shared_worlds:gregorios
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====== AH.com Eternals : Autobiography of Subject 1530478 (" | ====== AH.com Eternals : Autobiography of Subject 1530478 (" | ||
- | === Session 1 === | + | This file has been approved by the leadership of [[The Trust]] for Eternal and Ephemeral staff members visiting the databases of TETRA. |
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+ | ==== Session 1 ==== | ||
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I was born in Constantinople on 26 December, 473 AD. I was the offspring of two Celts, sold into slavery. I never met my real father. I was lucky though. My mother served as a handmaiden to the empress Ariadne, so I came into the employ of Emperor Zeno when I came of age. By the time I was 15, it was apparent that I had a very good grasp of languages, and could learn them quickly. I served him faithfully, until his death in 491, when I was 17. I went on to serve Emperor Anastasius I in the same capacity, and he actually went on to free me. I eventually became an ambassador for him. I travelled all over Europe, representing the one beacon of order in a time of chaos after the Western Roman Empire fell. During this time, I was known as Gregorios. In 518, Anastasius died. I was 45, but still looked only 19. I thought I just came from good stock, but the nobles thought otherwise. I was banished from court on the charges of witchcraft and heresy. I wandered the empire for years, taking whatever work I could. Eventually, I decided that if I was going to get anywhere, I would have to take on a new identity. I became Alexios, a trader recently come back from a voyage to Persia. | I was born in Constantinople on 26 December, 473 AD. I was the offspring of two Celts, sold into slavery. I never met my real father. I was lucky though. My mother served as a handmaiden to the empress Ariadne, so I came into the employ of Emperor Zeno when I came of age. By the time I was 15, it was apparent that I had a very good grasp of languages, and could learn them quickly. I served him faithfully, until his death in 491, when I was 17. I went on to serve Emperor Anastasius I in the same capacity, and he actually went on to free me. I eventually became an ambassador for him. I travelled all over Europe, representing the one beacon of order in a time of chaos after the Western Roman Empire fell. During this time, I was known as Gregorios. In 518, Anastasius died. I was 45, but still looked only 19. I thought I just came from good stock, but the nobles thought otherwise. I was banished from court on the charges of witchcraft and heresy. I wandered the empire for years, taking whatever work I could. Eventually, I decided that if I was going to get anywhere, I would have to take on a new identity. I became Alexios, a trader recently come back from a voyage to Persia. | ||
- | === Addendum to Session 1 === | + | ==== Addendum to Session 1 ==== |
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Her name was Theodora. She was my first love. Relationships between slaves were forbidden, unless it was with a breeder, which she was not. When our son was born about a year or so later, she and my son were both put up on the auction block, and I recieved forty lashes for what I had done. I never learned what happened to them. | Her name was Theodora. She was my first love. Relationships between slaves were forbidden, unless it was with a breeder, which she was not. When our son was born about a year or so later, she and my son were both put up on the auction block, and I recieved forty lashes for what I had done. I never learned what happened to them. | ||
- | === Session 2 === | + | ==== Session 2 ==== |
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I remained under the guise of Alexios for a good many years. I took a wife and fathered children under that guise. I traversed the entire Silk Road many times. I became known as the best merchant in Constantinople for goods from the Orient. My older son, Leo, eventually became a trader himself, sailing all around the Black Sea, or so they tell me. On one occasion, the emperor hired me personally to lead a tradee envoy to Kent. I think that was the year 530. In any case, we ran into a storm off the French coast, in the Channel. All the ships sank; no one survived. Save me. I shouldn' | I remained under the guise of Alexios for a good many years. I took a wife and fathered children under that guise. I traversed the entire Silk Road many times. I became known as the best merchant in Constantinople for goods from the Orient. My older son, Leo, eventually became a trader himself, sailing all around the Black Sea, or so they tell me. On one occasion, the emperor hired me personally to lead a tradee envoy to Kent. I think that was the year 530. In any case, we ran into a storm off the French coast, in the Channel. All the ships sank; no one survived. Save me. I shouldn' | ||
- | === Session 3 === | + | ==== Session 3 ==== |
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By then end of the time that I posed as Redwald, I was really starting to push it. Even in the 550s, I was attracting looks. They just kept thinking I should look older. But it wasn't until 568 that they decided that I was a witch. Those 38 years, though, were some of the best of my life though. I took another wife after a few years, but I had to seriously reconcile myself with God before doing so. I was, after all, one of the few practicing Christians in Britain at the time. After a while, I felt that God had forgiven me, however. I had three sons and two daughters. I still remember Breguswið' | By then end of the time that I posed as Redwald, I was really starting to push it. Even in the 550s, I was attracting looks. They just kept thinking I should look older. But it wasn't until 568 that they decided that I was a witch. Those 38 years, though, were some of the best of my life though. I took another wife after a few years, but I had to seriously reconcile myself with God before doing so. I was, after all, one of the few practicing Christians in Britain at the time. After a while, I felt that God had forgiven me, however. I had three sons and two daughters. I still remember Breguswið' | ||
- | === Session 4 === | + | ==== Session 4 ==== |
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Being Demitrios was absolute paradise. I was back in Constantinople, | Being Demitrios was absolute paradise. I was back in Constantinople, | ||
- | === Session 5 === | + | ==== Session 5 ==== |
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I still have my suit of armour from that war at home. | I still have my suit of armour from that war at home. | ||
- | === Session 6 === | + | ==== Session 6 ==== |
