[Animayhem]

Sitting in her home, Caramiriel open her book and writes,

"My arrival to civilization was less than civil but not unexpected. Naturally I was persued by thugs who wait for new arrivals to rob or enslave them. Our battle did not last that long as an unknown red wizard stepped in
and stopped the chase. He then explained that I had sparked the interest of a few people and might prove to be a contributing member to society. Instantly my heart skipped a few beats and my mind was racing. Had my father decided to take an interest, through anonymous agents? I was told to seek out a man only known as the "beggar". Shortly after he said that things went black and awoke in another area.It seems that others arrived the same as I and given the same instructions so the foolish thought of my father would stay that. I did not arrive in Bezantur as I thought but Tyraturos. It is quite a nice place and there is plenty of land inbetween the homes.

I met the "beggar" and started his errands which basically consisted of running messages to various people. I was making decent progress with the beggar when myself and some others were rounded up as suspects in the theft of an commissioned armor for the Tharchion of Lapendrar.
We were crowded into a cell. There was quite a cross section of people including a hin who kept vomiting, a tiefling with a loud mouth and ego, a man who deemed himself some sort of aristocratic and a man obviously of Mulhorandi decent who deemed us all inferior and despised all the various languages being spoken. It was quite obvious that the legionnaires failed in their task and were looking for scapegoats and they were about to round up some of us for execution and torture. However the Tharchion of Tyraturos, a red wizard named Dimon stepped in and offered us a choice. Find and capture the true criminals or suffer. Naturally their were protestations mostly from the mouthy teifling but we had no choice. We would given some time to stock up on supplies and such then regroup for the hunt.

I must of overslept as when I awoke and went outside, I did not find those who I was with. My time in the cell however and the brief exposure to the legionnaires has made me determined to join them. One might think it odd a druid would choose such a path, but if I am to try and find any information on my father it would be a good place to be. To some a legionnaire is just a glorified slave with freedom, mayhap but I do not see myself working for some temple, though if there was one to Silvanus I might concider it.

I went to the beggar for my next task, to deliver a message to a place called the Tower of Swift Death. I was starting to have my doubts as to the beggar but went anyway. I had my panther Yith with me. As we approached we were attacked by two men most likely mercenaries but who were of the arcane. We managed to defeat them but I barely survived but I did an delivered the message. On my way back I ran into a hin who seemed a bit unnerved at the bodies of the men I killed. Shortly afterwards a woman came although I do not think she was human as she looked like she could of been maybe of orcish blood. I warned the two of the dangers, wished them luck and returned to the beggar for my next task.

I must of impressed his sponsors as he sent me to retrieve an item in one of the tombs. I was making good progress, finding things though not what he sought. Suddenly I was attacked by a skeleton with a huge axe and I tried desperately to get away and maybe heal myself, but not having armor I was losing blood too fast.He ended it quickly and I awoke in the crypts of Bezantur. Before I left I "met" those who had my interest and was warned they may not always be there for me. They were only voices but their tone sent a chill through me.

Since I was in Bezantur, I decided to go to the citadel and present the letter I was given to the deedmaster. I do not know who put it in my pack. The man opened the letter and gave me a key to a house and told me its location. I was surprised at the size of the exterior but more surprised by the interior which was completly if not laviously furnished.

I need to make coin not only to pay for the taxes but also to get back to the beggar. Maybe I can buy what he seeks and find out from the locals where one could make some quick coin. At least for awhile slavers will not bother me so I must try and do the best I can before my next season. Mayhap I will run into others andwe can assist each other although this being Thay, that may be more difficult."

She closes her book and prepares to go out and face the world again.

[Animayhem]

In her room at the Trident, Caramiriel opens her book and writes,

" On my way to the caravan I met two hins and a man on a horseback. The one hin called himself Bilonge or some such their names are quite strange at times, the other was Ardval and the man was Gust. One of these days I will have to try and think of ways to remember names concidering all the wide variety of races one meets. The hins were like me, they had died on a quest for the beggar and wound up in Bezantur instead of Tyraturos. They declined accompnying me to Tyraturos as they wanted to take care of some things while in Bezantur.
Gust had business there so he came with me.

