Dear W.J.,
I died. And then I came back! Not just knocked out, you know, but actually DEAD!!! Don't worry, I'm STILL the same old Ashleigh. The screeching tangleweed might have done us in (again), but they didn't do in the heart and soul of the Eladrian Elite Enthusiasm Squad. The others brought me back to town on a stretcher. I believe they must have been tearing their hair out with grief over the fall of their leader. And now, now that I have seen the other world and come back, I think they believe I'm even more of a hero than ever. Damn it, though, I'm NOT pleased about this streak of grey hair. Perhaps I'll dye it. Maybe it'll be another girls' day out for me and Laird soon.
Now let me tell you about being dead. It's like being asleep, except totally different, because you KNOW that you're dead and your WHOLE BEING is walking through the dark. I can't remember all of it--but it was terrible--and strangely exhilarating at the same time--I have a memory of meeting Avalonia, queen of Valon and family matriarch, who showed me all sorts of things, past, present, and future, and touched me with her cold white hand. I saw things important to the Chosen Ones, including--well, I'll tell you more about it later.
But guess what? Like I said, I'm still the same old Ashleigh, W.J. Don't worry. I'm even working on my new hobby of poetry still!
SING, oh Muse, of war; of storms that shook
The sea host who, trembling inwardly,
But with fair faces imperturbable,
Upon the wine-dark waves with resolution
Scudded; behold the elven ships all sleek
And white, the prows all forward pending
Like spears of silver, gleaming sharp;
The officers with longswords poised, proud host!
The mages wise, with subtle abjurations
Taming wild serf and quelling winds;
And, tallest standing, dragons' bane,
The paladins with arms and armor holy
Who stood stern-faced against Orichilan.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Illander's Journal
Dear Whomever,
It seems darkness surrounds us at every turn. We've lost the dungeon master and the dark ritual items we were carrying. We were tricked by dopplegangers. We're in the middle of a forest with a wood elf guide named Kumala. He's nice enough, but sort of dull. I can tell that Ashleigh likes him because she's always flinging her hair around and biting her bottom lip whenever she catches a glimpse of his abdominal muscles. By Corellian, I'm becoming so mean! ashleigh's been very kind to me, even giving me some of her Jasmine oil for my bath. She's even taken up poetry, though I'm sure it couldn't be as good as mine. My poems are like if I had slit my wrists and let the blood drip onto a page. That's how real they are, which nobody understands.
Anyway, we were nearly destroyed by screaming plants that we were supposed to procure for Jockamoolay in return for information. Even I was almost felled. Me! And I'm never hit! I honestly don't know what to do next. We can't go back to Jackamoolay empty handed, but these creatures just might be too strong for us to fight. And what about our dungeon master?
I've acquired a dark new power that I haven't told the others about. I'm somewhow able to call upon a darkness from the stars full of tiny biting mouths. I haven't used it yet, but I have to say I'm starting to adjust to my power. I'm actually starting to like it.
One last thing, and Corellian I hope nobody sneaks a peak at this journal, but I've stopped having the prophetic dreams. First I noticed that my dreams were different than the other chosen ones' and now they've stopped entirely. What does it all mean?
Blood.
Sweat.
Piss.
This is what the world is.
This is what the world is.
Hungry.
Tired.
Dangerous.
This is what Illander is.
This is what Illander is.
Stunning.
Cruel.
Nimble.
This is what _________ is.
This is what__________is.
With _________ you don't notice the other stuff too much.
Keep it Secret,
Illander Illrune
It seems darkness surrounds us at every turn. We've lost the dungeon master and the dark ritual items we were carrying. We were tricked by dopplegangers. We're in the middle of a forest with a wood elf guide named Kumala. He's nice enough, but sort of dull. I can tell that Ashleigh likes him because she's always flinging her hair around and biting her bottom lip whenever she catches a glimpse of his abdominal muscles. By Corellian, I'm becoming so mean! ashleigh's been very kind to me, even giving me some of her Jasmine oil for my bath. She's even taken up poetry, though I'm sure it couldn't be as good as mine. My poems are like if I had slit my wrists and let the blood drip onto a page. That's how real they are, which nobody understands.
