THE HISTORY OF LOCKNESS AND THE WORLD OF BITH

The First Age....

Bith, a world young and green. The Celestials designed it to be a place

of solitude and a final resting ground. They began its creation far away

from the other worlds previously made to keep it from corruption's

reach, away from the enemy's reach.

As the Celestials gathered in Moote as they did before every beginning,

they spoke among each other debating on where to start the new world they had imagined. The first said "Let us begin with the waters

and the seas and the rain let us first create the essence of mortal life as

we have done the others so that life could grow". The second of which

supporting the First's voice replied "Aye, I shall go out to far reaches of

the universe to the Eternal Seas and gather what we need". He then

departed the Moote and did as he said.

The First said again "now let us create the land, the continents, and the

mountains. Let the path makers go and build ways to the mountains

and seas and under mountain". So, the path makers did go out and

began making the worlds paths to lead the way in all hours of the day

and all hours of the night.

Excitedly the Moote spoke again "The trees, the trees! Let us plant the

trees and the flowers, the herbs and the grain!" The First hearing them

said "go and do as you wish, make it our most glorious work yet ". And

so, they did, the most beautiful trees and gardens refreshed by the

purest rivers, lakes and seas.

"Now" said the First "let us make the Elven kind. They shall be the

eldest, the fairest and wisest. They shall know peace, inspire peace and

live peace let them be the example to the rest". And so, the first elves

were made. Fair and wise, gifted with the long life given only to a few.

The Moote then placed them in the great forest, filled with all the fruit

and beauty one could ask for. And the elves loved the celestials and

spoke to them in poems and music. And the Moote loved them.

Then the Third spoke "let us make the Dwarves they will be hardy and

crafty. They shall love song and metal and songs of metal and make

beauty from what is not" and so they did and they placed them at the

heart of metal so that they would make beauty from what is not. And

the Dwarves made jewelry and great halls and music from metal and

loved what they made. The Second spoke, and said "let us make something new. Let us make

neither the elf nor the dwarf nor the mythic. Let us make the new."

after some thought the First approved and said "Come, let us make the

new. Each of you go and design the new in the way you see fit, but they

will not be of the long life nor as hardy as dwarves. Let them be truly

new". And so, each went to his own place and made the new each in

their own way. Skilled and crafty, dark and light and filled with a part of

the imagination of the celestials. and the Fourth asked the others

"what shall we call the new the ones we have put part of ourselves

into" The First being pleased with all of their work said "Let the Second

decide". The others looked at the Second as he thought for a long

while. when finally, he spoke, and proclaimed "let us call them

'Gadien'". And so, they did and Gadien began their first steps as a kind

on the new world of Bith.

2

Soon after the creation of mankind the Moote created the mythics.

They made the griffons the and the flying beasts. They made the

minotaurs the centaurs and beasts of the ground and lastly, they made

the wonders of the oceans and lakes along with all the beasts of the

waters.

As the First was in the Gardens speaking with the elves as the others

continued their creations the Second came to him from the heavens battered and scorched by the old flame. The First caught him as he fell

to the ground. "brother" he struggled to speak as his brother healed his

wounds. "Brother, they've found us".

As the Moote gathered now in the armor of their ancients and armed

with all their might the heavens were lit up in the radiant power of their

beings. "We must fight!" they all declared in battle cries that shook Bith

to its very foundations. The elves, the dwarves and all of bith grew

quiet feeling the changing winds. "And we WILL. But first we must

ensure that what we created will be guarded while we war. Each of you

go to your lands and appoint the Guardian of your choosing, ensure

that it is strong and wise and grant them the long life they shall not

leave your lands lest I come back and smite all of what we created. And

let them have judges to speak to the lesser beings less they live in fear

and not in peace as we have imagined. Go now".

And so, each of the members went and created their guardians gifting

them the long life and bestowed the power to rule their lands and

protect them against the enemy. the second chose the eldest of the

sea and told her to be kind and loving of her people and she said "My

lord I have always loved these people for they entertain me with the

music of metal that can reach into the sea. And the sailors of the new

kind sail beside me and keep me company in the night. I shall guard

them always until my lord returns". And she always did as she

promised.

