Triple Obituary!, The sad loss of three companions. Options

[TimTreadwell]

Whilst travelling is the Forsaken Lands realm we had to "undo" a number of things done by the followers of the Destroyer as well as rekindle various aspects of belief and power on a series of planular "Islands" split from Primus a while ago.

One such was to rebuild the House of Ting Bo - at least the aspect/shadow of it in the Forsaken realm. After much brave de-trapping by the Lord Seeker, Darren, and some impressive magics from the Fey of the Court of Delirium, the House was rebuilt. It was then necessary to remind the House of it's purpose - choosing the path of rebirth, or other, that dead souls would take. To that end we, as a group, had to make a number of judgements on the souls that began to enter.

Jonathan Godfrey was a good hearted man, despite his use of Bronze magics (though they were useful) and a follower of the Lady Shaehan. He was a stalwart companion even though he thought himself a coward. He was not. He was in our midst healing at need, throwing people back with Gold magics as well as having our enemies throw away their weapons with his Thrall spells. Jonathan was a good man.... and that was his undoing. Following the words of his Lady to do no harm he refused to take part in the judgements within Ting Bo's House in case any were sent to Hell (as indeed one was) and he was a part of that choice. It was thus that when the House doors slammed shut he was not within the confines. Those of us within could choose to be "reborn" into our ritually "dead" bodies. He could not. In the end the House performed it's function and he entered by the Door of the Dead and was sent on the path of rebirth. Jonathan was one of those very few of the Mercenary caste to be reborn never having known the anguish of death. In a way it's fitting as he had such an optimistic outlook in life and deserved to avoid the harshness of dying. We had a glimpse of his return and I'm glad that he is the same person that he was before.

Mojo. What to say? He saved the lives of Darren and Lament a scant two weeks ago with rapid thinking and equally rapid spellcasting. This week he was a valued member of our company and saved my life on a number of occasions with the walking on air spell. Though he was not strong of body he was in the thick of it nearly all the time and this caused him to fall more than once. After each restoration there was no holding back, no concern for his own life and no fear of the approaching end. He, Endwerc and myself lasted only seconds within the Blighted Graveyard we sought to cleanse but he was there despite the danger. It was his care for others that caused his final end. Jonathan, as you recall, was outside of Ting Bo's House. Mojo refused to leave a companion on his own and so stayed to protect him should the need arise. That was where he was when the doors slammed shut. By his ally to defend him. He not only stood by him but entered by the Door of the Dead with him as well. Again I met Mojo after this when he returned to further aid us. He was still Mojo and still a wizard... though a little in flux and still changing.

Edward Wilgane. Possibly the man I spoke to the most during our time together. Though "dark of heart", as people would say, he was a true Knight of the Land and one who cared deeply for his wife and child. He was accepted by our company on his words and actions rather than the shade of his soul - and rightly so. Though he could have relied on pacts with the dead to ensure his safety he would never do that if it endangered others or prevented him aiding us. Many were the creatures of undeath he turned back from assaulting our number. My two most vivid memories are of him. One was where a vision of his family dead placed within his mind - his anguish was overwhelming. The trauma of that lasted long after the vision stopped and had a profound affect on his friends as well. The second was when he volunteered to be the ritual conduit for the trapped dead souls of the Forsaken Lands in the Blighted Graveyard. For an hour his soul was shredded by the passing the the embittered dead through it. Not one.... but thousands. Though he understood the need we added to his anguish by casting the Rite of the Bright God in that place. He endured the rasping, tearing passing of the souls whilst blinded and seared by the Holy Light. I think that both these events caused him to stay in Ting Bo's House when the rest of us left. He chose to be judged for his actions rather than return.

So there we have it. Three companions, friends in fact, have turned on the wheel of life. I wish them well in their endeavours and hope their future paths will cross with mine again.

I have a reputation for not always telling the truth. All the above is absolutely true and the friends of my company know that this is not something I would ever lie about.

Until we meet again my friends,

Yorso Dedd.
Priest of Talthar.
Possibly a Druid.

[Will]

I liked Mojo, I was going to be the high firey doom of his pantheon. He tried not to use green magic around me.

I liked Jonathan, he healed me once.

Edward poured water on my face, I wasn't keen. He also couldn't take fire jokes. But he had a redeeming sadistic streak.

They were stupid for messing around at Ting Bo's. Just vote for everyone to go to heaven if you're so worried.

Psh. Moral compass. What is it good for? Trouble and complexity that's what. Just burn it all.

Velnashar
Elemental Lord of Fire