The Eight.

[Grokk]

Notices are posted all around Troll's Bane, each bearing the seal of the Viceroy. The handwriting appears unusually shaky.


Citizens of Troll's Bane,

The whispers you hear are true. Our beloved town is besieged by forces beyond my understanding. Demons appears to be the most appropriate, and, perhaps, the most comprehensible term in use, so it is this I shall employ. So far, it is believed the Demons number eight. The Demons are powerful beyond anything I have witnessed before. Even the least powerful of the Eight have easily bested our finest warriors in battle. We still know little about them, so any information shall be greatly appreciated.



The following apply to all people within the walls of Troll's Bane:

All people of Troll's Bane are to remain indoors. Preferably inside the library, the hospital, Borgate's, or the Seahorse. These buildings shall be used as communal living areas.

Do not go outside unless absolutely necessary.

Do not go outside unarmed.

Do not go outside alone.



I also regret to inform you all of the tragic death of Mister Sandro Arcanum. Mister Arcanum was once a respected citizen of Troll's Bane, and was found only a short distance from his dearly missed home. It is understood that Mister Arcanum sought to right his past wrongdoings to the town by warning us of the approaching darkness. For this, we are thankful, and most upset at his loss.

Due to the size, extent, and depraved efficiency associated with the wounding of Mister Arcanum, it can only be assumed that he was slain by one of the Eight.

May the Gods look favourably upon us all,

Edric Galthor
Viceroy of Troll's Bane.
Lord of the Order of Valour.

[Samantha Meryadeles]

*a woman pins a paper under the most notes*

Sadly those words are true. A group of powerfull demon araised from their slumber.

I witnessed them slaying down Jefferson Gray to gather his blood. The leader of the demons is a man called Mandrel. He possess powerful magic abilities.
With him were a woman named Fleta and a man named John, aswell as a few other beings whom I didn't know or whom I couldn't identify.
They command over dangerous demons...one of them a giant mummy who has giant scissor blades where its arms should be...the other one is a giant, red
demon with incredible physical powers. Enough power to throw an elven body with one hand from the ground onto the roof of the library. The other beings,
disgusing themself as humans, possess unnatural powers aswell. One jumped from the stand onto the roof of the Library.

It is my suggestion that the powers of the isle shall unite to face this demons. The towns, the groups and any guild should stand side to side against this threat.
Noone of us will be able to defeat them alone. Just together we may stand a chance.

~A wandering sage

[zda]

* a man wearing a blue robe walks by the note and reads it. then he shakes his head and writs somethign down and pines it under one on the letter and walks off*

the demons are very strong from what i have herd. so the best thing to do is to stay in a building like the sea horse by the smithy or the tavern and the libary. i also think that we should see if green briar would be willing to keep some of the refuges there.

* at the bottom there is a signature *
Trolls bane guard and grovestrider, zach dawson

[Alexander Knight]

My sword as always is your's my friend. In life or death I will protect Trolls Bane from the unseen.

Yours Faithfully
~Alexander Knight

*A page from a book is held to the parchment with some sort of nail*

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.

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.