Ancient History

The following historical accounts were put together by the historians and scribes of House Sole, piecing together what they could from legend, handed down tale, word of mouth and the few works of literature that managed to survive the flood, famine, earthquake and the coming of the Sphere. It is noted that these are the watershed moments that the rest of the history was grouped around. As such, with modern times recorded as "After the Sphere, or A.S." others are noted accordingly.


Pre-History

Magic unknown to the world coursed through the veins of the lush, untamed lands. The streams and rivers that spanned the terrain carried in their currents the vibrant torrent of magical energy. The life stream from the very core of the world itself stretched its tendrils, projecting its energy deep into the soil. Life began to sprout all around, the energy and cosmic spirit that had been held deep inside the life stream welling up in the forms of flowers, trees, and beasts to tread upon it. And with the release of this energy, the pure magic form that would become known as ‘elf’ emerged from the mystical energy of the planet itself. These first elves were passionate and savage beasts, knowing in life that they were the chosen few, descended directly from the life stream and granted the higher connection to the magic focus of the planet itself. Gathering together in the form of loose tribal units, these first elves lived without knowing much of their magic potentials, the intensity of their relationship with the land giving them the unspoken agreement with the planet to live their lives as caretakers of the natural beauty that had spread across the world. But as with all things in life, a balance with the natural world would be upset if the elves took too much of the life force energy from the world itself, and they would become aware of the precious balance between dark and light, good and evil. They would also become acutely aware of the precious nature of life and all that would be derived from it. The tribal units continued to develop, their collection of communities spread out in caves, makeshift treetop constructions and in large hollowed out trees. The communities would eventually evolve around the leadership of a central figure, typically a wizened elder who had managed to harness their magical energies. The beautiful and artistic nature of the elves had them communicating in a highly visual, very physical and emotive system of gestures and even dance. Due to the loose structure of each society, and the fact that they were basically a savage and tribal people, writings were not kept, the only record that has survived from this period of time are cave drawings, odd sculpture, and oral tradition. Some of the richest stories that are still handed down from father to son, mother to daughter are based in events that came from this time, when the moral and ethical values were being developed. It is also said that the most in tune of all elves with their people are those that can communicate simply through gesture in hand and body. Contact with other two-legged, upright races was avoided at all costs, the general belief that had passed through the communities, from the birth of communication, that to do so would upset the balance of the forest in such a fierce, destructive way that the forest and the creatures descended from the life stream would only be made to suffer. Their only solace would be to become one with the forest, and to seek the solitude of it. Other upright creatures were said, although it was typically just rumor, that they would consume the flesh of the forest and strip the trees of their life essence, leaving behind only death. Elves took it upon themselves to replace that lost essence, through the magic they were learning to harness, the physical planting of tress and other fauna, and hunting and gathering with prudence and moderation so they would not anger the life force and the spirits that dwelled inside. With this, the savage and wild elvish peoples would live their life under strictly isolationist principals.


Before the Flood

A time of peace and prosperity surged through the loose collection of elvish peoples. Spread all throughout the forest and unified by the common bond of their interests to protect the forest above and beyond all else, the crude hunting and gathering populations began developing a more localized and fixed value system involving pride in craftsmanship, possession and ownership of property, and an increased sense of culture based on the teachings of tribal elders. With a nearly unified system of beliefs, the loosely scattered tribes and villages of elves were evolving into a full fledged society. The first of the great chieftains, Lamkah, emerged to seize influence over her peoples. Little is known about Lamkah, short of the stories of legend that were passed down from generation to generation. What is known is that she was a fierce traditionalist and a mighty warrior who spent her entire life going from one elven village to another, all across what would eventually become the Towskish Empire, teaching the traditional values of the elvish people, being credited with bringing them writing, the longbow and domesticated horses. Widely considered the first Champion of the elvish people, Lamkah spent the majority of her life bringing civility to her race. After several years of visiting villages and meeting with tribal elders, Lamkah found herself in a small village of elves in the furthest northern part of the forest. All was well with the people therein, a thriving community of farmers who had learned how to harness the lands energy to bring forth crops of fruits. All was peaceful and well in the village, until one morning when a scout signaled back a disruption in the forest. Lamkah and several of the village’s finest warriors made their way briskly through the forest, using stealth and their knowledge of the trees to shield them from view. They came upon a small group of two-legged savages, taller and not nearly as sleek as their elvish counterparts, taking from the forest without regard for the loss they were causing and the disruption of balance. The first encounter with the beast from legend, eventually known as humans, would be marked by the ignorance the creatures would show in cutting down trees and destroying all of the game they could find without using skill to accomplish this. Horrified by the actions of the humans, Lamkah and her party stalked them for several days, unable to pull their eyes away from the terrible sight before them. After several days of watching this, Lamkah returned to the northernmost village, telling the tales of destruction. Talks began between the elven tribes as to how to best approach these beasts, if at all. Lamkah, in her great wisdom, saw the danger in this. After all, if they could so easily and carelessly take the life of an animal, why would the elven people be any different?

Slowly moving southward, her journey took many years, and everyone agreed with her until she returned to the southernmost tribes. There, she encountered the first dissent to her idea of staying away from the humans. The elves of the southernmost tribes were interested in meeting with and coming to know the human tribes, claiming that the culture and art alone of another race would make it worth the possible danger. The southern tribes of the Zen and Abtal immediately began forming a party to greet the human tribe. On the morning of their planned departure, disaster struck.


The Flood

In the furthest reaches of the forest a shudder was felt as the life stream erupted from the ground in a geyser that surged up, the crystalline spire easily seen from the outermost points of the forest. The water continued to soak the forested soil for many days, slowly filling the valley to the south with what was once considered the giver of life. Animal life in the south was decimated as the few beasts of land that could swim were unable to ride the wave far enough to survive. The elven tribes that existed to the south were annihilated, hundreds of thousands of elven lives lost in a raging wave that could not be avoided. Destroyed were the tribes of Zen and Abtal, leading proponents of introduction to the round-eared species. None of their clan remained, though the Abtal tribe was thought to have plenty of time to escape upon sight of the upsurge. Also destroyed were the Kaltuk tribe, a group of hunters whose savage nature made them avoided at all costs. Before their demise it was said that if you were not of their tribe, signaled by eyes of vibrant crimson, the tribe would hunt and eat, elf or not. Little else is known of them, though tales are told to this day to scare children into going to bed when told.


After the Flood

The waters slowly receded, though not as far as before. What the life stream left was an enormous lake of crystalline blue water, the liquid more pure and clean than any that had graced the land previously. Slowly fish and other underwater life grew and developed, populating the waters with never before seen plants and animals. Somewhere beneath the depths of the water, the fallen tribes still lay.
All tribes agreed to meet to discuss the disaster. This was the first formal gathering of all of the elven tribes from the northern border near the plains to the southern reaches of the elven lands near the ocean. The central location was decided to be just north of the great lake created by the flood. Representatives from all of the villages assembled, building tents and other crude structures to protect the assembly from the gradually rising temperature. Fifteen tribes and villages were represented in this council, each laying claim to some example of skill and talent. The loss of the fallen tribes left a massive hole in leadership, this being felt still five generations before. Stepping forward was one elf woman named Elebrial Towstin, a beautiful elfin of surpassing talent in the mysterious blue magics. Born of a tribe that lived near the edge of the lake, her people were widely revered as being exceptionally wise and skilled with woods lore. Her striking, silver haired presence and gentle nature lead the grouping of elves to swear their allegiance to Elebrial, six of the tribes joining with the existing village to found the town of Tow, named in Elebrial’s honor. The other eight tribes swore their loyalty and protection over the newly founded town, offering to protect the borders of the surrounding areas, while sending an emissary to the town itself to speak on their behalf in the councils, with Elebrial at its head. One of these council members, Hithdur of the Aeodoc village, known for their skill in crafting bows and weapons. Hithdur was a robust, rugged warrior known throughout the southern lands as a great protector and highly honorable elf. His dark and brooding presence was attributed to the loss of his sister to some unknown two-legged creatures to the north, while they scouted the forest. A passionate love bloomed between Elebrial and Hithdur as they worked closely together, their attempts to strengthen the growing elvish lands being met with peace and success, the slowly spreading word of tranquility and security bringing hope to the people of the Southlands. In a timeless day, the date of which has long been lost to recorded history, Elebrial and Hithdur were mated, on the sands of the crystalline lake. A light snowfall fell in the humid heat, the presence of an otherworldly influence felt by all. Prosperity allowed each of the villages to grow, the town of Tow developing at an incredible rate as people flocked to it as a cultural center, as well as the focal point of commercial traffic. Strange tales continued to pour into the taverns of the town, stories of wickedly savage barbarians from the north and highly advanced, curious elves to the south, living across the ocean. Little was heard of the elves in the south, it being said that the massive distance kept them from fully recognizing the council as a figure of authority. Elebrial and Hithdur had four children, the eldest a dusky skinned young woman with vibrant eyes of gold named Glywen. Blessed with her mother’s social acumen and her father’s honor and skill with the blade, Glywen formed the beginnings of the elvish army, focusing them on defense of the client villages and the still growing town. Word came quickly to the town of Tow, the northernmost village of Aeodoc, village of Hithdur, had been destroyed by a roaming band of two-legged savages. Rounded ears and eyes, thick and chunky builds, these creatures swept in from the north, their barbaric ways bringing the crimes of murder, rape, arson and theft into the growing list of elvish fears. Houses all along the border were systematically attacked by these raiders, soon garnering the name of human. Upon hearing word of the attacks, Elebrial and Hithdur, along with Glywen and the newly functional, yet small, army marched north to meet the invaders head on. A fierce battle loomed where nearly every elf with combat training was killed, including Hithdur. Glywen carried her mother’s broken form from the field, laying her in the center of the burned village. With her dying words Elebrial granted to Glywen the wish that she protect and defend the villages and the town, unite them under a common influence. On this day Glywen named herself the first Queen of the people of Tow, uniting the client villages in a loose Kingdom. The massive loss of life along the northern border brought a guilty sense of angst to the elvish people, for the threat of these humans would remain at the forefront of their worries.



