Chaos Ascendant:
A history of the third cycle of the gods
Deochs 17-24
By,
Ramanayan Caesar in Dark Ages
Deoch 33, Spring
Introduction
Greetings
reader of Temurian history, I have lived as an aisling for a great many deochs and
have seen history fade into legend of our beloved land. Sitting in Loures library, unlike many of my fellow historians, I
began to compile some of my memories and findings of one of the most violent and
chaotic times in aisling history, to give aislings a first hand account of the
happenings of the third cycle of the gods of the aisling era.
Theology of
the Octogram and Years
Each
year seems to correspond with a particular deity. Deoch 1 is the year of Deoch
which then continues each year for each god until Deoch 8 is reached which is
the year of Sgrios. Each complete passage through all
8 years is called a cycle. So Deoch 9 would be the year of Deoch. It also
appears to have been this way before the aisling era so the first year before
Deoch 1, was the year of Sgrios.
Aisling Era Cycles:
Cycle 1 (Deochs 1-8) Cycle 2 (9-16) Cycle 3 (17-24) Cycle 4 (24-32)
Deochs 1, 9,
17, 25, 33 Years of Deoch
Deochs 2, 10, 18, 26 Years of Glioca
Deochs 3, 11, 19, 27 Years of Cail
Deochs 4, 12, 20, 28 Years of Luathas
Deochs 5, 13, 21, 29 Years of Gramail
Deochs 6, 14, 22, 30 Years of Fiosachd
Deochs 7, 15, 23, 31 Years of Ceannlaidir
Deochs 8, 16, 24, 32 Years of Sgrios
Cycle 5 has just begun which will last
from Deochs 33-40.
Forward: Dawn of a New Age
The
17th Deoch began in what many would call a new age of Temuair. Just
recently in the 14th, 15th, and 16th Deochs aislings discovered they could
reach new heights and abilities. The monks discovered the Sapphire Stream
monastery to meditate, train, and learn many new skills and spells. The arena
opened for aislings to test their valor and combat skills against one another
in non-lethal duels. Aislings who reached the 99 insight of understanding of their
paths now could choose to re-dedicate themselves to a new path or become a
master. So as the 17th Deoch began a feeling of adventure and
invincibility feel over most aislings.
Rise of
Necromancy
In
the 17th Deoch many rumors had been circulating of a mundane who
knew the long extinct and forbidden art of Necromancy had been seen wandering
though Temuair. Necromancy is the art of summoning the dead, thus making
‘undead’, for use of the Necromancer. The exact details were not known but it
was believed to leave the body weak in performing these magics. Finally it was
confirmed: the wandering mundane had carved out of stone an area next to the
Mileth Sgath Pit. As aislings attempted to enter the hidden entrance all but
wizards were pushed away.
The
hideous looking creature introduced himself as Gigean and said he would teach
the art of Necromancy to wizards. He explained only certain wizards would be
able to control the kind of power necromancy unleashed. Those who wished to be
become Necromancers would need to be at least insight 25 and have some
intelligence and wisdom ((25 intel, and 15
((Gigean,
teacher of Necromancy))
A
great many wizards became necromancers in these times. It was soon discovered
some gods did not approve of necromancy and would not allow their worshipers to
become them. Only Ceannladir, Fiosachd, and Sgrios would allow it. The others
would need to leave their faiths to become necromancers.
Summoning
the undead is by no means easy. To get a good summon (and remain in control)
without risk being harmed Gigean had perfected Spion Torrah to work with five items from dead creatures. Each
required a certain insight to use and summoned a different kind of monster. The
Ghast Skull at insight 25, Gargoyle Skull at insight
50, the Gog’s Maw at insight 75, the Gargoyle Fiend Skull at insight 80, and
the Gremlin’s ear at insight 97. Each produced a skeletal warrior varying on
the item used. However a Gremlin’s ear could produce the powerful and dreaded
Death Knights. The summons would only last about 16 minutes ((2 minutes))
before being pulled back into the underworld.
Now
the items Gigean had requested to use were not exactly common, some being
extremely rare. So the dark wizard of Soumi offered a solution: make fakes.
Using Kobold Skulls, Branches, Wolfs Skin, he could produce a fake skull that
would work for insight 25 and greater Necromancers. Using zombies flesh and
branches he could create a fake Gremlin’s ear. However using these items ran
some risks. Half the time the items would fail and burn up. There was a two
percent chance of being permanently hurt. ((-1 stat)) There was also a small
chance of the summons going out of control. Many necromancers began using these
items and began losing their health to the mastery of the dead.
