Cautions

Recently I've met up with my sister Athena again. She seems a lot more playful and gentle since hooking up with Dar, a guy from back in Kielder. We didnt talk about Kielder's fall much but I could tell it bothered her too. Anyhow Marquie soon appeared and I took the three of us to see Amara and found Alais already there. Amara had us hold her hatchlings while she announced their names in some kind of draconic ritual and it was kinf of neat to be a part of that.

The next day I talked to Jelia in an effort to find out what Navere was going to do about the house I investigated in Ched Nasad but she didnt know anything. Instead I ended up telling her about what happened to Diedre while she'd been gone and she actually seemed to feel kind of guilty for it. Maybe she is still Juliette in a way.

That night R drank from me more than I ever remember her taking before, and she mentioned something about breaking an enchantment on Wraith as well. I figured she'd been doing something nice but I wasnt about to ask.

Then today while I was in the hall Wraith came back and said that R had broken the enchantment that allowed the other Wraith to see. I can kinda see why she'd do that though cuz Wraith and her stupid goddess want to kill R. Wraith told me not to stand in Layalees' way and I told her I'd stand by my friend, but after that things calmed down and she just told me to be careful with R. I guess I should talk to her.

Today I hung out with Ali and Marquie. Ali was in the woods with some guy and we didnt want to interfere, but when I sensed she was uncomfortable I went in to say hi and he scurried off shortly after. I'll have to keep an eye on him, hmmm....

Anyhow I'd talked to Rena recently and she said that the evil mage she killed to get her present home had a hideout in the village. I decided to take Ali and Marquie there for a raid so Mar could experience a successful attack on a dungeon. We cleared the wards and almost choked on a stinking cloud I accidentally triggered after putting up a prismatic wall to defend us from arrows or anything. The wards triggered the cloud instead of any attack which is pretty smmart I guess since they're hard to block without full antimagic.

After that wefought a stone golem that nearly shoved Ali down a bottomless pit and then we penetrated deeper to a store room where we rescued some prisoners who had been polymorphed. After all that Marquie was really tired and went off to take a nap while me and Ali talked some more.

Ali revealed some more about herself, namelty about her time in Ched Nasad. I wish I could find the ones who harmed her so much and make them pay, and once I have a network onf contacts in the city I'm sure I will. Ali also said Amara's worried over me teaching her magic. I hope she's not too worried, I don't need her chasing after me too

What really amazed me, aside from my new addiction to cuddling up with Ali or R when I sleep (which we decided to do soon) was that Ali told me about how Valkryn had taught her to shrug off what the monsters of Ched Nassd forced her to be, and htat he was like a father to her. Maybe I'm not wrong in believing that deep down he's an ok guy.

Anyhow after all that talking we were really sleepy and we curled up in bed together. All in all its been quiet lately (except for the aforementioned raid) but very nice.

another happy customer

Ali and I studied a bit more today and she stayed up all night to take down notes on what Bardic spells had arcane equivalents so we'd know how much we had to do. We also agreed to have a casting contest. I havnt had one of those since mom died...

After Ali left I went and hung out with R and Amanda. Amanda's been kind of shook up which is understandable considering she almost died and R and I both tried to help her out.

I got into it with R though because of how strong our bond is getting and how much of a threat its becoming to my vows to Mystra. I'm scared of losing control and falling in love with her, and every day seems to bring me closer. But the odd thing is that a selfish silly part of me actually wants it.

After R and Amanda headed to bed I messed around with the fountain at her church that makes the water I'm always drinking and then headed off to Navere. I'd been meaning to tell Gia about what I did for a while and now I finally had the chance.

Though I normally wear simple clean clothes to Navere this time I wasn't afraid of being captured or shot at so I kept my robes and stuff on and rode up to the gatres on my stolen lizard. Gia and Valkryn were both around and they didnt seem to surprised at my presence, I guess they're getting used to me.

I told them about the adventure in the underdark and Gia was really pleased with me. It felt good to have finally vindicated myself before her, but in addition to that she said Alais could come back to Navere so I was really happy. Valkryn and I argued a bit about Siona, but I don't think he understands just how it is with me and her and Marquie. After that I headed back out to find Ali and tell her.

Fribble

I told Alais about my adventure in the underdark today and she got really mad. I think she's jealous that she dosnt get to get into trouble down there anymore, though I'm sure shes more concerned for me then anything. She poked me with a pen and got ink all over me and made me promise to tell her next time I di something like that.

Anyhow after that I started showing her how to cast a few spells. She's a very quick learner since she's a bard and the spells for that are much like arcane spells. She seemed frustrated that she didnt get it faster and I hated to see her saddened by my teachings. I took her along to see R but she had to go after a bit.

I found R in the back room of her church pretty hurt but she had her wings back and looked more like her demonic self again. I helped her up and out to check on aMANDA AND SHE WAS doing much better. R needed to feed and Amanda said she'd like to watch so she's the first person to see anyone drinking from me willingly.

Once again R managed to push her will into my own mind, making me enjoy the pleasure of her kiss despite my reservations. I'm starting to not mind it so much. It wasn't long after that that R and Amanda headed for bed and I went to go see Marquie and Rosa.

Rosa kept poking at me and telling me to be good and stay out of a draconiuc war thats brewing though I dont intend to do so. Eventually I promised to behave so she'd take Mar and me to meet more dragons. On teh way we saw a bunch of red dragons and I snatched Rosa's tail in my mouth with Marquie snatching mine while Rosa led us into the clouds to hide. That's how dragons keep together while in teh clouds, neat idea actually.

We got to the den but the evi ldragons were already approaching. I wanted to fight but Rosa wouldnt let me and her and her mate and all the elder dragons soared off to fight while a younger gree n stayed to keep me and Marquie out of it. Naturally I was mad so I used a few spells to participate in the battle from afar.


When Rosa came back she was wounded and her mate told us she's pregnant and won't be fight9ing anymore. I guess if she'll be staying I wont feel so bad about being kept out of the battles. We talked and played the rest of the night while Rosa healed and then Marquie and I returned to my own den to sleep.

