Etterwyn's Notes From the Beaten Path

[kvndoom]

8/27/05: Whoops! I slept ALL DAY! This spot in the Guild Hall is so comfy that I just never woke up. Sheesh! And nobody was around today, so my snoozing went uninterrupted. Wow, I had the whole place to myself. I wandered around for hours. I've found so many hiding spots in this Hall that even if they do find me once, I'll be able to disappear again in minutes! Ha! I almost feel bad, being such a lazy bum on a weekend, but maybe this is the rest I needed. It's too late now to go adventuring, so I'll have to try again tomorrow. I think I'll just scrounge up some dinner and read a little, and go back to sleep. Ya, I miss killing things, but this tranquility is actually kinda nice too. I just hope there's no meeting tonight. All that noise would ruin my peaceful weekend. Heh, I wonder if they've been looking for me. Oh, the irony just makes me giddy!

[kvndoom]

8/28/05: Another wasted day! I did at least go out and get some sun in Maguuma (I was losing my tan), but I must admit that I spent most of the day hiding in the Guild Hall again. Heh, they (we?) did have a meeting today too. Hearing everybody ask if they've seen me was just hilarious.

I almost gave myself away by laughing. Ewww, that would've been ugly. I am going to try VERY hard to wake myself up tomorrow and DO SOMETHING. It's not often that I squander an entire weekend. I guess even I have the right to be lazy once in a while, though.

[kvndoom]

8/29/05: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Etterwyn has a brand new toy! I won an auction for a new hammer, and picked it up first thing this morning. Now, I'm usually quick to knock hammers as worthless, but I'm starting to think differently now. I hadn't been paying to learn many hammer skills, so I was already at a disadvantage when I got the thing. But, I was determined to make something of it. I had heard of an Elite skill named Earth Shaker that Tundra Giants in Snake Dance were using. I met up with THE BOSS (in warrior form, the way things ought to be) and Amar Ironback in Droknar's, and we made preparations to "learn" this skill from a not-so-willing Tundra Giant. One thing I did first was buy some new armor to accomodate my hammer. They say that Dwarven Stonefist Gauntlets can make you swing that much harder, so I bought a set. And of course, they absolutely do NOT match any of my armor, so I look even more ragged and piecemeal than before. Grrrr...

We hire 5 or 6 henchmen and head out to find the Tundra Giant's camp. It was a VERY long journey, and we had to wipe many a Stone Summit and Troll and Griffin from the face of the planet as we headed north. Several hours passed before we finally found the Giants' camp. We actually went past it and had to backtrack, come to think of it. Amar's intelligence network gave him slightly different information from mine. Neither of us were expecting to go as far as we did. But he was looking for a Troll instead of a Giant. In the end, we did get there. We had to battle dozens of Giants before we were able to hold audience with their leader. Of course he wasn't going to willingly teach us Earth Shaker, but the lovely thing about Capture Signets is that they can absorb knowledge from warm corpses. Amazing how willing the Giant leader was to share with us AFTER we beat him to a bloody pulp. Heh. The 3 of us split up after that. I like it when THE BOSS gets really focused, because he always forgets to ask me where I was during the last meeting. Hee hee.

I broke down and paid some Skill Trainers to teach me how to use my hammer (I spent a lot of money today, which makes my lazy weekend sting that much more), and then it was time to get to work! I didn't want to get in over my head from the start, so I went to Kryta first to pound some Undead. Coincidentally, I met Darkblade Kazguul there, and she offered to help me thwack the old bones. Well now, using a hammer is a HUGE deviation from swords or axes. Having both hands tied up just carrying a weapon makes for a major shift in strategy. No shield, no Focus. Now I did bring my Super Ultimate Smiting Rod and my Healing Ankh as backup, but fortunately I didn't have to use them much at all. Thanks to my Gladiator's Armor, I still had enough energy to cast Balthazaar's Aura when I needed to. Now let me get this out of the way first- I absolutely LOVe the dull "thump" my hammer makes when it goes upside somebody's head! The first time I heard that, I felt tears come to my eyes. And this was so fun, because I was learning a new way to beat down baddies. Darkblade commented that I seemed to be having too much fun out there. Well blah. She was probably just jealous because she didn't have such an awesome hammer like I did. And when it comes to hammers, it's all about one thing and one thing only- knockdowns! Putting my enemies on their butts and then bashing them upside their heads is pure ecstacy! Where's the Hammer, fool? On Your Face! And Earth Shaker? Oh, YES, I do adore the Earth Shaker! I got mobbed by Ghouls and Hellhounds, over a dozen of them, and when I pulled off the Earth Shaker and my hammer hit the ground, it bowled them ALL over! And then I lit their butts up with Aura! Yeah, Darkblade, let me see you do that with your sword! Ha! She was a good sport though. She even gave me a funny nickname: Miss Crushing Hammer. Well, that does fit. I abbreviated it and told her just to call me MC Hammer. For reasons I can't explain, we both found that just absolutely hilarious.

We tore onward through Kryta. We spotted a troupe of Undead soldiers and magicians downhill from us, and I immediately charged in, screaming in fury. Darkblade jokingly called out from behind me, "Please Hammer, don't hurt them!" Yeah, like I was going to show any mercy after going a whole weekend without even 100 kills. For the heck of it, we decided to help ourselves to a Drake Run. Beating down the skeletons made me feel a little more secure behind my mighty hammer, so I was ready for a bigger challenge. We beat down some Mergoyles on the way to the beach, where we saw a dozen or so Lightning Drakes basking in the sun. I used my Pentultimate Smiting Rod of Unabated Destruction to lure 4 of them to us, and then, once again, it was Hammer Time! The Drakes tried to fry us with that Lightning Orb magic, but I'd knock them silly upside their head while Darkblade sliced and diced. We made quick work of them all in this manner. Unfortunately, there still wasn't any good loot to be had from the Drakes. That just makes me sad. I guess I'll try again in a few more weeks.

Darkblade and I pounded some more Undead after we left the beach, and then we parted ways. I traveled to Riverside and took a short nap, then decided I was ready to step up a little more and take on some White Mantle scum. This time I took another skill to try out, the Belly Smash. I would get a bunch of ugly Mantle soldiers to crowd me, then knock them onto their butts with Earth Shaker, then use the belly Smash to stir up a HUGE dust cloud so they couldn't see me! Ha, it was so funny watching them cough and choke on dust and swing their swords and axes in futility. "Fools!" I taunted. "You can't touch this!" And then I proceeded to beat them down like they so dutifully deserve. I still haven't forgiven the Mantle or the Mursaat for killing Saidra. She and I were tight. To be a Ranger, she was actually fun to hang out with. Probably because she liked killing just as much as I did. And hey, she didn't die holding no wimpy bow. She went down swinging an axe. THAT'S and honorable death. Rest in peace, my sister.

