Role
On the importance of pronouns
Added Tue Apr 15 23:40:12 2014 at level 16:
I was a strange child, and to see how strange, it is still painful to use
that first person pronoun, no matter how much others expect it. The passive
voice often seems a happy medium, although we would rather use the plural
which feels more correct.
This tale gets ahead of itself, however. My parents chose the name Llaryin,
although, to their dismay, their newborn child refused to answer to it.
After a few years, when the child gained the understanding of the fear
this strangeness caused, we began to acknowledge the name, thought it did
not fit.
You see, from the beginning, we are not sure if there really is an "I,"
as you see, there is much struggle witht he pronouns. My body has always
shared its space with what we have named the Five. Ancient warriors, from
a forgotten age. Their spirits within us, but much of their lives and
knowledge are lost, or at least revealed to us in fits and starts. Their
names, we know, but little else. Alana, the mother. Thun, the hunter.
Boll and Rin, the twins. And Malina, the maiden warrior.
Unlike their lives, their deaths we have seen. Painful and brutal, their
tribe snuffed out and the hands of an army. Their past and future destroyed
to make room for a city. We will learn their tale, past and future, and
avenge the deaths of the five that live within us.
So is there a Llaryin, an I, to speak of? Is it Six, and not Five, within
this body? It is strange to admit, but we cannot yet say. Five or Six,
we are now one, and this separation is tougher to discern that you could
ever imagine.
The Hunt
Added Sun Apr 27 10:06:18 2014 at level 38:
Thun, the hunter, woke early that morning. The great migrations
had brought a heard of antelope near to the village. The scouts
had been tracking its movements, and today the tribe would see
to its needs. Thun gathered his bretheren and set out in the
pre-dawn light, spear in hand.
***
The scent of the fleeing imperials was strong, the singer had
joined with Jero, applicant to the BattleRagers, in this
particular hunt and the quarry had scattered from Darsylon.
The trail led to Udgaard, where the panicked prey had thought
to find shelter.
***
His hunters driving the herd, controlling its flight, Thun
struck at the slowest beast, loosing his spear and watching
it fly true.
***
Her songs ringing out with ancient fury, Llaryin paused a
moment of the corpse of the imperial blade Jithis. Four
more imperials would fall in this hunt, as it ranged across
Thar-Eris. Jero made an excellent partner in this.
***
The day done, chase complete, Thun was pleased to return with
meat, hide, and bone to last the tribe through the coming
winter. It was a good hunt.
Brotherly love
Added Thu May 8 08:30:15 2014 at level 45:
We have found our home in the branches of this great tree, and,
as we had hoped, the free folk and the experiences are shaking
loose the ancient memories of the Five. Perhaps, in time,
our past and reawakening will reveal something of the awakening
to come of Thar-Eris.
Within the tree, we walk the middle branch, on the path between
the Reavers and the Sunwardens. Oh, such beautiful, bickering
children they can be! Much like the Twins, Boll and Rin, forever
connected in spirit, yet constantly squabbling. The antics of
these other branches have brought back their childhood memories.
***
When I wake the tent is empty, an early riser Rin,
Filtered light dances down through the high canopy,
Autumn leaves litter the floor, embers of the trees,
Onward, in search of brother, adventurues to begin.
Snoring brother, hours till he wakes, the lazy Boll,
Predawn mist blankets forest, urging an hours rest,
Yet today, a rabbit to catch. Twine clutched to breast,
Eager to be first to game, with brother still in bedroll.
Snare set, eager Rin watches from nearby tree, handiwork
Too lovely to be left alone, rustling bushes, sound growing,
A hare? Dinner? No, Boll, crashing, now delicate device
Wrapped round his leg, ruined, face a not so clever smirk.
A scream, pure agony and hatred, launched at brother braying,
Rin airborne and brawl ensues, both twins will pay the price.
