Post by Atheron on Jan 11, 2012 5:37:57 GMT -5
Predestiny. Sometimes when you think you can walk your own path, Destiny intervenes.
The Histories
I. Atheron,
a land once full of wolves, foxes, kitsunes and more species of canine than imagined possible. All were given the cüulu – the elemental gift – which allowed them to cause great harm or great good. However, at that time the land was not ready for this power; the power that changed its surroundings, gave rain in the middle of summer, caused wildfires too often for the land to recover. Atheron was dying.
II. Survival
The land had no other desire than to continue providing a home and sanctuary for its creatures. At this moment it could do neither. In order to do this in the future, it needed to chase away those it cared for most. Sadness crept into the molten core of Atheron, grief pushed molten fire into Mt. Flanon and despair released calamity upon the land. Toxic gases clouded the air, the skies cried in an unrelenting downpour, the ground grumbled and moaned splitting territories and fracturing the continent. Chaos ripped packs apart as wolves and foxes alike returned to their base instincts and fled. Terror gripped the elementals as they came to face powers they could not control. Water can control water but when faced with fire, earth and air they are crippled. So began the Escape.
III. Memories
The elementals vanished from the land in a matter of months, but those who had survived were far fewer. At first the elementals were angry, bitter and confused. The long lifespan of an elemental ensured this was not something they would soon forget. They became migratory packs, staying in no place for too long for fear the land would turn on them once again.
IV. Rebirth
At the end of the Escape, Atheron looked like a battlefield. Bodies big and small were everywhere. Some floated in the water; some had fallen into the fractures in the ground. Although their bodies were broken and defeated, their life energy continued to glow. Blue for water, white for air, green for earth – and it was this Atheron used to rebuild and strengthen itself for the Return. Using this life energy would ensure the land could prevail even against the use of constant elemental power. However this binding of life energy into its heart would take years.
V. Vinei
So deep was Atheron in its rebuilding process that it didn’t notice newcomers making their home on its plush green carpets and warm caves. These strangers were quick to populate the land, as their lifespans were shorter than the tenets before them. Only when this happened did Atheron look up from its mission. When it reached out to feel the energies, there was nothing but clear life. No color and no power. These were Vinei, Normals. Despair filled the core once more but confusion kept it at bay. What had happened to the ones bearing cuulu? Had they been driven to extinction, were these their offspring, the only ones left of a powerful legacy? Denial fueled determination and the Vinei were allowed to stay as Atheron returned to its work, more resolute than ever.
VI. Descent
While Atheron allowed the Vinei to stay, they were not so sure this was the Paradise they had sought. Yes, it was green here and rich with life. However... it was not rich with life as we know it. For in order for Atheron's native species to survive, they had needed to evolve and change. To protect themselves, these creatures who could not run changed, adapted and evolved. Once fluffy and cute, now deceptive and dangerous. Unfortunately the Vinei didn't have the courage to leave this place, to return to their own ancestral lands. Instead, they braved Atheron's dangers, struggling to create a new home for themselves.
The first winter was the hardest. Due to the uncanny predatory instincts of Musk Deer, many died and continued to die. For every deer brought down to feed a pack, the musk deer would take two. Finally in midwinter, when survival seemed utterly hopeless, they were approached by a divine being. It was this divine being who taught them to endure and accept. Through this aid, the Vinei were able to survive. Spring brought another such being, summer another and fall the last. It is through their teachings the Vinei thrived and became as we know them today. Never have they forgotten their gods and remember them always, for without them, they would not be here now.
VII. Hope
Those cuulu born after the Escape would always be curious. What about Atheron, was it real? Some took it upon themselves to act as scouts. When they arrived, there was much doubt in them, could this place be real? This was not the scarred land their elders had spoken of. In fact, there were others living here. These scouts realized they were not like them. The thought of returning to Atheron solidified in their young hearts but they would need to find more information on the inhabitants. After fifty years of observation, these scouts realized these were not like the other Normals they had encountered. They lived longer. This could only mean the land had changed. If the Histories were correct, the Normals had only lived a little over ten years in this land before the Escape. When the scouts came back with this knowledge, the majority of the cuulu were in agreement; they would return.
