User:Xolah/Story

The Call
In the Beginning.........That is how I would have liked to start this out, But it doesn’t quite work that way. I was already a believer in Cezil by the age of 20, I was begging on the streets and slitting throats by 23. It wasn't until 25 or 26 until I realized the only temple I haven't hit up was the Cezalian monastery in Pescombe. Pescombe was a few districts away from where I was born and I never needed to go there often. As I found out from sacking other temples, they usually have guardians of some sort. So I set out to hone my skills as a fighter in the wilderness. During one particularly vicious night, I had sustained a lot of wounds and was far from home. I think I might have been delirious when I found myself outside a temple. Stumbling down an over grown path, I found myself standing in front of a towering building that seemed to lean forward ever so slightly. A large granite statue depicting one of a deities many forms sits perched above the iron doors. As I crossed the threshold, I felt as if the delirium was lifted and my wounds were healing at a rapidly visible pace. I was astonished, as I walked around the great cathedral in wonder, I started to notice that there was dust on everything and there were no people. There were plenty of Valuables but no signs of life. I thought I had found the mother load of a hit! As I opened a large set of double doors leading into the central chamber I instantly knew where I was...The Temple of Cezil. There was an altar in the center of the room resembling a split skull, the walls had patterns of swirling blood and on an oak pedestal behind the altar, floated a tremendous crystal containing a swirling mist of lost souls. As I approached the crystal and reached out to take it, I was held motionless yet I felt as if I was free from all bindings, I was in awe as the power of Cezil started to flow in to me. I heard his words telling me to harm in his name, to Rob in his name and to be his faithful servant and I may be rewarded, if I fail I would suffer his eternal wrath. I had a quick change of profession, I went from street beggar, no more than a wretch really, to the High priest of Cezil, and I was the gods’ voice here. I was his chosen prophet. Since that day I have grown in power and wisdom, I have seen death and dealt it. I have stolen and pillaged and I live eternal...

This was what I would have been if I had of healed in a ditch beside a road that first night and never stumbled into his temple



But instead, because of Cezils dark powers and perverted sense of humor I crave blood and flesh of the living and I look like this



I am his will, and I have his voice. No one shall stand before his might, and as I repeat this oath over and over I see a woman materialize unconscious on the altar, as I approach I feel The Ones eyes upon me and I know this woman is named Zenovia, she is to be the first sacrifice to affirm my oath. With sacrificial war hammer in hand I bring down a mighty blow on Zenovias head and feel the strength rush into me as her life ebbs. I raise her as a servant of Cezil but her will is strong and only a portion of her soul has been taken, still it was enough for the first. Cezil has decreed that I mustn’t kill for now, it is a bad time to spill life ending blood, I must only wound. It is a strange decree but I am not a judge of the word, I must obey. I left the temple after three days and three nights, and ventured into the world. There I came across many people and learned many things, Now I disguise myself in human image and stalk the land in Cezils name, I have been granted a vision, I must find the dark helm of Cezil, The mythological helm that Cezil stole from the temple of Sigmut many generations ago and hid in a place where no one can find it. I think I know where it is, I just have to wait for a sign........

The day will come when I Cezil shall choose to reveal what I must do, I must believe for if I don't I am dead.

Day ** of the journey

Today Cezil Revealed to me a task, The barrier of the Fishy Clan for some reason came crashing down as I was skulking by so I approached to investigate. When I got closer I noticed there was an old rival wounded and trying valiently to get back to the HQ so he could get some help...I had a choice, use all my power to bring down what was left of the vile barrier of light or use the demonic knowledge and ritual of sacrifice to force the barrier away through Cezils dark will. I chose the latter. As I prepared for the ritual and waited for the sacrifice to willingly come to me FishNIce, one of the leaders of the Fishy clan clammored down the path dripping blood and carrying sacks of treasure. I approached from the shadows and struck a mortal wound, as FnI staggered around unsure or unaware of what to do or where to go I struck the fatal blow on the steps of the Heffran Temple. His soul was drawn into the shrine as I looted his corpse. A few moments later he emerged from the temple angered and racing to his possesions not noticing I was still in the vicinity. I struck again from the shadows, this time only grazing him, if he had of been rested, the blow may not have effected him much but as he was still recovering from the first attack a mere moments ago. He did not stand much of a chance and as he raced with what little strength he had, towards his home. Cezil granted me the speed to reach the barrier first and as I touched the ward with one hand and brought down Cezils gift upon the warriors head the barrier disolved and I entered into the complex and slaughtered every sleeping person in the building.

I wonder what tomorrow brings?

Day ** of the Journey I was wandering close to the dreded Crossman tower, Home to an ogrinized group known as the Crossman Defense Force. I knoticed A shadey figure looming in the shadows new the entrance. I also pondered the thought, I wonder if this is another sign from Cezil?, and as that thought crossed my mind it struk me that the CDF needed to fall. They were too militant and no one seemed to care for me or Cezils views. I attacked swift and mercilesly. After the fury of Cezils words rang in my head and my bloody War hammer rested at my side and dripped silently. I seen the mangled form of the person I had slaughtered was the CDF leader known as The General. Soon, befor I could properly rifel through the possesions, A hulking brute of a barbarian came crashing towards me holding a rusty Battle axe and screaming over the fallen body. there was a brief battle and I soon discovered that I didn't match this bizerkers strength for punishment or his ability to swing a weapon. Cezil spoke to me at that point and said "DO NOT SHOUT, I WISH TO BE SILENT WHEN I SPEAK". I knew then that in order to destroy this band of adventurers I must work from the shadows and pick away until they fall apart.....It's been only a few weeks and Cezils plan is comming to fruition. The Day of Cezil approaches. I must be ready to Grasp the power if Cezil so decrees it.

