The legends speak of ancient times when humans once ruled the entire Caledon continent, wielding unimaginable powers and control over mana. They reigned as the sole rulers, but their insatiable thirst for more power and their hubris drove them to challenge the very gods themselves.
As such in an act of divine intervention, the gods sealed away the essence of mana that once coursed through the world, causing magic to fade into myth. In their fury, they unleashed the power of the dormant volcanoes that lay nestled in the heart of the continent. Hundreds of these majestic peaks erupted simultaneously, spewing forth fire and molten rock, engulfing the once-united human civilization in a cataclysmic rain of destruction.
The people, once united as one, were now split into two halves. Those who remained in the West were plunged into a dark age of ignorance and isolation, living in scattered tribes, and struggling to survive amidst the chaos and upheaval. In the east, a sinister plague descended upon the humans, transforming them into grotesque creatures driven by a mindless hunger to destroy all living things. Even the earth itself was not spared from the corruption, as the land twisted and contorted under the influence of the god's wrath.
Over the millennia, the volcanoes ceased their violent eruptions, and through the passage of time, they shaped the land into what we now know as the Avalorian Mountains. As the gods' fury subsided, perhaps by coincidence or not, a single narrow path emerged in the center of the newly formed mountain range, later known as the Tir Nanong Pass. It became the sole land route connecting the western and eastern halves of the continent.
Thus, the legend of the Tir Nanong pass was born. To this day, the truth behind this tale remains shrouded in mystery. While some elements may be rooted in reality, others may well belong to the realm of fantasy.
Regardless of what truly transpired in ancient times, one indisputable fact remains: an enigmatic ancient civilization once thrived, leaving behind remnants of its existence in the form of ruined buildings and various artifacts. What perplexes all scholars delving into this ancient era is the absence of any surviving records of their language. The legends mentioned earlier have solely been passed down through oral traditions, traversing generations among the scattered human tribes predating the Caerwynian era. The rest of our knowledge consists of recorded history, commencing from the time of The First King Eldric, who unified the humans and established the mighty Caerwyn kingdom.
According to ancient history a thousand years ago, the human tribes scattered across the western region endured a perpetual state of terror. Their lives were haunted by the presence of deformed and malevolent creatures that prowled the lands. From twisted, mutated rats to hulking humanoid monsters, each abomination was more terrifying than the last. Some grotesque beings possessed a singular, bloodshot eye, while others bore the burden of three or six grotesque arms, it's believed they are humans corrupted by the gods curse.
These nightmarish beings found their dark sanctuary beyond the formidable Avalorian Mountains to the east, yet, somehow, they always found passage through the treacherous Tir Nanong Pass, such is the gods punishment. The common thread uniting them was their relentless pursuit of flesh and their desire to spread darkness upon the lands they walked upon.
Amidst those dark times, Eldric Caerwyn appeared, born into one of the many wandering tribes as the son of its lore keeper—an esteemed role within the ancient tribes, responsible for preserving and passing down their history, tales, myths, and beliefs. Growing up listening to those legends and stories, Eldric became captivated by the notion of a time when humans once ruled the world, wielding supernatural powers. Like any young child, he was fascinated by these wondrous tales, and he spent his days exploring the ancient ruins of that mysterious civilization and one fateful day his cat like curiosity was rewarded. During his explorations, Eldric stumbled upon a peculiar relic. As he touched it, the relic activated, emanating ancient and mysterious magic. At the tender age of ten, the young boy was granted a glimpse into the knowledge of that bygone civilization, forever transforming him from an ordinary child into a person of unparalleled wisdom and strength. The relic's power not only shaped his mind but also altered his body, causing him to grow at an accelerated rate. Within a year, Eldric grew like others in ten, and by the time he turned sixteen, not even the elite warriors of his tribe could match him in combat.
At twenty years of age, he gathered the scattered human tribes from every corner of the world and for ten whole years he and his followers fought the twisted life forms that plagued the humans, until he managed to finally reach Tir Nanong pass and make a stand in that narrow stretch of land that was only a kilometer wide to block the tide of darkness once and for all.
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Using the forgotten knowledge he got so many years ago, he instructed his followers how to build the walls of the Oakheart Keep and embedded within them ancient runes of power drawn with his own blood. Those were the words he left behind: "For as long as my blood stands guard over those walls, they will never break."
