User blog:Ziharku/Log 24: Varkolak

During the war, one such creature called the Castle Zvahl Baileys its home. His quarters nearly adjacent to the bridge leading to the throne room, this creature stumbled upon me during one of my scouting missions. Cloaked in magic to hide my presence, I had made my way up to the bridge itself, though not daring any further in fear that the Shadow Lord might sense me despite my wards. After hours of stillness, watching beastmen generals come and go, listening to strategies and plans they stirred, I decided to work my way out. I needed to find a safe place to burn the magic scroll that would return me to San d’Oria. My magics broad, but not broad enough as to cast a spell that would bring me back to my home, I was (and still am today) entirely reliant on such a scroll for returning when a hasty retreat is in order. Finding an empty room to the southeast, I enchant my dagger with fire, thus removing my ward against being seen at a terrible time. Just as I became visible, the wall beside me opened, revealing a hidden passage and, a Vampyr. Looking down in surprise at the young Elvaan before him, he grinned and put me out cold with a kick to the gut.

I woke up some time later in a poorly lit room, torches hanging from the walls. Bats floated lazily through the air, passing a glance at the odd figure slumped in the corner of the room. Shooting up, I look about quickly for the creature, only to hear a “Welcome" as an opening appeared from one of the walls. Pale skin covered a bald head, body jet black with red accents among certain outlines. He strode over to a chair, taking a seat, eyes never leaving mine. “So then, little mage. From which nation do you hale?" I remained silent. After a bit longer, he sighed a bit and continued. “Your race suggests San d’Oria. Finding one of ou….your kind in Bastok would be all too rare, though your armor does resemble that of an army unit in the army there." True, there is a unit of soldiers with armor startlingly similar to my teacher’s and my own, though such amateurs were incapable of using any useful magic. “Your aura of magic suggests Windurst as well. Such magical potency as to be perceived…that doesn’t come along too often. You would do well to utilize it by furthering your studies." I couldn’t help but wonder, why is it waiting? Beastmen are savages, quick to kill. So few could speak our language, let alone do it so…elegantly. Tall. Pointed ears. An elegant tone in speaking.

"An….Elvaan?" I uttered.

His eyes widen a bit, and then a laugh. "If I was, I’m certainly not anymore, now am I? I suspect the same, though memories of such a time are lost on me. Ever since that Flit came with information for the …" a bit of hesitancy, “he’s been suggesting all kinds of new creations. I suspect I may be one of them." A forlorn look in his eye as he gazed into a torch’s light. I find it odd that I’m unbound. I take the chance to take my pouch from the ground and tied it to my waist again. Noticing the movement, he glances back at me. “Visitor, have you little time for pleasantries?"

I freeze momentarily, then finish the fastening of buckles. “I do not mean to offend sir, but you can understand my apprehension."

With a nod, he stands and walks to a wall, doorway opening before him. ‘I shall return shortly with something, something from my previous lifetime." Standing, I wonder. Perhaps it is a trick. Some device meant to lead the beastmen to my home, or maybe a weapon he brandished at one time meant to slay me now. The weapon is a bit more far-fetched perhaps, as his right hand alone had more than enough means to kill me. Returning, he held something small in his left hand, tossing it to me. I fumble in catching it, nearly dropping it several times. A signet ring, one that a noble family or officer of high authority might possess. “I once had a Scythe too, though that relic is long from my possession, taken up my a female of…your kind. I ask that you try to uncover what you can of me, though given my state…I certainly don’t expect much. You may go now, you’ll find your means home still in your possession." Searching my pouch, I did in fact find my transit scroll. Looking back, I see something truly astounding. His form materialized into smaller bats, fluttering up to the ceiling.

When I returned home, I made sure to replace the bag and any items I could part with that had been stored in my pouch for fear of tampering. The ring, held no leads. Even the little Scholar wasn’t sure of the emblem on the ring, claiming it to be familiar but not something he’d deemed noteworthy in finding it at an earlier time.