A great gift and a great trial

I saw Siona today while I was talking to Alais. She just appeared behind me. I turned and summoned my staff and she did the same. She said the only reason she hadnt tried to kill me yet was because of Mar and she even called Alais a rothe.

She'd been insulting me ever since we started trying to talk but when she acted as though Ali was no better than a slave I'd had enough. I told her I'd talk to her elsewhere and shifted to my dragon form, starting for a plain off in the distance.

Normally around Siona fighting would be the last thing on my mind, especially with Marquie now involved again. But this time i wasn't so sure. We landed and I told Siona I wanted to talk about Marquie.

Throughout the whole conversation she just kept accusing me of wanting to steal Marquie or tell her how to raise her. I tried to make her understand that I was asking for her help but she just wasn't listening. She insulted Alais a second time but backed down and I was just about to yell at her when Marquie arrived.

I feel horrible that the two people she cares about most in the world have to be fighting, and I'm trying to hide that from her, so I calmed down really fast. I remembered the family portrait Marquie and I had made and Marquie had it with her so we gave it to Siona.

Siona seemed to forget all about being nasty and she even laughed after she drew a weird look on Valkryn's face and put a fire ball spell on my butt. Siona eventuall left and I spent the rest of the night hanging out with Marquie and having fun. tHERE WAS A SMALL INTERUPTION WEHN SOME ORCS MANAGED TO GET INTO THE FOREST but they were all killed by my rangers.

I did hear that Amanda, an immigrant from Kielder, got caught in the middle of it b ut R of all people saved her. She's kind of a hero now I guess and she looked after Amanda's wounds really well. She's changed so much and I'm so glad to have helped her.

After I went to bed that night I decided it'd be fun to go off and investigate to try and find out who poisoned Gia. Oh man was I ever wrong! I created a really good disguise and went around asking questions. The last thing I remember was a dart pricking my back and then I woke up in a dungeon.

The yahd left me my clothes so that made it easy. I could have picked the locks but I let them interrogate me a bit first to try to gather information. In this respect they were a bit smarter and I couldnt figure anything out. Finally I got bored and used dragon gaze on one of my interrogators. She tossed me the keys and put up a globe of darkness. I let her do most of the work on the other three and when the globe fell I knocked out the remaining drow and enchanted some crossbow bolts I found.

I used the silenced bolts to get passed a few guards and a spider after tossing a sleeping potion on them. It worked out pretty well and soon I'd reached the main audience chamber. The layout of a drow house usually goes in a spider web pattern with the most secure parts, dungeon, temple and noble residence, in the center, and the audience chamber near the exit.

I knew I was about to get out but before I could I saw the Matron's throne. Unlike thrones on the surface it's a good many feet above the rest of the hall, like it's raised on stilts. All drow nobles can levitate and that's how the Matron gets to her seat. I had to jump. Why? Because it looked like a really comfy chair and no one else was around.

Unfortunately the Matron was approaching and saw me and got, well, kinda mad. I had to run for my life and barely had time to snatch up a lizard mount and get over the walls before half the house was after me. Luckily I lost them amid the caverns after breaking through the city gates and then managed to get back to my hideout in Navere on a round about course so they couldnt track me.

darconomicon

Yesterday I trained marquie a bit with the bow and sword but where she really needs help is in her draconic powers and control of them. I realized that it was likely that no one had told her about how dragons need to sleep on treasure to find rest. I thought that might have been the reason she was unstable in her draconic form and had problems controling it. We went to bed last night laying on my own horde and I managed to share with her since she is kind of my adopted hatchling so my red side didnt mind it too much.

I woke up a while before her, I guess she stayed asleep longer cuz she needed the rest. I headed down to the castle and found two ladies hanging around I've never met before. They were part of the Evans family from Kielder and they both seemed really nice. One of them had even heard tales of me.

R showed up though and she wanted to drink from one of them, the girl named Amanda. I tried to stop her since she'd promised not to take the blood of those who weren't willing. She said Amanda seemed tok and then I have to admit I got a little bit clingy because I was kind of enjoying being the only one R fed from and the only one who was close to her like that, but I understand that she needs a little variety when she eats.

I tried to explain it to Amanda and I think she understood, she seems really nice and I'm sure we'll be friends. If I had to share R with anyone I'm glad it'd be her. R and her wandered off and then Alais and Marquie both showed up. I was so glad to be able to let them meet. Alais was cranky though because Thaydin got into a big fight and is really badly hurt now. Ali can't heal him so I'm guessing I wouldn't be able to either, though I did offer to try.

Ali was sick from her pregnancy too andjust seemed really cranky though me and Marquie eventually got her feelignb better. After a while Rosa appeared and Marquie nadh er hit it off right away. They went into the kitchen to talk about Marquie's past and I stayed with Ali til she fell asleep and I put her to bed.

I came back to hold Marquie's hadn while she told Rosa her story and then Rosa invited us to her den. Naturally we both decided to follow. I was lifting into the air when Rosa tugged me back down and told me that older dragons always took off first. I sulked a bit and then followed after her, nipping at her tail in retribution.

It's kind of strange being so younbg in draconic years while I'm already more or less an adult in human reckoning. Marquie's even younger than I am but she dosnt seem to mind and she never caused any trouble for Rosa. When we reached the den there had to be twenty or thirty dragons of different colors there.

Marquyie was scared and even I was a bit intimidated. I'd never seen such a meeting before. I did my best to calm Marquie and then the room cleared a bit. I met a few of hte dragons and helped Marquie oercome her shyness while I played around with Rosa a bit.

Once she met a fdew of htem Marquie seemed more at ease and when they all went to rest me and Mar flew back to the castle doing loops in the air and just generally being happy. Marquie was doign so much better as a dragon and seemed to have a lot more control so I'm quite pleased. Rosa's always good at helping out with stuff like this.

Anyhow tomorrow we're hgopiong to give Siona the gift we both made, a really nice family portrait with a frame and stuff. If we both see her it'll be really nice and I know she'll be happy.

