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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 6, 2005 9:45:43 GMT -7
When I was six years old my mother sent me to live in another clan. She dressed me in traveling clothes and we rode for what seemed to be many hours from Byrendell to a town called Cloven Pines......
This is going to be a work in progress so please bear with me.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 6, 2005 14:43:51 GMT -7
When I was six years old my mother sent me to live in another clan. She dressed me in travelling clothes and we rode for what seemed to be many hours from Byrendell to a town called Cloven Pines. Once at the town we went immediately to the Inn, handing off our horse to a groomsman in the street. We entered there-in and I scrambled to keep up with my mother as we climbed the huge staircase. I stumbled down the hallway behind her hiking my skirts just enough to keep from tripping on the hem. She quietly rapped on one of the doors in the long hallway and a tall, strong looking man opened the door. "You will take my daughter and raise her in your clan as your own, as we agreed upon?" He nodded. And my mother then handed him a small satchel of dark blue velvet, tied with a golden cord. "This should pay for her care. She must have tutors. You understand?" Again he nodded. Then mother bent over me, caressing my face and hair. "I must leave you in this man's care, Kaytee. Uncle Belz will treat you as his own daughter. I must go now. I am sorry my sweet." She turned and walked rapidly down the hall. The tears began to fall down my face as I realized I was being abandoned. I ran after her. " No Mama. Do not leave me. Do not leave me!" She quickly turned and glanced at me, I could see her eyes were reddened and wet, she was about to say something but turned back instead, disappearing quickly down the stairway. I collapsed on the floor sobbing. This was the worst day of my life. Everything I knew and loved, gone. I screamed to lord Chaos of whom I had been taught stories since infancy to come and save me. Uncle Belz picked me off the floor in a bundle and brought me into the small room where I was inconsolable for hours and where my life would change in ways inconceivable to my young brain.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 6, 2005 23:47:29 GMT -7
Sullen and silent, on the long trip to 'Uncle' Belz estate, north west of the town of Cloven Pines, I thought of nothing but escape and prayed to Lord Chaos for a rescue and dreamed of my mother coming to get me, full of remorse for having left me, and taking me home with her again.
But that was not to be. Months passed and I began to take interest in the lessons taught to me by the tutors hired as promised and enjoyed the out side hobbies such as archery and falconry. I even had my own pony that I was allowed to ride.
The estate was a large one with many peasants working the land. The clan had many members and they were often on the estate for large tournaments and bazaars with colorful tents and exotic animals to entertain us children. All this activity kept me busy but I had a vague feeling of emptiness despite my young years.
One day, as I was practicing my archery skills and I think I must have been about twelve at this time, I heard a rustling in the forest as I pulled my arrows out of a tree that I had been using for target practice. I looked around and seeing nothing, began to walk back to the open meadow. But then I heard someone whispering my name.
"KayTee."
I stopped, startled because I knew that voice although it had been many years since last I heard it. "Mama! Oh Mama!" Could this be a dream? Then she stepped into plain view and I could see her, more beautiful than I had remembered her.
"My darling child." And the tears were flowing down her cheeks and mine too as I ran to her arms.
"Oh Mama, I missed you so. Why did you leave me with these people?" "I can not tell you everything. Not yet. But I had to leave you here because of the Wars."
I was puzzled because up until that moment I knew nothing of any wars. Nor would I have been able to imagine how my future would affect those wars and the destinies of so many.
But I get ahead of myself.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 8, 2005 1:38:19 GMT -7
Mother continued to pay me these rather clandestine visits for quite some time. Always she would appear out of the shadows when I least expected it and always she brought food; cookies or cake, maybe cheese or fruit. We sat and talked about every thing imaginable. One day she brought a small leather bound book. The pages were thick parchment and it was tied round and round by thin leather ribbons. The cover was tooled ornately and my name and our clan insignia was engraved in gold.
I unwound the ties and opened the exquisite book to find that all the pages were blank. I looked up at mama puzzled.
"I am going to teach you magic and you will write the spells in this book. You must keep it with you always."
So began my lessons in magic. Many of the spells were to0 strong for me to cast. But I read them over and over and in the evening alone in my room with just a small lamp burning I began to draw elaborate illustrations on each page in anticipation for the day when I would be able to cast the spells.
Shortly thereafter, on a ride into town, I saw a raven on the side of the road, injured. Its wing appeared to be broken. I dismounted and walked over to it. Surprisingly, it did not seem afraid of me. I touched it lightly, and closing my eyes repeated a healing spell I had learned, over and over, until I was nearly faint from exhaustion. The bird began to recover and looked at me as if with gratitude and flew up into a nearby tree. It began to caw loudly, but to my ears it sounded like KayTee! KayTee! It seemed to me after that, the bird was always nearby even when I had the peregrine hunting with me. I began to accept it as my totem and it returned the favor I had given it many times over by frightening predators or showing me the way home when I was lost.
"We are going on an adventure, KayTee," my mother told me one day on one of her secret visits.
"But they will miss me on the estate, will they not?" I protested.
"We must go. It is important," she told me.
Besides her own horse she had brought another. I mounted it and we rode for many hours and finally arrived at a town I had never seen before.
"welcome to Slyythera," the sentry at the gate nodded to Mama as we entered the town. I kept my head down and the hood of the riding cloak pulled over my face as we made our way to the Inn.
