Maybe this is some interesting reading for those who are bored and badly miss the possibility to play "Final Realms". A suggestion 'we need some new books' for the very ERA we are playing in. Heh Reverend you so called "Librarian" do your thing ;) or make even more Comics. Hehe just kidding you are cool Reverend keep up the good work!Well here are The books in Stormfront Library :City of Stormfront: Tower of Attrition   You have entered the library for Stormfront and Belaern Isle.  The dominantfeature of this room is a long countertop, behind which sits a wizened,feisty-looking old man. He looks at you contemptuously, as if to question yourright to be in the presence of his beloved books. On the wall behind him is abookcase that has several large tomes resting upon its shelves. You think thatif you looked at the shelves more closely, you might see the titles of theavailable books. As you continue to survey the room, you see several largedisplay cases, and you realize the library doubles as a sort of museum. Thenorthern wall holds several mounted weapons. The door through which you enteredis guarded on either side by unoccupied suits of armour. The southern wall iscompletely covered by a huge tapestry. Two objects of interest are set alongthe western wall, a large stuffed and mounted warhorse, and a huge stone altar.There are two obvious exits : out and up.Keylon is here.A sign.> Keylon says: A well-phrased question will bring a useful answer.             Keylon scowls as he looks at a book with dog-eared pages.l shelvesThere are many books and tomes filling these shelvesfrom which you can "request <book number/name>":  1.  The History of Dragaera  2.  The Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields  3.  Myths of the Natives: The Shaldorzuum  4.  The Native Inhabitants of Belaern  5.  A Book on Duskwind, Stormfront Customs Officer  6.  A Book on the History of "The Cult of Hellfyre"  7.  A Book on Indrin's Beacon  8.  The Rule of Salmarik  9.  The Dread Rakmar 10.  Sal-Karr, Hero of Stormfront 11.  A Book on the Sons of Salmarik 12.  The Great Clocktower of Stormfront 13.  A Book on the Founding of Stormfront 14.  The Great Volcano of Belaern Isle 15.  A weathered book 16.  The History of Daggerford: Center of the Realms 17.  A brief history of the Unicorn Mountain> > request 1The librarian gives you a leather-bound book, "read book".> read bookIn the ancient past, long forgotten even amongst the elves and thetruth of which is only revealed within these pages there werefour tribes.  The four tribes were lead by one court, presided overby a king and a queen and a council of 8.  They lived mostly isolated, except for those who saw to the governing of the landand its inhabitants.  The court was in the fair city, Dragaera.Dragaera is a graceful and magestic place of unbelievable beauty.  Four great plazas (one for each tribe) border the royal palace with market places in turn surrounding them.  All was set within the most ancient and beloved forest of the known realms.The earth, itself, is said to have welcomed the embrace of Dragaera, offering forth the marble and wood used in crafting that fairest and mostnoble of cities.  For countless generations, so many that even the elves themselves forgot, peace reigned and the four tribes prospered and grew.  No oneis sure when, but it must have happened gradually.  Maybe the treestold them, or the wind.  New races now inhabited the world.  Racesthat were loud and destructive and lacking the ability to understandThe History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]the harmony... the balance that existed in the world.  The new races brought with them, spawned from nothingness and with startlingrapidness (or so it seemed to the long-lived elves) beings, which like the elves were immortal (or nearly so or so it seemed) but who were childish, giving in to their every whim.  Not all of thesenew beings were 'good,' either.  They reflected the attitudes of those who worshipped them.  This was all new and almost bewilderingto the fair race.  However, as none of this directly involved them and their balance in the world was still strong, they didn't give it more than three or four generations of consideration beforedismissing it as irrelevant.But it wasn't irrelevant.  The most renowned historians of the dayagree that that period was the turning point.  The end was uponus, but we were too blind (perhaps, arrogant?) to see it.  For thesenew races and their immortal creations brought something intangible but all too real into the realms.  Somehow, no one will everknow how, a god (for this is what the new races called these immortalbeings... or so the wind whispered to the elves) was created throughher own thought.  She willed herself into being, but she was weak The History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]and without substance because she had no followers.   The Sundering.  Though all elves now knew the basics of worshipping'gods,' it is still hard to fathom that this could actually be of benefit to anyone but the 'god.'  This new, self-willed god was weak.  She could intervenein the world only in the smallest of ways.  Her voice couldn't evenbe carried on the winds or even through the trees, which even theyoungest elven child can do.  She had to actually be near to one forone to feel her presence.  She tried for many years to gain followersamong the new races, but they were unreceptive to her enticements.She had a reputation for cruelty and the new races were frightened of her.  They called upon their gods to protect them from her.She was blamed for every drought, death and misfortune that happenedfor years upon years.  She was driven into exile by a concerted effort of the other gods.The prevailing theory is that she found a haven in the city of the Aerdna.  She directed her presence inward (as in deep meditation) for The History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]countless generations, but the essence of her began to seep intoher environment.  The Aerdna began, over the insuing years, to withdraw from court.  Only the two council members and their clans would actually be in Dragaera at any given time.  Eventually,they withdrew entirely from court.  A hastily convened council met and decided to send representatives to the Aerdna in an attempt to rebond the four tribes together.  The representatives went to Aerdnaia but were barred from entering.They found a wall around the Aerdna city!  Returning to Dragaera,they reported this puzzling phenomenon to the council.  Aftervery little debate (a mere 73 years past, signifying, a very hasty decision was made), new representatives were chosen and sent out to gain entry to Aerdnaia by unorthodox means.  This second party gained entry into the city and found it much changed.  Where once graceful sandstone spires soared into the air, now granite and obsidian held sway.  There were strange spider carvings woven into the architecture everywhere.  Even the city, itself, was shaped like a web, spiralling out from a central point.  Traversing the winding streets, they headed inward, to the heart of the city.The History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]The heart of the city was grotesque, a monstrosity of dark graniteand obsidian with blood red accents.  Shaped like a spider, climbinga web up into the air, legs hooked in to guard the towering doors at the front, the building standing at the heart of the citywas horrifying.  The party left to find shelter in the woods outsidethe city, hoping that the softly spoken trees would calm theirnerves.  They hoped also to find the strength to enter that building.The next day, they re-entered the city, full of fear and trepidation.Slowly, they made their way to the center.  Standing before thespider building, they gathered their courage and walked up the stairsto stand before the doors.  