Past and future battles
Added Thu May 22 10:24:57 2014 at level 51:
Oh, how this has been an interesting time within the refuge! The
tree is strong, and we beat back the assaults of the oppressors
time and time again, until they scatter to their cities and
fortresses forged of stone, whos very presence is rejected by
the earth they defile. And then, then the slavers have found
that even such fortresses are not safe! Our dear Hughli is a
terror in battle, sister Yarazuthra fierce in the wilds, and
the Harbinger is, well, unique, shall we say. The sentinels
branch is strong, though the refuge still lacks a Sunwarden
to balance the multiplying reavers. But enough of wardens and
reavers, this was the subject of our last entry.
The battles, waged from the woods across the sea and into the
cities and palaces to the west have sprung forth ancient
memories of battle. Malina, maiden warrior, leaping across
the corpses of friend and foe to drive her spear deep into
the chest of some foreign general. Oh to be so brave and fierce!
And yet, her litheness and strength in combat must live on
in us, along with these awakened memories? When first we came
to the refuge, there was so little that could be recalled of
these ancient times! And yet now, through hunts, and combat,
the bickering of kin dark and light, the sounds and scents
of these ancient plains people have returned. But to what
purpose? Still, the final battle hazy in our mind, as is the
life of the mother Alana. Perhaps the teacher Arvam will
have wisdom for us?
Dreams of the Mother
Added Mon Jun 9 15:37:24 2014 at level 51:
For many years now, memories of the Five have returned slowly to us, and
always their recall presaged by acts in the here and now, drawing ever
clearer parallels between their ancient battle and the one now faced by
the Refuge. Yet, truthfully, these were memories of four, not five,
for the past of the mother Alana escaped us. In a life, of near constant
warfare, was there no place for a mother and her babes? And last night, as
we slept against the trunk of the great tree, we dreamed.
In the dream, we sank slowly into the loamy ground beneat the tree, the
soft ground covered our body, bit by bit, until even head and mouth were
filled with dirt. However, this was no cause for fear, in the dream, for
it was the loving embrace of the eternal Mother, Thar-Eris, and it seemed
as if we, too, slumbered with her in the Eternal Dream. As we were held
in her arms, our thoughts spread throughout the forest, until, with each
breath, the trees and beasts breathed with us.
The dream continued, but now the earth around us had become soft blankets
of hide and fur, and in our arms we held two mewling newborn infants.
Their faces pink with exhertion as the alternated between crying and
gasping for breath, their first sounds into the world sounding of both
triumph and terror. We held them in our arms for what seemed like ages,
and then woke.
The tree of late has been full of the sound and the works of the Wardens,
their branch rebuilt and strong. Though we doubted the resolve of the
new Sunwarden, he has done well, and his preaching of peace and kindness
is needed, not only in the tree, but we, too, must find more peace in
our heart, for amidst the constant battle, the Mother too must nurse
her children.
Teachings, pronouns revisited, and explorations
Added Tue Jun 10 17:34:22 2014 at level 51:
We had very productive words with the immortal Arvam yesterday,
the teacher is an interesting sight to behold, in person! More
than anything, it was his questions that will lead the way to a
better elf understanding. After asking for insight into the past
and purpose of the Five, the teacher asked, "Do their thoughts
and personailities bleed over into your own, or do you merely
have memories of lives past?" And to think, never in all our
years of uncertainty had this question occured, though the answer
was immediate. No, of course not! The memories of the Five are
an integral part to our existence, but never has it seemed like
there were foreign personalities struggling for existence. We are
Five and Llaryin, but not seperate--rather, one, united being.
Which, of course, raises the question of pronouns once again! So
used are we to using the plural, that we may continue this choice
of words--but, in response to Arvam's questioning, perhaps the
singular makes more sense? And certainly would be less confusing.
The teacher also suggested that we delve more deeply into one of
the Five, both to better understand and to commemorate their
existence. Of all their pasts, it is Malina, maiden warrior, whose
experiences speak most clearly to this present time. Though the
Spire has been set back, and citizens of the cities are freeer
now than ever before, the slavers of Empire have seen a resurgance,
and the land between Refuge and their palace a constant battleground.
