[center][h1][b][u]Carn[/u][/b][/h1] [i]30 years after Antiquity...[/i][/center] [hr] [i]There was once a boy, Heir to a village! Then the raiders came, His home they pillaged! His family scattered, or reduced to ruin! Cold and friendless, A storm is brewin’! He wandered the road Every day he fought! The path was endless He walked without thought! But he felt empty, His life was lonely! Something more he craved Oh oh, if only! Alone in the world, With naught but a sword! Blind to his desire, He stumbled onward! Then he met a girl, Her hair bright and red! A kindred spirit, Together they fled! But it was not to be, Too many diff-rent needs! From him she departed, To pursue her own deeds! Then word he received, Of his brother’s fate! Believing him imperiled, And it could not wait! So he raised a host, And his love returned, He marched to war, For the reunion he yearned! An army at his back, In his hand a sword! Blind to his desire, He stumbled onward! But his love had changed, She was not the same! And yet he was blind, To what she became! But he was to blame, Not for her own crimes! But for his inaction, He turned a blind eye! His objective reached, His quest nearly complete! A city he sieged, Its leader he did entreat! They met at the gate, But he was misled, There had been no danger, The city his brother led! An army at his back, In his hand a sword! Blind to his desire, He stumbled onward! Taken by surprise! They both made a plea! Too stubborn to yield, Neither could agree! But his men and his love, They urged him to fight! Afraid to lose them, He foolishly complied! An army at his back, In his hand a sword! Blind to his desire, He stumbled onward! Their loyalty unwavering, His army attacked! First through the breach, No time to look back! An army at his back, In his hand a sword! Blind to his desire, He stumbled onward! Under the spring sun, Brothers’ weapons crossed! Stronger was his foe, And the fight he lost! Saved only by the grace, Of divinity’s aid! Defeated and broken, On his mind it weighed! He realized his folly, But was it too late? Nay, for he still lived, And could master his fate! Found a home at last, No need for his sword! Self-aware at last Found a life he adored![/i] [hr] Carn took a breath as his fingers strummed the last few notes on the lute. Once finished, he took a bow, and the crowd of Songs gathered before him applauded, with a few sighing theatrically. He had not thought his self-deprecating tale would be so moving, yet here he was. “What do you all think?” he asked, once it had died down. “Oh, excellent!” one Song exclaimed. “Very emotional, and the music was flawless!” “The lyrics could use some work, though,” a Songman suggested. He casually leaned against the wall, with red hair and blue skin. This one Carn recognized - he was named Liamas, and it was he who taught Carn how to play a lute. In exchange, Carn had taught him how to wield a sword. “Oh don’t be so harsh,” the Song chided, even as everyone else nodded along at Liamas’s words. She walked next to Carn and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It was his first song!” Liamas offered a languid shrug in response. “It’s honest criticism. Besides, he shows no mercy in the sparring arena, so why should I show him mercy here? Only way for either of us to improve.” “He does have a point,” Carn nodded. “Though your own praise is appreciated,” he added, placing his hand over hers. The Song blushed slightly. He released his hand, and she stepped away. “Speaking of which,” Liamas went on. “We have another session soon, don’t we?” Carn nodded. He had almost forgot - it was hard to tell time in this realm. “I believe we do.” “Ah. Will Nekara be joining us today?” Nekara was one of the Neiyari. When they were first brought to Cadien’s realm, Carn had been asked to help train them, and test his blade against a few of them. That had reawakened his interest in swordplay. Nekara had quickly proven herself to be one of the greatest fighters of the lot, and Carn had begun to duel with her more frequently. “She will,” he nodded. “Ah, excellent,” Liamas smiled. “I will melt the ice around her heart yet.” “You couldn’t melt a snowflake,” a cold feminine voice retorted, as a Neiyari stepped into the room. Her hair was black, her eyes green, and her figure slim but muscular. She had needed to turn sideways in order for her light brown wings to fit through the doorway. “Not even if you were on fire in the middle of summer.” Most of the Songs gasped. Liamas staggered and clutched his heart as if he had been struck by an arrow. “Ah! You wound me, my lady!” Nekara looked Carn in the eye. “The others have already gathered,” she said. The ‘others’ being a couple of Neiyari, as well as a handful of Songs who had also expressed interest in swordsmanship. “Early, I know, but if you’re finished here there’s no point in keeping them waiting.” Carn nodded. “Right then. Let’s get to it.” [hr] [hider=Post Summary] The post opens with Carn singing a song about his life story. Some Songs then offer criticism. Among them is Liamas, a songman who taught Carn how to play the lute. In return, Carn taught him how to use a sword. We’re then introduced to Nekara, a Neiyari who Liamas has the hots for, but she isn’t interested. Turns out Carn has been holding regular sparring sessions with groups of Neiyari and Songs. The post ends there. [/hider] [hider=Prestige Summary] [u]Carn[/u] [b]Beginning:[/b] 70 -15 to purchase the title “Lutemaster I.” This hero possesses masterful skills with the lute, capable of playing music that even the most cold-hearted would feel moved by. +3 for 5,000+ characters. [b]Ending:[/b] 58 [/hider]