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Sigiric was an interesting character. Having been scarred by my recent experiences in the war and having died for the first time, I became an alcoholic. I spent more time in local pubs than at home with my wife and children. And I discovered the gift I had for words, and composed what I thought were great poems. I think one of them might' | Sigiric was an interesting character. Having been scarred by my recent experiences in the war and having died for the first time, I became an alcoholic. I spent more time in local pubs than at home with my wife and children. And I discovered the gift I had for words, and composed what I thought were great poems. I think one of them might' | ||
- | === Session 7 === | + | ==== Session 7 ==== |
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I arrived in China in the summer of 762, right as the emperor died. I used the ensuing chaos to my advantage, and established myself as a trader and interpreter in Chang' | I arrived in China in the summer of 762, right as the emperor died. I used the ensuing chaos to my advantage, and established myself as a trader and interpreter in Chang' | ||
- | === Session 8 === | + | ==== Session 8 ==== |
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I found myself in the midst of a Yakut tribe after all my wandering. I was unconscious when they found me. I think they were very surprised to see that I woke up later in their camp. After all, this was the middle of the winter, and they found me half-frozen and naked as my clothes had torn themselves to shreds. But, they accepted me into their tribe. They called me Dülei, meaning " | I found myself in the midst of a Yakut tribe after all my wandering. I was unconscious when they found me. I think they were very surprised to see that I woke up later in their camp. After all, this was the middle of the winter, and they found me half-frozen and naked as my clothes had torn themselves to shreds. But, they accepted me into their tribe. They called me Dülei, meaning " | ||
- | === Session 9 === | + | ==== Session 9 ==== |
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I reached Constantinople finally after many years of wandering. I had noticed it had changed quite a bit since I had been there last. It was no longer the bustling centre of a great empire, but rather a more consolidated and sober realm. With the Muslims nearly knocking at their door, everyone was on edge. It just wasn't the same. But it was home nonetheless. I signed onto a dromon, the first time I ever was in the navy. I spent 3 years patrolling the Aegean, until the emperor died. Then we were called back to Constantinople. The city had completely changed by then. It was an exciting time to be there. We were expanding again, and I began to see the cosmopolitan sense of the city that I had been used to. I took another wife, and had more children. My eldest son, Gregorios, inherited my talent for languages. Apparently he became an advisor to the emperor. But, soon, I felt it was time to move on. I was starting to get those looks again. I packed up a few things, and disappeared one night. I told my wife that I had been called back into the navy, and that we were embarking on a dangerous campaign. Then, I left the empire once again. I headed west. I had heard about a New Roman Empire, under the Franks, and I was intrigued. But what I found wasn't what I expected. | I reached Constantinople finally after many years of wandering. I had noticed it had changed quite a bit since I had been there last. It was no longer the bustling centre of a great empire, but rather a more consolidated and sober realm. With the Muslims nearly knocking at their door, everyone was on edge. It just wasn't the same. But it was home nonetheless. I signed onto a dromon, the first time I ever was in the navy. I spent 3 years patrolling the Aegean, until the emperor died. Then we were called back to Constantinople. The city had completely changed by then. It was an exciting time to be there. We were expanding again, and I began to see the cosmopolitan sense of the city that I had been used to. I took another wife, and had more children. My eldest son, Gregorios, inherited my talent for languages. Apparently he became an advisor to the emperor. But, soon, I felt it was time to move on. I was starting to get those looks again. I packed up a few things, and disappeared one night. I told my wife that I had been called back into the navy, and that we were embarking on a dangerous campaign. Then, I left the empire once again. I headed west. I had heard about a New Roman Empire, under the Franks, and I was intrigued. But what I found wasn't what I expected. | ||
- | === Session 10 === | + | ==== Session 10 ==== |
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I arrived in Paris, hoping to find the renaissance of thought that everyone had been talking about happening in my 140-year absense. But such was not the case. Instead, I found a fractured people, a suffering people. But that wasn't the half of it. In 885, we came under direct attack by the Vikings. I volunteered my services in defending the city, and I was conscripted as one of only 200 men-at-arms. Against 30,000. I thought for sure I was done for, but apparently God still loved me. Eventually, we were able to break the siege the following year, and things returned to normal, relatively speaking. There was no renaissance, | I arrived in Paris, hoping to find the renaissance of thought that everyone had been talking about happening in my 140-year absense. But such was not the case. Instead, I found a fractured people, a suffering people. But that wasn't the half of it. In 885, we came under direct attack by the Vikings. I volunteered my services in defending the city, and I was conscripted as one of only 200 men-at-arms. Against 30,000. I thought for sure I was done for, but apparently God still loved me. Eventually, we were able to break the siege the following year, and things returned to normal, relatively speaking. There was no renaissance, | ||
- | === Session 11 === | + | ==== Session 11 ==== |
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I really liked Adwulf. He was such a peaceable character. He is among the favourite lives I've ever led. A simple pastoral farmer in Wessex. I took a wife at a young age as him, and had fifteen children. And the best part was I got to watch many of them grow up, and have children of their own. By the time I had to leave, I had 40 grandchildren, | I really liked Adwulf. He was such a peaceable character. He is among the favourite lives I've ever led. A simple pastoral farmer in Wessex. I took a wife at a young age as him, and had fifteen children. And the best part was I got to watch many of them grow up, and have children of their own. By the time I had to leave, I had 40 grandchildren, | ||
- | === Session 12 === | + | ==== Session 12 ==== |
