3. To Be A Hero

To Be A Hero


  • To Be A Hero
    _By Sir Adrian Petrarch,
    Knight Silverbolt of the Harmonious Order of Milil,

    Forword
    Dear Reader,

    you are currently looking upon the transcript that I have begun to write at my arrival in the distant land of Narfell, and to which I shall continue to add with ballads, poems and tales of fortunate and unfortunate happenings that occur during my stay here. It is my hope that trough this writing, you may learn of of the events that I have witnessed and experienced.

    The tale before this tale, is that of my history before Narfell. I was born, raised and educated in the city of Dilpur in Impultur, the son of Jonah Petrarch. The Petrarch family in Dilpur could be considered a middle-class merchant family, and so my childhood was one of relative comfort and ease. As many youths, I voluntarily joined the Impulturan Warswords, the mounted crossbow-and-lance militia of the nation, upon coming of age. After the standard three year of service, I had become aware of a great calling for my life. It was in the words of a preaching priest of Milil, that I found that the Lord of Song was calling to me, and placed visions of heroism and great deeds in my mind. And so it came to pass that I was squired to Sir Jonathan Esquire, and after 2 years I was knighted into the Order.

    At this time, as was the tradition and ceremony for all Knights of the Harmonious Order, I was given a pseudonym title. I was given the sounding title Silverbolt, for Sir Esquire had been an ardent hunter of the undead, and I had spent many days preparing and supplying him with silver-tipped bolts.

    After my knighting, I was dispatched to the far corner of the known world, the land of Narfell, where I was to seek out the local community of bards, minstrels and singers, to aid them however I could, and to continue my training to become an ever more powerful and wise Knight of Song and Chivalry.

    And so I have come to the present day, with my recent arrival in the city of Peltarch, and the first tale of this book.

    I pray you will find this book both entertanining and interesting, and that Milil's Song may ever guide you._


  • _Speaking with Sir Thel has given me more insight into my position. He said that a knight's virtues carry on trough each aspect of life, and trough each position, and that the there is need for those comitted to good in both the halls of politics, as well as the dark places of the world.

    If my own record of the recent battles against the monsters rising up from the depths below the city is any indication, I am certainly more in place in the first than the latter. This is not something I cannot accept, but to see those Umberlants fighting with skill and power so much greater than my own, so much more succesful in the defense of the city (for whatever selfish goals they might have), is something I find troubling.

    But most of all, it was the death of Gaerielle that has burdened me greatly in these past days, and I simply cannot shake the image of her slain body in my arms. She says I am not to blame, but I know I am. I am a Harmonious Knight, sworn to the defense of bards and His temples. And yet here I am after having abandoned her to die, running for help that came far too late to make any difference at all.

    It is more than simply being weakened from the earlier defeats.. I feel as if I am failing to fulfill my purpose.. failing to inspire. I should be setting an example, but the one I set right now is poor indeed. In fact, the only time I can recall feeling truly in fulfillment of my purpose was when I carried the king's banner in that great battle in that strange city in that other world.. oh, why have I not written these things down.. now they are lost to the past and the memories of others, Milil forgive me. It was in that moment, carrying the symbol of hope to all the good people of that realm, in representation of their good king, that I truly felt Milil's song in my heart, and truly felt he was smiling on me. I did not slay many foes that day, but such is not my place to begin with.

    Perhaps if I had become a Defender instead, I could have worked towards becoming Standard Bearer of Peltarch. Oh, my heart sings at the mere thought of it. Perhaps I could speak with the new general, and something can be arranged._


  • The book that Adrian was once writing has long been lost to the war, unfinished and likely never to be found again, leaving Adrian with nothing but a journal.

    _What am I to do? I may have been elected a Senator of Peltarch, but there is so much to do and I don't know where to begin. And even though I might be Senator, I'm still a knight, and I'm expected to fight evil wherever it rises. But I can't seem to enter any fight without dying, or at least losing badly. Have I been chasing nothing but dreams all this time? Am I destined to become a politician rather than a true paladin? I can do a lot of good for the people in the Senate, I know that much, but there doesn't seem to be many heroics and glory in debate, laws and bureaucracy.

