Jin Lun Lee - Diaries.

[stragen]

Preparing the Wolves

The Farstriders are preparing for the final confrontation with blood.   The meeting this week discussed tactics and strategy.  We, the Farstriders, decided that we would serve the cause best as a single unit working together.  We will aid in the defense of Lorindar, Pranzis and most likely the rest of Dregar.  While other Dragon Called will defend nature, and a elite group will provide a counterattack on blood.

We suspect that Bloods Demon Fleet will be invading Dregar via Lorindar, Sauradia, and Hurm.   We surveyed these sites and familiarized ourselves with defensible locations.  Sauradia looks particularly venerable, while Hurm could be well defended with a strong fleet, unless the local pirates side with Blood.

Having not faced Demons before Tegan, Armolas and I ventured to the Bloody Gate to inspect Bloods forces.  We fought a single demon and it took all our energy to defeat it.  Armolas arrows could not hit it.  Tegans magic did not harm it.  Finally I had to engage it at close quarters; with divine magic flowing through my veins I was able to pummel it to a messy ruin.  My fire enchanted gloves did not help.  It seems most demons are immune to fire.

For Divine Aid I Pray

[stragen]

A Dark New World

Pranzis has fallen.
The Great Oak and the Silver still live.
Blood is defeated.

I was in Pranzis when it fell to Blood's general, Broger.  The battle was chaos, blood and death.  The only area that didn't fall to Broger was the Citadel of Roferein.  Voon, Zug, Q and I managed to hold this small area.  Elsewhere was chaos and demon.  With this defeat the light within me was engulfed in darkness.

The refugees and wounded fled here.  They gave me something to focus on.  Healing the wounded.  Tending the sick.  It has been a  over a month and I am still working here, in the disease and misery.  I cannot face my friends, my family, my pack members yet.

The darkness in the sky matches my heart.  Yet in darkness there is hope.  For the dragoncalled have accomplished their purpose.  Blood is defeated.

The dragons have returned

[stragen]

The End of The Dragon Called

I have returned to my old routines of running with the pack.  There have been many changes.  Most notably the Dragon Called are called no more.  The Gold Dragon is dead.  Yet the Dragon Called mill around Hlint without purpose.  What different are we from adventurers, thugs or bandits without a goal?  The same is true for my Brothers and Sisters of the Farstrider Pack.  We were founded to protect the land.  But now the land freezes in cold and dark.  We are poorly equipped to aid the farmer with thir frozen crops or clear the shadow that covers the sky.  Still we need a goal.  There must be something we can do.  What is the cause of this shadow?  Was it use the destruction of Blood in the east?  Is now the time to return to my homeland?

Again my faith is being tested.  These dreams of wolves and the impingement of Folian S'pae icon on my dreams does not sit easily.  Perhaps it is nothing more then a vision for the Farstriders.  There must be something we can do to aid the world in these dark times.  The wilds are darker and wilder then before, and the populations in the civilised lands bows under the ravages of war and famine.  I will speak with Healer Leidanos in North Point about concerns.  I heard a rumour that something was stolen from his temple.


In Aeridin's Light.

[stragen]

Glenn Thendors Passing

Glenn Thendor is no more.  I am torn with grief and only hope that he will find joy in the next life.  I will visit his body in the Temple of Folian S'pae on Dregar.  This fills me with sadness and dread.  I have not see Ash Willow in a while, I hope she is surviving well.

May The Longstrider Guard His Soul.

[stragen]

A Meeting Of The Farstrider Pack

In some good news the plans for the remodelling of the Den are going well.  Looking at the plans the renovated Den will be well suited to our needs.  

My practice of spoken Elven with Tegan is progressing slowly.  Understanding is not a problem; it is speaking that causes trouble.  However Tegan herself is more weary then usual.  I think she finds the attention of so many men draining to deal with.  She did not join with the pack joyfully examining the plans.  But just slept on the couch.

To a new Den.

[stragen]

Wolves

Tegan has left the Farstriders.  Yet her heart still remains.  She is troubled by a lack of respect.  I believe she will find the respect she desires.  Then she will return.  

Armolas was almost eaten by a purple worm.  There is more to the tale, but I do not understand it. He thinks there is a connection to some trouble in Hlint.  I must check on AnnaLee.

Karana's wedding is on hold.  The temple of Toran in Pranzis is naught but rubble.  She is determined to wed in the temple of Toran in Pranzis.  This means removing Broger from power... But who would replace him?

Berilu is busy cooking.

Xandrian is quiet.

Pendar joined us for a meeting, we suggested that he might join the Farstriders.  I will wait to see how he works with the pack before I nominate him.

Tommorrow I journey to North Point.  I hope I can find some answers to my dreams for the sake of the Farstriders.  The wolves need guidance and direction.

