Ballad of A'mithra Silvermist

       The father was a stately man of nobility and strict elven lineage, but he inherited a rich spirit full of adventure and mystery. Therefore, Lord Silvermist was very outgoing, full of vigor for travel and excitement. His family has been trained as warriors and enchanters for centuries. The youngest lord of the Silvermist Estate was young Allanon, who grew up to become the strongest of his brethren. Most of his other kin became involved in politics and bureacracy associated with other ruling families. However, young Allanon Silvermist stressed the traditions and values their family was founded upon, and followed them closely. An excellent tracker and ranger in the wilderness, Allanon could race through forests and canyons like the wind itself. Not wanting to waste his years in the stuffy halls of government and politics, Allanon set out by himself to see the world and what it could offer to the family of Silvermist. During his travels, he met many people, and witnessed rare spectacles -- the likes of which hardly anyone would see in their lifetime. Allanon made friends, as well as a number of sworn-enemies. In the end, his last quest ended in triumph. Tales of his feats sweeped the lands and his fame reached his hidden elven city of Sha'elael. Allanon was happy to know that his deeds were well-known, and he secretly knew that the tales of his exploits would do well for his family's influence at home.

       Of course, fame and fortune was not all to be gained by Allanon's Journey. He had gained the services of a fellow elven mage whom he grew particarly fond of. Her name was A'mithra. They fell in love during their seemingly endless battles against unnatural forces of the dark. Wherever the veil of evil would fall, the elven dual would appear to vanquish it. Then, they would disappear into the distant mist, searching for the next disturbance of the lands. It was during the year of his last adventure that he was married to his fellow veteran-adventurer, A'mithra. The two lived a happy life in their estate, and because of their successful adventures, became influential figures in their kingdom. Eventually, the house of Silvermist grew to become the ruling royal family of their people. Lord Allanon and A'mithra Silvermist settled down to live a peaceful life. It was after the year of their 10th celebration as the ruling house of Sha'elael that they found a mysterious human baby girl at their steps.

       Being retired adventurers, the elven parents were quick to train their daughter in the arts of combat and mysticism.� At first, it would seem A'mithra's childhood would be unlike normal human girls.� Her elegance and beauty rivaled those of the most promising elven peers.� She faced rivalry and social competition unlike any human being would usually encounter at such a young age.� However, A'mithra took all what faced her in stride, and seldom did anything ever bother her.� She was taught by her father that there was potential for good in all people.� He graced her daughter with tales of heroes who brought peace to faraway lands, and evils which threatened the very existence of law and order in the planes.� A'mithra grew up in deep admiration for the heroes of lore, and memorized every word spoken from her father's lips.� She held a deep respect for the holy powers, because she believed that only by the grace of gods could any mortal ever stand against the forces of the dark and vice versa.� "No force is strong without the power of the gods." she thought.� A'mithra developed a keen sense towards the divine.� It became her mostly studied topic, although she loved tales of ancient heroes and lore.   When she was 14 years of age, she left home with her father to observe and study the different religions of faraway lands.� A'mithra's father hoped that her daughter would develop a deeper understanding of the realms and its different cultures.� Her travels were fruitful in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. She visited many strange cities and towns, all bustling with life and foreign flavor.

       While traveling the distant countryside by caravan, A'mithra enjoyed gazing at the rolling hills which seemed to span across into infinity. The crisp breeze of the falling wind tickled her nose. It would make her father laugh. With strong arms he'd wrap himself over his young daughter and keep her warm. When he did so, his eyes would flicker and his mind would drift to a faraway time... A time where he was once called "adventurer" rather than "father."

Mixed with grace of elven lore.

Holy knight of a whispered kiss,

"Blood of man and fog of war,

Dressed in silver within the mist.

Long ago, a tiny spirit was left in the care of an elven estate.� The origins of the child were unknown to the foster parents, who took the human baby girl as their own.� She was named "A'mithra", after her elven mother, and was given the crest of the royal family --

        In the years during A'mithra's absence, the Silvermist Estate became under siege by threats and rumors spawned by its numerous political rivals.� Those of which may have been Lord Allanon's secret enemies. They heralded attention to young A'mithra's non-elven blood. Although Lord Allanon Silvermist decreed his adopted daughter ward of the Silvermist Estate, the family's unforseen enemies managed to muster enough politcal clout against them. Many argued that having a human ward for the Royal Elven Family of Sha'elael was outrageous. According to the rival families of the city council, placing a non-elven race within the ranks of the ruling estate in political power violated the serenity and order of their beloved society.   Support for the Silvermist family dwindled and demands for her banishment started to emerge.� Wild accusations sprouted everywhere, and outlandish ideas such as plots against the Estate's matron mother ran rampant. Lord Silvermist resisted the pressures of his politcal adversaries, but the collateral damage dealt to the family's prestige was severe. The political assasins had won, the fall of the Silvermist Family was inevitable.