    Isn't that what being a Harmonious Knight is? To drive into dungeons and dark places, to rescue and defend innocent people and inspire countless songs and tales? If that's the case, I must be the worst knight in the entire history of the Order._

    A few inkstains litter the page, as if Adrian was unsure on how to continue.

    _It feels as if I'm only good with words, not with my sword. I feel I can only tell people to be true and virtuous and strong in the face of evil, rather than actually being so. What sort of example can I possibly set this way? And if I was the only knight on the Senate, I could at least find a purpose in that, to ensure the Senate stays pure and uncorrupted. But with such a great hero as Senator Thel there, I can only live up to ideals, rather than set them. Perhaps I am reaching for too much, but it seems that of all the good things I can do, non seem to be the good things I should do.

    I will go and find Senator Thel. I'm sure he'll understand how I feel, and he might just have some good advice._


  • Chapter 5: Rising

    _'t Has been some time since mine last writing, for many a things have kept me running 'round and about.

    For many more times than I can remember I hath come to fight the many vile and risen undead. Skeletons and zombies and wights and ghouls and vampires hath all been slain by me and my companions, in the name of Goodness and with the blessing of Holy Light and Harmony. I hath been struck down a handful of times, of which I remember less and less. Still I remember the great battle in the sewers of Peltarch, 'gainst the vampiress Lilia and her host of vile wights. In a grand battle in this darkened place, I didst stand with several cunning and capable adventurers. 't Were the warrior priest Aelthas of Selune, the bardess Lycka of the Theatre of Peltarch and the contemplative Ju. 't may be that others were there but 't is no longer part of mine mind's song, forgotten and lost in my defeat in that place. Though 't was an honourable death, to die nobly in battle 'gainst an undead blackguard, powerful too combat us all. 't Is but later I heard that the blackguard was defeated, and so I rejoice that Light and Harmony didst triumph.

    't Is by mine bravery and devotion that I didst earn the welcome patronage of the priest Thander of Kelemnvor, who hath granted me supplies to continue the holy quest 'gainst the evil risen and their masters. 't Is but a few days past that I didst lead a group for the first time 'gainst ever more undead, rising near the city. 't Was a victory as we didst slew the vile things and master cultists, and we didst sunder the dark altar they didst guard. Though 't was an adventure wrought with peril, monsters and traps, non hath fallen and Light was victorious. 't Was indeed a good day.

    And so I doth have contemplated, and I didst decide so to offer my blade and service the holy Order of the Watchful Repose of Kelemnvor. I yet wait for their word, though 't is surely a noble cause and a noble group to devote to.

    Though I doth rise and fall as yet any song, and doth mine heart grows more Harmonious and mine swordarm grows stronger. Though I doth know failure, I learn of such trials small and great. Though I doth know doubt now and again, 't is something all do, and I doth know more wisdom than before. 't Is a feeling that doth fill me with joy, to see mine growth, though I must be wary not to let pride best me. 't Is the example of true heroes and many other adventurers that doth teach me, and I doth have much to learn still. I pray Milil doth smile upon me, and I pray The Lord of Song doth sing his blessing on me._


  • Chapter 4: Holy Song

    _Many things have come and gone since my last writing, and so 't is high time for me to scribble another verse or two. 't is saddening to write I hath failed to become a Norwick Redcloak, and for reasons obscured. Though 't shall cause me neither grief nor spite, and 't will but serve to inspire me to greater effort.

    Let me write also of the dishonourable lout named Caric, who doth flutter about from maiden to lass and on, and cares naught for the hearts he breaks and shatters. He didst so pain the lovely Ah'ria, who hath given herself to him in marriage and elven bond. Yet 't was all for non, as villanous Caric betrayed her trust and bedded many others, even within the sacred bond. 't caused the rosey Ah'ria such grief she nearly withered, though with hidden strength she hath since broken the bond and marriage, and the cowardly lout has since fled the realm. Let his name not be forgotten, that all may know of Caric's crimes, 'till trough trial and penance he is absolved. May Sune show him the err of his ways, and may Lady Firehair once more let love shine on the deserving Ah'ria.