More than anything, Malina was a warrior, her life devoted to defending
her people from invasion, and the memory of her failure, and the deaths
of the Five, burns brightly in our conscience to this day. Tall and
strong, she had an uncommon beauty--far from the simpering, slender,
delicacies that city folk prefer. Far more beautiful than we are today,
if the truth is admitted. Despite her many suitors, Malina remained
chaste to the end, some in her tribe thought this to be some code based
in the purity of the body. Malina did not dissuade them of this notion,
but the truth was that never did she find her equal in a man.
I am not Malina, though surely, through her memories, some part of her
spirit is imprinted deeply in my being. Like her, we will fight those
slavers and invaders until the bitter end, and this time we must not
fail. More often than not, in our dreams, we see her end: a soldier,
face hidden by helm, driving a spear deep into our chest, a burst
of pain and then darkness.
PK Wins
Apr 17, 2014|Lv 18|Galadon|Grex vs 1: [18] Llaryin (100%, piercing dissonance)
Apr 18, 2014|Lv 22|Udgaard|Thronko vs 2: [22] Llaryin (16%), [26] Brathimon (83%, peck)
Apr 21, 2014|Lv 26|East Sumner's Road|Ggnyea vs 2: [25] Fholra (87%, wrath), [26] Llaryin (12%)
Apr 21, 2014|Lv 26|Udgaard|Jithis vs 2: [30] Jero (47%), [26] Llaryin (52%, piercing dissonance)
Apr 21, 2014|Lv 26|Balator|Thronko vs 2: [26] Llaryin (27%), [30] Jero (72%, pierce)
Apr 21, 2014|Lv 26|Keep of the Righteous|Jithis vs 2: [26] Llaryin (43%, piercing dissonance), [30] Jero (56%)
Apr 21, 2014|Lv 26|Balator|Calamancic vs 2: [26] Llaryin (8%), [30] Jero (91%, pierce)
Apr 21, 2014|Lv 26|The Imperial Lands|Thronko vs 2: [26] Llaryin (10%), [30] Jero (89%, pierce)
Apr 23, 2014|Lv 30|The Battlefield|Bol vs 1: [30] Llaryin (100%, piercing dissonance)
Apr 23, 2014|Lv 33|The Eastern Road|Bol vs 1: [33] Llaryin (100%, cut)
Apr 26, 2014|Lv 35|Fortress of Light|Nebhine vs 2: [35] Llaryin (8%), [40] Niji (91%, mountain storm kick)
Apr 26, 2014|Lv 35|Khalid River|Thronko vs 1: [35] Llaryin (100%, bite)
Apr 27, 2014|Lv 38|The Eastern Road|Ggnyea vs 2: [38] Llaryin (9%), [40] Harik (90%, slash)
Apr 27, 2014|Lv 38|Khalid River|Ggnyea vs 2: [40] Bol (69%, electrified cleave), [38] Llaryin (30%)
Apr 27, 2014|Lv 38|Forest of Prosimy|Thronko vs 2: [38] Llaryin (16%, slash), [40] Sivane (83%)
Apr 30, 2014|Lv 40|Forest of Prosimy|Fajl vs 1: [40] Llaryin (100%, pound)
Apr 30, 2014|Lv 40|Galadon|Sshrenran vs 3: [40] Llaryin (21%), [47] Donatien (78%, claw), [51] Foedett (0%)
May 6, 2014 |Lv 45|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Fajl vs 1: [45] Llaryin (100%, mental assault)
May 6, 2014 |Lv 45|Forest of Prosimy|Fajl vs 2: [45] Llaryin (27%, mental assault), [35] Aael (72%)
May 8, 2014 |Lv 45|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Dert vs 2: [45] Llaryin (12%), [47] Aael (87%, electrified cleave)
May 8, 2014 |Lv 45|The Eastern Road|Vree vs 4: [51] Ereke (26%, sunray), [51] Hughli (51%), [51] Sivane (13%), [45] Llaryin (8%)
May 11, 2014|Lv 45|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Dert vs 1: [45] Llaryin (100%, wrath)
May 12, 2014|Lv 46|The Outlander Refuge|Akorxena vs 2: [46] Llaryin (30%), [47] Helosis (69%, claw)
