Dankworth arrived in the realm of Avalon at a time when evil was weak and the forces of light walked proudly through the land. At this time, not long after the liberation of Mercinae, Genesis was patron of Parrius and the enchanters led by Calladan, with Garet and Belvadere key among their number, were strong in the barony of that city.
Dankworth was persuaded by a fantastic display of skill and power to join the Enchanters guild and the seaport of Parrius. Almost immediately, the Long Night was raised and he struggled without any source of light to find his way in the land. These were difficult times, but he preserved and through intense study mastered the higher magics. One day he received a visit from Cornelius, the God of Magic, who has just moved his temple to Parrius and was seeking to rebuild his order. Dankworth was delighted to join, for at that time Cornelius was patron of the enchanters. He found in Cornelius a kindly patron, though he was often absent from the land.
With evil so inactive, Dankworth had little opportunity to practice combat, contenting himself with weak opponents such as goblins and bandits, and gaining the enmity of Goblin Town. He also joined in an attack on Pangyron, the star sorcerer, and was given the honour of delivering the fatal blow, his Guild skills now as strong as they could become.
At about this time, Shaitan, an apprentice sorcerer, became active in the land, watched over by Macros whom Dankworth had long feared. Dankworth, lacking practice in combat, was killed by Shaitan, who at that time was much weaker than him. Calladan, master of the enchanters guild was greatly angered and, shamed, Dankworth vowed to exact revenge. He laid a trap for the young sorcerer on the Uruk road and, holding him in one location, slew him with magical fire. He soon discovered, however, that Macros has been watching and rapidly joined Shaitan riding the Ship of the Dead.
Dankworth now started to travel extensively in the land, often in the company of Conan, a genial if erratic knight who went on to found the Warriors guild. On one of these trips, Shaitan, by now a fully-fledged sorcerer was foolish enough to attack. This was to be the last time for a long time that Dankworth was able to best Shaitan in combat.
Among the enchanters, Dankworth spent most time with Layla, who had joined the guild shortly after him, although he was sad that the majority of her affection was saved for Garet, who had by now taken over from Calladan as guildmaster.
Dankworth also offered himself unsuccessfully for election as a baron, to his disgust being beaten by the rogue, Throthgar. At this time, the master thief Dall was active in the land and Dankworth, having being several times robbed of all his possessions by that character has little regard for stealthy types. With the assistance of Cardodius the artisan, he was delighted to be able to avenge himself by breaking into the storeroom of Dall's shop and removing all his stock.
These were on the whole good times for Dankworth, but his hopes and position in the world were soon to be dashed and assailed from many directions. Orthwein, the god of fate, who had become an immortal at the culmination of the recent ordination took over in Parrius and began to build his order and the city in his own image. He seemed a stern God, urging his citizens to combat. Dankworth, used to the kindlier world of Genesis and Cornelius was puzzled and watched as the Order of Fate took control of Parrius. Layla, a key follower of Orthwein, was soon to head the enchanters guild.
With his early mentors, Garet, Calladan and Belvadere absent from the land, Dankworth felt out of place in Parrius and the Enchanters. He was greatly saddened when the spirit of Cornelius departed the land and his order dissolved. Now, word got out that he was dissatisfied with Parrius and he found himself forced to leave his city and guild, wracked with every curse and disease known in the land. He was guildless, homeless and without a patron. He had never known such pain or sorrow.
Fortunately, the great mage lord Tragnarion and the god Wraith took pity on him, curing him totally and granting him sanctuary in the fair city of Merciane and the ancient guild of Mages. Here he found friendship in the company of young mages such as Hero and Arabella.
At about this time many of the strong and good people in the land seemed to evaporate from it. The forces of darkness grew and multiplied, with Shaitan, Satan and Macros key among their number. The mighty evil gods, the Diabolus, Nostradamus and later Mephisto saw their followers grow to dominate the land. Where were Isildur, Gandalf and Garet now ?
The dreaded Long Night was raised many times at this time. Yet, strangely, Dankworth grew into a dark despair. Nominally one of the mightiest of the Mages he grew tired of combat and sick of the ways of war. Saddened by the deaths of his friends he felt unable to act, choosing to sit mainly in the guild and not to defend himself if attacked. He died many times at the hands of the sorcerers and others. Life seemed pointless, the only glimmer of hope coming when he was accepted into the order of Andromeda, kind and fair Goddess of Dreams.
Dankworth was sorely tempted to leave the land for ever. He sought the advice of Genesis, most ancient of the Gods, explaining that he had tired of combat and killing and wished to be a scholar and a traveller. Genesis, in his infinite wisdom advised Dankworth that he should change his life utterly and, through his mercy stripped Dankworth of the warlike powers of a mage, replacing them with the peaceful skills of an Animist.
At first, Dankworth found it very strange following a path of peace, but he delighted in the freedom of movement allowed by his forest skills and in the opportunity to help others. He continued to be hunted by Shaitan and his kind for they could not believe the change that had come over him.
Animists at this time were believed to favour the good characters of Avalon over the evil and many refused to help those who engaged in frequent combat. Dankworth, who had come to the guild of life by unusual means felt more comfortable with a path of neutrality and made it plain that he would help all that came to him in peace.
He had by now fully mastered the Animist skills and felt able to roam the land unthreatened by even the mightiest sorcerer. Having shown Shaitan his power by using the terrible forest ability of decomposition, he sought to avoid further enmity between himself and the sorcerers and to rebuild links with them. This process came to a peak when, to the disgust of good players such as Sir Ammon, he partnered Shaitan in a gem quest, standing with the mighty sorcerer against the attacks of Marie and Balthus.
Dankworth was now quite content with his position in the land, delighting in the company of fellow animists such as Thorlam, Karamis and Ladycat and meeting very many of the inhabitants of Avalon.
He took over from Wintermute as Guildmaster of the Animists, continuing to espouse his policy of neutrality which befitted his position as a follower of Andromeda, although according to the ways of the Animists he was happy for other members to follow their own paths. He also took considerable pleasure in furthering the aims of the Order of Dreams and was proud to be appointed Minister of State and Minister of Justice in the new city of Springtown, which was being built by members of the Order. Here he was able to work alongside his good friend Tarkus.
In this way, Dankworth who was at first inspired by Calladan to become a fighter for the forces of good came to a position of balance in Avalon. The wielder of mighty magics took to healing and talking and was glad of it.
Written by Dankworth
