Raymond Hyvarinen

[Mausman]

*As he sat at his favorite spot near the cliffs, echoes ringed in his mind*

" I....was a slave....I never had free choice...."

" *giggle* ... or so my grandmother used to tell me..."

" No you silly.....I allready found the perfect man...."

*he sighed, letting out a slight, gruff moan*

That woman....heh....she sure as hell became something in my life I never thought there would be.....*he glanced at Lyraa, which to others, was nothing but thin air*

"I know Ray....I am getting used to her around....I begin to like her...."

It's not that you have much choice if you want to stick with me...Lyraa...you know that....

* Eleanor had became a solid foundation in his life, both of them flirts, but they knew eachother well enough...the greater truth...he could count on her and she on him....though his instincts taking over....he wanted to protect her at all costs....taking all the hits on his own...which in his heart, he knew was not the right thing....for she was a proud and strong woman and he knew that full well*

"Ray....you know she was right to be pissed at you, right? I mean....I think it's really cool you seek out tough fights and handicap yourself, I know you enjoy battle....the hunt....the fight itself.....but like the woman with white hair said! you can't do everything on your own! ... I know you will bruise those guys....you have to...*her face saddened* but you can't die! Eleanor needs you! .... *in a soft voice* I need you.... *she leaped onto his back and sat on his shoulders as always, pushing her little hand into his cheek so as his cheek would look squished* "stop standing here like silly head! you need to train! and no, not alone, you should take Eleanor and look Dennis up! you are a silly guy sometimes Ray....Dennis really likes you I think...but he is just too proud to openly admit that kind of things......why don't you join them? the company that is? "

hmh....I like my being.....independent.....I work with them if they want me to....I like them well enough.....*the same gruff moan as ever*
Maybe I'll join them....after this entire heap of cow dung is over....but I will not change my ways, Lyraa.....well.....not entirely... *he grumbled*

*Lyraa giggled teasingly* "Eleanor got to you, haha! you are listening to her huh? well I think that is good! now move!*

*he walked off, blades in hands, to train*

[Mausman]

*As one of the minotaurs slumped in his deathfall, Raymond found a new strain of confidence within him....sure, Dennis and the powerfull caster with them covered a large portion of protection, but Raymond noticed how Eleanor and he had grown....at first, Eleanor felt useless, but anyone who could have seen her in action, calm, tending to wounds and frenzy striking with spear..could do nothing but acknowledge her usefullness*


They had talked earlier.....about how to make more coin.....she mentioned offering her services as a healer to the rich....which had Raymond alarmed due to the details she also told him earlier....

"And then what? present yourself to Thayans like that? or not so trustworthy rich folk? "

*he knew he sounded protective....maybe a bit overprotective, he knew she could fend for herself....but she was too important to him to allow her to put herself at risk*

* His comment clearly had brought her to thinking...which was his goal....he never would prohibit her to do anything....he promised to honor her freedom in all things....but he did want her to think about it....or at least try to teach her not to be that tidbit too trusting that she could be at times*

"I will say this.....if -anyone- attempts to lay a finger on you, trying to rob you of your freedom...I will gut them like a fish......even drip dry them for the populace to see....even if I have to travel all of Faerûn to bring you back to the grove....each and everyone blocking the way to that, will die..."

* her response seemed as if she was a bit surprised at that...maybe new to this side of him...but he meant every word...for he made her a promise...a promise that involved their future....involving a wondrous third if the Gods were willing...and his feral, wolf like instincts would not allow it to be jeapordised*



*Later on, a gnome named Azrael strolled into the grove when he and Eleanor were planning to rest there for the night, he told them he was with the circle of the grove and showed them the inner sanctum...Ray and Eleanor were touched by it's beauty and offered to meet with the circle leaders..him and Eleanor being tired like hell, expressed their interest but preferred to speak of this another time, when both were less tired...*

[Mausman]

*Raymond found himself on the cliffs near Candlekeep again...his black hair waving on the wild winds...his thoughts racing like always when he stood there*

" Fennel, Corydalis, Myrrh......and that root.....the one root that would make it potent.....I'll have to climb the mountains for it in the south....giant territory....but I ain't giving up now...."

