The elf leaned back when I had finished my story, and looking pensive.
  
"Well," said she, "that's a hard luck story, if ever I've heard one.  And
now you're all alone.  What are your plans?"
  
She hadn't seemed to notice the tears that spilled from my eyes as I spoke.
The calm manner that she maintained helped me to calm down, and I thought
deeply.  What was my next plan?  Where was I headed?  What were my goals?
I had no answer, and I told her so.
   
"The first thing you should do, Master Culhwych, is learn.  Learn everything
you can.  Learn about the stars, the earth, the plants, the language you
speak, history... everything.  Learn all you can about yourself as well.
Learn your limitations, your capabilities, your strengths and your fears."
   
"I want to learn to fight." said I, "I want veangeance."
  
She chuckled at that.  "Bad things happen, Culhwych.  I doubt you'll ever
find the thief that wrecked your home, or the dark elves that killed your
mother.  These things happened, and now they are done.  But... as the
fighting goes... you should be able to defend yourself.  I can start your
training as a warrior, in the elven way, but you must finish it."
   
My mentor was better than her word.  She taught me the way of the sword, the
dagger, the spear.  She taught me how to stand behind my shield and use 
all my force to thrust an opponent to the ground.  But she also taught me
about mother earth, and her bounty.  She showed me the stars, and their
meanings.  As for her name, I could not have it.  "There is power within
a name, Culhwych, and much as I beleive you do not intend me harm at this
time, I do not feel safe giving it to you."  So Teacher, I called her.

