• 13 Dawn 228
• 03 Renasci 237

I was born in the Dragonspire Mountains outside of Sable City where many of my people live. However, the upbringing of my two younger sisters, Heathly and Foah, and myself was a bit unconventional. My father and mother, Takks and Jayrell, were both historians of an unusual sort -- they spent their entire lives traveling the lands collecting stories, oral histories, folk tales, traditional songs, ancient poetry, and the like from all who they met.

I say that they were unusual historians in that many others of their profession prefer to sit studying old books of history that have been collected by others. My parents, on the other hand, preferred to actively seek out such information for themselves, and to interact with those peoples to who the histories belonged. It was in such a nomadic and exploratory lifestyle that my siblings and I were raised.

Due to my parents' activities I became most comfortable around strangers and peoples who were most unlike my Kestrel myself. I discovered that I had the gift of gab and found myself talking with just about anyone who could understand me -- and to this end my parents made sure that their children had a good command of the common tongue. I became fascinated by all that I experienced, and soon found myself memorizing some of the folk songs and poems as others sang and told them.

My parents encouraged this, and soon I was able to accompany my singing with musical instruments and my poetry with enhancing body movements. Others seemed to enjoy listening to me, either in performance or simply in good conversation.

People seem to like being around me, as I am almost always a cheery person. Mostly happy-go-lucky by nature, I prefer to spend my time with those I am around in a happy manner. While some may think that sad times never affect me, they are very wrong. I simply prefer to deal with such dark occurrences privately and get back to enjoying the company of good friends. After all, life should be enjoyed, not fought against. Some may think that I am not studious enough, but I am well spoken and a quick learner, preferring to experience for myself first hand instead of from a distance. While this may get me into trouble from time to time, it is a method that has served well first my parents and now myself.

Some people's names have deep historical meanings attached to them, while others are simply names. Mine falls somewhere in between. My name, Kerrin, has traditionally been a lucky name. That's it, the entire meaning in a nutshell, so to speak. There is no long story behind my name, it is simply a lucky name. While I am not certain just how lucky a person I am, I must admit that I have never fallen on what I would call hard times.

As I became an adult I decided that it was time to strike out on my own. My family was, of course, sad to see me depart, but living as they did, they certainly understood my desire to become independent. It was with their blessing that I set out for the renowned Sable City.

Here I have found all manners of folks, and have quickly settled into my life in the large city. I am learning all sorts of new things, and have even seen talented people telling stories and singing songs for others. They are much more professional than I am, but I aspire to one day be worthy of doing much the same.

I love the great out of doors, and enjoy talking with others about the surroundings in which they find themselves living. As much as possible, I like to experience what it is like to live like others for a time, in their environment. I think it brings me a greater appreciation of their ways, and provides context for the manifestation of their histories, songs, stories, and other collective memory constructs. It also brings me closer to the nature of the world we live in, and that always makes me feel my best.

Having lived in and around Sable City for a while now, I have made several friends and have found many interesting places to explore. I have gotten to know some of the talented bards and minstrels who perform in the city and have joined their guild as an apprentice. My new guildmates have all been very friendly, helpful, and encouraging. I have spent the most time chatting with our guildmaster Thalia and the ever-happy Sodre, some with the enjoyable Esmeranda, helpful Alentar and the cordial Kharum. I have met some others, but rarely see them about.

While I miss my strong family ties, at the same time I am enriching my life by being where I am today. I believe I have found a good home here in the guild of the Bards. I am in harmony with my new surroundings and myself. I am most happy.

I have been finding there to be very few Kestrels about the fair city of Sable. I have made friends with those I have encountered, and enjoy sharing time with them... the Sablean Mission of Light leader Tarani, the fair-feathered Tyanima, Brennen the respected cleric of Vivoria, the warrior Dresx, and the young magician Muldin. I hope to encounter more of my brethren soon.

One day I hope to be worthy of devoting myself to the worship of Silvanus, and I have taken one step in that direction. My lucky ancestors would be proud of my good fortune. I happened to meet the leader of the church of Silvanus, Torm, in the tavern. He was just buying supplies for a party at his house for the benefit of the church's members as well as those hopeful of one day joining. What a great opportunity! I enjoyed meeting everyone there, and feel I have established some new friendships. I did a little bit of entertaining, and received a great response from those present. It certainly made my day!

One of my purposes for coming to Sable City has been fulfilled. Many years ago I had come into possession of a rather special Great Eagle feather like in the Kestrel legend. The Great Eagle legend is my most favorite legend and story to tell. Indeed the feather lived up to all the old stories of yore. But, the part of the legend that most forget is that the keeper of such an exceptional feather will reach a point in his or her life when it should be passed on to another to care for and benefit from. To find someone to pass it on to was one of the reasons I came to the great city of Sable. I am happy to have found such a person, and feel it is in good hands

My first professional bardic success occurred at an STEA sponsored improv poetry contest. My poem on the given subject of fish got me into the second round where my quickly composed prose about love won me first prize! I look forward to more such events as they are an exciting format for composing poetry.

