When stories get told, stories never get old. The certain truth, however, is that these stories may undergo changes over the decades or centuries they are sustained in the minds of the people. Characters in these stories shift from hero to villain, depending on the region and culture the story gets told or even the outcome and moral of the story shifts over time. None of that, however, has ever happened with the story of the mythical Gray Pilgrim. Across all nations and times, this strange person has been the center of a set of stories that are almost fixed in stone.

First of all, the origin of The Grey Pilgrim is shrouded in mystery and arcane secrets. It is a tale of betrayal, sacrifice and love. Legend goes that when The Grey Pilgrim was born dooming clouds filled the sky and lightning struck on the ground next to the house he was born in. It was a simpler time. Solar Mage Liliana hadn’t climbed out of the Pit yet. The Dark Sisters were not even founded as a regular abbey yet and the stones used in building the Belfry were just clay and sand in the ground. It is a time when nature dominated the surface of the planet and settlements warred amongst each other, unencumbered yet by the dominance of an overlord or King.

And in this world, The Grey Pilgrim, whose true name has been lost to the ages, developed into one of the brightest minds of that era. His keen eye for justice and raw talent in the arcane arts made him a formidable figure and soon he started to travel around and gather a following. These scholars wandered with him, and studied his ways but none of them were able to even begin to fathom the depth of his powers. During their travels The Grey Pilgrim met someone very special, Sasha. They became the main companion of The Grey Pilgrim, even sharing the bed after some time but unfortunately disaster was bound to happen.

As The Grey Pilgrim settled in with his partner, it became obvious to some of his followers that the arcane truths he had unraveled would never get shared with them but instead with his soulmate. One night, in blind rage, some of his disciples stormed his sleeping quarters and a battle ensued. It is said that the battle coloured the skies for miles on end and that when the dust settled, the earth was so thoroughly marked and scorched that nothing ever will grow there again. In the fight, one of his assailants saw an opportunity to strike The Grey Pilgrim in the back, but Sasha had seen through the tactic of the attacker. Brave and loving as they were, they covered the Pilgrim’s back with their own body, and were hit fatally themselves.

And then, The Grey Pilgrim disappeared. He was no longer the majestic figure of old, but opted for a life as a hermit and recluse. Years went by and his name became something people whispered, hoping for the powerful arcane scholar to return and make the world a better place. But he never came back and generations passed on their stories in their own way and soon his name became forgotten.

And then the mythos of The Grey Pilgrim finally started to gain shape. The stories being told around campfires in the woods, by minstrels at court or bards in busy taverns on free nights are all set after this origin story. Some of these stories are more remarkable than others though.

For instance, It has been stated that one night during his long journeys on unpaved and uncharted roads, he came face to face with the Devil itself. The Devil is usually referred to as the ruler of the abyss, Pit or other name the people of a certain culture attribute to it. This creature, the ruler of all things evil, was outraged by The Grey Pilgrim as he has mastered the secrets of immortal life. The Devil wanted him in his realm and torture him for eternity. The Grey Pilgrim sat down and refused to fight. He proposed a game of patience, with both of them sitting in silence. Legend goes that both sat silent without nourishment for years on end. Finally, the Devil cracked and admitted defeat. In return, The Grey Pilgrim asked for safe passage and a way to restore balance in the world one conflict at a time.

His wish was granted by the Devil and he received the walking stick of the Devil. Now, it is called the Staff of Peace, one of the most intricately carved pieces of arcana in the history of the world. It is said that the Staff possesses the power to tap into the heart and soul of any living creatures and is able to filter away all the negative emotions and corruption running through the veins. To enter Royal courts and rowdy travers alike, The Grey Pilgrim chose the least aggressive gear to walk around, his symbolic Grey Cloak. This is the story used by all cultures to explain the depiction of The Grey Pilgrim. Other stories talk about how he managed to prevent civil war in a city torn apart by the economic elite.

There are stories about how he has convinced mercenary groups and whole armies to lay down the weapons and start talking with the other side of the battlefield. But he isn’t just a peace bringing persona. Other stories talk about how he single handedly defeated and resurrected an evil King. He has been central in the stories about a band of mages who worked together to defeat their old mentor.

Many more stories will be written about The Grey Pilgrim in the coming centuries. The truth will always be shrouded in mystery. However, it is clear that somewhere on the surface of this planet there dwells a mythical arcane person whose destiny is closely linked to the destiny of the world.

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