The Life Of Keppli Quickhands

[Kenderfriend]

*does a sketch on a new page of her journal, sitting on a pile of hay at Stormcrest, humming cheerfully*


Written on Tunar, Jenra 3, 1441

This is Biscuit the pony, she belongs to Tod, he just got her recently. She's really pretty and he couldn't think of a name.
So I helped out by thinking on some names a bit ... and said "How 'bout Biscuit?"
He laughed at first, probly thinking I was making some kinda joke. Huh.
So I leaned in to the pony's ear and asked it did it want to be Biscuit.
After awhile though... he seemed to think that name fit her. I grinned, well thats why I suggested it didn't I?
He even let me ride her round a bit! That was really kind, and I hugged the pony's neck. Heh, he was getting worried the pony might become more attached to me!
I'm sure if he spends time with Biscuit then they'll be great friends, after all he does give her lotsa sugar cubes! *coughs and then adds quickly* And some yummy apples 'course.

*draws a squiggly line*

There was also this guy called Rodlin I think... and he wants me to be a recruit to the Wolfswood Ranger Corps, woohoo! That was surprising... but I love Wolfswood, and training there is an opportunity that I shouldn't miss..!

Oh, and me, Tod, and Rocky also went on a fishing trip to Stone... that was really fun ! (except when Rocky took all his clothes off to swim!!)
Caught some monster fish... yum.

-Keppli

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli plods out the Brech mountains, panting, then bends down to rub her cold feet. She puts one arm on Lythar and slowly makes her way across to an old, gnarled tree, and slumps down to lean on it. Lythar barks a couple of times and she smiles and nods to him, then gets out her journal wearily*

Written on Freas, Junar 13, 1441

Well... I just been exploring a bit... as usual. Those Yeti's get angry really easily... but I tried speaking to them, doing what I do with angry animals... and he calmed down, and thumped the other Yeti trying to pummel me! I spose they could be really nice on the inside! I'm grateful to that mister fuzzy.

Anyways... I heard about how Mr. Grumbles' trial was sometime around now... *rubs her feet, then her eyes widen*
Uh oh, perhaps I a'ready missed it... I think they wanted me to come... oh well, not like I had anything to say about it anyways... I mean, I only know what happened from what Tod told me, I wasn't there or anything, and I don't have any evidence either... in fact I don't even know Mr. Grumbles that much, and I'm sure he doesn't think much of me...
Point is, I wouldn't be much help. I'm hoping they didn't kill him though... I think it's wrong to execute people who do bad things... in my opinion, makes them just as bad really, don't it?

*she looks over her shoulder with a frown*
Tod left me a message about assassins following us... I never thought this much trouble'd come just from going to see that dragon... Shadrixkayl I think was it's name... it's left me watching my back carefully wherever I go, I can't shake off this feeling that someone's there watching me... so I keep my hand gripped on my sword hilt mostly...
It ain't me I'm worried about though. If there's just one assassin, I might be able to handle myself... but I'm not so sure about Rocky... he's not reallly the one for fighting... he's the one for talking. I hope Tod's alright as well, but he's good at hiding in the shadows so I think he will be.

Longstrider protect us...

-Keppli


*Lythar puts a muddy paw on the page*

[Kenderfriend]

    Orn's Tear                                                            
 


*Keppli leans against a tall boulder, scribbling the words down quickly*

Threas, Junar 26, 1441

The group set out from Fort Miritrix... We were going for Orn's Tear, though I wasn't going to steal it, I was going to try and help in case things got out of hand, and they did let me tell you.
It was quite exciting though... we fought our way to the fortress slowly, I fell a couple of times, and the second time I did... I eventually blinked my eyes open... and suddenly there was something wrong... I was overcome by feelings of... anger, hatred... my fists and teeth clenched with the anger... I could barely control it inside, and felt oblivious to everyone round me... so much so that I can't quite remember how it happened... I do remember something about a horned horse though...
Anyway, once we made it inside the fortress, some elements ablaze in front of us... I felt myself calm down, I only realised then how hard I'd been gripping my bow. I hope nobody noticed.
I was a bit nervous what was going to happen when ... if we found the tear, I mean, there was no telling what Steel might do, though I knew Story wanted to give it to Fisty. I'd destroy it myself... but since I think of Storold as a friend, I'd help him get it if I could.
We dashed down passageways... fighting our way through them... until we finally made it to a room.It seemed like it was on fire, but soon the fires died down. It was stacked with ancient books, there was a desk with papers scattered everywhere. The corner of the room glowed faintly... and we made our way across to see a globe... it was Orn's Tear.
 Steel reached forward towards the Tear. It was just... amazing... the room seemed to well... ripple. Storold raised his arms to cast a spell, and everyone looked his way, wide-eyed. He was trying to stop Steel getting the Tear! Abiorn stepped in, trying to cast a spell at Storold, and they were countering each other.
FOOSH!
Everything seemed to be in chaos! I was trying to think desperately what to do, but I don't think I coulda helped much... only by pleading to Steel to hand it over before it's too late...
He didn't listen until the very end of this journey though... The elementals became enraged and started to lash out, I turned and tried to get to Tod so we could get out... I couldn't let my friends get hurt. At that moment a red, flaming sword went through me...ZAAPP! I fell...
I don't know what happened then, but I woke up back at Fort Miritrix. I coughed a bit, then glanced round and sighed.
At least we all made it out, but I think I'm gonna have to make some more bandages... Tod fell back there too and his arm looked badly burnt...

