Helping Hands

The lady Althea, mentor to my mesmer, is dead.  Duke Barradin, her father, who hides in Piken Square beyond the breach has commanded my company to gather her ashes.  The charr burned her alive, like an effigy.   The Prince, and the Duke are in shambles upon the news.   I've been to the ruins of Lakeside County.  I found Farmer Hammet and Grazden the Protector among the rubble and offered them armed escort to the city gates.   I found little Gwen's broken flute.  I put it in my sack as a reminder to not allow myself to become soft of heart. 

 I've been to Ashford Abby, though it is more of a sanitorium now.  The pathways to the catacombs sealed off by the wreakage.  The statue of Dwayna stands still, crooked. Perhaps that is where all our faithes lay at the moment.  There, but crooked. 

 I've tried to be of aide to anyone who needed it.  Paulus is all but destroyed, his corpse I stumbled upon myself while sorting the bandit problem.  He was clad as a soldier.  A final sacrifice for the home he loved so dearly.  I had the misfortune of having to tell the woman he loved so dearly.

I've done much these last few weeks. I've been rewarded for it greatly, but I wish there were more that I could do.  It must wait though,  the Prince calls on me.  The charr have set up a siege camp outside the gates of Nolani.  I have a mission.

Road to Ruin

I would be nowhere, would it not be for friends.

I arrived at the Frontier Gate with my crew.  We rendezvous with Warmaster Riga.  Warmaster.  One day I will be one.  I will be a vigilant and just warmaster.  Not a puppet sent to ruin by a King with an agenda. Not like my father.  Chasing prophecies to appease the people, unprepared and badly trained.  No one knows how far he got, all we know is he never returned.  He was sent by good King Adelbern to end the flameseeker prophecy.  To my knowledge, that prophecy was only a story told to scare children in to eating their vegetables and doing their chores. "Eat your broccoli or the Lich will get you" my mother would say, "Clean the floors or we'll send the lich to take you at night".  We knew he was running in to a fools mission, even I knew as a small child that chasing imaginary monsters would only result in catching air.  And air cannot be caught.  He left us anyways.  A fools mission.   Only Meerak the Shouter, formerly the scribe, who became touched and unhinged during the searing, continues to believe in this prophecy. 

even now he screams of the prophecy.

We take our instruction, head to Surmia.  There is a camp at the ruins, we will be joined by the great Prince there and free our bretheren. Then we will head to the north, through the breach in to the shiverpeaks.  It will be peaceful there, our people will remain safe until we reach Kryta, and set up for a new life.  Dreams.  We will finally be at peace again.

Fort Ranik

Ruin, ruin.

I've been sent on another mission.  Fort Ranik needs to be cleansed.  I am to help push back the charr.  It amazes me sometimes, how much like us the charr are.  Atleast in what they carry.  Dyes, gold, materials.  Things I can use.  Though i'm not sure how good a charr would look in purple.  We massacre them as we go, mindsparks and martyrs, stalkers and bosses.  Grazz the Unforgiving, a corpse in our path. Klaww Featherstorm, may worms feast on him. Master Armin Saberlin stops us when we get to the gate.  His son has been taken captive.  I didn't think the charr took prisoners, but I guess we all change and adapt our ways.  I feel some hope knowing now the charr do take live prisoners.  Perhaps all our fallen are not infact fallen, just taken.  Maybe little Gwen the flutist is alive somewhere.  Perhaps it would be better if she were dead.

In the distance we see cages.  Could the charr possibly have left our people alive?  Trapped like animals?  We spray the charrs blood on the ground until we reach the first cage.  Trooper Deeter Saberlin is inside, son of Armin. He is alive, and he is clear to return to his father.  That is one victory won, atleast.  As we continue, a large healer charr, Rrrack Whitefire stands in our way. Stood in our way.  He is with grenth now.

We find our way to the catapult field. The charr have already set up camp. They've destroyed all our trebuchets, and slain all our engineers.  Standing amidst the wreakage, valiant and brave, is Siegemaster Lormar.  Brave he must be, as he is being charged by Roarst One Eye, master necromancer of the blood legion.  He must have been confused though, as he kept hexing me with a mark of pain, yet he had no team dealing the appropriate damage.  Stolen ascalonian ale perhaps? Whatever his issue was, we made quick work of it.

