Annorax’s Beginnings – Written by Frank DeMartino

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Walking briskly, albeit dejectedly, down a familiar narrow alley,

you ponder on your current situation in life. Things couldn't be

worse...but then again. You always think that. Your head bobs slightly as

you continue your trek through this darkening alley when suddenly a glint on

the ground catches your eye.

"A nickel!" You shout, elated at your newfound luck. Nearing the

aforementioned nickel, your hopes are dashed to bits as your cherished coin

appears to be no more than a worthless rock. Determined to vent your

frustration out on this poor stone, you roughly snatch it from its happy

little resting place. You lean back, preparing to throw the miserable rock

from your state, when suddenly a pulse of warmth surges through your hand.

Shocked, you drop the stone and peer at it closely. A tiny image forms on

the smooth side of the stone, shimmering and blinking rapidly as it settles

into clear view. You watch, enraptured by this tiny miracle.

<blink>

The Story of Lord Annorax B'rel

"Congratulations. It's a boy." The halfling midwife speaks in her

calming tone to the young half-elven lady who has, obviously, just given

birth. "Have you decided on a name for the child?" She asks gently,

glancing from mother to father and back again.

"We have." the father, a pure elf, speaks in a harsh voice. "He

shall be deemed Annorax. Annorax B'rel." Upon announcing the child's full

name, a sparkle appears in the father's eyes and a smile spreads itself

across his face.

<13 years later>

"Come Annorax," the father speaks to a young Annorax, his voice

demanding, "I shall take you to the Kobold Mines today and teach you how to

make iron, like your father."

(You see Annorax B'rel the Half-Elf Child. He appears to be in his

teens, has long, straight dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. He is

in good shape. He is holding nothing. He is wearing some light leather and

some leather boots.)

"Yes father," Annorax replies, glad to serve his father in any way

possible, though, he does not wish to become a blacksmith. Annorax's father

has always, since Annorax's birth, wanted him to become a blacksmith. It

was all he ever talked about. 'My son will be the finest blacksmith in all

of Elanthia!' he would say. Annorax knew better. He did not want to be a

blacksmith.

The two men left their humble house in Wehnimer's Landing and

journeyed to the Kobold Mines. Annorax's father carried a broadsword and a

reinforced shield, just in case.

"Soon you will be able to wield a weapon, Annorax."

"Aye.." Annorax agreed, though he did not want to wield a weapon, he

could no bring himself to destroy his father's dreams.

"I doubt the kobolds will give us much trouble today. They've been

rather calm lately." Annorax's father states.

"Maybe they've given up on their attempts to invade the Landing,

father." Annorax suggest idly.

"Perhaps..." His father allows. Annorax notes the suspicious tone in

his father's voice.

They arrive at the entrance to the mines, unscathed and

unconfronted. The rest of the day proceeds uneventfully. Annorax learned

the trick in finding the oil and making the coal. He learned how to produce

the massive chunks of iron ore and sell them to the funny smelling man in

town. He didn't care.

<8 years later>

(You see Annorax B'rel the Half-Elf Blacksmith. He appears to be in

his 20's, has short, straight dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. He

has some old burns scars on his right hand. He is holding a picnic basket in

his right hand. He is wearing some light leather, a midnight blue cloak,

some leather boots, a stylish gold sash, and a prancing pegasus pin.)

"Come on Annorax! We'll be late!" encourages a pretty young elven

lass. "If I'm going to meet your family today, I want to at least be on

time!" She shouts back to Annorax.

"I'm hurrying!" He smiles back at her and picks up his pace a

little. "Tis not my fault Lake Eonak is so far away!"

"Aye. Tis just your fault that you're so slow." she teases, hands

placed indignantly on her hips.

Annorax stops and stares at her, as he's so prone to doing. She

really was beautiful. (You see Teemra A'dele the Elf. She appears to be in

her 20's, has long, straight blond hair, violet eyes, and fair skin. She is

in great shape. She is wearing a navy blue blouse with the image of white

stars embroidered on the front, a navy blue skirt trimmed with white lace,

some navy blue leggings, some nave blue shoes, some navy blue elbow-high

satin gloves, a navy blue bow, an engagement ring, and a prancing pegasus

pin.) A true gem found in this filthy Landing.

"I told you I'm coming Tee!" He catches up to her and tickles her

sides lovingly. "My family can wait."

"Oh stop!" She giggles. "Let's just get this over with and then we

can have our fun." She kisses his nose tenderly and grabs his hand.

"If you insist." Annorax smiles, head over heels in love with this

beautiful damsel. "Only three more weeks until you become Mrs. Teemra

B'rel." He smiles up at her, lost in thoughts of what will be.

"Not if I don't meet your parents first!" She chuckles and drags him

along.