The Sacrifice of Blood

The blood that once gave me life was now leaving me for dead.  I could feel it flooding my lungs and could taste it when I coughed.  I used to love the taste of it, but now it just reminds me that I’m dying.  My blood betrayed me as I betrayed that which granted me life.  I inhaled deeply and with stood the onslaught of pain that stabbed my chest with each breath.  I clench my jaw and eyes to will away the pain, or the blood, or which ever will end this whole ordeal the fastest.
Why did I do it?  Why did I turn my back on it all?  I was good at what I did.  Chaos had brought me in to the fold and I had excelled in every task Chaos laid out before me.  I remember when I was just a fledgling I use to beg the elders to take me out to hunt with them.  I could feel Chaos’ power surge through me with each victory.  It was intoxicating.  I served Chaos faithfully for most of my life.  Even when the elders and members left or died out, I stayed behind to answer the wishes of my master CHAOS.  I still stayed loyal to the cause, even though I was alone most of the time.  
My conviction used to be enough to get me by.  Then I realize that many leaders disappeared since my time in kindred and I always wanted to take there place but Bosco had something else in stored for me, because he never gave me that wish that I longed for.  I then started to notice how the members and leadership would backstab me, and over look me for my due and rights that I have long earned here in my many years.  It changed my perspective.
So when Chaos called me today, I felt ill.  I no longer wished to do his bidding.  It wasn’t who I was anymore.  I just wanted him to leave me alone.  Lately I have grown to hate him.  To hate everything he stands for.  No I won’t do it, whatever he wants he’ll have to find someone else to do.
“Redrum!  Why have you not responded to my call?” echoed through out the null and void.  “You are my servant.  You must come when I call you.  Now come here I have a task for you.”
“What do you want?” I hissed out at him.
“I smell fresh blood.  It is a pure specimen that I must have.  Hunt it down.  Bring it to me and I will let you share in the spoils of the kill.”
I fought the urge to serve, but I knew it was futile, for I owed him everything.  I stood in the hall and stared at the nothingness of Chaos hoping that he’d forget or change his mind and leave me be.  Leave me alone to do anything other than his dirty deeds.  But he wouldn’t, I knew he wouldn’t.  So I headed down to the abyss to catch the scent of blood.
“Redrum do you smell it.  You can almost taste it on the breeze.  It is glorious.  Go quick and bring me my quarry.”
I shuddered as his words shivered my very soul, but I breathed deep and he was right.  The scent of the blood was wonderful.  It excited my senses and I now wanted it too.
I quickly moved through the abyss and darted out through a portal into the forest.  The blood called to me and I quickly found my prey.  There she was: young, nubile, innocent.  I slowed my pace not to startle her.  I crept between trees and shrunk low to the ground.  I slithered my serpent body within striking distance.  I longed to feast upon her.  I began salivating uncontrollably.  It was then she tensed.  She knew I was there.  She turned.  She froze.  She could so easily be devoured.  She stared right at me.  It was then I saw it.  I saw the innocence in her eyes.  I concentrated and hard to block out the sound of her pulse and I looked at her eyes.  I slowed moved closer to her.  I breathed in her scent and knew it was wrong.  I was unworthy of her blood.  It wasn’t for me to take.  It was for her to live, to thrive, to bring beauty to the world.  I locked eyes with her again and probed to find any reason to snuff her out.
“Take her.  Devour her.  Bring me her blood.”
I wouldn’t let him have her.  She was not to be destroyed.  Her innocence was to be preserved.
With a deep breath I bellowed, “No!  You shall not have her.”
“Fool!  She is mine and if you won’t bring her to me, I will just take her myself.”
