Difference between revisions of "Lion"

== The sun has a meeting with the moon ==

== The sun has a meeting with the moon ==

While the people of Kel had only just arrived in Aarklash, one of the clans moved deep into the continent seeking free land. The Lahnar clan headed south and soon reached rich land, yet it was regularly assailed by creatures of Darkness. The Lahnar picked up the gauntlet. They fought with courage, finding strength in Arïn, their sun god.

While the people of Kel had only just arrived in Aarklash, one of the clans moved deep into the continent seeking free land. The Lahnar clan headed south and soon reached rich land, yet it was regularly assailed by creatures of Darkness. The Lahnar picked up the gauntlet. They fought with courage, finding strength in Arïn, their sun god.

However, it was written that they would not fight alone: a prophecy revealed to another clan, the Ylliar, that a terrible danger was slumbering in the south and that it had to be dealt with. Religion was a barrier between these two clans, making alliances difficult. The Ylliar worshipped the moon, Yllia, or Selene depending on the tradition, while the Lahnar worshipped the sun. Distrust led to disputes, disputes to skirmishes and skirmishes to battles. During the Battle of the Eclipse, the moon and the sun collided, which was unfortunate for all mortals. Weakened, the two clans could no longer fend off the assaults of Darkness, while Darkness continued to grow in the south.   

However, it was written that they would not fight alone: a prophecy revealed to another clan, the Ylliar, that a terrible danger was slumbering in the south and that it had to be dealt with. Religion was a barrier between these two clans, making alliances difficult. The Ylliar worshipped the moon, Yllia, or Selene depending on the tradition, while the Lahnar worshipped the sun. Distrust led to disputes, disputes to skirmishes and skirmishes to battles. During the Battle of the Eclipse, the moon and the sun collided, which was unfortunate for all mortals. Weakened, the two clans could no longer fend off the assaults of Darkness, while Darkness continued to grow in the south.   

It was the time of the Atrocities, creatures of Darkness capable of assuming a tangible shape or possessing the bodies of mortals. The most powerful among them was so dangerous that even uttering its true name was lethal, and only its esoteric symbol was recorded in the annals in history: XXI.  

It was the time of the Atrocities, creatures of Darkness capable of assuming a tangible shape or possessing the bodies of mortals. The most powerful among them was so dangerous that even uttering its true name was lethal, and only its esoteric symbol was recorded in the annals in history: XXI.  

Supported by legions of monsters, the Atrocities threatened to wipe out the Lahnar and the Ylliar. In the face of danger, the two clans tried to ally before the tide of Darkness overcame them.

Supported by legions of monsters, the Atrocities threatened to wipe out the Lahnar and the Ylliar. In the face of danger, the two clans tried to ally before the tide of Darkness overcame them.

The men chose to gather on the plain of Kalhen, on the bank of a tributary of the Alundth River. While the camp was slowly being built, in an atmosphere of despair and distrust, a young woman of incredible beauty appeared in the setting sunlight: the Chimera.

The men chose to gather on the plain of Kalhen, on the bank of a tributary of the Alundth River. While the camp was slowly being built, in an atmosphere of despair and distrust, a young woman of incredible beauty appeared in the setting sunlight: the Chimera.

Every word she spoke warmed their bodies like a ray of Lahn, heating the souls of the warriors; each of her moves was as reassuring as the moonlight guiding weary fighters home.

Every word she spoke warmed their bodies like a ray of Lahn, heating the souls of the warriors; each of her moves was as reassuring as the moonlight guiding weary fighters home.

When the Chimera reminded them that the moon and the sun sometimes shared the same sky, the Ylliar recognized the infinite wisdom of the magician. When she added that the solar and lunar bodies had equitably shared day and night between them, she convinced the Lahnar they were dealing with the envoy of the gods. With wise advice and her virtuous aura, the Chimera shaped around her an alliance of both clans.

When the Chimera reminded them that the moon and the sun sometimes shared the same sky, the Ylliar recognized the infinite wisdom of the magician. When she added that the solar and lunar bodies had equitably shared day and night between them, she convinced the Lahnar they were dealing with the envoy of the gods. With wise advice and her virtuous aura, the Chimera shaped around her an alliance of both clans.

Over the days and nights spent in negotiation and learning, many wonders occurred.  Barhan culture was being shaped.

Over the days and nights spent in negotiation and learning, many wonders occurred.  Barhan culture was being shaped.