    Many things are afoot, though I seem to find myself ever elsewhere when they do. 't is utterly frustrating to be denied a chance to shine brighter still, yet 't is so and 't will be no other. Tainted goblins do attack Norwick once so often, and a demon lord has risen to tax the goodly folk even further. 't is surely a difficult life to live here, yet all the more challenging for it. There is one tale I would tell, that has touched and awed me to the deepest corners of my heart and soul.

    't was a dark night, and undead were rising from the crypts of Norwick. And so I, and Locrian of the Norwick Guard, Felix the priest of Tempus, Sara the mute swordmaiden, and many others did travel into the graveyard and below. And we didst fight trough many skeletons and zombies and ghosts and more, 'till the first level were clear and most returned to the surface. But I and a small group didst travel further down, to encounter more of the wicked risen, as well as the relentless attacks of a shambling cowcorpse. 't was an utter perversion of such a gentle beast, and it didst take three times for it to be finally slain.
    Alas, the others retreated from the crypts, weary of battle, and I didst fall behind. 't was truly frightening, to be alone and without torch nor light, in the damp darkness of the crypts. And so I didst follow my way along the walls, yet 't was not long afore I was well and truly lost. And fear's cold talon didst grip at my heart.

    Yet 'lo, there was the singing of angels! Verily, dearest reader, 't was so. In the cursed darkness of that place, I didst hear a song of ethereal beauty, and it didst warm my heart. And it didst beckoned me, and I didst follow, and 't was not long afore I was out and into the light of day. 't was surely Milil himself who had graced me with such song, though 't is regrettable I was but 'lone to hear it.
    And so I hath learned, that even in deepest of darkness, Milil's blessed song and hope does endure. For he who is blind can still hear the song with his ears. And he who is deaf can still hear the song with his heart.

    Blessed be Milil._


  • Chapter 3: Red Cloaks And Undead And More

    _And so time passed, and I left the city for the small village of Norwick. Lead by the dwarven chancellor Dwin Dolvak, 't seems a place where I could train my skill and do good deeds in His Name. I didst join the local militia, the Redcloaks.

    My first trial as such was when a great host of undead creatures, of skeletons and zombies and ghouls and wights and constructs of bone, massed outside the gates and made the attempt to raid the town. Yet myself and many others stood outside the gates, and destroyed many of the shambling undead. 't Was a long and hard battle, yet we were victorious in the end. And though there have been moments when the song of battle was tense and high, non of the goodly defenders fell to the undead. It was a glorious victory, and I am certain Milil took note, for I felt much empowered afterwards.

    My second trial did not proceed with such success. My heart didst beat a loud drum for the Lady Celestria, fair and kind. She didst however hear this melody, and spoke to me of it, and I didst confess my desire for her. Yet 't was to no avail, as she was already bethrothed. 't is a sore sting to my heart, yet I cannot let it sadden my melody. She remains ever beautiful, and an inspiration, and I should be honoured to stand and fight besides her, even if 't is not as close as I would have it.

    And so I do continue my labors and battles, and seek to bring glory to myself and to the Lord of Song. Perhaps this is not the life I had envisioned as a squire, yet it is worthwile nontheless._


  • Chapter 2: In Shining Armor Clad

    _And 't would be so, that over the coming days and nights, I would learn much of this savage land. That I would meet of those bards of the College and Theatre of Bards and Minstrels of the city of Peltarch, which I call my home now. 't Is for the glory of Milil and mine own, that I have thus joined in with a play, that I may play my part and be noted. 't Will surely be a challenge, for I have little experience with theatre, though I shall strive to practice hard and reap the rewards.

    't Is also a blessing that I am now truly a knight in shining fullplate, as several have supported me with their donations. Of particular notability are Riku E'lisen, and the dwarven priestess of Chauntea, Telli. May Milil smile on their endless generousity, and may they be forever blessed with song and eloquence.

