History and Stories | Xadune

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

The Funny Thing about Portals…

“How did you get here without any of my militia noticing you?” The blue elven girl stares up at the taller figures shadowing her in the bright midday’s light. “Well? State your case, child.”

She swallowed hard and caught her breath before beginning, “It was a typical day of bathing in the sun for a while to warm myself only to dive back into the lake to get a breath of fresh air. I swam around a while when I saw something glint in the sun light in my peripheral. Out of curiosity I decided to investigate. If it were something of worth I could always take it back to town to barter before I had to go back to my home for my usual meetings.

Some of the members of my crew were getting impatient and wanted things to move along quicker than had been planned. It seems as though the people of this supposed “hero town” are too dense to realize what was actually going on around them. Regardless, things were still moving as planned and that is all that matters.

Back to the glittery mass in the sand, as I picked it up and swam a little bit I noticed it had some strange writing on it. Catching my interest as I flipped it over to get a thorough examination a bright light surrounded me and time seemed to stop for a moment. All sound was deafened for only but a moment. It seems as though I fell through a portal of some sort and landed roughly on my backside. I glanced around to take note that I was on this island, thank goodness I was near water. Without it, I was surely a goner.

I dove into the cold water to try to get my bearings. It took a breath or two for my body to realize that it was alive. I had no idea where I was, the shiney object was gone and I felt a slight tingling to my skin– the same feeling I always have when I portal jump. What was I supposed to do but to explore around when I felt a little better to find out how to get back? The island looks like any other typical tropic area and if I had my map I might have some sort of idea where I was.”

One soldier looks to the other and looking back to the small elven figure, “What are you?” Taken aback by what was an odd question to her, “Wait, what? Here you are telling me that I am no longer on my own world? You honestly don’t know what I am? And I’m supposed to believe you? I mean, planar traveling is no big deal where I come from, but this isn’t some joke? It takes longer than a mere few seconds and a ritual to get anywhere outside of my plane… I can’t remember how to get home or how to do anything I could earlier today. And it seems as though your magical energies aren’t like what I know anyway. So, what do you suggest I do about this?”

Stern looks cross both their faces as they take up arms, “You are going to have to come with us, ma’am.”

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

The Views of a Kanadian Elven Woman

I always wondered what it was like to be of my race. A very strange thing to say about oneself, but it just seems as though I am wearing someone else’s skin. Most of us have been killed or bred out and it seems as though we had our own culture at one point or another. Why else would everyone have ill feelings towards us?

Fair skin, pointed ears, almond eyesâ; we all look the same. But it is as though we were all raised by others. We don’t have the same opinions, metaphors, beliefs and taste in food/clothing/entertainment or even virtues. We are one yet all different peoples. Is this how it is for every race of the world? I didn’t put much thought to it until I was left out of several events. The ball, for one, was an event I was looking forward to all year round. It happens during the winter solstice and I was hand-making my gown. I suppose everyone assumed I was a seamstress for a well off noble or something of the sort, because when I awaited my invitation in the mail it never came. Heart broken and infuriated the only thing I could think of when I gazed upon my lovely gown of gems and silk was hatred. When I asked my neighbors if they received theirs, they passed it off as if the mail was just delayed for me. But the look in their eyes told me differently. They knew that I wasn’t to be invited.

You would figure that a nation such as Kanada wouldn’t condone such behavior, but it seems as though I stand corrected. They prance around in their fancy clothing and treat everyone as though they sit in ranks of a militia. The higher the rank, the more privy you are to events and the like. The lower, the less you know. How ignorant! To think that I stand up for a nation I love and believe in so much as to let them treat me as if I were worth nothing. I see how they look at me, jealousy crossing their eyes like a mutt watching a family eating dinner in their nice warm home on a rainy day. Longing and envy.

What was it that made my people become this way? Was it about all of this? Was this hatred, jealousy, envy run through everyones’ blood but our own? Why are we so ignorant to the old ways? To just throw away the past as if it didn’t exist and pick up somewhere new; to relearn what we knew from birth and pass on new traditions to our children! how sickening.

