A green satin book embroidered with a golden bow and arrow

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 50
(7/27/02 10:37 am)
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The journal before you is a lovely shade of green satin, drawn over the cover pieces. Embroidered on the front is a bow and quiver of arrows in gold thread. The pages smell of fresh herbs and are made of the finest parchment.

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 51
(7/27/02 10:37 am)
Reply
  A map tucked into the front
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<Tucked into the front of the very pretty journal is a sheet of heavy paper that has obviously spent most of its life in a roll as it has a tendancy to want to return to that form. The paper is dirt smudged in places, slightly crumpled, and the tops and bottoms are frayed a bit as if the scroll has been shoved into a pack or other conveyance without much protection. On one side of the sheet is writing, legible but scrawled, definately not the hand of a scholar. On the other side of the sheetis a brightly coloured map of the Northern Plains of Karana. A note at the top of the map side, in the same scrawl as the writing on the other, reads "Before hunting, it is important to remember to bind in Shadowhaven or, if you find a kindly soul, at the gypsy camp (the gypsies are stingy and won't do it). Do not remain bound in Kelethin or Erudin or Freeport or Qeynos." Several points of interested a noted on the map in polished scholarly writing: a guard tower, the usual place the gypsies camp, bridges, the spires, and a druid ring. A notes abound in the inexpert hand: by the tower "Grimfeather - deadly", by the northern border "Treants - impressive", by the east border "Qeynos - long walk", and by the western bridge "Fletching stuff" with an arrow indicating across the bridge. There are a couple odd scribles in the margins as if they might be almost drawings of beetles, lions, and griffins, but definately not done by an arist. From the writing on the back of the map, one could figure the writer probably was not in any building but writing with the paper stretched across her lap.>

Northern Karana. My favorite place for doing a little skill work, soloing to work on bow, blade, kicking, and other such. I like working on my skills alone because I know that if I die or take great harm it is only me, no one else is at risk. Cavalier as it might seem, I'm not overly concerned about my death alone for I know Tunare will snatch my soul at the last moment and send it to some where safe (though I don't always remember to ask her to put it somewhere convenient). Death, then, is inconvenient when I am alone, but only my inconvenience. I come back, I go on. Sad will be the day, though when my soul is unbound and Tunare cannot find it to take it to a safe place and my death is final. But, I won't be there to mourn me if that happens, but I do worry about those who might be there at that time. I think that alone is the reason why I leave the marrying and having babies to those who do not go out and put themselves in such danger. I protect those who choose that life and work to make it possible for them to do so. None should need die that have child or spouse to leave behind.

But I digress. I got off on a tangent when I wanted to tell a tale of embarrassing meetings. Let me start again.

North Karana. One of my favorite places. The plains are wide and you can see fara far in all directions. yet, unlike the desert, there are trees which area comfort to me since I horribly horribly miss home when I am away. I can even get arrow supplies nearby.

So, on that day, I found myself without a group and, having recently entered my 25th season, a need for some skill work. North Karana. I was in Shadowhaven, so it was an easy trip down from the moon. I like the spires, makes travel easier. Not as easy as when I can find my friend who is a druid and likes bouncing all over the globe. But, I think I am going off on a tangent.

I ranged all over North Karana looking for challenging prey. I fought scythe beetles since they offered a challenge and have been known to attack unwary travelers. I spent a lot of time honing skills against the hard bodies. But then I noticed a group of ghouls and an even larger group of zombies. I looked around for a younger warrior or ranger since that collection of undead was no challenge for me. Seeing no one else, though, I knew it was up to me to scourge them from the planet. I was killing the ghouls quite easily when something Vile (literally some-name Vile) attacked me and was more than I could handle. Sadly I died, but my soul was snatched away and I was greatful to learn it was bound in Shadowhaven (As usual, I didn't remember to check my bind before I started hunting).

I muttered a bit to myself about the annoyance of dying, but it really was no great hardship. I merely returned to the same place (I knew where it was since there is only one landmark like that in stone in that part of North Karana) and slew the ghould and zombies and a passel of skelletons that all showed up. Thankfully, the Vile thing did not return.

But, I remembered why I had come to that part of North Karana. I had been on my way to get arrow supplies since I had run out while hunting beetles (hard to root & shoot if you have no ammo; I need to remember to get me a bigger quiver, then it will be longer before I run out of ammo... again). I crossed the bridge (& thought to myself yet again how the links of chain are about the size of a small Kelethin house, which got me thinking about home and missing it), bought cheap arrow parts, made arrows to fill my quiver, and decided to see if there were challenges nearby rather than returning north.

I spied a crag spider and set off after it. No sooner had I started my root and shoot on the spider when a griffawn flew overhead and started to attack me. I considered the griffawn no great challenge, but they can hit hard none-the-less, so I needed to to take care of him. I was doing so when, of course, my root broke on the spider. I figured I was still find and would have not problems when an Evil Eye wandered by and threw me back several yards. Stunned and hurt badly, I tried to limp away as fast I
could. I was not fast enough and was thrown again to lie in a crumpled heap with Tunare rescuing my soul yet again.

Now comes to the meetings and the reason I wrote this. No sooner had I walked away from the soulbinder in Shadowhaven headed for the path to the Nexus when Bippin appears before me. I was gleeful to see him and nearly forgot about the state of my attire. I remembered well when Rorack appeared beside him and I realised I was not dressed my best to be meeting new people. I attempted to adopt an air of non-chalance and ignore my mostly unlothed state. I chatted with Bippin and Rorack a little but became even more self conscious when Titaisia appeared. Oh Tunare, I thought to myself, who else of Saga will I meet completely unclothed? I greeted the pretty Vah Shir as best I could, still trying not to show my embarassment too much. I will admit, but the time two others in Saga appeared my mind was in a muddle and I was thinking more how to get clothed than in being social and let their names wash into the back of my mind. As politely as I could, I bid my adieu and departed for Nexus.

While in Nexus, 'twas time again for another ill-timed meeting. I have not seen my mage friend, Serion, in quite some time, so was both a delight and an embarassment that I should run into him, too, before I could gather my things and be properly attired. Serion was kind, as always, and made no comment on it, but used his summoning talent to give me things I could wear while I went to gather my own. Mage friends are good to know. It would have been better, though, to have met up with him before meeting so many in Saga in such a state, but I still felt warm for the armor provided me while I looked for myself.

Now I am given a quest and a pretty new book in which to write. Writing in a book is probably better than on the backs of maps even if I only used maps of places I know well enough now not to look at the map. But the book is far to nice to put in my pack, though... it does have a rather lovely embroidery. I'll just have to make a point to come here and scribble instead of out where ever I am.

<The book is left on the table. Left also is a scattering of river worn pebbles and a few bright blue crystal-like pebbles.>

Edited by: Caillou GNA   at: 7/27/02 9:40:36 am

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 52
(7/27/02 10:42 am)
Reply
  Being a bit of history
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My mother was a ranger and my father was a druid. They loved me and doted on me; I was their treasure, their joy. When I was on the verge of my coming of age, my mother was called away. She was called to lend her bow and blades in fighting some foe, whose name or even race was never told to me. My mother answered the call though I begged, as a child would, her not to go, not to leave me. She and her band were gone many anxious days, many nerve tortured weeks, until only one returned bedraggled and battered, barely alive. The one who returned brought news the others would not return, dead and their souls unbound. I was devastated and, I am sad to say threw a tantrum that lasted years. I did not count the time, being caught up in my grief and allowing myself to be a self-centered child because of it. I didn't even care when my father took ill with a wasting disease. He had tried so hard to be mother and father to me for that time and all I could think then was he let her go, he let her go to her death. My father spoke nothing but good about my mother and wanted me to follow in her steps. This, above all else, was what I disdained in those days of my wildness, my tantrum. My father's disease wracked his body as I debauched and thought only of myself. I thought my tears all spent at my mother's death and still had none to spare my father for his death, though, by that day, I had begun to realise who I was and how I wronged him. You see, by that time I was handed my first bow by a complete stranger.

I was given a bow, by one who did not know me, who did not know my father, who did not know my mother. I am sad I did not record or remember his name, he who gave me my lifeline, but his kindness I will remember always. I did need a rescue. I needed something to remind me who I am, what path Tunare wanted me to follow. The bow, a simple stave of wood strung with a strand of cotton. I shot an arrow at an orc that was plaguing a child and the orc left the child and ran to me with death in his eyes. Before he got to me, I shot him again and he dropped. Dead. I looked at the child, now unmolested, and at the orc lying there. I looked to the trees and then to my bow. At that moment, I felt a surge of, I don't know how to describe it, connectedness. I finally knew Tunare, I finally let her light shine into my heart and fill it with understanding. Tunare's love fills me as it did my mother and father before me, binding me closer to them, even closer than when they lived and we shared our hearts together. I still have not shed tear for my father's passing but he, and my mother, is always with me. I do not feel the sadness of grief as I once did with my mother's death when I thought I was bereft of mother's love. Tunare is the mother of all and in her love I feel comfort. Light reigns in my heart.

Sadly, the last tears I shed were at my mother's funeral, but in the time since taking up the bow, I have come to accept myself and have found far more happiness than need for tears. During the time between my mother's and my father's death I did not count the months or years, I know not which, as more than a blur of grief. Since I took up the bow, I do not look back to try to figure out if it was years or months since I do regret who I allowed myself to be. I go forward with my life and try to regret nothing else. In the time since taking up the bow, only a few scant years have passed, though I have seen and done much to fill what some would think many lifetimes. Yes, in all my travels, I have found more for friendship and hope than darkness and despair.

