The Mortbane Family Legacy

Grim Mortbane – The Mortbane Family Legacy

by Pumpkin Pie

For months now, things have been unexciting, arousing no interest in Grim Mortbane and he is terribly bored except for the companionship of Roan, they travel together through villages, seeing fireworks, hearing cheers, gratitude and thanks from all walks of life.

“You’re a hero and saviour, Mortbane! We owe our life to you.” A town folk cry out.

Grim turns and nods as a gesture of acknowledgment and thanks, his scythe never leaving his side, making it like he is the reaper himself with all the different colours lights under the night sky.

Grim’s heart is disquiet, restless like the red, blue, yellow and green fireworks; does he wish to return to Istan? Indeed, Grim Mortbane had intended to bring Roan to meet with his family, for he has grown very fond of this Charr teen, but is this the time to return home? If only he could. If only he could.

He try to be a good guardian as best he could, as he have grown up without one himself, he is clueless in teaching him family life, but he could teach him all he knows about being a Dervish, and show him how to use a scythe to perfection. All the celebrating and drinking of Aged Dwarven Ale have made him homesick even more than usual, it reminds him of how sweet the smells of the Vabbian Wine is and the smooth taste from the Zethuka’s Jug.

“You haven’t tasted ale if you haven’t drank from Zethuka’s Jug, lad” said Grim

“I can’t wait to try it, father” answer an enthusiastic Roan.

“Don’t call me father!” Grim growls, thinking he might have to leave him like his father did. He prefers to stay as guardian keeper, for the bond seems closer this way, but Roan does not know and he too is troubled now.

The destruction of the Great Destroyer brings lights, hopes and cheers again to Tyria and most importantly the Land of the Golden Sun, Elona, where Grim Mortbane grew up and all things he love are. He has helped his people and they are now safe. Aaliyah, oh lovely Aaliyah, what wouldn’t he give to see her right now, to hold her in his arm again, to take a long walk with her along Mehtani Key again, waiting for the return of the fishing boat at dawn.

“Promise me you will come back safe, my love.” Aaliyah’s voice echoes as if she is beside him now.

Holding her hand tighter and pulling her closer to him, “I will come back and put the biggest, most beautiful Gems Tyria has to offer on your crown” he lightly tap Aaliyah on her temple. Aaliyah is a paragon by birth and they wear special gemstones on the temple when married. “Take care of my grandmother while I am gone, Aaliyah” He reach down and give Aaliyah a long passionate kiss as if promising his return.

Grim fought the Great Destroyer thinking of all the good things back home. He grew up with Aaliyah on the Istani islands, before he left to become a Sunspears, he had promise to bring her the finest mini pets collection he could find on his journey, Grim is especially knowledgeable with pets as he love animals all his life, now, he only have one left to locate, a mini Gwen. However, this thought did not bring peace to Grim’s heart, there is a fretfulness inside him, what, he cannot tell, a calling, a hunger, a thirst that is greater then seeing Aaliyah again, and he cannot seems to satisfy it, a great emptiness that even while he bathe in all this victorious glory could not be filled. He is destined for a far greater and more important task. He knows it, but what task? A task that will take him farther away from his home, a task he did not yet know, for this is a task that the Mortbane family has been entrusted for centuries. A task that when an eldest Mortbane child reached adulthood has to fulfill, like his father before him.

He turns facing the Blazeridge Mountains and saw in a great distance, (dervish can see way further then any other profession can) dark clouds hovering over the crystal desert. His heart sunken, he must go there.

Meanwhile in Vabbi, Aaliyah too, sees the dark clouds hover above the crystal desert. A tear fells, and she didn’t even know why.

“Come away from the window, my child.” says Grim’s Grandmother extending her arms. Grim’s Grandmother is a Ritualist, she knows things, and sees the future thru her spirits.