The shadows in the forest took on lives of their own.  Quickly I moved her behind me.  More of them began to form.  So I grabbed her and took off out of the forest.  In the light she’d be safe.  I knew I could save her if I could get her out of the forest.  There were too many of them though and the plucked me from the air before I could break the tree line.  I moved her towards the edge of the forest and turned to face Chaos’ minions.
“Run!  Run now.  Get to the light.”
She fled. They pounced.  I fought.  There were so many.  No matter how many I burned, I stabbed, I shredded, they just kept coming.  I could hear Chaos laughing as I tore through his minions.  Eventually I tired.  I don’t know how many I destroyed. Before it happened.  I felt their grip as they beat through my armor.  I they tore into my flesh and I felt my blood begin to pour onto the ground.  I swung my wartorn blade mightily through the air and missed slumping to the ground with a thud.  I tried to get up to no avail.  Chaos had won.  I was finished.  I only hoped she was safe.  That she made it home with her innocence intact.
I could feel his hands checking my wounds.  My body, too exhausted from my ordeal, didn’t even jerk away.  With a heavy sigh, I fluttered my eyes until they’d open.  There he was, just looking at me.  He was nothing more than a dirt farmer, but maybe he saw.  Maybe he knew, just maybe.
“Did – did – she get away –,” I stuttered out between blood laiden coughs.
“Who do you speak of beast?” the farmer replied.
“The woman –,” my jaw clenched as pain shot through my body, “that the shadows – wan – were attacking.” I coughed more, less blood now.  I must not have any more left within me. “Did she –?”
“I am sorry beast, I do not know.  I came upon this scene just now.  What of you?  Can I help you?”
I coughed as the air burned my lungs, “I am of no consequence farmer.”  More coughs and sputters as I tried to breath in order to speak, “My fate has been set.  I – have betrayed my master and paid for it with my life.”  Gasping for air I tried to focus my sight upon this man to better know my confessor, “My only hope was that her innocence would not have been ex – tinguished by Chaos’ grip.”  I sighed heavily expelling my last breath of malice with these words, “Chaos you may’ve consumed my so – soul, but know that one day people will stand against you a – and you will lose.”
I don’t remember closing my eyes, but everything became dark and soon the cold set in.  My senses seemed to have left me, but I could still feel the presence of the poor farmer.  I could feel him gently stroke my scales and whisper these words, “Do not fret my child, for Chaos holds no power over you anymore.  You’ve given of yourself, so that another could live.  And that sincere charity for those who are innocent makes you mine again.  I shall restore you, as I restored your ancestors who’ve passed on before you, to your rightful place by my side.  You shall never be trapped within this mortal coil again.”
With a brilliant flash my sight returned.  I could see my broken body beneath me.  The immense pool of blood that had flowed from my body into the surrounding soil was horrifically telling.  I had died.  I quickly turned to look for the farmer, but instead my eyes were met with a shining figure.  It was Bosco.  I don’t know how I knew it was him, but I did.  Panic set in.  If I was dead, who would fight against the darkness that Chaos brings to the world?  I had to go back.
With a sense of urgency I spoke, “Bosco, I thank you for this gift, but you must send me back to them.  I must take up arms against Chaos and protect those who cannot protect themselves.  Please, send me back.  Allow me to bring your light to the masses, so that others do not have to suffer any longer.”
In the gentlest voice he spoke to me, “Are you sure, my child?  Do you truly wish to give up your exalted place of honor?”
“Yes.  I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.  I must continue to give of myself for the good of the world…”
Everything slowed.  Then blackness snapped back into existence.  I could feel my body.  I coughed hard and long, but this time it did not burn.  This time no blood spewed forth.  I gasped deeply and my eyes popped open.  I saw the world differently then before.  Instead of a distain for it and a desire to cull its weak, I saw its potential and desired to foster it.

