Ayrell/Journal - Revision history

EVYNTINE: /* Arrival to Shard and the Outcast War */

2024-05-26T04:56:16Z

Arrival to Shard and the Outcast War

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 25 May 2024
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	== Arrival to Shard and the Outcast War ==		== Arrival to Shard and the Outcast War ==
	But, where to begin? A bit of backstory about me, perhaps? Not too much, as the history of how I came to leave Elamiri and join the Warrior Mage Guild is not one I speak of lightly, nor would I dare place it into writing, in case this journal were to fall into curious hands. But there is a point in time of which I believe I can safely begin. That time being when I first ventured back to Ilithi after years as an initiate within my guild. The year was ~~375~~. I was 49 years old. Young, by Elven standards, yet I found myself recruited into the military of Ilithi in the months leading up to what is known to history as the Outcast War. I recall quite well how it happened. I was still a young mage, testing my combative abilities against the snowbeasts in the Dragon Spine Mountains when I suddenly found myself overwhelmed, taking hits, and suffering blows from which I struggled to recover. I was convinced I would meet my demise when a kind Elven gentleman by the name of Fierolan Vanyahin stepped in and rescued me, leading me to safety, as well as a healer south of the city, near the Whistling Woods at an area known to the locals as the Hollow. While there, we began to converse. I learned that Fierolan was a Commander with the Ilithi military, heading a unit known as the Ilithi Mountain Guard. Before the conversation was over, Fierolan convinced me that my combative abilities could be put to good use as a member of his unit and I pledged myself to the cause that same day. As the war went on, Fierolan and I came to be friends. Kin, in the sense that we discovered our shared heritage through the Mountain Clan that brought us closer together as loyal subjects of Her Majesty, Queen Morganae Sunderstone. I worked hard and eventually earned myself the honor to call myself lieutenant of the Ilithi Mountain Guard. I was granted my own unit, which I led proudly, alongside my fellow lieutenant, Xand Duchet. We were a force to be reckoned with - but not strong enough, it seemed, as inevitably we found ourselves on the losing end of the battle. The Outcasts arose victorious and Shard no longer felt like home. Many of us scattered in the aftermath. Personally, I spent some years hiding away at Chyolvea Tayeu'a, as did a few others of my acquaintance. Eventually, I travelled away, seeking refuge from the painful memories of the war. It was then that I received a missive from Fierolan advising that he had tendered his resignation as Commander of the Ilithi Mountain Guard. He went on to speak of his new position, as that of Consul for Her Majesty, Queen Morganae herself. He offered me to take his place as Commander, an honor of which I was more than happy to accept. I even went so far as to send word to him of my immediate return to Shard, only to then fall ill a few days later, leaving me unable to make the journey.		But, where to begin? A bit of backstory about me, perhaps? Not too much, as the history of how I came to leave Elamiri and join the Warrior Mage Guild is not one I speak of lightly, nor would I dare place it into writing, in case this journal were to fall into curious hands. But there is a point in time of which I believe I can safely begin. That time being when I first ventured back to Ilithi after years as an initiate within my guild. The year was 374. I was 48 years old. Young, by Elven standards, yet I found myself recruited into the military of Ilithi in the months leading up to what is known to history as the Outcast War. I recall quite well how it happened. I was still a young mage, testing my combative abilities against the snowbeasts in the Dragon Spine Mountains when I suddenly found myself overwhelmed, taking hits, and suffering blows from which I struggled to recover. I was convinced I would meet my demise when a kind Elven gentleman by the name of Fierolan Vanyahin stepped in and rescued me, leading me to safety, as well as a healer south of the city, near the Whistling Woods at an area known to the locals as the Hollow. While there, we began to converse. I learned that Fierolan was a Commander with the Ilithi military, heading a unit known as the Ilithi Mountain Guard. Before the conversation was over, Fierolan convinced me that my combative abilities could be put to good use as a member of his unit and I pledged myself to the cause that same day. As the war went on, Fierolan and I came to be friends. Kin, in the sense that we discovered our shared heritage through the Mountain Clan that brought us closer together as loyal subjects of Her Majesty, Queen Morganae Sunderstone. I worked hard and eventually earned myself the honor to call myself lieutenant of the Ilithi Mountain Guard. I was granted my own unit, which I led proudly, alongside my fellow lieutenant, Xand Duchet. We were a force to be reckoned with - but not strong enough, it seemed, as inevitably we found ourselves on the losing end of the battle. The Outcasts arose victorious and Shard no longer felt like home. Many of us scattered in the aftermath. Personally, I spent some years hiding away at Chyolvea Tayeu'a, as did a few others of my acquaintance. Eventually, I travelled away, seeking refuge from the painful memories of the war. It was then that I received a missive from Fierolan advising that he had tendered his resignation as Commander of the Ilithi Mountain Guard. He went on to speak of his new position, as that of Consul for Her Majesty, Queen Morganae herself. He offered me to take his place as Commander, an honor of which I was more than happy to accept. I even went so far as to send word to him of my immediate return to Shard, only to then fall ill a few days later, leaving me unable to make the journey.

