Wane Bennard was born in a family of farmers. He grew up in the fields, being the third son of a family with eight members. The field was immense, farming horses for the army and sheep for wool, while also planting wheat and medicinal herbs, as designated by the capital as required. His activities were to help the family at crops and daily duties to the animals. He always showed himself as not a creative child compared to his siblings, who already had plans to grow the family business or leave the farm behind for good. On the other hand, Wane was always a very straightforward and simple person: if there was something to be done, he was the one who did it proactively.
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His first big decision came with his sixteen year birthday. During the family celebration, his father gave him his first ale and his older brothers were also drinking at his pace. After two bottles, one of his siblings presented him the plans of moving out of the farm and starting a new life in the capital, and asked Wane if he wanted to come along. He was torn between the decision of following his two older brothers to the capital or to continue to help the family on the farm. After pondering he decided to follow his brothers, since that could be a good opportunity to join the army. After all, everyone knew he had little imagination and that he was stronger than average for his age. He left for the city, promising to his father to send his gains to help the family. They packed their bags and put all their clothes inside, carrying only one bag each, and Wane was the one in charge of carrying the travelling gear, like bedrolls and the leather water flasks. Their travel took an entire week, since they needed to avoid a few problems along the way.
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The capital was different than they imagined. It was huge and each construction took their breaths away. The movement of the streets made a deafening sound and the diversity of races and backgrounds made them dizzy. They got lost twice trying to understand the way that the streets worked, while looking for their uncle's house. They arrived by nightfall, and Wane could not help but to feel anxious to start his military career. The older brothers decided to study and to adopt an urban lifestyle, and in a few weeks, they were all used to the greatness and living in the capital. The older brothers helped Wane to register for the army, and it did not take long before he was officially in training.
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What he was not expecting was that the army training would be so harsh. Great share of the cadets came from the city, some of them even from noble lineage, which made Wane a target for jokes for his country side background. What brought him confort was other cadets also from the same origin. All that anger he held was being applied into duel training where he was always being punished for over aggression. And like that he had a whole year.
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After official graduation and the field assignment for the cadets, Wane was among one of the most notable names of that batch, staying behind only a few nobles. He believed that from that point onward things could be better and that as a soldier he could climb up the ranks and help his family. He found out the worst way that the army life was not easy. After being dispatched to different front lines, the small ex-cadet group would not see each other so soon. Wane was placed on the borders and defence lines of the realm, where his days were chaotic. In that post, he learned what was a real battle and what were men capable of. In combat he often saw himself between killing or being killed and even if he was capable of getting attached to the dream of seeing his family again, that memory became blurred by the bodies that hit the floor. He always had in mind that the next body for the count would be his and hanging on to that felt silly.
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The day of his death never arrived. Wane was meeting his goals after getting promoted to Sergeant shaped in battle, keen and disciplined. Eventually, during a harsh winter, he finally returned to the capital after a few years on duty and he could barely wait to enjoy his time. He had hopes of seeing his family and his brothers, which was the memory that kept him going for all these years. However, fate was not kind to him. After returning to his uncle's house he received the news from his brothers that he had passed away months ago. They also said that Nich, the second oldest brother, was sick, and Allie, the oldest of the three, barely had money to pay his debts, apologising with sadness for taking Wane's gains that were supposed to go to the family in the field. Wane found the solution for the family problems in working in the city as a mercenary during the season. He took short trips to protect nobles in bandit ambushes, and even saved the life of the daughter of one of them once, getting paid a great sum for his services. The years in the army made him ruthless and skillful with the sword. He did not waver in front of a threat and never exchanged a lot of words before putting his sword to the task.
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He eventually found another job auxiliating the forge master dwarf from the capital. He was strong enough to carry the material and after watching closely, he learned enough to mould steel. It was not a refined or sophisticated technique, just enough to make the dwarf satisfied with his job. With this new job, and selling the results, he was able to meet a lot of the other races that populated the city. With his gains, he bought medicines for Nich and paid off a few of Allie's debts, but had no time to visit the family, since the army was recruiting him back to the field.
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Before returning he found time to visit the family on the farm, as he always wondered how the younger brothers were after such a long time. When arriving, Wane was unsure if he was in the right place. It was completely different from what his memory painted in his dreams. Instead of a colourful bright home, was a melancholic abandoned house, without any warmth from the days before the army. He entered the house, pushing the door gently. The door made a complaint while opening slowly. There was nothing. No sign that someone ever lived there. The questions “Was the gold not enough? Did Allie take that much? Where are they?” were on a loop inside his mind. He barely had time to return to the house and bring the news to his brothers, who also claimed they knew nothing. He had their hands tied, as Wane could not hold off the army longer, because abandoning his post would be considered treason and punished with death. He begged the brothers to find out what happened and to find the family as soon as possible and again left for the battlefield.
