Lathanyl Firstliqht's History
I was born just over 21 years ago in a land far from here. A land
that I was forced to leave about five years ago by the Gold elves.
They sent me on a quest to which I still have not found the answer
but, someday, I will return with the information they requested.
I was born in and grew up in a city named Kultaka. This city is
found in the northern territories of Maztica. Three of its borders
are surrounded by mountains and one by water. The city itself was
ruled by a man named Takamal, revered counselor of Kultaka. The
city was very beautiful with its large temples and many solid structures.
There was also a man named Naltecona from Nexal. He was constantly
trying to attack our city but Takamal would continually send him
away disgraced. Since the constant attacks by Naltecona continued,
there became a larger and larger demand for warriors to take on
these threats to our city. That, at one time, was my life's ambition
and my mother's ambition for me as well. I grew up with only one
parent.
My mother Zequale. She, to this day, has never known
(or at least told me) of the man who I would have called my father.
Unlike most would have thought, I grew up keeping up with the others
in the city of my own age. The differences were many, however, which
in most cases, gave me an advantage over other children my age.
While most of the other children were training with their fathers
to fight and wrestle, My mother was training me to do the same.
Yet, while the children were all out playing, I was studying, but
was sometimes allowed to join them. I never understood why I needed
to study so much but I was assured that, sooner or later, it would
come in helpful. One other thing that set me apart from the other
children were my pointed ears. It was not until my 12th birthday
that she told me the reason my ears had to be hidden from all the
others. She grew my hair longer than most and emplored me to always,
no matter where I went or whom I saw, I must always keep them hidden
from others. Zequale, my mother, wanted me to be accepted by the
others in the city. This could have also been due to the fact that
she was not accepted in the city that much, either. She hadn't been
married but, towards the start of the harvesting season, she bore
a child. She became a slight outcast but still was allowed to be
amongst society. She always wanted me to be proud of whom I was
and for others to respect me for whom I was and not turn away because
of whom my mother was. I also wanted to make her proud of me and
used the story of how Takamal rose to become revered counselor of
Kultaka as inspiration to do my best for her.
This not only carried through in my respect for her
at home, but also in how I presented myself in the public. I tried
to show that I was independent and had all the similar skills as
everyone else. The respect I had, however, could not be matched
by any other in the city. Then there came a time to finally prove
myself to the city, my mother, and myself once and for all. It was
time for the annual proving battle that all Eagle, and Jaguar, Knight
candidates went through. I had just turned 16 years and was eligible
for admittance into the knighthood training. Thus, I set out to
make my mother proud because that is what mattered to me. The whole
time telling myself that I could be the next Takamal. Unfortunately,
this desire encountered a major problem, the Gold Elves. The group
of Kultakans I was with ventured past the mountains in search of
prisoners so we could be admitted into the Knighthoods. Then, something
happened we never would have suspected. We were ambushed. From what
I could tell, the numbers of individuals were about equal on both
sides but these elves didn't fight fair. As we were fighting to
take prisoners, they were fighting to eliminate us. When we had
lost 3/4 of our number and the prisoners we had taken were refusing
to surrender as they were supposed to, our leader named Khalet surrendered
the few of us whom still stood. These elves used odd things to fight
with. They were using chunks of steel of different sizes and bent
stick which threw very small javelins (long and short swords, daggers,
and bows). The elves must have been rich to be able to actually
fight with their steel. We were tied up as a group and hauled back
to their village.
At least they were going to sacrifice us so I wouldn't
have to disgrace my mother and myself by coming back empty handed
although this was a terrifying thought in itself. To my surprise,
they didn't have a temple to sacrifice us on. Now what were they
going to do with us? My question was soon answered as they began
removing our items leaving us only in loincloths. This was fine
until they removed my headband and found my ears. The one who found
them was almost surprised at the discovery by the expression on
his face. The Elves talked a little more and then I was removed
from the rest of my group. The others were set free to go back to
Kultaka but I, on the other hand, became their prisoner for a short
while. I asked Qotal for aid but none came and sometimes I wonder
if he even heard me. Then a man stepped up to me and started waving
his arms around and chanting in some weird language and, suddenly,
he spoke my language. I tried to find out what was going to happen
to me but he would say nothing. All he wanted was information on
where I came from and if there were more of me. How stupid this
guy seemed. They had just let a bunch more like me go.
