A New "Life"
Epicurean and his "aids" setting out from Iron Forge My old life is no more. The fools. A brotherhood of religious zealots garbed in red have forced me from the life of luxury I once knew.
The did not approve of my father. Their sensibilities were offended by his hedonistic lifestyle. Awash in luxuries, women, feasts, and more women. Their provincial natures could not stomach such freedom. So, they conspired against him. All of father's inventions, several of which were used successfully in the war, were forgotten. The honors once lauded on him were lost to the past. All that was left was disdain for his lavish lifestyle.
The conspirators dug deep, looking for anything they could use to take him down. Success eluded them for years. And would still be beyond their grasp had not a traitor within our house come to their aid.
Having learned of Father's interests in dark and forbidden magics they came, raided our home arrested our family and ceased everything. I, along with my father's latest bride escaped through the catacombs under the estate. Known only to a select few was the fact that an ancient site of great power rested deep below our home. I spent much of my childhood living my own little adventures, exploring this forgotten site. Now, that knowledge would save the two of us from the inquisitors who had destroyed our lives.
We escaped with little but the cloths on our backs, a dagger, and a few odds and ends, nothing more.
I was not meant for the life of a pauper. I was meant for great things, or so the demons with whom I regularly communed told me time and again. Yes, I too knew these arts. Those fools had no idea how much power was hidden in this forbidden knowledge. Power, drawn from our enemies themselves, what better tool to fight them with if they should ever darken our doors again?
We escaped those invaders, only to fight a new enemy, the wretched cold of Dun Morogh. How the dwarves could make a home in this white wasteland is beyond my understanding. But, having lost our ancestral home of Gnomergan long ago, we Gnomes were forced to reside here. Knowing of only one place grand enough (by Dwarf standards anyway), and warm enough to possibly hold a place for me, we made our way to Iron Forge.
Once there, the realities of poverty set in. I had some meager talents, but in order to use them to fund the life I was accustomed too, I needed gold. It takes coin to make coin, and I had near none.
After visiting with those who share knowledge of the same dark ways I learned from my father, I stayed in the Forlorn Cavern. For it was there that I knew a man, a human, who could assist me. Vengeance, as well as capital would be gained. It was here that I sold my father's bride into a life of slavery and servitude that would place her in the service of a fine and "noble" family of Under City. The enemy, perhaps, but a useful one when it comes to exacting justice. Her traitorous acts would be repaid in some rather chilling and grotesque ways. However, the pleasure of knowing this still did not compare to the pleasures I would again be able to experience thanks to the hefty price paid for her.
With that gold I was able to purchase the materials needed to advance my understanding of the Dark Art of the Warlocks, improve my skills in Tailoring and Engineering, and learn the ways of Master Chefs. I trained also in the arts of Doctoring and Fishing as well. In the end, I would be doomed to care for myself for a long time to come. I might as well know the best ways to do so.
As my skills progressed I started to earn a bit of a living selling my wares. I also managed to keep myself in luxury to some extent. A suite at the Inn. exquisite clothes, made from my own hands, and remarkable toys and gadgets fashioned in the tradition of my father. And finally, I could again enjoy the finest exotic meals, as I could now prepare them better then even my former home's cooking staff.
However, if I am to keep this life up I need raw materials. These are best obtained outside the safety on the city walls. It is a life of hard adventure, balanced by relaxed luxurious downtime that I now lead. Using the arts of my father to earn my way, gather my materials, and learn further demonic secrets.
Thankfully, this path has now taken me to a better climate. Though I am forced to return to Iron Forge frequently due to business concerns, I spend most of my time in the warm paradise of Loch Modan. A Lush, fabulously warm place with clear waters, abundant food sources, and some of the deadliest beasts I have ever encountered.
It is here that I make my way. Here is where I practice my secret, dark craft. Here where I experiment with ancient tomes, dark magics and strange mechanisms, gaining strength and power everyday. Someday I will have my revenge on those crusading fools who took my life from me. And as that time draws closer, I intend to live in luxury and sensational delights as I always have. It is in that way, that I can immediately stick it to those overzealous busy bodies and their hypocritical doctrines.