After the walls had been erected, and the dark tide of monsters had been pushed back, Eldric's attention shifted toward governing the now-empty lands. He took on the Caerwyn last name and founded the great Caerwyn kingdom becoming its first king. He set about establishing a new order and writing laws that upheld justice and unity among the people.
Eldric was not merely a conqueror or a protector; he was a true leader. He personally took on the role of a teacher, enlightening the people with the knowledge of agriculture, literacy, and craftsmanship. Eldric's wisdom was boundless, and he instilled his knowledge into the hearts of those who had lived in fear for generations. They began to sow fields of crops and craft weaving together a sustainable future.
After establishing the basic framework of administration for the kingdom, Eldric knew that a hereditary leadership has the potential to breed incompetence, stifle innovation, perpetuates social inequalities and resistance to change. Therefore after he instituted the Council of Wisdom, he gave up the throne on his own accord.
The Council of Wisdom was composed of the most exceptional individuals from all walks of life. Anyone who had made significant contributions or was a prominent figure in their domain of activity was eligible for a seat on the council. The council's sacred duty was to select the next king or queen based on merit, leadership qualities, and dedication to the well-being of the realm.
The selection process was thorough and involved multiple stages. Potential candidates from all walks of life were considered, and their abilities were carefully assessed by the Council of Elders. The candidates were evaluated for their knowledge, empathy, diplomacy, and strategic thinking. The final decision was reached by a consensus vote, with each council member having an equal say. While unanimity was sought, if a clear decision couldn't be reached, a run-off vote would be held until a majority favored one candidate.
The chosen ruler was not considered above the council but rather as a first among equals—a guiding force that would implement the council's decisions and policies with wisdom and compassion. When the chosen ruler's reign came to an end, they would retire with honor and respect, often becoming esteemed members of the Council of Elders themselves.
The contributions of Eldric were countless, and it would take an eternity to list them all, but his most significant achievement was the construction of Oakheart Keep. This formidable stronghold stood guard over the Tir Nanong pass, serving as the frontline defense against the dark abominations lurking in the east. Alongside this, he established the Black Wardens, an elite order of warriors whose sacred duty was to be the shield of humanity in the face of the relentless darkness.
Fifty years after establishing the Caerwyn Kingdom, Eldric selflessly relinquished his right to the throne and devoted himself entirely to building, growing, and leading the Black Wardens. He decreed that the newly founded city of Tyr Annwyn, situated at the foot of the Avalorian Mountains and serving as a supply point for Oakheart Keep, would forever be the capital of the empire and a staunch supporter of the Black Wardens' sacred mission. Assuming the role of Warden-Commander, the highest position within the order, he created training regimes and compendiums documenting all known dark creatures, their strengths, and weaknesses. He instilled within the order and the kingdom the principle that the Black Wardens must never interfere in the realm's affairs or meddle in politics. His command for generations to come was that only his descendants would inherit the position of Warden-Commander, for the mystical forces protecting the walls of Oakheart were said to rely on the Caerwynian bloodline.
"For as long as my blood stands guard over those walls, they will never break."
The Black Wardens welcomed anyone willing to defend the realm into their ranks, provided they were not criminals, and only after completing a rigorous five-year training and testing period were they eligible for a place within the order. However, only the most valiant fighters and peerless strategists managed to secure a place among their esteemed ranks. The prestige and dignity of being a Warden were matched only by the demands and sacrifices required of them. Being a Warden was a lifelong commitment, and they were forbidden from marrying or having children, except for the Warden-Commander, who was required to perpetuate the Caerwynian bloodline. In cases where there were multiple children, the best among them was chosen to assume the role, while the others were bound to serve the Black Wardens until their last breath.
In the end, Eldric Caerwyn died at the formidable age of 180 years, old due to that faithful encounter so many years ago he had double the lifespan of an ordinary human; his life was a wonder in its entirety, and his achievements are a tale to be told, too many to count.
Nowadays, almost 900 years later, the Caerwyn Kingdom is as peaceful as ever, its people prosper, and a long time has passed since the Black Wardens were threatened by a beast horde or any major threat. Overall, the kingdom is as peaceful as it will ever be, even though its rulers have started to drift away from Eldric's ideals, but the system he created still keeps the ever-growing corruption and thirst for power at bay.