As they stood there, uncertain of how to proceed, the doors swung inward, revealing a black darker thanthe worst nightmare filled night.  The air was thick and moist, making their skin clammy and their hair lank.  They entered the building,sure that they would never leave.Stepping into the inky darkness, they paused in the vestibule waitingfor their eyes to grow accustomed to the darkness.  The doors swungThe History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]closed behind them.  Walking down a long hallway they felt a humvibrate through the air.  The hallway spiralled around the buildinginto a vast central chamber.  In the center of that chamber was asunken altar.  On that altar was a throne and on that throne sata woman.  Her skin was dark and her eyes were widely set and slantedslightly.  Her hair was white and coiled around her head in a sortof crown.  Surrounding the altar were stone benches arranged in tiers.The benches were full.  The Aerdna were humming and staring withawe upon the face of the hideous woman on the throne.  Her head wasslightly lowered as if she were deep in thought.  As they stood there,she raised her head and smiled... a hideous parody of joy crossingher face. She spoke in a low, raspy voice, her words strangely slurred, "You look upon my people."  It sounded almost defiant, as if daring thestrangers to dispute her.  They didn't.  As one, they started backingout of the room, but she laughed and they were stopped in their tracks.Three of the four fell, silently to the floor, as if their bones hadjust melted.  The fourth turned and ran, the woman's laughter echoingand echoing through his mind.  He ran out of the building and throughThe History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]the streets and out the gates.     (**reference: "The Perversion of the Aerdna" for a more detailed        account of the city of Aerdnaia **) It is likely he ran all the way back to Dragaera.  It is my belief that he was trying to outrun the laughter, though he ever did.He died in that central room along with the others, but the laughterkept him animated until after he brought his disjointed tale backto Dragaera.  The council debated the issue for the next two generations.They knew after hearing the report what must happen next, but they were unwilling to commit themselves to such a heinous deed.  After much heated discussion, a vote was called and the council of six now, along with the king and queen, voted, five for, three against, a declaration of separation of the fourth tribe.  This was tantamount to a declaration of war and not made lightly.  There had never been 'war' amongst the elves, thoughthey knew of the concept from observing nature and from thenew races.     (**reference: "The Sundering" for a more detailed        explanation of the meaning of a 'vote of separation.' **)The History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]The remaining three tribes amassed at Dragaera and prepared tomarch against the Aerdna.  This occurred fairly rapidly, mostevery 'adult' of the elves gathered by the end of the next generation.  They marched on Aerdnaia and a fierce battle ensued for the next two generations.  The once glorious but now hideous Aerdnaia was all but obliterated.  The war spread south into the lands of the new races.  The new races themselves were drawn into it.  Fighting on both sides, the new races complicated matters.  The elves, the three tribes and the Aerdna, were disconcerted by the capricious, unsteady rashness of the new races.  Their tactics were unpredictable and lead to catastrophic bloodshed.  During the war, the Aerdna god, Cyrcia was absent, but the Aerdna were not chagrinned at what was obviously the loss of an important weapon (later, it was learned that Cyrcia predicted the defeat of her followers and was preparing a new place for them to dwell... underground in the darkness she preferred.).      (**reference: "Cyrcia: Building an Empire" for more          information regarding her 'lost' years. **)The History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]By the end of the second generation, it was obvious the Aerdnawere losing.  Their numbers dwindled until one day they wereall just gone.  They had fled.  The elves seemed empty; theirvictory was hollow, as they had known it would be.  The tribeshad been sundered, the few survivors of the Aerdna gone, neverto return.  The world was in complete devastation.  The balanceof nature was in utter chaos.  The new races had been all buteradicated from the realms.  The elves prepared to depart the new lands, ashamed and broken.  The council met and decided that a few should remain behind to guard against the return of the Aerdnaand to help rebuild the lands of the new races.  Those that volunteered were revered for all knew that they would never be allowed to return home.The elves returned to their lands, using almost every ounce ofstrength they had to persuade the earth to obscure their tracksand set wards against intruders.  Returning to Dragaera, greatlyreduced in number, they convened one last council of the threetribes.  This last council resolved to disband the court as TheSundering had destroyed the solidarity that linked them together.The History of Dragaera [ Q to quit ]The present king and queen, disheartened by what had befallen theirpeople, for they were the embodiment of all the tribes, left Dragaera and the wind never carried their voices again.  One byone the tribes left Dragaera until none remained.  The city, itself, so beloved by elves and nature, remained, though.  Itwill always stand as a monument to a past that is better forgotten.Serisin, Tribe Sinaku> lCity of Stormfront: Tower of Attrition   You have entered the library for Stormfront and Belaern Isle.  The dominantfeature of this room is a long countertop, behind which sits a wizened,feisty-looking old man. He looks at you contemptuously, as if to question yourright to be in the presence of his beloved books. On the wall behind him is abookcase that has several large tomes resting upon its shelves. You think thatif you looked at the shelves more closely, you might see the titles of theavailable books. As you continue to survey the room, you see several largedisplay cases, and you realize the library doubles as a sort of museum. Thenorthern wall holds several mounted weapons. The door through which you enteredis guarded on either side by unoccupied suits of armour. The southern wall iscompletely covered by a huge tapestry. Two objects of interest are set alongthe western wall, a large stuffed and mounted warhorse, and a huge stone altar.There are two obvious exits : out and up.Keylon is here.A sign.Keylon says: Something you would like to ask about? Hurry up.Keylon claps his hands happily and exclaims: I'm so glad you came to see my newbook!  It was found on the corpse of an elf, high on Unicorn Mountain.  I thinkit's very important!The librarian gives you a leather-bound book, "read book".