	== Post-War Return to Shard ==		== Post-War Return to Shard ==

EVYNTINE at 04:49, 23 May 2024

2024-05-23T04:49:31Z

Show changes

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry */

2024-05-21T19:32:40Z

Journal Entry

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 21 May 2024
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	Knight Magister Fierolan's group went through a dark oak door.		Knight Magister Fierolan's group went through a dark oak door.

	== Journal Entry ==		== Journal Entry Eight ==

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry Six */

2024-05-21T19:29:57Z

Journal Entry Six

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:29, 21 May 2024
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	== Journal Entry Six ==		== Journal Entry Six ==
	The memories all seem to flood back to me as I recall them with such clarity. Everything felt so out of control. Likely because the situation ''was'' out of control. Xelten was determined and far more impetuous than I could have known at the time. Never in my life would I have suspected he would arrive like a grey knight prepared to defend my honor with force when I had heretofore been given no reason to believe Xelten intended to go so far for the sake of my honor. It was noble, in some ways. Rash in others. A perfect example of one resorting to violence a touch too soon when conversation may well have been enough to resolve the situation without outright assaulting Smozh - physically or mentally. By bringing a companion with him for the fight, Xelten tied my hands in being able to react the way I may have otherwise reacted. For him, alone, I may have been able to reveal a bit more of the truth.		The memories all seem to flood back to me as I recall them with such clarity. Everything felt so out of control. Likely because the situation ''was'' out of control. Xelten was determined and far more impetuous than I could have known at the time. Never in my life would I have suspected he would arrive like a grey knight prepared to defend my honor with force when I had heretofore been given no reason to believe Xelten intended to go so far for the sake of my honor. It was noble, in some ways. Rash in others. A perfect example of one resorting to violence a touch too soon when conversation may well have been enough to resolve the situation without outright assaulting Smozh - physically or mentally. By bringing a companion with him for the fight, Xelten tied my hands in being able to react the way I may have otherwise reacted. For him, alone, I may have been able to reveal a bit more of the truth.
	But for Caelumia... I could not take the chance. I did not know her, nor had I been given any indication that she was a fellow agent. As such, I was left with no choice but to uphold the image of mental slavery to Smozh, forced to respond to his commands as if ignoring them was entirely out of my control. To make matters, worse, Xelten brought his companion along with him when we made our escape, thus preventing me from clearing even the smallest piece of the air in the aftermath. Instead, he took me to Chyolvea Tayeu'a where he then summoned Fierolan and Kitya to address the violence that had just occurred. As I said before... lies upon lies. Secrets upon secrets. I could not admit anything in front of Xelten or Caelumia any more than Fierolan could admit to having any previous knowledge of what was truly transpiring between myself and Smozh. Because of this, the events that followed could only be described as a theatrical of near comical proportions. Dodging questions. Feigning ignorance. It helped, to some degree, that my body remained somewhat weakened still from my previous illness, which allowed for some of my physical reactions to appear more genuine as they may have otherwise appeared had it all been an act. Though, I will say that night was the moment I learned that dramatics and fainting are perhaps among the most effective tools a young woman has within her arsenal when necessity requires the avoidance of answering certain questions.		But for Caelumia... I could not take the chance. I did not know her, nor had I been given any indication that she was a fellow agent. As such, I was left with no choice but to uphold the image of mental slavery to Smozh, forced to respond to his commands as if ignoring them was entirely out of my control. To make matters, worse, Xelten brought his companion along with him when we made our escape, thus preventing me from clearing even the smallest piece of the air in the aftermath. Instead, he took me to Chyolvea Tayeu'a where he then summoned Fierolan and Kitya to address the violence that had just occurred. As I said before... lies upon lies. Secrets upon secrets. I could not admit anything in front of Xelten or Caelumia any more than Fierolan could admit to having any previous knowledge of what was truly transpiring between myself and Smozh. Because of this, the events that followed could only be described as a theatrical of near comical proportions. Dodging questions. Feigning ignorance. It helped, to some degree, that my body remained somewhat weakened still from my previous illness, which allowed for some of my physical reactions to appear more genuine than they may have otherwise appeared had it all been an act. Though, I will say that night was the moment I learned that dramatics and fainting are perhaps among the most effective tools a young woman has within her arsenal when necessity requires the avoidance of answering certain questions.

