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((Note: This event was a PvE event hosted by Suicidism, and took place in Elysium! The event was widely loved by those who participated, and sparked a currently ongoing plot line of events that have kept similar engagement among the community.)) The sun rose high over Elysium, desperately trying to cover the frostbitten landscape in a warm embrace with little success. The grand, old snowy mountains that flanked the vassals south croaked and acted like an elderly man with weary bones. However, the ole mountains cries were not heeded in time. And so the mountain fell, an avalanche of snow rolling down the mountains into the river below. Lunah Vanari was the first to react, breaking for the Elysium bell. Other fellow rangers and citizens of Elysium ran in her foot prints, gathering by the bell. Our party would consist of Lunah Vanari, Ellanore Nriu, Bellicah Crane, Galenus Amaricius. Giorno Giovenco, Melkor Frey, Ezekiel Moores, Saki Shiromi, Miro Vanari and your author, Jack Crane. Grouped up at the Elysium’s bell, a wounded man stumbled and sputtered down the road, broken sword in hand. With a violent cough blood flew out of his mouth into the pavement below with a sickening splatter. As he saw the warriors gathered before him, he’d smile with solace. “Sir? What happened? Were you caught in the land slide?” Lunah was the first to speak, approaching the man. Galenus then rushed to the side of the injured soldier, panic spreading across his face as he bears witness to the man's maimed condition. Another cough, more blood seeping into the gravel and earth. The man dropped to the ground, losing such strength that his sword fell from hand. “Eada…. Lady’s… Eada….Estate….It is lost…. They were…. so many..” A chorus of drawn swords played, as the man coughed blood a final time, falling onto the grass and promptly succumbing to his wounds. Galenus placed two fingers on the man’s neck, searching for a pulse. “Is he?” Lunah simply asked. Galenus looked across the group, giving a silent, solemn nod. “Thank you.” He whispered to the man, before rising to his feet. “Shall we go?” “Ah, unfortunate.” Jack began. “Ti, we need to avenge the fallen stranger.” “Armour up!” Lunah ordered, “we are going to the estate, stick together.” The group of Rangers, citizens, and the one ISA soldier began moving across Elysium, toward the Estates. The estate house was tall, towering over the peninsula it occupied. As the mass of people passed the tavern it easily came into view, surrounded by corpses. There were many looks of horror, and shouting toward the unnatural, before the terrifying situation was pierced by a shout- “OREN AU MORTEM!” Ezekiel yelledout. “STEEL YOURSELF MEN!” … Ezekiel was ignored. “RANGERS! ELYSIANS! YAK YAK YAK!” Ellanore was not ignored. The warriors began running around the house, quickly culling down the undead soldiers. Their mass of numbers made an easy sweep of the creatures. As the Elysians entered the home itself, a trap was sprung. The sound of rumbling began to stir in the distance, leaving little time for our warriors to react. They hastily grouped up at the wheat field, handing out provisions and equipment amongst one another. Galenus looked to be in deep concentration, as the sound of the horde boomed closer. “This is not good..” A second wave marched toward the Estate, many ancient warriors clad in fading armors that were falling to dust before the defenders of Elysium. All outlined by a setting sun. “God Bless us.” Stated Ezekiel, crossbow at the ready. “Iron from Ice! We will scatter them here and now.” Lunah shouted in response. Screaming echoed against the mountainous valley of Elysium; “Why….Why do you settle in our lands, and disgrace it with your presence. You all, every single one of you, do not belong here. Foul refugees from Arcas…” Emerging from golden fields, the undead rose. Arrows loosened, flying over the heads of the defenders charging through the fields of crop. The undead approached in a horde that was easily surrounded by the defending warriors. The battle was won with ease. Taking another break, the defenders laid in wait. Unsure whether the threat was cut down, or whether it were simply gathering forces more. A new force arises, clad in armour covered in strange runic sigils, each shimmering in strange lights. The defenders charged forward. Both defenders and undead alike culled down the golden field of wheat, leaving unsightly wounds throughout perfect fields. The defenders cut down the undead with challenge, however Giorno was cut off from the defenders. He couldn’t be seen in the horde of undead, cut down into the ground. The undead, once finally slain presented