> read book         THE BATTLE OF THE AAVELDROP FIELDSThe first battle fought between the sons of Salmarik wasthe Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields, which was named afterthe location on which it took place. The fields of thefertile lands known as Aaveldrop were the richest farmlandsin all the Realms, at least before the wars ended. In the first battle of the sons' armies, the fields would be irrigated by the blood of thousands of men. In the secondand last battle, the fertile lands would be laid waste.The battle was to be quite a rout, or at least, so thoughtmany of the wise men of the time. Too many people favoredFrodo, and thus, he would have a decisively larger armywhich would simply overpower the army of Orfod. There weresome wise men, however that thought Orfod would be the victor due to his skill with battle tactics. Long had Orfodstudied tomes of knowledge regarding the tactics of battlesand great historical battles. Frodo was not so wise to theThe Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields [ Q to quit ]ways of war, yet many felt numbers alone would give him thenecessary advantage.The two forces met, finally on the large expanse of the fields of Aaveldrop. The winter had been devastating to thefertile fields, but once spring returned, the lands wouldlive once again. As they were, however the fields were dryand dead.Orfod's army was first to arrive at the future battle site,realizing that being their first and fortifying his forceswould give him the advantage of the terrain as well as supplying his army with the feelings of protecting theirterritory. Orfod realized that a defensive posture would benecessary, at first in any case when confronting such oddsas he knew to be inevitable. Drawing up defensive plansimmediately, Orfod began the preparations for battle. Frodo'sforces would be there within a day or two, and Orfod knewthat in order to have any chance, he had to rely on theunorthodox.The Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields [ Q to quit ]The first thing Orfod had done would turn out to be thedecisive action of the battle. Orfod had trenches dug ina semi-circle, with the high point of the arc being thelocation of his main forces. The trenches were nearlyinvisible on the flat area, but were large enough for thelarge force of Orfod's footmen to sequester themselves,each armed with a claymore. Orfod had learned that Frodo'sprominent force was his cavalry, so he planned to defeatFrodo's cavalry in this manner. Orfod also had his men gather as much dead straw and grassfrom the fields. With this dead vegetation, Orfod's groupmade blankets that matched the ground, making anything lyingunder it invisible for all practical purposes. To his archersdid Orfod give these blankets, and he spread his archers onboth sides and the full length of the fields.     ------------------------------------------------------------                 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *The Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields [ Q to quit ]                      /            xxxxx    /          OO              oooooooooooo           xxxxx    /           OO           ooooooooooooooooo          xxxxx    /            OO          ooooooooooooooooo         xxxxx    |                     OO         oooooooooooooooooo         xxxxx    |                     OO         oooooooooooooooooo         xxxxx    |                     OO         oooooooooooooooooo          xxxxx                OO          ooooooooooooooooo           xxxxx               OO           ooooooooooooooooo            xxxxx              OO              oooooooooooo                                           *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *     ------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------------Legend---------------------------     ------------------------------------------------------------     --   x = Orfod's main army   / = Orfod's footmen trenches  --     --   * = Orfod's disguised archers                          --     ------------------------------------------------------------     --   o = Frodo's main army    OO = Frodo's cavalry        --     ------------------------------------------------------------The Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields [ Q to quit ]Frodo's army arrived sooner than Orfod had expected, but Orfod didhave the time he needed to complete his preparations. Frodo's armywas indeed much larger than Orfod's, but Orfod's men were in no waydiscouraged. The sun set just as two armies were able to see the others' full compliment, and both knew that in the morning, they would all see each other much closer.The sun arose on the battle field to find both armies still atrigid attention, eying one another over the vast expanse. Frodo'scavalry stood at the ready, preparing to charge right through theapparently feeble line of Orfod's men, and completely oblivious thethe trenches before them. Orfod's archers were all in place, someno more than a few yards away from Frodo's men.Frodo, greed-ridden and blood thirsty wasted no time and quicklygave the order for his cavalry to begin what he felt would be theslaughter. The rest of Frodo's men prepared to follow in the wakeof the charge and massacre the rest of the hapless little band.And so began what is now historically referred to as "the footman'sThe Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields [ Q to quit ]charge".The cavalry charged swiftly with their spears and lances loweredtowards the unmoving line of Orfod's men. As they neared their targetthey were suddenly made aware of the folly of their confidence. As the line of horsemen reached the trenches, out sprang the claymore wielding footmen of Orfod. A cavalry is nothing without their horses,and so the orders of the footmen had been made clear, remove theirhorses. Each passing horse in turn was dismembered, legs lobbed offat the knee with one clean swipe. Many of the cavalry died in thefall, having their neck broken or by falling under the weight oftheir legless horse. The rest were summarily killed by the footmen.Frodo and his army, now in a state of disbelief committed theirsecond mistake by sitting there watching the misfortune of theirprized attack force. The only thing that gave the archers awaywas the twang of their bow strings. Frodo's army dropped like flies, and without much hesitation, Frodo called retreat and the remainder of his forces fled.The Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields [ Q to quit ]It had truly been a one sided victory, but to many's surpriseOrfod was victorious. None of Orfod's main fighting force hadbeen killed, but a few footmen had been crushed under horses, and several archers had been killed during the fighting retreatof Frodo's army, but all in all Orfod was very pleased. He knew,however that Frodo would be back, and the second battle wouldhold far fewer surprises.             MYTHS OF THE NATIVES : THE SHALDORZUUM[Librarian's Note: The woman mentioned at the end of the text issurrounded with mystery. She has been seen, but never approached. She is not of the natives, though they treat her as a queen. It isnot known where she came from or why she lives with the natives.One local rumor says that she is a former resident of Stormfront wholeft many years ago, but according to those who have seen her, she appears much too youthful for that. ~ K.D.E.]Born in ancient native myth, a great race of powerful immortalbeings known as the Shaldorzuum has been a working part of traditionalfolklore on the Isle of Belaern and in Stormfront since nearly its founding.The belief and worship of the Shaldorzuum has been an integral part of the lives of the native population of the jungles of Belaernever since history has been recorded. The natives hold to the beliefthat they were created in the image of the Shaldorzuum and were placedMyths of the Natives: The Shaldorzuum [ Q to quit ]on the great isle for a purpose. Believing that they are the chosenof the Shaldorzuum, the natives believe all other races to be corruptand against the ways of the Shaldorzuum. Little is known as to why thenatives developed this particular myth.The Shaldorzuum, or Chaeldurtsum, [ shal - dor - zoom ], aresaid to be beings of immense stature, traditionally 15 feet tall, butcapable to alter their size and appearance at will. The beings arecompletely benevolent unless mocked or otherwise troubled. The immortalsare also very protective of the native population, causing storms andother natural disasters when the lives of the natives are threatened.The Shaldorzuum dress in brilliant colors and silky material, sometimesadorning themselves in beautiful plummage of birds and beasts of theouter planes.The natives believe that once, when the isle was 'pure' andpopulated by only being of like kind, the Shaldorzuum walked freelyamong them and upon the Isle of Belaern. Now, it is believed that onlya single descendent of the race lives among the natives, and it, in the form of a lovely woman. The natives believe that the ShaldorzuumMyths of the Natives: The Shaldorzuum [ Q to quit ]reside in another plane, yet always watching and looking after themand their progress.                          