Sa'kura- to dream of dragons

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It has been a a tiring week. Emotionally and physically. Mother is doing fine, although I still worry about her health. I know she doesn't have much time left with us. So I am making the most of it. We have almost 20 yrs to make up for. She has taught me much about magick, she even taught me how I could forgo e use of spell components for the lower level spells. She has even begun to teach me 3rd circle magick! Having never had a formal teacher, I have been consigned to learning on my own. It has been difficult, but I have managed. My mother was impressed with what I had accomplished on my own.
 Although she is teaching me much, she still has not talked of her past, of her family. I haven't asked these questions yet, partly out of respect and partly because I am hoping she will tell me more when she is ready. Tho only thing I have gleaned from her was teh fact that she once commented on my archery and how she seems to think I need more practice if I am to measure up to the rest of the family.
 She seems to have taken an interest in Barion too. She always looks at him curiously. I dont think she quite knows what to make of a doting future son-in-law. From what I understand, most elves are fairly formal with adult family members. Barion is anything but! He tries, and it helps that he is learning to speak the language. I think it amuses mother as she always seems to have a smile on her face when she speaks with him. Not in a mean way, but like a parent with a child.
 She is glad that I have taken up trying to learn the language also. She seems to like teaching Barion and I. Not in the way Serissa did, but more like she says something and then expects us to understand what she is saying or at least try to figure it out according to what she is doing. I still have trouble with pronouncing some of the words, but Barion is really doing well with it. I think h will be fluent even before me.

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It has been  abusy last few weeks. I have been pursuing my crafting with a vengeance! My alchemy and infisusig nskills are advancing steadily. I am hoping to make a few potions forf Barion for his travels. I know now where to get the materials. so I can try and try again.

Tre'ana and I decided to go travelling for a bit. It was fun travelling with her again. She seemed to need to get out of the house for a bit. It was greta. I hadn't seen her in so long. I missed having her around.

After Treana and I separated I met up with Barion near Saudria. We then met with Jin near the Rolling Hills. He is changed. Barion and i both noticed it. We later went to Vale, where we met his niece Niena. A beautiful little child who is apprently learning to kick like her uncle (from her uncle no less).Here he told us the entire story. His tale of Foilian's call, and Aeridins silence.
It was a sad tale that began shortly after he helped me defeat the demon creature that imprisoned my mother. We were attacked by wolven abominations. The story Jin told us realted to Folian and the beginning time of the world. How a demon was trapped. And now it was about to be free. How Jin fought with, adn in alast desperate attempt called upon Aeridin, and let his power flow through him. Such power as was needed to banish the monster, more than any mortal can contain. He awoke empty. Apparently Aeridin's touch could no longer be felt by him. But he had already been marked by Folian. It was Folian who called upon him to help contain the demon. And now, it is Folian who is beginning to fill the emptiness within Jin. It will be a long time before he is whole again. If he ever will be. But Barion and I have pledged to help him thru this as best as we can.

Later we travelled to North Point. Barion wanted to stop by the Tomb of Lost Heroes pay his respects. Later we decided to hunt the minotaurs. Colo the guard needed the head of the leader to quell their rampaging. It was more than Barion and I could do alone. Barion fell and I barely escaped with my life. I sat on the steps numb. I could barely cry and I could not move. Then he appeared before me and passed thru me...a shade of Barion? I dont know. And thenm..and then he walked out of the dungeon. I was so shocked..I could not speak...I was so happy my I couldnt stop crying. Barion had once again risen to be by my side.

We met Jin again in North Point on our way out and decided to head towards Dalanthat. There we met Karan Elksoul..She was drunk and barely able to walk. SHe was so distraught, I felt so sad for her. Apperently with the coming cold, it is getting unbearably cold where she is from, her people are startign to suffer teh effects of it. The elk herds are dying, and food is starting to be in short supply. I hope she can find a solution.

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The last few days have been full of surprises. Some larger than others. I am still reeling over one of them. I cant believe it!