Chaos Realms
In
early Deoch 18 something very strange was happening in Temuair. Small and
simple green viper snakes began appearing in places they shouldn’t be. At first
they were just small numbers and some thought it had just been a very large
breeding season. However soon their numbers became
increasingly large. They began to appear in the streets, the towns, the
temples, the college, EVREYWHERE! In some places it was bad you couldn’t walk
without stepping over one.
Soon
after this had begun a circle of stone was discovered the outskirts of the
enchanted garden in the eastern woodlands. An odd looking mundane who
introduced himself as Coibhi, a druid, explained to aislings that the druid
order preferred to remain unseen or invisible but had seen a great imbalance
being put onto the lands with the recent rise of Necromancy. Coibhi explained
the druids were seeking answers and would share them with aislings in the
coming moon.
Some
weeks later there was a large earthquake in Pravat, whether it was intentional
caused or naturally happened remains a mystery, and in the room where the draco hatchlings often are found a large hole appeared in
the wall. As aislings entered they found a remarkable sight. Vipers were all
over the floor and along the back wall was a giant monolith that was calling
forth the vipers. Finally the source had been found! The Druids explained that
monoliths are often the gateways into other worlds and were seeking ways to
destroy it. Meanwhile aislings came to attack the monolith and succeeded in
killing it. There was now another opening that lead
into a realm which we know as the Chaos Realms. The creatures were beyond
belief, bone dragons, skeletons and other dreaded and weird looking monsters.
The creatures were so strong that no one could take them on.
((Viper hordes infest the floor of
the monolith area. The monolith itself))
Soon
after the monolith was destroyed a new one reappeared in its place. Coibhi
explained that the monolith could only truly be killed by using three items:
Granite, Vipers Venom, and Sacred Wax. Aislings traveled far and wide to get
these items and eventually a group of four aislings was successful in obtaining
the items. The monolith was defeated once and for all and soon after the viper
hordes stopped. Those aislings who defeated the monolith had that event on
their legends. ((Each in the group got the legend mark: “Destroyed Chaos
Monolith- Deoch 18, Summer”)) With the defeat of the
monolith the creatures of chaos began to weaken to a point were only the
strongest of aislings could defeat them.
The Failed
Coup
As
Deoch 18 turned into Deoch 19 the city of
Early
into Deoch 19 the situation got completely out of hand as the Dynasty guild
launched a massive offensive to crush their political enemies. They used
threats, blackmail, just random removals, and even illegal exiles to get their
way. For a moment Rucesion politics were completely overthrown. Aislings fled
the city for fear of illegal exiles or banishment. Finally Mundane Burgess
Eduardo stepped in and arrested those involved in the coup as they had violated
mundane law ((TOS)) which forbids harassment and threats. ((each
account was also blocked for one week)). To prevent such situations was
happening in the future a removal from office law was instated. Rucesion had
been saved but the damage had been done.
Adoration
In
early Deoch 20 aislings celebrated the final rite of the Eulogy ritual: The
Adoration of Danaan. The Eulogy has three parts: Eulogy, Redemption, and
Adoration. The Eulogy is held each 8 Deochs (Deochs 8, 16, 24 etc), the
redemption three Deochs after (11,19,27), and the
adoration four Deochs after (12,20,28). An aisling may choose to worship at
Pravat, Astrid, or Mehadi swamp. At the first ritual he will be given an item
and some experience. The aisling then returns with that item to the same
location for the redemption and has the item “upgraded” and given additional
experience. Finally for the adoration a person with an item from each location
goes to
The Rise of Tagor
In
early Deoch 21 the druids began speaking of a coming darkness on the lands.
Aislings did not know what the druids meant and waited for the next sign to
happen. Several Deochs earlier King Bruce of Loures had decreed a new aisling settable
village be established. In Deoch 21 ships began to sail to the long isolated
As
aislings entered into Tagor and became citizens they learned of dark and evil
past. Tagor was the birthplace of Necromancy. Long ago a mage of the highest
order named Lord Macabre began experimenting with ways to keep himself from dying, as he feared death very much.
Unfortunately for him he found such a way: He became a lich. The transformation
twisted his mind even more. He believed that the living were
always dying but the undead live forever. So he began to raise the dead and
send them out to kill more people to turn into undead. It seemed nothing could
stop him until a strange bearded man from the northern woodlands entered Tagor.
