The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Arelush walks down to Immersea. As always she covers up her tattoo when she goes to the port city. She walks along the shoreline along portside as ships move cargo back and forth from ship to warehouse or warehouse to ship.

As she walks she comes upon Umberlee’s shrine. She throws a few coins in the pool saying, “I know this goddess. She is goddess of storms. Sailors tribute so she stays away. It is a bribe. If ship does not tribute they find bad storm in their path.”

She prays to the shrine, “please stay away from these ships they most likely good people just wanting to feed their family.” After that she moves on walking past the ships to the wear they work on a new ship being built. This one is much bigger. She measures the length and beam with her thumb. “It looks like they trying to copy Moonflower II. Captain once told me many try but none got cargo weight and speed correct.

Arelush passes the ship and walks along the shoreline. She finds a spot on the other side of town near the water and under a shade tree to sit. She does that watching the water lap over the rocks. She stares out into the bay thinking, remembering, meditating.

It doesn’t take but an hour before an older woman shows up. She wears the blue robes of the moon goddess. Arelush looks up at her as the woman introduces herself, “Hello there you look troubled. May I sit miss…….”

“Am Arelush, is just Arelush was former slave.”

“I’m a priestess of Selune. There’s a shrine up there on the hill if you would like to seek council or pray. That’s where I live.”

“Yes. See the robes. Know the goddess. She is a goddess of sailors.”

“Aye, that she is. So what troubles you, miss Arelush.”

“This place. This Arabel. It is good place. I get good start here. I make my wood things, bring meat to market from hunting. I help others sometimes kill bad things in the forest or desert. But I think have to leave.”

“Why leave if you like it so much.”

“More and more I feel is much danger for me here, priestess. You see is chance I could change my future if stay near this sea.”

“Why would that be?”

Arelush pulls down the covering from her tattoo without comment.

The priestess studies it a moment, “Lauriella finally built her ship. I don’t see that’s a bad thing, but why are you not on it?”

“Captain I know is long dead. Captain I do not know still alive. Sails this sea if she see me it may change my future or hers. I do not know much of higher things. Am not smart but she say this to me before we part that I should stay small when come here so not change things.”

The priestess waits for Arelush to continue confused by her words.

“I see you do not understand. I do not think I understand either. But try tell you story of moonflower ship. 200 years from now maybe 250 Captain much older but still sails these waters. She get chased by pirates. She goes into mist. This mist near uncharted island it take her back in time 3, 3 ½ thousand years to place in Netheril.

There she studies hard becomes Spellweaver and what we call Hem Netjer, I think you call this archmage. Captain she studies time and complete much work from another called chronemancer a spellweaver that die few centuries before.

This is the time she find me. She need cabin girl to help her. I was slave sent to Netheril because my use was done at home. Half-orc buys me for 16 silver coins. He take me to this Netheril and put me in a cage for sale. I was there a long time. I start to think this green man he take me out and kill me to save profit. This often happens when slave not sell for long time.

Captain comes to him. She see I am Mulan and buys me. She free me same day and she say she want hire me as cabin girl. I thought since she is house of life and mage that speak with dead she make me guardian. A mummy. I have to think a long time before say yes but do.

She do not make me mummy she teach me numbers, letters, basics. I clean ship for sailors and her rooms. Was like this several months, until she fall. One night on what you call reflection. Is reflection to your moon goddess yes?”

The priestess nods, “That’s right its called Sailor’s reflection. At each new moon worshippers gather quietly and tell tales, reflect upon their lives and learn from each other. A subdued ceremony but very healthy for the soul.”

“Yes, Captain she start to speak but fall down. Her eyes turn white, She shake almost bite her own tongue out. Lieutenant he takes ship to Ascore and looks for help. Elves come, dwarves come they ummm look captain over, use magic on her. They find out she have accident when young and there pieces of bone in head that move when she stress. These pieces of bone they kill bits of brain year by year and was so long ago this accident that body thinks they part of it or something. There is no way to heal her. They say if she stop adventuring she may live maybe 50 or 100 years but no more.”

Captain she park ship in lonely place far to north on narrow sea. There she, elves, dwarves study time. It take 8 years. She make a machine and great spell. A spell that cannot be used after sky cities fall to earth. She send crew home on summer solstice but miss target. We come 200 years to early or something. At least that what Cyr said after looking at stars and looking around.

When left captain in past she fall down maybe once every two weeks. We know she not have very much longer. I hope she die well and peaceful.

When come here we come to great cold desert. Anuach or something Cyr say. There many giants, hobgoblins it very cold. All die trying return south to warmer place except Cyr and me. We split when land become warmer. Me west, Cyr east.

