Universe -The Star Rings

Ring - 4th

Reality - Mortal Plane

Solar system - Origin

World - Vaustaris

Continent - Lumina

The Edgelands (Western Lumina) - The Bow's Eye

No one knew just how far Hildelith was going to arrange everything before the players would come. While she knew there were certain things she couldn't control there were also some things she could. One of the few things she could of course affect.

Hildelith frowned at taking away the free will of people, or even animals but of course, she didn't see it as her control when certain environmental factors favored an action or reaction.

While she could have sent her kids down themselves to Vaustaris it was also possible that simply setting up Molliwag right behind the castle would be all it took. Childish curiosity was a universal fact. One that transcended worlds and Realities. Games too. Setting up such a site could and would not have gone unnoticed.

What would come of it was something she'd not know or expected but it had been within her realms of calculations. Akasha's calculations more like. Still, both were one and the same. So it counted as hers.

The next step was to actively create scenarios where her kids would be introduced to the world in a way that rippled. It wasn't hard. Some situations were just there for the taking. Red Goblin attack, a squabble for chieftaincy, and stories passed down by demi-mortals. But of course, there were points where there was no perfect setting.

So she had Akasha make the perfect setting. The rest was left to her children. After all, even with quests, it was all about clicking a yes or a no.

[Pre-Glacius]

The dark sky was made even more foreboding by the storm clouds that covered it. Streaks of lightning flashed within them. Large gusts of unseen wind tearing through canopies. Pellets of rain hit the ground at a ferocity that had never been seen before. Unknown and unseen by all, the clouds were fueled by an energy that was very uncommon and hard to grasp. Ether. Its presence brought a strange effect in the storm clouds gathering for a normal rain shower. Lightning danced within the clouds jumping from one to the other as it chased the energy that pervaded the clouds. Its passage seemingly increased with ferocity as it made each jump across the clouds.

The following boom of its thunder shaking the heavens or was it the earth was a continuous peak that kept many a lifeform awake. But it wasn't this noise that brought disaster. While the living beings on this continent getting wracked with this storm ignored or weathered through it a very obvious problem arose. The lightning was getting thicker and thicker.

Below, within the thick vines, sturdy and overgrown draping greenery, various creatures began stirring. None knew what it was, but they could sense the danger in the air. It was hard to go out due to the dangerous winds and rain pelting everything. but it was also clear that staying in place was not viable.

The life forms that called the forests and fields home were agitated. A rush, unlike nothing seen before occurred as the storm grew. Moonlit lynxes, Moonshadow Panthers, Emberwinged Butterflies, Shadow Foxes, Starlight Ferrets, and Twilight Owls all rose from their slumber or various activities to flee. Even Flutterhoofs and Flamestriders raced side by side in herds and prides.

This large mass movement didn't go unnoticed.

*

[The Bow's Eye - Frostfalls]

The large forest that was currently undergoing a stampede as tits inhabitants fled was called the Bow. None knew how it came to have such a name or why it was called as such. They just knew that was its name. The strange thing about the bow was how unending it was. How dangerous its insides were. Its length spanned as far as the eye could see. Within lay monsters that were so ferocious and so wild, that the mortals dared not venture in.

This effectively created a wall of obstruction between those on this side and the rest of Lumina. With the sea at their backs and seafaring far from their minds it was a place they now called home. The rest of the world or continent far forgotten. It was here in this Edgelands as its people so fondly called it that some of the Moonborns found themselves.

In the beautiful town of Frostfalls named after the waterfalls that froze into breathtaking icy formations in the winter season. Their walls and gates were made of wood, stone, and surprisingly thick ice. Some parts of their town were naturally constructed into the sides of the mountain base where they sat.

The very first mountain beyond the bow, the very first town beyond it. The first stop of the nomadic Moonborn tribes. The Bow's Eye.

The horns of a Flamestrider let loose a deep and vibrating hum that echoed into the night. Held tightly in the dark by the pale-skinned hands of its blower the horn let loose much of the bellow generated from the air its blower could give. White long hair billowed in the winds of the storm and goosebumps from the cold spread over his pointed ears.

The noise stopped abruptly as the Moonborn rushed to take in another fresh bout of air and blew harder into the Striderhorn. It's hum rattling and vibrating through the town.

