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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

*Confidants, and existing guild members, litter about any establishment with eyes nearby and ,with a thud of a palm, plaster on the upper rim of a gold embroidered parchment. It is headed with a trusting Salvian Crest.* The Salvian Bards’ Guild “Quill supra laminae” Cera 1505 “Trees are amongst us: some of nations, some of families, and some of.. nature. In common, they all blossom and fruit and shed and rest. They house creatures, of some sort, and sanguine nectar in the core of their well intent. For the nation, their coffers be the nectar. For the family, it be their blood. For the nature, its nectar is pure. The branches reach out, in our dear trees. The nation has its guilds and groups, with the family its ancestry, and the tree? Mere sticks. The fruit.. is where our trees diverge. One willow may weep its bitter ichor, and another sycamore its sour cherries. Yet, as of late, nations have bore little fruit of culture. The families refuse to let what fruit their branches hold fall. And nature? Well, it’s not apples this be writ for. Nay, friends. It be our culture. We are all of the same thicket.. and, as nature, in want of growth. Yet, there has been little fertile ground for our nimble tendrils to reach out and embrace Enlightenment! That very light which not only will see joy through, but our existence in itself. For too long has the darkness blighted the people: short wonder it has only been the glint of a crown’s ruby, or a blade’s gleam that had caught their attention.” It is our livelihood, and pleasure, as Bards of Enlightenment, to reach our branches further - enough to bask in the glory of open day, beyond what has been a dark age. It be Sol, and its nightly friends, which direct our path - by the faith of the Republic we reside within. The parallel shared is so close, it is more simpler to see us Bards as one to the Republic. Do not mistake this for blind loyalty, however. Us Bards only have our Curator as our superior: not even the Chancellor of the Republic may dictate what is writ of them, or anyone, or anything - for that matter. It is the constitution we embody, and which allows us our rights - of arts, be they dramatic or fine, and literature. Music completes a ‘trinity’ of activity the Bards are expected to partake and progress upon. It is oft one strand of this trinity which a typical Bard would specialise upon (Arts, literature, or music). It is our Curator who assigns our overall vision, which Giliath Haldar currently holds the septum for. As with any guild, our leading representative - the Curator - is elected, during the time of the Salvian Elections, every sixteen years. The route for Enlightenment is open for all, who reside in our realm - yet, those who’ve bound themselves to it find themselves funded by the very government they mean to sculpt the ways of (Salvian Citizens). The Intelligentsia of Athera, us Bards are not just the orators of tales and opera, but of the people themselves. For Foreigners truly seeking a ground of fertility of thought and truth, a sum of 200 Minae every other year (two Elven weeks) - as membership tribute - is but a paltry price for the masonry of culture, and oft paid back in purchase of works of art and productions. Even if that be of discomfort, fellow Bards oft finance those in need of continuing their pursuit of Enlightenment. To whom it may concern, the guild means to accept those well-versed in the ways of the Republic they serve under, and those who abide by its laws. Thus, may their knowledge be prodded, in addition to receiving a collation of their general profile. The Intelligentsia are distinguished as a group of their own, for reason - of merit and respect - and this calls for individuals capable of being the greatest thinkers and visionaries Athera has seen. ============================================== Deliver, by bird or otherwise, the following credentials and responses: those accepted will receive response from either the Consulate or the Curator themselves. If ye may not even wish to do this, how may ye muster the burdens of entire novels or play productions.. or even a single great work of sculpting? Salvian Information (Link) ============================================== Application ============================================== To those who have shown the will to become Bards, it is not only the velvet pouch of Mina (as all works receive compensation) they are to expect - but to be among the first to witness and pursue what wars have been fought for, and empires risen and fallen. The peace of a book. The joy of a tale. The advancement of a Republic. You are now of the masons of culture, pride and Enlightenment.. and chisel away at governments, people and mortar all the same. From all three of them emerge great works, and it is your name bound in the scrolls of history (which even you writ!) which is the greatest reward for what service you will have. Do not forget: Quill supra laminae.