The Atrocities were defeated, one after the other. The Alahaar, always moving south, conquered gigantic stretches of land and discovered peoples that had been surviving there, surrounded by the lands dominated by the Atrocities. These were years of victory and hope for the Alahaar. Leonid used these good times to found the Kingdom of Alahan. He built his capital, Kallienne, on the prairie that had seen the alliance of his clan with that of the Ylliar. Finally, he married the Chimera.

The Atrocities were defeated, one after the other. The Alahaar, always moving south, conquered gigantic stretches of land and discovered peoples that had been surviving there, surrounded by the lands dominated by the Atrocities. These were years of victory and hope for the Alahaar. Leonid used these good times to found the Kingdom of Alahan. He built his capital, Kallienne, on the prairie that had seen the alliance of his clan with that of the Ylliar. Finally, he married the Chimera.

Their son, Prince Alcyd, set out on adventuring as soon as he was old enough to carry a sword. His journey and many adventures inspired La Chanson d’Alcyd, one of the most famous epics of the kingdom. Upon his return, he found his father’s fortress under siege.  

Their son, Prince Alcyd, set out on adventuring as soon as he was old enough to carry a sword. His journey and many adventures inspired La Chanson d’Alcyd, one of the most famous epics of the kingdom. Upon his return, he found his father’s fortress under siege.  

Aware that there was nothing he could do to save his father and king, Alcyd was forced to watch XXI triumph. His display of wisdom changed the young king and made him the very first paladin. He then traveled the country to gather an army and find a spouse worthy of his rank. His gold and blue clothing, which had become his personal hallmark, became the symbol of endangered royalty. It allowed him to meet his wife: Veliane. A Ylliar magician of great wisdom, she presented him, in the name of her clan, with a standard bearing his colors. When Alcyd received the present he offered to add silver to the banner in honor of the Ylliar who had fallen trying to protect his father.

Aware that there was nothing he could do to save his father and king, Alcyd was forced to watch XXI triumph. His display of wisdom changed the young king and made him the very first paladin. He then traveled the country to gather an army and find a spouse worthy of his rank. His gold and blue clothing, which had become his personal hallmark, became the symbol of endangered royalty. It allowed him to meet his wife: Veliane. A Ylliar magician of great wisdom, she presented him, in the name of her clan, with a standard bearing his colors. When Alcyd received the present he offered to add silver to the banner in honor of the Ylliar who had fallen trying to protect his father.

Veliane then showed him a lunar symbol that proved she was about to speak in the name of her kinsmen. She requested that he did not do it, because some time in the far future, the Ylliar would need to blend in among the Lahnar. Alcyd accepted, but only if she became his wife. And so it was. A few months later the crown was proud to announce the birth of an heir to the lineage, a prince who further united the Lahnar and Ylliar.  

Veliane then showed him a lunar symbol that proved she was about to speak in the name of her kinsmen. She requested that he did not do it, because some time in the far future, the Ylliar would need to blend in among the Lahnar. Alcyd accepted, but only if she became his wife. And so it was. A few months later the crown was proud to announce the birth of an heir to the lineage, a prince who further united the Lahnar and Ylliar.  

Having secured the future of his bloodline, Alcyd gathered his forces and marched out to challenge the ultimate Atrocity in Eclipse Pass. During this battle, the Second Battle of the Eclipse, Alcyd the Paladin slew XXI and granted the gift of peace to his people.  

Having secured the future of his bloodline, Alcyd gathered his forces and marched out to challenge the ultimate Atrocity in Eclipse Pass. During this battle, the Second Battle of the Eclipse, Alcyd the Paladin slew XXI and granted the gift of peace to his people.  

'''Pax Lumina'''

'''Pax Lumina'''

Nothing seemed to threaten the prosperity of Alahan when, for the first time, the shadow of dissension loomed over the baronies.  

Nothing seemed to threaten the prosperity of Alahan when, for the first time, the shadow of dissension loomed over the baronies.  

