Exhausted and frustrated from her fruitless search for her missing husband, Faun sits under a weeping willow tree in the park. She slowly pulls a bound book from her pack, and pages through her journal reflecting upon that part of her life that has passed. At times she frowns with great sorrow and as she flips to other pages her beautiful brown eyes light up with intense joy.
As she opens the book... inside the front cover you see written:
To Faun with love,
Happy 10th birthday Mum and Da
Day 3 of Awakenings of the year 107
On the front of the first page you seen written:
The Journal of Faun Droisaird
The years 104 through 104
Faun turns the page and happily remembers the day she first received the
bound book......
Day 3 Awakenings of the year 107
Today is me tenth birthday! Me mum and da have made this a wonderful day. Me mum cooked a special cake. After we ate our evening meal that mum prepared fer me special day, she handed me this book and told me that it was fer me to write down anything. Da told me how proud he was of me, and that I had grown up into a lovely young lass. He winked at me and as I giggled I heard him tell me for the millionth time, "Remember Faun young lass, leave the
whistling to the lads." I pouted back at him as I again failed to whistle. Me da chuckled with such joy that I happily started to hum and
sing. Me da said, "Aye Faun, stick to the singing yer voice is lovely." All me life I have lived in the Muir woods with me mum and me da. Me cute little sister Bratlyn is two years younger. Me da makes many things out of the special red colored elven wood from the trees that surround our home. Me mum takes care of all of us and keeps our home a happy place. I love to hear me mum sing in the mornings as she goes about her tasks.
Faun flips through the pages of her bound book an expression of awe is
reflected on her face as she reads.....
Day 10 First Growth of the year 109
I love springtime. Our Muir woods are full of new life. I know I do not write as much as I should, but I find so much to do everyday. Since I started seeing the sage in my dreams, I find that each day is an opportunity to work on my ability to concentrate, and examine the powers contained within my surroundings. I do not understand how it is that this sage works her way into my dreams. However, I do know that she has a purpose for being there.
She tells me she is guiding me to my future. Though I do not know her name, nor where she might be I do know that I can trust her. She has guided me towards increasing my mysticism through small exercises each day. I have already noticed that the trees, the grass, the flowers are all surrounded by auras. I sense at times that they can be drawn upon, but I cannot find the way.
Faun skips ahead several more pages before stopping and as she begins to
read reflective contemplation fills her thoughts....
Day 29 First Harvest of the year 112
The sage touched my dreams again last night as she has in at least some small way most nights for the past year. I now consider these visions she creates in my dreams to be a series of lessons. Each lesson building upon the last. The images she imparted the past night were unusual, and my understanding of their meaning was far less than normal. Until this time I had felt a sense of guidance and though I have not always immediately understood the
lesson there has always been a clear exercise to practice.
The images left in my memory were more a vision than a lesson. They were images of a majestic beast with sides as black as night and a belly as white as snow. I spoke with my mum regarding this vision as I have talked to her about most of my guidance. As I tried to explain the vision it became clear that my mum had no idea of the significance either.
Faun rapidly turns the pages of her bound book searching for one in
particular.....
Day 14 Winter Cloak of the year 124
I awoke this morning feeling deeply disturbed by the vision imparted by the sage from my dreams. This was only the second time that I have received a vision rather than a lesson, and this vision has left me distracted and confused. The vision was of a human, a man. He was extremely handsome with thick black hair, and the palest complexion. I have not been able to lose this image from my mind. Through my constant practice of the exercises I have
learned from lessons of the sage, I find that I can now draw upon the auras of the trees, and perform small bits of healing. Yet, today even when my sis slipped on some ice and injured her knee I was able to do nothing. Every time I tried to draw upon the auras of the trees all I did was generate a smoky fizzle.
Faun sighs as she turns to the last page of the bound book...
Day 2 Awakenings of the year 125
The sage has come to Muir woods! At long last I have met her, and she is every bit as mystical and wise as I had envisioned. I immediately tried to ask her of the vision that has haunted me the past couple months, and she immediately silenced me. She said, "Hush lassie, you need not concern yourself about the vision. Whatever is to be....will be." She then told me that she had much to do and very little time. She spoke with my da and my mum in
hushed tones late into last night. For the first time in a long while, I slept last night without the images from the sage entering my dreams.
