3. The Book of Dawn

The Book of Dawn


  • On the Road, Again

    The day has come that I needed to make a decission. This was possibly the hardest in my life, but I believe it's also the correct one.

    The great evils that threatened the land have been vanquished, and Narfell now exists in relative peace, save the odd goblin attack that is thwarted faster than it started.

    I am not a person to just lay back and let the days pass. Firstly, because I have duties that I'm not fullfilling by just sitting and discussing the weather. While others are content with playing politics, that is no life for me. I was baptismed by Lathander in a battlefield, and I will die in one, fighting and bleeding alongside any warrior, be it noble or peasant, bold enough to stand up against evil.

    Secondly, because there are things that grow inside me when I settle down somewhere, needs which I can not satisfy, and I end up just hurting myself, and those around me.

    I feel horrible for not telling my friends, but I know they wouldn't have understood, that they would have wanted me to stay no matter what. Truth is, I am Lathander's, and I'll always be. My heart, it stings, but so does that of the thousands of innocents all over Toril that are having their families killed and their villages burned. I can not willingly just lay back and enjoy times of peace as long as there is someone in the world needing a Dawnbringer.

    I hit the road again hoping that I left a good memory on those that mattered. Part of me wants that something big enough would happen again in Narfell to excuse my returning. Another part of me tells me that it's better this way, that I will no longer get in the way of things, and I will save myself some suffering.

    I leave mostly with no regrets, as I fullfilled most of the goals I had set myself for. Lorie, who will forever remain my sister regardless of time and distance, was restored, and had children. I was hinted a couple of times to stay away from the process to separate her from Tindra, so my leave will make that certain.

    Fadia will no longer have to worry about the time I spend with Thorn. She will not need to ask me again not to get close with him, or ask him for help with my problems. I hope in the end they work out together, and are happy.

    Lune, I trained and taught most of what I know. Now she is very capable by herself, and she does not need me. She is sensible and wise, and definitely an asset for the future of the land. I hope she'll find that blessed unicorn that she dreams of. She truly deserves it.

    Benji, I performed his wedding as I promised. I think it was a beautiful, successfull event. I am sure he will be happy next to Talyna for the rest of his days.

    The rest of my friends, I will miss them, each one of them. I have countless memories, but they are all joyous ones. I hope Val will forgive me for not continuing the project we had. Thinking of it, I'll try to find a way to send her the gold to finish it on her own, if she'll go ahead with it and needs it.

    I only regret I didn't get to help in restoring Jiyyd. Lathander knows I tried, but the situation has been stale for far too long, and I did not perceive a single, smallest sign of change or progress. I suppose that annihilating hundreds of demons wasn't enough to even draw their attention, or put a dent in them. End of the day, that's a few hundred demons less to care about. Those demons aren't an immediate threat, and the land is in capable hands.

    Who knows. The Wheel spins endlessly. I might just end up in Narfell once again, in the future.

    So long, my friends.


  • A Blessing and a Curse

    I have to say, lately all seems good news for everyone. Friends finding love, getting pregnant, getting married, having children… such is the Joy of life, and their Joy is my Joy. I can't but thank the gods for their generosity with those around me.

    Our circle of friends has grown a bit, after we met Alenah, or Windy, as we have renamed her. She's fun and a tease, and she has innate talent as an archer. She'll fit perfectly with the rest of us, and she's already doing so.

    I had not remembered such times of peace and stillness in this land. It seems like a blessing.

    Which makes me think about myself and my own peace and stillness, my own blessing. I recently could finally speak with Thorn's friend, Therean, who is an elven priest of Aerdrie Faenya, the Queen of the Avariel, a kind of elven sister-god to Akadi.

    That I knew. What I did not know so well is that this goddess also has domain on Fertility. He had been researching a way to help me with my "curse", my inability to have children. When praying for me, he always received the same vision.

    @f681ff7239:

    A seed grows into a bud
    The bud blossoms into a flower
    The flower creates seeds, then withers and dies

    After we met, Therean examined my abdomen, touched me gently, as if feeling inside me, past my flesh, and what he found was such a revelation that still now I'm trying to fully realize.

    I am… "frozen", he said. After what happened to me with the drow, after ten years praying to a Dawn I couldn't see, my devotion to Lathander granted me His gift. I was fully restored, and I was stilled in time, I stopped to age, both in body and spirit.

    That much I knew, but now it appeared that my inability to have children is not a drow curse, but a consequence of this blessing. Everything in me is stilled, and same as I can not wither and die, I can not create new seeds. It makes sense... Lathander did restore me fully, including the damage the drow did to my womb. Why would I be restored only partially? Why would a drow curse of a goddess that holds no power in the surface remain?

    It was when I was telling this to Therean that he looked at me with shock in his eyes, and asked: "Are you immortal?"

    That question, so simple, so straight… yet so terrible. I know I wasn't aging ever since the moment Lathander chose me as His champion. I always understood it as making me an embodiment of the youthful energy that He asks us to spread through the world. And I still think so. But remaining always youthful and being immortal are two diferent things. It was then, at the priest's question, that I began to think back...

    The Lost City, around seventy years ago, the Order of the Shining Phoenix in all its splendor got caught in an ambush. We were outnumbered and outmatched... I remember a Remnant Knight driving his sword through my chest and twisting it. I fell mortally wounded, I felt my spirit drifting away... and then I opened my eyes again, I looked at my chest. The hole in my armor was there, but my flesh was whole. I remember a genuine look of shock in the Remnant Knight's hollow eyes as I finished its existence with Searing Light.

    Anauroch, Mines of Tethtamar, around thirty years ago. Hunting after a lich that had been causing havoc amongst the nomad tribes, creating an undead army out of them, when I finally found it he caught me off-guard with powerful stunning spell, and touched my forehead to draw my spirit from me. My eyes closed, my heart stilled... and then began to beat again, the stunning effect passed as I grabbed back at the lich's neck and destroyed it channeling possitive energies.

    Jiyyd, near the Temple of Helm, seven years ago. An entity called "Dad" had captured Thorn. After scrying his location, a group of us went to rescue him. This "Dad" resulted to be a powerful balor. I was still partially blinded as a side effect of the scrying when we engaged it in combat. All I could see were blurs, how at some point it went after Ronan, and began to tear through his protections. The sorcerer was outmatched and about to receive a mortal blow, when I managed to draw the balor's attention with a taunt and Searing Light. The creature bolted next to me and drove its gigantic sword through my adomen, impalling me as I fell helplessly. Once again, I felt my spirit drifting away, and then, gently picked up as after a moment of shock I rose again to see the balor fall. My armor, torn and wasted, a seven-inch hole both in the front and the back of it. My flesh, intact.

    Rawlinswoods, near the South Gates, two years ago. An army of powerful undead attacked the gates. At the end of the attack, a Dracolich descended upon us. I stood in front of it in an attempt of delaying its assault and give others time to retreat. The creature picked me up, snapped my spine and discarded me like a broken toy. The same feeling returned… and again, after a few moments of shock, I opened my eyes, the Dracolich was gone, as people were saying it was possibly an illusion. I can tell that what I felt wasn't illusory, however.

    I've lived many other near-death situations, countless in fact. Those I mention are ones where I really felt it all turning dark. And the real fact is, I have not died ever since the day Lathander gently touched me, despite everything. This puts a tremendous shock in me, and leaves me speechless.

    My first reaction is... why me? I am a mere priestess, a flawed human. I am far from virtuous or exemplar. I have sought my own wishes and selfish goals, like finding love, or having a child, sometimes forgetting I have greater duties. I have said and done improper things for someone of my station countless times.

