In a similar vein..

I was talking with someone about having a reunion for those who were involved in the Leya Quest and we determined that there aren't really that many of us left out there. Which is a shame, those were some of the more exciting times I've had and its sad knowing a number of folks who shared them aren't around anymore.

Sooo.. in an effort to round up those who were involved AND get to know some of y'all who hold our Lady in high esteem..

Sylanae Charbonneau and the Kaskara Zahar Society cordially invites all followers of Leya, the Patroness of Amazons, to an informal gathering at Leya's Shrine with the simple purpose of showing appreciation for their goddess and to meet fellow devotees.

The Society would also like to extend a special invitation to all those involved in the Leya Quest to be reunited with friends of old and perhaps share a story or two regarding their experiences.

Food and drink will be provided as well as a short ceremony. Please join us on Restday, the 30th of Lormesta (Sunday, January 30th) at 7pm Elven in Leya's Shrine.

---

This will be very informal and hopefully on the calendar/in the news soon. Since my tiny little society is merely notable, I'm afraid y'all are going to have to eat & drink out of heavy backpacks - just some forewarning.

That said, if anyone would like to have some time to speak on anything about Leya, please let me know and we can partition some official time out for ya. Otherwise, as stated, this is just so we can all get together and see who else shares our interest in Leya and what views and ideas about her are out there.

Oh, if you have any questions feel free to either send me a note or find me in Solhaven. You can of course chat it up here too.

Hope to see ya'll there!

Sylanae Charbonneau, empath huntress of doom.

Wow.. where do I begin?

Well, first thank you to all who came to the Leya Gathering! It had been much too long since I saw most of you and it was wonderful meeting those new faces as well.

Second, thank you to Storyteller Morrin and whomever built that grand surprise that STILL has my mind whirling.

For those that missed the event, I wish you had been able to attend as there were many revelations and adventures!

I will briefly summarize the events. If anyone has a log that can be posted please do so as it appears my log thingie did not work.

---

Once everyone had gathered, I spent a few moments greeting folks, explaining who I was and my relationship to Leya. I pointed out that many of us had known each other for quite a number of years but that all were welcome and that I was glad to see every one there.

We then congregated in the West Niche - Night - to begin the ceremony. I will not outline the ceremony in detail, suffice to say it incorporated the four main aspects of the Shrine: Strength, Mercy, Night and Day.

Once the ceremony concluded we all met back in the main room of the shrine and lo and behold, Storyteller Morrin was there to greet us. I retrieved some refreshments for those gathered and at Morrin's behest we moved to the South Niche - Mercy - to hear a tale.

The tale picked up from where Leya's story currently waits, as she has cast aside Soulingen and walked into obscurity. The tale in its entirety belongs in a post of its own, and I hope someone did log the event and might have it with Morrin's own words.

For the sake of brevity, I will summarize and state that as Leya walked her grief hung about her like a heavy cloak and beneath the weight of it she lost her sense of purpose. She continued to wander back towards her home and met up with women in trouble and pain and with her grace and strength nursed them back to health - both physically and emotionally. With each woman she met and helped she let go of a bit more grief and at the same time remembered what her duty in life was.

Each woman that she met up with ended up joining her in her travels and as the group got bigger they became known as Amazons. They would help all manner of women no matter the size of her trouble. In time, Leya realized the impact she had on the women that followed her and that realization helped her let go of her grief for good. It also signaled her time to leave them for they had learned all they could and were ready to stand tall on their own. After a sad goodbye, Leya left the women to carry on the teachings she had first began and with a thought of the rift between her and her father she wander once more into the forests.

Morrin ended the tale around then and as she was closing her tome her bookmark fluttered down and got lost. While searching for it behind the statue in the niche she was suprised to find a hidden staircase that none of us had ever noticed before.

With great spirit we all headed down the staircase to see what wonders had eluded us for these many years.. and what a great find it was.

I will end this post here, as I wish everyone to have a similar experience of discovery that I did when we first rushed down the staircase.. its something that I don't want anyone to miss out on. In the following days, I do hope someone can post a log that will show what else happened once we explored below the shrine, and perhaps more discussion will come of the discovery.

Again, to everyone involved. Thank you. You made this a night to remember and cherish. I hope to see all of you again very soon. Let's not let the years come between us again.