Day 3 Awakenings of the year 125
I awoke this morning the morning of my eighteenth year in anticipation of the special
cake that my mum makes every year for the occasion. I was disappointed to see that
my mum was not in the kitchen with a bit of flour on her cheek. I went out to the porch to find my mum, my da, and the sage all waiting for me. I soon became aware of the purpose of the visit from the sage. The sage explained to me that I have great potential to become a very powerful sorceress, and that in order to achieve this potential I would need to travel to a far away land and join the guild of the Mages in Moorgate. I felt a deep sadness
at the thought of leaving my family and our beautiful Muir woods, but I have always trusted her. It was clear to me that my mum and da supported my departure. My mum went into the house and woke my sister Bratlyn, and told her that I would be going away. Bratlyn came running through the door screaming and crying, "I will find ye Faun!!! I will!!!" My mum held my sis close and hushed her saying, "Dear dear Bratlyn, we will all of us miss Faun.
She must go away from us for a time, but she will never forget her little sis." I smiled a bright smile at Bratlyn and gave her the biggest hug possible, and tickled her until I thought she would giggle forever. I then looked sadly over at my mum who handed me a new book, wished me a happy birthday, and told me that she knew I would have many adventures to write about. She then hugged me warmly and wished me well. I turned to my da who quickly
tried to hide the expression of sorrow on his face. He winked knowingly at me and said to me, "Remember Faun young lass, leave the whistling to the lads." This got me started giggling, and I immediately gave him a big hug. My da returned my hug and chuckling he said to me, "I am proud of you Faun. You will do well in this life."
Faun closes the book with a far-off look in her eyes as she remembers the happiness of her life with her mum, her da, and her little sister.
Faun puts the first book back in her pack and rummages around until she finds the second book.
As she opens the book ... inside front cover you see written:
To Faun with love,
Happy 18th birthday Mum and Da
Day 3 of Awakenings of the year 125
On the front of the first page you seen written:
The Journal of Faun Droisaird
The years 125 through
Faun turns to the first page of her bound book an expression of awe is
reflected on her face as she reads.....
Day 3 Awakenings of the year 125
I have so much to write about! I first must write about the images that I saw just before the sage blinked and I found myself here in Moorgate standing before a man named John who spoke to me of a task. I watched in wondrous amazement as the sage began to draw a rainbow of energy from all objects within view. She drew upon both animate and inanimate objects with an intense concentration upon her face she wove all of this energy into a ball of
awesome colors that she appeared to control with her fingertips. Then she blinked.
Faun glances over to the opposite page her eyes sparkle with the memories of her
accomplishments......
Day 5 Awakenings of the year 125
After I had completed the task that John had laid out for me I went into the Adventures Guild and with a fierce determination set out to learn as much about the use of sorcery spells as I could. As I spent my time in training there were many beasts that advanced upon me, and I found that I could draw upon them with my new abilities. I was able to draw upon their fiery fury, and turn it back against them. With each beast slain by my power I found
the powers I could wield growing stronger. I soon found that I was powerful enough to venture out into other areas of the city, and search for the guild of the Mages. When I found the guild on Brent Street I was a bit disappointed, but not surprised to find that there was a task that I would need to complete in order to enter the guild. The Archmagi Gent informed me that I would have to go in search of the Scroll of Knowledge to demonstrate my
readiness to enter the guild of Mages.
Day 6 Awakenings of the year 125
After a lot of preparation and searching I was able to locate the scroll deep within an underground room. I returned to Brent Street and gave the scroll to the Archmagi who then allowed me to enter the guild of the Mages. I immediately wrote a scroll to send to my mum and da to let them know that I am well, and that I am now a proud member of the Mages guild of Moorgate. I handed the scroll to the Archmagi who assured me that he would locate a
pigeon to have the scroll delivered. With that done I eagerly set out to learn as much as I could from the guild tutors. I soon discovered that I would have to gain some more experience either through practicing my spells, or by completing some additional tasks before I would be allowed to learn more. I stopped in the guild library and sat down to read as many scrolls as I could.
Faun skips ahead a couple pages in her bound book to one that is particularly memorable....
Day 15 Awakenings of the year 125
I heard shouting coming from inside the guild a few days ago. A little while later, I approached the entrance to the guild and there stood the most beautiful and graceful lady I had ever seen. Her name is Isabeau, and she was extremely angry at the man that stood facing her. He was the man of the visions imparted to me in my dreams by the sage. His name is Penguin. I did not understand what was happening between this sweet lady and this man.
His presence both distracted and confused me. As I looked upon Isabeau I noticed that she was hurt, and immediately I healed her wounds. She turned to me and spoke in a melodic voice saying, ¶ Faun you are a lovely helper. From this day forward you shall be known as Faun, lovely helper¾. I realized then that the shouting I had heard earlier were the voices of this lady and man. He had fed her poisoned putty, and she had been mortally wounded.
