Strange, journal, how everything seems to pop in to your head when you have no one to have a real conversation to. Something I've been thinking about a lot is the way I got here. I don't think I've ever written about it before so I guess now is a good time then ever, before I forget totally.

I was in a small village, pretty far away from the city of Achethe. I think it was to the south of us, because I do remember going that way when I had decided I'd had enough of my village and wanted more adventure. I remember going there (I didn't have any idea where I was then) and I definatly didn't like it. It was too big, too crowded and very unpleasant for me. So as I was in an inn there, I had seen many people exclaiming about how one of the locals had found an island..and were going to live there.

An island? A *new* island..one where people would live. Crystal Shores. It sounded like paradise! I had to see this island, because I knew that if this island was just found, then adventure was too. I got a ticket on a boat who's captian said they would take people to the island...but they would be leaving it after we were dropped off. Fine with me, as long as I was able to go. The trip was long, and rather boring except for a few fights that broke out between the sailors *Grins*. We reached Crystal Shores...when my eyes set on the sands and trees I was almost breathless. So beautiful! There were a few people near where I was dropped off, and I'd heard them talking about the "Pleasure Dome". The Pleasure Dome, was like an inn to a city. They served drinks, people came to meet friends. My first day there wasn't uneventful, even though I had no one to talk to that day.

The rest is history. I decided to build my home here, to watch this island grow..times were hard...then they calmed when I found my love. They've gotten a bit hard again not just for me, but for the whole island. There have been many things I wasn't expecting such as the sharken, and other strange things that have happened. But we've all come a long way here, either by making ourselves stores, or by keeping the ones we love safe. My months here have been wonderful or they've been rotten, and for some reason..that pleases me. Im getting the adventure I wanted, in many more ways then just one. And for that, I am glad that the direction of my adventure has led me here..and kept me here.

*she lets the ink dry, and then moves off to bed with a soft yawn*

Tiger Goddess Lorinar.

Journal,
It has been quite awhile since my first day here on Crystal Shores. Lets see, the very first night I arrived... No, no.. lets back things up. The day I left for the Isle...

It was.. hmm, well, I can't remember the exact date I left, but it has been awhile ago. After the death of my fiancee, and the destruction of a place I called home on the mainland, I decided it was time to set out and adventure yet again. I had come across a man selling Dragons. Dragons!! So, I bought my dragon, and decided to see how far she would go. I crossed the ocean high overhead, amungst several journies back and forth, I had ran across an Isle, with a busy establishment. So I decided to check it out. Behold this place was no other! They had dancing cages with nude women!! NUDE WOMEN! Nothing like the mainland.

Upon my very fist visit, I saw two of my friends from the mainland, Lyrias, and Vixen. Not much to say other than I made a few more appearances and decided to stay. The rest is history....

~Lord Neo~

Dear Journal,

16 November..about two and one-half months ago, I came here. All I can say with full truth is, I've been productive in a business sense since I got here..but other than that, I've got nothing.

No friends but Alterio, and he is now my landlord more than anything else. No one special, no standing in the community but for being a merchant. And on a beautiful Island like this, it's sad. Sad waking up alone..sad retiring alone. Perhaps one day that will change, and change for the better. For I do not want a repeat of the past..

With little fanfare, I arrived after Alterio invited me in a scroll home, back to Achethe. First thing I did upon arrival was renounce my Achethian citizenship. I said because of duty to this new country..but truth be known, there's a price on my head, back home.

I truly didn't care if the Isle was full of roaches and disease: I needed a quick out from the Mainland. My social life, and my status degenerated into writing admittedly bad love poetry and trying to seduce women by the dozen.

I wooed many, but didn't know when to say when. I got Jillian into..trouble, and her father, Magistrate Rappaport, hired thugs to 'take care of' me.

I panicked. I'd have liked to have married her..ha, who am I kidding. I was scared to death. And flaming arrows shot through my home's windows, my guard dog Ezekiel beheaded, and my cousin Emil threatened and beaten in the street, I caved in. I grabbed Alterio's scroll, what little clothing I could carry, and set sail before sunrise.

The journey was hard, there is no denying that. Had I had the funds, I'd have flown over. But I got here, after falling ill on the trip, and here I will stay. I just yearn for pleasure in life. Perhaps I'm undeserving. I wonder how Jillian is..

: Puts the book aside, and at the late hour, goes back to the Meat Market to polish the cases. They're already immaculate, but he's just got nothing else to do.:

Journal Entry, 3 February, Lord Embrich Silverton.

*she sleeps peacefully now that all the troubles seem to be over, her dreams are about more pleasent things than before, this night she dreams of how she arrived on the isle.....

Rosalyn races her horse as fast as she can, never looking behind her, trying to get as far away from the village as she can. All nght she rides, desperate to get away from that terrible man, desperate to put behind her all of the memories. By morning, she is far from home,and nearly asleep in her saddle, but the terror of being caught keeps her going until she reaches a city. A city much larger than her own and much crueler too, she stays far away from the dark alleys and uses all but 20 pieces of her gold to get a room for the night. As she takes her dinner in the tavern she hears talk of a ship setting sail in the morning and its destination being a place where not many know of, certainly nobody from her village they tell her...