They arrive at Lake Eonak and meet with Annorax's parents. The

picnic they had planned, proceeds as per usual with food and happy stories

told. Annorax's father takes every chance he gets to brag about his son and

the excellent work he does in the mines. Annorax's mother comments

frequently on the beauty of his soon to be wife.

That's when it happen. That's when it ALWAYS happen. The peaceful

scene is shattered by the piercing howls of wailing spirits and Luukosian

demons of all types. They descend upon the four unsuspecting picnickers

with surprising speed. A wailing spirit focuses its voice on Annorax's

father! Annorax's father looks stunned! Annorax tries to shake him from the

dazing, but to no avail. Meanwhile, two Luukosian priests have seized

Teemra and Annorax's mother. Annorax grabs a nearby stick and lunges for

the priests.

"Release them!" He hacks away at the priests, but they are immune to

that form of attack. While Annorax is distracted, several wailing spirits

converge on the helpless father of Annorax. Before Annorax can react, the

spirits tear his father apart. Tears well up in the eyes of the young

B'rel. He turns back to the priests.

"What do you want from me?!" He shouts, half in grief, half in

terror.

The priests, and even the spirits, speak as one. "You, Annorax B'rel

are nothing. You are fodder for Luukos. You and your family will be

sacrificed in the name of Luukos." Another pair of priests grab Annorax and

subdue him.

"No! Let him go!" Teemra screams valiantly. "I'll be your sacrifice!

Let Annorax go!"

"Teemra! NO!" Annorax shouts.

"You would offer us something we already possess?" The priest asks

of Teemra. "Are you that foolish?" He removes a glistening golden sabre from

his leather sheath and impales Teemra's abdomen, twisting the blade.

"NOOOOOO!!" Annorax struggles against his captors as Teemra's eyes

fall upon him one last time before closing forever. "TEEMRA!!!!" Annorax

falls to his knees, stricken with grief.

"Oh this isn't over yet young B'rel." The priest grins at Annorax.

"This is your mother, correct?"

"I love you Annorax!" She shouts frantically, trying to escape.

The priest swings a glistening golden sabre at Annorax's mother.

Her head rolls from her shoulders as her body falls to the ground in a heap.

"You are next!" The priest waves the sabre at Annorax menacingly.

"Go ahead! Kill me! I have nothing left to live for!" Annorax cries.

Suddenly, a brilliant light pervades the area as the priests and

spirits shrink back in fear.

"You will not kill this one." The calm, soothing feminine voice

speaks. "He is now and forevermore under my protection."

"You cannot stop the will of Luukos!" The priest shouts.

"I shall." The lady speaks as she emerges from the light.

(You see the Goddess Lorminstra. She appears to be ageless and

composed entirely of light. She is in good shape. She is wearing a cloak of

light.)

She waves at the Luukosian servants and releases their souls

instantly.

"I am sorry for what has happened Annorax." She offers a hand to

Annorax and helps him up.

"Why...why couldn't you save them too?" He gestures at the three

corpses.

"Even I am limited, Annorax." she frowns.

"You should have let me die!" He begins to sob.

"You have a destiny to fulfill Young B'rel. There are those who need

your help. You must not succumb to the venom that Luukos has tried to

inflict upon you."

"I have nothing to live for!" He shouts at her angrily.

"You have everything to live for." She says calmly, then disappears.

"No...." he lies still for a while, shocked by what has happened.

His hand fondles the prancing pegasus pin that Teemra gave him. Glancing

over to her fallen body, he sees her lifeless hand clutching the pin that he

gave her. "Ohh Teemra." He crawls over to her and cradles her head in his

lap.

After burying his parents and his fiancé on the shores of Lake

Eonak, Annorax says a silent prayer for them.

He has nothing to live for...here. Gathering what few things he

owns, Annorax joins an escort to Icemule and begins a new life. Annorax

conducts a little research about the Gods, Luukos and Lorminstra in

particular. Trying to find out what his destiny entails, he decides that

his only course is to become a Cleric. To save people from the horror that

he went through. To save lives. To, one day, bring back his parents and

former love.

(You see Annorax B'rel the Half-Elf Cleric. He appears to be in his

20's, has short, straight dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. He is

in good shape. He is holding a drake falchion in his right hand and a wooden

shield in his left hand. He is wearing some light leather, some leather

boots, a belt pouch, and a prancing pegasus pin.)

<blink>

You frown slightly, thinking that that sad story didn't help to

brighten your day very much. And perhaps, it was meant as a lesson. What

lesson? You can't possible begin to fathom. You bend down and pick up the

crystal, wondering if it holds anymore tales in its depths. The final image

of Annorax heading towards Icemule fades away and the crystal darkens. You

shrug and pocket the crystal, thinking to check on it later.