To the Few Who Knew Him

[DoS Archive]

From: mskanter@aol.com (Ms Kanter)
Date: 14 Feb 1999 23:23:04 EST

This message is addressed to the those knew Deluthan Heart. If you did not know him, or didn't care to, I recommend not reading any further. -M.E.Kanter



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Deluthan came into my home about three months ago. He was in need of a place to stay, and had heard that I was looking for a helping hand around my farm. I could pay with him with free room and board. He was a pleasant, yet quiet young man who had just traveled here from his hometown in the east. He had only a few sets of clothes and his sword with him. I was quick to let him stay, and he was gracious and quite helpful. For the first month and
half he moped around, until he discovered the Duelers' Arena. I didn't see him half as much since, and for a while he seemed happy.
On the eve of February 4th, he had taken off for the arena in a horrible mood. I feel I should have seen it as a warning sign, but it is difficult for anyone to foresee these things, even me. Later that eve, my 14-year-old boy, Nathan, came in with a worried look saying he had seen Del running across the fields in a strange manner enbracing his blade. I knew this was unusual behavior for Del, so I got dressed and stepped out to find him. It took
me nearly half an hour, but I found him by an old oak at the edge of the farm, and my worst thoughts had been true. Del had done himself in by his own blade. Next to him was a scribbled note. The ink was still wet.
Del knew that some of those in the arena should know what he had done, and why. Part of the note is addressed to them:

"...and to my friends of the Duelers' Arena, I do not wish to hurt any of you. You all have done more for me than I ever could have asked. I'm sorry. I was hoping to find my reason for being there, but I was merely fooling myself. There's no place for me there, nor anywhere. I've disappointed myself, and all of you. Perhaps I expect too much. I've hoped for more, but I realize that was ridiculous... In my last match this evening I was hoping
it would end me so I wouldn't have to do it myself. But I found myself winning the duel, and something deep inside me wanted to win, wanted to keep going. But it wasn't enough. I've never had enough to accomplish anything. I lost again. I'm sorry..."

He goes on in the note with more personal statements, addressed mainly to me. Somehow he knew I'd be the first to find him.
I can tell you all that I know about him.
His hometown, I believe it's called Mundane, was rather run down through his entire life there. His father commited suicide about a year and half ago. His mother did the same a year later. It was then he knew he couldn't stay in that town any longer. He eventually found his way to Rhydin. He was very withdrawn as a teenager, spending most of his time teaching himself about dueling. I'm guessing he had bad luck with ladies. He never told me
about any past relationships. And I had the womanly intuition that he had been starving for one.
All this was revealed to me before he started spending his nights at the arena. His mood had been rather dreary, in a sort of depressed state. My maternal instinct wanted to console him as much as I could. When he began to duel, his moods drifted to the extremes. He came home normally very enthiastically, and chatty of his adventures in dueling. I always listened attentively when I could. I was glad to see him getting out. He even spoke of a
couple ladies, and about his confusion, and I gave what advice I could. His state was quite manic, until a few weeks ago when he seemed to become neurotic. One night he'd be smiling and dancing around, the next he'd be withdrawn again. I hardly saw him the couple days leading to that eve, except when I caught a glance of him struggling to get through his chores. I wish I could have known.
He will be missed. I may not have known him long, but it feels like I've lost a son. The intentions of this post are not to dishearten anyone, but simply inform. I've taken the responsibility of visiting the place Del so enjoyed, and can understand how it affected him the way it did. It is a very elaborate and wonderful place. The people I've met here have been very pleasant to me. I plan to visit as often as I can now.
I hope we can learn to appreciate all that we have, if we haven't already, because it is a lot. And remember also what we've lost to remind us.

With utmost sincerity,
Mary Eleanor Kanter

[DoS Archive]

From: sirduel@aol.com (Sir Duel)
Date: 14 Feb 1999 23:33:27 EST

<gasps>> Oh...dear..ah..ah don't know..
::shuffles off in a flash, definately going to tell someone something..::

[DoS Archive]

From: marzan@aol.com (Marzan)
Date: 15 Feb 1999 21:03:20 EST

May the Soul of Deluthan Heart, Honorable Warlord of Swords, rest in Peace. Del, you were a good man. You had class. You thought of others instead of yourself. You were kind. You shall be Missed....

~~~~Eros~~~~~

[DoS Archive]

From: auritan@aol.com (Auritan)
Date: 15 Feb 1999 23:17:35 EST

::the old man reads with sadness the announcement of Deluthian's passing::

To Ms. Kanter,
M'lady, I have tried unsuccessfully to contact thee in private, so I shall post this on the public board, hoping that ye might stop by to read it.

I knew Deluthian Heart. He was a friendly soul, and I respected him. And I am saddened to read thy report of his passing. I appreciate the effort that ye must have undergone to write of his death, and I thank thee for sharing his note with us. Please accept my sincere condolence.

Humbly,
~Auritan

[DoS Archive]

From: casmaxim@aol.com (Cas Maxim)
Date: 16 Feb 1999 02:23:12 EST




Tis a sad day....


A promising Warlord and a decent man taken from us before his time....rest in peace Deluthan




Cassius Gaius Maximius
Laylla's husband.
Roman pretorian
Warlord in DoS
Mage in DoM
Member of HDT

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 16 Feb 1999 20:36:12 EST

Sweet Deluthan, may you rest in Malichi's arms.

~Sidartha

[DoS Archive]

From: xerzesm@aol.com (Xerzes M)
Date: 16 Feb 1999 21:53:03 EST

A sad day,indeed.May Deluthan rest in peace.


-Xerzes Maureen
Jobber

[DoS Archive]

From: deluthan@aol.com (Deluthan)
Date: 14 Apr 1999 23:04:40 EDT

:: A mysterious figure reaches out and shuffles through the myriad of papers on the cork until his fingers come across a small, yellowing cluster. He yanks them away crumpling them in his right hand, then lets the clump fall to the ground. After pulling out a book of matches, tearing out one, and striking it, he sets the papers ablaze, and steps into the darkness--the
fire first bright, then dwindling to black ash. ::