Sitting at the bleeding heart table, located in the inn known as Wayside,
you sit there, staring at your ale, patiently awaiting the coming of the
man you’ve heard so much about. You’ve heard him called all manner
of names, including murderer, thief, egotistical, and dishonorable. Those
being the worst of the lot, but by no means the best. Many call him friend,
a few have called him lover, and husband, and an even more select few have
called him hero. Some have called him savior. The wolf clan calls him The
Hellion.
Hearing some ruckus from the main parlor room, you look up from your ale
and see a dark figure approaching the table, a hooded cloak pulled over his
face. You know who your eyes are set upon, Aronious Danteny. As he approaches
your table, he pushes the hood of his cloak back onto his shoulders and stares
at you with his piercing blue eyes. You feel almost as if he is gazing into
your soul, you sit up straight in your chair, no longer as relaxed as you
were.
By looking at Aronious, you are able to tell he is proud oh himself, his
heritage and his family. He is adorned in Faendryl antiquities, and carries
himself with a mannerism that is rarely seen nowadays.
“Good eve” he says as he pulls out the chair adjacent to you and
sits down. “I was told by my sister Jypsie to meet you here, so that
you might gather information about me to add to the Clan’s records.”
At that, he smiles pleasantly, adjusts himself in his seat, and continues
on. “What is your name?”
“Isonlore” you say in an almost impish voice.
“Pleased to meet you” he counters immediately. ”I’m not
sure why ya need ta hear this from me, Jypta and Jypsie know my history as
well as I! Although, I’m always willing to tell a good story to anyone
who’s willing to pay attention. Ya gonna pay attention?” He says
with a big grin on his face, practically going from pointed ear to pointed
ear.
“Aye” you bluntly state.
Aronious nods to you in satisfaction.
“Ok, lemme start off like this then. Our father Sterling Angeliqan was
a powerful Faendryl warlock, our mother, a half elf by the name of Tanitia
Calbot, was a very praised empath. They both resided in the area of Icemule
Trace. They thought it to be a good home to rear their children, Jypta, Jypsie,
Danelo, Minthe, Mordlin, Maichette and I. As you’ve probably noticed,
I took after my father. If you are interested in my fathers and mothers
histories, I’d suggest ye ask Jypta, for she remembers the stories they
told far better than I. We had lived a peaceful enjoyable life, Jypta was
always off exploring, my other siblings were always trotting around the lands
somewhere. But On one fateful day in The Year of Shadows, all that we knew,
was destroyed.” At the last word, Aronious turns his gaze to the side,
then faces you again.
“What happened” you ask, genuine concern in your voice.
“The most unexpected thing that could happen, happened. A Massive invasion
force of orcs and kobolds among other, more dangerous beasts, led by a huge
Orclord descended upon the town of Icemule. I was sitting atop a hill, from
where I was I could see the South Gate of mule. Thinking I saw something,
I ran off the hill, down into a gully. Never finding what I saw, after a
while I went back to the top of the hill. What I saw before me, was amazing.
Lightning flashed across the sky, the massive gates were ablaze, and there
were thousands of things moving all along the perimeter of the town. Not
knowing what to do, I rolled down the hill, trying to get to town in much
haste. Unknowingly I was headed right towards a rock. I’m assuming my
head hit the rock, fore I don’t remember too much. The next thing I
remember, is waking up in the back of a cart that was traveling as fast as
the ice would allow. Next to me sat a girl of my own age. I sat up, my head
throbbing. She told me to lay down, but I resisted. The girl told me of the
invasion of the trace. She told me of the massive destruction that befell.
She told me of a great magic user that teleported out into the midst of the
battle to help defend the town, but had been overwhelmed and perished, his
life ending in a massive explosion. I realized then, that I would never see
my father again. A great shadow passed over me at that time. I had no idea
where I was going, having never explored out this far. And these peasants
whose cart I was riding in, obviously wouldn’t turn back, fear driving
them as fast as they could go. I remember nothing after that.”
Aronious’ facial expression grows even more somber.
“I woke up in the same cart, by the same girl, travelling through a
strange, unfamiliar town. The girl told me that this was Whenimers Landing.
I had heard of this place before from my sister Jypta, and passing travelers,
but never actually been here before. All around me people were running
everywhere, yelling things, casting spells and doing all sorts of other business.
The cart eventually stopped under a large tree in the center of town. I quickly
leapt off the cart and looked around, not knowing what to do or where to
go. The girl whom I rode with stood beside me. I had nowhere to go and she
knew that. I found through asking that she was also unfamiliar with this
town, and had no family here either. Her name was Callalily. Through asking
questions of the locals I found an inn where we could stay, although our
combined silvers would not last us more than a fortnight in this town. Callalily
and I spent all of our time together. We hunted, slowly learning how to skin
and sell the pelts for silvers, occasionally hunting some kobolds or lesser
orcs and gaining silver and equipment that way. Killing those beasts always
gave me great satisfaction. Over time Calalilly and I decided to wed. My
best friend Wulfgar was to be our witness. The three of us were a tightly
knit group, spending time together always, living in the same shanty. I held
much love for them both.” Smiles slightly, obviously remember some grand
experience.
