August 5, 360/ Jan 16, 2007

With Devante back, life continues, finally allowing me to discover and enjoy a regular daily life.

The war between Yew and Trinsic continues, yet lately I hardly notice any of it. Trinsic is getting a lot of support no matter the propaganda that the Yewlings are spreading.

Devante is doing well after his ordeal and has been forced to take it easy for a while. Elise has been ordered to take command of the Royal Marksmen. I know Elise is or wasn’t too comfortable with the idea, but I think she is doing a good job and will continue to do so. A part of me is jealous of her, so many people are ready to help her getting started, where as I struggle still. Running a guild is easier in theory then in practice.

Life at the Trinsic Rose just goes on. One day is busier then the other. Yesterday Alraune came to read Tarot cards for people and in less then two weeks time I will be arranging the second anniversary of the Trinsic Rose.

Lady Durinka is still waiting in the Elven Quarter for some news of Tabbitha, but I don’t think she’s gonna wait for much longer. When she left Eska’eldalie her sister was making progress and I can understand that she rather is with her then here just waiting. From what I understand she is not looking forward to this meeting with Tabbitha due the subject of the meeting being related to her blindness. I can imagine such makes the waiting even worse.

At the moment I have not much to tell, but it seems I feel more need to write in t his book when I am troubled by things then when things are peacefull.

Gwen Irima

August 54, 360/ Jan 20,2007

Time to write down some thoughts on recent events and conversations.

Earlier this week 4 of us have marked the borders of the Elven Quarter again. With the ungoing war and the treat of many active thugs we felt it was nessecary to make people more aware when they have reached the elvish part of Trinsic.

The other day when I was working with K-ci in Devante’s new home, someone was in front of the door. Thinking it was someone from the Marksmen I opened the door without checking first who was there. It turned out that Devante has a fan, the dangerous kind, the kind that apperantly wants to hurt him (and anyone that is dear to him), because when I opened the door, a green dressed mage stormed inside who said he wanted to eat Devante’s heart. After I made some comments of the things I would do if he dared hurting Devante he said he had a message for Devante. The message was Vas Ort Flam and before I knew it, K-ci was down and I had to run for cover. Thinking back of it I am sure this is not the last time we have had to deal with this person. He kept going on about what he needs to do to be remembered.

Learned a lesson from that: Look first, then open the door.

The Friday Tavernshift was unusually busy (probably because of the leaflets that were left behind here and there announcing the Rose was open) but aside from one incident it was a very good evening. At some point most of the guests rushed off after Claire had come to tell there were men attacking people at the main gate of Trinsic leaving me with only a few guests.

One of the remaining guests was a drow who had been speaking to me in Sindarin all evening. He asked me why I was not surprised to hear a drow speak one of the elvish languages. I answered him truthfully that nothing surprises me anymore now that I have been living in the Elven Quarter for a while.

What did surprise me is that the Drow and the Elves are sharing a similar kind of problem. He said that: “most drow here are fluffy”. A fluffy drow is one that attempts to become so-called "good", which should be hunted down and flayed for insulting their race.
Like him i also believe that the Elves that I have seen that are from outside the guild, from outside the Elven Quarter, are also not what they should be.

i'Meneldalie

Lye duraser naa i'Meneldalie, tanya n'eldelie, imya tyara ri'avarien tyar, awruva ten' ai'er. Lye uma mani lye irma avaene awrien ai'er. Coia ulua im valina ar' malia ten' ai'er. Eller naa ai tanya ettula en'dagora, ar'lye avara dagor iire eller naa men. Nan'eller naa nat'or ten'man lye dagora hiraetha. Tharien i'men en' nat'or n'sanuva yassen rangwien. Eldalie caela an rinar, dethola tyaralle yassen nomin pelu sen. Mellonea, ar'gothea, rinuva.

(Our most important belief is the Elven Way, that no elf, by action or inaction, shall cause harm to another elf. We do as we will as long as no harm is done. Life is a balance between happiness for yourself and concern for others. There is rarely a point to any conflict, and we try to avoid battles if we can. There are things, however, that we can not avoid. Disruption of the balance is not to be taken lightly. Elven memories are long ones, choose your actions wisely around them. Friends, and enemies, are not forgotten.)

Perhaps the influence of men, of the human race, on the Drow race and the Elven race is so big that slowly our people are becoming like them?

Just thinking about this question makes me even more dedicated to the cause that I serve now that I am leading the elves of the Elven Quarter: To unite our people and remind them of who we truly are.

Gwen Irima

Ps. I just overheard the Lady Durinka speaking to Draxandru. She’s tired of waiting around for news of Tabbitha and will be returning to Eska’eldalie immediately. I better get ready to escort her safely back.

