The Travels of Jaelin Strider

[SafetyGuy1979]

((I"m using a new handle))


A tall and thickly built human male stands upon a rocky outcropping in the harsh environs of the Spine of the World. A cold, harsh wind blows across his weather beaten face as the flames of the funeral pyre cast shadows that dance across his face. He sits cross legged, a short distance from the pyre with a rough bound journal of leather open upon his lap.....

A bare week ago, a month past the day of my 18th year, was the last time I spoke with him before he slipped into the fever dream from which he would never again awake...barely into his 57th year...

The injuries and the poision from the weapon of the Frost Giants making it impossible for me to move him; lest the journey kill him. I had tried every herb, root, and treatment he taught me to cure him....make him well....and in the end all I could do was ease his pain as he slipped away from me forever.....my father....

The three Giants came upon us near our simple and spartan home in the Spine; a distance from Bryn Shander, trade center of the Ten-Towns. Father had just returned from raiding their cave; a whisper and shadow in the treeline as he made off with their loot for which he had meant for the poor denziens of Bryn Shander....meant to ease the pain of a harsh and long winter....

He fought them as though possessed by the Lady of the Forrest herself as they pushed us back to our hut....but in the end twas not enough....he slew two of the beasts as another handfull appeared behind us seeking that which was taken from them. We fought back to back for a time but they overwhelmed and I fell unconscious...

When I awoke, the Giants had taken their leave and he was laying over three of their corpes; drenched in his own and their blood; a viscious wound open upon his chest; seizing and throbbing with a poison that twas black as night...

I carried him to our hut and dressed his wounds as he had taught me all of my short life......but he was in the fever dream....in and out and incoherent much of the time.

I spent much of this time tending to him and praying at our small shrine to the Lady....but to little avail......Life begins and life ends....one must happen for new life to begin.....

A strong man in life and in death.......he held on his struggle against that for which I could not heal nor cure for a 10 day as he slipped from this world.....

I set his corpse upon of a pyre of hide, oil, and shrubary....and lit it aflame as the sun set and I meditated and prayed to Her to guide his soul to Her realm for he has spent his life in Her service....

He had no last words to me....but his fever dream suspended for a mere moment as he lifted his hand to my face with the last of his strength and smiled at me as he realized I was alive and unharmed....the tears running down my face at his touch....

He had taught me all I needed to know and probably not much more....though I will never know.....he was not one to mince words and he spoke as plainly as his life allowed him to....he would've had he felt the need.....

His hand fell from my face as he seemed to see something far off across the room.....something I could not see.......and he smiled......then his eyes closed forever......

Nothing remains for me in this place.....father dead....mother I never knew....and the Wilds the only home I ever knew happily....the inhabitants of the Ten-Towns more a nuissance and sometimes trading partner than a place to warm ones feet.......I shall wonder for a time and see where the trails of the Wilds take me......

Jaelin rises from his seat, closing his journal as the Sun slips beneath the Spine....the Pyre burns to a roaring creshendo as he turns his back and returns to he and his fathers hut....tears streaming down his pale white skin....

He packs his few meager belongings into his father's pack; taking with him his weapons....two wellworn and rough hewed scimitars.....and drops the pack near the Pyre....

He meditates on the life of his father, their time together and all that he taught him till the sun rises on a clear and cold morning.....

As he opens his eyes the Pyre has burned itself out...nothing but ashes remains. He gathers all the ashes and sprinkles them about the hut and side buildings as he places his pack upon his shoulder and wraps his cloak around himself.

He plants a handful of Oak tree seeds about the hut and pulls a torch from his pack; sparking it to life with flint and steel. He tosses the torch into the hut and the fire catches all that will burn; the ashes of his father and seeds mixing, feeding, and combining.......

New Life can only arise from the old....Her will be done.....

He mutters this as the flames consume all he knew of home and germinates that which he planted to begin something new....

He hefts his pack on his shoulder and he heads south........ dissappearing into the Wilds.....the cold wind of of The Spine blowing throw him uncaring and unfeeling at his pain........

[SafetyGuy1979]

Jaelin sits in the Grove; his back leaning against a tree as the sky clears and the rain showers depart; his journal open in his lap.

Of all the places ta awake; the Goblin caves in the Hills......I went thar this past day to do some explorin'. I was just tryin' ta find ma way around when I came upon that camp and the trader's said they takes ears o' the goblins for bounty. I 'ave seen too many of the little son sa you know whats lately and decide to go cull some of the buggers...it would 'ave seemed to work out for all involved....

