The Mage King Caroeir

     Long ago, in the lands of Azileax, there was a mighty Kingdom. And this kingdom was in the Azlexii Tongue Fyericept Egelégwen, the Kingdom of the Egelégwens, whose name means Champion Blade. For over four hundred years, they ruled parts of Éanharn and Lethéori, settling along the Wéafieren River, which is known to be fierce, and none can swim across, say the mightiest warriors.

It was to this clan was born Caroeir, whose name means Brave Blood. And when he was born, it was shown that his spirit contained great merûl, the part of one's spirit that contains a person's magical potential. This was no surprise, as long had the Egelégwen Clan been gifted with strong mages and wizards, and the patron god to them was Eterev, god of magic. But Caroeir proved to be very strong, stronger in magic than any Azlexii since likely the days before the Second Lich War.

And Caroeir indeed proved to be a great mage, being able to do many powerful spells from a young age. As he grew, his powers continued to grow. At this time, the Egelégwens were falling under invasion, by a coalition from its neighbors. Caroeir was sent to fight the forces under Neprnyal, whose name means Griffin Night, which had led an army towards the Wéafieren River. In battle, Caroeir rose great heaps of earth, which he then moved to force the enemy host into where he wanted, and even bearing them in the earth. This resulted in a Neprnyal route, and Caroeir, with his cousin Jéhgrnra, whose name means Chosen Bow, across Lethéori.

However, at that time the Fyeri and Clan Chief of the Egelégwens, was slain in battle against a confederation of tribes from Fréanésar, a fertile land of Éanharn. When learning of this, Caroeri rushed across Fyericept Egelégwen with his army against the Fréanésari, who now raided the Éanharn side of the Kingdom, and even the Clanhold of the Egelégwen, killing many of Caroeir’s family. Enraged by this, Caroeir hunted down the Fréanésari army, finding them at a small lake, named Wéanéori, meaning warm soil. Caroeir was outnumbered, but so angered by the actions of the enemy host, he was able to call upon the spirit of Wéanéori, and have the entire lake’s water rise, and attack the Fréanésari. Shocked and confused, the host fled, and many were drowned by the water, or killed by Caroeir’s men. Caroeir chased the survivors back to Fréanésar, and forced it to become a Client State of his Clan.

The remaining elders of the Egelégwens were impressed by Caroeir, and so unanimously made him the next Clan Chief, and so Fyeri of all their lands. Caroeir’s first act was to turn his clan’s Clanhold into a fortress, using his magic and many laborers to make a stone wall, it was surpassed only by the great fortress works of the Dwarves and Fyericepts long ago, with in front a statue of Eterev, with his wood staff and enchanted sword in hand. And on those walls Caroeir placed spells to deter any who would climb over the wall, whether by hand, rope, or ladder, and which would to its enemies appear powerful and conquerable. Caroeir then looked across to the Wéafieren River, it’s waters powerful, and only crossable by boat, though that was still difficult. So Caroeir then built a bridge, as grand as the walls of his Clanhold, which resisted the river’s might, and could be crossed easily by merchant and army alike.

Caroeir then turned to the Fyericepts enemies, and pushed its territory farther than ever before, conquering any Fyeri before him. And when he stopped, he built many smaller fortresses. And among his works was a great Canal, which connected the Elief Janigen and Carotheln Janigen, the Elven and Brave Soul Seas, which extended trade swiftly with lands like the Fyericepts of Brenlain, and the Empire of Laced.

After this, Caroeir stayed peaceful, only moving militarily when any clan or tribe revolted, or against orcs from the mountains. But besides that, his reign was peaceful for the rest of his life. 

For twenty long years, his realm was one of the greatest in the all Aziléax, rivalled by few. Under Caroeir’s rule, the Fyercept Egelégwen was prosperous.

But nothing can last forever, and over time, age swept over Caroeir. He could no longer build the great statutes and monuments he once could. Caroeir knew soon he would pass from the world, but he was not ready. He looked for ancient texts that could tell him how to achieve immortality. And among old runes he started to use foul and dark arts, including Aprocralcys, a dark and terrible art, as well as necromancy. Rumors spread, and whispers of Lich work rose across Caroeir’s realm. When they learned of this, several of Caroeir’s nobles began to try and find the truth. It was Caroeir’s cousin, Zaltéan, Black Bear, who revealed the Caroeir was searching for the Staff of Zalmak.

