Togren
04-12-2006, 06:26 AM
I remember, when I was six years of age... A long time ago, it's been twenty years and some months to the day. When a heart of mine, was filled with cheer and joy. On a small remote island, with my family and friends. Mother was a good woman, she taught me how too cook for myself, always sayin', "Now Tolgren always mind your manners and be nice to people." And my father a brawny man with shoulders wide, a head held high, and a heart of gold and courage. He taught me how to use the bow, which now is my main way of survival along with me blades. We used to go huntin' and fishin', we were kind people. My sister, Mariena, was the main attraction. All the village boys tried to sneak into her room, through her cottage window. Father, well he never allowed such thing, he believed in the bonds of Church and Holy Spirit, I never got to learn any of that. I remember when those boys tried to come crawlin' through the window, he'd hit them in the head with his stick. Pow!, right on the skull. My little brother, Luke. What a clever little snot nose brat, always gettin' into mischief. But this isn't about mischief, this is about me family.
It was on the Eve of October, On a mild Autumn day, when a Town Crier would arrive in the village. I remember his exact words, "All Men over the Age of Ten, has been summoned to duty to serve in his majesty's army." My father, had to go.
The King, King Herin was a most magnificent person, if you would die for him, so he could defend his gold. Everyone in his Kingdom, he thought should serve him. I remember this man, Proud and Foolish. His summoned army was two thousand arms strong along with his royals, make around five thousand. Everyone with Royalty gets to wear them fancy armors and wield the finest of weapons and shields. However those who are born into peasantry, get nothing but a dull sword, a leather armor, and a rusty shield. I remember this King, because I couldn't like the taste of him.
We'd soon find out that he declared war on a nation of Alfar, The Zaxation Empire. The most evil that any land has ever witnessed. Own the Eve of Bloodshed, my father returned, he told me to be brave and protect the family. He gave me a letter to give to my mother, in the scripture it read.
"My Dearest Wife, Lucieta
My Dearest Wife-- I apologize for this misfortune and the fact that I'm having our oldest son deliver this letter to you. But War is upon the Kingdom of Paltheia, and I must defend my family if I'm to retain my honor as a man. I love you with all my heart and soul, send my love to our sons and daughter. Tell them I love them all dearly. But I haven't had much time to write, we're leaving now.
I send this letter to you, with all my love,
Your Dearest Husband,
Theian"
He gave me the letter, bless my head with a kissed, that ran off to war. I remember this quite well, because in my bedroom I marked the wall for the days passing that he would return. Weeks, Months, and then it fell short of a year. Where we would receive a letter from the King himself.
"Dear Lucieta,
It is to me a wholesome burden that I must write to you with the death of your husband, Theian. Theian, peasant or noblemen, was the finest warrior to ever step into my army. Which is why I send to you a hundred gold coins, courtesy of myself. I am aware that nothing will bring him back, and for that I am sorry. My condelences to you, and your children.
His Majesty,
King Herin"
I was about to turn the age of seven, here I am. Without a father, a grief struck family. Another year would pass.. And another event that takes place in my life would accure. The King would call for all fair Maiden to the castle, for a royal banquet. This included my mother and sister, and they went. I had to watch my brother, who's turned four. Hours would pass, and the village was ransacked by Orc. My brother hid, and I filled with grief, would wield my fathers blow to put an arrow through a son of a Chief. Tuttonglum Weebingka, his blood spattered on the walls of my neighbors door. Unfortunately, this was a mere diversion to distract the littletons from what happened, their rogues had infintrated the banquet. Most of the people had died, my mother and sister included.
Grief struck doesn't described what I had felt. For the first time in my life, I felt anger.
The King sent out scouts to look for any survivors, I didn't want anything to do with him at this point. So I grabbed my fathers bow, his arrows, I would scrounge food, pack it up. Minutes after they had left, I grabbed my brothers hand and we headed west.
A days turn, for both of us. We walked fourty-two miles, only stopping for snacking. Then we came onto the Kingdom of Rahnia, an Empire. I was skeptical at first, but when we entered it's walls, it felt welcoming. We settled in a far field, only to be discovered by guards.
"Hey you kids, what are you doing all alone in these fields, there's predators and bugs that could get you."