I made me way thar good enough; and the little buggers are tough till I got inside and the little buggers cornered me and arrows started flyin' from every which way....I did the best I could...but these ones ain't the push over ones I was used ta back home..they seem hardier.....ta be diplomatical about it for the sake of me own ego....

No sooner had I cut one of the little blighter's down than one tackled me behind a pile of boxes in a side room and we had at it for a while and I got 'em eventually....he got me pretty good though and I fell on ta the floor unconscious....blacked out dead as night.....

When I awoke....I could tell a good amount of time had passed and I felt better after I drank a potion or two...they didna see me....me father taught me ta blend in too ma surrounding conscious or not. He used ta take naps and I would never find 'im; specially when I needed help with chores...

I made me way out a bite and made a bee line for tha enterance and came across a Dwarf wrackin' some skulls as I came around the corner. He killed 'em like he'd been doin' it all his life and I joined him in it. When they lay at our feet we introduced ourselves and he said he help me out and could use the company....he told me ta call him Red. I gave him a hit of ma flask and he seemed agreeable enough after that.

He helped kill the undead near tha door; the reason I had come down to this god forsaken place ta begin with and I helped him kill the goblin chief...the reason he was in the caves.

We made a pretty good team; crackin' jokes as we cracked thar skulls. He was the first one I meant who didn't seem ta have his head up his arse.

To be blunt, he said ma life and I owe him a debt of honor, whether he likes it or not. He even showed me to the Grove and the Ranger Fort; because I told him I saught more of ma own kind. I seek the solace the Grove ta meditate and clear ma mind. Red also said tis a good place fer treehuggers ta get work and decent gear; of which I needed both....

He is a good one for Dwarf; honorable and plain spoken with a penchant fer drinkin' and keepin' tha mood light; just my kind. I was glad to have meant him.

We parted ways at the grove; he had other business ta do. He told me he was a member of the Skull Cleavers...I told 'im if they all fight like him I'd like ta stay on thar good side; partly in jest.

Thar seems ta be many factions 'round 'ere and I been lookin fer work...they all seem to be wantin' recruits. I will survie the Keeper of the Grove for the time bein'; after I get some help with finding that infernal statue; the village is too well guarded for me ta do it on ma own. I scouted it earlier and nearly didn't survive; the chief the only one who spoted me as I snooped out the area. I been thinkin' o' them and the Red Blades; they seem a good lot bein' frontier boys and all...but I will be cautious...I am still new 'ere and don't know where things stand and all that mess. I don't want ta git inta somethin' I canna git out of....

All and all this place on the other side o' the Spine is alright.....there be much goin on and the Keeper at the Grove said they bein' under attack lately and thar be forts and guards everywhere like thar waitin' fer sumethin'. I think I shall stay 'ere for a time and help out, drink, and try ta do some good for these people; for they seem kindly enough and it's better than the frozen North.

With me father gone; I am left to find ma own way and ma path has led me 'ere and I believe it be for a reason; so here I shall stay and tend to the land as the Lady would have me.

I didna have alot o' friends back in Icewind Dale; it was always just me and father and we didn't go ta town that often. But, the cities here aren't all that bad and they be clean, well protected and the lot of the rest of it...but I still prefer the Wilds to them; though I don't have any problems with the city nor those who dwell within..

The Land 'ere is truly beautiful, surrounded by the High Mts. on all sides and the nice and cool fertile valley's beneath. It rains alot; but tis better than snow and ice like back home; I like that to, but this is a nice change 'o pace. The valley is well fortified from attacks and the builders seem ta realize their advantage in the defense o' the place because forts and guards are everywhere; not a bad thing ta keep the people safe so they can love and prosper surround by such natural beauty.

I will stay in this place me thinks, it just feels right and I 'ere rumors of the Black Hand of Bane bein around up to thar crap and such. I feel more and more I came outta tha Spine and found me way 'ere by ship for a reason. This land is beautiful and the people seem goodly and hard workin'.....I will not allow them to come ta harm....that with which ma father taught me will allow me ta do no less......I must gather a party to go get that infernal statue as soon as I am able; I canna do it on me own. I think I will ask Art and some of those I meant at the Triumverate Barracks if they be around; they seem like the do gooder type; kinda like me...maybe they will help...the statue of Talona must be recovered and given to tha Keeper; gods knows what the vermin will do with it otherwise....

