Realmlord Wiki

Overview
The dark creations known as Realmlords have found their way back to the Wayrealm of Caleleth bringing with them entire armies of infernal Demons, hollow Undead and hideous mutants bent on the extinction of all living beings. Against them, the Gifted of the mortal races array every able-bodied warrior, Dragon, Beast and Elemental and any other race willing to stand with them against the encroaching darkness.

Timeline
{| class = "wikitable" Sayjan, quick of wit and tongue, convinces the rest of the elder council to let him raise the two ‘Senflu’ until they come of age. With the agreement in place, the boy is named Aros and the girl, Chaya.
 * +Realmlord Timeline
 * Event
 * Description
 * The Dawn Siblings
 * Anwar and Aysia are formed in the depths of the void. Unable to enter realms themselves, Anwar takes to entering them vicariously by populating them with life fabricated from his own celestial form.
 * The Lightbinding
 * The Elves of Elenyr are the first to be created. Graceful, slender and tall they are tightly connected to their creator through a constant stream of magical energies. The races created hereafter are all less codependent on their maker. First came the Wemic the nomadic plains people. Then the greedy Dwarves of the sea. Then the forests, waters, winds and mountains were populated with the soulbinding elementals. The wise dragons were created second to last and finally emerged the Guardians, created to watch over them all from their realm of Aechelon. Anwar, feeling that civilization was not enough, found himself incapable of creating instinct. As such, in the gentlest way possible did he inject a part of himself into the native beasts of Caleleth
 * The Equilibrium Curse
 * While Anwar created Aysia’s screams echoed through the void. His every creation’s very existence bringing her pain beyond comprehension. Even when the creating was done still a lingering sting reverberated through the endless dark of her form.
 * Inevitable Fate
 * Realizing that she has little power to combat Anwar’s reckless fabrication, Aysia begins to extract the light from Caleleth’s inhabitants. No matter how hard she tries however, Caleleth’s population reproduces faster than she can destroy them.
 * The Void Stirs
 * In a birthing fit of agony Aysia weaves the very fabric of the void together into beings which will cause her only temporary displeasure. To the civilized races these soulbound creatures will become known as the "Hollow"
 * War of the Immortals
 * Aysia starts her extermination campaign with an attack on Aechelon. The first battle is brief and one sided as the Hollow discover their fragile nature; the merest rift in their incorporeal forms causing their entire being to implode. When even the element of surprise and swarming tactics prove insufficient Aysia relegates the hollows to be her eyes and ears across Caleleth.
 * Revenge of the Void
 * Decades after the war of the immortals, Arteema, pregnant spouse of high seraphim Exavitor, is captured in a Hollow ambush. Exavitor leads a furious counter attack which sees Arteema freed mere hours after her capture.
 * The Birth of Evil
 * Arteema gives birth to two mutants. They bear no wings and seem to have none of the divine properties shared by Aechelon’s inhabitants. Exavitor orders them killed but Arteema lightens the verdict to exile from Aechelon.
 * Aros and Chaya
 * The mutant twins are found in Caleleth by the Wemic Elder Sayjan of the Yurla Tribe. Opinions on the newcomers are divided amongst the tribesmen however and an eventual Wemic-mutant heritage catastrophe is feared.
 * Aysia starts her extermination campaign with an attack on Aechelon. The first battle is brief and one sided as the Hollow discover their fragile nature; the merest rift in their incorporeal forms causing their entire being to implode. When even the element of surprise and swarming tactics prove insufficient Aysia relegates the hollows to be her eyes and ears across Caleleth.
 * Revenge of the Void
 * Decades after the war of the immortals, Arteema, pregnant spouse of high seraphim Exavitor, is captured in a Hollow ambush. Exavitor leads a furious counter attack which sees Arteema freed mere hours after her capture.
 * The Birth of Evil
 * Arteema gives birth to two mutants. They bear no wings and seem to have none of the divine properties shared by Aechelon’s inhabitants. Exavitor orders them killed but Arteema lightens the verdict to exile from Aechelon.
 * Aros and Chaya
 * The mutant twins are found in Caleleth by the Wemic Elder Sayjan of the Yurla Tribe. Opinions on the newcomers are divided amongst the tribesmen however and an eventual Wemic-mutant heritage catastrophe is feared.
 * Aros and Chaya
 * The mutant twins are found in Caleleth by the Wemic Elder Sayjan of the Yurla Tribe. Opinions on the newcomers are divided amongst the tribesmen however and an eventual Wemic-mutant heritage catastrophe is feared.
 * The mutant twins are found in Caleleth by the Wemic Elder Sayjan of the Yurla Tribe. Opinions on the newcomers are divided amongst the tribesmen however and an eventual Wemic-mutant heritage catastrophe is feared.
 * One with the pack
 * Chaya and Aros are initially met with some suspicion but over time settle into daily life as respectively a popular healer and a shamanically interested hunter. During the night the two sleep in the same tent for Chaya to quell her sibling’s perpetual nightmares with her loving embrace.
 * The Skraal Hunt
 * Hunting a Skraal, Sayjan, Aros and the hunters of Yurla enter a large cave. Within lurks a Skraal several times larger than initially expected. Three members of the hunting party are crushed in its stampede and Sayjan is knocked unconscious while the rest of the Wemic flee. When the old lion comes to his senses Aros is standing over him, the Skraal’s unliving cadaver behind. The old hunter applauds the Senflu, but remains dubious as to the deathly cold claw markings on the Skraal’s skin and the curious lack of blood on the young warrior’s spear.
 * Expulsion
 * At the eve of their 11th birthdays the fully grown twins are, as decided eleven years ago, expunged from the tribe. Given minimal food and no tent to survive the winter, Sayjan informs them of an old temple ruin with a cellar where they can take refuge. After two days of walking, the twins find the ravaged temple and settle down.
 * Ascension
 * As Aros comes back from hunting he finds Chaya atop the still-standing temple altar surrounded by snarling wolves. As the wolves move to attack, the sun moves to its zenith and shines through the ruined temple’s archway bathing Chaya in a blessed cascade. The light burns the young hunter’s skin but as it fades he sees not his beloved sister’s corpse but instead the fair girl in the wolves’ midst caressing them as pets.
 * The Firstborn
 * Chaya is revealed to have grown pregnant overnight and gives birth to seven children. Sleeping under her blanket, six of the seven find themselves fully grown in a matter of days. Azalan, Terukan and Vitra are the most warrior-like of the litter and take to hunting and zealously protecting Chaya with simple spears and armor derived from what Aros uses and wears. Merva finds great interest in the books in the temple cellars and wastes no time experimenting with the winds of magic surrounding the ancient temple site. Boron, the largest among them, finds himself more than capable of menial work under the supervision of Nimala the architect, while Ajal, the young babe slept on under his mother’s vigil.
 * Parakhan, the First of Many
 * Again and again does Chaya become pregnant. None of the later litters grow as fast as the first, but the rate is still remarkable, taking only a few weeks to become fully fledged adults. With such extraordinary breeding, a rapidly expanding society forms around the temple site with the newly born apprenticing the firstborn in their respective crafts. Advanced hunting techniques emerge allowing for the capture of certain animals. Boron and his workforce divide themselves into construction workers, miners, woodcutters and toolmakers utilizing instruments devised by Nimala’s engineers and working under the strict supervision of her architects while defended from the wildlife by Terukan and Azalan’s armored fighters. When the tenth year passes, the city of Parakhan stands complete. It is to be the first of many and the heart of the Girothian Empire.
 * The Solar Conclave
 * The Solar Conclave is created as an oligarchic organization comprising the Firstborn and Chaya herself. Aros protests heavily that he is more Senflu than the Firstborn will ever be, claiming that if anyone deserves a seat in the conclave it would be him. Despite Chaya’s accordance the Firstborn unanimously deny him while keeping their rationale to themselves.
 * Left Behind
 * With no place in the Solar Conclave Aros finds himself shunned, inexplicably feared and without purpose among the other Senflu. Only in his sister’s presence does he find solace, yet she has many duties to attend and is in the constant company of Azalan, Terukan or Vitra. None of which allow him much time with her, especially not during the night. In his isolation his nightmares return.
 * An Upstart Civilization
 * As the generations of Senflu grow more numerous so too does the growth rate normalize. The newer generations are weaker, less intelligent and show signs of rapid decay. These generations are named ‘Humans’ and come to revere the Firstborn as gods. Ajal, now fully grown, realizes the need for Humans to remain united throughout their expansion and endorses the idea of the Firstborn pantheon as the means to this end. Azalan, Chaya, Vitra, Boron and Nimala agree with the notion while Terukan and Merva are in strict opposition, calling it both reckless and a blatant lie. The two are overruled and with Chaya at its center Ajal founds the Cult of Chaya and names himself ‘High Priest of Our Lady’. Greathower Cathedral, the grandest architecture Nimala has ever envisioned, is erected around the ruined temple site and from there Ajal leads the cult in religious proceedings.
 * Soulbonding
 * In one of her many travels Merva discovers the symbiotic relationship of the Elementals and Elves of Rosewood. Having bound their essences together, the two parties can withstand the pull of Aysia’s draining for significantly longer. While any number of elementals can be bound to an entity at a time, only one other entity can be bound to non-elementals.
 * The Beauty of the Bound
 * Merva, in love with a human warrior and long frustrated with the open nature of Girothian relationships, seek Chaya’s guidance on the matter. Chaya sympathizes with her melancholic child and in turn suggests that Merva soulbinds with her chosen mate. Merva agrees wholeheartedly and a ceremony arranged by Ajal publicizes the action. Henceforth it becomes common for two individuals to bind their souls should they truly love each other.
 * The Harvelian Academy
 * With a soulbound companion at her side, Merva keeps herself from further exploration and instead focuses her efforts on stabilizing the magical society of Parakhan. At the Solar Conclave she proposes an academy be constructed to allow mages to safely practice their arts. Her proposition is sanctioned and a large tower known as the Harvelian Spire is created at the fringe of Parakhan over the next few years.