the defenders with an unsightly view. Giorno, alive but barely, under a blanket of ancient bones and decaying flesh. The sun was long gone, the battle bled into the night. Unnatural, uncomfortable silence violated the defenders ears as the undead would seemingly take a break. However a morbid mercy was given to the defenders who hated this silence so, when the sound of roars and chittering began to rattle in the distance. In the distance, a sound familiar to Elysians of old began to echo as a gelatinous horror. The same one that once called the embankments of the lake home would arise. Squelching and bobbing with volatile intent. They were easy to see, gelatinous beings burning bright in the darkness. The defenders slice the infernal slimes with their blades. The ferrum cut through with relative ease, however as soon as one was cut in two, undeath would greet the defenders foes. They sliced, cut and pummeled, more and more slimes splitting further lighting up the field. The field was littered with out of breath defenders, surrounded in puddles of glowing slime. Finally, there seemed to be another rest amongst the fighting. Though far in the fields, undead were equipped with belts across their decaying flesh, in a last ditch effort to drag the defenders into the ground whence they came. A mixture of undead skeletons, and beings of foul smelling rotting flesh began their assault on every facade of the Estate. The defenders split up, some defending the south. Some the north. Once more, it seemed the horde had stopped. Allowing another break. However, within a short moment another horde appeared catching the defenders off-guard. A horde of skeletons with the strength and constitution of a troll. Lunah slammed her hammer into one repeatedly, mere splinters of bone falling off one until eventually snapping through the bone after the fifth hit. It was apparent that this horde was the deadliest yet. The defenders split up, as another horde of skeletons appeared around the front of the estate. A few more scattered simply from the terrifying strength of the opponents. Jack, who stayed behind was surrounded and hastily cut down by the horrors with ease. Ellanore attempted to come to his aid, however the skeletal horde wandered over Jack’s unconscious body, as if using him as bait for the other defenders and quickly cut her down also. The horde was eventually suppressed, the skeletons but dust. The wounded were dragged back into the estate by Lunah, Bellicah and Galenus where Lunah and Bellicah attempted first aid until medics arrived on scene. It is uncertain whether there were any deaths on this day on the side of the defenders, and the land was unforgivingly scarred. However easily over a hundred undead were slain. What is also certain is that Elysium is land once owned, and it’s original owners do not wish to give it up without blood.

[!] An invitation is posted on the notice board in Elysium: ooc: The wedding of Corbin and Maduz will take place at the garden alter in Elysium. Monday, April 19th, 3:30 PM EST

As a flower thou wither in the absence of light With no rays and no heed where the agony hides When the bloom is no longer a forthcoming bright And the singing is now not a prayer, but cry In the wisdom and bravery thou reckon the faith And the spirit takes over misdeeds that were made As a flower thou wither in the absence of light Though thy soul is remembered, embodying might You cannot control everything, but you can at least play the odds The Astrean banner falters... As the embers of the auburn lights of the rolling wheat fields of Ducal Elysium burns bright, casualties strewn on the icy lake served as a scorching reminder of the rout of the few Rangers and Norlandic militia men that battled against a cohort of marauders and a voidal mage. A seeming continuation of the sullen nature of battle and contest which defined the histories of the descendants across constant worlds. War and conflict never changes: a reality that permeates through the fabrics of the rise and fall of civilizations. Despite so, in defeat, stood lessons to be learned, of tactics and training for those that remained. Of practice and commandery. There were souls to consider, and protect. It was a vicious, damning cycle of responsibilities. The fundamentals had always stood to be seen for all eternity, a community that fails to protect its own, collapses on its seams. Peril can never be ignored. Eugeo hoisted and placed down his norlandic helm in turn, a devastated look on his features as he looked to Lunar Vanari with an exasperated sigh escaping his person. His heart mirrored the figure by the Elysium dock, her sloped shoulders made a mournful line that sharply contrasted