He is to travel across The Blazeridge Mountains, the mountain range that separates Ascalon and the Crystal Desert, to the one and only known human settlement, the Fortress of Ebonhawke. There lies the answers to his hunger, his thirst and all the questions surrounding his father would be answered when he reach the Fortress of Ebonhawke. It would also mean he is to walk the path his father has taken long ago. And make the dreaded choice of leaving behind his beloved family. Once in the Fortress of Ebonhawke, Grim Mortbane is to take an oath, an oath of death and silence. Death if he failed to protect the scrolls, silence to never speak of the whereabouts of the scrolls to any living beings, and to guard the scrolls as his father before him did and lead a life away from as little human encounter as possible, he is to inherit the task of becoming the Keeper of the Scrolls. Now leave the question, will he be able to fulfill this task knowing he have to leave behind his family, his adopted son, Roan and not seeing his brother and sister ever again, and especially, not seeing Aaliyah, will she ever understand why Grim would never ever return to his beloved homeland? Will he do this to his beloved as his father did him? It would be a lonely task, the Keeper of the Scrolls will have to make himself scarce in the world, and disappear from the common folks to live life in isolation for if the whereabouts of the scrolls is known, many Villains would want to get have control over these scrolls. Long ago, the Cataclysm was such an incident where a scroll have been stolen, and a destructive force was caused by a forbidden spell that turn Vizier Kilbron into the lich lord, the same that causes Argus Mortbane to forget that he is the keeper of the scrolls along with all his memories of his family, his wife and Grim Mortbane.

The scrolls contains vast amount of knowledge, collection across various lands from many centuries ago, abundant of information, skills, spells, tales of hero from far away land, secrets to unlocking treasure chests and vast riches, whereabouts of the last dragon, methods to slay Glint, all things Tyria are to be found in theses scrolls. In time of great danger they are able to use to summon the Great Giants that is found deep in the Charr’s homeland and the Crystal Desert, all these for the greater good of Tyria. Will Grim Mortbane be able to answer his callings and fulfilled his destiny when the time comes?

The Gathering of Heroes

Each dawn in Tyria, another hero’s journey begins. Not knowing what lies ahead, Grim Mortbane sets off following his heart’s whispers, he travels south away from the icy cold of the North. Bidding goodbye to the whistling sound of the north winds, which even now he has not grown accustom to. He remembered when he had first arrived at the Eye, he was not ready for the cold, for he has not seen cold, a young lad from the land of the rising sun, and no one would make him any winter clothing as they do not as yet know of his gallantry, nor did they know that this person would be the slayer of the Great Destroyer and Savior of Tyria. But he made friends along the way, his helpful nature, and skill with the scythe, never before seen and his bold heart has helped him to slay and tame great wurms and berserking monsters and thus earning him quite a reputation and thrust amongst the local people. Now he is to set off on the longest journey he will ever take, leaving once again the people that he had grown to love. This could possibly be his last journey if at the end he chose to become the Keeper of the Scrolls. However, he is happy and content now, for he does not know what lies ahead, and he has Roan with him, and Aaliyah waiting for him. He plans to teach Roan everything he knows as a Dervish, ways to swing a scythe, and his secrets of keeping up multiple enchantments and not get exhausted, he is keeping the secrets of turning into gods forms for last, and most importantly the perfectly balanced skill set an Ascended Hero would know on to Roan, The Charr orphan that he has rescue and raise as his own, by passing on his knowledge to Roan, he will have unknowingly pass on his family legacy to Roan, for if, by the time Roan became an adult (reach level 20) and Grim is without a blood heir, the burden of the Keeper of the Scrolls would befall Roan, Roan will then feel the same thirst and hunger Grim now experience and starts the Journey across the Blazeridge Mountains.

