Posts Tagged Nyneva

by Nyneva

Once again I take the stylus to paper as my masters have bade me do, to gain wisdom and experience from these musings.

The day started out quite well, actually. After Graytar gave us our mission and paid for our training we went shopping. That’s when things got very interesting. We can never seem to just “go shopping” with this band of brothers. No, this time there was the challenge of stringing a bow. Doaks made mention of a strange Fairy notion called “Seinfelding” which is what we ended up doing… a lot for nothing.

For a group of people trying to keep on the down low, we’re not doing such a terrific job. Still, our honor is getting stronger. It’s a good thing Rue couldn’t string that bow, we might have had to leave town for being so well known? HAH! Yes, he couldn’t string the bow. He tried, really. We lost some money on the day, but at least we didn’t lose too much. AND… we sold a LOT of rat on a stick. We sold something like 300 rats. Kailen is pretty darn good with the frypot. I think I heard him whistling while he was working. Yes, Kailen was actually working and liking it.

Adding to that a little trick from Doaks that made our first customer GUSH over the food, we could barely keep up with the Rat on a Stick demand. That’s unfathomable. Next time we’re charging more! That was way too much work for so very little return. Plus, we ended up losing money on the bet and having to get Rue out of jail.

I can’t get the smell of fried rat out of my nose, still. I swear I will not eat another rat for a long time to come. They were getting a little squishy there at the end. Blech. It’s a good thing we stopped. We might have poisoned someone.

Speaking of poison…

Another death.

This time, we cannot resurrect.

We were barely able to walk, some of us, so stung and poisoned by the spyders that dropped from the canopy of the forest above. We, stupid few, nay, unwise, went forth into a forest knowing of the danger of the hairy spikey leggéd things and what did we forget? In all of our shopping? What? Spider poison antidote.

Rats distracted us…made us giddy with the exitement and made us foolish. Now, because of our stupidity, have lost our Liam. Talented bowman, sweet caring Liam with a talent for finding the wrong thing to say–gone. Though he did not claim Benyar for his God–I was soooo close–I beg Benyar to find within this tiny gnome, a heart that was strong with courage to be worthy of the friendship of a Benyarite.

Face down in a cold stream Liam, blue faced and choking having been bitten in the neck… the NECK… by this dispicable creature, died while we were fighting for our lives. Owing to the poisoning, we yelled forth from the woods to the double-axed, mighty warrior, Rolando. Our friend took off to the town in order to get some antidote. Rolando, our wisest compatriot, took off alright. No, I cannot think he has abandoned us. Maybe captured? But why?

I worry. He is a follower of Benyar, a true and trusted friend, he would not leave us. I fear he has been subdued or killed somehow for Nick, the horse. Still, it must have been a mighty band because Rolando is truly a fierce warrior.

Benyar be with him. Benyar preserve him. Benyar be his guide. Let the crows of Happenstance and Mishap fall upon whomever has taken our Rolando. Dogs!

Because of Liam’s death, I am even more resolved to do more within our party to learn better methods of healing. I have now the ability to hold one more small spell. I must pray harder. Fight harder. Work harder. I must get to the next level of learning so that I may heal my friends faster.

Speaking of powerful, Doaks has learned a new and useful spell. While I do not understand his magical ways, the rose petals are a nice touch. Shhhh… he says and everyone of our enemies hit the ground — out cold. Unfortunately for me, while I was finishing the job on one of the downed spiders, I was bitten and so was afflicted. Note to self, do not ask for free healing from Graytar, you end up looking stupid. My eyes scare me…Thankfully, it will wear off. Magical healing hocus pocus is no match for good old fashioned Benyarite clean heals. I can’t complain, at least I don’t have the white hair.

by Nyneva

This morning I woke up, as I have all week, to the faces of my acolyte companions here at the Temple of Benyar. Morning after morning we have practiced at the prayers to help bring me that extra gift from Benyar. Just one more to help heal my party, one more to bring the group health after a hard battle.

There is one incident I cannot get out of my head. We, many of us, were at Quid’s when Kaelen sniffed a bottle. IT was a magical snot producing powder. The chi.ldren in the market square were mightily pleased at the pretty coloured bubbles that his nose was producing. While this is an amusing anecdote. I must recount that it was Quid’s that was most pivotal as he led us to our benefactor, Graytar.

Benyar has blessed me again with his power, grace, and wisdom. I fear, however, that it not be long before I outgrow this Temple. My companions have caught the eye of Benyar and blessed us greatly. He has sent us a great benefactor. But the benefactor has a price. It is a price I am sure that some of us will pay with our lives. Graytar, our benefactor, has paid for all of our training. And in exchange for his patronage, we must locate the Ruby eye.

