Born For Adversity -Grinos: "Firesand"
By: Grinos
I don't know why the whims come upon me as they do. I suppose I felt I needed to go on a journey of self-discovery or some foolishness like that. Maybe it was the glimmering rune of power offered to us clerics. Either way, I found myself on a quest to attain the highest level of notoriety with the Dragonslayer Covenant which involved an extensive tour in the scorching Firesand Desert.
Mind you, I'm no stranger to the elements, I consider myself rather adaptable when it comes to various environments. Still, allow me to warn that extended time in the deserts does something to you. The heat is night unbearable, and I don't know how I would have fared had I not invested a few weeks in caring for an old grizzled warden. The water spells were more than welcome. The denizens of that place were no relief, being almost exclusively fire users. As planar foes go, there was no shortage of Earth and Fire rifts. Sealing a fire rift in the Firesand desert while fighting flaming foes must venture far from the borders of sanity. Still, I spent weeks plowing ahead seeking to finally gain the level of notoriety with the Dragonslayers I desired. Many days I wanted to give up, I found the heat unbearable, I even questioned my motives. But still, I pressed on, visualizing the day I would finally gain that maximum level of notoriety.
The day came and went. I had finally gained the status of noteriety I desired. The proclamation of attaining such a high status offered a fleeting moment of euphoria. I enjoyed the praise of my guildmates and access to rare equipment. Yet, I found my experience was much deeper than that. The reward was far greater than I expected. I found myself even more in tune with my path as a Purifier. I saw so many foes use the power of fire in the exact opposite manner as I use mine, to destroy. Fire's destructive capabilities gave me a deeper appreciation for my own path. It reminded the greater responsibility I have to protect my allies from the many enemies they face. I even have found greater peace in harnessing the fire's offensive abilities, and find myself hurling my paltry flames alongside the blazing infernos of my powerful pyromancer allies. Firesand taught me more about the fire I wield as a Purifier, and more about myself.
-Grinos