Kyra Sief al Kiraan's page

Hello Kyra. Thank you for gracing us with your prsence to answear our humble questions. You are truely the light of the clensing fire.

If you have the time to answear these question I would be most appricative.

1) How did you find your faith in Sarenrae?

2) what do you think of Calistria?

3) Have you ever felt there is a moment where you felt your goddess's aid more than just spells?

4) Have you faith ever been tested...and how did you find the strength to rsist?

Thank you again for taking the time to answear these questions.

1) I am told that if you click on my name, much of my story is told there.

2) I think Calistria is the perfect choice of goddess for Merisiel.

3) Yes, there have been moments. Those moments touch my soul and strengthen my faith.

4) My faith is tested each and every day. I know you desire some harrowing tale, but honestly putting up with Valeros and Merisiel on a day-to-day basis...very trying.

Is the taboo against lying the most challenging aspect of being a cleric of Sarenrae?

The Sarenraean cleric in our CotCT game seems to have wrestled with that more than anything else, whether to ensure the safety of others or to spare others pain, but he's managed to stay honest as hard as it is.

Also, how do you feel about Alahazra possibly lumping Sarenrae and Asmodeus together in the same pantheistic category?

Some feel that they must be completely honest...(shrug) I prefer bluntness. The Dawnflower does not say that one cannot lie...it is the INTENT of the lie that is of question here. If for selfish or evil reasons...then it should not be told.

Alahazra is a fascinating person. She has stated her thoughts. I disagree. It moves no further.

Kyra Sief al Kiraan wrote:

I know nothing of you. However, if your heart is true and good, and you follow the tenets written in The Birth of Light and Truth, then there is always hope that our destinies may one day cross.

Do you consider being an assassin and partially undead(father was a vampire...very long story) having a good heart?

Do you like my neckless? *shows kyra the neckless of tongues* its made of keepsakes from all my victims so they don't die in vain and will always be remembered.

I suggest you stay over 30 feet away from me then.....

So what happened in that tub with Valeros that sent you guys running anyway?

What always happens...Valeros crossed the line into boorishness. To offend Merisiel takes a TRUE "talent".

By the way, the assassin was not immune to fire. And I'm still looking for the peeping artist....

A problem I ran into a while back, that still troubles me, is what does a follower of The Everlight do when confronted with a remorseful Undead? While adventuring, we came across a Vampire whose master had been destroyed, and now had free will ... and desperately wanted to be returned to true Life.

Eventually my companions and the vampire decided that the safest way to restore her to life was to take her to the nearest temple and have the clerics end her life, then revive her as a living person once again.

Unfortunately, when we took her to the nearest temple, a Shrine to the Dawnflower, the local Head Priest was more than happy to mercifully kill the Vampire, but then refused to raise her to true life, even going so far as to threaten us with a public trial for consorting with the Undead.

Was there more that we could have done to save this unfortunate? Was the priest going too far to punish someone already damned for another's sin?

Unfortunately, the Undead are often considered beyond redemption. That this particular one submitted to true death....I am saddened that a brother of the Faith could not look past his fear to the true action The Everlight demanded of him.

What? WHAT MERISIEL??? Oh, alright!

:(

What is the most annoying time where you were asked to heal someone?

How do you put up with your party members when personalities conflict?

What is the coolest thing you have ever seen?

Usually right after Merisiel throws herself into trouble and runs back to me in the middle of a spell I'm casting, asking for healing NOW.

I ask Amiri to "sort it out".

Irrisen. So cold there....oh. "cool" Your language is so strange. I have seen many things....catching a glimpse of Bryla once was a sight to behold....

By the Dawnflower, don't you people have things to do???

Beyond prayer, are there any daily rituals or obediences you must follow as part of your religion?

You seem a bit high-strung. Are there any companions that frustrate you on a regular basis (more so than the others, that is)?

How much significance is attached to your scimitar? Would you insist on using it when another weapon proves more effective, and are their any functions that you deem as too base for use of your scimitar?

Did you forge a runeforged weapon in the Runeforge? If so, which sins was it tied to?

Where'd you get that fancy helmet?

While it is not a required ritual, some of the priests and priestesses in Katheer would dance beneath the high-noon sun. If I find myself with a moment during this time, I often repeat the dance moves. It lightens my heart in celebration of my goddess.

