Wander through this Forest dear friend and feel the misery and sadness of lost love and regret. Here now dear reader is a tale of that Dark wood, the Forest of Misery and its cruel Lord, Khest, The ShadowKing.
And how did such a being come to be, you ask? He came to it by curse, desire and blood. Born he was a man, a prince of Aetheria, a Human, whose Father was king, his mother, in her blood was of the Shadow or Ghost Elves, she was a beautiful princess. Such was Khest's birthright, to rule when his father died. To be King of the land.
Raised from birth in his destiny, taught the ways of Kingship, respect for the Gods of the Land, how to fight with sword and bow, to ride a noble steed, learn to hunt as the Ghost Elves did, for in his blood he too was of that people. He was taught the lyre, his mother's beloved instrument of music. Khest's father though was a cold man, ruthless in battle, namely against the orcs and ogres that also dwelled in the woods of Aetheria.
Khest was taught to hate the beasts, as the Orcs and Ogres were cannibals that fed upon the flesh of Humans and Elves, that they would steal women to breed with, kill men, and feast upon children. That the Orcs and Ogres did not respect the same Gods, and tore down the places of the Gods.
All this put a darkness in Khest's heart, a cruelty and want of bloodshed. But it lay buried in his heart, by virue of his Mother's love. Though Khest was noble and brave in battle, he had a bloodlust, however those who served with Khest, noted it as courage and a strength to protect the land. It was the death of his younger sister, Talisa, that started the cycle.
Talisa, born with her mother's eyes and sweet face, she was beloved by all, and 5 years younger then Khest. Who protected his dear sister against all the evils of the world. It was upon her 16 birthday, as she and Khest, and a royal retinue were passing through the woods. Talisa was to be bethroved to a Prince Carawin, a brave warrior amongst the Ghost Elves. As the retinue was but a day away from Carawin's realm, arrows were heard striking the host. Yells and screams filled the air, as did the howls and drums of the Orcs and Ogres.
An ambush, there were at least 100 of the hated beasts, attacking in all 30 courtiers, guards and servants. Khest and his men flew into action, some blowing their calling horns for help. The battle was indeed bloody and fierce, Khest and his men joined in battle, the clash of sword and shield, axe and spear. Screams of the wounded, and of battle raging echoed through the woods.
For what seemed like forever, the Prince and his men held the evil beasts, and soon came a patrol of Ghost Elves, silent and deadly as they were, fell upon the Orcs and Ogres, killing them quickly, striking fast. The battle was won for Men and Elves, but at heavy cost. Talisa, beloved daughter of King Garinaur and Queen Lyandra, young sister of Prince Khest, lay dead in the arms of a handmaiden. Her chest ripped open by a wicked Ogre Double-Axe.
When the dead were buried the night, with aid of the Ghost elves, some 20 in all, Carawin greeted Khest, and paid his respects, he mourned Talisa's death by Khest's side. Khest himself shed but one tear for her, his lost sister. The double-axe that was still covered in her blood, was now Khest's new weapon. He learned to use it, and with his Father's permission, Khest and Carawin did raise an army to crush the Orcs and Ogres.
For three years did the two Princes wage a terrible war, Orcs and Ogres, by the thousands died under the blades and flame of the Two Prince army. A great portion of the forest was covered in ash and blood and the bones of many dead. Khest raised temples and shrines to the Gods upon the battlefields. But in his heart he did this for Talisa.
At war's end, Khest's mother died, of a broken heart, first because of her daughter's death and then also for how Khest had changed. She was buried in the great tombs beneath GreyMorn Castle. This turned Khest even darker, reveling in bloodshed and war. For years to come, 20 in all, Khest was know known as the "Blood Prince" he led wars against Orcs, Ogres, Evil Fae, Goblinkind who dwelled in the hills to the North.
Khest's father died in this time of blood, and he was now King. But Khest was more concerned with battle then rule. By his command Carawin was made Lord Chancellor, given the authority to run the Kingdom when Khest was not at court. It was in spring, Khest now nearly 50, and broken by war, did he come home, called by most a hero, some he was known as butcher. As he rode through the streets, a young maiden caught his eye, as lovely as the dawn she was.
