Zelanze Balestra

Journal

• Journal

  • An End to an Era; IC and OOC September 27th 2017, 10:41 pm

    [This entry contains spoilers for a current plotline I am running, that may be retconned depending on some player actions, but will ultimately contain the same message.]
    
    Theme of Post
    
    IC
    
    I hesitated for some time to write these last few pages of my journal. Journals, rather. I look to my left and I see the stack that represents the last fourteen years of my life. My personal epic, my memoires. After engaging the Kithain over Knightsborrow, I spent some time in their cells. My mind adrift of how i'd get myself out of this one, how i'd make another heroic move. How vain I had became in my old age, not expecting the very people who joined me to have grown in to the heroes I tried so hard to be.
    
    Jasparla, the first woman I ever helped. I remember seeing here floating there off the docks, diving in to the waters to save her. And here she was, come to save me. Ariel, my daughter, whom I met some years after during my adventures with the Loyal clan and their family. Who became my adopted little girl, standing more skilled with a rapier than I had ever been. Windthor, my dear friend and guardian, whom I met in some back end arena surrounded by a storm of magic and followed me for many years after. Come to protect me as he had always promised. Liam, my squire, my son, and soon to be my finest knight. Perhaps you most of all I should have expected to be here to save me. Zyla the traveling fox, an odd but stalwart and hotheaded companion, even now my mind draws to Kodachrome and so many others.
    
    Standing before me I saw all of them, my greatest deeds. Not my stories on the battlefield, but the people that in my last ounce of vanity I will proclaim to be my handiwork fully evolved as heroes far above mine own. In these moments, seeing them as my rescuers, I know that now I can hang up my sword and leave this world to them. That I can fall in to this chair with my heart that no longer beats in proper rhythm, my arm that no longer well holds the sword, my legs that lag behind. That I can retire, and focus my eyes downward. On to these documents. Perhaps I will still find the need to draw steel and fight now and then, but I think it's time I leave it to that next generation of deserving heroes. To settle in as a lord, sit on some oversized chair making arbitrations to villagers that more and more look to me for answers.
    
    OOC
    Am I retiring Zel? I don't know, but I do know that nearing on six months is my longest hiatus yet. I'm still going to try to continue the story of HB on Discord and with friends, perhaps it'll pick back up. However for now, I think it's okay for us to call it roll credits for now as this current plotline finishes until the next one begins. The ending. I want to say though, that this story has been the greatest story of my life. An epic spanning over ten years of my real life.
    
    I remember pacing around in my backyard as I thought up concepts for Zel, my first few attempts to really get rp with him off the ground. I remember every truly amazing story I wrote with you all. From that first story with Jasp, way at the start of this journal, to the sagas in Maelstrom Harbor and Eileadora. I'm brought to tears as I write this because Zelanze and you all have been a huge part of my life, a bigger part than I should rightfully admit. I feel like Zel is someone I know, someone I grew up with, someone who I matured with. We both made mistakes, we stumbled and we fell, but here I am.
    
    Perhaps there's another ten years of stories left in Zelanze, but in case there isn't I wanted to put this here.
    
    On a more relevant and temporary note I will be editing this journal and expanding as I wrap up the Kithain plotline in Discord. If you want a part in Zelanze's rescue and happen to be reading this, send me a PM. You don't have to check back to see how this resolved though, as i'll post another journal entry when the rp is finished.

  • The Problem with Fae February 1st 2017, 8:52 pm

    I have chosen to write this out after the fact and to a calm mind. When I found out the Fae, Dorax, had been behind Zyla's memory lost and transformation this entire time and that now he had cursed one of my House's tryouts, a young man named Esaro, I did what any Lord would do. I went to confront the man who would curse my people, and see to it that his wrong are undone.
    
    I confronted Dorax outside of the Infirmary in Eileadora that evening. At first he pretended to have remorse, holding to the claim that he could not control his powers. However, as our argument grew he began to show his true face. It was true that he couldn't control his magic, but due to that he felt no responsibility or remorse to the people it hurt. He said in no uncertain words that to him, those people were just people and he didn't care what price they paid just being around him. He didn't care the danger he posed to the innocent, for it was not his active action that causes it. Merely the words "I wish" in his presence would triggered his spells.
    
    And so, I put him to the test. I made a wish knowing my resistance to magic would allow naught of his power to affect me. What I did not expect was that for every bit as ancient and deep as the power was, it was vengeful and angry. When it could not curse me, it turned on Dorax and shredded his body, leaving him helpless and half dead in the ground. In my moment of spite, thinking only of my men and not of the repercussions, I left him there on the street outside the infirmary. Leave someone else to save the monster, for I struggled to find the heart to do so. Perhaps in my old age, I have less patience for daemons.
    
