3. The Journal of Jerrick Rayfe

The Journal of Jerrick Rayfe


  • _Well, it was a busy day.

    Belia and I were coming back from the Rawlins and happened across what appeared to be Ronan speaking with a fey. She said something along the lines of an apology, then kissed him on the lips, and he immediately transformed into a person shaped tree.

    I stood up to the fey who had an assortment of six legged and half man wolf-beasts with her, and in her audacity she blew me a kiss, and wandered back onto her plane saying something about how Ronan would be so in love with her in twenty-four hours that he would not be able to WAIT to get back to her realm, Avalon. She left a pendant with the curse around Ronan's neck, and he was unable to speak any language but that of plants, which I thankfully am able to cast a spell to communicate with, and he didn't know how to help himself out of the situation, and seemed half resigned to his fate.

    It's a first I've seen from him, and needless to say, it rather disturbed me. I tried to take the amulet off of him, and it tried to zap me! My armor flashed, the golden runes glowing at the magical attack upon my person, but it deflected it. Still, I was unable to get the thing off. I sent Belia into town for Aramuil at Ronan's request, and even dispels were ineffective. Belia and I came to the same realization at that point however, Oberon!

    I ran for him, eating one of those fey fruit that increases he speed of one's feet, and ran as a wolf part of the way as well. Upon retrieving it, I came back, and Oberon immediately leaped to action upon my touching it, blasting the curse off of Ronan, and blasting ME with the backlash of power it needed to take to do so.

    I'm only glad I again proved strong enough to weather the attack, and Ronan was freed immediately.
    I have NO idea if the fey woman who tried to curse him knows it was me, or how Ronan got free, but I'm certainly watching my back now… and I plan on continuing to do so.

    Belia and I did make it all the way to Peltarch like we planned, but not without me testing Oberon once more on Jerr, with his permission, as he is quite covered in curses and burns, the curses making him burn from within violently.

    The backlash from THIS attempt was worse than the previous, as it wasn't just the drain from Oberon that hit me, but whatever curse was upon Jerr took a vicious swipe at me.

    Again my armor came to my rescue, and took a large chunk of the hurt I was about to endure away, a magical attack that made the runes glow like freshly forged metal.

    Once we DID make it to Peltarch, I colored the leather parts of the armor to my liking and dulled the colors of my cloak, and I am now satisfied with the look of it. Can't wait to show Kara.

    Hells it's heavy...._


  • _Oberon seems to be staring at me now, whenever I walk by.
    Sure it's a crystal skull of some dead faerie, but it's magical, and sentient by all appearances and experiences.

    I do have to admit, although it hurt a little, like it was using me to power itself, but it was exhilarating! Cleansing that little bit of taint was amazing, beyond words, and I could feel the area in the woods where the faerie plane was close to our own… I wonder how many more places like that there are?

    I've a lot to think about recently, but I feel like I have a renewed sense of purpose. It's good to have goals, a purpose, new avenues to explore within oneself. It's a good thing...

    Just like having finally gathered enough gold to get my armor made by the crafters in the circle, to get it made and imbued. Can't wait til it's done!

    Kara and I have actually gotten to spend some time together lately, and she's helped me greatly in getting the funds together. I can't thank her enough, but I'm sure I'll think of another way to repay her. Maybe get her something as a surprise.

    I'm sure I'll think of something, I always do._


  • _Well, that takes care of that.

    Tumluk got his tears.
    When one of those damnable changelings caused Trouble in Jiyyd and someone was killed, I went to console the children of the families struck by this tragedy, and I collected their tears.

    Defiantly I faced Tumluk in my next dream, and handed over the jars, and he gave his word that I was no longer a target for this hunt of theirs. Also, his interest in Belia will no longer be a pursuit for him, as part of our deal.

    He got his jars, and I have the safety of my packmate ensured. My own safety comes second, as I can elude their hunt for as long as needed, or stand and fight if they ever had cornered me, but I won't stand for Belia being whisked away in her sleep.

    Now that that's settled, I've been spending more and more time with oreth in front of that Stone. We've GOT to find out it's workings, and preferably sooner than later.

    –-----------A divider in drawn into the page--------------

    Kara is back.
    My heart is at peace, and for the first time in many many nights I slept away from the glen, in our home, and after about 17 hours of resting, playing, resting, eating, playing again, resting s'more, and finally eating again to regain our strength, we went back to our various duties.

    Duty once again is always a constant in my life, but a part of my life has returned to me, and for that I am glad.
    Meilikki, you've blessed me more than words can explain.
    I continue to be your chosen, your vassal, your follower, your sword._


  • _Again I find myself musing about dreams.

