town in its path.
Fortunately, the emergence of the Furialists forced a break in the chain of cruel emperors, providing opportunity for the ascent of Jason the Piper of Glen. He made peace with the elves and ceded land to preserve what was left of that people. In those times, he was the light that guided the Empire out of its Dark Age. Moving into the far north past even dwarven lands, Furialist populations grew to become ranked among the most powerful races of the land.
However, their reign in the north was not to last. The Liberator of Shadows emerged as a threat to the Empire, ending the harmony between all races. He discovered and manipulated five exiled Furialist soldiers and incorporated them into his Liberated Army. The Five led the Shadow Liberator to their people’s hidden cities, betraying the Furialists to him. The Five watched as the army of Liberated Shadows marched into their people’s lands and razed cities to the ground, nearly wiping out the entire race. Precious few survived, one of whom was your father. Whether by luck or destiny, he escaped the carnage and joined the Emperor’s campaign against the Liberator of Shadows.
“My father? So this is what we are? Our power is because I am Furialist?” Will asked, confused. “What does this mean?”
Yes, the griffin said, and two of the last. Apart from your father and the Five, none have been seen for decades. Take heart, however, in knowing more live on in secret places in the far north. Of course, you are not full Furialist because you mother is of Dinadun descent. All the same, you have an aura of great destiny about you. I have a feeling that you are the one who leads your people back from imminent extinction.
“How can you know all this?”
The griffin snorted amusedly, We griffins have a knack for knowing history and all that goes on around us.
“Answer me this then, Lord Griffin, how did you know who I was?”
I did not know who, only what, Brightflame. You bear the Mark of the Furialist; it distinguishes you as one of their kind. Anybody who recognizes the Mark can know you. Beyond that, I knew naught. Only by searching your mind did I discover your identity beyond your Mark.
“What mark?” Will looked at himself, searching for a brand setting him apart from the other students. “And why is he called the Liberator of Shadows? I thought liberation was a good thing.”
That, of course, is a matter of perspective. He has dubbed himself the Liberator of Shadows because of his deeds and intentions. He seeks to liberate and release a sleeping evil into the world. In his mission, the Shadow Liberator has wrought destruction and performed despicable acts against all the peoples of Gammalgard.
And as for the Mark, another day, Brightflame, we shall save that knowledge for another day, griffin said calmly. Worth paced past Will with a checklist in his large hands. But about this exam, you have excelled in the first part. The second bit of this exam would be tricky, but I sense that you carry a magical item on your person. Will fingered the hilt of his sword, hanging at his hip. Yes, that sword contains one of the only dangers the goblins will perceive. Brute violence won’t work, unless you manage to kill them all. However, luckily for you, goblins are particularly intolerant of magic. They cower at the very thought of magic in any form. If you simply draw your weapon as they approach, they should run off.
Thank you, Lord Griffin… For showing me my past , Will thought, reaching out with his mind to conjoin contemplation with the creature. It was an outlandish feeling, crossing the void before making contact. Will sensed vast space, empty yet whole, separating them. Once he brushed against the
Fortunately, the emergence of the Furialists forced a break in the chain of cruel emperors, providing opportunity for the ascent of Jason the Piper of Glen. He made peace with the elves and ceded land to preserve what was left of that people. In those times, he was the light that guided the Empire out of its Dark Age. Moving into the far north past even dwarven lands, Furialist populations grew to become ranked among the most powerful races of the land.
However, their reign in the north was not to last. The Liberator of Shadows emerged as a threat to the Empire, ending the harmony between all races. He discovered and manipulated five exiled Furialist soldiers and incorporated them into his Liberated Army. The Five led the Shadow Liberator to their people’s hidden cities, betraying the Furialists to him. The Five watched as the army of Liberated Shadows marched into their people’s lands and razed cities to the ground, nearly wiping out the entire race. Precious few survived, one of whom was your father. Whether by luck or destiny, he escaped the carnage and joined the Emperor’s campaign against the Liberator of Shadows.
“My father? So this is what we are? Our power is because I am Furialist?” Will asked, confused. “What does this mean?”
Yes, the griffin said, and two of the last. Apart from your father and the Five, none have been seen for decades. Take heart, however, in knowing more live on in secret places in the far north. Of course, you are not full Furialist because you mother is of Dinadun descent. All the same, you have an aura of great destiny about you. I have a feeling that you are the one who leads your people back from imminent extinction.
“How can you know all this?”
The griffin snorted amusedly, We griffins have a knack for knowing history and all that goes on around us.
“Answer me this then, Lord Griffin, how did you know who I was?”
I did not know who, only what, Brightflame. You bear the Mark of the Furialist; it distinguishes you as one of their kind. Anybody who recognizes the Mark can know you. Beyond that, I knew naught. Only by searching your mind did I discover your identity beyond your Mark.
“What mark?” Will looked at himself, searching for a brand setting him apart from the other students. “And why is he called the Liberator of Shadows? I thought liberation was a good thing.”
That, of course, is a matter of perspective. He has dubbed himself the Liberator of Shadows because of his deeds and intentions. He seeks to liberate and release a sleeping evil into the world. In his mission, the Shadow Liberator has wrought destruction and performed despicable acts against all the peoples of Gammalgard.
And as for the Mark, another day, Brightflame, we shall save that knowledge for another day, griffin said calmly. Worth paced past Will with a checklist in his large hands. But about this exam, you have excelled in the first part. The second bit of this exam would be tricky, but I sense that you carry a magical item on your person. Will fingered the hilt of his sword, hanging at his hip. Yes, that sword contains one of the only dangers the goblins will perceive. Brute violence won’t work, unless you manage to kill them all. However, luckily for you, goblins are particularly intolerant of magic. They cower at the very thought of magic in any form. If you simply draw your weapon as they approach, they should run off.
Thank you, Lord Griffin… For showing me my past , Will thought, reaching out with his mind to conjoin contemplation with the creature. It was an outlandish feeling, crossing the void before making contact. Will sensed vast space, empty yet whole, separating them. Once he brushed against the
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