We heard a voice and not aware of who it was, all we remember was The Knight stood around six foot, slim, and in his armour. My brother and I fatigued, could barely give a straight answer.
We'd wake up in a villa, with the Knight in his royale gown.
"It's about time you two woke up, now are you going to tell me what you were doing in my field?"
I made haste to reply, "We're from Paltheia, our village was sacked by an Orc tribe."
"Ahh yes, so I heard, only the King and his royales were survivors, such a pity, I always disliked King Herin, he was a courage in battle, and he was a coward to defend his people."
I looked up at him, "We lost our mother and sister, and our father in war a year back."
"He looked down, aye? Well who was your father's name, I trained a few soldiers in that army for special tasks."
My brother responded, "Theian..."
"Theian?! Well that was the finest warrior in that army! Well speak of the Lord. His kids are in my house!"
I looked up at him, "You a..."
Before I could finish he responded hastely, "Lord Validan, Hand of High Queen Limur, well actually I'm her nephew."
"Maids, maids!"
From the hallway we could hear a small voice, "Yes?"
"Get these kids something to eat, bathe them, groom them, and dress them."
The maid responded, "Yes, sire."
He took us in as his own. He was a true noble man, for years we would live under his banner, as he accepted our father as one of the best men he ever knew. We would reside with him till I was the age of twelve, my brother then. He taught us the way of the sword. Being that it was his honor to spread tutelage to the sons of what he considered a Legionaire, a True Valorian Man.
Then one night was we were all fast asleep, That same army that took my fathers life, would attack. Except this time, we would fight and continue our fathers valorian ways. Hours, I was the best shot in that Empire, my brother the best with a war hammer. We were small, but strong.
Until a Dark Alfar Mistress would rise above her subjects, only to eye us down.
"I recognize those two! The Children of Theian! I will make an example of them."
And she would cast down a bolt of black lightning in the sky. It hit my brothers hammer then cast down to him. It killed him instantly, quick to response. I would fire an arrow and graze her neck, I don't know what happened to the mean Mistress, but if I were to see her again, Hell would come with a swift shot and two knives of fury.
Everything I learned to relove, taken from me in one tide. All by the same race of people.
I would set off again, North this time. I was walking through the woods, I looked up at the moon then fainted.
I would wake up this time, on the back of a huge dog? It wasn't it was a race, I've never laid eyes on before. Mahirim! I was on the back of the greatest known hunter in tribe Thunder Night. As I got off his back, I was froze in fear. These were huge wolves, that could walk and talk with intelligence. He would howl and the Medicine Lady would come from her hut.
"Do not fear us, child." She said.
"We can feel your energy, although it's negative, we understand that you've lost everything."
I replied with an apple in my throat, "Y-y-yes, Mam"
Then the Chief, Chief Moonspear, would arise from his hut. This Wolf would stand eight feet talls his shoulders were two times the width of my fathers. His arms where the size of my legs, and his legs the size of small trees.
He looked down on me, "Welcome."
I was frozen stiff, petrified, afraid I was tonights meal.
"Make yourself at home, We do not see you leaving anytime soon, do you?"
I replied quickly, "I have no where to go anymore, Chief."
The Hunter, Brawn Nightstalker, would then lead me into his hut. From that day, I was learning humility, survival, I learned the wild. I would know medicine, fire, the elements, the moon and the sun. They didn't condone violence, they were pacifist. My ways of hunting were insufficent, they would take down huge predators and spare no parts.
For years, I'd learn, grow more. Until I was sixteen.. Unfortunately, Mahirim do have an enemy. Gnolls, wicked little dogs. The tribe, was taken hostage, I was of no concern to them. However, I would follow them. This tribe was slaughtered.
Again, I headed North West, to a coast line. Humans! I would see humans again, Mercs. Fierce Soldiers, I would get, well. I become a captant.
The Captain was immediate to question me, "Who are ye'?"
I would respond, "Togren"
"Togren who?"
"Just Togren"
"Togren eh? Well ye' don't seem like a royal."
"No sir, peasant."
"Peasant eh? Well then ye' get to learn to love the waters."
He would go back to his Quarters, leaving me to the rest of the men on board.
"Look at this fella, he only has a bow!"
