Post by Stingray888 on Nov 30, 2013 5:08:15 GMT
Author Topic: Letters to Lonnie
Harkker
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Hero Member
*****
Letters to Lonnie
« on: May 11, 2013, 03:00:34 PM »
Inside Sergon’s guild library sits a young woman who writes what must be her tenth attempt at a letter surrounded by books of recent history.
Lonnie,
I scarcely know where to begin, so much has happened, so much there is to tell you. I have been thinking about it all and it is almost too much for me, but I feel that you must know. It all started with the need for fresh air… you know how much I dislike being cooped up in Shadow Haven. I wanted to be free and run in the woods and not think for the nights when the moon was full. I choose Lake shale and after I was done with the fun of hunting and stalking I found Mister Grey searching for me. We had done some side jobs for him over the past few months and he over paid at that. He works for a chancellor but which one we do not know. The man offered me another job saying he only wanted me, because too many of us would not send the message he wanted. He offered me a magical bracer which was called the Cat Lord’s Favor. Supposedly in the hands of a lycanthrope like myself it would sharpen my claws to twice their sharpness.
I admit that it was way too tempting for me to resist. My target was Ramear, who I have always found to be so droll a bard that I would have done it for gold alone. Mr. Grey however said that he wanted me to kill him as he was about to conduct a meeting in the local tavern in three days time. I was out and did not expect to be working. I had none of my regular gear which is still hidden in my room.
It is strange to me now to think how casual it was in my mind… I can, as you will learn, never think that way again. I took my time to get to Port Alton where the bard resided. I Travelled the open roads and ate what I could find on the way. I must pause for a moment… it is still hard for me.
I did as we have done a hundred times before… I searched for the best places to lay in wait and looked for holes in security. The inn had no exit and though I only had a small amount of what I would normally use for a job like this I did not feel at all inadequate. My plan was simple, as we have always discussed… Complicated plans break down. I would enter the Tavern and try to speak to him in private telling him that I knew of an attempt on his life. The irony struck me as funny, you know how I never was one to lie. Even when Sir Bryce use to beat me for days I was always attached to my feline honor. “IT” would always compel me to act on honor. I would tell Sir Bryce that I had a secret message and then once alone I would use a Malsham wall to seal him in with me. I would tell one of my feline friends to hide in wait somewhere in the kitchen. Maybe in the rafters, Yes a tiger would be able to fit, and no one would look up.
The bard would have some magic but not enough to stop me. I would then use a mirror image spell and some darkness to distract any who would try to stop my escape.
At night, I set my plan into motion and then took a nap in the woods waiting for the time when Mr. Grey would want me to strike. When the time had come I came into the tavern dressed as a normal patron would only to find that he was not there. The location of the meeting had been moved. All of my traps have been laid for nothing. “IT” stirred with anger and I had the annoyance of having some alley cats follow me as a result. I was annoyed that things did not go smoothly and though you would have in your wisdom told me to call it off… I wanted those bracers…
I searched the town and attempted to pick up his scent, perhaps it was my anger but nothing came from preternatural sense of smell, perhaps the town was too busy… I do not know. Instead went building by building searching. Stealth has always been my ally and none saw us.
I finally found a house that had something odd about it. A royal guard leaned against the wall and looked bored, half falling asleep outside. I knew that this must have been where the meeting was. Royal Guards often do not come to Port Alton. It was an easy effort for me to sneak inside with my followers even mere feet away from the man.
I open the door stepped in and shut it behind me to find… that things had not gone my way at all.
I turned around to find myself in a room full of armed warriors. You must understand I am not going to use names because I do not want you to find any of them and seek vengeance. I was a bit surprised as you could imagine, they all stood watching me enter as if they knew I was going to come in. All of them were armed for war, and I stood before the unarmed, not one tenth of what I would normally have to fight with
Ramear was dressed in what I could already sense was magical armor with a rapier ready at his side. An ancient old knight stood in plate mail. To my right was a Curate of Avar with his tower shield between me and him. There was a noble with a crest on his shield from a town I had once been in. A woman warrior who seemed both an Avarian Paladin as well as from the emerald empire. Another woman who was shifty like a rogue or a ranger stood in leathers of to the side holding a short sword. I knew at once that things were going to get messy. I suppose I could have run right then and there but, “iT” would have nothing to do with that.