I wonder if there are others out there wondering the same things as I am. Or if I am in a world of my own, daydreaming of impossible things.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

Accounts of Those that Reside in Darken Wood

It was much like any other evening, damp with humidity from the summer night, the echoed calls of wild beasts that live within the forest, and the moonlight that attempted to break through the tree branches casting down shadows on everything like a blanket of darkness. Why was I awake at such an hour? That was an easy enough question to answer. The witching hour was a perfect time to hunt. There was nothing else like the thrill of dancing through the night’s dangers to get blood pumping. When hearing the heart beat in your ears and feel the body’s warmth with the excitement of a chase, knowing that this is what it is truly to feel alive.

The pigmys were fearsome little creatures. They were quicker that catadillos and had a fierceness about them that would take anyone aback at first glance. They were fair game but don’t provide enough sustenance for the work to get just one. I like the sound the hawksray makes in the night. A bellowing shriek that makes the common mans’ skin crawl. A noise that cannot be reproduced; although, the closest thing I could come by the make a similar noise would be a mixture of claws against a chalkboard and scratching on a record. They are enormous beasts that can grab and fly off with anyone or anything up to the size of a water buffalo or a gren, which ever is bigger is debatable.

My people are of a peaceful nature, according to our family lifestyle. In other nations we are considered war-like and aggressive. When put into our situation, it only comes natural to defend what we have and survive in any means necessary. Threats from every which angle are evident in everyday life, not only from the predators that live off of the land and the things on it, but also from the other tribes on top of the scavengers. Scavengers are what we, feline, refer to those others who live here; not only humans but elves and other races that are running from one thing or another. The Scavengers hop around like they have bugs in their clothing, wound up like a tight spring and explode at any moment over the smallest things. It doesn’t surprise me when I come across one half eaten by something that they came across in the woods. They don’t seem to know what they are doing half the time, when it comes to battle. Maybe, some day, they will figure it out.

Until that time comes, I will go at my own pace and enjoy the challenges that await me. There are still things to discover and new journeys to take within Darken Wood before I feel as though I need to wander out of these lands and go exploring elsewhere.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

A Journal from the Past…

A blood stained and nearly illegible journal was found and released to the public; what little could be read says as followed.

I sit here writing, what I can only imagine to be my last entry, and I look out upon the undercity and I can see them moving, the shadows, all the other clans coming together to fight back that which we have brought upon them. Eberk, practically driving them all into slavery! We are all kin here; we should not be fighting!

Barely able to see I continue to write this in the Lower dungeons of Eberk Hall. I was once the greatest advisor to the king, second to only the prince. When the king went mad with power I advised him to rethink his actions, see that the clans were equal, we were not better than any other clan, and here I sit, alone, starved! dying!

..The walls just shook, the assault has begun. I can hear the cries of battle to Goddamas and Utili. I can hear steel upon steel, hammer against axe. How long can this last. How long will it take for him to see that we are only killing each other; we are killing family.

It has been 3 weeks now and the sounds of battle still ring as loudly as they did when the first rubble fell upon my beard. How much more blood will be spilled before peace is found. I find myself praying more often, not for myself, but for those of my kin!

The fighting has stopped; I wonder what I am to say if “we” have “won” or if I will be found. Will I be executed due to my clan name, or will I be spared for the cruelty that I have already endeavored. I can only hope that I will be shown peace, I ask Utili to please give me one last chance, so that I may make– (the rest of the entry is torn away and this is all that was legible)

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

The Coronation of a New Matriarch

Unlike Akila Darkstride’s coronation, Luna Crestford’s wasn’t a happy ceremony. Everything was somber and quiet as the party went on. The race was no divided and Luna had a lot on her mind. The Striped were banished for the murder of the matriarch and the Brown ran off for fear of what they attempted. The race divided at a critical moment, the feline were having unknown issues to deal with but were within close range of an opportunistic attack.

