Post by Kronos on Jun 11, 2007 6:34:52 GMT -5
“Why do you speak to me, peasant?” The reply was harsh and the tone even worse. The Cormyran farmer looks briefly shocked, and a flicker of doubt or perhaps of fear crosses his face. But then he is quick to mask it. “Well?” The hooded figure in red continues, his growing impatience becoming increasingly obvious. The farmer replies, half slurring, half stuttering “A .. Are you one of them R .. Red Wizards from that Thay?” The hooded figure pulls back his hood, revealing a bald head with a number of tattoos. He appears old, and his eyes demonstrate a cunning and arrogance that is well known for the Thayan wizards. “I am … what of it?” The farmer looks surprised at the bluntness, but builds up the courage to continue. “I’ve seen a few wizards in red come and go these last few days. What brings you here?” A smile plays across the wizards face. Not a warm smile, but cold and uninviting one. “So you seek a villain’s exposition perhaps? Or is it just your curiosity that is getting the better of you?” The farmer looks to reply but is beaten to it by the mage. “Fine, I’ll tell you why peasant. I haven’t revealed it to any so far and I am so anxious to see someone’s reactions.”
“I come from Eltabbar. That’s our capital in Thay. I doubt you would have heard it, or anywhere outside of this pathetic land for that matter. When I was young, about your age come to think of it, I had joined the school of Alteration as per my father’s wishes. My father, in case you were wondering, was a well established Red Wizard and fabulously wealthy. My mother was of no particular relevance to Thay. We had businesses, hundreds of slaves both human and non-human, and even a small, elite army dedicated to the newly appointed Zulkir of Alteration. Maligor, that’s the aforementioned Zulkir was a strong supporter of my family and our needs. Or so we thought.”
The wizard stops for a moment and reminisces, a slight chuckle escaping his lips before staring back into the farmers eyes again and continuing. “You have no idea how our society works. The Byzantine tactics of our people have kept us from becoming the most powerful nation on Faerun. Believe me; I have bared witness to that. It seems Maligor had taken it upon himself to eliminate the other Zulkirs and rule Thay supreme. He had decided to sacrifice a Red Wizard as a diversionary tactic whilst he seized the nation’s gold mines.” The wizard stops again, gesturing around him. “And where do I come in all of this. The Zulkir had decided to launch a raid on my father’s property near Eltabbar, with a force of well trained gnolls. Our trained gnolls which we thought were loyal to us. My father was too trusting it appears”
The Red Wizard leans against a nearby tree as the farmer looks on, intrigued at the tale. Looking down, the wizard starts brushing a ring adorned with runes on his finger. “Used to be my father’s. It has no magical value but I kept it because I like the runic patterns on it. And it was a few of the only things the fire did not consume.” He lets out a slight chuckle. “No, don’t worry yourself child. I didn’t betray my father in Maligor’s schemes if that is what you are thinking.” The Red Wizard seems distant for a moment then continues “They came at night, over a thousand of them. I am sure even your feeble mind can imagine that. Mother woke me up, though in truth I had already heard the screams by then. You might think dying is poetic but I have seen no honour in it. Just the screams and fear as the mortal realise that they are so, and that oblivion faces them that moment. The screams were drowned out by another though. Not the scream of death, but a scream of pure rage. I knew it was my fathers. The ground was shaking, the result of my fathers destructive magic’s against the gnolls. By the time I had run outside, I was greeted by a view that I shall never forget. My father was surrounded by scores of them, and scores more dead around him, with guards fighting desperately with the ones that weren’t concentrating on my father. I looked to my right as a few approached me, not really contemplating what could happen to them for doing so. I started to mumble, a cone of fire greeting them just in time. Their cries of agony sounded so appealing as they writhed on the ground. But they too were drowned out by another cry. That of my fathers.”
“This time it wasn’t a scream of rage, but one of pain. I had heard such screams many times in the service of the Red Wizards. But none like this. This was one I never wanted to hear. Turning around I saw my father, his magic’s fading as a blade protruded from his chest. The knave who did it didn’t even have the courage to face him head on. My father slumped as it pulled the sword out of him, and I knew him dead as the gnolls started to cut him asunder. Nothing short of a god could bring him back now. I tried to scream, but the rage would not allow it. I simply muttered. Before the gnolls even had time to turn their heads a ball of fire and crimson met them, obliterating them and my father’s body.”
