Nurmengard
G u a r d i a n
o f S e c r e t s Mist. It's all you can see, engulfing the immense mountains, and trickling across your path. You squint, but you can't see too far in front of you.
Oh. Except for those red eyes. Yes, you can see them. Glistening, growing closer. Would they belong to that dark shape you had seen not too long ago? Perhaps..
You would rather not find out. Too late. A figure steps out of the mists. His coat is a dark, unremarkable brown, and on his legs are too bands of silver. You're sort of curious, but you don't think now is the best time for questioning.
Oh, hello! You say, trying to be polite. You were raised with good manners, I'm sure.
Er, too bad about this rotten weather.. The weather! Such a good topic of conversation. You are proud.
The stranger is not amused. He simply sighs, narrowing his brows as if you are the least important thing he has ever seen.
Why don't you just.. come this way. He speaks, in a low, hoarse voice. You nod, and begin to follow.
What's your name, sir? You ask, hoping to strike up conversation. He turns back.
Nurmengard.
Statistics
Story
So, you follow him up the path, towards a spooky looking castle seated ominously upon the top of one of the mountains.
So, where is this place?, you ask him.
I'm 'fraid I don't even know where I am. Are we in Europe somewhere? Germany? I don't know. He pauses. He turns to look at you, his eyes wide.
You mean you haven't the sense to see that you are on an Island?? I'm on an Island???
Clearly, you are not the brightest of fellows. This must be a rather large island. He chuckles.
Well, you're on an island and that up there is Nurmengard. I thought your name was Nurmengard. You are confused.
Oh, it is. Since he offers no other explanation, you drop the subject.
So, what is Nurmengard, and why are you here? you ask. He sighs.
It's a long story. Being brash and bold, you sit down on a rock.
Well, I've got time.
When I was younger, I was reckless. I was constantly searching for some sort of adventure. The first thing I wanted to do when I was finished learning from my elders was to run off, and become a hero. So that's what I did. I left my worthless sister and brother, and ran off. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned.
The first leg of my trip was fantastic. I left the cozy mountains of my homeland, and found myself on the northern coast of Germany. Now, the folks in the particular town had some sort of superstition about an island. I was curious about this, and thinking that this adventure would make me a hero, I climbed upon a fishing boat that was headed in the direction. They would not drop me off directly, being scared of the rock, so I jumped off and swam the rest of the way. It was a long swim, but being as robust as I was it did not phase me. Once I reached the island I was impressed by it's size. The island was entirely rock, but it had a few species of plants and animals. The one thing I noticed immediately was a tall, dark fortress up on one of the mountains. A shiver ran through me, and I started towards it. This was what the superstition was all about; the castle was dark, foreboding, and legend-making. I felt compelled to find it's secrets.
Along my trek, I discovered the scent of another of my kind, though it was faint. I ignored this, and kept on climbing. Strangely enough, I happened upon two interesting looking objects. They were braces, for arms, metal and shining dimly in the night. Of course, I believed I knew what they were for. I had heard of all the stories, where the hero is magically given something to complete his task. I knew I had to put them on. I just knew it. A doubt crawled into my mind, growing as I stared at the braces, and all of a sudden they were around my paws, fitting comfortably, but at the same time a little constricting. Dread crashed down upon me, and I knew that I should have just left them where they were.
After days and days of confusion, I finally found that 'other' that I was smelling. No wonder I could smell him from near the castle. He was dead. I guess I was now his heir. He left a note by his side, and from my lessons from the elders, I got the rough idea. He was the guardian of the castle Nurmengard, and now that I had donned the gauntlets, I was one too. We guardians cannot leave the island, and we do not need food. Too bad; I had always loved meat. We are not immortal, however. When we are too old to perform our guardian duties we die, and the gauntlets will use their power to compel some poor fool to join the ranks of the imprisoned for life. And so, this is my life now. I had another name, but Nurmengard is my fortress, so Nurmengard is my name.
Nurmengard
Well, I can't tell you much about Nurmengard, but I'll tell you the basics. If you've read the Harry Potter books (which I hope you have) Nurmengard is a wizard prison. It was build by Gellert Grindelwald to hold his opponents. His slogan "For the Greater Good" is inscribed above the entrance. When he was defeated, he was imprisoned there. Alright, enough of the complete Harry Potter Dorkdom.
I'm here because there are still secrets here, secrets about the world, life, and beyond. I guard because if the secrets were let out, there would be nothing left of this world. I know this sounds strange but that's the way it is.
The Runes
You may have noticed these symbols on my gauntlets. Well, these are runes, the runes that hold the power. Now, I'm not the best with runes, so if you have other opinions, that's just great.
Jera: Jera's translation is year; cycle; motion. This binds the wearer to the place, year after year, all the time.
Pertho: Pertho symbolizes magic, mystery, and prophecy. The explanation is obvious, yes?
Tiwaz: Tiwaz is really important. It means a combination of truth, struggle, duty, discipline, warrior, and justice. I am bound to the castle to keep the truths safe, and to do my duty.
Algiz: Algiz means protection. I have to protect Nurmengard.
Nauthiz: Nauthiz represents frustration and hardship. My task can be annoying, frustrating and hard, but I must do my duty.
Thurisaz: Thurisaz means pain. It wasn't painful for me to leave my family, but now that I can never see them again the pain has sunk in. I was much too foolish.
Goodbye
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Audrey. :)
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