Marquie and I hung out all day (may 19)today and drank cocoa with the queen. I finally had my chance to talk to Diedre and she's proven to be more caring and reliable than I thought. She actually did worry about me when she heard I'd been captured and it seems a lot of times she just tried to appear cold because that's how she thinks she's expected to be.

Even with Juliette she dosnt seem worried though I know she is. Jules ahs been returned now but she's different. She's still a drow at heart. I can't believe Valkryn could do that to her... Speaking of Valkryn though, he showed up. He was being all mean and stuff and trying to be scary. I made fun of him and he slapped me, so Marquie and I both tried to toss our hot chocolate at him and scald him good, but he froze it in the cups. I just took out two daggers and made popsicles and it bugged him a lot that we still enjoyed them.

He did however announce that Gia was on her way so that was good. I spoke briefly with Gia before she went oiff to talk to Diedre alone. Valkryn and me kept arguing while Marquie and Siona both got in a fight with some jerk that was buggin Marquie. I told them both to just go in the kitchen and spend time together and eventually me and Mar literally dragged Si into the kitchen and I locked the door on her.

Valkryn and I kind of got along for the rest of the night and then I hung out with Marquie once Siona left and eventually we both fell asleep in the hall.

Marquie, and trouble

Today I found Marquie down at the river looking kind of sullen. I asked what was wrong and eventually found out that she thinks pretty much everything's changed but me, even her. I told her that I didn't think she'd changed a bit. As long as she stays true to what's in her heart she'll always be fine by me.

She brightened up a bit after we talked and I took her flying in my dragon form. She shiften and then, a few thousand feet up, she went back to her human form and just told me to catch her. Its nice to be trusted so much and in a few seconds I'd flown down below her, stopped, cast an immunity to fire spell on her, snd shot a fountain of flame that made her float in the air atop it. It was pretty neat, I think.

After that we shifted back and had a mud fight, something I havnt done since Kielder. It was so much fun and we were both completely filthy by the end of it, which was a problem. Cuz right when we finished Siona and Valkryn appeared. Siona was really mad over some nonsense and ordered me to come talk with her while Valkryn hung out with Marquie and asked her a bunch of questions.

I didnt fair much better. Siona accused me of being responsible for Alais being exiled (which almost counts as a good thing though it was really Mara's doing) and for Ama leaving House Navere, which I didn't know she'd done. I thought maybe Valkryn had been lying to her. I just told her to shut the hell up and figure out what she was talking about and then walked back to Marquie. Siona's become somewhat of a danger lately, I guess. When she's not getting in someone's pants she gets really paranoid and angry.

Of course I couldnt let the fact that I was mad at her show cuz she's Marquie's mom, so I smiled when I came back and sat down with Marquie. She was just telling Valkryn about how Siona had torched her village and Siona came in just when she got to that part. She threw another tantrum and left.

Marquie was about to run off but I called her back, and then Valkryn left as soon as I'd appeared and we'd had a short argument that he won. It's weird to have to trust someone like him, but I do, because I know he wouldnt have said that stuff to Siona and in some odd way he likes Marquie too. Though he seems to only like her when he can be alone with her. That's kind of odd, maybe he really is up to something.

Well Marquie and I sat and talked and she cuddled up with me on a fallen log and I told her the stories of Valkryn and Siona and all that she'd missed about her mom since she'd been gone. I also threw in some stuff about Ali and Gia just so she'd know.

I thought it might be fun to take her to Navere to meet Gia and say hello, as well as to let her get to know the way there so she could get there in case something happened. We got into the Navere audience chamber after I told her a few things about the place and the underdark and the drow, but she fell asleep and Gia was late getting there. (to be continued at a later date)

treaty fun

Today I had to go wake Alais up to tell her about all the good stuff that's going on. There was just so much going on and I couldn't wait to tell her about it. Unfortunately, she could. She threw a few things at me and all the usual cranky just waking up stuff, and eventually I just gave up and climbed into the bed next to her. I was still gunna tell her about stuff but I did quit jumping on the bed.

I told her about Marquie meeting up with me and Siona again and even seeing Valkryn, and I told her about my idea for the treaty and she seemed kinda impressed by how sneaky it was. Then I told her a little bit about magic and she told me how she first learned to sing spells on her own. I tghink she has a natural talent for that stuff and I'm hoping I can teach her magecraft.

After that we decided it would be good to get a bite to eat, and she got kinda dressed and walked into the tavern with her slippers on. She said she hadn't been to a surface tavern for a while so I'd have to order, and I just got a lamb roast and some tea and milk and such and picked what I could off Ali's plate, though I left most of it for her cuz she needs it more.

She did eventually let me know it was ok to eat too, and she even fed me a few bites of the lamb by hand, it was kinda cute and I ended up doing the same for her. We've largely taken to eating with our hands lately, it really isn't that new of a habit for either of us though since we've both done it before.

After that Ali decided to take a walk and I headed down to Navere. I found Gia in the courtyard and, praise Mystra, she was actually in a good mood. She even let me sit down to talk to her. She agreed to the treaty idea I'd made up with Dragonshire and told me to send her regards to Deidre. Then she called for Valkryn to discuss Juliette's fate.

We had our usual bantering and I managed to make him groan although after a while it turned into a smirking contest and we were both trying to one up eachother quite fervently. Gia seemed amused by it and I'm glad to have brought a smile to her face even if it was by dealing with Valkryn.

He said that Juliette would contact me soon to find her way home, or at least something like that. He tends to like to be vague. After that I headed back out to my residence in Navere and met Quin, telling her about the agreement and showing her around the place. She seems to like it a lot and I figured she could come down whenever she likes to use it aas a base to spread the gospel of Elistraee. For now though she headed back to the surface to tell Deidre.

Alais came back around a while after and I gave her the tour from the sunlit gardens to the portal rooms and so on. She really seemed to like it and was kinda flattered that I gave her her own room as well as one fort her child (cuz theres no way the kid's staying with Gia and ending up worshipping Lolth.)

