Aerimor Lightbringer

[Aerimor]

Character: Aerimor Lightbringer
Age: 115
Gender: Male
Class: Druid
Race: Sun Elf
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Deity: Multiple (Aeridin)

Appearance:

Aerimor is a very small, short elf. His demeanor is silent and appraising. His hair and clothing is worn. His black hair is wild and his green eye intense. Aerimor walks with a limp.

History:

FindarA?to Lightbringer was old in years. His studies of Wizardry never allowed for much else. He took a young wife Nessa and moved to the hamlet of Whorilian off the Northern trade route in Ulam Forrest.

They tried to have a child for several years. FindarA?to retreated to his labs and made potions. None of them worked. Frustrated, FindarA?to approached the Wood Elves, a druid, Master Willowwood, gave him a tea to drink. A year later Verideth, my younger twin, and I were born. The other Sun Elves joked with him that the druid gave him some sap from the Great Oak itself. My brother and I were of slight build, but possessed minds as sharp as that of our father.

As the oldest, I was always promised to return to the Master Willowwood and study the ways of nature and earth. And my brother was to follow after our father's wizardly ways. While my brother and I saw each other every eve, our days were much different. I was wandering the forests, and learning about nature while my brother spent his days locked up in study with out father. Verideth always spoke about how boring his studies were, whilst I described all the new sights and adventures I had.

One such adventure when we were still young: While I was off in the woods, I came upon a panther trapped under a fallen tree. I shifted the tree to release the panther. The panther lashing out in pain and confusion mauled my left hip. But even through the pain I remember marveling at the speed and beauty of the panther's movements. While my hip never healed correctly and accounts for my limp, I was determined that I would help that marvelous creature. So after tending my hip as well as he could I tracked the panther, which was not too difficult. The panther obviously had a broken bone in its rear leg. So I did what I could, catching rabbits and leaving them out for the panther. After a few days of this the panther, Kalesh, allowed me approach. Kalesh even allowed me to tend his wound, which was not as bad as I feared. The leg was not broken; it had a piece of branch piercing all the way through the thigh. Kalesh by this point was tired and worn; he seemed to tell me it was alright to pull it out. I removed the branch and Kalesh only whimpered. Kalesh then placed his head in my lap and passed out. I bandaged Kalesh's leg while he slept and when he awoke he seemed in much better condition. He looked up at me and nudged into me, as if to thank me. From that moment on Kalesh and I were friends. He was grateful to me and I was now forevermore in love with the beauty and sleekness of the panther, of animals... If only I could move like that. I spent many nights dreaming of moving with such power and grace, or flying as a bird. As time went by and I came to know the extent of the damage done to my hip, I spent more and more time fantasying of becoming an animal.

When the time came to start our official training, I left to study under the druid that in his own way helped conceive me. My brother went to test for his training as a mage. I saw little of my brother for the next two years. But on one occasion he told me of his trip to the tower of earth and his foray into the woods. He seemed to have a natural calling to the wild while I just had a natural love for it. In looking back, I guess I spoke of it to Master Willowwood. For latter on, I learned that my master went to speak on he behalf of Verideth with my father. Anyway I learned what I could from my master, but apparently I was advancing much slower that he hoped. He always got a good laugh from my exploits. Like when I confused a fungus with rather itchy spores for one with a healing property. And for as much as I loved animals, apparently I did not even know how to approach those correctly. Master said I needed to loosen up for I always seemed to put the animals on edge. Except for Kalesh, that is, he was my anchor through it all. Apparently teaching me the ways of the Druid was like pulling and elk through a gopher hole. But with that all said, he said he had made druids out of less.

After two years passed I came to find out that through some real magic, father was having another child and Verideth was coming to train with me. Someday I must get the entirety of that miracle. My younger sister Elenna was born and my mother and father were thrilled. I never have got to know my sister well, but she seems happy and the rest of the family thinks of her as their miracle. Once Verideth arrived training went much differently. I was left to be on my own again for many of the days and my brother and I trained with the master each evening. Before another year was out, Verideth had already surpassed most of my druidic training. It seemed that he was a natural. Thank the gods for Kalesh, my constant companion. I have no jealousy in my heart for Verideth, but did he have to make it all look so easy? I spent my time doing what I did have a calling for. I learned to mimic the movements of Kalesh as best as I could. Using the forest to cover my movements and quiet my steps. While the animals had no worries of me sneaking up on them yet. My limited skills did prove to be more than a match for Verideth's dreamy gazes. I amused myself greatly on appearing suddenly in my brother's presence without warning. In a small way, I guess it was a small payback for him being so good at everything else.

The next dozen years flew by and our official training was complete. Verideth completed training with as high of praise as any before him and I was pronounced adequate and well set on the road to druidic mediocrity.

So Verideth and I returned to our father's home. A year of peace and happiness passed.

Then something happened. The Darkness came to an end. Many people stirred. Attitudes changed. Talked was heard of what was happening in other lands. Change did not come often to my people. The Wood Elves may shrug and continue on there way but Sun Elves do not change. I was amazed by what I saw. The next few years were chaotic, not something many were use too.

Riders came into hamlet of Whorilian. Hushed and angry tones were used. Political debate raged. Verideth approached our Father and asked permission to leave Voltrex, father was stunned. Somehow Father agreed to allow Verideth to leave after much debate. That night my father came to me and asked me to go with Verideth and keep him safe. Father always thought Verideth too prone to fancy and knew I would keep him lashed to practicality if not reality. I told my Father I needed the night to think it over. The next morning I decided that a change would be good; I was young yet and had the time to do a little wandering. The day after Verideth, Kalesh and I went to the Wood Elves and sought out Willowwood. We all talked about what was happening and said our good-byes. We three then set out for Sadinia and booked passage on one of the few boats departing.

