Dorian Iori - Epilogue
Jul 18, 2019 6:29:19 GMT
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Nowhere, Tugark (Retired), and 10 more like this
Post by Dorian on Jul 18, 2019 6:29:19 GMT
He lived in a lonely cottage in the Dales. Lonely because it sat on its own in the vast green fields, surrounded by vineyards, small hills and rows of bluebells. He was lonely too, his wife had passed away the previous winter. All that was left was pain, his only companion.
It was an Autumn day, the day when he decided the pain of loss had finally overwhelmed him. He got dressed, prepared for his morning walk and left the noose on the kitchen table.
Walking along his usual route, he greeted the green fields with a nod and a slight smile. Unconcerned birds were chirping and the ground was slightly soft. He took his time to pick some of the flowers which littered the sides of the path. The quiet clearing eventually opened up and he stood across from the grave.
Mary Allenby
"The Duchess"
Beloved wife and friend
Frederick laid down the new flowers and spoke for a short time. The tears flowed and trickled down his tired face. Only his Mary had seen him cry, and even now he imagined her warm hand wiping away the tears. She had soothed his cold heart, and reignited a love of life in him that had disappeared since his army days. In a life of battles, this was his hardest, and he had admitted defeat. It was time to stop.
He decided to take the longer route back home. The overgrown path wasn't as familiar but he knew it well enough. The birds weren't as loud here, and the grass not so green but he enjoyed the more melancholic views. Overhanging leaves merged with the ground to make a colcophony of browns, reds and oranges. Everything was quieter, and strangely the sky grew darker.
A vast cloud passed quickly overhead with what looked like flashes of lightning. The wind picked up and the rain tumbled from the sky as Frederick stopped and looked. It sounded like thunder. Could it be roaring?
As quick as it had appeared, the cloud disappeared into the distance. Wisps of smoke were rising not far away.
Approaching, he heard a faint sound among the reeds and the smell of something burning. The flicker of fire caught his eye and there, in the bush was a baby.
A Tiefling baby.
As the dying embers burned around, this young baby seemed oblivious to it all. Frederick moved closer as the smoke cleared. The baby was looking at him curiously now, quietly content and grinning. As he knelt down, joyful laughter filled the air.
Frederick smiled.
Years passed. The baby Tiefling quickly grew. The boy was wild, chaotic and rebellious. Frederick raised him as he had been raised, with the book and the belt. Army discipline in the household had to be maintained. He named the boy John after his father (a name the boy hated).
Growing up in the Dales was at times idyllic and at times a struggle. John felt the sting of insults from the human children, the taunts about his tail and horns, and the isolation from most others. The one constant however was his dad. Despite all the taunts, fights and knockbacks, Frederick remained. A rock for his son. He taught him everything he knew, and to learn from his mistakes.
"What was mum like dad? John asked.
Frederick took a moment to answer, unable to find the words to do her justice.
"She ran a pub for quite a few years. She loved it, seeing the people, chatting away, solving everyone's problems. Protecting those who needed it. She was the life and soul and brought a smile to everyone's face, even an old goat like me."
"She would've loved to have met you John."
As the teen years came and went, so did change. Random fires and magical happenings surrounded John. It took time for Frederick to understand and accept, but he soon did. He'd seen things in the army after all.
Frederick knew he was going to ask before he did. The longing to leave and experience the world was clear on the boys face.
"You remember what I've taught you and you'll be fine," he said. "There'll always be a bed and supper here if you need it."
John nodded, holding back the tears. "Make me proud son."
And he did.
_________________________
Thank you to all the players and DM's I've played with these last few years. This community is truly remarkable and has become a big part of my life. Special thanks must go to Andy and Matt who run fantastic games and organise everything so well. The inclusiveness of this group is one of its strengths and allows for such amazing creativity.
Though I'll be gone for a couple of years, I'll still be around on the forum and discord, checking if Daring has been invaded again or if Port Ffirst survives a Kraken attack (it's going to happen
).
Take care everyone,
Peace
Sean-Paul
It was an Autumn day, the day when he decided the pain of loss had finally overwhelmed him. He got dressed, prepared for his morning walk and left the noose on the kitchen table.
Walking along his usual route, he greeted the green fields with a nod and a slight smile. Unconcerned birds were chirping and the ground was slightly soft. He took his time to pick some of the flowers which littered the sides of the path. The quiet clearing eventually opened up and he stood across from the grave.
Mary Allenby
"The Duchess"
Beloved wife and friend
Frederick laid down the new flowers and spoke for a short time. The tears flowed and trickled down his tired face. Only his Mary had seen him cry, and even now he imagined her warm hand wiping away the tears. She had soothed his cold heart, and reignited a love of life in him that had disappeared since his army days. In a life of battles, this was his hardest, and he had admitted defeat. It was time to stop.
He decided to take the longer route back home. The overgrown path wasn't as familiar but he knew it well enough. The birds weren't as loud here, and the grass not so green but he enjoyed the more melancholic views. Overhanging leaves merged with the ground to make a colcophony of browns, reds and oranges. Everything was quieter, and strangely the sky grew darker.
A vast cloud passed quickly overhead with what looked like flashes of lightning. The wind picked up and the rain tumbled from the sky as Frederick stopped and looked. It sounded like thunder. Could it be roaring?
As quick as it had appeared, the cloud disappeared into the distance. Wisps of smoke were rising not far away.
Approaching, he heard a faint sound among the reeds and the smell of something burning. The flicker of fire caught his eye and there, in the bush was a baby.
A Tiefling baby.
As the dying embers burned around, this young baby seemed oblivious to it all. Frederick moved closer as the smoke cleared. The baby was looking at him curiously now, quietly content and grinning. As he knelt down, joyful laughter filled the air.
Frederick smiled.
Years passed. The baby Tiefling quickly grew. The boy was wild, chaotic and rebellious. Frederick raised him as he had been raised, with the book and the belt. Army discipline in the household had to be maintained. He named the boy John after his father (a name the boy hated).
Growing up in the Dales was at times idyllic and at times a struggle. John felt the sting of insults from the human children, the taunts about his tail and horns, and the isolation from most others. The one constant however was his dad. Despite all the taunts, fights and knockbacks, Frederick remained. A rock for his son. He taught him everything he knew, and to learn from his mistakes.
"What was mum like dad? John asked.
Frederick took a moment to answer, unable to find the words to do her justice.
"She ran a pub for quite a few years. She loved it, seeing the people, chatting away, solving everyone's problems. Protecting those who needed it. She was the life and soul and brought a smile to everyone's face, even an old goat like me."
"She would've loved to have met you John."
As the teen years came and went, so did change. Random fires and magical happenings surrounded John. It took time for Frederick to understand and accept, but he soon did. He'd seen things in the army after all.
Frederick knew he was going to ask before he did. The longing to leave and experience the world was clear on the boys face.
"You remember what I've taught you and you'll be fine," he said. "There'll always be a bed and supper here if you need it."
John nodded, holding back the tears. "Make me proud son."
And he did.
_________________________
Thank you to all the players and DM's I've played with these last few years. This community is truly remarkable and has become a big part of my life. Special thanks must go to Andy and Matt who run fantastic games and organise everything so well. The inclusiveness of this group is one of its strengths and allows for such amazing creativity.
Though I'll be gone for a couple of years, I'll still be around on the forum and discord, checking if Daring has been invaded again or if Port Ffirst survives a Kraken attack (it's going to happen
). Take care everyone,
Peace
Sean-Paul
