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This is what a real, qualified OBGYN will tell you about what women feel when they get an abortion

Dr. Willie Parker, who is trained as a gynecologist and OBGYN, is a hero for the pro-choice movement because he’s honest about the undiscussed aspects of getting (or not getting) an abortion. Watch how he gives a consultation.

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Amber Sphene

#28 - The Good, The Bad

Could not believe how many Sons of Svanir I ran into even before the sun rose. One punk was overlooking the Lionroad just waiting to blindside a traveler. Found a way around and gave him a little push over the edge. 

Its the little things in life you need to cherish.

Ugh.

Solitude Vale. This must be my punishment for pushing that Svanir over the edge earlier. It’s horrible how they corrupt these mountains. I can’t take on the whole camp, but I’ll make sure to give them hell as I sneak through.

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Amber Sphene

#27 - Preparations for the Far Shiverpeaks

The trade commons had everything I need to prep for this trip. Reimar is a master. He was able to fashion a “child’s” outfit to fit my frame and make it pretty fashionable to boot. Ulyn ensured that my blades were sharp. He also showed me an interesting technique to ensure that my blades wouldn’t stick to the scabbard while in the cold. 

The stories I hear about the Far Shiverpeaks are almost like the gossip I heard in Reach. Monster Icebrood driving out the bear-like Kodan. Snowstorms that can freeze you in an instant. Who can say which parts are true and which are tales to scare children into doing chores.

I will admit. I am afraid. It scares the shit out of me. I won’t have anyone to have my back. Lions Arch won’t be on the other side of the mountains. But I must do this. I must know.

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Amber Sphene

#26 - A New Journey

Jora was starting to get impatient in Reach. Some days she wouldn’t speak at all. I promised Rose and Lucretia I would write but they understood. Like Rose I need to spread my wings and find my own way. I might be gone for a very long time.

I decided to go back to Hoelbrak. After arriving I took some time. Its such a wonderful place. So many fascinating people building their own legend. One woman was perfecting the art of folding layers of metal on her swords. I’ll try to talk to her later, she was in the middle of forging and I know better than to distract someone there.

Afterwards I stumbled onto another Vigil recruiting center. I was expecting the same repeating lines as the one in Reach. But I started talking to Elisabet and she something unexpected. Jhavi Jorasdottir is in the Vigil, a descendant of Jora. She is fighting Icebrood in the far North, fending off Sons of Svanir and worse.

There’s no time to waste.

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Amber Sphene

#25 - A Strange Rumor

Some strange rumors are floating around Reach. People always talk, whispers about monsters in the sewers, the circus folk abducting children, real weird shit. This time its more concerning, its not what did happen but what is not happening. 

The Commander is missing. Kralkatorrik is dead and a new dragon took its place. Rumors say the Commander celebrated with their small guild but then just...disappeared. It’s been months. 

I don’t really get why everyone is freaking out. She went to Elona for months and no one heard from her. Everyone just seems to KNOW she’s missing. 

Went to the Vigil rep and even she kept giving me “that’s classified.” Classified and not false. Does that mean the Vigil has their doubts? The Pact without one of its greatest leaders. The Priory without one of the greatest minds. This could be bad. If I was a betting gal, I’d bet now would be the perfect time for an enemy to strike.

And once one crack in the armor shows, everything tends to fall apart. I worry for Tyria.

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Amber Sphene

#24 - Bow Training

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Amber Sphene - Journal

#23 - Catching Up

The last couple weeks have moved by so fast I haven’t even remembered my journal until now. It’s cringy to look back at all the things I wrote. I was so wrong about moms. 

Knocking on the door was so scary. I didn’t know what they would say, hell, even the thought of their faces ate me up inside. But as soon as the door opened Rose made no hesitation. She pulled me into a hug and cried. Then I cried. Lucretia came running downstairs so worried what was happening but quickly realized. She cried too. 

I don’t remember how long we stayed there.

That night at dinner Rose said she spend weeks looking for me. She took on some jobs for the Seraph tracking down bandits. Lucretia salvaged what she could from the smoldering ruins but most of the wares were lost. She spent weeks acquiring a new home and shop in the Ossan Quarter. They both did so much and I could tell how tired they were. Happy now that I’m home, but tired. 

I hope one day I can find someone that matches me like my moms are for each other. Not my opposite, but my compliment.

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Aowyn Iolite - Journal

#1 - The Commander

The mists. Kralk is gone and it’s finally starting to stabilize.

This place is still fascinating. So...contradictory and yet so connected. The real world, if I even should call it that, is getting better. People have hope, Aurene ascended. I didn’t imagine what she would become years ago. I still don’t fully believe what she is now. She has the power to truly change things. Change terrible things I’ve been apart of.

