Innocent Heart with Dreams

[Daimondheart]

Basic Information
Name: Cora Kelm
Aliases: None
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 28; Born on Flamerule 9, 1348 DR, The Year of the Spur
Profession: Jewel Maker
Languages: Common, Halfling, Elvin
Accent: Hinnish (Irish)

Physical Information
Height: 5' 1"
Weight: 122 lbs.
Body build: Athletic
Skin type: Smooth
Hair style: Ponytail with long split bangs
Scars: Diagonal slit over her the left side of her left eyebrow
Tattoos: None
Coloring:

• Hair: Copper Red
• Eyes: Jade
• Skin: Tan

Mental Information
Alignment: Neutral Good
Philosophy: Impossible dreams are to be pursued for the sheer wonder of the possibility of their completion. Search for the unicorn and in the pursuit find happiness.
Deity: Lurue
Personality:

• Brave Though not fearless, she'll slap your face before backing down on any topic she has strong belief in.
• Devout Though new in her faith, her passion for it is very strong.
• Naïve She can be far too trusting of others so long as they appear to be friendly enough.

[Daimondheart]

The Hill Sunderer

Companions

~ Deceased ~
Born: Alturiak 23, 1372
Died: Tarsakh 25, 1377

Basic Information
Name: Calbhaigern
Aliases: Calb
Gender: Male
Race: Half-breed Dog (Husky/Wolf)
Age: 5
Profession: Watchdog
Languages: Animal
Accent: None

Physical Information
Length: 4' 11"
Height: 2' 4"
Weight: 92 lbs.
Body build: Muscular
Fur type: Medium, Coarse
Scars: Large Scar on left hind leg
Tattoos: Rainbow Arc on the back of his right ear
Coloring:

• Fur: Gray, Silver
• Eyes: Jade
• Claws: Black

Mental Information
Alignment: Neutral
Philosophy: Guard your master at any cost.
Deity: Silvanus
Personality:

• Constantly in Heat He has a bad tendency to run off as soon as he catches the scent of a waiting female.
• Brave Will fight to the death if any attack his master.
• Loyal Though he may run off, he always returns to Cora eventually.

_________________________________________________

Basic Information
Name: Calbhaigern
Aliases: Cal
Gender: Male
Race: Eastern Wolf
Age: 5
Profession: Pack Beta
Languages: Animal
Accent: None

Physical Information
Length: 4' 15"
Height: 2' 8"
Weight: 112 lbs.
Body build: Muscular
Fur type: Long, Coarse
Scars: None
Tattoos: Rainbow Arc on the back of his right ear
Coloring:

• Fur: Tan, Silver
• Eyes: Yellow
• Claws: Dark Gray

Mental Information
Alignment: Neutral
Philosophy: Run wild and free.
Deity: Lurue
Personality:

• Wild Will stay by his companion for a time, but will always return to the wilds and his pack.
• Brave Will fight to the death if any attack his companion.
• Loyal Though he may run off, he always returns to Cora eventually.

[Daimondheart]

Unicorn Diary - Front Cover

[Daimondheart]

Eleint 5, 1382

Dear Diary,

I've had you for so long yet this is the first time I have ever written in you. I guess I've never been one for writing, but when I saw the design on your cover, I just couldn't resist buying! I do love unicorns so much and hope to see one someday. Especially Lurue, my goddess. I suppose it's because of her I finally felt moved to write in you.

Yesterday was a bit of a challenge, even more so than spiders. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later once I started my proposal, but I can't deny I was disappointed when Lady Aurelianus refused to sign it. I was even more disappointed when Lord LeCroix wouldn't even take the time to see me. It's strange how backhanded people can be. Maybe it's just me, but I find it odd when someone tells you that they won't support you yet wish you luck all the same. They're just doing it to be polite, but I can't say I see the point in it. If you want to disagree with me, then disagree with me.

