[Special Feature] II: Shyla Starhearth

Shyla Starhearth

 

     Shyla Starhearth is the High Priestess of Tavril and the voice of the gods. She is the one that keeps the Guardians in faith. It is her compassionate nature, kind words of wisdom, and sage advice that help the Guardians stay whole and dedicated to the Vigil. She is a stunningly beautiful High Elf, Ascended along with many others on Thedeor Field when the Mathosian armies fell to Aedraxis's evil power.

 

     The love Shyla had for the elven prince Hylas is legendary, as is their heart-breaking division after Aedraxis came to power. For over a century they were together. They loved so deeply that the songs sung about them could fill the library at the Chancel of Labors. They had no secrets, no arguments, no doubts. Their love was perfect. Until Aedraxis the tyrant became king.

 

     When Mathosia called on the High Elves for aid in the battle against Aedraxis and his endless court, the leaders of the High Elves were of split mind. Shyla, ever concerned for the other beings of Telara, wished to lend aid to the Mathosians, sensing that if Aedraxis was not stopped, all of Telara would be in danger. Prince Hylas, on the other hand, urged that the Elves stay out of it. He did not want to risk losing Elven lives when they had not recovered from the Kelari Exodus. He believed that the civil war in Mathosia was a personal matter and didn't in any way effect the Elves of the wood and that they should ignore the plea for aid.

 

     Their argument, though fierce, was something of a political argument. It did not break them apart, for their love was eternal. But they could not agree on this matter. Despite his urgings, Shyla decided to lead the Elven people to Thedeor Field to fight alongside the Mathosians against the evil of Aedraxis. Unfortunately, all on that field were slain, including the Priestess.

 

     After her glorious resurrection as an Ascended, Shyla ran straight home to Hylas as soon as she could. However, she found him much changed. She explained to him that the Vigil had spoken to her, had chosen her as their champion against the evil cults and the Blood Storm attacking Telara. He was cold, bitter, jealous. He was suspicious of her new status as chosen of the gods, and resentful. He professed that there was no proof it was even the gods that had resurrected her. Saddened and confused, Shyla nevertheless stuck by him, forgiving and loving him despite his actions and trying to repair the damage done by their recent parting.

 

     But they argued again, this time heatedly, bitterly, with cold finality. Shyla again wanted to help others other than her own people, when the leaders of the newly formed Guardians in Sanctum approached the Elven council with the intent of enfolding them into its ranks. Shyla welcomed this idea, wanting to help mold the newly founded Guardians into the Vigil's weapon and help protect Telara against the new threat from the Planes. Hylas refused again, citing loss of Elven lives as his reason. Shyla tried reasoning with him as often as she could, but he refused to consider it.

 

     Finally, shockingly, Hylas withdrew from Elven society. Taking his royal Elven guard, the Aelfwar, he holed himself away in their ancestral castle, refusing to let any outsiders in. He sent a message to Shyla stating that he no longer wished to associate with her and that she had tainted the Elven people with her dealings.

 

     Shyla was absolutely devastated. Heartbroken, she took the remaining elves to Sanctum to join the Guardians in protecting Telara.

 

     Shyla suspects that the unrest and evil in the Silverwood is somehow connected to Hylas and his Aelfwar, along with all the Fire Rifts spawning in the forests. She fears having to confront her old lover but she is confident she will hold strong for her people. She is considered the Pentarch of the Vigil now, the High Priestess for all the gods. She is the visionary leader of the Guardians and provides advice, strategy and wisdom to its leadership alongside Cyril Kalmer and Borrin Gammult.

 

     Shyla has the habit of taking tea with Cyril once a week to discuss strategy, battle plans and various problems about the Rifts. She very carefully never mentions anything to do with Hylas, and is amused by Cyril's attempts at concern and fatherly care.

     Update Nov, 2016*- Shyla plays a pretty big role in the newest expansions, where she guides and protects the baby dragon Tasuil, and can be found with him in the new zones, wearing new armor. It seems she has finally taken a more active role in the defense of Telara.


