The Rambling Thoughts of Dalan Stoneaxe

[OldBear]

On board a ship bound for Leilon, Dalan decides to take a moment to jot down a strange meeting.
  It all started out fairly normal. I got a note from Daniel about a trip for some topaz at the cave outside Fort Velensk. I figured even if don't use gems, it would be good practice with my axe. I got to Velensk a bit later then planned so I headed on to the cave. When I arrived a strange dark clothed figure was accosting Miss Tilli. This bothered me so I politely inquired what he was doing. Course I did have me shield and axe out and prepared dependin on his answer. He promply informed me he was talkin to Miss Tilli. It was about dat time that Daniel and a Christine? not sure of how she says her name, came out of de cave. I kept my distance because with Daniel in front of him it seemed a good idea to be flanking the man? creature? whatever he was. Seems like his name was Smithers or something close to dat, couldn't quite hear him. The bottem line was he said he could smell death? It seemed strange to me and not sure I fully understood what he was saying. It also seemed like he was lookin for an apprentice. Once Miss Tilli and Daniel started saying prayers for protection this fellow sure seemed to back off quickly. He said it appeared dey were allready taken so he was leavin. Good to see hm depart I must say. He made my skin crawl. I also did something I don't do often, I offered up a silent prayer to Dorand for aid. Now I often do that when I am crafting, especially when it is something new I am trying. But this be the first time in this type of situation. I must say I did feel better after dat. The rest of the day went as normal we got the topaz, I got to practice me axe work and we returned to Velensk safe and sound. I did give upme share of the gold to Miss Tilli to donate to her temple. I do belive her prayer and blessing helped drive the fellow off. I figure I best be makin a donation to Daniel's temple and to Dorand soon as well. Well it looks like were just about in port, so will close here. Strange events indeed!

[OldBear]

Sitting in the inn in Pranz Dalan decides to write some more about his study of the axe.
  Well Journal I decided to make a brief note of events today. I was travelin with Lady Ferrit and Kyle today along with others of my friends. For some time now I have been impressed with Kyle's mastery of the blade. While I prefer me axe of course, one can still learn a lot by carefull study. Whether it be how animals move through the forest leaving little in the way of tracks, or a wolf pack chasing its prey, there is much to learn from pure simple observation. Kyle has several moves which if modified a bit for my size and axe I thought might work for me. Well, it appears my study has finally paid off. Kyle has used type of spinning attack on several foe at once. Not sure how well it works when dat sword is flying above my head, but so far he has never hit me with it. I been thinking that when we are attacking the giants for instance the same move on their kneecaps would be good. Might work with dem goblin swarms to. I have been workin on such a move on de tall grass around Hlint where it be private and no one could get hurt. I have now decided it is time to start using if for real against those dat seek to harm me friends. Anywaz we will soon see if my study of Master Kyle has paid off. Best be goin for now, since de dawn is not far off.

[OldBear]

At the table in Dora's house, Dalan makes a few notes of recent events.
  Well the move I have been studying of Kyle's seems to work pretty well. It lets me hit many foes at one time, especially when dey are trying to surround me. De downside is, that I can't hit any of em with as much force as I am used to. Worked great on de goblins, not so good on de giants. But not bad at all today when I was traveling with Erk on bugbears and bandits. We got some garnet for Erk and gold for me. I didn't use it much but right after Erk hits em with a fireball and dey don't know what is happening, I followed up with dat move of Kyle's.
  On another matter, went and saw Miss Abbie de other day. She was just plum full of questions about Jade and her da. I did me best to avoid answering any of her questions, other then I said I would do my best to be at de wedding if dat would make her happy. She was getting abit serious about it so I distracted her with me present. Seein a package for her sure took her mind of dat Miss Jade. I had gotten a bit of silk and wrapped up a journal for her. I got one of the trade folk to make it for me in Port Hampshire. Twas made of leather dyed dark blue. Den I melted a bit of gold down and had a scribe use de gold to inscribe her name on de cover of it. Abigail Firesteed it said in big gold letters. I gave her a supply of quils and ink for it too. The merchant made it up just like I wanted. The cover comes together and there be a gold clasp that locks. I gave her two tiny keys so she could keep her thoughts private like. The smile on her face when she saw it was worth all de gold in the bandit cave.
  Well I best be going, I am behind if me schedule of making crossbows for Bloody Gate.

