A Personal Account of the Founding of the Ebonguard:

Written by its founder Daganev Treeripper

 

They say some people live in the past, having not accomplished much since then.  I am one of those people.

 

You would be too, if your life was like mine. I reached what I thought was the pinnacle early, and spent most of my efforts trying to make sure future generations would benefit from it. All my great achievements were done with most people not knowing about them, and I liked it that way. But it also means I'm always looking back, and only planning ahead, to help others look back.  The great thing about the past, is it's always getting better.  And now, some 200 years later, it's a good time to let you know about it.

 

My history and background is written in my memoirs, and you can find tidbits in my background and history, so I'll not spend too much time talking about that, save when it is relevant. Instead I will try to fill in the details that flood my memory with the great times I lived in, and seem to have survived to tell about it.

 

First, I must state that there are many people who I looked up to. People who made me feel small, and that I didn't accomplish much.  In Magnagora those people were Daevos, Ixion, and Chade.  Daevos I think is still famous, and if he isn't he should be.  He had discipline, and a quiet devotion to get things done. Much like my own service to those I served. But unlike me, he did them very well.  Then there is Nayl, who gave me access to the inside track in most things, which I otherwise would not get.  When I moved to Glomdoring, those new giants loomed above, beside and under me.  Shayle, my tyrannical daughter, and Xenthos the Rock who thinks he is Crow. And Gwynevere, the only reason I made it into Glomdoring and became Guild master was because I was able to follow her lead.  She likely did not know it, but I watched her very closely, mimicked her actions, and learned to love Glomdoring as she did. It was a shame that she was eventually chased out of the forest, for reasons I do not know or understand. Someone should write her story one day.

 

You might be wondering at this point, why I was watching Gwynevere, and why I mimicked her to learn to love Glomdoring.  And the shocking truth is, the secret I've been holding since the year 115, is that I was ordered to.  I was tasked by Fain, of the Red Masque, to watch observe and report, on those who were working to bring back the commune of Glomdoring.  My job was simple, to report my observations so that other members of the Order of Fain could find and hold important positions in the forest. It was never my job, my intention, or even my expectation, that I would be one of those people with an important position, that I would be tasked with founding the Ebonguard, a guild which before 115, never existed.  That's a big weigh off my chest, and likely many will look down on me for this tainted spot in my history.  But the reason I pen this down, is because of the great transformation the Wyrd had upon me, and has made me a fixture in Glomdoring, never growing, never moving, and never failing.  Much like the Wyrdling who literally opened himself up, to make a home for us in the mighty mauve forest.  The Wyrdling's story is my story, and that is a story for another time.  But for now, I am writing the story of my service to Fain, and how in the end, nothing matters but Glomdoring!

It occurs to me that you might be curious to know why Fain and Magnagora wanted to have political and religious control over the Glomdoring. I had almost forgotten to mention it, because it was so benign and simple.  At the time, Serenwilde was the only source for alchemy and the potions of healing it provided, and so Magnagora and Fain were at a severe disadvantage, especially considering Fain’s relationship with Lisaera.  Our main task was to make sure that Glomdoring would provide material support for Magnagora and their war efforts. This was also why Narsrim was sent to Serenwilde to gain a hold as well, but that is for the end of this book.

I will break up the rest of this missive into headings, stating the lesson learned, and then describe the events in chronological order.  If my memory serves me right, all these things happened in just 10 turbulent years, perhaps 20, but they have defined me and will be etched in my mind forever.

 

You can't hide ambition

 

When the beautiful Viravain appeared to the basin as a young girl, many grew hopeful in the return of the Glomdoring.  There was the summer court, and the disciples of Crow, and I can't remember the other clans that popped up, all trying to shape the Glomdoring into their own image. People who thought they have the key to the forest, and knew just the right actions to get Rowena Nightshade and even Viravain Herself, to follow their lead.  But every disciplined warrior knows how to recognize who is truly in charge, and it was clear that for all the coddling, Viravain was merely gathering admirers around her finger.  She had fun with the most ambitious people.  Whomever would try to steer events in their direction, or move the conversation away from where Viravain would want it, would find themselves literally flicked across the planes. Sometimes landing in Astral, sometimes in the ethereal plane, and sometimes in other parts of the Basin.  But always, Viravain would flick her finger, and they would fly. Oh what a joyous sight it was.  But I was a wise and stupid bear, and noticed how Gwynevere never got flicked. She also, never showed much ambition.  I too, never got flicked, and never had any ambitions, save to report to Chade and Daevos what direction things were going in. I reported to Chade as he was the head of Fain's Order, and I reported to Daevos as he was the leader of Magnagora. I was never asked to move things either, only to make others receptive to members of Fain's order to be moved into the forest, and to report on which clan would be winning the leadership of the commune.  Viravain was clear though, no clan would win, and the leadership would come from all over the basin. Neither Celest, Serenwilde nor Magnagora would get more members than any other place, and so I was further tasked to find people in Serenwilde and Celest who would be open to the ways of Fain.  It was at this point, that I learned to love Viravain, and learned to understand her.  People treated Her like a child, just as they treated me as a child. She saw the world a certain way, and I learned how I too can see the world a certain way.  Though my plans and goals were with Fain, my heart was quickly pulled towards the manipulations of Viravain and her underestimated power.  Ambition was the downfall of all those who failed to gain leadership in those early days, and those who had it, could not hide it, no matter how they tried.

