Growing Pains -- a mothers trials (Cybil Gelley)

[Fezzik]

cracking a difficult egg

Our trip into the Mossdale graveyard was not successful. Whatever is leading the Orcs and the undead has yet to be dealt with. Our expedition was called back after a corpse nearly struck me down.

Alyrian's passion about the cube is still there. The only way to get him into the Mossdale with us was to allude that it was there. Everytime I try to help him it seems to fall apart. I take two steps along healing him, and he pushes one back. I got him to talk about his youth, his father, and the events that drove him to the valley. He remembers some things, and his memory needs to be jogged more as we go along this process. I think that is the way that I can reach him. He has lost his focus on what is good, and is only focused on his addiction.

[Fezzik]

"I still don't know exactly what happened" Cybil speaks softly to her little cell mate. "Lauan for one thing brought us here mocking the laws she was upholding - the warrant was for the legion, and as far as I know, the legion has no jurisdiction here. Yes, I know, there isn't any point in beating a dead horse, she has shown her real colours and doesn't really care what happens to people. I've tried to support her when others are not around and she continues to slap me in the face when she talks to me." A small sigh escapes her lips, as her little friend moves to nibble some fallen bread crumbs.

"And now they've taken away my communion with the Crying God, so they can conduct experiments on me. And they won't let me sleep," she looks up at the Knight, whose eyebrow is raised while she whispers at her little friend. Abruptly she snaps her head back down. "Why am I talking to you?" She continues to whisper with a smile, "because you seem to be the only sane one in this place at the moment that I can talk to. Besides that, talking to a rat will probably make them think that I'm actually loosing my mind. I thank the gods that Ru'umel has been teaching me elven meditation, that has helped a little."

[Fezzik]

Proactive

Finally we have information that we can put to good use. One by one they will be known. There time in infiltrating our ranks has come to an end. As much as they want to know what is going on, they will no longer be able to use us as they have in the past. The age of Tyranny is coming to an end.

[Fezzik]

Two are known... more will follow. We will collect names, then begin to see who will and won't turn away from their hopeless cause. Evidence will be collected, justice will be done.

On another note, the 'cleavers and myself entered into the Forge of the Bloodmaim tribe, then into a small cave. The cave itself, as one of them said, was not wholly natural. But what was inside guarding it was worse. Four or five undead skeletal orcs is what we found, along with two living orcs. One obviously had made a deal with a devil or demon fiend of some sort, much like Alyrian... It turned into a fiend in the middle of the fight at continued it's attack. Gloirin and I were nearly at our own end by the time the orcs and the Undead had finally been dealt with. We did not venture further in.

[Fezzik]

symbols

Cybil slid off her dress, sliding her arms out of the top, leaving her toso bare, she crossed her arms over her chest while the ointment was applied.

The Broken One gave a gasp when she turned back.

Cybil wasn't sure what to think, so she looked at the face of her Sister. "What is it Sister? What's the matter? You look... like you've never seen an injury like this before."

"Pardon me Sister Cybil, it's.... just that ... the scars, the lash marks you had before, and these new ones." The priestess shook her head and grabed a large mirror from the corner and held it up at an angle where Cybil could see her own back.

Her eyebrows raised, and a slow incredulous smile crept across her face. "It would seem that my encounters with the Black Hand has been marked upon my skin." She examined the rough, texture of her skin, and the intertwined lash marks from her torture in the Abaddon. They formed something one wouldn't expect... a closed fist. "This is something I will just have to carry with me. Marked I may be, but that won't stop me from fighting them until the end comes. Please Sister, continue." Cybil smiled warmly to Broken One, her eyes full of light and conviction. Her spine still wasn't quite in proper alignment, and her back was still sore, the muscles had not yet healed fully. The Broken God had allowed her to endure this, and she would continue to serve his will. No banite trickery would stop her if she could help it.

[Fezzik]

Falling souls

Two... two of them are in need of help. Herger's pain weighs him down and keeps him from thinking with clarity. What the Thayans did to him binds him down and he looks for the quickest way to regain justice for himself through others. He accused someone of a crime they did not likely commit. Who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He has decided to seek the man out though and appologize. I will help him with his pain as best as I can, and help him see the things that I've seen as well. Perhaps going through the trials himself would be helpful.