[OldBear]

After trudging over the hills and valleys from visiting Abbie, Dalan stops for the night. He quickly sets up camp and puts some water on to boil to make a soup of the dried meat and vegetables he has is a special bag. While the soup heats up, he begins to write in his journal.  I have been gone longer from Hlint this trip then normal. But it has been a while since I have seen Abbie wanted to spend some time with her. I also had some thoughts in my head that I needed to ponder a bit. The traveling time has been good for me to just think as I walk. But I do wonder what I have missed this time while I was gone.
  Abbie was a delight as usual. T’was good to see her again. I took her up in the hills to continue her education a bit. We got a bit farther from her home then I figured and into a new area for me. I didn’t tell Abbie, but I got us a might bit lost. I wasn’t worried but didn’t want the folk in the village to worry either when we got home later then planned.
  Actually it worked out pretty good. We looked around until I found a game trail. From there we just followed the deer’s tracks to where it had been watering. It was a small creek that was spring fed from the side of the hill. Once we found that, it was just a matter of following the creek downhill. Along the way I was able to point out some different tracks and tell Abbie how to recognize them. Once we found the stream it fed, we took a break and did some fishing. There were some trout in the stream and some early blackberries on the hill nearby. All and all it made a pretty good supper. We even managed to catch some extra trout for a lady in town. Seems her husband and two children died a few years back of some type of disease. I think it has affected her mind a bit; she talks a bit funny at times like they were still alive. But she is a pleasant enough sort and seems lonely. When Abbie gave her the extra fish we caught, she just broke down in tears, thanked us and went inside the house. The next day we talked a bit before her lessons and I managed to get a pretty good idea of her arm span without her knowing it. I am thinking she might be old enough to learn to use a small hickory bow and some target arrows. I will have to talk to Barion about this the next time I see him. Anyway she pouted a bit about going to her classes, but I promised to get back sooner next time and that seemed to brighten her mood up. So I walked her to her lessons where I gave her a big hug and left for Hlint.
  I feel a bit bad about the time I have been gone from the Angels. I have tried to work on my woodworking skills while I am gone, but of late I have been pulled in three directions. I have a responsibility to the Angels, one to Abbie and now one to the dwarf clan as a whole. I met a few days back with Master Kobal. I had just finished making more heavy crossbows for Bloody Gate. I had planned to drop them off at the normal spot, when I ran into him. We had a long talk. Our conversation only confirmed what I have been feeling for some time now. The dwarfs in our area are not blood kin for the most part. Yet we have become bound together in a way I would not have ever imagined possible. We have forged a new clan. We each look out for the other and help the other whenever possible. Erk is a great example. He and I are like brothers now even if we do not share a common parentage. When we finished our conversation, Master Kobal bestowed on me a great honor. He confided in me a secret place of the dwarfs. Now I can leave my bows and other materials for the aid and protection of the clan in a place not subject to public examination. I have decided that I will not even write down the locations or what this secret place is. I can take no chance that this journal might fall into the wrong hands and be used wrongly. I have sworn a most solemn oath to protect this secret. I shall not betray this trust!
  Some how I will have to learn to juggle my duties to all three. I allways wondered how a juggler kept three or four balls up in de air all at once. Seems like I am going to have to learn real soon.
  Noting that the soup was bubbling away and ready to eat, Dalan slices on some fresh wheat bread from a carefully wrapped loaf and begins to enjoy his supper.

[OldBear]

Sitting on the deck of a ship bound for Leilon, a dwarf sits drinking ale with the widest grin on his face imaginable. Quill in hand with his ale balanced between his legs so as not to lose it as the ship rode the waves, Dalan writes:
  Ah what a wonderful time I have had the past day and a half. I met up with Erk in Hlint and then met a clansman new to Hlint by de name of Hrothgar. He asked Erk to help him reach Ulgrid, the city of the dwarves beyond Stoufal. Erk agreed and when asked if I would join them, I quickly agreed. We had little trouble reaching the city actually. A few giants sought to delay us, but between our axes and Erk’s spells, we quickly dispatched our foes. Hrothgar had some business dealings with a dwarf there. I dinna pry into it, so I really am not sure why he needed to travel there. For me just seeing the wonders of the city and the underground docks again is well worth the trip.
  We got back just a tad later then I had planned, but Eghaas dinna appear to be upset and said he had been delayed by weather a bit anyway. That’s right journal, for dat was the day I have been waiting for. Erk, Eghaas and I had planned our trip to the Ajar swamp to pray for Sakura’s soul and to dedicate my new axe. All went as planned. We reached the place where Sakura fell and I placed red roses on the ground and made my usual prayers to Dorand to be with Sakura in the afterlife and to protect her wee daughter Abbie. I then dedicated my new axe to always protect the weak and helpless. My axe will always be used to guard those under my care and those traveling this land from evil and danger, and most importantly to use it always to protect dear Abbie. This axe shall be a force to reckon with some day to those who seek to end the lives of my companions and friends.
  That being done and the dedication finished, I name by axe “Tempest.” As the rage of the storm lashes the sea, so too will this axe lash out to protect the weak and helpless. It will rage about my foes to guard those under my care. I then requested my friend to allow me to properly blood my axe in the dwarven manner described to me by Master Kobal. Bearing only it, I strode out into the swamp to face a member of the tribe that had so cruelly struck down my dear friend Sakura. Was it chance or fate? I will never know for sure, but I met a foe truly worthy of Kobal’s work. It was a troll larger then most I have seen there. I will not write much of our fight, except to say I was truly tested that day. The axe was a piece of art as much as a weapon. Finally, with a blow to its right knee, the troll bent over in pain and I was able to strike the head from this creature and bring about the end of its foul existence. From there, the axe being properly blooded, my friends joined me and we left the swamp. A few crazy trolls tried to stop us but met there fate at the hands of my friends and my new axe. I am truly honored to have friends like Eghaas and Erk. My only regret was that Daniel was unable to join us. But the time seemed right and I could not wait longer to properly dedicate this axe, my lady known now as Tempest