Daily I hone my skill with bow and blade, seeking always the path Tunare sets for me. I have travelled widely across the continents of Faydwer(with my beloved home Kelethin), Antonica, and Odus with many forays to the moon of Luclin, visiting the fair city of Shar Vahl and its neighboring thicket, moor and caverns. Yet, even as I have been many places in those land, I know I still have more to see, even there. Also, I have not yet been further on Kunark than the outpost at Firiona Vie (though I had gone there out of curiosity, to see, when I was but 15 seasons, I will admit freely to being curious & acting on that curiosity). I am looking, now, to a possibility of ranging further on Kunark, seeing what more there is beyond the outpost. Many of my journeys have been alone though I have found friends and even occasional hunting companions along the way. Some of my friends have advanced more quickly than I, others more slowly, still other were far more advanced than I even on the day we met. I have cherished memories of the meetings of some of those I now call friend (fishing, it turns out, is a good way to meet people *laugh*) . I carry with me a pack filled with maps not only because I like to know where I am going (which can be rather helpful at times) but also because I love the art of the maps and the writing found on some (to which I have added my own) noting import things one should look for or be wary of.

I thirst for knowledge nearly as much as I like exploring new places. Any time I find books, I am eager to explore their pages. In face, it takes much power of will to leave a place with books unread if I have a need to go elsewhere. History and the effects of magic enthrall me the most. My own magic is meager, so I have great respect for those for whom magic is a way of life. But yet, those who cast only magic do not have my prowess with the bow and the bow is my anchor to whom I am (heck, I even sleep with it).

Lastly, my father named me Caillou at my birthing. For, he said, even the smallest pebble can make a mighty wave. Kyrielle I chose for myself when I came to the proper age, meaning never ending, an avalanche, for I shall go on regardless of hardship and an avalanche begun with a pebble is no less damaging than one begun with a boulder. And so, I am the pebble with a bow, Caillou Kyrielle, always looking forward always following Tunare's path. 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 53
(7/27/02 10:44 am)
Reply
  Upon meeting Siffo
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Erudin is a pretty city. Even though I prefer wooded places or plains speckle with trees, Erudin is still pretty. The marble is so white and the flowing water makes it cool and soothing. One of my favorite fishing places is in Erudin, the pool of water near the binder of souls. I have even met a friend while fishing there, but once more I digress.

I woke up next to Erudin in the forest of Toxxulia. Actually, I was glad it was night; I hate the yellowish haze of that forest in day. It is the only forest I have found I do not really like going to. But to get to Erudin (or to the Warrens and Stonebrunt), I frequently have to pass through that forest. I had helped out a youngling there before I slept, which is why I woke there.

I woke not really having a plan of what to do, so I decided to go to Nexus and then figure it out from there. I treked across the forest to the spires. I have discovered others have a hard time finding the spires since they cannot track on teh scions. It's hard for me to understand how anyone can find things without track. Tunare sure loves us rangers, giving us such a keen ability. As I got close to the spires I realised I recognised a name in amoung all the critters. Siffo!

I used my tracking to find where he was sitting and greeted him. "Fancy meeting you here" was his reply. I offered to buy him an ale or something somewhere, but after we showed each other our bows, he pulled some Brell's Blessed Sout out (I am sensing a trend and think my alcohol tolerance will go up rather quickly around Saga) and we sat down to chat a bit.

After we chatted some about goals and him being a tailor and me having pelts in the bank (I am a pack rat), he asked me if I had gotten a question yet. I had been trying to figure out how to ask him without it looking like I looked for him just to ask because I didn't but I did want to ask.

So, I asked him with a tiny bit of preamble. I said, "My bow is the thing I prize most in this world & is something that has shaped my life. Is there something like that for you? What do you prize & does it define and shape you?"

Siffo pondered a bit before replying, "I think My personal goals shape and guide me the most I have a need to be a part of some thing and accomplish some thing . I will not leave a friend in need and I will comport my self with honor. I wish to do things as well as I can."

I like his answer. I think I am like that, too. I like helping others and feel a tug to be part of something. I don't know, though, if I really have any set goal. My bow actually represents a goal, though, in a way. At least it gave me a purpose in life. Maybe I need to work on that goal thing for myself, too.


Edited by: Caillou GNA   at: 7/27/02 9:56:53 am

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 54
(7/27/02 10:47 am)
Reply
  Friendship with Valerod
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At least I don't get seasick like some I have heard about (but thankfully was not eye-witness to). I don't mind boats too much, but waiting for them can be troublesome, boring, and not always socialable. Sure, there's fishing and I do love to fish (though I seem to have not been fishing as much lately, I aim to fix that). Fishing is a great way to spend and afternoon in quiet reverie. But why is it my rod breaks each and ever time I go to fish in Crushbone? I hate it, too, when my rod breaks while I am waiting for a boat. I have to ask myself, "Self, is the boat coming in one minute or 10?" My self usually shrugs and so I grumble and don't go buy a rod 'cause then I'd surely miss the boat (I think rod purchasing is some sort of component of a powerful "summon boat" spell).

Anyway. It was while I was waiting for a boat that I met Valerod. Now I know this journal was given to me to record my quest for Saga, but since that is essentially a meeting of friends to be, I thought I would just go ahead and expand the theme of this journal to cover all meetings with friends. Friendship is one of the primary things I would like to have with Saga, so it is fitting, to me, to have a place to talk about friendships.

I was waiting for the boat at Freeport and had barely gotten my rod out when a young wood elf with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes asked me if I wanted to buy a bow. I was, as usual, broke from my own fletching endeavors so had to decline, but I did tell him why. We started talking about fletching, archery, and other things. He was only one season ahead of me (I was in my 15th at that time) but already had his Trueshot, by his own hand. I was, and still am, suitably impressed by that endeavor. Valerod and I also talked of travels and goals and other things. I told him of some of the friends I have amoung a band of forever young who call themselves Grand New Adventure. At that time I was still a member of their merry group and I still think of them very very fondly (and even take them gifts from time to time or just stop to chat with any who might be around).

Valerod has a goal of mastering all the languages. Since I tolde him I had learned Vah Shir (first language I mastered other than my cradle tongue) from one of my GNA friends, Valerod asked me to teach him as we traveled. In exchange, he would teach me Gnomish (many of GNA at that time were Gnomes and I wanted to be able to understand them better) . We sat facing each other on the boat, starting into each other's eyes, I into his blue & he into my violet, and talking gibberish at each other.

I was almost sad when we reached Butcherblock Mountains and the boat ride was over. I wanted to keep chatting with Valerod, but I was on my way home to give some baking supplies I had foraged to an enchanter (who later reincarnated as a druid, but my friendship with him is a story that can be told another time). I sent a message on the winds to my friend asking if another day would be okay and got assurances from him that it would. Free of obligation, I was free to go wither Valerod planned. He wanted to go out to Firiona Vie to the outpost. I will admit I was highly curious about it, too, so we boarded the shuttles that would take us to the Maiden's Voyage. I taught him some more Vah Shir and he began to teach me some Dwarvish (dwarfs in GNA as well and I thought it would be nice to understand the small boys).

When we go to the Maiden's Voyage, my breath was fair taken away. The ship is beautiful, a sight to behond. No mere boat for transport only, she is a marvel. Her side sails unful like wings of a gossamer dragon and she flies over the water, soaring gracefully. Valerod and I, language lessons completely forgotten, ranged all over the ship, finding things and telling the other to share in the delight.

When we got to Firiona Vie, we were wide-eyed children running hither and yon, looking in nearly every building and climbing on the hugh siege equipement. Valerod even posed in the cup of the huge huge catapult. We even followed one long long tunnel to emerge under dark trees. While neither of us saw anything hostile there, nor were tracks to be seen on the ground, we were more than a bit nervous about being out there and went quickly back the way we came.

We wandered a bit more and noticed a lone figure standing on the bridge to another island. The Erudite was standing dead centre on the bridge looking much like those who give out quests ((ooc: he had a green name, but neither of us had ever seen a GM before)). We went to hail him, but the Erudite was silent. We circled around him a bit trying to figure out what or who he was. We both jumped when the Erudite spoke, "Aren't you a little young to be hunting out here?" We quickly assured him we were only visiting the outpost which seemed safe and knew it was certain death for us to go further. The Erudite advised us not to cross the bridge and we didn't. We not only listened to our elder, we listened to our own instincts that said "danger beyond this point, only silly youngling rangers would go further."

Since that time, Valerod and I have shared many adventures. His is one of the names I look for when I first wake. Sadly, I have passed him in advancements since I wake more often than he (or he sleeps later than I, depending only how you look at it). At first I felt guilty and worried that I was advancing beyond him. I knew it would eventually limit the time we could spend together and, at one point, curtail hunting together entirely. In many ways, it was similar to the guilt I felt when advancing above my fellows in GNA. Valerod and I had a long discussion one night and have decided our friendship is worth much much more than hunting together. Our friendship is what matters, not the battles side by side. Nor does it matter that he is a solitary and I prefer to be part of a group and seek to be part of this family of Saga. Our friendship will always remain.

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 55
(7/27/02 10:50 am)
Reply
  Upon meeting Korhil
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A youngling friend of mine, Yaema, called for my help. so I went to Erudin from Shadow Haven where I had slept. I like helping younglings, so it wasn't a great task. She had decided to leave adventuring behind and stay amoung the books and learning. I was saddened, but I also understood. I knew this meant I would not see her often any more since my life is on the road, but I accepted it was something she needed for herself. I met her in Erudin for one last time and she asked me to look after a friend of hers who would be just finishing Paladin training in Felwithe and give her some things.

I took the spires to meet the youngling & was dismayed to see a less than fully attired Rorack. I was pleased to see him again, but knew the embarassment of being less than attired. I so wanted to ask him out for a drink, but knew it was not the time. I conveyed this to him and we agreed perhaps later.

I went down to Greater Faydark to meet the youngling, Asdyr, and she sent me a message on the winds telling me she was by a Saga person (as if he was a landmark). I had to laugh at that. But I did find her &, sure enough, she was near Korhil.

After giving Asdyr the things Yeama had given me for her young friend, I went over to say hello to Korhil, who was attired in far less than he most likely usually is. I asksed him how he was & he responded by snapping to attention, saluting, and proclaiming, "Korhil Feldyne, Paladin of Tunare, 51st season, friend." Such a military greeting, I did not expect, but I can understand that might be the way most paladins are: attention, name and rank. I just know I could never be so regimental.

