After leaving home Nadzieja became a stubborn and taciturn child. She would only speak when spoken to and would prefer to be alone than in the company of other apprentices. Initially she resented Nonna for taking her away from her parents, she didn’t ask to be different – she just wanted to hunt and paint her eyes like her mother.
Nonna’s initial training was harsh even for someone used to such few comforts as Nadzieja. She would send her apprentices out into the wilds for weeks on end regardless of the conditions. One of the girls, Svetlana, lost a hand to frostbite. Another got mauled to death by a bear whilst gathering firewood. Some mornings Nadzieja would wake aching and sore from the work, knowing her torment wouldn’t end as she would do the same all over again.
After surviving the training Nadzieja began to open up, she would talk with the other girls and Nonna would listen. Nonna began to realise that in spite of her very humble beginnings Nadzieja was quite charming. She would get the other girls to do her domestic chores saying she would gather extra firewood. Nadzieja would laugh at the foolish chits as Nonna had exacting standards of cleanliness whilst gatheringfirewood was a job that even a bachรณr could do. Whenever Nadzieja would go to a nearby settlement to trade or buy supplies she would always come back with the finest produce.Eventually Nonna bestowed on her the epithet ‘The Soft Spoken’ in acknowledgement of her honeyed tongue.
In the years spent with Nonna Nadzieja saw her parents only once. She knew it to be close to her mother’s birthday and with Nonna’s consent she returned to the hovel she once called home. Upon getting closer she noticed how it had improved since she left. It seemed her parents’ fortune had changed. She saw two identical boys playing outside in the snow, as they saw her approach they froze and then ran inside. A moment later her father appeared at the door with his axe. She threw back her hood and ran towards him ‘Papa! Papa!’
Gavriil’s eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. Upon seeing his reaction Nadzieja stopped ‘Don’t you recognise me?Please let me stay the night, the daylight is leaving is.’ He did not reply, only nodded his head before stepping aside to let her enter. The two boys were hiding behind their mother’s skirt as she entered. It quickly became apparent that her parents didn’t recognise her, but then she realised how she had changed. She was no longer that soft child with dark eyes, the power of the Khan-Queens flowed through her veins and she was ever changed. Nadzieja did not tell them who she was, simply her name was Esfir and apologised as she mistook Gavriil for someone else. She did not mean to frighten the children.
As tradition dictates Nadzieja was offered the warmth of their hearth and as the evening went on the tension alleviated. The boys, Vadik and Vadim, had been born the spring after she left and it was obvious how her parents loved them. Her father talked proudly of how they had already learned to trap small animals. That night as the family slept she returned to Nonna, leaving only her mother’s gift with the symbol of the Greased Goat on it in charcoal.
All of the girls who passed their training left Nonna’s hut to return closer to civilisation or back home to be of help to their people, but Nadzieja stayed hungry to learn more and she knew she had nowhere else to be. Nonna taught Nadziejamany things in the preceding years, including how to speak the language of the Empire and how to navigate through Raspotitsa. For the first time in years Nadzieja was content. She has no illusions her chosen path would be easy or full of good fortune, she had given up any hope of finding a husband but to this day she still paints her eyes.
After years spent with Nonna, Nadzieja is anxious to leave the hearth of the woman she has grown to love. She knowsNonna’s counsel was wise, fair and made with a sound mind. In spite of this she could not help feeling bitter about being forced out of yet another home by this woman. She knows the journey through Kislev will be dangerous, yet in her heart she knows she will make it to the soft southern realms with their mild winters and harsh tongue. With this in mind Nadzieja hardens her heart when she says her goodbye and begins to make her long journey south…
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Allow me to introduce myself... Pt 3
After several miscarriages due to ill health Serafina finally gave birth to a baby girl. Serafina’s husband, Gavriil, named the baby Nadzieja meaning ‘one filled with hope’ in an attempt to bless her with good fortune in spite of her star sign.