 * The Qidran Wars
 * The Qidra, a previously unseen race of brutish lizards walking on their hindlegs begin attacking smaller settlements. It is not long before Girothian scouts confirm large numbers of the Qidra amassing in the swamps of Caleleth sending a shiver through Girothian society. Azalan, Vitra and Terukan take command of the war effort which, after the deaths of untold thousands of Girothians, see enough swamps cleansed by Merva’s mages, that the Qidra will not prove a threat for a long time to come.
 * Harken Keep
 * Vitra, long time lover of Azalan and Tehrukan, binds her soul to the former. Tehrukan, heartbroken, wishes them both well and makes his way to the nearby Mount Harken where he alongside Boron and Nimala begins the building of Harken Keep. Harken keep will over time develop into the biggest military complex in all of Caleleth, training the soldiers and generals of the Girothian Empire to guard against all incoming threats.
 * The Arknight Order
 * With Terukan’s leave Azalan finds the Solar Conclave’s grip over Parakhan fading. Most of the Girothian aspirants take to Harken Keep, relinquishing much of the direct control their tours of duty had provided in the past. In their absence criminal organizations, rogue syndicates and alternative religious cults have risen to terrorize the general public. Refusing the help of a brother who turned his back, Azalan instead turns to the Greathower Cathedral. From within its walls he reforms the ranks of the attendants into a potent force using the watch captains to train inquisitors and paladins to join the city’s defense.
 * Night of the Ardent Cleansing
 * With Ajal, Vitra and a reluctant Chaya’s support, Azalan commences a purging of the undercity the likes of which has never been seen. From house to house inquisitors accompanied by Arknight paladins search through every nook and cranny for signs of corruption. Those who are found in possession of the telltale signs are judged on the spot and receive immediate sentences as dictated by Ajal’s religious teachings. Many lose limbs and those condemned to death are bound hands and feet on poles and gathered in Sorona Square. As all have been gathered Azalan decrees that each man, woman and child on trial will be living proof of the triumph of the blessed lady’s light. As his speech comes to an end the towering paladin’s blade lights up in a blaze and one by one the poles are set aflame.
 * Rising Tensions
 * Opposition towards the Arknight Order intensifies as Merva and Terukan speak up at the Solar Conclave with Boron and Chaya flimsily in tow. The murder of their people was nothing short of brutality. Terukan vows that should his brother ever commit another atrocity on that scale he will personally see him strung up. Merva remains composed but adds that her mages will leave Parakhan should they feel Azalan tighten his iron grip any further. Azalan in turn retorts that he will do what is necessary to keep Parakhan safe, costs be damned.
 * Shades of Treachery
 * In the gloom of night, paladins on patrol start to go missing. First in smaller numbers and then in whole squadrons at a time. In response, Azalan stages a bait to lure out the perpetrators. As the baiting squadron comes under attack Azalan reveals himself and repels the ambushers. When the attackers flee, the firstborn recognizes the armor and insignia of the slaughtered men as the colors of Harken Keep.
 * The Strife of Two Brothers
 * Azalan presents damning evidence in the form of a Harken footman’s upper torso to the Solar Conclave. Chaya recoils in horror at the sundered guardsman but Terukan retains his composure claiming that he has never seen this man in his keep nor ordered any operations targeting paladins. Azalan, furious that his brother refuses to face justice head-on, banishes Terukan and his soldiers from Parakhan, never to return.
 * The Prophet
 * A cloaked figure seeks an audience with Terukan.Transported to the Commander’s chambers, the shadowy character falls to his knees before the aging Senflu and identifies himself as Caliban, a wanderer of the world and recently a prophet of the gods. He claims that the gods have shown him a vision of a canker that grows in the heart of Parakhan, a tumor in the midst of the Lady’s holy church. Terukan coldly replies that he is banished and that there is little he can do to help the city’s current situation. The prophet begs to differ and extends a hand to Terukan’s forehead, the Senflu warrior’s mind suddenly changing.
 * The Coming of the Bloodfallen
 * A new menace reveals itself in the south-eastern forests of Velyon. The Bloodfallen, previously a major threat to the animals of the wilds, travel in large packs south towards Parakhan, devouring entire settlements of inhabitants in the night and attacking Wemic tribes that wander in the regions. Commanding the arknights of Greathower Cathedral, Azalan declares war, vowing to drive the unholy monstrosities from the lands of Caleleth once and for all.
 * Parakhan in Flames
 * With Azalan gone Terukan musters the armies of Harken Keep and attacks Parakhan, smashing aside its defenders and leading a delegation of footmen into Greathower Cathedral. Vitra counter-attacks and engages Terukan in single combat. After a brief struggle, the agile bodyguard plunges her spear into an armor slit, impaling Terukan’s left leg. As the colossal warrior roars in pain a dark aura engulfs him. With this newfound power surging he sends Vitra hammering into the cathedral panel a backhand strike leaving her unconscious. With a sorrowful gleam in his eye he raises his axe for the final blow. But before the swing can connect with Vitra’s armored skull instead it finds the soft flesh of Chaya. Such is the force of the blow however, that even with their mother’s sacrifice the violence continues. Terukan’s axe cleaves directly through the fragile Senflu’s flesh splitting the unconscious Vitra’s cranium in two.
 * The Gifting
 * A moment after her severed body hits the ground a blinding light descends from the heavens enveloping Chaya’s fallen body. When it disappears, the Senflu’s form is gone and the firmament roars in anguish. For several minutes does the tempest rage. But then, one by one, cracks in the storm open up giving way to fallen stars of light. The inhabitants of Caleleth can gaze upon the phenomenon only with sheer fascination as each star finds its way to an individual and submerges itself into their chests.
 * A Broken Bond
 * The events of the Gifting are felt all over Caleleth, but thousands of miles from the capital, Azalan keenly feels a terrible woe taking shape in his heart. Leaving command of the Arknights to Justicar Myrion, the firstborn paladin rides with all haste for Parakhan, lending his drake mount, Amista, part of his own strength to get there faster.
 * The Lost Gods
 * No one knows what happened to Azalan after the Gifting. No living citizen of Parakhan missed Amista’s arrival, but as the great wyrm lands in front of Greathower, Azalan dismounts and is seen no more.
 * The New Order
 * With a voice amplified by the magic of his followers Ajal addresses all combatants from the spire of Greathower commanding them to cease their struggle. Azalan, Vitra, Terukan and their beloved Chaya are all dead. This entire battle he exclaims was a misunderstanding. A set-up created by the Elves of Elenyr to destabilize the glorious Girothian nation. As proof, the high priest holds up a tally of severed Elven heads and drops them to ground in full view of onlookers. As an apology, Ajal promises to rebuild the Harken Keep bigger and stronger than ever before in honor of the deceased Terukan. He vows to exact vengeance on the Elves for the Firstborn they have murdered and with the crowd roaring in approval the high priest of Our Lady dissolves the Solar Conclave and names himself Supreme Sovereign until justice has been done.
 * The Arkhvar Refuge
 * Merva, having levitated the Harvelian Spire above Parakhan for the duration of the battle, hears Ajal’s speech and is filled with a mixture of grief, anger and suspicion. At dusk she orders her academy moved northwards and placed in the polar fortress of Arkhvar where she has trusted allies, wishing not to be drawn into the swirling action while she deliberates the situation.
 * The Age of Dominion
 * Under Ajal’s rule the already warforged Girothians reform their society from a nation of free people to a full-blown war-engine. Harken reinforcements are sent to Velyon and the Bloodfallen beaten back to the south-eastern forests, leaving a token force to monitor and quell further threats. With new weapons of war devised by Nimala and Ajal himself, Caleleth is scoured of Qidran presence and many of them taken prisoner to work in labor camps across Girothia.
 * Symptoms of Withdrawal
 * Despite taking notice of the rising power at the Girothians command, the Elves of Elenyr have their own problems to deal with. After the Gifting, many Elves found themselves rapidly decaying, their bodies withering away as if mere dust. A cure is found in the form of a constant stream of magical energy but few places, much less people, can provide the amount of magic that is required. Drawing upon the mystical power of lake Hynuthil, the Silver Council of Elenyr establishes a rationing system, delegating the water in equal amounts. However, the magical properties of the water is lost a short period after its separation from its origins and thus many find themselves located too far from the lake. Some instead seek refuge in the forests around Elenyr, soulbinding themselves and siphoning the power through the roots of elementals willing to perform the bond. Others take to Zenith’s Eye and become the Zenith Elves, forming close ties to the Dragons of mount Callielle. But there are those Elves which can find no such refuge.
 * Gylion's Demise
 * The Girothian city of Gylion is attacked by elves calling themselves Dranar. Using their own blood, the dranar fill the air with arcane energy, seemingly for their own use. When the Girothian mages of Gylion draw upon the unleashed power however, the trap is sprung. The warriors of the Dranar tear into the wizards’ exposed lights like ravenous beasts, eating them from the inside out on a spiritual level and leaving naught but lifeless husks behind. The Dranar, enhanced by the recently consumed power, overwhelm the now mageless defenders. Those not slaughtered in the assault are enslaved and tortured, their anguish exposing the coveted light which the Dranar require to survive.
 * Condemnation
 * The Silver Council of Elenyr condemns the actions of the Dranar as cruel and unnecessary, claiming Elenyr contains enough magical sources to support their survival without bloodshed. A diplomat is dispatched to Parakhan in an attempt to conciliate but never returns.
 * Ajal's Vengeance
 * Ajal declares war on Elves everywhere, vowing that Girothia will be satisfied with nothing less than a million Elven skulls for each of his fallen siblings. The Elves, scattered, unprepared and without a unified front are butchered by the thousands by the war machines set loose against them. Those not immediately killed flee into the wilds and starve while their homes are set ablaze. Mirroring the cruelty at Gylion, the Elves, regardless of faction, are relentlessly tortured and sent to the Qidra-filled working camps.
