Role
Memoirs of a Giant Among Man: Foreword
Added Wed May 1 21:04:30 2013 at level 1:
When one among the city-states of Thera speaks of a cloud giant, they often
conjure up visions of remote, primitive creatures eeking out a humble living by
digging in dirt or testing their simple wits against four-legged animals. For
the most part this would be true, yet there are exceptions. There is a
consistent wind that brings forth great generals and leaders out from among the
cloud giant populous; heroes who inspire, motivate and usher in legendary wars
and command artful victories. This is a story about a giant who was shown the
beauty in war, and sought to indulge.
As a child, he was stoic and solemn. The youngest child of the Jyo-tan family,
overseers of the cloud giant king's Arms Emporium, he was given opportunities
to study war at the finest schools. Many students of such schools become
enamored with prideful dreams of wealth or glory, yet the youngest one fell in
love with the tug and push of the battle lines. At first the descriptions of
famous battles seemed chaotic and random--the outcomes lucky--but through
obsessive study the organic art beneath began to reveal itself.
When in combat training, he cared less for the approval of the instructor or
his opponent than the other children. He was often distracted by the glimmer of
a expertly forged weapon soaring majestically through the air
own detriment. He knew weapons well, having spent much time in his father's
shops. He particularly liked the way heavy weapons felt in his hands as he
swung them, as though he could just barely guide the grand beauty they sought
to unleash. To him, it was a beauty that when unveiled, few could grasp and
less could stand in the presence of. This was the awe that captivated him.
As he grew into his full young giant stature, he began his adventure in hopes
of becoming a renowned curator of exquisite weapons and magnificent war. This
is story the story of Ujesken Jyo-tan.
Chapter 1: True Training Begins Outside the Academy
Added Tue May 7 17:27:26 2013 at level 27:
Ujesken looked around the Isle. They called this a place of Balance, often
implying stability and peace. To Ujesken it was rightfully a citadel of war. It
was only balanced as two opposing soldiers might forcefully balance their
blades by locking them against one another in combat as they struggle for
victory. Should one gain the upper hand, the struggle and beautiful tension of
the moment would be lost. A one sided victory against an outmatched opponent is
no victory at all in his eyes. This is where young Ujesken saw his place in the
world, to enter the fray on the side of the lesser to restore balance to the
conflict so that war, and its art, may be advanced.
To this end, he found himself training and training and training. He sought not
only to present himself as a worthy opponent, but also capable of striding into
even the most oppressive winds of war. One advantage he saw he might have over
others is by combining the weight of his hefty axes with his natural ability to
fly. The guildmaster termed the technique, Aerial Oppressor. With a firm
foundation as to his direction, soon Ujesken would find himself in the shrine
of Lord Akresius.
Chapter 2: Prayer Life
Added Thu May 23 23:47:45 2013 at level 51:
And pray Ujsken did. He prayed, bashed, sliced, died, and prayed some more. He
struggled in everything, and everywhere. This struggle, the very essence of
what was beautiful in war, became his daily life. He found few moments of rest,
and his relentless drive eventually began to wear him down. A distant warrior
guildmaster noticed the manifestations of fatigue, and spent an entire cycle of
the day showing the young giant the peace and calm of other creatures of the
air, such as the dove, hawk, eagle, and owl.
Drifting along with a renewed energy, Ujesken found his axe soaring through the
sky overhead with a new murderous arc. He discovered new techniques with
poleaxes that were longer and larger than his usual oversized battleaxes,
creating breathing room by keeping others distant. It would not be long before
the giant was struggling to juggle the many axes and poleaxes of different
shapes and makes he carried. Which ones should he hold onto and which ones
should he let go?
Inexperienced youth is like fresh snow, not yet packed into roads for wagons
and legions, and this time it was focus the giant needed. The guildmaster again
stepped forward to direct the Seeker to the ways of his cloud giant ancestors
in the halls of the Order of the Macalla. The pride and history of his
childhood was made real as the monks demonstrated duty, honor, and perseverance
as they taught Ujesken the art of Trapping Beneath Thunder. Ujesken knew which
weapons he must keep, and which he must bid farewell to.