The ceremony began quietly as she slowly made her way down the aisle the participants made by giving way in the empty field. She held her head high as she walked passed everyone. The regally aura of was becoming of her. All of those years I have known her, she actually seemed to be at peace. Luna reached the end of the aisle and stood before one of the Bultungin’s few clerics. He made gestures thanking the Powers for the beautiful day, the peace that now entranced the gnoll race and for the hopeful glory of the future. She gracefully knelt and her gown beautifully spread out before her like an open lily.

Luna opened her eyes and looked up at the cleric slowly and repeated the words all of the matriarchs before her at one point said in the beginning of their carrier. He sprinkled the dust of night bloom that only comes once a year. She muttered under her breath and turned to the crowd; her hair framed her face beautifully and swung around her neck.

“I swear to uphold the rights of the gnoll race and treat everyone as equals. If I fail to fulfill my duty as a proper representation of the race, justice will be brought down upon my neck by the swords of my brethren. To bring glory to our race will bring satisfaction, not only to me but to my people and the future that I see before me. Our children and their children will see the light of another day that only a just and peaceful matriarch can bring. Glory to the Bultungin! Glory to our lands! Glory to the light of a promised future!”

The words rang true as it echoed over the silent crowd. She had recited the coronation words but added to the speech as well. This brought tears to my and several gnoll eyes as she stood proud before them. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause for this was the first time any matriarch had promised to give them what they all wanted and swear by the life line in her neck that it would come true.

It has been a week since the coronation and Luna has not stopped doing things for her people. Maybe this will be a turning point in the history of the gnoll race, but maybe it was all false hopes and lies like we have endured in the past. Unlike the others who had served under the matriarchs before me, I do not intend to stand by and let us fall to ruin. After all, I am in the same shoes Luna once was with Akila.

My name is Rehema, the last name doesn’t matter much. It is a tradition for the matriarch to have her own hand maid of the same culture to share what she wishes and get input when needed. I was her council, a friend and if need be – a lover. The gnoll race has been suffering, in my opinion, for years. Being oppressed by Akila and with the light beginning to shine over Luna, I’m hoping things turn for the best.

I haven’t found anything she has done, thus far, terrible but it does seem as though she does them clumsily. A new matriarch has shoes to fill and many roles to play. It just seems as though it is taking longer than usual for Luna to get used to it. She walks with grace and speaks eloquently. I see why Akila chose her for her own. She holds herself with such grace and beauty; it is difficult not to stare. She eats daintily, unlike most gnoll, and reads and learns often. Luna keeps to herself most of the time but when she does things, it is done in a timely fashion. Some say that she was raised by the Leona, that’s how prim and proper she seems to be.

But when it comes down to the wire, she seems to throw things together and hurry through things to get it done and out of her list… that it’s done clumsily and, pardon my saying, half-assed. Perhaps with enough time, effort and practice she will do things correctly and quicker. It has only been a couple weeks since the coronation, and yet it feels like longer. This energy that surrounds her and those who work closely to her is hypnotizing. Maybe it is because everything is happening so quickly… We will soon see what comes of the Bultungin. I’m sure an uprising will occur if the peoples aren’t happy with the new turn of leadership.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

The Darkness

On the clearest of nights when the winds of the lower atmosphere were calm and peaceful the great merchant ships with their cargoes of Jarrian mitheral felt safe and secure. Little did they suspect that they were pursued by pirates. And the most feared of all these pirates was the notorious Captain of the Elfmörder, the Darkness.

Like a Zealian razortoe overtaking its prey, the Darkness and his band of renegades swooped in out of nowhere. And then; gathering up their spoils, would annihilate everything around and vanished without a trace.

For decades the crew of the Elfmörder hunted the skies of Xadune. No one ever had a chance against their vessel, and though many Sky Fleets tried to best them none had ever survived. Few saw the crew and lived to speak. Those that did only speak of the horror that engulfed them while they skated the edges of Armadel’s arms.