Oct 4, 360/ Jan 28, 2007

I am so incredibly embarrassed… What a way to meet with a new elf…

Yesterday I went with Brynhilde, Keina, Hugo and Joshua to find the location of a map that Captain Kaelyn gave us and where we were told to take out some very sickly rabbits.

We found several of these sick rabbits and it proved to be quite a chase to hunt them down. By the Valar, these rabbits area really unnaturally ill, for they are as fast as the arrows that I shoot !

Upon returning to Trinsic someone had apperantly brought some of the Rabbit meat and some of the vegetables that grew around the rabbit holes and from what I understand now Brynhilde was told to cook a stew with all that. I don’t remember exactly why, I guess I wanted to be polite, but I also took a bowl of the Rabbit stew.

The next thing I remember is sitting on the branches of one of the trees nearby the west gate, holding the tree for my life with one arm, eating a carrot with my free hand and on the branch with me Camarillon, an elf who had heard about us and was looking for me so he could join.

I don’t think I ever felt that embarrassed… But he took it with a smile and I don’t think he thought ill of me, especially because others as soon as I was out of the tree told me what happened.

The Rabbit meat had a different effect on anyone who ate of the Stew. Hugo was bouncing around like one of the rabbits, Keina had become a rude little girl, Brynhilde turned mean and I… I thought all the humans were out to kill the elves. Hence the hiding in a tree.

*Looking at the words she had just written down Gwen quietly muttered: Hiding in a tree…. Really, I would have thought I would find a better place to hide than that...*

Eating a healthy carrot (perhaps eating any sort of healthy vegetable?) cured all of us from this strange behaviour. I bet the others feel as embarrassed as I did. Not to mention sick from stomach cramps…

Gwen Irima

After she had turned in, Gwen had a dream, or a vision?, as she silently underwent the pain of the cramps. In her dream she saw herself, getting ready to fire an arrow… but as she followed her aim she must have seen something so shocking that it woke her immediately. After throwing up again, the cramps cleared, a sign that her body had gotten rid of the foul meat, but for a long time an incredible uncomfortable feeling kept her from sleeping. She wondered if she should write about her dream now in her diary, but what was there to write about?

Then she picked up her pencil and wrote something underneath her name in elvish.

“Amin caele kaimel”

Dec 73, 360/ Feb 15, 2007

A collection of small notes are glued on this page:

• Could not find my Diary, so wrote some thoughts on small notebook pages.

• I’ve heard that Jern Fretting has returned. I bet he will be glad to hear the Lady VanQa is showing signs of becoming better. (unless Babble Drax told him that already)

• There is now fighting between Vesper and Trinsic, or rather Vesper is fighting Trinsic while Trinsic is defending itself against forces who seem to have no valid reason at all to do what they are doing. Once they started to attack me, I returned the favour. Elves live on duchy lands and thus we will aid protecting it.

• Sakura has come to the Elven Quarter, i hope she'll find a play friend in Zefar.

• Little Keina won the Drawing contest, Kaelyn received second prize. I’ve placed a Rose in Genty’s house while we were decorating it as a reward for his drawing called “a true rose”.

• Why do people want to kidnap Keina?

• A strange ghostly like woman appeared in the Rose last night, she wore a staff like Yumiko Nichirin has, a Virturi Staff. Need to speak with Yumiko about this because the woman responded highly awkward upon hearing her name.

• Silence in the Rose: Fill with stories on Elven Lore?

• I heard rumors about an illness spreading and a dying man with an empty vial (remains in the vial were purple???). Better find Ruadnit, she has more information on that.

Gwen Irima

Jan 38, 361/ Feb 18, 2007

After celebrating my birthday with my family (Even my brother and his wife and their little one travelled to Eska’eldalie for the occasion and they brought 2 special friends of mine with them!) I returned to Trammel floating on the memories of a wonderfull day. I ran into Talon on my way to the City and he asked me if birthday’s hadn’t become boring after having had so many. Indeed for many elves the day of birth does become less important as time passes, but my parents have made it a tradition that on those days we as a family get together thus making the occasion one to look forward too and definitely not boring.

I wonder how to respond to Meiko’s gift however that she gave me at the West gate of Trinsic. Chocolate with a strange side effect that send me into a temporary hallucination that I wish none other to ever see. Whatever did I do to Meiko that she had to ruin the end of a wonderfull day like that. I am gratefull that Kimi stayed at my side until the Hallucination wore off and faces turned back to normal again. She’s a most kind person and I will not forget the patient kindness she showed me last night.