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Ireland was a refreshing place to live in, as long as you avoided the battlegrounds in the middle of the island. I stayed close to the shore, but eventually found myself in the west of the country. There, I met up with, and eventually joined, the clan O Dubhda. They were a great maritime power at the time, controlling trade routes all up and down the Atlantic coast. Eventually, the chieftan decided to marry me off to a lovely woman, whom I loved immensely. I had several children with her. Under the clan O Dubhda, I became a sailor along the Irish coasts. This meant that I was away from home quite often. This made it very convenient for me to slip away when it was time, which happened about 30 years after I reached the clan O Dubhda. I was off the coast of Dublin at the time, and a large storm came in, and in the confusion, I threw myself overboard, and pretended to drown. I swam away from the coast, and towards Britain once again. I swam for what must have been at least 2 weeks, drifting in the currents, but doing my best to keep a constant easterly direction. I eventually reached land, though, in Wales. | Ireland was a refreshing place to live in, as long as you avoided the battlegrounds in the middle of the island. I stayed close to the shore, but eventually found myself in the west of the country. There, I met up with, and eventually joined, the clan O Dubhda. They were a great maritime power at the time, controlling trade routes all up and down the Atlantic coast. Eventually, the chieftan decided to marry me off to a lovely woman, whom I loved immensely. I had several children with her. Under the clan O Dubhda, I became a sailor along the Irish coasts. This meant that I was away from home quite often. This made it very convenient for me to slip away when it was time, which happened about 30 years after I reached the clan O Dubhda. I was off the coast of Dublin at the time, and a large storm came in, and in the confusion, I threw myself overboard, and pretended to drown. I swam away from the coast, and towards Britain once again. I swam for what must have been at least 2 weeks, drifting in the currents, but doing my best to keep a constant easterly direction. I eventually reached land, though, in Wales. | ||
- | === Session 13 === | + | ==== Session 13 ==== |
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I came ashore in Britain, but it was in a country speaking a strange language. It took some time for me to pick it up, but I eventually did. By 980, I was able to get a respectable plave in a village near the sea. I took another wife, and set myself up on a farm. I had several children, including one son I recently learned was an immortal like his father. It was a good life that I led there. However, I was called away while my children were still young. I ended up being conscripted into the army, to defend my home against the invading Anglo-Saxons. Eventually, however, I went to battle near Cardiff. For seven days, we went back and forth with the Saxons, but on the eighth day, we were forced to retreat into the city. We were besieged for months, until they brought in reinforcements, | I came ashore in Britain, but it was in a country speaking a strange language. It took some time for me to pick it up, but I eventually did. By 980, I was able to get a respectable plave in a village near the sea. I took another wife, and set myself up on a farm. I had several children, including one son I recently learned was an immortal like his father. It was a good life that I led there. However, I was called away while my children were still young. I ended up being conscripted into the army, to defend my home against the invading Anglo-Saxons. Eventually, however, I went to battle near Cardiff. For seven days, we went back and forth with the Saxons, but on the eighth day, we were forced to retreat into the city. We were besieged for months, until they brought in reinforcements, | ||
- | === Session 14 === | + | ==== Session 14 ==== |
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I reached a fjord in Norway the following year. I got a position on a longboat, headed for an island far to the west. I arrived there, and fell in love with it. But, eventually I was banished, and had to head even farther west, to "Green Land." But it was anything but green. But I heard rumours of a new land even farther west. It must have been in 1003, that I went on an expedition to the lands to the west. Hellurland was not impressive at all, and we soon moved on. Markland was better, but still very cold, so we moved further south. We reached Vinland afterward. I think that area is now called Massachusetts Bay, but I can't remember. It was paradise nonetheless. We stayed there for many years. But eventually, the expedition decided it was time to return to Greenland. I volunteered to stay behind to help establish the colony. Eventually, we came into contact with the natives of the region. I used my language skills to learn their language, and communicate with them. There was this one woman, Aponi, who really got my attention, though. Eventually, I decided to leave the colony. I faked my death, so people wouldn' | I reached a fjord in Norway the following year. I got a position on a longboat, headed for an island far to the west. I arrived there, and fell in love with it. But, eventually I was banished, and had to head even farther west, to "Green Land." But it was anything but green. But I heard rumours of a new land even farther west. It must have been in 1003, that I went on an expedition to the lands to the west. Hellurland was not impressive at all, and we soon moved on. Markland was better, but still very cold, so we moved further south. We reached Vinland afterward. I think that area is now called Massachusetts Bay, but I can't remember. It was paradise nonetheless. We stayed there for many years. But eventually, the expedition decided it was time to return to Greenland. I volunteered to stay behind to help establish the colony. Eventually, we came into contact with the natives of the region. I used my language skills to learn their language, and communicate with them. There was this one woman, Aponi, who really got my attention, though. Eventually, I decided to leave the colony. I faked my death, so people wouldn' | ||
- | === Session 15 === | + | ==== Session 15 ==== |
