Post by Joras Timbule (I) on Aug 7, 2007 9:55:17 GMT -5
I had played there, in the forest, for my whole life. Ever since I could walk, I was out in the cool shelter of the forests. The woods were my haven, the only place I could get away from the outside world.
They told me that it was possessed by evil spirits, ghouls that would make me more vile than I could imagine. I didn't believe them one bit. There is no such thing as ghouls, and the forest was too pretty to be haunted.
On my Tenth natal, my father inducted me to the local academy so that I could become a successful merchant like him. I had always dreamed of going to the academy and wearing a scholars clothes so people would look at me and say "That Joras, he is of good making".
I hated the Academy. My teachers made me learn histories, and philosophies, and maths, and many things that I could never use. I wanted to learn about things that gave me power over others, things that made me superior. So instead I went to the forest and observed the many growing things, and saw how they grew, and how they interacted. This, I thought, was power.
When I went to my teacher and told him, though, he scorned me and laughed in derision. Now I was the fool of the academy.
This lasted for five years of suffering.
I had had enough.
I would go to the woods for solace, as they were the only place where I could feel free and strong. Apparently I had been careless about it.
Why do you come here, plant boy? Are you afraid? We'll show you fear, we'll make you want it!
I was battered until I fell unconscious. Even in my darkness, though, I could not escape them.
We'll haunt you until you die, scum! You can't even defend yourself, how pitiful. We should just kill you and feed you to the worms in your little forest.
I woke to find myself bloody, bruised, but suffused with an energy that I could not place within myself. Filled with righteous fury, I stormed to my villa, heedless of who was watching. I took my father's sword off of the wall, along with the scabbard and a pack full of traveling gear, intending to leave then and there. But the voices returned, and when I collected myself, I found that I was walking to the dorms where that boy stayed.
He deserves to die, Joras. The woods are sacred, and he profane it's name. Kill him.
I cannot remember what happened then, only that when it was done, my sword was gory and his corpse lay on his bed. I didn't even know his name.
I was horrified at what I had done. He may have been profaning, or even attacked me, but he did not deserve this. I ran, blind, tripping over roots and branches, uncaring of my direction. When I stopped, I realized that I had no idea of where I was. I got my bearings and headed in the way of redemption- Terre D'Ange, where the only law was love, and the gods were merciful.
Arriving in the bustling city of Elua after months of hard travel and labor, I was a mere thief and beggar, barely getting by. I hated this life, but was hit broadside by a wonderful idea: I could use my superior knowledge from the academy to my advantage.
I set up shop in a well traversed area of the market, and I daresay that it was my curious look that sold more than anything.
I now enjoy an easy life, but I never forget to do penitence at the temples each day. Even though I may not be one of theirs, I am accepted and embraced.
The gods of Terre D'Ange are truly merciful, even to outsiders.
They told me that it was possessed by evil spirits, ghouls that would make me more vile than I could imagine. I didn't believe them one bit. There is no such thing as ghouls, and the forest was too pretty to be haunted.
On my Tenth natal, my father inducted me to the local academy so that I could become a successful merchant like him. I had always dreamed of going to the academy and wearing a scholars clothes so people would look at me and say "That Joras, he is of good making".
I hated the Academy. My teachers made me learn histories, and philosophies, and maths, and many things that I could never use. I wanted to learn about things that gave me power over others, things that made me superior. So instead I went to the forest and observed the many growing things, and saw how they grew, and how they interacted. This, I thought, was power.
When I went to my teacher and told him, though, he scorned me and laughed in derision. Now I was the fool of the academy.
This lasted for five years of suffering.
I had had enough.
I would go to the woods for solace, as they were the only place where I could feel free and strong. Apparently I had been careless about it.
Why do you come here, plant boy? Are you afraid? We'll show you fear, we'll make you want it!
I was battered until I fell unconscious. Even in my darkness, though, I could not escape them.
We'll haunt you until you die, scum! You can't even defend yourself, how pitiful. We should just kill you and feed you to the worms in your little forest.
I woke to find myself bloody, bruised, but suffused with an energy that I could not place within myself. Filled with righteous fury, I stormed to my villa, heedless of who was watching. I took my father's sword off of the wall, along with the scabbard and a pack full of traveling gear, intending to leave then and there. But the voices returned, and when I collected myself, I found that I was walking to the dorms where that boy stayed.
He deserves to die, Joras. The woods are sacred, and he profane it's name. Kill him.
I cannot remember what happened then, only that when it was done, my sword was gory and his corpse lay on his bed. I didn't even know his name.
I was horrified at what I had done. He may have been profaning, or even attacked me, but he did not deserve this. I ran, blind, tripping over roots and branches, uncaring of my direction. When I stopped, I realized that I had no idea of where I was. I got my bearings and headed in the way of redemption- Terre D'Ange, where the only law was love, and the gods were merciful.
Arriving in the bustling city of Elua after months of hard travel and labor, I was a mere thief and beggar, barely getting by. I hated this life, but was hit broadside by a wonderful idea: I could use my superior knowledge from the academy to my advantage.
I set up shop in a well traversed area of the market, and I daresay that it was my curious look that sold more than anything.
I now enjoy an easy life, but I never forget to do penitence at the temples each day. Even though I may not be one of theirs, I am accepted and embraced.
The gods of Terre D'Ange are truly merciful, even to outsiders.