The Darkness --Raranin's History
My Beginnings in the Ever Dark
As a wee lad in training under the mighty guards of Felwithe, I had many bad run in's with undead creatures and big bad wolves. I lived in a constant fear and became a very fast runner. The guards always protected me well from those evil creatures of the ever dark that followed me home from my short adventures. I became interested in tailoring and was taught the bare skills of it quickly. It was not very profitable but I felt good in giving others armor to better their adventures. Living off of rations and water, with the occasion milk and biscuit, I encountered many things in my early years. One day I come across one Wood Elf who called himself Samethegrey. Intriguing fellow indeed, felt that as a young lad of 8 years training I was ready to prove myself in Crushbone. As a small group turned into a party of 6, a strong friend imerged for me, his name was Fortunbas. Fort and I were the first time run into a legionarie orc, and the last to run from it. It was in this first encounter with a legion of Crushbone that I learned the lesson of swimming in the moat about the great castle. Upon retrieving my few belongings later that day from the moat, Fort and myself carried out long journey's together from then on. Many battles and excursions took place between he and I. One fateful day we decided to explore beyond the Observatory in the Lesser Darkness, and stumbled upon a city of gnomes! These gnomes were amazing. Such creative use of talent and material I had never seen before. And oh the monsters around their fare city. So large and dangerous, I figured this was the perfect place for a Paladin of Tunare to apply his will and character to protect.
With a previous hatred of the Undead, I sought out skeletons of every shape and size. While upon this quest, I ran upon a rat with the plague upon his body. He was a strong little pest, and if it had not been for newly made friends of Strata, Aethna and Ginuvan, I fear I would have been in for a long walk again for my few yet bigger belongings. Strata and company in turn introduced themselves and took me under their wings of friendship and kindness, and to show their affection took me into a mine type place that had very large creatures in it called Minotaurs. My new friends were skilled hunters of them, and I learned quickly which they sought to kill and what sought to kill us in turn. I wrote down such names in my journal and kept a watch for them whenever I traveled out of my home town of Felwithe from then on.
It was about this point that I decided to leave my home of 10 years now and venture and stay in Kelethin, the tree city of the true elves of the Ever Dark land. Feeling bold and reckless, I traveled towards the Orc home and evil of Crushbone but decided to hunt out their scouts and centurions as the evils that lay within were still too much for me alone. I happened upon a set of sisters and close friends that held the same intentions as I did. Kiana, what a beautiful lass, and how she grew into such a stunning young woman. I remember fighting with her many days and nights, and then she took off for some time. I was lonely and decided to take to my travels once more. This time my journey's lead me to the great mountains of Butcherblock.
A very well lit place with scattered trees these mountains turned out to be. I wandered about aimlessly for quite a while. I was grateful to run into Crows the Ranger, whom i fought goblins, basilisks, and the rare Emerald Drake with for many days. He was good company, and he tracking skills were an excellent attribute for us. I believe that I stumbled across a large ruined place with Crows one day, and how i was excited and appawled all in the same moment. Giant undead skeletons were roaming about the forest! I almost fell in my rush to expell them from such a wonderous place such as Butcherblock was to me then. Again, I was extremely grateful that Crows was with me that day.
Some time later while i again departed my company of Crows, I wandered onto a magnificent dwarven city. What a sight to see from afar and up close. A large dwarven statue placed upon the enterance, and shiney armoured guards lined the passage as I stumbled about the gates. The wonderfulness of the city almost stopped outside. Prices were high, the citizens were snappy and unwelcoming to myself. Be that my hertiage of a knight in training or my Elven face and stature, I feel that the Dwarven society needs to learn a bit about embracing others warmly. I left the city shortly after this inhospitable attitude was shown to me, and hunted the mountains by myself for almost 2 years. They really left an impression.
I was so inclined to leave these Dwarves along, and not wanting to head home to nothing but orcs and death, I traveled across the ocean. With this amazing travel, I encountered many marvelous things. From beautiful fish women, to Cat people, to bandits, goblins, skeletons, cultish warrior sisters, and of course the occassional shark who felt the need to nibble a passenger.
Once upon the strange shore, I wondered about the port area of the city called Freeport. A strange, large, and full of crime city. The guards whispered things of power and taxes, the merchants didn't speak much except to sell their wares to me when i asked of them, i gather due to the fear of the guards. I found a Hall filled with fellow knights in training, and also some well established Knights of the Order of Marr. Upon practicing in the back courtyard with a kind trainer, an acclaimed Knight took an interest in my so deemed abilities. Upon beating my opponent, he approached me. I knelt down in reverence, and he said thus: "Young squire, you show the potential that all Knights should try to have. Talk with Mercos, he will point you on your quest for true Knighthood. Go now." And thus i embarked upon my Knighthood.
Since every Knights quest is special, i will keep the details of what i had to accomplish to my own thoughts and memories. It was a task worthy of completing. I regret the taking of a life in my journey to become a Knight of the Order, all i can say, is that it was a just reason, and he, if anyone can, deserved to perish. Later at my induction to Knighthood, Tunare herself set down her blessing. I vowed to give my life for my friends and kinspeople.
It was shortly after this that I encountered an old friend, who happened to be kind all these years later and gave me a sword worthy of use. From then on, I felt forever indebted to that lovely set of sisters I met so long ago. Keara, i could not thank enough for her generousity for a Combine Long Sword. It served me well and continues to serve a Noble purpose. I recall her beautiful sister sharing some armor with me when I was in need. Kiana, always beautiful, had been my closest friend. Of all the people that I had met over the years and traveled/hunted with, she would be my favorite one to encounter again and again.
Sometime after my knighthood in Freeport and doing my errands of Valor for a year, I travled home and met with Kiana a friend of hers, Machin I believe. We dueled as friends, I also dueled with Kiana once or twice in the time I've known her, always a fun time. Her Shadow Knight friend was a few years younger than me, but he showed excellent use of what he did know. I had a difficult time keeping up with his blows. Of course Kiana had grown in her abilities, and did indeed surprise me quite a bit with such spells I had only seen from aged casters such as my friend Fortunbas.
I was happy then and content to stay put and finish up my smithing abilities to benefit The Lost Souls. My guild of whom I had fought with all the members by my side. Needless to say, my smithing skill shave come a long way. Making armor for those small persons around Kelethin who have none.
