got ambushed. With just a last tiny bit of lifeblood in my veins, Symphony was able to pull me away out of reach. I ran far enough away but within bowshot and put it in the dirt. I could have strangled Hawklen for that . . . what if it was someone younger or not as sturdy that was ambushed. I confronted him later and he had the "Oh Well"; type attitude. "Stuff happens"; he says . . I wanted to stuff something all right . . . but luckly some giants nearby interrupted us and he left as I turned my attention to my friends and the battle before me. Rude, inconsiderate . . Grrrrr.

Been to the Rift a couple times. The last time was a ladies day event. Lin'Da, Alantha, Angela and I. It was fun, but tough . . . I'm sure I didn't do half as much as one of them, but it was a great experience. Now I know them from dealings and speaking briefly with on occasion, but I do not know them that well. Its like . . I do not know what to say. I felt like I was going to a newcity and met new people. Maybe if we go on more trips, if I get invited back, things will get better.

It has been quite some time, but I put aside some of my archer training and worked on my Rangering abililties that I was able to advance my skills there. And through that I was able to stretcha bit of my time with the Soul Mother after much contemplation.That above all else makes the journey more satisfying giving me mor etime to spend with my family. Family . . .

Sharyn will be 14 years old soon. She is a young woman now. And she seems to be finding her own way. I think she will take up the Rangering, following in my footsteps, butI am not sure if anything else. She does enjoy the archery, but lately she has taken a fancy to listening to the bards spin thier tales either in the Freelanceers or the Arms. She sure does like Freldo's stories most when she can find him telling tales and Kat's wonderful music. She travels with me to the crafthall now, watching me work, though I do not let her touch any of the equipment. SomedayI tell her. She just smiles and nods. She does well with the animals now . . . she can tame a deer or a hawk. And her skills with a bow have improved. I am so proud of her. She babysits for friends and neighbors and is good with little children, its good to see her with other children.

And the other family . . . The Guild I am in consider themselves a family. Well, the family took quite a beating today . .andI felt helpless, thoughI tried. We went into the Forest Giant caves after minerals. Things went well until we hit the lowest level. First a spell of some sort hit Ferrit and dropped her in her tracks. We backed away after she was sent to her bindstone and we helped her get back to her stone. She suggested we could still salvage the trip by finishing gem collecting. Well, it appeared the Giants were waiting on us. Most of the party were turned into pincushions. Iwas able to invis myself with a potion when things turned bad. I tried saving Kyle, but he passed just asI was ready to pour a healing potion into his mouth . . Then I went to Daniel and I was able to revive him and he drank an invisibility potion and headed out. Then when I turned about, poor Rain took a mighty blow thatI found out later that the soul mother took another strand from him. One more and she keeps him. It was not a good day.

Well, it is late and I have been waiting on Daren . . I think he will be late again getting in, so I will go tuck Sharyn in and meditate until he arrives.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Well, I finally heard from the Prantz council, though the news was both good and bad. Just to bring you up to speed, firstI will say that a few things will be left unsaid for personal reasons so, that being said . . .

Honora, Daren and I heard about a trial happening in Prantz. We sat there through two of them. The first, a woman was being tried for theft of goods from a supply wagon. She claimed the items were hers sent from a relative of who had ... passed away. She was to be sentenced 10 years in a work camp. She had 3 children who would have become wards of the city (Boergar) thoughI spoke up and offered to take the children. I was asked if I had a license to operate a daycare/orphanage of which I said no and the replied I would have to obtain such if I wanted to operate such business. I said I would apply.

The second was a man, a previous royal guardsman for the royal family of Prantz before its fall. He served for many many years. He said that we was taking folks to the grave site of the royal memeber he served and with shovels plant many flowers about the area. The guards there stated he was inciting a riot, the shovels, weapons. He was sentenced to hang.

