Osyrhia

ANTA, The age of None

In the beginning, there was nothing. Not even darkness, for darkness was something already. The lights of Solan were yet to shine in the firmament of the Gods, and no sound was heard. Then the note softly rose, soaring through the Nothing. When it reached its maximum, it turned into a thunderous chord and a sudden explosion of light filled the universe. The shockwave folded the plans of space and time, spreading like a ripple on a calm lake. Then, in the time of a heartbeat, it collapsed on itself to give birth to a new world, just a mere ball of rock drifting in the darkness, but with a consciousness of its own. This particular mind had no name, but it was given many by the races it later hosted. The most famous of them all, the one that survived through millenniums of an eventful history was Osyrhia. It was said the Gods gave it, or Her, which is more accurate, this name. She gave birth to the seven Gods, the essence of Her essence, so they could fulfill Her thirst of life and beauty, for a sterile piece of rock was not Her idea of an achievement. So the Gods faded into existence, each one gifted with a particular talent. She gave each a name to complete their uniqueness. They were Edoran, Arel, Mirenor, Efael, Solan, Laemnil and Sirid.

Edoran, the first, said: " I shall have this planet shinning like a pearl, so it will be unique and of a beauty never seen before". With these words he dropped a tear of joy on the living rock, which became the seas flowing all around it.

Mirenor looked at it thoughtfully and said: " It is all the same color, and flat on its surface. I will make it more unique now, and give it some pikes and mounds and flat lands for a whole new pattern". So he pinched the very heart of the planet, under the seas, and raised the mountains and plains, giving birth to many lakes and rivers.

Efael then said: " I shall enclose this treasure in a chest of winds, skies and clouds, to give it an ever changing shade". He gave a gentle blow, which became a magnificent summer night sky full with great white clouds, although not yet doted with the shine of stars.

Which brought Solan to a thought: " This jewel shall glint in the ether and know many a night and a day to add to your ever changing shade, Efael". He rubbed his hands against each other, and from this heat was created a majestic ball of intense fire. " I shall call it Sun, and suspend many of the same high in the sky so this one will seem brighter then ever". And thus the stars were born.

Then came the turn of Laemnil to speak: " If this beloved treasure is to change and stay unique, I will give it the mightiest changes ever". So he cut his left hand, and sunk it deep in the heart of the world. " It will scratch and fist and spread, so all on the surface will change in randomness". By this, he created the earthquakes, volcanoes and all that makes the undergrounds move endlessly.

By game and gentle defiance, Arel then said: " I shall soften the work of your hand, Laemnil, and give the lands some support to resist your endless torments". She took a handful of her hair and planted it deep on the slopes of the mountains and over the flat lands, thus creating the trees and forests and grass and flowers. This act further brought Laemnil and Arel to always challenge each other, in gentle defiance.

At last, Sirid joined in and said: " I will put the fishes under your sea, Edoran, the worms and moles under your ground, Mirenor, The birds under your skies, Efael, the deer and bears and raccoons under your trees, Arel, the dragons and wyrms in your left hand, Laemnil, and many other living creatures to fill this world".

What had once been a lifeless rock drifting in darkness was now a magnificent world. It is at this time that the Gods named it Osyrhia: “The Shinning”, or " The Light". But the time of the seven races hadn’t come yet. The period preceding the reign of the conscious people has been called Anta: “The age of None”.

With their first task complete, the Gods went to a peaceful rest and left the world as it was. But the lives and forces they had created did not sleep, however, forging the cradle that would later host their true children. And as the Gods were asleep rose the age of the Giants, unseen by the deities and taking the world as their own. They built the lost cities of K’hal Damara and Rhu, whose massive columns and statues could still be seen under the reign of Morick, and gave birth to many legends and myths. Their very existence had not been dreamed by the spirit of Osyrhia and was the fruit of hazardous turns in the path of evolution. They had no knowledge of the Gods or respect for the lands they lived on. Breeding fast they soon drenched the natural resources of the world and menaced the coming of the conscious ones. At some point, their enormous size and their eager expansion disturbed the equilibrium of Osyrhia. The spirit of the world was severely wounded by their deeds and couldn’t stand the pressure anymore. So, unheeded by the seven Gods, She brought cataclysmic changes and signed the end of the Giants. The Giants fought back with blind strength in what is known as the Giants War, but the power of Osyrhia was determined to host the children of the Gods and unleashed its terrible force. The world was different during the age of the Giants, and the continents were yet to become what they would later be. The land rose and fell, the seas devoured vast pieces of ground and high plateaus emerged from the troubled waters. The impious cities were swept away or turned to dust, and the Giants were erased from the surface of the world. For they were not part of the Primal dream, the Giants could not be hosted by Sirid, the bringer of life and ultimate receiver of the souls of the departed. Their spirits were condemned to wander in the world until their time would be due. It is still said that when the Gods woke up, they took pity of this forsaken race and gave them a place as their direct servants, small deities amongst a pantheon created by men. It is said, however, that some descendants of this people still lived hidden in the less populated parts of Osyrhia at the time of the conscious ones. The great statues and gigantic ruins they left behind held a lot of secrets for the later inhabitants of Osyrhia, and it was said that one day the Giants would rise again, bringing hope or doom to all…

An older legend tells of the Queen of the Giants, mortally saddened by the loss of her people and welcomed to the firmament of the Gods. As the last of her sons left the earthly grounds of the Light, it is said that she shared seven tears, which, under the loving power of Osyrhia, became seven stones of eternal beauty, and these stones would later give hope and freedom to all…

ELENTA: The Age of Awakening

After some eons of existence, the spirit of Osyrhia decided that it was time for the conscious ones to come to life. The Gods had been asleep since the end of the Creation and the Light instructed them in their dreams, so when they woke up, they all knew the time had come for their children to roam and rule the surface of Osyrhia. The vision She had sent them was of unequaled beauty, a glimpse of the world soon to be, alive with joy and knowledge. This dream is known in all the tales and songs about Elenta as the “primal dream”. The Gods had all secretly prepared for this event, and it was going to be their greatest act yet.

The world had changed since they had gone to rest, but that was only to be expected.

