Van's Journal - Page 3

Van Cocidius · 08-03-09, 11:51 PM

Another Sunday, the day of rest - or not. Awoken early by the bouncing bundle of joy known as my daughter Ember wasn't willing on letting her Father have himself a well deserved lie in! Not a chance, nauh. So, being the good man I am, I dragged myself up and took her to Cove to see her friends. It seemed though that there was some trouble in the Covians headquarters, as a man was demanding to see their commander. He declared that he wanted to see either the commander, or some blood. It seems he got blood alright, sadly it was his own. On top of that, he was dressed like one of Dev's lot.. dull brown colours with a hood over his face but I haven't any idea which one it could of been. Certainly wasn't Reed, nor Devante.. Either way, looks like he's dead.

The day seemed to die out and I needed to get some more sleep, so I took Ember home and put her to bed before finding myself working again. I found myself in Britain, seeing what was going on there as apparently Nathan Hawke had summoned us all together again to.. well, do something.

Apparently something had happened on the day of Vesper elections, I don't know what but it seems to of been something rather significant. It had something to do with a girl called Hannah, her father Dorian.. and a communication crystal? They took us to some island, to try and activate the communication crystal and contact this Dorian guy. I have no idea what or why but I made myself clear anyway and told them about how maybe the receiving crystal is not active, or perhaps this one is not even charged which is why it only flickers.

Hannah caught on that I know my stuff about crystals, afterall I have read a shit load about them during my research for the museum. I told them we should go to the Gargoyle City and ask them for advice, afterall they've been in Britannia far longer than we have and if anybody knows anything about the magics of.. magic, it's them. So, I lead this Hannah and Hawke along with the "army" to the Gargoyle City, but they were reluctant to talk to us. It's no secret that the Gargoyles have a distinct hate for humans, afterall we did sort of.. take their land from them.

Still, we searched and we found a book which told us how to charge these crystals! Around the pyramid of Exodus, there are four power charges which will charge the crystals up. After having praise rained upon me for my lore and knowledge on the subject, we shot off through the dangerous lands of Ilshenar and got to the Exodus pyramid. The place was plagued with beasts, but we managed to place the four crystals down on each charger and retreated home for the night to give them some time to regain their power.

Tomorrow, we return to get the crystals and dive deep into the basements of Exodus.. Exciting stuff?

- Deacon van Cocidius, Council Representitive of the Swaggers Inn.

Van Cocidius · 09-03-09, 11:38 PM

So today we continued in the quest that ended rather early last night, but I s'pose we had no choice as the crystals did need time to charge. Gathering at the Counsellors Hall in Britain, I took the time to gather a catchup on the whole scenario as I was still left a bit in the dark. It seems this Hannah girl was kidnapped by her father, Mericle or something, who wanted her to help him take over the world and whatnot! We have just her word that she didn't take him up on the offer, and as always I'm not really in a position to beleive her! We're here risking the future of Britannia playing with a crystal that should open a rift into the void so we can save this Hannah's husband, Dorian! Stupid, I know.

So we returned to the location where we had left the crystals to charge and we gathered the together again. They seemed to be glowing more vividly now but we weren't ready to use them just yet, we had to go into the basement of the pyramid and pure the crystals with the raw energy that flows from within. Some people wanted us to combine the crystals again under the pyramid, which was such a stupid idea.. any explosion near that raw energy has danger written all over it! So, we returned to the island we were at yesterday and we combined the crystals. Contact was made with Dorian but.. Esca needed me back in Vesper for the council meeting - what a prick, I'm made to miss the destruction of Britannia all for a nice chat with Esca.

The meeting didn't go all that well, Esca made some suggestions for animal rights and giving them medals and shit which was quickly waved away with disgust from us. But then it got personal! Leaving out all the details, myself.. Devante and Raiden made it clear that Esca's ambitions for Vesper were in the wrong places, and then Damien got involved and started rabbiting crap that didn't really stick in my mind.. Hah. The way it's heading, there's going to be another civil war or something.

- Deacon van Cocidius, Council Representitive of the Swaggers Inn.

Van Cocidius · 26-04-09, 04:39 AM

Bloody hell, not written in here for what seems ages! A month and a bit infact, so not quite ages.. still, alot has happened in that time so I guess I better fill in the gaps before I resume this!

