Thestis: The Lost World
Introduction
Several centuries ago, during a more primal and war-like time, two rival clans of Dragons fought for supremacy; both so interlocked in their sheer hatred of the other to truly see what they were doing. Both sides were composed of dragons, the most magically potent of all the races, and the most skilled in this uses of these magics. The war came to an end. One clan…victorious, the other defeated. Both had suffered many fatalities, and dragon clans were typically nothing but a family unit as was…Both decimated, both eventually faded away.
After their passing, the extent of their magic came to light, all magic had a negative effect, but it balanced itself out. But from all the mana burnt up in this battle, a seemingly endless residue of magic remained over the land. The policy of opposites is the same in science as it is in magic, the residue has a reverse effect on all, sapping their power away from them, and thus…all fled. To this day, the ancient dragon clans of Firian and Eagle Fang are cursed for their carelessness.
Generation I
Countless centuries after the Dragon War, when the clan names were nearly forgotten, the solitary ruler of Nainelor was on his deathbed. Giel the III, having only married once had out-lived his wife, and only had four children by her. Two sons and two daughters. His older son, being in charge of the highly active military was on a campaign to the south. A messenger rushed to the elder son, while the younger was already there, still being too young to partake in any foreign affairs. The elder son, Biton, was shocked to hear of his father’s condition and placed command of the army within the claws of another officer, hurrying to his father in this troubled time. Before the older son could make it home, his father passed away, and in the ruler’s final breath he had no choice but to pass on his power to Rhaiddan, the younger of his children.
The rule of Giel the III had been unpleasant enough, ruling with an iron fist, having purposely left part of his military behind to keep the public in line, for when the cat’s away…the mice will play. Rhaiddan, now solely in command, send his elder brother away to complete the campaign and send another portion of their military away to aid in the conquest, much to the dismay of the king’s advisors. The advisors knew this new ruler was unskilled, and frantically advised him in everything they could, sending him constant words of wisdom, educating him day and night. But they were not fast enough.
Under the rule of Giel the III, discontent had begun to brew, over half of the population despised this ruler, and the inexperience of this new ruler was not to their liking. Rhaiddan had sent most of the military away; perhaps a coup was in order? The entire population did not rise, but only a few were brave and confident enough began to plot silently in the night, hiding away in the cellars of taverns and homes to speak of their plans. That was, until the time came. One evening, this small, unorganized group carefully broke into the upper chambers of the palace, however, that wasn’t enough. All the guards had been left the soldiers were the only ones sent away. A simple mistake. A fatal mistake. Rhaiddan was alive, and the rebellion had gone sour, those that had not been killed in the battle were bound…humiliated as they were marched through the town…and towards the barren lands of the Dragon War.
The advisors instantly pushed the new ruler into composing a prison in this barren land. In the cardinal directions, towers were formed, and the most skilled mages were placed within each, and a barrier formed to keep in all beings within, save for the common and stupid beasts. Birds, deer, cattle, all passing in and out harmlessly, while the mightier beasts were detained. Once in…there was no leaving. There they were imprisoned, expected to tear each other apart. But they didn’t…The lived…the prospered.
Generation II
Time began to pass, and their parents, among the mightiest beasts in existence were weakening. The offspring of these beasts were less powerful, their magic nearly halved by the magical residue around them. Night and day, they lived, in this weakened state. If they could get out…they would be normal again. But they couldn’t. The animal herds and flocks were slowly learning to avoid this area, for it was unsafe. That’s where the hunters were, and that’s where they’d stay. The carnivores trapped within were being forced to eat their other, to eat the other races…but their numbers started to dwindle as well, into near non-existence.
Rhaiddan had now come of age and was a more skilled ruler than his father, but just as cruel. The people were still discontented. Morally neglected, he was the scourge of the earth, all despised him, but had no power to do anything, they all just hoped…the next ruler would be better. Now Rhaiddan had children of his own by this time, and had long since told them the stories of the old rebellion, and how he had stopped their plan to kill him. The children saw him as a hero.
Time went on, all aged, and Rhaiddan did pass away, leaving his rule in the claws of his oldest son, Denechmos. Denechmos was old enough to rule on his own, but was just as tyrannical as his father was, the stories of the old rebellion still fresh in his head. For good reason.
Generation III
Now time was passing uneventfully, and we were into the third generation of the prisoners within the Dragon War wastelands. Within their tiny world…things were changing. Within the kingdom of Nainelor, there was discontent with Denechmos, there was another attempted rebellion, this one was almost successful, and all members of this revolt were simply executed. Those members that spoke of other members of the rebellion were promised to keep their life…but it was a lie, as they began to point out other members of the rebellion those people too were being taken prisoner. Though, there was no solid proof that these people were involved, they all denied it. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough. Those that were pointed out were cast in chains and thrown into the Dragon War’s wasteland with the others.
Within the kingdom, a game had begun. Who could spread rumors about those you hate the fastest. Innocents, children, elders, all were being convicted of absolutely nothing and tossed into the prison as well. It was all fun and games, until you were accused. A steady supply of ‘rebels’ were coming in now, most were wrongfully accused.
The grandchildren of the original rebellion, and those who were wrongfully accused of the new rebellion, all innocents…none belong here. But the gate guards won’t listen, they will not drop the shield. The time for talk is over…a new rebellion’s brewing…one for freedom…will you join us?
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