Triel: Aspiring Paladin of Torm

[magustaliesin]

The events of today still have me stunned. Myself and the watcher helped a child whose brother was taken into the crypts. What we found was a robed man in a skull mask threatening to take the child's blood unless I gave my own in exchange. I don't know if he thought he would get away with it, or if he intended some larger trap for me. We took him down though, and turned his body over to the city watch. He should be raised and questioned about his powerful master that he mentioned. There is more to Jerome's story and I think the magistrate will gain much information from him. Perhaps his dark soul can be redeemed if he works to bring down the one that commanded him. It remains to be seen how this will play out. For now I must continue my work, and see that those I serve are protected.

I spoke with Yendis at length today, and before the events in the crypt we helped push the bandits a little further from Waymoot. Unfortunately I have not seen Leal, and Henry only for a short time. Yendis called me a hero, but I just do what I am called upon to do.

[magustaliesin]

I've recently seen a wanted poster for the necromancer Uthael. I pray that the city officials are guided by wisdom and justice. I doubt he will freely admit his crime to them as he did to Leal and me, but I am sure they have means to learn the truth. Perhaps it will finally convince those who have defended him, that his actions are vile, and that he is not some sort of hero as they make him out to be.

I continue to work on the farms around the city, and am finding my way to the forest camp more easily now. I also saw Shirebrook recently and will probably visit from time to time, to help them rebuild. I will also have the trial, and my own appeal, once I receive that book on the city's laws. I believe it will be a busy couple of tendays coming up.

[magustaliesin]

The work in Shirebrook was a welcome change of pace. The hin that live there seem to have suffered some sort of attack or catastrophe, and are working to clear the rubble and wreckage of old homes and businesses. I did what I could, moving large pieces of reusable lumber, and helping to clear charred building materials. I will have to make the trip from time to time to help them rebuild.

I have also found another way to help the city. The sewers are accessible from the well, which allows me to help keep the vermin population down without entering the city. I can only imagine the pestilence and terror that would strike the city should some of these creatures venture to the surface.

[magustaliesin]

The events of today were disturbing to say the least. Alarm rang out through the farmlands that undead were pouring from the ruins near where my own camp. Henry and I went to investigate, and found a group of others culling the vile creatures as they exited the ruin. There was a lone city guard attempting to stave off the flow until reinforcements arrived, so we volunteered to enter the ruin and find the source of the swarm of skeletons.

We fought the horde through several passages, and though some of the tactics used were illogical, we prevailed to the source of the infestation. The creatures were spawning from a large stone of some sort, floating in a hall deep in the ruins. The spellcasters claimed that positive energy should be able to destroy the thing. Henry and I called upon the power of our patrons and channeled it through our blades to smite the thing. It exploded in a burst of energy, then pull in upon itself until it was no more.

Some argued that we should have warded it against further spawning of undead and studied it to find out who placed it. Of course they might have found some clue, but we had to go on what we were sure of. While they might have warded it, and found a clue, we know for sure it was the source of great evil and danger to the city. Rather thank risking so much for what might be, we chose to destroy what was, and protect everyone. It was just too much to risk for a 'maybe'.

After patching up the injured and speaking to Henry for a time, I was left to my own devices again. Some studying, and this entry, and now I believe it is time for bed.

[magustaliesin]

The last few days have been eventful but thankfully free of undead plagues that I know of. We have had some small encounters with the walking dead, but nothing on the scale seen in the ruins or the city. At least not that I have seen myself.

I have traveled some with Lian, Selena, and Kry, who all seem to be quite pleasant once you get beyond the rough exterior. They have been good companions to explore the area with. I hope to learn more about them, and continue to aid them in ridding the land of the darkness that threatens us all.

On that topic, I have recently began entertaining the idea of forming a coalition of sorts. A group of people who represent the goodly faiths of Faerun, to fight against the darkness in Cormyr. The local law, and military, have their hands full at the end of the long war, and are hard pressed to keep the peace as well as fight back those who seek to exploit the weaknesses of the war ravaged area. To this end I do not think it as efficient to start an order dedicated to only Torm, or the Triad, but all goodly faiths. I have found a location, bot strategically sound, and well placed for trade and travel, to serve as the beginning of a priory for such an order. I must seek the sanction and approval of the Temple as well as the King if I am to pursue such a course. I think it will be something well-received consider the recent plagues of undead, and dark agents.

[magustaliesin]

It is strange that only a couple months ago I did not know what I was, or what a tiefling was. I thought I was deformed, a freak that my father hated and my mother died protecting. Now I find that there are many like me and while we are not common, I am not alone. I found out that one I am starting to think of as a friend is also of the same heritage. Kry is a nice girl I believe, and has suffered things in her life that I did not suffer until later. I hope to get to know her more.

[magustaliesin]

I still await news on the trial of Uthael, who I do not believe has been captured, as well as my appeal to the magistrate. I have heard that government agencies, especially those in large cities, take forever to make decisions and process paperwork. As with everything else, patience is a virtue.

