KorAth

My story is not a happy tale nor is it a simple ogre life. I am Half-Ogre Mage, neither half being willing to accept me, nor I to accept them. I was born into the Nip-Graal Tribe on the outskirts of Nip-Kor, an area on the Eastern rim of a large continent west of Armagada across the Grey Ocean. I have travelled for most of my poor life and expect I will continue as I have yet to find solace in what I see of “people”.

My darkness began many years ago when I was yet to enter this malevolent place. The weakened human that was my mother, Athena, was enslaved by the Nip-Graal after exploring the wildlands in the north. She was captured by the tribe leader and later stolen by the treacherous monster Kor’Tag who I am told fathered me. The tales of this ogre reach far in the wildlands, his disgusting ways made him infamous for the short time the fool lived. The legends have it that the leader of the Nip-Graal captured Athena as a pet and toy. He found the small human race an intrigue. Kor’Tag had underhanded urgings to dethrone the leader and began his treachery by taking his seat and his pet. Athena was caged and brutally treated by her new owner, but always kept alive, if battered and bleeding. He frequented her cage many times in the passing days and on one such occasion she decided that she was capable of fighting him. Kor’Tag however was not an average ogre; he was of ogre-mage blood and outsmarted the small brained human. For her punishment she was savagely raped, left bleeding to death and with more injuries than usual. With no will power of her own she was tossed into the cage of other human slaves. These weak bred slaves grouped together and stemmed the blood loss and kept her alive over the next few months.

It became apparent to the other women enslaved by the tribe that she was carrying a child, although she appeared to be far into pregnancy after a couple of short months with the women. They treated her with such care and attention, believing that she had endured so much torture and she would have a child who had survived it all alongside her. The brainless peasant women could not guess that the abomination growing inside of her was the half-breed that I am. After six months of care and shelter Athena became more lucid and imparted the simple women with the news that the child could be no human, she had never been with a man in her village. She rapidly became sick again as the pregnancy advanced, she could not walk or stand or feed herself. It was during this time she wrote me a letter in her strange tongue which she entrusted to the slave. That letter became torn, burnt and weathered but I still have her dying words to me “you are an abomination”.

Kor’Tag was killed not long after the liberation and rape of my mother, his stupidity and underestimation of the tribe led to his murder at the hands of their leader. The only feelings I have are to wonder whether this sorry life is punishment or prize for the death of those who conceived me. Now I have my half-breed blood and my name to remind me of what it means to be alive.

I was raised by the tribe for many years, my kind are not welcoming, nor trustful nor forgiving. I was tainted with the mistakes of my ancestors; I was treated with suspicion and disgust by all. Any enslaved humans would hide from me as a barbaric ogre, and any ogre would torment me as the half-breed decedent of the
ogre-mage with too much ambition. My body is covered in scars, burns and tattoos. Some of the tattoos were “given” to me by the tribe; others I put myself to remind me of the ways I want to live my life, symbols of law,
discipline, vengeance and purity of mind.

After many years of solitude a female was brought into the camp in the same manner as my mother had been. She was beautiful, her skin was almost pure white with the darkest hair and eyes I had ever seen, she was so nearly the same as I was then. My pale blue skin and black hair did not show so brightly next to her as it did the yellow-green ue of my ogre family or the dark tones of the humans. She was truly fearless, and we talked, she taught me her language and I could finally read the letter of my mother. Her name was Tasha and she was my saviour. I began to have thoughts and feelings for her that I had never experienced, and would only feel one other time in my life. She showed my affection and gave me my humanity. But she was a slave to the Tribe leader, and once he was aware of our bond, she was sacrificed to the skies. She was killed to hurt me, and it tore me apart. I fled the tribe on the bloody day while I could still see her smile and remember her voice.

I fled towards the human settlements, but would have stones thrown at me. , villagers chase me away and dogs set upon me. Finally I sat on a hill contemplating my life so far and tears escaped my eyes and I wept, as I did I felt my heart lighten, and then my body lighten too, and I began to float. This is when I discovered the gift of my father’s blood. I was carried away by the wind through the whole of Nip-Kor and as I headed to the sea I stared to come to my senses and came out of this form and landed outside a large fortress. As I landed I looked into the reflection of a stream next to me and saw the face so similar to that of Tasha and yet I could see me in the eyes of the stranger. I was lost and confused and stood on an island with another’s face, as I cried to the skies for help an old man approached me from inside the fortress wearing bright orange robes and offered me a bed, clothes and food, yet another saviour.