The First after some thought said to the Elves. "These woods shall

guard you against all that might harm you. As long as you remain within

you will be under its protection". And the first gifted the trees with the

long life and the power to give and take life to all within its realm. But

soon after the great vines pleaded with the Moote to take from her the power to take life. For she loved to play with all the people who played

with her swinging into the lakes and river. "My lord" she said "please

take from me this burden for I fear I might harm that which you've

commanded me to protect, and then I will be judged doubly for my

crime. The First, hearing her pleas gathered together the grand council

that was made up of all creation and asked that four beings' volunteers

to take up the burden of the vines. The First then said "The ones that

take this burden will have to live in solitude. Lest you take life from the

world. You shall be given the long life as well and may travel all the

worlds we have but you shall live in solitude except among each other.

And the power to defend realms will be bestowed upon you, each of

you taking one of the four keys of life. So, four volunteers soon came up

the outcasts of their people for they never felt to be in the fold they

were born into. The first to step up was of men. He had adventure in

his young heart and pitied the great vines. As he took the poison from

the vine he screamed in pain as it changed his very soul into one of the

four. He developed black diamond shape markings down his back and

forearms that resembled the desert reapers among the vipers. As he

arose from the changing the First said your journeys will be swift as you

take this beast. He shall be pale as you are pale. As symbol of your

ownership. You will make the wind itself dissipate in shame as you pass

it in haste.

The second volunteer approached the council "Ssssss wish to hunt

across all the worlds my lords have spoken of sssss. to prove my worth,

this one wishes" with a low bow. But his heart was filled with hate and

bitterness against the grand council and they did not trust him. "What

oath do you offer as you receive these gifts and its burden? Are we to

trust you with such power?" the Lizard hissed in disgust and their

inquiry "ssssss! this one's word is his bond. This one shall only hunt the

greatest of beasts and the worst of the long life and others only to protect one's self. This is this one's oath". He said as he took a large

stone and cut his face from top to bottom causing blood to spew from

his face. "sssssss! if this one breaks its oath, one deserves far worse

than this and let the Great Ones make with this one's skin and teeth!"

so the Moote sent him forward to claim his share of the burden and he

became scorched in a pillar of fire as he was made new in its

destruction. "ssssssss copper head! scorched and bronzed. One is like

the vipers now two-fold!"

As the third volunteer came forward the First said "my favored why

have you stepped forward you already have the long life and my favor

why have you come?" "My lord", the snow elf from the north spoke

"the vine has come just steps away from taking life from my kind is it

not right that I protect them?" "Then step closer my favored and take

up the burden from the great vine". As she did, she collapsed like the

man, falling to her side. The council then seeing that the injuries were

too severe brought her to where the healing elements were most

prominent first to the deepest places of the world and took from there

the mud to cocoon her during the metamorphosis then covered the

mud with the pollen of the great tree and finally, they rested her the

great springs until she would recover. When she broke from the cocoon

her white skin was now burned and scarred from the change only face

was spared leaving her skin colored and striped like that of the coil

snake yet her beauty had remained though different and some thought

it to be of greater magnitude than before.

As was said by the creators there must be four that must take from the

vine but had seemed that one else wanted the life offered at the price

of solitude and the Vine began to despair. the beings waited and fourth

volunteer to show still lest the Vine die. Finally, the fourth approached tall and strong yet quiet and a with a twinkle to his eye and with him a

young wolf pup and he spoke in care free voice." well don't just stand

there bring me to the Vine before death falls upon her". He was older

than the rest and played with the vine since a child before her

choosing. And he spoke again" I have only one request, let the pup go

with me for I raised him since he was young one and we will both live in

solitude as you wish". The First said after some thought "it will be so

but ask not again if harm befall him, it shall be on your hands. So, the

Orc took from the Vine the final burden with a wink and said "there you

are my lady now the young ones can play with you in peace once

more". He then winced in pain as the light of the heavens filled his

eyes. Then still standing he walked away back to the tavern, drink in

hand whistling as if nothing happened.

