3. Mooncandy's Journal

Mooncandy's Journal


  • Holding the journal in her lap, using everything she had been taught, reading, writing, she makes a sincere effort to write her thoughts, taking time to write each letter carefully, an endeavor which seemed to have taken hours as she had asked not to be disturbed while in the Peltarch inn by the fire

    (Though the writing itself in the journal looks like nothing more than chicken scratch, they have been translated for writing's sake from her thoughts here)

    "Dear Journals

    _I have not written in book before. I want to practice many things including writing in book, as well as trying to say "I" more than just her name since seem to take less work and is better grammars. Anyway, much has happened since Mooncandy come to this land. Today celebrate her one year of living in narfell, and she has done very much and become a much stronger person since coming.

    Selune and Sehanine smiles upon mes. Every day when I wake up, I count my blessings. I found a beautiful shrine to both of them. Selune is my God, but Sehanine also has much of my heart and I ask her to watch over me too. I am saving up many moonstones, and when I get 100, I do special project which I let people know later since maybe I need help.

    I misses her village a lot back in the Glacier. Miss mother, father, and Starcandy, moonie's little sister (real name is Stella). There not day go by she not think or say a prayer for them. At same time though, Mooncandy has made many friends and family here. She love her friends and does her best to take care of them and help them whenever they ask. Moonie also wish Rico, Yngdir, or Duncan were right-sized since she like them kinda too and would ask them on date if they were.

    What else. Well, one year has passed, and I do much more in this year than she do most of her life! I helped fight against Shar forces, help destroy many shadovar and fight them in her home plane, the Shadow Plane itself. I also went on a flying ship! She found out world was rounds and I not understand how possible since if this is true why we not fall off? Going in flying ship she go to another dimensions all together in world made of the elements.

    I join Troff Legions too and try help them protect narfell. Yngdir left though few day ago after training me's, and it kinda hurt because she see him much more than the other officers, he was my sergeant, my general, my brother, and my father. Much like my father, he was always quiet and show lots of love most of time, but he do small things sometime like squeeze my shoulder and give smiles when I make him happy, half time not even do it on purpose!

    One thing though, today I am very sad. I thought Kyan was friend. He get mad when I say not want Oscuran Commander of Peacekeeper to come. What I did wasn't right. She judge a man by his position and not his character, because of this Kyan not come to the cave. What make her even more sad though was that I and Yngdir were looking for man who run off to find treasure worry he die and we kill -all- goblin in the cave, no sneaky stuff, and find treasure along the way, only to find out when we leave, entrance was covered with cave in rocks with burn marks. Yngdir say Kyan do… Inot wanna believe it but think maybe he did. Anyway, to proves point, we sell all stuff we find in cave, and donate it to orphans except a door charm which Yngdir give to his love which not worth much. He deserve something for his effort.

    Now she need to talk to Ferdinand, which was name, and Kyan to maybe try and make amends. Having people not like you and enemies that she shouldn't have had in first place is pains her heart.

    I is sorry Journal for not drawing a picture for you today, I promise though I draw in future since I love to do it. I must also practice saying "I" in future so not sound like dumb child. I am young woman hin and not be treated like child from tallies anymore. Other than that, she not have much else to write."_

    Closing her Journal, the small hin curls up in her blanket and falls asleep next to the fire, exhausted from spending a good half day meticulously writing all her thoughts in her new diary.


  • Choice, Responzbilties, and Faith

    Few days we go past Jiyyd on way to Ormpur and find out Frost Giants was there. Mara is slow to anger and very slow to hatred, but these monsters are one of very few who constant bring very much misery and many times try to destroy our settlement back in the glacier. They know nothing but selfishness and destruction, reveling in raid and slaughter of innocent. Each one that died made Moon feel a little better on a personal level. At same time though, Moon in some way still has warriors respect, and while she give no mercy, she would rather make their deaths as quick as possible then have them suffer despite all that they did and the many lives they claimed attacking us.

    Also!

    For the longest time, Mara was disheartened that Selune maybe not listening to her. Trying to be Her champion Moon feel she did her best, but even that not good enough. Balancing that with the cold Moon feel, she felt very sad for the longest time.

    It all change when Aelthas speak to Mooncandy.

    After express to him my disappoint in self that I not worthy of Selune's champion, he show me that Mara is special. Right there and then he designate me as head of the church in his absence since he is too busy with life. Mara's been doing her best to practice to the best of her ability now.

    Mara now stand at a crossroad though, she know she has the potential to become a priestess if she really want to.