As this revelation sank in I began to fear this man. It had never occurred to me that the man from the visions could be harmful, that this man could be anything but good. I had always thought the sage had an affection for this human, and that I was to somehow help him with something. All of these thoughts running through my mind have left me extremely confused. Up until this point in my life I have never encountered any being wishing to do harm to
another. None other than the beasts in the training area, and those in the tunnels and rooms of the place where I had found the needed scroll, and those were beasts without a conscious ... with the blackest of souls.
Faunˆs eyes shift to the opposite page as she continues to read.....
Day 16 Awakenings of the year 125
I have tried since yesterday to reconcile the actions of this man Penguin with the images imparted to me by the sage. I have been here in Moorgate for 13 days now, and the sage has not entered my dreams even once. I suspect that it may have to do with the well guarded walls of the city, and that there is some divine force that protects this city of Moorgate. I have decided to write a scroll, and send it to my mum and da and ask them to try and
contact the sage. I am deeply disturbed by the mixture of emotions I am feeling, and hope that mum and da can contact the sage for some answers.
My dearest mum and da,
I have been in Moorgate for 13 days now, and my training has gone very well so far. I have learned much about the use of sorcery spells, and I have even learned to defend myself fairly well. I have made many friends since my arrival, and they have all been good hearted and kind to me. An especially kind berserker by the name of Goldenaxe went with me on a journey to slay a very difficult beast that had three arms. It was not a pleasant task, but
it was necessary in order that I might journey deeper into the underground tunnels and rooms of the catacombs.
I am very worried though that the sage no longer touches my dreams. There are some answers I must get from her. I sense that something has gone seriously wrong in the life of the human she cares about so strongly. Please da, do what you can to have her contact me...I am afraid of what may come.
your loving daughter,
Faun
@-}Faun
As mid day approaches Faun closes her journal and moves from the park bench onto the grass beneath the shade of the weeping willow tree.
Faun opens her journal, and as she begins to read a bright smile shines upon her face....
Day 3 Weeping Skies of the year 126
Bratlyn is here! My da received my scroll, and the sage sent Bratlyn to Moorgate. She has started her training, but I fear it will be some time before she is ready venture outside of the city. Nonetheless I am overjoyed to have family close again. I did not realize how much I have missed little Brat. Though as she insists on reminding me she is not so little. The same age that I was when the sage sent me here. I had not realized that Bratlyn
had been to Moorgate before. It was a long time ago that she had spent time in the city when she traveled without mother's sister. She has been reunited with some friends, and acquaintances. I am disappointed though, that she has not brought with her any guidance from the sage. I was hoping to receive at least a small bit of advice.
Faun sighs, as she skips ahead several pages and starts to read an overwhelming terror begins to take hold of her...
Day 19 Deori's Pleasure of the year 126
Though I am continually faced with the evil of this man I have tried to keep in mind the message from the sage. She believes in the goodness of this man that now calls himself Penilord. Because I trust the sage and her words to me I find myself time and again confronted and shocked with his actions. He has recently begun to speak of a soul-leech spell that he has been developing. I have no idea what this sort of spell might do, but the thought of
soul-leeching chills me to the bones. As I have continued to study and train, I have watched how Penilord torments many goodhearted and kind spirited men and women. He has been especially cruel to the beautiful and graceful Isabeau as well as those ladies that call themselves the Sisters of Battle. As for myself there are times when I feel drawn to him yet my fear over rules this unexplainable desire to be around this man. If I am to believe the
sage he is quite harmless, though that is not what I see.
A remembrance comes into her eyes, and Faun turns the pages looking for one in particular. A feeling of dread grips her very being at the thought of a long forgotten pain....
Day 7 Longing to Harvest of the year 126
I have spent a number of days off on my own trying to make some sense of what has been done to me. During this time I have spent a great deal of time hunting in the icy Blizzard Pass. It seems that spending time in this freezing mountain area is the only way that I am able to keep my mind clear.
A few days ago, I skipped into the centre of town and saw Lerrim. She appeared to be extremely happy and kept giggling. When I looked closer I was horrified to see that her soul had been leeched. Penilord was standing beside her, and when he saw me he became quite animated as he shouted, "Victim number two has arrived!" He caste a soul-leech spell and I froze with fear as I watched the mist surround me. I was courageously guarded by a silent
hunter named Rutger. His bravery and willingness to defend me against Penilord was commendable. Unfortunately Penilord cloaked the silent hunter in shadows, and he could not prevent the red mist from entering my body. I became dizzy, and fainted. When I woke up I watched in horror as a white mist seeped from my body and he formed it into a glowing ball. As Penilord transferred this glowing ball into the heart of a troll I felt confused, and my
mind dulled.