*Raymond had a determined look in his eyes, staring at the sea*

* a flash from the past banged through his mind....the days where he still belonged to the chapter serving Auril......his bitterness over his father's assassination had frozen his heart back then...and he found solace with the brethren and sisters of the Frost Maiden...surely....this was the past....a lot had changed....he traded those ways for Mielikki's path....surely...that process had cost him....but at least it got him where he was right now....*

*glancing up to the skies, the stars shining bright in the night, he spoke*

" I want to do it right, dad.....you know me....I ain't no hero....never was nor will be....hell, I had no real direction untill now......life's changed....and...I am willing to make the jump....I'll see what it brings....hope you and mom are happy...where ever you are now....."

*he glanced down at his blades, the runed steel faintly glowing in the night*

" Well....time to head to the mountains...."


Ray! you idiot! *Lyraa kicked Ray in the shin* go ask Dennis to come with you!

*Raymond growled as he felt her little foot kicking him*

" No.....not this time Lyraa....this is -my- personal gift to Eleanor.....just hope it'll work once I finished it....I'll be sure to take some myself as well....just in case...."

*another flashback....the time he had to kill a Banite warrior who was lighting a fire near the outpost of Aurilites*

Why is it that someone with such a useless path of life...has so much prowess? *the ironclad man fell on his knees, coughing up blood* what is it you fight for? WHAT IS YOUR GREATER PURPOSE?

*Raymond kicked the warrior on the chest, watching him fall on his back, growling in pain*

" What nonsense....I need no purpose.....our fight -was- the purpose....but sadly.....you were not much of a thrill....."

I served my lord with dedication....devotion....and you take it from me for....NOTHING! NO GREATER GOAL!

" SHUT UP! your words are pathetic! I am not like you, but I defeated you, the very reason being that I do not care -what- it is -you- fight for, I just used my own inner strengths to bring you down as fast as I could....*he shook his head, laughing a bit* purpose.....WEAKLING!" *Ray ended the man's suffering with his twin blades*

*Ray shook his head, snapping out of the flashback...his familiar gruff voiced groan heard*

" I was just a bitter young man....doing some chapters dirty work...." *as he began walking, the sentence might have sounded like a sort of apology....but slightly*

Ray.....*Lyraa's face saddened, she could sense the hardship Ray had endured in his past, leaping onto his shoulders and making herself comfortable, she kissed the top of his head ever so gently, not saying a word....soon to be followed by a smile as she thought about Dennis.....whenever she felt a bit blue...she thought back to that moment....Dennis and Raymond cheering her up, Dennis doing his acrobatics....she would never forget that....he would always have a special place with her*

* And so....Ray began his trip*

[Mausman]

*lifting up his arm as he heard the cry of the magnificent bird, blocking the sun from shining into his eyes, Ray noticed the falling piece of parchment. As he bend over and unfolded it, he read it's message*

*sighing with a groan, in his usual gruff way, Ray tucked the letter away underneath his armor, against his chest where his heart is situated, as he spoke softly in the cold winds blowing around him on the mountains*

"I miss you too my love....though I can sense our bond as ranger and druid, like ours as persons, is growing....even though from afar....my heart tells me you are safe right now..."

*the root where his search was all about, carefully tucked away in his pack*

"Pray that I will return unscathed and get this mixture done, my love...."

*he spoke as a winterwolf howled nearby....instinctively unsheathing his twin blades...him and Sasha hid themselves amidst the trees....the cold winds slashing into their faces as they both stared right into the winter wolf's eyes.....knowing full well, there was no turning back now*

"Lyraa....get off my shoulders...NOW! and go into that small cave...you'll distract me if you stick on my shoulders"

*Lyraa grumbled a bit at him, but did as he asked, soon looking at him with a smile* "I know you can do it Ray!" kick it's rear end!