I asked him how he was this eve and he replied, "Well, if I was dressed I would feel a lot better." From my embarassing situation the other day, I well knew how he felt but at the same time I couldn't help but wish I could speak with him more, get to know yet another member of the Saga family.

Thinking of how I had run into Rorack only a short time before, I sheepishly asked, "I ran into Rorack in Nexus.... same raid?" Korhil chuckled and assented. "Hate is evil in more ways than one," I said, to which he agreed as well.

Korhil then asked me who I am, and I felt a little contrite I had not told him. I so tend to start in the middle of paragraphs that I forget not everyone was at the beginning of the thought with me. "I am Caillou Kyrielle, jsut a wood elf ranger, 25th season. But I am questing to be brought into Saga," I said.

Korhil nodded knowingly and said, "Ahh I see... a candidate."

I nodded with a smile and told him I had not met him yet, and so wanted to do so. Which I did.

Korhil then asked me, 'So, Caillou, how may I aid you in your quest?"

I hope he did not think my wishing to meet him was only to fulfill the quest for Saga. I really was interested in meeting him, meeting any member of Saga I had not yet met. I replied, "If you are too busy now, or feel ill-at-ease for your attire, then I can buy you a drink another time." I still would like to buy him a drink and see him in all his normal finery.

He told me the at that moment the clerics were in hate, working and he could disapear any moment. I know the clerics can be very busy at a time like that, when many have been snatched from the edge of death by Tunare and the other gods.

"But I can give you one now to ease your sorrow, your pain," I said to him as I gave him some of the brandy I had left in my pack from chatting with Siffo (Note to self: buy some elven wine or honey mead to carry). "Then another time, I would like to sit and drink with you," I said to him. And he told me he looked forward to it.

Feeling a bit brave, might have been the spells he cast upon me, I asked if he time but for one small question. He told me I could ask. "Is there any one thing which defines you and gives you purpose?" I asked. I didn't want to go into a long explanation about my defining thing, only because I knew his time was limited, but I did say, "For me it is my bow. When I was given it, I found a purpose. But I am seeing now it is more of a symbol." Talking with Siffo and thinking about it since then, I do realise the bow is a symbol, just something tangible I can hold on to as an anchor to its real meaning.

Korhil pondered a moment (it seems this question is not one that most often think about). "A tricky one, that." Korhil remarked and pondered a little bit more. "Well its not a thing I own, but a whole," he answered.

"Then what is your whole? Does not have to be a thing, but can be a concept. Some thing that centres you," I clarified.

"The one thing that gives me...." Korhil ponder a moment longer then answered for a sure tone in his voice, the same tone in which he greeted me with his salute and identity, "I would say Evil. I seek to destroy it in all its forms and guises."

Still being somewhat young and occassionally unsure, I asked, "How do you figure out what is evil?"

"Simple, my friend," he intoned, "If its a Teir'Dal.... its evil, if it similer to Teir'Dal.. it is evil if it works with necromancy and vile arts."

I shuddered with the thought of necromany and muttered, "Those who play with dead...."

"Ogres, trolls, giants, some humans... and the very rare high elf," continued Korhil.

Being somewhat ignorant of the ways of high magic, I asked, "High elves can study dark arts?"

Korhil sighed. "No, but I know a High elf Paladin that hunted in my Great City, in Felwithe." Thinking of that sight, Korhil made a dissmisive gesture, "He calls himself a paladin..."

I was shocked, "Hunted here?? In Felwithe? He could not have been a true Paladin then."

Korhils asked me, "How many Paladins do you see slaying other paladins?"

"Only those who are knights of the dark art," I replied.

"Exactly," said Korhil with a crisp nod of his head. "But, Evil may hide in the shadows and corrupt folk.. but eventually I will find them and show them the true meaning of Light." At that point a cleric was working with his remains in the Plane of Hate and calling him back to that body. He then sent me a message on the winds, "Farewell.. I look forward to this drink, friend.. I shall finish that which I was saying. But, the bottem line is basicly... what keeps me going is the chance to purge the Evil from this land and I shall not rest till I have succeded."

"Then I truly wish you luck and good wishes," I told him by the same winds. "I kill what evil I find, though I don't always know what is evil. Good Luck & May Tunare's blessings find you in Hate."

I think perhaps I will have to seek him out to understand better the ways of evil. When I first took up the bow, it seemed simple, but as I have traveled, I have become increasingly confused. I have met those of evil races who have not seemed too bad. When I talked to my friend Serion about it, he told me to be wary of the slippery slope. Perchance I need a stronger hand to guide me, to help me understand good from evil. A strong hand such as Korhil's.

Edited by: Caillou GNA   at: 7/27/02 9:52:50 am

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 56
(7/27/02 10:51 am)
Reply
  Meeting my mentor, of sorts
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Fishing is a comforting way to spend a few hours contemplating nothing or thinking about everything. When I was very new to being a ranger, I would even work on a few skills as I fished. One of my favorite quiet places to fish is in Erudin, near the docks in the cave-like area near where the soulbinder stands. There is a cool pool of water there with a fountain. I think the water is fed there from the sea because I have caught a few fish in its waters.

As I have decided to add to this journal not only my meetings with new friends in Saga but, too, my other meetings with friends I have known some time. I figured 'bout time to talk about the meeting with one is in many ways my mentor. He is not a ranger, so he can't mentor me in the specifics of my calling, but he is one to whom I often turn when I need to sort something out in my head. My mentor for living, I suppose.

There was one day in particular I was standing in my favorite fishing spot fishing and not really paying attention to the world. I had let my mind drift away, lost in an internal melody. I had been fishing like that for a while when my eye was caught by someone taking a glance at me. I didn't turn around at first but continued fishing. The person came back & stood to my side, a high elf in robes. I turned to him and said hello, not knowing what else to say. He raised his eyebrow at me before saying hello. I had been catching fish scales (& in fact caught some right as he arrived) and figured I would offer them to him since he was a caster but he told me he was a summoner.

I admired his staff and asked him about it. He told me, "Its the staff of a now dead Dark Elf... She was lovely, but she is now, gone. She lived in the Tower of Frozen Shadow."

To which I, in the impeteousness of youth, replied with a smile, "The best Dark Elf is a dead one."

Serion chuckled, "Well, as you get older, you may find a few exceptions."

"Exceptions?" I asked.

"Not every elf is good, right?" he asked.

I had to conceed, "True, I have met a few.. ummm.... ummm.... well... ones with less intellegence than a rabbit and fewer manners than a brownie."

"Well, then that's your answer," he replied. "You shall see then... that life has many twists. Many twists.."

Still trying to understand him & put it into terms I cound understand, I commented, "Twisty paths are hard to follow a track on."

At this point he asked if I was a ranger to which I proudly replied yes.

"You're young?" he said. Much more of a statement than a question, but I acknowledged that I was (I was only in my 13th or 14th season then).

"I have something for you," he said. "I was looking for someone to whom I could give them." He handed to me a gift of claws and a cloak while I stuttered and tried to say I had no money to pay for them. "No, no," he told me with a small frown, "You misunderstand. They are gifts."

He then and asked me to follow him to the bank, telling me he had something more for me. I was puzzled, but I followed him. At the bank he gave me gloves, a whip, and a belt. They were things that he had lying around gathering dust (I nearly sneezed from the layer of dust on the gloves).

I told him he was very gracious and that I was in his debt. I told him if he ever had need he had only to ask.

He kissed my hand and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. I was left dumbfounded and a little awed. I was even more awed that we became friends over time.

This is how I met Baron Serion Au'Bauch (who was not a baron then, but was still much much higher than any rank I would have thought when I met him & he stayed to chat with a young slip of a wood elf girl). He still likes to bring me gifts of things he finds from time to time for nothing more than the friendship we share. He listens, too, to my youthful balthering as I beg him to tell me of the wonderous sights he has seen and the dragons he has vanquished.

Later, he told me that on that day we met he had been admiring my leggings and how they seem to be constructed only of lacing the two sides together. I giggled when he told me that.

In the time since Serion (I know I should say Baron Serion, but that seems so stiff, so formal) and I have been friends, I have also met, recently, his very lovely wife. I was pleased to meet her since he speaks so highly about her. He is indeed lucky to have her to his wife as she is to have him as husband. Such a love is truly a treasure. 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 57
(7/27/02 10:54 am)
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  Meeting Caladril, Gathos, and Daxtor
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Greater Faydark is such a lovely wood. I like it more at night when the cool breeze settles over the forest and it seems to come alive with a vibrance of it's own.

No sooner had I left Felwithe after meeting Korhil and headed toward Butcherblock with an intent of going to Firiona Vie and crossing that bridge I had stopped at so long ago, no sooner after I set out that I receive a message on the winds from Gathos, "Daxtor and I are looking for something to do; got any ideas? I would love to hunt with you."

I had not yet met Gathos or Daxtor, so I grinned to myself and sent a wind message as well, "I am looking for something to do as well. I am in Greater Faydark right now, but can get nearly anywhere on a spire." I often travel via the spires, passing though Nexus on my way from one place to another. "I would also love to meet both of you."

Gathos told me they were in Rivervale but that his friend Caladril could come and take me near to there more quickly than I could get there on my own. He also asked me how I felt about hunting in Runnyeye. Since I have been meaning to get back to the home of the halflings and to go where I can kick some gobbies in the shorts, I agreed whole heartedly. He decided to ask his friend Caladril to meet me near the wizard spires in Greater Faydark.

Caladril walks mighty soft for a wizard. He tapped me on the shoulder before I even knew he was there, or maybe it was that I was lost in a reverie, looking out over the forest I love so. I turned around with a smile dancing 'bout my face and said hello to the third person newly met of Saga. Before me stood a high elf with a red imp beside him to match his red hair. caladril greeted me with a friendly smile.

