*Takes out a piece of paper, quill, and inkpot and begins to write in a simple but neat script.*
Father,
Shadowdale is a very nice little town. The people here are friendly and amiable to helping strangers. There are many retired adventurers in the area, added with the local militia and the local legends this areas is quite safe, for both retirement as well as for raising children.
The local Lord, and his immediate servants, are eager to help and most appreciative when helped. There are very few dissidents in this area.
Regrettably, there is no temple or shrine to Umberlee here. However, after speaking with some others, no one in the area would seem to mind if we put a shrine within your home proper. Though many do not understand Umberlee and her ways. They understand the need for seafaring folk such as us to give her the due amount of respect. No one will question to closely a wizened sailor maintaining his old ways.
There is also, however, is another issue. Aside from the streams and rivers, there are only a few small areas of standing water. Small lakes at best, ponds at worse. I do hope you are intent on farming.
It is an honorable profession, and the locals assure me that it has many redeeming qualities, including relaxation.
*Puts the quill to his lips for a moment, tapping it lightly. Then he resumes writing.*
I am quite pleased with this area. Personally, I would have no problems fulfilling my duties here to the family, and you and Mother.
Assure Mother that I am feeling and eating well, I know how she worries. Please give my love to all those of the family you see. Let them known that I am safe and making good solid friends wherever I go.
Among those friends, I have found someone I think extremely special. But I will write more as things unfold. I do not to wish to spoil it by setting expectations.
I will write more on all things as I learn them. And I will keep you apprised of the search for your place of rest.
With all my love and respect. Your son,
Calian
*Folds the paper and seals it with wax, then hands to Jhaele with a few coins for postage.*
Letters Home...
another...
*Bottle of cider in hand, Calian sits down at the public desk in The Skull. Using a piece of paper from his pocket and the available inkpot and quill he writes quickly, yet neatly.
*
Mother,
I address this letter to you as your concerns seem to be the most prominent in the last letter I received.
First, as I know this has always been a matter of concern for you, I am eating well. The food here is fine, but nothing like your cooking of course. I eagerly await my return home with good news, and a well earned meal from your kitchen.
Secondly, my friends. Yes, I have made more as I have traveled. Unfortunately, traveling means leaving places and friends behind. I am well with this and look forward to seeing them again on my return trip. It is nice to know that I will have friendly faces to see from town to town.
Third, my "special friend," as you called her.
*He stops, tapping the quill point lightly on the paper several times and then continues to write or several minutes. He stops again, scanning over his letter. He puts the quill back, and recaps the inkpot.*
*Slowly he rises and crumples the papers placing it into the pocket of his breeches. He adjusts the simple chain about his neck, the pendant remaining underneath his jerkin. Sighing lightly, he crosses to the door, then exits quietly....*
*A lonely, half drunk bottle of cider remains on the desk.*
*
Mother,
I address this letter to you as your concerns seem to be the most prominent in the last letter I received.
First, as I know this has always been a matter of concern for you, I am eating well. The food here is fine, but nothing like your cooking of course. I eagerly await my return home with good news, and a well earned meal from your kitchen.
Secondly, my friends. Yes, I have made more as I have traveled. Unfortunately, traveling means leaving places and friends behind. I am well with this and look forward to seeing them again on my return trip. It is nice to know that I will have friendly faces to see from town to town.
Third, my "special friend," as you called her.
*He stops, tapping the quill point lightly on the paper several times and then continues to write or several minutes. He stops again, scanning over his letter. He puts the quill back, and recaps the inkpot.*
*Slowly he rises and crumples the papers placing it into the pocket of his breeches. He adjusts the simple chain about his neck, the pendant remaining underneath his jerkin. Sighing lightly, he crosses to the door, then exits quietly....*
*A lonely, half drunk bottle of cider remains on the desk.*
rethinking it all...
