Marn wrote of a Matriarch Vacae in his journal. This is Aquila’s mother. I tried to make that clear through, his words, but I just thought I’d make it crystal. Her name is pronounced [vah-KAY]. She is noted as Matriarch because she was once the Shaman. That honor was passed to Aquila, removing the title from Vacae. When Aquila was chosen for the bonding year, the Kalim’ Dor was left without a shaman. She still leads the tribe just as she did before, but she is no longer Kiefieh’s chosen. The reason for this is not known to any, save herself. Even Aquila doesn’t know why his mother was removed of her status. The removal is blatant though. Her silver tattoo has vanished from her neck. But, she is still as wise as any Tauren Elder (as Marn pointed out), and she leads the tribe because she has gained the respect of everyone in it. She’s taken to teaching Jathan as much as she knows. Jathan was Aquila’s best friend (with Marn close to both of them), and he was not ever any good in a battle, and has been given the permanent task of guarding the camp. He spends most of his time learning from the Matriarch. She loves teaching him all she can. He has an especially voracious appetite for Power Words, which she is more than happy to sate. She sees much of herself in him, and hopes he’ll take over her position as leader someday. She’ll outlive him, of course, but maybe she’ll get a break for a bit.

Marn himself is a Tauren. He’s larger than the average Tauren, standing 6′6″ tall. He has a mighty set of horns that point downward at an angle, kind of framing his face. He’s very strong and a decent fighter. He’s been recognized as such by the elders, and has been put on as many patrols and hunts as there are hours in the day. He squeezes time in with the Matriarch when he can to learn, but it isn’t much time. I tried to show this in his journal entry, but I think it came across weirder than I’d hoped. He’s by no means dumb. Just illiterate. But he is learning and is making great strides, considering that most Tauren can’t read at all. He’s very in-tune with nature, and loves to take time to study it. He doesn’t get nearly as much time as he’d like. He’s sort of a gentle giant. But he isn’t a pansy. He carries a giant stone axe, which is rare, even for Tauren. He’s really strong.

The Windtotem Marn spoke of is a Tauren “artifact”. Whether it has any mystical powers or not is unknown. But, it definitely has spiritual significance to the Tauren. It is a wooden log about 6 feet long. The log forms a “Y” shape, with the top three feet being split apart. The split is natural, like a tree trunk. The entire length is carved on all sides with intricate runes, and the tops of the “Y” are tied together with a deep red ribbon. It essentially looks like a big wooden slingshot The elders pray at the totem when they seek guidance. They believe the ancestors speak to them on the wind, when it blows around the ribbon. It has such significance for them that when the Kalim’ Dor make camp, the Tauren always erect the totem first on a mound of earth and then set up their camp around it.

Random facts, you think? Well… Yeah they kind of are. But I am bored at work and thought I’d write.

My name is Marn Plainstrider. I am not sure who owned this book before me. But I can tell you she didn’t suffer. My axe claimed her life before she could feel the pain. I’m not a killer, although I have killed many. My party and I were attacked while we stopped at a well. They were of the ruthless Tai ’Tek tribe. They have no honor. Setting a trap for someone at a well is a barbaric tactic. But we’re Kalim’ Dor. They had no chance. Still, Oreg Gro’ Gosh was killed. Shot in the back. May he join the ancestors in peace. He’d not have gone if Aquila were still here. I miss my friend. We triumphed, but would have fared better.

I found this book in her coat. I can only imagine she’s wealthy. Paper is hard to come by. I hid the book in my pack and took the rest of the spoils to my brethren. I wanted this treasure for myself. I can’t write well. But I’m learning. I hid the book until I was able to take it to our matriarch, Vacae. When I asked her to teach me, she was more than happy. She’s like a second mother to me. After her son was called for the Bonding Year, she took us in. Jathan and I. We were his best friends. She’s been teaching Jathan more of her ways. But I am turned to fight. After the Gathering, Tai ‘Tek attacked us. We were unsuspecting so soon after the Gathering. They didn’t conduct a raid. It was an attack. They slew many of our brave warriors. They especially slew our beasts. We have to carry much on our own backs now. After the attack, I needed to fill gaps in our tribe. I’ve been a part of every hunting party since then. I’ve gone out every day. I’m honored that they think I’m a good warrior. But I’m tired. It was refreshing to find this book. And Matriarch Vacae has been eager to teach me to write. I’ve been eager to learn.

