Story 13

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04d8dfc3.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04e8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>The New Home of the Elven Guard!</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The New Home of the Elven Guard!"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Story 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="0500e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>       </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>   </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Songs of the Guard:"><U><B><U>Stories of the Guard</U></B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Story 13</I></div> <div> Goodeve, I am Arravis Dru`giir, spurned Teir`dal Wizard, Historian and Poet. I was the Vizier of the Eye of the Serpent until their recent demise. Before that I was once the guild leader of Antonica's Divine. It is my pleasure and honor to join your ranks and hope for a bright future within.</div> <bR> <div> ooc: Some of you might know me from the events I organize, if not you might wish to look some of them. Go to www.ralloszek.net and take a look at the "show all news" at the bottom and search under my name. Most of my events were unannounced, so only three are listed there. I plan to continue my events within the Elven Guard as well. I hope to get everyone's participation in them.</div> <bR> <div> As far as my personal history I have included some of my story below and how a Teir`dal like myself might find his way to such honorable men and women as yourselves. Here is my tale...</div> <bR> <bR> <div> I am Arravis, son of Sharantyr Dru`giir. An ancient relative of Shanratyr's was of noble blood. This allowed him to work with the royals of Neriak, as a tutor and the royal historian. He studied wizardry in secret, since those working with the royal family were not supposed to be tainted with heretical teachings (Necromancers are considered the only true casters in Teir`dal society, all other casters are The Spurned, semi-outcasts). My father married his assistant Ruana, soon after the wedding, my brother, Sycthe, was born. Three years later, I was brought into the world. As time passed, father became more involved in politics and became the King's advisor. Unfortunately, rivals uncovered his secret learning in wizardry and exposed him. He was demoted and appointed as Ambassador to Erudin (basically the political Siberia in Neriak political society). I was only young boy when we moved to Erudin, soon after, father began to teach me the basics of Wizardry. Over time, Sharantyr became a well-liked person in Erudin; his charming personality and scholarly mind won him many friends. Since Erudin has an ancient political alliance with Neriak, such friendships are not entirely unknown.</div> <bR> <div> I learned wizardry from masters in the field at the greatest school in Norrath, the Lyceum Arcanum, also simply known as the Library. The Library is also a bastion of historical and scholarly knowledge. I spent my time between scholarly pursuits and those of magic. As the years passed, my father became more outspoken on Neriak's policies, until he was removed from his position as Ambassador. The Erudites protested his removal and allowed us to stay within their marbled city. Going back to Neriak would have been certain death for my father, since the position of Ambassador was his only protection from his enemies there.</div> <bR> <div> The next year was a happy one. We were able to give up any pretense of working for Neriak and focus on what our family loved, history and magic. Then that dreadful day came, it was during the fall that our home was raided by Tier`dal assassins, both my parents were killed in the attack. My brother and I escaped with the help of my professors and friends of my fathers, Master Saed Xambrian, Master Ciridius Kedil, and Head Librarian Pashadim Trunad. I spent the rest of my childhood under their care, learning magic and swearing vengeance. But, time does heal many wounds, and I grew to accept my heritage, if not totally embrace it, though I still seek those responsible for my parents death.</div> <bR> <div> After I completed my studies in Erudin, I was asked to teach at the Lyceum Arcanum. Later, my research brought me to the other great libraries of the world and finally I returned to my ancient homeland. I lived among my kin and began to understand, if not agree with, them. I devoured what knowledge I could glean from the libraries, trying to understand the Teir`Dal's history and peoples. I moved quietly among them for many years, hiding my family name and past. Unfortunately, some of my neighbors became suspicious of my actions and I decided to leave Neriak and return to Erudin. </div> <div> When I returned, I found that Erudin was not enough. I wanted to learn so much more, to experience more of the world I had seen. My old professor, Pashadim recommended that I take a research project that would take me to the Commonlands in Antonica. The Erudites scholars were interested in the flora and fauna of the area and the impact of having the two great cities of Neriak and Freeport near to this environment. I gathered my books and set off for those lands. Sycthe, my brother, decided to join in my research and we spent several years in those green hills. After my studies of it were completed I returned to Erudin to give my report on it, writing a tome called “Midnight Within the Hills: A study of war and nature in the Commonlands”. Pashadim and Ciridius were very pleased with what my research had yielded and immediately sent us of to the Rathe Mountains. They had heard of the Drakes that lived within the valleys of the mountains and wished us to research them since none had to that point. Those were many happy years I spent within the folds of those valleys of rock and grass. Sycthe and I spent all our time with the drakes, which quickly became our obsession. We studied all their behaviors, anatomy, feedings and the rest. We were even privy to sometimes see the grand Shardwing, mistress and rarest of all the Drakes. I suspect we know more of her then any other mortal on Norrath, and she does hold secrets indeed.