I was born in Auramkil in the year 189, in the winter, on the night of a new moon. My parents were both adventurers and I was raised in the palace nursery by humans whose names I'm ashamed to say that I've forgotten. I was a sickly child and would have become a pure mage had it not been for my father's political ambitions. As it was, he bribed my way into the Elite guard, where I had my first few adventures. Unfortunately I was of little help to my parents for they were both killed a few months later, fighting the Ice Lich Kushenka. At this point, I was accepted into the Clan of the Setting Sun and would have led a quiet existance had it not been for a man by the name of Samodesu.
I first met Samodesu when he brought proof of my parents' death: the brooch my mother bore with our Clan's insignia (the Shooting Star). He described how they had met their unpleasant deaths at the hands of Kushenka and said that he could give me an opportunity to avenge my Clan's honor (and become rich & famous too). Though I was suspicious of his motives, I took the bait.
Samodesu was a brilliant adventurer, ever alert to the slightest dangers and always prepared for the worst case scenario. Though he was a thief by trade, he seemed very familiar with magic of both priestly & mage varieties. He saved my life on numerous occasions with his foresight and plans. Unfortunately though I suspected him of being Evil (or at best Neutral) he never did anything that I could pin upon him, and maybe I deluded myself into a state of self-denial.
Eventually we formed an adventuring party to deal with Kushenka: a priestess from some scorched desert who worshipped Matanwe, a blue-robed mage from Silverton and a pair of twins who had matched intelligent blades. I forget the details of our adventures, but we did defeat the Ice Lich. During that adventure, we lost Samodesu in an ice-chasm, but I suspect he survived -- for the fabled Ice Crown of the Kushenka was missing from the hoard. In any case, we all became somewhat rich and very famous around Auramkil. Since none of the others were from the area, my exploits were exaggerated while theirs were forgotten. At the time, it seemed fine since the party did get on my nerves.
From the Ice Lich's hoard, I had retrieved a large mirror of Divination. It was through this mirror that I first made contact with Zzukist and discovered my destiny. This is the first I had heard of the Balor, and unfortunately I cannot remember what he told me. This is also when I started getting dreams of the Balor -- dreams that would plague me till the end.
The dream always starts the same way: there is a huge rocky chasm and the Balor is hunting in the canyon. Sometimes I see more, sometimes I see less, but the Balor is always hunting for me. There are four other variants that I can remember offhand (maybe more):
I went on a series of adventures for a Chaotic Good Titan Lord (whose name I can't remember). It involved dealing with the Balor's mortal minions and some demon by the name of Flambeau. It was during these adventures that I met a rogue Grey Elf (whose warnings of doom had gone unheeded by his Forest) [more about him later]. Anyway, the Titan Lord presented me with Cirrus, a noble pegasus-lord. Cirrus filled a void in my life and was the only real friend I was ever to have. I remember also something about Cloud Giants, and a cloud-fortress called Cerringel.
I don't remember where I got the Talisman and the Training to become the Sword-Wraith -- only a deep gut feeling that my old "friend" Samodesu had something to do with it.
I had a few adventures on the Ether, and one in the Abyss (but none in the Astral) before my final confrontation. There is a lot of important stuff that the dwarves told me which I have now forgotten -- dealing with Balors and what they do to your spirit. I used to think that they possessed you (and stocked up on anti-possession devices) but the truth is far worse. I think that it has something to do with assimilating parts of your spirit. I wish I could remember so I could warn you.
I also had some dealings with the West, where I had to trick them out of a Holy Symbol -- they were too stubborn and I was pressed for time; something about a mage by the name of Verbonc (he claimed to be a survivor of the Past) and a Cult of the Balor (though it had some other name). The Cult cursed me and claimed that they would extinguish every iota of my spirit -- so you've been warned...
As for becoming the Red One, all I remember is that the title is a joke -- the possessors are neither Red nor One. I remember researching that -- involved asking Zzukist who sent me off on a wild-goose chase.
I feel completely confused by this "shadowing" stuff. Hopefully you can tell me more about it --- I'm certain that nothing of this sort was happening when I was alive.
-- Lessania