And the Lord visited Sarah, as he said he would, and Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son after all those years.

And it came to pass that God said to Abraham "Take your son, your only son Isaac, into the land of Moriah and offer him to me as burnt sacrifice"

And they came to the place which had been told by God, where Abraham built an altar and laid out the ceremonial firewood. Then as God commanded, he tied up his only son Isaac and laid him upon the altar. Just then an angel spoke "Stay your hand, good father. The Lord God is pleased to know his servant would hold not even his dearest love , his only son, the son promised him of God."

Then God spoke to Abraham, and promised great tidings and providence for all his seed, and theirs beyond, and theirs beyond. Thus was Isreal and his children born.

"Come in brother, sit down."

The young man had never worked a job before, but he could ride a horse, and wasn't short on gumption. At sixteen he shouldn't be supporting six brothers and sisters, but he was and he needed money.

" A lot of questions are hard, and some are tricky, but Family over Faith? I think I can help you there.

Tauron offered the lad a chair in the stable office. The caravan was due to leave tomorrow and they were a few riders short of comfortable. If he could hire a good man, it would show his administration skills off to his father.

"You see, I have always offered my prayers to Tymora, the Lady of Luck. Now many, including the good Father in service to Helm, dismiss Her, saying she is fickle, or undependable, or taken to fancy. But these are the words of an impatient man, to shortsighted to let the game play out. That kindly shepherd would implore you to stay home, haul chamber pot water for copper to struggle to feed your orphaned brethren and ensure their survival. However, that advice does not ever provide a chance to succeed for your family. His claim that " one stroke of bad luck on the road and your orphaned young are without a protector" does not include the fact that "bad luck" is every bit as rare as "good luck", and in fact the two are exactly the same damn thing!"

The boy looked surprised at that thought.

"Nobody should be ruled a belief that stifles your families growth and success. Myself, I seek the Favor of Tymora. I'll be honest , I seek to add to the fortunes of my family, which I share with my brothers. But that means I have to seek out opportunity, and I'm not the only one doing that. There are many others competing for every gold crown I wish to earn. Sometimes my competition will execute an excellent plan to great success, even at my expense. It would be easy to call that loss my "bad luck", or my competitors "good luck", but both are wrongly named so.It is true that a good plan allowed the winners to take advantage the luck the is always present at any conflict or competition { there is always a +2 bonus on the table}."

"Now we make it a habit to always be prepared to guard our caravans and you can be part of that. We always pay a sign on bonus, and you would get that before we leave, You could buy those kids a month of food and firewood before you even left."

"Make your luck work for your family"

On the 5th day out, the boy took a bandit's arrow thru his eye while sword-fighting with two other bandits trying to steal horse on a midnight raid. The thieves were turned away. Some of the older guards said they had never seen such a display of young valor.

When the message was delivered, the eldest sister, only 14 , showed the same steely courage of her dead brother and said " I will take care of these others now."

"Of course you will dear." The older woman smiled with motherly eyes. "But you will do so at my manor, and become part of the household. Your valiant brother was very brave, and his honor demands nothing less."

Years later they would all somberly toast their brother and his noble sacrifice every holiday, thankful for their well paid appointments as servants of minor nobility.

Keep your faith, and it will provide for you and your Family

Animal

The wild dogs of Waterdeep are an ever present menace, and many citizens fear the packs that roam the streets at night. They are like any other dogs though, and with the proper patience they turn easily to their domestic roots. Take my dog Torm, for example. I rescued him from the street pack when he was very young, and I myself was only 16 years of age. Born into a wild pack in Waterdeep, he was injured as a pup and left behind. I found him in the morning, and as I nursed he and his broken leg back to health, the pack loyalty he had learned was transferred to me and my trusted mules. Also, I think his wild beginnings have made him a little quicker and stronger than he would have otherwise been. I have taught him the following tricks: come, attack, defend, down, fetch, and track 

While it is true that I have always loved horses and dogs, I am now very keen on acquiring a hunting eagle or hawk. I would like to train it to hunt rabbits and squirrels and bring them to me. I think it would also serve me well to study the movements and graces of a birds wings. That knowledge may well save my life the first time I am carried aloft by a BellaBrunta griffon.

