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Post by Raven Credale on Feb 19, 2020 18:51:57 GMT -5
While sitting by the hearth of the Fireside Inn with some juice in her hands, Aellas mind meandered about. Going from one topic to another without pause until it stopped on something.
"Deep Crystals..." She softly spoke to herself. A moment passed before she blinked and looked around. She set her drink to the side then took out a piece of parchment and her quill before she began to write.
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Post by Raven Credale on Feb 29, 2020 1:12:52 GMT -5
An entey in Aellas journal.
"Spiders in the Bramblewoods.
I didn't want to believe it as just hearsay from others, but it is hard to deny that something has taken hold of the woods now. My gut is telling me there is more to this. That somehow the corruption in the woods and increase of rats are related somehow. Had I not killed two Giant Spiders and a Dire Spider, I may have been ignorant of things.
I realize I cannot simply sit by and leave this as it is. But I know that I am just one woman. If I were to encounter the Drow while alone... I feel as though escape would not be a simple thing. Regardless, I told Sylus that I would keep an eye out for anything suspicious. I have a few working theories about the Town of Bishop, but for now they seem to remain just as that."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 1, 2020 17:45:55 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"The past few days I was able to see some familiar faces again. I traveled out with Ja today and I got to talk with Radoc again. And for a few days I got spend a lot of time with Sylus. I just wish...I just wish 'he' was still around. It seems my heart is still pained by the events. Half the time I feel like 'he' is still around. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.
All I know that takes the pain away is immersing myself in battle. If I fight I can't feel the pain, I can't remember the last time I saw 'him'. I try my best to hide the pain, because caring about someone like 'him' is seen as a mistake to others.
Gods I'm doing it again. I'm getting into my own head and beating myself up. I'm remembering when I don't want to. I just want the pain to stop...combat is the only thing that numbs the pain."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 4, 2020 20:58:22 GMT -5
(Updated image)
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 5, 2020 20:10:38 GMT -5
An entry in Aellas journal. Strangly there looks to be stains of sorts on the pages. Tear stains perhaps?
"I try and I try...I try so very hard to steel my mind to shut out the memories. To force myself to forget. Yet with all the screaming I do in my head, all the attempts I make to force myself not to care and hold back the well of tears I won't let others see...I cannot condemn the person that has done this. I cannot speak ill of 'him' but now even hearing mention of him feels like a dagger to my chest.
How long will I endure this pain? How long must I hold back these tears? It feels as though I am breaking apart. That all my trials and triumphs...pale to this pain. This loss. Why was I such a fool...why did I have to place 'him' as one of the things to keep me 'balanced'. How weak I must look to 'him' now. Sheading tears for a man who gladly went to his death...to feel remorse for someone who was executed many tenday ago...
I dare not let others see this weakness, I don't dare to let them know how much this still eats at me in silence. So with all my screaming and tears...I cannot let others see... I will not let them know...even if I break and shatter to a thousand pieces...I will not show the pain I am in.
Still...even in this silence and in my time of solitude, I can still see 'him'. Perhaps I should burn the sketches I have of 'him'. It would stop me from torturing myself..."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 10, 2020 20:42:58 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"Acid and hate...thats what people have said about the recent attack on the monestary out near Tyrluk. There were no survivors but the monks were revived after thanks to various peoe and clerics. The attack was supposedly done by a bipedal being, the monks say a werewolf, people in town suspect this was a dragons attack.
My gut...my gut wants to think something else. Something impossible...maybe I'm just...I don't know...but this thought can't even be right...he's dead...if it was a specter or a vengful spirit maybe...but....no...no I don't want to think that. There must be a logical and reasonable hopefully tangable force behind this attack. I need to discard what stupid feelings my gut is getting and focus on the facts righr now. Wild stipulations aren't needed."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 17, 2020 22:35:53 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"Tomorrow I'm going to be meeting Sylus family. From the sound of it, they've been wanting to meet me. Though there is a second reason for going out that way. I need to unravle the mystery of my past. Why I'm missing two years of my life thst were spent in Cormyr. I know that between the years of 1367 and 1369 I was missing. Master Lin-Shouhan came and found me in 1369 in an illegal underground fighting arena. But from the time I was kidnapped from Highmoons Market close to Mid-Summer of 1367 til then...its a blank to me.