    I know that I want to believe that I live only to bring good to the land, to spread Joy with my youthful spirit, and to spread Love with the warmth of my heart. And also to bring retribution to those that threaten that Joy and Love. And I know I want to keep doing so.

    I am at a loss of words, I feel overwhelmed. All I can think about right now is that the day that Lathander feels I have fullfilled my role, I am sure that He will send me a signal, and I will willingly and gladly accept His commandments, as I have ever done. Perhaps it will be the day that I finally fall, and then I'll let myself in His embrace, to keep serving Him in afterlife.

    But the realization that I'm not cursed... that I can not have a child as consequence of the gift I received, is shocking. Much like the realization that there's a possibility that I have been kept from dying with supernatural means.

    One thing I do know for sure. I will not change. I must keep being myself, and seek to bring Lathander's Light wherever it's needed, in my unending pursue for the Greater Good.


  • The next page has no words on it. Only a peculiar hand-drawn figure.


  • //Small notice: There is some semi-dark narrative in this post. Nothing too crude, but read at your own discretion //

    ~Interlude: The Drow's Trophy~

    _The Dawnbringer twitched a bit, and finally opened her eyes. It was very dark, so the first thought that came to her mind is that she had not slept much and it was still night time.

    Something that she found strange, however, is that none of her friends were around. She remembered having gone to sleep around them. As she gained more conscience, she also noticed that she wasn't at Jerrick's home. It seemed more like a dark, natural cavern. Could it be that she was taken to the 'Fuzzy Den' while sleeping, for her own comfort?

    The place seemed reasonably similar, and she was still dazed from waking up recently and in such a way that her body felt rather crushed. Rith rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times. With great effort, she managed to stand on her feet. One thing she could recognize, she was sleeping in one of the makeshift bedrolls that Lorie kept around the Den, rather uncomfortable and more fit for beasts than humans.

    Her eyes couldn't tell her much yet in the utter darkness, but she did spot a candle-light at the bottom of the room, so she headed that way. Her legs felt heavy, as if every step cost her a tremendous effort to take. Her feet dragged across the cavernous floor as she fell into the ground. Slowly, she got up on her feet again, and continued to walk towards the dim candle light. Her knees bent again, and she fell to the ground again.

    She rubbed her head confused, she surely had had a rough time the day before, fighting the hordes of goblins and hobgoblins that attacked Norwick. Every of her bones was hurting, and only now that she was regaining full awareness she started noticing how much pain was shooting through her body.

    She looked at herself. The first thing to notice is that she was wearing a weird purple suit. Very revealing and insinuating one. In the proper alley or establishment in Peltarch's docks, she would surely be regarded as a 'professional of personal entertainment'.

    It was then when she noticed that her knees were broken and bent backwards. Her eyes opened wide as she looked back. She had not walked three yards away from the rug where she was sleeping. She wondered how could she even stand with her knees in that state, and with tremendous pain she murmured a prayer to Lathander, to regenerate them to their natural shape.

    No response. She wasn't sure what was the problem, because she couldn't feel any anti-magic around her, but neither she felt rejection from Lathander. It was just as if… she couldn't be heard.

    Panic started filling her honey eyes, as she saw a shadow getting in the way of the dim light at the bottom of the cavern room. Slow steps approached. Elegant, majestic, a slender figure approached. The Lathanderite could not see her features or her face, but it was definitely a female. An elf, with a very beautiful shape.

    Once the female silhouette was but a few inches from Rith, snapped her fingers creating a magical light, and it was then that the Lathanderite could see her face, with horror. It was her, the Drow High Priestess that once held her as slave and claimed ownership over her, red eyes piercing her.

    Rith tried to back off terrorized, but her legs would not be of any help. She just managed to kick aimlessly, in futile effort while the drow priestess snickered.

    • My, my, you made a few yards away… I am awed by your willforce, my little pet. You make me very proud.

    Rith wanted to cry, but she found no tears coming off her eyes, that now began to itch and hurt. Almost seemed as if all her tears had already been spent, and her honey eyes could take it no more.

    • Come now, dear. You hurt me with your reaction. You know I'm benevolent with you. I have only the best cares for you.

    The drow priestess snapped two fingers as two male drow wearing a dark robe stepped forth from the darkness, standing at the priestess' sides. The female drow then leaned forth, holding Rith's cheek firmly, her nails sharp as daggers slightly sinking into the Lathanderite's skin.

    • Only the best of the best, for my cute, little trophy.

    Saying that, the depraved creature kissed Rith's lips forcefully and after giving her a malicious grin, she stood and turned around to leave the room as the two male drow were just done getting rid of their robes, standing completely naked. They both stepped towards Rith. One of them held her arms, the other tore Rith's slave clothing off.

    Rith tried to scream. Her throat was sore too, her vocal strings dry and damaged. She pressed her eyes shut as she heard no sound coming from her mouth…

    And then she did. Her eyes opening again.

    • No! Leave me please!

    She was out of herself, panicking, as the environment had changed. She found herself in Lorie's arms. Her sister was hugging her tightly and whispering soothing words as she could also see Thorn sharing the hug, and squeezing her shoulder gently. Fadia was behind them, looking very worried. Lune and Jerrick were also closeby, getting some well needed sleep for themselves.

    Rith broke into tears, crying a continual stream down her cheeks as she held tightly onto her sister. She tried to say something, but she couldn't articulate any understandable word.

    Eventually, the combined efforts and cares of the people she loved managed to bring apparent tranquility to her. Rith just sat quietly the rest of the night, not letting go off her friends for a single second, holding onto them like her life pended on it._


  • It is done.

    The allied forces of good have once again proven that together, not even the whim of a vile god will bend our knee.

    I know many people were scared and doubtful. And I understand them, personally. But I also knew that we would triumph.

    The night before, however, I felt the need to go and meet Lorie. I guess I also had a kind of "just incase" feeling that pushed me to do so. She regretted that she couldn't be there, and so do I. However, she gave me her statue, so that I could still have her close. I accepted her offer delighted, with the promise of giving it back shortly.

    We had the meeting at the Spellweaver, where the strategy was designed. We had found thanks to Gherman, that upon lifting the wards in the portal we'd also allow passage to creatures of the Abyss directly into Peltarch, so it was decided that some would hold that tunnel while the rest engaged the main offensive.

    Once we arrived to the Regal Maid, we stepped through the portal and proceeded with our mission. I joined the group that was to remove the anchors and assault Wartime Peltarch's prison, together with a dozen of other brave souls.

    Upon teleporting to the place, we were at the docks, and we were received by hosts of undead eastlanders. The fights were fierce, but we broke through with relative ease. When we arrived to the commercial disctrict, a new enemy awaited. This time it was N'jast elite forces, including heavy cavalry.

    Once again we made it through, taking wounds, but nothing unaffordable. Crossing through the civic district, we reached the location of the first anchor, the Temple of Tyr. Our descent was pacific, just as it had been in a previous excursion, but this time a Glabrezu awaited at the bottom.

    Vain was its presence as the outworldly beast could not withsstand the holy commandments of Lathander, and fled from the Light while it was mercilessly destroyed by our warriors. The mages dealt with the anchor rather uneventfully, other than a certain energy burst that dealt some minor damage to those that were too close.

    When we returned to the upper level we were received by the same we had witnessed before, as well. All of the temple's staff were corrupted versions of themselves, demonic creatures that attacked us on sight. This time we had the numbers on our side, so we dealt with them quickly and efficiently before heading out.