They first parted the lands in seven continents: Illundaria, Illundaele, Llendala, the Havenrod, Morken, Dunerande over the sea and Eleandra. Mirenor and Laemnil raised the mountains that would separate them. Although the Gods went along as brothers and sisters, they didn’t want their children to confront right away, for freewill made their encounter uncertain; the races would discover each other in their own time. Sirid suggested that each race should have a king, a leader that would guide it toward its destiny. These seven kings were the first to see the sun rise on Osyrhia, and thus would always be friends to the Gods, in gratitude for this wonderful sight. They were destined to live longer than their people, and their wisdom would be passed on to their descendants. Each God gave his first-born child a Stone, a tear of the Giants' Queen that would commemorate the coming of the rulers of this world. The Stones were the link between the seven races, a statement that they all came from the same primordial desire for life and consciousness.

Eventually, the kings led their people toward their destiny…

CAELENTA: The Age of Change

Many generations had past, and the races of Osyrhia still lived in their own private pieces of land, having no taste for knowledge and discovery, and spending most of their time doing nothing but feeding and sleeping. Their children disappointed the Gods. Without knowledge, how would they become the magnificent beings the spirit of Osyrhia revealed in the primal dream? The Gods consulted each other and came to a conclusion: They were to send an emissary that would guide the kings and their people. This guide was to have a great thirst for knowledge. He was also to be closely linked to the Stones, in order to influence all the races in their quest for majesty. The Gods took some fragments of the collective spirit of each race and mixed them together. They also added a part of their own spirits and gave the resulting mind a glimpse of the Primal dream. For this new being was the gathered essence of all the races and Gods, he was gifted with every talents offered in the beginning by the spirit of Osyrhia. Finally he was given a shape, the most awesome and seducing to be seen in this world. His duty was to seek knowledge and hand it over to the people of Osyrhia, in order to lead them to the ultimate majesty once dreamed by the Gods. He was the one who would seal the races together…

And so he was named Cenos, “the gatherer”…

OSYRHIANTA: The Age of Light

Cenos eventually appeared on the surface of Osyrhia one morning, brought to life by the first rays of the dawning sun. As he opened his eyes for the first time, the kings of the seven races felt an instant urge to lead their people on a march towards the central continent, Eleandra. Not one of them knew where this strange feeling came from, but they all felt that it was the right thing to do, and that this act would change their vision of the world forever. So the races started the journey that was to lead them to a new light, naked and innocent. The march was more or less difficult, depending on where it began. The people from The Havenrod had to cross the ice desert that separated their homeland from the eastern mountains of Eleandra. After their journey back home, it was a very long time before they would travel this far once more. The Llendalans, who lived in the fresh caves under the burning sands of the Crimson desert, were not used to the open air. Therefore their journey was a whole new experience that not all of them appreciated. The people from Illundaria and Illundaele had a quieter march, for the southern mountains of Eleandra gave way to many large passages, which later brought the commerce between these three continents to flourish. But one of the seven races never made it to the gathering. The inhabitants of Dunerande, whose homeland was a vast Island to the north-west of Eleandra, were totally isolated from the main continents. They didn’t have any knowledge in the building of boats, and therefore were condemned to stay away from the other races. This isolation further led their destiny in a way that no God would have thought of, but this was also the case of many events yet to come…

No race had ever seen any of the others before. They all joined at about the same time and the Eleandrians were already gathered around Cenos. The meeting of different civilizations in the same place usually leads to all kinds of tensions and quarrels, but the power of the stones together with the charisma of Cenos made this first encounter an act of friendship and brotherhood. They all waited for the Dunerandis, but it was a long time before they would meet, in very special circumstances. After being introduced to each others, the kings were instructed by Cenos and sealed a pact of alliance and mutual assistance in their search for knowledge. Together, the people from the six main continents built the citadel of Eleandra, which would be a symbol of peace for the generations to come. Cenos instructed them in the crafts of architecture and sculpture, water engineering and even plumbing. When the city’s construction was over, he went on giving them the keys to art, music, agriculture and much other knowledge needed for the realization of the primal dream. Then each race retired and went back to its homeland, after sealing a few trading arrangements with the others. Now that Cenos had planted the seed of knowledge, the races could make their own discoveries and develop their own culture. His work done, he headed toward the northern coasts of Morken where he would build his own city, Eldergrave, and seek for a new knowledge…

ABOUT THE SEVEN CONTINENTS AND THEIR CIVILIZATIONS:

With their new thirst for knowledge and improvement, the people of Osyrhia achieved a high level of culture and science. The only technology that stayed out of reach was the building of boats. The races of the main continents were in pain to be separated from their Dunerandis brothers, but oddly enough, no one could come up with a solution to this problem.

Actually, one being held this knowledge and kept it as secret as possible, for some reasons of his own…

Llendala was the western-most continent of Osyrhia. The Llendalans excavated their capital in the grounds of the Crimson desert and named it Eloran “the sanctuary”. In the coolness of the undergrounds, they built a complex system of clockworks and mirrors to canalize the light and heat of the sun. At the very heart of Eloran stood a large crystal which was the epicenter focusing the light reflected by the mirrors. By a subtle system of hydraulics, large panels of steel covered it for twelve hours and released its accumulated light the rest of the time, creating artificial nights and days. The core of the city was surrounded by several miles of forest and fields. The people had channeled the underground rivers surrounding the capital to create an artificial lake which provided the water needed for the mirrors’ hydraulic system. The underground weather regulation system of the capital was probably the most astonishing creation on Osyrhia. For the sun light was dimmed in Eloran, its inhabitants had a pale skin and eyes adapted to the reduced visibility. They were particularly skilled in the arts of sculpture and carving. Proud was Mirenor of the marvels his children had accomplished…

For Illundaria was south-east of the core of the world and covered by a deep rainforest, the Illundarians built their main city in the heart of Dal’Arel, the biggest forest of Osyrhia. Dal’Arel was bordered on its east and south limits by the sea and from north to west by a chain of lakes known as the Quadryliats. A large river, the Colanuta, cut the forest about two thirds from its eastern border, emerging from the heart of Dal’arel to meet the sea in the small bay of Redarcee. The Illundarians were friends to everything that grew from the ground, and were most cherished by Arel. The people of Dal’Arel were tall and slim. Their aptitude for hunting and hiding was only rivaled by their skill in the art of painting. They could extract an infinite variety of colors from the plants surrounding their capital. Some Illundarians also lived in the plains around Dal’Arel, but never too far from the forest’s border, for their heart belonged to the trees. These “outsiders” had a golden skin and were highly specialized in the creation of new kinds of plants and trees. Their creations were reputed all over Osyrhia and often used as ornaments in the royal gardens over the world…