One of the good things is that Barion has agreed to help Kyle and Rain with their guild. He has been taking them around and showinmg them where to find materials. I have offered my services to them also. Although my skills are not nearly as great as Barions. they will do well I think.

Serissa and I went to Pranzis yesterday. She wanted me to make a 2nd circle divinity ring for her. And I was going ot try and make a 3rd Circle Wizards ring. Unortunately, I was unable to make my ring. I will though soon enough. Unfortunately this caused Barion and I to get into a small argument. He is mad that I use the metals he gathers so quickly, and fail to let him know. That and he sometimes thinks we are using him like Raven did. As mule for material.

Its hard for me to argue with him about this sometimes. He has wanted me to perfect my crafting, so he has been gathering materials for me like mad. Without his patronage, I doubt I would be as good as I am now. And I have to admit..I have used metals and forgot to tell him. He has asked me to let him know on a few occasions, unfortunately I have forgotten to leave him a note. But on the other hand, I dont use the metals that often. I will try and do better.
I dont want him to think I am just using him for his collecting abilities. I could care less if he stopped gathering anything at all. I love him too much to let this develop into anything bad. I would rather stop crafting altogether than have him believe this.

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Everything has been going so well. Barion has been helping Rain and Kyle with their new guild and I have been progressing with my skills faster than I could ever imagine.

I have been steadily progressing with my elven. My mother has been pushing me even harder, now that Barion seems to have mastered the language before me.

She also seems to think I should have done more to learn about my Elven heritage, regardless of the fact that she was the only elf in our village growing up and no one had any real idea about them. Or that maybe I should have made the effort to learned more after I became dragon-called. I think that is what our first mother-daughter argument was about.

I admit I have lacked any real knowledge of my elven heritage. I know almost nothing of the elves, save that they come mostly from Voltrex. A place I have never visited, or attempted to visit yet. I have seen it from afar, when i went to the great library located there via the library at Blackford castle.

I feel I am a disappointment for her sometimes.

My mother has now taken it upon herself to educate me about the customs and history of the elves. Most of our time together seems to be her discussing the elven history and what it means to be elven.

I love my mother, and I love the time we spend together, but I sometimes feel she is not telling me everything about her or about our family. She mentions things in passing as if I should know certain things just because Im her daughter. This is very frustrating. It took me a 2 weeks to get her to tell me her name, and even then..I still dont know her last name or what family she comes from. And when I ask about our family..she sometimes goes sadly quiet, pursing her lips and giving me a strange look.

Her name, her name is so beautiful... La'ranthia

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My mastery of the elven language is coming along. Mother should be happy about that. She has continued her tutelage and Barion and I are communicating more frequently in it. Im glad he is here to help me. His reassurance and help has even impressed mother. I think she likes him. She always gives him a funny smile when she sees him.

Mother has continued my educatiuon into the mystic arts. She has let me read some of her books of lore and even a spellbook or two. My power is slowly growing. I feel it within me, coursing thru my veins. It is an extension of me, I feel my being connect with the stars when I touch the weave.

Father taught me that the sword and bow are extensions of my being, that they are my limbs and my might. Mastery is journey of a lifetime. When you use them..the mind should be empty, and that thinking when fighting is what gets you hurt. How different from magic...or is it?

I talked with Elgon yesterday...About life, family, love. It was nice. We both have similar histories when it comes to demons. They have both plagued our families. IT also brought up questions which I dont think mother really wants me to ask, or that she wants to answer. I brought them up in passing..and she quickly changed the subject. It makes me wonder.

She doesn't speak of her family, nor does she answer like to talk about what happened to her. I understand that...such torment for so many years...I can't even begin to imagine what she went through. Family though, why wont she tell me about them? All I really know is that they are from Voltrex. Perhaps she is ashamed of having loved a human, and bearing a half-elven child. Elves can be very 'unhappy' when it comes to such things.