That part of me would not accept retreat, would not face being beaten by trickery. The beast inside me raged but I did not let it out. IT urged me to follow through with the plan so I tried to separate the bard, but instead the Curate asked to take my hand. He was trying to see if I was a foul evil creature. Again I held to the truth and told the priest that I was vile. The bard though asked the others to kill me. He urged them while taking no action himself. No one took any offensive action, and words went nowhere. I decided it was time to take action.
I won’t describe the fight except to say that I had them pinned down with a Malsham Wall and killed almost half their number when my magic failed me. I am not sure if it was fate but several of my spells did not work though I cast them properly. I fought the bard himself and he stabbed me through the heart… it could have been another… but I know that I almost killed him… I wonder if I bit him? Did I bite him? I will have to look for signs later. Perhaps that explains his anger towards me. I do not know how I could make it up to him should he be cursed.
I was not afraid, only disappointed that I failed you when I took my last breath.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2013, 09:50:40 PM by Harkker »
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Re: Letters to Lonnie
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2013, 09:47:32 PM »
What can I say about what happened next. You have raised me with scrolls, so I know what that feels like. When you have done so, I was always filled with a sense of anger and rage, it was as if you are fighting death himself to bring me back. When you have done it, it felt like I was wretched from cold, cold arms with an incredible grip.
Not so when I was raised using the powers of Avar. Death was still there but there was warmth and kindness… and sorrow. I have heard that those who die see their lives flash before their eyes before they die. It was like that but in reverse upon my resurrection. To say I was keenly aware of how wrong and vile I have always been, would have been an understatement. I saw the face of everyone we have ever wronged, in order… with none to be left out. From my very first victim on that night of the full moon oh so long ago, to the father and son I met along the road. I could see them, and for the very first time ever in my life I could feel what I never could before. I could feel empathy, sadness, revulsion, anger, resentment, guilt, horror and a hundred other things I never could before. It hit me like a brick wall, I thought to the child and what I took and my stomach turned… I threw up my last meal and swore that I would never again do that to another goodly being. I was in shock. I was numb from the understanding that came over me. I do not think I could ever really explain what I felt and now understand why. My eyes were opened for the first time, as if I had never seen anything before. I was not the only one changed, “IT” was transformed as well. I heard the most pitiful noise in my brain as it finally understood that not all things were prey. It was if we had both died and someone new was reborn.
My hand shakes as I write this, I know that you have always known that my moral compass has never really been a choice. It was inherit in my being, “IT” would always be a savage beast wanting to get free, if I let it. That is what Sir Bryce never knew, why I now look at what he considered his shame and do not blame him for it. He had attempted to cure me of that which no one could be cured. It was my innate being, to be vile and wrong. No matter what he did to try and remove the curse of Lycanthropy he could not because I was a true Lycanthrope, not a cursed victim. It drove him deeper and deeper into a lack of faith. No matter how much he tortured me with silver chains on the night of the full moon, it was not something that he could cure. Most races have choices, I did not.
I think back on how we did not know this, and how you grieved for me. I led you to darkness. You left sir Bryce’s care and found someone who would give you the power you needed to help me. I blame myself for your need to help me.
If I was not who I was, then you would not have followed me down that dark path. I urge you to consider this. You have a choice in a way I never did.
I have done research on how they have did this to me, and I can assure you that it cannot be undone. They used an extremely powerful relic called a Helm of opposite alignment. Nothing short of a wish spell or a miracle could reverse its affects. You see now that I will not be going back to my old way of thinking and I am glad. I am free from what I used to consider honor, free to be good. Law and order are just systems that are used to suppress good actions. Honor was a tool I used to control “IT”, so that it did not control me.
I am sure that you will regard my ramblings as mad, but I am writing you to tell you about something that affects all of us. So let me continue my story and think not on what I have revealed to you right now. There will be time for that later.
