Ti'un the Wanderer

Aldonza hurried to find a good spot on the floor, as near to Old Whitewhiskers as the crowd of young pandaren children would allow. Kallixta didn't bother with proximity. Instead she knelt in dignity at the first convenient opening. Her paladin training left her inured to discomfort from a such short time like a storytelling.

Old Whitewhiskers had taken a long swallow from his flask before looking over the collection of listeners. His gaze on the adult human mage in the middle of all those children reflected befuddlement. "Where was I?"

A chorus of voices, Aldonza's included, shouted out the answer, "More about Tiamin and Xi'a!"

"More?" The middle-aged pandaren reflected, "Have I not already told their story?"

A particularly young voice worried, "That's the end?"

A firm response came from her neighbor, in a superior know-it-all tone, "Of course not. But he is old. He may have forgotten something."

With a harrumph and indignant glare, Old Whitewhiskers turned away from this distraction and started, his deep and pleasant voice rolled with conviction and gravitas.

Hear now of a lesson Tiamin gave in the middle of the journey of Tiamin and Xi'a the Skitterer when Tiamin served the village of Longying and teacher. Hear now of how the children of Longying showed respect for elders. And Hear now of how satisfied those children where when a story reached its conclusion.

It was in the time after Tiamin had allowed the Hozen Knight to believe the monk had been tricked into service and while the knight went off to discover the burden of homelessness. But that isn't our story tonight. Instead we shall hear of the village children's favorite lesson when the Shortest Monk told the tale of Ti'un the Wanderer.

The monk's students on Longying would gather in silence and sit in patience and never deride their peers while the youngest tried to learn silence and patience. They were eager for their lesson that would start after Tiamin and Xi'a the Skitterer would have completed their circuit of walking the village border and gathered firewood, as a teacher's first duty of the day. They rejoiced in hearing his voice sing out.

Hear now of the story of how Ti'un the Wanderer would start each day. Hear now of what Ti'un would say as he started his morning. It would often be the case that when the mighty turtle awoke, other creatures would shelter near his shell, much like we might sleep near a campfire. Lesser beasts would gather respectfully at his feet, hoping to learn from his wisdom and learn from the oldest living descendent of Shen-zin Su and one that inherited his ancestor's wanderlust.

Each morning, as the sun warmed Ti'un shell, he would awaken. His words as heard by those gathered around him have been passed on. His first words would be said even before he moved, echoing their way out of his shell. These words have inspired many who have learned of them as I tell you.

As the sun warmed the earth and warmed the air and warmed the shell of Ti'un, he could be heard to say,

"Hear we go. Here we go. The day has dawned. It's always so. I may have wandered far, but I learned this well. I cannot take a step on my journey without leaving my shell."

Now children, learn your lessons. Some are short and you reach the end quick. If you are not paying attention, you might miss something important. Other lessons only come with a long journey or a long story. It may seem like you are in the middle, but you can learn something even before you reach the end as Ti'un still has not completed his journey, nor I mine, nor you yours.

And thus ends today's story of Tiamin, still in the middle of his journey and the middle of his story. Beginning, middle or end, there can be things to be learned at any time. It matters not whether you are as slow as a turtle or a quick as a water strider, listen and learn what you can, when you can.

Aldonza and several of the children sitting next to her looked at each other, uncertain if Old Whitewhiskers was done. Maybe he was just taking a break. After exchanging glances, unspoken they turned to the storytelling, faces expectant and hoping for more.

And for more great storytelling, please check out new fables from Mataoka and Navimie

The Fable of the Skitterer Xi'a

[All links are to music on youtube and merely supplemental to the story]

Aldonza crossed her legs to sit at the feet of Old Man Whitewhiskers. She wasn't yet comfortable in this position, but her smile revealed some of her eagerness to hear the tale. She whispers to Kallixta next to her, who was looking for more relaxed in a kneeling pose, "It's like being a kid again."

Kallixta just returns a short quelling stare and said nothing.

"There is a long story of Zheng Tiamin and his Sunwise Journey with his faithful Skitterer Xi'a, but that is too long, too involved, to make a single evening's entertainment. All you need to know is that when the evil Chen Hui was defeated and cursed to serve the blessed Tiamin as his mount, Xi'a was rewarded and free to travel on his own."