Nadzieja’s earliest memory is of her mother singing her a lullaby as she cradled her in her arms whilst her father stood trembling at the entrance to their home with a tear stained face. She remembers he was shaking so hard he almost dropped his axe. Over her mother’s singing Nadzieja could hear the sound of horses’ hooves, harsh voices speaking in an alien tongue and the screeching of a creature that still haunts her dreams. As she grew older she knew these were men from zza and the bestial scream was from something not of this world. Her parents would tell her legends of men and womenwho would never grow old served by undying creatures in magnificent buildings said to rival the Tzarina’s palace.
In heart Nadzieja was glad she did not live near the sea for fear of druchii slavers and Norsca raiders. She used to dream of her home being attacked and as she watched her father die and her mother tormented she would scream. The scream would grow in her belly and get louder and louder. As it reached its crescendo the floors would crack, the roof would shake and everything became encased in ice. When Nadzieja stopped screaming everything would shatter and icicles would pierce her flesh. These dreams started when she was about five and she would have them at least once a week, when her parents found out her mother’s colour drained and her father immediately went to his kvas skin.
As she grew it became apparent to Gavriil that his daughter was not like other children. She would become full of vim and vigour as the harsh winter months set in and when the world would thaw she became limp and lifeless. He would often take her hunting as she had a keen eye for her surroundings and she would move as quietly and quietly as a winter hare. Serafina taught her daughter to sew, cook and use the leftover charcoal to paint her eyes. Serafina said men found that sort of thing attractive and one day she would need to find a husband.
In the early winter of her eleventh year Nadzieja and her father were in the nearby tirsa trading furs for supplies. Two children ran into the market square screaming as their friend had fallen through the ice of a nearby lake. A group of people from the village, including Nadzieja and her father, ran to the lake. As winter had only begun to creep into their part of the world the ice was thin and the child was nowhere to be seen. Nadzieja scared for the child’s life ran out onto the ice, her father took two steps towards her but he sank straight up to his knees into icy water. As she reached the hole Nadzieja took off her cloak and moccasins before diving into the lake. Moments later she resurfaced with the boy. She wrapped him in her cloak, picked up her shoes and carried him back to the shore.
The village healer said she was unsure if the boy would live but they needed to warm him quickly. Turning her attentions to Nadzieja she was surprised to see the girl was not shivering and hadn’t seemed to notice her feet were bare. A murmur went around the crowd and Gavriil grabbed his daughter by the arm and quickly returned home. That night Nonna came.
Nadzieja was settling for bed a woman advanced in years arrived at their home, asking to share their hearth. Serafina apologised for their humble offering but the crone was indeed welcome. As her parents shared their kvas and fire with the woman she began to tell tales of her home, Nadzieja fell asleep listening to stories of the great white bears in the north.
As morning broke Nadzieja woke to the sound of her father sobbing and her mother saying ‘Please, Lady Nonna…Is there any other way? She is our only child.’ When she stirred the three adults turned to her. In the daylight Nadzieja could see Nonna clearly. He eyes were the colour of the first winter morning, her hair as pure as a fresh drift of snow and her skin was so pale she could see tiny blue veins. ‘Mumiya…Papa... Who is this woman?’ As Nonna explained Nadzieja sat silently, transfixed by her answer. As kindly as Nonna’s manner was to her parents there was no doubt in Nadzieja’s mind she would leave her home with this woman.
As she was readied to leave by her parents her mother slipped her a tiny package ‘This was for your birthday, Papa and I have been saving for it. It’s to help you get a husband.’ Nadzieja pocketed the gift. Hugged her parents goodbye and left her world behind.
Nadzieja’s earliest memory is of her mother singing her a lullaby as she cradled her in her arms whilst her father stood trembling at the entrance to their home with a tear stained face. She remembers he was shaking so hard he almost dropped his axe. Over her mother’s singing Nadzieja could hear the sound of horses’ hooves, harsh voices speaking in an alien tongue and the screeching of a creature that still haunts her dreams. As she grew older she knew these were men from zza and the bestial scream was from something not of this world. Her parents would tell her legends of men and womenwho would never grow old served by undying creatures in magnificent buildings said to rival the Tzarina’s palace.
