Reference The Annals Leading to The Final Game: A Story of Selenia

Coming in 2021

From the Annals of the Scholar Jahoris Whortleby



Selenia, a world at peace, or relatively so. As always there were the minor skirmishes between the Drow, the Humans, the Elves, the Canim, and the Dwarves, let alone each nation dealing with orcs or goblins that called the mountains home. But those were the usual growing pains of different nations and their frictions with their neighbors, not full blown conflicts.

The ships of Uthium, Awhurg, and Qedraerhiel vied with each other for control of the seas, the rich fisheries, and the trade routes between nations. Privateers supported by Kushya roamed the seas as well, preying on every nation’s ships without care for their nation. The three main seafaring nations did occasionally band together to reduce the numbers of privateers but once that was accomplished any armistice between them would end.



The rich ores and metalwork of the dwarven kingdoms travelled across the globe, enriching the coffers of Awhurg, Kazamaya, and Nanu. The fertile plains of Aanhia, Gaumia, and Preilia fed most of the peoples of the world. Uthium, years past, had decided that those coffers of the more agricultural nations needed to be under their control as well and had taken a portion of the continent of Klemea as their own, adding the fertile plains of that region to their control.



Some of the finest warriors in the world, unsurprisingly, came from Uthium, including some of the most devoted Paladins. They were the most expansionist nation on Selenia, but often found themselves countered by the Elves of Qedraerhiel both at sea and on land.

The Drow, except for the occasional mage or wizard among their ranks that made their way into other lands and magical universities, tended to keep to themselves. Being dark elves they were viewed with suspicion by the other elves especially, but also most of the other races of the world.



The one major race of Selenia that kept to themselves mostly, were the Canim, except for some priests or explorers of their Duchy of Long, they were quite insular. Trading outposts at their borders were where many of the travellers that came near the Duchy would find themselves turned away from the nation. If they were foolish enough to cross the frontier they would soon find themselves surrounded by patrolling packs of the warrior caste of the Canim.



Selenia was at peace…..and the Gods were bored....

None of the races knew that was the reason for the pall of apathy that seemed to hang over the world. They worshiped their deities, gave their praises to them, sacrificed to them but none of them realized that this peaceful situation that Selenia was going through made the Gods wish for more, or at least some sort of change of how things were…..

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Shadowsun, @Kurisan, @Darth_Elu, @Master Vo'Un'Var, @Corellian_Outrider, Anyone Else Interested.

 

Coming January 2021

Author’s Prescript: If you are reading this it means, hopefully, something survived the Upheaval, some glimmer of civilization. I shall endeavor to set the stage for what lead to the Upheaval, so you may know the circumstances of this Age.

From the Annals of the Scholar Jahoris Whortleby, regarding the days leading up to the Upheaval

Oriaburg, Uthium

On the steps of the Grand Temple, the heads of every order of knighthood, affiliated with Uthuim or not, those mercenary leaders, and rogues looking to enhance their reputation, were gathered. The Grandmaster of Uthium’s armies stood on the steps of the Temple, eyes raking over the crowd, taking in the faces, many known but as many unknown, that were awaiting his words.

Raising his hands, “Welcome! You have gathered here to discuss the future of these lands. Our great country is beset on every side by the Dwarves and their taxes on our goods, the sneaky and evil Drow, and the stubborn, insular Elves. The pirates have been focusing on our shipping even more so the Council had determined that one among our foes has been paying them to do so.”



Pausing, stepping forward a pace, “Our land must not falter, we have brought peace to a third of Selenia, and we must do our all to ensure it stays so, expands, and brings that peace to all the others.”

His voice rose, arm rising, “We will prevail, we will survive, For Uthium!! For the King!!”

Bonulazar, Kushya

A fashionably dressed man stood before a gathering of men and women, seeming as though he was uneasy. Clearing his throat, “Captains please, your attention please!”

The noise at the table continued until one large man passed him by, leaning over, “Fop, we may take your money but without the respect to us you’ll never get their attention.”