    I miss Kara terribly, and I see her face when I sleep. That doesn't bother me though, it's pleasant even though I know (i NOW know) that she's in a land far away. Nobody told me til Eluriel said something abut an airship, but even she was not sure.

    I'm assuming the information she gave me was correct and true, and praying for Kara's safety. Part of me screams that I should be looking for her, because I don't believe she would actually leave without telling me.

    Would she?

    At any rate, dreams.
    That bastard Tumluk came to me again, offering a deal.
    if I collect something for him, he will set aside his claim to Belia and I.

    He wants Belia, and thinks I would make a find addition to he and his queens hounds or somesuch, and I don't know what to make of it except to understand that these unseelie are not to be trusted, as they care little for mortal lives. We are far below them, in their eyes, and toys.

    I don't know what to do about his deal… but I've got to do something, even if it's to throw the items he handed me into the dirt and smash them beyond recognition. . . or giving him what he wants.

    First, I need to find out what they're truly for. Then I'll act._

    There is a space here where he drew idly, it looks like a couple of pillars, hazy outlines of them.

    Also, I either need to get better sleep when I lay down to rest, or find out why I seem to be passing out on random hills and random times… could end up bad for my health at this rate.


  • _I've spent little time with Kara since it happened.

    I was struck down in the demon fortress, and thankfully, she was not, for which I am glad. One thing bothers me however.

    I still have not recovered from the first time, and I begin to fear what may happen if I continue to decline so. Fayt no longer comes to me, as if I am too weak to be anything but a burden to him on a hunt. I cannot cast as many spells as before, and some are lost to me altogether.

    Strange thoughts fill my head, and I can't remember hardly any of the fortress trip either. I feel like I should remember something about Will and Raver, or was it Eluriel and Meril? Bah… none of this makes any sense. All I really know is they're saying we won. I even got a trinket as thanks for our efforts.

    I'm glad, and thankful, but suspicious.
    It's said that it was Silus himself who released the actual anchor holding that demonic plane to ours like a leech, and it's also said he may not have made it out.

    Somehow I doubt it. Somehow I fear that e may have forseen the terrible backlash that washed over the Rawlins like a rogue wave from the sea, spreading pure vile corruption over the place that now sits like a seething festering blanket of sorrow.

    Turns out this attracts demons like bears to honey too.
    While outside the glen as I have been lately, waiting for our visitors from the "Other circle" of the same name, Arvangel the prince of demons or whatever it is he styles himself decided to pay me a visit.

    I had lit myself a smoky fire on a rock before the glen and sat there, remarkably undisturbed by the demongoblins that still roam the area, probably confused why more of their bretheren don't swarm to the swirling miasma of filth in the air now, the taint that I can feel all around me now everywhere but inside the very Glen itself.

    Arvangel and I chit chatted for a while, and Calen brought some others to come say hello to me while I waited, seeing him as well. he was mocking and imperious, but I've had worse company than the demon before, til he grew bored of us and flew off.
    Good riddance.

    Eluriel came to see me after I walked Calen and his companions back, and I spent several hours with her, which was enjoyable, and interrupted by the arrival of another. Merry she calls herself, and apparently a servant of Auril, or "Winter", and a member of this other circle of Quercatha Terr.

    She tracked the demonbear-bat creature past the glen into the southern Rawlins, and we killed it. I saw to the burning of the mutated abomination myself, much to Merry's displeasure. Fire and all, so I understand a bit.

    We're scheduled to have some sort of meeting with their elders, I only hope we can get our bit of the circle up to par and together before this happens. We've got a slew of apprentices, and an elder or two, and No archdruidess.

    These are the druids who offered me a warning when then offered aid weeks ago before the demonfortress assault, which was one of the reasons Kara and I spurred Narfell into action against this threat once again, thankfully with better results this time, as far as getting folks together.

    Still... I can't help but wonder.
    Did we actually HELP the situation?
    It seems time will tell.

    Now, I believe I have a wedding to plan, if I ever get to see my fiance anytime soon with all the new threats in the woods keeping me from our home together._


  • _Failure.

    The search for gold to replenish what Kara and I have used lately failed, and rather quickly, three times in a row.

    First, we took a look at the bugbears, seeing if there were any lurking about that could prove easy pickings.
    Too many bugbear druid types, and I didn't have my lightning resistant cloak on me.

    Next, we decided we'd go play with ogres in the giantspires. After wrestling icebears bare handed, Kara and I made it to the cave, and attempted to cross the bridge.

    Several flaming axes later, we decided against it. Retreating back to Peltarch, we found another to help us, Mec, who went back to the bugbears with us. We began slaying several of them, and that's all I remember. Apparently Kara said they ignored her and went right for me, despite me being past her, and I was soon overwhelmed, despite trying to get to better ground to fight back.

