Unmarked Trails of Torian Burrfoot

[Misha Aogail]

Torian wakes up in her little room in the Regal Griffon and rolls over, looking at her husband. She smiles as she notices the smudges of ink on his face and hands, and the quill still held in his hands, which meant he had gotten up yet again in a fit of inspiration and was writing most of the night. She carefully crawled out of bed and over to the small desk in the room to read what was written. She smirked and shook her head. Yet another poem of adventures, heroics, beautiful women, and handsome men. She read it again, and as she did, she suddenly had her own inspiration. Pulling out a few sheets of blank paper, she dipped another quill into the ink well and began to write:

This is the stories, information, and thoughts of Torian Burrfoot Thistledown. Everything written here should be taken as truth and should anything happen before it is finished, information should be followed to find what happend.

She reads the paragraph over a few times then, satisfied, begins on another sheet:

First I shall define the local factions:

Silver Shields - Disbanded
A group organized to bring hope in this hour of need and help all in trouble. Leadership at this time is unclear, but they do have the backing of the Regent.

Colors: Blue and grey/silver.

Headquarters: Just outside Isinhold to the south.

Known Strengths: Numbers and backing by Regent.

Known Weaknesses: Tactics and lack of knowledge how to use each type of memeber (scout, fighter, mage, etc.) to full advantage

Red Militia
Organized under the leadership of Tobias Ritter. Not much is known about this band. Suggested that they are law enforcement above town militia, but below Purple Dragons, though they don't have legal authority to do anything more than remind people of laws. Disliking of Silver Shields is widely known.

Colors: Red and black.

Headquarters: Isinhold

Known Strengths: Some members have a great way of bullying people to listen.

Known Weaknesses: They are full of themselves. Most lack any sort of intelligence. Very few in this group, thank the gods.

Special Note(s): Tobias has aquired a sword recently that a race called Githyanki seem to be interested in. These creatures are from another plane and are to be considered hostile. Also, the member Swyrve is very pig headed and can easily be flustered into backing down.

Maidens of Hope
Fledgling group made entirely of women with the thought that they can do more than with mixed comany. Leadership is based on council. Head of council is Bella.

Colors: To be determined

Headquarters: To be determined

Known Strengths: To be determined

Known Weaknesses: The mixed feelings of things pretaining to the guild and how it should be run may tear this group apart.

Crycists
Group following the teachings of the god, Cyric. Headed by Raven Rift, this group's number is variable, ranging from two to twenty. Actual number is unknown. Hunted by authorities because of acts of murder and various other crimes.

Colors: Typically, purple and black or silver, though many choose to wear other colors to hide affiliation.

Headquarters: Possibly somewhere near Eveningstar, though Suzail and Waymoot have also been mentioned.

Known Strengths: Raven Rift - Very strong and powerful; backed by his god. Considered EXTREMELY dangerous. Other members have strength in shadows, deciet, and battle.

Known Weaknesses: To be determined.

Special Note(s): Raven is very over confident. Cyric has punished him before for his thoughts of becoming a god, but he is a quick learner.

Order of the Elves - Disbanded/No longer existant
This group, lead by Valandil Sherwood, is strictly for elves. With their recent joining of the Silver Shields, they are now the main scouts for the Shields.

Colors: Green and black

Headquarters: Shield Headquarters

Known Strengths: Great scouts and decent fighters, these elves are not as frail as they appear.

Known Weaknesses: Internal strife between members has torn this group apart.

Special Note(s): Since the leader of this group, Valandil Sherwood has left, the group has disentigrated. Vind tried to uphold this and his Silver Shields duties, but it became too much and the Order died.

Thieve's Guild - Disbanded/No longer existant
Thought up by Thrulia, this group was organized and ran by Hrothgar in the hopes of having a clearly established group for those of 'darker' occupations.

Colors: Unknown

Headquarters: Unknown

Known Strengths: Shadows

Known Weaknesses: Leaks in information

Special Note(s): The death of Hrothgar and Thrulia has made this group fall apart and is no longer a threat.


She reads what she wrote and nods with a smile. She hears a groan as Solanir rolls over and chuckles slightly. She gets up, grabbing a book off the shelf, and sticking her pages in it, close it and put it back.

"One day these may come in handy..."

[Misha Aogail]

Torian sits outside by the campfire, under the small copse of trees, watching everyone as they come and go. Yawning from boredom, Torian pulls out a small book, bottle of ink, and quill, and begins to write.

The Story of Raven (or Where it all Began)

As stated before Raven Rift is a very powerful person, not to be underestimated in anyway. You might find this story I am about to tell of him interesting though, as it shows his only moment of weakness, blind-sight... However you would like to call it. This is also the first story I tell because this is the first time I realized what my true calling was. Enjoy.

*****

It was a nice day, rare for Isinhold seeing as it rains almost all the time there. Strange and terrible things had been happening a lot lately. There were the attacks by the Shadovar, people being killed by other people, and just a lot of evil showing up for one little area. After a while, rumors sprang up about two men that were nothing but evil. Last anyone knew, these men went by the names of Raven Rift and Fistdontantalus.

Now, for the longest times, these two men seemed to have disappeared. One day after some strange happening (you'll have to forgive me as my notes are somewhat smudged and my memory is so full of information, it's hard to remember some details at times), there was a gathering in the inn. Everyone was discussing what had happened, which is nothing new. There were a couple of new people in the inn though... Two men, dressed all in black, with hoods covering their face. Not thinking much about it, I shrugged it off.

Later that same day, Hrothgar pulled me aside. He thought there was something odd about these two and asked me to follow them and see what they were up to. Seeing as Hroth had saved my life many times, and had just spent a large sum of his money buying items for me that a rust monster had taken the liberty of munching on on an earlier adventure, I felt it only right to pay back the favor.

I followed the black robed figures for quite a while every chance I saw them. I never found out anything though and was starting to get frustrated, when one day, I happened to be following one of them and he stopped to talk to a hin. Now, this hin I had seen around before and wasn't the nicest of people, so I was intruiged. As I hid in the shadows, the robed figure pulled down his hood, and to my surprise it was Raven!

He told the hin he had things to take care of, but would meet him and the new recruits in Redmist. Raven then began to walk off and I was left with a delima. Follow Raven, or follow the hin? I decided following the hin would be the best bet as it would give me time to find a suitable hiding spot around wherever they were at in Redmist.

Once arriving in Redmist, I followed the hin and the two new recruits to the Redmist Inn. For a brief amount of time, they stood near the steps to the basement, talking amongst each other. Mostly about what gods they followed, which I thought was interesting, but wasn't really paying any attention to. Eventually, another hin (or what I thought was a hin at the time, but come to find out later it was a gnome) in dark robes and a horrid looking mask, came up and announced things were ready.

I tagged along and when we got to the basement, found that there was an unfinished cellar that everyone was meeting in. Quietly, I snuck in past the large gate that was there and found a comfortable spot in the shadows that I thought would hide me well. Eventually a robed man came out, glowing in all sorts of colors from various spells. The hin and gnome bowed to him and the other two just looked on, either amazed or dumb, it was hard to tell from where I was at. I was starting to get uneasy, though, and quickly pulled out a piece of paper and wrote: Should anything happen, go to the basement of the Redmist Inn immediately!

As I was trying to fold this paper up and stick it up my sleeve in an uncomfortable way (I figured that'd be the only way that I'd remember it was there should something happen), I heard this figure casting a spell. Now, in any normal instance I would watch in fascination and leave it at that, but as soon as I saw those eyes appear above his head, I got scared. Those eyes meant one of two things: Either he was protecting himself from attack, or he was trying to see anything that was hidden.

