As epochs moved on in Valarn, history was rewritten time and time again. Things that had once been truths became distant memories, as new narratives took shape. Written, changed and told again, one such example were the elementals. A few moments in time highlight the changing role of these enigmatic creatures.

Case 19981-2990-SIN Filed 08/12/01/530 Page 3 of 7 Valarn Glorias Eternal. Case: Arthur Halmen versus the just and proper society. Failure to rescind heretic retelling. Knowledge of this document is punishable by death

In accordance with §378.19a of general human decency law, the accused Arthur Halmen, born of the Halmen family of bakers, was offered a chance to recant their testimony of uncouth interaction with evil elements. Instead, the accused issued the following statement.

“It’s no secret to you and me, that this verdict started at guilty and is merely judging how high I will be strung up. Have at it. The words I will speak will damn all of you to die along with me. The reason we’re fighting the elementals is called knowledge. When the gods broke their covenant and shattered creation, they doomed us all.

Each year, more of the known world is lost to the void. Have you not eyes to see? Travel to the edge of the world and gaze into that which devours all. Ask the astronomers and listen when they tell you the stars come closer, put an ear to the ground and recognize the failing heart of our world. That’s the truth for which the elementals had to die. The gods fear we might learn of the ailment of our world and act upon it.

Case 19981-2990-SIN Filed 08/12/01/530 Page 7 of 7 Valarn Glorias Eternal. Case: Arthur Halmen versus the just and proper society.

List of casualties associated with the case.

Arthur Halmen – Accused. Guilty of high treason. Punishment of death.

High Judge Erin Astalar. Guilty of high treason. Punishment of death.

Aciendo-Judge Maro Hinvesteen. Guilty of high treason. Punishment of death.

Aciendo-Judge Rowen Kilis. Guilty of high treason. Punishment of death.

Listener Hundsran. Secondary act of vile listening. Punishment of death.

Listener Bower. Secondary act of vile listening. Punishment of death.

Listener...

The court document goes on like this. All in all, thirty-three people were found guilty of high treason. There is only one name not on the list of the dead and that’s the guard that carried out the verdict. However, one additional court document lists the guard and his crime of killing thirty-three people. The punishment was death.

Like this, Valarn has always been vigilant about what it can tell and what must be unknown. Sometimes, the two worlds of truth and fiction blend together in weird ways as one lecture protocol can attest.

Lecture Protocol. On fairy anatomy and the prospect of love. Protocol Bearer: Inka Vindi Lecture held by Leichtmeister Postaliscz.

The Leichtmeister is seen pacing the desk. His lecture has yet to begin but fellow scientis are found giggling at the image of a nude sprite on the board. Loud music marks the beginning of the lecture. Leichtmeister Postaliscz reminds us to fulfill our duties of attendance and hands out the rite of acknowledgment for this session.

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His lecture begins with a review of last sessions material. The Leichtmeister points back to the naive literature on the possibilities of intercourse with the sprites themselves. He makes obvious the poetry nature of many writs on elementals.

“Elementals are incapable of reciprocating feelings of love on anything but an emotional level”

It’s the central claim of the session posted at the beginning. Leichtmeister describes sprite anatomy and introduces the many shapes they can take.

“These creatures have three distinct shapes, all feminine in appearance. The sprite is their natural shape. They’re about as large as a hand and have tiny wings that keep them afloat.”

Leichtmeister shows pencil sketches of tiny and very delicate looking female winged creatures. Some of the boys take a special interest in the nudity of these creatures.

“Their second shape is the elemental. Here, they’re human-sized and can float, carried by their strange magic alone. In this shape, their dominant elemental nature breaks through, manifesting in details such as burning hair or watery skin.”

Now the Leichtmeister hands out pencil sketches of grown women with extensive detail. One scientis, male, I must add, notes the absence of secondary sexual characteristics. To quote:

“They have tits but no nipples!? This is merely artistic license, right?”

The Leichtmeister explains.

“It’s not. As you have so astutely noticed, sprites, elementals, fairies, however you may call them, have neither primary nor secondary sexual characteristics. While their shape appears female at first glance, they’re anything but.”

Now another scientis, female this time, I must add with indignation, feels the need to interrupt.

“What about the stories of inter-species procreation then?”

“Hogwash”, the Leichtmeister states, “Simply impossible. Do not be deceived by centuries of poetry.”

“But the third shape?”

I recognize that the Leichtmeister grows agitated at the interruptions. He has every right to be. These fellow scientis are the lowest of the low harung, barely worth to receive sustenance.

“Yes, the third shape. It’s their combat form. Here they project their magic outside to wages battle in various forms. They can mold and adapt this form to serve many needs.”

The Leichtmeister is once more seen pacing around the desk when another scientis interrupts him again.

Any needs? That could potentially include procreation, right?”

To which, and here I quote Leichtmeister Postaliscz, states, “If you want to stick your dick into a living thunderstorm, be my guest.”

It must be noted that this was Leichtmeister Postaliscz last lecture. He had quit shortly after with the by now legendary words that he couldn’t teach a bunch of horny teenagers to not fuck their benches on lunch break. This became a popular saying for people that refused to learn when it came to relationships that were doomed.

However, when it came to the fairies, the obsession with them wasn’t always sexual and curious. Following the collapse of the Dalman Theocracy at the end of a rebellion and the twenty-year war with the fairies, many orders sprung up in Valarn.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Order of the Rose.

I henceforth recognize the evil of religious bigotry and the lure of evil spirits. No magic nor sprite shall tempt me from my path, no promises of eternal wellbeing may lure me. My sword is for the greater good of Valarn and my body belongs to the noble family Saskin. I hereby swear fealty to the houses and the king or queen. My blade will slay elementals, it will stay monsters and I shall pray for the weak.

My heart sings true with the valor of a thousand good deeds, with noble justice I shall earn my name and the right to brandish myself a knight of the order. Through the storm, through famine, through death and disease, I will ride to banish the evil from this world.

Hear now my vow and pledge. With this cut, my old life ends. With these sacred words, I become a knight of the rose.

Pledges like these were frequent as many nobles build up their own paramilitary troops. To avoid political issues, guilt was cast on all sides: Sprites just as much as the established religion. This naturally led to the war of knights about a century later. Where there is power, there is an abuse of it.