Anyhow we finished up in the chapel I'd built to both Mystra and Elistraee. I learned that the two deities are allies and work fairly closely so I figured it'd be ok if I included the dark maiden in the temple and gave her half of it. Alais couldn't stop laughing at finding statues of Elistraee and Mystra in teh underdark near a drow city. It was great to hear her laugh.

We talked about our deities for a bit, about how I'd seen Mystra but Ali had only gotten a few signs from Elistraee. Not that she's jealous though or anything. I explained that Mystra only called to me when I really needed it on two occasions and that I was sure Elistraee would speak to Alais soon. I know I'd want to if I were her.

Ali and I were both a little tired by then so we headed back to her room and changed our clothes. Once again we both cuddled into bed together and fell fast asleep. I havn't slept so well since before the posession by Bane and I think that's largely to do with Ali being there.

Neww hopes

Marquie and I spent just about the entire day together. She told me what she'd been into while she'd been gone. Apparently she went to stay with Siona's father and he was mean to her (no surprise there) so she came to look for me and Si. She found Kielder ddestroyed and her draconic form took over and she torched a village in Kielder. My understanding is that the whole place was already evacuated so I don't think she killed anyone, but she does.

Anyhow Valkryn appeared shortly thereafter and wanted to see Marquie, which she agreed to. Ordinarily I wouldn't hasve trusted him but something Alais said about the deal with Juliette got me thinking. I believe Valkryn was saving Jules by doing that, and so far it seems I'm right. All he really wanted to do was give Marquie a dress.

So a little later I realized I had something to give Marquie. She'd left Kielder in a hurry and while I was back one time to see a friend I'd found a book of hers, her diary actually. I never did open it and I'd forgotten about it until now, when I gave it to her. She was really happy and stuff and then I decided to take her to meet Regann so we could get her some clothes that weren't dresses, since she likes wearing them about as much as I do.

R showed up and I knew she had to feed so I excused myself. This time her hunger was too great and she nearly killed me, but I stopped her bu casting a healing spell that mhurt her and made her let me go. I stumbled back into the shop and R prowwled off and seems to have tried to kill someone else as well. I really need to make sure she never goes so long without feeding again.

I had to explain what happened to Marquie and it kinda worried her but she seemed to accept it after a while. Regann finished the measurements and then we all headed to the hall to see the queen. Regann and Marquie both went to bed after Marquie got to see Carey again and then Carey led me into the queen.

Braith was there again and she still didn't like me for some odd reason. I just walked past her and spoke with Deidre. I've made a plan to let DSH look like it's getting something from House Navere in return for letting them keep Jules (which they'd do anyhow) namely I'm trading my freedom. Which, of course, I already havem, but I claimed I didn't. I know Gia won't give up anything she actually wants so this should work out best as long as I can get to talk to her about it.

Deidre pretty much agreed and said we'd talk at greater length later. I'm hopeful for that since I like talking to her better when no one else is around. After that I felt Mara in pain and went to her. She was giving birth to human babies, not eggs as she might have if in dragon form.

Being another male dragon I wasn't terribly popular with her mate Grimwolf, but she convinced him to let me in since I was still too young in draconic years to be a threat. I just helped out with her newborns and tried to keep out of the way. There were four by the end of it though it seems two died at birth so that's a total of six. Kind of impressive really. I congratulated the parents and then fell fast asleep from exhaustion.

Found and nearly lost again

Marquie came back today. For the first time in so many years my dearest little sister was back in my life and I could have been happier. That's not a mistake. I could have been happier. Because Deidre had a mob of people running around causing chaos.

Deidre brought all these weirdoes into my tower and Marquie thankfully had to go to bed. We'll talk tomorrow I'm sure and I'm glad she was spared of what happened. Everyone was really edgy and then Kiya and Ali appeared. Ali finally convinced them to take my word that it was Jules and then Deidre started going on about a war.

Ali wanted to take Jules back to Navere to avoid a war and trouble with Valk and Gia. i KNEW i COULDNT JUST Hand Jules back to them and so I had Alais pretend to take me at knifepoint along with Jelia/Jules. I was hoping that telling Gia that Ali had taken me might make Gia like Alais better. No such luck.

Gia let me inside but wouldnt think of letting Alais in. She had me tied up and all that jazz and then made me tell her what had happened. I think the fact that I brought back Jules made her happy because she didnt kill me immediately. I managed to talk her into letting me return to Dragonshire to prevent a war, which saved me from Valkryn getting ahold of me.

So I went back to Dragonshire with Ali and then Mara popped up and the queen was more interested in her than me. Marisa looked after me and kept me from going off to yell at Deidre since she's been seriously bothering me of late. When the queen and Mara were done talking Mara took all of us except Deidre back to her house.

Mara seemed really cranky and I didn't have any luck talking to her. She even yelled at me wehn I suggested she apologize to Gia. All I was able to find out was that Mara suggested to Deidre that she try to keep the peace and I'm glad for that. For the rest of the night Ali me and Marisa just talked and tried to calm ourselves, and we all felt better after we talked things over. I guess it gave us perspective.

It sure tired us out though- as soon as we were done me and Ali changed into our nightclothes and snuggled into bed together.

SNATCH

Today I found that Sabe had come to stay in Dragonshbire and we started getting into trouble like in the old days. We even blew up a watermelonm again just cuz we could. It was around that time that Jel;ia shjowed up. Sabe got rid of the guards around her and I searched her mind to find out what she knew about Jules.

It turned out she IS jULES. It all started to make sense when I scanned her memories and I convinced Sabe as well. I'm keeping him and Jelia at my tower for their own safety from Valkryn, and having Autumn handle this diplomaticly though I'm keeping her largely in the dark. I need to avouid a big conflict or any trouble cuz I dont want to make Gia worry.

