The Highland Anthology

Subject: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 8:34 am

The Highland Anthology: The Story of the Gaerds

-\-/-\-/-

The People of the Highlands

-\-/-

Spoiler:

The people of the Highlands, known as the Dragon Coast in modern times, are a hardy, colorful folk, who have a great culture spanning back before the bounds of history; a great amount of material exists from these prehistoric times, past on and recorded through legends and monoliths that stand on the countryside to this day. These people inhabit what is but a fraction of their ancestral lands known as the Dragon Coast, where civilization has difficulty taking root, and where they are humbled by the beauty and struggle of life.

The Highland people themselves are generally considered to be fair to tall in height, with flaxen, red, or autumn-hued hair if darker, usually consisting of notable musculature and broadness of shoulders. They tend to consist of eye colors ranging blue, grey, or green. They have bold bone and facial structure, however, explorers dating back to even the arrival of the elves express the beauty and power expressed within these features. Consisting mostly of men, there are elvenkind amongst the Gaerdic populace, almost all of them of Tymafar decent. Despite their affinity for height, they remain rather resistant to the elements, having survived in the more inhospitable lands that they have for ages uncounted. In addition, they are a rather clean people, being resourceful as they are, and not hampered as greatly by the unpleasant aspects of city life.

The Gaerds themselves are a simple, colorful people, and perhaps dour people, who prize their strong heritage, codes of honor, and self-reliance in high esteem. The people are blunt, perhaps crude, but have carried their old ways with them into a new world. Advancing in technologies to suit their desires as they grow, they have continued to prove themselves great metalworkers, great buccaneers, great frontiersmen, and formidable warriors. Gaerdic sailsmen have took to the seas and rivers not long after the arrival of the elves, and their designs continue to produce the most effective schooners in nautical combat to this day; unbearably swift, they can penetrate enemy naval defenses swiftly, defensively maneuver against enemy ships, and allow for the boarding of larger vessels, where their warrior facets are stacked upon the naval.

Spoiler:

Gaerdic myth holds that their early people discovered steel early on, and began using it long before the arrival of elves to the mainland; they continue to prize the metal, and produce some of the most revered blacksmiths across the land. The principles of Gaerdic honor and self-reliance begin at a young age, where most young would learn various civilized traits, the Gaerds learn the practical. Many learn to read and write to a degree, but more so are they trained with the arts consisting of running, climbing, jumping, riding, and combat. Combat training with the Gaerd young begins almost as young as one can hold a weapon, and proves to be a valuable piece of their culture from then on. Many young are taught, in addition to reading and writing, various legends that the community holds dear, and also to wash, cook, and some learn to play musical instruments.

Of the spiritual community of the Gaerds, there are three denominations, but only two of which are practiced by the Highland peoples. The first is the traditional faith of the Gaerds, which reveres Kelund as the primary deity of their focus, and finding beauty in the life created by the Dead God. Another denomination is quite similar, but it brings into similar reverence Tyor as the patron of mankind, and Oden his father, whom continue to guide and watch over their people with their heavy gaze. The third un-practiced denomination is an alteration of the original tradition, however, shirking the view of other gods and praising mortalkind’s great strength and their ability to become gods themselves; this denomination is not of the Gaerdic belief system in orthodox, however, it is in fact the state religion of Occitan.

The prior is what is considered the most orthodox of the Gaea, the truest of the old ways. Gaerds of this station often carry a dour nature about them, believing that this life will be the only that they receive, and that foul powers of the world may seek to trap their souls in foul magics, and result in them wandering gloomy, howling glens throughout their unlife, until being finally put to rest. The latter, the Talibarian influx of gods, creates afterlife imagery similar to the pact, and results in Gaerds whom will rush themselves to death to find honor and praise by the gods, or risk an afterlife of suffering.

The spiritual leadership of the Gaerds is helmed by wise elders who guide the community in matters magical and spiritual, in addition, they helm the rituals and festivities used to honor the dead, the world, the revered, and the divine. They mentor the young in the study of the sacred language of the Gaerds, the Stjarnamark, or Star-Sign, which is the sigilum derived from the stars above then put to written and spoken form.

Within the Gaerdic lifestyle, men and women are often viewed as equal in every way, with perhaps some roles for certain genders being established due to natural physiology; it's natural that more men are the bread-winners, as they cannot give birth, or breast feed, which is naturally efficient and sometimes necessary in child rearing. Though these role differences can exist, there is freedom of choice between them, and in general, no one sex sees itself better than the other. There are various anecdotes and puns made by Gaerdic males about the ferocity of their women, in addition to the beauty and charm they are also able to possess. Marriage in a Gaerdic sense is a rather deep and spiritual bond; spreading into their monistic mythology. A marriage is a ceremony that commemorates the mutual desires of the two people to no longer walk this world as individual spirits, but as one. This matter of in depth relation to one another sometimes creates a lapse between courtship and marriage, where the creation of a family unit has come before the readiness for this eternal bond; which the ideals of the Pact would scorn upon. Though love and intimacy can of course exist without this bond, it is usually sought out by many, to find the one person in the world whom they can truly trust besides their blades. It is not uncommon for a female to propose to a male, as it is a mutual, and very sensitive emotional bond, and also due to the fact that dowry is something of a debatable stance in Gaerdic tradition. Divorce from marriage exists as well, though it is considered only necessary for foolish or shameful acts made with rashness; so, as in most all cultures whom practice divorce, it is seen as shameful in some respects. In addition to the division of property and lineage, it's not uncommon for the two to fashion parting gifts for the other, or provide them in some way, as a sort of momento of what was and what is now.

Social status is even among races and those of different physiques; as an old Gaerdic saying holds: “Strength can be measured in ten-thousand ways.” There is little in the way of formal education, so while there are few scholars, they are prized for their abilities, and often help instruct and train the young who show promise in those ways. Often learning is divided between those who can teach, often parental figures and family the first choice if applicable, then neighbors or approachable masters when able. Apprenticeship in these trades and eventual journeymanship brings the young into the world with skills that they can use to further their ability to provide, and enjoy life. Village leaders and people of importance are generally valued for their actions, and not required to be chosen or elected except for particularly high positions or in times of crisis. A village may be run by a Chief, villages often name a Hold-Chief or Jarl in case his position be needed, and Jarls may unite in their respected cultural domains and name a Clan-Chief, or Jorgnal. Though it has not been seen for generations, there has been time when the Clan-Chiefs have sworn their honor upon a single soul, and in fact elected a High-Chief, or Kvingyr, to rule the entirety of the Gaerdic people. The Kvingyr are few, and are entrenched with legends as much as recorded facts; marking themselves as true kings among men, and masters of conflict and battle.

Spoiler:

The afterlife to most Gaerds is defined through a series of cultural affinities that have adjusted over time and area. Traditional-most Gaerds consider death to lead to a form of peace, a uniting back to the All that gave them life, and a sort of contentness and serenity that can only exist when the mortal limit of understanding has been passed mortal limitation, where man can exist as one and all. Also thriving since ancient times is the belief that when souls die, they are judged based upon their valor and honor; souls that have proved honorable reside in a paradise unending to serve as eternal vigils of the all against the foulness of the Grim Grey Gods; these spirits are engaged in constant revery, feasting, battle, song, all contained within the great hall of the gods at the base of Vedrvidr. In similar lines with this fate, souls have a toll of purgatory upon them at birth through which they must endure, which is reduced or lengthened based upon the honor of the individual. Those found cowardly, vile, or otherwise unworthy, are turned away from paradise, and sent to inhabit Shar's cold halls at the base of the Black Glacier, where under he dark presence, men lose all sense of pleasure and peace, and live in a cold dread. Even those Gaerds who take on other faiths seem to naturally carry these traits on with them, valuing honor and strength of character (or physical strength) throughout their lives.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Other, more obscure or incomplete Gaerdic standing stones make references of deities that don't have ample placing in today's world; such as the prehistoric, though rarely seen deity Corgnaal whom is almost exclusively referenced. Another is a deity by the name of Kymgaal, whom is discussed as having multiple physical forms throughout history with the same divine spark. Others exist, but not many are worth note.

