An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Kiyohime.

A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap is at 65. You change? Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)

Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a dirty book showing much wear on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Kiyohime' scribed in dark brown ink.

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Mon Oct  8 00:50:16 2007
Subject     Guided by Mishakal

 
So, I've made it to Palanthas, and frankly,not impressed. Oh,
there are shops,
inns, enough guards and local Enforcers to even give a Kender
pause,and a busy
port,but, the city lacks identitiy.

I mean, the Library is about all they can boast of. Oh, and that
arena where
smelly fighters can get smellier beating on each other,if you are
into that sort
of thing.

But, no art, no theatres, nothing to set it apart from any other
town. Even near
the centre of town, they have this big forboding tower,that is
guarded to keep
people from straying in,because they could die. Some amusement
that is.

I miss Silvanost. Hate to admit it.

But, I have my calling, and I am told that the Holy Order of
Stars may very well
consider me a Heathen , of all things, if I do not present myself
in a timely
manner.

Heathen indeed.

I don't mind helping people, even enjoy it. But, I don't mind
making a little
bit of coin either. I mean, potions and all this education cost
someone,and i
don't see any Knighthood coming to my rescue financially,so.

So, I guess I will visit the Temple,and present myself to them
for
consideration. So far all I've seen are those Dark priests
running around, which
doesn't bode well.

On a serious note, I haven't detected any of those diseased
beasts posing as
priests yet. They are the only ones I don't charge for to
eradicate.Horrible
things.

The RustLord must be sent back to his tower in the Abyss,and kept
there. And I
hope to be part of the group who does just that.

And in the meantime, I need to find a way to independently earn
my way. I have
no objection to applying the healing arts to fill a purse.

I mean, it is all about give and take, after all.

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Mon Nov 19 21:17:39 2007
Subject     Travelling in Strange Company?

 
Well, we arrived in Palanthas more or less intact, although the
band of
Mercenaries I rode in with garnered more than a casual glance
from the local
miltia and one or three Squires of Solamnia, who promptly ran off
to report to
their Knights, no doubt.

I continued on from Imperial Square, west, to Diamond Way, then
north to the
local Temple of Mishakal.

After exchanging greetings with the resident Bishop, she directed
me to continue
west, outside the city a ways, to the Main Temple, where I would
assume duties
as Head Priestess, which sounds great, but actually means I have
to get the
place cleaned up and running again after the long, unexplained
abscence of the
previous Head Priestess.

I went back to the Square, making my good-byes with the band I
had travelled
with from Nordmaar, asking them to give my regards to Master
Angor and Boss
Shronius, and that I would no doubt be travelling with them again
by summer.

After hearing (for the thousandth time) the lineage and lack of
an indentifiable
father of both men, and their strange personal practices,
(really, they like the
two leaders of that band of war-dogs) they grunted a few
farewells and dispersed
to the nearby taverns, brothels and other unsavoury places about
town,leaving me
to make my way to the Crystal Temple on my own.

I returned to the Temple in Palanthas, changed into the raiment
of a Holy Order
priestess, covered it with the mantle of Mishakal and the dark
blue cloak I
generally wore, and, drove the wagon I frequently called home off
to the western
horizon,following the sunset to my first appointment.

Hopefully, I will hear from High Priestess Emla soon, but, as
Kender go, she is
certainly most Kenderish, so, who knows when that will be.

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Sun Nov 25 19:14:31 2007
Subject     Getting set up

 
Upon arriving at the Temple, I was once again awed by the massive
blue crystal
structure. It had been quite a few years since I had seen it, and
it still
struck a chord in my soul.

The bulidings themselves were still in very good condition, but
the grounds had
pretty well grown over, and the courtyard was filled with the
debris of years of
neglect.

I was met by a few new acolytes, who were randomly trying to make
sense of the
gardens. After a quick evaluation, I sent two back tp Palanthas,
to give a
message to the Solamnic Knights, requesting a couple gardeners
from Vingaard be
sent with haste to the Temple, to oversee the recovery efforts.

In the meantime, we all agreed that the medicinal gardens needed
the most effort
from our group, and I set a few tasks to them to be attended to.

Inside the Temple was in very good condition, a bit dusty, but
otherwise in good
repair.

The Library and meditation chambers were dry and orderly, and the
quarters were
neat. The fountain surprisingly was still pure, and the old
records were intact.

