Post by Xero on Oct 30, 2008 22:28:37 GMT -5
Prologue: The Storm
There was a flash of light. A fierce gust of wind rushed through the leaves of the multitude of trees on an island in Hemnethia. This was Ardul, a small forest island in the middle of the Illurian Sea. The winds grew stronger and faster, whistling past the animals scurrying into the woods to seek refuge from the oncoming storm.
You read that correctly. Storm. You probably thought that flash of light was the main character emerging. You thought that was how I was going to introduce the main character in some epic fashion, emerging from a portal that causes flashes of light and strong winds so bad that they cause seizures. But that's not how the hero comes into this story.
In a small cave on the southern end of Ardul, called Scarlet Cove, a young man hurriedly gathered supplies for the impending storm. No doubt this would be the worst storm Ardul and its scarce inhabitants had ever experienced. He was tall, slim, and very strong. He had shoulder-length dark brown hair, and his eyes matched the color of his hair. His face showed the wisdom and experience of a man much older than he was. His manner was very composed, as if he seemed to know exactly what he was doing at all times.
Meet Xero, a descendant of the renowned Watsrobe line. The Watsrobes had always lived on Ardul, though they were known throughout Hemnethia as the world's most adventuresome travelers.
At his side, in its sheath, was a magnificent sword. This sword, named Velnar, was passed down through the Watsrobes for ages. It had been in the Watsrobe family for longer than anyone could remember. It was thought that it had been given to the first Watsrobe, Phantom, Xero's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, by an unnamed friend, who had turned evil. This Unnamed Friend had turned against Phantom, and the two former friends engaged in battle. Phantom emerged victorious, and the Unnamed Friend was executed for treason against the peace of Hemnethia. Rumor also had it that Velnar, though previously owned by Unnamed Friend, could only be wielded by a Watsrobe. It was thought that Velnar had special properties in its metals and in the jewels in its hilt that would only reach their full potential under the touch of a Watsrobe. This is still believed to this day, though no mortal being has ever been able to pry the ancient sword from the grasp of the mighty Watsrobes.
Xero grabbed his sack full of items. He peeked into the bag to make sure he had everything he needed. Flint and steel, check. Knife, check. Bow and arrows, check. Extra clothes, check. He looked at his ragged tunic and cloak in disgust. He had a strong, flexible, comfortable new tunic and a long, flowing cloak folded up in his sack. He tore off his old, worn out clothes and replaced them with his new clothing. Much better.
He was now ready for the storm. He picked up his staff, laying on the ground, and walked into Scarlet Cove, where a warm fire was already blazing, and a large salmon was releasing strong, delicious odors, inviting him into the cave. Yes, he was, indeed, prepared.
There was a flash of light. A fierce gust of wind rushed through the leaves of the multitude of trees on an island in Hemnethia. This was Ardul, a small forest island in the middle of the Illurian Sea. The winds grew stronger and faster, whistling past the animals scurrying into the woods to seek refuge from the oncoming storm.
You read that correctly. Storm. You probably thought that flash of light was the main character emerging. You thought that was how I was going to introduce the main character in some epic fashion, emerging from a portal that causes flashes of light and strong winds so bad that they cause seizures. But that's not how the hero comes into this story.
In a small cave on the southern end of Ardul, called Scarlet Cove, a young man hurriedly gathered supplies for the impending storm. No doubt this would be the worst storm Ardul and its scarce inhabitants had ever experienced. He was tall, slim, and very strong. He had shoulder-length dark brown hair, and his eyes matched the color of his hair. His face showed the wisdom and experience of a man much older than he was. His manner was very composed, as if he seemed to know exactly what he was doing at all times.
Meet Xero, a descendant of the renowned Watsrobe line. The Watsrobes had always lived on Ardul, though they were known throughout Hemnethia as the world's most adventuresome travelers.
At his side, in its sheath, was a magnificent sword. This sword, named Velnar, was passed down through the Watsrobes for ages. It had been in the Watsrobe family for longer than anyone could remember. It was thought that it had been given to the first Watsrobe, Phantom, Xero's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, by an unnamed friend, who had turned evil. This Unnamed Friend had turned against Phantom, and the two former friends engaged in battle. Phantom emerged victorious, and the Unnamed Friend was executed for treason against the peace of Hemnethia. Rumor also had it that Velnar, though previously owned by Unnamed Friend, could only be wielded by a Watsrobe. It was thought that Velnar had special properties in its metals and in the jewels in its hilt that would only reach their full potential under the touch of a Watsrobe. This is still believed to this day, though no mortal being has ever been able to pry the ancient sword from the grasp of the mighty Watsrobes.
Xero grabbed his sack full of items. He peeked into the bag to make sure he had everything he needed. Flint and steel, check. Knife, check. Bow and arrows, check. Extra clothes, check. He looked at his ragged tunic and cloak in disgust. He had a strong, flexible, comfortable new tunic and a long, flowing cloak folded up in his sack. He tore off his old, worn out clothes and replaced them with his new clothing. Much better.
He was now ready for the storm. He picked up his staff, laying on the ground, and walked into Scarlet Cove, where a warm fire was already blazing, and a large salmon was releasing strong, delicious odors, inviting him into the cave. Yes, he was, indeed, prepared.