Sainte Maure is a monk out of Cantha, he drinks a little too much rice wine at all times, but how he managed to become a member of the UAXs is beyond comprehension. A member of the UAXs knows all there is to know about monk and any other skills available across the lands of Tyria, Sainte Maure is usually a loner who travels kill and loots his enemy, he is very greedy, he often carry with him skills of the fifty five, because he loves gold. His fondness for gold and all thing luxurious, has made him forgets the primary reason he first join the monastery and what a servant of the divine spirit must do, uses prayer to protect, preserve, and restore the well-being of companions. Now, all he wants is more gold and nice beautiful armors from far away lands. That is why he is here, far away from his home, across seas and deserts. At least that is what he thinks he is doing for he is summon here without him know it.

Sitting alone in the dark corner of the Bay of Sirens Inn, Sainte Maure sips on some kind of dwarven ale and he dislike it, but that doesn’t stop him from getting drunk, because he has already gulped down the last of the rice wine he brought from home. It is raining heavily this night and many travelers have taken refuge in the inn. People coming and going, but tonight more are coming in then going because of the heavy rain. 2 strangers who just walk into the inn caught Sainte Maure’s eye, Sainte Maure immediately recognize one of them as an enemy type, but he is a tiny one compare to the many he had slain and looted on his travel here, those he knows as Charrs. “What could a Charr be doing with a Sunspears this far out.” a thought came to Sainte Maure’s mind, but that thought didn’t occupy him for long, his eyes is now fixated on what the Sunspears is wearing, how beautiful it look, such fine craftsmanship and work on Elonian Leather has never been seen by Sainte Maure before, not even on his long journey, it is breathtakingly beautiful, he must know where to get an armor like that. He retreated back further into the dark corner and keeps a vigilant eye on them while thinking up a safe way to approach the Sunspears and the Charr.

Grim approach the inn keeper, they appear to exchange words, after some bargaining, he pays the inn keeper and gesture to the Charr to follow, they sat down directly across Sainte Maure and the barmaid, a female Krytan with lovely tanned skin comes from now where and brought them each a jug of ale, “they must not have gotten a room then” thought Sainte Maure. “I could invite them to share my room, be friendly and ask the Sunspears where to craft such a beautiful armor.” thought Sainte Maure, he picks up his half filled mug of dwarven Ale and went across the room towards the Sunspears and the Charr.

“What brings you to this part of Tyria at this late hour?” Sainte Maure asks.

Grim hesitated, then reply “why do you ask?”

“Well, because its raining and you seem like you needed a place to stay,” Sainte Maure take a sip from his jug. “I am willing to share my room with you if you tell me where I can get an amour like that for my size made.” Sainte Maure makes a gesture with his head at Grim’s Armor and took another sip from his jug.

“We sure can use a place to rest” Says Roan, “As for the armor, you’ll have to ask, erm… him.” Roan hesitates and decided not to call Grim his father.

“If you help us in our quest, I’ll personally bring you to my Armourer when we are done?” Says Grim looking directly at Saint Maure.

“He look sincere enough” thought Saint Maure and holds up his ale mug to make a toast: “I’ll drink to that.” Sainte Maure finished his jug of ale. “So tell me, where are we going, and what sort of quest are we talking about?”

“A quest you can’t do without my help.” An arrogant voice said.

“The name’s Norgu. Norgu of the Lyssan Fools acting troupe, at your service” Says Norgu as he take a bow as if thanking his audience.

“Can’t help but overhear you guys talking about a quest. I like to offer you my help. Ever since the great destroyer had been slain, I’ve been waiting for another exciting quest.” says Norgu, now a little less arrogant, still with an air of artistry.

“You? with that fat mid section?” said Sainte Maure, “what can you do to help?”

“I know you, you are the hero everyone’s been talking about. Grim…..” Norgu snaps his fingers in mid air, thinking hard.

“Grim Mortbane” answers Grim

Sainte Maure turns to look at Grim with surprise.

“So you are the great Grim Mortbane” says Sainte Maure.

“It’s an honor to meet you Grim Mortbane, you’re my hero!” Norgu ignored Sainte Maure’s comment and proceed to greet Grim. “So, how about it, can I come along?”

“I have no objections and you are very welcome to join us.” says Grim.

