Session VII: Tricks of the trade
(Written by Jason Poole)
An interesting side effect of not truly sleeping at night is the amount of time civilization then affords you to think, and to wait. Not that I have a particular problem with waiting, mind you. When your family lives for hundreds of years, a few hours a day seems like a blink of an eye - which, of course, is a large part of the problem in my case. Barring some sort of disasterous end, I have yet many ages to consider and reflect on my lost honor and shame. Though these days, a disasterous end appears to be more and more likely, despite mine and my companions growing capabilities.
This looming feeling of danger perhaps played a part in our collective decision this morning, upon reflecting on our lack of leads against the Twilight, to take the day for personal, seperate introspection. Things have been happening very fast; a matter of days ago I was still wandering the path up and down the banks of the Avren river, yearning for a purpose to apply myself. As my companions discussed over breakfast their respective plans, I pored over my own course, looking around the table. Semish's spirits were light, his burden seemingly born with the weight of a feather, or perhaps the strength of a giant. Semish fought for the sake of the land and everything that lived upon it, not a duty or a choice but something in between. Sitting elbow to elbow with him, Ebon drank deeply from his glass of chilled milk, never stern but always responsible. Ebon's path of righteousness was also one of vengeance upon those who had worked the dead from the grave and shattered his world - or was it? The more I considered the more certain I became that he had long since cast off the selfish notions of revenge and filled the hole in his life with the works of goodness. His conviction gave him all the strength he would ever need. To his side sat Fara, her shining eyes hiding a pain hidden under such strength and cheer that I am sure goes it goes un-noticed by the rest. Fara lives her life with the confidence of one who has lost everything, cast as she was from her nest of comfort into the wild, no one to depend on but herself. Much time I have spent dwelling on how she must have suffered in those days, though the forests seem to have uncovered what she held inside all along. Across the table from her, at my side was the stoic warrior Sinder, ever our quiet source of support in his own quiet way. Never a moment does he seem to doubt his decision to use his life that was saved from servitude to hone himself in preparation, as if practicing his entire life for a single moment.
As I ran out of companions my attention returned to myself. Easy it is to look into the hearts of others, but most difficult to read my own. At this time, my brother came to us and said his piece, and as he left I rose to my feet. My friends asked where I was going, but they understood - I was going to follow him. I needed to know whether I fought for what was right or only for myself. My powers had grown far beyond my reckoning had been while I trained at Daiveen, and warping the ether became easier each day. I was rapidly approaching dangerous territory, as few had ever come as far as I in the study of magic of this magnitude. It was very much a part of elven culture, yes, but nothing like the wrath and destruction I now hold in my hands - the kind of power that when partaken too heavily, with too little moderation, was capable of bringing down one of the greatest civilizations in the history of the world. Always hungry for battle, begging for a cause to fight for have I been, and found it I have, but I need to be sure that I act not only out of selfish ego, proud of my power. Krainus had never been much of a talker, but he shared my love and intimate study of battle, and so I would talk to him in our own unique way. I hoped to learn as much about his intentions as my own.
After a short time he noticed me following, my Dawnwalker cloak drawn against the cold rain. He was surprisingly tolerant of my presence, and so it seemed for at least a day we would work in co-operation, as in days that seemed a lifetime ago I would have dreamed of. We wended through the wet streets, and the way each person responded to Krainus' words told me much of him, and as the day wore on and we made little progress, I was nonetheless contented to see he seemed truly to walk a path of redemption. Then, suddenly, a familiar diminutive figure beckoned to us from an alleyway. Long before his face was revealed, my gut knew it was Glibo Delgazi, bent on his twisted revenge. Immediately it became apparent to me that he held some sort of device that suppresed all the magical energy around me, but I calmly steeled myself. With blade in hand and brother at my side, I could not lose. Krainus charged quickly, flickering in and out of vision as he attacked the two hulking figures that I had barely noticed standing in the back. Delgazi charged, and I parried his eager blow away, striking quickly with my sword-arm's elbow as I whirled, stunning him and paying him a debilitating cut to his underarm. He snarled, and I smiled. His wound did little to stem his viscious assault, and he vengefully landed a hard blow into me. His aggressive nature now familiar to me, I took advantage of his open guard to perform a disarming maneuver. His sword left his hand for but an instant, and with preternatural speed and reflex he caught it as it fell. Behind him I could see Krainus, a whirlwind of steel. "Dazzling.. Light!" he yelled, as his turning assault became faster and faster, a blur seeming to glow with trails of light. His opponents fell when he finally relented, eviscerated and cut nearly to ribbons. As Delgazi came in for another blow I took advantage of the slippery conditions, flipping him with a throw maneuver that my instructors had drilled into me for days until it came without thought. On the wet ground we struggled, as I attempted to restrain my smaller opponent, who fought back with the surprising vigor of a cornered animal. His headbutt met my nose with a crack, and as I fought to regain my vision, he had turned invisible and fled. Krainus helped me to my feet with an unfamiliar look of concern. "Come on, let's get back to my safehouse. I'll have to set that for you, and I suppose you have a lot to talk to me about."