High-strung? If being responsible and keeping everyone alive means I am high strung...so be it. Merisiel is a task, for sure. Valeros is much better when he is sober...which does not happen until about the 3rd day we are away from town. Ezren....has no people skills.

I am not beholden to my goddesses' chosen weapon, no. I use whatever is most effective...which is usually my scimitar. My scimitar is my weapon, and it will not open bottles no matter how many times Valeros asks.

I did not forge a runeforged weapon. Valeros got the only one. I found that possessing a weapon bathed in sins highly undesirable. Valeros though it "neat".

And now Merisiel says that I am not coming across as "fun and playful".

Good.

And now Merisiel wants me to add strange symbols to the end of my sentences....

;-)

No. NO, Merisiel, NO!!

(facepalm)

Based on the great success of the Ask Merisiel thread and the fact that Merisiel said that the other iconic's might like having threads of their own I thought I would start this off. I make no guarantee your questions will be answered though Kyra is a very busy lady.

Kyra what is your your favorite part about being an Iconic?

Who is your favorite traveling companion and why?

Would you consider adding me on as one of your companions?

Spreading the words and faith of the Healing Flame, and destroying the Evil in the world that diminishes the Light....of course.

I have no chosen favorite. If I must say something, I would say that my favorite companion is the one that needs my help the most. That said, I do enjoy the company of Amiri. She is a strong woman, yet very spiritual in a way. I am not entirely sure what this "shaman" is that she often calls me, though. I also enjoy my talks with Seelah....

I know nothing of you. However, if your heart is true and good, and you follow the tenets written in The Birth of Light and Truth, then there is always hope that our destinies may one day cross.

(sigh) By the Light of the Dawn, that crazy elf has dragged me into her little party....

As you say, I am a rather busy woman, as someone has to continue the working about here. narrows eyes at Merisiel

I will attempt to answer those questions that I see as respectful and thoughtful. Please do not make me repeat that. I do not answer such questions from Valeros, so why would I answer complete strangers?

Follow these rules, and the Everlight bless you. Ignore them, and face a very painful sunburn at the very least.

HalfOrcHeavyMetal wrote:

Why are you so focused upon Kyra (without getting to heavy into the details, given some of the shenani ... shamanee ... thingies that have been going on around here lately) and was there a specific incident that sparked this?

She's mysterious and intriguing and heals my wounds and has a sexy accent.

Raises eyebrow

Ahem.

"The fault in Galt is mainly too much salt."

"The gore in Taldor stays mainly on the floor."

And DON'T expect me to break out into song, either.

The Guardian Beyond Beyond wrote:

Merisiel Sillvari wrote:

The Guardian Beyond Beyond wrote:

So Merisiel, among the iconics which of the following types of romantic relationships would each of you be willing to pursue:

a)Monogamous
b)Polygamous
c)Polyamorous

Monogamy is booooooring.

Polygamy is too much responsibility.

C, all the way, in other words!

Is that just you or does that apply to all the rest of the Iconics as well? Because that surprised me if you are including a certain cleric and paladin.

Just me, really. Well... maybe Valeros and Lem too. Maybe Lini also. And eventually Kyra. MARK MY WORDS.

What did I tell you people? STOP. ENCOURAGING. HER.

Imagine your animal companion or familiar or eidolon really excitable...and hasted.

Now, give it some knives, ADHD, and the attention span of a bird.

That's Merisiel, basically.

And now you are feeding her "cheesecake"....stop it!

If you could spend one night alone with any of your companions who would it be and what would you do?

By the Light of the Dawn, people, STOP encouraging her! I have enough problems keeping Valeros in line...

Best part about Kyra's healing magic? They're touch spells, and she's too kind-hearted to NOT heal someone who's actually hurt.

Aw, yeah.

facepalm

And here I thought only Valeros did that....

Beckett wrote:

How's Kyra these days?

Still kinda a stick in the mud, but she's getting better at it. Slowly. Operation "loosen up the cute cleric" continues into its fourth year, in other words.

Raises eyebrow

And it will continue for a fifth year, Miss "First-through-the-door-first-yelling-for-healing".

(sigh) *facepalm*

It was still gross. But when I slapped it against Ezren's ass and he thought he was having another episode, that was pretty funny.