*standing nearly as tall as a cow, the winterwolf leaped at Raymond, with one fierce pounce, ending with Raymond on his back, growling at the mighty beast. He bashed it's head with the handle of his left blade, making it flinch while get quickly tried to get up*

* The wolf, clearly taken a bit by surprise, initiated another leap. Raymond struck out to the mighty beast, landing a series of mighty hits upon it....the wolf however dished out quite some pain upon Raymond in return with it's huge claws and managed to sink it's teeth in his leg*

*Sasha, smaller than her relative by far, no longer stood by...she leaped at the winter wolf's flank and bit with all her might, causing the winter wolf to let out a loud growl...before unleashing a breath of pure cold upon both Raymond and his dear Sasha...*

* Sasha managed to avoid the blast...Raymond ...did not...as he caught the harsh cold breath in full, he growled out in pain as the frostbite clawed into him..falling to his knees*

* The Winter Wolf, now seeing the chance to kill his prey, leaped another time at Raymond, but with less finesse as to the grave wounds it allready had...being mid-air in it's leap, Raymond, with his final strength, held his blades pointing upwards, catching the wolf upon it with a loud cry..whe weight being so much, Ray was covered with the Wolf's slow breathing body...*

*As the wolf's breathing gradually decreased untill the moment of death was there, Raymond slumped into unconciousness...Sasha, with all her might, grabbed Raymond's armor at the back of the neck and began to drag Raymond off into a small cave near...where she licked his wounds and then his face...softly crying..wanting him to wake up...she had grown quite attached to him and was not planning to leave him like that*

*Raymond gasped one loud time...blinking his eyes, coughing heavily....his face suddenly pushed to the left, as a small hand squished his cheek*

YOU IDIOT! you think it's funny to have Sasha and me scared like that?? HUH??

*Raymond lay there with a stupid grin on his face*

"I won...didn't I? -cough, cough- sure was a hell of a fight..felt good"

*Lyraa's face switched to friendly* "You did! *she nodded with a giggle, then switching to angry again, punching his rib* "But you also know you could have died easily! IDIOT!'"

*Ray spoke with a stupid grin still on his face*

"oh shut up, I still live...leave me be for a moment...."

*as he slowly sat up, leaning against the cave wall, he started to tend to his own wounds...resting..with Sasha in his lap, petting her gratefully and Lyraa on his shoulders....who ofcourse was thin air for other people (except shamans), they waited untill both Ray and Sasha were rested up before heading out again....in the slashing cold winds...making their way back to the grove...*

[Mausman]

*As Ray and Eleanor had their talk at the fire, a load fell from his shoulders...he understood her being scared....being confused...and his patience would know no end...not for her in any event....over the past months he had made his choice and he made it fully...the talking ended up with passionate lovemaking..*

*He was delighted to see her new forms....he never really understood why she thought he would not...but he was glad she showed him*

*his thoughts wandered off to Dennis....who he had dubbed "brother"*

....I can only imagine what's going on inside your mind and heart...brother....*as Ray spoke on the winds at the cliffs near candlekeep*
Know that I will back you up at all times....it's my turn to help -you- now...

*Lyraa climbed on Ray's shoulders and sighed* All will be ok, right Ray? right?? I hate to see uncle Dennis like this....but I hate even more what this...invisible thing is doing!

Don't worry....*he said when all he did was just that in his mind* I am going to do my share.....and if we can get a way to get this thing touchable...we all will do a number on it.....avatar or no avatar.....I aint no tin can, I aint no knight....but this kind of injustice....I ain't letting it continue...hells, I have been on the fields of the dead tons of times....and took -great- delight in ending those undead! *he spoke a bit louder, perhaps hoping it was heard*

And I will do it again and again....I hope Earindil and Den sought out Selune's temple....'cause if my logic is right....she is Shar's opposite... *his typical groan*

Damned God-games....

* He thought back on the hunt on giants....Eleanor was doing fantastic....he was proud of her...proud to be hers as well...her new wild streak was ever so beautifull, he loved it....his own technique had been improving as well.....and Dennis...he just hoped he dropped the Bearkin thing soon....even if the suit looked good on him, it just wasn't his style....but he would allow Dennis to discover for himself...he allready had told Dennis what he thought of his recent display of skill at the giants...and this time...it was Dennis who told Ray he was right for a change..*

"Sides....*Ray spoke* there can only be one reckless guy....*he chuckled as he checked his wreck of an armor*

[Mausman]

War.....*Raymond's gruff voice spoke*

*Raymonds mind pulled him into a flashback, the battle for Candlekeep*

it's changed.....Gods seem to play more prominent roles in these things.....*Ray was saying his thoughts out loud at his favorite spot*

They control all puppets....good versus evil......for "the cause"...what good is it? isn't the only cause worth fighting for to keep this world as it -is- ? by being yourself?