A fond memory
I remember a young farm boy named Laleos, whose destitute family lived on the brink of starvation for as long as he could recall. Though nearly devoid of hope, this young lad kept faith in Heffren, paying tribute with what little he could manage in hopes that she would turn his family's land from barren to fertile for the next growing season. They couldn't have known that it was I who salted their earth.

After leaving the Heffren temple one cold autumn night, Laleos was approached by a me disguised as a kindly, cloaked old man, I was standing just outside the temple doors. I said that I had heard Laleos' impassioned prayers for help, and returned bearing a gift cursedas it was... A single seed from which a variety of foliage would sprout. I promised thick groves of fruit trees, fields of wheat, and rows upon rows of vegetables.

After a lifetime of disappointment and desolation, Laleos was more than a little skeptical. Still, he had faith that Heffren would take care of him, and that this might indeed be her doing.

Laleos did indeed plant the seed out in the dry, dead soil of his family's farm. Watering the spot with handfuls of rain water, Laleos went home and did not speak a word of this to his parents, uncles, or siblings.

By morning, a great carpet of rich grass had spread across the farm. So lush and green was the grass that it attracted the woodland creatures and the insects.

By noon, fat, ripe vegetables sprang forth. Great trees grew and thick patches of wheat reached toward the heavens. Flocks of birds and curious rodents enjoyed some of the bounty.

By nightfall, the trees bore fruit. The vegetables reached perfection, and the wheat was ready for harvesting. Crowds of villagers who had heard of the miracle spread throughout the farmland. Great hunger that had beset the land was satiated.

As Laleos and his family surveyed the throngs of villagers, milling insects, nesting birds, and scurrying rodents, it became apparent that their newfound crops were in danger. There was more than enough to go around, but what then? All the while I sat on a hill and watched this all unfold.

With knives and scythes, Laleos' parents killed and drove out the woodland creatures and the rodents, and I smiled.

With arrows and sticks, Laleos and his siblings killed and drove out the birds and the insects, and I smiled.

With swords and daggers, Laleos' uncles killed and drove out the villagers, and as I stood there smiling and being please with exposing the flaws in mortals, I felt new power start to flow into me.

By midnight, Laleos and his family were left alone with their spoils. A great rain, known as Heffrans tears came down upon them, washing away blood. A great bean pod split open before them, from which Heffren emerged, bathed in blue petalsand looking radient.

Laleos and his family dropped their weapons as Heffren voiced her disappointment. The seed was indeed a gift from her, but was delivered by the dark god of lies, Cezil. Cezil had heard of Laleos' plight and gone to Heffren with a wager. Believing in the good nature of mortals, Heffren took Cezil's offer. As the power finished filling into my body, I looked down to see Heffran speaking with the mortal family.

If Laleos' family showed kindness and charity, Cezil would forever strike those who work the land from his list of victims. If the family showed anger and greed, Heffren would allow him to rule one day of the Autumnal season. Autumn is most enjoyed by the darker deities because it symbolizes death. (As opposed to the rebirth of spring, life of Summer, and stasis of Winter.)

The kindly looking old man Laleos had spoken to emerged from the shadows and Heffren disappeared into the dark woods. Pulling back his hood and dropping his robe to the ground, Xolah now stood before themI am glad you know who I am now. The great creature of shadow and teeth clapped its mighty hands together.

As the thunderous clap echoed, all of the vegetables broke open and rotted. The great trees cracked and fell. The fields of wheat burned. This was the beginning of Cezil's rightfully earned day of rule. Strange beasts and chilling wraiths were set upon all mortals on this day. Inexplicable occurrences plagued them, and more than a fair share of them disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again.

Such was the legacy of Laleos and his misguided kin, who were turned to great stones by Heffren. Though it seemed to many as a punishment, she regarded it as a second (albeit undeserved) gift. As such, they would never have want for food again, nor would they contemplate the misery they had brought upon their fellow mortals.

To this day, Cezil rules on that same night in Autumn every year. On this night, mortals have been known to wear elaborate costumes and masks. Some dress as such to confuse the creatures said to stalk that night. Others dress as such to pay tribute to Cezil and his great trick, for only he would be able to see and exploit the darkness in a child.

The Faith of the Chosen
Not to far after the Day of Cezil, Xolah was wandering the countryside hearing whispers of a guardian through his crystals. Crying out to Cezil and again hearing nothing. "Show me a sign you exist!", And the earth rumbled. "I demand proof!", and the ground split. "Wizshade tricks! Bring forth the Scroll Guardian! Show me your POWER!", Xolah screamed. Out of the ground came a creature so ancient, it's aura of energy could be felt like a concussion blast. Xolah's dark energy emenated out from his hands in a constant assult of lightning blasts. after expending all his energy he turned to his Blessed Ice axe,Heart shard. After Laying waste with all his might 3 fold he struck! In the end, Xolah stood, bloodied and battered over the fallen hulking form of the guardian. With might he ripped apart the creatures body to claim what ever prize it held. The Scroll of Lives wrapped Xolah in it's mystic bands of energy and he found new life energy returning to him in small increments.