Anyway, we were nearly destroyed by screaming plants that we were supposed to procure for Jockamoolay in return for information. Even I was almost felled. Me! And I'm never hit! I honestly don't know what to do next. We can't go back to Jackamoolay empty handed, but these creatures just might be too strong for us to fight. And what about our dungeon master?
I've acquired a dark new power that I haven't told the others about. I'm somewhow able to call upon a darkness from the stars full of tiny biting mouths. I haven't used it yet, but I have to say I'm starting to adjust to my power. I'm actually starting to like it.
One last thing, and Corellian I hope nobody sneaks a peak at this journal, but I've stopped having the prophetic dreams. First I noticed that my dreams were different than the other chosen ones' and now they've stopped entirely. What does it all mean?
Blood.
Sweat.
Piss.
This is what the world is.
This is what the world is.
Hungry.
Tired.
Dangerous.
This is what Illander is.
This is what Illander is.
Stunning.
Cruel.
Nimble.
This is what _________ is.
This is what__________is.
With _________ you don't notice the other stuff too much.
Keep it Secret,
Illander Illrune
Day 9, Ashleigh's War Journal
Dearest W.J.,
The lessons of the High Botanist really could have come in handy, as screeching...thistleweed? adventureweed? arugula? (it almost killed me, but I still can't get the name right) was nearly the end of all of us. Things got a little better once I realized, midway through the battle, that I could move my arms and legs and attack after all, but we were still almost done in by those distant cousins of Sadush. They really had it in for him, btw. Anyway, I think we need to reconsider our goals. Our task for Jacamoolay has turned out to be more than a mere errand, and if we want to do the plant creatures in we will have to invent a better strategy. On the other hand, we could just return to her empty-handed, but I assume she won't like that.
TOP SECRET!!!!
The wild elf who is our guide is so handsome. I find myself strangely attracted to him despite his wild garb and unkempt hair--or is it because of these things? He is not like any eladrin I know, certainly not like Erevan. But he is still SO HANDSOME. But he is also a coward, it seems, and his eating habits are truly disgusting. And of course I'm in love with Erevan anyway, right? I probably just miss him so much and am trying not to think about him and so that's why I keep forgetting he even exists...right?
I am going to attempt another poem. I wonder if I should show my works to Illander? On second thought, NEVER!
Wild elf in the trees
Why do I think of bees
When I sees
Your hair in the breeze?
Bees in the flowers
Full of pretty powers--
Of buzzing and honey
When it is sunny!
The lessons of the High Botanist really could have come in handy, as screeching...thistleweed? adventureweed? arugula? (it almost killed me, but I still can't get the name right) was nearly the end of all of us. Things got a little better once I realized, midway through the battle, that I could move my arms and legs and attack after all, but we were still almost done in by those distant cousins of Sadush. They really had it in for him, btw. Anyway, I think we need to reconsider our goals. Our task for Jacamoolay has turned out to be more than a mere errand, and if we want to do the plant creatures in we will have to invent a better strategy. On the other hand, we could just return to her empty-handed, but I assume she won't like that.
TOP SECRET!!!!
The wild elf who is our guide is so handsome. I find myself strangely attracted to him despite his wild garb and unkempt hair--or is it because of these things? He is not like any eladrin I know, certainly not like Erevan. But he is still SO HANDSOME. But he is also a coward, it seems, and his eating habits are truly disgusting. And of course I'm in love with Erevan anyway, right? I probably just miss him so much and am trying not to think about him and so that's why I keep forgetting he even exists...right?
I am going to attempt another poem. I wonder if I should show my works to Illander? On second thought, NEVER!
Wild elf in the trees
Why do I think of bees
When I sees
Your hair in the breeze?
