The History of _______
The Creation of the World
From the Void, known to mortals as the great darkness, sprung the essence of the gods. Over countless millennia the ooze that spewed forth from the void began to take shape, and so the creation of ULTAWAY began. ULTAWAY was but a mass of energy gathering just outside the void, but potential was building as it rested, undisturbed in nothingness. Then something miraculous happened, the void shattered ULTAWAY, and it was no more. from the pieces of what was once ULTAWAY,the world formed. However, before the void closed permanently in this universe, beings in a far off land sensed its surge of energy. These beings were intrigued and traveled through the void to discover what was amiss. These beings were very powerful indeed, but when they crossed the void, what they found captured them so, that they forgot to travel back through before the void was no more. But little did it matter, because these three beings had found a world already formed, ready to hold the life that they had put on other worlds that had come to ruin.
But this world was different, it had its own energy to sustain it. These beings could not destroy it with their petty quarrels, It was alive. This sense of life that they had never before felt filled them all with such a feeling of awe that they would not have destroyed this beautiful world, but they all had a different sense of the life. The first of the three to discover the world wanted to study the life and to learn why it made him feel so. The second of the three wanted to create beings to inhabit this world so that they too could know the joy of what it felt. And the third of the three wanted to control this new sense of power that lay within this world and use it to further it's own ends. And so the three gathered together, and they created life other than their own. From their own essence was created the first races of this new and exciting world.
Creation of the first Races
These races came to be known as Elves, Humans, and Slar. Each of the races was imbued with a sense of their creator so that each could further the pursuits of the higher beings. The Elves, created from the good natured second of the three, exulted in every experience that their sheltered wood had to offer them. The Humans, with their short life spans, lived life to it's fullest and developed much as a culture. The Slar, created by the last of the three, fell to ruin. Their disputes over who would control the power of their society lead them to what would have been extinction, but for their evil creator. The last of the three would not allow her beings to fail, when the other two had succeeded in their designs, and her jealousy lead to the first of the Race wars.
The First War of the Races
The cause of this war to most is lost to history, but the three beings remember it's lesson well. Because of this war, many things were created. The world that was inhabited by the races would not allow its own destruction, and so many things were born to end the war. The world created the animals and creatures that now inhabit it in one last burst of energy that depleted its resources of energy. However, it retained enough to sustain itself in the blast, but the loss gave more control over the world to the three beings, and they took advantage of that. The three created even greater beings to combat each other and the other races and creatures that now inhabited the world. And so was the creation of Dragons.
The Dragons were the essence of each of their creators, and were much the same. But the whole of their creators ideas were separated into five different ideal isms, which each separate kind of the beasts inherited. But the Dragons were not the only things created in this war. Members of the races were mutated into others. The last of the Slar became Ogres, Goblins, Orcs, and Bug Bear. From the learned Humans sprang forth Halflings, Gnomes, and Dwarves. And perhaps the most devastating came to the Elves. They were forever subverted to one essence of life that they had originally embraced. The Gray Elves became the learned who so easily embraced the essence of the earth through what was known as magic. The Dark Elves came to be through the Elves subverted while fighting the evil Slar, and were driven to madness that was the root of their evil. However the High Elves became the carefree wood landers of old, but that lasted only until a greater responsibility was layed upon them when they would come of age. They would become ambitious and restless (if elves can ever be considered so) and some left the more established High Elven society. These few who were restless in the formations of society lived a tribal life outside of the more organized Elves and would later become known as Wild Elves.
Although one might consider this a very large amount of change, it was fairly small in comparison to what happened next. While the three had been so wantonly producing new races and creations, traces of their essence were discarded, unknowingly, and had formed new beings by the wars end. From three very large pieces of the original three formed three new beings that most resembled the original. These new beings had fancied names for themselves however so that they would be known to the beings the inhabited the world. The first of the three, formed from the good natured being, was called Solarus, the second fashioned from the evil being was called Lyim, and the third of the group was called Maln. From smaller deposits of the three beings formed minor beings, even when compared to the newly born Solarus, Lyim and Maln, and they were not as pure as the three larger gods, the energies that had created them had been mingled in some cases. And so were the lesser gods created. Tirano from neutral energies mingled with remnants of good, Moffat from neutral and evil, Sidhe from good, and Antryg from a rare combination of all three. These were not the only lesser beings created, but the others had been infused with some of the energy excreted by the world. From this came one god that could almost rival Solarus and the rest of the first born, he was Shilafi, but he cared not for the other gods ambitions. Their was but one more god that was created totally from the worlds energy, and it was the lesser god Hyloka, patron to the creatures and their environment. The last two gods created were mingling of the three beings discarded energies, and the traces of the earths energy. In this manner did Searbita and Eleuth come to be. One representing death, the destruction of life, and the other the Protection of it.