Old Man Whitewhiskers had settled himself comfortably on his seat and stroked his chin, which surprisingly had few white whiskers, yet no one dared ask him about that. It appeared to be just one of those things that Pandaren accepted and understood and the other races seemed too embarrassed to ask.

"Tonight hear the tale of Tiamin's visit with the Gossiping Washerwomen. This took place in the quiet part of the Journey, when the monk and his mount followed a river through the wilds. It was not a difficult path to follow with but few waterfalls to negotiate and few creatures to give trouble. There was plenty of shade to make the day cool. There were some nice eddy pools that appealed to blessed Tiamin and he stopped to fish. As usual, he released Xi'a to explore.

The Skitterer never left the river on these small explorations. We would glide up small creeks or check the path ahead. So it was that while exploring thus, noble Xi'a  overheard a pair of washerwomen performing their work. The pair, both young for this task which an observer as smart as Xi'a concluded meant they were unmarried, talked of people in the village. While not intending to eavesdrop, the chat could be followed easily enough before Xi'a decided he'd been away long enough and returned to Tiamin, just finishing his lunch.

During the cleanup that followed, Xi'a shared his observations, which included that the river's speed picked up a bit, the better to quickly carry soapy water away. Xi'a also shared the jealousy the washerwomen felt for the newly married wife that had been their friend, their surprise of the skill of the youngest hunter in the village that brought down two plainshawks this morning, and their annoyance over the increasing deafness of the village headwoman.

Immediately after continuing their journey, our hero was passing the small village and requested to stop and visit. There being no immediacy to pass by, Tiamin agreed with a smile. Many soon gathered near the center of the village and the blessed monk was introduced to many in the village, including the respected headwoman. Forewarned, Tiamin stood close and spoke clearly and respectfully. Not only was the headwoman pleased with his polite respect, but other elders who had no way of warning their visitor. Conversation quickly became enthusiastic and an invitation to an impromptu feast was made.

The dishes served were many, but a place of honor was given to a pair of large, glistening plainshawks with crispy golden crust. Timain worded his appreciation to praise the village for not only their hunting skill, but their teaching skill for passing knowledge to young hunters. The youngest hunter was glad the praise had not singled him out again for he had already felt some discord over his greater skill than many elders. The older hunters received the words and recognized that they could claim a measure of credit for they did in fact teach the youngster.

As the feasting concluded, different groups broke up to converse in smaller clusters, all of which wanted the visitor to join them. Tiamin's words to the village was, "Too much time spent with one group will mean neglect for old friends. Tonight I will spend time with each of you. Tomorrow I will spend time with my friend the Skitterer for we still have far to go together." These words struck the various groups as wise and each fell to talk among themselves of its wisdom. This included a pair of newlyweds who decided they had each neglected their old friends. Tonight they could visit apart for a while even as they returned to their shared bed later. Their friends were happy to renew their old friendships even as they recognized times must change.

Before Tiamin and Xi'a left in the morning, they were beseeched to impart words of wisdom. "Don't wash clothes in public. You are letting others see your dirty laundry."

Aldonza slowly returned from absorbsion in the story. Her first thoughts were her surprise at discovering that Kallixta and she weren't the only listeners. She looked to her side and found Kallixta was still distracted, wearing a puzzled expression. Old Whitewhiskers was chatting with two very young pandaren, shaking his head in refusal to tell more tonight. He looked at the final pair who had not climbed to their feet yet. "Was that what you wanted, young ladies?"

The dwarf paladin stood up first, responding politely, "That was what I asked for." The older pandaren chuckled at the correction. Kallixta offered her hand to the human in aid for getting up. "I didn't think the Skitterer Xi'a was a mount."

"Ah!" Old Whitewhiskers had the knack of sounded wise and understanding, perhaps using techniques such as Tiamin, "But he isn't any more. That's another story and I did mention it."

"You did," affirmed Kallixta, "but how big is the Skitterer and can he still walk on water while carrying a friend?"

The pandaren storyteller looked down at the youthful dwarf visitor to his village and answered, "Maybe because Tiamin was smaller than yourself. That was another story not told tonight. Ask sometime to hear the Tale of the Shortest Monk. And as the ancient Pandaren proverb says, 'There's plenty of water to walk on yet'. That's another proverb from the story of Tiamin and Xi'a!"

