CVOrigin

It was a cold, starless night. The darkness swallowed the light from my campfire whole. I shivered as I stared into the distant darkness, reflection on the night like this centuries ago.

   That day, we had slain an army of Lizard men, Manrats and the vile Orcs. Unholy dead had risen from their graves to slaughter our entire right flank while our Cavalry was beaten down by the Giant Kin who feasted on their remains. Without our re-enforcements, we knew the battle was lost. Losing this battle meant that Chaos would rule the land.

   I had seen friends and comrades fall in battle. The remains of our force gathered at our stronghold and surrounded the stone in a final defense. It was then clear to us that we could never stand against the dark force of Chaos serving the Zog Cabal. Guttural commands echoed in the distant darkness, as wild howls and blodd thirsty battle cries encroached upon our small fortress.

   Each of us stared into the eyes of the other, knowing what must be done. Knowing that the Stone would be captured, the ten of us nodded in unison. Circling the Stone, clasping hands , the chant began. Mystic music laced with enchantment swelled in the air, drowning out the enemy's approach. The din increased and the ground began to shudder. Undaunted, we continued our chants as we watched the planks buckle and the Earth beneath us rise up and seize the Stone.

   Our forces outside that guarded this last act fallen and the door to this most private chamber began to splinter under the heavy blows of the Orcish war axes. "The stone must live! And the last of us shall resurrect when the time comes. That oOne will know... that One will know..." I said with a grimace.

   And thus our tontine was born. The Elders turned towards the door to fend off the attack. Knowing our fates where sealed, my three best friends and I dove into the rift with our beloved Stone and all was dark.

   I don't know when I awoke, but I found myself washed upon the shores of Vesper where I took to a simpler life. Stories of that night lived in legends told around campfires such as these, but no one, save the four of us knew the actual truth. But, stories have ways of being laced with some semblance of truth.

   I knew that one of the four, Jeldin, died soon after our conflick, a fallen hero killed in the jungles, One other, Veritis, my brother, and closest friend, wandered the Southlands near Trinsic, gathering an army. His efforts failed, for he fell early in his first battle and his army soon disbanded. directionless and defeated. The third, Barrack, took to the seas, perhaps to distance himself from the painful memories of battle. He lived the longest save myself, but als not as happily. He died over two centuries ago, broken and melancholy, still longing for the days when the Stone was standing proud.

   In these two centuries past, I have wandered the land, watching the powers of Chaos wax and wane as Lord British rose to power. Never has the time seemed right, until recently. While I walked upon the shores of Vesper, the land that I have come to call my home, I felt the summons, a calling back to the same spot where I arrived ashore so long ago. The Stone arose before me, the very Stone we had sworn to defend. The time had come. The Stone lived again, and I, as the One, knew the die had been cast.

   I immediately set about erecting a house around the Stone. I sat and waited for further instruction, all the while maintaining political affairs in Vesper. A new face has appeared in the fight between good and evil. Younger, stronger warriors than myself carry on the great traditions that we set forth centuries ago. Since the Stone's arrival, some of these youthful warriors have approached me for guidance... some not even knowing why. Could it be that these are the chosen ones? The next generations to be sworn too carry on the tenets of the Circle? Only the Stone holds these answers, all that I can do is show them the path, it is for them to find their own way along that path.

   A leader has arisen amongst them. Those who have sworn to follow her are today amongst the most honorable warriors I know. But it is not I who can dare to judge them. Let their actions tell the tale.