Description
Strings of beads and thin strips of dark, earth-toned fabric wrap around the
thin frame of this pale gray-skinned man. His golden eyes are alive and keen,
accented by a hint of madness offered by a wildly bemused brow. His
cheekbones are high and sharp, but his drowish features are blunted by an
almost sub-human heritage. Primitive feather charms, paired with refined
embroidery, round out an eclectic assortment of accessories. Somehow, they
fail to click or jingle, despite the man's long strides.
Role
The Brotherhood of Ashaiksa
Added Mon Jul 5 21:41:14 2004 at level 5:
Deep within the wilds of the East, the war-like Ma'rin are taught fear.
Not of one another, but of a force that snaps bone, wrenches gut and
reduces the minds of grown men to gibbering babies. They do not know why
it comes, or what it looks like -- only that it is the wrath of Ashaiksa,
the Fell Crow.
Ashaiksa's cultists are few, relative to the other barbaric deities. They
are hunted, shunned and feared. They are so few, in fact, that they do not
pose a realistic danger to the Ma'rin or any other culture. In this way,
Ashaiksa deceives the barbarians.
Ashaiksa's true mortal following is composed of a brotherhood of magi who
evoke fear and desperation from the masses, striking and causing chaos in
the heart of society, so as to bring as much suffering to the world as
possible. The Fell Crow, a bird of carrion, would feast upon the ruin and
share the carrion scraps.
In this way, the enlightened Brotherhood of Ashaiksa earned power and
helped to staunch the civilization that may have resulted in peace among
the Ma'rin. Civilization attempts to stave off fear, and fear is the
ultimate form of power to the missionary Vezran, who would spread the
Horrors of the East to the unsuspecting civilizations of the West, and
perhaps return with new schools of magic to his brothers.
The Eternal Night
Added Sat Jul 10 17:54:14 2004 at level 27:
Vezran examined the West, and forumulated a plot to begin the cycle of destruction which
would best feed the Fell Crow. The village barbarians are the closest to the Ma'rin in
ignorance, but in the stead of the barbarian gods, they worship their own hatred of magic.
They are powerful and could spread chaos, destruction and strife if allowed. But they are enough
of a threat to mages that they must be kept under a limited amount of control.
The Outlanders, Vezran believes, will be among the most useful to him. They fight civilization,
pure and simple, and will always be a source of strife. The Blood Tribunal and Empire aim to bring
safety, order and security to the realm. Vezran intends to undermine their efforts, while keeping
them in existence.
People in Thera must be comfortable enough to be soft, but unprotected enough to live in constant fear.
From these weak animals, Ashaiksa will farm mortal flesh.
In the mean while, Vezran will tap the power of the Eternal Night in his attempt to bring yet another
menace into the realm, while learning their ways so that he may one day return with them to the East.
The Path to Bloodshed
Added Fri Jul 30 00:10:11 2004 at level 49:
Vezran, while trying to make the Emperor angry and jealous of the Spire, discovered Blitzenturt intended
to war with the Spire anyway. He took this information to Manden in return for a ragged cloak. Manden mentioned that
many of the Spire hate the Empire and want war. Though Manded responded cautiously, Vezran knew he had planted a seed.
The half-drow took the opportunity to cast the Chasm in a positive light, and form the foundation of what may be
a loose alliance in the future-- an alliance that would take pressure off of the Chasm while not crippling it in any way.
Should the two civilization cabals declare war upon each other, both of the weaker savages will feed on them both.
The only problem may be the village...
Playing With Food
Added Sun Aug 15 03:10:43 2004 at level 51:
Bit by bit, a transformation is seeping into Vezran's soul. Whether it be the work
of his Lord, Ashaiksa, or a natural madness beginning to take its course, he has begun
to take a personal joy in his work of destruction and war-spreading.
Such enjoyment was never a factor for Vezran. In his younger years, he did what he did
for satisfaction and for the Fell Crow. He caused carnage for a greater purpose. This
is not to say the former doesn't remain true -- a child eats to sate his hunger,
but plays with his food for fun.
Whatever the case may be, Vezran views it as a gift.