Fire has always had the power to cleanse and purify.

Everything from cauterizing bleeding injuries, to restoring forests, to burning away the old and the cluttered, so that there is room for new growth and new life.

As I sat and stared into those red flames, I could only hope that it would do the same for me. Light knows I needed it.

May the flames purify and clean my spirit, and illuminate my new path.

Ah, that's a relief.

I kneel here in the shadow of Cory's Tower, gazing upwards to the darkened sky. I pull on heavy armor of silver and blue, and instead of weighing me down I feel as light as a feather: I feel as though I can finally breathe again.

Two advancements in six turns, I didnt think I had such a feat in me, anymore. I once thought concentrated training was a relic of my younger days, when I was young, naive, foolish and excited.

Naive and foolish I may be still, but I am hardly young anymore. In the past few turns I've been in either a trance or a frenzy, I can hardly tell which was which. This time I felt my advancement, every swing, every parry and riposte. I swung my UW until my arm was sore and the breath burned in my lungs, drank potions until I gagged and healed until my hands ran hot with power. And it was worth it.

All my effort was for this moment.

I am afraid I may have been particularly prickly towards an old friend who was teasing me for my lack of effort in training. Now that I have gotten the nod from the trainer and I can relax, I'll have a chance to enjoy Fall fest, and I shall have to make it up to them.

I can feel it.... this is what I missed. The warmth of the Sunrifter tingling in my fingers, the power to pray to the Gods and channel blessings, benedictions and Light from the very skies. I may have walked the shadows for a while, but it felt.....empty. Like I had turned my back on my true purpose. Missing the warmth and healing in my hands, felt like missing a lost limb. Still, I am grateful. I learned much on the other side of the fence, I move now with a softer step, and a more dexterous shield arm and observe with a more watchful eye.

I have a greater understanding of my gifts, and a greater appreciation of them as well. This is my place, stepping forward into the Light, to spread my light to others in this increasingly dark world.

For the first time in more than a year..... I'm back.

Hmmm. Let me see. A new guild. A new level. New armor, and a new sword. New places to fight and protect, with new levels to train. New initiates to train and guide, and new friends to laugh with. New Gods to watch over us from Sunrifter's skies. A new leader. An enemy with new plans and new strength.

Old friends, even more dear from the passage of time. Old places, where memories shimmer like morning mists, and well known places were it feels like I have the map of the paths between cities etched on my boots, so I may walk them with my eyes closed. The old threat, still looming.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

One last story, journal, then I shall put down my pen for today.

As I was fighting the demon bears in the Nrolavian Dark Forest today, a raid was called on the Continental Doorway. I quickly disentangled myself from the battle, and ran to aid, only to find myself too late.

This has not been a rare occurance for me... unfortunately I am asleep for large stretches of time when I should be up and going about my business of defending and purifying the lands, and it is rare enough that I hear a raid being announced with the cry to rally to the defense.

When I do come to aid, I usually find the the attack has already been cleared by the stronger enchanters that have teleported to the action in the blink of an eye, and all that is left is to patch up the injured. I am grateful to the enchanters for their ever constant vigilance and quick handywork in despelling these attacks. Still, I find myself a little frustrated, sometimes, as I also enjoy the prospect of beating the fear of Cory into a few of Balthy's minions.

So, when the raid on the Continental Doorway was announced, I quickly went to assist as I could, though I did not really expect to participate in the battle. Still, I arrived quickly enough to patch up the bites and bruises of those who had one the battle, and their wounds were minor enough, thanks be to the Gods.

As I was departing the Doorway, I chanced to run across the new Queen standing out in the swamp, coming swiftly to check on the raid. Even in the darkest reaches of the Dark Forest I had heard the rumors of a new Queen ascending to the Throne of Valorn, though I had rarely had the thought of meeting her Highness in person as I am usually out travelling.

Gasping for a quick breath I sank to one knee and bowed to her Majesty, heedless of the muck in which we were all standing. Truth to tell I have stood, fought and slept in worse then a little pond water, and thankfully my robes have always washed clean to shimmmer in their hallowed purity afterwards.

I found the Queen both gracious and personable, she quickly told all those who were kneeling to rise, and asked about the status of the raid. Truth to be told, I found myself a bit discomfited in her Majesty's radiant presence, having come so quickly from the murky gloom of Nrolav and no doubt rancid with the stink of the place.

