Ancient
History
The following historical accounts were put together by the historians and scribes of House Sole, piecing together what they could from legend, handed down tale, word of mouth and the few works of literature that managed to survive the flood, famine, earthquake and the coming of the Sphere. It is noted that these are the watershed moments that the rest of the history was grouped around. As such, with modern times recorded as "After the Sphere, or A.S." others are noted accordingly.
Pre-History
Magics unknown to the world coursed through the veins of the lush, untamed lands. The streams and rivers that spanned the terrain carried in their currents the vibrant torrent of
magical energy. The life stream from the very core of the world itself stretched its tendrils, projecting its energy deep into the soil. Life began to sprout all around, the energy and cosmic spirit that had been held deep inside the life stream welling up in the forms of flowers, trees, and beasts to tread upon it. And with the release of this energy, the pure
magic form that would become known as ‘elf’ emerged from the mystical energy of the planet itself. These first elves were passionate and savage beasts, knowing in life that they were the chosen few, descended directly from the life stream and granted the higher connection to the
magic focus of the planet itself. Gathering together in the form of loose tribal units, these first elves lived without knowing much of their
magic potentials, the intensity of their relationship with the land giving them the unspoken agreement with the planet to live their lives as caretakers of the natural beauty that had spread across the world. But as with all things in life, a balance with the natural world would be upset if the elves took too much of the life force energy from the world itself, and they would become aware of the precious balance between dark and light, good and evil. They would also become acutely aware of the precious nature of life and all that would be derived from it. The tribal units continued to develop, their collection of communities spread out in caves, makeshift treetop constructions and in large hollowed out trees. The communities would eventually evolve around the leadership of a central figure, typically a wizened elder who had managed to harness their
magical energies. The beautiful and artistic nature of the elves had them communicating in a highly visual, very physical and emotive system of gestures and even dance. Due to the loose structure of each society, and the fact that they were basically a savage and tribal people, writings were not kept, the only record that has survived from this period of time are cave drawings, odd sculpture, and oral tradition. Some of the richest stories that are still handed down from father to son, mother to daughter are based in events that came from this time, when the moral and ethical values were being developed. It is also said that the most in tune of all elves with their people are those that can communicate simply through gesture in hand and body. Contact with other two-legged, upright races was avoided at all costs, the general belief that had passed through the communities, from the birth of communication, that to do so would upset the balance of the forest in such a fierce, destructive way that the forest and the creatures descended from the life stream would only be made to suffer. Their only solace would be to become one with the forest, and to seek the solitude of it. Other upright creatures were said, although it was typically just rumor, that they would consume the flesh of the forest and strip the trees of their life essence, leaving behind only death. Elves took it upon themselves to replace that lost essence, through the
magics they were learning to harness, the physical planting of tress and other fauna, and hunting and gathering with prudence and moderation so they would not anger the life force and the spirits that dwelled inside. With this, the savage and wild elvish peoples would live their life under strictly isolationist principals.
