I've been lead in circles for the past several days by the Rodor. They tell me that after taking me to be healed in the Enchanted Lands, Aelfric brought me back to his home to recover, before leaving on an assignment.
Finally today I was visited by one of the Captains of the scouts. Unlike his underlings, he was straight forward with me, informing me that Aelfric had not been heard from for quite some time. The last of their information they could find has lead them to the understanding that he is being held within the Citadel in the Orcish Wastes.
They've also determined that there is not any way to free him, without shattering their own laws and codes of ethics.
As weakened as I may be, there is no way in hell I am going to sit back and just let this happen....and the Captain was aware of that.
He came to ask for my help, and to give me a package that Aelfric had left for me before leaving on his assignment; it is appearently something all the Rodor do before non-standard scouting assignments, should they have anyone they wish to give their things to.
There was a letter inside, along with three Rodor chevron pins. While the Captain waited, I read the letter - the long and the short of it was that he wasn't sure if he'd make it back, but he wished for me to take the position of a Captain within the Rodor. This lead me to questioning the Captain about whether or not there would truly be any trust or respect possible for a Teir`dal within their ranks, and he assured me that they trusted the judgement of their leader, but it would take time for their actions to be genuine but it would eventually be so.
Given the situation, I declined for the moment, citing to the Captain that their rules couldn't apply when I journied to Zek - unlike all of these men, I would use the innocent to do what I needed to do. Though disturbed by this information, the Captain agreed to wait to announce anything until after I returned.
And so, I prepare to leave for Zek, giving myself a crash course of re-training; my plan is to find overzealous adventures, convince them to storm the Citadel, and slip inside while they distract the orcs. While not exactly sound, it will have to do until I am there and can appraise the situation properly...from inside.
I plan on stopping at the inn on my way there, as Kel of course, to apologize to Duvessa for not pursuing matters further, and to say good bye to her and Tehom - in case I, too, do not return...
The time draws near....this will be the last entry I write until my return. I cannot risk carrying such a heavy tome where I go.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Date Unknown
So much time has passed since the last time I saw this volume - for most of this time I have been locked in a deep sleep, healing from the deadly wounds Aelfric had given me after my pursuit of Axi...someone or another.
I am still quite weak, though the wounds healed well. I suppose sometime I will jot down exactly what caused him to attack me, however for now I wish to rest. A great amount of darkness has been pulled away during my sleep, though some habits will never die.
At my core, I remain the Streea T`zarawur I was raised to be, however I am...more selective over who my targets are and why I am targetting them. I shall be spending a great deal of time resting within Nature, and learning more about surviving with Her, perhaps becoming one of the Rodor, perhaps not.
For now, I wish to sleep as I have so often since awakening a few days ago.
I am still quite weak, though the wounds healed well. I suppose sometime I will jot down exactly what caused him to attack me, however for now I wish to rest. A great amount of darkness has been pulled away during my sleep, though some habits will never die.
At my core, I remain the Streea T`zarawur I was raised to be, however I am...more selective over who my targets are and why I am targetting them. I shall be spending a great deal of time resting within Nature, and learning more about surviving with Her, perhaps becoming one of the Rodor, perhaps not.
For now, I wish to sleep as I have so often since awakening a few days ago.
Unknown Date
After several days, I finally made it into the Lure.
Unlike the pirates of Freeport, these seafarers are sharp as tacks, and though they couldn't actually pierce the Veil of Luclin with their eyes, one was able to know I was there by instinct.
Such a display of instinct gives me hope.
And so now...I am part of the Faullen, former crew of some ship lost to the raging seas. While my voice is darker than theirs, and my words more eloquent, I'm finding a place within their...lot...to call my own. Though many are younger and less experienced, I've found all have something to share, and are naut...daft...enough to ignore my words.
Once things were square with them, Aelfric took me across the Sea of Mists to the Lost Villiage of Bobick and the Enchanted Lands.
The journey there was harsh, nearly halted by a demon lord who was none to fond of the Fae who escorted us into the Mists. But he became short work, and the last part of our journey was peaceful; it's been the first boat ride I could sit back and enjoy, and I found myself drawn to it, just as the crew back in Qeynos had spoken of so many times.
I spent my hours balancing along the rails, crawling up the lines, and perching on the sails to watch our surroundings. When you're above the sea, with the wind washing over you like the sea washes over the ship's hull, it's almost magic. Part of me felt I could release the lines on the mast, spread my arms and the wind would carry me away to someplace new; part of me thought I could see forever if I just kept my eyes open.
When the ship broke through the mists, and the Enchanted Lands lay before us, I nearly fainted - which would have been tragic as I was balanced on the highest sail.
