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Culture Package
Trun Elves
This is a Wild Elf Culture, and follows the guidelines for this race in the latest edition of the NERO International Core Rules.
Trun (troon)
Elves make their home in the Whispering Woods of Emuria.
These Wild Elves have been in their woodland for several centuries, and
have lived relatively peacefully for most of that time.
Recently the Trunians have returned to the peaceful existence that they
have always known, but up until 601 they had been forced to take up arms against
the encroachment of the Empire of Emuria and the armies of the Emperor
Cornelius. Prior to the onset of the
Imperial assault on their territory, these elves had been a very curious and
accepting group. The Trunians have
now turned against the outside world, and any strangers entering their forest
are often attacked.
The name Trun
comes from the traditional namesake of their homeland, The Trun Forest.
Imperial mapmakers have changed this name to the Whispering Wood, but the
Trunians have rejected this name, and many of them do not even know of its
existence.
The
The Trunians view themselves as the guardians of the
Trun
Many mystical creatures can be found among the boughs and glens of
the
Since the war with the Imperials, the Trun have been forced to radically change the way they in which they dwell. Once living in ground-based huts, which were easily found and destroyed by Imperial troops, they have since returned to a more sensible and natural approach to their dwellings. They live in Dirtras, or underground homes, which are usually quite small, with a small tunnel that connects all the Dirtras to a main underground chamber, which serves as a communal eating and gathering place. The walls are packed with hardened clay, and the furnishings found within are simple and hand crafted. Dirtras are used mostly for sleeping; daily tasks take place in the open air. They are usually near the surface, and the outside of this dwelling is always in concurrence with the environment. This form of dwelling appears to be quite unusual to other Elves, but the nature-minded Trun Elves see it as sensible and simplistic. A Dirtra is more easily defended than an above-ground dwelling, and each is also well hidden.
Gardens of basic vegetables, normally only found in the outside world
have been cultivated with care in the
The Elves of the
Trun
New Mandoks, once formed regularly, have slowed in their formation
since the war with the Imperials. As
the hostilites with the Imperials continued, many Mandoks combined for the
added protection and resources. It
is not unheard of for a Mandok to part ways and form new and unique Mandoks,
though it is not as commonly done as before the Imperial incursions.
Most Trun Elves are fiercely loyal unto death to their particular Mandok.
War between Mandoks, a common practice before Imperial incursions due to arguments over hunting grounds and other matters, is almost unheard of today, but does rarely occur. Imperial troops forged the Trunians together as nothing in the past had.
The four largest, and most commonly known Mandoks are:
The term Elistri refers to the Trun Elves who live in the semi-permanent
sites that the Wild Elves typically call home. Comprised of like-minded
persons, they are like a large extended family.
These are the Trunians with magical capabilities, young Trunians still
completing their training with weapons that will later join the Wistri, and
those Trunians that dedicate their entire existence to the daily running of the
Mandok. These settlements are
usually comprised of 20 to 40 Elves. Each
Mandok has a patriarch and a matriarch, to oversee the everyday affairs of their
settlement, and are given the title of Fuiir (Foo-ear) and Sindrir (Sin-dreer),
respectively. This title is given as a sign of respect and while they make many
decisions about the everyday operation of the Mandok, the ultimate power of the
settlement belongs to the Colinadri. Every Elistri is responsible for gathering food that grows within
the
Trun
These
Elves also have a difficult time learning the concepts of coin in exchange for
goods, as they practice a barter system within their own society.
The Fuiir and Sindrir are usually the oldest and wisest of the Elistri, and oft times a member of the Colinadri is selected to hold this position, which is reviewed each year on the Winter Solstice. One of the main responsibilities of the Fuiir and Sindrir is the retainment of knowledge and teaching of the history of their particular Mandok and of the Trunians in general. They teach all matters of history, and they are seen as great sources of knowledge, and are regarded as respected Sages by all Trun Elves. It should be noted that this aspect of the Fuiir and Sindrir is particularly important as the Trun Elves practice an oral history instead of a written one. All legends and historic accounts are told to the Fuiir and Sindrir and passed on to the young of the Mandok.