And for the first time in many years, Khest's heart was touched, coldness melted by the sight of this beautiful woman...
And how did such a being come to be, you ask? He came to it by curse, desire and blood. Born he was a man, a prince of Aetheria, a Human, whose Father was king, his mother, in her blood was of the Shadow or Ghost Elves, she was a beautiful princess. Such was Khest's birthright, to rule when his father died. To be King of the land.
Raised from birth in his destiny, taught the ways of Kingship, respect for the Gods of the Land, how to fight with sword and bow, to ride a noble steed, learn to hunt as the Ghost Elves did, for in his blood he too was of that people. He was taught the lyre, his mother's beloved instrument of music. Khest's father though was a cold man, ruthless in battle, namely against the orcs and ogres that also dwelled in the woods of Aetheria.
Khest was taught to hate the beasts, as the Orcs and Ogres were cannibals that fed upon the flesh of Humans and Elves, that they would steal women to breed with, kill men, and feast upon children. That the Orcs and Ogres did not respect the same Gods, and tore down the places of the Gods.
All this put a darkness in Khest's heart, a cruelty and want of bloodshed. But it lay buried in his heart, by virue of his Mother's love. Though Khest was noble and brave in battle, he had a bloodlust, however those who served with Khest, noted it as courage and a strength to protect the land. It was the death of his younger sister, Talisa, that started the cycle.
Talisa, born with her mother's eyes and sweet face, she was beloved by all, and 5 years younger then Khest. Who protected his dear sister against all the evils of the world. It was upon her 16 birthday, as she and Khest, and a royal retinue were passing through the woods. Talisa was to be bethroved to a Prince Carawin, a brave warrior amongst the Ghost Elves. As the retinue was but a day away from Carawin's realm, arrows were heard striking the host. Yells and screams filled the air, as did the howls and drums of the Orcs and Ogres.
An ambush, there were at least 100 of the hated beasts, attacking in all 30 courtiers, guards and servants. Khest and his men flew into action, some blowing their calling horns for help. The battle was indeed bloody and fierce, Khest and his men joined in battle, the clash of sword and shield, axe and spear. Screams of the wounded, and of battle raging echoed through the woods.
For what seemed like forever, the Prince and his men held the evil beasts, and soon came a patrol of Ghost Elves, silent and deadly as they were, fell upon the Orcs and Ogres, killing them quickly, striking fast. The battle was won for Men and Elves, but at heavy cost. Talisa, beloved daughter of King Garinaur and Queen Lyandra, young sister of Prince Khest, lay dead in the arms of a handmaiden. Her chest ripped open by a wicked Ogre Double-Axe.
When the dead were buried the night, with aid of the Ghost elves, some 20 in all, Carawin greeted Khest, and paid his respects, he mourned Talisa's death by Khest's side. Khest himself shed but one tear for her, his lost sister. The double-axe that was still covered in her blood, was now Khest's new weapon. He learned to use it, and with his Father's permission, Khest and Carawin did raise an army to crush the Orcs and Ogres.
For three years did the two Princes wage a terrible war, Orcs and Ogres, by the thousands died under the blades and flame of the Two Prince army. A great portion of the forest was covered in ash and blood and the bones of many dead. Khest raised temples and shrines to the Gods upon the battlefields. But in his heart he did this for Talisa.
At war's end, Khest's mother died, of a broken heart, first because of her daughter's death and then also for how Khest had changed. She was buried in the great tombs beneath GreyMorn Castle. This turned Khest even darker, reveling in bloodshed and war. For years to come, 20 in all, Khest was know known as the "Blood Prince" he led wars against Orcs, Ogres, Evil Fae, Goblinkind who dwelled in the hills to the North.
Khest's father died in this time of blood, and he was now King. But Khest was more concerned with battle then rule. By his command Carawin was made Lord Chancellor, given the authority to run the Kingdom when Khest was not at court. It was in spring, Khest now nearly 50, and broken by war, did he come home, called by most a hero, some he was known as butcher. As he rode through the streets, a young maiden caught his eye, as lovely as the dawn she was.
And for the first time in many years, Khest's heart was touched, coldness melted by the sight of this beautiful woman...