References: For the most part, all info on Shyla is easy to come by if you read the quests in the tutorial Mathosia zone, as well as do complete the Saga of the Aelfwar questchain, where you learn quite a bit about her and Hylas. There's also a few artifact sets about her famous love affair with the Aelfwar prince, and their sad falling out. In Greenscale's Blight you witness her confront Hylas for the last time and you can tell she still cares about him but she knows that she can't let that interfere with her duties to the Vigil. I was actually quite shocked to see Shyla in Alittu, with the adorable dragon Tasuil, and you even get a quest where you have to escort her and the dragon out of town because no one wants them there anymore. I'm happy that NPC's are finally getting some more attention in Rift other than just to sit in Sanctum looking bored all day.

[Raeslyn's Story] 2.2: The Holy Forest

Location: Divine Landing, Silverwood
Time: Late evening to early night
Date: Year 1509, 6th Moon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     After running that little mission to inspire sentries, Orin Bancroft kept me busy running tasks for him and other officers stationed at Divine Landing. One man, Sir Andrin Kain of the Sanctuary Guard--whoever they were--had an interesting and yet risky venture for me to complete. That's what I'm up to now. According to his scouts, the dastardly minions of Maelforge were up to no good again.

     After they'd slain the Guardian soldiers unwary enough to get caught, they had used the bodies to light some kind of unholy magical fire, mounting their heads on pikes and using them as kindling. Creepy, right? My job? Tear down the pyres and put and end to the creatures doing it. Piece of chocolate cake right? Riiiight.

     I dodged one heavy-handed swipe from the flaming demon, ducking and rolling to the side quickly. That was a close one. From my position a few feet away from my foe, I studied him silently, immediately studying his form for weakness. As I'd gone to put an end to the latest pyre, this hulking demon had attacked me. He'd literally appeared out of nowhere in a burst of red-hot flames. The Planar creature, because where else could he have come from but the Plane of Fire, was absurdly tall, with flaming orange skin, a horned skull, and wicked long claws.
     Oh, did I mention the cloven hooves for feet? There wasn't much for weakness there. Although he was an abysmally poor swordsman. I smirked at that. My master would have been disappointed. I readied my daggers as I saw an opening and darted in under his sloppy strike, scoring a slash right along the ribs. The creature gave a roar of frustration and swiped at me with his weaponless hand. Thankfully I wasn't there anymore, having already danced back out of reach.

     I'm not stupid enough to stand around and see what those claws would do to my fair elven skin. I chuckled again. This seemed to frustrate the destroyer more, for he rushed me. I shifted footwork at the last second, turning his sword aside and scoring another long gash on the tender underside of his knee. Well, it looked like a knee. The Planar demon stumbled forward and I took a chance, leaping upon his back.
     He straightened up abruptly but I was ready and clung like one of those vampire bats I hear tell live in Gloamwood. Using my free hand, I plunged my dagger into his back, than again. The demon shrieked and flame lit up along his skin. I couldn't help the yelp of surprise and pain that escaped me when my hands were seared. I half tumbled, half leaped off the flailing creature's back and backed away hastily, cradling my injured hands to my chest. The demon whirled and looked at me, flame-red eyes mad with hate and I eyed my daggers, lying innocently on the ground at his feet.

     The demon glanced down, grinned maliciously when he saw my daggers, and moved toward me. Oh, I was so dead. After taking a step, the demon pitched forward onto his horned face. I blinked, than grinned. That's right nasties, Raeslyn the Rogue at your service!

     Remembering my duty, I quickly sidestepped the demon, grabbed up my daggers, and approached the pyre cautiously. After what had just happened, I wasn't too keen on concentrating so fully on putting out the fire. Thankfully no other Planar creatures decided to assault me while I was working and had the pyre dismantled in no time.
     I kicked over a few more I found in the clearing, trying to destroy as many as I could before the demons rallied and became too much for me to handle. After one particular pyre, I blinked and glanced around. I hadn't even realized it but the forest had grown noticeably darker.

     Looking up at the sky I was startled to see that it was indeed encroaching upon night in Silverwood. I'd spent the whole day helping out the Guardians. And I felt it too. My body ached from all the activity and I was hungry again. I never used to eat this much before. Before my rebirth. Maybe it's all the energy I spend on my increased strength and dexterity. As well, my eyes felt sharper and clearer.