He turned, slipped a dagger from his belt, and threw it upward, into the darkness over the table and chandelier. Seconds later the chandelier dropped, smashing onto the table’s surface, causing all seated around it to fling themselves backward, swords coming out as the big man laughed. “You swine, our benefactor would like some words….”

Turning back to the man beside him, “All yours” he grinned, a deep, overly exaggerated bow to the man, before disappearing back into the crowd.

If anything, that man looked even more nervous and uneasy as all the dark looks and squinted eyes turned his way. “Ummmm, thank you. Your efforts are bearing fruition. The Lords of Awhurg have sent their own small donation to the cause of you privateers,” ‘pirates’ he thought, “so, together with that and the large coffers the Lords of Qedraerhiel have seen fit to grant, your fleets should soon be roaming all the seas of Selenia.”

The captains, having retaken their seats, pounded on the table and roared in approval. Their crews behind them also laughed and cheered at the news, more money coming in meant their ships could be renovated and upgraded for better chases. They had typically chased all the shipping of the world but currently were being paid very well to only prey on that shipping of Uthium.

“Uthium does suspect the involvement of the Elves, but there is no hard evidence of such, of course, and those other to lands do accept a bit of ship losses as the price of ensuring the Legions of Uthium do not pour over their borders yet. But, yes, they also do not mind if you empty the seas of every ship Uthium has at sea.”

This time the roar was even louder, causing the room to shake. They had been given free rein to hunt far and wide across the oceans and seas of their world, the prizes would be enormous.

"These two lands, the people of each, represent the best and the worst of us, our hopes an....." The pages of the Annals cut off here, several missing, before they pick up again, soon...

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Shadowsun, @Kurisan, @Corellian_Outrider, @galactic-vagabond422, @Ktala, @TheAdmiral, @Darth_Elu, @Master Vo'Un'Var, Anyone Else Interested.

 

Coming January 2021

Teaser # 2.2

From the Annals of the Scholar Jahoris Whortleby, regarding the days leading up to the Upheaval

The pages of the Annals became once more legible, More and more lands appear to be preparing for conflict, which must be delved into further.

Song, Tu

Instead of central buildings, governmental offices and the like, the center of Song was home to an ancient grove of trees, some several thousand years old. In the center of that grove was where the Council would gather. Now was one of those times. From various boughs and giant trunks they drifted, the wood elf nobles, mages, priests, and wizards.

As they came into view of the giant, golden tree at the center of the grove, each bowed to the tall, slender beings seated on grown, wooden, thrones among the large roots of the tree. The King or the Queen would nod to each at the bow but otherwise kept quiet. They would allow the debate and discussion but keep their counsel to themselves, for now.



A quiet voice was raised, “Eosucera is growing restless. The Drow are stirring, the Canim have all but closed their borders, and the Humans, both those nomads of Quandiepia and the more settled ones of Aanhia have grown even more insular.”

Another voice, feminine and musical, rose in counterpoint, “Eosucera is just a symptom, all of Selenia is uneasy, unsettled. The Humans, our cousins, and others are all gearing for war. The trees, the forests of Selenia cry out. Many are being cut down, even the old giants, as those unknowing beings use their wood to build their ships.”

The King frowned at the second speaker, not because of what she had said, but because of the content. He contemplated adding to the discussion when one of the wizened mages spoke up, “I agree, the flow of magic, our magic, across Selenia is being stirred and drained with the loss of the forests. As much as it pains me to suggest sending any of our children away, I believe it would be wise to send out guardians to protect the woods as much as possible.”

A buzzing of voices rose as many of the council began talking to those closest to them. Soon the noise began to die down and nods, nervous but certain, came from a majority of the council. It was set, the Wood Elves, would protect the groves of Selenia.

Reemond, Askar

Deep in a cavern, under the ‘City’ of Reemond, in the true city of Reemond, a Drow Matriarch sat in repose as several approached, warriors, priestesses, her daughters and commanders. She leaned back on her seat, eyes lidded, as she took in the procession of her advisors, the subtle jockeying to have place of presence. Such as the way of her kind.