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Yay for Barion and I! After all these months, adventures, misadventures and genral fun we have finally settled on a date. In 1 month we shall be married. Now we have to get everything together. So much work to do.

We told mother about it. We thought she would be happy, to know we will finally be married...she smiled, looked at us quizzically and went back to her book.

I don't know what to do. Barion and I are so happy, and yet she has seemed ever more distant of late. At first I thought it was because we all know her time left with us is slowing slipping away. But now...now I dont know.

I need to have a talk with her.

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Barion and I went to Rilara gathering for ingredients for cooking. So much food to prepare! Beer, roasts, bread and anything else you can think of! Gods..first nightmares of demons and now nightmares of food.

The other nightmare is the fact that we have to send out iinvitations to all of our friends...No mean feat. We both know so many and people and have so many friends. Barion had a good idea though. We will post teh wedding information in all of the taverns. Everyone checks the walls sooner or later. Hopefully most will see it sooner rather than later. Our closer friends we decided will receive personal invitations.

Hopefully this will work out. Heres crossing our fingers!

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Its been a strange week indeed!

Firstly, Rhynn is being hunted by some drow fromthe underdark. Apparently he has been sent to retreive or kill her from her owners. This is not good. The hunter seemed pretty pretty ruthless and cold. I met him in Hlint. He started asking Tegan and I some pointed questions regarding our friend. Its a good thing he didn't know very much about his quarry. This gave me a fun opportunity to tease Rhynn adn still send her pursuer on a wild goose chase! Little Ms. Sunshine, I called her. She really loved that. Skipping around and spreading sunshine and rainbows wherever she went. Rhynn face nearly went purple when she heard me sayying that. Poor Tegan could barely contain herself! We did happen to pointout that she tended to hang out with one Ozymandius whom I'm sure this drow will have heard of..if not..oops for him. I do hope Rhynn will be okay.

Second. I finally heard the whole story about what happened down there from Mith. I guess it wasn't completely his fault after all. Things seemed to have just gotten out of hand. Rhynn even confirmed this after she had cooled down abit from the whole slave experience.

Third. Mith was very talkative today. Moreso than I have ever heard him. He talked to us about his and Anna's relationship and what happened. He still dearly loves her. I don't think I ever knew they were married, or even a couple for that matter. He told us about why he thinks their relationship fell apart. It had something to do with the Bone Woman, a fallen cleric of Rofirien named Dougal and a few other things. More importantly, he talked about Anna'a stolen children. He has been seeking information on them and what has happened to them for a long time now. Even though he and Anna have fallen apart. He still cares deeply for her, and more importantly, for her children. He says he his doing all he can to find them and what happened.

Number four was the fact that Barion and I got a glimpse of the dark side of Nyyana...Apparently she really doesn't like some fellow named Celgar. She doesn't like him at all. Apparently he is the only one who has ever made her so mad she has seriously contemplated harming him intentionally. Its always the cute ones.

And most important to me of all that has happened today. Mith enlightened me as to some marriage rituals and customs of the elves. This sheds new light on why perhaps, mother has been acting so strangely of late. Her health is truly starting to fail. Her hair is getting greyer and greyer every day. She is more tired more often nowadays ands she sleeps more and more. I am truly worried for her. Barion and I both knew her reprieve from death wasn't a permanent one. Her health was never copmpletely restored. But I had hoped for more time with her. She is barely even 200 years old. You never would have guessed it to see her. After her ordeal with that soul sucking demon, when we found her, she looked nearly 900 years old! And in the last few months that she has lived with us since her rescue, she has aged another 3 or 400 hundred years it would seem. I must get the answers I need for myself and Barion and our future family.

I must truly sound like the petulant child sometimes. Butthis is important.

My family history means so much to me now that I have a family of my own. And mother, she barely discloses anything to me about her side. Who they are, where they live, what they did. Even simple things she barely divulges. I understand that I may be a half-elven child, whom the rest of the family may want nothing to do with. I accept that.  But I do deserve the right know where I come from. And on a sadder note...I must know whom to contact about mothers death. Im sure her parents woud like to know what has become of her. What happened to her and why. I know I would. I may not like it, but it would give me some comfort at the very least.  

