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Topic: Once in a Lifetime
Subject: Peryl
Flames licked the rafters of the small wood and stone cottage and consumed the building at an alarming rate. The roar of the inferno was deafening, however the flames could not drown out the frantic cries of the slender elven woman who lived in the house. Her shrieks pierced through the hiss and crackle of the vile flames as they embraced and fed off the dwelling. A small crowd gathered near the cottage and gasped in horror at the scene, their astonished features exaggerated in the dance of shadows and light cast from the blazing house. Through the chaos and confusion, some of the crowd began to bring any container they could fill with water in an attempt to cage the flaming beast that now possessed the house. The flames devoured the cottage and the wood frame began to give way and collapse. The elven woman’s screams reached a crescendo but were brought to an abrupt end when a portion of the beams buckled under their own weight. The roof crashed down amidst an explosion of glittering sparks and dancing flames that spiraled with black smoke into the sky. The crowd outside the building gasped in horror at the thought of the terrifying end of the elven woman. The work of putting out the fire continued through the night and by first light only a smoldering shamble of the once tidy cottage remained.
The villagers stood in loose clusters around the wreckage, whispering about the elven woman. Some said she had been in Quevin for a few years. Liran’tra (or Lira) had traveled from the middle kingdom in search of work. Lira was an herbalist; many times her salves or tonics had eased the pain of her sick neighbors. It was a cruel twist of Alvareon that they could do nothing for her in her last moments of suffering. Moreover, to lose a child like that in the inferno; yes the whispers told of a small daughter, only a handful of years old. She was always by her mother’s side. The young girl was bright, and might have grown up to be an herbalist like her mother. It was then that many say Falloes worked a miracle. One of the men from the town had begun to sift through the rubble and discovered the child… alive. The people began to buzz at once, how could she have survived? This was truly a miracle! Even the cooking pots were twisted and melted, yet this child lived. The town’s people pulled the badly burned child from the ashes, and placed her gently on a small patch of clover near the ruined house. Her breathing was shallow; she clung to life by a silk thread. Damp cloths were gently placed on her blistered and charred skin. A few of the villagers knelt by the unconscious child waiting, expectantly, for death to claim the mangled girl, others knelt and muttered soft prayers to Lysora… Lysora! She could help! The villager’s hopes turned to the goddess.
Ginny Alder, priestess of Lysora knelt in prayer and meditation to her compassionate and loving god. The rays of the morning sun refracted through the small stained glass windows of the stone sanctuary dedicated to Lysora. The goddess had blessed Ginny; many healing wonders had manifest themselves through her hands. The people of Quevin held Lysora amongst the highest of the gods and Lysora was pleased with the village. As Ginny knelt, her mind reflected on those in her care, the farmer with the broken leg, the old elf with the consumption, and always the children, fevers, cuts, scrapes and bruises. Her thoughts pushed back to Lysora, and her heart pleaded with her mistress for the power to tend to them. Her prayers whispered into the ears of the sacred mother, and waves of warmth washed over the healer. She knew Lysora would be with her as she tended to those who needed her. Ginny continued to kneel, basking in the affection of her god, when a breeze was born from the cold stone of the sanctuary. The candles fluttered, though not a window was open. Ginny felt the quickening. A stillness and peace came to her, and a message carried by the wind: a beautiful voice in her mind, “She comes… Tend to her… She is in your care…” Ginny’s meditations were ended by a pounding at the sanctuary door. The human priest smoothed her light blue robes, raked a wayward strand of her greying hair behind her ear and started for the door.
The child was brought into the chapel, wrapped carefully in moist cloths. The villagers crowded into the small stone building as the broken body of the Sylvari girl was placed at the foot of the alter. Ginny looked the wretched child over, and her heart sank. It was already a miracle she still drew a breath, and further miracles would be needed just to keep her in this world. Ginny motioned for the hungry eyed villagers to give her room. A hush fell over the mob and silence griped the sanctuary once again. She knelt by the badly charred and frail body. Immediately Lysora’s words filled her mind. Ginny placed one hand on the girls head, the other hand clutched a small silver rose shaped pendant she wore around her neck. Ginny closed her eyes to concentrate on her work, and the words of healing flowed from her tongue; her hand traced small runes on the child’s head. Ginny did not hear the resounding gasp that emanated from the crowd, nor did she see the old woman nearby faint from what she saw. Ginny continued with her prayers, her mind astonished at the strength of the power Lysora funneled through her. It was only after she had felt the power slow to a trickle and twinkle out, that she dared to open her eyes. Before her was a miracle. Although the girl was still burned, her breathing was stronger, almost half of the burns the child had endured had been healed, and those that remained were a shadow of the severity of what they once were. The child would live, thank Lysora.