In Aeridins Light,

Jin Lun Lee

[stragen]

A Dream Too Real
[yellow]
Startled I awaken, soft wet things flap against my face, head and arms. Its dark and I am disoriented at first. The earth beneath me is damp and cold. The air is so fresh that mist expels from my mouth as I breathe.  All my senses are working overtime. This is not where I went to sleep.  Slowly I realise I am lying on the floor of a massive dark forest. The fronds of ferns heavy with night dew resting upon me. As I begin to realise where I am my mind begins to turn to why.  Looking around into the darkness as I stand I see even darker shapes of large thickets or the broad trunks of trees.

Just then the sound of a wolf echoes in the forest. Its call taken up by several others until then from somewhere to my east a deep sinister howl ripples through the forest. The howl is like nothing human I have ever heard. The pure malevolence and evil it expresses causes the hair on the back of my neck to raise, shivers to flow down my spine and a deep sense of dread to fill me.

As the forest suddenly fills with the sound of the wolves howling and the howl of this darker force a light drifts through the trees to my north. Sensing somehow a chance to escape this place I set off after the light.

As I run through the dark forest I manage to avoid most of the hazards, but still I am slapped, scratched, tripped by tree branches, roots, and bushes. The light is drifting ahead of me, the sounds of the wolves closing in....then suddenly...silence...except for the pounding of my heart. I skid to a halt just as the forest explodes into motion around me. Dark shapes flash through the air both large and small. Teeth gnash, growls emerge, howls of anger and of pain as two forces battle around me.  I see wolves fighting larger worg like creatures with dull red glowing eyes. The scene is horrific as they tear and rip into each other. The light hovers in the distance calling to me and I turn towards it dropping into a crouch to hide within the brush. Fleeing the scene I trip over something soft and hear a whine of pain. Turning back I realise one of the wolves has found a hole to hide within as its life passes from it. Vicious bites cover its back and its blood stains the ground.

I turn to see the light moving away from I sense it may be my only chance to escape but I still turn back to the wolf. It gazes at me and I realise its trying to determine if I am an enemy or not. In that second I make a decision and calmly kneel down to the wolf and call forth the powers of healing to it.  Nothing happens but suddenly light bathes my face and I see nearby the light has returned and hovers away from me. It pauses as I call forth to Aeridin to heal the creature. Once again nothing happens but as the light seems to turn from me, I feel warmth flow into your hands and the wolf’s wounds flow together as they heal.

I turn to the light and see that it is fading and distant just as the wolf leaps up to its feet and bites me viciously on the right forearm before dashing back into the forest.
Startled and shocked I stare down at the blood-filled bite mark on my arm.

I awaken, this time truly in the place I went to sleep in; realising that it was all in a dream. Then shock fills me as I draw my right arm from beneath the covers to find it covered in blood. Calling on Aeridin to heal the wound the response is slow but the healing comes leaving a series of pink scars where each of the wolf’s teeth penetrated the flesh with its bite. What does it mean...I dont know...but it’s the third time I have dreamt the same dream in the last fortnight. This however is the first time I have suffered an attack and awoken to find the bite real...somehow I need to find out about the dreams.
[/yellow]
Adapted from a private message by Dezza

[stragen]

Demon Slayer

I awoke with a promotion something evil was coming.  My premonition it turns out was right.  Of the changes that it would engrave on my soul I had not a clue.  The dream, and the bite mark they were physical manifestations of the wounds I had sustained so far.  There was much more to come.  The price exacted on my body would amount to nothing compared to the wounds to my soul.

The Farstriders gathered to my call.  The old and the new, the jovial and the morose these were my family:  Berilu the scout and mother to the group, Tegan who left but is always welcome, Xandrian the solider, Karana the Elksoul warrior, and Pendar the lore-seeker who is friend but not a brother.  My brother Armolas the woodsman was away on private matters.  I told them of the dream and showed them the traitorous mark on my arm, the wolf bite that appeared in my sleep and would not heal.  Even then I knew my spirit was in turmoil.  Thus, I asked my family to accompany me on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Aeridin in North Point.  There Healer Leidanos, the friend of my old Master Father Shay-Wan-Low, awaited me.  I had previously written to Healer Leidanos regarding my troubled dreams, but I hadn’t received the solace I desired.  

The journey to North Point was uneventful, apart from the bickering of Karana and Pendar.  Karana had fixated in her mind that I was becoming a werewolf and that the cure was the immediate amputation of my arm.  Pendar called Karana a Barbarian and suffered the wrath of her displeasure.  Their bickering caused me to chuckle within, but the mask of my face was deadly serious.  Arriving in North Point, my delight at seeing Healer Leidanos again was short lived. He reconfirmed my suspicions that my fellowship with Aeridin was in jeopardy “The light represents Aeridin; that he moves away from you does not bode well Jin my child”.  He could offer little new in the way of meaning “The rest of the dream I cannot help you with as I am not a dream reader.”  
 
Both Tegan and Pendar knew of a dream reader, Mother Elys of Karthy.  Thus, the path for understanding took us to Karthy, via Pranzis and Lorindar.  Pranzis, or Prantz as it has been renamed under the Dicatorship of Broger, is an uninviting place.  The ruins of the war still scar the city its people crushed under an iron yoke.  The sea journey was rough, with threats of pirates and slavers worrying our sea captain.  Karana soon settled the captain, through veiled threats and her knowledge of the sea.  

