Farewell, TrapinchO

(yes, I am doing fine and not planning an early exit, this is just my way of saying farewell)
(full reminiscing can be read in Memories of a veteran)
(TW: minor implied selfharm at the very end (Paeta))​

With a silent grunt the man rests his arms over the battlements, like he uses to these years. Standing right above the main gate to Ragni, he watches the shadows it casts grow longer, as if it could attack the lands beyond and retake them. It is quiet out there, but it is not the eerie silence his ears are used to trudge through in search of any sign of attack. No, it is peaceful, calming. The undead - despite still being a major threat - do not pound on the walls as if there was no tomorrow, and the occasional hordes are quickly dealt with. So much has changed from his prime, from the way magic is used and armor to the world. It is so much bigger now, complex. Even the loor he used to know by heart is now beyond his comprehension. Not bad, but no longer for him.

His mind travels back in time, back when he was still just a soldier, fighting off sieges of undead, holding on to his bare life. Then to his life of an adventurer, traveling around the world, learning about it and discovering his love for mysteries. To his later years, mostly returning to Wynn, discussing the hidden loor with other scholars and sitting by the castle gate, welcoming the new recruits. Hearing of Doguns' plight and coming to help them, springing to action after so much time.

Then it moves to the many people he met. Froklan and the one whose name has been lost to time, their paths diverged for decades. His old guild, Boof, he was too young to lead. The Official Wynncraft Welcoming Comittee, his closest friends for a long time. They are spread around the world now, too. Various recruits, Darix, Luminary, AgentEmerald, and Flottii among them. His comrades in battle during the Great Siege of Eldritch Outlook and Wynnlympics. Scholars from the great loor hunt and its descendants. Those he guided through the meteors, and showed them the secret beyond its end. And many more.

His life has been full, and there is little for him to regret. He smiles, realizing what it means to be able to say that. The sun rises above the Nivla Woods, basking his face in golden light.

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A small crowd gathers around the prepared grave. Mostly veterans, barely older than the one they came for, knowing well it could be them the next time. Then there are recruits, those who were greeted by him and still have not left the area. His scholar friends, abandoning their haven just for this occasion. A small envoy of dwarves and doguns from the Coalition, including Arzul, the reason the event had to be delayed. With them arrived Paeta, Marik, and Ardun. A few that do not fit among the others. Lastly there is the king of Ragni to many's surprise, who accepted the request to participate in the ceremony. Despite the surrounding sadness, there is also a feeling of amazement that he died in peace, outside of battle, and happiness for it.

An ancient dirge begins playing, signalling that the body is arriving. The old warriors join first, knowing the hymn by heart, followed hesitantly by the Gavel delegation, who took the care to learn it on the way. The recruits, still unburdened, remain silent, though one or two try to hum along. The coffin, accompanied by two doguns and two human veterans, slowly makes its way between the graves, stopping in front of the crowd. The song changes almost seamlessly, shifting its focus from the realm of the living to the one beyond. Only after it ends the people form an honor gauntlet from their weapons to allow passage towards the empty spot in the ground, and the coffin is laid besides it.
"The Great Bovine is calling TrapinchO to his halls," the carriers announce, beginning the rite.
"His time here has run out," half of the crowd says. There is no system, everyone picks a side seemingly at random.
"We were in unity when he was alive," replies the other.
"but now we are standing at the edge."
"He continues further,"
"where we cannot follow."
"We will remain united in our hearts."
"His body will rot,"
"but the soul lasts."
"He must not be forgotten after he leaves."
"And so the tombstone awaits."
Justice comes to the body and says "As a friend, I shall write his name."
"He will never be forgotten," the people reply.
He then turns to the slab of stone and with prepared spell engraves "TrapinchO", and returns among the rest.
A few seconds later, Paeta emerges. "As a student, I shall write his deeds."
"His legacy will be honored forever."
She engraves the tombstone with burning letters spelling "Fought for peace, unraveled secrets, greeted newborns." and slides back into the crowd.
At last, the king steps forward. "As the city's ruler, I shall write his end."
"His death will not be for nothing."
With a spell he adds "Died in peace, watching sunrise."
As he returns to his place, there is a minute of silence.

"We shall honor the dead with gifts from our hearts."
"For without him we are not whole."
The first to move are Doguns, each putting a piece of their core into the coffin, and dwarves, offering various personal trinkets. They are followed by the old warriors, stucking an arrow into the wood, muttering words of farewell, with few, inspired, accompany it tearing a piece of cloth from their tabbards. Scholars bring scrolls and stone tablets, some containing stories of his, other discoveries he had made. Lastly comes Paeta, once again giving a piece of herself, to the others' surprise and horror. "Ain't gonna let it fall apart, old man," she says silently.

As she returns to her place, she nods at you.

 

Farewell, oh great collector of knowledge and history.

You will be missed.

May he (the character) rest in peace!

 

An emerald is left on his grave by a comrade.

 

The lore and story of Wynn was always the undersung heart of it all, it will be tragic to see you grow trap, still the OWWC was (and is) a great community and I cherish that. Thank you