    This loss has left me very weak. I feel as if a piece of me is LITERALLY gone now, like it would take much less to take me down now, like I could not stand up to a tough fight anymore, like a sapling cannot weather a storm.

    I'm worried, but not scared. Just worried that I won't be able to protect those I care about while I'm weak like this…

    Meilikki, tell me what I should do. How can I be what I need to be?_


  • _Up down up down up down up, and down again.

    What the hells is with this today? And yesterday? I'm trying to keep track of everything around me, but I can't even get my OWN head straight with how things have been going.

    The recruits are pretty good overall, though I've had to deal with plenty of crap from each of them lately.

    Self esteem issues seem to be more of an issue than the actuall threat of death to some of these … kids.
    Yes, a few are acting like chidren damnit.
    Yes, I understand you were a slave, I know you want to prove your worth, but you're no good to ME or anyone else dead.
    Caric was first, now Radriel. Granted, Radriel seems a good deal smarter than Caric, less prone to rushing headlong into certain death, but she still wants to be the one to FIND it each time, even if, like today, the slight chance of her being found would certainly spell instant death.

    Let Gears or someone walk into that. He seems to be losing his mind lately though, but clears up in battle, so he's still good for it. Merial makes a great scout too, and damn if Amywen is something other than a ghost, I won't believe it. She sneaks up on me easier than liquor on a lightweight drinker. Thorn's good at it too, but he uses the potions, so If I see him drink one, I know to strike at shadows or bent blades of grass nearby if I think he's up to something.

    At any rate, the GOOD stuff. Kara's home.
    I smelled her as a wolf earlier, but I was late, and she's since bathed and left home, so I went to Norwick. Sure enough, I saw her there, and before I could get so much as a KISS in... Demons.

    GODS it's never FELT SO GOOD to pierce a demon through the eye with an arrow, or score a hit with my blade as it did today.
    Anything getting between me and my Kara is going to have a BAD day, I told myself. And they did... but apparently the bugbears didn't get the hint. No those F#@#$ decided to attack while I was still cooling off form Radriel's insubordinate stunt of possibly quitting the legion. I had the highest damned hopes for her too!

    So we killed scored of bugbears. None of us fell permanently, Loc also got killed but was healed quickly enough, and I was a magical arrow retrieval target today for some reason for those thricecursed bugbear archers.

    I finally reported to Lyte, who was there, and she seemed understanding of the whole mess, and now, well now I'm sitting in front of the fire in the gapevine inn with Kara sleeping on my chest, finlly relaxing, and helping me to do the same. Right now, however, I think it worked. I'm happy right now, and at the moment... yeah, nothing else really matters._

    Notes at bottom of page

    -Find new wolves
    -Find Fadia for testing
    -Prepare for next wolf test
    -Keep training recruits
    -Spend time with/protect/spoil the hell out of / KARA (#1)


  • _Wolf Scout. I now have a rank within the wolves, a position in the family where I have proved some of my worth.

    I passed the test this time, just over a month since my last test, where I slayed the wrong target first, this time proving to Tala that I did indeed have the skills necessary to a wolf.

    Now, the tests I have yet to complete are my apprentice test with the circle, and whatever may come up with the Legion, if it is a test at all.

    Speaking of tests… Kara is still gone.
    This seems a test of patience, though I'm sure she doesn't intend it to be such. As far as tests of loyalty or fidelity, I've of course, had no issue.
    I'm not pursued, so that makes it far easier, as well as the fact that Kara is a rather intimidating individual, which means she's not likely to be contested by much of anyone as well.

    I suppose the greatest test of all right now is patience... it used to be the hardest for me to pass, but it seems to have eased with time.
    Guess I'll wait for now._


  • **This page has been torn out, as if a letter was written and removed for delivery. The page right behind it has a small note on it. **

    _It's really about time Kara should have been home from her trip… or so I would think, but I'm sure whatever is keeping her is important. . .

    Seeing a few people about has made me miss her more and more lately, namely my two fellow halfelves, one of whom, Ah'Ria, just came back.
    Now her and prettyboy seem inseparable. Not a bad match, I think. Cute even.

    True to my word, I'll have to remember to pass that along when I see Scratched out and replaced with her next.

    I hope she likes the letter, when she gets home... and doesn't kill me for leaving a mess of things in the trunk she just cleaned... Oh I am SO dead, better go clean now._

    **The page ends with a few marks of Jerrick cleaning off the quill of the bright blue ink, and a small mark of the date. (RL Apr 3. 2008) **


  • _Norwick, I have decided, is ridiculous.

    if it wasn't for the fact that it's on the way from all my other places of associated TO the Rawlins, I might just quit going there so often.