[OldBear]

Sitting in a small tavern Dalan slowly drinks his ale and shakes his head. He is clearly upset but more in a sad relieved way a parent often is when upset with a child but yet glad they are not seriously injured.
  I have been vexed with Abbie before but not like dis. It seems she took a friend out in de woods a couple days back and dey were attacked by spiders. I thought I had taught her better sense den that in the woods. When she first saw the signs of them she should have headed back to the village. Then I found out she had lied to Lady Jenna to go in de first place. She of course is grounded. She wanted me to try to talk Jenna into letting her go with me since I can’t be there that often. I told her no, yes be nice to go but no way would I agree to breaking her grounding. She didn't seem to surprised by my answer to that, but she seemed tofigure out how upset I really was when I also told her I wasn't going to show her my new axe or tell her about my naming of it.She got a bit teary eyed then and said she would behave. Time will only tell.She hasgot to learn a bit of common sense and dat one has to live with the results of their actions. She did the deed, now she needs to pay de price of her folly.
  And folly it was. The poison from the spider made her pretty weak for a few days. Fortunately the village healer was close by and was able to help her. I can hardly handle it when I think how close she came to dying and ending up in spider’s web to get all soft and squishy before the spider drains them. I made it clear to Abbie how they finish of their prey. Her face got a bit gray, but if she is going to move about the woods, she has to understand the dangers of it too.
  I told Abbie I would be back to see her when I heard from either Barion or Jenna that she was behaving. I den went and paid a visit to the spiders. I killed off a few of them, but it would take a major undertaking of the village to track all of them down and their egg sacks. I also took a load of wood back to Miss Trudy. I told Abbie that I redeemed her promise for now, but that she would be chopping and collecting wood next time I came. I figured she was too weak yet for it, but when I get done with her she will have some blisters on her hands. My guess is Barion might give her some blisters elsewhere, but dat be his business.
  Dat does remind me however, I need to talk to Barion. It wouldn’t hurt for her to have a small axe for chopping wood and perhaps for self defense. Her knife is fine for small jobs but not for traveling in the woods with. I don’t want to step on his toes, but if he doesn’t care, I might teach her a bit about the safe use of an axe.
  It makes me sick to think how close we came to losing her. I don't know what I do if I lost Miss Abbie. De guild is family, but she is getting to be more like a daughter to me every time I see her or think of her.

[OldBear]

On the hill outside Hlint overlooking the badgers and the goblin camp is a small bed of coals, the remains of a campfire. Leaning against a rather large pack, before the coals, sits a lone dwarf. His cape is pulled around him to ward off the chill of the night. His hands are cupped behind his head as he stares at the sky wishing the stars would come out from behind the clouds. At his side lies his new axe, “Tempest.” In the stillness of the night, Dalan whispers to her.  Never have I used such as you. Truly Dorand’s hands blessed Kobal when you were forged. The giants on Dregar are already learning to fear your rage; the rage of the mighty storm itself. While I have used other weapons, nothing seems to fit my hands as the dwarven made war axe does. It is time to dedicate my life to the way of the axe. While I am not a child of Vorax, surely he will not turn his face from me for choosing such a weapon. Dorand has blessed me as a craftsman in the working of wood, but the axe not the hammer seems to fit my hand. From this time forward, it is you Tempest that I will use to smite my enemies. My other axe will be kept for ordinary matters, but it is you I will strive to master though it may take a lifetime of learning. For truly it is said one never stops learning the ways of the axe.
Dalan then reverently kisses Tempest before carefully placing it back in a silk lined leather case.

[OldBear]

Sitting in the ramshackled town of Hlint and drinking his own brew, Dalan thinks about the events of the past two days.
  T'was an interested couple days journal that I have just had. I have met a new dwarf lass by de name of Grena. She, Zergon, Canius and I ventured toward Lyr to try to obtain an oil for someone in Fort LLast. I haven't traveled dat way in years, not since I died in the attempt. Well de ogres and joined up with various of de mountain giant clans and have heavily fortified the passes on the way to Lyr.
  We decided to make de attempt with the idea we would turn back if necessary. I dinna telll em of my dream ot venture to Dorand's gand temple dere, figuring we not be able to make it. Still I thought it was worth a try. Well dat Grena a right good fighting lass but she be a bit reckless and belive it or not she had no healing potions. I gave her ten of me light ones and ended up using a large number of my other ones too.
  Smiles at the thougth of fight It wasa right good battle. Tempest chopped through them like water. They got in plenty of good hits however and Grena fell several times bleeding all over de ground. Fortunately I got to her in time each time she fell. She bounced back up with nary a complaint. Believe it or not we managed to make it all de way to Lyr. We were warmly greated by de defenders at de gate as dey were leaving on patrol.
  We climbed up high beyond de clouds den to the actual city. Never have I been up so high. T'was a sight I will never forget. It was almost as good as finally getting to kneel in the temple of Dorand and praying before his alter. I am going to have to make dat trip again soon. There be something upliftin about being his his temple in a city of dwarfs.
  Dere be only one regret I have. By de time we got there, I had to use what meager funds I had with me to buy a couple healing potions and had nothin left to buy a banner of Dorrand with that they sell dere. Believe it or not, I couldn't find a bank neither. A couz in the inn said he would help me but den got into an discussion with the waitress and never came back. We finally gave up and use some magic to hide and run back to Fort Llast. We just dinna have enough potions to get Miss Grena safely back if we fought our way out. T'was a shame, would have been glorious fight.