“A week before Callalily and I were to be wed, she got a bit overconfident
and stepped foot onto the glacier with Wulfgar accompanying her. I was not
with them this day, because I was in desperate search for the best ring I
could get her with the silvers I had, and knowing the merchants in this town,
they are all way overpriced. I was bartering with a the gem store owner of
the price of a moonstone wedding ring, when I suddenly fell to my knees.
I couldn’t open my eyes, all I was able to see was an image that will
forever be in my head. That image is of Callalily and Wulfgar both laying
on the blood-splattered snow of the glacier, at the feet of a group of Frost
Giants. I immediately threw down the silvers, drew my sword and shield, and
as fast as I could, ran towards the glacier. I arrived at the area that I
thought them to be at. They were gone, all that was left was a few loose
items that had fallen from pouches, and the blood-soaked snow where their
bodies had lain.”
“For weeks after that, I sat alone, mourning, wondering why everything
I loved in life, always ended up dying. From that point on, my life changed
forever. A fire burned within my soul, all I could think of was revenge and
death. Friends were not something that I had, nor wanted. I turned into a
brigand, robbing folk on their way into town, slaughtering any who crossed
me. All I was able to see was black. That is...until one day. I was hunting
for marks in kobolds, and I came upon someone whom I could not make myself
rob. I saw a woman that looked strangely familiar. You see, it had been a
long time since my days in the trace. But somehow, I knew, that the woman
that I saw was my sister, Jypta. I kept this to myself however, and revealed
myself from hiding. I created some small talk. I could see in her eyes that
she recognized me immediately. For the first time in ages it seemed, I was
able to see. What I saw before me was love, something that I never thought
I’d see again. Before she could say my name, I ran up to her and gave
her a bear hug.” Aronious grins mischievously as he says that.
“She was quite surprised, as was I. Finding her at that point in my
life is probably why I’m still alive today, you see, the path which
I was on was most destructive. We went back into town, and upon our arrival
many of my brothers and sisters were there to greet us. It was a tremendously
exciting occasion. All my siblings had been reunited again. Shortly thereafter
however, I grew uncomfortable with being so confined, I missed my days of
adventuring. Over the years I had turned into somewhat of a loner. So I said
farewell to my family and new friends that I had gained, and set off to seek
adventure and fortune in the wilds, along with something else that I hadn’t
had in a long time...” As his words trail off, he looks into the mug
of ale that was just placed before him by an ale wench, and stares dazedly
into it.
“I won’t go into the exact details of that particular venture,
but obviously, I
returned, and in one piece. Maturity and knowledge is what I gained. I returned
after a year er so. Upon my return, my family and friends greeted me happily.
My days were mostly made up of hunting and drinking ale with friends at this
very inn. I started to make a fortune by picking boxes, a skill I had refined
over the years. The hearthstone porch was where I usually spent my days of
picking. Upon that porch I met my first wife, Carren. We stayed married for
just a short time. I was too adventuresome a spirit to be held down at the
time by someone who didn’t want me to be myself. So that marriage ended
fairly quickly. During my marriage to Carren, I met a wonderful woman by
the name of Liannah. Whilst my wife was away, her and I spent much time together
hunting and talking. She was a free spirit much like myself. A love like
I’ve never felt before slowly grew between Liannah and I. We decided
to marry. When, we didn’t know. Well, we actually still don’t have
a date set for the wedding. After our engagement began, I decided to venture
out into the wildlands again, having just lost my title was most discouraging
to me, and I needed some excitement. This time around I was gone for a little
less then a year. During my travels I’ve learned much of the lands,
of life, and of love. Things that I will never forget, and that have helped
me immensely in finding out the direction in which I want to take my life.
So, here I am, having returned less than a month ago, I’m doing well.
My fiancée Liannah and I are to be wed soon. Life is good.”
“Wow, quite the interesting story Aronious. Ye’ve been through
a lot.” You say, a look of sympathy in your eyes.
“Aye, I have, and I’m a much stronger person for it. But feel no
sympathy for me friend Isonlore, for I have gained more knowledge than many
would guess throughout my life, and am glad to have gone through the experiences
that I did, for if the past was to be changed, I would not be here now, with
my friends, family, and my fiancée.” He finishes that up with
a wink.
“I must be going now, the world outside does not stop for us, and there
are many things to be done!.”
At that, you watch Aronious Stand up with cat-like grace, bow, and work his
way through the crowded parlor towards the door, and you just barely notice
him lift a coin purse from a patron on the way out the door.
