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The Memory of Haakon 1A frosty blast of salty sea air whips itself across your face as you stare at the rapidly receding coastline. Behind you lies the devastation and intrigue of your homeland, a homeland that you hope to soon return to. It must wait for your return however, for a dangerous journey through enemy waters lies between you and what you hope will be a stone of great power. The Doomstone of Haakon was lost centuries ago when Lone Wolf did battle with the powerful Darklord. According to Legend, Haakon was utilizing the great strengths attained from the possession of the stone to break into the very vault where a long lost Kai artefact was held when he was rudely disturbed by the upstart warrior Lone Wolf. Leaving the stone in a secret alcove in order to battle the stripling youth, the Darklord lost much of his ability to battle effectively without the aid of his devious tool. Lone Wolf never faced Haakon's full power; it was taken up attempting to do a much more sinister and diabolical deed. This perhaps was Haakon's downfall. He underestimated the prowess of Lone Wolf. Greatly weakened without the stone's benefits, the ill-fated Darklord was left to encounter the areas outside of the Darklands on his own. As with all the Darklords then, without some other aid to help him retain his powers outside his homeland, he was greatly weakened. Haakon lost that battle, and the personal vendetta against the Kai. You clench your fist over the rail of the ship as you remember the tales of old and vow that will not, cannot happen to you. With your breed of evil, the weaknesses experienced outside the Darklands will only be a distant memory. That particular weakness will never be seen again. A cruel smirk covers your lips as you imagine the great horror that would have embossed the Kai if the Ancient Darklords had all of the strengths you will eventually attain. A scaly hand rests on the rail beside your own. Looking over you see a stocky powerfully built lizard-like Creature. A lesser Darklord known as a Xagash, these powerful creatures are great warriors and deadly fighters in combat. Looking over at you the Xagash lifts one side of its mouth in a grimace, showing razor sharp fangs and a powerful jaw to hold them in. This is one of your guides, the general of many Helgedad troops, Lakaast. 'This foul air begins to ail my health.' He remarks gesturing to the atmosphere around you. 'Xagash were not made to travel far from their homeland. Even now I feel myself weakening outside the welcoming presence of the blessed city of Helgedad.' He coughs slightly and then shakes his head. 'Goragik gave me this device in order to aid me retain my health, but seeing how I am feeling quite ill, I wonder if the cursed Nadziranim was lying.' Around his waist is a dark belt made from woven Korlinium fibers and a dark metal clasp welded out of Kagonite. He gasps as if afflicted with a heavy bout of asthma and moans, 'I do not think I will complete this voyage.' The sight is almost too funny for you to keep a straight face. You barely catch yourself from snickering at his predicament. Nevertheless, regaining your composure you gravely wish him well and promise to pray to Naar for his preservation. The Xagash's only response is another groan. Cackling rises from behind you both and you turn to see Goragik coming towards you. A Nadziranim out of favor with the ruling Council, she has been given the task of ensuring your rise of Power. If successful, it promises to return her to power and give her influence beyond any that a Nadziranim has held in over a thousand years. Yet still she is of the ancient order of the Darklords who puts only one being first, herself. Even with the promises your success may bring, if given a choice she will save her own skin long before saving yours- something to remember if her choices are ever put in the crux. 'He is imagining things.' She comments. 'All this fresh air and strong sea breeze is probably good for him. I've heard that when the Darklord's empire held these waters great fleets of steel-clad ships patrolled, ever vigilant against the Sommlending scourge which plagues us today. Much Drakkar blood has been shed in these waters, and perhaps someday, more will join it.' A gleam comes into her eyes as she stares at you intently. 'But with that blood,' she adds, 'will come the taste of victory as it is joined with the countless numbers of our enemies paving our road to victory.' For once it seems that the Nadziranim is in a good mood. This is a rare occasion for which you are grateful. Normally everyone is cringing under the dire aspect of her ire. Today it seems everyone is safe, at least for the moment. You switch from staring over the rail to gazing toward the bow of the ship, over the ocean in front of you. Before you lies the sea into which your enemy awaits. Not far, but for today it seems, one of many long boring episodes of a sea passage will be held. |
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Lone Wolf © TM Joe Dever 1984-2000. |
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