On the south-western continent, the people of Illundaele lived on the high plateaus overlooked by Mount Mirenor, the highest mountain of Osyrhia. It was a people of nomads whose culture was based on the herding of the meyack, a strong animal raised for its warm skin, soft meat and aptitude to carry heavy charges on a long distance. Almost every trader’s caravan around the world had a flock of them. The meyack’s horns were highly prized among musicians for it could create the purest of sounds. The Illundaelian king lived at the foot of Mount Mirenor, where he built the only permanent building of this continent. Once a year, a gathering of all the tribes’ leaders was organized in his castle to tighten their links and share the latest news of the kingdom. The people of Illundaele were of a strong constitution, with narrow eyes to protect them against the ever blowing winds that swept the plateaus. Their skin was tanned, due to their constant life in the open air. Their father God was Efael, master of the skies and winds…

Morken, in the north, was a land obstructed by mountains where the sun barely shined. Its skies were always filled with the clouds retained by its high peaks. A wide yet short river, the Ninog, defiantly ran through the desolated fields know as the Dark Lands, taking birth in the fetid swamps of Hillur’ag and disappearing in the inner sea, west to the shores of the Dark Lands. Its water was muck and poisoned by the rich metallic grounds where it took its source. The population of Morken was mainly based at the feet of the mountains, were the sea met the land. Their king, Cebelex, lived in Eldergrave, the City built by Cenos on the northern shores. The people were proud to have their king so close to the one that brought knowledge to the world, even if they seldom saw their leader and got news of the kingdom by way of messengers who roamed the land constantly. They had built a very long bridge that allowed them to colonize the island of Kalia, on the west coast. There they could easily develop a fish breeding industry that dispensed fresh food to the rest of the continent. On the east coast, they had opened a passage to the isthmus of Duna where they mined copper and iron. The grounds of Morken were saturated with all kinds of metal, which allowed a flourishing metallurgic industry but also forbade any sort of agriculture. This amount of minerals brought an interesting fact: the North Pole on Osyrhia was not situated where the rotating axe of the planet was based. Every compass always headed towards Morken and its high magnetic field. Cartographers have since then always used Morken as the north point of their maps. The real uppermost point of Osyrhia’s rotation axe was somewhere over the coasts of the Havenrod, a frozen land which will be described later. The Morkenians had, like the Llendalans, a pale skin due to the lack of sun. Their lands were constantly under heavy rain, which made their epidermis softer than usual. They were of a fragile constitution, although they never got sick. The people of Morken were surely one of the less cared-after populations. Laemnil later was in sorrow for his children, but there was nothing he could do to help them, for they had chosen their destiny.

Many legends at this time were running across the main continents, about the magnificent people of Dunerande, the great island north-west of the world. They were said to have the highest technology and to live in perfect harmony with nature. Nobody had ever seen them, and nobody could imagine how wrong they were about the Dunerandis…

As has been already said, the Dunerandis had never met the other races and their hearts hadn’t yet been touched by the light of Cenos. Knowledge wasn’t their priority, and their culture was mainly based on survival. The population was scattered all over the island, and accumulated in small groups, or tribes so to say, which spent most of their time fighting for territory. What has been revealed of Dunerande’s geography is taken from the declarations of the captured Dunerandis in darker times, and is not really relevant of the true nature of this Island. The only kind of technology they were eager to develop was weapons. Their king, Letto, had no power on them and lived alone in the swamps that covered the center of Dunerande. He had forgotten about the Gods and been driven to madness by the behavior of his people. They were brutal and interested only by the art of war, an art yet undiscovered by the other races of Osyrhia. Edoran, master of the seas and waters around the globe, had long ago taken his Stone back. His children were no longer alive to his heart, and he considered them banished from the primal dream. He would only take care of the lives Sirid had offered to the sea as said in the Anta. He hid his Stone at the bottom of the artificial lake of Eloran, where it would be safe…

The Havenrod, north-east of Eleandra, was constantly covered by eternal snow. The Ice Desert separated its core, the White Mountains, from the other continents. The people of the Havenrod at this time had only crossed it twice: to join the gathering of the races and to come back. The journey had been extremely difficult and many men had died in the cold blizzards that blew constantly on the ice desert. However, a few of them crossed it again later to go and live in Eleandra. Unlike the Dunerandis, the Havenrodians had been touched by the light of Cenos, and their isolation gave birth to a magnificent civilization. They had built their capital, Eldanie, out of the solid ice of a glacier. Its walls shone under the rays of the sun and the City always seemed to be surrounded by an aura of light. The population was totally devoted to its queen, Eldanie Uellë, after who the capital was baptized. She was of great beauty and wisdom, and provided her people with love and understanding. The Havenrodians didn’t adapt their physic to the environment, but instead developed a high skill in the manufacture of clothing and treatment of furs. They hunted the giant white bears that lived further in the mountains, even taming them, and thus had a lot of experience for combat. Apart from the Dunerandis, they were the first to have an army, whose main goal was to protect the city when the sub-zero winters came and the giant bears were looking for a warm place to stay. Eldanie Uellë was the only ruler to be so close to her God, Solan. He often appeared to her in the shape of a young man, and he would spend long nights giving her some news and advices about the other races. As a retribution for the love she gave to his children, Solan offered her the gift of immortality.

Eleandra was the central continent, where all the races could meet. The vast plains of the Siridian, north, and the Efaelian, south, covered almost all of it, except in the very far north where a thick chain of mountains known as the Northern Ridges marked the limits with Morken. East and west were circled by the mountains of The Havenrod and Llendala, lower still than the Morkenian chain. The plains were fertile, and the grass always emerald green. The great river Elmerel separated the southern and northern fields of the kingdom. Where it was joined by its tributaries Lanar and Minar, the capital city Eleandra was built. The city evolved a lot in a short period of time. Originally, it had consisted of a palace and a large alleyway lined with statues and ornaments, but the arrival of thousands of men each and every day engendered an exponential growth. The richest neighborhoods were all gathered along the main alleyway while the less favored areas tended to cluster on the edges of the city. There were no walls around to protect it at this time, but one was later erected, when the events required it. The travelers from all over Osyrhia where stunned in wonder at the sight of the towers of the capital, for they were rising so high that they could be seen from the furthermost limits of the plains. Eleandra, the capital named after the continent, was a gathering of the cultures of the six main races. Even some Havenrodians had dared crossing the ice desert again to live in this place of culture and knowledge. Eleandra didn’t have an industry of its own, but instead had built its civilization from the combination of all the others. It was a city of studies, researches and science. The main line of thought was the respect for life, and Sirid naturally was the God at the origin of this people. Whenever the kings had to take mutual decisions, they met at the court of Eleandra, which was famed for its paintings, sculptures, music and ornamental gardens…

ABOUT THE MOON: The song of Epheos.