     To me, the clearing and surrounding forest didn't seem all that different visually, just darker. Like looking through smoke-colored glass. I stomped on a burning skull for good measure, sent a prayer for the lost soul that belonged to it, and headed back across the well worn path to Divine Landing.
     I suddenly felt tired and wanted sleep and something to eat. I stumbled into camp and sat down under a tent at random. A young looking elf noticed me and seemed to sense my desires, for she quickly walked over to the center of camp, spoke to another woman, and walked back with a armful of wrapped items. She tapped me on the shoulder and I gave her a blurry questioning look.

"Here dear, you look like you could use a good meal." She placed the wrapped items in my un-protesting arms and stood back up. I smiled at her gratefully, reaching for my pouch of coins. The woman quickly shook her head and gave me a bright, awe-filled look. I rolled my eyes tiredly but stopped the motion.

"None of that now dear, you don't need to pay for it. You're Ascended after all! What you do for us common folk and non fighters, keeping the forests and other places safe, is good enough for us." I blinked. She sounded sincere, not like the others who just liked being in the same general area as me.

"Well, thank you." I said, mustering a tired but warm smile. "It means a lot to me, your kind words and food. We heroes can't go around saving people without good food." I grinned. The woman gave me a last, approving look, before moving back to a wooden table laden with odds and ends.
     Ah, a travelling merchant of some sort. The woman she'd gotten the food from whispered something to her and the woman nodded and smiled. I turned my attention to the items in my lap, eager to see what it was. Unwrapping the first item revealed a roasted red apple, still warm.

     My mouth watered just looking at it. The second wrapped item was a chunk of charred meat that smelled delicious. And the third item was actually a small leather skin of berry wine. She wasn't looking in my direction but I still lifted the leather skin and saluted the kind woman with it before taking a long pull.

     The taste was crisp and sweet, yet tangy at the same time. Perfect elven wine. After eating my fill I carefully wrapped the items back up and stored them in my pouch. They'd make a good meal later. Now that I'd eaten I felt quite sleepy. My eyelids appeared to be growing heavier by the second, in fact.

     I glanced around, only half aware, and figured under this tent seemed to be as good a place as any to sleep for the night. I stretched out on my back, placing my pack under my pet for a makeshift pillow. I've slept like this plenty of times in the past while touring and exploring Silverwood.
     I remember the one time, I'd taken a hike up to the secret magical portal into the Realm of the Fae, where all the Faeborn beings resided. I was curious and wanted to get a look at it, since I'd heard so much about the place. The Fae had been quite nice but silly, always giggling and running about. Very whimsical. I'd brought nothing but a pack with provisions and a blanket and had bedded down under a big sycamore tree.

     Looking up through the branches I'd fallen asleep to the sparkling stars winking at me. Now, I glanced up and could make out the cold lights of the stars far above the forest ceiling. The sky wasn't exactly black, but more of a vivid blue. Like the deep parts of the ocean, I mused sleepily. Like Akylios's eyes. Or so the books said.

     The longer I stared at the sky, the more I became convinced that they reflected alien beings, looking down upon our tiny and fragile world. If a being from the cosmos came to our world, what would they think? What did the Blood Storm think when they first arrived? I snorted. Everyone knows what they thought, silly me. Destruction, chaos, subversion, enslavement. I rolled over and shut my eyes.  

I woke feeling content and relaxed. A part of me just wanted to roll over and go right back to sleep, but a bigger part of me knew I needed to get up. The day, and my role in future events, wasn't just going to disappear by my pretending it would. Sadly. So I quickly jumped up and ran through a few stretches. I always like to perform some simple maneuvers and exercises right after waking because I've noticed that that's when I'm most limber. I performed a few experimental thrusts of my dagger for good measure, than gathered up my belongings and left the tent I'd slept under last night. The sun was just coming up over the horizon and it nearly blinded me when I glanced in that direction.

     Now that I'd had some proper rest, a good meal, and some time to think through things, I glanced around the camp with fresh eyes. Everything seemed quiet this morning. A few of the women were setting up a cooking pot and some soldiers were sharpening their swords under a different tent. Orin Bancroft had an unrolled scroll and was looking over a display of various types of weapons. Probably inventory, I thought wryly. Glad I don't have that job at least.

     Keeping my ears sharp, I caught strains of conversation from various members of the camp. One tall elf with long pointed ears was speaking to a Mathosian. "This forest is my home. We must find a way to save it from Maelforge's destruction!" the Elf said vehemently. A Guardian was busy telling an officer that the Defiant had burned the catapults but we were holding them off for now. Good news there I suppose. About Maelforge and his demonic spawn though...that could be a problem. Those Planar creatures seem to be causing a lot more trouble than I had originally thought. I grinned. I'll just have to strike the fear of Guardians into them.

