Curse

Tender Wolf · Feb 20, 2008, 02:08 AM // 02:08

NOTE: This diary is based on my character Ardnek Mysticeyes. But because most of my characters have a similar name I changed it for a more "storylike" appeal.

March 6, 1525 DR
My first diary was received today, on my 18th birthday. I have much to write about yet not enough to conceal. The life of a princess is not always so glamorous and advantageous as many believe. In fact, to me, it is quite the opposite. Residing in the Halls of Chokhin can be relaxing, when I am in the library, reading books, which I love to do. But the rest of my life is incredibly dull. And it's also very strange. For many years now, I've been having dreams at night. Dreams of me wielding a bow and fighting for my people to protect them instead of what I'm doing, which is merely sitting in my palace, getting waited on hand and foot, having food served to me on a silver platter, and my own "servant" to put beads and jewels in my hair every day. But my father forbade me from ever thinking such thoughts. Princesses mustn't fight, for there are others with that duty, such as the palace guards. But I can't stop myself. What good is a princess if she doesn't do anything she can to protect her people? When I was 15, I can't explain it, but a bow seemed to magically appear in my bedroom over night. I took this as a sign and practiced using it. I was a surprisingly good shot. But I didn't dare tell my father. My mother would have listened, I'm sure, had she been spared by Grenth upon bringing me into this world. I know the other princesses, Trita of Resplendent Makuun and Faya of Dzagonur Bastion, have been trained to fight (Trita in the art of the elementalist, Faya of the ritualist) if the time were to ever come, but my father remains adamant to his opinion. Perhaps I don't belong here, and perhaps someday I will find where I’m meant to be.

March 11, 1525 DR
Now that I am 18, I am supposed to be married. That's how it's been for as long as I can remember. Tomorrow, the other princesses and I will meet at the Kodash Bazaar and in the crowd will be "suitable" men for us. At least, according to our parents. Trita and Faya are very excited but I'm dreading the ordeal. To me, falling in love should just happen, and then you marry that person. It shouldn't be planned out. But I don’t dare say as much, as it will do no good. I'm a princess, yet I have no power or control. I'm trapped. I'd give anything to get out. But I fear that will never happen. I will be doomed to live a life of unhappiness. Such is the fate of a Vabbian princess.

March 14, 1525 DR
I may have disagreed entirely with the ceremony, but I never expected such an occurrence that did. The eligible bachelors were introduced to us princesses one by one, and we were to each choose our mate. Sounds like the life of an animal. But regardless, Faya and Trita had made their decisions and I was the only one left. I know not what came over me, but I feel relieved that it did. My face grew hot as I gazed at all the patient, hoping young men, and I stepped forward and stated my true feelings. Love should not be planned or happen this way, it should happen on its own. You can't force your heart to love someone if it truly doesn't. And you can't force your mind to love someone that your heart does not. I could tell I had shocked the entire crowd, but none more so than my father. But before anyone could say anything more, we heard a great battle cry and several corpses fell to the ground. Several of the Scourge of Vabbi, Palawa Joko's army, was charging straight at us in great numbers. Trita and Faya had been trained to fight just for this, but they seemed too frightened to move. Their future husbands were preparing for battle, but the princesses themselves, the ones who are supposed to protect Vabbi, stood frozen and idle. Without thinking, I grabbed a bow from a nearby corpse and dropped several undead soldiers with a single barrage. The palace guards assisted, but I heard a familiar voice moan nearby. I turned and saw my father in a dying heap with a protruding wound. I rushed to him but his only words were that he loved me, and to save myself. Whether he meant to flee or save myself from a life I didn't want, I know not, but the undead army greatly outnumbered me. I took the opportunity to flee, and I am now in the Chantry of Secrets with the Order of Whispers. I know not where I will go now, or what I will do, but hopefully the answers will soon come.

