Dear Reader,
This is the tale of the First Great War of Khroniktus, the Ancient World, as recorded and recounted by our historians and bards, respectively, in the Mountains of Rok. This is the tale of the first recorded conflict between the free civilizations of this world and the Dark Legions of the Emperor [illegible]. This is the tale of great champions of righteousness standing in just defiance against a Living Shadow, of stalwart light against consuming darkness, and courage in the face of Death Incarnate. Beware, Reader, for dark things are reminisced in this text. You have been warned.
Chancellor Rasheh of the Rokin.
The Beginning
As the red giant rose from its slumber in the east, it gave chase to the shadows of the night, revealing the dense canopy of the Derew Forest. Dark green leaves, each spanning several feet in length, glistened with the morning dew against the pale red glow of dawn. Slowly, life awakened within the thick branches. Thousands of voices emerged from the shelter of the mighty green titans that stretched into the morning sky.
Beyond the forest the shadows stretched and shrank against the burnt orange sands of the Shal?atar Desert. Massive rusted dunes dotted the horizon. Dust storms and violent gales stirred the endless sea of sand like the tide. Separating the two worlds was a glistening azure river that spanned north and south as far as the eye could see. A low horn bellowed across the landscape.
Between the forest and desert stood a mighty city surrounded by high stone walls. Yellow banners with a downward facing sword behind the image of a roaring lion hung on opposite sides of the enormous gate that lumbered open. The horn sounded again ? deep and majestic ? as the city yawned under the crimson orb that filled the heavens.
Within the gates the city stirred. A mixture of adobe, brick, and wooden buildings lined the paved streets. The steady clanging of metal echoed from the early-rising blacksmith along with a pillar of gray and black smoke that snaked into the sky and dissipated with the wind. As the denizens reached the center of the city, the buildings became increasingly larger and more extravagant. A castle stood in the epicenter.
Thick reinforced walls surrounded the building, creating an outer courtyard. Stone statues of humanoid lions were scattered throughout the area. They stood upon their hind legs and were clad in thick plate. Some carried giant mallets while others carried swords, shields, or great swords. All bore the carved image of a crown resting upon their long noble manes. Towers and spires soared into the skies around the perimeter of the walls with a single tower that soared into the clouds at the keep's center.
Living, breathing, and less gallant version of those statues now filled the streets. Fur ranging from a glossy black to a pale yellow covered their bodies. Some possessed manes that were trimmed, tied back, or formed into dreadlocks, while others were gray and thinned. They were dressed in tanned leather and light cloth garments. Tails swayed beneath hand-stitched dresses and between trouser-covered legs. Whiskers twitched underneath the rising sun.
Other creatures where scattered within the crowds of the humanoid feline natives. They stood five feet above the ground, at about chest height of the lion-men, with their backs hunched over as they trotted along the streets in small groups. They wore tan cloaks over their bodies with hoods shrouding their faces. Large beaks protruded from under the hoods like sore thumbs. Some were long and narrow while others were short, curved, and pointed. Others were in combinations between. Taloned, feathered, four-fingered hands gripped walking staffs and the shoulders of their traveling companions. These creatures squawked, chirped, and cawed through the city.
As the city that sat on the border of the forest and desert rubbed the sleep from its eyes, a lone figure rose from behind a sand dune in the distance. It was dressed in a long tattered cloak that blended almost perfectly with the desert, and he rode a reptilian steed. The beast?s head hung low to the sand as it drudged across the dune. A powerful scaled tail dragged along behind it and hooded ears drooped with its reptilian maw. Its rider clung loosely to the reigns as he hung limp against its back.
The exhausted lizard and rider waded through the sand as they steadily drew closer to the city. Looking up, the rider could only discern the vague silhouettes of two guards clad in shining plate jogging up to him as both he and his mount collapsed onto the ground. A single sentence escaped his dried parched lips.
?Maya?thanat? og?alah? al agthin Lo?din??
His world faded into darkness.
?My lord, King Lo?din?? said the voice that echoed across the throne room.
The great hall was illuminated by the crimson morning light that shone through the windows. Great bronze statues that resembled the ones in the courtyard were erected along the walls. They glistened with an orange hue. A long wool rug ran from the door to a rise of steps leading to the magnificent throne. It was crafted from a frame of wood with the face of a roaring lion engraved into the headboard. The base was capped with glistening bronze, ringed with thick iron, and the arm and back rests were plated in shining gold. In the throne sat an equally magnificent being.
He was clad in a cloak of crimson, deep purple, and silver. Thick golden brown fur covered his paw-like feet and muscular arms. A long tail rested on the ground and wrapped around his ankle. Long and dense was the dark brown mane that flowed down his shoulders and chest. His forehead rested atop his furred and clawed hands. At the sound of his name, his head rose and gazed at the opposite end of the room.
His eyes were drawn to the two iron doors at the entrance to the room. They were swung ajar with two guards standing at either side. Clad in iron plate and wielding greatswords, they stood at attention. However, in the middle of the doorway, striding briskly towards the throne, was a man dressed in the garments of a commoner. He wore a leather tunic and trousers. His arms were bare except for the dark, glossy black fur that covered them. Sweat glistened on his biceps as he ran to the foot of the throne.
?Sire? King Lo?din?? he panted, ?There has been an event that requires your immediate attention!?
?Speak, crier.? said King Lo?din in a deep, strong, yet gentle voice, ?What unrest has come within these walls??
?A weary rider was spotted at the gates this morning. He rode upon a beast of both scales and forked tongue and spoke a language not known in these lands. We brought him to the barracks where he was given food and drink, but he refused them. He continually repeats the same phrase. We believe he is asking for an audience with you.?
?Of what faction does his allegiance belong? Is he of the Teronians, the Rokin, or maybe of one of the unorganized tribes of the east??
?No, my lord? He came from the West; from across the desert??
?Are you certain of this?? asked the king, glaring with both curiosity and confusion.
?Aye. The guards discovered him and his mount at the western gate shortly after sunrise.?
The West. To the east of the city was the Feral Lands and the Derew Forest, while The Marshes and Aigaion Sea dwelt in the north and the Mountains of Rok in the south. However, the west only held endless desert that stretched far into the horizon beyond the sight of any man. One could travel for days and still see nothing but unending ranges of blood red dunes, scorching heat, labyrinth-like crags, and barren wastelands. It was believed that the Shal?atar was the end of the world, and nothing lay beyond it, until now.
Lo?din rose from his throne and strode forward past the crier toward the door. The panther followed suit behind him. A whole two feet shorter, the man looked up to his king, who seemed to tower above him. As the briskly walked through the doorway, Lo?din gestured to one of the guards.
?You,? he said, ?Locate the Sage-Wizard Alphanius in the central tower. Tell him I require his assistance and council. If my sons are present with him, bring them as well.?
Constructive criticism welcomed.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/yCJlIoB0Bxo/viewtopic.php
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