	== And the Award Goes to... (log) ==		== And the Award Goes to... (log) ==

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry Five */

2024-05-21T19:26:48Z

Journal Entry Five

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:26, 21 May 2024
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	== Journal Entry Five ==		== Journal Entry Five ==
	This was the point where I realized I was in a bit of a... pickle, as I have heard some call it. I needed to maintain my cover as a guard for Smozh in order to maintain any chance at gathering information for Fierolan's cause, however, the cover had shifted so far from the original agreement that I was no longer a guard, but a servant. For intents and purposes - a slave. At the same time, I had Xelten, a loyal Mountain Elf and fellow agent of the Queen, who possessed no knowledge of the fact that I was an ally, performing the same work as himself, simply via a different means. His upset was such that I feared he would destroy my chances at infiltrating the enemy while, at the same time, a part of me desired his assistance in potentially breaking free from the image of a slave to a S'Kra Mur and returning to something less... degrading. Especially when there remained so much for me to gain through my connection with Smozh. Not only for his association with Meanne, but for his connections to other factions to whom I believed it would behoove us to watch. Such as... the adan'f. Because it was around this same time that their clan leader, Hssarith, presented himself along with a request for the people of Ilithi...		This was the point where I realized I was in a bit of a... pickle, as I have heard some call it. I needed to maintain my cover as a guard for Smozh in order to maintain any chance at gathering information for Fierolan's cause, however, the cover had shifted so far from the original agreement that I was no longer a guard, but a servant. For all intents and purposes - a slave. At the same time, I had Xelten, a loyal Mountain Elf and fellow agent of the Queen, who possessed no knowledge of the fact that I was an ally, performing the same work as himself, simply via a different means. His upset was such that I feared he would destroy my chances at infiltrating the enemy while, at the same time, a part of me desired his assistance in potentially breaking free from the image of a slave to a S'Kra Mur and returning to something less... degrading. Especially when there remained so much for me to gain through my connection with Smozh. Not only for his association with Meanne, but for his connections to other factions to whom I believed it would behoove us to watch. Such as... the adan'f. Because it was around this same time that their clan leader, Hssarith, presented himself along with a request for the people of Ilithi...

	== The Show Must Go On - A Meeting with Adan'f Clan Leader Hssarith (log) ==		== The Show Must Go On - A Meeting with Adan'f Clan Leader Hssarith (log) ==