Purifying the Flock

The Halls of Justice were quiet in the wee hours before dawn. The only sound was that of Jandor’s labored breathing, as the moonlight softly crept into the Sanctuary through the stained glass windows above the gates, scattering shadows across the room.
      “What am I to do,” he whispered into the shadows with a heavy sigh punctuating his lament.
      “What do you mean sire?” a voice, soft and sweet, answered back.
      “Oh, my apologies Donna. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just needed to think and something about this room aids me.”
      “Of course it does. What is it that vexes you tonight m’lord?”
      “My heart is heavy tonight. Yesterday after a tragic battle, I met with my trusted advisors and the Guardians. Justice is in a shameful state. Something must be done, something drastic I’m afraid.” Jandor hung his head and turned away from the great healer. His breathing became focused and restrained, as if holding back a torrent of emotion. The Mighty Shifter and Leader of the Just shimmered in the cascading moonlight. His image, normally hidden, was unmasked. He was disrobed of his defenses and unarmed against the truth that had pierced deep into his soul.
      “Lord Jandor, I am concerned for your well being. What transpired yesterday?”
      Jandor’s eyes transfixed upon the stained glass, as he spoke, “Well it was like any other day Kindred and their legions of Chaos started a ruckus and we responded…
The air was acrid with the scent of blood when we entered town. I knew something terrible had already transpired. I ordered my clanmates to advance. Kindred were already collected at the Market Square sacrificing some of the locals to Chaos. The blood had pooled in the crevices of the cobblestone like a vast red river delta of death. Cappadocius and I tapped into the weave of magic and called forth minions from across the lands and unleashed them upon the Kindred. Realizing my tactic Sauron barked out for Lloth and Spinal to reciprocate in kind. Soon masses of magically manipulated monsters clashed amongst the ranks of Chaos and Righteousness. With the swiftness of sudden death, Ahkulion and Eralana cast themselves into the fray. Darkness flooded from the shadows to envelope Chaos as Ashton called forth the spirits of demons to consume the souls of Kindred. The battle cry of Shadowsbane and the deadly blades of Sauron pierced the flesh of my clanmates, as blood of Kindred and Justice alike poured onto the streets overflowing the cobblestone levies and pouring in all directions. More of our clanmates began to join the battle and soon we had the upperhand. Chaos shattered into pieces and one by one they fell or fled in the name of Justice. Drenched in a bloody frenzy we chased after them like the primal beast chasing it quarry. 
… after all was done, I knew.”
“Knew?”
      “I knew what must be done. Justice had lost its way. We no longer care about
being just. We just follow everyone else. We do what everyone else does. We are sheep. And I must purify our kind. It’s Bosco’s will.” As he spoke, Jandor’s eyes widened with growing madness.
      “Bosco?”
      “Yes. Yes it was Bosco. I could hear his voice on the breeze during the battle. I could see his face in the pools of blood at my feet. He was everywhere. And he disapproved.” Jandor’s head hung low and shame gripped the room. “We aren’t who we used to be. We no longer follow the teachings of Bosco.”
      “Don’t lose hope Jandor. You are a good leader and your members would follow you always.”
      “Donna, you’ve been a dutiful confessor and loyal subject, but we’ve lost our way.” Jandor’s head rose to meet Donna’s concerned expression. His eyes darted around the room, zigging and zagging with eccentric intent.
      “Jandor –”
      “Shhhh, listen. Do you hear it? Can you hear his voice?” 
  “Who?”
      “Bosco. He’s here. He’s watching. He wants me to return Justice to its proper path. Back to its conception.”
      “I am sure the members will do whatever is necessary to return. Test them and I know that they will meet your expectations.”
      “Yes. I shall test their resolve, their loyalty, and those who truly wish to serve Justice will remain.” Jandor then reached into the weave of magic and whispered for Cappadocius’ presence. Then turning to the shadows he beckoned for Ashton to show himself. With a swift gesture Jandor motioned as if to reveal a secret. “My most trusted advisors, the time has come for us to act. The flock must be purified, so when Justice is reformed we will no longer be the sheep we have become, but the guardians of righteousness we’ve been called to be. I order each of you to help me purge the hall.”
      Cappadocius nodded his head dutifully, as Ashton inquired, “All of them?”
      “Everyone must go. Those who are truly just will understand and return to us when the time is right.”
      In unison the recruiters nodded and spoke, “As you wish.” The shocked screams of Justice members could be heard across Terra and Dominia as they were forcefully removed from the halls. The echoes of recently lonered members pounding on the Grand Gates of Justice rang out into the stillness of the great hall. The pleas for mercy and to be let back in fell upon deaf ears. Jandor’s grin, immortalized on the statue he erected in the sanctuary, expressed the new dawn of Justice.

