StrongBear

"The one who killed the queen wishes for an escape?" An amused chuckle turn to cackle escapes the former Prince, "Hear that Severn? Ahaha! The chains never break, she'll still end up in the Hells with the rest of us." Haldir utters towards the dead familiar which was nailed to a distant wall, returning to work while dwelling in his own madness.

The throne he sat in, the crown he wore - empty and broken A summons arrives, distance traveled, a meeting held. Many words spoken, the back and forth, the feeling of unease and dread filling the air. The man in question at the center of attention - a failure, one after another. Truths and lies mixing together, the world of the unknown slowly coming to light. His crown falters, the devious grin he once wore turns to shame and defeat. The smart Princeling, one so cunning and deceitful caught in his own web of lies. The man in question, one who turned away, the one who thought he fooled the world, all it took was one fatal misstep. Haldir. Twas a normal day or one apparent, tinkering in his lab as he usually does as of late, closed off from the world, unread mail piling up along with countless missives. Severn, his familiar, arrived with another bundle of letters, filling through before he voiced something of importance. A meeting. The only letter to meet his pale gaze, his brows furrow. He collects his belongings, packing his lab for the potential of a just in case. He summons two to travel with him, and they set off. Each city they passed, fear and dread pulled heavily over his countenance, even if they were normal occurrences of his day to day, something was different about such, it pulled him elsewhere. They arrive, he knocks. The conversation starts off with friendly banter, a brief moment of catch up. Then the mood shifts, the candles start to flicker, the light in the room dims. A few more words of a brief exchange. A solemn nod was given before he was forced in the center, all eyes, there and unseen, were on the DreadPrince. The hellish flame that once resided in the DreadPrince’s soul - was finally snuffed

Voices, these voices, I hear them, and when they talk I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow what they say. A deal has been struck; two lives spared, one taken. “Haldir, why are you here?” The familiar druidess inquires to the young ‘ame. “...I’m not sure” The rain never seemed to stop, just the constant pitter-patter of droplets hitting the rooftops, soaking the cloth between armor plates of the denizens of Numendil. Something was coming. The voices, the chaos. The voices started again, the ‘ame drowning out the world around him to focus on them. This time, the voices were different; they wanted something, something more than what Haldir is. “Guide the Princess. Stick close to her.” There was slight hesitation in his movements, scared? No—fearful; for this was no peasant, but one who could certainly cost him his head. Alas, the he follows the order given, finding the Princess, and sticking to her side. Then chaos erupted; first it was the dark mist creeping from the Kingswood, then those atop and below the battlement were met with horrid creatures, and the fight began. Conversation in the square continued, calming in a sense, keeping the woman’s focus, gaining her trust in such a brief time. As the fight poured into the square, the cultists were focused on those who were nearby, it was their time to escape. “Follow me.” He spoke under his breath. He takes the woman’s hand, guiding her through the fight, deeper into the city. Rounding a corner, then another—before coming to a location that was previously picked not by him, but by the other. The voices in the elf’s head drowned out the screams, the cries for help, the shouting. Another step of hesitation befell the 'ame while he continues forward, muttering beneath his breath, shaking his head. Suddenly, a bright flash of light erupts from before them, the ripping of a portal into the void to which they were both pulled into. The same sense as before, the falling, the weightlessness, abyss. “Wait, please.” He pleads. Strike after strike, piece by piece, he was struck down, over and over again. His breathing became labored and raspy, blood streaming from his nose and the corner of his maw, fighting to keep his head up. Surely this was going to end… but no, as the horror didn’t want death, it needed something. The Princess was binded and chained to the heart while the other bound and dragged away, forced to watch a ritual. “Save the Princess!” A voice shouts. Another fight erupts, those of Numendil followed, they needed to save their own. As chaos ensued, the ritual grew closer to its end, another portal of light ripping through the void. The world around Haldir grew cold, he lost the familiar feeling of eternal warmth and his vision grew distant, the sound of shouts turned to a ringing in his ears. He spares a brief glance to everything around before his head eventually falls, unconscious. He and the Princess were saved, taken…both alive but barely.