I went up to the Observatory, and looked at the lands around,
with Palanthas on
the far eastern horizon. The fields were tended by local farmers,
and milk cows
grazed quietly.

I went back down to the wagon, and began to bring my collected
luggage in,
setting up in a home that wasn't on wheels for the first time in
years.

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Fri Feb  1 03:58:14 2008
Subject     Something in the Wind

 "It would seem this new Dragon Army is preparing for some sort
of battle, there
 has been a lot of activity in and around the city of Sanction,
and demands for
 iron and other metals are high", reported the priest of
Kiri-Jolith. The other
 gathered priests nodded assent, looking over an aged map of the
lands. A human
 priest of Habbakuk pointed at a dark area further north, "And
what of Kalaman?
 Do the Knights of Takhisis still hold the city?" The armor clad
priest nodded
 and added," The Solamnic Knights are probing the area, but so
far, the Dark
 Knights still hold firm, although the bulk of Takhisis'
Knighthood itself has
 been idle." Kiyohime watched the elder priests debate the
meanings of these
 reports, knowing that again, they would worry over the threat
and mull over
 what omens meant what and who should divine information from
which Shrine and
 then all return to their chambers feeling accomplished in the
words but
 achieving no deeds. Looking over at the empty side of the large
conference
 table, she couldn't help but wonder where the Knighthood of
Solamnia was, this
 was their forte', the descision to further investigate and act
was to be
 theirs.

 Looking up to gain the attention of the Advisors, she smiled
gently until all
 was quiet. "My Brothers and Sisters, we can analyze this until
the snows all
 melt and the spring fades into summer, but it will be the Grand
Master of the
 Knights who will make the choices on the various courses of
action, and we are
 to support those choices, and aid the Knights in whatever
endeavour they meet.
 Therefore, I will go to their Keep, and meet with them, and see
what they have
 made of this situation, until then, I think it would be best to
see to our
 normal duties, and prepare for whatever the future may bring.
Remember, we are
 not a militant Order, we have no army, we simply aid those who
battle the
 Darkness" Looking around her, she noticed the priests nod
reluctantly,
 resigning themselves to making reports and documents for her to
take to the
 Solamnic base. 

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Wed Mar  5
05:03:37 2008
Subject     Visiting Palanthas

 An old
cart pulled by a large ox makes its way east towards the
city,
creaking slowly down the well worn road. A figure, wrapped
in a grey cloak,
negligently guides the cart with loosely held
reins, paying more attention
to the countryside then what is in
front of her. Looking up in mild
surprise, she sees the gates in
the distance, surprised the journey is
almost over.

"Well,
beast," she whispers to the ox," looks like something is going on
up
there, lots of people milling about, wonder what's going
on?"

The great ox snorts some dust, mutely continuing his way
down the road.

Reflecting on her mission, Kiyohime checks for
the satchel with the scrolls
the senior priests prepared for her.
Satisfied she hadn't lost
them..yet..she sits up, stretching and
stifling a yawn. When the cart dipped
down into a low point of
the road, she flicked the reins to stop the cart,
and climbed
out. Removing the grey cloak, she brushed down the
painfully
white surcoat with the emblem of the Holy Order of
Stars, pulled the
Medallion of the Chosen Prophetess out from the
blue gown beneath the
surcoat, and retrieved the staff she
carried as her badge of office for the
Temple of Mishakal.
Satisfied all was in place, she walked ahead of the ox,
who
followed closely behind.

"Wonder if they got the Order's message
that I was coming?" she thought to
herself. "I'd hate to show up
unexpectedly, might delay my report to the
Knighthood," she
continued to muse. Knowing the Knights of Solamnia were
always
preoccupied with things, like, war and criminals, she mused that
they
would have little time for visiting clergy, so many
important people must
come and go in such a large city. Ah well,
"she thought," hopefully I can
find someone to give me directions
to wherever I am supposed to go. 

Author:    Kiyohime 
     
Date:      Fri Jun 27 03:44:42 2008
Subject    
Broken Dreams, Fading Hopes

 Walking throught the
gardens, under the crescent moon, I felt very
restless. Something
was amiss, but, I couldn't quite identify it. It was as
if there
was a break in the normal tranquility I felt under the stars.
A
darkness, growing, but not yet blossomed. I stood with my head
bowed, and
eyes closed. My hands clasped in front of
me.