So, since resigning as the Supreme Chancellor of Vesper's Republic, it seems the reigns have been picked up by none other than Escaflowne. Probably not the publics smartest of moves, all he's done thus far has aggrovated Cove, Yew, and now Minoc into a hostile view against them. Not only that but he's now made punishments for harming bears more severe. Devante could of won if he didn't act like such a prat, I could of helped him win. But instead he pissed about and left the window wide open for Escaflowne to cheat his way into power. Regardless, the problem is no longer mind as I looked forward to the simple life of working at the Swaggers, or so I had thought..

Doing about my business, keeping the Swaggers going, I was surprised to be approached by none other than Rebecca. As probably the Swaggers only constant member of staff, she thought it was only right she fired me. When asked why, she had no reason.. she just wanted to. Obviously she saw me as a threat, she was losing control of the Swaggers where I was gaining it. She saw me as a threat it seems, well sorry for doing all I could to make the Swaggers remain successful. Look at it now.

With nothing keeping me in Vesper now, I sold my property and decided to move back to Trinsic and find a job closer to the family. If there was one thing I hated about my time in Vesper, it was the lack of real time I got to spend with my beloved wife and children. Work wasn't that easy to find though; I considered being a lawyer, a trader, an event organiser.. all really demanding work that would take a lot of my time, something I came to Trinsic to avoid, so decided to sign up for the Duchy.

Yep. That's right, from the position of leading the rebelling force of the North, to a recruit in Trinsic's guardforce. My pride and ego took a real blow, but I know it's the right thing to do now I can see more of the wife and kids, with more realistic and managable hours. Which ofcourse means I'm now working rediculous hours through the night to make up for the actual lack of guards Trinsic has. I can't complain though, I shouldn't, after all I've done to damage Trinsic from the days of being a member of The Indomitable, to declaring war on them a matter of months ago, I'm glad they gave me this chance.

Ofcourse because of all this, there are some people I am ment to prove my worth to. Iljian, mostly. But he's a hard man to please, never seen the bastard smile! Would surprise me if he's ever been laid. But that's not my business, really. I'm not in the Duchy to impress and kiss arse, I'm here to protect the City and those within it, mainly my family, and if that requires blood, sweat and tears, then so be it. I may differ as a person compared to the other people of Trinsic, and my sense of humour and differ of culture is really shocking to most, can't see why, but I guess I have to atleast prove that I'm in this position for the greater good, to help them.

Anyway.. That should of brought things back up to speed. Current status, I've been guarding the door to Trinsic's healers most nights because Gwen's inside recovering from a really serious injury and there's been a number of strange people hovering about. I'd trust nobody else to guard those doors but myself. The whole Casca subject aswell has calmed down and we've no been fighting against a man called Mericles to save Hannah's boyfriend - Dorian - from the void where he was trapped.. Only for him to die hours later from old age. Because of this waste of a rescue, Gwen got wounded and almost died. I think that's all that's happened since my last entry! If not.. it probably wasn't important enough to bloody remember. Wait.. crap, that's the whole point of a journal, to remember what I'd forget. Bloody brilliant, I've defeated the whole objective of a journal. Sod it.

Van Cocidius · 01-05-09, 11:00 PM

Well today was May Day, first day of May, first day of the Summer for most. More importantly, there was a festival at Cove going on! So I thought I'd tag along, and get Gwen to come with me. She needs to get out of the healers, it's not doing her much good and she has to see the trees again! Upon telling her of the festival, she was excited to go, but a second look to Iljian reminded her that maybe it wasn't a wise idea. I was reluctant to go without her, she really did want to go.

The festival itself was dull to say at most. There was a feast, and a few Covians who were in their own little dreamworld for the most of it. Hahah, bastards. Devante was there too, and we spoke more on our business together. I told him that the Duke himself had changed his mind on allowing me to bring Dev's goods to Trinsic, but that wont stop us. My daughter can back me up here, her Daddy was the best damned Pirate to sail the waters of Britannia! I don't need the backing of the Duke to do it, and work with Dev' shall continue as planned.

The evening broke off after Stewan's amazing act where he swallowed a dagger, and then a kyrss. But he wasn't willing to try a lance! What a tease. Upon my return to Trinsic, Devante was there trying to take Gwen to her home into her own bed, as she feels that Iljian and the Duke are keeping her prisoner on the healers. It's fair to say he has a point, and she is well enough to be in her own bed. She no longer needs Iljians medical expertise, she need rehabilitation, at home. Alas, I still hold no word within Trinsic, I'm just another guard. Sorry, what am I thinking? I'm the only bastard guard. Not seen another in what seems weeks.

