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Graceful Claim Holt's History

We are on a world with 9 moons. Each one represents a different element, or power. The moon(s) you're born under represent both your powers, if you have any, and your soulsymble.

The world is ruled by a race of tall, graceful creatures, and has been for as long as they can remember. They are incredibly long lived, peaceful, and have an army only in remembrance of a long ago struggle. The enemy they fought is all but forgotten, and has become legand, instead of fact.

They are ruled by a Lord, or Chieftain, who represents their world, helped by a council of nine, representing the nine moons. These select few live longer even than the commoners, whose lives can span centuries. They live on a huge, fertile island, just off the coast of a large continent that remains mostly unexplored. This is because of several things. The first is that everything that they could possibly want is available on the island. The second is the memory of the nameless evil. There is a third reason. The dragons, creatures half of myth, half of dreams, guard the coast. Although they are not hostile, they are wary of any who invade their domain.

Each member of the council possesses an amulet, a sort of key. The keys open a portal to another realm, one of fire and evil. The portal can be opened by either the amulet of the king, or the amulets of at least three council members together.

Among the council members are three with very specific tasks. Each of them is assigned to protect one of the three provinces on the isle. They are very powerful, as much as the king, perhaps more, and possess strong magic. They are the keepers of ancient secrets, known only to them. In the later days of the island, they were taken for granted by more than a few, since there was so little for them to be protected from. Or so they believed.

The Lord at this time was Omis'rean. He had a youger brother, Baen, who was hot headed, and had a quick temper. He was also stubborn, and very sure of himself. He was in love with the beautiful Kelana, a powerful elemental sorceress. Despite her power, she was frail, and after giving birth to twins, Anaia and Miir, she died. In anguish from this loss, Baen begged his brother for the right to use the portal. He had been dreaming of it, that everything would be alright, that Kelana would return, if only he opened the portal. Omis'rean loved his brother, and wanted to help him. He was wise, however, and asked the advice of his most trusted advisors, the guardians, Jalvra'inn, who guarded the province of Teli'melar, Kovin, the guardian of the province of Hrinn, and the youngest, Lòmir'is, who guarded the province of Kiirnn. They were all in agreement that the Lord's answer should be no, since they alone, of all who lived on island, knew the truth of what had happened to cause the island to retain it's army.

Sadly, the lord gave his answer to his brother, secure in knowing that the council would support his decision. But not all did. In their arrogance, and their idleness, the people of the island had become obsessed with death, and, more than that, with overcoming it. Some of the council members had also been having dreams, dreams that spoke of the power of the portal, the power, perhaps, to grant immortality. Although outwardly, they supported the lord, they whispered behind his back. The ones who did this were Brevel, Kamerinn, Aulorin and Namic. These four were influential in the council, older ones mostly, who were respected and considered wise. One of them, though, had an even stronger reason than dreams to support Baen.

Aulorin, a younger lord on the council, owed a life debt to Baen. Years before, Baen had saved his life, and now Aulorin was bound to his service until he was released. So, late one night, the five conspirators slipped into the chamber where the portal was safeguarded, bewitching the guards there with ancient, forgotten magicks, and used their amulets to open the portal. Once the swirling abyss opened, Baen stepped through, leaving the others behind. Following his instructions, they brainwashed the guards, making them believe that nothing out of the ordinary had occured. Then they left, and continued about their business as if everything was the same.

Their deception was not discovered until several days later, when Baen returned, changed. He swept back through the portal, slaying the guards, and anyone who stood in his way. This was totally unexpected, as it had been centuries since any killing had taken place on the island. He demanded to see his brother, and his request was granted. In the presence of the council, he demanded control over the people of the island.

Omis'rean tried reasoning with his brother, fearful of the awesome power that he now controlled... or appeared to control. Baen's demands did not lessen, however, and soon he left with his supportors, promising to return with an army the likes of which they had never seen. Many left with him, nearly half the people, in fact, followed him into the portal once more.

Aulorin stayed a short while longer, though, to bid farewell to the one he loved. He told her what had happened, and that, though he did not wish to follow Baen, he had no choice because of the life debt. Aulorin left never knowing that his love was with child.

Now faced, for the first time in over ten thousand years, with the prospect of war, the Lord summoned his remaining council. Present were Lòmir'is, Kovin, and his cousin, Elirynn, daughter of Jalvra'inn, who had perished in the battle when Baen came through the portal the first time. Weariòn was also present, the last of the ones who remained from the time of the first war. He was for the most part considered a fool, and no one payed much attention to his ramblings. Now, though, the guardians saw in him their one chance for victory over this nameless evil.

The council that ensued lasted a full ten days, and when it was over little had been decided for certain. Throughout its course others had been brought in and had taken part. The commander of the armies had begun training his warriors again, and the hunters, gatherers and growers had begun storing food. Finally, the mages all came together, to try to find some way to fight Baen.