In heart Nadzieja was glad she did not live near the sea for fear of druchii slavers and Norsca raiders. She used to dream of her home being attacked and as she watched her father die and her mother tormented she would scream. The scream would grow in her belly and get louder and louder. As it reached its crescendo the floors would crack, the roof would shake and everything became encased in ice. When Nadzieja stopped screaming everything would shatter and icicles would pierce her flesh. These dreams started when she was about five and she would have them at least once a week, when her parents found out her mother’s colour drained and her father immediately went to his kvas skin.
As she grew it became apparent to Gavriil that his daughter was not like other children. She would become full of vim and vigour as the harsh winter months set in and when the world would thaw she became limp and lifeless. He would often take her hunting as she had a keen eye for her surroundings and she would move as quietly and quietly as a winter hare. Serafina taught her daughter to sew, cook and use the leftover charcoal to paint her eyes. Serafina said men found that sort of thing attractive and one day she would need to find a husband.
In the early winter of her eleventh year Nadzieja and her father were in the nearby tirsa trading furs for supplies. Two children ran into the market square screaming as their friend had fallen through the ice of a nearby lake. A group of people from the village, including Nadzieja and her father, ran to the lake. As winter had only begun to creep into their part of the world the ice was thin and the child was nowhere to be seen. Nadzieja scared for the child’s life ran out onto the ice, her father took two steps towards her but he sank straight up to his knees into icy water. As she reached the hole Nadzieja took off her cloak and moccasins before diving into the lake. Moments later she resurfaced with the boy. She wrapped him in her cloak, picked up her shoes and carried him back to the shore.
The village healer said she was unsure if the boy would live but they needed to warm him quickly. Turning her attentions to Nadzieja she was surprised to see the girl was not shivering and hadn’t seemed to notice her feet were bare. A murmur went around the crowd and Gavriil grabbed his daughter by the arm and quickly returned home. That night Nonna came.
Nadzieja was settling for bed a woman advanced in years arrived at their home, asking to share their hearth. Serafina apologised for their humble offering but the crone was indeed welcome. As her parents shared their kvas and fire with the woman she began to tell tales of her home, Nadzieja fell asleep listening to stories of the great white bears in the north.
As morning broke Nadzieja woke to the sound of her father sobbing and her mother saying ‘Please, Lady Nonna…Is there any other way? She is our only child.’ When she stirred the three adults turned to her. In the daylight Nadzieja could see Nonna clearly. He eyes were the colour of the first winter morning, her hair as pure as a fresh drift of snow and her skin was so pale she could see tiny blue veins. ‘Mumiya…Papa... Who is this woman?’ As Nonna explained Nadzieja sat silently, transfixed by her answer. As kindly as Nonna’s manner was to her parents there was no doubt in Nadzieja’s mind she would leave her home with this woman.
As she was readied to leave by her parents her mother slipped her a tiny package ‘This was for your birthday, Papa and I have been saving for it. It’s to help you get a husband.’ Nadzieja pocketed the gift. Hugged her parents goodbye and left her world behind.
Thursday, 30 May 2013
{Ash} The Temple of Eternity
After rescuing Mistress Battleshy from her prison our merry band had the
misfortune of traversing the rest of Baron Andern’s dungeon.
Lost in the sprawling catacombs we discovered a forgotten tome written in the archaic tongue of Al’Kitan. Desperate to be free of the subterranean nightmare I stowed the book in my pack for later study.
Finally free of Andern’s keep we made our way to the Red Knight’s camp. As previously stated the Red Knight is rumoured to be a champion of Varenna and shows considerable skill in battle. He saw through our ruse as we attempted to infiltrate his camp. Upon reflection I suspect he merely indulged us, so he could get a measure of us. The fight was bloody, hard and exhausting. Luckily he showed us ‘mercy’ and let us leave his camp unmolested, although I know our lives were meant as a warning to others seeking to challenge him.
