Sorry! I created an alias and asked to to be the default and it didn't click, I guess. When I started typing the new picture was there and then when I posted it was Silver. I'll try to fix it.
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Curse, Helix? I rather think it's a blessing. It suits me anyhow. Mirrim is quiet. She thinks more than she talks. She admires Stormblade's backside.....only his backside. 'Renzor is quite the good replacement for Nilbog. Poor Nilbog. I'd known him since we were children. He died a warrior, though. Oh how the people at home know me. Lovely of them to send me a warrior with good hands.....too bad he's not human. Those hands do send chills down me. Well at least a nightly massage will make this "adventure" more pleasant! And his cooking skills! I'll send a missile at a rabbit just to have Renzor cook it for me. Hopefully when this is over I'll be considered as the head of an enclave. I've certainly earned it and have no dreams of walking the land looking for things to kill!! Ah well......good things come to those who wait!' Excuse me, Helix? What has Calla seen? I shall ask..... Two spot rolls for Calla... She shall let us know shortly....'I wonder if there are any good herbs in this area... (Mirrim's profession herbalist roll) Mmmmmmm...the new paladin looks very fine in that armor Helix made....very fine indeed! Maybe I've just found something more to keep me interested on this journey! Elbon, I think his name is....with a family name of Vlacknor....(Mirrims intelligence check since she doesn't have Knowledge local).....I wonder if I know them....' Tracking rolls for Renzor
Mirrim's listen Mirrim's spot
I appreciate everyone's comments! They have been very helpful. We kind of played around the situation last Saturday so it didn't come up but, at the very least, if it's ruled by my DM that detect magic can be used to spot the square my shadowdancer occupies in three rounds then that will be okay because my shadowdancer doesn't stay in the same square for three rounds ever. Liandrin won't have to kill the sorceress......................yet. ;)
Except that I meant Detect Magic, not Dispel. My bad. Sorry. I still think that my hidden shadowdancer is hidden because of her Hide in Plain Sight.
....but Dispel Magic does require a "line of sight". Wouldn't that mean that if the spellcaster doesn't have a line of sight (can't see her) to the hidden Shadowdancer, the spell wouldn't work? Maybe? Don't shadowdancers borrow from the shadow plane for their "hidey" ability? Wouldn't the shadow be what the shadow dancer is "hiding" behind? Detect magic doesn't mention it working through shadow. I mean, I could have my character kill our sorceress just to add some spice to our campaign but I want to make sure that my shadowdancer turns murderess for "valid" reasons. ;)
Thanks to both of you!!
I posted a question under an existing thread a little while ago and haven't seen a response. We're gaming in a couple of hours and I need to get an opinion on spotting a Shadowdancer. Here's the link to the thread: http://paizo.com/dragon/messageboards/compendium/howToSpotAShadowdancer I'm sorry. I don't know how to use the BBCode tags. :( Would someone please take a look? My DM says that because my shadowdancer is wearing/carrying magic items she can be seen by anyone who is using detect magic or arcane sight even when she's hiding. I contend that since she has "Hide in Plain Sight" that wouldn't be the case because she only has to have a shadow within ten feet of her to effectively be "hiding behind something". Please let me know what you think.
Are you sure the Shadowdancer has to be hiding behind something? If the shadowdancer has "Hide in Plain Sight" (which she gets at first level of SD) she shouldn't have to hide behind anything. There only has to be a shadow within 10 feet of her. Thoughts, please? It's important becuase it may make the difference on whether or not my shadowdancer has to murder someone.
We were able to find Esperix but not before we killed many drow and these very strange demon women(?) that were helping them. Hanor keeps calling them "The Handmaidens of Lloth". Ugly creatures. Uglier even than the giant spiders we keep running into which, incidentally, these handmaidens slightly resemble! Esperix does not seem to trust us. I can imagine that it would be difficult to trust anyone after decades of torture. Apparently she was bait in a trap that Laveth had set. It worked - we came and took out the ugly handmaidens and the drow that were a thorn in Laveth's side. I think that Esperix is going to help us though. She also needs to rescue someone from the prison plane. I am very intrigued with Esperix. She has silver eyes. The exact same color as mine. I have never met anyone with eyes like mine before. Not even in my own family. My mother says that they run in our family on the female side but in my lifetime I have never met a relative that had them. Esperix says that her eye color (along with her hair color) are a trait among the Movanic Deva which is what she is. I wonder now if that is where the eye color in my own family comes from. From what my mother told me this eye color has popped up in our women for generations. This will definitely be something worth researching when El and I finally settle down. As always, my thanks to Obad'Hai for guiding us well and my prayers that his guidance will continue.
I am somewhat surprised at our ease of getting through the Templ of Lloth. Making a deal with a Drow Noble to dispose of the High Priestess got us in and we tried to fulfill our end of the bargain. In the end, though, the High Priestess gave us passage to the demon web with our agreement that we would stop our assault on the Temple. We got what we wanted but it won't be a very peaceful meeting if we ever chance to meet up with the Drow Noble, Oris, in the future. We'll have to deal with that if it comes. It will be the same with our plan to rescue the slave in the Dead Elf Inn. My conscience, I'm afraid, will not let me leave that elven girl there, though. Aria, I believe, will want to pursue her rescue as well. Again, we'll cross that bridge when and IF we get to it. We are on the demon web and are now in search of Esperix, a fallen celestial. (I have to say that El'Rohir and Hanor don't look so well here. So far they're doing okay but I'll have to watch them. I feel okay. Maybe Obad'Hai is a little closer than Pelor or Moradin are right now.) Based on the information we received from the Church of Pelor, Esperix will more than likely help us as he or she is trying to redeem him/herself. The other information we have is to beware of Laveth who is Lloth's daughter. Sounds like pretty good advice to me! I think I'll keep my eyes, ears and intuition open and alert on this very strange plane! Little did I know when I left my home, the things I would acheive, the places I would see, the adventures I would face and the love I would find that would make my life complete. I pray to Obad'Hai to keep me safe for it would be a waste and shame to not be able to pass these stories down to my great grandchildren!
I loved Turtledove's writing until he plagiarized battle scenes from the movie "Zulu" in that aforementioned series and now I won't read another book of his.Zulu is one of my favorites. I've never read Turtledove, and you've just convinced me not to. At 100 yards, volley fire, PRESENT!!!! Do your tunic up man, where do you think you are?
I managed to convince my comrades to pursue our original quest of taking down the Church of Hextor in Mentrey. Much to our disadvantage, however, we lost Thassos and Miya through a gate to the prison plane of the Abyss. Some in our party believe that had we stayed back and fought the dragon, we might not have lost them. I, however, would rather be in the position that we are in. That is to say that all of us are still alive. It is apparent, with the influx of new members to our group, that the fate of the Hestmark is not as important to the others as it is to El'Rohir and me. We embark now on a journey to attempt to save our friends. Had we not received information that the Church of Hextor is retreating and moving their base of operations I might have an issue with this but, seeing how we may have a bit of a respite from our original goal anyhow, I am looking forward to a bit of a change. A new adventure awaits and it is likely that we may gain information along the way that may help us in our ultimate goal. Either way, I know, that Obad'Hai will guide me along my path safely.
We know what we have to do and how we have to go about doing it but I just can't help feeling that we are just not starting out right. Our "dealings" with the devil, Beltorius, in order to secure the Archbishop of Pontylver, (one of the more satisfactory dealings with the minions of evil that I have had I must admit!)led us to information about the whereabouts of Drak and the protections that surround the Over-King. I am fully aware that we cannot approach what may be our final quest by knocking on the Over-King's door and asking for the key to the City but, by the Gods, we certainly do not have to approach one of his more dangerous accomplices first!!! It is my feeling that we should "visit" the abominable shrines dedicated to the worship of Hextor now. They need to be destroyed! The ones that are left are regrouping and, as soon as there is order again, the Over-King will regain some of the footing he lost after the Archbishop was taken down. However, where do I find myself? On a journey to kill a dragon!! The dragon I speak of is no youngling! This dragon has been in the service of the Over-King, and several before, for years upon years upon years!! We stand a chance of sustaining heavy losses here if not total loss! What good is it going to do if we die fighting this ancient beast if not even half of what we set out to do is done? Even El and I don't see eye to eye on this matter! We are the strongest group of Hestmark defenders that there is and could do real damage to the forces of the Over-King. I am certainly not afraid to die for my cause! Obad'Hai knows that I will die fighting to make things right here if I must but I feel that this is not the right time to face this beast. I feel, also, that I am alone in my opinion. This black beast will be here long after the Over-King and all his minions have succumbed to whatever fates await them. What will happen to our work should we die here? Will everything that we have done be for naught? I will not desert the Oathbound but I must attempt to make them see. Obad'Hai give me strength!! I fear that convincing my comrades may be one my hardest battles yet.