In the early days of Osyrhianta came to birth a brother and a sister. They were named Epheos and Caë lia, and spent their joyful childhood on the high plains of Illundaele. They were both of high beauty and the pride of Efael, who saw in them a forecast of what his children would become when they’d reach the Primal Dream. But as they peacefully danced into adolescence, a forbidden desire emerged in the heart of Epheos for he too could see the beauty of his sister, and his mind couldn’t find rest anymore. The innocence of childhood was gone, and he now spent his days lurking around Caë lia and trying to seduce her, against the lore of nature. Feeling dejected and mad with passion, he insanely decided to rid the world of his sister’s impossible beauty. One night, as she was asleep, he quietly came near her bed carrying a bottle of lamp oil and drenched her in the dangerous liquid. But as he lit a match, Caë lia jerked awake and spilled him with the oil. Surprised, Epheos dropped the match and instantly caught fire. Screaming and flailing, he ran out and disappeared in the night. Caë lia was scared and shocked, but most of all in a terrible dread for what had just happened to her brother. She cried for three nights and three days, imploring Efael to save him. After the third day, the God took pity of her and searched the land for Epheos’ body. He finally found it floating in a nearby pool, its skin white as ivory with dark smears where the flames had burned, and totally black on the back-side. He gently picked the body and brought it back to Caë lia, who screamed and fainted at the sight. When she came back to, her brother had disappeared and Efael was smiling, looking peacefully at the star clad sky. She stepped beside him and looked up. There, right among the lights of Solan, floated a great white disc with dark smears. And so she understood. Epheos had lost his sense and tried to kill her, and so he was not to live on Osyrhia anymore. But Efael had been touched by her love for her brother and had given him a place in the sky, where he would always look upon Caë lia, without arming her. In shame for what he did, Epheos would turn around once a month and show his black burned back to the world, and look to the empty spaces of infinity. Then he would turn back to his bright face and look once again at his sister…

This old legend was well known across Osyrhia, and the moon became a symbol of the duality of men when gifted with free-will. Epheos continued his cycles of light and darkness until the end of times, remembering his beloved sister and the horrible foolishness of his acts…

INUMORKENTA: The First Age of Morken

Cenos had followed the evolution of the races of Osyrhia from the moment they had left the first gathering. His feelings then had been of pride and contentment. He had built his city, Eldergrave, on the north shores of Morken, where he could easily extract the metal needed for his new inventions. As the other civilizations became more and more magnificent, his feelings began to turn into jealousy and envy. When the races created marvels such as the mirrors of Eloran, his inventions seemed frail and empty, as if giving the people of Osyrhia his knowledge had sucked it out of him. The desire to possess all these wonders was burning in his heart, and the more he craved for it, the more despair took control of his mind. Depression overwhelmed him and left him in prostration. What was the world to offer him without knowledge? He was now longing to return where he came from, in the kingdom of the Gods who had given him life. But he knew that this was impossible, for he had to stay in Osyrhia until the primal dream was achieved, and this knowledge put him in a terrible rage. His love for the Gods suddenly turned into wrath, his interest for the races of Osyrhia into loath, and a plan started to build in his mind. Yes, these treasures would all be his, and the arrogant beings that stole his knowledge would soon be enslaved and serve him for all eternity. Three times he cursed the Gods for the cruel trick they had played on him, and then began the preparations for the achievement of his plan. His mind had often wandered across Osyrhia, and he had spent a lot of time observing the brutal race that was the Dunerandis. He had until then purposely held the craft of building boats from the other races, so they wouldn’t be exposed to the danger of meeting the people of Dunerande. Regarding his present frame of mind, this was going to serve him well.

Cebelex, the king of Morken, had been living in Eldergrave since the end of its construction, as a guest of Cenos. He was not so keen on the other races, which had been given better places to live by the Gods. His people were taking their situation with philosophy, but he couldn’t quite understand why his land had had to be so forlorn. With time, and the help of the depressingly constant clouds and rain, his friendship to the Gods had grown thinner and thinner, until nothing had remained but loath. Cenos knew about this resentment and used it as a lever on Cebelex’s mind to bend him to his cause. One day the king called upon his people to assemble at the feet of Eldergrave and there, in front of the bewildered congregation, cursed the Gods and promised doom to all who would stand in his way to retribution. The ground trembled as he said these words, and all knew that Laemnil had abandoned their king. Cenos tried to take possession of Laemnil’s Stone, but the God had taken it back already, and hidden it with its Dunerandis sister in the underground lake of Eloran, under the Crimson desert of Llendala. Many Morkenians decided to follow Cebelex out of fear and despair, and those who still had love for the Gods were brutally slaughtered by their former brothers of misery. This was the first act of cruelty ever accomplished by a race of the main continents. Nothing would ever be the same again…

Cenos’ plan was simple and efficient: He would have the remaining Morkenians build boats to rally Dunerande. Once there, he would submit the Dunerandis by charm or by force, and together with the Morkenians, would create an army of invasion to take over Osyrhia. Dunerande, totally isolated, would be a perfect headquarter for his generals, while he would stay in Eldergrave to supervise the creation of his deadly new weapons. Cebelex, now his most trusted lieutenant, would then lead his army across Osyrhia to bring death and desolation.

So it happened that the Dunerandis, left without a God or a king for hundreds of years, saw one morning a thousand dark shapes on the horizon. The armada of Cenos was approaching the costs of Dunerande at a fast pace. The population was divided in two: those in fear and those in fascination of this mysterious omen. However, when the first boat coasted, all of them flew in the deep forests that bordered the beach. Cenos, taking his most charming appearance, stepped on the wild continent and spoke in a voice not to be resisted.

