3. Healer

Healer


  • Character name: Healer
    Player log-in: beng4eva

    The wandering Ilmateri priest known to those he travels with as Healer can't tell much of his past to those he meets. When he tries to think back, his memories are fragmented and tortured, full of agony and suffering.

    The reason for this is clear, once the truth is known.

    Many years ago…..

    Born to loving parents in Damarra, Jahn Olefson was a perfectly normal, average boy. His parents were middle class merchants; wealthy enough to own their own home and shop, but poor enough to live in a simple manner. He was the middle child of three born in that generation. His older brother Mikael would inherit the shop, and his younger sister Kirna would learn the womanly crafts and practice them until such time as she was wed.

    Jahns future was simpler. He was free of any responsibility, unless something were to happen to his brother or sister. He could earn a living working in the shop, or seek his own fortune, whatever was his wish.

    As he got older and approached the age of his majority, he decided that he would take up the life of an adventurer, to seek his fortune in the wilds of the realms. His parents were worried for him, but knew that their son would follow his dreams, and perhaps come back victorious and wealthy.

    Unsure of what path his life would take, Jahn looked to his friends to see what they would be doing when they came of age. Many wished to join the militia in town, seeing it as a good way to meet young ladies, and the food was plentiful. Seeing the benefits and none of the drawbacks, he signed up and went through basic training, gaining a taste of armed conflict and service under a lord.

    He left town in the spring of 1499, and headed east to take part in the defense against a known orcish incursion that was on it's way from the mountains.

    As he joined the rank and file, and received his armor and weapons, Jahn was nervous. Would he know where to strike? Would he know enough to recognise friend and foe in the middle of a heated melee? And would he be able to protect his allies with a strong shield arm?

    Shouldering his spear and shield, he prepared himself as reports came in of the horde of orcs getting closer and closer. Soon, they could see the flames from their torches on the horizon, a veritable sea of orcs arrayed against them.

    He stood shoulder to shoulder with his allies, awaiting the oncoming battle with a mixture of fear and bravado, praying to whatever god was listening for guidance and protection.

    The orcs bore down on their lines, screaming for blood and howling into the wind, Jahn unsure if he would live or die, and whether or not they would win the day. He stared into the oncoming enemy, and steeled himself.

    Several hours later…..

    The battle was over. His side had been defeated. The dead and dying lay strewn about the battlefield like so much refuse after a festival, their screams filling the night and darkening it more than seemed possible.

    The greatest screams of pain came from Jahn. He had stood firm against the horde, he had even defied them when his allies fell. But when he was left alone, out of his entire regiment, they surrounded him, and fell upon him, axes flashing, spears stabbing, swords swinging. He went down with his body pierced to the core, his skin pierced in so many places that not even the most skilled surgeon could save him.

    But they had saved the final punishment for last. Pouring some pitch on him, they dropped a torch on his barely alive body, so that his last moments alive would be in excruciating, unbearable pain.

    They left the battlefield and continued on, leaving the wounded to bleed to death.

    But for some reason, Jahn would not die. His body burnt, and his flesh was in unspeakable agony, but there was something that would not let him pass over.

    When the medics were finally able to tend to him, they were amazed at the degree of his wounds, and the fact that he was still alive. Unsure of what more they could do for him, they tried to clean out the open wounds and treat him with the small amount of bandages they had to share amongst the men.

    Several months later….

    Time has passed. Jahn was taken to the temple of Ilmater, the broken one, where he could be looked after until he either passed over, or recovered. There, his survival was looked upon as somewhat of a miracle, and he was given special attention to watch and see what their lords wishes for the boy would be.

    Now, he is walking and talking, but his past has been lost to him. His face and features are almost unrecognisable from the fresh faced young boy who once left home to seek his fortune. He looks old.. far older than his years would have you believe.

    And sometimes at night, he remembers the burning and the spears, the pain that wracked his body.

    Several years later…..

    With no memories of a past life, no memories of a family or even a name, the man with no name has made a life for himself at the temple of Ilmater. There he takes part in the rituals and ceremonies, attends to the needs of the priests, and spends time in reflection on what it is the suffering one wishes of him.

    Deciding that he wishes to ascend to the priesthood himself, he prays and meditates on it, then seeks the permission of the head priest.

    Several days ago…..

    Stepping off the boat in Peltarch is a weary looking man, scars littering his body and an unusual look on his face. Knowing that this is the place that he must stay and work, he looks to the people for opportunities to spread the word of his lord, and he looks to his lord for a name, should he be deemed worthy.

    For now, he is known as Healer, until such time as a name is given to him.

  • ICC

    Reviewd, XP Pending.