Excerpt from the memoirs of Scios Daiveen, Chapter XVI: Searching Souls
(Written by Liz)
November 26th
So today we all went our separate ways to pursue our own quests. Ebon is going to go and communicate with his god Vo, which I think is amazing. I have never met anyone who has actually spoken with a god. Semish is on a quest for a new companion, I am excited to see what he will encounter. Cinder is going to Jericks to try and get more skilled with his sword, which he is already pretty badass, so I think that is so cool. Scios is going to be following Kranus around which I a m very glad to hear, I don't know if I can ever forgive Kranus for what he did, but I know that ebon senses no evil from him, and of all people I trust him completely. I'm not sure why, but my feelings for him are growing stronger and stronger for him everyday. He just has so much compassion, and he looks out for me. I haven't had that since my father was killed, and it kind of scares me at the same time, I just don't know how he feels, and if it is even a good idea to pursue anything. I’m immortal and he's not, I don't know if my heart could take another loss like that.
So everyone went out on their own journey, as have I. I went to the red knives guild, which they are thieves, but they steal from the greedy and give to the needy. I was told to complete 3 trials. The first, I had the steal a painting from the shoemakers without being caught. Well, I wasn't caught, but it wasn't the most suave exit though either. I escaped, but was followed for a time. Just as I was grabbing the painting someone was coming into the room. I was so nervous I just froze; I figured they would leave after a short time, but they didn't. They decided to hang out and play cards, so I felt I had no other choice, but to take the painting and run, so I did. Not the most graceful thing I have ever done, but mission accomplished. I then went back to the guild and had to through a series of trials to get this poison out of my body because I checked the lock in the door and there appeared to be no trap, but...I was wrong. So going through the room, it was just one thing after another. I almost got shot in the face with a arrow, then the floor dropped and I fell in a hole (thankfully I stopped and go a grappling hook on the way here) so I was able to get out of the hole with ease. I then avoided getting hit by a boulder right before the 2 potions I had to choose from. Based on what I know of potions and poisons (which isn't much) I drank the wrong one. So again, not to graceful, but mission accomplished.
For my final task I had to kill Genta Mordris. So I found him outside smoking his pipe. I aimed my bow and I thought I had a precise shot, but all of the sudden he deflected my arrow with one of his. It was completely crazy at that point, I was tumbling around him left and right, he hit me with some good blows, but I ultimately defeated him and
just left his body there for everyone to see. I went back to the red knives and spent the rest of the day with Jackson Moore. He taught me how to use the red knives knife in battle and I officially became a member of the Red Knives Guild. I am glad to see I will have a connection here in Eberus. After a long and tiring day I headed back to the Golden Feather to rest. Everyone spoke of their day and I retired for the night. I can definitely use some good meditation at this point.
(Written by Nate)
November 26th
As I sit here and scribe this latest entry, I rest my back against the
slowly rising and falling side of Altea. I am almost numb with elation,
having returned mere hours ago from the cliff overlooking the Little
Aiden, the holy ground where I first met Altea and spoke directly with
Vo. That I was chosen to champion his cause is an honor I will spend my
life working to deserve. Altea, a Dire Lion, comes to me from the
celestial plane, striding onto the Prime with casual grace. She was made
both my mount and my companion by Vo, and will surely prove a ferocious
ally in battle.
Never again, in my darkest hours, will I feel that I petition an empty
sky.
I was given guidance for this holy pilgrimage by Joran. He has proven
himself time and again to be a virtuous and noble ally in this crusade.
