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323=head2 Volume IX: Ninth Millenia EK 323=head2 Volume IX: Ninth Millenia EK
324 324
3258009 EK: Euthville is destroyed. 3258009 EK: Euthville is destroyed.
326 326
327 327
328=head1 The Sultanate of Darcap
329
330Isolated from the rest of the region by an extensive mountain range to the
331south, and possessing a massive natural harbour, Darcap is a small, but
332easily defensible town, dominated by a pair of powerful guilds. The town
333is also noted for its circus, whose reputation draws visitors from all
334over the world.
335
336
337=head1 Santo Dominion
338
339Santo Dominion sits in a small bay to the north of Scorn. It is an
340important port of call for ships travelling to and from Scorn and is
341also somewhat famous for its Opera and its Litle House of Horrors, two
342magnificent cultural buildings you would not expect in so small a town as
343Santo Dominion.
344
345
328=head1 Euthville History 346=head1 Euthville History
329 347
330The Ruins of Euthville can be found just off the Imperial Highway north of 348The Ruins of Euthville can be found just off the Imperial Highway north of
331Scorn. 349Scorn.
332 350
1438But for him never came again the Elvish girl, and forever his soul stays 1456But for him never came again the Elvish girl, and forever his soul stays
1439alone. And so ends what we know about Butakis and Twak, and so dies my 1457alone. And so ends what we know about Butakis and Twak, and so dies my
1440story. 1458story.
1441 1459
1442 1460
1443=head1 Wolfen the White, The White Hunter, The One Who Listens
1444
1445Wolfen is one of the three moons orbiting around The World. It is said to
1446be the spirit of the legendary hunter Wolfen, who tracked Kalkaruntes, God
1447of the Dragons, to is cavern and vainquished it.
1448
1449In astrology, Wolfen is the symbol of practical mind, swiftness and
1450flexibility, but also cowardice and stealing. It is associated with the
1451Earth element in Alchemancy. Wolfen is seen as a protector by hunters and
1452rangers. Priests of Lythander think it is the reincarnation of the wolf
1453that hunts with Lythander in the divine forests of Nerënna. Fenxes see it
1454as Fixas, the one that saved them from the Humans so long ago.
1455
1456
1457=head1 The Wizard School of Blue 1461=head1 The Wizard School of Blue
1458 1462
1459“Although the School disappeared with the Empire itself from The World, 1463“Although the School disappeared with the Empire itself from The World,
1460several wizards claimed to be the heirs of their ancient, secret wisdom, 1464several wizards claimed to be the heirs of their ancient, secret wisdom,
1461and nicknamed “the Blue Ones”, a reference to the color of the School 1465and nicknamed “the Blue Ones”, a reference to the color of the School
1619Morgul was a Dark Mage that built a tower in the hope of creating a bridge 1623Morgul was a Dark Mage that built a tower in the hope of creating a bridge
1620with the skies, so that demons could attack heavens. Fortunately for 1624with the skies, so that demons could attack heavens. Fortunately for
1621angels, a group of adventurers defeated him in 2374EK. 1625angels, a group of adventurers defeated him in 2374EK.
1622 1626
1623 1627
1628=head1 Wolfen the White, The White Hunter, The One Who Listens
1629
1630Wolfen is one of the three moons orbiting around The World. It is said to
1631be the spirit of the legendary hunter Wolfen, who tracked Kalkaruntes, God
1632of the Dragons, to is cavern and vainquished it.
1633
1634In astrology, Wolfen is the symbol of practical mind, swiftness and
1635flexibility, but also cowardice and stealing. It is associated with the
1636Earth element in Alchemancy. Wolfen is seen as a protector by hunters and
1637rangers. Priests of Lythander think it is the reincarnation of the wolf
1638that hunts with Lythander in the divine forests of Nerënna. Fenxes see it
1639as Fixas, the one that saved them from the Humans so long ago.