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For once, I felt free among the Micmac. These people were so trusting, I felt like I could be myself among them. So, soon after I married Aponi, I decided to take a risk. I went to the chief of the tribe, and told him about who I really was, and that I wasn't really about 30, but actually nearing my 548th birthday. Though being shocked at first, he eventually accepted me as who I was. I reverted to my original name, and finally was free to be myself entirely among the Micmac. With Aponi, I had fifteen healthy children, all with Byzantine names. I became a village elder eventually, and by the 60th year of my life with the tribe, I became chief. By that time, my children had had their own children. I was a mighty patriarch, and finally had the opportunity to watch my family grow up, and grow old. I reveled in the love of my grandchildren. But, all of a sudden, that came to a grinding halt. In my 63rd year with the tribe, Aponi died, apparently of old age. I was devastated. But, my family needed me, and I had to carry on. But I realized that it was time to let the next generation lead. I appointed my son, Leo, to become the next chief, and stepped down, becoming a medicine man. He ruled us well for 10 years, before his son, Alexios, became chief. With the tribe in capable hands, I decided it was time for me to be moving on. In the end of my 83rd year with the Micmacs, I heard from the Viking colony, and that it was going to be abandoned. I decided to stow away with them, and make my way back to Europe. I eventually settled again in France. | For once, I felt free among the Micmac. These people were so trusting, I felt like I could be myself among them. So, soon after I married Aponi, I decided to take a risk. I went to the chief of the tribe, and told him about who I really was, and that I wasn't really about 30, but actually nearing my 548th birthday. Though being shocked at first, he eventually accepted me as who I was. I reverted to my original name, and finally was free to be myself entirely among the Micmac. With Aponi, I had fifteen healthy children, all with Byzantine names. I became a village elder eventually, and by the 60th year of my life with the tribe, I became chief. By that time, my children had had their own children. I was a mighty patriarch, and finally had the opportunity to watch my family grow up, and grow old. I reveled in the love of my grandchildren. But, all of a sudden, that came to a grinding halt. In my 63rd year with the tribe, Aponi died, apparently of old age. I was devastated. But, my family needed me, and I had to carry on. But I realized that it was time to let the next generation lead. I appointed my son, Leo, to become the next chief, and stepped down, becoming a medicine man. He ruled us well for 10 years, before his son, Alexios, became chief. With the tribe in capable hands, I decided it was time for me to be moving on. In the end of my 83rd year with the Micmacs, I heard from the Viking colony, and that it was going to be abandoned. I decided to stow away with them, and make my way back to Europe. I eventually settled again in France. | ||
- | === Session 16 === | + | ==== Session 16 ==== |
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Upon reaching France, I sought a job in the court of the king. I told of my skills with languages, and he set me up translating documents from foreign vernacular into Latin, and from Latin into vernacular, foreign and domestic. Over time, he became very impressed with my work, and appointed me official ambassador to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. I used this opportunity to reset my age, andlive a long life, serving several kings of both France and Jerusalem. I reveled in my life there. For once, I was able to practice the religion that I was born into, freely. After all, there was a sizeable Orthodox minority in Jerusalem. I took a wife, and had several children with her. I loved my life there. But then, things changed again, like they always do. People started giving me that look again, the looks of fear and jealousy. I decided that it was time to move on, yet again. I faked my death, and moved far to the north of the country. I took a job as a serf at an estate near Acre. I took the name Balian. | Upon reaching France, I sought a job in the court of the king. I told of my skills with languages, and he set me up translating documents from foreign vernacular into Latin, and from Latin into vernacular, foreign and domestic. Over time, he became very impressed with my work, and appointed me official ambassador to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. I used this opportunity to reset my age, andlive a long life, serving several kings of both France and Jerusalem. I reveled in my life there. For once, I was able to practice the religion that I was born into, freely. After all, there was a sizeable Orthodox minority in Jerusalem. I took a wife, and had several children with her. I loved my life there. But then, things changed again, like they always do. People started giving me that look again, the looks of fear and jealousy. I decided that it was time to move on, yet again. I faked my death, and moved far to the north of the country. I took a job as a serf at an estate near Acre. I took the name Balian. | ||
- | === Session 17 === | + | ==== Session 17 ==== |
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Soon after I started working the estate, I think it was called Ibelin, someone thought they recognized me. Not from my days as a French ambassador, but from elsewhere. They thought I was their youngest son, or something. In any case, they took me into their home, and I became a noble. Can you believe that? A Byzantine slave became a noble! Even now I can't believe that. In any case, I became a very notable person, especially once the Second Crusade started out. By that time, I was rubbing elbows with the royals, like I once did, but on a much different level. My most vivid memories from this life, however, come from the Siege of Jerusalem. I was in command of the entire city, and we held out for nearly two weeks. But, being the peace-loving man that I am, I decided to surrender the city, rather than let more blood be spilled. I then led the Christians of the city to safety in Acre, or at least what I thought was safety. We were besieged three years later. I fled later on, and in 1193, the time had come for me to fake my death again. Afterwards, I fled again. This time, I felt the need to go someplace safe, so I went to Constantinople once again. | Soon after I started working the estate, I think it was called Ibelin, someone thought they recognized me. Not from my days as a French ambassador, but from elsewhere. They thought I was their youngest son, or something. In any case, they took me into their home, and I became a noble. Can you believe that? A Byzantine slave became a noble! Even now I can't believe that. In any case, I became a very notable person, especially once the Second Crusade started out. By that time, I was rubbing elbows with the royals, like I once did, but on a much different level. My most vivid memories from this life, however, come from the Siege of Jerusalem. I was in command of the entire city, and we held out for nearly two weeks. But, being the peace-loving man that I am, I decided to surrender the city, rather than let more blood be spilled. I then led the Christians of the city to safety in Acre, or at least what I thought was safety. We were besieged three years later. I fled later on, and in 1193, the time had come for me to fake my death again. Afterwards, I fled again. This time, I felt the need to go someplace safe, so I went to Constantinople once again. | ||
- | === Session 18 === | + | ==== Session 18 ==== |
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Back in Constantinople, | Back in Constantinople, | ||
- | === Session 19 === | + | ==== Session 19 ==== |