I stood as still as I could, pressed against the wall in the shadows. I even held my breath hoping I was wrong on my guess. When the man (whom I later found out was, in fact, Raven) pulled out a strange, red glowing sword and came towards me, I knew which one it was.

I ran in the small area away from him. The other people just stood there, stunned that they actually had been followed. I was fast, but Raven was faster. He hit me once and tried to go for the gate. Unfortunately it was not only locked, but trapped. Looking back and seeing Raven close in on me, I tried to get the lock open in time, but when I felt the sharp pain in my back, I knew it was over. He hit me again and I blacked out.

Next thing I remembered was waking up and looking up at Merriss, the kind druid in the temple of Silvanus in Isinhold. He told me that another druid, who happened to be in the form of a mouse and running around the area, saw what had happened and waited until he had the chance to quickly grab my body and run. Of course, I'm assuming that this druid changed back into an elf or human or some such because a little mouse couldn't carry me anywhere. Anyway, I questioned Merriss as to where it was this preist found me and he would not tell me. He kept saying it was for my own good. Getting frustrated at this, I stood up, and as I reached for my cloak (which was being used as a pillow at the time), I felt something scratch my arm. Reaching up my sleeve I found a note that I apparently had written to myself, telling me to go back to the Inn in Redmist. So I did.

When I got there, the gate was closed, and not wanting to give anyone a reason to try and find me, I found a small hole in the wall and sat by it, watching what was going on. Now, I'm not sure exactly what happened (maybe I knocked a little more rubble loose, or maybe it was everyone being paranoid for whatever reason ((though reading my notes after all this I figured out why they were paranoid))) but the hin decided to but a trap around the entrance to this cellar and a liche, of all things, was sent to guard the area I was now hiding in.

Now, having run in with a realy nasty liche before, I had my hand on my blade and waited, keeping an ear to the liche and an eye to the goings on. It was hard to hear anything from where I was at, but it almost looked like an initiation of sorts was being held. My patience was starting to wear thin and I was starting to get really annoyed at the fact that I couldn't hear anything when Raven waved his hands in the air, said something in a really peculiar voice, and a balor appeared. At this time, my jaw dropped, my eyes bulged, and I ran out of there like a bat out of the Abyss. The liche I could handle, but a balor?

When I got back to Isinhold I dug in my pouches and pulled out all the scraps of paper I found and read through them. I then sought out Hrothgar to tell him of this news. He then offered that should I bring more information, he would be willing to pay for it.

*****

Thus ends my first story. True, it's not the best, but this is what got me started on seeking information out. And I'm no bard, so my stories may be a bit dry. If you don't like them, too bad. They weren't for you anyway.

Torian reads through her story, shaking her head back and forth from time to time as if deciding it was ok, but not great. Shrugging, she waits for the ink to finish drying, then puts her writing supplies away and goes back to watching.

[Misha Aogail]

Torian sits in her room again, holding her head from the massive hangover-headache she had gotten from her previous night's drinking. She groans as Solanir walks in, and though he closes the door quietly, it still seems to pound in her head.

"Are you all right dear? Need me to get anything for you?" he asks, crouching in front of her and placing a hand on her knee.

Torian seems to think a moment then nods slightly. "I have a story I want to write, but..."

"Done and done!" Sol shouts, then quieter as Torian cringes, "So what's it to be about? Slaying dragons? Saving damsels? Defeating an undefeatable evil?"

Torian sighs and smiles slightly. "No, my dear. It's about betrayal amongst friends. And please, for my sake, don't go adding your usual twists and flourishes. Heaven's knows, the truth is already strange enough."

Sol nods and digs around the cluttered desk for a couple of minutes, gathering up previously started material and stacking it on the floor. He then pulls out some blank parchment, dips the quill in ink, and waits.

"Title this story, Valandil's Betrayal," Torian began.

"Valandil? Wasn't he that elf that you were always hanging around with?"

"Sol... Write now, question later."

Nodding, Solanir turned back to the parchment and began to write, talking to himself as he does so.

Valandil's Betrayal

On this cold, very damp day in Isinhold, with the wind whipping and eveyone running for

"Solanir! No flourishes!"

"Huh?" He reads out loud what he just wrote again. "Oh!" He scraps that sheet and starts again.

Valandil's Betrayal

The day, unsure. The place, Isinhold, late afternoon. Suspect, Valandil Sherwood, though I wouldn't know this until later.

Doing what I do best, slipping into shadows and spying on people, I happened to over hear an elf named Vind calling together a couple of friends. He seemed upset, his eyes wild and filled with a certain insanity. I felt sorry for him and wanted to know what had made him this way, so danced from shadow to shadow, following him and his friends to the basement of the Regal Griffon Inn. Matching their footfalls, I was never seen nor heard as I slipped in to the room that they were talking in.

Silence and suspense slowly grows as it seemed Vind was trying to gather his thoughts. The other two men shifted uneasily in their seats as the tension continued to grow. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Vind finally spoke. His voice was low and almost hard to hear from where I was at.

He told a story of how he was connected deeply with another elf named Thrulia through some sort of mind link that elves do. Apparently this is a sign of deep trust and potentially of love. At some point during one of these connections, Thrulia abruptly cut off her connection, which seems to be the reason behind Vind's current mental state. He paused for a moment, anger flashing in his eyes before continuing.

When he continued, Vind was very sad. And seemed confused. According to him, Valandil was behind Thrulia's sudden disconnection. When Vind found out, he was furious and attempted to attack Valandil. Val and Thrulia both beat him to a pulp and Val announced that his alter ego, "Quickfingers" would be coming back.

Solanir stops and looks back at Torian. "Uh, honey, you're starting to get sporadic... This is really hard to write when there's no continuity, you know? Things have to flow and you're just giving me random thoughts right now..."

Torian looks up at him. "Sol... Dear, I love you with all my heart, but this is my story, and I want it told my way, all right?"

Solanir just shrugs and sighs and goes back to writing.

Finding what Vind was claiming to be very out of character for Val, I decided to follow him one day. Now, one thing Vind had mentioned was that Val supposedly threw all his Silver Shields stuff over a cliff, but when I found him, he apparently still had it... Or at least was still considered part of the Shields because he was training a new recruit, Malice. At least that's what he claimed.

I got in as close as I could to listen to them talk. Val talked and hinted about some plan, but apparently Malice already knew what it was because he never elaborated. He went on to tell her that should his plan fail, she should not hesitate to kill him. He also said that he was going to settle things with Vind once and for all and was going to kill Vind. At this I did the only thing any good friend would do, and I got out of there as fast as I could to try and find Vind and let him know.

When I finally found Vind and told him, he didn't seem the least bit surprised. Come to find out later, Vind had known about Val wanting to kill him and was using that as a ploy to flush out suspected Cyric followers. The plan went in to action in Waymoot, known as the Waymoot Massacre. I'm sure it is recorded somewhere exactly who died and what all transpired. Unfortunately I was not there for that, though stories I've heard say that the plan both succeeded and failed. Either way, truth was finally revealed that Val had betrayed his friends and loved ones in order to get Raven to trust him. Apparently this failed.

As of today, Valandil and Vind have both made peace with each other, though Vind and Thrulia are still at odds. Both men have left the area and are presumed to be starting thier lives anew.


Solanir finishes writing and puts down the quill. "You know... The ending's not too bad... Can I just...?"

"No."

"But I..."

"I said no."

"Oh but please! I could do so..."

"Solanir, you're my husband and all, but that doesn't mean I will refrain from torching your works."

Solanir blanches considerably. "But... All I wanted to..."

"Sol, write your own version of the story if you want. This one's mine and I like it how it is."

[Quadhund/Greenhouse]

OOC: By the way I dont know if you want feedback or not, but I'm lovin the stories so far ... If you dont want this post in the middle of the stories, I'll delete it, but just figured i'd let you know ;D

[Misha Aogail]

Sitting at the large table in the new hall, Torian pulls out a small book and begins writing in it.