OH MY GOODNESS IT'S A FREE WEBCOMIC! I HAD NO IDEA! Yeah! It's a FREE comic! Didn't you know? That was sarcasm which you apparently don't get. The point is that it is FREE. Is this FREE comic used as advertising to sell the merchandise that Rich has to offer? Yes it probably is but it's still a FREE comic! If the delay in his comics causes you not to buy his books then it will probably only be you and Narthon who don't buy them! He has always let us know that there would be times when he would be off schedule. The fact that you are so annoyed by this makes me wonder about your priorities. Every day I click on "My Favorites" and hope that there will be a new strip. If there isn't, I'm sad but the next day I click on "My Favorites" again to see if it's there yet. When it finally is it makes me happy. I read it. I'm disappointed when it's over and I can't wait until the next strip is out. In no way whatsoever does the fact that there's no new strip ruin my life or make me angry at Mr. Burlew! If the quality of the product stays as superb as it has always been then I'm willing to wait on the strip. I will DEFINITELY buy his new book when it's available on Paizo and then I'll read it in one sitting because I love The Order of the Stick! Actually I think that your rant, in a weird, backwards way, could be considered a compliment. It means that you enjoy the strip. Apparently not getting your OotS fix makes you very cranky.
They're hairpins! Yeah! :D Seriously, Lilith, if the drawing of Silver that you did for me could be my Paizo avatar, this woody-headed chick with green hair would be sooooo gone!!!
Me too! ;)What a coincidence!!! I ran into Silver at the Sushi restaurant!! Amazing ;) She's even lovelier with those antlers removed from her head (or whatever those things are) They're branches! Growing out of my head........they're, um, decorative combs?
Tun, tun, tuunnnnnnn!!
Me too! ;)
The experiences of the past day or two have been enlightening, to say the least. I feel a renewed strength and determination to make things right. I have the love of my life back but our party was stricken by another blow. Terranza is to leave our party to fulfill her duties as Baroness of Dorr. With the emotional ride that I have taken as of late this news hits me hard as I consider Terranza to be a very close friend and brave and true companion. We were tent mates before El and I found each other, after all! I can only wish her well and hope that we will meet once again and that we will find her to be happy and successful! She'll have more time for Lars now. I don't doubt that I shall find him to be living in Dorr the next time we happen through! We are also given some interesting news. A monk, a medegian woman, is to take Terranza's place in our group. First no one can take Terranza's place! Second, I will have to keep a close eye on this woman. She's a Medegian and apparently she is a long-time ally of Morningblade. The next day we teleported to Thassos home in Irongate. Thassos lives in quite a nice style. Aria was so excited by the bath she practically squealed with delight at the sight of it. I have to admit that after the last few days, I am much looking forward to a long relaxing soak.....with El. Aria has given us some very interesting news. First, she knows who took Drak and she says that the scum from the Styes that brought Drak back for us will release the hold he has on Drak's soul if we can free him from his captors. Apparently he's in some kind of sleep state somewhere. She pleads for us to help Drak. She even threatens to leave the party if we won't help. She's much too close a friend and much to valuable to our cause for us to take her threat lightly. I hope she won't do anything rash. We all say we will on the condition that Drak wants to be helped. I tell her that my first order of business is to find the Archbishop. Nothing takes priority over that. After that, however, if we can find him and he wants to be saved, I'm more than willing to help. She doesn't seem to believe that I will help. I can only assure her that I will, if he wants to be helped. She knows that if Drak makes one wrong move against us that we'll kill him. That doesn't seem to bother her. She thinks that it would be a good way to assure Drak of a proper resurrection this time. I know only too well how her heart aches. She says that her main goal is to keep Drak from spending an eternity in one of the nine hells or where ever it is that Asmodeans go when they die. I believe her. I hope she believes us. The second bit of information she give is quite frightening! She says that the Overking is scrying us and that hsi minions are constantly on our trail. This must be fixed.....and it is! We are able to procure permanent non-detection spells for the entire party! How convenient! Flamora was able to find out through research that the Archbishop of Pontylver is not far from here. Hiding in caves with fire giants! How nice! My hands tingle with the thought of sinking my blades into fire giant hide! We set out in the morning. Obad'Hai protect our path.
Silver's Experience So many things have happened in such a small amount of time. My thoughts are so confused! First El is gone. My heart is broken and all I want to do is kill every evil thing that I can get my hands on so that his death is not in vain. Leaving the foul place where my love lost his life I find some solace in the fact that we have at least been able to save most of the babies that were being turned into demons. While we're carrying our precious cargo we come upon soldiers who could quite possibly be related to the children we are carrying. I confront them and they are defensive but when they are told that we killed the demon, Kerzit, they seem to relax a little until they find out that we want them to take these children to safety so that we may continue our hunt of the Archbishop quickly. Those disgustingly evil "soldiers" cast three spells, which, thanks to Hanor, wash over us, but the children are not protected and they are killed. Disintegrated, more like, by fire, acid and a third that I can't even remember because the babes at my feet are dead after the first spell and I am consumed by rage. I cannot remember a single detail of that battle except that by the time it was through all the filth that confronted us are dead on the ground their blood mingling with the ooze of what is left of those precious, murdered children. How I hate the world we live in now and want nothing more to do with it except find and kill the reason this all began, the Archbishop of Pontylver! Maybe then I'll be able to reason out the things that have happened. Then at least some of the wrongs will be righted. We trudge on toward where we know the Archbishops personal chambers to be. The doors are locked when we arrive. How I wish I could tear them down with my bare hands to get at the detestable, wretch we know to be waiting inside. Some spell is cast. We're crawling through a hole in the wall. My entire mind is focused on the scum of a man that's waiting inside and then we're in and we find nothing. NOTHING!!!!! Nothing in this entire god forsaken hellhole! I am barely even aware of my companions as I fly through the hole in the ceiling of this chamber hoping to catch a glimpse of the cowardly bastard as he's fleeing with his tail between his legs and nothing. Nothing. I see nothing. I hear nothing. I feel nothing. Everything is gone it seems and all that I can think of is how I long to be with El'Rohir. I long for sleep. Dejected, I follow my companions back to the command post to meet with Morningblade. My mind feels so hollow. Morningblade tells us that even though he knows that the havoc that has been wreaked here is our fault he will not take us before the magistrates because we were able to clear the city of the demons. He also wants us to help to keep Medegia from falling into the hands of the Hextorians and he wants us to find the Archbishop and he wants a treaty between the Medegians and the Hestmark rebels and he wants and he wants and he wants and he wants and all I want is to die. I feel I'm in a daze. So many things are rushing through my mind - El'Rohir, the babes, the Archbishop, Kerzit. My mind is racing. Why couldn't we have done things differently? How could our mission have become so skewed? We were supposed to help people! Not get them killed!! Where is El'Rohir? If I could only sleep. A messenger. He is addressing me. I look up to see that he is from the Church of Pelor. My eyes well up with tears at the sight of the holy symbol. El'Rohir is dead. How will I go on? The messenger says that I am to meet with the High Priest. I shall go. What else have I to do? The short walk to the church seems as if it takes forever. I would much rather be on my way to a grove so that I can at least feel close to Obad'Hai and I can try to straighten out my thoughts. The world seems so dark right now. The High Priest takes me by the arm and guides me inside. I am so tired and his touch is gently comforting and strongly supportive. I look at him. He has kind, compassionate eyes. He is telling me that El'Rohir is not dead. Wait. What??!! El isn't dead??? I am sobbing now. What sort of horrendous ruse is this? The High Priest is speaking and I cannot comprehend. I can hardly hear past the sound of my own sobbing. He is so patient and he tells me again. El'Rohir is not dead. There was a plan. He was given a mission to complete and the end result would be that he would no longer fully be of this plane of existence. How could El not tell me this? I vaguely remember him trying to convey something about this to me through our bond as his life was taken but my fear and immediate grief did not allow me to understand. But..El's life wasn't taken!!! He was to rid the Oerth of Kerzit. He would then be ascended. Ascended? The High Priest explains to me that El'Rohir is now a half celestial and that he can be summoned to return to me. Returned to me!!! Suddenly, I feel alive again! I feel all the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders! I feel all the strength of renewed hope. I look at the High Priest. I could kiss this man! But, as kindly as he can be he is also a man of strength and forbearance. As if he can read my thoughts, he gives my shoulders a quick squeeze and proceeds to tell me how we can bring back El'Rohir. As I leave the Church I feel renewed. The darkness I felt just minutes ago is gone. Totally gone!! My thoughts are once again positive. We can finish our mission! We will find the Archbishop and kill him and rid the Oerth of the tumor that he is! There will be a treaty between the Hestmark and the Medegians. It's beginning to all look good again. I feel a slight spring in my step as I search out my companions. My target, though, is Hanor for he is the one that can bring back my El'Rohir! El is back. It seems that everything I went though was a dream except the extreme sadness for the loss of those children keeps me tethered and I know it was no dream. El is back. It's back to business!