But, now I'm tired and need a drink and some company....next I shall write of the rest o' ma day and how I meant Artimis...quite the amusing story that be...amoung tha other things that I have seen and such...

Jaelin closes his journal and makes his way to the Four Laterns Inn and order an ale.....and walks up to a commonor girls with auburn hair...

How ya doin darlin? Would ya like a drink? I could use tha company...

*smiles*

The girl smiles and they go to a table and talk the night away; sometime around midnight they part ways and Jaelin goes up stairs and collaspes onto a rented bed for the night.....

As he falls fast asleep he begins to snor quite loudly and his neighbor beats on the wall.....but he doesn't notice as he slumbers........

[SafetyGuy1979]

Jaelin sits in the Four Laterns Inn; in a room upstairs...his journal in his lap and his flask in his hand. He takes for quick sallows; nearly choking on the vile liquid as he begins to write...

Acckkk...that'll dull tha pain...uhhh...

Damn gobbies almost got me again, but I got tha damn statue of Talona fer the Keeper...but I git ahead of meself...

This land is ne'er a borin' place...I wondered to the Red Blade Post and came upon a most unusal sight. A group of adventuerers talkin to a small creature with leathery wings spittin' out riddles like we breathe.....saying these monster's needed killin' and promisin' rewards and such...

I find maself walkin more and more inta these situations...and most o' the time those I know are around....so I have ta help. I've had my arse saved by Nott and Cybil more than I 'ave fingers an' toes now.....

Ta be short about it, cause me head hurts, he gave us riddles and we went to a place ta meet 'em where we though it was and had ta fight monsters and elementals. Never had I seen such beasts, a devil, elementals and two giant stinky brutes at the end; ma weapons didn't cause a scratch ta those. Somewhat frustrating at times that be....guess I need ta save me gold and get some better ones....

We didn't trust the riddle spewin' little bugger at first, but it turns out he was a construct o' Mystra and he ran us along the way to kill these creatures who'd been summoned by a wizard who canna control the Weave...I'd like ta find 'im and kick him in the nether regions....

But, all ended well and we did some good.....I don't worship Mystra but she be a good one and I didn't mind at all.

On the bright side, the little construct gave me a new hat made outta panther hide. I like it alot; it suits me...so I've been told. Now I really look like I fell outta the Trees and I don't care in the least. Thar be worse places ta fall outta.....

*sips his flask*

I ran inta Cybil, Nott, and few others I just meant and we stormed the MuckspearVillage.

I finally got my hands on that damn artifact; twas a dagger and nasty lookin. It smelled evil fer gods sakes.....

I didna like how we had ta get it.....we slaughtered the whole of the village.......scores and scores of them....it blothered me a little..well alot ta be honest.....but me thinks it was necessary because of the power of the dagger..I guess sometimes such things have ta be done. Some times if they don't bother me I don't bother them.....but they work with them damn Orcs and Gnolls who spoil the forrest....twas necessar...but I don't havta like it....

Ta get used ta such things is no good fer one's soul I believe....but we do as we must. Besides, it's not like they wanted ta negotiate and didn't even try ta give us quarter.....so they got none in return....

I wish the chief had kept it in his chest near his tent; I just woulda snuck in and took it out from under his nose right as rain....but what's done is done.....and the Land will be better fer it...

Before we had set out; I talked ta Cybil for a bit and she seems ta be warmin' up ta me. I ain't never made friends easy and I made 'er blush and she seemed ta not mind me standin' 'round shootin' the you know what with her. She seems a good one; I'm glad I meant 'er. She ain't bad lookin' either; but ma way with women is like ma way with Infernals....severely lacking the necessary weapons ta kill it and the skill...and that's sounds stupid..now ya know what I mean...if anyone else ever reads this damn thing....

Nott seems alright to; quick ta help and all that; he's a brave one. And, our party had a bunch o' treehuggers in it like maself. That's a good thing; I hope ta get ta know more of those of like mind like maself; though any company is good company. We had so many pets runnin' around it was like the zoo broke...twas funny ta see.

Fiona is ma girl though; she saved me life when I left home a while back and hasn't left ma side since. She's a true friend. I've had people give me some crap about having her in the trading camps out in tha wilderness.

Bah, they can kiss my arse. I know they don't want a large animal in tha city, no matter how welll trained, blah blah blah. I ain't tryin' ta make no waves and rules is rules; I guess I can at least respect their point o' view; though I don't agree with it. I'd crap ma pants if I was in a 'civilized' area an saw a giant panther walkin' 'round. Now ye wonder why I prefer the Wilds; bunch o' idjits.

