55th of Summer 513 AV
It's been a few days since my last entry. I suppose this will be a regular occurrence. After all, it is rather difficult for me to write in this book every day. Things come up, and I don't always have something insightful to say. And, although I do date these entries, you can plainly see that it is for some future historian's benefit rather than my own. Or yours, really, if you have no love of history. But I digress, I won't be writing in this book each day.
With that out of the way, I would like to continue talking about myself. After all, why would you trust a man you know nothing about? Or his book? You wouldn't. So let me get on with it.
Now, besides my friend Wrenmae, I had another older boy that was like a brother to me. Little did I realize at the time, that that was exactly what he was. Kinneas Avian, was the son of Lady Avian and my half-brother. It is my deepest regret that I was never able to speak with Kinneas on this subject. I had found out after we were fully grown, and he had perished in the Winter Crisis before I could contact him. He was a very nice fellow, and it saddens me that the Avian line is now no more. It is one of many reasons why I seek to reestablish the Wilmot name.
The Wilmot name. Ah, but I forget, the long history of the Wilmot's is fading, and I am the last torch-bearer. You, my mystery reader most likely don't even know the history of the Wilmot. Even worse, you've probably never even heard the name before picking up this book. Well then, I shall rectify that. I imagine the rest of this entry will deal with my family history alone. So, if you are impatient, and would rather not spend your time on the knowledge of the past, you may wish to skip the rest of this entry. Though I should say, I don't much like the idea of someone skipping ahead. So don't be surprised if things don't make much sense later on! Now, let me continue...
The Wilmot line began with Amos Wilmot. He was present during Alvadas' founding. He, unlike his descendants, was a follower of Rak'keli, and after much devotion and hardship was granted her third gnosis mark. He became invaluable in the early days of Alvadas, as a healer of great renown. Many of his brothers in arms specialized in the care of the sick, but he was considered a specialist among specialists. I am told that there were none who rivaled him, and even before he had the mark, he was a healer without equal. He became the one thing that kept many disasters at bay.
When Amos was at a ripe old age Alvadas was raided by a surge of monsters. Amos was considered the deciding factor in that horrific battle. It is a small myth that he healed over half of Alvadas personally. Though if this is true or not, I do not know. He died at the age of 67 of sickness, but not before siring 12 incredibly gifted sons.
After Amos died, six of his sons continued his work of healing. The other Six followed after my own patron god, Ionu. While the former six were revered as their father's sons for miraculous work, which was especially impressive considering none had obtained priesthood, the other six were rather despised. Although they had realized that an Illusion was just as good as the real thing, others did not share their wisdom. And while each was able to obtain 2 gnosis marks, using it to heal, many people their lives. Naturally, they were blamed for the deaths, and the Wilmot name had begun to obtain a reputation for eccentricities (That's what I prefer to call it anyway).
The next generation saw the birth of 14 sons and 2 daughters. Of these, a son named Azel had had enough of the reckless violence and brutality that plagued the city. He had been born weak and deformed, and as such was often a target for thieves, due to his rather puny physique. Although I am by no means deformed, I do sympathize with his plight. I am rather small, and have been mugged on more than one occasion. He established a make-shift militia of volunteers to guard the city.
Azel's son, Adur, made a living as a mercenary. He actually excelled in this despite the fact that both his parents were small and relatively weak. While in this line of work he was employed by a gambling establishment owner by the name of Renki. Renki and Adur became steadfast friends, despite their very different stations in life. However, this only lasted until Azel passed away, leaving Adur in charge of the City guard. Renki, however, was not quite as friendly as he appeared. Azel had made many enemies, and many were still offering a rather large bounty on all of his kin. Renki betrayed Adur and many of his cousins and brothers when his family came upon hard times. Adur was able to escape, but many of his family members did not.
Renki was slain in his sleep by Adur. Adur was sentenced to death by the City Guard for murder, as they had no evidence of Renki's guilt.
The next generation was Adur's son, Albert Wilmot, which brought the family to financial ruin. He was the sort to invest in poor ideas and products, and squandered generations of wealth. His son grew up in ever increasingly poor conditions. His son, of course, was Alvin Wilmot, my father. After Alvin, came myself. And thus you have a brief synopsis of the Wilmot family line. I could tell you about one of the many brothers and cousins of Adur, or even Azel, but many have passed and failed to have children who bear the family name. So it has come to myself alone.
Though, I promise, the Wilmot name will be restored. No matter the cost. |