I easily could have kept adding to my role. As I said, Aislynn should have had a spot, and Elrys would have fit in too, along with something about becoming Captain of the Brigade. Since Ulthur was so old though, I just didn't get around to doing it.

Your role is:
Added Thu May 30 22:18:32 2002 at level 6:
"... and that, grandson, is the legend of Jaragh, the first Knight of Thera."
finished the old storm giant, as he leaned back in his chair before the fire.
His face was weather-worn, his hands heavily calloused from years of
adventuring. His armor lay packed away in a chest in the bedroom, his
weapons hung on the mantle above the fireplace, traded in for the gnarled
wooden cane leaning nearby. The young giant sitting on the floor at his feet
stared up at him, eyes wide with awe. No more than 15 or 20 years old, the
youngster was dressed in a pair of torn baggy breaches and a short vest, with
a small wooden play sword cradled in his lap. His pure white hair - unusual
among his blue and green haired kin - was a tangled mess on his head, stray
tendrils sticking out in most every direction. A long smudge of dirt covered
one cheek, not to mention much of his clothing. His mouth split into a huge
toothy grin at the conclusion of the story.

"I want to be a Knight when I grow up!" he said, somewhat breathlessly, his
face shining with eagerness. "Then I can bejust like Jaragh! And Shokai the
Skyborn! And Gareth the Heavenly Warlord!" The youngster gritted his teeth
and hunkered down, letting lose his most ferocious growl in his best
impression of a dwarf.

The old giant chuckled softly as he watched his grandson dash around the room
swinging the wooden sword. Leaning forward, he grabbed the youngster under
the arms and hoisted him into the air, setting him on the arm of his chair.
"And a grand Knight you would be, Ulthur." he said, with a hint of sadness
in his voice. "But many years ago the Knighthood chose to forsake their duty
and their honor. Once the mortal Knights had turned their backs completely
on the precepts of their order, the great Lord Cador took their Code and
parted this world with it. There are no more Knights in the land of Thera,
grandson."

At this the youngster frowned, and glared fiercely at his grandfather. "But
grandpa, I want to be like the great people in your stories! I want to be a
Knight too."

The grandfather smiled down at his grandson proudly. "Then you remember this
one thing, while you grow big and strong. Being a Knight has nothing to do
with fancy titles or words or even great castles. Being a Knight can only
come from right here," he said, tapping Ulthur twice on the chest. "As long
as you hold the Code of Honor right there, you WILL be a Knight. Just make
sure you don't loose site of that, ever."

The young storm giant looked deeply thoughtful for a moment as he absorbed
his grandfathers words, before jumping up to gather his wooden play sword and
asking for just one more story before bedtime. As he grew he retained only
the vaguest memory of the conversation this night, and only general
recollections of the stories his grandfather used to tell him, but those
words would never be forgotten by his soul.

Added Mon Jun 3 15:26:02 2002 at level 20:
"...and that, sir, is why I seek the history of the Knights of
Thera." he finished, looking up at his guildmaster sitting across
the table from him. The bustle of the soup kitchen had waned
somewhat in the late morning hours, allowing for a decent
conversation without the need for shouting. He is of average
youthful appearance for a storm giant, aside from his long, pure
white hair worn pulled into many small braids. The old guildmaster
regarded him thoughtfully, rolling one end of his mustache between
two fingers.

"Ah, to be young again, with ones sights set in the stars..." the
guildmaster said, turning his face up in a mock appeal to the
heavens. "Very well, young giant. I can help you on your journey.
None living know if the god you seek still casts his eye upon us,
though his order as we knew it is most certainly gone. There is
one, however, that may be able to answer some of your questions."

The young storm giant looked puzzled. "You wish me to seek the
dead?"

At this the guildmaster burst into laughter, pounding the table with
his fist. "Oh my, Ulther! I would hardly have you resort to
necromancy!" he said, struggling to control himself. "No, the being
you must seek is known as the Phoenix. The legends say the great
God himself, in times considered ancient even in ancient times, once
walked the land as one of the Honorbound. Perhaps He can answer
your quest. His temple lies high in the mountains, far to the
north. Begin your search there."

Added Fri Jun 28 21:13:42 2002 at level 46:
"...and that, sir, is why I am seeking all that can be told of the Knights of
Thera. Who better to speak with than it's mortal founder?" he said, bowing
his head in respect to the ancient giant before him. Outside the simple
room the sound of children playing could be heard. A small girl opened the
door and peeked her head in, but upon seeing the guest, she gigled and shut
the door again. Jaragh glanced at her with a brief smile, before turning
his attention back to the young giant before him.

"A lofty goal, Ulthur. Others have tried in the past, but none have been
found worthy." the old giant said, pausing to adjust a strap on a suit of
heavily worn golden plate armor. "I think the old days are gone, and cannot
be recovered. But perhaps you will be able to bring about something for a
new day. The ruins of the Knight's Castle lie at the foot of the mountains
boardering the vast plains. Go there, see what became of the Order in times
past. If you still feel you can fulfil your quest, return to the Temple of
the Phoenix. If anyone can answer your questions, He can."

Added Fri Sep 6 13:02:37 2002 at level 51:
"...Oi! Yer bloo' forgiven Ulthur! Qui' yer worryin' abou' it!" said the
slender elf as she walked along next to him. Her freckled face broke into a
smile as she shook her head in exasperation, several strands of firey-red
hair shaking loose from the small silver clasp holding the rest of her hair
back. "We managed t' drive th' Anti-life off, i's all righ' now."

