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Messages - Lily
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201
« on: February 12, 2009, 09:22:55 am »
*Phyress taps her lower lip thoughtfully before she starts writing a new entry into her journal.*
-Wedlar, Febra 4, 1445-
Sometimes things screw up majorly just to fix itself in the end again. I did not hear anything from Del Alo’rion in a very long time but now I did. Actually the circumstances were rather odd and the outcome is not the best either but still worth a shot. Well, right now I am still in Bilkan Castle on Tilmar and wearing my robes of the old roldemian style just because they fit me nicely and everyone else is running around in a kimono anyway; not to mention I have a thing for their dress code anyway. However, what am I even doing here and how did I get here?
It all started in Hurm. I was looking for an opportunity to earn some True as I heard some rumors about an expedition at the docks. Curious as I am I went there of course and found myself among some friends who wanted to join the expedition as well. Everyone was in hurry and a few moments later I already found myself pushed on the small but fast vessel and we set sails. I asked a bit around and I gathered that we were going to meet up with another ship. Well, at least not your typical journey through the rough sea. We made good pace and soon we caught up with the other ship and were pushed over to it, abandoning our small vessel. I was quite confused and even more so when I saw familiar faces on the boat we were pushed over to. Among them were G’ork, Snagnor, Galatea, Sophia, Oma, Ni, Sophia, Ell and some others who I already forgot. It was quite chaotic on deck like they were persecuted or the like. I moved over to G’ork, seeing the casters among us were busy with blowing wind into our sails. He told me that they freed an old man from Del Alo’rion and that they were after them now or something like that. My memory is a little blurry and it was a little chaotic anyway. However, we yet had to escape the ship that was in hot pursuit of us. Well the man was in a bad constitution but was going to talk to us later. In the meantime we had to somehow fasten our vessel and get rid of our persecutors. Seeing the spellcasters were still busy I made my way up to the lookout by climbing up the mast. With all the rain and wind it was kind of hard to do but in the end I managed to climb up and not to fall down. It was pretty rough and I almost slipped and lost balance several times but then it is me. I don’t fall down all too easily and not even on a rough sea under bad conditions. Despite the weather I was able to see the grey silhouette of our persecutors and they were catching up with us; slow but steady.
However, a few moments later the old man, Ebon, wanted to talk to us, seeing he recovered enough to at least brief us into what is going on. I slid down the mast and we all went under deck to hear what is going on. Ebon was clearly in a bad constitution and was steadied by one of his men. He introduced himself as Ebon and had a task for us after he told his story. It turned out that he now is in charge of Del’s merchant guild and that they worked together in the past, before Del got on his little island. Actually they both stranded on the island as they lost their ship in the rough sea and made it to the island more dead than alive. Not that it really matters. Soon they were found by the natives who were curious about the two of them. And while they worked on a raft to leave the isle again, Del spent more and more time with the natives and learned their language. Nothing all too serious but then Del found out that there were two different kinds of crystals on the island. The one had some sort of healing properties and was able to lengthen one’s life while the other one caused one to age. Seems like the natives were all more than hundred years old and that’s pretty old for human beings.
Del being a mage naturally started his research about these two sources. One half of the island, where the natives lived was affected with the extended lifespan and health while the other half was normal. The second crystal dampened its powers somehow or something like that. Del then destroyed the crystals and tossed the shards away. Obsessed about it he tried to bind himself to the life-giving one. Well his ritual failed which resulted in the women on the island were not fertile anymore and their still unborn babies died as well. Pretty nasty stuff and everyone please thank the mage. They always screw up. I mean I screw up my life as well but not in that way! What he has done is unforgiveable and he now tries to get captured women to his island for more children, seeing the women over there are not fertile anymore. While Ebon finally left the island Del stayed with the natives, after he showed off his magic so they would not touch him, and continued his research and it seems that he is now after the shards of the crystal he once smashed. He tracked Ebon down because he had another shard on him. We got to know that Del sent one shard into the Deep and the other one somewhere around the Brech Mountains. He then wanted us to descend into the Great Rift and retrieve the one shard he gave to the dark elves. The Great Rift, I have never been there before and while some of us bargained for a reward I told G’ork that Del will probably pay us more for the shard. I never had the intention to actually hand it over to Del, but to get in touch with him and kick him in his behind. What I find still amusing is that even though Ebon and Del are around the same age, Ebon looks old and grumpy while Del looks like in his twenties. Neat little crystal, really.
We prepared ourselves and soon reached the shore just to ascend to the Darkland Mountains, only to descend into the Great Rift; a creepy place filled with filthy dark elves and other creatures of the Deep. But naturally we first had to fight our way to the Great Rift, seeing we were still persecuted by Del’s men and they reached the shore shortly after us. Therefore we pressed on and made up our way. His men swarmed out and soon we had then behind and in front of us, a fight was so going to come up. It was just a matter of time. His forces were tough but with combined efforts we took them down. G’ork and I were holding the frontline. Well we were like the only fighters in the group. Of course there were others capable of fighting melee like Galatea, Iellwen and Snagnor, but G’ork and I were especially trained for close combat and don’t rely on spells like others do. Of course I love my blessings Maran and others cast on me and I don’t mind their gift to heal my wounds or get rid of poison, but I can still kick my opponents around even without any blessings. I just need my rapier and I am fine. Del’s men attacked in little groups and pretty much kept us busy until we entered the Great Rift. What makes the Rift even trickier is that no magic at all can be casted down there, hence the name Rift. However, also potions don’t seem to work down there which makes it pretty icky, seeing one has to face spiders on descending deeper into the Great Rift. Did we even have a choice? Not really, seeing we were still being persecuted and we could hardly turn around now and therefore we entered the rift. It was pretty much creepy down there and had to face spiders, giants, beetles, umberhulks, beholders and some squishy creatures. Not to mention the deeper we got the tougher it got.
We pressed on and even had to defeat some of our followed who went after us in the Deep. Past those squishy things we had to face deep dwarves and tried to free some of their slaves, gnomes. They were not the brightest and also alarmed the dwarves so we had to continue fighting our way through their lines. How did we even know the way? Well, seems like the shards are able to communicate or something like that so Sophia knew which direction we had to head. If the deep dwarves were not even enough we had to face some very strange creatures, half spiders, half dark elves. I think someone mentioned the name 'Driders’ but I wouldn’t know. All I know is they were tough and it took me quite some effort to defeat even one. Together with G’ork I made good progress though, seeing I could leap at my opponents from behind his back and take advantage of the moment of surprise. G’ork and I did very well, almost working together as a unit. Well we fought many battles together so we already knew what we were capable of and guarded each other’s back. We soon got to face the dark elves and we defeated them as well until we got to a ferry which was guarded by a dark elf as well. Several gnomish slaves were around him as well. He saw Galatea and me and told us that we were early. It took me a moment to realize that it were my amulet and something that Galatea wore that made them recognize us as one of Del’s men. I wish we could have ended it without a fight but Galatea was all ticked and touchy about those deep gnomes that she more or less killed the ferryman in cold rage. At least that’s how it looked like. Later G’ork and I were the same opinion that we might better tie her up as we had to focus on our task and not to run around like mad in the Deep and seek an open conflict with the dark elves. He did not attack us so well.
We sailed farther and finally got to a shore somewhere down in the Deep where we were able to see a tower. Sophia could already say that the shard would be found up there. She looked pretty much drained and whatnot but she was not willing to share what was wrong with her. In front of the tower were two guards and upon seeing Del Alo’rion’s symbol they recognized us and went in to call their superior, researcher, whatever. However, I was all hoping for a nice chat as we could have gotten quite some information of him, seeing he mentioned something like he wasn’t done with the research yet so Del has to wait a little more with the results of the research. Well, I can see he did not like Galatea’s aggressive stand and long story short, in the end we did not get any information about the research of the shard and were attacked by them and their reinforcements. Personally I’d have preferred to get some information if him and also tried to talk him into but he was too focused on Galatea and G’ork who was standing next to her. Seeing how it would end I got ready to leap forward at the researcher and jump on his head. It was a tough fight but in the end we managed and rushed into the tower, just to face even more dark elves. We searched the tower and I found a journal of some sorts. It is all written in their language so I have no idea what it is about. I assume it is about the research more or less, seeing I had to pick a lock to get it. No one else really cared I found a book so I simply stuffed it into my bag. On top of the tower we then found the shard on some kind of an altar and glyphs and whatever fancy mages like was placed and drawn around the altar. Needless to say we defeated them in a long and exhausting battle. Before everyone could even react Snagnor rushed to the altar and grabbed the shard on it. I bet he heard G’ork and me on the ship and really thought we would hand over the shard to Del.
Having everything we were after we only had to make our way out of the rift again. Easier said than done as they were already waiting for us outside and we had to fight our way through them to ascend to the surface again. And the Deep is deep and huge! It is like a world on its own. Once we were out again we ran right into Del’s men who simply waited at the Entrance to the Great Rift for us. One was a fool if you did not expect them waiting there for us. After all we only knew one way out. G’ork and I approached them and I have to mention we were clearly outnumbered. There was no way we were going to make it past them alive. The only possibility was a deal of some sorts and therefore G’ork and I wanted to trade the shard for our lives and naturally some True. I left the talking to G’ork, seeing he is way more threatening than a fragile, innocent looking woman like me. We settled down for our lives and thirty thousand True. A nice sum, plus we were going to stay alive. It was a win-win situation for us. Like hell we were going to give Del this shard. We only wanted to take an advantage out of it. We would have got double pay and also an advantage if we set up an ambush for them, killed them and got the shard back. Given the mage did not teleport out and right to Del, but then it is useless without knowing how the research fared. Snagnor though mistrusted us and was not going to hand it over. The mage casted something at him and Snagnor passed the shard over to Sophia who ported away with it. As soon as she was gone they attacked us with no mercy. I think I don’t need to mention that we all were pretty much dead. I made it somehow though and stopped bleeding to death. When I opened my eyes again I could see with my blurry vision that others taking care of our successors.