</div> <bR> <div> It was during his research of the drakes that he first saw her. He was in High Keep, in the courtyard, filling out reports to mail back to Pashadim and in she walked. I had little experience with women, much less Teir`dal women, but I was immediately struck by the beauty of this one. A young enchantress named Venera. I was instantly smitten by her but did not have the courage to approach her. Later I sought her out but she was nowhere to be found. This was the beginning of a long obsession with the mercurial dark elf.</div> <bR> <div> I returned to my studies in the Rathe Mountains, trying to blot her out of my mind, but found myself returning more and more often to High Keep, seeking her again. I never did find Venera but I did find good friendship there, within the basement of the keep. I met a young and brash bard named Penque. Penque and some of his other friends in the Keep were within a large and powerful guild named Antonica’s Divine. They had asked me to join their ranks and find new adventures and opportunities together. There I found many new friends, including those from High Keep, that would be lifelong friendships. Many years passed within High Keep, working with the guild, moving up in their ranks. When Penque’s health was failing, he asked that I take over the guild until his health returned. Unfortunately the mantle of leadership was not one that I bore well. I had asked too much of the guild members and of myself. The guild remained intact only for a few years more before collapsing under too many demands. It was in preparations for the last guild meeting at the spires in Greater Feydark that I first met Indygo. She was easily the most beautiful and lovely woman I had ever seen, but was still to enrapture by thoughts of Venera to fully notice. This young high elf Paladin made a good impression, and asked to join the guild. Unfortunately she was just in time to see it end.</div> <bR> <div> The next few years were spent wandering from place to place, looking for Venera when I could or finding ancient texts to read. It was three years after the collapse of Antonica’s Divine that I met Vargon. The powerful Teir`dal rogue made an immediate and lasting impression. Vargon was the leader of a small but efficient group of rogues and mercenaries named Eye of the Serpent. I had heard of them before and knew that Ciridius, my old professor, had even hired them before to “acquire” some texts. Ciridius had told me that the group had access to a vast network of spies and informants that was most useful in finding any kind of information. It was with hopes of getting access to this information that I accepted Vargon’s offer to join the guild. What happened next, I could have not foretold. Vargon and I walked to the Eye’s offices in Neriak to meet some of the other members of the guild, when we entered I saw her. There was Venera, the woman I had fallen in love at first sight in High Keep. I had not known that she was the daughter of Vargon. The next two years were strange ones for me. I now had access to vasts amounts of information and resources; finally I was able to accomplish goals I had long ago thought impossible. Quickly I rose through the ranks of guild, becoming the advisor to Vargon, the guilds Vizier. </div> <div> I was a fool for not having made my feelings clearer before that time. I wished to make a subtle gesture, I would send her a flower and a message. It all seemed so clear. This way I could avoid the direct confrontation I dreaded. So, I tasked Lilelin, a young apprentice of the guild, to deliver the flower. All the courier was to say was that the gift was sent by 'A poet who cannot find the words.' I was certain that she would know it was from me, for who else could it be?</div> <bR> <div> The next day Lilelin told me that Venera had become enraged by the delivery. She had threatened him and left in a fury! I asked that another flower be delivered and to tell her that a letter awaited her in High Keep. The delivery was to be done by a recent recruit to the guild, an old friend of Vargon and powerful druid, Behrue. Neither Behrue nor I knew how difficult delivering the flower and the message would be. Once Venera found out that another flower was to be brought to her, she fled and hid deep in the most dangerous of dungeons, the ancient ruins of Lower Guk. What horrors and foul monsters Behrue fought and overcame in his attempt to deliver the flower, I shall never know, but all attempts failed. Behrue, feeling that he had failed the guild, chose to leave the guild. In my fervor I encouraged him, thinking that this would draw her out. It backfired and Venera left the guild and asked them to leave her alone, specifically mentioning me.