Argonm the Insurmountable and Arak the Blue
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"Uuuuuuggghhh my head, I beleive that brew has bested me brother" groaned Argonm awaking from his drunken slumber. His head pulsated with pain and his eyes felt heavy in their sockets. "This was the last time he went drinking with Magnor and Kolodos" he thought to himself, knowing full well that it would not be the last time. "I remember nothing.... wait...." he murmured to himself vaguely remembering something. Their drunken shenanigans and pranks on the other giants and each other were always rather ridiculous in proportion, but Argonm felt that this was a tad too much commitment. The entrance was blocked with a runed boulder, he remembered Kolodos and Magnor snickering as they placed it while Argonm was slumped in a half drunken stupor.
He sat in that cave, thinking about what brought him there. How he Magnor and Kolodos had been drinking after their most recent victory in the west. How they were celebrating their decisive blow to the enemy. After years in that cave, reality set in. The reality was the rest of the giants were at war on the outside, killing each other, and to no end. When giants fight giants giants, giants die and the reasons they fight live on. Argonm realized the sad truth that all emperors and kings have eventually learned since time immemorial, war is not glory. Argonm vowed to end it, by might or diplomacy he vowed to end it. Through honorable duel or hearty handshake Argonm was going to surmount this war and save all of his kin. The years went by, Argonm feared the worst, that those who knew of his location had perished in an ambush. Or worse, betrayal. Argonm's resolve to leave that wretched cave never wavered. He sustained himself eating the nearby roots and spent hours everyday delivering blows to the boulder, and through sheer physical force pebbles wore from it's face despite it's magical protection. Day by day, year by year. his grunts and blows never wearied. Until one day while Argonm was delivering a flurry of blows to the boulder, before his very eyes, it vanished. The light blinded Argonm.
"Where am I you blistering beetles?" he demanded. "This jest was a might much, wouldn't you say?" Argonm rubbed his eyes and looked around. His eyes were wide with surprise, nothing was as he remembered. The trees that were merely to his shin now hung overhead, filled with the singing of songbirds and flitting of insects. And he looked to the left, then to the right. "Where am I?" Argonm asked perplexed. "Kolodos are you here, your camouflage magic has much improved you sly trickster" as he grabbed the empty air in from of him. Expecting to put Kolodos in a headlock and rub his knuckles on his bare scalp the way he always had done to his little brother. His hand held nothing, but in that moment Argonm looked down and at his feet stood a small blue creature. Argonm tensed and prepared for a fight. To his surprise it spoke it him as if the creature were inches away from his ear. "He.. hello, wh.. who are you?"
The westwood is home to many summoners, failed summoners, and mages of all sorts. All of them looking for allies and familiars to lend their strength and wits in battle or sorcery. However, it is fair to assume that Westwood academy holds the most prestigious among their ranks. All studying and training to see 9 of their colleagues never proceed to the next level of instruction. At this Academy there were a variety of magi with various aptitudes, nearly all of them looking to compete one day in the most grand battle tournament upon Mount Mox or achieve magical merit. And all of the were instructors looking to mentor the next Wizard of Westwood to ride their pupil's path to glory. Not all mages here were looking for either of this things, some were just magical beings with no place to turn to in the Westwood and no where else to go.
Arak the Blue was one such of these mages and not a very high scoring mage. Well, not because of lack of magic, Arak was teeming with mana and magical potency. However he was always teased for not having any offensive magic or summons at Westwood Academy. Arak felt torn about being a summoner, he had a great aversion to controlling others to fight against their judgement. It made him want to vomit, it made him feel the sick taste of the whip of his former slave drivers. The smell of death as he entered the gladiatorial arena. How was this any different? He wanted no part of it. Instead Arak tried a different sort of magic in secret, one of understanding, Arak used his magic to understand the creatures around him. At first insects, but over time on to birds. After a great period of time Arak could even talk to the trees and earth elementals. While not a strong offensive magic, it made Arak smile to be able to talk to others some of which haven't talked to a mage in ages. Since before the splintering, since before the great wars. The trees had seen such tales of heroics, they told of Titans, Giants, and Dragons. They had also seen horrors that left Arak shaken after hearing them. Arak lived by the longhouses that were for students receiving their first year of instruction. While not central to the rest of the academic buildings it was fairly close. Bordering it was a large tree with vast branches, and a strange stone at the bottom. Arak often sat by this stone to think, avoiding his daily castings that he loathed. The tree above the stone was gnarled with bright yellow flowers. Said to be here since the school was merely a group of stones. Arak had never tried communicating with a tree this old before, Arak uttered the incantation that he developed.
