Paradises Are Usually Places Where You Get Killed
By: Kilashandra
It was HOT. That was my first thought after stepping through the Asuaran Gate. Lion's Arch has a tendency to be warm for me, after all, I was born and raised in the Snowden Drifts, near Wayfarers. There is a comfort in seeing the horizon lined with ice, sub-zero temperatures and snow blanketing the earth like a mother wraps her newborn. It gives challenge to the hunt, knowing that an animal blessed by Raven can outsmart the hunter, despite the tell-tale tracks the snow leaves behind. Cool nights in the homestead by the fire, ale readily at hand, and tales of valor and glory told by the hearth. That my friends is the meaning of true bliss. The morning chill and frost a wake-up call to the senses, a challenge to fortify your spirit and prepare the body to brave the dangers and challenges of the day. The comfort of soft. fur-lined leather wrapped around your body, and well-tanned skins to keep out the chill in the air.
Ahh, give me a day where the outside temp. is at a comfortable 30 degrees during the height of the day, and freezes a dropped pint of water before it hits the ground at night - that my friends is living! Southsun is hot, humid, and unpleasant at any time of day or night. The air itself seems to battle you, covering the body and skin with a hot, sticky sweat which lacks the call of battle or effort, and a heaviness that weighs on the very soul of a hunter. This must truly be the reason the prey are so aggressive. Only swimming in the ocean seems to help, and even that relief is short, as the water is naturally warm to the skin. Paradise indeed. The last time i was here was at the request of Lionsguard Keil, who now seeks a seat on the council of Lion's Arch. In anticipation of her win, i have wagered heavily on the life expectancy of the remaining councilmen. I have also ensured that there will be enough ale and wood supplied for each of their funeral pyres and the celebrations that come with them. Our last adventure seems to have yielded some positive results, however. There are no longer fights between the settlers and consortium, and instigators spoiling for a fight have all vanished. Pearl island was actually peaceful for a change. After acclimating myself the best i could to the climate, i prepared for the hunt. Tourists were everywhere, yet the pavilion where you would expect to find them gathered was noticeably vacant. My hunter's instinct told me this was not good news, and my sources asking for aid were wise to seek out one of my reputation. I sent a quick prayer to Bear, Raven, and Snow Leopard in anticipation of the difficulties ahead.
Looking around, I noticed Gideon, an old and valued traveling companion. We had shared a few adventures together, and I knew this human was both a friend and a valued companion. Upon his arrival, we greeted each other warmly, although Gideon seemed to be pre-occupied, and as others arrived, I noted him asking about a certain Lord Faren and Lady Kasmeer. Although his tone was friendly, his face bore an expression I've only seen on outraged fathers, deserted husbands, and spurned lovers. Knowing Gideon was a man of honor and integrity, all i could do was hope the objects of his hunt had already been married, and were expecting child. Our party quickly filled in as the hour of the hunt approached. we were joined by Scott E., A tall human warrior i'd adventured with before, but had not yet come to know well enough to call friend or companion. Divine, a human Necromancer new to the call of adventure soon joined us, along with Kitzala, an Asura, and Azure a fellow Norn who's legend was even now being told back in the glorious halls of Holebrek. Several other adventures and glory seekers soon joined us, and we began the hunt.
Setting off across the pavilion, we noticed several wind riders in the area. They noticed us as well, and with unexpected speed and ferocity, attacked our seemingly foolish party. The guards nearby would record their version of the battle for generations yet unborn to hear. Our counter-attack must have surprised the beast, as it soon called several "friends" to help save it's skin. the fight lasted for about 3 minutes after that, as warriors found their rhythm with hammer and axe, and bowstrings hummed in the air like strings on a master musicians' lyre. Clearing the battle revealed a bush of passion fruit, a sweet-tasting plant that locals love to eat or export for profit. We began to harvest this plant to further aid the locals. Completing this task, we set out towards Southsun Shoals, slaying all who stood in our path. It was then that I knew that this expedition was watched by the spirits, for the warriors and guardians attacked with a ferocity that stunned the creatures facing us long enough for spellcasters to not only cast their spells, but to do so with flair. Azure Dreams, a norm elementalist, even began to quote poetry with every spell she cast. The Asura Kitzala was dispatching foes while taking notes about specific strengths and weaknesses, all designed, she claimed, to discredit the Asuran inventor Clagg, whom she seems to hold in particular disregard.
Clearing a path of safety to the Shoals, we turned to the north, where Kiel's Outpost was under siege by local wildlife, and the Lionsguard there were waging a loosing battle. It was then that I realized that something was amiss between Scott and Gideon, for no sooner did we come within sight of a creature, did these two warriors race forward from our party and engage the creatures with a frightful battle cry. As the rest of our party arrived, we took up a defensive position, securing the entrances, and aiding the wounded. the battle seemed to rage for hours, for every creature felled, two seemed to take its place. This was truly a battle to be part of. Engineers laid out rockets, grenades, flamethrowers, and new, untested Asuran inventions. Mesmer silhouettes shattered all around, and the battle cries from the warriors could be heard all the way to Pearl Islet. Oh what a glorious battle that was! Soldiers present that day will speak of this battle for decades to come, and it will surely become a part of the Island's legacy. After securing the outpost, we set back north, headed towards Camp Karka. Wind Raiders tried to block our path, and melted before us like a newly-forged sword pierces snow. Upon reaching a bridge, we were informed by the guards that the area had been plagued by a drake broodmother of unusual size, and with a nasty disposition.
