Pantheon - The Third Age - Background Thread

Moderator: Xar

Locked
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Pantheon - The Third Age - Background Thread

Post by Xar »

The Icewalls

"It came to pass that an Age ended and the gods forsook us, for we were found wanting. And they broke the world, that we may be punished, for all time. Thus was the Abyss born, but one god looked upon us and took pity on us, and he said, "Let the mortals suffer no more, for they are like children unto us, and we, like parents unto them." And he raised a mighty hand, and the seas rose to his command, creating the great Icewalls that protect us from the Abyss. But another god, a dark god, said, "The time of parenthood has passed, and mortals have displeased us. There shall be no forgiveness, no respite this side of the heavens." And he lifted his hand too, and cracks were made in the Icewalls, that the Abyss might tear them apart and spill into the world. And the good god looked upon it and was dismayed, for he knew no god could counteract another. And the time of the parting came and went, and the gods went with it. As it was once, so shall it be."
-From "The Second Age: End of a Dream", by Kalsatas Manithar.


The King of the Mountain

"Once, the gods came from the heavens, heeding the need of man. And they walked among us, clothed in flesh, or watched us from the sky, giving meaning to our lives. But then a dark threat from the ancient times rose again, and the gods banded to combat it; and yet betrayal is an old friend of gods and mortals alike, and thus were they betrayed, and cast out. The Dark One then stretched its hand forth, and the world opened, cringing at its touch; for its name was the World Ender, and fell was his power. but the exiled gods saw its doing, and though it cost them all, they stretched their hand one last time, and the Last One sprung forth from his haven, girded in fire and steel, and he took up his mighty spear and his mighty hammer and went to war with the Dark One. And they fought for many seasons, while fire and void rained upon the world, till at the last the Dark One was wounded as the spear shattered, and it screamed, and fled into the Abyss where it would heal. And the Lord of Victory cried to the exiled gods, and he took up his hammer, and he shaped the Icewalls that they might save what could be saved. And he saw that he had done all he could for the suffering world. So he took up the shards of his spear, and his hammer, and sought a place where he could rest; and he came at last upon the mountains of Magrad, in the Shattered Lands, north of the great town of Senanye. And there he sat upon the tallest peak, which shaped itself like a throne; and he closed his eyes, and he slept. His flesh became like stone, his hammer lay at his feet, the shards of his spear in his lap; his great shield lay against the throne. And so the ages passed, and the King of the Mountain slept, though it is said that one day, when his people need him the most, he will once again rouse himself from slumber, the last of the old gods, and he will stand between the world and annihilation."
-From "The King of the Mountain", by Waran Rizer.


The Making of the Moonbridges

"And she stood high upon them in the moment of greatest need and she said, 'The gods have left us for our own sake; weep for our salvation, for though we are alone, the Neverborn Fire no longer threatens our world!' And a man cried, 'We are alone, and our world in ruins!' And other voices echoed, 'There is no end to suffering, and what was once whole has been fractured forever!' But she lifted her golden eyes to the sky, and said, 'Though the gods sacrificed themselves for us, still there is power in the world. Seek the flames that burned in the palm of the gods's hands, the makers of destiny and shapers of kingdoms. Seek the heralds and the swords and the hands of gods, for they will know the path that is hidden to all but me.' And after these words were spoken, she spread her arms and a radiance erupted from her, so that those who watched were dazzled by the light. And there were those who continued to watch, and saw her become a fiery bird, soaring in the sky like the last star; and those who did so saw nothing more, though they never rued the choice.
And so those whom the gods had touched came together, brought by need and desperation; and they spoke to each other and found kinship in the loss and grief left behind by the departed gods. And one of their number said, 'The world is broken, yet it still stands. Gifts have been bestowed upon our tortured Eiran, that it may stand strong against the pull of the Abyss. And yet our people are scattered and afraid, children torn from their parents, brother torn from brother. Let us then give them hope. Let us show them the spirit the gods fought to save. Let us build ways and bridges upon the Abyss, that the Destroyer be finally thwarted!' And those who listened to him agreed, for his were words of wisdom. And so it was that the Moonbridges were conceived."

