Lehon Knothead

Lehon
When my eyes cleared I began to curiously gaze about. It took some time to eventually realize I was in the city of Ta'Vaalor. There was a strange air to this place. It was difficult to feel at peace with this oddity my senses were receiving. I felt displaced and nearly unwanted. I became unsure and unsettled in my thoughts. Why was I here? Where are my gnomish kin? Most importantly, I wanted to know where my mother and father were. My heart felt empty, my mind in a state of turmoil and I was all alone in this place.

I heard a small voice. One smaller then mine. I was being hailed by a tiny voice that only seemed to be whispering only to me. Where was this voice coming from? Only a short time into my existence, was I losing my mind? Already?

The voice introduced himself as Hydana. Then a form of a sprite appeared with the voice. He assured me I would be alright and was there to guide me in my beginnings of life in Elanthia. Listening carefully to the sprite. I learned of my inventory items; a shield, a weapon of sorts, a mysterious gold travel token and a backpack to carry cookies in.

With a growl I immediately drew my weapon and slashed the air. That was rather pointless. Might as well be swatting flies with a wet leaf. Fortunately the air did not fight back. The sprite became amused with my determination to make contact with my imaginary beast.

After the dust settled Hydana began to instruct me by giving me tasks to do. Unsure why he needed these tasks completed, I complied to keep my friend, my only friend from running away. I skipped about Ta'Vaalor working for the sprite beginning to feel I had a purpose in life. In spite of the unsettled feelings I had earlier of this town, I began to develop some sort of belonging to the world around me. I even learned to smile. I continued to ask the sprite of my family and where could I locate my kin. The sprite only diverted my attention with additional work to complete.

Time went on. I worked as hard as I could for that little red sprite. I will never forget the day that the sky was filled with darkened clouds. An eerily shadow blanketed the town from the light above. Hydana again appeared to me. He said the time had come for me to seek the creatures beneath the city. It would be there my journey would begin to find answers to the questions he earlier avoided responding to. After being warned of the dangers that lie ahead I had my blade sharpened and made my way to the grate that lead down below the streets and buildings.

My senses were shocked with the putrid smell that poured from this deep dark hole leading underground. This work surely had to be for someone else. The sprite perhaps made a mistake. Was he not my friend any more? Why was he sending me down under and into this foul place? My heart sank as I wondered what I did to make the sprite dislike me so.

None the less, I still wanted to test my weapon and seek answers. Down the hole I went, stepping on garbage and discards from above and what was that I just stepped in? "Nooooo!", I screamed. That sssstuff stinks and now my feet are all sticky wet. I ventured on and into the darkness. Oh dear gods! Blocking my way there was a large rodent starring down at me. This son-of-a-rat had HUGE fangs. This beast was looking hungry and I was not ready to become his snack. I drew my weapon. This time I was not going to slash at air. I made my stand. The beast and I battled for quite sometime. He bit and I sliced then jabbed. Down went the rodent with his last breath. I cant believe it. I lived!

Confidence high and my pride swelling, I continued deeper into the bowels of the city that resided above. I had to wonder if the people up top were aware of the nasty stinking mess they were making. Surely they must have some sort of curiosity as to where their trash and waste ended up. All I knew, it was ending up on the bottom of my feet and piling up on the top of my head. This was not my vision of a picnic.

I've about had enough of this hostile environment. A gnome was not meant for this. I'm a Forest Gnome for gosh sakes, and a ranger at that. Not a waste inspector to be trapped in the darkness of some forbidding place. I need to get out. Out in to the open where the trees grow. For certain there were no answers to be discovered down here.

Making my way around one final corner, when my eyes adjusted slowly to vision. I stopped quickly in my foot steps. There was a sight I had not ever expected to whiteness. There lay decayed, the hacked and dissected body parts on all sides of me. Torturing devices crafted by the most worst of twisted minds that could have ever existed. What horrid imagination they must have had. What awful deeds had taken place here. Ages might have given way to rust and decay but the message was clear. History laid at my feet and hung from the walls. A sight I will never forget and those who suffered here shall not be forgotten.

Time had come. I must leave. Leave this place. Leave this town. Leave these people that lived within Ta'Vaalor. Not all were to be trusted. A rage within began to brew.

There was a large thundering echoing down the tunnels. It was about to rain. The sewers and catacombs were surely going to get the flooding. Backup to the fresh air, the rain came. It fell down heavily upon me knocking me to the ground. I never thought I would appreciate such weather. Oh, I sure had a few choice words to say to that sprite by this time. I'll rip his lil' pointy ears right off his head, as if he were a peeled banana. I felt our friendship had been betrayed.

Before I could get another thought of what I'd to say and do to him, he re-appeared. I was steamed. He broke in quickly before I could draw my blade on him. Hydana assured me that what I had witnessed would inspire me to continue seeking answers and ask even more questions. Hmmm...seems I have heard this tale somewhere before.

