Lord Empathy

Greetings! My name is Lord Empathy and this is my story. I was first called to the dream, near the end of August, 1998.

I am what many term a 'planeswalker'. I have seen many lands, and a multitude of peoples and creatures. The land that gave me birth, was named Brittania, and the town called Britain. I was the sixth son for my mother, and the fifth for my father. I suffered a terrible childhood. It wasn't til I turned 12 that something inside me changed. I began to feel what other people were feeling, and had little control over it. Back then I was unable to separate my feelings from anothers. This proved to be very troubling for my parents (who would take to watching me all day), because I would suddenly be seen to act drunk, or sad or happy, for no apparent reason. It wasn't all that easy for me either. Most of those times are all but forgotten, but I do remember once when I was 13, I was on my way to do some fishing, as it was the perfect day for it, when all of a sudden, I felt a tremendous force of evil hit me.

It was like nothing I had ever felt before. It was a dark, black, overwhelming feeling the made me feel very small and insignificant. I found myself fighting to remain awake, fighting to remain upright. Everything had disappeared, the sounds, the light in my vision, the feeling of my feet on the ground. I felt weightless in a void of utter darkness. I'm not sure how long this lasted, it may have been seconds, but it felt like hours. After a while I began to see a point of very faint light in the distance.

I'm not sure what happen next, except I came back to where my body was lying on the ground. I awoke to find my mouth scratched a bit from my faint and dry from lack of moisture. I tired to lick my lips, but my tongue felt swollen, and my lips cracked. The sun was going down, as I tried to stand and regain my balance. I looked around to regain my bearings and walked over to the stream, that was running down the nearby hill, and wet my parched throat. I tried to just sip it, but my thirst overcame me, and I found myself drinking deeply. Other than my thirst and a bit of a weak feeling all over, I felt pretty good.

Or so I thought for about thirty seconds. My head suddenly felt like it exploded, and a thousand winds crashed in upon themselves. I had the worst headache I had ever felt in my life. Come to think of it, I don't think I had ever truly experienced a headache, until that moment. My legs buckled out from under me, and I flew forward onto my knees. I'm still not sure why or even how, but I suddenly found myself letting go of myself. The pain began to recede, and I started thinking of a place akin to paradise. It was a place of nature, and balance, I felt. There were animals about, but I felt no fear from them, nor them from me. As I gazed into this vision, my headache dwindled even more. I concentrated on the sound of the waterfall, and the beauty of the assorted birds swimming in the pool, the scent of flowers in full bloom, and the grass that covered the gound. I felt the warmth of the day and the coolness of the breeze. I felt completely at peace. My headache, was no more. The vision ended and I came once more back to my body and my senses.

The headache never returned. I have since discovered that this was the key to controlling my gift. If ever I felt threaten of being overwhelmed, I just projected myself back to my little paradise, and all would be made well again.

By the time I was 21, I had decided that the scholars life would be one I would enjoy, but fate had a different opinion. The King of the land had declared a quest would be undertaken to rid Brittania of a great evil that was rising and terrorizing the peoples. I felt it was a part of my duty to the Kingdom as well, and began my quest of the avatar. Ask me sometime about it, and I'll be more than happy to tell you. Suffice it to say, it was during the trials of this quest that I learned of eight virtues, and became their embodiment. I used my emphatic abilities to feel where the demons were and was able to gain the upper hand on numerous occasions. When I read the final codex at the end, I rid the lands of the great evil that threatened it. On my return to the Castle, I was given the name of Empathy, for my extraordinary ability. Shortly after that, my journey as a planeswalker began.

I traveled for a few years, going to many different lands. Highrule was one of them, but like so many others, I felt more like I was possessing someone else or a group of others, than truly being myself. It wasn't until I found myself, body, soul and mind in the land of Runearia, that I had truly found a home.

At first I was a kind of match maker, and as you probably guess, with my abilities, I was fairly good at what I did. But after a while I felt it wasn't enough, I wanted to do more. I began to counsel people on whatever problems they had or would bring to me. All of my previous travels proved to be useful as I had gained much in the way of understanding. Soon, I found my days full, just giving out advice. I didn't mind in the least though, because with my days full, I felt fulfilled.

