Immortal of Our Day Vol.1

Immortals of Our Day Volume I Written By Scotti Decumus Era of Rediscovery, Winter, 23
Many people of all eras have endlessly toiled for the one thing that would free them from life's daily trials. To be released of time. Immortality as it is referred to is the state in which a being can not die of age. There are many varying degrees beyond this immortality. Simply those wizards and liches who toil away in towers locked away from the world for many eras, all the way to the very gods that grant paladins, clerics, and warlocks their powers. Several mortals have achieved immortality throughout recorded history dating back to the first eras of mortals. While there are thousands in myth and legend only a few still exist to this day. Whether by the ascension to Godhood, destruction at the hand of a great hero, or villain many immortals do eventually face the death of some kind. A lucky few have either recently acquired or have held onto the much-coveted state of immortality. Many of these figures wield great power in modern-day Potestatem. The most legendary of heroes were the adventurers who ended the era of The Destroyer. These adventures are collectively known to us today as The Sentinels. I, Scotti Decumus have accumulated fact-checked research, first-person interviews, and many artifacts to bring you the first volume in my continuing series on modern-day immortals. I have had the great honor of seeing, speaking with, and learning about one of those heroes who still lives today, nearly a thousand years after the end of the cursed era he helped end. Warlord Folod, Folod the Beast, Folod the Southern King, and Folod the Hero, are some of his many titles. The first documents referencing his actions in history are among the few remaining documents from the Era of The Destroyer. The foremost of these being the legendary hero Thero’s personal journal. From a copy I got a hold of for an exorbitant price from the Jewels of Eriar in Eriar it accounts for Thero's first meetings this Half-Orc in the southern ice wastes where he was stalking a horde of orcs. Thero invited him to join his scouts but was flatly refused and never saw the Half-Orc for several years. Much later Theros returned to the southern region in search of great warriors to aid in his now expanding empire of Theros. Folod, it turns out, had not only killed the old Warchief of that hoard he had been stalking but also taken it over. Theros formed a strong alliance with the Half-Orc and conquered what remained of the southern lands with him. Never again have we seen the ice lands united or as organized since then. Folod eventually left the orc horde to join Theros in fighting a monster that was terrorizing the larger continent. Folod is only mentioned from time to time but it often when he is it puts him as, Folod Spotted this, Folod spotted that, which reinforced the myth that Folods senses are extra human even in his mortal days. Folod is mentioned to have been at odds with Ahrith who was the Sentinel’s only true all magic caster. Folod didn’t agree with Ahirths cunning and backstabbing morals and arguments between the two are mentioned often in Thero’s journal. Little is known about that final confrontation with the monster turned Destroyer but we do know Folod is the sole survivor known to this day. In the thousand years since the Folod has continued to ignore the southern ice wastes that worship him as a god. After bouncing around the world in secrecy several world-ending threats have mysteriously been found bisected following rumors of a large Half-Orc passing through with questions. Again, your loyal author Scotti Decumus has tracked down these rumors to the small peninsula on the western waters of the Sea of Poison Fire. Ydnac Lond is a small piece of mountains, deserts, and coastal towns that is up and coming in the trading world. Just south of the Thousand Spires Ydnac Lond fights the ever-present wilds in forming a civilization. It is here I found mention of a group of warriors known as The Knights of Folod. Of course, this nearly made me spill my beef and bean stew upon hearing Folods name. A quick wagon ride with the local Lighting Lesions guild got me to Folods Castle. This castle bars the only land bridge into Ydnac Lond and is an intimidating sight. Towering in the center of the land bridge, large walls like wings stretch to the sea on either side of the castle-like wings. Here I was quickly admitted and allowed housing by the kind paladins, clerics, and gruff fighters. While a touch messy and, uh, less serious, than other knight groups the Knights of Folod proved their metal several times to my sight as they fought orcs, goblins, elementals, ghosts, and many other threats that came to invade Ydnac Lond. A few weeks of helpful scribing organization got me entrance to the upper tiers of the tower where Folod wanders when he is at the Castle. I tried setting up an appointment but it turns out just running into the man in the halls is enough to get an interview. He invited me to the upper area with a simple nod. There he stared out over the land. At first, I thought him just thinking, but his eyes darting like he was reading at the smallest of things far in the distance. His eyes upon inspection, are that of an eagle. This mixed with his hundred-pound armor, hulking broadsword, makes him more beast than man. His manners on the other hand were careful and quiet. Like a trained scout he walked quietly and spoke little. After a few ales from a barrel in the tower, he began to speak. I learned much but knew not to ask about his days in The Sentinels as many have told me he leaves upon being asked. But now, the part you’ve all been waiting for, the interview of a modern-day immortal, Warlord Folod, warlord of the Knights of Folod in Ydnac Lond, a hero of the world. Q: How old do you think you are? Older than that. (Folod pointed at a mountain far in the distance, based on my knowledge of geography that would make him tens of thousands of years old, so unlikely) Q: Why have you settled in Ydnac Lond? Nice view, place needs a good Warchief, I mean Warlord. Q: What do you plan to do here in Ydnac Lond? Train some half-decent warriors, once someone shows some grit I’ll move. Q: Where do you plan on going next? North. Q: Is it true you can see a hundred miles? No. Q: How far can you see? That far. (He pointed to a ship on the sea, after some math I calculated it to be two miles away) Q: What’s your favorite ale? A good stout parches the tongue like water, but like water, it's just the basic stuff you can breathe in. I usually will stop by the south to get some Oraculum ales since they can hit a man's throat enough to be worth a dam. I’ve been hunting taverns around here trying to get them to set up in the castle here but the Clerics and damn Paladins complain about troop behavior every time I bring in a wagonload so we compromise on that. (Folod sat forward in his seat for this, also the longest he talked without questions) After that, a general of his came and told him he was needed and he simply got up, handed me his ale, and left. I took the opportunity to explore his private chamber here at the top of the tower as they left me there without a word. While no writings were available I found several interesting bits. Fifty percent of the room is covered in animal furs. Upon later research, these furs are mostly southern ice animals as per their silver sheen and extremely soft texture. Beyond these axes, a collection of empty barrels from all over the world's taverns, and scrying orbs were all I found. The room is open-sided with only heavy furs as the walls lending it a constant breeze and cold air. The furs and cold air could lend one to think he still is attached to his first years in the southern wastes. I was unable to meet with Folod after this as he left on a large wagon-sized horse riding into Ydnac Lond. I tried to follow but gave up after I learned he had put a full day of travel between us in only four hours. I went to the largest cities in the land to see if I could learn more. Ecirocil is the closest one of the two large cities, both near each other on the east coast in Ados bay. Ecirocil has a Knights of Folod guildhall there and I was able to catch several stories of the Warlords' first days establishing order in the Land. There was no base of truth for these so I will only relate the overall theme. Brutal justice. From beheadings in the street, instant trials, to the complete destruction of unruly guilds Folod has established a reputation for swift decisions making. This has left many in hatred for the knights in the land but it seems the common folk appreciates his work, as it often leaves a tax collector, bully, or rude older man, dead. I was then introduced to the mentioned Oracalculm ale he keeps in stalk in his guildhalls and woke up on a ship bound for the east coast of the Sea of Poison Fire. I will write there and send this first volume off to my publisher for your readers to enjoy. Folod it seems, though immortal, is much like any half-orc adventurer, brutal, loves ale, and a great warrior. This plus his senses, leadership, and history have led him to his current state. I encourage any readers to head to Ydnac Lond when they can to meet the man and help establish this growing edge of civilization. Till next time.
Scotti Decumus.