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Origin Of War Helm

"This is it!" the treasure hunter exclaimed, "This is the location where the Great General was laid to rest! We've found what we were looking for!"

His party cheered, aside from two cloaked warriors at the back of the column. They did not approve at all, standing at the entrance into this shrine to a fallen Great General. They considered it an insult, and were in attendance to stop the desecration of the place by the treasure hunters.

Ji-Hee watched as a member of his party rushed forward to the tomb, neglecting any and all knowledge he once had of tombs. He watched in horror as the floor disappeared below the man. He watched as the man disappeared from view, never to be seen again.

"Everyone, stop now!" he exclaimed, though there was no need for it. The treasure hunters knew that they must be careful, or they'd share the same fate. He did not like losing members of his party, but he considered them to be acceptable losses. He'd send a pouch of gold to any factions that a person who lost their life was affiliated with, for compensation.

Ji-Hee was told by the locals, a few li away, that the tomb was guarded by ethereal warriors; the spirits of Chonguns who fell alongside the general. Ji-Hee dismissed this as superstition. He did not believe that a spirit would linger for an eternity, to defend against nothing.

But, as Ji-Hee crept forward, an eerie feeling swam about him; a feeling as though he were being watched. He was not alone. The other members of his party felt it as well.

The air chilled almost immediately. A mist began to weave around the men like a snake. It wound past them, around, and before them, and grew thicker. It seemed to threaten that it would drown them, but it stayed below the throats of the shortest men. Before the resting place of the Great General, a dim light appeared.

At first, the light appeared to be nothing more than a reflection off of a sword laid at the base of the resting place. The mist began to swirl toward it and the light grew brighter. Another light appeared in the mist, and it followed suit. The two lights began to take shape.

Before the party stood two ethereal beings. Ji-Hee shuddered; he had been wrong in his assumptions.

The two beings held long, curved blades and glimmering scale mail. They no longer looked to be made of mist, but what seemed to be of flesh and blood. They raised their shining silver shields and pointed their blades at Ji-Hee.

"If you do so dare to desecrate this tomb, may you fall to the most foul of beings and your family be cursed forever more," a voice boomed. The voice seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. The figure made a gesture, and lowered its sword.

Ji-Hee gathered his courage and strode forward. The two warriors at the back of the column walked before him and faced him.

"Stand down and move aside, or remove these illusions from my vision," shrieked Ji-Hee, "Otherwise you will not share in the bounty!"

"That we shall not do," the first one said, as they cast off their cloaks. They were dressed in the same fashion as the two beings who stood behind them.

"You will not pass to desecrate this place," said the other, as they drew their blades with an awesome swiftness.

Ji-Hee would not stand for insurrection in his party. He drew his blade, and used a technique common to rogues such as himself. He drew himself back, and looked for an opening.

The two Chonguns before him looked slow in their armor. He, however, could not be seen, and he felt he was much swifter. He made a dash for the resting place of the Great General, though, not without great difficulty.

By chance, one of the Chonguns caught him on the arm with his blade; the other nearly lopped off his head. The two beings were nowhere to be found, as he looked upon the resting place. A great slab of rock covered the Great General. Ji-Hee needed to be quick, if he wanted any of the treasures that were inside.

The two Chonguns rushed towards the resting place, with the treasure-hunting party close behind them. One man fell through another opening in the floor, whereas another met a more gruesome end.

Ji-Hee forced the rock slab off and thrust his arms inside the resting place. He came out with an ornate helm, that throbbed with a glow of power.

The legends say that the Great General had much success in his campaigns against other warring factions. In fact, the four Totem Gods themselves approached him on the eve of one victory. They approached him as he gave offerings to thank them for his performance. For his homage, they imbued their power into his battered, rusted, time-worn helm, and transformed it into a spectacle of magnificence. With the power of the Totem Gods supporting him, he was nigh near unstoppable.

The Great General won many a campaign, and gained much acclaim. He was blessed by the Totem Gods, and feared by his enemies. One battle, however, he did not offer thanks to the Gods after his victory. The next day, he was pierced through the heart and fell in battle.

His helm was entombed with him, and now, Ji-Hee held the blessed helm in his hands.

The Chonguns were nearly upon him, when a blinding light emanated from the resting place. A venerable spectre, carrying a long, curved blade rose from it and everyone halted in place. Behind it, the two Chongun spirits appeared, blades sheathed.

The spirit of the Great General looked upon the actions that were taking place. He glanced down at Ji-Hee and smote him with one fell swoop. The helm did not fall to the ground.

The spirit of the Great General looked towards the two Chonguns, and beckoned them to approach. The Great General bowed to them and they returned their respect. The helm of the General passed into the hands of the Chonguns. They knew what they must do.

The three spirits nodded in silent unison and dissipated as the two Chonguns backed away. The first of the Chonguns donned the helm and turned to the party. They fled in fear.

The Chonguns brought the helm to their Sodo, and bestowed it upon the Chongun Avatar. The master smiths among the Chongunate took great effort to replicate the helm to its last detail. The replications of the helm now circulate throughout the entire Chongunate of these lands, and are donned during times of war, in honour of the Great General.

And that is the origin of the Chongun War Helm.

Author: LoganGrimnar