Deep within a cave unbeknownst to many, the Dreadprince suddenly wakens from his brief slumber, sweat rolling from his brow - "The first of five, more to follow." He spoke, his voice echoing off the cave walls, his gaze dancing around the shadows, "Always watching. Always listening. Never alone." He repeats over and over again, succumbing further into his own madness, his voice falling silent, just the constant twitching of his lips as the words continue.

Be at peace brother, whip it up in the kitchen and become an amazing chef. I will drag you into Overwatch matches though - you can't escape me!

Adrian, the friend who died many years ago, tackles the familiar man upon his entrance to the seven skies, "Aha! Finally you made it, we need to drink and banter like old times. It's been far too long."

Just at the gates of the Seven Skies, the familiar man once known as Adrian greets his sister with a small smile, extending a hand out to her, "Well, finally you get to join me. Now you have much to tell me with all that I've missed. Come come, plus mutter and vater would like to see you."

The Fallen Angel, favored to the one of Dread; lingers in the shadows, watching the fear and dread around him spread with a devilish smile resting 'pon his visage.

With every step that one takes, Their shadow follows closely behind. What kind of shadow follows you? The dooming question that no one ever asks, The fear that lingers in the forefront of one's mind, The unknown that causes the fear to fester and grow. What kind of shadow follows you? You may ask anyone that question, The responses will always be the same, I don’t know but surely I know it’s good. What kind of shadow follows you? If you ask me that question, My response will be, The one you should be afraid of, Because I’m afraid of my own shadow. Not because I don’t know what it is, Because I know the power that it holds. I know the pain and terror that it can do. For my soft heart will be my down fall, If I don’t own up to my own shadow. What if I allow myself to finally let go? If I allow myself to let go, Then the world around me burns, If I let go I will have nothing else to keep me grounded, All that I loved will turn away from me. Those who saw me as perfect, Will hunt me down for what I’ve become. They won’t see the realization of what’s happening, Until it's too late. Perhaps it’s best if I remain the way I am, The soft hearted fool. The fool that will eventually turn, Turn on those who loved me. Then themselves will become nothing more than just another person, And I will mean nothing to them.

Mhmm debating

What did you first think of me when we first met almost 3 years ago? What do you think of me now?

