Backstory: Lost the gemquest for a variety of shitty reasons, had time to think, and consequently moved back to Thakria. My returnee's post:
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Message #10520.
Date: 27-6-2008 at 2:15.
From: Bard Salvador, The Retributive Requiem [commoner].
To : Everyone.
Subj: My Return.
Thakria, Miracles, My Brothers and Sisters,
Days have passed since the quest for the Divine Sapphire, its hopeless battle, humiliating loss, to an end has come. Its frenzied atmosphere dispersed, replaced with pain, anger, as I found myself hopelessly, at the foot of the mountain, Sapience,in search of peace. Hours passed, aimless wandering, infinite paths with no direction forged into the very rock as my feet traversed its formidable face. Reaching the peak, my weak body by then fatigued and drained, I fell to my knees and wept, the gaunt silence broken only by the agonising tears of a faithful pegasus, a sole witness to the pitiful state I had fallen into. For cheated I felt, such a power within inches of my grasp, and whisked away by the cruel mistress that calls herself 'fate'.
As the sweltering day became an emotionless, cruelly cold night, the pain lingered, yet something was different, something else rose from the raging beast within, a swelling ambition, bursting to make itself known. For the first time I considered this possibility, was my resolve to snatch power greater than the mourning?
"Your mourning is pitiful, but your ambition? That, we can work with", erupted a sudden, startling voice. Inclining my head to seek the one who had so silently set upon me, a familiar silhouette within the grim shadow caught my eye, one who could certainly pontificate on power, and one whose advice had granted me a terrible gift, once before. At my side, the arbiter of all that is evil, the Count, Bezejeth loomed.
"Your fall from the graces of evil has humbled you, bard", came the rasping monotone once more, "stand, and face me like a man." I obeyed, facing the lord of necromancy with curiosity. Subjecting me to the infamous glare, I gathered myself for defence, thinking for a moment he would slay me, instead, a frown passed his ancient face. "You are uncomfortable, I see it in you. Is this my presence, bard, or is there something more underlying, perhaps?" An explanation of the recent events was passed, and, to both my surprise and horror, the count smiled. Again, the monotonous drawl spat at me, "so your fall from grace, and time spent in Parrius has taught you that no matter your effort, the thirsts for darkness shall never be quelled so long as you remain therein. A valuable lesson."
"Count," I gasped, barely conscious, "what must I do? I beseech you, tell me the answer." A grin this time, but alas my question was met instantly with another, "what do you seek?" Silence ensued as I pondered this, for one's goals may change often, but within, I knew the answer. "I seek reunification with the part of me that once carelessly took lives and spread darkness and vengeance wherever it found itself. I seek myself, a way to release the terrible longings that eat at me."
"Not entirely hopeless, perhaps" the now familiar singular tone rang, accompanied with another grin. "Look within yourself, where do you see this happening, where and with whom is this monster tolerated, encouraged? Do not falter behind promises, bargains, look INSIDE, and control where you head." A deafening crack, and Bezejeth had vanished, leaving me once more alone with my terrible thoughts for company. Considering his words, I thought I had perhaps imagined it all. "It's certainly not impossible", I recalled an old tutor mocking my claims of hallucination, "mad", he had said, "sick, no doubt." I gathered my thoughts, fatigue and fear flooding my nervous system. I closed my eyes in a prayer for sleep, and it was answered.
Dreams assailed me shortly, famous battles, private conflicts, ancient allies and forgotten foes, all passed across my eyes as the sleep lingered, hours it lasted, before finally coming to a sudden finale. For before my eyes, in its most beautiful and terrible glory, the crescent moon, hanging gargantuan and menacingly before my eyes called out to me, and in an instant, I had my solution.
Forcing consciousness upon myself, lack of energy not withstanding, I shook my loyal steed from a long awaited and well deserved slumber, and declared, "by the crescent moon we head northwest for the morning, for miracles, for home."
Salvador.