Sylus is helping me look into this and the mark on my back. We're starting with Marsember but later we'll need to delve into the Underdark. Old reports of an slave operation by Drow and possibly Illithid putting strange markings on the prisoners seems to fit with the mark on my back. However, I don't want to ventuer into that area with just Sylus. I will have to send word to Auntie when we do decided to ventuer that way. She knows the area pretty well not to mention she thwarts drow operations as a pass time when she's able.
For now I should prepare myself for the coming bear hugs and such Sylus has told me about that his family will do. Also...it has been a long time since I've really gotten my full of food. Hope he doesn't mind if a small eatting contest happens tomorrow."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 19, 2020 7:18:35 GMT -5
From Aellas journal:
"The visit to Sylus's home was rather amazing. Everyone was so nice and cheerful. His grandfather even helped with some of the mystery for what might have happened to me. There was a report between 1367 DR and 1369 DR about an illegal underground fighting arena. No one was arrested due to a darkness spell being cast...but there was one victim. A young boy, nobmore than fourteen. He was bludgeoned to death in a forced fight. Regi said the boy had strange red markings on him but no one thought it was important enough to put in the report.
Sylus and I believe that the this may be linked to me some how. Maybe when we take our trip to the Underdark, auntie will have some leads for us to look into. I doubt she'll show herself to us. Considering how dangerous the Underdark can be. But Sylus and I need to look into that slave operations. And pray to whatever god that will listen...in hopes that Illithids really weren't involved.
I really hope I'm not some sort of sleeper agent for the side of evil."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 21, 2020 23:00:45 GMT -5
For the past few days, Aella had been frequenting the Silent Room in search of past events between the years 1367 DR & 1369 DR. Two years that she had spent in Cormyr but with little to no memory of all the events that she was apart of. She knew only these few things.
Sbe had been kidnapped from Highmoons Market. She woke up in a cell in rags. She was forced to fight in an illegal fighting ring like a gladiator. She was rescued by Lin-Shouhan and taken back to Deepingdale...where a few years later Aella murdered her.
But something didn't sit right with Aella. Something about this felt very suspicious to her. Her gut kept giving off the sensation that there was something she and Sylus, since he agreed to help her, were missing.
So as the young monk sat on the lip of the fountain in the Northern Market. Pondering over what bits of information she had, Aella softly sighed to herself. She needed more leads. More clues into this mystery.
She sent a quiet prayer to Auppenser in hopes of some sort of guidance.
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 22, 2020 11:49:40 GMT -5
From Aellas journal.
"I've remembered something. And it is not good. When I was kidnapped as a child...I was compelled to follow my kidnappers. I remeber seeing an eye on a discus sown into their robes.
And now I know who that symbol belongs to. Ghaunadaur. An ancient and unpredictable being. How ironic that I once knew someone who use to wear the demon skinned armor of Jubilx, an allias he enjoys using. How unfortunate that I am branded with his cursed eye.
I must tell Sylus of this, I know now that the Underdark holds more answers now. If I can find the clergy of of this wretched god and their ledger...then there might be a way for this marking to be removed."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 29, 2020 20:36:23 GMT -5
A letter to home
"Hey mom,
I know I haven't written you offten but today I joined Valkur's Roar Reserve. A lot of bad stuff has happened to the city in the past tendays, and Sylus says it'll be good for me to put my skills to use that it would benefit my training as well. There were three branches to pick from, I choose to be apart of the Inquisitors. Gather intell and pass it to the other branches so plan can be made, that sorta thing.
Well I thought I'd let you know. The group I'm in with the Reserve is pretty balanced too so things may work out well for us. I'll send another letter home when I'm able to. Oh and before I forget, I'm getting married to Sylus sometime near Highharvestide. Anyway uh yeah...I best get to work.
~ Aella."
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Post by Raven Credale on Mar 31, 2020 23:39:33 GMT -5
A hawk lands beside Aella while she sits in Marsember. On the hawks back appears to be a cylinder large enough to carry a message. The Malein family crest (A diamond with two swords running through it under a ravens head) is seen on the cylinder in elegant silver smithing.
When Aella retrieved the letter, she read it over for a moment. The hawk pecked looked around as it sat perched beside Aella. A vigilant eye looking around before looking back to the young monk with a tilted head. The message reads:
"Daughter,
It is good to hear from you. I'm glad you're deciding to settle down, though I have my reservations on the ides of your husband being...human. Nevertheless, I will trust in Hanalie and her choice for you. And I am prod to hesr you're not being such a wayward monk now. Maybe the reserve will help you...find a way to quell your temper.