We stayed there the night. It was a noisy boisterous place and I heard talk of dragons and elves as we dined in our little corner. But most of all for the first time, I heard talk of the war. And of Lord Chaos and Grimm. I shuddered, for I knew it was Grimm who had sealed our master, Lord Chaos in the volcano long ago.
Next morning mother and I continued our journey south along a narrow, winding, mountainous road. It was here for the first time I saw actual dragons! We rode quickly by them and they did not seem too interested in following us. I knew they were just young dragons by their luminous pale colored hides, the scales just beginning to show color. On a couple of occasions we were in the path of their fiery breath but we were moving fast enough to avoid any real damage.
At last we came to a doorway in the side of the mountain where we dismounted our horses and left them outside. Before us was a magnificent entrance with huge columns on either side. We entered as if by magic and found ourselves in a grand room with a row of columns on either side and torches on the walls, dimly lighting the interior. Mother reached up and took one down and I followed behind her as we entered a narrow hall.
We entered another large room and that was when I saw it. The most magnificent beast I had ever seen! A grown dragon! It towered high above us, its coat was green and its eyes were red fire. It lumbered heavily to wards me, its tail dragging noisily behind. From the corner of my eye, I saw mama step away.
They say at the moment just before death, your life flashes before you. That is not true. You see the final seconds with amazing clarity, as if each action was in slow motion and separate from the last, yet also all at once and instantaneous.
I stood in front of the behemoth, frozen with fear. A huge funnel of flame and boiling acid poured down upon me. I tried to recite the spells I knew to heal myself, but mostly I just prayed to Lord Chaos to rescue me from this fate. Funny, I know, but my last thought was, "I will be sixteen tomorrow."
And then everything went black.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 10, 2005 13:08:16 GMT -7
"KayTee."
I opened my eyes and slowly focused on the face above mine. His skin was pale opalescence, almost other worldly, his hair was colorless and his eyes were blue ice. I startled, frightened by his appearance.
"KayTee, will you serve me in my army of the undead?"
I was barely able to nod. "Chaos?"
"Choose to serve me and I will ressurect you into my army of the undead."
"Yes." "Oh yes, oh yes!" I repeated inside my head.
"You must promise, not to use your spell book. Never. Can you promise me that?"
Again I nodded.
He lifted me carefully, and my next memory is of waking in my bed at the Inn in Slyythera, my mother holding my hand and looking down on me.
It was then that I learned what being undead meant and why I was abandoned.
"It is for a greater purpose, my sweet," she told me. I nodded but but my inner feelings of trepidation were always with me.
Being undead was not so bad. My skin changed from the freckled rosiness of youth to a pale transluscence. Perhaps not so strangely, I found I was avoiding the sun as much as possible. In sports such as archery and fencing, I excelled. I was faster and stronger than I ever imagined. Sometimes I just ran and ran for what seemed like forever just to get the feeling of freedom that I felt when doing so. I noticed other things too. I could see farther and I memorized whole books at one reading.
One thing I did and Chaos forgive me for it, but every night I opened my spell book. I read the spells over and over, and touched the illustrations I had put there. I had such an unsettled feeling of longing. I would then close it and wrapped the ties round and round it once again and put it under my pillow as I slept.
Life went on thusly, for some time. I had my hobbies, my horse that I learned to ride well, my falcon, and the raven always nearby when I left the castle. Despite my pale appearamce, I was very strong and I was doing well with my studies.
Maybe two years had passed in this idyllic manner. My Uncle was a follower of the wizard Grimm but not a zealot and my mother had secretly told me of how Grimm had betrayed Chaos and had trapped him. I had no love of Grimm but kept these feelings to myself.
Then one day my Uncle came to tell me I would be going to another clan. It was a Light clan, as followers of Grimm were called. And quite frankly to my mind cult- like in their unreasonable devotion.
"No, please no," I begged of him.
When I told my mother, later, on one of her visits, she nodded. "You must go, Kayt, it is part of the plan for you; Part of Chaos plan, you must do it." I must make it clear here that Uncle Belz, had no knowledge of mother's true agenda.
Relunctantly, I packed my things and prepared for the trip. And I was given a disgustingly sweet name. "It will help you fit in," I was told.