*Entering his room at the boarding house, Calian sighs heavily. He removes the crumbled letter from his pocket and reads it again. Reluctantly, he removes a fresh sheet of paper, inkpot, and quill. He begins to copy the letter, appending the following:*
p.s. I had written this letter a little premature it would seem. The paladin and I have come to an equitable conclusion - for the time being anyhow. I have left the options open, as Father always taught that being wise business in all things. I had not intended to begin such a relationship until I had finally settled on a home for you and Father. I have no intentions of becoming distrated from my duties again.
If you respond to this letter here, I will not be able to respond immediately. I am going south to check around Arabel for a home as well. Since that is a sizable city, if Father decides it's time before he wishes to fully leave the Merchantile businesses, he could start again there, or at least in the are.
p.s. I had written this letter a little premature it would seem. The paladin and I have come to an equitable conclusion - for the time being anyhow. I have left the options open, as Father always taught that being wise business in all things. I had not intended to begin such a relationship until I had finally settled on a home for you and Father. I have no intentions of becoming distrated from my duties again.
If you respond to this letter here, I will not be able to respond immediately. I am going south to check around Arabel for a home as well. Since that is a sizable city, if Father decides it's time before he wishes to fully leave the Merchantile businesses, he could start again there, or at least in the are.
Arabel
Father,
This letter finds me in the city of Arabel. The city is full of life and trade. There are homes available for sale presently, but I have yet to decide if this is the right place. The people are kind, but as it is a larger city, it comes with the problems of city life. Namely, crime, odd magics, stray creatures trapped...and so on
I have made a couple more friends. We have traveled, fought, and bled together. Goblins and wolves in the wilderness, rats and a vampire in the sewers. I did take ill when bitten by a rat, but when taken to the House of the Lady, all was made well.
I cannot believe that everywhere I go I find The Lady in my life. She is wonderful to me, and I have never understood it. I will struggle with this until she sees fit I suppose.
I will continue to search the city and the surrounding areas. The city contains enough diversions for you and Mother when you have naught else to do. Shops containing exotics from lands as far away as Kara-Tur!
There is also an exclusive club, but at 500 gold to join, I will wait on such extravagancies until I know this is where we will settle. The people are not as rude as I have seen in other cities as well, this should make our time here, should it become home, pleasant.
The main drawback to this area for me is there seems to be a great deal of orc and goblin activity. Not to mention a great number of wolves, both normal and otherwise. Moving here would require some consideration and preparation for safety, I think.
A side note for Mother, I am not seeking any "Special Friends" at this time. I simply don't think I should until I know where we are going to be. I let that sway my decisions once. You know how I strive to never err in the same fashion twice.
With all my love and respect.
Your son,
Calian.
This letter finds me in the city of Arabel. The city is full of life and trade. There are homes available for sale presently, but I have yet to decide if this is the right place. The people are kind, but as it is a larger city, it comes with the problems of city life. Namely, crime, odd magics, stray creatures trapped...and so on
I have made a couple more friends. We have traveled, fought, and bled together. Goblins and wolves in the wilderness, rats and a vampire in the sewers. I did take ill when bitten by a rat, but when taken to the House of the Lady, all was made well.
I cannot believe that everywhere I go I find The Lady in my life. She is wonderful to me, and I have never understood it. I will struggle with this until she sees fit I suppose.
I will continue to search the city and the surrounding areas. The city contains enough diversions for you and Mother when you have naught else to do. Shops containing exotics from lands as far away as Kara-Tur!
There is also an exclusive club, but at 500 gold to join, I will wait on such extravagancies until I know this is where we will settle. The people are not as rude as I have seen in other cities as well, this should make our time here, should it become home, pleasant.
The main drawback to this area for me is there seems to be a great deal of orc and goblin activity. Not to mention a great number of wolves, both normal and otherwise. Moving here would require some consideration and preparation for safety, I think.
A side note for Mother, I am not seeking any "Special Friends" at this time. I simply don't think I should until I know where we are going to be. I let that sway my decisions once. You know how I strive to never err in the same fashion twice.
With all my love and respect.