So that is tale and what happen. I am not from this place and because captain she here and alive. will be there to rescue me. I cannot disturb her. She would find out what happen and may avoid. I do not want this to happen. Then she will not save me because will not go to past.”

“So if her ship comes here…….”

“Is very bad if I am here.”

“I can understand this. Self-preservation but what will you do now?”

“I think cannot be by this sea. Will go west. I know now can live well with things I make from wood and hunting: bringing furs and meat to market. I find another place. One where captain never be or crew. Start again. Part of being huntress is moving, seeing world. I will do ok.”

The priestess smiles, “Well, it is a fantastic story. I’m not sure I believe all of it. I will write it down for church records. She and her crew are, were followers of the goddess.”

“Please do not. More that know more can change.”

The priestess winks at her. “I will lock the story away for 300 years not to be opened until then. My promise to you as a follower of Selune.”

“Thank you, I guess. I stay here and think tonight. Thinking is hard for me. Maybe not think just remember the good things then travel west into unknown. What Selune blessing. The night guide you?”
“That’s a Sehanine blessing but close enough. The night guide you Arelush and fair winds to you.”

“Fair winds priestess.”

The woman leaves to the west. Most likely to that shrine Arelush has never seen. As for Arelush she spends the night in reflection. Upon the dawn she finally gets up and starts her long trek to the west and the lands of the sword coast.

[Winterhawk99]

Arelush sits on a crate at the docks of Southport looking over the water at the ships coming and going into their designated slips. It takes her a long time to decide what she is about to write about her new home. She muses at some of the schooners coming it. She does not know if the Moonflower II is finished or trolling the sea of fallen stars now. She does know she is safely away from the Captain thus she will not change time by what she does. She looks out on the water one last time before putting quill to paper writing slowly in Hieroglyphics.

In Arabel I hear of a great port to the west called Waterdeep. I can take a ship west from there far away from the captain: The one I call mother. I do this. I take a ship going to an island near the strange new continent. I do not know if it is close to the island captain grow up at: An island called Evermeet.

Coming here many men see my tattoo on left arm. It is an anchor with some leaves around it and above the name Moonflower II. Few of them give me much respect and captain of this ship ask if I can help with riggings. I tell him truth that I was only cabin girl. Am familiar with riggings but never work them. He ask I give it a try. I do. I work lightly with crew while learning riggings and cranks. Captain he also give me rebate on my passage coin when we slip into harbor of Southport on island of Amia.

I now be on Amia a month or so. Have met many people. Some helpful but many ignore me. Is ok, Captain always want me take small steps. Have a good life, be no import to the greater scheme and take small steps in the sand this way is better chance of a good life.

First person I meet is Ashe the wizardress. She give me first job once she know I am a hunter. It take me a few weeks but fill two bags with certain kind of wood I find nearby. There are not many trees and they are hard to find but I complete job. She give me 38,000 in coin for it and some arrows and things. I think things were given out of charity and coin is for job. I was very grateful for her generosity to me. Will work for her anytime.

Ashe she give me second job to fill two bags with coconuts. I scratch head telling her there are many coconuts in Mulhorand but here is not good place to grow them. She tell me there are boats to islands to the south and I should try there. I first try a small tropical island I find some coconut trees but must wait a long time to harvest them I did not want to wait 3 or 4 years to fill two bags, so I try another place called Blue Lagoon.

I go there to find a pirate island. I must tread very lightly here and make sure tattoo is always covered but this Island have many resources. I quickly fill bags with coconuts and harvest everything from potatoes to small emeralds, mussels, wood, and game. I make my own traps and harvest much game from island that is common here but rare in Southport. I make much from that.

I now have coconuts and will await until we see one another again. I will write more tomorrow of this new land. I tire and need rest.

[Winterhawk99]

Arelush wakes up in her camp in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. Even though it is early spring the air seems warm tonight. She goes outside with a long thin stick and places the ends in the hot coals of her cooking fire now just smoldering. The stick lights up. She then lights two oil lamps and sits by them for awhile thinking of the dream. In time she brings out quill and journal.

Coin is easily come by here but also easily spent. I must be careful what I buy so I do not overspend and break myself from want of goods. I try to be careful. This brings me to second person I meet that work with me in one way or another. This person I call Xyn is a woman. A black elf with white hair. I find out there a few of these elves here. I think at first this woman a priestess but was wrong. Another laugh when I say this and tell me Xyn is a witch. It surprise me because Xyn always talk about her winter goddess Aruil who ever goddess may be.

Xyn to me is someone I can come to and ask questions about the land. And is also merchant. I buy bags from her that make things weigh almost nothing and as do can ask her questions about surrounding land. She answer me with truth, so I know is trustworthy. I would not call this one friend but someone I trust enough to help me if in need. She is sometimes very distant and cold.

