Professor Arryn's Story (Part 5)

Here the next six letters and diary excerpts from Professor Arryn Jones, my D&D character.

To read the previous parts of the story, click the links:
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4

To those who are D&D players, there are spoilers for the adventure Treasure of the Broken Horde below.
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27 Mirtul, 1493 DR  (27 May)

Dad,

It is done!  I summoned an arcanaloth called A’kin.  It turns out that the book and the ritual are what summon him; the components list was actually a recipe for his favorite food as traveling that far makes him hungry.  Haha.

We talked for quite a while and came to an agreement on our Pact.  He wants my loyalty and for me deliver to him any information and secrets I gather.  I am to cook his meal and summon him once a month to report.  In return, he will give me power and the ability to use spells as a warlock.  I think that is a fair trade!  He seems rather friendly for a yugoloth, actually, which really surprised me.  There’s a chance that we may eventually become friends; If he truly is what he seems to be, that is.

I already feel the power coursing through me.  Dad, it is amazing!  The very first spell I cast was Comprehend Languages.  I walked down to the common room and listened in on conversations in Dwarvish, Gnomish, and I even caught some Undercommon!  I sat there stunned, thinking about all of the possibilities this has opened up.  I am in awe.  Tomorrow I am going to visit the library!

Love,
Arryn 

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29 Mirtul, 1493 DR  (29 May)

Dad,

I checked in at the local Harper’s hangout that Artus told me of.  A big fellow, going by the name “Bart,” told me of a possible job that just came in.  I’m to meet up with Veradda Stoor in the village of Parnast, in the foothills of the Greypeak Mountains.  It seems I wasn’t the only one who heard of the opportunity. 

I ran into a couple guys on the road traveling in the same direction.  It turns out that they were headed to Parnast, too.  We decided to band together as we don’t know what trouble we might encounter. 

Secretly I am relieved to have a paladin on my team.  If I get hurt someone will be able to heal me.  The other guy seems to be able to cook anything!  It is really tasty, too. 

Love,
Arryn

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3 Kythorn, 1493 DR  (3 June)

Dad,

This power… its amazing!  I can throw blasts of force or shield myself in magical armor.  With these new abilities I can dispatch wicked creatures and find the knowledge they have kept away from the rest of the world. 

Unfortunately our contact, Veradda Stoor was killed.  We found her body on the roadside with little evidence as to who killed her.  She had some scrolls on her with possible locations of Dragon Cultist’s hidden caches.  Our small group decided to head forward and check them out to seem what could be claimed.  There’s three sites described on the scrolls:  an abandoned (goblin?) cave, and pyramid of stone, and old abandoned Giant’s shrine.  It looks as though we’re going to explore the cave site first as it is the closest.

This is exciting!

Love,
Arryn

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8 Kythorn, 1493 (8 June)

Dad,

It turns out the cave was not abandoned after all. There was a swarm of  miniature goblins still in residence.  There was a giant’s corpse in the cave, in a sprung trap, which made everything smell even worse.   The stench was quite overwhelming.  It was quite fun defeating them though.  Quite a challenge!

But t8 Kythorn, 1493 (8 June)

Dad,

It turns out the cave was *not* abandoned after all. There was a swarm of  *miniature* goblins still in residence, as well as a miniaturized Giant.  (That’s an odd sentence!). There was a (regular size) giant’s corpse in the cave, too, in a sprung trap, which made everything smell even worse.   The stench was quite overwhelming.  It was quite fun defeating them though.  Quite a challenge!

But there’s the question; why were the Giants there?

We’d moved on to the next point on the map; the pyramid of stone.  It was actually made of stone creatures that were quite friendly!  Ggrrkk even told us of local news: another giant!

When we got to the top there was indeed the back end of a giant blocking the entrance.  With some effort, and a lot of cringe factor, we were able to move him to read the engraving:

“TO PASS YOU MUST SPEAK THE PHRASE OF PRAISE….”  Those cultists are sure fanatical about their queen.

Unfortunately the place was already looted out.  The only thing left of value was a ledger of cultist names.  Of course, stupid kobolds would never understand the value of knowledge.  All the better for us!

Love,
Arryn
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14 Kythorn, 1493 DR  (14 June)

Dad!