We arrived on Serinty Bay in Tilmar and I was not ready for what I experienced. It was to dirty and artificial. What the people did, how they lived. They were dirty, smelly, slow witted and clumsy. In the land of elves, I was no longer... sigh... We immediately took the next boat out and arrived upon the land of Mistone, near Fort Vehl. And this is where the rest of the story begins:

[Aerimor]

The first few days in Fort Vahl have been ...interesting.  This place is just how I pictured most of the other races living, at least the "advanced" ones.  Why my brother wanted to come here, I'll never know.  But with that aside, I have met or seen a few other adventurer types around the town and area.  Three of five were elves, not sure why they are here, but they are a refreshing sight.  Maybe this place is not as bad as I feared, or maybe its worse? In any case those souls seem to have not fallen into moral degredation I thought might come from living in such a place as Fort Vahl.  So maybe my brother and I can just make it through here without becomming what we are surrounded by.

Onto other thoughts, there is a crypt right outside the walls of the fort.  And in this crypt is a mess of undead walking around, hordes of them.  My brother and I have been working at clearing it out, we even cleared out the first level.  But after returning to town to resupply and reentering the crypt, the first level was repopulated by undead again.  This time even more of them, like some evil intelligence sent more guards to the top level to protect his domain.  The cryptkeeper speaks of a mummy of some sort at the lowest levels.  I wonder if this is the intelligence or the muscle of the true intelligence.  Well as my brother and I can not tollerant undead that we can do something about, we will try to keep reducing the undead numbers in the comming days and then when we feel the time is right, make a quick strike to the heart of the crypt and hopefully end the true threat.

Ver and I have also explored some of the surrounding countryside.  Cotton grows free close by, but the area is often patrolled by dwarven and human mercs.  none too friendly I must say.  I am thinking of learning to tailor, but not sure where to start.  I will ask around as soon as I find someone palatable to ask.  While the shopkeeps in town are civil enough, I am just not comfortable talking with them, well except that nice chap that sells bows and arrows.

On personal reflection, Ver and my practice of the Druidic arts is becomming more intuned and powerful.  Ver is always casting all the differant spells he can.  I however find myself limited to summoning animals and cure wounds.  I think I could handle the other spells fine, I just really don't care for them.  I would skip the healing spells too, if they wer enot so vital in this area.  But without doubt the best use of my magic is summoning hogs or wolves to help us.  I just can not get enough of watching the wolves in a fight.  They are not as graceful as Kalesh, but there quickness and power are a lethal combination.  I am writing notes on how they strike and move, I hope to someday incorporate their movment into my own.  So far I have canine and feline movements.  I will have to look for other creatures to study in more depth now that I have begun noting and diagraming creature actions.  I am thinking a snake or bear would make the next study.  I must keep practicing my spells, I wonder what else I can call with more study?

Well thse are my thoughts for now, I must rest again. On that note, all of my dreams have been the same since arriving.  In my dreams I am an animal, some times a panther, others a bear, wolf or bird.  It is weird though, for I am the animal, not just seeing through their eyes of following them from a removed perspective.  O well, Master Willowwood said to relish these dreams and to go with them, so push them farther and farther.  And that I would soon have an experience that eh ws sure I'd find most agreeable.  I pressed for more information but he said it ws uneeded and that it would reveal itself when the time was right.  That is the way he taught, most of the time I found the freedom to be the perfect forum for me to learn.  But then again all of his "look inside" and "listen to what your surrounding are telling you" could raise my hackles.  

I still wonder if the Druidic calling is one I shoudl of answered.  Master Willow always said he saw a portent that I should indeed be set on the path of a Druid, for now.  What the heck he meant by "for now", I am not sure if I will ever know.  Did he see limits for me? Or something else entirely?  Of course Mr. Fabulous (Ver) has perfect faith, ability and confidence in his path as a Druid.  Are my doubts from watching his effortless success, or are they truely my own doubts?

Well I wrote more than intended and need my rest, my head swims with all the new experiences.

-Aerimor

[Aerimor]

I have gotten a little better with my spells, still not my strong point.  Discovered the city of Hempstead.  Cleared out the sewers there.  A lizard creature was casing the distress.  My summoned dire wolves were more than a match for the lizard folk and Kalesh kept the rats at bay.

I found a kobold with a stick for the captain of the watch.  That was a nasty batch of kobolds.  It involved me running away and returning with a second dire wolf.

On to something more interesting, I bought a charter and have begun turning cotton into cloth.  Some how I find it soothing.  I think I will continue trying my hand at tailoring.

I have been cooking a lot of meat on camp fires, and I must admit they are bland.  Maybe I'll ask around and figure out what other adventurer types do to spice it up.

Until later.

Aer

[Aerimor]

The last few days have been busy.  I started fishing with some success.  I learned to make meal from grains.  And I helped my brother with a few quests and foraging for materials.

The real reason I write this night.  I met a lovely lass named Drexia, even if I was be scolded when we met. (Running from a skunk, I do not feel like writting more here for for my own protection.) She helped me out some with the town, but mostly just be having someone to talk with.  

Then things turned ugly, Ver was slain in Fort Vahl today by a Dwarf, Skullcracker something or the other (SkullCracker Headbang) and a goblin (Mongle-Or.)  I got a good look at both, and will be able to recognise them on sight.  Fort Vahl's justice system is non-exsistant.  I can not abide such lawlessness.  We will not be returning there again.  Let the dragon raise it to the ground!

Later I saw Skullcracker near Hempstead trying to start another fight.  He backed down like a bully this time as the pair he picked looked to be every bit his match.  Aparently he only attacks when numbers are with him and the target looks an easy mark.