Fighting is just a way to get to a point....personal struggle....your own development....your own...reasons *he thought of Ianus...his brother who had passed away in his arms and his vow to him* but to fight for a God? *he shook his head* they got powers themselves, they don't need -you- to achieve it, they just laugh at you if you follow them blindly....like a pawn..... *he thought back of the days he served Auril*

I am glad I chose your path, Mielikki.....you offer so much freedom....and ask for nearly nothing....


Bane....Bhaal....their temples are close to eachother....now Shar is pulling tricks as well.... I don't care about causes, but the balance in things seems off.....and that rubs me the wrong way....*lifting up his new blades, nodding at them*

[Mausman]

God games....... *Raymond slammed his left fist into a bark, his knuckles bled...*

Why did you have to say such a thing Aerindil? *his right fist allready bleeding, slammed into the bark*

*Raymond was mulling his thoughts while doing his practicing round, only this time, he extended it*

Ray... *Lyraa spoke* you do what you can.....you can't control fate....I can tell....*she glanced down briefly* Eleanor will manage.....you comfort her, support her...but she has to find out herself how to belong....you can't do it -for- her.....

*his familiar groan could be heard as his drew his blades and made his focusing stance*

I don't know what to do.....I guess I....will be there for her and have her tell me what she thinks it is she needs....I am not familiar with a desire to...belong....except from sharing life with her....'sides....she got accepted in the circle allready.....I have.....well, group wise......nothing....not that I am complaining.....I guess I am destined to be independent *he nodded once firmly*

well, Earindil seems interested in you.....*Lyraa shifted her eyes for a bit, then glanced up at him*

Well, that's tough then. I am willing to do anything to help Dennis, but I ain't joining.....sure as hell not after he dumped Eleanor like that....as if she was dead weight......it was respectless....-especially- after he promised me to look after her if anything would happen to me....kicking her out of the company isn't exactly looking after someone...it is robbing them of a stabile factor in their life! *he cursed heavily*

Dammit Earindil! I respected you.....*he groaned again as he performed his practicing slashes*

Ray....maybe.....he will reconsider.....

So what? the damage is done, words like those cut deeply....even worse than the best blades crafted...I am glad Eleanor knows that she is not useless herself......if I have to count the times she kept me and Dennis on our feet....hells! reviewing her as a groupmember? the proof of that last time at giants....with Jadis along with us? that was hell of teamwork going...

Also, the other times when it was me and El? no mistaking her talents....she is growing.....and becoming a hell of a force....*he nodded approvingly as he performed his new technique a couple of times*

That's true....and you two seem to start attuning your instincts on eachother....

Yeah....it's amazing....still have no words to describe how that feels....however...she is handling herself well....will take some time I think till she overcomes this blow....but I have confidence in her...

*he knelt down after sheathing his blades near the Alter of Mielikki*

It's me again.....Raymond.....still ain't good at this....so...excuse me if I am doing it wrong, Lady of the woods.....but.....can't you maybe.....aid Selune? I mean...the balance is way gone right now....and it seems we aren't exactly making progress in maintaining.....things like they are.....look....If I....need to do something special to get you to hear me....or I don't know....in return.....give me sign....I just want to help my friend....and in this case...at any cost.....

*his words were softly spoken, gruff voiced, but gentle, as if he forgot his surroundings and was in one room with his favored diety, Mielikki...though clearly the words of a man never educated in prayer....*

Right...my mind is formulating questions like "how are you?" and things like that...but I guess that aint suiting....I mean...you are a Godess after all *he made a handgesture to the Alter*

Well...I guess I will continue to tend to this place here and make sure the gobbo's don't try to carve their foul language in your Alter here....*he kissed the feet of the statue and stood up, suddenly aware of his surroundings and making sure no one heard or saw him*

*noticing some goblins, he ducked, and like a wolf, prowled through the tall grasses, snuffing out their little useless lives as he pounced on them...*

Ehm...Ray? ....you are doing the gnawing thing on legs again...