[OldBear]

Well dis may be a bit strange, but I have decided to start writing a bit more regular. It seems civilized folk often write down dere ideas and thoughts in a journal of some kind. So journal, I have decided to try to be a bit more civilized den I have in de past.
  I will try to write down a bit more of what going on around me, my work on de various crafts and other odd ideas dat pop up from time to time.
  That being written he pauses as he tries to think of something to write. Hmm dis may be a bit harder then me thought. Well I guess should note dat I am now making mahogany staffs, arrows and short bows. I hope to make some long bows of de wood soon. Jako and Daniel said dey got some wood for me in Krandor so heading dat way when get done here.
  De big thing with dis civilized stuff is BATHS!!! I hear tell dat folk take baths more often den every full moon. I don't know what is wrong with dem. It can't be healthful at all. Still I met a nice gal by de name of Treana. She be no dwarf, but she be nice to talk to. She sort of hinted that I might want to try once a week or Dorand forbid daily. Why in bloody blazes anyone would want to take a bath every day is beyond me. I mean I wash the grime and blood off and keep me armor clean so it don't rust. When I ask other folk they all just smile and say I might want to try it. Got no idea why, but if it be for civilzed folk Iguess I could try it. Shakes head Well maybe a bit anyway. Just don't seem natural.
  Well enough for now, I got to go get dat wood. Then later got to get to Ulgrid. Seems a couz in Lyr needs some plans to aid a fellow clansman.
  Hmm dat reminds me; clansmen. I have gotten meself a family without really knowing it at de time. The Angels guild all seem to be family dese days. Ellohanna is becoming de sister I never had. Rain de older bossy brother. Kyle and Jakode strong silent types who leads us often in battle. Ferrit de wise woman of de group. Dora our spiritual leader. Daniel de close brother and confident I never had growin up. Den there be Sonya, Jill, Ran, I don't know dem as well to fit them into a niche in de family but they be good uns and family nondeless. And den dere be my adopted niece Abby and me friends Eghaas and Erk. Dis place no matter its faults and the dangers we face has become home.
 

[OldBear]

Well Journal much has happend of late. Recently I traveled to Dregar to aid some others fight back my hated enemy the orcs. Erk was there. Things dinna go as well as I would hope. He cast a spell on me to make me invisible and I thought several others were going to go with me to attack some archers on the cliffs above our forces. I asked our leader at de time, Jin, it dat was all right. I thought he indicatedI should go, but I found out later he dinna hear me. Long story short, I managed to end up on de cliffs, killed one archer but dere forces surrounded me and I fell. I played dead for a long time before I was able to use as strange dust I had found. It kept anyone from seeing me and I was able to slip back to join our forces. I learned a valuable lesson dat night. Make sure of de plan and personally talk to de leader before venturing forth. T'wasa good idea, just poorly executed on my part. Still it was really de first time I have been involved a large group tatics and I learned a lot.
  After de battle, I headed out to see little Abby. I have made her a small hickory bow for her to use. The draw is designed for someone her size and weight. I made some target arrows for her and some real ones to use when she learns how to properly use it. With Barion's permission, I also began to teach her and some of the other children how to use some weapons. In Abby's case, howto use the new axe designed for her that Barion made. She has much to learn, but took to her lessons with a vigor and zeal of her youth. Perhaps her encounter with the spider was a good thing afterall. Least now she has an idea why dis weapon training is important for her survival in the land around us. Things have changed for de worse with the weather changes. I can only pray that by the time she is old enought to venture from her village, that matters have gotten better.

[OldBear]

Sitting in his newly furnished room at the guild hall in Port Hempstead sits a dwarf at a desk. His eyes are red and blurred. His door is locked as he just stares at a note lying on the desk. He has read the letter probably from top to bottom a dozen times and still can't believe he received it. If he would trust someone to even touch it they would see the first line that says "If you are reading this letter, then it means I am dead." It goes on to state this is the Last Will and Testament....
  Dalan just sitts there in shock. "What happened Erk? It was not that long ago we traveled together. Your magic was powerful and your hammer was handled with strenght such that Vorax would be proud to call ye one of his. I can't believe yer truly dead! I know I told Silverhand and he could scarely believe it neither. We both are going to try to find out de truth of this matter. Still I have dis terrible feeling the letter be a true one and ye have gone ahead to Vorax's hall."
  Dalan reads over the letter once more. "Of course me friend I will see to yer final wished. Hmm I guess tommorrow I start looking for Quantum. Dere is a lot to do and putting it off won't make it easier. I wonder where Varka is dese days too."
  With that, Dalan moves to his bed and lies down thinking of his past adventures with his good friend Erk. He finally drifts off into a very uneasy and restless sleep.