    What awaited outside, however, was diferent. About half dozen of vroks and succubi awaited, commanded by a Glabrezu and backed by a Bebilith. To deal with them, we had to split our forces. A few charged forth towards the Bebilith, while some others picked on the smaller foes, to limit the amount of damage they could deal to our forces. I picked on the Glabrezu myself, forcing it to flee down a back alley. When I returned to the main body of the fray, I saw the demonic spider eating someone's limbs. All of us jumped on the creature at the same time to stop it and delivered death to it. Unfortunately, it was just too late for its victim, the lycanthrope Aelthas.

    While some tried to still reanimate him, some of us headed back down the alley where the Glabrezu had fled to also remove it from existence. That moment, tough as it was, we knew we needed to press forward if we wanted our allies that were holding the tunnel to have any chances for survival. So that's what we did, and found the second anchor where we suspected it'd be - Greywing's state.

    This time what awaited with the anchor wasn't so easy to defeat. Another of the ancient demons of pure hatred, an Obyrith, held the room. With the help of several large elemental creatures, and good flanking tactics, we managed to put it down easier than it could have been be predicted. The anchor also went down thanks to our mages, and so we gained free passage into the prison.

    Or so we thought. In front of it there was the biggest construct I've seen in my entire life. It was tall as a great wyrm, and its heavy plating nearly impossible to damage. Our mages exhausted pretty much all their resources and those with melee expertises, ended up sore in the arms. Fortunately, the construct was also slow so much of its offensive power could be sustained by just moving around and switching the person that got its attention before the damage was too severe.

    The prison itself was a place that nobody had ever seen before. It was crawling with winged demons and vroks, too, which at that point were regarded as minor nuisances. In the end, we reached a room with several mirrors and some magical device. At that point, we were all turned into stone. The crude truth was revealed to us as Justy and Dunderstone stepped in the room, talking about finalizing their plans. We were shown several revealing images -

    // credit for the quoted fragment goes to Eluriel/Fraoch //

    @8030a93a3f:

    Visions of the Recent Past
    Justy cried out to Beshaba, her lifelong patron, asking that she observe the steps taken by her follower. The mirrors glowed and visions came to life on their surfaces.

    Homeless
    Eight deaths of the homeless, two from each element. The disappearances which were investigated without a solution found.

    Princes
    Entering the Regal Maid - Dunderstone, Cassadra, Bleys, and Odrim – forcibly restrained and possessed.

    Exemplars
    Falling to misfortune.

    ~Otto~
    Air, Good, Law.
    Tricked by Justy into recovering a holy sword, pushed to his death on it by she and Odrim.

    ~Wavebreaker~
    Water, Good, Chaos.
    Tricked to follow a treasure map to a reef of monsters.

    ~Duergar~
    Earth, Evil, Law.
    Seen receiving information with regard to the (fake) Devil’s Eye, killed in a cave in as he recovers it, then both taken to the Sails warehouse by Justy.
    a treasure map to a reef of monsters who kill him

    ~Peltarch Guard~
    Fire, Evil, Chaos.
    Seen learning about the brewery being unattended, getting the keys, and entering to kill those within. Bleys firing them all. One assumes the Guard Cyricist.

    At this point, Justy prepared to shatter us, but it is then that Aramuil used the device that Cogg had delivered to him. Truth be told, he didn't say the words that he was told to say… but Kara arrived a minute later to ammend that.

    "For every action, and equal and opposite" said the bold paladin of Kelemvor as she charged the evil priestess and delivered death to her as she could barely defend herself in the shock.

    The events followed one another, as now, Just'ene stepped into the room. Both she and the Kelemvorite raised their swords, and we were released from our stone prisons.

    Once again, I couldn't but feel delighted to see Kara as I always remembered her. The one I could never say goodbye to. Something that was somehow fixed, as she offered such goodbye on behalf the version of her in our own world. I couldn't help but reaching for her in a quick hug and wish her the best. Probably not the moment or under the conditions I had wished to do that, but it was better than nothing.

    There was still one last challenge ahead of us. We had to stop Dunderstone before he decimated Peltarch into an earthquake. He was awaiting in next room, and as soon as he spotted us he summoned a swarm of greater earth elementals and began to attack with a wide selection of earth spells.

    He was very tough, and his elemental helpers made the fight even harder. I thought some of us were falling at some points. I thought I would fall too, when I was held in a block of stone and one of the greater elementals began to pound on me.

    Fortunately, we all managed to keep ourselves alive more or less until Dunderstone's spells were exhausted and his elementals defeated. At that point, the fight went downhill for us, and eventually Dunderstone was overwhlemed and felled.

    We took the Calculable from his body, which appeared to be the reward from winning the contest. Took also Just'ene's remains with us, and fled that bedamned plane.

    I believe that pretty much sums up the events which put an end to those who sought Peltarch's destruciton. In the end we returned, raised the Helmite paladin, and decided to give the Calculable to Daisy for custody, until we can find a way to destroy it.

    Now I think I'll be repeating 'Tindra Statue: Terrorize!" until I see Lorie again. And then, there's much more work to do. Some mysteries remain, and other threats need to take more direct action.

    Tomorrow the Sun will rise again.


  • It has begun.

    Due to my profession, I have been through this situation countless times, and the patterns always repeat themselves. As soon as the threat is revealed to the crowds, chaos reigns. Heh, and now I'm sounding like Cogg.

    It is curious, because people, as individuals, are brave and defiant. A single woman will defend her children with nails and teeth if needs be. But as a mass, people are a scared, dangerous animal.

    It's never easy to deal with these situations. There's little you can tell to those that won't listen and will allow the avalanche of panic dominate their minds. We can't blame them for it, either. They just fear for their lives, and those they love.

    Going back to the beginning of the tenday, I had shared some time with Fadia and Thorn, but I was having the constant feeling that I was robbing them of some precious moments of peace that they should spend with each other. They kept asking me to stay, and I know at heart that they meant it. I also know that when I turned around they used the chance to give each other cares that they refrain when I'm around, so I chose to leave afterall. They deserve each other, for all they've gone through, and it makes me joyful to see them happy together.

    I spent some time in Jiyyd, destroying demons in anticipation of what was to come. When all was clear, I wasn't quite satisfied, and I felt very edgy. I also didn't want to return and stumble on the couple of elves I had parted with, so I took the hard way back to Peltarch, through the troll swamps and lizardfolk cave systems. If nothing else, it kept my mind busy.

    When I arrived to Peltarch, the city was a tumult, the events which relate to the head of this entry. Despite everything, many of the notorious characters of the land gathered together and began to offer aid to those in need. Some took it to investigation, others to crowd control, and others to healing the wounded in the riots.

    I met Tindra there, I believe she just wanted to have a stroll through the city and she found herself at the heart of the riots. My protective instincts kicked in, as I asked her to consider returning to Norwick, for her child's safety. I hated to have to ask her that. I know that Lorelai would never allow me to be there, in the middle of all the trouble, without her. It hurts me that she can not be next to me, too. She is very capable, and she has proven many a time that she does not need my over-protection. In fact, last time we were in trouble, -she- protected me from the armatures. But there was a higher risk in the equation now. She is in her sixth month of pregnancy, and she got a lovely belly now. That is a higher priority.

    Meanwhile, the problems of the city had not wanned, but the contrary, kept increasing. Every front was important, but finding this portal Melanie spoke about to access the ritual and stop it was crucial. After several void attempts to lacate such through the sewers, the City Hall and the Gaols, Fadia, that had previous left us, returned saying that Sand had opened access to a cut off line of the sewers that could be reached from Justy's room in the Regal Maid.

    The final expedition to go down the sewers was formed by Sy'wyn, Eluriel, Lune, Fadia, Thorn, Lune, Belma'r, Val, Havon, Soliel, Cara and myself.

    I can not possibly express with words the determination and bravery of those in this group. First thing we found as we headed down was a couple of Hezrou and a Glabrezu. That is normally enough to strike fear into anyone's hearts. But not this group of brave souls that charged in, head on.