Before the Famine

Glywen’s reign was one of prosperity and cultural growth. The formation of a single kingdom allowed the elvish peoples to flourish. Arts and crafts became prominent in the society as interests centered on personal growth and expansion of the mind. This exploration into honing the elvish wisdom and culture had an end result of two things: population explosion and the development of the first mystical runes that would unlock the elvish gifts. Queen Glywen brought forth a council of elders from each of the villages surrounding the growing city of Tow, seeking their advice on the day to day government of the kingdom. In an effort to reward those most loyal to her through their good advice, the basic formation of classes in society. The families of those who had proven service to the Queen were given rewards of land and riches, the remainder expected to earn them through deed and fealty. Thirty years passed with isolated cultural growth, the kingdom being widely recognized by all elvish peoples as the center for learning and sophistication. Glywen was still unmated and without child, her focus on her duties the glue of her life. It was said that she was one of the chosen by the first ones who formed the lands and that as such, she would be unable to have children. While not of the age to need worry about an heir, a looming sense of foreboding and doom lingered in her heart, so she sought out her most trusted advisors, thinking internally about who would eventually replace her. Her choice, though long and difficult, rested in the hands of a twenty year old elf named Haruzik Boen. Known as a mystic of some ability, even at such a young age, Haruzik was still one prone to having to face the lessons of life first hand, rather than gaining the experience of his elders. A proud, boastful man with every confidence that he could right any wrong situation, Haruzik gladly and happily took the mantle of heir, knowing full well that one day he’d be King.

And then came the humans. Swarms of round-ears swept into the kingdom, news of the flourishing crops and beautiful and artistic riches drawing the savages like moths to a flame. Long had the sense of peace graced the hearts of the elves, the onslaught quick, brutal and totally unexpected. Crops were burned, children murdered, elves raped and tortured. Several prized artifacts of the elvish nation were stolen, never to be seen again. The elves rallied, skilled warriors and tribal elves came down from the treetops, out of the deep forests and from all sides of the lake. Known as the "Battle of Nations", massive loss of life came with the fight to drive the humans from elvish lands. All told it took more than twenty years to accomplish the task, rumors still whispered that some human blood found its way into certain elvish family trees. Glywen was grievously wounded during the battles, humans managing to breech the gates of her castle, making their way to her bedchambers before being routed by a single elvish protector, clad only in black robes and unknown by any name. Feeling the toil of age and her wounds, Glywen announced the ascension of Haruzik Boen to king, where it is said that on the day of coronation Glywen disappeared into a shimmering light of silver and gold light. The reign of Haruzik Boen, King of Tow had now begun.


After the Famine

Intent on rebuilding the kingdom to the shining light of peace and tranquility that had marked the elvish peoples for decades before, Haruzik Boen decided that the time was right to explore his mystical talents and to develop these with likeminded individuals. Long since before it had been said that there were practitioners of magical arts, the old tribal shamans and wizards of villages who were suspected more of using cantrips and slight of hand than actual magics in their routine. Haruzik knew differently, in his long discussions with Glywen it became obvious that the elvish blood was rich with the essence of their life-stream, that intense blue magics coursed with strength in their veins. King Haruzik became madly intent on tapping this resource, picking the brains of any scholar and knowledgeable individual he could find. Haruzik took a mate named Milani, who mated simply for the eventuality of producing an heir. Their first, and only, son was named Edai. A soft spoken and timid child, scholarly and gifted with an inborn wisdom and trust of his people, Edai strove to please his father beyond all else. Edai and Haruzik spent their days for years discussing magic theory with other scholars and becoming quite adept in their collective magics. Together this council of scholars worked out a series of elvish runes, providing them with amazing gifts, ability to push away darkness, protect from bodily harm, enhancement of vision and most importantly, the ability to call forth a bountiful feast of fruits. Pleased by this discovery and the knowledge that anyone with this blue gift inside them could be a benefit to the Kingdom, Haruzik announced that those displaying these special talents would be given preference over those who could not, for their contribution to society would be deemed that much greater. A decade passed as the society struggled to catch up to this concept, the lifestyle of Tow growing more rich and decadent without the evil of starvation to be a worry. Life in the city by the lake came easy to most elves, a mandatory term in the small band of militia, an education by scholars that would brainwash the student in the virtues of magics and the importance of a single ruler. Edai was named SunJin of Tow by King Haruzik, this title meaning several things including King’s Advisor and Magical Authority of Tow. Haruzik would become more and more reclusive over the next decade, while the population of Tow would again swell back to nearly its pre-famine size. It became rumored that Haruzik was slowly going mad through his desire to explore magics to their fullest extent, obvious in his unnaturally long lifespan. More and more common it became for Edai to be seen in public, speaking as the voice of the King. And thus came the traditional role for the SunJin, the one who would speak in the name of the King before the people of Tow.

A glorious ceremony marked the third decade of Haruzik’s rule, a mating ceremony between SunJin Edai and a vibrant young elfin by the name of Kuron Sage. A stunning beauty the likes of which hadn’t been seen in Tow in ages, Kuron was said to be from one of the outlying villages, each of which claimed her as a life-long resident. Said to be the thing that inspires works of art, Kuron was the fanciful daydream of males and females alike, women wanted to be her, and men wanted to be with her. It was only natural that such a lovely specimen of the elvish people would end up with someone as important as the SunJin. Short and fiery their relationship was. Stories of heated arguments in public, lavish displays of affection and even ownership as well as intense debate in magic theory and the mystical nature of elvish blood were all common. One morning Edai came to the great willow tree in Tow and spoke before the citizens that he was announcing his second in command, his SorJin, and named Micthlanti Evorr. Inspired by blind rage, Kuron, it is said, drew forth powerful green energy and destroyed Edai’s mind, controlling it through her own will and forcing Edai to take his own life. The warped, twisted shell of Edai’s body filled with green energy, escaping into a massive black void, removed from the world of the Tow. Edai’s spirit was not so lucky, getting drawn into Kuron’s own spirit energy, a captive of her dark green soul. Escaping under cover of darkness, it is said Kuron disappeared to the far off reaches of the lands, building up and harnessing her dark powers.

Recognizing this dark threat, SunJin Micthlanti Evorr rounded together those individuals skilled in magic arts under a united ideal of elvish purity in its true form, calling them the JaiChen or Royal Mages Guild. Peace and prosperity would spread through the Empire again, at a rapid pace, the people finding their vast wealth in silver and lumber as an economic boon to their populace. Without the fear of random attacks from forest creatures and the security for personal beautification and property ownership, the citizens of Tow would begin to aspire to an intellectual renaissance. Each of the following SunJin have followed the basic premise that as the voice of the Emperor, it is their duty to further improve upon the quality of lifestyle for their people. Interestingly, the general population since the administration of the first SunJin hasn't seen the King.