1640
1641
1624=head1 Ranisha the Red, The Red Death, The One Who Commands 1642=head1 Ranisha the Red, The Red Death, The One Who Commands
1625 1643
1626Ranisha is one of the three moons orbiting around the world of 1644Ranisha is one of the three moons orbiting around the world of
1627Crossfire. It is said to be the spirit of the legendary warrior Ranisha, 1645Crossfire. It is said to be the spirit of the legendary warrior Ranisha,
1628who was supposed to be an invincible general that was even able to 1646who was supposed to be an invincible general that was even able to
1632also of strength and courage. It is associated with the fire element in 1650also of strength and courage. It is associated with the fire element in
1633Alchemancy. Priests of Ruggili consider it as the watchful eye of their 1651Alchemancy. Priests of Ruggili consider it as the watchful eye of their
1634god. 1652god.
1635 1653
1636 1654
1655=head1 Asferenn the Blue, The Blue Sister, The One Who Suggests
1637 1656
1657Asferenn is one of the three moons orbiting around the world of
1658Crossfire. It is said to be the spirit of the legendary wizard Asferenn,
1659who was said to have been able to force the gate of the divine dimension.
1660
1661In astrology, Asferenn is the symbol of wisdom, endurance in effort,
1662diplomacy, but also treachery and dark secrets. It is associated with the
1663water element in Alchemancy. It is said that the cycle of water creatures
1664are strongly influenced by Asferenn.
1665
1666
1667=head1 Story of Lorkas the Fallen, Volume I
1668
1669I’ll tell you about Lorkas of Amudrias, and how he found the White Bird
1670of Hope, and how he capitained it, opening the Gates of the Sun, and some
1671stuff like that.
1672
1673Some say that Lorkas was an angel of Valriel, that fell long ago from the
1674Skies, stealing a couple of highly holy artifacts, and hiding them in his
1675new underground domains.
1676
1677Some also say that Lorkas is a dark spirit, a lost soul, an unclean,
1678unfaithful, untrusty creature of Doom and Chaos.
1679
1680But, for what matters, some also said that Fido was a fiction, or that
1681the Empire never was more than a dream of a past that never existed. Some
1682definitely are foolishly uninformed for sure, and speak more than they
1683think.
1684
1685Because, if they were less quick on jumping to conclusions, they’d
1686quickly notice how difficult it is for an angel to fall from the sky and
1687never be able to climb back, as if wild gooses were never able to take off
1688again once they land after their long journey to the South.
1689
1690Anyway, as every wise man knows, Lorkas was no angelic creature of divine
1691essence, or even a magical creation of a godly force.
1692
1693Some say that Khelens is the Beginning, first of the Cities of Men. That,
1694too, is untrue: before the Age of Khelens was the Time of the Kingdoms
1695at War. And before them, the Era of Songor the Great. And going back
1696through the thick book of history, you’ll cross Arnistar of the Desert
1697Dwellers, the Republic of the Two Rivers, and the Ancient Haemdel, and the
1698Kingdom of the Long Wall. And before it, the forgotten towers of light
1699that Horadrists built.
1700
1701
1702=head1 Story of Lorkas the Fallen, Volume II
1703
1704Lorkas was born in Kuratas, a small agrarian state that existed on the
1705Coronian Valley, when Songer and Khelens were still in infancy. He was a
1706boy that wanted to see everything, to understand the world and its stars,
1707and discover its limits, for it was extending much further than the mists
1708of his home valley.
1709
1710But life was rude in Kuratas, and trying to think about anything else than
1711your next harvest wasn’t well perceived by most; and, more than often,
1712Lorkas dreamed with tears and despair about the Mountains with the white
1713tops, and Seas that ended only when they touched the sky, far away.
1714
1715Tired of his senseless life, he left his parents, his village, his
1716friends, when he was only 12, and for weeks walked to the West, until he
1717reached the Coast of the Stonewalls.