I spent a lot of time speaking with Lia yesterday, and it was quite nice. She's quite nice when she isn't trying to keep others at bay. We'd intended to share a meal at a spot I liked to visit, but the others showed up and remarked that the gnolls were pushing out of their den again. Food could be put off, so we headed into the wood to push them back. Most of Lia's friends I like, but Cell I'm not so sure about. She's quite judgmental at times, but perhaps it's just the way she comes off. I haven't been around her much to know for sure. Time will tell I suppose.

[magustaliesin]

Before settling in for the night, a very distraught Triel sits down with her book and writing tools. She thinks for quite some time before putting the pen to paper.

I am again faced with legend come to life, and find that I know a witch. Not the old crone used to scare children into behaving, but someone who gets their power from a dark and dangerous source. Thank Torm Lia did not freely make the pact herself, but I cannot help but worry. The power she wields must be corruptive, pulling her into dark places whether she knows it or not. What do these powers do to the soul if they are used continuously? I fear for my friend, but I will help her. Her ancestor made this pact and consigned Lia's soul to a demon. There must be some way to break that deal, to save Lia's soul. I'll find it, whatever it is. No one should have to suffer eternity in the hells because someone else craved power.

[magustaliesin]

So much has happened and I've neglected this account of my time here in Cormyr. Enighard has lifted his edict, after first making it worse and then offering me a place among the Purple Dragons. I could not accept such an offer for more reasons that I care to put down. Regardless, I am no longer in violation of the city's laws by being what I am, so I have returned to Suzail to continue my work.

Lia has recently left I believe, after one special moment we shared. I'll always remember it as something special, and will miss my friend. I pray that she is well, and finds her freedom from the curse that was inflicted upon her.

Recently a boisterous Sunite has come to Suzail, and seems to have taken the city by storm. She's always spreading the tenets of her faith, which is good for the most part. Some people do not react well, but she is doing her best. I can't really see any fault in that. I've also had a chance to talk to Leal more, but it's becoming more difficult as well. I am working on my patience, it's obviously something that is needed. I may never see it in her eyes, but at least we are becoming closer friends. That is more than I can possibly ask.

[magustaliesin]

How do we know when the time is right to jump blindly and hope that someone is there to catch us? Is there something in us that tells us the time is right, or do we naturally move towards those we know will be there to make sure we don't land on our face? Is it fear that keeps us from taking those chances, or fear of not trying that finally makes us do it? None of these questions can be answered if you don't jump first, and by then the answer doesn't matter.

My single greatest fear has never been for my life, or my health, but that I might lose a friend should I make that leap. Since the day I saw her she's been resident in my mind and for a time I did not know why. I had never known such a feeling. She was honest from the start, with no pity for what I am. She has been one of my greatest friends. I feared she would not feel the same, when I realized what I must be feeling. I feared I would lose her if I told her, but it was not something I could keep from her forever. Would it hurt more to lose a friend, or to carry those feelings inside forever? Should I leap or hide? I chose to leap, and my Beautiful Seeker caught me.

[magustaliesin]

Triel enters the Silent Room in a state of confusion, the events of the night clearly weighing on her. She sits down at her usual table, staring at the flame of the reading candle in front of her. Finally she pulls out her journal to try and organize her thoughts.

How is it that a man can threaten another's life and no one says a word, or casts vile disparagement against a revered servant of nature and no one bats an eye, but when that same man insults a deity and her divine messenger, more than once after being warned, and is struck down people cry murder? Are people truly naive enough to believe they can hold the divine to account for human laws? Would they have felt the same had it been a messenger of their own patron? None of this makes any sense.

Only a fool would relieve himself from the side of a ship at sea, cursing Umberlee with angry words, and only a greater fool would blame her for exacting punishment. Would any of them enter Tymora's temple and smash her alter, and be surprised if there were not consequences? Maybe I do not understand either, but we are not meant to fathom the will of the divine, only walk the path we have chosen or that has chosen us. I can only hope for some guidance from my own Patron to understand all of this.

[magustaliesin]

Three days in the wild with Leal, and another in the city, and I can hardly believe how my life has changed. We went on a search for a grove, somewhere she could practice her rites and faith undisturbed. The trip was eventful, and pleasant, but ultimately unfruitful of our intended goal. Despite that we did discover many things about the land, and ourselves. We found an old road where orcs had set an ambush for travelers, and I expect they will again. We found a lovely grotto beyond Waymoot, which would be a nice spot to spend some time, but not fitting for Leal's purpose.

Finally, we found a tower overlooking the village of Shirebrook, and investigated the first two levels. Unfortunately below the basement there exists a large cave, but also powerful undead. We had to flee, and I held off the skeletal warriors long enough for Leal to escape. We both might have found our end down there had we not. Thankfully we did not.

For me, the greatest discovery over the last few days is a deep love that I have for my elven friend. I have heard talk of love at first sight, and how only fools rush in, though I doubt either is entirely true. I believe I felt a connection to Leal when we first met, though whether it was love I can't say. I know that the more time we spent apart, the more I wanted to be around her. Is it our heart's pull, our mind's desire, or both that is responsible? I'll never know, nor do I care. No manner of analyzing will change what is true. My heart belongs to Leal, through good or ill, friend or lover, forever. Whether we bond, as her people do, or not, she will always be dear to me and that is all that matters.