This humble servant of Sarenrae would point out that such a 'service' would require a....tithe of a generous amount to cleanse the mine of tainted evil spirits.

That is, if this humble servant of Sarenrae is not busy stemming off an uprising of unhappy citizens.

Your "highness" will understand, of course.....

(sigh) By the Light of the Dawnflower....Sarenrae, give me the strength....

8 – Neth

This day, the light of Sarenrae conquered evil. This day, we put a great evil to rest.

I will attempt to put today’s events into words…..

After rising, and praying to the Dawnflower, my companions and I returned to the lower level of the crypt again. It was important to note that the fragments of the head we found outside the door during the night were no longer there. Nor were the re-forming undead that we cast into the pit of the “room with a thousand arrows”. Long, smeared trails of blood led down the stairs and to the portcullis…and through it.

We returned to the watery room with the wheel, where Valeros and Amiri set to raising the porticullis, and then doubled back to the now open gateway. Valeros and Merisiel both cautioned us to not look into the pool in that room, but Ezren could not keep himself from doing so. Unfortunate. His screaming managed to frighten every bat in the crypt, and they poured through the doorway towards us. Merisiel and Amiri dropped to the floor and covered themselves, while Valeros stood fast. I quickly retreated around the corner into the next room, hoping that the swarm would fly past and out of the crypt.

I was mistaken.

A cloud of bats began attacking us, biting us with dozens of small bites that kept bleeding. Fearing for my companions, mostly Valeros and Merisiel, since they seem to be unable to avoid trouble, I made my way back into the room, and closed the door on part of the swarm. Turning, I saw that they had killed many bats, and were heavily bleeding from many bites. A quick release of Sarenrae’s healing power halted the bleeding, and I expended more of my healing wand’s charges to treat our wounds. Someone eventually retrieved Ezren, and we proceeded deeper into the crypt.

We next entered a room to two large statues of guards at the other end. Two very deep pits were to the right and left, with a passage running between them. Again, Valeros bellowed out his challenge (to whom I am never sure…perhaps he likes to hear his own voice?), and both he and Merisiel strode forward. At this, the statues rapidly rolled forward to meet them. Merisiel managed to scramble backwards and avoid being knocked into a pit, but Valeros……Valeros did not. He fell a great distance. As the statues began to roll back to re-set, the rest of us quickly followed them, and Merisiel quickly disabled them. After hauling a battered Valeros out of the pit, and healing him once again, we continued on.

Stepping into Kassen’s tomb chamber, we noticed at once the still form of a blonde-haired woman lying next to Kassen’s tomb, presumably Roldare’s sister Demura. A rasping voice called to us, and a mail-clad skeleton stepped forward to challenge us, threatening to join our slain bodies to his army of undead. Merisiel sprinted forward to attack, but found that the skeleton warrior had merely been waiting for such an action. With his reforming zombie minions emerging from the shadows of the crypt to charge us, she quickly fell to the undead warrior’s blade, and the zombie’s claws.

I prayed for the Everlight to bless our actions, and called the Healing Flame to pour through me, sending wave after wave against the undead. Some crackled and fell, but others continued their attacks. Their master seemed to be little affected by the Healing Flames, and soon ran his sword through Valeros as well. As Ezren and Amiri continued their fight against the undead, I focused another burst of the Healing Flame to aid my companions, and Valeros stumbled to his feet. Amiri, in her rage, struck a mighty blow against the skeleton warrior, only to see it fall short – stopped by the remnants of a gold chain hanging around its neck. Just as a zombie reached out to attack me, Valeros sprinted forward to knock it into the deep pit that he himself had fallen into. I then noticed Amiri fall to the skeleton warrior. Valeros ran up to attack, keeping the warrior's attentions off of me. Seeing my opening, I recited my last spell, one of healing, and laid the healing touch of Sarenrae upon the skeleton. Unable to resist the power of the Healing Flame, it finally crumbled to dust.

