Friday, 29 August 2008 at 03:59

Today I went to the Temple of Dundee to talk to Virgil and to say a small prayer regarding the plans for the archive. As I entered the wooden temple I noticed Virgil had company. As I approached I saw it was the Winter Knight and James Silver who were talking to a young initiate about his recent experiences and accomplishments. As they were talking amongst each other I approached Virgil and asked him about my plans. He gave an approving smile - I've only rarely noticed Virgil smiling, probably because he sees so many grave wounds inflicted on young adventurers - and promised he'd keep an eye out for interested scholars. Meanwhile I could overhear James Silver explaining something to the young lad about a quest. I must admit I was intrigued and approached the group to hear what was said. The quest would something to remember, they told the initiate. Something you can look back on and say "I remember when ....". I for one remember many things, great battles and small battles, victory and defeat, beauty and terror. Anyway, the young initiate - I learned Tal Senton was his name - seemed very excited and eager to prove himself by completing the quest.

Suddenly the Winter Knight turned to me and asked me to briefly give some information about the Iron Knights to the young initiate. I must admit I've never been very successful in telling a story briefly, though I tried. And thus, with the statues of the gods looking down on us, told him about High Queen Cordelia; about the Order of the Iron Knights; about their tasks in the event of an organised attack by the Demon Lord. But well, one word led to the other and I ended up with telling a piece of history and the actual meaning behind the crest of the Iron Knights. I even told them a bit of my own youthful days, my pilgrimage from the monastery and how I had become a warrior. All in all, my 'brief explanation' lasted quite a while. In my defence I can say I was encouraged by their undivided attention. But as the evening flew by and the sound my words had broken the sound of silence for a few marcs, I noticed their eyes growing heavy and thus I wrapped up my words with the promise of other things to tell at some other time.

And so, we parted, passing by the statues at the entrance. It had been a wonderful day, starting with a prayer and ending in an interesting meeting.



Iron Knight Purazon

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Thursday, 28 August 2008 at 05:34

And so, the contest came finally to an end. As Scally – acting as a treasure keeper – handed me over the prize money, I was a bit worried to hold so much platinum in one pouch. I must admit it weighs quite heavy and I’ll be glad to hand it over to the guild leaders of the Alliance of Valornian Explorers and the Brotherhood of Honor.

With the chapter of the Valornian Guild Challenge coming to a close, it is about time to reveal some of the work I have done over the past days in our library. Reading and reordening tomes. Dusting of a collection of old works and stories, thoughts about the land itself, summarizing some of the events that have happened over the past years, and researching the history of long-lost Kimald. While the work is far from complete – I still need to start on reorganizing the tomes in the Golden Age section – I feel confident that the part that is done will be received well by those who will read it. I couldn’t open it sooner, because then some might have gained an unfair advantage in the Guild challenge.

Now that the contest is over, I barely can wait to show my work to the public. Soon our archive room will be complete. But not just anyone will be allowed there. No, I cannot risk some unthinking blunt person making a mess of it all, undoing all my hard work. No, only true scholars and people I trust not to rip pages out of the tomes will be allowed a key.


Iron Knight Purazon

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Tuesday, 26 August 2008 at 15:17

Well, it seems journals are everywhere these days. Ever since that meteor struck in the mill area I see people walking around with journals or writing in them in some quiet corner of a random inn. So journal, between you and me, it's time to get you from under the dust.

There, I've changed your cover. At least that's some sign of intent to take better care of you. There might still be some papers and sidenotes I'll have to rearrange, but at least you slightly better now.

I must admit I have not seen Dear One in quite a while. She told me she'd be travelling for a while and so have I in a way. I have travelled through the corridors of Strifegorge Fortress, barely showing my nose to the people of Valorn. I believe I just needed some time away from the towns, the inns, the merchants, the always busy guild hall. I even didn't visit the library. There was no escape to Knight Islander the Demon Slayer though - who could ever escape the greatest hero Valorn has ever known - who insisted he had some messages from Dear One. At least he turned a smile on my face. I missed her. Even more than I thought I would. The soothing sound of her voice, her caring look of her blue eyes, the seemingly endless amounts of food she slips to me because she thinks I'd forget to eat when I'm only thinking of duty.

At least I am well rested now and ready to return to further serve the people of Valorn. I had promised the Bright One that I'd help him research some things for some of the maps he's making. I'll see if I can get to it soon. He allready worked hard in my absence. He even got a sketch ready, but off course we'll have to investigate records in more detail. Well, I look forward to it.

Today - the first day since I've left Strifegorge - I came through the Dundee training yard just in time to see the end of a weapons presentation by the Bearded One and the Poet. As I saw his dagger sail through the air, maybe rat killed Wyf this time. I don't think there would be many would fare better against the Poet and her trusted Lightbringer. In any case, I wished I could have been there a bit sooner. Not that I really need weapons lessons - I've used my axe and dagger for ages - but I allways find find pleasure in attending teachings. If it is not to learn something myself, then to see others being taught.

There is allways a valuable lesson to learn.

Iron Knight Purazon

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