"A bow, no crossbows or daggers?"
Random men would question my ability to shoot. Soon I would prove them, putting arrows through apples.
Then Randal Norwinfleak, the best damn merc to live, came around.
"Leave the kid be."
Everyone respected Randal, even the captain didn't get in his way.
"Come with me, Togren."
"Now, get this straight Togren, I don't give a damn about your past, I give a damn about your ability to launch an arrow and how well you can knife a man."
"You're a soldier now, not a royal. A hard, cold killer."
I didn't have much choice, I lost everything. Randal over the few months, became my new older brother. As I was sixteen and he was twenty eight, he would show me every dagger trick in the book. He never really worried about my shooting ability, the first time he questioned that I shot the pit of a Pear out of his peach, and right into a rafter.
"Damn good kid, damn good, that's going to kill a man."
I grew hardened, I was a merc now. Then my twentieth birthday came along, and a mixed raced army came. Destroyed the boat, the mercs, and killed Randal.
From here, I set on foot again, surviving in the wilderness, going from town to town, just surviving.
Then, I would meet her. The most beautiful thing I could ever lay eyes on.. She turned around at me and said, "You're?"
"T-t-t-t-Togren, Ma'm."
"Ariana, she replied with a smile."
She wasn't any ordinary women, she was nineteen, a warrior, and beautiful. I began to walk towards the Tailor, I had a rip in my boot. She would soon grab my arm.
"Whats this armor you wield? Why Sheep have better wears than this."
She would take me to her father, The armorer. He eyed me up and down, "He's a built young lad, making armor for him will be a task, indeed!"
Two hours and a full set of armor was at my disposal. It was hard leather, thick, strong, and coated with some metal. Well insulated, then we would embark on a quest.
Her mother was sickly, she needed some medicines for her sickness. We would travel to a land far and wide, to meet a big man. Brock Rockfist, the third person to our trio, Brock was seven four, three hundred pounds of muscle, and he would wield a big mace.
We became the best of friends, upon our return. The little town was being attacked by a different band of mercs.
My friends slain again, and me to walk this lonely road.
This was six years of my life with peace, I've learned nothing but malice.
My ale is an escape from the cold harsh reality.
I've turned into nothing but a merciless man of the age of twenty-six.
I wish nothing but death upon those who used chaos for order, and order for chaos.
I'll spare none in my quake, for I now forget what I seek.
I am Togren, a cutthroat.
Befriend me or point me to the nearest Tavern, let me get my ale, find a tree and drink in peace, all that are a threat to me will meet one fate, the end of my blades and the death tip of my arrows.
It was on the Eve of October, On a mild Autumn day, when a Town Crier would arrive in the village. I remember his exact words, "All Men over the Age of Ten, has been summoned to duty to serve in his majesty's army." My father, had to go.
The King, King Herin was a most magnificent person, if you would die for him, so he could defend his gold. Everyone in his Kingdom, he thought should serve him. I remember this man, Proud and Foolish. His summoned army was two thousand arms strong along with his royals, make around five thousand. Everyone with Royalty gets to wear them fancy armors and wield the finest of weapons and shields. However those who are born into peasantry, get nothing but a dull sword, a leather armor, and a rusty shield. I remember this King, because I couldn't like the taste of him.
We'd soon find out that he declared war on a nation of Alfar, The Zaxation Empire. The most evil that any land has ever witnessed. Own the Eve of Bloodshed, my father returned, he told me to be brave and protect the family. He gave me a letter to give to my mother, in the scripture it read.
"My Dearest Wife, Lucieta
My Dearest Wife-- I apologize for this misfortune and the fact that I'm having our oldest son deliver this letter to you. But War is upon the Kingdom of Paltheia, and I must defend my family if I'm to retain my honor as a man. I love you with all my heart and soul, send my love to our sons and daughter. Tell them I love them all dearly. But I haven't had much time to write, we're leaving now.
I send this letter to you, with all my love,
Your Dearest Husband,
Theian"
He gave me the letter, bless my head with a kissed, that ran off to war. I remember this quite well, because in my bedroom I marked the wall for the days passing that he would return. Weeks, Months, and then it fell short of a year. Where we would receive a letter from the King himself.