DUSKWIND[ Librarian's note: As Duskwind is reluctant to talk abouther past, and the wisdom of interrogating her is questionable,all the conclusions drawn in this text are just speculation.Perhaps one day, Duskwind will open up and write about herexperiences as she did about Sal-Karr's life in another bookfound in our collection. ~ K.D.E. ]The stunning woman that guards the docks of Stormfront hasa mysterious past that equals her beauty in complexity. Duskwind has spent her entire life in the city of Stormfront,though her beginnings are somewhat clouded with rumor anduncertainty. Her mother, Lauranya, died giving birth to her,and also before naming the girl's father. It is believed by most residents of Stormfront that her father was indeed thelegendary Sal-Karr, though he vanished before the child wasborn and was married to Sylasha at the time.A Book on Duskwind, Stormfront Customs Officer [ Q to quit ]When she was orphaned at birth, the family of Balithor, thetown smithy and former fighting companion of both Lauranya'shusband, killed in the battle for the Tower, and of the greatSal-Karr himself, took the girl in. She was raised alongsidehis children, and thinks of the smith's family as her own.Balithor and his family were always upfront with her about heruncertain beginnings, and by the age of 17 she wanted to seek the truth about her father's (?) disappearance. She left home and set out in the direction Sal-Karr was last seen moving toward, that of the Great Volcano. She was gone for several months, and many feared the worst... but she returned to Stormfront, wearing a mysterious amulet and with a strangelook in her eyes. She has never married, though she was at one time pursuedquite extensively by a miner. She appears to have rejected men under several different and uncharacteristic reasonings,the one she employed with the miner was to proclaim him tooA Book on Duskwind, Stormfront Customs Officer [ Q to quit ]poor to support her. She has broken many a heart, and one wonders how and why she chooses to remain solitary.Presently, Duskwind can be found patrolling the docks of Stormfront. She acts as Customs Officer for the island. Why shedoes this is not entirely clear, she appears to have reasons ofher own. When she presented the idea to the City Elders, theysaw its merit and allowed her free rein in planning the customssystem. It serves the city well and is a tribute to her skill.           ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE CULT OF HELLFYRE[ Librarian's note: This book is an excerpt from HISTORY OFTHE REALMS, a not-yet-finished work.  ~ K.D.E. ]        "...For seven centuries, the inhabitants of theseyoung Realms enjoyed what has become known as the Age of Light.With the close of the elven wars, the drow had retreated into the earth,where they would remain hidden for many years.  Upon the surface,new alliances were formed between the races of good, as even dwarfand elf formed bonds of friendship.        It was during this era of prosperity and peace that the firstCouncil was formed; a brotherhood of Paladins, Archmages, and Holy men, who roamed the land, assuring the safety of all peoples.The goblins, orcs, and other giant-kin were driven back intotheir caves, and it was said that a virgin could walk alone throughthe Realms without fear for her safety.        The Age of Light was a long and glorious period of theseRealms' history, but, as all ages do, it came abruptly to an end.A Book on the History of "The Cult of Hellfyre" [ Q to quit ]The drow, having established themselves in the wild Underdark, re-emerged, their magic enhanced by the dark radiations of theworld beneath our own.  With them came the duergar, evil kin ofthe dwarven peoples, in armies so mighty that the earth itselfshook with fear.  The city of Bryndhol, ancient seat of power, wassacked within a fortnight, and across the land, elves, dwarves, andhumans banded together in a desperate hope for survival.Little is known of the age which followed, called by somethe Age of Darkness.  Few kept records of any kind, and even the ruinsof the Realms' mightiest cities have disappeared over time.One name comes down through the ages however, the name of adark elf unmatched in power or ambition.  His name was K'ycer Hellfyre.A High Priest and Necromancer of Cyrcia, indeed the FIRST maleever allowed into that goddess' dread clergy, K'ycer was a forceto make worlds tremble.  For four hundred years, hisarmies besieged the Realms.  The elves of Semyrlin were all buteradicated, the dwarves in Duncamber were forced to collapse thetunnels leading into their city in order to escape destruction.Good seemed a forgotten concept, and evil's victory complete.        It was then that the great Council re-emerged, its membershipA Book on the History of "The Cult of Hellfyre" [ Q to quit ]composed of all good races, from elven archmages to human paladins,good's last hope of victory.The armies met, and evil was thrown down from its seat of power,though the cost was incalculable for each force.  The race of duergarswas almost completely destroyed, their lack of magical prowess adecided weakness which the enemy archmages capitalized upon.It is said that the skies rained blood for a year afterwards, and that"the great desert which is now Kycrin was a lush forest beforethe month-long battle.        When the skies cleared, many of the drow had retreated intotheir dark cities, claiming that Cyrcia no longer favored the war.K'ycer Hellfyre and a few others were all that remained of evil'snucleus.  The Council too was irrevocably shattered; of themore than one hundred powerful mages and lords that had begun,less than twenty survived.  Aching and exhausted, they neverthelesstook up their staves and their weapons, gathered their retainers,and set off after K'ycer, such was their hatred and fear of him.        Into the Underdark they came, the mightiest of the Realms'paladins, followed by legions of warriors and powerful archmages.And there, in a crumbling tunnel of broken stone, K'ycer turnedA Book on the History of "The Cult of Hellfyre" [ Q to quit ]and met them in battle.  He was at the height of his ability, andCyrcia was with him, as he tore ranks of holy warriors apart withhis spells, and dominated mage after mage.  His followers fell,one by one, but the great Lord Hellfyre shrugged off lightningbolts and sword wounds with equal disdain.        There the battle might have ended, with evil once morevictorious, but a holy Priest of Timion called upon his God,in an act of sacrifice beyond any this Realm has seen.  His physical shell became a living conduit for Timion's power, and a hammer of light formed in his hands.  As the life fadedfrom his body, he hurled that great hammer at thedrow Priest, and struck him to the ground.        All was still.  The war cries of battlingenemies had ceased, to be replaced by the moans of the dying.The Timion Priest lay where he'd fallen, his body spentby the strength of his prayers.  For the space of an hour, nothingmoved.        Then a small shudder ran through the body of K'ycer Hellfyre.Slowly, and with great pain, the drow crawled towards the northwall of the cavern.  Before him, the rock split wide, and he tumbled into ahiddenA Book on the History of "The Cult of Hellfyre" [ Q to quit ]complex.  Upon the deep carpet, the great drow offered a final prayerup to Cyrcia, forming the words of a spell through tremblinglips.  