Honor Amongst Thieves

My job is easy. It consists of following people around, learning secrets, and if important enough, informing the right people about what I've learned. Sometimes things present themselves in such a way that I don't even have to sneak around to find things out. The day this all started, this happened to be the case.

Standing outside in Isinhold, Thrulia, an elf woman who is very strongly opinionated, came running up to those of us that were there and told us of an assassination attempt on a group of young adventurers that were rescuing some elves that hobgoblins had kidnapped. When asked, she claimed she knew this information in such detail because she was following the group incase they had trouble dealing with the hobgoblins. Not long after, Thrulia came back wearing a black and red outfit, of which she had said not moments before, that the assassin was wearing black and red. This furthered my suspicions, but I said nothing, even after the adventuring group came back and described Thrulia as the attacker.

I talked Hrothgar about this later the next day and he said I was correct in my a**umptions. He seemed a bit distant, but passed it off as being tired. He briefly mentioned a theive's guild that he was helping Thrulia start up, but did not question him further on it. Before leaving, he told me he would explain more at a later date. As it was, my mind was already going on how to stop this threat before it got out of hand.

I met with people in the Regal Griffon and we discussed this. Soon there was a large group of us heading to the inn in Skull Craig to talk about a plan on how to deal with Thrulia and catch her in the act. The group consisted of Manshin, Tobias, Corbin, Donovan, Callen, and myself. Before leaving though, I found a note in a belt pouch I hadn't noticed before and on the ride to the Skull Craig, read it, keeping it from those I travelled with.

In the inn of Skull Craig, debate ensued on how we should trap Thrulia in her own game. The basic plan was to make a contract, set up a willing target then have someone catch her in the act of accepting the contract. I tried to put in my two coppers worth, but of course, two coppers is never heard. Eventually I stopped listening to everyone else as they wove this overly complex plan that was more likely to fall apart than work properly, and formulated my own. It was simple, and even though there were risks and pitfalls to my plan, it was still better than the sieve of a plan that the others were talking about. When discussions were finally over, Manshin asked me my thoughts of the plan, and when I told him it wouldn't work, he said I was just upset that it wasn't me that was to be used as the target. When I tried to point out the loop-holes in his plan he shrugged it off and walked away.

Mind you, I can be a prideful person. I will be the first to admit it. There are times, though, when it's not my pride but simple logic that I try to give to people, and yet they still don't listen. I'd discuss the incident for a quest to find a book for an elven mage named Sylverin, but that's for another story.

Travelling back to Isinhold, I set about searching for Hroth and a contact of mine that I would need for this plan. Finding Hroth, we talked briefly about the note he had slipped in my pouch. His life was being threatened by Thrulia who was using him to set up a thief’s guild. He said that if Thrulia found out someone else knew, she'd have Hroth assassinated. Mind you, I don't take my friends being threatened as such too lightly, and after the episode with Vind, I knew Thrulia could do it. When I parted ways with Hroth I set out to search for my contact.

When I found him, we set up a meeting place and I told him what I needed him to do. I knew he'd be perfect for the part. We discussed everything to make sure we both knew what was going to happen, then parted ways. Not long after I got a message saying to meet him at the Laughing Lass, but to stay hidden. Creeping into the tavern, I saw him sitting in a far corner by himself, a hood pulled very far made it hard to recognize him in the shadows of the area. A short time later a person wearing a dark outfit and a helmet walked in. When she noticed my contact in the corner, she walked over and sat down. The two discussed things for a minute, and I couldn't help but to grin at myself at how well he was playing his part. Eventually the two shook hands and sliced palms in agreement of the deal. It was now my turn to act.

Now, I will admit, Manshin was right when he worried about me possibly being too powerful for this fledgling assassin to take on, but with a 12,000 gold bounty on my head, even the most reluctant assassin would want to at least try... And she did. She pulled me off to a secluded place in Isinhold and we talked. She told me of the bounty, and how she really didn't want to kill me as I could be useful to her, but felt it kind of ironic that this deal had come up as she had found out that I knew about her dreams of a guild. She asked me to give her something valuable that I would give no one unless I was dead. When I refused, she apologized and attacked me. I was caught off guard at first, but after the first couple of blows, I was able to quickly daze her with the power of the shadows and ran back to where there were lots of people.

When I got there, people asked what happened. I told them... To a point... I said that a man in black had snuck up and tried to kill me. Manshin seemed suspicious, but kept it to himself. Eventually I was escorted back to my room at the Regal Griffon and called it a night. The next day I got a message from Thrulia asking to talk to me. Being on my guard and my hand hovering over the hilt of my sword, we talked. She said that she was going to fake my death and after receiving payment, was going to give me a portion of it if I promised to work for her and keep the knowledge of everything between her and Hroth a secret. I accepted and when she gave me the word, I went into hiding.

Let me be the first to say I hate hiding. I really do. Locking myself away from public view and working off of what messengers tell you is hard. Fortunately a wanderer named Tinka was easy to work with. For a little jingle and traveling supplies, she proved her worth. She found out that another person, Jafar, was in this guild. I thought that that information was a jewel until I found out that Manshin was still trying to go through with his plan... And in doing so found out about mine. Tinka found it funny that Thrulia was telling Manshin everything that she had threatened to kill Hroth over. I didn't think so. Eventually Tinka began to get restless and wanted to continue wandering, so I paid her and came out of hiding a couple of days later. What I found was slightly amusing...

Seems only a few people were actually sad when they thought I was dead. Mostly a few members of the Shields. Mind you I wasn't expecting the bear hug from Vashal... Nor the accusation from Manshin. When we were alone, Manshin explained how Thrulia had told him everything. This completely stunned me. Why had she done this? What was she trying to prove? Was Hrothgar still alive? All these questions played in my mind. Eventually I found my answer...

Just before Thrulia disappeared, she gave Hroth a final assignment: He was to kill Manshin for the knowledge he had. Hroth told me this and explained that if he were to die, what he'd like done with his body. Well... The fateful day came when I was to meet Hroth in the Redmist Inn for a drink. As I walked in, I saw Manshin and Hroth sitting at a table not far from where Lili was telling Lady Sharita and Cormac a story. I got as close as possible to try and hear what Manshin and Hroth were discussing when both suddenly stood up and drew swords. They fought briefly, Manshin killing Hroth easily. We all stood around in shock until Lady Sharita asked for someone to get a guard. Eventually a Purple Dragon came in and everything was explained to him. The Dragon then summoned a War Wizard who was told the same thing, then disappeared with Hroth's body.

While Cormac and Lili were upstairs resting after the ordeal, Manshin confronted me about the information he was told. I couldn't believe what Thrulia was trying to pass off on him. We discussed and yelled and argued, and eventually with Lili's help, I was able to finally get Manshin to listen to reason... And then it hit me. It hit me like a raging ox... Thrulia had threatened to have Hroth assassinated... And he was killed by one... Manshin didn't seem to believe it, but it was true. Thrulia had followed through on her promise. Hroth was killed by an assassin, and my attempts to try and stop it didn't help.

As I mulled over this days after the fact, I realized that there had to be something more to the whole Manshin/Thrulia thing. The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became. But, after an episode like this, guess it's true... You can only trust yourself as friends may backstab you when you least expect it.

Torian reads through the story and sighs, looking up as someone else enters the room. She smiles at him as he grabs a bottle of stout and sits across from her.

"So... What are we doing today, my friend?"

[Misha Aogail]

Sitting in Isinhold, Tori pulls out a small brown book, flipping through to find the next empty page, and begins writing in it, occassionally looking up to listen when someone approaches.