In Athera, on the outskirts of The Reformed Kingdom of Oren, a settlement was formed, mostly human, on a fishing wharf. It was out of the way from major roads, and it's population wasn't high, so it's not hard to believe that the economy was so stagnant that the majority of the population lived in little more than mud huts along the small fisheries and make-shift dock. There was one exception: a powerful wizard, likely of dark magic, held a tower that loomed over the little village. His name was Deinalt Mephistaurus, and he enjoyed the power he held over the peasants and fish-mongers. He relished in it and exercised it as a tyrant. The villagers had little choice but to comply with his demands. The years drew, however, and they saw no way out, his demands becoming harsher and harsher as he pushed their limits. Sometimes, they were even summoned into the tower itself, either to never be seen again, or as a dry, pale corpse. Secretly, they sent messages out, begging for help from Oren, but Oren had been caught up with politics and, most importantly, wars, and their resources were stretched thin. The request went unheeded. When war erupted in 1483, the villagers knew they would not receive help soon, if at all, and sought instead to hire mercenaries who would take the job for the meagre coin they could scrounge up. They eventually found some who agreed, and the group stole in at the dead of night to ambush the wizard as he rested, for they knew frontal attack upon his tower would avail little except their own deaths. They did not kill him as he slept, as the wizard did wake, but he was still caught flat-footed and with his magical components outside of his reach. He cast what he could, but blind-sided as he was, the fight was intense but short. Deinalt Mephistaurus fell backwards upon the bed he had woken from, but not before cursing the traitorous villagers with his dying breath, promising pain and destruction to them as long as they lived. In the end, the village rejoiced in the victory of their saviours. After much celebration, the heroes parted and Rahult enjoyed their new freedom. They found some measure of prosperity now that they were no longer bogged down with the unrelenting and unfair demands of the wizard. Ten years later, on the anniversary of the wizard's murder, the Plague hit the town, and much of the population died over night. It was no coincidence, the villagers moaned as they mourned. Deinalt's grip still strangles them today. His curse continues! Some of the villagers suggested seeking clerical help, but this idea was shot down for its massive cost. Besides, the Plague hit them hard; if this were truly the will of the mage, would it not be satiated? Another ten years passed, and upon the anniversary, the village was torn with a localized earthquake. Many died in the fallen rubble. Many more lost their homes. Calls for holy intervention increased, but so did the flight from the village. Nothing could be done to circumvent the next tragedy but to wait. When the 30th anniversary came, the villagers waited with baited breath, waiting for a swoop that would likely kill them off for good this time. But the night passed with no unholy intervention, and they all breathed a collective sigh... until the next morning. Several people (men, women, children) were found dead in their beds, throats slit. A couple people were confirmed missing shortly after, but it was unknown if they were still alive, or if they were, whether they were fleeing justice for the acts or fleeing the curse before it could hit them. The villagers would have loved to follow up these events with a witch hunt, but their seeking was cut short; the Flood had overtaken Athera and their wharf was one of the first to drown below the constant rains. Those who were left had no choice but to leave their homes to be swallowed by the waters and go to Vailor. Some of those villagers may still yet live, as could the Heroes of Rahult... as could the unknown murderer. And though the village is gone, no one knows for sure if the wizard's curse is done. Known Former Villagers: Sahar Tha'un Known Heroes of Rahult: Timeline: 1468 - Athera was settled 1469 - Rahult was successfully settled, building watched over by Deinalt Mephistaurus 1475 - Mephistaurus's demands become strange. Citizens begin to disappear 1483 - The Kingdom of Oren becomes Galahar. Rahult citizens look elsewhere for aid. 1483, Sun's Smile - Mercenaries are hired to kill Deinalt Mephistaurus, a contract is drawn 1483, The Amber Cold - Deinalt Mephistaurus is killed in his tower. 1493, The Amber Cold - Plague hits the town overnight. Many citizens die. 1503, The Amber Cold - A localized Earthquake hits the village 1513, The Amber Cold - Many citizens are found murdered in their beds End of 1513 - Rahult is abandoned to the Flood

(An example of a Woodland kestrel during the cold seasons) The Atheran kestrel Although small, the Atheran Kestrel is a specie of bird located within the many regions of Athera. They are quite intelligent yet tend to remain wary of many races that try to approach them, often flying away whenever one would step into a close radius of them or watching them carefully. The Atheran Kestrel also holds the ability to hover in the air. Physical Description The Atheran Kestrel are very small in size, heighted mostly between 30–39cm from head to tail, with a wingspan of 63–82 cm. Females are noticeably larger, with the adult male. The Atheran Kestrel's appearance depends on their habitat: Woodland, Mountain and desert. Woodland and grassy plains - In woodland, the birds' feathers tend to be sleek and smoother. The main part of the bird is a brown colour with a lighter brown underbelly and on its face and top of eyes. A black stripe runs up from the bird's grey beak and all the way down to the end of its tail. The underside of the wing is a light brown. The Atheran Kestrel's claws tend to be average sized and suitable for catching food, such as mice or fruit, and gripping onto the branches of trees. Lastly, the tail of the Atheran Kestrel is split into three long feathers; the two outer feathers are brown with black tips while the middle is white. Atheran kestrels tend to have brown or black eyes. Mountain and snow plains – Atheran Kestrels that live further in the mountains and within snowy plains have a very similar appearance to their Woodland counterparts. Mountain Atheran Kestrels are a very light shade of grey with the white underbelly and slightly darker grey markings, instead