Rosalyn smiles, something she hadn't done since her grandmother died and she was placed in the situation she was now in. She doesn't waste a minute finding out where she can get a ticket and heads off to the docks right away to purchase one. As she reaches the ticket office, her heart nearly stops, the sign says they are all sold out. Desperation to get off the mainland claws at her brain, she begins to bang on the door, calling out to anybody who may be inside.

Several moments later a short man with graying hair opens the door " What is wrong Child? Have you lost your mother? " He smirks, Rosalyn fumes, she is 18, not a child any longer and her mother has been dead since the day she was born. " M'lord, I need a ticket on that ship, I must leave this place in the morning, I am not a child, nor is my mother with me, I am very much alone and I crave the safety of this island I have heard about, a very terrible man could be following me, and sir if I don't get on that ship, I'm to marry him and become a slave to what ever he wants..Sir, you must not let that happen, I have to get on that ship"

She lets out a breath, now having told somebody her problems, she doesn't wish to tell them agan, she looks at the man,hoping he will have some sympathy. The man looks her over, and then frowns " I can't leave you here if that is the case,I will squeeze you in somehow,but you must not tell a soul that I did that, it may ruin my reputation" She smiles broadly and hugs the older man " Thank you sir, I will see you in the morning" She hands him the pouch with the last of her gold and runs off towards the inn she is staying at.

The next morning she begins her journey, the voyage on the ship being her first and sea sickness coming quickly to her the first night, but nothing could bring down her hopes, not even the rain they encountered, or the high winds that scared her during the night. After many days and many close calls, the ship pulled up the the island of Crystal Shores and she somewhat wearily descended with her horse and her small amount of baggage.The scenary was beautiful and nothing like she had ever seen. Women on the docks dressed like none other she had seen before directed her to a place called the Pleasure Dome where she would find food, drink and a place to rest her feet. As she entered the dome, she met a woman who gave her food and something to drink, her name was Charquin.

The citizens of the isle whispered things about the approach of Sharken and out of protection she had to be escorted to the inn she was staying at by a rather handsome (egotistical) and polite (still trying to get into her bed, even after all these months) man, named Alterio..

At that moment Rosalyn is startled awake, not believing she could have ever thought that man to be kind or polite she shakes her head hoping the image is gone and drifts off back to sleep...

Well let's see...how did I come to this isle...I think I really should write all that down, you know. I mean, I am wonderful and EVERYONE will be clamouring to know everything they can about me. I'll be plastered all over the history texts as one of the great marvels of the world! I am the most beautiful creature to grace the globe, undoubtedly. I should leave something for people to remember me by.

Well now, I used to live in this lovely dale on the mainland. I had it all to myself, just the way I liked it. Flowers grew all over it, and there was plenty of sunshine. People came from far and wide to look on the wonder that is me! Then one day they stopped coming, and naturally this got me curious. I mean, what could possibly be more important than gazing upon a gorgeous creature? So I left my dale to go find out what was going on.

I flittered away, dressed in my finest, bound for the river to find my parents. But alas! They were gone! Everyone was gone! But they left a note behind for me. It read:

Dearest Clarity-Dawn,
You are our daughter and we love you. You are beautiful, and lovely, and have been given everything you ever wanted. And we have suffered the consequences. You have a rather strong love of yourself. You always get things your way. You spend an awful lot of our funds on things to make yourself even more lovely. It's difficult to keep up with your beauty needs.

Dawnie, it comes down to this. We need a vacation. And we think maybe you need an opportunity to manage the lands! Yes, you'd like that, wouldn't you? So all of us have left to let you take care of things on your own. We'll be back someday. Don't bother writing or anything. We're all fine and so glad you're finally out on your own.

Sincerely,
Mother and Father

Turns out being on my own was too hard. They took everything with them! Even the gold! I waited a whole three days for them to come back but they never did! I needed gold! I needed pretty things! I needed to find someone rich!

So I left my dale, since it was no fun there being all alone anyway, and asked around. And what are my little eavesdropping ears met with? Why, the best news ever! A very rich man called Carazzi had set out to colonize a beautiful tropical isle! Balmy atmosphere, lovely flowers...I was there! So I stowed away on a ship...a ship exporting sugar. Tee hee! It was a wonderful journey, though a little unsteady at times. I didn't much notice, in sugar delirium the entire trip. I burrowed into one of the sacks when we landed, and luck of luck, my sack and I were delivered to the Pleasuredome. I didn't really realize at the time, having consumed 1/4 of the sack in the interim. I was passed out...oh the sugar....mmmm....

I didn't wake until the next morning, when this hideous shemale named Sheri opened the sack and nearly scooped me into cake batter! Can you believe it? Scared half my life away, I swear it! A woman with facial hair is highly unnerving! In the midst of my screaming bloody murder, this toned, handsome specimen of a man ran in looking disgruntled. That's when I first met Alty...my almost-equal.

Now Alty's great, and he so obviously recognized my beauty and worth and awesome potential, so he took me in. Gold abound, and a job in Hospitality at his sordid little establishment. He adores me, of course, and I adore him. I mean, he's a gold mine! Who wouldn't? And he's not hard on the eyes either. Sharkskin skivvies....Ooweee!

Ahem...so that's how I ended up here, on this isle, gracing the citizenry with my loveliness. All bow and kiss my gorgeous toes! Try not to cry when I'm away. I'll always be back! Muah!