March 22, 1525 DR
I am uncertain how to explain what just occurred. First off, a few days ago, I was walking through the woods and came upon a beautiful creature. How blessed I am to be trained in the art of the ranger! The black wolf gazed at me with its beady red eyes, and instead of fear that would surround others, I was overcome with the desire to make it my pet. So I did just that and have given my companion the name of Midnight. It's a name perfectly suited for a wolf as dark as the night sky. But upon thinking of this matter, I was overcome with confusion. I'd seen many different animals in my lifetime and had always had the knowledge to easily charm them. But this wolf seemed to give off some strange, powerful vibe that made me desire it as a companion. But after this dream, I am beginning to understand the mystery, or at least I believe I am. As I slept last night, I had a dream of a woman (she looked like a monk) and said that she was my mother, and knew all about me. The reason I chose to study as a ranger, fight for what I believe in at any cost, the sudden calling of the wolf...She threw some petals into a pond and instructed me to gaze into the rippling water. I complied and saw my reflection. Yet, it was slightly different than my own. The jewels in my hair were replaced with flowers, and the length was shortened, but the resemblance was striking. The monk told me that I am the reincarnation of the woman I was gazing upon. She was known as Tender Wolf, and she shared my soul and desire, and an unspeakable love for wolves. The monk instructed me that if I truly wished to know my destiny, that I should go to Ascalon, Tender Wolf's origin. Then I awoke. Whether that was my mother in the dream and the story is true I know not. But I feel compelled to go. I shall journey to Ascalon.

April 1, 1525 DR
This journey is going to be long and difficult. I've just now made it onto the ship at the Consulate Docks and it's taking me to what's left of Lion's Arch. I am unsure of what has happened to Tyria, but I'm certain it's better off than Cantha and Elona. Rumors circulate of the emperor of Cantha killing all who oppose him (which is several), causing them to flee to Tyria or Elona. It is said that the emperor has ended a long-lived battle between two opposing factions as well. Perhaps not all who hold power are so great and respected. Anyhow, though the trek ahead of me may be difficult. I mustn't give up. I will not fail. I will find my destiny if it's the last thing I ever do.

April 12, 1525 DR
At last I arrived in Tyria. Things are quite different here than I had originally anticipated. Nevertheless, I shall continue my journey to Ascalon. I've had similar dreams since the last one, but they continue to point me to what must truly be my destiny. Perhaps my dream is correct and I am Tender Wolf's reincarnation. But a thought has often crossed my mind - when I get to Ascalon, what will I do? This is an answer my dreams have not yet revealed to me. But I will be patient. I have hope that my answers will soon come.

April 23, 1525 DR
I am now residing in a cave in the Shiverpeak Mountains. It's dreadfully cold here, and my Vabbian attire has been ripped to practically shreds. I've had to use leaves and twigs to hold parts of it together. Midnight is my only shelter from the cold. That, and the knowledge that every day, I am getting closer to what I will truly define as home.

April 31, 1525 DR
I've made it! I have reached my destination at last! Ascalon is in ruins. I've always known this, as the stories circulated back in Vabbi. But actually being here and seeing it is a feeling that I can't put into words. I can see Ascalon City up ahead, its doors closed and guarded. In my excitement in getting here, I had to stop and write this while resting before I could get all my answers. But now I am ready. Gods be with me!

May 5, 1525 DR
So much has happened these past few days that I haven't had a chance to write. But now I can, and I won't leave a thing out. As I approached Ascalon City, I expected to be turned away by the guards (though I would have put up heavy resistance). Instead, the guards looked at me in awe and surprise, and then opened the doors. As the doors opened, I felt as though I was gazing into and walking through a gateway to the heavens. This is where I'm meant to be, I just know it. This is what I've always wanted. Several people were inside the city, and when they saw me emerge, they gazed at me with the same expressions as the guards. I wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but before I could ask, an elderly mesmer walked toward me. He appeared to be someone of high and great respect as the citizens watched him to see what he had to say. The mesmer reached me and introduced himself as Daemon Lightmare. Then he said at long last I have come. He must've noticed my confused expression because he chuckled and said, "You're Tender Wolf's reincarnation, are you not?" He smiled and motioned for me to follow him. I did just that. He led me to a mural and I saw the same woman as in my dream painted on it with a white wolf by her side. I knew before Daemon even told me that it was Tender Wolf. He then said the legends are true. I asked what he meant by that remark and he replied by saying that the legend of Tender Wolf has been passed down through generations, and none have forgotten it. It says that one day Tender Wolf would return to her home of Ascalon to protect her people, even if spirit. She was a great hero in life, who risked her life many times to save the lives of others and had destroyed countless evils. Now I am certain that this is where I belong. And I shall stay here forever.

