Egyedul

Early Life (What he told us)
Egyedul Sai'Mollock, was born in Shaloma, a client state of the Imperial Archonate of Viodoxa. At this time, tension was brewing within the nation, and war was only an inch away. Egyedul was dirt poor, and had no intent of getting out of his poverty and debt honorably. So he took to the life of a thief, pettily stealing from his own country-men in the hopes of striking riches. Egyedul did happen to find riches, as one day he stumbled upon the chest of a miner, having a reasonable portion of iron. He wasted no time in selling it. He looked at his meagre fortune and thought of how to spend it. His mind went to the dream he had of creating a land of his own, where no one would be left on the streets, a place that would bask all that entered it in prosperity. he immediately went to a street vendor and spent all his money on banner materials. After foolishly spending his stolen money on goods that he would not benefit from, he was mugged on the street which he would regularly try to pounce on unsuspecting travelers. The thief, being robbed by his own kind. Egyedul, now robbed of his possessions and his dreams, sulked back to his hometown. "Curse this backwater country he thought" Egyedul gathered what little he had left in his house, and left to live as a hermit in the wilderness.

Istanboulder
A year later, as more and more of the wilderness was claimed by great political powers, he decided it was time to come out of hiding. He couldn't return to his homeland, as he might be shunned, and officially exiled. Egyedul traveled for two weeks, until stumbling upon the city of Istanboulder.

Exile
While it is noted that a large chunk of Egyedul's life had been spent in exile, what went on during that exile has been debated. There is a book, "Song of the Forest" an old Shaloman folk tail, that speaks of a man "Who's name meant Alone" (Note that “Egyedul” translates to alone in some foreign dialect. ) This has led a lot to speculate that the story and Egyedul share a connection. The man was supposedly was exiled from An unidentified Shaloman city, after stealing from it's mayor (Which in the book is someone who is said to go by "Marm'mot"). The man then went on to flee into the forest and have two near-death encounters with mythical beasts until being found (And rescued) by another unidentified figure who is referred to only as "The Huntress of the Forest". No attemps have been made to search for the supposed immortal huntress or even venture into said forest. The two then briefly fall in love, but quoting directly from the book, the Huntress says "If we were to fall in love, there is the possibility that we may become soft. And what this unforgiving world does to people like us in states of softness is in it self unforgivable. We would be torn, limb from limb, should we ever lose vigilance. I cannot allow that to happen to you." stating that if they were to share those feelings together, then they would "Lose vigilance and become soft". It is accounted in the book that the man left three days afterword, and then stumbled upon what is speculated to be the city of DeSloog. The exact city is not known, as the book dates back to ancient, pre-Viodoxan Shaloma. If the rumors are true, then Lord Egyedul would have to be over five-hundred years old and have lied about numerous other things such as his origin. Some scholars and reporters speculate that during his time with the Huntress, he had been granted the gift -and curse, of immortality. Some obviously lovesick young man speculated that "The bond between the man and the huntress had grown so strong that the huntress may have unintentionally caused him to be immortal, due to her magic properties." . This theory is frowned upon by most reporters and theorists but there are a select few that have come to believe this. In the end though, Egyedul and the man from the book may turn out to be completely unrelated, and this whole stream of speculation could be a waste of time.

Istanboulder (Continued)
Egyedul marveled at the city and took a walk around. He came to the decision that this was where he would live. Istanboulder wasn't a major power in Rathnir, unlike the Archonate that he had previously lived under ; but Egyedul took great admiration for the nation, which to him he believed still had honor, and wasn't wrapped up in international politics. Two qualities which he thought to be rare. "This is where I'll live." Egyedul thought to himself.

After squatting in an abandoned house for a few days Egyedul was approached by the Leader of Istanboulder, and he was offered citizenship. Almost immediately after he gained citizenship, Egyedul was preparing to search some houses for valuables, when he was given a full set of diamond armor. After receiving the gift, he had second thoughts on ransacking houses and instead looked for work.