[OldBear]

Well Journal it has been my sad duty to start informing Erk's friends of his demise.  I have found it very difficult to tell them that he is dead but that I have no idea what happened.  Each time I tell them and I see the shocked look on their faces, it brings the pain and anguish back that I had the first time I learned of the news.  I finally found Quantum last night. He was Erk's friend as well as landlord.  I showed him the letter so that I might make arrangements to pick up the personal property.  It was while we were talking that I learned some news of what might have happened.
  It seems that a new dwarf ranger by de name of Grena Rockbasher, was in Port Hempstead when an unnamed hunter came into the city.  He was bearing the body of a dwarf.  It was hard for her to see the body, but it appeared to be wearing a bright red robe, though she couldn't say for sure how much was dye and how much dried blood.  It seems the hunter was in the Battlemarch swamps and saw flares of light and what sounded like fireball explosions.  He crept up to investigate and saw a couple of lizardfolk scurrying deeper into the swamps dragging some of their companions.  On the blackened ground was what appeared to be the last stand of a dwarf mage.  The scorched bodies of some lizard folk lay around him.  Others appeared to have had dere skulls smashed in by some type of blunt object.
  Now I can't say dat de body be that of Erk.  The timing is about right for when I got the letter and de rough time of death.  Erk was fond of some new red robes he had and he used a warhammer and fireballs as his main weapons.  Miss Grena really dinna get to see the face of the dead dwarf, nor did the hunter go through the robes or any bags that might not have been stolen by the lizard folk.  Me next task will be to track down de Capt. of de Guard who took de body.  Then I will have to find where it went and make arrangements if it indeed be Erk.  He was a true follower of Vorax so I guess it be best if we can get him buried in Ulgrid at de temple there.  I know folk have asked about a ceremony to honor his death.
  I know I be scared to go to de guard right about now.  In me heart I am afraid the body be that of Erk's.  Yet I keep hopin it is all some sort of mistake and dat he be alive and out dere someplace.

[OldBear]

Well tis been a while since I wrote here.  It seems the night captain of the guard who took Erk's possible body had the local temple put a spell on it to preserve the body till identification should be determined.  Problem is, the guard captain then went on some leave due to a family emergency someplace on Dregar.  Not only that, they don't know when he will be back and he is de only one who can authorize me to see the body.  So I check back periodically to see what is happenin, but so far no luck at all.

I have been busy lately helping friends gather ore and gems.  There have been a lot of trips to Dregar to venture into the mines.  I also made an oak shield for sale the other day for a customer of Ferrit's.  All of this means, that I haven't been to see Abbie in way to long of a time.  I have been feelin pretty guilty about that.

I think I have found a way to make it up to her however.  I have made her some very special arrows.  They aren't the hunting and targeting ones I have given her before.  These are a mixture of arrows with bronze and iron tips.  They are sized for her bow.  The thing is these are not for hunting.  They are to be used only for protection in times of danger.  The arrowheads are designed for maximum damage and I was very carefull in the fletching of them.  I used the finest feathers I can find and made her a special quiver to hold them in.  The leather case is dyed a dark blue with gold stiching on it.  On the inside of the quiver just at the top seem is her name.

I will have to spend some time with her explaining that these are never to be used for fun or just hunting.  These are you might say war arrows.  They are used to kill when it is a matter that your life or a friend's life hangs in the balance.  I am not sure she is old enough for them, but they might have prevented her from almost dying from the spider's attack had she had them that day.  The world is a dark place these days with no sign of change any time soon.  The village is safe for now and in a very protected and hidden place.  But evil is stalking the land.  Someday soon these arrows may mean her survival if the worse should happen.  I could never live with myself if she died because she didn't have what she needed to survive.  I owe Sakura that much and more.

[OldBear]

The lone figure slowly walks around the room and then down the long hallway to his room.  There he places his axe carefully on a specially designed rack by his bed.  He opens a bottle of his own brew and takes quill in hand.

Well Journal tis been a most perplexing few days around here.  I just finished my patrol of the guild hall.  All is quiet and the doors and windows are all shut and the wards in place.  I be not too sure where to start to write of these past few days, so methinks I will start with today and work my way backwards.

Dat blasted night guard who took the body of what I thought was me friend Erk, finnaly arrived back from where ever he had been.  Dis means I finally got into de temple to view the body.  Ye can't imagine me surprise when I saw dat it was not Erk.  De dwarf was dressed close to how Erk did, and what in de world this poor soul was doing in dem swamps we will never know.  I said a brief prayer to Dorand for who ever lay dere, but I have to admit I also said thanks to him dat it wasn't Erk.  I do know, if Erk ain't dead yet, I will kill him for de worry he has put me through.  Though, if he no be dead why did I receive his Will when I did?