The only thing that urked me was this came from a Thayan I seen 'round before and I wanted to say if they allowed slaves in the city or stupidity in yer mind, but she woulda kicked me across the Spine.

I got a tongue on me, but I ain't stupid and I got her point...bah...

My head hurts and I need ta refill ma flask 'cause I can still feel it...damn gobbies....

--Jaelin Strider

[SafetyGuy1979]

Jaelin sits in the Ranger outpost beneath a slanted roof as the rain begins to turn into a heavy downpour. Finding a brief respite from the rain to dry out; he opens his journal and begins to write....

This infernal rain never seems ta stop; I canna travel anywhere wit out it startin' ta rain.....I added some coatin', a type of sinew, to the the outside of ma armor and cloak....it helps keep it off of me mer than it did at least. I think I'm actually beginin' ta miss the snow; this pretty much constant rain will drive me mad.....

On the lighter side of it all....I wondered inta Sundren the other day and had ma ear talked off by some recruiter fer the city Watch. He yammered on and on and I just finally asked him fer direction ta the damn headquarters to go speak with the Master Watchman. I don't think he woulda left me alone otherwise.

I've journied from one end o' this land ta the other; takin a look and seein' how people act. I seen most of it and the rest I couldn't handle on me own.

I been trainin' more and more recently ta not be so useless. I awoke in the Temple of the Triumverate twice in tha last 10 day....thank the gods and to those that carried me there. I need ta be more careful and travel more with others; safety in numbers there be. Couldn't hurt ta meet more people anyway; though I've made a few friends since I got 'ere.

I think I've decided ta serve the Watch fer a time and see where it takes me....ma skills are useful in the City or outside o' it anyway. And, I think the people of the land are as good as any I've ever meant. The recruiter fella seemed a little overexcited; guess they need the help. I think I don't mind givin 'em a hand; I aint the Holy Roller type anyway. Not that the people o Helm and the rest are bad; they just git on me nerves sometimes; black and white, good and evil, etc. Every tiefling's a servant o' evil, blah blah blah.

I want ta do some good while I'm 'ere and this seems ta be me first opportunity ta make a real difference. This way I serve the people who tha Watch is to protect.

The first thing they had me do was clear the sewer o' these giant bats and some lizard men. ta see if I was worth a crap...

The bats were the easy part; the lizard men I picked off a few at a time; duckin' in and out o' the shadows and usin' trickery. They be stupid and easy ta manipulate; but they also be numerous. As I lay against the wall outside o' thar lair reeking of crap an' worse I meant Joshia; a human man who fights wit his fists.

We rushed the lair tagether and he got knocked out; but woke up. Reconsiderin' our stratgy, I'm a ranger not Lord o' the Legion, we cleared the sonsa you know whats out pretty good.

Joshia is good one, I hope ta travel with him again soon. He has a light hearted way about him that's not so serious all tha time. And, the way he fights with his hand is sumthin' ta see. It's all a blur when he strikes an' kicks an such..

I went back to tha HQ to see tha Master Watchman with a bag full o' scale and claws as proof of ma deed and he thanked me proper fer it and rambled on next about how I need ta go BACK inta the sewer and slay a chief who had shown up because Joshia and I had taken it ta the bastards....

He seemed ta be watchin' fer me reaction and I think the whole sewer thing be a test ta see if I can do such things....how many would trapse througha sewer stinkin' o' crap and worse? Not many I think of how the recruiter acts......oh well...I could care less...

I told 'em I'd take care o' the chief to and he started barkin' orders at me like a....surperior...that be a strange sensation....

I been me own man me whole life and even Father never said nuthin'. I just always seemed ta know what he wanted. But, this is what I signed up for and what the 'ell....what could it hurt....everyone's got ta do something besides sit around and drink ale all day.

So, I told him I do it. They didn't swear me in or nuthin; maybe there waitin' ta see if I git this done to...I will have ta see if I can find some more help for this part....stupid scouts are one thing; a full blooded chief is another....

As I left the buildin', I realized I had barked, "Yes, Sir!" at the man upon leavin'.....

I guess it don't take long ta have the stuff beatin' inta yer head when ye git involved.....oh well...I can deal with that...a little yes sir and no sir won't hurt me...long as I git the job done who cares....the cause of good has ta be served.....I don't think I really care how......

And, I will git that chief....that ye can be sure of.....

--Jaelin Strider