Congratulations! I'm very happy for you! Silver (F2K's wife!)
What I don't understand is how this thread went from a place to air your feelings about a terrible, terrible tragedy to "my opinion vs. your opinion" about gun control. The only "weapon" that's to blame for what happened is the dark, fetid mass between that kid's ears that used to be his brain. I can only hope that if either of my kids were having these kind of dark, hateful feelings that I would be able to pick up on it and get them some help. I cannot, in any way, imagine the grief that the family members and friends of the victims or even the family of the shooter are going through and that's where my thoughts are now. Right is right and wrong is wrong and no amount of arguing is going to change that basic fact. What this kid did was wrong and his parents need to figure out why he did it but it's too late now. BTW - Aubrey, my husband, F2K, has never done, said or bought anything just because it was cool. But, it certainly goes without saying that he is very cool!! ;)
I love this!! My husband, F2K, came and got me out of bed to come see what was done. It seems like it must have taken a LOT of work to make all the posts different! Great PR, too. What a good way to keep everyone on the boards all day! Wonderful idea!
If I live to do nothing else in my lifetime, I will make up for the damage that we have caused the innocent people in Pontylver and wherever else Kerzit wrought destruction. Many people are dead now and who knows where their souls wander? Demons taking innocent babes and transforming them while they live to demonic bat creatures! The babes that live no longer have parents or families! All of this damage caused by us - The Oathbound. El'Rohir, my life, gone because we loosed Kerzit upon the Oerth. Taken from me by Pelor himself! I feel like my life is over! Never could I have imagined that he would be taken from me this way. He is my one true love and the light of my life. I will honor him forever and work to spread word of the land and the word of the light. If only I could have said good-bye. Held him one last time. I feel that a piece of my own heart has been ripped from my chest. He will always be my one true love. There shall never be another. Oathbound! We never swore an oath to destroy innocents but we did swear to rid the world of the Archbishop and that we shall do! By the strength of Obad'Hai I swear that the Archbishop shall die! If not for him, we would never have let that demon loose! The demon is gone, thank the Gods and the Archbishop is unfinished business. He! Will! Die!! Obad'Hai give me the strength.
I am so afraid that we cannot win this battle. It may be bigger than we are. Nevertheless, if I ever expect to be able to face my family again, I must persevere. It is only the Oathbound that are to blame for this travesty and we must make it right! I worry so for El'Rohir. He is almost frantic about the situation. I understand his passion but I feel that he is blinded by that passion. I could not stand to lose him. He is everything to me but I must not try to hold him back. However this ends he must feel that he did what was needed. Gods protect him! Protect us! Obad'hai give me guidance, I implore you!
That was annoying!! At least you never killed Silver! :) I'm not a DM but I have sex with one regularly so I'm allowed to post! :) F2K's wife (whose lack of PC deaths has nothing to do with the sex part, trust me!!)
By the Gods! What have we done?! Obad'Hai, I beg you to guide my footsteps back to the path of goodness and light. I plead with all my heart and soul that you might help us to defeat the evil that we have loosed upon the Oerth! We must save Terranza! We must save the Oerth! We must save......ourselves.
So much for planning! I guess plans don't really matter, though, when you misread your map! I'm not sure which is worse - fighting Eli and his evil playmates or fighting the demon, Kerzit, but we shall soon find out. Maybe this "mistake" can play in to our success at Maure Castle. Surely Eli couldn't have foreseen us jumping right into the demon's lair! Hopefully we can turn this "unforeseen action" to our advantage. We need to finish up here, as I am tired of the walls! I'm craving the open air. The sky, the trees, the autumn colors and some free time with El. Championing for the good for the world is difficult when you're newly married! El and I are wholly dedicated to our cause, however, and we are young and have many years left to spend together (hopefully). So we shall carry on. Maybe our misguided teleportation will help us to end this sooner! I only hope it's for the better!! I pray to Obad'Hai to guide my steps until I shall see sunshine again.
It seems we indeed have our work cut out for us here in the bowels of Maure Castle. Our enemies are strong and they are many. I must say that if not for the magic of our newest member, Thassos, we would probably not have survived the last encounter! He is indeed a welcome addition to our group. He is the most "different" person that I have ever come across. He is a human with a dwarf's personality. It's understandable considering the fact that he's spent so much of his life amoung the dwarves but it is a little disoncerting until you get to know him and I'm sure that I barely know him. However, I have met few people that I find as interesting. We will definitely need to be much more careful if we expect to get as far as to our battle with the demon Kerzit! Planning is going to be crucial. Obad'Hai guide our steps through the dark underbelly of this ancient castle!
It was the most beautiful day of my life. It would only have been better if our families could have shared it with us. It seemed the entire city of Greyhawk celebrated our marriage with us. In fact the mayor of Greyhawk himself attended our wedding! We were married at daybreak in the Obad'Hai Grove outside of the City. It seems the rays of the sun shone only on us. With all of our friends there and Hanor to perform the ceremony it was perfect. As perfect as it could be without our families there. There was a representative of El's family there, though, as his cousin, Bernt, runs a business in Greyhawk. I am so happy I can hardly think of what lies ahead (and we were given some very disturbing news!) so, tonight and tomorrow, I won't. I will enjoy to the fullest the time that El and I will be able to spend together as husband and wife without anything else to think of. Then, we will continue on with our new quest only now we are stronger for we are one. I cry with joy for the happiness that Obad'Hai has guided me to and I pray to the great leafy God that whether we are together at war against the evils of the world or together at peace enjoying each other and our families that we will always have this happiness just as it is now.
My heart is at rest. El'Rohir and I will be wed in the grove temple to Obad'Hai outside Greyhawk so that we may bind ourselves to each other before our Gods and our companions. This has been foremost in my thoughts since El'Rohir and I decided to marry. So right do I feel this is that it seems Obad'Hai himself came to me to make me see. We will not tell our families as of yet for I would not want them to feel left out of such an important event though I do not think that El will be able to keep himself from telling Io. He seems so happy he might burst and I understand the feeling. After all is said and done, should we survive the battles we have yet to fight, we will have a wedding ceremony to be sung about for years to come. Until then step by step El'Rohir and I will fight for what we believe - together. And, my heart is at rest for another reason as well; El'Rohir has confirmed what I have feared to be true since we set out on our quest at Maure Castle. We cannot free this demon! We must destroy it! I have not been able to convince myself that freeing the foul beast was the right thing. Since it was the only way to get to the Archbishop, I followed the path praying to Obad'Hai for guidance all along. If we free this demon we will damage ourselves irreparably! Though I tried and tried to validate our quest by telling myself that the ends would justify the means it just isn't so. I feel that I have laid down a heavy burden. If I die trying to kill this heathen monster then I will die trying to do good. Attempting to use this evil being to get to another despicably, evil being puts us a step closer to being evil like them. I hope that it will not be difficult to convince the rest of the Oathbound that this is the way but the path of light and life are clear and we must destroy the demon. I pray to Obad'Hai to watch over us and guide me, as he always has, through the battles to come so that, someday, I will be able to live forever in peace with my husband.