After my tale, everyone is silent. This ring, I provide to the king now (though it was handed to him via a royal guard. They certainly don’t want me close) and he squints at the emblem, then scowls. This is from a family entirely wiped from our nation. “It has been quite some time…Olak? Alak? Famed for battle through the civil war, later finding a place in the Royal Knights. One day, when the beastmen attacked the city, the family was lost. Even the elderly members of the family came to defend the civilians, and most of the family itself was killed. Older members died in the streets, some were taken hostage and never heard from again, though one survived. We received reports that he had been giving the Orcs information and had allowed them in via a secret passage!" His brow deepens in anger, recalling the betrayal. “This of course, we did not tell the people for some time so as to honor the name of the family that surrendered so many lives that day. The survivor, a young man no older than you are now, was sentenced to live and die in the dungeons below."

"So you got the ring from another one of those? A civil one of those? Surely this is a lie, he probably found it in the dungeon, or maybe whatever that thing was had it when they killed it. If it really had a taste for blood it should have killed that traitor quite happily" Prince Pieuje snorted.

"But if it…or they…are truly our kind transformed into monsters…no, it cannot be done. One of ours simply cannot become a beastman!" Trion’s face seems distraught.

I know we can. Anyone can, that aspires to have the strength that I’ve found. “I do have…something I might be able to add. Only the strictest of confidence though. I’d prefer if not even the princes and princess were to come by this."

Outraged, Pieuje begins to yell, “Your Highness we cannot allow this insubordination to happen! To try and get you alone is-

"Quiet my son." The kings eyes stare into mine for a time. “Go, my children. Leave us. The guards as well."

"But your highness-

"That is, an order."

Unwillingly the guards leave their posts and exit the chamber. Claudie and Trion exit without much fuss, but Pieuje makes sure to glare at me until the doors to the chamber shut. “Now, what is it that you might ask for so private an audience for?"

"I…am not just an Elvaan anymore, your highness. I am a Blue Mage." His face is unsurprised. The great nations deal with the Immortals in contacting the Empress, and so have encountered Blue Mages before. “I know not by what means we come to attain our ability to use this magic, but I am certain of one thing. This body is a vessel for more than my soul. I houses the power and vitality of every beast I slay."

"As should any person’s who takes on experience. In victory, strength."

"No, sir. The souls of vanquished beasts stir within me. My magic is their essence." This causes a stir in his features. “And I have seen just what becomes of us as containers. If I cannot change my fate…I will become a beast, a beastmen, a…Soulflayer."

"If you wish to jest, young man, I suggest you leave my presence now."

"This is no ruse!" The voices cackle and laugh at my attempt to convey, and it dawns on me. Siphoning enough energy so as not to be dangerous, I focus it to my eyes. Slowly, the burning comes. Anger turns to shock as it becomes clear to the king that I am true to my word. My eyes, glowing orange with vertically slit pupils. Releasing the energy, I can feel the burning fade as my eyes return to normal. “It’s only a matter of time before more than just my eyes change. I watched one of the Immortals turn. I was made to slay him, as he was a danger to all."

Silently, the king sits. “I suppose it may be relevant as well, though not so important that only you hear, to know that the first Vampyr I encountered may very well have been a Dark Knight. He mentioned wielding a Scythe in another life, eluding to a relic."

"Apocalypse…..that was an heirloom within the family." Nodding he stands “and the betrayer was a Dark Knight as well. This pattern is too much to ignore, as is your…condition. Do you find you are a threat to this nation, as the creature below was?"

For a moment I think. Raubahn eluded to his gift for me being able to control the beast, and so long as I’ve had it I have retained a higher state of sanity than before. “The armor I wear is designed to keep me stable, as is something else I keep on my person. I would never dream to endanger you or your people." Again, I kneel.

"Very well. A task force will be made to look further into this. I trust you won’t object to relinquishing the ring?" I shake my head, and so he returns to his throne. “I entrust you with the task of finding a way to maintain your physical form, Ziharku. It would be a shame if my newest Royal Adviser fell to his inner demons."

Adviser?! “Your highness, I humbly accept the task. And, as my first advisory, I beg of you to keep your men out of the dungeon for a time."

"And why is that?"

"I believe, that the creature isn’t dead yet."