    Case in point, last night.
    Sitting about the fire AFTER running south after a tip from Silus that something was wrong to fight demons, only to run north and find our town occupied by goblins, which we fought off successfully, came another issue altogether.

    A woman named Iria was in the Norwick jail, and as I sat about the fire tending to a VERY drunken Felix and Radriel (I HATE drunksitting now) we saw fire come from the direction of the barracks. I followed Dietrick in, and we found the cells on fire, or rather A cell on fire particularly… Iria's.

    I'm not entirely certain as to WHY she's in jail other than she was supposedly trying to summon a demon here (Her and everyone else it seems) but now she's dead, burned to death in front of Dietrick's eyes.

    I arrived and began putting out the fires, but not nearly fast enough.
    Then all hell broke loose. Felix started demanding things of the guard, who was baffled as to how we all got down there in the first place, and got himself arrested.

    I left when asked to, and saw Felix released, as well as Drogo the gnome, who was also part of our little retinue of folks who ran inside to see what happened. The gnome came out in troll form, earning a beating from the outside guard who didn't see the carnage the INSIDE jail guard saw, and only saw a talking troll with a burned body in it's arms.

    When Drogo didn't change back on command, the Norwick guard laid into him. After some discussion of what to do with the body, they (Drogo and Felix) brought the prisoner's body into the healers, and at that point, I needed rest. I had been rather badly burned putting out the fires, I was sick of drunksitting, and I have no power in Norwick that's good for talking to the guards about the situation without getting beat on or blown off, so I left.

    I'll have to let Ronan or someone know eventually, and hope that the whole scheme there was not to get the body out of jail so it could be stolen... that sort of thing seems to happen a lot out here.

    As for Felix, he really HAD aught to obey orders, and told me "No" to my face several times tonight, including in the situation leading to his arrest where I told him to stand down and leave the cellblock when told to do so.
    I hate making my journal seem like my report log, but this is NOT the first incident like this I've seen, and unfortunately, others keep reporting these sorts of things to me too.

    I'm going to wait til the business with Grag is sorted, or at least calmed down, and then I need to speak to General Lyte. If he won't listen to me, I'll have to hand him to the higher ranked officer, since I obviously don't command the respect in him that I should.

    Yesterday if it wasn't for the fact that I saved a couple of lives during the fighting, was not worth waking up. I'm sleeping in today... starting now._


  • _I've always gone forward day to day, thinking about the day after the one I'm in, only glancing back at the past days to remember a choice detail that can again, be used in the future.

    Now I look back and wonder, examine, and get to know myself.
    I asked someone recently, if she thought be too violent, too savage, too bloodthirsty, thinking at least an answer of "Sometimes" at best.

    When she said no, I looked at her a long time, this sister of mine, and smiled again. If those closest to me don't see it, then it's likely not there, and I've little to worry about. I just surprise myself sometimes, laughing as I cut open a bugbear, or elite goblin, a roving demon, or a marauding horde of undead. The fight thrills me sometimes, so much that I'll even go seek it.

    Is it instinct to hunt? Is it more than instinct? It rather makes me wonder at times, whether I sometimes let my connection to the wild slip more into my life as a person than I realize.

    Speaking of which, I apparently keep managing to startle people when I let anger show on my face, and I don't know what it is they see. I should be more aware. It's good to keep my thoughts on these pages, I can take one of those rare looks into my own past and try to learn.

    Lastly, I've been avoiding writing this down.
    I didn't think when I wrote these words that they could be written with such a lack of joy or good feeling, but right now I feel like vomiting instead of writing.

    Grag was found.

    I should elaborate, but I know the image won't ever leave my head… still if anyone happens across this they should know. General Grag was found on the watchtower just inside of Jiyyd, vigilantly standing watch.... except that it was not the General as we know him... but a hollowed out husk, a shell made of his own body, eyeless and empty.

    That anger I mentioned before? It pales in comparison to what I feel now. I want the blood of whomever did this, and I want to bathe Jiyyd in it, make it green with the life that is given to it by my blade.

    I can only hope that whatever did this makes a mistake, and I find them myself. Until then, the hunt beckons, and I must answer._


  • Damnit.

    That about sums it up.
    I manage to get a recruit for the Legion, a lovely young lady with some considerable skill at finding and disabling traps and a good attitude, and while I was testing her, I got a note about an attack on Jiyyd.

    I brought the small force of Legion Privates and my recruit with me to fight snow goblins, as the note said, and we arrived to catch one in the act of fighting the guard. Shortly thereafter Regrin Deed was shot through the gate, standing before it as it was OPEN.