    These battles repeated themselves all through that section of the sewers. Behind every corner, in every wide room, a host of powerful demons and elemental creatures awaited our coming. There were some moments of chaos, but one after another, all the waves of evil creatures were overcome. Sadly, Lune was caught off-guard in one of the offensives. I was blinded myself, due to the massive amount of Blasphemy spells being cast. Next I saw was a Glabrezu grabbing her by her waist and breaking her against a sewer wall. That did infuriate me in such a way that my holy words of wrath caused the Glabrezu to flee in terror and assume its destruction helplessly, without daring to fight back.

    Sadly, there was no time for stalling, so we carried Lune's body along, until we reached a final, wide room. The evil that resided in it was beyond what I could have imagined. An ancient demon, made of pure malice and hate, awaited in it. Judging by its size and shape, I would say it was an Obyrith. Was that even possible? The deformed demonic aberration attempted to dominate our minds, filling them with horrors and temptations, while it breathed corrossive acids on those that stood to fight it. Its hide was hard as adamantine and its tentacle-like arms flailed wildly sweeping us left and right.

    Eventually, our combined forces brought it down after what seemed to be a whole hour of intense fight spanning diferent rooms and corridors of the sewer system.

    That could have been the end, but it certainly wasn't. We reached the portal that we had been looking for, but it was warded. Before we could do anything about it, Greywing showed up in her demonic form. She didn't have much to say, other than taunting us, claiming we had worked towards their goals, and in essence, trying to play with our feelings. We dismissed the being with the promise of bringing it to the divine retribution it deserves.

    Now we work against a short countdown. The wards on the portal are heavy, and complicated. We have yet to assess their nature, but we are putting a team together to deal with them, with the most expert individuals in planar matters.

    Hopefully, the combination of followers of the arcane, the divine and nature, will break through the seals in time to get through the portal, and thwart the plans of the enemies of Peltarch, and Toril itself. For now, Belma'r and his slaadi are custodying the place and studying the wards until assistance from our allies arrives.

    Myself, I returned to the Regal Maid to return Lune to us. I was very glad that her soul answered my call swiftly and her body was restored whole, almost flawlessly. I believe Lathander has graced me tonight, and I can't but feel honored and grateful.

    Before I take some rest, I'll be headed to the docks, and see if I can raise the spirits of the crowd and calm their fears. They must know we are not giving them up, and that no harm will come to them, so long we can do anything about it.


  • I had a hunch that something big was about to happen. I had told Ronan merely a few minutes earlier in the day. I believe he made a witty comment about it, saying that's anyone's guess. My hunch couldn't have materialized more immediately, though. I wish I had been wrong for once. We just walked to the temple and when we were talking Melanie appeared there, suddenly, looking beaten and with a bottle of brandy in her hand.

    She said she was challenged by someone and she fought them to the death. She beat them, and obtained the bottle of brandy as reward. Later I'd learn she has offered herself as champion for that announcement we've seen hanging about. Seems she was fighting for one of the elemental princes.

    The story did not end there, though. She said she was burned to death, and her blood used to complete some ritual. -The- ritual. Tymoran blood for Lady Doom. Bad news, everyone. Specially after we found Odrim in the sewers and confirmed the story. He told us that he was leaving because he had lost the contest, as did two other contestants. Only one was left. The winner.

    He couldn't tell who, by the rules of the contest. I believe it's Imix's representative. Earlier that day Melanie and I had been ambushed by fire elementals. At first I thought it could be related to me seeking the counsel of Zaaman-Rul. Later, I realized they were actually after Melanie, or her blood, to finish the ritual that they managed to finish later.

    We sought the last of the players to settle the account. We learned that Greywing had given the Regal Maid to Sand after taking Justy with her and saying "my job here is done". Suspicious attitude, I'd say. I think I was not really keeping up with the events anymore at that point though.

    I suppose now is when we prepare for some shodown. We're in a tight countdown, every second matters. We'll soon try to visit the sewers again and stop this ritual before it's finalized. But what about the alternate settings of Peltarch, where they supposed to matter? I don't know, but what I know is that I'm starting to feel in our own Peltarch now what I felt in the alternate ones when I was there. An overwhelming chaos in the air so strong that it almost weights on my shoulders. I don't even need to Detect Magic to feel it.

    I suppose I should file a report to the Order of the Divine Shield now. Or not. What is happening to my Order? Why did Eluriel leave Val behind in the barrows to her own fate, and never looked back? Why Mariston has taken on a crusade against some of our allies, blanketing and associating them with evil worshippers? Why does he think he can tell better than myself, the High Priestess of Lathander, who is allowed in a temple to Lathander? I don't understand, is it all because of the influence of Lady Doom upon Peltarch? Who can I trust at this time of truth, when Hell will break loose?

    That's too many questions, some of which I probably don't want to know the answer. In the end, I know who I can trust. Those same people that know that their Sunny will never leave their side. That she will keep shining her light for them, as long as her heart keeps beating. Be strong, my friends. Lean on me. I'll definitely lean on you.

    Lathander, grant me your Light. I shall wield it in my soul, and I shall deliver it with my heart.


  • Last few tendays have had ups and downs, there have been great news, good news, and bad news. It's usually like that, so I'll just make the most of the good news, and try to fix the bad ones.

    Speaking of great news, Jerrick asked marriage to Lorelai. It's weird, because I had always assumed they were already married. It's awesome, however, because if they were already married I would have missed it. This way I'll be there for sure! Maybe as priest? That's up to them. I know I'd love to.

    Speaking of my sister, I gave her the painting. She loved it, and I'm glad for it. I am far from good, but the result came out pretty nicely I think. She said she'll treasure it, and it makes me really happy to hear that. She's been very supportive lately, as she's clever to know that her own pregnancy, even if it makes me happy, reminds me of horrible things. Not only that I cannot have children myself, but also of the way that came to be.

    I've been leaning on her a lot lately, and she's been always there. In one of those moments of vulnerability, she treated me really nicely and soothed me, got me all mushy and such. I ended up giving her the other present I had for her, or rather, for her child. The music box that Val made in exchange of my Astral Blade. I believe she liked it a lot too… I'm just angry with myself because I really think I should have waited longer, and have both her and Jerrick together at the moment I gave it.

    Right after I gave her the music box, she took Benji aside to speak with him in whispers. I believe they are brewing up something…

    On other news and persons, I've become closer with Thorn. I believe he thinks he has treated me unfairly, but I don't think that's the case. I get that a lot lately, though. People seem surprised when they care to look beyond my armor, and actually find a woman. I can't blame them, I suppose. Being a priestess of certain position and alignment always invites others to place me into stereotypes.

    The ranger and I had quite a personal talk, spoke of things that haunt us, things from the past, and also from the present. He said he'd like to help me with my problem. I believe him, but I just don't know if it's possible at all. But I think I'll try anything at this point.

    Another person I've become closer with is Val. We're lately spending a lot of time out together, getting the two of us into dangerous places that a full war party wouldn't dare to tread. One day we wiped the whole bugbear mines and duergar forges. A few days after, all the cold cave systems, bringing down every ogre along the way. Just a couple of days ago, we swiped through Mintas Forest and all teh way into Mintas Rhelgor, dealing with a few dozens of demons and devils besides the dire animals that usually inhabit the area.

    In this last trip we were meant to mine some iron ore for the armor she's making for Lune, and brought 'Squeak' along to get some hides, she's a tanner. Ended up getting into more trouble than we had bargained for. Still, nothing we couldn't handle. And we brought the iron and the hides back home. And then, the armor was made successfully, and masterfully.