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Soon before Niccolo and Maffeo took Marco to China, they bought a new slave: me. They had heard of my special skills, so they decided I'd be a valuable asset to their trek across Eurasia. I told them I spoke many languages, and knew quite a few that were not generally spoken anymore. What I didn't tell them was that I had made this journey several times before. I did, however, let slip that I knew the road well a few times, though, if only to get them out of some sticky spots. And I also did my best to translate for them, even if some of the languages had changed somewhat in the near six centuries since I had been there last. After 3 years, we reached the court of Kublai Khan, the great usurper in my idea. But that's beside the point. After all, his family had controlled China for over 50 years. But I didn't let my opinions about Khan colour my interpretations for the Polos. I also stayed on with them for the 17 years that they stayed in China, working for Khan. I picked up quite a few new languages during that time. Eventually, we went back to Venice. I stayed on for another 14 years, until they decided to free me. I left them, and I left Venice behind. I headed north, to the German states after that. | Soon before Niccolo and Maffeo took Marco to China, they bought a new slave: me. They had heard of my special skills, so they decided I'd be a valuable asset to their trek across Eurasia. I told them I spoke many languages, and knew quite a few that were not generally spoken anymore. What I didn't tell them was that I had made this journey several times before. I did, however, let slip that I knew the road well a few times, though, if only to get them out of some sticky spots. And I also did my best to translate for them, even if some of the languages had changed somewhat in the near six centuries since I had been there last. After 3 years, we reached the court of Kublai Khan, the great usurper in my idea. But that's beside the point. After all, his family had controlled China for over 50 years. But I didn't let my opinions about Khan colour my interpretations for the Polos. I also stayed on with them for the 17 years that they stayed in China, working for Khan. I picked up quite a few new languages during that time. Eventually, we went back to Venice. I stayed on for another 14 years, until they decided to free me. I left them, and I left Venice behind. I headed north, to the German states after that. | ||
- | === Session 20 === | + | ==== Session 20 ==== |
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Looking back on that part of my life, I guess that I was the inspiration for the modern Grim Reaper. | Looking back on that part of my life, I guess that I was the inspiration for the modern Grim Reaper. | ||
- | === Addendum to Session 20 === | + | ==== Addendum to Session 20 ==== |
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You know, I've been watching that new show // | You know, I've been watching that new show // | ||
- | === Session 21 === | + | ==== Session 21 ==== |
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I finally settled in Muscovy after the plague died out. I was still in mourning for my family, as were a lot of other people in the region. But, life started to return to normal soon after. I decided to put my scythe to a " | I finally settled in Muscovy after the plague died out. I was still in mourning for my family, as were a lot of other people in the region. But, life started to return to normal soon after. I decided to put my scythe to a " | ||
- | === Session 22 === | + | ==== Session 22 ==== |
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I wandered around Eastern Europe for a few decades after leaving Muscovy, ranging from Sweden to Rus, and back again. I kept a watch over the bastard son I had had, and watched him flourish. But, eventually, I felt something even stronger calling to me: my home. My original home. So I went far to the south. But it was difficult to get there, as the Turks had expanded quite a bit since I had been there last. I had to take a ship across the Black Sea, and enter the city at night, for fear the Turks would sink us. As I learned, the grand and wonderful Byzantine Empire that I was born into in its early days, now controlled only the city of Constantinople. The emperor was no longer the mighty man that he once was. I lamented for my homeland, but life goes on. I met this very nice girl in the city, and married her. By 1445, we had had 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. It seemed that life would turn out alright after all. But I was wrong. In the early 1450s, when my oldest son was just 13, the Turks launched a massive siege against us. I went to the emperor, and told him of my extensive military experience, and he put me in charge of one of the walls and its defenses. We held out against the Turks for nearly two months. Then they sent everything they had against us. We were overwhelmed. I fled back to my house to try and protect my family. I got there just before they did, and succeeded in fighting them off while they made their escape. I followed them quickly after. I can't remember how we crossed the enemy lines, but by sunset the next day, we were far away from Constantinople. But my woes were just beginning. | I wandered around Eastern Europe for a few decades after leaving Muscovy, ranging from Sweden to Rus, and back again. I kept a watch over the bastard son I had had, and watched him flourish. But, eventually, I felt something even stronger calling to me: my home. My original home. So I went far to the south. But it was difficult to get there, as the Turks had expanded quite a bit since I had been there last. I had to take a ship across the Black Sea, and enter the city at night, for fear the Turks would sink us. As I learned, the grand and wonderful Byzantine Empire that I was born into in its early days, now controlled only the city of Constantinople. The emperor was no longer the mighty man that he once was. I lamented for my homeland, but life goes on. I met this very nice girl in the city, and married her. By 1445, we had had 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. It seemed that life would turn out alright after all. But I was wrong. In the early 1450s, when my oldest son was just 13, the Turks launched a massive siege against us. I went to the emperor, and told him of my extensive military experience, and he put me in charge of one of the walls and its defenses. We held out against the Turks for nearly two months. Then they sent everything they had against us. We were overwhelmed. I fled back to my house to try and protect my family. I got there just before they did, and succeeded in fighting them off while they made their escape. I followed them quickly after. I can't remember how we crossed the enemy lines, but by sunset the next day, we were far away from Constantinople. But my woes were just beginning. | ||
- | === Session 23 === | + | ==== Session 23 ==== |