-\-/-\-/-

A Culture, History, Mythology, and Philosophy.

-\-/-

The Dragon Coast today makes up a large stretch of country, moving from what is the southern border of Occitan’s Buchloe province, through the cape of the Vale, and descending down to the southern border of Sanctimonia. Despite being subject subject to the advances of modern technologies, the old traditions of the Highlanders still hold true, keeping their unique cultural flavor even in the face of different social settings and technology. The Gaerds also throughout history have been great men of the sails and of the frontier, making strides in nautical technology through traditional practices, and continuing to thrive in border ranges and those places far from civilization where they are accustomed. They have long been credited with establishing posts on the frontier and holding the bounds of trade routes that spawn from the great ocean to the east beyond even Sida.

-\-/-

The history of the Highlands, that of the Gaerds, is well established and ties heavily into their mythology. However, before delving into such material, one must understand the traditional names used by the Gaerds, and how they apply to the more civil dialects of Aeria.

-\-/-\-/-

The Dichotomy of Gaerdic Gods

-\-/-

Quote :: Ao – The All, Life, The monistic life force of all things

Light – Aesthar - Aspects: Lathandr and Kossuth

Darkness – Vanthar - Aspects: Selūn and Shar

Sharess – Surkhald – The Grim Grey God – The World Crumbler – The Elder Doom

Aten – Oden – Oden of Light – The Father of the Alfar – Eldest Brother of Kelund - Firelord

Selas – Selunas – Selunas of Spirit – Selunas whom is Mother

Shar - Shar (Same as above) - Darkness - The Elder Night - Queen of the Black Glacier - The Defector - The Dread King/Queen

Akash – Akossogr – Akossogr of The Mind

Kielm – Kelund – Kelund whose Corpse is the World – Kelund whose Corpse is Vedrvidr – The All Mother/Father

Tyr – Tyor – Tyor of Justice – Tyor who is Hammer and Gavel – The Vindicator

Ilmatyr – Aelmatar – Aelmatar of Wisdom – Aelmatar who Goes Without – Aelmatar of Last Solace

Voar – Vogr – Vogr of the Hunt – Vogr The Huntsmaster – Vogr who is Life and Death

Nazu – Linza – Linza who Once was Curious – Linza who Sees All – The Broken Soul

Velecar – Valcaar – Valcaar who Once was Patient – Valcaar who Sees All – The Foul Vigil - The Lord of the Elder Depths.

Dyaus – Dyaagr – Dyaagr of Fury – Dyaagr who Rules the Waters – Master of the Storm-Waves.

Gond – Gondr – Gondr of Ingenuity - Forgelord

Nijal – Shar (Same as above) – Shar who Malefacts

Verumai – Shar (Same as above) – Shar who Spawns Plague – Surkhald’s Seeping Grasp

Sylornath – Surkhaldr – Surkhaldr of Demonic Rule - The Spawn of the Grim Grey God

Lloth - Shar (Same as above) - Shar whose veil is Yelot - Shar who Plots - Shar who Spreads Chaos

Tempus – Tympor – Tempus Born of Battle - Blade-Weigher - Battle God - God of Man

Helm – Frejm – Frejm who is Shield Father – Frejm Helmfather -- Lantern Lord - The Blue-Eyed Ward

Cyus – Caerus - Caerus of Glory

Moander – Mjander - Mjander of the Noxious Black – Tenant of Ginnungagap

Kelemvor – Kalmathor - Kalmathor who is Barrow Lord - Deathmaster

Sune – Sune - Sune of the Mortal Pleasure

Bane – Baan - Baan of Seething Hate - Surkhaldson - The Burning Evil

Bhaal – Baal - Baal who Bathed/Bathes in Blood

Ornulus – Ornaal - Ornaal who was/is Blood Chronicler – Blood Chronicler

Corgnaal – Unknown - Corgnaal the Dark Sleeping God – Corgnaal whom should Never Wake – The Sleeping Terror

Doomskr - Unaffiliated - The Elder Vigil - The White Wyrm - Sentinel - The Elderflame - Mentor

Kymgaal - Unknown - The Trespasser - The Reaper from Between - Star Demon - The Tempter

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 8:34 am

-\-/-\-/-

The Old Times: The All and the Universe – The Aldinn-Aevi Stones

-\-/-

Standing in a peaceful mountain glen, overlooking a beautiful river valley with a view that stretches for miles, are a ring of stones that have most likely borrowed the inspiration for their writing from landscapes such as these; dating back to shortly before the arrival of the elves, and showing as perhaps one of (if not the very) first uses of the traditional Gaerdic written language; these stones are the unified beliefs of the Gaerdic creation story put to stone in ages past. The ideals and values expressed therein are considered quite wholesome and valid; though some worry that elven tampering is present, most are quite confident that is not the case.

-\-/-

Spoiler:

Quote :: The First Aldinn-Aevi Stone - Burdr: “In the most early days, there was only Ginnungagap: nothing and only nothing; no direction, no sound, no light, just empty space expanding onwards into the infinite. However, the great mystery would begin, the elder and greatest mystery, The Sundr, the great happening that spurned life from this great nothing, churning and setting life into being. From this happening, the All was created, the energy that comprises life, and the base unity upon which all things belong to, the endless potential of everything that has been or will ever be.”

Quote :: The Second Aldinn-Aevi Stone - Elding: “This great mass did spread and churn with raw life, expanding, twisting, and churning. From this powerful tempest in the millions of aeons before our world would be born, the life began to evolve, becoming more advanced, becoming individual; the All would first split and form two distinct entities within the nothing, forever opposites, forever creating a balance through friction, and forever advancing as well as evolving. These entities are known as Aesthar and Vanthar, The Old Ones.”

Quote :: The Third Aldinn Snimma-Aevi Stone – Munr: “Aesthar and Vanthar would exist and expand for some time, spreading a great vastness, and in time, cementing the first physical forms into the emptiness of Ginnungagap. From Aesthar was born the primal realm of fire, and Vanthar would create the primal realm of Ice; these would come to be respectfully called Aespulheim and Vanirheim. From the mighty fire storms and eruptions of Aespulheim, to the great glaciers and icy rivers of Vanirheim, the elder beings cemented their solidarity. However, it was found that these beings could further expand themselves through extracting a portion of their life into new form, essentially, giving birth. Each of the old ones would birth two children: To Aesthar would be born: Kossuth of Fire and Lathandr of Light, and to Vanthar would be born Selūne of Water, and Shar of Darkness.”

Quote :: The Fourth Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Hyrr: “The newborn gods would exist within their realms under their primordial parents, existing aeons, churning within the storm of life and learning of all things to be learned. Over this time as well, these deities would create their own children. This would result in the birthing of Oden of Light from Lathandr, Selūnas of Spirit from Selūn, Akossogr of Mind from Kossuth, and no offspring from Shar. Another great expanse of time after these new gods were born from the All, something unforeseen and terrible occurred; The Grim Grey God Surkhald, first and greatest of all the Grim Grey Ones, came from the great void of Ginnungagap. The Grim Grey Gods are a mystery, but they seem to be a raw power of evil that exists to balance out the substance of the All. With great surprise and ability, Surkhald ripped through the nothingness into what was occupied by the All, and slew both Aesthar and Vanthar, dissolving them back into the pure energy from which they came with its mighty sickle.”