I found out shortly afterwards that the man was hung publically. The woman mysteriously disappeared with her children,and was a cause of frustration to the city guard. I recieved a notice from the council denying my request for shelters to be built for the war-torn inhabitants of the area in and outside of Prantz. But in turn I was granted a license to operate an orphanage in Prantz of which I purchased a building and is now known formally as The House of Hope. It needs to be cleaned up a bit, furniture placed, reapairs done, a bit of paint here and there andI should be ready to fully operate soon. I have collected some funding to take care of most of the costs, but I think I can swing it.

Sharyn is so full of ideas and she wants to help, she keeps tossing ideas out to me from out of the blue (Then thinks of the gray skies). So, now I must think up ways to let others know about the orphanage for adoption opportunities and to collect donations for monthly operation fees and upkeep, food, clothing and the such . . . most of which I can make up myself, so journal, it is time I laid this quill to rest for a short time

*She cleans the quill, stoppers the ink bottle and fans at the written words to dry at the big desk in the corner. She leans back in her chair in the low candle light and ponders.

//OOC Personal Reminder ... many details left out as such information may be hazardous/incriminating to the family's well being if this journal was read by the wrong persons.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Its been a while, but the work never seems to end. The construction of the orphanage has finally been completed, the stores built up and children filling the halls already. The building took quite a bit of work as it replaced a merchant shop that had been partially destroyed in the takeover of the city, but as I know woodcrafting quite well, it was just a matter of time before it was all restored. Sharyn, bless her soul, went out and collected many foodstuffs to help fill the food cellarsplus skins and cotton for us to turn into blankets and clothing. I built many beds and other furnitures for the rooms and now I'd like to find some toys for the different ages.

AFter the dust had settled down and everything settled into its routine, I took the children out for some exercise and enjoyment when the weather was halfway decent. Watching Sharyn with one of the little ones one day brought back memories of myself cradling her. She saw me staring at her off in my own little world and she tossed a small doll into my lap breaking me from my reverie. When I looked up at her we both laughed. I think she would make a wonderful mother someday ... someday ... no time soon I hope. She just turned 15 years not too long ago. She is getting some of her fathers attitude too I believe. She gets defiant at somethings and I know she is hiding some things from us. I have been watching her somewhat and she seems to spendsome time with a young man that stays here at the orphanage. He is quick with his hands and moves like a spider. Quite the sham artist I think. He also bears watching.

Speaking of watching, I think I have been spending way too much time with the orphanage and not much at all with Daren. Between my work and his, we do not seem to spend as much time together lately. I'm going to have to remedy that. I'll need to get more help for the assorted duties at the orphanage. Honora said she would help, maybe a couple more. Handling 20 - 25 children is quite a busy task. Keeping them fed and clothed AND occupied is not easy. Maybe I can find a bard that can help with the entertainment. Between storytelling and songs that in itself should give thier overactive imaginations alot to do.

In other things ... the guild appears to be doing well, though they do not get many orders in the fields they hired me for, but I do my best. I achieved a new level of understanding in Tinkering the other day and it just makes me want to press on with with it. There is so much more there I would like to do, but it will require more dedication. Rain Darsus was visited by the Soul Mother a ninth time a while back. So he has held back on many of his outings. I could see the hurt in his eyes everytime the other guild members went out, but now, he has found a new way of joining them and helping at the same time. He and Kyle got horses and Rain seems quite enamored with his.

Been doing a bit of traveling with a few others and found myself in Kings Landing with a bit of a mystery. But there is still much to learn. Other than that, not much else has been happening. Time to go check on the children before bedtime.

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Things have been progressing quite well with the House of Hope. I am almost full and can hold only 25 children at a time. I think now that things are getting into a routine that I should make a post about adoption. Kyle and Ferrit are both quite helpful. He has been making beds (More sturdy than what the furniture merchants sell) and she has been donating skins for clothing and blankets. Lex'or has donated food and a few others have donated coin.