That was when I became Spark*le.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 14, 2005 23:47:57 GMT -7
Forgive me if I ramble a bit, there is a lot of information that I must try my best to organize. As I mentioned on a previous page, my name was changed to Spark*le. Admitting to that, even at this late stage may prove dangerous to me but I promised myself I would tell the whole story. Yes, there was a war. My mother's clan and the clan I was sent to were at war. A war of darkness against the light; Grimm against Chaos; a war of ideologies and faith; a long fought war that began many years before my birth. Now these were not the only two opposing clans but definitely the strongest. The war was fought as much by subterfuge and espionage as by actual battle. Remember this was an ongoing lengthy war. And one in which my mother held such conviction of her belief in the cause, that I was given to serve Lord Chaos at early childhood. My education held me in good stead as I was given work as an amanuensis for the clan chiefs. This was pleasant enough work. I took dictation and copied out manuscripts and decrees. I was well enough liked and began to become privy to sensitive information. I was often allowed to deliver some of the messages myself as important information is kept more confidential the fewer hands it is in. I worked in this way for many months. All the while keeping it secret my service to Lord Chaos. I began to hunt at night, especially when I was staying in the more remote towns such as GloomyVale, the Boar and Skewer or Nachtsberg. I must confess, sometimes the blood lust became so overwhelming that I preyed on the dregs of humanity such as were found in the bogs south of GloomyVale, to quench my thirst. Previous to that it had always been animal blood that I would seek. And I was getting stronger. Few could rival me with a sword. Or a bow for that matter. It was around this time that the incident happened. The one that would make me hate and vow vengeance forever on the 'light'. I was hunting alone in the forest west of Slyythera, and as always the raven was nearby. I was stalking a timber wolf as the pelts were very valuable and sought after. I came across a one of my 'clan mates' who asked if he could join the hunt. I nodded my assent and we went about tracking the wolf. The raven, was used to these hunts and when it spotted the wolf would dive at it to distract it and its screaming and cawing would alert me of the wolves location. After taunting the wolf and seeing me arrive, the bird would sit up in the branches of a tree still causing a ruckus. On this day, both I and the clan mate arrived upon the wolf and the raven almost at once. But I arrived seconds too late. I came on the scene, only to witness an arrow pierce through the the neck of the raven and pin it in death to the trunk of the tree it was perched in. It happened so quickly as to be incomprehensible to me for a few seconds. I stood their immobile, my beloved pet, its body hanging limp, and lifeless before me. I screamed and ran after the murderer and pounded on him with my fists, yelling my hate and my vengeance. At last, spent, I fell to the ground sobbing. He laughed at me, haughtily, "Why do you cry over that filthy bird? Those creatures are nothing but disgusting servants of Chaos!" I wiped the tears from my face with palms of my hands. I looked at him with hate; utter and complete. "As am I," my voice almost inaudible. That day I avowed two things. Never again would the enemy or anyone else see me fall apart and one day, no matter how long it took, the so-called light would pay for their arrogance.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 17, 2005 14:10:09 GMT -7
Time passes quietly, I went on working in my capacity as glorified secretary and messenger for the clan for many months. During this time, while out walking in the volcano, I was daydreaming a bit, and ended up pinned against the wall by two lesser dragons. It seemed as if they were laughing at me in the seconds that passed before the fire and acid rained down and gripped my soul in blackness. Once more I was to awaken to look into the pinched face of our Lord Chaos. But this time he asked me, "Would I serve him as a lich? Was I ready?" It was like a silent voice, heard only in my head. No, I don't think so. I shook my head. "Will you continue to serve in my army of the undead?" I nodded, yes. Again, I awoke to find myself in my bed in Slyythera, my mother, standing over me with my gear in hand. " You will soon be ready." She smiled. It was not long after that, I discovered something so terrible, so utterly dispicable and detestable that to this day it disrurbs me to the point that I can not discuss it. The lies that were written were just as damaging to the author, as to anyone about which they were written. I did not know what to do with this information. At first I showed it to a few clan chiefs and at last to my mother. Of course mother was distresssed that even an enemy could be so cruel. Followers of the Grimm, if you have any feeling that this 'light' clan had honour, let me now disabuse you of that notion. What happened at last would change the face of my world as I knew it and that of many others as well. Mother insisted on taking the documents. "You, must leave here, Kayt. Pack your bags. Get your horse and ride to Stumpy's. Stay there until I send word. Do you understand?" So, I was sent away. I spent my days in solitude. One day a messnger arrived for me. He had news of my mother. It seemed she had gone to Grimm herself with the papers. He was incensed. He struck down and banished the leaders of his clan of worshippers and imprisoned them as he once had our LordChaos. Hearing this, Lord Chaos, took mother and disappeared into the abyss that is the crypt. The two opposing clans had no leaders. Both sides were hastening to recoup. YaWn, a long time clan captain had restructered the ranks of CTC, and and all were coming together under his leadership. He wanted to know, "would I join?" I quickly scratched out a reply on the bottom of the message. "I am ready." That night when I let the dragon take my life and Lord Chaos came to me as he always had, I accepted his offer to become lich. "KayTee," I was looking into the iinscrutable face of Chaos, "take this name I give to you and the spirit of the raven will always be your totem. Remember the legends of the power of a name." And that was the day I became RAIVEN.
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Post by RAIVEN on Jan 2, 2006 14:42:53 GMT -7
Please forgive my long absence, Faithful Reader. Today marks the beginning of a new year and a new era I am sure. Captain yaWn has been on sabbatical...wizards are so.....eccentric sometimes. He appeared at Christmas, briefly, bringing well wishes and just as quickly disappeared. I swear he is a shapeshifter....sometimes I imagine he is a dragon I see when travelling deep in the volcano. It is frightening but also fascinating to me. I wonder will I ever have his power? Maybe not. Power can steal your soul.
In his absence the General has once again taken control of the Clan. We grow strong and a certain excitement bristles within. I miss Mother deeply but have accepted that she will stay always with Lord Chaos.
I had a dream and in it I stood alone and in darkness. The floor that I stood upon began to glow, subtly, warmly, a dull orange-red, like coals in the hearth. Then I felt it rise, slowly, and when it did I found myself in another room. There were large pillars in long rows on either side and torches, hung on the walls, lit the room dimly. The floor was a mosaic of granite and marble, highly polished and intricately designed.
I looked up and I saw him. It is always in a dream he appears. Or death. Lord Chaos.