Mishakal, please guide me, what is it that must be
mended?

Looking up to the heavens, I felt the world fade,
colours changing, then
solidify again, becoming real. I found
myself standing before the gates of a
city, the road dusty and
well travelled. The people were dressed
differently, in loose
clothing, darker skin, dark eyes. Cloth rolled about
their heads,
forming some sort of headress. Strange music playing. I knew
this
place, I had been here before.

New Thalos.

Someone was here,
someone my goddess wanted found again. But their pain was
not
physical. It was much deeper than any wound of the flesh. A
loss
unbearable. I drew my cloak closer around me, uttering a
prayer of
concealment as I walked to the gate. This was most
certainly a human city.
It had its own grace, but, still rough to
elven eyes. Where to start?
Something tugged at me, drawing me to
the seedy waterside of the city. The
stench of a human shipyard
always bothered me. They always seemed to dump
whatever right
next to the ships, which had a smell of their own, with tar
and
odorous cargo. I pulled my hood further down, trying to keep most
of the
smell away, when I saw someone stagger out of one of the
taverns along the
wharf. The attire looked familiar, as did the
wearer. But this person was
very, very drunk. As I followed, the
person sort of collapsed in the street,
the one helping? them
seemed a bit too accustomed to this routine, but tried
to comfort
the wretch as the contents of their stomach spewed out into
the
already filthy road. As they regained their footing, a
passing night watch's
lamp shone enough for me to glimpse the
face. I knew this person, She was
once a proud Knight, and had
prominence in the Order. This was very
disappointing, and sad. I
felt a chill, knowing this was who Mishakal sent
me for. Lady
Aramynia uth Lethlan, Knight of Solamnia, Vicar of Paladine.
A
dream broken by loss, and hope fading to despair.


Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Thu Jul
10 04:14:19 2008
Subject     A Night's Vigil for a
Knight

I waited outside her door. The night was going to
be a long one for her,
and many shades of things past would haunt
her sleep. I sat by the window,
watching the stars travel thier
path, as the first sounds of distress
happened. The monk on duty
went to check, opening the door and looking in on
her. My keen
hearing heard her reply about a bad dream. The first of many,
I
knew. The watch changed hands, when again, the sound of
struggle was heard.
The new monk on duty was startled, looking to
me, I nodded, and he carefully
opened the door, his concern
showing for our guest. The night went on, her
tribulations
followed suit. Midori came up and relieved the monk, and it
was
not long before she heard the cries of one lost in dark
dreams, and went in
to comfort the tortured knight. A short time
later, Midori came back out,
concern lining her eyes. I smiled my
encouragement to her, nodding approval.
As the sky begin to
lighten, again anguish voiced itself, and Midori was in
the room
quickly. I could hear the cries of sorrow and loss,
finally
released from the prison of her mind. I quietly walked
over and looked in
the room. Midori held Aramynia, while the
tortured memories bled out. Heal
the body, heal the mind, and
always tend the soul. I gently closed the door,
and went to my
chamber. All would be well, now. 

Author:    Kiyohime 
     
Date:      Mon Feb  9 00:45:48 2009
Subject     A
Thistle in the Rose Garden

 
All was busy and in order at
the Main Temple of Palanthas. Teachers were
giving lessons and
practices to the eager acolytes, priests demonstrating
blessings
and benedictions to the clergy, the Templars showing the
techniques
of the flail and mace.
All was flowing smoothly .
In
the chapels, prayers were heard and hymns sung. Very good.
The
groundskeepers, monks who were also in training, were tending the
plants
and trees of the gardens.
In the library, all was quiet
and....
Kiyohime's left eyebrow jumped almost to her hairline.
At
one table, sat some travel stained being. The robes of the Order
he wore
were cut and tied and...not at all the way they were
supposed to be.
Not so much dirty, as, well worn. 
By the looks
of him, he was more suited to living outdoors than being
inside
such a grand temple.
Books and scrolls were piled about him, as
he scratched away at some parchment
with a brown quill, dipping
it in the ink well with an intensity one would
see at a dinner
table for starved goblins.
 
"Well". she muttered to herself, "we
shall see about this." as she walked
over to the unkempt
'scholar'.