A Meeting in Halfhill

Kallixta took her attention away from her mail when she sensed someone standing next to her in some way that was different. She wasn't checking her own mail, but looking at Kallixta. When the dwarf paladin looked up, her astonishment was obvious. "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you again." Aldonza chuckled. The surprised look was worth all the trouble and worry. "Have time for a drink?" The human mage headed into the Lazy Turnip. There was a long delay before Kallixta could get her thoughts together and follow.

Aldonza hadn't answered the question, but knew the dwarf was stubborn enough to outwait her. "I've been made to feel quite welcome in Pandaria and Half-Hill, in particular. My hearthstone is set here now. It's easy enough to pop back to get business done and return." Stubborn but without guile, Kallixta's thoughts on such ease of travel where apparent. "I dare say you've other advatages, so don't dwell on my one."

"Right. So you could sleep here, but probably don't. Instead explain how you got here!" The dwarf's features were stern, almost disapproving.

With a shrug, Aldonza answered a touch too blythly, "I've always been good at running away. This was more of a Retreat Forward. Between a fast mount and a Panda's Step, I would be past most dangers in a blink! It was an Epic Dash of Every Woman for Herself. I'm afraid I outdistanced the flight path as the points don't yet line up."

The sternness slowly melted, merging into a happy smile. "Well, I guess congratulations are in order. I'm sure there's money to be made?" She paused just long enough to match the words she knew Aldonza would respond with, "Not that you're greedy, jinks!"

It was Aldonza's turn to wear a face of astonishment. Kallixta broke into laughter, "You pay this round!"

Cowardly is as cowardly does

Just how cowardly is Aldonza?

What started as an explanation for staying in the capital cities influenced the personality that emerged as Aldonza invariable would role play with others. She was sadly reconciled to her cowardice as she watched people head out on adventures and she didn't.

Remember, Aldonza wasn't supposed to be very active. I was supposed to be logged on other alts adventuring!

Kallixta was taught by her guild to Destroy All Critters! They were a plague on Azeroth and probably in league with Deathwing or something. Habits were shared by these friends and soon the Sages of Tabasco were dedicated to being a Critter Kill Squad themselves. Er, herself. And at her pace, it would take a few years to earn the Armadillo Pup.



How many years to go?

 There needn't be a valid reason for Aldonza to seek out critters and destroy, but it means Aldonza appears to be a bully. She's not afraid of dealing death and destruction when there is no danger to herself?

Five in one blow in Darnassus

She even has a favorite spot in Ironforge before getting on the Tram

The bodies pile up!

This slaughter continued and eventually she became aware that there were larger creatures (with gray numbers) that were ripe for death without endangering the coward. Might she be able to do some low-level Archealogy sites, perhaps? Maybe she could visit locations beyond the cities without fear of earning XP from dealing death. She was still only earning it by means that didn't risk her hide.
As a final impetous, Pet Battles drove Aldonza into the world. It's a fact that mages travel around Azeroth must quicker and easier than the Paladin. She could temporarily set her hearthstone in some zone's Inn and quickly pop back for a visit to a stable master, yet when done she could teleport to whichever capital she desired.

Portal Services has earned Aldonza a few gold

This really caught up with her when Green Paws from underneath Dalaran enticed her to fly down to the Crystalsong Forest. The wolves weren't gray and her aggro radius wasn't as small as she thought. Luckily blink allowed her to run away and escape intact. She had gotten too complacent.

So, just how Cowardly is Aldonza?

Aldonza needs a new goal

You can lose the habit of writing on your blog. As time grows, it can become increasingly difficult to write that next post. There's too many things to mention and they get all tangled. To break the jumble, where do you start? Even if you want to focus on one small piece, it can be hard to pull it apart from other things you want to mention.

Where to start?

I also lost the habit of questing and running dungeons. All I've really been doing for the past few months has been playing with Aldonza The Coward. All she has been doing has been crafting and selling on the Auction House and a few dailies. While this is all she's ever really done, there has been a big difference because of recent progress.

Somewhere along the way, Aldonza leveled high enough to start the Dalaran fishing and cooking dailies. There were a few fishing dailies that scared the coward off, especially fishing in Wintergrasp! Still, having a third and sometimes fourth daily quest meant her progress was accelerating.

A side effect of her leveling progress was access to higher level, and more profitable, crafts. Although my total time spent in Azeroth has decreased, the new items brought in greater profits. Aldonza was thrilled.

And then last week, she reached her goal. She dinged level 80!