Tomorrow is the wedding of Coves' Commander, Raiden, and the old barmaid at the Swaggers, Railen. I think I've been invited, well, if not it doesn't matter as I'll be there for the drink, bridesmaids, and cake. Well, drink and cake mostly.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 03-05-09, 09:52 PM

Not much happened today, nothing much but the wedding between Raiden, the Commander of Cove, and Railen.. Barmaid at the Swaggers. Well, I presume she's a former barmaid now and shall pack her bags for Cove. Nontheless, I didn't bother Gwen tonight as she was sleeping sound asleep when I dropped by the healers, she had probably been up all day getting some exercise done.

The wedding itself was rather nicely decorated, simple yet beautiful! Most, like myself, came for the free food and drink alone and the standard of food was brilliant to say at the least. I think I ate the whole face off of a pig, and washed it all down with some rum off some lass called.. Lotte.. God that was a fine peice of arse.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 03-05-09, 10:00 PM

Today was the last day of the May.. Festival thing in Cove and they were finishing off with a market. But before I departed for it, I dropped by the healers to see Gwen and give her the gift of a sword! Not that she'd use it, I knew this, but she could hang it on her wall I guess. Before I left though, she asked me to carry her to Cove to the market because she wanted people to see that she isn't being held captive by the Trinsicians after vile rumours spread by Devante! (Not me).

Reaching the West Gate of Trinsic, we were held up by the Duke. He moaned that I've been pressuring Gwen into doing this and she's still not well enough to travel. He also let slip that Iljian has dismissed himself of all healing duties with her for the moment. Apparently he couldn't handle all the drama going on around it, and I thought he was a strong chap, even if he is naive. I gave the Duke as good as he gave, and he probably knew he was firing blank points at me, he held no ground that made sense and backed up what he was saying, and he threatened me with dismissing me from the Duchy. As if I'd care, I'd still continue doing as I do regardless of uniform.

Being forced to leave Gwen in the hands of Arkandy (nice uniform..) I left for the market in Cove. Rather small market to say at the least, with not much going on. Vesperians, Covians, Vesperians all in one area.. was only a matter of time until a fight broke out. And one did, though amazingly it was tame, just some simple sparring. Oh how I miss the North, where people thought with their balls rather than their brains, good times. But I can never return to Vesper, or move to Cove. And Yew is definatly out of the question, I'm stuck in Trinsic.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 12-05-09, 01:50 AM

So this Friday, with Gwen still unable to open up the Rose and offer me one of those HOT cocktail drinks - not really hot - I decided that I'd catch the end of the Moonglow moot. Sadly I was unable to catch the whole week due to my schedule including only sleeping as I caught up on what I gave up in my duty to guard Gwen at all hours of the night. My God, I forgot how awesome sleep was.. Almost as good as.. Stuff with your loved ones! The ending of the week has an open stage it seemed, for all to come and.. do as they pleased.

There wasn't much, a few bards with stories to tell - probably good stories but I have the attention span of a Mongbat. A play by the Vesperians on another way that their beloved Greenie died. First it was the Yewish, now it's an Ancient Wrym. I'm starting to wander if it ever bleedin' happened. Gwen also managed to tell a story which had something to do with a woman killing the man she loved.. Typical bloody woman. Why do they always do something stupid like that? If Madeline stabbed me, I'd smack the woman right back!

Anyway, Saturday had ourselves a visit from Cove, picking up payments for some work the Duke had hired them for. No idea what, but the whole of Cove arrived, even their Baron who is as queer as always. With their payment paid, we then had to sail them back to Cove to avoid them any highwaymen taking the gold for themselves or something like that.

Ofcourse, we had a few hiccups. The wind magically seemed to die on us, and we were ambushed by Kraken and Sea Serpents. Bloody brilliant, I'm amazed the ships didn't snap in half with us on it, they ain't got nothing on The Indomitable! Wherever the bastard hell that ship's gone.. No idea.. That wasn't the end of our troubles, upon setting foot back on Covian soil, we were ambushed once again, but this time by Orcs.

