Thursday 13 February 2014

Before the Record Ages

The Divine Siblings and the Eternal War

It is unnecessary to address the beginnings of the Divines and the One himself. Indeed, it would almost be sacrilegious to even discuss such a topic. What truly matters in this story are the annals of the world, and how the ‘Earth’ of this world came to be. There existed a realm long ago where ‘gods’, for lack of a better word, existed with humans. It was said that in days of old, this realm had achieved righteousness beyond human comprehension, and were thus lifted up into the heavenly realm. These days were ones filled with blessedness and peace, the Divines able to live in plain sight and work their own personal miracles among men. During this time, the men of this holy realm received long life and progress beyond imagination.
Though there were many lesser Divines and holy spirits that dwelt among the humans, a few of these took precedence and ‘controlled’ lands and continents. They were Er’anade, In’Latrin, To’Mrall, Sa’Marin, Jal’Mansar and Len’Eewin. It should be noted that these were their given names in the Eldest Tongue that was created by the existing humans in that time. The secret language of the Divines has never been translated, and out of any form of circumstance, would be impossible to translate into any known languages used my men.
Er’anade ruled the continent of Oshavia, In’Latrin of Yarmon, Len’Eewin of Aersa, To’Mrall of Taimpovly, Sa’marin of Kishrin and Jal’Mansar of Uldunar. These six Divines were named siblings, whether because they were truly blood related as gods or because of the closeness of their friendship, it cannot be said.
The six nations and Divines ruled in peace for years beyond counting, each cooperating with each other to bring better life for all the lands. But the fall came, and Jal’Mansar began to lust over the idea of complete domination; to rule over all the lands, even over his own siblings. He began to taint Uldunar with his wicked ideas, slowly spreading evil across it, turning the pure hearts of men and spirits into dire thoughts and black feelings. Soon, Uldunar had become a haven for the impure in that holy realm. It was then that Jal’Mansar began the preparations for war, an idea unheard of within the lands. He, using his machinations, wrought spears, clubs, swords; weapons used to maim and kill. Thus began the end of the ageless peace. Jal’Mansar sent his armed men into the continent of Kishrin, the smallest among all the nations. There he wreaked havoc, transforming it into a horrific wasteland, destroying all life that existed within it. Sa’Marin, surprised and frightened, fled the land and took refuge with her sister, In’Latrin, within Yarmon, hoping that the madness of Jal’Mansar would subside
Er’anade, infuriated by the destruction, and equally fearful of Jal’Mansar, for his lands were closest to Kishrin, appealed to his siblings to allow him to raise his own army, and bring forth the punishment of his brother along with an end to all his evil machinations. However, despite showing he was beyond repentance with the continuous slaughter of innocents, the siblings kept blind faith that he would eventually return to his old self; kind, compassionate and loving and rejected Er’anade’s requests. Angered and reckless, Er’anade knew he was forbidden to bring the people under him to arms, and loving them far too much to put them in danger, used all manner of things he could gather, and the magic availed to him as a Divine, and created creatures of war. The Tork’ashu, the Thra’un’greth, and highest and most celebrated as a creation of war, the D’ragonn, who were made with higher intelligence and given special powers of Er’anade’s own making. Thus began what was called the ‘Eternal War’; it was held that Jal’Mansar had begun what could never be ended. The Eternal War is a legend of much debate in current times.
It was during this time that the lands were ravaged immeasurably, and the deeds of the Divines played the most part in the ongoing battles. Er’anade’s beasts fought with the corruptions of Jal’Mansar, and both clashed numerous times with the rages of godly powers shredding apart oceans and tearing up the earth as was known. These two were the main contenders in the war.
In’Latrin, lover of peace, refused to join any form of war, walling the land of Yarmon against all and any, save those that pledged never to do harm or violence again. It was in this way that Sa’Marin cast herself out of the lands, for she could not take the oath, gaining feelings of vengeance against her brother in her long time of hiding. Thus, Sa’Marin eventually joined hands with Er’anade, and helped wage the terrible war in attempts to crush Jal’Mansar. Ever after was she vengeful and unforgiving, losing her trust in all man and beast. Though her power of creation was limited, she gained great knowledge in the art of destruction; it was her that gave the energies granted only to the D’ragonn: Do’Ma.
Len’Eewin did not participate in the war. Though he held great powers of creation, he withheld them from his siblings, refusing to do battle with his own kin. However, he aided the lands by bringing healing and blessings. Much more destruction could have remained in the world if Len’Eewin had not cured some of its deep hurts, brought about by the constant bloodshed.
To’Mrall was one of hot-headedness, though surpassed by that of his brother, and though he himself did not possess great powers of his own, he bequeathed it to the entire human race, allowing them a small fraction of the ability of the gods, whereby they could now manipulate the essences of creations and beings. However, this gift of enormous proportions left To’Mrall weakened and weary. It was then that Jal’Mansar decided upon a timely attack on Taimpovly. Much was destroyed, but the attackers were eventually repelled. Not wishing further harm to come upon his land, and realizing that he was far too weak to defend it personally, he used the last of his powers to raise it up, creating almost impassable cliffs around the entire land, deterring attackers. Then, with the aid of Sa’Marin, his closest sister, he laid layer upon layer of protection around it, such that even would have much difficulty breaking through. Thereafter, he sealed himself away to recover his strength, trusting in the rest of his siblings to use his gift wisely. This was the annals of the Maielders.
The war continued for 1000 human years, though it must have been disproportionate to the Divines, to which time seemed a trifle. Furthermore, humans had life spans of a maximum of over 300 years at the time. Long though the war was, it was not as long to them as it would have been to the current rate of humans.
It was then that the One seemed finally to feel the tremors of a world under duress. Because the manual recreation of Tork’ashu and other such creatures at their time of death had become taxing, Er’anade created a process of mating and reproduction for them, such that his armies were replenished without him, and he could focus his energies on contending with his enemy. As a man, even I cannot comprehend the processes of a proverbial God of my creation, so it is unknown why the One allowed the destruction to continue in the first place. Perhaps it had truly slipped under his gaze while his attentions were turned elsewhere, or maybe he was waiting to see how events would unfold until the land reached a breaking point. At any rate, almost 1000 years into the war, he finally stood in the middle of the fighting, casting great lights from his hands and raining stars down from the sky, blinding the entire world and ceasing the bloodshed almost immediately. He then called council with his six ‘children’, seeking to let them state their reasons and to sentence them according to their deeds, to whatever punishment they deserved.