</div> <bR> <div> A deep depression overcame me, the loss of Venera was more then I could cope with. I fled back to the place I felt most at peace in, with the drakes of the Rathe Mountains. There I planned to starve myself to death rather then live with the pain in my heart. After a week, Vargon had sent him a message. It explained that he was in danger and needed to see me immediately. 'Come prepared for battle', Vargon had added. Seeing an opportunity for a swift death, I quickly traveled the roads of magic to the caverns in Freeport. When I found Vargon, I saw her. Exhaustion, exposure and hunger caused me to stumble across the room to her. With tears filling my eyes, I whispered, "Adrift between the earth and the sky, I call to the east and change it to west. I flourish my staff and return it once again. All this I would do, and change the world too, to see your eyes once again."</div> <bR> <div> "What do you want from me Arravis?" she spoke with angry eyes. "I love you Venera. I have since we first met. I feel empty and like a shell without you." I told her. Venera straightened her robes and calmly said, "I do not love you, nor will I ever. I have had enough of love, it is a weakness." Shaking my head, I cried out, "No! Do not say that! We must never give up on it. All this pain I have, all this aching, brought by love, I would not trade, lest I loose the love I feel." Smirking, she quickly retorted "Love? I have only found pain in those that have claimed to love me. I wish nothing of it." I pleaded, "Please, let me help you, I see so much suffering in your eyes. Let me help you, and we shall both find happiness in the healing.” She laughed, her eyes flickering nervously in the torchlight; "You are just another arrogant dark elf wishing me, one of many. Pretty words are like smoke, intangible and empty." Her words cut through me like a knife, severing my will. I collapsed to the floor, facing away from her. “I am sorry I have failed you Venera, you are right, words are not enough. Perhaps one day I can ease your pain, and perhaps one day I can ease my own.” I told her, eyes pleading. “I am not yours to heal, Arravis.” My throat constricted. Words were not enough, nor will they ever be. I opened the magical gate, looked at her sadly, and left. Tears fell to the sand, unheard and unseen.</div> <bR> <div> I saw her again a few times. Once at a guild meeting where we talked for some time, and she left laughing at my foolishness. Another at a party for new recruits which included Indygo, the young elf I had met years before. At the celebration I tried to speak with Venera but she coldly ignored me. It was Feninn, an old and good friend, who first noticed Indygo’s reaction. The pain that crossed her face when she saw my heart being torn before her, the longing she had when looked into the dark elf’s eyes. I noticed little of it, encased in a castle of pain. Later, the astute halfling rogue and Indygo met, where he spoke to Indygo’s about her feelings for me. </div> <div> As time passed, I began to realize that my love for Venera was for the Venera that existed in my mind. I had felt a deep desire to love and be loved and created that person in my heart, unfortunately the reality and the fantasy did not merge. Again, I sought refuge in my work. I poured all his energies into the guild, day and night spent in service. I found myself helping Indygo often; she always seemed in need of a Gate here or there.</div> <bR> <div> I enjoyed her company, she would give me a quick smile and my pain subsided for a moment. Sometimes as I would cast my spells for her, I felt the touch of her soft hands on my arm and a strange warmth filled me. We found ourselves keeping company with each other more often. Her sweet laughter and bright eyes would scare away the ghosts that haunted me. When I was with her, I felt comfortable and safe. I began to heal the wounds that had been in my heart for so long, that had become so familiar was closing. Somehow, this beautiful and wondrous paladin found a way to mend my soul.</div> <bR> <div> One day while talking about years past with her, I decided to show her the spot in the Rathe Mountains where I spent so much time in research of the noble drakes. We sat in the cool grass, watching them fly by, like black clouds on a summer day. As the day waned on I realized, that for the first time in my life, I was happy. Watching her hair ripple in the cool breeze like waves of gold. The feel of her smooth warm touch on me, her kind eyes that met mine, spread the feeling of joy within me. We talked all day, I told her of my youth, the loss of my parents, the pain of rejection at being a Teir`dal in Erudin, and the loss of Venera. I told her my fears, my ambitions and unfulfilled dreams. She listened to me, understood me, accepted me. She did not judge as others had. For so long, I had been the Spurned, the Teir`dal, the Wizard, the bookworm, the leader. But, she did not see that, she only saw Arravis.</div> <bR> <div> This was some time ago… things have changed since that meeting. I cannot bring myself to speak of them yet. Perhaps I will soon, the pain in my heart is still too much. For every joy in my life, there has been pain. Such is the way of the fates. </div> <div> -Arravis Dru`giir</div> <div> Wizard, Poet and Historian</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>