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:     
Sun Mar  1 05:13:58 2009
Subject     Way back Home

 The
dinner at the Priestess Kaelay's home went well, even though we
had
little time to discuss my return to Silvanost with the
half-elf Codex
Ji'jin. I could see concern in Kaelay's eyes, as
she knew anytime I left
Palanthas, the slaves of Darkness would
sieze the opportunity to capture or
even kill me. My assistant,
the monk Miedo, showed concern as well. I'm sure
he is hoping to
go along, although I am not certain of who all will travel
the
long way to my Homeland. I could see Kaelay wanted to travel with
us,
but still, the lingering doubt of how she would be received
there hung over
her. Still, I had to go, and I would not require
any others to take the
journey, unless they wanted to do so. 

For now, it was time to check in on the half-elf,and see if he
found any of
the extra records I allowed him helpful in his
quest.
His was certainly a bold undertaking, and not without
peril.
The Undead and their souls were not trifling matters, and
it would
be best if someone watched over him carefully.
The Lord
of the Dead watched over His Realm jealously, and would not 
be
forgiving to those who meddled in His affairs.

Author:
   Kiyohime       
Date:      Sun Oct  4 02:32:58
2009
Subject     The Storm Watch

Sitting in one of the
towers of the Temple in Palanthas, I looked over
the city as the
sun set. People returning home, some going out. The
nightwatch
going around lighting the street lamps. The gullys picking up
any
trash in the streets, more often then not just mising their
bags and
re-dropping it, while another gully comes along and
repeats the process.

I could see the Solamnic outpost, as the
night guard went through the
regular ceremony of changing places
with the daytime guard.

All was at a reasonable peace here. All
the while, a storm of sorts grew in
the distance.

My goddess had
given me some small insight to what the future held, with
some
hints at what the present situation was as well. Trouble in
the
Wastelands, the far-away city of Tarsis. A growing concern of
the cravings
of the Rust Lord, and Lord Chemosh's activities.
The
Darkness-that-won't-be-Named, not in this Holy Temple, was
about Her Unholy
mischief as well.

Even the elves in faraway
Qualinost were restless, as was their cousins the
Kagonesti. It
seemed the only quiet ones were the dwarves, deep in
their
mountain fortresses. 

The loss of our beloved Coria was
already such a blow, almost unendurable,
given the circumstances.
A group of Solamnics, led by Sir Segwarides had
left to track her
assassins, had left for parts unknown to me, and the
Knighthood
was still being quite tight lipped about it all. I would
just
have to trust in them for now.

They had graciously released
our young acolyte, Rinald, from prison. The
foolish lad was using
some small divinity for self defense unwittingly
striking one of
the knights-in-training, causing an uproar that embarrassed
the
Order, but was tolerated quite calmly by the elders there. I have
him
working on his apology and penance as I sit here, to redress
his error.

I watched the last glow of the sun slip into the
velvety indigo of night,
taking solace in the knowledge that it
would return, as always, the next
day, promising a bright future
ahead. 

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:     
Wed Oct 28 01:40:53 2009
Subject     Dark
Horizons

Sitting by the fountain in the Temple courtyard
used to allow me a small
slice of serenity. The pure water
flowing over the stones into the pond. The
reeds gently rustling
with the breeze. The gold and white koi swimming
silently.

Now
looking at the water just reminded me of the recent meetings and
reports
we had. The scrying, the divinations (those used bowls of
special water,
hence the memory). The heated arguements, the cold
negotiations, the void of
unity we once had. 

The Dark faction
of the Holy Order fairly well locked themselves in their
side of
the massive hall. The Balanced side wanted nothing to do with any
of
it, and pretty much all left, seeking solace outside the
Temple

That left a few worthy priests and myself to either
investigate the rumours,
or ignore them. I could try to contact
the Knighthood, even though most of
the friends I had there were
gone. But now I suspected they were in the
general area of
trouble. The area darkest to myself.

I looked around the
gardens, up at the bright blue sky, dotted with small
clouds. The
walls that seemed less safe to me then a few days
ago.

""Quenesti'Pah," " I prayed.""What would you have me
do?"" 

But, as silence answered me, I knew already the answer.
I knew I would be
expected to go there and do what I could along
side the allies of Light. I
would write a letter to the
Priesthood, asking all who could to join me
there. To do what was
required of us. To travel into the vast wastes, and
harsh
climate, and even harsher natives.