I was also a bit annoyed at how Lord LeCroix made it a point to "educate" me on the state of the Viridale. I've already gained the signatures of four nobles. Does he really think so low of them that he didn't think they would point out the same issues already? Of course I know it's dangerous! But nothing is going to change if someone doesn't start something.

Ironically, his words did not dissuade me. If anything, he encouraged me. He called the task impossible, which is exactly the kind of task I'd want to set my sights on completing! What better way to pay homage to Lurue than to live as she wants her followers to live?

Yes, the task is impossible. Yes, it is something I will not live to see the end of. But a lot of good could be done if I am successful in this task, this adventure.

I won't give up. I won't stop chasing the unicorn!

[Daimondheart]

Eleint 9, 1382

Dear Diary,

It's been nearly half a tenday since I last wrote to you, but I don't intend on making this a daily habit. Just whenever I feel like writing about something that happened to me.

I feel rather bad for Adama, one of my newest friends and unicorn "sister," though that term seems to be a bit tenuous. It turns out she has deeper feelings for me than is common between women. I was a bit uncomfortable when she revealed them. I'm guessing I'm just the first woman she's ever felt this close to. She told me to let her know if she ever goes too far, but I told her she didn't have to worry because I know she means well. I am hoping this is but a brief infatuation that will pass soon enough, though.

I do care for her and am actually a little mad at her for being so reckless. Before she got herself trapped in some building in that dreaded keep when she was exploring it on her own. I ended up pleading with the Myrios to save her and had hoped she would learn from the experience. But she went and did it again, only this time it was Frost Giants in the mountains. She's being far too risky. Ironically, she was "saved" by thralls of vampires. They apparently only did it to cultivate their prey for the future.

The thought of it still sends a shiver down my spine. I hope she will learn from this. I will never be able to return her feelings as she might wish, but I do care about her greatly. Be safe, Adama.

[Daimondheart]

Eleint 16, 1382

Dear Diary,

I think it's time to finally submit my proposal to the state. I really wanted to at least ask Houses Meriadoc and Tornbrook for support, but I've yet to receive a response from either side. I think it's safe to say they either are not interested or my letters were never delivered. I wish I could wait longer, but it isn't fair to those that have already signed.

I shall arrange for a meeting between the Myrios and Julia as soon as possible so we may finalize the role of the militia in the proposal's writing before submitting it to the state. I would like Adama to be there, too, but she can be hard to find at times. Regardless, the proposal will be completed and sent within the next few day.

It's time to see whether or not I can move forward with the Emperor's support.

[Daimondheart]

Eleint 18, 1382

Dear Diary,

I haven't had any luck yet arranging a meeting between the two. Our schedules just never seem to work out. I just need to be patient and keep trying. Thankfully, waiting extended periods of time to get contracts, proposals, and deeds written is something every merchant that's been at the game for at least a season has had to deal with. I can wait.

That aside, I got to meet Dryn again. I didn't write about our first meeting because, to be honest, the events that followed after that meetings are ones I would rather forgot. He's a kind, aged dwarf that has an unusual connection with spirits, like a different aspect of nature.

Adama and I had traveled up the mountains and into the Spine. It was my idea. I had never been up that way before and I wanted to explore. She insisted on taking the caravan up, which made sense in hind sight. It's far easier to travel down a mountain than up.

I was surprised how quickly the landscape became flooded with snow as we made our way up and the temperature dropped rapidly. I'm well used to low temperatures, but even I found myself shivering from the cold. Adama knew of a nearby inn and we decided to take a break before we did any more traveling. That is after Adama and Cal had a fun rump in the snow! It was fun to watch them play.

After that, we went inside and I was greeted by a familiar voice. It Dryn as he sat at a nearby table, seeming to be looking over several parchments. We both greeted him and, after passing by a strange looking beetle machine, and sat across from him on the other side of the table.