Quote :: The Fifth Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Fjall: “The descendants of the two Old Ones were shocked, and the All shook violently as Surkhald howled, bathing his sickle in the fires and ices of the two separated worlds where they met with great fission. Nothing now stood between the gods in the face of this grand defiler, and though mighty was this being, so were they, and determined they were to destroy Surkhald. In the short Aeon between the death of The Old Ones and the attack against Surkhald, in which these four divines prepared a defense as great as they could muster; in addition to this, with the fission no longer and issue between the divines, the four eldest met and gave birth to a new goddess: Kelund of the Four. When the time for battle came, it was the eldest gods who lead the charge, being the more experienced and knowing; the four attacked from each side of the fault between the two lands, using their strength and knowledge to assault Surkhald, and though the Grim Grey God did wince, he did not faulter. The gods knew that this was a fight they could not win alone, that they would need greater power, more life from the All, to be able to combat this foe with the Old Ones dead. Knowing only one way to end the battle, the gods attempted to imprison Surkhald. The gods used all their might, and thrusted him into Vanirheim, attempting to freeze him in the frigid icy waters. However great the effort, Shar was deceitful, in an attempt to spare the goddess’s own life in the great battle she tricked Kelund into taking Shar’s place. This deceit may have cost success, for despite their great efforts, Kelund was flayed by Surkhald’s sickle. The four eldest gods, Shar included by scolding, forced Surkhald across Vanirheim, and into the depths of Aespulheim. With their combined strength, they were finally able to seal Surkhald in the deepest, hottest volcano in the center of the land, serving as his aeonic prison. However, to ensure he was imprisoned, Selun, Lathandr, and Kossuth entombed themselves with Surkhald and were unfortunately destroyed, while Shar escaped.

Quote :: The Sixth Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Fram: “Surkhald was imprisoned, but the cost was great. In the end the Old Ones, and three of the eldest gods would die; however, not before action could be taken. For Shar’s cowardice, they ousted her from their hall, not taking her company among them, ordering her to make her home at the Black Glacier where she committed her cowardice; as they turned their backs on Shar, they moved to deal with the dead. They presented the bodies of the fallen at the fault between Vanirheim and Aespulheim, giving them a burial between the churning, steaming line. However, with Kelund’s body presented last, the young goddess’s body being placed into the fissure, something happened. As the form sunk into the growling, misty turbulence, it slowed to a stop; several moments after it stopped, great forces erupted from the chasm, as well as an all blinding light. This lasted for some time, and once the light had faded, the fault was no longer present; what they found in its place, was an utterly massive tree. The tree stretched high above the low plains that now existed where once the gigantic fault was, with the elements of both primordial lands flowing into its own color, and crystalline texture.”

Quote :: The Seventh Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Vidr: “The gods were awed at what they saw, the mighty structure which came from the balancing of the two primal forces of the world; looking up at its mighty advance into the sky, and all the crystalline fruit hanging from its branches, they chose to investigate. They found, churning inside the tree, the great energy of the All was anchored, and served to both take in, and disperse life. Within this tree, they could see that within the storming insides, the life concentrating and swirling about the center, as if following the tree rings that should be there. Within these concentrations were different realms, all existing in the same great tempest similar to that which gave rise to the gods. Such is how life came to exist within the World Storm. However, taint from the Black Glacier of Vanirheim and the Volcano of Aespulheim did reach the tree, and from it, were born corrupting forces that would ever remind the gods: Surkhald was still alive, and one day, he would be upon them once again. For now though, the great creation was young and glowing with health; they would call this Vedrvidr, the Tree of Storms.”

Quote :: The Eighth Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Ihugi: “The gods continued to grow and expand as their predecessors did, growing mighty as these new gods created their home around Vedrvidr, occasionally peering into the happenings of the tree, watching the miracles of creation begin again. At this time, Shar had settled in the icy depths of Vanirheim, establishing rule in her own icy kingdom at the foot of the Black Glacier. This place was suited to her, the old one scorned, and so she remained there in isolation for some time until the gods would feud again. However, the great emotions felt by the gods in their primordial world were mighty in themselves, and they themselves carried great power as well as the ability to use the life. Even from as far as Shar’s Kingdom, the powerful emotions gave to powerful life, and in an anomalous event known only as The Ihugi: These powerful emotions contained so much raw life, so much of the All, that they came to life; phantasmal beings drifted from the various gods, and rushed to the site of the Tree of Storms. Great battle took place there between these phantasmal specters, the likes of which they gods could not interfere with, their thoughts not fully understood by them, and as such far to slippery grasp. These various thoughts were powerful, and they did battle with each other, some falling quickly while others fell later. However, the later arriving phantoms of Shar were indeed mighty and great, and it came down to the four remaining specters against the two sent by Shar. Fearing the possible repercussions of this combat, Oden ran to Vedrvidr, and removed a branch from the crystal tree. Aiming for the greater horror created by Shar’s anger and despair, he gashed its breast in with the branch, and the thing did howl, before fading away. The other visages did repeat this, however, these specters would return again in the future aeons.

Quote :: The Ninth Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Knottr: Across the seas from what would be our homelands did the gods first descend. They saw the grass upon the ground, the trees rising to the sky, the mighty mountains, as well as the great rivers and oceans. Originally there was only the brilliant night sky overhead, leaving the world dark, and with the life of the planet scattered and skittish; for it was Shar, from her cold palace, whose darkness pervaded all things in Vedrvidr, due to her elder rank and great power. Selunas would act first in creating the brilliant moon which would direct her brilliance unto the world below, to counteract the despairing and frightening dark. Akossogr would instill the organs and proper mechanics of the sacred field in living things, so that they might possess instinct and eventually reason. Oden would act last, but his gift would be most great; he would raise his hand high in a clenched fist, upon releasing this fist, the sun rose into the sky. With the world created, and the ways of life established, they noticed that while indeed marvelous, that the evil of Surkhald ebbed into the world in the form of disease, bacteria, mold, and all other foulness. Knowing that the threat of Surkhald was ever present, they needed a bastion to defend this life, all life, against what would be. And so in this turn, they looked to the life, and decided to herald in the creation of the Alfr.

Quote :: The Tenth Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Alfr: It was Oden who would usher the Alfr into being. With the assistance of the other gods, marshalling the forces of life together while he empowered them with a single ray of his most pure fire; this would birth the Alfr, or elves, in their far home across the Western Ocean. A race created by Oden’s hand to serve against the vileness of Surkhald, should it ever become a threat to the world; both children and army, Oden’s Alfr were born. They would quickly take to life, and they would rise through time swiftly, honing the gifts given to them through their creation; they would be the first to form civilization on their far shores, the first to establish a complicated culture, and the first to engage truly in the ways of war beyond simple battle. This would be long from now, with the elves young and still taking to their first steps, but the will of the gods is a strong force with which to aid destiny.