I also have had a de chance to use Tempest a fair bit lately against the giants.  The guild has needed ore and gems in Dregar, and I was fortunate enough to go with them on several occasions.  The last time was hard on me however.  T'wasn't the giants that were de problem, however, twas this dwarf lass Grena that was.  I got to admit she be a pretty one and she swings a mean axe herself.  She got to learn some control though.  She wades into dem giants like dere be no tomorrow.  I am afraid she going die some time like so many of me friends with her recklessness.  But she got a powerful hate for giants and drow.  She near tried to tear down de temple in Austria when she thought it was a drow temple.  I tried to tell her no drow inside, but she wouldn't listen.  Finally Beli had to stun her and we carried her away and out into de desert to calm down.

Anywaz, her chargin into dem giants wasn't de problem.  She took it into her head to act like de two of us were married almost.  She was callin me sweatie and tellin me what to do.  Beli kept laughin at me and askin when de day for de wedding was.  I dinna know what in de world to do.  I must admit I was sure flustred.  Though thinkin back on it a bit, she be a fine lass.  One could do a lot worse den her.  Still I would like some say in de courtin process.  Even if de attention was a bit flatterin and very surprising, she caught me plain by surprise.   De worse of it was after we returned to Pranz she said Ferrit put her up to it and it was all a big joke.  Ferrit denied bein in on it, but Beli acted like he knew all about it.  Made my head hurt it did as to what had happened to me and who knew about it.

Den last night de real strange thing happened, I ran into Shar.  I been helpin her a bit with collectin ore and such and teachin her a bit of our tongue.  Somehow I must have mentioned Grena to her. Turns out de two of dem are friends.  I can't recalll if I said anything about takin a shine to Grena before found dat out or not.  I am goin to have to walk real careful like for de next few days while I figure out where I stand on dis idea of courtin someone.  Sure don't want to hurt Grena if not interested in more den bein friends.  She do be one nice lass however.  

Me thinks that Shar might not recall much of de conversation cause Erk came by.  He had dat pale look about him as ye do when ye die and de bindin takes hold.  Long story short, she was nursin him and he asked her to marry him.  De lad got so sense of romance in him.  He did it on de road and before me and another dwarf I know named Gil.  Shar must like de lad cause she said yes and dey stood dere starin at each other for de longest time before dey left.

Finally I did get back to see Abbi for a brief visit.  Twas on my way to help get ore a few days back.  My she has grown.  I gave her de special arrows I had made.  She seemed to understand how important dey were and dat not to be used except in dire need.  I pray she never have to use em, and dat if she does, she used em right and not for fun.

Well I best go make me final rounds here at Merrick Hall before I retire for de night.

[OldBear]

Sailing home from Hurm, a dwarf sits beneath the shade of the sails and writes in his journal.
 
 I could scaresly belive me eyes today Journal.  I walked into the party at Groshin's place and dere was Erk sitting as smug as you please drinkin an ale.  I got to admit, I feel to me knees in disbelief and praised Dorand.  Den when my wits were about me I chased him about de room tryin to strangle him.  
 
 Erk had no idea I had gotten his will and has no idea why it was sent out.  He promised me he would look into de matter promptly.  I strongly suggested he do dat since if it happens again and he be alive, I promised dat I kill him meself!  Turns out he had been to de great library, whatever in de world dat is and ran afoul of some elves and others.  I guess I missed de story but he said he fill me in some night.
 
 Other den dat was a pretty good day.  We drank some wiskey and ale and then went out and killled some giants.  Mined ore and gems and had a right good ole time.  I do believe I have reached de next level in me axe work.  I be no master, but I don't feel like a student any more either.  As me friend Kyle said, "tis always more to learn, more to master."  Still I do feel a bit proud havin gotten dis far.
 
 Dere was only one thing that got me worried today.  It seems like someone got dere eye on Grena.  I best be decided if I am goin to be courtin her or not.  If not, den not a problem.  But if I am I best get de move on before some blighter moves in on me and takes her away before I even get started.  Dat is is he be interested in me at all.  We talked a bit the other night, and I do believe she is.  Still best not to take her for granted neither.
 
 Looks up.  Hmm port be in sight best close for now.

[OldBear]

A dark room with a single candle barely providing enough light to tell that someone is sitting in the shadows.  Alone with his thoughts and his grief, a few private tears may be leaking from his eyes.  A few words are penned upon the paper before him.
 
 I found Erk de other day only to now have to bury him.  Dis time dere be no doubt he is dead.  His will arived today by bird.  The body has been seen and verified that it be my friend.  Now it falls on me to handle de arrangments and his last wishes.  I hope Dorand grants me de strength to see dis through.

[OldBear]

Sitting at a table in the back of the guild hall sits a dwarf with quill in hand writing in a small journal.
 