On the children side of things ... Honora has been teaching the older kids some self defense moves and discipline from her teachings as a monk. And Freldo wishes to make a few instruments and wants to teach the childrensome music and song and hopefully something educational. I myself have been taking them out on occasion but most of my time has been on the rebuilding of different parts of the building ... and watching Sharyn.

She has been spending time with a young man who will not give his name and seems to have some rougish tendacies. She has snuck away with him at different times just to roam the city or the ouskirts, with me following of course. He seems a bit enamored with her so he keeps out of trouble, but I notice that he is teaching her things. As long as she doesn't get up to no good ... well, I hope we have taught her better than that, but with his influence ...

Other than that ... not much else happening .. I had a bit of time to write ...

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Dear Journal,

Yes, its been quite a while since I last entered anything. The House of Hope has kept me quite occupied That and a few other things but that is neither here nor there. There have been many changes going on and so many things to do, Honora felt I needed a break and sent me home. Heh ... gotta love that woman. So what do I do? I come home, cook a bit, organize the crates and end up sitting at Daren's desk writing. Yes, Sharyn is out with that young man again. Since she turned sixteen a few months ago she has been trying to assert her independence. She gets that stubborn streak from her father who seems to be around less and less of late. Not sure what it is he is doing .... church business I suppose. He has been working at something but I haven't got wind of it yet. I followed Sharyn out with the little rogue a few times and I think I have nothing to worry about. Her actions and reactions tell me she at least knows what she is doing and keeping herself from getting into any trouble. I think he got her too close to danger one time that put quite a scare into her. She has picked up a few of his tricks and is becoming quite deft with her fingers. I do not like where this may lead but I know I can not run her life ... then it wouldn't be hers. I hope that any values I tried to instill in her are still there. I watched him try to move in on her, pull her into a kiss that she obviously didn't want. I was about to show myself but she used her knee to keep him place. I could almost feel his pain as he crumbled to the ground. Then she gave him a piece of her sharp tongue and her fathers attitude. I left at that point asI saw she has everything under control.

I received a missive from Mich. I met up with him in Haven Castle and he had an item for me. A yew longbow. It seems Kharl Drake has been taken to the Soul Mother permanently and that he wished I have his bow. I didn't know what to say really, I just stood there fingering the bow thinking back. Kharl was my guide when I first arived on these shores, he showed me many things. He was also the one that introduced Daren and I together, though it was not done intentionally. And we stayed friends. I will miss him.

Other than that, nothing new really happening. Just busy busy busy. So busy ... Oh I did speak with Daren about something. In less than 2 years we will have been married 20 years. He agreed to my thoughts on renewing our marraige vows. I just wish Ayla was here to perform the ceremony. But we have time to think about it more. Well, I should get a bit of reverie done. A vacation would be nice ... a break ... right ... *She chuckles as she puts the quill and journal away.*

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

Journal,

I sit here quill poised, but unsure of where to begin or what to write.  World wise it has become a darker place, and more dangerous.  Dragons are being spotted again, rumors reach my ears they are coming out of hiding now that Blood has been defeated. Teskies begin to clear, oh how I have missed seeing the stars.  Most prevalent of the dragon sightings of late is the Black Dragon that lives near Hurm.  It is one thing to sneak past orcs, gnolls, bugbears and madmen ... but a dragons eye-sight and hearing is so much keener.  So why do I go on about this?  Sharyn, my baby girl is no longer a baby.  19 years, plus and so independent.  Yeah, like her mother, I have to smile at that.

Work at the orphanage has kept us all pretty busy.  Freldo teaching music and telling his tales, Honora teaching discipline and self defense when she isn't working for the city, though I think her term there is over, not sure.  Myself, I arrange outings when I am not ... repairing walls, furniture, the roof, gathering and cooking food, mending clothes and bed linens, cleaning rooms (Though some of the children help) getting candles, hauling water and when not doing all that, I join up with friends to help keep the country in some kind of order.  Well, except for our last jaunt across Alindor and that business with the Barons and baroness'.