The lawlessness in this land is unbearable for me, I feel like running as fast and far as I can. *sigh* I am becomming homesick, and with no way to return, it will only get worse if I can not get a handle on it.  I will have to devote more time to the things that take my mind of this land.  

Tailoring, Kalesh, and making my notes on animal movements is all I currently have.  Maybe there is a group for homesick elves? I found a few bears in the wild today.  I commited their movement to memory and marked them down when I had time.  So strong of movements.  I can not wait to get more forms and comapre them all together.  To see what they all share and then note all the differances.  I am sure there is loads of information to tap with this project.

I learned of a few places NOT to go..the hard way.  I hope my learning curve is short enough to not interfer with my livign curve.

Well I am tired and still upset by the lawlessness and Skull-goblin-kissing-head-dwarf-brain-orc-loving-cracker, So I will write more when I am ready.

Aer

[Aerimor]

The greatest thing happened today.  I learned to take the shape of a panther!!  I feel I can change into a bear, boar, wolf or even a badger.  This is the greatest thing ever.  This must of been what Master Willowwood said was down my path.  He said he knew I was along the right path even if the Druidic calling in whole was not the strongest in me.  He said I would be pleased and find my path.  This without a doubt is that path!!!  I spent all day in and out of animal form.  It is the most wonderful thing ever! Now I can't help but wonder what other forms can I take, the possibilties are endless!  I must find some more knowledgable druids to ask about this.  I will forsake my Druidic studies in whole for the time being,  I know I must devote my energies to this new path.  I will find out what else is possible.  Let Verideth have the spells, I will gladly forgo them if I can turn into dire bears, spiders, owlbears?, griffins?, dragons!  I will not be able to sleep tonight. I think Kalesh and I shall prowl the night as panthers.  In fact, it is now dark,  I'll write more later, when my hands return after a night of paw-padding.

-Aerimor (the animal shifter!)

[Aerimor]

The last few days hve been eventful.  I met a few druids, namely Miss Katie.  If that is her true name or form.  She helped me with my thoughts on shifting to other forms.  She says that the key is what is natural, and to remain with one foot always on the core of the great oak (balance.)  She confirmed that the animals I can transform into are not the entirety of those previously asumed.  She went onto to say that owlbears and griffons are too far outside the natural balance, but did not discount spiders or dire creatures.  She went onto to say that she knows druids that can assume the shape of dragons!!!!  Now we are in business.  I will start devoting myself to such ends, but I believe the path is very long.  She did also give me words of caution, saying that druids before have lost themselves forever into the animal forms they assume.  I can see this as being a potential pitfall for myself.  I intend to keep balance and thought more in focus when I shift.  In anycae, even with the dark word of warning this is extremly good news.

On another front. Ver and I were being escorted by Elly (a Sunelf) to Hlint and stopped by her home on the way.  There was a creature waiting on her doorstep for her.  Though the creature appeared as an elf, I am not sure what it was.  I doubt it was anything but an incarnation of evil.  It is called Laura...The Laura.  It apparently was a vampire??!!! previously.  I did not know that affliction could be removed.... could one imagine the ability to turn on and off the power of the vampire form?  O well unless you could remove the blood lust and inate evil, it woudl be pointless.  Anyway this previous form of Laura, had some going ons with Elly when she was pregnant with twins and caused them both to be mis-carried.  She knew Elly well, although Elly did not care much for her (obviously.)  Elly husban was present as well, Kris-something, I was preoccupied.  And another friend, Shif? Shifty? something arrived partly through the encounter.  To sum it up, this creautre wanted Elly's involvment in something, and agreed to send a scout to scout the forces attacking hempstead.  The Scout was a shade, no natural creature there.  Ver, never able to keep himself in check, escalated the tension and through barb bakc and forth with Laura.  When Elly and Laura where done speaking, Laura left...but not before turning Ver to stone before my eyes.  Well, afraid I was already to slow to save my brother, I attempted to at least claim vengence. I knew in my heart I am no more than a fly to her, but my code of honor demanded my action.  I let loose an arrow and it flew true.  Alast it broke niether skin nor drew blood.  Laure then cast a Bigby's hand something or other, I think dad called them, on me.  And I was held fairly in place.  Noble Kalesh, who never seems too far away rushed to my aid, but was also no more than an annoyance.  Laura turned into something dark and flew away.  The Bigby's expired, and much to my relief the flesh to stone expired shortly after.  Even if he is too sensative and freely speaks his mind too often, Ver is my brother.  I am glad he was not harmed.  I just hope neither fo us capture Laura's eye again, I feel next time she will not be lieniant.

So much to do, and to consider.

-Aer

[Aerimor]

I have been enjoying the freedom and experiences offered by my animal shapes.  Spending a fair amount of time in them.  I have been gathering corn and selling it for gold to buy the necesities.  I donated a sum of money to the natures caretaker in Hempstead, it is nice to see such a large and non-Elven city with at least some greenier in it.

My tailoring progresses.  And I have made some sand paper for Ver.  All in all, things are well.

Now onto my exciting news I found a portal in Castle Black..something to Voltrex's Great Library.  It was nice to see even that much of home.  It has done a good deal to help my aching heart.  Use of the portal is restricted to just the Library, but at least there I can see others and the work of my kind.  I was a good day, and ver and I will be visiting often, well at least I will.

`Aer

[Aerimor]

Over the last few weeks I have been trying to find spending a lot of time focused inward at the inner place, where the trigger to shifting into my animal forms is.  I am trying to find if there are and where this other paths to other forms lay.  So far without success,  I get a brief sensation at times of another path just out of reach, but it is quite likly my exhaustion after spending so much time in in meditation.  The good news is, I can find my animals forms quicker and more often, so the time is well spent.  