It is my fear that we may not survive these castle remains. It seem that everywhere we turn some odd enemy appears. The only things that seem somewhat normal are the Gnoll raiding parties!! We have battled some very odd undead, the like of which I have never seen, with very unsettling eyes, a weird "midget" giant with an ogre mage sidekick, a beast made of iron and a warrior right out of a painting and we have yet to travel more than 3000 feet! I fear that we may not survive this quest. As important as the role is that we play in the success of the Hestmark Republic, I fear that the commitment I've made to El'Rohir is much more important. To me, this is where the paths I've taken in my life have been leading me. I can see nothing as clearly as I can see that. If I could I would leave this place right now in order to promise my life and my love to El'Rohir forever. To fight next to him, for what we both believe, as his wife and soul mate is the only thing I want and I can hardly think of anything else. This is my destiny. I know that I won't let this hinder my judgement but I have never in my life felt this strongly about something and these desires fill my mind day and night. If there was only a way! Perhaps our new comrade Thassos can help. Obad'Hai protect us and provide for us the strength and wisdom we need to succeed in this quest!
Maure Castle may be the death of us. We are no more than a few hundred feet past the entrance and already two of our comrades have fallen. Terranza and Aria were beset upon by a strange "short giant" as Aria described him once we had her back with us. Thanks be to the Gods that my beloved El'Rohir was able to bring her and Terranza back! We are going to have to tread lightly to survive this place but survive we must! We are going to need the strength of the whole group to complete our task! I still am not even sure that what we are doing is the right thing. Do the ends justify the means? I can only let Obad'Hai guide my steps and hope they fall on the correct path. Yet, even in this dark and dangerous place I have found happiness. Should we survive this place, El'Rohir and I will be wed. It is hard to describe my feelings now. I wish, more than anything, that we could just leave this place so that El'Rohir and I could begin our life together but I know that what we are doing now is the most important work of all! I must not let impatience rule my thoughts. I must remain focused on the task but I am free to dream! I plan to talk to El'Rohir about asking Hanor to marry us. The thoughts of our happiness together after we are done with this place will keep me going. Who knows the dangers that we are going to face here and if we can but survive these dangers and complete our task the whole world will be a better place. I pray to Obad'Hai to guide my steps, to keep my comrades strong and to protect my love.
We've been given a second chance. If we go to an ancient ruin of a place called Maure Castle and free a demon who is trapped there (that the Archbishop was key in trapping) there is a good chance that this demon called, Kerzit, will search out the Archbishop and kill him thus leaving the Archbishops followers without a leader and thrown into chaos and disarray. Good for us and the Hestmark Republic but bad for the rest of the world? I truly believe that all things happen for a reason but I'm having a very difficult time justifying that reason. What of the path of destruction the demon would leave behind? How many will suffer or be killed because of our act before the Archbishop suffers the painful death that he so greatly deserves? Is it true that in war innocents will die? Is this the right way or the easy way? I pray and pray to Obad'Hai but find no answers. I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle the repercussions of our actions. For the greater good is what I keep telling myself but who am I to decide what the greater good is? I feel so lost. I feel so lost until I look into El'Rohir's eyes and without a word he is telling me that whatever I decide he will be by my side to the very end. I know he feels as I do. I can see the turmoil in his face but he never wavers from the course. He prays even more than I but I don't think the Gods are answering him either. Perhaps if I talk it out with Terranza or Aria it will help to clear my mind. Possibly the wizard, Thassos, could share his perspective and give a view none of us can see. Even then, though, I know it is my decision. I wish that I could find the courage to give El'Rohir the gift I had made for him in Greyhawk. It seems a little too forward but if we're going to throw ourselves down into a dungeon with a demon I may never have another chance. What good is the gift if it rots in my pocket when I die? I will give it to him before we enter the castle. He must know, totally and completely, the depths of my feelings for him and my hopes for the future. That way if my dream of the future never comes to pass at least he'll know and that is the most important thing. Oh, how you think of the ones you love when about to begin what could be the last thing you ever do. I cannot say how relieved my heart is that I was able to communicate with my parents before this. To know that they are well and to give them a little insight into what my life has become. To tell them about El'Rohir. They have no idea what I'm truly doing which is probably best. I hope I live long enough to see them again. If I don't, I know I will leave this life with El'Rohir beside me and that is more important to me than anything that I can think of. The only thing I ask of Obad'Hai, should I die, is that El'Rohir's eyes be that last thing that I look upon before I leave this world and enter the new. The image of his eyes so full of love and passion and strength would be emblazoned upon my very soul and would remain with me ever after. I pray to Obad'Hai to guide our steps and to help me find the way to that which I so fiercely seek.
I'm afraid we have failed. Drak is lost and now Hanor is gone! Hanor's body was at least recovered from the place of his gruesome fate! If only we could have recovered Drak's as well! I feel so deeply for Aria's sadness. The mere thought of losing El'Rohir fills me with a mournfulness that I can hardly bear. And, my poor, valiant El'Rohir. Our battle at the entrance to the Archbishop's lair (for that is where one as wretched as he lives) was much more difficult than we could have imagined. I don't know what it was that saved me but I was nearly killed! From my unconscious state I was saved by Boss Fromm. The war trolls that we were fighting were nothing like I've ever encountered. It was one of the most strenuous battles we have ever fought! There were only four and we should have taken them swiftly but they kept regenerating at an unbelievable speed and fire wasn't helping our cause! It turned out that acid was the bane of these vile creatures and our new companion, Thasos, realized that there were casks of acid on the boat that we were using for cover. If not for that bit of luck we would have all perished. I feel we owe our lives to this newcomer for that. He's not Drak, and I miss Drak terribly, but I feel he will be a strong addition to the Oathbound if that's what he chooses to become. Before we could finish off these trolls a horrible monster came from right out of the stone wall!! This was the guardian for which the cloak was meant. I heard Boss Fromm say not to worry for we had the cloak but I don't think El'Rohir heard for as soon as most of the trolls were down and we had some breathing room he turned his clerical magic upon the guardian beast and the beast went wild trying to kill all of us! The hope of our entering the cathedral was lost. If only I could have stopped El from casting that spell! I could have saved him from the punishment he's putting himself through. We have all made mistakes and I, for one, freely admit it having barely escaped with my life from my lone scouting excursion of Dedermont's Keep! Let the others say what they will but let them also remember that El'Rohir has never faltered in his quest and has always defended our group to the utmost! He's stepped to the line and has unselfishly given of himself whether in fighting, spells or wisdom. He is so distraught over his actions, though, that he is sure that the others cannot respect him. I will not falter in my support for him, though, for even in the darkest times El'Rohir is my shining light. He has made me whole again. I will stand beside him through war and peace and I will defend his actions through and through for he would die before he would ever knowingly do anything to hurt the party! We must begin again. Who know's what lies before us now! We at least were able to kill Col. Dedermont, who, it turns out, was the scout that nearly killed me on that almost fateful day. We've kept his body. Someone will have fun interrogating him. It turns out that Terranza is the only heiress to the Baron's seat in Dorr! In light of our upcoming battle I was not able to congratulate her properly and offer her my support. If we can sway the people of Dorr to accept her we will have so much more support! That will only help our cause! I'm sure the Archbishop is gathering his army to attempt to detroy the Hestmark Republic. With all my body and soul, I will stand and fight. I pray to Obad'Hai that we survive and the that Hestmark Republic will continue to grow in support. I pray to Moradin that Hanor will come back to us and that he will want to remain with our party. And, with all my heart, I pray to Pelor to aid El'Rohir in his inner struggle with himself and that he will know his importance to our group and the cause as a whole.