We managed to scare them off, but both Cove and Trinsic took some mild injuries, but the gold was safe and our job was done. Man, the crap I do for others and I'm still a bleeding recruit, though in all fairness, I haven't seen a guard about who's more than a recruit themself. Bloody slackers, they'll pay for it if someone tried to take Trinsic for their own! Though I doubt that would happen, Trinsic doesn't offer much in the way of resources.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 12-05-09, 10:57 PM

The Sunday evening held a ball to finish off the festivities in Moonglow for the week. It was a great evening because for once the wife was able to come with me. It's not often enough we get to do stuff together, with he being out picking dru- herbs.. and then she has the kids to tend for, it's just leaving us with no time for each other, so this was great!

The party was short in all essence, there was a Drow trying to take down Nathan Hawke, but failed miserably. He also went on to reward Hannah with something and sort of "induct" her into the Britannian Army. Hell is that about, I don't know. I didn't get no bloody sword, nor an induction ceremony.

Monday, and we set off back to work in cleaning the world of evil! Starting off at the Orc fort in Yew, we looked about for any hints of these odd seed pods appearing around the lands. We found a book, mentioning something about a "wozzah".. Means nothing to me. We then went to Cove's Orc Fort, and we found ourselves yet more seed pods and another book, this time mentioning something to do about when are they going to grow? Still means nothing to me. So, we finished off with a trip to the mines, were most Orcs dwell. In here, we found a book again.. but before I got a chance to read it, it seems we were ambushed my Orcs and they forced us deeper into the mines. At the very deepest area in the mine, we found waterfalls.. blooming fungi and allsorted plants, it seems this may be where they are hoping to "plant" the seeds?

Today, Tuesday, we went to the gate of Spirituallity and then headed into the Mushroom cave just to the east. There we picked some mushrooms and allsorted fungi, which we also collected in Heartwood. The idea was to somehow try and destroy the seeds with this fungi, but it was still only a daring concept. We managed to apparently corrupt the seeds, as they changed colour a bit. but before we knew it, we were again ambushed at Spirituallity moongate by Orcs, which we managed to slay but for one, who got away with the seeds. That was what we wanted, as he took it back to the Orc fort where we are to hope the seeds will be corrupt and that corruption shall spread and infect the other seeds within the fort.

If this plan works, then we may be able to destory these seeds before they grow into anything.. But where the Hell are they coming from?

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 13-05-09, 11:15 PM

Nothing much happened today, there was meant to be a market in town hosted by the Skara Braens, but that's had to be rescheduled due to Nathan Hawke giving them a visit or something, not entirely sure. So instead, I took the free time to get some recruitment banners and place them around at the moongates and allsorted popular places.

Upon my return, I gave the Duke a visit; just to let him know of what I had done. To my surprise (not) the Duke was pleased with my progress, apart from a few traits he still doesn't like.. but I can't please everyone can I? If I could, I would of been Lord bastard British or someone like that.. Yet I'm not, despite being on the same level of amazingness. Anyway, the Duke eventually promoted me to Armsman after what has seemed forever as a recruit! Brilliant, now I'm sure this means I get to boss atleast someone about, anyone will do.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 16-05-09, 12:08 AM

Another weekend dawning upon us, another Friday to be spent at The Rose with my beloved Gwen back behind the bar serving her excellent cocktails! God I've missed that place for the past few weeks, hasn't quite been the same without it I guess, it fills that void in my life that I spent at the Swaggers.

News had quickly filtered around Trinsic that the Kaldorians have returned, and it seems that they aren't coming back in good spirits. Some of us have reason to beleive the Kaldorians will rain hell upon Trinsic, bastards - not on my watch. We all know fighting doesn't win wars, politics does, and that's where I'm the best! We'll see how the Kaldorian thing plans out in the coming weeks. The Duke had sent me off to the tournament in Skara Brae, to gather some information regarding the Kaldorian's invasion.

I managed to find out that the Yewish also have a hate for the Kaldorians, so if things do get to heavy, we can somehow shift the heat from Trinsic, to Yew. Also, Skara Brae are good friends to Trinsic, and will help out - if their Count will allow it, so that's a job for the Duke.