With the battle concluded, I rebuked death from all my downed companions, and from Demura as well. Upon the examination of Kassen’s remains, the ghost of Kassen himself appeared to us. We explained to him what had happened, and he imparted to us the story of himself and his friend, the skeleton warrior. It was a sad tale of a discovered treasure, and the greed, lies, and conflict it caused. It gratitude, Kassen’s ghost bestowed gifts upon each of us, and also requested from us that we retrieve a lost amulet that was stolen from his remains, one which serves as part of a key to this treasure horde. If the treasure is found again, the thieves who stole it would have immeasurable wealth to fund their pursuits.

That said, we did find one other thing in the crypt. Next to the skeleton warrior’s coffin was a recent corpse; one that was clothed in the strange garb we saw on the other corpses of what we had surmised as the bandits that raided this crypt. Only, this one was wearing an iron mask. I have seen masks of this type before…this was a follower of the Living God, Razmir.

It appears that Sarenrae has issued me another test.

7 – Neth

Upon defeating the skeletons that arose from the waters, we considered our conditions, and found that most of us had been injured seriously enough to require healing. All eyes turned to me, but all of the holy power that Sarenrae grants me each day had been used against the undead threats. And the frogs. Can’t forget about the giant man-eating frogs. Merisiel won’t let me; she keeps playing with the tongue she took.

We retreated to partake of the healing waters of the fountain on the lower level. Ezren and I drank our fill first, and we found ourselves instantly refreshed and healed. Valeros and Merisiel tried once again to get the healing waters to work…and amazingly found themselves healed as well, although Valeros’s ugly yellow boil did not go away. Having exhausted our spells and my gifts from the Everlight, the group decided to return to the upper level and rest in the room with Roldare. Valeros immediately began drinking his brandy, and well into his drinking session, he began recounting his favorite gods and goddesses, listing them by importance to him. As has been typical of his drunken and arrogant ways, Sarenrae continued to slip in importance the more he drank. I immediately pointed out that I could easily exclude him from the healing bursts of the Everlight if he thought so little of my goddess, but, in hindsight, it just let him know that I was still paying attention to him. Such an ego on that one!

Feeling somewhat secure in the small resting room, we all retired, not setting a watch. There was little need, as Roldare makes a quite adequate alarm with his hysterical screaming. Creeping out from under the barricade against the door was a growing pool of blood. Valeros, in his hungover bravado, started yelling out challenges, and Amiri and Merisiel argued about who got to beat Roldare down to quiet him. I attempted to calm the poor man, but Amiri found more success in shouting him down into a corner. Clearing the doorway, we found the pooling blood and a disembodied head that was slowly trying to make its way to Valeros’s foot to gnaw on it, I suppose. After bashing it into a pulp, Valeros discovered whisps of blonde hair…which set Roldare off terribly. With no other sign of danger, we closed the door back up, barricaded it, and returned to rest.

The Iconics are remaining in the book to illustrate the classes section, yes. The new art will feature the iconics heavily.

As it should be...by the glory of the Everlight, I shall represent!

7 – Neth

I pause to scribe this entry after a day of dangers and near death. We have taken our rest in a sanctuary of sorts on the lower level, complete with fountain. Its soft burbling is relaxing to listen to, in sharp contrast to the rest of this level.

This morning I awoke to stand watch and greet the Rays of the Everlight in humble prayer. Upon completion of my morning prayers, I felt the wisdom of the Dawnflower settle upon me, bestowing more healing powers, the touch of the flame, and the will to harness more of Her Holy Might. For our first order of the day, we set upon the task of revealing the nature of our gifts found in the room beyond the wood statue. The townsfolk gifted me with a wand of healing, and a scroll of restoration...which I immediately used upon Valeros to counter some the shadow's damage. Amiri was quite pleased her item, a new large sword of fine quality. I examined two potions for Valeros, but he seemed disappointed that they were not more of the brandy that he immediately drank yesterday. Ezren received a wand as well, but has been quite angry with it. What is new?

We set out towards the wooden statue’s room again, to try an unopened door. We all expected to encounter the “room with a thousand arrows” as Roldare (he corrected me this morning on my spelling) calls it. This was that room. Valeros and Amiri hefted the giant shields as Merisiel and I hid behind them. I, unfortunately, do not hide as well as I wish, for I was struck many times by padded bolts spewing forth from a giant column in the middle of the room, bruising me so much that I still suffer from them tonight. We made it to the other door, which Merisiel opened and Valeros, Merisiel, and myself went through it while Amiri went back to escort Erzen to us. No sooner had Merisiel cleared the threshold, she was rushing down the hallway into the room beyond. And for her impatience, she was greeted by the undead.

