The rise and fall of Iisis. [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

scl

01-27-2005, 04:05 PM

Note: This story was originally a lot longer than it is now. It was cut for shorter reading and as such it may not "flow" very well. Please stick with it. The Guardian Chapter were the most secretive Chapter of the mighty Legion Angelli and as such very little is known about them. This is the story of their last and some might say, greatest leader; Iisis, Queen of the Arcane. We start this long and winding tale at the Gnomish city of Ak'Anon a very long time ago... Iisis was born the second daughter to a poor Gnome blacksmith who lived in the dark, damp outskirts of the mighty Gnome city Ak'Anon. Her name was rather strange for a Gnome, its said that she was named after an ancient Goddess from a far off land. Isis, the goddess of magic and mother of all. Not many know of this goddess however, and so the origins of her name are strictly hear say. At a very young age Iisis noticed how she did not care for smithery like her Father and Sister. Iisis felt something more to life. Something most Gnomes would never understand. The young Gnomish girl was different from the other Gnomes of her homeland. She did not appear materialistic like others of her race. From a young age, Iisis seemed to follow a religious life, worshiping her creator Brell Serillis with extreme fervour. She did not care for such things as clothes nor money, to her, they simply did not matter. She cared for life. All living things were important to Iisis. She did not worry when the other Gnomes would bully here, instead she prayed for their forgiveness. Many thought that Iisis would eventually give in to her religious life and leave Ak'Anon to pursue life as a Druid. But as a result of her single mindedness and young age, Iisis lacked the Wisdom necessary to follow her chosen path. During one particularly long and arduous summer, legendary Librarian of the Guardian Chapter, Amodesi, received word of a rather strange Gnome while travelling through Ak’Anon. It seemed her religious nature, that which once had held Iisis an outcast in her home was the very thing that intrigued Amodesi. He sensed great arcane ability smouldering deep within Iisis and believed her superior intellect would benefit the cause of the Chapter. Eventually, the temptation was too much for Iisis and she decided to fight along Amodesi in the Guardian Chapter. As a humble mage under the wing of Amodesi, Iisis fought in many victorious battles with her chapter during the sacking of the Caltorsis temple and rose to position of Magus during the plight of her homeland, Faydwer. For several years after this, Iisis’ activities become lost from all current records outside of the Chapter itself. However, it is regarded that she must have provided a great service to the Chapter as one of the Magus, for when we next hear of her she has become Chapter Librarian and Keeper of the Book of souls. It must be pointed out here that they who are appointed Keeper of the Book of Souls are the most trusted warriors under the Inquisitor and Supreme Grand Master. The Book of Souls is of vast spiritual significance to the Guardian Chapter. Engraved within its pages are the names of the Fallen, those that defiled the Chapter by giving themselves over to the dark Gods. Soon after Amodesi’s death during the Gnoll uprising in Black Burrow, it fell upon Gabriel, Supreme grand master of the Chapter to appoint a new Librarian and Keeper of the Book of Souls. This great honour fell to Iisis. As Chapter Librarian, Iisis fought in many campaigns and won much respect from her fellow Honour Guard and even from Gabriel himself. After Gabriel died, some years after Iisis was appointed Librarian it was to no surprise that she would be appointed High Priestess of the Chapter. As the High Priestess, she would be honoured with the title The keeper of secrets and the Book of Salvation. From that day to this Iisis has carried the Book of salvation into combat with her. If you look closely, Iisis actually carries the book with her into combat! Note: Male leaders of the Chapter are known as Supreme Grand Master while Female leaders are known as High Priestess. Note: The Keeper of secrets is the only member of the chapter who knows of the great betrayal. Only the holder of this heavy title truly knows of the terrible history and why the Chapter are the way they are. Much time passed after her appointment and little by little the numbers of the once formidable chapter began to dwindle. The fallen were getting stronger and harder to find, whilst the conviction of some of the chapter grew weaker by the day. Many left the Chapter and Iisis started to grow restless. She feared that what had once happened before may now be happening again. The great temptation. She feared her warriors would not be able to resist the pain this time. The scar of the Unforgiven burned red upon her chest, She could feel it, it was now only a matter of time. Then it began. The Honour guard of the chapter, the 5 most elite warriors began to collapse. Enthale, the wise librarian of the Chapter suddenly left. Hardly any warning was given. Then Luthar, a mighty Paladin of Qeynos. Then it was the turn of Chapter Chaplain, lady Avella. Then there were only two. Iisis' most trusted followers, Chapter Champion Jaiyln, and Gaite, faithful Hunter to the Chapter... Iisis awoke. How long she was gone, no one can be sure. One thing is for sure though, Iisis returned to a ghost chapter. Everyone was gone. Months have passed and still no work has been heard of neither Jaiyln nor Gaite. Iisis was distraught, she felt betrayed by her warriors, her friends, and some say that at that point the Guardian chapter, or what was left of it was almost at the edge of chaos. Even Iisis' iron will was tempted by evil that day. But alas, every cloud has a silver lining. She sought out a friend, someone she new she could trust; Erkai, a great Paladin of Qeynos and officer of the respected guild, The Explorers of Norrath. She knew her friend would help her through this dark time. It was Erkai who brought Iisis back from her affair with the faceless one, Cazic Thule. He reminded her of the hope she once had, the burning conviction to rid Norrath of evil and her duty as the Keeper of secrets. Time passed between the two and what was said between them shall remain a mystery to the rest of us, but whatever it was it convinced Iisis to take arms with the great Explorers of Norrath. After all, outside of her chapter the only friends she had made since her leave of Ak'Anon belonged to the Explorers. Admittedly, she did not know many but the friendship Erkai, Jarickk and Lymara had shown her in her time here ment more to her than they would ever know. Iisis would take an arrow for any one of them and she hoped that one day she would be able to return their friendship. Not everything is as bright as I've made out however; Iisis has changed, she is a shadow of her former self. She finds herself alone most days, unable to trust. Once the High Priestess of the most notorious chapter of the Legion Angelli and now; now just a small fish in a big pond. Her mentor, Amodesi always said she would make a powerful wizard. But the events during this time changed Iisis inside and it was obvious that her time worshiping Caziz Thule had left it's impact on her. It made her stronger, but she concentrated more on destruction and decay and before long she was powerful enough to be accepted into the ranks of the Warlock by the high Council. Now Iisis channels her hate and fury at her enemies, trying to make them suffer. Corrupting their bodies with poison and disease. Make no mistake, Iisis will never be the same. Her roots as a Wizard will soon be lost forever and when they do; lest us pray. As time goes on She finds it harder to adjust to life in the Explorers. All of her power and status has been cast aside, her duties and sacrifices to her chapter are lost forever. She cannot forget however, the scar of the unforgiven will always mark her, it will forever remind her of her true duty. She believes the chapter will return one day, but for now, she will fight alone. She will find the fallen and their names will be forever etched upon the pages of the Book of Salvation.Message Edited by scl on 01-27-2005 11:06 AM