-“Come to me, oh brave people of Dunerande. The time has come for your great race to meet its destiny. I am the light that guides the lost, and lost you are by the arrogance of those so-called Gods! You were abandoned on this forlorn land and your rights to sovereignty were stolen. South-east of your sea-clad prison, there are lands you wouldn’t have dreamed of, full with wonders of gold and diamond. Follow me now, and I shall give you the power to destroy your enemies. Forget your puny quarrels and unite to defeat the bastard sons of your nemesis”.

The Dunerandis had a long tradition of war, and these promises, filled with poison as they were, spoke to the darkest part of their hearts. Many of them followed Cenos to Eldergrave while the others stayed on Dunerande as a reserve garrison. Once again the few that resisted were slain by the army of Cenos.

The dark lord had many designs in mind for his fearsome weapons, and all his deadly creations were built in Eldergrave, where metal was found in abundance. By the power of iron and steel, the Dunerandis and the Morkenians were turned into crossbred creatures, half human and half metal. All that remained of their humanity was extorted by means of violence and psychic influence. Many siege towers and catapults were built, and the usually peaceful meyacks were turned into powerful war chargers. From the flesh of the dead, Cebelex raised a battalion of elite warriors, fast and fearless: the Tremors. And then, once his army completed, Cenos appeared on the highest tower of Eldergrave and spoke these words:

-“Osyrhia will soon be ours! These puny kings, servants of our worst enemies will be kneeling before our throne, and we shall hunt the sun until it shines no more. Then, all will fear my name for I am the true master of this world…”

Peace had lasted for 800 years. Now the world was about to know its first war…

GELENORAN: The wind of the Gods

In less than a month, the armies of Cenos had swept the main continents and left only ruins behind them. The towers of Eleandra were under siege, a great part of Dal’Arel burned to ashes and the high plateaus of Illundaele were constantly patrolled by the Tremors in search of the nomad tribes. It is at this time that Cenos designed his more abject creations: Vatolsolan, the Sun Eater, and Kalliagol, the Bell of Terror.

Vatolsolan had been forged out of the strongest steel available from the depths of Eldergrave. It was a disc whose size was mighty and terrifying. Nothing that big had ever been built before and would ever be built later on Osyrhia. It floated in the air by the sheer forces emerging from the tormented heart of Morken. Right at the center of the citadel of Eldergrave, Cenos had dug a hole so deep it was possible to have a glimpse, when looking at its bottom, of Laemnil’s hand shaking and bringing the rocks to smoldering temperatures. The heat rising from the pit lifted Vatolsolan slowly until it reached the sky and hid the sun to the view of Osyrhia. The lands were then swallowed in darkness, and only the faint light of the stars still shone in the firmament of the Gods. But in the process of its ascension, Vatolsolan endured a lot of strains and eventually split in three large parts. From the cracks left by this process came a soft light that dispensed a few moments of comfort whenever the sun shined through. And for Cenos wanted his enemies to feel most fear and terror, and never know any kind of relieve, he created Kalliagol.

The bell of terror hung on top of the highest tower of Eldergrave, from where Cenos could watch the rise of his reign. It had been forged in dark lead by the newly captured slaves. Many a man died in the enterprise, and their suffering was sucked in by Kalliagol. When it rang no sound came out, but instead a wave of terror and confusion that sunk deeply in the hearts of all men. Despair and hopelessness were the gifts from Cenos to Osyrhia. Every seven hours the bell rang, its toll a dark testimony for anyone trying to face the power of Cenos. Many legends still speak of the frightful silence it bestowed…

Eloran was never found, and the Llendalans were oblivious to the fate of Osyrhia. Their crystals held the now hidden light of the sun and dispensed them with regular days and nights. However, Llalië, great-great grandson of Lö, the first king of Llendala, had seen a flicker in his Stone and thus sent a messenger to Eleandra to carry a request for a high council. When no reply came back, he decided to address to his father God, Mirenor, and found out what was the cause of this disturbance. The knowledge of his brothers’ misery put him in sorrow and rage and from then on he regularly sent squads of archers and swordsmen to harass the legions of Cenos. His strikes, apparently coming from nowhere and disappearing in the dunes of the crimson desert are renowned as one of the higher deeds of this age. Many Tremors on their way to Illundaria met a most tragic fate. On their part, anyway…

The Havenrod, because of its isolation and climate, stood unharmed.

Eldanie Uellë heard of the war from Solan and asked him to interfere. Her soul was taken to the high council of the Gods, where she was asked to stand for the other races. The Gods debated about whether or not they shall do something, and came to a conclusion. The reign of Cenos wasn’t a part of the Primal dream, and their implication in the disaster was obvious to all. After all, they had gifted the seven races with Cenos, and his perversion was nothing but a result of their eager determination to fulfill their duty. So Sirid, father of all living things spoke to Eldanie:

-“You will send a message to the last kings of Osyrhia. When will blow the wind of the Gods, and come the rise of a new age, chaos will be undone, the sun will come back to the view of men and the corrupted spirit of Cenos will be enchained for a thousand years. Then will he know the wrongness of his way and thus fulfill the task he was created for. In these words we augur a better time for all…”

-“And then, ” continued Arel, “each one of us, fathers of the races of this world, will bind our love and fellowship in the Stones, so as all our children can be protected from evil if it ever rises back…”

At last Laemnil uttered these words:

-“So when Cenos is safely locked away, the Stones will get back to the kings of Osyrhia? Remember the foolishness of Letto and Cebelex. One wandering in the swamps until the end of the world, the other the most loyal servant of Cenos. What will happen if the Stones ever get to the dark side? We shall keep them safe, where no mortal hand can behold them! ”

-“And yet, we created the stones for the glory of mankind. But you are right Laemnil, freewill makes the future unclear, and I predict Osyrhia will know the shrouds of darkness once again before the achievement of the primal dream. But yet let us leave one Stone to our children. And let us send six guardians to keep the power of the other Stones, their very strength sleeping as long as evil will, and when the time will come to unleash their power, we shall send a messenger to find them and lead them to their duty.”

By these words, Arel had sealed the destiny of men. All the Gods honored her wisdom and agreed to give life to a guardian. One for each Stone. A Stone for each.

Eldanie Uellë was sent back to her castle, along with the six guardians. There they held a council to prepare their travel, and made ready to leave. To ensure a safe arrival to their destination, wherever it was, Eldanie offered them the Stars of Solan: six mighty eagles of ice and crystal, whose speed was almost as fast as that of light.