Oh my goodness!  I just got to explore the alter of Annam the All-Father.  He’s the giant’s god of Knowledge, Magic, Fertility, and Philosophy.  It was so beautiful! 

A dragon had roosted her for a while, but it has since moved on.  Maybe it and the dragon cultists (dead behind the alter) got into some kind of fight.  The only thing that was here when we arrived were some mephits and some very large owls.

Just as we were about to leave, a very large storm giant came in to investigate the recent desecration.  He introduced himself as Kraddokk and was very pleasant.  He told us that now that the age of dragons is over that the age of giants has begun.  He said there is war between the giant clans and we should warn everyone to stay clear of the sacred places of giants and their dwellings.

After the dragonborn offered him some our food, the giant actually gifted us with some potions and bid us good day.

I’m still is shock!  I think I better brush up on my Giant; its been years since I’ve practiced the language.

Love,
Arryn

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24 Kythorn, 1493 (23 June)

Mother,

I’ve started my adventures and have been having a grand time!  I've absolutely fallen in love with magic.  No, I've not forgotten about Ramas; this is different.  Magic has opened up so many possibilities for me, and for the knowledge I can reclaim from the forgotten corners of Faerûn.  I just recently visited a giant's temple.  It was so beautiful that words cannot describe it!

I’ve made my way back to Everlund and the Moongleam Tower.  The group that I was traveling with wasn’t a good fit.  While I did like the dragonborn and his amazing food, the paladin was too serious for my taste.  The Harpers here are really helpful and are going to help me find another group that would be better a team for me.

I hope all is well with you and Henry.

Love,
Arryn


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Here's her picture!  I found an image on the internet (that I can't find anymore or I'd totally give the artist credit!) that I really liked but I wanted to tweak several things.  This is my edited version that depicts Prof. Arryn and her familiar, Ozzy, whom I will introduce later.

This brings me to my current gaming experience!  I play once a week on Mondays.  I've joined a group mid-way into Storm King's Thunder so there will be spoilers for anyone else who is playing that season.

How should I publish from here?  Should I publish one tidbit at a time?  Or would you like chunks as I did before? 
 

Professor Arryn's Story (Part 4)

Here are four more letters and diary excerpts from Professor Arryn Jones, my D&D character.

To read the previous parts of the story, click the links:
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

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1 Mirtul, 1493 DR  (1 May)

Dad,

I did it!  I got the book!  I had to set up poor Ramas in an awkward situation and I feel really bad about that.  He was able to get himself out of it, so it ended well.  Unfortunately, I also stood him up for our dinner date, and I’ll have to find some way to apologize to him for that.  I don’t like deceiving him and not sure that I want to do it anymore.

I can’t read my book just yet.  I think there’s some sort of spell on it that I have to get removed. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight from all the excitement, so I’ll go back and grade some more research papers.

Love,
Arryn

Professor Arryn's Story (Part 3)

Here are four more letters and diary excerpts from Professor Arryn Jones, my D&D character.

To read the previous parts of the story, click the links:
Part 1  Part 2

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28 Alturiak, 1493 DR. (28 February)

Dear Mother,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.  My apologizes for not writing for a few tendays now; I’ve been working on a big project and it has taken all of my attention.  Well, most of it anyway.  The rest has been trying to decide what to do about Professor Nathandem.  He’s now insisting that I call him “Ramas,” and acting rather familiar.  Tell me, Mother: How do you know when someone is in love?  What should I do?  I desperately need to focus on my project, but he is so… alluring.  Debating with him is very enjoyable, and I have to admit that I like the way he looks at me.  What did you think of him when you met at Highharvestide?

Arg. I ramble on.  I really need to focus on my project!  I’m concerned that if I don’t keep my focus then I wont be able to succeed in this advancement.  What do I do, Mother?  Ramas has asked me to dinner several times and I’ve kept coming up with excuses to avoid him.  Very soon I’ll have to say yes to appease his pursuit, and I admit a part of me is pleased at the thought.

Professor Arryn's Story (Part 2)

Here are four more letters and diary excerpts from Professor Arryn Jones, my D&D character.

To read Part 1 click here.