    In truth, that is what Dorax is. A daemon in brighter colors, but he acts like any other. Praying on good men to make bad deals.
    
    I laid no hand on Dorax and in no way had I struck out at him. Unfortunately, the Master of Law and Master of Secrets, Squall and Hashenn, do not see it that way. I would not say it to their faces, for 'twould no good neither to their recent weight and stress or to my argument to tell them, but I believe they were too lost in their intentions to find justice. They wanted to show that no man was above the law, a noble goal, but in their haste they found it in themselves to lash me thrice as much for intentional assault. For now though, as much as I may ache and hurt, I will not lash out at them. No, I shall support them at every step instead because I can tell they are hurting and that is what friends do.
    
    There is good news to all this result, however. Dorax did not escape his deeds and is now to be locked in the Sairon and studied. He will be experimented on, kept captive and observed until a way to keep his magicks at bay is found. Yet, I cannot help but find this less than he deserves. Cassius, a good man and a fae his own right, rots in a cave for something he was manipulated to do while Dorax will no doubt be free to go once they've found a way to restrict his magics. A bitter sweet end, but not an all bad one.

  • Hunt Mark: Leviathan December 21st 2016, 10:45 pm

    Feeling that the matters of our House have been too oft' emotionally heavy I consulted with Liam regarding taking less morally gray work in the form of large game monster hunts. I discovered a posting for the Leviathan off the southern sea that would attack ships as large as Galleon's off of the trade route, wrap around them, and crush them. A massive behemoth capable of destroying ships and battalions of unprepared men.
    
    I put out a posting on the Journeyman board in Etla, but unlike previous postings this was not hosted by the Navy I presently control. Rather, this was work for and from my House proper. We had dozens upon dozens of able bodies sailors, adventurers, and hunters join us. Notable faces included Blackvald, Liam, Roxl, Windthor, Dralt, Frieda, and ever so many more I fail to mention not because they were of unimport but because I have not the time to give them all the credit they duly deserve.
    
    The plan was simple. We would borrow a Galleon and reinforce it heavily with metal plates, thicker ropes, heavier sails, and send it down the trade lane with a skeleton crew that consisted of Liam and Roxl. Once the beast lept from the water and wrapped around the ship we would approach in a smaller, cannon and ballista heavy assault ship.
    
    The battle was fierce and at some point the massive snake like great fish wrapped it's tail liek body around both ships at once. None the less we were victorious, killing the creature flat. Each adventurer or crewman that put their life on the line received a trophy from the beast an adequate pay. Everyone was heroes that evening, with little question that we did a good thing.

  • The Arrest of Sofey Eristis December 10th 2016, 10:44 am

    I remember when I first came to Eileadora and heard word of the magical superstorm, The Maelstrom, preparing to hit one of it's shores. I enlisted many people to aid in those relief efforts and one of them was the pirate Sofey. She commanded the Battle of Wills, one of the most prominent frigates in the Eileadoran Navy. I was immediately suspicious, however, when it's First Officer "fell overboard" during her command, how odd that an experienced officer would make such a mistake.
    
    Those thoughts only compounded as I came to learn more about the monster that Sofey was, when she tortured Faaide and all the terrible things she did. More so when I became Master of Ships and had access to the records of the man I was already confident she had killed. I enlisted a scryer from the Sairon to help me find First Officer Havel's body underneath the waves and was successful, that was when I began to build my case.
    
    Recently, the Harbinger pulled in to port pursued by the Valsheim Navy (Another matter that will require dealing with) and came to port. At this point, I had everything I needed to finally arrest Sofey and approached their vessel with the intent to do so. There was a brief battle between the Navy forces (Aided by Liam and Roxl) and Nykita Aymen's crew before Sofey attempted to resort to a disastrous level of explosive, which no doubt would have taken the life of every man and woman on the dock. At that point, even the Demon Captain Nykita could see well enough that Sofey was beyond his, or anyone's reason, sense, or ability to control.
    
    Now Sofey sits in the dungeon while I formulate my case. This time, I will not see her so easily set free for all the pain and misery she causes.