with the backdrop that saw a few dots of the trading ships that traded with Elysium in the horizon. As soft, freezing waves rolled onto the rocky shores, there was a trepidation in the air as the Duke apologised to the Vanari chieftess in a melancholic circumstance. Such senseless brutality and violence befell the scene that the two surviving combatants would encounter, but optimism would have to happen. The Duke nodded singularly to the Vanari and lit a torch in his saunter as Elysium marked the defeat with a cry of unity and solidarity in the community to strengthen its combatants. Eugeo had stared into the abyss, it stared back: Woe to the abyss of giving up. As if tuned to Elysium’s sense of revival, the Astrean banners gently swayed in reverence, an air of resistance to them: The spirit of Elysium was not in the wars fought, lost, and bled by, but in her people. This, of course, didn’t mean they would turn a blind eye to any neerdowell or foreign invader. Elysium would be strengthened by her people, for her people and their rights to defend their homes, loved ones, and livelihood. Some flowers withered in the absence of light, while others learned to bloom in its absence. Elysium would create its own light to thrive in. We are a torch against the night.

Picture taken by Mason! Within the cradle of Norlandic lands, lies the swirling, icy freshwaters that many tributaries of the northern wilds feed into. It is an ancient place which thrives in wildlife and has served dutifully for the colonists of Nyrheim which aptly founded their capital besides the bountiful waters. Though, the newcomers to Almaris have stirred dangers from the deep, where ancient subterranean caves have felt the imbalance within the environs of the area, culminating in vicious, sufferable assaults all across the coastline that has seen many in the Kingdom of Norland, hurt and wounded. Year 17 of the Second Age, has witnessed yet another momentous battle that involved even brave warriors from Clan Lur of Krugmar tested their valor and strength to great success against a ferocious serpentine creature that intrepid uruks such as Turge’Ram wrestle and defeat the creature with conviction, aided no kind by those like Galenus Amaricius , Yarrow , Kaja and Levian’Tol Grandaxe and numerous others that aided well. Though. The adventuring spirit and the mettle of battle can never really be quelled so simply, for more dangers seem to lurk and now, direct danger would arise to the coastal settlements like Varhelm and Elysium. It all came back to the question, from mysterious blizzards and deadly attacks out in the waters. What lurks in Lake Eada?

Adúnia: 1. Defining Adunia- To begin, we must first ask; what is an Adunian? Is it the product of a man that is crossed with an elf, a half elf so to say? Is it the name given to half elves that have gained slightly lengthened life, maybe? Is it simply a being that wears a kilt, speaks in a strange forgotten dialect, and has the godly ability to catch maces? Well, to put it bluntly, no. An Adunian is none of these things, and is only partial to a few of them. A being that you would call “Adunian” is a descendant of the tribe of Harrenites, no matter how diluted his or her blood is with that of other races. On its own and by itself, an Adunian is no more or less than that simple definition. However, when one delves deeper, and comes to the word “Adunia”, a whole other world of meaning is opened up to them. For Adunia is not just the word used to collectivise the core group of Harrenite descendants, it is far more, and it’s own definition is ever growing, expanding, spreading itself in ink and blood across the pages of history; and it shall ever continue to grow until the day when Adunians cease to exist, and the sons of Harren have at last passed from the world of the living, leaving thousands of years of knowledge and memory behind them. Henceforth, Adunia cannot truly be defined until such a day comes to pass, but here I shall do my best here to fill in the holes left by this issue, and assure that the memory of this once great race is carried on. 2. The Origins of Adunians- In the years when Aegis was still young and it’s races new to the world, two tribes arose in the Northern mountains of the continent. The first tribe was comprised completely of humans, it’s leader a young man named Harren; a son of Horen himself. The second tribe were elves that had come up from the forests of Malinor, led by a dark haired woman named Sarai whose roots remain a mystery to this day. As is inevitable when two such primitive groups claim the same area, the two tribes clashed. A short but bloody turf war ensued, and soon the mountains were littered