“Show me a hero; I shall write you a tragedy.” Elias was a mischievous boy, always told never to leave the city alone or without a guard, but he always did the opposite, or he would at least drag his brother Christopher along with him. They were your typical pair of identical twins. Throughout his teen years, Elias could often be found with a young woman just a year younger than him, Iduna O’Rourke. A sweet, curly hair girl with piercing emerald eyes, the Orenian within the Kingdom is the one who took the young man’s interest. Their marriage started like any other, nothing but love and carefreeness, but things started to change; Elias was not made for the Noble life or what it all entailed, he had his own goals he wished to gain, and he had his dreams to follow, so he started to move his wife to the second place while he pursed the Sunlit Path. They slowly started to drift apart as the years went on. They had a couple of children together, but even that couldn’t fix what was broken. The aging man finally got to the point where he thought he had everything he ever wanted, even with the death that consistently surrounded him. Was he happy? Or was he just content with how things were going for him? That’s the secret he never got to reveal to the world truly. There was a time when he was active, leading patrols and heading charges, but that all came to a sudden halt on one failed patrol. Taken hostage, bound in chains, locked away in solitude beside an occasional visitor from the ilk that called Serheim home. A few days pass, and a rescue party arrives. They ravage the town until Elias is found. Did things go back to normal after that? No. A couple of days of freedom was granted until a group of four possibly five, attacked Elias within the comforts of the Vale, the place he once called home. That night, changed Elias in a way people couldn’t have stopped; he started his slow rescind from all he knew, finding different places to hide and doing all he once loved and understood. So, the birth of Glorehdel has arisen, the man once known as Elias was dead to the world, and the golden-haired ‘aheral took over. He changed everything about himself, down to his voice and stature. He spent years hiding in the open in Celia’nor, gaining information about the ilks' whereabouts and the shenanigans they were causing. Every so often, Gloredhel returned to places he once loved. Halstaig was now a ghost manor, the Vale, which continued to dance with life, Amethea to visit old friends, some of whom were still living and others weren’t. Time continued to float on by for Elias. Patrol excursions were the same, day in and day out. Handling domestic issues between nations that allowed the darkspawn to fester within their walls, fixing family ties that were tarnished, always the same nothing ever changed for his later years in life. Two names, two faces but one body and mind. “If I disappear, will you look for me?” After spending some time with his family, Elias eventually left to return home. The roads to Caras Anor were always quiet, there were never any issues, and it was a peaceful ride past the coast and into the mountains of Urguan. But this time, Elias allowed his horse to graze upon a lush patch of grass near the road. He takes a moment to gather in his surroundings, looking towards the once-standing Veritas in the distance, then towards the top of the nearest mountain, a soft sigh escaping, “I think that will be my new meditation spot.” He spoke to his beast, gently stroking the side of his neck before he climbed down, tying him to a nearby tree. The sound of distant hooves trotting against the stone of the road grew louder and louder. “Hail.” A woman spoke. Three horses, they rode in pairs. Six together. “Karin’ llrian, can I do something for you?” The conversation continued. Four riders dismounted and surrounded the lone Paladin, showing he was unarmed. Elias could’ve taken two, possibly three, but not all six. It was a losing battle, even if it was a short-lived scuffle. Smaller and smaller the circle started to collapse. “Take this all in, you’re no longer a free man.” “For the sun may never set.” The world suddenly goes dark. “I fear that I will be ripped open and found unsightly.” Bound and chained like some sort of beast, Elias slowly returns to consciousness, the smell of death and decay filling his nostrils, causing his nose to wrinkle. He peers around the dimly lit dungeon, a heavy sigh escaping, “We might not get out of this one, old chap.” He utters to himself in the silence. From the far shadows, a woman comes creeping towards him. She introduced herself as the White Cat and started a short-lived conversation with Elias before growing bored; she eventually returned to the shadows she once came. The Paladin found himself alone once more, allowing the looming silence around him to fill his ears, finally taking the time to think back upon everything he’s done in his life and his family that he missed out. He was a great soldier but a terrible father and husband. During this time of loneliness, closing his eyes and deciding for the time being, what he has left to live will be in a meditative state. It allows his mind to cease wandering and bring fond memories to light. Day after day, time is lost. “They have to be searching for me,” he spoke to himself repeatedly, speaking with the shadows that only grew closer with each passing minute. “They wouldn’t leave you to rot in this hellscape, would they?” Statement after statement, question after question, thinking something responded to every little thing. In the silence, alone in the darkness, the only thing keeping him from succumbing to this madness was the creatures he created from his mist, but even that couldn’t patch the cracks as they grew. “Jules has to know somethings wrong, and I sent her to bloody old Haelun’or to meet with someone.” The dread and the guilt creep further into the forefront of Elias’ mind, “Will you shut up, Elias.” Gloredhel mutters, “No, we have to get out of this.” Elias spoke in return to himself. The aging man went back and forth for hours, constantly arguing to pass the time, but this led further into his madness. “You will not be executed, but you will fight.” “A fight is what you wish to see? So be it.” Five approached Elias; one released him from his chains before returning to the wall the others sat. He slowly brings himself to rise, collecting his belongings before taking several small steps away from the wall. A hellish dire wolf and a demon move toward the Paladin from the dark shadows. The fight to the end is due to start, there is only one way Elias will get out of his, and it won’t be with his life, but he is proud enough never to dare spill any secrets he holds close. The battle raged on for hours; first, it was one attacker, then another, until it was four. Again, at losing odds - four to one, it’s already been a tough fight, but for Elias, it’s just got worse. A silent prayer continues to escape Elias with every attack; he calls to his Lord, letting him know of his arrival and asking for forgiveness. As the battle continued to rage on, Elias stood his ground for as long as he could. He defended against every attack he could, but crimson ran from his shoulder wound and a deep stab wound to his side; he faltered, lost his footing, and ended up on the ground. An argument breaks out, debating who should deliver the final strike, giving Elias enough time to figure out his last attack. He looks at the spear lodged in his shoulder, taking a sharp inhale before ripping it free. The demon leading the attacks finally turns back to the Paladin. - Elias stands there with his life slipping away. A sword drives into his chest as Elias drives a spear into the creature's chest. The old man’s body starts to grow cold, his vision starts the go dark, the last expression upon his face was one of peace, a small smile graced his lips before his last breath escapes. A final breath, a final goodbye. “For the sun may never set.” Elias (Glordhel) Leon O’Rouke Asul’onn. (1803-1914)

Skin Name/Number – Bid (List multiple separately please!) 24. Male Robes: 10usd - Zadie Discord: StrongBear#1126

Izin Colborn rests a hand upon the his wife's shoulder as she sat in her office, his gaze scanning over the missive before it was sent out, "Hopefully they'll learn something from this, liebe. They need to be taken down a notch or two." @worldeltaii

Am I your favorite son?

