Arianiss (prime)

He's an elf.

.

(this was posted on 11/1/98)

Disclaimer:

1) This story is not true (it's true to Arianiss, but it didn't happen with GM support basically), it is a creation done soley by myself, so, do not perceive it as my attempt to fool anyone into thinking something happened to Ari.  Don't become paranoid either.  This is simply my way of hinting at the path I wish Ari to take in the future and at things that will affect Ari.

2) I wish to post this because I consider GemStone to be a Neverending Story and as such, there are things that players learn, and things that characters learn.  This is for players, this is not for characters.  You can deal with it however you wish, but I don't expect anyone to come up to Ari and ask him about his grandchildren.

3) I post in this format because I wish to create it in this format.  I post here because I feel that this folder enhances Arianiss's personality.

[Leanegor, Meadow]

The meadow gives off a feeling of warmth, the swaying grass seeming to caress your skin where it touches. In the center standing strong is an oak tree of immense size, it's branches hanging low and providing a shelter of shade. Trees provide a protective ring to the meadow, as if this was a place that even nature itself wanted to keep a secret. You also see: Arianiss, Keelia and Kyreesis.

Keelia exclaims, "Grandpa, tell us another story!" long, slender ears being revealed by her jubilant movements.

Kyreesis exclaims, "Yeah, tell us another one!" his movements just as excited.

Arianiss groans slightly, his hands slowly moving to brush hair away from his face as he glances at the twins.

Arianiss coughs and says, "Another? You two are certainly curious.."

Keelia asks, "Mother says stories are the best teachers..pleaaassse?"

Kyreesis asks, "Please grandpa?"

Arianiss gazes up into the sky, squinting at the glare from the sun.

Arianiss asks, "Did I tell you about how I met your grandmother?"

The twins exclaim in unison, "Yes!"

Arianiss asks, "Hrmm."

Kyreesis asks, "Tell us about how you became the high priest of Lorminstra?"

Arianiss chuckles, coughing slightly.

Arianiss says, "That's a long story, one filled with many arduous tasks, tasks that never were completed in one night, let alone, one cycle. Perhaps, instead, I'll tell you this..."

Arianiss furrows his brow, wrinkles creasing his forehead.

Arianiss says, "Once, long ago, my future was undetermined. I had no arkati to call my own and every day I felt the influence of Luukos himself..."

Keelia asks, "Is this when Lorminstra punished you?"

Arianiss glances at Keelia and says, "Shh little one, no, that was much earlier in my life. This is what I consider to be the crossroads of my life, where, had one thing been different, we might not be here talking today.."

The two elves gasp in amazement, their eyes opening wider in childlike wonder.

Arianiss says, "It all started at the festival of the Ebon Gate......"

[Lorminstra's Garden, East Altar]

The trees ring this small clearing, guarding the sanctity of the goddess's altar like timeworn sentinels. A grey granite altar stands in the center of the clearing, surrounded by wild mournbloom bushes. A lone white candle burns on the altar, its flame barely flickering in the slight breeze.

The candle's flame flickers strongly as a chill breeze whips through the clearing. A whisp of shadows and then a form appears from within, that of an elf, female in appearance.

The elf says, "You have come Arianiss."

Arianiss furrows his brow and says, "I felt drawn here.."

The elf says, "All are. This festival celebrates the return of the dead for a short time. I grant each person who is brave enough to venture here, the chance to meet with the deceased."

Arianiss glances warily at the elf while asking, "Should I believe you?"

The elf chuckles softly, "You still believe me to be responsible for all that has happened to you. The path begins within oneself, not elsewhere."

Arianiss watches the elf's movements, her body young and athletic, yet, her eyes betraying the age, wisdom and sorrow of many lifetimes of generations gone by.

The elf continues, her voice soft and soothing, "Deep within I see that which you long to see, that you wish to speak with..but your parents are not yet dead Arianiss. Choose wisely who you wish to bring to the living for you can only choose once."

Arianiss blinks slightly, the elf's words coming as a shock to him.

Arianiss pauses a moment before saying, "My foster mother, Talianthra. There were many things I never had a chance to say to her.." he sighs softly before continuing, "..no, we are not on the best of terms so to speak, but I ask this of you, if need be, I will beg this of you..let me see her."

The elf nods once as she steps into the shadows surrounding the clearing, "For those who wait..." and then she is gone.

Time seems to pass quickly..at first.

Arianiss sits.

Arianiss seems to be waiting for something.

Arianiss sits there, his legs crossed in front of him, his hands resting on his knees, his breathing rythmic as if..he's asleep.

An elven woman slowly walks past the ring of trees, her eyes focused on Arianiss.

She reaches him, noting his current state of awareness, and gently rests a hand on his shoulder.

Arianiss shivers, as all do when awakened, and glances around, "Wha? Xeldria love?"

The elf smiles and says, "No, is that her name? She's quite lovely and seems nice for you."

Arianiss blinks a few times as his eyes adjust to the light, his gaze resting on the strangers.

Arianiss asks, "Who, are you?"

The elf smiles again, "I am as I was in my youth Aria, I am the one who raised you from child."

Arianiss stammers, "M..m..mother?" he blinks again, his voice catching in his throat.

Without another word, he stands and embraces her, his eyes closed. She returns the embrace, her warmth enfolding them both.

They sit, her in clothing of nature, he in clothing of the night, their voices added to the sounds of the evening.

Arianiss says, "I've missed you mother..I wish it..." he lets the words trail off, catching his mistake as it happens.

Talianthra smiles and says, "It's alright, I've made peace with myself and what inevitably comes to all."

Arianiss nods slowly, "I wish it had never happened."

Talianthra says, "It had too, it was my time. I lived my life well and have no regrets." she gently touches his cheek with her hand.

Arianiss nods again, "I still wish it hadn't had to happen." he sighs, "There's so much I wanted to tell you."

Talianthra asks, "And you cannot tell me now?"

Talianthra chuckles softly.

Arianiss glances at Talianthra.

Arianiss says, "I'm confused mother, my spirit is in jeapordy of being lost.." he sighs, "..and there's nothing I can do about it."

Talianthra nods sagely and asks, "Luukos?"

Arianiss peers quizzically at Talianthra and asks, "Yes. You know of it?"

Talianthra smiles.

Talianthra says, "I know many things, the spirit realm can see all that happens within the the living, we simply cannot do anything about it. Lorminstra is right Aria, you "are" to hard on yourself at times, and still as stubborn as when you were little."

Talianthra giggles softly, her hand rising to cover her mouth, though, the smile still shows through.

Arianiss sighs and asks, "What should I do?"

Talianthra says, "I can't answer that, only you can Aria. But forgiveness is perhaps where you should start. Not entirely are the arkati responsible for your problems Aria."

Arianiss sighs again, his gaze focused on one of the many stars in the night sky.

Keelia asks, "What happened then grandpa?"

Arianiss says, "We talked for more of the evening, about things that had happened, about things that might happen. We talked as a mother does to a son, and as a son does to a mother." he smiles before continuing, "We didn't have much time, she had to return before the dawn came, but it was time I will never forget."

Kyreesis asks, "What about Lorminstra? When did you become a follower of her?"

Arianiss shakes his head slowly, "That didn't happen for some time after that evening, I spent a half a cycle just keeping to myself, meditating and thinking. I slowly began to return to her, but there were many tasks and that, my little ones, is a story for tomorrow...."

To be continued...