I have explored much more of this land now, and believe I have visited each of its cities of any size.  My brother keeps dragging me into caves.  The problem with this is, the occupants (goblins, gnolls, worse) are not fond of sharing and then comes the killing and dying.  Ver in particular has had a rough time fo it recently.  But his soul remains well.  I think his desire for the caves is the mineral deposits he keeps finding in them.  He is using them for his own works and it seems caves are really the only place to find them.  WE will just have to find empty caves or be more cautious.

I was asked by packmaster Freya in Krandor (sp?) to deliver a package to Mo in Hempstead.  I can find no trace of such a person and when I ask her for more information she is too busy to be of use.  She just expects it to be done.

I am starting to have some skill in tailoring and have recently located areas to gather silk from.  I believe this silk will allow me much greater ability to make new things.

I have recently met a female wild elf in the fields aroudn Hempstead.  Her name is Alatriel or Ella.  She seems bright and true.  While she does not talk much about herself or her past, she seems an honest one.  As she was new to the area, I helped her out for a few days showing her the important locations.  She has an eagle's eye with her bow and seems many times more proficient with it than I, with mine.  I like her company as she is easy going and invited her along with Ver and I on a few of our explorations, like the caves.  Got her killed with Verideth and she still wanted to explore with us.  I think she just needs a friend or two and finds solace with her own kind.  Be it Elves and not Wild Elves.  

I finally met a couple humans that didn't have something up their arse.  Caerwyn and a couple others whom I do not remember there names.  I have been selling corn to the Merchant Riven also.  Both Caerwyn and Riven have treated me with respect and seem decent folk for humans.  I collected so much corn that Riven was pleading for a chance to pay me with items in place of coin alone.  I looked over his wares and found a long and short oak bow, bronze scimitar and magic belt to my liking.  So we bartered and I added some coin on the top to cover the differance.  Of course the coin was what I got from selling him coin previously.  Ver said he wanted to scimitar, i took the longbow.  I put the belt into the bank as we are not able to make such a device function just yet.  I had no real use for the shortbow, Verideth passed on it, and I saw no point for it to sit in the bank.  So I gave it to Ella and told her to make good use of it.  I feel much better knowing the bow is in capable elven hands then sitting in my bank vault.  Heck who knows, she might even make a shot with that bow that downs one of my enemies before it downs me.  Yes this may indeed pay for itself.  

While doing all my meditations with my forms, I did also find a new insight, I can now summon dire bears to help me in battle (//gained level 7 druid.)  I will make great use of this, maybe even keepign Ver alive in caves...or maybe not.

Ella and Ver just arrived, we are headed out to Hlint....and most likely some caves.  Hope to write again.

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

I have been adventuring much more recently.  Mainly with Verideth and Ella.  Ver is doing better at not trying to fight too many and too tough of monsters, so we are surviving now.  Ella is putting that bow to good use, and is a pleasure to have around.  Not too bad of company for a half-elf raised Wild Elf.

I went on an expedition to the giant mountians and fought many giants. It was I, Ella, Marcus (a cleric and quite competent) and Sil'via (a bard fighter and no slouch.)  It was actually enjoyable with all the giant slaying and I felt useful to the party even though Marcus and Sil'via are obviously more experienced than I.  Sil'via died, but Marcus was able to return her soul to her body.  I hope to adventure with them again.

I also went into the red light caves again with a much bigger group and it was almost too easy.  Guess that shows what having enough capable elves around you will do.  The party was almost all elven adn ran smooth enough to credit our race.  Ella was able to turn the overlords head into that dwarf in Fort Wayfair.  She got a sizable reward.  I will have to see if I can interest him in another.

Tailoring is going very slowly, maybe I'll just keep it as a hobby and by the armors and bags that I may someday fancy.  On that note, I have met with the Angel's group? guild? and started an account there.  They let you take items on credit and then pay them with collectable resources.  This is too good to pass up!  2000 true credit per box of corn, ha I have been selling them for 1250 gold! What a deal.  I ordered some armor, rings and a belt.  Hopefully this will help keep my small group alive longer.  And the debts is two thirds paid off already, not too bad.  And it seems about half of the stuff I buy from them they will take at equal credit if I trade it in for better gear.  They sure know how to run a business!  That is order, society and guild's showing its true potential, surprised they can accomplish such in a human city.


Benjy Poetr is an arse!  But I did make him grumble and pull his hood up, silly human.