After returning to The Mire I entrenched myself in the library to translate
the mysterious book. The Mire’s library
is thankfully a comprehensive collection of books, otherwise this task would have
been nigh on impossible (even with my linguistic talents). The book detailed
the works of one Profion Damodus; master artificer, grand designer and herald
of the gods. Damodus’ master project was
the Temple of Eternity - a great temple dedicated to each of the gods. It alluded to a weapon known as the ‘Profion Box’
or the ‘Chest of Profion’ which was said to give someone the powers of a god. Such power, in the right hands, would
certainly help in the war. Such
information was tantalising to The Mire as they have found the Red Knight’s
movements… challenging.
Grand Master Sarrill tasked us with finding the Box and returning it to The Mire. The Temple’s exact location was not disclosed but the book directed us north to Berrak, as it detailed the nations who sent labour to help Damodus with his work. So we packed up and headed north.
I write this as we are travelling; I believe we are to arrive in the Hobgoblin nation in two days or so if we keep up this pace, then presumably onto the Temple.
I only hope the Temple lies in disuse, upon further reading ancient documents revealed that the workers sent never returned home.
Lost in the sprawling catacombs we discovered a forgotten tome written in the archaic tongue of Al’Kitan. Desperate to be free of the subterranean nightmare I stowed the book in my pack for later study.
Finally free of Andern’s keep we made our way to the Red Knight’s camp. As previously stated the Red Knight is rumoured to be a champion of Varenna and shows considerable skill in battle. He saw through our ruse as we attempted to infiltrate his camp. Upon reflection I suspect he merely indulged us, so he could get a measure of us. The fight was bloody, hard and exhausting. Luckily he showed us ‘mercy’ and let us leave his camp unmolested, although I know our lives were meant as a warning to others seeking to challenge him.
Grand Master Sarrill tasked us with finding the Box and returning it to The Mire. The Temple’s exact location was not disclosed but the book directed us north to Berrak, as it detailed the nations who sent labour to help Damodus with his work. So we packed up and headed north.
I write this as we are travelling; I believe we are to arrive in the Hobgoblin nation in two days or so if we keep up this pace, then presumably onto the Temple.
I only hope the Temple lies in disuse, upon further reading ancient documents revealed that the workers sent never returned home.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
{Ash} Some time has passed.
A lot has happened since I last committed my thoughts to
paper - namely the further loss of travelling companions, the addition of new
ones and our ‘introduction’ to the Red Knight.
They say the Red Knight is a champion Varenna as she has
been known to select a mortal to bestow her patronage upon. Whatever or whoever he truly is is hard to
say. The only certainty is his prowess
in battle and revelry in bloodshed. When
confronting him we were sent home with our tails between our legs like some
Ebon cur. It pains me to admit we must
grow stronger if we are to fight him again.
So we are to return weary and dejected to The Mire.
Master Lae’den got captured on a mission to an enemy keep to
gather information on the Red Knight. He
went to investigate an overhead passage of the dungeons but he never found his way out of the labyrinthine prison. We did see him again – captured by the Red
Knight and in chains. We hope to free him but who knows what evil may befall
him. However, it was in those very
dungeons we met our newest travelling companion.
Our new companion Mistress Brenna Battleshy is a well
mannered and patient soul. She has a
stubborn and self righteous attitude – I believe this comes from her previous
path as a priestess of Varenna. I have
never met one who serves the Bloody Mistress that is not full of self
importance and obstinate. Yet her moods
are tempered by her new calling as a holy cleric of Ginley. Despite not knowing Haldor or I terribly long
she throws herself willingly into battle & bestows Ginley’s gifts upon us
freely.
I know she often views some of my beliefs… Distasteful.
We came to blows over the treatment of a prisoner; she disapproved of my
methods of obtaining information. Oh well, I will know to hide them better next
time. In spite of myself I feel like I
am developing a fondness for Brenna and her pompous flustering. Of course I would certainly not tell her as I
enjoy our coolly polite conversations.