  • Siege on Pirate Bay September 30th 2016, 3:07 pm

    On September 28th the Eileadoran Naval Forces, lead by me and cooperating with local adventurers and guardsman, stormed the pirate dock and keep hidden in the western islands. After an initial volley destroyed their docks and ships we hit the beach hard, took the hill, and then raided their keep in full force until they had no choice but to make a surrender. Of valiant noteworthyness were, of course, members of House Balestra Windthor, Liam, and Roxl but also Knight Ser Blackvald and Shoga. I [the rest of this paragraph is scratched out]
    
    Again. I've become so used to writing reports now that even more journal entries are starting to read like them. Or maybe i'm just having trouble focusing due to the pain in my ribs. I ate a bullet breaking the hill and, while my armor prevented penetration, the impact shattered my ribs and left me a bruise the side of my entire left side. Still, we did a good thing. We eliminated the last of the Curzon's Few pirate group and arrested more than we killed with minimal losses of our own.
    
    Everyone on that field on that day was a hero.

  • The Daily Grind September 18th 2016, 7:49 pm

    These last few months working as Etla's Master of Ship's have been an intriguing change of pace. I must admit working behind a desk instead of out in the field leaves something to be desired at times but in many ways I have been in a better position to help the commonfolk than ever before. The Eileadoran Waters are safer than they have ever been and, here my journal at least, I will take full credit for that task.
    
    Recently I took Tillius out to see on his request to study the anamoly that connects Kasuria to this world. He did some rudimentary testing, however when he attempted to inject a highly volatile magical element to the rift he endangered his own life and the lives of every man and woman aboard my vessel. While he may hold a grudge for some time, I took a rifle and shot him from the sky as I had no other way to stop him. He has recovered well, but he has not spoken to me sense. I apologize Tillius, but trust and respect do not mean I will let you risk innocent life without proper precaution.
    
    Hashenn and Squall seem so overloaded with their own tasks I have volunteered to take over the investigation in to Tillius' poisoning. It has been difficult to do while avoiding speaking with him, but i've made some progress. I have a suspect, a lizard woman named Kazza, and i'll be conducting my investigation in the undercity.
    
    I can only hope he it wont interfere in my investigations in to i]the names here are illegible, scratched out incase someone tried to steal the diary[/i
    
    In the mean time I have been spending my free time with a beautiful young lop woman named Anastacia. It has been nice to spend time with her and relax.

  • Catching Up May 2nd 2016, 5:13 pm

    I am aware that I have not written in what must be near to a few weeks despite what has been an eventful time. Young Faaide was kidnapped and rescued. He had been taken down tot he undercity beneath Etla where he was sustained injuries, torture, and was malnourished. He is alive, physically, but I worry for his mental state after such an ordeal. He is a strong child, but if he overcomes this unfaltered than he is stronger than most grown men I know.
    
    Shortly after that I accompanied the local law in order to apprehend Clergyman Firepaw for his crimes. We raided an old castle some ways away from the city proper, though it was a "trap". I encase the word in quotations because I consider the raid to be a success. Even if it was some sort of diversion, the lives of the people he kept there were saved, including a young child. As I understand it, Firepaw died in his attack on the queen.
    
    Lastly, it seems I have been anointed Master of Ships in Etla. I would write more, but I am not yet sure what to say. I have access to a whole navy now and, though it is not truly mine, I will no doubt be able to save lives with this role.

  • Of Lives Saved and Lives Lost April 14th 2016, 7:10 am

    Several pages before this one are torn or crumpled, and even on this one lines marked out. It's clear the knight was not sure how to write this page
    
    Today should be a joyous day.
    
    There is much to write about regarding Hashenn and his revival, so I shall recount the events the same as I did to the guards. I learned of his passing in the council election debates and left immediately for the Sairon. As I understood it he had not truly passed and that he was lost without a body to reclaim. In my investigation to find Hashenn's spirit I happened upon a ritual ran by a Lapine magician who referred to himself as "Quill" and seemed to be preparing some grand magics that ultimately were linked to Hashenn. I believe he was doing it, at least at face value, in deal or as favor to another magical user. With Myself, Black Ashley, Tillius, Alhsom, and a woman I was not acquainted with we planned to traverse in to another plane and receive a phylactery, I believe a vial of blood. We opened the portal and I was the first one in, gliding down to the black spire below in what appeared to be a ruined city
    
    It was then that I began to realize not all was as it should be. As we reconvened outside the spire we were attacked by beasts, and each one we slayed their glamours faded away to that of regular furres. We made out way in to the Spire, breaking our way inward. Alhsom and some others retrieved the blood vial, but we had yet fully realized Quill was playing us to some ends that I do not know; his goals seemed thwarted when a red bird stole the tome he was after. He tried to slay it, and I stopped him. I recall him shouting "That wasn't part of the deal, you bitch" or something akin to those words.
    