'My Queen', said the dying drow, 'Defend thy Servant.'And then, he died.        Thus ended the Age of Darkness, and began the Age that is our own.K'ycer Hellfyre and his dark works have been forgotten by the mortalswho walk these Realms, all except a chosen few, who have come toworship in the chamber of his death.  Favored by Cyrcia, eachstrives to complete K'ycer's grim vision.  This is no group of weakling fools, but the chosen succesors to the drow's legacy of pain and violence.  This is the Cult of Hellfyre.Let the Realms beware..."[end excerpt]      THE MYSTERY OF INDRIN : A COLLECTION OF SCROLLS[ Librarian's note: This collection of scrolls was discovered at Indrin's beacon by Gerdon when he and Hain went to interview the current Indrin for a text in progress. It appears to be some kind of journal, found and then re-found through the centuries. We store documents like this so that perhaps somescholarly adventurer can study and make sense of them. ~ K.D.E ]None are sure exactly what Indrin looked like..Seems that he or she (again there is little certainty)... really didn't like publicity, and was always working and doing magic in the shadows. It is generally assumed that Indrin was indeed a male, perhaps a human or half-elf... none think it could have been a dwarf (Although to the historians on Golhyrr it has long been assumned so.)So with the general uncertainty around Indrin, the sketchiness A Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]of "his" legends and histories are understandable.Here is the tale of Indrin (consolidated) as was told to me inthe late summer around 30 years ago by a strange and deluded oldman who lived along the eastern coast of the Isle of Belaern. (I am sure he is gone now... storms and time would have long agoerased any sign of him.  But I believe his name was Gelion.)Indrin came from the West... from across the great sea.  Hewas found adrift on a sailess boat, near dead, by a vessel from the now nearly forgotten Kingdom of Gwaithir.  At his request, he was brought before the King, who at that time was Dhorin Stoneweaver, greatest of his clan.   The court was alive with rumour and speculation, and it was generally assumed that the stranger Indrin would perish, for even during those marvelous times he was severly ill.  It was nearly a year before he spoke.  For a time Indrin lived with the people, seeming to relish in observing them.  A great friendship was formed between Indrin and Dhorin, so much so that Indrin was highest among the advisorsA Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]to the king and was trusted implicitly.  Indrin taught the children of Dhorin of the wide world, and of the beauty, both magic and corporal, that lay within it.  Many years of happiness ensued, and great were the wonders the Stoneweaver clan wrought.  Great mechanical creations, magical gates into other worlds, sleek powerful sea vessels, and yet not all were pleased.  Ever has it been among those that have so much, they can never get enough to satisfy them, and so wild were their explorations into all things that much was done that would be considered wrong.It was nearly 60 years after the arrival of Indrin from the westthat the Chamber was found. A small dark hole in the earth, thatmany said didn't even exist in our time or dimension. (I believeGelion speaks of a pocket dimension, quite large from hisgestures.)  IT was in this chamber that IT was found... a sliverof the chaos that spawned the world.  Against the wishes ofIndrin, Dhorin took it forth and fastened it upon a scepter, thiswas the beginning of the time of darkness, that still continues today. By slighting Indrin, Dhorin had driven a wedge between them, and only upon the death of Dhorin many years later would A Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]it be bridged.A foretelling was given to Indrin and he told those that would listen... among then were many of the sons and daughters of Dhorin.  Many struck out the the West, seeking the land that gave Indrin to them, others went East, some went through the world gates to adventure in other dimensions. Soon Gwaithir, which was once mighty and great, grew neglected and empty.  Those that dwelt within it, humans and dwarves, quarreled amoung themselves, and great was the discord and sadness in the heart of Dhorin.It was during this time that Dhorin became very sick, and heknew death was upon him. He summoned his remaining peopleand bade them seek out Indrin, so that they might be reconciled.Even as he spoke Indrin appeared and came forward to comfort Dhorinin his death.  Upon his death, Dhorin was entombed in an gloriouscrypt.  Not long after his death a great silver dragon flewfrom the south, which unlike most dragons did not attack the city, instead it spoke in the ragged, sad language of a creature that has lost all will to live, saying that it had failed to A Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]protect Dhorin, and would therefore would guard him in death.(I surmise here, for the elderly chap began to babble terribly, that the dragon was indeed Stoneweaver's wife. She was long thought dead, but never had her tomb been found. A few things the old chap said during his tirade seem to suport this idea.)Indrin was overcome with sadness, as were the remaining people of Gwaithir. But this was short lived.  Indrin and the remaining sages of the Clan, sought to entomb the Rod of Chaos, as it was now called, for they attribute its arrival with the decline of theircivilization.  A great and elaborate holding place was constructed. And so to seal it off the Sages built the Arch. Indrin wanted to guard it more heavily... by removing it from existence, but the sages grew weary, and longed to depart fromthis place of sadness.  (here the old man began to chant...it was indeed odd.. and frightening... but this is basicallywhat he said) "Light and dark are the keys to the keys, andthey that unlock the door and complete the gateway, dothwelcome death to the quickly." (His tone of voice was most disturbing, and he began to babble terribly after that.) A Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]Once it was finished the city of Gwaithir was abandoned, those that chose to remain traveled south, while the rest traveled West from whence came Indrin.Indrin remained on the Isle of Belaern for another 100 years afterthe fall of Gwaithir, staying only long enough to erect the Beacon, to "guide those that will come to this place to see and maybe right that which we leave wrong."  During this leaderless time many petty kingdoms arose from the dust of the Stoneweaver kindgom. Soon Indrin could bear them no longer and he too traveled West, to rejoin the children of Dhorin, and so Indrin was gone.Here ends the story the old man told me... what followsare my notes on the subject of my namesake Indrin.Indrin was obviously a great wizard, and had a slightgift of prophecy.   The lighthouse I keep was built to lightthe way through the deadly reefs.  I can only assume thatthe Gwaithir was a city somewhere near the southeastern baseA Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]of the sleeping volcano.Although I have only found a few mentions of anythingsimilar in current records. I can only assume this story tobe either a delusion, or a verbal historical account, and as such I have transcribed it as closly as possible.  ThisIndrin chap I feel was real. For I am the 12th of my title,and even though I was given a different name this is theone I wear as Beacon keeper.  ~~Indrin 12 [Year 20 of the reign of King Merkis]~~[Librarian's note: The following handwritten note was tuckedinto the orginal manuscript. ~ K.D.E.]Upon cleaning the lighhouse library, which was quite dirty, and much cluttered with books, I came upon this scroll.  