    We shut it, moved him, and fought off waves of goblins climbing over walls with ropes and the like, a couple goblins at a time. Then the catapults and their flaming ammunition started in.

    I went out to wreck it, an invisibility potion in hand, and then we all went out to hunt down the remaining goblins… long story short, we found no more, and the town was attacked behind us.

    I failed protecting the people that looked to me for leadership, and in front of Naiya, an elder of the circle no less.
    I feel a fool, lost in the sea of my own ego for even TRYING to maintain order, but it WAS my responsibilty, and I should have expected the ambush.

    I've been through these before, and I should have known better.
    Next time, I'll be ready, if there is one.


  • A strange entry appears in the journal, written in a slightly more sloppy version of Jerrick's neat, precise, and flowing script. Vague and almost nonsensical, the entry is short, and unsweetened.

    _What is the mind?
    Can is be forgotten somewhere like a misplaced coinpurse, and lost in that sense? Or can it be taken perhaps?

    How do you find a lost mind? Does that mean it can wander off like a child left unattended?

    Hells, I need to find someone like Aramuil for a question like this. It seems like a question that can only be banished by talking it to death, and frankly, I don't think I have the words.
    Hells, I just proved it._


  • A letter arrived at the Glen today…
    Seems this is going to be it, if Ronan has anything to say about it. A final assault on the demon fortress that we've been letting sit for a while? I'm not sure how well this will work, but then again, we haven't been sure every other time too.

    His request for two people from the circle makes me think some.
    I wonder if Fadia is going to pick me to represent the circle again. I can only hope that I can do so, perhaps It will help serve as a test, or something like it, since I still haven't been able to recover a piece of a powerful creature to bring back as proof of single combat.

    Jerrick taps his quill against his chin, thinking, and smiles slightly to himself

    On a better note, there was a big dinner outside the sisterhood, led by Nicahh, to raise funds for building a school in Jiyyd. Things went a little crazy thanks to one of the waiters trying to kill himself, cutting another person, the chef constantly being angry and the like, and my plan to propose to Kara seemed to crumble in front of me as I couldn't even get my hands to stop shaking.
    I recited a poem I wrote which, in retrospect, was likely TERRIBLY cheesy, and gave Kara a jade engagement ring that glows with a green light, which she thankfully accepted. So now, again, I find myself engaged.

    I'm looking forward to the future, more so than normal, but one thing is still heavy on my mind. How are a Quercathan Druid/Wolf/Legionnaire and a Kelmvorite Paladin/Purple Dragon Knight/Order of the divine shield going to arrange a wedding, or rather what kind of wedding we'll have....
    Oh well, all things work out eventually. I hope.


  • In most of my dreams, I am running.

    This may be because in most of my dreams, I am a wolf, but I digress.
    I keep finding myself running places, not so much FROM things, as TO them, but running has always been the recurring theme. I suppose it means I feel like I'm searching for something, and don't have much time, or I feel it's such an impossible goal, that maybe, JUST maybe I can reach it if I give it my all.

    Tonight I dreamed.

    A key rests heavy in my pocket, and a red haired girl rests on my chest.
    Cushions surround us, as well as something called peace. I think I can get used to this.

    Hells, I think I have.


  • Again, I find myself standing about, journal in hand, a million thoughts in my head. When this quill touches this page, I feel like it's no longer me writing, but something IN me trying to get out now, like I've been holding it back far too long.

    I suppose I should put what's first on my mind first.
    Kara. Kara Dumonte, Knight, Shield, Friend, and the first thing on my mind when I wake, and last thing I like to see as I fall asleep.

    I'm not sure when this all began, truthfully. We started spending time together, just chit-chatting really, after Celestria and I split.
    Then she went away for a time, and I got a letter, stating that she found herself missing my company while away, and I realized that I wasn't alone in that.

    Since then, it's been a perfect whirlwind of emotions, as if we're caught in the surface current of the sea in a storm.

    I love it.

    I love Her. (This is underlined and bolded basically, as if he took his time writing these words, purposely letting more ink spread from his qiull-point for emphasis)

    –-----------------------------(A line as if to sort thoughts)

    We often end up meeting up in Norwick, the land's hotspot of trouble as of late, it would seem. Last night was no exception. As we all sat by the fire, and Aramuil tried to rally more adventurers into another crazed and not-well-thought-out plan, the earth shook, hard.

    We looked about, and it felt as if it came from in town, so we all started searching. There, by the North cliff, was a foul green gas seeping from the ground, which left puddles of a vile burning acid where they seeped up.