    Lune is wearing it now. It's a wonderful armor. She and I have spent some time together too. I've been instructing her in priestly ways, as well as battle tactics and combat. I like to show her what I know, she reminds me a lot of myself when I was much younger. And like me, she'll go out of her way, and break a law or two, if that's what requires bringing good to the world. I'm glad to have made a friend of her. She'll be an asset to the land sooner than later.

    There is also Ras. He's had it rough recently. Very rough. As usual, some dark powers took advantage of one's weakness, and he has been a victim. I heard him out, and I'll help him out. He is a good man, and does not deserve that suffering. Nobody does.

    Troff also wanted to have a word with me. After I gave him some advice to get on with his life and try to put his depression about Adriell behind himself, he understood we were friends. It's not like we aren't, I like to think he's at least someone that can approach me openly, but I have so little time in my hands for all my people and my problems as it is… I just hope I didn't disappoint him.

    For the rest, the not-so-good news keep coming around. I contacted an Elemental Prince of Good about the latest information we had on those that wish to destroy Peltarch. Some revealing information was gained.

    More plane-travel and diferent attacks have been happening, it seems. Things seem to be speeding up and I feel like we're running out of time. Now we know who exactly is behind what is going on, and this maddening laugh still reverberates through my head. Regardless, I am ready to tackle whatever comes, head on. I know the people by my side are too. If we fall, it won't be crying in a corner hoping for mercy. We'll make our stand, and everyone will know that we fought with honour, and that we fought for the freedom and safety of our people.


  • ::This entry seems to have been written instead of something else. It does not seem planned, or structured. Just emotion. One could say, that if a heart could hold a quill, this is more or less what it would write::

    I love you, Lune. For being so simple and so complex at the same time. For always having a quick smile and a quick hug.

    I love you, Fadia. For being with me even when I tell you not to. For knowing that I need you even when I say I need to be alone.

    I love you, Val. For being generous beyond words. For giving away without expecting anything back. For your trust, and your friendship.

    I love you, Jerrick. For being my support and my shelter. For showing me that the world isn't black and white, that there are many scales of greys.

    I love you, Benji. For being enjoyable, and making every conversation unforgettable. For being unrepeatable, unique.

    Even you, Thorn. I love you though I seem to scare you with my very presence.

    I think I love you too, in a diferent, special way, Vash't. In the way that a woman should love a man. I think. I don't know.

    I love you more than anything in this world, Lorelai. For knowing me better than myself, and being my sister. For being serenity and inspiration, for doing good for the sake of it. I would before part with my soul than with you.

    I love the winter Sun raising upon the sea in a cloudy day and shining against all odds, I love the thin rain of a summer afternoon washing my face and raising a thousand scents in the forest, I love the creatures of nature that go about their cycle of life, ignorant of our problems.

    I love people. I believe in the world. I believe in humankind. I believe in elves and dwarves, and hins, and any combination of them.

    I believe in Good.

    Should my heart one day become still, may it beat one last time for each of you, so that I can use that time to behold the horizon one last time, reminding how beautiful is life. And may my body be found with the last smile in my lips, because I was thinking of you.

    And may you always remember that I loved you, that I wish I had been better for you. That I tried my best. That it may have been a mistake to stay in Narfell. But a mistake that I would make again.


  • I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.
    I am happy.


  • ::This page has been torn off::


  • ::Untitled entry::

    The top of this page has several dots and attempts for a letter, indicating that the writer has rested her quill on it several times, some of them for quite a while, as if wanting to write something, but not knowing how. Finally, almost in the middle of the page, there is a single line.

    .

    F

    \

    I

    Lathander give me strength.


  • Dreams

    Well, it has been some weeks since last I wrote an entry. That drawing is taking most of my time, specially learning to use the necessary tools, diferent styles and how to achieve the effects, shades and reflections that I want.

    It's good to have a friend that is a professional painter to guide me through it all and give me his advice. I'm learning in mere minutes things that would take me months to discover by myself. Though in the other hand, he could probably do what I'm doing in ten times less the time, and the result would be ten times better. Ah well, practice makes perfect. Hopefully it'll be good enough for Lorie and the others to like it.

    On to really serious matters, we finally went into Lorie's dreams to try to get rid of her nightmares. Jerrick, Thorn, Fadia, Lune and Rasuil were there with me. I -believe- we succeeded. At least, it looks like we could overcome her fears. We met Tindra, and I mean the real Tindra. She looked in good shape, not very mourned or decayed. I'll want to talk with her sometime… when she's not overwhelmed by information and emotions. At that point, though, she was still under the thought that the Dark Enchantress had some power over her, and forced her to attack us. We were sadly forced to subdue her, and then battle a few nightmares, including one of the Dark Enchantress herself. Luckily those nightmares seemed to "die" easily. Eventually, we met the Fey that Lorie had sealed a deal with to torment Tindra and keep her sulking into Lorie's subconcious.

    Jerrick insisted in challenging the Fey to duel, and it struck me as the typical "honor" thing that I'm so tired of, specially since I share a lot of time with paladins. So when the Fey hinted that Lorie was already pegnant, and knowing what kind of deal it had with her, I couldn't hold back, and beat the thing senseless.

    However, seems that Jerrick actually had a plan and not a mere overdose of manly hormones, so I trusted him when he asked again to be allowed to duel the Fey. He knows the deals and the oaths of their kind, so I healed the Fey back to full shape with pain in my heart. If nothing else, I had shown the Fey that it had no chance against us all, and dueling Jerick now probably looked like a more attractive choice to the vile spirit, one that couldn't be refused.

    Jerrick won the duel easily, and tricked the Fey into a soul stone that he kept. I admit I'd rather see the creature fully gone, but once again, I'll trust Jerrick, because it's what friends do, and I know he wants to keep Lorie from any risks as much as I do.

    It was then when Lorie and Tindra, for first time, could be in front of each other, and talk directly. Tindra, in realization of what was going on, slapped Lorie in the face, and scolded her furiously. It was tense moments, because we knew Tindra had full rights to be as upset as she was. Slowly, we dared to chime in, try to let Tindra know that we understood her feelings, but that Lorie was very regretful, and had spent years planning a way to return her.

    Albeit reluctantly, Tindra accepted our explanations, and slowly became more open and friendly, what I believe is her own self. We all understood that she and Lorie had much to talk about, so we decided to give them some time together, and returned to ourselves.

    Thorn, Lune and Rasuil left then, and Fadia stayed outside, at which point Jerrick and I saw Tindra awake. Yes, Tindra. She took control of her consciousness, as Lorie was exhausted, and first she went downstairs to talk a bit with Fadia, while Jerrick and I had a talk ourselves about Lorie and Tindra, and how to try and make it easier for them both. I am of course a bit worried, and I told him so. He said I shouldn't be worried, and he is right. Everything will be alright.

    After a bit, Tindra and Fadia came upstairs, and we could have some talk with Kitty, as Sparkly would call her. She needs to catch up on a lot of things, I don't understand how she can cope… it must be really confusing. And it will be even more confusing since a lot of people never knew she stopped being Tindra for a lot of years, and they'll be puzzled at her not recognizing them or things they had talked before.

    In the end, once we got past the formalities, Tindra proved to be quite likeable person. She was quick to think mischievously about the possibilities of us two looking so alike, and when my weakness for kitties was exposed as I hugged Tiger-Jerrick, she graced me with some panther cuddles. Oh and she has such a nice accent. I believe we will get along very well.

    I hope we are good enough to make her feel at home, and loved. I won't deny, however, that I want to see my Lorie as soon as possible, and give her a hug and have some nice talk. To be fair, I also want to have a nice talk with Tindra about... things.