Before the Earthquake

Generations came and went under this cultural and spiritual growth in Tow. The city itself grew, roads were cobbled, trees were planted and the city itself became a spectacle of beauty and wonderment the likes that had not been seen in the Four lands ever before. The city developed around half the lake, centers for learning and entertainment found on every street. The JaiChen grew in power and influence, becoming the role models that the citizens would look to. Their ideals of purity, chastity and beauty in life would be an excellent way of life to emulate. A hierarchy of the JaiChen was formed and developed over time. A SunJin to lead them. A SorJin to assist. Two Inquisitors to investigate crime and speak the word of the King. Trainers to guide the lifestyles of new JaiChen. Elite to spread the word of the King and investigate crime. Acolytes to learn their gifts and live the pure lifestyle Even though much time had passed, somehow, it is said that King Haruzik was still in charge of the Kingdom and that the skilled healers of the JaiChen had found a way to prolong him magically so that his wisdom might still benefit the people. The lifestyle in Tow became so that the rich got richer, money hoarded by skilled and influential families and the poor maintained a meager lifestyle where food was provided to them for no effort. With boredom came crime, with crime came punishment and with punishment came the necessary role of DokJin, Executioner of Tow. Known only by sight and without name, the DokJin was an elf that could kill without guilt, command the respect of even the highest of influence and importance. While petty crimes were an annoyance to the JaiChen, the threat of larger and more elaborate crimes in the distant parts of the empire became more and more frequent. An organize militia was formed. Instead of terms of service for all citizens it became necessary for elves who joined to be offered lifetime duties, the requirements for membership very strict and able to brutally weed out the undesirables. The control of the militia was placed in the hands of the family of Kondei, known to be skilled crafters of weapons, it was proven that their ability with blades was second to none. Traditionally a loose clan of somewhat barbaric, darkly spirited elves, the introduction of this family turned the base of Tow on its ear. Instead of fair and soft spoken elves learning the lifestyle of purity there was this element of loud, rude and exceptionally cocky dark-skinned elves drinking, telling horribly dirty jokes and bringing a sense of wicked brooding to the city. Taverns developed as the entertainment lifestyle shifted from theory and debate to drinking, carousing and even social brutality. The harsh tribal lifestyle had invaded Tow, the chieftains of the Kondei village finding it quite entertaining to share their wisdom with the soft elves of Tow. Several small threats skirted the borders of the Kingdom, the Kondei militia selflessly averting it with well trained and brutal success. Time and again an attack would come from a band of humans or a beasts from outside the forest and time and again the militia would rout it. With success came pride, with pride came influence. Seeing their own influence waning and the threat of this non-gifted element on society, the JaiChen acted. Seeking to create a protective force around the city of Tow as a whole, the JaiChen conducted a ritual that would combine their blue magics into one concerted effort, causing a shimmering, protective dome to encompass the city as a whole. The magics grew, the blue lights shined in the whole city and in the end the JaiChen lost control. A massive earthquake shook the city to its very foundation, an entire level of it lost as it fell down the cliff-side and into the lake below. A level of the city was lost to the underground, the basic layout of which would later become Tow’s sewer system. Claiming defeat in the name of the greater good, the JaiChen rallied public support through their aid to the people, leaving it nearly forgotten that they were the initial cause in the first place.


After the Earthquake

Rebuilding the city would become the first priority. Elves skilled with their hands as masons and carpenters again reached a level of prominence. Wealth found itself reaching a more even distribution as families who had been forced into taking charity food from the JaiChen were able to support themselves from the goods of nearby fishing and farming villages. A greater sense of community slowly developed as the elves rallied together, healing the wounds of Tow through the efforts of the hands and spirits of each elf. Again the lull of peace would ease the elves into a false sense of security.


Before the Sphere

Another age passed with further cultural and even spiritual growth developing among the Tow. A child was born to a family of farmers, marked with a birthmark on the underside of her arm resembling a pair of fish intertwined. This marking was traditionally recognized as the mark of the Jin, or Of Tow. Blessed with highly alert, golden eyes and a small tuft of silvery hair, the Kirana family named her Dulcinda, meaning "Vibrant Light" in old dialects of Towskish. But with all that is classically good comes that which is classically wicked, a twin was born to balance Dulcinda’s coming. Priscilla Kirana, golden eyes and silvery hair intact, born without the mark. It is said that when twins are born one carries all gifts of magics in the bloodline while the other has none. It would be evident through most of their childhood that Dulcinda, or Cinda, was exceptionally gifted in the blue magics, perhaps the most gifted ever seen. Priscilla, on the other hand, was removed from the family, her dark heritage already becoming obvious during early childhood. Torture of small animals, destruction of crops and a rather hefty arson incident left the family with no choice but to send Cilla away to distant relatives. Cinda’s progress grew as she quickly rose in the ranks of the JaiChen, reaching Elite status in an unprecedented month and a half of service. Elite Kirana spent her days feeding the hungry and attending to the children in need of council and attention, nurturing them with a kindly, motherly hand. Word began to spread in the eastern villages of a dark, towering form with piercing, azure eyes amassing a dark army of twisted and warped creatures. Some said that they were a savage tribe of distant elves who became hunched and perverted by dark magics, others said they were spawned by this demon itself. Skirmishes swept into the heart of the Kingdom from the eastern edge of the lands, entire villages looted and burned with hundreds killed. Unable to stand for the loss of life, SunJin Lin Sho dispatched available militia and the skilled hunters of the Daga’Suut village, each led by Oshi Kondei and the Chieftain Huitzilo-Pochtli Kore, and a detail of JaiChen under the young command of Elite Kirana. The elves marched long days, scouring the border of the Kingdom until one fateful day the attack came, at dawn and with no warning. The hunched creatures came brandishing fire and weapons of odd bones and stones, the crude implements of war causing massive devastation upon the elves. Only the skilled protective abilities of Elite Kirana managed to save even a small number of the elvish force. A challenge was issued, the loud voice of Oshi Kondei chimed forth as he drew his blades, a fine ivory handled tachi and katana, calling forth the demon queen into single combat. With a rousing laugh, scores of the hunched creatures set upon him, mauling his form almost completely until the scout Huitzilo-Pochtli moved with unnatural speed, said to have been given to him by Kirana, slaying attackers, ripping them off of Kondei with brutal, almost unelvish strength. Almost to a beast the creatures were routed, an odd, fitful pout playing on the demon’s features. "I’ll return, when I’m ready...then you’ll see." An ominous decree before parting, the demon disappeared into a dark rip in the fabric of reality and was gone. A half-dozen elves survived, several grave wounds present on the survivors, but a victory had been won.

And then the event that changed not only the lives of the elves, but the lives of all of the creatures in the four lands forever. The rise of the sphere.

For a century and a half, the scholars of the elven kingdom have worked tirelessly to find the source of the sphere with the hopes of determining whether or not it would damage the lands again. The enormous ball of blazing flame made a pass close to the lands, scorching them to blackness and destroying nearly all life.
But the elves survived. The sphere missed much of Tow and many of the outlying villages. However, the elven forests were destroyed, and the loss of life and habitat was nearly debilitating.


After the Sphere


Rumors abounded. New races are suddenly seen at the edges of the scorched lands that used to house the elven forest. What was once certain to the elves of the Southlands was now lost in a mystery that would unfold over the last century and a half. New enemies, created by this vicious sun would slowly emerge. Trolls, mwellrets, tieflings, and dwarves to name but a few. Goblins would begin to grow stronger and eventually pose an serious threat to the peace the elves had once known.

The forests were the first priority of the elven people. A ritual was written by a man named Sarkaz Sole and his middle aged son Asceno, which they hoped would make the ground that the sphere destroyed, once again fertile so that planting could begin. They brought it to Elite Kirana and after pondering their writings she made a few changes of her own which she credited to the lingering voices of the ancestors that had been flitting through her mind.

The ritual (titled: SunMui, meaning Radiance of the Passing Seasons in old Towskish), did far more than anyone hoped. All of those gifted with the blue and white talents, were gathered in the middle of the scorched forest after several days journey. They joined hands, chanting softly for the forgiveness of the planet for whatever they had done to bring such ruin to so much life. Suddenly, in the center of the circle, working its way out, a lush, explosion of life began to bud, first with the soil becoming soft and dark, and sprouting from that the grass, winding in emerald tendrils about itself as it slowly became peppered with brilliant colors of wildflowers, and the saplings of trees which quickly grew bark, developed leaves and fruits and, soon turning into a beautiful canopy that dulled the light of the sun itself with the soft, cool greenery that the elves had longed for, for nearly a year. In the center of the circle stepped Dulcinda Kirana, moving with an almost automatic gait, she knelt near the edge of the water as the elves continued their blessed change and began to dig in the mud, picking up clump after clump and beginning to form each into a small, crudely shaped animal. Different varieties of birds, deer, bears, raccoons, snakes, any life found in the forest today started with the modeling that Elite Kirana did that day. With a gentle lift of her hand, she brought each sculpture to her lips, and with a soft kiss and exhale of breath, injected life force into their forms. As birds flitted from her lips, and rabbits hopped from her hands, the elven people, slowly began to stop their blessed chant, staring at her in wonder. And so, the elven forest, so verdant and picturesque returned to the sight of the elves, who vowed for all time to protect it and love it like their child.

Pre-Cataclysm: A.S. (After Sphere)

Recent History in Brief. Historic Events and Events of interest from Year
By Asceno Sole

The Destruction of the Great Forge and The Soo’ki

The first negative major event to impact the history of the Towskish Empire in the reign of Cinda, was the destruction of the forge.

Built by Dmitri Belre in his youth, a project that he toiled over endlessly, the forge was a major influence on the economy of Tow. People who had previously been unable to work metals because they didn’t have the ability to make a fire hot enough to melt the great metals of the world (keep in mind that all of the metals in the world of the Great Lands are far harder than real life metal, and only iron and steel are any stronger than any of the others), were now able to do so, something that greatly displeased House Kondei, as before, they had built the only forge in existence in the Empire, while also having another, secret source of heat that could work the harder metals.

