Osric
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Post by Osric on Apr 10, 2010 17:36:27 GMT -5
“The Making of a Warrior” The Story of Osric “Lionsbane” MacRath
Written By: Joshua A King
I
___Many seasons ago long before the Light ever lead Osric “Lionsbane” MacRath out of the darkness. He was born to this world Osric MacRath of the clan of the Wolf one of the many tribes of barbarians who roamed the fridged lands of the Northern Steppes. Osric’s people lived by the hunt following the migration of Elk and Caribou. The bloodline Osric was born too was strong in history of the clan. Many of his blood before him had been leaders of the hunt. For Osric though his blood is his curse. Osric’s father was Farorin MacRath than the leader of the hunt and elder chieftain of the clan of the Wolf.
___Farorin and his life mate Elisiash had for many moons tried to produce an heir to one day take his place. Farorin dreamed of a perfect son as he was a perfect image of Wolf clan barbarians. He was broad across the shoulders with strength of the Wolf itself. He was tallest of his people standing seven feet from ground to the crown of his head. Tall and strong were most men of the clan those thought to be weak were cast out or sold as slaves.
___The beginning of Osric’s curse is not noticed at first till his fifth season. Being born small and earlier than the moons would say. He also was not growing at the pace with the other sons of the tribe. Whispers started that the chieftain’s only son needed to be cased out as to not weaken the clan. Weak Osric was not but still perceived as soon because of his stature. The Shaman of the clan was soon the only one who even acknowledged Osric’s presence. Osric’s own father shunned him. He would not turn Osric out with fear he would be his one and only son.
___Soon Farorin took another woman fearing that Elisiash would never carry another child. This was not the custom of this clan, mates were for life. Farorin carefully one night caught a deadly snow serpent and released it into Elisiash’s hut while she slept. Elisiash died and Farorin had stained his bloodline with the sin of the murdering of his life mate. The clan had their ideas of what really happened but no one would stand against Farorin for fear of him taking the insult to be settled in open combat.
___The Shaman feared for Osric’s life more now than ever. Knowing that if Farorin had another son he would not just case Osric out but end what he thought was his shame by extinguishing Osric’s life. The Shaman was very fond of Osric and had started to school him in the ways in how the sprit guides one’s self through life. He saw great promise in Osric he could see past his short comings in their clan’s culture.
___Osric while gaining in knowledge of the sprit he was not the only student at the time. The Shaman’s daughter studied right beside Osric in their lessons. Toshanra was her name and many times Osric heeded more attention to her than the studies. Being the same age they grew to always be close and together always. The Shaman and Toshanra were the only people in the clan who shared time with him. His only friends they were.
___A year goes be and all was well till the dreadful day the Shaman knew would come even though he prayed it never would. Farorin’s new woman was with child. The Shaman began to prepare for the worst. He was not going to let Osric perish by the hands of his father. Other sons who were considered to weak for the strength of the clan are not always just cased out to the wilderness some were sold as slaves. Most are just bought by a fighting Lewdest to be trained to fight in the arenas. This would be the Shaman’s plan he knew Osric could stand the trials of the arena one day. Also, for him to have the possibility to win back his freedom and return to lead as rightful Chieftain of the clan of the Wolf into a new future a better future. ___Nine months pass and Osric’s brother Broackic is born. Still the Shaman knows Osric is safe for the time being as many barbarian infants do not live pass the 1st month in the harsh environment. Year after year passes and Broackic now five has grown strong. He was tall for his age and seemed to more closely resemble Farorin. The Shaman moved quickly to secure Osric’s life.
___Osric and Toshanra have grown very close and would be sure to be life mates if not for his father’s plot of Osric’s demise. With much grief Osric tells Toshanra that he must go but promises to return for her one day. The Shaman ushers Osric out of camp in the middle of the night. They meet a merchant willing to take Osric to Middlemarch to sell as a slave to one of the many Lewdest. In to the window less slave wagon Osric went to a new hard life but least still having a chance to live.
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Osric
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Post by Osric on Apr 10, 2010 17:37:55 GMT -5
II ___A long dark journey inside the slave wagon no behind Osric, he was fearful of what may be next for him. Now near his 12th season Osric was too young to be sold directly to a Lewdest. He was sold to a wealthy family of Roman decent to be partner slave to their Son. A partner slave would attend to all the needs of the Master’s Son.
