Editing The World Tree/Ashen Warrior

==Summary==

==In Game Information==

''She shudders at the mention of Magnus.  She looks down the path towards Grayhedge.

“I don’t have all the answers you seek, for I know him only as an enemy, as you do.  He is darkness and wrath, the embodiment of cruelty and hatred towards all living things.  To best put into words, he is the killing darkness of an abyss that waits to spread to the light.  To best answer your question, I will give you an account of our movements and orders and his death, the only time I have met Magnus face to face.

Magnus’ forces were powerful, destroying everything in its path like footsteps over anthills. City after city in Old Axas and Ethir fell to Magnus’ destruction, leaving a terrible wake of blood and murder.  Nothing was ever taken, no person was left alive.  He merely brought the city to dust and left it smoldering on the horizon.  For months we tried to predict his movements. Scouts were sent to get any information of a plan or an objective, but no reports ever returned with news.  Either his forces were scattered in the wind or our scouts were slaughtered and skinned, left to rot in the countryside.  It became clear that there was no telling where he would strike, but we could not give up.

It was the second ride of Nightal when we converged on Magnus’ forces. After months of searching, we received word from a successful scouting party that he was heading toward Malakoft, in ancient orc civilization in Old Axas.  With the wind at our backs, we rushed to the scene city, only to find fire and dust and ash.  It was there we found an only survivor, a boy by the named of Horough.  He was hiding in a barrel of water, which is the only thing that kept him alive.

From what our cleric could determine, Horough had witnessed the murder of his mother and four brothers and sisters.  Whoever attacked them saved the father for last, asked him about something called a World Tree, and slit his throat when he didn’t have an answer, only to raise him moments later as part of the undead ranks of his armies.

Our forces immediately sent for a historian, asking for guidance of what this could mean, only to find more questions than answers.  A deities’ life force in jeopardy, thousands slaughtered merely to find information, and the enemy multiplying by the second. It seemed as if all was lost.

And that is when I was visited by Ra-Orn.  Not directly, but only in vision and in whispers.  Ra-Orn spoke into me the power to stop Magnus and rid this ancient evil, but with him, I perish as well.  I accepted these gifts and found in my tent the mace your antlered friend carries and this.”

She unsheathes the sword and shows Himo the craftsmanship as she speaks.

“Here, next to hilt.  It is written in an ancient language, used to communicate with the World Tree and its worshipers thousands of years ago.  It reads ‘thy heart is its wielder, thy vengeance is its sting.  May those who wish to rid this world of corruption and darkness bear this with pride.’”

She begins to frown and an overwhelming sadness covers her face.  She sheathes the sword and walks several paces slowly.

“What is it?” Himo speaks.  His empathy for her sadness whited out his curiosity of the enemy.
She speaks slowly.

“I promised that boy I would avenge his family.  That what was taken from him will be repaid with Magnus’ death.  It appears I was wrong.

After the slaughtering of Malakoft and the visions, I was hellbent on rage and justice.  I sought only Magnus and that his evil may be vanquished, never once thinking of my own demise approaching.  We attacked Magnus’ forces outside of Oakheart like water seeking to quench the wildfire. Every attempt we made to gain an opportunity, their forces closed ranks and attacked with great ferocity.  Many lives were lost, but in the end, it was a necessary cost. We were fighting Magnus, but we were also fighting the husks that belonged to innocent people: men, women, children...I never dreamed war could be so dark.

After hours of the fighting, retreating, and regrouping, we punched a hole in the side of his defenses.  Staying behind the cleric and my blades, we were able to slash through the ranks, effectively cutting the army in two. It was then I saw him.  Magnus, hovering over the battlefield.  I saw only blood and charged, failing to care whether my brethren followed after.

Over the gore and blades, I ran to him, with mace in hand, hacking away those who stood before me like weeds and undergrowth.  Hundreds fell, as I seeked an end to the onslaught. It was when I reached him, did I draw my sword and met him in combat.

His strength was powerful, and where he was strong, his speed followed.  I have never faced an enemy like him before, it was all I could do to stay standing and fight.  As the battle continued, I cut him with the blade, searing his flesh with a faint sound.  In my arrogance, I assumed that I had found his weakness, only to discover that he was no more weakened than a stone in the field.  With a misstep and an exploit of my defenses, he bested me.  With blade to my throat he began to laugh.  Never have I been more terrified in all of my life than in that moment.  And he reveled in it.  He began to exploit this fear I possessed as if though it was a fine wine.  And that’s when he made his mistake.

He disarmed me and, with my own sword, pierced my side, enjoying the pain that I felt.  His enjoyment of torture and pain made me realize his flaw.  With my death, so shall he die.  It was in that moment, I found that the only weakness Magnus possessed was his need for power.

Magnus doubled over in pain, black ooze spewing from his side and mouth.  Slowly, he began to melt into thick ooze that bubbled and sizzled as it dissolved into the earth.  Were it not for the cleric in our troop, I would have died as well that day.  It was three days ago….well….at least for me, that I entered battle with the remainder of his forces and met my demise.  No amount of sorcery or healing could spare me from my death.  The next I know, I am here before you.”

“And...what of Nefaria? Anything of the compass?” Himo could not forgo his curiosity.

“Do I believe she is untrustworthy?  No.  Anyone who serves the World Tree and exists within its plane of existence is a friend to me.  However, I feel she has more than common interest invested in our success.

As for the compass, I know it is one of kind.  The device is not set on a set physical location, or else Magnus would never have taken his forces into Old Axas.  But, what I can only speculate is what it is attuned to.  Surely it must be an entrance or portal of some sort?  The truth is that for better or for worse, Magnus must not have this compass.  It is of the utmost importance to him and anyway we can hinder his progress is added to our own.”

“Last thing...do you have any questions for us?”

“Yes. I do actually.  What of your quest?  Why have you selected this path for all of you?  The decision is difficult to make and one that may cost your lives.  Why continue on such a dangerous path?”

After the RP from here…..Ash would say the following:

“You have a paladin with you, yes?  He seems to be powerful and directly aligned to your cause.  I would like to speak with him if that’s not too much to ask.  Him and I have a lot to discuss about Ra-Orn.”''