Zleiphneir: Path of Justice

Zleiphneir: Path of Justice

Zleiphneir was always fond of the lonely tree at the Path of Loneliness. He often spent a great deal of time just resting near the tree, enjoying its company. He eventually built up a reputation for doing so, and obtained several friends and enemies based on affinity for the tree. But, at this point, he was mostly only known by his friends that he often spoke with.

As Zleiphneir, or Z as his friends called him, generally lounged about the area, his friends often came to him there, rather than he go to them. Just like any other ordinary day, Z was lying about in the area, when one of his friends, Ilias, came to greet him.

At this time, Ilias was still quite young to the realm and very impressionable. He liked talking with Z, and enjoyed making many other friends as well. Thus, he cannot be blamed for thinking his newfound companion was not as upstanding as he may have seemed at first. This man, called a Mad Tiger by some, saw how Zleiphneir took fondly to the tree, and decided to torment him. The Mad Tiger provoked Z by punching the tree with all of his might.

Chapter II: Conflicts

Now, the tree at the Path of Loneliness is not a terribly strong tree. In fact, its rather frail. The single punch shook the tree to its very roots. Reasonably, this angered Zleiphneir a great deal. He lunged at the Mad Tiger, but the retaliation was not what he expected. To return the blow, the Mad Tiger burnt the poor tree severely.

In a fit, Zleiphneir threw his zealous rage at the Mad Tiger. He punched him, kicked him, spat on him. Z did everything he could think of short of raping the tiger. When his senses returned, he realized that he needed to help the tree, and fast.

Zleiphneir hugged the tree desperately praying and crying out for help. As it happened, Z's friend, Wolfcaster, arrived to the shouts. After a quick sum up of the events - where did the tiger run off to? - Wolfcaster made quick use of his incantation to support the tree's spirit and keep it alive.

Understanding that they did not have much time, they decided to try to find the Sage who was one with the land.

Chapter III: Hunting

Zleiphneir stood guard by the tree as Wolfcaster rushed off in search of the Sage. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the woman. He came running back looking quite exhausted. Z helped him sit by the tree, then sprinted off in the opposite direction shouting for help. He ran all the way to the Aramory and no one even bothered to answer his pleads. He cursed them all and returned to the tree, feeling disheartened.

Luckily, a runner brought word to him that one Khalazdad would alert the Sage if he saw her. He also informed Zleihpneir that he should contact the Good Nymph of Loreroot, for she was knowledgeable in arts of nature. This greatly pleased Z, for he understood what the letter meant. The Good Nymph was indeed a fair person to speak with. He had worked with her before, and she would be willing to help. He sent the runner off toward Loreroot for the nymph.

Chapter IV: Accidents

At that moment, Ilias returned with a small vial of liquid, which he handed to Zleiphneir before again leaving the area. Z is typically a trusting individual, but he eyed the contents with suspicion. Not wanting to inflict more damage on the poor tree, Z held the vial up to the sun and allowed it's light to filter through the liquid. He desperately tried to identify the substance, but his concentration was broken as Ilias returned shouting words of warning, "Don't hold that in direct sunlight!".

Zleiphneir immediately turned his attention back to the vial which had begun to bubble and overflow. It shook violently in his hand, and he was forced to release it. The vial shattered against the ground and its contents formed a pool at his feet. Ilias looked very concerned as he explained that the bottle contained a violent creature which had been liquefied, and that it would now return to its physical form. "The liquid version has a very potent healing affect", he claimed.

Chapter V: Transformation

As Ilias finished his explanation, the small creature leaped at Zleiphneir, who had forgotten in the midst of the tragedy to reset the dial on his arm that controls his transformations. Overtaken by rage, Z began to undergo his first metamorphosis . Flecks of black crawled across his skin until they consumed his entire body, leaving only a white crescent which appeared as a menacing grin. Steam escaped from his eyes and shards of metal fell from his right arm as it grew in size and took on the shape of a muscled tentacle.

Blinded by anger and unable to control his current form, Z swung at the unsuspecting Ilias, who was nimble enough to dodge the brunt of the blow. Turning his attention to the creature, Z grinned and hoisted his mechanical arm high into the air. It seemed to stretch for eternity, and with all of his strength Z recoiled the arm and used it to smash the creature into the ground, leaving only a crater where it had stood a moment ago.

Chapter VI: Miracle

Having played out his rage, Zleiphneir focused again on his surroundings and heard Ilias saying that the Tree may have no hope since the creature had been destroyed. Having no recollection of the recent events, Z shook his head at the site of the large crater and the blood that stained Ilias' cloak. A blinding light emanated from his arm as Z focused on reversing the transformation, and he quickly reset the dial.

Ilias noted that the Tree was going through a transformation of its own, and he stated that some of the spilled liquid must have seeped into its roots. Light shown all around as the tree began to sprout anew and bloom into its former glory. Once again overcome, but this time with happiness, Zleiphneir's body quickly returned to its normal state, and he gleefully hugged the stunned Ilias. The tree was safe once more, and Ilias had spared its life. Zleiphneir vowed that from that moment forward, he would dedicate his existence to sheltering the frail tree from those who would do it harm.

Acknowledgements

The base storyline is from a document Zleiphneir wrote about the encounter. Chapters I-III are my interpretation of the events, and Chapters IV-VI were completed by Wynken of the Archivists. I thank everyone involved in completing this project.