Over the course of a few more years I had developed quite a reputation, all favorable. People began to come for my counsel from all over the Kingdom. From Bree, the city of air, and Trea, the city of the earth, to the smaller towns of Sandor and Zutemar. But the majority of people who came to me were from the city of spirit, named Seraph. It was here that I made my home. This was a great time of peace for the lands of Runearia, and all the creatures that inhabited it. The markets were always full of people buying and selling their wears, and travelers abound everywhere you looked. So many costumes and designs, and the colors were not always, pleasing, to the eye. But they were joyful and happy times, and no one ever complained. Besides, the smells of all the pastries, and baked goods, was enough to make you think of other things anyway.

Just after I had celebrated by 25th day of being, I received a summons from the High King. He who leads the Counsel of Twelve. To say I was a bit nervous, would be a drastic understatement, for none had ever heard of such a summons before, at least not from the High King himself. If a summons was ever needed in the past, it was always issued from the Counsel of Twelve, never the High King. It just wasn't heard of. And the more I heard from the people around me, how this was highly unprecedented, the more I began to feel very ill. Keeping others anxiety out of me was proving to be a bit difficult, so I hurried along to meet with the His Majesty. With the summons came a bodyguard, who were quick to join me on my journey to the castle.

It was perhaps an hour later that I was being presented to the High King in his private quarters. I tried my best to keep some semblance of decorum, and dignity, but I must confess it was rather difficult. My hand was visibly shaking as it went to the kings, but he was kind enough to pretend to have not noticed it. With a feigned smile he said. "I have heard of your abilities, and I was wondering if you would think of using them on my behalf?" I said that it would be an honor to serve the Kingdom, and he replied with a nod. He then said " The Kingdom, I fear is meeting with some troubling times,and I need someone to 'ferret out the rats', so to speak. And I believe your abilities may give you and our Kingdom an edge in this matter." My mouth didn't want to co-operate at that moment, so I just nodded as he continued" In three days hench, I shall be hosting the gathering of the Kingdoms leaders. Elvandra, Queen of the Elves, Sunfire, King of the Dragons, Shlorr, King of the Mers, Elexia ruler of the Woodland Farries and Tretchard, Lord of the Dark, shall all be in attendance. As well as the Counsel of Twelve. I want you to be present as well, but not openly. I need to know who is faithful to the Kingdom and who is not...".

I was shocked at first to think that the King believed something amiss in our peaceful Kingdom, but I did not hesitate to reply. "As I said, your Majesty, it would be an Honor to serve you and the Kingdom. My abilities are at your disposal." He nodded again and waved for a guard that was standing behind me. He whispered to the guard, who then hastened from the room.

"I am going to be tremendously busy for the next few days, so I'm afraid I won't see you till after the gathering. I hope this won't be an inconvenience?" he continued, " I have arranged for someone I believe can be trusted, to help you with the details of what you are to do. If you would be so kind as to follow Jarez here" he says as he points to the remaining guard,"he will show you to this person I speak of. One last thing, I believe you may have guessed how important this is. I ask that you speak of this to no one." "Of course my King" I replied. "You alone shall carry the key to the lock I shall place on what I learn." He then said, "This is for you" and tossed me a leather pouch. "Inside it, you will find a small sum. If you live up to your reputation, you shall see it greatly increased. When you return home this night you will tell those who ask, that you merely performed a reading for me on a potential bride. That should keep them happy, and explain why we met in here instead of the throne room." I bowed and departed being guided by Jarez. The pouch felt a bit heavy, and I was curious to know what the High King considered a small sum, so I peaked inside. Rubies, Emeralds, Saphires were all glittering and winking their dazzling lights at me. And mixed among them were a few gold and silver coins. Wow I thought This is a small fortune! At least a years earnings. Maybe two...

I won't bore you all with all the mundane details of my waiting, so let me instead skip to what happened at the gathering. I was placed at a spot that would allow me to 'feel' everyone gathered, but was located behind a thick red curtain, so none could see me. As the guests arrived I could sense their well being for the most part, though a few were a bit irritated, I believe it was more because they hated these gatherings, than anything specific. As the hall was filling up I suddenly felt a twinge of hate from one of the Counselors of Twelve. It was Lausten, the Disciple of Fate, who was a high priest in one of the temples, but who now served on the counsel. As I narrowed my focus and tried to pick up why he was feeling this way, I discover something out of place in his very soul.