However, the forge was built anyway, and Dmitri Belre allowed everyone and anyone who wished to use his forge to do so, without charge, without time limitation, and without cost. Some of the elves of Tow at the time, among them a young elfin named Amandara, and as far as is remembered, an elf named Seth, as well as Draust Tokken, were often seen at the forge, the elf Draust becoming known throughout the land as a highly talented individual, who carried with him a wisdom that many sought. Amandara began to gain wealth, though almost covertly, building a locked cabinet right beside the forge on the free beaches of Tow.

Earth shattering, the boom that broke the silence of the morning, two years nearly to the day that the forge was built, brought elves from all over the city running. Laying in ruin, the forge was destroyed beyond recognition, even the small pieces left were useless, as no one had a fire hot enough to melt the pieces of metal anymore. Another could be built, but no one did the work that Dmitri did in those early days, to make a new one.

On the same day, within the hour, there was another great boom, this one even louder and stronger than the first, and when investigated, it was found that the mine had been destroyed, the smell of burning sulfur lingering in the air. It would require many, many workers to reopen the mine, and since Kondei had originally done this, and no longer needed the materials of that mine, the mine remained collapsed and closed off.

After the destruction of the forge, Kondei convinced the Great Lady to issue a decree, that no silver weapons or armor could be crafted by elves not born of Kondei, or working for them.

Eventually Dmitri Belre did build a new forge, however, by then he was the Lord of Belre, Unta of Zuntohki, and he built the forge within the village, and eventually charged people for the time they spent at the forge, as it was overcrowded otherwise. People used the forge to make jewelry and other lovely baubles of silver, but if one was caught creating silver weapons or armor, they risked a long jail sentence. No one could blame him however, he built the forge alone, and the task was so daunting that it was never attempted by others.

Happening concurrently and just before the destruction of the forge ....

After many years of peace, Cinda looked out over the city, beautiful in the early morning sun, and felt a presence that she certainly hadn’t missed during her time among the people as SunJin. She felt the swelling of a darkness in the life force of her kin. She became confused and unsure, for the first time since her reign began, and a sudden fear enveloped her heart.
Suddenly sitting down, her eyes began to widen, the horror-struck look amplified by the sudden gape of her perfect, tiny mouth.
Very softly she began to speak, though no one was there to hear it. The tiny whisper swirled around her like a soft, monk’s chant. At that moment, she was communing with the SunJins past, and fear swelled within her, something she was not used to knowing.


The afternoon was sunny as she stepped into the silken grasses in the courtyard of the JaiChen compound. Her golden eyes began closing as her head tilted back, her face taking on the full brunt of the warm Towskish sun. She could hear her suns horsing around under the tree, Kianeth commenting on some young noblewoman’s ample... body, and Antoninus laughing, but not quite joining in. A smile touched her lips as she opened her eyes to gaze upon them. One son full of vigor and perhaps a bit immature. The other, somewhat closed off and distant, but with an overwhelming sense of duty. She listened to their laughter for a few moments more and then moved through the grass, her robes lightly brushing the grass and alerting them to her movement.

They rose, bowing to her, both of them with fluid, practiced movements. It made her smile again. They were the bastions of perfect manner in Towskish society, and even Kianeth was able to keep himself under control in public.

She sat down in the shade of the kora tree, wishing them both good morning, tasting the fresh fruit of the tree, and having a bit of chit chat, before finally making her decree. They both stared at her for some time. Unsure of what to say. And after some time, discussion, and understanding of what was to be their duty, the sons (adopted at birth for the power that the Great Lady sensed in them) proudly took up their new badges of office. They were to be the first Inquisitors in the Empire in over a decade.

They took to the tasks like moths to the flame. Tackling the sudden resurfacing of crime in the Empire with a thirst to prove themselves that was undaunted by the minor failures that all must face.

During this time, an elfin named Kana had a desperate desire. It called out to Cinda through the echos of the forest. Cinda made her way to the city. After a ritual that was unrecorded, the elf-girl slowly began to change, her physical features taking on feline qualities, including fur, a tail, claws, and luminescent eyes with a strange iris. She also took on personality quirks that are often attributed to those of a feline persuasion. Although she retained some of her elf qualities, she had become more animal than elf. When Kana met the elfin Pen, Cinda again heard the cry and came forward. She looked on Pen for a long while and wanted to be sure that Pen understood the nature of what she was asking... for the animal inside you is what comes to be, not what you think you are.

Pen slowly developed monkey-like qualities. She grew a long, hairless tail, her arms elongated, her hair became more wiry and shaggy. Physically, she grew more agile, quick, and was able to climb even on the most difficult terrain.

It came as no surprise to some, and great surprise to others, when Kana claimed Pen. They were deeply in love, blessed by the SunJin, and given a home as a wedding gift.

The Inquisitors’ first truly heroic task pitted them, as well as many of the townspeople, against the great demon known as Soo’ki.
Additional information here, written by Iduanna Sole:

The Soo’ki tribe, was a tribe of elven people, comprised entirely of stenmin. When the Towskish people set them all to death, they fled, and built their home in an area as hard to locate as that of the Daga ’Suut. The only elves to know the whereabouts of the tribe are two members of House Sole, who are bid to never interfere, and who were allowed to witness only to make note of the tribe’s place in history. The one they called Soo’ki was actually “Tsuschki”, first of the tribe of the Soo’ki. If any being, without the aid of a member of the tribe, stumbles upon their home, it appears to them only as a deserted place. Dusty and empty. Desolate and eerie. Because of these factors, few notice that the buildings, empty furniture and various tiny objects are, while covered in dust, in completely perfect condition. The Soo’ki live still, though their numbers have diminished over time to three families of twenty or less.

The two young and heroic Inquisitors led many of the brave people of Tow, to a physical battle with the apparition. Though at times they seemed to actually injure the creature, it regenerated it’s open wounds far too quickly for even the masses of elves that turned out to assist to fully take it on. It flew, attacked, used it’s dark magics and a great sword of flame that seemed to have no real physical properties save the intense heat it left on it’s victims.

When all was said and done, many elves lay in the streets, their souls returned to the ancestors, as their families grieved, and many feared that they would not be able to end the Soo’ki’s attack on the Towskish people until all had passed to the ancestors.

During this time the Inquisitors sat in deep meditation, seeking the answers to the trials that faced them and all of Tow. After communing with their SunJin, they came to a decision and sought to use the SunJin’s greatest power for the banishment of the Soo’ki. The apparition was too powerful to be faced by any elf, or by any twenty, the groups of which were easily separated by the Soo’ki’s flight. However, as the word passed about the city that the SunJin’s greatest gift would be used at the height of a ritual, where all were asked to come forward to witness, the elders of all of the great families, common and noble alike became somewhat quiet and smug. And while the young didn’t see the power of one elf (they had heard legend of the SunJin’s great powers, but there was no need for her to use them to this point), they continued to fear, continued to doubt, but vowed to show up to be a part of one of the greatest magical events in all of the Empire’s history.

Elves slowly began to gather in Euphoria park that day. They whispered to one another, some prayed, many wept, and the elders simply waited, their heads held high, assurance on all of their faces. As the elders set the tone, many of the younglings began to follow suit, finding power in the surety of their elder family members. And when the Inquisitors entered the great park, shrouded by the enormous redwood, they were bookends to the SunJin. She paused near the back of the open circle, letting her sons step forward and begin the ceremony.

Ritual Prayer for peace

Their prayers swept over the people of Tow, strong voices carrying with their deep baritone slowly easing the people. They spoke of the great love between the elven people for one another, they spoke of the connection to the forest and their duty to it, they prayed to the ancestors for guidance against the powerful evil that held sway over them all. Those in the crowd followed in prayer, some speaking from time to time, their own words of love and passion for their kin who stood with them, their kin past, and their life essence, The Great Forest. The people slowly began to believe in the depths of their hearts. Shimmering out of thin air, the translucent, red-eyed form of the fearsome Soo’ki appeared to all, hovering, but seemingly unable to move. And as the group’s prayers mounted in what, from a distance, would have sounded as one voice, the tiny SunJin stepped forward between her sons.

In ritual word and symbolic act, never to be written (as the great SunJin’s law will not allow the writing of their rituals except in the Great Book), though spoken among elders of elven family’s to this day, the SunJin called upon the great power of the Ancestors, Maht Sor, to lay judgement on the apparition of the Soo’ki.

The SunJin cried out, her voice slowly rising until it became painful and then seeming to disappear as she stood rigid, her head held back to the sky and her fists clenched at her sides. Elven voices increased in volume as their prayers continued to hold the Soo’ki for the great judgement.

Before the SunJin could complete the ritual, a young Daga’ Suut named Ichi Kore (the root of the Kora, one of the great families in Daga’Suut) rushed into the park, screaming for help, his body bloodied and battered. The elves all about and even the Inquisitors sent him away, not listening to his cries. Ichi ran off as the SunJin’s form began to flicker from view, a completely solid form slowly blinking in and out of existence, though few saw this as they were so deep in prayer.

