Kessov (short for one of the several Versions of the World Raid)
Versions[]
Lore[]
Lore from Besieger's Set |
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I. Though he was born of noble blood, the eldest son of a wealthy family whose riches would one day be his, Locar Kessov had nothing but disdain for the hedonism and decadence with which many aristocrats filled their lives. To him they were no better than the workshy drunkards one might find ensconced in dingy taverns or alleyways. He believed that a nobleman must prove worthy of his lands and titles, and show the world that he's equal to the status fate has thrust upon him. |
II. Locar trained alongside his family's guardsmen and endured the grueling regimen forced upon them by the masters-at-arms. At first they sneered at him from behind their helmets, believing that he was but a foppish fool playing at soldiering. But he earned their respect by accepting the harsh punishments and arduous tasks the masters piled upon his shoulders, never once complaining. In time he became a splendid warrior, with no equal among the Kessovs' troops and trainers. |
III. The young heir of the Kessov house rode out into the world, in search of challenges by which he might prove himself and put his skills and courage to the test. When he heard of bandits plaguing a region, he hunted them down and put them to the sword. When word came of sinister happenings in a dungeon, he ventured into its shadowy depths and did battle with whatever monsters or malefactors he might find within. Thus Locar earned fame and praise not for his name and blood, but for the magnitude of his deeds. |
IV. A gypsy girl came to Locar Kessov during his travels, having heard of his prowess as an adventurer. She sought an amulet which she believed to be hidden within nearby ruins, and dared not face its undead guardians herself. In return for its delivery she offered to take the young warrior to her bed. Locar accepted - for the girl was beautiful, and he had no fear of the undead. He ventured into the ruins, destroyed their skeletal guardians, and found the amulet hidden within a stone chest. |
V. Locar returned to the gypsy girl and presented her with the amulet she so desired. But once she had it in her grasp she broke her oath, and told Locar to leave or else face her kinsmen's blades. The adventurer was incensed by this betrayal. Weapon in hand, he laid waste to the gypsy rogues who hurled themselves against him. Then he carved deep scars into the girl's face, so she would never again be able to use her beauty to deceive others as she had deceived him. After that he rode off - sparing her life in spite of her treachery. This proved to be a mistake. |
VI. The gypsy girl had learned of sinister magics, passed down among her people from mother to daughter. And though her powers were those of a novice, Locar's blade had provided her with a source of dark energy. For the ground was soaked with the blood of her kinsmen, and their enraged souls flitted above her - crying out in anger and anguish. Thus she was able to invoke a powerful curse. She called upon Galba, and urged her to ruin the mighty warrior. The girl, her mind filled with black malice, cried out for the goddess to leave Locar crippled and enfeebled, a bitter and broken man who would rue the day he incurred the gypsy's wrath. |
VII. Galba's wicked lips twisted into a dark smile as she prepared to carry out the girl's bidding. But another goddess stood in her way. For Rassys had witnessed the gypsy's deception, and deemed Locar's actions just. She demanded that Galba desist, else she would use her own divine powers and cause the dread goddess to fall madly in love with a hideous swamp monster. So the two celestials squabbled, and would surely have come to blows. But other deities intervened, forcing a compromise upon them. Locar would not be harmed. Instead the curse would fall upon his firstborn son. |
Lore from Locar Kessov's Set |
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VIII. Kessov Castle was filled with such sorrow on the night Cuthbert was born that a stranger walking its corridors would have believed a death had taken place instead of a birth. Gasps and moans came from the bedchamber, where Locar and his wife had laid their eyes upon their child. The tale was soon echoed throughout the keep, until even the lowliest servant boy knew that the baby had been born with weak and malformed limbs - crippled by nature's cruel and unfeeling hand, so it seemed. |
IX. The finest healers and clerics were summoned to the castle. Locar promised them vast mountains of gold if they could cure Cuthbert's affliction, make his limbs sound and strong. But though many came either in search of riches or out of compassion, none could help the boy. He grew up with twisted arms and legs, a feeble lad who had to shuffle about the castle with the aid of his cane. |
X. Locar adored his son, and Cuthbert never found him wanting in love or kindness. Yet the boy sensed the disappointment buried deep within his father's heart -- the melancholy that came from thwarted dreams of training his son to wield a blade, of the two of them riding into battle together with the Kessov banner fluttering behind them. And for his part, Cuthbert would sigh when he looked upon the many treasures his father had gathered during his adventures, and at the glorious suit of armor that would one day be his but which he knew he could never wear. |
XI. Long after Locar died, and Cuthbert inherited the wealth and power of the Kessov family, the war with the dragons began. The entire kingdom was imperiled, and all noblemen and women were called upon to do whatever they could to aid the crown against such terrible foes. Cuthbert Kessov sent some of his troops to join the fight, as many as he could spare whilst still ensuring the defense of his own lands. And he sent supplies to those who needed them. Yet these things did nothing to allay the sense of uselessness he felt. For he knew that other nobles had marched to war, that men such as Solus Tullian and Arcadius Selutha had lain down their lives in defense of the realm. |
XII. Cuthbert visited his father's treasure room in the middle of a sleepless night, and gazed upon the splendid panoply Locar had worn on his adventures. He imagined what it would be like to don the fine steel, and ride off to battle against the drakes. A tear glistened in the corner of his eye as he felt the full weight of this unworthiness. It was then that D'rach stirred within his prison - a jewel Locar had found in a dungeon years before. The demon had never dared to reveal himself to the adventurer, a man mighty in will and thew. But he knew that Cuthbert could be bent to his whims... |
XIII. D'rach whispered to Cuthbert Kessov, shaping sweet lies and sweeter promises with his infernal tongue. The demon said he was a spirit, a creature trapped by black sorcery. He offered healing in exchange for his freedom, claiming that with his aid the nobleman could wear his father's armor and join the fighting with his head held high. And so Cuthbert did as bidden, burning with the desire to honor Locar's memory and join in the defense of West Kruna. Thus D'rach was freed. That night Cuthbert's body walked the castle clad in Locar's armor. But in turn a demon was clad in Cuthbert's flesh, while the man's soul screamed in anguish. |