Glittering blue-green water for miles, shimmering gold dust beaches with tangles of beautiful green forest kissing them...for the first time, I could feel what Aelfric had described when he spoke of Nature. But it wasn't just some distant mental picture, it was alive and pulsing with power I'd never knew possible.
At first we remained on the pier - I think he knew that I was over-whelmed by the voyage and our arrival. He introduced me to the halflings that tended the docks and sold their wares; though I find them unsettling, they were naut horribly angry at me as others of their race were. Once I felt up to it, we ventured out into the surrounding areas to explore.
The first night, I had a dream.
I was sitting across from a woman, a Koada`Dal of some age; she was elegently dressed, with her pale blonde hair pulled up into a nest of curls at her crown. Her eyes were bright blue and full of a clam I could only wish to possess in my lifetime; she smiled faintly as we spoke, holding my hand gently with her own.
As the dream progressed, as we spoke to one another, I watched my skin lighten. It became a pale indigo, and then it seemed as though all traces of darkness were gone from it. The only thing that remained the same were the violet eyes, but even they were changed - they were bright not with the Fires of Hate, but with something else.
The words are unclear to me in the waking world, but something of them lingers within me.
Over the next few nights, the dream repeated itself to me. Aelfric told me I would murmer in my sleep, but naut in Thexian or Common; when I told him of the dream, he helped me find several fragments of a Koada`Dal's bones.
When I put the pieces together, there was a flash and I was left with a small, blackened stone of some sort and a different fragment. Aelfric taught me to use the stone to become the way I saw myself in the dreams - though merely an illusion for now, I find myself feeling much different when I reside within it.
Though...enlightened...it is still difficult to fight the indoctrination of the Teir`Dal; I still would find myself staring at one of the poor halflings, the desire to rip them apart and feast upon their flesh forcing itself into my mind. But that's naut what I desire to do, and so I've begun a long fight to escape Hate's Grasp and find the answers the women in the dream held.
Unlike the pirates of Freeport, these seafarers are sharp as tacks, and though they couldn't actually pierce the Veil of Luclin with their eyes, one was able to know I was there by instinct.
Such a display of instinct gives me hope.
And so now...I am part of the Faullen, former crew of some ship lost to the raging seas. While my voice is darker than theirs, and my words more eloquent, I'm finding a place within their...lot...to call my own. Though many are younger and less experienced, I've found all have something to share, and are naut...daft...enough to ignore my words.
Once things were square with them, Aelfric took me across the Sea of Mists to the Lost Villiage of Bobick and the Enchanted Lands.
The journey there was harsh, nearly halted by a demon lord who was none to fond of the Fae who escorted us into the Mists. But he became short work, and the last part of our journey was peaceful; it's been the first boat ride I could sit back and enjoy, and I found myself drawn to it, just as the crew back in Qeynos had spoken of so many times.
I spent my hours balancing along the rails, crawling up the lines, and perching on the sails to watch our surroundings. When you're above the sea, with the wind washing over you like the sea washes over the ship's hull, it's almost magic. Part of me felt I could release the lines on the mast, spread my arms and the wind would carry me away to someplace new; part of me thought I could see forever if I just kept my eyes open.
When the ship broke through the mists, and the Enchanted Lands lay before us, I nearly fainted - which would have been tragic as I was balanced on the highest sail.
Glittering blue-green water for miles, shimmering gold dust beaches with tangles of beautiful green forest kissing them...for the first time, I could feel what Aelfric had described when he spoke of Nature. But it wasn't just some distant mental picture, it was alive and pulsing with power I'd never knew possible.
At first we remained on the pier - I think he knew that I was over-whelmed by the voyage and our arrival. He introduced me to the halflings that tended the docks and sold their wares; though I find them unsettling, they were naut horribly angry at me as others of their race were. Once I felt up to it, we ventured out into the surrounding areas to explore.
The first night, I had a dream.
I was sitting across from a woman, a Koada`Dal of some age; she was elegently dressed, with her pale blonde hair pulled up into a nest of curls at her crown. Her eyes were bright blue and full of a clam I could only wish to possess in my lifetime; she smiled faintly as we spoke, holding my hand gently with her own.
As the dream progressed, as we spoke to one another, I watched my skin lighten. It became a pale indigo, and then it seemed as though all traces of darkness were gone from it. The only thing that remained the same were the violet eyes, but even they were changed - they were bright not with the Fires of Hate, but with something else.
The words are unclear to me in the waking world, but something of them lingers within me.
Over the next few nights, the dream repeated itself to me. Aelfric told me I would murmer in my sleep, but naut in Thexian or Common; when I told him of the dream, he helped me find several fragments of a Koada`Dal's bones.