These undead were an unholy variation I had not encountered in my training and studies. They reform. The Everlight itself cannot halt their recovery, and I cannot recall anything in my training that can stop the pieces from coming together. Together our party broke them down, but even before our eyes, they began to reform. I suggested we move their parts into the pit in the arrowed room, which had now gone silent after loosing its final missile. After this, we continued down the stairs to the lower level.

Here we came upon a pedestal that directed us three ways. Forward for refreshment. To the left to lift a gate. Right to Kassen’s tomb. Merisiel and Valeros, of course, opted for refreshment first. We came upon this room, with resting benches and a fountain. Merisiel immediately drank from it, and exclaimed with delight that the waters had restorative properties. Actually, I think she said, “Yummy.” Not to let an opportunity go unwasted, Valeros drank as well. Amiri and I declined, anticipating a great need for such a gift later on. Ezren mumbled about hating all of us.

From here, we proceeded to follow the impatient two-some into the tomb area. Strangely, no bodies were interred here, but a horrid stench was everywhere. I gave Sarenrae’s gift of resistance to all to counter the foul smell, but in doing so, failed to see the pus-filled zombies approach. Valeros and Merisiel fought bravely enough, but Valeros succumbed to one too many attacks. I was able to see, thanks to my training at the temple, that these undead were plagueborne, and Valeros had taken the plague as well. Curse that man and his gluttony!! The waters he so freely drank without a thought could be his only salvation! He, of course, took this development in stride. Sarenrae help us all….

The others found a backpack filled with recent coinage from some neighboring land, and a notice of employment and a map to this crypt. I think they found a curative potion as well. I know not. They seem to keep these things from me now, as I believe they waste them in panic. The Two-Some ran off to another room to check the gate, and Merisiel came shrieking back and ran past us. Perhaps, by the Dawnflower’s grace, she is beginning to learn that being first is not the best course. I can only hope. Valeros explained that a pool in the next room is cursed, and shows horrible images of yourself rotting away. He also confirmed that the gate is locked, and that thousands of bats are beyond it. We all quietly retreated…why I know not. Merisiel screamed enough for all of us.

Amiri found Merisiel cowering under a bench in the fountain room, and after a bit, we continued to the next area which was filled with water. One room was filled with water, with strangely scorched bodies of rats and a body. Bright blue fungi hung from the walls and ceiling. The fungus made everyone uneasy, so we tried the other door, swollen and wet. We all feared that a great amount of water was behind this door, pressing it outward, so Valeros rigged up some rope and twine, and pulled at the door from a distance. All for not, as the door collapsed in a rotted mess. Within, we came upon three enormous frogs and their nests. Valeros set out to attack the nearest, which promptly wrapped its tongue about him and pulled him into its mouth for a meal. I shot one frog squarely on, while Amiri attacked the third. Ezren and Merisiel fought as well, but Valeros went down…AGAIN. Merisiel pulled him above the water, and Amiri severed its tongue, freeing Valeros. I moved in to rebuke death from his body, and set to work to finish the frogs with Amiri and Ezren.

Turning back, I saw Valeros stand, looking far better than he should have (another potion I suspect), and he reentered the fray. Once the frogs were dead, we searched the nests to find half a body and more of the current coinage. These victims appear to be of the same group, not from Kassen. Looters then?

Valeros continued on to the other room with Merisiel close at his heels. Within the room is a large wheel at the other end, presumably to open the gate. Valeros strutted across the room, and then…promptly sank beneath the water! At the same time, a gang of skeletons rose from the water, and surrounded Merisiel. She attacked but could do little against them with her daggers. I then called upon the Might of Sarenrae, and her holy energy burst from me to destroy three of them. This gave Merisiel a chance to retreat behind me, and I stepped forward to beat the next one down. Amiri came up behind me, eager to fight, enough so that she started throwing rocks at the skeletons. I bashed the opposing skeleton aside, and she rushed through to defeat the final one.

And at this, Valeros crawled out from the waters, smiled his smarmy smile, and said, “Hello, ladies.” He seems awfully sure of himself for a man with a yellow boil starting up on his arm.

