The Gods Disease

      As a child of the small town of Hemnfell, Kevin was always finding luck on his side. Whether it be in simple childhood games, or finding a few small pieces of copper here and there, he always appeared the lucky one. Kevin never really saw it that way. He always felt as if he was being watched by some higher power. Someone, somehow, was directing him on a path, and he would be a fool to not see what it had in store for him.

     When he was older, Kevin began researching into the lore of the gods. This research soon began to consume his life. He learned how they came to be, who they once were, legends of who they would come to be, and how they would come to fall. The Gods Disease, though a long lost myth, was something that had infatuated Kevin from the moment he first learned of it. The Gods Disease, though rare, had the potency to kill any humanoid, no matter the race. No matter their status. Anyone who contracted it would die soon after.

     Though everyone seemed to show the same signs of illness, it seemed to affect everyone differently. Some reports say a small Halfling had contracted the disease, causing steam to pour from his ears for 3 days and 4 nights until, it seemed, a pressure inside him built to far to much and the poor mans body could not handle it. He exploded in the night, leaving nothing but a small smoking pile of ash in his bed.

     Another says that a Human king contracted the disease early on in his reign. Though some stories say he was so righteous and good that the gods cured the disease for him, many knew the truth. Their are some reports of people claiming to have seen a body being moved from within the castle walls in the night, but most of them were quickly snuffed out by those near to the king himself. Rumor says that the kings guard went into the forest and found a powerful shifter, then paid them to change themselves to resemble the king. Though the shifter could not hold the phase for long, it was always long enough to get through any public appearance the king may have had.

     But none of these stories show what the Gods Disease could truly accomplish. You see, if one could find a powerful wizard and give them the right ingredients, they could theoretically create a small vile containing the disease. Then, through a series of complex summoning rituals, one could theoretically summon a god to the mortal plain and infect them. To a mortal man this would accomplish nothing, as what does a mortal man need with a dead god? But that does not mean that no one would benefit. If this were to be done, and someone powerful enough were to find a way to ascend, they could take their own place among the gods, earning immortality.

     Kevin had become consumed in his research, trying desperately to find the recipe, but it was nowhere to be found. But now he knew. He knew that the death of a god could mean total chaos, and he knew what he had to do. So, soon after he turned 18, Kevin left the town of Hemnfell and began a quest for righteousness. A quest to follow the true god, Avandra, and to do only as she could see fit. She had guided him to this path.

     Kevin spent 5 years studying further into Avandras past, and her true form. He began to grow disdainful of his fellow acolytes, who spent all day praying and studying, doing nothing to further the cause of Avandra. If she truly favored those who acted, then she did not favor these lowly monks. Soon he grew tired of the same daily rituals, so he began to sneak off in the night. He went to the nearest town and searched for someone to teach him the basics of fighting. He came across a stout Dwarf named Barend, whose personality was as strong as his mead. Though friendly at the bar, in training he was a nightmare. Relentless and unforgiving, he would quickly punish every mistake and gave little reward for each accomplishment. Slowly Kevin learned to wield a spear with great efficiency, and the day he bested the Dwarf, he was met with a harsh pat on the back and a quick trip to the local tavern for a tankard.

     It was not long after his training was complete that Kevin left. He never really said goodbye to anyone at the monastery, for he had no friends there. He did, however, leave a small pouch on Barends door. In this pouch were 15 gold coins and a small note:

     I leave you this 15 gold. I have left the monastery to find myself a greater purpose.

I feel that Avandra has more planned for me then I have learned thus far,

so I must be bold. I must take this into my own hands. I thank you dearly for all that

you have done for me, and I pray that you find your own way. 

Stay Forever Strong

Kevin

And with that, he was gone. He never did bother to learn the name of village he stayed at, and chose to keep it that way. The fewer ties he had to place, the fewer would break when he never did return.