     I spotted a young looking Mathosian merchant that happened to be selling what looked to be good strong weapons and went over to inspect the bunch. I found a set of balanced daggers I rather liked and haggled out a price. I finally settled on a price that I liked, along with bartering off a few items I'd scavenged from the Planar creatures I'd killed yesterday, and was quite satisfied with what I came away with. I stood near the merchant's table and counted my coin when I spotted the shimmery green curtain of magic I'd first noticed when I came to Divine Landing. I remember seeing the odd looking device before, but I couldn't remember where. It was incredibly tall, at least three times my height. It was a metallic archway with strange runes written on the pillars. the architecture was something I've never seen before. It was situated on a raised platform that had to have been there for quite some time since it had grass growing on it already. Huh, I don't remember seeing something like that before in Silverwood. Or did I?

     My past was becoming quite spotty, unfortunately. Probably for the best, I suppose. It's not like I can go back to who I was and what I was doing. I have an entirely different existence now, and a serious task. The longer I stared at the shimmering doorway, the more it became familiar to me. Perhaps I've seen it in a city before? Or at the College? Curious, I walked up to the gate and stared at it. A gruff looking Mathosian with a receding hairline and a bushy mustache eyed me with interest.

     "Are you that new Ascended I hear tell about?" the man asked suddenly, startling me. I focused on the man and nodded reluctantly. Not like I wanted to be Ascended. The man gave me an assessing look, than turned to look behind him at the large shimmering portal. He gestured me closer and with some trepidation I mounted the dais and walked over to him.

     "Have you not seen a Porticum before girl?" the man asked after introducing himself as Ethan Melankis. He gestured behind him at the gate for emphasis. "I'm a Porticum Master". I flicked my eyes from the shimmering green curtain to him again. Staring too long at the obviously magical portal made my eyes hurt. I hesitated in responding to the man. He seemed nice enough, but I didn't want to look like a complete fool by admitting I wasn't sure what a 'Porticum' was. I still wasn't sure if I'd even seen one before. Before my death, I'd spent more time deep in the wilds of the wood than in any of the towns or cities. To me, civilization was just an invitation to laziness and blackening of the spirit.

     "The name of the device is unfamiliar to me, I'll admit, but it looks familiar." I finally said. My voice sounded loud in the quiet of the morning and I twitched my ears irritably.

     The man nodded thoughtfully and than settled back, a gleam in his eye. For some odd reason he brought to mind one of my professors at the College, right before he imparted something interesting and not well known to us students. I couldn't help relaxing as well and giving a slight smile. I loved learning new things.

     "Not everything from the Planes is evil, as you should know Elf, or corrupt. Before the Dragons despoiled the Planar realms, there existed pathways through the elements that were blessed by the Gods." I couldn't help my eyes from widening at that. Really? I had no idea about that. Sounds like a fun way to travel. I continued listening. "See here one of the last remaining pathways to us: The Planar Porticum. To use it though, you need to attune your soul to say, this one, and then find another in a different location and attune yourself to that one too. Than you can travel instantly between the two points. My friend Annette Kostral in Argent Glade is also a Porticum Master, like myself. Tell her I sent you if you happen over that way and she'll attune to her Porticum. That way, you can travel quickly from one place to another and lend your aid where it's most needed. It's the least we mere mortals can do for you powerful Ascended that fight the Dragons for us."

     I listened quietly to his explanation, eyeing the Porticum curiously out of the corner of my eye. Aha, there was one in Argent Glade, that's why it seemed familiar. I remember seeing it in the Glade actually, now that I thought about it. I had no idea that it was an elemental pathway through the Planes though! There's so much I don't even know I guess. Than the last bit occurred to me. Heh...fight the Dragons? Me? Yeah right. I have a hard enough time fighting these weak demonic fire spirits that find ways through the cracks in the Planes. I'd never be able to face off against one of the Blood Storm gods. That would be pure insanity.

     Well, maybe I'd do it if there was a lot of money involved....a lot of money. And a lot of backup. Like, legions of Ascended for backup. I shook my head at my thoughts. Let's not dwell on that.