There is also Alex. Alex is another hunter I sometimes travel with. We often seek one another out. Alex is half-orc like my last master who mother freed me from. Alex is not like him. Alex is good man and someone I look up too. We have walked many miles together now and had a few adventures including walking to villages, so we know the land better.

There are a few others I note. One is elf like mother of darker but not black skin, browner, a sun elf. This sun elf special, I think. He is smart but I think he have delusions. He can turn himself into a dragon and thinks is a dragon. I not so sure about this. I think he want to be dragon so makes up world so that he is when isn’t. I told him I would keep this secret so I will not put his name here.

I think I play along with this delusion. It is said that delusions are functional. A mother’s thoughts about her baby; How strong, smart, or pretty they will be keep her from killing them at birth. It sometimes wrong to say to someone who think wrongly they are wrong when they believe it truth. Causes much discontent so I will play along with this.

There is also a group of mercenaries that come to town on regular basis. They include a priestess I would like to speak to for council. Another black elf woman but these mercenaries are exclusive and seem to be secretive. They ignore all others. I do not know why. I have strange dreams of late. Strange dreams where I learn new powers. I know this priestess T’ssvery or something may be able to help but I have troubles approaching this one. This group is very intimidating. I start to question value of coming to her. They seem only interested in themselves and leave quickly after the do what mean to do. Maybe is best I leave these ones alone.

This takes me to new dreams. In dreams a man comes to me. He is a black elf like Xyn. He tell me that he want to be my friend and teach me of thinks I should know. I ask why. He said that because I wear mother’s bracelet I am of mother and mother is family to him. He tells me mother rejected him but since she make me family he still want to be friend and teacher to me perhaps one day I find him and know I should be with him.

Something about this elf is wrong. I know deep down somehow, he is wrong. This elf very pleasant in dreams and ummm persuasive. He never tell me I am dumb and say he only want to help me but I know from many former masters sometimes help come with grave price. I let him teach me a little but hold back because something is wrong with this elf.

He is young black elf with white hair. He always wear grey and his face always covered with either hood or mask. Different masks he has many some smile or frown like masks at theater, others small masks that cover eye area. He is thin and wiry like most elves.

He teaches me to have 6th sense of danger like alarm even though I cannot see what danger and can avoid. He teaches me to see like elf too. I almost think I becoming an elf because of this. Darkness it do not effect sight anymore. He also teach me to walk so softly that I hardly even disturb grass under my feet. I can walk softer than an elf now and spot or hear those that hide themselves more quickly. I can also teleport short distances by envisioning grey land that is under real land. I cannot explain this other than there is another world around us cast in grey but is smaller somehow than world we see. I see this grey land and step. Is like I teleport many yards in real world with few steps in grey world.

I can also cloak myself in shadow to help defend myself making shield like bark skin. The strange also teach me to call one of his creatures like I call my animal companion skyqueen. I do this only once and recoil from what come. It is a creature of the dead I think. Someone who died and become like shadow. I decide I never call this one again. I do not like this creature. I know I am not as good person like mother was but I am not bad person. She vow to never work with undead. I think this is good thing so I will not call this creature again.

Elf he seem disappointed when I tell him this but he still teach me. I do not understand but know eventually he will want something from me. Maybe price is too high but how can I stop him from coming? I do not know. I must find priest or priestess of either Anhur or of moon goddess. These two gods I trust.

That is all for now. I tell about adventures and few other people I have walked with when next write. I wanted to write about these things now because these on my mind this elf and exclusive group of adventurers. I go back to sleep now maybe elf will not come back tonight.

[Winterhawk99]

Arelush comes back into camp with 5 large animal hides. The first thing she does and put them one on top of another except for one. She takes that one ties the end to a tabletop held steady by ropes; the top tied to a tree the bottom ropes tied to stakes in the ground. She quickly takes a large draw knife from another table beside it and gently, carefully fleshes the pelt on the skin side.

As she cuts the flesh and fat off the skin it begins to turn white. Once every scrap is off the skin and it takes on an amazing white color, she hangs it in the tree to dry. Quickly she takes the next one up and repeats the process until all the pelts are fleshed out and clean. She then rests for three hours until the pelts are dried.

While she relaxes and eats, she thinks about all that she has seen and experienced the last few days. The university in a place called the shadow realm, The duke that worships Hoar an enemy of her own patron god, and the many new people she has met.

Before she goes back to the pelts, she takes the animals’ heads that she had killed and saws the top of their skulls off. Once that is done, she pours about a gallon and a ½ of water in a small cauldron. Extracting the brains she places them in the water and mashes them with her hands until they are all dissolved and the soup has a consistency of the lotion noblewomen put on their hands to keep them supple. She lights a fire and places the pot over it to boil.