 * Horror in Chrysalist Valley
 * Elven spies confirm Ajal’s presence in the Chrysalist Valley accompanied by only a minor retinue. The Silver Council recognizes the opportunity to cut off the snake’s head and mobilizes all forces garrisoned for miles around. As the elven army enters the crystal-enclosed arena Ajal stands in the open, plain to see. Orders are barked, and the Elven cavalry charge the sovereign ruler. At the Elven horsemens’ approach Ajal smashes his staff into the ground and is gone. In his wake, the enormous crystals enclosing the valley explode in spectacular fashion releasing an avalanche of green sludge from within. The Elves turn to retreat but before they can get to the valley entrance a final detonation sends a mass of crystal tumbling to block their escape.
 * The Relentlessness of Man
 * With most of Elenyrian resistance lying dead in Chrysalist Valley, the Girothian advance sweeps through the land of Elenyr. Illmanor, capital city of the Elven empire, is burnt to the ground along with a large portion of its inhabitants. Yet, even with most of organized elven resistance dead, dying or enslaved, the Girothian advance shows no sign of halting. Surrounding woodland, home to many Elven landspeakers, are given ultimatums; hand over any Elves in your custody or be torched alongside them. Zenith’s Eye receives the same.
 * The Essence Concord
 * Upon receiving the ultimatum, the Dragons of Zenith’s Eye send their emissaries far and wide across Caleleth. To the Wemic and the dwarves of Akarth Fos. To the wandering Araxi and the harpies of the desert aeries. To the beastly elders and to the soulbound elementals in forests everýwhere. To any race with the intelligence to listen did they plead their case; They needed allies. Not to stop the Girothians from destroying Zenith’s Eye, but to stop them from destroying everything, everywhere. Not all believe in the draconic portents of doom however. The aerie harpies are the first to decline the call for aid. The Girothian war is with the Elves. Why should they risk their lives? Most Araxi decline as well, along with the Faeries of Rosewood. Despite initial setbacks not all hope was lost. King Gurek of the seafaring dwarves sanction joining the war. They are however ill-prepared and located far from any Girothian borders. the beastly elders of Elenyr and Girothia, having long suffered under the human warmachine as it ploughed through forests for fuel, in unison pledge their support to the Dragons’ cause. The elementals of the forests take their time to deliberate, but eventually oblige as well. Thus, forged in the flames of war, the Essence Concord, dedicated to the protection of all life, is contrived.
 * The Turning Tides
 * With the formation of the Essence Concord the Girothians find themselves hard-pressed on all fronts. Supply lines are raided by Wemics, beasts and Dragons. Attempts are made to reroute as many supply convoys as possible to river routes but Dwarven Iron Vessels ply the waters, blasting any ship hoisting the Girothian flag. Every forest has become a battlefield where inhabitants fight those which would strip away their homes and even the very gates of Parakhan faces siege from wrathful ents and rapidly growing vegetation.
 * The Birthblood Massacre
 * Our Lady’s day, the day of Chaya’s Ascension. The repeated defeats in Elenyr culminate into a riot in Parakhan. A throng gathers before Greathower Cathedral, calling for an end to the campaign. To waste no more lives in a war Girothia has little materialistic interest in winning. Their doubts are answered as the gates of the colossal structure heave open. Expecting Ajal to address their doubts, a cheer rises from the crowd and dies down as quickly as it arose. For behind the gate stands not Ajal but seven peculiar figures. Three feet taller than the tallest in the crowd and clad in night-black clothing and armor, the seven figures remain still while the huddled masses curiously study them. The tower bell rings. An ominous tolling. Once. Twice. Thrice did it knell. Then the slaughter began earnest.
 * Rise of the Overlords
 * Word of the black-clad giants spread like wildfire in the Girothian ranks. Of hulking, ruthless giants with martial and magical skill unparalleled in the known world. Few rumours have time to flourish however, for the Overlords waste no time rising to prominent positions. The first seven are sent to command the Girothian armies, one for each brigade. Those generals unwilling to step down from their positions are instead cut down along with any men brave or foolish enough to stand with them.
 * Paragons of the Dark
 * Where the Girothian war engine had stumbled, it surges forward once again. Portals are established to circumvent the need for supply lines. The Qidrans of the Girothian working camps are armed and brought to bear, seemingly forgetting their past circumstances and submitting to their new masters. Wild mages are deployed on the forest fronts, identifying and burning away invasive elementals, beasts and vegetation alike.
 * The Historian
 * In the cold north Merva has not sat idle while the months of war have drifted past. Day after day has she honed her sorcerous skills in solitude, locking herself away for weeks at a time to practice. Her isolation comes to an end however, when a Wemic arrives at her doorstep. Revealing himself to be a historian of the Yurla tribe, the Wemic produces a withering piece of parchment. As Merva reaches out to take it the Wemic instead blows at it showering her in its pieces.
 * A Journey into History
 * Surrounded by the swirling parchment, Merva is drawn into the history of its torn pages. In them she sees the nightmares of Aros and how he describes the whispers of an entity named Aysia. HowChaya embraces him and a single black tear streams from his face. How it touches Chaya’s arm and like blood in water spreads across her form. She sees how Chaya experiments with herbs and shamanic aids and how the rot keeps spreading and how it pains the Senflu beyond belief. Finally she sees Chaya’s ascension. But it is different to what her mother has described. For Merva knows the light that engulfs the young Senflu by a different name. It was not a blessing per say as her mother claimed, but a binding. The soulbond of a god. The only thing to cure her.
 * Ancient Speculations
 * Returning to the real world Merva turns to the historian for answers and he regretfully explains that his ancestors recorded only so much. Many loose ends still remain. What she saw was only the Wemics’ interpretation of the events. She should analyze them with skepticism. That said, having travelled far and wide for clues, the Wemic also describes how the Qidra seem to worship an entity called Aysia, a god of destruction, likely the very same that tormented Aros in his youth. Furthermore, the historian theorizes that this Aysia was dissatisfied with only Aros and sought to taint his sister as well, much to the chagrin of another god. When Chaya entered the temple ruins, this other god saw its chance and binds its very being to hers in an attempt to root out the corruption in her body.
 * Symptoms of Withdrawal
 * Despite taking notice of the rising power at the Girothians command, the Elves of Elenyr have their own problems to deal with. After the Gifting, many Elves found themselves rapidly decaying, their bodies withering away as if mere dust. A cure is found in the form of a constant stream of magical energy but few places, much less people, can provide the amount of magic that is required. Drawing upon the mystical power of lake Hynuthil, the Silver Council of Elenyr establishes a rationing system, delegating the water in equal amounts. However, the magical properties of the water is lost a short period after its separation from its origins and thus many find themselves located too far from the lake. Some instead seek refuge in the forests around Elenyr, soulbinding themselves and siphoning the power through the roots of elementals willing to perform the bond. Others take to Zenith’s Eye and become the Zenith Elves, forming close ties to the Dragons of mount Callielle. But there are those Elves which can find no such refuge.
 * Gylion's Demise
 * The Girothian city of Gylion is attacked by elves calling themselves Dranar. Using their own blood, the dranar fill the air with arcane energy, seemingly for their own use. When the Girothian mages of Gylion draw upon the unleashed power however, the trap is sprung. The warriors of the Dranar tear into the wizards’ exposed lights like ravenous beasts, eating them from the inside out on a spiritual level and leaving naught but lifeless husks behind. The Dranar, enhanced by the recently consumed power, overwhelm the now mageless defenders. Those not slaughtered in the assault are enslaved and tortured, their anguish exposing the coveted light which the Dranar require to survive.
 * Condemnation
 * The Silver Council of Elenyr condemns the actions of the Dranar as cruel and unnecessary, claiming Elenyr contains enough magical sources to support their survival without bloodshed. A diplomat is dispatched to Parakhan in an attempt to conciliate but never returns.
 * Ajal's Vengeance
 * Ajal declares war on Elves everywhere, vowing that Girothia will be satisfied with nothing less than a million Elven skulls for each of his fallen siblings. The Elves, scattered, unprepared and without a unified front are butchered by the thousands by the war machines set loose against them. Those not immediately killed flee into the wilds and starve while their homes are set ablaze. Mirroring the cruelty at Gylion, the Elves, regardless of faction, are relentlessly tortured and sent to the Qidra-filled working camps.
 * Horror in Chrysalist Valley
 * Elven spies confirm Ajal’s presence in the Chrysalist Valley accompanied by only a minor retinue. The Silver Council recognizes the opportunity to cut off the snake’s head and mobilizes all forces garrisoned for miles around. As the elven army enters the crystal-enclosed arena Ajal stands in the open, plain to see. Orders are barked, and the Elven cavalry charge the sovereign ruler. At the Elven horsemens’ approach Ajal smashes his staff into the ground and is gone. In his wake, the enormous crystals enclosing the valley explode in spectacular fashion releasing an avalanche of green sludge from within. The Elves turn to retreat but before they can get to the valley entrance a final detonation sends a mass of crystal tumbling to block their escape.
 * The Relentlessness of Man
 * With most of Elenyrian resistance lying dead in Chrysalist Valley, the Girothian advance sweeps through the land of Elenyr. Illmanor, capital city of the Elven empire, is burnt to the ground along with a large portion of its inhabitants. Yet, even with most of organized elven resistance dead, dying or enslaved, the Girothian advance shows no sign of halting. Surrounding woodland, home to many Elven landspeakers, are given ultimatums; hand over any Elves in your custody or be torched alongside them. Zenith’s Eye receives the same.
