A quick history lesson of the city called The Gift, and the continent called Maeden, in this world of Atrium.
Ever since the Three Fold War came to an end, the building of armies was no longer allowed, by divine decree. There was a massive war between Orcs, Elves, and Humans approximately 800 years ago, when their forces collided and devastated the southern part of the continent. It used to be fertile marsh, plains, and savanah style areas, that were destroyed from devastating magical attacks. The three races fought for what seemed like generations(to humans), but it was around 60 years of constant fighting in this open part of the continent. After 60 years of each side losing more and more of their forces, turning what little armies they had left into a few platoons each. Armies of hundreds of thousands were reduced to 4 digits, on all sides. This is when the leaders of each race finally talked to each other. The area of land that they went to war for was little more than a desert with massive scorched areas and glasses sands after the 60 year war. It was decided that each side would select a single warrior to represent the race, and the central grab for the fertile farm land, the River Steel (Earned the name the River Steel, because of its Dark metallic looking reflections that seem to always keep whats under the surface hidden) which reached to the souther Ocean, and any other plans for resources would be decided by whoever was left standing. At this point and time, the threat from Monsters was yet to be a serious problem in face of the Three-Fold War, so not too many people were worried about it.
Each race had a monotheistic religion around a god, and they are: Alaric The Unbroken was the Patron God of humanity, Ellefain The Eternal was the Patron God of the Elves, and Shadra The Willful, the Patron God of the Orcs. Each god can give its own blessing and abilities. There are priest classes for each race that devote themselves to their Gods, the priests could invoke holy buffs differ depending on which God is the giver and can invoke the power at varying skill levels.
On the day of the choosing of the champions, the last few days of the Three-Fold War, there was three new classes that the gods created as part of "The Gift." The humans were given a Paladin class that requires some skill in healing and just as much in fighting to become a Warrior of the Unbroken. They can invoke the power of their god into weapons and other abilities. The Elven God Ellefain would grant the power of the Druid class, which is strong in healing but can also invoke the power of nature to do use in a myriad of different situations. The Orcs were granted a Shaman class, which can use different types of darker healing power to debuff, remove injuries, and give them to others. These classes were created on the day that each champion was chosen, which was the first step of The Gift from the heavens. Now that moment and the city itself are referred to as The Gift, or the Times of the Covenant.
The Three Chosen Champions were:
For humanity, they chose the First Prince of War Dalton Fenrir, who was a mighty warrior. He used a beserker style two-handed long sword called DreadBane. With his dark armor and huge frame he struck an intimidating figure. He was the most powerful warrior in the human Kingdom, with the Magic sword's unique ability to cut through directed magic, he was a force to be reckoned with. (like a spell of the arcane, that didnt take an elemental form yet)
The Elves chose the Arcane Mage Selindra Farthought, who weilded The Staff of Elethas made from a special holy tree called The Elethas Tree, which rarely if ever gives a gift except to those few who are special to the Elven Race. She Was able to use the power of the arcane to influence nature to do her bidding. The only mage to ever have such control over nature.
The Orcs chose the Largest Clan's Chief Ferra the Mind, who was a very powerful sorceress, She was able to inflict disease, and curses, and was able to remove them. She prayed to her God Shadra one time to have the ability to give the diseases that inflicted some, to others. And she was given a Scepter that allowed her to remove and injury or a disease of somekind, and hold onto it and send it to others. But she had to send it away or it would reflect on to her. The Scepter was called The Equalizer. She was cunning and devious and ruled with her husband with an iron fist. She chose to fight after both of her sons and one daughter was lost in the Three-Fold Wars.
The Day of The Gift aka Covenant Day
A 50 foot wide cirular stone platform was raises 3ft from the ground but human earth mages. Each champion took their place with their forces supporting them from their third of the circle. All was silent as they took their places, humanity on the North West side, Elves on the south, and Orcs to the eastern side. The speaker for the fight came forward, the King of Humanity Augur Fenrir Stood on the very edge of the platform between humanity and orcs. His speech rang out in the quiet overcast day, and every person of the three races had their eye on him.
"It has been 60 years, since we three races engaged in the struggle for these lands. Our fighting has brought death, destruction, and untold pain to each of our three major races, as well as the many other minor races that call Atrium and more specifically Maeden, home. I hope on this day that we can finally put the trials of the last 60 years to rest. I hope that we may find a victor to once and for all end this madness of fighting and war come to an end. I pray we find peace with the solution. Let it be witnessed, by all spectators, be they Man, Elf, Orc, or God. Let the fight commence."