Caladril began to take a closer look at the things I wear and was so disapproving of a ringmail bracer I wore, mostly because it was one I could get at the time I got it (the other bracer being a gift from Serion). Caladril also wanted to know more about the tunic I wear, blue bamboo from Stonebrunt. I told him I like it most for its shade of blue (I look good in it; it sets off my hair and eyes so nicely). He offered to make armor for me, starting with the bracer which he declared had to go. As I told him, I'm not vain, but, well, I do like to look nice, so I guess I do have one femine vice. He told me to wait and went to make me a banded bracer "to get rid of that silly ringmail one."

While he was going off to smith, I took a deep breath and decided to ask him my question, "What is the one thing that you think defines you and gives you purpose?"

He pondered a bit (Saga people do tend to think before answering, I have discovered).

While Caladril pondered and went to smith, I thought also to ask him about items that might help my dexterity, especially while I am fletching (as it gets more difficult, I find the parts harder and harder to fashion together with the dexterity I now have). He said his friend Gathos might have some items he no longer uses now that he has some of his ivy etched. I told him I might be silly, but I want to do some of the ivy quests but am not very fond of the overly green colour of the armor (I do like the tealish blue) and probably would not wear it if I got it. I did not tell him, but I also am loathe to look like most othere rangers. I want to look like me, not someone else.

Caladril returned and gave me a banded bracer. I did not expect gifts, but was every so grateful anyway. He is such a nice person, I was so taken aback. I was also appreciative when a moment later he cast a spell and we appeared in the Western Commonlands with my skin all a tingle. I hadn't been there in a while. I wonder if Kizdeen Gix is still about, I need to remember to return there and give him a piece of my mind and the edge of my sword across his throat.

Caladril and I entered the Woods of Kithicor together. As a preventative, he cast invisibility on both of us. Perhaps, I thought, was not the time to tell him I have been running across Kith, day or night (and well not exactly accross, more like hugging the hill), since I was a youngling of less than 9 seasons. caladril then raised his hands and sketched more arcane symbols in the air and we were suddenly at the enterance to Rivervale. That was the first time I had ever been evacuated and I felt like giggling from the tingling that ran all over my body in the process. I am discovering wizard magic tickles not like druid magic. Oddly, the shorter distance traveled, the more it tickles. Perhaps that is why I never noticed that with the Spires, the distance is too great.

We entered Rivervale and I was struck with thoughts of how it had been since I was in that wonderful little town. I like Rivervale and its citizenry. I feel like a smile dances around in my head as soon as I step foot within its perimeter and if I do not let the smile reach my face, it will end up as a fit of giggles. Or, maybe I was jsut still giddy from the tickle of the wizard spell.

Shortly after we entered Rivervale, Caladril came up with an answer to my question. "I don't think there is an item that really makes me what I am, it is more of a mind-set," he said to me. "My magics let me help people, like I did just now, to travel. I like to help people."

"So helping people gives you purpose?" I asked.

"It is really my only purpose, items and magic help me accomplish that," he replied. "I'm sorry I cannot be more specific, it is just me," he finished with a smile. Again another wonderful answer to my query.

Daxtor joined us and was impressed with Caladril's armor which did not have the look of a wizard at all and expressed his astonishment to Caladril that he looked almost as if a ranger. Caladril told him he was working on getting all chain, definately not the usual attire of a wizard, so I think he can easily understand my desire not to look like all other rangers.

I must confess, I did not remember Caladril's spell of invisibility and befuddled Daxtor who knew I was close but could not see me. He nearly even bumped into me a couple times before I rememebered to dispell the magic and materialised directly in front of Daxtor who paused a moment or two before giving his head a small shake as if coming out of a trance. I sat down so I could look Daxtor eye to eye and meet the Dwarven cleric in his handsome armor. Daxtor told me, "You look lilke a ranger, too. A very good lookin' Ranger!" I blushed a bit and said thank you and that I was a ranger so it might be why I look like one.

I thought it ever so nice to be meeting them. I was also looking forward to meeting Gathos who Daxtor assured me was nearby. Caladril bid us good-bye and went off to nap.

Gathos came by a short bit later and greeted me warmly with a wave and a smile. He looked as bright and beautiful as the sun, all dressed in gold ornate armor. I was dazzled. That he has a ready wit and seemingly always a smile, is even more warming to my girlish heart.

Gathos wanted me to try on some of his pretty gold ornate armor to see how the colour looked on me. I put it on and modeled for the boys. They both agreed (and me, too) that the tunic looked nice, but the gold leggings not as much so. Perhaps I will have to take money away from my fletching to have Caladril craft me some ornate armor instead of the blue.

After my fashion show, I decided to get the question out of the way early on, since we did plan to hunt together so there was no fear I only tracked them down to ask. I really did want to meet them, as I have wanted to meet all I have thus far met. "So, since I have you both here at the same time, mind if I ask a question?" I asked. When they assented, I continued, "What is the one thing that defines you, that gives you purpose?" To help them phrase their answers, I gave them some of the champagne Quea had given me when I met her. I really need to stop and buy some booze. I seem to always be drinking with Saga around. Though I have to admit I like the little tingly feeling, kinda like wizard magic but from the inside, not playing about on my skin tickling me. Though when I drink too much, I giggle none-the-less.

Gathos was quicker to answer and did so with a grin, "Fer me it be me trackin'. I been trackin' stuff since I was a wee lil elf. Started ta track stuff what got me in trouble, so's the Ranger guild made me take some trainin in combat. I kin track an' git meself outta trouble sometimes."

I know how he feels. "Track is an excellent skill. I don't know how anyone can survive without it," I said.

"I know this is gonna sound all mushy...," said Daxtor, "and us dwarves don't like getting mushy...but I would have to say being wanted, being needed."


"What's mushy about that?" I asked. Daxtor asked if I understood what he meant, so I put it in my own words, "You want others to care about you and want you with them."

We were then interrupted by the arrival of Nillipuss whom both Gathos and I agreed should be stopped. As Gathos and I ran to stop Nillipus in his tracks, Daxtor continued with his thought, "So that is why I train...I want to be helpful to anyone who needs me...and I will be more wanted as I progress in my skills."

As we hunted that night, I found out just how much Daxtor was needed. His symbol, healing, and other things which he bestowed on us were great gifts and I appreciated them much. I also liked just spending time with the sweet, cute dwarf and the handsome smiling ranger. I think we made a good trio as we hunted in Runnyeye. I look forward to spending more time with them. I think their friendship, as all my friendships, will become treasures beyond compare. The night was indeed good. 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 58
(7/27/02 10:56 am)
Reply
  Musing and realisations
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<Caillou muses over her writing of the past few days & smiles at the thought of friends old and new. She gets out the missive sent to her by Bindi Thunderbelly, Mistress of Initiates, smiling because she likes all that she has met in Saga and is so hopeful they will embrace her into their family. Caillou runs her hand over the page and rereads the words there, hope high in her heart. As she reads, though, her smile begins to faulter and a look of worry steals over her eyes. She takes up the pen again and quickly notes her troubled thoughts.>


Rereading the wording of my quest, I see I did not get the exactness of it right. Since I had not the wording of the quest in my hands when I first talked to Siffo, I now realise I twisted the words 'round backwards.

In my wording my question to him and the others I met, I was asking in the way my bow means something to me, but did not ask what item is most important to them and why. I made the assumption a thing would be the focus of one's purpose as it is mine and phrased my question around that. I have found though that for each of the five I asked it was not a thing but an idea a concept. I also now realise more that my bow is just a symbol of an abstract concept for me, an anchor to the idea of what it is to me to be a ranger.

<Caillou frowns a moment, biting her lower lip.>

I guess all there is for it is for me to meet five other members and ask them the question as was intended, though I might ask them my question as well, since I am enjoying the answers. I already did intend to ask the others, as I met them and time allowed, what their focus is, but now I have a need to continue the quest in the right way 'round.

<Caillou smiles again and folds the letter, tucking it in the back of the journal book.>

Caillou closes her journal & softly touches the cover. Friends, she thinks, yes friends. No matter what befalls me, I have met friends. She smiles wistfully.


Edited by: Caillou GNA   at: 7/27/02 9:57:48 am

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 59
(7/27/02 11:03 am)
Reply
  Quea, Elsbet, Katryna, Ntalliya, Nemera, Kanina, Nairda
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Knowing I had flubbed the question the first time. I figured I would be a little quicker to ask it a second. I will admit I asked some of the same people as before, most because I happened to be around them & was curious what they would say.

Neither the question nor the answers were as ponderous as those I found before, but still they were profound in their own ways.

I also thought a briefer journal posting might be a welcome change for my tired hand. I have been fighting with Gathos and Daxtor, too finer lads I have not met, but the battles have been fast and furious and the chatting even moreso.

First I asked Caladril, since I had been sitting chatting with him for a while. "There are a few items I quested for that mean something to me," he replied. "Journeyman boots probably help me the most, but I would say the Acumen mask means the most. More folks helped me with that, destroying shadowmen when they could be doing something else, and I was touched by all their help."

I next asked Gathos, because we had been hunting together. We had been killng Evil Eyes in the Gorge, taking them out quickly. Gathos hit on me a few times, but I hit on him less. I hate it when evil uses charm against us. "This bonkin stick," Gathos said holding up his cudgel. "I gots it from a feller what was sellin it, an me friend Yumen talked the feller down ta 300 shiny platinums and bought it fer me. It be a right nice bonkin stick." Gathos can be a bit silly, but he is good to have at one's back in a fight. I'm looking forward to the next time we can fight together and even moreso to the next time we can sit back and drink a bit, maybe even with Daxtar.

As Gathos and I were selling off the the proceeds from our battles with the evil eyes, Siffo and Quea came in to Rivervale. Since I had not asked Quea the first not-quite-right question, I decided to ask her both. It would be interesting, I thought, to compare the answers given since I could do that with Caladril's and Gathos' answers. It is interesting to hear and understande what people think.