 * The Essence Concord
 * Upon receiving the ultimatum, the Dragons of Zenith’s Eye send their emissaries far and wide across Caleleth. To the Wemic and the dwarves of Akarth Fos. To the wandering Araxi and the harpies of the desert aeries. To the beastly elders and to the soulbound elementals in forests everýwhere. To any race with the intelligence to listen did they plead their case; They needed allies. Not to stop the Girothians from destroying Zenith’s Eye, but to stop them from destroying everything, everywhere. Not all believe in the draconic portents of doom however. The aerie harpies are the first to decline the call for aid. The Girothian war is with the Elves. Why should they risk their lives? Most Araxi decline as well, along with the Faeries of Rosewood. Despite initial setbacks not all hope was lost. King Gurek of the seafaring dwarves sanction joining the war. They are however ill-prepared and located far from any Girothian borders. the beastly elders of Elenyr and Girothia, having long suffered under the human warmachine as it ploughed through forests for fuel, in unison pledge their support to the Dragons’ cause. The elementals of the forests take their time to deliberate, but eventually oblige as well. Thus, forged in the flames of war, the Essence Concord, dedicated to the protection of all life, is contrived.
 * The Turning Tides
 * With the formation of the Essence Concord the Girothians find themselves hard-pressed on all fronts. Supply lines are raided by Wemics, beasts and Dragons. Attempts are made to reroute as many supply convoys as possible to river routes but Dwarven Iron Vessels ply the waters, blasting any ship hoisting the Girothian flag. Every forest has become a battlefield where inhabitants fight those which would strip away their homes and even the very gates of Parakhan faces siege from wrathful ents and rapidly growing vegetation.
 * The Birthblood Massacre
 * Our Lady’s day, the day of Chaya’s Ascension. The repeated defeats in Elenyr culminate into a riot in Parakhan. A throng gathers before Greathower Cathedral, calling for an end to the campaign. To waste no more lives in a war Girothia has little materialistic interest in winning. Their doubts are answered as the gates of the colossal structure heave open. Expecting Ajal to address their doubts, a cheer rises from the crowd and dies down as quickly as it arose. For behind the gate stands not Ajal but seven peculiar figures. Three feet taller than the tallest in the crowd and clad in night-black clothing and armor, the seven figures remain still while the huddled masses curiously study them. The tower bell rings. An ominous tolling. Once. Twice. Thrice did it knell. Then the slaughter began earnest.
 * Rise of the Overlords
 * Word of the black-clad giants spread like wildfire in the Girothian ranks. Of hulking, ruthless giants with martial and magical skill unparalleled in the known world. Few rumours have time to flourish however, for the Overlords waste no time rising to prominent positions. The first seven are sent to command the Girothian armies, one for each brigade. Those generals unwilling to step down from their positions are instead cut down along with any men brave or foolish enough to stand with them.
 * Paragons of the Dark
 * Where the Girothian war engine had stumbled, it surges forward once again. Portals are established to circumvent the need for supply lines. The Qidrans of the Girothian working camps are armed and brought to bear, seemingly forgetting their past circumstances and submitting to their new masters. Wild mages are deployed on the forest fronts, identifying and burning away invasive elementals, beasts and vegetation alike.
 * The Historian
 * In the cold north Merva has not sat idle while the months of war have drifted past. Day after day has she honed her sorcerous skills in solitude, locking herself away for weeks at a time to practice. Her isolation comes to an end however, when a Wemic arrives at her doorstep. Revealing himself to be a historian of the Yurla tribe, the Wemic produces a withering piece of parchment. As Merva reaches out to take it the Wemic instead blows at it showering her in its pieces.
 * A Journey into History
 * Surrounded by the swirling parchment, Merva is drawn into the history of its torn pages. In them she sees the nightmares of Aros and how he describes the whispers of an entity named Aysia. HowChaya embraces him and a single black tear streams from his face. How it touches Chaya’s arm and like blood in water spreads across her form. She sees how Chaya experiments with herbs and shamanic aids and how the rot keeps spreading and how it pains the Senflu beyond belief. Finally she sees Chaya’s ascension. But it is different to what her mother has described. For Merva knows the light that engulfs the young Senflu by a different name. It was not a blessing per say as her mother claimed, but a binding. The soulbond of a god. The only thing to cure her.
 * Ancient Speculations
 * Returning to the real world Merva turns to the historian for answers and he regretfully explains that his ancestors recorded only so much. Many loose ends still remain. What she saw was only the Wemics’ interpretation of the events. She should analyze them with skepticism. That said, having travelled far and wide for clues, the Wemic also describes how the Qidra seem to worship an entity called Aysia, a god of destruction, likely the very same that tormented Aros in his youth. Furthermore, the historian theorizes that this Aysia was dissatisfied with only Aros and sought to taint his sister as well, much to the chagrin of another god. When Chaya entered the temple ruins, this other god saw its chance and binds its very being to hers in an attempt to root out the corruption in her body.
 * Rise of the Overlords
 * Word of the black-clad giants spread like wildfire in the Girothian ranks. Of hulking, ruthless giants with martial and magical skill unparalleled in the known world. Few rumours have time to flourish however, for the Overlords waste no time rising to prominent positions. The first seven are sent to command the Girothian armies, one for each brigade. Those generals unwilling to step down from their positions are instead cut down along with any men brave or foolish enough to stand with them.
 * Paragons of the Dark
 * Where the Girothian war engine had stumbled, it surges forward once again. Portals are established to circumvent the need for supply lines. The Qidrans of the Girothian working camps are armed and brought to bear, seemingly forgetting their past circumstances and submitting to their new masters. Wild mages are deployed on the forest fronts, identifying and burning away invasive elementals, beasts and vegetation alike.
 * The Historian
 * In the cold north Merva has not sat idle while the months of war have drifted past. Day after day has she honed her sorcerous skills in solitude, locking herself away for weeks at a time to practice. Her isolation comes to an end however, when a Wemic arrives at her doorstep. Revealing himself to be a historian of the Yurla tribe, the Wemic produces a withering piece of parchment. As Merva reaches out to take it the Wemic instead blows at it showering her in its pieces.
 * A Journey into History
 * Surrounded by the swirling parchment, Merva is drawn into the history of its torn pages. In them she sees the nightmares of Aros and how he describes the whispers of an entity named Aysia. HowChaya embraces him and a single black tear streams from his face. How it touches Chaya’s arm and like blood in water spreads across her form. She sees how Chaya experiments with herbs and shamanic aids and how the rot keeps spreading and how it pains the Senflu beyond belief. Finally she sees Chaya’s ascension. But it is different to what her mother has described. For Merva knows the light that engulfs the young Senflu by a different name. It was not a blessing per say as her mother claimed, but a binding. The soulbond of a god. The only thing to cure her.
 * Ancient Speculations
 * Returning to the real world Merva turns to the historian for answers and he regretfully explains that his ancestors recorded only so much. Many loose ends still remain. What she saw was only the Wemics’ interpretation of the events. She should analyze them with skepticism. That said, having travelled far and wide for clues, the Wemic also describes how the Qidra seem to worship an entity called Aysia, a god of destruction, likely the very same that tormented Aros in his youth. Furthermore, the historian theorizes that this Aysia was dissatisfied with only Aros and sought to taint his sister as well, much to the chagrin of another god. When Chaya entered the temple ruins, this other god saw its chance and binds its very being to hers in an attempt to root out the corruption in her body.
 * Surrounded by the swirling parchment, Merva is drawn into the history of its torn pages. In them she sees the nightmares of Aros and how he describes the whispers of an entity named Aysia. HowChaya embraces him and a single black tear streams from his face. How it touches Chaya’s arm and like blood in water spreads across her form. She sees how Chaya experiments with herbs and shamanic aids and how the rot keeps spreading and how it pains the Senflu beyond belief. Finally she sees Chaya’s ascension. But it is different to what her mother has described. For Merva knows the light that engulfs the young Senflu by a different name. It was not a blessing per say as her mother claimed, but a binding. The soulbond of a god. The only thing to cure her.
 * Ancient Speculations
 * Returning to the real world Merva turns to the historian for answers and he regretfully explains that his ancestors recorded only so much. Many loose ends still remain. What she saw was only the Wemics’ interpretation of the events. She should analyze them with skepticism. That said, having travelled far and wide for clues, the Wemic also describes how the Qidra seem to worship an entity called Aysia, a god of destruction, likely the very same that tormented Aros in his youth. Furthermore, the historian theorizes that this Aysia was dissatisfied with only Aros and sought to taint his sister as well, much to the chagrin of another god. When Chaya entered the temple ruins, this other god saw its chance and binds its very being to hers in an attempt to root out the corruption in her body.
 * Returning to the real world Merva turns to the historian for answers and he regretfully explains that his ancestors recorded only so much. Many loose ends still remain. What she saw was only the Wemics’ interpretation of the events. She should analyze them with skepticism. That said, having travelled far and wide for clues, the Wemic also describes how the Qidra seem to worship an entity called Aysia, a god of destruction, likely the very same that tormented Aros in his youth. Furthermore, the historian theorizes that this Aysia was dissatisfied with only Aros and sought to taint his sister as well, much to the chagrin of another god. When Chaya entered the temple ruins, this other god saw its chance and binds its very being to hers in an attempt to root out the corruption in her body.