Now that the pelts are dry, she takes sand and sifts it through open cloth until the grains are the size she needs. She puts on gloves. Throwing the new fine sand on the pelts she sands the pelts with her hands so that the brain solution will hold upon the skin while she smokes them. With that done she checks the pot then goes to a new area about camp.

In this area she has angled wooden frames that come up to her torso in front and down to her knees in the back. The shoveled leavings of her fires are at the bottom in the ground below. She starts a fire in five of these charcoal pits. With twigs and dried branches. She then leaves and checks the brain soup again.

She waits there for it to boil. Once it starts, she slowly counts to 20 nine times. Once she has done that, she takes the pot off the fire bringing it to the table where she has her fleshing tools. She waits for the soup to cool. Once it is cool to the touch, she lays out the first pelt on the table, dips her fingers in the soup and works it into the skin of the pelt. When it is completely covered by the solution she made, she rolls it up in a damp towel. She then repeats the process with the other 4 pelts with just enough soup to cover each one. She takes the rolled damp pelts and takes them to a table by the framework with the fires underneath. She sits and waits for the fires to burn themselves down to coals.

Once there are only coals left, she adds moss, and pungent rotting wood to the embers. As quickly as she can she stretches the pelts on the frameworks. She goes from one to the next to the next as the smoke and the brain solution make a ‘tar’ that will protect the pelt from water and rot but not make it waterproof.

Once the first pelt has been smoked for 30 minutes or so she flips it fur side down and begins to stretch it. Wasting no time, she repeats the process with the other 4 pelts stretching them repeatedly for about 30 minutes. When that is done, she takes them all off the racks. She then folds each pelt into a neat roll to take to market. Exhausted, she sits down and opens her journal.

I go out to see the world, then come back to camp for a 10 day then back into world for few more days. Many things happen since last write in journal. Now I am at camp for two 10 days. So, I write about what happened to me in world.

Most impressive is someone show me the university in the grey land for people that can do these new things I can do. They call it dancing with shadows. Ashen say it a very elite group. I ask her is group full of good or bad people. She say both just like real world. This calmed me because was never sure about grey land. She also say is dangerous place but If I stay to this shadow town should be ok.

So, I leave her and go in this university. The girl at desk after getting my name give me book to study and say I am student. She said there tests and first is to talk to a professor. I study book for many days and come back. I answer his first question right but not second. He tell me to come back after studying book some more. I do this.

I come back few days later. Again, I answer first question and get second wrong. This frustrates me. I am not meant for learning like this, I think. Still, I think of mother’s words about not giving up. I go back to real world and study harder.

I come back. This time I answer all questions correctly and profess give me badge. Am now lesser dancer with university. Would never believe that I would ever be in university let alone pass test to become part of it. If mother was alive, I think she would be proud of me. Maybe she watch me from her moon gate she always talk about and smile.

I also meet a woman there. I think one who graduated before. I do not remember her name but is an elf. We talk all through the night. She say I am somehow very impressive. I do not think this. I do not go to impress others. I just walk my path. If one wants to speak to me about something I try listen, understand and tell what I think of things we speak of. I tell her I am not smart, and she say there are other things that are important that she sees in me. I do not know what but smiled and nodded.

This last outing I found no one to walk with me to explore. So, I did much trapping and collecting at blue lagoon. I make more than ten years pay in but few days. I come back many times because I found no one that needed help with their quests. So, I do job and thin the creatures that need to be thinned, collect coconuts, tree limbs, raw emeralds and sapphires.

I also find new quest I do alone. I fight mounds of slime with many mouths and gibberlings. I go deep into their nest to find mad wizard that controls them all. I kill his spirit and man who sent me was very happy I killed him. He give me gift. It take me two tries to do this but get it done alone with my shadow and pixie summons. I forget to mention that university book say creature I can call from shadow is not undead. It is not good or evil. It is something else that uses my shadow as gateway. Is very hard to explain but they assure me I do no wrong by calling it forth.

I meet holy knight by name of Xyrxrys or something. I also meet shapechanger by name of Mizette. I think she a nature priestess at first because can become a cat or fox. She say no. She say her connection with nature and her gifts is different is more like me as ranger with nature connection not as deep as priestess of earth.

I finally meet someone that worship a god I know. Is a nobleman, A duke. When I first meet him I shy away. The symbol on his chest was of Hoar an Uther god of war. Hoar and my god are enemies so I shy away and do not speak. I see what he say first.

When he start to speak to me. He know I am of Anhur. Must be way I acted. He assure me he do not want to fight. We talk and agree that even though gods fight we mortals do not have too. Shows he is honorable and more important respectful to all gods even ones he may call enemy. I breath sigh of relief.