Your aunt tells me that you've been seeking the truth to what happen to you. I...have been reluctant to tell you. But it is for your own good. The less you know the better. The less you know, the safer you are. Please take care of yourself Aella
~Your mother, Elliya'Lyasa Malein"
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 1, 2020 15:00:01 GMT -5
Aella sat by the fire place in Talbots, writting away in her journal as she tried to find the connection between what she knew and wbat she had discovered. For now she only had theories to work with but something in her gut told her that the events around the attack in Roar were connected some how.
She just needed to keep searching for the answers before she could let the information move on to the reserve guard.
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 2, 2020 13:06:44 GMT -5
The past few nights, the young monk has been delving into various places in search of clues and information about who attacked Valkur's Roar. Yet for some reason she doesn't sleep at night. Either she is found sesrching for something or waiting for something to find her.
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 13, 2020 22:13:00 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"I managed to get my breakthrough today. And I even know of the technic Ving was talking about. I'm one step closer to reaching my higher self now. Part of me wants to pick up a pair of Kukris again and relearn the ways Master Lin-Shouhan taight me. But...I think I should pick up a different blade. I don't know if I want to follow Ving and Norah with the katana though. There was one exotic I saw in a shop in Immersa. But that was rather spendy.
Perhaps I'll come across a blade that wants me to be its weilder. Master Lin-Shouhan did say that some blades picked who would hold them rather than the person picking the blade. Maybe that will happen to me some day."
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 14, 2020 22:11:59 GMT -5
As Aella sat on the common area of Talbots, she quietly wrote in her journal while proping her head up with one hand.
"Places with slimes:
- Suzails Sewers
- magic maze in the Bramble
- sewers in general"
These were the only things she could think of off the top of her head. Soon the notes turn to another entry.
"I feel like the more I think about this mark on my back the more I'm going to be driven insane. As it stands right now there is a handful of people who know of this bloody curse. So far Sylus, Runa, Paladice and Keerla know it. Though I personally think Keerla didn't want to be noticed when she eased dropped on the conversation I had with Paladice. I still need to ask him those questions I've been putting off....
Anyway, Runa believes that if I fight against spikes something may cause the mark on my back to trigger. Paladice has a theory that the mark is something dealing with immortality and that when I grt to a certain point I'll be manipulated and possessed....gods that sounds like something a litch would do...
Yet I know this curse caused me to go into blind irrational rage....ugh if only I knew more. I should find this cult or attempt to find a trace of them. But one thing is for certain, I need to break this curse before I get my violet eyes again. Something tells me that if the curse is still active when I get my violet eyes...things will become a lot worse for me...and that I'll hurt the people I care about again."
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 16, 2020 12:08:18 GMT -5
With her forehead resting on top of one of the tables in Talbots in, Aella is surrounded by papers and books. Most of what is on the table is in regard to her personal inquisition while others are more about the attack on Roar. The woman had more than likely been thinking up a storm of theories and possibilities while having far to much time to herself to think things over. The worst part of things though is that the only really time she wasn't thining on the attacks or her personal inquisition, she was patrolling the streets of Roar and the surrounding area searching for clues or leads.
What little time she did get away from all this was either spent in irritation that she's not working or drowning herself in an expanding sea of theories with little proof to really follow up on.
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 17, 2020 21:27:11 GMT -5
From Aellas journal:
"Is he alive? I...part of me doesn't want tonvet my hopes up even though another part says it may be true. Runa made a comment that he would pop up again but...it would have been through the help of Ru.
Could Vindel be alive? Why? He would be an outlaw...No, no there's no proof that he is alive again. He died the day he was executed and buried in the Hullack. I'm just being stupid. I've more important things to focus on then these wild imaginations.
I need to stay focused on the tasks already before me. That's all I should focus on right now."
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 18, 2020 18:32:39 GMT -5
From Aellas journal:
"Today I tried something new out. While I was out with a group exploring the high ice past the desert, we came across a puzzle oc sorts. For a time people were confused and not sure on what to do. But I tried something.
After gems had been placed into specific alters, I concentrated on the energy in the center of the stone platform. I could sense some things this way. The natuer of the alters and what they needed. I also sense the void in the center and how the alters were tied together.
Later when we returned to Gaunt, Sylus and I traveled to Roar where I attempted the same thing but with the mark on my back. And it worked.
