[day 1]
It’s late, and I find myself in a strange outpost. A nice woman let me in, and I followed her to lodgings. There are many strange people here, but at least they’re asleep right now.
Maybe tomorrow I can find out more about this place.
[days 2 & 3?]
The woman from last night and I were confronted by a guard and pushed towards a large gathering of people—I think they were calling us trainees?—it’s been a while and I can’t remember. We were given a scrap of paper with markings on it.
I remember recognizing them as tracks, of something I’d seen before on the mountain, but I just couldn’t remember what it was.
And then we met a dark-skinned elf (Malekith) and a half orc (Ootugur). A kind tabaxi (Emir) joined us soon after. The woman I had met the night before told us her name was Din, and despite not having any instructions on what to do with this piece of paper we had been given, we decided to go into the woods and hunt whatever creature they belonged to.
I don’t think I’ve hidden so much in my life. So much for putting on a brave face, I guess. I failed my ceremony and now I’m failing myself.
I shouldn’t have left home.
[day 4]
An ankheg. We were sent to find an ankheg. Did we have to fight it? I don’t know, but we did. I mean, Din got swallowed by the ground and this… this thing just busts out of nowhere. We got some good hits on it (I was hiding again, but even I hit it).
After we defeated it, it turned into a man. He gave us a box and told us to go straight back to the outpost, but Emir got sidetracked and attacked by some birds, I think? Then we found kobolds and I just couldn’t bring myself to attack them; we’d stumbled on them by mistake, we didn’t mean any harm. We were supposed to be going back to the outpost anyway, so we shouldn’t have even been there.
We were each given pins that must correspond to something, maybe this time we’ll get explanations about all of this. I have a feather quill, a kite shield, and a crescent moon, all bronze and not terribly large.
[update]
The sword pin represents the Vanguards, who are trained in more traditionally knightly things. They specialize in dealing damage and are generally taught to make decisions under extreme duress. Seeker Lavinia is a Vanguard.
The quill pin represents the Keepers. They are the custodians of knowledge in the guild. They are taught how to problem solve and be creative. They are usually magically gifted, but anyone with a thirst for knowledge and an aptitude for creativity is welcome.
The kite shield represents the Towers. They are trained to be fearless bulwarks, to protect their allies at any cost. They are the first and last line of defense between monsters and civilization.
The crescent moon represents the Menders. They are trained in the healing arts, though not all menders need to be Clerics. Healing arts include magic, but also psychological healing. The most important thing for menders is the ability to create a space to facilitate any kind of healing.
I’m tired of hiding, tired of being shielded by everyone else. I left home because Grandma and Mom and everyone refused to see me. Now, everyone’s going to see me.
My husband and I are getting a Caucasian Shepherd after 7 years of hard work and research! Little Padushka will come home in October ^^