     "So, how do I "attune" myself to this Porticum than?" I asked this Ethan Melankis, somewhat sarcastically. Just because it was blessed by the gods doesn't mean I would be comfortable making use of it. Although I have to admit that the ability to travel from one distant location to another in the blink of an eye would have its advantages.

     The man, Ethan, explained to me the steps to attuning myself to the Porticum. Once I'd finished, a green flash fell over me from head to toe. I felt a rushing in my ears, like a wave on the ocean, or the wind in the trees. For a moment, I felt connected to...everything. I felt such a connection I'd never felt before. It brought tears to my eyes and made me ache for the return of the feeling moments later when it was gone. The man patted me on the back and assured me that that reaction happens to everyone who attunes themselves. How comforting. I snorted and moved away from him to compose myself.

     Of course, I was eager to try it out right away, but like Ethan said, it wouldn't let me go anywhere if I had no attuned destination to fixate onto. When I placed my hand on the panel like he asked, nothing happened but the same rushing sound in my ears I'd heard earlier. Maybe it didn't even work and I was wasting my time. Not to mention looking silly I'm sure. So I gave the Porticum one last curious glance and moved away. I'm sure I had tasks from Orin to complete anyway.

     When I confronted Orin with directions, he suggested that I see what some of the other officers of the Guardians wanted. So I wandered around camp, grabbing a quick breakfast.
  

I spied an officious looking man in blue and silver armor standing by a small tent off to one side and looking over a book anxiously. Maybe I can help this bloke out? I walked up to him and waited till he acknowledged me. Finally the man glanced up at me and blinked. His eyes widened as he recognized me, although don't tell me how people keep figuring out I'm an Ascended. Am I wearing a magical brand or something?

     Before the man could spout something about how amazing I was or how grateful he was that I was here saving his butt, I said "Orin says I should help you Sanctuary Guards out. So here I am." I said it in a casual, bored voice. The man frowned, thoughts obviously diverted, and looked me over. Now he looked dubious, as if doubting the fact that a slender elf girl could of any help to a company of strong warrior types. I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to tap my foot.

     "Well, there is one thing..." the man said slowly, as if reluctant to admit he needed help. Or maybe he didn't want to bother a great and mighty Ascended. I think I'll go with the first thought. I waited expectantly, barely keeping myself from saying something out of impatience.

     "Those Planar creatures that appeared in the forest threaten to destroy our holy relics on the Sanguine Shores. There's three relics, each in a special location dedicated to the gods, and we can't get to them because the Planar demons are crawling all over. They are in danger of burning the relics up with their foul fire. I have yet to find a way to get them out safely. If you can do that, all we Guardians would be eternally grateful. To lose those relics would surely be to invite the disfavor of the gods." I blinked. Disfavor with the gods? For something you can't help? Over material objects? Either the gods are more unforgiving and unwelcoming than I remember or these Guardians take themselves just a little too seriously. I agreed to accomplish his task anyway.

     I set off out of Divine Landing, heading for the Sanguine Shores, Sir Andrin Kahn's directions to the relics in my mind. The first relic wasn't that hard to find, or reach. The Reliquary of Thontic, as the relic was called, was located on a wooden pedestal on a tiny strip of land off the shore. The relic itself was relatively small and fit in my bag easily. I sent a silent prayer to the gods as I picked up the relic, to reassure them that the relic would be safe. I gave one last glance at the pedestal, now looking quite lonely without the relic sitting on top in all it's glory. Glancing around, I watched the fire demons pacing back and forth and setting things on fire. It angered me to see such wanton destruction for no reason at all. I took a deep breath, than coughed before I could stop myself. Oh yes, I forgot. All the magical and spontaneous fires springing up all over the forest was causing a thick pall of black smoke to hang over the forest. What we needed was a nice stiff breeze off the sea to clear the air.