Before the Flood
A time of peace and prosperity surged through the loose collection of elvish peoples. Spread all throughout the forest and unified by the common bond of their interests to protect the forest above and beyond all else, the crude hunting and gathering populations began developing a more localized and fixed value system involving pride in craftsmanship, possession and ownership of property, and an increased sense of culture based on the teachings of tribal elders. With a nearly unified system of beliefs, the loosely scattered tribes and villages of elves were evolving into a full fledged society. The first of the great chieftains, Lamkah, emerged to seize influence over her peoples. Little is known about Lamkah, short of the stories of legend that were passed down from generation to generation. What is known is that she was a fierce traditionalist and a mighty warrior who spent her entire life going from one elven village to another, all across what would eventually become the Towskish Empire, teaching the traditional values of the elvish people, being credited with bringing them writing, the longbow and domesticated horses. Widely considered the first Champion of the elvish people, Lamkah spent the majority of her life bringing civility to her race. After several years of visiting villages and meeting with tribal elders, Lamkah found herself in a small village of elves in the furthest northern part of the forest. All was well with the people therein, a thriving community of farmers who had learned how to harness the lands energy to bring forth crops of fruits. All was peaceful and well in the village, until one morning when a scout signaled back a disruption in the forest. Lamkah and several of the village’s finest warriors made their way briskly through the forest, using stealth and their knowledge of the trees to shield them from view. They came upon a small group of two-legged savages, taller and not nearly as sleek as their elvish counterparts, taking from the forest without regard for the loss they were causing and the disruption of balance. The first encounter with the beast from legend, eventually known as humans, would be marked by the ignorance the creatures would show in cutting down trees and destroying all of the game they could find without using skill to accomplish this. Horrified by the actions of the humans, Lamkah and her party stalked them for several days, unable to pull their eyes away from the terrible sight before them. After several days of watching this, Lamkah returned to the northernmost village, telling the tales of destruction. Talks began between the elven tribes as to how to best approach these beasts, if at all. Lamkah, in her great wisdom, saw the danger in this. After all, if they could so easily and carelessly take the life of an animal, why would the elven people be any different?
Slowly moving southward, her journey took many years, and everyone agreed with her until she returned to the southernmost tribes. There, she encountered the first dissent to her idea of staying away from the humans. The elves of the southernmost tribes were interested in meeting with and coming to know the human tribes, claiming that the culture and art alone of another race would make it worth the possible danger. The southern tribes of the Zen and Abtal immediately began forming a party to greet the human tribe. On the morning of their planned departure, disaster struck.
The Flood
In the furthest reaches of the forest a shudder was felt as the life stream erupted from the ground in a geyser that surged up, the crystalline spire easily seen from the outermost points of the forest. The water continued to soak the forested soil for many days, slowly filling the valley to the south with what was once considered the giver of life. Animal life in the south was decimated as the few beasts of land that could swim were unable to ride the wave far enough to survive. The elven tribes that existed to the south were annihilated, hundreds of thousands of elven lives lost in a raging wave that could not be avoided. Destroyed were the tribes of Zen and Abtal, leading proponents of introduction to the round-eared species. None of their clan remained, though the Abtal tribe was thought to have plenty of time to escape upon sight of the upsurge. Also destroyed were the Kaltuk tribe, a group of hunters whose savage nature made them avoided at all costs. Before their demise it was said that if you were not of their tribe, signaled by eyes of vibrant crimson, the tribe would hunt and eat, elf or not. Little else is known of them, though tales are told to this day to scare children into going to bed when told.
After the Flood
The waters slowly receded, though not as far as before. What the life stream left was an enormous lake of crystalline blue water, the liquid more pure and clean than any that had graced the land previously. Slowly fish and other underwater life grew and developed, populating the waters with never before seen plants and animals. Somewhere beneath the depths of the water, the fallen tribes still lay.