Child of Cyric

Let me start by saying, to this day I will never understand why Raven decided to waste his time with Tabatha, but... Oh well.

This interesting story happens like many of our own personal stories: A woman got pregnant. Not just any woman, mind you, but an idiot of a woman, simple in so many ways it's a wonder she could... And now I'm ranting, anyway, she was very lax between the ears. She was none other than Tabatha Rift, wife to infamous cleric of Cyric, Raven Rift. Now, if you hadn't guessed, I'm not too keen on 'poor innocent' Tabby. When I found out she had married Raven, I began to talk to a few contacts about having her removed for good from this plane of existance. After all, Raven could do much, MUCH better.

The day I found out Tabatha was pregnant with a child of Cyric, possible heir to Raven's power, I didn't believe it. And then I saw her. And she was. Now was the time to strike.

I had set up an ambush for her in some orc caves she was clearing out, but wouldn't you know it? While I'm gloating over the fallen body, someone, who I'm guessing was hiding near by, grabbed her body and took off for the temple. Needless to say, she survived, and the child came to term.

Now this is where it gets... Interesting. Raven had somehow heard of this attempt and confronted me on it. He then promised to kill all of my friends and loved ones should I attempt to hurt the child. Later, when he found that Tabatha had attempted to hide the child, he asked me to find it and deliver it to him as a sacrifice to Cyric. I did what any loyal friend would do... I looked for the child.

It wasn't long before I found my biggest lead, Tabatha's lover and fellow follower of Sune, Keteena. I confronted her one day about the child and she almost convinced me that it was no longer in Cormyr and that she didn't know where it was anymore... Almost. There was just something about her story that seemed a bit off. Eventually I got the help of a few people and together we devised a way to get the child.

Mind you, when I got these people's help, I did not realize they were followers of Mask, nor had I known then that Mask was very interested in this child. Not until, while I was talking to a couple of these people, the area around me went dark, and Mask appeared. Mind you, being in the presence of Cyric as he possessed Raven's body was a troubling enough experience. Seeing a mortal's body react to such power is just.. Wow... Anyway, being in the extreme presence of Mask, I totally lost it. I tried to run, but Mask wouldn't have it. Eventually he released me from my frozen state and asked me everything I knew, and of course, being in the presence of a god, I answered everything he asked. Mask wanted the child and he wouldn't tolerate any failure.

This left me with many questions. When the child is found, who did I take it to? Which god do I let it go to? Which one did I have more to fear from to allow it to not get to? In the end, all I cared aobut was getting the child. The end results on who got it I would worry about later.

It took a while an a bit of decieving, but finally we convinced Keteena that the child wasn't safe and that the Cyricists she was trying so hard to protect the child from had in fact found the location and were on their way to claim the child. I found and followed her with a fellow shadow and we laid the trap.

Eventually it was sprung in teh Obscene Ogre and the child was OURS! We just had to complete the illusion and BAM! Success!

And then it happened.... A figure in grey wearing a mask took the child and disappeared with it. It wasn't until Mask appeared not long afterward to reward us for a job well done that I had realized what had happened to the child.

Rumors hit that another child was given to a group of waiting Cyricists that, in fact, had been taken from someone else, but that this child was not Raven's.

Later I found that Raven had been scrying on where the child really was and who really had it and the last person he saw was Hrothgar... Which completely took me by surprise...

I would like to end this little tale now, but if you couldn't tell, it's still open... I am still trying to help Raven, and with the recent discovery of a group of Baneites, I hope I am on the way to redeeming myself... There's no worse feeling than letting a friend fail in a quest because you didn't react fast enough to prevent other things from happening.

Tori reads what she wrote, sighing as she hears something move beside her. She could just make out a person from the corner of her eye, but when she looked directly at them, they seemed to not be there. She waits for a moment before the figure says, "Hello my favorite little hin..."

[Misha Aogail]

Sitting in the hall she had started calling home, Tori pulls out a sheet of folded up paper and adds to it, the following:

Iron Hand
A group supposedly built like the Red Militia to help enforce laws. Organized under the leadership of Tenchi, this group is, surprisingly enough, nothing but a bunch of Baneites.

Colors: Silver/Grey and Red, though I believe that they also use a Black and Red combo as well.

Headquaters: Somewhere near Isinhold perhaps?

Known Strengths: Unknown

Known Weaknesses: The knowledge that many members are Baneites.

Special Note(s): Tenchi is supposedly really good friends with Tobias and leads me to believe that the Red Militia is a Baneite group as well.

Knights of Honor
This group, lead by Donovan, is an extension of sorts of the Shields. Though not backed or affiliated, they have much the same goals as the Shields.

Colors: Black and tan

Headquarters: As of yet, none

Known Strengths: Donovan

Known Weaknesses: Apparent lack of control of some members who tend to speak their minds

Conduct of Shadows
This group, lead by Ranan, is an odd group. Rumors abound that it is a group of Baneites, but there are also those that say the group is part of something darker.

Colors: Unknown

Headquarters: Rumored to be in Redmist, though the recent taking over of the Redmist Inn by Thorstein may have moved them to either the Circle Sword or to another city.

Known Strengths: Unknown

Known Weaknesses: Information leaks, which have slowed down

[Misha Aogail]

Torian sits down at her desk and, looking around, notices an old brown leather book on the shelf. Taking it down and reading through it, she smiles and flips to the front, dipping her quill in ink and writing the following:

Banites
Followers of Bane, this group of people believe their god is right and just, attempting to take over Cormyr, and eventually all of Toril, and teach the unbelievers the "true" way or make them into slaves.

Colors: Typically red and black, though they tend to wear various other colors and out fits to disguise themselves and fit in.

Headquarters: Rumors of location spread from Redmist Inn to a tiny little hut in Tyrluk, to the mines in Espar. While rumors abound, the location is known to very few and those few aren't speaking.

Strengths: Fear, amongst all others, is their biggest strength. Along with their Imperceptor's connection with Asmodeous, their strength is nearly incalculable. All members are extremely loyal.

Weaknesses: Being human, or the equivalent of. Short life-span and unpredictability of thought and action are the biggest weakness in this group followed closesly by information leaks.

Special Note(s): Imperceptor is Ranan, his wife Valla is the connection to Asmodeous, and they have an undead servant, the former Harper, Chril Wavingdark.

Harpers
A group of people devout in upholding the good of the land. Secret and mysterious, it is generally a great surprise to find out who really is a Harper. Varied races and religions make up this loose-knit collective.

Colors: Harpers have no colors to speak of, but do have a special pin that they wear or have somewhere on their person, usually hidden from public view so that non-Harpers cannot tell actual members.

Headquarters: Harpers are a free-ranging vigilante group though they may have a regular place to meet, hang out, and rest, this location is still unknown.

Strengths: Keeping their identity secret is their one and only strength as a group.

Weaknesses: Information leaks on who the members are and the fact that they work individually instead of as a group on most things.

Special Note(s): Rumors abound as to who is a Harper. Unconfirmed rumors are Manshin, Lilli, and Cormac. Confirmed Harper is Padrin. Former Harpers include Lady Sharita Amraphen, now Oversword for the Purple Dragon Knights, and undead servant to Bane, Chril Wavingdark.

Shadows Edge
This group started up not long after the collapse of the theive's guild Hrothgar attempted to start up but after both his and Thrulia's disappearance. This group, though small, prides itself on the fact they take in only the best spies, con-artists, theives, smugglers, assassins, and various other such persons.

Colors: Members do not have any particular colors they wear though they choose to keep with blacks, greys, and darker shades of other colors.

Headquarters: Rumors of this group's main location ranges from the streets of Suzail, to the Redmist Inn, all they way out to the caves in Waymoot. Actual location is known only by the select few members of this group.