I slept for what felt like a lifetime and when I woke I was inside the fortress I had seen. The man I remember was standing over me with a kind and gentle face. He was softly spoken and introduced himself to me as Tabin Gansukh, a monk priest within the monastery. I was badly bruised and starving, my scars we fresh and
bleeding, the old man gave me a special tea and some food and told me to stay in the room and watch the celebrations below. It seemed like a festival and a battle at once. There were hundreds of men, women and other similar beings who were taller, shorter and rounder but all basically like the others. They were all dressed in white robes. Sometimes they fought one another, and other times they seemed to fight the air in unison, then it seemed more like a dance. The festival went on for days each hour the number of people would reduce until just ten remained. They were then given weapons and fought to the death. Until just one remained, and he was given robes of a an orange colour and entered s large temple at the head of the square.

Tabin explained the festival to me as an initiation for new monks into his monastery. Each season anyone can come to the doors and enter into the festival. They have 3 days and nights in which to learn the “katas” required for battle in unison. Once the ten are chosen from the group of candidates they battled to prove their worth. Death in this battle is considered a great honour and the monks who die are buried within the walls of
the monastery and prayed to at the end of each festival.

And so I trained, I stayed in the monastery for whole year and trained, I spent hours in contemplation, days in solitude, and months in silence until the day of the festival came. There were hundreds of people enter the monastery from all over the continent. Some had travelled nearly all year to get there. As the celebrations began I excelled, for the first time in my life I excelled! I could see Tabin my mentor standing watching, he watched me with interest and at time pride, I saw the look for others as well but I have never seen that look at me before or since. I made it to the last ten and then to the last two, but the other one was too fast and better trained and he severed my right arm. I am still unaware of how or why it happened, but I picked it up off the floor and put it up to my shoulder and began to feel a burning in the joint as my flesh knitted itself back together. Without stopping to think I raided my blade above my head and slit the throat of my opponent. I had
won.

I spent many years under to guidance of Tabin and the other monks eventually becoming a spy for them. I was sent away to gather information for a war on the other countries on the continent. While I was on that mission the monatsary was burnt to the ground whith all inside it trapped. Once again my saviour had died and it felt
like I was back it the tribe.

I fled west to try to escape the memories of what had happened, I left the people behind that I was trying to help. The long sea journey left me with time for deep contemplation and was visited by the voice of Tabin. He made me realise I was radey for a life outside the monastrory. I was ready to avenge the deaths that have plagued my life. I will never forget the lessons I have learnt from those around me.

orangered Noone will live forever, people are cruel and it is kill or be killed.

With that in mind I crossed over the ocean a new person I will kill and I will do whatever is asked of me. But I will never trust anyone and I will never care for anyone.

orangered Reaper Mini - Ogre Mage, my own painting to be updated as I make progress (last update 26/02/2007)

purple">Kor’ath: The Journal.

Although it seemed that with the passing of Tabin my life slowed and I was full of self pity. I had been full of this for most of my life, self pity, self loathing and hate. I now see that Tabin armed me for the road ahead. Not by making me a weapon. Perhaps not even with his teachings of scripture. My Master taught me to look beyond the physical world, and into my own soul. What was a turbulent and troubled child has been forged into the calm inner peace of adulthood. <BR>My Mother hated me, not for who I am, but for what was done to her, and the results of the brutality. She had had a terrifying and horrific ordeal by the one who sired me. She hated, and I believe it was pure hate, the seed that was planted within her. I have read the letter she left for me, and I know it was written with the hand of a scared and dying woman. I bare no resentment toward my mother, indeed I feel a great amount of love for her, as it testament to her strength that she was able to live as I grew in her womb,
knowing that I would ultimately kill her. As my Mother is in the next life I hope she looks into my soul and can see something to be proud of.
The one who sired me, Kor’Tag deserved his fate, and that is all I have to say about that.
I am now on the path to help the hopeless. To stand up for those who cannot stand alone. I will bring Law to a chaotic land. I will bring Justice to those who seek to rule by force. I will bring Peace to this land and all lands
in war. I will unite this broken world and bring balance and stability. I will do this the way that I have been created if necessary, with violence. I now recognise that violence is the only way to stop corruption in all forms. Those who speak for the weak and powerless are those who have never walked in their shoes. Politicians are corrupt and corruption breeds evil. They send others off to war, whilst the sip the nectar and eat the bounty that the poor have provided. They do not, and never will, understand pain, suffering, disease and poverty. I will bring retribution to them from those who dare not defy their ‘masters’. I will abolish slavery, and while I see the need for servants, the servant will be paid fairly. I have no wish to destroy evil, as there can be no good without, just as there is no Law without chaos. Let the Gods be good. Let the Demons be evil. Let us alone. I will bring and end to the weak being used in conflict by the powerful.
I will strive to teach the lessons of my Master, Tabin and show the world that there is another way to live. The teachings are:

COLOR: purplePeace. Tranquillity. Harmony. Life. Balance and Love. red The Thoughts of Kor’Ath.
I have travelled for months now with those who seek to destroy the goblin invasion to the lands of man. I travel with people who have the means to uphold the balance of harmony within these lands. I have met many a great person, and have done my best to aid in their quest to place the Queen back upon her throne which had been usurped by the Goblins.

Carlton is a great person. His aid and council have been of value to the cause.

Astra too, is of use, but I find his demeanour too selfish and he too absorbed within his writings to see the beauty all around him.

Luthien is a great help to the others, but has mood swings which betray his soul. His uncertainty about himself will go when love grips him. He says he hates humans, which I find baffling, and I have tried in vain to council
him with this, but I fear I pushed too hard. Patience is a gift, which elves have time to learn. How long before Luthien sees that humans are just human only his God will know, but I hope that it is sooner rather than later for his own safety.

Ammelath is an impetuous being. She claims not to know of her parentage, but to me, she shows all the traits of both demon and human. Her chaotic nature has caused me to intervene once. I fear that I almost killed, and
am glad that I didn’t. I should have more patience, but that girl tests me like no other. She is a typical thief and one who flaunts her skill with wanton abandon. A trait which leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I am trying to teach her the arts of killing quickly and without pain. Some may call this assassination, I like to think of it as “Rendering Comfortable” Ammelath sees killing as sport. Another disagreeable taste.

Woodstrike was one of the original Cuerno questees. I am sorry to say that although an elf, he seemed impatient to learn his art. He often mistook his own stupidity for his genius. A fool who seems
destined to wander a foolish path.

Rowanfury had earned some sympathy. A centaur imprisoned in his early years then followed the elven Deity Corellon. Unfortunately the centaur has a personality that seems to clash with elves. Rowanfury’s forthrightness and blunt demeanour, especially when wielding the Divine Will of Corellon, upset the truly reverent of Corellon’s disciples. This caused major upset within the group and ultimately caused Rowanfury to leave and follow his own path. A bit of a shame in my opinion, as for all the trouble Rowanfury could cause, he never let you down in battle. I may miss him. Time will tell.

Helibobs Waywocket has been a delight. Her attitude towards life, experiences and general demeanour is infectious. The little gnome has slayed this behemoth.

Zhang is a fine example of the human race. His courage in the face of his enemy is unquestionable and his loyalty unswerving. I am proud to have fought along side him. Perhaps a spell away from his post at Platen will be good for him, and draw him from his military shell.

Tamuril is a proud elf who has taken a knock. Her lineage has been questioned and the young elf maiden knows not what to do. I have very different views on family values, so perhaps I should not comment on this matter, but Tamuril need only to look within to see clearly.

Bingli the dwarf is an unfortunate soul. He is obviously one of Moradin’s chosen, but has no memory of
his Lord. I am uncertain of how he retains his cleric status, but I know that Moradin looks after his children and that the Great and Mighty Deity is far wiser than I could ever be. I am glad Bingli is no longer an unwilling servant, as I have issues with such things.

Piers is a disruptive influence. First he parades around his ‘dwarf servant’ as a token of status. Then he causes
trouble with two girls who need little help or encouragement to find it. I am told that Piers is to blame for me taking Ammelath to task for burning Helibobs. I am also told that he caused the bar brawl the following night. On top of this when goblins attacked us, he toyed with them before killing them slowly, claiming that they may do him harm. That is the point of attack. To do someone harm. If you kill them quickly, they cannot. I am not sure if I am able to temper his foppish attitude or to cool his loins with regards to Ammelath. I might nudge them two together. They deserve each other.

There are many others I have met upon this journey. Too many to mention individually, but some
are important enough to give thought to. One I will die to protect and the other I wish I could spend more time with and learn from, as I feel they have so very much to offer. I hope we shall meet again.

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