*Raymond blinked and spat out the cloth and bits of goblin skin from his mouth, groaning after that*

The hells? that is happening quite often lately....

[Mausman]

*Laying in the grass near the Candlekeep cliffs, Raymond was drunk as hell, it had been some time since he took a couple of bottles and he felt he earned it*


Dennis and Natalie back together....Nat and her brother as well.....me and Eleanor doing great fighting wise....save for larger groups *burp*

all in all....things are looking up a bit again! *he rose a bottle to the skies* Cheers Mielikki! you're the best......

as for me....

*he swigged the bottle*

I prolly will end up in a fit with the Aurilite......*he chuckled and ended with a dumb grin on his face*

*Lyraa looked at Raymond and shook her head* Ray.....you're such an idiot at times.....but I love you....you idiot....*she jumped and landed on his stomach* you're going to kick Aurilite ass! I know you will!

GAH! Dammit Lyraa! easy! *they both chuckled*

[Mausman]

*Ray sweeped his blades towards the snowy ground...blood splattering on it...whilst two giants slumped to the ground behind him*

*He ran to the top of the mountain, standing there, the cold winds blowing strong*


" I'm going to be a father.....*a wide grin forming under his cowl* thank you Mielikki.....thank you Lurue....."

[Mausman]

*Raymond allready knowing from word of mouth, regards the notices on various places on the solstice*

Would be nice to meet some brethren and sisters I guess....exchange experiences....how they handle stuff...

YEAH! *Lyraa jumped up and down all happy like* AND GUIDE THE PEOPLE HERE! SO MUCH FUN! MAYBE SOME SPIRITS WILL BE THERE FOR ME TO PLAY WITH!!!!!!!!! *Lyraa bounced all over the place and was squeeking happily*

*Raymond chuckled and looked at Lyraa with a warm smile*

Hey...Lyraa....now that I am going to be a official father....won't mean I am going to neglect you....just want you to know that....ok?

I know Ray! I never doubted that! *she grinned at him with half closed lids*

Good...*he nodded* never forget that

[Mausman]

*Raymond groaned*

Can I at least use a big club then?

*Eleanor smiled at him*

I mean...if you want me to sort troublemakers out....without using my blades.....

*Eleanor nodded slowly, still smiling*

" just...knock them out...tie them to a tree and gag them....no need for bloodshed....I hope you won't need to act at all..."

Fine....promised.....BUT! if anyone is performing armed actions....I will see that as my cue to kill......I am not going to face an armed man or woman and risk anything....but yeah....I hope it will be a peacefull celebration.....these lands could do with one *he nodded*

[Mausman]

*Raymond growled as he looked up at the moon, standing at his favorite spot*


if this....Ice...person is planning to mess up the ritual or anything....me and Den will sure as hell do a number on her....in fact....*he glanced down at his blades*

I think I will make some new rules.....for me and Den....armed attempts on disrupting on punishment of subdued with force, even if death is the result *shrugs* and light nuisance resulting in one warning, if not abiding, a good clubbing and bound and gagged to a tree... think this policy will do nicely yes *nods*

Raaahaaay! it's supposed to be a celebration! just be sure Eleanor can do her ritual....

*Ray groaned* ofcourse Lyraa....it's just that I do not like the idea of people who might try to mess it up, specially not aurilites.....*he spat on the ground*

it -is- a celebration of the sun....we are bound to see some of their ugly frozen heads soon.....and I will gladly remodel them for them

[Mausman]

*Lyraa was ever so pleased to meet with spirits of the forest, and was playing happily with them during the celebration, completely forgetting all else that was going on around her*

Who goes there??? *Raymond eyed the bushes, Valer poking in it with his staff and Dennis arriving as well*

*It revealed the one he had known as lady Icehart....she was cursing heavily *

*It became quite clear she was loathing the celebration, calling everyone heathens and calling Ray a fallen one, claiming to know everything about his past*

*after the woman unleashed a magical storm on the area, Raymond could no longer control his anger and punched her in the face, a struggle broke out and the three men tried to hold her down and tie her up*

*after many exchanged words, the woman managed to break free and ran off...Ray turned and whispered to Valer*

I'm going after her.....*Ray ran and drew his blades*

ICEHART! *his voice boomed through the forest, his inner rage building up*

ICHEHART! WE ARE NOT DONE YET!

