"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the
soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success
achieved."
- Helen Keller
* * *
(Written on parchent by an unpracticed hand using a modified Espruar script. The text is mostly southern Elven creol with strong Drowic and Undercommon influences, and to a lesser extent subtle inluences of Dambraii Arkaiun (aka "Dambrathan" [sic] ) and Lurien Halfling.)The Fourth Eve of Tarsakh's Moon, One Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Two years as numbered by Dale Reckoning
I am naut certain where to begin.
I was once told that my name is Rilae'ar'an; the name given to first daughter of Pain Phryn'ar'an of the Temple of Loviatar in Cathyr Dambrath, Daughter of the First, descended of the blood of Tel'Quessir ath Shantel Othreir and the blood of Qu'ellar Mal'rak'phlith d'T'lindhet.
Among the faithful of the Dark Maiden, I am known as Nevaetriel Rilae'ar'an Kerym'quaress ath Eilistraee but for most of my life, I was just Ril.
With admission that my words lack grace, I write this record in the hope that others might learn from my choices.
It is perhaps too much to ask that some day these words might earn me forgiveness for what I have done and for what I am still to do, but if naut forgiveness then perhaps they might bring at least some small understanding.
May Eilistraee's song touch your heart.
~Ril