Quote :: The Eleventh Aldinn-Aevi Stone – Aett: And finally, with the old times drawing to a close, the births of the new gods would come about: Tyor of Justice, Aelmatar of Wisdom, Vogr of The Hunt, and Dyagr of Fury were all born to Oden. Velecar who is Patient, and Linza who is Curious, were born to Selūnas. To Akossogr was born a single son, and that was Gondr of Ingenuity. These gods would further adapt the specification of the prior gods, expanding upon the spheres of morality, intelligence, study, emotion, and adaption. These gods would commune and present their learning to themselves, building a great home around Vedrvidr; however, they would still on occasion peer into the tree, to see the beautiful moving vastness therein. Looking and venturing into Vedrvidr, the gods would see the miracle of life exposing itself again within this very anchor brought about by their fallen sister. They would explore various planes, countless realms in the vastness, stretching out into the great vastness that would be our universe. The gods would look many places, from the burning realms that would someday serve as the Demon Halls, and perhaps even looking unto the strange, polluted dimensions which spews forth the vileness of Surkhald, home of all things vile, and the terrible unfathomable Grarliki, or Ghasts in the civilized tongues. These gods were in fact born from the specification of the gods, their various aspects given proper use and purpose. Not as the shadows created by the emotion of god or man, but offspring created by the divines to better serve the aspects of specification that they were now fulfilling.

-\-/-\-/-

The Daybreak Times: The Dawn of Man – The Dagan-Aevi Stones

-\-/-

Believed to be the single oldest and most deified of all the Elder-Gaerdic sites is known as the Dagan stones, standing in the North of Vale in the center of a great field of many barrows. Dagan, meaning daybreak, is ominously close to a choice piece of material to which these stones entail: Dragons, or traditionally known as Draegar. These stones paint a colorful canvas of legend, regaling a time before written language, when man first began to rise up from the state of beasthood, and serves as the revelation of their religion as a Monism instead of a Polytheism. These stones entail the creation of man, the rule of the dragons, the faith of Kelund and the Vjattir, the Riddle of Steel, the Value of Honor, and Coming to Terms with Death. Some of these stories have been translated into the traditional Gaerdic language, and even common, and have been held as incredible stories of self discovery, faith, and hope.

-\-/-

Spoiler:

Quote :: The First Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Fjor: “It began long ago, when there were only beasts and the mighty Draegar who dwelled within what would be our lands, when the world was young, and strange eldritch things existed in the mists of the great becoming. Kelund whose corpse is Vedrvidr has stilled in her grave for aeons, but in the grand scheme of the gods, time means little. The life that the dead god gave to bring into the Tree of Storms was as now, continually spreading and shifting around the hostile world; the grave-tenders of Kelund, the Holrs, who tend the great Irmunsil of the world, were not uncommon in these places in which Kelund’s life gathered. These mysterious beings of pale green and scrawny figure, with eyes black as Ginnungagap, worked these life-channeling roots of Kelund’s Vedrvidr in order to sustain the life that Kelund created. These somber things, though workers of life, were grave mourners; never did they speak nor show any emotion, and the only interaction they would pose with anything other than the Irmunsil would be to defend themselves from ignorant predators. They did so with frightening ability and attitude, they would rip the life from these simple beings, and then recycle body and soul. One of the Holr however, the phantasmal life-keeping mourners, was more aware than the others, even if only slightly. While on occasion bade to give rise to the animals and beasts of the world, their ability to create was flawed, their reasoning limited, and many of their creations were doomed to a certain death. This one Holr went to one of the roots of Vedrvidr, one of the many Irmunsil, and knelt before it. Placing its forehead on the massive tree-form, and channeling its own self into that of the tree; this action would bring certain doom to the Holr, for such power was beyond that of the simple spirit, but the spirit’s sacrifice would not be in vain. For as the spirit fell back into the all, it was able to bring forth a manifestation of Kelund’s life in a physical and spiritual form befitting that of the fallen goddess. The Holr who died had created a man and a woman, and had given birth to humanity.

Quote :: The Second Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Draegar: From the birth of Vedrvidr, to the birth of man, and countless ages to come, man would be subject to the whims of the Draegar. When mankind was young and wielded only the handaxe and spear, the Draegar ignored them as the ignorant beasts they were, little better than vultures or maggots. However, over time man would show the power and adaption that their older brothers possessed, advancing to the age of the stone hatchet, spear, and arrow with the bow. The Draegar were an absolute, and this perhaps reached their attention; not all Draegar were violent, but many were, and so man often was made to speak, kneel, or die before the mighty First Born of Kelund. One day, a hunter and starwatcher of the humans was practicing his craft in a wide valley plain. From out of nowhere swept a magnificent, beautiful dragon, that seemed to shimmer as the purest silver; he landed at the feet of the human, holding only axe in one hand, and a spear in the other. The Draegar looked at him with eyes set black with fire in the irises and pupils, and spoke to the human in his mighty voice. “As you sleep beneath the celestial heavens, so now you stand before me; steadfast, unmovable, greatest of humans, I stand before you now. I am Draegar, first born and absolute of Kelund. Hearken to my words, for they have the power to enlighten you, or bid lightning strike you dead where you stand!” The mortal standing before this Draegar was a young man whose name was Sverd, and long did he speak to this magnificent creature. They engaged on the talk of the world, of the human experience and their distracted existence. This Draegar seemed to be belittling the man at every turn, as if trying to lure him into his doom by antagonizing the man. However, the man kept his calm, steeling himself in conversation with this Draegar, when finally the man had a question to ask the being. “In this harsh world, in this harsh life, what beyond transient escapism is there to look forward to?” The Draegar would grin, and give him the only response he could think of, cold silence. This Draegar goes by many titles, with a name unknown, but is ultimately revered as Doomskr, or Doom Speaker. Sverd would return to his settlement empty handed, and keep the story of his encounter with the great dragon to only himself.

Quote :: The Third Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Sjon: The family of Sverd would remain a prestigious one amongst his tribe for some generations, and soon they would be brought into the age of working copper into simple tools that surpassed their stone ones. It would be the son of Sverd, whom he named after himself partially with the name of Svord, who would continue his father’s quest for the place of man in the world. One day whilst the man was hunting, he would stop before a large river as he faced a misty mountain overhead. In front of him, as he rested, he saw a caribou being eaten by a sabre-toothed cat, above he saw the circling vultures, all about him he saw the heavy grasses, and standing their brilliant blue were the running waters and the early evening sky above under the lightly twinkling stars. Svord knew that there was beauty in these things, these transitory things, and saw within their temporary forms of life, extensions through which life pervades all, through which life continues through all the world. From those producers who are themselves almost as the priests of Kelund below her Holrs, they would feed the predators, who would in time feed the vultures, and all throughout the pathways that life did flow, like the great river before him. Then, when he thought of the actions of man in the ways of life, he thought of the great, brilliant, chaotic oceans which belonged to those powers of the deep whom wish to swallow the world. He pictured all the lives of men entwining themselves in a massive sphere of rivers, always changing, always at the course of the powers at work behind it. He came to believe that perhaps man had the power to decide its own fate, as did all living things, within their own lives; they may not be able to change as much as they wish, but change nonetheless. This would mark one of the first unified beliefs in the Neolithic world that will show a society uniting under Gaerdic principle.