Egyedul's first major act as a citizen of Istanboulder was tearing down the old slums, west of the city. The act was frowned upon by many inhabitants of the city, but Egyedul did not stop, as he had the permissions to do so. He did decide to leave the old prison building of the slums up, and have it restored. An act that would boost his popularity with the masses and one that would happen to get him more money. After destroying most of the slums, he used the money this time, on materials to build the Deak Ferenc, one of the most popular bar and casinos in Istanboulder. He would then use profits, generated from the Deak Ferenc to build a legal office in the city square.

Egyedul began conducted his business as usual one day, when he found an advertisement for low council elections in Istanboulder. He decided to run and was elected with two other candidates. At that time Istanboulder was gaining independence from the Imperial Archonal Union (IAU). Soon after, the Archonal Union started hostilities with the newly indapendant Istanboulder an was getting ready to declare war. Egyedul started working on defences, building walls and battlements, for an oncoming assault. After a week of hastily preparing for war the IAU collapsed, and Istanboulder would be free from opposition for a long while afterward. His efforts in recruiting soldiers and fortifying Istanboulder were rewarded with his promotion to Department-Head of treasury and commerce. He would from then on work to strengthen his great nation to become a formidable power.

The Great Ale Sandal
Over time, business in the Deak Ferenc began to decline, with only three regular customers at that point. Egyedul was thinking of ways he could bolster popularity for his bar, and it came to him: He needed more variety. Egyedul sent out messages, telling new players that he was buying alcohol, and that he would pay handsomely for it. Immediately several messages were sent to him, offering to do business. As he met up with his ignorant clients, he realized how much of a profits he could be making. One client in particular, offered his favorite deal. 32 bottles of assorted alcohol, for the grand total of two iron ingots. After the day was over, Egyedul possessed around 228 bottles worth of alcohols, most of it being ale. He had about 20 bottles of vodka, 70 bottles of ale, 10 bottles of red wine, 28 bottles of scotch whisky, and the rest consisted of many types of rum, beer, and mead. In the end, almost all of it was stolen. Most of his clients even told him which taverns and bars from which the alcohol was stolen. Egyedul concluded, that even if he sold the alcohol at incredibly low prices, he would be making a little over 90% profits.

Egyedul Yale, of Istanboulder
Egyedul, now promoted to a member of the Istanboulder high council, looked out the window of his home with uncertainty. Walls were being put up, trenches being dug, and towers being raised. This had been his home. The people here accepted him, and did not bother to ask about his past. He had been gifted with riches upon his arrival, and in return, he served loyally. He rose from commoner, to a respected business owner, to a low council member, to Head of treasury, and now to the High council of Istanboulder. He had organized the construction of tunnels, and the battlements that he now watched being built. War was upon them. All he had worked for, could be undone. Just like his life before the-. Never mind that part. Not just his life though, that of the peoples were at stake too. He had been given authority and power, and In return he would serve his people. He contemplated, what would happen if they were to lose. That wouldn't happen. He tried to convince himself. He grabbed his coat and went to take a walk through his city. He exited his bar and turned onto the gravel path next to the river. He looked across the field to see his friend Nans, placing cobblestone to build a wall. Egyedul waved to the man and he waved back. Egyedul walked for a bit until he came upon the city gates. It was an amazing site, the massive clock tower visible for miles around, was the first thing to pass on his way to the town square. The beautiful white-brick Parliament loomed over the town from its perch in the hill. And then Egyedul saw him. Bagelinian Yale, founder and Artigas of Istanboulder. He was arguably the best leader in the history of Rathnir. Sitting on the stairs that led to the parliament building. "Egyedul." He said, signaling for him to come over. Egyedul walked over. "You have shown honor, as a member of our high council. Your service to this country is admirable. I find that you should be recognized as one of the Yales." Egyedul was speechless. The Yales were the greats of Istanboulder. Obtaining the title was like being made immortal. "I would be honored to accept this." Bagelinian spoke. "Then so shall it be. Kneel." Egyedul did as the man asked. "Rise up, Egyedul Yale, eighth high concilor of Istanboulder ." That was it. There was no turning back. From that moment on, Egyedul was part of Istanboulder, forever. Egyedul thought in his head, ''I am a leader now. And I will lead us to victory.''