"You can shut it now Alarion. If the townsfolk didn't hear the first, didn't hear the Widow's second and..."

BOOM!!!!

The lightning gathering all the while in the clouds erupted. It was no thick singular blast that caught a specific portion of the Bow. No. It was a rain of lightning heralding thunder.

Alarion staggered back, his captain forgotten. Both stood still they watched the skies seethe and rage against the earth.

"They'll definitely hear that". Eldrin muttered. He shook his head and then looked to the young watch guard. He was barely 19 winters born. "Settle yourself. It's just a storm". He refused to look in that direction which was hard considering the lightning rain was now spreading far into the Bow. "A very bad one. Say what, I'll take the rest of your watch. You've earned it".

Alarion looked torn between glee and worry. His nerves were frayed but he knew part of it was from needing sleep. 'And the first sun spars as well'. It wasn't even an option he would refuse.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Are you sure captain, I can still keep watch". Of course, he wouldn't show that. Negligence could be problematic.

"Just go to bed". Eldrin waved him off. With a nod unable to hide his glee the young Moonborn sun and made to rush off when he paused.

As a Moonborn he was born with excellent Dark vision. It was nothing like the one the Qitsarlmers possessed or the little color blend the Argonnes used. No, this was something else. If players could see this now they'd spit blood in shock as most would realize this was a tracking system in a Moonborn's eye.

"Captain?". Eldrin frowned turning to scold the child who had yet to take up the favor granted. Alarion shakily raised a hand finger stretched and pointing to the distance. Eldrin's eyes followed.

Both Moonborn took in the scene their gaze reflecting the almost sky-high flames and tracking the moving forms of hundreds if not thousands of lifeforms. All of which were headed straight for them.

"Alarion". Eldrin didn't need to look to realize his left hand was already gripping his sword sheath tight. His head turned slowly. So slowly it looked like he had a stiff neck. "Get to the heart of the town and blow that Widow's kiss horn".

Alarion spun and ran. Sleep and the desire for rest were gone from his eyes. Bones that once ached now silent. In his left hand held tightly was the Striderhorn.

The sound of the bellow filled the streets of the small town. Annoyed grumbles and sleepy-eyed fellas who'd ignored the storm rushed out of their homes to find the perpetrators. What most found was a city in panic. A sky of gray and flashing lightning and a red glow in the distance. Panic rose even amongst these ones but it was also clear that staying in place was not viable.

At the wall, Eldrin watched the madness.

*

Alarion didn't like running. He didn't even know why anyone would like running. 'Definitely necessity'. Mentally agreeing that just as he was doing something he didn't like in a bid to warn others maybe others other did something they didn't like for an important reason.

The Striderhorn was no longer with him. It was held in another's hand and blown by the lips of the news crier. No, Alarion had better things to do. Better places to be. His feet carried him far past the weapons smith and straight to the Council halls. His heart palpitated as his eyes found the sturdy structure of rock and timber.

The Monois Rel was the chambers of importance. The meeting point of all Moonborn in the Bow's Eye. Unlike other races Moonborns saw none as above them. Only age was respected and even then it was simply a respect for weathering the ages. Which was why Alarion, even as he grasped the little beater on the floor next to the door, hesitated.

Moonborns were a calm and gentle bunch until one tried to boss another. The inherent pride within a Moonborn found all manners of instructions or commands as an insult unless the respect for the one giving it was there.

It was why he found it easy to obey Eldrin. The man had his respect. Rendi was a whole different matter.

Alarion shook his head. 'This is no time for foolish thoughts'. With a mental reprimand he lashed out at the door. Made of Hollow Spine Tree the door allowed sound to roll through it and then out in a din that was closest to a vibration.

Moonborns confused and frightened all over the town of Frostfalls turned their gazes in the direction of the sound. Alarion ignored the looks and murmurs behind him as he kept pounding on the door. His fist flew forward again and struck a softer and yet sturdy material.

"I'm here you can stop knocking". Rendi was a taller Moonborn male. His white hair and well defined features hiding the fact that he was several hundred years old. Of course it meant nothing to most Moonborn as older Moonborns couldn't be counted on any number of palms.