When they learned this, the Fréanésari rebelled, as did many other clans. For three Years Caroeir fought the rebels, but to no avail. By the end he and hundreds more were slain, and the Fyericept was gone, it’s fortresses in ruins, and over a hundred clans wiped out. Caroeir’s family, the Egelégwen Clan, survived under Zaltéan, who led for forty long years, while other Kingdoms and Confederations rose and fell over the next years of chaos. Caroeir, as told by the stories, was tried by Winexer, the Azlexii God of Dark Magic and Judge of the dead, and despite his attempt to become a Lich, he was permitted to the Afterlife, to live forever with his ancestors under the twilight and Aurora.

The Fluteman of Wéafeirbénvi

 In the Alksweld town of Wéafeirbénvi, which name meant Wolf’s Will, a great terror had been laid on the clans. This was in the form of great rodents, who’s bits were poison, and who devoured food in an endless hunger. For many long years the town’s clans attempted to kill these beasts, yet they were swift, and would come out when the town’s clans were asleep, and would devour all the food.

It was in this peril that the Clans sent out word for aid, though those that came were unable to defeat the town’s plague, and all hope had left the Clans, who believed they would only be rid of the plague by leaving their homes. But before any could do so, a stranger came to the town. And this stranger was indeed strange, for he was covered in a cloak, which appeared from some angles black, but from others grey, and others white. The area around his eyes were blackened, and on his head were to antlers, but unlike those of the Yéonec, who’s came down along their cheeks, his stuck up, pointing towards the sky.

“What brings you to our town?” Ask the Adajar of the Wéafeirbénvi. “Surely not to stay, for we are plague greatly, and none will be here much longer, for these rodents taint it.”

The stranger laughed. “Fear not mighty Adajar, because this plague of beasts will soon be departed, as I will drive them from here.”

Now the Town’s Clans in turned laugh. “Drive them from here?” they returned. “You are but one, and together we have not been able to defeat these foull pests. How can you drive them from here, when so many combined could not?”

But as they laughed, from his satchel he pulled a double flute. “With this I will drive these rodents from your town, for I have been gifted by Éorméh, goddess of music. And with my talent I will ride you of your plague, and in return you shall give me all your silver.”

The Adajar and the Town’s Clans were skeptical, but with no other ideas. They agreed, though they had no hope for success. The Stranger then played a tune on his flute, and that tune called to the Rodents, who came out at the sound, and rallied to the Stranger. The Stranger then led them to the sea, where they drowned themselves in it’s cold waters, and never would such fowl rodents ever plague Azileax.

But when the Stranger got back to the town, he found the gate closed. The townsfolk, though thankful for being relieved of the plague, soon realized they would have to give up much wealth, and so refused to hold up the bargain. Enraged, the Stranger promised to take something more valuable than silver, and then disappeared into the woods. The Town’s Clans did not take his warning seriously, say an old Druid named Awlnren, who’s name means Moon Spirit, and warned of possible danger, but was ignored. And while the town celebrated, he took his apprentice Dréiarneth, whose name means Great Mountain, from the town, with several silver coins.

On their way they passed the Stranger, and when Awlnren saw him he said, “Do not harm us, for we mean no ill will, and I shall give you this silver, though it’s not all of the Town’s, and ask you spare us from what will be lost, if not the whole town too.”

The Stranger smiled, and took the coins. “Fear not Druid, for you and your apprentice will be spared. But you are no representative of your town, and still they must be punished as oath breakers. Begone from this town, for if past this night you return with that child, the Town’s Clans, even that of your own, will surely kill you.” And with that disappeared.

Back at the town the Clans celebrated, and as they did flutes and strings were played. But then came a tune that made the people sleep, and even as they drank and ate they fell asleep. And then the gates opened, and the Stranger entered, playing his double flute. Then he changed his tune to the one he gave the rodents, and slowly, every child of the town from age six to fifteen rose to the tune, and followed the Stranger into the woods. And when the town’s Clans woke they found their children missing, and they would never again be seen.

And they cried out, and cursed the Stranger, yet the gods would not answer these curses, for they were oathbreakers, and so the Stranger was just, and to whatever land or country he went to, for none do know, he was never punished for his deed. And Awlnren went south, and he and his apprentice would never feel the Strangers wrath, though always would fear the Stranger's return.

