--being an excerpt from "The Ascendant's Path"
It is not known, at least with certainty, what became of Ulfghar when he made his way across the World Span. The distant and mysterious lands of the Precursors have a habit of swallowing up travelers and seekers, even legends such as he. Perhaps he still travels there, with the remainder of his companions. Other rumours purport that he never made his way into the east, but rather was buried in a shallow grave in the lands of the Engolthen. Perhaps the most interesting and far-fetched, and thus conversely true story, was that the Ulfghar who returned to Mourandar was a different man altogether. Rumours, stories and half-truths, noble reader, are mixed wholly into the lives of these men.
Clues to the forthright nature of the man lie strewn across the path of his life, though less noticeably in his early years. Ulfghar was born into a well-appointed crafting family in the city of Anhir lo Delyr, in the District of the Harp. His family, a group of Wellethunic bowyers of proficient reputation in the region were said to have come out of the west after the persecution of the Chalbri by Kabar and his minions.
Ulfghar’s father, Kulighar was prominent in the guild council of the city, holding Council Seats on at least three occasions, and while the eldest brother took to running the family affairs, Ulfghar, a proficient if rather ordinary craftsman took a greater interest in the political affairs of his father. Indeed, by the age of twelve it was said his understanding of the nuance and flow of the political machinations of the ancient city-state was exceedingly high.
But like many things in his life, this did not hold Ulfghar’s attention for long and in his travels among the many districts of Delyr, he befriended a hedge mage. This man, who Ulfghar is said to have always remembered affectionately and to have instilled in him a discipline and respect before unseen, would become a valuable friend and mentor in later years.
It is generally held, in scholarly circles that this mage was Lyvan, an exiled Uracarl seeker, though he was called ‘Tak’ by the denizens of his neighbourhood. In any case, he schooled the lad in the arts of the Dissension, and the flair and talent the boy showed in the mystical and mindful arts, more than made up for a lack of prowess in the family’s chief skill. Indeed, Ulfghar in all his travels proved a cunning and thoughtful adversary. When brute force and violence seemed the only recourse, his quick thinking, prowess with the bow and magical skills were to save the day.
In all due time, as children are wont to do, Ulfghar took leave of Delyr intent on making his way in the larger world. Some say that the family, and especially Kulighar were less than pleased with his decision, though as is the Wellethunic way, he was gifted with many departing gifts, not the least of which was a Chalbri crossbow of exquisite craftsmanship, handed down from grandfather, to father and to son…