 

Discipline and Service bring you Power

 

So how did the Ebonguard guild end up being formed?  It was really rather simple. We had spent many days working on the ritual to bring Rowena Nightshade her crown and restore her youthful beauty.  Finally, everything clicked into place, though we had not yet been able to re-awaken Crow, and Rowena gave Gwynevere the crown of night, allowing Gwynevere to learn the secrets of Mother Night.  Thus Gwynevere became the first member of Glomdoring, and the first Guild mistress of the Shadowdancers.  Many were then begging Gwynevere to induct them into the Shadowdancers, but she was not ready for such a task yet, they would have to wait.  And there I was standing mostly silent, protecting Gwynevere from the many people trying to force their will on her.  Then suddenly, Viravain asked me what I wanted, since I had not made my intentions clear yet.  I simply told her, "I am here to protect Gwynevere and any member of the Shadowdancers, or members of the Glomdoring. I am here to serve." Or something similar.  To which Viravain said to me, "Oh! You will need a guild to do that properly, we can't have mercenaries protecting our forest."... Or something to that affect.  Viravain then asked if anyone else wished to take up weapons to protect the forest, but none said yes.  I was then whisked away into a plane which I cannot remember, and have never returned to since. There I was quizzed, as to the values of the protectors of the Glomdoring.  I told her my personal motto, is to work with Discipline, in Darkness, and to get things done.  These were based on my service as an Ur'Guard, a member of Fain's Order, and an admirer of Daevos.  Viravain agreed that these were good values for the warriors and so asked me what we shall call ourselves.  At this point I was at a loss, for I had not thought about any such thing.  I asked the various clans and orders and secret organizations I was in what the name of the guild should be, and the resounding answer was "Ebonguard", and so that was what I said.  However, I also proposed the names "Glomgaurd", "Ebonknights", and "Darkwarriors".  Viravain agreed that Ebonguard sounded best, and so that is how we got our name.  Meanwhile, back at the Master Ravenwood, the various leaders of the clans and people who felt self-important were bickering over how to raise Crow, who should have which positions of honor, and who would make up the leading council of the Glomdoring.  None of them got what they wanted.  Instead, Gwynevere welcomed me as the second member of Glomdoring, even before I was chosen to be the Merciless Chieftain.  From that day forward, I was asked to pick warriors from the Paladins, Serenguard, Ur'Guard and the various outcast warriors at the time to invite them to the Ebonguard, and from there we crafted the ranks and responsibilities, the motto and the advancement path that all would objectively follow, to remove any sort of power grabs or favoritism.  I feel bad that the first elected Champion, Tharruk*, and the first Administrator Richter, never were able to grow with the guild, their allegiance to themselves and Magnagora being too strong to survive the demands Glomdoring made of its leaders. While Richter was not part of Fain's Order, he was working for his own goals, with my full knowledge of his desire to build a Basin wide trading organization. An Organization I had hoped, the Ebonguard would be key members of. Nothing good comes from getting the position you think is owed you, or being appointed for the sake of a secret goal.  Never trust those who conspire with you. 

 

*Editor's Note: The first Champion of the Ebonguard was in fact Syrienne An'Ryshe but she resigned in 119 CE. She had gained the position of champion through a trial by Combat.

 

 

You can't trust conspirators

 

This is likely an obvious lesson for most people. But for me, I had to fail many times before I could recognize that most people conspire for personal gain, and not for the goal itself. I was betrayed by many people in those early days of Glomdoring. By faithful sidekick Furloch robbed Magnagora tired of being a servant.  Those I appointed to take on the leadership of the Ebonguard, quickly decided that they were not up for the task, despite months and years of preparation to continue our vision.  They must have seen the writing on the wall, and recognized that Fain would never come to Glomdoring, and they did not learn how to love Viravain, and so they spread out across the basin to other places, in search of old reliable friends, and smaller plots that they could fulfill. I quickly became alone in the forest. Names you might know, where close advisors to me but have none gone to other places. People such as Richter Carthan, or Adracunin and Ashteru. It was just me and Crow, me and Night, or me and the Wyrdling.  I had many people around me, all looking to me as the Merciless Chieftain of the Ebonguard.  But I had nobody who was close to me, nobody I could share my secret orders with, and nobody who could help me clearly in the open. While Magnagora claimed the Glomdoring was tainted, I had to balance my friends and family with the politics of my position. Same with Celest and Serenwilde. My closest friends were outside the commune.  My friends in Glomdoring became the Spirits, and the Glomdoring itself. This bound me tightly to the land and her history, and helped me remain in the past like the Spirit of Rock.  We built many clans in the Glomdoring, focused on secret plots.  These plots included the spread of the Wyrd, the spread of Fain, the spread of the Spirits, and teaching others how to move into the embrace of Viravain, and follow the Hunt of Shikari.  But in the end, most of these plots failed. Only those teaching people how to love and live Glomdoring were successful.  The plots that should not have been plots, and the conspiracies that should have been open activities.  Those were the only ones that worked, the only ones that could be trusted.