It appears Mother Elys was reluctant to take visitors due to an attack on her by her last customer.  Fortunately we were able to win her over.  Her reading of my Dream was disturbing to say the least.  She told me I had a choice to make and no matter which way I chose… Mother Elys foretold “You will loose more then you gain”.  The choice I had to make was between good and evil.   This disturbed me as I never considered that I would succumb to my darker side.  For me the path of good was fixed in stone, so I told myself.  Mother Elys could tell me little more then the nature of the evil and pointed me in the direction of Harikan, a ranger at wolfswood.

Harikan was a fountain of lore when it came to the Prince of Wolves.  He spoke of a tale in the distant pass, when the forests were young and wolves roamed the land.  In the world there was a dark forest, with evil living at its core.  Surrounding this was a light forest where wolves roamed; these were the children of Folian S’pae, the Prince of Wolves.  Eventually the wolves encountered the evil and did battle with it.  The evil they named the Demon Visnar.  The wolves fought the evil and fell in battle.  However the remains of the fallen rose again as foul aberrations, hideous monsters with the form of a wolf, yet not.  Folian S’pae changed some of his followers into the shape of men, so that they may gather aid from around the world from those with the power to defeat the demon.  With the aid of these Heros the wolves were able to subdue the demon and bind it within a dark and twisted tree in the heart of the Dark Forest.  Harikan feared that my dreams portend the escape of the demon Visnar from its prison.  After giving this grim news Harikan left to seek the council of druids to confirm the events of my dream.  We were to meet again a month later.

I did not spend the week idle.  However, my first act should have been a taste of the events to come.  In the forest nearby the rangers’ camp there is a coal mine, troubled by earth elementals.  I entered the mine curious to see the elementals.  They attacked me on sight, despite my connection with the earth.  In a terrible drawn battle I was able to defeat them, but not without exhausting myself of divine energy.  Before I was able to leave or seek rest another group appeared.  I fled the mine.  Somehow one of the brutes had managed to get ahead of me and blocked the narrow path to the surface.  In the confines of narrow path to the surface I was no match for it.  I tried to lure it back into the mine, but to no avail.  I ran back into the mine and evaded the elementals for a while.  Eventually I had to stand and face them.  I defeated one, then another, yet still my path was blocked.  Stony fists pummelled me and I fell to the floor bleeding and broken.  My spirit left my body, and I watched as my life blood slowly seeped onto the earthen floor of the mine.  I died.  The Soul Mother was watching.  She claimed a part of my soul for the first time.

The bind stone worked it magic, and I was alive again, minus the part of me the soul mother claimed for her own.  Dying is not a pleasant experience, as I have found through past experience.  Loosing part of ones soul even less so.  As painful as this loss is, it was a small taste of what awaited me.

Pendar and I petitioned to druid Brisbane for assistance with finding a method to defeat Visnar.  Pendar’s methods were less then discreet, and he earned my ire for his roughshod treatment of my privacy.  Nevertheless I was able to approach Brisbane later and gain some additional information, the location of the tree in which Visnar wrathful essence was encased.  Though Visnar was still trapped its energy was escaping.  Still I had no clue about the power needed to defeat the demon.

As I scoured the lands of Dregar for any clues to defeating the demon, I encountered Sak’ura and a band of her friends.  She was on a quest to find her mother and rescue her from the clutches of a demon.  The demon it seems was some form of vampiric monster, deriving eternal life from the etheric life-force of her victims.  Its current victim was Sa’kura’s mother, and the next in the menu was Sa’kura.   Unfortunately for the Vampire it had not counted on Sa’kura’s friends coming to her aid.  We were able to trace the Vampire to it lair and unravel it plot to add Sa’kura to its list of victims.   Sa’kura was able to free her mother.  I am glad Sa’kura demon was just some particularly insidious form of Vampire, and not a true Demon.  Otherwise the cost of defeating it may have been beyond that which anyone should have to pay, as I was later to discover.  I smiled at the thought that Barion, Sa’kura’s partner, will soon be having his mother-in-law living in his house.

As I was leaving the Barion and Sa’kura, two of the monstrous Worg-like creatures from my dreams appeared in the flesh.  They attacked with frosty breath and snarling jaws, but they were quickly dispatched with Aeridin’s divine aid.  It seems my demon was aware of me.  Visnar was attacking me, was it afraid of me?  Why?  I had not yet found the power to defeat him.   The answers to these questions eluded me.  Perhaps Harikan had found some more clues.  I traversed the lands then seas at a pace to keep my appointment with Harikan in Wolfswood.  

I arrived with the rest of the Farstriders, including Armolas this time, eager to hear the news brought by Harikan.  Harikan was travel worn and weary.  He had troubling news.  The Demon Visnar it seems had been summoned by a foolish mage, who lost control of it.   The bungled summoning had weakened the bonds of Visnar’s prison.  Visnar’s escape was eminent.   He urged us to hurry to remedy the situation, no other resources were available.  Harikan outlined two possible methods of defeating the Demon, Binding and Banishing.