3

The Vine was very grateful but still possessed the power of life and

death but now able to control it and once again played with her people

using it only in defense of her realm.

Finally, after all the Guardians were appointed, the Celestials left Bith to

their care and left it in the quiet of the universe. But quiet only lasts so

long...

Chapter 2

Lockness and the Second Age Far to the east of the first continent on the coast of the greatest of the

oceans lied the Land of Lockness. It was founded by the dwarves under

the Guardian Eolas-Ri –Teachd Mar, the greatest from the waters. The

Dwarves had built great trumpets to speak to her from the mountains

near the coast and she counseled them as they reigned. First, she said

to them bring me the noblest of heart, the strongest of spirit and

craftiest of mind. And they went and came forth with three of them.

Deldruff-Ril the noblest, Fennru-Grus the mightiest and Kahdril-buf the

Craftiest. And Eolas said to them, her voice kind and youthful. "I have

chosen my judges, my champions, my knights. War is coming and we

must be ready. Go, each of you will lead your lines in the upcoming

centuries. Your bloodlines will be under my protection but I cannot

protect them alone your lines must become a wall of steel and deal out

the death of nations thirteen times fold before the end of the

millennium. Go I will teach you the way of sword and shield, of bow and

spear and of the ways of the enemy. And so, the dwarves went and

used the great forges to make armor and weapons and tunnels that

went on for hundreds of miles. And as they built and forged, Eolas

commanded "summon to me three from each of the clans the noblest,

the craftiest and the most spirited and I will bestow my mark upon

them they shall be my knights and they will serve the Judges of the

Council. I will look into their heart whether they be worthy or cast

away". And the dwarves did as she commanded. Three from each clan

forming the knights nine of Lockness and they went out were ever Eolas

commanded dealing out death and protecting life.

As The years went by the Council of Lockness heard of troubling tales of

horror and hordes of chaos across the Great Sea and a story of a

Guardian conquering the lands overseas. Eolas left the coast to the

other oceans on the corners of her realm and watched as her visions

became reality. Men and the orc were at war but not the orc as intended by the 5th Celestial. These orcs were savage like animals biting

and snarling for human flesh. The Guardian of the fell ones was great

and mighty on the land its natural armor tougher than Eolas which was

quite impressive its stocky and muscled limbs tore through mountains

and its mouth spewed the essence from the core of the world. he was

called Eu-Dochas Neach-Deanamh and proclaimed godhood over all of

Bith.

After seeing men fight against such odds Eolas asked a boy near the

waters "boy where is your Guardian? I wish to speak to him and I have

not seen him in my dreams." the boy answered "he was slayed some

time ago near the sands and dunes, the giant beast now comes here

freely and slays us as well as his hoards. My father says we will die here

but we fight them still. My father will slay them all." Eolas looked across

all the lands of the men and said "boy go bring me the leaders of your

lands you shall bare my mark as proof tell them Lockness will take you

in. And we will one day take back your home but first you must live".

While the men withdrew to the sea the Defiler attacked them crushing

and burning the people as his hoards swarmed the beaches. There

were the fell orcs and the wargs. In the sky great bats carried off

woman and children. Eola seeing the destruction leapt from the sea

and stood off the traitor and his armies, putting herself between the

refugees. The two great guardians stood off each other, the traitor

howling in rage. "Beware Eolas.... for I shall devour you as just I

devoured your kin should you challenge me. I will come to your realm

and burn it from the face of the universe and slay all of your beloved

dwarves and only then will I grant you death from your long life!"

"I'll be waiting... brother" Eolas replied with flash of her powers slaying

his army halting their advance as the Gadgiens continued to evacuate

to the dwarven boats. Once within the safety of the sea Eolas retreated and led the Men of Gadgien to Lockness making the seas calm for the

travel.