     I splashed back ashore and headed in the direction of the next nearest relic. This one, the Reliquary of Tavril, was situated in the middle of the clearing. It was situated atop a pedestal similar to the Thontic one. Tavril's carving was that of a small deer, dainty and innocent. I picked up the relic and stared at it. The tiny stone deer seemed to stare straight into my soul, and I felt a warmth in my mind that brought a smile to my lips. No matter their decision to unite as the Vigil, Tavril was still my patron goddess and I will forever hold a special place in my heart just for her. Placing the relic in my pouch, I ducked behind a boulder so I wouldn't be spotted by a fire demon walking nearby. As I crouched there I spotted something odd amid the smaller rocks beside me. A book? How odd. I reached out gingerly, keeping my eyes open for enemies, and snagged the book from its haphazard location amid the scattered stones. It looked a little worse for wear, singed on the edges and covered in dirt and soot. I blew on the cover, and used my leather gloves to swipe off some of the grime. Opening up the front cover, I inspected the book curiously. The first page was yellowed and blank but for large intricate letters, in a shimmery green ink that I suspected was mixed with a spell of some sort. The writing said "Nathan Green". The author perhaps? I stared at the book thoughtfully, than glanced back at Divine Landing. Maybe the author of the book survived. I bet he'd be happy to have it back. I know I would if it were my journal.

     I placed the journal between my belts for safekeeping as there wasn't any room in my bag for it and all the relics at the same time and I'd rather lose the book than the relics. That settled, I poked my head around the boulder, looking around cautiously to be sure there weren't any of those Planar creatures of Maelforge's hanging around. Silently I slipped away, heading in the direction of the last relic. This one was a bit of a distance from the others, and Divine Landing. Being so far from protection gave me a prickling feeling, like I was being watched, that I didn't like one bit. I remember before how the forest had comforted me, kept me safe, made me feel safe. Now it just felt unfamiliar and threatening. This is what the Dragons have done to my world.

     I shook my head in determination, trying not to think about it overmuch, and snuck around to where Andrin Kahn had said the third relic was. Of course. Bahralt's relic was in a small way station, a little hut built to keep travelers safe. It was usually stocked with provisions and medical supplies. Inside was the pedestal like the others. This pedestal was carved like a stool and the relic, ironically, was a small stone mug. I grinned as I slipped it off its perch and settled it into my pouch. I bid a soft good bye to Bahralt, gave a jaunty salute just for fun, and headed out of the little stone hut.

     I almost ran into one of the elemental fire demons on my way back down the hill but I managed to avoid it by the luck of Tavril. I skirted around to the road and followed that all the way back to Divine Landing. I was actually surprised by how far I'd strayed from the camp and groused to myself good naturedly about how Andrin Kahn better be grateful for this.

     Sir Andrin was shocked that I'd succeeded, and with such little difficulty. He gave an ample supply of coin as well as some nice leather bracers that actually fit me quite nicely. After I'd settled the relics in with him and made sure he was going to treat them properly (after all they were the relics of the gods) I went in search of the owner of the journal. It didn't take long. I asked a guard where I could find a "Nathan Green" He said ask the elves, so I walked up to an elf standing under a broadleaf tree and lo and behold, he was the one I wanted. I fished out the journal and held it up.

     "This yours?" I asked bluntly, waggling the book where he could see it clearly. The tall pale elf gawked at the book, than at me.
     "My journal! You found it? Thank the gods! I was on the shore, notating my thoughts on great spiritual matters when those creatures spilled from a fire Rift. I barely escaped with my life! Thanks for returning it!" I shrugged and flipped the book at him casually.

     "It wasn't that big a deal. I just saw it wedged in some rocks while I was out on a mission. I'm glad I found who it belonged to." Nathan insisted on giving me something in return for his beloved journal, even though I said he needn't have bothered. Although it turns out that he had an extensive supply of apothecary items on him. I was happy to see he had a vial of red liquid that I knew to help heal wounds. So he gave me the vial and I tucked it away in my belt.

     I spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon performing all missions and tasks for the various members of the Sanctuary Guard and the Guardians. It wasn't bad work, but it wasn't exactly what I had in mind for what an Ascended would do. I kinda figured I'd be...well I don't know. Sent on dangerous spy missions, or quests to rescue captured Guardians or something. Silly I know. But perhaps once I'd proven myself competent, my tasks would gain in difficulty as well.
     In late afternoon, I got news from a messenger that Orin wanted to speak to me. I finished collecting tinder from the burned pyres and dropped them off at the tent where the Guard wanted me to and set off to go talk to Orin.

     "You wanted to see me?" I asked without preamble once I'd gotten Orin alone for a moment. He studied me quietly, pride in his eyes that had me fidgeting.