When they had all gathered, she sat, still quiet, to all appearances asleep, until her eldest daughter took a step forward, “Well, Matriarch, you called…”

In less than a heartbeat the cat-o-nine-tails in her hand lashed out in the Matriarch’s hand, one tip scoring a line across her daughter’s face. “Impatient, and yet you seek to replace me eventually. Child, you need many more years to get even close to experienced enough to consider it.”

Her scornful gaze took in everyone in the chamber, the nine tailed whip shivering in her hand. “Those idiot surface dwellers are at it again, but their ambitions should prove fruitful for us. Can any of you worthless wastes of flesh tell me why you think so?”

The warriors gazed back and forth, waiting for their Captain to speak. But he was waiting for the females to speak first. He knew his place.

The eldest daughter glared at her mother but stayed silent. The next eldest chuckled at her sister, glad of her having been chastised then looked to the Matriarch, “It means we can send out more raiding parties, deliver more bodies, souls to the Goddess.”

Her mother curled up the whip, a devious, dark smile on her face, “There is one who can think among you. Yes, daughter, we will reap many more souls for the Spider Goddess. So Send out the young ones, the warriors and warlocks, to blood themselves and bring in the harvest of the lesser races.”

The Wood elves and the Drow, two races that typically are quite insular, both deciding to set out, in their own ways, to become involved in the great game of nations. How would their interference be taken, how would they react as others discover their interference. Only time will tell....

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Shadowsun, @Kurisan, @Corellian_Outrider, @galactic-vagabond422, @Ktala, @TheAdmiral, @Darth_Elu, @Master Vo'Un'Var, Anyone Else Interested.

 

Coming 1 January 2021​

Teaser # 2.3

From the Annals of the Scholar Jahoris Whortleby, regarding the days leading up to the Upheaval

The pages of the Annals continue turning slowly giving the reader time to peruse them before the next turns. Selenia is stirring and every race is slowly waking to the fact that change is coming, race and creed.

Edocaster, Preilia

It was a dark night in Edocaster. Fog drifted through the streets around the Tower of Knowledge, the heart of the wizarding world, the centerpiece of the University. A light flared outside a smaller building a dozen paces from the Tower, illuminating what could be considered a usual scene at the University, several wizards gathered outside the door to the building. But this was not as usual as that, these were the heads of the Orders of Wizardry, having foregone their usual meeting place as they were sure that spies roamed the grounds.



A hissing voice, “Quickly, the Sphere of Silence…”

And then the five wizards disappeared from sight and sense. They were still present but had hidden themselves from the world for the nonce. A shorter, reptilian wizard turned toward the tallest, in a watery voice, “Why have we gathered? What is of such import that we had to forgo our comforts or the Great Chamber?”

A low chuckle answered, “You love your comforts, don’t you, away from the swamps..But those places have their spies, we all know that, and we must make a decision.”

A masked face turned toward the others and in a muffled voice, “He is right, not 300 miles from here, the Legions of Uthium have gathered, the wood elves are preparing, the high elves and dwarves are conspiring with the privateers of Kushya to weaken Uthium. And beyond that, how many of you have felt the discontent of your patron deity? Felt as though they are restless, that they are wanting this discord, if even to have something other than peace going on?”

Another nodded, slowly, and a rasping voice sounded, “That also doesn’t take into account the restlessness of the youngest continent, or that it feels as though the drow are anticipating this and hoping to take advantage of it. So should we work together, the Orders put aside our squabbling and set out to try to keep the peace?”

The tallest tilted his head in thought, considering the words of his compatriots. “We are, given all our differences, the guardians of knowledge and magic. Disorder and discord do not go well with that. But we are not the rulers of this world, merely guardians. So….I see it as an opportunity to test our apprentices, our younger wizards. Send them out, to wander the lands, to gather the knowledge we seek and possibly cause others to see the futility of the war and destruction they seek.”