Upon a regular outing to the grand city of Galadon, a voice like that of
ringing blades spoke to Ujesken. It called attention to his many prayers to
Lord Akresius, and Ujesken knew this sound was that of his Lord. The
conversation was short, as Ujesken rarely has many words himself and his Lord
seemed to already have assessed Ujesken. After describing his desire to use the
dirt of Thera itself as a canvas for the blood, guts, and carnage he would
paint with his axes and even his own corpses, Ujesken was told by the sound of
ringing blades to do it. Little did he know what luck lay in store for him as
he would attempt to make these beautiful scenes a vivid reality.
Chapter 3: A Stroke of Beauty
Added Thu May 30 22:05:04 2013 at level 51:
Luck, as beauty, is often only in the eye of the beholder. Many a cloud giant
at the war academies considered Ujesken lucky to have met such a fetching young
wife there, yet Ujesken viewed his precious family just as much a liability and
he went through great lengths to keep them secret, never mentioning them nor
saying to where exactly he retired from battles. Others may find the sound of
ringing blades in the streets of Galadon to be most unfortunate, whereas
Ujesken found it to be a blessed omen, even creating his own Ward of Blades to
counter any incoming attack with his axes to spark the sound again and again.
And so when the Rhyme of Resistance failed to report for duty at the same time
of the counting of election votes, it left a void where the second highest
voted member would become leader of the Keepers of Balance. This mantle came to
be placed upon young Ujesken's giant shoulders, puffing out his chest with the
pride and valor one might see in a noble pikeman. Some would clearly view this
as a liability or an unwelcome burden of responsibility, while perhaps most
would claim it was a most fortunate turn of events to allow one so young and
unprepared to take charge. What did Ujesken think? When he posed that very
question to his guildmaster, the response was simple: You are lucky.
Ujesken took his place as Rhyme gingerly, as one dips a toe into a hot spring
to see how hot it is, before he jumped in. So many ears awaiting his
decision-making was new, but welcomed. He relished in the idea of overseeing
and advancing the art of war. Was it coincidence, fate, or a deep sense of duty
that led Ujesken to learn too of the Valhallyr ritual being conducted by
Kraldinor? What was it that brought together the people needed to put a counter
plan in motion? It could only be obsession for beauty that led Ujesken toward
waging a super war, with all the opportunities to create grand scenes of battle
the likes of which the world has never before witnessed. Some may say it is
easy to get lucky in Thera if all you desire is bloodshed. Ujesken learned that
sometimes it is hard to find those willing to give blood, limbs, and bodies to
create that battlefield. Where would his charge lead him next?