"Great tree?" Arak whispered.
"What, who is that? who speaks to me?" spoke the tree in Arak's mind. It's voice was booming and boisterous.
"I am Arak, and I merely wish to speak with you" said Arak awaiting a reply.
"You there in the blue garb? For a moment I thought you were the large fellow that keeps muttering beneath this stone" said the tree sounding a bit less taken by surprise.
"Large fellow?" Arak asked, confused.
"Yes the large fellow, beneath this stone there is a large fellow that persistently bangs against it. I don't remember exactly when I started noticing it. Was it 100? No 200 years ago? but it is quite the din." replied the tree. Arak looked at the stone more closely, he noticed a faint magical barrier. Hardly anything a mage of the Westwood wasn't familiar with, in fact it was so primitive that most mages would ignore it as some sort of vestigial ward. Arak burned with curiosity, who was the large fellow? why is this stone sealed? is he evil? he had discovered a mystery even the academy heads were unaware of. And for how long would this seal remain secret? If it wasn't him who broke it someone else would find it. He had to find out, he couldn't wait.
Arak gestured his hands and spoke a few words, in a second the rock vanished as if it wasn't there. And standing there before him was.... a giant. Adorned with an ornate golden helmet with red plume, a cape of stark crimson, and an armor about the waist made of the finest leather and metal. Muscular and armed with a spear, the giant towered many many meters higher than Arak (or any mortal man for that matter) as it climbed from the opening the rock had left behind. "Where am I you blistering beetles ?" it said. It's voice low and rumbling like a thunderstorm. "This jest was a might much, wouldn't you say?" "Kolodos are you here? your camouflage magic has much improved you sly trickster" it chuckled. Grabbing at nothing. Arak just looked on in amazement. Mouth agape not knowing what to say. The giant's gaze met Arak, and the giant's eyes widened as it entered a battle stance clutching it's spear in one hand. Arak panicked and spoke using the spellcraft he had developed ""He.. hello, wh.. who are you?" he blurted out. His knees shaking. "why did I do this?" he thought "is this how I die? the first victim of the onslaught of a giant he just released? after all the time he has spent to stop the violence and end the conflicts and death." he thought, realizing full well the irony.
"I am Argonm, Argonm the Insurmountable. Champion of the Giants. If you wish to duel little creature draw your weapon" he said as his fingers tensed on the staff of his polearm.
"I merely wish to speak with you" said Arak cautiously as he frantically tried to remember his teleportation castings.
"Well, why did you not merely speak up little one" said Argonm. He lowered his spear and sat crossing his legs. The force of the giant taking a seat caused Arak to bounce a few inches from the ground and fall flat on his back. "it has been quite some time since I've had a conversation. What is it you wish to ask me?" said Argonm as he ran his fingers through his beard.
"Why were you under that rock?" Arak asked.
"My brothers Kolodos and Magnor have an interesting sense of humor, espesially when we take to the drink." Argonm laughed. "Where have the others gone to? Is the war over? Is Kolodos the head mage? Did Magnor finally get to the Molten mountains to tend to his lava garden?" asked Argonm his eyes brightened.
"Umm... which war do you mean?" Arak asked a little confused as he got up from the ground massaging the knot on his head from the fall.
"Which war?" Argonm asked astonished. "Why THE war, where have YOU been? The giants and titans have been at war for a long time. I've been under a rock and even I know that"
Arak gulped. "I regret to tell you this Mr. Argonm, but that war has long since finished. The clan of giants is no more, and the ones that have survived remain hidden to not be exploited by those who seek to use their strength to their own ends."Argonm's eyes went from bright and shining to sullen and grey.