From above in the seven skies, Adrian looks down upon his eldest and Karl, "You're a better man, one I wished I could've been." He looks to his wife a moment before returning his attention to the world before, a small smile resting on his visage.

Death is a part of the circle of life. New life is brought into the light, They grow and excel through life. Until one day while they’re old and gray, The circle closes upon itself. Another life has come to pass. It was a rather brisk morning on this particular day, Adrian went about his morning but this day was different from the rest. He packed a small bag with several articles of warm clothing, his favorite book, a journal, and a quill. He looks around his room one last time, several paintings of his wife and children. “...This is my last journey….” As he stepped outside, the fresh snow crunching under his feet as he started his long trek to the far reaches of the north. He just kept walking. Flashbacks to his youth years, watching his sister murder their father and then take her own life, his wedding, the beating of Emir de Rosius by his own hands, the birth of his children, and finally the death of his Dijana. As all of his memories continue to shroud his vision, Adrian zones back into reality, now standing atop a mountain covered in snow, an ice field resting below. "....I'm sorry..." For those who’re close to Adrian, they would surely notice his absence, either his friends or his family. The question would remain, “...Where’s Adrian?..”

Adrian silently wept for his dying wife, watching her slowly pass in her arms, he once more fell silent, the same as he did many years ago... He took some time to collect himself before setting off to Reinmar, looking for his Eldest. "Alexandra, your mutter is off to start her next adventure." He said to her, watching her drop to her knees, as a father he knew he had to be strong for his children, so he went to her, pulling her into a warm embrace, "I know it hurts, it gets better over time." He softly told her. However what the others around him didn't know, it would be the start of his very own downfall.

First, it was Iduna and Auden, then Elias came into the picture, and that duo suddenly turned into a trio -Iduna, Auden, and Elias. The three of them had their good times and their bad, it was a normal thing for them. Iduna passed, then it became just Auden and Elias, they grew old together, they went from spry and energetic young men to graying old men, both turning ninety. There was a shout just outside the Vale, "One of yours has fallen.." The attention suddenly turned to the gates, there standing at the front of the crowd was that old man Elias, he squints attempting to make out the body that was propped up in the grass but there was something off, he just knew something wasn't right. He took the charge to go investigate, he stood over that body, it was too familiar to him, he knew who it was. Someone shouts, "What is it?" Elias remained silent for a few moments as he took time to assess and process what could've possibly happened. "It's my brother." He spouts in return to the group, he carefully collected the decapitated body of his brother Auden, looking to the people behind him one last time before making the long trek back to their former home of Halstaig. With every step, the weight of the body seemed to get heavier but he continued on, "We're almost there." He spoke as he slowly passed the Eastern Fleet, all the memories of their relationship, even Iduna came flashing into view as he passed old Providence, "Your sister will be happy to see you again brother." He said with a pained chuckle, continuing on, passing through the ruins of Esbec, finally, Halstaig was in his sights, "Give Iduna my love for me, that's all I can ask of you." He looks down at the body in his arms, shaking his head, "I guess I'm the last one now, aren't I?" He then looks up to the night sky as the sun started to lick the horizon, "Home has never felt so empty." Elias did what he needed to do one last time at Halstaig before finally turning his back on his old home, there was nothing left for him there, his wife has long since been dead, Auden was now dead, and his eldest Theodosia has been resting peacefully, Eloise was having the adventure of her life. For that old man returned to his home in the forest of the west, only to get back what to what he knows best, keeping his mind busy, trying to keep himself sane.