Tales of the city of Perth still ring out in the minds of port-fairers: It is said the Elfmörder docked there for repairs one day. By the end of the day when the people came in from the fields they found only an empty port city and the Elfmörder setting off in the distance. Over one thousand people, gone…

Those who escaped the dead book by the crew’s hands say that they are the most rag-tag viscous group of people the world has ever seen. They are armed with weapons most commoners could never imagine, and seem to be invincible by normal means. Tales of all sorts spring from the mouths of survivors: magic lost to the world, mitheral clad clockwork men, firearms that pierce through the thickest armor, and combat prowess never seen by the likes of any warrior lay at the Captain’s disposal.

Fellow pirates fear to speak his name; for fear that the wrath of the Darkness will descend upon them. Only one has ever been known to hold peaceful parlay with them, and that is the Queen of the pirates herself.

Then, nearly over a quarter of a century ago the ship and crew vanished. The Darkness’ secret trove was never found but stories have persisted that it remains hidden somewhere at the farthest reaches of Xadune stowed with riches beyond imagination.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

The Meetings over XA0024

After the end of the first day in the World Meeting discussing the maters of XA0024, the doorways still remained closed to the City. Though most have been very hushed about what is being discussed it is hard to ignore the fact that the tone is ominous.

Reports are trickling in now that whole areas of XA0024 has “changed”, though we have not yet received clarification on what exactly that means. We have gotten confirmed stances from Kinsley, which oddly report that they are for a deeper explanation and exploration of XA0024 and the opportunities it holds. For those of you not aware, Kinsley was previously the leading voice in the annihilation of the island and all ruins on it calling it “an abomination of man and science that of which the Powers would despise.”

As almost always the clergy is reluctant to answer any inquiries; which just makes us hope that by tomorrow we will know more about what we are looking at for the future of XA0024.

It’s been nearly three days now since the conference started. Apparently heavy negotiations are still underway onto what should be done with XA0024 and if it should be reopened. We have yet to receive any answers as to what happened in the City, which has been exactly seven months ago.

Speculations to what has changed about XA0024 have only been made since then, but no reports have actually confirmed whether they are true. What is known, however, about the changes that were reported are drastic compared to what was last known about the island.

Kinsley’ firm stance to explore the island still holds strong over the previous months and some say that they were getting groups of 7-10 together to get ready to deploy once the order was passed. The odd change in their stance several months ago had thrown everyone aback. Currently Kinsley government officials give no comment on this matter. Although we are further investigating what may have caused this sudden and extreme flip in perspective, we only have speculation that there is a race for XA0024’s resources involved.

The same as Kinsley’s stance we haven’t received much word from the clergy either. Only words of hope for a new future for this forgotten island. Perhaps they too are hoping to send their best clergymen to the island to help reform those who may be on the island, if any survivors. Or to provide hope and peace for those who hope to establish themselves there, if indeed the they give the go-ahead to reopen it.

It has been over a week now since the conference began. Finally, it seems as though the conference is coming to a close and we can get some answers as to whether or not the approval was given for the reopening of XA0024.

Rumors are only now coming to us, but we believe what is being called Sector 3 is being reopened first. Though as of now we are unaware as to how this decision was made or what has taken so long for this to be determined. What we are now aware of is that almost every Nation seems to have a quick mood of transportation waiting on them.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

Azrathia

Once there was a magical place but over time it was lost. This powerful and intricate kingdom was known to all as Azrathia. It was locked away in a grand magical place when time seemed to be stopped. It was the most prized and impressive kingdom on Xadune. It held secrets and magics so prized that almost everyone wanted to be there. The secrets to transdimensional travel, anti-magic magic, every spell a magi could imagine, and an almost endless supply of components. Their inventions and studies are still left to be understood by man today. The secrets of an inexhaustible power source, climate controllers, light focusing ray beam weaponry, and even a better way to slice bread.

But for all its glory and awe it attracted the eye of an evil nation that wanted to use its resources for nothing but personal gain. They sent one of their most powerful Nobles to seize control over Azrathia. He appeared on night at the drawbridge to the might kingdom, and single handedly entered the gates, made his way to the throne room, and over threw the king. The king was frozen solid and placed in the vaults, as the subjects were forced into slavery. It was said that the tears from the people of Azrathia formed a lake that surrounds the kingdom today.