When I put the pieces together, there was a flash and I was left with a small, blackened stone of some sort and a different fragment. Aelfric taught me to use the stone to become the way I saw myself in the dreams - though merely an illusion for now, I find myself feeling much different when I reside within it.
Though...enlightened...it is still difficult to fight the indoctrination of the Teir`Dal; I still would find myself staring at one of the poor halflings, the desire to rip them apart and feast upon their flesh forcing itself into my mind. But that's naut what I desire to do, and so I've begun a long fight to escape Hate's Grasp and find the answers the women in the dream held.
Unknown Date
I awoke, floating within the Waters of Life again, only this time, there was naut a bit of clothing on my body. There was only skin, the water, and silence...and the power from the orb above me.
Always, life was about death, at least as far as I had known it. But now, in this moment, life was about...life; instead of seeing myself as a bringer of death, I came to the slow conclusion that I was, in fact, an ender of life. Those who died beneath my blade did so because they'd done some travisty that warrented the end of their life.
But they'd been for the wrong reasons then.
Close my eyes...slip beneath the waters..
Loyalty was an instinct, a ground in ideal that had been sewn into my being from the first day I drew breath. To House and Family, I was meant to serve and protect, to deflect it's enemies and be rid of their problems without question of why. In reflection, it is why that matters more than pretty words - why it was done was wrong, and I shouldn't have been loyal to them without asking why.
But that loyalty doesn't die, even now when I've nau House to guard, nau kin to protect - I've made others my kin now, and they've my loyalty to the last. Unlike before, if I kill, it is naut for petty arguments and noble endearments - if I kill it is to end the lives of those who have done actual harm to those I am loyal, not some political mockery like it was within Freeport.
...break through the surface...
What is life without adventure?
I grew tired quickly of the quaint home Aelfric had built for us within the walls of Irontoes East; domesticated I am naut, to say the least. The investigations of the guard left me rather bored now as well. Though each day I wish to do less...Hateful and senseless things, I love the thrill of the hunt - doing something that could be punished, if caught and avoiding being so.
There was only a mild rush now when I snuck back into my home in Qeynos, and even less when I snuck within Freeport; though my true location and reasons for being in Qeynos were unknown to nearly all, it was well known that I went where I pleased without having been dismissed by the Overlord as many others who wandered there had. A strange respect had come over many within the vile walls, and I rarely had to sneak anywhere there.
But with quiet words and masquerade, I found a bit of fun to be had within both cities...
...and just breath...
I still did naut understand why I often awoke within these waters. Today there were no priests to greet me with their silent stares and knowing eyes.
What I did know was that I must make my way into the Harbor, and the Mermaid's Lure to find what I wanted just then...perhaps what I need...
Always, life was about death, at least as far as I had known it. But now, in this moment, life was about...life; instead of seeing myself as a bringer of death, I came to the slow conclusion that I was, in fact, an ender of life. Those who died beneath my blade did so because they'd done some travisty that warrented the end of their life.
But they'd been for the wrong reasons then.
Close my eyes...slip beneath the waters..
Loyalty was an instinct, a ground in ideal that had been sewn into my being from the first day I drew breath. To House and Family, I was meant to serve and protect, to deflect it's enemies and be rid of their problems without question of why. In reflection, it is why that matters more than pretty words - why it was done was wrong, and I shouldn't have been loyal to them without asking why.
But that loyalty doesn't die, even now when I've nau House to guard, nau kin to protect - I've made others my kin now, and they've my loyalty to the last. Unlike before, if I kill, it is naut for petty arguments and noble endearments - if I kill it is to end the lives of those who have done actual harm to those I am loyal, not some political mockery like it was within Freeport.
...break through the surface...
What is life without adventure?
I grew tired quickly of the quaint home Aelfric had built for us within the walls of Irontoes East; domesticated I am naut, to say the least. The investigations of the guard left me rather bored now as well. Though each day I wish to do less...Hateful and senseless things, I love the thrill of the hunt - doing something that could be punished, if caught and avoiding being so.
There was only a mild rush now when I snuck back into my home in Qeynos, and even less when I snuck within Freeport; though my true location and reasons for being in Qeynos were unknown to nearly all, it was well known that I went where I pleased without having been dismissed by the Overlord as many others who wandered there had. A strange respect had come over many within the vile walls, and I rarely had to sneak anywhere there.
But with quiet words and masquerade, I found a bit of fun to be had within both cities...
...and just breath...
I still did naut understand why I often awoke within these waters. Today there were no priests to greet me with their silent stares and knowing eyes.
What I did know was that I must make my way into the Harbor, and the Mermaid's Lure to find what I wanted just then...perhaps what I need...