The more he fought, the less human he became. He did not hold back any strike and his sword was as sharp as his reflexes. His body trained itself enough to fight on automatic pilot, since his mind was always busy with his family. He lost a few good men from that lack of attention, but he always managed to get himself out of the worst. He unconsciously developed the thought that the weaker men had no place there and he grew selfish by the strikes. His prowess earned him the honor of being Knighted and promoted to Lieutenant, giving him fame and notoriety, but it was worth nothing if he had nowhere and no one to return to.
Back in the capital, he received the news that his brother did not resist his illness, even with the help from the medicines, and that Allie was not capable of tracking their family. Devastated from the news he realised that nothing he ever did helped his family in any way, and that, if he never had left, it could all have been avoided. He became bitter with himself and withdrew from the army, starting a life of wandering in search for the whereabouts of his family.
Years passed by, and his hair turned white. In these years, he had enough time to think about the weight of a life and how much blood he drew without any purpose to him. With great sorrow for his past he abandoned his name and pledged to help those he could, turning his killing blade into an instrument for protection. From that day on, until the day he die, he only answered by the name of Benn.
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Benn wandered for months. Through bright warm days and cold gloomy nights. His white beard and hair, always properly groomed, were not long enough to protect his face from all the exposition to the sun. He was wearing his usual ring mail pieces from the army, and carried his sword on his left side. He also had a long brown cape that covered his armor and protected himself from cold or from the sun.
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The search for his family led him to multiple different cities and realms. Every time he drew his sword he did it to protect himself or others, keeping his oath. He often took on jobs at bigger cities to vanquish a specific monster that caused problems to villagers nearby in order to make money and buy his supplies. Every chance possible, he took his time trying to get information of the whereabouts of his family. There was never a solid lead or information that would lead him to them.
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He eventually arrived at a huge city, with all sorts of people and different races mingling together. He took his way to a job board, looking for a quick job to carry on his journey. While looking for a satisfactory post, he was approached by a cloaked figure. Judging by his size and shape, Benn could tell that it was a male Elf or a thin Human. The figure continued his way, decided and fixed at the warrior. "Am I about to be robbed? That would be a very stupid way to do that", thought Benn while staring at the figure. The cloaked man stood at a distance as to engage in conversation.
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- Are you looking for a job? I have an offer for you. - The voice coming from below the hood was soft and calm, it did not present any threat.
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- Yes. What do you need from me? - Benn asked rudely.
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- I can offer you one invaluable reward if you bring me information. - Said the voice from below the black hood. Benn was visibly annoyed by the drama.
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- What information, mate? You are making me waste precious time. - Benn crossed his arms impatiently.
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- I can not give you any more information for now. If you are interested, meet me on that corner in two hours. - He said, showing a pointing finger. That hand was wearing a big jeweled ring on the indicator finger, which made Benn think that the hooded man was from a golden crib. Without giving a chance for Benn to reply, the man turned his back and disappeared in the crowd.
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"I cannot believe that my curiosity will take the best of me. What is that reward? If he is setting me up, I can kill him and his small gang, that ring will be enough payment for my time." Thought Benn, while waiting for the requested time.
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After the two hours had passed, Benn met the hooded man in the designated corner. The warrior walked towards the hooded man, but when getting too close, the contractor turned around and entered an alleyway. Benn continued to follow and could not help but to think that the city they were in was too diverse.
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At every set of steps they walked in a completely different styled alleyway. Benn never looked back, but every time he blinked his eyes, the number of people following the hooded man in the alleyway increased. He was not the only one that suddenly realised the increasing number of followers, because he noticed that some people instinctively reached for their weapons with surprised faces. After no one really showed intent to attack, people started to get more relaxed and just continued to follow, until the alleyway suddenly ended in a door. The hooded man opened the door and invited everyone inside. After the last member entered, he closed the door and walked to the centre.
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The hooded man entered a big circle in the middle of the room, and within the circle, there were multiple stars and multiple different runes drawn in each star tip. In front of each star tip, outside the circle, there was another cloaked person, seated in front of it.