"The Reign of Immortals" - Chapter 1

Some say that history is best left in the past; others say that it is essential for the future. I belong to the latter group, so I have accumulated knowledge hidden away about the important events of the world and compiled them into a single volume, that all might know and learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, and that one day all peoples may be reunited under a single banner and finally receive redemption.
“From the stone that formed this land,
To the tears that grew the great divide,
This land has ever been at war,
And there is nowhere left to hide.”
-An adept of Bosco
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<|On Bosco|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
      Long ago, all that is in the world was formed by the power whom we serve. Bosco the greatest among the Gods. He created the land of terra and placed his children upon it. It was all so very good. It was a land of peace, and happiness, and love. But, it is no more. The land is torn. The world is at war. Everywhere you look you see the death and suffering that plagues us constantly. Did Bosco abandon his children? We can only hope not.
      Our beloved God, he ruled with justice and grace. All those residing in Valhalla served him faithfully as did those on the land of terra. Could this have lasted forever? It had been hoped, but it was not to be. His five true children who inherited the power of their father were not all as kind and benevolent as their father was.
      Carnas had in his heart an eternal lust for power. Taelisan was cold and calculating and spurned the company of others. Bhaal, who was the seeker, wanted to control his own destiny. Gabriel had a heart of loving compassion and sought to do good. Chain believed in the dual codes of equality and justice.
      In one being, all the traits of Bosco’s children combined to make a leader everyone could love and follow, yet divided among Bosco’s children, it lead to battle and bloodshed. Woe to the lands of Terra on the day the battles erupted. The children of Bosco had divided, their differing views cutting any family ties that could have prevented the disaster that came.
      Bosco surely attempted to prevent the battle that soon followed, but he had also grown old, and was no longer a match for the vigorous battles in which his children engaged in order to prove their worth. As is the way of battle, it spread. First across the heavens, but eventually it spilled out into the mortal realms. The streets ran with blood. And that blood rose up like the stench of sewers and the sight of it sickened Bosco. His once beautiful creations were now marred without hope of renewal.
      Bosco took away the power they had gained as his children and drove them from his holy dwelling place with the last of his dwindling strength. He then sealed the land of the gods to that they could never return.
-Page from “History of Terra”
“On his own, one is weak,
With others who share his goals,
No one can stand in his way.”
-The Manual of Politics and War
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<|On Clans|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
      Amazon, Eclipse, Justice and Seeker, these four were there from the beginning. Each with it’s own goals and desires.
      Amazon, once under the great leadership of Samantha, was a prideful clan. It boasted the strength of females, denigrating males to the place of servants. They were strong and selective of whom they allowed to enter their ranks.
      Eclipse cared only for itself and served the desires of those within, but never had strong leadership. For this reason, many flocked to it for the safety of numbers but few remained loyal to their causes.
      Justice, under Chain, was a force to be reckoned with. All who flaunted the law received their penalty, a death sentence. None dared to break the laws of the land as long as Justice was near.
      Seeker, under Bhaal, each sought their own goals, but did so together under a banner of peace. It was a haven of learning and helpful friends.
      Many thought that Eclipse would be the first to fall, yet it was not so. Amazon, the strongest of all disappeared from the face of Terra, only to be replaced by the dreaded Kindred. The Kindred fought for the joys of battle. They were the most powerful of the powerful, each with at least twenty kills to their name. They brought chaos where there was once order.
      Soon, another clan arose, seemingly out of nowhere. They went by the title of Pragmati. Terra should have feared the appearance of this group, for it turned out they were only the beginning of a new and terrible regime that came to call itself Venari, who had in fact come from the far land of Dominia to lay waste upon our shores as the dragon’s had done to them in the long forgotten dragon wars.
      Eclipse fell then. It was struck from existence from the Gods themselves. The only remains can be found at the abandoned hall in Old Thalos.
      As if to take the place of Eclipse, a new clan revealed itself. It was known as Harper. The goals they professed were courage and honour, but their true purpose was revealed when they drove the ranks of Venari back to Dominia where they battle for the freedom of all races.
-Excerpts from “The Annals of the Clans”
“Fire, ice, lightning, acid and poison,
Dragons are beasts, they bring only destruction.”
-Sliver Queen
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<|On the Dragon Wars|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
      Selina’s light guides her followers to the true path: the path of peace and of community, and of enlightenment. It was a time of joy and celebration, until fire rained down from the sky. The dragons had come. It seemed like there was no hope against the horde that came. Their power was unlike any the peoples of Dominia had ever faced before. All on Dominia despaired, for not even the mighty power of Selina could halt the destruction.
      As a last hope, Selina, with the aid of the mighty King Lawrygold of Dominia, and the mighty troll wizard known as Gargnath, retreated to the city of Shandalar and fortified it against attack.
      The troll and sliver armies converged on this last haven and combined their forces. In a final desperate effort, all the forces of Dominia attacked as one, but they were not but an equal match for the power of the dragons. Selina led a charge in hopes that the most mighty of dragons would be struck down, but instead she herself was dealt a critical blow.
      The armies of Dominia were outraged, and Gargnath, led the forces against the dragons in a desperate and furious charge. Even the mighty slivers shed tears that rained upon the land for their goddess. The dragons were routed by the followers of Selina in that battle. They were ruthless in their vengeance. Even the most powerful dragons fell before them. Few escaped their wrath, and then only by fleeing back to Terra.
      Selina, weakened by her wound and all the energy expelled in battles chose to be laid to rest in a crypt where she should only be disturbed if the dragons ever returned.
-Written on the walls of Selina’s Crypt.
“Who is greater? The creator,
or that which gives their creation meaning?”
-From the “Book of the Prophets”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<|On the Immortals|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
      With the world cut off from Bosco, his children stripped of their powers, and Selina sleeping in her crypt, who could maintain the lands. Mortals tried and failed, each attempt bringing only bloodshed and disaster. The people needed leaders, ones who were not constrained by the bound of their mortal bodies. They needed immortals.
      When the people of terra cried out to the heavens, two answered their call: Daisy and Delstar. These beings had power that rivalled even that of Bosco himself. Their bodies were forever young and strong and their dedication to the people unparallel. They brought the people out of the darkness of their sins and offered them redemption. The people followed them, and dedicated themselves to serving their cause.
      For years this was a perfect solution. They would raise up mortals whom they deemed to be worthy and gave them power to help rule the land and to continue building the peoples that served them, yet even immortals tire. After their mighty reign, they stepped down in order to let fresh blood renew the land which they had worked so hard to maintain. They gave their remaining powers to Starcrossed and Cauthon who to this day strive to improve the world in which we live.