But destiny dealt the evil a bad hand. The war they raged was fruitless, and in time the felt the wrath they dealt upon others. As this nation fell, orders were sent to destroy Azrathia, but the Noble did one better. After slaughtering off all the people of the kingdom the Noble setup and turned on all the kingdom’s defenses, making it almost impenetrable. Once done, he left. Now the fortune of the kingdom is locked up in its dungeon vaults and the castle floor lies in traps. The drawbridge was lifted one last time and it lays now in wait.

Over time the kingdom was forgotten over time to all but the brave that seek the treasures of Azrathia. It’s location unknown to the world, and its defenses seemingly unstoppable. None that have claimed to found its location has returned. Some say that enough riches lay in the treasure vaults to tip the balance of any country. And the vast amounts information alone would occupy the time of teams of mages and scientists for many lifetimes. Most believe that it is only a place of myth and legend, but some always say it is real and just laying in wait for the right person to bring the kingdom back to life.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

The Story of Dr. Jasper Wilmont

Dr. Jasper Wilmont, is a human scientist in the study of life and how things work, such as engineering and tinkering. Over the years he attended some of the top schools that his country had to offer and was the best in his class. After he obtained his doctor’s degree he disappeared. Some believed he killed himself, others believe that it was something about the town that drove him away, but why would a 30 year old man drop off the face of the earth after so much success? No one knew. Five years went by and he was then spotted in a graveyard by the gravedigger. He was fined for tampering with the dead and put in jail. No one understood why such a nice man through school and successful had his entire life laid out for him… had turned dark.

His stay at the jail, the lawmen say, was eerie. The doctor was so silent towards other people; all day he would talk to himself non-stop about what he had planned. Three days passed and Dr.Wilmont found himself staring at a familiar face. A lady named Amber Read. When he attended school she is all he could think of. He wanted so bad to be married to her and have a family, but she rejected him. A few speculate this is why he disappeared. Immediately his dark and twisted personality turned night to day. Excited to see her he straightened his act up and acted as if he hadn’t left a day.

She invited him over for dinner that night after bailing him out of prison. He was so happy to see her. Just before they sat down to eat, a man entered the house. Amber addressed him as her husband, a tall muscular man. “Husband?” the doctor though, “How? When?” She had explained to the Doctor that her husband, Jonathan, treated her nicely and provided her with everything she ever wanted and that they are expecting a baby. The doctor then noticed that she was in fact pregnant. He stood to his feet and ran out the door, infuriated at himself.

“If I would have stayed things would have worked out perfectly, why did I have to leave? Curse my studies… CURSE MYSELF… no… curse him, curse the bastard child… curse her for not seeing who loved her first.”

He instantly plotted murder. She was to be his and no one else would have her over him. “I will make you mine… you have always been mine… I will tear you apart and reconstruct youâ€¦ I will kill you to love you.” These thoughts ran through the Doctor’s head as his planned began to unfold. He would wait, wait till they were vulnerable.

And he did wait. He predicted and even began making future plans for his sure success.

It was the night before the plan unfolded. To this day, Dr.Wilmont considers himself lucky for predicting such an outcome so perfectly. 7:00 pm, the Doctor knocks on the door of Amber’s house. The husband answers, “Hello Jasper, surprise to see you out here this late in the day. Sorry, but we are about to have dinner.” Jonathan goes to close the door but Dr. Wilmont puts his foot in the way. “I believe I have other plans.” Dr. Wilmont goes to reach for his gun in his lab coat but Amber appears from the kitchen corner with a pot of beef stew. “Oh, hi Jasper! Would you care to join us for dinner? There is plenty to go around.” Jonathan then shoots Dr. Wilmont a confused look before he enters the house.