It was only a few days later that the girl opened her eyes, and returned to the conscious. She was a beautiful girl, honey blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. Ginny had been in almost constant prayer with her goddess, and Lysora had made the child whole once again, save a small scar on her right wrist. The scar was in the shape of a rose, Ginny said as a reminder of how special the girl was to the goddess. Indeed It seemed she was special to Lysora, outsiders would never have known the trauma the young child had gone through. She was beautiful again, some said, the very image of her mother. She was slender, as far as elves go; her delicate features belied the despair that filled her heart.
Although her body was completely healed, the child was still shattered. The loss of her mother drove the child into a dark place, and it seemed that only the comforting embrace of Ginny could quiet her tears. Ginny eventually learned that the girl was called Peryl, (short for Perylwen), and that Peryl had only ever lived with her mother who would always change the subject, or grow irritated when Peryl pressed on about where or who her father was. It seemed that he had abandoned them both. At only seven years old, the child had known more sorrow than others would see throughout their life. Ginny resolved to ease this girl’s pain, she would be a surrogate mother to the child, and after all, it was Lysora herself that said that Peryl was in Ginny’s care.
The days stretched into weeks, the weeks to months and seasons came and went. By Peryl’s seventeenth birthday, she was never far from Ginny, as the priestess made her rounds around Quevin tending to the sick and injured. Peryl was even able to make some of the more simple versions of her elven mother’s salves to help in administering to the villagers. The sanctuary became Peryl’s new home, and she occupied one of the sanctuary’s living quarters, (Ginny living across the hall from her). Peryl came to love Lysora, as the goddess would often times fill Peryl with the same warmth that Ginny would feel, and it wasn’t too long before Peryl dedicated herself to service of the Sacred Lady. (Peryl was no stranger to Lysora, her mother would often evoke the name of Lissentoria when creating her healing tonics, and although the names were different, the goddess was the same.)
Ginny furthered Peryl’s knowledge of Lysora, and encouraged her to meditate with her in the morning to ask the goddess for her healing blessings. Peryl was blessed to become an emissary for the goddess, and she can clearly remember the first healing Lysora performed through her. She was with Ginny as she was tending to a pregnant woman on one of the outlying farms. The woman’s first child had been playing with some of the farm implements, and had cut his hand. The child came screaming into the farm house where Ginny was assisting in the birth, with her hands full she turned to Peryl and said, “You’re ready… remember the mediations of the morning…Lysora will do all the work.” Ginny smiled warmly and returned to the pregnant woman. Peryl tried her best to emulate Ginny, but to no avail. The small boy continued to cry in pain, as blood ran from his wound. His tears clumped the boy’s eyelashes together, Peryl looked into the small boys eyes and her heart yearned to help him. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift to the morning. Lysora’s warmth returned to her, she gently took the boys hand in hers, and traced a small rune in the air over his injury. The air shimmered and settled upon the small boy’s hand. Peryl opened her eyes to a smile, and look of amazement on the boy’s face. Peryl found herself clutching the tingling scar on her wrist as the sound of a newborn baby came from the other room.