An imperative element of every Mandok is the Colinadri, a group comprised
of the most powerful mages found within each Mandok. The number can range from 3, in
the smaller Mandoks, to 5, in a larger Mandoks. The
Colinadri is responsible for the overall direction the settlement takes year to
year. This is done through a formal
ritual casting called a Relitri, which is performed once a year beginning on
the Winter Solstice. A Relitri lasts
several days, and is a unique formal magic ritual, carried out in a Formal
Circle of Power, which
combines a High Horoscope and a Dream Vision.
It reveals what the Elves should concentrate their efforts on in the
coming year, where the best hunting grounds are, what quests should be
undertaken, which enemies to watch, etc. The
Colinadri it should be noted, are viewed more as guides, not rulers, although
it is extremely rare for a Trunian to question what a member of the Colinadri
has concluded. The Colinadri are
also responsible for the ritual castings after the birth of each Elf within
their Mandok, to discover the path the newborn will eventually grow to follow
and whether they will be Elistri or Wistri, so the appropriate paintings and
colors can be chosen.
Each Elistri has several groups within itself, brought together for
the common knowledge of themselves and the betterment of the community at large.
These groups are rarely referred to by a specific name, choosing to be
identified through familiarity or through the colors of their face paint.
The following are the names of the groups found within all Elistri
and the attributes associated with each. Colors
are the face paints found on each person, decided upon during birth by the
Colinadri, to more easily identify their profession.
It should be noted that all work toward the betterment and health of
their community and the forest at large.
Colinadri (nature)-
Silver and Purple: knowledge, wisdom, prophecy, vision, protection
Nadri (also known as
Shaman) (nature)- White and Purple- messenger, truth seeker, clear vision,
heightened awareness
Kuvandri (celestial)-
Blue and Yellow- spiritual enlightenment, clarity of vision, transcendence
Emani
(earth/healers)- Gold and Silver- protection, longevity, healing, symbol of the
bounty of Tyrra
Lumani (the
home-keepers/care-givers)- White and Gold- service, gathering, community
The Wistri are the outward defenders of the Mandok and to the woodlands
themselves. Usually several groups
of Wistri will call a particular Mandok home, and defend the Elistri found
there. It is rare for them to remain in any one place for more then a few days
at a time, unless injured. They feel
the call of the wood within their very spirits, and they hold their duty of
protection above all else, even personal safety. It is rumored that when damage
is done to the forest or its creatures that the Wistri can actually feel its
pain, so they can better heed the cry for help.
When trade with the outside world is needed, the Wistri are responsible
for these dealings. They are the
primary hunters of the Mandok, providing the meat and skins that help to add
variety to the diet of the Elistri.
Wistri either travel
alone, or in groups of 5-8. The
choice is the individuals Elf’s and they may change this preference at any
time. They prefer the two-weapons
fighting style and the bow, being the fighters and rogues of the settlements.
When in battle, the Wistri are to be feared: they are savage and show no
mercy to their enemies.
The following is a list of the Wistri groupings most commonly found and
the colors marking their pre-destined professions and personalities.
It is not uncommon for several members of each of these groups to travel
the woods together, though there is no set traveling groups.
The Wistri work toward the health and safety of their Mandok, the Elistri,
and the
Scouts (includes most
rogues)-
Yatron: Blue and
White- cleverness, adaptability, cunning, subtlety, discretion
Twentril: Black and
Purple- subtlety, silence, secretiveness, elusiveness
Warriors-
Salarin: Tan and
White- aggressiveness, persistence, centeredness
Litrien: Red and
Yellow- accuracy, rapid progress, restraint
Wilremig: Black and
Red- association with the sun, courage, nobleness, prosperity
The last specific grouping of the Trunians are the Liyari (Lost Ones),
who choose to live outside of the Mandok structure.
These homeless people are called Liyari because they are not content
within the ways of the Mandok, or cannot adapt to the needed cultural changes.
They are lost to all that they know and either live in solitude in the
deepest parts of the forest or ban together with other Liyari and form groups
that raid and harass the Elistri. The
Liyari are not looked upon with anger, but more pity than anything else.
The death of a Liyari is mourned, as is the death of a clan member.
The philosophy holds that the Liyari are lost from the world of the Trun
and that it is hoped that someday they will return and be found again as a
member of the clan. Being called a
Liyari is not derogatory at all, and any Trun Elf that would venture into the
outside world for any reason would be considered a Liyari until his or her
permanent return.