 There may have been two expansions since this was the top level, but it was key to unlocking the final tier in her professions. It only took another day or so to hit 600 in Inscription! This has always been the end goal for my experiment. There isn't much else she can do that will improve her profit-making. Her next opportunity comes from earning motes of harmony via farming in Half-Hill or fishing in Pandarian pools, neither of which will happen with Aldonza until she hits level 90. Actually, if you have suggestions, feel free to let me know.

Allow me to back up and provide some history. Years ago, and also a different server ago, I learned about Bank Mules. I created Rocinante to receive various goods for listing on the Auction House. I thought I was being original in my naming my mule after Don Quijote's horse, but I merely got lucky as there are 152 other servers with a character named "Rocinante"! When I moved to my current server, another RP server, I wanted a name less animal and more personal, thus choosing a different character from that inspiring novel. With my interest in role-play, Aldonza was never just a simple bank mule, but started to acquire a personality. Don Quijote saw her as Dulcinea and imagines her to be beautiful and noble while Sancho Panza explains that the real woman, Aldonza, is far more mundane. Unlike the novel, this character actually appears in the musical Man of La Mancha and Quijote inspires her to change.

My character reflects on her possible greediness. Her whole purpose is to make money, but she wants to be something more noble and heroic than just a copper-pinching merchant. I was used to Mages so I could level her up a few levels quickly, but anything more was tedious, so she was supposed to be stuck around level 10. Yet that limit also meant there was a limit to her crafting. She could earn money disenchanting and supplying the Auction House with low level dusts, but most other crafting professions wouldn't earn gold at the lower levels. Except, as she discovered, for Inscription!

What happened was that Cataclysm came out with a daily fishing and cooking quest in the capital cities. I was logging onto Aldonza frequently at the start and close of playing on my main for the purpose of posting, cancelling undercut items and reposting. It was a simple matter to also run the two dailies. It earned enough gold and XP to be worth the experiment. Thus I conceived the goal of seeing how fast and high she might level with only this method. Her In-Character justification for this activity was fear, thus "The Coward" was born.

The experiment didn't have rules as strict as Iron Man, rather it was character driven. Aldonza wasn't about to risk her neck when there were perfectly good profits to be made. As a Mage, Aldonza had the advantage of teleporting herself to any city, including Shattrath and Dalaran when she reached certain levelling milestones. She discovered true advantage of this arrangement are Pilgrim's Bounty. These holiday quests weren't dangerous and were still quick to perform, allowing me to spend maximum time with my main yet seeing progress on the coward.

I think I've managed to write enough to break whatever mental barrier was preventing me from posting. I have more to say, but maybe it's best if I keep that as incentive for writing more!

Day Eighty One - 30 June 2011

Kallixta dropped heavily into the seat across from her friend.

"Now there's a picture of happy exhaustion!" Aldonza smiled with her pen stabbing into the air, gesturing to the paladin. "Fighting the good fight, making progress and pleased with yourself?"

Kallixta adjusts in her seat, the better to start unbuckling some of the armor. "Yes, yes and I'm not saying." She yields a wry smile before glancing back down to her fingers, pulling off some leg armor. "But there is SO much to do and I fear even this short break can make a difference. I mean, the Infernals seem to be passing from the Elemental Plane so easily! There are so many!" A short pause allows the paladin to plunk down the heavy plate piece onto the table top with a sigh. "I saw them, you know."

"Them?" Aldonza had just started to return her attention to the parchment before her, but some emphasis in the subject word brings her eyes back up.

Quieter now, Kallixta explains with a tremor in her tone. "Deathwing himself. And he had Ragnaros returned. I was dragonback, but I could see both clearly. It seems the breach to Fire must be huge. We're entirely on the defensive right now, trying to slow the invasion. My proudest moment was merely preventing plans from falling into enemy hands, but that shows what I mean. Defense. Strategically we need to find allies. The leadership seems to have ideas, but they all involve ancient allies and none are devotees of the Light."

Releasing the pen and some tension in her hands, Aldonza stares across the table. "It sounds so desperate, yet you had time to bring back another stack of ores?"

With a snort, Kallixta's face transforms from worried to familiar tolerance. "Yes. It's just the ones I trip over. I'm not actively seeking it now, like I had been. This is just what I stumble across. It's very useful stuff, you know." Her features start to harden again as her gaze drops to the armor on the table. "I suspect I'll be making an entire new set of armor in a short while. My current set is useful fighting the cold of Northrend, but I need the heat resistance this stuff offers."

