|
Backstory Competition Winner |
|
Written by Captain Obvious
|
|
Friday, 09 December 2005 |
After much consideration, it was decided that Jarvel would be the one to swoop the grand prize and claim the booty of the nVidia GeForce 7800GT 256MB PCI Express Graphics Card! Without further ado, you can read his story right here:
Jarvel Mazur was born of wealthy parents in the northern Ukraine. He received proper tutelage and upbringing to which his parents spared no expense. By age 17 he was growing quite knowledgeable, excelling in his studies. His parents influence and position was indeed, no hindrance to the young man. It was here, he learned of luxury. Their position meant many worldly influences were available to Jarvel, who soaked up this knowledge with a passion. In fact, Jarvel could conduct conversations in Polish, Russian, Swedish and French, which only magnified his exposure to the world. He was a contented lad, he thought he had it all, and to many, he did.
Jarvel's parents imposed that he was to spend more time helping the church attend to the community. Jarvel felt restricted by this, not in that he wasn't faithful, but that tradition seemed so binding, like chains or rope. Under the Parokh (or priest) he continued to painfully learn tradition and history via grand stories. One such story was about the Ukrainian flag, a trident. Jarvel's mentor stated it was really a hawk. Poland 's flag was an eagle, and thus the Ukraine is the hawk that flies beneath the eagles wing. This story had great impact on Jarvel. It was here, he learned of loyalty.
Jarvel began to look for his purpose in life. He knew of so much, but had seen so little. The decision was made that Jarvel would travel on behalf of his parents and seek out business opportunities in other countries. It was here, he learned of opportunity. Business was, of course, not the sole purpose as all involved understood the young mans true desires to travel. It was an excuse none the less and the wealthy do love their excuses; therefore, after saying his goodbyes, Jarvel was gone.
France felt worlds away from home to Jarvel, yet it was here he found his first true love. She had 3 masts, square sails in the center and triangular sails fore and aft. The sailors said she was a Barque, and her name was "Destiny". Jarvel spent a lot of time at the docks, learning all he could about the various craft that came and went. The captain of the Destiny liked Jarvel's enthusiasm, and offered him a job. Jarvel's travels were no longer to be bound to land alone. So began a 10 year career working the sea and learning its mysteries. He still sent messages to home, requesting the status of those he loved, tending to monetary issues, and trying to comfort his parents that he was just following his destiny. He left out a few of the things he told his parents. Jarvel learned about women in France, he learned about Rum, and he learned of a life amongst friends he never knew existed. He was a contended lad. He thought he had it all, and to some he did.
It was off the coast of Africa that Jarvel encountered pirates for the first time. A ship approached with its guns run out, and the Destiny's crew wasn't even moving. They stood frozen as the ship approached. Jarvel was strangely moved by this situation and the reaction by the crew. Such fear he saw in their eyes. Not even the captain was moving to action. So Jarvel stood by and watched as the pirates approached, boarded, and claimed the Destiny as their own. It was here, Jarvel learned the power of fear. The pirates offered an option to give Jarvel passage to the African coastline, or a position amongst them. Jarvel chose to not accompany the pirates and was dumped into the water near the coast.
News met Jarvel in France. He raced back to his homeland upon word from the Parokh that invasions by Peter the great were creating much turmoil. Peter was trying to swallow up the Ukraine , much like Poland had before. Jarvel fought in the Cossack uprisings. It was here, he learned to kill without pain. Tragedy abounded none the less. The Hetman Mazepa fell at the battle of Poltava. A bloody massacre at Baturyn by the Muscovites left another scar on Jarvel. The Parokh spoke of changes in his church, and that he was no longer allowed to speak Ukrainian as the Tsarists had imposed an edict, or Ukaz, against it. The Synod at Zamastianow, resulted in the church in Moscow claiming power over the Ukrainian catholic church. It was dark times, and the Parokh had one last story to tell Jarvel before he ushered him out of the country. These ills that were befalling the country were the Ukrainians Stations of the Cross, on the way to the nation's crucifixion. Jarvel was to return home when the hoped for resurrection of his nation was at hand. There was honor, passion, and great belief in the words of his mentor, this impacted Jarvel greatly, and he did as directed.
France was not the same this time around. Jarvel sought out the first work he could find on a galleon headed for Africa . His need to get back to the sea overwhelmed his analysis of the details of his trip, and it was here he learned a very terrible lesson in paying attention. It was a slavers vessel, destined for a stop in Africa and then onward to the new provinces in the Caribbean. Jarvel grew ill as he saw the types of preparation being made aboard the ship. His disdain grew as the slaves were loaded. What inhumanity is this, that government's care so little for the people? These innocent people arranged so abhorrently in order to maximize cargo space, were victims of that same type of expansionist greed he had suffered at home. What rights have nations to take others as their own? Something had to be done, and soon after, something was done. In the Caribbean, amidst the cries of the suffering that composed the ships cargo, Jarvel learned to kill with glee. When finished, the ship was his. He touched the tears of those who had their chains removed, and in so doing felt chains of his own released. He was a contented man, he thought he had it all, and to some he did.
Welcomed into a Caribbean Maroon village, Jarvel found peace amongst the natives. Here, he learned of self-sacrifice. He heard mention of a woman in the hills, referred to as Granny Nanny, and her rebellion against the nations that had invaded her home. He vowed to join with her in spirit. Jarvel took up a crew, and sought out that which would put the most fear in these invaders hearts, pirates. Jarvel understood finances, and knew that the way to the soul of this enemy beast is through his money bags. He said his warm goodbyes to the natives, and set sail. The sun was setting low, and it lit up the ocean in a beautiful glow. It was here that Jarvel claimed his free mans rights and began his journey upon the burning seas. To Jarvel, he definitely had it all.
|
|