Arcavius de Sabran (see Army Book : Temple) had the revelation of the cult of Merin. Leading a seemingly endless procession of converts, he obtained an audience with King Heïan. The two men had a long interview and were visited by an angel of Light. With the support of such a being, Heïan could only admit the genuine nature of this revelation. There was land left to conquer to the east. Virtue required Arcavius be allowed to found the Empire of Akkylannie. And so it was. The exodus was not painless as faith tore children from their parents, vassals from their overlords and friends from companions. The humblest commoner to the most powerful lord, no one could know when a relative would leave everything behind to move to Akkylannie. The most outrageous example was Kelgar the Pious. Indeed, Baron of Kallienne at the time, he abandoned his wife and children, gave up his title as baron and went away to found the seat of Internal affairs, forerunner to the dreaded Inquisition.

Arcavius de Sabran (see Army Book : Temple) had the revelation of the cult of Merin. Leading a seemingly endless procession of converts, he obtained an audience with King Heïan. The two men had a long interview and were visited by an angel of Light. With the support of such a being, Heïan could only admit the genuine nature of this revelation. There was land left to conquer to the east. Virtue required Arcavius be allowed to found the Empire of Akkylannie. And so it was. The exodus was not painless as faith tore children from their parents, vassals from their overlords and friends from companions. The humblest commoner to the most powerful lord, no one could know when a relative would leave everything behind to move to Akkylannie. The most outrageous example was Kelgar the Pious. Indeed, Baron of Kallienne at the time, he abandoned his wife and children, gave up his title as baron and went away to found the seat of Internal affairs, forerunner to the dreaded Inquisition.

A century later, treason struck the kingdom right in the heart. Sheltered behind the Behemoth mountain range, the Barony of Acheron was home to a gruesome order: the Black Togas. These magicians stopped at no evil to gain power and magical knowledge. Having pledged allegiance to the Meanders of Darkness, they gained control of the barony and seceded. Within a matter of days they gathered an undead army and sent it down Kaïber Pass, the only viable road connecting Acheron with the rest of Alahan. The First Battle of Kaïber was barely won by the Ways of Light which allowed them to seal the pass with a fortress built to fend off the felons’ assaults

A century later, treason struck the kingdom right in the heart. Sheltered behind the Behemoth mountain range, the Barony of Acheron was home to a gruesome order: the Black Togas. These magicians stopped at no evil to gain power and magical knowledge. Having pledged allegiance to the Meanders of Darkness, they gained control of the barony and seceded. Within a matter of days they gathered an undead army and sent it down Kaïber Pass, the only viable road connecting Acheron with the rest of Alahan. The First Battle of Kaïber was barely won by the Ways of Light which allowed them to seal the pass with a fortress built to fend off the felons’ assaults

The kingdom would survive. But seeing the treason of Acheron as a sign of weakness, the goblin Emperor Kharbôxyl XIX decided to descend upon the fertile lands of Alahan. During the First Miserable War, he sent hordes of settlers into Avagddu. King Aldemar responded firmly, driving back the settlers so that, in the end, the invasion failed.

The kingdom would survive. But seeing the treason of Acheron as a sign of weakness, the goblin Emperor Kharbôxyl XIX decided to descend upon the fertile lands of Alahan. During the First Miserable War, he sent hordes of settlers into Avagddu. King Aldemar responded firmly, driving back the settlers so that, in the end, the invasion failed.

The king, the queen and their eldest son were mysteriously murdered years later. Only Prince Kaïnus survived the massacre. What followed was a period of political instability, during which the new goblin Emperor Phylobakther took the opportunity to succeed where his predecessor had failed. This was the Second Miserable War that saw the goblin armies attack Alahan simultaneously through the passes of Laverne, the coasts of Doriman and by using Elemental portals of Air. The kingdom was saved only by the order of the Chimera, an organization of mages loyal to the crown.   

The king, the queen and their eldest son were mysteriously murdered years later. Only Prince Kaïnus survived the massacre. What followed was a period of political instability, during which the new goblin Emperor Phylobakther took the opportunity to succeed where his predecessor had failed. This was the Second Miserable War that saw the goblin armies attack Alahan simultaneously through the passes of Laverne, the coasts of Doriman and by using Elemental portals of Air. The kingdom was saved only by the order of the Chimera, an organization of mages loyal to the crown.   

The mages repelled the goblins and then vanished, having gained the population’s support. With the support of the Ylliar, the child-king was married to the only elf ever crowned queen of Alahan: Ysÿlle. Under the enlightened rule of this queen, the kingdom overcame the treason of Acheron and consolidated the Alliance of Light with the Cynwälls and the Akkylannians. These armies recovered their lost power and worked hard to bear Light anywhere Darkness loomed over Virtue.