 It has been a rough few days. Erk's death has hit me pretty hard. I am afraid I have maybe takin it out on me friends and dat my temper is loose. For instance, I was sittin before de reflectin pool here in Port Hempstead de other day. I kept think about Daniel movin away and retiring from de guild; dat lead me to thinkin about Elgon and Sa'kura dying, and now Erk. I was so wrapped up in me thoughts, I dinna even notice someone approach me till little Abbie gave me a hug. I sure jumped at dat, me dagger was half way out of de scabbard when I realized who it was. Poor Abbie, I am not sure what she thought. I tried to manage a small smile but not sure I pulled it off. I had just been thinkin of her mother's death and dere she was standin in front of me. I had plain forgot de letter from Barion sayin dey were movin back to Haven. We talked for just a short bit when Barion came and got her. Frankly I be shamed to say it, but I was glad he had. I was no fit person to be around, especially not with a young lass like Abbie.
 
 I decided I had best leave de area and go to where folk are quiet so particular about yer manners. I wandered over to Fort Vehl figuring some cheap ale couldn't hurt. I was smart enough, however, to stop outside of town to sharpen me dagger. Probably good thing too. A young lass stopped by de side of the road while I was workin on me weapons. I was mutterin to myself and she was sort of talkin to herself as well. Turns out we was both talkin of Erk's death. She had met him briefly and was one of dem with him when he died. To say I was surprised was to put it mildly. I charged over to her like a bull with a red cloth in front of his eyes. I dinna have no weapons out and wasn't goin to hurt her. But some young tough must have thought so. So while I was trying to talk to her about Erk's death, he kept interrupting and askin what me intent was. I told him to close his mouth and keep his trap shut. Yeah I know not de best of manners, but he riled me de wrong way. He was still wet behind de ears and couldn't have been dat long since he was nursin at his mother's ......
 
 Anwaz I counted to ten, like Daniel had suggested instead of brainin him to shut him up. Somewhere along de line I did calm down enough to tell him trying to learn about me friend's death. He made some more comments so I invited him over to de arena if dat was what he wanted. He didn't oblige me. Lookin back, I should thank him. He did get me mind off Erk's death for a bit. He started headin off and sort of yelled back a comment that if he wanted to he would come out of de shadows to get me and I would never knew he was coming. Leastwise that is what I thought he had said. I talked to de lass abit more while I tried to calm down. Her name was Kinai or something like dat. I will have to find out for sure later. She left and I settled down to think a bit.
 
 The more I thought about it, I decided dat de young fellow was goin to get himself dead if he kept talkin like he had to me. Who knows de next fellow might not be so understandin like me. So I dusted off a bit of me ranger skills and followed his tracks through de woods. T'wasn't all dat hard to do. I found him outside Port Hempstead in de field talkin to the same lass I had been. A light rain had come up and made me job even easier. I snuck through de shadows of the forest edge and managed to get up right next to him without him even knowing. Dinna learn his name however. The first thing he knew of my presence was when I whispered into his ear "that he ought to be more careful about who he threatened and dat he wasn't de only one who could sneak up on folk." I mean, I was only tryin to help de babe. I left him with his mouth open. I am not sure what affect I had on him, but I sure dinna hear no reply coming back.
 
 Anywaz, the lass had told me a bit about de dragon who killed Erk. Seems it be a mighty red un. I decided I needed more information so I headed toward de crossroads where de Stormshack be. I was in luck. Dat bard Master Ozy was holdin court dis night. During a beak in his stories I asked him about de dragon. He gave me de correct name and told a long rather involved story about two who had defeated him. T'was interestin to note dat the two that have were both dwarfs.
 
 I will have to think through what he told me and me notes at de time and write down more here later. Took one of dem over a decade to make a hammer that did the job once of defeatin de dragon. I figure I am no hero out of legend, but, Dorand be willin, I got about a good 200 years left iin order to take my revenge. I can wait a bit to do it right. Well time to make be rounds.
 
 With that Dalan closes his journal and begins to make his nightly rounds of the guild hall. As he walks he begins to contemplate what it will take for someone like him to revenge Erk's death. Least he figured he has time to study the ways of the dragon. There is nothing to say that a dwarf has to take his revenge right away. He can wait as long as it takes to do it the right way.

[OldBear]

Sitting in his room in a chair about two sizes to large for him sits a dwarf penning a letter to a young child.  He takes his time carefully crafting his letters in hopes she will be able to read his words in the common tongue.
 
 My Dearest Abbie,
 
 You will never know how much I cherish your gift of the flowers and the cherries from your mother's tree.  You have brought me out of the despair of Erk's death by reminding me that life grows up anew all around us.  
 
 I found the gift when I got home.  I ran into Eghass after he escorted you home and he told me you had stopped by.  I had been out buying some supplies because I have to leave town for a few days and will not be able to stop and see you before you have to leave.  I promise I will come to visit you soon in Haven and I pray this letter will make up for my absence in some small part.
 
 Knowing your father, I am sure you are grounded again.  Believe me, he is right.  Port Hempstead is in general a good place to live.  But it is not your hidden village.  It is instead much more like the forest lands.  There are safe paths to walk and quiet groves of peace.  However, Abbie, there are also places like the spider grove.
 
