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