Untitled Book - Solavi History

[darkheart]

The tome is ancient, bound in tanned red leather of an unidentified nature. The aged parchment is blank inside until held in direct sunlight, whereupon a shimmering bronze script, flowing like molten brass, appears slowly. Notes are scribbled in the margin here and there in blue ink.

Foreword

Dearest Reader,
I am Rin'quith, 9th Sage of Solaris Prime. (I have traced this to Gliese 623 in the Hercules Constellation, as so named by Terrans. This realm is differently populated in Gaia)
I have been keeper of the histories of our civilization for several thousand years. While our traditions have kept the histories oral, I am committing the act of recording them so that they are not lost. While I am sure to lose my life for this atrocity, our realm is changing and I would see the truth of things preserved. If you, Dearest Reader, are taking in my words it will mean my death is not meaningless. Please know that what is written here will cost you your life if found by the Solavi, my people. And still, if ever there is a need to tell this story, it exists today. Gods be with you, Dearest Reader.

[darkheart]

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

In the early days of creation the races were created. Some by gods, some by demons, and some by chance. In truth, no society knows the truth of these things. What is known of the Ar-tel-quessir is that they were created above most mortal races. Known as Gold Elves, and later Sunelves, our connection to the Mystical and Divine have excelled due to our collection, appreciation and minding of history. The knowledge and history of our Faerun cousins is common and can be found in many a tome. However the history of the Solavi begins during The Retreat in The Year of Moonfall, 1344 DR. When the great Elven court abandoned the forrest, a select group of elves - connected to the Weave and in disgust of the Court's decision - made use of our natural resistance to heat and radiation and, through use of a forbidden ritual, opened a portal to a Red Star. They did not know where it was located, nor what would lay in store for them, however one by one they entered - 450 in all.

The first and bravest to go through, Jin'valessor, lived for 1 full minute before he was crushed by the gravity of the gaseous star. In that minute, and through his pain, he created a single tile from magic - a stone that would float along the surface of the star and not melt into it. This substance was called Amaunite - after the Faerun Sun God Amaunator. And on this plate the next 10 Solavi entered. Slowly the foundation for a crust to the star was built, with ports left along the surface to ensure the star would not die. These ports, named Sunwells, became the source of power for the entire civilization.

Building up the great Bronze City, named Solavi by Jin'valessor's son, Rin'valessor, the lavish architecture of the Ar-tel-quessir was maintained. It was found, though, that due to the radiation of the star the elves there were only viable during a limited period of time in their lives, and only able to have one child. This made repopulation and growth of the planet slow, and also led to the understanding that slowly the population would be in decline and thus not sustainable. This was a cause of great despair to the inhabitants of Solavi, and caused the Great Misfortune, which came next.

Note: This appears to be the first recorded use of the magic spell "Plane Shift." Alternate progenitors must have been wary to follow, thus spreading the knowledge to other pockets of culture. This is likely one of the reasons this spell is noted as Forbidden Magic.

[darkheart]

Chapter 2 - The Great Misfortune

Desperate to continue their society, the Great Solavi Council researched ways to magically boost fertility. When these efforts failed, they turned once again to darker magics. First turning to necromancy, the Great Mages would return beings to life that had passed away. Bringing them back in a state from their youth, they continued the cycle of knowledge this way. Tragically, there was a side effect: Those who lacked a strong mind were driven insane by this resurrection. While this method helped keep the population going, offering a chance to have more children, one in five elves were slain for insanity, never to be brought back again. While this was a limited option for the continuation of the species, it was still not a wise or permanent solution.

In the Year of Great Calamity, Rin'valessor was brought back. While not displaying overt signs of madness, his sanity was compromised. Often retreating to his chambers without his queen, there was many a night when dark whispers were heard emanating from the secluded one. This happened for weeks, but given Rin'valessor's fame it was largely covered up. In the third cycle of the Year of Great Calamity, darkness fell over Solavi. Exiting his chambers, Rin'valessor seethed with power and darkness. Behind him strode a great Yugoloth Lord. Rin'valessor introduced him as Rakesh, Lord of the Kalak'mal - a legion of lesser yugoloths. Rin'valessor had negotiated the salvation and continuation of Solavi and its peoples, as guaranteed by the Yugoloths. What Rin'valessor did not realize was the deceitful nature of his consort, and even as he made this announcement, a group of tieflings entered the great land of Solavi. Placed there by their infernal overlords, the tieflings would "perfect" the civilization of Solavi. They would breed and fill the land, ushering it toward the evil end of the Yugoloths. Our people were to become slaves of the Yugoloths, and the price of this deal of continued existence was the souls of those who were resurrected in madness. To seal the deal, Rakesh took the head of Rin'valessor, consuming his soul for all to see to reinforce the loss and despair to come.