    Question is now… does Mara need to?

    Mara will continue doing what she is doing, just do what come natural to her. If Selune maybe can give her a sign perhaps that she is worthy to become a priestess like Aelthas, is something worth doing. If Moonmaiden not give any signs other than the good fortunes she's had already in her travels with her friends, then she explore other paths perhaps.

    The love and passion for battle just not what it used to be. Moon remember talking to Mel one time and was quite honest put off by her lack of passion, her saying she seen enough not to just out and want to fight evil this and that. Moon find herself the same way honestly now. If someone say "Moon you can make coin on mining trip or help us make coins by killing goblins" its just... no appeals. If life must be taken of those who would do others harm, it should be done with that purpose with coins you can make just an after-thoughts, not the other way around. The only things Mara NEED right now is things that coin can't by; to find her real family again and tell them they're ok, and a cure for her blood freezing.

    Speaking of which, got new boots yes which help further protect her from the cold, along with Scarab of Frost Queen, warm cloak, and Summer Court's blessing on the druid's glenn where Mara can go heat up her blood now and then, she's feeling much better, spirits is much higher. Still get chill and shiver now and then but otherwise she not feel like she's dying anymore, and not have to fear passing away in her sleep like she used to. And the snow is not coming nearly as much.

    Mara see it more as giving friends a help shoulder than all this work being a burden, but now that she have to help support an entire community and take care of the orphans in Peltarch, as well as balance helping out the Legion, Silver valley and Crafters union, she has some tough decisions to make and balance to strike.

    One last thing... Mara's heart crack a little when she learn that Kyan is Necromancer. He has always been nice to myself, Vander, Maria, and others and always assist us destroying evil... now she find out that he controlled an undead (that part is bad but not terrible Mara think if one must defend self from them and not got much other choice, and was even told spell not evil like raising them.) but he not just drop it then and there, he took it out of the crypt, out of where it should rest, gave it many powerful spells, and treat it like a toy. A person, alive or dead is not a toy! She also learned he spend time in jail in Peltarch. So now, Yng'dir and his elven friends want to try and stop him... she hope something is figured out.

    Well, thank you for listen journal, this is the second time Mara ever write this much... but you know what, she really enjoy it.


  • So happy!

    People actually come to Moonie's tribute to the moonmaiden. Is not that many but she still happy they shows up yes. Arlan, Tindra, Rith, and Pugor came and had a chance to talk to the orphans as well as take part in the ritual.

    For the ritual, what we did first was Moon got a bag of moonstones have a spell on them so they glows forever. Making a big circle around the altars to make it shape of Moon, she got all the people to come, supervisors, and kids from the orphanage to pick up the stones and create a nice circle of light while Mooncandy sacrificed a Sapphire in Moonmaiden's name, smashing it to dust to show that the most important thing in life is doing good for others, being with friends, and show that we values these things more than any possession, even if it pretty and expensive. Then, stepping back, Moon said a nice prayer in her name and offer blessings to all present, selunite or non-selunite, mens, womens, and children so that we may strive fo ra world one day where peace and tolerant to others will make the world a better place, as well as those who can fight to defeat the evils that would do the innocent harm, and help those in darkness who truly wish to return to the light.

    The kids are so very happy to meet them, Moon write a little information on each, yes, there are a few kids that especially have trouble.

    (children npcs played with permission from DM)

    Robbie talk to Tindra first from what Moon see. He is young boy with brown hair who came few years back. He is child of mom and dad sailors who passed away at sea. He follow Selune in his heart which make Moon happy and she does her best to take care of him now. He call me Auntie so Moon is happy with it yes.

    There is Gabrielle and Michael who faces light up so happy when Rith talk to them. They is two cute sandy blond kids, Gabri is 5 and boy is 2. Gabri watches the boy and she is a very strong girl, never let anyone push her around. She never cry in front of anyone no matter how hard dey push her. Their mom not pass away too long ago and she wanna be strong for her little brother. It make mes so sad one time to see her crying and screaming in a pillow in a closet when she had some time alone sometime. Moon hope Rith can help give them hope, they has a very bright future.

    There is troublemaker Liam who talk to Pugor and try to cause trouble. Pugor being good man just ignore him, he was tired and go rest. Liam is second oldest next to Sally, his parents was Uthgardt, teach him that strength mean everything which even Moon as a barbarian and warrior not believe.

