Description
A simple young woman looks back at you, her eyes seeming to peer at you
and at the same time to not, as though her mind is on other matters.
Her skin is tan, and her flows long and luxuriously down her shoulders
like a wild frizzy waterfall. Almond eyes of brown and her impeccably
pointed ears indicate that she is an elf. Slight of build, she seems
more a child than a woman, but her hands are calloused and scarred,
muscled from a childhood spent working the fields with her family.
Role
Gloriansa's Third Transformation
Added Mon Mar 21 02:21:37 2005 at level 31:
My heart is at once uplifted and brought low. I have learned how to acquaint
myself with the sinew and heart of the mighty boar. A powerful if ill-
mannered beast, I did not realize what strength I would feel coarsing
through my body. This transformation is the most tiring so far, but of
course it would be. There is always a cost to be exacted from me whenever I
take on the form of one of my beloved animals, but it is always worth it. Do
I perhaps wish that I had come to this land as other than an elf?
My heart has been brought low by the knowledge I have gained from my
travels. Much of the land is covered by green forests, but nowhere have I
seen the woods untainted. How will the woods ever see their rightful days of
purity again? I am not a bloodthirsty elf, but I do not truly think that
bloodshed can be avoided. Places that once were verdant now are nothing but
deserts and wastelands, and the giants, orcs, and other creatures that dwell
there now will not willingly give up their homes so that their sorry states
can be corrected.
I fear the day will come when I can no longer sit peacefully outside of the
petty politics of the unwelcome races. Already I have been approached by the
oddest of people to choose a side in a war that little interests me. This
indicates also that all things wane and wax in their own time, even the most
intractable. Why else would a Battle Rager, who has ignorantly sworn himself
to kill all users of magic, ask for my assistance in their war against the
empire. I was baffled at such a request, but I care little for their war and
so did nothing. Whichever side gains an advantage, the green woods suffer.
I am growing and seeing how the world moves.
Added Sat Mar 19 11:24:25 2005 at level 30:
I continue to improve in the art, or is it sorcery? of shaping my form into
an animal. I still have not learned any new forms beyond the mountaing goat
and the rhino, I feel that I am very close to learning another animal. From
talking to others in my chosen art, I have heard that many learn their third
form about now in their studies. I can not be far behind.
I have been traveling the world, from Darsylon to Galadon to Seantryn Modan
to Udgaard to Eryn Galen. Thera is a wide wide world, but I have seen such
sights! A city of Felar, frost giants, and even a city of arials. Everywhere
I have gone, I have learned something new, and I am happy to have found that
green forests grow in all directions. Except, they are often filled with
vermin that must be cleansed.
I am almost glad that unicorns rarely walk the lands anymore. I have never
seen but the one east of Udgaard, but I think they would be angry to find
so much violence and darkness in their realm, or perhaps they would be sad
beyond words.
I have taken to traveling with woodsmen. Many times now, I have traveled
with one felar and assisted him, and gained his assistance, several times
now. I think we have become quite familiar traveling companions, and I guess
that we will yet travel again in the future. I would never have thought one
of the felar so trustworthy or with such similar thoughts as mine, but he
also seeks to cleanse the wilds. I think all are trustworthy, for their
spirits are aligned with the green wood. Not all will restrain themselves
against elves, however. It is for me to show them that I am like them,
though I am no woodsman.
I have not forgotten in all of my travels, that everything I do, I do to be
worthy of an audience with the unicorns. I think the spirits guide me, for
of late, I have begun dreaming sometimes that I am surrounded by beautiful
white steeds. I can not see their heads, so I can not see if they are
unicorns or merely horses, but in my dreams I am one, and the wind whips
through my hair as we run endlessly through green meadows. I had one dream
also, however, where I was a striped tiger sneaking through a wet jungle.
Gloriansa's second transformation
Added Thu Mar 10 19:54:02 2005 at level 22:
I have learned to gain the bone and sinew of a black rhinoceros. When I am
transformed, my body feels heavy and slow, and my head is low to the ground,
but with my ivory horn I feel strong enough to charge through my opponents
and toss them like broken sticks. Even their blows seem to hurt less against
my leathery hide. The anger that has been building within me has subsided
for the moment, perhaps because of my joy at feeling the strength each of
my forms has given me, or perhaps it is because of the feelings awe and
humility that overwhelmed me when I stood in the presence of the unicorn. I
still must apply myself and learn the ways of the world as well as the
hearts of animals of the green forests before I stand in his presence again.