    Afterwards we were attacked by a giant serpent as we sought to make our escape. The mystery woman whom weighed of stone and wielded null magics, attempted to lock us behind in this alternate dimension. I finished off the serpent, felling it only due to the wounds it sustained from Alhsol, Tillius, and my own earlier combined efforts. The beast reverted to the visage of a man and retreated. Then Tillius insisted upon aiding my escape. Teleporting me to the secondary exit put great strain on his body, and he was rendered to near death. Unfortunately, the woman attacked Quill and they both left in situations of critical injury. I was unable to question Quill on what his intent was, nor the woman for why she sought to lock me away in this other world.
    
    Today is the day of the Masquerade, an event long planned in Eileadora. It was there that I learned that our efforts were not for naught as Hashenn was alive and well in a new body, even more so than he was in the golem that trapped his soul before.
    
    That is why today should have been a good day. However, just as soon as I entered the great hall of the castle I received a letter...
    
    The knight's writing begins to falter here, emotion clear in the writing
    
    Finn, the young mage I recruited from Guildereim to my house, has passed away. He swore his loyalty to my house, and yet I could not even be there for him in his final hours. He was a good young man, wrapped in the grief of his greatest mistake. Overwhelmed by the loss of his mentor when I found him it was I who set him on his quest to redeem himself. I wander if it was this quest that took his life, I fear i'll never know, but I would like to have hope he succeeded. That he found the peace he sought in his final hours.
    
    I knew this day would come eventually, ever since we formed to an official noble house. Ever since I began recruiting young men and women to lay their lives on the line. I knew eventually we would lose someone that had sworn to us their loyalty and lives.
    
    Finn only did one job while he worked for us, but in his actions he saved the lives of several young men. So let it be known not just here, but upon the memorial wall I have had built, that he died a hero.

  • The Queen's Court and The Maelstrom April 8th 2016, 9:11 am

    This first portion of the Journal is written in a notably less refined style as if it was taken down in poor lighting without a decent utensil. Small staints spot the page
    
    I write currently from the dungeon underneath the castle proper. Nykita's trial was exactly the farce one would expect it to be. When it was beyond all doubt that the pirate had done the deeds I accused him of his defender's played semantics, arguing jurisdiction and attempting to find a loophole out. The Queen too was quick to remind the court that he was once a member of their Royal Navy, and that he "never brought his troubles to Etla", as if that made the killings alright.
    
    I knew Nykita would not see justice, I had known for some weeks now, but I was able to play my card. Had people thought about it? Den Fa is the one the one that convinced me to pursue Nykita in Eileadoran waters, he was the one with a secret warrant he kept from his own guards, he was the one that gave me access to royal records and Nykita's home. He was the one that immediately dismissed the warrant. I know not why he wanted to play these games or why he manipulated both myself and the pirate, but I had proof plenty. I exposed Den Fa in open court, and the Queen placed both myself and the Law Master under arrest.
    
    I hear footsteps, shall continue writing later.
    
    From this point forward, the journal regains it's usual well written presentment.
    
    The Queen let me free and I found out later that there were riots in the courtroom. People are tired of being manipulated and they're showing their fury now, right before the council elections. Den Fa was allowed to keep his position, but I doubt it will last long.
    
    To my own surprise, I have been nominated to run for Master of Ships to command Eliadora's navy. I will need consider my options soon, but for now I must focus. All reports show that The Maelstrom, the same one that creating the vortex of time that was Maelstrom Harbor, is about to impact a small coastal town. We need make preparations for evacuation.
    
    I have spent the last several days gathering men and ships. The King agreed with my perspective and offered the flagship, The Fist of Etla and a Frigate The'Battle of Wills' to our cause. I've also convinced one of the pirates, Captain Sofey, to stop killing people long enough to aid in the relief. The Paladin Caraga will also aid us.
    
    We leave in but hours from writing this.

  • Political Intrigue March 25th 2016, 1:02 pm

    It's been quite the time since Nykita's capture, which I fear lasted near to no time at all. I had not expected such a man to have deep threaded political ties as he does, and I fear that the Lawmaster Den Fa played me as a fool to his whims. The pirate's relationship with various council members and the Queen ensured he never even made it to jail. A few weeks of house arrest before he was set free, presumably out of fear that he would simply escape if they did not.
    
    His political allies spread the lies and rumors that I am an evil slaver come to bring debauchery to the innocent shores of Etla as I continue to build my case, only even allowed the chance at court due to putting myself at the Queen's mercy. I am regarded with dark stares and accusatory remarks where-ever I shall go, but it shan't stop me. They can build whatever lies of my repute that they wish, I am not the one who will be at trial.
    
    Perhaps, however, I shall need prepare a much bigger show for the Queen's Court...

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