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kinsale42-blog · 7 years

Text

Excerpt: Illumination

Khadgar/Kinsale (original character) (m/f, PG-13)

PROLOGUE

On a good night she'd dream of childhood picnics on the Lordamere shore: skipping stones and playing tag with her older brother and two younger sisters while her mother and father sat by a campfire, roasting fresh caught fish and the potatoes they'd brought with them from the garden.

"Don't get your feet wet!" Mother would shout, reminding them of the scary stories they'd been told of toothy monsters in the depths, the murlocs and threshfins, that might erupt from the water to swallow small children whole. But they weren't really frightened so much as circumspect, observing the ritual the same way they avoided stepping on cracks in the paving and held their breath as they crossed bridges. The lake was always so lovely in those dreams.

After they'd eaten, the family would pack up their things and climb up on their ponies for the afternoon trek back up into the hills to Strahnbrad. Every trip, when they reached that last overlook before they lost sight of the lake, they would turn and watch as the evening came down and the night torches flickered on in the far off city. The sky would fade towards violet and the lake would deepen into a mystical, enchanting blue.

When she awoke from these dreams, she thought she would never see the like of that blue again. After all the war and treachery that led to the ruin of their peaceful lives and their home in Alterac, she was not convinced there was anything left so pure in all the world.

Until that day in Draenor.

***

Kinsale would not have advanced to the level of expedition garrison commander if she had not been so diligent in successfully completing hundreds of assigned missions over the years. As a paladin, she strove to provide thoughtful service toward all of Azeroth, man and beast, in the name of the Light. She felt she owed much to the kindness of her foster family, and aimed to honor their gift to her as best she could by protecting others who could not protect themselves. It kept her going.

But that day, as dusk drew down upon the Shadowmoon forests, Kinsale saw that miraculous color once more and a new spark was kindled within her. She was handing over her latest report at Starfall Outpost when she looked up into Khadgar's eyes and was struck by fathomless depths of that same twilit-Lordamere blue that haunted her dreams. It took her breath away.

"Kinsale, you are my champion," he said. He held her soul in his gaze, whether he knew it or not, and those words locked it in. Suddenly she was no longer a mere servant of the people and a dutiful steward of the Light.

She was Khadgar's champion.

All the times before when she had reported to him directly, worked side by side with him to ensure the success of a mission, all that time and she had never really seen him before. Never caught a glimpse of the man he was. Never thought she could possibly have any impact on his life.

Everyone knew about him. They knew the power he wielded, the victories he'd achieved, the trials he'd endured, the pain he'd suffered. Kinsale had always accepted these things at face value. She knew him to be a good man, a talented mage, willing and able to use his skills to protect and defend not just the Alliance but all of Azeroth and beyond. She respected him for all this.

But did he not just tell her that she was one who could act for him where he could not, that she was his shield, his sword, his light against the darkness of the world? Was she not his own champion?

The forest was suddenly alive with scent and the rustling of leaves on the evening breeze. His words were like melody in the twilight, and she could still see his eyes radiant in the soft glow of his staff and the flicker of the watchfire. She found her voice at last.

"It is truly good to serve you, sir," she said, and quietly took her leave.

Khadgar watched after her as she faded into the shadows around the camp, stretching his awareness as far as he dared without shifting his presence. He had felt something change during their conversation, but he hesitated to question his instinct too closely, and he'd learned decades ago to forgo magic where friendships were concerned. He let her slip away, and after a few moments, he returned to his work.

***

For days, she saw his face wherever she looked. Every action carried a new weight of honor and tribute. Every task was now completed with joy, knowing that every moment brought her closer to seeing him again.

Then the announcement arrived. The Burning Legion was once again mounting an attack upon Azeroth. The rumor was that this was the biggest incursion ever seen. All hands were being summoned to Stormwind Harbor for immediate deployment.

The Burning Legion. Khadgar had been battling to save Azeroth from it since he was barely an apprentice. Each invading wave had gradually been beaten back, at much cost to the people and the environment of his beloved world. Every encounter took the lives of many valiant folk, soldier and civilian alike, yet the demons kept pouring out of the hellish green portals to corrupt the people and suck the land and its creatures dry of life energy. It seemed never-ending until suddenly the demons would withdraw, vanishing back to their own realm to recharge for the next attempt to conquer Azeroth. Sometimes it was almost too much to bear.