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Re: Letters to Lonnie
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2013, 09:24:17 PM »
So I was weak on the floor barely following anything that was said by those that had saved me from my horrid existence. The old knight explained that the helm was a gift and that it allowed him to survive the time of stone. He looked ancient and I think that he had passed them helm on to me as a way of passing on the torch. He left us after a few words and I expect that time was going to catch up to him. I do not have the helm… the bard picked it up off the ground and put it in a bag. I should have liked to have it as I think of all the other creatures who are trapped within their own moral prisons.
The bard explained to the others assembled that I was chosen because I could help them complete some difficult tasks. That what was vile was changed into to something pure. The paladin cheered about avar’s blessings. The Baron looked on with horror I think or indifference. After all several people lay dead in the room and I had vomited up my last meal. Of course there were trust issues. For me I was left with a whirlwind of thoughts but I was willing to listen to them.
The bard explained that there was a plot by smugglers to release plagues upon the kingdom, and he asked for our help to investigate. The rogue asked for coin up front and on completion. I was appalled, lives were the line and she wanted to barter with those lives with money? Thieves are always worried about money. She did not understand that gold does you no good if there is no one to trade with.
I felt myself imploring them to let me help them, that we must do something to stop these smugglers. The paladin had the zeal to embrace my desire to work without pay but the rogue kept trying to negotiate a higher price. Part of me was pacing inside. We were wasting time, and they were acting as mercenaries.
We left and went to the warehouses to investigate, and I admit that I was not sure what I could do. Surely they did not want me to let “IT “ lead the way. Not all the people in the warehouses would be smugglers and no one can see me that way and not have flight or fight. I could act as a spell caster, and that would be it.
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Re: Letters to Lonnie
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2013, 03:53:58 PM »
Stalking the warehouse with novices was not at all how I thought it would be. Only the rogue knew how to properly sneak in and out and to her credit she was almost as good as I am. Though I do not really profess to be a rogue, “IT” has always helped me know where to step and where not to. Several clues showed us that something was amiss. The lack of people was one, there should have been a lot more people. The warehouse was odd, and was locked with magical locks that could not be picked. Of course goods needed to be protected and there were whole manner of goods about, but no guards.
Slowly as we walked around the empty warehouses a picture was being painted. Goods for Avarian priests, coffins, and robes lay about. I am sure that they have infiltrated the church of Avar. What we found was this, these villains had made a plague that would devastate the populace. They would release the plague in several towns around the north. I myself have several maps of towns which they were using to plan this. They have been capturing and brainwashing children. Why you may ask? Why would they do this?
The answer I think lay in the time of stone. Some believe that a thousand years had passed and the world did not know, while the gods had their war. You remember how the old paladin used to beat us until he thought we lost consciousness and then drink? Do remember how the old knight would weep as he mumbled about the grim rider, the herald of Zarathos ? How scared we were of those stories. I tell you now there is an active cult of Zarathos in the world and they mean to raise their dead god once more. I have seen the proof with my own eyes Lonnie and we must do something about it. You must take whatever forces you have and root out this cult. Though my eyes are open now and I cannot do evil, we can meet at a common goal. I know that you believe that the kingdom serves a purpose and its utter destruction would serve you not. I do not care how we meet at the same purpose, whatever means you need to justify your part in this… I only ask you that you do what is needed for the good of the kingdom. We both know that the world is dark place and that alone no one can survive. Think on this, use the shadow to bring them down and cast this cult from your dark corners.
As for me I am left in an awkward position. Only the paladin would be willing to trust me. The others see me as an engine of destruction bought at great price. Yet, they do not realize that I am much more chained than I ever was before. Without a writ of acceptance from some noble the populace will only flee or fight me should I be seen as I really am. The guards would sooner attack me than a goblin on a worg. I can never have a happy life, that will forever be denied to me. I shall neither marry and have children, nor fight as strong as I can for fear of passing on the evil within. Even if Death should take me there is no promise for my afterlife because I am afraid my spirit will revert to its evil. It is funny that I have always been afraid of Tempest’s lightning, but now feel that she is the most correct of the gods. But I know I shall neither be accepted in her light nor Yablick’s. I have done my research though and nothing can change me short of a miracle, nor would I wish it, I feel better about everything despite all that is denied to me. Though I am tool of my new allies I cannot do else but hope that someday friendship shall be true.