I'll end up talking to Valkryn I'm sure. Anyhow once I was done dealing with that Thran, one of Amara's kids, showed up and we chatted for a bit. He told me Amarta is depressed and lonely. I know me and Ali arent the kind of company she wants but I, going to try to be there for her anyhow and make her feel better. Thrna took me back to Amara's house and I snuggled down in Ali's bed once more, tired from the day's adventures.

family found

I saw Alais leaving today and decided to follow her. She seemed supremely cranky and I was even kind of scared for a time that she might not let me come with her wherever she was going. She told me that Gia had given her her freedom and kicked her out and I explained the encounter between Mara and Gia since that seems to be the reason.

After a long journey we reached Mara's residence and she took us both in and let me take a nap. When I woke I was pushed down the hall by a gust of wind into Mara's chambers where her and Ali were talking. The conversation was settling on Ali's past and I eventually ended up helping Mara access some of Ali's memories of her family, since Mara was kind of cuioous about who Ali really was.

I got to see into her memories as well. She was a cute kid and didnt seem to be near as much trouble as she is now. I guess we both have that in common too. Her father was part drow actually and her mother was a very light skinned elf.

Amara at that kind of seemed scared and broke the connection. I followed her and she looked like she was just a wreck. Ali sat on the floor dazed while I tended to Mara and then she called in a friend of hers, a young silver and black cross breed dragon named Marisa, and sent her into a secret compartment where she had some portraits and documents.

It turns out that Amara's son was Alais' father, which makes her Ali's grandmother. So Ali now has a family where she never thought she could have one. Both children and a grandmother and aunts and uncles. It's really incredible how good life is being to her now and I'm so happy for her. She really deserves it.

So we got Mara calmed down and talked to Marisa a while and made friends. Finally Amara got tired and shooed us all off just like any annoyed elder dragon would do to her pups. Ali mentioned some of CATHY (THE COOK IN kIELDER'S )) cookies and so I was really quick about getting to her room. She tugged me to her bed since it was the only one there and we snuggled down to sleep together.

It's the first time I've done that since Siona. I mean I've fallen asleep with people but this was kinda different, just knowing that she was there and that we'd sleep together and wake up together, it was a good feeling, though not in the romantic kind of way.

I'm going to miss her when I have to go back to Kielder. I don't know why I have to but I do. I think I'll take Siona along, I'm adfraid to face the ruins alone...

Endings

Today I got to learn a bit more about Mara and Ali. It seems aAli was held in Ched Naasad before Valkryn took her, and that she met Amara there and they had some kind of a relationship. Mara now considers Alais her daughter it seems.

Later I felt something within me dying, or perhaps it was soemthing without me that was dying. Maybe a little of both. Kielder's lands have dried up and whithered. I've noticed people coming out of there. Amara, Siona, and others. Sabe left already and so have many others. I know Nic is safe though, but I don't think she's there anymore. I've heard rumors of a plague...

I need to talk to Siona about this. I'm worried my home land has been destroyed...

Instead of Siona or Ali I found their daughter. Yeah, Ama is both Siona and Alais' daughter through an odd twist of fate, she also has Valkryn for a father and therefore Gia is her step mother. She wants to learn magic and I offered to teach her, though she'll have to ask Valkryn's permission so I think the best I'll get is to teach her along with Siona.

After that I talked to Mara again and she was just her usual Maraish self. She seemed to get a bit discouraged when I said I liked her because she wasn't all old and stodgy. She told me she's over six hundred years old and I felt kind of bad for her and tried to cheer her up until Gia came in and she asked if I hadn't better run away, though by then it was too late.

I slunk off to a corner to let the two of them talk while Valkryn and I bantered back and forth just trying to bug eachother. Amara eventaully came to the point of outright demanding that Gia let Alais go and never harm her again. I could hardly believe it and expected a fight to break out.

Instead Gia just made a witty retort and talked with Valkryn for a while. I dodged out of her way on her way back, figuring to try to talk to her later since I knew she had to be angry. I kinda feel bad for her in a way. I spend so much time fighting evil tyrants that I sometimes forget it's really hard to be an evil tyrant.

Sort of captured

Alais and I talked today along with Ama and the two of us decided it'd be better to just turn ourselves in. I wish Gia hadn't gone off on vacation, dealing with Valkryn is never easy so I'm guessing I'll let Ali do all the talking.

I also met Ama's brother Riss, a perfect clone of Valkryn almost, but not quite as mean or abrasive, I think I might get along with him. Anyhow eventually Jelia arrived with the house guards charged with watching her and they were going to take us to Valkryn but Ali, saying she was pregnant and needed to eat badly, talked them into letting us eat first, which might be a good idea since I know the cuisine in the dungeons is poor to non-existant.

Anyhow after a while we all went to the court yard and camped there to await the weapons master.

Saving Ama

Today I hung out at the church and helped get R's fountain working again. It brought back so many memories, me and Wraith drinking from it as children... things R had done... Playing about in thye church and trying to sneak into the back room. That seems like so long ago now...

When we were done I headed down to the underdark to catch up on my chores . I scrubbed some floors once again and got in a minor argument with one of the priestesses of hte house I was in which eventually was ended by one of the snake heads on her whip. I got sent off to work in the kitchens after that and when they finally thought I'd done enough I started off to go see what was going on at House Navere.

I reached the gates and heard some commotion. Apparently the priestesses of Lolth had said something bad about Valkryn and Ama, who I knew at the ball as Ira, was hiding in the shadows and tossing stuff at them. They caught her and I managed to get in and try to take the blame for it. She told them it was her and ruined my plans and the soldiers shot me with an arrow for lying.

Then Alais got involved trying to save her as the priestesses were trying to drag Ama off. Alais tossed down some kind of stun device and it caught me as well, though it didnt stop the soldiers from firing blindly and hitting me two more times. I limped into the shadows and did what I could for my wounds before casting a spell to hide myself from infravision and then following Ali.

I found that she'd used another one of the devices and I stabbed a priestess with a stun dart while she was blind. I took her clothes and disguised myself as her and then ran into the temple where Ama and Alais were. Unfortunately as I did so Gia made her appearance.

She seemed tired and crankier than usual, actually I felt bad for her and kind of guilty for so much trouble. She really should be getting more rest I think... She eventually got tired of yelling at Ama and trying to catch Alais and left, and then i used my priestess disguise to drag both of them off to Alais and Thaydin's rooms.

