It was never for me to rage against the way this land works. It was never for me to try and save anyone. It was simply the urge, born from spirits know which bloodline. And helping soon turned to zeal, to wrath, to vengeance.
A lesion was learned. Emotion clouds judgement and make one not see past the immediate future. And after the first step, turning back seems near impossible.
It was never for me to have a family, to share close bonds of friendship. My path is to learn, to improve, and to bring home insight and power beyond what was given before. My path is to give my life in service to Rashemen.
It was a harsh lesion to learn, one learned in tears and blood, in regrets and small joys. It was a lesion in pacifism and in wrath. A lesion in hate and love. And the final one that was needed before answering the call of home.
…with a clear mind, without feeling, without letting baser emotion and bonds cloud his judgement the shaman simply left. He did not feel regret, nor sorrow over the handful of people he grew to care deeply for. He felt nothing. He had undertaken the rites and emotion was now a distant concept to him. That was the lesion the Sword Coast taught him. He always gave all that was asked and more, always looking out for others. But there was one last thing to give until the end of the Path was clear; his Heart.
With this post I end the story of Bran, Shaman of the Untamed Wilds of Rashemen. It a sad ending to a story which started very brightly.
A farewell from the player: I have deeply enjoyed playing this flawed, naïve, trusting and kind character, and while designing the concept behind Bran, I’ve not taken into account how the server works, its flaws and its perks. He was always designed as an aasimar, whose lineage is unknown to him. A man who is supposed to walk the Path of knowledge and neutrality, but his blood simply did not let him do nothing. He was a character who stood for what he thought was right, in his limited insight, even should it bring him the worst consequences.
But he was also a shaman, and one who had made mistakes in the past. He had let his guard down at the wrong time and was granted dark knowledge, which was simply there now, in his mind. A seed, planted, which would simply need to wait for the dark time when it would be unleashed; a gift from the Crowfather. That was in-game reflected by the knowledge of the Vampiric Feast spell. This conflicting nature was what pulled me into the roleplay, a constant fight of wanting to do what is right but never reaching for that darker blade. That very same reason was also reflected in the Blood Magic use; To give of your own life for others, but not to drink of that same pool to inflict harm.
And as such, a naturally good-inclined character, respecting old laws and tradition, always trying to stay his hand and warn of using the darker powers, while living the very code of conduct that many knights strive towards without knowing its words. That was to be represented by the levels in paladin, not many, just enough I thought to perhaps spur a story arc where Bran would discover that his ways did catch the attention of some divine, which is offering their blessings. That story arc never played out sadly. Bran till the end saw Gods as simple intruders to our realm and kept truthful to his pantheon of great spirits; The Earthmother, Magnar the Bear, Ouroboros the World Serpent, Remnis the Eagle, Quorlinn the Raven, Amarok the Wolf, Nobanion the Lion and Nendawen the Hunter along with the taint of the Crowfather.
I am somewhat sad that the whole concept of the character didn’t get to play out, but this seems an opportune time for Bran to take what he had learned and go back home where a war still rages and where he will be needed. As far as OOC reasons go; I have levels in paladin alongside the Blood Magic (Shaman’s BM) and Vampiric Feast, which I was informed by the DM Team is not allowed anymore, so I have to RCR and remove one of the two sides of my character. I do not know how to do so in a way that would make sense, so I’ll simply take the presented opportunity and say goodbye as my character departs the Coast and I most likely the server.
I would like to thank all the players who had made my experience on the server quite unforgettable. There are too many of you to list, but special thanks would have to go to those of you who have helped shape Bran’s story. Characters who had influenced Bran the most in no apparent order; Msciwoj, Talas Marsak, Tarina Mazir, Selengil Harkonis, Shara, Kahanak Habdilof, Aeb’el, Frigo Deepocke, Wren Di’Corvi, Rowan, Amenthes Serb, Osric, Isabella Villame, Gunthar and I’m sure many of you I am rudely forgetting.; Thank you all, it has been a pleasure. Same thanks is extended to DM Soulcatcher, because it’d feel wrong to not thank you.
Below are Links to posts I’ve made, which hold parts of the story, should any wish to read them;
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56521
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59472
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59383
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59118
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58991
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58882
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58796
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58741
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58677
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58651
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=58471
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=57455
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=57063
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56816
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56668
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56522
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56241
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56164
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56129
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56105
You know I always greatly enjoyed my RP with you; the best shaman-shaman stuff I've had on the server. Bran was a great character, and his concept always made perfect sense to me.