One day as I was wandering up to the old Justice hall I noticed something was amiss. The grand gates no longer towered the sides of Olympus pass, The once magnificent turrets which held the defenders loyal to the cause of righteousness are now covered in a slime green moss. I notice the portcullis, which is covered in old rotten boards, seems to have a hole in it. Looking for a place to rest I crawled through it until I reached the main hall. The gigantic statues that once portrayed each of the leaders from Chain all the way to Khell have been defaced so now they look like giant piles of rubble. The shop keeper to the west has left for better pastures, since there is no one more to sell to and even the faithful healer has returned to the clergy she once came from.
As I approach the tainted lemonade fountain (which has been befouled one too many times) I see a young man lounging casually on the couch. Upon closer inspection you can see tears in his eyes and they wander from each torn painting in the room. “What has come to pass to see the just fallen so low” he cries aloud. “The halls cry in vain with the destruction of the proud past that once belonged here”. I looked sadly at the young man, things just aren't the way they used to be. Clans have always came and gone yet for some reason this one particular clan seemed to touch him more personally than any of the others. “Why do you feel they have abandoned us? Why do you feel the Gods have destroyed the one thing that held Chaos in check over the years” he asked of me. “I am truly unsure” I answered unnerved. This haunted place was really starting to give me the creeps.
“Let me tell you a story my young friend (who was he talking to? I was an elf of more than 100 years and this young human is calling me young? Good Bosco!) 
He silently pulls out a lute and tests the strings. They do not seem to be of this world, surely Apollo himself would be jealous of the sounds coming from this lute. As he started playing his melody the shadows started to shift slowly in turn, almost as if to respond to his pain that he feels. He starts to describe a young man by the name of Chain who came to terra by the pleas of Bosco to form a clan to protect the young dragons from both Prigmati and Amazon. His notes then quicken as he speaks of the tales of Acehilm, Lissa, FarBeyond, Ashton, Talya, Sunshine, Valtyz, Soarak, and the many others up until it's sudden demise at the hands of the Black Dragon Khell.
Abruptly his singing stops. Immediately the shadows begin to take shape. Sitting on the old couch are Rosalie and Lufia chatting endlessly about their loves and their tell tale adventures. Grendena could be heard in the distance either brewing potions or teaching the young Sunshine Kristina how to cast enchantments on weapons. In the near distance you could see Brooklyn sitting by the Moose 
shrine, the mighty brothers ying and yang could be seen sprawled out on the battlements drinking immense quantities of beer. Lightzz and Chronic could be seen wandering through one of the many Terran portals doing “god knows what”. Lectral could be seen writing at the desk in the Stronghold room of the Brotherhood of the just writing one of his many satires. Eltron and Skywise would be seen near the Smithy counting all of their loot from one of the many kindred hall breaks, and finally the couples. The long lasting couples that have been handed down over the ages. They both made and broke Justice. The first being Acehilm and his love Angelique. They would always been seen in the Treehouse looking out at the many sunsets. Farbeyond and Sweety could always been seen near Lufia and Rosalie drinking lemonade from the fountain and just gazing into nothingness and poor Talya, the wise elf, could be seen praying close to the healer.
As the end notes appear abruptly, the song all too quickly comes to a close. Tears come to both of our eyes as the once magnificence of such a historical place comes to ruin. Now rats cover the once plush floors and the Grey stone, that was once warm to the touch, is now cold with despair. 
“Why would they do this to us? What will become of our home and our way of life? Will we let Chaos reign unchecked? Will we finally give Samael his final prayer before having disappeared into the great nothingness? Haven't the Gods heard our pleas and our prayers enough to want to keep this from happening?” I finally fell to my knees and screamed “who will dispense justice to the world if we who are just have died!” 
A gray light could be seen from the distance and a loud echo filled the hall of the Just. “You were warned at the time of Soarak what would happen if your clan did not follow it's passage, I was lenient and biding my time until such a time occurred where justice truly lost it's path. From Soarak forward many of it's leaders took justice far from it's intended path.” I rose angrily and started yelling “that gives you no right to control our destiny, sure Soarak was a bad leader, as was one or two others (the mischievous Dwake and Jandor came to mind as did a few choice others). We had champions though, champions that rose to a common good to try to defend your values. We had Ashton, FarBeyond, Skywise, Sunshine, Halberet and many others that upheld the Justice value. Is the loss of faith in just a handful of people worth destroying a history so complete?
The old troll pondered for a moment and looked at the walls as he began to reminisce of all the old times he once had in this hall and as he did a single tear swelled from his greasy eyes.
Let me tell you of a young troll who used to wander these halls, a troll who travelled the breadth and width of dominia and terra to serve justice to those who needed it. I completely understand what you are feeling because I felt the same way when it was first decided.
As I look forward I realize that there are other forms of justice walking the land. Seeker has finally began to arm itself against the mighty Kindred. Kenshi and Venari are maintaining their own balance, so there is truly no need for a justice as there was in the past. We are no longer needed like we used to be and as Eclipse we shall now meld with the shadows of the past.
I calmly watch as the young grief stricken man gazes at the at the old troll then wanders towards the moose shrine. As he climbs the ladder to the parapet he shouted one last defiance “FINE THEN! IF THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THE WORLD I REFUSE TO BE A PART OF WHAT IS LEFT”. 
His corpse was found near where the guardians used to be and other than a single droplet of blood, no mark could be seen on his body. Cauthon stared angrily at the body “so be it, if you wish to be in these halls forever, let this curse be on you” and with a wave of his talon a ghost appeared. 
“You shall forever haunt these halls until such a day as the true remains of justice return to power.” 
On a clear night when the moon if full in the sky, you should now be able to hear that poor young man wailing at what has become of his dreams and his fantansies.