I protected myself from the evil influence of the mark and I was able to see some things. Things that were tied to the mark on my back being created. I saw an image of a seven pointed star on the ground with a black candle at each point. In the center with me was a Black Pudding, and I saw an image of a cleric, possibly a high cleric of Ghaunadaur, casting a spell.
If I can hone this ability of concentrating on energies, then it could become a valuable asset to the Inquisitors."
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 21, 2020 19:26:38 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"I think I've finally come to understand how this mark works while I've been off on my own. Hatred is tied to the mark, the more I hate something or think on the thing I hate. The mark reacts more. It is also to my speculation that when the mark takes hold, it spreads farther across my body, withering my tattoos.
It is with firm belife that should all my my tattoos wither, I am looking at a fste worse than death. I have had visions on what may have transpired when the curse was put on me. What I know so far is that Ghaunadaur and his high priests are involved, there was a seven pointed star with a black candle at the point, a Black Pudding involves in the ritual.
Lately I have been having reoccurring dreams. In these dreams I find myself walking down a dark stone hall way. For a time there is nothing, but eventually I see a doorway light up. A figure steps out into the hallway and looks at me. But I cannot see their face. Then they ask me one question. Always the same question.
'Can you feel his eye on you?'
I neved get the chance to answer as something grabs hold of me and I wake up. Perhaps this dream is a premonition for something to come. These dreams didn't start til after I learned what was used in the ritual. Perhaps my dreams are linked to the High priest of Ghaunadaur who put the curse on me? There are many things I still don't understand about this. But maybe I can try and use think link to get some answers the next time I meditate.
Maybe I can track this High Priest down..."
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Post by Raven Credale on Apr 24, 2020 21:17:15 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"The mark has spread again. It seems now that its crawled over my shoulders and stopped on my coller bones for now. I have Paladice to thank for this. But for once I managed to keep some sense of myself before I blacked out. I need to find away to suppress this rage. And I need to find a way to make this mark receed."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 1, 2020 18:40:38 GMT -5
From Aellas journal.
"So apparently I'm a Sphinx in disguise because of my loafing around gaunt, riddles, and cat like tendancies...
I can live with this."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 3, 2020 21:17:44 GMT -5
As Aella sat in Mystra grove after coming out of her meditations and processing things, she held a blank piece of parchment over the smooth cover of her sketchbook with a quill in hand. For a time she seemed to ponder something. Thankfully she hadn't dipped the quill in ink yet so she didnt have to worry about blots.
"Who would I address this to? Who can I even trust to look this thing over without being made a pincushion for gnomish experiments?" She softly murmured. "I knew for a while I'd need a mage for this...but...who do I ask for assistance?"
The scratching of her quill on the parchment quietly loafed through the air as she wrote some things down. She could think of some who were trusted and skilled in the arcane, but she also wrote down those she hardly knew who could use such.
"I...don't want to bring this to the war wizards, fairly certain they'd list me as a nutcase and demand I leave them to their far more serious studies of 'which spells do we blacklist this year'. So the margine of who to ask is tricky for me..." The young monk softly sighed. "If only I could have gotten the notes on the demonic armor...maybe I could impliment a similar means to remove this mark. Considering they're both from the same being using different names." She softly shook her head. "What am I saying, those notes are long gone and probably lost in a void. I just need to suck it up and ask a mage for help...rather than trying to do this all on my own."
For a moment she stopped moving her quill and looked at the parchment. She studied what was written before closing her eyes. Aella knew thst if she tried to do this all on her own she'd end up in an unmarked grave somewhere. What would she do then? Haunt others til someone brought her back? Or would she simply become forgotten.
*Smack!*
Taking her free hand, Aella slapped herself across the face as hard as she could to knock the negative thoughts out. She rested her hand against her red cheek and looked at the parchment again.
"Worst case scenario for all this...is that something goes horribly wrong and my body is hijacked by the mark. Though that would mean I'd be a spirit til my body is recovered. I'm sure Mysto would know a thing or two about keeping souls preserved." Aella softly snickered to herself. "Sass him and his shoes from a bottle." She smirked. "Well dang, now I kinda want that to happen."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 8, 2020 8:22:08 GMT -5
A letter...
"Hey future self,
I'm not really sure when you're going to see this? But there are something I wonder about. Am I still happy where you are? Or have things taken a turn for the worst? If so...then what exactly is the worst thing that has happened? Have we over come our dark trials? Have we sided with what we thought is right?