That was one of the most exciting adventures I've been on... and also a bit terrifying... I thought I was gonna get to see another dragon though...

Ah well. It's all over... for now

*pulls out some green dust and aloe in her hand, wrapping it up in bits of cotton and closes her hand over them, struggling up on her feet to sprint along a dusty path*

-Keppli

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli sits in the Scamp's Mug, sewing carefully some bits of cloth and aloe together, sprinkling bits of green liquid over it. Finishing one bit she places it on a small pile next to her and puts them in her pack. She hums cheerfully the stops and looks over her shoulder, keeping a close grip on her sword hilts.

As Salles gives her an odd look, she nods with a smile, picking up her tankard of ale, and taking a swig.

He smiles and gets on with serving some grumbling, rough-looking old man at the counter*

Threas, Augra 5, 1441

Recently, I was talking to Story... I felt a bit uneasy at the time, it feels like someone's watching me... suddenly, my shadow moved! I thought it was back to normal, it didn't seem to move with the sun recently... but no.
Out from my shadow spreaded something dark, it looked like a shadow, but like a hooded figure at the same time. I was scared, something that doesn't happen too often, but luckily somebody zapped it while I was just staring wide-eyed.
I sent a wolf by letting it smell some gloves Tod gave me recently, it should be able to sniff him out, so I put a warning message in its mouth. I'll pay that wolf back with some loverly food, I will!
Ain't sure about Rocky at the moment, but I'm sure he could throw a couple curses at the shadow.... it'd be unexpected for the shadow at least!
I'm trying to warn people I see, but I spose they'll probly find out before I have the chance.

*draws a squiggly line*

Hmm... as a mental note I'm jotting down... I'm gonna mention how much I've been called c.... the 'c' word... I can't write it! Okay...
*writes in barely readable writing*cute.
Anyways... it's really nice and all, but kinda embarrassing too. Maybe it's my size or something? I don't know... It isn't really good that Storold said my 'tough image' was gone... People might see me as weak or something...
Maybe I'm making a fuss over nothing, I should take it as a compliment I spose.

I really should go use these bandages now...
Longstrider watch over us,

-Keppli

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli trudges through some leaves in a forest, then looks up at the moonlights rays glowing through the treetops, taking a deep breath.
"Phew, that was a long day..."
She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand.
She gets out an axe clipped to her belt at the side, and throws a swing at an overhanging branch in front of her, then cuts another branch coming out the trunk next to it.
She sings softly to herself... "I am a lumberjack, and I'm a'right.. I work all day and I work all night.." then goes on to hum the tune for a bit, chuckling to herself at the end.
"Sorry mister tree, but it's getting a bit chilly now... Longstrider treat ya well.." She pats the trunk and then puts the branches with some tinder on the mossy floor, striking some flint and steel against it to spark up a fire. A smile spreads across her face as the fire blazes and she curls up next to it, keeping her back close to the tree trunk.*


Written - Threas, Oclar 19, 1441

Well... Tod's arm seems to be healing up, maybe those smiley-face bandages I stayed up a couple of nights making paid off! Caerwyn just burst out laughing when I showed him them, saying they were so 'me'. *a line drags on a bit as she dozes off a bit but she keeps her eyes open*

Me and Rocky also helped Tod get some elderberries for Alantha, I don't think I helped much apart from spending quite a bit of time talking down at a skunk, but I spose we didn't get stinked out because of it!
Also that day... Tod mentioned his... feelings for me, sometimes I think he's braver than me, I don't think I could ever have said anything like that, it was almost like one of Rocky's great speeches! I'm glad he said it though, even though I hadn't much to say back. I can't help thinking he looks troubled about something, I just wish I knew what was bothering him.
Dammit! If only I had some pie, that always cheers people up! *the line drags on again as she dozes off*