Kinsale steeled herself for prolonged battle. She knew that paladins were traditionally the front line for fighting demons, indeed, she had been on that front line more than once. She had heard whispers that a new force would be joining them, a group of demon hunters specially bred or trained to hunt down and eradicate the Burning Legion. Followers of Illidan they said, imprisoned for years beyond counting because of their too-close relationship to fel energies. If fighters such as these were to be drafted, the threat must be serious indeed.

The battle for Broken Shore itself was mostly a show of force. Gul'dan bared his teeth and flashed his weapons but allowed a fair percentage of troops to escape his clutches. Even so, many fell that day, from fresh recruits to kings. Many more, including her own mentor, had been captured. It was a both a threat and a distraction, for while they fought in the Broken Isles, the Legion was sending out invasion forces across both Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor to harry the civilian population and demoralize the garrisons.

After paying her respects to the old king and swearing fealty to the new king in Stormwind, she met with the Illidari envoy. He had much to show her about the insidious infiltration of the Legion into Azeroth's everyday affairs. Kinsale agreed that swift action must be taken, and gathered her loyal troops to fight the demon commanders wherever they made landfall. She hesitated to put full trust in the Illidari until they had been tested, and proved themselves, but she approached every new potential ally in the same way. As it was, they showed themselves to be able combatants in the face of the demon armies, energetic and fearless against the Legion's campaign of terror.

After two weeks of ceaseless assault across the globe, the fel forces withdrew slightly, and Kinsale took the opportunity to go off-world to her Draenor garrison for a night's rest and a few hot meals and a chance to wash the stink of battle from her skin.

She was buckling on her traveling gear for the return to Stormwind when the innkeeper tapped on the door. It opened, and Khadgar's arcane servant glided into the room. The innkeeper tactfully withdrew and closed the door.

"Commander," it said, with Khadgar's voice, "I need to present a plan to the Council in Dalaran and I would value your support. If there are any questions about the recent battles, your first-hand experience would provide for accurate answers, and your reporting is always detailed and to the point. Would you please join me in Dalaran as soon as possible? I have prepared my servant to offer you immediate teleportation." With that, the arcane servant began channeling a teleportation spell. Kinsale picked up her pack and her heavy mace, and stepped through the portal. She wasn't sure if her heart raced from the effects of arcane transportation or from the thought of standing beside Khadgar once more.

She strode purposefully across Dalaran from the portal exit zone to the Violet Citadel, where Khadgar waited outside, planning out his speech to the Council of Six.

"Khadgar. Archmage. I came as soon as I received your message." Kinsale did not feel like a fluttery schoolgirl with a crush. She felt like a burning meteor hurtling towards the earth, direct and aflame with certainty. She was meant to fight for him, and in doing so, she would fight for Azeroth and the survival of all its creatures.

His eyes softened at the sight of her. Even weary from days of battle she glowed with the force of the Light. The lilt in her voice reminded him of her Dwarven fostering. There is still good in this world, he reminded himself, there is still much to defend from evil.

"Kinsale," he replied, "it is very good to see you. Please, walk with me and I will explain my plan." They walked slowly towards the council chamber as he detailed that for which he sought to obtain approval from the Council of Six. "This may be awkward, because some have suffered much and are not yet able to see clear of revenge and pain. We must be patient with the suffering, but we cannot allow it to stand in the way of a unified fight against the Legion." His face turned grim for a moment. She felt a brief crackle in the air as his anger flared up but was swiftly brought under control.

Side by side, shoulders nearly touching, they turned together and entered the council chamber.

***

The council session was just the beginning of a long day of adventure in search of answers that took them at last to Karazhan, the echoing tower of secrets and strange occurrences, the place where Khadgar had been forced to kill his mentor and was subsequently cursed to appear prematurely aged. In recent years the effects of this curse seemed to have waned, whether through natural decay or curative magic, Kinsale did not know. She was fairly certain, however, that Khadgar did not lightly suggest a trip to Karazhan, in any circumstances.

"I have many memories of this place," he said as they entered the ruined halls. "Most have affected me deeply. I still remember good times alongside the tragedy." He smiled. "The best of all was the library. So many wonders, so many fascinating histories. Records of amazing accomplishments and mundane details of everyday lives. It represents the full spectrum of life on Azeroth. I am always pleased to return to the library."