There was also an annoying pixie and a pair of hin about to be married around at the time. The pixie was quite annoying, but I bested him in game of thought. He did not like me at first because I eat crocodiles and he has pet crocodile. But I think how to make him change his mind and I do this. Now he like me. He may change mind later these little fey always change mind one day to the next. I cannot keep up with such silliness.

This all I have to say for now. I did explore more towns and cities. One town of really bad pirates called Demon something. Is not like the pirates of blue moon who are tolerant. I also explore a holy city I think forget the name something like Carrissess. There is ranger station there, but door was locked and woman outside just give me lip service. I leave.

I will write more after exploring more of the land until then have job to do. Next thing is to get bow bench to make bows. Will save for that.

[Winterhawk99]

I have been here a few months now in this land called Amia. It is much more quiet than the mainland and other places I have travelled. I like this place. I do my Job, the one I am trained for: Watching over wilderness areas, count animals, hunting when need to so that the chain of life stays in balance.

Many do not know that we are all part of this chain. We have our place in hunting and herding. We eat both meat and grains. It is our place and when we die it is the insects that take over turning us back to dirt. Maybe we are renewed in life, a tree, an insect, a great beast or again a person. I do not know. I have heard this said a time or two. Would like to think this happens but am not that smart in the ways of the chain. I just know within my soul that this is the way life is. So, I do my part as huntress and caretaker of wild places.

I sell meat, skins, fish, and other things at market. It helps the cities with their food supplies. Many here do not respect the chain. I know this. Some wish for people not to hunt. If people would stop hunting the beasts would overrun in a few generations. This would not be good.

I have also learned more of these lands. In time I will be able to guide others through the forests, tundra and desert of these lands. I like this idea.

I passed second test at university. It was not hard. Maybe is I just start to understand more how to use twilight. I know I do understand more both how to take advantage of this new talent and how dangerous it can be.

While at this college I walk around city of shadow. I find a statue that look something like the grey man of my dreams. Only he is different because statue is of a human, not an elf. It was in a temple. the only temple I find in the city. It is called the temple of Mask. I think I know who is this man of my dreams. The one that friend Ashe say likes to mislead others. I do not know what this man is like. I think I leave him be. He seem a dangerous thing.

Mask. I think on his name much after I see this statue. Here is what conclude: Everyone wears a mask. Most do this to protect themselves; Some, like mother, it is part of their nature. Still some, they wear masks to fool others. these last: They are not good people, I think.

I go to town 4 days. Mostly to Blue lagoon to make coin. I make much the first two days. More than it take to build mothers schooner. Could maybe even buy two schooners with money I make. I almost spend it all with Ashe and others. I buy many things to improve my equipment. I have new bow, desert armor, new helm and new cloak. these all cost much more than I would make before. I will have to work harder to build back what lost in coin. Still with better things can go more places, see more things.

I also solve two mysteries. First was getting a metal heart from a machine golem. I get help from a brother of twilight. We do well till the end. I see giant golem and it put such fear in my heart I ran away. a smaller golem chase me. I could do nothing but weep in corner while golem pounded me. I black out but partner kill them all. He wake me up after and give me heart to give to crazy gnome.

gnome he make me a machine for myself. It look like floating dwarf in steel armor. It have two hammers that fight good against machines. Hammers vibrate and sing song when hit something hard. is good reward. The other I went with one of the small folk, A hin by name of Bogus. We go to place with floating skulls. I do much better there. Both of us used range to advantage supporting one another. Sometimes I go to swords.

There were mummies here. I did not want to hurt the guardians of the tomb but Bogus he was touched by one even though I warned him to stay away. It cursed him. We find cure and move on. That is when I decided to fight the mummies. I did to help protect my partner. I know it is stain on my soul but a necessary one. I cannot let a partner die in lonely tomb. This would not be right. If I find a temple of Osiris I will tell priest of what I did. Perhaps he will absolve me. I hope so. I have not much treasure if die at moment and I feel that my soul has put on weight from killing these guardians.

At end of venture Bogus, he give me ring that helps with merchants. I look at it carefully. It is a ring dedicated to the god Hathor. He is a god of my people. I ask him if I can keep it. He say yes, so I do. Am very happy he do this and tell him if he need me I will return favor.

I go to camp for 10 days to tan and be with nature. Maybe one day will be able to afford better. Until then will camp in forest of Amia. this is all I have to write today. I hope fair winds will stay with me and with these lands.

[Winterhawk99]

I stay out in the field for a full month plying trade and refreshing myself by steeping in forest and nature. It gave me new energy. I have come back now to see what happens in cities. I bring pelts and many other things to trade making good profits. I do not need much but have upgraded supplies many times. I make much coin but also spend much too.