Suddenly the ground began to shake. The elves, ever resolute to hold the Soo’ki, continued their prayers, though one would lie to say that many did not look up for brief moments to behold the awesome sight that was slowly unfolding.

The earth split, revealing the deep roots of the redwood, and shooting up through the great chasm, flames erupted, scorching the grass around the hole and shooting upward to graze the uppermost branches of the tree. Plunging upward, a great beast, shrouded by flame, hung in the air before the Soo’ki, it’s breath leaving great plumes of fire in the air around it’s enormous head. Covered in leather-like skin, the beasts enormous frame was humanoid, save the fact that it was overly large and bulky with muscle. It’s two, tree-trunk like legs led to hooves that stamped at the air and pressed it toward the ground, causing a great booming sound when the air made contact with the ground. It’s head, almost like that of a great bull, reared up and back, it’s horns enormous and smooth, deep black in color, and appearing far too heavy to be held up at all. The beasts face, squashed and ugly, bore black eyes in deep sockets, and a mouth full of enormous, squared teeth, resting below a huge, pugged nose. A wild mane of what looked like both hair and fire sprouted from it’s head and a line down it’s back, and as the beast roared, the people’s prayers were jostled, and the Soo’ki found itself free.

A great battle began to play out before the eyes of almost all of elven kind. A physical battle. One in which the feared Soo’ki took physical form and began to hurl both magics and physical attacks at the beast before it drew it’s great sword. The fight didn’t last long. Maht Sor was a far greater threat than the apparition could have imagined. It’s great sword of flame was lost in a single breath from the great beast that the SunJin called forth, and it approached Soo’ki too quickly for it to continue casting it’s dark gift.

The battle raged no more than a few minutes, with wild physical attacks, punches and kicks, the Soo’ki at one point being rushed by an enormous shoulder. And in the end, the great beast simply grasped the Soo’ki, held it firm within it’s grasp and growled in Towskish (a growl that again shook the lank) ‘You have been judged.’ It lept into the great chasm of flames and the as the ground continued to shake and groan and tremble, the fissure closed up, leaving no trace of what had transpired, save a great burned scar in the lush grasses, and one side of the great redwood damaged by fire.

A collective sigh went up about the people of Tow at that time. Commoners, Nobles, JaiChen, Militia, merchats, magicers, and all the folk of Tow, found comfort in one another as the great evil was vanquished.

Unnoticed by most, the SunJin was lifted and carried back to the compound by the dark one, enshrouded all in black, and as the Inquisitors eased the minds of the people and joined in the celebration of what they all had been a part of, the SunJin was returned to her chambers, recuperating after the toll on her body, which aged her considerably, but warm in the knowledge that her children, not just those raised by her own hand, but all of her children were safe for the time being. She fell into a deep sleep then.


With the SunJin lost in a sleep that could not be woken (In fact, the SunJin disappeared for a time, her whereabouts unknown, and while the small group that new of her disappearance was worried, they had the strength of Cinda’s profound beliefs and an understanding that she would not be permanently leaving anytime soon, something that Cinda promised her sons years before.), and the people of Tow lost in a celebration that lifted their spirits higher than they had been in ages and bound them to one another and the forest more than ever before, our forgotten Daga’Suut lead several of his kin in battle against armies and armies of undead that walked among them, eating and killing. Soon the creatures had made their way toward the city, unable to be held back by the few that had come across them. Ichi Kore fought them bare-handed, his punches landing blow after blow and shattering dead bones and ripping through dead flesh. As the undead began to stream into the city, the people began to scream, rousing the warriors, JaiChen, and Inquisitors from their celebrations to run to the streets.

In a battle that would last for days and days, and with many, many lives lost, Ichi Kore, Kianeth Quelirian, Antoninus Nicolo, and later in the battle, Shinmen Kondei, leading the rallying militia, JaiChen and available scouts, the armies of the undead were finally laid to waste, but not without the toll on elven life.

In all, twenty thousand elven lives were lost. Their bodies were buried according to familial traditions, from the Kondei, who set their kin ablaze on the shoreline, collecting their ashes to place them within one of the lawn statues on the Kondei grounds, to the common people who tended to bury their relatives in the forest so that their bodies could be returned to the earth.

During this time, Dmitri Belre was named Unta of Zuntohki, and given Lordship that would follow his family throughout history, providing that he had an heir.

In Cinda’s absence, in accordance with her will, Lord Inquisitor Kianeth Quelirian was named SorJin, and was to handle the events that the great Lady would usually see to, save the ones that required her special powers. He would hold this title until his death, even after Cinda’s return, as she named another Inquisitor upon her return. It is said that she felt that Antoninus was the more capable of the brothers, and more deserving of a promotion, but that he was needed far more in the position of Inquisitor, rather than the promotion to SorJin, which has always been something of an honorary title. And during this time, Cinda -did- return, though without memory of where she had been, unable to speak, her hair shorn, and a scar that ran around the base of her skullcap, and though she certainly looked worse for the wear, she was young again. Cinda wrote very little for public consumption at this time, but one item seemed to amuse her greatly and she wrote of it often:

I ran into the young elf Seth again today. He didn’t recognize me without my hair. He blushed like a fire when he found out who I was.

And another entry...

I ran into the young elf Seth yet again. He didn’t recognize me, I suppose because my hair has grown out a little bit. But his face turned redder than the great sphere when he figured out who I was.

And another...

I ran into the young elf Seth again today. I worry about that one, ancestors, for it’s a wonder the child can even put his pants on in the morning. He didn’t recognize me this time because my hair has grown back to it’s full length! My goodness but he is dense!

And things were peaceful then for a time.

The Truth of Twins and History During the Time of Cinda and Cilla

The peace was shattered in under a year when the attacks of undead began to come more frequently. While they weren’t as intense or large as the first attack, they still struck horror into elven hearts, as they watched their family members, long dead, shamble into town to feast on their living kin. The Kondei armies kept the undead at bay, and few lives were lost, but the intermittent battles pained souls of the elves of the Empire.

In a horror of a case, the elf Dwyndyn Tresserhorn, known as a well-established hunter, and best friend to the elf Ichi Kore of Daga’Suut, fell in love with an elfin known as Sera. Little was known of her at the time, but there is this entry log from Lady SurKali Sole’s (soon after this entry she married Ichi Kore, and at that point was known as Kora, as she was under cover in order to live a life of the common elf, to record history in that manner as many of the Sole do) log entry, saved by the family:

I was approached by Sera today. She is so afraid. She’s falling in love with that oaf Dwyndyn (and I mean that in the kindest of ways... he just seems a touch... dim). He doesn’t know what she is though. I keep telling her to tell him... that he’ll understand... that the Goddess forgives, especially one who fights so hard against the urge to use her dark gift. But she’s so scared and she just doesn’t have the strength to speak of the truth.
We were talking about how she found out about the black light. She was attacked out near Thraille by a bear. She kept trying to get away, but the animal was too strong, and too fast. She felt herself bleeding and felt the pain throbbing from everywhere, and she screamed in horror and pain and fear, and her hands, held out in front of her like a shield (which was completely ineffective, obviously) turned black... some people call it light. She calls it the absence of everything...


Sera and Dwyndyn were soon to be married. It was several months after the above entry, but from all accounts they were happy. It is unknown, as SurKali never wrote of Sera’s dark gift again, whether or not she told anyone what she was. Though from the account of history, she, at the very least, never told anyone in great authority.

Unfortunately the marriage never happened. Sera was killed on the beach, reportedly by a pack of hairless, red wolves. She ran away, but it was too late. One of the beasts overpowered her on the stairs, and she was found dead on the stairwell, a wretched crow feasting on her eye. I only mention the latter because it does come up later.

Dwyndyn was grief stricken. Sera was laid to rest in the great forest, and he fell into a depression, becoming known about Tow as the drunk who could always be found in Tufleet’s Tavern. He began to move on rather quickly, some say with drink as his aid, and was soon seen in the company of the elfin Kat, who he seemed particularly interested in, in far more physical a way than just friendship would imply.

Interrupting that romance, though it is unrecorded as to whether or not Kat returned Dwyndyn’s affections, Sera was suddenly spotted, in town, alive. She walked into the tavern, her eyes rather dazed, and settled on Dwyndyn who was in an obviously intense moment with Kat. She ran off, heartbroken.

At some point, though of course, the personal details of all of this are unknown, Sera and Dwyndyn decided to move on with their marriage.

Throughout the city, Sera was treated as a devil, an evil blight on the grace of the Forest and the Goddess’ will. She was shunned by the most religious of elven kind, while protected by the Inquisitors, as they felt she was a pure innocent. Elves threw rocks at her, screamed at her, and mistrusted her return. This is also the first time that the Inquisitors faced public backlash for their position. No one trusted Sera’s return, and the people could not reconcile their fear of her with the Inquisitor’s decrees.

