Excerpt 2: Twiceborn
It is important for one seeking to understand the Faction's place in the future to know the story of our founder. Although the Faction he built has long since crumbled to ashes, and his very soul has been changed irrecoverably, possibly lost, the Twiceborn was an inspiration to all subsequent iterations of the Faction. But though his ideals live on, his story is a tragic reminder of what happens to those who meddle in forces beyond mortal ken.
The Twiceborn lived the life of a simple mechanic. Like any dwarf, through the sweat on his back and the skill of his hands he made himself a living. How did this dwarf find himself sent to a place like Steelhold? The answer, dear reader, is that despite our feelings of superiority, our civilization is far from perfect. The will of the people has no say in how fortresses are run, or who is appointed to lead us. Those with power, those who call themselves noble, warp the laws to suit themselves. Merely disobeying their whims, regardless of their worth or even feasibility, can lead to imprisonment, beatings or execution. And often, even if a dwarf obeys them utterly, they will be made to suffer for the sake of these uncaring, entitled thugs. Records state that the Twiceborn went to Steelhold of his own free will to follow his wife and family, but evidence make it clear this was not the case. The Twiceborn was exiled, forced to Steelhold at sword-point, simply because he produced mechanisms bought by nobles who undertook immoral experimentation on their citizens. The Twiceborn was only one of many sacrificed to sate the demands of those higher-up for punishment, while those who truly planned, funded and organized the crime suffered nothing due to their status.
The Order does not tell of the Twiceborn's early life in the few myths they tell of him. It is hard to reconcile such an abused figure with who they make him out to be - a warrior saint, an avenging demigod, a champion of tradition and the establishment. Those familiar with the tale of Saint Emdief, as they call him, will recognize parts of his story; be careful not to draw the conclusions that the Order wishes you to. The Twiceborn was no friend of the establishment, and he was no hero. This is a story of how a dwarf becomes a monster.
At Steelhold, the Twiceborn attempted once again to live a normal life. The injustice of the situation, however, would not simply let him rest. Most sources link the Twiceborn to the regime of the so-called Saint Rhaken, a military autocrat who was willing to make deals and coexist with the demon-worshipping cult that established itself in Steelhold. As the Twiceborn entered the stage, this fragile balance of power collapsed under its own weight. Magic users overthrew Rhaken and those loyal to him. The Twiceborn, a vocal enemy of the cult and or magic in general, payed the ultimate price. Some claim it was assassination. Others claim the Twiceborn simply was killed by mishap or goblins. A more sinister occurence is to be suspected, although it is not know what it could be. Whatever the case, simply killing the Twiceborn was not enough. Magical forces tore the Twiceborn from his eternal rest; Armok must have permitted his soul to be so defiled by the forces we are told he opposes. But why?
The Twiceborn's return was a blessing at first. He endeavored to bring truth and justice to the fortress. Magic users and cultists were cast out, shunned or slain. His Faction led by the will of the people, allowing leading members of the fortress to distribute power and responsibility amongst a council of equals. The Fortress, free of the infighting and abuse that had held it down, entered a year of prosperity. Alas, the Twiceborn was betrayed by one of his own Faction, sundering it. This Corley declared himself the new Baron of Steelhold, had Emdief assasinated and destroyed everything the Faction had gained. It is said in the last days the Twiceborn lost the will to defend the dwarven paradise he had built. It is now known that this is the first evidence that magic, with Armok's collusion and blessing, had begun to warp and corrupt the Twiceborn's mind, body and soul.
When the Twiceborn was next seen, it was no longer the dwarf that had led the fortress. Not even a real dwarf anymore, the Twiceborn was a terrible spectre, a tool for Armok to use in his eternal war with demonkind. Emdief led the defense of Steelhold and the sealing of the breach from beyond the grave, and if accounts prove accurate, later invaded the bodies of others to slay important mages in Steelhold's fall.
Yet the Twiceborn, despite its good deeds, is a monster. A pawn of Armok, the Twiceborn acted as the dwarf it had been never would, standing idly by while the fortress collapsed from misrule and the moral corruption brought with the arrival of the Queen. The Twiceborn had been granted the power to carry out Armok's will, but had lost everything in return - its freedom, its mind, its soul.
Three things must be learned from this tale. The first is that power corrupts, and that the powerful serve only themselves. This is why the only suitable form of government would be to adopt a system like the original Faction tried to impose. Secondly, magic is a weapon that cannot be handled safely. No matter what good one might do with it, in the end it will always lead to the loss of control of ones actions. Finally, despite what we are told, the God of Blood is no benevolent being. Though our afterlife lies with him, we are utterly disposable to him, to be disposed of as best suits him. Armok is to be feared and respected, but never again must we presume to know his will, and never again must we trust anything that extends beyond our mortal world.
No kings or gods will save us - they care only for themselves. There is no savior for the dwarves. We must save ourselves.
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Topic: Demongate: Wrapping up the Loose Ends. (Read 670822 times)