Triel, Shield of Ilmater

[magus_taliesin]

Triel enters the temple of Ilmater, setting her gear down she smiles and greets the sisters that are working there. She quietly enters the sanctuary and approaches the alter and makes a donation. Sitting down in the front pew she takes a moment to collect her thoughts.

"Um, Ilmater, it's me Triel. I am sure you know what I am here to say but I think it's important to say it anyway. I should have known long ago, but it seems I am the last to realize that my heart was always devoted to your teaching. I believe even Tyr knew it, and in his divine patience he guided me and looked after me in patience until I came to the realization."

"I have never liked killing or violence. I wish to use my skills only in defense, helping the weak and comforting the suffering. I know that my decision is only part of it, the greater part being yours. I will strive to learn your teaching, and devote myself to your ways. I await your final acceptance."

"Thank you Ilmater, I will come back tomorrow."

[magus_taliesin]

[Journal Entry]

I'm not sure why am writing this...maybe just as an examination of my thoughts. Some way of going back and looking at myself, a way to help form better decisions, or learn from my mistakes. Certainly not for future generations...sadly there will be no future generations for me.

I guess this will just be an exercise in self-examination. A way to collect my thoughts about so many events and people.

Today, a most disturbing realization came to me. One that I tried to share with Rith'alaria, but she refused to even listen. I am terribly confused and beginning to learn that people have a great tendency to ignore faults in themselves that they want to point out in others.

I finally got her to explain an event she continues to refer to as the assassination of her brother. In fact it was an attack, since Trent did not die. I was able to get Gareut and Rith'alaria in the same place so that I could clarify and get some answers. Gareut does not deny the event, and explains it as Trent was rude to a woman present. In Gareut's fashion he wanted to teach Trent a lesson. It is not something I would do, advise, or approve of, but it was not an assassination. It was not murder, and without knowing if Gareut's final intention was the death of Trent, we can't know if it was even attempted murder.

To add to this, Siomir attacked and killed Gareut and another because he believes that Gareut wanted to rape a woman. I have never known Gareut to lie. He does not even deny that he tried to attack Trent. Why would he lie about one and not the other. I have known the woman Lanaya to lie. Gareut admits that he made a crude joke, but that is neither rape, nor attempted rape.

So where's the difference? Why is Siomir a hero and Gareut a villain? I don't see either party as innocent, or really guilty in this. It seems to be an extreme case of misunderstanding that unfortunately ended in violence in both cases.

In a related issue Rith'alaria, in a fit of anger threw a hot teapot at Aya because the two were having a heated conversation. By her own reasoning I should hate her for attacking my sister, but I don't. I know that she has had many experiences in her life that have made her, just like my past has made me. In understand and sympathize, I just don't understand why she in incapable of the same respect? Why is it that her view of the world is the only correct one?

Rith'alaria confuses me. Sometimes she can be very nice, generous, kind hearted. Other times she throws the most terrible insults in my face, lies about the things I say, and continues to refuse to listen to what I say. She believes I am angry with her, or have been angry with her, but I haven't. I have lost my composure with her in frustration, but that is far from anger. I don't hate her, I just wish we could come to an understanding between us. She continues to say that I seek pity, though I have never asked for it. Even when someone asks me a question about things that have happened in my life, she thinks that answering those questions is seeking pity. She thinks that I dream about a demon that wants to hurt her, and tells people that, but leaves out the fact that I demanded the voice leave her be. I do not dream it, I have explained to her repeatedly that it is a voice contacting me, not a dream.

I want to get to know her more, maybe a different approach. It's hard when she jabs at Gareut in front of me, then demands to know why I don't judge him for what she thinks he is guilty of. Do I judge her for the things she does? I don't think I do, I know I don't do it consciously. Maybe she thinks I do, I shall have to be more vigilant about what I say to see if that's the case. I am sure as I learn more I will come to realize some way of making this right. I am sure Ilmater will guide me in this, as will Aya and I hope Meri. Maybe I should talk to her as well, I know she is a friend of Rith'alaria's.

[magus_taliesin]

[Journal Entry]

It's been a quiet day for the most part. There's been a lot of news though. Spoke to the Fist, they know it wasn't me that attacked them. It really does my heart good to know I have such support. I never would have guessed that so many people would speak up for me. I am truly humbled by it all. I am doing all that I can to cooperate with the Fist, to try and stop Him from hurting anyone else.