Normally, when I focus on someone I 'feel', I get an image of what I call an aura of their soul. Most people carry a wide multitude of colors that vary in intensity, with the mood of the individual. But Lausten's soul had blotches of darkness scattered about it, like polka-dots. I tried to examine one closer, but felt hate, and anger, fear and greed, lust and deviousness and everything I considered to be evil, emanating from it. I quickly projected that part of me that grounded my soul and at that moment that I noticed that Lausten was not fighting the evil, but embracing it.

I came out of my pseudo-trance-like state, and went to peak through the curtain to see this man so full of deceit. I couldn't get a clear look at him, but from where I was, I could see he had black hair, cut short. And from the number of women gathered around him, I'd guess he was more than likely handsome. From all of the feelings I had experienced, (even though I felt them all revolting), I was able to determine what was on this man's mind... I had found the Kings 'rat'.

Just as the gathering was coming to a close, a messenger approached the king and whispered something to Him. The High King, suddenly stood up an announced the meeting over, the color draining from his features. He then started barking orders to his generals, who shouted at the officers who were in attendance, and orders were passed around and down the line. The 'guests' were to be kept under guard until further orders, and the castle was to be locked down, was all anyone could understand.

I took a moment, having been forgotten behind the curtain, to focus on the King. At first I found him glowing a gold color, with purple swirls in it. This man was indeed Noble, I thought. Then I began to see small points of dark red and a dirty orange color. He was angry and extremely upset, and the flashes of brown and gray-blue told me he was also scared and sad. I started to feel the emotions of his memories, and knew that his daughter was missing.

The Princess was only six, and was deemed to young to attend such a formal gathering. Her mother, the High Queen had died during her birth, so she was raised by a surrogate, named Charu. The Princess Elarin was the Kings only truly great pleasure. Even at a young age, she greatly resembled her mother, with her long golden locks, her small button nose, and large brown eyes. She was always said to be very obedient, but retained a bit of the feistiness her mother had possessed and her father seemed to adore.

I could greatly understand why the King would be so upset at her missing, and if she were not found soon, the Kingdom, and even the High King himself could crumble into ruin.

After the hall was mostly cleared, and as the King paced back and forth across the floor, I came out from my place of concealment and approached him. The guards that had remained, saw me, looked at one another, then the King, and back to me, before they were moving to interrupt my advance toward the King. At the sound of his guards movement, the King turned and looked at me, at first not recognizing me, then a look of hope sprung across his face. He rushed up to me, past his guards, brushing them aside and grabbed my arms in his big hands. "My daughter is missing! You have to help me! I've done everything I can think of, but no one has seen her!" he cried.

"I believe I may be able to help your majesty" I said quietly "It's about why I was here tonight" and I looked at the guards who surrounded us, the King noticed this and said to them"Leave us", but to Jarez he said"You stay.". And so the room was emptied except for the three of us. Once we were alone I wasted no time, and began to tell the High King of the evil that Lausten had embraced, and his plot to bring the Kingdom to ruin. The kidnapping of Princess Elarin was but the first part of it. I explained that with the feelings I receive from people, I sometimes see into their very minds. The King listened, and when he had enough information, he sent Jarez out to bring in Counselor Lausten but first the princesses saftey must be assured and my tale had given him the location of where she was hidden.

Shortly after that, the man known as Lausten was brought before the King. He was bitterly complaining about being ushered in so, and feinged a look of confusion, that both the King and Jarez could see through, from their faces. "Do you know why your here?" the King asked. "I have absolutely no idea, why I was rounded up like some sort of animal, your highness" he lied with spite dripping from his words. At this point, I made my presence known and pulled the hood back to reveal my face. Lausten looked at me, then back to the King, without any recognition showing on his face. "Your Majesty"I said "May I ask dear Lausten here a few questions?" The King bowed and motioned for me to go ahead.

"Do you know who I am" I asked Lausten. He shook his head no in annoyance, but then his eyes began to squint, and a look of recognition crossed his face."Your that one they call Empathy, aren't you?" he asked. I nodded, and said"Good, then you know what I can do?" He then said" I only know your a good charlatan, with a bag full of tricks that anyone can perform, and you may be able to convince the King, but you'll never convince me otherwise!" For a moment, I felt compassion and mercy for this poor fool, but said instead"Let me see if I can convince you." Suddenly I felt a wash of fear fill Lausten as he tensed. "Oh, no." I said,"It won't be like that. I am simply going to feel a memory of yours and show it to you." I began to focus on his memories, and found one that he had been trying to forget, and I brought it to the surface. It was fairly vile, so I won't go into the gruesome details. Suffice it to say, it was enough to make him tremble and cry. I didn't much enjoy it, but this man had it coming. "I know of your plot against the King and the Kingdom, for your soul told me of it." I looked into his now bloodshot eyes and said"I know of the meetings you have had, and of the guard that helped you to take the princess."his eyes went wide at that, but I continued."I know of how you planned to secret her out of the castle grounds at the end of the gathering. I also know that she was to be held in a barrel until then, but rest assured, she is safe and well now." Laustens face was turing as red as his eyes, and it didn't take my empathetic powers to figure out he was getting very upset.

