Misty Mountains to Dungeons Deep

[madrolls-blog]

Session: 2-2-19

Greetings to you both Mother and Father,

You may have noticed that I did not include a “Cheerful” before the greeting… I find myself huddled in a corner as I sit and look at the beautiful armor Lassmura has made for me. I have finally encountered the vilest creature in existence… the rust monster. I had heard tales of them when I visited the mines and forges of the Orsran Mountains but I had never seen them, as I was told they were killed immediately and were dwellers of the deep. Well…I have received a lesson first hand as to the damage they are able to cause just by the mere brush of their disgusting frilly fluffy feeler things…

Ugh! If at all possible, I am currently trying to fix the state of my armor with the basic skills Lassmura has taught me, but if it would not be too much trouble as to ask if she could forge me something stronger that could withstand such disgusting little pests? I have heard stories of great smiths who are able to forge armor that would never rust, works of art, masterpieces. I know Lassmura must be capable of such a feat. I have never seen finer armor in all of my travels that could rival that of her creations and I know many elves have commended her on her work. I suppose it would be prudent to spend a little more time learning more advanced smiting skills.

I think I may have made a fool of myself in this encounter, but I have also been privileged to see a deeper inner working of this group. Kian is very hot headed and easily flies into a fit of resignation when things do not go as planned or if others do not listen or follow him. To be honest, I am not sure if I would follow Kian, he does not seem to carefully consider the situation or the others around him. As we left for the Pools of Celestial, Adrie did not wish to ride the gryphons but the rest of us did, I believe we did not want to trudge through the frigid snow, so we rode on. It was almost half way up the mountain we were met with such a ferocious blizzard; Adrie said that the blizzard was unnatural. I thought we all had agreed to stop to build a shelter but Adrie was so angered and upset at the gryphons treatment that she simply turned and left.

The others were busy trying to dig a shelter and as I tried to convince her to stay for a moment, she rode back to the monastery. We managed to catch up to her but we had back tracked quite a ways that the others were very upset that she had left with no word and for the time and distance that was lost. It was interesting to see the interactions, that though each member moves and works on their own, there is a hint of comradery within the group. It was strange that the others did not consider Adrie’s feelings until she had chosen to act. I wonder if this lack of communication and lack of understanding will continue and if I will at some point be experienced to it.

No woman, no matter the race enjoys being ignored. I chuckled a bit as I think of Vistra and her refusal to heal people who undermine her. I wonder if that approach works… I know you both would frown and tell me that healing should not be withheld, but in all honesty I wonder sometimes if there are people out there who simply do not deserve such mercy. I hope you are not disappointed in me and my thoughts.

As we camped, we encountered an ice giant but the others were able to fight him off just in time to hear the most eerie of sounds. It was a horn blast that resounded with such force and noise that it shook the entire mountain along with my bones. Matt said it was a bad omen that the horns were from Tiamat… I fear there is much darkness looming about than the world knows about. I’m not sure what sort of things you’re hearing back at the village, but if you could send some information if there is any my way, I would greatly appreciate it.

The place is an old ancient place with a city carved into the very bedrock of the mountain caves, it reminds me of the Orsran Mountains, except the dwarven cities that are built underground are larger and far more beautiful. The intricate carvings of houses and stores that are embellished with gold, silver or bronze, here it is lifeless, but an old dwelling place to many dragonborn. I sense Rohgar is eager to know more of this place, like all of us he is searching, but he has not trusted me with what exactly he is searching for. But I sense that almost everything is laced with a deep sense of loss and it pains me at times.

But back to the rust monsters…yes any information on how to save or keep my armor and how to effectively kill those things would be most helpful, though I am unsure of how long it will take for this letter to reach you both. If there are other creatures of the deep that I should be aware of please include them. Though I am sure some of my companions would ask if I should know more since I am a dwarf, but others will wonder how I know so much since I was raised by elves.

I felt a little hurt as I was reminded that I was not quite a dwarf and not quite an elf. I live with one foot in one world and one in the other only to know bits and pieces but not enough to form a whole world. I wonder if I should never have mentioned that I was raised by elves. I’m not ashamed of my elven upbringing; I still struggle with what everyone says I should or should not be. I have long asked myself “What am I?” and these travels have certainly caused me to stop and ponder such things. What is a dwarf and what is an elf? Anyways, I do not regret my life and am thankful for you both and for the love, care and instruction you have blessed me with.

Speaking of instruction, I have offered to teach Adrie how to read, and wondered if you could send the elven grammar books for younger children. She is an elf so I think it would be a treat for her to learn to read the language of her heritage. Adrie is the only other female in this group and I think we shall become good friends.

Oh yes, thank you for the gummy owl bears, my traveling companions enjoyed them. Please stay safe in these uncertain times. I look forward to the day I can return home from my travels. Send everyone my love.

May Pelor continue to shine upon you all.

With much love,

Your Bessie.

