Author Topic: Clarissa (quest to be a champion) (Read 1183 times)

Skywatcher · « **on:** January 13, 2007, 11:41:53 AM »

Toran be praised. On my first day in Hlint Toran confirmed my calling to the Paladinhood by leading me to meet a man who was able to teach me much of the local area. Daniel is his name. He is a noble warrior. His skill with a blade was a marvel to watch. He had a glowing sword that he said was given to him by someone precious to him. I think her name was Tegan. Daniel and I had a chance to sit by the campfire as he showed me around Hlint. He asked me how I came to Hlint and I opened up to him about how I want to get out from under my fathers shadow. I don't know why I felt safe talking to him but it was liberating to put words to my feelings. If I can just get close enough to Toran that my father can see that Toran is protecting me, maybe he would be able to see that I have grown up and,although I love and respect him, I would rather be by his side than be his helpless child.

Daniel showed me the crypts in Hlint. So much undeath so close to a town was disturbing. It reminded me that waiting for evil to gather and prepare for an asault on the innocent is foolhardy. The forces of the light should take the initiative and go to the places where evil grows and eradicate it there. Surprise and initiative should not be the advantages of one's foes.

Daniel was most generous and he asked that I pass on the generosity to others rather than repay him. He spoke of a guild of like minded individuals, the Angels, I think. I need to remember to ask him more about this group.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2007, 10:10:31 AM »

The undead seem endless in the crypts of Hlint. I also encountered them in the pass toward the greypeak mountains and have heard rumors of trouble in the crypts of Krandor as well. I will not see the innocent harmed by these abominations.

Every time I see something that is a threat to me or others, especially the truly evil foe, I see my father and anger rises in me. I am having a hard time understanding this. My father is a great man and I love him dearly. I think what I am feeling is the burden of his overprotectiveness. I want to destroy these foes to prove the strength of Toran is in me and I can stand by my father as equal. I will have to find a way to channel these emotions into Toran's service.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2007, 09:06:10 AM »

I have been trying to do my best to help others while working out my feelings. I spent time running with a couple of sorceresses. Magic is a very interesting thing. I know there are those who oppose its use but it seems there are times when it can be very useful. I found that teaming up makes things much easier. I suppose the key to the question is the ends one seeks to achieve with the use of power. I feel a growing desire to lose myself in the pursuit of evil. My only question is where I will end up if I let go and give in to the power of these feelings. Can purity be mantained when rationality gives way? I need to meditate, to guard my self in Toran's light and ask for has hand to guide my thoughts and actions.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2007, 07:09:07 PM »

Toran has once again smiled on me. I was able to meet with Michaelis Draego and our discussion was very enlightening. I asked him about becoming a Champion of the All Watching. He gave me a very interesting perspective of life as a Champion of the Great Leader. He said that it is a life of total devotion to Toran and that I should most importantly understand why I serve Toran. He said that my motive should not be about pleasing my father but about Toran. I feel myself being drawn to lose myself in his service. As we parted I pledged myself once again to seek a deeper faith and strengthen my bond to Toran. He brought up many issues I need to ponder in order to prepare myself for this plunge. I need to resolve to never have a family and devote myself wholy to Toran. I need to resolve to make the hard choices even when there seems to be no right choice. My eyes are being opened to a service that is not as black and white as I have seen the world at times.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:12:05 AM »

I have heard a rumor that there are others who are currently seeking to achieve the status of Champion among the followers of the Great Leader. I will have to seek some of them out and discuss with them the path that they have been led down. It may be that I will find some insight as to what drives the devotion that leads one dwon this path.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2007, 10:17:52 AM »

I have begun to learn new skills. I have decided that in addition to my duties as a Paladin, I should also serve the community with any abilities that I can develop. I have begun working on alchemy although I seem to spill quite a few mixtures and still can't get the mixture right most of the time, I think with hard work I will be able to achieve some skill. I have also found that in order to get the reagents for most mixtures one must have some rudimentary skill with gemstones. Lots of work to be done.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2007, 11:43:58 AM »

As I was exploring near Hlint I came across a small town called Luck. I saw a group gathered and enquired if I could be of assistance. Turns out that a little boy was murdered and the group was investigating it. I helped as best I could and we finally worked out that it had something to do with an old blind necromancer. When we searched his house we found a magicall orb that seemed to be a resording device of some sort. Connor (a pretty powerful mage) worked out the locks and managed to get it open. I can't wait to hear what information is held within.

