The Order of the Elders/History

The History of the Elders

The texts containing the history of the Elders are not yet complete. Additional works and the history of the Order will be made ready toon.

The Arrival of the Elders

Copied thus is a piece of the Book of Ancients, translated by Thraymn Astair, the words taken down by his personal scribe Jess Matail. What is scribed here is but part of a whole, and should be regarded as no more than a beginning - the start of the faith we know as the Order, as written by those whose footsteps we follow.

And thus did the Old World - Midgard, by name - come to an end, both the mortal world and the higher realm of Asgard consumed by Ragnarok, the apocalypse. it came for everyone, and spared none, from low-born peasant to highest God, all were touched, and forced to battle. The skies burned, and seas rose, encasing the world in clouds of ash and drowning everything and everyone upon its surface.

Who won the battle does not matter. It is better to say only that those Gods who were left were left above a dead world, ash stretching from horizon to horizon, with not even the tallest mountain peak breaking the surface of the hungry oceans. Of the Gods themselves, there lived only four, two of which had been greviously wounded in the terrible battle.

Odin, in His wisdom, knew that Asgard could not survive above the shattered and now frozen world, and thus cast His realm into the blackness to drift towards the night stars, knowing, in His eternal Wisdom, that another world could be found and called home.

They drifted through space for a hundred years, and then, after another 9 days, came to this world, drawn through the stars by the conflict found here, so like Midgard used to be. Settling again in the heavens, Odin gazed down upon us, as Thor found His place among the clouds and set the wind whispering news of Their arrival.

So did I meet the Lord of Thunder, atop the mountains of my homeland, and listened as Odin spoke to me of the times to come. Thus began our faith within the mountains there, with a gift of blood, and the Voice of Asgard.

The Founding of the Anicent Order

Translated from the Book of the Ancients, the following text describes the beginnings of the Order, and the rise to power within the lands. What is scribed here should be regarded as only a piece of the larger story - an insight upon the beginnings of the Order, as written by those whose footsteps we follow.

Odin has guided my footsteps through the past months, and more and more, the plan he works upon begins to clear in my mind. A stronghold has been built deep within these mountains, named Hawl, and it is from here that the Order will expand its edges, offering protection and truth in this land of faithless and bandits. I have met with two southern rulers already, one lording over a prosperous city upon the shores of the bay to the south, past the mines of Razt, and another to the east, a city in the lowlands between the mountains called Palnas.

With their assistance and allegiance to the Elders, the regions around us become more ordered, the population beginning to request the Priests' blessings upon crops, and visit the small shrines we've begun constructing in the area.

Odin, I ask you continue to guard my tongue in these dealings; it seems so far that I cannot step wrong, for it seems no matter the words I speak, it is impossible to break the faith these leaders have placed in me, and the Elders. Every request I make carries weight, and every strategy that is brought to the table has met with approval from the lords. I hope soon to see the entire south embracing the Elders, for there are still several holds south of Masahackon that are held by bandit lords who enjoy terrorizing the population rather than working with them.

I pray to Hildr that the men going to free those lands meets with success, and my heart hurts that I cannot travel with them. Tonight, I will offer my blood to Odin and Hel, that their souls will be protected in the journey south, and the bandits will be destroyed.

They must be successful. Blessed by the Elders, they can be nothing but successful.

Translated by Thraymn Astair, scribed by Jess Matail.

Beginnings

The following text was translated from the Book of the Ancients by the Prophet Thraymn Astair and put to paper by his scribe Jess Matail. They should be considered as part of a larger whole rather than a separate and complete piece of work.

As I write this, my heart does soar, for the ink has barely begun drying on a treaty between the south and the north parts of this island. The bandit lords were crushed two years past, and in that time, we have united the smaller regions surrounding Razt, the city of Anash to the north of Hawl and the port town of Zonel to the east. With the southern lands finally tamed, the people have joined without reservation to the path of the Elders, and the Lord of Hawl has finished construction of the first portions of the citadel to be built there. We now hold the entire south, as the Empire has come to join the entire north. They follow their own path, but it seems harmless, if misguided. Perhaps, with time, they can be persuaded to join the True Path, but for now, I have no wish to push things out of the comfortable zone we find ourselves in now. Let the people have their time of peace while we continue to pursue the Path that has been shown us.

There are minor concerns still, but for the most they should not detract from the victories we have won. The so called 'Lord' of the bandits did manage to slip from our grasp in the south. Some believe he still walks openly in Tosaor, but as we never managed to see his face, we are unable to confirm the truth of such. Certainly, Hel will guide us to him if that were the case.

The four Elders are close in my mind these days, their words shining gloriously in my mind. Hildr and Odin retain their places in Asgard. Hel has chosen a different place of... residence, descending to this world, and then beneath the mountains surrounding the mine of Razt, taking her place before the Gates of the Underworld to again guard the souls of the damned that wander that place.

Thor has continued to drift upon the winds of the world, telling me of other isles and full continents of the world, and the people upon them. I hope to one day pass across the waters to bring the Elders words to them, as I have been able to touch these people here.

Still, a small touch of darkness writhes within my mind. My growing certainty that something has been overlooked. I do not know what it could be; the city of Masahackon grows daily with travellers from all over, making the city a great hub. Its proximity to the rich mines of Razt give it even more of a shine, as ore and gems arrive daily to be cut and traded. Because of its presence at the harbour, it is a valued destination for traders across the isle who know that a trip from boat is much quicker and - usually - safer than the trip across the mountains. The northern empire has opened several trade agreements with us, and food and goods travel both ways along the roads and waters leading north. All would seem perfect, save for the shade of black lingering in my mind.

Likely it is nothing; I need to focus on the coming talks with the northern dignitaries who have suggested a marriage between the two realms to further solidify the deals between us. There is nothing that can harm these talks save for my own doubts, and those I shall set aside. The blessings of the Elders have brought us this far, and we deserve this time of peace our efforts have brought. With our continued strength and skill, that time of peace shall continue far into the future.