Siegemaster Lormar is convinced he can fix the trebuchet. We must make haste and find replacement pieces off the destroyed catapults. Seeing the extent of the damage, I am skeptical. This is an advantage we cannot give up though, and I run to being searching.  I find an arming crank, and a release lever. Last is the restraining bolt, and we find that a little to the north east.  It looks as if it will function.  Nothing left but  to test it.

It worked! The near charr camp is all but destroyed, all the charr dead.  A small success.  I see another trebuchet by the wall, where the larger charr camp stands. It seems to be in working order.  The charr are not within blasting range though. Live bait perhaps? Risky, but we must prevail.  I run in to the camp, they see me and come out.  I am too fast for them, I get back to the trebuchet while they stand confused by their crudely build burning effigy.  I hope they never unlock the magic to create moving effigies.

we pick off the smaller groups left and finally we arrive at the hole. Spar the Ravager, master warrior, stands there with only a troop of two.  He seems not to have heard the explosions from the trebuchet or even noticed we are standing behind him.

It is done.  The charr are pushed back.  A great victory for Ascalon.  The Prince joins us, but with a heavy heart.  It seems in the charrs hurry to flee they had taken several prisoners. The Prince is beside himself with grief.  He is done attempting to be diplomatic, we are to go to Surmia and retrieve our taken.  Then we are to go to Kryta.  With or without the Kings permission.  Pray he sees reason.

Regent Valley Defence

Regent Valley

 The charr have penetrated the Great Wall again.  I feel at fault, perhaps espying myself and my team spurred them on to charge so quick.  Word from Lord Darrin is that the Prince is marching on them from Rin.  Alas, Rin is far to the west, he will never make it in time.   I fear Ascalon will be destroyed for good, because of me. 

To clear my head, I went for a walk out in the ruins of Regent Valley.  Sergeant Brannen, daft soldier, confirms to me that the great Prince plans to push the charr back, except he does not know that the charr have made it as far as King's Watch.  He asks that myself, and my team clear them out, and then report to Lord Darrin.  No doubt this is his job, but he is too scared to of the furry beasts.  Perhaps everyone senses the end of Ascalon.

The charr will not enter Fort Ranik

We are attacked by bands of renegades.  They make fire fall from the sky.  Though this causes a panic amongst the townsfolk, considering the last fire from the sky, the soldiers know it for the parlour trick it is.  A weak attack, though mildly painful.  I hear talk from one renegade as I smote him, that the bandit Torin is nearby.  I would like a word with him.

fire from the sky

We find him just across the bridge, close indeed.  He was unaware, and no match for us. And though I will take rewards for his death, the ambassador Zain of Kryta will be very pleased to hear of this, I pray for his soul.  To capitalize through tragedy will be as if signing you're on death warrant, be sure of that.

and there shall be a firefight

I continue on my way to Kings Watch.  I feel lost.  I grew up here in Regent, but the landscape is unrecognizable.  Even Aiden the archer would be lost in this terrain.  The rivers and black with ash and tar.  I make it to the bridge, but it is crawling with grawl.  We clear them out until all that is left are random ornate necklaces strewn over the rocks.  I take blessing at the shrine of Melandru, patron saint of rangers and wilderness. He will offer me no blessing this day.  I have arrived atleast, to Kings Watch. I spy the charr I am to dispose of.  I take the courage from the monument of hope,

"To endure is greater than to dare;

to keep heart when all have lost it;

to forego even one's own life when the end is gained;

who can say this is not greatness?"

Inspiration.  We attack.  The charr cannot see us from where they stand, a stupid location if you ask me. Perhaps they are just too confident that we are hopeless.  Their confidence however is our victory.  We maintain the upperhand with our surprise attack and cut through the charr as if we were on a divine mission.  A fire in our bellies, brute savagery. 

the beast must die

I return to the fort.  We pass our information to Lord Darrin and he hands me yet another promotion.  I am getting somewhere.  Me and my merry band of misfits and rogues.

Defend the Wall

I've been sent on a mission.  I'm to find the Squire Zachary by the Great Northern Wall.  I am to rally a party, and I am to go on a scouting mission.  Captain Calhaan is in charge, and he is a man that is to the point.  I am sure as soon as I see him he will send me directly in to danger.  Reyna, Alesia and Orion choose to join me.  We are fast becoming a regular group.  I make the decision to leave Alesia in charge of healing, so I can aide with the damage.

Captain Calhaan

 Captain Calhaan sends us after Bonfazz Burntfur, General of the Flame legion.  We are to scout only.  I suppose that is why we were chosen.  Some veterans help us leave the gates unseen, by charr that is.  The path to the lookout point is swarming with devourers, gargoyles and grawl.