    't Was a quiet night when I didst venture into the crypts of Norwick, to slay the undead that infest it there. Even though the halls were dark, and pungeant with the stench of death and decay, my heart beat to the sound of a hero's song, and I ventured deeper and deeper, slaying the skeletons and walking carcasses that roamed the tainted place. I didst not do so alone, and so it should be known that I was accompagnied by the elven priest Mora, the sickly yet brave man Alexi, and the Lady Elenwyd Arcalinte. The fair Lady Knight of Torm's beauty is breathtaking, and only rivalled by her zeal and skill with the blade. The mark of a hero lies upon her, and many a time I would find myself standing awed by her. I pray that one day I may achieve such greatness and glory, and perhaps even beyond, to become legendary as the Lady Du'Monte, of who the minstrels sing far.

    Alas, our venture didst not continue as smoothly as first thought. Fate had written a cruel twist in the tale, and we found ourselves ambushed and attacked by a number of undead warriors of great, wicked power. We fought bravely and to the last gasp, and as I slipped into darkness I knew it was a fine death, early though it may have been.
    Yet it was not to be, for I awoke some time after in that hall, bearing a dark mark of necromancy. The Lady and the elf had been marked as well, and we made our way to Norwick's healer. The Lady and the elf since departed, it was the healer Tristina who didst cleanse the mark from my forehead, though 't was a painful process indeed.

    But I coming days I learned and saw, that the Lady Arcalinte had also been cleansed of this mark. And I pray that the same has been done to the elf Mora, for he was brave and steadfast, and honoured his people.
    Alas, I now find myself outside the gates of the city, awaiting the banishment to be lifted. The mark's story alone has in its turn marked the Magistrate, as he has seen fit to remove me from the city, as I await the word that I am indeed cleansed and pure once more._


  • Chapter 1: The First Trek

    _'t Was a calm and peaceful morning in the city of Peltarch,
    and Lathander's dawn illuminated the land. And on this day I did so meet, the Lady Summerbloom. In armor clad, she didst draw mine eye, introduced herself to be a woman of mercantile. In her intent to travel southwards trough the pass of the Nars, she asked me for mine blade, and I didst offer it humbly, without cost.

    And so we didst travel southwards, trough the winding pass off snow. And though the road was clear, the wind was harsh and bit mine bones.
    And we didst encounter the vile monstrous hobgoblins, who sneered and raged and swung their axes and spears. Though battle was fierce, 't was we who were the victors, and we continued on our path. 't was after a good hour or two we didst reach this bridge, and the wretched goblins did come from front and 'hind. A veritable ambush they had laid, but all for non. Their blood soon stained the snow. Yet there was one some further up, who smirked and laughed at us. I challenged him to duel, yet at that moment, 't was one cloaked in shadow that attacked the Lady Summerbloom. 't Was no duel, but battle then, as the four of us fought for life and death. 't Is a tale that could fill a book, as my sword did swing, my heart did sing, and the hobgoblins fell in discord.

    't Was not without loss, as the vile beast's sting had been laid upon me. And so we travelled to the camp of gypsies, weary of the battles behind.
    't Was a shorter road, and not so far, and in this camp we didst meet, the woodsman named Will. 't was this woodsman Will, that dispensed the healings of Mielliki, and restored my visage and form once more.

    't had been a good trek, and we set to rest, but soon Sir Will had come again. He spoke of bugbears in the camp, and how he would track them to their lair. I know 't would be a grand tale to know, and so I joined him in this quest. And we didst fight our way trough the forest, and many a great spider. 't was dangerous and harsh, and death loomed around every tree. Their vile webs were spun, and large spiders barked and bellowed, spewing forth their putrid green gasses. But us three there didst so prevail, and find the bugbear camp. Alas, 't was empty, and no trace of bug or bear to be found. Though 't had been an adventure, we returned to the camp, our hands ever empty. 't Would not be a day of great spoils and treasure, of great duels and monsters, yet 't was a good start of my being a Knight, and 't was surely a tale to be told._