Wandering Healer

The battle for Ilithi...

2004-05-25T04:49:04Z

Well, where to start?

After hearing word of the war council of several days ago and the decision that Therengia would be coming to the aid of the Crystal City, I traveled to Zoluren in hopes of taking part in the battle. I did this against my better judgment and, alas, have learned I am better off trusting my instincts.

On the road south with a large group of guildleaders, nobles and adventurers, I fell to an Outcast ambush. A moonmage appeared to greet us at the north platform for the gondola, and before anyone could react, three of our number were dead. Though the moonmage himself was slain shortly thereafter, our deaths required a good bit of dragging, healing, and general gnashing of teeth. Many thanks are owed to Esuin for helping those of us (including the empath and cleric) who fell.

Once we were all up and walking again, our group traveled to the Steel Claw Clan and made a pretense of establishing a triage site and discussing a strategy for assaulting the city. Most of those present left the command area in dribs and drabs, with very little in the way of communication.

Luckily, a few were kind enough to help me establish an effective triage site, but there we sat with little in the way of updates or communication. Thanks are owed to those few who did stay to aid me and who conveyed what information they had, but, unfortunately, with unknown events transpiring, we were of little use to the assembled force. I suppose I should be thankful that I only had to tend to the wounds of two or three combatants, but I can't help but feel frustrated once again.

Certainly, if I voiced my concerns in a public fashion, some would respond that communication is difficult in combat, and no doubt it is. Others would likely dismiss my concerns as trivial. However, too many times now, I have been involved in battles where I was left feeling unneeded, unappreciated, and out of the loop. The part that frustrates me the most is that I have been involved in other instances of battle triage when communication has been very effective. To my mind, when someone is willing to sacrifice a great deal and put forth an extraordinary effort to help, the least they are due is common courtesy.

In any event, with a little luck Katamba will rise soon, and I can return to the spring forests of my home and leave all this frustration behind me.

Among the orchard trees...

2004-05-20T03:54:42Z

Amazingly, I am almost content. After another round of frustrations in Zoluren the other eve, I took the land route back home. Somehow the trees, brooks, and lakeside reeds of the north can heal almost any ill. I have been back in my old haunts for only two days, and already I feel refreshed and full of life once more.

Mayhaps even more important than the natural surround, I find the peace and quiet of the north soothing to my senses. A few friends about keep me from dwelling too long on being alone, but the absence of that unmistakable hum of the big city allows me to sleep at night. While I do miss some of my friends from the south, I need this time to make myself whole once more.

Sometimes healing one's wounds simply isn't enough. I must remember to heal my spirit more often.

Spring!

2004-05-18T20:33:01Z

Finally, the rains of spring have arrived, and while it's still a bit chilly, warmer, sun-filled days are ahead! Not only am I thrilled with the departure of the snows, but I am also now able to free the ranger within me. My backpack is full of roses, chamomile, lavender, and plovik leaf, and I could not be more pleased with myself! Soon, my dream of opening a little alchemy shop of my very own may be closer to reality.

With the rain, I even have time to remember where I put those darned pyramids!

Triage, triage, and more triage....

2004-05-12T17:10:26Z

So much healing and so little time! As requested, I have arrived at a tentative list of triage sites to be used during these dark days. I have also arrived at a simple cypher for communicating the locations during combat. To identify a specific area, one should use the Zone followed by the letter (e.g. Zoluren North Zone B to indicate inside the Theren bank). Here follow my suggestions:

THERENGIA -->

~~North Zone~~

A) Theren, horseman's run (north and east from the Theren gate)
B) Theren, bank
C) El Bain's, picnic table **SAFE ZONE

~~Lake Zone~~

A) Lang, at bridge in housing area (to the west of town, north of the trail to peccs)
B) Outside leather shop
C) Outside pawn shop

~~River Zone~~

A) Academy
B) Town Hall Road, north of Hall
C) Gift shop
D) Trader Market, up the silver stairs
E) Bakery
F) Temple, Divuaysh Shrine
G) Outside Bard guild
H) At basket or inside Empath guild

~~South Zone~~

A) Two paces south of ferry
B) Along the Stone Road (croc area)
C) South of the bridge near Sicle Grove

********************

ZOLUREN -->

~~North Zone~~

A) Dirge, NE of bank
B) Caravansary, Rustic Circle area (NW and West from the path to Dirge off the NTR)
C) Just inside path to Dirge
D) NTR four pace SE of path to Dirge

~~Central Zone~~

A) Kaerna, at the well (inside the gates, go well)
B) Arthe, Tree (n, n, w, s from Arthe gates)
C) Glythtide Shrine (n, n, w, w, from Arthe gates) ** SAFE ZONE
D) NTR, SW of the circle of stones (between northwall trail and road to Arthe)

~~City Zone~~

A) Willow Walk fountain (center of area through gate north of herb shop)
B) Temple Garden
C) Healerie (basement of empath guild)
D) River Pine housing area (from bank, E, S, S, S, E, E, SE, NE)
E) Ushnish Shrine (inside west gate, E, E, S)
F) Bazaar, outside tent
G) Outside the Jade Tower (out the west gate, NW, W, NW, NW)
H) Temple Hill, bird feeder (out the west gate, NW, go pillar)