He began to explain. "Take the gold travel token you have and make way to the travel office. Turn it in and journey to the biggest city of them all, Wehnimers Landing. There you will find a vast amount of great history and many scrolls to read that will help reveal the knowledge you thirst for. Seek employment to fill your pockets with silver. Be polite to all and thank all that are willing to help. Treat those as if you would like them to treat you. Find the Inn that will offer food, drink and shelter and live out of there until you learn of your family. They will then guide and direct you to a better way of life.. Now, be off. You have no time to waste."

Then Hydana jumped into the mirror I had been wearing never to come out again. There he remains and can be seen to this day in the mirror with his mischievous little grin and pointed nose. Yes, he still had his ears intact.

Turning in my gold travel token I had no idea what was in store next. Before I could finish stuffing my pockets with all the cookies in the travel office, my guide took me by the hand and pulled me out the door. She led me out the gates of that miserable city. The burden of mental pain began to ease within me. My eyes widened as I took in the new surroundings and the beauty of the lands we encountered on our journey to Wehnimers Landing.

We traveled over many of the terrains; plateaus, valleys and swamps. By the protection of the guide I was able to see many critters; boars, vipers, and trolls of all sorts. Many of which I desired to test my blade against. The guild said "no" and she had not the time to find me a cleric. At that time, I wondered what she meant by saying that.

Alas, we arrived at Wehnimers Landing travel office and my guide disappeared before I could give thanks for her knowledge of the trails and the stories she told along our travels.

I was overwhelmed at how large and busy Wehnimers Landing was. I was lost in a crowd. Just where are all these folks going to in such a big hurry? It seemed that no one had time to talk, not even to a young gnome that had cookies bulging from his pockets. The rains were about to come and I did not risk in being pelted to the ground again and ruining my cookies. Seeking temporary shelter I ducked into a near by grocery shop.

Before long, I managed to find work with that local grocery. It seemed ants had been invading and infesting their grains and other fine staples. Ah my first ranger task. Track the ants as to where they were going. Yes, back down underground I ended up again. Was this a message or punishment from the gods? Finding their nest I slew many ants for days on end. The store owner was happy and I was saving my silver for a place to call home.

I eventually found the Silvergate Inn. This must be the place the sprite mentioned. They had drinks and the food was reasonable for my budget. I spent many hours sitting at the tables of the Silvergate Pub trying to look like a paying customer.

One day as I was passing through the gates of Silvergate Inn I met a very charming woman, Lady Dianatrue. Little did I know then how much my life was about to change. She offered me a membership to the Silvergate Inn and I had just enough silver saved for this. I had to pinch myself, was this really happening to me?. Holy-catfish. I was in. Past those mysterious BIG oak doors and inside. There was food and drink all to my liking thus began to fill my pockets and backpack. Lady Dianatrue laughed then gave me the tour of the house. I will never forget that she even let jump up and down on her bed a few times. Great gnomish fun. I was one happy lil� gnome. I just knew this was a dream and I was going to wake up in a mud puddle back in Ta'Vaalor.

I continued to work depositing every coin, I was able get my little hands on, in the bank. Learning to use my fighting skills at their best,- I grew up using feras and drake bladed weapons. Finally, on my tenth training day. I got my first bow. A short bow mind you. I'd only trip over a long bow. Retiring the blades I began my career as a true archer. That was a very proud day in my life. I do not think I ever told anyone about that.

I had arrows in my quiver and a handful of spells in my book. Yeps I was a bona fide ranger now, so I thought. My first gnome sized arrows were made from the toothpicks I got from Helga's Tavern. Mystery solved. Now you know where they all went to.

My mind was full from a good hunt and I hurried back to my usual Silvergate resting spot. Around the corner, down the path and started to make my way through the arched doorway as fast as my little legs would go. BUMP-WHAM. Ooofff! I landed flat on my back. Argh. I did not recall a mountain here before but it did not quite feel like rock. What the heck is this? Holy-marallis-berries. It was a foot. Biggest one I ever seen. I wondered if it was a friendly foot. I looked up from my horizontal point of view and saw far up toward the ceiling the other end of the foot. It was a giant. Gosh Mister", I exclaimed , "You're Biiiiggg". I heard this deep rumble of a chuckle. This was no monster. It was Elbromo who became a very good friend of mine. Weeeeee! I skipped around. I had a friend now! I am not even a novice to any of the different languages but if you asked me the name Elbromo would translate to "Friendly Giant Cleric" I dare anyone to challenge that and convince me of anything different. I have my toothpick'er arrow in hand readied. Just kidding of course.

Feeling rather secure being a member of the Silvergate Inn, I still had questions, now even more questions then before with no answers. I began tracking down every lead of who my family was and where have they gone to. I found great gnomish history in the libraries that has lead me to reason that one day I shall have to travel to the forests of Ta'llistim. Even to the day of this writing, I am still growing to be strong enough to explore the forests in hopes of tracing my family foot steps. The beginnings of gnomish bloodlines began ages ago, and many generations have come and gone. Many exogamic relationships had taken place in those bloodlines. The more I learned the more complex tracing gnomish ancestry became. I longed to find some living connection to the world around me.