Sarenrae protect us all.

6 – Neth

This is the accounting of our second day in the crypt of Kassen, and possibly the most harrowing experience on my siyahat since the faith barges of Xer stopped the ship I was upon and I was forced to hide in a smuggler’s compartment by the good Captain Hervaths. Sarenrae certainly tested my resolve this day!

We began the day in the small resting room with Roldair. He continued to tell us what he could about the traps and puzzles laid out for us. Much of it was cryptic… “Magic is the Key!!” and “You must have the shields!” Yet, his words benefited us greatly. And he graciously gifted me with his finely-made crossbow as we left. The others mock him, but even in his shock and misery, he knows which side the Light is upon. The others…I am not so sure. Valeros is so full of himself he forgets the danger. Merisiel is overrun with curiosity and impulsiveness. Ezren is a bitter pill, full of hatred to any who may diminish him. And Amiri seems to be carrying a weight heavier than her oversized sword, so much that she could fall full in or else on her backside. I can only imagine what they think of me!

Our first venture today was to return to the front, and enter a side room with a very deep pool. At the bottom were hundreds of keys. But which one? Ah, MAGIC is the key! Calling upon the rays of the Dawnflower, all magic was revealed to mine eyes, and there it was! Yet, the water in this pool was deeper than the deepest cistern I have ever seen. All looked to me to dive in, yet that is something so strange and unknown to me that I quickly refused. At this, Valeros removed his armor and clothing to dive in. Out of respect, I averted my gaze…partially. He may be a drunken blowhard, but he is a well-built and handsome drunken blowhard. After some discussion, which involved him standing WAY too close, I was able to direct him to the key’s location, and he dove down and scooped up the keys in the area. I quickly selected our key from the batch, and we proceeded. To a hallway with warrior statues wielding pillow-padded swords.

Merisiel took the opportunity to show off some, diligently searching the hallway for traps. Upon finding one, she quickly disabled it, and then spent more than several minutes trying to figure out how to remove it and take it with her! She quickly became bored with that idea and raced off to the next room, which contained a giant wooden statue of Kassen himself, holding two enormous shields, which were labeled “Home” and “Family”. As I moved up to call upon Sarenrae’s grace to grant me the magic sight again, Merisiel spied a door off to the statue’s left and rushed off to open it, when the giant lurched toward her and slammed a shield into her.

By the rays of the sun, what is wrong with that elf?!?

The others rushed up to hack at the wooden statue, but were largely unsuccessful. I again moved up to grant the blessing of the Dawnflower upon the group, but was quickly bashed down by the giant’s large shields…”Home” I believe…and lost Her blessing. I quickly stepped out of reach to regroup, when that fool of a mage decided to call a fog into the room making it impossible to see ANYTHING. Shouts and cries from my allies told me all was about to be lost. I was suddenly joined by Merisiel, who pathetically looked at me for healing. Which I ignored. Calling upon the Everlight’s favor, I trilled a priestess’s battlecry and rushed the wooden statue. Bringing all Her glory to the battle, I chopped the wood from the giant, causing it to falter long enough for one of my companions to finish it…just as the fog lifted.

That old man still needs to learn a thing or two from his master.

In an adjoining room, we found a table with items for each of us. I received a wand and a divine scroll, which I will need to pray upon for enlightenment in the morning to discover their purpose. The statue’s shields were taken, as was advised by Roldair. From there we proceeded back to the resting room to regroup, as the battle was won, but we were weary.

Or so I thought. Merisiel apparently cannot resist a closed door. Valeros apparently cannot let the elf go off to her death due to her curiosity. So the two tromped off to a room thick with burning smoke from a pit filled with gear and…remains. As I looked on, a shadow reached out and grabbed Valeros, visibly weakening him before my eyes. Merisiel and Valeros stabbed and slashed at the shadow to no avail, so I felt deep within that the Everlight’s Presence was needed more than ever. Pushing an unusually fearful Amiri out of the way, I stood firm as wave after wave pulsed from me, doing some, but not enough damage to the shadow creature. Valeros continued to weaken, and Merisiel, somehow in the middle of the fight, managed to find a strange dagger in the fire pit that was unharmed by the flames. Using this, she managed to do some ill toward the shadow, and Valeros and I assisted her in defeating it. But…not without cost. Both Valeros and Merisiel are quite weak from the shadow’s touch, and we now rest in the room again with Roldair. I must now pray for further guidance from my goddess to help in meeting the trials that face us on the ‘morrow.