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3 Alturiak, 1493 DR  (3 February)

Dad,

Today, after a particularly captivating lecture about Karsus's Folly, Professor Nathandem invited me to tea to talk more on the subject.  Our discussion continued for quite some time until we were interrupted by our class schedules.  He invited me to join him in the Rare Books library soon, which only the senior professors have access to.  He wants to show me the texts which support his argument disagreeing with Mystra's limit on magic. 

Professor Arryn's Story (Part 1)

I told you before that I've started playing Dungeons and Dragons again.  I like to fully create my character, with personality, quirks, and back story.   I've spent a lot of time developing her story, and researching some of the world of Forgotten Realms (one of the worlds used in Dungeons & Dragons), and some other things.  I've made my character related to another famous character, which I'm sure you'll pick up on before long. lol

The short version:

Professor Arryn is a half-elf Rogue/Warlock.  She is a book nerd, loves mysteries, and highly values knowledge; she will do whatever it takes to collect it.

Here are letters and diary excerpts I've written to explain her back story.  I've written more, but I'll give you a few "entries" at a time.  Please note that the world of the Forgotten Realms has their own calendar, holidays, and culture, which I will reference.  I'll give the equivalent of our dates to have the progression make more sense to you.

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5 Elesias, 1492 DR (5 August)

Dear Mother,

I hope you had a wonderful Midsummer!  My celebrations were pleasant enough.  I am happy to tell you that I start my new teaching position this autumn.  I’ll be the Professor of History at the College of Fochlucan!  Silverymoon!  I get to move from this tiny no-name town and back to the city of my birth.  Perhaps you’ll come visit me? 

Never a dull moment!

I'm back, again.  I really don't like being away but sometimes I really can't help it.  😥

So just as I was getting on a roll with my blog things go reeeeeal interesting in my life.  Sigh.  Things never are simple. lol  First I had an anxiety breakdown.  I got help and got the ball rolling to get mental health services for myself and special needs services for my kids.  THEN, my husband got laid off from his stable job of 9 years.

I'm actually okay about my husband being laid off as things were getting ugly at work.  His superviser was being abusive and getting away with it, and I was really done with the whole swing-shift thing making me a single parent.  (It had been 2 years on that schedule!)  But with having gotten all the balls rolling for all of the health care I couldn't just let it all drop.  I need to resolve my anxiety with a councilor.  My boys need extra services for their special needs.  My husband needs to continue to take his medications or he will die.  (Today is the 1 year anniversary of the day I nearly lost him to heart failure and a pulmanary embulsism.)

I had to do all the paperwork, appointments, and phone calls to get health insurance through the state, which I did.  Then some things with what was approved was wrong so I'm still going through all the steps to get it straightened out.

Meanwhile I haven't had terribly much time and attention to do any in-depth crafting.  I'd mostly sit down on the couch in the evening with an audiobook and my knitting, and promptly fall asleep instead.  It was mighty frustrating!  Then an opportunity came up that I couldn't pass:  My husband's schedule had changed so he'd be home with the kids and I could go play Dungeons and Dragons in our friend's group.

I haven't been able to play regularly since I was in college.  Several months ago I created a character for a 1-off event and I'll be playing her: Professor Arryn, an overly curious half-elf who sold her soul to and Elder God in trade for knowledge (warlock).  I've decided to actualy MAKE my Book of Shadows (my pact boon).  I'll be doing it art-book style from an old book I had in crafting supplies, convienantly titled Magic Made Easy. lol  It's a discarded library book, which further goes with my character's background.  Maybe I'll write some stories later of her adventures and share them with you.  We'll see, but I will definately keep you updated on the progress of my book! :)  So far I've copy/pasted some of the text I'll need handy from the downloadable version of the Players Handbook and printed it out to paste into my book.  (Our family owns two hard copies of it and this is for private use only so I should be okay.) 

In addition, an online friend is getting married very soon.  I'm working on some crochet hearts that she's requested so her online crew can be represented at her wedding.  :)  I've made three so far.  I'm going to see if I can make 3-9 more and mail them out by Saturday.

So that's what's going on currently.  There's a lot to do and I hope to get back to my regular schedule again.  That's all the time I have for now, so TTFN.

P.S. My husband got a temp job yesterday.  Yahoo!