As we warmed up, we got to talking and I learned that Dryn was actually a member of the Wardens! Though he was not quite as active as the others, he still knew much and told us what he knew of its fall. I'm searching my brain now for all the details he imparted to me, even though most of them are mere guesses.

One of the biggest things that has puzzled me was how Talona was ever able to influence the keeper of the grove. But Dryn brought a revelation that he sensed some form of malignant evil in the forest that must have existed before even he joined them. He spoke of the Untrodden Grounds, a section of the woods that is filled with evil spirits and contained an underground structure.

I knew what he was talking about, for I had been there before and even now wraiths can be found there from time to time. As for the ruins, a huge section of it apparently collapsed in on itself over a year ago during the times of the war and the Second Sundering. Dryn mentioned they had stumbled upon some kind of cursed relic within it that seemed to draw the spirits as well as the vampires. No one seems to know what became of this relic. Perhaps Lord Blackwell might know? We have yet had the chance to talk with him as he wished.

But there was something more, too. Dryn spoke of a bard, named Osclow Wiltenhom, whom was married to a powerful druidess named Annaleen. She had made efforts to cleanse the taint, the evil presence Dryn had sensed, long before the Grove had fallen. It seems Talona had gained a foothold in the forest long before now and the destruction of the Grove was little more than her final claim on the forest. This means the force we are dealing with is one that is well rooted within the Viridale. Our task has become far more difficult than we had expected, but my resolve is not deterred.

One another note, I actually met Osclow a few times when I was first in Sundren and I remembered how he bickered with my druid friend, Marisa. Yes, Marisa. I finally remembered her name. I feel bad for having forgetting it. She did teach me so much of the ways of the druids. I hope she is all right.

As for Osclow and Annaleen, Dryn had something else to tell us. It seems the two of them had a child, but the child vanished and Dryn believes he was taken by an evil force. Talona? He has no knowledge of whether or not hte child was ever found as well as the final fates of Osclow an Annaleen.

We had learned much that night and yet so little, and with what we have learned comes even more mysteries. What is the connection between the ruins and the forest? Why was the child taken? And does this strange relic still exist somewhere in the forest? Destroyed or not, it seems all the answers lie in the Untrodden Grounds. I must seek out Lord Blackwell and learn what he has to share on the matter.

One thing is for certain, though. Even if the Emperor approved my proposal, we need to gain the support of the Forest Father himself. We NEED the druids.

Thankfully, Dryn has pledged his support to us and us to him. I feel we have gained a strong ally with a wisdom that shall guide us well. He kindly gifted Adama with an amulet just like the one the Myrios had gifted me. And to me, he gave me a cloak, but it is no ordinary cloak. I can not even describe the beauty of the fabric that wove it. And when I wear it, I feel so different. More confident and beautiful, I think. It's a strange sensation.

He also gave me another gift, one far more valuable than the cloak. Five planks of wood, but not just any wood. It's alive! From what tree it was cut, I know not, but as I placed my hand upon the bark, it's as if I could feel the "heart" of the tree beating inside of it. Dryn explained as much to me and explained the wood could be fashioned into armor that would rival any of metal. He said the wood is one of the few treasures that survived the fall of the grove.

I am now to seek out his kin, a dwarf named Rurik Stonefist, that resides in the Schild Mountains with the other dwarves. He alone has the skill to fashion the wood into armor. I must meet with him and request his service. I hope he will oblige though I'm not sure how I will be able to pay for his services. I'll have to wait and see.

After our talk, Drynn decided to retire and we affirmed our vows of comradeship to each other before parting. Adama and I then shared a meal at the inn and departed to further explore the mountains. There is much more I could write on the day, but I would rather not. When I someday look back through these pages, I only wish to reminisce on the good times that happened.

[Daimondheart]

Eleint 26, 1382

Dear Diary,

I suppose writing only about the good times is rather silly, especially for a diary. It's what a diary is for, right? To get your thoughts down on parchment and express what you're feeling.