“The last of the guards had fallen and it was just I who was left to face an army. They came from all sides and not even my frantic spell casting was enough. All I remember was a sharp blow to the back of my head and then darkness. It wasn’t the sweet comforting darkness that is promised to you when you die, but a hollow, cold one that greeted me. I didn’t pass to the planes that night like my father, my mother or our servants. I was left for dead whilst the gnolls sacked and burned everything of value to us. I awoke in the care of some colleagues from the school of Alteration to find out what had happened, though I already surmised what had transpired. I had been in a catatonic state for the better part of 12 years and cared for by the Red Wizards from the school who found my body. I swore revenge though it wasn’t needed. Maligor had been killed along with his schemes thanks to the Zulkir of Necromancy and some meddling Harpers. With this one act Maligor had destroyed everything that I had ever truly loved. I lay for many weeks, my mind and wounds still recovering, realising I would have to start anew. My spellbook was lost along with everything else that I had owned. My fathers businesses had either been sold or taken over by some other Red Wizard who claimed his share. Such is our culture.”
“It just so happened that the newly appointed Zulkir of Alteration paid a visit to our school once I had fully recovered from the ordeal. We were training in the great hall, trolls and giants fighting and practicing around me, all Red Wizards transformed. My tutor forbid me to participate, saying that I was not ready yet to begin. He was a friend of my fathers, and I trusted his judgement so I merely watched the spectacle. Without any indication, the doors to the hall slammed open. An average figure, covered in red robes and tattoos, silhouetted the entrance as it strolled forward purposefully towards my tutor. The practice came to a halt as everyone started whispering as they watched this man stride across the hall. They talked for what seemed like an eternity, though in actuality it was no longer than a few minutes. The new Zulkir of Alteration wanted a few promising students to go abroad as agents to simply report on the happenings within the area, collect any magical baubles of interest and execute tasks for the nearest Khazark if required. Any that displayed aptitude would likely be given orders directly from the Zulkir himself. After stating his wishes the Zulkir turned to face the students watching him before asking my tutor to choose who he thought should be given these responsibilities. My heart was beating rapidly, for I knew my tutor would think me unready. Needless to say he made his selection and the Zulkir started to walk back across the hall, until I ran past my tutor towards him. I couldn’t let this chance slip my grasp, even if my father’s friend deemed me unready. The Zulkir quickly turned at my approach, likely suspecting some assassination attempt. I held my hands up and simply stated that I wanted this opportunity. The Zulkir quirked an eyebrow before looking towards my instructor. He isn’t prepared is the reply he received, and he would have continued were he not silenced by the Zulkir. I was asked my name to which I replied, my heart still pounding in my chest as I hoped he would realise the loyalty with which my family had shown Thay and the school of Alteration. The Zulkir seemed in thought for but a few moments before stating I was to proceed with the other students. His words still echo in my mind even today. “Do not fail my expectations of you Mencius.”
// If there are any irregularities, please let me know and I will ammend it
“I come from Eltabbar. That’s our capital in Thay. I doubt you would have heard it, or anywhere outside of this pathetic land for that matter. When I was young, about your age come to think of it, I had joined the school of Alteration as per my father’s wishes. My father, in case you were wondering, was a well established Red Wizard and fabulously wealthy. My mother was of no particular relevance to Thay. We had businesses, hundreds of slaves both human and non-human, and even a small, elite army dedicated to the newly appointed Zulkir of Alteration. Maligor, that’s the aforementioned Zulkir was a strong supporter of my family and our needs. Or so we thought.”
The wizard stops for a moment and reminisces, a slight chuckle escaping his lips before staring back into the farmers eyes again and continuing. “You have no idea how our society works. The Byzantine tactics of our people have kept us from becoming the most powerful nation on Faerun. Believe me; I have bared witness to that. It seems Maligor had taken it upon himself to eliminate the other Zulkirs and rule Thay supreme. He had decided to sacrifice a Red Wizard as a diversionary tactic whilst he seized the nation’s gold mines.” The wizard stops again, gesturing around him. “And where do I come in all of this. The Zulkir had decided to launch a raid on my father’s property near Eltabbar, with a force of well trained gnolls. Our trained gnolls which we thought were loyal to us. My father was too trusting it appears”
The Red Wizard leans against a nearby tree as the farmer looks on, intrigued at the tale. Looking down, the wizard starts brushing a ring adorned with runes on his finger. “Used to be my father’s. It has no magical value but I kept it because I like the runic patterns on it. And it was a few of the only things the fire did not consume.” He lets out a slight chuckle. “No, don’t worry yourself child. I didn’t betray my father in Maligor’s schemes if that is what you are thinking.” The Red Wizard seems distant for a moment then continues “They came at night, over a thousand of them. I am sure even your feeble mind can imagine that. Mother woke me up, though in truth I had already heard the screams by then. You might think dying is poetic but I have seen no honour in it. Just the screams and fear as the mortal realise that they are so, and that oblivion faces them that moment. The screams were drowned out by another though. Not the scream of death, but a scream of pure rage. I knew it was my fathers. The ground was shaking, the result of my fathers destructive magic’s against the gnolls. By the time I had run outside, I was greeted by a view that I shall never forget. My father was surrounded by scores of them, and scores more dead around him, with guards fighting desperately with the ones that weren’t concentrating on my father. I looked to my right as a few approached me, not really contemplating what could happen to them for doing so. I started to mumble, a cone of fire greeting them just in time. Their cries of agony sounded so appealing as they writhed on the ground. But they too were drowned out by another cry. That of my fathers.”
