A Tale of Young Erian

This was another rpg character's background I wrote up for the same one that Keric/Rose's Epitaph was part of. A Tale of Young Erian Long golden plaits flowed over the broad shoulders of the elf warrior's ornate, silvery white armor. His gauntleted hand bearing the symbol of a phoenix on the vambrace reached down somewhat to tousle the short platinum locks of his son, Erian. As he did so the youth Erian's pale blue eyes shimmered with admiration as they locked with those hard steel blue-ish gray eyes of his father. "Soon someday, you too shall become a great champion for the Golden Immortal. Then I am sure you will fully understand why it is we must depart at once." His father tried to explain to Erian, though in truth Erian understood quite well. He was after all not a babe any more and he was nearing completion of mastering his green magic; though his skills in gold magic were still quite juvenile at the moment; but would grow in time with more practice. Erian smiled brightly at his father," I shall be fine, father, beside I already do understand." His eyes then went to the silvery haired figure of his mother, garbed in her golden robes and shimmering white chain mail armor of a warrior priestess of Akasha, though in her hands she carried a spear. In that respect she was different from her husband, whom had chosen the sword as his weapon of choice. With all the elegance natural to an elf of such grace and poise as herself she walked a few feet to stand before her son. Her smile to Erian was far more radiant then the rising sun, "You are growing strong and your skill with nature and green magic has made your father and me truly proud. The time has indeed come for you to go soon as well. Though your battles ahead will be quite different from the ones your father and I ride to face." She leaned down and gently pressed her lips to Erian's brow in a soft kiss, "A mother's protection watch over you, my sweet Eri." Erian felt the soft warmth growing inside him from his mother's kiss. His was more skilled then his teachers now in green magic, fore he was truly a prodigy and could be nothing else with a mother that was a great priestess among the elves and a father of a lineage of great warrior elves that had long protected the Green World from Nerull and his dark forces. More over, he held not only a father who not only boasted such a lineage but had a father that was a Mage Warrior, a truly rare thing even amongst elves. So it was quite easy for him to sense that kiss had contained a blessing of protection by Akasha. Silently Erian watched as his parents strode away from him to mount their noble chargers and galloped off to join the already marching army of elves. Within these woods only the elderly and the young remained, and soon they would have one less youth among them. He knew of what battles his mother spoke, and he felt quite ready now to face them. The platinum blond elf youth watched until he could no longer see his parents amongst the marching line of elves. He knew that now would begin his journey, the journey to become a true master of the Green Magicks. ****** He wondered in awe amongst them. The trees here were quite different from those of his home. Here they did not need to be woken to converse with them. Erian heard their voices speaking amongst themselves. Though the dialect was quite thick he was barely able to discern their words. Then he was brought out of his pondering by her form. She had flashed for an instant across his path. In that instant he felt his heart race fast as it beat against his chest. This elf maiden could only be a few years younger then himself. For only a second their eyes had locked and she had giggled at him before she had vanished amongst the trees. Erian had noticed that around her neck she wore the pendant of a novitiate of a potential Priestess of Akasha. He had seen them before; but none had looked to him as beautiful as this elfin maiden. Erian shook the image from his mind. He could not let himself be distracted. He had come on a quest. He stepped into the algae and flower filled pond surrounded by green trees. He strode through the water, his robes becoming heavy and wet from the large pool of water. Erian made his way towards the center where a massive willow tree stood, towering over the entire forest. He felt that this was the right place. There was a hollowed and sacred feel to this tree. It seemed to speak to him in an ancient language that Erian had never heard spoken before this moment. The youth frowned at the tree not understanding what was being said to him. Then abruptly he felt the willow tree's massive roots entangle about his legs. For a second his mind panicked with fear. But then Erian realized that he must not fight nor attempt to flee as he was pulled down beneath the roots of the ancient Willow. His eyes