The First Unicorn
Added Thu Mar 10 00:34:20 2005 at level 18:
After my long searches, I have finally learned that unicorns do indeed still
walk the grounds of Tera. It was in the plains east of Udgaard that I
encountered him. Standing alone, he surveyed the land as spirits of life
and death flitted capriciously around his legs. When I approached, he barely
deigned to acknowledge my presence, so mundane am I. When I spoke, he
ignored my words, but still my heart is uplifted. I have found what I needed
to find -- proof that unicorns still walk the lands. If there is one, there
may be more, but that is not of immediate concern to me now. I must improve
myself so that one day I may be worthy of their attention, for I must be
pure of heart and worthy enough of mind and body before I dare approach the
unicorn again. But, when I am ready, I know where to find at least one.
Dilemma
Added Sun Mar 13 13:29:43 2005 at level 25:
Dilemma
I feel I have steadily been improving in the use of my spells. I have
learned such wondrous spells as stone skin, pass door, and enlarge. In my
short time on Thera, I have also learned to change my form into not one,
but two, animals, and I have even been blessed enough to have already found
that unicorns do still walk these lands. I have seen horrors such as those
in Barovia and the shadow grove, and I have triumphed over trolls and worse.
I have fallen too many times to count, and I have felt the unbridled joy of
triumph.
But my heart is heavier today than it has ever been for today ... Today, I
came face to face with an ugly truth. Though I seek harmony in all this
world, there is little today. I traveled with one I would consider friend.
Though she is arial, Akhtaruh has a well-meaning heart, if a little blood-
thirsty. I can abide that for her heart is filled with mostly light, but
today she touched me as well as frightened me to the core of my heart. I did
not know it with my mind, but I knew it in my heart, when she asked me to
not bear witness to what she was going to do, for it would disturb me. I
found her attacking another elf. Another elf! I do not understand how any
who are filled with light can attack a child of the light. And so I could
not travel with this arial any more. She understands why I can not travel
with her. Perhaps the day will come when I am recovered from this injury to
my heart, but it will not be this day, or the next.
I know that she can not cross her heart, and she must have sworn a vow to
her patron, but I also can not cross my heart and condone the assault of one
of my own brothers or sisters. My heart is heavy indeed. I wish to be simply
a dumb animal so that I do not think of these things.
I want my mama.
Gloriansa's First Transformation
Added Sat Mar 5 17:11:34 2005 at level 18:
It is glorious. I have never felt more alive than when I feel my body
change and adopt the form and spirit of the mountain goat. I am raised to
a new level of life. If I need assurance that I am following my chosen
path, then I have received it. The going has not been easy. I have been
beset by treacherous humans and felar and vile beasts. More times than I
care to recount, I have fallen victim to cruel acts of wantonness, but I
have also made friends that have help eased the way, and now I have been
blessed with my first form. I will do my best to serve it well. Perhaps
there is hope yet that the purity of this world can be preserved. If a
simple elf maiden like I can be blessed by the ancient spirits simply
because of my desire to honor them, then perhaps the world can also have
unicorns again. It is my destiny to find them or, if I must, to bring them
back.
A clarity of mind.
Added Fri Mar 4 18:48:42 2005 at level 13:
Life has not been easy as of late. I am finding myself the victim of
treacherous humans. I witnessed a fire giant and his evil comrades slay
at will in Darsylon before they were finally driven off. There were few
to stand against them. So I am feeling an anger in the pit of my
stomach....anger for those who hunt me for sport, for those who wantonly
burn and destroy, for those who worship destroyers.
I have, however, also come to my decision on that which I will focus.
Even if I can never become a unicorn, it is his spirit that inspires
me. The protector of all that is good and pure in the forest, it is on
him I must focus. When necessary, he becomes the destroyer of darkness
and all that is impure. Thus, my primary focus will be offensive. The
unicorn is also a healer and wise in the spirit of the world. I would
imagine he would be quite swift and crafty, and so my minor focus will
be utility.
I see now that I must grow as swiftly as I can so that I can become wise
in the ways of the world. More importantly, I must grow swiftly so that
I can better care for the green forests and Darsylon itself.
I do have cause for joy, however. I approached an avatar of the lands,
one named Alarian and spoke to him of unicorns and ki-rin. It may be
that unicorns do not currently walk the forests of Thera, as dark as
world has become, but that only means I must never waver in my search
for them. Unicorns and ki-rin may be similar creatures, and so perhaps
a search for ki-rin may aid me in some way. I have heard that if
unicorns are to be found, then they may be somewhat east of Udgaard,
perhaps in the plains. I have explored that area and seen nothing, but
it is no small land. There is still much for me to see.
Honey and Fish Pee
Added Thu Mar 3 00:52:10 2005 at level 11:
It is as my papa used to say. Sometimes when you drink from a pond the
water is as sweet as honey, but sometimes all you get is fish pee. All
the world is the biggest pond, and I've had my share of fish pee and
honey. I've had mostly fish pee until today, but finally, finally,
finally, I have found honey. I had the good fortune of traveling with two
elves today, a woodsman and a healer, both of whom mentioned someone named
Thar-Eris. Our conversation was intriguing, but we happened upon two who
feared and hated magic. I barely escaped with my life! In the future, I
shall need to be as careful with strangers as I am with orcs. These elves
I met today were not the sweetest honey, however. Strangely enough, I made
the acquaintance of a gnome who had reached the pinnacle of my chosen
study.