Bees in the flowers
Full of pretty powers--
Of buzzing and honey
When it is sunny!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Day 8, Ashleigh's War Journal
Dear W.J.,
In the middle of the woods right now, looking for ettercap venom and...stinkweed? Slippery elm? Purple cone-flower? I should have paid more attention to the lessons of the High Botanist. I hope Laird wrote the name down down. It's been a fun few days, and even though we're in the middle of the woods, it's dark, we were just beset by about thirty rats (I took out--hmm--twenty-seven of them?) and betrayed by our doppelganger guides, I am more certain than ever that I am a Chosen One and a great destiny awaits me.
I have to admit that a lot of it has to do with getting away from that wretched island and being back in civilization--if that's what you want to call Malacar--AND getting to take a bath at the Spotted Lion. AND being away from the boys. Laird is no Eladrin Enthusiasm Squadette, but she's actually kinda fun, and we had a blast together while the boys idled around the marketplace and accomplished almost nothing. Laird and I, on the other hand, had the following great adventures together:
1. The adventure of the ivory comb, in which I purchased an ivory comb for Laird and surprised her with it.
2. The adventure of Jacamoolay's shop, in which we learned more about the mysterious seller of poisons, including the fact that she had an affair with the Lrod Mayor of Malacar. We also very subtly made offer of our adventuring services to her, so that I am sure she considers us very valuable heroes and perhaps even potentially great friends. No word of her son, however.
3. The adventure of the Mayor's lizard livestock, in which we decided not to participate in cleaning up after lizards.
4. The adventure of the nefarious guides, in which we are still participating. The guides led us to this very spot in the woods and abandoned us/led us into a rat-trap. I have no doubt that these are the same guides who attacked us on the beach disguised as Maleogre and Diane. We also saw them again in Jacamoolay's shop. We followed them here against MY better judgment, and have had our magic scroll stolen. NOTE TO SELF: Listen to better judgment ALWAYS.
5. The adventure of the baths and jasmine oil, in which we took baths after purchasing luxurious jasmine oil.
In the middle of the woods right now, looking for ettercap venom and...stinkweed? Slippery elm? Purple cone-flower? I should have paid more attention to the lessons of the High Botanist. I hope Laird wrote the name down down. It's been a fun few days, and even though we're in the middle of the woods, it's dark, we were just beset by about thirty rats (I took out--hmm--twenty-seven of them?) and betrayed by our doppelganger guides, I am more certain than ever that I am a Chosen One and a great destiny awaits me.
I have to admit that a lot of it has to do with getting away from that wretched island and being back in civilization--if that's what you want to call Malacar--AND getting to take a bath at the Spotted Lion. AND being away from the boys. Laird is no Eladrin Enthusiasm Squadette, but she's actually kinda fun, and we had a blast together while the boys idled around the marketplace and accomplished almost nothing. Laird and I, on the other hand, had the following great adventures together:
1. The adventure of the ivory comb, in which I purchased an ivory comb for Laird and surprised her with it.
2. The adventure of Jacamoolay's shop, in which we learned more about the mysterious seller of poisons, including the fact that she had an affair with the Lrod Mayor of Malacar. We also very subtly made offer of our adventuring services to her, so that I am sure she considers us very valuable heroes and perhaps even potentially great friends. No word of her son, however.
3. The adventure of the Mayor's lizard livestock, in which we decided not to participate in cleaning up after lizards.
4. The adventure of the nefarious guides, in which we are still participating. The guides led us to this very spot in the woods and abandoned us/led us into a rat-trap. I have no doubt that these are the same guides who attacked us on the beach disguised as Maleogre and Diane. We also saw them again in Jacamoolay's shop. We followed them here against MY better judgment, and have had our magic scroll stolen. NOTE TO SELF: Listen to better judgment ALWAYS.
5. The adventure of the baths and jasmine oil, in which we took baths after purchasing luxurious jasmine oil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)