[madrolls-blog]

Session: (delving into purpose)

Cheerful greetings to you both Mother and Father,

I find myself in the quiet solitude of the night mulling over what you both must have felt the day I told you both that I would be leaving the Pelor cluster in Waterdeep. I know there was already worry from when I told you both I would be leaving the forest to be going to one of the busiest and largest cities in Fearun to further my studies in both my faith and occupation. I am very thankful for your connection to Father Francistian but I knew I had learned all I could from him and it was time to move on. This thought has come to mind as I have been asked by a group of people to join them and this would mean a deviation… no, a change in my original plans, but I feel as though journeying with them is Pelor nudging me in a new direction. Just as your plans for me have been altered by me, my plans have been altered by Pelor.

No, it isn’t as some have said that I have grown prideful in my role as a child of peace and take advantage of my status, but it is actually the opposite. It is because of my role in the lives of the elves and dwarves that I have come to find that as a child of peace I had no choice or say in the matter, I was simply chosen, but in this matter of my occupation and growth as a dwarf in an elven world, I am finding the world to be a much bigger place that I long to explore and understand in all its glory. I have come to understand my role within the village and the alliance that has been forged between elf and dwarf, but now I wish to know my role within the wider world.

I have lived my life in accordance to the will of what was best for everyone but now, I am asking for you to understand that this is what I wish to do for myself. This is not a selfish whim or a desire to run away from the responsibilities of life in the forest, instead I think of it as an opportunity. Now that there is a lasting peace between the forest and mountain, I will not sit idly by, but I will move forward to push myself and sharpen myself, for when I do return home I will be a greater asset with a wider perception of our forest in the vast world. Is this not the wisdom that you both have grounded yourselves in and passed onto me? I wish only for you both to be proud of me and even though I am absent and not with you in flesh, it does not diminish my role as the child of peace or as your loving and devoted daughter.

It is my wish to always seek and hope for light in the darkness but to never forget compassion and the power of understanding. I vow to see the sacredness of life and goodness, to value those things over riches, fame and ease. I yearn to heal the sick, comfort the dying, to bring a little bit of joy where I can and to sow seeds of love and compassion with every word that I speak and smile that I give. I want to perform miracles for the good of others; I would love to have stories and words of wisdom that  are worthy to be passed down for generations, to know that I have lived fully and left the world better than when I entered it is all I want.

I fully plan on joining this new group. I do pity the poor lizardman they brought up here, he sits by the fire day and night and though he doesn’t complain I know he is uncomfortable here in the high cold mountains. I’ve yet to speak to him, but he seems simple in his understanding of the world. After observing this new adventuring group, it seems they are earnest in their journey and each of course seeks something, but what it is I know not of. I just know that I need to help them not for the sake of helping them, but also for my sake. I believe that this new group could be a catalyst or a means to fulfill my wish of all that I’ve expressed. I am prepared to search out the depths of Faerun and to see the delicate balance of good and evil.

I miss you both and the village, I miss the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The view of the land from the treetops and the joyous sounds of elflings running about, though I suppose I still am considered a child, perhaps that is why you worry so. Please do not fear, Pelor watches over me and I feel this new group will watch over me as well and I over them.

May Pelor continue to shine upon you all.

  With much love,

Your Bessie.

[madrolls-blog]

Session: 12-08-2018

Cheerful greetings to you both Mother and Father,

Today was filled with excitement and tales. Well first of all I was able to ride a real life griffin! How thrilling it was to approach such a large and noble creature. I had only seen them from afar when the ambassador for the wood elf clan came to visit many seasons ago. Do you remember? The gold colored one that Adamorn had agitated and almost lost his arm. I remember being so mad when you forbade me to go anywhere near it. I see now why, it is a powerful and prideful creature not to be underestimated or taken lightly, but my how they soar through the air with such ease and grace.

But you both must be curious about the news and information on the Orc village that I mentioned in my previous letter. It seems I have found a kindred spirit in Adrie she is the Druid Elf I spoke of, she is quiet but I know there is much that lives and moves within her thoughts, though she does not often speak what is on her mind. She is serious in nature and I have found that her mother was a healer for Pelor. I noticed her beautiful holy symbol and was excited at the prospect of a fellow pelorian, but alas she is not a follower of Pelor but her heart and actions are aligned to the shining one, as it is the orc druid that chose her to be the representative. I am doing what you both have instructed me to do, share, be kind, spread light and it has served me well as I have made many friends along my journey. I have found that the sweetness of shared candy has served well for a buffer and link to all races, I have not yet to meet a person young or old not smile after eating sweets. Though I do not speak orcish, it was a kind smile and a handful of candy that helped turn suspicious terrified children into fun loving joyous children.

The village was a small one hidden away in the depth of the mountain range, very simple dwellings, ones you would find from any nomadic group, tents, huts that can be packed up and moved. There were many injured from burns scars and stab wounds, it was quite terrible as the people who attacked them did not care to differentiate man woman or child. What has happened here that darkness would come to destroy even in the remote areas of the mountains. I do not feel called by Pelor to resolve the tensions here, but only to come, bring a small glimpse of Pelor’s light to scared and wounded and heal.