The portal opened again more than a month later, although to those inside it had seemed like many years had passed. For, you see, time passed differenty in that other realm. Many fierce battles were fought, any heavy losses were suffered on both sides. Always, though, the dark seemed to grow stronger, even as the light diminished. Whenever a warrior of the island slew one of the portal, five more appeared to take his place. Among the fighters of the dark were also creatures, twisted and dark, who never seemed to suffer any wounds. Baen himself was present at all battles, and was responsible for many deaths. His brother was still astonished at this and held out hope that they would one day be reunited.

This went on for many years. During this time Aulorin’s daughter was born. Myyràe, her mother, named her Amarul. Although she still loved Aulorin, Myyràe didn’t know how he would react to his daughter. And so, in an effort to keep their child safe and free, she concealed their daughter’s existence from him. Also during this time, several of the amulets were lost, destroyed, or stolen by the dark forces.

Within the portal, Baen’s two children, Miir and Anaia, continued to grow stronger. They had formidable magical powers, and a twisted perception of their past. Despite their fathers’ lies, they still had dim memories of their mother and the kindness they had known for a breif period after their birth. They remained largely uncorrupted by the evil forces at work around them, but were seldom permitted out of the portal. They grew up very quickly compared to Amorul, simply because of the rapid way time passed inside the realm where they lived. They were well educated, largely by their “uncle” Aulorin. He, too, helped keep them aware of the kindness that existed elsewhere in the world.

Meanwhile, the three guardians, Elyrin, Lòmir’is and Kovin were spending great amounts of time together. They grew very close, especially Lòmiris and Elyrin. In a world where to be a guardian meant being very alone, and often disbelieved, not to mention the bearer of millenia of nearly lost knowledge, they were each others’ sole companions. With these two as her tutors, Elyrin learned quickly what it was exactly that their race was up against. In secret, she also began learning a great deal from Weariòn.

He remembered a great deal, and was truly willing to share his knowledge with anyone, especially a young, grief strought guardian in need of guidance and friendship. He tought her about “blessings”, small, benign, good-natured spirits. She began communicating with them, and eventually discovered a great deal about their enemy. The dark warriors they fought were, in truth, the mirror images of “blessings”. All a part of the great balance, the dark ones often conspired to cause conflict in the world, in order to make the blessings fight. As always, the blessings would have no part in this conflict, but they would provide valuable information for one who was willing to be friends with them. This alone, it is believed, is what kept the people of the isle alive during the dark years. With this additional tactical information, they were sometimes able to ambush the portal warriors, or win lopsided battles against them.

Gradually, Eliryn became more powerful, and was able to communicate with more and more powerful beings. She became the pupil of one luminous being, who would often help her out in difficult circumstances. When the Lord asked her for guidance, he was there to help her give wise answers. In this way, he helped her become the trusted confidante of the one who was perhaps in direst need of such. He would also help augment her powers in the midst of crucial battles, or when her survival seemed in question. Eventually, she learned that both her cousin and Lòmir’is also had such “mentors”, although they never spoke of them openly. All this time, the Lord remained sure, in his heart, that his younger brother could never be capable of such monstrosities. Although the siblings met in battle many times, he could never bring himself to strike the killing blow.

Finally, he found an answer. He had a dream, much like the ones that the traitors had had prior to the war. He found himself in a place he’d never been in before; a dark place of red mist and black light. He heard whispers all around him, but could not identify the source, until, finally, a familiar shape stepped out of the gloom. It was Baen. Although he spoke no words, Omis’rean heard his brothers’ voice in his mind, beseaching him, telling him to end the war. Luckily, the lord was old enough to remember the old tales, of spirits good and evil, powerful enough to control even the most indominable spirit, and wise enough to realize that this was the case with Baen. He fought his was out of the dream, using powers even he did not realize that he possessed.

At the same time, Kovin had a realization; if there were mirror images to blessings, surely there must be mirror images to their mentors as well! He fled from the battle field where he was fighting, straight to the encampment where the Chieftain was staying, and was met just on the outskirts by Omis’rean himself.

The lord had awakened to the sound of the alarm being raised; the enemy was advancing at an alarming rate. Those who were not warriors were swept away, into the last true refuge available for the fleeing elves; the Forest. A council was called, and all the good forces remaining were called to the front. The guardians arrived within hours, warned by their respective mentors. With them came all the warriors under their commands. When they were assembled, this consisted of over ten thousand warriors. Although at the beginning of the war they had been inexperienced, afraid, and confused, they were now battle hardened, ready for revenge for their fallen comrades, and wanting blood. They could not have known what awaited them.

One did, however. Elyrin had been warned well in advance by her mentor, and was now faced with a truly horrible decision. One of those she love, the spirit had told her, would die tomorrow. Which one it would be was yet to be decided. That power was hers. In the council that night, many things were decided. The deployment of troups, who would stay behind to care for the old, the sick, and the very young, and other things. The true nature of Baen’s evil was also revealed. An ancient, malevolent spirit had control of him, that much was obvious. What was not was what this meant for them. Clearly, it explained his power, but it did not make their job any easier. In all likelihood, Baen was still alive inside of this evil entity, somewhere. The question was whether he would ever overcome his captor, and reclaim his true self.