Your son,
Calian.
words in the wind
***A wrinkled and blood spackled piece of paper rolls through the wind and flattens against the trunk of a tree...flapping lightly.***
Mother,
I address this letter to you as your concerns seem to be the most prominent in the last letter I received. First, as I know this has always been a matter of concern you, I am eating well. The food here is fine, but nothing like your cooking of course. I eagerly await my return home with good news, and a well-earned meal from your kitchen.
Secondly, my friends. Yes, I have made more as I have traveled. Unfortunately, traveling means leaving places and friends behind. I am well with this and look forward to seeing them again on my return trip. It is nice to know that I will have friendly faces to see from town to town.
Third, my "special friend," as you called her. Yes, she is a fine woman. Upstanding in her religion and no less a paladin. She is fearsome in battle and tenderly sweet when times permit.....I look forward to spending more time with her, both on and off the road and field of battle. Her name is Nicha, and my brothers will not daunt her. As she trained in her order, she was only one of a very small group of woman and is used to a large number of males, their moods, and poor humor. She is fair of face and of heart. I have been honored with seeing, what I hope, is only the tip of the iceberg. If this suspicion proves correct - I will have to pray that Tymora will grace me further.
On other matters, please insist further for me that Kimor's children continue to leave my helm and footlocker from the town guard alone. I will be taking those items with me after I have returned home with news of the place of rest. I do not wish them damaged. I earned them, bled for them, they are mine.
Also, and this is for Thom especially - if I were in as much of a rush to settle down as he, I would be settling for such second rate fare of a woman as he has. I do not see Hyla as a good choice...She has caused him nothing but trouble from the begining and has even jested of begin after Father's coffers. When my time is come, I hope I will not be so unfortunate as to find a woman in my bed, who is that shallow and self centered. Enough on that - I do not wish to speak of such foulness further.
Pleave give my love to all of the family you see. Set a place for me at Fren's birthday party. I would have liked to have been home for that occasion.
With love and respect.
Your son,
Calian
***The wind rushes again, the paper come off the trunk and flies off in the breeze.***
Mother,
I address this letter to you as your concerns seem to be the most prominent in the last letter I received. First, as I know this has always been a matter of concern you, I am eating well. The food here is fine, but nothing like your cooking of course. I eagerly await my return home with good news, and a well-earned meal from your kitchen.
Secondly, my friends. Yes, I have made more as I have traveled. Unfortunately, traveling means leaving places and friends behind. I am well with this and look forward to seeing them again on my return trip. It is nice to know that I will have friendly faces to see from town to town.
Third, my "special friend," as you called her. Yes, she is a fine woman. Upstanding in her religion and no less a paladin. She is fearsome in battle and tenderly sweet when times permit.....I look forward to spending more time with her, both on and off the road and field of battle. Her name is Nicha, and my brothers will not daunt her. As she trained in her order, she was only one of a very small group of woman and is used to a large number of males, their moods, and poor humor. She is fair of face and of heart. I have been honored with seeing, what I hope, is only the tip of the iceberg. If this suspicion proves correct - I will have to pray that Tymora will grace me further.
On other matters, please insist further for me that Kimor's children continue to leave my helm and footlocker from the town guard alone. I will be taking those items with me after I have returned home with news of the place of rest. I do not wish them damaged. I earned them, bled for them, they are mine.
Also, and this is for Thom especially - if I were in as much of a rush to settle down as he, I would be settling for such second rate fare of a woman as he has. I do not see Hyla as a good choice...She has caused him nothing but trouble from the begining and has even jested of begin after Father's coffers. When my time is come, I hope I will not be so unfortunate as to find a woman in my bed, who is that shallow and self centered. Enough on that - I do not wish to speak of such foulness further.
Pleave give my love to all of the family you see. Set a place for me at Fren's birthday party. I would have liked to have been home for that occasion.
With love and respect.
Your son,
Calian
***The wind rushes again, the paper come off the trunk and flies off in the breeze.***