The name Dranon Magnir is known to some collectors of
history. My own patron told me he lived as a bard, doing much as bards do today
– travelling, singing, storytelling. We
found an effigy mound and upon instruction we made our way inside. As expected it was filled with trappings of
Dranon’s life and his resting place. As
expected with my liege lord nothing is ever as it seems – the Fae being such… whimsical
people. The skeleton resting on the
altar came to life and has been following us ever since. Dranon is certainly an amiable travelling
companion as he is unable to talk.
Fortunately for us he joined the party before Roug’ left meaning we were
not left at too great a disadvantage.
The druid and the rogue just left us one night never to be
seen again. I can only assume they had more pressing matters to attend to or
perhaps they grew weary of our quest. No
matter it came to a point where they started becoming more of a hindrance than
a help. Ailsa started refusing to fight
with us and Roug’ grew more selfish as the journey continued. In spite of their actions I wish them no ill.
Friday, 6 April 2012
Allow me to Introduce Myself... Pt2
After fleeing Eltekeh with the Monks I landed somewhere east of Arctimas. Dealing with the locals was alot trickier than I initially anticipated. I guess I took my privileged life back home for granted - I was afforded respect, fear and adoration. Here on the mainland I was no one. Something to be reviled and demonised. Ignorant fools - evidentally Tieflings are and ill omen to parochial inbreds.
So I have learnt to hide what I am as well as who I am. I hide my brand and 'gift' of Cadentia, saldy to those who are not stupid it may be gleamingly obvious where I am from.
Some five months ago the dreams began, the same reocurring nightmare of a man being torn apart by a demon. I turned up to some little town in the west to meet with a wizard who apparently could help me. There I met three others who had been having the same dreams. An Elf named Lae'den, a human from the north called Ailas and a boorish oaf of a Dwarf who simply went by Stormbeard. The wizard gave us instructions to bring him something of power to aid us, he conviniently forgot to mention the demon that resided in the dungeon. Upon our return two others were waiting in the wizard's parlour who had also been having the dreams. A human girl, I call her a girl for she was barely eighteen and a Gnome - Lily and Haldor respectively.
We have lost some companions along the way for varying reasons. Most notably the Ebonite Lily. Lily was a strange girl. She had a babe, not yet a year old and a camel. She set out from her gods-forsaken country in search of her husband. I do not know who he was but I assume he was an important member of Ebonite society as he wasn't back in Ebon, but gallivanting about the world somewhere. Probably encouraging his men to rape and pillage more innocent cities. Politics aside, she just disappeared one night. No farewell or prior warning. Presumably her quest was more pressing than her friendships. It grieves me to admit I had developed a fondness for her and miss her.
I have been travelling with these people for some time now and I feel like we are slowly beginning to trust one another. Our past lives have been uncovered and it turns out we have alot more in common than I previously anticipated. Haldor too wants to overthrow his former patron deity and Lae'dan turns out to be from Eltekeh and wants to free his people. As for Roug', who knows? She is still young and enjoys eating too much. But she has a good heart and is willing to fight with us. Perhaps in time she may grow up and we could all reach some form of agreement as to how we are to meet our goals.
Until then, I will remain friendly if a little wary. I believe we'll all be like that though.
So I have learnt to hide what I am as well as who I am. I hide my brand and 'gift' of Cadentia, saldy to those who are not stupid it may be gleamingly obvious where I am from.
Some five months ago the dreams began, the same reocurring nightmare of a man being torn apart by a demon. I turned up to some little town in the west to meet with a wizard who apparently could help me. There I met three others who had been having the same dreams. An Elf named Lae'den, a human from the north called Ailas and a boorish oaf of a Dwarf who simply went by Stormbeard. The wizard gave us instructions to bring him something of power to aid us, he conviniently forgot to mention the demon that resided in the dungeon. Upon our return two others were waiting in the wizard's parlour who had also been having the dreams. A human girl, I call her a girl for she was barely eighteen and a Gnome - Lily and Haldor respectively.