When I asked Quea the question of my quest (What is your most prized possesion and why?), she said, "Ooh my that is quite the question." But she did find her answer, "It is a flower that was given to me by someone very special. I cherish it deeply. It serves to remind me of the person and my deep love for them." I smiled thinking of the things I keep as reminders of friends, those I love. They take up space, but I could never part with them.

I then asked her the first varient on the question, being curious what she would say. "What is the one thing that gives you purpose, that guides you?" I asked.

Quea thought a couple minutes then replied, "It is Karana that guides me and my purpose is to serve him. I am chosen as his battle druid and that is my sole purpose. He has spoken and says I must stem the tide of evil from its place of power." Quea got a deep thoughtful look on her face as she pondered her fate. "I can not say more for there is not more that I know yet. Karana has not revealed all to me yet."

I told her Tunare is my guide and first put the bow into my hands, but I like Karana, too. I love his bountiful rains.

Since I had asked Siffo first of all the original question, I wanted to know the answer to the other one as well. I asked, "What is the one possession you have which you prize the most, and why?"

"I'm thinking, does the sign over my head count?" Siffo replied. "Otherwise I would have to say my Bow mostly because Of the time and effort, but to tell the truth physical things don't mean a lot." Then he thought a moment. "Oh," he said, a smile spreading across his face, "let me show you some thing important." He ran to the bank and came out with a couple of packs. He opened them for me and told me to look inside. "These are my learning things. Most are gifts. They are very important to me. I could not have collected this with out a lot of help. They are preciuos yes because how I got them they come from the kindness of others."

I smiled because I already had a glimpse of how important friendships and others are to Siffo. That he prizes things gotten with them is so fitting.

I traveled to Greater Faydark to give armor hard won in the citadel of Runnyeye to a youngling paladin of Tunare barely begun on her adventures. Since she follows my god and her mother asked me to check on her from time to time. I figured I would try to keep the blood inside her by giving protective things.

While in the forest of my home, I met up with Elsbet. I gave her mushrooms I foraged on Luclin and asked her if I could ask her two questions. I began with, "What is your one possession you prize highly and why do you prize it?"

"Oh, tha's vera easy!" she exclaimed. "De one thin in alla world wot I canna live witout be me trusty ol' bakin spit. I hae had it since de vera day I coul afford it. Yon spit hae nebber left me side. I carry it always!" Now I was more curious, I asked why she became a baker. "Bakin is in me blood," she said. "Me gran an ma an all me whole family, been bakers, an, were not fer fate leadin me ta adventure, I woul jes be a happy shopkeep, sellin goods alla time." So then I asked, wondering, how fate led her to adventure instead. She looked away into the distance before beginning to answer, "I..." her voice trialing off. After pause she looked at me with a smile, "Well, I done bought me a store a few week ago anyhow. Me soul be bound there, so I kin check in day ta day. Is alright. I donna think I coul sit in dere all day, tho, I got wanderin in me veins."

Later, when I wa in Bazaar, I ran into Katryna. I started my questions with, "What is the one thing you prize most, and why do you prize it?". I had wondered how she would interpret the word thing, as abstract or tangible.

Katryna thouoght about the question a moment for before answering, "I prize my family most. They back me up no matter what, even when I err. Which I do a lot." She chuckled.

I then asked if I could ask the questin again, slightly differently. "What is the one possession you prize most, and why?" I asked with an impish grin.

She though a moment again. "My coldain ale is important to me," she replied while she gave me some, "because it tastes good and well its cold". I quaffed some she gave me and readily agreed. "It keeps ye warm when ye are cold as well," Katryna continued. I smiled, thinking of how I freeze each time I go toe Everfrost and Halas. They surely need something warming there.

At her suggestion, I followed Katryna to meet Ntalliya and ask her my questions. Once more, I began with "What is the one thing you prize and why?"

Ntalliya paused to think and then said, "Well I guess I would have to say my loved ones. The bond that I have with them, because I know in my heart that they are the ones who will always be there for me and they can always expect that of me." I smiled and told her I looked forward to forging such bonds.

I then asked my question the other way, "What is the one possession you prize and why?"

"That would be my pets," Ntalliya answered with barely a moment's hesitation, "because I pour my love and care into them and they are my guardians. I have built a friendship with them since I was very young."

Ntalliya decided to turn tables on me and ask me what I most prized. I smiled and said with conviction, "My bow, as my possesion. But it symbolises for me the thing I truly prize. My link to Tunare. My first bow was given to me young, & with it I seek to follow Tunare's path & protect not only friends, but those who might be helpless."

I left Bazaar to go back on my journeys and ran into Rorack as I entered the Nexus. I smiled as he waved at me. I asked him if he had time for a question asked twice. He laughed and asked if he had to answer twice. I asked him first, "What is the thing you prize the most and why?" He asked if I was going to ask it again and I said after his first answer.

"Well, that would have to be my friends, and if you don't know why then you need to meet my friends," replied Rorack.

I laughed, "I think I have been meeting at least some of your friends & I well understand why."

Rorack said, "Aye, you were sitting with a group of them a few minutes ago."

I smiled and asked the other way, "What is the thing you possession the most and why?"

Rorack pondered barely a moment before showing me something. I didn't need to know any reasons, the look on his face was explanation enough. Rorack, too, asked me my prized possession and I showed him my bow.

When I ran into Nemera, I was in Nexus. Now while I realise she is not in Saga, I still thought her answers might be intersting. I asked the same two questions, in the same manner. "It would be a toss up, " she replied to the first, "between my trueshot, my armor and my whips. Because, I worked damn hard to get my trueshot and ivy armor.... And, the whips just crack delightfully." To what guides her, she answered, "Instinct, as in lots of things, judge of charcter, how another person is feeling, of danger, stuff like that." And then we went for a short time to slaughter Netherbians.

After Nemera had to go, I played with the Netherbians a litte while longer on my own. To my detriment. I got overwhelmed and my soul was snatched away to Shadow Haven. I went into Nexus and there ran into Kanina who insisted I tell her were my belongings were before she answer my questions. I had to admit they were in a cave, left behind when my soul was lifted from it. She went with me to retrieve my belongings and marry my soul back to my body with a spell given her by Brell.

Before ansering my questions she gave me some Brell's Blessed Stout. "If it be a thing, I guess it woul' be me necklace o' Brell. It makes me feel close ta me God. An' it brings happiness ta me friends." I agreed that it was a wonderous brew. "Aye. There was a time when it didno work fer me. I was so upset an' me heart was broken. AN' so I had too much anga' inside. An' until I apologize'd ta me friend Brell wouldna make it work. It woul' jus' fizzle an' fizzle. I apologize'd. An' fergave me friend fer marryin' an elf instead o' me."

The second question I put to her was, "What is the ideal you prize the most, and why?"

Kanina asked, "Ideal? Wha' do ye mean? Like Honesty o' friendship?" I assested. "I think I woul' 'ave ta say honesty probably. That be the first one I Thought of. Ye can really know someone if tey is honest, whether ye agree o' disagree a'leas' ye know where they stand."

We parted ways and I went back to hunting... and trying not to die. While I was doing so, I got a message on the winds from Nairda. He offered to give me a contraption to help with my fletching and wanted to meet to do so. Nairda and I met in Nexus, the crossroads of many paths. Again, even though he is not (yet?) of Saga, I decided to ask him as well.

"The one thing I prize," he said, "is my staff. I gained it completely of myself.. Something of value.. that I gained, on my own, and made use of, and still do. To me.. It is the most fulfilling thing, to set out to do something, do it, and reap the rewards, on your own. I dinnae mean I did not have help, I was in a group at the time. But I was not power-hunting, or anything of the sort. It was so.. gratifying."

When I asked him what ideal he prized, he said, "Hmm. Not to go with the group, but I shall have to ponder that a bit.." He had been reading my journal entries. Nairda sat, head in his hands, looking focused. After a few moment's thought, he replied, "I would say.. Neutrality and Independence. Because to be utterly neutral and independant means you decide any and all things for yourself. This is not to say independant as in shunning help. It means to accept help when and if you like it. To decide, for yourself, all aspects of your life. To be unburdened and unpressured by any and all others in your decisions. Choose not only your own path, but how you follow it, and with whom." 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 60
(7/27/02 11:04 am)
Reply
  Grand New Adventure
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When I was in my earliest days as a ranger, I met a group of adventures who were seeking more out of life than just killing and training: Kuzlid and Dinar - dwarven paladins, Scretrik - gnomish enchanter, Ardorak - Gnomish rogue, Mira - Elvish druid, Stina - Human cleric, Zorek - Vah Shir beastlord, Xekn- Gnomish paladin, Frendle - Halfling ranger, ---. We'd heard about each other from reading postings on boards in various places. I thought it would be fun to meet others who were young in their adventuring lives and so went to join with them.

The first place many of us gathered was in Butcherblock Mountains, in front of the dwarven citadel. We ran over the hills and down into the valleys exterminating the vermin (the rats, the bats, the snakes) and the skeletons. We had no language in common, so it was almost comical the way we tried to communicate using every means possible other than just words. I will admit Mira and I (the only girls there that first day) were talking about the short boys (only the dwarves, gnomes, and halflings were there) in front of them because they could not understand us, but I think the boys were talking about us as well. I am sure I understood a word or two and was shocked at what they were proposing. That first gathering was filled with laughter and smiles and we felt a bonding together. Each time I pass by Kaladim in the Butcherblock Mountains, I do so thinking of them.

The next time we could gather was many many days later. We had expanded our ranks and included some adventurers who were taller, the Vah Shir, the human, the Barbarian. Where at the first gather I felt tall, now I was dwarfed by the new additions. We had decided to let all know of our intentions to forge new paths and follow our adventurous souls. We took a tag to mark our gathering, Grand New Adventure.