*sometime later, she suddenly jerks awake letting out a yell and drawing her sword out in one motion turning behind her. She takes a couple of deep breaths, sweating, and looks down at her shadow for a moment before sheathing her sword. "Another nightmare...Well... better safe'n sorry I spose." She sighs relief, then takes out the bow strapped to her back and trudges through the forest, stopping to sniff or wiggle an ear every now and again.*

-Keppli

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli strides through port hempstead fields....
"Hum dee hum-hum... hum hum...." She hums cheerfully...

In front of her phases a shadow.

She eyes the shadow a bit.
"Now look here, I thought I made it clear when you last atta-
Eh?"

Her eyes widen and she stops in mid-sentence as it puts its hand inside itself, sending ripples along the shadow, to pull out a roll of parchment.

She takes the message out its dark hand and it starts to disappear...

"Hey, wait just a second.."

But then it disappeared with the wind.

She spreads out the letter quickly and reads it through but stops half-way through as she notices a farmer watching her out the corner of her eye holding a pitchfork in his hand, eyeing her distrustfully.

She clutches the letter protectively then tucks it in her pocket, pulling up her hood to shadow her face as she moves towards Hempstead...

The farmer watched as he heard faintly, fading away... "Hum dee hum-hum..."

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli sits by the rocky path in Dapplegreen and grumbles a bit, taking a bright red apple out and turning it round in her hand. She chucks it up in the air and catches it. . .  but then stuffs it back in her pocket.*

Written Tunar, Junar 24, 1442

Looks like I'm not welcome in Hemp... well, none of us with these crazy shadows are. Some guy stepped out from behind a building, in the shadows with tattered rags saying we were 'spreading bad luck... *ghosty'OooooOOooh' sound*' and that we were the 'cursed ones'.

Me'n Sall just walked straight out.

Idiot. We don't spread bad luck, its just a bit annoying when the bloody shadow decides to come out and start tearing us apart. . .

In fact, it wasn't too long ago I almost did get torn apart by my own shadow. Lythar is staying round me more now, that cheers me up a bit, though I'm still a bit shaken and all. We were off on a trip to get some apples, so Storold could make a pie outta them... that's awfully nice, I haven't had pie in a loooong while. Just bread and fish. Not that I'm complaining!

On the bright side, we got to go through parts of Wolfswood, lovely wood that... heh, people must be bored of hearing me say that evry time I walk through it, but it's almost as nice as White Horn.. maybe nicer but White Horn was my home so I could be a bit biased there...

Anyway, we went all that way to get some apples, and I climbed up to get them (Yes I did! No clumsy slipping!).... hummed a little song or two.... then after all that, this old man appears and he's fishing. He said to us,
"I wouldn't eat ehm."
He wasn't even catching any fish, gotta be that useless line he was using. So I helped him out by calling out to the fish. . . "Heeeere fishy fishy fishy...."

Musta just been a bad day for fish or something...


Oh yeh... the apples, they were poisoned.


Yep... I got no pie.

Thats a bummer.

Eh... maybe next time?

-Keppli

Mental note to self: Find Tod, bring some more smiley bandages to see if he and Biscuit are okay from shadow attacks since last seen.

[Kenderfriend]

*A figure in the mountains pulls her cloak around her, huddling in the snow. Keppli is leaning her back against the jagged rock mountainside of Brech, she tilts her head back against the cliff looking upwards. She smiles for a moment at the snow fluttering through the air, then turns into a grin as she remembers snowballing Rocky, then the smile fades. She slowly as if wearily, turns her head to the ground beside her to see some small footprints leading away and seems to be thinking on something a moment.
"Zna ser'd U vomd mea ud . . ." she murmurs to herself over and over.

She closes her eyes, going over in her mind what happened only a short while ago...*

*It's quite dark and I'm with a group, keeping in close to the cave walls, edging slowly forward gripping my swords.

Only a bit before we were joking around... well, I was joking around. Tod was playing pranks on the elf too, heh, I'm a bad influence on him. He called Rocky an old fart only awhile ago, sounds like summing I would say...
Fleur didn't need to whack him so hard though...