I am lucky to have my team, my friends, even if they are hired help. Strangely on our way, I noticed small rock and wood formations.  They appear far too perfect to be laid there by destruction.  Upon closer inspection, they were hiding treasures.  Kilnns Testibrie's treasures. His entire armour set it appears.   Kilnn Testibrie was a champion of Surmia of old. He wanders what was the palace, looking for a worthy champion to retrieve and return his armour to him in death.  I put the treasures in my sack.

Luckily I picked up the pieces

We return his armour to him, he is greatful. We must be on our way though, and I know I am leading in the right direction because soon enough we come across small groups of charr.  In small groups, they are much more pleasant.

Bonfazz is where we thought he would be. It is bad. He is rallying hoardes of charr.  They see us.  We must warn Calhaan and our people.  We must run.

A Path to Glory

It has happened.  Though I am only the second tier of skill, I have been asked to go on assignment with the prince himself!  There has been a charr spotting within the gate.   I am to go with the Prince and some of the other chosen soldiers to locate and kill this charr before he can do any damage.  Wish me luck! I'm off to speak to Sir Tydus.

Prince Rurik says that I show great promise.  I am to aide him in defeating Vatlaaw Doomtooth, and whilst doing so the prince will evaluate my current skills.  Luckily, he has also chosen Orion (an elementalist), Reyna (an archer), and Stefan (a warrior), to help me on this mission.  I am the leader, he decided.  I am honoured.

the Prince and I

We arrive near the bunker to find it infested with Grawl.  Seems the grawl and charr have begun to work together.  They are no match for the Prince and I though. We make quick work of them.

Vatlaaw is no match for our glorious prince.

Before we can celebrate though, the sky turns red.  Crystal flames fall from the clouds.  It is our undoing, it is the dream.  Meerak had warned us, the apocalypse is upon us.  Instead of the four horsemen, it appears to be the four charr.   What is to become of us?

A New Monk Trainer

With all the success I've been having lately, I decide it is time to learn some new skills.  I hear the talk, they all say Brother Mhenlo is the best.  Back to Ashford Abbey, perhaps he will take me under his wing.

He is from Cantha. I wish one day to be there.

When I arrive, Brother Mhenlo has heard of me.  Evenmoreso, he has been told to give me my first promotion!  No longer the lowestmost rank, I am so pleased.  He says he can teach me some new skills, but I must help his associate, Paulus, in the catacombs.  He has a relic to obtain admist the undead, and I am to keep him alive.  Sounds like just the job for me!

I healed him through while we killed some undead.  He obtained the relic, it was much larger than I had thought and it burdened him as we ran. Brother Mhenlo is proud.  He decides to send me on a second task.  He teaches me some more hostile skills, and sends me to set the raging cadavers who escaped the catacombs straight.  When I get to the fields the farmers are already attacking.  Nothing can be said about our spirit.  I enchant them with smites, and we made easy work of the cadavers. Time to check back in with Brother Mhenlo about my progress.  He is proud.  Before continuing my duties, I stop and kneel by my patrol goddess.  Dwayna give me your blessings,  if Meerak the Scribe is right, dark days are ahead.

A Second Profession

I'm to learn a second profession.

I delivered Meeraks message.  If Master Saberlin was worried he didn't let it show.  He listened intently, and sent me to learn a secondary profession.  Knowing one is not enough, he believes.  We must be well versed in all battle if we are to defeat the char once and for all.  This is a big decision.  I believe I should take on mesmer, for its inherent energy management.  Or perhaps elementalist with its energy storage? I am confunded.  I decided to go visit the lady Althea, a master mesmer, on the lakeside stage. She is not only a top tier mesmer, she is the bethrothed of the Prince himself!

I asked her about learning to be a mesmer.  She didn't look very impressed with me.  She agreed though, to teach me a few mesmer skills and sent me on a task to kill a bull.  The bull is rogue and threatening her precious theatre. Upon finding the bull in the pond I realize this will be no easy task.  The bull is much stronger myself, so I pop my stone and my training parter seems up to the job.  We take down the bull, thanks to the help of Althea's skills.  I think mesmer will be a good fit for me.  I return with the news, Althea is overjoyed and allows me to commit myself to a mesmer secondary.  They are all pleased with me, I sense a promotion in the works.

