The following is a recollection from Vralino Hammer-Shield, a 15 year old Ork girl who grew up avoiding society. At this point, she has found value in a small circle of friends and has even begun networking socially for jobs. By now she has developed a dislike towards T'Skrang, although her friendships are not affected by this mentality. The text remains unaltered to maintain its authenticity (Certain terms and names written wrong to keep in character). It is written in Or'zet.
So along with this weird tattoo kit, I got an invite to the Floating City at Lake Ban! I need to get to work right away! I need a frontliner. I need archers. I need spell slingers and healers. Maybe a cook? We're going to need a scout or navigator. I want to be completely prepared for this. I got to get some paper and charcoal and start hanging up some notices. We're going in with a full blown expedition! This is going to be awesome!!!
Ok, so I didn't get the expedition that I wanted, but at least we have a bunch of highly capable people. We rushed down to the Floating City on our respective mounts, and we were even able to arrange something for
Rangi to ride! We made great time, to the surprise of Jeremiah. Such a strange name, maybe he's from someplace else? Anyway he ends up sending us back to the Servos Jungle where
Rangi spoke to the water spirit. It wasn't a bad trip, we made great time, and the route down the Galanga is coming along nicely! We were able to get a raft to take us from the landing to Griffin Falls.
Rangi went with me to speak to the elemental spirit. Her name was Anita. At least it looked like a her. I don't know how spirits work. Yet. So our task was to head south to find the "hunter we seek." Not sure what that means, and I wasn't smart enough to ask what hunter or get any further details. She wouldn't reappear to tell me either. This is not going so well.
As we headed south,
Zivilyn saw some glowing eyes in astral space. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but
Rangi, with her sage advice, reminded me that this was a trial related to water, so I decided to fight in the water. I ordered us to charge the eyes, then these weird two headed creatures called Ufgaunts tried to ambush us. They were followed up by some Inshalatas. They went after
Rangi.
Thorkell rushed to her aid, and I tried to stand between her and the beasties. While it took some time to get my first attack out, it was a BIG one. We were able to handle these things relatively well, and with limited injuries! Then
Zivilyn revealed himself to be our chef! It was like I accidentally brought along with me a full on expedition!
Returning to Anita, she quizzed me on water! What is that about!?! How do you expect me to learn about water when the water things were trying to kill me!?! Then again, the lesson was about the depth and dangers of water. Seemed silly, but she was pleased that I actually did pay attention to the element. I'm glad I brought
Rangi along with us. If it weren't for her, I'm not sure I'd have stayed to fight these things. I originally wanted to lure the astral beast away from the water. Next we were to head to Sosanosopa, where Jeremiah had a boat waiting to take us to the Valley of Merica. We were to go deep into the heart of the forest. I warned the captain not to stay too close to the riverbed, given what happened last time we were here. We went deep into the forest and found a pair of Molgrims. These things were fast, too. Before they approached,
Zivilyn was able to get some information on them, then he found the same astral beast
Reyis saw last time we were here! It was an Umbral Stalker! I defended myself until it showed itself. It went after
Shana, but between her bow, my spear, and
Thorkell's Sword, that thing was dust before it could do much.
Rangi and
Zivilyn were able to handle the Molgrims. We all came out quite unscathed.
As we finished, Shirala, the wind master of the Almarra, found us and delivered our next instruction. We had to head to the Lalai Gorge. When we got there, my least favorite T'Skrang had further knowledge to pass on to me. Damn T'Skrang. If the Shivalahala weren't so knowledgeable on the elements, I would have taken my spear elsewhere. I just don't think anyone would waste their time teaching a girl from the Dahnat anything about magic. Looks like I'll have to prove myself through the flames of battle as well as by the control of my temper. I tried to pay attention to what they were saying, but I just couldn't get the look of the 200 disappointed windlings that were denied sanctuary out of my mind. Still, they provided us with a fire engine boat! One of these days I'm going to get inside that engine room and see it in action!
I didn't get to go inside the engine room, but
Rangi taught me T'Skrang profanity! I spent most of my time harassing the few crewmembers I could find, but they didn't seem to hear me or care. Maybe it wasn't profanity? Then
Shana offered to teach me profanity in Windling. It was weird though, since
Zivilyn was trying to hold back his laughter. Apparently profanity is funny to windlings. Anyway, we return back to the Floating City on the exact day that Shavalahara Kuhai Siandra said we would! I hope she teaches me Elementalism. She's almost as cool as her predecessor. I wish she had survived my first day in the Floating City. She knew Elementalism. Anyway we got to see Shavalahara Kuhai's celebration as the new Shavalara! And I get to stay in the residential towers while I'm training!!! They're amazing! Each one is made from one of the elements! It's so much more colorful up here! And so. many. WINDLINGS!!!
Shana and
Zivilyn found friends very quickly. Of course, everyone remembered
Thorkell, too! As the rest of the group started heading back, I asked them to check in on the elf orphan that stays at my house while I'm gone. I gave them a few silver to make sure she was fed and let her know I'd be back in about a month. Now it's time to learn some Elementary knowledge!