We've lost Drak again! Aria is beside herself with worry because we were unable to find his body. After meeting up with Boss Fromm and explaining what we found at the site of Drak's "death" he tells us that the markings we saw where Drak disappeared denote the presence of a being from the Plane of Shadow. Aria believes the being that killed or took Drak is a giant, of some kind, who is "light on his feet" so shallow were the imprints of it's foot. Boss Fromm also shares with us the information that the Overking, not the Archbishop of Pontylver, makes use of creatures from the Plane of Shadow. Aria is concerned that Drak may be in one of the hells, suffering, because of his fiendish taint. I pray to Obad'Hai that is the case! From there he may be risen and saved! I am afraid that he is a prisoner of the Overking! If that is so, everything we are planning against the Medegians may be revealed! We are not even certain that Drak is dead! I cannot bear to think of what the Overking and his evil minions will do to Drak to extract the information that he has! The hells might be a welcome escape in comparison! We may even meet Drak again in battle! I am very distraught over this. I know that I was never one of his favorite people. He and I never saw eye to eye on anything. I do know, however, that he was a very brave and worthy companion as he will be as a foe. We cannot continue the way we have been without him. I truly hope that El and Hanor will be able to employ the aide of their Gods through their magic to find out more about what happened to Drak. El says that we need to move fast (which is very unlike him) so that we can get in and get rid of the Archbishop before anyone that might have Drak knows of our plans and I'm afraid that I agree. After my encounter with that Pathwarden scout I know that they are very powerful but we need to get in quick, get rid of them and get to the gate that they guard. That way we can get to the Archbishop quickly and, hopefully, quietly. I'm afraid that this will be the most difficult assault yet but I am driven. I am driven by a passion for life that I did not know I had until El'Rohir came. Unless we are victorious, I will never know my long, peaceful life with him and I cannot bear to have that taken away! I am not sure how the others feel as I have only discussed these feelings with El but I shall find out soon. I have faith in the Oathbound. I am afraid for Drak and, of course, of Drak but maybe we will be able to save him the right way this time!!! I offer my prayers to Obad'Hai that we should move quickly and safely. That we will be able to strike and emerge victorious and that we will know peace when this is done.
Boss Fromm has asked us to meet him. We feel this is more important and abandon the Pathwarden's keep. Boss Fromm's men have a fine perimeter set and we'll return to finish off these foul beings. They bring shame to rangers and our noble cause. Aiding our cause against the keep is our much-changed companion, Loganarius. It seems dying really affected him to the better. I can see how that would have a profound affect on one's life. It seems so long ago that he was one of our traveling companions and he left our company to deal with his own demons. It has really only been a short while. So much has happened! Loganarius is definitely a better man. I am very happy with Loganarius' replacement in our party, however! Proof again that everything happens for a reason. As much as I enjoy the Sunflower Palace (we stayed again on our way to meet Boss Fromm) I couldn't help but feel that we needed to leave this town. It seems the Archbishop has decreed that all adventuring parties report to Pontylver. Ha! Better to head off to meet Boss Fromm. I don't believe that I've ever really seen an elf pout but Drak wasn't very happy that his Boot and Trail joinder celebration would have to be postponed! Terranza's realtionship with the Sheriff of Dorr has proved to be invaluable! Both times we've been here he has helped us immeasurably. Without his warning we may have stayed to enjoy Drak's party and it might have been disastrous. On route to meet up with Boss Fromm after leaving Dorr I happened to spot some troll tracks which led me not to the trolls who made them but to a party of Medegian soldiers riding with what looked to be five or six magic users. Terranza and I scouted from above and were able to figure out a nice ambush point. We didn't kill them all but we were able to finish off a good amount of them including a Malachite Knight! I cannot wrest the feeling from my gut that they were on their way to Dorr to investigate an adventuring party that had not yet reported to Pontylver. I don't know why it is but since Terranza has joined us she seems to be the person everyone talks to in any of the towns in this region. It seems they trust her unconditionally. I'm sure she will tell us, in time, what has her preoccupied and what her connections are to this region. I can't help but be curious, though. We head on to meet with Boss Fromm, our small band of rebels. I cannot help but think that there are storms brewing and we're headed for one of the most colossal experiences of our lives. I hope that we'll make it through. My future plans hold nothing more than growing as old as I can with El'Rohir. As selfish as this sounds, I hope the Gods take me before they take him for I could not bear a life without him! Obad'Hai hear my pleas and guide us down the correct path to victory against those who would destroy our very earth to gain power!
Life is most mysterious. To think, a few months ago I felt that there was nothing left for me. I was going to leave and become a druid. To drown out the cruelties of the real world in a world of trees, mountains, plants and animals. I cared not a whit if I ever laid eyes upon a "civilized" creature again! Who could have ever known that my footsteps, as I left the door of my home, would lead me to myself and to the man that I love? And, as long as I draw breath, ne'er will I forget the joy I felt in hearing him declare his love for me. It's as if my life has come full circle. Everything makes sense! This is as it was always meant to be. For two people from different places on different paths to meet and find they share so much in common. Our passion for life, love and each other. Our passionate hatred of the evils of the world. The fates surely had a plan for us. I have no doubt. Thank Obad'Hai they did! Every step I've ever taken in my life was leading me here. Every single tear I've ever cried in happiness, sadness or bitter anger has meaning now. I know that my place is beside El'Rohir. For as long as I live! That is IF I live!!! In scouting the Pathwarden's keep I decided to take a closer look and it was nearly the end of me. Everything was fine until I became overconfident and tried to get a closer look at things! I set off an alarm. (Probably magic! As if Drak had never protected us that way!!) That set things in motion in the keep. First a group of mounted soldiers(?) left the keep to scout the area. I was able to sit tight and keep from being seen by them. A little time went by and then I was beset upon by a mage and a very agile and stealthy scout-type person. The mage was not a problem but if I had not have had the strength to absorb the blows the scout dealt me I surely would have perished and not one of my companions would have known as I had many hours left on my reconnoiter. Thankfully, I was able to drink a potion of invisibility and escape the scout. I arrived back at the party with nothing but the residual effects of the intensity of the chase to keep me standing. I collapsed into the arms of my beloved El'Rohir. The pained and worried look in his eyes told me how close I was to departing the world of the living. With the strength and power that his God, Pelor, gives him he was able to restore me to full strength. I know that I must be more careful and I didn't need anyone to tell me that what I'd done was half-witted, to say the least, but I never want to be the cause of such anguish to El'Rohir again. From the look on his face, I knew at that moment that if I died a part of him would die as well. I feel now, though, that I must redeem myself in the eyes of my comrades as well as those of the men of Boss Fromm. I mustn't rush it but I can't stand to look like an inexperienced fool in the eyes of so many people that I respect! I pray to Obad'Hai that we might find a way to gain the upper hand again. I couldn't bear it if I was the cause of our failure! We must lay waste to the keep and all within!
The Gods do work in mysterious ways. To have been hither and yon and now it seems I may get the chance to redeem myself for the fiasco at the Royal Pathwardens keep months back. I know that it is no secret where my loyalties lie. My companions know, the rebels know, Boss Fromm knows so that wretched druid, Mardak, should know by now. Assuming, that is, that Boss Fromm has been in contact with him. Some time has passed since that happened and we were unclear at the time of how the actions we took affected the rebellion. I should have been able to forgive myself by now! Somehow I just haven't been able to. The Royal Pathwardens! Phaw! I can't bear to think that they and I share certain qualities and traits that only rangers share! They use all their knowledge and the gifts from their Gods for naught but evil and now, finally, I can let them know what a ranger of good can do! By Obad'Hai's leafy beard I vow to put at least this group of so-called Royal Pathwardens out of the world's misery for some time! If the Oathbound is successful in this quest, what a blow it will be to the Medegians! Staying with the dwarves has been very enlightening. I have had the chance to get to know only one of these stalwart folk and that is my companion, Hanor. It is amazing the closeness of this clan. One can almost feel the honor palpitating from each and every one of the clansmen and women! Hanor is so humble when his accomplishments are spoken about but there is a gleam in his eye that denotes the pride he feels. Oh, that I could but share my accomplishments with my family as well. I cannot wait to see them again! So much has happened! Lord Morrow is treated very respectfully here. There is much to this man that we do not know. I can’t help but notice how he speaks frequently with Terranza, usually away from the rest of us. As I said before she has a different air about her and she seems to believe very strongly that attacking the keep is a good offensive move. However, she does agree with us, as does Lord Morrow that we must strike, win and leave. This will surely have an impact on the Medegians! I do think that El'Rohir was quite taken by my gift. I was a bit afraid that he would think me too forward. It's just that I remember so well how it felt when I found the stone and decided what it would become. I knew then and there that it was right! I can only hope that he knows the deep caring with which I gave it and how much it meant to me to give what I so felt was the perfect gift! If I could only tell him what my heart tells me! The time will come, I know, so until then I will bide mine. There is no rush. What is meant to be will be. For now I will stand side by side with this fierce and handsome warrior and vanquish the evil that we so equally and passionately detest!
