IN MY TIME OF WAR
"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity..."
War is a way of life. It is my way of life. I breathe war. I am war.
I hate war.
Life in the Kingdom of Enovin was the closest thing to peace I believe I have ever found. For centuries, it was blessed by the Gods of the Overlight, the people living by their means and wanting for nothing. The Kings and Queens that ruled did so with just and fair hands, knowing the virtue of kindness and mercy as well as the strength of honor and faith. None rivaled Enovin, all vied for alliance with them. And for nearly a thousand years, the Enovin people knew no hate, no war, just... peace. But as history usually tells, there is always one power hungry enough to tempt even the wrath of the Gods.
Long before Enovin was a well formed kingdom, the elves ruled the many lands. They ruled with hands of steel and hate, oppressing all until the lower people rose up and drove them out of Yidaria. It was a war that brought about the peace that reigned in Enovin. And a war that men were not likely to forget.
I was born to the Locklear, a hearty, intelligent, powerful people. We were nomads of a sort, wanderers that had been forced to leave our home in the highlands after the war, when plague and pestilence destroyed the very earth. Kin to the long departed elves, we were shunned by those who only remembered the fear that the old ones had left them with -despite the fact that the Locklear had never taken arms against anyone. And for as long as memory served, we called no place our own. But it was a life we grew accustomed to, and for all that we did not have, the Gods of the Overlight always blessed us with what we needed. Though for one of us, it was not enough.
I was but a boy when Golgram of Forl was named successor of our ill-stricken leader, Tell of Lear. By Locklear law, it was Golgram's birthright to take Tell's place. But Golgram's heart was dark, fueled by the fear and anger of the world around us. Though it was not our way, he began to speak of conquest. Of taking a kingdom for our own. So many disagreed. But he was our leader. And his words swayed us in a way we did not understand. We had no way of knowing that Golgram had abandoned his faith to the Gods of the Overlight, and began to serve the Gods of the Underdark. With their evil power to help him, he lead our people into war, choosing Enovin to be our own. I was fourteen, and fit enough to carry a sword. I waded into the fray behind Golgram and all my brothers and sisters feeling a strange peace as though I were wading in a dream, blinded by the power that Golgram brainwashed us with. But not even the Gods of the Underdark could slay the faith of Enovin.
The battle raged for many days. I can't recall how many now. But there was a moment where I stood, bathed in blood and dirt among a path of the dead... and I woke up. It is the only way I know to describe it. As though I had just woken from that strangely peaceful dream to find myself walking in a nightmare. Except the nightmare was real. The Enovin people carried a power that soaked them in light. As though they were heaven born angels that could not be touched by the blades of my people. One by one, we all fell till all that stood was Golgram and myself, a boy who knew that this was all wrong. Golgram cursed the Enovin, crying to the Gods of the Underdark for vengeance for the slaughter of our people. But with the light to protect them, the curse fell onto the Locklear instead. And with those last words on his lips, the Gods of the Underdark plucked him from the earth and he disappeared... leaving only me.
I hate war.
Life in the Kingdom of Enovin was the closest thing to peace I believe I have ever found. For centuries, it was blessed by the Gods of the Overlight, the people living by their means and wanting for nothing. The Kings and Queens that ruled did so with just and fair hands, knowing the virtue of kindness and mercy as well as the strength of honor and faith. None rivaled Enovin, all vied for alliance with them. And for nearly a thousand years, the Enovin people knew no hate, no war, just... peace. But as history usually tells, there is always one power hungry enough to tempt even the wrath of the Gods.
Long before Enovin was a well formed kingdom, the elves ruled the many lands. They ruled with hands of steel and hate, oppressing all until the lower people rose up and drove them out of Yidaria. It was a war that brought about the peace that reigned in Enovin. And a war that men were not likely to forget.
I was born to the Locklear, a hearty, intelligent, powerful people. We were nomads of a sort, wanderers that had been forced to leave our home in the highlands after the war, when plague and pestilence destroyed the very earth. Kin to the long departed elves, we were shunned by those who only remembered the fear that the old ones had left them with -despite the fact that the Locklear had never taken arms against anyone. And for as long as memory served, we called no place our own. But it was a life we grew accustomed to, and for all that we did not have, the Gods of the Overlight always blessed us with what we needed. Though for one of us, it was not enough.
I was but a boy when Golgram of Forl was named successor of our ill-stricken leader, Tell of Lear. By Locklear law, it was Golgram's birthright to take Tell's place. But Golgram's heart was dark, fueled by the fear and anger of the world around us. Though it was not our way, he began to speak of conquest. Of taking a kingdom for our own. So many disagreed. But he was our leader. And his words swayed us in a way we did not understand. We had no way of knowing that Golgram had abandoned his faith to the Gods of the Overlight, and began to serve the Gods of the Underdark. With their evil power to help him, he lead our people into war, choosing Enovin to be our own. I was fourteen, and fit enough to carry a sword. I waded into the fray behind Golgram and all my brothers and sisters feeling a strange peace as though I were wading in a dream, blinded by the power that Golgram brainwashed us with. But not even the Gods of the Underdark could slay the faith of Enovin.