We arrived at the carvansari and Gust was surprised I did not have a horse and we were not going to ride there. I told him I had not the coin for a horse so would have to take the caravan but he was still welcomed. I was about to enter, when Jay, the very vocal Tiefling arrived, he to was on a horse. He had planned to return to Tyraturos, to see if he could find an acquaintance named Mason. On a quest for the beggar which required searching the lower level of the tombs, they were seperated. Since we all had business in Tyraturos I suggested we all take the caravan. It was late evening, Jay decided it would be a good idea, though he was sllightly short on the fare but I said I could give something towards it. I do not know if pride or tradition, but Gust was hestitant at first but then decided it was a better course of action.

We got on the carvan hoping our trip would be uneventful. Jay started to talk about his life. His father was a demon and his mother an elf and they lived near the swamps and got along well with some of the more unusal races including those of lizardfolk. He also mentioned he had a lust for fighting and could tap into extra reserves as a berserker. Gust and I were a bit taken back as one usually does not make that public, however demons in general are known to say what things are. He also likes Julid, the drink which enhances ones fighting power but can be addictive. He got excited when the caravan master called for help but was shortly disappointed he was not needed.

The rest of the trip went without incident and we arrived safely. I agreed to come with him and some others back to the tombs as we all had business there.

I must close for now as it is time to meet jay and his party for the sojourn through the tombs."

She closes the book puts it in a bag and heads out to meet Jay and his party.

[Animayhem]

Exhausted from her ordeal, Caramiriel opens her book and writes,

" I met Jay at the proposed place and we were joined by him, Gust,his friend Mason and a man name Dyasta (I think. Damn I need a better way to remember names). We followed Jay to his temple which is the Burning House of Kossuth.( Aptly named as there were flames shooting up from the corners.)
The temple is quite impressive on the inside as well. There are fire and lava pits all around as well as fire bats which would fly about you yet ignore you. There were some disturbing scenes as well people in stocks. Whether these were people who crossed the temple or sacrafices I know not.( Note to self, research more about Kossuth) The high priestess was quite cordial and her prices reasonable so I purchased some banadges. Once jay made is obligatory rounds we all left and prepared to go towards the tombs and were met by an elf female named Jeolin who seemed to be a practicioner of the roguish arts.

Unlike my first trip to the tombs which I did not encounter any resistance, we encountered a horde of zombies. I guess it must have been the time of the day when they roamed. We managed to dispatch them. I was so proud of my panther Yith as he must of taken about three down himself. The bodies were looted and the gold was given to Dyasta (?) (ah hells I will just refer to him as Dy, at least in this narrative)

We entered the tombs and were enocunter by more undead and some ones I had never encountered before. We battled and hacked are way through. I found things along the way but not what I sought. (I wonder if it really is here or that damn beggar wants me out of the picture). We finally made it through. The group had wanted to continue to the lower levels, but I was attacked by a goul and I could feel the disease spread. I apologized to the group but they understood. (Hells even if I was not diseased my equipment and spell knowledge really would not help).

As I was turning to leave, Dy came up and handed me some gold, it amounted to $250. I thanked him and carefully made my way back out. Praise Silvanus, as I did not enocunter any resistance. My condition was getting worse so I decided to sell
what I had picked up as they were weighing me down. I sold everything except the armor which I was able to use.

I returned to my room and rested for awhile but I still felt weakened and decided to head back to the Burning House of Kossuth. Since the priestess was reasonable in her prices for goods, it was reasonable to think the same for her curative powers."

She closes the book and heads for the temple.

[Animayhem]

Having returned to her room restored, Caramiriel opens her book and writes,

" I was correct. The priestess at the Burning House was more reasonable that the one at Waukeen. I have been debating if I should write down what little I know of may past or just wait until asked. I have decided I would write what little I know here to prepare if asked.