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I wandered around Europe for several decades with my family. I sank into a really deep depression over the fall of Constantinople. To think, I had held that city to be the one and only safe place in the world for nearly a thousand years, and now, all of a sudden, it wasn't safe anymore. I had to completely reexamine my life. But I had my family to help me along. I even trusted them with my secret. I had never told anyone before. My wife was absolutely repulsed by this revelation, but I convinced her not to leave me. I convinced my children as well. We followed the trade routes, like the Gypsies now criss-crossing the continent. As time went on, our group grew. Other outcasts joined us, my children took spouses, had children of their own. This helped me immensely to readjust to my new life post-Byzantine Empire. In 1485, my wife died crossing the Pyrenees. We brought her body down to the plains below, and gave her a proper Orthodox burial. This brought us into a new kingdom: the Kingdom of Spain. It had changed drastically since the wars of the Moors I had participated in 750 years earlier. We kept moving south, and eventually settled in Seville. In 1492, I heard of an expedition to the west, and I remembered the Micmac. I immediately signed on, along with two of my grandsons. What we found when we reached land was a tribe much unlike the Micmac, but fortunately, | I wandered around Europe for several decades with my family. I sank into a really deep depression over the fall of Constantinople. To think, I had held that city to be the one and only safe place in the world for nearly a thousand years, and now, all of a sudden, it wasn't safe anymore. I had to completely reexamine my life. But I had my family to help me along. I even trusted them with my secret. I had never told anyone before. My wife was absolutely repulsed by this revelation, but I convinced her not to leave me. I convinced my children as well. We followed the trade routes, like the Gypsies now criss-crossing the continent. As time went on, our group grew. Other outcasts joined us, my children took spouses, had children of their own. This helped me immensely to readjust to my new life post-Byzantine Empire. In 1485, my wife died crossing the Pyrenees. We brought her body down to the plains below, and gave her a proper Orthodox burial. This brought us into a new kingdom: the Kingdom of Spain. It had changed drastically since the wars of the Moors I had participated in 750 years earlier. We kept moving south, and eventually settled in Seville. In 1492, I heard of an expedition to the west, and I remembered the Micmac. I immediately signed on, along with two of my grandsons. What we found when we reached land was a tribe much unlike the Micmac, but fortunately, | ||
- | === Session 24 === | + | ==== Session 24 ==== |
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By December, I had reached the site of my old tribe. It was good to see them again, and to be able to be myself once again. I also noticed that the red hair and green eyes were still going strong in the tribe. And that they told a legend about me. The white man who never grew old. The fact that I had returned to them was a cause for great celebration. I spent a long time telling about everything that had happened to me over the last 400 years, ending with my triumphant return to them. The chief, named Alexios, being a direct descendant of mine, gave me a wife from a neighbouring vassal tribe. As it seems, the technology I had brought with me (inadvertantly) made them strong enough to subjugate some of their neighbours over the centuries. In any case, I lived very happily among them. But, it was soon disrupted. I remember I was teaching my third son Constantinos how to shoot a bow and arrow when runners made their way all the way up from the Aztec Empire: Montezuma had surrendured to the Spaniards. We were on edge for a while, and I began preparing them for the coming waves of Europeans I knew would soon spread from the south. I taught them tomake armour, but they never really developed the industry to produce it for all their warriors. They were unfortunately stuck right at the end of the Stone Age. But I did my best. When I heard news about the fall of the Inca Empire as well, I fell into a great despair. I walked to the east, into the sea. I desparately hoped to drown. But, no such luck. I revived once again, on the coast of Europe. | By December, I had reached the site of my old tribe. It was good to see them again, and to be able to be myself once again. I also noticed that the red hair and green eyes were still going strong in the tribe. And that they told a legend about me. The white man who never grew old. The fact that I had returned to them was a cause for great celebration. I spent a long time telling about everything that had happened to me over the last 400 years, ending with my triumphant return to them. The chief, named Alexios, being a direct descendant of mine, gave me a wife from a neighbouring vassal tribe. As it seems, the technology I had brought with me (inadvertantly) made them strong enough to subjugate some of their neighbours over the centuries. In any case, I lived very happily among them. But, it was soon disrupted. I remember I was teaching my third son Constantinos how to shoot a bow and arrow when runners made their way all the way up from the Aztec Empire: Montezuma had surrendured to the Spaniards. We were on edge for a while, and I began preparing them for the coming waves of Europeans I knew would soon spread from the south. I taught them tomake armour, but they never really developed the industry to produce it for all their warriors. They were unfortunately stuck right at the end of the Stone Age. But I did my best. When I heard news about the fall of the Inca Empire as well, I fell into a great despair. I walked to the east, into the sea. I desparately hoped to drown. But, no such luck. I revived once again, on the coast of Europe. | ||
- | === Session 25 === | + | ==== Session 25 ==== |
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The attached image is a detail from The Last Judgement Day. The man who's face you see is me. | The attached image is a detail from The Last Judgement Day. The man who's face you see is me. | ||
- | === Session 26 === | + | ==== Session 26 ==== |
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I eventually settled in western Normandy, a land that I knew and loved. I settled in as a farmer as well as I could, but it seemed that strife had just followed me here as well. The king of France was waging wars of religion, and I did my best to stay unnoticed, so I wouldn' | I eventually settled in western Normandy, a land that I knew and loved. I settled in as a farmer as well as I could, but it seemed that strife had just followed me here as well. The king of France was waging wars of religion, and I did my best to stay unnoticed, so I wouldn' | ||