Oh!!! Some damnable gnome came crying for help to the group I was with (somebody Keel, Ella, Caerwyn.) Speakign way too fast and claiming he needed help in or near Hlint.  I said let him rot, why should I waste time on a gnome? If he can't take care of himself, hire those that can or let nature claim its fertalizer.  But those soft heart humans, Keel and Caerwyn decided to help him, so I tagged along to hurry it up.  The gnomes was completly annoying, I am not sure what language he was speaking but its sounded like a quickling on a sugar high.  So I left to scout ahead...to get out of ear shot of the gnome.  Half an hour later the group shows up in Fort Llast with Keel carrying the gnomes corpse.  Turns out the gnome was attacked by three humans?  Keel killed two of them and the third departed.  Keel took the corpse to the Temple of Toran and asked for Marl to help the departed gnome.  That stupid human, proceeded to make Keel tell him three time that the gnome asked for help then lagged behind on the journey to Hlint, was jumped and killed.  That stupid judgmental Toranite the proceeded to act as judge and exicutioner and belittled us for letting the gnome that we didn't know die to unknown assailants when he lagged behind.  Does this guy have a clue?! Like we care about a gnome!  If the stupid gnome cheated to dumb humans and made them mad enough to send a hit squad out after him, how is that our problem?  Oh I know because those bleedign heart humans decided to make it our problem.  They should just adopt my rule about races that live underground.  I suggested we plant his corpse under a tree or considering the size a bush and get along with life.  Nature can survive just fine without another gnome, thank you very much.  I left the temple and a dozen minutes later the rest of the crew came out grumbling about Marl, they really just are not too bright?  They couldn't figure out Marl was a dead end after the second time he demonished us and asked us to start from the begining?  I should of just went of too gather cotton and corn, but the rest of the group came out and suggested we take his corpse to the castle and see if someone there could at least pass his belongings to the next of kin.  I figured what the heck and we started down the road.  I saw a human dressed in black robed and a mask walking towards us.  I hailed him as he approached.  Keel all of a suden starts attacking the guy.  I said what the heck is going on is this some human conflict I have no place in? And then that human exploded into action.  WOW!!!!! he did nto move like any human or even elf that I have ever seen before.  He closed the safety gap I left between us in a bat of an eye and slammed his elbow into my face, knee into my gut and then I heard a deep pop from inside me as my neck was broken.  It all happened so fast I cant even say that it really hurt.  The way that man moved, I will admit I am envious.  He moved much more akin to an animal than a man.  Efficiency in every little movement, and with more power than his size would of denoted.  I at least have somethign new to ponder for this death.  If I could incorporate those movements into my fighting styles! Especially when I am in animal form.  It would be grace in motion.  I will have to find out more about these fighting men, Monk I believe someone said.  I just hope there are not all as aggressive or evil as this one.  Anyway by the time I got back to my grave the party had regrouped and the Monk had left.  Turns out that this was the third assailiant on the gnome, the one that 'got away'.  Would of been nice if Keel would of said something before hand.  Humans for you.  Wish there was more to this story to add but al I have is a moral: let the lesser races sort out their own problems, no point wasting our energies on their petty problems.

I do think that that visit to the binding stone was worth it, just to see that man in motion, wow.  And he was human, think what an elf could do with that style!

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

I shouldn't print this here for bad luck, but I have not died in weeks. Verideth however died again today.  

I have stopped my collecting of cotton and taken a break from tailoring.  I paid off my debt to the Angels.  And I have started trading leasons with Ella.  She is teaching me Thieve's Cant and I am teaching her Animal Tounge.  It is slow going, right now I am just teachign her mainly all the differant animal calls and sounds to form a vocabulary to work with.  And I am learning some phrases and and key words in Cant.  But the problem is the same motion can mean somethign differant.  It is mostly dependant on the enviroment, who most recently entered and what other signs preceeded and followed it.  It will take a lot of practice.  But I think it could be invaluable on sneak missions or moments.  Besides it is something new for me to focus on and work on.  I like the challenge.

I hear the call of my animal forms more clearly and intensly now, and I can say I do apprecite it.  I am working on finding my inner balance so I can try to find other branches of the tree of animals forms to slide into.

I have recently made trips into Red Light Caverns, and Krashin Kobold Caves where I had to suffice as a healer.  At first I was uncomfortable with this.  But now that it is done, I belive it was a good thing.  It forced me to work on my druidic magics and keep my studies and growths in balance.  Also noone died during my healing, so I must not be inept.

I would not admit it outloud, but there is a half-ogre I am not displeased to be around.  Korvlok I believe is his name.  Not bright, but for ogre blood then again maybe he is.  In either case, he is an adept mage and seem to be out for the interest of the party foremost.  Also partied with a dwarf today, Omicron, and he seemed easy going.  He didnt make me want to kill him off the bat.  He just had a problem of charging into battle and not keepign his shield up.  I do not know what to think about these two exceptions to their races, so I prefer not to think about it.  At least not now and not until I have some reason to.

Ella is becomming very adept at blending into her suroundings and she is talking about dancing with shadows.  Says the rogues she has been talking to suggest she looks into this shadow dancing, that it would allow her to be more effective in a fight, whatever that means.  I just know that she is hard enough to keep track of without the shadows swallowing her.

Must rest,
`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

Let me see what has happen since I wrote last?  I went with a party to Dregar and fought giants.  No surprise they hit hard.  But it was fun.  I will have to go back.  I have been working on sneaking around in animal form.  I can pick corn without fighting as long as the griffon is not present.  Darn thing can see for a mile and attacks right off.  I have been enjoying myself in boar and wolf form, especially when I helped a couple of new elves in town with seperate sewer trips.  Nothing like crushing rat heads in your jaws and tusks.  I even managed to disarm a trap with my tusks, far more talented than I thought!

I lost one of my two lion bags in a trash can.  This is greatly upsetting, a  trash can ate my bag before i could blink.  I have official banned the use of trash cans for myself.  I will have nothign more to do with their evil magics!  Way too costly to ever chance repeating.  That was the most expensive thing I owned.

I find spiders much easier to fight when they jump me for dinner.  I can pass their webs and ignore their posions.  Ths is very handy, leaves me to just deal with those teleporting spiders.

I made a deal with a man in town, I got a pair of stone boots for 3 boxes of aloe and a box of silk.  This takes a little of the sting out of lossing my lion bag, just not enough of it yet.  

I managed to tan some lion hides recently, its a tough process.  But I am getting better at it.  Just beware that trash can it stands right next to the curing tub....and I can not move it away!

The Angel's said they could not get enough corn, then the next I talk to them they said, please no more corn!  They must not of realised how industerous I cna be when it comes to plants and wild life.  They had to build a silo and asked for a ceasment of corn for the time being.  I have been collecting aloe, silk and birch since.