He had thought this the end of the story until a rogue recently sought his council. This rogue, continued the Wemic, had retold the story which had unfolded behind the shut gates of Greathower. How Ajal had pitched the Firstborn against each other, orchestrated the killing of his mother and plunged the Girothians into the Elenyrian war by blaming the murders on the Elves. But perhaps most ominously used his own blood to create the abominations of darkness known as the Overlords.

The killing of their mother, the allegiance with the savage Qidra, the black tear, the stunted growth and Ajal’s tainted blood. With all the clues at her disposal, Merva finally pieced it together. Ajal had never been Chaya’s son. He was the last remnant of her sickness.
 * The Battle for Zenith's Eye
 * The Overlords, having torn through the concordian resistance efforts, finally move on the resistance center of Zenith’s Eye. Having long anticipated the attack, the fortifications around the city of Irvalyth at the base of mount Callielle have been masterfully crafted, combining Elven grace, Dwarven iron and Dragon fire to produce nearly impenetrable walls and deadly armaments.
 * The Overlords, having torn through the concordian resistance efforts, finally move on the resistance center of Zenith’s Eye. Having long anticipated the attack, the fortifications around the city of Irvalyth at the base of mount Callielle have been masterfully crafted, combining Elven grace, Dwarven iron and Dragon fire to produce nearly impenetrable walls and deadly armaments.