The mages repelled the goblins and then vanished, having gained the population’s support. With the support of the Ylliar, the child-king was married to the only elf ever crowned queen of Alahan: Ysÿlle. Under the enlightened rule of this queen, the kingdom overcame the treason of Acheron and consolidated the Alliance of Light with the Cynwälls and the Akkylannians. These armies recovered their lost power and worked hard to bear Light anywhere Darkness loomed over Virtue.

Unfortunately, this period did not see the triumph of Barhan ideals. The long running regency of Ysÿlle disgruntled much of the nobility, notably the courtesans. After the death of King Kaïnus, when the queen chose a half-elf named Tüllyan as consort, the court started making itself heard. When their son Irwyn was crowned, the dissent was joined by some of the Lahnar barons threatening to overthrow the throne.

Unfortunately, this period did not see the triumph of Barhan ideals. The long running regency of Ysÿlle disgruntled much of the nobility, notably the courtesans. After the death of King Kaïnus, when the queen chose a half-elf named Tüllyan as consort, the court started making itself heard. When their son Irwyn was crowned, the dissent was joined by some of the Lahnar barons threatening to overthrow the throne.

Some nobles began declaiming their Lahnar roots, stigmatizing the families that had “too much” Ylliar blood for their support towards the elven impostors. Orders were created to defend the purity of solar magic against the “grime” of lunar magic.

Some nobles began declaiming their Lahnar roots, stigmatizing the families that had “too much” Ylliar blood for their support towards the elven impostors. Orders were created to defend the purity of solar magic against the “grime” of lunar magic.

Faced with this perfidious evil, King Irwin… disappeared.

Faced with this perfidious evil, King Irwin… disappeared.

The vacancy of power lasted for a century, forcing the barons to organize themselves into a council to manage the shadow of a transitory government. During this period the plotters grew bolder, revealing their ambitions. The barons fell back to their fiefdoms without any further consideration for the other baronies.

The vacancy of power lasted for a century, forcing the barons to organize themselves into a council to manage the shadow of a transitory government. During this period the plotters grew bolder, revealing their ambitions. The barons fell back to their fiefdoms without any further consideration for the other baronies.

Irwyn, known as the “Invisible King” by his subjects who never lost hope of seeing him return, remained hidden. He was waiting to see what evil forces were at work in his kingdom and whom among his vassals would rise in arms against this threat. While the council of barons was bogged down by indecision and dissension, an Akkyshan agent known as the Dark Muse stirred up a major peasant revolt. Contesting the legitimacy of the council of barons, the movement set the country ablaze from Laverne to Allmoon and from Doriman to Kallienne.

Irwyn, known as the “Invisible King” by his subjects who never lost hope of seeing him return, remained hidden. He was waiting to see what evil forces were at work in his kingdom and whom among his vassals would rise in arms against this threat. While the council of barons was bogged down by indecision and dissension, an Akkyshan agent known as the Dark Muse stirred up a major peasant revolt. Contesting the legitimacy of the council of barons, the movement set the country ablaze from Laverne to Allmoon and from Doriman to Kallienne.

Considering the extent of the threat, the council put its quarrels aside and the barons united under the royal banner, despite not having a king to lead them. The Dark Muse was crushed at the Battle of Manilia.

Considering the extent of the threat, the council put its quarrels aside and the barons united under the royal banner, despite not having a king to lead them. The Dark Muse was crushed at the Battle of Manilia.

The king was quickly warned of the return of the Atrocities. The troops of Alahan rose in arms. Gorgyn called upon the Alliance of Light and launched the campaigns of clarity: he sent his knights anywhere injustice and Darkness threatened the continent.

The king was quickly warned of the return of the Atrocities. The troops of Alahan rose in arms. Gorgyn called upon the Alliance of Light and launched the campaigns of clarity: he sent his knights anywhere injustice and Darkness threatened the continent.

This is the time when the Red Lioness started her ascension in Barhan society with the tragic events of the Battles of the Lost Hearts. The return of the Atrocities exalted her warlike ardor. However, some victories shared the bitter taste of defeat.

This is the time when the Red Lioness started her ascension in Barhan society with the tragic events of the Battles of the Lost Hearts. The return of the Atrocities exalted her warlike ardor. However, some victories shared the bitter taste of defeat.

== Battle of the Lost Hearts ==

== Battle of the Lost Hearts ==