Victory

Unsettling Rumours

I hear that Meerak the Scribe is completely absorbed in his reading.  I'm supposed to meet with him about some unsettling rumours he's been spreading around the towns.  He is in Ashford Abbey, so thats where I am sent.  On my way though, I find a beautiful moa feather amongst the tall grasses.  I shove it in my sack, I may have use for this later.

I am met at the Abbey gate by an Ascalonian Guard.  He seems at peace, perhaps the rumours aren't so bad.  I found Meerak inside surrounded by townsfolk and pick up hunting bands.

He looks like Ciglo.  Perhaps brothers?

Meerak says I must see Armin Saberlin at once.  He has an important message for me to deliver, and I must keep it with my life.  He tells me that he has seen Dwayna in a dream.  She told him that the Charr are afoot with dastardly plans.  This sounds awfully serious.  I must make haste.

Further Adventures

Haversdan.  A Great barrel of a warrior.  He saunters out of the city gates with a job for me.  I know he wasn't looking for me personally, I'm only the lowliest tier of the soldier rank.  He calls me over, says a woman by the name of Devona needs to see me out in the town by Ashford.  Sir Tydus has spoken of me, he says, I have potential.  I have a spark of potential to get far.  I'm blushing.  I ran off as fast as my sandals would let me.

Haversdan

Devona stands in front of a thatched barn.  A great warrior woman, with a huge hammer that I would definitely not like seen used against myself.  She seems worried and agitated.  She wants me to visit Meerak the Scribe in Ashford Abbey.  I've yet to visit the Abbey, which is strange as my calling is that of a healer and holy person.  Perhaps I will learn more.

Myself and Devona

A Monks Test

Reporting to my first quest.  Sir Tydus asked me to see the monk, Ciglo, in Lakeshore County.  He is to teach me some new skills, I must say I was quite excited. I found him just outside the gates admiring the field of red irises, a favourite of my patron God, the Goddess Dwayna.  She was a healer, like me.

Myself and Ciglo

 

 

 

 

He tells me I am to have a test.  I thought all you had to do to join the Kings army was sign up, but it seems in order to be accepted all must pass a test.  I recieved a monks test, and my reward is being taught some new skills.  Ciglo says the local flutist girl, Gwen, is trapped behind a brood of foul skale.  I am to annihilate them all, and bring her home.  I'm a little scared,  this is my first combat.  I won't be alone though, Ciglo tells me i'm eligible for a new style of training.  Training with a friend.  He gave me a stone that will summon an ally for myself whenever I am in need, and a Wolf's favour, a divine offhand which I am not yet powerful enough to wield.  So I hold up my starter holy rod, and head off on my way.

I found the skale nearby, and sure enough, theres Gwen standing with her head in the clouds.  If its not skipping, flute playing, or stalking, she just doesn't seem to notice.

Head in the clouds, as always

I make quick work of the skale with my training partner.  I didn't even get hit once, seems almost surreal how well it went.  Maybe it is in my blood, like my father.   I shook Gwen back to earth, and she chides me for interrupting her thoughts.  Ungreatful child, but I see something in her.  Perhaps she needs motivation and drive, perhaps she needs a reason.

With the task done, I return to Ciglo.  He teaches me what was promised, a skill to regenerate my own health, and that of an allies.  He also teaches me a smiting skill, so that I may protect myself in these wild times.  With this, I have passed my test.  I am to see Haversdan next.

Pesky Skale

Small Monk in a Big Pond

The day has come! I've been accepted in to the academy, and I start today!  To think, in no time I might be studying under Prince Rurik himself.  I feel so accomplished, so special to be walking through ascalon in my rough spun armour.  My newly painted head pattern showing my specialty.   I spy the  town crier and ask him for my referral letter.  I wish to fight, to heal, to aid in the cause. He sends me with a letter of deployment to my commander, Sir Tydus.    Its only my first day, ofcourse, there are many more new recruits to fight those dirty charr, but somehow I feel accomplished.  I know i'm going to make it to the top, I have to.

Reporting for Duty to Sir Tydus

First order of duty? Go see Ciglo the monk. Sir Tydus says he will teach me some new skills, and tell me where to go next.  I find him standing in Lakeside County, in a small field of red iris flowers, a favourite of the goddess Dwayna who is my patron God.

I feel awkward and nervous.  I know my powers, and I know my ambition, but in this city I definitely feel like a fish out of water.  A small fish in a big pond, but I will not drown.  Just keep swimming, It is time to begin my legacy.