Millan

[Millan]

* You are holding an elegant black book, with an engraved thirteen starred constellation, in the shape of a wolf’s head, on the cover.*


I am starting this journal of my life to try and understand what is going on. Something is happening to me and I can not seem to place when or where it began. I am beginning to see things that are not there, or at least I think they aren’t. My mind is playing tricks on me, and I am becoming obsessed with darkness, especially the shadows. My first recollection of my strange fascination with the darkness occurred shortly after I meet a strange Drow by the name of Daralith and struck into business with him. This is the first day we met, or at least my best recollection of it.

We met on the streets of Hlint, and he offered to hire me. We went to the tavern and found a small table. He asked me about my childhood and where I had become so strong willed. What I remember of the conversation went something like this...

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At fifteen my father married me off for some silver and a keg of ale. By sixteen I had a daughter. My daughter died from what the local priests called "an uncureable plague". Better put, my husband spent all his silver on a maid to cook and clean... I mean on me... and we didn't have the coin to save my daughter's life. Rather than work, my husband slept with every filthy whore he could find until one of their husbands cut his throat for it. I wish I could only find the man who killed my husband. I am not sure if I would thank the murderer of my husband today for saving me the life of guilt I might have endured had I killed my husband myself...or thank the man for helping make me who I am today.


"So you ask who I am Drow? My name you say? You may call me Millan. You paid for my drink and I said for a silver I shall tell you why I have no husband, and I did. If you want to know more, then we shall speak first on the matter of the job you have for me. For this is the reason we met in this tavern in the first place."


*With a slight bow*
"I am Daralith. The job? I wouldn't call it a job. As you can see I am new to these parts and know very little of your race, outside of what I been "taught". You spark my curiosity and I am willing to pay for information you have to provide. Information of who you are. I have heard much of your skill with that dagger and even more about how you handle the local males of this community. You remind me of home."

*laughing softly*
"Then you will wish to bed me? I think not Daralith. I do not need your coin that bad. I tell you what. You will pay for this meal, keep my wine glass filled, and if I am still able to tolerate you I will weave you a tail like no other. One of my life with a blade."


*A meal, a few too many drinks, and hours later*
I had not seen my 17th year yet when my husband died. After his death his debt collectors came to collect from me. They burnt my home down, stole my animals, and when they were done with me, the leader of the group threw a dagger at my side and said, "You should do yourself a favor and use that to slit your throat".


"Instead of following his sound advice, I picked the blade up and placed it in my boot. Rather than wait for the coins I swallowed to come out the other end, I made myself sick and washed them off. There was word of a band of mercs recruiting people and willing to train them. They took me in without question. I excelled with this dagger and it wasn't long before I moved on from the mercs. I found myself here in these streets by the age of twenty. What I have done sense then, is none of your business, nor is what I am going to be doing now. I thank you for the potatoes and the wine. Now if you will excuse me..."

[Millan]

Since my summoning I have worked the streets of Hlint gathering information, using the shadows as my ally. My blades have been for hire, but work has been slow. I have always thought it silly to keep a journal, because it could be used against you if ever found. I have always been one to “erase” any evidence of my presence, rather than commit to paper my affairs. However, I am undergoing changes I can not explain. I am hoping that by writing them down I can later review them and perhaps understand what is going on.

My life has always been surrounded by theft, trickery, and most importantly the shadows. Each has been a lesson or tool I use to my advantage. Lately the shadows have become more than a tool to me. It is as if the shadows are becoming an extension of my will.. I can not place the feeling, nor begin to describe it. It is as if I am becoming one with the shadows. I find myself mesmerized by the shadows given off by the simple flicker of a flame. I find myself lying within the shadows, sleeping within them, and almost lost without them. There are times when I think the shadows are more than they seem, perhaps even alive…

[Millan]

I spent the day venturing out of Hlint in search of work. I ran into the interesting Drow by the name of Daralith Del’Mar, who was peddling some small wares outside of the city. I happened to over hear him speak about some temple he is going to destroy given the chance. We struck up conversation and small talk. Of all the Drow I have ever met, Daralith does the most justice to the vile rumors of his race. Daralith and I go back a ways and I rather like the male. I use to gather small things and spy on others for coin for him, but it has been some time.

Lately I have found little interest in day to day affairs. I find myself drawn to the shadows for the most part. I think I will meet up with Daralith tomorrow and seek his advice on the changes I am undergoing. Perhaps he can enlighten me on my recent  path of shadows.

[Millan]

I met the most annoying male I have ever come across. His name was Shiff. He thought himself amusing, while I admit he made me laugh, he has about the same chance as orc of bedding me. I also spent some time with a strange druid by the name of Malkor. He showed absolutely no sexual interest in me and treated me with respect. I bet it is a trick and I will keep my eye on him. I meet a magic user by the name of Tegan, who I like. She helped me gather my belongings from the bottom of Haven Mines, which I would not have lost in the first place if not for Shiff watching my backside, rather than fighting the ogres.

All of these things are trivial to what happened today. I have been plagued by my obsession of the shadows to the point I think I’m actually going crazy. It is as if my shadow is watching me. I mean I know your shadow follows you, but this is different. Sometimes my shadow stops and goes the other way! I know it sounds crazy, but today someone else saw it! His name was Taff, and he realized something was amiss. Now if only I can prove Taff really exists. Crazy isn’t?

[Millan]

Entry 5:
I gained a higher understanding of my abilities and the possible limits set upon me right now. I was battling ogres in the Haven mines when one cornered me. My group was no where near me, locked in a deathly battle with an ogre magi. I tried to use the shadows to hide and maneuver behind the ogre. I actually felt the ability to will the darkness to me, but I had no real control over it. The ogre sensed me and turned a torch towards the darkness, stealing it along with the shadows. I was left vulnerable and alone. I felt helpless for a brief moment, a moment that seemed like a life time as the ogre descended upon me. I quickly came to my senses as the ogre drew back his club with murderous intent. I feigned left as if to run by the ogre, then pulled up short and drove my rapier into his gut three times before the stupid creature realized I had not run by him. I stepped back as the ogre swung wildly at me with a back handed swat of pure desperation, but I was to close to the wall where he had cornered me. I rolled my ankle as I slammed up against the wall. Quickly pushing myself free of the wall I lost my balance as I tried to place weight on the ankle. I looked up just in time to see the ogres club come crashing down on my temple…

I learned from my mistake, but more importantly I learned there are more to the shadows than even I first believed. I need them, and I need to learn to control them. I am determined to tap into that same connection with the shadows I felt and had in that moment before the ogre used the torch to steal them from me. Never again.