The vast continent of Zebois, home to over 3 billion beings, is a land of wonder and danger. Stretching across its expanse are hundreds of countries and kingdoms, each vying for power and influence. But in this struggle for dominance, there is a deeper, more elemental conflict at play. The raw power of the earth, the sky, the sea - all are harnessed by the skilled mages who walk among the people.
Here in Zebois, magic is more than mere fantasy; it is a force that can turn an ordinary man into a revered powerful mage, with the ability to bend the elements to their will. But mastery of magic is not the only path to strength. Throughout the continent, legendary weapons and fighting techniques have been honed over generations, turning even the humblest of creatures into fierce warriors.
In this land of heroes and villains, of triumph and tragedy, countless tales have been written. Some speak of champions who rose to greatness, overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Others tell of those who fell, their dreams and ambitions crushed beneath the weight of their own hubris.
And yet, through it all, the people of Zebois endure. Whether they are ruled by mighty kingdoms or forced to eke out a living on the fringes of society, they continue to strive, to push forward, and to find hope in a world that can be both wondrous and cruel.
In the beginning, Zebois was a land ruled by only four great races: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Demons. These powerful races towered over the other lesser creatures, carving out their own kingdoms and waging war against one another for territory, riches, resources, and supremacy.
For millennia, this cycle of conflict and domination continued unabated, shaping the very fabric of the continent. The people of Zebois knew no other way of life, no other means of survival. And yet, even in the midst of this endless strife, there were glimmers of hope.
For it was said that long ago, Saintess Valcra Lé Zeboisté, "The Founder," had walked the land and united the four great races in a time of great turmoil. Under her guidance, the people of Zebois had found a measure of peace and prosperity, and many looked back to her reign with reverence and longing.
But that golden age had long since passed, and the land was once again consumed by war and chaos. The people of Zebois struggled to survive in a world where the strong preyed upon the weak, and the balance of power was forever shifting.
Yet even in the darkest of times, there were those who dared to dream of a better future, a time when the races of Zebois might come together once again in harmony and cooperation. It is as if such day was predetermined, because after thousands of years of the chaotic era, the four great races have joined forces and ceased their wars due to the emergence of a powerful and cruel otherworldly creature known as the Dregoreth.
These beings claim to be descendants of the Demonic Dragon Neffareth and are also called the Dregoriotts. They invaded Zebois with absolute might, taking root in the heart of the land and slaughtering anyone who dared to stand in their path.
Despite sharing physical stature with Humans and Elves, the Dregoreth are extremely vicious in nature and possess immense physical and mental strength. They also boast a significantly longer lifespan of six to eight hundred years, surpassing even the already long-lived Elves who have a lifespan of only 500 years. This advantage makes them superior to other races. The reason behind their prolonged lifespan is their lineage, born from the union of the Demonic Dragon Neffareth with someone from the Humanoid Race.
In terms of physical appearance, Dregoreths display several distinct characteristics that set them apart from other humanoid races. One notable feature is the presence of horns that can grow on various parts of their body, such as the forehead, back of the head, shoulders, elbows, and back. These horns vary in length and add to their imposing appearance.
Another unique trait of Dregoreths is their dark, thick skin, which is partially covered with Draconic scales. The amount of scales on their skin correlates with their level of respect, popularity, and strength among their own kind. Some elder Dregoreths believe that the thickness of their Dragon's blood determines their resemblance to a true Demonic Dragon.
It is unclear who originally spread these words, but they became a fundamental measure for every Dregoreth fighter pitted against the four other races. Furthermore, the mightiest Dregoreths would often possess a stronger desire to slaughter and destroy, potentially leading to their appointment as a Dregoreth War Chief or even a Tribe Chief.
However, there is one aspect in which the Dregoreth race is lacking: Dragon wings. The only Dregoreths to possess wings were the initial descendants of the Demonic Dragon, of which only 18 are recorded in history. These winged Dregoreths possess greater intelligence, spiritual and magical power compared to their non-winged counterparts, and can use their wings to fly.
In ancient times, the 18 Dregoreth Emperors were revered as the most powerful and intelligent beings among the Dregoreth race. However, after ruling for 500 years, these Emperors suddenly left, leaving behind their exhausted Floating Citadels and a small number of descendants to lead their people.
According to world history, The "First Invasion" occurred when the Demonic Dragon Neffareth, along with his 18 sons and daughters, led 700,000 Dregoreths to invade Zebois. They brought with them 18 gigantic Floating Citadels and landed at the center of Zebois, wreaking havoc and adding to the already chaotic land.
Despite the vast difference in power and natural instincts, the four races banded together and repelled the brutal attacks of the 18 Dregoreth Emperors and their troops while harboring deep fear for the entity known as the "Ancient Dragon Neffareth."
It is unclear whether there are other Ancient Dragons still alive in this world, but the people of Zebois have reluctantly confirmed the existence of one terrifying entity: the Demonic Dragon Neffareth. He is a legendary Ancient Dragon from the past who is still alive and kickin'. He has even created a family of his own by impregnating hundreds of humanoid spouses.
There has been no definitive explanation as to why Neffareth took fancy in mating with humanoid species, but the reasons may not be relevant at this point. It is possible that he did so to create a powerful army, and the invasion of Zebois may have been an attempt to gain new territory for his army to inhabit and train themselves.
Regarding Neffareth's reasons for breeding the Dregoreths, it can only be speculated upon. However, many assume that Neffareth was preparing his army to wage war against other Ancient Dragons. This assumption is the only plausible explanation for why an extremely arrogant Ancient Dragon would allow his offspring to live in a colony on the same land as other lesser humanoid races. This has led some to believe that Ancient Dragons still exist, hiding somewhere in the vast world beyond Zebois.
