Garthen Earthmender

From Loranon

Player Character
Garthen Earthmender
Image:Garthen.png
Player	Brian Scott
Affiliations	PC Party
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Description

Background

It was the third full moon of this year when it happened. The members of the Khardorak Circle gathered deep in the spirit chamber. It is the lowest point in Khardoran, the largest mountain of the Khardorak range. These mountains have been my home for almost twenty years, ever since the spirits guided me there when I was still but a child.

It was there in the chamber that we partook of Ruktsagra, or Sageroot in the common tongue, and set out on our spiritual journey. It is in these many journeys that we druids are able to see more clearly the path the spirits have set out for us. We can gain insight and wisdom, as well as guidance on our future actions. This night was unlike any we had experienced before. We saw visions of entire continents subjugated, horrifying armies of unnatural monsters, unlike anything I'd ever heard marching across all of Mezra, conquering all who stood in their paths. Gone was the peace, the tranquility, the balance that normally accompanies these travels. All we felt was pain, sorrow, and a great sense of loss.

When the visions left us, the room was glowing, filled with the essence of all manner of spirits, and from the waning smoke of the ruktsagra, stood the allmother, the Spirit of Mezra. Her beauty was indescribable, so I shall not waste my time attempting to do so, but her presence was a weight upon all who were present.

She spoke in a tongue I have never heard, but could understand as if it were my own. "You have all borne witness to the terrible days almost upon us. The Fall of Night will come, of that there can be no doubt, and the fires of this world will be put out. I am afraid there is nothing that can be done to stop this."

She turned, and studied each of us carefully, apparently deliberating as what to say next. "This world will be overrun with darkness. The balance of Mezra will be destroyed. This is a power which I am unable to stop. It is a power that will need to by matched by the greatest of my children. These young ones that have carved out their lives upon me, their mettle will decide my fate. As my most cherished children, I charge you to protect me."

Trekan Wildheart, our greatest champion, stood and stepped toward her. "Choose me mother. I your humble child would gladly do my part to protect you."

A soft smile adorned her face as she faced him. "For you, I have a most important journey planned, but now is not the time. You will stay here and prepare yourself, for the most dangerous journey of all."

She turned then to a group of my brothers. "Tenderk, Kharone, Seldred, I need you to sail south, to Loranon. There the darkness will start. There you must resist it. In the woods to the south you must meet with the elves of the Elvareen Circle. Convince them to stand against the darkness. I cannot see how this will end, and I fear I ask you to go to your doom, but someone must resist this, or we will be too late."

Tenderk Firebeard bowed before the spirit. "We will gladly lay down our lives for you allmother." The other two joined him before standing up straight.

She then turned to my beloved, Faekrin Mooneyes. "Young Faekrin, I need you to appeal to the lord of this land, Jarrol Thunderhelm and petition him on my behalf. The strength of his men will be vital."

I watched as my love bowed with no signs of hesitation. "I will do as you command allmother." I've never been more proud of her than at that moment.

It was at that moment she turned to me. "Garthen, my child. I must send you to the east, to Daromir." I could feel my heart constrict. The tales of that place I had heard. "In the great plains, you will see a vision. Follow it, and you will do great things in my service."

I was terrified. It's not been too long since I was promoted from initiate, but the words of her voice made what I was to do sound grave. It was with great fear in my heart that I accepted the call. "I will do what you need."

She smiled and turned to face the group. "The rest of you must stay here. Protect these mountains as you have. I will be with you all in your journeys. I will give you what power I can. I will guide your trails. Do not dispair, my children you have never let me down. I am sure you will be up to this task."

With those words, she disappeared into the earth. The other spirits in the room scattered. That night I packed what little I owned, and with a kiss to my sweet Faekrin, I set off into the night.

It had been a week of traveling when I experienced the vision. I saw a young human girl, and many warriors seeking her. In the vision I was among these heroes channeling the powers of nature, and fighting alongside a beautiful silver furred wolf. When was roused from my trance the wolf was laying down beside me, looking at me with anticipation. It rose with me and together we set off to Daromir, to find the heroes from my vision.