"It's not just the armor, is it girl?" Aldonza points to the new necklace the paladin now wears.

A quick move confirms to Kallixta the necklace still hangs about her neck. "I got this from one of my Explorer League friends. I suspect there will be plenty of changes to my gear. Why I even changed my weapon!" With a face showing surprise that the weapon wasn't already in her hand, her hand smoothly finds the handle in a well-practiced motion. "A Mace, obviously. And again." Her nose wrinkles, demonstrating her reluctance. "Something the Druid Channelers seem enthused about. It does help in all the new healing duties I seem assigned." She pauses, glancing at the Human. "As you thought, there's demand and I seem to be picking up the knack."

The Human Mage gives a shrug, "We each do our part. I'm sorry yours seems so much more dangerous." With an embarrassed motion to the scroll before her, Aldonza continues, "I fear paper cuts from my glyph business. It could get infected and all those thousands of gold pieces would stop flowing our direction."

Day Seventy Nine - 25 June 2011

With Dangerously Delicious, Kallixta succeeded at two things. This finished Chasing Marcia, but the reputation gain also put her over Honored with Kirin Tor. This last bit meant she qualified for another purchase for her Holy spec, Shroud of Dedicated Research.

I felt I had delayed long enough and it was time to give this "healing thing" a real try. I joined the LFD queue and awaited the die roll.

Halls of Lightning

Wow. My mind went blank. I couldn't remember if this was going to be easy or hard. The group didn't wait for me to get ready, despite my warning them I was a greenhorn. They were already fighting the first boss before I had a chance to put Beacon on the tank!

Small wonder two of the party died before the boss did. There was enough pause after that to allow me to get my act together. Suddenly I get the rhythm. I probably used Flash more than necessary as I was trying to better understand party needs and I definitely didn't use Holy Shock and Word of God as often as I should. There were a few cooldowns I managed, but everything went much better after the first battle. The trash was never a problem, it was only on the Bosses that I was hard pressed.

I'm sure I missed plenty of loot opportunities, as the party moved so quickly. I never saw anything I really 'needed' until the end, and I lost that. But I felt I earned the credit.

Later was the rescheduled Guild Run for Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj. Unfortunately we didn't have enough to qualify as a Guild Run, but sufficient for an easy RP run. That was the plan as we were supposed to explore the Ruins for signs of corruption by the Old Gods.

Despite leaving Righteous Defense up, Kallixta was only level 79 and couldn't keep up threat compared to the other level 85 tank. It wasn't a big deal and it should have freed me for the role play, but it just wasn't happening.

It was my third or fourth visit to the Ruins, although my first with Kallixta, so things were just familiar enough that I knew where we were going and what the bosses looked like. She picked up Qiraji Regal Drape, but I can't decide if I want to grind the reputation needed to complete. It isn't something I've done really, so it's within Kallixta's charter, if you will, but there's plenty of higher priority things.

After killing the final boss and gaining the achievement, the party spent a bit of time role playing. The worked a bit, but I wish I had prepared better. In fact, I strongly wish to repeat as a real Guild Run and with more effort at role playing during the whole thing.

In the post-action analysis with the Guild, I did hear one great suggestion. Include emotes in the macros! Then each "Judgement" would include some "Feel the Judgement of the Light!" emote. It isn't much, but sounds like fun. I'll give it some thought.

Days Sixty Two to Sixty Seven - 15 - 22 May 2011

Aldonza shakes her head in amused disbelief even as she takes a seat beside her friend. "It has been wonderful having you here so long and seeing you so often, but I will miss you."

With a grim face showing her determination, Kallixta stares at the top of the tavern's table. "It was a distraction, but I have made a resolution. I have much to accomplish."

A snort marks the human's disagreement. "As if you having been making accomplishments all during this time?" Aldonza grants a quick smile before she, too, regards the table's surface. "I think you're overlooking a few things."

Face unchanged, the dwarf paladin looks up. "Trivial things."

A shrug, a quick smile, and Aldonza makes her gentle correction, "Maybe some things, like your fishing and cooking work. But your dedication to daily work was acknowledged by the town fathers. I know they merely were a test of your self-sufficiency. I'm glad you got out of the effort what you wanted. And a nice fishing pole, too."