I really feel guilty for bugging Gia again, even though I wasn';t caught and this time it wasnt really my fault. I guess I can make it up to her somehow. Next time anything like this happens I'll just go find Gia first and ask for her help.

Anyhow Ali healed my wounds and then the three of us sat and talked and I told Ama who I was and she gave me her real name, which is kinda long so she's just called Ama for short. Ali seemed to be happy despite having gotten Gia mad. I think it was because Ama called her her mother, which is apparently related to Ali being their nest mate. I'm not too clear on all of that. Anyhow after a while we all bedded down to sleep.

home making

My efforts are becoming far too domestic lately for my tastes. I feel like a housewife almost. But I did get in a tiny fight with R today so I'm not a completely useless hunk of magic boy.

Late last night I woke up and traveled to go see R. She was laying on the altar of her church waiting for me. It wasn't long before I was laying there with her and she was taking off my clothing. She and I argued for a bit about the chastity belt. Not to say I'm attached to it but I didnt see the reason to take it off and get in troubnle, but R eventually prevailed. After that her fangs sunk into my neck and it gets hazy from there.

I saught her out as soon as I was dressed to find out what had gone one and make sure it hadn't gone too far. R said it had and commended me on my stamina. I was crushed at the intonation and fell to my knees, praying to Mystra for forgiveness for my sins.

R said I didn't need to and that Mystra didn't care about me and then I started to get suspicious. I tried to cast a clerical spell and found that it still functioned, which wouldnt have been possible if I'd betrayed my Goddess. I yelled at R and eventually she said that she'd been lying to try to get me to love her more readily and forget my vows.

r ALWAYS HAD BEEN THE KIND OF PERSON THAT HAD TO POSESS SOMEONE TO APPRECIATE THEM AND i CAN UNDERSTAND HER ACTIONS. i FORGAVE HER QUICKLY AND THEN SHOWED HER AROUND my new home in the underdark. She was a bit tired afterwards so I saw her off to bed and then made use of my time to move furniture in. I need to talk to Siona soon but she's in House Navere and I'm not sure I should be going around there.

I eventually finished arranging some of the furniture I'd need and then headed back to Dragonshire. I found Autumn and her daughter playing in the hall and spoke with Autumn a while. She said she had a bad feeling about Valkryn and I can't really blame her. Gia's all kinds of nice though, I don't mind her. Or Valkryn either really...

Anyhow Ander came in and Autumn revealed that he's Emily's father,. Autumnb was previously married to some noble but she anulled it, and so it should be interesting to see what conmes of that. Everyone apparently knew before i did since the castle is so interested in gossip. Xavier, who's son was supposed to be the girl's father, is going to feel pretty odd when she finds out...

a surprising evening

Today was the day of the great ball in House Navere. It was everything I had expected and much more than I feared. I began my day by greeting the drow troops I had rescued. They had healed up well and were ready to return home. I outfited them in the finest of the drow armor I'd taken in battle and then we marched to the castle to get Autumn. After that it was a simple matter of a portal and we were at House Navere.

Valkryn and Gia proved to be excellent hosts once I had picked them out among the crowd. I soon noticed others as well. Grim and Amara were there and so was Alais, who I immediately went over to. I met another friend of her's, an Oregen Fielddancer, and we hgung out until the dancing began.

Ali tried to hold us both back since the dance was more a ritual than a normal dance. It was very like an elven revel but turned into something more drow. I was compelled to join in but Oregen took Alais for a round and so I sat it out, all be it with some effort.

A strange woman named Ira appeared and began talking to me since we were the only ones outside the swirling circle of dancers, already begining to sweat and to move more swiftly than was normal due to the music and the magic being cast.

Fianlly she was pulled in by Valas, the prince of House Navere, and I eventually got caught up in it was well though I managed to pull myself out when I saw two very familiar faces. Siona ahd appeared and I rushed over to hug her. She seemed distant though and very troubled, as well as terribly weak. I decided to stay near her for the rest of the night.

R was there too and I intoduced her to Siona once more. I had almost expected a fight because Siona had always kind of looked up to and even flirted with R's husband Raven who we were to attack soon. But they actually got along really well. R couldnt stay long and was soon gone back to the church to let me tend to Siona.

And that proved to be quite a job. The dancing broke up and Alais, Siona and I formed a little group off to the sides while Valkryn led a game of sling the fae, which is similiar to the surface game of spin the bottle except evil.

I soon recognized Valas and managed to get him to come over to us on one pretense or another, mainly by telling him what I knew of an event that occured in teh inn against his mother. He seems a good fellow and very agreeable. I can see he absorbed some of Alais' spirit.

This was of course the main reason I'd wanted to talk to him. Alais and he hadnt been allowed to converse much since his return and so I gave him reason to come over to her and before long they had walked away to chat leaving Siona and I alone.

Siona's ex boyfriend, Angelus, came in and that was a bit of a surprise. Even as tightly as I held Siona she still threw a weak attack at him but I managed to keep mostly between them.

Angelus finally made Siona tell him whetyher or not she still loved him and the answer was no. There was a tension in the air for so long and finally he simply left and I ended up holding Siona on my lap and doing everything I could to console her. She had often been the one to do such for me and so I considered it something I owed to her to make her feel better.

Bt the time I had managed to calm her down something new happened. Ira, the woman I'd spoken with earlier,. was creeping Si out. No matter how I tried to get her mind off of it she was still worried. The woman started to move up towards Gia and I only got more nervous. Gia has at least one enemy that seems to want her dead as I discovered the poison incident at the inn had been against her. And she also destroyed the house that had taken Valas so if any of them had survived...

Needless to say I was on my guard while I tried to hold Siona and calm her down. She seems so alone now, something she dosn't deal well with, and I'm determined to be there for her this time to make sure she dosnt lash out again, like she did to Ira...
Ira turned out to be Siona's daughter that she'd sold off, one of two or three children Siona had with Valkryn and then gave to a demon to get back at him. But Ira wasn't at the ball to take vengeance on her mother. She was simply asking for Valkryn's acceptance as her fatrher. I felt sorry for him as I watched him struggle with the truth that he had never dreamed of. He'd been told they were all dead.