I kept towards the back of the throng gathered around the Queen, quickly checking the condition of all the adventurers nearby, thankfully all were in good health. The Queen seemed a bit distracted by the news of the attack and the bringing forth of one of the burned parchments prophesying her ascention, and by the other more important matters of ruling the realm.

I waited until a lull in the conversation and quickly excused myself, I can only hope that her Majesty was not offended by my quick exit as she seemed to have more important things on her mind, and I was in need of a proper bath before entering civilized company.

Still, it was an honor and a pleasure to meet her Majesty, and I shall treasure the memory. May the Queen live long and rule well.

For now, I will close this story, and my journal.

Iso

Hello Journal,

I am very excited! I heard some days ago about Xanthias and Doyle's upcoming weapons demonstration to promote activity within the Holy Order of Light... and sought out Xanthias to ask him to participate almost at the same time as Xanthias seeking me out to ask me to help. Quite a coincidence...

Over my long time in Valorn I have had lots of experience with several different kinds of weapons, and enjoyed all of them. I remember once, a long time ago, when I was but a wee level 11 initiate and I asked my fellow level 11 initiate friend (named Sylent One) which weapon I should pick, she responded with something along the lines of I should choose whatever weapon makes me happy. But that is another story.

For a long time, I have wielded many rapiers and many qualities of rapiers, from normal to excellent. I have found all of them quick and light, well suited to finesse and precise attacks. Even though a rapier may seem thin and flimsy, I have found that when properly used they can have devastating results....I remember at my 27th level of advancement I was able to slay a Green Crystal Guardian with my Fine rapier (and with lots of help of course) and two Veteran Demon Officers with little more than my upgraded fine rapier, my skill, my luck, and my will to fight.

I have experience in other weapons such as lances, halberds and my current weapon, my prized Greater Holy Broadsword of Light. I love my Broadsword, and it has brought me through many battles with some nasty monsters.... but that is another story.

For now, I eagerly look forward to the demonstration. It will occur in two days in the Holy Order of Light training room, all are welcome to attend. I have left the necessary information on the HOL information boards.

For now, I bring this story to a close.

Iso

Hello Journal,

Since my last major entry was nearly a month ago, a lot has happened to me. I would say that a lot has happened since I last set pen to parchement, but that is not entirely true. Every day, I exchange dozens and scores of messages with my friends all around the lands. I enjoy the constant correspondance, and it does certainly keep life interesting.

I remember once, not long ago at all, when I was hunting in Verthedge forest. As is my custom I had finished off the beast I was hunting, then paused to kneel and balance my shield across my lap as a makeshift desk as I quickly checked my messages and wrote out my responses, careful not to let a stray spatter of blood drip on the parchment.

On that particular occasion, I was in the middle of writing a long, involved note when a giant ebon wolf snuck up behind me and caught me unawares. I was forced to throw my half-full bottle of ink into the wolf's face to blind it and distract it as I scrambled to my feet, quickly groping for my broadsword. I remember I was able to dispatch the wolf relatively easily, but in the battle the discarded piece of parchment with my half-composed response was trambled and ruined. Ah well, it was a small price to pay.

In truth, I value those messages I get as vital links with my friends, and the outside world as I sometimes lose myself in wild, remote and dangerous places. I am always happy to recieve and respond to a message, as it makes for a welcome break my daily activities.

Not that my activities are monotonous. I consider much of the landscape of Valorn from the beaches around Caernivale and Fartown, to the rainforest to the pathways around Aldwythe to the pathways from Branishor to Fartown to the Tall Grasslands to Verthedge Forest to Nrolavian Dark Forest all areas that I can hunt in, and under my personal protection to keep the monsters a bay, whether it be keeping the beaches clear so the ferries may operate safely, to keeping the paths between Branishor and Fartown and Altitan clear so trade may flourish, to keeping a lid on the monsters around Aldwyth and Nrolav.

I know it is far too big a task for one person alone, but I am more than happy to do my part, spreading the work of the Gods and the Light with every breath in my body, seeking my own truth and finding it as I adventure from place to place to place. If by sleeping out in the wilderness under a makeshift tent or in the open I can help the townspeople and younger adventurers sleep soundly in their beds, unafraid of a monster attack, than I am content.

That alone would be enough to keep anyone busy, I know. But it is only a part of my daily activities, though admittedly the largest and most consuming part.

I also take care of my Clerical duties in the Holy Order of Light, as a member of and a councellor in the Sacred Order of Unitarians. I keep tabs on not one, but three generations of my Clerical students, both those who I have sponsored, and the young initiates who I am mentoring. I keep in touch with my Guild, and my old and new friends both inside and outside my guild.

