Azrael

Azrael, of the Barony of Crimson Dawn of the Iron Mountains

”I am not your touch slut.”

Biography

Azrael’s first time picking up a stick was in the fall of 2003, after two months of preparing armor, garb, and custom hilt weapons he returned to the field to play for about six months. At that point and time he took a 6 month break to organize personal issues. Upon his return he has held offices on a regular basis as well as offering services when it is needed and ambitiously climbing the ranks of the cultural tournaments.

Persona

A being may believe in many things, from principals to morals, emotions or even deities. Beliefs are misleading in the respect that just because you do believe in something does not make it right, and this story I would like to share with you is about such beliefs. Now this story already has been partially told in the scriptures of the Hebrew, but I want the chance to tell my side of it, at least what I can remember of it.

If you know anything about Jewish lore you know that before man walked the earth the creator made the first race to serve him, we were perfect and powerful nearly rivaling the creator. Most of us were content to follow this fate, but the most perfectly created of us sought to take that power for his self and become God. With cunningly crafted words and carefully concealed deceit, he gathered a third of the heavenly host to his cause, and he proceeded to wage war against the creator. My followers and I would not rise to violence with our brethren; however, those of us who were loyal to the creator took up arms and cast the traitor and his followers out of the kingdom of heaven.

After the great battle the creator turned on my brethren and myself and cast us out as well, because if we were not with the creator then we were against him. For our lack of actions we were to serve humankind, but unlike our demonic brothers who seek to destroy them we are there to help. Some of us inspire, others protect, as for myself I was charged with the collection of souls. I cannot remember what it must have been like to watch every living thing die, to witness the final moments of every child's last breath, or every lovers final tear and for that I am grateful. This mortal existence I must now endure is far preferable than looking upon all of humanity's suffering for all of eternity.

Over the years I have learnt that angels may shirk their immortality and become as men and I believe that this is what I have done, taken a mortal life, death, and face hell rather than suffer the torment of watching every living being perish. When I came to my new life something happened, I lost all that I knew save my name Azrael. The months following my transformation were very harsh, with no memories and only instinct to guide me I turned to what I do best, taking lives. It was rudimentary at first just killing to survive, but as my skill grew I was able to sell what I did. I became an assassin for hire.

The first moment I learnt something of my true nature was when I had taken a job to slay a wizard and his minion, during the fight I faced the spell casters beast. A creature of mythology, a minotaur. I evaded the brute, constantly harassing it, looking for a weak spot. It tried to enrage me by taunting me with insults, "Phoofy fairy assassin." it called me. A long stale mate ensued the beasts insults were as effective as my weapons, I turned to wearing the oaf out by allowing it to pursue me then I could finish it at my leisure. The lummox eventually weakened itself by chasing me, it never had a hope to catch me. I was much faster on my feet than it was, as I closed in for the kill it sprang upon me. I had underestimated its stamina and cunning, I was badly beaten and left for dead.

By all rights I should have died and I came very close to it, however the others that were hired had killed the wizard, returned to find the minotaur goring me, and came to my rescue. Thankfully a healer was among the group and brought me back from the brink, but not before I met my successor. She had been one of my subordinates before being cast out, after that time she had become a muse, and then my replacement. She told me what I was and what I had become, but she could not tell me why I had chosen to do it.

Before I was brought back, she told me this, "Behold Azrael, I bring you tidings of great importance much to the risk of thyself. I Gringels this day will not collect your soul, verily heed thy words that we may all be freed of our bondage. Seek out the Faye, for they posses the memories of thine immortal existence. They have entered unto a covenant with the Creator lest they perish from the earth. They have stolen thine memories and are hidden within their own. Bind their bodies with the knots of the ancient rites and keep them close lest the memories that they poses fade from thee. Though thou are mortal you will never be human, thou will always be the collector of souls and have that right as well as those powers that come with being so. Go now and reclaim what was taken from thee, so that all that are loyal may return to our rightful place in the kingdom."

From the moment when I awoke I had a purpose that I had never known before, I had a newfound hope of understanding who I was and why I had become who I am. I went forth abroad the land in search of the fay that took my memories, in all the time I have hunted them I have only found three, but those three were very important memories.

