Post by The Keeper on Aug 11, 2009 20:26:51 GMT -8
Deep in the forests of Nentir Vale lived a shifter named Teras Ashlon. He lived a quiet and peaceful life with his mate Barimm whom he had known since they were both young boys frolicking together in the daisy fields. Life had been simple back then but it changed altogether after they expressed their feelings for each other to their tribe elders. The two were banished from their tribe and forced into seclusion for not adhering to the tribal law of mating someone of the opposite gender. The couple, however, was able to survive without the help of their tribe because of Teras’ expert tracking and foraging skills. He always seemed to be able to smell, track, and discover the wild game that roamed the forest as well as the edible fruits that hung from the tallest of trees. After months of living under the elements without a roof over their heads, the two shifters were able to build themselves a cabin, a new home if you will, out of tall cedar trees and love. Teras and Barimm were even able to fashion rings for each other from two bluish-white stones they had found glowing in the moonlight in front of their home. Inside each ring they engraved both of their names. It had been that night that the two shifters promised their eternal love to each other under a blanket of stars. It was the most wonderful day of Teras’ life, there was nothing more he could ask for.
After years of happiness together in their simple cottage home, Teras and Barimm decided to finally act upon a deep-seated wish that they both shared: to go and visit the great city of Fallcrest. All the two knew was that it was somewhere to the southeast past Azen and Thunderspire but that was of little consequence to them for it would be their epic adventure to share together. Most of the journey to the big city was breathtaking if not still uneventful to say the least. They saw the countryside travelling by day and slept together under the stars by night. It was turning out to be quite the relaxing and romantic vacation. It wasn’t until a few days out from Fallcrest did trouble befall the young couple. Shortly after sunset, just as Teras and Barimm were finishing setting up camp, drow bandits attacked the two shifters. The rogues easily manhandled the two shifters who were never properly trained in combat because of their banishment from their tribe. Both Teras and Barimm tried their best but the drow quickly dispatched them. Barimm was cleaved across the chest from shoulder to hip directly in front of Teras who then let out a deep, heartbroken roar. Distracted by the death of his mate, Teras was struck in the back of the head by a mace knocking him out cold.
Teras awoke a week later surrounded by what looked to be priests in white robes mumbling to one another. As Teras slowly sat up and rubbed the back of his throbbing head, he asked the men around him where he was. All he could remember was that his name was Teras and he had been traveling to Fallcrest for some reason. It was then that the priests confirmed that they had found him beaten to the brink of death miles outside the city and had taken him into their temple of Pelor and cared for him until he recovered. They then asked him his name, with which he quickly gave them, and asked who his companion was that they had found slain beside him. Teras thought hard for the answer of their question but he just could not recall anything passed his name and told the priests such. Not dissuaded by the lack of an answer, the priests told Teras it was no matter and that they had buried the man in a simple, unmarked grave. Changing the subject, the priests told Teras that a letter had arrived addressed to him while he had been unconscious. Confused how anyone had known he would be there in the temple, Teras read the letter and learned he was to report to the Fallcrest Academy. With nothing but his name, white robes the priests and so graciously given him, and an odd bluish-white ring on his finger, Teras marched himself to the Fallcrest Academy to hopefully find more clues to his past.
Upon arriving at the academy steps, Teras was welcomed after showing his summons and ushered into a large, white vaulted chamber where an Eladrin woman sat staring with white eyes into a tranquil pool of water. She quietly hummed as she lightly stirred the surface with her finger.
“Do you know why I have summoned you Teras son of Ashlon,” questioned the woman. Her gaze drifted upward to Teras and seemed to pierce his soul with her milky white eyes.
“No ma’am, nor do I remember much of anything. I awoke this morning in a temple of Pelor surrounded by priests without anything but my name and this ring on my hand. You, however, have given me another clue to my clouded past: my namesake. I am a son of one called Ashlon. Thank you, I am greatly in your debt.” Teras slowly bowed in thanks. Even though he wasn’t quite sure she could see it, he sincerely meant it.
“Surely you remember something of your past?” The eladrin female stood up with a frown on her face.
Teras shook his head and sighed, “I am sorry but no.”
“No matter young Teras, your forgotten past is not why I have sent for you. You have been chosen by beings more powerful than you or I to fight on their behalf and help bring stability and peace back to this plane. You are a Hero of Old.
“But ma’am, you must be mistaken. I do not know how to use any weapon or even how to fight.”
“No, there is no mistake Teras. You have been chosen because of your soft and kind heart. While the other heroes will fight with sword and shield, you shall fight with channeled powers of the divine. Your companions will need you to heal their wounds and dispel any malady that may befall them. You may not be physically the strongest, but you are as stalwart as any paladin. The ring on your finger itself is a testament to your hidden power, I can feel divine energy coursing through it as we speak.”
Teras looked confused. “This ring?” As Teras looked down to his ring and tried to remove it for further inspection, it began to glow in a beautiful bluish-white light which soon enveloped his entire body. As hard as he could, Teras tried to pull the ring off in fear of what was going on.
“Relax Teras, you see? The ring itself is keyed to your spirit and will help you channel the restorative powers of the divine to you and your comrades at your discretion. I have also taken the liberty of preparing Elven Battle armor, a set of Healer’s gloves and brooch, and this headband of Aura Sight to aid you in your quest.”