In a double moon the hordes had stopped. Although now sick the man had
contained the lich’s power to his dwelling: The House Macabre. The fate of Lord Macabre is unknown although
it is believed he sacrificed himself to Chadul and as he was sucked into the
ground his essence became the magic of current Necromancy and one of his
students, possibly Gigean, carried on his work.
After
the evil had been contained to the House Macabre Tagor became isolated from the
rest of the world. In Deoch 12 King Bruce of Loures
announced the discovery of the Macabre House of Tagor which contained
unspeakable horrors. 9 Deochs later the village was re-opened. Aislings also
learned from the inn keeper that minor skeletons and zombies would sometimes
escape into the village but they could easily be dealt with. However now their
numbers were growing larger and at the moment a large mass of skeletons was
just outside the village in which became know as the “Lost Souls Path”!
Shortly
after the
Chadul’s
Return
Far
away in Kadath, what we mortals know as the home of
the gods, unknown to aisling eyes Chadul had awoken from his slumber after his
battle with Danaan over 20 years ago. Chadul proposed
a challenge to the other gods to prove that his followers in Temuair were
stronger and more powerful then theirs. The gods suspected Chadul probably had
some other evil scheme going but knew the aislings of Temuair would not allow
the dark to win.
Chadul’s
challenge went like this: each side would choose an aisling champion; one of
light and one of dark. Each champion would choose twelve disciples to follow
them. The two groups would engage in contests to see which side was stronger.
The side that won each contest would be able to propose a boon to be added or
removed from Temuair to the mundanes.
For
the light side long time Cail High Priestess Pashura was chosen as a champion.
She chose aislings from all walks of life and guilds to be her disciples. They
were not as physically strong as the dark side but were more then capable of
completing the tasks ahead. Chadul selected the well known wizard dedicated
priest Krytos to be his
champion. Krytos for the most
part choose his disciples from the ranks of the Yakuza guild which was the
descendant of Dynasty. The dark side had some of the strongest aislings in
Temuair but as time would tell strength was not everything.
The Light: The Dark:
Champion: Pashura Champion: Krytos
Disciples- Disciples-
Biomagus, Caspian,
Deksar, Fluppe,
Manipulator, Gaut,
Mismom, Khyros,
Omner, Kydilias,
Shalena, Laizin,
Sungam, Luniz,
SupraMax, Sachiel,
Vamistle, Syroes,
Vexed, Thalon,
Victorious, Wandion,
and Wisal and Xilan
During this time the druids had
been informing the aislings of the many events taking place in Temuair.
Shortly
after Krytos had chosen his 12 disciples Chadul
granted his followers the ability to summon minor skeletons. The light obtained
a spell called banish which would send the skeletons back to the abyss. The
side of chaos moved quickly as its disciples summoned dozens of skeletons mainly
in Rucesion. The docks soon became crowded with skeletons and no one could
escape. The light spell was having no effect and it seemed the skeletons could
not be killed! Eventually the banish spell was perfected and the crisis was
resolved. The skeletons remained only a minor annoyance in the future.
((Skeleton summoned by the forces
of Chaos. Banishment spell being used on a skeleton –
special thanks to Light Disciple Vamistle for helping to get this screenshot
taken.))
The Contests
of Light and Chaos
The Chrysalis Hunt
((Chrysalis))
Shortly
after the champions and disciples had been chosen some aislings when awakening
in Temuair ((logging on)) had large orbs appearing with them. Mundane Burgess
of Rucesion Eduardo explained these were known as Chrysalis and would be used
for the first contest. Aislings would randomly be given them when they entered
Temuair. They would then have the option of giving them to the light or dark side
or keeping them for themselves. The side that collected the most would be the
winner of the round. Aislings looked toward what appeared to be a popularity
contest but then something unexpected happened: The dark side unofficially
announced they would not be doing the contest. Many speculate this happened
because the dark side simply was not liked by many aislings and not enough
would give them Chrysalises. Although others say the dark side had more
economic power then the light and could have probably purchased enough to win.
It remains debated to this day. When the hunt ended 64 Chrysalises were in
Temuair. 35 were with the light, 2 with the dark, and the rest with other
aislings. Light won the first round.
The Kelberoth Hunt
((A Kelberoth))
After
the Chystalis hunt ended another hunt would begin. However this hunt would be
quite different. The mythical kelberoth creature, which a certain monk form is based
on, had been reborn with the rise of chaos. These creatures would appear at
random anywhere in Temuair. The side that killed the most of them would be
declared the winner. When the Kelberoth hunt ended about a double moon later
each side had killed one kelberoth. To break the tie each side would choose a
disciple to battle to death in a specially built arena. The winner would win
the Kelberoth hunt. Aislings thought who would be the judge of this contest? It
turned out to be Chadul himself who took a human-like form for the battle.