Strengths: The shadows. As long as there are shadows around, the members of this group can disappear into them with ease. Also, many of the group are skilled negotiators and the group itself is kept up to date on latest rumors, facts, and secrets by an extensive spy network.

Weaknesses: Being human, or the equivalant there of. Age and unpredictable thoughts and actions which lead to extreme individualism. The occassional leak is as well, though some have gotten good at turning such things into a profitable situation.

Special Note(s): Though the patron diety of this group is Mask, its members have also been known to worship other dieties of the elven, halfling, and human pantheon.

Torian looks over her notes, sprinkling a bit of sand on the wet ink to help it dry faster. Content, she pushes the book a little bit away and goes back to the paper work for the first official shipment to her merchant friend.

[Misha Aogail]

Torian groggily makes her way to her desk in the middle of the night. Having just a couple of hours of sleep and not quite ready to get into work, she pulls out her brown leather book, opening it to the next blank page and begins writing.

Beginings
I've written several stories now of what I've done, where I've gone, and given some ideas as to where I'm going, but have yet to tell where I'm from. This is that story.

*****

Firstly, I was only born in Battledale. My folks were on their tour through the Dalelands when I was born. Yes, tour. I come from a group of merchants, entertainers, con-artists and the like. Some call them gypsies, but I call them family. And what a family it was too! There were three hin families, a gnome, and a human family that all travelled in our caravan.

Being a gypsy, one learns many things. Haggling tactics, how to cut a person's belt without them noticing, lacing people's boots together after taking a purse so they cannot catch you... One of the best things I ever learned though, was how to stay out of sight. My younger sisters and I were always the ones used to get people's money as our older siblings danced, told fortunes, gambled, and the like. My father, one of the protectors of our group, taught us a few things on how to sneak around unnoticed.

Travelling with the caravan was always fun and interesting, but like all young hins, I wanted to explore more. On a brief stop in Tilverton, within the lands of Cormyr, I found out about a little hin town called Shallybrook farther west. Thinking this a good place to start my own adventures, and with an older brother and sister at my side, we headed west to this little town.

It took us a long while of travelling through the night to be sure we got there safely, but eventually we made it. It was a rather interesting sight to see all these hin happily living in one place. Using what little gold we had left between us, we got a room at the local inn. For a short bit we were the talk of the town, these strange hin wanderers. An elderly hin woman took special interest in us and after catching my brother trying to steal her cow to sell for money, she adopted us into the family.

My brother and sister stayed for only a couple of months before they grew tired of being in one place and returned to the caravan. I stayed, and with the help of the hin and her family, I learned what honest, hard work was, and with time, my accent and broken common was almost completely lost. After a few years of this, I again grew restless. The day I was leaving, the family threw a party for me. They felt they had done well in teaching me, what they jokingly called, 'civilised' life. Before I left, the old hin approached me and said I should have a new name to start off my new life. Thus I was named Torian after a dear family friend that had died years ago, and Burrfoot after a saying I would use constantly about the young children that ran around everywhere being "like a burr in my boot."

With my new name and ready to start my new lif in this strange land, I got into the wagon my new mother suggested and headed to Isinhold, where I was told many adventurers got there start.

So here I am... I have homes in Suzail, Redmist, Isinhold, and Shallybrook. I hope to actually have a home instead of just a room at some point in the future so that my husband and I will be able to start a family. I visit both my adopted family and actual family from time to time, though my mother always insists I stay longer and travel with the caravan a bit, using my new skills to help teach the young ones the tricks of the trade. No matter where I travel in it, what dangers I face, and what glories I find, Cormyr has now become my new home.

Turning to the next blank page, Torian writes:

I am and always will be a traveller on the roads life gives me. I will always enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I am gypsy.

"Well this has been quite revealing..." A voice seems to whisper from the shadows and the back of her mind.

Frowning, she pushes the book away a bit, remarking, "You know, for one who is big on secrets, I'm surprised you didn't already know."

"Of course I know, Syntyche... I tend to keep track of all my children of shadow..." A hissing, silent laughter fills the room and fades away, leaving a very frustrated looking halfling sitting at her desk, grumbling to herself.

[Misha Aogail]

The Fire Knives

The Fire Knives... Where to be gin with this group... Skilled assassins and con-artists, hiding in an orc cave in Waymoot... Crazy and unstable aren't even close to the mentality of this group, but they're the best I've got for them. Ever since we took care of their informant, they have become more interested in our little group. Lately we've done a few favors for them. One was to retrieve a signet ring from another group, stolen from a lord in Marsember. Another was to get a piece of bone from a dracoliche and give it to some mad wizard or to battle giants near a mysterious temple. And yet another to get information on a group of people. And all for what? The pay is not all that bad, but I keep wondering just what is going through their minds? Retrieving the ring was easy as pie. But having to battle undead? Especially a dracoliche and the disembodied skull of a more powerful liche? Or the giants? Though not really a story and more of just speculation, I believe that the Fire Knives view us as a threat and are trying to have us wiped out. I just hope this isn't the case....

[Misha Aogail]

In a room in the Regal Griffon a halfling sits by herself on the floor. There is a crude map of Isinhold in front of her as she mutters to herself. She giggles to herself and jumps excitedly when things seem to be in place. She then pulls out a small book and writing impliments, moving her many scarves out of the way to set the book down.

Eet vill be grand! Ze pieces never feet zo vell! And zey vill blame ze 'alf-orcs, and leave me vit a 'ole I can play wit'! Zee inn, zee barracks.... Dey vill all feel zee touch! Zee eenocents vill die and zee elves vill pay! And dees Torian can do not'ing! She vill ztay my preesoner until eet eez done. I need not 'er conscience to ztop me. And zee best part eez... I remember eet all... She vill not....


I am gypsy.... Jew never cross a gypsy... Jew might geet cursed...

She cackles to herself and goes about to finalize plans......

Hours later Torian looks around, shaking her head a bit. She finds herself in the Bramblewood, slightly confused but shrugs it off and heads into town. The smoldering scars of fires fresh on the Oversword's house and the inn as she passes causes her to worry. Before she can ask anyone anything, several people run by carrying buckets of water to the barracks to put out a fire there. Looking around, she suddenly notices a bright light coming from up the road... It's the Red Ravens and their building was on fire. Running up to the group, apparently oblivious and too engrossed in their own shouting to notice, she calls attention to the fire and many go to put it out immediately. She finds her sun elf friend near by and the two of them decide to head to Redmist to talk. Torian being dogged by one elf who keeps saying she was the one responsible for the fires.

In Redmist, the two find a nice quiet place to talk. He asks her several questions about things that had happened the night before... The half-orcs attacking each other, why Vind, Hroth, and Kam were hunting them, and several other questions that Torian could not recall answers to. The sun elf seems a bit agitated by this, but past that says nothing. He tells her of the recent news he's heard then departs for the Redmist Inn, leaving Torian to her thoughts.

Torian leaves for Suzail after a while and goes to her special little place there. She pulls out her brown leather book and a black leather book from her shelves and begins to copy notes from one to the other when she notices that on the last page she had written on, near the bottom, was written a line about the gypsy. She frowns and furrows her brow, looking through other pages to see if there was anything else, but only that line seemed to be there. She grabbed the page to rip it out and noticed that on the blank area of the page, ink smeared. She slid a finger over the area again and noticed the light black streaking of ink appear again. Ripping the page out, she tried everything she could to try and see this possible invisible ink, but other than smearing the ink more, she could find nothing. She picks the book up and throws it across the room, screaming in rage, taking the paper and burning it.

As she calms down, she swears she can hear the sound of a female voice... Cackling quietly...

[Misha Aogail]

Torian sat in her room in quiet contemplation. She stared at the door he had just left through, her mind running wild.