All tribes agreed to meet to discuss the disaster. This was the first formal gathering of all of the elven tribes from the northern border near the plains to the southern reaches of the elven lands near the ocean. The central location was decided to be just north of the great lake created by the flood. Representatives from all of the villages assembled, building tents and other crude structures to protect the assembly from the gradually rising temperature. Fifteen tribes and villages were represented in this council, each laying claim to some example of skill and talent. The loss of the fallen tribes left a massive hole in leadership, this being felt still five generations before. Stepping forward was one elf woman named Elebrial Towstin, a beautiful elfin of surpassing talent in the mysterious blue
magics. Born of a tribe that lived near the edge of the lake, her people were widely revered as being exceptionally wise and skilled with woods lore. Her striking, silver haired presence and gentle nature lead the grouping of elves to swear their allegiance to Elebrial, six of the tribes joining with the existing village to found the town of Tow, named in Elebrial’s honor. The other eight tribes swore their loyalty and protection over the newly founded town, offering to protect the borders of the surrounding areas, while sending an emissary to the town itself to speak on their behalf in the councils, with Elebrial at its head. One of these council members, Hithdur of the Aeodoc village, known for their skill in crafting bows and weapons. Hithdur was a robust, rugged warrior known throughout the southern lands as a great protector and highly honorable elf. His dark and brooding presence was attributed to the loss of his sister to some unknown two-legged creatures to the north, while they scouted the forest. A passionate love bloomed between Elebrial and Hithdur as they worked closely together, their attempts to strengthen the growing elvish lands being met with peace and success, the slowly spreading word of tranquility and security bringing hope to the people of the Southlands. In a timeless day, the date of which has long been lost to recorded history, Elebrial and Hithdur were mated, on the sands of the crystalline lake. A light snowfall fell in the humid heat, the presence of an otherworldly influence felt by all. Prosperity allowed each of the villages to grow, the town of Tow developing at an incredible rate as people flocked to it as a cultural center, as well as the focal point of commercial traffic. Strange tales continued to pour into the taverns of the town, stories of wickedly savage barbarians from the north and highly advanced, curious elves to the south, living across the ocean. Little was heard of the elves in the south, it being said that the massive distance kept them from fully recognizing the council as a figure of authority. Elebrial and Hithdur had four children, the eldest a dusky skinned young woman with vibrant eyes of gold named Glywen. Blessed with her mother’s social acumen and her father’s honor and skill with the blade, Glywen formed the beginnings of the elvish army, focusing them on defense of the client villages and the still growing town. Word came quickly to the town of Tow, the northernmost village of Aeodoc, village of Hithdur, had been destroyed by a roaming band of two-legged savages. Rounded ears and eyes, thick and chunky builds, these creatures swept in from the north, their barbaric ways bringing the crimes of murder, rape, arson and theft into the growing list of elvish fears. Houses all along the border were systematically attacked by these raiders, soon garnering the name of human. Upon hearing word of the attacks, Elebrial and Hithdur, along with Glywen and the newly functional, yet small, army marched north to meet the invaders head on. A fierce battle loomed where nearly every elf with combat training was killed, including Hithdur. Glywen carried her mother’s broken form from the field, laying her in the center of the burned village. With her dying words Elebrial granted to Glywen the wish that she protect and defend the villages and the town, unite them under a common influence. On this day Glywen named herself the first Queen of the people of Tow, uniting the client villages in a loose Kingdom. The massive loss of life along the northern border brought a guilty sense of angst to the elvish people, for the threat of these humans would remain at the forefront of their worries.
Before the Famine
Glywen’s reign was one of prosperity and cultural growth. The formation of a single kingdom allowed the elvish peoples to flourish. Arts and crafts became prominent in the society as interests centered on personal growth and expansion of the mind. This exploration into honing the elvish wisdom and culture had an end result of two things: population explosion and the development of the first mystical runes that would unlock the elvish gifts. Queen Glywen brought forth a council of elders from each of the villages surrounding the growing city of Tow, seeking their advice on the day to day government of the kingdom. In an effort to reward those most loyal to her through their good advice, the basic formation of classes in society. The families of those who had proven service to the Queen were given rewards of land and riches, the remainder expected to earn them through deed and fealty. Thirty years passed with isolated cultural growth, the kingdom being widely recognized by all elvish peoples as the center for learning and sophistication. Glywen was still unmated and without child, her focus on her duties the glue of her life. It was said that she was one of the chosen by the first ones who formed the lands and that as such, she would be unable to have children. While not of the age to need worry about an heir, a looming sense of foreboding and doom lingered in her heart, so she sought out her most trusted advisors, thinking internally about who would eventually replace her. Her choice, though long and difficult, rested in the hands of a twenty year old elf named Haruzik Boen. Known as a mystic of some ability, even at such a young age, Haruzik was still one prone to having to face the lessons of life first hand, rather than gaining the experience of his elders. A proud, boastful man with every confidence that he could right any wrong situation, Haruzik gladly and happily took the mantle of heir, knowing full well that one day he’d be King.
