Book One: Tamrinor Chronicles Recap
Guys! It’s nearly time for the Tamrinor Chronicles to return! Before that though, I thought it would be a good idea to re-run the earlier articles – so here they are all gathered in one easy place:
Chapter 1: Mhyra’s Tale
It is generally accepted that the Antari were the first race to inhabit the Land. Where they came from is a mystery, as is their true appearance. The few who have seen them speak of beings seemingly made of light. The Antari on the whole care nothing for the affairs of the wider world, simply being content to live in their forests. In fact, if not for the disastrous first contact with the young race known as the humans, they may never have left their island.
The humans came suddenly, the gleaming white sails of their ships landing on the shores of the Antari’s island. They came screaming, waving swords and spears, eager for battle. However, the humans were to be disappointed as their weapons met nothing but insubstantial air. No matter how much they tried they could not hurt the Antari. Days turned into weeks as the men desperately tried to push further into the island only to be frustrated at every turn.
To make matters worse, a freak storm destroyed the human ships, stranding them on the island. Things looked bleak for the humans – cut off, far from home, their only company a race they had tried to kill – until an event occurred that would shape not only their future but the future of the entire Land.
She called herself Rei-Ki, although to use a word like “she” to describe the being that came to the humans does not even begin to convey the sense of what they saw. A beautiful golden figure with long flowing blond hair, Rei-Ki met the humans and brokered peace, offering them safe passage from the island in ships of her own design. Desperate to leave and see their home of Rivertown again, the humans readily agreed to her terms.
But the encounter left Rei-Ki curious about this new race. Antari had long had the ability to take physical form but they usually did so on occasion, as situations require. But Rei-Ki found herself taking a physical form more and more, eager to explore the land around her using the senses of touch, taste, and smell. She enjoyed the feel of grass beneath her feet, the sound of the wind through the trees. More than anything else, she loved food. Berries, vegetables, she enjoyed them all and was always on the lookout for new things to try.
Along with others of the Antari who found new joys in becoming physical beings, Rei-Ki built a city – Golian, the Golden City. Shortly afterward she was surprised to see another human fleet approaching the Antari’s island. This time it sailed under a banner of peace rather than war. A century had passed since the last ill-fated human expedition and now they had sent a diplomatic envoy, led by Reagan Lakestrider. Negotiations were held in Golian and it was agreed that a permanent human embassy would be established in the golden city, and trade routes supplying furs, minerals and more importantly food, would connect Rivertown with the Antari island.
As the years passed relations between the humans and Antari grew closer, with some Antari forming unions with humans. Their offspring were distinguished by golden-hued skin and shining blonde hair, along with a high attunement to magic. Thus, Golian became not only the capital city of the Antari, it also became the foremost magical college in the land, welcoming students from all parts of the known world.
Rei-Ki herself did not sit idle either. She guided a race known as the Wild Ones in the forests to the east of the Land in their search for enlightenment, keeping a watchful eye over them as they developed. Sadly no record of Rei-Ki remains after the Crusade of Lotac the Terrible, however, Golian continues to this day, welcoming those who wish to learn the ways of magic.
Such a person is Mhyra. Her Antari and human ancestors are long lost in the mists of time, however, her heritage gained from both races still shines forth. Her golden hair and almost glowing skin marked her out from an early age, as did her gift for magic. She was quickly sent to Golian to hone her talents. Her tutors all agreed that she had great potential, indeed she quickly reached a level of proficiency almost unheard of among the mages, especially in the field of elemental magic.
But Mhyra was not satisfied. She had come to realise that as beautiful and wondrous as the city of Golian was, it was also a prison for those with magical talents. The grand mages lectured her and her fellows constantly on the dangers of unbridled magic, and even higher level wizards only went out beyond the walls of the city when absolutely necessary. Mhyra heard tales of folk who would pay handsomely for the services of a mage like her, and she yearned to see more of the Land.
And so, one night, she escaped. No one knew how. When the maids came round the next day to clean her room they found her simply gone.
Mhyra now travels the Land, doing work as she finds it and exploring more of the wonders of the world, looking for adventure and excitement.
Chapter 2: Eric’s Tale
You calls us Raptors, but that is not the name of our race. Our true name is unpronounceable in your uncultured tongue. In fact, without certain flaps and apertures I doubt you could even begin to learn our language to any acceptable degree.
But I digress.
We are, as I’m sure you are aware, a race of scholars. Our libraries hold the sum total of all knowledge in the Land. We painstakingly maintain and reproduce these books so that nothing is lost. Our towers reach high into the sky, and on a clear day you can see many of us swooping between the spires at the very top.
No, no it isn’t really that hot. I mean, I know we’re in a dry arid climate and we wear these robes but really you don’t notice it.
I’m digressing again.
My name is Eveneye Runewood Ironheart Cloudhand. I am Keeper of the Scriptures of the Third Wing of the Emberwolf Library, the fourth in line to the lineage of Head Cleric Mervinn Waterhelm and Keeper of the Sacred Hammer Greenfallow. I am also Follower of the Teaching of Rei-Ki of the Antari.
As I said, my name is Eveneye Runewood Ironheart Cloudhand and I am approximately five hundred of your years old. Would it surprise you to learn that I am still considered a youth by the standards of our race? I have been to many places and seen many things, most of which you cannot even begin to imagine.
