I remember well when I was voted in as a Baron of Thakria, a long long time ago. Admittedly, the only reason I ran for the position was for the associated prestige and power that it brought with it. However, this was no longer enough after a while, and Snowlock wondered in earnest how he could help his city, as all good barons should do.
Snowlock's rise from a little baron to the one of the most adept traders in the land was gradual, and the way was fraught with many dangers. Of course, this rise was also accompanied by the usual number of mistakes one makes while learning. Little things like forgetting to price an item before placing it in the stalls, putting too much gold in the bank (thereby risking a run on the bank which could bankrupt the city), and so on.
Gradually though, his reputation grew. If Snowlock could not beat his enemies by fighting (which he was hopeless at, at the time) then he would starve them to death. Shrewd buying of vital commodities, and gradually ensuring that the Thakrian stalls are the only ones with certain goods helped the city no end, and resulted in a rapidly increasing treasury.
All this of course took time, and a lot of it. Along the way Snowlock had also decided to improve his fighting skills. The most important lessons learnt were never to panic, and never to fear death. Once one has mastered those two things, fighting becomes a matter of learning what works and what doesnt. The incredible complexity of fighting also meant that to lose concentration for a split second would mean certain death against any competent opponents. So, after countless deaths and lessons learnt, Snowlock became profficient at fighting, and much to his surprise, was actually feared by a fair few people. He improved himself to the extent that he was now considered to be one of the best fighters in the Land.
The rapidly rising treasury of Thakria caused Snowlock to search for a way to spend this wealth, and what better way than to hurt his ancient enemy, Mercinae with its corrupt Patron and barony, the city which made a mockery of justice. Snowlock then decided that he would invade Mercinae, and finally rid the land of this unclean and corrupt cesspit. For Mercinae was always, through all time, been corrupt and unjust, with a barony which merrily paradeded the banner of justice in public while mocking its very foundations with their actions.
The preparation for this momentous task took many many months, during which he nurtured the Thakrian army, slowly building it up, pumping all the revenue into training and aquiring doughty soldiers. Finally, the army was large enough.
After a brief consultation with the other Thakrian barons (I say brief because for all intents and purposes Thakria was a dictatorship by then), and more serious and indepth deliberation with the then Patron of the city, Nostradamus, god of the stars, the siege of Mercinae commenced.
I will not recount here the general happening of the siege, since that is all recorded elsewhere, I will try to explain my situation and involvement with it. Snowlock did indeed die many a time, this was not however, due to his imcompetence. He refused to fight any Parrians, since they were led by a brother follower of his Patron, and he would not lift a hand against any who followed his Patron.
The siege was a success, as far as such things can be called successes. It left a bitterness inside Snowlock, he felt dirtied and soiled, seeing supposed friends turn against him, as if friendship were such a fickle thing that it could be discarded on a whim. Snowlock left Thakria, there was nothing more for him to do there, it no longer languished in mediocrity, Thakrians could hold their heads up high.
Snowlock then took up residence in Coriona, the little village nestled in the shadow of Mount Sapience. His heart was heavy with my loss, it is not with ease that one casts aside one's home. Time heals all wounds though, and in time, Snowlock learnt to love his little town, and yes, even call Coriona home. His neutrality was maintained there, preparing for the ultimate challenge before him, to win the divine Ordination, and claim the soul of a God...