I sniff and move quietly round the corner. Out of nowhere a large boulder sails through the air as if in slow motion it seems. . ., and I jump to the side crashing to the hard floor as it rumbles past. Struggling to my feet my eyes widen at the wall of giants ahead. I look over to the others. There's too many for us here. I grit my teeth and jump in front of them, hacking and slashing at the giants in an effort to hold them off while they run.
They don't run... they fight beside me. Giants hit me hard from the side as I growl and lash out at the one in front of me, I can't defend myself against them all.
I kick one's stomach and stick another, then with a desperate yell... "Run!" I look to Tod parrying with another giant and grip my sword tightly.
A boulder-like fist comes my way as I shout. I let down my guard... I'm bleeding badly... I can't hold them off much more... holding my side I turn to hobble away, hoping they'll follow, then I look up to see a giant who moved behind me, blocking my way. It grins wickedly, laughing almost, and swings its club at me sending me flying, I hit the ground with a thud...

I'm back in the cave... I can see the light again, and I get up slowly and croak at them somewhat confused 'Run...quick... I got 'em...' Then I look at each of them to see they're alright and smile, relieved.
We finally make it out the cave of giants, and as ever I'm still grinning. I got hurt, but it was still an exciting adventure, eh? Gotta be worth it.
Tod smiled, good to see as I've been worried since hes looked so troubled lately... and I still am worried. He said there's no stopping me!
Heh, hes right, I said that if there's a wall in the way, I'll just kick it down!
People think I'm foolish that way, don't know when to just give up.
I think it's worth it if it helps someone... or it's a great adventure that you might only see once...

By Folian it's better to get a sore foot and see a dragon eh? Orr...walking trees, big huge worms that'll eat ya... little eeny weeny pixies... oh, pirates, gotta meet one of those! Or... Well you get the point. The list goes on...
Oops, that reminds me of the door I broke in Hemp... I should really make them a new one... can I even make doors...?*

*she opens her eyes again, shivering slightly as she realises how cold it is. she seems slightly less shaken, returning to her old self. her teeth start to chatter a bit, like a squirrel eating a nut.
"Cor its chilly..." gets out some whiskey and sips a small bit of it.
"This'll warm me insides..."
She grins, then hums a merry tune, trudging through the snow using a branch she found from a nearby tree that looked almost dead, its leaves lost in the wind, as a walking stick, following footprints in the snow. . .*

[Kenderfriend]

*leans back on a towering, ancient tree, hugging her knees, thinking about something as she watches the light rays shine through the leaves. She pulls out her journal and wipes the dust off the cover with a hand...*

Written on Sunra, Novlar 1, 1442 *she does a quick scribble*

I've just been traveling around with Tod and Rocky... it was great! I missed the good times when it was just us three traveling together. It's hard to say how happy I was, but it might have been obvious by my wide cheery grin. We set out into the Brech Mountains..! I howled into the air, and I heard it echo in the mountains before seeing a figure galloping towards us. Then I saw Lythar and he barked happily. We traveled through the snowy peaks, Tod kept shivering even though I felt just warm enough... then again, I don't often get cold, I'm like a hot water bottle... heh.
Anyways, I saw them turning paler, so I sheathed one of my swords and pulled out a torch, lighting it so the fire blazed. Hopefully that helped a bit, then we carried on. Rocky sang along the way, and I hummed a tune cheerfully. We came across lotsa fuzzies along the way, but we managed to fight them off. I spose we make a tough bunch, me'n Tod fighting back to back, four swords swiping and slashing, Rocky singing to keep the spirit up, and firing arrows at some of them ... and Lythar growling and pouncing on them, biting with those big teeth!
Hopping up a tall, snowy staircase, we finally made it to Ulgrids. Setting up a campfire, we huddled round it, rubbing our hands and having a rest. I sniffed a bit, then grinned as Tod handed round some rhubarb pie. Nothing quite like some pie when you're on an adventure, eh?
I rummaged hastily in my pockets and pulled out some cream ale I made recently and handed it across. He swirled it round a bit, sniffing it as if it were some kinda poison! Ha, one sip can't hurt can it? Anyways, he did have a gulp, and we watched closely. Suddenly he burst into giggles, and we grinned widely. Well, he was still on his feet, wasn't he?