Binding involved reworking the protections that were forged by the group that originally subdued the demon.  The details of the ritual required were lost, but they would require arcane magic, divine magic and druidic magic.  

Banishing involved creating a temporary circle of protection inside which the caster and the demon would be encased.  Within this circle the caster would then need to banish the demon from the Layonara material plane.  The method and power needed to banish the demon were unknown.

With these thoughts in mind we sailed for Dregar.  During the voyage my dreams were haunted, by demons and wolves.  Finally I had a perceptive dream.  In the dream I was meditating in a forest.  Two benevolent beings were watching me as I held my holy amulet in my hand.  The golden leaf of Aeridin was cold and heavy in my hand.  From the forest came a wolf, I recognise it as the one I healed.  It came towards me as I sat motionless.  It breathed and licked my amulet and then it was gone.  The amulet was still cold and heavy within my hand.  The dream, I intuitively realised, held the key to defeating Visnar.  But as of yet I had no clue how the two were related.  As far as I could fathom the dream offered me a choice.  As I awoke from the dream the bite mark on my right forearm began to bleed and throb painful.  Clearly I had been marked by the Prince of Wolves, and the wolves were now in pain.   Visnar was nearly free.

A rapid journey across Dregar was needed.  Into the depths of the dark forest the Farstriders ran.  Our path was blocked by all manner of hideous aberrations of fur and fang.  They ran on all fours breathing hoar frost and barring fangs.  Then the true wolves came to our aid.  With the wolves aid we battled deep into the heart of the dark forest.  My arm bled profusely with each wolf that fell to their demonic counterparts.  I hardly notice the searing pain in my right arm amongst all the other wounds I received.

As we pressed deeper the battles intensified.  Karana’s mighty two-handed axe cleaved the demon-wolves in twain.  Xandrian’s deftly controlled longsword produced a whorl of death.  Armolas bow sang with a storm of arrows.  Beruli was unseen and deadly with her silently placed arrows.  Pendar’s magic aided us in subtle ways, while his longsword was every ready for breaches in the frontline.  Tegan burnt, froze and annihilated all that opposed her with endless arcane might, while still having power to spare to enhance the warriors physical prowess.

There was a brief lull in the fighting.  I glimpsed a dark and twisted form in a clearing devoid of the redwood giants that define the dark forest.  It was the tree within which Visnar’ essence poured out of.  The evil energy brought forth a wave of nausea, and started my arm throbbing with new pain.  The quiet lull lasted but a moment before the snarling demon-host erupted from the shadows.  The battle was brief and bloody.  But we were still standing.  

Now just Visnar remained.  The trunk of the dark and twisted tree started to splinter crack.  We had minutes before Visnar escaped.  Not having a druid in the party were we out of options.  It would not be possible to rebind the Demon into the living form of a tree without a druid to work the nature magic.  I would have to attempt a banishment.

I quickly instructed Pendar and Tegan what was required for the Banishment.  They were to weave a protective circle in which to encase the demon.   I drew the circle in the ground and began the magical spell that would hold the demon… for as long as a spell caster survived to maintain it.  As the ritual came to a completion I stepped within the bounds of the circle.  In that moment Visnar’s essence burst forth from the ruins of the tree, showering me with rotten splinters of evil.   In front of me stood a man shaped creature with the head of a wolf.  The wards on the protective circle sprang into place.  Visnar was trapped within the circle, as was I.

His anger was terrible.  The sky blazed with fire and evil.  My friends outside the circle were accosted with all matter of demon spawn and foul magics, Visnar battered the cage of his encasement.

His anger sparked a terrible anger within me.  My dark nature came to the fore.  I attacked Visnar in the instinctive manner of a drow, all thoughts of banishment pushed from my mind in the terrible fury of my anger.   I called darkness forth in the manner of my dark-elf ancestors.  I preceded to a pummel Visnar the deadliest weapon at my disposal, my body.  Terrible pain wracked my right arm and it gushed blood.  I knew from the pain that a deadly battle was being fought outside the circle as I grappled with Visnar within.  My arm was dead with pain, a useless appendage in my battle with the demon.  Even at the peak of my physical abilities I doubt I could have defeated this demon in a battle of brawn.  After weeks of broken sleep, frantic travel, and days of battling demonic wolves my resources, both physical and spiritual had come to an end.  Though Visnar could not see me, in the magically spelled dark, it laid waste to my body with powerful blows and dark magics.  The terrible wounds Visnar inflicted on me were enough to end my life several times over.  Visnar must have though I was dead as he turned his attention to my friends outside the circle.  He mocked and raged against the circle.  The potent healing potions I had quaffed in dark did their work, and my body was repaired enough for me to function.  I rose unnoticed and saw that my friends had been battling for their lives… Pendar and Armolas were slain, yet the circle of magic still encased Visnar and me.  Tegan was still alive and holding it in place.