We have entered the world of civilized people once again. Well, somewhat civilized anyway. I love nature and everything that entails but a long, warm bath and a soft bed do wonders for my attitude! We have arrived in Dullstrand with Lord Morrow. I believe there is more to this man than we may ever come to know. He is good, though, and stout of heart and body. I am glad to add his rescue to our list of successful quests. He and Terranza seem to have spent a good amount of time together since we arrived and Terranza seems different now. It's difficult to say how. She seems to stand a little straighter and present herself with a bit more confidence. Not that confidence was something that she lacked!! She also seems a little sad but at the same time there's a gleam in her eye that denotes satisfaction or something similar. When she's ready she will say what, if anything, has prompted this change. Maybe it's nothing more than fresh, hot meals and good sleep in a comfortable bed. I believe I will always remember Dullstrand in a very special way. It is here that I've realized that El'Rohir cares for me as deeply as I care for him. I thought (hoped!) that he did have feelings for me. It's hard to tell when you're traipsing about the wilderness with the possibility of danger at every turn. All of us are pretty much right on top of each other all the time. Let's just say we're all rather close. I always thought, though, that when El looked at me there was something different about his look. Something soft and caring. Sometimes his eyes seemed to hold a fire that seemed so passionate that I'd have to look away only to look back and he would be working hard at whatever task was at hand. Now, though, we've spent the most wonderful night together. Just he and I. I believe we must have walked the entire city, talking, reveling in each other's thoughts and feelings. It was wonderful. I have never felt so close and so right with anyone before. If there wasn't such important work ahead of us I would be more than happy to remain here with El - walking the harbor, watching the sun rise over the ocean and set behind the hills of the Hestmark Highlands. It will be El'Rohir's birthday soon. I have had something fashioned for him out of stone in the russet color of Obad'Hai. I hope that he will be able to look upon this and always know how deeply I care for him. While here we met Corridan, Aria's betrothed, as El'Rohir's cousin, Io, asked us to do. He seems.....sure of himself. I'm not really sure what my feelings tell me about him. He was with his sister and a companion that was very obviously a human dressed as an elf. He looked as if he had left half his disguise off. It was quite ridiculous until he actually got his diguise off and then I saw the most beautiful man I believe that I have ever seen. Almost as if someone created him as a work of art. Too beautiful. I don't know why but I get a strange feeling from these people. They say and do all the right things. Everyone appears to trust them. We have dined on their very elaborate elven clipper ship and they've offered to take us to a point just south of Pontylver. It all seems, I don't know, too convenient! It could be that I'm just paranoid. I don't know how that could happen!! Even here we've been attacked by old foes. Most of them were brought back from the death that we wrought upon them!!! I just feel that we needn't go any closer to Pontylver than necessary. If that tawdry group of ruffians could find us then so can the Medegians. I just think that we need to be careful. As always I pray to Obad'Hai to guide us safely to our destination and hope that I may come across another temple. It was such a pleasant surprise when I happened upon the one as we left the swamps. Only El could see the signs when I pointed them out. I felt so refreshed and renewed after leaving the temple. It was there I found the stone to shape into El's gift. The Shalm does make his presence known. May he bless us and grant us safety on our travels.
Success at last!! It's most satisfying to have been able to start out on a quest and actually finish it. We were able to find and save Lord Morrow. I was beginning to wonder whether we would find him at all much less alive or...unchanged. The events unfolded so quickly that at first I thought my memory was playing tricks but after all was said and done and we sat around going over what had happened during the day I found out that my memory was fine. My handsome El'Rohir had been turned into a toad! This is what I remember: We were making our way through the valley, looking for the Wheel of Pain or some kind of hint as to the whereabouts of this "wheel" or Lord Morrow when we came upon a lake. The water in the lake appeared to be boiling. Far into the lake some sort of armed wheel that seemed to be half submerged was turning seemingly of it's own volition. As the wheel turned, the body of a man that had been strapped to the wheel emerged from the water! I was shocked. It looked as though this man were dead so limply was he hanging from his bindings. Drak cast the magic upon our group that would allow us to fly and off we went towards the poor soul. I was determined to save him from such a horrible death or, if he was already dead, to get him off the torturous contraption that bound him and continued to boil his poor body. As we approached the man, who was going under yet again, there sounded an explosion so close that I could feel the force even as I sped toward the wheel. I turned around only briefly enough to know that I was not being attacked and to see a fiendish creature on the banks we'd just flown over had emerged and had sent flames flying to Drak. Drak was down but my mind was on the man on the wheel. I knew that I could count on my companions to handle that business and handle it they did as I found out later. I was determined to free the man on the wheel! I flew to him as emerged from the water again and straddled the wheel. All I knew was that I wanted him free before he suffered another dunking. By the time I had undone all the ropes and had him in my arms I knew that a fierce battle was being fought behind me. I could hear the rapid and deadly twang of Aria's bow. I could hear Terranza's battle cry. I could hear Drak's spells. "Good," I thought to myself as I struggled with the ropes. "Someone saved Drak!" It was relayed to me later that the creature had nearly killed Drak with some sort of fire magic and Terranza swooped down and saved him from a boiling death in the lake by catching him in her arms as he fell! What an impressive sight that must have been! Anyway, I could hear Hanors chants as he called for his God to assist him but I heard not a sound from El'Rohir! Where was he? What could have happened? I tried not to dwell so that I could finish the task at hand but I was beginning to worry. His fierce cries as he raged and called upon Pelor while battling even the strongest of foes was something that I'd grown quite accustomed to. Yet I heard nothing from him. Dread filled my heart as I fought with the ropes that bound this poor soul and it was all I could do not to just quit what I was doing and seek out El'Rohir to find what had happened. I just knew, though, that I had to free this man. His next emergence in the torrid lake water might be his last. He was barely clinging to life! "El'Rohir!" I shouted, as I was able to cut the last piece of rope and take the man into my arms. "Where are...” I was unable to finish my question for as I wheeled around in the air to carry the poor man to safety I saw Hanor casting a spell on a...well, a flying toad! That toad suddenly began to stretch and grow in midair while changing shape. It's grayish, green and rubbery legs stretched and changed into muscular, tanned flesh. Its bulbous eyes shrank back into a frog shaped head that was quickly growing and becoming more human looking and familiar looking. At once I realized that it was El'Rohir! The flying toad was El'Rohir!! I nearly dropped the poor man I just spent so much time saving! I could not believe my eyes and had to keep checking back to see that it really was El'Rohir there in the air as I flew the man, who, of course turned out to beach Lord Morrow, to the safety of the beach. Safety! The horrid creature that I saw Terranza and Drak fighting was beyond any disgusting thing I have ever seen! This creature was born from the pit of the hells themselves! However Drak, Terranza, Aria and El'Rohir finally put an end to that vile creature as I did what I could to heal Lord Morrow. It all happened so quickly but as long as I shall live, I will never forge that sight! Thanks to Obad'hai that we have Hanor and he was able to cancel the magic that the first creature had cast upon my fair El that turned him into a toad. It would have been difficult to have to endure this change if Hanor's counter spell had not succeeded but I would have done anything that I could to make things easier for El while he was not "himself". At least I would have still been able to talk with him. I am a ranger after all!