Killing with the hammer takes longer because the thing's so damn heavy it takes a year to swing it, even with my new Gauntlets. Flurry offsets this some, but I like to reserve my energy for Aura. But the end result is incredibly satisfying. "Thump! Thump! Thump! You're dead!" I'm finding out that there are a lot of cool skills that make a hammer worthwhile. I'm gonna play with this for a while and see how I like it. I never thought I'd give up the quickness and precision of a sword, but I'm believing I can make this work! If I don't sleep the whole week away, I'm gonna play with my new toy a lot more and see where it goes. I am SO happy!

Okay, EVERYBODY'S going crazy in Kryta. Before I headed to Riverside, I was in Lion's Arch to deposit some Steel at the Xunlai Storage Warehouse, and I happened to notice this huge green frog sitting under a tree. So, I'm thinking maybe this is the mythical talking frog everybody's been yammering about, that can tell the future. I go over to the frog. I sit down by the frog. I talk to the frog. I read to the frog. The frog does nothing. The frog says nothing. People look at me like I've lost my flipping mind.

2 monks come over and they start talking to the frog too. Still, the frog does not talk. I get very disgusted and walk away. I had half a mind to step on the stupid frog, but I realized that it's not the frog's fault for just being a frog. Man, to think I actually even believed for a second that frogs could talk! I'm losing my mind! Sheesh...

Well, off to bed for me. I'm thinking Trolls and Scarabs in Maguuma tomorrow. Look out fools, here comes the Hammer!

[kvndoom]

8/30/05: Well, I knew it was too good to be true. Slept most of the day. I did make a couple runs through the jungle. I say a couple because it was a little trial and error determining the skills I needed. Earth Shaker didn't work very well against those greedy little Moss Scarabs. They'd gang up on me and I could knock them all over, but they kept biting me with that Vampiric Touch and I couldn't finish them off fast enough. It was a war of attrition to deal with those mean bugs that way. So on my next trip I brought Gladiator's Defense instead. Ahhhh, much better! I mean, at any time I could've whipped out my sword and taken care of business, but I was determined to kill them with my hammer! Jungle trolls weren't a real problem at all. I'd thwack them one at a time, and whenever they'd try to heal, I'd thwack them upside their head and watch them land on their ugly green butts. Sit down! Sure, it took longer to kill everything, but that "thump!" is SO addicting! I dreamed about it last night. I was like 20 feet tall and carrying my hammer, and everytime I made a footstep, it sounded like that beautiful "thump!" my hammer makes upside somebody's head. Ya, I woke up feeling all warm and fuzzy. Well, when I finally DID wake up, anyway.

I'm worried that I'm getting too used to my jaggy vision. It got a little better last week, but hasn't improved any since. Hasn't gotten any worse either, but I miss being able to see clearly. I hope that Monk was right when he said a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll be back to normal soon. I've been extra careful to not take any whacks upside my head, too. I NEVER want to go through this agony again.

Maybe tomorrow I'll go to the Iron Mines and get my new armor infused. I'd like to get a group together and beat down some Mursaat with my new hammer pretty soon. Maybe I'll actually get up early enough to make the trip.

[kvndoom]

8/31/05: My day started with, yes, another RUN. I trekked with THE BOSS and Amar to get Mojin Mojave (I think I spelled that right, people have such weird names) from Lion's Arch to Bergen to the Temple to Fisherman's Haven to Sanctum Cay. Whew! I was just glad for all the stops so I could get an occasional bite to eat. I was really hungry today. Wonder if it was from all the running. Imagine that...

After a few days' worth of trial and error (more trial or error, I can't say), I'm going to take up the axe again. I love my hammer, but it works best when I'm with a group. When I work alone (which I tend to do most), I need fast damage, and I need a shield or focus for extra protection or energy. The annoying thing was that when I went to the Xunlai Storage Warehouse, I only had 1 axe! I can't believe I had given away or sold almost my entire collection! I don't even remember doing it, but I do give away a lot of stuff. I know I used to have some really nice axes, too. Grrr... Well, I'll just make do with what I have until I find better. I haven't done any hardcore farming in a while. Maybe I need to hit up some of my best spots and see if I can loot a new axe. Yeah, I see much blood to be spilled this weekend. Ha!

Mmmm, Avicara or Camori? Amar and I were discussing over lunch which breed of chicken tasted better. Personally I prefer Avicara, but Amar likes Camori better. We were having a really good discussion before Mojin butted in and said "What's the difference? It all tastes like chicken." Ugh. This from someone who hasn't even BEEN to the south Shiverpeaks yet! Like he would know the succulent flavor of rotisserie Avicara Guile, seasoned to perfection, smothered in lemony Drake Sauce and served with some sweet rolls. No, he hasn't lived yet. 'It all tastes the same.' Sheesh. Yeah, just let him keep eating that tough dry Camori that Amar Ironback likes so much. It doesn't do anything for me but make me long for REAL food.

[kvndoom]

9/1/05: Yes! Yes! YESSSS! My goodness, how I had forgotten the joys of wielding an axe! There is nothing more exhilirating that pulling off a Cyclone Axe maneuver in a pack of dumb baddies and watching the blood spray through the air from all directions! Man, this is what I LIVE for! Alas, I only got to enjoy it for a couple hours, since I SLEPT almost the entire day, but it was very much worth it! I started from the Temple and instead of taking my normal route through the swamp to the Minotaurs, I was going to go the other direction. I have had a bad fear of Fog Nightmares for a while, and it was time to overcome that. Well, those stupid Nightmares fear ME now! Dismembering them for a Deep Wound, and then applying the PAIN with Executioner's Strike made quick work of those ugly losers! I felt INVINCIBLE! Even those retarded imps setting me on fire could not stop me!

I thwacked their fragile little butts right in half. With my axe, I can rely on enchantments less. My true test was fighting through a bunch of Bog Skale Blighters and Reed Stalkers at the same time! If I used an enchantment the Skales would hit me with Chillbains, and if I tried to attack the Stalkers would cast Clumsiness on me. I just stood my ground and kept healing myself and used the Gladiator's defense every chance I could, until the Skales were dead. I wish I had brought Balthazaar's Aura with me; without it I had no way of killing the thornies. But, I just ran away from them. That works too. Tomorrow, I'll be prepared to take them down too! I still need to get a better axe. There's a Collector in the desert somewhere who has good ones, but I really don't like the desert. Heh, maybe I'll get somebody to get one for me. Money talks, no?