___Osric was lucky in that this family believed in their Son’s slave brother to be educated and tough to fight along side the Son. Osric was treated well. He slept in comfortable slave’s quarters that were adjacent the Master’s Son. Osric learned to read and write. He also learned history of military combat. What he enjoyed the most was his training with the house’s Master at Arms.
___Life for Osric went well for a time. His 17th season had come and compared to the pampered Son of the house he was built strong and tough as nails. The Master at Arms had taken a liking to Osric and pushed him in his training. One day the Son of the house and Osric were sparing. Osric well over powered and over matched the Son for some time now. The Son had been bested once again and with this he gave into a tamptrum. The Son said to Osric “Your blood is dirt, your people are dirt, and thank the Gods you will not have any offspring with dirt blood.” Osric enraged to even think of his people advanced on the Son and this time slayed him. The Master at Arms returned to train his students to find one standing over the other. Osric’s training sword was sticking out the Son to the hilt in the soft part of the neck between the collarbones. Osric looked up feeling shame and the weight once again of his blood curse.
___The Master at Arms was awe stricken he could not decide what to do. In one hand his Master lay dead on the floor. On thee other hand the best pupil he had ever trained from boyhood. At last knowing he had to move quickly he decided to help Osric escape. The two men, because now Osric was a man, traveled far to the lands of Roman Empire. For this Master at Arms was once a gladiator in the arenas of Rome and knew they both could hide as a veteran trainer and a new gladiator in the Lewdest he once called his home. The Master at Arms was once the champion of this Lewdest. Now Osric had a new Master his Dominous Lucious Mistious Binker and a way to freedom and away to return to his homeland to find his love Toshanra.
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Post by Osric on Apr 10, 2010 17:39:47 GMT -5
III ___The Lewdest was not an easy life as Osric found out quickly. Many fighters from many different back grounds and realms fought for this Lewdest. Osric’s old Master at Arms was not of a level to be the Lewdest’s trainer. He was put in place as the Dominous’s body guard. As for who was now Osric’s trainer? He was a man as none Osric had seen before from a land he never heard of. This man had skin as dark as night and kept his head shaved clean. He was stronger than his size would suggest. He carried a whip and was no stranger in using it. Omnis as a dark storm cloud he was. His name was Sire Mendross.
___Osric found he was still lacking in his technique. He still fought without strategy. He was a quick study nonetheless. On the night of his trials he drew the current Champion of the Lewdest who earns this by fighting the most fight and not just living but the victor of all of them. Osric had learned much, this would not be an easy feat. Fight raged back in forth for a time both fighters feeling the other one out looking for weaknesses. A duel is only won in forfeit of death. For a brief second Osric saw a whole in the Champions defense. When Osric threw a shot to the shield side the Champion would come back with the same shot but with all his power trying to knock Osric off balance. The Champion would drop his shield slightly when he did this move. Osric set it up and stepped in and rammed his sword point into the soft of the Champions neck. Then shouldered with pain and the Champions shield arm became useless and he dropped it to the ground. Blocking well with just a sword hand the Champion still had fight in him. Osric slashed hard which was blocked but then step foot behind the foot of the Champion and shield checked him to the dirt. Than Osric moved behind and held the sword to the Champions throat looking up to his Dominous for his favor of life or death to the Champion. Dominous Binker held his handout and turned his thumb up to have his once Champion to be spared to chose to take his freedom or to stay and fight for the honor of the Lewdest. Because as Osric would find out that if you live to fight ten seasons and live you would be granted the same choice. The Champion who is the Lewdest’s Champion no more chose to stay and fight to die as a gladiator.
___Many fights come and go with Osric victorious in all of them. Nearing his last year of servitude as a gladiator Osric has no equal in the arena. The Caesar at the time requested a special feat of Osric, for him to fight a Lion in the arena to the death. The Lions were mostly for show to the public for the executions of criminals who where sentenced to death for wrongs against the Empire. Dominous was reluctant to agree but Caesar made promises of a senate seat that if Osric could win out and best a Lion they would both go down in song and story known as the Greatest Champion of all time.
___The day came and Osric felt anger against his Dominous for risking his life when he was so near his chance for freedom. Osric used the rage to fuel his training. He practiced with a short spear and shield as Sire Mendross felt it would be his best chance. Osric carried one spear in his hand and two more strap to his back. He became excellent in throwing the spears and retrieving the next one. All his training for this day he was in his 27th season and this would be his last fight till freedom.
