To Live is to Die

[Guacamou 97]

 

 

 It was thirty-one years ago. The Emperor of Man, Tiberias I, held his first Imperial court in Graense’s palace. Before an assembly of many subjects of His Imperial Majesty, Redgar Kildrakken had been called to kneel. For his service, for his martial prowess and for the honor he upheld, he had been intronized in the Imperial order of the Red Dragon, as Knight-aspirant.
Five years later, in the council meeting room, Redgar knelt once more. The Emperor’s mace, imbued in Malchediael’s holy flames, touched both of the Aspirant’s plated shoulders. There, Sir Redgar Kildrakken arose, as one of the first Golden Dragon knights. A man that came from nothing, an orphan who had to leave his home, now being granted one of the highest honors a soldier could dream of. Pride and gratitude filled the Dragon knight’s heart, far from imagining he would end up deserting his order, twenty-five years later.

 

 

“Bring me four innocent elves, and kill them.”

 

When Hadrian spoke those words, Redgar froze. It took him a moment to come back to his senses, pushed out of the Imperial palace by his friend Sir Severin and the Grand Knight. They rode to Caurost, along with a force of guardsmen, to answer the Emperor’s bloodlust.

 

 Voices echoed in the elven city’s main square. After an argument, the order to seize four of the Caurosian elves was given. Three dwarves stood nearby and one of them spoke up, trying to de-escalate the situation, in vain.

 

 “Sir Redgar, kill the dwarf”

 

 

 As Sir Honeywine gave the order, Redgar remained still on his horse. Impossible for him to move nor to speak, he merely shut his eyes close as the Grand Knight decided to act, slaughtering the defenseless dwarves in front of him.

 

 On the ride back home, Redgar felt miserable. They had just murdered three innocent civilians. Without any reason. 

The knight had seen the despair caused by darkspawns and their attacks. The deaths, the carnages, without any purpose. Yet, on this day, what made the Dragon Knights any different than them ?

“At least, darkspawns sometimes show mercy. We did naye.” He muttered, as the group of black armored figures rode closer to Rittensburg.

 

 Concerns were brought up after those events, many men in the Imperium’s military questioning the orders of their Emperor. They were met with threats, and blades under their necks. 

 Redgar could have sold his soul. He could have kept his mouth and eyes shut to live in blissful ignorance of the Empire’s crimes, while keeping the comfort of his rank. But he refused to. And so, heart filled with regret, he abandoned the realm he had served for over thirty years, leaving behind shattered dreams and an empty house.

 

 

 Things quickly got complicated for the now fugitive man. The Emperor’s missive had proved effective in hindering Redgar’s plans, scaring away people who could have helped him.

The man thought of acting with honor, he thought of answering Hadrian’s call. But, what purpose was there, in offering honor to people who, in his eyes, lacked any ?

 

 Few know what happened exactly. Did someone betray Redgar ? Did Imperial soldiers hunt him down successfully ? Or, was it all part of his plan ? 

Only one thing was certain, as his head was brought to the Imperium.

 

 Redgar Kildrakken was no more.

 

 

 In the basement of an old friend’s house, where Redgar hid for months, was a drawer filled with letters. He had tasked his friend to mail them, would things go poorly. And so, many birds flew around, carrying Redgar’s words to those he was closest to.

 

Spoiler

OOC : Letters will be sent in game

 

[Casualty 77]

Grime and Soot covered her hands, where blood flaked off. Splotches of it decorating her plate, as she stepped back from a shallow earthen ditch.

"...."

Ashes scattered about, as the cold wind dragged through the woods clearing. Rustling black hair  and the trampled reeds, painted in scarlet and grey.

"...."

This one didn't spill words nor tears, as a bag of linen held the heaviest burden, a march made for Rittersburg.
Her was father always prone to foolish choices.

Edited December 31, 2025 by Casualty

[ChainedDragons 1374]

Heimweh watched little Erika giggle and run around her room, playing with toys. The daughter of Redgar wondered if he would ever be able to come home...

[CasualNuker 1113]

Far off to the South, Redgars SON Guillaume Kildrakken would receive news of his father's death from various sources, and upon hearing that his father had been betrayed to the Emperor of Man, he would weep. For deep down, Guillaume had always cared for his Father though he had always felt abandoned and misunderstood. But soon enough, Guillaume would rise back to his feet and continue with his men loyal to him and their work in the underground, saying under his breath.. "Father, je shall avenge tu."

Edited December 31, 2025 by CasualNuker

[Rulf Bypharrk 74]

"Tschüss, mein freund und kamerad." The retired Korporal, bids his former Knight Kapitain during Tiberias's Reign. "May we meet in the next life."

[hopey 364]

Within a snow-trodden forest, an exiled Princess dredged a diminutive hole with a stolen shovel. The fetid stench of fumes drowned her clothes, borne by a cigarette amidst her crimped lips. A makeshift cross was fashioned, seamed by sinewy vines belonging to that of a willowy tree. It marked the empty burrow, an aperture of rest for when the head of Sir Redgar is rightfully returned.

 

For long had she tarried. Until the chestnut of her hairs dwindled into ivory and her concave cheeks wore an interminable vermilion flare. Only then did she succumb into a hollow, toting the shallow sorrow with her. 

[Rig 17580]

"Good soldiers follow orders. All counterrevolutionaries shall be terminated." said Inquisitor Gaius to Misha. @Malta

[Pegleg_Bob 1107]

Footsteps can be heard crunching through the snow as the Baron of the Middenlands walks far from anyone else. He watches the snow fall around him, focusing on it, his eye guiding the flakes past him as he breathes in. Then he lets out a shout. It is simple and primal, a cry born purely from rage. 

[Rennart 60]

** From the depths of the crypt, a cry, a shout, a guttural scream resonated against the red stone walls. Tightening her grip upon her mace, Aliénor tore herself from her coffin, tears streaming down her cheeks. **

"I am done with the Empire. Revenge, blood, vengeance… they will pay. The Emperor, those who support him, those who remained silent, cowards. They will taste the sorrow of a widow"

Edited December 31, 2025 by Rennart

[Fawnytheturtle 865]

When Savannah heard the news her heart sank, this man he felt like a brother to her, she named him to be a godfather to one of her sons. Finding a seat she wiped a few tears "I'll see you again someday" she sighs giving herself time to grieve.

 

 

Meanwhile Erika his little granddaughter was playing unknowing his fate singing a cute little song "Grandpaw is awesome, Grandpaw is great!"