Kinsale nodded as she followed him up the stairs. "Books can be very powerful things," she said.

They soon reached the library, after dealing with some unruly sentries and strengthening the wards against demonic intrusion. Somewhere in the stacks there was record of a collection of artifacts that, when brought together, could be instrumental in eradicating the Legion and saving the world. They just had to find it.

Some time later, when they were both a bit covered in dust and cobwebs, Khadgar shouted from the other side of the room, "Ah! I found it!"

Kinsale replaced the book she had just pulled from the shelf and ran to peer over his shoulder at the text. In his hands the runes glowed faintly as he turned the pages.

"This doesn't give us specific locations, but it does have a lot of background material about the Pillars of Creation. It should give us an excellent start at tracking them down." He closed the book and his face brightened. "If what we learned from Magni in Ulduar is correct, I think we just might stand a chance, Kinsale. I have hope for the future again."

"And now," he said, brushing a cobweb off his sleeve, "I could use a drink. Research is thirsty work." He reached over and wiped a smudge of dust off of Kinsale's face and smiled. "Portal to Dalaran? I have a discount at the Legerdemain."

Kinsale smiled back. "Sure! I am always up for a pint, especially after good news."

***

They had ensured the book was secure with Archmage Modera before heading over to the inn for a refreshing beverage. Two pints later, Kinsale felt like it was entirely natural for her to be spending the entire day with the charismatic presumptive Guardian of Azeroth.

"There was one time," he was telling her, "when I was having my bath and a spider crawled up on the edge of the tub--a TINY spider, mind you, not one of those Duskwood monstrosities--and I was startled and instinctively iceblocked. Definitely NOT recommended while in the bath. Completely froze the bathwater." He shivered just remembering it. "Took me a while to recover from that one."

She laughed heartily. "That's better than the time in Shattrath when I had just learned to fly a gryphon solo and I summoned my mount and rode off the edge of Aldor rise because it was easier than a direct take-off, and too late discovered that I had summoned my ram instead of my gryphon. Hahahahaha, I spent some quality time with the spirit healer after that one. And me having spent my teens with the Wildhammers!"

Khadgar laughed with her. He was really quite attractive when he was happy and his eyes twinkled. Kinsale didn't think it was beer goggles. She was pretty sure she'd left those in her bank vault. It didn't even occur to her that he was thinking about her along similar lines.

"You know what the best thing about drinking with a mage is?" he asked.

"What's that?" Kinsale tilted her head, trying to guess the answer.

"Portal pub crawls! Where should we go next? What are all your favorite inns?"

"OH! Let's go to Ironforge, where I first discovered cherry grog when I was a freshly minted paladin." She downed the last of her ale as he got up and prepared the portal.

***

"Ah, Ironforge. And nearly Brewfest season, too." Khadgar was preparing to share another amusing anecdote, she could tell. "One time I got so schnockered at Brewfest, I was polymorphing critters, and I turned a rabbit into a sheep, then into a chicken, then into a stag (I'd been practicing a new spell based on druidic shapeshifting) and then I don't remember what happened next. I woke up the next morning with a huge hangover and hearing rumors of a strange beast that appeared to folks after they'd had too many brews. They called it a "wolpertinger" and supposedly you can still see it if you imbibe a few too many at Brewfest." He laughed, greatly amused at the memory.

Kinsale chuckled too. This was the best time she'd had in a long time. She had taken the responsibility of the Draenor garrison so seriously that she avoided revels and hadn't really socialized much at all. But if an archmage could find time, surely so could she? And the grog really was making her feel quite warm and fuzzy.

"Where are we going for our next round?" she asked. "Your pick."

"Hmmmm," he considered, looking at her thoughtfully. "I know a great place for fish and chips." And he opened a portal to Shattrath.

***

"I always liked Shattrath," she said, swallowing a large bite of crispy golden darter. "But I am sort of attuned to the Light, so I guess it's only natural."

Khadgar wasn't as riotous as he had been in Ironforge. He seemed to have settled into a more contented semi-inebriated state, with a soft smile that never left his face.