According to Graytar, this Ruby Eye was once in Graytar’s possession but it was stolen by the former prefect of Faengerie. This is now the crazy hermit in the forest. I fear that not only has it made him mad but it may have given him special protection. This is a hard price to pay, one that nobody should have to pay. Graytar feels that once the Ruby Eye is recovered his former friend will return to sanity.

This is where I must trust in my God and his two Ravens for their aid. This is where our true adventure begins.

By Nyneva

“My gawd is great, mighty is his power…” Nyneva ended her prayer ritual chant and got up from her knees at the Temple of Benyar. It was, she thought, by the grace of Benyar that we survived the melee with not one but two Ogres and a black bear. Looking down into her hand she was still holding the one claw nail that she planned to put into a necklace. It was a good kill. There would be plenty of meat for the party and plenty of honor and glory as well… glory and honor for Benyar’s might.

Sitting down, she pulled out the stylus and paper and went began her notes:

What an odd experience. I am growing used to them. Before setting out, we sold what valuables we could from our previous score to the lisping, one-legged merchant. This allowed us to gather our small but growing party money together to purchased  some supplies, notably a new cart to haul things about in.  Then we set out to our claim.

With our revived Doaks among us again, we prevailed over the Ogres and bear and were rewarded with gold and silver and copper and even hard silver end electrum. There was the whiskey… which kept Doaks warm last night. Oh last night…

It was probably more of a story for the others. For me? I did my clerical duty and spent it cold and huddled up in the cart with my fallen friend, Sondra, and Kailan who managed to make a good show of his butchering skills. Gawd knows his other skills are useless in melee. Someone needs to teach him how to shoot a bow and arrow. The water spray from the falls chilled me to the bone. Doaks was sent inside to see if he could convince them to open the gate and disappeared…Well, I forgot. I shan’t again.

Sending the others out into the dark to gather wood was a bad idea, it seems. They come back with bald halflings fiances.  I’m interested to know how this came about, still. If she robs from him, I’ll laugh.

Speaking of robbing, the gold which we found in the possession of the first ogre was actually copper painted gold. We have hidden this and need to find a way to clean it before others claim us to be the forgers. This would prove terrible for us. Benyar guide us to help us locate this cleansing agent.

The bow which we took from the Ogre had a name inscribed upon it, Thorgomrin. My friends who I sent into the woods for firewood stumbled upon a friend of this Thorgomrin at the half priced halfing whore tent city. We have not told him the truth about the things we found which were Thorgomrin’s but also belonged to Hawke, so he calls himself, Sparrow Hawke. Investigation, I believe, must take place. This ring of forgery mystery grows deeper and deeper.

Praise Benyar, his might, and pray that he sends his crows, Mishap and Circumstance, to guide watch over us and confuse our enemies. Note  I said confuse enemies … I think I need to pray more.

by Nyneva

In prayer the cleric knelt after having taken up the body of her fallen friend. She had pulled her hair away from her face, revealing the lost ear and scar; the tale of which only few knew.  Taking out the religious symbol she kept close to her heart she began to pray.

What Nyneva drew upon the ground.

“Oh Great Benyar, my god and deliverer. Praise be unto thee for the saving of this party less one, poor wretch. In your wisdom, we beseech thee to deliver Dumbarton Oakes into your hands and to his god so that he may once again favor us with his magic. While he did not worship you this tiny fairy’s death honors thee as it was brave, selfless, and favored a pointy object which you claim for thine. In his selflessness, he saved those which worship you or will… eventually. For they will see the right of your might as Sondra led them to honor you… If I could only convince her of that. Please continue to watch over us as is your will.  Amen.”

Dusting the dirt from her tunic, she placed the holy symbol back under her tunic and looked upon the flayed body of Dumbarton Oakes. Hand flat to the earth she took a fistful. Blood, gore and dust covered her bare hand. As she spoke she drew upon the ground three grouped and intertwined triangles, “We are naught but dust if not for Benyar.” The cleric became quiet as she began her internal reflection.

Dead but not forgotten… Doakes, except by Sondra who has been singing about herself all damn day. Thanks to the Bard in her head… ‘warrior and beauty’ and a few other rhymes are tumbling from her mouth. Whilst she forgets, as usual, that she was only one of the party that ran up that hill. If not for her, Doakes, the beautiful, would be alive. Inevitably, she’ll find a bard in town and throw gold at it to sing of her honor. Hopefully, she’ll include me in it, I’m the cleric after all, I represent HER god and without Benyar she’d just be a hair-twirling-sword-flailing maniac. I’d like a bit of honor, too. Would it hurt to recognize that?  Benyar himself took my arrow in hand and led it to the face of that disgusting and godless creature. By his hand, I was able to deliver that shot and more and than heal, heal by HIS great gifts. It was all for Benyar, all for him… and yet there she goes, prancing off and twirling her hair again – flapping gums. It is only because I trust you, Benyar, that I continue to be near her. She is, after all, guided by your hand. I won’t tell her, I promise.”