Faye are devious clever beings able to hide among mortals as mortals themselves, only the innocent or other beings that have not always been mortal can tell the difference. They can pose as a normal human live the life as a mortal even take a family, you may have met one and not even known it. The memories I found were but bits and pieces of my past, but what I have learned may well change the world as we know it.

The first was the moment the Faye took my memories, in exchange that they may remain in this world as part of it hiding as mortals or on the edges of dreams.

The second was why I gave up my immortality or at least part of it, I remember that I had learnt that there is a loophole in Dogma, the law of God is not perfect, and there is a way for my followers and myself to return to heaven. I just can't remember what! This is why I became human I think.

The last of the memories haunts my dreams, I remember the moments that Lucifer asked for my help in the war of angels and that I turned him down. He had attempted to bribe me with promises of power, that I would be his general and we could rule all of creation together. I turned him down because I could not set my blade against brethren if I was on either side.

I have since discovered that God is not loving nor forgiving, but a vindictive, merciless and hateful being. All of the injustices he has caused to his creation human kind, for something only two of them have done? How can anyone blindly believe in a God that is this backhanded and deceitful, all the pain and suffering God subjects them to makes me believe that God is but a child that has become bored with it's playthings. Just one more thing in a long list that God will answer for if I should succeed in finding the loophole, maybe Lu was right to do what he did. God save our souls.

Affiliated Groups

Wolves of Cernunnos (Wolf) Rakis 2007

House of Doom (Partly house trained phoofy fairy assassin)

House Draycon

Belted Family

None

Notable Accomplishments

• Sinister Barone't - Given by Baron Artimus Dane, October 2005
• Master Assassin - Given by Emperor Medryn and Leif, January 2007
• Only active Wolf to survive "The Hunt" at World of Rakis 2007

• Regent of Crimson Dawn, February 2005 - July 2005

• Regent of Crimson Dawn, August 2005 - January 2006

• Pro-Tem PM of Crimson Dawn, April 2006 - June 2006

• Baron of Crimson Dawn, June 2006 - November 2006

• GM of Assassins, December 2006 - May 2007

• Pro-Tem Regent of IMD, 2007

• Imperial Champion, June 2008 - December 2008

• Imperial Dragonmaster of the Iron Mountains, September 13th 2008

• Imperial Dragonmaster of the Iron Mountains, April 25th 2009

• Imperial Prime Minister, March 21st 2009 - August 29th 2009

• Imperial GMR, November 2010 - June 12th 2010

• Imperial Dragonmaster winner and best in show, March 13th 2010

• Imperial Champion, June 12th 2010 - December 11th 2010

• Imperial Dragonmaster of the Iron Mountains, March 5th 2011

• Imperial Regent of the Iron Mountains, June 18th 2011 - January 17th 2012

• Count - Given by Emperor Dougie, January 17th 2012

• Winner of Rakis Best of the best A&S tourney, June 16th 2012

• Provincial Prime Minister of Crimson Dawn, September 22nd 2012 - August 17th 2013

• Imperial Monarch, January 11th 2014 - June 14th 2014

• Earned 10th order of the Dragon for the Best of the Best entry, June 20th 2015

• Imperial Dragonmaster winner and best in show, February 28th 2016

• Imperial Dragonmaster winner, August 10th 2016

Long windedness

Accomplishment, in the game of Amtgard is achieved by every individual who picks up a stick and plays. Whether it be a noob their first day on the field, or a ten year veteran knight, all have done something to further their career in the game.

My most notable accomplishment to date is being the first Cub in the long history of the Wolves of Cernunnos to have survived the annual cub hunt at Rakis. Every year the Wolves gather a circle to discus orders of business and offer the opportunity for new members to join. For Cubs, this means a chance to walk the circle, to stand before each full member and establish who worthy to become a full fledged Wolf. Rakis 2007 was my first chance to do this.