"The Light is an amazing thing," he said. "The time I spent here after I was cursed, it did a lot to heal me. A'dal taught me much that I would not have learned otherwise. It's my belief that together the Light and the arcane create a better resistance to the powers of void and fel than either would alone. And yet some Light-bearers are so unwilling to accept arcane-wielders and vice versa."

"I've never understood how some of my Light-bearing comrades could be so quick to dismiss the arcane as a power for good. They always point at the mana-addicts to prove how corrupting magic can be, and deny everything positive that has ever come from the arcane community. Power can corrupt anyone, arcane or holy. I mean, just look at the Scarlet Crusade."

"Precisely," Khadgar agreed. "It comes down to lust for power, really. I mean, Sargeras, as a titan, even a fallen titan, already has so much power that he must have a different agenda. But every being that has ever submitted to his design has sought the power he promised. To fight it we have to hold on to our humanity. We have to see the goodness in the world." He sighed. Kinsale was reminded of the late Archmage Rhonin's speech to Dalaran after the fall of Algalon.

"I need another drink," he said. "Where to? Your turn to choose."

Kinsale considered for a moment. "How about Halfhill Market Inn? The drinks are strong, the beds are soft, and if we get kicked out we can always crash at the farm. Also, the Pandaren are geniuses with hangover cures."

"Done," replied Khadgar and created the portal.

***

A few Pandaren brews later, neither Kinsale nor Khadgar were too steady on their feet. They sat together in a corner booth, leaning against each other for support.

"This was a grand idea, Khadgar," said Kinsale, forming her words carefully. "I haven't had a night like this in absolutely ages. My dwarven friends would be so proud."

He turned to smile at her, close enough to feel his breath on her cheek. "We should do this more often. You know, to honor your dwarven friends. Or something." In the corner of the room a moth suddenly turned into a rabbit with a little puff of smoke. "I have lots more stories, and I would be very pleased to hear more of yours. I only know what the records tell of you and what I learned in Draenor."

"And," he said, poking her in the shoulder, "I was very disappointed you didn't work with me to get yourself a legendary ring."

"Ahhhhh," she replied. "I have never been that interested in glory, and there was so much at the garrison to look after, and the shipyard, and supplying everyone with resources to share out among the locals. I just didn't really have the time or the um, the er, uh," she tried desperately to think of the word she meant, " inclination ."

"Oh, well, if everyone had a legendary they wouldn't be so legendary, I suppose." He winked at her.

"So true. One more round before sleep? I'm guessing there will be work to be done tomorrow." Kinsale yawned. Her head drifted a little closer to Khadgar's shoulder and he detected a hint of scent rising in the warmth from her body. He had wished for such simple moments for so many years and had so few opportunities to experience them. This was a gift indeed and he treasured it, though it was a small thing.

"Barkeep? One more round please!" He looked down at Kinsale, who was yawning again. "And then someone to tuck us into our beds."

***

Kinsale woke early the next morning, but the open accommodation loft in the inn was empty except for her. On the chest beside the bed there was a small glass of the famous Pandaren hangover cure, a large steaming mug that smelled like coffee, and a small blue mana gem. She sat up on the edge of the bed, downed the contents of the glass, took a deep draught of the coffee, and picked up the mana gem. It made her fingers tingle slightly and she heard Khadgar's voice, seemingly from inside her head.

"Good morning! I really quite enjoyed the evening's travels and wanted to thank you for sharing it with me. I'm sorry I had to return to Dalaran so very early, I was looking forward to breakfast. I'll have to owe you one. But we're preparing to relocate the city to the Broken Isles and of course I must be there. Please join me when you've rested and we will begin the search for the Pillars."

She took her time getting prepared for the day. It may have been a result of the overindulgence the night before, but she carried a vague sense of unease within her. Kinsale carefully probed the possible reasons for this. Was she becoming too personally attached to Khadgar too quickly? She really didn't know him that well, beyond what everyone else knew. One could never seem to escape the rumours that he had been corrupted when Medivh cursed him so long ago. And now he was carrying Medivh's infamous staff, Atiesh, and using raven form when it suited him. Khadgar claimed to have no wish to be named the new Guardian of Tirisfal, but he had taken up the trappings and was known to wield the powerful magic of former Guardians.

