3. Choices

Choices


  • Character name; Celad Kalle
    Game Login; shilo telva

    // a quick note: game login and forum login are different due to my inability to understand simple instructions :lol: .//

    (These are copied from an old journal made up of various scraps of papers obviously scrounged from many sources.)
    Day one: I decided to begin keeping this journal when I arrived in Norwick. I never know when they might catch up with me so at least this way my family might find out what happened to me.
    When I arrived in Norwick I was struck by how peaceful it was,(boy was i wrong). I spent my first couple of days doin what I do best, stayin back and watchin. Seems to be many different kinds of folks around, and surprisingly enough they all seem to be gettin along, for the most part anyway. Hopefully I am not wrong about their acceptance of others. We shall see if I made the right choice by going north instead of south. Not many of my other choices seem to have been the right ones.


  • Well, I am always saying I hate the crypts. And today brings it all home as to why. I went along to help a group hunting a necromancer. Seemed simple enough. And it was, untill a Bodak decided to give me the evil eye.

    So I ended up dead. The sorceress Mialee volunteered to carry me back to Norwick, at great risk to herself. I found out later that the others were debating whether or not to burn my body! Seems being killed by a bodak can turn you into one. At least my raising was free this time. I still had that waukeens purse, and Mialee found it and used it on me.

    I know I have said this a hundred times before, but I am never going into the crypts without Syclya by my side, ever again! Ever!!

    I think I will go do some hunting in the Rawlins for a while. Try to build back up my strength and skills.


  • Well,, we have decided. Me and Syclya are moving to Peltarch. She is already looking for apartments, and soon I will talk to Yana about a possible job with the guard up there, perhaps with their scouts.

    We both continue to practice our craft. She is already begining to surpass me in blacksmithing. I am so proud of her. A healer and a crafter both. And still every bit a woman. At least in the city we have access to crafting facilities whenever we want. And we don't have to deal with the dam dwarves. Why they ever changed their prices is beyond me. I don't think anybody but the dwarves shop there anymore. Maybe they don't need our gold?

    Well, I need a bath. Working the forge can leave a guy filthy as hell. You know, living in the Den is great, my friends are here. And it is safe enough to truly relax. But my absolute favorite part of it is, the bath. Hot baths any time I want. And with Syclya coming over tonight, I need one.


  • Damn assasins are still at it. I went down to the southgate and was talking to Rhiain. Suddenly I was stunned and unable to move! It was a Duergar mage, and he had also stunned Rain and another person who's name I never did catch. Well then it began attacking Rhiain as she tried to distract it from us. It managed to knock her down, but by then we were free of the effects and it ran off, rather then face us all. We need to find some way to stop these things before they manage to succeed.


  • Okay, seems that Rhiain managed to get the jewels back from Fitzqee, but since someone named Daisy forced her to destroy the Devils eye, we all have assasins after us. Me , Rhiain, and Daveth and Arlann. As if having to worry about the bounty hunters that Tel'Vanen hired to hunt me down were not enough. At least bugbear assasins will have a harder time sneaking into town.

    I will have to tell Syclya sooner or later. But it has been so peacefull lately that I hate to ruin it. Especially now, when she has taken up crafting. She has already learned to make knives and how to mine tin. I was so proud of her when she showed me her first knife. Why give her something to worry about needlessly. I can deal with this, I will just have to be carefull.


  • Wow. I do not have a clue with where to start. So first, the robbery. We were on Cpt.Sticks boat when we ran into a chain stretched across the river. It was put there by Fitzsqee the highwayman goblin! Well all he stole was a few crates of fake jewels. Or so we thought. Me and Rhiain went to tell the owners of the loss,,her name was Casca. She told us there were real jewels hidden inside the fake ones, and hired us to get them back.

    So, we went to the scene of the crime, and found Fitzsqee's camp. There it became very complicated. Seems Fitz had a plan to rob Skullcleaver. We found some bugbear disguises and a map and his plans to get into skullcleaver. Well, with Rhiain and Arlan along we headed to Peltarch. Thats where we found someone crazy enough to sail us to Ostromong.

    We wore the disguises and got into Ostromong. There we met a wizard who saw through the disguises but did not turn us in. We became part of the delegation for the bubears to the duergar. They were negotiating with the dwarves for more weapons so they can destroy Norwick. And that is how we got to Skullcleaver keep.

    Well, when we got there it was to late, Fitz had already struck, stealing a devilseye gem from the statue of Penguiness! The statue came to life and was not happy at all. It killed several duergar in it's anger and then told the bugbears they had better find his eye. The wizard hired us to find it or she would send assasins after us. So now we have one month to find Fitz. The wizard said we could contact her through the druids grove.

