As written and researched by Ta'Wane Varados di Mardyas.
In October of 600 a group of adventurers led by an archeologist of some sort went to explore a tomb nearby which, they were told, held possible mysteries and treasures long ago lost, dating from the Brisbanian Empire. When they arrived they destroyed the entrance to the tomb and allowed another portion of the many curses on these lands to take effect. This aspect was in the form of the freedom granted to the Spirit Form of the long-dead "Dread Emperor" Justin Brisbane. The archeologist himself was found to be dead the next morning, believe killed by Justin.
Other findings within the tomb included a journal belonging to Justin which caused pain to those of the Gypsies who attempted to read it, and allowed Justin's spirit form to enter places where the journal was being kept or read. The tomb itself, however, seemed to disappear almost immediately, leaving little trace it had ever been there, and no further chance of exploration for those who would investigate further.
Now freed from it's confinement, the Spirit Form began to wreak it's long sought vengeance upon the Gypsies of these lands, continuing it's rampage of long-ago. Spreading death and destruction amongst the Gypsies of these lands, when fought against weapons and spells seemed to have no noticible effect upon his form whatsoever.
Oddly enough, he also showed regret at his actions, warning Gypsies to leave these lands or he would be "forced" to destroy them. It seemed as though, not only was his sanity non-existant, but also that his actions were not wholly of his own volition. He took the time to speak to the Gypsies when he could, and sometimes only struck out when struck first.
Using the Formal Magic, "Dreamvision", it was discovered that Justin was NOT always what he was later known as. In his early reign he was as beloved of the Gypsies as he was of all others of his people. He was their protector and guardian. often coming to their aid in times of trouble, and playing the "kind uncle" to many of the little ones. Thanks to the efforts of Elayne Josita, who performed another type of Gypsy magic allowing her to contact the ancient spirits of long-dead Gyspies, it was discovered how this change came about in him...
Piecing the information from both sources together it wsa discovered that a group of Gypsies of his time had attempted to assassinate him through the means of a poison they had created using dust from the tail of a comet which had fallen to Tyrra from the Elemental Plane of Death. Somehow, however, instead of killing him, it... changed... him. He grew stronger, and his senses so accute that he could hear the whispers of those in other rooms. This change and the knowledge of the attempt on his life grew into a raging madness within him, leaving little room for anything but revenge in his heart and mind.
Calling for the assassins to be brought forth, he grew ever more enraged as they hid and refused to atep forward and accept their just punishment for attempted assassination. Instead, they his amongst the clans who gave them shelter. Thus he began exterminating the Gypsies, saying he would kill all until those guilty stepped forward to face justice. Still, they refused to step forward...
Seeing what was happening, instead of stepping forward, they began another plot. This time they tried to resolve the problem they had created by placing a Formal Blood Curse upon the Emperor which caused his Spirit and his Body to become two instead of one, and allowing them to be entombed separately, causing and end to his reign of terror. The bodies fo the conspiritors - whose blood curse was, of course, the death of them as their spirits were now the "fuel" which bound the curse to Justin - were buried, along with a vial of the dust-poison which they had used.
With the research done by Ta'Wane, the Death Elemental known as Kysis was contacted for information regarding the Gypsies burial grounds. Although not a favored being for contact, as a Death Elemtnal he knew the location as a place of death well enough and was willing to aid the Gypsies for a price. Considering these to be extenuating circumstances, Ta'Wane informed the Nobility of her actions actions and willingness to pay the price on behalf of her people, and was told that no laws were being broken by this act, in this context.
After paying the price requested, Kysis transported Ta'Wane and a group to this graveyard where they retrieved this foul poison and promply left through the opened gate behind while Kysis - true to the letter of his word, but not it's spirit - attacked us from behind. Having expected this, none of the group were truly surprised by his actions.
This poison began to affect all those who came in contact with it, and it became a race against time to find the cure. It took many well-versed alchemists, Sebastian's elemental knowledge, and both Earth and Celestial Formal Magics to provide the cure, and barely in the nick of time! The final "ingredient" was one person, strongly attuned to the element of Life, whose own strength empowered the created cure. To Delahr we owe our thanks for this. He became a target of Justin as once the cure was created he could sense it and thus Delahr became a target of his malice.
As soon as was possible, Ta'Wane, Elayne Josita, Delahr, James, Fujiwara Michiko, and Telaris went to the tomb of Justin's body, where they fought through his spirit self along with his undead minions to reach his body. Once there they cast all the curatives in their rather large repertoire, along with a remove gypsy curse through the light of the vial of liquid. His first words upon awakening to himself were "What have I done?".
As Rawnie of Kumpania Mardyas, Ta'Wane bestowed the forgiveness of her Clan, while Elayne did the same. This was all one horrible cycle of evil, brought about by the gypsies own actions, and although he did much evil, he had also done much good in his time before that, and had been beloved of his people. His sorrow at his actions, and despair over what had transpired, were truly genuine. When he could be moved he was brought at his own request to the Queen, where he asked that Justice be served against him for his crimes, both past and in the present while in spirit-form. She asked him if his execution would place his spirit, finally, at rest, with no guilt or anger. He said yes, it would, and that it was the only way to erase the taint of what he had done and become.
After reciting his crimes, she then executed him by her own hand. The Gypsies of Avendale performed Farewell for him, and drank in his name and to his restored honor.
Let his story be a lesson to all that our's is to partner Fate, not Master her. The Fate of many were changed herein, and many died for the foolish actions a few who wished to Master Fate in their own way. Be wary of what you chose to do to accomplish your goals, and make certain those goals are good for all, and not just yourself, where kingdoms are involved.
Ta'Wane Varados di Mardyas Rawnie di Mardyas Court of Brisbane - Avendale High Sword of Freedom - Neridia Prop., Avendale Messenger's Service (AMS)
This text was copied from Selina's Gypsy Camp.