The Victorious vs. Kezril Duel
When
the arena was completed each side had chosen its respected champion. For the
light it was disciple Victorious a master monk dedicated from the warrior class
who many believed to be the strongest aisling in Temuair. The dark choose the
lesser known but still powerful Kezril, a master wizard dedicated from the
priest class. Interestingly Kezril was not actually a dark disciple but still
Chadul allowed this. The date of the combat was announced and several mundanes
appeared in Mileth, Rucesion, and the Eastern Woodlands to take aislings to the
battle ring. Aislings would need to enter as spirits to prevent any
interference in the battle.
((Victorious vs. Kezril
Duel, third round. Screenshot taken by Mariel, used with permission.))
The
first round began. Victorious called upon Glicoa to bless him with
invincibility. Kezril could not do any damage to Victorious for a time now.
Finally Victorious found a hole in Kezril’s mor dion spells (limited
invincibility) and killed him. Light had won the first round. The second round
was similar to the first except Victorious was overcome by a lag beast
((disconnected)), and thus the round was given to Kezril.
As
the third round began the dark side had Victorious excommunicated from the
Glicoa fellowship preventing him from using his entreat forcing him to use his
dion and iron skill spells. For a time the two could not find holes in each
others armor and Chadul began summoning in monsters from the Chthonic Remains,
the Chaos Realms, and even some unknown monsters such as Unicorns. Finally
Victorious managed to find a hole in Kezril’s dion and killed him again. The
forth round ended the same way. Light was declared the winner of the duel and
the Kelberoth hunt.
Also
during this time strange gemstones began appearing to the champions and
disciples of each side. They were small strange green/bluish gems and when used
would sometimes grant the user increased resistance to harmful magic ((+30%
Magic Resistance)) for a very short time. Aside from that their use and purpose
remained unkown.
((Gemstone))
Kick the Kobold
About
a moon after the battle Kobolds began infesting one of the areas of the
((Kick the Kobold field and
contest))
The
first game was won by the light. However what most people remember about this
round this round was that Victorious began to slander and threaten Kytros, who
in turn began speaking heretically mad at Eduardo, who was hosting the games.
Many people were shocked by this display of irrational behavior. The second
game, which was not attended by either Champion, was won by the dark side. The
final game was won by the light and thus light won the Kick the Kobold matches
and the light vs. dark war. They could now bring three boons into Temuair
within power of the mundanes.
A Strange Boy
Shortly
before the Kelberoth hunt a strange urchin boy by the name of Nigel had begun
randomly appearing to aislings requesting items and promises of a great prize.
Nigel had set himself up in one of the abandoned houses in Tagor
and only aislings attempting to complete his requests were allowed entry. His
requests greatly varied, from bring him a goblin helm, killing creatures, and
getting 50 bee stings! Those who completed his strange requests were rewarded
with a necklace – one of three kinds, a Tiota, Treas, or Caid. Each aislings
necklace varied in what attributes it gave to the user. Some gave little of
anything while others gave great bonuses. ((+Vitality and Mana, a few gave +1
to a certain stat)) An aisling who completed his requests also had the event
recorded on their legend. ((“Completed Treas Quest –
Deoch 22, Spring” or a similar one))
Celebration
As
it happened just after lights final victory over dark the 4th Mileth
Festival was about to begin. Coordinated by Mileth Burgesses Omner Garamonde and Feria Onorach it would be the
first fair in 10 Deochs, the last being held in Deoch 13. Aislings from all
over flocked to the fair to participate in events, play games, sell things,
watch plays, and more. Many took this opportunity to celebrate the victory over
the dark.
Chadul’s
Revenge
Chadul and his followers had lost the contests of Light and
Dark. But they were far from being fair losers. Chadul had a final plan to
bring chaos to the lands – he would make it so aislings could kill fellow aislings.
He went and schemed with the dwarf Ake, in Abel
Dungeon about creating an artifact that could do such while the contests were
still going on. Ake said he would do so if 400
gemstones were delivered to him. Chadul sent his messenger to the Dark Champion,
Kytros, about gathering the gems. The dark followers
gathered the 400 gems very quickly.
Shortly after a dark menacing laugh was heard throughout Temuair.