We had to go to Tarsis.


Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Thu Nov
12 02:26:31 2009
Subject     A Journey to the Grey
Elves

The old ox stopped just shy of the posts, one on
each side of the road. I
was roused from my semi-sleepy state,
looking around. Why did you stop here?
We're nowhere yet. The
beast turned his head, lazily looking at me, when
from the trees
dropped several grey elves, attired in what I guess was some
sort
of uniform. They motioned for me to get out of the cart, so, I
did.
They had us (me and the ox, and the cart) surrounded.


Identify yourself, and what is your business in these
woods?

I looked around, then back at him. The ox snorted
softly. I travelled here
from Palanthas, on request of one of
your people.

Remove your hood, and identify yourself! he
yelled.

I lowered my hood, and saw the derision in their eyes.
Damned Silvanesti I
heard one murmur. I allowed the dark blue
cloak to slip from my shoulders,
revealing the sky-blue surcoat,
embroidered with the seven silver stars
around the royal blue
infinity. The one who I suppose was the leader gasped,
eyes
almost bugging out of his face, as he kneeled
down.

Prophetess! Down! All of you! She is of Quen
Illumini!

They all dropped to one knee, which startled me. I
mean, I expected maybe an
Oh, her or even maybe a Welcome
Prophetess but, to think they knew such
courtly behaviour, was
impressive. But, that just might be the High Elf in
me.I should
think better of our cousins, as rustic as they can be at
times.


 Mistress Meriele Viola'vata told us to watch for you,
and escort you to the
city. He paused a bit," But, you don't
look quite as she described, we were
expecting a more haughty,
what was it she said? Prima...some name...I
forget, but, to
arrive on a humble ox-cart, never would have thought I'd see
a
high elf travel like that. Please, allow us to show you the
way,
Prophetess.

Sooooo, Meriele described me to them that
way, did she? This meeting was
going to be very interesting.


Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Thu Nov
26 17:22:33 2009
Subject     A Beacon of Light Falls.

The small group of priests stood on a hill-top far from the
burning
city. A few turned to resume tending to the wounded
knights that travelled
with them. So many were hurt. Some were
beyond the talents of those present,
and were made as comfortable
as possible. Others had lost limbs. Some
suffered a deeper wound.
The wound of utter defeat.

Sighing once again, Kiyohime looked
toward the city then back at the group.
Now what, she wondered.
The knights and their troops would likely return to
where ever
the main forces were gathering, and more than a few of
her
priests would follow, as agreed upon in the alliance between
the Holy Order
and Knighthood. When, and if, she was needed, Kiyo
would join them. For now,
the knights insisted she take refuge
somewhere, until that time came.

But where?

Looking over to the
west, she saw a small girl, one with silver hair and
bright blue
eyes. The child beckoned to her, and she felt compelled
to
follow. When she stood beside the little one, the girl took
her hand,
looking up with ageless wisdom in her eyes.

"Follow
the River of Healing, to the Lake of Light, in the Province
of
Coastlund. Along the Lake's shore, find my Temple, and await
there until I
call, My precious servant."

Kiyohime then found
herself standing alone, but with direction now. To help
the Light
overcome Darkness, she would do as her goddess asked, and
learn
how to aid in turning this foul tide. 

Author:  
 Kiyohime       
Date:      Thu Dec 17 04:19:53
2009
Subject     The Lake of Light

They kept arriving,
the wounded and lost. So many, displaced from their
homes,
warriors, families, and those who wouldn't remember.

Our Order
was able to organize the families, women, young boys, girls,
the
aged, into caregivers, cooks, those who could mend clothing
or weapons, farm
tools. While they tried to rebuild some
semblance of home life, we tried to
heal and restore those with
the worst injuries. Ghastly cuts and batterings,
burns. A few had
the dragon-fear sickness, but there was little we could do
to
comfort them.

Still they came, to the Lake of Light. An old
Temple of Mishakal by the edge
of the water served as hospital,
kitchen and a place to ask the gods,"
Why?".

Some of the less
wounded and able warriors organized into small patrol
groups,
keeping a watch for any sign of the terrible Dragonarmies that
may
show. So far no sight, perhaps they were still reveling in
their spoils.