I've decided that the 30th is the dead line for Proposal signatures. It's been nearly a month since I started and tarrying any longer isn't fair to those that have signed already. I will make all attempts to meet with Lord Tornbrook as well as any willing member of House Merriadoc should they respond, but it's not fair for the other signers. I'm eager to see what will happen.

Now for a stranger tale. I went to the abandoned fort and contacted Adama with a sending as a concern was on my mind. About two tendays ago, the very day I met Adama for the first time in fact, we had begun exploring Sundren in an attempt to find a place to start our work. Naturally, one of our first thoughts was the Viridale forest, where the Wardens of old used to reside. We came upon wraiths and other fell creatures of shadow in a part of the forest we would later come to learn to be called the Untrodden Grounds.

At the time, I guessed that we had stumbled upon the place that the vampires had resided as I remembered the visit I and Marisa had received from two of them a year ago. The image of the one with the tentacled face claiming the forest as his is still burned in my memory. However, I later spoke with the Myrios on the matter and she explained that the interior of the structure had collapsed shortly before the Second Sundering and it was no longer used. As for the wraiths, she felt they were simply a part of the area and had always been there.

I was not convinced and, regardless, their spirits would need to be put to rest. So I set it aside as a task to take care of when we would be better prepared to handle it later. But that changed after my discussion with Dryn and his mention of the evil relic that was supposed to lie within. That's why I wanted to take a second look and investigate it further.

Upon arrival, we found something very strange: a great black hound with fell red eyes. I have heard of such things though the thought always sickened me. Animals that have been corrupted, mutilated, and tortured into becoming fell monsters. My heart welled with pity for the poor beast even as it glowered at us.

Adama was ready to fight the creature, but I called for her to halt. I knew it would probably make no difference, but I had to at least try to communicate with the dark hound. I tried everything I could think of... I spoke kindly to it, I tried to show I was a friend and not an ally, I even called on Cal to see if he could someone communicate with the creature that must have been a dog or perhaps even a wolf at one time but nothing worked.

The beast then started to let out a barking sound. I recognized the nature of its actions and realized it was calling for something or someone. Sure enough, the doors to the old ruins burst open, and out poured many vampire. They were not ordinary vampires, though. Adama called them feral vampires. The beasts were mindless and attacked without any reason beyond a thirst for blood! Thankfully, these vampires were not very strong. Certainly a threat, but nothing compared to the vampires I ran into over a year ago. But that wasn't the end as the hound kept calling and more emerged from the ruins. Their numbers seemed to be endless.

I tried reasoning with the beast again, but it was futile. Adama frantically asked if we should feel or try to disable the beast. I opted for disabling. Perhaps we could capture him and take him somewhere safe to undo the evil done onto him. It was a tough battle and Adama did most of the fighting. A single of the creature was enough to send me reeling as it ripped the flesh from my arm.

Adama finally succeeded in knocking the beast down just as the sun began to rise. It looked as if we had actually won as the sun would keep the vampires from exiting the ruins. But as she went to bind it, we suddenly heard more barks and howls from the ruins mixed with the cries of even fouler monsters. It was clear now that whether the ruins had been destroyed or not, someone was making use of them! I told Adama to forget the hound. There's no way we could carry it and evade this new enemy at the same time. At the very least she had defeated it and yet spared him. If anything of the animal still resisted in the beast's corrupted heart, it would acknowledge this act.

We then ran for our lives, fighting our way through wraiths until we escaped the Untrodden grounds and returned to the forest. We ran through creeks and streams to throw off our scent from any pursuit and kept away from the abandoned fort for the time. Hopefully whatever dark creature that is master over the place will think it was simply a band of gnolls or orcs. We don't have the numbers or forces to yet deal with such a threat.

I need to find out what is going on down there. Were the ruins repaired? And if so, how? And if not, how did those bests come to stay there? Why are they there? Even more questions to the mystery of the untrodden grounds is brought to light with little answers for it. We need to somehow investigate further and I'm going to need help.