Today I begin anew. A long road of adventure, excess, and pleasure that will one day culminate in the destruction of those who would destroy me.
The did not approve of my father. Their sensibilities were offended by his hedonistic lifestyle. Awash in luxuries, women, feasts, and more women. Their provincial natures could not stomach such freedom. So, they conspired against him. All of father's inventions, several of which were used successfully in the war, were forgotten. The honors once lauded on him were lost to the past. All that was left was disdain for his lavish lifestyle.
The conspirators dug deep, looking for anything they could use to take him down. Success eluded them for years. And would still be beyond their grasp had not a traitor within our house come to their aid.
Having learned of Father's interests in dark and forbidden magics they came, raided our home arrested our family and ceased everything. I, along with my father's latest bride escaped through the catacombs under the estate. Known only to a select few was the fact that an ancient site of great power rested deep below our home. I spent much of my childhood living my own little adventures, exploring this forgotten site. Now, that knowledge would save the two of us from the inquisitors who had destroyed our lives.
We escaped with little but the cloths on our backs, a dagger, and a few odds and ends, nothing more.
I was not meant for the life of a pauper. I was meant for great things, or so the demons with whom I regularly communed told me time and again. Yes, I too knew these arts. Those fools had no idea how much power was hidden in this forbidden knowledge. Power, drawn from our enemies themselves, what better tool to fight them with if they should ever darken our doors again?
We escaped those invaders, only to fight a new enemy, the wretched cold of Dun Morogh. How the dwarves could make a home in this white wasteland is beyond my understanding. But, having lost our ancestral home of Gnomergan long ago, we Gnomes were forced to reside here. Knowing of only one place grand enough (by Dwarf standards anyway), and warm enough to possibly hold a place for me, we made our way to Iron Forge.
Once there, the realities of poverty set in. I had some meager talents, but in order to use them to fund the life I was accustomed too, I needed gold. It takes coin to make coin, and I had near none.
After visiting with those who share knowledge of the same dark ways I learned from my father, I stayed in the Forlorn Cavern. For it was there that I knew a man, a human, who could assist me. Vengeance, as well as capital would be gained. It was here that I sold my father's bride into a life of slavery and servitude that would place her in the service of a fine and "noble" family of Under City. The enemy, perhaps, but a useful one when it comes to exacting justice. Her traitorous acts would be repaid in some rather chilling and grotesque ways. However, the pleasure of knowing this still did not compare to the pleasures I would again be able to experience thanks to the hefty price paid for her.
With that gold I was able to purchase the materials needed to advance my understanding of the Dark Art of the Warlocks, improve my skills in Tailoring and Engineering, and learn the ways of Master Chefs. I trained also in the arts of Doctoring and Fishing as well. In the end, I would be doomed to care for myself for a long time to come. I might as well know the best ways to do so.
As my skills progressed I started to earn a bit of a living selling my wares. I also managed to keep myself in luxury to some extent. A suite at the Inn. exquisite clothes, made from my own hands, and remarkable toys and gadgets fashioned in the tradition of my father. And finally, I could again enjoy the finest exotic meals, as I could now prepare them better then even my former home's cooking staff.
However, if I am to keep this life up I need raw materials. These are best obtained outside the safety on the city walls. It is a life of hard adventure, balanced by relaxed luxurious downtime that I now lead. Using the arts of my father to earn my way, gather my materials, and learn further demonic secrets.
Thankfully, this path has now taken me to a better climate. Though I am forced to return to Iron Forge frequently due to business concerns, I spend most of my time in the warm paradise of Loch Modan. A Lush, fabulously warm place with clear waters, abundant food sources, and some of the deadliest beasts I have ever encountered.
It is here that I make my way. Here is where I practice my secret, dark craft. Here where I experiment with ancient tomes, dark magics and strange mechanisms, gaining strength and power everyday. Someday I will have my revenge on those crusading fools who took my life from me. And as that time draws closer, I intend to live in luxury and sensational delights as I always have. It is in that way, that I can immediately stick it to those overzealous busy bodies and their hypocritical doctrines.
Today I begin anew. A long road of adventure, excess, and pleasure that will one day culminate in the destruction of those who would destroy me.
posted by Epicurean at 11:11 PM
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