All of us were still inexperienced, but we thought we could go and vanquish the orcs of Crushbone, something I and the paladins sorely wished to do. We went into the enclave and were soundly beaten back. For some reason, still unknown to me, I ended up being hit the most by the orcs. Maybe was my own enthusiasm or my thirst for orcish blood. When we had to retreat, to heal a little before attempting again to get past the very opening of the enclave, I was gifted, by a passing stranger who took pity on us, a tunic of Dwarven chain (I know now, the chain was off Emporer Crush himself). I donned the tunic in the name of my guild and we went back to try again. I will not count the number of times we tried and were beaten back. I will not count the number of times Tunare snatched my soul away at the moment of death to return me to the safety of Kelethin only for me to run back as quick as I could to help my fellows. I will not count... but... we were not successful in doing more than giving ourselves great amusement at our escapade.

The next few times we joined together, it was Misty Thicket which was the benefactor of our vermin extermination efforts. More orcs and goblins we found there. We also found a better ability to work together, even though we still only barely understood each other (or didn't understand at all, but tried still to work together). We were the scourge of many an orc and goblin that day and felt we were a success. Each time I pass go to Rivervale or pass through Misty Thicket, I also think of our adventures there.

Sadly, as our adventures continued, our numbers dwindled. For some the adventuring life proved too difficult and they returned to quieter lives. One, Dinar, allowed his soul to be released and reborn in another body, one of a Barbarian warrior who recently decided to hang up his swords in Halas. Our leader, Ardorak, experienced difficulties and was no longer joining us. In our dwindled numbers, we went to the Warrens and to the aqueducts of Qeynos.

When I was not with the mery band of adventurers, I continued on my own. I began to advance higher than my fellows in Grand New Adventure. I felt bad that I could not easily participate in their adventures any more, but knew I had to continue on with my own adventures without them. It was with a heavy heart that I put aside the tag that identified me with them since I still care about and for my friends.

Of all the adventurers, only two, who still adventure, remain as they were at the beginning, Kuzlid and Xekn. Four others join them in their adventures, Ellanon, (wizard), Mithlin (scout), Borak (fighter), and Tiyala (songstress). Yet, what they lack in numbers, they more than make up for in youthful exhuberance. I still talk with them and bring them gifts as I find the time and their adventures are in places I can fit in my travels.

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 61
(7/27/02 11:10 am)
Reply
  Upon joining the Family
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Misty Thicket is a place of remarkable memories. First time I was there was with the band of younglings exploring and seeking a grand new adventure. I was striken then by the unspoiled loveliness of Rivervale and the quietly pretty woods of the thicket. Yes, the thicket does have its dangers and its invaders but they do not rob it of its beauty. But, as sweet as my first memories are, sweeter still memories have come to supplant them.

It is in Misty Thicket that I was asked into the family of Saga. After a little unexpected drama (I am still trying to compose my thoughts and write it), I was rescued and transported to the druid circle of Misty Thicket, with Bindi, Mixxi, Bippin, Brutin, and Windydaze.

The first thing I said upon seeing where we were was, "I like this place." I had no way of knowing how much my like of that place was to grow ten-fold.

Mixxi told me she had some questions for me. I will admit I was a bit apprehensive at that moment, having been dealing with a highly charged drama with Nairda that was connected to the Saga family in some aspects and they had just rescued me from him, so I asked a little nervously, looking confused, "Questions, for me?"

Mixxi's question to me was simple. It was one to join with the family in loyalty of bad and good. I said with great conviction and a heart brimming with happiness that I assented and accepted. My heart was dancing as my pulse was racing. I knew they had read my journal, I knew they had found me suitable to be brought into the family, I knew I was no longer to be alone ever again. I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.

In a daze, I accepted offerings of Brell's Blessed Stout, and drank of the sweet sweet draught. Quickly, none could understand me as I babbled in a bit of a happy drunken stupor (I really need to work on my alcohol tolerance), still dazed by the happenings of the day and that the family wanted me as a part of them, a part of us. All I could do is giggle.

Caillou smiles at the thought of being in the family, being in Saga. From first she knew of them, from first she saw one of their member speak, she had soft warm feelings upon seeing them. She is still a little in awe of their gathering of family even though she knows it is now her gathering of family as well. Her friendship with Bippin has likewise grown and become an incredible marvel to her since his voice it the one most of all that gave her warm fuzzy feelings, even before she met him. She is lost in the marvel of all the good things which have befallen her. 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA  
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 99
(8/4/02 1:51 am)
Reply
 Being rescued
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She frowns, creasing her brow and chewing on her lower lip. She wants to write all of how she was brought into Saga, the events of that day, the unpleasant drama at the beginning which made it all the more sweet. She doesn't quite know how to put it all down, but she thinks she should. She'd rather just tell the good parts, but knows they sweetness of them won't be entirely understood without the rest.

Caillou sighs heavily and reaches into her pack. She takes out the map of North Karana newly bought, hardly a crease and no dirt. "So much for replacing -that- map," whe mumbles. She turns the map over and ponders the empty sheet.


Not long after I woke, while I was still stretching & wiping the sleep from my eyes, I was sent a greeting on the winds from Nairda. I thought nothing of it since I thought him a possible friend from the friendly chat we had had a few days prior. I greeted him back lightly and yawned sleepily.

He said, "I guess you didn't hear, then."

I stopped my yawn mid-way.

"The almighty Saga has deemed me unworthy."

"Unworthy?" I asked, confused. "Was reason given?"

"Nae," he told me, "'We just feel you are not right for our guild at this time' or some such garbage." His tone was tinged with grief. "Serves me right for being honest. It's never worked in the past, why would it work now, eh?"

Were still sending messages on the whinds.

"What was the honesty, who you were before"" I asked.

"I would tell you, so you can politely hate me as well?" stated Nairda. "And to be quite honest, I don't give a damn."

"I will not hate you. I have my own impression of you as you are now," I said, believing that to be true. And hate is such a strong word, resevered only for the few. I did not think he would be classes with those.

"And you will have a different one of me as I was then," Nairda said, "and you will cross the two, as did they." He paused a moment, as if he was thinking. "Funny, isn't it?" he continued. "She was all set to send me a journal. Then she read my application."

"Who were you before?" I asked again, his evasion starting to puzzle me. "Why were you reborn?"

"Mayhap you didna hear me," he said. "I am not telling you anything. Though that has nothing to do with it. I was an Enchanter before, I'm a Druid now. I've always been Nairda." His tone was beginning to shift. "I have heard the way you speak, Elf. I know how you would hold me in your sights."

Trying to puzzle this out, I asked, "But you were reincarnated for reason?"

"Yes," he replied, "and that reason has nothing to do with current actions towards my person on behalf of a guild."

"The gods saw fit to reincarnate you for reason," I postulated. "To give you another chance. They saw value in you."

"You are wrong." He tone was increasing in arrogance. "I created my own body, suited it to my needs. I created my own body, suited it to my needs. I chose what I would be. I just thought I could leave my mind behind. I was wrong."

"You shaped?" I was so confused by him. "But the gods... they.." I couldn't think to phrase it. The gods shape, the gods create. How could he think otherwise?

"The gods, the gods," He said with derision. "What about the gods, Elf?" He tone wasw nothing but arroganced now. "Life extends beyond the meager gods of your tiny realm. It extends far, far beyond."

"You sought to make what only the gods can?" I asked still not understanding how he could put himself above the gods.

"Sought?" he asked incredulously. "Only? Let me term it better for you. I made what most percieve as a Godly act."

"To make & unmake....?" I was so confused.

"If you would term it such, I suppose," he replied. "I do not see why you are so shocked."

I explained simply, "I am so unknowledgable."

He retorted, "'Of course you are. You are a Norrathian. You are of this realm."

I was taken aback. "Of course I am. How can..?" I had no words, lost.

"How can? Try for proper sentences, Elf."

"You can me elf as if insult."

"Eh?" he paused as if for reflection. "So I have fallen back to the habit," he said in a sofer tone, the arrogance faded again. "Filthy, filthy habit," he said more to himself. "I apologize, Caillou," he said in a voice not unlike the one I had listened to days before.

"Looking down on elves?" I asked wanting to know what the filty habit was.

"Looking down on.. Norrath," he answered. "Nae intentionally." His voice was filled with self-recolledtion, "Nae.. I shant be that again."

"Elemental?" I guessed.

"Elemental?" he repeated back, some of the arrogance creaping back in. "What about Elementals?"

"Were you an elemental?" I know they aren't of this realm and not of this world is what he is claiming.

"Buaha. Such a silly girl. Mages do not create. They summon what already exists. No, I was not an elemetal." He paused a moment. "I see you hunger for knowledge. It eminates from you like a stench. You would have my story from me?" He asked. "You awaken the need in me to tell my tale, El- Caillou." His voice was arrogance, but I was curious. I know3 my curiousity will curse me yet.

"Nairda," I said, "I like you no matter from whence you come. I will not judge you on your story."

"You will," he replied simply, with a small sigh. "And I do not condemn you for it."

"I said I will not condemn you," I insisted, interrupting him.

He continued, "For judging me, Which you will."


Caillou rolls up the map with the story only half told. She puts in into her pack intending to get to it another day and goes to meet friends.

Many long days pass before Caillou gets out the map with the half told story again. In the meantime, she wrote the good part of this tale in the pretty pretty journal given to her by Bindi and Saga.

Caillou looks back over the writing already on the page and sighs. She shakes her head, "So much left to write, barely started, but should be written." She thinks about the happy ending and that gives her strength to write the troubling parts.


"You do no know I will condem until you tell me," I said, getting annoyed that he was telling me how I would feel as he didn't know me well enough for that. Not unless what or who he was was so truly hideous. Why couldn't he just say it? I was beginning to wonder, but still wanting to give him benefit of my doubts. "Will you remain a friend of Saga, of me?" I asked.

"Of Saga? No." He answered plainly. "Of you..." His voice trailed off. "You will be Saga," he told me. "You will be a constant reminder. That I am not worth as much as you, as all of the..."

"So you will not remain as my friend?" I asked, wanting a simple answer.

"I said that not," he retorted. "Though I do not see why you value me as such."

"Because when I met you, I thought you had a good heart, for all you think you do not." I said not wanting him to devalue himself.

"Enough of this," he said suddenly. "Where shall I meet you?"