1718
1719And there, he saw Ottarakans, the Infinite Ocean that extends west of the
1720Old World, and so fell in love for the sea. He then joined the Port of
1721Kridatta, which was famous for its ships, as its inhabitants had mastered
1722a powerful arcane, so that their boats roamed not only the seas, but the
1723very clouds themselves.
1724
1725Because he was smart and quick-brained, Lorkas soon got enrolled in the
1726team of Capt’n Bortaras; and after several adventures I shall maybe tell
1727about another day, he took the succession of the old mariner.
1728
1729Horizon was the name of his ship, and famous was his crew, exploring huge
1730territories and fighting the Princes of Sinas, who back then tried to put
1731the whole area under their iron, greedy grasps.
1732
1733
1734=head1 Story of Lorkas the Fallen, Volume III
1735
1736But Lorkas heard about a wonder that him and his crew soon wanted to
1737find: The White Bird of Hope.
1738
1739Buried in the Very East, it was said to be. And so he sailed east; he
1740crossed the Great Desert, passed the Mountains of Daigojij, reached the
1741forests oft he western normanika. But still was the Bird further away.
1742
1743Reaching the Eastern Ocean, they decided to try to cross it, despite that
1744it was said to be the end of the world. And for 30 days and nights, across
1745tempests and monsters, they firmly kept heading east, east, east.
1746
1747When despair was growing on them, mists magically opened, revealing a
1748golden city built on what seemed to be a rich, fertile coastal plain.
1749
1750People there spoke a strange language; they were small and not unlike
1751joyful foxes, and they welcomed Lorkas and his men (and women)
1752warmly. Soon, they learned to understand each other enough.
1753
1754They called themselves “The People of the Mother”, and they had
1755never seen the “Flat-Eared Giants” before, although they already met
1756“Flat-Eared Beards” and “Flat-Eared Greens” before.
1757
1758But there was a lady called Sonja. And, although she wasn’t human, she
1759seemed brighter, smarter, more beautiful than any other woman Lorkas had
1760ever seen before.
1761
1762Those months were the most wonderful for him - and her - and time seemed
1763to have stopped for them in their endless love. But of course it hadn’t.
1764
1765And after a while, some of his men wanted to go back to their own homes,
1766and some wanted for their families to come to the Golden City. And, also,
1767there was the Bird.
1768
1769They had no problem to find the White Bird of Hope - a statue entirely
1770made of the purest of the white marble, with gemstones of red ruby as
1771eyes. But so much the inhabitants liked it, so they thought that a
1772valuable friend was much better than a valuable statue.
1773
1774And so they said: “Take the bird as a gift of us to your masters, to
1775show them we want to make friendship with them. Welcome are the friends of
1776the children of the White Bird.”
1777
1778And so Lorkas left, promising Sonja that he’d soon return.
1779
1780The people of the Golden City also told him that “The Bird is imbued
1781with powerful magic: the one owning it will always keep hope.”
1782
1783
1784=head1 Story of Lorkas the Fallen, Volume IV
1785
1786When Lorkas came back, he and his men were welcomed as heroes. So where
1787does the story turns sour, as Lorkas is said to have fallen from the skies?
1788
1789Well, when he and his crew came back home, Kridatta was at war with Sinas,
1790and for several years, he and his crew fought, using the power of the Bird
1791to help them. And during those years, Lorkas kept in his heart the hope of
1792seeing again Sonja.
1793
1794Then came the Fever Plague, that killed a third of the people in the
1795Ancient World. And again was the Bird used, and again did Lorkas help all
1796those he could help, still having hope of seeing the Golden City again
1797soon.
1798
1799And then, he sent messengers and explorers, as he had become influent,
1800rich, and powerful, across the seas, to rebind the ties with the Golden
1801City, as he promised. But they all came without finding their way to
1802those faraway shores; yet all that time, and for each new mission sent to
1803explore the seas and the skies, they seemed closed and closer from the
1804goal.
1805
1806Sixty years passed. The world changed; new kingdoms ruled old cities;
1807Lorkas was now an old man that lived in a small house looking at the
1808Ocean.