//Who done it? quest on 17 Jan 07

Skywatcher · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2007, 05:09:09 PM »

I have begun to make friends. I feel much more comfortable walking around Hlint. I went on an outing adventuring around Mistone with Chris, Steel, Praylor (another Paladin of Toran), Earl, and Dalila. It was so much fun. Chris asked me to attend a wedding with him so I could meet a cleric who could consecrate my amulet. I need to make a dress for the occasion. Life is good. Toran be praised.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:40:41 AM »

This day was a joyous and wonderful day. Krys invited me to wedding where I met many very nice people. The ceremony was beautiful. It reminded me of mom and dad because the bride was a priestess of Rofirein and the groom was a follower of Toran. It was a very pious wedding and they had great refreshments afterward. I made progress on my alchemy experiments. I also ran into a group of adventurers who were working on solving a great mystery. We went to meet a Baroness in the Wolfswood forest and she told a grim tale of betrayal and deception about Milara and the former rulers of what was Rilara.

//Exploring the past quest on 1/20/07

Skywatcher · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:03:09 AM »

I went to Prantz via a portal today. What a huge city. I met a kindly cleric of Aeridin named Lexor. He escorted me back to North Point and along the way we stopped and visited mom and dad. It was good to see them but they still don't seem to understand that I am growing up. They are still so afraid for me. I was they would just trust me.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:09:44 PM »

Krys showed me so many sights today. We went on a journey across Alindor and ended up on Dregar. We met up with some friends of his, a couple of powerful clerics. We journeyed into some very dangerous places. It was only Toran's blessing that kept me alive through the journey. I am starting to understand why my father wanted to protect me. Dregar is not even the worst of this world and then there are evils beyond this world. How can I ever expect to stand against such forces? I am starting to understand the importance of friends. No matter how powerful an individual is they will always have a weakness. In numbers there can be a diversity that makes the group so much more powerful than the sum of its individuals. Krys spoke of uniting those of faith in a meaningful way. I would like to work with him in this. I would love to see the reputation of Toranites everywhere repaired. I must strive to be the best example I can.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2007, 03:01:17 PM »

I have been thinking about the situation in the church with the justicers leaving and going to follow Rofirein. How much of what goes on in the church is the will of Toran and how much is the politics of men? Krys shares a common desire to see the faiths of justice united. But if men are only out to have power will that stand in the way of restoring the honor of the paladinhood? Will men stand in the way of true justice? I think not. Toran guide me. Just as my parents united to serve you and Rofirein and were the stronger for it I will serve the cause of justice and mercy with grace and compasion. This bastard sword a sign of my mother's strength and my faith in Toran to power it. *she kneels in prayer with her sword held in front of her face with the point touching the ground* Toran help me bring truth and justice to this land. Make me your instrument. Make me your right hand.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2007, 05:58:40 PM »

I've been spending time with Dalila and Lex'or. Lex'or is a good guide to places off the beaten track. The three of us make a pretty good team. He wants to learn how to hunt undead but thinks he has to do it alone. I told him we should spend some time fighting undead together. Dalila and I can handle ourselves too. We'll see. We could end up being able to really cut the population of undead on Mistone.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:23:40 PM »

Lex'or is having love problems. He has been crushed by a past love and now he thinks he might be falling for Dalila. I feel for him. I tried to console him. He is such a kind and generous man. I advised him to focus his affections on Aeridin as I have on Toran. Toran will never leave me or stop guarding me. He will always lead me. There is no room in my heart for a relationship that will distract me from this devotion. Lex pointed out that we must love and I agree this is true but I will broaden my love for people and serve all who Toran would protect by protecting the weak and seeking out evil where it gathers. Thus I will love all but my heart will always belong to Toran.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:47:18 PM »

Today was a day of mixed emotions. It started of by finding a group of adventurers near Castle Raxwell who were investigating an assassination atempt. It turns out that during a speech in Prantz an assasin attacked the speaker. The group tracked some leads to try to find out who did it. The assassin escaped to the north lands but the most important thing we wanted to find out was who hired him. We need to find out what the ones that followed those two strangers found out. And later I met up with Lex and Dalila. Lex was able to use his spells to help me with some potions but unfortuately I spilled way too many vials of the mixtures. But I learned a bit in the process. I should do better next time.

//What was and never should be quest 2/1/07

Skywatcher · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2007, 02:17:48 PM »

Secret giants and the spirit of the desert. I now have a secret that I can never speak of. Some people came through Saudiria that had a map looking for a special place in the desert. We followed the map and found a secret path in the desert that lead to an area where ancient giants lived. The giants forced a fight between a dwarf in our group and the leader of the giants. Suffice it to say that the "friend" of these people who provided them the map has some questions to answer.

