Ocelott Faulkerk Ocelott was born on the 36th day of the 8th month of Skullcleaver the Dwarven Axe in the year of the Crystal Snow Hare, 335. He was named after his father, the honorable Paladin Osalott Faulkerk of the Sraan Smolg (knife clan), and born of the noble Lady Amzure of the Sraan Smolg. Lady Amzure was with child during the Great Migration, accompanying her husband Sir Osalott who was commissioned to escort a small group of Gor'Tog farmers on the long journey. One night near the end of the migration, a band of ruffians attacked the small group, intent on killing and robbing the travel-weary farmers. Sir Osalott was able to drive the invaders back into the night, but obtained a mortal wound during the encounter. While Lady Amzure tended to his wounds, Sir Osalott, knowing that his death was near, asked the Gor'Tog farmers to escort his pregnant wife to the Crossing once they finished their journey. The Gor'Tog farmers agreed to this, and went back to their tents. Later that night the ruffians attacked again, with added enthusiasm knowing the group's Sentinel was wounded. Despite his wounds, Sir Osalott defended the group with incredible valor and without fear of his own demise. Knowing that if he fell before the invaders were vanquished his wife and unborn child would never reach the safety of the Crossing, Sir Osalott was intent on slaying all of the invaders. Killing all of the attackers, save one, who was driven into the night minus a hand. Sir Osalott dropped to his knees with the cry, "For Rutilor and my unborn child!" then fell to his death. Once the group reached the Crossings, they felt their service to Sir Osalott was done, and sold Lady Amzure to a cruel and wealthy Gor'Tog Trader who went by the name of Packto. Packto was cruel to Lady Amzure, always referring to the injustices done to the Gor'Tog by the S'Kra Mur before the Great Migration. Packto assured Lady Amzure that when her child was born it would be slain and used to feed to the Crossing's gelapod. Knowing Packto's hatred for the S'Kra Murs, Lady Amzure feared for her unborn child's life. On the night of Ocelott's birth his mother ran from the Traders home, and gave birth to him with the help of a healer in the Empath's Infirmary. Packto was enraged by Lady Amzure's flight and slew her. But the kind healer that had helped Lady Amzure hid Ocelott from Packto. After Lady Amzure was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in the Crossing cemetery, the healer gave Ocelott to a poor S'Kra Mur family in the Middens. Ocelott was raised there in the Middens for the first 8 years of his life, knowing only that his father had been a Paladin of the Sraan Smolg, and that his mother had been slain by a Gor'Tog. During his stay in the Middens, Ocelott learned the ways of the S'Kra Mur, and began a life of petty crime and pickpocketing. One day Ocelott was sitting in front of the Crossing bank trying to make some dishonest money, when he was caught by a S'Kra Mur Paladin. The Paladin took Ocelott to a quiet place and told him that his life would never be full if he insisted on dishonesty and thievery. The Paladin never told Ocelott his name, only held the young S'Kra's face in a large clawed hand and said, "You have noble blood in your veins. Trust in your heart and your ancestors will guide you. Your family has served Rutilor; trust in him and you shall never fail." The Paladin stood with a single tear running down his face, turned, and faded from site. The young Ocelott was amazed and terrified by what had happened to him and sat in that very place for two days, looking for answers in his soul. On the morning of the third day, Ocelott walked to the Paladin Guild and asked Sir Darius for the honor of training as a squire. Sir Darius questioned the young S'Kra extensively about his dedication and moral stature. Satisfied, Sir Darius took Ocelott into the ranks of the guild and began his training. For 10 long years Ocelott was assigned to several Great Paladins as their squire. He learned the ways of the Paladins and struggled to keep his Wards' weapons and armor polished as well as training in the ways of fighting and chivalry. On Ocelott's 18th birthday Sir Darius sent for him. Walking into the Guild leader's office, he found the Paladins that he had served as squire. Sir Darius commanded the youth to kneel before him, and knighted Ocelott a Paladin of the realms, with the title of Protector. Then he gave the young Paladin the charge of defending the weak and defenseless of the realms. Sir Darius told Ocelott to rise and join the ranks of the noble Paladins of the lands. With a final word, Sir Darius stated, "Protector Ocelott, your father was a grand and noble Paladin that helped many defenseless people through the Great Migration. He died defending those who depended upon him, and fulfilled his vows as a Paladin. Follow in his footsteps and you shall not go wrong in your trials as a Paladin of these realms. Learn your history and hold sacred those who came before you. Now go and follow your code and training." With that Ocelott's fellow Paladins patted him on the shoulder, gave him words of encouragement, and sent him out into the world. During Ocelott's quest for his family's history, he learned that his father had died defending a group of Gor'Togs and his pregnant mother. He also learned that one of the fiends that had slain his father had escaped. Rage and revenge became his life; he searched for the man who had done this, forgetting of his vows to the people of the realms. One day in the Crossing Paladin Guild, an elder Paladin by the name of Portense told Ocelott of his god Botolf and that He would be able to answer his questions. Remembering that Botolf was the God of the fallen Paladin, Ocelott went to Dirge to seek his guidance. Many months were spent in Dirge, waiting and searching for the grace of Botolf's presence. Then one cold and especially dark night, a dark clad figure appeared before Ocelott with a large Goshawk oh his shoulder. With a voice that pierced Ocelott's soul the God boomed, "What is it you seek, young Paladin?" Trembling, Ocelott replied, "I seek an audience with my father, the honorable S'Kra Mur Paladin Osalott Faulkerk. He fell in battle more than 19 years ago and I must know who it was that slew him." The dark clad God boomed with laughter, and stated, "Your request will cost you, young Paladin." Ocelott, blinded by his search for revenge, told the God of deceit that he would do anything to avenge his father. With that the Dark God clasp Ocelott's hand, and his mind began to swim with images of battle and carnage. Then suddenly he stood next to a Paladin, who gazed at a small campsite. Lying next to the camp's fire was a dead battle-scarred Paladin, over which stood a beautiful and weeping S'Kra Mur female. As Ocelott turned to look at the Paladin standing next to him, he was stunned to find it was the same one that gave him guidance so many years before. The Paladin then stated, "My son, your life is marred with thoughts of revenge and murder. I lost my life doing what was needed of me. I am proud that you have chosen the path of the Paladin, but I fear that you have lost your way. Revenge is not our way; you must not avenge my death. It was an honorable death and I am proud of it." Shocked and ashamed, Ocelott replied, "But Father, the Smozh that murdered you must pay for his crimes! I am prepared to forge a Q'zhalata, and put an end to the one that was not killed for your death." With sad eyes Osalott turned to his son and said, "Son, I am sorry for the life that you have had to endure. But our way is a humble and selfless way. You must trust in the fact that the one I was unable to slay will find his punishment as all of his kind do in the end." With that, the vision blurred and Ocelott stood again before Botolf. With a sneer the negative aspect of Chadatru pulled a bronze Goshawk Medallion from his cloak and placed it around Ocelott's neck. "With the gift I have given you, you shall be bound to me from this day forth, and worship no other above me," stated Botolf. "This Medallion must remain visible to all whom you come into contact, and you will come to me when I summon. Failure to do so will result in the torment of your father's soul." Then with an evil smile Botolf faded from sight. Falling to his knees, Ocelott realized the folly of his quest, and vowed never to stray from the true nature of his profession. Since that day, Ocelott has lived the life of a humble servant to those who need defense. He barely speaks to those who are not within his Ru'ati, only pausing in his training to aid those in need and to assist the young ones of the realms in finding their way. |
Last Revised: 8/8/00 |