    I'm a bit exhausted and my head is a mess due to lack of rest and overdose of emotions, so I best wrap up this entry for today, and write more when I've had those talks with Tindra and Lorie.

    Today was a good day, I think, but this is quite not over. I suppose we have to wait to see what Lorie and Tindra decide, and help them carry it out. That may prove challenging too, but we won't be lacking in efforts to see it through. Lorie, Tindra, your nightmares are over. Now it's time to dream.

    P.S. Lorie is pregnant! I must remember to congratulate her, I kind of forgot in the middle of all the shock. I'm so happy for her. She really deserves it. Her very own child, and nobody will try to take it from her. I hope she will let me craddle it sometimes!


  • Duties

    I believe it is time I write an index of the things that currently occupy my mind, so I can order my thoughts and act upon them.

    Jiyyd's Cleansing - The battle continues, and it will keep so until the demons, undead and fiendish summoners are gone for good. The almost daily banishing of them isn't returning many visible effects, though the very least some word may be spreading in the darkest corners of the world that Jiyyd is a bad place of choice to come into the material plane. I know my cause is true, and I will never give up on it. There must be something powerful that lures them like flies to a honey jar. Is it just the leylines, and the menhirs, or is there something more that I fail yet to see? I have a couple of plans, risky, but that may yield a reward. Not even this journal will know of them, yet. If the demons refuse to give up and we can't find a way to shut the menhirs and whatever other portals exist in the area, I'll take a more drastic approach. I know I am ready for it.

    Drow in the Rawlins - Despite Jiyyd's problem being more of a priority to the whole land and myself, the presence of drow in the surface, and specially the presence of the High Priestesss that recognized me, is what steals most of my sleep. I can't allow that fear to dominate me. Recently I was in an expedition to the Underdark, and after a mere minutes into it, and before we spotted any drow, I couldn't keep going and had to return. I had Fadia try to help me with the problem again, and there is progress. Hopefully I will soon be able to engage drow as any other enemy of good. I hear there is a couple of followers of Shevarash hunting these drow, but I haven't had the chance to meet them.

    Banish Missfortune - Yet another thing that threatens the whole land, though I feel like it's avoiding me lately. I know Eluriel is neck deep in it, so I'll be supportive to her and allow her to take the lead on our course of action, if she should need my aid. There is something wicked and evil in the dispute for the Lucky Coins and it must be stopped before the fate of the whole land falls in the wrong hands.

    Fir'rethsar and Rail'kansunelal - After much exploring and fighting, we cleared the way for the couple of intrepid elves to find the depths of all the horrors that meant the end of a brothership of human, elf and dwarf alike. A golden alliance that should be example for us all even nowadays. Myth Revain has been found. And rests on us the responsibility to honour the memory of that sacred alliance of the past, and vanquish the ancient evil that should have never been.

    The Burning Man - Some being, apparently a druid, has decided that the forest is corrupted and needs to be purged by fire. Needs to be "reset" to be reborn from its ashes. At least that is as far as I understood. It appears that some of the Circle Elders are afraid that this threat could be very real, and have mentioned some immense elemental power stirring. We'll see what comes out of that, but even if I can't agree with some of the aspects that the Druid Circle represents, I find myself obliged to offer them my aid and support in this matter.

    Lorelai - She ocupies my mind, obviously. I left the more personal topics for the end, but doesn't mean I think less of them. I want her saved, and I know I must be patient. I know I must trust those that like me, love her. I will do so. I feel the time is coming, and then I'll be there. It doesn't matter to me what it takes to save her. And Tindra. For now, whenever we have some time together, I try to get the most of it. We play funny pranks on our friends, and bring them with us to talk about light topics, have laughs and giggles, and take life as we want to. There will be time for being serious and trascendental.

    Fadia - She's been having a bit of a crisis lately. Aparently Aelthas has been poisoning her mind, attempting to turn her against myself. Perhaps it is as Lorelai said, and his jealousy is blinding him. However, even though I know I am flawed as all human beings, I am way better than to enter his low game. Here was I, trying to convince both my sisters to try to restore their relationship with him despite our diferences, and I only receive hatred and malice in return. I would be angry, but again I am better than that. I feel only pity for his missled soul. Fortunately, Fadia is stronger than what she thinks she is. I've told her to try and speak up more often, even against me. She is a Druid Elder, and that is a tittle that is not just granted, but reached with great amounts of effort and earned respect. I trust her and love her. I know she will manage, and I'll be there for anything she needs.

    Jerrick - I needed to have a talk with him, confess how I felt when he and Andu returned. I know that if I want to keep loving him, I can't let any taints, as small as they are, linger in my mind. I noticed him more distant lately, as if not feeling comfortable around me. I know is not fair for me to think that he'd be avoiding me, since I've been more dodgy lately myself. Still, after a Circle meeting recently I managed to get him to sit with me for a talk, and we had a nice evening, I think. I confessed, and even though he didn't think my feelings were justified, he accepted that I could have felt like that, and told me that I shouldn't worry. He is as afraid as I am about Lorie, I would never expect otherwise. He just seems more introverted about it. After a bit of friendly talk, I could see again the old Jerrick I loved like a brother. I'm glad that he is back. I too needed him. I know we will disagree on some things, but that is only good. We are two diferent people.

    I am sure I am forgetting some things, but I'll tackle them as they come. Lathander give me Strength and Wisdom to not disappoint any of those I care for in any of these matters.


  • Sunny and Cloudy

    ::The following entries are written in a rosy red ink that seems to shimmer in the light, giving it a curious sparkling effect::

    So, Sparkly brought new ink. It's not quite what I was expecting, but the change is welcome. Perhaps the bright and joyful colour of this ink will help to raise my spirits for the upcoming ordeals.

    I have to make sure I find her soon and give her her reward, as I promised. I just hope she likes it, took a bit of questing to get it done. Only fair, too, I bet getting the ink took her quite a bit of questing too.

    To catch up with events in my life, I've been having a hard time. Too many things worry me, and I have to learn how to act around them. The one that worries me most is the fact that drow High Priestess that had me as her pet trophy in the underdark has found me in the Rawlinswood, and worse, she has recognized me. She even thinks she can reclaim me, and the very thought terrorizes me. That has stolen my sleep for many a night since then and has had me on edge, because she represents all that I dread. I'm almost as afraid for the loss of my freedom as I am for the fact that I live in the same home as the people I love dearly and the very thought of Drow attempting to assault it to find me and finding someone else along the way makes me shudder.

    For this reason I have been trying to take some distance from Fadia and Lorelai. I have been also considering to leave the Fuzzy Den, but I know them both, and they wouldn't allow me, or they would reduce me to tears that way only they can, making me feel guilty about the simple thought of moving out.

    I have been thinking lately, that I shouldn't try to protect them like that. I mean… I really, really don't want them to come to harm because of me, but they have told me many times that it's their right to care for me, because they love me. I have been thinking that if something happened to them, I'd like to be the first to know so that I can stand with them, whatever comes. They deserve to be given the same choice.

    With Lorie, there are additional reasons, too. For one, whether I trust Aelthas or not, he is still important to her, and I feel like because of me they are drifting away from each other. I know better than to put distance between people that love each other, and whatever the circumstances, it still pains me and makes me feel guilty.

    Another reason is that Jerrick and Andu are back, and they seem to be deciding by themselves what to do with Lorie's problem. It would appear that all the cares, sleepless nights and research I carried in all this time that they were "finding themselves" hasn't even been taken into account.

    By the way I write that is easily noted that I haven't been happy about it. At first, it hurt me and gave a painful sting in my heart, but once again, some time of time of reflexion and meditation showed me that possibly the best I could do was just take a step back no matter how dearly I love Lorelai. I just hope none of them insults my feelings at any point by hinting that they care for her more than I do.

