The Sage
By Aegrothius Goth
Crackle, snap, hiss ... Flicker, bright, dim ... The fire in the hearth provides light and heat. Neither seem to affect the old man. His reclining figure stares into the flames and flames reflect back from his deep dark eyes. Indigo blue robes reflect and yet absorb the firelight and highlights of golden threads twinkle as the flames flicker. His beard and hair are long and snowy white; in the firelight they almost appear to be ethereal like that of a godling. At his side is a tall pointed hat which is the same color as his robe and also twinkles with highlights of gold. The face is lined with age, yet almost appears youthful; wisdom and intellect exude from his personage. This is the Sage who is known in all of Tamriel as the champion and counselor to all users of magic. His thoughts wander, and he remembers ...
* * *
Gyron Vardengroet was born to a poor and humble Breton family in the
village of Moonguard. The only child of Frieda and Horstle Vardengroet
entered life during a rare eclipse of Tamriel's moons. It was soon
apparent that he was unusually gifted in the magical arts. He was
found levitating the family dog when he was only a year old. Most
Bretons have a great talent for magic, but as he grew Gyron displayed
a talent far greater than that of his peers. The village wizard
began to take an interest in young Gyron and soon took him under
his wing. In spite of the young man's proclivities for being rowdy,
the old Wizard Grungdingler liked him and worked hard to teach him
the magical arts to the extent of his own skills.
Finally the day came when Grungdingler could teach Gyron no more.
The young mage had surpassed his master, and he was somewhat unsettled
with the apprentice mage's questions about life, death and immortality.
Grundingler called Gyron to him and gave him a letter addressed to
Morkledder, the Guildmagister of the Mages Guild in Shornhelm. The
young mage told his parents of his fortune, packed his meager belongings,
and set out for the journey to Shornhelm. After many months of travel
through the foothills of the Kurallian Mountains, Gyron arrived at
the gates to the great City-State of Shornhelm high in the mountainous
terrain of High Rock.
After the life of a quiet Breton village, Shornhelm was a wonder
to Gyron. He explored the city from one end to the other, and eventually
found the Mages Guild. Presenting Grungdingler's letter to Morkledder,
Gyron was received warmly. Morkledder explained to Gyron that he
would need to be tested before any commitment to further training
could be made. After a night of rest and meditation, Gyron was shown
into the main hall of the Mages Guild which was now filled with magic
users of all kinds. It was very quiet. The young mage felt as if
his heart was in his throat as he approached the Council of Three,
the leaders of the mages in this City-State. Morkledder rose and
explained to Gyron the various tests he would be subjected to to
prove his worth as a mage. The youth then turned and left the Council
Chamber, the eyes of the many mages on him, and went forth to complete
the tasks that had been defined for him.
Returning to Shornhelm several years later, Gyron was admitted to
the Mages Guild and shown to the Council Chamber where he was met
by Morkledder. The ancient mage reviewed the journal entries, the
artifacts gathered, and most especially the spellbook entries presented
to him by Gyron. An expression of amazement spread across the old
wizard's face; there had never been a novice to accomplish what Gyron
had during the testing. Morkledder then called a full session of
the Guild presenting Gyron as a full Wizard.
Gyron remained with Morkledder for several years and studied hard.
In private session several years after the testing, Morkledder admitted
to Gyron that the Guild at Shornhelm could teach him no more and
that he should seek further enlightenment at the Crystal Tower on
Sumurset Isle.
After packing his possessions once again, Gyron set off on another
long journey. He arrived at the Crystal Tower several years later
after having traversed the province of Hammerfell where he had many
adventures, met many other mages and shared his experiences and knowledge
with them. He heard stories of wonderful plants that when combined
with other elements could restore life to those dead, prolong life
to those yet living, and in the proper combination bestow immortality
on the user. Gyron was always quick to advise and guide mages who
were less experienced than himself. He loved being able to help.
He made many friends and stories began to spread across the land
about this exceptional user of magic.
When he entered the Crystal Tower, he was greeted by several mages
all clamoring for his attention. His reputation had preceded him.