Vergence
"Aach!" Egyedul fell against the stone floor, coughing up blood. His sword-arm was broken and his sword lay on the floor, several feet away. His attacker stood across the room from him. "Your time has come. Even you cannot ignore this." The man said, clutching his bloody blade. Egyedul struggled to get up. Every time he tried to so much as move his arms, he cried out in agony. This could be the end, he thought. He looked up to see the man, trying to focus his eyes together, only for them to diverge before he could get a clear picture. Finally, he looked up at him. His attacker had, pale skin and a crooked, evil, smile. "I thought that the oh so great Hand of Madness would have put up more of a fight. Pathetic." Egyedul couldn't do anything exept cough up more blood onto the Blackstone floor. Pathetic... Pathetic? The word echoed in his mind.

Pain...

Rage...

Peace...

"PATHETIC!" He was back in his old town. Back home? He hadn't been here in five-hundred years though. The man kicked Egyedul in the stomach causing him to vomit. ''What was happening? Wait, it's him.'' Egyedul noticed the man. Same pale skin. Same Crooked smile. Marm'mot. ''How had he survived? All those years?'' "It's scum like you that keep our city from becoming the beacon of light we envision." Marm'mot said, in that wretched voice. What happened next, was what changed his future, It was stupid, what he said next. But he had still done it. He even knew it was stupid. "You can take that beacon of light, and shove it up your asshole." Egyedul said, half smiling, half vomiting. "SHUT THE HELL UP AND TAKE THAT BACK!!!" Marm'mot screamed. Egyedul smirked, his face to the stone road he lay on. "Never mind, I'm wasting my time on you. Ever so much as cross my path, and you're as good as dead." And he walked away, leaving Egyedul on that cold, stone brick road, probably to die. Rage burning in his heart. He would get revenge. He had to. He was Egyedul, the Hand of Madness.

Pain...

Rage...

Peace...

"I thought I would never face you again. And I was ok with that, because I thought you died in that forest all those hundreds of year ago." Marm'mot gloated. ''What? Didn't he just walk away? Wasn't I just outside?'' Egyedul tried to get up. He got to his knees, but then fell back down and hit the floor while trying to stand up. "Augh." He groaned in pain. "But now, here we are! And we finally get to settle this." Egyedul looked up to try and get a glimpse of his surroundings. His eyes wouldn't meet. They'd come together, only to go back. Converge. Diverge. "What are the odds. That out of so many people in the world, you and me happen to both obtain immortality." Egyedul ignored the man, and instead looked to the potted plant next to him. The leaves were green and lush. The only nice thing in this barren room. He thought. The green leaves, the sun shinning through, the birds, the- "Are you listening Egyedul?!" Marm'mot yelled. "This is very important. This is the last voice you'll ever hear." ''The birds, the... the huntress.''

Pain...

Rage...

Peace...

The sun shone through the treetop canopy. The birds sang their morning chorus, and the leaves whistled and danced in the wind. The various hues of greens, all glowing in the sunlight. Beautiful, He thought. He stepped through the forest, enjoying the sounds and sights. ''Why am I here? What am I doing?'' He asked himself. ''It's ok. I don't think I'd rather be doing anything else.'' He crouched down to watch some fat beetle roll a ball of dung up a small rock. "Hey! Try to stay focused, the trees and all that junk will be here after we hunt. They always are." A voice said sarcasticly behind him. He turned around to see who it belonged to. "Com'on let's get going, I think I saw a heard of deer in the distance." ''The huntress. "''Right, lets go." ''Light brown hair, vivid green eyes. Kinda like the tree-leaves.'' The man got up. "Which way?" He asked. "Follow me!" She answered. And Egyedul followed her as she charged fearlessly into the forest. Beautiful, he thought.

Pain...

''Come on. The leaves will still be here after. They always will be.'' Egyedul pushed up with his left arm, then dragged his knee up. He pushed off the ground with his other leg. And stood. He took a step, the man with the crooked smile still watching. He grabbed his sword and faced Marm'mot. "You still want to fight? Why? You know I'm going to win." The man said. Egyedul didn't listen, instead, he charged towards the man. He raised left arm, preparing to strike, and then, "Shllllllllck." The sound of a sword, slicing through flesh. Egyedul looked to see Marm'mot, who stood unscathed. Egyedul fell to his knees, noticing a new pain in his chest.

Rage...