The second he stepped off the platform and the three warriors began to run at each other, a massive burst of white light fell instantly from the sky. The three warriors found themselves infront of the three massive beings each race called God on a circle platform surrounded by endless white. The three beings spoke as one.
"We will stop the fighting among our three races." The booming voice from each of the three spoken together perfectly, sending chills down the warrirors spines as the commanding unified tone of all three Gods spoke to them at once.
"We bring our three races together, behind each of you. You will lead them to peace to prepare for the future."
In a more powerful and devastating tone the three gods demanded, "NO ARMIES SHALL BE RAISED FROM ANY RACE AGAIN."
Then the gods spoke one at a time, each demanding of all three warriors.
"The destruction of the world, and each other must stop at once." Spoke Ellefain the Eternal
"The Building of societies and peace shall become a priority." Demanded Alaric the Unbroken.
"You will learn a new Divine Class specific to your race and god. You will teach each of your races this same power. Each of you will learn one third of a spell that will bind you to this new Covenant." Shadra The Willful states in an uncomprimising tone.
Now the gods spoke to the representative of each race. Bestowing them the classes and knowledge for the Covenant Spell. Time moves differently in the celestial realm, the three warriors learned their skills from the gods directly and it could have been many years to their minds but only 1 hour passed on the outside world.
The First Prince of War became The Paladin of the Unbroken, gaining the power healing and his sword was turned into the Hammer of the Unbroken It changed in color to become white, gold, and blue. His fierce dark armor turned into a powerful reagal set of Paladins armor with white base color, with blue and gold trim. A gold and blue circlet of strength rested upon his brow.
The Elven Arcane Mage Selindra became the Druid of Eternity, gaining power over nature and healing magic. She could call upon spirits of the wild and control the very forces of nature. Her Green robes became the purest white with green and gold accents. Her Staff of pure white became more intricate and had green and gold highlights at different spots along the shaft of the staff. A leaf wreath circlet of gold with green leaves adorned her head.
The Orcish Mind Mage Ferra became Ferra the Willful, he scepter turning white with gold accents and a dark purple light glowed in the tip. It became the Scepter of the Mind and He dark robes were turned Purple White and gold. Her purple circlet with a white mini skull sat on her strong brow.
The gods then spoke again...
"Now, use your power and cast the spell of the Covenant, and let all who oppose this divine decree will perish in the Fires of Oblivion. You will unite our races into a greater world of prosperity. Fight together against the future, establish guilds to fight the oncoming threats, and teach your people to grow together."
After they delivered their last speech, the heros found themselves on the very same stone platform which had been turned to white marble, the light lifted and they three warriors stood side by side. They delivered the news that the war was over and declared the truth about the Covenant with the 3 gods. The spell took a whole day and a night to complete once they started. The chants, dances, and energy poured into it was enormous, spectators were still in shock about the news, but the display of power, in conjunction with their new looks and abilities, it was no question they had been blessed by the three gods. At dawn of the next day, a crystal formed in the center of the platform, this became the center of the new Three-Fold Kingdom, the first day they broke ground to build The Gift. This was ground zero for a palace that began to rise from the ground. A white stone palace with Blue crystaline windows and accents lifted up from around the three groups of people. And that was the first day for the city called The Gift. This city was to be lived in as the new capital of the three races, where a council of the three heros would rule. They would also start 3 schools, 1 for each God, to train people in the ways of the Paladin, Druid, and Shamans.
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Any race could learn any of the 3 divine paths, but it was more rare than staying in their original schools. The war torn land was slowly transformed over the 2 day period. A wave of life energy flowed outwards form the city cent crystal, and the ground became fertile again. This city was built on an open plain, and had a massive palace in the center. It was cirular shaped and roads were already forming in the 3 directions of each races main centers of population. To the north was the human city of Paritas, to the east was the Orc mountain city of HeartForge. To the south west was the Elven forrest and the City of Trees as it was called. As the wave of life transformed the wartorn lands each of the three races came together and started to work together to build the rest of the city. Architechture from all over the world, came there to represent various major and minor cultures. The massive city had walls that were raised with the palace, it went over the vast River Steel on the east side of the city that connects to the ocean to the south a few hundred miles.