May 20, 1525 DR
There seems to be no shortage of the Grawl and Charr who attempt to invade Ascalon City. But I've managed to drive them back. I know this is where I belong but I do often find myself wondering how things are in Vabbi, and how they would've been had I stayed. But then I remember, they'd be the exact way I don't want to live. Here, I have a purpose, and can actually fight for my people. I think the people here respect me more than those Vabbi did, and I haven't even told anyone here that I'm a princess. Well, I was a princess. I'm not any longer. And I never will be again. Until the day I die, I shall stay here. I will never return to that glamorous and lazy life. Going back would not only make me unhappy, but fill my mind with terrible memories of my father and his death. I will remain here and do what I'm destined to do.

June 3, 1525 DR
Rumors have been circulating about Tender Wolf's lost diary. It is said that it is somewhere here in Ascalon, but no one has ever been able to find it. Daemon thinks that I can, since I am her reincarnation. I would certainly like to find it, so I will attempt to do so. The only clue as to where it is located is on the mural with Tender Wolf's picture, and it says The wolf's eyes are the windows to the soul. I'm not sure what this implies, but I'm determined to find out.

June 11, 1525 DR
The wolf's eyes are the windows to the soul...I may be Tender Wolf's reincarnation, and I may know much thanks to many hours of reading in the library in the Halls of Chokhin, but this is a complete enigma even to me. I've looked for something that resembles wolf eyes, peeked through windows, and even asked Midnight to lead the way since he is a wolf, but to no avail. Maybe no one is destined to find Tender Wolf's lost diary. Perhaps she only wishes to rest in peace with her thoughts...Wait, that's it! I know where it is! I must go!

June 20, 1525 DR
I was right! I've found Tender Wolf's diary! It was just where I'd predicted - buried in the floor of her home, and etched into the semi-broken window (probably with an arrowhead) was what appeared to be wolf eyes. And when the sun hit them just right, the eyes glowed on a spot on the ground that was marked by a fading wolf print. I'd been reading the diary these past several days, and now I've entrusted it in Daemon's care so that Tender Wolf's actual words will be added to her legend. The diary is old and brittle with age, but the ink is only smearing slightly. The diary told about Tender Wolf's adventures, including how she saved Tyria, Cantha, and Elona all those years ago. But it didn't say anything after that. She was going to focus on becoming known as Kind of a Big Deal and there is nothing after that. And there is no evidence that another diary exists. Tender Wolf died of old age, that part is certain, but nothing is known of her family, if she had one. I'm not sure where to look but I would like to know more about the person I'm the reincarnation of. It's time to start looking.

July 7, 1525 DR
Well, I think it's time to give up my quest and search. Uncovering secrets of the past can be tedious work, and I've found no evidence that Tender Wolf ever married or had a family. I consulted Daemon on this matter but he said that no such history is known. So with a heavy heart I shall put my research aside and finish what I came here to do - protect the people of Ascalon.

TO BE CONTINUED?

kunta · Feb 20, 2008, 02:11 AM // 02:11

Very good start.

Kyrein · Feb 20, 2008, 02:16 AM // 02:16

sounds like the start of GW2.....

Tender Wolf · Feb 20, 2008, 02:18 AM // 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrein

sounds like the start of GW2.....

Well to be honest that was where some of the inspiration came from.

I do imagine this to be in Guild Wars 2 time, which is the difference in dates from the other two diaries I've posted in here. And of course this is when Palawa Joko is all high and mighty, and since it's hundreds of years later, a reincarnation would fit as opposed to just a few years.