The Qeynosian Three - A Norrath Story

Discussion in 'The Newbie Zone' started by TheQeynosianThree, Oct 19, 2018.

  1. TheQeynosianThree New Member

    I was thinking of sharing a little side project with the EQ community that I have been working on as a writing exercise. I am primarily a TLP player and as such I have an affinity for the beginnings of EQ, which was my first gaming obsession. But, after burning out on the grinds and RL getting more time consuming, I conceived this little project to reinvent my EQ experience. I also wanted to get back into writing and thought this might be some good practice.

    I started a new 3-box on a Live server that I had no resources on mostly due to three reasons: mercs, to make my desired classes an easier experience when needed; I wouldn't be tempted twink myself completely with raid gear (hello FV); and all quests unrestricted due to TLP gating. The premise of my project is the recovered journals of my three characters as they level and explore Norrath. I am trying to jump back and forth between their, hopefully distinct, first person perspectives in recollecting their travels, accomplishments and personal development. Its proving to be somewhat of a tricky endeavor, but again, that is kind of the point.

    I'll post the introduction and the first part. I'd love to get any feedback, I only ask if you are just going to tell me I am a terrible writer, at least explain why you think such. I am my own writer, editor, and polisher, but if people are interested - I'll keep posting. Hope someone finds these a fun read!

    I chose the Newbie Zone forum as opposed to the TLP forums to potentially give people returning to EQ, and veterans alike, some possible inspiration in getting back into the early game.
  2. TheQeynosianThree New Member

    Preface -

    In the annals of Norrathian history, there are countless volumes of valiance, valor, and victory in the face of some of the most cataclysmic threats to this fragile world. Written by some of the most prolific authors and historians known to Norrath; these tales of heroic knights of truth and justice; epics on beings of ill-repute making the ultimate, selfless sacrifice; chronicles of stalwart bands of heroes and champions, some of who felled the very Gods themselves; fill page after page, meticulously bound in the most precious enchanted leather. Among the fabled tomes in the sacred Library of Knowledge, in its namesake ethereal plane, a seasoned scholar who knows where to look, might discover a slightly different perspective on Norrathian lore. This story does not feature dragonslaying, or banishing cosmic entities of unfathomable darkness and might, nor halting an impending apocalyptic collapse of the fragile fabric of Time.

    Why? One might ask, would any seeker of meaning and knowledge care for such a seemingly drab tale of implied mediocrity? Well, this scholar is here to inform that while the history of the guild <Fires of Heaven> is commonly known, and rightly celebrated, as Norrathian legend; and the exploits of individuals, such as the infamous Fansy, who elicits extreme division on amongst those knowledgeable of such matters; pale in comparison to these very nearly forgotten texts, to wit, I have discovered. Surely there have been grander heroes, more valorous acts, and mightier souls recorded in beautiful, regal prose, seasoned with an appreciable amount of agreeable alliteration, and containing imagery so vivid the reader might believe they were in fact present in the moment. However, these journals, incomplete as they may be, capture the truest essence of the common Norrathian, in its raw, unedited, form might be even more… dare I say... legendary.

    Without further ado, I present the chronologically organized entries that tell this timeless story, recounted through the written words (unabridged, unannotated, and most importantly - uncensored) of the very beings that lived it! I give you ‘The Qeynosian Three’!
  3. TheQeynosianThree New Member

    Part 1-

    Ariannon - May 16th, 3073

    I don’t care what anyone says. It. Was. Hilarious. I am certainly not entirely responsible for the aftermath.

    This holier-than-thou barmaid was giving me this judgemental eye. I wear what I please. It wasn’t even that low cut. Anyway, I took the regurgitation tonic I nicked last week, in case of a perfect spot of fun as this, and spiked the fresh drink of a grogged out guardsmen seated next to me. My little prank worked like a charm and he booted nearly instantly all over that insufferable wench. The look of shock - disgust - classic! I about fall off my stool clutching my aching sides.

    She tries to lunge for me, all covered in sick. Slipped in the sick instead - knocked herself out cold on a overturned stool! Too perfect!

    The poor bastard who drank the tonic is now trying to make it to the door. Doesn’t make it. Vomits again so hard he falls over backward into another barmaid. Old one. Like Death knocking on the door. She falls back, her tunic catching on a open cloak hook mounted to the wall. Ripped it clean off at the seams. Now if it had happened to the vomit covered, unconscious one - there probably would have been quite the whoops and hollers from the whole tavern. Woulda been a hero. But, not this ole girl. Fried eggs on a nail. There are literal tears in my eyes at this point. Thank the Gods for meh father’s elf blood in my veins so I never have to worry about suffering that horrific fate.

    She tries to reclaim her modesty with her arm - positioned at her BELLY BUTTON!!! By Bristlebane, I am laughing so hard at this point I can’t even see properly.

