DEATH OF A KING
The sordid clouds rein upon my face.
With tired eyes,
My fall from grace.
No gilded castle.
No bejeweled throne...
I made my bed,
Now I lie alone.
I now bow my head.
The epiphany.
Of suffrage.
I digress.
Disgraced in voyage.
I have given less.
Crown of thorns,
And serpent snake.
I close my eyes.
With death in wait.
An even with remorse
No one hears.
No one cries...
No shed of tears.

In the beginning, this tall and hardy race of Elf-Like folk settled in the northlands. Although not as long living or as graceful as the elves, Man did posses the ability to adapt. They can learn to change their behavior, or their environment to better suit their survival. Something unique to this particular race. In the very beginning, Man created a kingdom called Nothlingian. Their first King, Balthad I carved his Kingdom out of his own sweat, blood and tears. He established a great rule, and made a grand city. Under his Son and Grandson, the Kingdom grew into fame and glory. Their economy flourished, and their people were happy. Then Balthad IV ascended the throne. He was greedy and malevolent. He desired power and riches. He saw profit in entering the Ascendance Wars, aiding the Goblins in their conquest of the Trolls. But fate, had other plans. Balthad IV was cut down in battle, leaving his young son, Edrias to rule...

Under King, Edrias, their kingdom grew and prospered. Friendly and unmarred by evil, Man traded openly with all races. Befriending all, and learning much, Man advanced greatly in the ways of the world. The day came however when the great King Edrias died. Growing jealous of the Elven long life, Man distanced themselves from them. All the while trying to unravel the secret to this unnatural longevity. King Edrias' son, Maldirias was not as gentle and kind as his father however. Fearing the same fate of his father, Maldirias ordered all the Elves currently in his city to be arrested. They were questioned and tortured, attempting to pry the Immortality out of them, failing miserably. This ruined Man's friendship with the Elven folk, and seriously altered their path in Alura forever. Maldirias had 3 sons. Thingon, Kalindas, and Eldanteir. Maldirias died suddenly in the year 448. Many believed it was some form of Elven magic. His sons, unable to resolve who should rightfully rule, decided to splinter the mighty kingdom into 3 separate ones. Thingon and Kalindas taking the larger portions, and both equal in cruelty. Eldantier was weaker physically, but stronger mentally. He chose to stay out of most affairs and his kingdom followed suit, even to this day, preferring solitude and seclusion. Kalindas and Thingon however were warmongers. Always plotting and scheming to invade weaker Kingdoms. The elves had always eluding them, being too strong and magical for any attempt at victory. Then one day in the summer of 475, an emissary from the distant Goblin kingdom arrived to speak to Kalindas. The Goblins and Man had worked together in the Ascendance Wars, some 200 years prior. Talk of war and conquest, glory to be had and riches to be shared. The time of the Elves, was at an end. Telling his brother Thingon of their plans, they soon set to work mobilizing their armies, and preparing for war....

The Sundering:

The war between the Elves and the Goblin/Human Alliance was at a standstill. Victories and defeats on each side. Both sides mustered what forces they had left and met each other in the Valley of Sorrow. The battle was intense and unrelenting. Screams still echo those valley walls to this day. The elven forces were betrayed by their Dark Elven brothers, and left to die. The Elf reinforcements, mainly dwarves, were attacked and harassed in order to maneuver them to attack in the center. Once the elf-dwarf forces linked together in the middle, the troll and goblin flanks closed in around them. The dwarven and most of the elven forces were utterly annihilated. A great victory indeed for mankind and goblin alike. Riches and spoils were aplenty. Elvish dominance over Alura had ended, but many now grieve this loss. The time of the elves was great, and peaceful...

Years later the Northlands have begun to stir with rumors and whispers of a large Rodent-Like race. Sightings were reported, and people have begun to disappear. Brief skirmishes with Man and Rodent have been reported in the northern hills. Are these mere rumors and wives-tales? None know, for no man returned from those fights. No bodies found... Something seeks entry into Alura, and it will gain it by the tip of a sword..

To this very day, the 3 human kingdoms, named for their founders still stand. Corrupt and vile, but with glimmers of salvation. Will another King Edrias arise and lead his followers to righteousness. Only time will tell...

Discovered by Lore Master Jornii