With the onset of the First Invasion, Kohn Lodhar, a Dwarven country located in the center of Zebois, was conquered in just a day with little resistance. Only a few hundred of its people were able to evacuate in time, while the rest became instant casualties.
Having effortlessly conquered Kohn Lodhar, the Demonic Dragon withdrew from the battlefield and watched from the sidelines. But he didn't remain there for long, as he soon grew bored and departed from the continent. This was typical behavior for the arrogant Ancient Dragon Neffareth, who always regarded humanoid creatures as inferior ants.
Not only did Kohn Lodhar fall under Neffareth's conquest, but also the neighboring countries within the heart of Zebois. The Dregoreths quickly subdued these nations as well.
After thousands of years living endless war, four great races put aside their differences and forged an unprecedented alliance. This was made possible by the intervention of the legendary Dwarf King Groodic Deadmaul, whose heroic deeds in the past were the stuff of legends. His inhuman strength had won him countless battles, and his fame had spread far and wide.
Under Deadmaul's leadership, every kingdom and country from the four major races joined forces, bringing together their armies and weapons. Some of the most renowned heroes and champions of the continent also joined the cause. Together, they marched towards the region already invaded by the malevolent forces, determined to push them back and restore balance of power in the continent.
Contrary to the Alliance's expectations, their barbaric and seemingly unintelligent enemy proved to be overwhelmingly strong. Despite the Alliance's superior technology and strong strategic leadership, as well as an army ten times larger than the invaders, they suffered significant casualties. In the end, they were only able to hold off the enemy, failing to eliminate them or drive them away.
Nevertheless, the Alliance persevered and remained strong for more than nine hundred years. However, the enemy had also entrenched themselves deeper into Zebois. After the initial stage of the invasion and realizing the Dregoreths' superiority, the Alliance began accumulating wealth and manpower to construct a colossal wall. The construction took 200 years to complete and claimed countless lives. The Alliance was determined to build the wall to encircle and barricade themselves against the hostile alien race, no matter the cost.
The resulting wall was an impressive feat of engineering, thick and tall enough to withstand the onslaught of the Dregoreths for hundreds of years. Its sturdiness was expected to last ten times longer than that, a testament to the Alliance's determination to protect themselves from the malevolent invaders.
Recognizing the wall's crucial role in their defense against the Dregoreths, the Alliance spared no effort in maintaining and fortifying it. To this day, the people of Zebois refer to it as "The Sky Wall," a symbol of the four races' determination to survive and thrive in the face of adversity.
Over the course of a thousand years of war, the Alliance also gained a deeper understanding of their enemy. Through the capture and interrogation of key Dregoreth figures, they learned about their origins, leaders, and unique traits and characteristics. This intelligence proved invaluable in the ongoing conflict against the malevolent invaders.
The Alliance's interrogations of key Dregoreth figures also revealed their greatest fears: the true identity of the "18 Winged Dregoreths." These individuals held absolute authority in the eyes of the Dregoreth race and possessed power far beyond that of even the strongest non-winged Dregoreths. The Alliance was alarmed by this information, but they were unable to learn the reason for their sudden departure.
Despite this mystery, the Alliance remained vigilant, constantly working to strengthen their defenses and gather intelligence on their enemy. They knew that the ongoing conflict with the Dregoreths was far from over.
Although the departure of the 18 Winged Dregoreth Emperors was initially greeted as a good news for the Alliance, it also raised concerns. Some members of the Alliance worried that the Emperors may not have truly left the land, and that they were simply biding their time, waiting for the right moment to strike again.
Despite this uncertainty, the Alliance remained steadfast in their determination to defend their homeland. They continued to maintain and improve the Sky Wall, and worked tirelessly to gather intelligence on the Dregoreths. Their long history of conflict had taught them the importance of vigilance and preparation, and they were determined to be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
In addition to the mystery surrounding the departure of the 18 Winged Dregoreth Emperors, the Alliance also faced a daunting challenge in the form of the enemy's sheer numbers. In just 900 years, the Dregoreths had increased their ranks from a mere 700,000 to over a million. While this number was not enough to overwhelm the combined populations of the four major races in Zebois, it still posed a significant threat to the Alliance's power.
To counter this threat, the Alliance redoubled their efforts in weapon production, soldier recruitment, and elite training programs. They also dedicated significant resources to the study of magic and the elements of nature, seeking any advantage they could find against their formidable foe. Despite the odds, the Alliance remained committed to their cause, knowing that the fate of their entire continent hung in the balance.
Despite their ongoing struggle against the Dregoreths, each of the four major races in Zebois harbored a secret desire to unlock the Great Secret of Origins. This was the legacy of Saintess Valcra, the founder who had long since passed away, and whose power and knowledge were rumored to be vast beyond imagining.
However, the races did not realize that their quest for power and knowledge would ultimately lead to their downfall. Their greed and ambition blinded them to the dangers that lurked in their midst, and they failed to see the true nature of the forces they sought to harness.
In the end, it would be this blind ambition that would prove to be the spark that ignited their doom. Despite their best efforts, the races of Zebois could not escape the consequences of their own actions, and they would pay a heavy price for their pursuit of the Great Secret of Origins.
From there on, our story begins.
NOTE:
This chapter is editted using ChatGPT in addition to AhmadShahzad's initial edits. Many thanks for the support