Kinsale followed this to another potential problem. Was the quest to locate and bring together the Pillars of Creation really one that would save Azeroth or one that would doom it to destruction by giving the Legion, or some other dark force, the tools of the titans? Could a corrupt Khadgar really be orchestrating all this?

There were so many questions and so few definite answers. She stood on the porch of the Halfhill Market Inn and gazed out over the fields, watching the mist rise up from the crops in the morning sunlight. There were many doubts, yet there was also that small glowing candle-flame of warmth within her. She had faith in the Light, and knew that it could see much that was invisible to mere humans. If she could just trust in the Light to guide her, as she had so many times before, then she could be at peace with whatever happened.

The selfish part of her hoped that it would involve Khadgar being as honorable as he seemed.

full text available at http://archiveofourown.org/works/8320099

#warcraft #fanfic #khadgar #kinsale #khadgar/oc #excerpt from illumination #mages and paladins and demons! oh my!#legion

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itsiotrecords-blog · 7 years

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http://ift.tt/2ub3yml

Since the advent of photography, cameras have been there for the majority of humanity’s most important events. As a result, there is a long list of photographs that have become world famous and immediately come to mind when thinking of events that we’ve all come to know. The image of a lone man standing in defiance of a line of tanks in Tiananmen Square is one such image. A sailor passionately kissing a woman in the streets as people all around them celebrate V-J Day is another. South Vietnamese National Police Chief Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executing a Viet Cong captain in Saigon is yet another that comes to mind. As many photographs as there are that the world can never forget because they shine a light on some of our greatest triumphs and darkest days. However, there are several others that somehow never took hold. For instance, a photo that exists of one of the primates that traveled to space clutching a newspaper in front of it that reads Space Chimp Lives on the front page never really made a long-lasting mark. Somehow, a photo that of a woman walking her baby in a carriage that is fortified to be gas-resistant while sporting a mask herself in 1938, which shows how scary the world was back then, seems to have already been forgotten. Reflecting on these pictures and many more that deserve much more attention, inspired us to put together this list of fifteen photos of important historical moments you’ve never seen. In order for a photo to be considered for inclusion here, it first needs to capture a moment of some kind of historical or societal importance. It could focus on a movement that changed the way society looks at itself or give us a new way of looking at a major world event like war, famine, particularly horrific natural disasters, or something of that nature. Finally, it has to have been forgotten by most people or never received the level of attention we feel it deserved. It should be said that we can’t say with total certainty that every one of our readers will be unaware of each of the images that follow, of course, as everyone’s knowledge base is different. It should also be said that we are by no means attempting to say that what follows will encapsulate the most important moments in history.

#1 D-Day Destruction One of the most discussed events in World War II, The Invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious assault on land in the history of the world. With the Allies eventually able to prevail after the deaths of many of their soldiers as well as Germans, the destruction was far from limited to the beach as is typically focused on. Normandy itself was a French region that was under the control of the Germans at the time and as you can see here suffered greatly during the period. A picture that shows a shell of a society where a proud one previously stood, seeing a pair of children observing the many decimated buildings shows the personal cost the innocent locals felt.

#2 Kathrine Switzer’s Groundbreaking Run Who knew that someone could think that something as basic as running was ever reserved strictly for men? Of course, anyone with even a passing notion of history will know that there is a long history of sexism and racism that kept large portions of society from activities enjoyed by white men. Obviously an awful chapter in our history, we were fully aware that these types of things happened but this image shows that it went deeper than we ever knew. An image from 1967 in which Boston Marathon organizer Jock Semple attempted to forcibly stop Kathrine Switzer from running in it strictly due to her gender, this photo simply amazes us. At least, we are happy to see that some of the other participants that day kept her safe from his efforts.

#3 The MGM Lion While this photo has nothing to do with a groundbreaking moment in the history of the world, it is connected to one of the most recognized intros in film history. The moment where a footage of the MGM Lion was taken, the resulting images have been a mainstay of the film world ever since. In fact, we’re guessing that you can probably hear the roar that accompanies it at the beginning of more movies than we could ever attempt to list here at this very moment. As a result, we find it incredible that so few people have seen this picture that shows how they put the famed images on film, to begin with.