So the guardians left the White Mountains and started their journey across Osyrhia. They first visited the houses of the last kings to gather the Stones. They were unseen by any man as they had no mortal shape yet. They took all the Stones but one, which was left under the guard of Eleandra, as a remembrance of the Gods. Then they traveled toward Eloran, where the Stones of Morken and Dunerande were still hidden. There they settled down and fell asleep, waiting for their time…

While the guardians were gathering the Stones, the Stars of Solan addressed to the kings of Osyrhia, telling them to keep their hope and faith in the Light. The prospect of the victory soon to come filled their hearts with joy and courage. They left their state of victims and began to rise against the oppressors, striking whenever they were in greater number than the enemy. Those victories didn’t weight much on the balance of power, but certainly contrived to make the children of the Gods raise their head and stand proud. Even the toll of Kalliagol couldn’t reach their minds as it did before, and the power of Cenos was diminished by this gain of hope. The sunlight sometimes passing through Vatolsolan was no more received as a short comfort, but as a sure sign of the oncoming victory. And when would blow the Wind of the Gods, chaos would indeed be undone…

When the Gods were certain that the power of the Stones was safe and their children aware of what was going to happen they descended on Osyrhia in their true shape, which occurred only once again before the end of the world. They were mighty in appearance and their sight terrified the armies of Cenos. They came from the east, by the bay of Haldun and over the plains of Eleandra, repealing the dark legions on their way. They gathered over the city of Eleandra and all could see their majesty. There they held each other’s hands and began a song, triumphant and full of their power. The shockwave it generated flowed over Osyrhia, pushing the armies of evil up north, towards Eldergrave. Cenos felt a maddening pain enter his very soul and fell to his knees. His ships were sunk to the bottom of the sea and the towers of his citadel crumpled under the Wind of the Gods. Kalliagol shattered on the ground and the suffering minds imprisoned in its fabric were expelled and absorbed into the surrounding stones. The pit at the heart of Eldergrave closed in utter chaos, thus stopping to sustain Vatolsolan. The great disc fell from its astronomical height and shattered on the hard grounds of Morken, dispensing a shower of burning metal. As Cenos and his legions retreated in the caves under the citadel, the largest chunk of Vatolsolan fell to the ground and closed the entrance to their shelter. All that was left of Eldergrave was a field of ruins and a ground made of dark steel. Under the surface, the song of the Gods filtered and put the armies of Cenos in a millennium-long sleep. The dark lord then sat on his throne, waiting for the judgment of his creators. Fear overcame him, and anxiousness and loath. But the Gods never came and Cenos eventually fell asleep, dreaming of revenge and power. The echoes of the song harassed him in the first time, trying to lead him on the way to redemption, but soon its power was sucked out by the poisoned walls of the grave and Cenos could get back to his vicious dream. This the Gods didn’t know, and would later lead to another period of frightful events. But for now, Inumorkenta, the first age of Morken and first reign of Cenos was over.

DENOSYRHIANTA: The second age of light.

It was said that Cenos brought utter chaos to Osyrhia, and that the Gods interfered, for the good of all men. When evil was locked away came an age of peace for the kingdoms of Osyrhia. This age was known as Denosyrhianta, the second age of light. Men searched for more knowledge, achieved the skills in the arts they were destined to and filled the Gods with pride. A citadel was built at the point where the borders of Eleandra, Morken and the Havenrod joined, and it was called Laemnil. From its high towers the Osyrhians could see all the way to the northern shores of Morken and keep an eye on their enemies. Eleandra became a vast city where all the cultures of Osyrhia were gathered, and it was the core of the Osyrhian civilization. Many pilgrims journeyed there to honor the Gods and see the Stone, symbol of their divine filiations. Eloran was then very active in its commercial exchanges and even the Havenrod often sent emissaries to get some news from the other kingdoms. There were no official armies, for the people of Osyrhia didn’t feel any kind of menace from each others and the power of Eldergrave was buried deep in the ground of Morken. In time, the very name of Cenos was forgotten, and only heard in the bards’ songs. The rise of the Osyrhian civilization brought wonders, but also arrogance and forgetfulness for the deeds of the past. Eldanie held the knowledge of these past and future events but didn’t want to darken the hearts of men, and thus kept the secret to herself. Also the Gods felt that knowing the menace would be a barrier for their children on the path to the Primal Dream. Even so, for she was wise and alert, Eldanie asked the kingdoms of Osyrhia to keep at hand a confederate battalion of swordsmen that could be summoned if needed. The kings couldn’t imagine why such an army would be needed, but hadn’t they always followed the advices of Eldanie Uellë? So was created the Army of the Light, the only party of men to master the art of war. The army was sent to the citadel of Laemnil, as Eldanie had instructed. Eventually, after a few generations, the Army of the Light became more of a tradition than an actual military force. No one looked anymore at the wasted lands of Morken and the menace was once and for all forgotten. Osyrhia was now close to the Primal dream and each kingdom could fulfill its needs without the assistance of the others. The commercial exchanges grew thinner and only a few caravans still brought news to Eleandra from the kingdoms of Illundaria and Illundaele. And as time went by and Osyrhia came closer to the moment when the bounds put on evil would vanish, the relations between the kingdoms started to decline. Morken was a forbidden land that no one was to enter, even though no one really knew why anymore. Dunerande, still isolated, was soon forgotten and not even a song spoke of it. So it happened that only a few years before the return of Cenos, Eloran and the Havenrod had gone back to their isolation and the other kingdoms were obvious to the events soon to come. Denosyrhianta had been the longest period of peace in Osyrhia, and had lasted one thousand years…

DE BELLIS OSYRHIA: Of wars in Osyrhia

Up north, far from the oblivious eyes of men, the forces of Cenos were starting to stir from their millennium-long sleep. The mind of Cenos was already racing through the wastelands of Morken at the time the Havenrod and Eloran had ended their relations with the other kingdoms. The people of Eleandra could often see a dark cloud swirling over Morken, but didn’t understand the meaning of this omen. Comfortable in their arrogance, they didn’t pay much attention to whatever happened out of their border, although a feeling of tension could be felt in the citadel of Laemnil. In the deeps of Eldergrave, the armies of Cenos were already working their way out and trying to remove the chunk of Vatolsolan that locked the entrance to their grave.