"So my brothers, my kin, they are gone? I am too late?" Argonm spoke, as solitary tears rolled down his cheeks. "I was going to stop it, the violence, hatred, the death." Argonm recalled his plan to challenge the chiefs of all the tribes to a duel in hand to hand combat under the ancient traditions. Force them all to sit down to parlay and end the conflict peacefully, now his plan was but a pipe dream. "The mightiest champion of the giants, powerless to save anyone from war. How cruel is fate blue one?" he spoke into his hands as he sobbed and tears trickled from the gaps between his fingers.
Arak felt sorry for Argonm. He had remembered stories in his historical events and information course. The giants had fought each other until near extinction. Having too much pride or honor to concede or admit defeat on the battlefield. That's when Arak remembered something, a myth more than a story. A tale of a giant with battle prowess so great it was said that the only reason he passed on to the afterlife would be to challenge those in the world beyond. He thought about how Argonm had asked if he wished to duel, the fire in his eyes, the armor, the helmet, and the way he seemed to have been removed from the eyes of the world for quite some time. The way he called himself Champion of the giants. "It couldn't be" Arak thought. "What are the chances the greatest duelist the giants have ever known has been under a rock at Westwood academy this whole time?" The thought was too ludicrous "A coincidence".
"It's not your fault Argonm." said Arak. "Even now the echoes of your war ring true in these times, everyone is divided and battling amongst each other. Kings and their summoners summoning or enslaving all manner of denizens of the world to fight for them in grand battles. And the unity I seek for my world is out of reach, so I understand. I hope you know that you had no choice and it's not your fault. Meanwhile I sit by and chose to do nothing while this injustice happens, at least you fought for your kin. All I've done is learn a few stupid spells" Arak added and he to sat and slumped his shoulders in melancholy. Argonm raised his face from his hands and looked at Arak.
"What is your name?" asked Argonm.
"Arak" he replied.
"Well then Arak, did you use a spell to free me from my predicament?" said Argonm as he looked directly at the small mage.
"Yes" said Arak.
"And how is it that you can speak to me? you know not my tongue. This is a form of magic too, yes?"
"Yes" replied Arak.
"Does anyone else in your tribe know this magic?"
"No, but I think the professors could figure it out." Arak said, still slumped over.
"So you are the first to discover this new form of Magic then?"
"Yes" replied Arak. "What's your point?"
"My point ,Arak the Impatient, is that as mighty as I am I would never have been able to accomplish what you have in your short time in this world. You are the only mage I have met who is capable of these things, even my brother Kolodos the greatest battlemage of my tribe couldn't speak another tongue. Let alone one he does not know. Not all power is in merely fire and death, something I know all too well. Trees can not grow from war, neither babes suckle from plunder" said Argonm. Arak looked at the giant as his eyes welled up.
"I guess you're right" said Arak. Sitting up, wiping away his eyes.
"Does your realm have dueling traditions or an arena to settle things honorably amongst their kings?" Asked Argonm. Arak thought about this for a minute or two. There were many different traditions, but as for one that every Splinter respected...
"I guess there is the grand arena of Mount Mox, but those are the strongest summoners from all the splinters and each summoner can bring 6 allies. I would stand no chance, I cannot summon anything that doesn't wish to fight with me. I will not force anyone or anything to fight, nor let anyone else force anyone into battle. Never again. Even if it means I won't ever be a respected summoner" Arak clenched his fist and Argonm could see the resolve in the little mage. The same resolve he himself had found in that cave all those years ago.
"If there is and they were bested you could force them to speak to each other using your gift, correct?" Asked Argonm.
"I suppose..." Arak mumbled.
"Why do you speak as if you are alone in this quest?" asked Argonm. Arak asked as he looked to Argonm, perplexed.
"My school thinks I'm weak for not wanting to force others to fight and battle for glory, none of them will help me" Arak said. Remembering why he was sitting by the old tree in the first place.
"Are you blind Arak the Impatient? Do you not see you have the greatest duelist before you?" said Argonm and with exaggeration and a flourish he spun his spear and struck a statuesque pose. Arak perked up and chuckled a little bit at the over the top display.
"You would fight with me?" Arak said in shock.
"We will not just fight, we will win Arak the Impatient. Argonm the Insurmountable has never lost a test of battle, and I doubt this age will be any different. We aren't going to sit by and let those fools make the mistakes of my tribe. I refuse to let what happened to my people happen here. We will win and make them listen to each other" said Argonm his eyes bright again and his chest swelled with morale.
"I have but one request Arak the Impatient" Asked Argonm.
"What is it?" replied Arak.
"I wish to look for my brothers Kolodos and Magnor, and the rest of my tribe. I know it is a bleak prospect and I would like your help as I know nothing of these times, and I wish to search for them with my comrade and friend." said Argonm as he looked to Arak.
"Who is that, How do I help you find your comrade?" asked Arak. Argonm let out a bellowing laugh.
"Why my comrade is you Arak the Impatient. You would've made a fine jester if magic wasn't your calling" Argonm said as he continued to laugh. Arak had never had a friend before, at least not one since he had escaped from slavery. Arak also laughed heartily, it had been a long time since he had laughed.
"I would be glad to help you find your people Argonm, what are friends for?" Arak reached out his hand and Argonm put forth a finger for the little mage to attempt to shake, but to his surprised Argonm put Arak between his fingers and hoisted him upon his shoulder.
"Where to first my friend?" Argonm asked.
"You said Magnor wanted to tend his lava in the molten mountains, maybe we should check there first. Those mountains have remained relatively unchanged, even since your times." Arak said.
"Don't you have to tell your tribe you will be leaving?" Asked Argonm.
"They wanted me gone anyway, this way they won't have the satisfaction of saying I never belonged there." Arak said.
"Aye, then lead the way Arak the Impatient."
"Go between the trees to the right of you, and could you stop calling me that?" Arak said as loud footsteps sounded and they disappeared into the forest.
Above image augmented with AI.
Argonm Unsealed Tournament
Over the next week or so I will organize a tournament, and those of you who PASSED on the Mr. Sandworm Bring me a Team giveaway and the first 20 people to comment AND like this post will be given preliminary entry. This tournament will have a maximum number of people and are geared towards those in lower leagues, but anyone can come fight for glory. The prizes in this tournament are TBA in a post later this week with the official launch of the tournament. It will be a lvl 1 tournament w/o legendaries so an even field for everyone. Will you become the reigning Champion? If you wish to get early entry comment and like this post. In addition to giving me your Splinterlands username if it is different than the commenting account. Which Splinter would you guys like to see a story and artwork for next?
Last Week's Winners
If you follow me, which if you don't you are missing out on cool stuff. Then you may already be aware that last week there were 2 giveaways. One for the sandworm delegation giveaway post here and the other for the Tortisian Seafarer post here. Additionally those who passed on the previous tournament
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Congragulations 
Congragulations 
Argonm Unsealed Giveaway
Firstly if you are just skipping to this section to get a giveaway I recommend checking out the other sections. There is cool stuff there. Secondly, to qualify for this giveaway you will need to like and comment on this post. You don't need to comment anything specific just tell me what you think. The first 20 comments will receive pre-entry into the Argonm Unsealed Tournament (details to be announced in another post)
Talking Tidbits and Things to Come
I think it would be nice if Argonm was part of the earth faction, just for variety. And while a concept card I still am sharing an opinion on what I suspect it would be like based on the character itself. Like with goblins being sneaky etc. Despite being a giant related to Magnor from the same clan, again purely for variety of gameplay and seeing some giants in the other splinters. I would say earth over fire. As far as what abilities I would give this card, I would say relatiate makes sense, perhaps other melee combat related abilities, maybe regeneration of some kind. Or it could draw fire like Magnor. But let me know what you guys think about it. And for those of you interested in where this story might lead, there will be a continuation at some point to reveal another concept with art and more nice stuff. If anyone on the Splinterlands team actual reads these things I would like to know what they think too.
If you read this whole post all the way through, thank you. That could've easily been at least 15 minutes of your time and I appreciate it. Even if you didn't thanks for coming. Don't forget to click that follow button for more cool things. Also if you had seen some of my other posts about splinterlands being banned on twitter. They are currently unbanned. That matter has been resolved here
Keep Summoning and See You in the #freesplinterlands