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Well...Only a few weeks left until the wedding. My hand is killing me! I sent out all fo the invitations today. Those poor messenger birs must be swooping up and down all over layo.
I just hope I remembered everyone..if not, then hopefully they will see teh signs posted in the inns.

Im so excited, now. The wedding is coming up, nad mothere has agreed to finally tell me of our family. It is definitely going t be an excitng week!

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Only a few days left until the wedding...I am getting very anxious. Still not enough food yet...Barions says there is ..maybe he's right. I guess I am just trying to keep busy.

Nyaana has made my wedding dress for me..It looks fantastic! SHe has really done a good job.

My only other concern now..is mother. Barion told me she had a chat with him. SHe doesnt want em to seek out her family. She feels it would be dangerous for me. Being a half-elven, her family would not be overly welcoming to me. I somehow feel there is something more to it than that. Hopefully she will tell me more soon. She is getting so much weaker...I dont know how much longer she will last.

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I am so happy! Today was the big day. A few mishaps, but overall it was a great success! Many of Barion's friends and my friends showed up. The were patient enough thank goodness  Many were there before already when we arrived. And then the nightmare. The catereres hadn't arrived yet. Nothing was setup! Ugh... Poor Quantum who wanted to make all of the arrangements for the wedding was practicially hysterical. He hid it well..uyt you could see it in his eyes. He was not happy.  But luckily, we were able to get ahold of the company that was supposed to do this. The caterers partner ended up showing and did an excelent job in getting everything ready at the last minute. Apparently her patner forgot to put it on the calender or lot the billing or something. Im not sure what happened. I figured his team came out and were eaten by gnolls. It wouldnt have surprised me in the least.  In the end, I think she gave Q a discount due to the mixup, and it was a grand wedding. Quantum performed the ceremony sans Cray and Serissa gave us a blessing as a cleric of Rofirien.  I do hope Cray is safe, I received a bird from her sayiong she was called away unexpectedly and would not make it.  The other no show, was mother. She has really started to weaken n the last few days. Barion and I dont think there is much time left for her. Quantum offered to try and help her, but he didnt understand the nature of her malady.
  //OOC: Here is a link to the photos: http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=524

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It has been an exhausting and exhilarating week.

After the wedding, Barion and I disappeared for several days of well earned rest...well..it was sortof restful.

We went to Saudria and enjoyed the quiet of the inn, and the peacfulness of the sea. And then Nyya and Mith came along.

We decided to stretch our legs for a little walk around Dregar and met up with some of Barion and Mith's old friends. Varka, Q, Ketil and a halfling named Larissa.

Our walk consisted of saying hello to some giants and trying to get a helmet for Ketil from some really mean orcs. That didnt go so well for us. We all fell.....Mith and Nyya somehow escaped thank goodness. I never knew orcs could be so tough! They cut through us like we were butter! I had a headache for a week!

Then the fun really started. We all met back at the new house in Pranzis where Barion and Mith decided to arm wrestle. Barion didnt do so well. So much for the spindly little mage! But I think it had mor eto do withteh fact that he polymorphed into a giant.

Then he polymorphed into a dragon (thank goodness for high ceilings!) and Barion and he started to wrestle. That was funny. Poor Barion was like a cute little doll.H eeventually got his feetand then he gave Mithy a run for his money! Mith was so tired he couldn't change back and passed out on the floor. Nyya and I hada  blast climbing on a dragon!

Later Barion needed to head to Haven for something, and Mith decided to take Nyya and I to Vanavar. He wanted to show us where he grew up. It was beautiful countryside, but mercs had the run of the land now. Mith didn't like that very much. Let's just say toasty doesn't quite cover it. He then showed us both one of the most terrifying things either Nyya or I had ever seen. Scorpions the size of towers! It was like we were in a nightmare that was real!