The Fall

Some things happen that you can't explain, it's like a cold slap
in the face. Well, it all began some time ago, when I believed that
the only one who could save me, was myself...
 
I can't remember whether it was nice or cloudy, I had had a bad, 
sleepless night once again. Grumpy and aggitated, I went for a walk
to clear my mind.
 
I was always one of those dragons who were loners, never to walk with 
others because of a fear of being attacked. Self-concious and alone,
I walked, long and slowly through the forests alongside Terra, 
the beautiful city I had always wanted to visit, but never could.
 
As I walked, I suddenly felt the ground fall from beneath me. 
I fell through an enormous hole into a large cavern covered in moss
and algae.
I looked up, hoping to see that the hole would be big enough for me to
fly out....Unfortunately, it was not.

Flustered, I looked around the cavern for a way out. Nothing.
My heart raced as I screamed for help. Then I realized...who would come
to help a dragon of my sort? And how would they help me? I was bigger than
most things that walked this world.
Scrambling at the wall for footing to climb out, I was unsuccessful again
and fell onto the cold earth.
As I decided to just lay down and await my fate, I heard a sound coming 
from above, almost like a call of some sort.
I raised my head to hear, and yelled again for my savior.
Again, I heard a yell.
 
I hopped onto my back legs and roared as loud as I possibly could, 
the cavern trembled beneath my feet.
I looked up and saw a head, a head of a dragon.
 
I couldn't believe my luck, a warm feeling washed over me, the sound
of this stranger's voice was the most relaxing thing I had ever heard.
 
"Are you alright!?" they yelled down into the hole.

I screamed up that I needed help out, he nodded and disappeared.
Suddenly I heard a rumbling, and as I looked up I noticed that the top
of the cavern was beginning to cave in.
 
I yelped and jumped out of the way of the falling rocks. Looking up again,
I saw that the hole had become large enough for me to fly out.
 
As I reached the sky, I looked down for my angel. He had vanished.
 
From that day on, I made a vow to help those in need.
In honour of the one who helped me.

Hunched with his back to the wall Saidan glared down as his work, eye's normally
his strongest feature, piercing his enemy, burning with pride, were swollen, 
sore, exhausted. How long has it been?
 
"There can be no end save victory."
 
Those were the last words Saidan heard him say. What did it mean? Banished here
for too long, perhaps the words had been twisted with repetition. he was sure
this was it, the way out. Amazing, no matter how many times he checked his work,
he was sure it was right.. the gateway of reincarnation... amazing.
 
"DESHIVA!" Saidan boomed.
 
================================================================================
Standing up, Deshiva started marching down the long hallway. No matter how many
times he heard his name echo down the cold dark marble, it never failed to send
shivers down his spine and out his toes. It was time for Saidan to hurt Deshiva.
 
He only knew it as pain now, it used to be something, an escape? Mutiny? Saidan
said he could get them out of this hell. Back to land, back to water.
 
"We are finished."
 
"Finsihed?" Deshiva asked, "What next?"
 
"Are you familiar of the teaching of one Ying, and his brother Yang?" Saidan 
asked.
 
"Opposition? counter, Jin? of course, you know I am, I am a Cleric of chaos, 
are Yings teachings are most valueable to one of in my art." He could tell
Saidan had become board with him already, he wondered is he would be punished
today, tonight, time had no meaning..
 
"I have found a way for us to return home, it took much search, but I needed a 
soul dispelt of his Jin, a puritan."
 
"A templar" Deshiva remarked, "But how?"
 
"Your Jin, my Jin, together, can move to this templar. What little good is left 
in us will respawn back to reality, the templar, without any knowledge of his
past life." 
 
Saidans eyes looked weak, but his voice sounded as commanding as ever, he stood
there beaming with what Deshiva might have thought was happiness if he could be-
lieve saidan possible of such an emotion.
 
"Do it" Deshiva said, sounding commanding again for the 1st time in as long as 
he could recall. He didn't understand Saidan's implications entirerly, he didn't
care.
 
"Holy word Deshiva, ready, holy it, focus on it."
 
Deshiva breathed in deeply, running his novice exercise's over in his head. He
had not been permitted to cast in since his battle for dominancey with Saidan.
===============================================================================
 
Saidan inhaled deeply, perparing.
 
This fool was more a fool then he thought. Saidan wondered if he knew at all 
what was about to happen, or if the isolation of this place was too much for
the weak of mind. Without his Jin, he will be unable and unwilling to follow
the great Lord of the Mourning. 
 
A red ruby appeared above Deshiva's head, it rotated violently, growing darker
it was raging now, sucking in was little light was in the large room, it 
expanded, splitting Deshiva in two, it didn't seem to bring him any harm.
 
"NOW Deshiva, release it"
===============================================================================
Deshiva barley heard Saidan, he was in so much pain he could not move, those
novice exercise's were all he was concentration on, trying to ignore the burning
and pulling of his soul, he released his spell, and the world seemed to fold him
up and crushing one half of him into the other... he felts empty now..
===============================================================================
 
Saidans eye burned with glory, triumph! he was new, he was reborn, he was
stronger then he has ever felt. with a mighty ROAR, he leaped upward, onto the
plains of reality from which he came, from which he knew, he would return.

The Beginning

Let me tell you my tale stranger. I am not from these lands and have
come from far away, a long time ago, to learn your lands.I come from the
region of Endal'dun. There the cities flourish through trade 
and cooperation, each person linked to the other. There are factions
and guilds, but none of these fierce clans. The factions and guilds would
compete, but never in violence.

I was an explorer for the vast and powerful guild Hreshna. My job was
to seek new trade routes and find suitable regions to set up trade,
to the advantage of Hreshna of course. Morals were far and few among the
guilds, but again, cooperation was key to success. The guilds could not
function without dealing with each other. 