    I suppose Lorie knows me too well, though, and saw through pretty quickly. I don't think I was being that obvious, but she said she could feel it, like she can feel when the clouds cover the Sun, even without need to look at the sky directly. Her words soothed me as she dug the truth out of me. She wants me close, she said, which I know. She asked me to be Sunny again for her, and I accepted in exchange for her to try to include Aelthas back into her life, and to not leave me in the dark with her problem.

    I've been feeling quite well since that talk. I just hope I haven't offended anyone with my less than optimal mood during those days.

    On another news, we have met a new person that seems really kind and entertaining to have around. Her name is Lune, priestess to Lurue, the Lady Unicorn. Her optimism, friendliness and generosity are worth praising, and we have been helping her to get on her feet, showing her places of Narfell, as well as telling her some of the things that are to be known. I hope she sticks around, her presence is welcome, and I bet she'll be a great asset to the land when she becomes more experienced.

    By the way, Benji has formally asked me to be priest for his wedding! Seems he has been speaking with Talyna, and either he convinced her, or she didn't mind. The wedding will take place in the Silver Valley, date is yet to be confirmed. I feel extremelly happy and honoured too that they would want me to carry their wedding ceremony, the least I can do is correspond their trust with the best wedding ceremony ever had. Congratulations Benji, you really deserve love, and I'm proud to be the one seeing that it is blessed and sacred in the eyes of the gods.


  • ::Untittled entry::

    Well, it seems like Lorie had still some ink afterall…

    What? I think I know what ink this is.

    I suppose I'll have to wait with writing next entry.

    Dear Lord Lathander, my eyes. Tojan…


  • Abnormal Normality

    What a day. That probably sums up everything and nothing of what I've lived today…

    To start with, I was embarked in a journey sponsored by Kara Willendt with many others to see some Circle of Power somewhere in some remote cold lands, where we had to fight many a winterwolf and frost giant. Then we reached the destination, where I nicely served as scarecrow for a few more hours. I thank Lathander for granting me prayers to guard me against the elements, else I'd be part of the landscape now. I thank Benji too, for being that awesome mixture of naive and witty that makes him always a great company.

    We entertained each other with stories about our lives and past experiences, while the rest of the group used their super magical marks to do whatever we had actually come to do. There was a moment when I asked Benji if he loved me. I was mostly jesting, but the face he put while saying "I… love LOVE Talyna" was worth the whole trip.

    I also offered formally, jokes aside, to be his priest for the wedding. He said he had to talk about it with his wife-to-be, as she's rather traditional when it comes to those things, and likely prefers a hin. I respect that, plus I find it fair. He said that if his girlfriend prefers to go for a hin priest, I can probably be his best man. I told him I'm not a man, but woah… I'm really honoured by him even considering me a possibility.

    In the end the job was done so we returned to Peltarch. I was rather exhausted, so I headed towards the Den to have a proper sleep. Of course, I was halted at Norwick's South Gates, just when Lorie arrived to them too. The name of Jerrick popped up there, and Rico said that he had gone into a portal at the menhirs south of Norwick.

    Oh boy did I run. When I was halfway there I saw a dark flash overtaking me on my right. It was Lorie. As I ran I nodded at her, and we both jumped into the portal without question. We don't need words to communicate anymore, it feels so great to be so connected to a person. Specially one as kind and selfless as she is. No matter what she thinks she owes to anyone.

    The portal actually took us to a diferent plane. Go figure, it wasn't like Jerrick to take a regular travel into a just mildly dangerous area. It had to be planes of chaos, else it wasn't good enough. The good news was that even though what my training as Dawnbringer taught me about turning outsiders, was meant to be aimed to demons and devils primarily, it also works with any outsider creatures. In this case, we met slaadi.

    That was after reaching Jerrick and the group he was leading into those tunnels, just to gather some tongues in exchange for some coin, apparently. Whatever, he got a hug as crushing as I can give it, and a promise that once we were out of there we'd spend time together to catch up. The trip was more or less uneventful in that the Slaadi didn't seem to offer much resistance, until we came out, and an Obsidian one was waiting.

    Oh that stopped being fun then. None of us could harm it properly and it had cast something nasty on Lorie, leaving her helpless on the ground. Jerrick went immediately to aid her, which took our best chance to harm the creature out of the scene, while it kept launching all kinds of crazy attacks and spells at us.

    I only had one card left, and used it - from the ground itself, next to the slaad, I managed to pull a huge Earth Elemental. To everyone's relief, the Obsidian Slaad had exhausted most of its spells, and in hand-to-hand combat it held no chance against the rocky guardian, that mashed the extra-planar frog into a bloody mess.

    Ran to Lorie, panicking. Jerrick was breathing life into her and my world was turning dark as I saw her immobile… until she finally coughed a catty cough, and opened her eyes. I wanted to go and hug her, but she was receiving much better attention than I could give her, so I limited myself to give her arm a small squeeze as Jerrick held her.

    Back to Norwick, we saw the corpse of a blue dragon, and people started telling a story about some man came and beat it with his fists? That was rather unbelievable but then one of the Ancient Argents landed between all of us.

    Wow... Being Cormyrian I can tell I had seen quite a few dragons in my life, but an Ancient? And a Silver, to top it? What I felt when I saw the majestic, colossal, elegant creature was undescribable. I think I kept there, with my mouth half open, just looking at it amazed. I think most of the rest of people didn't really appreciate the -great- honour they were witnessing.

    Oh well... I think it came to demand the body of the blue dragon... I wasn't really paying much attention to other than the creature's overwhelming presence. It left soon too, so Jerrick, Lorie and I decided to go have a soak at the Den's hot springs.

    There we caught up a little bit on what's been going on. Spoke about Andu too. And about the nightmares, and how to tackle them as soon as possible. Also about ourselves a bit, what has been going on. When we were there, inside the hot springs, the couple of beautiful lovers cuddling, and I with them… it all felt like it had always been. Like everything had returned to normal. Even if our lives are everything except normal.

    I think I felt very jealous to see them holding each other, like a volcano of care and affection. And two yards from them, there was I, in my glacier. I demanded a hug, rather childish, I know. They granted it happily. Immediately Lorie saw into my eyes, and began to speak about Vash't. She knows me too well, probably better than I know myself, even if some people like to claim we don't know each other as much as to feel so attached.

    Vash't… he just vanished after the first time we actually managed to have a half decent conversation about ourselves. No letters, no messages, no nothing. Perhaps it's how it should be. I feel like if I had expected him to do otherwise, I'd be demanding more than I'm willing to give. I can't demand anything of him if he feels there was nothing between us. A relationship works only when it goes both ways, so I'll just assume things as they are and try to not punish myself excessively. Lorie saw through once again, and said that leaving without a word is what wood people do. She put Jerrick as example. Truth is, seeing how she suffers for him, that doesn't really comfort m–

    Damn, ran out of ink. I hope Tojan brings some soon.


  • ::Untitled entry::

    Finally had some time for each other, Lorie and I. It would seem that everytime we met since she had returned, a problem arose, or third persons dragged us elsewhere, with mostly depressive topics to discuss, or deal with.

    While all of that is well my duty, my sister deserves some of my time, too. And even if I was a bit tired after a long day, I am glad I could finally share a decent amount of it with her.

    I think we were both very mushy, but that's fine. I love when emotions blossom to my skin and mere words can make my very senses tremble. And when I can feel the same is happening to the person that is next to me. Specially if that person is to me the most precious being on the face of Toril.

