Tamaya's Song

[Tamaya]

I will use the words of this epic poem to describe the places I have been, the people I have seen, and the events I have participated in.

• Rowdy Arphen: In the Ilian city of Arphen, I was confronted by xenophobes. Roin, a swordsman of the plains, and Marric, an axe-man, helped me fight off the attackers and provided me caring company and true friends.
• Tending One's Wounds (support): Roin helped me recover from my injuries I sustained during the Arphen fight. We spoke of family, of duty, and of tribe. Roin and I both hold heavy burdens that we must bear.

• Touring the City of Heroes: In the City of Heroes, I met a young, loud girl named Harmonia and a quiet one named 'Kate'. I helped Harmonia find Kenshin, the famed Crimson Demon of Sacae. He told me: "Don't take anything for granted. Cherish every moment with those you love as if it was going to be your last." With this new advice in my mind, I set out for more travels.
• Injured and Near Death, Hunted Down like a Dog: My travels led me to Bern, where I found a woman named Lisa being attacked by bandits. I immediately jumped to her defense, and surprisingly, Kate from the City of Heroes and a new Shaman friend also arrived to help us. We were able to fight off all of the attackers and save Lisa.
• Through the Woods: Traveling through Lycian woods, I met Vaan the haunted Seer, Caim the Novice, and Orcleous the swordsman. Caim and Orcleous passed going one way, and Vaan and I continued in the other, managing to outrun a pack of vicious wolves. We arrived safely on the other side, with only minor injuries that Vaan healed.
• An Empty Quiver: In Pherae, I relaxed after the wolf encounter with Vaan. Luke, a friendly swordsman, conversed with me, and I reunited with Marric, who had helped me all the way back in Arphen. On our way to town, Merric, a mage, joined us, though he spoke little. We enjoyed a meal, and then all went separate ways.
• A Hot Springs Retreat: At a hot springs in Ilia, I relaxed. Though I spoke to no one, I saw two interesting men. One had a scarred face, and the other an interesting demeanor. The hot springs were quite relaxing.

• Ambassador: I helped Roin gather allies to defend the City of Heroes. Among them were Rosa, a swordswoman, Alizarin, a befuddled man, Vicktaria, a pirate, friend Harmonia, the odd man Orcleous, a Knight named Aethan, and a grizzled man named Feren. Although I am not confident in their abilities, I suppose I am grateful for every person who will aid us against the attack.
  
• Siege West (1): Gathering my clan and our defenders, I led a charge to repel a group of raiders. Their huge leader (Orland) made the attackers strong and gave them confidence, but with the help of Roin, Marric, a Wyvern riding knight, and a Shaman, we were able to repel their attacks. Two new allies, one with a frozen axe and one with the power of the sky's wrath, helped turn the tide of battle in our favor.
• Siege West (2): The battle continued, and a mass of evil gargoyles arose, summoned by Hargus the bandit King. Our old Wyvern-riding ally was joined by a new one named Wolf, and we fought together with the Shaman to defeat the abominations and bring peace to our plains.
• As the Arrow Flies: I rested in Bern following the Siege, and briefly met a traveler named Isaac.
• Troubled Times: Monsters born from the evil power of Hargus appeared in Lycia. I went to help kill monsters, but instead killed bandits who had made trouble for a young girl, Irisvielle. An older woman named Cefia also helped with her large axe. The battle went well, and we were victorious.
• Cold Steel: I approached a Lycian smith to have him craft me a bow of power. His assistant, Bee, assured me of her master's proficiency in smithing and I agreed to the contract. Mr. Johnson, the smith, set to work immediately. 

• Bow of Thunder: Upon my return to Mr. Johnson's shop, a thief attempted to steal my bow. Bee and I gave chase, and eventually hunted and trapped the robber in an alley. Though she tried to use my own new bow against me, I knocked her unconscious and recovered Mphezi-Manja, holding my bow of Thunder for the first time.

