In the heart of a lush, verdant valley, there lay a small, tranquil village known as Alnwood.., famed for it's rare woods and locally brewed mead.
East of Alnwoon is the ancient forest of Avbahón, where the whispers of the wind carried tales of magic and the old ways. Nestled at the edge of the Avbahón Forest, is a small farm owned by the Ilvarii family; a family with a long line of Selûnite's.
Syllel Ilvarii was born on this farm not long after the farm was restored to It's former glory by her family. Growing up without a father, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, who taught her the ways of maintaining the earth. She spent her days tending to the crops, feeding the animals, or exploring the sprawling fields, and forest nearby.
Though young, Syllel could feel the ancient pull of the Avbahón Forest, something her family had long understood. The Avbahón Forest, dense with towering trees and twisting roots, beckoned her each day, its towering oaks and whispering birches calling her deeper. Her grandmother often warned her of the spirits and creatures that lived within, but it was clear to Syllel that the forest was a place of balance, of life, growth, decay, and rebirth. At 13, Syllel began to feel an even stronger connection to the forest, as if the woods were calling her to fulfill a purpose she didn't yet understand.
One particular afternoon, as the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the trees, Syllel ventured further into the forest than she ever had before. For a time, there was a stillness in the air, that was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant sound of birdsong. Following the sounds, her steps led her to a small, clearing, bathed in golden sunlight.
The air was sweet with the scent of blooming wildflowers, and the soft hum of nature was ever-present... but something unsettling caught her attention. It was a faint whimper, almost imperceptible beneath the sounds of the forest.
As she peered into the clearing, she discovered a small fawn, its legs tangled in a thick knot of thorny brambles. Its large, fearful eyes locked with hers, and to Syllels surprise.., instead of trying to bolt in fear, the fawn became stil t the sheer site of her.
A wave of emotion surged through Syllel as she began to approach the trembling creature.
Trying to free the creature, she carefully reached out, her hand lightly brushing the fawn's fur as she grabs the vines. While pulling the vines from the deers legs, she felt an unfamiliar surge of warmth course through her body, as if the forest itself was responding to her presence.
Syllel closed her eyes, focusing on the unfamiliar wormth, she placed her hands on the creature's injured leg. As Syllel opened back up her eyes she saw a faint, silvery glow began to radiate from her palms. It was a warm and nurturing presence, flowing from her and into the fawn. Within moments, the thorns that had cut into the creature's skin fell away, and the wounds began to knit themselves together. Seconds later the fawn stood, testing its newly healed legs, before prancing away into the trees, free and unafraid.
Syllel sat back, breathless and in awe of what had just happened. The weight of the moment pressed upon her as she stared at her hands, now void of the light. She had always been close to nature, but this was something far beyond her understanding. Later that night, as the silver moon hung high in the sky, Syllel's grandmother noticed a change in her granddaughter's demeanor, and when Syllel explained what had happened in the woods, her grandmother's wise eyes gleamed with recognition, for she had long been a priestess at the Selûnite Church back in Alnwoon.
From that day forward Syllel's life as a farmer had all but come to an end as her grandmother decideded to take her under her wing as a Selûnite Cleric, training her in the ways of Selûnite magic and it's healing powers. Under her grandmother's guidance, Syllel learned not only about herbs and plants that could heal wounds but also about the spiritual connection that linked them to the Moon Goddess. Syllel spent countless nights under the starlit skies, harvesting sacred herbs and magical berries, while her grandmother spoke of the ancient rites and prayers that invoked Selûne's blessings.
After her 15th birthday the village of Alnwoon began to tell whispers of Syllel's growing powers, and it wasn't long before the townsfolk began travel to their farm, seeking her healing touch, ..and though Syllel was still young, her gifts were undeniable. As days past, Syllel's mother and grandmother would watch as she would heal the villagers wounds or cure their illnesses.
On Syllel's 16th birthday, under the light of the full moon, she made the same pilgrimage as her grandmother to the Grand Temple Of Selûne on the other side of the Northern mountains known as Qyan'scul;
a place that has long been used as a spot of worship, both by the Dragonborn races and Selûnite followers alike.
It took 4 long nights of travel, guided only by the light of the moon, ..but eventually she made it to the Selûnite Temple on the other side of the mountain. The Temple was a towering structure of white stone, marble, and silver spires that glittered like a star against the night sky. As she's entered its sacred halls for the first time, Syllel could feel the weight of churches history, and the countless souls of clerics, priests, and paladins who had come before her, and it wasn't long before she was welcomed as one of their own.
Upon her acceptance into the Church, Syllel's talents did not go unnoticed. The Clerics marveled at her innate healing abilities and her strong connection to Selûne's light. Her gifts were undeniable, and the temple's leaders quickly recognized her potential, and under their tutelage, Syllel grew in both skill and understanding of the Selûnite ways.
Often, her studies in the temple were demanding, ..but each lesson she learned felt like a thread pulling her closer to her destiny. In the quiet, candle-lit halls, surrounded by ancient scrolls and reverent statues, Syllel found solace in the rituals and the prayers of the Selûnite faith.
Her joy stemmed not only from the growth of her abilities, but also from the deep sense of purpose she felt within the church..
With each healing touch she offered, and every prayer she uttered under the moon's watchful gaze, Syllel felt as if the church itself brought her closer to her true calling.
In yer heart Syllel knew that she had a God given mission, a responsibility that felt greater than herself, but one that she was more than eager to embrace.
As she advanced through her training,
Syllel encountered several trials designed to test her resolve and faith.
One such significant moment came when she was tasked with the duty of healing a gravely injured paladin who had barely managed to survive a owlbear attack..