The Gods felt the dark awakening and decided it was time to send the seventh guardian of the Stones on Osyrhia. They searched for the right mind to receive their message and finally elected a young man from the plains of Eleandra. His name was Doryan. His heart didn’t know the meaning of the words “arrogance” or “greed”, and he was always kind to everyone. His innocence was exactly what the Gods were looking for, and so they gifted him with the power of the Stones, although he didn’t know it at this time. His journey started with a strange dream, so real that he could almost feel the coldness of the wind and the ground under his feet. In this vision he saw the armies of Cenos devastating the great city of Eleandra and carrying a thousand slaves into the dark lands of Morken. He also got a look at the face of Cenos and almost lost his sanity at this sight. Ultimately, he saw the Stones and their power unleashed, uniting all the people of Osyrhia against evil. When he woke up, his mind was filled with dread and apprehension. He sat for one day and one night wondering what he was going to do. The dream was too vivid to be just a figment of his imagination. Moreover, he had never heard of the Stones, let alone seen them. He decided to ride all the way to the city of Eleandra and find someone he could get answers from. So on the second day after his dream, Doryan saddled his horse and started the journey that would seal the future of Osyrhia.

After a week Doryan arrived in the great city of Eleandra, core of the Osyrhian civilization. He fell in admiration for its white towers and magnificent gardens, and was determined more than ever to protect it from the power of Cenos. He was granted an audience with the king Morick and exposed his fears and suspicions. At first Morick didn’t take the young man seriously but soon Denestro, a bard and story teller from the frozen lands of the Havenrod entered the hall and brought forth a message from his queen in the form of a song. It told of the ancient times when Cenos once ruled the world. It also sang the greatness of Osyrhia and the friendship of the Gods. In this song, all could feel the echoes of the Gelenoran and the power inside Doryan grew bigger than ever. Morick then felt the truth in the young man’s words and led him to the chamber where the Stone of Eleandra was kept. He handed it to Doryan and, following the hidden message of the bard’s song, told him to ride to Eloran, where he could find the other Stones.

Doryan left the great city a few hours later and saw when he turned around to take a last look at Eleandra, a great army passing the gates and heading towards Laemnil and the road to Eldergrave.

When Denestro sang his song and the power of the last guardian awoke, Cenos felt the changes and instantly knew about Doryan. He was determined to rule again and would not waste another millennium before doing so. Using the last remnants of his divine origins as a bridge toward Doryan’s mind, Cenos unleashed his power and sent a dark cloud to obscure the young man’s heart.

So as Doryan traveled across the forest of Lilianath which bordered the west walls of Eleandra, he suddenly was stricken by an invisible force and fell of his horse. Unconscious, his dreams were filled with visions of horrors and the lies of Cenos steadily made their way to his heart. When he finally awoke, he was full of hate and had lost all of his sanity. Satisfied by his evil trick, Cenos sat in the hall of Eldergrave and followed the events with delight. His armies were now almost ready, and many of his boats had sailed to Dunerande and unearthed the military devices hidden in its thick forests. Without Doryan and the Stones, Osyrhia could never stand a chance against his legions.

But Cenos, blinded by his confidence had underestimated the power of the Stones. The mad rush of Doryan only lasted a few hours before he fell into unconsciousness again. From Llendala came a light which gently penetrated his soul and banished the dark clouds of the evil lord. Doryan woke up and felt a great sensation of relief. The wind gently blowing in the leaves and the quietness of the forest, all once again inflamed his determination. His journey was not over yet and he could feel he was attracted by the Stones of Eloran…

The young man traveled for many days before he could find the secret entrance to the kingdom under the Crimson desert. He entered in Eloran and made his way to the lake where the Stones were said to be hidden. He couldn’t see as he stepped into the underworld the dark shapes that had followed him all the way from Lilianath. He came to a halt on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake and saw the great city of Eloran. He could make out, at the very heart of the capital, the crystal that accumulated the sunlight sent by the marvelous net of mirrors built so long ago. Its light illuminated the gigantic cave as would a summer day. People were busy with their everyday tasks and the activity was mainly gathered inside the walls of the city. When he was sure the lake’s proximity was clear of any presence, he descended and rallied its deserted shore. On the bank, six statues stood waiting in a circle, as if they once had been humans, suddenly petrified. They were covered with moss and seemed very ancient. In each statue’s hands was a Stone, similar to the one given to him by Morick. Doryan took the Stone of Eleandra and stepped in the center of the circle, where he held it high above his head. Nothing happened for a few seconds, and then the Stones started to glow rhythmically, in unison. Suddenly, six bright rays of light exploded from his Stone and penetrated the others. The glitter was so strong that Doryan was momentarily blinded, and when he focused back on his surrounding, the statues were alive and watching him with attention, smiling gently. As he was about to speak, an arrow whirled past his hear and ended in the dark waters of the lake. The six figures turned towards the direction it came from to see a group of warriors rushing onto them. As one, the guardians drew their swords and stood ground. Doryan instinctively reached out for his own sword and dived in the battle. The fight didn’t last long, and soon the warriors of Cenos were defeated. The young man was truly amazed by the fighting skills of the guardians, something that not even the soldiers of Laemnil could equal. He was even more astonished to realize he had the same skills, even though he had never been in a fight before. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. He knew the guardians. He had always known them; he could fell it in the deepest of his heart, a strong link between them all. Truly the power of the Stones was awake and the air all of a sudden was filled by a kind of electric energy.

A shockwave of light departed from Eloran and raced across Osyrhia. As it swept the world, people turned towards Eldergrave and instantly knew what was going on. Eldanie, standing on a balcony of her ice castle felt the power and foresaw the events to come. Surely the isolation of the White Mountains would protect her people, but she knew even the unified kingdoms of Osyrhia couldn’t win against the perfidy of Cenos. And so once again the Havenrod opened itself to the world, and the army of the White Mountains started its march…

Doryan and the guardians left Eloran and the kingdom of Llendala, followed by a large contingent of volunteers. As they journeyed towards Morken, many men joined them on their march. They were reinforced by the nomads of Illundaele and the woodmen of Illundaria. More came from the city of Eleandra when they passed its gates, and it was indeed the first time these kingdoms headed for the same purpose since the days of the first gathering and the building of the great city. Finally, when they were in view of Laemnil, the white army of Eldanie arrived from the east and all were fascinated by its greatness. Gleaming armors and white fur covered the horizon, and the sun reflected intensely on the shining breastplates of its soldiers. The united armies made camp outside the walls of Laemnil and those with some fighting experience instructed the less skilled. Doryan and the guardians, renamed the Fellowship by the soldiers, stood on top of the tower of Laemnil, watching up north. The dark cloud over Morken was spreading, and already small battalions of evil creatures adventured themselves near the camp to harass the young army. If Cenos attacked too early, the men would not be ready to fight back and the battle would be lost. Unfortunately, the Dark Lord knew that and ordered his legions to attack at once.