Soon Eolas brought to Lockness the men of the east and they

prospered and prepared among the dwarves. The dwarves cautious at

first as expected soon began teaching them the way of Eola the wisdom

of the Seas the defender of the Coast and now the savior of men. Four

clans were then made bringing them into fold of Lockness. The first

lead by Hovinhugt the men of the Horse and saddle they made home

beyond the greatest of the valleys. The second was led by mahgeldrith

who made home near the forests and woods away from the Cities of

stone. Na-wick of the clan Redires' lead the clan of sword and shield

the spear and the helm. And finally, Safred-Col of the hound clan was

appointed as judge of his clan. Together each judge chose three like the

dwarves to be their knights. The twelve human knights now joined the

Knights Nine making up twenty-one knights in all. A generation passed

and there was peace among Lockness until one day boats from east

followed men to their new home and the thousand-year war broke out.

A thousand-year stale mate against an army with no heart no kindness

or sanity a thousand-year war for Lockness.

CHAPTER 3

THE ELVEN REVOLUTION AND VAMPIRES In the west, after the death of the Great Griffin of Gadgien but before

Namhaid or "the enemies" arrived at Lockness, the Elven Great Lords

and Ladies of a Council of seven called the Immortal Crown gathered to

discuss the matter of a slayed Guardian. "Do you see?" shouted one of

the eldest." not even a Guardian as mighty as the Great Griffin could

withstand the savage Eu-Dochas Neach-Deanamh! We must act before

he reaches Elven land!" a large mythic arose from his seat his body

scarred from countless battles while taming the great beasts of the

Forest. "This is not just Elven land!" he bellowed "we were created here

just as you and what you've proposed is heresy!" the large creature slams

his fist down on the arm of the chair. "Oh, spare me, Minotaur, of your

dreams of significance." the elf lord snared." Elven kind were here long

before you and your rabble of a kind. WE are the Favored or were you

also blessed with the long life?" the Minotaur held up his large hand

commanding his loyal guards to halt drawing their weapons to avenge the

insults on their Lord. The minotaur growled, trying to maintain

composure." I came to this Council because I was promised reason. But I

have been met with insults and contempt". He spoke, addressing the

council. "We were given a Protector for these exact events. Are we to

follow this fool of an Elf Lord, this Eldrici into destroying our home for the

gain of his own interests of power? My kind and I will die with all of your

kind before we allow such Heresy to take place!" Eldrici saw that the

majority of the Council were not appeased with his idea either of gaining

access to the Heart of the Vine to access its powers like the ancient riders

of old did that could possibly kill the Mother Forest." do not be hasty,

Lord Vhelc, the Mother Forest did not die the first four times, what makes

you think that now it will meet its end? If we do not stop Eu-Dochas

Neach-Deanamh before his victory at Lockness which will be a swift one I

assure you then he will scourge the land on a straight path to us and all

will be lost. My visions are clear and blessed by the Celestials and the

First." the Council took the visions of Elves very seriously and were split on how to approach the matter of a slain Guardian. And it was put to a

vote siding narrowly on the side of respecting the Heart of the Vine. "You

are all fools; you'll doom us all!" shouted the Eldrici. Shouting and cursing

broke out among the few passionate Lords and Ladies. "if I have to go

beyond the reach of this so-called Council to save Elf kind then with the

First as my witness, I'll do it!" shouted the Eldrici soon replied to by Vhelc

"if you touch a single leaf, I'll have your head ripped from your traitorous

spine!" the fighting continued until an Elven Lady, the eldest of Elf kind

and fairest of all of Bith said in a commanding voice. "This Council, these

seats, these positions were created by me to bring a peaceful balance to

our Land. To lead the way for peace and beauty. None of which can be

done by obtaining power or casting threats. We must lead in the ways of

peace, that is our purpose, it is our design. Let the dwarves and men lead

the ways of war for that is their design not ours. "so, the decision was

final and the Council dispensed from their yearly Moote as the Celestials

did upon creating the world.