With much affection,

Sylanae C.

"While searching for it behind the statue in the niche she was suprised to find a hidden staircase that none of us had ever noticed before." -- Sylanae

---

Don't you just love that?

"..but I checked there just last week!"

Heh.

Is this area accessable to everyone right now? If not, can you e-mail me the synopsis of events at that point?

Oh man, I wish I had been able to have my little Paladin who follows Leya there tonight. Sounds like it was something she would have truly enjoyed. However, real life took precedence. I look forward to the log and exploring the shrine.


See what will happen if you don't stop biting your fingernails?
- Will Rogers, to his niece on seeing the Venus de Milo

I have no idea who your Paladin is, but Sylanae picked up a few daggers of significance to the final part of Leya's story (though you have to ask, will her story ever truly be over?), in hopes to find more followers to bestow them upon.

There were more in the chest at the scene than discoverers that night and she (Syl) did not wish to have them go to those who would not hold them, nor hold Leya, in high esteem.

So hopefully, she'll end up running into people who share her love and respect for Leya and find good homes for the extras she has.

And yes Laleena! I would love for you to post the log you have! No rush though, I know how annoying editing can be.

Well maybe a teeny bit of rush..

:D

- Syl

Oh, the little one would love to have one. thank you for being so thoughtful of those that would appreciate them yet not be able to attend.


See what will happen if you don't stop biting your fingernails?
- Will Rogers, to his niece on seeing the Venus de Milo

Sylanae, oh.. I don't want anything.. just want to know what occured :P

[Shrine of Leya, South Niche]
The area within the alcove is almost completely overtaken by the sculpture it harbors. An ensemble of two figures, the monument bears a carved legend across its base that reads "Mercy". Appropriately, the soft illumination bathing the statuary promotes a meditative ambiance. You also see a heavy backpack, a cotton backpack, the Evesong disk and an old stone staircase.
Also here: Sylanae, Subarashi, Oracel, Antonette, Tashalin, Nediva, Deavon, Great Lady Myrene, Laella, Galenok, Lady Danay, Evesong, Storyteller Morrin
Obvious exits: north, northeast, northwest

You see Storyteller Morrin Cairwyn the Bard.
She appears to be a Sylvankind.
She appears to be very young and shorter than average. She has almond-shaped hazel eyes and fair skin. She has long, braided honey-hued hair woven with carnelian silk ribbons. She has a heart-shaped face and an a bay laurel branch tattoo encircling her wrist.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a very old battered leather journal in her right hand and a curved willow branch lyre wrapped with pale green ribbons in her left hand.
She is wearing a tanik limb walking stick, a circlet of green and gold oak leaves, a hooded wheat-hued spidersilk cloak, an ecru linen haversack, a tear-shaped amber pendant hanging from a delicate faenor chain, a dark siena velvet tunic, a braided ivy vine girdle slung with a battered tin chalice, some supple brown leather leggings, and a pair of soft doeskin boots fastened with gold pinecone clasps.

Morrin says, "Unbeknownst to her, the utterance acted as an incantation and forever bound the discarded weapon askew upon the black marble surface. Gathering up the dagger-sized sword given to her as a gift by the Halflings, she headed for the road that would take her away from this scene of sadness. Wandering the lands for many cycles of the moons, grief was her sole companion."

Morrin says, "Making her way to the forests of Ta Ardenai, where she could be closer to her mother's people, much of her time was spent in solitary travel. Kai kept a distant watch on his troubled daughter, knowing from his own sorrowful experience that she would have to find her own way to come to terms with the death of her beloved."

Morrin says, "Her days were often spent in quiet meditation and in keeping her skills as a warrior honed. While the thought of combat stirred her grief, she was too much her father's daughter to simply waste or ignore her inherent talents. Time passed slowly, as it often does when the soul is wounded, and though her physical strength was prime, her heart remained heavy. Leya had lost her sense of self."

Morrin says, "Sadness surrounded Leya like a cloak and gave her a measure of distance from those she had known in the past, as she visited those places where she had once been happy. Keeping to the shadows, she slipped among old friends unseen, watching searching for something to end her grieving."