    Talked about what anyone would imagine two soulbound sisters that haven't had chance to be with each other for a couple of months would talk. Scolded each other for putting ourselves in danger, then admitted that due to our natures, it's always going to keep being like that, so perhaps we should resign to the idea that we'll keep stepping into harm's way, but that we'll keep together as often as we can, so we can protect each other. She promised me she's never ever again going on a long trip alone, and I promised her that if she does, she'll have me along, no matter what.

    Of all the things we talked, she told me a couple of extremelly beautiful things that reached deep inside me, that sent that gentle pinch into my chest, in a place that I can't point out but if I had to put a name, I'd undoubtely call it my soul. Said that I inspire her, and that thanks to me she's even accepting her "borrowed" body as her own. It makes me happy to hear that she accepts herself. I sure accept and love her as she is, so should she. I also returned her sincerity with my own. How since we became so close, everything I do seems better, how I stopped being an outsider and undead slaying automaton to become a loving woman, how I can forget sorrow and ignore pain as long as my little sister will be there for me, so I'll keep finding energies in aiding my Lord's cause to fight whatever threatens the freedom and joy of humankind and its allies.

    In the end, what I couldn't fight was my tiredness, and slowly fell asleep cuddling her on the cushions. My soul rests at peace today, and I feel ready to try to be better than I am in all aspects. I've noticed I've been a bit irritated lately. Snappy, even rasp. I didn't even feel like writing in this journal, because of lack of stimuli to do so. And because I camped in front of Jiyyd to both fight demons, and shelter those I love and respect from my changing mood.

    Like Vash't, who little by little is crawling into my heart with mere tenderness, patience and understanding. I do not know what he sees in me. I think I am far from the woman that anyone would want. Stubborn, obstinate, with a knack for getting extremelly dangerous, undesired attention, and a woman of faith while at it. Yet he brings out the vulnerable girl that needs the loving embrace of a man to feel safe. In fairness, that is what I am: just a human woman, with the needs of a human woman, in all aspects. He is probably just one of the few who actually stopped to see through all the barriers I raise around me. I know the reasons for I do this. Lathander knows, too. Now, Vash't does as well, and he is fine with it, or so he says. I can't help but feeling guilty about seeing him piercing through everything and reaching out for my heart. I know if he keeps up we'll suffer. He'd willingly suffer for much less than me, he said. I know I would suffer for much less than him, too. And perhaps now I am too tired to keep running from that pain. Perhaps it's the time to face it. Otherwise, I risk never achieving Joy.

    And speaking of joy, I know I'll feel it when I see Fadia and Jerrick coming out of the forests. I've almost resigned myself to think they're druids, and I should just accept that from time to time they'll just turn into animals and run into the forest to be one with the wilderness. It just seems a little unfair that all who love them are denied of their presence. But I am not one to complain about that, when my own faith and duty raises so many barriers between me and those that love me.

    In any case, I hope they both return soon, this loving priestess longs for the day they'll be between her arms again.

    I love you all, my friends, my family. Never go away from me.


  • ::Untitled entry::

    She's back!


  • Sisters

    How curious it is that one same word can mean a lot of diferent things, even when you keep saying it constantly. One of those words, is indeed "sister", or its counterpart, "brother". Sometimes I wonder if I am not cheapening its meaning by throwing it left and right, but I find myself unable to find a more fitting word. And yet everytime I say it, it has an important weight inbuilt, not just something I say lightly.

    For example, I call sister, or brother, to anyone that follows Lathander. Being Lathanderite binds that person to myself in a vague sense of family. While that person may or may not get along with myself, there is a "higher motive" that makes them stand out for me. This would be people like ~Locrian~, ~C'tan~, ~Dawn~ and to an extent, ~Troff~.

    One notch higher is my real sister. I loved her, like I could love no one else at one point. Can't lie oneself - blood ties are what they are. Sometimes a blessing, sometimes a burden. However, ~Careena~ had been the most important piece in my life until her demise. I miss her direly, and so I pray to Lathander that her soul is not suffering in afterlife.

    An even higher "meaning" of the word is delivered to members of the Order of the Divine Shield where I serve. I know I would blindly give my life defending that of the other members. They have my trust, both the battlefield and outside, along with my utmost dedication to their causes and their worries. An unquestionable sense of trust that lies in knowing that their reasons to take any action will be always righteous and fair. Amongst those those I call brothers or sisters within the Order I count notable individuals like ~Sir Mariston~, ~Sir Shannon~, ~Sir Roland~, ~Lady Elena~, ~Eluriel~…

    And finally, the highest sense of the word. I say highest, because I trust these people even when common sense sometimes may advice not to. Because instead of the security and safety offered by the members of my Order, I am offered a leap of Faith that I am willing to take every time. A sweet, loving leap of Faith. It's this irrational sense of being close to someone for reasons unknown, when you have just "connected" into someone else's life stream, this pure feeling that brightens my soul with the mere sight of those I am proud to call my sisters under these circumstances. This is undoubtely a spot reserved in my heart for ~Lorie~, but also for ~Fadia~ and ~Jerrick~.

    Sadly, as some earn their status of sisters and brothers in my eyes, others that might have earned it, fall in the way side. Some actions can be forgiven, but not forgotten. It is good that I've always been wary about certain someones so that I don't suffer parting with them once some of their true identities are revealed. May Lathander ever let me see through deception, and to never allow bias to cloud my judgement.

    That said, I'd likely defend any of them, from any of the groups, with my own life. I suposse I'd do so even for any innocent that I stumbled upon along my difficult path. This path I thread more and more carefully as I grow.

    I've been pondering lately a few things. My principles, my reasons, my motivations. I slowly see myself drifting towards more radical ways of dealing with evil threats. Where in the past I'd offer a Yuan-ti a chance to parley and reach a peace agreement, now I see that peace is reached once all the yuan-ti are killed and burned.

    This worries me more than I want to think about. Perhaps I'm hanging too much with the paladins, reading and following their codes? Perhaps I gave up on hope for a world of ultimate peace, where inherently evil races are redeemed and can live in harmony with the rest.

    Perhaps I'm being allowed to live too long for my own good. While elves do live very long as well, they are prepared since the time they exist as race and through countless generations. I am merely a young girl trapped in an eternal body. I lack the gift of patience, living in a haste every day, wanting things done yesterday better than today. This strikes as very paradoxical to me, but in a sense, I'm still just a young human girl.

    In other news, and also speaking about sisters, Lorie has left this morning for Cormanthyr. For first time ever, I managed to sleep last night next to her while she kept in her half-elf self. That is impressive progress considering some things. However, as I mentioned in other entries, she is a special case even amongst all special cases. She really is my one, loving little sister.

    I gave her my Holy Symbol of Lathander so it keeps her safe. She asked if I'm not going to miss it. I avoided her question by saying that the only thing I know is that if it keeps her safe, I want her to have it. I can not lie to her, I know that I am going to miss it. That Holy Symbol is the last possession I'd part with in life. But I suposse I'm grasping at straws, hoping that it will keep her from harm when her safety is out of my reach. That some higher power will make sure that the necklace is returned to its rightful owner, somehow. The idea of anything happening to her while I can't intervene terrorizes me. Probably she should have waited until we fixed her problems, but as my sister I understand how she feels and I offered her my honest support.

    I pray today to Lathander to grant her uneventful, safe travels. And to Selune, to protect her precious daughter. May the Sun and the Moon keep you ever from harm, lil sis. At least as long as I can't do it myself.

    Post Script: I trimmed my hair quite a bit. I think it's the first time in my life I actually take chunk off. I have to admit, it was getting in the way a lot during combat, and more than one damnable creature had already used it to get a grip on me and distract me, or get an upper hand. It feels quite more confortable now.