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Difference between revisions of "First Mortal Epoch"
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(Created page with 'Little is known about the First Mortal Epoch, save what is recorded below. ==An Immortal Building Contest== Many years ago, before sentience was granted to mortals and while th…') |
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==An Immortal Building Contest== | ==An Immortal Building Contest== | ||
Many years ago, before sentience was granted to mortals and while they wandered | Many years ago, before sentience was granted to [[mortals]] and while they wandered | ||
the world unclothed and purposeless, the Gods looked down on them with pity. | the world unclothed and purposeless, the [[Gods]] looked down on them with pity. | ||
Their creations hid in terror from the sun, and shivered from the fall rains, | Their creations hid in terror from the sun, and shivered from the fall rains, | ||
and took shelter in shallow caves when the night arrived and the moon shone | and took shelter in shallow caves when the night arrived and the moon shone | ||
brightly in the sky. It was then that Lleis spoke to each of the other Gods | brightly in the sky. It was then that [[Lleis]] spoke to each of the other Gods | ||
and proposed a contest; for in those days, even the Gods could be called | and proposed a contest; for in those days, even the Gods could be called | ||
'young', and they oft took to sport and games. | 'young', and they oft took to sport and games. | ||
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gladly took up the challenge. | gladly took up the challenge. | ||
In the North of the Continent, Iosyne took the clay that lined a fertile | In the North of the Continent, [[Iosyne]] took the clay that lined a fertile | ||
seashore, and began to mold it into beautiful arches and brilliant | seashore, and began to mold it into beautiful arches and brilliant | ||
architecture. Streets took shape as Inspiration flowed from Her fingers, and | architecture. Streets took shape as [[Inspiration]] flowed from Her fingers, and | ||
elaborate fountains and plazas began to create a beautiful pattern where | elaborate fountains and plazas began to create a beautiful pattern where | ||
mortals might learn from the power of Art and Beauty, and thus protect their | mortals might learn from the power of Art and Beauty, and thus protect their | ||
hearts from the cold and harsh world that existed around them. | hearts from the cold and harsh world that existed around them. | ||
In the South of the Continent, Lanos grasped the sands and dug straight paths | In the South of the Continent, [[Lanos]] grasped the sands and dug straight paths | ||
and perfect angles to create a picture of geometric regularity. It was He who | and perfect angles to create a picture of geometric regularity. It was He who | ||
was able to create beautiful monuments, each edge straight and true, to | was able to create beautiful monuments, each edge straight and true, to | ||
symbolize the power of Truth to lead mortals forward into the coming years. | symbolize the power of [[Truth]] to lead mortals forward into the coming years. | ||
His buildings, although not possessing the beauty of those of Iosyne, were | His buildings, although not possessing the beauty of those of Iosyne, were | ||
utilitarian and solid, able to survive even the worst hurricane that might | utilitarian and solid, able to survive even the worst hurricane that might | ||
travel across the oceans. Even the stones that made them up were Perfect | travel across the oceans. Even the stones that made them up were Perfect | ||
carvings of Rough Ashlar found in Moghedu. | carvings of Rough Ashlar found in [[Moghedu]]. | ||
To the East of the Continent, Severn, always looking to improve His station, | To the East of the Continent, [[Severn]], always looking to improve His station, | ||
took the challenge to heart as well. Though not possessing the Grace of Iosyne | took the challenge to heart as well. Though not possessing the Grace of Iosyne | ||
or the ability to carve Perfectly like His Brother, He nonetheless took the | or the ability to carve Perfectly like His Brother, He nonetheless took the | ||
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His structures leaked during the worst of the Spring rains. | His structures leaked during the worst of the Spring rains. | ||
When it came time to judge the dwellings, Lleis and Varian looked upon each in | When it came time to judge the dwellings, Lleis and [[Varian]] looked upon each in | ||
turn and discussed amongst Themselves Their opinions on the matter. The Gods | turn and discussed amongst Themselves Their opinions on the matter. The Gods | ||
sat anxiously waiting for Their decision and even Haern came and joined them in | sat anxiously waiting for Their decision and even [[Haern]] came and joined them in | ||
watching the deliberations. After many days, Varian and Lleis turned to the | watching the deliberations. After many days, Varian and Lleis turned to the | ||
gathered crowd of Divinities, and spoke to Them. | gathered crowd of Divinities, and spoke to Them. | ||
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==The Becoming of the Trolls== | ==The Becoming of the Trolls== | ||
The mortal Ulgar, renowned for his calm | The mortal [[Ulgar]], renowned for his calm demeanor, his wisdom, and his | ||
honor, was loved by most all of the Gods. He spent many an hour under the | honor, was loved by most all of the Gods. He spent many an hour under the | ||
old birch in the Ithmia, contemplating the meaning of existence or | old birch in the [[Ithmia]], contemplating the meaning of existence or | ||
discussing the essence of being with his peers. It was not uncommon for him | discussing the essence of being with his peers. It was not uncommon for him | ||
to give lectures to or host discussions among his mortal brethren. Not only | to give lectures to or host discussions among his mortal brethren. Not only | ||
was his mind gifted, he possessed a remarkably steady arm and was an | was his mind gifted, he possessed a remarkably steady arm and was an | ||
excellent sculptor and artist, truly a | excellent sculptor and artist, truly a favorable man. | ||