Sainte Maure protests “but he’s fat in the mid section!”

“And you are short” retorts Norgu.

And so, the party grew from 1 and a half to 3 and a half

They stay for a bit longer to get to know each other, after many more jugs of ale, when they cannot drink anymore, they all retired to Sainte Maure’s room for some rest before the long journey ahead tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a corsair’s ship is sailing across the Bay of Sirens, onboard the corsair’s ship is Aaliyah and a teenage boy. They have set sail across the vast ocean to find and be reunited with Grim Mortbane. She sense that her presence is much needed. She bid goodbye to Grim’s grandmother, picks up her gear and boarded the corsair’s ship paying them everything she owns with a little left for the unknown road ahead. Even then she and Reth have to work for their keep onboard the corsair’s ship. But she didn’t care, she knew once she crossed that ocean, soon she will be united with her beloved Grim, to be with him and fight by his side like they used to in Istan. Standing on the foc’sle of the ship, she can feel the salty sea air blows against her face, her long flowing hair dancing with the wind tickling her cheeks.

The teenage boy asks: “Are we going to see my dad soon?”

She did not reply, for she does not know where he is, it is only a feeling, a strong feeling that she must join with him and bring Reth to him, for if she does not make this journey, she may never see his return to Vabbi. She must not fail Grim now, it is very important that she bring Reth to him, Reth was born 9 months after Grim left on his Journey to the far away cold places. She named him Reth, meaning “Kingly” because Grim is her king, and she long to be with him once more.

“Land is not far away Reth, the corsair captain says we will see land in a couple of days, all we can do is hope we are not too late.” Aaliyah finally reply.

And so the Journey on both side carry on, will they meet each other?

“Finish up your practice with the scythe Roan, come finish your breakfast, we have to packed for the road, this is not a safe place to linger.” Says Grim.

“Ready when you are Grim.” Says Sainte Maure.

“I’ll go ahead scouting, you guys catch up.” Says Norgu.

“In that case, I’ll come with you.” Says Sainte Maure.

Meanwhile, Aaliyah and Reth has landed and been on foot, camping and eating anything they could hunt for a couple of days now. Nothing tastes anything like the sweet meat of a Mokele or Scabara for sure.

“These foreign creatures taste not bad at all, mother.” Says Reth. “I only hope they are not poisonous.”

“Come over her quick Reth.” Cry Aaliyah.

“Where are you Mother?” Reply Reth.

“Over here, behind the bushes.” Reply Aaliyah.

“What is it….. Mo…?” Reth did not finish his sentence and see in front of him, beside his mother a half horse half human creature.

They have come across the dying Ventari.

“Stay with him Reth.” Says Aaliyah, “I’ll go fetch some Birthday cupcake.

“Ssstaaay, Aaaali…yaah, it’s…to….la..te for… me.” Says the half man half horse creature in great effort.

Surprise, Aaliyah asks, “How do you know my name?”

“I…am…..Ventari, I……know……every…..thing.” Ventari says as if every word needs an enormous amount of effort.

“Keep … them … safe.” Says Ventari as he draws his last breath.

“Keep who safe, mother? Ask Reth, “Is he dead?”

“Come over here Sainte Maure” gestures Grim “Can you do a Dwyna’s Kiss on him?”

Aaliyah knows that voice, can it be? She turns around and saw Grim standing there before her eyes. She ignores everything around her and ran towards Grim.

“I ain’t kissing that horse, besides its Dwayna’ lights, too late for kisses now, stand aside!” says Sainte Maure as he try his very best to summon the light but alas, it is too late.

“That’s all you got?” Tease Norgu.

“You try it then” reply Sainte Maure. “He wasn’t with us long enough for me to be able to resurrect him, I don’t know his ‘chi’ you know, “chi” life force. Bah! It would be easier explaining that to the flowers then try to make you understand, Norgu.” Says Sainte Maure.