The battle raged for many days. I can't recall how many now. But there was a moment where I stood, bathed in blood and dirt among a path of the dead... and I woke up. It is the only way I know to describe it. As though I had just woken from that strangely peaceful dream to find myself walking in a nightmare. Except the nightmare was real. The Enovin people carried a power that soaked them in light. As though they were heaven born angels that could not be touched by the blades of my people. One by one, we all fell till all that stood was Golgram and myself, a boy who knew that this was all wrong. Golgram cursed the Enovin, crying to the Gods of the Underdark for vengeance for the slaughter of our people. But with the light to protect them, the curse fell onto the Locklear instead. And with those last words on his lips, the Gods of the Underdark plucked him from the earth and he disappeared... leaving only me.
"One is left with the horrible feeling that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one..."
The Enovin took pity on me. Though looking back now, I wish they had just killed me then. They did not blame me for the actions of my leader. They let me live, though there was a price for my survival. Golgram's betrayal had banished the souls of the dead Locklear to the Underdark, captives of the cruel Gods' whim. And I was the only hope they had of deliverance because I was the only true Locklear left.
Upon my word, I vowed to wander once more. To fight in the name of the Gods of the Overlight again. And to bring honor back to the Locklear so that one day they could rise from the Underdark to the heaven that had been denied them. Many years have past. I have fought in many wars, won many battles and wandered to the borders of every sea. Yet, still... my work here is not finished. Many a holy man has tried to convince me that the debt to my people has been paid, and that their souls now rest in peace in the heavens. But I know the truth is not what it seems. For Golgram is still alive, somewhere. I feel it in the tiredness that rests in my bones. He is as connected to me as we both are to our long dead people.
All these years he has been biding his time, building an army that pillages and murders, collecting his power and serving his dark gods toward a purpose. That purpose eludes me. But I do know should he succeed, the souls of my people will perish to the Underdark forever. And no amount of penance I or anyone else could give would ever free them. So I wander, preparing for a war with Golgram somewhere in this time of my life because war is where this road is leading us, destined from the moment he sold his soul to the Gods of the Underdark. It is the blood that runs in our veins, fueled by darkness and light. And as it is with all wars, only one side can win. Though I have no doubts that we both will die when all is said and done. I can only hope that I have done my people honor, that the Locklear are truly free of hell, and that I may find some sort of peace in the heavens. But that is just wishful thinking, for I know the ways of war.
War is my way of life. I breathe war, I am war. I know war better than I know anything else. When two sides fight a war, all that ever follows is sorrow and silence. And all peace will ever be for a man like me is a dream I will unwillingly awake from, finding myself trapped in a nightmare...
Upon my word, I vowed to wander once more. To fight in the name of the Gods of the Overlight again. And to bring honor back to the Locklear so that one day they could rise from the Underdark to the heaven that had been denied them. Many years have past. I have fought in many wars, won many battles and wandered to the borders of every sea. Yet, still... my work here is not finished. Many a holy man has tried to convince me that the debt to my people has been paid, and that their souls now rest in peace in the heavens. But I know the truth is not what it seems. For Golgram is still alive, somewhere. I feel it in the tiredness that rests in my bones. He is as connected to me as we both are to our long dead people.
All these years he has been biding his time, building an army that pillages and murders, collecting his power and serving his dark gods toward a purpose. That purpose eludes me. But I do know should he succeed, the souls of my people will perish to the Underdark forever. And no amount of penance I or anyone else could give would ever free them. So I wander, preparing for a war with Golgram somewhere in this time of my life because war is where this road is leading us, destined from the moment he sold his soul to the Gods of the Underdark. It is the blood that runs in our veins, fueled by darkness and light. And as it is with all wars, only one side can win. Though I have no doubts that we both will die when all is said and done. I can only hope that I have done my people honor, that the Locklear are truly free of hell, and that I may find some sort of peace in the heavens. But that is just wishful thinking, for I know the ways of war.
War is my way of life. I breathe war, I am war. I know war better than I know anything else. When two sides fight a war, all that ever follows is sorrow and silence. And all peace will ever be for a man like me is a dream I will unwillingly awake from, finding myself trapped in a nightmare...
About this storyline...
Rowe is probably my most favorite of my male characters. He's a lonely, dark and haunted man who has lived and fought long enough to earn a map of scars and the memories to go with them. He's on the hunt for Golgram, fighting on the side of good everywhere his hunt leads him. I prefer for this to be a romantic, action/adventure filled, drama tense sl. I need a female character that is strong enough to follow him into hell, even if he doesn't want her to. How would they meet? Why does she follow him? Will he perish in the end? Or will the growing love he has for this woman pull him through and finally give him the peace he has so long been denied? IM me and we'll hash it out!