A long moment of silence followed and then heads nodded, a decision made. The wizards reappeared before the building before going their separate ways.

Dhag Boram, Awhurg

In the center of the capital of the most prosperous Dwarven nation sat what appeared to be a tiny mountain. In reality it was the main gathering place for the chiefs of the various clans of Dwarves, where they could make merry, gamble, drink, talk mining operations and politics, under the watchful eye of the King of the Dwarves.



Such a gathering was currently underway. One slightly less drunk dwarf was attempting to get the attention of his fellows, and failing miserably. So instead he climbed upon the table, taking his axe from his broad back, and slamming an overhead blow into the tabletop. The table split along its length, causing himself and every dwarf at the table to either fall forward as the table dropped or backward off of their seats.

He jumped out of the rubble and strode to the steps before the king’s throne, sheathing his axe once more. “Fellows...Clan chiefs, there is news…” he called out.

As silence began to fall, save for one older chief, snoring away, his beard soaking into the tankard before him, he continued. “The shipment has been made and the pirates understand that our vessels are mostly off limits, that those human devils from Uthuim are to be targeted, which will only increase the value of our goods, our metals.”

From the back of the hall a drunken “Huzzah!” rang out, “I’ll drink to that!” shortly following.

The speaker shook his head, “Before you all get too drunk, we need to ensure all clans have prepared themselves, there have been reports of Uthian spies attempting to gain access to our mines in the northern sections of the Spine. They seek to either take control or, failing that, destroy the mines and dwarven cities within. So, have your forces all in order to repel these invaders.”

“Yeah, yeah, stupid humans couldn’t last ten minutes in one of our mines…” One younger chief cried from the crowd.

“That may be the case, but even so, the King has decreed it.”

The pages of the Annals are becoming fewer in number and it seems much of the history is yet to be written, but that will be seen in days to come.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Shadowsun, @Kurisan, @Corellian_Outrider, @galactic-vagabond422, @Ktala, @TheAdmiral, @Darth_Elu, @Master Vo'Un'Var, Anyone Else Interested.

 

Coming 1 January 2021​

Trailer 2.4

From the Annals of the Scholar Jahoris Whortleby, regarding the days leading up to the Upheaval

The pages of the Annals continue their slow turning. A scent as though of the forest and earth fills the air as the next entry comes into view.

Deep in the forest north of Shemnas, Qedraerhiel

The quiet sighing of wings came, from all the directions of the compass. Slowly lights of different colors filled an open clearing, bordered with mushrooms. As the lights began to fade, shimmering wings took their place, fairies of various sizes entering the ring and landing lightly. Light, musical chatter began among the fairies as more arrived, until an almost unheard trumpet of sound filled the clearing. One last fairy arrived, taking a seat upon a large mushroom to one side, the Queen of the Fairy.



As though her arrival was a signal, the conversations ceased and all turned toward her. One drifted from the crowds, half her size, taking up station beside her. “You all represent the various fairy across Selenia, the protectors, the healers, the guardians of the forests.”

Indeed there were fairy in various garments, some the simple garments of healers, some in armor, and some with staffs of power. From the crowd, “They are destroying the forests!” came a shout.

The majordomo, as that was his place, nodded, “They are. We have sent various of our own into the areas that the other races call home and, aside from the elves, the others seem to be preparing for war and the forests cry out as they use our homes for their weapons and ships.”

A healer stepped forward lightly, “We have lost several nurseries already, if we cannot stop this tide, we may lose entire forests.” She bowed to the Queen, then faded back into the crowd.

A warrior was the next to step forward, “We do not have the numbers or size to fight them all directly, but we stand ready to defend the forests.”