I was so ticked off and mad when I was conscious again, cursing loud and vehemently the whole time. It took us quite some effort not to get slaughtered and safe the shard more or less and then Snagnor passed it over to Sophia and neither G’ork nor I knew if she was even trustable or not. Not to mention that everyone besides Snagnor died. He was the one who should have died for this stupidity, not us. Well I did not die as well but I was just lucky. Maybe we should have involved them but they would have never agreed to our plan. In no way they were going to risk the shard over us but we thought our lives as more important as this silly piece of crystal. It did not matter at the moment anyway as they introduced themselves as Ebon’s men and were here to pick us up. Seeing Sophia had the shard and we left with nothing we followed him and I was cursing a little more here and there. They had their ship somewhere at the coast and we also got to know that we had to rescue a woman of Del. Seems she went against him and her men were going after her. It’s not like we had anything else to do so we went after her. Of course we met some of Del’s forces on the way and G’ork didn’t do anything else than watching us fight and I have to admit, I should have done it as well, seeing they let us fall before, not caring about our lives so why should we? I should have done the same thing but then I was too ticked and had to kick someone’s behind. We eventually found her, although all beaten up and it wasn’t me this time. I untied her and told Ebon’s man to carry her to the ship. Task fulfilled.
We sailed over to Bilkan Castle, over on Tilmar. And guess who was waiting the whole time in Bilkan? Sophia. While we died, she simply teleported herself over to Bilkan and enjoyed her life, more or less. Anyway, we still had to retrieve the shard and have a word with Ebon. We found him in the castle and told him what happened and also handed him the shard over. To my surprise Sophia had some parchments about the research or so it seems, written in dark elfish, naturally. With the knowledge in the parchments the next steps for the Bido and Ebon were clear. With joint forces they were going to launch an attack on his island. I told them that they should send in a second, way smaller group who shall go after the crystal or Del himself. Going right after Del might prove difficult as it seems he managed to bind himself to the shard so he is kind of immortal. So first of all we need to destroy the crystal and then go after him. According to what I got to know it is hidden in a cave on the island and probably heavily guarded. I bet by very strong magic. The crystal itself should be easily breakable, knowing G’ork will be with me and if he won’t be around then I will simply bring a hammer, simple as that! The woman I untied will lead us to the cave and accompany me. I am really curious about how this all will end. Well in the end we all received our payment for retrieving the shard and we will get more if we successfully destroy the crystal and turn in Del Alo’rion, preferably alive and not dead.
So that’s why I am still on Tilmar and stroll through the city, looking for something to do while my mind is pacing restlessly. Snagnor’s choice not to hand the shard over and risk all our lives wasn’t the best thing a man can pull on me and G’ork was about to make him one head shorter already. Maybe it is me being selfish but I choose my life over a silly piece of crystal which can also drain your strength! Right now I am still too ed that for now I won’t head with him on our date. Right now I am clearly not in the mood. But at least now I know how Maran and Fleur must have felt when I abandoned them and chose me being upset over their lives. But hey they have nice dresses here and I might buy myself a new one.
Maybe I should better travel around with G’ork and try to forget what happened as we came out of the Great Rift again. Why did you have to pull such a stunt, Snagnor? Why?
*With a miserable sigh Phyress closes her journal and a single tear rolls down her cheek.*
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« on: February 10, 2009, 07:18:51 am »
Happy B-Day! 
203
« on: February 09, 2009, 04:43:42 pm »
*Phyress sits at her desk in her old room back in her parent’s house, sipping on her wine Essa made her earlier. With a slight smile she looks around, seeing not much has changed in her years of absence. Phyress takes another slip of wine and starts writing a new entry into her same old journal.*
-Mulnari, Decilar 16, 1444-
It feels strange to be finally home again, or I better say the place I used to call home when I was still young and lived together with my parents. Now it just feels odd to be home again and not much has changed during all these years. My father has to leave in a bit again and my mother is still taking care of the household. Just like me they got older but still restless as always. It is lovely to be back at home but I wish the circumstances would have been better but one cannot always walk the easy way and usually something screws up when I try to. And seeing my father was affected in this trouble around Nel as well it hurts me even more.
But alas, I better start from the beginning. Richelle finally contacted me a few months ago and told me to grab some friends and meet her and Lywn in the inn in Mariner’s Hold. Naturally I asked some of my closest friends to accompany me, seeing Tyrith has a thing for getting herself into deep trouble. Therefore I asked G’ork, Snagnor, Galatea, Iellwen and Julius for their assistance. Well Maran was hiding somewhere in the woods and Julius had to take care of Emry who was still pregnant. So well, the five of us met in the inn and waited for Lywn and Richelle to show up. Actually I did not know Lywn would show up but in the end she did and started hitting on Snagnor as soon as I introduced everyone. I cannot blame her for that as he is hot and quite a temptation. Anyway, a few moments later Richelle showed up and the two of them told us what they got to know in the past few weeks and Lywn did not want to dig too deep into the mud. She probably did something in Nel already and was afraid of landing in a cell next to Tyrith. However, I am quite familiar with Nel and therefore it was on me to find out more about why she was locked up and bail her out, somehow.
As soon as we got to Nel we were questioned by a guard about our desire to enter Nel. Apparently there have been a lot of assaults on incoming and outgoing caravans so people are careful. The attacks seemed to be very well organized and planned, just like all mercenaries and thieves in the surrounding areas teamed up under a leader. From the guard we also got to know that they caught one of the bandits and I am pretty sure that one bandit is actually Tyrith. I have no idea how she could team up with them or if she only was at the wrong place in the wrong time. But they were all happy that they caught her. Being not suspicious in any way we headed straight to the inn, well after Galatea bought some pie from a local farmer. I think I remember her face but I am not all too sure. As soon as we were in the inn I started to listen to all the gossip and rumors which was passed by and it seems like everyone was talking about Tyrith. It has to be Tyrith! What makes things more interesting is that we got to know that Tyrith did not flee with the rest of the bandits but defended a little girl from town from the thieves. So I have no idea what exactly is going on. All I know is that even if Tyrith acts a little headless from time to time, she won’t get herself in such a struggle. All I know is that I came here to bail her out. It does not matter what it might take but we are comrades and Richelle, Lywn and I won’t leave her rot in prison, even less when I heard that she will be moved over to Fort Homestead.
Walking in and talking to her was considered as a bad idea, seeing we just arrived and would have simply attracted others and I did not want that either. So as much as I wanted to get in touch with Tyrith and hear the story from her, it had to wait, unfortunately. I wanted to bail her out and even more only wanted to see her but the others were right; Talking with her would have been too suspicious and the guards could have locked us in as well, think of us as her comrades with the intent to bail her out.
We thought about another option and soon we were thinking about a fake caravan. It is pretty simple actually. We spread rumors about something precious and an outgoing caravan and they will sure jump on us and take our belongings. Snagnor happily started rumors about him as a wealthy man travelling around with an emerald. To be honest, I added that it is my wedding ring, seeing such a thing might be better than a raw emerald. Why else do you show an emerald around? A ring is less suspicious. So well, we were pretty much were topic of the day and soon one of the local merchant company showed up and asked if we were nuts. Maybe we were a little but I was not able to bail Tyrith out at that point so we could at least get rid of the bandits and maybe prove Tyrith’s innocence that way. I wouldn’t know. What made things interesting is that the merchant offered us a caravan for our task, seeing as if we get rid of the bandits we also help him and his business. I added that we need some lesser goods as well as else they will call it a trap and don’t go straight to their hideout but guide is into certain death.
Soon the caravan was set and we made our way out of town. G’ork and I stayed in the shadows while the rest of us guarded the caravan. Guards made sense at that time as like all the caravans were attacked and merchants certainly try not to get their belongings stolen. Galatea, Ell and Snagnor were instructed to fake death after they tried to defend the caravan. It did not take them long and some bandits showed up. The three of them did a great job and I fear Snagnor overdid it. And it hurt to watch him die. It was not a fake death, even though Snagnor is certainly a great actor. There was too much blood around him and he looked way too pale for a fake, not to mention it did not seem like he was breathing anymore. However, G’ork and I followed the remaining mercenaries to their hideout; The other three were right behind us, just in a safe distance as they were not as good as G’ork and I in sneaking after them and if they heard us they’d know they’re being followed and won’t head right back to their hideout. To reach their hideout we had to pass several giants and finally found their hideout, following the river upstream. I tell you we almost got spotted by the giants which would have ended badly for us. They were huge in numbers and we would have attracted too much attention anyway. Anyway, we followed their raft and eventually found an entrance somewhere at the edge of the Wolfswood Forest which let us into a cave.
The cave was dark and filled with traps and locks, just the way I like it. Actually some locks were behind my skills but Galatea did just fine and picked them open. I am just glad that no one had a pixie with them. They might come in handy but think about us who learned such a thing the hard way and by summoning one to pick a lock you give us the feeling we are not needed and not worth the time, especially when they simply summon it and don’t coordinate it with the group. And it is a pity that it did not happen only once. It seems be a mage-thing. I don’t care about their oh-so-useful pixies when someone is around who can pick a lock as well. If I cannot lock it then fine, any help is appreciated but just summoning it if they actually know there is someone skilled in the group is just wrong, at least to me. Anyway, we explored the cave and made our way through several traps and locks until we found the first bandits. I think they felt pretty safe in their hideout, seeing there were not many guards around, just like two at the entrance. Well, at some point Richelle and Lywn showed up and took care of our backs so we could precede our task. I listened to one door and after making sure it would not shriek when we open it I heard some kind of roaring coming from behind it. First I thought there might be some nasty behind it so I told everyone to get ready and made my way in. What I saw in front of me though was nothing the like. It was a wall of fire and behind it we could see a lever. The thing was how to get past it? While the others were discussing use of magic I took a closer look at the wall of fire. It was lighted by oil and the level behind it probably stopped the oil from flowing into the rim. While the others discussed how to get past the fire to the lever and the two doors in the wall behind it I moved back a little, waited for the right moment and ran towards the fire. I know it was a crazy idea but I could manage! At least I hoped so. With all my effort I leaped towards the fire, jumping up into the air, performing a somersault which did not make it any easier and tried to jump high over the burning fire. Under me was certain death but I made it past the wall! Yeah I know it was a crazy idea but I had a lot of practice with such things. Of course I got some burning marks but I did just fine. With pulling the lever the flames slowly faded and the way was free for my comrades. I cannot help it but I love the thrill and then I made it alive. I live and everything is fine. I got past the fire and that’s what was important in this situation, not to mention I could show-off in front of Snagnor. I bet he was clearly impressed. My agility also impressed Maran after all.