Ulthur gave a weary sigh. "I know, Gorach. I am still saddened that I
arrived too late to help in the fight..."

Gorach laughed again. "Th' Anti-life probably smell' ya coming, an tha' why
he ran off anyway!" she said, poking him in the ribs, before jumping up and
giving him a hug. "Now ge' off yer friggin' lazy ass, an' lets go!"

Ulthur gives her a wry grin, unable to resist her infectious mood. "Ya
stinkin' elf..." he says, as they continue on their way.

Some time later, the giant is kneeling in what appears to be an altar room,
eyes closed in meditation. The muscles in his jaw ripple as he clenches his
teeth tightly, and his eyelids twitch, very obviously not in a relaxed state.
His eyes open suddenly, and he looks around as if seeking something. The
Temple is constructed of silver-veined white marble, and a crystal altar
near the giant blazes with a silver light. His eyes pass over all of this,
as if driven to seek something in particular. Finally, his gaze settles on
a woven silver tapestry hanging near the altar. As he takes in the images
his eyes widen in understanding, and his features shift from troubled, to a
look of determination. The tapestry depicts the ancient Knight named Shokai,
surrounded by the Shadow, his body showing signs of age and numerous battles.
As the Knight lays waste to the hordes of evil surrounding him, the mark of
the Unbreakable Blade can be seen glowing fiercely and un-marred on his wing.

Ulthur rises slowly, no longer showing the signs of tension and conflict, and
pulls the longsword off the balderic on his back. He turns the blade in his
hands, examining it as if seeing it for the first time. "I know what I need
to do, now."

Added Sun Sep 22 19:41:03 2002 at level 51:
"...Be happy for her instead... she can finally rest from all that you and I
still carry on our shoulders." said Lardovian, looking at the giant sadly.
The ancient elf reaches up to adjust the leather cord holding his blond hair
back, as he looks about the room. A huge gray stone fireplace dominates one
side, with numerous tables set around it for people to sit and listen to
tales, though the room is empty now. Sitting in one of the larger chairs
near the fire is an aging giant, dressed all in gray except for a golden
breastplate and a tattoo of a silver phoenix clutching the moon standing out
brightly on his bare bicep. He is staring vacantly off in the distance,
tears running silently down his cheeks.

"I do not cry for her, old friend. I mourn for those who have to continue
the battle in this world without her." Ulthur whispers with a sigh. "So many
friends... and foes. Gone to rest, or perhaps damnation, or whatever comes
next. I feel the weight of time on my shoulders now, and I grow weary."
Lardovian looks down at him and places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Some time later, the giant is again kneeling at the Temple of the Phoenix,
his eyes rimmed with red. After some time without movement or sound, he
rises and opens his eyes, staring out over the mountains. He silently says
his goodbyes, then pulls a small lock of firey-red hair from his pack. He
stares at it for a long time, then pulls out a small blue ribbon and ties it
to one of the silver chains holding his cloak about his neck. With a last
sigh, he straightens his armor, puts his hand on his sword hilt, and turns
from the temple.

Added Sun Sep 29 13:45:02 2002 at level 51:
"...if there is every anything you need, ever... You saved my soul." the man
said with a deep sigh. He is a graceful looking human, covered in a large
black cloak. One well-manicured hand reaches up and pushes back the cowl
partially obscuring his face, revealing short graying hair and clear
emerald-green eyes. "My life is yours." he says, looking up at the giant
leaning against the massive wooden doors next to him.

Ulthur shakes his head slightly. "There is never any payment for helping a
friend." he says, as he slowly runs one hand over the multihued chains
sealing the gatehouse shut, leaving a trail in the thick dust. "And I thank
you, Shaitarak, for having the strength to stand in the face of the drows
preachings where many others have fallen. The battle would become even
harder without my old friends with me."

At this he smiles slightly, and you get the impression that it is the first
time he has smiled in quite some time. The two sit and chat for a few more
minutes, before parting with a hearty hug. The giant spends a short time in
meditation, then begins to pull his weapon from it's sheath. He stops
suddenly and instead holds his empty hands up infront of himself, staring at
them for a moment. He begins to smile, faintly at first, then a broad grin.
Finally, with a satisfied nod, he rises and walks from the gatehouse.

Added Sun Dec 15 01:31:49 2002 at level 51:
"...so like I was saying, there were these five chickens at an Inn..." the
dwarf starts to say, then trails off as he notices the blank stare directed
toward him by the giant resting nearby. He reaches up and scratches at an
uneven silver beard with a grin. "Don't wanna to hear about the chickens,
eh? How's about the time I died to that group of fifety? I got fourty-nine
of 'em, but that last one pulled'a dirty trick..."

Ulthur sighs deeply, and covers his face with his hands. "By the Gods,
Gwimdorf. I've heard that story already." He looks up with at the blockish
dwarf with a grin of his own, and they both start chuckling.

"You know Gwim, if it weren't for you, I'd probably be on my death bed
already," he says seriously. He pushes himself up somewhat shakily with his
staff, and starts to turn away. "Come on now, the Flail may be needed
somewhere." They both start laughing again, as they head off into the woods.

"Don't worry cutsy buttons. Tonight, dyin's not on the menu!"

- Strong Bad as Dangeresque