"Dear Lucieta,
It is to me a wholesome burden that I must write to you with the death of your husband, Theian. Theian, peasant or noblemen, was the finest warrior to ever step into my army. Which is why I send to you a hundred gold coins, courtesy of myself. I am aware that nothing will bring him back, and for that I am sorry. My condelences to you, and your children.
His Majesty,
King Herin"
I was about to turn the age of seven, here I am. Without a father, a grief struck family. Another year would pass.. And another event that takes place in my life would accure. The King would call for all fair Maiden to the castle, for a royal banquet. This included my mother and sister, and they went. I had to watch my brother, who's turned four. Hours would pass, and the village was ransacked by Orc. My brother hid, and I filled with grief, would wield my fathers blow to put an arrow through a son of a Chief. Tuttonglum Weebingka, his blood spattered on the walls of my neighbors door. Unfortunately, this was a mere diversion to distract the littletons from what happened, their rogues had infintrated the banquet. Most of the people had died, my mother and sister included.
Grief struck doesn't described what I had felt. For the first time in my life, I felt anger.
The King sent out scouts to look for any survivors, I didn't want anything to do with him at this point. So I grabbed my fathers bow, his arrows, I would scrounge food, pack it up. Minutes after they had left, I grabbed my brothers hand and we headed west.
A days turn, for both of us. We walked fourty-two miles, only stopping for snacking. Then we came onto the Kingdom of Rahnia, an Empire. I was skeptical at first, but when we entered it's walls, it felt welcoming. We settled in a far field, only to be discovered by guards.
"Hey you kids, what are you doing all alone in these fields, there's predators and bugs that could get you."
We heard a voice and not aware of who it was, all we remember was The Knight stood around six foot, slim, and in his armour. My brother and I fatigued, could barely give a straight answer.
We'd wake up in a villa, with the Knight in his royale gown.
"It's about time you two woke up, now are you going to tell me what you were doing in my field?"
I made haste to reply, "We're from Paltheia, our village was sacked by an Orc tribe."
"Ahh yes, so I heard, only the King and his royales were survivors, such a pity, I always disliked King Herin, he was a courage in battle, and he was a coward to defend his people."
I looked up at him, "We lost our mother and sister, and our father in war a year back."
"He looked down, aye? Well who was your father's name, I trained a few soldiers in that army for special tasks."
My brother responded, "Theian..."
"Theian?! Well that was the finest warrior in that army! Well speak of the Lord. His kids are in my house!"
I looked up at him, "You a..."
Before I could finish he responded hastely, "Lord Validan, Hand of High Queen Limur, well actually I'm her nephew."
"Maids, maids!"
From the hallway we could hear a small voice, "Yes?"
"Get these kids something to eat, bathe them, groom them, and dress them."
The maid responded, "Yes, sire."
He took us in as his own. He was a true noble man, for years we would live under his banner, as he accepted our father as one of the best men he ever knew. We would reside with him till I was the age of twelve, my brother then. He taught us the way of the sword. Being that it was his honor to spread tutelage to the sons of what he considered a Legionaire, a True Valorian Man.
Then one night was we were all fast asleep, That same army that took my fathers life, would attack. Except this time, we would fight and continue our fathers valorian ways. Hours, I was the best shot in that Empire, my brother the best with a war hammer. We were small, but strong.
Until a Dark Alfar Mistress would rise above her subjects, only to eye us down.
"I recognize those two! The Children of Theian! I will make an example of them."
And she would cast down a bolt of black lightning in the sky. It hit my brothers hammer then cast down to him. It killed him instantly, quick to response. I would fire an arrow and graze her neck, I don't know what happened to the mean Mistress, but if I were to see her again, Hell would come with a swift shot and two knives of fury.
Everything I learned to relove, taken from me in one tide. All by the same race of people.
I would set off again, North this time. I was walking through the woods, I looked up at the moon then fainted.
I would wake up this time, on the back of a huge dog? It wasn't it was a race, I've never laid eyes on before. Mahirim! I was on the back of the greatest known hunter in tribe Thunder Night. As I got off his back, I was froze in fear. These were huge wolves, that could walk and talk with intelligence. He would howl and the Medicine Lady would come from her hut.