• To Soothe the Soul: Still in Lycia, I met a man named Tiz trying to rescue a girl named Nyroshea who had been captured by slavers. We fought off the evil men and then discussed our instincts, our values, and our outlooks on life.
• Facing the Past (support): Tiz and I discussed our heritage. He too was of the Cathecassa, but had left in order to pursue his own dreams and ambitions. The weight of his choice still bothered him, but I assured him of the forgiveness and the welcoming nature of our tribe.

• Burgling Bulgar: I helped Siegfried, a mercenary, apprehend a thief who was stealing from the merchants of Bulgar. The leader of Siegfried's mercenary company, Ulfric, offered me a brief stay working with them, and I agreed in order to see more and earn coin.
• Thunder Road: On the plains, a young mage named Alex was attacked by bandits. I used Mphezi-Manja's power to defeat the attackers and we rode off. Alex sought to become strong, and I agreed to let him travel with me for a time, until we reached another city.
• Birth of the Tempest: The Cathecassa clan assembled to meet Selibas, the Little Wolf, who was trying to unify the tribes against the Etrurian invasion. Many Sacaeans of other tribes, like Duma, who I realized I had seen at the hot springs, Yaen, a quiet swordsman who seemed very old in spirit, Luca, a young lancer, Altani, another tribe's lancer, and Chelsea, a Ranger whom I admired greatly. We attempted to set aside our differences and come together to fight for our land, to repel the invaders from our soil.

• Checkpoint: In the city of Bulgar, I met Naran, a myrmidon of the Batkuyag tribe. We discussed the great city of Bulgar and our weapons. I shared with Naran how I had grown closer to Mphezi-Manja, and how we continued to grow together.
  

• Tried and True: Outside of Bulgar, I practiced my archery, and was greeted by a fellow nomad, Arasen, who was of a different tribe. He was a decent archer, though I could see his technique lacked refinement and practice.
• The Hunt for Purpose: I met Quineve, a Cleric of Elimine, in Bulgar. We discussed the state of the world briefly, and then shared a meal over which we discussed our pasts and our potential futures. We discovered that we shared much in common, and rejoiced in finding a new friend in each other. Together we will ride to the Cathecassa so that she may meet the tribe, and so that I may show my people that Etruria itself is not the enemy, only those who ride to take the plains.

• Amid the Herd (support): Quineve and I traveled to meet my tribe, the Cathecassa, and we assimilated her into our culture so that she might be more able to understand us. It was an eye-opening experience for both her and my tribe, and I believe it brought us closer together.
  

• In Search of a Treasure: Ongoing Justin

[Tamaya]

Name: Mphezi-Manja (Lightning-Hands)

Magic: Anima

Tome: Thoron

Physical Description: Tamaya's bow of lightning is a finely crafted artwork, made of wood and ivory, with metal where needed. The majority of the weapon is rowan wood, sanded and polished to a dull gleam. Ivory runes are inlaid on the bow, giving it a unique and 'mottled' appearance. The bend is more gradual, and so the bow itself is larger, thicker, and heavier than a normal iron bow. The grips on the bow, and the points at which the string is connected, are made of a strange alloy Mr. Johnson called 'adamantite,' as are the heads of the arrows he forged to accompany the bow.

Personality: The bow is interestingly matched with its wielder. While Tamaya prefers to watch before striking, to look for opportunity, and to avoid unnecessary risk, Mphezi thrives in situations of danger. The bow loves the thick of battle, and seems almost to grumble when it is used for mundane tasks like hunting game. Nevertheless, the bow does appreciate Tamaya's penchant for careful aim and accentuates her accuracy, even as it challenges her to throw herself more fully into battle.

When excited, the bow crackles, and when it is particularly engaged in battle or itching for a fight, electricity will visibly mass on the wood, sparking and arcing by the string. When upset, the bow is eerily silent and still, and seems almost sullen, like a pouting child.

Origin: Mphezi-Manja was crafted by the smith Mr. Johnson for Tamaya, with assistance from his apprentice Bee. Initially, the bow was stolen immediately after its construction, but was recovered by Tamaya and Bee without harm to the weapon. As such, it does not possess the 'storied past' of many magical weapons.

Post Count Obtained: 100