She was a lovely elfin in life. SurKali wrote of her appearance in her diary:

Sera is so pretty... I don’t know how she could keep deluding herself as she does. She thinks she must be a horror to look on because of what is inside her. It’s really sad... Her hair is so dark, thick but soft and baby-fine that it catches the slightest of breeze and sweeps it about her face. Her eyes are intense, so intense in fact, that I can easily see why a man like Dwyndyn could be dazed by her. It’s not magic... it’s just real, honest-to-Goddess beauty. I wish I could show her what she looks like to others.

And after her return, SurKali wrote this:

Sera’s return has done nothing to diminish her beauty. The only difference I see in her, is the streak of gray that slips from her temple, and runs throughout her dark hair..... but even that is intriguing and adds an exoticness to her that wasn’t visible before.

After announcing their wedding date, the Great Lady soon came out, taking a stance that surprised most of the populace. She would, herself, be marrying the couple, giving them both her blessing, and in doing so, giving Sera her blessing. Since the SunJin could read minds, the people were baffled that such a horror could be defended by the Great Lady. Rumors began to circulate that Sera was bewitched by a higher force and power.

The wedding day came, and the following was recorded of the event by Lord Doralion Sole, who watched on with interest, but who could give a non-biased point of view of the events, since he was not close with any of those involved:

Sera knelt at the shrine for a long time. She stood, and I was fascinated by her immediately. The streak of gray that Iduanna, Asceno, Kejin and I had discussed was striking against the pitch blackness that was her mane of dark locks. Most elves don’t realize that this is a sign that someone has been frightened so badly, that they could have died from the fear alone. She wore baby’s breath in her hair, and her ivory skin complimented the emerald hue of her gown that mimicked the faceted greens of her lovely eyes. She looked so happy and at peace. It was really breathtaking to watch her, a young elfin so in love, and ready to commit her life to her intended. It reminded me of why we keep our traditions.
The beauty of the moment was broken when scores of elves strode onto the beach and a few threw rocks at Sera, forcing her to stumble back against the fountain, blood pouring from her forehead. She ran and was chased, rocks striking her back, stomach and legs as she sobbed, fleeing for what looked like her life. She rushed back to the fountain, her eyes wild with fear, and a light sweat broken on her brow. Antoninus Nicolo arrived just then, and rushed to Sera’s side, taking her hand gently to help her rise as Dwyndyn shouted at the crowd, his hand trembling against the hilt of his weapon. Antoninus turned, rested his hand on Dwyndyn’s shoulder, and shook his head only once. Dwyndyn immediately stepped back, holding Sera gently in his arms as he looked over the crowd that had gathered. Antoninus stepped forward and gave an impassioned speech, calling on all elves to look upon their reverence for life, and see that this innocent child, so named by the Goddess, deserved their mocking hatred no more. The elves, moved by the speech, slowly began to wander off, some looking forlorn and others with guilt stamped all over their faces I didn’t leave. Many of us didn’t. We were looking forward to seeing the Great Lady’s arrival. Just looking on her makes so many of us feel good.
When she did arrive, Sera’s face erupted in a smile so glad, so warm, so very adoring that I couldn’t help but like her. Dwyndyn was a lucky elf as far as I was concerned.
The Goddess came forward, smiling warmly at Sera and Dwyndyn. She spoke to them quietly and then began the service.
My eyes were fixed on Sera. How could they not be. She had a fascinating background, and I was thinking about speaking to her about life after death, writing her story for the history section, and using what I gleaned for something in the philosophy wing.
That never happened. During the ceremony something in Sera changed. I could see it happening. She seemed to be struggling with herself. I suppose no one knows what goes on in another’s mind, but as her face twisted in a grimace of pain and agony, the SunJin looked up at her, her eyes wide.
She said something like... Priscilla... and she and Sera growled back and forth at one another...I couldn’t hear very well, I was a little ways off. Sera’s head snapped up, and her eyes were different. Her whole demeanor was different. The way she stood, there was a slight arc to her back that hadn’t been there before, and her image... it seemed to waver before my eyes. She screamed suddenly, a voice that was almost disembodied. At the very least you couldn’t have told where it was coming from, except that Sera’s lips were moving. She attacked the SunJin out of nowhere! With her bare hands, she went at her, punching and hitting and scratching and going for the throat. And the SunJin, trying to fend off the blows, kept stumbling back. I’m saying this and it sounds like it happened slowly, but it was just so fast. Suddenly Nicolo jumped in, protecting his mother, and as the SunJin shouted no, his blade finished Sera. He leapt back, looking to the SunJin, not understanding. Of course his actions were honorable. He only meant to protect his mother, and when Sera’s eyes went dead, Dwyndyn began to scream and shout. He was horrified. So hurt and so confused and so lost.
We were sent away then as they handled the rest. But when asked later what happened, Nicolo said, as though it was a simple answer, ‘my mother’s sister used Sera...’
It is a far too confusing time.

Sera was to be buried, and even her funeral was interrupted by those who wanted her burned, who saw her as a traitor to the Goddess, and didn’t know the whole of the tale. That day, at the ceremony, Sera’s body was overtaken and used, as it was always meant to be, to attempt to kill the SunJin. In time it was learned that the SunJin had been born of twins. And in Towskish history, in ancient societies, it was told that while twins born of no magical ability were not affected by this horror, babies born of a magical nature in the form of twins, were blessed and cursed. One would always be eternally and inherently good, and one would be the exact opposite, eternally and inherently wicked. One would always be blessed of one of the pure gifts, and the other would be cursed with the magic of the black light, stenminism.

Sera’s body disappeared before her burial. The attacks of the undead continued, though their numbers were far too small to be of much concern, and the attacks came with far less frequency.

Some time after Sera’s death, though littered here and there with attacks by the undead, was mostly peaceful. Some small events took place that should be noted.

There was an event between Lady Lily Sole, Lord Inquisitor Antoninus Nicolo, and a common elf who’s name has thus far been unrecorded. Perhaps, or rather, with hope, one day his journals will be found, and we may give him proper credit. This particular event began when something enormous flew from the sky and struck the ground in the Towskish forest with such force, that the shockwaves reverberated about Tow.

This common elf ran into Lord Nicolo and Lady Sole at Tufleet’s and told them what he had seen. Lord Nicolo, confident that between himself, an amazing durin and a very good warrior, Lady Sole, who unknown to all but a few, was a great assassin, trained in the art of skilled attacks, and this man of the common people, who apparently kept a rather detailed journal of the event spoken of here, would be able to take care of any issue that arose.
 

Little is known here, however, beyond some basic facts.
The three elves came upon a smoldering rock in the middle of the forest. They inspected it for some time, noting the heat coming off of it, and keeping their distance. At some point it began to have physical effects on them though what those were is not clear, as there is no actual record. The only living person from the event never spoke of it that others heard, and what transpired is unclear, save a vague discussion between Lady Lili and her cousin Doralion. And those closest to Lady Lili, rarely spoken of her after her death.
What is clear, is that the rock began to kill the forest, and somehow, in some way, the three elves assembled were able to destroy the meteor, saving the rest of the forest from the fate of the dead clearing, which remains dead to this day.

Elves were becoming more and more willing to commit crimes against one another as a means to gain wealth. The greatest evidence of this soon came when, after a series of break-ins, muggings, and even murders, Lady Lili Sole, Head of House Sole, was taken by kidnappers who demanded ransom in the form of evars. This was the first time in history that such an event had taken place. That an elven life was being traded for money, that greed was driving others to kidnap their kin. Lady Sole was held for some time. During her imprisonment she was tortured in numerous ways, and three of her fingers on her left hand were sliced off at the joint. The family immediately bowed to demands, and as Inquisitor Nicolo did his best to find her, Lili Sole was returned. She was scarred, both physically and emotionally, but she was alive and in good health all the same.

Dmitri Belre crafted a pure silver glove for Lili to wear, hiding her deformity. It was worn over her hand, covering the stumps where her fingers were, with jointed, silver fingers. She was rarely seen without gloves after her return however, and never seen without her prosthetic.

Another event that had an impact on history is the story of Lady Lili Sole, Lord Shinmen Kondei, Lady Nadja Sole, and the Sole and Kondei families.

As Lady Lili Sole began to gain social prominence among many of Tow’s nobility, among the Inquisitors, and especially the noble families of MendiKu, and Belre, House Kondei took notice. After Lady Lili saw to the funding of the public Sole Library, she became the most prominent Head of House in Tow’s history to that point.

Noticing this, Lord Shinmen Kondei decided to take action. The whispered rumors about the Lady Sole’s growing fondness for a Lord Inquisitor meant that she could have more social power than the head of House Kondei (Shinmen himself), should that fondness be returned and a mating occur. Shinmen Kondei claimed Lili Sole, announcing his intentions publically.

Many things happened after this. Something of a domino affect.
Lili read of his intentions on the public message board in Tufleet’s tavern. She went up to the House Sole suite and wrote in her diary, the entry follows here.