         Knowing the chaos would not end until her parents were stripped from noble status, A'mithra knew she had to choose a life for herself and for those she loved.� When she became of age around the human years of twenty-one, she decided that it was time. One night, she disappeared from the Silvermist Estate, never to return. Adorned with the traditional Silver Crescent armor bestowed upon her by her foster-parents, she sheathed her trusted longsword -- the one weapon she used to train all those years ago. Jumping from her fourth floor quarters, she landed softly and unharmed onto the moist, leaf-covered dirt. She quietly arose and with subtle sniff, turned to walk away. Glistening in the moonlight, her platemail reflected across the estate's garden, which revealed an array of shadows amidst the various plants and greenery. Suddenly, A'mithra froze in her tracks, and turned to see a shadow figure leaning against a nearby tree amidst the thick bushes. She stepped backwards, tensing for a scuffle. The silhoutte stepped into the clearing and revealed himself to be Lord Allanon, her father.

"They aren't ready for change, my daughter. Elves live long and think of futures far from the present... I am old, and ye so young compared to me. It matters little, because here you are now... And I thought you'd might hitch a one-man ride out. If I... Well, haven't been so much like you when I was young, I probably wouldn't be out here right now...!"

        The Lord of Silvermist laughed a familiar rolling chuckle. He held a beautifully ornamented greatsword dressed within a thick, long, black scabbard. A'mithra smiled and bowed subtly to acknowledge her lord and father. Afterwards, she noticed a strange look on Allanon's face, something was wrong. With moist eyes and an undecipherable whisper, Allanon unsheathed his glistening sword and grasped it with firm hands. He bent his legs low to the earth and arched backwards to balance the weight of the shimmering blade. It stretched six feet long and glowed with a divine essence. With the eloquent voice of Lord Silvermist, words filled the cold, night air.

"As Lord of the ruling family of Sha'elael, I've sworn to guard the prestige and values of our forefathers. The only certainty in life is death... Such things shall never change. And neither shall we -- as long as we follow them. Adventurers never die, because they live long after their physical forms have faded... In the dreams of children, in the songs of bards, and in the scrolls of history. ...All sorts of beings become adventurers. All for the wrong reasons. If you seek to leave, I cannot stop you, but I must make light of your intentions... As the the Lord of Silvermist..."

         A'mithra shuddered at the thought of things to come. Thinking quickly, her own curiosity could not resist a nagging question spawned by her father's words. She asked:

"So why did *you* become an adventurer...?"

         Her voice spoke against an intense stare. Lord Silvermist's eyes reflected a faraway land and time. He replied:

"Prepare yourself, daughter, for you seek adventure... Hopefully for the true reason. We shall see... And if your heart is right, you'll already know after we're done."

         Immediately, the ground on which the lord stood, pounded and flattened with invisible force. A'mithra's eyes widened and she began to speak, but her words drowned against the flying leaves and dirt that flew from the power of Lord Silvermist. Before she could voice her thoughts, he lunged at her while spinning the deadly sword with skillful precision. Startled, she evaded the blow with martial instinct and pulled her longsword from her belt. The mighty lord weaved across the ground and landed a grazing blow against A'mithra's longsword. The impact forced A'mithra to tumble backwards and jump to her feet, thus avoiding the slash of Allanon's weapon. Leaves and dirt swirled in the air as the speed of both opponents increased. With incredible speed, A'mithra danced gracefully, evading all of her father's advancing assaults against her. Ashamed that her father was trying to restore the Silvermist name by killing his daughter, she demanded retribution and justice. With the final swing of Allanon's greatsword, A'mithra side-stepped the deadly attack and twirled around him to strike. While the heavy blade smashed into the ground, bursting with divine energy, A'mithra sliced through the crisp night air, and into the beginning of a hero's journey. The blade cut deep and strong, traveling through Lord Silvermist's armor and into flesh. Allanon tumbled foward but managed to stay on his feet. Nevertheless, the duel was over. A'mithra watched in horror as her father struggled to stand. Elven blood soaked the Silvermist estate that night. Within a battle of a few minutes, a lord of Sha'alael had fallen to his own daughter.   She moved to help her fallen father, but was gestured to stay away. Lord Allanon remained crouched and coughing with his head hung low. He finally gathered enough strength to stand -- his honor wouldn't allow him to remain down. Still clutching his sword, the lord stood upright as blood trickled down from the deep wound in his shoulder. A'mithra insistently moved towards her father.

