The Lore of Shadow Mage Ofaris of the Hollow

I don't expect to tell who Shadow Mage Ofaris was. Because of his tremendous life I was never able to get around him to the degree that many of you who knew him better were able. But this lack of extended time together had one benefit.

At each meeting I was struck with an impression that had the clearness of a stamp struck once or a book opened for the first time. They were vivid interactions that contrasted sharply with the dull hours of life or time spent in meaningless conversation with people who are soon forgotten. So in the short time I spent with him the memories built were strong ones that I see in full color and still smell of earth and oil.

I have a story to offer, and although it was just a half second, at the time it happened I instantly knew it was worth more than that.

A farm is a wonderful place for a child. Starting in the house and working outwards every corner had something that tells about Ofaris and then tells about me. Exploring his farm was like getting memories back that I never had, but each had a place prepared for them. I think mother and father knew this better than I did since they spent their time at the source talking for hours to Ofaris while I just poked around buildings and searched for artifacts. The most interesting discovery was the field golems.

I know that "Boy Fascinated with Field Golems" isn't going to be a news headline anywhere, but being in the shed and seeing them all lined up there in the dark was really neat. Soon Ofaris came out and for some unknown reason he had to mow part of one of the fields just then with the largest golem. What a coincidence! First came the climb to its shoulder, then the jokes about if it was going to start or not, and then the joy of spouting smoke and a bumpy ride. I didn't say much, but the gentle rumbling of the golem gave an excuse to the silence. Ofaris had the cheerful demeanor he always seemed to have and piloted us above the grass as the mower, towed behind us, chewed a fragrant wake. The golem’s legs churning beneath us propelled us and the mower effortlessly across the uneven ground.

I took none of this for granted. It was all new and familiar and right.

Surprisingly a small explosion ripped through the gentle roar behind us. The casual presence was gone: it melted from his face as he twisted around to the right. The twig serving as a toothpick in his mouth dropped 60 degrees as he stared back intently and with command at what could have been anything, but just happened to be the mower. I think what cemented it for me was the speed. He had turned and was looking at the problem before I was really sure what was going on. From the way he looked it could have been a goblin attack and I'm sure there would have been a quickly executed plan. Some beat up timber appeared behind the mower as we moved on, and after a few more seconds the gentle and pleasant demeanor returned and time caught up with us again. But I had found a secret and seen some of what was inside. The stories I had heard in the house made sense now, and for a split second I had seen a little bit of it myself.

Entered by: 0xBf24…DCF5 and preserved on chain (see transaction)