[magustaliesin]

Leal and I spoke of the elven bond that develops between lovers, and I find myself fill with questions and emotions that are hard to pin down. I am excited, and anxious about such a thing, but at the same time worried. Can an elf bond with one of my kind? How will we know? What will it mean for our future if we find ourselves swept into this mystical attachment, and what if one of us should fall after? Our lives are dangerous, and I am not naïve enough to believe we can't lose our lives tomorrow. She spoke of a depression or despair that, in some cases, takes over a bonded lover left behind. I do not want that for Leal, but it is her choice to make and I cannot make it for her. I have asked her to promise me if we find ourselves walking this path together, and I fall from it before her, that she will continue her work and know that I will wait for her. That leads to another question that I must find an answer to, but I do not wish to trouble her on the dark issue any longer.

It is strange, before I would have added scared to the list of emotions, but since my near death in the Mausoleum, and my fight with the necromancer there, I have not felt fear as I used to. I should never have gone alone, but the clerk said that innocents had wandered close to the danger. I found myself in over my head, and by the time I realized the true danger it was too late. I fought my way through the undead guardians below, and faced each one with sword and prayer and they fell to my blade. When I reached the last room I looked inside, hearing human speech for the first time in hours. When I did my presence was noticed and the dark-robed figure cast a holding spell on me. I was nearly overrun by his slow guardians before I shook it, but they still managed to corner me in the corridor. I took several wounds, including one on my leg that bled profusely, but I managed to fell the necromancer and his minions.

I prayed to Torm to see me out, and pressed the wound on my leg together to try and bind it, and found some energy flowing through my hands I had not experienced before. The wound did not close but the bleeding stopped long enough for me to stumble out of the tombs. I had to fight some undead near the surface, but with barely breath left in me I made it out. Perhaps something in that experience changed my outlook, or how my mind perceives danger, but I just do not seem to feel the same fears anymore. With Leal's help the leg is nearly healed, and I will have to see what this newfound lack of fear means. I must be wary that I do not let it overcome my own wisdom, and ignore danger or risk my life without cause.

[magustaliesin]

I live my life, wracked with the guilt of things I cannot control. Of course I do not show it to others, it is not their burden to bear. Besides, I know what they will say. It is not my fault that I am a tiefling. I did not force my father to threaten our lives, nor force my mother to leave him. I did not force those villagers to burn our house in fear of what I am, and there is nothing I could have done to save my mother from that fire. While all of that is true, it does not change the fact that if I had been normal, or had not been born at all, none of that would have happened. I cannot change the past so I live with it, and deal with it, and use what I have learned to guide my future.

When Leal spoke of a dangerous mission, and her wish that I stay behind, I could not help but protest. She wishes to protect me, but how could I not ask her to reconsider? What if something happened that I might be able to prevent? It may not change a thing, or I myself might die in the process, but if I did not try? How could I live with having to add Leal to the list of my guilt? I understand that she worries, and I have nearly demanded that she not let my presence affect her focus on the mission. She was not happy with that, but once I knew that my presence might distract her I faced a difficult choice. If she did not feel she could focus on her goal, even if it meant putting me in greater danger, I would not go. Despite how I feel, or how she does, her duty is most important. She may not think so, but it must be. I am not sure she is completely settled on the decision and I did not press, but before we go I will have her promise that she will not let me be a distraction. I know that I cannot always be with her, and cannot always help when she faces danger, but when I know of it I must try.

I have recently asked to be considered for entrance into the Order of the Golden Lion, an order of Tormtar that devote their lives and service to protecting the goodly faiths of Faerun. The Order focuses on duty, spreading goodly faiths, and defending temples and places of worship. The growing apathy and darkness in Cormyr has sparked a need for the Order's presence here. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the protocol on this, but I do not have another of my faith to speak to on it. I sent a letter to the Temple, and if it is well received, I hope to hear of what test or requirement I must meet first. Leal's comment about calling me something noble worried me though. I am sure she is just teasing, a quality I love about her, but I do not want others to see this as a ploy for power or status. I simply wish to more firmly cement my duty and commitment to my faith and the temple.

[magustaliesin]

A response to my second letter arrived a few days ago. The messenger was not convinced of my identity, and was loath to approach or accept payment from me, but I do not blame him. I have given a donation to the messenger guild to be anonymously distributed among all the messengers for their families with the coming winter. I did not press the money upon him personally, but I hope that it serves to make things easier during the cold months.

The temple has not shunned me for my heritage, and makes no reference to it in their response. In fact they have encouraged me to continue my work, and to strive to remain an example of our faith. It has lightened my worry about it since I sent the letter off weeks ago.

We also recently found a hoard of supplies meant for the city, stolen and stashed away by the gnolls between Suzail and Waymoot. Celliane informed the Dragons in Waymoot and I hope to see an expedition soon to recover the supplies. If I am able I will volunteer to go and protect the workers in case any of the creatures return to the den after we chased them off.