- | === Session 27 === | + | ==== Session 27 ==== |
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I arrived in London to find the rebirth of the arts taking a wonderful new form: theatre. Up until now, I hadn't had much experience with theatre, but that really wasn't my primary concern. The primary concern was because I hadn't been in England for so long, that English was completely foreign to me. So I just sat in a pub for days on end, just listening to the language. On the first day, I was able to make out a few words, but not many. By the seventh day, I, using my existing knowledge of other European languages, had a good grasp of the language. But it wasn't for another three weeks that I became fluent, at least fluent by my standards. And after that, I decided to seek work at one of the theatre companies around London. I heard of open auditions for a new play, to be performed at the Globe. I went and auditioned. The playwright said that he was very impressed with my performance, | I arrived in London to find the rebirth of the arts taking a wonderful new form: theatre. Up until now, I hadn't had much experience with theatre, but that really wasn't my primary concern. The primary concern was because I hadn't been in England for so long, that English was completely foreign to me. So I just sat in a pub for days on end, just listening to the language. On the first day, I was able to make out a few words, but not many. By the seventh day, I, using my existing knowledge of other European languages, had a good grasp of the language. But it wasn't for another three weeks that I became fluent, at least fluent by my standards. And after that, I decided to seek work at one of the theatre companies around London. I heard of open auditions for a new play, to be performed at the Globe. I went and auditioned. The playwright said that he was very impressed with my performance, | ||
- | === Session 28 === | + | ==== Session 28 ==== |
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My first view of Boston was coming up the Neck on my horse, Constantine. It was a village compared to my birth city. But nonetheless, | My first view of Boston was coming up the Neck on my horse, Constantine. It was a village compared to my birth city. But nonetheless, | ||
- | === Session 29 === | + | ==== Session 29 ==== |
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I came ashore near Bristol, England. I did my best to make a comfortable life for myself, but it was much more difficult than earlier. I decided, then, to go to university for the first time in my life. I enrolled in Oxford Uiversity, and got my doctorate in medicine. In 1723, I graduated in the top 10 of my class. And I decided that I wanted to go back to the colonies. So, I boarded a ship bound for America. That September, I landed in Williamsburg, | I came ashore near Bristol, England. I did my best to make a comfortable life for myself, but it was much more difficult than earlier. I decided, then, to go to university for the first time in my life. I enrolled in Oxford Uiversity, and got my doctorate in medicine. In 1723, I graduated in the top 10 of my class. And I decided that I wanted to go back to the colonies. So, I boarded a ship bound for America. That September, I landed in Williamsburg, | ||
- | === Session 30 === | + | ==== Session 30 ==== |
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I wandered up and down the colonies for several years, before ending up in Boston once again. It was July, I remember. I found a job down at the docks, unloading ships coming from England. It was a bit boring, until December, when three ships came in. The Dartmouth, the Beaver, and the Eleanor. A bunch of my friends told me that they carried tea that had been taxed against our will. And they invited me to a meeting they were having that night. Before I knew it, I found myself on the deck of the Dartmouth, dressed as an Indian, throwing the tea overboard. It was invigorating, | I wandered up and down the colonies for several years, before ending up in Boston once again. It was July, I remember. I found a job down at the docks, unloading ships coming from England. It was a bit boring, until December, when three ships came in. The Dartmouth, the Beaver, and the Eleanor. A bunch of my friends told me that they carried tea that had been taxed against our will. And they invited me to a meeting they were having that night. Before I knew it, I found myself on the deck of the Dartmouth, dressed as an Indian, throwing the tea overboard. It was invigorating, | ||
- | === Session 31 === | + | ==== Session 31 ==== |
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I found myself in the middle of a war zone in my new life. I fled the front lines, and eventually settled in a village outside the Hague, where I felt I'd be moderately safe. My feelings proved to be correct, and I lived as a comfortable merchant there for over a decade. I took a wife, and I began to raise a family. That is to say, we did have to deal with certain raids, invasions, and coups over the years, but we were able to survive. Then, in 1806, the Batavian Republic fell, and we fled the Hague. I uprooted our family, and we moved to Amsterdam, thinking that we'd stay far away from the wars to the west. However, that didn't last long. In 1810, we were annexed by France. We were not at all supportive of this move by the French. We had done our best during the Batavian years to remain independent of the French, and now we were outright annexed. My wife and I had a long discussion one night, and it was decided that we'd have to flee Holland. It took several years to orchestrate, | I found myself in the middle of a war zone in my new life. I fled the front lines, and eventually settled in a village outside the Hague, where I felt I'd be moderately safe. My feelings proved to be correct, and I lived as a comfortable merchant there for over a decade. I took a wife, and I began to raise a family. That is to say, we did have to deal with certain raids, invasions, and coups over the years, but we were able to survive. Then, in 1806, the Batavian Republic fell, and we fled the Hague. I uprooted our family, and we moved to Amsterdam, thinking that we'd stay far away from the wars to the west. However, that didn't last long. In 1810, we were annexed by France. We were not at all supportive of this move by the French. We had done our best during the Batavian years to remain independent of the French, and now we were outright annexed. My wife and I had a long discussion one night, and it was decided that we'd have to flee Holland. It took several years to orchestrate, | ||
- | === Session 32 === | + | ==== Session 32 ==== |
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I never learned what happened to my wife or my daughter. | I never learned what happened to my wife or my daughter. | ||
- | === Session 33 === | + | ==== Session 33 ==== |