Anyways, wrapping up again, we made out way back out the cave, and carried on through the moutains. It seemed to be getting colder, a strong blizzard slowed our steps. We fought through some more fuzzies, then a bigger one.. with big horns growled at us. I pushed ahead of the others and yelled, managing to calm it down enough so it turned and started punching the other fuzzies with an icy fist!
We climbed up to higher ground, Lythar and the fuzzy craning their necks watching us get higher and higher. As we pulled ourselves up over the edge, we saw ahead of us... this thing... that looked like a crystal. It raised its arms, and a storm of ice fell over us!
With a growl, I dashed forward, hacking furiously at the crystal, Rocky came up right behind me and sang a curse to it. Tod was whacking it beside me... Finally a sword struck it, and the crystal shattered into litel pieces on the ground!
I swept the pieces aside with my hand, and picked up.. what they called, its essence. I smiled, and straightened, turning round. Then my smile faded. Rocky was... unmoving on the cold floor... *the line trails off as if the story isn't quite finished... but Keppli shuts the journal and gets to her feet, making her way down a path... *

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli leans against a pillow on a white bed, in a little room. She lights a candle she picked up next to the bed and puts it on the windowsill next to her. She leans forward, looking out the window for a moment, seeing a few chickens cluck and hearing some low 'moos' in the distance. She looks to a bunch of roses next to her and smiles*

Written on Freas, Febra 6, 1443

Well... where do I start? Hmm. Oh! Lately, I've been wandering around (nothing unusual there) with Mor, a halfling knight of Rofirein, Unther a dwarf of Dorand and sometimes Fehriel... the err, well, let's just leave it as Fehriel.
I've been round with Rocky and Tod too 'course...
Talking about Tod, he gave me some flowers recently

*glances again to the roses and picks one up, turning it in her fingers to see the candlelight reflecting in it.*

That was so kind... they seem to be made of some sorta rock... I dunno, crystal maybe? Maybe he made them himself, which is impressive, they look almost like actual flowers... or maybe he just went a long way to get them.
Either way, I'm really grateful that he went to all the trouble to get them when he didn't have to. I just sorta handed back a lily I had on me at the time... I'm hoping that didn't look too bad.
It kinda happens quite a bit with me I think, I try to say or do something kind, and it comes out wrong and sorta backfires...
Like the other day, it was great... we were listening to Plen telling tales, well, I was listening to most of it... some of the time I was just kinda looking at Plen's wings... wonder what having wings'd be like... Oh! And there was that black unicorn again, I've seen it somewher before... anyway! Rocky made his way down the cliff after Plen had finished his tale, and I decided to go after him. I was in a hurry, not really thinking about it, I left my last apple pie slice on the floor next to Tod and waved with a grin... I guess that was sorta rude, I should have handed it over, wish I could go back in time.

*punches the wall next to her and then winces*
Hells, maybe I'm worrying too much and he's just happy to get some pie? It's the thought that counts right?

Anyhow... Plen mentioned there's a war coming, I hope I can be useful. By Folian, I hope we come through it alright...
I better get making some more smiley bandages!

-Keppli

*blows out the candle and snoozes on the bed, clutching the flowers*

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli sits on a fence looking over Hempstead Fields and swings her legs, looking down at her new blue boots then back up and beams*

Ohh... We went into a dark dark cave,
Adventurers we are, we come to brave
Monsters towering over treasure and grave,
The wolf bark barks to the monster called Daave...

Yeh, we went into the mountains into the dark dark dungeon... Ooooh... I think its called Dungeon of the Eye because those beholder thingies are big floaty things with lots of eyes...
Heh, well, the above is why you leave that kinda stuff to Rocky, though sometimes ya just feel like a random song, eh? Good thing no-ones around right now, I might've made their ears bleed.

It's that bad.

Anyways, we made it out that dungeon mostly alright. I didn't get my brain eaten by one of those mind flayer thingies at least... or get stepped on by a big rock monster again... that hurt.
Although, when we got to the slimy maze bit, I remembered the way to the middle so I dashed along, and led them through the tunnels.
I thought to myself, 'Theres only one beholder-whatsit, and I got warded, so I'll just fire arrows at its eyes, it'll be fiiine!'
That was a mistake, guess my ward musta faded by the time I saw it but I didn't notice. Next thing I know I'm lying on the floor with the group looking down at me.

Then a voice in my head piped up sarcastically... ' Dammit, it got ya. Great work Keppli...'
'Oh put a sock in it you.' I thought back.