Learning more of the ancient gnomish history I felt was getting closer to something rather important. Unable to pinpoint exactly what it was I continued my quest for information. There were many crude beginnings to the gnomes it seems. As years went by their development only led to greater diversions and divisions of their bloodline. A lot of theories still float around with no conclusive answers to the actual beginnings of the gnomes family tree. That, as mentioned, mixed with interracial mating makes it that more difficult to understand.

Exhausting all my leads I sought a place to contemplate at the town well. Made a few wishes even, in that old well. The curiosity within got the best of me after watching folks dumping trunks and boxes down the well. In spite of my dislike for going underground I made my way down the rope only to discover a great lake. Boxes were piled up along the shoreline and I began to explore the contents of them. All were empty. Getting down to the bottom of a pile of junked boxes there was one very old battered box that was closed. There was some marking on it but most had been worn with age. One marking read Viï'vï'va. I could not make it all out. Stuffing the box in my backpack I made my way up the rope and quickly ran back to the Silvergate Inn.

Finding a quite place to ponder on opening this box, I discovered the latch was fussed by rust and mud. I pounded and jumped on it. Nothing happened. Out of frustration I gave it one final swift kick and still nothing. Turning away in defeat I heard a CLICK - POP - THUMP! The box opened. I nearly feinted. A ranger opening boxes for gosh sakes. That could not be right. No one would ever believe me anyway. So, I thanked my lucky stars.

I peered into the box only to find many old nearly decayed parchments and papers. There were many sketchy notes of someone's journal from their travels it appeared. Then, there were two scrolls in the bottom wrapped up in skin and surrounded in beeswax. I carefully opened and unrolled the first. A long list of family member names; daughters, sons, and grandchildren. Some names had faded and some names were torn from the aging edges of the scroll. In observation, this person had a very large family.

Gingerly opening the smaller scroll, I began reading something that I did not quite understand at first. The best I could determine it read as:

"I Viviviva write this letter on the final day of my waking hours. The gods will be coming and placing me into a deep sleep before long. Since you are reading this, come to know you are a part of me. To wake me, recite the prayer that is scribed on this scroll to the Great Gods of Elanthia until I am brought back from
this deep sleep I am soon to be placed in. They are coming. They are here. Farewell"
The scribed prayer I am not at liberty to recite here.

I ran hastily to the temple with this prayer in hand. Finding a quite chamber that seemed to be rarely entered, I knelt down between two magnificent statues and recited the prayer. I continued to recite this prayer. From the floor there began a gathering of a luminous fog that spiraled then climbed a vertical column to the chamber's ceiling. My mouth fell open. To my amazement a man appeared from the fog squarely looking towards me and saying, " Hello Lehon, I am your great-great-grandfather. You have found me and awaken me from a very long and deep slumber. I will never forget this. Bless you Lehon. Please now, guide me home, and lad do not forget to close your mouth."

I could not believe what was happening. My quest for family seemed to have the "beginning" of a conclusion. I was overwhelmed. I began to cry out of happiness. Joy I never felt before shot through my body. I could hardly think nor talk much less. I have found my great-great-grandfather and he was standing right in front of me. I mean right there in front of me!

Instructions were given to keep the scroll of family members to transcribe the names to newer scrolls for safe keeping. This was completed per his request.

Being without mother and father, great-great-grandfather began to teach me on the finer ways of living and working. At first, I had to show my respect to others by cleaning the square and the parks of debris, especially those pesky acorns that folks seem to trip then slip on. Being the ferocious ant hunter, I was not one for manual labor but I wanted to please Viviviva and make him proud of me. His fondness for donuts kept me running to the bakers several times a day. Complaining on one hand but the other hand pleased in helping him to enjoy his renewed life as he had enriched mine.

The names of the family tree that I transcribed continued to run through my mind. As a follower of Voln, I heard a voice in my head from the Voln thoughts. This time, it was not some demanding sprite but the gentle voice of Lady Aurla. Great-great-grandfather's daughter I wondered. Could this be my aunt? I quickly ran back to my locker, unrolled the family scroll and her name was there! Indeed it was my great-aunt Aurla. I was so excited that I was about to explode with joy. I had more family? Holy kobold & kabobs!

Then Aunt Aurla introduced me to her daughter Phayedra. A cousin in my growing family. Soon I got to meet Aurla's sisters. More family. I never in my life would have imagined this could happen. Great-great-grandfather was extremely delighted to receive the good news. Before long I had large a family, a caring and loving family. Up to that time, I never slept well. I was finally able to rest in the comfort knowing I was a part of something so grand.

As of the day of this writing, I continue my investigation of those horrid sights that were stumbled upon in Ta'Vaalor. Much still needs to be answered and brought into the light. My studies of gnomish ancestry will always be an ever burning quest within my heart desiring to know, to understand, my racial beginnings along with their continuing and varied evolution.



Penned by my little hand on Tilamaires, day 27 of the month Olaesta in the year 5110.

Lehon