This continued for a couple of days until the conversation
changed one day. He finally explained to me who and what he was
(an elf) and told me that I had some elf in me too. After it was
said that the ears were a noticeable trait, I started to believe
him. He then told me that I would soon learn what they were going
to do with me at which point I didn't know whether to be scared
or happy. It was then told to me that i was not going to be returned
to Kultaka until I completed a mission for them. I would be taken
with an escort to a land far away and needed to find out what happened
to the elves they had lost contact with. I was also told that I
would only be allowed to return once. This meant that if I didn't
have the information they desired, who Knows what could have happened.
Having no choice in the matter, I traveled many, many days with
these elves but not without my own attempts at escaping though none
succeeded. We also traveled through some glowing areas which, when
we stepped through, the other side was not what should have been
expected.
Again we traveled long and hard until reaching another
glowing area. This led to an even stranger area. It was cold all
of the sudden and the trees and grasses were weird. But, despite
my surprise in the area, we traveled on. We traveled for a long,
long time through many empty villages where settlements obviously
were at one time. Also, over this time I learned to speak their
tongue so we could communicate and one of them learned mine. This
was nice in that I now could talk to someone without having to draw
pictures or going to other extravagant means to get my point across.
As the moons rose and fell, I could only think back on how my mother
must be doing and thinking happened to me. Someday I would return
to see her and make her proud. Traveling with these elves wasn't
too bad as I got to know them. I guess it's just like any specific
point of view. To the elves, I was at first an enemy. Now I was
a traveling companion.
As this area's time chart would show, we traveled
and explored for four years. I was taken everywhere but never allowed
to help look about a village or even hunt for dinner. They never
did learn to trust me, but then again, i never really trusted them.
Then, one night while we were camped, I was awaken by screams and
yells of a battle. We were under attack by a bunch of pig-faced
beasts whom also did not play by the rules. I later learned that
these things were called orcs. Our whole group was taken down by
the attackers. The reason I know this, is this is when my new "father
figure" found me. He helped heal me and told me I was safe. As I
looked about the camp, I saw no others moving. This pale skinned
man could also speak this Elven tongue. He took me in and gave me
a new name. He called me Lathanyl Firstlight since he had never
heard of anyone from a land such as Maztica. After taking me in,
he began teaching me the ways of Lathander. He hadn't called me
Lathanyl because I was named that, he called me that because, of
all the other things I remembered including even my mother's name,
I couldn't remember my own. I still had my independent, stubborn
streak that this priest had to put up with and, as he did, I began
to see him as a father.
His name is ??? and he resides in the temple in Raven's
Bluff. He encouraged me to go out and learn about this new land
in which I was living. I had found no real desire to do so until
it just clicked that, if I went out and fine tuned my skills, I
could make him proud. I then took on the adventuring life leaving
most of my books behind. My studies on the elves would now be in
the field instead of the bindings of a tome. I will make him proud
of me and, someday, I will be proud enough to return and find my
mother. But, for now, I am Lathanyl Firstlight and I will shine
above the rest. Since he took me in, I've gone through many changes.
I've started to become dependant on others as usually happens in
an adventuring company. I've also started a new "family". The people
I adventure with are probably the best friends I've ever had (excluding
my mother and the priest). I've seen them lay down their lives to
save mine and I've laid mine on the line for them. I couldn't have
even dreamed of having a family such as this. The way we work together
is almost magical in itself. To compare it to something I've studied
a bit, it's like the sun. As the sun is rising, you never quite
know what exactly is going to happen. The mystery is magically entrancing.
But then, just as you think you know what should come up next, something
happens that pulls the whole scene together to paint the most beautiful
Of pictures.
As we go into situations, we don't know exactly what
to expect even from each other yet. But then, just when you'd least
expect it, the magical wheels make us seem as though we were a well
tuned orchestra playing the grandest of symphonies. I hope we don't
ever lose that togetherness. As with every family, though, we've
had our squabbles. Even though they have gotten serious at times,
we somehow always seem to make it through. Even through the racial
differences, opposing attitudes, and tactic selections, we've made
it. I've gone through my shortfalls as well.
At one point we even needed to hire a priestess of
Tymora because I couldn't hold up what shortly became my job in
the party. It was a big step admitting I couldn't accomplish something.
Fortunately, the party didn't see it that way and Mara became a
welcome addition to our adventuring group. Now, looking back on
just over a year of adventuring, I've been granted a sacred grove
in Maztica in conjunction with Kamalin, a priest of Qotal. I've
become accepted by an Eagle Knight for who I am and not shunned
for turning away from Qotal. I've been from mountains to deserts,
from oceans to jungles, and from the underdark to the stars. I'd
have to say that I've had a pretty good year. Life is a lot easier
when you don't have to venture through it alone. I'd give my life
for anyone in our party if it would save theirs. The future holds
wonders as well. Amongst those I wish to find out are the location
of the other grey elves, the finishing research on the elves disappearance,
my birth name, and if I have made my mother proud of me as well.