Man it's good to have a use again.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 16-05-09, 11:59 PM

After spending the early hours of the day with my beloved wife, Madeline, I was soon called upon to don the uniform (metaphorically) of the Britannian Guards and continue our quest to work out what the Hell is growing in these mysterious seed pods, why the Orcs are collecting them, and where they're coming from! So many questions, so few answers - typical.

Today we would have to play dress-up, wearing an Orc mask and generally "acting" like an Orc, we would be spying on them, try and find out more about the seeds.

Getting in was easy, and staying in character seemed more natural for some which is a bit disturbing considering one of those was my wife. Finding where they were growing the seeds, it seemed that the Orcs were feeding the seed pods with some sort of glowing dark liquid and it seems to help them grow, one of them has ballooned in size. We didn't find much else on the seeds, it seems the Orcs are as clueless about them as we are, but they know that whatever will come from them, they will "klomp oomies".

In our time in the mines, we were forced to "klomp oomies" ourselves in order to steal their weapons. It seems the Orcs are collecting arms for their own, to try and launch a mass attack perhaps? Well, there's no perhaps about it, Orc's are fixated on war, fighting, flesh. It's like a ticking bomb, if you as me.. we should line the whole cave with blackrock and cave it in, have them done with once and for all.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 17-05-09, 11:10 PM

Today I was invited to a "secret" wedding between Brynhild of the Duchy, and Corwin of the Kaldorians. It was a closed wedding due to the semi-obvious reason that it's a marriage between those of two enemy sides. Trinsic, and Kaldor.

The cermony was conducted by Gwen and was short yet sweet. As was the cake from the after party. Just thankful Gwen didn't use no fire to bind their souls or whatever she did with me and Madeline..

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 19-05-09, 11:50 AM

Today was the first day of many for our expedition into Ilshenar and I have to admit, I was blown away by how many people turned up to aid me in my mission to better understand Ilshenar. Even the Commander of the Royal Guard, Nathan Hawke, decided to assist us. That man's a freakin' legend.

*Slips onto the page a copy of the full report, folded up neatly*
The Ilshenar Reports

I'll have to add, something I didn't go into detail in the report that shocked a few of us, was the supposed appearance of Mericles in the cave deep in Blood Dungeon. What was even more shocking was that the Orcs were trying to protect him. Now we know the Orcs have been center stage the past few weeks, with their seed hunting but did any of us imagine that they'd be working for Mericles? Why was he in Blood Dungeon, and is he this "Wozzah"? I've always thought Wozzah was Orc for Wizard, so maybe they're working for him.. maybe these seeds are poppoing out from the void, maybe this is all Mericles work.. I'm sure there will be time for discussion on this matter next time we meet Nathan and Hannah.

The evening ended nicely with a few drinks and an overall good time at the Twin Oaks. But upon my return back to Trinsic, who else could I have bumped into other than Wesley? Yeah, my old Captain back on The Indomitable has returned again to annoy the crap out of me. I don't know if I should expect him to be about long, he's usually as gone as fast as he arrives.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 22-05-09, 01:01 AM

Only thing that went on today really was "peace talks" between more or less the leader from every town in Britannia. Nathan wanted to get to the bottom of this Minoc problem, without Minoc even being represented - so I don't know what he imagined to solve without them there.. As expected, they didn't come up with much to work with, but it seems all the leaders are together when it comes to not trusting Casca, and Nathan's still one of them.

War is a part of our lives, it's an impossible task to remove it. The Yewish, the Vesperians, Covians, Minocians, Trinsicians, all of them need some form of conflict to function. If we were all peaceful lovers, there would be a huge void in our lives, and what else is there that can substitute a fierce battle? We needs wars, wars are good.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.

Van Cocidius · 27-05-09, 03:10 AM

Today we continued the undercover work as Orcs to further investigate the seed pods, the Orcs, and the great Wozzah. Things ran much more smoothly this time, as we met with one of the head Orcs there who told us the great Wozzah is hiding in one of the caves there in the mines and needs us to bring him fungi and Daemon blood. Daemon blood? Well, I for one was sure we sure Mericles in Blood Dungeon surrounded with Orcs and all that.. blood. The Wozzah has to be Mericles, has to be.

Sadly though, access to the cave where he is is strictly forbidden without the secret word which we weren't going to be told until we were proven as "Good Orcs". So we headed off to Blood Dungeon again to collect some blood to offer to the Orcs next time. All in a days work.

- Lord Deacon van Cocidius.