Quote :: The Fourth Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Vordr: After his spiritual affirmation and self-actualization, Svord proceeded to speak to his father about what he’d found within himself. Sverd, his father, sick and dying, was proud of his son and his great accomplishments. Such so is fortunate, as soon after Sverd would be returned to the All through his death, and Svord would continue on his family’s great heritage. Furthering his quest to discover the understand man’s place in this dark primordial world, he would look towards the same mountain vista he stared at before when he came to his first revelation. Looking upon its great visage in the distance, towering high above all other upon the wide horizon, and he was determined to reach its highest point and look to the great heavens above as close as possible, and see if he could truly defend his ideals of mortality while standing in the face of the great starry embers burning in the night like the remnants of an al encompassing fire that spanned creation. He would move through the day to this great mountain with his tools and spears, travelling the entire first day to make camp at its base. The next day would be spent in the ascent, going up the great mountain whose age surpasses those few taller by countless epochs. He would slowly climb, and climb to even greater heights, until ice and snow would claw at his well garbed form, as he pushed on to the summit. After many hours of grueling toil, with the stars showing now overhead with Kelund’s breath known as Wind singing great howlings across the breadth of the world adding a beautiful chorus to the moment. However, there was an unexpected interloper upon this place of peace, a draegar none other than Doomskr. He cackled a laugh, and its power made the strong wind seem as a child’s sigh. Rearing on its two rear legs, before posing proudly on all four, Doomskr would call forth to the mortal man who stood before him. “You, hearken to my call as your father has done. Time is naught to me, and now as your father’s soul is undone since the time of our speaking; it matters not to me, for I the time is comparable to the batting of my eyelids! Come to me now and tell me why you came to this place, and tell me what ploys in your head have motivated you to escape the true nature of the world and your despair thereof!” Svord would be awed by the Draegar’s presence, but he would not let himself be brought to submission by this great beast’s howl. He explained his position here, but the beast did only laugh as Svord stood in defiance. Doomskr would be impressed by the bravery of this foolish mortal, and would then decide to proceed with his guardianship role.

Quote :: The Fifth Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Vigamadr: The Draegar would let out a mighty roar, pounding hard upon the ears of Svord, as the snow flowed and dusted the summit of the great mountain that Svord had traveled to; the entire area would become engulfed in a brief fog of white. After it subsided, the tallest stone of this tallest mountain was revealed to in fact be surmountable by foot travel, leading up to an interesting peak. The stone was natural there, but by some grand natural design appeared all the more beautiful, and in the center of the rise sat a pentagonal stone rising upwards with proper symmetric angle, to reveal something protruding from the rock, standing high above the mountain. Doomskr the Draegar grinned more, as he stood back, allowing himself not to stand between Svord and this formation. “This then will be your test, if you shall indeed prove yourself as being less than a maggot, or perhaps providing that you have found truth in Kelund’s ways, move forward, and grasp for the great treasure before you. This item is of the greatest weapons of the mortal world, birthed by the raw force of Great Kelund’s coalescence and bestowment of life, this life then struck dead and petrified into a solid form. This weapon is similar to your spear perhaps, but not meant for the hunt where beasts do run and intend to flee with their lives. This item is for battle, the great true test of life, the clashing of two wills by skill, heart, strength, and bearing! Behold this which is great and mighty, for its purity and its greatness will extend far beyond what your life shall ever hope to reach!” Doomskr beckoned, and to which, Svord could detect no lie. “Go now then, the ultimate test therein to prove your worth to both your individual life, and that of humankind; draw the weapon, mortal! Call out your name as you attempt and fail to bring it forth, let me see, your elder surrogate, eldest of Kelund whose corpse is the world, let me see what your mortal hands can do! If your people have the ability to carry the burden of life, the ability to live, the ability to die; show me a Vigamadr among you, one who fights for life!!” Instilled with strength of both his own heart and the words of the Draegar, he moved quickly up the slope to the great Earth-Pedastal of Kelund looking at rocks, and seeming to see patterns tracing intricately but also infinitely onward, shifting perhaps as time went on, as life itself does. Reaching forward for what seemed to be the grip of a large skinning knife, Svord began to pull upwards to pull it from the Earth. The experience of pulling was coupled with a sense of vertigo, he felt his head spin as he felt as if he had just woken from a fever, or was lost in a cave with total darkness. He lost his sense of place in the physical, lost track of his feet being placed on the ground, nor his shoulders remaining upright. He could feel himself flow, he could feel the world around him working on him with a sensitivity unmatched before. He could feel the winds churn around the world, the singing of birds in far lands, and the rolling of seas both warm and cold, both sunlit and deep. However, despite his sudden rush of feeling, he could still feel himself at the pedestal, the weapons till in his hands. He continued to draw, surely, and in a few moments pulling the blade from its home, and regaining his sense of self. Examining the item, it appeared to be a large knife with two edges, and a pronounced jutting perpendicularly above the grip, and an ornamented weight below. The item was light, but deathly sharp, and of a dark grey color, shining like gold upon the blade, and somewhat more opaque along the guard and pommel. The grip seemed to be made of leather that seemed to be bound into the material of the handle, and seemed to rejuvenate as it became subjected to wear. Both the human and the Draegar looked upon the blade with adoration, and Doomskr would be first to speak. “And so it is that your mortalkind hath drawn the great weapon of Kelund from her corpse which is the world. Perhaps it is as you say, and your short lived race may be of note in the lives of the Draegar. You hath drawn this weapon, the first of its kind, tell me your name mortal, for I am in position to desire its knowing.” As the Draegar spoke, Svord held the weapon as he disembarked the slope, holding the weapon, carefully, studying its weight and balance, the item seeming to naturally suit his form and body. “I am Svord, and this shall be the weapon of humankind.” Such would the Draegar acknowledge, and in knowing his name, he would offer the resultant praise. “Svord, so shall you be, the first Vigamadr, the first great bearer of sword, first to bear the weapon of Kelund whose corpse is the world, and stir the storm of life with the great decanter that you possess; so shall that weapon come to named for you yourself, Sword.” Such is the tale of the first true warrior, the first of the legendary Vigamadr, and the first sword in all the world.

Quote :: The Sixth Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Staal: As the Neolithic settled in, and some tribes formed small simple villages where they could gather and place crops for a time, serving as the union point between allied tribes, who worked beneath the sun of Flamelord Oden whose Sun lights the day. Since the founding of great Sword whom has descended the hands of the greatest warriors, and fallen the greatest beasts and monsters who would threaten of the humans who wielded it, humans have grown and shown signs of their gritty determination. The humans became a marvel of life, even to the mighty Draegar who ruled the skies and the lands and the seas; as with Sword in their hands, and the fire of their hearts, they could turn back even these great invaders. However, there was only one Sword, and Sword could only have one master, and so it would come to another brilliant advancement of humanity to bring to life perhaps one of humanities greatest achievements. It would be a woman named Stelle and her brother Staal who would be working the copper outcrops when their copper tools would chip and bang against particular rocks. Staal would curse, for things so strong of Kelund whose corpse is Vedrvidr to be unworkable by man, and only hold him back. Stelle however, was intrigued by his commentary, and asked him to chip around the sample of what he could not mine, so they could harvest it. They managed to quarry out a large stone of particularly red look, and they were curious as to its portents. Taking a sample and perhaps another, they returned to the smelter that they ran, and attempted to melt it down. It took various renovations to allow the bloomery to become hot enough to melt such a thing, but upon burning a fine hickory in a well made utility, they were finally able to melt the metal down. When they finished this, they created two products from the original rock not including burnt away waste; cast iron, and pig iron. They marveled at what they had made, but noted the particular nature of the new metal, and how hard it was to work, and file. They would not give up, Stelle and Staal; the two would work years into their bloomery, eventually conceiving wrought iron, and continuing to advance their simple samples into something worthy of Sword. It would be Staal’s undying motivation that would earn them their ways, for when Stelle could not think of any way to further work the irons they had produced, Staal would begin working the worthless pig iron. It took many years, carefully noticing how the metal could be worked, and how when reprocessed, would yield the impurities which could be pounded out. It was only through rigorous work, finding the perfect temperature to work the metal, applying fire and ice, honing their skills with the hammer, that Akossogr of the mind and his son Gondr who is Forgemaster would yield to them the finality of their endeavor. After trying for decades, after pouring over the metal, pondering what could yield to them the greatest strength; they found the balance of fire and ice, the balance of forces within the world, the greatest of things therein, and they discovered the mighty metal which would sing true. The two worked the metal carefully, forging the first replica of great Sword, and showing their great creation to their people. When the two siblings were asked what they had made, they had shown them the prize of their metallurgy, and this second Sword was held in high esteem. The material needed a name, and through their solving of the riddle which they worked diligently, the two banded together, and so Steel was born at the hands of man in ages long past.