We have lost some companions along the way for varying reasons. Most notably the Ebonite Lily. Lily was a strange girl. She had a babe, not yet a year old and a camel. She set out from her gods-forsaken country in search of her husband. I do not know who he was but I assume he was an important member of Ebonite society as he wasn't back in Ebon, but gallivanting about the world somewhere. Probably encouraging his men to rape and pillage more innocent cities. Politics aside, she just disappeared one night. No farewell or prior warning. Presumably her quest was more pressing than her friendships. It grieves me to admit I had developed a fondness for her and miss her.
I have been travelling with these people for some time now and I feel like we are slowly beginning to trust one another. Our past lives have been uncovered and it turns out we have alot more in common than I previously anticipated. Haldor too wants to overthrow his former patron deity and Lae'dan turns out to be from Eltekeh and wants to free his people. As for Roug', who knows? She is still young and enjoys eating too much. But she has a good heart and is willing to fight with us. Perhaps in time she may grow up and we could all reach some form of agreement as to how we are to meet our goals.
Until then, I will remain friendly if a little wary. I believe we'll all be like that though.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Allow me to Introduce Myself... Pt1
Through the blessing of the Holy God Emperor, peace be upon Him, I awoke in a strange room. I had no recollection of how I got there or who I was. In due time I learnt I opted for my mind to be cleansed and that despite my child like appearance I am somewhere in the region of 40-50 years. I know juvenat treatments are only offered to the elite of society but given I have been mind cleansed I doubt I was amongst them. I found out I had been brought before the Golden Throne and judged worthy to serve the Imperium. I know lesser psykers are sacrificed for the glory of the Emperor.
Despite this ordeal the Emperor granted me two boons. I know my original name and I have a reoccuring vision. A face of a smiling man. He is kind, with laugh lines and dazzlingly blue eyes. He is reading a book and I am happy. I know no more than this. But I dare not use my original name, I feel it was buried within me for a reason. I have opted for a new name - Crescentia - an amalgamation of my former name and something from the past I no longer understand. You see, on my right arm there is a tatoo of a cresent moon. But sadly, I don't know what it means. It is also particularly appropriate as it is the name of a martyr on Old Terra. She gave her life to show her devotion to the Emperor. I too can but hope I have such a noble death.
Even with these gifts from the Emperor I know the part cut from my mind containing the capacity for horrid deeds is still out there. Perhaps in the service of the Ruinous Powers or merely in the the warp, waiting and watching. I know one day I am to confont it.
Unknowing what heresies and vile acts lay in my past I now seek redemption for my sins. Through serving the Holy Inquisition I will atone for my transgressions and find out who I am.
Despite this ordeal the Emperor granted me two boons. I know my original name and I have a reoccuring vision. A face of a smiling man. He is kind, with laugh lines and dazzlingly blue eyes. He is reading a book and I am happy. I know no more than this. But I dare not use my original name, I feel it was buried within me for a reason. I have opted for a new name - Crescentia - an amalgamation of my former name and something from the past I no longer understand. You see, on my right arm there is a tatoo of a cresent moon. But sadly, I don't know what it means. It is also particularly appropriate as it is the name of a martyr on Old Terra. She gave her life to show her devotion to the Emperor. I too can but hope I have such a noble death.
Even with these gifts from the Emperor I know the part cut from my mind containing the capacity for horrid deeds is still out there. Perhaps in the service of the Ruinous Powers or merely in the the warp, waiting and watching. I know one day I am to confont it.
Unknowing what heresies and vile acts lay in my past I now seek redemption for my sins. Through serving the Holy Inquisition I will atone for my transgressions and find out who I am.
Brain Atrophy
In a vague attempt to stop my brain from rotting I am setting this blog up to detail the escapades of my various roleplay characters. At present I am playing in two, soon to be three, games. This blog will act as their personal and travel diaries.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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