However, we now had to face several guards and among them were some mages as well who made it all even trickier with all their spells and I was not able to dodge all of them. But then we managed just fine and defeated our opponents. By the time we did so I tried to figure out how to cause them even more pain with just one hit by landing a precise strike. It is pretty hard but I already know the basics. I just have to try to find a better balance and concentration to land more and even more precise strikes on my opponents. The more we defeated the closer we got to who was behind it all. From one of the bandits we got to know that a so-called Sashka is going to kill us all and what not. Most of what we got was just senseless blabber as he was clearly afraid of death as he had to face us and seeing it was on us whether he lived or died. Well, he died in the end as G’ork took care of him.
Then we headed into a large hall where we finally saw the woman they called Sashka. I did a quick check with Richelle and she never heard about her before. So she pretty much got into this position somehow and was not a well known bandit. Well she might be later. But for now we had to face her and her elite guards. It took us quite some effort to take them down and still heavily breathing we turned to face Sashka who clearly underestimated us and did not think we would make it that far. Well, her mistake. Never underestimate your opponent, even if your opponent is called Phyress Sylphide! It was a tough battle but I learned a lot from her movements. Just like Richelle or me she is some sort of dancer, dodging every single blow, just way better than I am. After some moments we finally managed to take her down and tied her up. Well she broke free when Galatea tried to hold her and went for me but I easily jumped out of her way, spun around and got her in her back.
It turned out that Sashka had nothing to offer in exchange for her freedom so we simply took her with us. Well she offered us her hideout but Richelle and Lywn were already making plans about it. However, together with a tied up Sashka we made our way back to Nel. While we were going for a rest most of our group disbanded. There were only Richelle, Lywn, Sashka and I left. Naturally Sashka was slime and tried to buy her freedom out of our situation, seeing we wanted to bail Tyrith out of jail somehow. Her idea was to let her be taken over to Fort Homestead and assault them on the one bridge they have to pass to get over from Nel to Fort Homestead. She also wanted to show us the best way to leave the Sun Kingdom and the bridge itself. I was tempted to consider her offer but then all of us would be wanted around Nel and I wouldn’t be able to see my parents again and some day they would catch and lock us up. No, thank you. I am not interested to rot some years in jail. There had to be another way, plus Sashka only wanted her own freedom again. If she was free she would harass my family or my friends just to show me she was smarter than I was; and of course as revenge for tracking her down and tying her up. It was an idea if every other plan failed but I was not going to release Sashka to freedom again. Not after the entire struggle we had to get a hold on her. I had an idea but it highly depended on some others as well. I did not have the influence, or contacts to bribe the Rofireinites.
Therefore I told Richelle and Lywn to wait with our prisoner around town and wait for me to show up again. I would manage somehow; I had to. My plan was about to ask the leader of the Purple Moon, the merchant guild which helped us with the fake caravan, for a small favor. But first of all I had to talk with Tyrith. I had to know what exactly she had done and the reasons for her being in jail. But then try to get in touch with Tyrith! They first did not want to go into jail, asking me for my business and the like. I told them kind of the truth, telling them that those bandits hurts one of my dear friends, which was true, seeing as what they did with Snagnor, and I wanted to find out who was behind it at all. That part was a blatant lie but I did not know how else to get past the guard and talk with Tyrith.
It seems she got talked into something silly and they lied to her about their true reasons. Tyrith simply thought it was an exchange of goods but then they attacked the caravan. I have to admit Tyrith is not the brightest but she should have smelled the lie all over it. However, as she saw what was going on she defended a little girl which was going to be hurt by some of the bandits. When reinforcements showed up they left Tyrith alone and fled to their hideout. That’s it. I told Tyrith that I was going to get her out somehow and she had to play along. I told her that she might have to lie about being an investigator for the Purple Moon and she was sent to find out about their leader and location of their hideout. She agreed to that and wished me luck before I had to leave again. It was already late afternoon and she was going to be taken over to Fort Homestead in the next morning so I hurried over to the inn where the guild is located and I quickly found the one in charge. As I met him he was talking with the owner of the inn and asked about how it fared. I told him that I found out about their hideout and also headed inside which made him all curious about whether the mission was successful or not. I frankly told him that it might have been successful and I might have caught the one who was responsible for the attacks on his caravans. He knew I was going for a deal of some sorts and therefore dismissed the other man so we were able to talk in private. The hard thing was to let him benefit from all this. Plan was to trade Tyrith for Sashka, more or less. I was going to hand her over to the guards and he told them that Tyrith worked for him as an investigator. Of course he did not make it easy for me but in the end I persuaded him that he would only benefit from it as everything was well planned. He did not tell the guards about Tyrith earlier as it would have only alarmed the bandits and it would have been hard to track down their hideout and leader. As exchange for his word, seeing he had to lie to authorities, he wanted some kind of contract. Seeing I had no other choice to bail Tyrith out without any struggle we settled down for a contract. Tyrith and I are going to walk as his guards for his caravans or himself for like four to five years.
It was the best thing I could pull out of this situation and he took his time to consider my offer. After moments of waiting we finally settled for the deal. If I cannot make it Richelle and Lywn will take in my position. If we don’t show up he is free to break the contract and send mercenaries after us. This won’t happen though and I already involved Richelle, Lywn and Tyrith into this contract and everything is settled for now. After all we get to see the world and travel for free with the caravan and I might have to visit a ball together with him. So all in all it is all fine for now. I am just curious when he will actually request our “service”.
Anyway, the past few days have been indeed very eventful and I am glad that my parents still have my own bed. It feels good to be home again, even though it feels odd and I won’t stay here for long. I will leave again in a few days and head back to Mistone. I don’t know when I will return to Nel but I know that I will, sooner or later. What is going to happen with me and the Crimson Lily? Honestly, I don’t know yet and I am too tired to think about it right now. Anyway, we will see...
*Phyress giggles slightly as she drops her quill and stretches on her old chair. Moments later she takes her glass of wine and walks out of her room, heading for her mother who is busy preparing dinner for her family.*
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« on: February 05, 2009, 04:13:18 pm »
Happy B-Day! 
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« on: February 04, 2009, 03:42:09 pm »
No worries LC,
it gives me some time to take care of some things in RL. Next week? Sure thing! Not your fault you crashed after all. I am just glad you are back to the living again *winks*
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« on: January 25, 2009, 04:29:12 pm »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: January 25, 2009, 12:38:01 pm »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: January 18, 2009, 12:42:56 pm »
*Phyress enters her room with some wine and bread in the Flaming Phoenix in Audira. With a slight smile she opens her journal which already lies on her table and after sipping on the wine she takes out her quill and ink and starts writing a new entry.*
-Mulnari, Decilar 9, 1443-
My tinkering comes along just fine. A month ago I headed into the desert on Mistone to dig up some sand. I need quite an amount of sand for what I have in my mind. Maran gets better and better in enhancing and I can supply him with crystal rods. What I need for those rods though is a lot of sand and some coal. Actually the sand is easy to dig up, but some scorpion actually had a firebomb and they attacked us. I survived, yet my ox had to die with several bags of sand on it already. I decided I could not simply leave without the bags I already filled with sand, seeing I worked several hours for it already. I just had to get out of this desert first. So while I headed out of the desert and towards Haven, Snagnor showed up around the Gulf of Bagira. Together with his help I made it safely to Haven and from there we took the portal to Fort Wayfare. First of all I had to purchase a new ox and after some debating he sold me one for 80 True. Relieved to put the burden back on an ox I went to the craft hall while Snagnor met some friends in Port Hempstead. Knowing the recipe I figured it out pretty fast how to melt the sand to glass. The next thing I needed was coal though. There’s a cave on Alindor where one can find some of it, but it is heavily guarded by some elementals and I did not know if I could head there all alone. Snagnor asked me what my plans were and I told him about a mining trip for coal and he agreed to assist me. Together we easily fought the elementals. When we first faced them I was a little afraid. You don’t see such colossal things every day and I was not too sure if I could even hurt it with my blade. It might have been easier with an axe or some hammer but I only had my rapier and while I am trained with many weapons I still prefer my rapier, my beloved blade. I cannot help it but without me knocking it down I wouldn’t live any longer. The things hit me with a sheer enormity of strength. Together with Snagnor, who encouraged me while I fought, I defeated them though and we were able to start mining. So when we finished we headed for Leringard. Apparently Snagnor is about to open an inn there and therefore he showed me the rooms. It is quite nice but it still needs some women’s touch. I am sure it will become a nice place though. We sat down at one of the fireplaces and we chatted a little and I have to admit he asked me some embarrassing questions like what I thought when he asked me out and the like. Anyway, after our long talk we headed back to Port Hempstead where I made two crystal rods for Maran. At some point he showed up in Port Hempstead and I delivered him the two rods among another box full of molds for his rings. While I waited for him Snagnor already left. He had business to attend to or something similar.
The other day I helped Julius getting some fire opals. I actually met him around Vale and he needed a hand and I happily offered him my help. After all he is hot and a good friend of me. I never headed down into the cave alone but then I love the thrill and I still had Julius with me who could heal and aid me. Besides this is a good way to show him some techniques he might want to learn and maybe it will also help him to improve his technique to knock these giants down. Watching him fighting reminds me a little of myself when I was still young and rather inexperienced with my blade. He misses them a lot when he goes to knock them down, seeing it takes more effort than to simply attack them. But it is worth all the effort because when they are knocked down they are at my height and it is easy for me to reach their weak or softer spots which make it easier to actually defeat them. However, we fared very good and fought the battles easily. I have to admit it took us more than when we travel with Maran as well but we still managed just fine. After we just defeated some giants farther inside the cave, Richelle showed up. Yeah I really mean Richelle, leader of the small band of mercenaries and mentor of me. We hugged each other and were all happy. Of course we were making fun of each other like we usually do and Julius just had to watch us chatting, probably not having a clue what was going on. While we talked we were actually disturbed by a giant but I quickly took care about him. Richelle also admitted that Julius is hot and he really is. So we started teasing him as well and apparently Richelle thought us as a couple. I told her that he was already taken. Richelle did not show up without any reason. She was actually looking for me and there was something she was concerned about. Richelle got word of Tyrith who seems to be around Nel right now. She was in Nel, the town in the northern parts of Alindor where I grew up and spent the first 16 years of my life before I left home together with Celes. Richelle either has no clue what Tyrith is doing there but she asked Richelle for help and when Tyrith asks for help then she is really in deep trouble. She’s tough but she cannot take the world on her own. Maybe she simply got drunk and did something stupid, you never know with her. Right now Richelle is sending word to everyone in our small mercenary group and soon we will head out and see what is going on in Nel. If time permits I am also going to visit my parents if they are still alive and kicking. My father will probably not be around, earning True as a merchant somewhere on Alindor, but my mother should be still around. Anyway, I promised Richelle to be around when we head out to Nel and she told me to bring the cute elf with me as well. She obviously meant Julius and of course I asked him to come along and I know he will help me in this matter even though no one of us has any clue what is going on at all. Richelle will let me know when we head out and I still have to prepare something before I am all set to go. I still need to ask some friends for their help. But just who?