Krinda, I worry most about her. As I see her I will continue to try to bring her back to the fold. Her ideas... concern me deeply. One cannot aspire to divinity in such a manner. How can one consider becoming one like that to talk to the overgod, to remove all the gods, and start over? If I cannot deal with this problem in a reasonable length of time, I will seek help of others. But I believe that I will be able to reach her before that is necessary.

[Fezzik]

Josophine seems like the typical, arrogant Thayan. Cirion considers her a friend, and she seems to be interested in curing him, but who knows for sure. Thayans in the past in this Valley have aspired to nothing but aquireing power. I asked her if she`d ever freed a slave when she got uppity... she deflected the question in grand Thayan style again. She maybe different than others of her Ilk, but complicity and turning a blind eye to their wrongs is not a good way to win friends and influence people.

Another Banite Black Hand is dead. Kraen... he wanted to die, unfortunately for us, a jail guard accidently gave him what he wanted. I gave his symbol to Casper and he is dealing with it.

My search for information regarding the orphanged, on a happier note, is progressing.

[Fezzik]

Cybil sat in the glade, meditating, just like she learned from Ru'umel. She was uneasy, even though her body was still, her mind was not. She had to assume that he was ok. She shifted slightly, remembering the letter that came just a week ago.

Dearest Niece Cybil,

We have not met yet, but I'm sure that Ru'umel has told you somethings about his kin. I am his uncle Fae'joun, his fathers brother. I regret to inform you that Ru'umel is missing. The last time he was seen was with a group of rangers hunting an unknown foe within the forest. The bulk of the party was found dead, maimed and nearly unrecognizable. Neither Ru'umel, nor his equipment was seen in the carnage, nor were any tracks found to give us an idea of what might have taken him, or where he was taken. We are still looking, and we have found no divination that will find him, something is scattering the magic. At this point all his kin are still looking for him, carefully, but we felt a need to let you know. You may worry, but you know his skills. Keep faith, for we know you are strong in yours as Ru'umel talks. He will find a way back to us.

Your dearest Uncle,
Fae'joun.

She had held the letter a few moments, re-reading it carefully to make sure that she had read the words right. She didn't realize just how much she missed him, how much she really needed him to be by her side. A heavy weight fell on her shoulders, worse than the two great stones she carried around for a time.

She gave another sigh. The quiet of the glade gave her no solace right now.

[Fezzik]

It's been far to long since I wrote anything. I don't know if he's lost or not. I have to keep his memory alive, and continue my life as he would have wanted me to with or without him.

Three things I have to do. Boost the moral of the people of Sestra. If they loose hope, then others will swoop in and take them along a path that they cannot afford. They've lost their homes, nearly their hope - they can't afford to loose their morals or start to think about seditious activities. We need to get the crystals, so that we can find a cure for the problems they exhibit to those around them; the lizards may be able to use the crystals for trade if the affectations of evil are capable of being removed -- near free supplies of heat.

The orphanage plans have stalled. There are many places that we could place one, but the bureaucrats are dragging their heals with all the other problems that they and the legion have been having.

My paths are set, and I will follow.

[Fezzik]

I need to talk to Sister Linn. In some ways it feels like I've complete my last trial, but, honestly, I don't really know. I know it is supposed to be something I will know when it occurs, or so she said.

On other fronts, I continue to see the Refugees of Sestra, trying to keep the spirits of the people up. It is important to remind them that their former benefactors have done nothing noticeable to aid their struggle; if it was the Veritas, they have neglected their flock. It's time that the people of Sestra realize that there are others more willing to help them directly, instead of using them as tools subvert the government and other people in the valley.

Although their relationship has suffered a major blow, Cirion and Peridan seem to be cured. I have one more vial of the Water of Life. It is best if I give it to the Triumvirate for safe keeping.

[Fezzik]

And so it continues. The caves crystals, more than a few, have been cleansed, now we wait and see. I continue to council the refugees. Whoever their former benefactor was has not helped - even though we have some idea who it was. I remind them of this. It wasn't they who sent in men to die for the distraction that was needed to cleanse the taint. The Veritas, if that was who was responsible for the seditious attitudes fostered in Sestra. Effectively, it was the Arbiters Alliance that helped in the initial steps in Sestra. Only time would tell, the next couple of days, if the shackles of the crystals influence could be shook off by the Lizard Tribe that was once reasonably peaceful.

[Fezzik]

Disjointed Wall to Firm Foundations

There has been no news of the crystals or the effects on the lizard folk in the caves. I still find it abhorrent that their so called brothers are using them as slaves for their own purposes.

