Died after not moving out of the way of a huge stone ball that was rolling toward him after a trap was set off by Wink. Yetto had recently convinced Ocho that he was a messiah, sent to preach the word.
(A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) was sick. Sick of this city, sick of these deserts, sick of the heat, sick of Tiamat and sick of himself. He silently cursed the old blind Mul fortuneteller who had read his future so long ago. Her reading and been the source of utmost joy and then fading hope and then, finally, the worst despair.
For a while he had been so sure. She was so convincing, with the snakes and (See Greg’s excellent writings for more information about this character.) She had told him he would be able to see those that would save the world. She had told him about the return of the rain, the return of oceans (whatever those were) and the return of the gods. She was so convincing she had him believing it, through and through, balls to bone. He would be able to see a glow about them, she had said, and sense a goodness in them. So (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named), went forth looking, seeking the messiahs, the saviors, or agents of change. He had been hopeful. He would see them, he would join them, they would save the world.
He looked for a long time across the cities and deserts, his faith strong at first, but slowly over time and distance, it did waiver. Doubt began to plague him. Why had he not seen anything?
After a particularly perilous journey across the desert to Raam he had decided he would wander no more. He would still search, but halfheartedly and only here in Raam. Besides he needed to make some money. And (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) had a large array of stories to tell after his time wandering and he could earn a living recounting these stories, as long as he was careful. The powers that be had spies everywhere and wouldn’t take kindly to the wrong kind of storied being told. But I digress, back to the story.
So (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) lived in Raam, and the hope that once burned so brightly faded and was almost forgotten.
Until the burning.
The burning of Artellius Quintus had been mandatory, and it had been bad, but what had been worse was finally seeing the glow the blind Mul had been talking about all those years before.
He could see 2 figures on the stage who glowed. One was unknown to (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) and appeared to be a relative of Artellius Quintus, forced to watch his fate. Their glow was fainter, or maybe the better word is uncertain. But the other glowed brightly and the realization of who it was caused (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) knees to buckle. Seeing Lord Vashir glow while he watched Artellius burn was too much for (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) and he vomited.
Lord Vashir a savior? In what kind of demented world could that be true? Who could live in that world?
Despair.
(A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) sought a new way to earn a living, and cynicism got the best of him. It turns out the powers that be don’t like people preaching of saviors or new beginnings or change. The powers that be pay good money for information about preachers and saviors and agents of change. And (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) found his niche. Turning in the prophets, turning in the ‘saviors’.
Sometimes, he was too good at his job and ‘saviors’ were hard to find. Sometimes a guy like (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) would have to help someone realize they might be a ‘savior’. An encouraging word, a Healing Word cast in a way to make is seem like the ‘savior’ was doing the healing, and some convincing oratory to the crowd was all it took to create a ‘savior’. And that’s all it took to get paid.
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“He has given us a sign! He has brought us to this place!” (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) said.
“I didn’t bring you here you just followed me!” Brian pleaded.
“It’s still a good sign by any standard!” one of the crowd of 30 or so retorted.
Another spoke quickly after. “Master, your people have walked many miles to be with you. They are weary and have not eaten.”
“It’s not my fault they haven’t eaten.” Brian pleaded again.
“There is no food in this high mountain.” Another of the crowd called out worriedly.
“What about those juniper bushes over there?” This time it was the main instigator of this spectacle. (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named)
Gasps of shock from the crowd. “It is a miracle! A miracle!” They begin to exclaim. “He has made the bush fruitful by his words.”
“They brought forth juniper berries!” Another states in a stunned tone.
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When Brian was crucified a few day later (A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) took his money, and he hated it. He hated himself, he hated this world, hated what he had to do to survive.
(A.J.’s character who has yet to be named) then headed towards the sewers, he had heard some rumors that seemed pretty interesting to him. The kind of rumors that paid well.