Over the next few decades, there was much growth in the main city of The Gift. This was to be a city of learning and prosperity, schools for crafting, arcane arts, weapons, martial arts, and schools for historical knowledge and scribing. The three God's schools were also part church for each god. Connected directly to the palace. There were many towns that spawned around the outskirts of the city, and farming became a massive project that was able to feed many people. The Gift turned the continent of Maeden into a golden age of prosperity.
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2 Days before StarFall
Captain Aedra of the 3rdd Squad and his Sargent Draed are in the guildmasters office. It was an intimidating place with a massive 15 foot long desk, that both Grandmaster's Korbias and Liadri used, was on a raised platform looking down towards the door. There was a couple desks to the right of the room where assistants would sit. to the left was a world map showing many markers on it, a side map smaller than the main one was a zoomed in version of the local area where most of the guilds work was done, and approximate 100 mile radius of the gift city was shown. On another wall just to the left of the entry door showed a map of the city, with the guilds district highlighted.
The Captain and his Sargent were standing before the Grandmasters of the guild, on the picture of the guild emblem, A black dragon flying over a crescent moon infront of the darkness of space. The dragon had let loose a large swathe of blue fire that seemed to be burning something off to the side of the emblem. It was said that the night that the guild was formed the very same black dragon blessed the founders. It was said that they broke ground on the very same week as the Covenant Day. The roots of this guild run deep and it has a rich history. It is one of the 6 main original guilds that were formed that first week of intense construction after the the Covenant was forged. The very week The Gift was given.
Grandmaster's Korbias and Liadri Longren are elves that are 3rd generation guildmaster's of the Lunar Pact Guild. Grandmaster or guildmaster was the proper titles for the married duo. They were strict, strong, and they cared deeply about out guild. Liadri, was a sterm motherly woman, who was a Grandmaster Arcanist, and had been practicing the arts for a few centuries. She very much enjoys potion making and different types of alchemy as a hobby. Korbias is a grouchy old elf, but he would go to war before letting any of his guild members get hurt. He truly loves the guild and cares deeply for it, and for Liadri. We all sort of feel like their children in one way or another. The guild seer and intelligence officer Aliana Gray had her desk in the Map corner to the left. She was a flirty, and terrifyingly smart elf, that can see right through people. Her eyes were kept blindfolded otherwise her visions of things to come, become overwhelming and unclear. Despite being blinded she has no problem reading, writing, and fighting with her limited arcanist powers.
Captain Aedra's PoV
The guildmasters had their heads together quietly discussing something while Draed and I stood there silently. I know from many years of experience that Korbias absolutely hates being interupted, I usually did it for fun, but the serious look on Liadri's face had me concerned. The normally serene and regal woman had deep lines of concern as they read over unseen paper on their desk.
"Captian...." Liadri says without looking up, drawing out the end of the word as if she was about to continue speaking. She continues reading for a 10 count then finally looks up when I respond with a throat clear.
"There seems to be an...event happening very soon." Korbias says.
"An event?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
"Aliana, would you explain please?" Liadri said.
Aliana, like most elves, is very tall and elegant. She stood upwards of 6'5" and every movement was graceful. Her ears stuck out form either side of her dark straight hair, and she wore a beautiful blindfold over her eyes. She never had any problem moving around, reading, writing, or even showing the slightest sign of being impaired visually. She always had a slight smirk on her face as if she already knew what you were going to say. Everytime she made "eye contact" with me I shivered. She was enchanting. However there was no smirk today as she walked up from her desk near the maps at Liadris request.
"Yes, GuildMaster. I have had a vision of a star falling from the moon, and we must be there when it lands." Aliana said in her sing song voice, it was in a matter of fact tone, that made it seem like it wasn't a huge deal. The pause in this conversation was filled with Draed and myself exchanging confused glances.
Aliana continues."And while I do not know exactly what it is, I know that you, Captain, are capable of weilding it. At least that's how I interpret it, it is hard to see. But you must be there when it lands in 2 days on the north shore of the Pyramid lake 14 miles east of here, or unknown destruction will be released" Aliana finished.
"So....what is it?" I ask while frowning at the mysteriousness of it all....just get to the point.
"The Star?" Aliana asks.
"Yeah."
"I honestly don't know, but a few days ago a white portal of pure light started to open on the moon and it was visible from my observatory. That is why I almost hesitate to assume its a weapon, but the vision made it seem like you are either in control of it or rather it is bound to you some how. I am not quite sure it is very difficult to be certain." Aliana said, quiet nervously it seemed.