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- Krucigon? Majesto? Illuzio? - Asked a voice from the adventurer ranks - That is advanced magic. Who are you guys?
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- Everything in due time. - Answered the cloaked man. - Now, we are all here. Let us begin. - He walked to the corner of the room and picked up a bunch of scrolls, then delivered one to each adventurer.
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When everyone received one piece of those scrolls, they all checked the contents. It looked like a simple map with very basic directions. One city to another, in a straight line. It was impossible to know the scale of the map, but it was noticeable that the line cut through sea and mountain.
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With a signal from the cloaked man, all other cloaked people seated started a chant in one voice and the whole room started to shake. A few moments later the chant ceased and so did the shaking. The cloaked man opened a small corridor in the confused crowd and made his way to the door. When opened, the door revealed darkness, completely different from the illuminated alley they entered previously. All the other cloaked members stood up and left the room. The contractor stepped out of the room, looking at the adventurers, and said: "You have twenty four hours to arrive at your destination. Just make sure you leave town by the east gate" and left, closing the door behind him.
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Everyone was confused, looking at each other for brief moments until the first person opened the door. The room was now inside a gigantic warehouse, with the main gates ajar. The whole crew of adventurers opened the heavy doors together, revealing a very different scenario from the alley. The sun was setting in the horizon and the clear orange sky made a beautiful view. Benn realised that the warehouse was in fact for shipbuilding, with a long ramp that led to the sea. The warehouse is located at a gigantic dock, with countless ships docked. The ships had multiple different sizes and styles, and showed different flags from different realms from Ligeia, even the ones that were in fact enemies. The fish and saltwater smell invaded their nostrils and the floor was slippery with wet mud.
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There were a lot of people walking up and down the docks and there was an open air tavern that served customers seated on upside down buckets around wine barrels. Some of these customers had serious eyes and others were laughing or gambling. The multitude of adventurers spreaded on the dock and streets within and Benn was alone again.
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He approached one of the joyful drinking customers and showed him his map - Hey buddy, what is the fastest way to get to this point? - He asked while pointing to the east gate.
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- Listen, mate. I would love to help you, but drinks are expensive and you are taking away the taste of mine, so I will need a new one. - He said while smirking at Benn.
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Benn opened his coin clanking pouch and gave the man one gold coin.
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- You are not thinking of leaving my mates out of the deal, are you? That would be rude of you. - Said the drunk man and his friends started to smirk along.
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Benn took out four more coins and banged them on the barrel, making it waver and drop a little bit of their ale on the muddy floor. The drunk man stood up while clenching his fists - You better watch out old man, this is not the place to retire - Said the man while going in the direction of Benn.
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The man threw a punch. Benn stepped to the side, dodging the attack and delivered a counter hit with his fists. The punch connected in full to the drunk man's jaws, making him collapse unconscious. Benn looked at the others around the barrel and asked again - So, which one of you will tell me where the east gate is? - He said while trying to show the map again.
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One of the friends of the drunk man stood up to his aid while another one looked at the map and started laughing. - Well, I hope you can make it. The person who gave you that map tricked you good this time! - He said while laughing and showing the map to the others around the barrel.
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- Why? - Asked Benn rudely.
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- First, it is impossible to cut through sea! This dock is the only dock in the whole continent. If you try to go to water, you will need to climb needle sharp rocks and raging seas. Also, that mountain is way too steep and there is no way to cross it without magic. Even if you could, it is the lair of dangerous creatures that can mangle bodies with one finger! But if you really want to know, the east gate is that way. - He said while finally pointing in the direction.
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Benn nodded with his head to thank, and continued his way. Fortunately, the east gate was not that far ahead. The further away he went from the docks, the less muddy the floor got. With time, he was able to find a rocky road with beautiful lamps and he could think of many reasons why there were so many different nations that would take up the risk of going to that city, after seeing so many different businesses. The city gates were placed at the walls, with heavy armoured guards on the top and a handful of guards at the gates checking for entry documents.
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Benn could recognise a few of the other adventurers around the gates asking for information with different people, while he decided that the information he had was already good enough. The movement of people coming in and out of the city was intense and there was a big number of caravans. The further away he went from the city, the number of people he met was significantly smaller. He barely saw people towards the city and barely saw people leaving. After a few hours, with the road illuminated by the full moon, he was alone for miles and miles ahead. Nothing to be seen in any direction. Only the road and the grass on its sides.