    What do the druids have to do with this? And apparently Grag knows her as well. Why would they deal with people who want to destroy Norwick?
    I need to reason this out. Before it is to late.


  • We are finally back, and much as changed. Dwin resigned. I have not met the new Chancelor yet, so I do not know if it will still be business as usual. Many of my friends did quit, but some are still there. I need to talk to Albryana, not that it is likely to do much good since I was officially fired. I was also surprised to find out that Aelthes was put in charge of the Militia. Perhaps he can put my fears to rest about the direction the militia is going in.

    I love this town, and the people. All I want is to protect them, but that means all of them. And it means protecting them from those that abuse their power and position the way Dwin did. Hopefully I will be able to talk to Albryanna or Aelthes soon.

    Almost forgot, Syclya's father gave us permission! It almost seemed like a lost cause at first. But he came around, eventually. I think my cooking helped. That family is the worst bunch of cooks I have ever encountered. It is amazing that they did not starve to death years ago. Although I finally have Syclya making toast without burning it. I hope her family can come when we do get married. Now all I have to do is raise the gold for a house and a wedding.


  • Well, we arrived at Syclya's fathers home today. I hope I made a good impression. The ride here was uneventfull, but beautifull. It took us most of the month, since we stopped often at the local inns. We have talked alot since our weekend in Peltarch. Both of us are so disgusted with Dwin, that neither of us is sure if living in Norwick is even possible anymore. We have not made a final decission yet, but maybe a move to Peltarch is in order. We could both join the Peltarch guard, and if we did end up with a child, the city is a far safer place to raise her then a frontier town could ever be.

    Tommorrow after breakfast I am asking her father for her hand in marriage. I know it is an old fashioned traditon, but I want his blessing in this. I know it would make her very happy. I guess that is when we find out what kind of impression I made.


  • Honor. It is a word that means something different to many people. To me it means, if you give your word you should keep it. It means not allowing those who are weaker than you suffer from those that are stronger. And it means to do what is right, even if the "law" says it is wrong.

    Dwin broke the law. He assaulted Brendel over a percieved slight. He then cut his hand off, and threw him in jail. I just found out, and when I spoke to others and they confirmed it, I was furious. I waited untill I saw Dwin, and asked him if the law applies to everyone. He say, "No one is above the law". Well that was bullshit. I told him he was under arrest for the assault on Brendel, I assumed he was an honorable man. I was wrong. He laughed and said, "I am the law!". And of course he fired me, and threatened to throw me in jail as well. The fool ordered me to turn in my "scout gear". I never recieved any, since I have been a farkin recruit for the last three farkin years!

    So, now what am I going to do? If not for Syclya, I would leave Norwick as fast as I arrived. Sometimes, I think I still might. I am so filled with fury, I can not even think straight. Perhaps I will move out of town for a while, or take a walk. I will wait untill I see Syclya again before I decide.


  • Well, we did it. The Dracolich is dead, and so is the Hungryone. We battled through hordes of undead, animated statues, stone dragons, and demons of every type. We finally cornered the Draco init's lair and destroyed it. We then found a portal to the Hungryones pocket plane. It was decided that we had the chance, we should take it. So in we dove, and we won!

    Perhaps this means peace for Norwick, at least for a while. I pray to Selune that it is so. When I arrived back in Norwick, I found my love waiting anxiously by the gates. It has never felt so good to hold her. She was part of the team that escorted the refugees. I was worried about a possible attack on the caravan, but she said they made it safely, I am sure there is more to the story, but we had no time for tales yet.
    We were both so exhausted that we had to help each other back to her room. That is were I am now, writing this as I watch her sleep. She is so beautiful by the early morning light. For now I think I will let her sleep, in a little while I will go down to the Inn and bring her back some breakfast for when she does awaken. Since I plan on us not leaving this room for a few days, she is going to need her energy.


  • It has been a while. I traveled home to see my sister and my mother. They seemed rather determined to keep my visit from my stepfather. He has been promised a new shop and other concessions for turning my location in. I hope they are just being paranoid.

    I arrived home in Norwick to find out about a massacre at the gates. Seven brave defenders were slain by a horde of undead. Many of them were my friends. All have been raised, and are slightly worse for wear, but at least they are alive. It seems this is an advanced party of the DracoLich. I have seen many people gathering for an assault on the dragons lair. But my first duty is to the people here, and I will stay behind to guard the walls. I know my skills are not enough to overcome the kind of forces the assault team will face. And I do not want to be a hindrance.