My name loosely translates to red jewel or gem. Though one who may know the meaning may look at me odd as I do not have red hair. My hair and eyes are a golden amber. My facial features show a hint of my elven heritage but my size and the rest of me show my human side. This is rather odd as I am referred to as half-elf rather than half human so I guess to others I show more elf.

Though I was born in the high forests and raised by elves, my life was not what one would call typical. My mother was a beautiful elven woman and who worked for a minor Mulan house. The lord and lady were decent enough as she was paid as a servant rather then kept as a slave has they had what they called the lesser creatures as such. Thats not to say they held elves in high esteem but my mother proved to be a capable nanny and maid as well as a minor healer. At times if they had guests she would sometimes act as a roll of server. Her beauty poise and grace garnered attention from any who saw her. She had lived with this all her life and did not let it bother her, well that is until a certain red wizard started to visit.

Naturally given their station it would not be unusual for Red Wizards not to visit however it seems the frequent visitor was not a wizard of high standing and most likely recent achieved his ascention. My mother tired her best to avoid him without causing shame or embarrassment to the lord and lady. Her efforts at this rather made him all the more interested.
One day while my mother was picking herbs she had planted, the wizard suddenly appeared so startled she dropped her basket and attempted to flee but he was too quick. He knocked her down , tore her clothes and had his way with her and not gently and several times."

*She winces slightly as she remembers her mother's account and can see the details as if she was there. Caramiriel takes a deep breath then continues writing*

" He left as quickly as he came, my mother battered and bruised. It was good luck she was by the storage shed and stable. She ran into the stable tore off the remaining clothes and taking a clean towel which would be used to clean the horses, dipped it in the water and washed herself briskly and with the towel warpped around her, she ran into the shed where she had a small chest with extra clothing and toliettries. She dressed herself and combed her hair and cast some restoration spells to at least lessen the abuse suffered to her face. When she walked into the house with the basket of herbs in her hand she smiled and bowed as she walked by the lady of the house and resumed her chores. The wizard never returned or if he did she was not around. A few weeks later she experienced the early signs of pregnancy and since she had not been with a man as the bastard wizard was the first, she knew it was his.

She could not keep her condition hidden for long from the lady as the lady already bore the lord several children. One day the lady called my mother into her study and asked if any in the household, including her lord was responsibile. My mother said no. The lady asked if it was any of the elves of her clan. My mother once again said no and she said it was noone in the little village. The lady was a shrewd one and when she asked if it had been someone who was a visitor, my mother could not help but go pale but said nothing. The woman frowned but said nothing but just nodded. Although she liked my mother, she could not afford a scandal, let alone any trouble from the red wizards so she let my mother go. She graciously allowed her to take what meager possessions she had, a weeks worth of food and what ever gold she had saved. My mother thanked the lady for her generousity and left silently and unseen and went back to her clan."

*Caramiriel stops and reads what she has written and decides she needs a break. She closes the book, puts it in her pack and heads towards the tomb to see if she can complete the beggars task. She would resume her narrative later.*

[Animayhem]

On the caravan traveling back to Tyraturos from Moszabbar, Caramiriel opens her book and writes,

" I have just started my third season and naturally paid the slaver protection again. Some may think me foolish but until I get better weapons and gear I will. While anyone can be a target, elves or those with elven blood more so then most. Some may say.'Travel with others it is safer'. That is easier said then done. People have come here to seek their fortunes and like myself wish to rid themselves of the beggars yoke as soon as possible.

I went back to the tombs and finally found that elusive item. You think he would be greatful? Bah he was not and he sent me back to find another item which I did.(so it seems things are where he says they are though I think he hates his job). The beggar must be obsessed with death and the dead as my next two quests were to pay a visit again to the dead. One area was the catacombs the other the lower part of the tombs I has just left. Luckily they were scrolls and the library behind us had them. They did not cost much so I bought them and he was satisfied.(Note to self: items can be bought which requires finding even more gold.)

