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Frozen are the plains, frosted is the air, famined are the peoples of the village of Athynnard. It has been a generation since
the Gultsyrian clans had as one sailed
westward in search of a new and distant homeland. A century of bloodbath between the hundred tribes of the Great Isle
had diminished their numbers by the thousands. Once bountiful resources had all but been depleted and strained relations between
the greater tribes had led to the rising menace of invasion. All was not well for the Gultsyrians, who had neither the strength
nor morale to ward off such potent neighbours. Yet a glimmer of hope settled beyond the superficial thoughts of doom - for
news of a fertile land beyond the waters of the Siren had brought to them hope. Thus began the westward journey to the land
of the ever-soil, Arbensharr.
But they were deceived, for winter's harshness ravaged their vision. The soils were littered by snow and ice, the autumn
crops could not be yielded as no seedling could
survive the winter's wrath. Struggling to survive, Epsyra the shaman of the Athynnard village bound to a common curse
was called on by the spirits one night. They had told him to find the spirit child who would lead them to salvation. Only
he who could pull the stars from the sky could save them from damnation. They had nowhere to run to, the greater tribes had
sent an emissary seeking peaceful occupation. But it was not in their blood to undo their ways. Resistance was met by futility.
The cadavers of the villagers lay scattered throughout. On that night, not a
single star shone bright. Rentha, daughter of Epsyra had given birth to a child - a child who had made the stars dim and
the moon fade. On that very night, the shaman's vision had been fulfilled.
By the light of dawn, the red sun had settled. Princess Eryss and her entourage had been fatefully led to the village.
"None have survived" claimed the royal guardian.
However, a faint cry in the distance drew the attention of the princess. Beneath the frozen corpse of his fallen mother,
the child had survived the night. Princess Eryss
knelt down to take him from his mother's grasp, streams of warm tears stained her face. As for the dead, they were piled
up and immolated indiscriminantly within the pyre.
Nearly 20 years have passed since the day Queen Eryss had saved her child, Erylas. The Queen's child was the most noble
warrior in the land, champion of the order of Erethor - the guardians of the realm of Arbensharr. He was blessed with the
power of charisma for all who came before him felt an emanating sensation of hope. The wise men of Eretar spoke of an ancient
beast whose flaming breath could char
anyone who dared to challenge its might. Prince Erylas chose to take the quest and seeked out the ancient grotto on the
outskirts of the capital of Eretar. There, he
entered the chamber of the mighty Drake.
He battled this beast for nearly an hour until finally, his dragonfire shield released a powerful bolt which blinded the
mighty Drake. As he pierced his orben blade into the Drake's throat, it spat out a magical seed. A mysterious voice spoke
to him, "You are brave young prince, yet wisdom have you not. By slaying the drake you have defiled these lands. Should
you wish to know more, I will be more than content to heed to your eager ponderings." The prince was confused and frightened,
"Who are you?". "It is I, Epsyra, you are the last remnant of my bloodline". The prince did not believe
him - choosing to ignore his counsel.
He journeyed back to the capital in possession of the drake's head, heart and the magical seed. At the town square, he
held up the items. The crowd cheered him on as he slushed down a pint of Bitterman's Rum. When a group of farmers rushed to
the scene, they brought great news. The fields were filled with plentiful crops, which somehow managed to survive the winter.
The citizens of Eretar showered him with gifts and applaud. The prince, however, rejected the gifts claiming he had no part
in the apparition of the miracle crops and instead choosing to rest.
On the ninth day of the year 241 of the 2nd age, tensions resurfaced between Arbensharr and the Haltherian clans to the
north. Refusing to pay tribute, the Haltherian king declared his intentions against Eretar. He amassed a force of 100,000
strong on the outskirts of Eretar. Queen Eryss knew that her end was near. She made the decision to send her son to ride out
and face the invaders though they outnumbered their forces 5 to 1. However, Prince Erylas who had always done as was told
defied his mother.
He ventured off to the mountain clans in the west, a blizzard felled his envoy, yet it
did little to disdain him as he continued on his way with a persistence that had never failed him. By nightfall, he had
reached the Daljan clan. At the Great Hall he met with the Warlord bearing ill news. "If you are that desperate, we shall
reclaim our honour!" cried the Warlord. Years ago, the Daljans had promised to fight side by side with Eretar's sons
to fend off the Haltherians, and though victory eventuated the Daljans fled to the mountains. During the battle the King of
Eretar was killed. Consumed by hatred, his son Prince Myrhad banished the clans from
ever setting foot upon Arbensharri soil.