One morning, the camp was awoken by the alarm horns of the outpost, and all prepared for the battle that would seal the fate of Osyrhia. Doryan quickly ran to the north wall of Laemnil and what he saw filled him with terror. Between the high slopes of the pass that led to Eldergrave, the horizon was black and boiling like an overheated tar pit. The legions of Cenos were attacking! The guardians joined the army and took command of six large battalions. Each guardian had his Stone incrusted in his helmet so all could see it and feel its power in the heart of the battle. Doryan, who had no experience whatsoever of large melees, marched with the army of the White Mountains. Even frightened as he was, the Stone incrusted in his helmet was giving him the courage he needed to fulfill his duty. The distance between the two armies grew thinner, and finally the first clang of swords was heard. Right after that, the world went mad.

Metal met flesh in the biggest battle ever seen on Osyrhia. The charges of Cenos’ war meyacks were stopped by the long spears of the army of the White Mountains, but many were trampled anyway, and from both sides. While the army of the Light fought in relative order, the legions of Eldergrave stroke in chaotic confusion, killing friend and foe. The front line was already receding under the violence of the fight, when suddenly all heard the sounds of terrifying horns coming from the river Elmerel, even as it was fifty miles away. The battleships of Dunerande had coasted, vomiting their load of Tremors. The legions of Cebelex rapidly reached the left flank of the Osyrhian army and started fighting their way towards the guardians and their Stones. No one could stop their fury and terrible force, and soon they reached their goal. One after the other, the guardians were slain and the Stones stolen. As they fell under the enemy’s hands, their power diminished and confusion stroke the army of the Light. Many a man then fell under the power of Cenos and fought against their own people. By dusk time, the unified kingdoms were defeated and Cenos himself entered the battlefield. The remnants of Eldanie’s army were closely gathered around Doryan, fighting their last stand against the dark legions, but their number diminished second after second, until the young man was the only one left, laying on the floor in mid-consciousness. A Tremor advanced towards him and raised his sword, ready to strike. And as the blade was about to hit it froze in mid-air, as if an invisible hand had just stopped it. The Tremor looked blank for a second, and then withdrew his sword and stepped back. The circle of warriors opened and all knelt down in submission, as a dark figure stepped in. Cenos approached Doryan and took his helmet. Then, fascinated by the Stone it wore, he spoke in a soft, almost comforting voice:

-“There, you won’t have to be the puppet of your Gods anymore. Your attempt to stop me was brave, yet foolish. Those puny kingdoms you’ve tried to protect are now mine, and the vermin you call the people of Osyrhia will be enslaved in my service. But I am not as merciless as you believe I am, and thus you will live. Yes, you will live and see; see the pain of your peers, feel the desolation of their sorrow and witness my reign. You will be the living trophy I now deserve for defying the Gods and defeating their bastard sons! ”

DENUMORKENTA: The second age of Morken.

Doryan was taken away, along with the survivors of the battle. Already the legions of Cenos were heading towards Eleandra and the other kingdoms, eager to spread chaos and take as much slaves as they could. Laemnil was carefully explored and soon the banner of Eldergrave floated atop its huge towers. Cenos entered the city in a grim parade of screams and clatter of swords against shields. He considered the high, solid walls of the outpost and the thick doors of the main hall where the army of Eleandra once gathered. He asked for the Stones to be brought forth and unsheathed them from their supports, relishing the feeling of power they radiated. The Stones were then embedded in a disc of steel, a dark homage to Vatolsolan. He called upon the strongest Tremors and put this blasphemy of an artifact under safe guard. He took one last glance at his precious treasure and left the city, leading his forlorn prisoners. The caravan of the defeated passed the ridges north to the plains of Siridian and tasted the acrid air of Morken. Some Tremors mounting war meyacks flanked the cohort and executed whoever walked too slowly or tried to escape. At the head of the procession marched Doryan, chained to Cenos’ horse and constantly harassed by the guards of the dark lord.

After seven days, many had died of thirst, hunger or by the sword when finally the caravan reached a crossroad in the middle of which stood a high, dark tower. Pulling Doryan along, Cenos took the spiraling steps leading to its top and stood there, overlooking the dejected assembly. Then, as he made a sign, the guards urged the terrorized prisoners towards the foot of the tower, where the dark lord would point at one of the paths and seal the destiny of his slaves. The west road led to the long bridge that joined the island of Kalia, where a great arena had been built and the men sent there were condemned to fight each other, for the entertainment of the dark legions. The road heading to the east ended at a small arbor, filled with dark ships. The slaves were amazed and terrorized by this technology they had never heard of. From there they were taken to Duna and its mines, where they would have to extract the lead and steel needed in Eldergrave. When two thirds of the caravan had been split evenly, Cenos ordered Doryan to take a last look at his companions of misery. He then whispered some dark and unknown words, and the young man suddenly was paralyzed, enchained by an invisible bound. The living statue was descended from the tower to be lifted on a cart, and the last of the caravan started its final journey to Eldergrave.

The throne hall of Eldergrave was atop its highest tower, where a huge balcony overlooked the foundries and the desolated fields of Morken. Doryan was left beside the throne of Cenos, where he could be in view of all. The dark lord knew that the vision of the young man so dreadfully enchained would destroy the last hint of hope in the hearts of his slaves. Their task, as they learned when they arrived in the citadel, was to reforge Vatolsolan. Cenos had won, the world was his, and the mighty disc would be his gift to the defeated. No mercy, let alone rest, would be accorded to the people of Osyrhia. The reports from his generals stated that the last pockets of resistance had been successfully terminated, with extreme prejudice, and so he was contented. He knew the only free men remaining were safely away, blocked by the frozen desert of the Havenrod, and this matter could be taken care of latter. Cenos sat on his throne, enjoying every second of his reign, and the world cried in pain for more than five hundred years…

DENUELEN: The second Awakening

After the battle at the feet of Laemnil, a