As the Council members began their return to their kingdoms, Lord Vhelc

approached the Elven Lady. "My Queen..." he greeted with a low bow. "I

am no one's queen" replied the she-elf "I advise and counsel the design of

the Five, nothing more." beckoning him back to his feet. "Tell me, old

friend, is it pride or reason that you would fight for?" the Minotaur

replied in his noble gruff voice "is honor without either? It is my only wish

to protect the Guardian appointed to us from the heresy Lord Eldrici

would advocate." the Elven lady looked into the horizon of the woodland

kingdoms. "Is that so? I wonder. Lord Eldici is not one to make idol threats

and for that matter neither are you. I fear that should this friction

between you continue then doom will be upon us whether the enemy

descends on us or not." with a wave of her hand a sapling grows and

takes the form of a seat of sorts and she graciously sits down on it,

basking in the evening sun. "Lord Eldrici is not of, shall we say, noble

stock, Milady. He cannot be trusted. Should Elf kind like him arrogantly touch the heart of the Vine then only the Five could know his limits." the

minotaur says as he crosses his arms. His armor made from the Amber

from the oldest extensions of the Vine near the shore line, its red

transparency glistering in the sunlight. "It is true that his family was

among the shadow touched during the creation however he has shown

no signs of that bloodline. And arrogance is not a fault of that line alone."

she spoke implicitly with a fair smile looking up at the old warrior from

the corner of her eyes. "The symptoms have always been subtle milady.

As you know I've fought in the old war and judging from my experience

when the signs of the bloodline are clear its often too late. If my advice

had been acted on then we would still possess Mallaichte, my kinds first

dwelling. But instead, we allowed them to corrupt the Vine and create

that abomination of a Guardian and lost half of our province and our

people." said Lord Vhelc, clenching his fist in rage. "If you believe that we

even had the strength to oppose that mutiny then I'm afraid you are just

as blind as Lord Eldrici or have you forgot that it was that war, the First

war that made us strong in the first place. None of us could have

anticipated what came after the Five left, still it is our duty to preserve

our way of life without inciting violence among each other. Promise me

old friend that you will refrain from further threats of war in future

Council meetings." she reached up at touched his crossed arms gently and

the old minotaur relaxed his posture. And lowly replied "milady had I

been destined to be of your kind I would have wished you to share my

kingdom and I would cross through the core of the world if you would

give me the word. you have my word that no more threats of war will be

made but never again will I depend on the gifts of Dwarves to preserve us.

should Lord Eldrici attempt to reach the heart of the Vine war shall come,

less we doom our people to another apocalyptic genocide. Even now my

greatest warriors guard the Heart. None are to pass, save you, Lady

Andraisa." The minotaur stands stoic as the sun hides behind the great

trees and the stars begin to emanate. "You put too much trust in me Lord Vhelc as I said I am no queen" she said quietly as the red light from the

corrupted lands glow in the distant south. "And your belief of that Is

precisely why you are." he replied placing large hand on her shoulder as

they stare off into that red glow in the distance.

Chapter 4

Priests and Pirates

The tavern was louder than usual, which was saying a lot since such

taverns were the place of rabble and mischief. The men had just come

back from a year at sea and were reminding themselves of the taste of brew and the warmth of a fire. They had made a good profit this trip with

the jewelry to prove so and they were in good cheers which was a relief

since Heneric was used to getting a kick in the pants or having platters

and bottles thrown at him for laughs. At least he used to be used to

before he grew over four inches since they last saw him, just a boy. Now

he was a man or rather fancied himself as such. He had been fighting in

the "sands" for almost 2 years now and counted himself as a professional.

Heneric spent most of his time serving rabble and sailors but on his off

time he often dreamed of seeing life beyond the island. He grew up at

that tavern, left there by who he can only assume to be his parents but

even then, as young as he was, he knew of his father's exploits of robbing

and piracy though the tavern keeper tried to keep this from heneric in

order to keep him away from the path of his estranged father. This

evening however he heard much chatter and banter about his old man,

from stories of drunken dancing to songs of his mastery of the ocean.

"Here's to that old serpent of sailor, may his death be as empty as his

purse!" said one of the sailors, reeking of alcohol with a mug raised to the

air as a burst of laughter filled the bar. "Aye he's a lethal captain but far

from the most successful. I once saw him burn a whole merchant fleet

and get not but blunting of his blade!" shouted another with a rodent

eating from his hand. "I swear the old geezer enjoyed it too! Last, I seen

of him he sailed up north and raided a temple and desecrated the alter.

