It started out like any other beautiful Daris morning. The sun had not yet risen, my master still in the underworld finishing his duties there. I climbed to my usual meditation spot on top of Druid hill. This is always my favorite part of the day. Very quiet, excellent view of the town and a good location to witness my master rise in all his glory. Utu, God of the Sun.
I take a deep, cleansing breath and instantly fall to meditation, humbly praying for Utu to grant me the knowledge of his will for me and the power to carry it out. I owe much to the people of Daris (a certain smelly dwarf in particular), yet that is nothing compared to what I owe my master. He has led me down many a dark and dangerous path, yet he is always with me, granting me the use of his power with my prayers. I am, and always will be, his humble servant.
All at once I feel a presence.. I know this hill well, and I would have heard anyone approching long before they reached me.. My hand instinctivly reaches for my sword, a prayer of protection automatically leaps to my lips..
"Worry not my son" a voice speaks in my head. It is a voice I have heard more than a few times in my life. It guides me with its subtle intervention into my actions and thoughts. This time, however, it is not just a voice. A strong hand touches my shoulder and a feeling of absolute peace and serenity washes over me.
"My master", I say in complete awe and reverence. If a mortal were standing next to me when I said this, it is doubtful they would have heard my meek voice. Utu, however, hears it loud and clear. "You grace me with your presence my Lord. Ask of me whatever you would, that I may know your will for me."
"You are ever the loyal servant Roland", the voice whispers in my head. "You live life with your heart and ask little in return for what you do to help others. Your faith in me is absolute. Rise and face me my son".
I rise on shaking legs and turn to face my God. I have stared down Lich, Death Knights, Talon and hundreds of other hellish sights, yet I could do no more than glance briefly into the red-golden eyes of Utu. He is very tall, powerfully built. His shoulders and arms erupt in fiery rays.For the first time in my young life I face my God, and bask in his being.
"I musn't dally Roland, I have much to do", Utu tells me. "As you know the mighty Marduk strives to retake his city. Much of the fighting force of your town is involved in this. Their eye's are moving away from the danger of Varana and, more importantly, Druaga. As you know, Druaga is the God of the Demon plane. The souls I am forced to cast into darkness serve him for eternity. However, as Varana grows in power, so does Druaga. This is why I come to you Roland.
"Druaga plots to enter the underworld, that he may take all souls that enter there. I wish I could tell you that I could handle this on my own, but I cannot. I will strive to tell you why. A god gives his cleric power, this you know. However the cleric's faith grants the god power. I have never been overly concerned with the number of my faithful. I am now becoming aware of this folly. Druaga grows ever stronger as his faithful join him. His reach is vast, and his power incresses.. He is not yet strong enough to face me, yet the time fast approches when his might would surpass mine, lest I do something to thwart him.
"My will for you is twofold Roland. First you must gather a fighting force who's sole purpose is to fight Varana and Druaga. These two enemies are vast, so you can see my reasoning for this. Second, I wish for you to build a temple to me. This is in the hopes that you can draw those like yourself into my service. We must win this battle my son, for if we do not, all souls that enter the underworld at death are doomed to be the slaves of Druaga, for all eternity..."
Utu draws himself to his full hight. He unsheathes his giant saw knife and holds it to his chest in a salute, "Those that join with you shall be called 'The Blade of Utu'!" His voice is no longer a whisper in my head, it now thunders across the hilltop and down into Daris, across Seaside, into the Baraans.. I kneel in front fo my god, "I will do this my Lord, I shall not fail you. Your will be done!"
Utu lays his blade upon my shoulder, "So is my will, Roland Highpriest of Utu!"
The Will of Utu.
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