"My Campaign Against the Traitors of Men"

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[tface=fraktur][SIZE="6"][COLOR="Yellow"]My Campaign Against the Traitors of Men[/COLOR][/SIZE][/tface]

[tface=goudy][SIZE="4"]Written by Isengrim Williams

Edited by Jacqueline Dulcimer[/tface][/SIZE]

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[tface=Callig]Editor's Foreword[/tface]

[tface=goudy]In assisting Isengrim with the scribing of his tale into the written word, the editor has made no effort towards trying to abrogate or alter significantly the tale itself. My opinions do not match up with Isengrim's own, yet it is important that the story Isengrim has to tell be told.

Ultimately I focused on grammar, diction, and on making the story told by the man of Old Port more clear and concise. Isengrim's story is his own to tell, and he alone shall tell it. I have only worked to make it easier for him to do so.[/tface]



[tface=Callig]~ J[/tface]

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 1 - The Start of the Campaign[/tface]

[tface=goudy]I, Isengrim Williams, am a man who has lost many a friend, and - indeed - the love of my life to the release of the Lichess. Her folly had caused men I was sworn to protect to know a life of poverty and squalor within Mistlocke's Last Keep. I at one point was a sworn loyalist of Trenada's militia, and I had failed to defend the lands of King Trenada from her forces. I, and many others retreated to Mistlocke in hope of safety we have never forgotten the accursed Hammer 23rd - the day the stargazers released the Maiden.

Stargazers - these beasts whom cannibalize their own dead as a sign of respect. These beasts whom have killed many a hunter just for daring to skin the cats they worship so greatly. Beasts whom had slew a lord of the Dominion, a noble paladin of Tyr the Even-Handed whom had sought to bring justice to them. These beasts, along with the druids whom so often talked of balance and nature yet would see by their own folly the beauty of nature twisted, withered, and shattered.

It was my hope to gain reparations for myself and my people for accursed Hammer 23rd, so I launched a campaign against these beasts.

It could be said that many in Mistlocke would be guaranteed to these reparations as well. Their city wasn't swarming with refugees or outsiders before the Lichess' release. The people of Mistlocke didn't find food or game scarce before the Lichess was released. Even the Portal Rats whose lives were free from curse before coming here can blame their plight on these beings releasing the Maiden in the first place. Anyone on Ymph can argue that reparations are owed from these savages, and their wildlings allies... whose folly we are reminded of every day with the Withering. [/tface]

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 2 - In Search of a Lost Dog[/tface]

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The kennel-master of the Numinous Order had lost one of his dogs, and that was when my comrade and I had heard word that a member of the Numinous Order was paying gold for the recovery of said hound. We went in search for this dog - find it we did, and grabbed it I did. That was when I had an encounter with a savage stargazer who declared that "the dog needed freedom, ... [as] ... it was better in the wilds". I ignored it at first, but then told it that I was taking the dog back to its rightful owner, and that was when one of their vile shamans casted magicks upon us, causing us to run in fear like men possessed; in the chaos, they had taken the dog, and ran.

I began pursuit of these savage natives seeking to reclaim this dog, and saw soon confronted by two different savages with bows. That was when I had drawn steel, and clashed with them. I easily subdued one, my blade cutting deep into its flesh; his supposed comrade tried to run away. I gave pursuit, and rather quickly, I subdued him as well... as my blade was being swung, I easily dodged its arrows.

I dragged them back to the Order Priory and I reminded them that reparations to my people were owed, and I reminded them that the role their kind played in releasing the Lichess could not be ignored. They attempted to deny what was so recent history to everyone else on this isle. Regardless, the Order compensated me for a job well done. I know not the fate that happened to these stargazers, but I know somehow Eward Jorvum did get his dog back.

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 3 - Gathering Allies[/tface]

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Joining the Shrouded Legion, I sought to recruit allies to aid me in claiming reparations from the stargazers. Most of the hamlet's adventurers had no fear of diving into random caves or areas filled with monsters, but feared the risk of death by the hands of stargazers. Some strangely had no grudge against the very people responsible for the curse that now haunts us all. Some halflings even claimed that these beasts were their kin, albeit wayward and in need of civilizing.

Mortimer Douglas, High Doomguide of the Judge and Ambassador of Mistlocke under the 9th Lord-Mayor of Mistlocke, Zoe Lisette, told me that "[...] efforts must be focused on the dead, not the living." I made many a sending, and gathered what few allies whom had pledged their blades to my task. As I said, most were unreliable, and I found that I was basically the only one to pursue this campaign. I told Ranes Sharboneth of my intentions to hunt these gazers down, and claim reparations for my people. He approved of it, and encouraged me to continue my hunt, and told me these stargazers were the traitors of men for releasing the Lichess. Upon hearing that, I started referring to them as what they were - Traitors of Men.