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When our children were born, I made sure that they learned both the white and Arapaho cultures, to keep them both alive. Two of them eventually chose to go to the Arapaho reservation, | When our children were born, I made sure that they learned both the white and Arapaho cultures, to keep them both alive. Two of them eventually chose to go to the Arapaho reservation, | ||
- | === Session 34 === | + | ==== Session 34 ==== |
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After two years, I decided to send for my family. I had let them know earlier on that I had survived the sinking. Technically I hadn' | After two years, I decided to send for my family. I had let them know earlier on that I had survived the sinking. Technically I hadn' | ||
- | === Session 35 === | + | ==== Session 35 ==== |
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Then, in 1939, we went to war once again. I had a long talk with my wife, and eventually I convinced her that it was a good idea for me to volunteer for the army. I had experience, was still in very good shape, and I would likely get an officer' | Then, in 1939, we went to war once again. I had a long talk with my wife, and eventually I convinced her that it was a good idea for me to volunteer for the army. I had experience, was still in very good shape, and I would likely get an officer' | ||
- | === Session 36 === | + | ==== Session 36 ==== |
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I established myself in this position, and by 1949, I was ready to settle down with another wife. I met Marie, and married her in 1950. Together, we had four children. Life was quite wonderful and, for once, peaceful. It was refreshing to not have my life, like so many times before, interrupted by war. That's not to say we didn't have our problems. The American influence on Europe made our children... unruly to say the least. Leo and Charlotte, our two eldest, were swept up in the hippie movement of the 1960s. I honestly didn't mind what the movement stood for. Peace and love was the message of the day, and something that I strove for in my everyday life. But the fact that they were heavy into drugs was what really worried Marie and I. But by that time, I had other problems starting to surface. Every time I went to one of my favourite cafés, I heard people whispering behind my back. Here I was, having worked in the prime minister' | I established myself in this position, and by 1949, I was ready to settle down with another wife. I met Marie, and married her in 1950. Together, we had four children. Life was quite wonderful and, for once, peaceful. It was refreshing to not have my life, like so many times before, interrupted by war. That's not to say we didn't have our problems. The American influence on Europe made our children... unruly to say the least. Leo and Charlotte, our two eldest, were swept up in the hippie movement of the 1960s. I honestly didn't mind what the movement stood for. Peace and love was the message of the day, and something that I strove for in my everyday life. But the fact that they were heavy into drugs was what really worried Marie and I. But by that time, I had other problems starting to surface. Every time I went to one of my favourite cafés, I heard people whispering behind my back. Here I was, having worked in the prime minister' | ||
- | === Session 37 === | + | ==== Session 37 ==== |
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It didn't matter to us; we were in love and I could always ' | It didn't matter to us; we were in love and I could always ' | ||
- | === Session 38 === | + | ==== Session 38 ==== |
**[[http:// | **[[http:// | ||
Rather than moving abroad from the Trust, I decided to try something different. I had spent some years in Switzerland at the Trust over the centuries, but had never actually spent that much time in the country proper. So once my new identity was complete, I bought a flat in the Lausanne city centre, with my cover story saying that I had just graduated university and had moved there from Zurich, explaining my somewhat Germanic name. I also decided that it might be time to part with some of the less sentimental things that I'd accumulated over my life. So, for the first time in centuries, I opened up a shop. This time, it was an antiques shop. Business over the past few years, while slow because of the higher prices that some of my belongings have been appraised for, has been steady. I still like to travel around when I can, including looking in on my children that are still living, but always making sure that they don't know that I'm there. I'm not yet comfortable revealing myself to the wide world as an Eternal, and am trying to keep myself under the radar as best as possible. But after all I've seen, it might be that humanity is in fact ready to deal with us the way we are. Only the progress of the next few years will tell us for sure. | Rather than moving abroad from the Trust, I decided to try something different. I had spent some years in Switzerland at the Trust over the centuries, but had never actually spent that much time in the country proper. So once my new identity was complete, I bought a flat in the Lausanne city centre, with my cover story saying that I had just graduated university and had moved there from Zurich, explaining my somewhat Germanic name. I also decided that it might be time to part with some of the less sentimental things that I'd accumulated over my life. So, for the first time in centuries, I opened up a shop. This time, it was an antiques shop. Business over the past few years, while slow because of the higher prices that some of my belongings have been appraised for, has been steady. I still like to travel around when I can, including looking in on my children that are still living, but always making sure that they don't know that I'm there. I'm not yet comfortable revealing myself to the wide world as an Eternal, and am trying to keep myself under the radar as best as possible. But after all I've seen, it might be that humanity is in fact ready to deal with us the way we are. Only the progress of the next few years will tell us for sure. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Personal information ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Birth Name:**\\ | ||
+ | **Birth Date:** \\ | ||
+ | **Birth Place:**\\ | ||
+ | **Status at Birth:** \\ | ||
+ | **Relation to other Eternals:** \\ | ||
+ | **Current Pseudonym: | ||
+ | **Past Pseudonyms: | ||
+ | **Current Home:** \\ | ||
+ | **Past Homes:** \\ | ||
+ | **Current Occupation: | ||
+ | **Skills:** \\ | ||
+ | **Languages Spoken:** \\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== See Also ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[The Trust]]** | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Navigation ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[Autobiographies of Eternals|Eternal Autobiography Interviews]]** | ||
+ | |||
+ | **[[AH.com Eternals]]** |
shared_worlds/gregorios.txt · Last modified: 2020/02/02 23:48 by eofpi