Alais too was affected by it all and soon ran off and vomited. Siona was too sick to remain consiopus so I put her to bed and then ran off after Alais. I wanted to explain the thing to the poor Matron who had no idea why any of this was going on but I needed to try to help Alais through her sickness as well so I followed.

I held back her hair and patted her back and all those things a good friend would do until finally she started to cry. That was about the end of my reserves of will power. I had struggled all night to keep Siona in a decent state, to let my friends enjoy the Matron's wonderful event, and to keep the peace, and now it was all shattered.

And I knew that Ira wouldnt have been given up if I had been there to stop Siona, as I should have known what she was like and what she was capable of. I had managed to hide my guilt and frustration so far but seeing Alais crying and knowing I couldnt begin to fix her, I simply did the onl thing I could to help and joined her with my own tears, sitting beside her and sobbing along.

We must have looked a terribly silly pair and soon attracted Ira's attention after she'd finished with Valkryn, her father. She was much more composed and polite than I would have epxected. Kirna went through something not nearly as awful and she's almost completely insane.

Ira managed to console Ali, who was feeling bad because she was apparently bonded to Amy, Ira's godmother, and thus had played a part in the matter as well, though I'm not sure how. For my part I tried to tell the girl what I felt and I begged her not to hate Siona, and she said that she dosn't which is quite a surprise.

Eventually Valkryn and Gia reappeared and Thaydin turned up to make Alais feel better. Ira took off for a guest room in the house and with Ali taken care of I was finally able to pass out, the first natural sleep I've enjoyed since escaping Bane. If you can call falling asleep i nthe middle of a drow courtyard due to emotional and physical exhaustion natural.

Treachery and deceit

I talked to Alais for a while today and we organized things a bit more for the ball. I told her the soldiers are doing well and all that and she made sure I'd have her dress and such, and I will even though it'll be last minute, probably tomorrow.

Then I headed back to the surface and immediately found Reggie. No time like the present right. She had just finished one garment and was working on Alais'. She's so busy all the time now and I'm glad she's doing well. She started on Alais' undergarments immediately and as always I did my best to help.

It wasn't long before I heard R calling and disappeared to see her just for a moment. She told me to come by tomorrow night and once more promised not to eat any villagers. I think I'm having a good effect on her.

I went back to the underdark afterwards as I was being summoned by one of the houses I was in debt to. I think the matron there is the oldest in the city and it showed on her face. She started complaining about how old she was and how she was going to lose Lolth's favor and so on and so forth. Apparently, now that I've researched it, drow consider dying of old age to be a great sin and a sign that Lolth hates them. That might explain her next actions.

She began martially about ten young male drow, the most inexperienced and poorly trained fighters she had. Meanwhile her daughter tempted me to kill the matron. I turned in disgust to rebuff her but she had already gone. The Matron returned saying we were jsut on a routine journey to an altar and I trusted her. She led us out of the city into an ambush.

The goblins rushed on and the Matron must have felled more of them than even I did, but she eventually achieved her goal of dying in battle and gaining back Lolth's favor. I was disgusted that she would have sacrificed the lives of four of her own men for something so petty.

When we returned to her home her daughter was all grinning and smug. She asked if I'd killed her mother and I said no. She must have thought I was lying but she asked me what had happened. I told her her mother fell in glorious battle taking down many goblins and possibly saving us from the danger she'd dragged us into. She saw this as just a cover story aand paid me for it anyhow.

So I now have several hundred gold pieces and some magic items in blood money. I think I'll give it to chairty. I saw Blank of all people when I was heading back for the inn, which has become a flimsy shelter against the pervading evil I now feel.

We talked for a bit and he's taking Sabe on a trip to some port town where they can pirate and relax. We're both kind of worried about him but I think Blank can get his spirits up.

After a futile attempt to tell Blank of the dangers of the underdark I scurried back to the inn, but it dosn't seem quite as welcoming as it once did. I need to create my owen place here, that is more like I am and more of a safe haven if I am to remain here any length of time.

Bonds made and bonds sundered

I woke up to see R watching over me. She was just as amused as I expected and not even angry. She did notice the medicine I'd had to take to sleep and I eventually had to tell her what had happened. After breakfast I headed off as I had business to attend to, though I promised to return.

I found Alais in the underdark market. She was vomiting on peoples wares so they'd let her have them just to get rid of her and picking passing pockets. I love Alais! Anyhow the vomiting thing only happened once and that was due to morning sickness. I told her what was going on and she's not pregnant enough yet that she couldnt help and together we set off for the temple of Bane.

We lurked in the woods and I set a pyre burning at my tower to alert some "Allies" I'd contacted. When the drow came by, tired and worn from quarrying rocks for their captors, we attacked. I avoided killing any of them and the slaves were freed to be taken to my tower for a plan of mine whileAlais ran to the door of the temple and slew their reinforcements as they came out.

I got terribly scared as the assassin priests of Cyric were now approaching and I ran forward to get Ali away from the temple before the two opposing clerical factions met around us. Alais was hit by a fireball and my leg was nearly frozen off by a cone of cold, but we made it back to the underdark via a portal and then healed up and had a bit to eat.

With that done we said our goodbyes and Alais agreed not to tell Gia that I'd freed the prisoners as they're to be healed and refitted before being send back to Navere along with myself and Autumn.

I headed home to see R and found her at the church as usual. This time she obviously wanted to feed but something held her back. She wanted me to give in to the pleasure of her kiss, and to save the life of a villager I agreed.

The feeling was like nothing I've ever known before. Like the elation of basking in the glowing admiration of my family and friends after a victorious quest, but physically manifested as well as mental. It was great, but I knew I shouldn't have done it soon afterwards.

I was weak though and R was gentle, offering me comfort anbd giving me water to qwuench the thirst that comes of blood loss. I fell fast asleep in her arms soon afterwards, feeling a closer link to her than ever.