As a player in F2K's campaign, can I request that someone please turn down the danger level in all this creativity flowing around? All he does is run adventures from your magazine and the danger and tension are almost more than my poor heart can take. I would encourage more adventures with bunnies, flowers, unicorns and lute playing elven interior decorators please. I need a break. ...but I still want experience points. Is that too much to ask?
The things I experience while we travel this land will never cease to amaze me. Much to the chuckles of some of my fellow adventurers I managed to befriend the giant lizard. She isn't the smartest of the creatures I've ever spoken to but wondrous nonetheless. At first El was just humoring me as he stood by and watched as I called upon the animal spirits through Obad Hai to allow me to speak with this creature. More than anything he was ready to grab me and run if the thing attacked but when he could see that I was actually conversing with the creature, I could tell that he was impressed! I enjoyed that. He does try to impress me. I like it when I can turn the tables now and then. When Aria lent her skill with the animal, we were able to convince it to..... well...not to eat us. I talked with the thing as long as I could before we were attacked by some of the ogre women that we chased out of the keep. The dreadful beings managed to kill Thane! As quiet as he was and as little as we knew about him, I will still miss him and I pray that Obad Hai will guard his journey and strew his path with soft leaves and cover him with shade as he makes his way to the great wild lands beyond life. I was surprised and somewhat taken aback when Drak announced that he would not try to bring Thane back to the world of the living but after much ponderance I believe that Drak and Thane worked out those details and everyone is entitled to his own belief. If it was Thane's time then far be it from me to stand in the way of Fate! I do wish that Drak would stop attacking us for not agreeing with him though. It makes it very difficult to have a conversation. Ah well, my feet have taken me down the path I'm on safely and will carry me to wherever we are supposed to end up and somehow I believe that Drak is supposed to be a part of the bigger picture. If it is to be, it is to be and I will guard his back as I have done before and we will do what needs to be done, all of us together, to set the order of things straight again. I must make Drak know that I believe in him deep down beneath my doubt. Even if Drak does keep saying that he's only in it for the treasure! The giant lizard was a wonderful guard to have as we ventured away from the keep. That is until she hungrily bounded away at the first scent of fresh meat. I don't even understand how she could be hungry! She rapaciously gulped down every bit of the ogre and giant bodies that we threw down to her! I admit it was nice to be rid of the stench of the decaying bodies but what a voracious appetite. Even I'm not too sure that I'd trust her not to eat us after of day or two without a meal! I had spoken with her about the dangers that surrounded us and might face us as we left the keep and ventured into the valley. All I could get from her was that there was something about dead humans. Well, much to our detriment, we soon found out what she meant! I thought the lich that we fought was horrid. This creature that attacked us near the lake! There is nothing I can compare it to! It felled three of our brave companions and I feared the worst for them! One could not even approach the foul being for its "aura" readily turned everything it touched into putrid, dead muck! And this muck surrounded it for the best of twenty feet and followed it everywhere. I could nary approach it and my crossbow bolts seemed to avoid the creature of their own volition! If not for my brave El'Rohir and what magic Drak could damage the being with, we would have lost our companions forever. With luck Hanor was there to save Aria as she fell! What would we do without him? Pelor must have been watching our stonghearted warrior, Terranza, for when she fell she was saved by nothing more than rocks that kept her up and away from the evil muck! Wulfhere was the only one that did not make it through the fight. He is stout and hearty, though, and we have preserved him in order to bring him back at the first opportunity but what does this say about the path we've chosen? Three killed and one so near death I thought she might have heard the distant winds of the ever after before she came back to us! All in two days! We must proceed with much caution! Our fight will have been for naught if we die here so far from home. I know what we must do and I know that we will probably face dangers unimaginable but I do long for some peace. If only I could find a temple to Obad Hai! To be able to kneel and meditate and breathe in the musky smell of cedar and oak! To be able to walk with El in the scattered sunlight beneath the canopies of the forest trees and do nothing but listen. Listen to the whisper of the wind through the leaves, hear the birds singing, feel the warmth of the sun on our faces! To feel each other's presence and the presence of nature. To see my family again! That is something to fight for. And I won't quit. I vow to all I love and have ever loved that I will not quit and I pray that Obad Hai will allow me the strength to continue.
Such wondrous and terrifying things I have seen since I set out on my own. Last night, as we sat watch upon an ogre keep, I saw what appeared to be a huge scorpion. It seemed as large as the largest sea vessel I have ever seen! What gods allow such a horrid variation of this creature to walk this land? And, if that sight wasn’t frightening enough, what followed in the later hours was such a noise that I can only compare it to the sound of the destruction of all the land and creatures around. It sounded like a mighty battle with unoerthly opponents screeching and roaring and pounding. It sounded and felt as if the land below us had been rent apart by some otherworld monster! Then with first light my unbelieving eyes saw the likes of which I have never seen nor could even imagine! A giant lizard! A lizard as big if not bigger than the scorpion that I had seen in the night! This “lizard”, I believe, must have made a meal of that scorpion and the scorpion must have put up quite a fight for we have not seen the scorpion again and I can naught imagine anything else that might have made the noises that I heard! In the morning the lizard was headed to a place under the keep that we were planning to overtake. My abundant thanks to Obad Hai for allowing me to know what dangers there are here for I could never have imagined. We moved on the keep on the morning after we sighted the great lizard. It was a well-planned attack but we were not completely prepared for what lay before us. For two days we watched the keep and surrounding lands and saw no one or nothing but the ogres and the giant lizard. Terranza even scouted invisibly and brought back invaluable information about the layout of the place but there was no warning of a giant! We moved in and were met by several ogres. They were, easily enough, dispatched by our stalwart group. El’Rohir and I were fighting side by side when the giant appeared. I felt the giant, smelled him, heard him and, the moment I laid eyes upon him, I wanted nothing more than to kill him. It was overpowering this urge to rid the Oerth of his foul presence and I charged up to tear him apart. I can only liken this feeling I had to what El must feel when he is in a rage. The blood lust I felt, I have seen in his eyes in battle. My charge was very nearly my last as I could not reach the giant to fully attack but he had no difficulty in reaching me and with three pounding attacks with his axe he nearly spilled the whole of my life-blood upon the ground. I could feel my life slipping away and yet I could not back away. I wanted so much to cut the giant into pieces! If not for Hanor and El’Rohir, I would be dead. They moved in to attack the giant and it wasn’t so much the reprieve from the fight that brought me to my senses but more the sight of the man that I now know that I cannot live without! I knew that if I died, I would never see El’Rohir again until we met beyond death. My heart could not bear it and I broke away to take some healing. I know that everything that happens on Oerth happens for a reason and the Gods have a way of making sure things happen. Since that moment, when my life was slipping away, my place in this world has been made clear. I am to be nowhere that El’Rohir isn’t. My life with Ethen was but for me to know this feeling in my heart when it came again. I will always love Ethen dearly and I know that he, in spirit, is helping to guide the hand of fate so that I would know my rightful place. If there will ever again be a time that El’Rohir and I will be apart; that is the time that I will remember what it felt like to be on the threshold of death. It is all so clear to me now. If only I could go to my mother! When I left (to become a druid!) the sadness in her eyes was devastating. But I could not see the depth of her pain nor could I feel it. My heart was left numb and dead when Ethen was murdered. My life as I knew it was over. Now I can see that it was just beginning. If only my poor mother and father could know that all is well with me in spirit, heart and mind! I could write, I know but it would not be the same. El has to be with me. They have to see. Then, they will know. I could never praise Obad Hai enough for guiding my footsteps down this path. I’ve been following with my heart all along and never knew it…until now. My life…our lives are just beginning and there is nothing that we can’t do if we’re together.
In my wildest thoughts and dreams I would never have believed that some day I would be face to face with a dragon! My companions tell me this was a small dragon.....by Obad'Hai's grace I hope to never confront a large one! How could I have missed the signs? Walking along through the forest looking for those winged creatures I must have ignored what were obvious signs! They have to have been there! A dragon can't inhabit a place and not leave evidence of his presence! The thought of the danger that I might have placed the party in makes me cringe. And El'Rohir! I shudder to think that I might have lost him courageous and bold as he is. A dragon! I will endeavor to keep my senses up and not let anything like that happen again!! These people mean too much to me! It seems the farther along we go the more dangerous our quest becomes. I fear for the life of Lord Morrow and can only pray that we'll reach him in time. There is, however, a little good that came from our encounter with that dragon and that is we know better now the stuff we are made from! I only hope we don't grow to become over-confident. Obad'Hai guide us along our way so that we may find Lord Morrow and return him safely to his family.