The adventurer that accompany Adrie are a purposeful bunch and very steadfast in their beliefs and mission. I have yet to know what it is they are setting out to do, but there is something within me that stirs and wishes to continue with them. As much as I enjoy wandering about on my own, I know it worries you all and there have been instances where having others around has been of great help and a source of joy and comfort. There are times when these adventurers remind me of home and I find myself homesick.  

If you are to see Lassmura, please tell my blood mother that the armor she made for me was complimented, nothing can beat dwarven metal and elven beauty. Of course her strong steady hand and expert skill has helped in keeping me safe and I look forward to future gifts and lessons at the forge.

I know you must be curious about the orcs and their village. The village’s main source of healing from what I could see and observe was basic herbs, salves and pastes. I learned a new form of tourniquet… though I’m not sure you could call it that exactly. It is a herbal leaf that you chew and add ash until it’s a pulpy mush, then you apply it into the wound and it stops further bleeding out. I’ve collected more of their herbs for further study. I would gladly send you some, I’d be interested in what you both think. I will be honest, the herb is bitter and the ash is…well it’s disgusting but the remedy seemed effective, I have further questions as well and wonder if this is a remedy good for orcs or other races.

We stayed the night and had a wonderful feast of deer meat and Adrie participated in a ritual to commune with Amarok, the tribes deity. It was uneventful for me and the others, we watched Adrie enter a sort of trance and after awhile the incense they were burning was causing us to cough and choke as it was emitting much smoke in the small cavern. I waited outside and observed the coming and goings of the orcs and even star gazed a bit remembering the stories of great warriors and gods that lived in the outlines of the stars.

I feel as though I’ve rambled too much in this letter, but do not worry, I am back at the monastery with my new found friends and I will go and pray to pelor for guidance in what direction I am to go. I will write again soon. I hope this letter finds you both well. I’m sorry that I will be missing the coming solstice celebration, eat much and drink much for me.

May Pelor continue to shine upon you all.

With much love,

Your Bessie.

[madrolls-blog]

Cheerful greetings to you both Mother and Father,

In my journeys to the Spine of the World, I seem to have found myself lost from the harsh winter snow. Praise be to Pelor that a wandering mountain dwarf of Oghma found me before it was too late. I am writing to you both from the warmth safety of the Ice Fall Monastery. My quest to seek out the winter rose has been unsuccessful, but I believe I have stumbled upon something of a greater cause than just my curiosity.

Just today as I was out wandering… yes I went wandering again in search for an herb to help ease with a brother’s pain. He has worked so hard his entire life and now Oghma is calling his faithful to him, naturally with Pelor’s urging to help ease the man as much as possible before his passing, I went in search of primnar root as you know to help dull the pain from muscle soreness.

My determination to find the root may have distracted me from the keeping of time and before I knew it, it was getting dark. I had found what I was looking for but you know how things look different in the moon light, I got turned around when I hear the sound of fighting, yelling, snarling. I rush to sound and found a human and an orc laying in the snow covered in blood.

I quickly stabilized the human the way you taught me mother and did that trick you did on the high elf ambassador when he was mauled by the owlbear. I preserved the orc and revived him when in a suitable place to do so. I’d like to think you would be proud of me and how much I’ve learned along the way of my travels. I know you both wish to have me near, but I assure you both that I am safe.

In fact, I believe that Pelor has led me here to cross paths with a group of adventurers that have been fighting against the threat of the darkness that the elders have prophesied. They seem to be a good group interested in doing what is right. In the morning we are heading to the orc camp to see to the wounded they all willing risk their lives to help.

It is an interesting group that consists of a half orc that has been raised in Ice Fall monastery, I wonder if I can relate to him, as I am a dwarf raised by noble elves. There are elves in the group, a quiet ranger that reminds me of Uncle Ladryan and a female druid that reminds me Evie. She too is a skilled healer and I hope to learn more from her, the orc we saved seems to trust her and I believe she is pure of heart. 

Even in times of darkness it is easy to see those that carry light within them. There is a rather gruff fighter that wears soft elven features with them that howls at the moon, I sense he is a rough man, worn with battle scars, but I believe inside he is soft as rabbit hair. There is also a dragon born, I have not spoken to him as of yet, but he seems observant but his attention seems to be fixed on Matthew and his golden bird. It is most exciting as I have not had the privilege of encountering a dragonborn till now.

I hope this letter finds you both well. Tell everyone I miss them and think of them often. Tell Tymara the cloth she sent was put to good use and the candy you sent is being rationed even though I wish to devour it all and be homesick. I will send a package home when I am in a more exciting location. I will write to you when I can. Wish us luck tomorrow in the Orc village. Also if you would both be so kind as to send Ice Fall Monastary a share of the spring harvest as a thank you for rescuing me. They are gentle and kind and very isolated. I wish to help them in any means. 

May Pelor continue to shine upon you and guide you.

With much love,

Your Bessie.