    I could not make out what was said, but I heard the reply, “You ain’t insultin’ my Gran!!”, and this bloke goes diving over a table at nother one. They crash to the floor taking the brazier with them. One gets in the clothes apparently - cuz he is thrashing about like a frightened mule - kicking the embers everywhere. One or two must have landed near the wall of obviously fake tapestries because next thing I know - the whole wall is on fire! Went up like tinder, soaked in alcohol, which, I guess, it was. Everyone is screaming and panicking - and I stagger out still cough laughing - but not from the smoke - Ole’Bristy himself would have been proud!

    Apparently... someone else saw me spike the drink, so the militia is scouring the city for me now. Naturally, it is drum’n’run time - grabbed this mail delivery to Qeynos. Not completely my fault the building burned to the ground - alcohol is really flammable after all. Or that it took four others with it. Or that cat.

    ‘Selo’-ng Freeport!


    -----

    Saddi - May 18th, 3073

    Heading to Qeynos tomorrow!

    Pa tells me I need to see the fancy finger-wiggling folks. Says “Ya have teh gift of Karana! The Powwa of Storms, girl!”

    Pa says not one my family has left the farming life. Ma ain’t want me to go. She is always worried though. But truthfully, I am a little worried too. What if they do take me in, even though I am not really that smart. I can read and write, sure as teh crop come in every season, but what if they agree I have a gift and teach me? I am always dropping things, and running into the door frame. And remember that time I accidently kicked Mr. Purrifect across the barn into the horse paddock. Ms. Snowball nearly stomped him!!

    What if I accidently make it rain on someone! They’d prolly be quite cross - all wet and all - when dey weren’t expecting such. One the other hand though, I really, really want to see the City. I have only known the Plains. It would be so amazing to do things like that traveller Pa let stay with us. His robes were so fancy! Oh, and the pretty crystals!

    I have to try - Pa would be so disappointed if I didn’t, he is so proud. I’ll write again tomorrow, in Qeynos!

    -----

    Akyran - May 19th, 3073

    The Council of Elders has finally granted my request. Frankly, this proclamation took them long enough to deliberate. For too long has evil festered in the lands surrounding Qeynos. Those foul ruins in the Hills teeming with the animated dead, the blasphemous Sabertooth dogs, the filth infested catacombs. I have mended wounds and cured sickness in more poor souls than I can count in my service to Rodcet Nife and the Temple of Life - and have never been more frustrated by my “confinement” to the grounds.

    None of that matters now. I have been granted my permission to train as a holy warrior of the order. I will be able to lend my shield to the fine people of Qeynos and the lands beyond her gates. I am going to take my sword to the very source of the suffering I have combated my entire life. With the Prime Healer as my Patron - I will succeed in my glorious mission and fulfill thine Oath!

    My first task was to seek out Davloran Girionlis, who would provide my initial instruction. He and I spoke at length regarding a set of new armor, the materials required, and method of craftsmanship. I diligently took copious notes on the matter and with my guild-issued blade and tunic, will set forth from the north gate to gather the requisite items.

    In Good Health,
    Akyran

    -----

    Ariannon - May 19th, 3073

    That was a looooooooong run. My legs are killing me! And, damn Kithicor - that place is a black-as-night hellscape! Literally - even during the day! Creepy ‘not dead’, dead people, milling around everywhere - moaning about bbbbrrraaaaiiinnnssss. Did not even stop once just ran to High Keep - never looked to see what might have been following. *Shutter*

    Made Qeynos in one piece thankfully. Ran into some farm girl in... one of the Karanas, trying to make her way to the city - said she had important business with the Order of Three in South Qeynos. I gave her a boost - saw a few bandit campfires burning at night and that girl did NOT need to be travelling alone. She was definitely very cute, blond, blue eyed, sun-kissed freckled farm girl, and clearly never left the homestead before- just dumb. Complete recipe for disaster. Who lets a girl like that journey on her own!?

    Anywho, as I was dropping the post off with the Marsingers at the Qeynos bard guild and I overheard a new recruit getting the grand tour and was offered some fancy armor in for running a few errands. My tunic has smelled like smoke for the last three days - no matter how many time I washed it - in 3 different streams no less! I needed to get rid of that smoke smell - seriously - I could not stand smelling it anymore. Done.

    I ditched my old clothes off the end of the dock and went and signed myself up to be a bard. Again. Don’t these people keep records? Like, did no one notice me playing Selo’s as I ran up? Lady-bard gave me a list of stuff to get, a fresh official tunic (I should’ve kept the others - coulda had quite the collection by now), and a new sword - Free stuff! Woot! - should be easy. Killing a few rats and beetles, couple of gnolls, those dog-things definitely were not intimating when I rode by. But, seriously, ales? Honey meads? How is booze any important to crafting a strong piece of plate? I think there is a bit of newbie hazing going on here. Which, naturally, can completely appreciate. These Qeynosian bards are alright.