Shinmen Kondei has claimed me. I know why. It is purely a political move, and while I understand it, I hate him for it.
Perhaps Antoninus will challenge for me.
No. I can’t let that happen, not ever. I won’t begin my life with the man that I love, with him being forced to challenge for me. It will ruin something between us, and I know he isn’t ready yet.
I can’t beat Shinmen. His prowess as a warrior is well known.
The library is under control, fully funded. The House will be well, Doralion is ready to take my place. Antoninus will move on and have a full life.
I love him desperately. And if I am to be the person I want to be, the person he loves, I must be good, kind, generous, and most of all just, I must do this. For him. For me. And in the name of House Sole’s honor. We can not have these two lines mixing. It would be disastrous.
I am going now. I don’t want to do this. I’m so afraid.

Following this entry, Lady Sole went to the streets. She called Shinmen Kondei out, and challenged him for her freedom. She lost her life on that day. Shinmen Kondei won honor for his house, and Lord Doralion Sole was named Head of House. It is said that Lord Inquisitor Antoninus Nicolo sought to apprehend Shinmen for murder, and did chase him through town and all over the forest, and only after some time out of his sight, did the Inquisitor let his mind come to the realization that nothing illegal had transpired, and that Shinmen must be left alone.

As an aside, the following note was written after Lili Sole’s last entry in her diary:

She hoped and believed, though she would never say it, that he would save her.
He was the only one who could have.
I’m going to make that -bastard- pay for the rest of his life for taking my perfect daughter from my life.
-M

“M” in this case is Mesha Sole, a member of the Elder council of Sole, aunt to Doralion Sole, and sister to Unta of Sole, Iduanna. At her daughter’s funeral, attended by many, Mesha Sole behaved in a way that can only be construed as “mad”, going so far as to grab her daughter’s corpse, hugging it and wailing. It was a scene that Sole would rather not recall, but does have indications to consequences that would come later.
The situation only became worse.

Soon after Lili’s death, Shinmen Kondei came upon Nadja Sole, weeping at the loss of her sister at the Great Shrine on Tow’s beach. Sources to the events after that moment are unclear, save one thing. Shinmen fell in love with Nadja. Despite Shinmen’s sister Oechi’s protests, Shinmen approached Doralion Sole to ask for Nadja’s hand in marraige. Doralion Sole reports that Nadja was terrified at the prospect of being mated to the man that killed her sister. As such, he did the only thing that he could. He told Shinmen that he would not bless any such mating, and asked that Shinmen be honorable by refraining from claiming Nadja.

As Nadja was finding herself thrust into the war between the two houses, her mother was growing more and more mad. The loss of her favored daughter drove her insane, and the entire family worried for her. Sole’s aren’t known for taking death well, but in Mesha’s case that was a gross understatement.

On request, a submission from Iduanna Sole’s diary at the time:

I am so worried for Mesha. She was never the strongest of us, but with the loss of Lili, I worry that she may never come back. The madness runs deep in the dark bloodline, but I never thought it would come to this, that I would watch my sister drown in her insanity...
She actually walks about the estate, holding Lili’s glove as though holding her daughters hand, and talks to the thin air of her days as though Lili were standing there listening.
It pains me to think of Lili’s death. We all hate that weak little man for letting it happen. But, I think more than those events, the loss of my sister, for her mind is no longer there, is even more painful...

House Sole then hired Miriah Svenyani to watch over Nadja and to keep her away from Shinmen. Nadja was small, frail, naive, and fresh out of Harvest House, and it was thought that Miriah’s guidance would keep Nadja from being influenced by an older, more powerful noble who’d obviously set his sights upon her.

As the story is recorded, rather than keep the elves apart, Miriah felt badly for Shinmen and soon, Nadja and Shinmen were seeing each other in private, with the help of Miriah. The relationship lasted in secret for some time, and finally, Shinmen and Nadja approached Lord Doralion Sole together, to ask for his consideration. Doralion was -furious-. He not only would not allow Shinmen to wed Nadja, he fired Miriah, and he ordered Nadja to the House Estate, where she was to stay until he felt she was ready to become part of society. Nadja began the walk back to the estate, but at some point along the way, she plummeted to her death from atop the cliffs. They may have suspected something different, but the number of broken bones in her ravaged body could mean only that. Shinmen Kondei was found beside her, sword plunged into his stomach, dragged up through his ribcage and a bit to the left, his heart. His blood mixed with Nadja’s in the sand, and rumor after rumor abounded about the nature of the deaths. This nailed the coffin closed on any sort of Sole/Kondei relations. With Shinmen’s death, Oechi ascended as Head of House, and over the years, the most wicked and bloody fights that didn’t end in death were between she and Lord Doralion Sole, over wounds that never healed, and Nadja’s mother, Mesha, went even more mad with grief, even stealing her daughter’s body at one point. The House had her locked up eventually, until they felt that she could return to the outside world a bit more in control of herself.

Not long after this, Miriah Svenyani, Trainer of the JaiChen, was found guilty of covering up the murder of a commoner, by a man she had been having a sexual relationship (which was strictly forbidden for JaiChen) with. The man was a mine worker who happened to see the two, completely by accident. While the murderer was sent back to the land, Miriah faced the Inquisitors, both of whom were so disgusted by her behavior that they were ready to rid the JaiChen of her, and cast her out on the streets with an announcement to let people know what she had done. The Goddess, however, stepped in, and forgave Miriah of her sins. While it was kept quiet for quite some time, it became clear that Miriah was pregnant as a result of the encounter, and it was said that her child had much to accomplish for the Empire. Miriah was eventually renamed to the JaiChen, with her old title in tact, and the rest of her career has been known as a great success, ending, as will be explained later, in the line of duty. Her bravery is still spoken of to students among the JaiChen.

Also, at about this time, Lord SorJin Kianeth Quelirian met a young JaiChen, Fao, who managed to capture the young SorJin’s heart. While many spoke of their relationship in whispers, insinuating that it was less than pure, the Goddess proclaimed it to be, and so they were together for a time, and they seemed quite happy. Rumors abounded that three JaiChen women had set their sites on the young SorJin, not only Fao, but Kat and even Miriah Svenyani, and it is said that the three women despised one another because of this. When Kianeth was no longer available, it is said that they moved on, their sights set on Lord Inquisitor Nicolo, and the common people loved to gossip endlessly about this.

The undead began to rise more quickly. Barely resting in their graves, they would rise from them, disappearing into the forest. For quite awhile there were no attacks at all.

Another event that occurred at about this time, was the emergence of the MendiKu family as a major player in the race for House placement. Their products were in great demand, they gave back greatly to the Empire, and they released among the population a trio of one brother and two sisters who were twins. The elves gave a face to the long quiet house, the children of Orin and Oona, their mother, though she had passed on, one of the great leaders of House MendiKu’s negotiations during their integration. These children, Oonagh, a shaman, under two minutes older than her twin sister Orinna, and their baby brother Orvelle, began to throw parties, open shops, and push thuja, more than it ever had been before. Orvelle was just a child, at eleven years of age, but his personality was that of a great salesman. He single-handedly sold more thuja, made more major deals, and created new markets before his death at the age of thirteen, than any other member of the House had or would after. Oonagh was something of a doe-eyed spiritualist, and gave her personal stash, rather than selling it, which only created new customers. Finally, Orinna sold a bit here and there, but her mind was often lingering elsewhere, her deepest thoughts recorded and still kept by House Sole. Later, you will see why that was important to history overall.

The final battles against Cilla are legendary.

Scores and scores of undead filed into the city on a bright, sunny day in the month of the Winter Wolf. They feasted on the helpless, and were fought by those who had the ability, and even those who did not. The military and the JaiChen poured into the streets, the battles ranging from brilliant lights growing in the hands of the shaman and durin of the Empire, and the brilliant flashes of silver from Kondei blades. Heroic in the battle against the undead, Oechi Kondei was named, Ichi Kore, Antoninus Nicolo, Kianeth Quelirian, and Unta of Kondei, Oeta Kondei. The Kondei’s kept the battle in the city raging and as under control as possible, laying waste to thousands between just the two of them.

During the battle, one of the undead, seemingly more aware than most, her skin green with rot, one of her eyes missing, her raven hued hair light on the breeze, began moving toward town. She came upon the pregnant elfin SurKali Kore, overtook her with the help of stenmin magic, and ran from the city with her obvious task accomplished.

Separated from the army and from most of the JaiChen, several elves gave chase, upon seeing SurKali taken. They came upon a cavern in the ground, north and east of the city. This cavern had been, in the past, used as the burial ground for all of Tow. The elves included in the chase, Ichi Kore, Antoninus Nicolo, Miriah Svenyani, an elf named Dunord, Dwyndyn Tresserhorn, Kianeth Quelirian, and the young JaiChen Fao.

Note inserted by Iduanna Sole:

The elf Dunord, was actually a member of the Soo’ki tribe. He did not try to harm the elves of Tow at that time, it seemed that his business was to watch, learn, and understand. He died later, in the city, his body disappearing into nothingness.

The troupe of elves, ventured down into the crypt. There they found a filthy sleeping chamber, holding an enormous painting done of a family. In the painting, the family depicted, included a mother, a father, and two tiny girls, both of whom had shimmering silver locks and ruby-red lips. However, one of the girls had brilliant golden eyes, while the other’s irises were flat and black. Miriah was the first to be taken aback by the painting, instantly recognizing the SunJin.

