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.