Brewday, the 10th of Weeping
I was naut wrong, the scrap of a guard did follow me home this eve. I explained as best I could what my situation was, and who could vouche for me within the city. He seemed skeptical, but considering I've naut yet put a knife between his shining armour, he listened and didn't arrest me.
We've spent some time since tracking centaurs inside of the Steppes, tracing their connection to the Bloodsabers as carefully as possible. So far things have turned up that I do naut understand, but he assures me we move in the right direction...
I must return to Freeport soon. I've found a few scrolls that someone there is offering payment for, as they seem unable to find them within the walls of Freeport. Though I'm sure this is naut something Aelfric would condone me doing, it's one of the few ways I can earn money while within the walls of Qeynos.
Sadly, I'm sure he will eventually figure these things out...
We've spent some time since tracking centaurs inside of the Steppes, tracing their connection to the Bloodsabers as carefully as possible. So far things have turned up that I do naut understand, but he assures me we move in the right direction...
I must return to Freeport soon. I've found a few scrolls that someone there is offering payment for, as they seem unable to find them within the walls of Freeport. Though I'm sure this is naut something Aelfric would condone me doing, it's one of the few ways I can earn money while within the walls of Qeynos.
Sadly, I'm sure he will eventually figure these things out...
Darkday, the 1st of Weeping
Today I met a rather strange knight in the Thundering Steppes. He is a volunteer for the Celestial Watch, and seems to take his job seriously enough to continue their work when naut on watch. Because of his information, we ended up hunting down centaurs - they are naut my favourite mutants to begin with, so I was naut opposed.
He seemed rather intent on finding out what a Teir`Dal was doing so far away from Freeport, however he got little more than curt replies from myself; I do naut want him trying to involve himself in my affairs.
However, I feel that he's naut bright enough to figure out he should naut go poking his nose into business that is naut his own...
He seemed rather intent on finding out what a Teir`Dal was doing so far away from Freeport, however he got little more than curt replies from myself; I do naut want him trying to involve himself in my affairs.
However, I feel that he's naut bright enough to figure out he should naut go poking his nose into business that is naut his own...
Steelday, the 19th of Stargazing
At first, we moved my things into the Willow Wood, as Aelfric's shop was still being finished. Prior to moving into the Wood, I'd seen little more than the Vermin's Snye and the Down Below - which were admittably cleaner than even the most well kept areas of Freeport - and now that I could move about the city with at least some easy, I was taken by the sheer sparkling cleanliness of the city.
To my surprise, Aelfric found a room within the inner city that I could easily get to without encountering the guards. It was very elegant, with ornate oak trim, maple floors and ceilings and beautifully designed windows - nothing in Freeport compared to it, however simple the room is. It is, after all, just a two room apartment.
It is in the Irontoes East Inn, and the owner has allowed Aelfric to open a shop which is the front room of the apartment. We've several pieces already up and ready to sell, however he has naut yet found a sewing maniquine for me; I can wait, but we at least can sell some things he's made - arrows, bows, quills and paper.
Should the success of his shop be any indication of the time ahead, things look...exceptional...
But I am naut always content with my new surroundings. I've a constant fight between what I was taught to be the truth of the world - the glory of the Teir`Dal, the Hate of Innoruuk - and the new truths I am slowly discovering. There are moments when I wish to vivisect another being I see, and drink their blood, and praise the Prince of Hate; but something nau longer feels correct about these things...
It does naut help my confusion that every time I go to leave our home, the world goes black and I awaken within the temperate pool within the center of the Temple of Life. The priests say naut a word to me, watching me closely as I pull myself from the waters; they know something, but I do naut know what...
To my surprise, Aelfric found a room within the inner city that I could easily get to without encountering the guards. It was very elegant, with ornate oak trim, maple floors and ceilings and beautifully designed windows - nothing in Freeport compared to it, however simple the room is. It is, after all, just a two room apartment.
It is in the Irontoes East Inn, and the owner has allowed Aelfric to open a shop which is the front room of the apartment. We've several pieces already up and ready to sell, however he has naut yet found a sewing maniquine for me; I can wait, but we at least can sell some things he's made - arrows, bows, quills and paper.
Should the success of his shop be any indication of the time ahead, things look...exceptional...
But I am naut always content with my new surroundings. I've a constant fight between what I was taught to be the truth of the world - the glory of the Teir`Dal, the Hate of Innoruuk - and the new truths I am slowly discovering. There are moments when I wish to vivisect another being I see, and drink their blood, and praise the Prince of Hate; but something nau longer feels correct about these things...
It does naut help my confusion that every time I go to leave our home, the world goes black and I awaken within the temperate pool within the center of the Temple of Life. The priests say naut a word to me, watching me closely as I pull myself from the waters; they know something, but I do naut know what...
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