 I am not sure you are old enough to understand this or not.  In the forest you faced wild beasts.  Many were kind many were not.  But in general you could tell them by sight and knew them to react according to their kind as set out by nature's hand.  Also while we can share some of their thoughts, they were not intelligent as man is.  Here in the city, you cannot tell good from evil by a glance at the person.  Here the rabbits and spiders wear the same face and friendly smile.  There are those of an evil nature that hide beneath a friendly looking skin, but like the spider they lie and wait to snare someone in their web.  Falling into their hands might lead to a fait some would consider to be worse then death.  As you grow older, I think you will understand better what I mean.  Until that time, think of the city as a forest where one must be wary at all times.  Use a guide till you learn the safe paths.  Stay out of the areas where snares and webs will bind you.  As you grow wiser in the ways of the city as you have of the forest, you will learn to recognize areas where traps may be laid and where you may feel safer.  However as in the forest, you must still remain alert for the hidden dangers, the animals moving off their normal hunting grounds because of fire.  
 
 And like the forest lands, some forests or cities are safer then other.  Haven is a good place to live, but one must be wary.  There are dangerous places close by and often the dangers breach the city walls.  Keep your wits about you and watch your surroundings and please don't go wandering off alone.  Neither your Da or I need more grey hairs then we all ready have.
 
 I hope some of this makes sense to you.  I often forget your true age and think of you as older then you really are.  Just know that I love you and don't want anything bad to happen to you.  You remind of things gone past and the hope and joy of the future.  A future I want to share with you for many years to come.
 
 Your Uncle,
 
 Dalan

[OldBear]

After Dalan seals the letter to Abbie, he pulls out his journal and begins to write in it as well.
 
 Ah journal my darlin Abbie squeaked by again.  Eghaas told me how he ran off a man who was attackin her and Sonya.  He figures he was lookin for coin for drinks at a tavern and not a slaver.  Still, it made my heart stop hearin what happened.  They were on dere way to see me and must have gotten lost.  I just wrote her a letter telling her how the city and the forest are not all that differant.  I hope she understands what I mean.
 
 I have been down in the depths of dispair lately over Erk's death.  I think it hit me harder this time then last time when I thought he was dead.  I just wasn't sure if there was any reason to stick around here and that perhaps Daniel had the right idea.  Then I came home and found Abbie's gift.  It was some flowers she must have picked from the public gardens and some cherries from her village.  There is only one cherry tree in that village.  It is the one where Sa'kura is buried.  It was planted after her death I believe and has shaded her grave and now produces cherries for us to remember her by.
 
 It was then I realize that while death surrounds us every day, so does life.  Death is the past, life is the future.  It is for the future that we live for.  I need to look forward and not dwell on the past.  Abbie is a true blessing to this ole dwarf.  Her life, her spirit gives hope that good will win out and that life is worth living.  
 
 Erk would not want folk dwelling over his death but to embrace life and its challenges.  Today is a new day and tomorrow will bring another.  For Erk, for Abbie and those others that have gone on to a new challenge, I will look forward to the new day.

[OldBear]

Sitting before a fire on his favorite hill outside Hlint, Dalan notices that people just don't travel the road like they used to.  The goblins are patrolling closer to the road, but so far haven't mustered up the courage to mount any sort of attack.  Course, killing the last bunch of scouts who bothered him, might have had something to do with that.
 
 Well Journal I am just about to Hlint.  It has been a long time since I have traveled this way.  For the life of me I can't figure out why Barion has kept that house in Haven.  It is so far from anything, and now it is an island in an even more dangerous pool of wicked creatures.  The gnolls are getting stronger and smarter.  It has to be only a matter of time before they make a major strike against the town.  I just hope that Kit and the militia are up to de task before them.
 
 Not much new happening to me except Grena.  She is the most wonderfull lass I have ever met.  There is something about her that warms me from the bottom of me feet to the top of my head.  Today for instance, she saw me and ran up and gave me de bigest hug.  She felt right good in my harms she did, but I canna tell if it be friendship or somethin more?  
 
 The only other thing new, is that I seem to at times be able to focus all my skill and training into one very precise strike.  It almost explodes out of my inner most being as a focused attack.  It seems worth trying to increase the frequency of it, but so far it has escaped me.
 
 Ah I suppose I should also write why I am out in this foresaken land.  I am on my way to see Abbi.  For the past year or so I have been teaching her a word or two of the true tongue.  But now that she be a bit older and a lot closer, I am going to see if she wants to learn the language of the dwarfs.  I know she calls me Uncle, but I been wonderin if I could make it more, legal like.  Make her my adopted niece and all.  It would help if she could learn the true language.  I am hoping she will want to learn it.  There are some things that common just don't covey well.  Someday I hope to take her to see the clans in Ulgrid and it would be nice if she could be introduced to the clans and respond to them as a proper dwarf-kin.  Course I can't tell Abbie about de kinship part till I get Barion's blessing and figure out how to go about it doing it too.  Still tis something to plan for, be nice to have a true niece and all.