At first time there I spent on game hunting. One time I meet very big man. This one is a warrior. He say to another let us go murder something. It struck me like some masters I was under were. I took dislike to this one and say something like what one says is what one is like to do. We have short words and he leave to go murder his victims. I think may have taken this wrongly and am somewhat sorry but, in some ways, not. Maybe he learn to use better words next time. I know I am least to talk about words. I do not speak or write well but try to bring thoughts to words and writes in good ways not bad.

I meet Rosary again in dale with her man and companions. one a tall man called Dorje. he part of organization i think is called monks group. he calls it gompa. Am not sure what meaning this is. I find out he is Darmarian. am not sure but think that across the sea from my home. He recognize mulan language and ask me to write letter for him. To write letter to church of Horus-Re through silver coin trade company. I do this but must word correctly so future of captain not change. She need go into the mist of pirate islands and back to my time to save me.

We go to big hin city and meet Rosary's aunts. there was big feast with much noble foods. I only eat sparingly. a friend from Thay he try make me eat more. I try but do not like taste and finally push plate away. This when Dorje he ask me about priest of Horus-Re. We go then and fight great beast. I almost die and had to raise one twice with scroll. a hin general that have wing and tail like dragon and small copper scales on body. was very bad fight but we prevail.

I meet Marisa again and we have long talk. I break silence about where..... when is from and she tell me of her misgivings of adventurers. We help each other with problems. Was good talk.

I meet with Rosary and friends again. we fight great purple worm and dragons of north. I pick up scale but get lost so ported back to wave tavern without group. I could not turn my scale in. will have to try when go back. but most important must send letter so I will write.

(This letter is written in the Hieroglyphics of the Mulan language.

To Silver Coin trade company,

Hello Zard and Christine Sithiir

I am former crew member of the Moonflower I will not say my name but I am one of no import to the greater scheme, (crew motto). I retire from crew with honor many year ago. I wish not to speak my name at this time. I hope captain is doing well. She always hard but fair at least until she wear her house of life robes. I hope she is happy when she dance at midnight when Selune show her full face.

I have business with church of Horus-Re. Christine as holy knight of church I hope take other letter to Hems of church. An important man in place I retire requests the services of Hem or hemt of Horus-Re. Maybe Holy knight be good too. I am not sure. His name is Master Droje Siachen. He wish to speak to Hem or Hemt. His leader is leader of Crouching Lemur Gompa (Name of person Dorje gave her) It would be good for church to send Hem here. I would pray even when god of heart is Anhur. Captain teach me to respect all gods. You know her ways as I and know what means.

If Hem, Hemt or holy knight of church come I will await arrival in main city of Island where most ships from other lands come in. It is called Southport. I show my ring proudly here the only Mulan I know that does. so they will know me.

Fair winds to you
Former crew member.




Letter to the church of Horus-Re Sealed with a plain wax seal

Dear Hems and Hemts of the church of Horus-Re

My Name is Arelush the huntress. I am former worker for the Silver coin trade company and crewmember of the Moonflower II. Company is owned by Sithiir family of elven One of which is Christine Sithiir, Holy knight of Horus-Re. Company is in Skuld harbor district. I have my ring and am free woman.

I humbly beseech that a Hem, Hemt or holy knight of Horus-re come to Amia. There is important man would like to meet with church. His name is Master Dorje Siachen of crouching Lemur. His leader is Gompa (Nam Droje gave her). I would also beseech if Hem or hemt come that I would like to pray with them. There seem no Mulan church here. I miss a proper person for my prayers and even though Anhur is closest to my heart I honor all Mulan gods that do not have darkness in their hearts.

If in wisdom you send someone here I will await arrival in Southport. If do not. I understand Amia is long travel from Skuld.

Fair winds to you
Arelush the huntress.

[Winterhawk99]

The camp stretches across the large forest glade now. Some trees have been cut to make room for the skinning and tanning operation but only enough to fit. It’s late spring and the humidity has picked up from earlier storms and the vapor of the local streams basking in the sun. It makes Arelush slightly uncomfortable being that both her upbringing in the Skuld a desert port and her training in the tundra lent to very dry lands.

The smell of fresh baking bread is wafting through the area from a large, closed pot over the campfire. It will be another 20 minutes or so before it is done. The smell though carries. She looks up to see a doe and yearling grassing by the edge of the woods. She stays still and watches them. A pair of bodak marmots just done hibernating come into the clearing investigating the smell. They play at the edge occasionally sniffing the air picking up a human smell and making them nervous. She sits still so as not to disturb them until she needs to take the pot off the fire.

