The Patron's Legend

You have heard of the Self-Made Himself, the Patron of Heroes, the One who seized Divinity with unbroken determination. We all know the end of this story. But as He would say, victory is but a hollow echo compared to the blood spilled in pursuit of it.

— Elmer Fortuna

A figure of scaled skin, ridged brow, and platinum hair materialises before all who witness. Challengers rise to face him one by one. One by one, he prevails over each.

Haskor was once mortal, and had a brother. A Demigod. Some might have thought that mortality would have fated him the lesser sibling. But in place of Divinity, he was granted ambition. After fighting many battles together, they sought to slay the great Fainwyrm in a quest to claim the mantle left behind by Matsuhama.

— Elmer Fortuna

A massive wyrm arises before the pair. For a long and brutal struggle it endures, but eventually it falls to them — though not before landing a strike upon the larger brother, who crumples at last. The smaller carries him to the peak of a mountain. As he descends, he takes up his brother's stride, each step more certain than the last.

It was the Self-Made who finished the quest. Through tenacity, effort, and blood, he crested the apex and descended half-Divine. Later, He would accomplish what we know of Him.

— Elmer Fortuna

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The Witness of Elmer

A tash'la stands watch at a city gate as warriors depart through it. He does not follow. The scenes begin to fade in and out of perception, the watching tash'la the only constant through the shifting ages. A cerulean spire looms, then a hole is blown through its side. A lake darkens, devoid of life. Villagers burn alive, overrun by rivers of molten stone.

When I first learned of Lord Haskor, I lived in a Cyrene that preferred to keep to Herself. I and others watched failure after failure, unsatisfied, as the world was shaped by others' wills. Gaderian and the Spire. Lake Narcisse. Harae. Many left. But I did not, believing discontent alone would not forge change.

— Elmer Fortuna

The tash'la's gaze, sorrowful but unflinching, turns to a new scene: a God seizing Divinity by audacity made real.

Then Lord Haskor came. I was inspired. If we were fated to fail, I would change fate. Just as He did, I would seize the power to do so. And so I fought to grow stronger, even challenging Yudhishthira as He watched.

— Elmer Fortuna

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The Five Heads — The Trial of Proof

The battle-bloodied tash'la approaches a great red dragon. Many times does he fall before the dragon finally does, and the cry of Dragonslayer echoes around the world in recognition of the deed.

I set my sights higher. The Self-Made's Order. I was tasked to choose and defeat five of my greatest foes and deliver their heads. I delivered them all. Each served as proof. Of leadership. Of commitment. Of tenacity. Of growth. Of what was to come.

— Elmer Fortuna

Scenes quickly rise and fall, some of a tash'la, others of an Earth Elemental, each covered in blood as he triumphs over a multitude of foes. The last lingering image depicts the tash'la, bellowing his victory with a head in one hand.

With the heads of my greatest enemies delivered, I would join Lord Haskor's Order as the first of His Heroes.

— Elmer Fortuna

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The Statue — The Lord's Command

A new setting arises, an inexplicable landscape with vistas constantly rising and falling. Within it, a platinum-haired figure that could only be Lord Haskor shapes a statue vaguely resembling a tash'la, His hands deliberate and sure.

Words echo outward: You have begun to write the Saga of Elmer Fortuna. But it is only the first draft. Earn your face upon this statue and I shall grant it a place within the Hall of Heroes.

And so, I will. I have earned my place as His Hero and now even as His Champion. But there is much to be done still.

— Elmer Fortuna

A great prize won in great struggle. In oceans of spilled blood and butchers' bills. In murder and in sabotage. And the racing pulse at the heart of every step climbed higher on a ladder toppled only by the greater and the greatest.

— Lord Haskor, as quoted by His Champion

This is my tale.

— Elmer Fortuna, First Hero, Champion of Lord Haskor

The Making of Heroes