Meeting the Matron

My day started when I moved back into the underdark, to my rooms at the inn. They were emptier then without Illasaya there. She was in my tower now, taking up her rooms and leaving occasioanlly to range the lands with my men or to learn of Elistraee with Quinavin's friends.

So I went out to seek the company of the drow I was indentured to. More tasks followed, just as unpleasant as the previous day's. But there were some good points. I was allowed to cast magic in another house for the first time, indeed encouraged to so I could reach a dusty ceiling.

When I was done I slipped back out only to find Alais. We talked for a while and I told her of what I was up to. Her labors consist of helping Gia, Matron of the Navere, to prepare for a costume ball I'm to attend along with the regent of my kingdom. We moved into the inn to talk more privately and so that I could change into my regular robes and pretend to clean myself up a little.

Alais soon made a great revelation to me: Both she and the Matron are with child. I was overjoyed at yet another great boon for my friend, and soon offered her a gift for the child- the same robes Imoen had crafterd for me when I had been turned into a much smaller person than I aught to be.

The recognition of who had crafted the outfit set Alais into a swoon and I did my best to comfort her. She apparently misses Imoen more than I do, though all of my memories of the slender elf are good ones. She soon decided that she would need a drink, and despite my judgement aginst it I knew she wouldnt be detered as we traveled down to the tavern.

We were greeted, perhaps stalked is a better word, by a cloaked drow. I greeted in kind and Alais seemed perturbed as I made introductions. The drow turned out to be a long lost member of the Navere family but even then Alais did not trrust her. I suppose she had wanted to get away because she agreed to take me into house Navere to meet Gia as we left the tavern.

The plan was quite simple. Alais had suggested disguise, but I had done that once before and didn't want to cause paranoia in Gia. Seeing me behind every mask might be pleasant for a trusted friend, but for a Matron Mother of the drow to consider the idea that an unfamiliar possible enemy could be lurking anywhere was certainly a different concept.

And so we went with the prisoner facade to get me in. I had modified some chains for just this purpose and wore them along with my sullied clothes I had worn working in the city. Alais got me in and ordered me to sit, which I did. Partly I did so in keeping with the ruse, and partly because Alais can be scary when she yells stuff in that tone.

I was soon admitted for my audience but was somewhat afraid when Alais seemed to back away and leave it entirely to me. Never the less I had faced drow rulers before and was used to it. I stated the basic ideas - that I had gotten Sabe to leave her and Valk alone, that I would be attending the ball at Autumn's side (to which the drow Matron naturally replied that if I caused trouble I'd be killed. Order, it seems, is something this woman strives for amidst the chaotic and writhing society of the drow)

Finally I gave my promise to save the Navere prisoners at the temple of Bane. Gia gave me until the night of the ball, though I can tell she wasn't worried. But that did give me a fine idea which might prevent the drow from coming home immediately and in a sad shape.

Once I was done I scurried off after my final victory- gaining permission for Alais to join in. I nearly passed Valkryn on the way out but quickened my pace so as not to have to deal with him. Alais seems more adept at that.

I left the underdark as soon as I could and returned to the surface world. I saw Rena agaion and met a young woman with her, who was looking through the spellbooks Rena had promised me. Rena seemed anxious over this but I put her fears to the side when I sat down at the girl's side and began helping her. I don't think Rena approved even then.

But the spreading of Mystra's gifts was necessary to me, and so I helped her to turn from the higher level spells she'd been reading, and instead showed her the cantrips, or zero level. We conversed for a logn time until she went to bed, and I gained Rena's permission to help her a bit. I think we were all glad for various reasons, though Rena least of all.

I traveled iwth Rena to visit R, and had a brief meeting.R had agreed not to feed on the villagers and so I was satisfied, and Rena and her hit it off well enough. Still I had to get int omore mischief as good as I was feeling. I broke into the back room of R's church, something I'd done hundreds of times before, and then, without harming any of her macabre tools, I simply curled up at the foot of her bed to sleep. I can't wait to see R's face when she wakens me.

Penance

I received the names and locations of the relatives of Bane's victims today and set out to meet all of them and offer my service. Most looked upon me with disdain or threats, but a few did allow me entry and put me to the most terrible uses they could think of. I've never scrubbed so many things in my life, and I highly doubt that any of them were things meant to be clean from the amount of dirt built up on them.

But it made me feel better. I was glad to be doing something for the grieving families of the victims killed with my powers. I labored long and was filthy and exhausted when I finished, but I continued to house after house, doing my best to soothe the grief I had caused.

I found one of the younger sisters of a woman Bane had taken and told her I intended to rescue her, and she seemed unhappy at this. Never the less she agreed to follow me. I soon askedh er how to reach the ruling house and she told me the way, even agreeing to guide me there.

Near a river she attacked me, in vengeance I suppose, but I managed to defeat her, dodging her attacks and striking back only lightly until she flew into a rage and fell into the river after I had dodged her. I knew she would be able to get out and so I headed back to the village ot clean up before trying to contact my former captors.

I thought to travel back to Dragonshire and found that a surprise awaited me. After talking briefly with Willow I sensed a calling. It was R. THe same demon I had dealt with in my youth, who had been both enemy and friend and mother to a friend. Many were the times I had chatted with her daughter, who was my own age, until we both fell into our inncent slumber at her mothers feet.

And yet I had also fought R as soon as I had the power to do so, for she was evil after all. All that, I thought, came to an end during some bvusiness on Kirak that pitted her daughter against her and saw Wraith destroy R. Honestly though I was glad she had returned.

I decided not to strike her until she was healled, for she had only returned from the dead that very night. Instead I allowed her to feed from me and lay me down upon a pew on which I had carved my name as a young boy. The pleasure of hte feed was terribly inviting, but I still managed to escape it and defy her in some small way. Next time i may not be so lucky...

I managed to return to my tower and drink down the drugs that allow me to sleep. I havnt tried to rest without them, but I know what the result would be, though I still despise having to take medicine...