Gwen Irima

Feb 71, 361/ Feb 27, 2007-02-27

The training arranged by Kaldor did not give me the usual satisfaction. Elise’s marksmen are a tough group to go against and they all seem to share Devante’s desire to win at all cost. After getting some more lessons in how to bite dust (there is several ways of doing this, rolling over the floor, fall flat on your face, fall flat on your back, use arms to protect yourself and so forth) I openly announced I had enough. I do not mind losing at all, but when I take part in a training I’d like to learn more then being defeated over and over again by a team of which beforehand can be told they will win. To my surprise my announcement was met with mock, misunderstanding and I was even under the impression that it was better for me to leave the training if I did not shut up.
Well… that sure didn’t improve my mood. My love not saying anything made it even worse.
Mordred was the one who in the end convinced me to stay for another game, showing me in a much more kinder way that there could still be something learned. His cheerfull words later on the matter when things became quiet again in the Rose made me look differently at this type of training completely.
This sure ain't easy, Father, but i will learn. Eventually. Someday.

Gwen Irima

The elf closed her diary with a sigh and leaned back in her bed at the Trinsic Rose…

Gwen rolled on her back on the fur in front of the fireplace, holding up her diary above her and flipping through the pages, reading some of the writings that caught her attention. Then she rolled back on her front, closing the book and staring into the fire, her thoughts completely claiming all of her attention. The Tower, the Fool, Three of Pentacles, Five of Pentacles and the Chariot. The reading of Alraune had given her an insight of matters, something to think about. Yet… Why did she feel slightly uncomfortable about this mission she was going to be send on?

Mar 59, 361/ Mar 4, 2007

Some days ago Raven appeared in the tavern and not long after I had promised Raven that I would be there when the child was born, I was witness to the birth of their baby girl Raelia. As if the child was waiting for that. Is the One giving me a hint? Making sure that I never get the desire of wanting to have a child of my own? If so… he succeeded. I will leave it up to my brother Amras and his wife to be the ones that continue our family line, for when Raven’s baby began to cry I never was so sure that there is something else I have to do…Children don’t fit in my future and… I think the One agrees with me.

Mother understands these feelings. After making sure Jern had safely arrived in Eska’eldalie, telling the Lady VanQa of his arrival, I went to see her immediately. Even though I am grown up, no longer a child myself, it is only in her arms that I can let go of all my worries, all my doubts. I do not have to use words in front of her, she knows what I feel, what is on my mind, just by looking at me. Our bond is strong and perhaps it is because of that, that she was chosen to speak to me of a mission of some sorts. The details are vague, but i do not question my mother’s choice of sharing little information.

I brought flowers from Eska’eldalie to Kimi and later in the evening I brought Keina the heartwood music box that I requested the crafter to make for her. They are both in the Healers after having been tortured by some drow male. I heard that Vesper attacked again late in the evening the previous day. Poor Kaelyn… it must be tough to be a target constantly. Heard rumors that she was tortured, hope she is all right. A robber is hanging around in the Quarter, had attacked Eagles. I wonder if it is the same one that attempted to rob me of my gold some time ago when I was drawing a map of the Quarter? Could also be there is more then one at work in the area, which is probably more likely.

Gwen Irima

She closed the book and looked up into the fire of the fireplace. The heat of it warmed her face, soothing her while she pondered more…

May 20, 361/ Mar 13, 2007

Vesper attacked again last night. Just after the Champion of the Regiment tournament of the Marksmen. I did what I could, the Marksmen and the Guards did what they could, but the Vesperian Army swarmed into town and quickly took down whomever they saw. I menaged to get out unharmed, but only because I was so surprised to see the mage amongst them. I don’t trust him. I do not understand what he wants and I certainly do not understand why the Vesperian army accepted him into their ranks. Does it mean they just accept anyone? Does it mean Phlebas is looking for allies and thinks he has found them with the Vesperians? Maybe Vesper doesn’t know they have a criminal in their ranks, which would indicate he is using them without anyone knowing. I do know one thing… I won’t serve anyone from Vesper until this thing is over.

Another concern is rising while the fighting (for Trinsic? Is that what they want?) continues; Someone claims that Kaldor has turned its back on Trinsic. After all the stories told by fellow elves, I look up at the Kaldorians, respect them greatly, so I could never accept such rumors being told. I immediately went to Kaldor where I found some in their tavern, and I asked them. Mordred said it was nonsense. And I believe him. But I believe Genty as well. I am sure there is an explanation for what Genty saw and I hope to hear it soon.