Our conversation was still upon the winds, at a great distance, but perhaps in person would be easier, better. "I am in Shadow Haven," I replied.

"You will wait then, until I return from Katta." Arrogance began to touch his words once more.

"I want to go see Katta," I said, not meaning that day, just in general.

He snorted. "Then come, and die, and hear not my tale."

"Tell me your tale," I returned, "and I will die another day."

"Then wait," he repeated.

"In the place of druids in Shadow Haven?" I offered.

He scoffed, "Nasty hole, that."

"The only tree here," I reasoned. "Not a proper tree... but... well..."

"I shant meet there," he told me bluntly.

"Then where do you wish to meet?" I asked. "You are a druid, I thought...." I thought he would want to meet where other druids were.

I was growing a bit nervous about Nairda's double nature. I didn't want to interrupt, because I know he was on a plane and might not have time for my interruption, but I sent Bippin a message on the winds hoping I could have help to sort this out, "Nairda tells me he was judged unworthy....."

"You will wait on the North Karana spire, then," Nairda instructed. "I shall meet you in the South Karana bridge guard tower, at the top."

I shrugged to myself and was a bit curious why he did not want to meet on Luclin when we had conversed there without problem only a few days prior.

Bippin replied to my query, "Or better put, not a good fit for Saga. Unworthy suggests a value judgement."

I told Bippin, "I probably should not ask you why."

"hmm you can..," Bippin replied, "but will have to wait to later."

I went into Nexus and found the teleportation pad for Antonica. While I waited, I thought, as I always do, how the continent of Antonica was once Tunaria. I wondered what the great forests looked like. Just for that alone, I really was not fond of the continent, the lost homeland.

Soon I was bathed in a blue light and appeared on the plain. I left the spires and went to the south bridge, I climbed to the top and was welcomed by the sight of a ring of blue light in the space under the spires, sending those who waited to Luclin.

I paced around the guard tower beginning to get nervous. Now that I had the silence of my own thoughts, I was feeling uneasy about the way Nairda had been talking. To fill my time and distract myself, I began to conjure globes of shimmering fireflies. My mind still wandered, trying to imagine the worst Nairda could have been, what horror was in his secret.

"Were you a dragon?" I guessed in another message on the winds.

"Stop guessing, Elf," he demanded. "And to be a dragon is an honorable thing indeed," he added.

"But some would look unkindly upon it," I said in my defense.

"Fools," he snorted. "You will stop guessing now."

"You talk to me so harshly," I complained.

"Should I treat you more daintily," he replied with disdain. "Surely, as you have hunted in the Netherbian Lair, harsh words will not kill you. You have dealt with so much more. Dinnee pretend to be some fragile maidsen."

"I did not say I was fragile or your words would hurt me," I said, "but is different from the way you speak before

"It is indeed," his voice filled with disdain. "How observant. Mayhap I am sick of being kind and generous. Mayhap I shall return to old ways more fitting."

I frowned not really understanding him, "Do you let your former self out?"

"Former?" He snorted. "Current. Always. There is only one self, Elf."

"So the kind druid was a facade?" I was getting more worried and was beginning to think I should not meet him.

"I did nae say that," he said. "Dinnae put words in my mouth, Elf."

"I am not putting words where they are not," I told him. "I just am trying to understand."

""Then you shall wait and stop guessing," he instructed.

"Bah!" I said tiring of his game and getting bored. "All I have to do is cast a spell and work on my least skill."

"Poor, poor ranger" his tone was condescending. "'I come now. Stop your whining."

I received a message on the winds from Bippin, "So, what are you doing now?"

I told Bippin, "Waiting. Nairda wanted tgo tell me himself. My curtiousity is unbound."

"Where are you?" Bippin asked.

"I am in North Karana at the top of the tower of the south bridge," I told him. "Dawn comes and it is beautiful."

Just at that moment Nairda arrived.

"You stay there, you hear?" Bippin sent word to me.

"Sheesh," I told Bippin, "everyone wants me to stay, but Nairda is here now."

Naida took my hand and held it tightly, startling me.

"You will do three things," he instructed. I frowned at his tone. "1. You will never tell a soul, in whole or in part, anything I say to you. 2. You will not interupt. 3. You will hear me out in full or not at all. Do you agree to these terms?" I nodded, still frowning. "Speak now and say 'I agree.'"

Bippins words came on the winds, "Do you want me to wait then?"

His tone worried me, but I did want to hear what he had to say, for curiousity if nothing else. I told Bippin, "I will listen to him." And, to Nairda I said, "I agree."

No sooner had words left my mouth then Nairda waved his other hand in the air, surrounding me with blue sparkles.

"You are now bound by more than just your word," he told me. "Should you try to break my terms... Ne'er you mind."

At that, my curiousity fled. My apprehension doubled and I would have left but he still had hold of my hand. I looked at him intently trying to figure out what he was doing, not that I caared much any more.
Something about him had changed. A sneer played about the corners of his mouth and his eyes were shades darker than when I had met him. A frown creased my brow.

"I think," began Nairda. "I think I may... I will tell the two of you at once."

Before I had time to react in any way, he waved his hand, a blue light enveloped us and we were transported to Butcherblock, my hand still firmly grasped in one of his.

"I am now in Butcherblock," I sent to Bippin on the winds.

"Follow me," Nairda tugged on my hand, not giving me much choice.

"Eeeek why?" Bippin asked.

"I don't know," I told Bippin.

"Two of us?" I asked Nairda.

"Elf," Nairda said to me. "Caillou, follow me." He began to drag me along.

Getting no reply to my question about the other person, I was becoming annoyed in addition to aprehensive. "You should have warned me you were taking me to another place."

"Why should I have done that?" Nairda asked, his voice nothing but scorn now.

I sent message to Bippin, "Druids can be annoying, I think."

"Especially this one, I think," Bippin replied.

"I am beginning to wonder that," I said to Bippin.

"Trust me on that," Bippin told me, instilling even more worry.

"What two of us?" I asked Nairda again.

"You do not answer a question with a question," he instructed. "Why, should I have informed you? For your own personal satisfaction?"

"You still there?" Bippin asked on the winds.

"So I am not disoriented and know not where I am," I replied to Nairda. To Bippin, I replied, "Yes."

"You are a Ranger," Nairda said with disdain. "If that is ever to happen, I suggest you hang up your bow and become a barmaid."

"Want me to come and save you?" I heard from Bippin. "Seems you've been abducted."

I argued with Nairda while trying to lose my hand from his tight grasp. "Mayhap I would just like the courtesy." I replied to Bippin, "Perhaps."

"And I really need to talk to you, this be important," said Bippin.

"Then mayhap you will not tell me what I should do," said Nairda arrogantly. "On your previous question, Elf. I sense the recession already. And I have yet to tell you my tale."

He dragged me to the mountain pass near Greater Faydark and stood watching the opening, still holding my wrist.

"For what do we wait?" I finally asked.

Nairda pointedly ignored my question. "So, I thin-" he began until he saw Shaelyn. His icy demeanor faded somewhat. "Caillou, Shaelyn. Shaelyn, Caillou."

"Greetings Caillou! I do not believe we have met!" Shaelyn exclaimed before coming to hug me. I will admit to being a friendly person, but I was not sure what was happening and so was a bit on edge

"No, we have not, until now," I replied, smiling at her cautiously.

"Shae.. Have you any objections, to travelling some?" Nairda asked the new arrival.

"Nay.. no a problem at'all..." she replied.

Nairda nodded to her, "We go, then, to the Glade.."

"Going to Surefall" I quickly told Bippin, still working to free my wrist from Nairda's grasp. "Thank you for warning this time," I said sarcastically to the druid.

Shaelyn giggled, "Random ports, eh Caillou?"

"Seems to be," I grumbled. To Bippin I said, "'I would hear what he says... but.... he wants to tell another at the same time... Shaelyn Ravenblood of Kelethin Legions."

Suddenly we were in Surefall and the first thing from Shaelyn's mouth was "Let's go hunt some bears!!" The shock of her statement, even though she claimed it a mistake, was enough for me to wrench my wrist away from Naida.

"Where are you?" I called to Bippin on the winds.

Feeling that he had lost hold of my wrist and I was moving away, Nairda declared, "You will not hear me later. I am not here to tell you tales all day. You will hear me now, or you will hear me at my leisure, perhaps not at all."

"I-I-I... I d-do not know" I said backing away, out of his reach.

"You do not know what, girl?" he demanded.

"You make me nervous," I told him. "I did not think possible... but you are different."

Nairda sneered, "Of course. And you wish naught to do with me. What a surprise."

I began to run and hastily sent word to Bippin, "where are you? I am in Surefall. I have a druid friend, but do not know if he is busy." I was thinking of Hazkorn who has always helped me, if he wasn't busy.

"I'll find you," replied Bippin. His voice was sounding more and more comforting. I dared not look behind me to see if Nairda followed, but I fully expected his cold hand on my wrist, his vice-like grip once more.

"Good even then, Elf. I will not contact you again," Nairda sent after me. I nearly jumped out of my skin to hear his voice 'til I realised it was on the winds and not beside me.

"Are you alone now ?" Bippin asked me. "Should I come get you?"

"I stepped away from them," I told Bippin. "I broke free of Nairda's hold."

"Okay, I'm coming to save you," even on the winds, Bippin's voice had a smile.

[Noa]

Confident in my rescue, I hesitantly sent a reply back to Nairda, "If that was the meaning of friend to you, then I do not understand you"

"Explain. You make no sense," Nairda demanded. I was still jumping even though I knew his voice was on the winds.

I replied back to Nairda, hoping that if I kept him talking he would not come after me, "I would be your friend, but you afright me. Who are you and where is the one I had met? Where is the Nairda who I chatted with for hours at the entrance to Netherbian Lair?"

Nairda's voice reflected a scowl, "He is gone, deep inside. Perhaps he shall come out to play someday, when the hurt fades. He is buried, under rejection and hate."