And then came the humans. Swarms of round-ears swept into the kingdom, news of the flourishing crops and beautiful and artistic riches drawing the savages like moths to a flame. Long had the sense of peace graced the hearts of the elves, the onslaught quick, brutal and totally unexpected. Crops were burned, children murdered, elves raped and tortured. Several prized artifacts of the elvish nation were stolen, never to be seen again. The elves rallied, skilled warriors and tribal elves came down from the treetops, out of the deep forests and from all sides of the lake. Known as the "Battle of Nations", massive loss of life came with the fight to drive the humans from elvish lands. All told it took more than twenty years to accomplish the task, rumors still whispered that some human blood found its way into certain elvish family trees. Glywen was grievously wounded during the battles, humans managing to breech the gates of her castle, making their way to her bedchambers before being routed by a single elvish protector, clad only in black robes and unknown by any name. Feeling the toil of age and her wounds, Glywen announced the ascension of Haruzik Boen to king, where it is said that on the day of coronation Glywen disappeared into a shimmering light of silver and gold light. The reign of Haruzik Boen, King of Tow had now begun.
After the Famine
Intent on rebuilding the kingdom to the shining light of peace and tranquility that had marked the elvish peoples for decades before, Haruzik Boen decided that the time was right to explore his mystical talents and to develop these with likeminded individuals. Long since before it had been said that there were practitioners of
magical arts, the old tribal shamans and wizards of villages who were suspected more of using cantrips and slight of hand than actual
magics in their routine. Haruzik knew differently, in his long discussions with Glywen it became obvious that the elvish blood was rich with the essence of their life-stream, that intense blue
magics coursed with strength in their veins. King Haruzik became madly intent on tapping this resource, picking the brains of any scholar and knowledgeable individual he could find. Haruzik took a mate named Milani, who mated simply for the eventuality of producing an heir. Their first, and only, son was named Edai. A soft spoken and timid child, scholarly and gifted with an inborn wisdom and trust of his people, Edai strove to please his father beyond all else. Edai and Haruzik spent their days for years discussing
magic theory with other scholars and becoming quite adept in their collective
magics. Together this council of scholars worked out a series of elvish runes, providing them with amazing gifts, ability to push away darkness, protect from bodily harm, enhancement of vision and most importantly, the ability to call forth a bountiful feast of fruits. Pleased by this discovery and the knowledge that anyone with this blue gift inside them could be a benefit to the Kingdom, Haruzik announced that those displaying these special talents would be given preference over those who could not, for their contribution to society would be deemed that much greater. A decade passed as the society struggled to catch up to this concept, the lifestyle of Tow growing more rich and decadent without the evil of starvation to be a worry. Life in the city by the lake came easy to most elves, a mandatory term in the small band of militia, an education by scholars that would brainwash the student in the virtues of
magics and the importance of a single ruler. Edai was named SunJin of Tow by King Haruzik, this title meaning several things including King’s Advisor and
Magical Authority of Tow. Haruzik would become more and more reclusive over the next decade, while the population of Tow would again swell back to nearly its pre-famine size. It became rumored that Haruzik was slowly going mad through his desire to explore
magics to their fullest extent, obvious in his unnaturally long lifespan. More and more common it became for Edai to be seen in public, speaking as the voice of the King. And thus came the traditional role for the SunJin, the one who would speak in the name of the King before the people of Tow.
A glorious ceremony marked the third decade of Haruzik’s rule, a mating ceremony between SunJin Edai and a vibrant young elfin by the name of Kuron Sage. A stunning beauty the likes of which hadn’t been seen in Tow in ages, Kuron was said to be from one of the outlying villages, each of which claimed her as a life-long resident. Said to be the thing that inspires works of art, Kuron was the fanciful daydream of males and females alike, women wanted to be her, and men wanted to be with her. It was only natural that such a lovely specimen of the elvish people would end up with someone as important as the SunJin. Short and fiery their relationship was. Stories of heated arguments in public, lavish displays of affection and even ownership as well as intense debate in
magic theory and the mystical nature of elvish blood were all common. One morning Edai came to the great willow tree in Tow and spoke before the citizens that he was announcing his second in command, his SorJin, and named Micthlanti Evorr. Inspired by blind rage, Kuron, it is said, drew forth powerful green energy and destroyed Edai’s mind, controlling it through her own will and forcing Edai to take his own life. The warped, twisted shell of Edai’s body filled with green energy, escaping into a massive black void, removed from the world of the Tow. Edai’s spirit was not so lucky, getting drawn into Kuron’s own spirit energy, a captive of her dark green soul. Escaping under cover of darkness, it is said Kuron disappeared to the far off reaches of the lands, building up and harnessing her dark powers.