O ya! a bronze dragon attack wayfare a little while back.  Set the trees on fire and killed a lot of the populace.  I was able to put out the trees fairly quickly.  ella helped me for a while, until she found corpses of the children in the field.  I tried to convince her and others to save the trees, they wer eon fire and activly dying. The corpses where just that corpses, time was doign them no harm.  Save the living first, deal or help the dead afterwards.  It seems everyone is not as practical as I.  And besides they were human children, they only had another 40-60 years of life to expect.  Most of those trees had at least twice that long to live!

The dragon is said to have a magic poison in its blood that controls its actions.  Some of the other adventurers claim to be able to get a cure and set off to gather it.  I wish them success, its a heart break to see a noble beast suffer being anothers puppet.

I have been learning a bit more of the can't language form Ella.  Not enough to carry on a conversation or anything.  But I can make fun at Verideth with him in the room and he has no idea.  Sometimes its the small things in life...like picking on your little brother.

Kalesh has become quite deadly when attacking from surprise.  he has saved my bacon a few times now.  I love that black beast.  I specifically enjoy when I take panther or wolf form and we play chase or just fight side by side.

~Aer

[Aerimor]

Busy few weeks.  I was in Mariner's Hold and met with a group of adventurers.  We were beset upon by a smoldering gnome.  How do gnomes manage to survive?  Anyway he said he was playing in his master's tower near Thorn River and managed to animate slime and oozes and they were destroying the tower and escaping.  As much as I wanted to leave him to reap what he sowed, I could not chance the slimes getting into the river and upsetting the natural balance.  So off our merry band went.  The tower was on fire, no surprise.  And we came accross the first batch of slime to escape the tower...headed for the river...turns out it was worth going for that reason alone.  The slimes were dispatched and the fires put out in the tower.  During that process a hole was found in the tower floor..dropping into an underground cavern.  Trails of slime were found on the edges of the hole...so down we went.  I knew that the slimes could get into the river as easily from below the ground level as above it.  Things got very hetic and nasty after this, the central mass of slimes attacked and nearly consumed most of the party.  My magics saved a couple from sure death, my only real contribution to the fighting it seems.  I did not think it prudent to fight slime with the paws of my animal forms...if only I had a more resilant form from which to fight....  I hear rumors of elemental forms as well as that of the dragon of course.  I just must keep seeking that inner balance, persistancy will prevail.  After we recouped and rested, we finished our task, by locating a 'mother' slime and destroying it.  The things was immune to most everything, but in the end, the magics of our arcane casters were able to destroy it.  

I find this thought rattling around in my head, if there ever comes an end of days, I think it shant come by dragon fire, or even men's wars.  I think it shall come by some gnome's blunder while trying to create something benige.

A week later I joined with a group of seasoned adventurers, all the names of the land of Mistone.  We visited a priestess of Ilarne and were bequested to retrieve a lost goblet of thought.  The others knew our course and after much talk by the priestess why beset upon it.  We cut through a cave of giants on Dregar and found a pool protected by a creature of water.  I dare not say it was an elemental.  She/it was a guarien to the door we sought, and after some discourse and much in-fighting we gained entry.  The party from this point turned on itself.  Linda seemed to be the catalyst of the trouble and a few voiced their contempt for her.  None ventured to turn back, insteed we strood on, fighting guardian spirits and each other.  Granted we fought out selves not with blade, but the disharmony did as much damage as any one blade would of done.  It seems that a great many of the names of legend get their status by being blind, loud fools.  There of course has rational thought an unity by the slight majority of the party, but the cancerous part was too large to allow us to operate with effect.  After torturous hours way fought our way to the main room of the guardian caves and fought a unkilliable water spirit (unkillable to our abilties.)  WE lost a few more to disharmony and then managed to wreck the spirits pwoer source at least temporarily.  This gave us time to be challenge by the riddle of the rooms staute.  A female holding two goblets.  It had a riddle about those who seek find only death, those that do not seek find truth.  I spent very little time riddlign this out.  As this was not my quest and I already found the truth I was after.  That is what makes the great names great.  And sadly it is not their hearts.  So once we found a portal out, I left and awaited those more set on the goal of the goblet.  An hour of more passed and the remaining 'champions' left with their quest unfulfilled.  I think this a fitting end for a group so bitter.  Any fruit gained would of been tainted by our mere taking of it.  I think I prefered the humble group of relative unkown adventures that saved Thorn river a hundred times over than that of the goblet party.  Their was no balance, no respect, no unity in the beast that was our party.  Well if knowledge is a weapon, consider me formidable armed.  I shant waste my time with adventurers with names again, unless than can show more than a strong arm.

I spent the rest of these couple weeks exploring Dregar with a crafty party.  I shall not list them all, but we complimented each other and acted as one being.  The giants feel to our scythe's, as well as that of twisted snake, dark treant and vampire.  That land festers with unholy taint.  I imagine the forests where once grand, but most now are mockeries of any forests I'd call home.  But with all cycles, given enough time and care, it could be reclaimed and set whole again.  Such is the way of balance.

Aerimor

[Aerimor]

Been a while since I made last entry, so here is an attempt.  I wish I could say I was just too busy to write, but truth is I have just been occupied.  No great quests, no grand adventures, no big hardships.  I have just been in the motions of the day to day.  I continue the facade of my normal, gather items, learning the can't from Alatriel and speaking with others.  I even went to dragon isle's for the first time-lots of minotaurs.

But I can not seem to focus, I have this...buzzing in my head.  Its just inside or outside of my range of 'hearing' depending on what I am doing.  I think its something inside me trying to get my full attention, some part of me trying to get free...but I can not quite understand what it is saying.  I feel its just one step out of reach....if I can just push my inner balance or warrior's focus one degree further, I will understand it.  And I know that I want to hear what it is saying, that it is a deeper me trying to help.  It seems I can 'hear' it best when I do not concentrate on it, or better yet, when I run free in my animal forms.  It's so tatalizingly close, but out of reach all the same.