Why is it when someone wants an opinion on a magical problem, they base thier decision on answers from those that know little about the weave?  The others put one portal into another andcaused a great rift, a rip in the weave, which threw us into another plane and the only way we could get back out alive was to accept to do something for Mist in the future.  That there is what makes me deny to follow any God or Goddess.  They are so cold-hearted, greedy and self centered, all they acre about is thier own goals and to the bloody blazes with thier worshippers.  I have ~never~ seen a god/goddess do something for the good of thier worshippers, and no they do not supply the access to the weave.  I follow none and I can touch the weave throug hmy wizard training and ranger abilities.  So did I agree to the terms set forth by the Mistite?  Of course.  How else was I to get back to Layonara and my family?  Regular animals tha twere not regular, dark all the time, a Mistite that seemed to have control over a headless King bryant, and the place just kept going on and on and on ... So when she comes a-calling on the payment of her help, I'll just take it as its handed to me and move on.

Daren is away a lot, but between the guild, the House of Hope and Sharyn, I have plenty to do to keep me busy.  Though I do miss him so much at times, things are just not the same.  maybe it is the getting older thing, maybe.  Our 20 year anniversary has come and gone and another on top of that.  We were to celebrate but ... maybe on our 25th.  Time changes many things.

Hlint has changed so much over the past number of years, the area a bit more wild, the town more closed in.  Many folk have migrated down Port hempstead way.  The ships bring in new folk every day.  Some of them . well ... someone dropped a Slaad tongue into the well and a little girl was poisoned.  They say it was an accident, and it was something thier diety would approve of, but what fun is there in killing children?  if it was my child that was poisoned, I do not care what belief they are following.  I would put an arrow into them and petition the soul mother to keep them, never to let them return.  What is this world coming to when killling children for the fun of it is allowed?  And what makes this god, Shadon I think, any different from Corath?  And where are the good gods to keep this from happening?  What about the little girls god?  Where were they when this happened?  Why did they not prevent it?  The Gods be damned then!  And others wonder why I do not follow any diety ... it is because of stupid irresponjsible acts such as this and the lack of ... the lack of ... morals  and common sense, grrrr ... the laws governing here are a mockery of the justice system.  Why even have laws if they are not going to do anything about the law-breakers and evil roams freely?  *The page looks as if it has been wrinkled and written too hard upon, a few water stains mark the page*

*The following entry is made on a new page, the writing neater and steady.*

Moving on ... Sharyn has moved on ... she lasted maybe another year hanging out wit hthat young rogue, but he suddenly disappeared and Sharyn says she does not know wha thappened, yet I think she has an idea but is refusing to tell me about it.  There is something in her eyes .... After his disappearance she hung around the orphanage more, then as time passed her mood became lighter and she helped out alot more.  She is quite handy at fixing the office locks and cabinet door locks and she is much surer in her actions and I can tell it will not be too much longer before she wants to head out on her own.  I know I want to be there to help guide her but if one wants to be out on thier own, they have to learn thier experiences for themselves firsthand.  But she'll be able to still stay here with us.  I will not force her out, but I will expect her to save her coin so that someday she will have a place of her own.  Soon journal, I will be giving you into her hands to read before she goes out on her own, so maybe she can learn a few more things to make the right decisions out there.  I can only protect her so much, but her independence is showing more and more.

I hope that all I have written here will serve her as a guide, thgat, and all the training I have done with her, the travelling we have done ... Do all parents have that feeling deep inside that wonders, "Did I tell them everything they need to know to stay safe?"  I'm still going to worry though, aren't I?  I thnk that at that point, a new chapter in my life is going to begin and thus a new journal will be created.  Kids ... speaking of which, I think she just walked in the door.  Til later then ....