In the summer of Peryl’s nineteenth birthday, Ginny surprised her. She came to Peryl in her quarters, Ginny had taught Peryl almost all she had known about Lysora, and the two had tended to the needs of the villagers for three years. Ginny’s face wore an expression of concern. She explained to Peryl that she felt that although she had taught her all about the love of Lysora, she felt it was time to prepare her for the evils of the world. Ginny explained that to be fully ready to help those in need, you must be able to first, deliver them from evil. Ginny looked at the roughly woven rug on the floor. “You must learn to defend yourself, and defend those who cannot defend themselves”. Ginny produced a steel mace from the folds of her robes. “This is yours, It’s not much, but it can fend off evil if need be.” Ginny looked Peryl in the eyes, “It can save your life” She said in a hushed tone. Peryl took the slender mace from Ginny’s outstretched hand. The balance of the mace was unexpected; the weight of the handle off set the bulk of the serious end of the weapon and Peryl found it was very easy to hold. Ginny continued, “Master Dold will be here tomorrow morning. After meditation, I’ve asked him to instruct you on how to defend yourself.”
Master Dold, a close friend of Ginny’s, arrived as promised. He was an older human, his face showing his life experiences before his tales were ever told. Ginny explained that he was once was a cleric in the Knights of Aina’rutha, and that although his body was now old, he could teach Peryl what she needed to know. The knights were not strangers to the sanctuary, often they could be found praying in the chapel, or staying in one of the sleeping quarters if they were passing through the area. Master Dold had warm eyes, and Peryl looked upon him like grandfather figure. He was a kind soul, but he did have some knowledge of how to swing a mace, and how to hold a shield. Peryl found many of the stances intuitive, and although she disliked the idea of braining some poor being on the scull, she was quite adept at “defending herself”. Peryl’s afternoons with Master Dold settled in her mind like a golden rays of sunlight. She was quite fond of the doddering old man. Often times, after she had run through a few exercises, he would recant tales of his younger days. Peryl was enthralled with the man’s tales, and asked to hear more every chance she got.
Time slipped by for Peryl, and her heart grew restless, her blood called to her for adventure. When Peryl made trips into the countryside in search of healing herbs, she found herself wondering what was out beyond the lands that became so common to her. It was in these days that tragedy again found her.
Ginny had made a pot of savory stew for dinner. Peryl sat with her around the small cooking stove in the kitchen of the sanctuary. She had been hesitant these past few months to share with Ginny her secret yearning to spread her wings and see what was beyond the town of Quevin. She was sure Ginny would disapprove. As she pushed the carrots around the untouched bowl of her stew, she searched for the right way to approach the subject. “Ginny…” she stammered as she looked at the bowl “…Have you always lived here in Quevin?” Ginny glanced at Peryl as she stirred the pot. “Oh… Well, I have been here most of my life… yes…” Ginny turned from Peryl and set about stacking some plates in a cupboard. Peryl put her bowl on a small stone table in the corner. “Well…I was just thinking…” Ginny interrupted, “Little one, are you finished?” she motioned to the still full bowl on the table, “You haven’t eaten a thing.” Peryl noticed that Ginny seemed flushed, and was breathing deeper than usual. “Um yes… I guess I’m not that hungry...” she said glancing at the bowl. Peryl continued, “… it’s just that I was thinking… have you ever been to Coria? W-what’s it like?” Ginny’s eyes stared off in the distance, an awkward silence settled in the room. Peryl used the moment to continue, “Or how about Londelirinen? I only remember a little…” she trailed off as she fixed on Ginny. The older woman looked pale, as the color seemed to wash from her face. Ginny suddenly seemed old and frail to Peryl, her long silver hair had fallen from the usual tight bun she wore it in, and her eyes seemed sunken. Ginny seemed to totter and she reached for the back of an old wooden chair as her knees buckled. She crumpled to the floor in an awkward heap. Peryl looked stunned at her adopted mother on the floor. The next few seconds seemed like an eternity to Peryl, she rushed to Ginny, and put her hands under her head. Ginny was not breathing. Her eyes were glazed over and she seemed to be staring off into the dark shadows. Peryl shook Ginny gently as tears started to flood her eyes. Immediately Peryl thought of Lysora. She frantically prayed to the goddess… “Please Sacred Lady! Please! Help her!” Peryl somehow knew that any healing she could offer was inadequate for what Ginny needed to become whole again, but she prayed regardless. Softly a whisper stirred in Peryl’s mind, “She is not yours to mend… be at peace…” Alone in the shadowy kitchen, Peryl wept over Ginny’s body.