That night, the atmosphere in the temple felt was tenser than ever before, as the other Selûnites gathered in silent prayer around the inner most halls of the temple...
watching in hope as Syllel approached the injured figure. Holding her breath, Syllel knelt beside her fallen peer, her hands hovering over the man's mangled body.
The paladin's wounds were like nothing she had ever seen before, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavy on Syllel's shoulders. Her hands trembled for a moment, but she closed her eyes,
Remembering the first creature she ever healed, centering herself as she called upon the moon goddess for guidance, seeking her strength and wisdom as the light of the moon began to flood the room;
A silvery glow began to emanate from all around her, as the very essence of the weave started flowing around her and down her arms, and into her hands, before turning to threads that began to surround the wounded paladin. The devine healing magic of Selûne poured into Syllel as the open wounds and gashes all across his body started to glow from the light of the threads, the light pulsating with each beat of Syllel's heart.
As the healing light surged forth from her hands and into the paladin, the lunar glow being cast from Syllel began illuminating the room like a beacon, banishing the shadows from the corners of the temple and filling the entire building with Selûne's divine radiance.
..As Syllel stood there, absorbed in prayer, the pain that had once marred the young man's face melted away, and his wounds slowly began to seal;
The mans bleeding, once perfuse.., had stopped spilling, has bones.., once splintered, became one once again as his skin started knitting itself back together.
An hour later, the acolyte awoke with a startled gasp, his eyes wide in disbelief as he looked at the now-closed wounds, and unbroken limbs.
In that moment, Syllel knew she was destined for a higher purpose, for her powers had grown far beyond anyone's expectations as her immensely strong connection to Selûne was no longer just question, but a recognizable a blessing.
On that night Syllel decided that her gift would be of better use as a warrior and a healer.. and so as the years passed, Syllel's unwavering dedication as a Cleric, and faith in the Churches teachings, propelled her to join the other warriors in the ranks of the Paladins.
Now as both a Cleric and Paladin, Syllel became a respected and revered guardian of the temple and its teachings. Her name became synonymous with hope, healing, and the light of Selûne, spreading throughout the lands like a beacon of moonlight. Syllel knew, she was no longer just a Priestess of Selúne.., she was a protector of knowledge, a warrior who wielded her goddesses divine magic to defend the weak and heal the broken.
...And as the years passed, Syllel carried herself with grace and conviction,
knowing that her presence under the moonlight remained a constant reminder to her and the others, of her sacred Oath;
The Oath of Protection and Restoration.
When Syllel turned 22, she was entrusted by the temple's Elders with a sacred mission to lead a group of Selûnites across the lands, to The fallen City of Zahlhara, in order to restore an ancient Selûnite temple that had long fallen into ruins many years ago.
The church had sent countless clerics and paladins to restore the site many times before her, but each attempt had faltered in the face of danger, and many would give up, or sercum to their injuries half way through the journey and would have to come back to Qyan'scul Mountain to be healed. It was a perilous undertaking, and the elders had chosen Syllel not only for her skill but for her unwavering faith and her ever growing influence within the Church.
The next day Syllel gathered her fellow Selûnites.. Clerics, Preists, and paladins alike, each of them ready to embark on their year long, dangerous journey.
Together they were united in their cause, their resolve reflected in their eyes like the stars in the night sky. ..Even though they were bound by their shared faith, many of the young Selûnite's were not without doubt, for the journey ahead would be a long and treacherous one, ..but they were determined to follow Syllel, and fulfill their sacred task of restoring the fallen temple.
The journey across the lands was not an easy one, for the weather they faced was harsher than what many of them had ever seen before.., for the breeze of the icy cold wind was biting and relentless, and the heat of the sun was enough to leave blisters below ones armor.
They often battled through the raging storms and deep muddy rivers, trying to keep the horses from running off with their wagons,
or loseing valuable supplies from inside.
For some, there were moments of doubt, times when the weight of the journey seemed too much to bear, but Syllel remained steadfast.
At the end of each day, she offered prayers to Selûne, seeking guidance and strength for her fellow companions and herself..,
and through each trial, Syllel became not only their leader, but also a spiritual guide for many of to the young Selûnite's..,
offering them words of comfort and hope when it was needed most.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the desolate forest of Zahlhara, just barely able to see past the foliage that surrounded the ruins of the fallen temple.
The air around the temple was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, and the forest, once alive with songbirds and rustling leaves, was now a place of erry silence.
As they edged closer to the ruins, the remnants of the temple could hardly be seen peering through the thick shroud of vines and moss covering the crumbling walls..,
its once-proud spires now crumbling beneath their own weight, overtaken by the wild brought sorrow to many of the young Selûnite's eyes, for even the sunlight itself struggled to penetrate the dense canopy above, casting eerie fractured shadows over the ancient stones.
Syllel's heart sank as she stepped into the clearing that once surrounded the holy city, for the ruins before her felt like a graveyard of forgotten memories.
As the wind that finally began to blow across the moss-covered walls, Syllel swore the could hear their whispered tales of reverence long past. ..She could feel on her heart that the temple had once been a place of great power, ..a beacon of hope for Selûne's faithful followers..,
but now it was little more than a pile ruin, lost to time. The ground around them was littered with debris, broken stone, and broken timber.
The only signs of life were the rapid scurry of rats and the occasional rustling of bushes, followed by the squeels of goblins hiding in the underbrush nearby.
In that moment, Syllel knew that her work as a Paladin, bound by the Oath of Protection and Restoration.. had only now truly begun, for this city that surrounded the temple was not simply a pile of ruins. To her and the other Selûnites, it was a symbol of hope waiting to be rekindled by their hands, and they knew that their journey ahead would be long, dangerous and arduous one, ..but Syllel knew in her heart that the light of Selûne would guide her every step of the way, lending her strength she will need for the battles yet to come.