He was standing at the top of a wide flight of stairs. I thought I might faint, but I did not. He held out one hand and I began to climb the stairs. I climbed and I climbed, but did not seem to get anywhere. Lord Chaos was waiting patiently hand still outstretched, inviting and I climbed and climbed. I looked into his face, (I could see it clearly despite the distance) and it was blank...
I heard a voice...It was Grimm, I knew it although I had never before heard him speak.
"Never give up."
Lord Chaos help me. What could this all mean? Of course that is when I awoke.
Well I leave you, kind reader, to ponder all this. It grows late and my candle burns low.
May your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons. Good night.
__________________
#paladin#
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Post by RAIVEN on Feb 3, 2006 1:23:49 GMT -7
Dearest Reader,
I sit tonight with my prized spellbook in my hands and I have it open so as to view my lists of spells. Every page is now illuminated as I spent long hours late at night under the faint glimmer of candle light drawing the intricate letters and illustrations. Large letters are outlined with gold ink that were painstakingly laid down with a quill sharpened with a small knife. On every page are drawings of ravens. Somehow these illustrations have become more than just pictures. The book of magic is magic. Of course I know every spell by heart having cast them over and over many many times.
And I have grown stronger.
Do you know what the Morrighan is? I believe I have become her. The raven was given me as a totem by chaos. But I am the raven as well. The shape-shifter. It's not a dragon. I do not have the power of my lich- mentor and Captain, yaWn. Not yet.
Today I completed the requirements for level 12 honours. And yaWn who has been absent these many months, appeared. Honestly, kind reader, he frightens me sometimes.
I have fought the dragons. Sometimes I see Lord Chaos as I dance their dance and its not just the dragon who is entranced by the rhythm, but myself as well. I am the dragon and he is I. The magic flows between us and all knowledge of each is in our souls. We both know the dance will not end till one of us dies. Sometimes I believe the dragon is Lord Chaos; sometimes I believe for just one minute he is my lich-mentor. I do know this: each felled dragon makes me stronger.
I know also, this power makes mortals wary, if not actually fearful.
The General has taken us all to a wonderous city high in the mountains surrounded by glacial waters that glimmer like sapphires. Demons live here and dark clerics practice their arcane magics. Their dark spells are now written in my book of spells. They are surly characters, who would just as soon leech your life as not but they too can be 'persuaded'.
Out on a walk with clan brother, DocDeath and trusted friend CatDrgn we spotted the the lava flows that are evident from the shores of one the rivers. What a sight this was late at night!! The stars twinkling down on us, the moon reflected in the dark waters, and the soft red glow of the lava, like flowing coals.
Once again my light burns low and I must close. I have many stories to tell of bravery and honour of my brothers and sisters but for now I must say good night.
May your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons.
__________________
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Post by RAIVEN on Mar 1, 2006 1:03:34 GMT -7
Near the town of Xian a nasty demon lord lives on the bridge that goes into the town site. His evil brother lives on another bridge-to-nowhere just north of there. Dark clerics, who wander the area, are schooled in the black arts and will easily devour your soul. Instilled in the citizens of this town are many strange and fascinating superstitions. Strange stone statues that have been imbued with life by the clerics, wander the bridges and the lands looking for blood to sustain their wretched lives. Small devious imps are everywhere. Sometimes they even get into the houses and Inn like some predatory stray cat. People who live here say they wait for you to sleep and suck your breath away, never to wake up. On one of the bridges is a gargoyle, a warrior, cursed to live unmoving in one place but destined to observe and guard the bridge for eternity. Myself and many clan mates have spent many months living here and learning the customs of the denizens of this isolated village. One of their great customs is a wondrous carnival. It is year end and the lunar year does not equal the solar year and days are added to their calendar. During this time it is believed all souls are free to wander the earth. Some may be benevolent but many more are evil. Also during this time caravans of merchants, street entertainers, traveling troupes of muscians, jugglers, fire eaters, sword swallowers, tight rope walkers and harlequins come to town. Colorful tents are set up and you may purchase exotic items from faraway places; have your fortune told; listen to the story teller; watch amazing feats of daring; or be awed by magic. There is a huge colorful parade and in evening Chaos' Grande Ball. Our household had already received invitations many weeks prior. Everyone is required to wear masks and costumes or formal attire. My hand maiden, SharKey, and I have traded places. She is wearing my new best gown and I, a slightly more modest confection. Thus I have more freedom from the restraints of strict etiquettte. As does all of our party for trading places with your servant is a custom. We arrive at the party and are announced by our clan name but our own identity remains hidden. Sharkey is soon flirting with one of the gentlemen. I see a telltale tail dragging on the floor. BarnCat no doubt. I cover my face with my fan so as not to give away my recognition and amusement. I chuckle to myself as I watch her look of bewilderment as he regales her with stories and puns of his adventures. I see a group of warriors from my clan, they are wearing clan insignia but the masking makes them hard to identify. I nod and quickly curtsey as I pass them. I join a group of ladies, some are townfolk and some clan sisters. We chat about the excitement of carnival and about the new auction house we will have. And this new thing- A post office. We nearly swoon, with fear as Starry tells about her and the General's adventures trying to tame a foul demon like none before seen, who guards a passageway to a mysterious and magnificent new land near the town of Bal 'Tor. Dressed in Captain yaWn's best attire and of course masked as well, is