The party of three find themselves getting situated at the dining room table. Jonathan and Jasper stand as they wait for Amber to sit. Just before she was able to make contact with her chair, her water breaks. She feels immense pain. Shocked, her husband rushes to her side to help her. He shouts back at the Dr. “help! Don’t just stand there go get a doctor!”

“Oh, but I am a doctor” Jonathan turns back to Jasper only to notice a gun pointed straight at his head.

Bang!

His blood and brains splatters all over his wife and he falls to the ground dead. Dizzy and nauseous from all that is happening, Amber passes out.

The Doctor stands admiring his success in cutting out the “middle man” he then slowly makes his way to Amber. He grabs the knife from the table and cuts open her stomach and reaches in for the baby.
“I am just not feeling beef stew tonight….” he looks over to the fire place that is burning. He cuts the umbilical cord, dragging the baby by the foot. Slowly he grabs the fire poker and viciously sticks it up the baby’s rectum through its skull and places the kabob neatly over the fire so that it can roast.

After the baby was done roasting he bagged the three in their bed sheets and placed them in the wagon that he had parked at the side of the house and drove back to his laboratory.

With Amber and Jonathan on work benches and the baby now in fine little squares, the doctor begins his work. Every so often he will grab a piece of baby to enjoy. His plans for Jonathan are to preserve his flesh and build off of him… to make a fighting machine. And for amber, he plans to reconstruct her to fulfill his fantasies and dreams of all that he has missed out on for all these years. The baby…. well, it will be back in about 24 hours. To this day Jasper still has trouble putting plans to success, after all he is trying to bring life using pure science, non-the-less he is close now, very close.

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

Diary of a Soldier

July 18 AFS 060:

Our militia was gathered on the other end of the battle field in Southern Pha. It seemed as though things were going to fair well in the beginning. The weather was clear, just enough of a breeze for our archers to give us a great lead if battle begun. We had the higher ground on the field, giving us an advantage on the gnoll army, regardless if this was their lands.

We didn’t stand a chance.

Their formations were near perfect. Marching to a beat of their own, that only they could hear, they move forward at an alarming speed. As if they were one person, their precision with their attacks are astounding. It was like watching a never-ending flow of Gnoll pouring like water from a tipped vase. The dog-men were pushing our armies back defending their lands with such passion it brought fear to any man’s heart.

We just figured that we could take back our lands. Instead we left with our heads hanging low as the matriarch showed us mercy. Only three hours, after only three hours, the gnoll drove us back and had us fleeing without any effort.

Deciding not to leave just yet, I hid in the sparse woods that was nearby and found that a small group of feline was attempting to enter the gnoll lands just as we had. They were met with the same force, ready for battle and unwelcoming looks.

A larger feline approached, what looked like to be a Leona, calling out the matriarch to speak on terms. Unbeknownst to me to what had been said, the gnoll forces broke into hysterics, laughing and giggling fits slowly died down after a while and then silence.

The feline were brought into their camp, where there would be no escape. What I may feel as though may very well be a death trap to any who oppose them. And I wasn’t corrected when the feline reemerged after 6 hours as their corpses were tossed outside of their boundaries.

-Cathyr Montego

July 23rd AFS 60:

I left to visit a friend in Revrent and it all began almost a week ago. The fever started then the mouth water quickly died away. I saw the doc and he said it was alright, it was just the flu. But after a couple of days when I loss use of my left arm and I started to see things, I started to question his diagnosis. When I went back to the doc the next time, something just came over me and I don’t know what happened. I blacked out and he was on the floor, face down, in a pool of his own blood. I thought it mine at first, but after a quick check I realized it wasn’t mine at all.

I was confused and agitated at the silliness of it all. No answers, I have gotten nothing from anyone. No science-freak, no medical-geek, nothing, can you believe it?! You think in a big city like Reverent SOMEONE could give me an answer!

Just today my eyes wouldn’t stop watering. They just flowed down my cheeks as if in mourning, but I laugh as though I just became the richest man in Xadune. I don’t understand what is happening

This sickness, this, this, THING, whatever it is!

-Cathyr Montego