I also enjoy spending time with her. She is as wise as a Tauren Elder. She loves the earth and sky just as I do. She knows the heat of fire and rush of water just as I do. She honors the ancestors. I think I have much to learn. But she is happy that I have learned quickly. It takes time because I am large and I cannot grasp the feather the way her slender fingers can. And my fingers cannot move the same. But despite being slow to write, I am quick to learn.

I worry that I am not learning fast enough. The spirits are restless. Our elders have felt their stirrings through our mighty Windtotem. I do not know if I can feel it. But the air has smelled strange lately. And I miss my friend.

Sorry these are turning out to be little novels! I promise I don’t start out with that in mind. I just love getting into detail, and I really put everything I (as a player) remember into these entries. It helps me remember things when I go back to them later. So, if you guys hate them, at least I get some satisfaction out of them

Rusty

P.S. Yes, there is a nod to Star Wars in there. If you don’t catch it you need to go back and watch it. NOW.

I couldn’t be more happy that we are finally out of that miserable hole in the ground. It’s funny that I never cherished the sky until I had been without it for some time. I thank the Goddess that I was born a Seraph, and not a Gru’ Dwar. Surely I wouldn’t have happiness if I didn’t have flight. Ah my mother! Kiefieh keep her.

How we got back out to the open air is still somewhat of a mystery to me. After the blessings of the Goddess poured themselves out upon our little band, Bingo was finally able to open the chest that had fascinated him so much before the battle. As soon as the hinges started to give, an arc of lightning flew from the chest and collided with Bingo. I rushed to help him but as soon as I could get to his side he was already regaining consciousness. I examined the chest and opened it warily, but nothing further occurred. I couldn’t concentrate any further and sat down while Bingo rifled through the contents. Was that Kiefieh’s test? Should I have opened the chest instead? And I know the power of the goddess. Couldn’t her test have been more… Deadly? Hopefully she isn’t trying to kill us, but Bingo was barely harmed at all. I suppose I should be grateful! None of us were hurt.

I finally stood and looked over at Bingo. He was clutching his right hand like he’d been bitten but I couldn’t tell by what. I checked the chest and saw nothing more than some equipment. Nothing dangerous at all. Maybe he was suffering aftershocks of the lightning? I grabbed one of the long, elegant blades and joined Bingo in his misery. As soon as my hand closed around the hilt, the blade began to tremble. In fact, it shook so violently that it became impossible to keep my hand shut. I dropped it! Bingo looked at me like I was stupid for trying but all I could do was shrug. How would I know that’d happen? Gi’ Kar bent and effortlessly picked up the blade. It seemed made for him as he swung it through the air to test the weight. He seemed extremely satisfied, but still grunted. I assume it was directed at us - weaklings… I have no idea why it didn’t shock him, but I almost wish it had. Just to be fair!

With his hand still stinging, Bingo rummaged through the chest, avoiding the other blade. He picked up a book and examined it; tossed it over his shoulder. I picked it up, but I figured out why he tossed it. I couldn’t read what was written. The only legible words were “(something) Sarkil ‘Kai” If you call that legible… Mykal was looking over my shoulder and grabbed the book right from my hands, looking at it with great interest. I wonder if he can read it? Maybe he’s a scholar. I could learn much from a scholar! The next item to be discarded was a silver pile of metal. I picked it up and it smoothly flowed from it’s bunched-up shape. It unrolled itself in my hands and after I turned it about, I discovered it to be a shirt! Fascinating! I’d heard of shirts made entirely of metal, but I’d never seen one before. No one in my tribe owned one, because they were too expensive. Plus, that much silver would probably be more useful to trade than to wear. The back of the shirt had two slits, placed just so… Perfectly. In fact… To my amazement, not only was the shirt a perfect fit to my chest, but the slits were in a perfect position to push my wings out and use them! Truely, I have rarely seen something so incredible! This armor is so light I feel as though I am wearing a cloth shirt, even though it appears to be made of pure silver. And though it appears to be very tough, as armor should be, I still have a complete range of motion! It’s as though the shirt and my body are one. How is such a thing possible? Surely Kiefieh had a hand in it’s creation. Something so beautiful and incredible could only have been her doing. And yet she’s no smith. The Gods have surely favored me! I just wish I knew why.