5 – Neth (evening)

I sit in a small room in the crypt of the Everflame as I write this day’s accounting for later reflection…it has been a day that fully tested my resolve and the teachings I have learned. Sarenrae has been…thorough in this test.

Shortly after my embarrassing fall, we approached the opening of what we believed to be the crypt’s entrance. Amiri noted that dead or sleeping animals were near the entrance, and Merisiel, compelled as always by her impulsive nature, flitted off up the hill to steal the first look. It is that way with her, to be awwal, first. Valeros took this opportunity to overcome his intoxication, finally, and seemed utterly bewildered that he was not in the town. He quickly applied a thick layer of bravado to hide this, though, and marched up the hill to investigate.

We found 2 horses and a number of younger ones savaged at the entrance. The others pointed out the brandings and quality of the horses (Ezren was quite emphatic about the estimated value on the horses, despite the fact that they were dead and, essentially, worthless) that suggested their origins were from Kassen. I spied a backpack in the bushes that revealed limited supplies and -pillows? Merisiel again seemed quite upset that I had found something she had not. After much discussion about the dead animals, we all noticed that Merisiel, unable to open the doors, had begun to dismantle them, and in her haste had jammed one. Valeros attempted to use his strength, and I attempted to bestow the guidance of Sarenrae upon him to assist him, but instead he used his bravado and promptly vomited in the bushes. Amiri seemed quite amused by his weakness, and easily opened the doors.

We entered the crypt (Merisiel first, of course) to find bones upon bones littering the floor, with the bloody remains of two persons at the far end of the first room. I moved to the center of the room to search for signs of nearby magic, hoping that this, too, was an illusion meant to shock or scare us. Unfortunately, as Ezren disturbed the bones, they assembled with the power of evil and set upon us. The others leapt into battle, and Valeros was overcome. I prayed for the Everlight and the Healing Flame to pour through me, cleansing the dead from this place. Sarenrae granted me this, and 4 skeletons collapsed. I took this respite to kneel down and rebuke death from claiming Valeros. Holding the final skeletons back with my shield, Ezren began to bark orders about some “Apprentice Hand”. The effect was a flying club that pounded the remaining two skeletons to shards. Ezren appears to enjoy ordering something around.

Quickly regrouping, Valeros took the opportunity to drink the healing potion given to us by the townsfolk, ignoring my offers to heal him with the Healing Flame. I suspect he did this out of habit, downing the first bottled liquid in sight. As I laid the slain to rest in the ways taught to me, Merisiel became genuinely disturbed, as her keen elven ears picked up the wailing and crying of a person. And she was off. We all quickly followed, coming into a large maze-like room. It was quickly apparent that this room was full of trap pits…lined with pillows. Ah, the cleverness of the townfolk would be thoroughly appreciated, if not for the gruesome turn of events. I again bestowed the guidance of the Dawnflower upon each of them as we moved towards the wailing.

Merisiel was the first to come upon a lever, and was first to pull it. Amiri and Valeros seemed shocked by this. I fully expected it. As it came to pass, this lever was one of three located along the three far walls, each opening a bolt on a door from where the wailing sound was coming. With some cooperation I thought not possible by this group, we managed to open the door. Again, if not for the real sense of death here, I would admire the cleverness of the townfolk.

We quickly found the source of the wailing, in this very room I sit now. A poor man named Roldair, the town’s cobbler, was barricaded inside, mad with panic and terror. He shot Valeros and Merisiel with his fine crossbow as they attempted to enter the room, and they were soon able to subdue him. Calling upon the Healing Flame, I healed all within the room and tended to a now-bound Roldair. While I was perfectly content with remaining in the room to rest and regroup, my gift of healing seemed to inspire the rest to go in search of more dangers…particularly Merisiel. Again. The group followed a passageway into another room to discover yet another body, but with a large beetle on it. Valeros and Merisiel rushed forward (for they seem unable to move any other way, it seems) and found the business end of the beetle which sprayed them with a burning acid, before it was dispatched.