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry Seven */

2024-05-21T16:53:03Z

Journal Entry Seven

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 21 May 2024
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	== Journal Entry Seven ==		== Journal Entry Seven ==
	If ever an example of a mess existed, my life was it~~, in that moment~~. My next few days were spent hiding away at Chyolvea Tayeu'a to "protect me" from Smozh's "mental control." Even though Fierolan and I both knew it was all a ruse, I could not venture out without risk of Xelten or Caelumia questioning why I would take such a risk after all they had done to "save" me. As one might expect, Smozh made no attempt to contact me. I assumed he was angry with me, or simply angry in general, for having been mentally accosted by those he knew to be of my kin. While tucked away in the office of Chyolvea Tayeu'a, I resigned myself to the fact that restoring my position within the mission would be next to impossible after the display between Smozh, Xelten, and Caelumia. At the same time, I also had to accept that my position ~~was~~ far from secure even before the assault. I could not continue as I was under Smozh's thumb, proverbial or otherwise, which meant that, one way or another, things were going to end in another negotiation between Smozh, Fierolan, and myself to discuss a correction of the terms Smozh had taken it upon himself to change regarding his expectations of me in my role as his guard. I needed him if I wanted to have any chance at getting close to Meanne and he needed me if he had any hope of securing a meeting with the Queen. We just needed... a better plan. Perhaps a few more rules regarding limitations on what he could or could not order me to do. Unfortunately, the statistical likelihood of an amicable conversation had diminished significantly, thanks to... everything else. Not that I believe Smozh would have been pleased with a request for pulling back on his behavior in the first place. If only a single word could be used to describe Smozh, in a nutshell, the word I would choose ~~was~~ "difficult." Once he had it in his head that something was necessary, his mind wasn't easily swayed, and he greatly disliked being told he was wrong. In many ways, he and Xelten had a great deal more in common than either of them realized - or that either of them would ever admit to, if they did.		If ever an example of a mess existed, my life was it. My next few days were spent hiding away at Chyolvea Tayeu'a to "protect me" from Smozh's "mental control." Even though Fierolan and I both knew it was all a ruse, I could not venture out without risk of Xelten or Caelumia questioning why I would take such a risk after all they had done to "save" me. As one might expect, Smozh made no attempt to contact me. I assumed he was angry with me, or simply angry in general, for having been mentally accosted by those he knew to be of my kin. While tucked away in the office of Chyolvea Tayeu'a, I resigned myself to the fact that restoring my position within the mission would be next to impossible after the display between Smozh, Xelten, and Caelumia. At the same time, I also had to accept that my position had been far from secure even before the assault. I could not continue as I was under Smozh's thumb, proverbial or otherwise, which meant that, one way or another, things were going to end in another negotiation between Smozh, Fierolan, and myself to discuss a correction of the terms Smozh had taken it upon himself to change regarding his expectations of me in my role as his guard. I needed him if I wanted to have any chance at getting close to Meanne and he needed me if he had any hope of securing a meeting with the Queen. We just needed... a better plan. Perhaps a few more rules regarding limitations on what he could or could not order me to do. Unfortunately, the statistical likelihood of an amicable conversation had diminished significantly, thanks to... everything else. Not that I believe Smozh would have been pleased with a request for pulling back on his behavior in the first place. If only a single word could be used to describe Smozh, in a nutshell, the word I would choose is "difficult." Once he had it in his head that something was necessary, his mind wasn't easily swayed, and he greatly disliked being told he was wrong. In many ways, he and Xelten had a great deal more in common than either of them realized - or that either of them would ever admit to, if they did. All that was left at that point was to face the repercussions of surrounding ourselves with so many secrets and lies... and to pray that, once all was out in the open, we might be able to formulate a new plan in which we could move forward - as a team.

	== Time to Come Clean (log) ==		== Time to Come Clean (log) ==

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry Seven */

2024-05-21T03:50:21Z

Journal Entry Seven

Show changes

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry Seven */

2024-05-20T21:31:07Z

Journal Entry Seven

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 20 May 2024
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	== Journal Entry Seven ==		== Journal Entry Seven ==
			If ever an example of a mess existed, my life was it, in that moment. My next few days were spent hiding away at Chyolvea Tayeu'a to "protect me" from Smozh's "mental control." Even though Fierolan and I both knew it was all a ruse, I could not venture out without risk of Xelten or Caelumia questioning why I would take such a risk after all they had done to "save" me. As one might expect, Smozh made no attempt to contact me. I assumed he was angry with me, or simply angry in general, for having been mentally accosted by those he knew to be of my kin. While tucked away in the office of Chyolvea Tayeu'a, I resigned myself to the fact that restoring my position within the mission would be next to impossible after the display between Smozh, Xelten, and Caelumia. At the same time, I also had to accept that my position was far from secure even before the assault. I could not continue as I was under Smozh's thumb, proverbial or otherwise, which meant that, one way or another, things were going to end in another negotiation between Smozh, Fierolan, and myself to discuss a correction of the terms Smozh had taken it upon himself to change regarding his expectations of me in my role as his guard. I needed him if I wanted to have any chance at getting close to Meanne and he needed me if he had any hope of securing a meeting with the Queen. We just needed... a better plan. Perhaps a few more rules regarding limitations on what he could or could not order me to do. Unfortunately, the statistical likelihood of an amicable conversation had diminished significantly, thanks to... everything else. Not that I believe Smozh would have been pleased with a request for pulling back on his behavior in the first place. If only a single word could be used to describe Smozh, in a nutshell, the word I would choose was "difficult." Once he had it in his head that something was necessary, his mind wasn't easily swayed, and he greatly disliked being told he was wrong. In many ways, he and Xelten had a great deal more in common than either of them realized - or that either of them would ever admit to, if they did.