Sad news... I found out that Amar Ironback will be taking a leave of absence starting this weekend, and he won't be around for months. I cried when I heard that. We fought together a lot in the past month, and he was like a brother to me. I hope I can find him to say goodbye! I only hope that we at least learned something from each other during the time we had. Fate is so cruel sometimes!

Well, if I don't get to bump into Amar tomorrow, I will kill as many Fog Nightmares, Minotaurs, Fire Imps, and Ancient Oakhearts as humanly possible in his honor. Those poor fools have never seen the fury of a girl on a mission! Ha!

[kvndoom]

9/2/05: I don't know if I will ever pick up the sword again. I've got Axe Fever! I farmed Tallmark for hours today, and made a LOT of money! I even found a REALLY nice rare sword that I'm gonna put up for auction, as well as couple dyes! I foresee me going back tomorrow for more. My axe rules!

Right now, I can take one Fog Nightmare with ease, 2 without too much difficulty, but 3 of them at once are just overwhelming. I usually have to run before they completely beat me down. Well, it's not even a beating, it's that damnable Touch of Agony or Dark Touch or whatever they call it. I get hit twice with that combo and I've already lost half my health! If I'm fighting 2 of them I can kill one before they both have time to cast it a second time, so it's not a problem. But 3 at a time... Grrr, there's got to be a better way to wax those ugly nasties! My armor totally negates their pathetic claw attacks, but their magic is kinda strong. Everything else fell rather easily to my axe. I took on the Bog Skale Blighters en route to my stomping grounds, but left the Thornies alone. I never loot anything off them but wood planks anyway. Ugh. If I was in the Shiverpeaks maybe I would NEED something to kindle a fire, but not in south Kryta.

I bought a better axe than what I had, and I bought a defensive upgrade for it. It cost me about 15 platinum all told, but I can make that up VERY easily in a couple of runs through Kryta. I'm considering a journey to the Verata Encampment to loot some runes. Most Runes are worthless these days except for Superior Monk Runes of course (I swear there OUGHT to be some sort of regulations!), and Superior Absorption and Vigor. I dunno. I'm really fond of salvaging raw meterials. And that sword I looted is making me think I can get even more rares if I keep searching! THE BOSS found his best hammer out there.

There are a lot of Bog Skale Icetooths and Mergoyles in Tallmark too. I used to have a special Focus that caused energy drain that would offset that stupid Mind Wrack hex, but I gave it away to someone in the desert a few weeks back. I remember that day. Everybody in our group gave her a hard time because she was inexperienced and she was trying to be a healer when she was a full-time Warrior and part-time Monk. I value moxie over experience and she really was trying, but I wasn't the group leader and couldn't keep her from getting kicked out of the group. But, I gave her two of my Healing Ankhs (one of which was my Mergoyle slayer) before we parted ways and wished her the best of luck. In all my travels, there have been many times that I have had to resurrect an entire group because the fools (monk included) couldn't stay alive. I just don't understand WHY so many people don't practice survival skills. I see these young and stupid warriors who don't know how to do anything but run in swinging a weapon. Now I do the same thing, but I'm smart enough to keep myself alive! I hope and expect the Monk to keep me alive, but I NEVER take it for granted! I cover my own butt under all circumstances. If I can keep myself going, that's one less person the Monk has to worry about anyway. But some people just take it for granted, and then when they get beat down, their annoying ghosts float around whining and begging for a "rez." I get nice compliments sometimes though. I was the last person standing on a rumble through Maguuma once, and I had to secure the area before I could restore my team. One of the ghosts said, "Wow! She's unstoppable! Built like a brick house!" Heh, I was really flattered! If you're gonna tank, you have to be able to stay alive. And even know when to use a different strategy, such as when I whip out my Thermonuclear Infathomable Smiting Rod of Holocaust to battle undead or keep from being blinded. I've been trying to teach versatility to my Guildmates, but it doesn't always sink in. Darkblade doesn't always bring any form of healing, and Amar will sometimes charge right into a pack of Skeleton Sorcerors and their bright lights with his axe, and Atlantis Guardian even asked me once why in the world I was weilding a Healing Ankh instead of a shield. Oh well, maybe some things can't be taught. But flexibility keeps me alive. When we go hunting together and the same monsters that beat them down don't even give me a scratch, they should take that as an initiative to learn. Heck, there was a time when I couldn't even kill a Stone Summit Sage without help. Now I laugh as they scream in pain when my balde penetrates their armor and skewers their innards. Yes, as a person, I have grown.

Wow, I got off track there! What was I saying? Yeah, I need to find another Ankh like I used to have so I can wipe out the Icetooths and Mergoyles. I think the Collector I want is in the Black Curtain, right where I'll be starting out anyway. I'll seek him out tomorrow. Mmmm, might be time to roast some Undead. Can anyone say, Shield of Judgement? Oh, YES!

I miss my Ascalon Helm. I'm starting to think wearing a severed Charr head as armor wasn't so bad after all. It looked a heck of a lot better than these Warrior Specialty helms I've been buying lately! Maybe even a Wyvern Helm again. There are others I can buy but I'm not sure I like their looks. I TRY not to be shallow, but this Executioner's helm just makes my head look tiny. It's so snug that it also presses my hair down and just RUINS it, and I have to spend half an hour brushing it out before I dare go into a public place! It's really frustrating. Something has GOT to give. I always did like the piecemeal scrappy look. I'll dig up my Droknar's catalog and explore my options, yet again. Sheesh.

[kvndoom]

9/3/05 (EARLY ENTRY): I'm on top of the world! Once again I feel like the undisputed Queen of Thwack! It all started up top, with my head. I hate those models they use in the Droknar's armor catalog. they're so damned tiny and skinny that they make the armor look grossly overfitted. Makes me sick. Why can't they find models who have some real MEAT on their bones?!? Like those pathetic toothpicks-going-on-skeletons would ever actually go out to Talus Chute and try to kill Mountain Trolls. Disgusting. But, I digress. I was just frustrated because the catalog doesn't give an accurate representation of how the armor would look on real people. So, unfortunately, that meant going to Droknar's and trying out a new helm in person. Reluctantly, I went there first thing today. Well, now I'm glad I did! After trying on several, I ultimately went with a Knight's Helm. It's intimidating but not fearsome or weird looking, unlike the Ascalon and Wyvern Helms. AND it's metal, so I won't take anymore hard lumps upside my head and get this jaggy vision like I have now, or worse. AND, unlike that totally gross Executioner's Helm, it doesn't make my head look the size of a tomato! It's a perfect fit; it covers all my hair but it's not so tight and constricting. I LOVE IT!!!


I dyed all my armor green. Well, except for my leggings, which I kept blue. Not that anything was wrong with the blue, but I dyed my Helm first and I liked the green so much that I decided to put it on most everything else. And to my surprise it looks really good! I got a few compliments for a change, instead of the funny looks I usually get from wearing mix-and-match armor.