In short, journal, I am happy. I enjoy my life, and living here in Valorn, I would not trade it for anything.
For now, I close this story.

Iso

Hello Journal,

Since my old friend Haleth left the lands, I found myself struggling to cope, even as I wore the mask of a smile so my friends would not worry. Haleth was one of my oldest friends, and one of the last links to the small circle of friends I made when I first set foot in Valorn over two years ago.

I admit it...I lost heart in myself and in the world, and went to N'rolav as I have heard some of my oldest friends do when they were having a hard time to seclude themselves from the world, even though I promised myself I wouldn't. I took what little comfort could be found in fighting and slaying the demonic bears and cursed wolves as I struggled with my own inner demons.

And in the end, after I embraced my feelings of hurt, and grief and sadness and let them work themselves out, I found peace again. As the Goddes Xia once said: "What we resist persists, and what we embrace evaporates." I have slowly found out the profound truth of her words.

And now, today, after finally being able to visit Ural and advance to the next level, I find myself relieved. I feel free. Though my old, dear friend Haleth is gone from the lands, her memeory will ever shine on in the Light that created us and embraces us every moment of our lives, and in my own heart and mind, where I will smill on the memory of her company and her poetry, and keep her fresh as the morning dew.

Her last gift to me, a single thread of delicate silver-white thread I have tied around my left wrist, alongside a small silver bracelet that I also wear in memory, to keep as constant reminders.

And so, journal, I bring this story to a close for now.

Iso

It is done.

A few days ago a heard a rumor, one that I couldn't bring myself to believe. I swore to speak to her again, to figure out the truth of it. I send messages... and as chance would have it, I managed to speak with her again today.

It wasn't much; just a quickly whispered word, and one last look.

It was enough.

So. She has left the lands, my friend, one of my oldest friends whom I have known since almost the day I set foot on Dundee's gate. She could always make me smile with just a soft look, and a snippit of her matchless poetry that she could conjure from out of the thinnest air.

She is safe now, having arrived home enveloped in the gentle Light that she enriched with her every breath, her every smile. She's safe now, in a place where Balthy's taint is as the passing of a bad dream.

It sometimes seems to me that it is this darkness, this taint of evil that is the bad dream that will soon pass. Until that day, I shall continue helping as I may, doing however much I can.

After reflecting on the matter, I find myself in a state of quiet peace, I guess as much from the rumor being squashed and reaching closure in the matter.

For now, farewell sweet friend Haleth. Your warmth and Light are an example for us all, and I shall do my own little part to keep it.

It seems like an eternity since I last placed pen to paper. So much has happened... And I guess that is why I got my hands on a blank journal from a merchant to start recording my thoughts again.

So much time... it seems time is the one thing that is a constant companion to me and my thoughts, spending itself to tutor me, while seeming to never diminish.
Time and experience can change someone, can change not only their outlook on life, but their very life. Since my last journal entry, my old journal has no doubt faded away, lost to the sands of time. I can only remember vaugely what I wrote then, but some ideas, half-forgotten images dance temptingly on the edges of my perception like old ghosts, taunting me to catch them if I can. Ah well.

A word about me. I am a quiet and introverted person, yes. Many times my thoughts go unvoiced, as I have waited patiently and watched quietly, doing what I must, assisting where I may, and generally swimming through the ocean of time.

I have many fond memories of this place, thankfully there are more good memories than bad ones. I am the first to admit that I'm far from perfect, and have brought bad things upon myself through thoughtlessness or sheer stupidity on more than one occasion.

But, as I often joke with my old friends that I may be as dumb as I look, but I'm tougher than I look.

I must pause here a moment, lest I start to sound a bit overdramatic. Underneath my calm, cool exterior I am a rather emotional person.
I feel them strongly, and sometimes those feelings can change quickly.

For example, when I am happy, it feels as though every cloud has been banished from the sky and the radiant light of the Sunrifter smiles down on the lands with the warmth and essence of Cory's grace.

But if I am sad, or upset, all the stormclouds created gather above my head, blocking out the light of the Sunrifter, the caress of the wind, and turn the world a dull monochrome of browns and grays.

But such feelings are etherial and passing as clouds, and over time I have learned to accept them when they come, and deal with them.

So, journal, I shall try to start writing to you more often now. I do have a story or two I could tell.

Until next time.

-AIY