History of the Gods
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[edit] 1 The Age of Legends
The true origin of the Gods of Illarion is clouded in mystery, and only very scarse information was able to be gathered. The elves seems to know the most, as they were the first to keep a continous record of their history, but their willingness to share this information is small.
It seems to be that the world, the gods came from, was shattered due to a great conflict arising between their kind. They might have been send to preserve the true essence of their own existence, to collect powers as battle preparations, as a stronghold, or they just created the world for another purpose.
The known history starts with the Age of Dawn.
[edit] 1.1 Fragment of the Manrok Chronicles
A fragment of the lost chronicles of the Manrok Order, recorded by Norogan Wainaught:
Sinora Maldrán, Mother of Wisdom, proclaimed in the prime age of Shilawén:
"The day will come where darkness covers the land. Darkness, arisen from within us, strengthened and nurtured by us, but which eventually will rule us. Than the black gorge of oblivion will engulf us and our folk will return to dust. But a small seed will be able to escape and will prosper again in another world, prosper with a strength, we could provide."
After her last words faded away she broke her crook as a sign of sacrifice. Her lifeless body fell to the ground and the force within her found a new vessel. The only thing that was found at her body was a sealed scroll.
[edit] 2 The Age of Dawn
Eventually fleeing from a mighty foe, the Elder Gods came to this world, giving it the name "Illarion".
Feeling the need to protect themselves against some other force far away, they started to form the land to their needs. They combined their powers, and formed the unstructured elements with their own will. They weaved them together, creating structures and matter, and animated the world with an energy that is now called "magic". Once animated, the world started to produce this energy, and concentrated and emitted it in many places and in large amounts.
Then, the Elder Gods created four races: humans, elfs, dwarfs and halflings.
Centuries later, the Elder Gods selected eleven outstanding representatives from the growing number of mortals to train and teach them, giving them the purpose to lead an army in a coming battle. Their close relationship with the Gods changed these mortals minds in more than one way. The Gods altered their existence, making them similar to their own one. Thus they overcame the restrictions of live and death and were later known to us as the Younger Gods.
Amidst these Younger Gods was one who’s name was Moshran. He was the most famous and respected of the Younger Gods. He was the closest to the ordinary people, a hero of the masses: Very strict in his principles, proud of his position, but in many ways and situations helpful to the people. Many of them were looking up to him in deep respect.
The first city, Nabranoo, was founded, a high court of the Gods. Other cities followed, as the races bred fast.
Hundreds and hundreds of years passed without a single sign of danger, giving the gods the time to prepare themselves thoroughly. But as suspected and feared, one day the unnamed enemy found a path into this realm.
[edit] 2.1 Fragment of the Manrok Chronicles
A fragment of the lost chronicles of the Manrok Order, recorded by Norogan Wainaught:
I welcome you twilight.
I welcome you blackness.
I welcome you deepest night.
Only in darkness,
can I see your soul.
As it will glow like a beacon in the sky,
for me to follow or to shun.
[edit] 3 The Age of Struggle
Opening the portals between the two worlds, the enemy let loose his horrific army led by Madrook Na’han, the Prince of Terror. It was said that Madrook was his masters creature, part of his flesh, part of his mind. He fulfilled the will of his master unquestioned, as if he was it himself, and his aim was to conquer Illarion at all costs, to capture all resources there. His path was covered with darkness.
The battle against this foe was not great, it was disastrous. Years upon years the Gods and the Races of Illarion fought against this army of monsters and not few lost their lifes for the freedom of Illarion. But it was becoming obvious that one day the enemy would eventually succeed as he was still in control of the portals to the other world. After three consecutive decades of battle the enemy could still summon an endless number of minions supporting his cause, and slowly, drained the resources of Illarion.
Realizing that their recourses were by far inferior compared to the enemy, the Gods made a bolt attempt to finally decide the outcome of this epic battle. The portals were the source of the strength of the enemy, without a connection to the other world their army would be without support, and easily destroyed.
While a great army of the God's remaining forces, led by Brágon and Malachin, attacked the main forces of the enemy, Moshran led a small group of well chosen mortals to the back of their armies, in an attempt to destroy the portals. With him walked Ronagan, for secret operations were his nature. But unexpected, Madrook Na’han did not lead the troops on the battlefield himself. He was approaching the portals, and just turned around to face Moshran as they arrived. Ronagan started to fight his escort, and distracted them, while Moshran fought Madrook himself.