Looking to my other companions, we had all found marvelous items, each seemingly attuned to each individual. We are so blessed! And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that these things all came from Kiefieh’s Box. I am starting to believe more and more that it is not chance that I am here. We have been chosen by the Goddess as her champions, and I must lend all the help I can to her cause.

Our fifth and final bond-brother arrived at this point, and unsurprisingly, there was an item in the box for him as well. What was surprising was the fact that he is a Sol’ Kal. Three in our little band so far. And I can hardly tell him from Gi’ Kar, as he is pure black: Another Lobite. Well, I guess telling them apart won’t be too hard. This one talks. His name is Kan’ Vi’ Don Lu. So many syllables! But he had a tragic tale to tell of betrayal and a nasty burial in sand. I definitely don’t envy him! But I wonder who would be so cruel? Even the thought of being buried alive is torturous! Regardless, he’s here and in a bad mood. It seems Sol’ Kal come in nearly as many personalities as they do colors.

Also in the box was a little bag filled with crystals. There was one for each member of our party, so we each took one. I started to put it around my neck, but this started to annoy me, so I wrapped the crystal around my left wrist and tied it so it sits against my skin. The amulet went to my right wrist. Much better!

We learned what these crystals were for as the door opened up and led us to the room with the mural of Orb on the wall. Curious. I’m sure we didn’t travel in a circle, and yet we’re at the same place. There are mysteries to unfold here, yet. The ghostly man appeared and gave much the same speech as last time, except he added a bit to the end about holding the crystal and saying something to go somewhere if we need to rest. It’s probably extremely important, but for the life of me I can’t remember what he said. I was distracted with the mural on the wall. It was the same as before, but this time the giant black blob on it was moving. A moving painting! Incredible! I took out my journal and added a few lines to my sketch and was able to add some detail here and there. The detail was so beautiful that a giant blob on the surface could only be a bad thing. I know the guy said we’d need to find someone before someone else does, and the bad guy has an army. Maybe the blob is his army. I’ve marked the blob on my map. It seems to be roughly in the direction we’re going. This doesn’t look good.

We exited the cave without any other interruptions and continued our journey across the sands. The time passed mostly uneventfully, with one exception. At one point, a giant beast erupted from beneath the sands. It looked roughly like the wampworms we hunt back home, on the grasslands. But those aren’t much bigger than two meters - This was bigger. Way bigger. It came up nearly under my feet, and my first reaction was to take to the air. Unfortunately I was looking down at it and a flash reflected from the sun off my new armor right into my eyes. I’m going to have to learn how to deal with this. I was blinded for a moment, and as I flew higher and higher until I regained my senses, Bingo was apparently able to kill it. I’m not sure how, but he put three arrows in as tight a cluster as I’ve ever seen, even from the Kalim’ Dor’s best archers. He must have a hidden talent. Or just some extreme luck. Either way, he killed it. The worm was ugly. Our only injury was Kan’ Vi’s camel. It got eaten by the thing before we could even think. Kan’ Vi’s sour attitude recieved a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Personally, I think that our own personalities will be harder to overcome on this journey than anything we might face.

After a bit more travel, we slowly made our way into some sparse grasslands. I feel so much more comfortable with grass under my feet. We approached a cliff overlooking a valley. In the valley appeared to be a huge commotion of men. An army. I feel fear just writing those words. There’s got to be a way around them. We headed on a path around when we were accosted by two… Men? I think they used to be Kaa’ Jah Kushani. But they weren’t any more. Whatever they were, they were dangrous. Our group spilt into an admirable battle formation, taking these two creatures on, with our teamwork. We landed blow after blow, tearing their flesh apart with our weapons. But no matter how hard we struck, they didn’t fall. I have no desire to learn what dark power fueled these men. In frustration, we tried more unconventional methods. Fire, arrows, slicing their tendons. They pushed each attacker back, unscathed and unfazed. Desperately I grabbed the one I was fighting in a bear hug. If we couldn’t kill them, then I’d pick them up and drop them from the cliff. At least they’d be out of our way. But this plan didn’t work either! As soon as I touched his moldy flesh, his entire frame seemed to crumble. Before I could even leave the earth, he was dead (again?). Seeing him fall, the rest of my companions tackled the other en masse. They completely pinned him to the ground and he died in short order. I can’t believe we didn’t think of it sooner. And yet, who of us had faced an opponent that no weapon could harm? I think if this and more like this is what the enemy has to offer, we’d best be on our toes.