of black. Their eyes are either light grey or sometimes even white. This change in colour is so that the birds can easily camouflage within the snow and rocks from bigger birds and predators. Lastly, Mountain versions of the Atheran Kestrel tend to be more feathery and more ruffled in order for them to adapt to the vicious cold up in the mountains. Also, their tails tend to be longer, almost being around the length from the tip of a twelve year old's fingers to their elbows. Desert – The Atheran kestrels that live within the desert are adaptable to the heat of the scorching sun. They have very thin feathers and they are a sandy colour in order to blend in within the sand. Unlike most kestrels, these kestrels have longer and sharper claws which they use to dig up their prey that are hiding within the sands. Their eyesight are much sharper, allowing them to notice the slightest movements in the sand. Their beaks are longer so that they can extract water from within cacti without much difficulty while hovering close to the cacti, much like a hummingbird. They tend to live within caves located nearby oases or large cacti forests. Their tails are also shorter. Habitat and Behaviour The Atheran Kestrel tend to hunt alone or in pairs, these kestrels tend to live with other kestrels in vast nests built within large trees or caves as a group. These groups of kestrels are known as 'Covens' or rather a family. Each kestrel would have a job in these Covens : gather food, look after the hatchlings and eggs, or watch over the nest in case of intruders or another Coven attacking. The Atheran Kestrel are known to being fearless and very protective over other members of their Covens, willing to come to protect the Covens they are in and prepared to die if their nests are attacked. When an Atheran Kestrel spots another animal (or a race) while out hunting, they tend to become curious yet wary if the animal or race means harm to its Coven. One would feel the bird's eyes focused on them as they walk by the bird's current perch. Sometimes, an Atheran Kestrel would even flutter into a camp and investigate the camp without being afraid, although will fly away when one is too close. Some Atheran Kestrels can be trained, mostly used to send messages from one place to another. As the bird is quite intelligent, it can understand a simple amount of instructions, may know who to trust or may even know where to go to deliver the letter is has. In order to train an Atheran Kestrel, one would have to attempt to 'befriend' the bird through either offering the bird food or by tending its injuries if the bird is hurt. The Atheran Kestrel would then decide if you are not a threat if you show it kindness, it may even consider you as a friend or member of its Coven. However, being considered as a friend is quite rare as those who want the birds capture them in cages or traps, making the Atheran Kestrel slightly wary of anyone who they come by. An Atheran Kestrel may leave its Coven if it's either banished or if the bird decides to stay a traveller who had gained the bird's trust. Depending on what the kestrels eat depends on where they are located. Woodland and plains – Berries, insects, small mammals (such as mice or squirrels), small fish from rivers and nuts. Mountains and snowy plains – small mammals, insects, perhaps the carcasses of dead animals, also gathers berries from further down the mountains and plains. Desert – insects, dead carcasses, cacti, Desert Bush berries. May also eat small fish if there is a river nearby. Also sometimes feeds on the eggs of snakes. Sometimes, the Atheran Kestrel would stock up on food for its Coven and mostly remain within the nest in the cold seasons, although some Atheran Kestrels still venture outside to hunt but not as vast as during the warmer seasons This food stocking is mostly seen in kestrels from the mountains and snowy plains. They are not known for migrating to other areas. First recorded encounter Many of the races were amazed by the birds' bravery and lack of wariness towards them as the birds never seen much of people before and didn't see a reason to be wary, although this wariness began to grow when Atheran Kestrels were hunted for their feathers, being pets or purely for fun. They were also used a messenger birds as well for delivering messages across a long-distance. History Although they weren't hunted for food (as they tend to not contain a lot of meat), the Atheran Kestrel were hunted for their feathers, which were used for quills, ends of arrows and more. Sometimes, an Atheran Kestrel would be captured (both willing and against their will) for the use of being a messenger bird, companion or pet. How they were captured were by luring them into camps with shiny objects before trapping the birds in nets and boxes, very few would attempt to befriend the bird. Some would even go to the Coven's nest and capture the hatchlings or the eggs. Some hunters would hunt Atheran Kestrels for fun. These kestrels had gained wariness for travellers and would keep their distance, unless their curiosity takes over them. Triva Atheran Kestrels were mostly seen as a symbol of family, curiosity, loyalty and bravery, a picture of an Atheran Kestrel would mostly be used on a Coat of arms to represent these traits. Atheran Kestrels that are from the mountains, snowy plains and deserts were less hunted than their woodland and plains counterparts, this was due to the birds being difficult to find within the environment and because very few travellers ventured through the harsh conditions. Although they are small, the Atheran Kestrels are capable of putting up a fight. They tend to scratch and peck furiously if someone they dislike or see as a threat has hold of them. Their cry tends to be loud and shrilly while they are hunting or out in the wild but the Atheran Kestrel emits soft and gentle coos or ‘kees’ when with their Coven or with someone they chosen as their companion. Sometimes the kestrels would befriend those who are friends with their owners, although not being as protective with them as they are with their owners. Rumours go that the kestrels can see into the hearts of people, allowing the birds if they are good or a potential threat to their coven. However, this has not been proven correct. The lifespan of an Atheran Kestrel tends to be between ten to twelve years. However, there have been evidence of kestrels living further than the average lifespan, mostly living up to their twenties and sometimes thirties.