I feel it is of some historical value, and I will send it to the Town Library as soon as possible.... but I feel the need to add a few notes myself.A Book on Indrin's Beacon [ Q to quit ]I am the 6th Beacon keeper since the Destruction.  I too wear the title of Indrin, althought it seems to be more of a namethan a title...  Gwaithir was I think a small ruined townfar to the north, that was overcome by the volcano and thegreat desert.  This couldn't be the Gwaithir of the story forso ruined was this place that not even the evil beastsof the desert would live near it...I will send this to the village as soon as possible.                    THE RULE OF SALMARIK[ Librarian's note: This book was co-authored by the brilliantscholar Gerdan and his protector Hain. Gerdan and Hain provedthemselves to be a near perfect pairing of mental and physicalprowess during their many years of adventuring. Hain's swordguarded Gerdan's notebooks, and together they interviewed countless individuals, friendly and malevolent, all over theisle of Belaern while preparing this tome. ~ K.D.E. ]The first and only true king of Belaern, Salmarik's reignwas marked by great accomplishment and violent tragedy.He was born about 370 years before the founding of Stormfront,one of many children on a farm in the eastern part of Belaern(what is now the Blood Sands, but was then a rich agriculturalarea). The farmers had no real leader, and traded amongstthemselves for items they needed. It was a peaceful existence,marred only by occasional raids by the native population.These raids were rarely violent, but often took provisions theThe Rule of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]farmers held in storage for emergencies, which made life arisky, day-by-day thing.As Salmarik grew up, resentment toward the natives increased, and groups of men organized to defend the farms from the now more frequent raids. Salmarik was the leader of one such group, and was considered a highly effective captain.Salmarik is eventually proclaimed King, and proceeds to organizeand expand his dominion to include all of Belaern from the baseof the volcano to the southern tip of the isle. He does thisin a seemingly effortless manner, and it is rumored that he isrecieving help from a drow mage named Rakmar [see book on RakmarHorgashax].At an elderly age, Salmarik steps down and hands the throne overto his eldest son, Orfod. Orfod's power is not the equal of hisfather's however, and turmoil in the kingdom results. Frodo, Orfod'syounger brother, desires the throne, and war ensues [see book aboutthe Sons of Salmarik]. Mighty armies are mustered, but in the end,The Rule of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]neither son is victorious. Both father and sons vanish in a mysterious, magical, and environmentally catastrophic event that results in the destruction of the fertile kingdom and the creationof the Desert.No one knows for certain what has happened to Salmarik or his sons.The sons have been rumored to live on in some undead form onopposite ends of the wasteland that was to have been their kingdom.The stories say they continue to plot to uncover the source of theirfather's power, possibly some magical item that disappeared along with Salmarik.                       THE DREAD RAKMAR[ Librarian's Note: This book was written by a Bardic Studentas part of his graduation from the collegium. He wentoff-island to write it, fearing Rakmar's wrath, and returnedwith the completed book several months later. ~ K.D.E ]Long a mysterious and mostly malignant presence on Belaern,little is known about Rakmar Horgashax. What is known ismostly in the form of rumor, since few who see the face ofthis evil live to tell the tale. The few that Rakmar allows toreturn to the safety of Stormfront are reluctant to tell taleson the mage, quite understandably fearing for their lives.As far as can be ascertained, the drow mage has achieved some form of immortality. He has been said to claim that hislongevity was a gift from Grimbrand, and there is little reasonto doubt this claim. It is not clear why a drow mage would worship Grimbrand rather than Cyrcia, though it seems certainThe Dread Rakmar [ Q to quit ]that such a cunning being as Rakmar does not do this withoutsome clear personal gain.It is said that Sal-Karr, mighty hero of the founding ofStormfront, met his death at the hands of Rakmar. On a journeyto the great volcano in hopes of ending the mages taunts, Sal-Karr disappeared and was never heard from again.He leaves his mark on most of the darkness that surrounds bothStormfront and Belaern, all throughout the isle's long history. Heis believed to have had a hand in the formation of the deserts andthe scourge of evil beings that make their home at the base of theGreat Volcano. Longtime residents of Belaern believe Rakmar involved in even the most minor of annoyances, such as foul weather.It seems clear that while he is little-seen, his presence is always felt. Those who would attempt to make clearer the murky historyof Belaern best not forget the power of Rakmar's will.                 THE CONFLICT OF ORFOD AND FRODOThe two sons of King Salmarik and his wife Jiana grew up in arich, vital kingdom, only to be the cause of its destruction.Even as children, the boys fought. Orfod, the elder, was astrong, quiet boy. He excelled in physical contests, yet wasno slouch in the mental arena either. His father was pleasedand proud to have such a capable heir. Frodo was jealous of theattention lavished on his older brother, and failed to see whyhe was not as good a choice for the next ruler of Belaern. Intruth, both sons were probably equally qualified, but birthrightwas a difficult tradition to defy.When their father grew old, he stepped down and handed the throneover to Orfod, and with the throne, Orfod took hold of the greatRod that had symbolized Salmarik's rule. It was not known until much later that the Rod would be the object of the death of so many,the destruction of so much and the greed of all involved. Quiet Orfod A Book on the Sons of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]was not as beloved of the people as was charismatic Frodo, and popular support rallied behind the younger brother. Orfod, fearing revolt, banished his brother and many of his followers. Armies were mustered and war ensued.So it was that not long after the armies of the brothers had beengathered that they met first on the fields of Aaveldrop, a largearea of farmlands that were a main source of agriculture to thekingdom. It was winter now, and though the fields were the mostfertile in the land, they were dry and dead as the armies marchedupon them. The army of Frodo outnumbered Orfod's army by severallegions, but that granted Frodo no special advantage as Orfod's menwere better trained and experienced, and men aside, Orfod was thegreater tactician of the brothers. So it was that the initial battleof the armies was won by Orfod's forces [*Librarian's note* See thebook: The Battle of the Aaveldrop Fields, for a historical accountof the battle itself].Undaunted by the initial defeat, Frodo gathered his forces that hadretreated from the Aaveldrop Fields and commissioned many new legionsA Book on the Sons of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]and began their training immediately. The next battle the brothers'armies would fight would be the last great war the Isle of Belaernhas seen, and it would change all of Belaern for all time.Several months later, after a few insignificant skirmishes betweena few small groups, the full forces of the brothers met for theirsecond and last time. Set upon the flats of Metterdowne, a largearea of grassy flatlands just to the east of the Aaveldrop Fields,the final stage of the brothers' war came to a brutal climax, resultingin the deaths of the entire compliment of both armies and the destructionof all the surrounding lands, changing them into what today is the