Finally a guardian stepped forward, “This is our place, our time. The guardians will send out our best and do all that we can to prevent the destruction. But….we also sense that it’s not just the mortals that we must be worried about, something is coming…”

The Annals trail off from here, for several pages, filled with random drawing and musings, as though the author was attempting to copy information from a source he couldn’t understand…

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Shadowsun, @Kurisan, @Corellian_Outrider, @galactic-vagabond422, @Ktala, @TheAdmiral, @Darth_Elu, @Master Vo'Un'Var, Anyone Else Interested.

One last trailer to go before the OP goes up for everyone's perusal.

 

The Story Begins 1 January 2021​

Trailer #3 (Final Trailer)

From the Annals of the Scholar Jahoris Whortleby, regarding the days leading up to the Upheaval, Transcribed from the vision bestowed upon me by Enki, Scribe of the Gods

I hope, but will not pray, that future scholars forgive me that I scrawl the following in first person. I say that I will not pray as I know now who those prayers will go to and that bears upon the following.

I was in my study, poring over recent treatises that had fallen into my possession, attempting to transcribe them by the candlelight and add them to the history of Selenia when the light began to brighten. Looking up, I saw that the light was not of the candles, but instead a bright speck that grew and then suddenly filled out into a being. He stooped in the chamber as his height was such that, with the headdress he wore, he was taller than the ceiling of the room.

“Who are you?!?” I asked, a note of worry in my tone.

A deep laugh rolled from the figure, “A scholar and yet you do not know to whom your prayers rise? I am Enki, God of Knowledge and Scribe of the Gods.”

At the name, I recognized him, very similar to the statues of him that dotted the College of Scholars at Nighthall, in Uthuim. With a shaking hand, I reached to the cupboard by my desk, pulling out a wineskin and a pair of flagons. “Drink, Lord?” My wits may have departed me but my mother would have been sorely disappointed if I forgot the manners of a host to a guest, especially to a God.



“There is not time for that, mortal. My master has sent me on an errand, to ensure you know the full story of what is to come. This will only be the first of many visits to come. So congratulations on being chosen by the Gods, to write their story.”

My hand shook as I lifted my flagon to my lips, spilling it all over my tunic, “Mul...multiple visits, Lord?”

Enki seemed to shrink, not in presence but in height, so he fit into the room, “Of course, mortal, do you believe such a story can be told in one sitting? But perhaps it would be easier if I simply show you.”

He reached out, one large finger touching my brow and light flared, my study disappearing.

The Realm of the Gods

The view swept in toward a shining city. Swooping through the buildings, the unseen traveler came upon the highest edifice in the city. Gliding through an open door revealed dozens of beings, massive, ethereal beings. The Gods themselves.

The space was filled, tables, lounges, and open areas around the vast space. Noise buzzed from the conversations around the room. As the traveler took in the space, certain currents began to become apparent. Groups of the Gods, ones that seemed most associated with certain nations or Races of beings, were in little cliques. The chief god was seated on his throne, slumped on it truly, a state of boredom hanging over him.



A door opened and a wiry god entered, making his way to the chief deity, a mischievous expression on his face. Leaning over by Huitzilopotchi’s ear he began to whisper. As he did, the thunderclouds of boredom and apathy began to part. A slow, serpentine smile began to cross Huitzilopotchi’s face. He nodded to the dark haired, dark eyed God. “Thank you, Loki” rumbled from his chest.

The atmosphere changed the moment he stood, his gaze sweeping over the cliques. A nod, his headdress shaking at the movement and his arm swept out in a circle, the cliques moving away from the center of the room. His voice rumbled once more, “We have been discontented, all of us, and it has caused Selenia to be so, so it is time for a change…”

The Annals become a random mass of letters, drawing, designs, and unintelligible words for several pages, to a degree that the reader’s mind would be clouded….Until…..

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @greyjedi125, @Shadowsun, @Kurisan, @Corellian_Outrider, @galactic-vagabond422, @Ktala, @TheAdmiral, @Darth_Elu, @Master Vo'Un'Var, Anyone Else Interested.

The Game is prepared...The OP is next to come...Let the 'Final Days' of Selenia begin....