Morrin says, "Some might say it was coincidence, and others believe it was her mother's inherited second sight that brought Leya to be walking the forested route between Ta Ardenai and Ta Loenthra one day. There she encountered a young woman in distress. Seeing someone else in pain pulled at Leya's heart and she could not bear to witness the misery, so she offered her aid."

Morrin says, "Leya asked for the woman's story and learned that the young woman was a sculptor's wife. In a sudden fit of bravery, the woman had seized a discarded shard of chalcedony and slain her abusive, brutal husband. Afterward, though she was shaken with fear and guilt over ending the life of someone that she had once loved, she had set out to turn herself in to the Captain of the Guard. Afraid no one would believe her, or worse yet, think it no crime to beat one s wife, the woman had fled town instead."

Morrin says, "No stranger to feeling aimless, lost, and guilt-ridden, Leya suggested the woman travel with her for a while before giving herself up to the Elven justice. Better to face a judge strong than defeated. As they wandered, Leya and the woman formed a deep and abiding friendship."

Morrin says, "During their time together, the young Arkati taught the elven woman many martial skills, including the art of crafting blades from found materials. Together, the mortal and Leya transformed the chalcedony shard weapon into a crude dagger, promising that it would never be used unjustly."

Morrin says, "Confident, no longer the little scared mouse she once had been, the woman returned to town and turned herself in a year and a day after the murder. By now, tales of the sculptor s cruelty had become widespread and many had expressed relief at his passing. ."

Morrin says, "In the face of such evidence from the townsfolk, the Captain of the Guard considered the matter justified and dismissed the outstanding charges against her."

Morrin says, "Leya stood at the back of the courtroom, watching her friend s ordeal, then moved to her side to celebrate the good news. For a split moment, that day at the tournament with Nelito came to mind, as did the reunion with her father."

Morrin says, "With that reminder of her tournament loss and all that came after, the last wisp of her grief finally disappeared, leaving a sense of inner peace and purpose in its place. Sadness at the thought of the estrangement from her father still remained. Leya knew that she had more work to do before she could resolve that part of her life."

Morrin says, "Together the two friends made their way to a local inn, and as they did, they passed a young half-elven girl clothed in tattered rags. She was being harshly berated and flailed by the inn s owner as she tended to the wash out in the alley."

Morrin says, "After the man went inside, the two women escorted the girl out of town, careful to put a good deal of distance between themselves and the inn. Making camp in the woods that night, Leya realized that they had acted without really thinking of the consequences, and now had to decide what to do about their new companion."
girl."

Morrin says, "Pondering the choices before her, Leya came to the conclusion that the woman had been given into their care for a reason, and that she would do all that she could to help the woman heal."

Morrin says, "The two older women served as teachers and mentors to the girl. Learning the ways of combat, how to use a bow and sword, and how to fight hand-to-hand, the young prot g gained faith in herself and pride in her newfound strength. Each found solace in the others as they shared their painful pasts and realized their futures held much hope."

Morrin shifts her position, carefully turning to the next page in the battered journal.

Morrin says, "As had happened with the sculptor s wife, the bitterness and despair that had surrounded the young chore girl fell away during the passing weeks, and a confident young woman emerged. The three continued to travel together as companions and friends."

Morrin says, "Then one night, a frightened woman from one of the giantman clans stumbled into their camp. The woman was half-starved, and her appearance was disheveled from her wandering through the thick woods."

Morrin says, "The group took the woman into their care, feeding her and assuring her that she was safe. Just as Leya had done with the others, so she began her work with the newest member of their little tribe."

Morrin says, "This time though, she had the help of the other two, which made the teachings progress much more quickly. Together they traveled the elven lands, this odd group of women bound together by tragedy."

Morrin says, "After a few months, word of the small band and Leya's teachings had trickled out to others in the surrounding area. Women would approach them in every village and burg, each with a story more heart-rending than the next, and each were welcomed warmly."

Morrin says, "With each instance of healing others, Leya s own heart mended. No act of kindness and mercy was too great or too small a request of the group."

Morrin says, "Intensely loyal to Leya and her teachings, the women had taken to calling themselves Amazons. Out of individual women in desperate straits had formed a strong sisterhood, developing their own culture and code for living. ."

Morrin says, "I see this comes full circle now."