closed as he vanished beneath the tree and water. Erian found himself wearing black robes and in his hands was a scepter of iron. His head bore a crown of human skulls. A dark smile played upon his lips as a struggling elven priestess of Akasha was thrown at his feet by dark elves in black robes, Sorcerers of Nerull. The priestess before him was badly bruised, bleeding and in weakened with malnutrition of imprisonment. A Sorcerer of Nerull whispered into his ears, "Take your pleasures and then be done with her, my King." The face looked up to him and in that second recognition flashed in his mind. It was the girl he had seen earlier but now she was older as he himself was older. He screamed out, "NOOOO!!!" Holding the scepter to the side of his head. The image shattered and he found himself now some place quite different from the dark throne room of a servant of Nerull. Resplendent Erian sat in a throne of silver and ivory bearing a crown shaped like a great phoenix. He was dressed in a magnificent silken robes of gold inlay and white silk. His hands bore many jeweled rings upon them, each containing the power of the Golden Immortal. Across his lap sat a golden, bejeweled scepter of rulership. Here Erian sat enthroned as King of the Elven Court. Through many battles against Nerull and his vile forces had lead to this life. His mastery over the Golden Magic was complete and stronger then his love or power over the natural world. Here he sat in great halls made of precious minerals. Here he sat and half listened to the complaints of his people. His mind always thinking on being embraced once more by Akasha. His every thought dwelt more on being in her magnificent presence then truly leading his people. Again once more Erian cried out. His voice straining with pain as everything around him shattered. He stood on top of the great pool he had strode through, only now he stood at the center of it instead of the mighty and ancient willow tree. He looked down and saw two images of arrogance and pride. One was the black robed Sorcerer King of Nerull and the other the white robed Light Mage King of Akasha. He had rejected both images for himself; and though he did not know it at the time, the great tree was showing him Possibility. The realization came to Erian slowly as he realized what these images meant to him. He shook his head sadly, "Is there no other choices for me?" The images wavered in the water to replaced with a scene of beautiful flowers, birds singing gently and yet there was a sadness to this scene as the creatures and plants within withered and died only to be reborn again. Within the waters he noticed a single and simple looking vine that endured through the withering unaffected. Fascinated and longing to study this bit of wood Erian reached his hand into the water. The water was not disturbed, not even a single ripple appeared in the surface as the elf's hand sunk into the water. His hand grasped onto it, pulling it up. He felt it in his mind now. They were linked. He had chosen his fate. Understanding dawned upon him as he held that living staff of wood and vines. There was a balance to life, a cycle that all must obey. And despite this knowledge both himself and the staff within his hand loved nature deeply. Erian found himself once more wrapped up in the ancient willow tree's roots as he was pushed back to the surface of the pond. As he held the staff he found he understood the words of this ancient Willow. The young elf maiden from earlier stepped out from behind the tree, "I see. So the Old One claimed you. I was kind of hoping that you would find someone else for your patron." She walked confidently over to him and kissed him fully on the lips. Erian blushed not expecting it. She giggled at him, "My name is Elestia. I trust you wont misuse it." Erian was silent as he only stared at her with the blush still evident on his face. After several minutes he finally managed to speak, "Erian…that's what my parents named me." She giggled and kissed him again, "I am always here…Erian. As you shall always be here now."

That was an enjoyable read. Well done sir. So what path did Erian exactly choose? He abandoned power (Nerull) and people (Gold Magic) to be with nature (Akasha)?

Basically Gold Magic was Akasha that was the sun goddess. I forget the name of the God; but he chose the God of Balance that walks the middle path.

I see. It was unclear what the difference between Akasha and the unnamed god (Old One?) were. I had assumed that the willow tree was Akasha personified and he represented nature.

This is actually just a rough as it was just written as a back story for an rpg character so I didn't really focus on making things very clear as I would for something that I'd originally planned for a larger audience then the forum group I was on. But I'm glad you enjoyed it still the same.