Rolling forth their siege engines, flaming stones are hurled at the gleaming walls, pounding at them and demanding entry. In response, Elven arrows infused with the power of the Zenith’s Eye darken the bright-blue sky, seeking out the crews of the cursed war machines and embedding themselves deep within their flesh. High above the battlefield, the combat is no less fierce. Clashing with the Girothian Griffin knights, the Dragons of Zenith’s eye fling man from saddle as lances and beaks rip into their scaly hides. Atop the tower parapets of the walls Elven mages conjure up lightning bolts to crash into the armored columns of the Girothian army. Panic reigns for a short time before the Girothians reveal the newest addition to their forces; the Dranar. Chained to wooden crosses, their tortured frames can be seen hanging limply in the distance, barely moving but still alive. Smelling the magic in the air, the Dranar tear into their former kinsmen with a bestial ferocity, draining their life forces to nourish their own broken forms even if just temporarily.

With Elven magical support eliminated, the Girothian army advances on the mountain gates storming through wherever their catapults have created openings.. With the outer walls breached the Concordians have no choice but to fall back to the city walls, leaving a sleuth of dead comrades behind them.
 * The Last Stand of the Elves
 * The Overlords join the fray. Gathering power, a cloaked figure among them wills to being a heatlance from Dranar blood, searing her way through the iridescent walls of Irvalyth. Fernathrion, newly appointed warden of the Zenith Elves, leads the counter-attack, forming spear walls and ambushes at every corner.
 * The Overlords join the fray. Gathering power, a cloaked figure among them wills to being a heatlance from Dranar blood, searing her way through the iridescent walls of Irvalyth. Fernathrion, newly appointed warden of the Zenith Elves, leads the counter-attack, forming spear walls and ambushes at every corner.