And the only thing he brought back for his trouble was the skull of some

priest!" this was just some of the tales of the deviancy of Heneric's father

and little spoke any better of him. "What are you looking at boy?" snared

one of the Patrons that showed annoyance to Heneric's ease dropping. Of

course, Heneric was accustomed to such behavior and quickly responded

to the aggressive brute. "Nothing exactly pretty. Perhaps another drink

might shine up those looks" Heneric said while extending the mug from

the tray as if offering it but pulls it away from the sailor and downs it all at

once and gives the sailor a look over once more. "Nay, you're still ugly" the tavern goes quiet from the insult of their captain, waiting for a

member to go flying or a brutal death. The silence almost deafening as

the old goon looked coldly at the tavern hand, but it soon broke into a

hearty laugh or what is hearty for a sea bandit and it was soon joined by

the rest of the tavern. "Crow's nest's son indeed! Only a rat of his would

say something so daft with such confidence!" the Patrons passing by for

more drinks punching him on the shoulder as they laughed with the

captain. "You know who I am?" asked the tavern hand who had thought

he had concealed his identity quite nicely. "of course, we do boy! You got

the mouth like him as well as his lack of forethought and if that ain't

enough, you're the spitting Image of him." the old captain waves for

Heneric to sit down. "Tell me boy why are you fighting in taverns and ally

ways when you could be putting those skills to better use fighting for the

Patrons, surely ye've thought about it?" it was true that Heneric had

picked up fighting in the ring and taverns, but he was set not to be like his

father. As soon as he saves enough coin, he planned to sail to Redryker

and start fresh, without the troubles of Patrons and the trouble they

brought. "Sea sickness. Can barely even look at the waves without getting

the illness." Heneric replied hoping that the explanation would be

enough. The old sailor looked at him for a moment as if reading him and

said "well If you should change your mind there's plenty of work for it.

Just go to any of the Patrons and tell them Balskar sent you. You' find

yourself a lot...." the captain's sentence interrupted by the warning bells

and the first mate crashing in through the door. "To the boats, you scum

rats, move it! The Iron Church is coming!" the captain rushes to the first

mate "have you found it?" he asked in a hushed tone "no but they're

demanding that we hand over Crowsnest and his crew over to them and

they'll leave in peace." said the first mate. "And since when have you

known an army of paladins to leave a 'band of thieves' in anything but a

pile of smitten ash? You find me Crow and tell the crew that if any man

even thinks about handing the Crowsnest over then ill personally feed them to the merfolk! I'll be damned before I'll be black mailed into

turning over our own. If death need be dealt, it'll be dealt by the code not

by some priest who's never had to work for a meal outside of a

monastery." The tavern that was previously in a uproar and scurrying

about for their weapons was soon empty, leaving behind only half

drunken ale and half eaten plates. Heneric rushed upstairs to his room

where he had a window that overlooked the northern beach and threw

open the window shutters. The noon sun shined brightly through the

window, almost blinding him and he had to raise his palm over his brow

to block it as he looked out to see what all the commotion was all about.

To the east he could see the bell tower rocking violently as its piercing

tone reached across the city and all along the beach the signal fires were

lit, the smoke rising high and obstructing some of his view. for the life of

him, Heneric couldn't make out what they were so concerned about and

thought it just some ill construed joke but that theory was soon

demolished by an echoing horn blast more deafening that the warning

bell and in fact was so loud that the bell seemed to stop making any noise

at all. The waves even trembled from the noise and the smoke from the

fires were cleared from the sky giving perfect visibility of a massive fleet

of ships sailing from the north. All baring colors of a silver hand gripping

the sun and moon surrounded by ruby crimson All of the warships were

armed with ballistas and armored in so much metal that it made Heneric

wonder how they could possibly float with such weight. Heneric wanted a

better look and searched his footlocker for his spotting glass upon finding

it he looked through the lens, now able to see the fleet better and cursed

in a terrified awe at what he could now see. Each ship was loaded with

hundreds of armor-clad warriors standing perfectly still as the whole

world seemed to shake from blasting sound of their war horns, the ocean

trembled violently around them and the clouds even took care to avoid

their path but all of this was nothing compared to the gigantic ship in the

center of the fleet. Without the spotting glass he had mistook it for an island in the distance but now he could clearly see it was a massive