The mists echo events of the past. So somewhere out there is Trahearne. Somewhere out there is my echo. Trahearne, I miss you my friend. You understood best the burden I carry. Others just see The Commander. Not Priory Scholar, not Lieutenant, not even Aowyn. Just Commander.

I remember after defeating Zhiatan I pushed you to join the celebration. You were in Caer Aval, resting. I thought it was best for you to have fun and enjoy our accomplishment. But you know, that may be one of my great regrets. If I could go back, I’d just sit next to you. Sit in silence. Watch the tide lap against Fort Trinity. Those moments were too few.

This journey, this hell, its taken so much from me. Its no wonder I find the mists comforting. Here I’ve met so many great people. Flamboyant, interesting and dangerous, every one of them. But they don’t see the Commander like in Tyria. They don’t know what I’ve done. They just see me. 

They just see me... Hm. I’m not even sure I know me. Killed the god who blessed my birth. God into a spat with my idol, the goddess of Truth. I’ve helped my queen and country, then helped my Marshal and saved Tyria. But that’s not me. 

Those are just events. Like a leaf flowing downstream, I didn’t chose any of them. The current thrust problems on me time and time again. All I could do is stay above water. 

Barely stay above water.

But now I have Aurene. No...the world has Aurene. She can protect them. She can help them. I need time to figure out who I really am. I know I’m just hiding. I know the world’s problems won’t go away while I rest and recharge in the mists. 

I know. I’m just so tired. 

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Amber Sphene - Gallery

#22 - Going Home

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Amber Sphene - Dialogue

#21 - Homesick

The past couple weeks have been a lot of fun. I’m starting to get better with the sword and Jora is starting to tell me epic stories from her life. 

We stumbled upon a dolyak farm and as I was helping feed them, I was hammered with feelings of homesick. Like Lyot, my moms worked really hard. They weren’t anything special, Rose was a mercenary but has been taking less and less dangerous work. Lucretia and I would stay up all night listening to stories, and then Lu would get up before dawn to run the shop. They both worked so hard like the people at this farm.

*Amber slowly starts to cry.*

[Amber]: I'm such an idiot!

[Jora]: No, you are not. Making mistakes does not define a legend.

[Amber]: But I wrecked our life! Because I wasn't strong enough, because I wasn't good enough. And now I'm here. Alone. Feeding fucking dolyaks.

A few moments pass.

[Jora]: I had another reason for deciding to join with you and lend my powers.

Amber stares off into the distance. Responseless.

[Jora]: I spend a large portion of my life making up for past mistakes. Because I wasn't strong enough I lost my connection to Bear. Because I wasn't skilled enough, I lost my brother to Jormag. I know that feeling of lonelyness. That overwelming feeling that no matter how hard you try it will never be enough.

Tyria is a horrible place sometimes. But it also has so much good. Its easy to overlook how greatful a sculpture was for you defending years of their work. It's also easy to overlook the love your moms have for you when you made one mistake.

It takes courage to wield a sword, and it takes that same courage to own up to a mistake. I believe in you Amber, and I believe in the goodness of your moms.

With tears slowing, Amber stands back up. Up over this mountain lies Lions Arch. Within there a gate to Divinity's Reach. And within there sits two mothers worrying about their daughter and how they failed to protect her. All three feeling regret and wishing they could talk one last time.

She wipes away the final tears and imagines her home, staying up late laughing with her moms. She smiles.

[Amber]: Let's go home.

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Amber Sphene - Gallery

#20 - Exploring Lonar’s Pass

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Amber Sphene - Dialogue

#19 - Training with Dredge

Jora had me head south, she wanted to make sure I didn’t venture North because:

[Jora]: You are not Norn. Therefore, you will perish.

And that's all she would say.

After a while we stumbled upon a Dredge mine. These would be my first test with the sword. 

[Jora]: These Dredge will be a fine test. Approach them, they will try to kick you out. Notice these fascinating creatures. No eyes, but they still see the world better than men I know. Using my powers you'll eventually see the Mists in everything. It is part of the world, behind it, and yet completely separate. You must learn to sense the world on another plane.

Great, keep track of my center, keep foes at threat distance, AND tap into the world behind our world at the same time. Ugh, easy.

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Amber Sphene - Dialogue

#18 - Meeting Jora

Jora is well known throughout the homesteads I’ve come across. Many songs are sung and stories are told. She lost connection with her spirit guide Bear. She regained her honor by killing her corrupted brother Svanir. She was a master tracker and skilled with a sword and shield. Jora inspires me more and more as I hear her legend. She's so...