Or are we walking a path unlike what we intended? I wonder if things will work out. If we're still reaching for our personal goal. Or if we lost it all and then some. Are the shadows of the past still reaching for us? Did we decide to fall to it? Or did we turn and lash out?
I do hope you're happy though. I hope that you saw through both the bad and sad times. I hope you still know what it's like to feel joy, even though I am uncertain of what will happen. I still hope for these thing for you.
Anyway, just know your past self still wishes the best for you."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 10, 2020 9:49:13 GMT -5
Below appears to be a list:
- Soul trapping gem
- Trusty Necrodancer
- Trusty priest/ priestess
- Trusty Mage
- Meat castle (should things go wrong)
"Hopefully this idea I have will work. I do need to be wary of the possibility back firing and causing a mess. This is a risky thing...if the mark is a living thing then there is a crance that it'll try and steal my body when I'm partially soul trapped.
It's a theory that if I can be partially soul trapped, that a priest or priestess can cleans that part of my soul before it's put back in. But I have a feeling it really won't be that simple. First thing to do is get one of the soul trapping gems. Then to find a mage who can stop me should the mark try and tame over."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 12, 2020 8:28:46 GMT -5
((Updated Aellas bio! Possible Grey Jedi reference!))
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Post by Raven Credale on May 16, 2020 20:50:15 GMT -5
From Aellas journal
"I need to inform Sylus of what has happened recently. For once I felt something so chilling and yet so deathly familiar. Even if it was just a whisper...I need to find Sylus. Something tells me that this knot in my stomach isn't going to be loosening anytime soon."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 24, 2020 11:00:42 GMT -5
From Aellas journal:
"For the past few nights I've been having visions again. Not of my past but of something else. In these visions I see a clearing, it's late at night and not a soul is in sight. Things are quiet until a amethyst dragon enters the clearing. They watch me for a moment then turn to leave, only to look back as if asking me to follow.
When I try to, something latches onto my arm. I look and see black, slimy tendrils grabbing hold of me. They slowly begin to drag me into a black pit and when I reach out to grab something...there is nothing, no one to help. Things turn black and I see that orange glowing eye again.
I feel the rage swelling up in thebpitbof my stomach, nagging me to just let go of my conscious mind. To just give in to the hate and the rage. But I don't. I can't. Even in a state of helplessness in my own visions, I do not let those feelings control me.
I'm not sure why I have these vision. Perhaps now that I am getting closer to my higher self, that eye wants to see me crash and fall before I can remove its influence. Still...these visions are unsettling. I know that gem dragons, like the amethyst one, are allies of Auppenser. So I have to wonder if seeing on in my visions has a meaning of sorts. Perhaps I'll know in time."
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Post by Raven Credale on May 26, 2020 12:00:49 GMT -5
After her morning meditations, Aella stretched with her arms high above her head. She bent backwards a bit then noticed something was amiss with her back as it rested beside the bed. Standing upright, the young monk strode over in quick steps before kneeling down and examining the contents.
"What's this now?" The young monk quietltly asked as she brought out a piece of folded parchment.
After unfolding the parchment, Aella read over the message and arched a brow.
*in elegant elven script*
"Beyond the Abyss in darkest nights.
Above the Heavens and their bright lights.
Below the surface, a song is sung.
Calling for the missing soul, of Amethysts graceful glow."
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Post by Raven Credale on Jun 1, 2020 8:56:18 GMT -5
From Aellas journal:
"For awhile now I've been pondering just who this 'They' group is. So far there are to many factors to consider without further evidence that I've caught the eir of someone or something. It is possible that it could just be an individual but whom ever this 'They' group is, they apparently know I've done something and warned me to be careful on who to trust.
My gut tells me that whatever comes from this, it won't be good. Wether it leads to further chaos or an attack aimed at me personally, I can only take guesses and theories how this will play out in the end. If I can anticipate what is to come, perhaps I will be better prepaired. Though I do wish I had some talent in Foresight.
I wonder if future me would be able to send back clues to what might happen? It would be an interesting concept. Getting advice from your future self in the past. But she would need to have unlocked her Psionic abilities and ascended to her higherself. Perhaps if things took a turn for the worse...war broke out and chaos reigned. Maybe that would be the special case to send back information to prevent such an outcome.
Hmm, I entertain the oddest ideas. Rather amusing to see just how my mind likes to work whwn I've to much time to theorize these sorts of things."
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