*draws a line, then boredly makes it squiggly at the end to make it more interesting*

Oh! Another thing before I roam about. Apparently Tod bought me some tickets for that house raffle or something. I think it's in White Horn.
Anyways, I had ta pay him back for them, would 't really be fair otherwise.
I rooted around, sniffing and perking up my ears... was kinda like Hide&Seek for awhile, but I finally found him in the bank.
Ha! Couldn't really be a better place huh?
I didn't even have enough to pay for the tickets but I was gonna give him what I had whether he liked it or not! Anyways, I took out the bag of money and held it out, but he put his arms behind his back and moved back a bit. Hell, I knew that would happen!
Thats why I came up with my cunning plan!
I started whistling, and looked in a random direction... then... BAM! I quickly managed to open his pocket and slip the money in! I thought he'd be quicker, but guess I was lucky that time. I might be broke now, but hey, I don't need money...
... money can't bring you pie... actually, wait a second.. hmm.
I kicked open the door to the bank.
He looked at the door and then to me and said "Yeah, now we gotta fix that one?"

"Oops" I replied with a grin.

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli hums cheerfully by a campfire and then pulls out her journal.*

Satari, Seplar 7, 1443

*She hastily does a colourful scribble*


Yup... thats what Rocky's fancy suit looks like. He gave it as a present to Tod after we were chatting about clothes... don't even ask me why...
Anyways, it was after they saw that old suit I wore that Ben gave me. I shortened it a bit... dyed the trousers a dark green and the coat brown. I really like it... it has the sorta old ruggedy feel to it y'know?
So then Tod was asking why I don't wear a dress sometime. I laughed and almost spluttered the pie I was munching everywhere. Hah, me... a dress...
I really doubt it. I grinned and then suggested he wear a kilt.
And... surprise, surprise, he crosses his arms with a stubborn look. Heh, the same reaction I gave.

*chuckles to herself and takes a sip of Green Forest Draft*

Thats the point where I looked at Rocky's hat and asked if he'd wear something like that... 'course, anyone would wear an amazing hat like that wouldn't they?
So Rocky let him try the suit on, and it looked amazing on him..! It really suited him. He sorta couldn't see when the hat covered his eyes... and me and Rocky just laughed for ages... Lythar was barking and wagging his tail happily.

We had just been down the Red Light with M- i mean, Fehriel ya see, bashing gobbos and mining greenstone. I even managed to hand Tod two pies while dashing (and howling) through the tunnels, though they were kinda smooshed after being squashed in my pockets.
So yeh, we made it out and moved to the campfire in the wastelands...

We stayed close to the campfire which made a warm glow in the dark night, and then Rocky pulled out his guitar, I pulled out a mandolin, and Tod pulled out a violin. We played some songs, Rocky's voice booming out....
I grinned, eyes glinting in the firelight.

 //*OOC ->http://forums.layonara.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=130282&limit=recent  <-OOC*//

Good times... good times.

-Keppli

*closes the journal stuffing it in her pack, then walks through the trees with her hands in her coat pockets, humming away...*

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli whips out her bow, and a flurry of arrows whizz across to a distant target, the first hitting a bullseye, then the rest curving round to form a smiley face. A wolfish grin spreads, and then she straps the bow to her back and pulls out her two swords almost in one motion. She then dashes across the grass, Lythar zig-zagging round her, galloping to build up some speed.
She growls and leaps, slashing at a combat dummy, Lythar pouncing from the side. The dummy collapses to the ground, and Keppli is standing on top of it.
"Har, I think that was better than last time, eh buddy? We went a looot faster.
*she smiles* We make a great team, huh?"
Lythar barks.
Keppli's stomach growls.
"Hmm... I think it's snack time!"
Lythar wags his tail at that.
"Well it's a good thing I brought lunch! *she gets out some fresh homemade honey smoked salmon*
Mmm..."
She cuts it in half and chucks half to Lythar, and he leaps up to gobble it.
She hops off the dummy, and scratches his ears.
"Hmm... that reminds me, I should really give that lovely elveny mithril shirt thingy I won, ta someone ta borrow... I mean, it don't quite fit me yet but I'm sure I'll get ta wear it someday.
Mebbe I'll loan it ta Tod... or Ben if it don't fit him...
Better than it lying around I spose."
Lythar seems to be sniffing the ground with his snout pushing the earth.
Keppli grins, sniffing a bit and working out which way the wind's blowing. She shouts to the wolf,
"C'mon Lythar it's this way, let's go!"
And she dashes through the trees and down a hillside to a path.

[Kenderfriend]

*on the next page of the old journal is a cheery looking sketch of Keppli, Tod and Rocky in Vehl. It seems to be scribbled and hastily done but you can see that the two halflings are hi-  low fiving, the dwarf bursting out laughing and a man collapsed on the floor with a ale tankard half-spilled on the floor. It seems these three are up to some mischief . . .*

[Kenderfriend]

//ooc - sorry about delay, my pc's virused, so ... borrowing someone else's ...

