Your Future Calls

### ***19 years before the beginning of Fate's Chosen...***

Elden is 16 years old, and a bit of a troublemaker. He heads out of his house with no particular destination. Another troublemaker named Malrian latches on and follows him around.

As they head out of town, they come across the ancient ruins of a temple. Elden heads in to check it out, and activates a poorly-made trap of some type, causing a crazy old man to come yelling at the boys. Elden and Mal tell him that his trap is terrible, and they can make a better one, so he demands that they try it, which they do.

They begin to question the man about what he's doing there, and he seems to be a cleric, who's been having trouble with kids stealing his candlesticks. They ask to see his candlesticks, and he demands that they clean some gravestones up for him.

As they try to decide what to do, a storm suddenly brews overhead, and it begins to rain. They take cover with the old man. He begins to question them about what they're doing with their lives. They decide to get out of there, with the man telling them to bring him some candles, and maybe he'll tell them something.

As they head away from the temple, green light fills the sky, and there's a huge explosion of force from the temple. Elden blacks out, and wakes up hours later. His mother is looking for him, and he calls out to her. As she pulls him to his feet, they hear a scream from Mal's mother - he has been crushed by a tree. Elden rushes to the huge tree and easily pulls it off of Malrian. He is not breathing.

The next morning, Elden's mother tells him that Malrian didn't make it, and he needs to join the military to quit getting into trouble. He's bitter, but agrees to it. Afterward, he goes walking and winds up in front of the temple again. The old man is still there, demanding candles. He tells Elden that someone else showed up after they left with a sallow face, looking like death. Elden tells him his friend is dead, and he's getting shipped out. The man tells him to come bring him some candles if he ever comes back.

### ***4 years before the current campaign, in I'ollyne...***

In the Dunes of Dread, Felix, the leader of one of the local tribes, tells Atlas that he has been chosen as the next guardian of the Hopeless Gardens. Atlas seems disappointed, saying that there are things he wanted to do before he went. Felix tells him that he will do them when he comes back, and that all the elders have done it.

Meanwhile, One of Atlas' sisters, Thea, has been listening in, while her best friend, Sura, looks on disapprovingly. Sura tells Atlas' best friend, Tavin, that she's sorry, but Atlas is the next one who will be going to the gardens. When Atlas comes out to deliver the news, Sura tells them that she's leaving I'olynne too. She had a vision of a great war in Senmarria, and is going to the capital city of Zandaria.

The four of them head to a nearby bar for some drinks. Sura tells him that she won't be upset if he meets some pretty girl in Senmarria. As Thea and Tavin head off to a dance, Sura asks Atlas to train himself harder than ever, both body and mind. She's worried that someone may come along and best him at some point. She tells him that the war that's coming will be worse than the usual man against man.

After their evening of drinking and revelry, they return to Atlas' home, finding the elders waiting. Atlas sees worry in their faces, as his father tells him to sober up. Atlas asks about Sura, and her protection, and she assures him she will be fine.

Atlas asks Tavin to watch over his sisters while he's gone, and he does so - the two of them embrace, telling each other they are like brothers. Thea tells him that he's going to be amazing, and she looks forward to seeing him again. His other sister, Pallas, is pouting, but he tells her he will see her soon. Atlas and Sura both finish saying their goodbyes and step through the teleportation circle.

Sura tells Atlas that the two of them are going to die on this continent, and will not be getting home - she's seen it in a vision. She tells him that he will not stay in the Hopeless Gardens, but will go on to something greater. She gives him a necklace, and spends one last night there with him in the Hopeless Gardens.