    Downside, the armor is this green platemail - which does not make me a druid, mom.

    Maybe I should stop in at Surefall while I am... no what am I thinking - that is a terrible idea - WHAT IF SHE IS THERE!?!? Definitely time to go murder things. Immediately.

    -----

    Saddi - May 19th, 3073

    The Order of Three accepted me! So exciting! Praise Karana!!!!!

    They began training me as a Wizard! A WIZARD!!! Pa was right! He gunna be so proud! I can’t wait to tell ‘em!

    I met so many nice people, and some not so nice. “The arcane arts are serious studies girl, best not trifle with magics your feeble mind cannot even comprehend”. It was my first day! I only knocked over one thing - all day! A mortar and pestle, but it didn’t even break! No need to be so rude.

    Never seen so many people in one place. I guess I should have expected all kinds of folk - big city an’ all. Some weren’t going to be as nice as teh Millers, or the McMannus clan. Or that nice bard I met out on the road!! She was so kind! She had this magic drum and sang this really neat song. I could swear it made my feet move faster!! I wish I could remember teh name of it... She guided me all the way to Qeynos. I wish I could remember her name… her short red hair was very pretty, even though I prefer mine longer… I think she might have been part elf... Dem ears were mighty pointy….

    Oh my!!! I don’t remember anybody’s name! I shoulda wrote these things down! I wrote down my spells in the book the wizard man gave me and I wrote down the list of things I needed to pass my first tests. But I didn’t write down who told it to me! This is going to be so embarrassing when I have to ask around again. I really hope they don’t think I don’t have what it takes!

    Ok - breathe Saddi. Just go prove you can get the stuff on yer list. Right, once I have the stuff, I will prove I can cast the spells and belong. Ok - that settles it. Going to go make Pa proud of his girl!

    -----

    Akyran - May 20th, 3073

    Productive day today.

    Gathered many of the needed materials for crafting my Lightbringer’s Armor. I encountered two other citizens just outside the gates who indicated they also needed materials to pass their respective guild initiations. I graciously offered my assistance in aiding them in their pursuits. The wizard girl was very keen to accept my offer. However, she clearly is in desperate need of additional instruction by her guildmaster.

    Excerpt - Ariannon - May 20th, 3073
    Farm Girl, Saddi I think her name was, who I had picked up in the Karanas was painfully awful. It took every ounce of self control I had to not just burst out laughing. Fizzle. Fizzle. Fizzle. Fizzle. Fizzle. By the God’s, the first time she actually managed to complete this frosty bolt she was weaving she nailed the paladin in the back of the head with it. HA HA HA!!! My sides!!

    However, the bard, while accepting my offer of aid, did strike me as somewhat untrustworthy. That stated, I did take note of her demeanor toward the fledgling wizard whom I learned she had apparently escorted in the preceding days past the many dangers of the Plains of Karana. Additionally, she did not make the situation with the wizard unnecessarily more difficult, and did offer a few words of encouragement. Further, she proved herself quite capable with a blade and her singing was in fact, useful. I will concede that perhaps my first impression of this Half-Elf might have been hasty.

    Excerpt - Ariannon - May 20th, 3073
    So I am popping out the bloody eyeball from this little bastard rat corpse and this older, white beard, stick-up-his-you-know-where, holy man saunters up to me and says, “Hail, fine adventurer! Do you require assistance in your quest?” Not even joking a little. His exact words. What. A. Twit!


    I saw he had farm girl from the day before in tow. The only way I managed not to say, “Oh yes, brave Sir Geriatrics! Let us go henceforthtofor and slay the mangy critters scampering underfoot!” was to just nod. My face hurts still from trying to keep it straight. Gods, what a pompous blowhard.

    While our newly formed triumvirate were managing the population of vermin and gathering materials, Fippy Darkpaw, bane of the good people of Qeynos, attempted to storm the city gates. I immediately sprang into action and taunted the foul cur, redirecting his charge of the gates.

    Excerpt - Ariannon - May 20th, 3073
    “Face me, you uncouth beast!” Seriously yelled that. This bloke is something else!


    We met steel to steel. The fighting was fierce, but quick. With the aid of my new allies, we each played a part in dispatching one of the more infamous threats to Qeynos. It filled me with a tremendous sense of pride to finally rid Norrath of that amoral dog - the Sabertooth clan have been a fount of much suffering. No longer will simple tradesmen and merchants require healing at the temple because of Fippy Darkpaw.

    Djerr Darkpaw also fell by our efforts - My new companions were welcome assets in my endeavors today. It was an ambitious task to fell the Darkpaws. I was able to procure many items I needed but in speaking with my comrades, we came to agreement to venture into Qeynos Hills at first light to hunt for additional materials.

    In Good Health,
    Akryan
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