Sighing, I looked to the east, hoping for a sign
of the heroes of the
Knighthood, hoping that they would arrive,
confident and able, and find
inspiration from the Triumvirate and
my own Quenesti'Pah. And that they in
turn, would inspire these
many souls, who still held pride in their hearts,
and only needed
a light to guide them against the darkness.

I turned and entered
the Temple again. There was still much to be done, to
prepare
for, when the Heroes of Solamnia returned to their people.


Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Fri Jan 
1 20:23:00 2010
Subject     Restoring Hope

When we left
the Lake of Light, we had a sizeable group of refugees. Some
went
back to watch and gather what news they could about the Invaders.
A few
went to make contact with any others who were still
believers in our cause.
A number of grey elves would be acting as
resisitance, knowing that they
would be next on the Dragonarmies
list.

The Order had two small ships, that met us along the
coast. No one had seen
any ships belonging to the Dragonarmies,
but a watch was kept, they had
surprised us before, but not
again. We would take who we could to Sancrist,
and help set up a
base, a place to regroup all the different groups with
their
comrades. Most were healed enough to travel, those who were still
in
critical shape or who had no hope of recovery were kept in the
Temple by the
Lake.

I have heaqrd that some of the surviving
leaders of the Knighthood would
meet us there, once they
regrouped with the remaining knights. Hopefully,
this would prove
true, as what the people needed, were inspiring symbols
of
bravery and leadership. The banners of Light would once again,
rise over
Solamnia. 

Author:    Kiyohime      

Date:      Sun May  2 03:00:13 2010
Subject    
Regarding the Move on Palanthas

Having made the perilous
journey to the Crystal Tower, successfully, the
small group of
Holy Order pilgrims began reclaiming the Tower from
the
elements.

Sir Malar looked around critically, assessing the
grounds. "It appears
nothing has been disturbed, Priestess."
glancing over at the grey cloaked
figure near the fountain.

"No,
it would seem the Holy Seals held, and kept them disinterested"'
she
responded. She looked around the courtyard, then went to the
stairs leading
up to the observatory atop the Tower. Sir Malar
followed, inspecting each
door as they passed. Upon reaching the
top, Kiyohime looked out across the
grasslands, towards distant
Palanthas, still out of range of conventional
sight. Closing her
eyes, she concentrated on the landscape around the Tower
grounds.
Shaking her head, she sighed heavily.

"There's still no trace of
them, I fear the Knights have not arrived."
she
whispered.

"They'll be here, I'm sure," replied Malar," We'd
have heaqrd if they were
waylaid, perhaps it is a simple delay,
they had to reroute, it's quite an
army they've gathered." he
added not too convincingly.

She just nodded, smiling sadly.
"Still he tries to keep me hopeful, even
after all this" she
thought to herself.

"Have the company set up in the Inner
Chapel, keep all light to a minimum.
We need to plan our entrance
into Palanthas soon, as well."

Malar frowned at this. He had
argued, unsuccessfully thus far, that he
should go with a couple
of the warrior priests himself, and she should stay
in the
relative safety of the Tower. But she would have none of that.
She
wanted to see for herself how the city fared. Taking a deep
breath of the
night air, he wondered if even he would want to see
that. 

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:      Tue
May 18 02:53:56 2010
Subject     The Storm Before The
Calm

Lightning flashed again around the Crystal Tower,
lighting up the
courtyard with an eerie blue reflection. Counting
1-2-3 Boom! Kiyohime
frowned at how close the storm was to the
normally quiet Temple. That and
she didn't appreciate lightning
so close that was not of her making. Looking
over at Sir Malar,
clad now in vestment rather then the bolt attracting
armour he
normally wore. His eyes were amused slits as he smugly
grinned,
amusement twinkling those eyes each time a powerful
flash brightened the
sky.

""Fine!" she near growled," We will
wait out the storm before we attempt
entry into Palanthas." She
half suspected he had something to do with this,
but dismissed
it. Unless.

Unless he beseeched their goddess somehow.