Good luck Brother
Kiri
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Letters to Lonnie
« on: May 11, 2013, 03:00:34 PM »
Inside Sergon’s guild library sits a young woman who writes what must be her tenth attempt at a letter surrounded by books of recent history.
Lonnie,
I scarcely know where to begin, so much has happened, so much there is to tell you. I have been thinking about it all and it is almost too much for me, but I feel that you must know. It all started with the need for fresh air… you know how much I dislike being cooped up in Shadow Haven. I wanted to be free and run in the woods and not think for the nights when the moon was full. I choose Lake shale and after I was done with the fun of hunting and stalking I found Mister Grey searching for me. We had done some side jobs for him over the past few months and he over paid at that. He works for a chancellor but which one we do not know. The man offered me another job saying he only wanted me, because too many of us would not send the message he wanted. He offered me a magical bracer which was called the Cat Lord’s Favor. Supposedly in the hands of a lycanthrope like myself it would sharpen my claws to twice their sharpness.
I admit that it was way too tempting for me to resist. My target was Ramear, who I have always found to be so droll a bard that I would have done it for gold alone. Mr. Grey however said that he wanted me to kill him as he was about to conduct a meeting in the local tavern in three days time. I was out and did not expect to be working. I had none of my regular gear which is still hidden in my room.
It is strange to me now to think how casual it was in my mind… I can, as you will learn, never think that way again. I took my time to get to Port Alton where the bard resided. I Travelled the open roads and ate what I could find on the way. I must pause for a moment… it is still hard for me.
I did as we have done a hundred times before… I searched for the best places to lay in wait and looked for holes in security. The inn had no exit and though I only had a small amount of what I would normally use for a job like this I did not feel at all inadequate. My plan was simple, as we have always discussed… Complicated plans break down. I would enter the Tavern and try to speak to him in private telling him that I knew of an attempt on his life. The irony struck me as funny, you know how I never was one to lie. Even when Sir Bryce use to beat me for days I was always attached to my feline honor. “IT” would always compel me to act on honor. I would tell Sir Bryce that I had a secret message and then once alone I would use a Malsham wall to seal him in with me. I would tell one of my feline friends to hide in wait somewhere in the kitchen. Maybe in the rafters, Yes a tiger would be able to fit, and no one would look up.
The bard would have some magic but not enough to stop me. I would then use a mirror image spell and some darkness to distract any who would try to stop my escape.
At night, I set my plan into motion and then took a nap in the woods waiting for the time when Mr. Grey would want me to strike. When the time had come I came into the tavern dressed as a normal patron would only to find that he was not there. The location of the meeting had been moved. All of my traps have been laid for nothing. “IT” stirred with anger and I had the annoyance of having some alley cats follow me as a result. I was annoyed that things did not go smoothly and though you would have in your wisdom told me to call it off… I wanted those bracers…
I searched the town and attempted to pick up his scent, perhaps it was my anger but nothing came from preternatural sense of smell, perhaps the town was too busy… I do not know. Instead went building by building searching. Stealth has always been my ally and none saw us.
I finally found a house that had something odd about it. A royal guard leaned against the wall and looked bored, half falling asleep outside. I knew that this must have been where the meeting was. Royal Guards often do not come to Port Alton. It was an easy effort for me to sneak inside with my followers even mere feet away from the man.
I open the door stepped in and shut it behind me to find… that things had not gone my way at all.
I turned around to find myself in a room full of armed warriors. You must understand I am not going to use names because I do not want you to find any of them and seek vengeance. I was a bit surprised as you could imagine, they all stood watching me enter as if they knew I was going to come in. All of them were armed for war, and I stood before the unarmed, not one tenth of what I would normally have to fight with
Ramear was dressed in what I could already sense was magical armor with a rapier ready at his side. An ancient old knight stood in plate mail. To my right was a Curate of Avar with his tower shield between me and him. There was a noble with a crest on his shield from a town I had once been in. A woman warrior who seemed both an Avarian Paladin as well as from the emerald empire. Another woman who was shifty like a rogue or a ranger stood in leathers of to the side holding a short sword. I knew at once that things were going to get messy. I suppose I could have run right then and there but, “iT” would have nothing to do with that.