PK Wins
May 8, 2013 |Lv 28|The Nexus Island|Keca vs 1: [28] Ujesken (100%, poisonous bite)
May 11, 2013|Lv 32|The Eastern Road|Delfan vs 2: [32] Ujesken (92%, chop), [33] Drave (7%)
May 13, 2013|Lv 32|A Virgin Forest|Vren vs 1: [32] Ujesken (100%, pierce)
May 13, 2013|Lv 35|BattleRager Village|Gilut vs 1: [35] Ujesken (100%, electrical discharge)
May 15, 2013|Lv 38|BattleRager Village|Gilut vs 1: [38] Ujesken (100%, pierce)
May 18, 2013|Lv 49|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Soief vs 2: [49] Ujesken (66%, slice), [47] Drave (33%)
May 20, 2013|Lv 51|The Basilica|Noviask vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, surge of water)
May 21, 2013|Lv 51|Blackclaw Village|Tolgrumm vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, slash)
May 25, 2013|Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Pishuk vs 2: [51] Ujesken (47%, disembowelment), [51] Drave (52%)
May 25, 2013|Lv 51|Blackclaw Village|Merf vs 3: [51] Ieralaine (100%, wrath), [51] Ujesken (0%), [51] Drave (0%)
May 26, 2013|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Gilut vs 3: [51] Ujesken (0%), [51] Twizoua (85%), [51] Drave (14%, reverberating blast)
May 28, 2013|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Pishuk vs 3: [51] Mylene (33%), [51] Svindabinden (36%), [51] Ujesken (29%, surge of water)
May 31, 2013|Lv 51|Ysigrath|Morgan vs 3: [51] Ujesken (59%, parting blow), [51] Cel (29%), [51] Kraldinor (11%)
May 31, 2013|Lv 51|Feanwyyn Weald|Delfan vs 2: [51] Zinediya (43%, KB), [51] Ujesken (56%)
Jun 1, 2013 |Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Delfan vs 3: [51] Cel (44%, pillar of lightning), [51] Ujesken (38%), [51] Svindabinden (16%)
Jun 2, 2013 |Lv 51|The Outlander Refuge|Mylene vs 3: [51] Brakrar (4%), [51] Azhelak (91%, smash), [51] Ujesken (4%)
Jun 2, 2013 |Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Brakrar vs 4: [51] Zorl (47%), [51] Bharhum (26%), [51] Ujesken (6%, chop), [51] Drave (20%)
Jun 2, 2013 |Lv 51|The Lower Voralia's Tears|Glaucis vs 2: [51] Ujesken (23%), [51] Cel (76%, crush)
Jun 2, 2013 |Lv 51|Shepherd's Row|Morgan vs 2: [51] Ujesken (32%, claw), [51] Noviask (67%)
Jun 2, 2013 |Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Morgan vs 2: [51] Ujesken (26%), [51] Noviask (73%, claw)
Jun 4, 2013 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Tiribew vs 2: [51] Ujesken (100%, chop), [51] Eidiol (0%)
Jun 4, 2013 |Lv 51|Balator|Eidiol vs 3: [51] Norim (3%), [51] Mylene (31%), [51] Ujesken (65%, chop)
Jun 4, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Cabrefen vs 3: [51] Twizoua (0%), [51] Cel (59%), [51] Ujesken (40%, parting blow)
Jun 4, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Glaucis vs 4: [51] Merf (0%), [51] Ujesken (18%), [51] Cel (62%, slice), [51] Svindabinden (18%)
Jun 4, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Soief vs 4: [51] Ujesken (31%, disembowelment), [51] Cel (19%), [51] Svindabinden (32%), [51] Merf (16%)
Jun 5, 2013 |Lv 51|Village of Mal'trakis|Wyglacio vs 2: [51] Ujesken (20%), [51] Cel (79%, crush)
Jun 6, 2013 |Lv 51|Village of Mal'trakis|Eidiol vs 2: [51] Ujesken (1%), [51] Cel (98%, magic)
Jun 6, 2013 |Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Brizlin vs 3: [45] Qualnik (66%, KB), [51] Cel (14%), [51] Ujesken (19%)
Jun 6, 2013 |Lv 51|Ysigrath|Gedunthos vs 2: [51] Ujesken (12%), [51] Cel (87%, wrath)
Jun 6, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Brizlin vs 2: [51] Cel (92%, chop), [51] Ujesken (7%)
Jun 6, 2013 |Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Arratok vs 4: [48] Hahrgor (0%), [46] Lerakarn (0%), [51] Cel (47%), [51] Ujesken (52%, pierce)
Jun 6, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Brizlin vs 2: [51] Ujesken (9%), [51] Cel (90%, fireball)
