Opalina's Diary - Book 4

This is a creative work set in the world of Elanthia, attributed to its original author(s). It does not necessarily represent the official lore of GemStone IV.

Title: Opalina's Diary - Book 4

Author: Opalina Jalcon

This is a personal accounting of Opalina's experiences during the year of 2025--these are her personal views, and actions from her perspective, logs are being recorded/and transcribed occasionally.

Back to: Opalina's Diary - Book 3

The Lost People

28 March 2025

Three weeks ago, we embarked on an expedition across the vast expanse of the Long Snow. Reports had reached the Giants and our city Marshall of sightings of small people, possibly in distress. As resourceful folks, we rallied a group and turned to the White Wyrm, the impressive airship commissioned by Mayor Talliver a few years back for our occasional trips to the Hinterwilds. Aboard the White Wyrm, we scoured the snowy wilderness for any signs of life. Amidst the endless white, we encountered towering snow elementals until an oddly sparkling area caught our eye. Landing safely beyond the reach of two raging elemental giants, we stumbled upon a chilling discovery: thousands of frozen halflings and nearly twice as many small horses, all encased in ice. Some bore expressions of shock, others were captured mid-stride, even the ponies seemed to be galloping in place—it was as if time had stopped, leaving them eerily alive. Our guide, Hazelnut, etched a rune in the snow before our departure, laying the groundwork for a portal.

The following week, townsfolk gathered to deliberate the fate of these frozen beings. Opinions varied—some advocated for their revival, while others pondered the ethics and the implications of a potential time gap. Were they still alive? Trapped? Did they wish to return? After much debate, we agreed that establishing communication should be our first step. Plans took shape to gather materials, complete the rune, and forge a portal, alongside preparations to create a spiritual link with one of the frozen halflings.

This week, Wizard Ellerel completed the portal, and a group of us gathered, eager to uncover whether the halflings remained alive, wished to live, or were lost to time. Ellerel then forged a connection to what we hoped was the spirit of a female halfling clutching a brush. Her voice emerged, tinged with coldness and confusion, speaking of darkness and a sudden void—once present, then nothing. She revealed her name and title, admitting she wasn’t ready for death. The spell faded too quickly, leaving us intrigued and cautiously hopeful. The halflings might indeed be alive and willing to return, though doubts lingered. Mayor Talliver proposed starting with just her, using the spell’s faint communication channel despite a clear language barrier. We aimed to bridge that gap, to learn her story and determine if she could adapt to our changed world—and whether reviving others was wise, given the potential loss of her kin.

I’m deeply curious about how this will unfold. The thought of halfling ponies roaming once more is delightful, and if these people are merely trapped, their return could be extraordinary. They might bring lost knowledge, magic, or skills to enrich our lives. With Crystal Hall standing nearly empty, a ready home awaits them. Of course, it could all go awry—who can say? Still, I’ll approach this with an open heart and mind, hoping they’ll do the same.

The Halfling Woman

The woman is lithe but powerfully built, her bare arms corded with lean muscle.  She wears a heavy vest of yak hide over an undershirt of woven grass fibers that would provide little protection from the cold.  Her hand clutches a bone-handled horse brush.  Her skin is as dark as almond and her eyes are a rich amber in hue.  They stare defiantly out, death not having robbed her gaze of its intensity.

Starlight glimmers from the crystalline prison of the frozen woman and her distant voice whispers, "I am Kuthlun.  I am bey of my legion.  I am cold, so very cold."

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