Chadul had gotten the artifact. He then smashed it to bits, and chaos was released
on the lands. Aislings now could kill fellow aislings – right while the Mileth
Fair was still going on. Only buildings, built by aisling hands, would be
protected from the chaos. As chaos ripped throughout the lands battles between
aislings began all over, including fighting in many of the town squares.
However quickly the result of the chaos was not as bad as everyone
thought. As the first aislings perished they simply turned in spirits –
not dead, but not able to do most things of living aislings. Basically all
Chadul had done was turn Temuair into a giant arena. The beggars, who collected
old items from aislings, thankful for the items offered to restore aislings
killed in the chaos. The aisling controlled towns also passed temporary
legislation forbidding the killing of fellow aislings. Slowly the effects of
chaos became more of an annoyance then a real problem.
As
soon as Chadul destroyed the artifact the druids began looking for ways to fix
the damage. They asked Ake to make another artifact. Ake said he would but only for another 400 gemstones and
they must be given to him by Light Champion Pashura. As aislings donated
gemstones to stop the chaos battles began on Abel beach as the dark disciples
attempted to stop Pashura from reaching Ake. Despite
their efforts a new artifact was produced about a moon later and the chaos had
ended.
With
chaos removed the gods looked down with an angry wrath on those aislings who
had abused their abilities during the chaos ((“speed hacking”)) and removed most
of the dark disciples from existence. ((Deleted)) The gods then banded
together, a thing they rarely did, and banished Chadul to the underworld
forever. He has not been heard from since.
Strange Jester
A
few moons after the end of chaos a jester was sighted in Rucesion and then in
Piet. He sold very strange clothing items and hats for rouges for outrageous
prices. Eduardo said these items probably would not last long being of a very
low quality. ((These were for Halloween 2001, which included Batman and Joker
suits, swim gear, bunny suits, and several hats for rogues.))
The Eulogy
Deoch
24 soon arrived and the Eulogy would signal the beginning of the end of this
cycle. As aislings looked back on the past 8 Deochs they could see these were
violent times of chaos. As the first Eulogy dawned in Deoch 8 Kalliope,
daughter of Hesperos, slain bard of Undine, wrote an octave to commemorate the
first eight Deochs. I have written an octave which would be appropriate for the
third cycle.
First Cycle
One visited us, our flame-licked lover.
Two made us beautiful, each and everyone.
Three showed us the world as it is.
Four showed us the secrets.
Five showed us their use and art.
Six showed us their fineness.
Seven tore us apart.
Eight led us to the Altar.
Third Cycle
Seventeen the dark one came,
Eighteen showed us his power,
Nineteen brought us corruption,
Twenty finished the past,
Twenty-one gave the dark a home,
Twenty-two challenged order,
Twenty-three tore it apart,
Twenty-four led us to the altar.
As preparations began for the Eulogy
which would commemorate 24 years since Danaan’s great sacrifice the priests of
the Grimlok, Kobolds, and Mukul
appeared in the sacred areas of their territory. Pravat Deep,
((The Grimlok at Pravat worship Adranuch, their lady of gold, the Kobolds of Astrid worship Arpina their all mother, and the Mukul worship Matrika, their goddess of the Sun-Heart. All of these appear to be each races own version of Danaan.))
As the first ritual began a loud
rumbling was heard. As before at the previous Eulogies dubhaim poured from the
earth- Dunan, Nightgaunts,
Lesser Servitors, Servitors, and a dreaded Anaman Avitar took residence at Astrid Center on the Pentagram and
called forth more monsters. However the dubhaim were surprised for aislings had
grown much stronger since their last meeting at a Eulogy.
At the height of the second ritual
the Avitar began to speak louder, speaking of ramblings of the ancient Pact of Anaman, which summoning more monsters around
Aislings battled the Avatar for a
long time but finally gained the upper hand, and killed it. Another Avitar
appeared in the center of the arena! However it to meet the
fate as its predecessor.
((Height of the Second rite of the Eulogy. Monsters appeared during the Eugoly: Anaman Avitar, Servitor, Lesser Servitor, Dunan, Nightgaunt.))
Finally the monsters ceased
appearing as the Eulogy itself finally arrived. Aislings gathered at Pravat, Astrid, and Mehadi to worship Danaan
along side the creatures. Each participate was blessed with a wealth of
experience, an item to be used at the next ritual, the redemption, and their
legends expanded from it.
Conclusion
With
the end of the Eulogy Deoch 24 and the third cycle soon came to an end. Looking
back they were violent and difficult times but in the end light had bested the
forces of chaos and darkness. For the first time in a long time the future
looked bright.
But every light casts a shadow…
