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In the tower, Markus read the notes and journal of the blood mage Avernus and discovered truly terrible things. He was horrified at what had been done in the name of achieving victory -- a victory that never eventuated. This tested even the hardened Warden sensibilities he had been trying so hard to cultivate. It wasn't unusual for him to doubt: he had doubts about recruiting Leliana, about Sten, about Zevran, about using blood magic, about sacrificing Isolde, about letting his parents die. All these dubious decisions made 'for the greater good.' For the greater good. Sometimes that phrase rang hollow, and this was one of those times.
A vial sat on a table before him, the culmination of Avernus' dark research. The black liquid promised power, to unlock the untapped depths of the darkspawn taint, of the Wardens' potential. The destructive power within him yearned towards it.
Against the better judgement of Markus Cousland, the Warden downed the contents of the vial. The darkness within flared in response. His powers grew; his humanity flinched away ever so slightly.
Was it the wrong thing to do?
3 comments
There's an awesome line in the "Gladiator" movie that goes something like: "You have a great name. You must kill your name before he kills you."