    Fireballs, Magic Missles, other spells were cast at it to banish it, and nothing seemed to have any effect at all. Someone mentioned WATER being able to dissapate it, so a water elemental was brought to it, and that made progress, slowly dissolving the stuff away, as if dilution made it break up and apart.

    When we all stood about trying to figure out how to get to the source, with Aramuil digging about with no effect, I happened across an idea, and lay prostrate on the ground, ear to the grass, palms flat, and called upon nature's magic to let me speak with the plants.

    The grass responded to me, and asked my help in stopping the burning water. It was made clear that the stuff was not evil, per se, or brought on by anything that was. I requested the location of it, and was given a northwestern direction to go from, so I led everyone there, to see what we could do, after the grass asked me one more question.

    It asked for sky water, making me think of a better way to dilute the slime, and again I called upon Meilikki and her blessings, to bring a storm to me, and saturate the earth with it's life-giving water.

    So there I was, face in the grass, whispering like wind through trees, and making it rain and lightning where I stood, unsinged.

    From there, we went north, and soon found another upheaval of the foul stuff, which I called another storm to, and again, it retreated from nature's deluge, Meilikki answering my cry for help.
    When I moved forward to touch Meilikki's pendant to the ground, to bless it against a recurrence of the stuff and keep growing strong, when the very ground beneath me gave way completely. I fell, and into a waiting cave with a floor of acid.

    My elemental protections served me well, and I wasn't hurt much, even rolling through the acid as I had to so I did not break a leg. Aramuil, Eldrith, Gears, Ronan, and Moradim joined me in time down there, and we found some rune markings of the old Nars language, that when translated, spoke of "Storage Container 4" or something like that.

    This was clearly either a weapon or experiment left for later times below ground in it's stone container, or something else that had gone bad over time, and begun to leak out from the quickly deteriorating vessel. Oh, and that's when the cave sounded like it was about to come down on our heads, starting with one particular large rock I noticed while everyone else had their heads to the stone.

    We made it back up, I flew as a raven for the ease of it, and we began to think topside, of how we might stop this thing.

    I asked if I might speak up, and like before in the Glen, attention was on me. I pointed, and gestured to the stream and waterfall on the cliff above us, and said that since the stuff was CLEARLY neutralized by water, that diverting the flow of the water into here and completely flooding it, would take care of it, AND maybe help prevent a collapse, with the pressure.

    For once, Aramuil agreed without much argument, and we did so, eventually filling the hole, and spilling out the acid, much diluted, which promptly dissolved.

    Now we have a new pond, the grass thanked me as it's guardian, and Norwick is safe from this buried threat.

    As for me, I am pleased that Meilikki came to my aid in such a blatant way, and it strengthens my heart. I have vampires angry at me, the demon goblins issue with Aramuil trying to be the leader of the groups going to the caves, and a million other things going on, but for now, I am at peace.

    It's a nice feeling, like being with Kara. See? There I go again.
    Note to self - Write more.


  • This is a recent story that Jerrick had told a few people, when they asked about his recently gained ability to take a wildshape. He wrote it down more accurately in his journal now, rather than just having a copy of his report.

    "The Birth of Silverfang"

    I was in Norwick, relaxing in the grass after another demon attack on the town. The sky was clear, nobody was being mourned, since we all survivied, and there were friends of mine about the fire.

    Thinking back, I should have known better than to nap right there in the state I was in.

    I have been having dreams now, intense ones, and been having them for months. In them, I am a wolf. Not just a brother or a sister to the wolves of Narfellpauses but a four legged, pack running, lean and graceful wolf. In these dreams, I smell things I've never noticed, see things differently, as if color is no longer necessary, and hear so much more than ever.

    These dreams had gotten So intense, that while i was fighting the demons and their goblins, I began dreaming of it again, even as I loosed my arrows.

    Nothing happened of course, and I was able to survive, despite the distraction of thinking I was smelling things that I could not have been smelling, and thinking my vision was losing color again. We all headed back to town, tired out, and I laid by the fire, exhausted, and fell quickly asleep.

    That's when it happened.
    I was woken up by something, I don't remember what now, and turned to speak to those at the fire, and found all these teeth in the way of my tongue, and it all hit me at once.

    Paws, fur, the vision, the sounds, the SMELLS! He gestures with his hands, somewhat excitedly And to top it all off, Fayt, my wolf companion was already there, and thrilled. Belia and her friend Veree were both there too, and we soon took off once I stopped to memorize the smells of my friends there, and, yes, get a few pats on the head.

    Don't knock it, you don't know how satisfying it is when you're like that. he grins, and continues

    We decided to run to Jiyyd, as it was supposed to be a nice safe place to run and play, and expore with my new senses.

