Bon Ausbourn
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Mathias Ausbourn Watched Peltarch burning as the ship sailed away, the orange flames being reflected off the rippling surface of the Icelace. Even from this distance the faint sound of clashing swords and N’jast catapult fire could be heard. He looked to his wife, and even with her hood up he could see the fires of Peltarch reflecting of one of her beautiful tusks, her comely orcish face bathed in a warm glow of their home’s destruction. In her arms she cradled their son Bon. As he watched his son he noticed a droplet of water splatter across the baby’s forehead. He looked back at his wife’s face and noticed that she was weeping. He silently vowed to himself that he would return to their home once the danger had passed, no matter what state it was in. Personally he would be happy to start a new life in a new city, but he knew that for his wife it was a different matter. Even though she had to be keep hidden, Morag loved the city life. Her heart was still with her tribe in the foothills west of Peltarch, but since Mathias had won her over Morag had come to embrace the city as her home. In her mind she had ascended from her primitive existence where she was little more than a breeding slave and entered into a life where she was loved and valued.
“We’ll be back my love” he quietly promised her.
As the years went on, Mathias came to realise that life in Damara was not as he had hoped it would be. He and his wife lived in a shack on the outskirts of town, hidden and constantly watchful for marauding adventurers who would undoubtedly slay Morag on sight for the combat experience and gold trinkets she carried. Originally Mathias had hoped to have his son educated in the local academy, but prejudice against orcish blood was severe in these parts. So he taught his son at home, occasionally venturing into town where he could buy supplies and books for his son to read.
His wife was now beginning to show her age. He knew that it woldn't be long before old age would take her life. In human years she was barely middle aged, but in orc years she was well past her life expectancy. He would often inquire of travellers as to the state of Peltarch, and as soon as he learned that the city had been rebuilt he instructed his wife and son to begin packing their belongings. They were going home!
Mathias’ heart was full of gladness as they set sail on the Icelace toward Peltarch. It would turn out to be the saddest trip of his life. Alone on the deck he looked out across the mist covered surface of the lake. It was a clear night and the stars were particularly clear. As he gazed heaven ward is thoughts of their bright future cut short by the sound of shuffling feet behind him. He turned to see his wife staggering toward him with a hatchet held high above her head. She didn’t make it far enough to strike however. Her heart had failed, but in her last moments Morag was determined to die in battle as an orc should. Mathias refused to let the sailors bury her at sea. Instead he had her body broken and stored in a cargo crate for the rest of the journey home.
In the morning Mathias told his son Bon that his mother had died during the night. Bon’s grief was mixed with relief. Morag had been a terrible mother. He loved her as any son would love his mother but now that she was gone he knew that the beatings, verbal abuse and horrific cooking had come to an end. Her life had ended, and now in a way Bon felt that his life was just about to begin. A new city. A new home! He had no idea what he would do or where he would go, but he was sure that a life of adventure was set before him.
LOGIN: Crimson Button
CHARACTER: Bon Ausbourn
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