Hearing the call of challenge once again, we changed course and began to hunt this creature. Upon finding it, we engaged the creature in battle. Once again, Gideon let out a shout containing Lord Faren's name, and I must remember to seek out the tales surrounding this Faren. He must be a human of extreme evil and cunning to inspire such strong feelings. Dispatching the broodmother, we discovered a treasure trove in her nest, no doubt taken from the vacationers she has vivisected. Continuing to follow the beach, we slew several drake, and even more wind riders. This seemed to make Asure excitable to say the least, as she seemed to berate several party members at length over "improper killing methods". Kitzala explained that the blood of creatures of this caliber was used in the creation ascended items, which were useful and highly sought after to fight creatures in the mists. As we continued our trek to Camp Karka, I learned much about the mists, a land part of, yet unconnected to Tyria, where battles of legendary proportions were waged almost constantly. I promised myself that one day soon, I would visit this Eternal Battleground with a group of norns who would truly test this tale, and explore the legend of the Battle at the Tuatha de Danann, and hopefully i would find a member of the Moyturna, Ruler of a race known as the Rall, whom i heard mentioned.
Arriving at the camp, we found the camp overrun by karka, gate defenses breached, and the garrison preparing to make a last stand. Sacks of karka eggs were scattered throughout the camp. Once again, we engaged these creatures in battle. The battle lasted well into the night, and were it not for our engineers' use of flamethrowers, the battle may have been lost. but once we set the last of the karka eggs to flame, the fight went out of the enemy. Securing the base, we continued onward, slaying all the creatures in the area, and finding a most wondrous geyser, large enough to almost cut the island in half. Scouting along the geyser's front, we discovered a pass, guarded by karka that must have been spawned by the queen karka I helped kill while pursuing Canach and Inspector Knoll.
Of all the battles we fought, these karka were the toughest. Blows rained upon it's shell, all seemingly to no avail, and even my arrows bounced off its outer shell. Swords and hammers seemed equally ineffective, and worse of all the Karka began it's death roll towards the party. As our fortitude was tested, and we scrambled to heal the wounded, the Karka let out a triumphant shout of victory at it's apparant victory. This was to be it's undoing. Having nearly Fallen to it's initial attack, Diving Widow stood from the healing circle surrounding her, and with a shout, called upon the forces of death itself. The ground below the creature seemed to pulsate and bubble as ether energies encompassed it. With a shout, Asure followed this with a devastating series of fire-based attacks. She then turned to the party and ordered a head-on assault, ensuring us the shell had been weakened. With a shout, Scott and Gideon rushed the beast, Gideon being the first to land a strike with his hammer. The resulting crack from the shell being penetrated elected shouts from the nearby guards on patrol, and infused all with the heart of the wolf. In short order, we peeled away the creatures outer shell, and slew it. Knowing what was required, we continued through the lands slaying all we came across. It was then that i noticed Scott and Gideon speaking with Kitzala regarding a new type of armor made from the shells of the karka. As we neared Owain's Refuge, it seems that they were successful in convincing the Asura to aid them in their creation of armor - that is, untill she gave them the price for her research. I had heard that humans were prone to screaming at times of great stress, but the shouts from these two could have echoed off of Mount Malestrom itself. Arriving at the camp, we were pressed into service dealing with the menace of younger karka, and harvesting their eggs, as several at camp considered them a delicacy. The Memory of Aldis's cooking gave me pause to politely refuse the offer to dine, and our adventure was nearing it's end.
Just as we were preparing to end our adventure, word spread that a karka from the caverns to the north had been awakened by an argument between Gideon and Kitzala over "extortion-like pricing for research". Heading north, we ventured into the cave, intent on clearing it. The creatures on the bottom level were no match for us, however following a path of destruction to the top, we came across a karka reeking of age and power. Once again, a mighty battle was upon us. For what seemed like hours we fought, and several times during the fight I found myself calling upon the spirit of wolf to aid my companions. Vanquishing the foe, we found the treasure he was guarding - a node of pure Oricalcum! After harvesting, we set out back towards camp. It was then that the spirit of wolf reminded me of my hunter's training. Scanning the area, i could clearly see traces of karka headed towards Camp Karka. Informing the party, we set out at a fast pace, arriving in the nick of time, as the creatures had just broken through the gates.
Another great battle ensured, as this time the tables were turned, and we were the aggressors intent on claiming the fort. This time, however, the creatures had made a fatal mistake. with the aid of the lionguard, we were able to place the creatures between our two forces, diverting their attention and ensuring victory. We agreed to aid the camp keeping watch through the night, and we had a celebration that night where all were entertained by stories of battle, heroism, and comedy. The best tale of the evening was this, told from deep within a pint of ale, while writing this true and noble account of our adventure, and in response to why a norn finds Frostgorge and Snowden Drifts so appealing:
“The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need, if only we had the eyes to see.”
It was here that we ended our adventure. Several of us had made new friends, or reunited with old comrades from battles and adventures long since past. As we began to drift into sleep, one of the guards told me a most unusual tale. It seems that there is a Skritt in the land of Krya - a Skritt so talented at theft, he can remove the very boots you're wearing without your noticing. It seems a challenge has been issued, a reward offered, and a land which must be secured form this foul creature - I cannot wait for our next adventure.
K.