Board Thread:Character Journals/@comment-27930702-20160307042624

 This is amazing. I have learned to read and write. As a Jopec slave I saw the mages open their books and pour over scrolls and begin to learn spells and magic. I was forced to learn through observation and the occasional teaching of the Master’s son. I was informed by my literacy teacher that I should begin to write my own history as an initial project. In particular I was instructed to relate my experience as I learned new magery skills.



 First, a brief history. I was born into captivity in the Jopec nation to a blood Mage and his family. It seemed as though my fellow slaves felt comfortable or at home as slaves. I always felt bitter about it. It was only through my own magery and the loss of the only friend I ever had, the Master’s son, that I gained my freedom. I often dream of that day. Had I only been more careful, my dear friend might still be alive. If he could talk to me, what would he say? How angry he is? How he told me to never practice my magery under the roof of his father and because of my defiance he is dead? I can scarcely go a day without thinking of his and the pang of guilt.



 Since then, my life has been nothing but a swirling whirlwind of change and confusion. In a very short space of time I have gone from being a house slave to a squire of sorts to and idiot, then to being stranded on a magical island where I have become the apprentice of a Lyth-mage. The power of the Universe is at my fingertips and yet I feel more anxious and weary than ever.



 Last night had a dream that I had a collar around my neck and was on a boat and a cloaked figure was holding the chain to the collar. He turned and looked at me but I didn’t see his face. It’s clear to me that slavery is only one form of captivity. What still holds me in chains? Who binds my fetters?



 A few days ago the crazy mage offered to assist me in overthrowing Leopold. Seeing as l had no desire (or ability) to rule and realizing his volatile nature I feigned interest and immediately went to Leopold and told him of this. Leopold offered the solution of getting the crazy one to help us open the doors and then take advantage of his weakened state to eliminate him. I had no idea how quickly and bizarrely this would happen.



 Just today, Leopold, that crazy mage, and I went down to the doors and pedestal. The crazy one insisted that we attempt to open the doors immediately. I felt reluctant having not planned exactly how we were going to do this. As we began the ceremony I began to feel distracted by a sense of uncertainty. The power being required of me was too great and soon I felt myself slip into unconsciousness. When I awoke, Leopold sat by my bed. I asked what had happened and he informed me that the crazy one had been dealt with. After more probing two great and possibly disturbing pieces of knowledge came out. First, the pedestal was not to open the door, but rather, was designed to trick a mage into giving up his gift to Leopold. Second, Leopold is not a nearly immortal man by the grace of Deia, but rather a Lyth. I have long heard that Lyth are extinct. After revealing these two facts, he informed me that he did not desire to take my magery after I proved loyalty to him and found the crazy one to be a better host. He offered to allow me to join him in freeing his Lyth family that remain in hiding throughout the world. I now stand with an opportunity to gain everything I’ve ever imagined. Power, prestige, respect, and freedom. Yet Leopold’s dishonesty, even if for good intentions, disturbs me. What do I know of the Lyth? They are only legends. Who’s story is true? Only our ancestors know. And perhaps Leopold himself. Does Leopold really want to work in unison with humans to bring about a great new era, or does he simply mean to rule with an iron first and return blood for the blood for his people? I am now a freeman, I think. And yet what are my choices? I either join him and risk being party to the enslavement of my own race, or I risk being enslaved by them.



 Is the only means of freedom to ride on backs of others? Is it to kill or be killed? Whip or feel the lash? I’ve lived my entire life believing that my identity was something other than a beast of burden. But now, after seeing my choices, am wondering who I will become. For now, I will align myself with Leopold and take the advantage of having a great teacher. One more thing, I have been given a ring by Leopold that gives me the power to discern when someone is telling me a falsehood.  