I have to tell Devante of what Durinka has proposed, but I find it hard. I am considering to tell him that I am just off to see my parents, what she asked takes about a day to do. It is a proposal at this point, but she is right that at the moment I am the best choice of person to do this. That uncomfortable feeling that I have been having… I should listen to it.

Gwen Irima

July 30, 361/ Mar 26, 2007

And so i did what was asked of me, showing loyalty and obedience to my Lady.. but i sure wish someone told me about this before they send me away. It is an awkward situation that I find myself in and if it were not for mother promising me something good will come of it I would sit in a corner until everything is back to normal again.

Some people have asked me about my awkward situation, but once I told them they either stare blankly at me or accuse me of being possessed by evil. Only the elves in Eska’eldalie and the wiser ones like Miguen and Ziani, seem to treat me with the respect elders of our race are usually given. Some even look up to me, as if I have been to Valinor and back.

Sennah’Jo in the mean time is making the best of the situation. We’ve agreed that at certain times he’ll stay in the back of my mind and that at other times I’ll let him have control so we can prevent the embarrassing sitation of him speaking while I am in charge. I’ve begun teaching him how to use my bow in case I get knocked out and he has to take over. He knows the basics now, but perhaps it was better to let him continue to think it was a one stringed harp.

He was pleased to speak with Lady Durinka, to see the elves, but I guess since we’re this intimate he cannot hide from me that he looks forward to going elsewhere.

Kirtian still has not returned to health. His condition worries me. If it weren’t for him, nobody would have known where I was. Everyday I visit him and sit besides his bed to bring him fresh flowers and to tell him what is going on. I hope he gets well soon…

Gwen Irima

*the following part in Gwen's diary is written with thick big letters that express that the writer is very angry. Completely opposite of the writing with thick black pencil is the childishly simple drawn colorfull flowers around the writing*

August 5, 361/ Mar 30, 2007

Vesperian Brutes !!! Feuyaerea edanea ! Gurth ar’ Lirva a’ sen I’lya! How dare they come to the Elven Quarter and harass my Venka like that? And on top of it: I wonder what explanation the Kaldorians will have in regards to throwing my friend out of her home because they want to have a private chat in MY tavern??? A Public building locked because whoever it was, was too damn lazy to take the time to wander into Kaldor. The Nerve !

I know my friend Venka Joyleaf can be a hand full and that it requires patience to have her around, but she is a good and innocent soul that does not deserve the treatment she has been given.

First Sakura and Zefar, now an invasion on my tavern and the harassment of a pixie. This is totally unacceptable.

Gwen Irima
*added in colorfull writing:* and Venka

September 21, 361/ April 6, 2007

Last night was just weird.

I had thrown as many people as possible out of the tavern in a most subtle way to create some peace so I could finish baking cookies, cleaning and dusting for tonights tavernshift, when my work was disturbed by a trio darkly dressed (do they ever dress differently?) and armed strangers. Never before I had met these people, so of course I assumed they were travellers seeking food and drink. But no, like most things are around the Quarter, they were not just travellers. They actually came especially for me, or rather especially for an elf. What better place to find an elf then in the Elven Quarter huh?

While I was figuring out who the trio was and maybe a way to speak with them calmly without having to go anywhere with them as they demanded me too, a marksman came in the tavern and quickly saw the awkward position I was in. Also Haila had risen from her seat, addressing the trio as well. As long as I carry Sennah with me, I have to be carefull and when the situation become more hostile and their weapons poked more threatening in my back I decided to calmly go along with them while one stayed with the Marksman and Haila.

They took me to the nearby waterfall and asked me about the Nine and where they were and what I knew of the prophecy. I could have probably gotten released sooner, if Sennah had not interfered. I didn’t know anything, but apperantly Sennah did and for some odd reason he could not resist taunting my new friends.

Apperantly in the younger days of Sennah’Jo, when his wife and sons were still alive, there was a war between elves and nine necromancers. Sennah himself did not fight in this war as he at that time was hiding the recipe for the Fountain of Life, but his sons did. His sons died in this war and for this reason Sennah took great pleasure in reminding the people that had taken me (and thus also him) that Elves won that war and that they would never find the hiding place of the Nine.

With people gathering at the Rose and scouting the area the Trio decided to let me go. I don’t think this is the last we have seen of these people. In fact… I am sure that they will try and interrogate other elves as well as they seem to be very keen on finding these Nine. (I wonder why? They should be dead by now?)

And on top of it someone visited the Rose after this all and told Haila and me that he was looking for Ruadnit. Apperantly there is something that is called the Force, which is everywhere around us and Ruadnit’s new sight has to do with that. I told him the best time to find Ruadnit would be during the Repair Hour on Wednesdays as she offers free healing at the same time.

Gwen Irima