Telissa Carshald, Paladin of Lathander

[nicahh_tsoni]

What is one such as myself suppose to do with Trent? A man whom I once thought to have a good heart, one that I followed thinking he to be a follower of the Morninglord, who is now being wanted an audience with by the Most Radiant of Lathander, Kelddath Ormlyr. I can only guess that he is being wanted for his actions that he does in the name of the Morninglord. How it is that he still recieves blessing from He is beyond my knowledge, but perhaps within the coming days and when Trent stands before the Most Radiant shall we find out the truth. Ivaris posed a question to me, one that has begun to sink in as a possibility. He posed the question as to whether or not Trent may be worshipping another, recieving blessings by his actions that may please the god or goddess that he follows. If that is true, then I will be ill for many dawns for allowing myself to follow one only proclaiming to be a follower of Lathander.

I can only hope that it is not true, though we shall soon find out the answer to the question Ivaris posed. A day would pass, and as the sun crept slowly over the horizon, my mind became clear. I worry for one who, despite my best efforts to personally intervened, has chosen through his will to not heed my words or advice, and it feels as though he believes I lie to him. He will no longer bother I, for I have turned my shoulder from him. Too many times have I tried, and tried hard, to turn him back towards the path of good. But his actions make my stomach ill and I cannot take it any further. I do not see him being able to recover, for he has been falling ever since he met the tiefling woman Tamina. She has tapped the dark essence within him and at the end of the day, has won through. Deep in my heart, I have a feeling that if I had intervened, not allowing him to see her, that he would not be who he is now. But that is not the case and I will no longer dwell on this topic.

Jonas' presence warms my heart and soul, for I greatly enjoy his company. I feel at ease when he is around, something that I cannot say I have felt in many summers. And twice within the past couple of days has he taken me to places I have not visited before. The first we ventured to the south of Beregost, into the mountains, though I draw a blank now as to their name. Aethor, Merielle, Jonas, myself and another made our way into the halls of the Frost Giants and in these halls we battled the large brutes, along with a few bears and leopards they have trained as their own. It was a refreshing trip, to see a new place with friends about. Although I was of little use, it was enjoyable to have gone there and I have thanked him for taking me on such. It was but last night that we ventured to another place, known as Durlag's tower. Jonas, Siomir, Dajala, Rith'alaria, Rente, and another whom I unfortunately do not know the name of was the group this night, and we soon began our descent into the tower, battling the fiends that walk the halls of the deserted tower. Drow, displacer beasts, umberhulks and illithid were what we battle, in no particular order. We descended to the third level, and cleared our way through each room, removing the evil presence on the creatures. Though with the many hidden doors, I do not doubt some were in hiding and once we leave, they will return to walk the halls once more.

Between these two trips much has happened, one notably being the near death of Jonas, my brother, many friends and adventurers, and myself. Though none could have expected such when the event began, for it was the trial of Dustin Spellroyal. The trial was sloppy, that is to say the least, for the prosecutor did not use the information mentioned within the trial wisely. If he had done so, Dustin would have been found guilty of much and recieved a harsher crime than he has. He is to be banished for five years from the city of Baldur's Gate and upon a return before the five years banishment has passed, he will recieve fourty lashes and the years will begin anew. Soon after the verdict and punishment was declared, he turned and challenged Ivaris to a duel. Although rumours that both men wanted the other to kill them circulated, I did not expect Ivaris to be willing to fall for the sake of Dustin.

We began our way north to the fields of the dead, and then the large gathering surrounded the two men, whom both fell to a knee before each other. Dustin handed Ivaris a wand, who in turn did not take but instead took out from his pack a bottle of poison, declaring he would end his life if Dustin would not kill him. Dustin then drew a dagger, saying the same. Both men kneeled in the road offering to end their own lives. Though with the delay, and it being night, the fields soon awoke, and the groans and moans of the undead that plaqued the lands soon began to muster in forces. Quickly we charged onto the field, slaying the undead, but as we further scattered ourselves we met our doom. Alan, my brother, was chased off into the fields. Aethor and myself made our way after him, and as we returned, I came upon Jonas surrounded by the undead creatures. But I was too late, for they overwhelmed him and as I cried out his name, I fell. I do not remember much else other than waking up with several Fist surrounding my brother and I, as we lay in the Elf Song Tavern. At once, I began making my way back towards the fields, fearing the fate of Jonas. Though worry soon left me, as I felt his own fear and despair once Alan and I left the gates of the city, and when I saw him amongst the group of others, I ran to him and embraced him in a hug, for I had thought that I had lost him this day. And I am relieved that I did not.

Never appears to be a dull moment in my days here, and that is a good. It is time I retire though, for my eyes are heavy.

May Lathander shine light in the darkness before us.

[nicahh_tsoni]

Happy Hugs has been the talk amongst Jonas, myself and others as of late. It had been planned several days prior that we would venture to Happy Hugs after the trial of Dustin, but we were unfortunately delayed and at the end of that day, we were far too exhausted to make the treck south. However, it would not delay us for long, as last night many of us made the treck through the Cloudpeak Mountains to the Vault of the Dead, which is known by Happy Hugs to a few. I have learned from Jonas that Arivain the bard is the one whom decided the name for such, as it is quite the opposite of the nickname it is given. Having seen it for my own eyes, I cannot disagree that the place is not anywhere near a happy place.