It is said, that this battle took many hours. Both of them fought without mercy. No single being was able to come closer as pure flashes of energy were unleashed, and the force they fought with was devastating. After a seemingly endless time the Prince of Terror was gaining the upper hand in this struggle. Moshran was retreating step after step, more on the brink of flight than to resist any longer. As Madrook Na’han saw this, his roar of laughter could be heard from afar. If that was all they could bring up, than this world would be his soon. For a quick victory, he dropped his shield, grabbed his huge sword with both hands, and raised it for the last fatal blow. This was the moment Moshran was waiting for. Not as exhausted as he pretended to be, he charged and dealt a mortal blow. The Prince of Terror cursed him with the last strength he could master: “Thus it not ends! You are doomed in your attempt to save this world !” Not listening to the words of his enemy, Moshran beheaded him in one single stroke. The corpse itself fell to the ground, but the evil power which kept him alive, much more than should ever be used to keep a powerful Avatar fulfilling his masters deeds, and which had filled every ounce of his being, leaked out and exploded in a great blast of energy engulfing Moshran. It burned him, and marked him for eternity. He had won the battle, but for what price?
As now the portals were unguarded, the Elder Gods performed a difficult ritual to seal them. They succeeded, much easier than thought before, because there was none resisting them on the other side. But this task still drained a lot of their energy.
The Gods tried to heal Moshran's wounds inflicted by the blast of Madrook Na’han's death, but failed in this attempt. The vileness and the evil stench of the wounds were too great to be healed completely. The outer appearance of the once fair looking Moshran changed. His skin was covered with badly healed wounds and scars. His face was misshaped taking aback in disgust those who looked at him.
The remaining army of monsters was without leadership, and was destroyed eventually. Only few of the evil creatures escaped, hiding in far away places or deep inside the earth.
In great joy the mortals and the Gods celebrated their victory, only Moshran left them as he felt no joy but only emptiness. But he didn’t leave without taking with him the armor and the sword of Madrook Na’han, which was taken from his body. It belonged to him, so he thought, as his price was the highest to pay.
[edit] 3.1 Fragment of the Manrok Chronicles
A fragment of the lost chronicles of the Manrok Order, recorded by Norogan Wainaught:
The world is called Refuge.
The town is called Innocence.
The two unequal brothers who lived there,
were called Hope and Dispair.
For a long time the sun was shining on this land.
But at the horizon you could already make out the clouds.
What will they bring? Rain or snow?
[edit] 4 The Age of Concord
After the great battle the races started to rebuild what was left of the old world, they spread over all the continents of Illarion.
The Elder Gods, being exhausted from the past battle and from the successful attempt to seal the portals, retreated from Illarion, except Tanora who fell in love with a human called Manon Petranor. Their offspring developed to the Lizardmen, being able to breath both water and air.
Most of the mortals settled down. The memory of the great battle slowly faded, only historians kept record of the past. As their former purpose, to defend their world, was gone, they searched for new goals, for a new purpose. Therefore people started to choose mostly one God to follow, who’s character and way of living suited them most. They were seeking leadership and a goal in live, where else would be emptiness.
But even though Moshran had contributed the most to their freedom, only very few people had chosen him as their god. His mood was getting darker and darker by the year. It seemed that another personality overtook the once admired character. He was left alone and he started to curse the ungratefulness of all races. “They should all follow me, for I was the one who killed their greatest enemy”, so he thought. His thoughts were dominated by hate and he vowed that one day they would pay for their behavior. Brágon, the Elder God, saw this and was touched by the dark fate of Moshran. Brágon knew that some evil had partially taken control of Moshran, but still believed that it was not too late to help him. They met, and together they created the Orcs, to comfort Moshran in his loneliness.
Made with fire, and infused by the anger of their God, the Orks quickly spread chaos wherever they appeared. Their unpredictable nature and their lust for war and new territories put them in conflict with the other races, thus provoking the anger of the remaining Younger Gods. But since there were many honorable warriors coming from that race too, the creation was not changed or undone.
[edit] 4.1 Fragment of the Manrok Chronicles
A fragment of the lost chronicles of the Manrok Order, recorded by Norogan Wainaught:
The world is perfect.
You cannot improve her.
You cannot impose your will upon her.
If you try to change her,
you will ruin her.
If you try to own her,
you will lose her.
You can only sacrifice yourself to her,
without conditions and expectations.
And if you have only a little bit of luck,
you will die a better man,
as you would have wished in your wildest dreams.
[edit] 5 The Age of Discord
Despite Brágons hope, Moshran had never abandoned his vow to repay the hostility towards him. In secrecy, Moshran created three immortal beings. He gave immense powers to these creatures and taught them much knowledge, but he also bound them to himself in many ways. He named them Dragorog, Bjolmur, and Cherass. Moshran bred them to almost god-like powers.
Driven by the unbearable need to gain more power, Moshran searched for the remains of the once mighty army of Madrook Na’han. He found them, hidden in deep caverns, and was accepted as their leader, for they recognized the power and voice of their former master. Demon-like creatures, eyeless beasts and unspeakable horrors, he bred and released them upon the mortals, even upon the Orcs.