with the corpses of both factions. Fearing for the survival of their people with such weakened numbers, Harren and Sarai met and organized treaty between the two tribes. However, Harren’s heart saw him wanting more than simply peace. During their meeting, Harren was overwhelmed by the elven woman’s beauty, and as so made one of the treaty’s terms that she would have to marry him. Fearing her people’s destruction was imminent, Sarai hesitantly accepted these terms and the two were soon wed. Though Sarai despised Harren at first, she eventually grew to love and respect him as her husband, bearing him a single child named Baren. Now leaderless, the elves of Sarai’s former tribe merged into the Harrenites, taking on their customs and way of life. They were quickly accepted by the humans, and very soon they too began to intermarry as their leader had done. The children of these first generation Harrenites were born a new race; the Adunians. 3. In Relation to Aging and the Curses of Iblees- The events that led to the creation of what is now known as the Adunian race (commonly known as the “Mixing of Blood”) did in fact occur before Iblees laid his curses upon the mortal races of Aegis. Due to said curses, half-human/elves bred since said event are stricken with not only the infertility of elvenkind, but also the shortened lifespans of mankind, gaining not an ounce of the longevity possessed by their elven ancestors. However, because the “Mixing of Blood” occurred before Iblees placed his curses, the effects on Adunians seem to have differed ever so slightly. ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* Appearance: Adunians take traits from both their Harrenite and Mali’Dun ancestors. Brown or black hair are the only two colours found, though like other races it goes grey with age. It is not uncommon for an Adunian’s hair to go grey at ages as young as fifteen, a trait inherited from the Mali’Dun. Their skin is pale, but generally no paler than the average Heartlander. An Adunian’s eyes are either grey from the Mali’Dun, brown from the Harrenites (a rare trait), or green, which appears to have come from a mix of both, the most common eye colour. Adunians generally grow to heights of around 5”11’ and have a lean build. Tradition has Adunians keep their hair above shoulder length (though most choose to keep it short), and grow either beards that keep close to the face (rather than hang like that of a dwarf), or large, well tended mustaches. Clothing: The general climate of Al’Ildic was quite cold. Though it’s landscape was only coated in snow during the winter months, the chill of the northern wind was present year round. As a result of this climate, Adunians came to dress in a particular way. Men would wear heavy coats and cloaks, lined with furs and warm skins, thick leather boots and warm wool breeches. Women wore long-sleeved dresses often accompanied with furs draped over their shoulders, light cloaks, and some from of pants to keep their legs warm. Over time, it became considered ‘rude’ or ‘socially unacceptable’ for more than the hands or head to be unclothed. This way of thinking has stuck over the ages, and Adunians true to tradition always cover themselves from the neck down before presenting themselves publicly. Religion: In the Old North Faith there three circles. These circles were the domains of the Gods, and in each were both lesser gods, and demi-gods. The three circles, in order of least powerful, to greatest, were Nature, Life, and Astral. Within each of these realms are one dominant god. Within Nature there is Grønn the Life-Bringer, who is believed to be the Aspects of the Druids in one form, in the Old Faith’s eyes. This means that the Old Faith acknowledges the Druids as true and rightful worshipers of Nature in their own religion. Grønn is said to be twelve feet tall with bark for skin and rocks for teeth. His eyes are two pools of water and his digits are branches and twigs. He has a full beard and head of leaves and vines which twist and turn wildly. Its said he is often seen but never caught, and has the ability to take on anything in nature. This can be taken either way- as some Hunters thank them for his sacrifices to let them eat. Others commune more with the animals and forsake meat eating. He is seen as very benevolent. His charge is to control all of the planets, fish, animals, and happenings of nature. He is what ties Astral to Life. He is also credited for the creation of the elements as gifts to Morighaen. Within Man there is Thrønn the Impartial, who is believed to be the collection of all of humanities desires, virtues, morals, and thoughts. He is an absolutely gray character, with no characteristics in