“Shhhhh….” Norgu make a hushing sound and points at Grim and Aaliyah.
Grim embraces Aaliyah, and she him, she is melted in his arms like the famous Larrin Bahlakbahn’s painting entitled The Kiss. Larrin Bahlakbahn is a famous painter from Resplendent Makuun, who on occasion has been known to do stage paintings as well.
“I like you to meet our son, Reth, Grim.” Says Aaliyah.
Roan looks uneasy when he hears that.
“Father?” Says Reth.
“My son. When, how, why didn’t you tell me before?” Ask Grim.
“I didn’t know until you left, my love.” Says Aaliyah. “I was so afraid I would not see you again, and I want us to be together, a family.”
“Don’t worry Aaliyah, we are together now, and I want you to meet Roan, I cared for him since he’s a baby.”
Roan did not move. His fears all this while has been correct, Grim is going to leave him, he will be alone, he is angry, but he did not show it.
Mysterious Creature
So they went on together towards Blazeridge Mountian.
Every morning, Grim would teach both Roan and Reth how to use a scythe. Reth seem to pick up very fast, faster then Roan did. They are at the same skill level now even thou Reth had started the training later then Reth. Roan grew further apart with the rest of the group, he’s shut himself up. Quietly learning all Grim has to teach him.
“Will you two shut up please. I am trying to listen.” Says grim to Sainte Maure and Norgu as the go on their usual tongue fight.

“Can you hear that rustling? Something is in the bushes.” Says Grim

“No, nothing. Can’t hear a thing.” Says Sainte Maure

“That’s cos you are too loud.” says Norgu.

“I hear it father, its coming from right over there, behind that bush” Says Reth.

They all went toward the bushes, except Roan.

Roan eyes become red, but he did not cry, tears would fall if there’s no one around. He has to be strong for he will be alone soon. He will leave once they reach Augury Rock. He would face the ascension along and never return. He will show them who’s is the stronger one. He has a grudge now.

Meanwhile behind the bushes, a strange creature that has been following them since they buried Ventari has come out of hiding. It is a very delicate creature, almost as delicate as flowers, it has greenish hue skins, like a magical creature that none of them has seen before.

“Why were you following us?” Ask Aaliyah.

“I have to keep you safe.” Says the creature.

“Keep us safe?” Ask Reth, “you mean Ventari was talking to you when he passes away? Where were you then, how come we did not see you there?”

“Yes, keep you safe? You have a great responsibility to carry out.” The creature points at Reth.

“Me? What great responsibility.” Ask Reth.

“Your descendents will be our leader.” Says the creature “they will lead us into a war and save Tyria from evil”

“What evil? My father has slain the Great Destroyer Tyria is safe.” Says Reth.

“No, it is only the beginning. For your parents will be frozen in time, it is foretold in the scroll. But I will keep you safe and teach you new skills.” Says the creature.

“What is your name?” Ask Aaliyah.

“What scroll are you talking about?” Ask Grim.

They were all puzzled by this strange creature that no one notices that Roan had left.

“The Forgotten Serpents, custodians you called them had entrusted the task of the keep of the scroll to the ancestors of Grim Mortbane before they disappear back across the Mists to their homeland. Grim, the scroll has been sending you messages to summon you to the fortress of Ebonhawke, you will be betray when you are there, you and your wife will be suspended in time for 250 years, until the curse can be broken by your descendents, that is why in the following week, you must pass on all the skills you know to your son. Doing that, you will have pass on the scroll keeper’s task to Reth, But you will never see him again after that, because we will not be going to Ebonhawke with you and Aaliyah. I will take him into hiding and training and teach him my skills, and prepare him for the next awakening. I will keep him safe and ensure your bloodline goes on. But you must go to Ebonhawke and deceive those awaits you there. They are trying to control the Scrolls, without the real scroll keeper they cannot do anything with the scrolls, when they try to read the passage, all of you will be frozen. But your descendent will avenge you.

Roan looks into his doppelganger and a fiery rage grew in him. He must find Reth and kill him.