Letters From the West: Dealing Out Cohesive Thoughts On Reality

Dearest Bria –

Today, I will present to you a brief summation of my adventuring since I’ve moved to the west. First of all, my appearance has changed slightly since we last broke bread together. My long dark locks were getting in the way of my archery, so I’ve embraced a new style. I wear a ponytail, now. Ponytails are cool. In fact, so much has changed that I doubt you would recognize me at all. But I can assure you, I carry with me still my experiences from the past.

I travel always with companions. Most recently, Nona and Horn, Corudan and Eomer. In the past, I have traveled with Halabarad, and a host of the grey company, to say nothing of those in my kinship with whom I routinely fellow. I know not why I seek out these companions, for I often bring with me more trouble than they would have encountered alone. However, there have been times where I have saved them from the very clutches of death, and it’s during those times that our bonds grow stronger. Perhaps I simply don’t like traveling alone.

You would think that my travels would be fairly straight-forward and linear, but that is seldom the case. It’s all very wibbly-wobbly. Through various magic sessions, I have been able to witness some of the most historical times and places in Middle-Earth. I’ve seen the majesty of Durin’s great halls, the unearthing of a creature of shadow and flame, an oath sworn to Isildur, the hopelessness of attempts to reclaim Khazad Dum, the breaking of a most important fellowship, and the fall of a mighty captain of Gondor. In fact, if a mystical “reflection pool” is discovered in any region within the realm, the most historic battles of that area can be re-experienced by some witchcraft or other.

The enemies in the west are varied and deadly. Some are better to take head-on, while some are best avoided all together. The bugan mobs of Dunland reminded me not to move…nay, not even blink, should you not want to draw their nasty attention toward your company.

You’re probably wondering if all this adventuring is dangerous. Well, yes and no. While it is true that death seems to lurk around every corner, it seems that I have been able to cheat it up to this point. When my morale reaches its absolute lowest, I find myself regenerating once again into a hero of Middle-Earth, while only leaving a part of myself behind (usually in the form of battered equipment). That’s not to say that death is an impossibility, nor that my companions are always safe. Lorniel, in particular, stands out in my mind as a companion whom I desperately wish I wouldn’t have lost. But alas, such are the dangers of traveling with me.

I fear my note will not put you at ease. Then again, perhaps it’s not meant to. Most days, I feel much like fire – stand too close and get burned.

Your brother,

Braxwolf

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Braxwolf can be found on Twitter at @Braxwolf

or on Windfola, Talking About Radically Dysfunctional Item Settings