Jun 7, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Mikhian vs 4: [51] Jumentis (0%), [51] Ujesken (0%), [48] Hahrgor (25%), [51] Cel (74%, earthquake)
Jun 7, 2013 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Mikhian vs 5: [51] Ujesken (0%), [48] Hahrgor (35%, drumming maces), [49] Llerz (8%), [48] Qualnik (1%), [51] Cel (54%)
Jun 7, 2013 |Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Rydell vs 3: [49] Hahrgor (21%), [51] Cel (3%), [51] Ujesken (75%, parting blow)
Jun 7, 2013 |Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Aster vs 4: [51] Kraldinor (18%), [49] Hahrgor (36%), [51] Cel (27%, hellfire), [51] Ujesken (17%)
Jun 8, 2013 |Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Ruosti vs 4: [51] Cel (91%, crush), [51] Etion (2%), [51] Eidiol (4%), [51] Ujesken (1%)
Jun 8, 2013 |Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Eidiol vs 4: [45] Ruosti (0%), [51] Ujesken (1%), [51] Hahrgor (19%, wrath), [51] Cel (78%)
Jun 8, 2013 |Lv 51|Northern Foothills|Cabrefen vs 3: [51] Hahrgor (40%, crush), [51] Ujesken (39%), [51] Llerz (20%)
Jun 8, 2013 |Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Cabrefen vs 3: [51] Hahrgor (15%, crush), [51] Ujesken (84%), [51] Cel (0%)
Jun 8, 2013 |Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Cabrefen vs 2: [51] Hahrgor (90%, drumming maces), [51] Ujesken (9%)
Jun 8, 2013 |Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Mikhian vs 2: [51] Ujesken (65%, disembowelment), [51] Hahrgor (34%) *Disemboweled*
Jun 9, 2013 |Lv 51|Blackclaw Village|Brizlin vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, brutal attack)
Jun 9, 2013 |Lv 51|The Dragon Sea|Eidiol vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, parting blow)
Jun 9, 2013 |Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Etion vs 3: [51] Cel (0%), [51] Hahrgor (18%), [51] Ujesken (81%, pierce)
Jun 10, 2013|Lv 51|The Outlander Refuge|Yeilop vs 3: [51] Hahrgor (53%), [51] Ujesken (20%, brutal attack), [51] Cel (26%)
Jun 10, 2013|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Mikhian vs 3: [51] Ujesken (13%), [51] Cel (67%, earthquake), [51] Hahrgor (18%)
Jun 10, 2013|Lv 51|Northern Foothills|Zerodois vs 3: [51] Hahrgor (12%), [51] Ujesken (74%, brutal attack), [51] Aster (13%)
Jun 10, 2013|Lv 51|Galadon|Mikhian vs 4: [51] Bharhum (25%, flurry), [51] Blindev (0%), [51] Hahrgor (62%), [51] Ujesken (12%)
Jun 10, 2013|Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Ruosti vs 2: [51] Ujesken (27%, shocking bite), [51] Lerakarn (72%)
Jun 10, 2013|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Gedunthos vs 2: [51] Ujesken (44%), [51] Toktok (55%, heavenly wrath)
Jun 11, 2013|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Kraldinor vs 2: [51] Cel (73%), [51] Ujesken (26%, disembowelment) *Disemboweled*
Jun 11, 2013|Lv 51|Ysigrath|Ruosti vs 2: [51] Ujesken (43%, chop), [51] Cel (56%)
Jun 11, 2013|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Ruosti vs 2: [51] Ujesken (1%), [51] Cel (98%, chop)
Jun 12, 2013|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Wyglacio vs 2: [51] Ujesken (61%, chop), [51] Cel (38%)
Jun 13, 2013|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Ruosti vs 3: [51] Ujesken (15%, chop), [47] Maeroch (0%), [51] Cel (84%)
Jun 14, 2013|Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Wyglacio vs 2: [42] Xariel (23%), [51] Ujesken (76%, bash)
Jun 14, 2013|Lv 51|The Imperial Lands|Zaknzaer vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, pierce)
Jun 15, 2013|Lv 51|The Ashes of NoWhere|Eidiol vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, chop)
Jun 15, 2013|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Brizlin vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, frigid chop)
Jun 18, 2013|Lv 51|Graveyard|Ruosti vs 1: [51] Ujesken (100%, disembowelment) *Disemboweled*