He started to expand his influence areas against the protest of the other Gods. For the first time, his three followers took open action, and started to conquer land and people without respecting other God's realms. Moshran managed to cut off Tanora's power over some few waters in his lands, until Tanora recognized it and protected all other places. Zhambra, Irmorom and Malachín tried to talk with Moshran, but he laughed at them, and called his three followers and a horde of monsters and corrupted animals to battle them. After a long fight against four strong enemies, Zhambra, Irmorom and Malachín had to retreat.
People from other races, mainly humans but not only, pledged loyalty to Moshran, as every time, might and success had it’s followers. Moshran was able to spread mischief between the races. Prejudice and hate against other races were bred. Mistrust against the “others” was risen.
While the other Gods discussed what should be done, Moshran's hordes started to build strongholds and outposts under the surface, and from there covered the lands with terror. The other Gods decided to strengthen some chosen mortals, and to train them in fight against the undead and monsters. The different races now started to defend themselves against Moshran's creatures with amazing efficiency. In the long wars from there on, many new strong Runes were researched and created by mortal magicians.
Meanwhile, Brágon realized his mistake, and returned from the world he had gone to. And with him, he brought some of his creatures: noble, mighty Dragons. As he recognized the situation and saw the lands covered in war, he offered his support to the other Gods to restore order. In long battles and with the help of Brágon's Dragons, Moshran's hordes were pushed back. Much lost territory was regained, but at the cost of many lives on both sides. In a final big battle, Moshran's three helpers had to flee when Malachín defeated their master. In this battle, the surrounding lands were shattered, and destroyed by the raging powers. In the same time, one of Moshran's followers along with a troop of demons managed to steal some eggs from one of Brágon's Dragon breeds.
The continents were devastated in these wars and in the final battle, leaving the islands around to be the only places where people could live. After that, all Gods, including Moshran, swore an oath never to fight against each other personally any more.
Even after his defeat, Moshran was still convinced that it was his right to be the only master of the world and all beings. So the other Gods imprisoned and chained him in a cell, far below the surface, deep under the earth, hoping that some day he would return to his old self. But before they left him, they took the armor and the sword of Madrook Na’han away from him. Tanora took the cursed armor into her water-realm, and promised to hide and seal it well. As did Elara with the sword. It was evident, that without these artifacts, Moshran would be unable to regain the evil power he once controlled, and would most likely loose the evil influence.
After the wars were over, and the three followers of Moshran have retreated to unknown places, Brágon left Illarion again. But recognizing the theft of the eggs, he gave Dragon eggs to Tanora, and to some of the Younger Gods too.
[edit] 5.1 Fragment of the Manrok Chronicles
A fragment of the lost chronicles of the Manrok Order, recorded by Norogan Wainaught:
Deep down, where loneliness and darkness reign.
Deep down, where the soul consumes itself.
Deep down, where the ghosts of the past seek vengeance.
Deep, deep down, so infinitly and immeasurably deep.
It was there, that the exalted one started to scream.
Loud, very loud, so infinitly and immeasurably loud,
that you could even hear it in the realm of the living.
[edit] 6 The Age of Isolation
Even though Moshran was imprisoned deep inside the earth, his foul intentions prosper on the surface, as after the wars with him, the races preferred to stay amongst their own kind. Most of the old great cities and many other places formerly inhabited by people of all races were destroyed, none of them do exist anymore and no one attempted to rebuild them. Mistrust between the races existed everywhere.
In the meantime, some races fought each others. The Younger Gods solved conflicts amongst each others by smaller, tactical wars and endless discussions, but never raised a hand against another God anymore.
The continents grew plants and many animals again, but until now, very few people lived there.
A hundred years later, the chained Moshran escaped from his cell, with the help of someone from outside. But his three helpers swore that they had nothing to do with it. Rumors spread that it was Nargùn and Cherga, who broke his chains. Their intentions, if any, are still unclear.
Since then, the world stays in an uneasy peace, as the God of Blood and Bones again walks in the lands of Illarion. Moshran, well hidden most supposedly by his three helpers, now starts to seek after the powerful artifacts, his sword and armor. He expect that they will help him to regain his once great power.
Thus ends the Age of Isolation. Only the future will show us our destiny.
[edit] 6.1 Fragment of the Manrok Chronicles
A fragment of the lost chronicles of the Manrok Order, recorded by Norogan Wainaught:
Fire, the world is fire!
It's burning in his heart, and filling him with pain,
It's giving him the warmth of terror in reign.
Breathing the mortals heat, draining from mortal soul,
To fill him with their warmth and make his life be whole.
He drinks the heated blood, essencential taste of life
It rushes in his veins, gives him the madman's drive.
Slipping into living flesh, gliding into the brain
Playing there with thoughts and will, to keep a steady drain.
Fire, the world for sure is on fire!
He's walking through the flames, they greet him in anticipation
Expecting him to build his own dark doomed creation.
Destruction he will spread, in seeking his old treasure
The pain his arm will bring, will be without a measure.