~~South Zone~~

A) STR footpath, at the bench (from the shadows to the Forest of Night, SW, S, SW, S, S, S, SE, go footpath)
B) Leth Temple (From town hall, NW, NW)
C) Leth Gymnasium (From town hall, W, W, W, W, W, W, S, SE)
D) Leth Music Shop (From town hall, S, S, S, S, S)

~~Far South Zone~~

A) Tamsine's Rest, gardens or island (From Leth gate, SW, S, SW, SW, S, go trail, go gate, go path, N, E, NE)
B) Along the STR between the log and the rose bush

********************

ILITHI -->

~~North Zone~~

A) Modren Daelfa housing area (from gondola, SE, SW, S, SE, go path, SW, W, NW, NW)
B) Outside the bug shop (from Oak, S, SW, W, SW, S, SW, E)
C) Near the picnic table (from Edge of Woods, go bridge, W, W)
D) Berengaria Shrine (From path to SCC, NE, N, NW, N, NE, NE)
E) Steel Claw Stables (From path to SCC, go bridge, W, N, N, N, go stable, E)

~~Central Zone~~

A) Ring Road, between north and west gates
B) Ring Road, east of north gate at life sculpted flowers
C) Survival Shop (out east gate)

~~Crystal Zone~~

A) Whitehall Commons (housing area inside emapth guild)
B) Wall shop (From north gate, S, S, S, S, NW, NW, go shop)
C) Liani's Haven (From Paladin guild, go bridge, NW, go tavern)
D) Outside the bank
E) Great Tower, up from entrance
F) Temple of Darkness, north of entrance
G) Milene's Rose (7 N from south gate)
H) Silver Eye Inn, at t'gora plat (S, S, from north gate)
I) Golden Phoenix, west booth (from bank, E, E, go bridge, go inn)

~~Wall Zone~~

A) Near field tent, east of general store
B) Medic tent
C) Among the onagers

Another day, another battle for Haven...

2004-05-12T15:44:45Z

The grand city of Riverhaven has once more seen the forces of the orc master use it as his preferred through way to Zoluren. Three divisions, ogre, goblin and orc respectively, destroyed the defenses at the west gate, routed the Therengian units defending the city, and crossed the river without so much as a yawn.

Fortunately, yet again, the forces the army left in its wake to hold the city were not up to the task. Though they tried to bar our own gates against us, a crack team of warriors used both wits and brawn to obliterate the units and defenses at the west gate and reentered the city. There was fierce fighting inside the gates and throughout the city as our squad defeated the remaining units and picked off the straggling orcs, goblins, and ogres. Luckily, though a number of our company fell, much blood was spilled, and healing needed, our losses were relatively light. At last, the city was made safe once again.

Alas, we have lost track of the divisions that crossed the river. They are still at large, by last reports, and they left several units to defend the bridge heads near Sicle Grove.

After the battle, our company passed over the river on the ferry and made our way to the Dirge area to aid the Zolurens attempting once again to breach the barricades erected outside the old Gorbesh fortress. Oh my, there is a great deal of work to be had for this wandering healer.

Goal accomplished...

2004-05-05T22:26:37Z

At long last, I have accomplished a goal I set for myself over four years ago. I am now free to find another horizon to run toward, and the feelings which suffuse me as a result are liberating indeed.

A celebration is in order, but sadly I no longer have anyone with whom to celebrate. Mayhaps I should find my way to a tavern and lose myself in drink. My dear friend Cala tells me that's the best way both to celebrate and to drown one's sorrows. Killing two birds with one stone might not be a half bad idea.

A vanquished foe...

2004-05-05T22:18:11Z

I seem, at least temporarily, to have vanquished my arch nemesis bad luck.

Against my better judgment, I agreed to run about in the maze administered by the merchant Droughtman, and, lo and behold, much to my surprise I might add, I ended up finding my way out first.

The frustrations were legion on the way, however. Right out of the chute, and much to my chagrin, I was transformed into many unpleasant forms including a mime and a laughing toad. This was compounded by the fact that toads seemingly cannot carry wands, and the lights suddenly went out. Needless to say, hopping about a maze in the dark while wearing a moss headdress and trapped in an invisible box is not my idea of a walk in the park.

That having been said, I soon learned the lesson of patience, but not before I indulged in a significant dose of self-pity, shrieking, hair pulling, gnashing of teeth, pouting, and a long string of expletives.

When at long last a kind soul relieved me of umpteen bleeding wounds by freeing my body of life, I began to formulate a more concrete strategy. My first priority was finding the Way Out, which I attempted to do in a methodical fashion. Once that goal had been accomplished, I set off to find a key. Whether it was shear good luck on my part or the fact that my usual bad luck was besetting my competitors, I cannot say, but a key came into my possession. Amazingly, I had time to grab it up and stow it away before encountering a whirlwind which took me back to the entrance of the maze.