Why did I say anything? How will this affect the outcome of my current duties and jobs? How will my current jobs affect us?

So many questions with even more answers.

Could it work between a human and a hin? Did he truly understand about the hand binding? How will I be able to force him from my mind on those particularly intense jobs?

She sighed and lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

This changes so much... How can I be sure I really feel this way about him? He isn't a bad kisser...

She frowned and shook her head. "That's not the point," she said, to no one in particular.

Don't deny it. Care about him hell. You haven't felt this way since Solanir...

Torian rolled onto her side. "But he's betrayed my trust... Stabbed me in the back..."

Yes, but you're grasping at straws now... You can't push him away. You've tried.

"It was starting to work..."

Being gone doesn't count...

Torian sighed and closed her eyes.

You know your heart lept with joy the day he told you. Sure he's rough around the edges, not neccessarily as handsome as some you've seen, and a bit old, but then again, you're no spring chicken yourself.

She smirked and sighed, "Gee... Thanks."

What's important is he is reliable, always there...

"But the half-orcs..."

Straws, deary. Straws. Besides, we both know it was was Vind to blame. Hroth was just doing what he does best.

Torian rolls over to her other side and stares at the door. "I can push him out of my mind. I've done it before..."

Yes... But you cannot deny your heart...

She closes her eyes, sighing.

Do not deny yourself this happiness...

Torian just lay there for several minutes before whispering into the darkness, "I care for him..."

[Aodhan the Unusual]

Torian lay in bed awake, staring at the ceiling. She was exhausted... She needed some sleep after the day's ordeals, but it wouldn't come. Every time she closed her eyes, the same thing played through her mind.

"It was his eyes..." she whispered and sighed, rolling over. "He was really thinking on killing me..."

She closed her eyes and let the scenario play through her head again, as it had, for the last several hours...

Manshin: Hrothgar is likley outside the door right now. If I open the door... he will attack.
Torian: *sighs* So what? You're going to kill him again?
Manshin: One enemy, I may be able to defeat... Two would be more difficult.
Torian: *furrows her brow* So what? You're going to kill me just because?
Manshin: I do not believe I have any other choice...


Sighing, Torian gets up and starts pacing. "Why does this bother me? It is done... It's over..."

She walks out and down the hall dark hall, lighting no torches, quietly opening the door to the shrine. She looks up at the statue a moment, then gently touches the base, kneeling before it and closing her eyes. She smiles as the darkness surrounds her like a soft blanket, losing herself in her thoughts and prayer... Eventually falling asleep at the base of the statue.

[Aodhan the Unusual]

Torian sat up with a start, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the darkness. She can easily make out the details of the trees and her pack beside her as she scans the area for the noise. The roots of the tree gave her some cover, but at the same time concealed who or what was making the rustling noise.

Cupping her ear, she listens, barely picking up what sounds like whispers. Rolling her eyes at these apparent amature bandits, she quietly unhooked her sword and stood up. It sounded like there were at least two, maybe three and none of them knew what they were getting in to.

Smiling to herself, she waited as the bandits surrounded where she slept. Hmmm... Five... Suppose that evens the odds a bit... she thinks as they slowly advance. She quietly moves into position, waiting for her cue. When the first of the five got close enough to her pack, he stopped and frowns. Checking the ground for any signs of movement, he turns to signal to one of his fellows only to see a shadow come out of nowhere and strike one of the bandits, a strange red glow coming from whatever the shadow was using. The man cried out in pain, but didn't fall as the shadow disappeared.

Chaos ensued. A slight rustle and the shadow appeared again, swinging at another bandit and missing just before disappearing into the darkness again. Appearing, disappearing, the shadow seemed to taunt its attackers, pulling them farther and farther away from the tree.

Eventually the one who lead the group called for a halt. He pulled out a magic necklace and held it up, illuminating the area. In the middle of the bandits stood a hin, wielding an odd blade, and wearing a hat that seemed much too large for her. She looked up at the man, scowling slightly, her eyes filled with hate.

"I would walk away now if I were you..." Her voice was cold and calm.

The man sneered. "Well ain't you one to talk big, little one..." He looked at his companions and laughed, putting on the necklace. "And here we thought we weren't going to have any fun!"

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "What did you call me?"

"What's the matter, sweety? Feeling a little short?" The five men all burst into laughter as Torian began to shake in rage.

"Don't... Call... me... LITTLE!!" whispering a word quickly, the men backed up in shock as the hin in front of them suddenly turned into a large iron golem.

Reaching down quickly, the golem grabbed the leader in one hand and one of the other men in another. It laughed with a hollow, squeaky kind of laugh as it crushed the second man. The three on the ground stood there in shock as what was left of the man was dropped. The golem then reached for another and they scattered into the woods screaming in terror. The golem then turned on the leader, its eyes glistening in the light of the magic necklace.

The three that escaped found each other moments later and huddled together, trying to gather themselves when they heard a scream coming from the direction their leader was in. Waiting a few more minutes, they walked towards the last they heard of their leader. In the shadows of the early dawn he was easy enough to find by the glowing necklace. They grimaced at the sight.

Their leader, covered in blood, and was impaled through the stomach by a small tree, broken off and planted firmly in the ground, and twitched in pain as his life slowly ebbed from him. His tongue was ripped out and hung on a string around his neck. Seeing no hope for him, the three left and disappeared back into the woods.


A small shadow walked the roads in the early dawn. She stopped at a crossroad, pulled off her pack, and looked around. She looked back down the road she had taken several days to come down in thought. She looked at her hands, stained darker by recent events and looked back down the road.

"Perhaps one day..."

She picks up her pack, picks a road, and continues walking, not looking back.

[Aodhan the Unusual]

Torian closed her eyes as she lay under a tree enjoying the quiet day. She began thinking of happier times from her youth... When she used to dance with her sisters around the summer fires... Leaving home and her first time in Cormyr... Meeting those that would later become friends... Some that would become enemies... But all dear to her in some way...

She smiled as she recalled some of the time she spent with the strange Shou who never seemed to catch her insults, but would always invite her over for tea... Or the elf that could be smelled a mile away before you would see him... The powerful mage that hated to be hugged, but enjoyed making hot cocoa... The man who was always so serious, so secretive, but always seemed a bit amused by her... The bard... The one who stole her heart so many years ago...

A tear rolled down her cheek. Yes... Embrace the pain... a voice, feminine and seductive, seemed to whispered in her ear...

Torian sat up and looked around. A squirrel nearby stopped digging in the ground and took off for another tree. The birds still sung overhead. A slight breeze tickled the grass about her, but she was still alone.

Soon, my child... You will be mine...

Torian furrowed her brow a moment then laughed and shook her head. "I will never be yours... I am of the shadow... not of the night. I am His... I will always be His..."

We shall see, my child... We shall see... You are already closer to me than you realize... the voice seemed to sneer.

As the voice seemed to fade, Torian felt a tingle of cold down her spine, making her shiver. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Images began to come forth. The Shou being executed... The tattered and blood stained cloak... The hurt in the mage's eyes from losing his trust in her... The hatred in the man's eyes that could almost burn through her when he thought she betrayed him... The bard walking down the road to never return...

She cried out in rage, tears flowing freely. Looking up, she noticed the sun setting and the shadows getting long. She wiped her eyes and knelt in the shadow of the tree as day slowly turned to night. "My Lord... Forgive me... I have been too focused on the past... Guide me once again to the correct path..."

Finding a hidden hollow in the tree, Torian touches a ring, causing a magical darkness to descend, and places several gems inside the nook, whispering, "For you, my Lord."

Before the darkness rises, she disappears back down the road she came from. A look of determination on her face. It would soon be time...