great desert of Belaern. For it was the Rod, in fact, that broughtthe brothers face to face in the final moments of battle, not theright to throne.After all was said and done, the Rod had in fact decided upon theoutcome of the battle, being the focal point of the Battle at the Flats of Metterdowne. The battle itself had just begun as thefirst wave of Frodo's cavalry had charged into Orfod's skilledfootman, although much more successfully than the first time.A Book on the Sons of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]As Orfod watched his forces battle his brothers' atop a small hill,he was confronted by his brother.The brothers fought for a long time, and each was wounded badly from the others' blade. In the last few minutes of the fight, Orfodtook hold of the Rod in hopes of finally defeating his brother.Frodo, seeing the Rod again for the first time in several months,was suddenly filled with inescapable greed. Diving upon Orfod, Frodotook hold of the Rod in both his hands. So the brothers rolled upon the ground, scratching and clawing atone another, both still with a firm hand on the Rod and desiringit for their own. Suddenly, Salmarik appeared at the scene, havingbeen away for quite some time, but making his way back to find hissons after hearing of their war and foolishness.The brothers turned to look at their father, the two of them knelton the ground, bodies facing one another, both hands glued to theRod. Salmarik knew of the hatred in the brothers, and he felt thegreed that had taken hold of the hearts of his sons. Orfod and A Book on the Sons of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]Frodo, suddenly apathetic to the appearance of their father, renewedtheir struggle for the Rod with disturbing vigor. Salmarik, notknowing how to rectify the situation, stepped into the fray and graspedthe Rod also in his hands.It is only through accounts of wizards and sages looking into the past that any of this is known, and what follows, is clear speculation.It is said, however, that when Salmarik took hold of the Rod, he, toowas overcome with greed. In fact, the greed of the brothers and theirfather, and the hatred between the brothers was so great that theRod grew aware. At that time, the Rod unleashed perhaps the greatestsingle event of power the Realms has ever known, engulfing the entirearea in a blast of absolute energy and evil that destroyed the landsof fertility on which the wars had been waged. Both the flats ofMetterdowne and the fields of Aaveldrop became lifeless deserts. Allthe former habitation was completely wiped out. The brothers' forceswere utterly decimated, with only a few men of the thousands escaping death.Salmarik, Orfod and Frodo, however, were said to be taken into the Rod for some time and reshaped. Now it is believed that the threeA Book on the Sons of Salmarik [ Q to quit ]exist in these Realms as powerful undead, the desire for the Rod stillwelling within distorted hearts.      THE TOWER OF ATTRITION AND THE FOUNDING OF STORMFRONT   Some thirty years ago a war galleon, lost in a storm, ran aground upon the coral reefs on the northern side of Belaern Isle.  Five score and seventeen warriors survived and traveled southward, exploring the lands in search of help or aplace to settle.  They took with them all that they could salvagefrom the wreckage and began their odyssey.   From within the ranks of the warriors arose one to lead themever southward in search of the help they so deperately needed,and his name was Sal-Karr.  Sal-Karr was a warrior destined toforge his name forever in the history of what is now known as thecity of Stormfront.  Leading his band of warriors, they faced themany perils native to Belaern Isle, the climbing of the Great Volcano and the crossing of the Desert Lands to eventually arriveat the southern beach.  It was soon thereafter that first contactwas made with the Cultists of the Malevolent Maelstrom.   During one of the hunts for food, a hunting party discovereda tower made of pure obsidian on the easternmost side of theA Book on the Founding of Stormfront [ Q to quit ]Marshlands.  Returning to camp they informed Sal-Karr of theirfindings, who upon hearing the news, immediately gathered hiscouncil and made way to strike up a friendship with thesenewfound natives.  The party was not well received, and many ofthe group were slain.  When Sal-Karr and the remainder of theband returned to camp preparations were immediately set intomotion for war against the Cultists.  Thus did the long battlefor the Tower begin, and in the end, it was Sal-Karr who emergedvictorious and the tower was captured.  The price was a heavyone, two score and nine were the number of warriors Sal-Karr lost to the Cultists before it was captured.  Sal-Karr, seriouslywounded during the capture of the Tower, proclaimed before hismen, that the tower would become their new home.  Immediatelyafter this proclamation the survivors named the tower "The Towerof Attrition" due to the heavy losses inflicted on both sides for its capture.  The leaders decided then to found a city, and the city would be known as "Stormfront" since it was the cuttingedge of battle between the Cult of the Malevolent Maelstrom[Malignant Storm] and the new colonists.   No one knows how old the tower actually is, except perhapsA Book on the Founding of Stormfront [ Q to quit ]the Cultists who to this day still reside somewhere in theMarshlands west of the city.  It is the oldest structure within the city and now serves as the museum of history forStormfront.                        THE GREAT VOLCANO OF BELAERN ISLE     As a humble Scribe and Sage of Stormfront, I will attempt to make this history of "The Great Volcano" as accurate as I possibly can.  The tale thatfollows is a montage of facts, rumors and legends that I have collected overseveral years and put together into what I believe to be the most comprehensiveand concise history of Belaern Isles most prominate feature.     Legend has it that the Great Volcano simply "was" in the begining.  A feature that the Great God Baldrick created long ago with the world.  In thoseearly beginings the volcano was nothing more than a mere crack in the crust ofthe ocean bed.  It grew, and as it grew it thrust itself up above the surfaceof what is now known as the Sword Sea.  As living beings began to populate itssurface it was called "The Birth Mother" and tales handed down through the generations speak of the other five Isles born from the Birth Mother.  In totalsix isles were created that now comprise what is commonly referred to as Hoerk.     It was during the early surface years that the inhabitants learned of theFire Goddess Hoera.  Hoera was a bitter and indifferent Goddess for the most part, and required of her early worshipers the sacrifice of a young male warrior on the eve of the new moon which must also be the date of the warriorsThe Great Volcano of Belaern Isle [ Q to quit ]birth.  As time marched ever forward the worshiping population grew and prospered under Hoera's realm, and a great city was built upon the rim of herhome, The Great Volcano of Belaern.  The city was known as the "City of theHoly."     The City of the Holy prospered and grew as the citizens continued to please Hoera with their devotion and sacrifices.  During this time Hoera theGoddess of Fire showered gifts upon her minions and the wealthy knew greatcomfort and pleasures.  It was during this time that the Ash Dragon's weredomesticated and became rather popular with the rich and powerful as pets.It was also during this time of prosperity that the Raging One, Grimbrand:Overlord of Storms and Destruction began to court Hoera and continually drewher attentions to himself and away from her people.  While distracted, the Minions of Hoera began to become corrupt, and oft times threw goats into herhome, clad in the finest armour, to trick her into thinking the sacrificeswere continuing.  