I set out upon my horse, leaving the city gates with little hassle from
those mercenary sorts posing as the law. I rode hard for the cliff,
morning rain stinging my face, cool air refreshing me. As the land began
its gradual rise up to the cliffs I came to a sparse forest and made my
way through the trees. I soon felt watched, sensing evil seeping towards
me from amidst the slender trunks. A familiar voice floated to me then,
waking memories from a sleep a few years long. Before me stood Imnohtep,
the dark magician from that pyramid long ago. Surrounding him was a
cadre of undead, all peering at me with blank fear. I dismounted, and
without much in the way of banter began my assault. I voiced a single,
booming command, and the risen dead cowered in terror from me. I smote
them with Remedy, casting them to dust and nothingness. Even Imnohtep
trembled at my footsteps, yet before I could deal him his due justice,
he was gone in a haze of dark enchantment. Just as well, I'll defeat him
another day, in honor. I continued upward, through the trees and rain,
until at long last I stood upon the high cliff. Before me, the land
stretched away unto the horizon, lightning raking at the world with
blazing white fingers. Suddenly the air crackled and boomed with
thunder, and I was thrown to my knees. My eyes closed, yet still I saw
Vo standing there in a halo of burning radiance. My limited words cannot describe the sense of mercy and righteous fury that emanated from his blazing visage. He bade me endure all
the trials that are to come, that I may bury my blade to its hilt in the
black heart of the plight that threatens the world of light. Vo blessed
me with newfound power, and upon waking Altea spoke to me without words,
suggesting we return to Eberus to reunite with my friends. That done, as
my new friend sleeps softly behind me, I feel that we cannot be beaten;
we have all attained a new level of power, and two mighty beasts
accompany us on our quest, as Semish has befriended a massive rhinoceros
out in the wild. Scios wears clouds in his eyes, but I feel that his doubts will pass. He is understandably made uneasy by the power he has come to wield, shaping the subtle fabrics of space and reality at his whim. I will stand by his side through all of these trials, and in the end, like in the beginning, we will stand tall, together. My feelings for Fara seem to grow each day, blooming like cherry blossoms in the summer. She is beauty and wrath personified. With a glance she can lift my heart out of darkness, yet she strikes our enemies down with a great and terrible swiftness. The love of good friends is like a shield. I cannot say what tapestry fate weaves us into, yet I feel that the threads that are us are spun from pure steel.
-Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Ebon Starfire, Paladin for the Spirited Soldiers and Right Hand of Vo
An interesting side effect of not truly sleeping at night is the amount of time civilization then affords you to think, and to wait. Not that I have a particular problem with waiting, mind you. When your family lives for hundreds of years, a few hours a day seems like a blink of an eye - which, of course, is a large part of the problem in my case. Barring some sort of disasterous end, I have yet many ages to consider and reflect on my lost honor and shame. Though these days, a disasterous end appears to be more and more likely, despite mine and my companions growing capabilities.
This looming feeling of danger perhaps played a part in our collective decision this morning, upon reflecting on our lack of leads against the Twilight, to take the day for personal, seperate introspection. Things have been happening very fast; a matter of days ago I was still wandering the path up and down the banks of the Avren river, yearning for a purpose to apply myself. As my companions discussed over breakfast their respective plans, I pored over my own course, looking around the table. Semish's spirits were light, his burden seemingly born with the weight of a feather, or perhaps the strength of a giant. Semish fought for the sake of the land and everything that lived upon it, not a duty or a choice but something in between. Sitting elbow to elbow with him, Ebon drank deeply from his glass of chilled milk, never stern but always responsible. Ebon's path of righteousness was also one of vengeance upon those who had worked the dead from the grave and shattered his world - or was it? The more I considered the more certain I became that he had long since cast off the selfish notions of revenge and filled the hole in his life with the works of goodness. His conviction gave him all the strength he would ever need. To his side sat Fara, her shining eyes hiding a pain hidden under such strength and cheer that I am sure goes it goes un-noticed by the rest. Fara lives her life with the confidence of one who has lost everything, cast as she was from her nest of comfort into the wild, no one to depend on but herself. Much time I have spent dwelling on how she must have suffered in those days, though the forests seem to have uncovered what she held inside all along. Across the table from her, at my side was the stoic warrior Sinder, ever our quiet source of support in his own quiet way. Never a moment does he seem to doubt his decision to use his life that was saved from servitude to hone himself in preparation, as if practicing his entire life for a single moment.