Startled at the eladrin’s generosity, Teras could only stare as servants came forward and helped him don his new equipment. “I…I don’t know what to say. What can I do to repay you?”
“There is nothing you have to do for me. I have not done this out of generosity or a sense of goodwill. I merely wish to see you and the other heroes succeed, we have already wasted too much time and lost too many friends. Go into the next room, there is a portal there that will take you to the other heroes of old in the city of Rafters. They have gone ahead of you and may already be in danger. Join in their quest and maybe you will someday find the answers to your locked past.”
Excited at the possibility, Teras son of Ashlon rushed into the adjacent room with all his gear and leaped into the portal.
After years of happiness together in their simple cottage home, Teras and Barimm decided to finally act upon a deep-seated wish that they both shared: to go and visit the great city of Fallcrest. All the two knew was that it was somewhere to the southeast past Azen and Thunderspire but that was of little consequence to them for it would be their epic adventure to share together. Most of the journey to the big city was breathtaking if not still uneventful to say the least. They saw the countryside travelling by day and slept together under the stars by night. It was turning out to be quite the relaxing and romantic vacation. It wasn’t until a few days out from Fallcrest did trouble befall the young couple. Shortly after sunset, just as Teras and Barimm were finishing setting up camp, drow bandits attacked the two shifters. The rogues easily manhandled the two shifters who were never properly trained in combat because of their banishment from their tribe. Both Teras and Barimm tried their best but the drow quickly dispatched them. Barimm was cleaved across the chest from shoulder to hip directly in front of Teras who then let out a deep, heartbroken roar. Distracted by the death of his mate, Teras was struck in the back of the head by a mace knocking him out cold.
Teras awoke a week later surrounded by what looked to be priests in white robes mumbling to one another. As Teras slowly sat up and rubbed the back of his throbbing head, he asked the men around him where he was. All he could remember was that his name was Teras and he had been traveling to Fallcrest for some reason. It was then that the priests confirmed that they had found him beaten to the brink of death miles outside the city and had taken him into their temple of Pelor and cared for him until he recovered. They then asked him his name, with which he quickly gave them, and asked who his companion was that they had found slain beside him. Teras thought hard for the answer of their question but he just could not recall anything passed his name and told the priests such. Not dissuaded by the lack of an answer, the priests told Teras it was no matter and that they had buried the man in a simple, unmarked grave. Changing the subject, the priests told Teras that a letter had arrived addressed to him while he had been unconscious. Confused how anyone had known he would be there in the temple, Teras read the letter and learned he was to report to the Fallcrest Academy. With nothing but his name, white robes the priests and so graciously given him, and an odd bluish-white ring on his finger, Teras marched himself to the Fallcrest Academy to hopefully find more clues to his past.
Upon arriving at the academy steps, Teras was welcomed after showing his summons and ushered into a large, white vaulted chamber where an Eladrin woman sat staring with white eyes into a tranquil pool of water. She quietly hummed as she lightly stirred the surface with her finger.
“Do you know why I have summoned you Teras son of Ashlon,” questioned the woman. Her gaze drifted upward to Teras and seemed to pierce his soul with her milky white eyes.
“No ma’am, nor do I remember much of anything. I awoke this morning in a temple of Pelor surrounded by priests without anything but my name and this ring on my hand. You, however, have given me another clue to my clouded past: my namesake. I am a son of one called Ashlon. Thank you, I am greatly in your debt.” Teras slowly bowed in thanks. Even though he wasn’t quite sure she could see it, he sincerely meant it.
“Surely you remember something of your past?” The eladrin female stood up with a frown on her face.
Teras shook his head and sighed, “I am sorry but no.”
“No matter young Teras, your forgotten past is not why I have sent for you. You have been chosen by beings more powerful than you or I to fight on their behalf and help bring stability and peace back to this plane. You are a Hero of Old.
“But ma’am, you must be mistaken. I do not know how to use any weapon or even how to fight.”
“No, there is no mistake Teras. You have been chosen because of your soft and kind heart. While the other heroes will fight with sword and shield, you shall fight with channeled powers of the divine. Your companions will need you to heal their wounds and dispel any malady that may befall them. You may not be physically the strongest, but you are as stalwart as any paladin. The ring on your finger itself is a testament to your hidden power, I can feel divine energy coursing through it as we speak.”
Teras looked confused. “This ring?” As Teras looked down to his ring and tried to remove it for further inspection, it began to glow in a beautiful bluish-white light which soon enveloped his entire body. As hard as he could, Teras tried to pull the ring off in fear of what was going on.
“Relax Teras, you see? The ring itself is keyed to your spirit and will help you channel the restorative powers of the divine to you and your comrades at your discretion. I have also taken the liberty of preparing Elven Battle armor, a set of Healer’s gloves and brooch, and this headband of Aura Sight to aid you in your quest.”
Startled at the eladrin’s generosity, Teras could only stare as servants came forward and helped him don his new equipment. “I…I don’t know what to say. What can I do to repay you?”
“There is nothing you have to do for me. I have not done this out of generosity or a sense of goodwill. I merely wish to see you and the other heroes succeed, we have already wasted too much time and lost too many friends. Go into the next room, there is a portal there that will take you to the other heroes of old in the city of Rafters. They have gone ahead of you and may already be in danger. Join in their quest and maybe you will someday find the answers to your locked past.”
Excited at the possibility, Teras son of Ashlon rushed into the adjacent room with all his gear and leaped into the portal.