At this, the group begged healing from me once more, and I was finally able to curtail their restless wanderings due to a wakening Roldair. I managed to calm his fears, and assure him that we were not there to harm him, so he should not be compelled to harm us. Gaining his trust, he told us of the “Walking Bones” and the one with the “Voice” that took his sister, Demura. He was one of the townsfolk that came to set “tricks and traps for kids” for our quest. As such, he was able to tell us of some of the traps and gave clues to their solutions. Even so, he is close to madness and will not leave without his sister.

It is apparent that something is definitely wrong, and evil. Sarenrae tests me further, it seems. I await the morning light, to receive my daily resolve from the Dawnflower, and to see what further test she will send.

2 – Neth
I have been in this small…village, I guess, of Kassen for nearly a week. A priest of Erastil who calls himself “Father” Prast has been kind enough to offer me lodgings during my stay. He is only a few years older, so I can’t readily see why he would be a “father” to many in the village. Yet, I see that he tries, and sincerely wants to guide what he calls his “flock”. I question his words, referring to the villagers as if they were livestock, but I understand his intent. It is difficult to be so young and to lead the unwilling to the Light. It is my hope that this god of his, an old huntsman of sorts from what I gather, gives him the aid that the Dawnflower gives me.

Today, the mayor of the town has bestowed what he believes to be some great honor upon myself, and four others in the village. We are to quest for an “Everflame” in a crypt to the south of the village, and bring it back to the village for a festival and a ceremonial lighting of hearths and whatnot. We leave in two days’ time.

Joining me will be a fierce woman from the northlands, Amiri; a frequently inebriated swordsman, Valeros; a whiley and restless elf, Merisiel; and a bitter older gentlemen who appears to be the local wizard's apprentice, Ezren. Immediately, Amiri and Merisiel began discussing stealing this Everflame and ransoming it back to the town...right in front of the mayor. I suspect that Sarenrae is testing me more with my companions than with the village's quest.

From what I have gathered, young and unproven people in the village are chosen for this, and I apparently meet these standards. It appears to be some “coming of age” test that these rustic people engage in, and while I sense no devious intent or malice in the event, I do believe that they are being less than truthful in what the task at hand may be. Nonetheless, I will endeavor to “play along” and set an example that only one who follows the Everlight can provide.

4 – Neth
We were asked to meet in the center of the village at the height of Her Glory, where we would be outfitted for our journey. The town was strangely deserted, until the marked time, when all the villagers approached in long, black robes. Many of my companions tensed at this, myself included. However, it all appears to be part of the tradition, and we were each given a rather heavy pack of supplies. In addition, each of us had a map piece that, when assembled, clearly showed our way to our destination, some two days away.

Halfway through the day, three orcs charged out from the forest at us. Immediately Amiri and Merisiel charged them. The elf was shockingly quick, tumbling here and there, and stabbing everywhere. Amiri somehow lifted her enormous blade to kill one, but then suddenly stopped and began to, I think, swear in disgust. I studied the situation myself, I soon saw it myself. These orcs were mere illusions! Announcing this to the others only infuriated Ezren to no end, and he spent the next 10 minutes spewing obscenities to the forest, apparently directed at his mentor who would have cast the illusions. Only Merisiel seemed genuinely pleased with herself…as she should be.

We set camp for the night in a thicket of brambles that Amiri declared “defensible”, and I retired for the evening, volunteering to take watch for the dawn, a glorious time to celebrate the Dawnflower spreading her light once more upon the world. I was awakened by shouts and growls, what I took as an attack upon us in whatever form. I invoked the Blessings of the Everlight, and exited the tent in time to see the party battling three mangy wolves. I was, alas, late to the battle, and administered the Healing Flame to Amiri and the others after they had dispatched the beasts.

5 – Neth
We rose to another glorious day of Her Light, and proceeded towards the crypt of this Everflame. I failed to navigate the slippery slope of the path, and fell a good distance downhill. I am greatly embarrassed, but I explained that such terrain is rare in Qadira. After calling the Healing Flame to mend what I believed to be broken ribs and perhaps a cracked armbone, we continued on to arrive at the crypt shortly thereafter. As of now, we are pausing to arrange our gear and prepare for what awaits us inside.