Well, now that I was all outfitted, it was time to make back my money I spent on this stuff. Off to Tallmark I went! And I went with a venegeance today! I had been studying my skills to decide the best way to take on those stupid Fog Nightmares and still be able to wipe out the Mergoyles and Icetooths. Being the Wizard of War that I am, I figured it out! I brought Watchful Spirit with me as well as Mending. Instead of using the Ankh with energy drain, I just made those 2 my permanent enchantments when I took on the Mergs and Skales. I had no energy, so Mind Wrack was useless against me, and my health regen was higher than their Life Siphon, so I couldn't die! But THEY could! HA! I wiped the beach clear of dozens of those fools and never broke a sweat.

And the Fog Nightmares? Oh yeah, I had a little something special for them too! I finally figured them out. They like to cast Mark of Subversion on me so I can't use any spells, but I know how to beat that now! As soon as I saw one of those ugly Foggies pop up out of the ground, I'd cast Aura before it could use its spell. And then I closed in for the kill. And when I say kill, I mean KILLKILLKILLKILL! Eviscerate! WHAM! Penetrating Blow! BAM! Executioner's Strike! SEE 'YA SAM! I was cutting those fools into ribbons!

Even 3 at a time were willingly falling dead at my feet! If they somehow survived that onslaught, they were so far gone that another good thwack from my evil axe put them to rest. It took a good deal of reflexes and really paying attention to my surroundings, because Foggies like to sneak out of the ground when I'm busy fighting something else. But I kicked their ugly butts all day long! The Oakhearts and Imps and Minotaurs weren't even a challenge for me; of course they never are. But the loot was GREAT! I got a lot of money, and ANOTHER rare sword, AND a rare hammer, that I'm gonna auction off with the other stuff. I'm really liking my Tallmark runs! That place might make me rich!

I had to sell off some of my Steel Ingots today. I'm only allowed to store 250, and I was almost there. Unfortunately, they weren't going for 800 gold apiece like that one time a few weeks ago. The best I could get for them was 150 gold apiece. At that price, I only sold enough to get my warehouse stock down to 200. I won't sell a lot of them until I catch a good price.

I must say that this axe is my favorite weapon ever. It doesn't always hit hard, but when it does, it's DEVASTATING. Oh yes, oh yes, I'm on top of the world again.

[kvndoom]

9/3/05 (LATE ENTRY): I suddenly feel really strange and confused. This afternoon and evening has been a mix of emotions. I've accomplished a great thing, but I don't feel particularly great about it.

Even though my vision hasn't recovered 100%, I felt that I could see clearly enough to journey south to the volcanic chain and do something about those execrable Mursaat. Sometimes I become oblivious to the fact that Tyria's at war and people are dying needlessly every day. Maybe it's just me trying to dodge responsibility. But I finally stepped up to it. As a tribute to a lost friend, I carved Saidra's name in the grip of my axe. From this day forth, any White Mantle or Mursaat struck down by that weapon will be in her honor.

The Mursaat's final stand took place in Abaddon's Mouth. The small group I journeyed with worked really well together, but it was still a VERY difficult endeavor. Vizier Khilbron appeared near the final stronghold and told us we had to beat down the Mursaat to open the Gate of Komale and end this once and for all. Well it wasn't as easy as it sounded. The last chamber had around 8 Ether Seals. It was empty, which seemed odd. But when we went in to destroy the Seals, some ghosts started attacking us. They weren't a real problem, but the truth was, they were a distraction. Mursaat Guardians started swarming the chamber from all directions. I was the only one who recognized the ambush, and I retreated just in time. The entire rest of the party fell. These Guardians were too tough for me to take on alone, but my armor was strong enough to buy me time to resurrect my teammates and get them to safety. I took a lot of pounding, but I got them back up. Amar would have been proud to see me tank like that. Once we were all back on our feet, we reworked our strategy. We would have to stay together and concentrate on the same enemy at the same time. It was still vERY difficult to destroy all those seals, but we did at last prevail. And then, just as we believed we had finally done some good, everything goes straight to hell. The Vizier wasn't helping us after all, he was USING us. He was an undead Lich, and the Gate of Komale wasn't a doorway, it was a prison. These HUGE, horrible monsters called Burning Titans were unleashed, and the Lich teleported them to all corners of the world to burn and pillage everything in their sight. Of course he left one for us as a parting gift. Oddly though, the beast was either retarded or groggy, because it didn't attack us at all. It just stood perfectly still while we beat it to death. But we knew now this wasn't the end, just the beginning. Our group left the volcano and split up to hunt down the Titans that had been unleashed. Even though we had been deceived, t was still our actions that opened the Gate, and we had to rectify this. We vowed to meet again at the volcano if possible, then parted ways.

I chose to hunt the Titan in Kryta, since I'm probably more familiar with that nation than any other. I found the beast making a beeline for Lion's Arch. Man, the searing HEAT those monsters put off! Were it not for my armor I'd have burned to a crisp fighting that creature. Unlike the retard, this one put up a fight. But, it had never encountered a force like Etterwyn the Green before! Ha! When I finally did beat it down, its flame extinguished and it crumpled into ashes. Just when I was about to cheer myself, then flipping ASHES reassemble into ANOTHER monster! Yikes! This beast wasn't as tough, though. But when I beat it down, two, yes TWO, flaming Elementals burst out of its remains and attacked. Would it ever end??? After I dispatched them, I stood around and waited 5 or 10 minutes to be sure it was really over. The coals cooled down and the ashes crumbled, so nothing more was coming from that. I wanted and needed to rest so badly, but I knew I had to return to the volcanoes and end this once and for all.

The final stand would take place in Hell's Precipice, the largest of the volcanoes, and lately the most unstable. I wasn't thrilled about it, but I knew it was time to do or die trying. No one from my Abaddon's group had made it back yet. I hoped against hope that they had managed to stop the Titans, but there was no way for me to find out at this point. I had to look, and move, forward. And quickly.

My group's leader, Broad Heart, was really questionable from the start. He wasn't trying very hard to put a troupe together. Actually, it was a warrior named Sir Lanclott who seemed to be doing all the work. We had people join us and then change their minds because our leader wasn't very communicative. Every second was precious, yet it still took almost an hour to get a balanced team together. Again, that was all Lanclott's doing. I wonder why he wasn't our leader in the first place. But, I digress.