But Ulgar lacked in one trait. He was no warrior. His small posture and | But Ulgar lacked in one trait. He was no warrior. His small posture and | ||
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out in the clearings of the forest. | out in the clearings of the forest. | ||
On a cold winter's night, The Muse, Iosyne, had ordered a gathering of | On a cold winter's night, The Muse, [[Iosyne]], had ordered a gathering of | ||
sorts. Mortals from across the realm attended this fest. Poetry and prose | sorts. Mortals from across the realm attended this fest. Poetry and prose | ||
were read, plays were performed, and all were joyous. At the pinnacle of the | were read, plays were performed, and all were joyous. At the pinnacle of the | ||
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posture." | posture." | ||
The woman smiled and said, "Would you | The woman smiled and said, "Would you forgo your wisdom to gain strength | ||
and posture, in order to serve me?" | and posture, in order to serve me?" | ||
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the maiden's blue eyes had subdued to a shade of grey, her black hair | the maiden's blue eyes had subdued to a shade of grey, her black hair | ||
wavered as the wind suddenly picked up, and she grew in size until she | wavered as the wind suddenly picked up, and she grew in size until she | ||
towered several feet | towered several feet above him. Fear struck Ulgar's heart as he realized he | ||
stood eye to eye with Chakrasul. | stood eye to eye with [[Chakrasul]]. | ||
A soft chuckle echoed from the frame of the Goddess. "And so falls the | A soft chuckle echoed from the frame of the Goddess. "And so falls the | ||
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arrayed in shining armor. An imposing figure of great height, long, straight | arrayed in shining armor. An imposing figure of great height, long, straight | ||
nose, firm-set jaw, and high, aristocratic cheekbones, golden hair tied | nose, firm-set jaw, and high, aristocratic cheekbones, golden hair tied | ||
neatly back with a leather cord. He realized he stood before Arion, the God | neatly back with a leather cord. He realized he stood before [[Arion]], the God | ||
of Valor. Ulgar stumbled back and nearly fell to the ground. | of Valor. Ulgar stumbled back and nearly fell to the ground. | ||
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As told by Orechnai: | As told by [[Orechnai]]: | ||
Once, long ago, there was a castle at the heart of a small kingdom called | Once, long ago, there was a castle at the heart of a small kingdom called | ||
Sehal, within which lived the wise Queen Beye with her twin daughters. Sehal | [[Sehal]], within which lived the wise Queen Beye with her twin daughters. Sehal | ||
was prosperous and known as a place of warmth and comfort, so deeply did her | was prosperous and known as a place of warmth and comfort, so deeply did her | ||
people revere Laughter as holy and cleansing. | people revere Laughter as holy and cleansing. | ||
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"It is done!" snickered Laughter, and disappeared. | "It is done!" snickered Laughter, and disappeared. | ||
Thus was the nation of Kipa, meaning "pixie" in the Old Tongue, and the | Thus was the nation of Kipa, meaning "[[pixie]]" in the Old Tongue, and the | ||
nation of Sazi, meaning "imp", given to us. Ever have they been at war, | nation of Sazi, meaning "[[imp]]", given to us. Ever have they been at war, | ||
though their laughter can still be heard in twilight amidst their games. | though their laughter can still be heard in twilight amidst their games. | ||
==The Origin of the Kelki== | ==The Origin of the Kelki== | ||
As told by Moira: | As told by [[Moira]]: | ||
The seas teemed with beautiful lives, darting among her tides. Long ago had the | The seas teemed with beautiful lives, darting among her tides. Long ago had the | ||
[[Grook]]s begun to populate the fresh waters, and the folk of fin and scale to | |||
build their kingdom of the deep. Yet the shallows were untouched by intellect, | build their kingdom of the deep. Yet the shallows were untouched by intellect, | ||
the reefs deaf to wit. The ocean surged and sprayed, contemplating for ages. | the reefs deaf to wit. The ocean surged and sprayed, contemplating for ages. | ||
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the Muse spoke again, murmuring in Her Sister's ear, "They are lovely." | the Muse spoke again, murmuring in Her Sister's ear, "They are lovely." | ||
So it was that the Kelki were born, and began construction on our greatest | So it was that the [[Kelki]] were born, and began construction on our greatest | ||
work, building a great city beneath the waves in which to research and frolic | work, building a great city beneath the waves in which to research and frolic | ||
in equal measure. | in equal measure. | ||
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As sung by Ta'hena, the sage: | As sung by [[Ta'hena]], the sage: | ||
There was a time when all the world was mysterious to the eyes of ignorant | There was a time when all the world was mysterious to the eyes of ignorant | ||
mortals, and trees were companions in their silence. The Celestine had gifted | mortals, and trees were companions in their silence. The [[Celestine]] had gifted | ||
us with sentience, yet still did we live like beasts from the kindnesses of the | us with sentience, yet still did we live like beasts from the kindnesses of the | ||
forests. They brought food when our bellies ached, shelter when the demons of | forests. They brought food when our bellies ached, shelter when the demons of | ||
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offer only five years later. | offer only five years later. | ||
"The green tongue we give to you," said the wood. "You are the Tsol'aa, the | "The green tongue we give to you," said the wood. "You are the [[Tsol'aa]], the | ||
Song of the Canopy. Sing to us of your life that is so fleeting, and we will | Song of the Canopy. Sing to us of your life that is so fleeting, and we will | ||
care for you as we ever have." | care for you as we ever have." | ||
And so it remains. | And so it remains. | ||