Fishing is my hobby lately, although I must admit to not being particularly successful at the sport. Once I get a fish hooked I can usually land it with some patience, but getting those nibbles and bites in the first place seems to be my trouble. Mayhap more experimentation with different baits and fishing times as well as locations will yield some better results. One day I hope to help our guild turn in a good showing in the STEA fishing league. Go Bards!

I gave my most amazing, daring, death-defying, and STUPID performance to date in the Green Griffin. My juggling three flaming Gnomes was certainly an attention grabber. I think every single person present was watching. The show was a great big hit even though I managed to almost completely burn up my right wing. The tips were marvelous, but I am not certain that either the Gnomes or myself want to be doing that performance again anytime soon!

Seeking harmony with myself and with the world around me has led me to the teachings of Silvanus. His cause fits very nicely with my personal outlook on life, and I have felt for a very long time now that I can serve Silvanus well. I spent many hours conversing with Caelia, the Respected Bishop of Silvanus. I also had the good fortune to meet many of the church members over time. Caelia asked me to compose a song about the relationship between Silvanus and Erosia, which I was happy to do. I have performed it for a few of the church members, and hope to perform it at one of the spring or harvest festivals in the future. Being accepted into the church as a devoted worshipper honored me. I look forward to enjoying being a part of the church as well as helping to bring the teachings of Silvanus to others.

Wow, the world shook to its very core! Us mortals were spectators to a display of the gods' powers like I have never heard of before. Tempest, long indecisive between the love of Erosia and the attentions of Bast, made his decision to marry Erosia known to the entire realm. All of the deities had something to say about this. In the end, the greatest upheavals were Loviatar renouncing her dominion over disease and leaving Set's side to stand with Bilanx, the birth of three new deities, and Calypso's leaving the side of Vishnu to stand beside Bilanx. With all of these changes, us poor mortals are still quite confused as the scriptures of the new deities are written and old ones are rewritten. Us devout of Silvanus are wondering what our relationship with the followers of Loviatar will now be.

I have dedicated some time seeking out the churches of Herastia, Belphagore, and Kylamane in order to learn more about their faiths. I am hoping one day to write a treatise on how each of the other gods relates to my lord, Silvanus. I am certain it will not be an easy task, nor will the final work be short in length, but I feel such an undertaking will prove enlightening.

I have had some success with my performances and discovered that I have a fairly good reputation in the community of Sable. I give regular performances in the Green Griffin establishment whenever things seem a bit slow. Hopefully, the music, singing, and storytelling help drum up some extra business for Emirikol. Recently, I was even hired by a fellow who had heard of my good reputation, to perform for his fiance's birthday. Needless to say, I have been having a great time of late.

The forests south of Sable City have been my place of recent exploration. They are quite vast and afford a great appreciation for all that Silvanus does for us mortals. It has been extremely enjoyable to get away from the close confines of civilization for long hours of walking the forest paths. Speaking of Silvanus, I have had the wonderful artisans at the VVV make a Pendant of Nature for me. It is a very lovely work, and brings me great happiness to wear. Others of the church have taken a liking to it, and some have had their own pendants made.

Torm, the leader of our church has asked me to help make a suggestion I had made become a reality. I am doing much of the design work on a library for our church, which will be located in Torm's house. I hope to see the library eventually contain many sermons delivered by the chosen clergy of Silvanus, texts on how to conduct our church's ceremonies, songs and poems about Silvanus, as well as legends, tales, and other related stories.

Caelia has been talking to me about the clan she belongs to, Taliesin. Thalia is the overlord of the clan, and many others I already know are members. In general, I have not found clans to my liking, but this one seems somehow a bit different. Maybe it is because I already know so many of its members. I shall have to wait and see how things transpire.

I now have the honor of some of my bardic brews being stored in Yanda's extensive and rather impressive wine cellar. Over time I hope to be able to sample a bit from each of the batches and types she has collected.

The flaming Gnomes and I worked hard practicing our act, and even came up with a brand new spectacular ending. There was an immense crowd gathered in the Green Griffin to watch the impending performance. The show was outstanding, but through some freak of bad luck I ended up getting all the feathers of my right wing completely burned off again. *Sigh* Oh well, at least no one will be forgetting that particular show for a while.

I have had the most wonderful surprise of my entire Kestrel life. I met the loveliest woman, Alystrian Imbrilea. Our meeting was completely by chance. From that unexpected event an enjoyable relationship has grown. I am always so very comfortable around her. We seem to be so much in sync that we often say the same things at the same time. It would be so easy to plunge blindly down the "madly in love" path, but we are both enjoying the slower pace at which our relationship is developing. We have adventured together and done some fishing together. We have had many long conversations, and I find that not only am I discovering more about her but also about myself. I think about her affectionately, and the glow of her golden-wings often lights my dreams. I like her as a dear friend, and I hope what we have begun will continue to grow into life-long love.

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