As Kallixta makes no verbal response, Aldonza mischeviously dips two fingers in her beer and flicks droplets for attention.

"What?" Blinking, Kallixta looks up. "Oh, yes. Nice pole even if I haven't got the hang of it yet. Should be strong enough for some of those Northrend monster fish I found along the southern coast."

"But you won't be spending time on the coast now, right?"

Shaking her head in agreement, her friend responds. "No. I'm done with the Fjord. The Tundra doesn't appeal to me. I did some scouting around, but there's something about the Dragonblight that I think will keep my attention for now."

• Master Cook
• 10 Cooking Awards
• Fish Don't Leave Footprints
• A Simple Re-Quest
• 500 Fish

• I've Toured the Fjord
• Explore Borean Tundra
• Explore Sholazar Basin

Day Sixty - 5 Apr 2011

I ran a simple Role Play event for my guild in Duskwood. It was my first try and I learned a bunch about such an event and expectations. I think they'll run better next time. We visited the Tomb at Beggar's Hollow before moving to the Twilight Grove. We did some observations of changes since the Shattering and speculated a bit.

Strelka says, "Maybe is because of the trees?  Westfall and Redridge do not have many trees, and they are hurt badly by the Cataclysym.  But here, there are many and they are largely OK."

Kallixta looks interested and asks, "So, perhaps Deathwing is afraid of trees?"

BA Shared Topic: Favourite Race

Kallixta stared at her friend with the shock she was feeling showing as plainly as the sun in the sky. "Never. It just never occurred to me. Why would I? Have you ever wished to be of a different race?"

There was a stretched moment of quiet as Aldonza considered the turnabout. "I have, but never for long. It's just I overhead some others talking about it, which is why I brought it up." There followed another pause without either talking. Aldonza fiddled with her empty beer stein, prodding it with a finger to push it in circles, before she gathered the conversational reins again. "Some have real advantages over humans, you know. I feel life just flashing past and I'll not accomplish much in my time. So I dream about it sometimes."

"What advantage do you really think would be worth it?" the dwarven paladin asks with puzzlement.

"A longer lifespan? Seriously, Kalli. I'm past middle age, remember, while many in your family consider you immature." The human's eyes flash with a mix of emotions, but her fingers don't stop. The stein has drifted further from its origin, but she is ignoring it. "And many seem better equipped to fight. Azeroth is a dangerous place and these bones are feeling fragile. Not to mention I feel thin skinned next to you. Oops, there I go mentioning it. Doesn't that get under your... Stone Skin?" Human laughter echoes differently in an Ironforge tavern than it might elsewhere.

With a smile for her friend, Kallixta nods, accepting the joke and point. "Humans do seem frail and short-lived. You could dedicate yer life to a worthy goal and still not spend fifty years at it, eh? And yer a mite tall looking. You and those elven folk all look too stretched out in a Procrustean way."

Aldonza wrinkled her nose at the newly mentioned race. "Elves?"

"Not yer ideal?" Kallixta asks curiously.

A small shrug. "Is wasn't their height I was thinking about, but I'm already taller than you. No, I was thinking they just seem too sure of their beauty. They'd never understand others don't see their grace and want to be like them. Too sure of themselves."

A dwarven laugh erupts this time, sounding much more at home. Kallixta continues to chuckle as she makes her reply, "Methinks that's a charge more oft said of humans, girl. Center of the Universe, aren't they? Thought the Titans looked like themselves and all, at least until recently. In their own image, or something. So if it ain't the elves, then you'd want to be Draenei?"

Aldonza shakes her head as she raises her heads to make horns and then dangle tentacles beneath her chin. "Although to be fair, I suppose a Draenei girl finds it attractive. They do seem to know a few things."

Kallixta agrees, "I envy their attunement to the Light. Both Humans and Draenei seem more at home with being a Paladin. Oft they make it seem easy while I'm struggling. Probably my imagination."

Aldonza gives another laugh as she points her finger across the table, "There you go, measuring everything from one point. If you were magically changed into a Draenei or Human, you might also change what you do. Maybe you'd be a Shaman or something."

Kallixta's reaction is one of obvious shudders, not hidden. "I don't trust that Voodoo. It's a perversion of the elements, that is. And they're corrupting the dwarves with it."