"Do not fear us, child." She said.
"We can feel your energy, although it's negative, we understand that you've lost everything."
I replied with an apple in my throat, "Y-y-yes, Mam"
Then the Chief, Chief Moonspear, would arise from his hut. This Wolf would stand eight feet talls his shoulders were two times the width of my fathers. His arms where the size of my legs, and his legs the size of small trees.
He looked down on me, "Welcome."
I was frozen stiff, petrified, afraid I was tonights meal.
"Make yourself at home, We do not see you leaving anytime soon, do you?"
I replied quickly, "I have no where to go anymore, Chief."
The Hunter, Brawn Nightstalker, would then lead me into his hut. From that day, I was learning humility, survival, I learned the wild. I would know medicine, fire, the elements, the moon and the sun. They didn't condone violence, they were pacifist. My ways of hunting were insufficent, they would take down huge predators and spare no parts.
For years, I'd learn, grow more. Until I was sixteen.. Unfortunately, Mahirim do have an enemy. Gnolls, wicked little dogs. The tribe, was taken hostage, I was of no concern to them. However, I would follow them. This tribe was slaughtered.
Again, I headed North West, to a coast line. Humans! I would see humans again, Mercs. Fierce Soldiers, I would get, well. I become a captant.
The Captain was immediate to question me, "Who are ye'?"
I would respond, "Togren"
"Togren who?"
"Just Togren"
"Togren eh? Well ye' don't seem like a royal."
"No sir, peasant."
"Peasant eh? Well then ye' get to learn to love the waters."
He would go back to his Quarters, leaving me to the rest of the men on board.
"Look at this fella, he only has a bow!"
"A bow, no crossbows or daggers?"
Random men would question my ability to shoot. Soon I would prove them, putting arrows through apples.
Then Randal Norwinfleak, the best damn merc to live, came around.
"Leave the kid be."
Everyone respected Randal, even the captain didn't get in his way.
"Come with me, Togren."
"Now, get this straight Togren, I don't give a damn about your past, I give a damn about your ability to launch an arrow and how well you can knife a man."
"You're a soldier now, not a royal. A hard, cold killer."
I didn't have much choice, I lost everything. Randal over the few months, became my new older brother. As I was sixteen and he was twenty eight, he would show me every dagger trick in the book. He never really worried about my shooting ability, the first time he questioned that I shot the pit of a Pear out of his peach, and right into a rafter.
"Damn good kid, damn good, that's going to kill a man."
I grew hardened, I was a merc now. Then my twentieth birthday came along, and a mixed raced army came. Destroyed the boat, the mercs, and killed Randal.
From here, I set on foot again, surviving in the wilderness, going from town to town, just surviving.
Then, I would meet her. The most beautiful thing I could ever lay eyes on.. She turned around at me and said, "You're?"
"T-t-t-t-Togren, Ma'm."
"Ariana, she replied with a smile."
She wasn't any ordinary women, she was nineteen, a warrior, and beautiful. I began to walk towards the Tailor, I had a rip in my boot. She would soon grab my arm.
"Whats this armor you wield? Why Sheep have better wears than this."
She would take me to her father, The armorer. He eyed me up and down, "He's a built young lad, making armor for him will be a task, indeed!"
Two hours and a full set of armor was at my disposal. It was hard leather, thick, strong, and coated with some metal. Well insulated, then we would embark on a quest.
Her mother was sickly, she needed some medicines for her sickness. We would travel to a land far and wide, to meet a big man. Brock Rockfist, the third person to our trio, Brock was seven four, three hundred pounds of muscle, and he would wield a big mace.
We became the best of friends, upon our return. The little town was being attacked by a different band of mercs.
My friends slain again, and me to walk this lonely road.
This was six years of my life with peace, I've learned nothing but malice.
My ale is an escape from the cold harsh reality.
I've turned into nothing but a merciless man of the age of twenty-six.
I wish nothing but death upon those who used chaos for order, and order for chaos.
I'll spare none in my quake, for I now forget what I seek.
I am Togren, a cutthroat.
Befriend me or point me to the nearest Tavern, let me get my ale, find a tree and drink in peace, all that are a threat to me will meet one fate, the end of my blades and the death tip of my arrows.