She
glared at him, her own eyes narrowing, as he just stood
there,
infuriatingly calm. Times like these his patience really
annoyed her. He
half-bowed (did that look almost mocking) and
murmured something informing
the cadre. As he turned, he said
more loudly over his shoulder to her, "
Prophetess, I am on your
side, remember that." and strolled off into the
abbey. A peal of
thunder boomed as if to add emphasis, but Kiyo suspected it
was
Mishakal's laughter, playfully still keeping her in line with
the
goddess' wishes. Sighing in surrender, she could only nod and
turn to follow
the knight indoors. 

Author:   
Kiyohime       
Date:      Mon May 31 04:44:08
2010
Subject     Into the Miasma

 The storm finally
settled to a misty drizzle, with fog covering the low
spots
across the plains. Everyone was ready to set out this morning,
pack
mules loaded, horses saddled and one ox-cart hitched. Sir
Malar eyed the
cart balefully, but sighed heavily for about the
hundreth time.

"What on Krynn is she thinking, like we could
make a quick escape with that
junk heap."

Surprisingly as he
made that observation, the ox slowly turned it's head,
and he
could swear it winked at him. Shaking the thought from his own
head,
he looked over in time to see Kiyohime walk out the
Sanctuary doors. Wearing
a long dark grey cloak, (good), sturdy
brown leather boots, (good),
tight-fitting dark gloves, (ok),
face swathed in a scarf leaving only her
eyes uncovered, (the
hood would keep those eyes hidden), ana a long slender
sword at
her side, hanging from a studded belt.

(WTH?)

With a sharp
intake of breath, Malar dismounted and strode
purposefully
towards her. She looked up at first smiling, then an
eyebrow shot up. She
knew something was wrong.

Pointing at the
blade, he glared at her, until she looked down, around,
anywhere
but up.

Well,  she started, "I want to help defend us
too."

Malar simply held out his hand, the glare still fixed on
her. Kiyo knew it
was no use arguing. Mishakal's paladin could be
quite stubborn and
inflexible when he chose. Removing the belt
and scabbard, she put it in the
waiting hand, and went back in to
retrieve her staff. Which caused the
waiting Malar to wince
again. The small silver bells chimed brightly in the
early dawn,
and the colourful red and white ribbons near sparkled in the
grey
gloom.

A Shrinemaiden's Prayerstaff is a bit,
ostentatious, wouldn't you say,
Priestess? he asked through
tight lips.

Kiyohime was begining to regret agreeing that Sir
Malar would be in command
of the expedition once it left the
Crystal Tower. But, it ws the only way he
would allow her to
go.

I can wrap it in some dull cloth, but, if I need to use
it, I have to
uncover it,  she explained quietly.

Malar took a
deep breath, "Cover it then, and keep it covered,  he
added
pointedly.

Kiyo nodded as Malar turned, she went over to
the cart and climbed in. 
This was going to be a long, long trip
she thought. 

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:  
   Mon Jun  7 03:30:35 2010
Subject     At the Periphery of
Despair (also known as Palanthas)

The old ox-cart creaked
to a stop alongside the rest of the group, now
dismounted. The
well cloaked driver slipped down and silently join
her
companions. In the distance a pall of smote and dust hung
over what remained
of a once vibrant city, whose walls shone with
the morning sun.

Now those walls bore marks of assault, both
mundane and arcane. Siege
machines lay about the torn fields
outside the city, no longer needed and
already falling apart.
Large cairns of rough stone dotted the landscape,
along with cold
ashes of once burning pyres. A few crows, seagulls and
vultures
still aimlessly picked around the cairns.

Once proud Palanthas
had bowed it's mighty head to the onslaught of
Darkness.

It had
been months since any of them had seen the city. Then
the
Dragonarmies were still on the march towards it, chalking up
victory after
victory, as the armies of Solamnia futilely
attempted to slow the advance.
In the north, Kalaman fell,
followed by Vingaard to the east. Solanthus was
torn asunder,
rumours of a dragon led army ravaging the plains.

At the time,
the Followers of Light of the Holy Order of Stars, were
charged
with helping refugees escape the tide of destruction, and
evacuate what
cities were left to the far west, taking those
knights and warriors too
injured to stay behind, and set up small
bases and rally points, places to
regroup and hopefully make a
stand against the terror.

But as quickly as it happened, the
flood stopped. The Dragonarmies ceased
their march.

Kiyohime
stood beside Sir Malar, leaning on her staff more in dismay
than
fatigue. Sighing deeply, she quietly remarked to Sir Malar,"
If it looks
this bad from here, it could only be worse inside
the walls.We have many
labours ahead of us."