And so The Great Misfortune began. The Solavi descended into house slaves, used for the service and pleasure of the Yugoloths, overseen by the tieflings. The Solavi had their magic bound through a dark art possessed by the infernals. And thus Solavi fell.

[darkheart]

Chapter 3 - Strange Bedfellows

And so it went for a time. Kept from our histories, deprived of our magics, the Solavi elves lost their identity, but not their dignity. Serving faithfully, a level of peace was maintained. While the ever present evil of the Yugoloths remained, as did the despair of losing souls to their hunger, a balance was achieved with the tiefling overseers. In many senses, they too were slaves, doing the bidding of the Yugoloths on pain of death and consumption. They did as they were told, as it was better to be the overseer than the slave if one was to be a slave regardless. There came a day, however when Rin'valessor's wife, T'shana'lor lay with the Teifling Damakos. This union, which had been forced many times over the centuries, yielded not only a child - but twins. The first of these unions to be successful, T'shana'lor hid her condition as best she could. When found out, Damakos' surprise was boundless. Rather than claim T'shana'lor and offer the children to the Yogoloths, he hid her away until she delivered. The first child, a son, was given the name Illereas D'Damakos. The second, a daughter, was given the name Rieta D'Damakos. At first the children did not appear to bear any signs of tiefling decent. The children looked in every way Sunelf, save for their hair, which shone in a shining silver white. They also had, from their very birth, a freedom from the binding of their magic.

Our homeland was, as it were, one of a pair of red dwarf stars. As I noted previously, our star was considered Solarus Prime. The other star, named Solarus II, had, in its stellar calendar, a lunar eclipse. It was during this lunar eclipse that the first signs of change were apparent in the twins. Their hair changed from silver to jet black, and their eyes - Illereas from Silver Blue and Rieta from Emerald Green - changed to a dark and flowing crimson. Their tiefling nature of capriciousness and agility, but also a penchant to be emotional. However they were also subject to loss of their power, making them more vulnerable. It was on these nights the children were hidden from view, their secret kept for many years. It was not until they were strong youths of 400 years old did their secret get revealed.

Rieta, tired of living as a slave, spoke out. Having her imprisoned, starved and beaten, the Yogoloths held her for a time. It was during this time a lunar eclipse passed, and her nature was not unnoticed. Rather than have her killed, the Yogologh instead twisted the knife by making her a princess. Her coronation was celebrated with the execution of T'shana'lor and Damakos at the hands of Rakesh, who consummately consumed their souls. Having her rule over the tieflings and the Solavi alike, they forced her to do their bidding. Forced to pity and hate their leader at the same time, the Solavi fell into a despair they had not felt since the Great Misfortune's beginning. Rieta herself despaired, day after day. Illereas, however, was placed as the First Avatar, charged with the collection and execution of the mad and oversight of the necromancers who raised them. Developing a deep hatred for their craft and the pain it caused his people, Illereas plotted and bided his time.

[darkheart]

Chapter 4 - Departure

Speaking to the necromancers he so loathed, Illereas learned of the Forbidden spell that had brought our people to this star. Slowly, over time, he learned of their magics and practiced in secret. When came the day he grew strong enough, Illereas opened a portal and was gone. Few knew to where he had ventured, and the Kalak'mal pursued him relentlessly - in Faerun, where they had assumed he'd fled. It was not until many centuries later that Illereas returned - from a planet known as Earth, right here in our own realm of Terra. Very little is known amongst our people as to where he went, whose company he kept in this time. One only knows that upon his return, Illereas wielded divine magicks, and with him came a fury unknown since the earliest of times.

Note: Illereas' time on Terra is chronicled in the codexes of my laboratory and in my office. Notable time spent with Rift McCarrion - possible precursor to subsequent events and technologial age of Solavi. I'll have to research this more.