___The fight was even more than he could have ever thought it could be. Five minuets in and only minor wounds are inflicted to Osric and to the Lion. The Lion than charged slamming into Osric’s shield knocking him back ten feet to his back. Osric braced for what came next for either the Lion or himself one will die now. Osric threw from his back his spear caught the Lion in the air but the full grown male Lion fell right on top of Osric. The crowd hushed for neither the Lion or Osric moved. Than with the last bit of strength he had left Osric pulled him self from under the Lion and than the crowd could see the 2nd spear plunged threw the Lion’s mouth and out the back of his head. The crowed exploded with cheers of Osric! Osric! Osric! Caesar than stood up held his hands up and the crowd went silent. Caesar said “On this fine day we have been blessed by the Gods to see the making of a Gladiator of the Gods. Osric (who was still kneeling before Caesar) rise and now and forever be know as Osric Lionsbane Gladiator of the Gods.
___After mending his wounds Osric was called forth to the Dominous’s chamber. “Ah Osric Lionsbane I regret in telling you I will be unable to grant you your freedom” Dominous proclaimed. With this news Osric felt the rage of his curse again. He slammed his foot on the top of one of the guards and punch just under the jaw breaking many of the guard’s teeth. Osric than grab the guard’s sword and slayed the guard next to him on the other side. Just the Dominous and his body guard remained in the room looking with fear at Osric across the room. Osric than blinded by his rage threw the sword across the room hitting the body guard right in the face kill him instantly. Osric than knocked the quivering awe stricken man from his chair and asked “why Dominous do you wrong me so.” Dominous replied “Caesar wishes to never see you stop fighting; he wished to see you die as a gladiator should, and this was all to do to see myself elevated to the Senate.” In reply Osric drove the Dominous’s own sword through his chest bring the end of Lucious Mistious Binker and the fall of his Lewdest as he had no heirs. Osric fled for he new many of the fighters were loyal to Dominous and would make chase. He made his way to a sea harbor town with little problems along his way. Osric signed on with a ship to assist in possible threat of Pirates. This ship was heading to Middlemarch not far from his home land the Northern Steppes.
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Osric
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Post by Osric on Apr 10, 2010 17:41:58 GMT -5
IV ___Many months at sea Osric was with very little fighting for the most part. The sea was an empty place. Osric was not the only ship hand hired to protect against raiders three others were to be guards with him. Two of the members were Dark Elves from the underworld forsaken by their kind. The other member was Dwarf who Osric would one day call his friend. The four of them practiced often all seeming to be equals in ability. Osric never spoke of his passed hopping to finally move forward.
___The Captain called them his Guardians his Forsaken Guardians for all were in one way of another at this time in their lives. When a raiding ship showed up they wished they had not chosen a ship defended by the Forsaken Guardians. They fought as a tight unit against number sometimes four times their number. All went this way till the flags of the dreaded Pirate Wulf Siege were sighted on the horizon. The Pirate was on an intercept coarse with the Guardians ship and they hoped for a challenge for once. They would come to find out later that Captain Wulf was hired to hunt this very ship down. For onboard Wulf’s ship was Osric’s Lewdest trainer Sire Mendross.
___Sire Mendross who had much love for his Dominous vowed to go to the ends of the earth to find the Lionsbane and feast upon his heart. He had been on Osric’s trail the very night of his Dominous death. When Osric saw him he knew once again his cursed blood had come to haunt him. Osric had little love for Sire Mendross and told his fellow Forsaken Guardians to leave him. He would take care of the killing of Sire Mendross and kill any link to that part of his past.
___The fight did not fair well for the Forsaken Guardians they got the challenge the so wanted this day. Osric knew if he did not handle Mendross quickly they would all be lost. They fought with a disadvantage being short one member of their quartet and Osric was running out of time. Osric lands the first blow. Mendross shakes if off. Sire Mendross in thee end made one false move as he was tiring and lost his head for it. Osric kicks Mendross body over board with his head bobbing next to it in the surf. Osric then joins the Guardians and easily dispatched with the rest of the boarding party. Captain Wulf knew things were at a loss and turns tail and ran to Pirate another day.
___Another uneventful month goes by and the ship arrives in Middlemarch by way of the river. The Forsaken Guardians are all offered another voyage. They all decline. While at a tavern the four of them discuss what they will do next. Both dark elves are heading north en search of the entrance to the underground garden of plenty. The dwarf was heading north also to the camp of the Legion of the Dragoons to learn their ways and to protect the weak from the darkness of the world. Osric traveled with them being that his hopeful end destination was with in the boundaries of the Clan of the Wolf in the Northern Steppes.
