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Kobold
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Temple of Solusek Ro
Posts: 113
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The Epic Quest of Serous Darkice
I recently posted this in AG's guild forums, but was asked to post it in the p99 community. I hope you enjoy it, and yes, there are a few of us who roleplay on p99.
Quote:
Below is the story of the epic quest, how it molded Serous into a better person, and heartfelt "thanks" to everyone for this most wonderful staff.
Fifty-five seasons ago, an unknown catastrophe befell a young human wizard. After what seemed like an endless dream, he awoke within the confines of the Academy of Arcane Science in Freeport. His only memory was of his name, Serous Darkice. None of the trainers or students within the Academy knew Serous’s origin. Opal Darkbriar herself said it seemed as though Serous had just appeared outside the gates of Freeport.
Serous began his studies at the Academy along with the other fifth level wizards. For much of his early studies, he was regarded as an average wizard. Serous’s stoic demeanor hid the pain of jealousy that developed from watching his Erudite and Koada’dal classmates master new skills with ease due to their innate sharp intellect.
During one of Serous’s many study sessions in the academy library, Opal Darkbriar approached him and asked what he knew of the Will of Solusek. Serous admitted all he knew was what was taught in the History of Magic lessons — Solusek Ro was the deity who brought magic to Norrath. Opal explained to Serous how Solusek Ro not only bestowed the gift of magic to the wizards of Norrath, but also gave guidance on how such power should be used. She also explained the lore indicates that many of Burning Prince's apprentices were humans. This surprised Serous, and from that moment he resolved to approach his life as if he, himself, was a Child of Solusek. As his days at the Academy came to an end, Serous thought less of his unknown past and family. He developed a spiritual connection to Solusek Ro, and saw all of his children - the wizards of Norrath - as his family.
After graduating from the Academy, Serous set out for high city of Erudin seek training from some of the greatest wizards in Norrath. His travels took him through Qeynos, which instantly felt familiar to him. When he visited the wizard guild, several of the older trainers seemed to have recognized him. It comforted Serous to know he might have found his old home; however, he was committed to being a steward of the Will of Solusek. His home was now the entirety of Norrath seeking knowledge and using his power for the good of the world.
Soon after his journey to Erudin, Serous joined a guild of adventurers known as Dark Winter. There he met several Norrathians who would become life-long friends and comrades: Expediency the druid, Shadowshrek the shadow knight, Warcena the shaman, and many others. Through hunting with Dark Winter, he traveled all over Norrath, learning how to effectively train and hunt in almost any adventuring environment. Around his fortieth season, Serous’s life would forever change as he discovered a wizard named Solomen. Solomen sent Serous back to Erudin where he discovered the stories Opal Darkbriar told him were true — Solusek Ro did have humans as his most powerful, gifted apprentices. He also discovered the quest for Solusek’s greatest gift, the Staff of the Four. Just as he resolved to be a Child of Solusek, Serous was now determined to earn this blessing from Solusek.
Unfortunately, after beginning Solomen’s quest, Dark Winter disbanded. For the first time since his childhood in Freeport did Serous again felt truly alone. Some of Serous’s friends had moved on before the dissolution of Dark Winter to join the ranks of the Azure Guard: Expediency, Shadowshrek, and Moonwood in particular. They encouraged him to apply. Serous was then approached by a necromancer named Kumadar, who explained who the Azure Guard was and what they were about. Serous soon realized that finding Kumadar and the Azure Guard was no mistake. Clearly the Will of Solusek meant for Serous to bring his talents to the Guard and to come closer to understanding the true power of Solusek though training with the Guard’s mighty sorcerers.
Serous soon discovered that the other wizards of the Azure Guard were also seeking Solusek’s greatest gift. Rather than treating this discovery as a challenge, which he would have as a young wizard, Serous took it as an opportunity to watch and aid his fellow guild wizards with the quest, to see what path he must follow to earn a staff for his own.
With great support from wizards and non-wizards within the Guard, Serous collected the pieces required by Arantir Karondor (and by extension Solomen) for forging Solusek’s staff. The final piece, the Gnarled staff, held by the terrible Venril Sathir, proved to be the most difficult piece to acquire. Serous was humbled by many of the guild wizards who had waited what seemed to be endless seasons for the opportunity to slay Venril Sathir and claim a staff for the own. Realizing the Solusek’s gift was not only something for personal accomplishment, but also something to symbolize the advancement of all Norrathian wizards, Serous became determined to find a way to aid his fellow wizards in acquiring this essential piece of the quest. Through the guidance of Nemce and the other elders of the Guard, Serous realized that simply alerting the guild to Venril Sathir’s presence could be as useful as landing the killing blow himself. Thus, the game of the tracking Venril Sathir began.
Then one Sunday, the impossible happened. Serous had just participated in slaying another instance of Venril Sathir, when a gnarled staff was found in his remains. Excitement swelled inside, but Serous kept his emotions in check. He was not the only Azure Guard wizard who desired this and knew the officers of the Guard would inform him if he was to take the staff. As mentioned, on this Sunday the impossible happened. Serous could not believe his ears, when his friend and elder Aegnor Eldruin told him to take the gnarled staff.
Happiness and pride overtook Serous, and he and fellow guild mate Crecentia began their trek Halas to make the final preparations for completing Arantir’s quest. Luckily Aegnor, was able to bring Serous back to earth. All matters of an Azure Guardian’s final pieces for what amounted to their epic quest are determined by a council of the officers. Whereas an individual wizard would be blinded by their own desire for power and victory, the council was able to best determine which of the guild’s wizards should complete their quest.
Though grounded, Serous was content. He always believed the Will of Solusek would guide him on the path to Solusek’s greatest gift. Through his travels and training, he came to realize that the quest of the Staff of the Four was meant to be a mechanism for Solusek to uplift all of the wizards in Norrath. No matter who the council chose to complete the quest, it would be a win for wizards - despite his own desire for the Staff, Serous would be happy to see any Azure Guard wizard receive Solusek’s greatest gift.
One day later, Serous was aching with anticipation. He wanted to know which wizard would receive the ultimate blessing. He believed it would be Qaos Nova, a fellow Erudite wizard, who had sought the gnarled staff for many, many moons and was truly a wizard deserving of Solusek’s gift. It was then, in an instant seemingly frozen in time, Nemce approached Serous and said a word that robbed Serous of the ability to breathe: “Congratulations.” It had happened. The orphaned wizard, raised in the Academy of Arcane Sciences in Freeport received the blessing of the almighty burning prince, Solusek Ro. The council had chosen Serous!
Serous was speechless - a condition quite foreign to him. A wave of overwhelming pride and gratitude washed over him. Finally Serous was able to catch his breath, and say “thank you” to Nemce and to all of the Azure Guard. With this quest completed and the Staff of the Four presented to him by Solomen, Serous knew the true quest had only begun — follow the Will of Solusek and aid His children in completing their epic quest.
As he prepared his camp for the night, Serous thought of his fellow wizards within the Guard. “Qaos,” he whispered to himself as sleep overtook his mind, “Soon Solusek will bless you as well. Thank you for helping me receive mine.”
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03-05-2016, 01:38 PM
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