     "Thanks to you Raeslyn, Divine Landing will now be able to hold fast. One of our scouts, however, reported that Maelforge's Goblin hoards are descending from the North. The Goblins will raze the town of Argent Glade if we don't intervene. Please go lend your considerable strength to Rudi Tanlop, in charge of a small encampment of Guardians up the road. He could surely use your aid my Ascended friend." I wrinkled my nose. Being passed off to the next people who needed me or had a crisis. I see how it is. I shrugged and agreed to go. I was getting restless staying in one place anyway. As a High Elf, I was used to wandering the world where I wanted.

[Lore] III: The Coming of the Shade

 

     After the glorious Eth Empire fell to the Convocation, it was the Mathosia's turn to rise to greatness. For many long and complacent years the line of Mathos ruled with a just and steady hand. But when the old king Jostir Mathos died, his eldest son, who he knew was too ambitious to rule justly, seized the throne while Prince Zareph was away. Aedraxis Mathos was crowned king despite the protests of the people of Mathosia.
 

    His rule was marked by cruelty, terror, and barbarity. He ruled with an iron fist, imposing martial law on the citizens of Mathosia and demanding heavy and unfair taxes to help fuel his quest for technomancy. Ever since the beginning when the Blood Storm invaded Telara, the gods had demanded that their worshippers give up the art of technomancy, deeming it too dark and unstable for use, as it was technomancy that had alerted the Blood Storm to Telara's presence in the cosmos to begin with.

   Ever loyal, the Mathosians had agreed, banning technomancy from their kingdom and living without it for hundreds of years. When Aedraxis became king, one of his first decrees was to lift the ban on technomancy, urged thusly by his advisor and head scientist, Orphiel Farwind. As Aedraxis focused on his greed for power and the desire to subjugate all under his will, his kingdom fell to ruin and despair.

     The citizens fled; what little survived the slaughter brought upon them by Aedraxis's Endless Court. When his brother Prince Zareph heard of his horrifying reign, he stood his ground, gathering an army of loyal followers. Civil war broke out as the brothers fought for the right to be king. Prince Zareph sent aid to the various other races of the world. The Dwarves, staunch allies of Mathosia for generations, quickly lent their aid, sending out able bodied dwarves from their many delves to help defeat Aedraxis. The High Elves, fearful of losing their ever-dwindling numbers to a pointless war that did not involve them, convened to discuss the matter. When the meeting was over, the Elves had split into two factions, with the main force following Shyla Starhearth to Prince Zareph's aid. For 20 long years the civil war raged.

   Finally Prince Zareph whittled down Aedraxis's army, until the false king was desperate for any kind of aid. He would do anything to hold his kingdom and his position of power-even ally himself with Regulos. Using the powerful magitech devices that his Ethian scientists had devised, he contacted Regulos and was able to severely weaken the Ward. At the final battle, fought under the open skies on Thedeor Field, Aedraxis unleashed a massive Death Rift. The rift blackened the sky and thousands of undead poured out of the rent in the universe.

    Prince Zareph's forces were immediately overrun, slain to a man almost instantly. Moments after the one sided battle had ended, the messengers of the Vigil swooped down onto the field, carrying off fallen heroes. These heroes they breathed life back into, imparting to them the wisdom and strength and power of the gods. The newly resurrected heroes were given the honor of being Ascended, chosen by the Vigil to combat Aedraxis and his endless horde of undead slaves. Thus, the prophecy was fulfilled.

   Fearing the reprisal of the gods, and mad beyond belief, Aedraxis called upon Regulos, beseeching the terrible dragon of death to take his own body as an avatar. Using Aedraxis's body like a puppet, Regulos entered Telara, becoming the Shade and bringing death and despair to all. The Ascended rallied, defeating Regulos's avatar with their newfound God-given powers. The body of Regulos was shattered into a million pieces and scattered around the world, each fragment carried by a prominent leader. After the Shade had been defeated, most of the Ascended had been taken up into the Vigil's own dimension, there to be given a warning of the future, of what fate befell Telara if the Ascended did not stop the dragons before they escaped from their prisons. 

   The entirety of the message took 20 years to complete, and while the Ascended were gone from Telara, the land was vulnerable. Prince Zareph ruled in the Ascended's absence, building a neutral port called Port Scion that he set up deliberately between the Eth and the Mathosians. The southern and northern tribes were at extreme odds with each other due to differing views on faith and magic.