"Okay, but what is the problem? Why is everyone so worried about this? And why are you guys acting like it's the end of the world with this?" I asked. Draed and I both look around wondering how much they know about this, just a vision seems kind of thin to go off of.
"Well, the other Squad 1 and 4 are both on missions and won't for at least a couple weeks. Squad 2 is....." Grandmaster Liadri began, and Korbias cut her off.
"Squad 2 is on leave right now and are obviously not available..." Korbias continues quickly, "On top of the vision we pretty much only have you guys to go there, Aliana will join your squad for the time being, she can handle herself in a fight and you might need as many as possible for this mission." Aliana lightly smirks and I subltely shake my head. "Also you do need to fill out the rest of your crew, it is times like this that you have to fight harder without your full 10 man squad." Korbias says in an even more serious tone somehow. "You have been slacking Aedra, we need you to handle this before other guilds. So take your ship and get there by the time that starfall happens."
"Okay, what else, is there anything we are expecting, why are you so worried about it?" I ask, this all sounds too easy so far, what am I missing?
"Yes well, the other part of my vision, is the concerning part...There will be hundreds of monsters swarming. I think they have already started to gather. I don't know how the monsters are so aware of this, but it must show some kind of intelligence from the normally mindless groups that we normally see. They have been slowly popping up all over the area, and I am concerned it has something to do with this Starfall." Aliana says.
"That's not good." Draed says in his gravely deep voice, the way he speaks it almost sounds like his words are connected.
Liadri nods and says, "Yes, but if we can get there and secure it before any other guild, I have a feeling that this will be a boon for us."
"This feels weird, like there is more to this that you aren't telling me." I said while looking at Aliana's intricate blindfold.
She smirks, and says, "Well I can't tell you everything if I still want to be of use to you."
"Aliana..." Korbias says "please..." Aliana always has time to playfully mess with people, but the guildmaster isn't in a good mood today.
After a small chuckle she sighs and says, "Well, if we do not get whatever that star is, there is a good chance that war will happen breaking up the Three-Fold Empire."
"Your vision showed you this?" I ask, I always question her visions since that time when....well I ended up covered in shit and it was her fault, but that's neither here nor there.
Another sigh and she replies, "I am not perfect at reading my visions nor is the future set in stone, but yes, there was wide scale destruction and the formation of armies if someone other than you collected, or weilded whatever is in the star. It felt like, if we do not grab the item then it will certainly be devastating for The Gift. Every one of my visions has a dark and light side, and the light half you are holding the shining star, and the dark half there is an untold number of monsters swarming over the firey wreckage of many towns."
My turn to sigh, "Okay, Draed, grab the squad, and have the crew prep the ship, we leave in an hour."
I turn to Aliana, "Will you be ready by then?" I ask and she smiles one of her knowning smiles and says, "I am always ready."
I turn and thank the Grandmasters and assure them that I will get this task done. I grabbed my gear, and got to the ship.
Our Squads air ship was named the Blue Flame, it was a 40 foot long air ship that has been our squad's main ship for as long as it has existed. They have constantly been in circulation over the years, however, the are Covenant Ships, made in the beginning days of the Gift, they have never fallen, ran out of power, or needed massive repairs. They are virtually immune to magic attacks, and are very well equipped with shields and weapons to battle in the air or vs land. Each air ship has its own crew that is part of the guild, but not a direct part of hte squad. The Squad Captain is in charge of the ship, and is Captain there as well. The Lunar Pact had 10 ships of varying size, the four squads each had the 40ft frigate class. The main battleship was housed on the back half of the guild hall, and that beast was closer to 100ft long, and had 2 massive gravitational stones as its power.
The guild hall, as all of the covenant ones were areound 15 stories tall, they about 3/4 of the way up the towers of them was where the air ships docked with the building. Since the gravitational stones that kept them afloat were permanent, and never let the weight rest on anything it was easy for any ship to "land" in the building. Hangar doors can close to protect them from the elements. More about the massive guild hall later.
The ship Blue Fire, was located below Squad 3's living quarters, common room, and more. It was a strong white and black painted ship made out of the Covenant Era Orichalcum metal. It had our guild symbol painted on either side in the center of the ship. It was very fast, and very good at getting our squad to where we need to go.
At the hour mark the Blue Fire took off to find the starfall.