[darkheart]

Chapter 5 - The Year of Blood

When Illereas returned, he utilized his divine magicks to slay Rakesh in open battle. Being half tiefling, Illereas carved out the Yogoloth's heart and consumed it, taking on its power. Little did he know this would also corrupt him as well. Rather than fight the remaining Kalak'mal, Illereas promised them 500 souls if they would leave Solavi to a safe realm of his choosing. Fearing Illereas, having killed their commander, the Kalak'mal accepted. It was then that Illereas took to the sword all the tieflings on Solavi. Single handedly slaughtering them in the streets of the Bronze City, he executed men, women and children alike. Storing all their souls in a canister of his own design, he presented this to the Kalak'mal, opening a portal to a dark realm that flashed of crimson light. But Illereas had his own trick in store, for when the Yogoloths consumed the souls, they found them tainted by the device. Poisoned and ailing, the essence of the Yogoloths left their bodies. However, this essence was not free to return to the gods, but rather trapped in the realm Illereas had sent them to - pure, self-replicating energy. And since he had consumed the heart of Rakesh, he was able to tap into that infernal power, altering the very fabrics of reality itself. As First Avatar, he claimed rulership over the Bronze City, citing his Divine Power, but it was I alone who knew that the Holy power he wielded came from his sword, and no longer from his person. Tainted by the blood and flesh of the infernal he'd eaten of, he was no longer fit to be a Paladin, and thus became an Oathbreaker. He had but one final task to accomplish.

Walking to the Palace, he entered his sister's chambers alone. Screams penetrated the air for over an hour, and then - covered in his sister's blood - Illereas emerged. Sealing the doors behind him, he drew his sword and issued forth but a few words, "This room shall be her crypt." Slowly all before him fell to their knees in fealty. The reign of the Kalak'mal was ended.

Note: No mention of a body or a funeral. Not consistent with Illereas' behavior. Bears investigation.

[darkheart]

Chapter 6 - Rebuilding

Many felt that Illereas had taken things too far. While the tieflings were our masters, many of them felt burdened and resentful of it. They, too, were slaves. To have slaughtered so many to avoid a conflict with demons - it did not set well with the populace. This was soon to change, however. Opening a portal to Terra, Illereas brought forth strange and wonderful machines. These machines were capable of growing full bodies - though lacking of souls. These husks were called "Clones," and with them Illereas changed the face of our culture. Illereas had found a way to cleave a soul into equal pieces without damaging the host. These "Facets," as he called them, took on partial attributes from the host, who in turn lost them. Were you a Mage and a Baker? Now you were a Mage and the Clone was a baker. More importantly, both the Host and the Facet were able to develop and live full lives, and more importantly, each could have children. The children would be born with complete souls, which could then conceivably be cleaved as well. Many of the Elders viewed this as a sort of new reincarnation, having their souls cleaved six and seven times, always into a fresh, young form. While they themselves were not able to live anew, they gave rise to full generations, swelling the population of Solavi to new heights. Each Facet would, in turn, become new individuals - new minds, new personalities. Each would be limited by their host, but their children would be full, fresh and complete. And so in this way The Seeding began. Once a soul had conceived and reached old age, it was cloven in two and seeded into a clone. In this way, each soul could now bear 3 children, instead of 1. Records were kept, and no soul fragment was ever cleaved more than once. And so Solavi grew, forgetting the blood shed and wickedness of Illereas, remembering only the one who had rescued civilization from its decay.

Illereas, having stabilized the land, left again for a brief time. Returning, he brought home his own bride - Andromeda Vryce Griffensbane. She was a beauty unlike many. Tan of skin with flowing pink hair, her smile warmed the hearts of many, and her kindness soothed age old wounds from the times before. Soon she was with child, and much like Illereas' parents, twins were born - a daughter, Ahanna, and a son, Atreyu. A third child appeared soon after - a son, Nihilano. When I asked his majesty about Nihilano, I was told he had cleaved Atreyu, placing him into a clone. I noted that both Ahanna and Atreyu had the Silver Blue eyes of their father, but Nihilano had eyes of emerald green. I said nothing - perhaps a flaw in the genetic recombination of the clone? After all, Andromeda was not a Solavi Sunelf, and perhaps this would affect her differently. What happened next was nearly too horrifying to speak of.

Note: Rin'quith never explained this passage to me. Though I begged my tutor, he was always strangely silent. Even after he published his book, he did not offer me insight. He was dead soon after and unable to complete his consultation. What was he alluding to?

[darkheart]

Chapter 7 - Blood and Banishment

"Time passed and the children grew - each coming into their own right. Ahanna was a wonderous child. Kind and genuine to all, she took after her mother in being a diplomat and arbiter of justice. Even at an early age she was found settling disputes informally for her elders, given her sense of justice and compromise. Atreyu, on the other hand, was mischievous. A prankster and trouble maker, he would often be found in self-indulgent behaviors at the expense of others. His deviousness, however, was matched only by his ability for complex thought and strategy. Ever several moves ahead of even his father, it was said the boy always knew what would come next. Nihilano, however, was unlike his siblings. Quiet and sensitive, he would be found reading many a night in the library, studying histories, arcana and philosophy. Often taking the fall for his brother Atreyu's misdeeds, he endured the constant rebuffs and punishments with a stoic quietude. It was this resilience that caused me to petition Illereas to be his tutor.

