Forgotten Runes Logo
Book
Recent Lore
Lore with Images
Search
World Map

Sorcerer Hashim of the Villa (#6388)

Owner: 0x481E…b8fC

The Plan

Hashim stared at Iprix with his golden eyes as his fingers slowly drummed the drained goblet, which at this point he wanted to be full again if only to momentarily forget the tale just spun. Iprix seemed lost in thought as he simply stared at the floor beneath his feet.

“Have I ever told you how Azazel and I became…acquainted?” asked Hashim.

“Gods no and we both know I don’t like your familiar as much as you don’t like mine.” With that both cat and bat stared at their respective nemeses.

“Since we’re in a tale telling mood and this one which I’ve never told anyone seems so pertinent, I must divulge. Dark times are ahead my friend. Mark my words. Would you be so kind to refill our goblets as I feel it’s necessary given the situation.”

“Hashim, when I have ever turned down a buzz and a good story?” Iprix quickly cackled until he saw the look in his friend’s eyes. “Don’t make me reach…push that goblet a bit this way.”

“Clearly we both know our familiars are far from their outward appearances, yes? I know Camazotz is no ordinary bat and you for sure known ‘Zaz is only a cat in outward seeming. How you two met only matters to me if you wish to tell the story, but how ‘Zaz and I met is a tale that I can no longer keep to myself…”

Hashim had been wandering The Sands after leaving his home for what seemed like an eternity for the young adept. Even at a young age he had shown incredible talent in the chaotic magic of the Purple Wizards but somehow his was still focused. He wouldn’t be the assassin mage he was destined to become for years, but on this day he was one step closer to his path.

If a traveler had seen him that day, one would have thought he’d soon be dead from heat exhaustion and dehydration. If a traveler had been able to ask his parents, they would say their headstrong son would never succumb to such a mundane death. As parents usually are, they were right.

He had spent an innumerable amount of time training in that desolate wasteland honing his skills, perseverance and fortitude, and it was only these attributes that kept him moving step after step in search of an oasis that he knew in his soul would be over the next dune. Unfortunately for our young Hashim, his corporeal body was of a different mindset and about to give up when in the near distance he caught the glimmer of water.

“Today is not your day, my friend” he rasped to the Reaper who he was both an acolyte and adversary of.

Knowing he would soon be refreshed with life sustaining water, his steps quickened and soon he was within yards of the palm strewn oasis. As he was about to lean in with hands cupped, a presence was felt to his left. Without thinking, or perhaps thinking in desperation, Hashim reached within his purse and grabbed his vial of nightshade. An accidental misstep of not fully tempered youth, but one that would change the rest of his days.

In the one instant before smashing the life-stealing vial on the stones surrounding the life-giving water, Hashim was able to see his adversary. What loomed above him was a seven-foot-tall indigo hued Djinn reaching towards the young assassin.

Before blackness descended, his last thought was “But I didn’t even get a drink of water.” After that, the real insanity began.

Hashim awoke to what could only be described as a hellscape. He was on a blasted and ruined hillside watching hordes of the undead march below him. They were being driven onwards by all manner of demons that could only have been summoned from the deepest depths of Hell’s realms. As his gaze turned to the right in the direction the evil masses were traveling, he saw a massive flame emanating from a slowly rotating inverted pyramid. Just looking at the thing made his blood turn cold.

As his gaze was transfixed was on the flame in the distance, Hashim didn’t notice the demonic figures who had broken from the horde towards his position. When he finally realized his imminent danger, it was too late. As the ghastly soldiers were about to close in on him, a sudden explosion, if that’s what it could be described as, occurred and suddenly Hasim was lying next to the oasis once more.

Hello my friend, Hashim heard within his mind while gazing into the eyes of a cat perched upon his chest. That was quite the vision wouldn’t you say?

“Who are you?! And why can I hear you inside my mind??”

Well…that Djinn that was about to consume your very soul and essence before you smashed that, shall we say detestable nightshade potion, is me. I am Azazel and this is my oasis that you stumbled upon, but in all my years residing here, I’ve never been bested. Being immortal, nightshade can’t kill me but how I detest it. Gives me a sneezing fit. Some beings like this but not I. Honestly, I am quite astounded and astonished that you’re still alive. You’re more formidable than your human body appears, eh?

“That vision…”

Yes…that…that is a glimpse of what’s to come…perhaps. The future is a path of many threads but one never knows as a simple pebble could create an avalanche. Personally, I am not one for the Undead Horde as I prefer the frivolity of the living. Much more fun. Would you like to get some water now? It’s very lovely here. Just enough minerality for a proper quench.

Hashim stared dumfounded at the cat on his chest as the cat tilted his head to the side and stared back.

“Yes…I suppose I would like a drink after all of this….excitement.”

Excellent.

The cat nimbly leapt off the sorcerer’s chest as he rolled to his side and began to drink from the oasis. The cat maybe knew what was to come, but Hashim was absolutely in the dark..

“You’re kidding me, Hashim. That fleabag is a Djinn??” Iprix shouted while said fleabag’s eyes flashed a fiery indigo.

“Friend, please. If it weren’t for ‘Zaz I would never have met you and been able to tell this tale. Once again, the threads of fate have shown their face. Destiny, Iprix. It is real.”

“Ok, ok…jokes aside…your tale hits home. We must destroy this flame, but I fear it’s not the only one. Something inside tells me this insidious essence his spreading within the Realm. However, we still must do what we believe is right. I love a bit of chaos but I despise Evil. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Without hesitation, both said the same thing “Duncan.”

“Aye, that ignorant foolhardy knight couldn’t be swayed one way or t’other so long as he’s got his gold,” Iprix said with his usual cackle.

“Should we send a crow?”

“Camie will take this message, friend. Let’s not take any chances.”

Once again, there was silence as the two friends stared into their goblets.

Entered by: 0x481E…b8fC and preserved on chain (see transaction)