Minion. He stands next to me and whispers felicitations in my ear. I smile and whisper back, "I know you minion. Remember? I too am the shape-shifter. Not only your master has the gift. I see things, as they are." I curtsey and smile and move on. The Minion although a faithful servant to the Captain, worries me. A tarot reader is moving through the crowd doing tricks and giving fortunes. I watch her,and am soon joined by PureBish, Wylddrgn, and Fury. I recognize them immediately by their laughing, and teasing. The dancing had started and I am mesmerized by one couple on the dance floor. Their movements were like magic. I saw the clan insignia on the gentleman and knew he was part of the brothehood. Then as he whirled his partner around I recognized Spunkie. I smiled. No wonder. I had been told they were like that in battle. Each reading the other as if they were dancing together. The evening progresses and I continue to observe in cognito and at last, as night gives way to dawn, I go to collect SharKey to proceed back to the Inn. I see her exactly where I had left her hours ago, laughimg at the antics of BRD, YeloSno and Crom. "Have you been stuck in this same spot all night, Sharkey?" "No madame! Indeed I have been well entertained by these gentlemen. We have seen the fire eaters and all sorts of wonderful things." I laughed at the looks on the 'gentlemen's faces as they came to realize the slight deception. Then both of us began to giggle and laugh uncontrollably. "Come SharKey, time for us to go home." Arm in arm, we found our way back to the inn still laughing as she related her adventures of the evening. In tribute to New Orleans Mardi Gras________________
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Post by RAIVEN on Mar 19, 2006 23:35:30 GMT -7
I had been staying for some time at the Inn at Stumpy's Outpost and spending my days hunting the young dragons and lizards that inhabit the mountains nearby. I feel the magic from Chaos getting stronger everyday, both within myself and in his creatures. The dragons become nightgatherers after dusk. I have seen and fought the night killers as well.
As I return towards the Inn after a long day of hunting, laden with the luminous skins of the young dragons and the heavy pelts of the lizards, it seemed eerily quiet. Although it is often desserted, there are always creatures clinging to the town wall. I approach cautiously and I see all around the castle walls, the dead bodies of dragons and lizards and bears. Near to the gate, I almost trip over a dead imp. Then I see a lowlying green gas, like a morning fog on the moor and I find myself standing in it but not for long as the heavy load slips from my back and I drop to blackness and never feel the ground.
I awaken and fight against a force that I can not yet see, but can feel it pushing me down. My legs are heavy and I am in pain but I am fighting to orient myself and free myself from the grip of this unknown thing.
"RAIVEN, stop! I am trying to help you."
I momentarily relax and try to focus on where the voice was coming from.
"Chaos?"
"No, RAIVEN, you did not die. Chaos is not here. You were merely overcome by death cloud."
Deathcloud?
I look around and see that I am in my own room at the Inn but I do not recognize the gentleman looking down on me and who seemed confident that I would not lash out at him again.
"How did I get here, Mr. um...?" I asked of him and did not recognize him at all.
"I found you unconscious by the gate and brought you to the Inn. The Inn keeper graciously assisted me as he recognized you right away."
"How is it you did not succumb to the green gas as well?"
"I covered my face with a damp cloth. It worked well enough to bring you to safety."
"Thank you but you have not introduced yourself, Mr....?" I try my most disarming smile.
"Hyena. But there is no mister. I just am. No past. Maybe no future. I just exist in the present. And when I am on gone so shall your memory of me be."
I hear a cawing at my window and see one of my ravens there. His head is bobbing and his eyes are brightly reflecting the morning sun light. "Hello little one." He tilts his head at me quizzically as I speak to him and I turn my head back to my room and have no recollection whatsoever of the previous night but I see piled high on a table the pelts of many dragons and lizards.
"I must take those to the shopkeeper today, little one." I say smiling at my pet.
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Post by RAIVEN on Mar 29, 2006 16:17:39 GMT -7
Dear Reader,
The watery town of Xian Ra, long the retreat of fallen clerics, demons and imps has historically been regarded as a town of mystery and superstition. To get here is an arduous journey, not for the faint of heart, across many bridges, some very narrow, broken and treacherous. Many travellers take a swashbuckling style and fight every enemy in their path, others prefer a more evasive technique and avoid having the enemy even see their approach. Either way, death is always just a breath or misstep away.
It has long been rumoured that it was to here that the wizard Grimm came, after falling from the favour of Lord Chaos. Others claim it was the mountains. The clerics themselves are not talking.
The clerics deal in dark magics. So much so that, magic is the main commodity here. Some of that magic is easily for sale. Some you can learn by experience. The rest remains a secret well kept.
Chaos has granted them (the clerics) special privilege and they control two Demon lords that guard the bridge into their compound. Two hired necromancers, themselves very powerful magi keep watch at the one entrance into the area.
The clerics also control an army of Golems that they create by breathing life into stone statues; a disposable army of pure unthinking brute force.
Here, magic and superstition have taken on a life of its own. They are commodities traded in and used to subjugate those whose resistance is low.
Travellers come here, stay for awhile, try to exploit the weak for their magic and take back souvenirs of magical armour and weapons. Vague tales of are told of mysterious seafaring dragon hunters who once resided here and left a legacy of armour and weapon making, known only to the few.
Dear Reader, as you know, I was born into the service of Chaos. I am one of Chaos' Own. I have been accepted to and serve faithfully in his army. I too, am a being of magic. My powers long ago surpassed those of the clerics from whom I learnt much, despite their reticence to share all their knowledge. I have also learnt to outwit them in many ways.
