Lauriella Sithmore
A Woman of Paradox
She is a generally very good person but has no qualms about the realities of life and will do, when necessary, what she needs to do or protect those and the things she loves. She has been a spy, investigator, run misinformation campaigns in wars yet believes she should be as upfront with someone and truthful as possible. She was born a poor farm girl yet has reached the lower upper class as a merchant marine captain. She has a hard-as-nails blue-collar attitude but can compensate when necessity according to the situation. She loves both men and women yet only has one true love which she can never reach. Thus, as she becomes an archmage these very paradoxes are weighting upon her soul.
Tonight, she decides to go to extremes and call out to her goddess in a rare ceremony to try to find a path through the haze of what she must do to accomplish her goals. Elves usually do not sleep they go into a trance where they can relive parts of their lives in a state called revelry. However, Sehanine is the goddess of dreams among other things. To access true dreams, you must induce true sleep. In the ceremony of Sehanine’s communion, an elven does just that. They drink a sleeping potion especially made for elves then sleep on a bed of moon lilies in the hope that the goddess herself will guide them in their dream. Lauriella wakes up near dusk and puts her uniform on. As she passes her magical research desk, she notices both letter and flag of truce are gone. She wonders if the shadow stalkers took the items or if it is the turbaned acquaintance trying to upset her plan. She should know fairly soon.
She goes out on deck and up to the wheel. Cyr has the heading and position marked. “Everything ship shape and running smoothly, Lieutenant?”
“Aye, Captain. Stan has a slight cold. I gave him some willow bark tea to ease the symptoms.”
“Well done. I relieve you Lieutenant Stafford.”
“I stand relieved.”
Lauri takes the wheel. Cyr navigates for her until all her men come from below deck and the shift changes. Lauri looks over to him, “I wish to commune tonight before the new moon”
Cyr spits out his tea and considers for a moment, “With all due respect, I’m not going to do it. I won’t”
She turns her head studying his face, “I know you failed your priest training but as far as I know you can lead a communion with the goddess.”
“I did’na say I can’t. I said I won’t”
“Could you give a reason?”
Cyr’s face turns red in shame, “There is no reason for you to try to commune with the goddess, ma’am. You know you may get nothing in dream and based that the new moon is in a few days it’s unlikely you will. Secondly you practice necromancy. You may not want to commune with the goddess.”
“I only practice white necromancy Cyr. You know that. This is part of your duties on the ship and besides where else would I go. You know my proclivities.”
“This is a very bad idea.” His face goes grave. “Alright but I will not………. I demand Arelush being the only other woman on the ship be here.”
“If Arelush is here she will know me for my misfortunes. I cannot have that happen.”
“Good, then we agree to not do this disastrous ceremony.”
She huffs while watching his signal man at the bow flag something. She turns the wheel slightly to starboard while thinking about it. “Then bring Arelush with you, Cyr. It is too important.”
“And just where are you going to get all the moon lilies you need?”
“Got them in me room.”
Irritated Cyr simply says, “Fine.”
“You have your orders, Mr. Stafford.
Cyr stomps down to midships to make a special ceremonial sleeping potion keyed just for the elven people.
When the clock strikes eleven Cyr exchanges positions with Lauriella. She goes down and changes into something looking like a silvery full-length nightgown. She scratches at her stomach again leaving a line of blood spotting the gown. She comes up and approaches the wheel cautiously.
As soon as Cyr spots her he puts his storm harness on. Arelush waits patiently behind him. She walks up to the wheel platform. As soon as Arelush sees her painted face she drops to her knees and bows her head exclaiming, “Hemet Netjer!”
Lauri takes a step back a bit confused by her reaction. Surprised by Arelush’s comment Cyr himself who has been avoiding looking directly at Lauri studies her face. There are five dots across her brow in her makeup. “So that’s why you want to commune. You’re an archmage now. And shit you scratched yourself bloody again. Another bad omen but at least now I know the why.”
He grabs Lauri’s wrist. She tries to twist away but without her armor she is no match for the elven’s strength. Arelush gets up. “What’s wrong with the captain?”
He whispers into Arelush’s ear. Her eyes go wide a moment. Then she looks at Lauri with understanding and some pity. When he has her locked in his grip and in full control of her. He states, “Now check her belly.”
Cyr turns his face away while Arelush checks her. “The wound is gone, sir.” Cyr checks her hand. The ring is still on her hand. He pulls it off forcibly. Lauri starts to stroke his arm. He pushes her away and tries to calm himself.
“Lauriella, you know why you’re here. Face me.”
“She stops and watches his eyes. Yes, I do.”
“Are you willing to open your soul to the lady of Dreams?”
“Yes. I am.”
He takes the cup from the navigation table making sure her eyes stay on him and not Arelush. He offers her the cup.”
She takes it and downs the whole thing. “You only have so much time, Lauriella. Go to the foremast. Everything is set up for you.”
Lauriella goes down to the main deck. At the foremast is a single lantern hanging from it. The lantern lights up a small area where there is a large blanket. There are dozens of moonflowers resting upon it. She walks up to the scene. A few feet before she reaches the blanket she stops and undoes the strings on the gown. It falls down her body slowly until it lies at her feet. Her eyes harden slightly small age lines around them become more acute. She steps over the gown and drops to her knees in the center of the blanket. Resting her hands on them she bows in humility. Cyr must turn away.
Daughter of the Night, Goddess of Moonlight, Lady of Dreams I beseech communion and lay my soul bare before you. I am Lauriella Sithiir also known as Lauriella Sithmore. I was born 3150 years from now on an island called Evermeet. My family is shamed by a half-drow grandfather and famous shadow thief, so I grew up poor: his legacy always a stain upon our house.
I left for the continent of Anchorome for the study of magic under a great enchantress/necromancer but failed and was sent to a place called Narfell. There I used the white necromancy I was taught to slay the very foes you detest. I became a spy and courier between Narfell and Mulhorand. And a necromantic investigator for a group called the Cerulean Stars.
Learning navigation, I also became an ensign in the Mulhorandi Merchant Marines. I got pregnant and had a daughter to which I do not remember. For two weeks after she was born there was a storm at sea. I crushed my head on the mast of the galley I was piloting and went down with the ship. I remember nothing of what I have said for the mast crushed the side of my head I only know these things by record.
My barely living body washed upon the dalelands. An Elven noblewoman Alluin pieced me back together. We fell in love, but she was betrothed to another. I left and bought my first ship. For centuries I sailed making this ship along the way. Adventuring but never to make more than 5th circle. Something always brought me back whether head injury or other hazard. I lost my first wife in a war for a city called Arabel two weeks after we married. I have lost much in my life and gained much.
Now I am here. I will never see Alluin nor my husband and wife again. I wish you to guide my hand in dream so that I may accomplish a worthy goal getting my men who I love home again.
I know I am not the best worshipper my patron. I am a white necromancer. I have done things from necessity that goes against the creed. I am of no import to the greater scheme. Yet I stand before you a new Hemet Netjer.
Guide me Lady of Dreams so that I may have patience, humility, and understanding in this strange new world so that I may help those that need help with my small power. Guide my hand to make this world better and to avoid the arrogance that others of my kind would succumb too. Guide my mind to understand the challenges set before my table from the time device I must create to the rot within the walls of the Nebular university. Guide me with your wisdom……….
Lauriella falls to her side in sleep, perchance to dream. Cyr commands Arelush to put a blanket over her body while still turning away. They wait together for the sleeping potion to wear off.
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