I began to feel a bit sorry for him, the same pity which was why I had let him get close enough to abduct me. "But it is you who rejects now. Pushing me away," I told him, but I kept running to the other side of Surefall Glade.

"I do not coddle you," came his terse reply.

I heard Bippin's voice breaking through, "Where are you, can you get to the building?"

"You scare me," I told Nairda plainly. I had reached the area in front of the lodge and felt safer.

"Don't wanna run into the guy," Bippin continued. "He'll probably not like it."

"I scare you?" asked Nairda, surprise in his voice. "You feel threatened by me?"

With relief, I told Bippin, "He is further in the glade, I am in front of the lodge." I knew I would see Bippin's gentle face soon, that he would find me.

"I am threatened by your actions," I told Nairda. "Your speech to me has changed, and gotten more arrogant."

I was becoming fearful Nairda would come after me, but just then, across the grass came running the most wonderful sights ever beheld by these Elfin eyes. I saw first the faces of Bindi, Mixxi, and Brutin, with Bippin close behind them and Windydaze a bit further behind. I had never felt such an upsurge of joy as the sight of the halflings, dwarf, and half-elf who had come to rescue me. Tears nearly began to well in my eyes.

Bindi called out, "Hellooo Caillou!" making my name into a rhyme. "Join us, lass!"

Bippin smiled so broad his face nearly cracked in two, "Join us for a bit?"

"A sudden rush of people," I said with a happy and releived smile on my face. Caillou saved, is what I thought and I joined with them.

"Aren't you giving our snacks?" asked Brutin. I think I caught the tail-end of some other conversation.

"Welcome, Caillou," said Windydaze in her sweet warm voice.

"Now we go someplace quiet to talk," declared Bippin.

Nairda shouted, 'FINE! I NEED NONE OF YOU!!'

Mixxi greeted me, too, with a smile.

"Misty?" Windydaze asked and was greeted by assent from Bippin and Bindi.

"If you want to return we can get you back," Bippin told me, taking my hand gently and giving it a friendly squeeze.

"I wasn't really going anywhere yet," I told Bippin, smiling at him, rejoicing in seeing the others, but really glad to see him.

Nairda's angry voice broke through my joy of seeing these, my friends, "They warn you from me? Tell me!"

I was startled, but replied to Nairda, "I think so."

We were surrounded by blue smoke and I was glad druid magic doesn't make me ill or giggle. Third port today, I felt like I was bouncing all over. Then the smoke cleared and I saw the quiet pretty wood of Misty Thicket. I sighed with relief. "I like this place," I told the group.

Nairda's strident tone tried to break into my reverie, "They took you away, didn't they? Goodbye, Elf. Go, and be one with my enemies."

Bippin took my hand again, smiling up at me. Nairda's words faded into darkness and a focused on the light offered before me.

I was just happy to have been rescued, but then Bindi, at the behest of Mixxi asked me questions and brought me into the family of Saga. Upon her bringing me into Saga, I was greeted with a multitude of good wishes from close and afar. I very nearly cried, tears of joy formed at the edges of my lashes. I was sooo totally overwhelmed by my reception.

In a daze, I heard Bippin offer me a muffin and a drink. I took them without really realising what they were. I felt like my heart was about to burst from happiness.

"Welcome to our little rag tag band," grinned Bindi.

"The family banner suits you well!" declared Mixxi.

"Wonderful to have you in the Family," said Windydaze, cheering.

I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt.

"Ack," said Brutin, feeling an elbow in his gut.

"I elbowed him," Bindi explained. Mixxi raised her eyebrow at Brutin. "He needed it."

Brutin complained, "Bindi is trying to keep me in line."

Windydaze laughed, "Is that possible, Brutin?"

Bippin began to dance with me,

Faintly I heard Nairda's strident tone, "I tire of this, Elf girl. Shall you hear me, or no? Speak now."

"Only with heavy machinery," Mixxi replied to Windydaze's question.

"It will be fun in the trying," was Brutin's reply.

I was overwhelmed, trying to see in every direction and send replies to each welcome.

"Caillou," Bippin said with a bit of seriousness. I turned to him and looked in his eyes. "Welcome to the family," he told me and then took me in his arms and kissed me gently.

I sent to Narida words I hoped would send him away, "I don't think I should."

"And why not?" Nairda demanded.

I smiled at those with me and the thought of the rest of the family as well. I then told Nairda, "Because I am surrounded by friends, and you have frighted me in a way a friend would not."

"An insight, Elf girl," Nairda responded. "Perhaps you do not think me a friend, then. Perhaps, as you may have noted, you said those words, never I. And I said you were most likely mistaken."

I was still trying to get over the shock of the family wanting me and trying to clear the awful voice of Nairda from my head. I shook my head and laughed.

"Ah, we're not THAT bad, Caillou!" Mixxi exclaimed.

"As I said lass," Bindi told me, "ye did a splendid job on yer journal. We are happy ta have ye as one o us now."

Bippin just hugged me close.

"My journal is not done," I said, knowing how much more I had to write in it, including even more conversations with those of Saga.

Brutin smiled, "Fnish it with this surprise."

Mixxi liked Brutin's suggestion. "Yes yes yes!" she bounced.

Bindi told me, "Aye...ye asked five of us wot ye were supposed ta ask, an ye can feel free ta keep goin with it. Many o us do continue our journals."

"As it should be," Brutin said. "Costs me a fortune."

Bippin began, "we tell tales..."

"Plus I have not entirely met all, yet," I said, still wanting to meet everyone.

Bixies had been attempting to annoy Mixxi. "Oh Bah. I've got my armor on," she said.

"Yeah baby, take it off!" Brutin said, with a gleam in his eye.

"Brutin!" scolded Bindi.

"Show a little respect, dwarf!" responded Bippin.

Brutin cleared his throat. "Huzzah! Good show, Mixxi."

Bindi warned him, "She's gonna "accidentally" poke ye with her sword one o these days."

"Wonderful...." Brutin mused. "My way is much better."

I then proceeded to get drunk with my friends, my new family. I was too happy for mere words. 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 100
(8/4/02 1:53 am)
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  Upon meeting Mithlin
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Nexus. A junction of places, a crossroads, a place of beginnings, a place of endings, but always a place to pass through but never stay.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see a young man with slightly pointed ears standing before me.

"Thank you," he said, his voice a light contralto.

"For what?" I asked, muystified. He looked vaguely familiar, though I had a clue, really.

"For your helping me." The confusion must have been plain on my face. "In Qeynos Hills," he continued, "you gave me armor and weapon."

He did look familiar, but... "That doesn't look like armor I could have given you." He was attired in all purple and green.

"Oh, no," he said. "Not this. What you gave me helped me earn this from..." he paused, "...my trainers. But if not for your gift it would have taken me longer and with more injury."

I smiled. I was starting to remember going to my favorite human city, Qeynos, to meet with a friend. I had recently been on Luclin exterminating fiends in Paladul Cavern, so I had gathered a bag full of armor bits. On my way to met my friend, I spotted a youngling poking, somewhat ineffectually, at a bat with a rusty dagger with the bat getting the best of him. I healed his wounds so he could kill the bat and then gave him the pack full so he would bleed less and a slashing claw to make them bleed more.

"How are the bats," I asked him with a chuckle.

The young half-elf grumbled mumbled something about large myotic bat fur, then gave me a smile. "Oh fine fine," he answered non-commitally.

"How goes your training," I asked.

"Quickly," he replied simply. He looked me over appraisingly. "Do you want to hunt together?" he asked bodly. My face must have betrayed my surprise. "I have risen throught he ranks quickly," he told me. "I think you would find me a capable partner."

I took him at his word and we went into the Netherbian Lair. I found a drone and shot my arrow into its thick hide. When the drone came to my blades, the lad stepped behind it and deftly pierced it's hide. The drone dropped in less than half the time it would have taken me alone. I smiled at the young man over the carcass.

"You know," I said, "I forgot to ask your name."

"Mithlin," he replied and, before I say more, told me, "You are Caillou."

"How..?" I started to ask.

He grinned mischeiviously, "I just do." 

[Noa]

Caillou GNA   
Pebble with a bow
Posts: 141
(8/7/02 3:44 pm)
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  Upon meeting Hazkorn and Hazkorn
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Not long after I had taken up the bow, an enchanter, young in his craft, offered to sell me a bauble or two. Being broke, a state which is still perpetual for me, I had to decline. He understood my poverty and we comiserated on the hardships of being new in our training and working on a tradeskill.
I occassionally saw the enchanter, Hazkorn. Each time I saw him, he would offer me magical jewelry which I had to decline due to poverty. Each time we met, I always asked him about his craft wanting to know what new thing he had been making.

I also talked to Hazkorn of other things, like his taking up a hobbies of baking and brewing. Since I forage all the time and occassionally find useful bits of things, I offered some to him, cinnamon, fruit, vegies, and other such. He eyes lit up with eagerness, and so I gave him some of my forages (emptying a bit of my bank space, too). This paid off, when I had a friend who needed something to help him and I thought of jewelry Hazkorn made. I didn't have any money, but was able to trade some more of the foraged things for rings of dexterity for my friend.

For a long time, Hazkorn and I would echange rare pleasantries when we met or I would pass on to him forages I found. Hazkorn even gave me a pretty necklace of gold and a gem with an enchantment of dexterity.

Then, one day, when I sought the voice of Hazkorn, it had changed. He was reshaped, reborn, no longer a high elf enchanter but a wood elf druid (a nice change, too, no longer was there an air of stuffiness about him, but instead a warm woodsie kind of guy).

I had to go see this wonder of Hazkorn remade. I went to meet him in Kelethin and, there, a young druid, smiling where the enchanter would have been dour. He now had an aire of happy go lucky, a kindred spirit.

Hazkorn held something out to me concealed in his hand. "I made this for you," he said. "One of the last things before Tunare reshaped me." He opened his hand to me and gave me a blackened pearl silver ring. I still wear this gift of friendship and think of both of the Hazkorns, the one I knew and the one I call friend now.