Key in metaphorical hand, I set off, doggedly trying to retrace my steps to the Way Out. Here, I must make a comment on the devilish nature of Droughtman's creation -- it seems that the way to the Way Out is an ever changing one, but by this time my determination had been stiffened by the thoughts in my head telling me that others, too, had found keys.

A determined empath is a fearsome thing to behold, though, and wand in hand I marched through the maze, freezing the unwary and illuminating my path. When at last I gazed upon the Way Out, my heart surged with such emotion I nearly became giddy, but I had the wherewithal and the will. Producing the key, I passed the barrier. Much to my surprise, the words echoed in my head, "To the winner go the spoils!"

As a reward, I was given the most wonderful pouch. Seemingly an ordinary cloth container, it contained a trove of cambrinth items, large and small, one for nearly every body part and several others to boot! Most excitingly, I discovered a faceted orb, an item after which I have lusted for some time.

All in all, it was a satisfying experience, but alas, I haven't a great deal of confidence that the second round will be any less replete with frustration. Luckily, I have a few months to steel my resolve for the next challenge.

Long have been my travels...

2004-05-02T03:20:10Z

Long have been my travels this night, but let me begin at the beginning. Well, at a beginning:

Yesterday, shortly after waking from an unsettled slumber, I was jarred to hear the thoughts of a leading Zoluren moonmage to the effect that Grondor was marshalling forces in the north of Zoluren for an attack on the community of Dirge. After composing myself for a brief moment, I hastened northwards along the trade route to offer aid to those who were combatting the threat.

The fighting was fierce, and Dirge was overrun quickly due to the large numbers of powerful creatures at Grondor's command. Our forces fell back as the orc and goblin hordes advanced south along the trade route, and the fighting continued for sometime. Alas, the enemy even brought his cyclops allies to bear, and the toll in lives and blood was great. After a time, though, the fighting ceased, and the enemy withdrew to captured Dirge and its surrounds, leaving the trade route to Zoluren's forces. I shudder to think what would have happened had Grondor's bloodlust not been sated, and I am unsure whether Kaerna's gates could have been held against him -- he now has siege machines in his possession.

Once the air cleared and the healing was done, it was decided that I should travel north to warn Baron Gyfford and his council about the rising threats both to his own lands and the other free provinces.

Several nights ago, a group of gypsies visited Arthe Dale with dark tales of the Elf Raenilar and his cohort of desert dwellers. Whether they are allied or not is in dispute, but Raenilar and Grondor coordinated their attack on the city of Riverhaven, and there is reason to believe they will do the same in Zoluren and beyond.

It is said Raenilar wishes to reclaim his lost homeland upon which now rests the Crystal City of Shard and the heart of the Ferdhal's realm. If this is true, the elf's forces will continue to move southwards, and, given his demonstrated willingness to use Therengia as his throughway, more enemy forces will be passing through my homeland.

Moreover, reports have reached my ears that at least one clan of gypsies has decided to take advantage of these unsettled times by openly challenging the Baron's rule on the great road between Langenfirth and Theren. Again, tis unclear whether the gypsies are allied with Grondor and Raenilar or whether they are merely using their threat as cover to make a grab for land and power. Nonetheless, a group of travelers was assaulted several days ago (both on the road and within the boundaries of Langenfirth). Though the gypsies who attacked were dispatched, these attacks are worrying.

The gypsy threat, Grondor's attacks, and rumors about Raenilar have sent me north. A long road in the snow, but I have finally arrived and have left a missive for the Baron. I await his response.

These cold and dark nights seem even darker because I am alone on this journey, not a friend is to be found in Therenborough (evreyone seems to be sleeping behind their locked doors). I have left Karrah resting in Zoluren -- I do hope she is well and safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a side note, I came to receive dreadful news after the battle north of Kaerna. It seems my new friend Gerith, the country lad whose farm was just outside of the hamlet, got a taste of war up close and personal. Enemy forces stormed his farm, and while his father valiantly held them at bay for long enough that Gerith and his mother escaped, the poor gent lost his life. I suppose I should be thankful that Gerith escaped with his mother and that he received news of his brothers' safe arrival on the islands, but I could offer him little consolation for the loss of his brave father. I shall have to keep my eyes open and see what I can do to look after the lad.

Walking in circles

2004-04-27T07:42:26Z

Rounds in what is now to me a foreign city strain my patience. So many strange shops, guilds and communities. The thought that this city was once familiar to me echos in the cold evening breeze, but how I long for the peace and quiet of the trees of the northlands. Alas, it is winter and there is a war on.

In these times of trouble, I should be thankful for a quiet moment to train and enjoy the comforts that a metropolitan city like Crossing has to offer, but I fear this is the quiet before the storm. Thus, I find myself walking in circles -- just marking time until a healer is needed once more.

My love Karrah is sleeping, and I hope she has found restful and restoring sleep and dreams of home. I do miss her, though. I find the south easier to endure with her at my side. Tomorrow is another day, and now it is time to prepare for what it may bring.