___Another month comes and goes. The Forsaken Guardians found the Garden of Plenty. They could not enter for a group of seven black Orcs were living there now. After much work they killed all the Orcs and explored the Garden. The Garden was covered in roses as far as the eye could see kept alive by some unknown source of light. The dark elves were where they wanted to be but for the other two the Garden was a hard place to leave. The Dwarf one day broke the trance of the Garden and bid his fellow Forsaken Guardians farewell.
___Osric knew where his clan should be it was not far from the Garden. He ventured back under the sun and moon to be on his way. Osric found the clan right where he thought they would be. When he entered the camp he was told to stay where he was or at least he thought that’s what was said it had been many years since he spoke or heard any one use his native tongue. When Osric said who he was to the two of the barbarian warriors of about the same seasons as him they took him to the Chief. Sitting upon the Chieftains honor spot was not Osric’s father but his brother Broackic. Broackic who was very young when his older brother vanished with the whole camp thinking it was Farorin who removed his eldest son from this world. Osric sat and spoke with his brother about all things that have passed. The big surprise was that the day after Osric left his father was killed during the search by the same snake as his mother died too. Osric wondered if it was the very same snake. Broackic told Osric as long as he did not challenge for the right of Chieftain he was welcome back in the Clan of the Wolf.
___Osric next searched out the Shaman who helped him in his youth; He would be very old now maybe no longer with us. Osric did find the old Shaman’s hut and call out for admittance. This was the moment Osric heard the voice of his dreams ask him to enter. When he saw the most beautiful woman standing over very frail old man lying on a bed behind her Osric could not believe his eyes. Toshanra new it was her Osric immediately. “Oh Osric you have come at just the right moment” said Toshanra with tears welling up in her eyes. The Shaman asked Toshanra to leave them. As she left Osric and Toshanra locked eyes till she was out of sight.
___Osric begins to tell his story to the Shaman and thanks him for helping him away all those years ago. They both sit silently for a moment for Osric told all and more than he even spoke to his mentor of his youth. The Shaman then said “it is very well that I live to see you return, but I find you carry a weight of darkness upon your heart.” Osric feels shame for his actions and explains how he believes he is under the curse of his father. The Shaman waits and gathers his strength “oh child who you are no more, the spirit of the Wolf had taken his pound of flesh for the darkness behind your mother’s death by taking Farorin to his bone pile where his soul will rot forever. I have a last task to ask of you.” Osric nods and said “yes speaker of the Bear sprit.” “You must leave again and cleanse your soul. You must offer yourself for teaching to a friend of mine whose name is Tyrhauk. Go to Mastiff Keep and give yourself over to him he will show you the light and strength beyond image.” Osric at first argues “but Shaman I have only just returned I had wished to ask you of Toshanra’s hand as my life mate.” The Shaman speaks to Osric for a little longer on the subject and ends with “if you wish for my daughter your soul must be unburdened now with haste gooooo…..” these were the last words the Shaman speaks as his strength goes out with this his last dying wish. Osric calls for Toshanra to return to the hut and explains what happened and what must now happen. Osric gives the crest of his family line MacRath and tells her he must go now to make that name honorable once more.
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Post by Osric on Apr 10, 2010 17:43:13 GMT -5
V ___Osric traveled north into the bitter cold regions of the Northern Steppes to the boarder Mountains that closes off the Steppes from the darkness beyond. Mastiff Keep a well hidden family village and Warrior Monk training grounds is one of the outposts near these mountains. Osric wearing the ring of the Shaman of the Clan of the Wolf was granted audience with the Monk Warrior member of the Legion of the Dragoons Tyrhauk. Osric explains all to Master Tyrhauk and begins his lessons immediately.
___In time Osric learns the way of the light of God. He still is dealing with his burden but the weight is less. In Mastiff Keep a group of Dragoons come up to the mountain boarders to release other Dragoons from the watch. While sparing with Tyrhauk, Osric was watched by the Dragoons. As the day goes by unknown to Osric two of the Dragoons had conferred with Tyrhauk about the notice of Osric. The Dragoon named Varden on the last day before they left for the Dragoon camp asked Militis of taking on Osric as his squire with no promise to be a Dragoon. The decision was made known to Osric who answered “I would be honored to train under the Dragoon Varden.” Tyrhauk sent Osric off with great pride in him but told him “Osric your training is not complete as you go with good and honorable men you must whenever time allows return to the Keep. Osric left with the Dragoons the next morning.
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