Lothar Völsung

The cold torchlight flickered against the stone walls of the monastery hall, casting long shadows that danced with each wavering flame. Lothar Völsung knelt before the Council of the Weighed, his head bowed, his fists clenched against his knees. His robes, though still the deep black of an initiate, bore the embroidered marks of six names; far more than any warrior of his station should have carried.

The eldest of the Veilbearers stepped forward, his voice like the groaning of old wood.

"Six names, Lothar." The weight of disapproval in his tone was heavier than any blade. "You are but nineteen summers. An Unburdened should carry no more than two before they are ready to be named among the Nametaken. And yet, six."

Lothar lifted his gaze, storm-gray eyes meeting the veiled elder without hesitation. "Would you have had me stand by and watch as they slaughtered the innocent? Would you have me hesitate?" His voice was steady, but beneath it, something burned, something defiant.

"We would have had you remember our ways." Another elder said, his voice sharper, less forgiving. "A blade drawn in haste is a blade that has forgotten its purpose. Did you ever try to spare them? Or did you choose the easy path?"

A long silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

Finally, Lothar exhaled, slow and measured. "They deserved to die."

Murmurs rippled through the gathered monks. Some looked away, others stiffened. The Veilbearer sighed.

"Then you must carry them, Lothar Völsung. You must carry them all."

The elder turned and gestured toward the great Ledger of the Fallen, the sacred tome where the names of the slain were recorded, bound to their takers for eternity. Lothar rose, stepping toward it without hesitation, the flickering torchlight illuminating the names already stitched into his robe.

As he took up the quill, dipping it into the black ink, he whispered the first name under his breath.

It would not be the last.

Dismissed, he made his way down the tower and into the main courtyard of the mountain monastery. Winter was setting in and he eyed the younger Unburdened arriving and training.

#OpenRP #FeraRP #FantasyRP