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After a while he started to hear the flow of water. Following the description of the drunks in the city should be impossible to cross and Benn was already preparing to go around it, but his vision revealed something completely different. The river flow was strong, but there was no rocky barrier. The road went in the direction of the river as if it went through it. There was also a big pole with a lit torch on top, right beside the river. The darkness of night made it easy to notice another torch on the other side of the river, which was visible afar, although it was just a tiny illuminated point.
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Benn considered his options carefully for about half of an hour. He could swim through, but it would be at least five hours on water and his armour was both heavy and restrained his movements. He could try tying a rope on the torch pole and swim through. Or he could walk inward to go around the river. He measured on the map the distance he walked from the city and tried to calculate how long it would take him to go around, and he realised he did not have that much time. Benn decided to remove his armour and carry it in his bag, which took five minutes to remove. He knew that if he screwed up, the river flow would take away his life. After a short breath he jumped in the water.
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The tide made Benn swirl around a couple of times before he could align his body with the pressure. The water was cold and dark, the moon was not able to illuminate below the surface. Benn took all the strength in his body to swim and he succeeded for three hours. In the fourth hour his legs started cramping up and he relied on his arms. Since his arms were already tired, he decided to float and rest a bit. He used his last strength trying to find shelter from the tide, but there was no safe haven in water.
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Benn got dragged by the tide, being constantly thrown below water while trying to gasp some air. When Benn was almost losing consciousness his body hit a wall below water and the tide was not able to drag him any longer. He was finally safe.
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He crawled with the wall to the other side while being punished by the angry tide. After reaching solid ground, Benn was exhausted and tried to think how long it had passed. He recovered his breath and stood up, dragging himself to the torch pole. He looked back at the other shore and the previous torch was now gone. He smiled and continued to follow the road.
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Not long ahead, the path started to turn left. Benn began to hear noises and see smoke rising. He approached carefully and saw a rudimentary camp, with a big campfire in the centre. There were big logs of wood around the fire and Benn could recognise a few of those sitted on them. Most of them were soaking wet like himself, trying their best to warm up and dry their clothes. The smell of stew was irresistible and there were people in cloaks working on the camp, serving food, water and providing bedrolls to sleep. Benn sitted down around the fire and started to equip his ring mail again. He ate a bowl of stew and waited for his clothes to dry up, before continuing his path.
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Benn was past his best years, but his trained body was still able to keep him warm and out of harm from exhaustion. The morning was already breaking the night veil when he stood up and decided to move onwards.
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The road did not go much further before arriving at the second obstacle. The mountain was indeed enormous, but still smaller than he expected. The rock also had regularly distanced levels and was not at all that steep. At every single level, there was again a torch pole. The way forward was up and the torches made that clear. There were not many options but to climb bare handed and so he did.
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He punched the rock with his gauntlets, making small holes, then he used the gauntlet fingers to shove and twist his hand, making a small hole at each punch, enough to fit most of his feet and to give him stability for the next strike. It took him hours to reach the mountain peak and the view from above was ecstatic. From up there he could see a big city that was built around a mountain, with multiple levels like a snake. He took another look at his map and noticed that the city was along the mountain he was supposed to cross, but his view showed him that the city was straight forward, as if he was approaching the city from the North. From up there he also saw that there were no other mountains near the one he was, nothing like the menacing endless walls he saw at ground.
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He made his way to the other side of the mountain and looked down. There were again multiple levels and torches but he already knew the answer. He did again the same trick of the way up but was instead using his legs and holding on with his hands. At one of the levels his hand slipped when he was about to kick the rock, causing him to lose his balance and fall from thirty feet above. When he hit the floor on the next level, he hurted his back, but the damage was not even close to what it should be. It was as if he fell only three feet.
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He stood up and looked up again. By the time he continued to walk onwards, his back pain was already gone. The closer he got to the city, the louder was the noise coming from inside its walls, and the more people he saw walking in and out and he finally realised he saw no one during his way between the cities beside the camp. The sun was starting to set when he arrived at the city. He walked all the way up, thinking he was one of the first to arrive.
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At the castle courtyard, there were six extremely different people in front of the castle and there were numerous benches with familiar faces from other adventurers waiting.
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- Please, sit down and wait for the others. - Said one of the guards in the courtyard.
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When the twenty four hour period came to an end, the king arrived at the altar.
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The six members looked at each other, and the old man started speaking.
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- We will have time for introductions later. Judging by the nature of these challenges this is a process to choose who they will trust this mission to. I need that answer more than anything in life.
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