I really like Mith but he is a strange fellow sometimes. He has been thru alot. He can be the nicest guy in the world one second, then a act like a crochety old man the next. He told Nyya and I that at one time all he craved was power. Not to rule, but to be free. In the process he has loved and lost, and learned power isn't everything. I really like Mith. Once you get through the gruff exterior he can be very sweet, but he is very lonely. He doesn't show it, but he is. His breakup with Anna hurt him deeply. I dont know the details, but he blames himself. His only desire now is to see her children reunited with her, or at the very least, give her the revenge she deserves for such a horrendous crime. He still loves her...

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My life just seems to get so confusing sometimes....

I have just found out from Mith that Ozy and he had a chat with my mother recently. Apparently...she has a chance for life again! Apparently, all the clerics we talked to had no clue. This was beyond their experience..so they assumed her weakening was the lifeforce of Barion leaving her...and when it was gone she would...she would die.

She is weakening..that much is true. But now I am beginning to wonder if it is because Barions strength is leaving her, and her own body and soul are being taxed from the healing.

Perhaps this explains her recent forays to Spellguard. She was once a powerful and gifted mage. Perhaps hope has been kindled within her and she doesn't wish to raise my hopes in case of the worst.

I have been traveling with Mith alot lately. We have had long conversations and I have learned much about him. Not too much..he is still very secretive. But i feel he trusts me. He offered me an item of extreme personal value...something that if it fell into the wrong hands could be devastating to him. I appreciated the honor of his trust with this, but I did not feel comfortable accepting it. If something went wrong..if it was stolen or somehow got into the wrong hands..... I just hope he understands.

I have also been made a strange offer. Well, not so strange really. Unexpected would be the word. Mith has offered to tutor me in the arcane arts. I was rather surprised by his offer. I am honored that he would extend this too me. Especially since I have heard from others and himself, that he is disinclined to take on apprentices.

He has also shared with me some of his past. A past that he has no memory of, or rather...one that he never had any idea of. AS I promised him..this is all I shall say about this.

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I have been offered and accepted an offer from Mith. He is wanting to rebuild the Arcane Alliance from the chaos that seems to have engulfed it. I have no illusions about this. I trust Mith, I dont know why, but I do. I also have no illusions about him. He explained his reasons to Tyr and I and I think they are sound. I also know that Mith tends to think about 20 steps in front of everyone else.

I guess I am going to be a member of the Arcane Alliance. Barion is not gonna like this. But then, he is going on a suicide mission into the underdark. I don't like that idea.

I understand it is to save his friends, and I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing in his shoes. But I am fearful for him. This is dangerous and he may not come back. He will..I know he will in my heart, but I still can't help but be very nervous.

I need to go practice with my sword...

That sounds so funny to me now. I have spent so much time studying my magic, wanting to learn all there is, and practicing so much. And now all I want to do is practice with my sword.

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Mother is gone. She finally returned to Aeridin's arms. It happened on Voltrex, her home. I am so glad for that. Nyyana took her there after mother  askerd her to escort her throught the High Forest. THe high forest, mother alsways said it reminded her Voltrex. I guess when she spoke of Voltrex is sparked something in Nyyana's memory. Mith was there for some reason. He was there when she passed. He said she simply faded away. He burned her body and scattered her ashes to the wind.

She had one final gift left to give.

Spellsword. A fighter and a wizard blended together. A path few have taken. There are only a few known to my friends and acquaintences. And they haven't been seen in a long while.

Perhaps this is my destiny. It feels right. I already blend both sides of my life, the fighter and the wizard. This is the logical next step.

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An inauspicious beginning.

The first ladies night out. What a fiasco...what fun...what pain.
There were many who showed up. Honora, Brisbane, Jennara, Iris, Sep, Ferrit, Jade, and myself. We took a moment to figure out where to go. Our party was pretty powerful.