*a couple of goblins tried to get in Ray's way, his rage still building, resulting in the swift and quite gruesome death of said goblins, Raymond striking as mean as he could, aiming to make quite painfull and deadly wounds*

ICEHART! SHOW YOURSELF!

*Ray growled loudly, she had dissapeared.....realising what he was doing....he turned on his heel...back to the ones that needed him the most....he had reasons to stay in one piece for after all....*

[Mausman]

*A loud crack could be heard...splattering of blood on the stones, north of the fields of the dead*


THIS is what you get for making remarks about "services" thayan filth!

*Raymond managed to have grabbed the lowly wizard minion by his hood and with all his might smacked his face into the rocks, two more times to be sure the filth had died his gruesome death....then after piling up the corpse on dry wooden twigs and setting it ablaze*

that takes care of the last one.....*Raymond grinned with an animalistic satisfaction, his face covered in bloodspatters*

Now....I hope we can focus on more...important matters....*Raymond thought of the circle...little did he know however that there might be a conflict up ahead still....with his past gaining on him*

[Mausman]

*CRASH!* * a shard of ice crashed near Ray....in the ground....making him turn on his knees as he was praying near the statue of Mielikki*


Lyraa! Sasha! GO! NOW! *his voice boomed*


*Before him, stood Irini Icehart, in all her icy glory*

*words were exchanged, as she ended: The time of talks are over! may your grave be a chilly one!*


This one if for you...lady of the forests....*as Ray nodded at Mielikki's statue and leaped at Irini*

*A blast of cold hit Raymond....the cold clawing into him.....grave wounds of frostbite and bits of armour shattered due to the sub zero temperature....*

Grraaagh! *Raymond growled loudly and he tried to endure the pain....he grazed her with his blades....before taking another blow of frost.....flying backwards...crashing on the ground....consciousness fading in and out....as all those he came to care for in his own way flashed throug his mind*


At least you of all people should have known Auril is not that forgiving....I will let you lay here.....halfdead..she is not done with you yet..and NEVER EVER touch a priestess of her fold again....


*She walked off....as Lyraa was sobbing and screaming....crying*


Ray! Raay! RAAAAY! *her voice ringing loudly in raymonds mind, he opened his eyes and a tear formed in his right eye*

*He slowly managed to crawl up, but fell down again....Sasha leaped from the bushed....shoving her head under Raymond and lifting him up all her might....dragging him all the way back to the farmlands near the Gate, where he finally had the strength to walk again....*


*in town, he met Valer, who had shared the same fate....both swearing to take vengeance once they were ready before valer left..*



*Lady Auriel noticed Raymond...gravely injured and his armour breaking down as he walked....she tended to him...sternly but warmly....like a mother would do...he knew he could count on her....and felt reassured by her*





*Dennis and Thomas arrived at the scene, after ray started to feel a bit better after the healing lady Auriel granted him...the situation was quickly explained....and Dennis began forming a plan before going off for errands *


*Needing to get his mind from things...raymond obliged to the asking of Thomas to help Natalie regain her self belief....*

*As they walked to candlekeep, Raymond explained to her how love, passion and devotion would be her greatest weapons if allowed to be flown into her flail and shield....after trying that...she found herself fighting gnolls and ogres again, rediscovering that part of her she had been missing for some time now*


*Celebrating this in candlekeep with pastries and with Pledge joining them...the matter of Irini was discussed.....at length....Raymond's past....Eleanor being with child....the summer solstice....the clashing with Irini there....*



*It was when Natalie spoke to Raymond with her words: "Don't break yourself about what you are not...be proud of the man you have grown out to be..." both of them found out they had learned from eachother.....Raymond knowing he had multiple reasons to keep drawing breath and not storm after Irini.....and Natalie finding back her inner strength and perhaps purpose....all in all, the past few days were heavy for Raymond....they all parted ways...and all he wanted...was to be with Eleanor....to hold her.....for he was dead...dead...tired....*