Egyedul fell from his knees to the ground. Mere feet away from Marm'mot. The man decided to walk around the alleyway. "Look at you. Did you really think It was going to turn out any different?" Egyedul tried to form words, all that came out of his mouth was blood. "What was that? Speak up child." Egyedul looked at himself through a puddle in front of him. ''What? I’m thirteen again. That's not right.'' "If you're going to live on the streets in my city, you must learn to obey me. Egyedul was filled with anger. He wanted to get up, he wanted to punch that man's teeth out. He wanted revenge. Egyedul got up and ran at Marm'mot with fists clenched, whose smile did not falter.

Peace...

''This is really it. It could be the end. Everything that happened, all that I've done, has led to this.'' Egyedul tasted the Blackstone floor of the tower. There, in the highest floor, of the highest building, in that wretched town. "Any last words?" Marm'mot asked. ''Maybe, that's ok. I've cheated death many times, haven't I? Maybe, it might be time to let go. Everything ends. It always does. I thought I'd at least get to- "''Ach!" Egyedul writhed in pain as the man continuously kicked him. "I ASKED YOU IF YOU HAD ANYTHING LEFT TO SAY YOU BASTARD!" ''Do I? Is there anything left to say? What have I been doing all these years?'' Marm'mot's footsteps beat against the floor like drums. ''Istanboulder. I served them, they excepted me. I just wish, I could've finished my duty.'' Egyedul's heart pounded upon his impending doom. ''Egyedul "Yale" huh? One of the greats. I did some good? Didn't I? I guess I can die somewhat hap- "''Well, if you're not gonna say anything at all, I guess I have to kill you know. For five-hundred years, I've cursed your wretched name. Now, It never has to be said again." The wicked man raised his sword. I will have peace now.

Rage.

''What? There's no reason for rage anymore. Yes there is. No. I've had my life. I've run my course. There's no escaping it anyway. RAGE. No! Yes! No, there is nothing to fight for anymore.'' At that moment, images flashed through his mind. A smile. A rare but precious smile. ''Light brown hair, vivid green eyes. And that smile. So rare, but so precious. There is a reason to rage. Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. There is a reason. Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. By my light is already almost out, Isn't it too late? Rage, rage, against the dying of the light, do not go gently into that good night.'' The man pushed himself up onto his knees. "I will not go gently, Into that good night." Egyedul muttered under his breath.

Rage, rage, against the dying of the light...

Egyedul slumped against a tree. His vison blurred and his heart raced. I thought that was the end. He was ready to except death. The massive wood-elk loomed over him, ready to sap his soul from his corpse. Then there was a blinding flash of light, and roots wrapped around the beast. Egyedul mustered all the strength he possessed at that moment to open his eyes. He saw the huntress, risking her life to fight of the beast, to save him. The wood-elk slammed it's head against a tree witch fell right onto the huntress' path. She tried to jump out of the way, but her leg was caught under the weight of the fallen tree. Egyedul watched, as the monster began to sap the spirit out of her. All he could do was watch. Rage. Then in that moment, he was filled with strength, his left eye began to glow red, and his body coursed with the strange energy. He stood up, preparing to strike at the beast.

The light is not yet too dark...

Egyedul stood up and faced Marm'mot. "What did you say?" Marm'mot asked sarcastically. "I said, I will not go gently, Into that good night."

There is always a reason to live and fight...

They lay down on the grass, underneath the stars. It had been a few hours since they had defeated the wood-elk. Egyedul watched the fireflies above them, blending into the stars. Egyedul turned over to face the huntress, and she did the same. They both lay like that for what seemed like hours. They took turns, inching closer to one another, neither of them saying a word. Absolute serenity. The huntress reached out and caressed his face. He reached out and did the same, and they embraced. Why did I leave?

Do not go gently, into that good night.

Egyedul picked up his sword. That light brown hair. His left eye began to glow red. Those vivid green eyes. He was filled with strength and the will to keep fighting. The smile. A reason to fight. He wiped blood off his chin and stared intently at Marm'mot, whose smile, for the slightest second, faltered. ''I will fight. And maybe, I will get to see her again.'' Egyedul's arm coursed with the strange energy, and burst into crimson flames. And maybe, she'll forgive me.