We made final preparations, and descended into Hell's Precipice. Almost immediately the Lich appeared and set a group of Titans to attack us. Having to kill Titans, their children, AND their grandchildren was a blistering endeavor. But it gets worse. After the very first battle, one of the Warriors in our group turned yellow and ran! We were already at a disadvantage with 8 people, but 7 was certain suicide. And still, we knew we didn't have time to turn back. For the first time in a long time, I truly feared for being lost. Not just dying, but dying with nobody around to bring me back. Ever. But my sense of duty overrode my fear, and I spoke up and refused to waste anymore time. I couldn't believe how indecisive and apathetic our leader was! I knew in my heart that this mission was doomed, that these people (and myself) were all going to die and be lost, and that if we DID turn back, we'd all have a chance. But it couldn't happen. If the Lich continued to unleash those Titans, there wouldn't be a world to go back to anyway. So, press onward we did. A person short, a retard for a leader, and a self-destructing Monk. Ha, I'll get to that.

The entire journey was brutal, as we had to battle so may groups of Titans. And, a lot of Imps lived in the volcano too. They attacked with a lot of fire spells, but surprisingly they weren't nearly as annoying as Ice Imps. What WAS annoying, though, was how disorganized our group was. Everyone would run off doing their own thing instead of focusing. 7 people struggling against 7 enemies is the epitome of futility. Having a lemon for a leader will do that, I suppose. Finally I had to take charge. I credit my leadership to THE BOSS. By being around him for so long, I truly have learned how to give orders and not just follow them. Maybe that's what he saw when he promoted me to an Officer. When we had a break to catch our breath after another hard battle, I spoke up. "Listen!" I screamed at them. "We are NOT gonna survive if we don't get organized! No more running like idiots into packs of monsters! We are going to call targets and we are going to pull them to us! If you can't do that, then we're all as good as dead." Sir Lanclott got it immediately. He seemed to be the only other person in our group with enough sense to keep himself alive. Our Monks weren't doing the greatest job, which was another worry I had in my mind but refused to voice. Looking back, I knew we had no chance whatsoever. But I guess I was too stubborn to admit it.

To all our surprise, the Seer was there, fighting off Titans as best he / she / it could. We helped her beat them down, and she told us about the Armageddon Lords, 3 super-powerful Titans who would be virtually unstoppable once set loose in Tyria. Great. We vowed to destroy them if we were able, though. I wanted her to come with us, but she only said that she had other business there. How much "business" one has in a live volcano is anyone's guess, but to each her own.

Deeper down, we reached the point where all bedlam was taking place. There were the portals the Lich was using to send Titans to the surface. But they were extremely heavily guarded. 3 Smoke Phantoms clustered around each one, and there were DOZENS on titans and ash monsters and Elementals patrolling the area. And, we spotted the Armageddon Lords. They were standing in a lake of lava, CREATING more monsters out of the molten rock! They had to be destroyed first. Amazingly, they were a lot easier to kill than I expected. We had a tactical advantage because their backs were to a wall and we could concentrate our damage to a tight area. I'm glad for that. Once they were dispatched, we had to clear the grounds separating us and the portals. This is where teamwork would be the most vital. It went well at first, with me using my Unearthly Smiting Rod of Inexplicable Fury to reel in small groups, which we would then gang attack and beat into ashes. But then, as we were beating up the first group of Smoke Phantoms, a group of monsters snuck up behind us somehow and took down one of our Monks. Now this was the weird part. We could NOT resurrect the Monk! Every time one of us tried, she'd immediately die again! This is when I noticed her wearing a full set of those damnable Superior Runes. Her health was SO low, that once she died, she was in a state of perpetual death because resurrection could not give enough health to offset the runes! Now I am DEFINITELY writing the Monk General again and telling him about this! Something has GOT to be done!

Well, now we were down to 6 people, and 2 more portals and dozens of Elementals needed to be destroyed yet. I felt my impending doom inch that much closer. Some of the team was panicky, but I quelled that. Again, where was our leader? He hardly even spoke a word! If we weren't already so desperately outnumbered, I think I'd have thrown him into some lava. At least Lanclott was focused and upbeat. I also noticed he had no cape. Could it be, this kind of stoicism and bravery had not been scooped up by another Guild yet? I swore to myself if we somehow survived, I'd ask...

Brutally and painfully, we managed to clear all the baddies and destroy the final two portals. Our lone remaining Monk wasn't doing the best job in the world, but we managed. Then the Undead Lich appeared and began taunting us.

We chased him over a mile before he abruptly stopped to face us. Right then, I knew what that meant. Ambush. I sighed and almost cried. To come so far just to be suckered into a cheap demise. But nothing, nothing, NOTHING could have prepared me for what was to come next. First the Lich summons a dozen of the burning Elementals, and then... Prince Rurik. I could not believe it. Our beloved Prince of Ascalon, had been defiled and made into an Undead Warrior, and in the cruelest instance of fate ever, we would have no choice but to fight him in order to save all that we believed in. The Lich flew off to summon even more Titans.

Rurik knew we were his people, and he even apologized, but he had no choice because he was under the Lich's control.

He stood and watched as we dispatched the Elementals, then he ran down amidst the fray. Words cannot describe how difficult it was to take up my axe against my own Prince, but what options did I have? As always, Rurik fought furiously and intently, but against the 6 of us, some of whom he had even personally helped train, he fell. Nobody could find the heart to kill him though. He lay on the ground, beaten and dismembered, and told us how we could defeat the Lich. He would have to be in the center of the Bloodstone when he died, and the Stone would absorb him and seal the Gate of Komale. Then Rurik asked us to finish him and end his suffering.

I couldn't do it. I was already fighting back tears. But believe it or not, stupid Broad Heart finally did one thing right. He raised his sword and... I turned away. I couldn't watch it. And I never looked back either. The last image in my mind of Rurik before today was when he died in the Shiverpeaks. Pinned down and helpless. And here now, more of the same. How could such a great man be treated so poorly by fate?

To my surprise, the Lich had very few monsters guarding him. He must have foolishly expected our pitifully small group to fail. Honestly, I can't blame him because I had my doubts too. But, we had somehow made it this far, so anything was possible now. Our stupid leader. I kept screaming at the top of my lungs not to attack until the Lich was atop the Bloodstone, but he simply would NOT listen. It was only luck that we struck him down when he was standing in the right place. I shudder to think what might have happened otherwise. And then it was done. The Bloodstone undid everything. The Titans crumbled into ash, the Gate of Komalie was resealed. Surprisingly, Glint appeared and congratulated us for achieving such a heroic feat.

She also mentioned that the volcano was about to collapse. Oops. We hurried to a Mursaat ship that was docked near our location and fled the destruction. I hope the Seer made it out safely too. The ship steered itself, which was weird, and we wound up in Droknar's. Along the way I invited Sir Lanclott to our Guild, and he accepted. He has an aura of greatness I seldom see. THE BOSS will be proud of me for finding him.