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[tface=Callig]Chapter 4 - No Death in the Graveyard[/tface]

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Not long after that, the Legion had unfortunately disbanded. It was some days later that I heard a sending regarding some ghouls plaguing the Graveyard near Mistlocke, devouring the dead. I arrived there to see a crowd of adventurers, and a single stargazer with a glowing sword. I would later know the dread gazer's name to be Siwili. Upon seeing it, I had simply yelled the word "gazer", began drinking whatever vials I could get my hands on to empower myself, and charged it. I had found that the adventurers that had gathered at the graves were mere cowards, and a few even aided the savage, casting spells of haste upon it, and throwing tanglefoot footbags at my feet in an attempt to trip me up or ensnare me.

I continued to fight proudly when suddenly from behind a stargazer with two blades struck at me, and I found myself on the ground, unable to fight. That was when my former comrade and fellow Legionnare Faye Kendt jumped in and began healing me, guarding me from the stargazers. She told me it was foolish to have jumped into battle like that. I yelled curses at the stargazers, swearing that I would have my vengeance upon them. Today I had tasted defeat at their hands, thanks in no small part to the spineless adventurers who would aid the savage over his fellow man. May the gods curse the lover of the savage.


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[tface=Callig]Chapter 5 - The Fall of a House, The Rise of a Cyricist[/tface]

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Some find it odd that I attribute so many of the island's ills to the gazers. I believe there is no other man who has more reason to hate them than the steward of his house, Ranes Sharboneth. At one point, House Sharboneth prospered, and they were the stewards of Ymph. Zakarias Sharboneth, Governor of Ymph, had ruled both with honor and with fairness. His rule was then contested by the Pirate Queen Ixpadia, whom had an army of goblins, ogres, and other scum of the isles. She declared herself ruler of Old Port, and soon after, she began looking for allies. The most prominent of her allies being Elves, Wildlings, and the savage Stargazers. Zakarias Sharboneth was himself kidnapped by these savages, and brought to the Queen. He was given the option to surrender his lands to her rule or face death. Rather then die for his land Zakarias Sharboneth surrendered his land to Ixpadia. This allowed the Queen's army to invade Old Port, and even free prisoners, granting her even more degenerates to fill her ranks. One such prisoner freed was Michael the Pauper, better known today as the demented Psychopomp of Cyric, and the leader of the Black Sun's presence in Murdertown. Yes, Father Michael's presence on Ymph can be blamed on the actions of the savage gazers. Eventually Zakarias lead an insurgency, and successfully took back Ymph.

The Count did not take pleasure to Zakarias allowing for the invasion of the Old city, and as a result the father of Ranes was executed, and House Sharboneth cast out as a disgrace. In the end, the people who served as a catalyst for these horrific events are the stargazers, and responsibility rests at their feet for their crimes.

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 6 - My Vengeance[/tface]

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I was a Sergeant-At Arms of House Sharboneth at this time. One day when Grey Mist Raiders were spotted in the forests, myself and numerous adventurers went to do battle with them. Who should join us in fighting them than none other then the savage stargazer Siwili. I had told him that he was no comrade of mine, and that he should leave the field of battle. He refused when it had seemed like all was clear, I had declared to Siwili that he should face me in battle. He declared that the last time I had did this, it was folly. I had charged him with my steel, and quickly gained victory.

Tempus blessed my blade as in a total of four swings, I had managed to bring this great warrior amongst the stargazers low. He then begged me for mercy, and it was Overseer Khaver whom requested to examine the sacred glowing blade the savage carried. I obliged by his request, and took a number of the beast's potions. That was when retainer Fryar, a queer insect man among House Sharboneth's retainers, ordered that I return the sword. Knowing the scars those beasts had inflicted upon House Sharboneth, I saw such a thing as a treachery to the house. Fryar then declared openly that I would face my death then. He then did battle with me - I was soon joined with the hammer of the Overseer, and the Morningstar of my employer. Battle was joined and then done, and I then declared that if he did not cease, I would kill his stargazer friend. For a considerable amount of time, I tried negotiating terms diplomatically, and yet the savage said that his people would not agree to pay reparations in exchange for the sacred blade. Angered, I balked at his rebuking of my terms and Fryar swung at me once more, and with the grace of the gods in two swings, I had slain Fryar. I departed, telling the savage stargazer that if his people did not pay reparations, I would see reparations claimed with the extinction of his people.

It was then that Khaver said I should duel him for the blade or return it, because I had said I would return it if the stargazer was willing to do something. So then Khaver and I made an agreement, and I gifted him with the blade while plundering the stargazer some more. I returned some of its things, and that was when he begged for the return of a sacred ring, saying I could keep the gold, and the potions, something I had uncovered to be a lie later on. So Retainer Fryer was granted a life anew, and punished with great celestial wrath by Spellpriest Acharias of Mystryl.

