Asmod's story

28th of Shar 358

Asmod seems to ponder whether or not he should actually tell his tale. He asks us why we need to know about him. Fathom asked him for his "true" name and to know more about him, and remarks how some magic requires to know a person's true name to contact them. He seems concerned that we flaunt magic so openly. He wishes he was as bold as we were. Asmod fears that we might know who he was, or rather who he once was. He says he is not as he once was and that he has went through many cycles of change, life, and death. He says that others may have gone through this cycle as well, just unknowingly. Remembering these cycles and going through these cycles are a burden that "people like him" must carry, he says. This reminds me of Memory and his stories.

Hornet questions if that is the same as everlasting life and that if that is something everyone wants. Asmod says that its not the same as that. Restarting anew is something everyone does, whether or not they know or remember it. He says he misses the days of being whisked around the world but does not miss being hunted down. He says he learned his lesson long ago, to not make a scene or to be seen. He learned to enjoy life and everything around as it forms and reforms.

There is a slight topic change as Hornet asks how Asmod feels about talent versus skill. They ask him if people born with talent are better then people who work for it. Asmod says it depends. Some are born with power, such as sorcerers and icons. Others aren't. He says that in this world, with enough willpower, anything is possible. They used to think natural born skill and talent was everything when they were young, but they tried to learn more skills. Even that was not enough to defeat "the willpower of man". I can agree with him, I think the willpower to do something is what you need in this world, not natural born talent or skills.

Asmod says he was born with a lot of power and he let it consume him when he was younger. He had to let it all go to keep living. The one who took his eyes took his power. He doesn't want to hurt anyone ever again, and staying here, he won't. He also feels safe here. People hearing his tales is more than enough for him. Fathom finds this discouraging, that he would give up on something that matters to him. Asmod says it doesn't matter to him anymore and that it is for everyone's good. He believes we won't understand what being born with immense power does to one's mind. You suddenly develop something and everyone is scared of you. Everywhere you go, everything just turns to ash, metaphorically and literally.

Asmod says Hornet knows what he is talking about and they remark they just want to hear him say it. Fathom changes topics briefly to ask about the golden and silver strands, throwing up a minor illusion to show what they look like. He asks where we saw them and he explains we saw it in a vault of sorts, kind of dancing around calling it a Ruin of Creation. He brings up the Scribe and how powerful he was in a previous life.

Asmod decides to tell us who he is, not because we gave him his eyes back but because he is interested in us. He says he will share on the condition that Hornet will share their story, as he noticed a spark in their eyes when he mentioned leaving ash in his wake.

Asmod was born long ago. One day, when he hit the middle point of his youth, something came to him. He could feel it in his veins, a power that was already there and a little voice in his head. That night, he awoke to the sounds of screams. He laid in a bed of flames and surrounded by ash. He didn't realize at the time that it was his fault. He would search for a long time to find out who did it and would burn things in his wake.

He used to be referred to by Ember, for his red hair and the fires he would leave in his wake. His young anger turned into pride, and he took this pride to search for answers. When he learned it was him doing these terrible things, they embraced it. He took what he saw as destiny and his purpose, and he followed through. He discovered as much knowledge as he could, leaving more ash and fire in his wake. He learned one day when he was put in his place by someone he referred to as "simple" that he is not all powerful. That his destiny is not to burn and that they can be "simple" despite the weight on his shoulders. He doesn't wish to return to that life. When he was born anew, this lesson ran through him. His powers came back, but this time, he ran away. He travelled for a long time and eventually found his way here. At this place, the little voice in his head stops.

Fathom is empathetic, saying that it is an unfortunate fate even if it was one they made for themselves. He thinks there is another path and that there is something more beneficial then removing himself from the equation. He believes there is a time where Asmod may be able to leave this place and mend the past. Asmod says he just wants to live a peaceful life in the woods. He does not know where his place in the world would be. Fathom responds, saying that this is a strange new world and that there is a place for everything, including destruction.

All that is left of Asmod's power now is simple destruction. Every step he takes chars the ground beneath him. When they turn their head around to look over their shoulder, it is barren and gray. Metaphorically, mainly.

Fathom mentions how he fell into a well and can now do funky stuff that he can't control. He says there is a level of self-restraint to it. Asmod asks if Fathom has ever been the reason for any destruction outside of their control. Hornet said they have. Asmod wants to find a way to fit in without ruining everything around him. It's Hornet's turn to tell his story.

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