Role

Chapter 8

Maghrahlris is known amongst certain circles of demon summoners, evil
alchemists, and most of all, the Talshidar, as a miracle. To everyone else,
his existence is nothing more spectacular than any other Arial before him.
However, there are few that know his dark secrets, and even fewer who
understand it.
Amongst the Talshidar, he has come to be named a Talshial - a breed betwen
Talshidar and Arial. How he came to be is somewhat of a mystery to those
Talshidar not smart or highly ranked enough to be included in his spawning,
but to all of them, his purpose was clear. Maghrahlris was to be sacrificed
the first full moon of the Month of Shadows. It is said that his blood was
the key to releasing the great demon Talshidarus upon Thera.
All the head conjurers and necromancers came together at the top of the
mountain, drawing complex circles of summoning and scattering across the
cliff bones and remains of many kinds. But, when it came time for the grunts
to bring forth the sacrifice, he was nowhere to be found.
As if blessed (or cursed) by Talshidarus himself, he was told in a dream
about the things that were to come, and to flee from the Caves. He managed to
flee, but his wings were no yet powerful enough to make it down the cliff
face. He plumuted, and was badly injured. Again, as if Talshidarus himself
wished not to be freed, a great sandstorm arose in the desert, and carried
him to a hidden part of the Oryx Steppes. There he laid unconscious for
nearly a year...
His slumber was not all peaceful, however. In flashes he had nightmares of
winged demons scourging the earth, ordered by a great winged Talshidar
towering over a large mountain. All races of Thera were banished, and from
the ground rose a legion of demons, devils, and Talshidar - the new
inhabitants of this plane. And amidst all the genocide, stood Maghrahlris, He
was not harmed, nor were his hands bloodied. Instead, he stood as a leader,
as a god, ordering the others around him to do his deeds.
Near the end of his one year coma, the great demon atop the mountain spoke to
him. His speech was not Theran, but yet, he still understood every word, and
he understood them clearly...
"I am the great demon Talshidarus. It was I, and I alone, that saved you from
your death. Delight not in this revelation, however, for now, you owe me your
life. This world is not yet fit for my occupation. There are those, mortal
and immortal, good and evil, who would not allow my domination of Thera.
Though my power is great, there are those still more powerful than me. The
silver-winged Maran, the raging bear of the north, and the dark emperor, are
just few of the many I would be forced to face alone. Their numbers also are
many, much more for the Talshidar to hold off. It is now in your hands, to
make Thera suitable for my reign. Do not fail me, for just as I have saved
your life, I can bestow upon you a fate much worse than death."
And then, the voice was gone, and Maghrahlris opened his eyes to the world...