“This time it wasn’t a scream of rage, but one of pain. I had heard such screams many times in the service of the Red Wizards. But none like this. This was one I never wanted to hear. Turning around I saw my father, his magic’s fading as a blade protruded from his chest. The knave who did it didn’t even have the courage to face him head on. My father slumped as it pulled the sword out of him, and I knew him dead as the gnolls started to cut him asunder. Nothing short of a god could bring him back now. I tried to scream, but the rage would not allow it. I simply muttered. Before the gnolls even had time to turn their heads a ball of fire and crimson met them, obliterating them and my father’s body.”
“The last of the guards had fallen and it was just I who was left to face an army. They came from all sides and not even my frantic spell casting was enough. All I remember was a sharp blow to the back of my head and then darkness. It wasn’t the sweet comforting darkness that is promised to you when you die, but a hollow, cold one that greeted me. I didn’t pass to the planes that night like my father, my mother or our servants. I was left for dead whilst the gnolls sacked and burned everything of value to us. I awoke in the care of some colleagues from the school of Alteration to find out what had happened, though I already surmised what had transpired. I had been in a catatonic state for the better part of 12 years and cared for by the Red Wizards from the school who found my body. I swore revenge though it wasn’t needed. Maligor had been killed along with his schemes thanks to the Zulkir of Necromancy and some meddling Harpers. With this one act Maligor had destroyed everything that I had ever truly loved. I lay for many weeks, my mind and wounds still recovering, realising I would have to start anew. My spellbook was lost along with everything else that I had owned. My fathers businesses had either been sold or taken over by some other Red Wizard who claimed his share. Such is our culture.”
“It just so happened that the newly appointed Zulkir of Alteration paid a visit to our school once I had fully recovered from the ordeal. We were training in the great hall, trolls and giants fighting and practicing around me, all Red Wizards transformed. My tutor forbid me to participate, saying that I was not ready yet to begin. He was a friend of my fathers, and I trusted his judgement so I merely watched the spectacle. Without any indication, the doors to the hall slammed open. An average figure, covered in red robes and tattoos, silhouetted the entrance as it strolled forward purposefully towards my tutor. The practice came to a halt as everyone started whispering as they watched this man stride across the hall. They talked for what seemed like an eternity, though in actuality it was no longer than a few minutes. The new Zulkir of Alteration wanted a few promising students to go abroad as agents to simply report on the happenings within the area, collect any magical baubles of interest and execute tasks for the nearest Khazark if required. Any that displayed aptitude would likely be given orders directly from the Zulkir himself. After stating his wishes the Zulkir turned to face the students watching him before asking my tutor to choose who he thought should be given these responsibilities. My heart was beating rapidly, for I knew my tutor would think me unready. Needless to say he made his selection and the Zulkir started to walk back across the hall, until I ran past my tutor towards him. I couldn’t let this chance slip my grasp, even if my father’s friend deemed me unready. The Zulkir quickly turned at my approach, likely suspecting some assassination attempt. I held my hands up and simply stated that I wanted this opportunity. The Zulkir quirked an eyebrow before looking towards my instructor. He isn’t prepared is the reply he received, and he would have continued were he not silenced by the Zulkir. I was asked my name to which I replied, my heart still pounding in my chest as I hoped he would realise the loyalty with which my family had shown Thay and the school of Alteration. The Zulkir seemed in thought for but a few moments before stating I was to proceed with the other students. His words still echo in my mind even today. “Do not fail my expectations of you Mencius.”
// If there are any irregularities, please let me know and I will ammend it