And in the town of Wéafeirbénvi, though still it stands and survive it the clans did, still on the eve the Stranger came, they are quiet, and outside the gate a bag of silver waits that is gone by morning. And if any listen outside, when the moon is about and stars shine, they will year a flute, and the sound of children.

Téanheg and the Lacedonians

Téanheg, who’s name means Bear Axe, was a warrior great and mighty, born to the proud clan Nyaltnrain, whose name meant Night Bow. But he was born not in any free or great clan of Azlexii, but instead he was born in his own tongue Ågonlin, Oath Coast, while to the Lacedonians it was named Azlexia Superioriere, for they had taken it as a province of their empire, and in that conquest they had slaughtered many men and clans, and was also called Flales, meaning slaughter. And under their rule they had suffered, as they were forced on them great taxes, and treated as near slaves, while in their lands the Lacedonians set up Colonia Marnia, and gave it to soldiers in hope to make the Azlexii fall to their ways.

But Téanheg was by his clan ordered to keep their traditions strong, and even as the religious medical leaders the Druids were often persecuted or killed, and they demanded that the Laced tongue be taught, the Azlexii did all they could to resist their influence. Téanheg became a strong man, and many said he, like his name sake, was more bear in fighting then man. Yet still the Lacedonians tried to force the Clans to their ways, and so Téanheg was forced to travel as a merchant to Colonia Marnia to pay to work the fields his family had owned for many generations.

Yet on one day, when Téanheg was in the city to pay to keep his land, he found the streets to be lined, and those who were of the Lacedonian blood to be in celebration, and he saw on the street a parade of soldiers, and leading this host was a man in a chariot of gold, pulled by white horses that looked

 fit for only the Kings of old, and the Man was dressed in fine clothes, including silks dyed in the expensive purple, and dressed in military garb. And from the heralds voices there was a call.

“Hail Imperator Azlexus Selianus, ruler of all the world! He shines the brightness of Laced upon the barbaric peoples, and so comes to this land, to force down the barbaric Chieftains of Azlexia, who deny his rule. Hail Azlexus Selianus.”

Téanheg knew little in the Lacedonian Tongue, but he understood what was said, and was angered enough that the scum of Laced had made their ruler who held the name of his land, named in such by his father for his great victory to take the land of Flales. And he would not allow this king of the Lacedonians to conquer or slay any more Azlexii, and so picked up a rock, and threw it at the King of the Lacedonians. With a great throw, it hit Selianus on the head, and with such great force it caused his neck to snap, and die immediately.

Shock and horror filled the streets, and soon Téanheg was on the run, avoiding the guards of the city. But he found friends among other Azlexii, who too hated the Lacedonians, and saw him great for killing one of their Emperors. And so they smuggled him out of the city. But under the orders of the Governor, all of Téanheg’s clan, the Nyaltnrain, was killed. And all his family were slain, and upon learning this, Téanheg went into a rage, and swore to kill Beleran, and slay all the Lacedonians, from who would be their new Emperor, to their lowest slave.

And with this call, he set to gain the allegiance of other clans. First he came to the clans that lived near Lawch Grénweld, which was a sacred place to the Azlexii, and even the Lacedonians dared not disturb its beauty, yet threatened it if the local clans did not yield to them. Instead of fear this festered great anger, and when they heard of Azlexus Selianus’s demise, they already began plots to revolt. When Téanheg came to them, the local leader of the Clans, the Chieftain Weafwen, whose name meant Wolf Blade, stated allegiance to Téanheg’s rebellion. But before he marched, Téanheg prayed to Weivilin, the god of Fathers and War, and to the spirit of Lawch Grénweld, for victory against the Lacedonians, and to stop any notion of them conquering Azileax.

So Téanheg headed out, with Weafwen serving as his Chief Lieutenant. First they found a patrol of Lacedonian Cavalry, who were auxiliares of Yemasia, sent out to find Téanheg. Téanheg ambushed them as they were resting, and with a great axe Téanheg slew half of them, yet he let one young Yemasian flee, to warn the others in his Cohorts and and fellow soldiers that he was coming, and would kill any he came upon from then on.  And so the young Yemasian warned, but the older veterans of his Auxiliares only laughed at these threats. “Why worry about some axemen? We are many, and he and his band will fall by our spears if they come across us!” and though reported from their Captain to the Governor the ambush, he failed to tell of Téanheg’s warning.