Walking Circle on the first attempt is rare and almost impossible. I was one of the fortunate ones that night. Tension built as my litter mates were scrutinized by the senior members. Four other cubs walked that night. My sister of Crimson Dawn, my closest litter mate, was not accepted. Then it was my turn to walk circle, each Wolf in turn cast their vote. When the last voice had fallen silent, there were three voices against me. Had there been a fourth I would have failed that night, but as Fate held me in her favor, I took part in the ceremonial initiation into the Wolves.

The Cubs that had managed to walk that nigh were brought back into the circle and told that they had thirty minutes to run and hide. When the circle howled, the hunt was on. As soon as we were free to go, I tore up the hill and through the forest. I ran as fast as I could through the inky blackness and precarious terrain. Foolishness is what it turned out to be, because in my urgent flight I tripped and went sprawling. As I made to get up, my hand brushed a heavy duty tent peg, the type that is used for army tents. It was driven securely into the ground and I had come within a hairs breadth of impaling my skull. I gathered my wits, steeled my nerves and again attempted to rise only to find another spike poised at my stomach. Had I not caught myself as I fell, I would have suffered a grievous injury. Again, Fate had smiled upon me; I had landed on my hands and knees.

I steadied myself and rose to my feet. Taking my time, I picked my way back to camp without further incident. As I arrived I set to gathering my cloak, weapons, and a flask of rum. Then, as quickly as I had come, I was gone again into the darkness. Letting no one know where I was going. The day prior I had scouted the area for a hiding place. I had decided on holding up under the low hanging branches of a great spruce at the edge of a sight that I hoped would provide the cover I was looking for.

In the pine needles, I hunkered down against the trunk of the old tree. The sweet smell of sap was ever present. I did the best I could to get comfortable. Wrapped in my cloak and flask in hand, I waited. I sat in the dark for what seemed like forever and then I heard the howl echoing down through campgrounds. The Wolves were on the hunt. I knew then it was going to be a long long night. The hunt had only just begun. Already, I felt the cold creeping into my joints and had to shift several times to find one spot of relative comfort between the gnarled and twisted roots on the sloped hill.

I flinched at every sound, nerves set on edge waiting for some sight of those who were hunting me. In the distance, I could hear the bardic down at the chapel. It was too faint to listen to and was an annoying distraction. I could not clearly hear if anyone was approaching, and worse yet, I would hear things that weren't really there so hard was I straining to listen. I tried to relax but had little hope, I could not let my guard down. Time stretched out.It always does when one has nothing to do but wait, when one is uncomfortable, and have no idea how much time has passed.

At long last the bardic finally died out. I was relieved, but was left in oppressive silence. By this time I was chilled and exhausted. I could not help but slip into a light sleep. I awoke with the impression that something on the path had moved. Then, I was sure of it as a sound advanced toward my hiding place. My breathing slowed. I grabbed my weapon without making a sound. As I held perfectly still, I dropped my gaze unless a light across my eyes give away my location. I waited. I could tell that someone was searching for something. Looking back and forth across the pathway, I knew that if I looked up I was caught. I lay motionless until finally the sound turned and made it's was back up to the RP tavern. Breathing a sigh of relief, I shifted again to a more comfortable spot and again drifted off to sleep.

It seemed like moments but more likely hours later, I awoke again to the sound of voices approaching. I thought for sure that this time I had been found. I lay there, listening to the incoherent voices. Soon, the voices dwindled away leaving me alone yet again. I drifted into slumber one final time, when I awoke the stars had fled. The sky had lightened, but the sun had yet to rise. When the early morning had brightened enough, I could see that my hiding place was no longer as secure as I may have liked. I gathered myself and effects and took to higher ground. I hoped that if I should be found that I might be able to make it into the sunlight that had already started to clip the tips of the highest trees.

I climbed to the highest part of the hill side where I found a campsite with a fire ring and smoldering coals. Taking a chance, I threw fresh tinder into it, restarting the flame. It chased the remaining chill from my bones with its warm presence. The fire was pitiful compared to the warmth from the first rays of sunlight that crept into the campsite. I had done it. I was the first Wolf to survive the Cub hunt. I walked with the sun that morning all the way back to Wolf camp. It was a slow trek, but not as long or as slow as the night had been. I am and always will be the first to have survived; no one can claim or take that accomplishment from me.

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