appearance of physically. He is thought to be the shadow of every human, a silhouette of what everyone truly is. People who pray to Thrønn traditionally wait until the sun is half up, or, half down and wait in an open field. They turn to their own shadow and take a knee, nod their head, and fold their hands. All the workings of men are held into the account of Thrønn, which is why people depending on their lives will pray to Thønn. The people who are poorer, downtrodden, who feel betrayed by life and tormented usually shun Thrønn. People who are rich, economical, industrious, and work hard usually thank Thrønn. Thrønn is often looked to positively by mages and Fathers however, for the gift of “Heartfire” to man. Within the Astral planes beyond us is Morighaen, the Night Woman, a soft looking woman covered in a veil of stars and space. She is larger than any planet and we are not even ants to her- we are something less. She is too large to see but she knows we are there- and she may assume a mortal form, or smaller size, to meddle with the cosmos as it pleases her. She is seen as sadistic almost, because of her boredom. She was left alone and to pass time she often destroys planets and galaxies at a whim and casts down the weather to meddle with the affairs of mortal. She is easily the most fearsome of the Gods and the circles, and any who claims to be Morighaen is killed out of fear, for if she has come down, it is already the end, and if she is lying, she may anger Morighaen. People pray to her to appease her, and she is often seen as a pillar of strength for the female half of Northern society. She is the cause for Moonblood and weather, time and space, and in turn, all things beyond, even magic. Her relationship to Thrønn and Grønn is strained by both the distance to one another, and the natures of one another. Places of Worship. God’s Gardens were the most natural and beautiful of the worship places. These were seen as absolute holy grounds made by the Nature Aspects themselves, there are believed to be three God’s Gardens in existence- one for each of the three Aspects (that we recognize). The God’s Garden that we currently have located and are near, is the God’s Garden of the Elements. It is a hot spring situated in the north, protected by a granite and stone wall. Spruce trees spring up with flowers poking through the snow. People would come here to cleanse the blood off themselves, to pray in its hot waters, and to fast and meditate. No blood, on any condition, could ever be shed in a God’s Garden, but blood could be cleansed here. Modern / Aegean At the dawn of man though, when humanity had just reached a point of intelligible thought, civilization, and organization, they had organized their religions, and settled down. The North had quickly picked up on Thønn and Grønn and found themselves in tune with their gods peacefully. The Adunians picked up on the Old Faith, after the First Conflict War, during the Northern Golden Age, and some mingled with the Northern Gods. Some did not, but no conflict stirred from this difference- the North having been a faith of tolerance and acceptance (mostly). The Godly Brothers saw their followers rise, and knew whom to warn of a great tragedy coming. Grønn appeared and an Oasis in the tundra arose. Shrubbery and plants sprung to life at his feet, birds and animals came at his arrival, and life flourished where his feet left impressions. His most humble followers fell before the magnificent ent, who came close to one and said, “Evil lingers in the North. My brother and I entrust you with the most sacred task of all- the defense of all life, from the kind long lost to our touch.” They had no idea he spoke of a fourth deity, of a realm most foul, and a realm unrecognized. The realm of Death, the realm of Iblees- and had no way to prepare. Fall of the Old Faith Before anyone knew what was going on, the Taran Kingdom that stood long vigil in the North and felt it had conquered all evils in the snow, sure they had closed any hope of Grønn’s doomsday prophecy, but, all was wiped out in what is called “The First Event”. One of the earliest recorded events of mass Undead Activity. It nearly wiped out an entire civilization and many blood lines in less than three nights. The Adunians to the South were hit just as hard, their people had some time to escape, most notably Halboron Elendil, the Adunian Leader. Further south were the Aegeans, whom with the help of some surviving Northerners, and some word of mouth, had time to prepare, and time to mount a defense. This, is what we know of our History, and the rest is in the books. ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ADUNIAN COURT LANGUAGE HEARTFIRE