At twenty-five years old, Peryl had lost two mothers, but had found a light in her life. Peryl rededicated herself to Lysora’s work. Although she wasn’t yet as skilled as Ginny, she could still call on the goddess to help her in times of need. The years passed for her and although Quevin had others to help heal the populace, Peryl loved her work. Aiding the innocent children gave her extra satisfaction.
A few years later it was a surprise to Peryl when the decree from Mayoress Alesta called for adventures to defend the Sylvain lands. It had been many years that Peryl had entertained thoughts of travel, and adventure. She had thought the idea was long since dead in her, but the decree seemed to stick in her mind and rekindle the dormant yearning. She dismissed it at first, thinking it selfish to leave those who needed her, but the notion would not leave her mind. After her morning prayers and meditations, Peryl found herself lingering around the Blue Noob Inn, watching the string of would be warriors and adventures come and go. She wrestled with the idea, and decided to let Lysora be the final word on her struggle. That evening, she knelt in the sanctuary and prayed to the goddess for guidance. The small stone room was deathly quiet, the flickering of the candles created shifting blocks of light that rocked back and forth along the walls. As Peryl finished her prayers, she sat in silence searching for the answer. Peryl knew that the gods sometimes did not answer prayers, or would send answers in other ways. She was about to leave the chapel thinking that perhaps an answer would come later when a familiar warm and beautiful whisper crept into her mind. “I am pleased…travel… tend to the injured in my name…” Peryl’s mind cleared once again, and she sat in the dim light tracing the rose shaped scar on her wrist.
Once the sun was up, and Peryl was finished with her prayers, she closed herself into her room and pulled a sheet of parchment from the drawer of a rough writing table. She began to write on the sheet. The page filled quickly and was more of a passionate plea for acceptance rather than the answering of a call to arms. Peryl carefully rolled the sheet and sealed it with a drip of wax. The paper contained all of Peryl’s hopes and she carried it as if it were a precious gem. Peryl left the sanctuary and made her way across the busy streets to one of the oldest buildings in Quevin. Peryl half expected the Mayoress herself to be behind the large brass and oaken doors as she pushed them open. Uncertain of herself, she slipped inside the door. The hall behind the door was surprisingly empty, the elders were not there, nor was the Mayoress. A small clerk’s office was to the right of the door. The voice of an older human echoed from the office… “If you’re here about the Quiver decree, leave your qualifications in the bin…the elders will get back to you as soon as they can.” Peryl crept up to the office door, only to see the back of a balding, shriveled old man busy scribbling on some ledgers. The old man turned in his chair and peered at Peryl… “Here to answer the decree?” Peryl nodded, “…Drop your qualifications here…” The man rapped a large wooden bin by the desk and turned back to his work. The bin was full of various rolls of parchment and scrolls; some seemed to be as thick as a book. She placed her seemingly inadequate parchment on the top of the heap. “Um… sir,” she ventured, “…when will I know if I…” the man cut her off without looking up. “The elders will review the applicants as soon as possible; they are very busy you know.” “Yes, of course…well I’ll just go… um… thank you…” The only response was the scratching sound from the quill of the clerk. Peryl slipped quietly from the hall and made her way back to the sanctuary.
A few days later, while Peryl was meditating in the chapel, a messenger came. The young boy handed a slip of parchment to Peryl and scurried from the building. Peryl nervously cracked the wax seal on the parchment and read, “… Peryl Elereth, you have bravely answered the summons for those who would defend our lands. The council of Elders has reviewed your skills, and requests that you report to The Blue Noob Inn this evening, an hour after darkness. Please speak to the owner of the inn, Avarial, for consideration of employment. Do not speak of this matter with others. Signed, the council of Elders.
That evening a small group of adventurers had gathered into the office, and heard the proposal by Avarial… “The choice is yours ... 20 gold coins to face the unknown evil emanating from the Chakran Mountains ... or 20 gold coins plus a signed deed for 50 choice acres of land ... to provide us maps to the hidden treasures you are most certain to discover ... while helping to remove the taint of evil from the Northern Sylvari Kingdom ... during your journey through Alloryen to the Chakran Mountains ... which will begin 3 days hence!”