Tauron Tarm

The Rapier

Originating in Spain in the 1500's when a new fighting style (fencing) became vogue, the rapier was thrust into the European spotlight. One of the hardest swords to master because of it's long, thin, almost needle-like blade, the sword had little military use. It soon became known as the "sword of civilians with standing". Unlike earlier forms of combat, where a single good cut would end the fight, a rapier thrust is not immediately disabling and combat often resulted in both parties taking injuries. Due to the gun shot-like wound and primitive medicine of the time, death frequently occurred from blood loss or infection, hours or days later, rather than immediately from the actual wounds.
Contrary to popular belief, rapier combat was not a gentleman's affair. Kicks and punches were common and it frequently ended in grappling with both combatants drawing their daggers and stabbing each other to death. Historically, rapiers were often used in combination with a buckler or a dagger in the off hand. These bucklers often feature a prominent spike and come in a wider variety of shapes than the older bucklers used with a single-handed sword.
Despite this, I will gladly use the fan-shaped shield!!

Engraved on the Seaside Colossus

The strength to resist the night
The strength to endure the day
The strength to keep righteous paths in sight
The strength to take them without delay

The strength to find a purpose in life
The strength to find the truths it brings
The strength to kick away from strife
The strength to stabilize the rock it clings

The strength to light a friend’s day up
The strength to resist wrathful foes
The strength to fill a stranger’s dry cup
The strength to shun sin when it opposed

The strength to understand that xxx xxxx
xxx xxxxxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xx xxx xxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxxxx
xxx strength will continue to reign

Rumors from a cousin in Secomber

Recently, a wild weatherbeaten half elf returned from the High Moor frostbitten but carrying proof of some valuable discovery.  Several recovery teams have gathered in Secomber preparing to head into the High Moor.  Some city locals are beginning to think there is a race to get to what ever was discovered, first. Merchants have mentioned a high demand for polearms and  cold iron weapons. 

Greengrass

Greengrass is the official beginning of spring and the end of winter, a day of relaxation. Flowers that have been carefully grown in the inner rooms of the keeps and temples during the winter are blessed and cast out upon the snow to be trampled on, to bring rich fertile growth in the season ahead.

To mark the day each year the Ilzimmer family holds the Great Stakes race. Leading up to this are actually a number of little races that last about a two weeks and culminate in the Great Stakes; a great horse race that spans the city streets of Waterdeep. The Great Stakes is the social event of the season for nobility, featuring not only the parade of champions (the 12 horses, riders, and owners), but also the Equestrian Ball (where the guests wear horse masks over their faces and attach horse tails to their belts).

Then there is Durnan’s Delve. For a nominal fee brave warriors or foolhardy explorers can be lowered into the undermountain and endure a twelve-hour survival and hunt. Preceding this are various contests of strength, of wit and of ale consumption.

In the Gladiatorial Field of Triumph- fearsome monstrous acquisitions from over the winter are pitted against any who would know Valor and Victory. Battling the winter beasts, such as the yeti, symbolizes the prevailing over winter. Men who survive are considered prime husband candidates by certain female social circles.

Women are not without activities; there are bake sales, jewelry parties their blah blah blah…

Gavin & Hextor’s Haberdashery

Haberdashers Gavin and Hextor sells small articles for tailoring and leatherworking, such as buttons, threads, and leather goods. This popular Castle Ward men's outfitter also professes a small smithy and a tanner on sight. It is here that Eve, Tauron, Damian and Bordane; all at one time or another learned hands-on rudimentary metalworking and leather working skills. Primarily for your own access to fine textiles and equipment while making a few coin- not to mention the skill training.

Within the past ten-day (two-weeks); a small group of burglars have come to target blacksmiths in the Castle Ward. Boren says the talk is that these are common vandals making off with a quick dagger or knife, but he admits that he doesn't know that much about it. It is the suspicion of Gavin and Hextor however, that these rogues were after something: Craftsmen's Implements! Only five sets of these exotic master-work implements are known to exist, they are said to have been gifts to five unknown artificers, from a Priest of Gond "Lord of All Smiths" before his exile from the city. 

More for the Glossary of Faerun Terms and Sayings

Eva Maerklos Origins part 3 (final)

Mackenzie revered Paladin of Tyr, sanctified the gates to the gardens. In years past the Moonfest Festival saw increased activity in the city of the dead and he vowed this year would be different. Having recently exterminated a cult worshiping Myrkul he felt confident the hardest part of the evenings task was behind him. Normally his presence eased the minds of the guardsmen he patrolled with, but this night was different. The ward captain Boren seemed especially nervous. He knew something, Mack could feel it but would gain no favor buy bulling it out of him. As the night wore on Mack felt the tension grow, with every group of revelers chased away from the gates Boren and his men grew more anxious. It was like they had been tipped off about an event they could do nothing about.

All at once half a dozen zombies appeared down the street and set upon a group of revelers. Mack and half the patrol rushed down to handle the horde while Boren and some men stayed behind. No match for the paladin he raised his sword aloft and uttered a prayer to Tyr destroying all the undead with a single word. Confident he turned back to the gate to enjoy the envious stares of the remaining guardsmen. As he looked back Mack could not believe what he was witnessing. The guards’ heads bowed to a single human child. No more than 13 yrs of age she approached the gates with no hesitation.
She embraced Boren, gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and entered unhindered through the gate. Mackenzie rubbed his keen elven eyes surely this was a trick. He rushed over to the gate only to see the faint outline of the girl disappear into the gardens.

You are best to forget what you saw Boren said to Mack as he turned his attention back to the revelers. Still in shock all Mack could say was who? Eva Maerklos Boren chimed in quickly she plays here some nights and never misses a Moonfest, it’s also her 12th birthday. You cannot let a helpless child wonder the graveyard alone at night Mack shouted. As he turned and ran off into the darkness he could her Boren say something about not listening and arrogance but what that had to do with the girl Mack could only speculate.

Mack entered the clearing where the faint glow was originating. He could see Eva encapsulated by an eerie mist, singing aloud from a song book . While the language she spoke was not of this world it flowed from her as if it were her native tongue. Mack could sense the presence of evil from the clearing confident it was not the girl he waited for the fiend to show himself. Then the mist began to shift, forming into a vaguely humanoid shape. Mack lept into action, determined to slay the demon that had ensorcelled the child he drove his blade feverishly into the mist. Shouting prayers to Tyr he brought his full might down upon his foe summoning forth all the power is deity would bestow.

Mackenzie had been in many battles, felt the sting of a sharp blade, the force of slamming hammer, and the magic of ancient evils to horrifying to mention. The pain he felt was like no other dropping him to his knees. Leaving him defenseless as the innocent child he failed to protect all he could do was wait for the final blow. The blood welling up in his eyes clouded his vision, he could barley make out the form of the child standing over his helpless form. He could hear her, softly speaking into the darkness asking for mercy it is not his time is the last words he heard as he faded into unconsciousness.

As Mackenzie opened his eyes the morning sun was blinding. The dark shadow of Boren sat next to him on the ground. The healers are on the way Boren said, though I fear your eyes might be lost. Mack smiled, if that is the will of the gods so be it. At least I am alive thanks to her, is she here? No, she always goes home before dawn, doesn’t want to be late for school.

View from the top. Review

Evening started out at Castle Waterdeep during the walkthrough for the wedding. Vannay Brokengulf informed my brother that he had spoken to the Wand family and offered us as pages during Palaver(conference, discussion or long parley). My brother wasn't too enthused, Damian saw it as a good oportunity. While on break from the walkthrough, I was approched by Darat and Truemenhorn, the two skallywaggss who had been watching the Blinkstone companions so dilligently. Darat was the talker of the two and spoke to me over a drink about his desire to make a name for himself like the Blinkstone Companions had. He was quite upset that he would never be accepted by them. I encouraged Darat to try his luck with my family and our faith and to secure his name with us. He wanted to think it over but seemed enthused.




As my cup emptied, my brother informed us that he had discovered a hidden passage in his wanderings of the castle. Since we were all tired of decorum and wedding things we agreed to go view this hidden passage. Bordane led us through the castle to a sub level that serves as a stable. At the rear of the stable is a set of spiral stairs that we heard voices on when we approched. Listening to the voices, we heard someone say to Vote Yes when something was brought up for vote at the Palaver. We then heard another voice, repeat in monotone to vote yes at the palaver. Damian decided he wanted to see who was on the stair. Climbing the stair he only found one individual but noticed a magical taint in the area that he chalked up to invisibility. Following the individual he finally saw his face and realized it was a member of the Wand family, as yet unsure whom exactly.



Bordane then led us up the stairs and further into the castle. We entered an anonomous bed chamber where Bordane pointed out the hidden passage. Damian of course saw it easily but the others struggled to see it till Bordane and I passed through. We found a strange passage with some rungs leading up. What was strange was if you viewed the castle from outside, it would seem there is no where "up" to go, no structure exists there. Damian boldly stepped forward and began his climb. Shortly after a few feet of climbing, something strange happened and he began to fall...UP! He soon got his bearings and landed near another door. A comment about the "doors", they weren't normal doors but basically box tops that were placed over the entry from the other sides. Damian warned the others of the strange fall up. Bordane attached a rope to the bed we moved and entered the passage, he too soon fell up, unfortunately banging his head against the strange passage the entire way. Once Bordane caught up with Damian, Damian slid the door to the side, entering into a strange room where he ran into a HUGE GIANT SNAKE WITH FEROCIOUS FANGS. Damian screamed mightily...to warn the others of course, then dove back into the passage. After some light was procured the snake was revealed to be a statue. Soon we all found ourselves in the room. We wondered if we were still in the castle or if we had been transported somewhere else. Eva and Bordane found a large curtain and opened it where we discovered we were still in Castle Waterdeep, albeit high above in an invisible portion of the castle. The moonlight that washed over the room revealed much of the chamber to be filled with statues of a variety of fey creatures...who began moving as soon as the moonlight struck them!



Most of the fey creatures, quickly dissappeared out of the chamber either through the window or the passage we entered from. They moved incredibly fast. A unique kind of fey creature did not immediately flee. Identified to us as "Redcaps" these dark little fey are dressed in bloody rags and have sharp violent teeth. One of them leapt up, ripping flesh from Damian's neck. As the chaos erupted Eva wisely began closing the draperies, preventing additional creatures from being formed. Two of the three redcaps were killed, one in this chamber by Bordane, another in the passage, caught by Damian. Both of these creatures were beheaded. Damian realized at this point with the number of things knocked over and "missing" statues that whoever maintained this chamber would think they had been burgled. Not wanting to be thought of as a thief, Damian wrote a note at the deske in the chamber, explaining, without identifying himself or others, that they had fallen under some charm that they now think was a fey charm, and it lead them to this chamber, once the moonlight struck we were freed from our charm but unfortunately some of the fey creatures had escaped.



The party then returned to the passage and after Damian dealt with some difficulties finally climbed there way back to the bedroom below. Bordane spotted the remaining red cap, who was muttering TOW AR, TOW AR. Bordane chased after the creature, catching up to him in a hall, and slicing him down with his sword, hiding the creature behind a red drape. The party returned to the wedding walk through, finding everyone still on break. Vannay upon seeing us, introduced Damian to Raine Wands, the chief counselor of the Wand Family. I explained to Raine that I understood he needed some help, Vannay had mentioned our paging for him. Damian then enquired as to what skills would make for a good page, explaining that he knew discretion was of course expected. Raine was pleased by this and discussed a few other "page" issues. Damian put his mind at ease, then brought up that he "thought" he had seen him earlier tonight on the back stair. Raine claimed that he is NEVER back there and does not use that stairway. He didn't seem to be just denying it, he seemed to truly not recall or believe himself to have been back there. This caused us to suspect that he is either charmed or there is someone here using magic to appear as the chief counsel. Needless to say we will have to pay close attention. We met with our Uncle and told him of some of these issues as well as mentioning a desire to go to the city of the dead. He admonished us to stay out of trouble, with a twinkle in his eye that said he knew we ARE trouble and would surely find it.