Dulan 520

Uggrasil cuts off relations with humans

Ugdrasil was young and idealistic when he declared peace with humans. He soon found that ancient race hatred was not so easily erased, but Ugdrasil refused to give up. Then everything changed.

Some Dulan soldiers moved their search for ancient treasure into orc territory, and were captured after destroying a village. The orc captors asked Ugdrasil how they should dispose of the invaders. Ugdrasil ordered that the humans should not only be allowed to live, but should not even be mistreated while he worked out how to bring them to justice in their own nation. The orcs disagreed with this plan, but they followed orders. The soldiers of Dulan didn't appreciate the gesture. At the first opportunity they saw, they rebelled and killed their guards - then looted their bodies and escaped.

Ugdrasil could see he had been too optimistic, especially as his people began to cry loudly for revenge. Finally he decided there was no way the human and orc races could interact peacefully at all. He declared that every human in orc territory must leave immediately. Orcs took this as a license to kill all humans within their borders, and the ensuing massacre lasted three months. It was later known as "The Hunt of Last Resort." From that day on, Ugdrasil cut off all relations with humans.

Zian adquires Brumhart

As his adopted father Kenneth lay on his deathbed, Zian learned the story of how he had been found in the forest - and the meaning of the ring found with him. He was an heir of the Manas family, with a rich tradition of honor and important holdings in the city of Dulan. But a ring was not enough to prove his history. Kenneth told him about Brumhart, and that the magical seal on the scabbard would recognize Nathan's heir.

So Zian began his quest to find Brumhart, not just for the power of the Archon, but also to prove who he really was. The search led him to the land of the Noum, with their dangerous foundries and forges deep underground. They of course recognized him immediately, but would not allow him to have the Archon without proving himself. He wandered the labyrinth of their caves for six months, fighting fire demons at every turn. Finally he found the deep pit where Brumhart had been thrown. There he faced the most ferocious of all the fire guardians - the Fire Dragon. He fought desperately for his life and for the right to claim his family. Finally he won, and as the huge beast fell backward into the pit of lava, the sword Brumhart was flung back up with the splattering, molten rock. When Zian approached it, he found the hilt of the sword strong and cool - and the blade slid easily from its sheath, shining bright and perfect.

He turned around and discovered hosts of Noum had been watching the entire battle. Their leader stepped forward and spoke solemnly. “There is a work waiting for you in the world. A work that requires the pure power of the Elementals.” He then turned and opened a way for Zian to return easily to the surface.

In the meantime, Gracia had decided to take the ultimate step. She went to a dark elf craftsman who knew the deep Elemental mysteries. He began crafting special arrows for her - arrows with the power to destroy even the malicious, enduring spirit of Cyripus. These arrows required one special ingredient - the secret life essence providing Gracia with her lifespan of many centuries. She was preparing for what would be the final confrontation, one way or another.