I am slipping ever further into darkness. My brief mortal existence is a memory so faded, I think sometimes it was a story I read as a child, separate and different from myself.
Daily, the darkness pervades my soul, and I wonder will I be punished for following the path of the Master who has shared his dark secrets? I know that those who have displeased him have been dealt with harshly.
Sometimes at night, I awaken screaming at unspeakable horror and yet, it is not Chaos or his minions that causes this fear.
I have seen the venality and greed in the mortal soul. I have seen mortal kill mortal for nothing more than a few pieces of gold. I have seen them cheat, steal and lie. And yet I am called heart of darkness.
My Master shows no mercy and the Brotherhood does not tolerate faithlessness.
And I begin to wonder where does the darkness really lie?
Dear Reader I must close for now, may your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons
*With some apologies to Joseph Conrad
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Post by RAIVEN on Apr 7, 2006 21:14:21 GMT -7
The Balor Hunt Gentle Reader, Thank you for your kind compliment of reading these stories. I have become quite accustomed to the secluded lifestyle one leads while living in the island town of Xian Ra. But I sometimes feel like the Lady of Shallot while sequestered here. Of course I am neither helpless nor do I have a curse cast upon me. I look about me with my own eyes and not indirectly through a mirror. Still, even when the town is crowded with warriors and wayfarers, there is that deep, uneasy feeling of isolation. Hunters and merchants come and go but for the most part it is quiet. We patrol the perimeter for enemies regularly and a good looting party on the Shade Demon lord is quite a profitable venture. Of course I can hunt on my own but it is always fun to have the company of other warriors. And I have advanced another healer level in my magic powers! Feeling, the need for a bigger city I recently travelled back to Byrendell. My horse very nearly flies on the trail now, we know it so well. Here at Byrendell, they have the big Auction House so I had my servant, SharKey put some items up for sale. I found an excellent weapon for her as well, which saved me the trouble of having to make the journey to Bal Rak. She seems determined, at last to follow the path of a warrior but she is adamant she will remain mortal. Well Lord Chaos has mortal followers, but they do not serve in his elite corps. Nevertheless many mortals who follow him are elite warriors. While having a simple bite to eat and a pint of the excellent ale brewed in the pub, I happened to encounter by chance, the clan General. After the usual pleasantries, I entreated upon him to accompany me on an expedition to kill the Balor demons, to which he agreed. Having never before fought them, I had some trepidation about going alone. Well, dear Reader, dodging huge boulders is hard work! My armour suffered a few dents and the polish is a bit scratched, as I was not completely successful in my evasive manoeuvres. But it makes me look like one of the old mountain warriors like Chaotica, I hear stories of, or so I like to think. As always, hunting with the General was pure pleasure and he lured the extra monsters out of the arena. Fighting two of those huge, dumb lummoxes at once would be a little difficult for me. The hunt went very well and we came away in good spirits if not a whole lot richer, Cheap Bastards that they were. Arriving back at the Byrendell Inn, I find my servant, SharKey in the room polishing her new foil. "Shark, I have something for you." "Yes, mistress? What is it?" "A new, black pearl demon helmet!" "Really?! Let me try it on! Look at me! This is perfect. I am a warrior now mistress!" She was twirling around with the helmet held high over her head. "You are on your way. Consider this a reward for achieving your level nine Honours. But...But you still have long way to go." "Yes mistress I understand. Someday I too, will serve the dark forces of Chaos!" "You already do my dear. You already do." Dear Reader, may your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons
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Post by RAIVEN on Apr 30, 2006 23:51:22 GMT -7
Dear Reader,
I find myself lately giving thought to Chaos' place in our world as well as my own. As a faithful reader of these diaries you already know that I was born to this clan, although I did not get official clan status until attaining level 11 honours. This being at my own request as I felt I needed to achieve this level in order to accept the privilege of wearing the tag.
And indeed, it is a privilege and one that I have never taken lightly. Having been born to the clan, I have wanted for nothing my entire existence and some may be resentful of that, but despite an occasional peccadillo, I do understand the true meaning of noblesse oblige and realize my obligation to pull others up with me, not to keep them down or repressed or indebted; to give of myself, as well as things and doing it without strings attached.
Strange tenets coming from a dark clan you may think? I have spent long hours in conversation with the General discussing this subject. What it comes down to is this; we live it not preach it. Great power brings great responsibility.
I have been thinking about a ghost I have seen recently- an illustrious leader of the dark brotherhood forged between SOC and CTC before my birth. His name is JURNYMAN, and maybe you do not know of him, but every lich in this game owes a debt to him. Lord Chaos has long been offering us a place in his army of the undead. JURNYMAN was not the first to turn away from the light, but he was the first to be rewarded. A strong and powerful warrior he was not one to abuse his authority.
Mother tells this story: on one occasion shortly after the shrines were built throughout the land and the people began to make pilgrimages to repent their sins, mother in-quired of JURNYMAN whether he was going to make the trek as she thought it would be a nice adventure. His reply says everything about the man, " I have the blood of 17 men on my hands. Everyone of my kills has been for a reason, whether to protect myself or my clan or my family from the enemy. It is with honour I carry the burden of those deaths... and I will not be stepping on any shrines."
Kind Reader, may we be so lucky as to one day have his wisdom. And with that I will close. May your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons.