Anyway, I travelled around with G’ork again. The trip was quite interesting again and I certainly learned a lot from him. While we travelled and fought together I tried to leap an attack at my opponent from time to time. Needless to say I failed but I made good progress down there and G’ork was pleased with me. Before we headed down he actually had something for me, covered in cloth. I curiously looked at it but I did not see a thing which was quite annoying as I wanted to know what was hidden in there. He then loosened the cloth on a certain part and guided my hand around it. What I felt was cold metal and leather. I beamed when I realized it had to be the hilt of a blade. Then G’ork unwrapped the something from its cover and now I saw it in all its beauty. It was a rapier made out of adamantium and I thankfully hugged G’ork for making me such a well defined blade. All happy I made some swings and you bet it was a great feeling to wield and even more to swing it around a little, testing the balance and handling of the blade. G’ork truly did a great job on my new rapier and I really owe him now. So while we travelled along I asked him what I owe him for the blade and he simply grinned at me and told me I owe him a favor now. While we fought some bandits in their misted village he told me that he will actually go to the trial for killing that dwarf who threatened him. He only does so because Ami told him to. G’ork also told me that he might need the favor if everything goes bad for him. I nodded and he grunted. I would even help him without the favor, knowing he would do the same for me. I just hope they won’t lock him up or the like. The thing is though while G’ork actually only killed one they made a scene out of it and it now says he killed several. I just hope everything turns out good for G’ork. It not, well then it will be on me to do him a favor and bail him out somehow. Maybe I can request some help from a new “ally”, but more about that later. G’ork also knows about my encounter with Richelle now and he asked me many questions about it. If Tyrith asks us for help then she really got deep into trouble and I am going to help her after all the times we fought together in the small band of mercenaries we are. G’ork offered his help and I said I will let him know when we will leave. Richelle is tough and if G’ork joins us as well nothing can go wrong. At least that’s what I hope. But then Tyrith is pretty strong and she will live until we arrive in Nel.
The other day I travelled around with Maran and Julius again. I actually met them while I was strolling through the desert on Dregar. Of course Maran started teasing me about my upcoming date again and I simply ignored most of it and told him to shut up already. The trip itself went very good and I trained hard to finally manage the new technique but I still had to figure certain things out. I knew I almost had it and only a little piece was missing there. I actually found out that I will succeed in learning such a technique when I don’t focus on knocking them down at the same time. It only made things more and more complicated. Therefore I tried it with the alternations in the desert after Maran and Julius had to attend their own business and I was on my own again. I cannot really recall but I leapt an attack at like five giants and then I finally got it. Actually it was quite easy and had to do with how I wield my blade and leap to my opponent. When I leap at my opponents I am now pretty much defenseless, seeing I can hardly dodge anything in midair and am an easy target that way. But well, mastering that technique is worth all this effort it took me to eventually figure out how to do it right. Even if I cannot knock them down at the same time, I have still an advantage.
Proud with myself I headed back to Mistone. I still had a ring on me G’ork wanted to drop me in his house in Haven. I did as I was told to and went for a walk around Haven afterwards. Usually I don’t see that many adventurers gathering around Haven. Just sometimes when someone plans an expedition into the mines and apparently it was time for another expedition again. Among them was Snagnor. He told me they were heading down for some iron and asked me if I was going to join them as well and of course I wanted to. I just figured out an acrobatic attack and I still have to practice it a lot so I eventually become better and more used to it. Being midair still gives me creeps. If I land I could break an ankle or someone could easily hit me with an axe or the like. One participant of the group was an elf called Razeriem. He also uses a rapier and is very skilled with it, yet he does not know as many tricks as I do and he asked me for some lessons and I told him that I could give him some lessons. Well I saw him fighting later. It is not all too bad but he certainly lacks something. He did not go for their weak spots and got hit many times, although he is very accurate with his aiming but it certainly lacks going for their weak spots. This way he could also defeat his opponents more easily and seeing gnolls are tough and hard to knock down he should have better learned to. I am just glad Lydia taught me such things when she still was my mentor and before she got her knee injured. But then everyone prefers its own way of battle and apparently Razeriem and I fight our battles differently. He seems to be smart so he will probably be more about defense if he learns to foresee their movements and dodge under their blows. It would surely lengthen his lifespan and would save him many bandages. However, he started hitting on me and therefore Snagnor glared over to him from time to time, obviously not liking the situation. Why does everyone think I am hot? I am just your average girl. I am not really good looking but maybe they like me because I differ from your usual girl? But then I scare most men away because I can stand on my own and don’t really need their protection and I am quite capable with my rapier which might add to it. Snagnor is not scared of me though and he actually loves me for being how I am. I only know I won’t change my behavior so others like me more. It simply wouldn’t be me anymore. The trip went just fine and I was able to practice my new technique several times, always ending with the death of my opponents, in this case gnolls.
However, the trip was fine and we made good progress. No one besides Razeriem got hurt a lot and therefore we made our way up to the surface again. Now begins the interesting part about the whole trip. While we ascended we met a stranger. His face was hidden behind a mask and he wielded a greatsword. All in all he did not look like your holy warrior and he was capable of casting powerful spells. If he really wanted to then we would be dead. However, he said something about him using the gnolls for something so they could give him something but now where he saw us he was about to ask us instead. He whole manipulating gnolls and his look made some of us attack him, judging him as evil and whatsoever. I simply stood there and watch them running into his spells which immediately knocked them down. Seeing they could not best him they wanted to listen to him. Apparently he was looking for some crystal which wielded something to ease the pain his master suffered. Needless to say the word master got Daniella and some others again as they thought only evil guys served a master. I tend to disagree there, but then it is just me. Anyway, the crystal was somewhere in the mines and he wanted us to retrieve it. He promised us 5000 True each for its retrieval. Well, I am a mercenary and I did not have anything against helping him. After all 5000 True might be worth a shot. I could still turn around and let it be. Well, like everyone of our group was against helping him had a bad feeling about him and had doubts about his goals. Daniella convinced most of us who still had in mind helping him to let it be. Seeing as I did not say much in the argumentation no one really knew what I was about to do and I simply followed them out. I waited for us to disband and then I sneaked down into the mines again. I knew the gnolls were though so I simply stayed in the shadows and headed to the bottom of the mines. There I had to face the gnolls, seeing they hid it somewhere. It took me quite some effort to take them out as I was hardly able to knock any of them down. In the end I defeated them though and searched for the crystal. I finally found it on a little pedestal and made sure it was not trapped. It was not so I carefully tugged it away and made my way out again.
It did not take him long and the stranger showed up when I reached the surface again. He had a name but I already forgot about it again and I am not too sure it was even his real name. He probably made it up after all. Anyway, he asked me for the crystal and I told him that I found it of course. I handed the crystal over to him and he gave me my reward in return. He also told me that they might consider me for more tasks in the future but then I have no idea who they are and what their motives are. I only know they offered me a job and I fulfilled my contract and retrieved the crystal and I somehow doubt that I will see him ever again. He was about to leave and told me that when I want to get rid of those Toranites then I should simply contact them or if I have another problem. They’d help me but I don’t even want to know what they want in return; probably retrieving something else for the sake of his master. Not that I really care anyway, seeing he won’t show up again. However, I asked him how to even contact me and he handed my over a ring. I was told that I simply need to wear it and they could hear me. It is kind of creepy so for now I don’t wear it but keep it in a small pouch. I am not going to make use of it. Maybe I will need their help though when G’ork’s trial goes bad but that’s another story. Maran knows about my creepy encounter but I did not tell him all the details. He simply told me to stay away from dubious people but hey, it was just a job, wasn’t it? End of story, really! It is not like I have a contract with them and have to take another job from them.
Anyway, right now I am looking for a new dress I can wear on my date with Snagnor or wear it in public, I don’t know yet. Black and red suit me just great but for the date I wanted to try something completely different. I hope such a dress even exists. Reminds me I need to seek Snagnor out again. I asked him if I could purchase some things from him and he made me a good price. I need a necklace which makes me even more limber and an enhancement for the lovely blade G’ork made for me. Also I will attach a new visual to it so it fits my armor. I just hope he is alright and doesn’t ask me about this dubious stranger we met in Haven. I’d hate to lie to him.
*With a slight sigh Phyress leans back into her chair and stretches her arms. She takes another sip from the wine and stuffs her journal back into her back, getting ready for the night.*
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« on: January 17, 2009, 12:25:07 pm »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: January 13, 2009, 05:08:32 am »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: January 12, 2009, 06:38:51 am »
Well I think for now we should all lean back for a moment and take a deep breath, to be honest. I am sure someone with the knowledge about why it is as it is will read this thread sooner or later and make a statement. Just let us all keep in mind that RL sometimes interferes and people have a life besides Layo as well (Yes, we do). Right now we're just turning around in a circle and going nowhere. I am pretty sure there will be an explanation and it will be posted or was already somewhere in in this forum, I wouldn't know. So well, we all lean back, take a deep breath and wait for one with the knowledge to show up. -Lily
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« on: January 11, 2009, 11:19:23 am »
*With a slight smile Phyress slumps against a wall and eyes some travelers around the Caesin Docks before she takes out her journal and starts writing a new entry. Actually she starts reading her last one though, seeing she did not write any in ages.*
-Threas, Seplar 5, 1443-
I really should have written this entry so much earlier. It has been almost a full year since the latest entry and so much has happened in the meantime. Not only personal issues, but also things that may affect the world had happened. I managed to screw up my life a few more times but also managed to solve some of my major screw-ups.