Malar shrugged
slightly, "It will be a lot of hard work, but that never
killed
anyone directly. Besides, " he turned to look at her, That's
why
you're here, to do the hard work, all I have to do is keep
the goblins,
ogres, the odd draconian, assassins, black
magicians, evilly inclined
priests and any others from bothering
you while you are busy." He ran his
hand through his greenish
tinted hair before pulling his hood back up. He
reached over and
pulled Kiyo's down further over her face. "And keep those
eyes
covered, any gully could look at you and know who you are."
Kiyo
frowned at the familiarity that the paladin of Mishakal
treated her person
with, retorting, "...or Dargonesti, being as
they are soooo similar!" as she
turned back to her
cart

Malar's cheeks turned a deper blue, as he bit his lip.
Silvanesti were far
from his favourite people, and this maddening
priestess... He drew in a deep
breath. She was Mishakal's
Prophetess, so, something must be redeeming about
her. He had
been telling himself this a lot lately. It had been a long,
long
trip so far. 

Author:    Kiyohime      

Date:      Wed Oct  6 03:53:35 2010
Subject     Keeping
Vigil..and other exciting pastimes.

 
Staying awake was
the hard part.
Not that the information wasn't critical or
important, and some of
it actually new to her. Just, nothing was
in her ability to affect it.
Most of the Holy Order's Militant
arm was elsewhere, leaving her surrounded
by these Knights from
Solamnia. Who were courteous and accomodating for 
the most part.
But.
Both she knew as well as they, her part was not tactics.
She
found her eyes wandering toward the window again, to see one of
the
senior priestess' eyebrow shoot up at her, which made her
snap her gaze 
back to the droning..er..reporting knight at the
head of the table.
 
Her mind could still run free. And it
did.
What was this about a "staff"? A "blue crystal" one at that.
Could it be?
Who was it that had it to begin with, and why? And
who knew enough to take
it in the first place? And who had it
now? And where in all the lands was
it now? Who all knew about
it?
 
So many questions, and barely any information. 
Except
about defend this, attack that, pull back to here, advance on
that there.
This was Lord Grand Master Lanfer's idea. He probaly
enjoyed stuff like this.
But for now, his commanders felt it
their duty to report to the "ranking"
person present, which was
the High Priestess of the Holy Order of Light, 
despite her total
lack of knowledge of anything military.
That was what she had Sir
Malar around for, so she didn't have to deal 
with these things.
But his leadership was needed elsewhere, so it fell to
her to
provide some rally point for these knights to gather and plan
things.
 
"I should be out looking for this mystery staff, find
out what it really
is and all" she thought to herself.

Nodding at the knight as he (finally) finished, she beamed a
smile at the 
gathering, which apparently signaled the next
Solamnic to report the state
of grain supplies and dried
fruits.
"How does Lanfer survive this?" she
thought.

Author:    Kiyohime       
Date:     
Sun Nov 21 17:29:01 2010
Subject     Last Stands and Other
Activities

The Knighthood insisted on showing me the
preparations they had made
around the island. Long wooden stakes,
sharpened on one end and hammered
into the ground along the
shoreline. These were not to stab the invaders,
but to 'channel'
them into pre-determined "kill-zones" for our archers. And
to
slow the enemies advance. Large swaths of forest and brush areas
cleared
to deny concealment. As the non-combatants had already
been sent to other
parts and villages, huts were razed and wells
capped to deny resources to
the Dragonarmies. Livestock driven
off or slaughtered and smoked/salted in
case of a prolonged
siege. Also, positions for harrier attacks set in place,
with
supplies placed secretively around for guerilla type resistance.
The
knights were grim, but had not lost hope to at least continue
the fight,
should the unthinkable occur, and Sancrist fall. Plans
to rejoin with their
comrades on the mainland, group with the
Wildrunners and dwarven elements
were being made, as were plans
the evacuate as many key individuals as
possible. Sadly enough, I
was being considered too important to risk during
this battle,
and discussions were under way to send me away prior to
the
engagement.

 
I try to avoid those meetings.
Lord Lanfer
entrusted me to aid in securing this last bastion of his
Knighthood.
The least I could do, until I heard from him, was do
my best to shield his hope.

The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD

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