By the time the original three had realized their mistake, it was already too late. The gods had been born. Not only had the gods been born, but the original three's outbursts of energies had awakened the void one last time, and for their wanton destruction of the harmony that existed on the world the void had nourished, were forever banished from this universe. Only the gods created in the universe remained of the celestial powers, they could not be banished because of their strong ties with the world and it's energies that had brought them to life. They belonged there. They had been brought to life to restore and preserve the world and it's inhabitants in their own way.
The Rise of Mortals
The most notable rise in the mortal races was seen in that of the elves. They had been civilized when the old gods were still on this plane and the humans were still in a state of barbarianism. They constructed great tree cities, one of the few created wonders in the world at that time, that were entwined within the trees so that it was near impossible to tell where nature left off and the elves' creations began. However the elves were not the only ones to create. All of the races had settled regions throughout the world that most suited their needs. There they started the creations of what today may be considered natural wonders but back then were just shadows of there present day majesty.
As the mortals grew and learned, so did the gods that now existed in the heavens. The races of the world new that they were there, or suspected, if not simply because of their constellations in the night sky but also the events that occurred throughout the land that can only be classified as miracles. As the races of the world became more mature, the gods made themselves known to them more frequently. They sent dreams to those that pleased them, and gradually they gained followers. Temples were set up, and the races gained their first taste of what to them seemed like magic. The followers of the gods could sometimes do things that would amaze and astound others, like healing the sick and unleashing disease. Creating fire in the dampest conditions and calling up creatures only imagined.
There were a select few, that were followers of the god Shilafi, that could call upon magic from the earth and not through the calling of a god or other celestial power. Little did they know that they were not calling their powers from the earth, but from something long forgotten. The Void. Shilafi had mastered some control over the Void that all of the gods feared more than their own destruction. All but Shilafi. He saw the void as a tool that could be harnessed and used, but never abused. The consequences of such were dangerous and unpredictable, but the power that could be called was a match even for the power that the gods could give their followers. Only the most ambitious of mortals went to the god Shilafi or one of his followers for the knowledge of how to harness the powers of the Void. When those powers were abused, the best that one could hope for was quick death. Not only did the Void exact its vengeance, but the god Shilafi would punish the impudent also. Such was the price that the god paid for his knowledge of the Void, he was not a vengeful god, but he was an imaginative one.
The magi, as they were called, were not totally wrong in their assessment. The magic that they controlled, as far as they could tell, did stem from the world itself. However, the magic they were harnessing for their own purposes was the magic the Void had fed to the world. Only the god Shilafi himself could harness the pure energy of the Void, and not have to rely on the latent energy the world could muster. He was the Void's instrument and he also kept the other gods from discovering the secrets of the Void that he so coveted.
Shilafi was not the only one who saw the energy of the Void as a means to an end, and Shilafi was not the only one who knew it's secret as he thought. One mortal of extreme talent had discovered a good many of it's secrets. He was an elf who thought he could do anything, and wanted more than just the world. He wanted gods to see his might. He was not afraid of Shilafi, or the consequences of misuse of the magic. He could defeat them all. His name was Rydall.
Rydall
Rydall was an exceptional elf. He was so talented in the magic arts he quickly learned all there was to teach from every mentor who would offer his services. In the end, he was forced to go to Shilafi himself. Shilafi saw in this mortal what he saw in no other, he saw the potential for greatness. However, Shilafi also saw that Rydall's ambition was great, but he hoped to tame his soon to be pupil. Rydall gained more power than any magi that had ever lived. He learned that the Void was the true source of power, and he vowed to one day make that power his. However, he needed to keep his secret from Shilafi, and that was hard. Had Shilafi not been busy gaining power for himself, he may have discovered Rydall's intention.
Rydall continued his study, but no other clue to how to gain direct access to the Void's energies was made known to him. But due to Rydall's growing power and influense over others he gained a very large number of followers. Almost one third of the elven race championed his cause, and Rydall proved himself in many battles against enemies of the elven race. Rydall was to be made King of the Elven race.
Kingship was not Rydall's goal, and before he could be made king he attempted to contact the Void itself. The entity that is the Void heard Rydall's plea and did respond. It gave Rydall what he wanted. It gave him the power to ascend to godhood. There was a catch to the deal. Because the Void was angred by Shilafi's use of it Rydall was to destroy Shilafi and take his place.
Rydall challenged Shilafi, but Shilafi was ready. He felt Rydall's gain in power from is home in the heavens but was not worried. Shilafi and Rydall met. Once master and student, now equals. Shilafi was an arogent god but not stupid, and he had more experience than Rydall. However, Rydall was defeating Shilafi due to Shilafi's carelessness. Shilafi was making it appear Rydall was winning on purpose. What Rydall did not know, was that the Void never intended for Rydall to win. The Void needed Rydall dead.In that instant, the Void took from Rydall all of the power it had given him.