    Sally…

    Sally is kinda scary. She just like to sit in the corner petting her doll sometime, brushing her hair. She scares moon since... incidence happen. You see,in middle of night one time after Liam and her friends pick on her, Moon found her holding a kife over him with tear in her eyes... if wasn't for Moon, Liam would be dead. She grab her arm and mouth and drag her into the kitchen. Moon not realize she broke her wrist by mistake. Give her heal potion, she talk to me in confidence how the darkness told her to does it for picking on her. In 4 more year she can choose to live on her own again so Moon hope to keep her under control and support until then.

    Oh!

    And lastly, Moon think she find love, yes... Maero is kind compassionate hin who help Moon feel better about herself and lift her heart in Moon's time of crisis right now as days grow colder and colder for her. Love him very much and know he is Oscuran, but same time Moon will try and do her best to make him pure of heart, as he show nothing but love and warmth to Moonie, yes.


  • Seeming to be writing this for a good part of the day, double and triple checking it for spelling, many eraser and smudge marks visible

    As of today… Selune come first.

    Mara must make a stand and show of faith. She is part of legion and continue to help, she is part of crafter union and continue to craft, but the thing that matter to her the most is the Moonmaiden, and doing what Moon can to show and prove her faith.

    My dream come true for most part, and Mara does what she can... she realize though she not have much time left anymore. Moon is so cold she has to sit by a fire now for most of the day, or she's gonna die. Running out of time.

    To anyone who read Mooncandy's journal, she want to let you know that if you reads this, Moon want you to give this to Val, who is leader of bard college. Mara will always fight to her last breath, so she ask if there is ever a time she can never fight anymore, she would like to say thank you to everyone, and ask that all her things are auctioned off and be donated to the temple.

    In the time Mara spend by the fires now, she pray for herself, for other Selunites, for those she loves and cares about. She pray for people like Ferdinand and Kat who has darkness in their hearts and hope that one day they will come to the light and not feel the pain it brings. Moon practice acceptance and tolerance, even if it mean she know she work with people with dark hearts, she must lead with example, showing them courage, virtue, and caring that Moon know in her heart few can do as well as she can.

    Auril might have Moon's body, but she never will take her mind, or her heart, and Moon will find herself in Selune's arms before she beg her to free Moon's body from her grasp. Moon not hate her though... if pious to say, then Moon is pious, but she pity the god for being so petty, and pray that one day she use her gift of winter and snow to mean good for the world instead of harm.

    Moon over all this time have become much smarter and wiser. She is not a hunter, or gatherer. Moon tried to be Selune's vessel and champion, she follow dogma to the letter:

    Let all on whom Selune's light falls be welcome if they desire. As the silver moon waxes and wanes, so too does life. Trust in Selune's radiance, and know that all love alive under her light shall know her blessing. Turn to the moon and she will be your true guide. Promote acceptance and tolerance. See all other beings as equals. Aid fellow Selunites as if they were your dearest friends.

    Her love of battle is gone for most part. No more is barbarian's desire to cut down enemy, no more is warrior's desire to train with weapons and become stronger. Moon know her calling now is to help others, and she is satisfied in doing so.

    Mara's life wane faster than she want to, and unless Moonmaiden wish for her to stay on mortal plane to see her through the new moon, Mara's time here is short. Moon read and study about trying to be her champions even if she never feel the call like a paladins does. Maybe in another life Moon woulda made a good priestess if someone could have train her instead of putting her into hunter caste, but Moon not has regrets otherwise.

    Journal, this maybe Moon's last entry for a long time. She want to work on her art portfolios for bard college, joining it being another dream she gonna fight for. The orphanage need me, the legion need me, my friends needs me, and Moonmaiden needs me to show her love on this world until is time that she tell Mooncandy that she can rest in her arms one day.

    Mara's biggest dream ever was to dance on the moon after she found out people can actually fly up there, how Aelthas does it. She can only dream. Do it or not, Moon live life with no regrets, yes.


  • Another winter season pass…

    Mara's so cold... so very cold.

    Auril's bite come down harder on Selune's baby as with each passing year her body gets a little colder. People at the inn see me always napping by fire. They let her do it since Moon buys many drinks and food but same time I finds now that just a thick warm blanket not enough...

    Help... Moon never ask once Selune to take this off, Moon always thought she was tough enough to say "fark you" to Auril despite all the misery that happen, that Moon will beat this. Moonie can't beat a god by herself... This hin who try so hard to resist can't fight it alone, not anymore Moon will now pray... pray that Moonmaiden can give moon the strength to beat it, that her light will shine upon Moon and casts away the cold darkness that she is being sucked into.