I guess I must be impressing his employers as now he had me deliver a message outside of Tyraturos to a place called Moszabbar. Damn him he must have forgotten that it costs to travel. Anyway it was not much to write home about .(hah that is if I had family or a home to send letters too) It was dry and dusty, a desert town. They had a temple dedicated to snakes but you had to be careful where you stepped as the creatures were all over the place. I was greatful the place I had to deliver was not too far from the caravan and I quickly returned. I wonder if I will be finally rid of the flea bag or still have to do jobs for him?"

She closes the book and puts it away as she has arrived back in Tyraturos.

[Animayhem]

On the caravan to Eltabarr, Caramiriel opens her book and writes,

" I still have to work for the flea bag. How many damned people does he know? No sooner had I got off the caravan and reported in when he told me I had to go to Amruthar. I do not mind travel as one's horizons should be broadened but the damn pay you recieve is not even half of a one way fare. Having gone and checked with the caravan master on the cost, I found I had barely half of the total trip price.

Since I was still dusty from the desert, I decided to go back to the graveyard and crypts. However this time I was not going to open any sarcophagi as thats were those mean undead children arose. I found enough gold and items to sell and with the meager payment recieved made it back to Tyraturos. I did not return to the beggar right away but went to the carvansari to freshen up and rest a bit.

I should of waited. Guess what? Yes that's right, I had to travel again but to one of the more expensive places on the list, Eltabbar, home of the red wizards. Luckily the graveyard and tombs proved profitable again.
I wonder what a city of red wizards looks like?"

The drover annouces their arrival and Caramiriel closes her book and puts it away.

[Animayhem]

On the caravan to Bezantur, Caramiriel opens her book and writes.

" Praise Silvanus I am free of the flea bag. I returned from Eltabarr not taking the time to look around, well frankly it did not seem the time to do so as I was delivered directly to where I had to be so I immediately headed back to Tyraturos.Surely I would be allowed to stay locally but noooooooo, guess where he sent me again? To the damned desert city Moszabbar and I had to deliver a message to a person in the Temple of Snakes of all places. Now do not get me wrong, I am a Druid and honor all animals, but those things were slithering all over. Thankfully my mark was close to the entrance so I did not have to walk far and the reptiles at least waiting until I was standing still to slither past.

I returned and my prayer was answered, well sort of. I did get to stay but he wanted an elixir and said it could be found in the catacombs. I had seen what he wanted in temples and it was not that expensive. Frankly, I did not have the energy to even attempt them. I went to Waukeen, naturally they were outrageous so I went to the Burning House and she was quite reasonable. Taking a deep breath I returned and gave him the item and was paid.

I talked to him afterwards and all he said was spare a coin. I looked at him in disbelief and taled to him again and agian he repeated that line. Tired and dusty from the trip, I risked his anger but could not help myself. ' I no longer work for you.' I said right to his face. Instead of a reprimand, he smiled and said I was correct. He told me of a woman I was to talk to in regards to my future. She would be in the library at the Citadel in Bezantur. Bezantur! My heart skipped a beat at last I would be able to go home. I gave him a warm smile and walked away.

I looked at my coin purse and noticed I was slightly short for the trip. I decided to make one final trip through the tombs. However I did not go as far as before for it seems a higher level of undead had taken residence, zombie warriors. With Yith,my panther and my summons we managed to take down a few but I was not going to push my luck having just finished up the last of my healing supplies.

Despite the gold and items I had found and sold, I was slightly short. My only options were to hope I ran into someone else going there to split the fare or I would have to go back to the tombs. As I was leaving the market, I ran into Jay again and I told him my situation. He told me to come with him to his temple.
After he concluded business, he gave me some coin which helped make up the difference and told me to go as he would arrive later. I thanked him and cheerfully paid him. The first thing I would do when I got home, was give thanks to Silvanus at my personal shrine then take a long hot bath."