Hours and hours go by. Every step Girothia conquers is dearly paid for in blood. But house by house, street by street, every Elven spear wall is broken. Every archer hunted down. With nowhere left to go the remaining Elves gather for their final stand at Ziliath Square, entrance to Callielle itself. Here the Overlords finally reveal themselves. Two knights and a mage. All three come to witness the end of Elves with their own eyes.
 * Return of the Firstborn
 * The temperature for miles around Zenith’s Eye lowers. Little by little, bit by bit, until the Girothians, Elves, beasts and Qidra are freezing in the temperate sun. In a flash of blue light, Merva arrives. Standing atop the Harvelian Spire the sorceress gazes over the battlements with hate and sorrow in her eyes. From behind her, a character the Girothians know all too well emerges. Seated atop Amista with the golden mask of the Firstborn gleaming in the cold temperate sun. There could be no doubt; Azalan was alive.
 * The temperature for miles around Zenith’s Eye lowers. Little by little, bit by bit, until the Girothians, Elves, beasts and Qidra are freezing in the temperate sun. In a flash of blue light, Merva arrives. Standing atop the Harvelian Spire the sorceress gazes over the battlements with hate and sorrow in her eyes. From behind her, a character the Girothians know all too well emerges. Seated atop Amista with the golden mask of the Firstborn gleaming in the cold temperate sun. There could be no doubt; Azalan was alive.

With a booming voice he addresses the Girothians, asking if it is him they fight to avenge. For if it is, their anger was sorely misplaced. Trapped in stasis in Greathower Cathedral, Azalan and Terukan both lived. And for the murder of Chaya and Vitra, Terukan is the one to blame. But Ajal had spun this web of lies and if the Girothians wished to follow Azalan vowed to end his pitiful legacy, starting with the despicable abominations the Supreme Ruler had created.