I think I better start with the meeting that was held above Haven. While I was wandering around in Port Hempstead I met Storold. While we chatted along he asked me if I wanted to head to Haven as well. Apparently there was some kind of meeting in Haven to discuss an upcoming war. Naturally, seeing I am way too curious from time to time, I came along with Storold. In Haven I saw some old faces but also many new ones. Some I knew from hearing but most were fairly unknown to me. What really was amazing that the Bird Lord of Katia herself, Plenarius, showed up and held the discussion and shared his knowledge about the upcoming war. Before the meeting really started he looked around and said he knew many faces already but some were new to him so naturally I introduced myself to him. Besides me someone else did as well. Either the other ones were asleep or they all met Plenarius before it seems. However, the meeting dealt with the Drachs, some kind of crazy creatures, who are led to march against Mistone sooner or later. This all seems to be related to what happened around Kuhl or so I heard. I have to admit, it was hard for me to understand a thing but of course I am interested about it all. It already affects Belinara and when they come over to Mistone it will affect me as well and I somehow doubt they will be pleased with just parts of Belinara and Mistone. So there were two main things we had to discuss. First was how to deal with the Drachs. We still need to dig for some more information as fighting them will be insane. From what I heard they are very tough opponents and I doubt I could even stand a few seconds against one of them. I’d probably be dead in like one or two hits, given I could dodge or parry any of their blows. The second was about how to prepare our defenses and search for more allies. Rael Kingdom over on Dregar was suggested but frowned up upon some of us. Personally I have no idea about Rael. I only heard from Arngrim that he took over Prantz or so in the Blood-War. Just when we were about to finish our meeting the dark unicorn showed itself up again. First I could not believe my eyes when I saw it but it really exists! First I thought it as just rumors but now I have seen it with my own eyes. Plenarius flew up the cliff and casted some spells on it but from what I got it had like no effect on it. What I got to know about that creature though is that it seems to be powerful evil, or so I heard. However, some of us will go and plan our defenses and some will try to find out more about these Drachs and how to stop them. I will do whatever I can to help them with our defense and tactics. Seeing I don’t know all too much about the Drachs and what is behind them that’s the only thing I can really do to help. I know they will come over by ship. The western coast if I recall right. Maybe I can do something about it. I only know I am all eyes and ears now and pay even more attention to rumors now. There’s got to be something to do after all, doesn’t it? Maybe I will even find some new allies along the way who are willing to support us in the upcoming war. And there will be a war!
After we talked business Plenarius offered those who still stayed above Haven to share the tale about Eon’s betrayal on Katia. It is an old tale and I did not hear it before so I stayed willingly. More than a thousand years ago the one we now know as a goddess, Katia, still travelled across Belinara with her friends. Seems like Belinara never was such a great place but in the end there now blossom some forests which would not without Katia’s efforts in the past. Without Katia there would not be the Kuhl Forest or the Great Forest by now. However, she was betrayed by one of her friends who teamed up with Bloodstone because he promised him all so great power. Really, mages! Seems they all go mad sooner or later and are power obsessed. I would never betray my friends just because of power. That would not be like me, really. Of course I already had some screw ups with Maran which almost made it look like a betrayal as well but that’s another story. However, Katia later travelled around with Rofirein who was already a god and travelled around with her, using a disguise. Too bad I did not get to know how Katia finally became a goddess. But I am sure that’s another story that will be shared by someone sooner or later. Maybe I should ask a priestess of Katia or around her temples. I am sure some of them will freely share the story of her goddess. No one can deny the truth she once walked the lands as a mortal being. But really, it was quite a night and my head hurt afterwards due to all these information I got and then we still need to improve our defenses. Not to mention we still need to find out exactly where they will land when the war begins. I just hope I will have enough time to prepare myself for battle.
Speaking about battle; I was about to drop some things in Haven when I met G’ork in his house. I did not see him for quite some time but he seems to be doing just great. He asked me for another expedition to improve my ways of battle, but he wanted to offer me a job first. Well, his offer was about two jobs in the end. Seeing G’ork does not hold the best reputation around he needs a trustworthy salesperson with a pretty face and he thought about me. I of course accepted as I really owe G’ork something and would have done it anyway because he is a real friend to me. He takes me as I am and we can talk just about everything; or we simply about Toranites. I cannot help it but they still dislike me for their own reasons. I don’t know but I am a nice girl, well most times. Anyway, I accepted his conditions. For every sale I get 25% from the True. I will mainly deal in armors and weapons but I am sure there are some other things lying around in his house which will be for sale as well. I think I really should place a poster in the major market halls and advertise his fine armors and blades. For me being his salesperson I get a better price than others, seeing I work for him and we are business partners. I therefore already places an order for a blade made from adamantium and I am really ready for a new blade and while my old iron one still works fine, the adamantium one has a better balance and handling so I can hit my opponents with more accuracy than now. The second job he offered me is about dealing with information. If I get to know anything about the upcoming war that might be of interest I have to tell him. Depending on how good the information is he will pay me. Seeing I need the information as well it is a great deal and then I love working together with G’ork.
However, after we talked business he asked me about my progress with my training. I told him that I have been quite busy and therefore did not travel around much lately. Therefore he headed to that misted village again in the peaks where he taught me some more things and advised me what to do better. And really, this time I fought way better than last time. Of course I am still no match for G’ork but I proved myself worthy this time. I took down many of our opponents. The dwarfs we faced were pretty silly and ran blindly into my blade. Seeing I improved my technique it was easy for me to knock them down on their behind and hit them where it hurt. And it really did! Well, for them that is. Just the rogues still give me creeps. They use poison as well which pretty much slows me down and makes me an easy target. Luckily G’ork took care about them so I could take care of the others. We worked way better than last time and we finally made our way to the bottom of their hideout. On our way we were once ambushed from behind but we managed. Our ambushers were mainly dwarves so we pretty much knocked them down to the ground and ended their lives. Pretty fast and simple, just the way it should be. As I wrote after the latest trip into their hideout we were almost beaten down. Knowing how it ended last time we knew their tactics and worked something out to defeat them. This time it went all smoothly and we hardly were hit. If course they hit us from time to time but this time I did not think about running for the sake of surviving. G’ork and I both knew what I was capable of and on which of the bandits I should focus. After we took them all down we made our way out again and G’ork went to sleep at the crossroads while I continued my way to Dalanthar. I cannot help it but I enjoy travelling around with G’ork more and more. I am all curious about to which places he will take me next.
A few days later I met Maran again. Maran and two others were just preparing to head into the Ore Hills and he did not mind me along. I did not expect him to even allow me to accompany them but then I am quite skilled with my blade and am a help in any battle, given I don’t pull such a stunt again and abandon my friends and let them die because I was upset. However, the trip went well and after we were out again Maran and I left the dwarves so we could talk and we really had to talk. We both wanted this settled after all. I led Maran to the place where I talked with G’ork a few times as not many head there these days and no one could hear us shouting, if we were going to, seeing the place is in the mountains. Most important to Maran was to know what I really did. If I just left them or if I was watching them dying. As I really care for Maran and Fleur I frankly told him the truth even if it hurt my very soul but I cannot deny the fact that I just stood in a corner and heard how they took their last breath and screams before they died. Yes I betrayed my friends and like Katia Maran and Fleur did not want to believe what happened, but it was the truth. Unlike Eon I cared for my friendship and fought for it and Maran did not want it gone forever as well but then he could not trust me again; not after what I did to him and Fleur. While we were talking it came out it was not so much about him but Fleur. During our talk I found out that at least Maran fell in love with her. Well they really seem to get along just fine and fit together in my opinion. However, Maran gave me a second chance to prove myself. Maran will cast some minor blessings on me so I can work on what I destroyed. Knowing what I did to him I’d die just to show them I still care for them. I only know I will ever abandon them again just because I was upset about a silly scroll! He also told me Fleur was probably to blow me up for what I did but a few weeks after my talk with Maran I met her again and she was all friendly again. She probably still hates me for what I did or maybe Maran talked to her already; I don’t know. But everything seems to be alright for now. Maran and I fought many battles together already and we did fine, even though I did not enjoy all of his blessings but then he is quite skilled and I trust him. I hope he will trust me again in time. I just don’t want to throw away my second chance. I talked about my latest screw-ups with Richelle as well and she told me that if it happens once it is a mistake but if it happens several times then you are seeking for it. I am not such a person, I care for my friends.
While we travelled around in the desert on Dregar we met Julius and Emry. Julius I knew and he is someone I like. Emry though is well, odd if you want to put it that way. While we had a rest in Audira she asked if someone had some scrolls he or she did not need. On my travels I gathered some odds and ends and therefore had some scrolls in a scroll-box which I was willing to trade for or to sell. While I showed her the scrolls Emry got all excited about some boots we found along the way and wanted them so dearly, so dearly she all forgot my scrolls I still showed her. Seeing she was busy otherwise I stuffed my scrolls back into the box and took care of my blade. While we were already on the move again she all of a sudden asked me about my scrolls again. I told her she could have them, depending on the price. I cannot help her but she really thought I was giving her the scrolls for free. I simply showed her the scrolls so she could make her mind up about them. No one ever said anything about handing them over for free. Emry then got all y and called me names and wanted True for her spells. Really, someone get mages. So during the whole trip she was making me bad and calling me names. She even started to annoy Julius at some point. But no, she wanted it her way and I was about to pierce my rapier through her throat for the sake of the whole group so she would shut up. G’ork would have already chopped off her head. I should have done it as well but I played all nice. Ah well she was so proud about countering spells of the shamans that she forgot the others were going to hurt us as well and besides that I told her that I already took care of the shaman and in no way any of those could cast a single spell while I know them down to the sand. She called me names again and I simply ignored her. Seeing she took care about the shamans I thought I should worry more about the other giants while we were invading one of their caves. Therefore the shaman was all hers. Honestly, I did not care much as I can easily dodge any of their spells. Well most of us were burned during the fight and I simply said that I though Emry took care of it. She then had to admit she could not counter their spells every times while I would have been able to “countering” like all of their spells. I made a suggestion about how to proceed with the shamans but she simply ignored it for now. Later she had to admit it was a great idea and was all nice to me again. I frankly told her I do not dislike her or hold any grudge against her but for the sake of the group she should stop her antics and work together. Well, needless to say we all died when we were attacked by another group of giants. It was not our fault but all of our blessings ran out just after we charged ahead and started the fight. Every one of us died and we all returned to Highpass Fort where our journey started. Maran decided to stay in the inn and enjoy the good beds but Julius, Emry and I made our long and exhausting way back to the desert where we got our revenge. Emry can be either a pain or you get along just fine with her and that I do now. Well Maran and Julius thank me for it. I did not start it at all but seeing Emry was in no way going to change anything I stepped forward and did so. It only shows I am better than her anyway. I can behave and play by the rules. Well she did not even notice I slipped the three scrolls into her bag.
