The Order of Ered Luin

The Discovery

The Order was first founded when Tsubaki saw a reflection of moonlight on metal near his stables. Thinking it was another batch of assassins, he charged the hill. When he arrived it was not an enemy, but rather a dull and ancient door handle. The entire doorframe was covered in reeds and debris. He pulled at the handle but it would not give. A couple of swift kicks and the rotting door splintered and Tsubaki burst through. There were stairs leading downward, but the air from inside was not dank or musty like a cellar, but instead almost as fresh as the spring air outside. He called for his page who brought a torch. Down the flight of stairs he went, and what he saw upon his arrival took his breath away.

As he descended the stairs he next came to a cavernous wide gallery. It seemed as if the entire hilltop had been excavated. There were four Gates exiting from it. On each was inscribed a riddle or thought. He quickly read them but had not the time to contemplate any for the time being. In an anxious hurry, Tsubaki quickly passed through one of the gates and descended yet another flight of stairs into another gallery, this one filled with statuaries of various warriors and gods. It contained rows and rows of pew-like benches, leading up to a dais atop which stood one lone chair and what looked to be a reading stand of some sort. Behind it was a large engraving, the most intricate and beautiful of any Tsubaki had ever seen. It depicted a Lion intertwined in a death struggle with a Dragon. Each had its teeth buried into the other's back. Its sheer size invoked awe.

Hurriedly he ran up the stairs and through another gate. This room had eight chairs, and though it was the smaller of the first two rooms, it was the more ornate. Along the walls were carvings, and in the center were two altars. An ancient tome rested on the first underneath an enormous lamp. Tsubaki lit the lamp and carefully pried open the ancient text. It was dedicated to fallen brethren, and had names written next to many symbols that Tsubaki could only guess was some sort of cipher for ancient and forgotten dates. Fascinating as it was, there was more still. In the back corner of the room sat another shrine, this one detailing the geneological table of a forgotten Order, and again with the same cipher for the dates. Tsubaki turned to his page and smiled. He was going to be rich auctioning off all the objects in this strange old compound! He again walked back into the main chamber and through another of the gates. This room was an old storage room. It too was an enormous room. Racks of weapons lined the walls, Tsubaki saw some old grain containers and racks where kegs of beer were once kept. Eureka! He discovered a wall with about a third covered in a wine rack. These he would keep himself. Feeling very happy and sure of his newfound riches, Tsubaki made one last journey into the main room and through the last unexplored Gate.

This gate led to a vast warren of living quarters. He opened door after door - all empty. He went down hallway after hallway - nothing. He finally reached a dead-end door, and it was locked. It took a running start and a hell of a bruise to the shoulder, but the door caved in, bursting off its ancient hinges. Tsubaki rubbed his shoulder and looked up with a start - a leering skeleton sat on a stone bench watching him. It still had remnants of a beard and some gray hair stuck with mummified flesh to the exposed bone. A moth-eaten blue robe still loosely clung to its shoulders, and in its lap was a leather sack, tied at one end. "You're not looking so good, old man," Tsubaki said to the old bones, "Better let me hold that for you." He grabbed the leather-bound bag and peered inside. The bag contained a well-preserved manuscript. It read:

"I am Hari Roku-Nan, last of the Mountain Lords of the Order of Ered Luin. I have been locked in this room to finish out my days as punishment by those who seek to destroy our way. Be you thief or nobleman, you will find this of interest, for unto you passes the last of our knowledge. Our Order contained members of all ranks of society, from the lowliest thief to great warriors and heads of state. We were finally broken into by government spies, and every last member was slaughtered. Much like our persecuted Five Ancestors, we were hunted to the ground. In this complex, you may have found riches, but before you sell them, I urge you to consider this - the greatest riches are to be found within. Continue to read. Learn the way of the Mountain Lord, the Dragon's Head. Then make your decision..."

Read he did. Tsubaki read and read. He attended a tournament in Azzal, but was quickly beaten because he had been reading so much instead of training. He took on a new vigor he hadn't felt in some time. When he returned home to Tarasac, he ordered some men to quietly begin work on restoring the guildhouse.

The Order of Ered Luin would be reborn...

Tai-Lo Contemplations

Here are posted the contemplations of some of the more senior members of the Order that have allowed them to advance in our ranks.

Boba, contemplating the writing of the Western Gate - "On the narrow road of the element of metal, you must be careful. Of any two paths, it is clear that there is no impediment on the one which leads to the West."

• The element of metal symbolizes mankind. For metal has always been a part of the world, but mankind has managed to harness it into greater things. This is the road we all walk down in our lives. We tread with some caution, for there are oaths to be faithful to, but this path — this life of ours - is unhindered.

Conall, contemplating our motto--"Yin and Yang united produce everything by metamorphosis."

• I believe that this means that the universe and everything in it exist by balance. This balance is a balance of good and evil. Without this balance, the world cannot exist, and when Yin and Yang are in the utmost of balance, perfection exhibits from it. This does not mean that I permit evil into myself, but rather, I cleanse myself of it through meditation on the Eight Gods. They grant me favor and have allowed me to advance to master. I hope to continue as an elder brother and help bring balance to Yin and Yang by teaching my younger brothers.

Gorka, contemplating the message of the Northern Gate, "North at the sign of Barad Falas, the element of water is deep and difficult to cross, but in Rauxod and Eaglin there is a road by which you can travel."

• It doesn't matter how difficult your path is, there is always another way to achieve your goals, even if this means a longer path.

Hawkeye, also contemplating the Northern Gate,

• In the way of life, I believe this to mean that keeping to simplicity is the best way through life, seeing as how the sea is too large to make an agent by which to cross it, save for by boat. However, due to the size of the river, the bridge is possible. The bridge also signifies connection and unity to me, thus meaning that unity in the brotherhood is the key to achievement. Without unity and harmony with those around you, it is hard or impossible to gain any achievement.

Sephirah, also contemplating the Western Gate,

• 'Tis a simple answer. I am a man of simple thoughts. So I looked to the obvious.

• First, I thought of one conclusion. To the west are our allies. We have no obstacle in that direction. However, after thinking about it more, I came to a second conclusion. The element of metal, which I assume represents the sword, has 2 paths. Fame and glory, or death. Nothing can stop us from our destiny. The road to fame and glory, while hard and dangerous, is in the destinies of some. Unfortunately, the road to death can also be our path. Perhaps it is a testament to our bravery. Perhaps we are a sign to the future through our mistakes or our willingness to die for our country. For whatever reason, death is in the destinies of some; we must always have an honorable death. For honor is above survival. It is better to die honorably than to live with dishonor.

DaddyOn the Western Gate,

If there is no impediment on the road to the west then to me it means I should head to the east. The easiest path is often not the best. Plus a road less traveled is more full of unfound adventure.

Under construction. More to come soon.