May 13, 2014|Lv 46|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Vree vs 2: [46] Llaryin (0%), [47] Donatien (100%, shocking bite)
May 14, 2014|Lv 47|The Imperial Palace|Niji vs 2: [48] Donatien (88%, bite), [47] Llaryin (11%)
May 15, 2014|Lv 47|Forest of Prosimy|Akorxena vs 4: [48] Aael (14%), [47] Llaryin (12%, mental assault), [48] Donatien (57%), [51] Hughli (15%)
May 16, 2014|Lv 47|Forest of Prosimy|Zeke vs 3: [47] Llaryin (38%, mental assault), [51] Foedett (32%), [48] Helosis (28%)
May 16, 2014|Lv 47|Forest of Prosimy|Grilbo vs 3: [48] Helosis (75%, stinging lash), [51] Foedett (1%), [47] Llaryin (23%)
May 16, 2014|Lv 47|Forest of Prosimy|Moncha vs 5: [51] Yarazuthra (31%), [47] Llaryin (31%, KB), [51] Maligor (0%), [48] Helosis (11%), [51] Foedett (25%)
May 16, 2014|Lv 47|Arkham|Maligor vs 3: [51] Yarazuthra (12%), [48] Helosis (28%, defilement), [47] Llaryin (59%)
May 20, 2014|Lv 51|Coven of Dralkar Wood|Vree vs 4: [51] Hughli (39%, flurry), [48] Dert (0%), [51] Llaryin (16%), [50] Jeddo (44%)
May 20, 2014|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Maligor vs 3: [51] Llaryin (8%), [51] Hughli (64%, corrosive slice), [50] Jeddo (26%)
May 21, 2014|Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Maligor vs 2: [51] Llaryin (12%), [51] Yarazuthra (87%, searing light)
May 22, 2014|Lv 51|Galadon|Sshrenran vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, mental assault)
May 22, 2014|Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Mordrin vs 3: [51] Sivane (42%, pillar of lightning), [51] Rylium (1%), [51] Llaryin (56%)
May 23, 2014|Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Vree vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
May 25, 2014|Lv 51|Galadon|Dert vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, slash)
May 26, 2014|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Jarlduz vs 2: [51] Llaryin (13%), [51] Hughli (86%, slice)
May 26, 2014|Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Dert vs 2: [51] Llaryin (15%), [51] Hughli (84%, corrosive slice)
May 26, 2014|Lv 51|The Tahril Mountains|Ashmon vs 2: [51] Llaryin (50%, chop), [51] Hughli (49%)
May 26, 2014|Lv 51|Waters of the Deep|Maligor vs 2: [51] Hughli (81%, corrosive slice), [51] Llaryin (18%)
May 28, 2014|Lv 51|Galadon|Hrast vs 2: [51] Llaryin (12%), [47] Bronagha (87%, charge)
May 28, 2014|Lv 51|Organia, the Veil of Shadow|Hrast vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
May 28, 2014|Lv 51|The Past Grove|Moarf vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
May 29, 2014|Lv 51|Bramblefield Road|Maligor vs 2: [51] Azzael (8%), [51] Llaryin (91%, mental assault)
Jun 4, 2014 |Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Maligor vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
Jun 9, 2014 |Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Maligor vs 2: [51] Llaryin (87%, chaotic blast), [46] Koom (12%)
Jun 10, 2014|Lv 51|Island of Corte|Hagart vs 2: [51] Llaryin (92%, mental assault), [43] Vargik (7%)
Jun 10, 2014|Lv 51|Island of Corte|Vargik vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
Jun 11, 2014|Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Drem vs 4: [51] Foedett (11%), [51] Corwyn (7%), [40] Balok (63%, thrust), [51] Llaryin (17%)