Morrin says, "One night, as Leya proudly surveyed the gathering as they laughed around a bonfire, she realized that her work there was indeed finished. She had done all she could for the women, and it was time for them to stand on their own, to carry on without her guidance."

Morrin says, "He following morning, Leya gathered together her few belongings and announced her decision to the stunned group. It was time for her to leave them, so that she could finish what remained to be done within her self, and so the women could continue the work they had just begun. ."

Morrin says, "Leya gestured to them all, standing proud and confident in a circle, and proclaimed that each was a leader worthy of respect. ."

Morrin says, "As sad as the women were at the parting, they understood why it was necessary. With a final farewell, Leya once again wandered down the path alone, disappearing within a circle of trees."

The music begins to swirl around you again, a quick bright beat that seems to brighten the area.

Morrin says, "Years turned into decades, and the Amazons continued on. Often some of the women would split away from the original group to take up residence in another part of the continent, where they would bring their teachings and training to those who came to them. The women usually crafted symbols to indicate their status as Amazons. ."

Morrin says, "Some groups favored ivory daggers or chalcedony shards, some crafted lapis lazuli teardrops, and others carved horses or owls out of snow white alabaster. Each sect or tribe had their own codes, culture, and way of governing, but all of them strove to remain true to what Leya had taught the original Amazons."

Morrin says, "The site of the shrine that Leya built in Egan s honor remained a legend until a group of determined Amazons sought its location and rediscovered it, with Leya's blessing, in the year 5097."

Softly the song fades, drifting off on the gentle wind.

Morrin says, "A good ending I think."

As Morrin leans to close her journal, her bookmark is blown away by a quick breeze, fluttering to the ground.

Morrin asks, "Oh?"

Morrin feels along the sculpture carefully for a moment.

Morrin says, "There is something here."

Morrin pulls the latch and suddenly the ground rumbles as a hidden staircase is revealed!

Morrin points at an old stone staircase.

Morrin stands up.

Morrin put a very old battered leather journal in her linen haversack.

Morrin put a curved willow branch lyre wrapped with pale green ribbons in her linen haversack.

(Down we went.)

Sylanae's group just climbed down an old stone staircase.

[Shrine of Leya, Secret Passage]
Clay and shale walls glisten with a slight, damp trickle from the verdant forest above, sproutings of tangled roots run along the sides like skeletal fingers. The gently sloping dirt floor leads down a torch-lit passage towards a flickering light glowing brightly at the far end. Along the east wall, a long tapestry has been draped, illumination showing through where the edges warp and bow out. You also see an old stone staircase and a discolored iron chain.
Also here: Subarashi, Oracel, Antonette, Tashalin, Nediva, Deavon, Great Lady Myrene, Laella, Galenok, Lady Danay, Evesong, Storyteller Morrin, Sylanae
Obvious exits: down

Sylanae's group just went down.

[Shrine of Leya, Egan's Tomb]
Opening up into a vast circular chamber, the tomb is dominated by a simple black marble bier upon which rests an ornately-carved serpentine catafalque. Rusted iron lamps mounted on the walls burn quietly, the faint aroma of their bdellium-scented oil filling the air.
Also here: Subarashi, Oracel, Antonette, Tashalin, Nediva, Deavon, Great Lady Myrene, Laella, Galenok, Lady Danay, Evesong, Storyteller Morrin, Sylanae
Obvious exits: up

>l catafalque

Exquisite details in the carving of the serpentine catafalque render an amazing likeness of a handsome elven male lying in peaceful repose. A thin seam barely divides the top from the base, the only suggestion that this elegant sculptural study is actually a final resting place.

>l bier

The base of the bier is etched with the trunk of a large tree of life, and its burdened branches stretch out to each side. Individual leaves have been polished to a glossy sheen adding a bas-relief effect to the catafalque's altar.

Morrin asks, "There is a tapestry back up there perhaps it has something to add to this?"

Sylanae's group just went up.

[Shrine of Leya, Secret Passage]
Clay and shale walls glisten with a slight, damp trickle from the verdant forest above, sproutings of tangled roots run along the sides like skeletal fingers. The gently sloping dirt floor leads down a torch-lit passage towards a flickering light glowing brightly at the far end. Along the east wall, a long tapestry has been draped, illumination showing through where the edges warp and bow out. You also see a discolored iron chain.
Also here: Subarashi, Oracel, Antonette, Tashalin, Nediva, Deavon, Great Lady Myrene, Laella, Galenok, Lady Danay, Evesong, Storyteller Morrin, Sylanae
Obvious exits: down

>l tap

You see nothing unusual.