I stood watching Visnar as it cursed and probed for weaknesses within the warding circle.  My gaze fell on a small skull amulet that hung from Visnar’s neck.    This I realised was the source object that I needed to work a banishment on the demon.  Unseen I leapt upon Visnar intent on snatching the amulet from the Demons neck.  Time slowed and I came to the realisation.  I knew where the power to banish the demon was, it was within me.  I knew the meaning of the final dream.  By sacrificing my divine connection to Aeridin, I could complete the ritual and banish Demon.  I did not hesitate in the sacrifice.  I had already made my decision by the time my mind had grasped the meaning of the dream.  

The light of Aeridin poured forth from me obliterating the Demon’s form, banishing it from Layonara material plane.  I am told that in those final moments I called forth name of Folian S’pae.  I do not remember those words.  In my next moment of conscious memory, I was lying on the ground my face planted in the dirt.  The overpowering sense of evil was gone, the demon vanquished.  But also the light of Aeridin was lost to me.  Not a single mote of Aeridin’s holy power remained within my being.  My connection with the divine was gone.  

The soul mothers untender removal of a strand of my soul could not prepare me of the loss I felt.  The terrible crippling despair wrenched my gut, and I vomited profusely.  I would imagine that loosing ones eyes and being thrown in a world of darkness would conjure despair in most.  For me, the loss of my sight, my arm, or a thread of my soul could not compare to loosing the touch of the divine.  I was empty, only half complete, for there was no more, love, aid, solace, coming from the link with my god.

Yet the wound on my arm still throbbed dully.  I looked up in wonder as a wolf entered the clearing.  Xandrian Karana, Tegan, and Berilu had gathered over my shattered form, they also turned to watch in wonder.  The wolf breathed over the bodies of the fallen, Armolas and Pendar, and they stirred.  Here was an avatar of the divine, a servant of the Prince of Wolves.  My bitterness, despair and anger were briefly suppressed by the awe I felt in the presence of that holy wolf.  After a fleeting gaze that filled me with hope, it once more vanished into the forest’s shadows, a flicking shape amongst the dappled light of the trees.
 
We had defeated the demon.  The forest was safe.  Yet I paid a terrible price.  I felt as weak as a newborn babe on the homeward journey.  I could not fight, without Aeridin within me my physical prowess was greatly diminished.  I could not heal, as my healing touch was a gift of the Lifegiver.  Disheartened my friends tried to lift my spirits with humour and good advice.  I returned their banter as best I could; trying to sound optimistic about the future as a cripple.  For, though my body is sound, my heart is crippled with a terrible loss.

As I write this journal entry I know that I must look forward to a life without the touch of the divine.  The only assets I have left are those granted by my dark heritage, and my martial training.  My will is still strong, my mind is sound, and my body will recover even without the aid of divine healing.  It is merely my soul that is sundered.

I still have tasks to complete and responsibilities to bear.  My sister and niece need me.  The Farstriders need me.  I have one final task to complete in the service of Aeridin, to ensure that the legacy of Amarylla is not lost with my departure from the church.  I am no longer a man of faith.  I now know a terrible truth on the path to realisation.  

A priest may banish but one true demon…

[stragen]

A Layman

The cycle of life continues.  I may be crippled in spirt but that does not mean I cannot be whole.  I am amazed and in awe of the laymen and women who live their lives without ever touching the divine.  I am truely blessed for the time I spent with Aeridin at my side.

My abilites are much decreased.  I have died several times while learning the new boundaries of my ability.  The giants of Dregar are now beyond me. I am still able to work some change for good in the lives of others.

I met with Barion and Sakura and spoke to them about the battle with the Demon Visnar.  Sakura offered some insight into my condition.  She suggested that I look for the Divine in Folian S'pae.  This gives me great hope and optomism.  In my mind I know she is right.  Yet my heart is not ready for the next stage of the journey, I grieve for my loss of Aeridin.  

I tested a small prayer to Folian S'pae on my lips, and it brought hope to my heart.

May the Longstrider guide my steps.

[stragen]

Trouble in the Seas
((Exploring the Past))

I have returned to an old task left unfinished.  Almost a decade ago I was part of a group of adventurers hired by the archaeologist to recover some ancient artefacts.  What we found in that dig was a crystal rose.  The rose was stolen by bandits.  It appears that this artefact is connected to a hidden land under the sea, and an ancient conflict between Mist and Shindaleria.  Once again I have become involved.

We tried to retrieve the rose from a group called ‘The Vine’, a Xeenite associated criminal gang.  A deal for the rose was struck and a promise broken; the rose fell into the hands of a Cleric of Mist.  Meanwhile we freed a group of slaves and escaped the clutches of the Vine.  We trekked through troll infested swamps to find a jeweller able to create amulets of water breathing.  The amulets were used to visit the temple of Shindaleria.  It was a beautiful and strange place.  There we were given sparse information about the location of the next undersea location.

When gods war the world of men and elves suffer.