warship, encased in gold that was so large that other warships seemed

like cheap fisherman boats. It's sails seemed to shade multiple ships in

front of it and its weaponry so large that they could have been mistook

for boats themselves. And at the very front of the ship was a horn shaking

violently as it commanded the attention of the whole island. The horn

finally resided and for what seemed like forever the island was silent in

terror. It was then that Heneric spotted the "pirate" ships respond to the

fleet in a series of whoops and shouts as he heard that familiar voice ring

across the beach head. "COME AND TAKE IT YOU LEAF EATING

MONASTRY RATS!" Captain Balskar had a reputation for over embellishing

but the other ships seemed to agree as the jeering and insults rang almost

as loudly through the air and the commands from the captains shouted to

hoist the colors as their ships basically leapt from the docks into the

ocean making straight for the fleet of paladins. Heneric was almost

inspired to join them himself in what he could only make out to be

insanity as the ocean battered and aged ships and crews undoubtedly

rushed to their deaths. The fleets now seemed to line up, standing off

each other. the patrons unmistakably out numbered and outgunned by

the invaders but still they kept their baring. All the jeering subsided in the

distance and now all Heneric could do was watch in the dead silence. Two

frigate sized ships one from each side approached each other in the no

mans land and lowered their sails as the captains argued, Captain Balskar

flailed his hands in curses and spat at the deck his wolf like figure

unmistakable in the distance as the opposing captain stood perfectly still

with one hand resting on the sword on his belt and the other stiff straight

like the rest of him. Even the boat rocking in the waves didn't seem to

faze his disciplined stature. With a wave of his hand Captain Balskar made

known that he was done with the conversation with most probably an

insult because Heneric could here the rest of the patron crew jeer and whoop at his comment. Both captains manned their posts and join their

perspective parties and shortly after the battle insued.

CHAPTER 6

The Forgotten Realm

"The world is dark and hopeless, all that's left is to die one's best death.

We are forgotten, the elves left us to rot and to fight alone for their

nation. Ever since the Shadow touched corrupted the Great Vine the

south has been a genocide of elves and any other resistance. Unlike

most of the shadow touched the vampires are the most deviant and

intelligent. All though most shadow touched were deemed mad and

survived off of primal instincts, the shadow touched elves were

calculated, intelligent and even rebuilt their kingdom under the rule of

the "Firstborn" named in mockery of The First. Since the overthrow the

firstborn had rallied all of his bloodline and slaughtered the elven

leaders and captured their undying spirits to tap his dark powers. And

would have taken the entire continent if not for the minotaur clans

rallying under Lord Vhelc who launched an attack on the firstborn's

stronghold and found the spirits trapped in crystal form. This discovery

brought great sorrow to the elven lords as the only way to free the

spirits was to destroy them and the elves soon sook out the council of

the Nine Knights of Lockness. The dwarves soon replied with an

alternative. Through the use of dwarven engineering the dwarves could

forge bodies for the elven souls and give them back freedom however

their lives would never be the same. The decision was made and the

elven souls were given new bodies and swore vengeance on the

firstborn, staying behind as the elves fled from the southern region. The

vampires are stronger, faster and can see perfectly in the night and the elves were unprepared and untested in the arts of warfare. However

the minotaurs had been hunting in the world since their creation and

could detect the vampires before their unveiling and now with the help

of the "Reborn" the resistance now rallies under the shadow touched

regime. During the war the minotaurs and the vampires suffered heavy

losses the population shrank to almost extinction. the minotaurs had

gained the allegiance of the other mythics and the vampires were

forced to acquire the use of thralls to enforce their will. And after all

the war and destruction only skirmishes broke out now and all that

remains is the forgotten south."