Sylanae's group just went behind a long tapestry.

[Shrine of Leya, Amazon's Vestry]
Slightly L-shaped, the clay walls here have been smoothed carefully, then panoramically-carved with many figures of armor-clad women bearing weapons. A large black marble slab table paired with wooden benches extends the length of the room. One silver iron oil lamp shaped to resemble the pool in the shrine above sits centered on the table, its single flame burning brightly. You also see a weathered modwir trunk.
Also here: Subarashi, Oracel, Antonette, Tashalin, Nediva, Deavon, Laella, Galenok, Lady Danay, Evesong, Storyteller Morrin, Sylanae, Great Lady Myrene
Obvious exits: out

>l in trunk

That is closed.

>l trunk

Weathered modwir boards are reinforced along the edges with discolored iron fittings, as well as reinforced with thin bands around the base and across the lid. A well-rusted lock doesn't conform to the normal shape of a key.

(Trunk was opened.)

>l in trunk

In the modwir trunk you see a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger, a simple faenor dagger and a simple faenor dagger.

You remove a simple faenor dagger from in a weathered modwir trunk.

>l my dagg

Inscribed on the amethyst handle is a name rendered in crude script and a small tool has been used to etch an owl on the blade near the tang. You also notice a small enchanter's glyph.
There appears to be something written on it.

>read my dagg

In the Common language, it reads:
"Jadryga"

>l table

An alternating border of horses, owls, and crossed daggers is carved along all sides of the black marble slab. A recently polished silver lamp filled with fragrant oil sits at the center and glows from the light of a single flame.

>l wall

An earthen bas-relief is carved along the two longer walls, with women of all races and sizes, each bearing a proud and determined mien. Along the shorter back wall, lettering done in an ancient style scribes out a purpose for this room.

>read wall

*************************************************
* *
* "No doubt tales of my life and journey have *
* survived, if you've found this shrine and the *
* gifts the Amazons of the past have carried *
* forward to the future. At the end of my *
* journey as a mere mortal, and once I was *
* well hidden within a circle of modwir pines, *
* I called out to my father. Overjoyed to hear *
* my summons, Kai crossed the distance with all *
* due haste. Before him I stood, no longer the *
* young girl who had left in grief, but a woman *
* shaped by it. At first we said nothing, but *
* then I offered, "Will my father forgive a *
* wayward daughter for her absence in his life *
* until now and accept her eternal love?" *
* *
* "We both smiled at this replaying of a *
* familiar scene. Embracing, I wept the last *
* remaining tears of my sorrow, now mixed with *
* joy at being reunited with my father. He *
* spent the night in kindly patience, listening *
* as I told him all I had learned, and when I *
* was finally silent, we watched the rose-gold *
* light of dawn pierce the needle-laden boughs. *
* A single beam spilled down to the forest *
* floor as the sun slowly rose, encompassing me *
* fully within its light, and with it came new *
* clarity. Born of the union between a mortal *
* and an Arkati, I realized the time had come *
* for me to take up more responsibility, and *
* affirm my role as Patroness of the Amazons." *
* *
* "I leave this place as a gift, to those who *
* dedicate themselves to following my ideals." *
* *
*************************************************

__________________________________________________

That's pretty much the bare bones of it. I wasn't sure everybody wanted to see half a room of Amazons having hissy fits, so I cut all of the chatter and stuff out. If I was wrong and everyone does want to see it, let me know and I'll post the full log.

Seems each of the daggers had a different gem hilt and a different named etched onto them.

Wheee! Yay Leya!

- Laleena

I would appreciate reading that loresong as well.

I'm interested in the loresong on the daggers.

>He wasn't sure if he got the last. He thought there may be one more but wasn't sure. Perhaps a woman could get the last? - Charna

I had a woman sing to mine and she was only able to get as far as Icewhite did..

Maybe a bard that specifically follows Leya is needed to find more, if there is more to find.

:)

- Syl