1809
1810And still, each day, he spent hours waiting, watching the line where the
1811sea met the sky, hoping that one day, one would sail back and tell him:
1812“we found the Golden City !”. And always he hoped, but never received.
1813
1814Nearly all of his companions were now dead, and the Horizon had been
1815retired long ago, now slowly rotting in the bay, fading souvenir of a long
1816forgotten past.
1817
1818
1819=head1 Story of Lorkas the Fallen, Volume V
1820
1821Lorkas walked to his boat, and where there was only tarnished wood and
1822corroded metal, he still saw the fierce ship on which he saw Sonja for the
1823first time, so long ago. Who knows what he did, then? One thing is sure:
1824the vigile of the Sea Tower of Kridatta, that watched boats coming and
1825leaving from dozens of miles away, reported that an ancient ship left the
1826bay, with Lorkas sitting at the front of it, holding the Bird, as if he
1827was sleeping.
1828
1829Nobody knows exactly where he went. Was he even dead? Nobody knows. But
1830everybody kept hope that, one day, he’d reach the Golden City
1831again. Lots of people tried to find the Bird after that event. They all
1832accused Lorkas of having “stolen” it. The story became legend. The
1833legend became fairy tale. And the fairy tale got forgotten by most.
1834
1835Yet, Centuries ago, deep in the oldest parts of the Old City of Scorn,
1836people claimed to have found an ancient mausoleum, a relic of the
1837past. All made of the purest, finest gold. On the walls were engraved a
1838man at the wheel of a strange ship, and a woman with pointy ears, watching
1839the skies. And many nowadays keep the Hope that the White Bird now sleeps
1840down below the streets, having found its way back to home with Lorkas.
1841
1842But who could tell if it is the truth, or only a silly story? Who
1843knows? As for myself, I don’t care: I just hold hope it is. And so ends
1844the Story of Lorkas, and so keeps Hope running.
1845
1846
1847=head1 The Prison of Madness
1848
1849It is said that deep in the underworld there is a vast maze that will make
1850everybody who dares to enter die of madness.
1851
1852It starts in a room, with a row of mirrors to the south. pass through
1853those, and carry on slightly further, and you are in the maze proper.
1854
1855Little is known about the maze, but Worus the Wanderer claimed to have been
1856in it, seen many of its wonders and returned.
1857
1858He also wrote a book that details all the ways and passages, alas, nobody
1859could decipher it yet:
1860
1861gb2trg2gb2gur2rkvg:
18622jnaqre2nebhaq2hagvy2lbh2ybpngr2n2znc2aN,
18632vg2vf2ba2gur2obggbz2ragenapr2bs2n2znc.
18642bapr2gung2vf2ybpngrq2tb2evtug,
18652hc,
18662evtug,
18672evtug,
18682evtug,
18692evtug,
18702evtug,
18712lbh2jvyy2or2ng2gur2rkvg.
18722gb2trg2gb2gur2inhyg:
18732jnaqre2ebhaq2hagvy2lbh2trg2gb2znc2aN1,
1874vg2vf2gb2gur2evtug2bs2n2abezny2znc.
18752tb2hc,
18762yrsg,
18772hc,
18782yrsg,
18792qbja,
18802qbja,
18812evtug,
18822qbja,
18832qbja,
18842qbja.2Lbh2jvyy2or2va2gur2unyy,
18852tb2guebhtu2naq2gb2gur2yrsg2gb2ernpu2gur2inhyg.
1886
1887
1888=head1 Order of the Gravestone
1889
1890An ancient order of druids, that venerated the supposed gravestone of
1891the Spirit of Khalbow. The Spirit was supposed to be a symbol of eternal
1892renewal and redemption, that lived a regular, short-term dead/revival
1893cycle. The Order of the Gravestone was very popular during the first
1894Millenia EK, but then went extinct. No druid is known to exist today, and
1895the exact location of the gravestone has long been forgotten.
1896
1897

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