Learning
a trade or a skill in a Mandok is through an apprentice system, and although the
young Elf resides with his or her parents until a suitable age, the entire
community is responsible for their upbringing.
As soon as the child is introduced to Trunian society, they are
surrounded and immersed in the culture of the Trun Elves.
They learn the secrets of their people and of the other creatures that
are known to reside in the forest. A
large part of their education is learning how to safely interact with the forest
that surrounds them; what the properties of plants are and how to manage in the
forest are only two examples of an intense education for which the entire
community is responsible. They also
learn as much information as possible about the outside world and the races that
reside in it, for the Trun Elves believe this to be important.
Trunian law is somewhat unusual. There
are no written laws or punishments, as the Elves are raised with the morals of
the generation before them. If a
dispute arises and cannot be settled between the two parties themselves, the
Colinadri comes together to perform a Ritual of Seeking, which reveals the truth
of the situation. All abide by the
decision of the Colinadri in these instances, which are extremely rare and
almost unheard of. The Trun Elves do
not practice the death penalty or the act of Obliteration, and the most feared
punishment is being shunned. This is
extreme, but once shunned all members (both the Elistri and the Wistri) of the
offender’s Mandok act like the individual does not exist in any way.
Those shunned usually leave their home for solace either in the woods or
in the outside world. This is true
only within their own communities, and an outsider who is responsible for a
wrong-doing then justice is dealt swiftly and on the spot, and a
death sentence is more common then any other form of punishment in these cases,
particularly if it is a transgression upon the wood itself.
The
Trunians are a happy, yet serious people. They
find pleasure in simple things, but find no humor in the plight of others or in
the wrongs of the world. They enjoy
games, singing, and dancing. The
arts of combat and archery intrigue and awe many of the Trunians.
“Civilized” people often find the Trun Elves uncultured and crude and
see this as a sign of ignorance or stupidity, but this perception is misleading.
The Trunians are intelligent and able to adapt to the world of outsiders
relatively quickly, though by choice they have become more and more isolated in
recent years.
Trunians feel a deep connection to the Trun Woods and will defend it at
all costs, and are unmerciful in this process.
Even when not within the
Trun
The only place that the Trunians fit the savage stereotype is in
war. They spike their hair with mud
or sap so that it will stand high on their heads, and they often give high,
piercing battle cries to startle and intimidate their enemies.
They are ferocious, barbaric warriors that prefer the use of two weapons
to any other weapon style. The
intense nature of Trunian combat is why they despise war and will only wage it
if they feel that there is no other course.
At times of all out war both the Elistri and the Wistri will come forth
to defend their Mandok and the
The Trun Elves enjoy intoxicants and
hallucinoids, and part-take of them often, though never when a task has not been
completed or there is work to be done.
Dialect
and Dress/Physical Appearance
TOP
The Old Dialect of Trun Elves was an unusual combination of Emuri and ancient Elven. Today however they mostly speak common, although they use a somewhat crude and broken form of it. Unlike other cultures, the Trun do not place a lot of stock in the spoken or written word, preferring instead to communicate via body language and facial expression. The Trun themselves feel that silence is a more powerful force than speech, and it is for this reason that most Trunians are very soft-spoken in public.
Trun Elves also have a unique view of the body and of dress.
Trun Elves, when born, have a ceremony called a Sotok performed on them by
the Colinadri. This will determine
whether or not they will be of the Elistri or the Wistri, and what profession
they will follow. If and Elf becomes
a Fuiir or Sindrir, he or she will bear an extra marking in gray to represent
their position. From then on they
will use herbs, berries, and other resources to derive the colors on their faces
to reflect their profession and their Mandok. The colorings can be of any shape or
non-shape that the Wild Elf desires. These
markings will always be visible and regarded with pride.
The colors are always worn in times of battle, traveling, or when dealing
with other Mandoks or those of the outside realm, but can be worn with
regularity in day-to-day life. The
last is the personal choice of each elf. Because
of the Sotok, Spirit Forges do not occur within the Trunian society, despite the
fact that they know of their existence in the outside world.
If a Wild Elf feels that a different profession is their calling, they
will often become Liyari and enter into the outside world in search of a Spirit
Forge. This does not occur with any
regularity.
Dress of the Trun Elves is simplistic.