I guess only time will tell. Hopefully Lathander will guide me to
all my goals as well as those for the family I now call my own.
Lathanyl's Journal [Entry #1]
Seems like a rather inappropriate time to "turn over
a new leaf" but, I guess it's better now than never. Recently, both
Kenji and Elton died and their deaths had a rather big impact on
me. Kenji's because I almost lost him permanently to some plant
poison and Elton's because he did not survive the return to life.
I tried everthing I could do but I couldn't keep it from happening.
His death will always serve as a mark on my conscious. This is why
I am writing a journal now. After reading his, a whole new perspective
on things can be seen and the information on his past which is so
desperately needed can hopefully be found. It's lonely being the
only priest again. My shoes seemed to continually get bigger with
responsibilities even when Mara was around. Now that she's gone,
I don't know if I can keep the pace up by myself. Hopefully, I can
find some more healing potential soon other than this prism (which
is helping a lot).
I've never found a "nitch" to fit into either. I'm
not a fighter, a mage, or even a true elf. I'm not even a drinker
for when some of the group goes out. I just try to find ways of
fitting in with everyone and be the "backstage hands which keep
the play going". I can be as hard to hit as our toughest fighter
and as powerful a caster as our most potent mage. Yet, the one thing
I am needed most to do is heal up the party. That is my "nitch"
- the Healer. With Elton's death on my mind, I'm not looking forward
to returning to the Underdark. In fact, I'd say that I'm afraid
of it. After all, it's this whole "guided" trip that is the reason
for the recent deaths and now we have to go back to face whatever
lies waiting for us in the room we left. Hopefully, we all can live
through the escapade this time or, at least, only suffer minor injuries
instead. Far be it for a priest of Lathander to be afraid of the
dark. However, for anyone to not be afraid of the Underdark is suicidal!!
We've taken a new member in named Milontris. He claims
to have been looking for Elton but how in the world would he have
known to find us here? I don't trust him at all since he doesn't
even have a detailed story as to why he was looking for Elton in
the first place. The fact that he's a Moon Elf doesn't help much
in the trust pool. He seems to be attempting to cling onto Laertes
to either get an "in" with our group or find something out. I don't
know what he's up to but I'll soon find out. Until next.
Lathanyl's Journal [Entry #2]
Well, we're back and actually alive. Now we're dealing
with the devil. Or should I say Drow. It seems to be one in the
same: we do what they want and we get our lives and a way out of
Menzoberranzen. What a bargain!!! We've chosen to follow Jarlaxle's
plan since it seems to be the "safest" of the three options we have.
This ought to be interesting. I never in my life thought I'd be
working with priestess' of Lolth, but it seems to be the only option
for now. Well, it's time to prepare for a battle. We're to wipe
out an entire household leaving no survivors of the family. Seems
rather brutal to me but that's the way it is down here - brutal.
Until after the battle. Lathander help us!!!! What has happen to
the group???? I Think we all need to get out of the Underdark soon!!
It's started to effect everyone. The killing... The gore... We need
out.
The battle started out like any normal raid may have
started. As soon as we got in the doors... Holy killing machine!!
We waltzed through over thirty drow, killing two of the family right
away. Then we found four of the remaining five family members in
one room. Kenji cut the mage down with one blow that was so lightning
quick, Niel almost couldn't get out of the way. The other three
were brutally dropped as well within the minute. We then rushed
up the stairs to find the last family member and Traek trying to
escape through a trap door. The party almost tried to finish them
off too. Jarlaxel stopped our first line from attacking but the
desire was there. The female was carrying a baby in her arms. They
would probably tried to kill the innocent baby as well. It was only
a victim of circumstance. It didn't do anything wrong. I was glad
that Jarlaxel and Traek came to an agreement, otherwise the party
would have had to face me before killing the baby if I got to it
first. We then just ransacked the house but I was still in shock
at our group.
We all claim that "the Drow are evil and all of them
should be killed." I don't think that included the babies!!! We
were no better than the Drow today. Killing off an entire house
except for one family member so that a whole other house would be
leveled for it's failure. Killing Drow is one thing when they are
fighting and attacking you. But to kill their babies whom have done
nothing wrong is insane!!!! I need to pray about this for a while.
Hopefully the long trek will set the group straight again. I never
thought we were capable of totally uncontrolled, unstoppable, unconscious
mass slaughter but maybe I should be thinking differently. Lathander,
help us all. Until next.