The drover announced they had arrived, with her book safely in her pack she cheerfully got off and headed towards her home.

[Animayhem]

From her home in Bezantur, Caramiriel opend her book and writes,


" Naturally when I arrived, I did as the beggar suggested and saw the woman at the citadel. I patiently listened as she droned on about all the options. I thanked her and left and immediately sought out the sergeant.

I opened the door but it was the woman Azura who was a captain not a sergeant. I smiled and politely addressed her but she turned me down saying that she was a busy person and to come back when I was a bit more seasoned. Seasoned? What does she take me for some meat to be cooked. I did not know how common it was but for someone to be free of the flea bag in three and a half seasons?
However as I walked outside, I realized she was right. I mean I didn't even have decent enough gear. Oh well, there was nothing a hot bath wouldn't cure.

I was approaching my home, when I saw man coming towards me, his armor looked familiar. I was correct it was the man named Iathouz, whom I had met in the tombs of Tyraturos. I guess he was on his way to one of the temples as he was injured. Since he was kind to me in Tyraturos, I thought I would return the favor.
Now do not get me wrong, I do not bring strange men into my house on a daily basis.(Hells,if I did, the brothels in the northeast part of town would probably charge me a fee or make me join their group)

When we entered, he removed his helm and I was pleasanty surprised that he was an elf. I smiled and then began to speak in Elven as to do so in public, well. I showed him where he could freshen up and rest. I did the same and we talked a bit. He asked me if I had been anywhere yet and I told him I went to the crypts but did not go but a few feet in as the creatures which were there were a bit beyond my abilities. My summons bought me time to escape. He said I was wise and that if I was in need of gold, that the sewers might be better and since he too needed gold he would accompany me.

I agreed and we went through the sewers starting with the south. The creatures we met were not too bad but I dare not go without more healing supplies or my creatures. After everything was sold and the gold divided I made almost seven hundred gold. I spent some on bandages and put the rest in the vault.

I still have some time before I reach my next season, so I plan to try and get some gold, hopefullly with Iathouz or another. I may also just stop and take time to visit the many temples."

She closes her book, puts it away then opens the door to her shrine to Silvanus to thank him for her successes so far.

[Animayhem]

Taking a breather from running quests, Caramiriel opens her book and writes.

" My mother was welcomed back in to the clan as they did not fault her for her condition nor did her bethrothed, the man who raised me. Naturally my mother was pleased but also confused and hurt and wanted to kill the life within her. The elders understood her concern but said the life within should not be punished and mayhap some good will come of its life.

So I was raised by loving parents and clan. However, as I got older I started to notice I was not exactly like others and my mixed heritage was becoming more pronounced. Some children were making snide remarks and some of the people who were jealous of her parents started to turn away.

I approached my parents and asked them and they said do not worry what others think. I smiled but still had an uneasy feeling that they were not telling me something. Though I got into a few brawls I pretty much ignored and practiced my lessons in the languages and Druidic skills.

Things started to get dangerous as slavers were increasing patrols in our area and our clan slowly started to evacuate. I did not want to leave but they were having the elderly and children go first. I gave my parents a hug and put my pack upon my back. As I was leaving I heard shouts and cries as the slavers had found us and were capturing some of my people. Having barely escaped myself, I studied the map given me and made my way to Bezantur. I pray that some made it and if not I never see them with collars."

She closes her book and prepares to continue her quests.

[Animayhem]

" Well I have started my fifth season and yes I paid the slaver, I hope that I will not have to for much longer. Despite all the quests I have done I still cannot get into the legion and some of the others I met who would offer challenges say I need more experience. The one who needed the icors, the remain of those damned oozes accepted me. I will say however it was worth the effort as the item has come into great use and the gold covered my return trip.

I thought for sure I would be accepted but no. Maybe I need to travel more and take quests more challenging then searching for knowldege."