[Aodhan the Unusual]

What happened to me? Torian thought as she sat in the dark corner of the Wailing Wheel watching the patrons. She sipped her water and frowned a moment as she thought back to days before...

"Damnit, Ranan! Stop!" Torian yelled after the man in red and black as he walked away from her.

He turned and looked down at the halfling, studying her. "What is it now, Torian?"

She walked right up to him, hands on her hips, looking like a cross mother. "How DARE you! I have stood by you for years!"

Ranan almost sneered,"Stood by me so long as it didn't create problems."

"Damnit Ranan, what do you want from me? Huh? I've been doing my damnedest to keep people from coming after you and the city."

He smirked, "Let them come... I'm waiting with an army behind me.." He then turns very serious, bending a little closer to make sure Torian gets the full force of his words, "I will do... whatever it takes... to keep control of this city. And if that means, serving the Dominion.... so be it."

Torian clenched her jaw a moment to resist the urge to stamp her foot. "Gods damnit Ranan! You won't have it once they've taken over! They will take it from you like they take everything else!"

"And the Crown wont?" He stood up, looking back down at her. "I'll take my chances with Alhoon..."

Torian narrowed her eyes, a look of disbelief crossing her face. "That is it then? You will throw away years of friendship, for a brief moment in time as warlord? Why even appoint me as your advisor?"

Ranan replied, but Torian no longer paid attention. The proverbial sword had already struck her and she knew it wouldn't matter what he said. It was over, and she was done. Her last best hope for any kind of work or friendship, and it was gone. She glared after him a moment as he walked away, then turned herself and left the city.


Torian blinked a couple of times and looked around. There were some new faces here tonight, a few she has seen before, but not the person she was looking for. She sighed and stared at her water in thought. Why did it happen? What was the point of going through all that trouble to help him only to be dropped like Hroth had done...


She had fallen to one knee, holding her head as a sharp pain suddenly hit her. That's when she heard her... Torian's defenses were down and this was the perfect time for Tinka to try and take over. Torian groaned in pain as she could feel her pushing her way out. Someone approached her, but Torian could barely hear the quiet whispering of Mouse above the ringing in her ears and the other voice.

"Torian... Are you all right?" Celith asked as he approached. "Do you need help?"

Torian laughed darkly, then spoke in a thickly accented voice that was not her own. " 'elp?" She grinned, her eyes closed as she still held her head. "I do not need 'elp.... I vill be free! Free! Nnngh..."

Torian remained quiet for a moment as Celith and Mouse backed away, clearly confused, scared, and unsure on what to do, but Torian could no longer hear outside herself.

Why are you doing this? We have been fine working together...

Fine? Jew 'eender me! Blohck me out! I am not a child jew can 'ide in ze clohset! Eet ees my time to play and for jew to...

Torian gritted her teeth, "No... I... Will not le... But ve are von! And jew... Jew vill... No!" She growled and shook her head.

Jew cannot ztop me! Jew 'ad jor chance and vat deed jew do? Not'ing! Jew ver ze von dat ruin eet all! Ve could 'ave 'ad zo much! And look vat jew 'ave done vit it!

Torian began to rock a bit as she muttered, "No... No... No... No... Go away... I vill not go avay! Dere eez not'ing jew can do!"

Jew are pat'etic! Jew lose Ranan? 'Ow can jew lose 'eem? 'E vas ze bes' t'ing jew 'ad left zeence 'Rot'! And jew could not even keep dat man! 'E love jew and jew push 'eem avay...

Torian cries out as tears run down her cheek, "Make her stop!"

Darkharp carefully approached her, speaking in a soothing voice, "Theres no one here but us...calm down. Were you hit with some type of mind affecting spell?"

*A slight hiss escapes* Vat ees 'e doing 'ere?

Alyster? Alyster help me! Help!...

"She's in my head... She won't stop!" Torian collapses to the floor into a fetal position, holding her ears, her eyes still closed. "Geeve me ze body... Eet eez mine too by right..."

There was silence then something tapped Torian and she was quiet for a moment. Alyster knelt beside her, taking her hat off and smoothing her hair back.

Vat? Vat eez... No! I veel not go dat easy!

Torian laughed deeply, "Zee? Ze body eez mine! Let eet go!" She curled up tighter for a moment as if struck with pain. "No!"

I can make jew 'urt... Jew 'ave not'ing to fight vit! Now geev me control!

Torian shakes her head, crying again. "Leave... Just leave... I don't need you... Ha! Jew need me! Jew know eet! Eef not, vhy create me, jes?"

Torian tried to focus on Alyster as he spoke, but couldn't. The ringing in her ears grew louder and her head pounded with pain.

I vill not be dreeven out! I am ze product of jorself...

Torian shook her head. "Jew cannnot geet reed of a part of jorzelf... Eez not posseble.... I vill 'ave control!"

Torian felt someone lightly slapping her cheeks, but couldn't focus on the face... She knew it... She knew who it was... If she could just...

No! 'E veel not 'elp jew! 'E vas von night ztand! No more! 'E veel run from jew like jor 'usband deed! No von vants jew! Geeve me control!

Solanir did not run from me! He loved me! He's always loved...

'ees vork! Jew never zaw 'eem much after ze vedding! 'E vas alvays writing or off to geet notes on zomet'ing... 'E never love jew! No von ever love ze dark 'in vit ze bad temper! I can 'elp vit dis!

"Eet can end... Jes' let me out.... Dat ees all... Eet ees easy..." Torian grimaces a moment, "No!"

Strong arms wrap around Torian as she feels herself being lifted up.

No! 'E cannot 'ave jew!

Torian began struggling against her captor as he held onto her with a strong grip. "Oi! Relax... both of you... it's just me..." A familiar voice said as he stopped just long enough to get a room key.

Torian's eyes seemed to focus a moment as she pleaded, "Vrulo.... Please.... He... Do not 'elp 'er! Eet ees me jew vant!"



Torian shook her head. If the two parts of herself could have been physical forms, at that point they would have started fist fighting like two jealous women over the same man. She smirked slightly as she pictured herself and what Tinka would have looked like, wrestling on the ground. And for what? She looked around the room again. One side of her wanted the big brute in a physical way... The other side just wanted to keep things as they were with the big brother/little sister feelings they had. Fortunately for Torian, Vrulo stuck with her for the long hours towards the end there. Without him to keep her reality in check, things could have gone much worse.

Torian sighed and ordered more water. How could things have gotten so out of hand? One minute everything was going so well... She had a chance at a future... Alyster had shown his feelings for her... She was working her way up in many places... And then it all came crashing down, leading to this...

Torian stood up, leaving a couple of extra coins on the table for the bar maid, and walked out, heading towards the heart of the city. Things were almost done. There was just one more person to see... To finish this tenday of odd and bad happenings... And the sooner it was taken care of, the better.

[Grozer]

// excellent writing and superb RP... even if it really sucked

[Aodhan the Unusual]

A small shadow walked through the quiet halls, her footsteps echoing off the walls. She made her way from the small shrine to her room, where she packed few belongings. Two of which were old, tattered books she had started writing in. She tucked them into her pack and left, locking the door behind her.

Torian made her way to the caravan where her siblings waited. She handed the pack to them, their faces grim as they hugged her and watched her head back into the city. Torian blended into the shadows in an alley way, looking back only once. "You know it had to be this way..." she whispered.

Torian crept along the streets of Suzail heading to the docks, taking her time as she walked the alleys remembering all that had lead up to this point. Times always change. People do too. It's just the way of the world. But why this, why him? Torian shook her head as she waited for a Purple Dragon Knight to pass on his patrol.

She slipped into the side door of the Obscene Ogre, nodding slightly to the girls in the hall as she went to the back room. Three people sat at the large table, looking in her direction as she entered, but only one of them she was interested in.