They rushed to the aid of Eretar which was already under siege. Though they fought bravely, the city's outer walls had
been breached and many citizens had been slain ruthlessly. In a matter of hours, the hardened inner walls had been torn down.
Prince Erylas battled in the fields where the sound of metal scarred the ears and cries of pain lingered. As the Daljan warriors
clashed with the enemy, a stray arrow pierced the heart of Erylas. The Haltherians had Eretar crippled to its knees and Prince
Erylas lay dying. The Guardian Elite Tailas, friend of Erylas found him struggling to breath. "Stay here, I will return
immediately!" The horn of Halthyr sounded, its haunting sound echoing through the fields. They had finally captured
the city.
Tailas rushed back to Erylas with a potent elixir. Erylas was sure to be saved, however, he was also keen on paving his
own destiny. He dragged himself towards the familiar grotto. His mind was being filled by impure thoughts. His face turned
pale and as he lay beside the carcass of the Drake he could hear something closing in on him. "Show yourself!" he
shouted aloud as the poison from the arrow began to weaken him. In the distance, a blood curdling sound was evoked. The creature
stood many times taller than the slain drake, it was indeed the mythical Silver Dragon. Its eyes were crimson red, its scales
hard and padded with silver and its claws razor sharp.
He was as sure as dead as the Dragon edged ever closer. The Prince was calling upon the spirits to protect him when he
remembered one name - Epsyra. "You have called me young Prince?" Erylas begged the shaman in spirit to help him
defeat the Silver Dragon. "You see, Silver Dragons do not eat meat - they prefer a diet of greens, I believe that this
particular one is being lured by that magical seed of
yours!" "How do I defeat it? Or at least get it to run?" the Prince asked nervously. "Dragons do not
run from their enemies, you do not have the power to defeat this particular beast. Your only chance is to ensnare it in the
crystal (seed)!" As the Dragon lunged at the Prince, he threw the crystal seed at the mighty beast. At last, he had captured
the mighty Silver Dragon.
"There are few magical crystals left in this realm which have the power to ensnare such powerful creatures as the
Dragonkin. Now go Young Prince, may it aid you in your fight against the invaders! And remember, should the need arise when
all hope seems to have failed you - all that is required of you is to know the beat of your enemy's heart" With those
words, Erylas hastened to the defense of Eretar with the toxins dissipating. The city's outer quarters had been razed, the
massacre continued as trebuchets were dispatched by the Haltherian general. "Fire!", the tertiary walls began to
crack. These were the last defenses of the city, built by request of King Myrhad. As the walls cracked, so too did the spirits
of the defenders who thought that all was lost, until the Prince came storming through the gates. He threw the magical crystal
into the air unleashing the mighty Silver Dragon. The beast conjured massive balls of fiery fury. As each hit its target,
it
crackled and exploded. "We are saved!" cheered the citizens, but their luck turned against them as the Dragon
fired a corrosive ball which collapsed the tertiary walls
of Eretar.
From the brink of doom, the young Prince stood before the Silver Dragon. With the crystal in hand, Erylas threw it with
all his physical might. Silence prevailed as the
crystal fell to the ground - it was of no use. The Prince had lost all hope of victory, for the Dragon's mighty flames
could not be halted. From the royal courtyard, Queen Eryss rushed down to the gates of the inner city. "Erylas! What
has taken ahold of you? You have doomed us all! The beast you have set loose cannot be stopped." Though disheartened
by her son's impetuousness, in her heart she wished for him to live on. "Though the end of us nears, as Prince of this
Realm you must live on. Flee my son! Head to the mountain pass" she shouted maniacly. Erylas loved his Queen and mother
dearly, but he could not forgive himself for unleashing that which was to be their doom. As the Dragon dived towards him,
and as the Haltherians stormed through the inner gate - he took his blade and in an act of defiance rushed towards the Dragon.
His body lay broken, the orben shards surrounded him. In his hand lay the heart of the mighty Silver Dragon. "Thank
you...Epsyra..." The Prince chanted in a mystical tongue as the Dragon's heart beamed ever brighter until his final words
echoed - "Erylta...imor..." (I see the light]. The skies turned grey, the golden sun shone brightly and an aura
beamed throughout the city and fields. Friend and foe all stood in frightful admiration of such a mystical occurrence. As
the clouds waned, a powerful blast cleansed the land ridding it of the invaders. The once mighty army of Haltheria was at
last defeated - as for Erylas, son of Rentha, Prince of Eretar... his life was ended.
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