As I ran out of companions my attention returned to myself. Easy it is to look into the hearts of others, but most difficult to read my own. At this time, my brother came to us and said his piece, and as he left I rose to my feet. My friends asked where I was going, but they understood - I was going to follow him. I needed to know whether I fought for what was right or only for myself. My powers had grown far beyond my reckoning had been while I trained at Daiveen, and warping the ether became easier each day. I was rapidly approaching dangerous territory, as few had ever come as far as I in the study of magic of this magnitude. It was very much a part of elven culture, yes, but nothing like the wrath and destruction I now hold in my hands - the kind of power that when partaken too heavily, with too little moderation, was capable of bringing down one of the greatest civilizations in the history of the world. Always hungry for battle, begging for a cause to fight for have I been, and found it I have, but I need to be sure that I act not only out of selfish ego, proud of my power. Krainus had never been much of a talker, but he shared my love and intimate study of battle, and so I would talk to him in our own unique way. I hoped to learn as much about his intentions as my own.
After a short time he noticed me following, my Dawnwalker cloak drawn against the cold rain. He was surprisingly tolerant of my presence, and so it seemed for at least a day we would work in co-operation, as in days that seemed a lifetime ago I would have dreamed of. We wended through the wet streets, and the way each person responded to Krainus' words told me much of him, and as the day wore on and we made little progress, I was nonetheless contented to see he seemed truly to walk a path of redemption. Then, suddenly, a familiar diminutive figure beckoned to us from an alleyway. Long before his face was revealed, my gut knew it was Glibo Delgazi, bent on his twisted revenge. Immediately it became apparent to me that he held some sort of device that suppresed all the magical energy around me, but I calmly steeled myself. With blade in hand and brother at my side, I could not lose. Krainus charged quickly, flickering in and out of vision as he attacked the two hulking figures that I had barely noticed standing in the back. Delgazi charged, and I parried his eager blow away, striking quickly with my sword-arm's elbow as I whirled, stunning him and paying him a debilitating cut to his underarm. He snarled, and I smiled. His wound did little to stem his viscious assault, and he vengefully landed a hard blow into me. His aggressive nature now familiar to me, I took advantage of his open guard to perform a disarming maneuver. His sword left his hand for but an instant, and with preternatural speed and reflex he caught it as it fell. Behind him I could see Krainus, a whirlwind of steel. "Dazzling.. Light!" he yelled, as his turning assault became faster and faster, a blur seeming to glow with trails of light. His opponents fell when he finally relented, eviscerated and cut nearly to ribbons. As Delgazi came in for another blow I took advantage of the slippery conditions, flipping him with a throw maneuver that my instructors had drilled into me for days until it came without thought. On the wet ground we struggled, as I attempted to restrain my smaller opponent, who fought back with the surprising vigor of a cornered animal. His headbutt met my nose with a crack, and as I fought to regain my vision, he had turned invisible and fled. Krainus helped me to my feet with an unfamiliar look of concern. "Come on, let's get back to my safehouse. I'll have to set that for you, and I suppose you have a lot to talk to me about."
Excerpt from the memoirs of Scios Daiveen, Chapter XVI: Searching Souls
(Written by Liz)
November 26th
So today we all went our separate ways to pursue our own quests. Ebon is going to go and communicate with his god Vo, which I think is amazing. I have never met anyone who has actually spoken with a god. Semish is on a quest for a new companion, I am excited to see what he will encounter. Cinder is going to Jericks to try and get more skilled with his sword, which he is already pretty badass, so I think that is so cool. Scios is going to be following Kranus around which I a m very glad to hear, I don't know if I can ever forgive Kranus for what he did, but I know that ebon senses no evil from him, and of all people I trust him completely. I'm not sure why, but my feelings for him are growing stronger and stronger for him everyday. He just has so much compassion, and he looks out for me. I haven't had that since my father was killed, and it kind of scares me at the same time, I just don't know how he feels, and if it is even a good idea to pursue anything. I’m immortal and he's not, I don't know if my heart could take another loss like that.
So everyone went out on their own journey, as have I. I went to the red knives guild, which they are thieves, but they steal from the greedy and give to the needy. I was told to complete 3 trials. The first, I had the steal a painting from the shoemakers without being caught. Well, I wasn't caught, but it wasn't the most suave exit though either. I escaped, but was followed for a time. Just as I was grabbing the painting someone was coming into the room. I was so nervous I just froze; I figured they would leave after a short time, but they didn't. They decided to hang out and play cards, so I felt I had no other choice, but to take the painting and run, so I did. Not the most graceful thing I have ever done, but mission accomplished. I then went back to the guild and had to through a series of trials to get this poison out of my body because I checked the lock in the door and there appeared to be no trap, but...I was wrong. So going through the room, it was just one thing after another. I almost got shot in the face with a arrow, then the floor dropped and I fell in a hole (thankfully I stopped and go a grappling hook on the way here) so I was able to get out of the hole with ease. I then avoided getting hit by a boulder right before the 2 potions I had to choose from. Based on what I know of potions and poisons (which isn't much) I drank the wrong one. So again, not to graceful, but mission accomplished.
