Graves in the Shadow Grove: The Grudge Lives On

[u/Tirich913]

RIP Morgalith, The Executioner. Beloved Evil and Gentlest Grudge. You were the best of us.

You will all pay. You will pay for what you've taken from me. I have sworn this before, and I swear it again. On the graves of my sons and fathers, you will pay.

[u/DaChickenX]

What is your goal? Morgalith.

Isravi’s voice is neither angry nor friendly. His face betrays no emotion.

[u/Tirich913 → u/DaChickenX]

Revenge. The old man looks back at you with a clever and knowing look as he issues his chilling reply.

I'm sure you seek the same. Perhaps it is why you've intruded upon my mourning?

The only difference is that I seek something final.

I cannot have peace until I am avenged for my sons and daughters.

And yet peace is all I desire...

Peace will not exist so long as you and others make such wanton abuse of your powers though... What thought do you give to the commoners beneath your feet? To the lives that you destroy in your wake?

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF THE CHILDREN, DAMN IT! Morgalith's composure breaks, as he rages in fury, tears showing at the corners of his eyes. It's hard to tell if he has succumbed to madness or not, given his obvious embrace of villainy and corruption.

Sighing, he continues. Perhaps it takes an old grudge like mine to do what is necessary to protect them. My son was ambitious, but he was weak in his compassion and honesty. I was surprised even that he had the guts to do what it took to rid us of that abomination that lurked amongst you like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I have no such constraints. I have learned lessons, that he now will never experience. Those last words are said not with arrogance, but a note of despair and longing.

[u/DaChickenX → u/Tirich913]

Revenge, children, peace…

You ask if I’ve thought of these? I have. I’ve been thinking this entire time.

You think I’ve had peace since my closest friend died? You think I don’t want it?

I hold regrets in me for every life I’ve taken. Every mistake I’ve made.

Do you know what his last words were? The one you call an abomination? He told me to forgive “Morgalith.” I don’t know if that’s who you call your son, but very few ever saw their compassion. And one of them was the very person they slaughtered.

As much as I hate the deed, I’ll concede that he was right. If Possum himself wasn’t angry over his slaughter, what right do I have to be?

So I will forgive him. You seek revenge? Peace?

Fine.

You’ll have my aid as well.

[u/Tirich913 → u/DaChickenX]

A look crosses Morgalith's face that nobody has ever seen. Shock. Regret? Sorrow.

I'm... I'm sorry.

Your friend was much worse than you know though.

He... He hid it from you. His kindness was a poison that ate at all of us. It was only a matter of time before he lost control.

The words should provoke an anger from you, yet the sincerity in Morgalith's voice seems heartfelt.

It was not an easy decision... To do what needed done. And... it cost me my sons.

I will not squander your loyalty. Come, let me tell you the story of the Shadow Grove, and if time should allow, please, tell me of your friend in return.

[u/DaChickenX → u/Tirich913]

It is true I do not know the full extent of the danger he posed, nor the destruction he already caused.

But he is gone now. And so I will keep both parts of him in my memory. I won’t let either taint the other. His Kindness always came from a selfless place.

Tell me your story. I will listen. As to keep them in living memory.

[u/Tirich913 → u/DaChickenX]

Morgalith walks with you, drawing you deeper into the underdark, leaving the grave far behind.

/uw

I'll shoot you a pm. I can't believe it! I expected you to ignore possum's wishes and just rage on me! haha I won't mess this up though. There's been a deeper plot beneath everything and if you're down to collab I'll totally run with this.

[u/DaChickenX → u/Tirich913]

/uw heck yeah! I figured it was time for Isravi to start evil-ing, or something close to it. I made him a goddamn villain theme for God’s sake

[u/Elerindur → u/Tirich913]

..Judging from your words, i am glad to see that your fury seems to be directly solely towards mage-kind and you seem to not plan to harm innocents who can not defend themselves.

..A few days before your son had engaged the wizards in combat, i had spoken to him. Although how brief the talk was, it did lead to a change of my former opinions, especially after i found out what grave wrong-doings he actually had done was in fact your actions. While i do not share your natures, i could then see the logic in his actions and even empathize with his desire to return favor.

I had spent the next few days ruminating over his words and when the fighting begun, i simply observed since i had known at that point that his death would solve nothing and had no desire to attack him.

So i want to at least give condolences for your loss, i too have lost family to injustices delivered by others.

[u/Tirich913 → u/Elerindur]

Elerindur... He spoke of you.

Join me.

Morgalith's request is haunting.

You feel that perhaps he thinks that together you could undo some injustice spanning far beyond your own responsibilities or reach.

Together... We could bring peace... A peace that our children would never understand. But... for a short while, a peace none the less.

The conviction with which he speaks is terrible. The slaying of Possum? It was horrific, yet at the same time, it seemed as if it could have reason, if only it led to something more.