That part of me would not accept retreat, would not face being beaten by trickery. The beast inside me raged but I did not let it out. IT urged me to follow through with the plan so I tried to separate the bard, but instead the Curate asked to take my hand. He was trying to see if I was a foul evil creature. Again I held to the truth and told the priest that I was vile. The bard though asked the others to kill me. He urged them while taking no action himself. No one took any offensive action, and words went nowhere. I decided it was time to take action.
I won’t describe the fight except to say that I had them pinned down with a Malsham Wall and killed almost half their number when my magic failed me. I am not sure if it was fate but several of my spells did not work though I cast them properly. I fought the bard himself and he stabbed me through the heart… it could have been another… but I know that I almost killed him… I wonder if I bit him? Did I bite him? I will have to look for signs later. Perhaps that explains his anger towards me. I do not know how I could make it up to him should he be cursed.
I was not afraid, only disappointed that I failed you when I took my last breath.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2013, 09:50:40 PM by Harkker »
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Re: Letters to Lonnie
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2013, 09:47:32 PM »
What can I say about what happened next. You have raised me with scrolls, so I know what that feels like. When you have done so, I was always filled with a sense of anger and rage, it was as if you are fighting death himself to bring me back. When you have done it, it felt like I was wretched from cold, cold arms with an incredible grip.
Not so when I was raised using the powers of Avar. Death was still there but there was warmth and kindness… and sorrow. I have heard that those who die see their lives flash before their eyes before they die. It was like that but in reverse upon my resurrection. To say I was keenly aware of how wrong and vile I have always been, would have been an understatement. I saw the face of everyone we have ever wronged, in order… with none to be left out. From my very first victim on that night of the full moon oh so long ago, to the father and son I met along the road. I could see them, and for the very first time ever in my life I could feel what I never could before. I could feel empathy, sadness, revulsion, anger, resentment, guilt, horror and a hundred other things I never could before. It hit me like a brick wall, I thought to the child and what I took and my stomach turned… I threw up my last meal and swore that I would never again do that to another goodly being. I was in shock. I was numb from the understanding that came over me. I do not think I could ever really explain what I felt and now understand why. My eyes were opened for the first time, as if I had never seen anything before. I was not the only one changed, “IT” was transformed as well. I heard the most pitiful noise in my brain as it finally understood that not all things were prey. It was if we had both died and someone new was reborn.
My hand shakes as I write this, I know that you have always known that my moral compass has never really been a choice. It was inherit in my being, “IT” would always be a savage beast wanting to get free, if I let it. That is what Sir Bryce never knew, why I now look at what he considered his shame and do not blame him for it. He had attempted to cure me of that which no one could be cured. It was my innate being, to be vile and wrong. No matter what he did to try and remove the curse of Lycanthropy he could not because I was a true Lycanthrope, not a cursed victim. It drove him deeper and deeper into a lack of faith. No matter how much he tortured me with silver chains on the night of the full moon, it was not something that he could cure. Most races have choices, I did not.
I think back on how we did not know this, and how you grieved for me. I led you to darkness. You left sir Bryce’s care and found someone who would give you the power you needed to help me. I blame myself for your need to help me.
If I was not who I was, then you would not have followed me down that dark path. I urge you to consider this. You have a choice in a way I never did.
I have done research on how they have did this to me, and I can assure you that it cannot be undone. They used an extremely powerful relic called a Helm of opposite alignment. Nothing short of a wish spell or a miracle could reverse its affects. You see now that I will not be going back to my old way of thinking and I am glad. I am free from what I used to consider honor, free to be good. Law and order are just systems that are used to suppress good actions. Honor was a tool I used to control “IT”, so that it did not control me.
I am sure that you will regard my ramblings as mad, but I am writing you to tell you about something that affects all of us. So let me continue my story and think not on what I have revealed to you right now. There will be time for that later.