Recognizing this dark threat, SunJin Micthlanti Evorr rounded together those individuals skilled in
magic arts under a united ideal of elvish purity in its true form, calling them the JaiChen or Royal Mages Guild. Peace and prosperity would spread through the Empire again, at a rapid pace, the people finding their vast wealth in silver and lumber as an economic boon to their populace. Without the fear of random attacks from forest creatures and the security for personal beautification and property ownership, the citizens of Tow would begin to aspire to an intellectual renaissance. Each of the following SunJin have followed the basic premise that as the voice of the Emperor, it is their duty to further improve upon the quality of lifestyle for their people. Interestingly, the general population since the administration of the first SunJin hasn't seen the King.
Before the Earthquake
Generations came and went under this cultural and spiritual growth in Tow. The city itself grew, roads were cobbled, trees were planted and the city itself became a spectacle of beauty and wonderment the likes that had not been seen in the Four lands ever before. The city developed around half the lake, centers for learning and entertainment found on every street. The JaiChen grew in power and influence, becoming the role models that the citizens would look to. Their ideals of purity, chastity and beauty in life would be an excellent way of life to emulate. A hierarchy of the JaiChen was formed and developed over time. A SunJin to lead them. A SorJin to assist. Two Inquisitors to investigate crime and speak the word of the King. Trainers to guide the lifestyles of new JaiChen. Elite to spread the word of the King and investigate crime. Acolytes to learn their gifts and live the pure lifestyle Even though much time had passed, somehow, it is said that King Haruzik was still in charge of the Kingdom and that the skilled healers of the JaiChen had found a way to prolong him
magically so that his wisdom might still benefit the people. The lifestyle in Tow became so that the rich got richer, money hoarded by skilled and influential families and the poor maintained a meager lifestyle where food was provided to them for no effort. With boredom came crime, with crime came punishment and with punishment came the necessary role of DokJin, Executioner of Tow. Known only by sight and without name, the DokJin was an elf that could kill without guilt, command the respect of even the highest of influence and importance. While petty crimes were an annoyance to the JaiChen, the threat of larger and more elaborate crimes in the distant parts of the empire became more and more frequent. An organize militia was formed. Instead of terms of service for all citizens it became necessary for elves who joined to be offered lifetime duties, the requirements for membership very strict and able to brutally weed out the undesirables. The control of the militia was placed in the hands of the family of Kondei, known to be skilled crafters of weapons, it was proven that their ability with blades was second to none. Traditionally a loose clan of somewhat barbaric, darkly spirited elves, the introduction of this family turned the base of Tow on its ear. Instead of fair and soft spoken elves learning the lifestyle of purity there was this element of loud, rude and exceptionally cocky dark-skinned elves drinking, telling horribly dirty jokes and bringing a sense of wicked brooding to the city. Taverns developed as the entertainment lifestyle shifted from theory and debate to drinking, carousing and even social brutality. The harsh tribal lifestyle had invaded Tow, the chieftains of the Kondei village finding it quite entertaining to share their wisdom with the soft elves of Tow. Several small threats skirted the borders of the Kingdom, the Kondei militia selflessly averting it with well trained and brutal success. Time and again an attack would come from a band of humans or a beasts from outside the forest and time and again the militia would rout it. With success came pride, with pride came influence. Seeing their own influence waning and the threat of this non-gifted element on society, the JaiChen acted. Seeking to create a protective force around the city of Tow as a whole, the JaiChen conducted a ritual that would combine their blue
magics into one concerted effort, causing a shimmering, protective dome to encompass the city as a whole. The
magics grew, the blue lights shined in the whole city and in the end the JaiChen lost control. A massive earthquake shook the city to its very foundation, an entire level of it lost as it fell down the cliff-side and into the lake below. A level of the city was lost to the underground, the basic layout of which would later become Tow’s sewer system. Claiming defeat in the name of the greater good, the JaiChen rallied public support through their aid to the people, leaving it nearly forgotten that they were the initial cause in the first place.