It was finally decided that Baen must be killed, if the freedom of the people of the isle was to be insured. As a leader, it was the most difficult decision that Omis’rean had ever been forced to make.

All this time, however, Elyrin struggled with the decision that tormented her; who would die? She had come to realize, only in a few short days, that she truly love Lòmir’is. At the same time, she also loved her cousin, and was not willing to sacrifice his life. Or so she thought. He said something then that would change the course of history for all time. He “suggested” that she stay behind. Elyrin’s main fault, you see, was pride, and a fierce independance. She had fought all her life for her people. She had seen her father killed, doing the same thing. She would not be denied the right to fight for them now.

She was about to yell at him in outrage for expecting such a thing, when she heard a whisper in her mind. His voice. His words. “Don’t worry... I know... It’ll be alright...” Her decision was made for her. She understood now why he had said those things. She accepted the reasoning, and stayed behind. After all, only she could deal with the “spirits” that inhabitted the Forest. The troops were ready, just before dawn, as Elyrin, the children, sick and old, guarded by a company of nearly two hundred able warriors, fled towards the old, mystical trees of the forest. They fled for hours into the dark woods, until the sounds of the battle echoed in the early morning.

Back in the battle, the good warriors were being slaughtered like cattle. They could not have known that such evil warriors existed. And so many of them! Wearrion fell, an arrow through his heart, defending his dying horse. He had already slain many, and had many wounds, before the fatal arrow struck.

Lomir’is and Kovin, fighting side by side, also slaid many of the shadowy creatures. Finally, both wearing, Lomir’is let his guard down. A sharp curved blade slipped through his defences. At the last minute, though, Kovin cried out and stepped in the way of the blade. He fell, and his friend was filled with fury.

Still, the dark tide of the warrriors advanced. Baen suddenly appeared before his brother, cutting a wide swath through the remaining good warriors. The brothers fought, and once Baen’s true nature nearly fought through to the surface. A moment later, however, the demon prevailed, and the moster slew Baen’s only brother.

At the same moment, Anaia and Miir, now nearly adults, slipped through the portal, unbeknownst to their father. They fled from the city, from the island, certainthat their mother was not dead, that she was still alive, somewhere in the land of dragons. In the woods at this time, the old and sick still ran, led by Elyrin. The dark warriors caught up, however, just as the battle drew to a close.

Over eight thousand good warriors were dead, and more would die from their wounds. Those who ran were even now being hunted down, and very few of them would survive. Many dark warriors remained, however, and they were intent on slaughtering the last remnants of the race.

Aulorin was with them, but for another reason. He had learned that both his love and his daughter, who Baen had revealed existed, was with Elyrin. When battle was finally joined, he saved them, stalling the enemy, but at the cost of his own life. His body was left on the silvery moss of the wood, a true smile on his face for the first time in many years.

And so, desperate, weary, with the sounds of battle on their heels, Elyrin finally called on the Spirit of the Woods. And was answered. She came in the form of a beautiful, Silvery creature. A unicorn. And she was horrified that the dark creatures would invade the sanctity of her woods. She came to the aid of the elves, doing something that none of them had anticipated. She cast a spell, a powerful spell, turning all those who had challenged her and despoiled the sanctity of her wood, into creatures like her in form, but much less powerful.

Bound now to serve her, even those who had died, had no memory of their previous existences. All those bearing the blood of those who had gone into the portal were doomed now to a life of service. One had now a different existance, however. Amorul, daughter of war, of two sides of a conflict, was doomed to a double life. In moonlight, she was as the creature from the wood. In sunlight, she was as her parents. Forever. Now, there were only a few who remained. The daughter and son of Baen, who were immune from the curse of the creature, thanks to their great magical power, Amurol, her mother, Baen himself, who was also too powerful to succomb to the curse, two of the guardians, a few of the evil elves who had remained inside the portal, for the creature’s magic did not stretch to that plane, the young cousin of the Lord, heir now to the throne, about forty warriors, a few older folk, and the children.

All of those of the light quickly found each other, and were reunited in the woods, where they fell into a deep, enchanted sleep for what seemed like an eternity. When they awoke, they knew that their existence was changed. They had no idea how to get away from the woods, nor did they want to. Soon they were befriended by creatures like the ones that had helped them before, only more viscious, and less powerful. They never knew that these creatures were the same enemies whose blood they had called for, only a short while before.

Baen, they realized was still alive, but they were not ready to seek him out. Not yet. One other thing had occured. Several of the elves now realized that they had the very gift that had caused this great conflict. They were immortal. And so life continued. Some died, of sickness, wounds, or grief, and some survived into infinity. Now, only six amulets survived. They were possesed by Anaia, Miir, Elyrin, the lord’s cousin ( now the Chieftain of their small tribe), Lomir’is and Baen. And then, something happened. Something unforeseeable by all but one, who had been dead for many years...