    But the peaceful and prosperous city was betrayed from within by one Alsbeth, a sorcerer and advisor/friend to the Prince. Promising that she could find a way to bolster Port Scion's defenses, Alsbeth asked to see the artifacts in the vault for materials. Zareph agreed and Alsbeth was able to gain access to the Heart of Regulos, a fragment of the shattered avatar that was defeated during the Shade War. Using her knowledge of dark magic and her studies of technomancy, she sent out the defending Ethian centurions on a pointless task, leaving the magitech machines protecting Port Scion open to her corruption. She dismantled the defenses and summoned her lord, Regulos again into the world. A death rift opened up inside Port Scion, killing all it's inhabitants. Lacking Ascended to stop the rising tide of undead, they corrupted and destroyed everything they touched, turning all in their path into a vast undead army.

    Desperate to stop the ever-growing numbers of undead, Prince Zareph performed the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to the gods in exchange for sealing off the entire city, holding the corruption of the plane of death inside. When they found out what had happened, and that the Ethian centurions had apparently been out on a pointless scouting mission while this occurred, the Mathosians were furious and grief-stricken, demanding justice for what they saw as the ultimate betrayal.

They swore to see the Ethian magitech forever destroyed.

     In the future that never happened, instead of shattering the Avatar of Regulos and successfully averting the Prophecy of the Shade, Aedraxis was successful in his goal. While fighting against his brother Zareph in a civil war, Aedraxis cracked open the barrier between the Planes, allowing power of Regulos from the Plane of Death to materialize on Telara and annihilate the opposing armies as well as Aedraxis himself. This disaster devastated most of the Mathosians homeland in what became known as The Shade. Aedraxis was transformed into a being of incredible malevolence by this act, and many Mathosians followed their liege into the north, becoming known as the Endless Court, and followers of the dragon Regulos, who steadily gained a greater foothold in Telara, corrupting, destroying, and killing all on Telara. Zareph and the remainder of his people fled from the Shade to the south and founded Port Scion, a city from which he planned to strike back at the corrupting eating at Telara. Instead, Port Scion was destroyed from within by Alsbeth's treachery and Zareph was killed.  Seeking vengeance, Guardian Ascended burnt Meridian to the ground, slaying all Defiant they saw and smashing all of their machines before they were able to create proper magical defenses for themselves. Soon after Meridian was destroyed the dragons awoke, breaking free of their prisons and descending upon a weakened Telara.

    The Guardian Ascended and the remaining forces of Mathosia were overrun and the last remnants of that kingdom were lost.

     Thankfully, due to the ingenuity and determination of the Defiant, this timeline and future was diverted by Defiant Ascended, who travelled into the past to ensure that this didn't come about.    
At present, the capital city of Mathosia is Sanctum, where all races of the Guardians are welcome. The Mathosians have sworn to aid the Ascended on their mission to destroy the dragons, lending what assistance they can across Telara.

Reference: The information for this section of the archives is actually a mish mash of a bunch of different sources. In game quests, the official RIFT website, and my own interpretation of events that happened in the beginning story, before you get called up by the Vigil and sent to the future. All rights for information belong to RIFT and is written in my own words the way I want it worded.

[Lore] I: Prophecy of the Ascended

Prophecy of the Ascended

An old spellbook.

 

Spoken by the sentinel Niyol Cliffswind as he lay dying after the events of the Blood Storm 1500 years ago. Passed down by the Elves through the generations and retold to ensure that it will never be forgotten. 

There will come a time when the Ward is fully sundered.

In that dark hour, even the gods will weep.

And from the ashes of a fallen kingdom,

The Ascended will rise.

These beings will be neither mortal nor god,

Neither alive nor dead,

Neither virtuous nor wicked.

The Ascended will be steadfast and mighty;

And henceforth, those who serve the dragons

Will know only fear and death.

 

A scroll in a pane of glass.

 

Reference: Taken directly from inside the game. I found it in a tome sitting on a table in the Sanctuary of Rebirth. The tome is open and sparkles, indicating it can be interacted with. Anyone can access and read the contents, which contains the prophecy of the Ascended. Apparently this means that the peoples who worshipped the gods anyway, knew of the prophecy for quite some time. Interesting. I wonder if it was something everyone know, or just the holy orders of the world?