But it was no need for such warning, did the Governor, who’s name was Giaius Beleran, need, for outposts and watchtowers across his domain were destroyed, and when clans failed to send in their taxes for their land, those sent to gather constantly would never return, or have fled the clanhold being chased and fired at. And so Giaius Beleran sent a message to Laced, to call for men to face rebellion. But with the death of Azlexus, power had been left empty, and so the interfighting of the senate and army had begun, and far greater rebellions and fighting had struck the Empire, and so in turmoil it would be, and Beleran would get no aid.

However, Beleran still had two Legions of the Lacedonians, and many Auxiliaries of Yemasian Horseman, Zetil Spears, and Herthecting Javelins. And so he sent his men far and wide to hunt down Téanheg and his pack. But Téanheg had grown a mighty force, and with his captains had taken out several units a Beleran, and half way through the Rebellion’s fourth month, he moved on to Colonia Marnia. Gathered to him were representatives of every clan, and among them Mages who hid their talent, who had in them skinchangers and earth mages. Beleran gathered to him his cohorts, but fearing the wrath of Téanheg, many Auxiliaries of Yemasian and Zetil fled, as did the Herthectings. Yet the loyalty of the Lacedonian Legions was unmatched, and among them those who had family or possessions in Colonia Marnia, and would die before abandoning it to the Azlexii.

The battle raged, and both sides unleashed their full fury. Blades clashed and arrows wizzed, spears shattered and shields were smashed. The Captains and Lieutenants of both sides lead men into the frey, and chaos on the battlefield was great. But with Téanheg leading the Azlexii, the Lacedonians could not win, and after four days of fighting they were beaten, and the Azlexii swept the city, and with them came death to every house, as they would slay any Lacedonian they found, and burn their bodies. And the mages of earth would work hard, and had every last inch of Colonia Marnia buried in the dirt and soil, and among them name one Nyalbéthul, whose name meant Night breath, who dabbled in dark spells, and laid a curse so that any settlement upon where Colonia Marnia lay would be destroyed, and suffer the cities fate.

With the Lacedonians removed, many among the army returned to their clanholds, but in some like Téanheg, a vengeance had formed, and in others a lust for the wealth like that they found in Colonia Marnia. And so they marched on, out of any realm of Azileax, and into the other lands held by Laced and it’s Empire. And joining them were the Fyericepts, as the Azlexii called their Kingdoms, of Carógwen, and Caróireg, who sailed on ships from farther north to aid them, and they moved in Kiasaro, and to the island of Arnethland, both lands held by the Lacedonians, and for three years they would plunder these and other provinces, as civil war wage closer to Laced. But still some commanders of the Lacedonians felt the need to hold their gains, and so Marcus Quenti, led his legion onwards into Kiasaro, and there he met Téanheg, and warned him to leave the realm of Laced, or face the consequences. That night, a seer among Téanheg’s army warned that in the next battle he faced, though he would take down many enemies, and would bring victory, he would fall with many wounds. Despite the warnings, and the words of his captains to return home, Téanheg would not, for he knew if he did not die at the hands of the Lacedonians, it would be in battle with his own kin, and such an event he did not wish to do.

And by the light of morning he took his men of Ågonlin, and those of Carógwen, and Caróireg, and near the town of Verson they met Quenti’s Legion in battle. For eight long hours they waged death upon each other, and many lives were lost. But when the Azlexii thought they would be defeated, Téanheg charged the center of his army into the center of the Lacedonians, and swept through their ranks, though he gained many injuries in the process. But he pressed on, and he slew Quenti’s Mightiest Captain, while he chased down Quenti as he fled, and was only killed when a dart of the Gerthold hit his neck, though the assassin would soon be slain himself. With his fall came the end of the raids, and the Azlexii fled back to their lands, though those of Caróireg would still attack Arnethland by sea, and never again would the Lacedonians rule over lands of Azileax.

Téanheg would earn the title of Berglå, Vengeful, while his Captains would become Kings and Thanes of Ågonlin, including Weafen, who would rule over Lawch Grénweld for many years. But while to the Azlexii Téanheg went on to the afterlife, in Kiasaro a different story was told, that every night when the moon was fall, Téanheg would rise from where he died, and would continue to chase after Quenti to Laced, but would always fade, starting from his neck.