With surprising agility he jumped up and ran for the window. The King and I were quick, but Jarez moved like a cat and reached the distance before the King or I could even cover two paces. Lausten found himslef confronting the big guard, and tried to take himself and Jarez out the window. Jarez, was again too fast, for as Lausten approached him, he snatched up a wrist and sent the man hurling toward the wall beside the window. Lausten hit with a loud smacking sound, and dropped to the floor. Further inspection showed him to be only unconscious. The King meanwhile was congratulating his guard on his fast relaxes, and Jarez, was trying to be modest about it all. I found it quite humorous and began laughing, and soon, I wasn't alone.

Five days after the episode, the King again called me to the Castle, but this time I was presented to him in the throne room. He was dressed for some state business, and I had completely forgotten about his promise. As I came to kneel before him, he called for silence. He then said in a loud voice "Friends and countrymen, I believe you all either know this man, or have heard of him. In recent days I found this man to be a valuable asset to our Kingdom. He has proven to me to be just and good, in heart and deed. He saved our Kingdom from ruin, and returned our Princess Elarin to us, when she had been taken. For this great service, I, Talaver, High King in the city of Seraph, in the Kingdom of Runearia, do here-by grant the title of Lord, with all the lands, and rights deserving of such station to the one called Empathy. Rise Lord Empathy and take up your new station." And then the room was filled with cheers and clapping, and I was too stunned to do anything but bow, and smile. I celebrated quite a bit that night, and for the first time in a long time, the state of drunkenness I experienced, was one of my own doing.

It is now several years since then, and my Keep, pretty much runs itself. I didn't have a clue as to how many people are involved in running a keep. but I found out soon enough. It was a bit unnerving at first having people wait on me, but I soon found them all to be very nice people. I don't really consider any of them to be my servants, but rather my friends. After a few months, things seemed to be going rather smoothly(when I didn't get in the way or interfer. I had an unreasonable appetite at the most horrendous hours, that the kitchen staff began keeping someone in the kitchen at all times, just in case. I tried to explain that I was no stranger to feeding myself, but they wouldn't hear of it, protesting that I was a Lord now, and kitchen duties, were to be done by others. It was either give in to their wishes or have an earful of complaints whenever I got hungry.

With all the household duties being done by the stewards of the house, I found myself with a bit of time on my hands, and took to studying. I was in my Library one night, going over some treatise between Mer and Bree, when I felt a strong pulling on my soul. Before I knew what was happening, I began to dream. But this was not like any dream I had had before. This one was different. I discovered the History of Cloudsbreak and the city of Underlight and liked what I learned, though I admit some of it was confusing and troublesome.

The focus of resilience called to me to be a protector of this city. A healer and counselor to those in need. There were many other dreamers here, and I could sense a soul in each of them. I became a SoulMaster and formed my avatar's colors not only around the colors of the house I joined(Alliance of the Eclipse) but also around the colors of my focus.

I have since tried to dream every night, and learn as much of this wonderful place as I could. I have learned 'maren' words, and the names of DarkMares, and Lyrans alike. I have studied all I could on the talismans of the dream, and they seemed to be for the most part, rather helpful. I then began to study the arts, not jusy my own, but others as well. I started gathering histories of arts and places in the dream. And even now I still yearn for more. When you gain as much knowledge as possible on something, you open the doors to understanding it. And so, this is what I seek, to understand this dream.

I have met many wonderful dreamers, and have made quite a few friends. I find that the pull of the dream comes from the friendships I have made, and those I have yet to make. I shall continue to dream for as long as I can, but if ever something should arise back in Runearia, than I hope others will understand...

If you have not met me as of yet, I look forward to our meeting.... If you have met me already, I hope this history helped fill in a few blanks. *smiles* I wish you all clear dreams and safe paths.