I would write more, or on other topics, but I have no mind for it now.  I will go for a run on four and see what that will bring.  Solace if not understanding I pray.

`Aerimor.

[Aerimor]

I have been called by the trees to be tested.  It seems that i am as dense as granite when speaking in the metaphorical.  But I have been given a chance to learn of the path of the spiritwalker.  I am to undergo a trail to see if the path suits me and to see if I have strength enough to walk it.  I was given a potion that will alter my physical form every few days or so.  Each of these forms will have there own inherent personailties and urges.  I am to  assume these forms and see if I am strong enough to remain in control of the urges.  If I am and if I feel the path is mine to follow, I will be granted entry onto the of the path of the spiritwalker.

Ver was with me when I was called, and through his own volition has been tied into my trial.  He is to be my companion and to help keep me on path.


The form I found myself in first was that of a dragon whelp.  I can not even begin to describe the feeling! The ability to fly alone is beyond compare.  And the heightened senses of even a young dragon is mystifying.  But already I do hear the voice of the dragon speaking to me.  Its my constant companion.  Telling me to hoard treasure, make a den, claim a territory and patrol it.  And the hunger,  I found the satisfaction of hunting birds and small creatures truely thrilling.  I almost got swept away in the lust for it.  It is all so new, exhilerating and intoxicating. I hope for my sake as I spend more time in any alternate form, it will become easier to recognise tells of trouble and have tricks of my own to help keep in control.  Time will tell. For now I can only say I have kept the urges to just that, but they are ever present.  I now go to reverie for the first time as a whelp, and hope that my control does not break.

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

I survied my rest and awoke still as the whelp.  I patrolled my territory and found Kalesh.  I had a bit of a tiem getting him to trust it was me but his sense were able to find whatever it is that allows him to tell me.  We hunted a deer and feasted.  Afterwards we played and patrolled some more.  

Ella arrived for a visit, and brought me a potion to add to my hoard.  Yes i have a compulsion to collect items fo value,  it helps please the voices.  After talking for a while, she returned to town to refills her and my canteens.

She returned after a whiel again, with Ms Dawnstar.  We talked a bit and then Ms Dawnstar asked if we wanted to see a secret fo hers.  She was to cast some spell, but had troubles brining it to mind and performing it.  I found the impulses of the dragon raging to know the secret (20 will check but Hanna was being a tease with the secret.)  And I became a bit testy when she was unable to share her secret.  I guess I was rude and possibly causing them some apprehention.  They said quick good byes and went to leave.  There abrupt change shocked me into full awarness again and I asserted control again (30 will check.)  After a heartful apology to each, we talked a bit more.  And then Ms Dawnstar shared her secret, she cast a shapechange spell and took the form of a red dragon!  I am very impressed, and only slightly left lackluster.  She says there is no impulses sharing her form, but that she also is unable to breath fire.  She also says the form while physically greater than her own is far weaker than a real dragon of that age.  After talking a bit more she left to her home and Ella left to to her training.

I may be wrong, but I think I have come to terms with this dragon whelp form and understand its urges and how to keep them in check.  I guess I also have Ella and Ms Dawnstar's visit to thank for it.  I didn't realise how far the dragon's urges to hoard and know secrets had crept into my own actions.  But after being so rude to friends, I was forced to see them in action.  I am hopeful that I will recognise them when they start to rise up in me again.  

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

After a couple days in the form of the whelp, I awoke in the form of a human.  A female one at that.  I was visited by my brother and found his standard male perception able to accept I could wear the skin of a drow but not a female.  To be fair, I did not consider it as a likely myself, but was more than willing to go with it.  I found Ver was not able to handle this skin very well and left after making sure I was okay.  I was then visited by Ella and we went into town.  I assumed the name of Sorshia for ease sake, and passed for female to the eye.  Ella let Ms Dawnstar in on the secret and we chatted for a while.  I can say I did not see what was differant about being human or female...I mean my hands were even the same size. (Rolled will checks of 18 and natural 20)  Ella told me that if I remained in the form for a month, then I had room to talk.  

After a while, we left to Folian's Vale, and had some more conversation.  That was the only time I felt the feeling of the form over my own.  (17 will check or so.)  But the differances were so very subtle, as I guess they should be.  I guess the only way I can put it without sounding so male righteous or ego driven is that I just was willing to hear more of my feeling at a conscious level.  Normally I/we make my/our desicions frequently as a gut reaction and then sort out my feelings on the details.  This time I was a little more open to the details as I made my desicions.    I acredit this to the female essence of the form.  I can not see that being intrinsically human.  And on that subject.  The worse part of the whole experience is that my rounded topped ears, that were not even covered by a decent hair cut, felt soo odd.  I know in light of the entriety of the form this shouldn't of even been a thought...but it is what it is.

`Aerimor/Sorshia

PS: I forgot to mention another odd experience.  I attempt to enter Reverie and was unable to.  I trie dfor a long time and then I found myself waking up from the failed attempt.  I had been asleep and that is not all I had visions of flying on dragon wings still in my head.  But this is something I have never expereinced before..obviously.  I think it was a dream.  Are not the lesser races having dreams? It was not as clear as our reverie and when I awoke I found it hard to hold onto any real details, but with that said...it was pleasant.  If I find mysel fin such a form again, I will attempt to ..dream again.

[Aerimor]

My latest potion induced challenge was that of wearing the skin of a dark elf.  I have no love for this skin, the urges and whisper of it are vile.  This form lives for chaos and for blood.  Ella ws there when I changed, the change is always difficult.  I guess I scared her, I do not even remember what I did or said, but she left before I could sort things out in my head.  I was afraid to give much room with this skin and thusly spent most fo my time alone and meditating.  Even as such, I could feel the urges to go, out ...and cause havok, to make my presence felt.  