[Jilseponie Wyndon]

*Jil sits behind Darens great desk, and it dwarfs her small frame, her head tilted back as she just stares up at the ceiling, her journal open before her, the next entry unwritten as of yet.  Memories fill her mind from the first days she set foot upon Layonara, meeting Daren, getting married, delivering Sharyn, the many adventures she has been on, the adventures of raising a child, the child growing, learning, becoming independant ... during those times time crawled.  And she looks back now and it feels as if time flew by.  Did I miss anything? Did I do most everything right?  After some time she dips the quill into the ink and writes:*

Dear Journal,

I feel as if I just said hello to you for the first time not so long ago and now here I am saying goodbye.  You have been a comfort, a confidante, a teacher, a keeper of secrets and stories.  And now with this final chapter in this part of my life, you will be shared to spread knowledge then stored away.

Before I move on to closure I have one more adventure to speak of, one I think is more important than any other I have wrote.

A short while back I was with a group in Prantz about to listen to a Rofie Priest about to give a grand proclamation.  Before he was to speak Yard spotted a strange man making his way to the front.  Seeing the assassination for what it was, it was deflected, but the priest was hit in Wyleth's stead.  We took chase.  After much investigations we found the poison used was of a rare sort and proceeded to create the antidote.  We found our way Vandavar (?) in the desert where a rare snake could be found.  Arriving there we were attacked by the most colossal of scorpions.  Someone mentioned trying to be empathetic towards them, but they were attacking us, and my heart was racing.  Yes, I was scared ... and I said "There was no way I am going to try it on them!"  Well, I said that for 2 reasons.  One, I was scared.  I had never seen anything so huge, and my party mates were just ants to it.  Secondly, I have such little skill in that regard.  After killing them, we found a house of a man who created them and held the one snake we needed.  When asked if we did everything we could to avoid killing them, (And I said Yes) another party member whispered my earlier comment and the man heard her.  So he chose me to enter a den of snakes to retrieve droplets of poison from its fangs.  

Jennara Creekskipper, a good friend of mine, was of the Rofernite temple and the Head Priest was the one poisoned.  Seeing the man gave us no other option in getting a sample (And I suppose me being responsible for the current predictament) I agreed to go in.  The place was wall to wall snakes and the one I needed was at the far end of the room.  Unfortunately, the snake didn't take very kindly to me, though I did get the samples needed, I was poisoned myself.  But Jennara needed it for the High Priest and she is my friend.  I staggered out the door falling with weakness and handed the vial to her.  In the end, the antidote was made, I got one and the priest got the other.  I did not do this because of honor or great courage, but since I was partially responsible, I did it as a friend for a friend.  Yes, I would give my life for a friend if it was to serve a greater good.  At least I hope that is what I did it for, though we will not know until the priest decides to speak out once again.  Soooo ... anyways ....

I spoke with Sharyn the other night, a few weeks after her 21st birthday and she wants to adventure on her own, to learn lessons that life has to teach, to help her grow in ways I can not teach her myself.  And though I do not want to let her go, I know I must.  I do not do this out of a lack of further teaching skills nor to increase my hold on her, I do this out of love for her.

I asked her in what direction did she think life would take her, what were her plans?  She just shook her head and shrugged, as any normal teenager would do, and said that she would follow the path that I first took, enjoying the woodlands and wildlife and yet she does not feel that taking things head on (like her mother) in a fight is something she is ready for.  The young man she ran with for a time had shown her a few things, but she did not elaborate, nor did I press her for it.  We all have our private thoughts and they should be kept that way.  I told her that she should move back to Blackford and she would be able to come and go as she pleases, though I would like for her to earn her own place eventually, though who knows what the future will hold.

So I told her that after one last entry she would have you to read.  To know my thoughts, the joys and the heartaches, the fear and elations.  To possibly learn from you the ways of this land and its peoples, to do a better job than I in preserving Layaonara's way of life.  

So to you Journal, this here is good bye.  And to you Sharyn, I love you so very much and if you ever need anything or need someone to talk to, you will always have me or your father.  And if not us, seek out your friends.  Your true friends will never guide you wrong.

Your Loving Mother

~ Jil Valhaikor