    That came to an abrupt and terrifying halt when we hit the crossroads. You know those direwolves that hang out in the caves past Jiyyd, the really thick skinned ones? Yeah, one was waiting on the Peltarch side of the road, and he snarled at us and approached, OBVIOUSLY not feeling like conversation.

    I have no clue if he SCARED me out of it, or if my time limit on how long I can stay that was ran out, but at any rate, I found myself in this form again (some MAY Note he does not say "MY" form) and had to cast speak with animals to understand what he wanted. He stated it plain and simply, and cared not that I wasn't just a wolf, nor was Beli.a. He stated that he was challenging me for what it is he came for.

    My Pack.

    Belia and I could not reason with him. He shakes his head I can understand why though. Wolves are no philosophers. TO him, I was the alpha of my little pack, being male, and bigger than the other three, and I was in front at the time. He saw us like that, and decided what he wanted.

    The sight of me with a sword and shield dind't phase him, and he gave me an ultimatum. Submit, or fight. I replied back saying I did not wish to harm him, but if he attacked us I would be forced to defend myself, and he would die if he did not leave.

    He advanced, snarling, and I cast a spell of barkskin on myself just in case. I am no match for a direwolf, especially those cave dwelling ones, and I knew it. He attacked.

    I knew that if I did not defend myself, and attack him back, he would kill me, and then who knows what would happen to Belia, not to mention the other wolves. I wasn't about to give up on them, even if I had to sacrifice my life, so I fought.

    IN a pack fight for dominance, only the two contending aplha males fight. It's not like a territory fight, where packs will go after one another. We had to fight until death or submission.

    His hide was nearly impossible to pierce while fighting defensively, and simply trying to stave him off and counterattack, so I had to fight like an animal, like he was. I attacked with all I had, and began to color the pute white snow with the lifeblood of Both of us, rather than simply spilling my own.

    I was wounded badly by now, my barkskin all buy gone in places, and showing up as dark bloody holes, while his fur was covering the blood around him, hacked off in places with bits of flesh, and part of an ear i think.

    After landing me a solid bite on the thigh which nearly broke my leg, I smashed down with my blade, and pierced through his hide, gouging my silver sword deep into his side. It leaped back, spraying blood from the motion, and barked quickly "SUBMIT"

    I jumped back too, nearly crying out from the pain in my leg, and asked "YOU DO?" to clarify that he wasn't threatening again with his last breath, and it replied by bowing, and saying "I do"

    Immediately, I threw down my weapon and shield, and told it to come to me, which it did without fear. I healed it as best I could, and spent several moment bandaging it up as well, with herbs to prevent infection for the wounds he would need to heal on his own.

    We spoke a few moment longer, and he acknowledged me as his pack leader, bowing once again. "Your silver fang is too strong" he told me, gesturing to the sword in the snow, it's blade shimmering wet crimson, and I nodded. "I warned you, did I not" It said yes, and went back with my message.

    Tell his pack, and friends, that I am the pack leader now, and I and my friends are not to be given any trouble, or they will have to deal with me.
    I gave him Meilikki's blessing as he left, a brother, but a member of the pack I now lead apparently.

    I'm likely known to the wolves out there as silverfang, and apparently have a pack somewhere. Not exactly what I expected for my first time as a wolf in form, but Meilikki's blessings and gifts are not always obvious I suppose.

    Somewhere, I am a leader. He grins embarassed a little Strange huh?
    And thus was the birth of the Alpha Wolf Silverfang


  • A light copy of anotehr page, presumably written on thin vellum so it would bleed, it shoved in btween his journal mages, as if to keep note of what he wrote.

    –-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alright, to whom this may concern within the circle....
    (Jerrick's script looks hasty, as if he for once was agitated when writing, or just got back from nearly dying... the little blood on the paper shows it may be the latter)

    I recently gained Mielikki's blessing in a new way, and can no take the form of animals!
    I went for a run with Belia in those first moments, and we went from Norwick, where it happened, to Jiyyd. Well, at the crossroads, we ran into a direwolf. A huge one...

    He was angry, and startled me when we ran across him, and I ended up taking my own shape again out of suprise. He challenged us, or rather ME, for my "Pack" Because Belia, Veree, Fayt, and I were all running as wolves together when he found us.

    It gave me only the options to fight or submit, and I wasn't going to fathom what he wanted by submission, so I had to fight, alone, for the safety of the "pack"

    It was bloody, and terribly difficult, but I managed to make him yield, and did not have to kill him, thankfully. He submitted, and admitted that I was the alpha, and the leader of the pack, which he is now a part of.
    I don't know if he had his own pack, but if he did... somewhere I'm a leader of some pack of direwolves.

