“As I am talking to the tribes they are telling me that at the start of the world it was all in harmony. I find it hard to believe their words that at one time magic was not only obtained through violence but as a gift and in peace. They mention some strange ‘Mother Tree,’ I can hardly wait for the day I publish my book and leave this place.”
- Memoirs of a Jalian Researcher
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Prologue
“Once upon a time, it was said that the world was free of violence and the races lived in blissful harmony. Lost to time,the gifts given to the other races are unknown but scholars of lore hold that humanity received the staffs of power, one for every man and women. Inside of these branches was the power to channel the lifeblood of magic itself, drawing it’s source from the Great Mother Tree.
"The original tribes all continued to lived in peace, working together with their new abilities to provide more crops for the harvest, speed up construction of cities, or assist in medicine. Seasons and generations came to pass, before it became clear only the firstborn of each family was the next in line to inherit nature’s gift after their parents died. With death magic was passed on, with those that died childless leaving it to their nearest relative. Or something unheard of now, having it passed on at random if there was no family left.
"Soon the Great Rift formed, where there was those with magic and power that was ever evolving, and those stuck in normality simply by the order of their birth. The powerful came to be the Nobles, and those stuck far from any hope of peacefully gaining magic were the Secondaries.
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“Even though there was resentment they still lived in relative peace, with minor social protests of the Secondaries arising occasionally. That was until the day that Velari discovered the ‘Blood-luster’s Path.’ See while the rest of the world was in peace, his band was seeking revenge on the Grickson family tribe for burning their farm down after an unapproved family marriage. After three years of brutally murdering the heirs of the family, Velari, a Secondary came upon his final prey. After an epic battle, Velari finally murdered after an epic battle the last survivor of the Grickson Clan.
"An with that historical murder, he gained the staff and power of the Grickson family who had mastered Flames. With a staff of mass destruction and fire in his hands, he slaughtered many more families in the name of progress until the name of Velari was one of awe and power over all of the land. At the very pinnacle of his height, Velari bestowed upon the Secondaries of the world the knowledge he gained that the key to power is found in murder. From there on the world has been cast into fire and bloodlust, with many of the tribes outside the cities waiting to murder little children like you just to have a chance to grab another Staff of Power.
“So whenever you go out into the night, or go alone away from the light, watch your back for the power seekers of the night. And if you have power in your hands be prepared for a fight. For above us all the kingslayers lie, and if you turn to murder power might be yours tonight,” whispered the old nun. With a small grin, the Matron tucks in the sleeping form of the dirty children resting on sleeping pads clutching tan sheets that long lost their white glow. Her ancient bones creaking as she bends down to give them each a chaste kiss before uttering a silent prayer clutching an pendant with an tree etched on it. After an time, the dull echo of laboring feet went throughout the chamber before the lopsided oak door creaked shut, leaving the slumbering young to wake up to the cruel world they were unprepared to enter into.