Spent more time with Tonia today. She's so sweet, and beautiful. I've told her a little of my past, but not all of it yet. I think she will be fine with everything. After dinner the other night, and our time together today, I think I like her a lot. I hope Naomi is alright with it. I am sure she would want me to be happy, not to grieve forever.

Celia is sure now, that she is pregnant. I wonder what it's like to know that. I told her, even if I could be with a man...I can't ever have children. The healers said I was too young, too small. They broke something inside me. I am so happy for her, it's such a wonderful miracle.

Got to see Kaltyra too. I got her up to date about what is happening, but when I congratulated her on the birth of her child she seemed a bit strange. I hope everything is alright. It's probably just the emotional thing. She doesn't take to more 'human' emotions. I hope she at least appreciates what I mean, that I am happy for her. I hope that her baby grows up to be a wise as Grah, and kind as Kaltyra.

[magus_taliesin]

Triel walks down to the docks on the river. Standing, looking at the sun-touched water, she takes a mask out of her pack. She smiles, running a finger along the side of the mask.

"Hi Naomi, how have you been?"

"I've come to tell you..." She looks away from the mask for a moment, watching the water, "I've met someone."

"Tonia is very kind, I think you would like her."

"I know you wouldn't want me to grieve forever, and so many things have changed. I won't forgte you, but we both know it's time to move on."

She wipes a stray tear from her face, looking back at the mask.

"I love you Naomi, always will," She kisses the mask quickly and tucks it into her pack before turning and walking back to the Gate.

She goes to a curio shop and purchases a small wooden lockbox. Taking it back to her small room in the Temple of Ilmater she places the mask, and the letters from her mother, and the Radiant Heart inside. She locks the box and slides it under her cot.

[magus_taliesin]

((this is here for lack of a better place to keep it...it is OOC info unless your PC is kind enough to strike up a conversation. Enjoy OOC nonetheless.))

Name: Triel Dilshanae
Aliases and Titles: Paladin of Ilmater
Gender: Female
Race: Tiefling
Age: 20 (I think)
Profession: Paladin
Languages: Common (other languages on char sheet as place holders for future learning
Accent: Waterdhavean

Physical Information

Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Body Build: Slender through the legs and waist, curved hips and chest. Thick shoulders and arms from swordwork.
Skin Type: Lightly tanned
Hair Style: Long, worn pulled back on a tail
Scars: Numerous across her back, hips and buttocks from childhood abuse. Some battlescars on her arms, shoulders, and chest from recent training.
Tattoos: None
Coloring: N/A
Hair: Strawberry blond, streaked with red
Eyes: Blue
Skin: Lightly tanned

Mental Information

Alignment: Lawful Good
Philosophy: Love is our greatest weapon, hate is evil. Kindness should be shown to all.
Deity/Beliefs: Ilmater
Personality: Kind, and generous. Very slow to anger, and quick to jump to the defense of others. A bit naive, and trusting of others, always willing to give the benefit of the doubt, and never one to jump to rash judgment.

Additional Information

Gear: Steel full plate armor, a used leather pack, battered bag, a tower shield, long sword, and little else. She usually wears the padding for her plate when she is not armored. She does not see the need for extra clothes, and will not spend extra money she could be giving to the poor. When she did buy a dress for an important event she felt so bad she tithed extra and spent the entire day cleaning the Temple of Tyr.
Jewelry: None
Habits/hobbies: Triel learned to read only a few years ago. She loves to read, and also write. She enjoys studying, taking notes, and writing essays on what she reads.
General Health: Good
Favorite Drink: Triel only drinks water. After her father she believes alcohol is an awful vice.
Weakness: She has a weakness for the downtrodden, and anyone suffering injustice. She is still sensitive to hate, shown to herself and others, but she deals with being the target better since she has started feeling the hand of Tyr on her shoulder.

Background

Triel was born to a poor couple that were workers on a large farm near Waterdeep. Her father was a field-hand, and her mother worked with the other women washing clothes and cooking meals for the workers. Her mother was a loving woman, but unaware of the demonic blood that flowed in her veins from a liaison generations past. Her father was indifferent to his child and generally kind to his wife, except when he was drinking. When in his cups he was abusive to Triel's mother and could be set off by the simplest thing.