"Stop, A'mithra."

        A'mithra halted. She looked at her longsword, dripping with her father's blood. Strangely, she felt no remorse for him. It was meant to be. It was he whom attacked first, and she merely defended herself . The fact that the assailant was her father became irrelevant. It was done and ordained by her father's actions. She looked back at her father with silver eyes cast by the reflection of the moonlight. Lord Silvermist smiled.

"What you have witnessed here tonight, was your baptismal of fire. The history that you will make for yourself, and I can expect it will be a great one, indeed. You knew the moment you stepped out that window, that as an adventurer, you'd have to prepare for anything. To be a hero of caliber, you must be ready to face your greatest enemies. Including your loved ones... Adventure is a living, breathing entity -- worthy of bestowing you fortune, prosperity... The greatest of what life can offer... Or more. However, I of all people should know that it can bestow quite the opposite. If you think it'll only test your skill in battle... "

        Lord Silvermist walked towards her daughter and sheathed his sword. A'mithra saw the truth in her father's eyes.

"Adventure will pit you against your greatest foes... Not some mighty evil or tyranical baron... No. That will be the least of your worries -- for adventure will bring the horrors inside of you to light, and move them against you. Your judgement, your friends, families... Yourself."

        Allanon looked upon his daughter with solemn eyes, the decision was made. A'mithra did not waver in his gaze, there was nothing more to say to her that might stop her from leaving.

"If ye seek to be a hero... Know this. The hero has fought all that was dear to him, without succumbing to the darkness, he has left his old life behind. For there will be no turning back once you leave. That is the hero, you will be.   The only true hero that can *ever* be..."

         Lord Silvermist gave his ancient weapon to A'mithra as a token of honor for their duel. Allanon, being a practical soul, named The Greatsword of Evergrace simply "Evergrace."   Imbued with an essence of divinity, the sword possessed special powers only accesible to the noble Estate of Silvermist. Although A'mithra was a not direct descendant, she was able to wield Evergrace perfectly. Allanon was proud, for anyone incapable of the qualities of the Silvermist legacy would not be able to lift the ancient sword.   Taking the heirlooms bestowed upon her by her foster-parents, she set out on a hero's journey far from home.� Her departure from a life of luxury and nobility was a result of political corruption, and A'mithra vowed to show her "people" that she was worthy of any title within the royal estate of Silvermist.

The values of the Silvermist family were with her from childhood, and eventually furnished her into a mighty paladin.� Guided by the subtle whispers of the holy greatsword, Evergrace, A'mithra raced against any unnatural force threatening the well-being of life.� And where the shrouds of hell would envelop her, she would be shielded from evils influence by her Silver Crescent armor.� Needless to say, A'mithra became a great protector of the innocent and pure-hearted.

A'mithra would live loyal and true to her name by becoming a strong force of good in the realms. A quick-thinker and eloquent speaker, A'mithra's presence commanded attention.� However, her warm demeanor always softened any potential confrontation.� An elegant essence permeated around her, although human by birth, A'mithra held the nobility of the elves in her heart.� Slow to anger, she preferred to settle things mutually and without violence or bloodshed.� When asked about her past, A'mithra would only smile.� "There is no past.� Only the present in which we decide the future."

Once her tasks were complete, she would silently move on, intentionally avoiding any celebration or recognition in her honor.� Not particularly yearning for attention, A'mithra keeps her identity unknown.� Through visions, A'mithra's Evergrace sparked glimpses of her next destination.� There were images of pain, suffering, and despair -- places where calls for help have remained unanswered.� Soon, those lands will be visited by a stranger dressed in silver.� It has been many years since she left her home within the woods, but now A'mithra no longer plans to return.� Her life has taken a deeper meaning.� She works to right the wrongs of hate, injustice, and sufferings of the realms.� Like her father, she has met many influential people during her travels. Currently working with Selnes Ignivista and Batanes Rift, her reach continues to grow across the lands. With her excellent skill and prowess in battle, there will be retribution for the souls of the heavens.� With a foreboding whisper, A'mithra vows it so.� ��

Closing eyes with a kiss,

Fading before the sunrise,

No farewells or goodbyes,

Just the deeds of Silvermist."

~Ballad of A'mithra Silvermist by Campione

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Silvermist.

"Look A'mithra, what do you see? It is the world, a ballad of timeless age.. An everlasting tale of heroes and villains..."