"Rendi. The Bow blazed and the creatures of its roots flee our way!". He spoke just loud enough to make sure that everyone who could would hear. Rendi had not been known for his good decisions in the past and if not that higher ages had not been shown to cause mind retardation he'd have been shifted from his postion oas the oldest Moonborn.

Yes, while the Moonborns had an ick for authority and superiority complex figured they were not delusional to the fact that order and law was needed which was tlwhy the oldest of them was always granted the right and opportunity to lead the masses.

Of course with people like Rendi it got harder to respect this decisions. Luckily the Monois Rai were not a singular figure.

"What below the Hoofs are you ranting about?". Rendi muttered. Alarion foivhtoast his disgust and simply pointed to the sky past the town walls. Even from here the glare of the burning forest was harsh. Gray smoke gathering in the sky like a herald of chaos.

"Is the fire spreading out way, at what rate?". Alarion was shocked by the question. It wasn't one he'd expected Rendi to ask.

"It's not spreading. But it's chasing all the wild life ourbwya like I said". Rendi seemed relieved then turned with a sharp step obviously aiming to summon the rest of the Monois Rai. They were already pouring out the house, all seven of them.

Rendi had Alarion fill him in before all eigth heads began knocking together. Alarion hated this moments. A decision was usually hard to come to . Especially for the Monos Rai. His hand itched and his feet jerked. His head kept turning to the town walls where Eldrin was.

"We'll have a problem when the Thunderhoofs reach our wall". A Monois shouted at another Monois. Alarion frowned at how these folks were turning this into an argument. His eyes turned back to the burning fires and his lips became a line.

"Then we keep them from reaching our walls. What exactly are we debating?. Running back into the Edge lands is no choice. We have this point for a reason and a little fire won't chase us off".

"Little!". Rendi spat his eyes shaking. "You call that..." His hand pointed to the sky. "...little!". Alarion eyed everyone there with a sigh.

"I say we arm the guards and whoever can help to keep the wildlife away from our walls". Another Monois, Lariela spoke. Her eyes were firm and invited no arguments.

"We lack the proper resources to fend off the creatures of the forest and I am sure there are a lot more".

"And how would you know that!" Alarion barked. All eyes burned to him. A freezing shook swept through him for a moment as he thought of folding in on himself but Moonborn mentality, a very racial issue found the very idea repulsive. That repulsion had him straighten out and face down everyone.

"Captain Eldrin of the Guard stands on that wall watching the creatures, waiting for us". Many eyes returned to the wall and Alarion could see someone in the town shuffle off to the wall. 'Probably lady Telarin'.

"We have the weapons to hold them back. The artisans to keep our hands full. I say we protect our town. It's all we have. And if those creatures with less than quartz a mind break through our wall what does it say off us".

The bad thing about Moonborn refusing to bend the knee was their idea of none defeating them either. Which meant that Alarion putting it out there created a visible reaction in the elders. It was like lacking air and then coming for it . The very thought and idea of it making their skin itch like an allergy.

"You've spoken well son of Rendi". Lariela nodded to him. Alarion stiffened at the last part but just shrugged it off. "You have proven and shown more mind and courage than your Father".

"You heard the Moonborn. Those who can head for the wall. Those who can't may please assist in transporting any resource we need to the wall". By making it a plea or idea the Moonborn remained in charge of their decisions which was the way of life.

Then another call was sounded from the Striderhorn. The sound shook the air. Rattled their ears and make hearts beat.

"Their at the walls" A Monois whispered.

Alarion dashed off, his mind racing as he headed for the wall. A dull thud filled the air and the ground vibrated. Alarion slid to a stop on the rocky ground of their town. 'The Thunderhoofs'.

BOOM

'They're here already '. He took off again shifting his shock behind him. Sailing down the path he came from with speed he rushed for the ladder stair that took one up to the wall edge. The wood was noiseless as he stomped up it, the only sound a dull timbre of his boots. Ascending up the final rung stair he stopped at the sight of Eldrin.

The man gave him a once over look and sighed. "All that run and you forget a sword".

Alarion frowned. "I'm not that good with one". His eyes took in the wall and the fellow more experienced guards on it. They were not that much.

"The grab a spear. Use the pointy end to keep anything at bay and ..."

"I know how to use a spear". He muttered.

"Good. Hopefully it won't be called for". Eldrin's gaze said otherwise. His eyes locked on a herd of Thunderhoofs below.