    Well there is much to do,, many people to still evacuate.


  • Well, thank Selune that I listened to Syclya and took those classes she gives at the apothecry. Tindra was attacked by a water elemental, and would have drowned if I had not known how to get her breathing again. Must remember to thank her for talking me into them. It is nice being able to save somebody else for change, especially a Selunite.

    And speaking of Syclya, I have been able to see her several times this month. Unfortunately, we have been under almost constant attack the whole time. Usually we are so exhausted that we stumble to the inn and sometimes fall asleep right in the common room. Well, someday it might slow down enough for our date to Peltarch. We will see.

    And finally, I recieved a letter from Eli. It is nice to know she considers me a friend. I am going to write her back, and give it to Thorn. He knows how to reach her. I hope she is well. I miss having her around.


  • I have been approached by Brendel, he said he has put my name forward for the Wolves of Narfell. I am not actually being offered a place with them yet. He just stated I was being watched. This means more tests I suppose. First I had to find other members and ask them questions. I found four so far, think I know of at least three more for sure. Also found out they have been watching me when I was unaware. Which, to be honest is not that hard. Seems like every body is sneakier then I am.

    I have not seen Syclya in weeks as she has been away doing work for the temple I believe. I have tried to stay busy with my mining and crafting, but it is not always enough. Talking to Danika helped a great deal. And La'ali is also good to talk to. She and Yngdir have similar difficulties, sometimes going days maybe even weeks without seeing each other. It has worked for them for ten years, it can work for us as well.

    I recieved a letter from my sister. Apparrently Tel'Vanen has not gotten over his hatred and is still offering a bounty. My sister warned me that my stepfather had become very close to Tel'Vanen, I hope he has not become close enough to betray me.

    Well time for a patrol again. Wonder who is going to be watching me today?


  • Had a long talk with Alexi. He really means well with his tests. I am not comfortable with it myself. I have no intention of giving her up based on the outcome, so it feels like I am being dishonest just taking them. He told me that she made him swear to check out any man who ever asked for her hand. My poor love, how hurt she must have been by someone to ask this of a friend. I will honor his oath.

    I finally have all the gold for the rings, I sold some of the loot from the dragon hoard, and thanks to Dwin I now have enough. Now if only I can find Val.


  • Have you ever heard of Avalon? Where all the Fae live? It is this place of surprising beauty and peace. Where all live in harmony together. Lies. All lies. I have now been there, and let me tell you, it is the most dangerous place this side of the abyss. Just walking around makes you confused enough to attack anyone near you. Even ones you love. Some how I made it back. But, I will never go there again. Ever.

    I have almost enough coin now for our rings. I hired out to help clear out a band of Cyrists. Managed to stay alive, even after the dragon attacked us. Yes, you read that right. A dragon.

    As a last note, I let it slip to Alexi that I planned on marrying Syclya. He considers himself her brother and wants me to pass some kind of tests to prove myself. I will humor him for now. I just hope he realises, nothing is going to keep us apart. Not even him.


  • There once was a time that I did not care what others thought of me. Why has that changed? That "test" I failed, the one given to me by Hen, has been eating away at me for weeks now. Nevermind that I did not know the rules, or what was expected, I still feel,,lessened.

    So I have been driving myself. Following others through the Rawlins, sneaking around the goblins. Even luring hobgoblins into ambushes of my own devising. I have even lured and slain a hobgoblin reaper on my own. All I suppose to prove a point to myself. I know I blew it with whatever Hen was going to offer me. But at least this way I will hopefully be ready for the next person to "test" me.

    We shall see.


  • Well,lets see. Drow, goblins, bugbears, hobgoblins,vampires, and Thayvians. Just a few of the vermin to visit this wonderfull bit of paradise, we call Norwick. And all within a few nights of each other. Also, there is some sort of Dracolich that is starting to stir. As if we don't have enough problems!

    There is also apparently a growing group of adventurers dedicated to, shall we say, darker gods. One for sure is a cyrist who attacked a woman named Andrea. He left her for dead outside of the Kelemvor shrine. Maybe not all of his friends are evil, but I believe in Guilt by association. He and his friends have been seen locking themselves in the crypts in the old cemetary. I wonder why? Maybe visiting new friends?