[stragen]

Hunting

Though I no longer have my previous abilities I am far from helpless.  Following the nature of wolves, I have taken to using stealth and silence to hunt my prey.  Armolas is educating me in the lore of wolves.  I have gained a strong craving for fresh meat.  Cooked or uncooked, it doesn't bother my stomach.  Along with this I am still away of a dark magic within me.  Though I cannot call on Aeridins divine aid, I still have the ability to throw darkness and shadow about me.  I have only used this ability in dire need.  The ability to throw darkness about me can only be explained as part of my dark-elf heritage.  It becomes stronger when anger and rage runs through me.  The last time this happened was during my battle with Visnar.  The scar on my arm is still there, the pain is gone.  But faintly I can feel a connection with the wolves.

I continue to hunt.

[stragen]

Karana Warrior of Krashin - Fathers Sword

We have done it, we have secured the Greatsword that used to belong to Karana Elksoul's father.  

Karana came from the Elksoul, a tribe living in the icey-wastes of Northern Krashin.  As a girl she longed to be a warrior like her father.  But when her father died she was denyed this path.  She fled the tribe, stealing her fathers sword instead of burying it with his body.  She was captured by Orcs and held as a slave in a dank Orc cave for two years.  She was sold to human slavers who she killed and finally escaped to be called by the dragon.  This is the story she told us, the Farstriders.  Now her tribe needs her, the Elk are dying in the cold weather and dark skys.  But first she needs to reforge her place in the tribe.  To do that she needed to recover her fathers greatsword from the orcish slave pit.

Thus we, Xan, Armolas, Berilu, Shanda, Jamesan, Karana and I, travelled deep into Northern wastes.  After fighting tribes of fierce Orc warriors we were able to locate the greatsword among a powerful tribe of Orc warriors.  Karana, showing greatwisdom and restraint, was able to bargin for the sword from the Orc warlord.  

We have the sword, now how will the Elksoul tribe receive us?

[stragen]

A Frozen Land and a Frozen Culture,

Karana did it.  She returned her Fathers sword to his grave.  It was a private moment for Karana, she had to complete the ritual of the tribe before the spirits of her ancestors.   It appears they were not kind in the test of her, character, courage and strength.  However, she survived and she was able to speak to her fathers spirit.

On returning to the tribe she did not do as well.  Dispite her survival of the Elksoul tribal test she was not welcomed back into the tribe.  I fear her exposure to other cultures and ideas have expanded her horizons beyond that of the tribe.  

The tribe is slowly starving as the frozen north becomes even colder.  The is no more summer thaws in Krashin.  The Elk are dead and food is scarce.

Karana tried to convince them to leave, but the Chief clings to his heritage and his home.  

I spoke to the shaman, and he assured me that the cheif will see reason eventually.  I hope he does for the sake of this tribe, the hunters, women and children.

May the Longstrider Guide Their Steps to New Hunting Grounds.

[stragen]

A Priest of the Prince of Wolves

Lately I have taken to standing just outside the Temple of Aeridin in Rangers Vale, watching the light.  It attracts me like a moth to the flame.  Occasionally I venture within, but often the grief and pain is too much to bear; like the moth I am burnt.  It is much easier to enjoy the light of the temple of Aeridin from the cool shade of the surrounding forest.  

From the shadows of the trees few notice me.  Only those with sense keen will spot the wolf in the forest.  Thus it was to some surprise when the tree I was standing near opened up, and a gruff voice said “Come in”.

I had been standing outside the home of Enzo Reynolt; there was a door discreetly set within the tree stump.   The famous ranger and priest of the Longstrider had heard me outside and usurer me within.  After some brief small talk I told him of my loss.  I spoke of the dreams of wolves.  I showed him the mark of Folian S’pae.  I told him of the terrible battle with Visnar.  He knew some of it, and asked questions when I needed prompting.  But mostly he listened as I spoke for the hours.

I asked him how he found Folian S’pae, and his answer was surprising and hopeful.  He told me how he searched for the prince of wolves as a youth.  He was told by an old ranger that he would never find Folian S’pae while he looked for him.  Then year later, while he was travelling through the Grey Peaks, he and his life-partner were ambushed by Ogres.   She was killed.  He wept for the loss of his love; sending a true prayer to Folian S’pae.  A will-o-wisp appeared, and granted his wishes, returning his love to life.

I am almost ready undertaking the duties that come with this mark on my arm.  I can believe in a god who takes compassion on the lives of mortals.  Healing the sick and restoring the lives of the lost.  A god who does not hesitate in baring fang and claw to defend what is good.

To walk in the steps of the Longstrider.

[stragen]

A Miracle and a Calamity

I can no longer deny the interest the Prince of Wolves has taken in me.  It began at the recently remodelled Den.

I had invited a group of adventurers around for supper, and to share with them my intention to travel across Dregar.  More then I expected turned up, some of who I didn’t know, and I don’t know where they heard of this venture.  There was, Eghaas Treebringer, Muireann, Tarradon Duvall, Thorn Thistletoe (the fifth), Arkolio de'Averlain, Ranewin, Alleina Shiante, Hilda Von Axeweilda, Shamur Reatur and Pendar the Hooded one.

