The Searing

We have been ruined by the charr.  So many dead, so many missing.  The King, Prince, and his men have survived.  I myself survived aswell, obviously, but a piece of me died.  Lush green fields lay in charred dusty ruin,  houses demolished, the kingdom at war not only with the charr, but with all kinds of Grenths own.  At war with ourselves.  Rurik believes we should make haste to Kryta, and uphold the ancient alliance but the King, his father, is far too stubborn.  He will not allow us to transport our dying population.  Instead he insists we stay in a dead land.   Over the last while, I have been sent on many messenger missions.  I think the king holds a grudge to us who were killing charr before the event we call the "searing".   Adelbarn believes us to blame.  The killing of Vatlaaw triggered the hellfire.  Now our lands lay scorched, our spirit maimed, and our king absolutely insane.

I recieved a promotion.  Bittersweet news admist the tragedy.  Virtually everyone recieved a promotion though, considering the state of our shambled city.   We need all the help we can get, and we all became greatly experienced in what seems overnight.  We had no choice.  No time for leisurely training.  Its more like a run for your life through fields of devourers.

Our enemies became more experienced aswell.  It was almost as if the crystal storm gave them power or security of being.  They multiplied in the hundreds. Guess there was nothing better for them to do with our soldiers having no time to control the populations.

Devourers

Warmaster Tydus, yes warmaster now, sent me with a message to the ambassador Zain of Kryta.  I took Alessia with me, a fellow monk in training.  She is more skilled than I, and I hope to learn from her.  Tydus is suspicious of the Krytans.  His mind has become suspicious of all, he holds a piece of the same madness afflicting the king.    Before I leave though, I take my advantages where I can.  The searing has driven most crafters and trainers to the far reaches of our continent, luckily, it drove some in to "Old Ascalon", as the king has dubbed it. Corwen will upgrade my armour to something more suitable to the new norm.  Perhaps I can muster a more powerful weapon.

When I arrive at Zain, the prince was there.  Ever the diplomat, he sees reason.  He is our forerunner for the push to Kryta and salvation. They discuss matters, and the prince runs back to the fallen palace to attempt to yet again persuade the King to move.  The message has been delivered.  It is time to gather some new skills and move on.

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.

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.