Nyx

Walking into the tavern, Thulcondar takes a seat and ponders while sipping on a flagon of mead. Suddenly he jumps to his feat a shouts:nn"Why would you want to know of my lives? Why would you care? Why should I tell you? Mine is a tale of good and evil; of life, death, “life,” death and “life” once yet again; of deception, deceit, lies, and well, of being forsaken. Are you sure you are ready for such a tale? Few are! nnMoreover, what is in it for me to share my chronicles with you? I have little time for foolishness; further, I do not trust any of you to keep your fleshy mouths locked. If you promise not to enlighten my queen, Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, that I shared my particulars then you may take a seat, shut up, and listen….Oh and yes, and excuse the dripping ichor. nnI do not remember it all; sometimes it comes back to me in bits and pieces, sometimes it just drifts away. I do not expect you to possibly comprehend what I have endured, unless, of course, you too have lived, died, then lived and died again. If you have, well, you understand my anguish. nnI am Thulcondar Fionnbharr, at least I think I am, it is hard to recall such specifics. You must understand, this once striking visage has slowly, but surely, been putrefying, as has my brain. I once had a companion, she was dear to me and I keep her memory (what is left of it) sacred, no matter what her name. Hmmm. What was her name? Hmmm.nnARE YOU STILL LISTENING? I was once, long, long ago a mighty paladin in service to the kings of Lordaeron, at least I think they were kings. There was one in particular that I served, his name was, Terenas, or something like that, or maybe it was not. Does it matter to you? I vaguely remember a battle and being splayed by a great blade, when did that happen? Hmmm. n nI also remember a most righteous servant of the Light, Uthur, was that his name? Oh how I hate the light now, but that is another story for another time. Anyway, We fought for what little peace we could obtain. Or did I fight against him? I can also recollect the name Arthus, or something like that. Who was he? What did he do to me or did I do something to him? With him?nnI was ranked as one of the most lofty among the servants of dreadlord Mal'ganis a Nathrezim or was his name Barean Westwind? One of those, I think. I was a daemon lord and served him devotedly and well. Sent by Archimonde to oversee the Lich King in his prison, Mal’ganis anointed me as one of his sentinels and I was tasked to over-watch the minions in his service. When Mal’ganis was chosen to turn Prince Arthas to the dark, I naturally accompanied him on his mission.nnWe met Prince Arthas in Stratholme. I can remember some of Mal’ganis’ words, “As you can see, your people...are now mine! I will now turn this city household by household...until the flame of life has been snuffed out...Forever!” What joy we too had at watching the agony and perversion of Arthas as he laid waste to the populace of this once fair city. It was fair once, was it not? I am not sure now that I think upon it.nnSomehow, I ended up in a locale called Northrend and there was Arthus taking hold of Frostmorne and betraying Mal’gannis. Oh yes, I remember this clearly. Do I not? I tried to assist my master in his mêlée with Arthus, but my body, my once beautiful body, was slain but my essence escaped into the Emerald Dream. That is, until Arthus, raised my war-torn body and claimed it as his own drawing my essence back into a temporal state. nnThis is all very confusing to me. DO NOT LAUGH! I try to piece it together but with the pieces of brain I have, well, it is not an easy task. You trying thinking with what I am working with then you will seennI remember a blazing host or something of that ilk was set upon our lands and, along with my compatriots, I was called to drive them back from whence they came. And try we did. Unfortunately for me. When did that happen? It does not matter what order my affairs are in, they are mine to order as I wish.nnI managed to escape the clutches of Arthus, found my way to Undercity (the land looked like a place I should know well, but do I?) and swore fealty to my Queen. Fealty you ask? What of my oath to Nyx? Well, of course I can pledge feal to both, can I not? Yes, F-E-A-L. I can feal you know!nnKeep in mind, there is a new world order ascending, and I will be part of it with or without your assistance. We are the Forsaken. We will slaughter anyone who stands in our way.nnHad enough? I have, I am done for now, so leave me be. Moreover, remember, I will hunt you down for all time if you reveal anything I have told you to my banshee queen. After all, you cannot kill me, I AM Thulcondar the UNDEAD!"nnHe then returns to his seat and gently caresses the flagon before ordering another.

Sitting alone, by himself, locked in his thoughts. Thulcondar wonders what kind of place he has entered. He jumps to his feat and shouts:nn"Did anyone hear me? Is anyone there? Does anyone care?"nnSitting back down, he ponders his mead and the splintered memories of his life.

Asarelah felt a disturbance in her hearthstone, echoing the unsettled voice of Tcd. "What mischief is afoot now??" she muttered to herself, touching her stone, in concentration, to link with the rotting brain of her champion.nn"Hear you?" she sent. "Of course I can hear you silly. Always have and always will. I might even hear you better if you weren't so busy with Lady Sylvanis!!"nnLah giggled to herself, knowing she would provoke a wry laugh from the undead Knight.nn"Now then.... what seems to be the trouble here?" she continued, eyes rolling with a mischevious grin on her lips.

Thulcondar ponders Asarelah's words, BRIEFLYnn"My Lady Asarelah, I have died twice, can I not the serve TWO Ladies? nPlease do not ask me to choose for it would be a foolish venture on your part. nI am of the FORSAKEN and doomed to another hard "life" with little to amuse me."

Asarelah continued smiling, as she whispered. Of course you can!! But can't I also tease you? Even just a little??

Tease? Tease? Hmmm, well yes, yes you can. I may have lost much of my soul but I still have a sense of humor, don't I?nnBUT, I must remind you that I hold someone dear in my heart. If I could only remember her name!

Asarelah's tone came softly through the stone, to the Undead's mind....nn"Champion, all is well. And we can seek out what became of your Companion, and if she still lives, if that be your wish?? She may await you, even still.... Not knowing of your fate. Say the word, and I will rally our Tribe to find these answers...."

If she "lives?" Life, my Lady, is a relative term. Alas, I fear she has gone the way of teh Scourge and is in service to the Lich King.

As Thulcondar mulled his rather storied existence over a warm mug of honey mead a dark, foreboding shadows crept through the doorway and upon his visage. Thulcondar looked at the approaching shadows through the glare from door behind. As the shadows coalesced he watched as the vague humanoid shapes and forms move towards him. Clutching his not so mighty axe (but all that he owns) he sprang to his feat and assumed a defensive stance.nnOut of the shadows appeared two shapes. "HOLD there Thulcondar! Stay your hand!" one of the shadows exclaimed. "It is I, Fernlace, your old friend, and I being Lasairiona as well!"nnThulcondar slumped into his seat, weakened, he fainted.

Asarelah instantly felt her Champion falter, being keenly attuned to those closest to her. Quickly, she reached for her hearthstone to gain insight in to what was amiss, but failed to reach Tcd's sometimes forgetful mind, with even the softest whispered word.nnCalling out sharply, she rose from her adminstrative work, and headed straight for her fastest flyer. "Chali, rally the Tribe!! Something is amiss with Tcd, and it is decidely NOT the weather!! I fly in search !!"