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 7 - My Fall from House Sharboneth[/tface]

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I saw Khaver and Acharias soon after that incident - I allowed them to raise Fryar from the dead, on the terms he swore not to come for me seeking retribution. Some would say me this mercy I had given was foolish, and from a certain perspective, they might be correct. Eventually Ranes, Fryar, and myself had a chat, and it was revealed Retainer Fryar to be a friend to the stargazers. Retainer Fryar also received no discipline or punishment for attempting to kill me. Ironic, considering that when it turned out one recruit I brought had concern about being friends with the stargazers, he told him that "[...] this house would have no place for him." Upon it being revealed that his trusted retainer's friend had been robbed, Ranes had ordered me to return my rightfully claimed spoils-of-war back to the savage stargazer. I refused to deny the people that his family looked over their reparations, and so I resigned as Seargeant-at-Arms from House Sharboneth. If one wishes to say that I was fired for insubordination or that I resigned at my own choice... it truly matters not. In the end, my departure from the service of House Sharboneth rests solely on refusing to return my rightfully garnered war plunder to a savage stargazer I had spared. In the end, I had been stabbed in the back for being a good soldier whom saught to combat a savage people responsible for the ruin of his house.

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 8 - Reparations All Around[/tface]

[tface=goudy]I went to the ground level of the last keep, and with 2,000 ducats in my pocket, I distributed it. The people of the former colony within Nebezzdos found gold in their purses once more. Even a young girl was gifted with a bag of 100 ducats for her to spend on whatever her heart desired. I began dumping a large pile of gold in the middle of the last keep for the people themselves to claim. Eventually so much gold was in the middle of the last keep that people began brawling and fighting tooth-and-nail for right to claim the riches. Some would call what I did folly for leading them to brawl.

Who are they to bismirch a man who sought to give aid to this island's poor? I am called greedy, and yet I wished to see people whom I used to defend see their pockets lined with gold? I made numerous sendings announcing my intentions to see further reparations, given that this was but a taste. [/tface]

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[tface=Callig]Chapter 9 - The End of My Campaign[/tface]

[tface=goudy]Shortly after handing out over 2,000 ducats in reparations, I found myself idling chatting with a member of the Muster. Suddenly, four or more stargazers had taken me by surprise - my quick reaction would do nothing for me, as they came with far greater numbers than before, as these beasts cannot fight with honor or with fairness. Blackness had taken over me, and when I woke up, I found myself suddenly high in the trees. I was, horrifyingly enough, in the land of these stargazers. When I asked them if they were going to eat me, they replied that I was not worthy of that sign of respect. These savage peoples consider it a great honor to be eaten by their ancestors - what folly!

I cursed their people, and decried them for being honorless. They discussed my fate, half of them thinking that I deserved death in spite of not once slaying three of their kind when they were at my mercy. Some suggested throwing me from the peak of their mountain to splatter on the floor and die. My possessions, along with my war spoils, were looted by the accursed Siwili. It was then that I agreed to swearing an oath to bring an end to my campaign in return for my own life. Half of the savages remarked that words and oaths were but meaningless meaningless, and that I should die for what I did. The other half said if I broke the agreement later, they could just kill me anyway. Siwili, showing honor, let me make my oath and allowed for me to keep my life. Thus I swore in the name of the Bitch Queen, and upon her sacred breath, these mists, that I would not attack the people of the Star unless I was attacked first.

They then allowed me to return home on the back of giant eagle which these beasts had tamed. Once the flight was over, I arrived at the Unyielding Pass, fighting through the Maiden's creatures until I made it to the desert, soon after beginning my journey east to Mistlocke. I had returned back to the city alive to the surprise of the Muster a broken man, and having tasted defeat, my campaign was brought to an end. [/tface]

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[tface=Callig]Epilogue[/tface]

[tface=goudy]I am a man of Old Port, and will keep the honorable word I have given. My assault, theft, and abduction remains to this day uninvestigated or avenged by the Muster, because quite clearly they are recognized as being above Mistlocke's law. I was abducted on the soil of Mistlocke, and am a citizen of Mistlocke... and yet no move has been made by the supposed enforcers of law and order to see this matter solved. In the end, I would say people benefitted slightly from my charity but yet not the extent I wanted them to benefit. In the end, I learned that some of their kind actually have honor in them while a great many do not. To anyone whom considers renewing my campaign or considers becoming an enemy to the stargazers know that you fight a foe with great riches that fights with no honor.

Can it be said I won this campaign and achieved victory by accomplishing my goals, or only defeat at the hands of my adversaries? I would say the many poor that received what gold I gave them sure wish another hero to champion the common man would stand up.

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[COLOR="Yellow"][SIZE="6"][tface=fraktur]THE END[/tface][/SIZE][/COLOR]