Sometimes I feel that evil has overtaken more of the lands than we cold ever know! To fight an evil lich! The memory of his visage repulses me! And now, to find that our companion has been tainted by the touch of evil and is now connected to Asmodeus of all the Gods!!!! Deep down I know that Drak is not an evil being. He is a stalwart companion who has showed his honor (much to his chagrin) and loyalty time and again but now he is tainted with fiendish traits because of our impatience. Why, oh why, did we rush so?! We could have gone back to the merfolk! We chose to find a quick solution instead of a safe one! Obad'Hai, I am unworthy of the gifts that you've bestowed upon me! I have always felt you in my heart and followed your ways! If I had taken some time to meditate and pray for your guidance, I'm sure that we would have chosen correctly! Drak has never been an overly faithful follower of any God but now we've let him slip in the direction of evil. Is he strong enough to fight the temptation? I hope so but am unsure. He appears to enjoy and look forward to the changes that he is going through. No doubt that these changes are beneficial to our party as long as he is loyal and true! He resists the damage that fire causes and appears to be stronger than he was before. El'Rohir had to beat him relentlessly to overcome him when he was possessed and under the control of that lich!! With Drak's power (and a little room!) he could really deal us some damage! I can only hope that our friendship and Aria's love can keep Drak's feet on the right path. Drak has never been in it for the good of the world but there is a lot of treasure to be had out there and he's most definitely in it for that! I won't judge. With the guidance of Obad'Hai and the work ahead of us we may be able to keep Drak busy enough to forget about growing horns or a tail or developing red, glowing eyes! I shudder at the thought! Poor Hanor to have had to keep that secret for such a long time. At first I was angry! I didn't understand how someone could be tainted by evil and not actually be evil. Hanor has somewhat calmed my fears and I must make amends to Hanor for doubting his judgement! My fear did not let me see clearly but I know that Hanor would never jeapordize the safety of the party. He is an honorable soul and I am honored to be able to call him my friend. For now we'll continue on. Fighting the evil that confronts us as best we can. Terranza, fighting our battles and her own. Who knows what drives her, but the ferocity in her eyes as she quashes her opponents tells me that there is more to this splendid, lion-hearted warrior than we know. Hanor, our iron-willed cleric, always giving his help unselfishly and unwaveringly! Never faulting anyone and always steadfast in his honor. Aria, deadly of aim and intrinsic to the success of our quest yet she lends a softness and beauty to the group that keeps us aware of the good that also surrounds us. El'Rohir, my beautiful, valiant champion and confidante. Without his support I fear that I would have a much narrower view of the world. And Drak, our most curious member. He has his own wars to win but he has never faltered in his devotion to the assistance of our groups success. I pray to Obad'Hai that he has the strength to fight the evil of Asmodeus influence. Even more than I pray that the Medegians shall be driven from this Oerth, I pray for the atonement of Drak's soul.
I feel that the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders! Obad-Hai himself must have sent El'Rohir to me! To be able to speak to someone about what I've kept inside for so long has given me new strength! I never thought that I would find someone that I could share such deep, emotional feelings with! As difficult as the road ahead of us is, I feel a renewed strength! Our togetherness has done much for me in body and spirit. I enjoy catching his eye and catching him as he is eyeing me. It's as if I've been reborn. The emotion on El's face as I told him Ethen's story! It was almost as if he was there. He and I share such a deep obligation to fulfill our quest! I believe that fate brought us together and I can't describe my elation! El and I, together with our stalwart companions will do everything we can to rid the world of the repulsive growth that is the Archbishop of Pntylver and his Medegian dogs! Thanks to Obad-Hai for such a person to enter my life. May we always be as blessed by the Gods as we are now.
The festival was a delight! The uninterrupted hours of enjoyment that we were allowed have done much to bring up the morale of the party. So much that Drak and Aria have finally opened their hearts to one another! We all knew they cared for each other. You could feel it in the air! I even danced! With El'Rohir! Our entire party reveled in the carefree nights of the festival. I would not have imagined that Terranza was such an agile dancer! I guess it makes sense. To see her on the battlefield, dancing the forms, is a sight that should have told me that she could handle the dance floor just as well! I don't think that I've ever seen Hanor smile so much! Although he was usually smiling when he was holding a mug of ale! You could feel his pride, though, when the dwarven population, small as it is, congregated around him. I do not know what he was saying to them but their faces were rapt and Hanor held the whole of their attention. It seems that our concerns and duties blind us even from what is right in front of our noses! El'Rohir's attentions have not only stirred deep feelings that I thought I could never feel again but have opened my eyes as well. We fight not only for the freedom of the people but so that they should always feel free enough to "see what is right in front of their noses"! Not only always looking behind them and guarding each others backs!! What is freedom if you can't be happy? Are you not still tethered by the things which make you unhappy then? Our fight against the Medegians must end with nothing less than the total destruction of those foul beings. They, supported by the Overking, have taken from me and all the people of the Flanaess our happiness! Never, never will I forget the mangled, tortured body of my beloved Ethen and the sight of his poor, devastated mother cradling him! It is for Ethen that I fight and for happiness! Thanks to Obad Hai for sending me such a valiant man as El'Rohir to open my eyes! I see now that the chains on my heart and mind were placed there by the Overking himself! I will never cease to fight against him so that all people may feel the freedom that I feel now! Despite my happiness and attraction to El'Rohir, I have a fear of a relationship with him. He is strong and handsome and good and true but I fear to lose him. My heart and mind could never bear another loss such as that! For now, it is freedom from my memories and pain that El'Rohir has given me. I will relish his gift. I feel nearly as close to him as I felt to Ethen. I pray to Obad-Hai for guidance and the strength to continue our fight for freedom! I pray to Obad-Hai to protect and keep The Oathbound, my dearest friends as we march through the forests of time towards our common goal. May we be successful and happy!
A festival! It will be nice to celebrate something other than Drak being brought back to life!! Really, though, in all seriousness, we need a bit of a respite. It has been long since I have been able to let my guard down. Well, let it most of the way down anyway. All of us will be alert and we'll each be taking our turn at guarding the town and ourselves during the festival. Who knows what evil means the wretched Medegians have of finding us. Sometimes I feel that they know our every move! Thanks be to Obad-Hai that we are all together and healthy and can enjoy some of the festivities together. We have become a very close clan. I do believe that every one of our victories brings us closer together and makes us stronger. How strange it is to think that we only met in Planting. Just two mere months ago and look what we've been through together. I remember well thinking that I would never be able to trust these people. How I thought that we could make ourselves a few purses of gold and then go our separate ways! Now I can ne'er imagine a night's sleep without one of my dear comrades keeping me safe while I dream. I trust each and every one of these people more than I thought I could ever trust another person again. I've not felt so since, Ethen. Never will I forget the pain and grief in his dear mother's eyes nor my own thoughts of death. I was left so empty. Those responsible will pay dearly for the great loss suffered there! I pray to Obad-Hai that each of Ethen's footsteps falls on golden leaves and green moss as he travels the great woods of the Everafter. We will meet again my dear, sweet, Ethen. I have thought often of him as of late. Perhaps I feel guilt. I've had feelings stirring within me that I have not felt since the time that we shared together. El'Rohir bought me a bright yellow dress............
We have found Boss Fromm and he is safely tucked away where he can begin to rebuild his armies. By the Gods I have never seen nor could I have ever imagined the creatures that we fought to free him. If the Medegians have such support we may need to find some supporters of equivalent strength!! Maybe that is a quest we could set out on. What's good for the goose..... While Boss Fromm recoups, we travel. We have been dealt a crucial blow but the process of rebuilding is already begun. Good will prevail. I have to believe. Obad Hai keep my body strong, by mind sharp and my comrades safe! Impuritygaming has not created a profile. |