Undyed furs and tanned hides comprise typical dress, and adornments upon
clothing are extremely unusual. Seldom
do the Trun Elves wear shoes and armor, but when worn these will be fashioned of flexible,
yet sturdy leathers. Necklaces,
bracelets, and earrings are worn by both the men and the women of the Trun
Elves, and are handcrafted, usually created from a great kill or plant life from
the Trun forest.
The
Trun are very naive when it comes to other races.
They take it for granted that people are good and that they need not fear
any other race. Several times this
assumption has proven to be incorrect, and the Trun dislike Orcs and all of the
Green-skinned races as a result of having been burned by them.
They distrust these people and will be very wary of any of them, but they
will not kill them on sight.
In recent years, after having dealt with the Imperial forces and
frontiersmen, the Trunians have retreated into a more
isolationist society. They feel that
the outside world cannot understand, appreciate, or allow their ways, even
though Trun Elves are quite flexible in their adaptation and interactions when
dealing with other cultures. They
are extremely cordial and not arrogant in the least when dealing with other
races and cultures. They view each
as unique and individual and as such deserving of recognition.
Fearing
extinction of their culture and beloved home, the Trunians have closed the
The
Trunians enjoy dancing, music, art, and family time.
They enjoy practicing with weapons and magic for the sake of the sheer
artistry and technique involved in these exercises.
Formal magicians are highly respected, and during festivals many warriors and
mages perform katas in their arts as a display of their skill and discipline.
Fighting to resolve disputes within or between Mandoks seldom if ever
occurs, and the violence against the other Mandoks is an alarmingly ugly
contrast to the day-to-day life in Trunian culture.
Trunian Wild Elves enjoy the nature of the woods above all else.
On most nights, clear or otherwise, it is not uncommon for any Elves
within an Elistri to come together to dance and sing underneath the stars.
Harmonisists lead this magical dance, and all others form circles around
them. It is a time of reconnection
with nature, and a cleansing and meditative time for the Elves.
Another love of the Trun Elves is storytelling.
Many evenings, before dancing and singing, times of festivities, or
during meals, any who choose to stand and tell a tale are allowed.
Some are imagined, fantastical stories of the outside world, creative
stories to imbue the morals of the Trun Elves, or historical legends that cover
various aspects of Trun Society. The
Fuiir and Sindrir always take a turn at storytelling in large groups.
Trun Elves particularly enjoy stories from afar, and Liyari that return
from the outside world to rejoin a Mandok and wish to tell tales of their
outside adventures have no problems finding a captive audience.
Since the Trun Elves enjoy games, another past time, which is quite
popular, is Trintok. Trintok is a
game of skill, strength, and stealth, which centers around a ball of animal
pelts wound tightly with leather string, and about the size of a melon.
There are two teams comprised of five players each.
The object of the game is to retain the ball and set it in the designated
goal of the opposite team. The
playing area is designated beforehand, and is quite large, but the location of
the two goals is not revealed, leaving the other team to find it.
They are marked with anything that is at hand, and easily recognizable by
the other team (like a large unusually colored frond leaf). There are three
rounds of thirty minutes each, with ten minute breaks between each round.
Any strategy is allowed, as long as there is no serious damage that
results in permanent afflictions. After
a goal is scored, a non-partisan Elf (someone not playing) takes the ball and
returns it to the center of the playing area and drops it.
The game does not stop during this time. Each goal is worth one point.
Teams change often and competition is good-natured, although quite fierce
at times, and general injuries are not uncommon.
Teams are made up of anyone who wishes to play at that time and although
it does not happen regularly, Trintok games do occur between Mandoks.
Although confusing, several Trintok games could be occurring at the same
time in the same general vicinity. The
winning team (the one that has accrued the most points) receives varies prizes
for the win, agreed upon before the beginning of the game: a particular
necklace, first serve at the communal dinners, etc., but the true reward is
knowing that one is especially fleet of foot or mind.
At the beginning of summer, all Trun Elves come together for the Hakfrin
(Hack-frin) or the gathering of the Mandoks.
The Hakfrin is a time for games of strength, skill, marriage,
storytelling, dancing, singing, and great celebration.
There is wrestling, games involving stationary targets, and games of
chance. It allows for the individual
Mandoks to rekindle ties, not only political, but also familial.
The Hakfrin also allows for news of the past year from each Mandok to be
shared with the rest. For many
Mandoks it is the only time of the year that they will see each other, and it is
a happy and peaceful time.