Shortly after Triel's tenth year her father's abusive interests began to include his daughter. He did not keep his abuse to merely hitting her or verbal abuse. It wasn't long before he was sharing her with his friends for a few coins. Her mother tried to stop him, but he just beat her and told her to stay out of it. Near her thirteenth year Triel started to go through a change, but not the one her parents expected. As her body became more womanly the beginnings of her unknown heritage began to emerge. The emergence of horns scared her parents. Her father took it worse, threatening to kill the 'abomination'. Her mother could not help feel the instinct to protect her child. They escaped during a night when her father was at the tavern, and moved south.

Life was tough for Triel and her mother in Daggerford. They lived in a small house outside town that was so rundown that no one else wanted it. The roof leaked, the walls were drafty, and the dirt floor was prone to becoming a muddy mess. Her mother took work mending clothes and Triel helped, out of sight of the customers. Triel's mother went to the Temple to learn to read so that she could teach Triel. She did not want her daughter to live like that for the rest of her life. She hoped Triel could get out of Daggerford, maybe become an apprentice or scribe. They both learned slowly at first, but eventually they could both write their thoughts, and read though slowly. Triel's mother was very careful to keep her daughter hidden away from the townspeople, lest they react as many others had on their trip south from Waterdeep.

Triel spent these middle years living in the hovel, learning to read, sew and cook. She also got lessons in kindness and manners. Her mother told her that the world would be a hard, dark place for Triel, but a good heart and kindness would make it easier for her.

Triel grew into a young woman without having much contact with the outside world. She worked in the small back room of their house, helping her mother mend clothes for the workers and citizens of Daggerford. Her mother told her that she must never show herself to the customers because they would not understand. Triel herself, did not understand, but she did as her mother told her.

One evening, after her mother's business was closed for the night, the two were sitting in the main room, eating their meager dinner. They made light conversation about the day, and the coming lessons in reading and writing. In the middle of dinner the door burst open and one of the wealthier, unmarried, merchants entered the house holding a torn coat. He was a regular of Triel's mother, and expected to be able to have the coat mended for an important meeting in the morning. He started to explain the situation to them, but his words slowly died off as he became aware of Triel.

Her mother tried to get the man's attention, to get him to look anywhere but at her daughter. The man stammered and slowly backed toward the door as if caught in some sort of trap. Finally he shook his head, tossed the coat in the air, and ran like his pants were on fire.

Triel's mother flew into a rush of activity, telling Triel to eat the rest of her dinner while she packed their few belongings into a small battered bag. He put in a the few coins they had saved, a bundle of papers, some from their writing lessons, and the little bit of food they had in the house. After that was done, and Triel had eaten they went back to the small chamber they both slept in and waited.

"It isn't safe to travel at night dear, otherwise we would leave now. As it is we will have to get out of town before the sun comes up," her mother told her, trying very hard to hide the look of panic in her face.

Triel nodded, and slowly drifted off to sleep, held in her mother's arms. She didn't know how long she had slept, but she awoke to the smell of smoke, and her mother's screams as she pounded on the door of the house. She could see that all but one of the walls of the house was aflame, and the house was full of of smoke. As she watched in stunned panic a roof beam collapsed, and her mother was buried under the burning debris. She screamed for her mother, but only succeeded in inhaling smoke. Coughing and choking she looked for any way out. One of the side walls was nearly burned away and she could see the outside through a hole in the wall.

Triel did the only thing her panicked mind could think of. She grabbed the bag off the floor, and jumped through the burning hole in the wall. Her clothes and the bag were singed, but she was surprised to find that she was unharmed. Patting out the small flames on the bag, she quickly ran into the darkness, away from the town of Daggerford. She cried as she ran, feeling awful that she could not help her mother, but knowing that if she had tried, or if she went back, she would die as well. She knew her mother would be very disappointed if she did that.

She traveled south, along the coast, and eventually came across a circus caravan heading in the same direction. Of course the gypsies and performers of the circus were much more accepting of the strange young woman they met on the road, and agreed to give her safe passage to the next large city as long as she helped out around the caravan.