The fire burns warmly, but casts little light into Mentor's study. The flickering shadows only hint at the vast number of books and scrolls on the shelves. Slowly Mentor walks over to the fire.
"Heed well the words of Mentor, Guardian of Loretome, and I will tell you of times past, of darker days when the Empire was saved against all hope from Morcar, lord of Chaos. For I fear the darkness is about to return....
"The book I carry - Loretome - was written when time began, all that ever was and all that ever will be is recorded in its countless pages. Through Loretome I may guide you, but I may not intervene directly, lest a greater evil befall the World, and Chaos triumph forever.
"Many centuries ago, Morcar was my apprentice. He worked hard and learned quickly. But impatience devoured him, and he wanted to learn more powerful magic. I told him of the dangers and that he should be patient, for in time he would become a great wizard. But Morcar could not wait: each night he broke into my study and read my spell books. The secrets that were held within them were great indeed. Once he had learned these secrets, Morcar fled.
"When I had caught up with him, I found him greatly changed. He had pledged his allegiance to the Great Powers of Chaos. Fool! He saw magic only as a short-cut to power and paid no heed to the terrible price he would have to pay. I tried to reason with him, reminding him that the Great Powers would only serve him while it suited their own dark purposes, yet in time destroy him. But to no avail; he laughed in my face and then unleashed a terrible spell which I was hard-pressed to counter. For many days we battled, but Morcar had allies stronger even than I, and I could not defeat him. In the end, as we both weakened, he fled and sought refuge in the Northern Chaos Wastes. There he licked his wounds and honed his skills, conjuring ancient powers with which to overthrow the Empire. Then Morcar's fell Legions poured out of the Chaos Wastes and swept all before them. At the sight of the Black Banner and the massed hordes of Chaos, even the bravest warriors of the Empire had turned tail and fled, the land was laid waste and all men despaired.
"But then there came a mighty warrior Prince from the Borderlands - Rogar they called him. He wore a glittering diamond on his brow - the Star of the West - as worn by the ancient kings of legend. Hope returned and men flocked to his standard, leaving their hiding places in the hills and forests. Other great heroes joined him: Durgin, the fearless dwarven warrior from the World Edge Mountains, Ladril the elven fighter mage from distant Athelorn and Telor the wizard whose sorcery was to save Rogar on many occasions.
"For many years Rogar trained his army, always careful to avoid open battle with Morcar's general until all was ready: but ever harried their supply lines, wiping out countless Orcs and Goblins.
Then came the day for which Rogar had waited. His army had grown strong and was well practiced. Camping in the high passes Ladril saw the Black Hosts from afar and bade Durgin blow the call to arms on his mighty horn. Rogar's army poured down upon the enemy from two sides and battle was joined. Many foul creatures and good men perished that day. Yet, as the light faded, it was Darkness that fled the field. But the victory was not absolute. Morcar and his general escaped beyond the Sea of Claws, and even now they plot their revenge.
"I must watch Morcar and measure the strength of his magic. This I will do with the help of Loretome. The powers Morcar has called upon will destroy us all if I relax from this vigil. Morcar's armies are on the march once again: already they have assailed the Borderlands. The Empire must look again for Heroes and to this end I have trained you. Soon Morcar's plots will be ready and the Empire will have need of a new Rogar. But where are the heroes to equal him?
"Your training is complete, but you still have much to learn if you are to become as great as Rogar and his companions. You are not yet Heroes, you have yet to prove yourselves, but I will help you all that I can. Each of you must complete seven tasks. If you do this you will be acclaimed as Champions of the Realm and dubbed Imperial Knights. Then you will truly be on the road to becoming a Hero. I shall speak with you on your return - if you return......."
Mentor
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