//A friend in need is a friend in deed quest 2/3/07 (2xXP weekend Woohoo)

Skywatcher · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2007, 02:23:55 PM »

My powers continue to grow as does my passion for Toran. I met my first confrontational Mistite today. She is a friend of Lex'or but she seems intent on getting a rise out of me. She kept getting in my face and telling me things like she would watch me bleed to death. I almost couldn't tolerate her presence but I maintained my composure and stayed as respectful as I could be. The reputation of Toran will not be restored through exchanging barbs with those who no nothing of compassion and love for all. I will fight when I must and if I do none will stand before me but I will try my best to be at peace with those around me even when I differ in opinion.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2007, 07:41:26 AM »

As my skills are growing I am finding that I can make subtle changes to the way I wield my mother's sword that enhance its effectiveness. I am going to modify it with magical enhancements that will add even more to its power. Thank you mother for this fine weapon and for what it stands for. It has even been a part of bringing Toran's blessings to me. In order to get the silver to allow The Angels guild to make the silver enhancement for the weapon I had to enlist the help of Praylor, a paladin much my senior. He was very helpful and got some of his friends to come along and mine the silver with us. It ended up taking 24 nuggets of silver to make the single enhancement for the blade but now it has much better effectiveness against those creatures particularly harmed by silver. I spoke with Rain about possibly joining the Angels guild. Daniel is a member and Lex'or's sister is Rain's wife. They are a group that seems to share my goals of reconciliation and cooperation in the pursuit of helping others. Rain said I needed to spend more time with memebers of the guild and have one of them recommend me for membership at a meeting. If I get accepted I will apprentice under one of their master crafters to become a full member of the guild. I must go visit mother and show her how I have modified her blade and show her my skill with it. I think she will be proud.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2007, 01:12:07 AM »

I spoke to Balazar today as Michaelis suggested. It was a very interesting conversation. As we discussed our reasons for wanting to become champions of the All Watching, it was very interesting to see how we came at our thoughts from opposite directions. Both of us had issues with our emotions and agreed that strong emotional ties to things other than Toran himself was a liablity to his service and created a weakness. Balazar has chosen to attempt to suppress his emotioned to the point that they don't affect him. I on the other hand being a woman as he pointed out am more emotionally driven. I desire to achieve the highest passion in union with Toran. I desire to have my passion for Toran to be so strong that other distractions are not a threat. Both Balazar and I seek the become the hands of Toran but I think we learned a bit about ourselves from the conversation. Afterward he took me on a patrol around Mistone that ended in the dungeon of the eye. We recovered the eyestalk of the beholder mage after a little trouble with the final battle. I hope to spend more time with Balazar. He told me to rely on myself only and not on others. I am not sure what I feel exactly on this issue. I understand what he means that there will come a time that if you are not strong enough alone you may fall if your friends desert you. But on the other hand without allies there is much less that can be accomplished in Toran's service. Maybe this thought is one of the reasons for the reputation many of our order have as being aloof and arrogant. To tell others you can not rely on them makes them feel like you think you are better than them. I need to be careful about this if I am to ensure I don't fall into the traps that many others have and end up hurting the true church.

Skywatcher · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2007, 11:26:49 PM »

In her meditations she recites the paladin code:

Truth, honor, and loyalty are your highest calling. Never deviate from these principles, even if it should mean your death.

Never question Toran, nor his priesthood. Your loyalty to your God will be put to the test in a time of trial. Remain steadfast and loyal during that time and all shall be achieved.

Aid those that you can, and neither ask nor expect reward. Your valor and honor will bring glory to Toran's name.

Do not suffer evil, hatred, or corruption, for these are the greatest sins of mortals. Battle against these sins and those who commit them, but be mindful that there is no shame in retreat, especially to preserve your life and the lives of other innocents around you.

Your word is your bond. Keep your word, even should it bring you to death's gate. The faithful of Toran must honor their word and trust in their valor and their God to aid them in keeping their promises. There is no honor in a vow that calls for the death or dishonor of innocents, and such promises may be freely broken.

All life is sacred. Raping, pillaging, and other crimes of war are strictly forbidden to those in Toran's service. Killing should be an act of last resort. Honor your enemies, regardless of their race, even in defeat.

Make no demands of others. A knight of Toran should be proud and self sufficient. There is no shame in accepting offers of help, but a Paladin in Toran's service should never reduce himself to beggary or desperate pleas.

Unless specifically directed by Toran or his priests, do not enter another god's temple except in times of extreme duress. Even when desperate, you may only enter temples of gods sympathetic to Toran.

Remain virtuous and honorable in all ways. Do not participate in anything that would require you to compromise your Code. These are the laws of the Paladin, and those who would treat them lightly are not worthy of the title.

*As she reflects her thoughts go out to Toran to grant her a deeper understanding of his essence* I need to understand who you are as you are expressed in this code. I want to know you in a way that goes beyond obedience to a set of rules. I want to obey because I know what you would do not what Navarre says about you.