On my travels I continued practicing around with the technique I want to master. It still takes me quite some effort to time of leaping towards my opponent, hold the balance in midair and finally knock my opponent down. I only make slow progress there but in the end it will pay off, I am sure. Maran is already impressed by the tricks I do. He just tells me to be careful and not break an ankle or the like but hey, it is me and I love the thrill. I just hope I won’t break anything before I finally master this technique but I will be fine but then there is still so much to learn and it will surely help me if I become more agile and limber. But this also takes some huge effort. Besides that I am waiting for my new blade G’ork is going to craft for me and I am also looking around for a necklace that makes my movements even more graceful.
Some other things also occurred lately in my life. This is also why I should have written at least one new entry a few months ago but then I was too focused on my training and screw-ups so I completely forgot about my journal. However, I bought a license so I could use all the tools in the Crafting Halls. I decided to focus mainly on two things. For one I now make my own poisons. I already told Storold earlier that I don’t shun the use of poison in battle and one can pretty much take advantage of using such tricks. Wizards use the Al’Noth and I use poison and everyone is pleased the way it is, simple as that! Making the poison is actually not that easy and I have to be very careful as I don’t want to poison myself when I extract the poison from venom sacks of some spiders. I don’t craft the poison openly though as it is frowned upon by some others and seeing I already have quite some reputation it won’t benefit me in any way. Really, I sometimes ask myself what is wrong with those Toranites and why they don’t like me at all, especially those Road Wardens I almost reported to their authorities. All I can say is, I make good progress with making those poisons, although I hate getting my ingredients from those cursed spiders. It is tough but I will manage. I always did.
The other thing I started is some tinkering. Mainly I started it so I can make my own tools and traps. Not many craft them and it is also frowned upon by some others, seeing one could break into their houses and steal something. I am no thief after all though. I know some of their tricks and actually I could make my living by stealing things and being a thief but I decided not to. I am a nice girl after all. I don’t steal for a living but sometimes you have to pick a lock or set a trap. However, I thought it was very hard but apparently it is not, seeing I have dexterous fingers and having a smart mind certainly helps as well. Well I told Maran I started tinkering and he was all happy and asked me if I can make him some ring molds as he practices in making rings and jewelry in general. I naturally agreed to and already received a very fine ring which will aid me in hiding from others when I to sneak my way past them. Maran also asked me about some crystal rods as he is becoming more and more skilled in the way of an enchanter. I agreed to that as well, seeing it will aid me with my traps and tools later as well. Besides given both of us become more skilled we could sell the better ones later as enhancements and earn quite some coin with it. I just need some glass and coal so I can try my luck with those crystal rods. Glass is pretty easy for me to make, but then I still need coal for those rods and I cannot mine on my own. Maran already offered his help in making me stronger so I could chop the one or other chunk of coal and then make his rods. It sounds like a great plan and I could really become a merchant after all. A creepy thought but then I am already G’ork’s salesperson.
On another day I found myself traveling in the desert together with Julius. Julius is going to be married to Emry and I already found out that Maran is going to be his best man and he will make everyone laugh. Julius thinks he might slip on his way to hold his speech or so. Anyway, it seems Emry is pregnant already and Julius now has to go through like 2 years of hell caused by a moody Emry. According to my sources she is even more moody these days; poor Julius, really. However, while we travelled along he asked me why I was not bound to anyone and I told him that most men are scared of me or think I am too self-dependant, according to Storold. I cannot help it but I prefer to be independent and do whatever I have to do and I don’t need a man who tells me what to do and obey him. And then I am looking for someone hot. Just most I travel around with are not really pretty. Well most of them are mercenaries or the like so go figure. Just like one day later I agreed to go on a date with Snagnor. I don’t know how it happened but I said yes. Well he had to answer me two questions first. First was about if he is already in a relation. The second was if he is looking for something serious or just having his fun and then saying good-bye. He is not bound to anyone at the moment and looking for something serious. Good for him and he is hot, no doubt about that. I just don’t know if I am ready for a relationship just yet. Trouble’s death was just a few years ago and I still have feelings for him. So well, so much for my misery. Sometimes I ask myself why my life is screwed up most of the time and I don’t really find an answer. It cannot be only my fault, can it? However, there are already rumors about us being a couple and the like and as much as I enjoy rumors, I hate any rumors about me! Well, I bought a new dress already and I am all curious about what locations he chooses for our first date. I just hope I don’t throw everything up. After all Snagnor was there for me when Trouble died but then it was his own fault. Why did he have to tell me about his passing? So well, I don’t know what to expect and right now I am unsure about my feelings towards him. Only future will tell and love always is very unpredictable.
For now I should focus more on my training. I already screwed up too much lately and I don’t want to destroy anything between me and any of my friends. Anyway, we will see.
*Phyress stretches as she drops her quill and ink back into her back and looks at the entry a few more moments before she stuffs it back into her bag and gets ready to leave for Fort Vehl.*
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« on: January 10, 2009, 10:49:25 am »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: December 28, 2008, 07:22:25 pm »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: December 23, 2008, 07:54:58 pm »
*With a heavy sigh Phyress enters Port Hempstead and slumps down in a quiet corner where no one will disturb her. She is somewhat pale as she takes out her journal and starts writing a new entry into it.*
-Freas, Novlar 6, 1442-
Before I am writing anything about the rather bad moments in the past few months I want to enlighten myself about a cute elven priest in service of Ilsare. I was merely walking around Port Hempstead in search for any new rumors and gossip while a almost shy looking elven man approached me and ask for some help, after we introduces ourselves. It seemed there was some trouble down in the sewers and despite the stench I agreed helping him. I cannot help it but he was cute so why not be a good girl and help the poor priest of Ilsare? He was no Toranite after all but then I doubt one of those would ever ask for my help. I am probably marked already as a bad person. Anyway, I loved helping the elf called Julius and will help him again if he ever requests my assistance again. Well he got to know I am a mercenary and he doesn’t need to pay for my help. Together we managed to solve the trouble down in the sewers and I had to be on my way again, after saying farewell. I hope he is doing alright. I haven’t heard from him in ages now.
Maybe that’s due to the fact that I have been travelling around with Richelle and her band of mercenaries again for months. I left an expedition on Dregar just to meet Richelle again and then they dragged me off with them. It was a very nice and interesting trip and it was good to see them all again, not to mention to fight beside them. Richelle was very pleased with the progress I made in the meantime we did not see each other and helped me to understand the way of a duelist a bit more. I know I still have to learn quite a lot to become as good as Richelle or Lydia but I know I can do it. I just need more time. After months of travelling around with the band again I left them again as soon as we arrived back in Dalanthar. I hope I will see them all again, as soon as possible. There is still so much I can learn from them all.
Sometimes I ask myself what I am even doing here. Lately I think I am doing a pretty good job screwing my life up. I don’t feel any urge to act certain ways but in the end I simply do what I feel like and in the past few months it never ended in anything good. I am known as a free and independent mercenary. Well maybe not independent as I heavily rely on my friends. Most times there’s one of them around to save my life. I should honor it and return the favor.
However, it all started with an expedition to a cave in the desert on Dregar. I went there all alone and actually it should run smoothly. My tactics were well defined and I knew what to expect in that cave. I wasn’t in the cave for long when I had sight of my enemy, giants in this case. One of them ran towards me, trying to overwhelm me. Everything went fine, until I found myself surrounded by giants and there was no way to escape, or to fight them all at the same time. I cannot really remember but I think I managed to defeat one or two of them until I was heavily wounded, pain aching everywhere. Waiting for the right opportunity I used some stardust which should make me invisible and tried to use the breach I fought to retreat a back and heal my wounds. Even though I was invisible they kept swinging their clubs around aimlessly for me, aiming for the noises I made why I tried to escape their circle. I managed to dodge the one or other blow, until I got heavily hit in my back. A gasp of surprise escaped me as I felt it hit my spine and everything around me turned black. As I woke up again I felt like I lost something very dear to me; something that only belongs to me and defines who I am. I fell and apparently the Soul Mother ripped something off of me. I felt terrible and disorientated when I woke up back on Orcs Watch. I don’t even want to think about how Trouble must have felt when he finally passed away, the feeling that there is no way out anymore. Cruel! I don’t want to think about it. I wouldn’t be able to bear with it. Not yet and I doubt I ever will. I loved him with my soul and someone or something ripped him apart.
The other day started actually nice. While I was around Port Hempstead again I saw Sallaron in front of the bank and I reminded myself that we still had a deal going on. I told him I got everything he requested for the trade and he told me he forgot my necklace somewhere in his house over on Dregar. It was very disappointing but then he showed me a rapier which he wanted to trade. At first I thought he was kidding me when I saw the blade. It was a Silver Foil! I was about to faint, knowing what I saw in front of me and poor Sallaron had no idea what he just offered me. He saw me about to faint and asked me about the blade. Really, he did not know about the Silver Foil. He had it all along and never used it. Certainly, he uses his longswords but he never heard about the Silver Foil. I briefly told him some details about the blade and in the end we settled for a trade. There was no way to refuse that trade. It was a Silver Foil! A very fine and well defined weapon and only masters of said art can make any use of it. Sadly I did not master that blade yet. It takes one quite some training to use such a fine blade. I know Richelle has one of those rapiers as well, even though those are quite rare but then not many are skilled enough to wield them. I don’t either. Such a blade would surely help me to defeat Lydia, yet I doubt I will be able to wield the Silver Foil when I am finally going to face her. Mastering the training with the Silver Foil will take me years from now. The only thing I can do is travelling around and practicing and learning from others about how to wield this blade. For now I should ask G’ork to make and sell me a rapier made of adamantium. I am sure I can train more with that weapon than with my current iron one. Of course, it still works great, yet rapiers made out of adamantium have a better handling and are more balanced. That way I will be able to hit my opponents more accurate.