 

When you wear a mask long enough, it becomes you

 

At some point, and I can't remember when, Fain attempted an open takeover of Glomdoring. The forest was slowly filled with His shrines, and I was asked to help maintain them.  But all my efforts were working towards raising the shrines of Viravain, even though I was not yet an official member of Her Order.  Or perhaps I was and left to rejoin Fain's, I cannot honestly remember, as I had joined and left orders so frequently to avoid suspicion from all sides.  But previously, joining and leaving orders were simply a formality, as my communication was never cut off.  But on one fateful day, I was asked to defile a shrine of Viravain's so that one of Fain's could expand. I stalled and observed, and tried to decide which side I would put myself.  It did not take long for me to recognize that I had no home but Glomdoring, no loyalty save to the Ebonguard which I created. I helped everyone I could for as long as I could, but by the year 135, I had removed all ties with Fain, and Magnagora had removed all ties with me. I could tell that nothing I told to Magnagora was trusted anymore, and I saw that the Wyrden Forest, and Tainted city were moving ever further apart.

 

Wearing the Masque gets you nothing but loneliness

 

In the end, I had always hoped for a dynasty, a family to carry on my name. I had hoped the Treeripper clan would become famous across the basin.  Our family name would bring, fear, irony, and a sense of unity to the Basin through our commercial efforts, and our family would be filled with leaders of Guilds, Cities and Communes.  But alas, that never happened.  I wore my mask too tightly, and had no time to make lasting relationships with others. I lived vicariously through my tyrannical daughter who had an amazing grip on Glomdoring, and I had hoped that her children would carry on.  But alas, it was not meant to be, she likely suffered from the same loneliness that I did.  Though she accomplished many great things, and I do not think Glomdoring would be what it is today without her, it left us with a small family, easily forgotten among the great houses that rose up around us. Instead, I have this book, and the secrets and great times of my memory.  I am reminded now of a brief conversation I had with Viravain when I first was proclaimed leader of the Ebonguard. She asked me about the name "Treeripper", and how could such a name have any place in a forest. I told her that a tree has deep roots, and one can never truly rip up a tree, they can only be broken, and then regrown.  My name was an impossibility, like the plot I was hiding at the time. I remember that she was not satisfied with my answer, and said only that time would tell, and indeed it has.

 

Nothing Matters but Glomdoring!

 

In the end, if one looks back and looks at all that happened, the Ebonguard was founded despite me, not because of me.  Yes, I spoke to the Wyrdling and was the one who asked for our Guildhall to be within his body, and Yes, I established all the spirits of Glomdoring, not just Crow and Night as our spiritual guidance, and yes, I uttered the words "Ebonguard" as the name of the guild.  But truly, the name came from the suggestions of the members of Fain's Order who were whispering in my ear at the time, the Wyrdling was a creation of Viravain, and the Glomdoring and the Wyrd.  As I wrote earlier, I will write about the Wyrdling another time, but it was Gib who should be truly honored as the founder of the Ebonguard, as it was Gib Gladheart, who spoke to me, and helped me lead the Ebonguard during its first years, and Xenthos who has held it together all these centuries.

 

Hidden Archrivals

While I am here, revealing old stories, I wish to tell of one more story which would do well to not be kept secret.  I tell of this memory so that my actions can be placed in sharp contrast to others who were in my position.  I speak of Narsrim.  Many may not know, but Narsrim was once a member of Fain's Order as well. He was tasked with converting the Serenwilde towards the Red Masque.  I remember we thought he was doing well, about to be elected guild champion of the Moondancers.  And that is when we discovered that once he won the election he left the Order and started a campaign against Magnagora.  I felt that Narsrim was a coward and failed at his duty and service, seemingly with no care for those who helped him.  I had sworn to myself that I would avenge his betrayal, and succeed where he had failed.  But alas, that was never to come about. I did not see clearly that it was Fain and Magnagora which was making us all betrayers, all alone with no support, and so I missed the opportunity to improve my skill enough to defeat Narsrim in battle all the many time we fought against each other.  If only I had learned the lesson earlier in life, things might have worked out differently for me, and my family.  But I am proud of the service I have given to Glomdoring, and I am happy for the lessons it has taught me, and the gifts the forest has bestowed upon me.

 

As always, In Darkness, with Discipline, I do! Though now, with a bit more memory, and an eye that can show others through the dark.