Peryl looked at the contract in her hands. To her it was obvious; after all, she had already planned on going on the trip, now she was to receive a plot of land for her services as well. “There must be some catch…,” a voice in her head nagged her, but Peryl was already too busy signing the contract to pay attention. “Thank you Avarial”, she said as she handed a copy of the form to the inn’s owner. “I should be going now; I imagine there is a lot to get ready for. I’ll see you at sun up, three days hence.”
Posted on 2012-01-04 at 07:49:15.
Edited on 2012-01-05 at 03:19:04 by Shining Orb
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Topic: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Subject: Sleepless nights
I cant believe the drought of good games for so long.. Now I literally have called in "sick" to play Skyrim.. and Star Wars the Old Republic.. I'm having dreams of shouting with a light saber.  
Posted on 2012-01-04 at 03:27:24.
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Topic: Castles & Crusades Audalis Adventure
Subject: Peryl
Hello All,
Here is a brief synopsis of my character... I'll save the lengthy version for the game thread...
Peryl is the orphaned child of a young elven mother, (Lira) and a father she has never known. Peryl and Lira moved from the Elven lands into the city of Quevin when Peryl was only 4 years old. Lira was able to make a living by selling mild healing tonics and elixirs to the local towns folk. At an early age, Peryl proved to be bright, and many had thought she would grow up to be an herbalist like her mother. Indeed, she was already soaking up much of her mothers craft, that is until a fire ravaged her home; killing her mother and leaving Peryl alone in the world. Fortunately, the local priestess of Lysora (Ginny Alder) took Peryl in. Ginny became Peryl's new family, and taught her in the loving ways of Lysora. Armed with an old light mace, some hide armor and Lysora's blessings... Peryl is ready to set off in search of her future.
Name: Peryl
Gender: Female
Race: Half Elf
Age: 17
Height 5'4"
Weight: 90 pounds
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Deity: Lysora
Class: Cleric of Lysora
Str: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 17 Prime
Dex: 14
Con: 11
Cha: 14 Prime
Thanks!
Shining Orb
Posted on 2011-12-30 at 02:08:33.
Edited on 2011-12-30 at 02:19:18 by Shining Orb
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Topic: Creative Writers and Role Players Required
Subject: All in good time
No stress my friend.. take your time, I'm not going anywhere... I'd hate to think you were stressed to roll something out and not enjoying it on my account.
-SO
Posted on 2011-12-24 at 06:34:08.
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Topic: Creative Writers and Role Players Required
Subject: Thanks
Thank you all for the kind wishes! As I type... Baby and Mom are engaged in a fierce battle involving a diaper and a tube of diaper rash ointment. Little Kaylie is a determined little warrior, who has already earned a nick name of "the Dragon", (sort of inspired by the sound the dragons make on Skyrim, she adds a little squeal to hers though, it's a great way to keep adults awake at night). It sounds like we're gaining momentum for this adventure. VERY exciting!
-SO
Posted on 2011-12-18 at 17:03:30.
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Topic: Creative Writers and Role Players Required
Subject: Been busy
Hi Hammer, (and all!) I'm happy to say I'm that I now have another baby girl, born almost two weeks ago. Her name is Kaylie, I wanted Nimue (Merlins love interest) but the Mrs veto'd it. She said I should use the name for one of my characters. Needless to say, its been busy around my house, but I'm still lurking when ever you think we have enough to get started.
Shining Orb
(Steve)
Posted on 2011-12-12 at 21:40:02.
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Topic: Creative Writers and Role Players Required
Subject: Very interesting :)
Hey ya Hammer, I'm interested... please keep me in mind.
-SO
Posted on 2011-11-02 at 03:56:05.
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Topic: 2011 NFL Season
Subject: Steelers
Yeah, the Steelers looked very good, but if you look at the ratio of points to the time of possession... if the Pats had 10 more minutes they would have won. That being said, Steelers have a lot of muscle... older muscle, but still.
Oh btw hello every one! as I'm new and this is my first post. I guess my next stop should be the introductions post.
-SO
Posted on 2011-10-31 at 18:36:42.
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