Birth is seen as a time of great rejoicing amongst the Wild Elves.
When a woman becomes pregnant, it is the entire Mandok’s responsibility
to care for and look after her. However,
a pregnant woman will continue to do her duties up until she can no longer do
so, normally the last week or so before birth.
When the time for the birth is near, the soon to be mother is taken to a
special Dirtra called the Ulank. This
is a specially built house that is enchanted by both the Katandri (the
Harmonicsists) and the Colinadri in a combined spell.
The Ulank is in reality only a single room, which contains the 12 Lorinar-
representations of the 12 elements. The
Wild Elves believe that the 12 elements exist in each of us in some amounts.
It is hoped that by having all 12 elements present during birth, that the
child will be a balanced person who knows their purpose.
After the birth of her child, the mother is lavished upon with gifts,
normally hand-made crafts such as jewelry. She
is celebrated as much as the newborn is. Sometime within the first day of life,
the newborn will have the Sotok ceremony performed upon them.
The newborn is then painted for the first time with the appropriate
colors. Recently, for reasons unknown, twin births have begun to occur more
often.
Death is also seen as part of the cycle of life.
When a Wild Elf dies, the body is taken back to the Elf’s Mandok.
This is true even for Liyari, if there is another Wild Elf there to do
so. The body is taken to a special
Dirtra, called the Trecinct. This
specially built house is magicked both by the Katandri (the Harmonicsists), and
the Colinadri in a combined ceremony. The
body will remain in the Trecinct for a period of time until all the Elistri and
Wistri of a Mandok can return. The
special magic of the Trecinct preserves and protects the body.
Once the time has arrived, the body is then taken from the Trecinct at
sunrise and into the
Wild Elves will marry one time, for life, as divorce does not
exist. A Wild Elf can marry a member
of his Mandok or another’s. It is up to the newlyweds; with advice form
Colinadri, as to which Mandok they join. There
is no set tradition in which Mandok the couple joins. It is even possible that
the 2 will leave and make their own Mandok.
The wedding itself is a joyous occasion and will involve the entire
Mandok. It involves lots of singing,
dancing, and intoxicants. The
ceremony is presided over by the Colinadri, and is symbolic of the joining of
the 12 elements, using the Lorinar to symbolically meld the couple together
through the intermingling of the elements in each of them.
Legends,
Heroes, and Lords
TOP
Daminis Greenleaf: Hero of the Shining Grove.
This Mandok Fuiir led his people against Rengek in the
Battle
of the Shining
Grove. Daminis battled Rengek
himself and wounded him viciously causing the loss of one of the Karani
Warlord's eyes. Daminis later led
some of his fellow Trunians against the forces of Lord Cornelius, but was
captured. He was enslaved and forced
to work in the Corlissian Salt Mines where he died in 589.
Sivith Oakdale: This Colinadri member of the Lidana Mandok led the
counter-attack that killed Rengek at The Battle of the Dead.
He has since become Liyari and reportedly spends his time prowling the
outskirts of the
Trun
Virrin Fernnin: This renowned
Nadri created a sacred grove in the
Trun
Silvinis Willowsong: A Katandri of
the Fretrim Mandok that was annihilated by the Imperials, this Trunian dedicated
her life to finding a way to heal the woods of the damage inflicted upon it by
the Imperials. Through long study
and hardship, this Liyari has discovered a way in which to use songs to heal
the plants and animals found within the
Trun
Yesperil Greydawn: A hero of all
Trunians, this Salarin avenged the death of the small Wendarin Mandok,
mercilessly murdered by Imperialists when they refused to surrender.
Yesperil, returning several days after the slaughter, tracked and in a
battle frenzy destroyed all thirty of the Imperial group responsible.
When found by the Taylana Mandok she was unconscious, surrounded by the
bodies of her enemies, and grievously wounded.
The Taylana Mandok cared for her throughout her recovery, and after
having been Liyari for a short period, she has returned to the Taylana Mandok.
Many Trunians stand in awe of her and although always welcome in the
Taylana Elistri, she prefers the quiet solace of the
The Legend of Virrin Fernnin as told by Sindrir Terilthil Maybrook
of the Quelana Mandok in the year 600 and recorded by Scribe Relithia Dandridge
of Stonegate Keep
The winter of that year was extremely
cold and long lasting. The trees
were covered with ice that hung as long as a man’s arm and death and sickness
visited many on the back of a chill wind. The
winter that year was harder in other ways as well.