However, the crowd hushed and parted at the arrival of a very imposing
figure dressed all in indigo blue robes trimmed in gold, wearing
a high pointed hat and carrying the most beautifully carved staff
Gyron had ever seen. The Elder of the Council of Wizards, Esthlainder,
looked closely at the young wizard, nodded and turned to walk back
into the tower. Without delay, Gyron followed him. The audience that
followed stunned the young mage.
Esthlainder explained to him that Gyron's coming had been foretold
for many years, and he had been expected. The mages had been told
by the Gods that one of their own would come along to provide guidance,
knowledge and aid. Gyron was that promised champion and leader. Gyron
was confused and uncertain. How could he be such an extraordinary
person? What must he do to fulfill his destiny? Many questions spilled
from him to which Esthlainder could not provide the answers. The
Elder suggested that Gyron stay with them in the Crystal Tower for
a while and study. This he did.
The day finally came when The Elder admitted to Gyron that the Crystal
Tower could no longer provide anything new and that he needed to
travel the lands of Tamriel and seek the wisdom and knowledge. The
Elder sighed and told Gyron how sad he was that the Crystal Tower
was losing him, but that his destiny must be fulfilled. With this,
the Elder presented Gyron with a package wrapped in the same beautiful
indigo blue as the Elder's Robes. Gyron was told to take the package
with him but open it only when he was at least a day's travel from
the Crystal Tower.
After a long day's walk, Gyron set up camp in a beautiful glade next
to a brook of crystal clear water. Finally, he thought, I can open
the Elder's package. As he untied the golden cord that had bound
the package, he found that the wrapping was not wrapping at all but
an exquisitely tailored robe identical to the one worn by the Elder.
As he opened the robe, a high pointed wizard's hat popped out of
the package, and with a "whoosh" and "pop," the same intricately
carved staff that the Elder had carried appeared. A note from the
Elder advised that the garments were indestructible and that the
staff had many magical properties for Gyron to discover. It went
on further to explain that from this day forward Gyron would be known
as The Sage.
Tired from his walking and with an inner glow of accomplishment,
The Sage settled down for the first night of his long pilgrimage
across the lands.
After many months of further travels and adventures, The Sage returned
to Moonguard and was warmly welcomed by the villagers and most especially
by his parents, Frieda and Horstle. News of his coming had preceded
him and the whole village had worked hard to build and furnish a
cottage for the mage in the pleasant forest just outside the town.
After a festive banquet that evening, Gyron retired to his new home.
The Sage settled into his life outside Moonguard. He received many
visitors who have traveled from near and far to seek his guidance,
help, and training. The years passed. It was not long before first
Horstle and then Frieda died. The Sage was devastated by his loss.
In his grief he swore to dedicate the rest of his life to defeating
death so that grief like his could be avoided by others.
He returned to the Great Library at the Crystal Tower and researched
the many flowers, herbs and plants that he had heard about and seen
during his travels. In his cottage, he labored tirelessly over the
spellbooks, vials and collection of flora from all over the lands.
He tested the potions on himself. The years went by, but The Sage
seemed not to age anymore. At some point he had found the right combination
in his experiments, but could not determine which combination it
had been as the change had been most subtle. He had secured a life
without end. And the years continued to pass.
Mages came to him for help which he freely gave. The Sage settled
into his life of advising and guiding and the years continued to
pass. Unfortunately, his fame became so great that the call for his
help was unmanageable. He reluctantly packed his possessions for
the last time, and moved far into the Kurallian Mountains and built
a magical fortress. Only the most worthy magic user could gain access
and help from The Sage.
However, following his heart, even today The Sage often leaves his
mountain abode and travels the land helping young mages gain experience
and to grow.
* * *
Snap, crackle ... The firelight flickers... The old mage stirs as
the memories fade and flicker like the firelight. Bang, bang, bang...
echoes from the pounding knocker on the great oaken doors of the
fortress... The Sage rises and heads for the doors knowing that yet
another mage in need has found him and is worthy of help.
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