"that's nice story but we're not here for campfire tales. Do we have a

deal or not?" the half orc chieftain spoke, his voice more of a growl

than an accent. "aye we have a bargain. We will pay in old amber and

you and the Black Company will fight for our cause." The half orc

throws his spear into the ground in agreement, signing the deal. "Ha!

Haven't killed a fang before be a nice change of weather!"

CHAPTER 7

Redryker

"Are you a Centurion or a puppet? Your position is a sign of power and

justice and you dare allow such treachery to pass?!" the king stood

from his throne with difficulty his leg, a war injury from the mountain

war. He had fought and ended the war that began with his grandfather

and finally brokered a truce with the giants in the north but not before

having his leg shattered in the final battle. " my orders are that none

my enter the mountain pass, if you ever enter or order the entry of it

again then I will personally hand you over to them!". The centurion

stood at attention as King Xanthion finished his verbal warning. He was

a fair king, a kind leader but he still had the heart of a warrior. He had

won the respect of all of Redryker and tales of his valor and fairness reached across the nations and he was the leader of the wealthiest of

the kingdoms though the previous war left the population more

dwindled than what it could have been. Still the centurion remained

convinced that the giants were rallying again and believed that it

warranted investigation. And though the Centurions were founded by

the Red Dragon and were technically exempt from the king's ruling, the

ancient order respected the king's opinions and laws." With all due

respect, your majesty, if the mountain folk are rallying under one flag

again then it is worth investigating before its to late." The king regains

his composure and tosses his crown onto the throne then lips down the

stairs that lead up to it. His cane thudding loudly as it hit the floor. The

pummel was made from the same glowing red metal as the centurion

weaponry. The Red Dragon blessed the metal years ago and the Order

mined all of it, keeping it vaulted safely in the Red Temple of the Guard.

The metal, when used by a technique call blade molding used by the

Red Guard could take liquid from and form into whatever form the

wielder imagined. Those who witnessed this in combat took to calling

the metal "blood steel". Xanthion was trained the arts of the Centurion

as was every king and queen by tradition.

"The issue of the giants rising again does not concern me. Despite what

tales say about them they are honorable at heart and whatever

reasoning for the past war is no longer relevant to current events. In

over a hundred years Redryker has not known peace and my its people

has suffered for it. As long as I am king I will see that war never reach us

again. We have lost to much" said the middle aged king as he looked

over at the silver throne beside his own and his strong stature broke in

sorrow for just a second before hardening again." We both have lost

much in the war, which is why I take such care in Redryker's security".

The two warriors stepped out to the balcony where the soldiers trained

in the courtyard. It was here that the vanguard trained as the kings spearhead, each company lead by a centurion. "I see only emptiness in

these halls now, surely these heroes' pains are far more beyond the

safety of my walls. They deserve peace". The king looked solemnly over

his kingdom and the Centurion empathized with him. But the possibility

of war was present and couldn't be ignored. "I will keep my men away

from the pass, you have my word." The centurion left the king alone

and made his way outside through the throne room where he noticed

the magistrature holding the king crown staring into its gems. Upon

seeing the old guard the finely dressed man flashed a charismatic grin

and placed the crown back down and bowed slightly as the centurion

leaves. "the giants are not the only threat I see". He thought to himself

and the image stayed in his mind and kept him up at night.

Merchants' guild sets up the adventures guild in hopes to eliminate the

guild via iron church and obtain priceless artifacts and maps as well as

controlling the seas.

Adventures guild is a guild of sailors that sail the world of Bith, finding old

ruins and even some of the seats of the Five on different continents. They

are responsible for the discovery and start of intercontinental trade and

communications. rough around the edge fighters who have been at war

with the merchant's guild who tried to buy them out and claim the

treasures and work of the adventure's guild, who are now labeled as

pirates and thieves across the world. Slandered by their opposition.

Iron church a nation of priests and monks sets out to deal vengeance on

the pirates who sacked their church and stole a powerful artifact in hopes

of furthering their heathen reach across the seas. The ancient order of

paladins have been recalled to smite all resistance and recover the hand

of the Second at all costs save their honor.