*Keppli clutches a horn, in both hands, as its a bit bigger for her than most. She runs a hand over the detail and a smile spreads over her rosy-cheeked face.
"Gala me friend... ya too good ta me" she murmurs softly. She gazes through the trees from atop a tall mound and blows into the horn*

*some time later dark green ink spots look to have dripped onto this page*

Hello journal,
Wait... I'm talking to an inanimate object aren't I?
...
Anyways, the other day I got a message from this gnome, cant recall its name.. M-m- mer- something.
And so I found myself traveling to Stone (nice place, the narrow bridge though is scaaary!) to help Gala out. I was glad to see so many of my very good friends, Rocky, Tod, Ben, Essa... um, Ferrit and Sil too I think.
Anyhow, we were helping her do some mumbo-jumbo discovering Beryl and saying how we're all gems and whatnot, I think I was daydreaming in Keppli World at that point...Never really thought I was any sort of gem really, I'm probly closer to a lil pebble.
So yeh, we were traveling through some interesting yet dark-ish caves, and I was never asked to scout.. it was always Ben or Ferrit... but well, I did it anyway! By Folian it's the only thing I'm probly useful for, if anything. At least Ben said I was 'learning' so that must be a good thing.
Oh oh! And, and at one point, there was this glowy orb thingymajiggy, and I tried to get closer to get a good view but Rocky was tugging my cloak to keep me back. Then after some chanting stuff, Gala went into the orb.. and WHOOOSH..! She became a big, walking... ROCK! And, and then, FOOOSH! She shattered..!
I was scared she was dead just then, but I firmly told myself she was alive. She had to be.
At that thought, she appeared but she was unconscious. We managed to wake her up, and I couldn't help giving her one of my bear hugs, which mighta done more harm than good!
*chuckles quietly to herself, then dabs the quill into more ink*
We got going again, Tod was at the back checking nothing followed us and I felt sorta bad that I kept trying to keep near the front all the time to be the first pair of eyes to report what was ahead.. He also fell at some point, didn't even see it happen like, but I offered a pie (as I do) in hopes it might help some. I think it did.
Aaaanyway, back to the Gala-transformation-into-whopping-big-rock-monster thingy, that happened a couple more times, I hope it wasnt too painful for her but she said it was necessary.
We made it through to the end though! Me and Rocky did a loud victory cheer while Essa was drunk on the floor, and Gala became an .. Alexandrite was it? Some sorta rank better than she was anyways, so I'm happy, she's happy, everyone's happy.... lets just hope it stays that way, for awhile anyhow.

-Keppli.

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli slinks through some trees until she steps into some mist, noting the start of the swamp. She tiptoes rather exaggeratedley as if making every effort not to make a sound.
"'Bout bloody time I have a look 'ere, I said I'd help check the borders and when I say I'm'a gonna do somethin'... I mean it! I wanna help aginst the culty cult... really."She mumbles to herself as she stops crouched behind a boulder.
"Anyhow, I'm a tracker ain't I, can't let Tod do all the scouty stuff, I heard he's about so I best have a looksy huh... "
She doesn't seem to have noticed her murmurs to herself have been steadily getting louder and louder and her ears perk up at the low grunt of "Hey!"
She instinctively yells back "... What?"
She peeks around the rock and then her face falls.


"Oh cra-"*

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli roams the land... no surprises there.
she makes it to Hempstead and looks around for a bit and blinks, noting the tumbleweed blowing across in front of her.

*slips a note in her journal* -
              Thunder Peaks, clue from letter.must help storold
*another note is underneath..*
Hlint -Red Light, White Horn, Ft. Llast...

[/CENTER]
she gets out a crumpled piece of parchment from her pocket and starts to scribble really badly... something that must resemble a ... dragon? you can't see any scales on it oddly enough. She sticks her tongue out the side of her mouth, thinking, then writes next to it,
" Want to know where it is now... any important information on it, tell Keppli before anyone else ..!"
She tacks it up on a stone wall on the inside of the town then scurries off.

.. A merchant and a child whistle as they walk by and they notice the scruffy notice,
" ... What the hell is that weird scribble, looks like some nasty thingy an- hmm, Keppli? Well, it must be one fierce fighter or one silly fool...!" the merchant guffaws.
"O-or a heeero?" the child bounces on the stone floor.
"Don't be ridiculous sonny." the merchant replies, shaking his head and ripping off the notice before making his way.