From speaking at length with two advanced masters of shapeshifting, I have
learned more than I would have from studying at the Lyceum. I had at first
thought of visiting the library to help me answer the question which has
begun occupying my thoughts. What should my major and minor foci be? It is
no light choice I must make, for once chosen, I must accept it for all my
days. I realize now that no library of moldy books can help me with my
question if I do not know the answer in my soul. I must look inward for my
answers. More experience with this world may speed me along my way, but
it is to myself, and possibly to the unseen gods and spirits, that I must
look for the way.
I only hope that I am worthy of my dreams. I love the forests and all of
the creatures to which it provides a home, but I fear for them. This world
is filled with so much evil. I can not believe that my mama and papa were
able to shield me from it throughout my childhood. I long to protect all
of my animal friends from the evils of this world almost as long as I wish
to run with unicorns. Is it wrong that it is not my dearest wish? I do not
know how to proceed, but I trust that in time, I shall discover the
answers. For now, my mind shall of necessity remain of swirl of Offensive,
Defensive, Utility, Air, and Water.
A difficult lesson learned
Added Tue Mar 1 01:30:31 2005 at level 8:
I have learned to fear. Orcs, goblins, and trolls have all bested me and
even stolen part of my vitality from me. Papa taught me to understand and
not to fear, but I think I understand all too well. These spells which I
am learning, spells like invisibility, are useless as I must expect all
creatures to be able to discern through my cloak against their eyes. It is
a difficult lesson to learn, but I have learned it well. I must study ever
harder so that I may learn to change my body into something stronger.
My Move to Darsylon
Added Sun Feb 27 22:15:41 2005 at level 5:
I have moved to the city of Darsylon. Life in the city is much
different from what I have been used to at home. I have had the
chance to also visit the city of Galadon and briefly, the city
of Voralion. Men in armor openly carrying weapons walk endlessly
through the city streets. I have seen criminals running about
causing chaos, and I think someone set part of the city of Galadon
aflame. The world is a wide place, and I have much to learn. This
is all new to me, so new that it is almost frightening, but papa
always taught me to seek to understand the unknown, not to be
frightened into helplessness by it.
To that end, I have visited kobolds, goblins, and vile little beast
creatures in caverns. They are nothing like the forest animals. These
things are not natural. They do not belong in this world the rest
of us enjoy. Orcs as well. These are evil, unnatural creatures. I am
not ashamed to admit that my hands are calloused from the knife I
carry for my protection. My body is becoming stronger from the constant
traveling and fighting.
I have been studying with other masters of shapeshifting. Mama and Papa
shared with me the little they knew, and I thank them for it, but I am
able to learn so much more from these other teachers. Already I have
learned to make minor changes to my body. Perhaps someday I will be able
to fully transform myself into an animal of the forest...perhaps a deer
or bird or some other creature. Who knows, maybe I will even become one
with the most majestic of creatures, the unicorn.
Me
Added Sat Feb 26 03:20:35 2005 at level 1:
Born to a poor family, Glorianiyansa felt loved above all others
as her parents showered all of their care and affection upon
their single child. Poor in wordly riches and poor in magical
ability, they worked as elves were not meant to work, tilling the
land with their bare hands to encourage it to yield its bounty
to their love-filled household. Still, though poor in magical
ability, they were not without their skills. Able to transmute
their hands into formidable claws, they could work the land as
well as most other peasants who could afford actual tools.
As she matured into a young woman, Glorianiyansa learned how to
live in harmony with the forests and fields around her, with the
birds in the sky and the fish in the streams, and she developed
a deep abiding love for these animals. Her mother filled her head
with stories of unicorns who protected the forests, beautiful
beasts who were seldom seen anymore -- stories of these fierce
but wise protectors who warded off evil, preserving the ancient
purity of the green forests.
Not a stranger to civilization, she is nonetheless uncomfortable
in the midst of a city. The hustle and bustle of the crowds, the
claustrophobia-inducing stone walls, and the eternal presence of
armed guards always caused the hairs on the back of her neck to
stand on end. She has accepted cities as a necessary evil for
elvenkind, and the other races, to develop in this world. Even
so, her heart longs to roam in the forests with the unicorns of
her imagination.
Introspective and reserved, Glorianiyansa has left her home to
follow her heart and to learn how she can someday be one with the
unicorns she loves. To travel the land more easily, she has
shortened her name to the easier to pronounce, Gloriansa.