-From "The Edges of the World", by Gramm Victrin.
Last edited by Xar on Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:31 pm, edited 3 times in total.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

The Rat God

"Far to the south and to the west, there lie two lands which strike fear in the hearts of the stoutest of warriors. Named Nyitha and Noptae - and within Noptae, the Twisted Lands - here the laws of nature are warped and as fluid as water. Here the landscape itself is sight enough to turn most people mad, and bubbling cauldrons of viscous liquids which give rise to unimaginable horrors dot the barren lands. Even the little vegetation that exists is tortured and possessed of a malignant intelligence, or at least an awareness, and far worse creatures prowl and roam those devastated lands. Abominations of the flesh, so they can be described, and nothing that enters those lands - be it living, dead or undead - can emerge unscathed.
Of particular interest is the land of Nyitha; within its boundaries there lies an inhuman empire, set on the northern island and having Cthodra as capital. Here, in its flesh palace, rules the fearsome Rat God, a monster so staggeringly powerful and so inhumanly clever that all those who fail to pay obeisance to it are destroyed by its will. The stench of rotting meat surrounds it, and its very substance is said to resemble melted flesh and patches of rabid fur; its eyes glow green as death, and its teeth are as sharp as razors, capable of severing an arm or a leg of even the strongest Giant with little effort. The Rat God rules over its empire of Ny'kat, as it has always been; many have tried to destroy it, reasoning that perhaps this would free Nyitha itself from the Warping, but all have failed, and the Rat God has gorged upon their flesh and walked upon their bones."

-From "Lands of Horror", by Thorlin Abrech.


The Moonbridges

"The Moonbridges are a strange feature of our world, a remnant from the Second Age perhaps, or from some forgotten civilization in the turmoil that followed. Nowadays, no one has the knowledge necessary to build more, and it is just as well, then, that the Moonbridges seem to be all but unbreakable by any force - be it from our world or from the Abyss itself.
Moonbridges extend themselves from the Icewalls that protect our world from incursions from the Abyss; all five of them are controlled at one end by a city which was likely founded along with their construction, and some believe indeed that these cities are actually linked somehow to the integrity of the Moonbridges (see Chapter IV for a discussion on the legend of the Shattered Bridge). These cities are always built just next to the Icewalls. From here a tunnel, permanently carved by unknown means in the normally self-repairing Icewalls, crosses the whole length of the Walls all the way to the edge of the Abyss. Here, on the very edge, juts a delicate construction apparently made out of glass and crystal, though it is, in fact, unbreakable; this construction somewhat resembles the beginning of an ornate bridge wide enough for ten people to walk on it side by side, but juts out of the edge for only about two spans. From there, though, a path of soft light - considered by many to be moonlight, hence the name of the Moonbridges - spans the whole Abyss, until it reaches another, similar construction on the other side of the gaping maw. Interestingly enough, despite the strategic importance of such a position, no Moonbridge boasts cities at both ends; the reason for this reluctance to control both ends is unknown. What is known is that the light of the Moonbridges seem to act as a ward against the Abyss and its denizens; there are no records of creatures walking along a Moonbridge ever being attacked, whereas we all know that those who attempt to cross the Abyss on their own risk being swarmed by the denizens of the Abyss itself. Because of these features, and sheer logistical reasons, Moonbridges are the favored - some would say only - way for trade to exist between different shards of the world."

-From "The Shattered World", by Dantar Noftar.
Last edited by Xar on Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

The Curse of Althanne

"The Curse of Althanne is infamous among all, for it is the stuff of legends and it is considered by scholars one of the most enduring curses left by the departing gods as punishment. It is widely believed that the people of Althanne were devious and cruel to each other, and as such, the city played a significant part in the leaving of the gods. Before departing, the gods supposedly cursed the city and all its inhabitants never to know the peace of the grave. It is more likely, though, that the curse was simply a failed magical experiment, or a curse levied upon the town by a vengeful mage. Whatever the truth, what is clear is that Althanne is a forsaken city. Behind crumbling walls and ancient houses, there lurk its original citizens still - though twisted into living death and mostly bereft of their original intelligence. These ghoulish remnants of the Second Age are somehow prevented from ever leaving the walls of Althanne - and they have no taste for their own flesh. However, they would attack and devour any living being who enters the walls of Althanne. But even stranger and more dangerous is the fact that the curse has one additional effect: it has been known for some time now that any who attempt to approach Althanne with even the slightest intention to harm one of its inhabitants - and we all know that there always will be those who wish to cleanse the world of the living death scourge - are struck dead and, most horribly, soon reanimated into living death, to join forever the citizens of Althanne. The wise believe that in this way, the unseen hands of the gods who forsook us prevents any from freeing the people of Althanne from their eternal torment."
-From "Legends of the Old World", by Lemnur Plizir.
Last edited by Xar on Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

The Lake of Life

"The Lake of Life is a persistent legend among the islands of the Thellassian Archipelago, though it has never been found. According to the legends, somewhere in the Thellassian Archipelago there is a lush island covered in vegetation, which can only be found if one does not wish to look for it. The island is small, and at its center there lies a small lake, its waters so clear and so still that they are like a mirror to the sky above. It is said that he who drinks of the lake's waters is healed of any affliction, and even the dying are returned to full health by tasting the waters of the Lake of Life; it is even said that those who submerge themselves in its waters are granted the gift of long life, or even immortality.
-From "Legends of the Old World", by Lemnur Plizir.