As the cleric glided in her thoughts through the next moments she heard a small voice from without, breaking into internal prayer, “Ninny… which part is the pixie and which is the fairie?”

“Benyar, give me strength.”

by Nyneva

By the Mighty Benyar, it is my appointed duty to relate the tale of my victory.

My High Priest in Arz requires that I keep a running diary which means I had to buy pencils and paper. He didn’t give me the extra gold to do this with, unfortunately. I suppose this is part of my test. Or maybe he’s just a stingy twink. Either way, while others go off to have a grand time at the closest bar, led of course by Doaks–that scamp–I’m here writing.

We got here, that was the main thing. Of course we were hungry, we hadn’t planned so well, and that blind old man who said he was a pilgrim gave us some rather confusing directions which only served to get us even more lost. Our other chums chose another path and haven’t gotten here, I hope they’re not dead.

On the way, we exchanged the our knowledge of the area. We know there are ruins to an evil temple in the swamps below the falls, lizard skins built it – the old commander cleaned out the nest — bless his soul, I wonder what ever happened to him? Behind the waterfalls under the Keep there is a huge system of catechombs. There’s a Sage in Western border of the Keep. There are tribes and different creatures living in the Mines of Chaos – some don’t like each other.  The Prefect’s woman used to be the Middle Bailey commander’s girlfriend – who came a year or so back to the Keep. Once she got there she set her sights on the Prefect (but she seems to be 95 pounds of trouble laced in a corset). We need to avoid her, too. She sounds evil. Or perhaps the crows of Benyar will descend upon her… one can only pray.

As we arrived we saw the Keep in the distance. With the waterfall beneath it, it was breathtaking. I had to thank Benyar for bringing me that far. On the way in, we were set upon by hungry and possibly very thiefing halflings. I chose to reform one, and made him my torch bearer. He is called Seamus and I shall prevail upon him to worship the Greater Gawd Benyar. Or he will suffer the crows upon him. There’s an innkeeper we need to avoid as he apparently threw his wife’s lover over the falls.

We arrived, and were quizzed by a nosy but not so bright gatemaster. I tried to stay back but it was obvious that my party needs the guidance of a true and righteous follower of Benyar. They are far too concerned with pubbing and spending money, especially the upper crust Kailan. The inn we chose was warm and comfortable and had hearty food. I took a bath. Stupid elf thought he did not stink. We made him bathe as well. We all settled in. It was nice to rest on a bed. It would be a luxury that I do not expect to have again for sometime. I think I will need a bedroll and a tent soon.

Eventually, we registered at the Guildhouse. I could not bear to go in, a gn..o..ling…a horrible, tiny, big-nosed, creepycreature sat behind the counter. It is sad, too, for the rest of the party let Doaks name it after himself. Typical Dumbarton move, he’s such a cutie for anyone stupid enough. Or perhaps it is because I have known him for a long time and consider him a boorish drag. I’ve heard all his jokes, seen all his moves, know all his pixie ways. May Benyar strike me dead if I tell falsehood.

We did go supply up at Crazy Zedar’s. The prices were insane. I did overhear, however, that they change with the Keep’s pay cycle so we must buy when the prices are low. Zedar has the most hilarious manner of speech. It was hard not to capitalize on it. In the end, I bought a donkey with Liam to carry our supplies and some other necessary items. He’s gullible as heck, which is interesting for someone with his expertise.

We decided we needed to go bounty hunting. It was necessary as we’d spent a lot of cash on food and lodging. Plus, we need the experience if we are to go and claim a dungeon to plunder and become wealthy. Being wealthy is a good way to spread the word of Benyar. Poor clerics don’t make much dent, I have been taught, that is. I was a good student.

Not far from the gates of the keep were a pack of Kobolds. They’re not known for being overly bright. This, we witnessed when Doaks threw a phantasmal force of archers at them. It was quite a lovely thing to see.  Combined with his doppleganger of Rue, which did in our last kobold, their sargeant. I agree with Rolando. As I was healing his wounds, by the grace and power of Benyar, we discussed having an actual plan for combat. We only won that battle on luck, the luck mainly of Rue. He was amazing in battle. Rolando was in a battle frenzy that nearly cost him his life. That and the arrow in his arse by Liam. I literally had to shout at Liam to “STOP FIRING” and only by the strength of my will did I not smack him with the heft of my bow. I was busy.

Busy is what I was when Seamus was arguing with me over taking my staff in his hand. I just may fire him for backtalk. I will pray for guidance this night. That and more healing. Rolando is in dire need of more. I may have to use traditional methods.

Praise Benyar, his might, and pray that he sends his crows, Mishap and Circumstance, to guide watch over us and confuse our enemies.