Quote :: The Seventh Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Vegr: So with metal in hand did man make their place in the world, now able to stand fast and against the forces that kept them in the dark, holding cold irons and steels did man fight the depravities of a hostile world. Blood was shed as man stood against beast, monster, spirit, and all that would seek to prey upon the children of Kelund whom is the Dead All-Father. Young men and willing women who showed promise with the blade and the way of fighting foes who did not flee were trained to battle the many enemies of man and these early proto-Gaerdic tribes. As all living things fear the end, so did these fighters, but stout were their hearts and greatly were they able to suppress their doubt. It would come to a particular shaman elder, who in his youth served as a fighter and particularly feared the end of his life. He would find solace in the cycles of life brought forth by Kelund and observed by the revered Svord, he found that his place as a holder of this life, of preservation, of standing amidst the cycles of life and death held value and meaning. He saw that while simple beasts who fled cared not for the flowing of life, the showing of life, or the rush of living and proving that one had lived. However, the greater beasts, Draegar, and man, were capable of understanding this regard, and in such they held something truly valuable; honor. With this, man could stand with its head held high in the life of Kelund whose corpse is the world, for they knew that there was more to existence than the mortal coil, and that the life created that bound and held all things was a constantly evolving, amazing thing. He spoke to his fighters of great battle tactics, and supplemented them with his spiritual jaunting, steeling them for battle, and proclaiming that their honor would shine forever and be carried by the wind so long as the aspect be felt by a living soul. Such steeled the premise of honor in the Gaerdic sense in the proto-Gaerdic people of the far ancient world.

Quote :: The Eighth Dagan-Aevi Stone Circle – Ferd: So man did establish himself into the tribal villages of old, and far they had come from their elder place of gathering scraps at the foot of larger beasts. So great was their metamorphosis through the journey of life, that they shocked even the mighty Draegar, who still ruled the world, but stood on more even footing with mans. It would be one day that Doomskr would descend to the greatest of all of man’s villages, holding his head high and looking over the populace. Unlike before, whereas man would kneel at his sight and his heavy gaze, now man stood with a similar gaze in abundance, with some fear therein, but a mutual defiance and strength of self that held fast against the mighty Draegar. So did the great Dragon beckon over the people in his great decree: “So it is that the great Draegar of Kelund may be humbled by the mankind of Kelund, whose adaption and rise in standing has impressed the Draegar whom time does not hamper. Look unto me now, great Draegar of power and age, of whom gods know by names that shift as time dies around me! Long before your time I witnessed empires of brass and gilt die beneath the weight of their own avarice, their greed and attempts and chaining the sun for their vanity! Behold that I now give you my acknowledgement, and perhaps the simple knowledge as follows: One does not fear something, unless it can truly do it harm. You have invoked fear in the Draegar, fellow children of Kelund; even though time still binds you, you stand fast. I shall maintain my watchful eye, and beneath the shining sun and its reflection off my scales, so shall you continue your path onwards, through time, through power, as the Draegar before you.”

-\-/-\-/-

The Early Times: The Beginning of History – The Snimma-Aevi Stones

-\-/-

One of the greatest sites of pilgrimage for the Gaerdic people is a ruin in Northern Sanctimonia where a ring of stones stands within the bounds of a great ruin; these stones are known as the Snimma-Aevi Stones, and they contain the first written record of the Highland History to be transposed either from a direct or secondary source. This record perhaps sets the bar for human history before that of other human societies, with records and accounts transcribed to stone as to better last the ages; though the accuracy is disputed amongst some, it proves vastly reliable. The site around the stones suggests it was once a great city, despite its great age and what little of it remains; though through the test of time, the stones containing the important depicted records remain, using Proto-Futhark Inscriptions that can be interpreted by anyone skilled in the traditional Highland script. In addition to providing a history of the Gaerdic people, it provides information on their religious beliefs; showcasing their world view and their place within it.

-\-/-

Spoiler:

Quote :: The First Snimma-Aevi Stone Circle – Mannligr: “The great elven ships would land upon the shores like alien monoliths in the minds of man. These tribal figures would encounter the elves hesitantly, their culture of worshipping the good spirits of the Earth seeming to come into conflict with the missionaries from across the sea, on the giant floating huts. Of all the human tribes they would encounter, one would stand out the most; the Proto-Gaerds, living in their tribal clans since times long before, and strong were they in survival as well as battle. They would at first interact peacefully, but then, the hostilities would begin. The early men would put up great defense, wielding in their hands weapons of various quality, and with tenacity unrivalled. A curiosity among the elves was the metal which the Proto-Gaerds held in their hands, for these semi-nomadic peoples with little to no written language save pictograms and ideograms, held within their hands by this early age the secrets of Steel. However their might and quality, it would be superior quantity and superior tactics would bleed and batter these Proto-Gaerdic forces into eventual submission. These beings born naturally to Aeria, who would be known as humans, would become servants to their overseas invaders. The elves would continue to build and expand in this new land, and even in captivity, the humans would grow mighty. They would learn, they would adapt quickly, and when the elves had weakened themselves to infighting amongst their own city states, the tenacity and ingenuity of man would shine as bright as the sun! Man would tear free the bonds that bound him, striking at the elven overlords with brutal efficiency. Soon it would be the shoe upon the other foot, with the elves defeated, and the humans having taken the crowns from their heads. It is at this time, that many men would take to the roles of their recently defeated captors, taking in their positions, functions, and even their gods. These men would receive the blessings given to the elves by their former sponsor gods, bringing the early kingdoms of men to power. However, refusing to change their ways, there were those who would turn their backs on these kingdoms of men, and form their own society. These would be the great ancestors of the Highlanders, the Gaerdic Clans.”

Quote :: The Second Snimma-Aevi Stone Circle – Gaerd: “Turning back to their old ways, of worshipping dead Kelund whose corpse is the world, and remaining in harmony with self, other, and nature. These men did leave the early kingdoms of men, and return to their old places of thriving with new technologies and understandings. These clans would be a terror upon any and all who sought to stand against them, for under the elves, they improved their ability to produce food, equipment, and settlement. The Gaerdic Clans were the masters of metal, singers of steel, born for survival and the tough life laid before them; the pagans were feared for devilry and witchcraft, when their blades sung true and smashed down against their foes. The Gaerds would first encounter the gods when, in prayer for a way to counter the mages of the elves during their insurrection, Selunas would take note of their hearts, and grant them her knowing; she turned their eyes to the sky above, blazing in the beautiful insides of life that exist within Vedrvidr, and as they studied the heavens, they marked stars and cycles of power. In time, they learned so much from the stars that even before the insurrection against the elves, they had learned the sacred Stjarnamark, or Star-Sign, which allowed them to place their Planetouched abilities into their weapons when given adequate material. This would in fact be the sigilum, the language of magic, and in fact, the first and most sacred runic language of the Gaerds; in addition to its written form, they would assign it syllables and grammar, making it perhaps the first language of humankind. The Gaerds would stand mighty for years into the rise of these settled nations, even unto the early days of the Occitanian and Talibarian empires.