Hoera returned one day to find her power waining due to falsesacrifice, and flew into a destructive rage, a rage she learned well from Grimbrand.  In her rage, Hoera activated the Great Volcano and consumed theentire City of the Holy for their betrayal.  She then forced the volcano to explode with the power of the sun itself and shower the southern regions with hot, burning ash ravaging the countryside for miles and creating both the The Great Volcano of Belaern Isle [ Q to quit ]blood sands and open desert.  To serve as a reminder, Hoera vowed that the Great Volcano would never become inactive, and would rumble with her rage towarn the survivors that should they betray her again she would rise againand destroy them all.     It was after this great destruction that Hoera retreated deep within herhome and grieved over both her betrayal and the great sense of loss she hadwith the destruction of her followers.  She shunned the attentions of Grimbrandand withdrew completely from the outside world.  As she grieved, for reasonsHoera was totally unaware of until it was far too late, legions of evil beingsmoved into the lesser traveled areas of The Great Volcano.  To this day, foulbeings wander across the surface of the volcano jealiously guarding what theynow consider their home by slaying any who would dare enter.  Some say it wasGrimbrand that moved in these legions to keep watch over his love, others whisper of a great and powerful Drow Sorceror-Warrior known as Rakmar Horgashax who is the cause of the legions.  As some would tell it, Rakmarstole secretly into the volcano by chance, discovered Hoera in her weakenedstate, and enslaved her through many cunning and magical traps.  They say thatRakmar to this day continues to rule the entire domain of Hoerk through subtileand malicious manipulations of the enslaved Fire Goddess.The Great Volcano of Belaern Isle [ Q to quit ] BOOK 12 :The book you open is brittle, scarred by mold and waterdamage.  Every time you turn a page you fear it falling outor even desintegrating in your hand. It is difficult to makeout much of anything in the book as entire sections andsometimes even chapters are unreadable.  Over time and withgreat care you make out elements of a story.  A story aboutlove, jealousy, betrayal.   The morrow, twas a glorious showing of Tenewa.  Such thatI fail at keeping silent the song that makes me smile soshall I scribe it here in my journal.It is a while before you can make out more of the text....   The priestess of Raysha blessed us, her smile so benevolentI doubt it falsified under the routine of her duties.  Westart a new life, Li'eana and I. I know not where our roadleads, I have wealth and my men who ferry my wealth from portto port. Yet I think another life is for us, something tugsA weathered book [ Q to quit ]at my heart so.Several pages are missing and even more are ruined by thestain of water and mold.   That bastard dares call himself merchant prince! He usedthe foul arts to conjure that beast that wrecked half my fleet!For what? His demands are beyond belief! I understand this not.Gods why do you pit this against us?  We have honoured all ofyou well.You flip through more ruined pages finally settling on anotherparagraph.   I cannot assail him for he is a sorceror of some power.  Hekeeps her sealed up in that abyssal place.  I have heardhorrible whispers of his tower.  I will go myself if no onewill go with me for I would rather be dead than to let him keepher so.  I must make copies of these mockeries of correspondancehe sends to me.  I think he teases me with ways to free herA weathered book [ Q to quit ]from his grasp though I do not doubt he might do this just tobreak my spirit.Skipping through bits and pieces which make no sense you arriveat the last page which is barely legible for it's scrawledwriting.   By the gods! This storm is like nothing I have ever seen!Even Morin has not seen it's likes!  Something seeks to preventmy landing at port.  We shall not make landfall I can feel itin my bones.  My love I am sorry, I am so sorry.            A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNICORN MOUNTAIN     When the world was new, and the lands unformed, Baldrick, The God, seperated the the formlessness into the domains. Among the domains, one was given to the goddess Virga.     Before the creation of the world, Virga was always seen in the company of her beloved unicorn, whose name is lost in the eons.  The unicorn was Virga's best friend, and also her first creation.  Its mane shone with the light of a million stars, and its horn glinted with the power of the goddess herself.     Before the mortal races came about, it was the habit of the immortals to war among themselves.     In the last great war of the heaven, before they were given the domains, Cyrcia and Grimbrand, in a massive assault, gravely wounded Virga.  The goddess was near death, or as close as a divine being can come to death.  And at this moment, Virga's unicorn gave up its life to strengthen its goddess.  Virga rose, and Cyrcia fell.  Grimbrand laughed and went his way.  And the unicorn died.A brief history of the Unicorn Mountain [ Q to quit ]   When Virga recieved her domain, the first thing she crafted was the Mountain.  It was made with the stuff of her unicorn, and imbued with the magic of its horn.  Thus was the Unicorn Mountain fashioned.  Around the Mountain, she placed the Unicorn Forest, where her creatures could live in peace, and her mortals could find shelter.   Eons passed, the races flourished, as did all the domains.  And while Cyrcia and Grimbrand grew in power, Virga grew weak.  It was time for Virga to step down into mortal affairs, else her beloved Mountain would fall to the races of the Dark.    Looking for where to start, she spied a young elven warrior, battling a drow wizard.  The young elf's life was nearly spent, his flesh burning from the drow's spells, all he had was his sword to protect him.  Virga was reminded of her unicorn.  Inspired, she saw how first to empower the mortals under her care.  Drawing power from her Mountain, she imbued the young warriors sword with magic.   As bolts of magic scorched the drow, he retreated, leaving the elf broken and bleeding, staring at his sword.  The young elf went on to found the guild of Wizard-Warriors.A brief history of the Unicorn Mountain [ Q to quit ]   In her lair of darkness and evil, far under the ground, Cyrcia smiled.  In the last great war, she, with Grimbrand's help, had tainted the body of the unicorn, and thus tainted the Unicorn Mountain.  Her time had come, gathering her magics about her, she twisted the taint, and caused it to grow.   In the mortal realm, a young drow warrior stumbled apon the village of Unicorn Cove, home of the wizard warriors.  In slaying a novice wiz-war, he took up his foes blade, and the taint, dormant in it, responded to his hand.  Thus the those of drow blood were taken into the wizard warrior guild.   To the north of the Unicorn Cove, in the village, its true name not known by mortals anymore, the taint was spread by rats.  It took the form of a magical plague, twisting the souls of the mortal folk, turing them into parodies of their former selves.   The taint was strong, and it intensified, claiming the lives of forest dwellers, as well.  All over the blessed land of Virga, evil grew, and Virga was powerless to stop it.  The very fabric of the land contained the thread of evil, and to destroy that thread, would mean destroying the Mountain.  And Virga, though at home in her Domain, had her power diminished by the taint, unable A brief history of the Unicorn Mountain [ Q to quit ]to stop its growth.   And so the taint of Cyrcia runs through the Unicorn Mountain, infecting what it will.  And though the forces of Virga combat it, it will never be completely crushed.