When she does the deer and rodent scatter. She sets it to the side and puts skewers of meat, peppers and onions over the fire. The meat is bear meat. She knows she must cook it well to take the worms out of it. It’s all she has in regard to meat that is tasty to her. She turns the rods until she is sure the meat is well done and puts them on a clean rock by the fire. She then takes the bread out of the pot and slices it in half than half again.

Sliding the meat off between the two quarts she makes herself a sort of sandwich and eats slowly, thinking of all that had happened these last 6 days. She then eats half of the other sandwich she makes. The last half she chops up and spreads out near the edge of the trees for the deer and other creatures of the woods. Looking at the sun she goes back to her makeshift chair she made and opens her journal.

Much more happened to me since last made entry during those six days was among the people. I met a girl marred by either necromancer or priest of Osiris. Her arm was bone, and she could use it. I think she still in shock. She did not say much of it. She did not even give name but say one like me. One of nature most do not associate with her.

I guess because where come from it do not bother me as much. I know how mean necromancers and priests can be. I also know they buy slaves sometimes to learn……experiment. I feel sorry for her but then I think. I do not know what really happen. Maybe priest try heal her because she have no arm. Maybe could not do this but could give her something so he make skeletal arm for her. I do not know situation like did not know mother was very sick and could not be healed. Will question girl on this when next see her.

I see Ashe on last day I in town. Was very happy to see friend again. We do some trading. She get best of deal I think. She always look for god rings. And trade my big magic ore for her medium one + god ring. Somehow, I think that not work out well for me but am happy still the same. Was before I get much better deal from her like when she pay me 20,000 gold for bag of coconuts.

She also make my armor better. Well not better, different. You see I have shadow armor. Is highly protective but do not need it. My gauntlets that I buy from Dorje have same protection even better than armor.

So, Ashe take protection off armor because I do not need this and take my big mythal and make change armor so I am much healthier. It bring me back to days I sailed with mother and see the giant crystals along shore to warm the waters of sea. I did not say this to her. Some things should not be spoken when things could change because you spoke.

Ashe also show me a machine that can change small crystals into big crystals. I have many of these crystals. So many that if some knew they think me wizardess of house of life. Next time I go to cities I try this machine see what can do with it. maybe make some big crystals. Am not sure why but Ash she say she can change things with them like cloaks and rings and belts. Things like this. I may want this. Am not sure. I am comfortable with what has now.

I make small steps in sand not large ones like famous adventurer. Do I really need special things? Am not sure.

Life for me now is grand. Is like heaven. I do my hunting and trapping. I get coin from cities for meat, fish and fur. Enough to keep happy. Most people I meet are good people to my knowledge. Only bad person is big man like to talk about murder and mayhem. I avoid this one when possible. That man in dreams has not come back. I hope he do not. Something very strange about him.

I find a ring with his name on it, Mask, I get feeling that if I put it on I will not be able to take it off again. So, I keep in bag with other rings like Hathor. Hathor good goddess. Is one of esteem of those of low status. She not so esteemed by ones of nobles.

Maybe if find a man will pray to her for twins. Maybe not. I do not have many years left to have baby I think and am not pretty or smart enough for man to look twice.

My life is in order now. Only thing maybe would want is proper home with station in it to make bows. Can be small: Fire for cooking, station for bows, area to skin and tan, bed. Would be simple enough except for stretching racks and fire. Could do that outside in back. Would be perfect life.

I also know winds often change and storms come to bear down. Life is simple and perfect now but tomorrow one never knows. I guess future will tell. For now, think that I am most fortunate woman alive from being born slave, suffering to being independent. I have followed mother’s advice. I pray to gods and honor them and try walk path they lay for me by signs I see, except man of dreams. I do not like this one. Ashe say he a trickster and would trick me to misfortune.

Am not sure what else to say. So I do one round of skinning and put in baths for tanning later. Maybe hope It to not rain tonight am tired of being so wet and so sticky.

[Winterhawk99]

I remember back now. Was first time on the sea with no land in sight. I came up to the deck and lean on gunwale looking out at nothing but water. It was frightening. It was like trapped on a little island of life that could sink at any moment. We would all drown or get eaten by sea monsters. There was nowhere to go.

I turn around when I think these things and first thing I see is mother, our captain taking over wheel for lieutenant as sun go down. She like take night shift to be close with her goddess the moon. She stomp her spiked boots into the board at the wheel and as soon as she place her hands on it. I see the change. She become different. Is not sure what to call it. Perhaps I would say total contentment.

Somehow she knew this is her place in life. This was her heaven. For all her magic. For all her engineering skills These things she would throw away if meant she could be in this place on a ship guiding her crew. That look she had. That half smile. Feeling 400 tons under her feet at her utter command. She knew this was her real place in life and for all else she did, this is where she was happiest. I did not understand this feeling. It confused me.

