Dulan 515

The revival of Cyripus

In the year Zian turned 15, there came a subtle shift in the human wars. King Ladeus II of Dulan lost his Queen and with her, his will to live or fight. The nobles in his court grew concerned and encouraged him to go to the field of battle and see for himself how the war progressed. He took a large group of supporters and advisors with him as he travelled. Among them was Ernan, the ruthless warrior who betrayed Zian's father. He had risen through the ranks and now commanded a large force, keeping an influential place at the King's side.

As the party moved into Windrill, near Elka, they stopped by the river to rest their horses. Ernan had always enjoyed exploring old ruins, and found some nearby to entertain himself while the King rested. As he explored deep into the fallen walls and broken streets, he came across a corpse - not unusual in such a war torn time. But this corpse was dressed in magician's robes not seen for centuries. It had two exquisite arrows, still protruding from the chest. They looked expensive and Ernan wanted them. He went to the body and pulled the arrows free. Ernan instantly felt a shock course through his hands into his heart. He collapsed, unconscious.

When he opened his eyes, he was not the same man. Ernan had found the body of Cyripus - and the soul of Cyripus was not dead. It refused to leave, clinging to the rocks, the dust, and what was left of his decaying body. Now the soul of Cyripus inhabited the body of Ernan. He was still weak - his powerful magic would not return for some time. But Cyripus understood how to use Ernan and his trusted place with the King to begin regaining a more mundane kind of power, which could lead to more.

Cyripus used the position of Ernan to influence the King with his own agenda. From that day on, the focus of the war turned from wiping out enemies, to amassing ancient treasure. The King even turned on his own people, forcing them to hunt for old relics and relinquish family heirlooms. The King's son, Prince Cerion, worried along with the people that his father might have gone mad with grief. They didn't realize an ancient evil was manipulating him...

The Return of Gracia

Men and orcs have short life spans compared to Moon elves. The ancient hero Gracia still lived long after Nathan and Walcure were gone, but she had retreated from the chaotic world to live peacefully among the Kobolts. The fight with Cyripus left her with a bitter injury; mostly healed but a nagging reminder of the battle. A piece of his magic was still lodged in her bones, and on the day he awakened, that magic revived as well. She felt the searing pain and knew Cyripus was alive again somewhere, and gaining strength. Gracia did her best to ignore the pain and what it meant. She had been apart from the world so long she didn't want to be dragged back.

But one day when she was absent from the little Kobolt village for just a few hours, the army from Dulan came - searching for ancient relics. They destroyed her home and her friends. When Gracia arrived and discovered the devastation she realized she could no longer turn her back on the world. The chaos would reach every corner and small village if it were left unchecked. She knew Cyripus was rebuilding his powerbase, looking for the Archons - and she knew she must get them first. The entire world was in danger, but for Gracia this fight was personal. She would do whatever it took to eliminate all traces of her ancient enemy.