Jun 12, 2014|Lv 51|The Dwarf Forest|Brinderbaum vs 2: [51] Llaryin (24%, reverberating blast), [51] Hughli (75%)
Jun 12, 2014|Lv 51|The Aryth Ocean|Beulobub vs 2: [51] Hughli (72%, crushing force), [51] Llaryin (27%)
Jun 12, 2014|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Nizrili vs 2: [51] Llaryin (32%), [51] Hughli (67%, parting blow)
Jun 12, 2014|Lv 51|Valley of Veran|Tralgdar vs 2: [51] Hughli (87%, poison), [51] Llaryin (12%)
Jun 12, 2014|Lv 51|Ruins of Maethien|Vargik vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, bleeding)
Jun 18, 2014|Lv 51|Balator|Drem vs 5: [51] Phen (5%), [51] Yegrut (34%), [51] Amatrysti (2%), [51] Corwyn (4%), [51] Llaryin (53%, reverberating blast)
Jun 18, 2014|Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Tralgdar vs 3: [51] Llaryin (99%, suction), [51] Amatrysti (0%), [51] Hagart (0%)
Jun 18, 2014|Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Jarlduz vs 3: [46] Jycenna (0%, ), [51] Amatrysti (0%), [51] Llaryin (100%) *Assassinated*
Jun 18, 2014|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Tralgdar vs 4: [51] Amatrysti (2%), [48] Koom (9%), [51] Cetali (37%), [51] Llaryin (50%, mental assault)
Jun 19, 2014|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Tralgdar vs 2: [51] Llaryin (80%, burning smoke), [51] Resdrenn (19%)
Jun 26, 2014|Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Jarsk vs 2: [51] Sivane (18%, shard of ice), [51] Llaryin (81%)
Jun 26, 2014|Lv 51|Temple of the Scarab|Jarsk vs 2: [51] Llaryin (13%), [47] Thurmonbrue (86%, punch)
Jun 26, 2014|Lv 51|Temple of the Scarab|Jarlduz vs 2: [51] Llaryin (64%, reverberating blast), [51] Kwoalewei (35%)
Jun 29, 2014|Lv 51|Feanwyyn Weald|Jarlduz vs 2: [51] Llaryin (97%, reverberating blast), [51] Niji (2%)
Jun 30, 2014|Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Barqul vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
Jul 3, 2014 |Lv 51|Galadon|Tralgdar vs 2: [51] Bivlaek (41%), [51] Llaryin (58%, mental assault)
Jul 3, 2014 |Lv 51|Ruins of Maethien|Yoblinor vs 2: [51] Llaryin (25%), [51] Sivane (74%, shard of ice)
Jul 8, 2014 |Lv 51|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Jithis vs 2: [51] Jarlduz (0%), [51] Llaryin (100%, reverberating blast)
Jul 9, 2014 |Lv 51|Voralia's Tears|Tralgdar vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, mental assault)
Jul 20, 2014|Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Regrag vs 2: [51] Llaryin (0%), [51] Foedett (99%, bleeding)
Jul 20, 2014|Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Regrag vs 2: [51] Foedett (57%, bleeding), [51] Llaryin (42%)
Jul 20, 2014|Lv 51|The Outlander Refuge|Regrag vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, mental assault)
Jul 25, 2014|Lv 51|Balator|Daphrdan vs 2: [51] Llaryin (77%, reverberating blast), [49] Carriil (22%)
Jul 30, 2014|Lv 51|Galadon|Mmachadin vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, slice)
Jul 30, 2014|Lv 51|Khalid River|Daphrdan vs 1: [51] Llaryin (100%, mental assault)
Aug 1, 2014 |Lv 51|The Tower of Sorcery|Tralgdar vs 2: [51] Llaryin (15%), [48] Helfinu (84%, earth-rending tremors)
Aug 1, 2014 |Lv 51|Khalid River|Cionadh vs 2: [51] Llaryin (51%), [51] Ilune (48%, smash)