Now I look out at the water with no land from beach and see different. I was not trapped and at mercy of the waves. I glimpse that instead of being trapped this was really the opposite. It is freedom. Freedom to go where wants. Freedom to truly find this place of contentment she find when her hands are on that wheel. I understand now. I understand when one does what was meant to do they find that contentment and smile that same smile.

I also know now. It take good people around too. Mother could not move ship alone. Took crew of 20 in two shifts. And so have found a few good people here. People I have learned to trust. I have found my contentment and my smile.

I see many things when go to city to trade fur, skins and fish. First I want to write about the black elf. This is because I am confused. Here is why confused.

First mother never speak of her dances at midnight on full moon. When I ask she just smile and say is one thing only for elves. She lock all hatches and doors to deck when she dance so we could not see. And remember one time when elves want to join her she run away but found out later this was because mother was sick. Many elves they dance separate but together for goddess.

So this black elf he show everyone his moon dance but is man not woman is confusing because later I ask lieutenant about dance. Mother would not tell me but he did. Here is what said.

He say only women dance this dance. Each has own dance to best show their body to goddess and lover. If lover is woman they dance together if lover is man only the woman dances. The man watches and becomes aroused by her dancing. When one hour pass the woman falls to the ground and the man joins her. they make love under the moons eye. This is the dance he tells me but black elf is male and he dance with swords. Is somewhat confusing. I will ask one day maybe.

I also see tall man in black and his friend lady elf come to speak with him. The tall man like me. He cannot speak well and seem confused much the time but I no trust pair. They ignore me when around for most part which is good. Was another black elf. Mother tell me most not good people. So with all these people I stick around. Someone tell me male elf he is good person so I pretend to trade and watch all so he not kidnapped or attacked. When I feel linger at merchant too long I go out door and to side to listen just to make sure fight not start and need protect this emissary.

It do not and am glad after this he show his dance.

Another thing happen to me. Rosary take me on one of her wild adventures. We fight great undead mage. He have skeleton archers, and bone dragons and all kinds of things he make. Was hardest fight ever. I use all my raise dead scrolls on Willy, Dean and Rosary, I think I fall to twice and someone help me continue to fight. We win.

Was given special crystal for this. One worth very much. Is magic mythal. Is something like small Mythallar I see when sailing on sea or used in flying cities. Rosary buy many from ones who got them. I decide to keep mine. Am glad I do.

There two people one with group and one meet group after adventure. First was bad mouthed man that use war hammer and shield. He taunt everyone and swear much. Was on ship 8 years. Am used to this from crew but on crew was not cruel or directed. This man he use mouth to put down others.

I see this too in homeland. Men like this mostly have small image of self so need put others down to build themselves. It never work. Some men they do this because they have small friend that cannot please a woman. I think this man have small friend so must make up with mouth. I mostly ignore him but take note of this.

Other person was a woman with officers hat. I look and see she admiral of merchant marines. I approach her and salute but she talk to others. Admirals they are very important people so did not want to disturb. She do smile and note my actions so is good.

Later met friend Ashe and Dorje. Dorje looking for bloodstone so I tell him I get all rare items for him to see. He see crystal and forget completely about bloodstone. He want trade me for special crystal. He make offer so good could not refuse. He trade me bow of tempest, a helmet of agility, a ring, protective armor against magic. Was too good to pass up. So I trade him. I would not know what do with magic crystal so for me was good trade. Ashe and others guide me and say was good trade. Ashe would not steer me wrong and Dorje is man with much honor and respect so trust trade and am happy with this.

I go work my traps and hunting ten days now. Maybe find something new when come back to city. There other things I find or get help in finding. Friend Pharlos from province of Thay help me find giants. Ummm I keep forgetting they say Thay is no longer province of Mulhorand is independent.

I must ask questions discrete and find out what is homeland now like. Maybe much has changed since was there. More happens to me these 4 days but cannot remember while trying to write everything. I explore more and find more rare things. I find colossal snake on hunt so I kill and eat It over two days or use what cannot eat for bait. I save skeleton. Maybe someone want it someday. I think might.

Oh there was one thing. Was so embarrassed. I meet Pie the elf. Pie has long name and hard to sound out so everyone call her Pie. She was with friends. I come to say hello and they start treat me different. Like I am head slave of household. Someone to revere. I become uncomfortable and embarrassed. I am not someone worthy of such respect. Am just slave lucky that mother find and free me. I cook and clean till this time then was cabin girl because…….could keep ship clean. Then become huntress with help of elves. Am no one of import to greater scheme like mother teach.

Ok I must work before meat and fur turn bad. Will put in journal what happen after next time go to town.