Each of the children showed a penchant for the Sacred Arts as well. Ahanna took to Magic - mastering Gravitational magic. Fascinated by astronomy and black holes, she learned to recreate them with ease. Atreyu, albeit absent from sight for weeks at a time, often had a foresight and strategy that were unparalleled. Many of the Elder Council joked that the boy could see the future, so elegant was his prediction of his opponent's strategies. Nihilano took to the blade, able to keep pace with his father and earning himself a place of renown in the newly formed Solavi Knighthood. While Ahanna and Atreyu were prized by their father, Nihilano was often scorned and dismissed. Even when the Solavi Knighthood was dispatched to overtake and subjugate other inhabited realms at the behest of Illereas' Imperialism, Nihilano's flawlessly executed campaigns would nary receive so much as a word of praise from the First Avatar, as Illereas was so named.

When then children had reached 147 years of age, a largely disputed occurrence passed. Ahanna was found by the guards to be arguing with Illereas in the First Avatar's study. While the nature of the argument was clearly enough to have upset the young woman's sense of justice, the true nature was not exposed. What is known is that not a day later Ahanna vanished from the kingdom, placed in a dark void prison by her brother Atreyu. The First Avatar spoke to the people of Solavi, stating that she had lost her mind, and that she was being held for her safety and that of the people. Atreyu confirmed this to be true, though I know he was not present in the study that evening, nor in the palace the morning after. Nihilano was away in the realm of Coliar, negotiating with the Storm Dragons for knowledge exchange.

It was during this time I began to grow suspicious. The guards of that evening were soon turned into Facets and placed anew in clones. They were several centuries ahead of schedule, but Illereas decided to 'honor' them by performing the ritual early so that their families could thrive with new children. My charge, Nihilano, was most tormented by news of his sister's madness and banishment upon his return, but given his brother Atreyu's words, was forced to accept it. While I felt no one to be more level headed than Ahanna, I did not press the mater with Nihilano, as it was not my place. I solely struck out to find what I could about the truth of these things.

Note: I detected Rin's discomfort during this time, but I thought only that he was distraught as I with Ahanna's banishment. What could have caused him suspicion? Granted Illreas' actions are usually complex and appear, at times, aloof - he is rarely devious and certainly not evil. Even as an Oathbreaker he holds to his ideology as a Paladin, in spite of the blood he's shed. He convinced himself it was for the people of Solavi - moral or not, it was an excise he justified to stabilize an enslaved and tormented people. What causes Rin'quith such suspicion?

[darkheart]

Chapter 8 - A Breath Before a Final Whisper

Dear Reader, I am not long for this world. I have penned these Chapters and tonight I will show them to Nihilano. I have discovered a most horrific and disturbing truth. I have published the first 7 chapters and sent copies to my trusted friends for distribution. I fear the secret I have uncovered will lead to my demise. I pray that the First Knight will forgive me - had I searched harder, acted sooner, he would have known the truth of it. I pray that he will save our people. I pray that he will believe me. Rise up, my people, and revolt! And forgive this winsome sage for his faith and patience. You are owed the truth.

Note: Rin'quith never had the chance to speak to me. I found this copy of his book, wrapped in parchment two days after his death. He was not given the right of Faceting. My father deemed him a heretic in commune with the Kalak'mal and summarily executed him. I read the book and committed it to memory. Within 3 days Illereas had rounded up those who had distributed the books and all copies of said book. He burned the distributors, alive with Coldfire, using the books as fuel. To this day I have not uncovered what secret Rin'quith discovered. I still visit my sister once a Solstice - she burns with rage and vengeance, but not madness. She will not speak with me about the argument and grows silent when I ask. She hates Atreyu nearly as much as father, but will not speak against "her brother." Atreyu and Father have decided to strike her name from the histories, letting her memory die as the current generation passes through Faceting. I have grown tired and left the Solavi Knighthood. I am to pursue the destruction of Munroe Vryce-Griffensbane at my Father's behest. It feels like a suicide mission, but I have no choice. I will find either my fate or my demise therein. Atreyu seems to have a plan - few know if his time jumping. He has seen the future, so I will attend his guidance.