And just like that, it's over. But not really. There are still White Mantle causing havoc in some parts of the world, as with the Mursaat. They have no guidance or leadership now, but they'll have to be destroyed before they can collaborate and reorganized. Half a snake can still bite, after all.

But for me, I'm really worn right now. Getting used to open the Gate... Seeing Prince Rurik like that... So much, so damn much, to try to take in all at once. My soul is in tethers at this moment. I'm at the Guild Hall right now writing this. Nobody else was around, which was actually good. Not because I wanted to hide, but because I really need to be alone right now. I lit some candles in the main hall, prayed for everyone who was lost, reflected for a bit, and started writing this. I've been writing for over an hour now.

I think I'm gonna leave a note and take some time off. Maybe just a few days, maybe a week or 2. I kinda want to enjoy this world I fought so hard to save. I might even go looking for my cousin. Her letters tell me that she needs serious help anyway. The kid has lost it. I dunno. Maybe some time without any purpose would be better. A few stress-free days to walk, read a book, sit outside under a tree. Just to clear my thoughts. I know my innate desire to kill will eventually bring me back, but right now I'm feeling flat.

But I will be back. I was thinking about it. I'm not going to buy that castle after all. I already have a home. This Guild Hall is home. And this Guild is my family. When I came here first, sure I could swing a weapon, but any fool can do that. A true warrior knows how to survive and how to keep her people alive in combat and how to lead when necessary. I learned those things from the wonderful people I share this Hall with. I'd be a fool to ever abandon them.

Oh, and I found a letter in my room from Amar Ironback. Apparently he left it while he was packing for his leave over the weekend. It read, simply, "I got 12 trolls." NO! That BASTARD! He broke my record! Ooooh, that made me hot under the collar! Yes, I will DEFINITELY be back, because I can NOT live with being second best! Just wait till you get back, Amar! 12? Ha! I'll get 15 if I have to! 100 if I have to! I will NOT stand for this! Dammit, where's my axe?

[kvndoom]

9/8/05: Well...

I had a wonderful vacation, but I'm back at the Hall now. Where is everybody, anyway? The one time I actually want people to know I'm here, and the place is empty. Sheesh. I didn't get much mail while I was away, but a few people left me letters letting me know they missed me. That was awful nice. Oh well, I'll just kick back and relax until somebody shows up and let me know what's been going on. I made it a poin not to take this journal with me. No job, no responsibilities, just free time. I feel so much better and more focused now. Being able to clear my mind for a few days made a huge difference. I really am happy to be back home.

I'll admit that I couldn't keep my axe at bay for very long. Even though I wasn't getting paid, I still had to go thwacking every so often. And since I spent most of my leave in Kryta anyway, I felt the burning desire to pound upon some Undead. So I chopped them with my belovd axe.

And I burned them with my Superior Smiting Rod of Indescribable Fury.

I found decimating the undead to actually be more relaxing than, well, relaxing.

It's funny that I can't go anywhere without bumping into somebody I know. I was hiding out at the Temple of Ages yesterday and Darkblade Kazguul still happened upon me. I generally stay fairly anonymous at the Temple because all those fools are preoccupied with favor of the gods and going to the Underworld and such. So it was odd that she found me there, only having a flea on a dragon's chance and all. She wanted to go on a Minotaur run for old time's sake, but I suggested Tallmark for a change of pace. Wow, those Foggies were really tough yesterday! They must have been upset at me geting the better of their kin last week. They fought meaner than I have EVER seen them before! Just wait till next time, I'll bring something special for their ugly butts. But, Darkblade and I had a blast romping through the woods. Man, I wish Amar had been there too.

Oh, this was funny! Out in Tallmark there were some signs, 2 or 3, directing towards Dakutu Village. well, I had seen the signs before but really hadn't paid them much mind. well Darkblade wanted to go to the village because she hadn't been there before. My curiosity wasn't as strong, but hey why not? So we followed the signs, of course fighting Foggies and Minotaurs along the way, and we finally get to Dakutu. Uh, that wasn't much of a village. There were a grand total of THREE people living there. And some pigs.

Ya, 2 signs. 4 pigs. 3 people. They were nice enough people, though. They gave us lunch (porkchop sandwiches... that was different) and traded with us, so it wasn't bad at all. I just can't fathom the signs. And "Village"? Just how many does it take to make a village, anyway? Darkblade and I joked about that all the way back to the Temple.

So I guess this will be a lazy day, until someone shows up at the Hall and puts me to work. And if not, then all the better. I may just train for a while. I don't want my hammer to feel neglected.

[kvndoom]

9/9/05: Wow, too much commotion for a poor girl to handle! Apparently while I was on vacation, a group of explorers made a HUGE discovery in the South Shiverpeaks. And it's big trouble. The Stone Summit are in control of this mine called Sorrow's Furnace, and they seem to be amassing an army from there. With the Mursaat and White Mantle beaten down, the Summit are about to make a move. This is going to get really ugly, I have a feeling...

I went to Droknar's to find out what I could about this Furnace place. To my surprise, Glint's image now frequents her shrine there in the city. I talked to her about the new findings and she said that there's more going on than I could imagine. The Summit have Titans! I cringed. Apparently sealing the Gate of Komalie only kept more of those demons from getting loose, and the Summit have managed to take control of the ones that are still roaming Tyria. Ugh... She told me that a massive invasion force is being formed in Mineral Springs and it has to be stopped before it storms the Forge. Whew, I have GOT to get the Guild together and organize some action against this! Absolutely NOBODY ever showed up at the Guild Hall yesterday or today before I set out, and I only found out about Sorrow's Furnace because it was the hot news in Lion's Arch. Where in the world IS everybody?!?

I did practice with my hammer quite a bit yesterday. I'm itching to hear that lovely "Thump" again soon. And these stonefists are SO wicked! I dyed them purple. Ha. Even though it clashes terribly with my green and blue armor, it's a statement that only I can appreciate. When you see the girl with the purple gloves, it's Hammer Time! Ooooh, that makes me warm and fuzzy. Hmmmm, maybe if I can get in a group going to the Furnace I'll bring my hammer skills. Knockdowns are good against those pesky Dwarves... well, except the Yak riders. Hard to bowl over a Yak, hammer or no hammer.

Oh goodness, I have no idea where to start here. Go straight to Sorrow's Furnace, or journey to Mineral Springs? If only I knew where the Summit were gonna make their first move from. One thing's for sure, I won't find anything out sitting here writing in this stupid journal. It's time to take up arms!