Quote :: The Third Snimma-Aevi Stone Circle – Atganga: The passions of the gods would overrun, and these entities would become strong enough to manifest themselves as gods themselves. This great time of violence was first born first at the hands of Surkhaldr, the Spawn of the Grim Grey God Surkhald, whom was created by his seething lust for destruction which both caused and bled into Shar’s disdain, as she sat upon her great icy throne of Vanirheim whilst standing legion over the souls of the cowardly and vile. Surkhaldr was a being of malice and dread, whom wished to conquer and destroy all life as Surkhald before him. From his chest he birthed the demon hordes that would inhabit their dark planes and worlds, where Surkhald’s corruption bled through along with the fires of Aespulheim. So too did he birth the demonic forces under him: Baan of the Burning Hatred, Baal who Bathes in Blood, and Ornaal who is Blood Chronicler; this dark triage stood in his wake, and fueled as he did from the dark passions of man, igniting their desire to turn destruction upon the world, as they acted to do directly such. Through dealing death to gods over the title of Deathmaster, they would ignite tension among the gods, and the mortal world would be their battlefield. Other gods would be founded by the souls of man coming into contact with the passions. While the Kingdom of Old Occitan who followed the traditional ways stayed beyond the breath of the War of the Gods; the Gaerds themselves, their lands involved, their peoples involved, would make a name for themselves in the war. Ten-Thousand songs would be sung of the great heroes who fought and or died in the warring, who humbled gods and the men who followed them, with valor, honor, and a ferocity that would make the god of bloodlust grin. The greatest songs would be sung of the exploits helmed by the great Draegor, those living in their high homes far from civilization of either Kingdom or Gaerd, who practiced with blades and spells endlessly. In the great age of violence that was the War of the Gods, where the great lush of the east was blasted to sands, and mankind died in droves, the Gaerds fought, and died, with their heads held high. With the war ending however, the Gaerds would not be provided a long period of rest. For following the end of the War of the Gods, with Surkhaldr’s demise; divine forces would play against the elder traditions of man. It would be during the time of Talibar’s driving the Occitanian’s northward that history would turn its eyes upon the Gaerds.

Quote :: The Fourth Snimma-Aevi Stone Circle – Ojafnadr: The Irminsul had been revered as the direct offspring of Vedrvidr, first born being in all of creation, and echoing the power of great Kelund. Mighty was this object, and great was the respect and reverence to which the Gaerds gave to this mighty effigy. In the great valley, at the center of which was a great rift. Great betrayer of his own creation, grand villain to the Gaerd people; Romas Tailbar! Romas whom was sold to the ways of the elves whom would strike at his ancestors most cold; plotting to drive a knife into the heart of Gaerdic tradition, he moved to strike for one of the great Irmunsil, the roots of Kelund’s great Vedrvidr. It was a coalition of traditional Gaerdic clans and those of the Kingdoms of Old Occitan, who stood to intercept Talibar. They fought hard and well, but Romas fought in ways that hampered the direct fighting forces of the Gaerds, then funneled his masses into parting the combatants away. It was then, lead by their blasphemers great, that they hacked away at the Irmunsil, hastily, as with each passing hour, reprisal grew greater and more emphatic. Romas Talibar would succeed in his great travesty, and destroy the roots of the First Tree where they reached high into the skies of Northern Occitan. It was in the name of Tyor that Romas Talibar claimed sovereignty, and burned the Occitanian lands through the destruction of the Irmunsil, and great was his flight, and Gaerdic forces threw themselves upon the enemy in droves. The Gaerds would offer curses to all the winds, damning their empire and their ways, swearing to never faulter, and to piss on the graves of their majesty, when the empire they created crumbled to the ground, and the Gaerds remained. The Gaerds would remain in close relation to the Occitanians and the Dragon Coast, in addition to the surrounding highlands, which was their ancestral home. Old Occitan would face great hardship in the loss of the Irmunsil, however, it would come from their own hands, and a discredit of the deities that fostered Romas, that men would take their place in Kelund’s life a step further, and could ascend beyond into immortality. These were ideals founded by the White Order, and such would be the first branching of the Gaerdic faith, which exists alongside the traditional unto this day. The Gaerds would continue to exist, and thrive, in their semi-isolation, and existing within the wilds of the world. They would exist upon the Silk-Road, maintaining settlement in areas where they have been accustomed through hardship and disdain. They would exist in their high homes where civilized land was hard to birth and their hands were needed to live with the wild, natural and obscene. They would continue their proud ways, as would the people of what is now Occitan, through the turning of many years, and old wounds would set and scar, but never restrain the people of old.

-\-/-\-/-

A Treatise on the Gaerdic People at the Behest of the Talibarian Emperor

-\-/-

An excerpt from an official Talibarian decree of acceptance and tolerance of the Gaerdic peoples upon missionary attempts to recruit some of their populace into proper adaptation into the Empire. Such was birthed by the effort of their religious preachers after time has passed, and attempting to appeal to their old tradition and bring them into seeing the divinity in the Elven Pantheon, and the pact as well.

-\-/-

Spoiler:

-\-/-\-/-

A Surmise on Gaerdic Traditions: The Rise and Fall of the Dragoons

-\-/-

This exceprt is a historical analysis of the rise and fall of the Dragoons, a group originally formed by the Ancient Gaerdic Draegor; whose purpose remained mostly the same throughout its long and revered history.

-\-/-

Spoiler:

Quote :: “Throughout history many groups have established power and dominance over the world through trickery, intimidation, conquest, envelopment, and force. One group of particular note, whose roots were established in the mists of prehistory, is one of incredible power that used none of these facets to attain their great aura and title; this group would be known as the Dragoons.

The Dragoons were a group devoted solely to serve as a medium between between man and dragon, through diplomacy or combat; this group held strong dominion in isolated communities throughout the Dragon Coast, the Lands of the Aru, and going as far as to have several outsposts in the reaches of the Wastes. This group prized themselves on their excellent agents whom excelled in their chosen crafts, whether it was combat, dialogue, arcane, scholarship, or mercantile. These proud and beautiful specimens of mortalkind stood the breadth of ages, interacting with the outside world when needed, and always remaining vigilant in their sworn duty to stand as an intermediary between the machinations of Dragons and mortalkind.

This group has shrouded a great deal of its history, but through studying some of the early Gaerdic standing stones, one can make note of particular references to a group founded long before the efforts of the Dragoons; The Draegor.
Though sometimes going by the same name, the original Draegor faction was comprised of those who wanted to hone their great abilities, training the body, mind, and spirit to reach a state of spiritual purity as would be understood by learning their faith system involving that of Kielm, or as they call the deity, Kelund. It is this group that the Gaerds would revere for their mighty acts in the great Celestial War, or as they call it, the War of the Gods; these acts also included their ability to interact with the great Dragons, or Draegar, whom for all times before were a mysterious and terrible force upon the world, for unaffiliated actions or those that brought great terror to mortalkind.

Gaerdic tradition would say that it was Doomskr who helmed the original Draegor in prehistory, serving as a guide to their cause and serving as an absolute voice for the entire faction; though this theory runs unopposed, it is perhaps worth note that there is no reference to a Dragon, let alone one so blatantly recognizable as the deified entity Doomskr. Though assuming that he is in fact a symbolic figurehead for the Draegor, there is no Dragon of any kind mentioned in what logs can be recovered from the old Dragoons, either in association, observation, or obituary. So, assuming that there is, or was, a dragon by the name of Doomskr who fostered the Draegor in their original state, it would seem that he has long vanished into the time that the Dragoons came to be.