However, while Sallaron and I were in the bank and I handed him over the first part of his requested goods, shadows flipped from the wall behind us and attacked everyone in the bank. I drew my rapier and together with him I managed to defeat the shadows. The banker called us demon practitioners and rushed out, screaming for the guards. In all this chaos Sallaron managed to escape and left me alone. He really owes me an explanation when I see him again! However, I refused to answer the banker about who he and I were and therefore the he sent the guards after me. Even though I wanted to cooperate they tossed me into jail to my dislike and mumbled something about hanging me for good. Do I really enjoy such a good reputation? Anyway, I managed to get myself out of jail by telling them Sallaron’s name. Did I have any choice? I had nothing to do with all the shadows attacking us and then I don’t like being called a demon practitioner, despite the fact that Sallaron left me all alone in the chaos. Well, I got him all the time he wanted to leave the Port Hempstead. Word now spreads around that Sallaron is wanted for questioning in Port Hempstead. Well really, it was his fault. Don’t deal with demons! Lesson learned! We’ll see how this will turn out in the end.
The other thing which happened just a few days ago is rather sad but I could not help it when it occurred. Maran and I were actually heading down to that spider infested cave in the Silkwood. Naturally we met Fleur on our way down there and we teamed up, like we always do. Despite the poison it was a rather easy trip with no big surprises on our end of the blade, or paws on Maran’s side. My training to improve my knocking down clearly helped us when we had to face those dark and creepy spiders and we did fine. They almost did not have any chance to get to their eight feet again once knocked down. That way I could take advantage of their weak spots and therefore it was easy for Maran and me to defeat them. Naturally I was breathing heavily when we were surrounded by like 15 spiders but in the end we did fine and managed to defeat them all. Somehow it does not seem like the poison affects Maran at all, just like Trouble. I had some real problems with their poison and almost dropped my blade several times, due to a sudden weakness and some cramps I was able to control though. Lesson learned. Poison is bad, unless it serves me and is not used against me.
However, the tragedy started when we were exploring a cave on an isle up on Krashin. I cannot really remember on which isle we were but I know it was like the second trip to that cave for me. From the previous expedition Maran and I knew about the strength of the goblins. Some of them are even riding on spiders, wolves or worgs. We did way better than last time though and they were hardly able to even hit me. I managed to evade almost all of their attacks and landed quite some good hits on them, thanks to G’ork. However I had a hard time to know them down and many times I had to fight them on top of their mounts. It wasn’t all too complicated but the battles surely lasted longer that way. While we were exploring the cave I got to know that Maran and Fleur have a rather odd relationship. I don’t even want to think about what I got to know earlier and just want to forget about it at all. One thing though, it is about dressing up like a caveman or so and I don’t even want to imagine what is happening behind closed doors. I am disgusted at Fleur and Maran. They should keep such things for themselves. Maran would have never said such things but Fleur freely did. That’s not what turned this trip into a total misery though.
We were already on our way back up to the surface when I complained about the spell which makes me even more limber. Maran handed over Fleur a bunch of scrolls to Fleur so she could cast them on me. One of them was Cat’s Grace. The thing is that spells invoked from scrolls don’t last as long as those directly casted from the Al’Noth and therefore left me without grace in most battles down in that cold cave. In such cold regions that spell is very important to me as it keeps me living, seeing my advantage is my dexterity and I can hardly move when I am all frozen, not to mention fighting. It makes me an easy target for any opponent. Apparently telling him to cast a spell on me next time is Maran’s weak point and he was almost at my throat and compared me to a dwarf. Somehow I cannot really stand dwarves right now, seeing how they threaten G’ork with their lies. I trust G’ork and not those dwarves, even though at least one of them is a Rofireinite. The two of us had a heated discussion and it ended with both of us being upset. He said when I am not pleased with what he offers he sees no use to protect me with his spells at all. I told him that would be fine and I won’t take the frontline then. While I love all his wards I cannot live without any grace. I don’t need any strength, seeing my advantage and training heavily rely on my mobility and reflexes. I therefore followed after them and we got attacked. Well not we, but them as I hid myself in the shadows and simply watched them die. Ordinarily I would not do such a thing, especially not to friends or comrades but I felt pushed. He made his point and I made mine. He was not going to give me that spell and I was not holding the frontline. I managed to get out of the cave while I stayed in the shadows. It did not feel alright to just let them die there and I already regret that I just stood around there in the shadows and watched their demise. It was even harder to pass their lifeless bodies and move out on the surface just by myself.
In the end it was the wrong way to show how we depend on each other. They have a hard time without me and I do without them. I should have stepped up and saved them and settle this argument with Maran. But I did not; I am a fool. Maran is probably searching for me already. I can only imagine he will shout the nine hells on me and wish me dead or suffer. I would do the same and already did the same in the past. I am not even sure if Maran will ever forgive me. I don’t really care about Fleur but about Maran. When I asked Fleur about a flame-spell for my blade as we headed down to the spider invested cave she frankly gave me to know that she’s no wandering spell-book. I only asked because Maran got one but I did not and it wasn’t the first time. I frankly gave her to know that I am not able to wield a blade then and simply rolled my eyes. How shall we survive when we don’t work together? If she doesn’t share her wards why should I share my blade? Everyone has a responsibility in a team and there is no “I” in team, after all. The key to survive is to work together. If you don’t want it this way then you are already dead. Trouble always shared his blessings with me, knowing we need each other. He needs my blade and I need his blessings he freely shares with me. I cannot help it but when there is just me and Maran we work way better. As soon as Fleur is around as well things somehow change and not for good. She is not a bad person at all but I just cannot work with her as I do with Maran. Not to mention I hardly know anything about her, nor do we really talk during an exploration or task. She just keeps herself to Maran.
The only thing I know right now is that it will be hard to approach Maran now as I can understand him being pretty much ed about me right now. Well, I am responsible for my actions and I have to live with the consequences, whether I love or hate them. My only hope is that he will forgive me at some point but it will be a very long and hard way to walk. I just hope that at some point he will trust me again. I care for him.
*With a heavy sigh Phyress shuts her journal again and looks up into the darkening sky. While the leans back against the wall the mouths 'I am sorry, Maran’ towards the sky, looking miserable.*
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« on: December 22, 2008, 08:31:02 am »
Happy B-Day!
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« on: December 17, 2008, 08:51:15 am »
*With a slight smile on her lips Phyress sits down on a bench in Dalanthar, takes out her journal and starts writing a new entry into it.*
-Wedlar, Jular 18, 1442-
The past few months have been very eventful, indeed. And I am just lucky I did not meet any more road wardens so far, although Maran mentioned he saw them around recently. Just thinking about the task I had to fulfill with three of those in my team still gives me a slight headache. But at least now I know how to handle such a situation. Thanks to Storold in this case. I was merely walking around Port Hempstead the other day in my beautiful dress when I met him at the monument, as usual. It seems his hearing went well. I would not know as I was over on Dregar when I heard about his hearing in Spellgard and there was no way I’d have made it to Spellgard in time. We then talked about his taste for dwarven lasses while working hard as blacksmiths. I don’t know but I thought he’s prefer human women and not doing such hard labor at all. But well, everyone got its own taste. I only know that I am not dreaming about dwarves crafting armor! He then told me something interesting about apples around the rusty river. Apparently they hold some very strong poison and make you very ill. Storold said that he wouldn’t even give them to his enemies, knowing what they’d have to endure. Actually he tasted one of these apples. It gave me the idea to pick some of those apples and hand them over to the road wardens if they are going to annoy me and the group again. The rightful protector of the Al’noth told me I could not do that and I frankly told him that I see no difference between poison and the wave. He uses the weave and I use poison, it is not much of a big deal. He uses the weave to weaken his opponents and I’d do the same with poison. And as well as the Al’noth poison can be used for cures as well. He simply did not want to agree to such facts. Well, our views simply differ on many things and he was avoiding an answer when I asked him if the use of poison is justified if used for something good like weakening the arch-enemy of Alindor, given it would show any effect. He simply avoided the question. I think it is a touchy issue for him. I don’t care if I use poison as long as I can take my advantage out of it in battles or the like.
Shortly after I left Port Hempstead and was on my way to Hlint as I bumped into G’ork between Fort Wayfare and Port Hempstead. G’ork was actually heading towards Haven. He wanted to drop something into his house and then head out for a mining-trip somewhere. While we were at his house he showed me some interesting things he found during his travels over the whole world. I have to admit, some were very nice. Lie, everything he showed me was nice. However, I finally got my key and can now hand Sallaron the iron over G’ork and I mined for him the other day so I can eventually settle for the trade. I just need to contact Sall first and let him know I got everything he’s asking for. I just hope he’s alright. I still suffer from Trouble’s passing and I was merely in love with him but for Sallaron? Well it was his son. It must have hurt badly. Some wounds just never seem to heal.
The trip with G’ork went very well. I assisted G’ork a little; not that he really was in need of my help down there, but I love travelling around with G’ork and apparently he likes me travelling with him as well, besides we share the same opinion about most issues. However, I managed to help him and did well. I knocked down our opponents and launched attacks at their weak spots. After we got back to his house I bought a very nice and useful helmet of him. It was rather expensive to me but then I needed it dearly. It will protect me better than the one I used to wear before so I simply sold it to a pawn-shop afterwards.
I had a lot of good practice lately together with G’ork or with Maran and Fleur. During all our explorations I finally figured out how to improve my knocking-down and how to evade certain spells casters throw after me, mostly in the desert. It took me quite some effort to sharpen my reflexes that way so I could easily evade any incoming fireballs or flame-arrows in the desert on Dregar. It took me even more effort to find a way to knock my opponents down more effectively but I finally managed. G’ork helped me a little with it as well which I am quite proud of. I think G’ork has many enemies or those who want to see him dead and therefore keeps mostly to himself. It might be a result of his past as well but without it he wouldn’t be who is now though. I am just glad I got to know G’ork. The talk we had up in the mountains certainly helped me to understand his views as well. It is good to know about his past and I freely shared mine as well. I cannot help it but I enjoy travelling around with him and I know he cares for me as well. He is like the big brother I never had in my entire life.