The attacks of the undead were eventually attributed to “Cilla”, the Great Lady’s twin sister. It seemed that Cilla was taking revenge on an empire that abandoned her and upon a favored sister, given everything, while she was ordered killed.

Note inserted by Iduanna Sole:

In time it became known that the only reason that Cilla still lived, was that the nanny who was sent into the woods to kill her, could not do it. She saw only a beautiful baby girl, and her guilt would not permit her to take the life. She left the baby in the forest, certain that the forest would find an elvish way to take care of the wickedness in the child, and beyond that, no one knows how Cilla lived, and grew, and thrived after her abandonment.

The elves moved quickly through the tunnel, Miriah more than the rest lingering back, stunned by the picture. She was very close to the Goddess and perhaps her reaction was one of fear for the Great Lady more than anything else.

As the elves continued through the dark and dank tunnel, they came upon a great vault in the crypt, where spaces for thousands of caskets had been hollowed into the dirt itself, and the caskets themselves, all of them open, were very old to nearly new, from plain wooden boxes to heavy caskets of mahogany with gold and silver trim. Of course, the elves assembled spent little time examining these small points. Within the enormous vault, more undead slept, stacked atop one another and flung about the floor without any real care, and certainly not worried for comfort. They were asleep, or in a trancelike state, for some of the elves, whose eyelids had rotted away, stared off blankly at nothing.

As Ichi looked around, he began to push the assembled elves back, trying hard to quiet them without making noise himself. Just outside the chamber, he began to give orders. He sent Antoninus back to the entrance with Dunord to watch the retreat. He intended to lead the charge himself, and looked almost weak when he asked Dwyndyn to stand with him.

They came back into the vast chamber and stepped over the piles of bodies, trying desperately not to make a sound as they made their way to the corridor across the great room. Just as they got to the narrow corridor, a groaning began behind them that would have terrified any elf, even to death. The sounds grew, groans, wails, and screams echoing through the chamber behind them. The elves started down the corridor, already fighting the undead that came their way. Running ahead, Dwyndyn came upon two doors at the end of the earthen hall. The first was locked. The second swung in, and the group all stumbled into the room, fighting the dead to close the door behind them. As the group turned, they were stunned to see Dwyndyn, standing in the middle of the room, his mouth agape. As their eyes adjusted to the faint firelight, they followed the snow-haired elf’s line of sight to the darkest corner of the room. There, cowering in the corner, was a crooked, bent, and rotting corpse, face averted from those assembled. Her dark hair covered her features, and as Ichi moved quickly up to Dwyndyn’s side, he understood.

His friend’s eyes gave away the identity of the creature in the corner. It slowly looked up from it’s spot in the dank corner, it’s missing eye oozing with green-grey slime. It was a female. She was a horror to behold, and to look on Dwyndyn, one would think that he might die of heartbreak right then and there. Ichi, who had seen the creature run off with SurKali as he tried to fight the creatures in the streets, and was held back by them for far longer than he could stand to think about, knew suddenly that the creature that took SurKali was none other than Sera (a truth confirmed by her missing eye, something that happened when she died originally).

Things become unclear at this point, as most of what transpired came about between Dwyndyn and Sera, Ichi stepping back. As Antoninus rushed into the room, Ichi shouted at him about watching the enterance, and he stopped, eyes wide and fixed on the two elves in the middle of the room. Sera and Dwyndyn spoke quietly, and eventually she fell to her knees, sobbing, rotting flesh around her torso hanging off and showing her ribcage. She began to beg loudly for Dwyndyn to kill her, and he looked on her in horror, unable to move. Who could blame him really, this was the love of his life, dead twice, standing before him a rotting corpse that was begging his forgiveness and urging him to move on with his life, and finally asking that -he- kill her and end what she had become. Dwyndyn seemed unable to move, and Sera eventually crawled back into the corner, whispering that all of them must hurry before ‘she’ had time to complete her ritual.

They all turned to leave, Ichi grabbing Dwyndyn and pulling him toward the doorway. Antoninus an Kianeth moved forward, and in an act of mercy, and for the good of the population of Tow, they struck Sera down and dismembered her so that her corpse could not be used again.

Note by Iduanna Sole:

Sera was able to return to life in Tow previously under a kind of ‘glamour magic’. Cilla had cast the glamour on her, so that her true form, that of the wretched zombie, would be hidden under the guise of her beauty in life.

They burst through the door and immediately found themselves set upon by a hall filled with zombies. Dwyndyn, coming out of his stupor, began to bash in the other door, finally crushing it in with shoulder. The elves broke off from the fighting, darting off (the living had always been faster than the dead), running into the small chamber and up the stairs there, which led to a chamber, a ring of fire, and in the middle, SurKali lay, screaming in pain as her stomach tensed with contractions. Cilla stood above SurKali, knife poised above her belly, and as the elves rushed in, Ichi only had time to scream ‘No!’ before Cilla thrust the knife downward into SurKali’s belly, slicing a long, curving line at the undercurve of her pregnant form.

As SurKali began to cough and gag on her own blood, Cilla reached into her belly and withdrew the child, holding her up in the air triumphantly. Ichi, his feet no longer failing him, rushed at Cilla, but she was suddenly gone, having moved at unbelievable speed, and paused at the stairs behind all of the elves. She beckoned them all to follow her, and to face their demise, her children that waited at the bottom of the stairs. The horrified elves’ attention was diverted from her for a moment as SurKali cried out in anguish, and when they looked back, Cilla had gone.

Antoninus, Kianeth, Dwyndyn, Miriah, Fao, and Dunord rushed down the stairs, following Cilla, and it is said, Ichi trudged to SurKali’s side, falling to his knees and staying with her as she bled to death. In her last moments, she was said to tell him to save the baby. And when she gave her last breath, Ichi ran from the room, his face streaked with tears, and his eyes filled with horror, pain, and rage.

Ichi caught up with the group that was fighting wildly against impossible odds, only Kianeth and Fao missing from the group. He lunged through hundreds, when suddenly, a group of the undead, raised swords, as if on a mechanical cue, and cut him down with more force than any of the undead before had shown. His body lay crumpled on the floor, when suddenly a blue fire enveloped his frame, and he disappeared, the few remaining elves to witness this, thrusting themselves out of the chamber. They ran along the corridor, screaming directions at one another until they came to the stairwell and thrust themselves out and up into the fresh forest air.

The elves stood where they were for a long moment, unsure of how to proceed. It was Antoninus Nicolo who first made his way back down into the hole, hurriedly explaining that he could not leave the undead to strike the heart of Tow. Many of the elves followed him.

Kianeth and Fao followed Cilla on foot for quite some time, and she remained just out of reach. Their attention was focused solely on saving the child, and when they lost Cilla’s trail, they sat down and held each other in fear, pain, and almost relief, for there was nothing more they could do at that moment.

As Antoninus and the others made their way back down into the pit, they found the undead easier to kill. This was mimicked throughout the city as Oechi and Oeta Kondei began hacking through the undead as though they were threshing wheat. With Cilla’s attention elsewhere, her undead children were no match for the strength of the elves, and soon they were all cut down, leaving the elves of Tow victorious, but tired, ravaged, and mourning the losses all around them.

And the child was lost...

During this time, a series of strange and brutal murders were happening around Tow, that had many of it’s citizens more afraid than even the attacks of the undead. Dead women had been found here and there, missing parts of their body. A young woman from Daga’Suut, Makkara DeDaga, was found, her naked body pristine, save her missing eyes. Her family spoke of her with great fondness, and said that her most impressive feature was her hauntingly beautiful, crystal-faceted violet eyes. The next woman found was missing her legs, Lera Kra, a common woman, whose family and friends confirmed that she too had been relieved of her most beautiful feature. And while, at the time, it seemed unrelated (there was a long space of time in between this event and the murders), Lady Lili Sole’s corpse had been taken for some time, and was eventually found, scalped. Her long, luxurious dark locks had been taken. The killer was identified as an escalating serial fetishist once the connection was made by Lady Oechi Kondei. Lady Kondei and Inquisitor Nicolo led the hunt for the fetishist and murderer, but for a time, there seemed to be no real leads as to the identity of the monster.

Shortly after the battle with Cilla and her undead, Cinda came into Tufleet’s Tavern, followed closely by a hooded figure. She spoke softly to Inquisitor Nicolo and SorJin Quelirian and they both had visible reactions to the hooded figure. The SunJin moved to the back room, where the message board carried not only messages from one elf to another, but also held Emperial decrees. After she left her notice, the SunJin stepped wearily through the doorway of the tavern and returned to her quarters, where she stayed for some time. The cloaked figure soon lowered his hood, revealing himself to the assembled elves of Tow. Ichi Kore looked on his kin once more and simply moved to the bar for a drink. The decree on the message board had named him Champion of Tow, and elves looked on him not in fear, but in wonder, as his return was the work of the SunJin herself.

RECENT HISTORY COMING SOON.