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Post by RAIVEN on Jun 23, 2006 0:35:40 GMT -7
Gentle Reader,
No doubt you have heard the saying, "Better the enemy you know then one you do not." And perhaps you have also heard that Grimm, the so called wizard of light has gone.
In time, some new young turk will rise to take his place. This does give me pause. You may ask why would it? After all he was the enemy. He sealed chaos in the volcano and set an army after him. You may say I should be happy the enemy is at long last vanquished. But if you say all that you really do not understand the dynamics at work here.
It is true that Grimm sealed Chaos in the volcano. But it was Grimm that first heard the voices. The 'evil that time forgot', Grimm was the one that heard it and unleashed it upon our world. But what he found was terror unbound. Well, we have all heard the stories. But what you may not realize, is in some strange way, Grimm was the catalyst that released Chaos from his confines. And thus began the battle of good against evil; darkness against light. The war for supremacy and domination.
Deep inside, Grimm knew that his own heart was not completely pure. And the fight against the dark forces of Chaos was not just a war of ideologies but one against his own darkened soul as well. Chaos knew it too. Chaos became both mentor /destroyer; teacher/enemy. Grimm held his own against him and each became the antithesis of the other. And thus our world found balance.
So, dear friend, you can see the dilemma we now face. Will the new insurgent of the light maintain the status quo? Will he see the light inside the darkness? The darkness behind the light? That light depends upon darkness to exist? That peace cannot exist without chaos?
Well, I must leave you now to ponder these imponderables.
And as always, may your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons.
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Post by RAIVEN on Jun 26, 2006 11:21:17 GMT -7
THE FLIGHT OF THE RAIVEN An assassination has taken place! A leader of the light was slain in the public square at the bustling town of Byrendell by one of our own great warriors. The body lay on the ground for hours with thieves and flies buzzing about awaiting a rescue which never happened. Finally, mercifully, Chaos took the spoils and the corpse disappeared shortly thereafter.
The promulgators of untruths have already begun to herald their lies across the countryside. Anathematizing young anarchists have been denouncing various dark clan leaders and starting bar room brawls. We have been cautioned to avoid interacting with them and will instead meet them on the battle field.
Through all this bustle, yaWn appeared and in a shape shifted form I did not at first recognize. When at first he spoke to me, I dismissed him out of hand. So much subterfuge in this world makes one wary, always. But when he laughed at me I knew it was him in an instant. I gave him a hug and welcomed him knowing he would not stay long. Still, he seems to sense Chaos' presence in our world as he always appears when significant events occur.
Well, gentle reader, I fear that war may be inevitable. Seeing my long time mentor once again has renewed my desire to train, to grow stronger. The others of the clan are doing the same and every road, bridge and open field is under patrol and careful watch. These are uncertain times indeed.
May our place in Chaos' Army always be there for the taking and may we dance always with dragons.
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Post by RAIVEN on Jul 9, 2006 21:42:51 GMT -7
Kind Reader,
Good news! BRD has at last come topside after an extended stay in Tor. This was exciting news as I have never met this legendary character before. Of all Chaos' children I believe he carries the banner highest.
There are those that believe Chaos is an absent god but I see him everywhere, all around us. In death he has brought me back to the fold more times than I wish to count. But he is a harsh master as witnessed by one or two disciples who lost their lives and lich to the mere after effects of a mortal spell cast in their vicinity. Still he will bring you back to the fold. Penance, though can sometimes be a long road to travel.
On a brighter note, BRD and I went together on a reptile hunt! After reading the stories of his past adventures it was exciting to finally hunt with one of my heroes, one of the legendary names in Shade from the tales told me by mother from early on.
Since he is undead, I work primarily as a healer, and mother was right, he is a dragon warrior from the heart. When he removed his gloves to take the pelts, I could see the dragon brandings from his young warrior days, a mark of high distinction within the clan. They are not so common now having fallen out of fashion, and I winced imagining the pain. But I, like everyone in the clan have the clan insignia tattooed; something we earn with level 10 honours.
Well the war still goes on and G_3 has taken his warrior name. He has asked us to be ready for a long campaign and of course we follow his wishes. I fear the long battle may take a toll on him personally, as he must deal with all of the correspondence, demands and requests from both sides, but we must all keep up our spirits; courage and determination being our strong points.
Well, I will close for now, my friend, and will of course keep you apprised of any news I am at liberty to share.
May your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons.
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Post by RAIVEN on Aug 6, 2006 18:26:49 GMT -7
Kind Reader,
Please forgive my recent absence but I have been very occupied of late. It is fantastic to have BRD back topside. We have hunted the dragons together a few times now. It has been great fun! The dragons are majestic, noble beings and he understands that well. I have learned much from him as well as my mentor in absentia, yaWn and our General who is probably the most intuitive hunter I have seen. Another skilled hunter of dragons was JURNYMAN. Every time I step onto the battlefield I carry my memories of him with me and thus the past becomes the present.
A Sorcerer who goes by the name Rrabid, has stepped forward in Grimm's absence. I was going to say to take his place, but I do not know what his alignment is. Does he serve Chaos or Grimm? Or himself?
I have volunteered to stand on one of the seal spots on a major undertaking that will soon occur in our world. I do not know if I will survive but it will be my honour to stand upon one of the spots that ultimately freed Chaos from the fiery town of Bal Rak.