We decided to go to Roldem. I was all for it. I had never been there, nad travelling hte countryside sounded like fun. We decided to help the locals by ridding the area of undead.

Our adventure started out great. We cleared the way thru to the footfo the mountains. Form there we entered a cave. It was there where we lost it. WE made it thru to the second level without much incident. It was there we were ambushed. I and most of the others fell. I almost escaped with Brisbane, but at ht elast moment a storm assasin brought me down. I dont remember much except the excruciating pain. The soul mother visited me once more.

Fortunately my soul was still bound to the northpoint bindstone. I made my wasy back to HLint and drogo adn Mith returned with me once they learned what had happened. It was then that I learned Ferrit was pregnant. We needed to get to her. To see if she somehow survived.

Mith was wonderful. For some reason I find he is always around to bail me out. Im not sure why that is, but I am grateful for it. Even Brisbane said he was the hero of the day. Without him we would never have been able to help Jennara, Iris or Myself reach our graves. Brisbane said Ferrit had returned to Hlint's bindstone. This is terrible..we can only hope she didnt lose her child.

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My training is beginning in earnest. I have begun to fully realize the truth of my gifts. To fight with spells and steel. There is a harmony of balance between the two which before I had only contemplated briefly.

My tutoring by Mith has also begun. He has taken me into the Arcane Alliances keep. He even gave me a key. They have many resources within the tower, more than I had ever dreamed. It is a school for teaching, and learning. To explore the mysteries of magic and plumb the depths of the weave.

Mith has shown me much, he has agreed to help with my elven language skills, he has begun teaching me the methods of magical defense, and has fostered my understanding of enchantment.

Now I must ask Barion to help me with my fighting skills. He is a weaponmaster of almost no equal. He will be happy to help me Im sure. It will give us more time together, which I miss. He has been gone so much lately, as have I. And it will ease the tensions between us regarding Mith's tutelage.

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My quest continues on..

My fighting skills are improving with the help of Barion and I have learned a few new spells which I have found quite useful. Mith was helping me with my elven language. Apparently mother talked with him before she died and expressed her desire for me to master the language. He has taken it upon himself to help me, that and I asked him too.

The most wondrous thing has happened. Two of my friends have had nad are having children. Kyle and Ferrit are expecting this week and Tyr had a beautiful baby boy just a few days ago.

I am so happy for them. They will all make fine parents.

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I am exhausted! I ahve been running around gathering items for this little business venture i started with Mith. 4 orders in less than a week. And we filled them all within a couple of days of receiving them! My feet are killing me!

I have been travelling with Dalan alot lately. We have been mining iron in haven. Its fun travelling with him. He's a great fellow, even made me beer. Its usually the other way around. It was mighty tasty though.

I miss Barion...I havent seen him for days. I know he is off helping his friends and has alot on his plate, but we havent had much time to ourselves. I miss him.

I almost think some of this maybe my fault. I needed iron for some arrows and used quite a bit from one of our chests. I usually try to let him know if I use something, but he hasnt been around lately. I shoudl leave a note for him I guess. rain said he was pretty miffed. I think ima gonna start making more trips into haven. I am going to try and get him more iron than he could possibly use! Well...thats alot i guess. but i will do my best to help fill his chests at the very least.

One last note to myself...i need to remember to talk to Ozy about spellswords...See what he knows, perhaps he can help guide my training. Although i think i am on the right path now.

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I have recently learned new magic and my connection to the weave seems to have become stronger over the last few days. It is strange though...for I have been training harder and harder with my sword. Honing my skills with a blade and with magic...as one blooms, the other blossoms.

I am worried. Barion hasn't been seen for days. He has been home..the iron has been used. My way of checking on him I guess. But he never stays long, and seems to be there only when I am not around. No one in Hlint has seen much of him lately either, and when they have he has been strangely silent. Not saying much, just practicing his crafting.

I am at a loss...I have searched for him, but not located him..I have finally sent a messenger bird with a letter in hopes that it will locate him and bring him home.