Varnak was the leader of Hreshna. A gargoyle like myself, Varnak was large
among us and very imposing. Uncompromising, Varnak was known for his 
ruthlessness. That is probably why I had the job I had. Gargoyles from
Endal'dun are renowned for their strength and fierce nature. Not the
brightest of the races, but we pride ourselves with the ability to get
a deal through any means necessary. There were no dragons and giants native
to Endal'dun, and they were seldom ever seen there either.
I had never seen so many until I came to your lands of Terra and Dominia

I suppose it must have been fate that sent me to your lands. I remember
quite clearly the day that would send me to your lands. It began with
a conversation with Varnak...

"Halberet, we have found undiscovered land far south from our own, days
out at sea. Rumours from the prophets tell us it is a land to be feared,
to keep away from. They say going there would surely be death, and to trade
with them would cause the destruction of civilized states. I have never
been one to heed a foolhardy prophet, but either way, I suppose Hreshna
must be wary."

"But I thought the scribes had mapped the world already, by ship and by
magic... How can there be undiscovered land?"

"My friend," Varnak said, standing to pat my shoulder, "I am not one to
question why something exists, that is for the elves. I am concerned 
only in what we may do to continue to empower and glorify Hreshna."

"You wish me to travel to this land then?" 
I was well known for establishing new routes because of my toughness.
Made of nearly solid rock, gargoyles are hard to kill if you 
don't know how. Gargoyles made good explorers because we usually come
back alive. Being of stone and gifted with wings, if we cannot kill those
who challenge us, we almost certainly get away.

"Of course. Be damned if the prophecies stop us from expanding our empire.
I want you to go over and find what they have to trade, and what we can
trade to them. I'm sure whatever fighting they are doing is nothing to concern
a gargoyle" Varnak ending laughing.

Unfortunately, Varnak was wrong.

The Voyage

We set off on a large ship, a gnomish design. Most of our crafts from Endal'dun
were designed by the small but intelligent folk.

The ship we sailed was made to use a crew of 200, so I brought with me several
slaves to accompany my trading partners as well as the crew provided. The first
few days at sea were fine, not a problem had come by, but how fate turns, 
not a person knows. On the fifth day, the sea was alive and fighting us at every
turn. Waves and storms so powerful they threatened to engulf the ship. 
The weather persisted for almost a week. Those religious among us said the
prophecies were true, we were doomed to die for trying to reach the forbidden
land. Many died in those storms, falling overboard to be lost at sea. However,
I was not prepared to give up.

Having been left in charge of this exposition, anything I did for the glory 
of Hreshna would be directly credited to myself. This could bring great
power back to me in Endal'dun. The others were of no concern to me, I was
safe with the gift of flight and that is what mattered. The weather
would not hold me back.

After six days, the weather died off. The navigators confirmed that we remained
on course and we continued on our setting. Some of the crew members had grown
concerned: the trip was said to be less than a week, and we were already out
11 days. It would take four more days to reach the land, and that day would
mark a great change in everyone's life aboard that ship.

Land Ahead

The fateful day was upon us. "Land ahead!" cried one of the slaves. Sure enough,
land had been spotted and the ship changed course in that direction.
I'm not entirely sure what happened next, I can only tell what I have pieced 
together from the survivors.

We headed towards the shore, all but myself in worry as we approached.

"If there's a god here to stop us," I said, mocking the prophecy, "let him try."

Never did I know the gods to be so involved in a society as this.

The clouds split apart before me showing an imposing figure of what I came
to learn are dragons. It boomed out towards us "I shall not allow more to
come to kill my children!". The ship seemed to tear itself apart after that,
every piece of wood breaking before my eyes but not to any man's hands or axe.
Panicking, I grabbed my weapons, a mere sharp stick from a forest in Endal'dun,
and took flight. The sky split apart again, this time a woman appeared, screaming
at the dragon. I believe she must have protected me, there is no other possible
way I could have survived. I have never seen her again to ask her though,
or to thank her.

I scrambled in my flight, quickly looking for a safe place to land. I found
a broken dock with a sign in a language I had not yet come to learn.
I would soon discover what it said in the days to follor and to learn the
language of the strange creatures later. Of the 200 on board, none
of my traders survived and fewer than 50 crew and slaves washed 
up upon the shore.

We gathered ourselves together, all of us shaken. 
We turned towards the city centre and entered, seeking shelter to rest 
and recover. This was my first day on your cursed lands.

That is all of my tale I will tell for now. I shall inform you of the rest
of my journey another time.

Halberet Krit, the Mercenary. Lost soldier of Hreshna.