The parchment flutters to the ground. *

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli skips across the hall of Gala's house... or rather Krandor hospital now, just after Gala runs into the glowing portal in the closet with a wave. The shorty can't help making a 'whooosh' sound as it happens.
The green halfling whistles then stops at a table of biscuits which she potters over to.
She sniffs a bit, licking her lips, then looks down at the note.

Biscuits, feel free to take one!
           
             Gala.

"Okay!" A grin spreads and she scoffs one of them without hesitation, smiling childishly before making her way back out.

She pads through the thick grass, stopping to puff some Wolfwood Cut from her pipe before whipping round to eye a cow.

She moos loudly, then blinks waiting for a moment, staring fiercely. It just stares back at her then gives up the staring contest and resumes munching grass.

She grumbles then grins "Mad cows eh...I ain't bloomin' surprised Rockhead Howling Wolf... I don't know anyone else who ye'd see running for their life from farm animals ...through about three bloomin' villages" she roars out laughing, and shakes her head.*

[Kenderfriend]

*keppli swings her legs in Hlint whistling then gets out a fresh apple pie looking at it thoughtfully
"By Folian... how in the hells did I make this thing..? All I did was chuck the appley 'n' grainey stuff in and FOOOSH! Out comes a pie. Huh, someone must have left magic pixie dust or somethin' in there, yeh that would explain it..." She blinks then takes a large bite still with the thougtful expression which suddenly turns to glowing happiness as her eyes widen surprisingly.
"Mmm..." She looks down from small tree and smiles at a mewing cat.
She gives it a broad smile "Oh hullo...heeere kitty kitty.... oh hey, you wouldn't happen to be related to that weird kitty I talked to in that evil wizard tower thingy that was surrounded by horrid gas? No? oh alright then... *she rambles on to the cat about the adventure, its eyes drooping steadily more wearily as she does*
"Oh wait I should write this down *she announces*
*she scratches onto the journal*:

'Err... what day is it today? ah, who cares. Adventure today!(again!) Saw an evil wizardy guy!
                                              also there was Rocky, Mor, Caerwyn, Jacchri, Argali and... some other person with a huge golem... ooh... smashed down the front door just as well as I could!

And... I also saw the Soul Mother..!! It was scary but I felt better because they were all around me when I got back to this world, aww, such nice friends eh?'

[/I]

*rocky squints up at her as he looks from the town path, scratches his beard thoughtfully and shouts "Lass why are yer talking to the cat?"*

[Kenderfriend]

*Keppli walks through a field humming and tapping a long branch fashioned as a walking stick, she definately has the look of some sort of traveler... She flips open an ancient-looking book wrapped in leaves and string to keep it safe.*

Hello booky!
It was time for another adventure recently... *she grins* I don't know if I'll ever stop you know, I'll probly still be setting out when me hair is grey as Lythar's fur!
Anyhow, back to now... we set out to that place... hmm...Kuhl! That was the one. So there I was, dashing away towards Lor and eventually everyone came... except Tod, didn't see him anywhere which was sort of strange. Wait til tell 'im I saw a dragon...! Only this time it was dead *she sighs a bit sadly and twirls the quill in her green ink before writing again*
I was actually quite chuffed though, I got to scout up front with Caerwyn which was great, we make a really good team.
I tried my best to be helpful and at one point I spotted a nasty lookin' bunch... their swords dripped an eerie colour and they were cloaked in black. I later found out they were these "Drach", or summat. I followed them carefully, mebbe I shoulda gone back to the others but I just followed me gut instinct and hid behind trees and rocks every time they looked round suspicious. I wasn't gonna lose them now. Later Caerwyn caught up and we followed them through the trees after telling the group.

Here's where we got in a bit of a pickle!
The bad guys had travelled to where we started and began following our tracks... soon they'd be hunting us instead of us hunting them!
Luckily though we got away from them an' when we found 'em again we erm... ended up havin' to fight. oh well.
It was all very strange when we entered a forest. A piggy was frolicking between the trees when the others tried to stab it! I tried to get there first to help it but I couldn't get there in time. Then the weirdest thing happened, its wounds were oozing black... I was so confuzzled but angry at the same time.
The same sort of thing was wrong with the poor dragon called Bastion, how could they do such a thing? I understand if it was self-defense but it definately wasn't... it was poisoned, it just seems so wrong and evil I just want to punch whoever did it in the face!

We'll make this right yet *she grins determindely and gets so fired up she drops the book and a wiggly line goes down the page. "oops" she smiles and picks it up again*


Keppli *draws a leaf*