The Dragoons would become celebrated for their actions, their members, and their equipment, for it seemed as though they strived for the epitome of excellence in every regard. Their metal whether it was steel or the fabled Dorifium, would always strike keenly upon their foes, maiming and destroying their enemies in droves; to be considered among the Dragoons was to be considered one of the greatest warriors of the world.

However, their end would eventually arrive not through the assault of an enemy, but the arrival of an enemy. With the rise of Ossus, whose sphere is blight and blood, the Dragoons were faced with a new, and incredibly powerful threat. Seeing the devastation caused by the new god during both his rise to power and his fruition as a deity, there was a great schism amongst the Dragoons. The Dragons had faded far from civilized lands due to their prowess and vigilance; however, now they were faced with this threat, which seemed far greater than those before. The proposed decisions amongst them were varied, and heartfelt; however, it was believed by a notable majority that change was necessary for the Dragoons to exist within the world.

The group would repurpose themselves, and forge a new identity not unlike their last; the Dragoons would die overnight, and be reborn the next dawn as the group known to this day as The Vindicators. This group stands as a bastion for defending man against horrors unnatural or divine; striving for mortal autonomy, and protection from these forces so that people may be able to live their lives freely. Greatly alike to the Dragoons which they descended, most of the positions exist with a slightly different organization, with a similar reverence for their skill and valor. Whereas once they stood between mortals and dragons, now they stand between men and foul powers such as Ossus, or deities in general.

However, not every Dragoon became a member of the Vindicators; in fact, a notable sect of the Dragoons would instead stay behind. They would not leave their old temples, and would instead seek guidance in the face of this new world where powers and dispositions had changed from the old ways. It was not long before these stragglers would do their best to revive most of these old monastic places, and live in near total isolation from the world. They would take on those who shared the passions of the elder sect that gave them life; The Draegor.

Managing to revive itself from the faction that sprouted from it, the Draegor exist today as isolated communities who strive for purity as the ancient Gaerds did, through finding their place in life through physical, mental, and spiritual training. Though there is little contact with them, and little information that can be gathered, the races and people observed to join them seem quite diverse, though perhaps united in some creeds or aspects. Not all of the monastic communities exist today though, many were disheveled and broken when the Pychekan government rose to power, and expanded over traditional Gaerdic lands. However, almost all that existed within the quiet places of Occitan, The Vale, and Sanctimonia along the Dragon Coast, still exist and house small communities of these people. Though little is seen of them, if they hold to their twin The Vindicators, or their predecessors, to be among one of their greatest combatants is to be one of the greatest fighters in the world.

Such concludes the study of the Dragoon faction, and their rise to power, their sudden fall, and the powers that would rise from their ashes.”

-\-/-\-/-

The Terror of the Black Cities: An Account from a Gaerdic Caravan

-\-/-

An account taken from a Gaerdic travelling party taken before the God War, or their War of the Gods; and a following account taken some years after by a descendant of the band's leader. It shows a possible link between roughly hewn Gaerdic lore figures, and imposes questions upon scholars and Gaerdic Shaman to this day.

-\-/-

Spoiler:

Quote :: Third Tymporsday of Mjorn - (Before the War of the Gods)
"We paused here on the high road of our wandering ancestors this day, as we have seen a sight that must have frozen many of our fathers' fathers in their tracks as well. For, we can see, high above these high, humid trees, and the roofs formed by their broad leaves, something of great evil. Arising from the ground like a tree large enough to fill a lake is a blackness bearing openings and fires such as the largest of our cities, but so much taller and sleek is its dark skin. Our curtain walls may be deep grey at their best, but these near the black one may see on a clear night with no moon, or in the darkest depths of the abyssal ocean. High above the city, there is no sun; for above the cities the cloud churn with a greyness only comparable to the horrors of the Grim Grey Gods. However, at the crux of this churning, where the storm centers over the city, a nebulous aura of purples and lightnings draw overhead, as if attempting to summon the progenitors of their evil, only the darkest of gods, and allow themselves to be swallowed whole. We shall go no further, for even though our steels and irons be sharp, and our arms sinewed with strength... this foulness is loathsome and sickening. With their hands they birth odd signs that spring lightning unto their spires, and praising their great black effigies, their gods spring forth the whispering of demons and noxious spirits"

Second Tyorsday of Manoc - (After the War of the Gods)
"As my ancestor once stood on this high road, so now do I, and I can only state that the man was blinded, either by the canopy, or failing of sight; for this, I envy the dead bastard greatly, for his words opposed my thoughts, and had not the strength to tell of what truly sits here. Sitting now on a barren field of dead earth, rises a great black city of terrible potents, whose command of swirling black sky seems to defy all possibility of hope. Death looms about the walls, as the wind seems to carry the screams of the damned, and the gurgling of those drowning in their own blood. From here we can see the dark ones raising high their hands and working strange auras to their high standing effigies, pyramids, and lightning-touched spires. Horrid they are, in form as well as soul, howling words that draw us to fear even from so far that we cannot heed them with our ears, only know that they chant a true foulness. In the center of the black city seems to raise a high pyramid, a modem for directing their worship to their dark master Kymgaal, Star Demon and Trespasser of noxious might, whom directs the common magery that Tempts men, and allows these figures to helm the powers of their dark gods. We shall move on, and leave this place out of our minds; for in those walls twist workings that will draw death to all."

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:54 am

THIS TOPIC IS FINISHED. FEEL FREE TO POST, COMMENT, AND REVIEW.

-\-/-

I would personally like to thank all persons whose established lore was used in the creation of this page. I could write an extended works cited, however, that would be far too long. I would however like to thank some people personally, and mention a few reasons why this is.

-\-/-

Quote :: -Pat: A true help in all matters in what was done here. If anyone, surely, he should be thanked.

-Krug and Jaque: They basically wrote Occitan from what I understand, with their blessing, I post this now to the community.

-The Asian Shoemaker (Cakebread): For pioneering the idea of the Highlanders, and giving me the ability to create therein.

-The Writers of the Dragoons and the Vindicators, and the Roleplayers involved who went through the activities in Old Olden who helmed the events that transpired between the factions. I've tried to find who these people might be and credit them properly, but to no avail.

-\-/-

THIS TOPIC IS FINISHED. FEEL FREE TO POST, COMMENT, AND REVIEW.

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:50 am

Why has noone responded to this yet?

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:31 pm

wizered153 wrote:: Why has noone responded to this yet?

Because all of this was edit/posted today.

Holy walls of words, Batman. As long as this is all found to be lore-kosher my accept.

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:24 pm

Spadge wrote:

wizered153 wrote:: Why has noone responded to this yet?

Because all of this was edit/posted today.

Holy walls of words, Batman. As long as this is all found to be lore-kosher my accept.

"My parents are dead." - Batman

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:53 pm

I accept all of this.

The Highland Anthology Stamp-1

Vengaboy Posts : 198 Join date : 2012-02-04

[quote="Spadge"] lore-kosher my accept.

HAHA YES MY PLAN HAS WORKED I GOT SOMEONE ELSE TO SAY IT!

AHAHAH KOSHER!

Subject: Re: The Highland Anthology Wed Jan 02, 2013 4:55 pm

Has my accept if it's lore friendly and doesn't conflict to much.

Administrator Posts : 129 Join date : 2012-02-03

It's all lore friendly. Any problems with the creation story aren't really lore problems - they're the Gaerdic version of creation. All cultures have their own version, their own myth, and they all have truths reflecting the real events.

» The Indurmasti Anthology: