Life In Taborea: The World Of Runes Of Magic

Runes of Magic (RoM) is a free massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by the Taiwanese developer Runewaker Entertainment. It's here in the Philippines now, and has been in Open Beta since January 8.

My brother is addicted to the game and I have read a lot of rave reviews about it. The most frequent of which is the fact that its graphics are very appealing and quite realistic.

Set in a fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and heroes, it gives you an out of this world experience as you try out a variety of quests and battle with fellow players and monsters. Whenever you take on your character - may it be a rogue, mage, priest, warrior, or knight, you will feel as if you're leading a double life.

Those who have loved DOTA and World of Warcraft will definitely enjoy this game more. If you want to know more about the game, please check http://www.runesofmagic.com.ph/.

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PRELUDE

At times, life can be devastatingly tiring and boring. No matter how cheerful you are or how blessed you get to be, there will come a time in your life when you will feel unsatisfied, bounded, unhappy, or bored with everything that's happening to you.

In such moments, the best you can do is to relax and unwind. Don't waste your time feeling depressed or deprived of something. If you can't think of something positive or anything that can brighten up your day, you can try day-dreaming. Better yet, you can try living another life by writing a novel, participating in a play, or playing a role-playing game! (Just don't overdo it!).

Contrary to what most non-gamers think, playing role playing games has other benefits aside from giving you the chance to relax and have fun. Role playing can help you enhance your creativity, divert your thoughts, face your fears, assess your problems, make up your mind, or formulate your goals. Here's a role I'd imagined based on Life in Taborea: The World of Runes of Magic...

(Pages from a Taborean textbook)

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My Fantasy World that is Taborea...

(To read the paper, click the image)

I saw it bleed and heard its desperate cry. Maybe I should have made its death quicker, painless... perhaps a slit on its throat would have been better. 'Til now, its howls hunt me. Is this my conscience bugging me?
I pace back and forth in front of a crowd of young Kolydians, much like a hound searching for the spot where it buried a bone.

(The children read in chorus)

"Here abounds with lush greens, towering mounts, sparkling waters, all blinding in magnificence...
Here, days deserve eternity though beautiful skies persist from dusk 'til dawn
Here demands more praises than Ayvenas himself.
Here is beyond your dreams, a representation of odd combinations of figments of your imagination."

I am here but my mind wanders to that distant hidden cave behind the ruins of an abandoned dungeon once reserved for unruly daemons.

(Their voices grow louder)

"But what lurks behind every inviting brook, ravishing valleys, and vast fascinating plains?
Imminent danger, peril, a looming death...
Untold stories of terror, defeat, and sacrifices...
Here, one gambles life.
Here, every waking day begets risks and fatal journeys."

As I look into the eyes of these people, I wonder... Why do they take their innocence and ignorance for granted? They are probably unaware that knowledge can be an unwanted ally... that it unveils petty reasons for waging arguments, disputes, wars...

EVERY WAKING DAY
To them, I am Velika. The priestess, the teacher... the hot tempered, old fashioned, young maiden who owns the famous Tree House - an item shop across the Whistling Well run by elves that serve the finest teas in the whole of Taborea.

From the moment I wake up 'til the sun sets, I sell my goods and trade with cheating merchants, valiant knights, and arrogant mages. I also teach history and poetry to those who are hungry for knowledge but unaware of its consequences.

ME AND MY PEOPLE
Kolydians. Humans. I am not one of them. I stand out though I desperately try to blend in. I am a product of destiny which has been molded by Taborea's unending cycle of ignorance, discovery, conflict, destruction, and rebirth.

I am not human, not wholly. My mother is a maiden from an impoverished far-flung village and my father was a Zeraph. I lost both before I was eight.
The villagers drove my father away even before I was born and my mother was sacrificed to the golems. As for me, I was sold to a feudal lord who treated dogs better than his servants.
I was born different and indifference was my companion as a child. It was only when I ran away that my luck changed for the better.

GOD-GIVEN BLESSINGS

The wheels of fate turned and I was showered with a bit of luck when a priest adopted me and treated me like his own daughter.
He taught me everything I know now about gods, magic, healing, and potions. He also presented me to Ayvenas.
With his help, we made a secret pact with the great god. Ayvenas agreed to bless me with the majestic powers of a priestess in exchange for lifelong servitude.
...And this is why I must visit the hidden cave once more.

HALF LIFE
I am more than a priestess, more than a teacher, more than Velika.
I am a bounty huntress...the masked warrior who wanders at night...the one they call Aura.
For me, each target is a challenge, each chase is a rewarding adventure, and every kill is an investment.

The priest died a poor man and left me not a single penny. I earned nothing by being a priestess so to escape the quagmire of poverty, I resulted to hunting. No one knows of my half life except me and Ayvenas.
There is nothing personal with my hunts. Life is an expensive commodity and as always, I was a good dealer. Each death was well paid for.

MY MISSION
Legend has it that Ayvneas had a son born to a human mother. It is believed that this son can awaken the power of the crystal Phoenix which Ayvenas hid in the mystic cave. This crystal holds the power to free the heroes which were trapped with Daemons during the Great Banishment.

In this age of discovery when humans, dragons, and elementals are in conflict, Taborea needs its heroes who can unite tribes and restore peace. Amidst all the battles and wars, perhaps Ayvenas' son is our only hope.
My mission is to fulfill this legend. I must find Ayvenas' son, kill him, and release the god soul within.

WHAT AWAITS
I am no hero nor do I aspire to be one... but fate has burdened me with such an important role and only I can help save Taborea from its unfortunate ending.
So, I hope with all the hope I can muster... and I pray that I can pursue my goal no matter what destiny peppers my life with.

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POSTLUDE

... and the same goes with real life. Like Velika, most of us are often caught in challenging situations which we must face with all our might.

For me, being a mommy is a really tough job especially because parenthood just seemed to have rushed into my life all of a sudden. However, despite all the fear and doubts I have, I do what I can to provide everything that my kids need and I still keep my dreams alive, and I work hard at it.

We should realize that Real Life can be as harsh but as rewarding as Life in Taborea. Moreover, we should bear in mind that our success depends on the amount of desire, dedication, and determination we invest in our 'game'. No matter how we feel - incompetent, weak, unwilling, or scared, we must put our best effort into fulfilling our responsibilities, crystallizing our goals, and making the most of one of God's greatest gifts - our lives.

This is my entry to the Nuffnang and E-Games blogging contest

LIFE IN TABOREA: THE WORLD OF RUNES OF MAGIC