    Any... advice? Oh, and he may have a name for me, as wolves often give each other and others. he made a remark about my silver fang being too difficult to beat, so I've adpoted the name Silverfang amongst the wolves.

    That's all for now I suppose.
    -Jerrick "Silverfang" Rayfe


  • The next page in Jerrick's journal seems to have been stopped and started again a couple of times, as if it were written over an entire day, the thoughts mulled over, and Contemplated again later on

    A lot has happened.
    The Glen remains unscathed, despite the number of demontouched still roaming about it, which I still regularly wipe out systematically, and efficiently. There HAVE been a few surprises as of late, however. A party apparently went out further south, past the bugbears, and encountered demons and the like in great numbers. They returned mostly unscathed, save Aramuil, who fell. He has since been revived, which I am glad for. He is a good person, and it is comforting to know he has not passed.

    They returned, and apparently were followed to a point. When I saw them all gathered by the pond outside the old town gates of Norwick, I let them be and walked back into the Rawlins to continue my work. I was told it was not safe, and that demons may be about, which gave me further reason to head into the Glen. A panther joined me, which I spoke to, and learned that it had lost it's home, and was content to travel with me for a time.

    Belia and I hunted in the Rawlins for a while with the panther, Belia taking it's form as well, and we were both surprised by something new to that section of the Rawlins. Demontouched assassin goblins… I fought two at once, killed one, and nearly fell after a staggering blow from the other. I ran... the panther and Belia were fine, but it was a jarring experience. They came from nowhere! Knives in the back are unpleasant at best....

    That was days ago now, and more recently, back in the Glen, I was checking it out with Jerr again. He and I have become fairly regular scouting companions it would seem, and he also seems to have a vested interest in the Glen. He cares much for its safety, as I do. We had just come out, when I checked from tracks randomly, out of habit, and saw bugbear tracks. It had been rumored that since the demon fight, Tomek had not been seen, and in fact, Jerr and I were just talking about him and hoping for his safety when we came INTO the Rawlins...

    He was fighting a demontouched, and it was giving him quite the tough time. It seemed to be what we refer to as an "Elite" goblin, and it was also demontouched, and it was ridiculously powerful. We eventually slew it, after Jerr and I saw to Tomek's wounds with our magics. His bardsong and my gift from Mielikki kept him alive through the fight, and we fell the goblin swiftly.

    After speaking with Tomek for some time, we discovered that his tribe tried to kill him, and were all slain one way or another, not necessarily by Tomek, and he is basically moving off to start his own tribe. He is a bugbear who keeps his word, and wants to begin a new tribe with ideals like Grummsh, who always watches, and keeps his word, he says.

    As for the dryad, I have gotten a good response from my fellow wolves, but have yet to hear from Tala. I'm sure we'll find the wolves glad to house her there, and keep her safe, it's just taking time to track her down, as she has not been around lately.

    Scribbled in HA! She approved it. When I next see the keeper of her, I shall get her situated in her new home. I can't wait!

    As for me, I got promoted. I am now a corporal in the legion, and have already been given the assignment of introducing recruits to the legion, starting with a young warrior who seems smart, able to take orders, and is good with a bow and sword. He looks promising.

    I wrote Celestria a letter recently, as she did the same for me, and despite all the
    challenges, I think things are going fairly well. At least as well as they CAN be....
    I continue to do my best to support her, and plan on filling her in on all of this at some point quite soon, I may just let her read this journal as well, to keep me from rambling off on some silly tangent and missing the important things.

    I tend to do that sometimes....Like now.

    At any rate, I think I need to get more ink again (The writing is fading some on the page) so that's it for now.
    -Jerrick


  • No time as usual….

    Recently events have been moving at a rather fast pace, and I find myself patrolling the area around the Glen often, and even sleeping in the Glen so I may see to the goblins immediately after waking.
    I miss Celestria, and need to see her more often.
    Last I saw her, actually, she had a surprise for me. Well, two. One was the new outfit she was making, and the other was more of a "Hey I needed to show you this". Her ring from me was mangled, and she had a ragged scar underneath where it was, due to it being hooked on a hobgoblin scythe and nearly removing her finger.

    She has since told me that she will not be wearing it on her finger any longer, due to the danger it causes. I will get it repaired if possible, and see to setting it on a breakaway cord so that she cannot be pulled by it if it's about her neck.

    During that conversation, I was also promoted by General Grag, simply by asking of it. Apparently I;ve been doing well enough in my endeavors, and it;s paying off. I look forward to any new duties or responsibilities I mat take on due to this, but not to the time it will take away from an already deprived Celestria.

    I know she understands, but I still feel like I neglect her.
    I shall soon suprise her with something, in hopes of making it up to her.
    Until then...