My fingers and hands have been tingling lately. The feeling is getting stronger, it started soon after the incident with the Veritas. I've noticed my body can't sustain as much as it used to. Physically I am still strong, but the vitality in my veins is dwindling, it has been since I got to the valley. Osclow was a bit concerned when I told him of this; he assumed I was leading to telling him that I would be leaving the valley. I reminded him that I still have a child that needs either to be cured, or put to final rest. Regardless, I believe that I will have to concentrate on keeping those that seek my care safe. The tingling feeling is strongest when I either need to strike at something, or need to heal someone.

My next step is to talk to Brother Melchior about this. When I grip a normal weapon, the feeling goes away, and it feels... odd, unnatural for me to do so.

[Fezzik]

So it is. The Star of Ilmater has been lost. Perhaps it was just coincidence, or perhaps it is just one more sign.

I tried to treat with the Slitherscales in the sewers. To find an emissary to tell them how to heal the wounds caused by the crystals affecting their remaining brothers. My attempt, although not successful, I think proved fruitful. They did not seem to see me as a threat at the end, although they were wary. I need to find someone that can understand them, perhaps I can find Peridan somewhere and talk to him to see if he will help.

The Creator is dead, the Yuan-ti scattered and bereft of allies now. The Naga and some of the Slitherscales fled their ranks and joined against them. As I write this Sestra is in the process of being retaken. Hopefully the medallions Yashia and Cirion are having crafted will heal the ills of the ex-corsairs. They will be given out in a ceremony unveiling the Memorial plaque to those who fell in , or as a result of, the fall of Sestra. They all need to heal and move forward, and I will help in any way I can.

During the assault, the Star fell from my hand after my arm was hit, yet I did not feel it's loss as some might. The strength in my hands increased it seemed and I continued fighting. Perhaps with not as much damage, but more finesse. I must talk to Brother Melchior again.

[Fezzik]

"Lady Cybil, I'm sorry to bring you here so early in the morning, but we must know a few things, if you have time." The old Abbot of Helm smiled warmly, but with a look of concern on his face. "I'm sure you know Tayein, correct?" Cybil nodded, looking about, wondering if she was actually here; she hadn't seen the girl in some time. A small sigh came from the Abbot as he stepped aside, revealing the body of a woman, only recognizable as such by the slightly smaller build and some bone structures. "These remains were found near the Schild mountains, along with these." He moved aside a small cloth. Beneath which were a broken bastard sword, and a shield, broken and battered.

Cybil took some time, not saying a word, she slowly nodded her head in understanding, slowly and sadly she spoke, "I enchanted that sword, and that shield, named in honour of her mother and father," she traced her fingers over the etchings of the names in the metal of both. "The favoured of Helm is now in his care then." Cybil looked back at the skeletal remains, sighing quietly, compassion on her face, and with a heavy heart.

"We thought as much, but we were not sure. Obviously she died in the Vigilant ones name, trying to weed out those that seek to disrupt the Order of things. Thank you Lady Cybil, we can now put her to rest then." The old man turned and went about his business, and a small tear rolled down Cybill's cheek as she walked out of the Temple of Helm, back to the people of Sestra, who were rebuilding their lives.

[Fezzik]

* Cybil sighs as she sits down to look at her journal *

It's been a long time it seems. So many things have happened. The people of Sestra have started returning to their homes; those that can be restored, have been, those that need rebuilding, are in the process of it. I've spent a large sum on supplies for the people to rebuild, and I will continue to make efforts to help them rebuild. We need a smithy, a woodworker, and various other craftsmen and artisans.

The Corsair leadership has asked me, and Cirion, to help them in their rebuilding, training and to act as advisers. We have started to do that, and we have asked the Skullcleavers, old allies of the people of Sestra, to renew their relationship with the people and to help keep peace in the town.

They have put up a statue and shrine to Ilmater. The statue looks nothing like me, but I still get the question.

The orphanage is nearly ready to open. The current resident is leaving Sundren, along with his... questionable art. I haven't been inside yet, but I'm told that it is spacious, and the basement quite substantial. There is a nice view of the open air theater as well, from the roof. They have decided to call it the Gelly Home for Children though, not something I really wanted, but something I will have to accept. My collegues from the other Temples have decided on it, and I couldn't not disuade them from it. I put down 300 000 staggs for the building, beds and other materials needed, as well, they will put aside some of that for future scholarships for those that will seek to learn more at the university or need help acquiring crafting or artisan tools.