You see, I am what we call a Questor. For the majority of us, a life led in contemplation of knowledge is enough, spending our years high in the eyries of Skyleth, surrounded by the memories of when this Land was still being formed. We have writings dating back to the times when the three gods formed this world, raising mountains and planting forests, and many of us spend our time lost in these records.
But for some of us just reading about things is not enough. Some of us want to get out and experience them for ourselves. I am one of those people. We yearn to explore the Land, seeking out new knowledge and learning new things, then after a century or so we return to Skyleth and add what knowledge we have obtained to the libraries. They call us Questors because we go on quests.
I know, not very subtle.
I myself have completed two quests so far. This is my third. My first quest took me across the Land to the far western isle. To the Golden City of Golian. I met the fabled Rei-Ki of the Antari and learned many new things, some of which even our most ancient records did not contain. I watched as she brought enlightenment to the Wild Ones in the east. I watched as the humans came to Golian to create peace between themselves and the Antari. I watched as that young race spread out across the east and south of the Land.
I even watched as Lotac the Terrible led his Crusade on his misguided venture to conquer the lands of the Antari.
No, I don’t know what happened at the end of that particular incident. I don’t know what happened to Rei-Ki or Lotac. And I’m not sure that I want to.
But I digress again.
This is my third quest. I haven’t got a destination in mind. This time I’m happy just to wander the Land and see events as they happen. I’ve picked up a few healing skills and Rei-Ki showed me some of the Antari healing arts so I’m always able to get by. As long as I hide my wings that is. They don’t tell you this but once you’ve spent a few centuries among other races hiding your true nature you find that you can’t fly as well. Oh well, it’s a small price to pay.
I can see you’re starting to get drowsy so I will leave you with one last anecdote.
You see, I am suffering under quite an unusual curse. I don’t know how it happened – whether by enchantment, adventure or just sheer misfortune, but people never call me by my name. I find it quite frustrating to tell you the truth. They never call me Eveneye Runewood Ironheart Cloudheart or any of my other titles.
They call me Eric the Cleric.
Please stop laughing.
Chapter 3: Tac’s Tale
Lotac, the tenth of his name, more commonly known as Lotac the Terrible, was possessed of cunning, tactical brilliance and a savage ferocity almost unheard of among his fellow Wild Ones. From a child he had heard the teachings and doctrines of Rei-Ki, chosen of the gods. The clan elders impressed upon him the kindness and benevolence of Rei-Ki, a member of the legendary Antari race, and they led him in devotions and worship in her name.
For many years, Lotac had gone along with them, mumbling prayers and participating in the required rituals, but as he grew older he found other ambitions and desires. He dreamt of a life free of dogmatic shackles. A life where he and his kin could be masters of their own destiny. A life of glory that the Wild Ones so rightly deserved. And he would be the one to deliver it to them.
He was not alone. Over the years he gathered others who thought as he did. Eventually they left their home in the tree-top city of Lawtek and struck out towards the south, towards the great mountains. They set up their camp in a hidden pass and lived as bandits, attacking merchants and nobles alike, gathering money and weapons. As time went on more and more joined Lotac and his cause – Wild Ones and even humans eventually found their place among his ranks. They called themselves the Order of the Black Talon, and signified their dedication by charring one of their claws to an indelible black. The humans among them, lacking claws of their own, charred one of their fingers instead. As they grew more and more audacious in their attacks the names Lotac and Black Talon became names to fear. But the worst was still to come.
After a decade of building up his forces Lotac decided the time was right to strike. He led his armies from their mountain camp and struck out across the Land. His intended destination was not the city of Lawtek. Instead Lotac had set his sights on the biggest prize of all – the source of all his clan’s oppression. Lotac’s objective was nothing less than the conquest the homeland of the Antari and the destruction of Rei-Ki herself. Only then could the Wild Ones be truly free.
The legends of Lotac the Terrible’s surge across the Land are well known, even now. Towns and villages burned in its wake. Crops were pillaged, houses looted, everywhere Lotac and his armies went they left nothing behind but dust, ashes and the screams of those few who survived. The humans of Rivertown made alliances with Lawtek and even the Amazons of the South Islands but even their combined forces could not stand against Lotac and his crusade. Indeed, many soldiers willingly switched sides, turning their blades upon their fellows.
After what seemed an eternity of blood and slaughter Lotac finally stood on the far western shore. The land of the Antari and the city of Golian lay within his sights. There was seemingly nothing left in his way.
But then a golden figure appeared before him. Rei-Ki herself had come to face Lotac and his forces. The two eyed each other for hours, then Lotac raised his armes and roared, charging forward, his army following in his wake.
And that is where the legend ends.
No-one knows what happened in that fateful encounter. No-one knows the ultimate fate of Lotac and his army of zealots. No-one can even say for sure what became of Rei-Ki. All that is known is that Lotac disappeared.
Many still talk of Lotac the Terrible and his crusade against the Divine. The name of Lotac is still taught, along with tales of his exploits and conquests. But of the Wild One himself none can say.
Except…
There are rumours, whispers, sightings, of a lone warrior wandering the Land. Seemingly lost, as though looking for a home but not knowing where it is. The rumours speak of a warrior with cunning and tactical brilliance, but with the mind of a small child and no memory of his life.
They say his name is Tac Taenth.