    What bothers me the most though, is what some of my friends have done. Thorn, Crux, and Noah made a deal with the vampire named Harvey. They allowed it to feed on them in exchange for a promise that it would not attack the villagers anymore. I wish I could say for certain what I would have done if faced with their choice. I do not think I would have trusted it. I believe they made a terible decision and it will come back to haunt them. But, they are my friends, and I will stand by them, no matter what.

    Through it all Syclya and myself have barely had time for more then a quick hug, before the battles begin again. I have told her that we are going to take a vacation to Peltarch for three or four days. Imagine it. Days and nights with no battles, and no dieing. Just me and her, seeing the sights, and spending our nights in the best inn I can afford.


  • I am not sure what I want to write about today. While I was talking to Yngdir the other day, I mentioned that I still had not been promoted to scout. Well, there was a woman there named Hen, she said maybe it was time I looked elsewhere. Now there is no way I am leaving the militia, after all, I do not really care that much about rank. Anyways, she said she wanted to talk to me, so we went for a walk. It turned out to be some kind of test. Wich I failed splendidly. So, no chance of a job offer there.

    A few days later, the gates were attacked. Syclya and I were fighting side by side, when a large demon ran right through town!! She and most of the others chased it north, while me, Val, and a few others stayed to protect the gates. Several hours later the others returned, without Syclya! I was frantic. No one would tell me where she was. So off I went to find her. I finally found her with Yngdir and Rasuil. She looked weak and badly shaken. She told me later that she had been killed!!

    She was saved by her God, Torm. He brought her back to me safe and sound. I will definately leave some offerings at his temple in thanks. Only Ras and Yngdir stayed with her, all the others left her. Maybe they did not know, but I know I owe Ras and Yngdir a big favor for this one. Even though I know they are honorable, and would have done the same for anyone.

    Finally, after Sy went home, we had another attack on the gates. More bugbears. There was a woman named Andrea, she was already badly wounded, and looked terrified. I gave her a potion and tried to stick close enough to protect her. Well, guess what I got for my trouble? An arrow in the throat. I am not going to Syclya's tonight. She would know what happened, and she has enough to worry about with her own recent visit to that Place. I just wished Selune would take as good care of me as Torm does of her.

    Well, good thing was, Andrea managed to survive. So, I guess it was worth it if it kept someone else from that Place.


  • Well, I have been spending ,more and more time with Syclya. She confided in me that she wanted us to be a family, with children of our own. She looked a little nervous telling me that. I think she was afraid I would run or something. She sure did get happy when I told her how much I dreamed of the same thing. We know we have to be patient. Neither of us has very much money, not even enough for a ring, let alone money for the things a child would need. I will find a way though.

    I have been practicing with some new weapons lately. Sickles, yep the ones that farmers use to cut wheat. They seem to do a lot of damage to zombies. And I am really getting good with them.

    I also went on a trip with Val and Ras. We went to some caves where the Koa-toa live. I helped Val carry out a huge amount of ore. Even with a spell I could barely walk with it all. Afterwards, when we split the loot, I was amazed at how much I made. If I can go and help a few more crafters, I might be able to afford our rings sooner then I ever dreamed possible.

    Well, time to wrap this up,, I promised Syclya that I would attend one of her classes at the apothecry. Maybe I can learn something about tending wounds, I sure get enough of them.


  • Went on a trip to a crypt. Sounds a litle poetic, however it was anything but. I would not have gone, I hate the undead, and I have very little that can damage them. Unfortunately, when Sy said yes she would go, well,, there is no way I would stay behind.

    It did not start out badly, a few skeletons and minor zombies. It quickly became much worse. First Sy was struck by a zombies blade, it must have been poisoned or something. She immediately began to get sick, and next it was my turn. Sy was being hardpressed, so I jumped in, trusting to my quickness to distract the zombie, thus giving Sy a chance to strike it from the side.

    Even though I could not cause much damage, the tactic seemed to work. The undead would turn to me, leaving themselves exposed to the far more damaging blows from my Love's blade. Then one of them got lucky with a dirty sword, and I became deathly ill. What a pair we made then. Both of us sick as heck, and nowhere near the end of the tomb. There were others along, in my delirium I am not sure of their names. But they did fight well.

    When we got back to the gates there was a woman with a bastardsword for sale. As I was examining it I noticed a look in Sy's eyes. I knew she wanted it. She always gives so much to the poor, and even spent some of her last gold on a gift for me. This was finally my chance to get her something she really wanted. It was worth every last piece I paid to see her eyes light up when she held it.

    Well, we finally arrived back in her room, and after she was able to heal us both, we were so exhausted we fell right to sleep. Let's hope for a quieter day tomorrow.