For my final task I had to kill Genta Mordris. So I found him outside smoking his pipe. I aimed my bow and I thought I had a precise shot, but all of the sudden he deflected my arrow with one of his. It was completely crazy at that point, I was tumbling around him left and right, he hit me with some good blows, but I ultimately defeated him and
just left his body there for everyone to see. I went back to the red knives and spent the rest of the day with Jackson Moore. He taught me how to use the red knives knife in battle and I officially became a member of the Red Knives Guild. I am glad to see I will have a connection here in Eberus. After a long and tiring day I headed back to the Golden Feather to rest. Everyone spoke of their day and I retired for the night. I can definitely use some good meditation at this point.
(Written by Nate)
November 26th
As I sit here and scribe this latest entry, I rest my back against the
slowly rising and falling side of Altea. I am almost numb with elation,
having returned mere hours ago from the cliff overlooking the Little
Aiden, the holy ground where I first met Altea and spoke directly with
Vo. That I was chosen to champion his cause is an honor I will spend my
life working to deserve. Altea, a Dire Lion, comes to me from the
celestial plane, striding onto the Prime with casual grace. She was made
both my mount and my companion by Vo, and will surely prove a ferocious
ally in battle.
Never again, in my darkest hours, will I feel that I petition an empty
sky.
I was given guidance for this holy pilgrimage by Joran. He has proven
himself time and again to be a virtuous and noble ally in this crusade.
I set out upon my horse, leaving the city gates with little hassle from
those mercenary sorts posing as the law. I rode hard for the cliff,
morning rain stinging my face, cool air refreshing me. As the land began
its gradual rise up to the cliffs I came to a sparse forest and made my
way through the trees. I soon felt watched, sensing evil seeping towards
me from amidst the slender trunks. A familiar voice floated to me then,
waking memories from a sleep a few years long. Before me stood Imnohtep,
the dark magician from that pyramid long ago. Surrounding him was a
cadre of undead, all peering at me with blank fear. I dismounted, and
without much in the way of banter began my assault. I voiced a single,
booming command, and the risen dead cowered in terror from me. I smote
them with Remedy, casting them to dust and nothingness. Even Imnohtep
trembled at my footsteps, yet before I could deal him his due justice,
he was gone in a haze of dark enchantment. Just as well, I'll defeat him
another day, in honor. I continued upward, through the trees and rain,
until at long last I stood upon the high cliff. Before me, the land
stretched away unto the horizon, lightning raking at the world with
blazing white fingers. Suddenly the air crackled and boomed with
thunder, and I was thrown to my knees. My eyes closed, yet still I saw
Vo standing there in a halo of burning radiance. My limited words cannot describe the sense of mercy and righteous fury that emanated from his blazing visage. He bade me endure all
the trials that are to come, that I may bury my blade to its hilt in the
black heart of the plight that threatens the world of light. Vo blessed
me with newfound power, and upon waking Altea spoke to me without words,
suggesting we return to Eberus to reunite with my friends. That done, as
my new friend sleeps softly behind me, I feel that we cannot be beaten;
we have all attained a new level of power, and two mighty beasts
accompany us on our quest, as Semish has befriended a massive rhinoceros
out in the wild. Scios wears clouds in his eyes, but I feel that his doubts will pass. He is understandably made uneasy by the power he has come to wield, shaping the subtle fabrics of space and reality at his whim. I will stand by his side through all of these trials, and in the end, like in the beginning, we will stand tall, together. My feelings for Fara seem to grow each day, blooming like cherry blossoms in the summer. She is beauty and wrath personified. With a glance she can lift my heart out of darkness, yet she strikes our enemies down with a great and terrible swiftness. The love of good friends is like a shield. I cannot say what tapestry fate weaves us into, yet I feel that the threads that are us are spun from pure steel.
-Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Ebon Starfire, Paladin for the Spirited Soldiers and Right Hand of Vo