The men of the blue and gold (side note: Imperialists) had killed many of
our brothers and sisters that year. The
white snow in many places was covered with the blood spilled in the many
battles, both that of Wild Elves and of our enemies.
The tears shed by the Quelana Mandok froze on our faces as they flowed
down our cheeks. Never had we seen
such pleasure in killing as seen by our enemies.
Many other Mandoks had fallen, their names and memories gone like the
leaves on the wind in autumn. It was
a sad time. The Colinadri did much
magic in their circle to try and discover what to do to stop an enemy, which
covered the fields and glens like flies on a long dead animal.
They knew no answers. Hope
was fading more with each setting of the sun.
One night all members of the Quelana Mandok gathered in the Dirtra where
we meet for such talks. There were
men and women from all the large Mandok’s that were left and many from the
smaller ones. It was time to choose a path for the Elves. Looking around I saw
many heads bowed with the weight of sadness and of sites to evil to speak of.
My heart mourned for my people. This
should have been a time for gathering near the fire and speaking of tales of
heroic deeds and fond memories, with children laughing and playing.
Instead the children were silent, many now without parents to guide them
in the trials to come. I felt a fire
begin within my heart, closing off the sadness, and hatred clouded my mind for
the men that had brought my people to such a state of despair.
Many questions were asked and few answers were given.
Some said we should leave these lands and travel many miles to the South,
away from the war. This shows the
true hopelessness that my people felt, for never would they leave the
Then a young wild elf that had been sitting quietly in the back of the
room stood up. I recognized him as
Virrin Fernnin, a Nadri (side note: nature caster) of remarkable powers.
He had not joined the Colinadri yet, though many questioned why, despite
his young age. He knew many things
about the
As I saw him stand I raised my hand to silence the quiet murmurings of
the room. I bade him to speak and
with a nod of his head he began. Not
a sound could be heard as he spoke. I
will repeat to you now what I recall, but I cannot repeat the magic that filled
his voice, of the lilting words that sounded as if they carried a harmonious
tune. It was the sound of hope, and
unless you have heard it before, it cannot be described.
He told of speaking with the mystical creatures in the
He would not discuss the details behind this magic when questioned, but
said that he would cast this magic for the good of the people.
He explained that it would create a haven for the Trun Elves, a place
where only Elves could enter. A
place where arrows could not reach to find the heart of its target.
A place that no magic could breach. A
place that would be a last resort to the Elves should the army of the man full
of hatred defeat us. I began to see
the light of hope rekindled in the eyes of many, like the stoking of a dying
fire.
Though many of my people did not realize this, I knew that what young
Virrin offered was the continuation of the war, but one without despair.
Should we fall, our children would have a place of safety in which to go.
We would not have to fear for our way of life leaving the land forever.
This would be a haven in which we could make a stand, if need be, or a
place to regain our balance. The
very idea that it would be there would be enough for many of the Elves to
continue the fight. I regret to say
that no one asked what it would cost of young Virrin to cast this magic.
He agreed to do it and said that he would begin immediately.
That was enough.
He entered into the circle of nature of our Mandok and began to cast a
great spell. It was strange.
He sang a haunting melody to which I cannot remember the words, but not
because of my age. He sang for many
days. The entire Mandok guarded the
circle for these days, fearing an attack and the disruption of the spell.
Toward the end of the fifth day, what happened is still difficult to
believe when one remembers.
A golden light filled the circle. It
shone off the snow with a radiance that caused many to turn away from the sight.
The bottom of the circle of nature looked to have been turned to golden
water. Virrin stood within this
water that reached to his knees and calmly waited.
Soon a figure began to arise out of the water.
It was a woman, but only in form. It
was an easy task to tell this. Her
hair was straight and flowed almost to the ground and looked to be composed of
gold and sunlight. She was Elven,
but her skin was as white as the snow. Her
eyes were the color of the leaves at full summer, that elusive green that can be
seen from the corner of your eye, but when you turn to take in its beauty it is
gone from sight. She was clothed in
a white shift and there was two swords strapped to her back.
The swords glowed silver and the casings in which they were sheathed had
many magical runes flowing on them, much like water in a brook.