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Re: Letters to Lonnie
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2013, 09:24:17 PM »
So I was weak on the floor barely following anything that was said by those that had saved me from my horrid existence. The old knight explained that the helm was a gift and that it allowed him to survive the time of stone. He looked ancient and I think that he had passed them helm on to me as a way of passing on the torch. He left us after a few words and I expect that time was going to catch up to him. I do not have the helm… the bard picked it up off the ground and put it in a bag. I should have liked to have it as I think of all the other creatures who are trapped within their own moral prisons.
The bard explained to the others assembled that I was chosen because I could help them complete some difficult tasks. That what was vile was changed into to something pure. The paladin cheered about avar’s blessings. The Baron looked on with horror I think or indifference. After all several people lay dead in the room and I had vomited up my last meal. Of course there were trust issues. For me I was left with a whirlwind of thoughts but I was willing to listen to them.
The bard explained that there was a plot by smugglers to release plagues upon the kingdom, and he asked for our help to investigate. The rogue asked for coin up front and on completion. I was appalled, lives were the line and she wanted to barter with those lives with money? Thieves are always worried about money. She did not understand that gold does you no good if there is no one to trade with.
I felt myself imploring them to let me help them, that we must do something to stop these smugglers. The paladin had the zeal to embrace my desire to work without pay but the rogue kept trying to negotiate a higher price. Part of me was pacing inside. We were wasting time, and they were acting as mercenaries.
We left and went to the warehouses to investigate, and I admit that I was not sure what I could do. Surely they did not want me to let “IT “ lead the way. Not all the people in the warehouses would be smugglers and no one can see me that way and not have flight or fight. I could act as a spell caster, and that would be it.
Harkker
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Re: Letters to Lonnie
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2013, 03:53:58 PM »
Stalking the warehouse with novices was not at all how I thought it would be. Only the rogue knew how to properly sneak in and out and to her credit she was almost as good as I am. Though I do not really profess to be a rogue, “IT” has always helped me know where to step and where not to. Several clues showed us that something was amiss. The lack of people was one, there should have been a lot more people. The warehouse was odd, and was locked with magical locks that could not be picked. Of course goods needed to be protected and there were whole manner of goods about, but no guards.
Slowly as we walked around the empty warehouses a picture was being painted. Goods for Avarian priests, coffins, and robes lay about. I am sure that they have infiltrated the church of Avar. What we found was this, these villains had made a plague that would devastate the populace. They would release the plague in several towns around the north. I myself have several maps of towns which they were using to plan this. They have been capturing and brainwashing children. Why you may ask? Why would they do this?
The answer I think lay in the time of stone. Some believe that a thousand years had passed and the world did not know, while the gods had their war. You remember how the old paladin used to beat us until he thought we lost consciousness and then drink? Do remember how the old knight would weep as he mumbled about the grim rider, the herald of Zarathos ? How scared we were of those stories. I tell you now there is an active cult of Zarathos in the world and they mean to raise their dead god once more. I have seen the proof with my own eyes Lonnie and we must do something about it. You must take whatever forces you have and root out this cult. Though my eyes are open now and I cannot do evil, we can meet at a common goal. I know that you believe that the kingdom serves a purpose and its utter destruction would serve you not. I do not care how we meet at the same purpose, whatever means you need to justify your part in this… I only ask you that you do what is needed for the good of the kingdom. We both know that the world is dark place and that alone no one can survive. Think on this, use the shadow to bring them down and cast this cult from your dark corners.
As for me I am left in an awkward position. Only the paladin would be willing to trust me. The others see me as an engine of destruction bought at great price. Yet, they do not realize that I am much more chained than I ever was before. Without a writ of acceptance from some noble the populace will only flee or fight me should I be seen as I really am. The guards would sooner attack me than a goblin on a worg. I can never have a happy life, that will forever be denied to me. I shall neither marry and have children, nor fight as strong as I can for fear of passing on the evil within. Even if Death should take me there is no promise for my afterlife because I am afraid my spirit will revert to its evil. It is funny that I have always been afraid of Tempest’s lightning, but now feel that she is the most correct of the gods. But I know I shall neither be accepted in her light nor Yablick’s. I have done my research though and nothing can change me short of a miracle, nor would I wish it, I feel better about everything despite all that is denied to me. Though I am tool of my new allies I cannot do else but hope that someday friendship shall be true.
Good luck Brother
Kiri