The supper was strained, with tensions in the group.  It seems that no-one but Arkolio can get along with Muireann the cleric of Mist.  While very few will trust the scoundrel Arkolio.   However, somehow when they are together they become a tolerable pair.  Shamur was a mystery, and I am still unenlightened.  Tarradon is a confident and proud Paladin of Rolferin, perhaps overconfident it would seem.    Eghaas, is a friend and Aeridinite sorcerer.  Thorn, was trouble in a half sized package.  Alleina, is a old acquaintance and priestess of Aeridin, who should have been a Lucindite.

After sailing to Hurm with some trepidation we crossed Dregar with a little bickering.  However, it did give me a chance to evaluate who I could trust, those who could be Farstriders, those to whom I could entrust the most sacred of missions; the restoration of Amarylla and the healing of Belinara.  Some of these adventures I will invite back again.  Eghaas is a potential Farstrider, of the others I do not know yet.

After some time, some companions left us and headed back to Hlint via north point.  The smaller group travelled to Sauradia in search of silver.  Here we were beset by Giants.  One of the creatures overcame the front line and smashed Eghaas into pump with a massive fist, killing the elf instantly.  I was too late to heal him by conventional magic or potions.

For sometime I wept and prayed to the Longstrider for my friend, asking him to guide Eghaas’s soul to the next life.  I think my other companions gathered around, and started to lift his body.  It was at that moment that Eghaas a miracle occurred.  Eghaas’s heart started beating again, his broken bones and smashed body healing itself, he was alive again.  

With joy we continued on.  Tarradon found a cave, in it were more giants, and he told us a dragon.  Standing just outside the Dragons lair Tarradon told the group some History about the war with Blood.  How later the Black Dragon sided with Men, Elves and Dwarves to escape being destroyed by Blood.  It was at this minute that Giants sprang from the depths of the Dragons Lair, while Tarradon was in full lecture.   The Black Dragon’s minions pounced on us and slew us in short manner.  Eghaas was first.  We fled the battle.  I tried to prepare and rejoin the battle but more Giants chased me.  Shamur and Tarradon heroically tried to lead the Giants away from me, but they fell fighting this rear-guard action.   I owe them both a word of thanks for the bravery.  Eventually the Giants surrounded me and I fell to their fists, clubs and axes.  

The soul mother tasted her second piece of me.

[stragen]

A Growing Family

Some great news, Quilus has asked me to be the best man at Karana’s and his wedding.  I am touched and honoured.  I have two diamonds I was planning to use to make enchanted rings for Armolas and Berilu, but perhaps I can spare them to make some simple diamond wedding bands as a gift.  Though I expect Karara would like a more practical wedding gift.  The wedding was put on hold since the destruction of the Temple of Toran in Pranzis.  But now Karana cannot wait any longer.  I shouted Quilus and everyone within earshot a round of drinks on the news.  I am sure there will be an official announcement in the Dragons Whisper once the date and place have been finalised.

Karana suggested that Quilus and Shanda become members of the Farstriders, and that their business venture ‘The Unnamed’ merge with the Farstriders.  We would all welcome Quilus and Shanda into the family.  It would also welcome Karana’s merchant expertise in adding a shopfront to the Farstriders.  However we will need to changed The Unnamed’s policy on selling, weapons and armourments.   The Farstriders will not be aiding Villains and Rogues by equipping them with weapons.  I called a meeting to discuss this, but only I and Xan were able to make it.

It is time for the pack to grow.

[stragen]

Of Demons and Lost Cities

[small]{Underground War II}[/small]
I went with Ael his wife and a mixed group of adventurers to a lost Cathedral of Shindaleria.  We travelled beneath the waves using vapours of water breathing.  Much safer then the amulets I used on the last trip into Shindaleria’s domain.  Our host was a Drow, whom it seems Ael may have known before.    He requested our aid, and expertise in ridding himself of a Demon.  Ael struck a bargain, the destruction of the demon in return for aid in recovering the Orbs of power.  I may not return to aid this drow.
[small]{Quest time changes will limit Jin’s involvement}[/small]


[small]{Exploring the Past}[/small]
We have succeeded in restored the balance of the struggle between Shindaleria and Mist.

[yellow]Tears of the Land Feed the Sea
The time will come when the sorrow of Ages
Will be released
Blessing of Mother Ocean that the cycle may continue.

[/yellow]

We have released the Tears of the Land to Feed the sea.  We journeyed to the ruins in Sandstone where we found the final orb and the final piece of the puzzle; a white key, glowing with the light of divination. Finally we have arrived at the hidden city, a secret location.  As I write these notes we stand gathered around the mechanism that I believe could restore the city.  The question should not be how do we restore it, for I know we can, but what would come of restoring the legend.
[small]{Jin has been involved in this long running quest series since the first adventure, when the crystal rose was found.  He didn’t attend for a while when it moved to a different timezone}[/small]

Men and Elves have the power to make great changes in nature, but with power comes responsibility.