She sat atop of the largest unicorn I had ever seen.
A magnificently white creature, proud and defiant.
Motes of light appeared to surround them as they rose from the water of
gold. A feeling of calm swept over
the Elves as we watched. A feeling
of happiness and hope flowed through me and tears, not of sadness, found their
way down my face. It was a feeling
of coming home after a particularly long and wearying journey.
In the women’s hands was a
silver pitcher that had blue runes, which sparkled in the moonlight.
Virrin fell to his knees, and then stood.
The woman held the pitcher forward and spoke in a voice composed of
happiness. She said only a few
sentences, but our hearts were filled. She
said, “Virrin Fernnin of the Elves, you have called me forth.
Your heart and your intentions are both noble and true.
Take the Pitcher of Emerilion and help your people.
You do not have much time. You
understand what is required of you?” when Virrin nodded she continued, “Your
sacrifice shall be remembered for all time. Your
protection of the people and many creatures of this forest is known, and shall
also be remembered by those not of your kind.”
She then looked to us and spoke, “Never doubt your path.
Your hearts are true and your course is righteous.
Continue on. Although I can
not tell if your path shall succeed, it is one which must be followed”.
Turning back to Virrin she said, “With steady hand and wisdom fulfill
the path which you have chosen.” With
that Virrin stepped forward and claimed the pitcher.
The women and the Unicorn faded. Virrin
then bent to the golden water and filled the pitcher.
The light suddenly faded and all appeared as it had always been.
Without
a word Virrin stepped from the circle and walked into the woods carrying the
pitcher before him. He walked for
many hours, to the very center of the forest.
As we followed I saw many creatures following beside us, hidden by the
trees. There were Satyrs, Deer,
Pixies, Unicorns, and several others that were hidden in the shadow of the
trees.
When
we reached the center of the wood Virrin turned and spoke to the Elves gathered
there. He said, “This place is to
be known as Haven Grove. Use it
carefully and only as a last resort. It
is a sacred and special place that will protect you in times of great need.”
With that he knelt and began to pour the golden water onto the ground.
It spread very far very quickly. It
spread past us and into the woods beyond. The
light in the Grove grew greater and greater until I could not see my hands when
I held them to my face. The light
then faded, and both Virrin and the pitcher were gone.
All could feel the magic of Haven Grove, and although there was sadness
for the loss of Virrin, many smiled with renewed vigor.
We
left Haven Grove after a short while. There
were many plans to be made for the continuation of the war.
The men and women of the other Mandoks left to tell their people of the
wonders they had witnessed and to each prepare their Mandok for the trials
before them.
In
the years to come, our people fought fiercely and bravely against the threat of
the men of the one who wished us harm. Many
fell, and they were mourned. Haven
Grove was never used, although there were times in the moons to follow that it
was considered. The very existence
of Haven Grove and the sacrifice of Virrin drove the Trun Elves to new heights,
fighting and defending their forest and the creatures within with ferocity
unmatched at any other time and with a renewed hope that held throughout the
many battles and deaths of loved ones.
604 (as recorded by the Scribes of Stonegate) - The disappearance of Nature magic ripped a savage gash in the fabric of Trunian society. Many of the sacred places and items created with that power failed, and the ability of the Colinadri to guide the elves was questioned. Widespread panic was only narrowly avoided by the stoic nature of the Fuiir and Sindrir who lead each Mandok, and by the Colinadri themselves. Wisely, they quickly moved to patch the holes left by Nature's leaving, focusing on what could be done instead of what was lost. Although the connection to the forest and the land seemed weaker, the Trun elves still sport a nearly supernatural understanding and rapport with their homeland. Earth and Harmonics magics have been used to create the same ritual effects, and the Colinadri have embraced a mix of the two in the breach of their lost abilities. Though, perhaps, weaker, the Trun elves are struggling valiantly to reaffirm their place. For now, the most noticeable change is the disbanding of one of the Elistri, as the Nadri are absorbed into other occupations. The Colinadri continue their role as guides and holders of wisdom, but there are rumblings of doubt that have not yet been subdued. Still unsteady and a bit unsure, they are more closed off than before and very little contact with the outside world has occurred. The increase in travelers across the plains has been ignored as the Trunians tend once more to the hurts to be healed within the forest.
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