It fills me with joy and grief if I travel around with Maran these days, seeing he becomes more and more like Trouble with his skills. He managed to figure out how to cast a Stonehold and warded me just like Trouble did earlier and then we stormed a camp of giants in the Forest of Fogs. I am not entirely sure whether to like or hate it. I sometimes don’t see Maran in front of me but Trouble. As much as I like travelling around with him, I just hate that he is like Trouble more or less. I just don’t know, but it is confusing as I only see Maran as a friend and am not in love with him as I was with Trouble. Someone must really hate me for torturing me this way.
Anyways, I just came back from a very interesting exploration with G’ork. Actually I was just buying some supplies in Dalanthar when a disguised G’ork showed up and motioned me to follow him and naturally I did. I still have to giggle when I think about him in his disguise. White doesn’t suit him at all. It looks ugly on him. Well it would look ugly on me as well but I had to agree with him that it is a perfect color for a disguise. Someone headed over a head to the Authorities in Western Gate and they thought it was him. When I heard about the rumors I had to snicker. No one beheads G’ork easily. He’s too strong for this to happen and I somehow knew someone was playing a prank to the authorities or so. So in no way it was surprising to see G’ork around and still breathing, with his head where it belonged. Together with G’ork I explored a hideout of some bandits in a valley close to the Thunder Peaks. I have to admit they were very tough and not easy to defeat. It was easy to aim for the half-orcs and bigger bandits but the Halflings were pretty limber and hart to hit, not to mention I never succeeded in knocking them down. I proved that I could handle it though when I had to face them one by one. With G’ork I continued by training there as well. He helped me by knocking them down and left the rest to me. Naturally they clambered back to their feet before I defeated them. It was a nice and entertaining exploration and I am already looking forward to explore even more places with G’ork. G’ork told me I should work on my timing and speed though. Well I won’t learn anything over night and therefore make slow steps but eventually I’ll manage to improve myself. Right now I am looking for a way to leap to my opponent and strike him down, using a moment of surprise. The thing is that I am not that good at hiding and they usually see me so I cannot use that moment anymore. Sneaking up on them got hard over the years as I did not focus on being more stealthy but more deadly with my rapier. I am already practicing on this new technique and I should better ask Angela, my mentor, for some tricks how to manage something like that, given she knows such a technique but I am pretty sure about it. It’ll probably a rough training but I’ll live. I already survived Arngrim’s training and that was hard but hey, I still live, don’t I?
I just wish I had some more True in my pockets so I could purchase a fine rapier made out of adamantium. It is such a balanced and deadly blade but sadly I cannot afford one at the moment. I need to save some money and ask G’ork if he has one for sale. Else I will simply ask one of the guilds which reside in Port Hempstead.
Anyway, I should be on my way to Port Hempstead again and look out for Sallaron. After all G’ork wanted me to leave him a message. Reminds me that G’ork might have a task for me. He did not tell me what it was about but I will certainly do it. Well, we will see...
*With a wicked grin Phyress grabs her stuff and heads out of Dalanthar, towards Hurm.*
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« on: December 16, 2008, 03:20:31 pm »
Happy B-Day!
220
« on: December 10, 2008, 01:34:50 pm »
*With a sigh Phyress takes out her journal again and slumps down against a tree in Katherian. She eyes her rapier lying on the ground next to her and runs a finger about the back of its blade. Glancing to her journal she takes out her quill and ink and starts writing a new entry on a blank page.*
-Threas, Mar 26, 1442-
The past few weeks have been very confusing. Not only because I still suffer from Trouble’s death, but because some things happened I did not really expect to happen. Maybe it is Katherian itself, I don’t really know but on one day I had two rather odd encounters. The first one was about Maran. Apparently Maran was about to visit the temple of Xeen in Katherian and was very surprised when I sneaked up behind him and my hand slid around his waist. What makes me wonder is that his head did not explode. It was just redder than anything I’ve ever seen before in my life. It was as red as the red on my armor. He was very surprised by me being there and he stammered like every word, trying to find excuses why he was inside the temple. I don’t know his true intentions behind it and to be honest, I don’t care. I only know that girls avoided him in the past because of his bad leg. Maybe something else happened in his past as well but I never really bothered to ask him about it. I don’t but I don’t see any problems with him visiting the temple. Many do. Therefore I don’t really understand why he is trying to hide it. However, I agreed on not telling anyone about it. I will only tell if he gives my little secret away. Maran thought that Trouble and I were a couple. I told him that I refused him once as he did not love me. What made things more interesting is that Snagnor saw us talking in front of the temple and as we reached the docks again he started teasing Maran about visiting the temple and Maran already started blushing again. I told Snagnor that Maran was with me and therefore did not visit the temple. I know, it is a blatant lie but then he really was with me.
However, recently rumors were spreading around about a captured ship by some pirates close to the shore of Katherian. The ship carried loads of grain. The owner, someone called Arkolio, offered 20.000 for bringing the pirates to justice. At the docks we saw a mercenary who was going to hand us over 10.000 True. He would keep the other 10.000 and hand us over the information we’d need to get to their hideout. Mor, Maran, Snagnor, Mel and some others were there as well. Among them were three Toranites. They called themselves “Road Wardens”. I don’t know but I had a bad feeling about them from the beginning. Always saluting their commander or however they call the one in charge of their little group of just three. To be honest, I would not even let them guard a dead rat. The captain wanted to make one of us the sergeant and therefore leader of the little investigation. My name shortly fell, but it seems I have to work on my reputation. One heard my name and was like “Phyress? Hell no!” However, the captain decided to make me responsible for this mission. I was in command and I felt flattered. It is good to know that there are some who trust me enough to hear my orders and want me as their sergeant. Those who know me know that I am not a bad person at all and are capable of leading a little group. However, the Toranites did not agree on the vote and if the captain made one of them the spokesperson the trip would have ended nasty and with a failure.
We soon left Katherian and sailed to the Dragon Chain. I briefed a little with the captain and gave commands to my team. We were going to sail to the shore in cover of the night with just a rowboat. Apparently there was going to be a meeting of pirates to trade the grain for True. While I was still waiting for the right moment to let the rowboat down and sail to the shore, bubbles were seen on one side of the ship and immediately after we found ourselves in a battle fighting odd creatures of the sea. It was a tough fight but the two of us did well. Luckily the captain had a priest aboard so we were able to raise them again. Shortly after we made our way to the island.
On the island the Toranites started to become our greatest worry, despite snakes and pirates. It felt like they wanted to blow up our cover or were even working together with the pirates. I was in charge of the exploration and they did not seem to bother ignoring my tactics and explorations. I sent Snagnor to scout ahead. All of a sudden I saw three Toranites running around, “securing” the area and shouting “area secured” to each other. I mean why bother scouting the island while you have three Toranites in your team who were about to blow up everything? Most of us simply ignored them and I wished them dead. Or arrange a trade. Grain for those three Toranites. I fear we’d have had to pay them for taking them tough. They were just a burden. Snagnor found out that there were two pirates agreeing on the exchange and we went after them. I tried to be all diplomatic and offer them a great trade but they simply attacked. We managed to defeat them, though. We managed to capture and tie one pirate up before he left with a ship. It was senseless arguing with him as I already had a headache from the three Toranites so I let Mor talk to them. As a follower of Rofirein he’s better at all this law-stuff anyways. The pirate demanded on his high-seas-right or something like that so I ordered to untie him. He tried to flee and Snagnor simply shot him. I did not care if he was dead or alive at that moment. I only thought about getting rid of the Toranites and do us all a huge favor. I’d have gotten a monument by doing it. However, we soon found another group or pirates and I sneaked up on their ship to secure it. In the meantime someone opened the battle. I found the ship empty but after we successfully defeated the pirates we found the first sacks of grain and also some tracks of sacks leading farther in. I ordered the three Toranites to secure the ship and stay there so it stays that way. Shortly after we had the burden with us again. Someone of us if the ship was secure and it was reported that our crew on the ship secured the other ship. Farther on the island we found another small hideout of the pirates. Actually there were three groups so I divided my team into three. Everyone taking care of one group. The Toranites were responsible for the archers in the middle. Seeing everything was settled, I launched attack. As I feared it did not go smoothly. No wonder when no one was attacking the archers and joined battle after we were more or less done with them all. Because of their ignorance some of us might have died and that I cannot stand. I was their leader and they had to obey my orders. They simply acted like saboteurs or like they were working in line with the pirates. However, we found more sacks of grain and dragged it all to the small pirate ship we secured and made our way back to Katherian where we handed the grain over to its rightful owner, along with the ship. I really should have left the Toranites on the isle. Not that it is really the effort but maybe I will report the actions of these three Toranites to their church. They don’t really act like Toranites. Their actions are even more chaotic than mine.
I am just glad that the trip is over and won’t see the burden again for some time. Well, I hope I won’t have another encounter with them at all. And if I do, then G’ork will be with me. I really wished G’ork would have been with us. He knows how to deal with such a burden. Besides that I really love to travel around with him.
Speaking about it, I met G’ork prior to this little chaotic exploration at Corax Lake again. The sneaky bugger simply showed up right behind me and surprised me. G’ork was just passing through and on his search for some herbs. He asked me if I want to tag along and I did not mind at all and told him that I would love to. I cannot help it but I like fighting with him back to back. I know he’s way better with his double-axe than I am with my rapier. He truly mastered his chosen weapon which is apparently the double-axe. He swings it very skillful and sometimes his opponents make the mistake and run right into one of the axes. Well, it is their own fault and it is either them or him. And I don’t want anyone to kill G’ork. I already lost Trouble; I don’t want to lose G’ork as well now as we get along just great. He just takes me as I am and doesn’t curse my name like some others do. I asked him if he was willing to show me some tricks and tactics along our journeys and he agreed to it. I got my first lesson when I had to practice some sword-techniques against a colossal scorpion. It took me quite some effort and time to eventually defeat it, but I lived. Even though I am a weakling compared to him he doesn’t mind me around at all and I love him being around him. All in all it was a very interesting journey and I had a little more insight to his past and also learned something about orcs and dwarves. Unfortunately he had to leave as soon as we reached Dalanthar. I would have loved to travel with him a little further but I know we will in near future and I am really looking forward to it.
I don’t know, but right now I am very confused again. If I just knew why?
*With a heavy sigh Phyress shuts her journal and wraps her arms around herself, staring into the sky with tears in her eyes as the night falls over Katherian.*
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