On Fleshworms

"The fleshworms are a dangerous threat in tropical areas of the world. They enjoy humid areas, and thrive in stagnant water; however, to reproduce, they need sentient hosts. Thus, the worms have developed an appearance resembling a freshly broken twig, and are capable of making themselves rigid and still for a time, so as to look harmless. As soon as they are close enough to a victim, however, the worms immediately stir and quickly latch onto the victim's exposed flesh, if any, or even onto the victim's clothes. If not removed quickly, the acid they secrete can burn through the toughest leather, and then through the skin, allowing them to burrow at blinding speed within the victim's flesh. Once inside, the worms migrate to the victim's back, eating the victim's main nerves and replacing them with their own bodies; the fleshworm lays eggs about its body, and these eggs hatch into larvae which, following their parent's example, eat through the victim's nerves and replace them. When the process is complete - it takes hours, but it is extruciatingly painful - the worms effectively control the victim's body like a puppet; in some way, they appear to establish a hive mind, allowing the worms to move the victim with purpose, even to the point of fooling casual observers. The fleshworms attempt to reach populated areas before the victim's body collapses - which normally happens after a few weeks. Once there, they burst out of the victim's body - a horrifying process - and seeks new victims to reproduce in. Horribly enough, the victim's mind remains aware, but powerless, trapped in a body he or she no longer controls, and can only watch helplessly as he or she is maneuvered and then slain by the scourge that the fleshworms are..."
-From "Horrors of the Marshes and the Jungles", by Ghalnar Desfan.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

The Slumbering Monolith

"Somewhere on an island northwest of the city of Altrian, there stands a stone monolith unlike any other ever seen, a relic from the Second Age or earlier. Though cracked and worn by time and the elements, the monolith seems to have once been a spire of some sorts, and is covered with runes and glyphs that no one can read anymore. There is power, in that monolith, though no one living knows who created it or how; but legend has it that a god of old slumbers within it, and that one day, when the time is right, he shall rise from the stone and pass judgment upon all who live."
-From "Relics of a Bygone Age", by Ladun Atalon.


The Old Ones

"From time to time, it is possible to hear tales of people who, while traveling or perhaps seeking shelter during a storm, or maybe looking for their heart's desire, have been approached by helpful strangers who gave them directions and offered them help, before leaving them to choose their way. This would be only marginally unusual, were it not for the fact that these tales span centuries or even millennia, and yet the descriptions of these strangers are remarkably unchanged. Since their names are unknown, they are called simply the Old Ones, and it is also unknown whether there are many, or simply one who changes his guise according to circumstances. Whoever they are, some tales imply that their wisdom and knowledge is astounding, and that they have lore of things long since forgotten. But they are also said to have power, albeit hidden, and to wield it in time of dire need: there are a handful of tales of doomed cities being saved single-handedly by one of the Old Ones, though the hows and whys differ or may be unclear. Who are these Old Ones, then, and why do they not make themselves known? Are they, as some suggest, remnants of the Second Age and of the gods who forsook us? Are they a new thing, a throwback to an earlier, happier Age? Or are they simply facets of a single being, biding his time and building his legend for unfathomable ends?"
-From "Mysteries of Eiran", by Dubbul Orgram.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

Void's Ward

The city of Void's Ward has existed in one form or another for countless centuries; indeed, heavy speculation persists that the city already existed during the Second Age, before the gods forsook us. Though hard to determine, due to the Abyssal invasions which have often razed the city to the ground - just like the other cities near the Abyss, after all - the city does indeed bear the markings of great age. It is also a bustling trade hub, where wealth and precious items are gathered to exploit the Moonbridge there, one of the few reliable ways to cross the Abyss without being attacked.
The city of Void's Ward is defended by an order of soldiers who style themselves the Wardens of the Abyss, and who train specifically to defend the city from outwards threats, including Abyssal incursions. The Wardens are respected in Void's Ward because they regularly put their life on the line, and they often accompany caravans over the Moonbridge to ensure that no earthly danger befalls them. It is said that a Warden is the equal of any three men in combat skills, and the prospective Wardens begin training at a young age, gathering in the Shining Hall where they are instructed in their skills and duties, and formally inducted into the order before the statue of the Defender, the nameless founder of the Hall."