[kvndoom]

9/15/05: Ohhh, the world is in turmoil and I have done NOTHING about it. With my jaggy vision and the way everything really seems so slow, my reflexes aren't what they used to be. I've had trouble the past couple days fighting White Mantle scum and even undead. Imagine that, ME of all people, getting beat down by Undead! That's just shameful! But I can't half see and the world seems to be moving faster than I am. And the Monk told me it would only be a couple weeks... ugh. Damn quack.

So, to pass time for the past few days, I've been monkeying around some. I posed as a henchman in Riverside Province and at the Nolani Academy. That was fun.

I even got recruited once or twice at Nolani. The groups asked my price since they thought I was a hench, and were surprised that I was willing to help for free. It was good fun. I guess it's a guilty pleasure.

I did a little exploring in eastern Maguuma yesterday, and found a new challenge! I started out in Druid's Overlook and trekked a very long distance, applying grievous pain to Thornies and Storm Riders and the like, eventually getting into some pretty heavy forest. I was completely lost and thought maybe I was in uncharted territory, until I came across a statue of Balthazaar downhill from a tower of sorts. I knelt to pay homage to the God of Thwack, and a spirit appeared. It offered me blessings of vitality and healing... for a price. Sheesh. Even the dead want money nowadays. I was about to turn him down, but he said his blessings would be helpful in the battle ahead. That's when I looked around and saw, up guarding the tower, 5 Bone Dragons. And one of them was freaking HUGE, I mean almost as large as Glint! I felt myself salivating at the prospect of that monster's head as a trophy on my bedroom wall. Suddenly a couple hundred gold was more a pittance than an annoyance, so the spirit got his donation and I went in to deliver some THWACK!

...Well, it didn't go as planned. The smaller Dragons stayed perched near the tower, while their champion came down and took me on. It was a stalemate. The stupid Dragon kept casting Heal Area, so neither one of us could die. After 15 or 20 minutes of getting nowhere at all, I frustratedly backed away. I think the Bone Dragon understood my gesture, because it didn't even give chase. We were both battered, and neither side could have won that battle. I explored some more and found out I was near the Krytan border, so I journeyed up to the Temple of Ages to get a room and rest. As usual, some fool's running up and down the streets hollering about the Europeans having favor. I'd shut my window but there's a nice breeze blowing tonight.

I want to get with Darkblade Kazguul sometime very soon and go back out and take on that Bone Dragon again! I figure if I'm in close beating it down with my axe or maybe even my Smiting Rod (it IS undead, come to think of it) and she's at a safe distance hitting it with hexes and degens, we should be able to take it down. I'll ask next time I see her. But I'm going to sleep now. At least in my dreams I can see clearly. Ugh.

[kvndoom]

9/16/05: Some of my lingering problems are FINALLY getting taken care of! Sheesh, it only took froever and a half...

I really, REALLY had gotten fed up with the quack Monk (not to be confused with Shark Monk) who examined my eyes almost a month ago. I paid him to look at me, and he gives me all this stupid terminology and tells me I'll be better in a couple of weeks. Well I'm SICK of being like this! I went back today, and I just "happened" to be toting my hammer when I made my visit. That annoying, squeaky little receptionist told me that the Monk was booked all day and I'd have to make an appointment. She knew that I was grumpy to start with, and the little wench sneered at the thought of having the power to turn me away. I told her it was an emergency, but she still said I couldn't see him today. Well, when I SMASHED HER FREAKING DESK WITH MY HAMMER, she miraculously found out that she could indeed get me in to see him right away. Some people just have to be persuaded a little more firmly than others.

So I spoke with the Monk, and made it very clear that his life hinged upon making my eyes better. He was quite cooperative once he saw things my way. He told me that he was going to order me a vanilla 6800 and that would fix my problem until the 6800 GT was ready. Err, riiiiight. Oh man, I had no idea what the hell he meant. But at the same time he said the vanilla 6800 would be in next week and it would improve me eyesight immediately. That's great! I did have one small concern. Now I do like vanilla, but I just had to ask if this 6800 thing came in chocolate instead? He seemed irked by that question for some reason (I don't know why- I was just curious), and told me to just check back by the middle of next week and he should have it. NOW I'm getting somewhere! Heh, the stupid receptionist ran and cowered in a corner when I came out of the Monk's office. Puny thing. Blondes. Who needs 'em anyway?

I finally heard back from the Monk General! I had a letter from him waiting for me when I got back to the Guil Hall after my eye 'appointment.' He said that my concerns were valid, and that a LOT of people had compalined to him about the health effects and widespread abuse of the Monk Runes. He said that steps had been taken to combat this scourge and greatly reduce the euphoria of running around at near-death. Whatever steps they had taken were showing immediate results, because the sale of Superior Monk Runes had declined and there was a marked shifting trend amongst Monks from smiting to healing. I am SO glad I played a part in setting things straight. But I'm gonna keep hush about it. THE BOSS and Hera Eve both were pretty grumpy at the last meeting because their "near-death farming" wasn't as effective or profitable as it used to be. I think I might get in trouble if I say I was part of the movement. They don't see it now, but in the long run it's for the best.

So far, the Stone Summit haven't made a move. That can be good and that can be bad. Time will tell. I ran with THE BOSS to the Deldrimoor Dwarves' war camp, looming atop Sorrow's Furnace. Wow, that place is HUGE. Right now the atmosphere is very tense, with a few random small skirmishes, but all-out war still hasn't broken loose. Same with the Titans in Mineral Springs. I asked THE BOSS if it was possible to hold off for a few more days, now that I know I'll be able to see again soon. He said he would if at all possible, but if things come to a head, then they would have to move in with or without me. Arrrgh, I'd have to miss out on what might be one of the greatest battles in history, but I'd also hate to go in fighting and not be able to half see. Ugh!

BUT, if things do hold off for a while longer, there's gonna be HELL to pay, because The Girl has some new toys!

Yeah, The Girl has a new Smiting Rod!

And The Girl has a new shield!

And The Girl upgraded her hammer to be even more deadly!

All I'm gonna say is look out world, 'cause Etterwyn's just two eyes short of being UNSTOPPABLE!

Oh, and Amarrrrrrrrrr... When you get back, there's a little envelope under your pillow... When you open it, there's a short letter in it...

"13. -E.W."

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[kvndoom]

9/17/05: Ohhh, I'm MAD! Steaming, pipng, MAD! In all my days I have NEVER been so insulted! I was at the Frost Gate today helping one of my Guild mates battle Stone Summit and get past to Kryta. He had a couple friends who wished to accompany me, and I grabbed a couple strangers to round out the group, one of which was another Warrior. I can't remember anybody's name; I guess I'm just in a cloud of rage right now.

Anyway, we progressed a good ways without too much trouble. The other Warrior girl kept rushing in ahead of everybody and getting beat up, though. I've been around long enough to know that there's a time and place for that... you just don't rush in all the time, only when it really makes a difference. But I digress. We reached a chokepoint that was being held by one of those mad Howlers, a Sage, a Dolyak riding Monk, and some warriors. I knew that it would be foolish to charge in, so I whip out my shiny new Interstellar Smiting Rod of Nuclear Chaos and start sniping, to draw the Summit Dwarves out of the chokepoint and into the open. Better to let them charge us and lose the tactical advantage. Well after we won that skirmish, this so-called Warrior asked me why I was weilding a wand. Yes, she said "wand." That was somewhat degrading as it was. "Wand" sounds puny and diminutive in light of "Widowmaking Smiting Rod of Unyielding Horror." But I let that slide. I thought maybe she wanted to learn what made me so great, so I explained to her the advantages of having a ranged weapon:

Enemies don't try to blind me...
I can draw small groups to me instead of closing in and having too many attack at once...
My Smiting Rod really burns up those silly Undead...
It saves time in attacking hard to reach enemies, since I can burn them from a distance instead of running up and down hills and cliffs and stairs...

But was my advice well taken? NOOOOOOOOO... This little wench starts ARGUING with me! Here I am trying to teach her versatility and she's telling ME that my only purpose in life should be to swing a sword and get beat upside the head and hope a Monk saves my life?!? Ha! I suppose if I'm to follow stereotypes, then I SHOULD be at home somewhere feeding and screaming at half a dozen whiny kids while my good-for-nothing husband is out either working or cheating on me. I do NOT think so. So anyway, this went on for a while. Then somehow I got separated from the rest of the group. We were supposed to get a lever to unlock the Frost Gate, and I went where I was told, but the rest of the group followed some Dwarf who wanted to steal some plans or something. Well they all got waxed. Oops, I guess Miss Pure Warrior couldn't handle a few Dwarves by herself. I didn't know this at the time though. I was still looking for the lever when a bunch of ghosts came up to me and tell me to come resurrect them. Ugh. So, I followed them back and there were 3 Summit Monks supporting the warriors. No wonder those guys couldn't pass! Of course I bet if they had, hmmmm, DRAWN OUT A FEW AT A TIME, they could have isolated the monks and broke them down slowly. I'm sure the Great Heroic Warrior just charged in like she always does, then got everybody killed, but I didn't even ask. Well, it took some time for me to isolate and kill one group so I could get close enough to ressurect our Monk so he could get everybody else. And even while I'm trying to accomplish this, the fool girl starts taunting me AGAIN! Damn, even her ghost won't shut up! I told her she didn't have room to criticize me anymore since she was DEAD.

And then she said it.

Grrrrrr...

She said, "Well at least I died fighting for the team, unlike you who ran away like a wand-using sissy."

Wand.

Using.

SISSY.





SISSY.







SISSY.

It all went black after that. My next memory is being in Lion's Arch with the rest of the group, sans Miss One-Dimensional Warrior. I guess we did something right, since we made it. The other guys told me that she ran off after we crossed the Gate. They also thanked me for my help and actually said they were glad to have seen me fight. Well, SOMEBODY appreciates me! My goodness! I have trained and trained to no end to learn to be versatile. At any time I can heal, smite, snipe, and yes of course thwack. And I'm still good at ALL of those; I don't sacrifice one ability to serve another. I don't think I'd be much good to anyone if all I did was run in and get myself killed repeatedly. How does that really help a team?

But I feel really drained right now, so I'm going to bed. I guess it takes all types to make the world go 'round, including foul-mouthed ingrates. I truly hope I never see that wench again. Ha, I'll probably run into her corpse somewhere. Got a world full of dead heroes already; I guess one more won't hurt. Ugh.

[kvndoom]

9/18/05: My word, I have had a HORRIBLE headache today! I woke up with it and nothing I have taken or done seemed to work at all! Could have something to do with me getting stressed out yesterday and blacking out. Might be my bad vision catching up with me. But, that should be remedied soon! Monk told me it would be this week, and I can't wait! All the same, my head has been killing me, and still is. But, life goes on...

I felt like playing with my sword today for a while, but I wanted to get a new pair of Gauntlets for when I use it, just like I do with my hammer and axe. So I bought some at Droknar's, and went up to the Iron Mines to find out if the Seer was still around. Yes, she survived the volcano eruption at Hell's Precipice. Yay! No, she STILL hasn't moved any closer to the outpost. Sheesh... But, I went there with some guy named Bob Minotaur and 6 henchmen. We had no problems at all. Bob was a really quiet guy. Almost quiet to the point of being somewhat disturbing to me. But I liked his style! At first I was worried that he was going to try to run past the Giants and Trolls, but this guy went in and started cutting! That's a sure sign of character! But he wasn't fighting stupid or anything. I enjoyed the journey, though the conversation was, uh, sparse. Oh, and Poor Anders Sparlock was at the Forge when I was there, and he gave me a new sword! It's a nice pretty Spatha. I haven't used it yet, but I will soon. Nothing bleeds a man like a razor-sharp blade!

A couple weeks ago I invited the Ranger, Kratos Malistic to the Guild. Well, he's been having some self-confidence problems as of late. I know I haven't been very accessible lately, and I've really wanted to help him out. Well, today I did spend some time with him. I took him out to Talmark Wilderness to hunt Foggies and Minotaurs. Headache or no, I needed to get him more self-confident. We had a great time, though it was very tense keeping alive. I think he's better now, with more experience. I brought my axe, not the sword, even though I had my gauntlets and new sword already. But I can't make Foggies bleed, and Gash won't work if they aren't bleeding. And nothing says "love" like a deep wound, baby! And nothing says "deep wound" like Eviscerate! Yes, yes, YES! Killing a Fog Nightmare is one of the most satisfying experiences there is. Those nasties are just SO pesky.

Kratos brought his pet Dune Lizard with him. Cute little critter. But he kept calling the lizard different names. First he called him "Godzilla." Weird, but catchy I guess. Then he started calling the lizard "Sammich." Something about a peanut butter sandwich that I wouldn't share with him earlier. What that had to do with the lizard is beyond me. Then he started calling him "My Sammich." I was starting to get spooked. Rangers, I swear. I bet my cousin is just as messed up as he is upstairs. I guess I'd have to be a ranger to understand a ranger. Sometimes I think they're from another world...

After our romp through Talmark, we returned to the Temple. I REALLY had to rest and try to shake this headache, so I got a room and Kratos went on. I really hope today helped him. I took a little nap before I got up and started writing this, but that didn't help any. ARGH! I feel like I have a war going on inside my head. I think it's back to sleep for me. If I don't feel better tomorrow, I may have to take a day off. I really can't function like this much more. I was really pushing it today, but I needed to help the guy out. Goodnight world.