#4 Walmart’s Relatively Inauspicious Beginning One of the biggest corporations today and an absolute behemoth of the retail world, Walmart, whether you love it or hate it, has done a lot to drive North American society for years now. If another company is fortunate enough to have their product put in some of their stores, it can make or break them which means that they have a large hand in the items that are available to the public. On top of that, they are responsible for employing an incredible workforce which makes a difference in millions of lives. However, there were times when they’ve been demonized for their treatment of their workers. Finally, their incredible negotiating ability has allowed them to undercut the prices offered by many of their competitors which has resulted in lots of thriving businesses disappearing. Keeping that in mind, it is truly extraordinary to think that it all started in this rather unassuming building.

#5 Che & Fidel’s Fishing Trip Two of the most recognizable faces of the twentieth century, these friends and fighters arguably are most responsible for shaping the Cuba we know today. On the one hand, you have Fidel Castro, the man that served as the President of the country from 1976 to 2008 and has been compared to some of the world’s worst modern dictators. Then, there is Che Guevara, an armed Marxist Revolutionary that led a coalition of guerrillas up until his execution and while the ignorant know him from just his T-Shirts, his legacy is extremely polarizing. Seeing these two men that are responsible for the deaths of many and forcibly took control of a country lounging around and fishing like old pals, puts their shared history into a whole new perspective.

#6 Sweden Switches Lanes Alright, this is just a fun one since we weren’t there to feel the incredible frustration that those present on this day must have. A picture that was taken in Sweden on September 3rd in 1967, it shows the confusion and traffic that resulted from the country’s decision to switch the side of the road people drive on. If you think about how this would play out if one day this was switched to where you live now, it will probably allow you to understand why this played out the way it did. Modern society relies on a set of agreed-upon rules that most of us abide by and it fascinates us to see how the slightest change can cause mayhem.

#7 Granada Relocation Center Closes There is no doubt in our minds that World War II is one of the most interesting and horrifying events in the history of the world. As a result, much has been written about it, especially when it comes to the horrible things that the Axis Powers did to millions of innocent people particularly when it comes to the Holocaust. One aspect of the war that a surprising amount of people are unaware of, is America’s decision to forcibly place many Japanese people in internment camps strictly due to their ethnicity. One of the most powerful photos of that decision in our minds is this one where the Granada Relocation Center, one of many locations used to house and deport Japanese people, was closed. It was good that it came to an end but the fact that Shuichi Yamamoto, the last occupant, is shown shaking the hand of Project Director James G. Lindley, blows us away. It may have been an attempt to show respect to those that were forced to live there by James but as one of those responsible, he deserved no such showing in return.

#8 Shocked German Soldiers Speaking of camps used during World War II to house innocents that were wrongly named as enemies of the state, as we have mentioned, the Nazi Death Camps are talked about the most for a good reason. As a result, it may be easily forgotten that aside from those involved in the running of them and housed there, much of the world was totally ignorant of what was taking place. Nazi soldiers have been cast as the enemies of everything just in the world in all forms of fiction. But in reality, there were millions of them that had no affinity for their leaders or their evil deeds. That is even truer when it comes to those pressed into service during the war’s latter days, in all likelihood, just like the men you see pictured above. Fighting on behalf of those responsible, however, once the war came to an end, in many cases, Allied forces showed footage of concentration camps to them against their wills. Seeing men that may not have supported their leaders but were compelled to do their bidding disgusted by the actions of those that commended them, speaks to their humanity in a rather powerful way.

#9 Hiroo Onoda’s War Ends Another one of the Axis Powers, Japan fought tooth and nail against the Allies right up until the decision was made to surrender in 1945. One thing that may shock many, however, is that for a select few Japanese soldiers, their battle lasted decades longer. Instructed by their superiors to hide out on south Pacific Islands and await further commands, they spent years in hiding and fighting a guerrilla war. The man that held out the longest, Hiroo Onoda, kept his efforts up for just short of twenty-nine years due to his disbelief in those that attempted to inform him the war was over. It took the arrival of his commanding officer in person several years later for him to trust his orders to stand out and return to his homeland. Pictured here as he leaves the jungles he called home for all of those years, it is an astounding story of undying loyalty to his country above all else.