For his trangressions, Rydall was punished. He was sent to an eternity of non-existance inside of the Void. Tormented by the Void itself. In addition the elves that had allied themselves with Rydall were punished. Their mortality was taken from them, but not for a good cause. They became Undead protecters that existed in the world itself that would be protecters of the magic. Magi who had abused the power were destroyed by the spirits and made one of them. The spirits could also aid a Magi in search of knowledge, but not without a price. The place of rest for these spirits has been lost throughout time, but it is said that they come from a well that stretches down to the core of the world itself or possibly beyond...
The Aftermath
Rydall and Shilafi's combat did not leave the earth unharmed. Since the Void is the true source of the magic, the combat left the link between the Void and the earth unusable. Not only did the magic die out of the land, but the battle itself took it's toll. Thousands died. Whole species became extinct, creatures that have been long lost to time and it's many centuries. Mountains were raised and water filled in new seas and oceans. The world was forever changed.
The earth however was made to last, and it did. No petty combat between a shell of a man and an angry diety could destroy this masterpiece. However, it's occupants were another matter. For Rydalls transgressions all of the elven race was punished. Taken from them was there near immortality. They were given more time to mature to try and assure one like Rydall could never agian rise to power. And above all, their magic was taken from them.
Others did not escape The Aftermath unscathed. The humans, still being a primative race, were held up anywere they could due to the population of the other races. The many creatures of evil survived because their diety protected them in fear she would lose her followers. Solarus was less afraid, assured a balance would be maintained between good and evil. He felt there loss, but would not intervene.
The Scales Tip
During this time in history, a most dark time, the balance of power tips toward Lyim. After Rydall, the celestial powers did little to help the mortals. Most believed their brethren, Shilafi, to have been in the right. They felt any punishment the mortals recieved was due them. Few resisted for fear of a war between them, but a small number spoke up at council. Among them, Searbita and Tirano.
Althought Solarus cared for his creations, Lyim had tricked him into neglecting hid duties and his followers. He was still a young god yet, and did not fully understand what the balance of powers meant. Although he thought, and still thinks himself supreme, he has flaws as all do. During this time of neglect, Evil rose to try and conqure the earth for itself.
Many pleaded to the gods for forgivness, but Rydall's transgressions had left Solarus and the other good gods doubting the good nature that they had once believed exhisted in the basic nature of the races. For this, they stayed nuetral for a time in the world's affairs so that they would learn the lesson of what evil can do to them.
Darkness Falls
During this time a kind of perpetual Darkness was born. Not all areas suffered from it's full extent, for the gods were still weak in comparison to there now mighty selves. However, those that did characterize the period with plauges, natural desaster, and war. Evil reigned supreme, and seemingly unchallenged. This was not so. The good gods were not dormant, but as more turned to evil, the more power they lost. To rectify this, Solarus went in search of a champion.
He went first to the elves, his true embodiment on the mortal plane, but they refused to become involved in the chaos that had taken so many of their lives. Next he went to the humans, but they spurned him in favor of the greater power offered by the gods of evil. This confused and upset Solarus who decided to wait until a sutible mortal had been born of his chosen race or the more nuetral humans.
The answer to his problems came from a most unexpected source. They came from Searbita. She brought to him one of genuine goodness. She was a halfling. Her name was Heratius and she would be remembered forever by all the races in one form or another.
Heratius
Heratius would later become much more than a halfling. She would be the founder of a knighthood, a protecter of life, a patron saint, and a god. Although that was later, and this is now. Solarus was skeptical at first, but soon saw the truth of Searbita's words. Heratius was a most facinating individual. She was truly good and so Solarus gave her a quest. As reward he offered eternal life as a god. Heratius, being a truly good person, declined, stating that she required no reward for her service.
And so Heratius was given her quest. Find on man, true of heart, sound of mind, and pure. Heratius did not know how to do such a thing, but decided she would first go to the elven kingdoms where she would most likely find such a man. However, as Solarus had dicovered, none there were fit to become the champion the world so desperatly needed.
Next she went to the humans, as Solarus had, and found many who she thought might have the qualifications demanded of them, but none of them could pass the tests set before them. Finally she was forced to admit the task set before her was near impossible when someone made themselves known to her. Antryg.
Heratius' Deal
When Antryg appeared, Heratius did not know quite what to expect. He appeared to her in the form of a man of average height, carrying with him many packs and pouches as well as a mule fully loaded with wears. Antryg asked her if there was anything he could trade to her, and being quiet desperate at this point, she said quiet jestfully, "a man true of hear, sound of mind, and pure." To this Antryg replied quickly, "And what would you trade for the identity of such a person." Quite surprised by the man's response, she could not speak right away, and so Antryg repeated himself a second time. To this she said, "I would trade anything that I own for such a being."
At this Antryg was quite pleased, and told her that if he would reveal to her the identity of such a being, then she would then be obligated to fullfill one of his needs at a later time. And she agreed quite extatic that she would finally find what she had been looking for. At that very spot, Antryg revealed to her in an image the face of a human male, quite homely in appearence and well muscled from manual labor. Also Antryg told Heratius the name of this man. It was Thesius.
Heratius' Search
Throughout the next year of her life, she tried without success to locate the man by the name of Thesius.