    Whatever happen, Moonie will continue to fight so that those who do harm to innocent will fall, that those who need a helping hand or a friend will have one. That each, and every day, as long as Mooncandy can Walk, crawl, talk, listen will be committed to the Moonmaiden and all those that need Moonie's aid until the one day Selune calls her baby home into her arms.

    Also... there another thing. Moon is not sure whether is because he is busy, or he just not like Moon that much, but Mooncandy feel Aelthas not really like her that much. He says little to her... Moon thought as Selune say in dogma that all Selunite should treat others like their dearest friends. Mooncandy hope he is just busy and Moon hope one day we can has a long talk, and if he can ever offer, maybe a hug... next to the fire and warm bath, a real hug is the best to keep Moon warm.

    On good sides, Moonie's been working on her arts! She learn oil paints she buy and paint when the kids sleep at the orphanage by the fire light. Thorn is one who Moon would like to get to know more since he always nice to Moon, but same time Moon feel he always busy with other people so not wanna be pests, no. Rith is another one who Moon like to get to know better but she always seem be busy with her friends or have duties... S'okay though, Mooncandy has time yes!

    Here some pictures moon make, is for art portfolios to join the bard college, yes! And gifts for friends!

    On the next page, a sketch, and small folded picture is embedded into her journal*



  • Mooncandy's Journal Entry - 4

    Dear Journal, I had cried for the first time in a very long time by herself. She want to stay strong as tears is a sign of weakness… Its hard. Auril still have her grasp on me. Mara's body is so cold... is all the time so cold. Since cursed with frost brand on shoulder, my body always colder than everyone elses. The part that make sad more than anything was when one girl at the orphanage not wanted to give Mara a hug because she felt Mara's hugs were too cold... Greater restorations not work remove it, big heal magic not work remove it, regenerations not work to heal it either. I pray to Selune that one day she will be worthy enough that Selune would take cursed mark off of me, and will work my hardest until prayer maybe answered. Mara not want people afraid to touch her.

    On a good side, Mara was doing a draw of herself and she let the older kids at orphanage water colors it, and she think it turn out quite well yes. When Mara really try she make nice art, but she not like making reports to the legion so she just do doodles as fast as she can to get message through.

    turning the page, behind it, you would find a page with a drawing of Mooncandy on it, skin tone a little rosier than it currently is but otherwise pretty nice and fairly accurate.


  • Mooncandy's Journal Entry - 3

    _Dear Journal, I have been thinking that I must take more responsibilities and finally grow up. As I am Legions, I must work becoming better person, yes. I will start speaking and writing with I now from now ons, and must make an effort to work on things. Elder, please forgive me, but I am not sure if I wish to go by name Mooncandy anymore. Maybe by nickname, but at the same time it give individuals impression that I am child, as one dwarf asked at one point if "I was lost and needed Mommy".

    I have achieved many dreams and many goals since coming here. Recently, I had chance to travel with many others to help save an elf. Sehanine granted me a dream that I would find Yngdir a perfect wedding gift, but there would also be much perils involved. Having suffered it, though one had fallen, we did save the merchant and that person was brought back to life, so all is good.

    I has began to take inisheetives so that I may learn to use Selune's weapon, a heavy mace, yes. I will not give up on my Taka (Dwarven Great Axe), but at the same time I am no priest, I am not paladin (I not sure if Selune really allowed to have paladin… not think so), but everything I does in life is dedicated to her with many respects to Sehanine as well. I still not going to give up on Taka though, just expand what I learn.

    My moonstone Salute will come soon. To be honests I worry that there will not be enough people who show up. Yes, there is many kids at orphanage, but she has many friends too she want to come. This is important because the orphanage could use as much new clothing, household items, or donations as it can get, since kids grow fast and clothing will not always fit, things can wear out, and there is expenses.

    One last thing... I come to find out recently that there is a elf who used to follow that whose name I dare not write. To contaminates this book with her name would be a disgrace. I suffer a dilemma of faith; on one hand this person could be saying the truth, in which case Moon should welcome him as friend with open arms. But, also,followers of her though are LIARS, they lie just as good or not better than god of Murder. I has no powers or abilities to see if he lie or is truth otherwise, I will pray for an answer, I will pray for his soul if he does speak the truth and wish to bask in Selune's light once again, even if not follow her._

    Thank you journal for taking my words, I will write in you more and more as I find my confidence and smarts building. I promise next entry has more pictures!!!


  • Mooncandy took a considerable amount of time, choosing easier words and working on her spelling in order to write this entry into her journal