The Histories
I. Atheron,
a land once full of wolves, foxes, kitsunes and more species of canine than imagined possible. All were given the cüulu – the elemental gift – which allowed them to cause great harm or great good. However, at that time the land was not ready for this power; the power that changed its surroundings, gave rain in the middle of summer, caused wildfires too often for the land to recover. Atheron was dying.
II. Survival
The land had no other desire than to continue providing a home and sanctuary for its creatures. At this moment it could do neither. In order to do this in the future, it needed to chase away those it cared for most. Sadness crept into the molten core of Atheron, grief pushed molten fire into Mt. Flanon and despair released calamity upon the land. Toxic gases clouded the air, the skies cried in an unrelenting downpour, the ground grumbled and moaned splitting territories and fracturing the continent. Chaos ripped packs apart as wolves and foxes alike returned to their base instincts and fled. Terror gripped the elementals as they came to face powers they could not control. Water can control water but when faced with fire, earth and air they are crippled. So began the Escape.
III. Memories
The elementals vanished from the land in a matter of months, but those who had survived were far fewer. At first the elementals were angry, bitter and confused. The long lifespan of an elemental ensured this was not something they would soon forget. They became migratory packs, staying in no place for too long for fear the land would turn on them once again.
IV. Rebirth
At the end of the Escape, Atheron looked like a battlefield. Bodies big and small were everywhere. Some floated in the water; some had fallen into the fractures in the ground. Although their bodies were broken and defeated, their life energy continued to glow. Blue for water, white for air, green for earth – and it was this Atheron used to rebuild and strengthen itself for the Return. Using this life energy would ensure the land could prevail even against the use of constant elemental power. However this binding of life energy into its heart would take years.
V. Vinei
So deep was Atheron in its rebuilding process that it didn’t notice newcomers making their home on its plush green carpets and warm caves. These strangers were quick to populate the land, as their lifespans were shorter than the tenets before them. Only when this happened did Atheron look up from its mission. When it reached out to feel the energies, there was nothing but clear life. No color and no power. These were Vinei, Normals. Despair filled the core once more but confusion kept it at bay. What had happened to the ones bearing cuulu? Had they been driven to extinction, were these their offspring, the only ones left of a powerful legacy? Denial fueled determination and the Vinei were allowed to stay as Atheron returned to its work, more resolute than ever.
VI. Descent
While Atheron allowed the Vinei to stay, they were not so sure this was the Paradise they had sought. Yes, it was green here and rich with life. However... it was not rich with life as we know it. For in order for Atheron's native species to survive, they had needed to evolve and change. To protect themselves, these creatures who could not run changed, adapted and evolved. Once fluffy and cute, now deceptive and dangerous. Unfortunately the Vinei didn't have the courage to leave this place, to return to their own ancestral lands. Instead, they braved Atheron's dangers, struggling to create a new home for themselves.
The first winter was the hardest. Due to the uncanny predatory instincts of Musk Deer, many died and continued to die. For every deer brought down to feed a pack, the musk deer would take two. Finally in midwinter, when survival seemed utterly hopeless, they were approached by a divine being. It was this divine being who taught them to endure and accept. Through this aid, the Vinei were able to survive. Spring brought another such being, summer another and fall the last. It is through their teachings the Vinei thrived and became as we know them today. Never have they forgotten their gods and remember them always, for without them, they would not be here now.
VII. Hope
Those cuulu born after the Escape would always be curious. What about Atheron, was it real? Some took it upon themselves to act as scouts. When they arrived, there was much doubt in them, could this place be real? This was not the scarred land their elders had spoken of. In fact, there were others living here. These scouts realized they were not like them. The thought of returning to Atheron solidified in their young hearts but they would need to find more information on the inhabitants. After fifty years of observation, these scouts realized these were not like the other Normals they had encountered. They lived longer. This could only mean the land had changed. If the Histories were correct, the Normals had only lived a little over ten years in this land before the Escape. When the scouts came back with this knowledge, the majority of the cuulu were in agreement; they would return.