[Jora]: Thank you.

[Amber]: ...what?

[Jora]: I said thank you Amber.

[Amber]: So, so you're really Jora in my head??

[Jora]: I am.

[Amber]: Why haven't you spoke to me before? I always felt your presence but you never interacted with me. Just shouted during battle.

[Jora]: First you lived in Reach, a town of soft humans. They scheme and backstab, not worth my time or yours. Then you visited Asura, smarter but just as petty. I had almost given up until you decided to travel the Shiverpeaks. My home.

[Amber]: Oh. That makes sense.

A few awkward seconds pass.

[Amber]: Why did you decide to make a deal with me and give me your power?

[Jora]: I was surprised when a small human showed up in the middle of a mist battle. You were somehow unafraid and I was intrigued. What would you do if I gave you a sword to slay enemies, and a shield to protect your family? To my dissappointment your learning of the sword stopped as you became fixed on the mace and bringing of flames.

I look at my mace and my dull sword, heavy regret setting in.

[Amber]: I'm sorry. I thought it was just a dream.

[Jora]: You never believed that.

It's true. I didn't. But if the battle was real, what were the blue shapes Jora and I battled? My sense of determination returning.

[Amber]: Will you train me with the sword and sheild to be like you?

[Jora]: I appreciate your eagerness, but I doubt you are up to the challenge at the moment. We will start with only the sword. You cannot defend your family if you cannot kill your enemies.

Oh, I love Jora already.

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Amber Sphene - Journal

#17 - The Contract

I've never tried to articulate when I got my powers before. Never seemed relevant. But now that my spirit or whatever spoke more directly, it seems right.

My mothers and I used to live in Garrenhoff, but when the Toxic Alliance built the The Nightmare Tower and poisoned most waterways we fled to Reach. We hated it. Before we had so much room and could see the countryside. Now it was all cramped and stone walls. Rose would adventure around taking jobs for the Seraph and then helped Lucretia sell it at our shop. I liked helping my moms but I never fit in with other kids in our district.

It was like that until I was 16. That's when I had the dream and "met" my spirit. It's hard to describe, I vividly remember the dream but it was like looking through fog with cotton in my ears. I felt cold wind and heard the clashing of swords in some battle. I felt the danger but wasn’t scared, something filled me with confidence. I heard my spirit's voice clear as day:

"Best hurry, my friend, or there'll be none left for you!"

I don’t understand what happened next, I felt some kind of agreement occur between the voice and I. It would lend me power to turn the tide of the battle. And I wouldn’t be alone again. I picked up a sword and I charged at the large dark blue shapes. I fought with all my strength. I don’t know how long but eventually we won.

After I woke I still felt the magic agreement and found I can work with the voice to pull Flames from nothing. Eventually I learned more but that’s how it started. For a few years I kept it secret from my moms and things were going fine. Then some thugs attacked me outside our shop at night. Assholes. I lost control and burned our shop down. I know moms were ok as I saw them leave the house and they met my eyes. But I couldnt face them. I ran.

Moms, if you ever read this. I'm so sorry. Our life was shitty enough and I made it worse. I’m so sorry.

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Amber Sphene - Journal

#16 - My Spirit Speaks!

The voice in my head has spoken before but never in response to anything I’ve done besides directly calling upon my power. I was following the Lionroad north when I stumbled upon a sculptor that asked for protection while they repaired an old statue of someone called Jora. 

Sure enough, Sons of Svanir tried taking us both down. After they finally retreated, the voice in my head said “Thank you.” And that’s it. I’m not sure what that means. Thank you for defending this norn? Surely I’ve done that before. Thank you for helping defend this statue? That’s the more likely scenario, so it looks like I’ll need to look into who this Jora is, and her legend.

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Amber Sphene - Journal

#15 - The Mountain Views

The views here are amazing. I was walking along the mountainside and stumbled upon a secluded hot springs. The Shiverpeaks are cold as hell, but areas like this make it all worthwhile. Even if I discover nothing else about myself or the spirits, I will remember views like this forever.

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Amber Sphene - Journal

#14 - Jormag’s Whisper

Concerning development. I was warned leaving Hoelbrak about the Sons of Svanir and their devotion to the Elder Dragon Jormag. Didn’t take long for me to run into one. 

As I approached I could hear fair whisperings in my head. These spirits and now Jormag are starting to concern me. Could my power be from the Elder Dragon itself? But that wouldn’t make any sense. It only recruits brutish male Norn. Why would it lend its power to a female human?

I’m told there are minor spirits further into the Shiverpeaks so I’ll venture out and see if they have any more insights for me.