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry */

2024-05-20T20:57:11Z

Journal Entry

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 20 May 2024
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	Mage Xelten went through a dark oak door.		Mage Xelten went through a dark oak door.

	== Journal Entry ==		== Journal Entry Seven ==

EVYNTINE: /* Journal Entry */

2024-05-20T20:57:00Z

Journal Entry

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 20 May 2024
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	(travel)		(travel)

	== Journal Entry ==		== Journal Entry Six ==
	The memories all seem to flood back to me as I recall them with such clarity. Everything felt so out of control. Likely because the situation ''was'' out of control. Xelten was determined and far more impetuous than I could have known at the time. Never in my life would I have suspected he would arrive like a grey knight prepared to defend my honor with force when I had heretofore been given no reason to believe Xelten intended to go so far for the sake of my honor. It was noble, in some ways. Rash in others. A perfect example of one resorting to violence a touch too soon when conversation may well have been enough to resolve the situation without outright assaulting Smozh - physically or mentally. By bringing a companion with him for the fight, Xelten tied my hands in being able to react the way I may have otherwise reacted. For him, alone, I may have been able to reveal a bit more of the truth.		The memories all seem to flood back to me as I recall them with such clarity. Everything felt so out of control. Likely because the situation ''was'' out of control. Xelten was determined and far more impetuous than I could have known at the time. Never in my life would I have suspected he would arrive like a grey knight prepared to defend my honor with force when I had heretofore been given no reason to believe Xelten intended to go so far for the sake of my honor. It was noble, in some ways. Rash in others. A perfect example of one resorting to violence a touch too soon when conversation may well have been enough to resolve the situation without outright assaulting Smozh - physically or mentally. By bringing a companion with him for the fight, Xelten tied my hands in being able to react the way I may have otherwise reacted. For him, alone, I may have been able to reveal a bit more of the truth.
	But for Caelumia... I could not take the chance. I did not know her, nor had I been given any indication that she was a fellow agent. As such, I was left with no choice but to uphold the image of mental slavery to Smozh, forced to respond to his commands as if ignoring them was entirely out of my control. To make matters, worse, Xelten brought his companion along with him when we made our escape, thus preventing me from clearing even the smallest piece of the air in the aftermath. Instead, he took me to Chyolvea Tayeu'a where he then summoned Fierolan and Kitya to address the violence that had just occurred. As I said before... lies upon lies. Secrets upon secrets. I could not admit anything in front of Xelten or Caelumia any more than Fierolan could admit to having any previous knowledge of what was truly transpiring between myself and Smozh. Because of this, the events that followed could only be described as a theatrical of near comical proportions. Dodging questions. Feigning ignorance. It helped, to some degree, that my body remained somewhat weakened still from my previous illness, which allowed for some of my physical reactions to appear more genuine as they may have otherwise appeared had it all been an act. Though, I will say that night was the moment I learned that dramatics and fainting are perhaps among the most effective tools a young woman has within her arsenal when necessity requires the avoidance of answering certain questions.		But for Caelumia... I could not take the chance. I did not know her, nor had I been given any indication that she was a fellow agent. As such, I was left with no choice but to uphold the image of mental slavery to Smozh, forced to respond to his commands as if ignoring them was entirely out of my control. To make matters, worse, Xelten brought his companion along with him when we made our escape, thus preventing me from clearing even the smallest piece of the air in the aftermath. Instead, he took me to Chyolvea Tayeu'a where he then summoned Fierolan and Kitya to address the violence that had just occurred. As I said before... lies upon lies. Secrets upon secrets. I could not admit anything in front of Xelten or Caelumia any more than Fierolan could admit to having any previous knowledge of what was truly transpiring between myself and Smozh. Because of this, the events that followed could only be described as a theatrical of near comical proportions. Dodging questions. Feigning ignorance. It helped, to some degree, that my body remained somewhat weakened still from my previous illness, which allowed for some of my physical reactions to appear more genuine as they may have otherwise appeared had it all been an act. Though, I will say that night was the moment I learned that dramatics and fainting are perhaps among the most effective tools a young woman has within her arsenal when necessity requires the avoidance of answering certain questions.