Welcome once again. Wisdom, resolve, honesty – these are all important virtues, and you should by all means embrace them. Nonetheless, history shows that trickery might sometimes be equally successful. One man is a particular example of that universal truth – Ethar Pathe, also known as the Man with Infinite Faces. What did he do to earn this title? You will learn just now…
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Near Grinnoed, year 489 of Era II
Ethar was born in the late fifth century of the Second Era, in the northern part of Revenith. He was the son of a farmer and a tailor. The experience of his youth gave him a sense of ambition that the perspective of continuing his father’s work could not satiate. In addition to that, he seemed to have a special talent. He was always aware of everything people were doing – and he knew how to use the information in order to have everyone do his bidding. By the time he was a teenager, he was possibly the most feared person in the village. When the people learned he was planning to leave the place in order to join the imperial military in order to achieve the fame he wanted, they were greatly relieved, and so was he, as he would not have to deal with ordinary people of their kind anymore.
Grinnoed, year 505 of Era II
As a boy of merely 16 years, Ethar joined the army. Initially, he was sent to the infantry to gain basic abilities as an ordinary soldier. However, his fellows quickly started to notice his unusual awareness – and, obviously, fell victim to his tricks and threats. For a long time, all of them were too afraid to even discuss the issue, and every one of them kept the knowledge to himself. One day, an experienced soldier, commander of a unit, shared his concerns about the young man with the garrison general.
Ethar was immediately called to the general’s quarters. The commander was angry at the boy, but decided to check whether the allegations may be true. He asked Ethar to state some secrets about him. The young man was reluctant to answer, but eventually quoted a few of the least important facts he knew – for instance that the general would visit a brothel at least once a week and bring a new whore to his house. This was more than enough to frighten the man. He thought for a long while, and then offered Ethar a choice. The first option was to leave the army in shame and never return. The second was to leave Grinnoed, go to Cerbane and become a member of the Imperial Eyes – the army’s most elite intelligence group, responsible for guarding crucial secrets of the Empire and obtaining information about the rulers and elites of other countries. The young soldier did not hesitate for a tick. On the next day, he was already on his way to the capital.
Cerbane, year 507 of Era II
The spies were very cautious about accepting the new recruit, even though he was recommended by several generals who had merely heard of his abilities. The feeling of caution faded away quickly, as Ethar completed all assigned tasks quickly and with success. Soon, he became an important member of the Eyes. He completed several important missions over the first few years, but they were nothing compared to what would become his main duty for a long time – and the key to his later fame.
In the first years of the sixth century of the era a rebel movement started to emerge in the western regions of Revenith. The army was unable to resolve the issue, as the rebels would launch guerilla warfare and every eliminated outpost created two new ones. After over a year of futile fighting, the issue was delegated to the Eyes, who were supposed to infiltrate the rebellion and devise a way to destroy it. After long deliberations, the spies decided to assign Ethar as the main operator in the long mission.
The young man moved to a village about fifty miles north of the city, became a smith’s apprentice and started to gather information about the resistance movement. Soon, he found the local unit, and managed to join it. He gained respect among the rebels, and they appreciated his insight. After a few months, the rebels approached him to ask for an important favor: they needed to gather intelligence about the imperial army, and believed he was fit for the job. After a few days of hesitation, he decided to agree. Even though it was a large risk, he thought it could bring him more respect and fame.
He was right – he managed to perform his tasks from both sides flawlessly, and gained recognition among both sides. His moderation in sharing information allowed him to remain unnoticed by either side. After some time, he had become an ideal double agent. It was at this time that he got the opportunity to engage in something even more complex.
Some rumors of him had spread to other countries, but without much detail. Nonetheless, a diplomat from the Sapiarchat of the South managed to contact him through a chain of intermediaries, and passed him a letter offering a generous compensation for key information about Revenith’s administration. At that point, he had abandoned his sense of loyalty and instead decided to grow his own fame and influence. This way, he worked for three sides at a time – and all of them were very satisfied with his service.
You could think that in the end someone discovered his actions and brought him to justice – and you would be wrong. He managed to stay in character for decades, and retired from all his duties around the age of 60. He lived for twenty more years in a remote cottage, and in the final months of his life wrote a letter that would be the silver lining to his legend. I could try to summarize it, but it is better to read the original.
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Esteemed Lords,
To the Emperor of Revenith, the generals and the Imperial Eyes:
My duty to this country is eternal. However, knowing the secrets I was supposed to guard with my life, I could not put trust in the Empire alone, and so I was forced to reveal certain pieces of knowledge to the right people. I apologize for breaching my vow, but this had to be done for the common good.
To all those who rebelled against the Emperor:
Brothers, it was an honor to know you. My knowledge of this country’s secrets made me understand your mission to a great extent. You have to know I could not engage fully in your fight, as that would put me and you in jeopardy. I did not grant you all the knowledge, but I hope what you received was enough to bring some improvement to the Empire.
To the Sapiarch of the South and his scholars:
With all the respect I give you, I did not help you for the duty, but merely for the gain. Thank you for all the profits I received. I hope my help proved useful to you, but if not, that is your loss. Let Konsae be with all of you.
To everyone in this world:
Knowledge is the greatest power you can have in this life. Gather as much as fate gives you, and give as little as fate lets you. Always believe in everyone, and trust no one but yourselves.
Written in the great Empire of Revenith
In the year 569 of the Era of Humans
By Ethar Pathe
Who dedicated his life to the truth
Aedilër 