[stragen]

The Staff is Returned
[small]{Exploring the Past, Quest Series Completed Successfully}[/small]

An amazing thing has happened today, the wrongs of an ancient war have been set right.  We, Honora, Lucius, Jharl, Linda, Rhynn, Jade, Pendar, Daniel, Kyle, Ferrit, and Malor had reached the city of Estiban.  There we found a coral crystal chest, surrounded by a deadly ward.  The key to reaching the container was the devices surrounding the chest.  These were a puzzle with coloured orbs and magical symbols.  What we needed was the code to remove the trap.  The combination we realised was hidden in the poem.  

[yellow]A petal from the healer's heart. (Purple)
A thorn from fire's within. (Red)
These we need to mend the wood,
To make it begin again.

Azure is the ocean's tide, (Blue)
A pebble black as night. (Black)
For these require a gentle touch,
To infuse the wood with might.

Sunsets low on mountain tops, (Orange)
Their feline color comforts still,
Beware the golden orb of stone. (Yellow)
A prophecy to fulfill.

For if you gather all that may.
Occur in nature's glow. (Green)
The last light bright as day. (White)
Is hidden down below.
[/yellow]

Below is a copy of my notes from the puzzle, this was the correct sequence.

[yellow]The colours are hidden in the prophecy, and the compass locations are also hidden within the prophecy.
EAST,     Purple, + Crimson = Heart  and Flame
NORTH,     Azure,  + Black   = Eye    and Fish
WEST,  Orange, + Yellow  = Statue and Sphere
SOUTH, Green,  + White   = Waves  and Serpent

[/yellow]

I have also included the correct key for linking the colours of magic, to they symbols used by the ancient sea elves.

[yellow]Key:
Purple/amythest = Conjuration = Heart
Red/crimson = Evocation = Flame
Orange = Transmutation = Statue
Yellow = Abjuration = Sphere
Green = Enchantment = Waves
Black = Necromancy = Fish
Blue/Azure = Illusion = Eye
White = Divination = Serpent

[/yellow]

The chest contained a figure, bound in suspension.  On it was a book telling the tale of the last days of the city.  There was to be a marriage and celebration in Estibana, with rulers from all over the world attending.  This was cut short by a deadly attack by the forces of Chaos (Mist).  The staff was broken and scattered, and the keeper of the staff protected in suspension.

We travelled down further into the ruins of the lost city where we found a great Orb.  Again the device was warded.  However the staff was speaking to Honora.  Using key I recovered, Honora was able pass the wards unharmed and return the staff to it rightful place.  The healing magic of the staff was triggered; restoring the suspended figure of the keeper in the chambers above.

We returned in awe to find the keeper of the staff holding the staff once more.  I suspect she is an avatar of Shindaleria or close to it.  Before she departed to be with Her God, Mother Ocean, she blessed the group with gifts.  I received an amulet with healing properties.

Mother Ocean may your seas be always gentle.

[stragen]

Fox or Rabbit?

Many years ago, as I grappled with my nature, I wrote in my journal a question.  

[yellow]What is my purpose? Fox or rabbit?

[/yellow]

Today I know the answer.  I was wandering the desert with Hargranar Craggenhilt when I heard the sound of wolves distance within my mind.

I fell into a waking trance and was transported to the forest of my dreams.  There my brother, the wolf awaited me.  It was time.  I had been alone with my grief for many years, my mind slowly healing.  Now a new duty awaited me.  I was offered to choice to serve once again.  I accepted without hesitation.

The mark on my right forearm was opened once again with a savage bite.  My blood flowed into the leafy earth of the forest floor.  I felt the pulse of my blood and the throb of the forest.  The ritual was complete.  

What is my purpose?  My purpose if clear, I am the guardian of the pack, of life, servant of the Prince of Wolves.

I am a wolf.

[stragen]

A Man in the Form of a Wolf

The two years I spent in the forests of Dregar, in the Hidden Temple of the Prince of Wolves have been cathartic for my torn soul.  The fires that raged silently within me are now mere embers of devotion to my God; burning with steady patience.   I have learnt much about my new duties, in my time away from the cities of men.   As this learning consolidates to new understandings I will write about them as is the manner of men and elves.  Soon my time of respite was over and I returned to the world of men as Folian S’pae will was calling me.

Perhaps it was not surprising that the first creature I met just outside the gates of Hlint was a man, most likely a druid, in the form of a striking Gray Wolf.  It was a carefree and happy soul, when in wolf form.  But it appeared to be running from the pain of it Human form.  I struck up a conversation with the wolf, which I named ‘Free’ for he had no name and no pack, and tried to get it to confide its troubles.  It appears much of Free’s memories have been lost.   Changing into human form causes Free crippling pain.  I am not sure all druids undergo such pain during there changes.  I showed Free the local woods and the best deer trails, so the new wolf may care for itself.  I spoke about my Pack, the Farstriders and offered Free to seek us out.  

Prince of Wolves guide Free to the path of healing and wisdom.