A day or so later I was visited by Ella and Ver.  Ver's contempt for my skin was obvious and made things more dificult.  We got into a heated argument for a few moment.  I think most fo it war of my own feeling, but I am sure the skins urges were pushing me along.  IT felt good to clear the air when we did.  I was then pushing Ver on his...our ingrained believes of Sun Elves only marrying sun Elves. I do not know if I believe it anymore.  But I am a little preoccupied with keep a tight leash on this skin to explore in depth at the moment.  I will just say, when I have time, I think I need to look at some of the traditions ingrained into me and choose for myself if they are fitting or not.  The conversation turned to wether humans and elves should ever marry, I think NOT!!  And the next thing I remember was wanting to go hunt some humans and take a look as their hearts....to see what makes them different.  I was gearing up and moving out before Ella and Ver even knew what happened.  This part is not easy for me to write, but they had to appeal to me and with great persuasivness to have me listen to them, for me to look again for my own morale compass.  I know that if a human had been handy at that moment,  I would of lost my way.  Through their calmness and caring....and no humans in the area, I was finally able to regain my perspective and shut the skins urges again to the back of my mind.

I do not care for this form yet.  I think if I were to wear it, for any reason, I will have to become more resolute in my control of wearing skins.  In short, I am not comfortable enough yet to try to wear the dark elf skin except as part of this test.

I am for the first time, truely concerned with what forms may next come.

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

A few more days have passed and I remain a dark elf.  I do no tknow the reason for this skin to last longer than the other.  If I am to learn a lesson or the like before the magic of the potion changes me, I am slow to come by it.

As such I will just update my journal.  I had the dark elf locked away without a single urge making its way to my top most thoughts.  And then I took a short rest and awoke thinking of spilling blood.  Poor Ella was just commign for a visit.  I do not know if I was going to attack her or not, but I guess she saw the look on my face and took to the shadows.  I guess her training with Nighteyes is paying dividends.  Keeping the skins in check is always hardest for me right after reverie or making the change.  I was able to get my control back on the skin before I caused any real trouble.  But ... I just don't know if I was goign to hurt her or not.  But i know it was a possibility.  I do not have any love of this form...to state the obvious.

A couple days later with me feelign once again in charge of myself and twice as on guard Ella and I made a delivery to Riven in the Twin Dragon Inn.  I still do not know if Dark Elves are allowed to travel through that town...i though tit not best to ask the guards and never saw anyone other than Riven.  Either the voices where quite or I had my will in full effect, becuase I never had one stray thought while on the run.  I told Riven I am out of the gathering business, at least for the time being.

Ella seems decided on breaking up with Brian...all to the better.  Its been in her heart and actions for months now.  I hope they have there face to face soon...for everyone's sake.  And Razeriem keep ssending money to Ella, it appears he is a successful gambler.  But Ella warns me its having a detrimental effect, I will take her word as I am in no condition to go find him myself.

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

My latest skin in that of a kobold.  Either I am becoming a lot better at this quickly or this forms will or personality is weak and thusly easy to dominate. //Will checks of 17,18,19,20,20.  In any case I remain on gaurd for any treachery, as it is a kobold.  What ever the reason, it is a refreshing change after the dark elf.  I am unable to use my long bow in this form, not that thats any big deal at the moment.  And this skin is scaled and weak, but its does seem almost naturally prone to the shadows.  It is also easily overlooked.  In short if its continued weak will persists and I could take this skin at will, I could find uses for it.  As for the Dark Elf form I would not dare put it to use until I found a way to lock off or control its base nature.

Ella finally had her talk with Brian.  The two have parted ways.  Hopefully I will be able to be a friend when she needs one, but that is far from uncertain until after this trail is through.  I wonder where Ver got off to?  He is due for a visit, I hope everything is fien with him.

`Aerimor

[Aerimor]

Another few days spent in the skin of a kobold.  I am now very comfortable in this form.  It a breath of fresh air after the Dark Elf.  I appreciate the ease with which it is controlled and the dark whispers ignored.  (Will saves of 17,18,18,19 and 20!!!! after the first days average of over 18.)  I have to assume another change will be comming soon.  This skin is not causing any troubles.  I remain firm on my dedication of vigilance however.  With only little over a week to go, I have no desire to fail due to overconfidence.  I will take a long rest once the trial is over, for good or ill.  That will be a nice change of pace.  Not having to worry about whispers visting me in the reveries.

I saw Ella again.  She seems well and is focusing on her training.

I have yet to see Ver in a week or more now.  I wonder where he has gotten off to?

I have made it a multi-daily habit of meditating and focusing my will to help keep watch and control on the skin's inner urges.  I find this practice suits me very well.  I will keep this routine even if there is no need for it associated with the outcome of this trial.  I find it a very good way to focus my energies, plans and thoughts.  Its like a waking reverie that focuses on the future and present.  I think I could use it to become more aware of my inner thoughts, the calls of nature about me, and focusing on my combat.  I have heard stories before of those that can acheive such a state in combat, acting through the chaos of battle with clarity of thought and action.  I think this discipline would mean the world to me.  I will keep at it, I may even seek tutoring by a more accomplished soul at meditating and maintaing discipline.  

*** Journalist's note-Ask Ms. Dawnstar if she has any names for those that would be willing and capable of teaching me to increase the focus and depth of my mediatations.

I do not find myself fearful of the remaining forms to come during the end of this trial.  For I can now see the end in sight.  I just have to continue my diligence.  If it is enough, then it will be.  At least I know I have enough will to see it through its time requirments.  The state of my finish of course remains in the air.

With replenished heart and focused will.
`Aerimor Lightbringer.