#10 Amon Goeth And The Balcony A man that became world famous for his disgusting deeds due to his portrayal in the Steven Spielberg movie Schindler’s List, Amon Goeth was a real-life man that did reprehensible things. For those that saw the film, one of the most affecting moments came when the concentration camp commander goes out on his balcony and starts using prisoners as target practice. Shocking as it shows how casually he saw the taking of another person’s life, he seemed to see his actions as almost a mundane act based on the disinterested posture he took after. We thought we may be able to chalk that up to creative license but it turns out that the real-life man seems to have actually done this as evidenced by this picture of him apparently doing so.

#11 Himmler And His Daughter Of course, Adolf Hitler is the man most identified with the Nazis and their crimes but there were others involved at a very high level. Arguably, the next guiltiest individual in the Nazi hierarchy is none other than Heinrich Himmler. The head of the SS and one of the men most responsible for carrying out the Holocaust, he used his superior organization skills to turn his country into an efficient murder machine. He was also a family man with a loyal wife. He was a father who seems to have adored his children. Pictured here with one of his daughters, if it weren’t for the swastika and our knowledge of the man, this looks like a cute photo of a loving parent and his child. That is what truly astounds us about it; the fact that a man who spent his days creating the machine that carried out such incredible villainy also had a kind streak within him. That puts into perspective the fact that the Nazis were not the mindless evil that they are often portrayed as. Instead, they were human beings that decided to bring about the near destruction of a race of people and millions more.

#12 Children For Sale Almost any parent would be able to tell you about the bond they feel with their children and the pain that permanently losing them would cause. That is why it is so shocking to see a photo of a mother that has put her four children up for sale. Taken in 1948’s Chicago, you may think the photo was a put-on, as her family accused at the time. But it turned out to be very serious. We say that because within two years of this picture being taken, all of the kids pictured were indeed sold, as was the one that she was carrying inside of her at the time. Facing eviction and an inability to find work, this image is proof positive of true poverty and desperation in a country we associate with a great deal of stability.

#13 Georges Blind’s Continued Resistance If you are like us and have lived your life without ever having to worry that government forces are going to rip you out of your world and make you face a firing line, then the idea of this scene is unfathomable. What makes this image all the more unbelievable is the story behind it. The man you see with a smile on his face is a French resistance fighter by the name of Georges Blind. Captured and informed that he was going to be shot and killed if he did not provide information about the resistance, he faced his death with a smile on his face only to learn that it was all a tactic. Intended to scare him into giving up his cohorts, the mock execution is something we can’t even imagine facing. But a man with the strength of character that Georges had didn’t seem to wilt in the slightest. Although he was ultimately sent to a concentration camp and killed upon arrival in late November of 1944, his willingness to pay the ultimate price for his allies and cause should be an inspiration to us all.

#14 Chernobyl’s Elephant Foot An event that resulted in untold destruction, at least forty-nine direct deaths and (according to a study) around four thousand people that died due to the radiation, Chernobyl should never be forgotten. An instance in which a nuclear reactor had its safety systems deliberately turned off; that and other errors resulted in a massive steam explosion and “open-air graphite fire.” A blast powerful enough to thrust the two thousand ton upper plate of the reactor through the roof of the building that housed it, that was actually the lesser of evils as the resulting radiation was more dangerous. The nuclear materials involved resulted in the creation of what’s known as the elephant’s foot. Comprised of something called corium, it is one of the most toxic substances ever created and being in its presence immediately after the fact, was enough to give you lethal radiation poisoning in a matter of minutes. Still dangerous enough a decade later (when this photo was taken) to warp the film, this photo remained something that a more sane man would fear and avoid at all costs. Instead, Artur Korneyev, the man pictured here visited the area more than anyone else in history and is considered to have been exposed to more radiation than anyone else in the history of the world.

#15 Monson Motor Lodge An event that is credited with the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the standoff between demonstrators and the Monson Motor Lodge hotel manager Jimmy Brock shocked the world into action. Yet somehow, the event as a whole and this picture of it taking place, has largely been forgotten in modern society. When the aforementioned hotelier wouldn’t allow Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his guests to dine in his restaurant, it resulted in activists choosing to fight for their rights at the establishment. Opting to enter a segregated pool, it enraged Jimmy and his response was extreme, to say the least. Opting to pour acid into the pool to force them out, it was witnessed by journalists and galvanized a community and resulted in substantive changes.

Source: TheRichest

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Source: TheRichest

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