Ranan Hallomein: *his smile fades and nods* so you heard?

Torian Burrfoot: Yes...

Hrothgar Redbeard: *looks from torian to Ranan*

Ranan Hallomein: Yes? *glances at Torian curiously*

Torian Burrfoot: Congratulations.

Hrothgar Redbeard: She means about Bloodstils death.

Ranan Hallomein: Ah well... it wasnt the exact ending I had planned... *smirks* but sweet enough it was.

Mynian Copperhand: *leans back in her seat, glancing at all of them curiously*

Torian Burrfoot: I'm sure... *looks to Hroth*

Ranan Hallomein: I never asked him.... what prompted him. *shrugs*

Hrothgar Redbeard: Who, Bloodstil? To do what?

Ranan Hallomein: Aye... seem strange to act out as he did wouldnt it seem? Redmist was rather quiet and progressing... little trouble here and there. He already controlled the place.. he was the Lord of it.

Mynian Copperhand: *looks at Ranan out of the corner of her eye*

Ranan Hallomein: So why upset what he already owned? I still dont get it.

Hrothgar Redbeard: Who can predict the minds of power crazed mad men, eh Torian? *turns to regard her*

Torian Burrfoot: *holds her arm and looks to the ground* Yeah...

Ranan Hallomein: *Moves his gaze from Hroth to Torian*

Mynian Copperhand: *about to say something, but then shuts her mouth, quirking an eyebrow*

Ranan Hallomein: Guess its good I am just charming and not crazed! **chuckles as he leans back in his chair*

Mynian Copperhand: *snorts once*

Torian Burrfoot: *looks to Hroth again* I suppose you're ready for my answer now.

Ranan Hallomein: *looks between them a bit more serious now* Answer?

Hrothgar Redbeard: You may give it.
Hrothgar Redbeard: *stands facing her*

Mynian Copperhand: *glances at Ranan questioningly*

Hrothgar Redbeard: *places his hand on the hilt of his blade*

Ranan Hallomein: Perhaps you need some privacy?

Hrothgar Redbeard: I dont know, Torian, do we?

Torian Burrfoot: No. This is fine. After all, your new business partner should know the truth of things.

Mynian Copperhand: *looks back and forth between Hroth and Torian, worry starting to crest her brow*

Hrothgar Redbeard: He already does, mostly.

Ranan Hallomein: Relax now Torian. No need to get hasty.

Torian Burrfoot: Then he'll know this as well.

Ranan Hallomein: Dont be foolish.

Torian Burrfoot: *looks up to Hroth*

Ranan Hallomein: *places a clenches fist on the table leaning forward slightly from the tension and watching Torian*

Torian Burrfoot: I pledged myself to you. I've always been loyal, even when I questioned you, I never betrayed you in anyway.

Hrothgar Redbeard: *relaxes the grip on his blade*

Torian Burrfoot: However...

Hrothgar Redbeard: *tilts his head*

Torian Burrfoot: Since your return I have found myself no longer knowing you. You have changed... And I believe, not for the better.

Ranan Hallomein: You've been hiding away yourself you wouldn't know, Torian.

Torian Burrfoot: I've been hiding myself away because I did know.

Hrothgar Redbeard: *calmly lifts a hand towards Ranan* Please, let her speak. She has had much time to consider this choice, no coercion will affect it now.

Ranan Hallomein: *glances over at Hroth then settles back* I have found Hroth to be much more amicable these days.

Torian Burrfoot: You see, Ranan... The Hroth I knew was cunning and brilliant. Much like this one that stands before you. However the Hroth I knew... The Hroth I loved... Was still sane.

Mynian Copperhand: *eyebrows furrowing more now, eyes flitting between Hroth and Torian, then occationaly to Ranan*

Ranan Hallomein: *shakes his head slowly quietly uttering while looking at Torian* You're wrong.

Hrothgar Redbeard: *nods slightly* And did not what I said come to pass? The death of Bloodstil? It is the first step.

Torian Burrfoot: Bloodstil would have fallen sooner or later. Everyone knew that.

Hrothgar Redbeard: *shrugs*

Torian Burrfoot: However, the question you asked... The choice you gave me... *shakes her head slightly* Cormyr became my home. And I cannot see my home destroyed. I am sorry.

Hrothgar Redbeard: Then ... you are not with me. I assume you will not accept exile then, either.

Ranan Hallomein: *tilts his head down rubbing fingers against his temple*

Torian Burrfoot: You are offering me life then?

Mynian Copperhand: *eyebrows fully furrowed, looks at Ranan*

Hrothgar Redbeard: I do owe something to you, despite all of my recent actions. I would allow you to leave cormyr, never to return. I still avoid bloodshed if it is not necessary. There would be no gain in killing you.

Ranan Hallomein: *raises his eyes upward showing very little expression as he looks on*

Torian Burrfoot: At least now you are seeing to reason.

Ranan Hallomein: Perhaps you have misjudged your decision and him Torian.

Torian Burrfoot: No, Ranan.

Hrothgar Redbeard: *snorts* A reasonable man in my position would kill you, for peace of mind in the least. But I am after all ... insane.

Torian Burrfoot: Indeed.

Ranan Hallomein: ...and rather compassionate.

Torian Burrfoot: Though with the newly liberated Redmist, I still have alleys to haunt and shadows to creep.

Torian Burrfoot: Compassionate?

Ranan Hallomein: Did he not say he would let you live?

Torian Burrfoot: No... He still thinks me to be useful in some way. That's the only reason he doesn't kill me now. Especially with the knowledge I have.

Hrothgar Redbeard: *shakes his head* No, you are a liability. I only choose not to kill you because something tugs in the back of my mind.

Ranan Hallomein: *sigh* Personally I'd rather not see you disappear either, old friend.

Torian Burrfoot: Ah... But that is something I am good at.

Ranan Hallomein: However both Hroth and I have enough enemies... we dont need another... and one that knows so much.

Torian Burrfoot: You can either kill me now or I walk out the door, find a new place to haunt, and we all move on. I am prepared for either.

Hrothgar Redbeard: As long as the road takes you far from here, I will let you walk out that door. Mind you, if we ever did meet again .... I would have to kill you.

Mynian Copperhand: *continues to glance between all of them, jaw working slightly*

Ranan Hallomein: *sighs softly shaking his head slowly* Such a bloody shame...

Torian Burrfoot: *takes her hat off in a sweeping bow* I bid thee all a good eve then. May the shadows guard you well and my your pockets be ever filled with gold.

Ranan Hallomein: You are a pain the ass Torian... but I would rather have you at my side instead of Aria or her cronies.

Hrothgar Redbeard: May our lord watch over you then. I am sure he will send you work in the future.

Mynian Copperhand: *nose twitches slightly*

Torian Burrfoot: *nods* If any come to look for me, send them to Redmist.

Ranan Hallomein: *mutters some*

Torian left the Ogre, walking towards the caravan. She was still alive, thank Tymora. This was her chance to try and start over. A city newly liberated, a family looking to settle down... A quiet life. Torian stopped and looked at her dagger sheath. It was still there. Sighing she pulled the dagger out, her finger tracing the carved notches in it. This was it. The last piece. Turning around, Torian returned to the Ogre. She stood outside the door to the back room a long time in thought. Finally, shaking her head, she threw the dagger as hard as she could, leaving it stuck in the door as she turned and left once again.





The caravan stopped outside the gates of Redmist. Torian bid her siblings farewell, grabbed her pack, and walked to the gates. There was something in the air... Something new, something different. As if a weight had been lifted from the city. This was it. She walked into the city and looked around.

"Ah... Redmist... Your shadow has arrived..." she smirked and walked into an alley, disappearing into the shadows.