[Maplore] Legends of Azuras

[BobBox 3798]

 

 

It is the natural way of life that some individuals attempt to remain hidden, undiscovered, and unbothered by the world at large. Others, however, hope for the opposite and shoot for stardom and heights never before seen. Most land somewhere in between, but all listed below have become notable - even if that was not the intention.

 

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Famous outlaw, John B. Steel

 

Across the open plains and dense forests of The River's Expanse, there is a legendary outlaw said to have once terrorized both kingdoms. While the conflict between them quickly turned into a quagmire, the outlaw - John B.Steel - and his gang would famously appear as a dusty stampede racing through exposed fields. They would rob farms and lone sentries before riding back into Godscar Canyon. Those lucky enough to survive the brief bursts of violence could hear the thieves singing the last lines of a famous ballad.

 

"Border wind, border wind,

Where do you go?

Cover my trail, tonight."

 

It is said that John and his gang could ride so fast that fire would spark from beneath their horses’ hooves. Some dismissed this as just a rumor, though occasional burnt horseshoes could be found where an especially large robbery or heist had occurred. Nevertheless, John and his group of thieves disappeared as the two kingdoms did, leaving only fireside stories behind.

 

 

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Drodvik, a well-known hermit alchemist.

 

Hidden within the hills of Ilharcress is a lone alchemist who’s never been found, even by those who sought him out the hardest.  It is said that Drovdik knew how to brew extremely potent and extraordinarily rare elixirs using steam vents from nearby lands, yet no one has ever seen him around such sources. Rumors tell of potions that are twice as strong and half the cost, and of alchemical flasks that could bring a small band of soldiers to their knees just by being uncorked.

 

Rarely did he sell to customers, and his notes seldom saw the light of day, even when hunted by the most ambitious alchemical students. Nations supposedly sent entire regiments led by top commanders to find him, but none succeeded. To this day, many advise keeping an eye out when wandering the area, hoping to spot either the hermit or his home. Some sought strength, others wisdom, and even wanted more power, but all knew the alchemist Drodvik as a solution to their problems.

 

 

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The Old Crone, a mysterious librarian.

 

The origin of the Old Crone comes from an ancient book that appeared in various libraries across the land, always in pristine condition. It is theorized that those seeking knowledge should wander aimlessly until they find a solitary old woman. Offering her a home-cooked meal was said to earn an invitation into her home. Following her until your legs gave out would supposedly lead you to her house.

 

Her home was described as a small stone building, always warm from the hearth and packed with books. The collection was beyond what anyone could read in a lifetime, yet she always knew what each book contained and where it was. Many who left her home claimed to forget the location entirely, as if their minds had been worn out. Others dismissed these stories as bandit tales meant to keep people wandering outside their protected kingdoms. Still, those in search of rare knowledge often ventured into the woods with hope and a warm meal to offer.

 

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A depiction of The Well of Life.

 

As the lives of many in previous times began to dwindle, some were not content to die as their brothers and sisters had. To combat this, they set out to find The Well of Life - a ritualistic stone structure filled with still, peaceful water at its center. Some were wounded, others ill, but the well cared not. This mysterious pool was said to heal everyone who entered, curing wounds and sickness with no discrimination and no charge.

 

The water’s level never changed, but the cost to use it did. Initially, one could crawl in and walk out healed. Later, that stopped working. Some tried swimming and holding their breath, and eventually, it was said that a person had to drown themselves to be reborn and healed. Bodies would sometimes remain face-down in the pool for years, never decaying until they were moved by the next hopeful. 

 

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