With those words a cheer rose from the Girothian ranks. Swooping down from his perch on the Harvelian Spire Azalan and Amista land with a crash in Ziliath Square between the gathered Girothians, Elves, Qidra and Overlords. With a roaring battlecry the paladin’s sword lights aflame, brighter than ever before. No more proof is needed for the Girothians and in a triumphant frenzy they turn on their Qidran allies while Azalan and Fernathrion charge at the Overlords. The But where the Firstborn had expected a prompt victory however, he finds himself matched swing for swing. And too late does he realize that his opponents are not fighting to kill. They are simply stalling for time. A portal, to a destination Azalan could not discern, opens with a screech at the command of the third Overlord and with no hesitation the three dark warriors throw themselves into it, the portal closing behind them almost as suddenly as it had appeared.
 * Apprisal
 * The end of the battle follows swiftly in the Firstborns’ wake. Merva, having heard of the Dranar and their macaber ability, orders her glacial elemental allies to have them torn down. Without them the remaining elven mages in concert with the full might of the Harvelian Spire are more than enough to scatter the remaining Qidra and Girothian forces still loyal to Ajal.
 * The end of the battle follows swiftly in the Firstborns’ wake. Merva, having heard of the Dranar and their macaber ability, orders her glacial elemental allies to have them torn down. Without them the remaining elven mages in concert with the full might of the Harvelian Spire are more than enough to scatter the remaining Qidra and Girothian forces still loyal to Ajal.

Landing at Zenith’s Eye, Merva confronts the Essence Concord’s leaders. Fernathrion, Warden of the Zenith Elves, Cyzar, elder dragon of Zenith, Akilah, representative of the Wemic tribes, Slate, ancient elemental of the forests and King Gurek of the seafaring dwarves. The council look at her with suspicion. They had lost too much at the hands of Girothians to do otherwise. Merva lets out a sigh at their distrust before continuing; Parakhan is theirs. Ajal had fled through a portal along with the remaining Overlords and Terukan had unwittingly been cast into the portal as well. Regardless, the war is over.
 * The Aftermath
 * The aftermath of what came to be known as ‘Ajal’s Deceit’ is dominated by resentment. Most of the elven race has perished in battle with the Girothians and just as many in the labor camps. The dragon elders of Zenith’s Eye and the Wemic leaders feel little sympathy for Azalan but see a wise and empathetic leader in Merva. The Solar Conclave is reformed containing leaders from all major Girothian cities and Merva is accepted as its representative in the Essence Concord.
 * The aftermath of what came to be known as ‘Ajal’s Deceit’ is dominated by resentment. Most of the elven race has perished in battle with the Girothians and just as many in the labor camps. The dragon elders of Zenith’s Eye and the Wemic leaders feel little sympathy for Azalan but see a wise and empathetic leader in Merva. The Solar Conclave is reformed containing leaders from all major Girothian cities and Merva is accepted as its representative in the Essence Concord.

With Azalan back the Arknight Order is reformed and put under the command of the still living Justicar Myrion. The other Firstborn remembering the Ardent Cleansing remain sceptical but agree that the methods of the Arknight Order are effective, even if their history is one of tragedy. Azalan, a warrior in heart and soul, takes command of the warriors of Harken Keep and spearheads the war on the Dranar before they inexplicably disappear. Suddenly facing a world without major conflicts the Firstborn warrior retires to politics for a time. Behind the scenes however, work with Merva and Nimala’s colleagues is conducted, developing a device which would let him pursue his treacherous brother.

The Greathower Cathedral is cleansed of Ajal’s corruption, its cellars having been home to sacrificial sites and tainted scriptures of madness. Merva’s scholars can make little sense of the language in which it is written but deciphers the name ‘Erysicthylon’ repeated in many places.

And so Caleleth, a world torn asunder by the ravages of war, settles for a time in rebuilding. It would be a short reprieve.
 * The Usurper
 * While murders are not uncommon in Parakhan’s underbelly, one string of murders stand out to the investigating inquisitors. The targets are always husbands of pregnant women and the method of death is always the same cold markings on their skins with the soulbound wives remembering nothing of the spectacle unfolding in their homes.
 * The Void Scream
 * Fifty-six years after the end of Ajal’s Deceit a terrible scream is heard across all of Caleleth as portals tear themselves in and out of existence all around the land. Sorcerous power surges and mutations wrack those babes born within the year of the event. After its occurrence, the Harvelian Spire sees more and more Girothian students coming in every year to study portal magic, yet many of them vanish shortly after learning the most basic of incantations.
 * The Realmwar
 * The first inter-dimensional portal opens and a new age begins as the first Overlords find their way back to Caleleth. No longer the black-clad warriors from fifty-six years ago they are diverse, more powerful and seemingly without unified purpose. However, unified or not, behind each of them march armies of strange creatures, often resembling their own twisted forms. Living dead in the shape of human skeletons and carcasses. Demons as depicted by the teachings of Our Lady and other nightmarish abominations too horrid to even describe.
 * The Realmwar
 * The first inter-dimensional portal opens and a new age begins as the first Overlords find their way back to Caleleth. No longer the black-clad warriors from fifty-six years ago they are diverse, more powerful and seemingly without unified purpose. However, unified or not, behind each of them march armies of strange creatures, often resembling their own twisted forms. Living dead in the shape of human skeletons and carcasses. Demons as depicted by the teachings of Our Lady and other nightmarish abominations too horrid to even describe.
 * The first inter-dimensional portal opens and a new age begins as the first Overlords find their way back to Caleleth. No longer the black-clad warriors from fifty-six years ago they are diverse, more powerful and seemingly without unified purpose. However, unified or not, behind each of them march armies of strange creatures, often resembling their own twisted forms. Living dead in the shape of human skeletons and carcasses. Demons as depicted by the teachings of Our Lady and other nightmarish abominations too horrid to even describe.

The Essence Concord is not unprepared however. Unleashing her newest creations, Nimala’s crystalcore constructs; mechanical beings powered by pure light, reinforce the Concordian lines. The Dwarves, having had a taste of war fifty-six years ago have developed massive battle barges and weapons to match while the Elves of Zenith have similarly improved their abilities to utilize the magical energies that nourishes their slender bodies, twisting them into armaments for conflict. But the most pivotal of inventions came not from force of arms but from unity itself. Merva, ever studious had found a way for the strongest of wills to temporarily bind their souls to each other in trios of up to three. While bound, the life force of each individual amplified that of the others, rendering them all but invulnerable, while allowing for a limited form of telepathy. It had its flaws but too few heroes could stand up to an Overlord alone.

The Realmwars had begun.