Lathanyl's Journal [Entry #3]
The trip out seems to almost be longer than the trip
down was. But, as expected, the Drow still couldn't leave us alone.
Jarlaxel followed us up in disguise with some others to challange
Kenji to a duel of art vs art. If Kenji loses, he must serve Jarlaxel
by instructing his art for ten years. He accepted after another
note was passed and the duel began. Kenji hit the Drow hard and
was also able to parry the Drow's hit. The next flurry of attacks
saw the Drow almost dropped by a second attack from Kenji but the
Drow managed to hit Kenji too. Within a minute Kenji went down just
as when we were fighting Drow before when they were using poison.
He then sat there and haggled at Kenji since he went down after
only one of the Drow's hits. After it looked like the duel was over,
I gave Kenji an antidote. I was going to miss Kenji but, in ten
years I would be at that cave awaiting his return to the surface.
When I inspected the wound, however, there was no poison. It had
been from a wooden sliver (small dart size) that lined up to where
Jarlaxel was standing. Was Jarlaxel cheating for or against Kenji?
Was it Jarlaxel? Why did he interfere with a duel?
That night, I offered myself as a practice dummy in
case he needed to work off his frustrations. He hasn't accepted
yet. I healed up the Drow before he left (after he let me). He was
almost dead and never would have made it back to Menzoberranzen
alive. Lolth would have just let him die or have him struck down
upon his return. At least I gave him a fighting chance. Malaggar
also has gotten more confusing. I wonder if his mistress did get
to him when we weren't around and charm him. His outlook is drastically
changing and I'm beginning to worry. I'll try to keep a closer eye
on him to see if I can find out more.
I'll also begin reading Elton's journal again. It
seems that Mailee has some information she is not yielding to me
for this quest of Elton's. I hope she tells me soon. Until next
Lathanyl's Journal [Entry #4]
We've been traveling for a while now. I've had some
time to look through Elton's journal a little closer for information.
Elton talks later about his mentor (assumedly the person who taught
him magic use). In his Nightal 13 entry, he mentions the desire
to scry on a few individuals such as his parents, some Thavian wizards,
and someone named Arnin. I wonder if Arnin is Elton's mentor's name?
I wonder where he currently resides? This Arnin could be a major
source of information. We need to find him to finish this quest
I'd bet. Elton was having a ring made worth 90,000 gold (half up
front) so he wouldn't be so vulnerable to fire. I wonder where this
fits into the picture if it does at all?
Elton had talked to Imejrab (the all-knowing genie
from his ring) to find out how his parents were doing. He said they
weren't doing well which makes me wonder just how much time we will
have to find them and will we be in time? Elton does admit in his
journal that the Underdark was starting to make him more violent
and influencing him a lot by the 15th day down there. I wonder if
this proves my hypothesis concerning the rest of the party?? It
seems that Elton used humor in his journal entries from the 10th
to the 17th of Hammer to maintain his sanity. Just like me putting
my head in a sack with light inside. Different strokes for different
folks. His entries continued this trend until the 17th when his
violent nature being brought out by the Underdark came out again.
He didn't want to control it this time but did.
In his entry on the 18th, Elton mentions Azuth must
have been watching over him. A god whom believes more in order of
actions than their intent is an interesting one for Elton to have
been following. Maybe some of this violet streak was just hidden
on the surface?? Only Elton knows. In Elton's 12 Alturiak entry,
he mentions that "seeing the sun again (that beautiful ball of flame)
definitely helps me mentally..." maybe the sun is the perfect combative
power against the effects of the Underdark. We'll have to see if
any of the other party members start coming around in the future.
As far as his description of the sun, however, to each his (or her)
own. In Elton's 16 Alturiak entry, it mentions the possibility that
Elton's father, mother, and mentor may have the ability to scry
on others. Or, maybe they have items very similar to Mailee's crystal
ball. Who knows? I wonder how much they know about us? Elton also
adds in that entry that two red wizards cast some spells on him
a while ago. There is no mention of what these spells were, their
possible effects, or if they were removed. I wonder if Arnin knows
and would be willing to share the information?
In Elton's 16 Kythorn entry, Elton adds at the end
that he is having difficulty finding out whom our allies really
are. I totally understand in some natures. Now that we're on the
surface, maybe it will become easier to find them. I can only hope.
Well, until I gain any other information on Elton and his past,
I'm at a dead end (no pun intended). My only real leads are this
possible mentor named Arnin and this new elf in the group. Next
entry I'll try to figure out more about him and record it. The only
advantage I have is that I'm the priest of the party. Some help
when all my spells are for healing every day. Oh well, I'll just
make due. Until next
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