The Naming of the Divines

In’Latrin, because of her abstinence from battle, was named Lover of Peace. She became the Divine that represented peace in her world.
Er’Anade, because of his continued warring, was ever after known as the Overlord of Destruction, in that to men it would seem that bloodshed and war were ever his fault, though he was only a representative.
Sa’Marin was named the Bringer of Vengeance, for her cause of war was to go forth into battle to bring, not justice, but satisfaction. She would be with the tainted hearts of men that seek battle for revenge.
Len’Eewin, because of his deeds, was named the Healer of Hurts. For his work was always to cure wounds, whether they were of men or whether they were of the world.
To’Mrall, however, was not brought before the court. For though the One could easily tear his defenses down, he left him to sleep, for he knew that To’Mrall’s gift to men had left him on the point of reduction. However, he announced that To’Mrall was the Watchman of the World. For he spent much time in it, protecting his people and in the end, his main concern was for those that would be hurt by the issues of the gods.
Finally, Jal’Mansar was brought to the Heavenly Court. His heart was tainted, and though he feared the One, he also despised him, feeling his birthright of the world being taken from him.  Because there was no repentance in his heart, Jal’Mansar was cast out of the world. Though his position as a Divine was not reduced, he had become tainted beyond measure, and his hands were dripping with the blood of those he killed. From that time forth his place was in the deeps of the nether world, and his form took upon the opposite of the fair and majestic divines. Though still large and powerful, he was terrible in appearance, striking fear into those that saw him as he descended; a dark lord of the underworld. Thus, though the One gave no title, the Herald of Evil he was called, and though the name has been changed countless time throughout millennia, it is ever held that Jal’Mansar is one of evil, and that he tempts men to folly and destruction.
It is because In’Latrin held to the peace that she was given the most respect and reverence thereafter, though it was not her intention, giving rise to the most significant religious church in present days, the Church of Peace, in which it was a privilege to attend. Though the other Divines were given respect, they were not worshipped. Indeed, Er’Anade received the lasting dislike of the people, and known as a Warmonger and the reason for the destruction, never taking thought for how he never used a man for his part in war, caring for them too much to let them under dominion or cast their lives away for what seemed as his cause.
Though it seems that Er’Anade was named with a title that was akin to something dark, in reality, it was reasonable. His was the sphere of necessary destruction, as the One told him. “You are the Keeper of Peace. Though your sister holds the significance of Peace as a whole, you are the ultimate precursor. Though you may be unnecessary at times, it will be that In’Latrin will need you at the direst moments of the world.”

However, Er’Anade was still to be punished for wreaking havoc and almost completely obliterating the land that used to be so holy. Because it had been corrupted with dark energies and was no longer a land of peace, it could no longer dwell in the heavenly realm. Thus, the One cast it out as well; not to the deepest ends of the proverbial pit, but to the realm in between; the realm of the living. It did not mean that humans were suddenly mortal, but they were subject to evils of the realm below. Even as the world landed in the mortal realm, the terrible cracks in its fabric forged connections with the hell beneath it, allowing blight spirits of evil and impure destruction to roam the Earth and destroy it further. Er’Anade was put on parole; should he ever meddle in the affairs of humans for the space of a thousand years, he would be truly punished.