"Kallixta, honey..." Aldonza chides, "You grew up with the Wildhammers. Didn't you see it there?"

A frown slowly passes through puzzlement before settling into a sigh. "It seemed quaint, at the time. They seem to be more careful about it. Since the Shattering, I don't find it quaint any more. Most unsettling. You gotta be careful, messing about with the Elements. Too capricious. No dedication."

Aldonza hides her exasperation over the repeated theme. Sometimes her friend is a bit too stubborn to see things needing a wider view. "Yes. I totally agree." Aldonza knows a thing or two about diplomacy too, and without having a father in the business, so to speak.

"So when we started this exercise, what were you thinking? That you wanted to be a Gnome?" Kallixta looks over at the human, looking for clues before she actually answers.

"No." Aldonza shakes her head firmly, "That's not what I was thinking. Too different from me, and I don't just mean things like mischief. They just don't know proper limits. They wiggle their way into all sorts of tiny crannies where they ain't welcome. Like Warlockery. I think they're a more dangerous ally than the Refugees."

"I don't get it. We went through all the good races of the Alliance. You weren't thinking of Horde, were you?"

A wry chuckle is her answer, "Not hardly. Nor some corruption, like the Worgen. It's too obvious to you, Kalli. Think, my friend. Where have I made my home?"

"Ironforge" is the quick response, not requiring Kallixta to actually think as suggested. When her mind catches up, she finally groans, "Ooh! Yer thinking you'd rather be a Dwarf. Yer smarter than I thought. Or was it just you've been seen too many good-looking Dwarven studs?"

A snort is her only answer.

Day Fifty Nine - 31 Mar 2011

Kallixta stays quiet, unfidgeting, as she stares at Brom Brewbaster , who avoids her eyes. She clears her throat, "No. My Mum isn't much of one for the cooking. I did learn to like hitting red-hot metal from her though."

Brom stays silent, shifting about to now look at his table. He looks like he might be considering cleaning it some. That would give him something else to do.

Kallixta concludes the cooking trainer isn't going to continue the chat, but she knows that her Dad would want her to continue to be polite. "I learned the most about cooking last Pilgrim's Bounty. It's amazing what you can learn at that time. Everybody seems to be in a right proper mood about food. All the cities were wanting to show off their specialties and the like. It was easy for a curious girl to improve her cooking skills and ever so many folks willing to teach. That's where I learned my cooking, so I did."

Brom makes some instinctual sounds that the paladin must assume are meant to be encouraging, yet he still avoids looking at the young dwarf lass. Maybe he's just embarrassed to have been caught without a shirt and looking like he slept the night under his table.

Kallixta decides she can wrap up the conversation, "So not having been given to think much about it, I haven't been improving and I thank you for your tutorial. I will take care with your family's recipes. I do appreciate your generosity. What was that, almost two dozen I'd never seen or heard before? Thanks. I especially appreciate the recipes for Rhino Dog, Roasted Worg and Shoveltusk Steak as I actually have accumulated the meat for those this day on my adventures about the Fjord. With your teaching, I feel myself something of a Chef de Partie!" Kallixta gives the older dwarf a salute as she's now happier with things on a more formal level. "Sorry I couldn't indulge in your offer. Aye?" She retreats, feeling much better that the uncomfortable moment has passed.

Day Fifty One - 25 Feb 2011

With the Love is in the Air holiday passed and Martuska finishing her Fool for Love achievement, I was free to spend time with Kallixta. When last we dropped in on our intrepid heroine, she'd managed level 61 and was still in the middle of the Hellfire Peninsula. This would appear to be a good time to gather some more experience, right?

Except there was a Guild Event scheduled for Friday night. Stories of love and fools was supposed to be a chance for us to roleplay and storytell. It got postponed from the middle of the Valentine's holiday until now, which made for a fascinating coincidence.

It just happened that I had made my first proposal for a Shared Topic at BlogAzeroth, What is your favorite weapon, and it just happened to get scheduled for this week! Suddenly I needed a good post. Too bad there was no way to combine the two.

Or was there...?

The Guild Event went really well. It was held at the Gazebo behind the Stormwind Cathedral and the place worked wonderfully for this event. We had a few visitors join the audience and only one burdensome troll that we easily ignored. We got some nice compliments and publicity. It was everything we wanted out of the event.