I watched as he put the heart of the troll into his pouch, and as I gazed into his eyes I felt an overwhelming need to remain near him. I vaguely remember wandering around carrying a stuffed rabbit and a lump of gray putty. Holding this putty stuffed rabbit somehow eased the pain in my chest when Penilord was not around. Each and every time I tried to free myself of his presence a sharp, stabbing pain would form in my chest. This pain remained
with me for several days, and only faded to a dull ache when Penilord was near. Penilord had stolen my soul! He is pure evil.
Finally, I was assisted by two brave men. Flynn lent me his strength, and Sedillo provided kind, friendly, and supportive words. With their help I was able to summon enough power to overcome the desolation and pain I felt. I will forever be grateful to these men for the sacrifice they subjected themselves to, in order to help me regain my soul.
The sage that I have trusted was mistaken ... she has somehow allowed this man to cloud her mind in some way, so that she cannot see his true nature.
Faun turns the pages forward searching for happier memories.....
Day 15 First Harvest of the year 126
I have taken a great deal of notice lately in a very charming and courteous man. I have hunted with him a few times, and Rutger has been most considerate. I suspect it was the shaman Muldroun who told Rutger how much I love rubies, and each day he collects and brings several to me and then silently disappears. I have been making rings out of these rubies and giving them away to all who are close to me. I find myself looking for Rutger and
wondering when our paths might cross once again.
Faun quickly pages through her journal to a worn page...a page she has read often....
Day 3 Winter Cloak of the year 126
I had the most wonderful time at Azriela and Szordrin's wedding reception. It was a lovely wedding and Azriela was a stunning bride, but it was Rutger who captured my heart. Bratlyn was indeed fretful that I was drinking more of the free flowing wine than I ought to, but I was having a wonderful time. I suspect that Muldroun was whispering into Rutger's ear much of the same that he whispered into mine. Muldroun was telling me,
"I think Rutger likes you." After a bit of time Muldroun would say, "If he asks you to dance with him, will you?" I was light headed and feeling very happy for my dear friends Azriela and Szordrin. It was no real surprise to me when Rutger asked me to dance with him, or was it I that asked him to dance with me? I clearly remember Bratlyn's raised eyebrows as she clearly tried to warn me that I was on the verge of improper behavior. The wine and
the longing in my heart allowed me to ignore her stares completely. I danced with Rutger late into the night, and he swept me off my feet. We continued to dance well after the effects of the wine wore off, and as my head rested against his shoulder he gently caresses my back. I reluctantly said goodnight to Rutger as Bratlyn became increasingly more persistent in her demands that we return to the guild for the night. This is the first time that
Bratlyn has ever scolded me, and the happiness in my heart left me only able to beam a broad smile at her as we strolled back to the guild. I do believe that if it were not for me being the older sister Bratlyn would have dragged me back to the guild by my ear.
Faun skips ahead to the middle of her book and her face glows with happiness...
Day 22 Frost Fall of the year 127
Rutger's enthralling charm has captivated my heart, and I am consumed by an overwhelming joy. While hunting in the depths of the underground tunnels the most wonderful thing happened. Rutger presented me with the most beautiful and thoughtful gift. He gave to me a Glowing Ruby Ring. As I gazed into his eyes with honest admiration; my dearest Rutger who had never spoken to me above a whisper said aloud to me, "I love you Faun." I was in awe of
his exhilarating charm as he knelt down before me, and on bent knee asked me if I would marry him. With fervid enthusiasm and boundless love I told Rutger, "There is nothing I want more in this life than to
spend it by your side as your wife." My love for Rutger cannot be expressed with the simple ink, quill, and parchment. Though there are a great many ways to describe the completeness brought to my existence with him by my side, words alone fail to convey the divinely blessed and joyous fulfillment that has uplifted my spirit. While looking through my book of poetry that normally sits in my locker I found a poem that was simple and yet complete. I
am writing it here so that I can remember to share it with Rutger later.
I sought for Love
but Love ran away from me.
I sought my Soul
But my Soul I couldn't see.
then I sought You,
And I found all three.
Faun looks up from her journal, tears streaming down her face as a shadow passes between her and the small ray of sun shining through the drooping limbs of the willow tree. The fear and sadness gripping her heart as Don Protean saunters up to her and tells her that all the necessary preparations have been made, and as suddenly as he appeared the Don slips back into the shadows. Faun draws in a deep breath as she slips her journal back into her
pack, and dabbing the tears from her face composes herself. As she collects her pack she mentally goes through the instructions that were provided to her and begins to make her way towards the docks.
Alley back to the library foyer.
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