-From "Ancient Ruins and New Cities", by Leptorius Samelcus.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

Rakastaa and the Lady of the Rose

We all have heard stories of the so-called Spirit of Love, a nebulous entity which supposedly manifests out of thin air, melting away hatred and jealousy, and filling those it engulfs with pure love, leaving them forever changed. Almost every culture has this myth, but - is it truly simply a myth? My own research supports the hypothesis that Rakastaa, the Spirit of Love, is more than mere fancy. Events in parts of the world largely unconnected to each other all seem to contain common elements that point out to the existence of this Rakastaa - and of the mysterious Lady of the Rose, who is said to be its mistress. If Rakastaa's existence is still debated, the Lady's is even more so: who could command such a powerful being, and why? Alas, there are no answers; no one has ever clearly seen the Lady of the Rose, only her silhouette or a wisp of dress, a scent of roses or a movement out of the corner of one's eye. If she exists, is she a leftover from the time of the old gods? For that matter, is Rakastaa? Or are they something different altogether? And what about the Spirit of Love's connection to the Spirit of Hatred? I will cover more about this topic in the next chapter."
-From "Spirits of the Past", by Artoy Leglan.


The Entombed Armies

"A curious and old legend from disparate areas of the world, but slightly more prevalent in the Shattered Lands, speaks of the so-called "Entombed Armies", whole armies of beings with the strength of stone and the patience of ages, endlessly waiting in the darkness, beneath the ground, immortal yet unliving, for the time when the command will be given and they will come to the surface, bringing forth the vengeance of their wrathful lord. The legend goes that when the time comes, the Entombed Armies shall destroy all things, and none shall stand against their might, till smoke will blacken the sun and blood will flow like rivers."
-From "Legends of the Old World", by Lemnur Plizir


The Lady in White

"She wanders Eiran, mist cloaking her ghostly form like the most regal of dresses, a silver necklace marked by a large black gem lies on her breast, her face filled with sadness and longing, her unkempt hair as black as raven's wing, always moved by an ethereal breeze, her eyes like faded sapphires. She is the Lady in White, whose mortal death was long ago, and who ever strives to seek and find her lover, for she will only forsake the material world when she is reunited with him. Alas, her search will never come to an end, for he also is dead, or so the legend goes; thus, she shall wander Eiran for all time, bound to love and longing, unspeaking, the eternal Lady in White."
-From "Figures of Portent", by Esertal Star.
User avatar
Xar
Lord
Posts: 3330
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Watching over the Pantheon...

Post by Xar »

The Lords of Eiran
Myth and tale provide us with a group of fascinating beings collectively known, somewhat pretentiously, as the "Lords of Eiran". Various sources put their total number between five and seventeen, though only nine are titled in tales; further confusion is added by the fact that, since the Lords of Eiran are given no names, titles which apparently are given to different Lords might actually refer to the same one. Still, I believe that the nine who are most often titled in these tales are indeed nine different personages, each with his or her own personality, though as I said, this may be difficult to determine. With one notable exception, the Lords of Eiran in the various stories call their brethren equals, in the few instances in which they actually refer to them; this suggests that these mythical beings see each other as part of a brotherhood or a group of equals, rather than a hierarchy. The one exception to this is the so-called "Champion Immortal", also known as the White Knight; he is sometimes referred to as the leader of the Lords of Eiran, or at least the first among equals.
Interestingly enough, almost each Lord of Eiran is associated with a race of which they are said to be the patron; the White Knight, for instance, is also called the Lord of Humans. They are furthermore referred to with a simple title denoting a particular quality or trait.
The full list of the Lords of Eiran who most often appear in stories is as follows. First, of course, is the Champion Immortal, the White Knight, the Lord of Humans, the Valiant One. The others, in no particular order, are: the Shadow of Unbeing, Lord of the Dead, the Dark One; the Lily in Winter, the Kind One (and one of the few Lords of Eiran not to be associated with a race); the Scrivener, Lord of the Dwarrows and the Wise One; Goldenwing, Lord of the Spirits and the Glorious One; the Grim Lord, Lord of the Living and the Just One; the Lord of Horrors, also called Lord of Yekiths and the Unfathomable One; Sparklingeyes, also dubbed Lady of the Fae and the Beautiful One; and finally a last Lord of Eiran dubbed simply Lord of the Houka and the Unseen One."

-From "Lords of the World in Myth and Legend", by Dhear Ightar.
Locked

Return to “Pantheon”