But I'll post my story as a separate entry that will be linked to the Shared Topic. Instead I wanted to mention what else happened on Friday evening. I managed level 62? Okay, enough about me. What I'll remember from this night was all about the story telling.

Day Thirty Two - 19 Sept 2010

I jumped into the queue and was pulled into the Armory immediately. There was an annoying rogue that would pull and otherwise go,go,go but it was never too large and although I had to work to grab threat back, but it all meant the run went quicker. I wanted to get it over with and we did! Herod's Shoulders dropped yet again. Time for a different SM instance.

To finish the Into the Light quest, I ran the Library instance. This group was much better and we zipped through with happiness. Boom, done.

I spent the next bit of time finishing some quests in Desolace, turning up Combatant Claymore, which was an improvement to the old hammer. When I finally got to Southshore, that quest turn in allowed me to ding 40!

My next step was to Ironforge for the Harvest Festival. I flew back to Southshore and started the hike to  Uthor's Tomb. The run to Aerie's Peak was easy enough. There I met fellow guildmember and fellow Dwarf Paladin, Harkalst. He had a special Level 40 Present for me, the full collection of Heavy Mithril armor, which provided me an immediate upgrade. We made a quick dash up the plague mist trail to the back entrance to Uther's Tomb. It made for an interesting role play opportunity, including action with his squire! When I returned to Ironforge to finish the journey, I got my 250th Quest! The day allowed me to get a lot done in a short amount of time. I wish I could have played Sunday, too.

Day Fifteen - 13 Aug 2010

I ran three dungeons today. First up was Shadowfang Keep, but I forgot to look for the paladin quest item. I didn't notice before already queuing up for Deadmines. That was an excellent group, working well except for the Warrior that needed on everything, even greens. We kicked him before the end and 4-manned Edward. We then went for Cookie and instead of passing, like I'd been doing, I greeded and won a blue cloth shirt?! I tried giving it away, but the others declined. I don't know why.

Kallixta turned in Edward's head for the blue Leg armor. I think this must have been when I dinged 25, but didn't notice.

I did a little Role play at the Stormwind Cathedral. Someone was running an afternoon prayer service. I got to chat with one person as we gathered and then we had a nice service. I only figured out how to log chat at the end. I was also slow to figure out this laptop's function key and how to make screen shots.

After a break Kallixta returned to Shadowfang Keep. I grabbed the "Jordan's Smithing Hammer" this time. No one complained with my speed, although I needed to stop for mana myself a few times. The healer called herself a noob and the mage agreed. My health was never in any danger, but the healer seemed very low on mana. I had to ask the mage for water and she seemed to only produce one at a time. She gave me a stack of 5 which didn't last long. I won a nice blue chest piece, a blue one hand sword and a blue two-handed axe, all upgrades.

My new chest and pants with the Arced War Axe over my shoulder

Notes on Backstory

Kallixta was living in Aerie Peak with her father when the Third War broke out. Her father was a diplomat and merchant representing Ironforge among the Wildhammers at the time. As the war developed, he went off to Kalimdor in support of efforts there, before dying in the Battle of Mount Hyjal. Kallixta was old enough to be left behind with plans to return to Ironforge.

Kallixta's journey home included witnessing first hand the horrors of the plaguelands and the efforts by the remnants of the Silver Hand to fight the undead. She was impressed by those that, despite Arthas, continued to follow their purpose.

Kallixta subsequently travelled south to Stormwind to undergo paladin training.

Kallixta's mother is a Master Blacksmith and her work ethic influenced Kallixta's own. Undoubtedly her profession choices derive from her mother.

Notes on Traits

Here I makes some notes to myself about Kallixta's personality for Role Play potential.

Four Diamond Words: Methodical, Tenacious, Lawful, Civil

Kallixta despises those that are whimsical and impetuous. They lack follow through and have no purpose. Instead she thinks if everybody just developed a plan, things would work out so much better.

It isn't sufficient to have a plan, though. It's important not to be diverted. Kallixta will never give up, but stubbornly stick to a plan and see things to their end.

All must be devoted to the higher good and that's where laws define things. Kallixta does not believe the end justifies the means. Arthas's culling is the perfect example of how good intentions can result in evil.

As a diplomat's daughter, she knows that politeness can yield rewards. Kallixta can be chatty, but strives to be courteous, even when talking to one she despises. There may come a time when words fail, but until that point is reached, she'll keep a civil tongue.