For a boy to turn into a man, he must go through trials and tribulations. - The same goes for a squire who wishes to become a Paladin. As one would expect Elias Asul’onn went through many such things, either it would be his two marriages or even from being a squire to Paladin, many bumps on the journey and many different paths but all reached the same end goal, well they did for a time. It was supposed to be a normal patrol, nothing was supposed to go awry but everything quickly went downhill. One…two….three….there were only two left against a congregation before long only one remained standing, there the now silver-haired man. Elias stood alone given an ultimatum - to surround or risk the life of another. He quickly weighed his options, the percentage of fighting more, the percentage of his chance of survival if he were to be taken as a captive. His choice had come forward, offering his hands to those he lost against, there was no need for him to even put up a fight for it surely was a losing one in that situation. So for the time being, the old man was held in a deep cell within the Queendom. To help pass his time, many visitors flocked to see the Paladin that had been captured but they were all taken back by his words, by his calmness, and even by the topic of conversations many spent hours listening to. Elias had lost track of time, there were no windows, and he only felt the cold blizzard once, that was when he was allowed to go outside but had to remain bound in chains. As more time slipped by, there was suddenly an array of familiar voices calling out for the silver hair man, his time of rescue had arrived. Before he knew it, there stood the familiar elfess in the entryway of his cell, his grandmother along with a few others had come to rescue the old man which was possibly a deathly fate. Once on the surface of the Queendom once more, there he was greeted by many brothers and sisters in arms from the Vale. A few days had passed since his return to civilization, and Elias slowly got back to working on what needed to be done for a Paladin’s duties never rest. He was called to help secure a prized target, one he had just seen days before his capture at the Queendom. He silently recalled the interaction but he had work to do, the ritual had to be done for it would’ve taken a major player off the battlefield for the time being or so he thought. Another set of days passed, Elias was chatting with a friend within the tavern at the Vale before another came shouting for help, that there was something in the woods harassing people. So the old man did what he does, change into his armor and fetch his weaponry before stepping out of the Vale with two others in tow. Once they were in the wood, there Elias saw who should’ve been locked away, confused but didn’t show it, few words were spoken back and forth before Elias turned his attention towards the large flesh golem, he was called to challenge it would have been dishonorable for the man to turn down such a thing. So there he stood, battling it out with a large flesh creature but however the Lich had other plans, for he had also brought another undead soldier but he barely moved nor defended, easily taken out at the end. The battle in the woods took some time but it only caused the Paladin to grow more tired and irritated with the circumstances, everything was adding up to something but what was that something? Elias was given a warning, he was even told not to wander alone outside of the Vale. Keep inside the walls for he should surely be safe? The Vale was always kept under lock and key, one way in and many ways out if one were to jump from the walls into the ocean below. It was the safest place he could be, right? If people were truly after him they wouldn’t be so brazen enough to attempt an attack from the Vale, not in the slightest with the chance of survival. At first, it was an anonymous letter, which was quickly talked about among fellow paladins, Elias quickly shrugged it off since he had not planned on leaving the Vale, then it was a random shout from a stranger asking for him. It was now, Elias started to piece things together, maybe they were targeting him but how could he possibly be different from the rest in the Order, was it because he was deemed as an easy target after his capture? Another shout rings from the Vale gate. This time it was familiar, it was the same Lich that he had dealt with earlier, the old man’s heart began to race now but he did not show the internal panic that was raging. He found another friend, giving him a warning before moving to his house, gathering what he needed, and quickly scribbled down a call for help. He passes in front of the gate, not even batting an eye at the scene out there as he makes his way to the aviary, quickly finding a bird to send a letter off. There stood a stranger in front of him, one the old man has never seen before, then suddenly from behind a butt of an ax came down upon Elias’ head, causing the man to stumble, he shouts, calling for help, as Elias looked back, he caught a quick glimpse of four then everything went dark. The next feeling to wash over the Paladin was something that he had not felt before, it was not the warmth from his Lord's blessing, it was something far darker and macabre, his very soul was whisked away, leaving his mortal body lifeless as he went into the very depths of Hell where he stood before Ebrietaes, seeing everything that no mortal man should be able to see, all of the sin and abomination that call this place home, it was nothing but pure horror for the old man. Where his soul was, it wished to make its return to the mortal plane, back to the husk it was from. Suddenly life had awoken in Elias once more, but it was not on the battlefield, but it was in his house, his room surrounded but three people, people he would lay his life down for. He was horrified by what he saw, those images will be forever engraved within his mind for he was surely going to overcome those sleepless nights once more hopefully.