Great news has arrived from the faraway town of Bal Tor! They have succeeded in killing the fearsome displacer demon that guards a gate in a portal room there. It was long thought that it would be impossible to do. But they did it! Many fierce and awesome creatures inhabit our magical little world and he was no doubt the most feared. The sheer will to accomplish this near impossible task no doubt carried many warriors through this ordeal of endurance and determination. There was much celebration throughout the land with the demise of the Displacer Demon and well deserved accolades accorded those brave enough to face this mighty foe.
Shortly thereafter another appeared in its place.
This was ominous news but not unexpected. RRabid is proclaiming change. But is not revealing how. Will his words eventually lead us to solve the puzzle of the gate? Only the future has the answer to that question.
I must close now and as I am so fond of saying, may your place in Chaos' army always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 2, 2006 13:43:36 GMT -7
"In Chaos Magic, beliefs are not seen as ends in themselves, but as tools for creating desired effects. To fully realize this is to face a terrible freedom in which Nothing is True and Everything is Permitted, which is to say that everything is possible, there are no certainties, and the consequences can be ghastly. Laughter seems to be the only defence against the realization that one does not even have a real self." Dearest Reader, I am often asked, "What does it mean to be Lich or to follow our Lord Chaos.?" I believe I have found a way to give an answer thanks to my friend the Cat. They say curiosity killed the cat. Well, kind reader, he does have nine lives he might as well test a few out. And that is exactly what he does. In doing so, he often digs up all kinds of esoteric and magical things and creates his own kind of chaos in the process. Cats are by nature chaotic and often associated with magic or witchcraft if you will. Some cultures, I have been told even regard them as gods in their own right. The above was of course not written by me or the Cat but is part of the PRINCIPIA CHAOTICA written by Peter Carroll.I hope these texts give some food for thought. Reject them or follow them. Chaos is perpetually there waiting. As ever, may your place in the army of Chaos always be there for the taking and may you dance always with dragons.
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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 2, 2006 13:45:25 GMT -7
Dearest Reader,
The Cat, and that rogue, known by the name yelo and myself were recently on a pleasant walk through the forests near Sly. The Cat was prattling away a nonsense rhyme and yelo was strumming on a small lute as we strolled slowly along the path. We were making enough noise that the wolves and bears were giving us a wide berth, for I saw none at all. I spotted an elf in the dense woods alongside us but he made no attempt to confront us and darted quickly away when I made eye contact.
It was already late afternoon when heat of the day begins to reach a warm comfort as the sun begins it's low descent into evening and slowly sinks out of sight behind the mountain range. I had the sun's low rays warming my face and the rhythm of the music and the Cat's story had me lulled nearly into a trance.
Suddenly the loud cawing of a raven startled me awake. I looked up to see not one, but many ravens appearing overhead, circling and circling and the cacophony became unbearably loud.
"RAIVEN! Is that your bird causing all this ruckus?!" Yelo shouted at me.
No. I shook my head. I was puzzled at first and a little overwhelmed and just watched them flying above me around and around. Unconsciously, I was turning with them. One landed on my shoulder and dropped a note of some sort at my feet and was gone. Then all at once they disappeared back into the forest just as suddenly.
"It's yaWn," I whispered. The realization came to me slowly since I had never seen him shape shifted as such before.
The Cat had already picked up the note and was reading it.
"What is it," I asked, still stunned by the event that had just transpired.
"You need to go to Xian. Your general is there. Some sort of spell has been cast on him and he is in a deep sleep from which he can not awake."
I looked at him incredulous, "Like sleeping beauty, you mean?" I had more than hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"You said it." He replied but his look was dead serious. I nodded.
"Please, will the two of you escort me there?"
We hurried back to the town of Slyythra and had the groomsman at the stable prepare our horses while we went back to the inn for food and supplies for the long ride. At last we were on our way out of town. The sun had already dropped behind the mountains and the long shadows gave way to darkness. We traveled at a good pace and were approaching the bridge that led to the town site of Xian Ra just as dawn began to break. The Cat used a trick to get the Demon Lord to step aside and we arrived safely at the town site shortly thereafter.
I near ran into the Great hall of the castle there and hardly able to catch my breath inquired after the General.
"Upstairs milady," and the steward escorted all three of us to a large room.
In the canopied bed on the farthest wall, I could see the General, asleep on his back. There was a sorcerer on either side of the bed chanting quiet incantations.
There were many, many clan in the room as well. They were shaking their heads and talking in low whispers.
I saw Starry across the room and ran up to her and hugged her. "What is it?" My was voice low, but I could feel the hysteria simmering.
"A curse."
"But how?"
She shook her head. "We don't know. The sorcerers can not find the magic to counter it."
I was pulling off my riding cloak as I rushed past her and stood at the end of the bed. The sorcerers looked up at me disturbed by the commotion I had caused, then quietly went back to their books.
"Please? Is there nothing that can be done? "
They looked up at me once again and did not reply and I knew the answer. I stood for several minutes watching him breath slowly and shallowly. The steward gently took my cloak from me. Starry came up next to me and I took her hand. Time was counted slowly with each breath in and out. Spunkie was there next to me too and I held her hand as well. The others began to draw up next to the bed and soon we were all of us there gathered round the bed in a huge semi circle. We kept a vigil that lasted well into the night, heads bowed, each of us whispering our promises to Chaos and pleading that he might release our leader from the spell that bound him.
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