During a trip to Beregost, I came upon Jonas whom was looking down the southern entrance from Beregost. I had thought he to be waiting for someone, but he had said that the trip to Happy Hugs was to begin soon, when the elves of Doron Arnar were ready. Azareil soon approached us from behind, and as such happened we began to make our way south to Nashkel and beyond. Approaching the mountains, there were several figures we could see in the distance and as the distance was closed, I was able to recognise many of them gathered. Siomir, Rith'alaria, Dajala, Saer Ankhalab, and Wthyran were amongst the group that I recognised. Unfortunately, the rest I did not and I have not hearm mention of their name, thus I will be unable to achknowledge their presence.

Our group began the ascent into the mountains, coming into a large valley where Dajala and others gathered us close and cast protective spells and enhancements upon us. We were all heavily enchanted, and it proved to be useful for when combat began, our foes were vanquished quickly. We began to make our way further south through the mountains until we came upon a winding path that led alongside the cliffs. The path wound down, two bridges along the path allowing further access, though it was only one that we were required to pass. The bridge that we did pass was held above a waterfall, and as I stood close to the edge to look down and about, I was breathless at the beauty for I. Jonas then whispered to me that this was one of a few places he wished to show me the dawn.

We continued our way down the winding path until we came across the vault. A large structure with a skull above the doorway. In order to access the vault, it was required that we wade through waist deep water for but a few seconds, though that did not stop us, nor should it have. And it did not. Upon entering the vault, any sense of happiness within was gone. The skeletons of the deceased were spread about carelessly, and the dead roamed the halls. We battle courageously through the halls, descending down two floors. The second floor was the most horrific. Several large pools of blood were present in the room, the smell of death and decay ever lingering in the air. From the roof, the blood continued to pour, while the faint sounds of screams and moans filled the silence that had come upon us. It would not waver our path though, and we continued to defeat the undead before coming upon a magically warded door. I am unsure who it was that removed the ward, though at once we charged into the room.

Before us was a dracolich, a creature I had only heard of but not seen before that time. A large dragon that had been risen, being only but bones and a faint glowing aura about it. Though it proved to be no match for the group we had assembled, as it was defeated rather easily. A few treasures were present in the chests about the room, and the elves of Doron Arnar took the treasures to further better their young warriors. We would not stop here, for the defeat of the dracolich raised our morale and the group decided to ascend to the top of the mountain and challenge the dragon within the cave. Yet again we came to a spot where Jonas wished to show me the dawn, and this day he would, for we arrived just early of the sun creeping over the mountains. The others rested while I waited patiently, and before long an hour had passed, and the beams of the sun peered brightly over the mountain.

Wthyran unfortunately had to depart before we began our battle with the dragon in the cave, though that did not effect the result. The dragon was battled and with much fewer blows than the dracolich before, it was felled. Within a day, we had laid to rest many of the walking dead and two dragons. The day has been long and it is time I rest.

May Lathander shine light in the darkness before us.

[nicahh_tsoni]

Long has it been since I wrote in my journal, though not much has happened to tell. The only news I can recall is the rise of Randall, whom I have been informed has been risen with the aid of Trent and Leonia. Though as I began to write his name, another thing regarding him comes to mind. Though as I was writing, Randall has been risen. Why it is that they wish to raise a man who has continuously shown that he is incapable of living by the laws of these lands, I will never know.

Jonas took me aside a few nights prior, and began to question whether I have spoken to the Most Radiant of Lathander as of late. I informed him that I have only had the pleasure of such but once, and that such was before he and I were together. It was during a small trial between Trent and Kel that myself, Elsa and miss Joan stumbled upon as we searched for Trent. Though Jonas continued to ask of me several questions and before long, he relented. We came to the conclusion that one has gone to the Most Radiant pretending them to be myself and said things to him that I am accused of saying, although I have not said such.

He then handed me a scroll from the Most Radiant, stating that I was to be the tutor of Trent in hopes of bringing him back into Lathander's grace. Although I will admit I am not happy with such a task, I will diligently work towards such. It will not be easy, for I have spoken to him and informed him of his fate with I, and he still does not understand the simple things that he has done wrong. Perhaps not all I believe that is wrong truly is in the eyes of our Morninglord, though I believe there to be a reason as to why it is I recieve my blessings still, while Trent does not. I only hope that my time is not wasted, and that perhaps there is yet a chance to bring him back.

I sit about the fire as I write this. To my left are Rith'alaria, Siomir and another whom I do not know, whispering. Dajala and Volomirror are to my right, and prior to these words there seemed to be but a misunderstanding. Azareil, the bard of Jonas, came to Siomir and Rith'alaria, asking him of a rumour that he had heard. They exchanged words, though I am pleased it did not lead to hostility. Though I must stop my writing here. I am able to slightly feel anger seething from him, and I wish to calm him.

May Lathander light the paths before us.