After the Earthquake
Rebuilding the city would become the first priority. Elves skilled with their hands as masons and carpenters again reached a level of prominence. Wealth found itself reaching a more even distribution as families who had been forced into taking charity food from the JaiChen were able to support themselves from the goods of nearby fishing and farming villages. A greater sense of community slowly developed as the elves rallied together, healing the wounds of Tow through the efforts of the hands and spirits of each elf. Again the lull of peace would ease the elves into a false sense of security.
Before the Sphere
Another age passed with further cultural and even spiritual growth developing among the Tow. A child was born to a family of farmers, marked with a birthmark on the underside of her arm resembling a pair of fish intertwined. This marking was traditionally recognized as the mark of the Jin, or Of Tow. Blessed with highly alert, golden eyes and a small tuft of silvery hair, the Kirana family named her Dulcinda, meaning "Vibrant Light" in old dialects of Towskish. But with all that is classically good comes that which is classically wicked, a twin was born to balance Dulcinda’s coming. Priscilla Kirana, golden eyes and silvery hair intact, born without the mark. It is said that when twins are born one carries all gifts of
magics in the bloodline while the other has none. It would be evident through most of their childhood that Dulcinda, or Cinda, was exceptionally gifted in the blue
magics, perhaps the most gifted ever seen. Priscilla, on the other hand, was removed from the family, her dark heritage already becoming obvious during early childhood. Torture of small animals, destruction of crops and a rather hefty arson incident left the family with no choice but to send Cilla away to distant relatives. Cinda’s progress grew as she quickly rose in the ranks of the JaiChen, reaching Elite status in an unprecedented month and a half of service. Elite Kirana spent her days feeding the hungry and attending to the children in need of council and attention, nurturing them with a kindly, motherly hand. Word began to spread in the eastern villages of a dark, towering form with piercing, azure eyes amassing a dark army of twisted and warped creatures. Some said that they were a savage tribe of distant elves who became hunched and perverted by dark
magics, others said they were spawned by this demon itself. Skirmishes swept into the heart of the Kingdom from the eastern edge of the lands, entire villages looted and burned with hundreds killed. Unable to stand for the loss of life, SunJin Lin Sho dispatched available militia and the skilled hunters of the Daga’Suut village, each led by Oshi Kondei and the Chieftain Huitzilo-Pochtli Kore, and a detail of JaiChen under the young command of Elite Kirana. The elves marched long days, scouring the border of the Kingdom until one fateful day the attack came, at dawn and with no warning. The hunched creatures came brandishing fire and weapons of odd bones and stones, the crude implements of war causing massive devastation upon the elves. Only the skilled protective abilities of Elite Kirana managed to save even a small number of the elvish force. A challenge was issued, the loud voice of Oshi Kondei chimed forth as he drew his blades, a fine ivory handled tachi and katana, calling forth the demon queen into single combat. With a rousing laugh, scores of the hunched creatures set upon him, mauling his form almost completely until the scout Huitzilo-Pochtli moved with unnatural speed, said to have been given to him by Kirana, slaying attackers, ripping them off of Kondei with brutal, almost unelvish strength. Almost to a beast the creatures were routed, an odd, fitful pout playing on the demon’s features. "I’ll return, when I’m ready...then you’ll see." An ominous decree before parting, the demon disappeared into a dark rip in the fabric of reality and was gone. A half-dozen elves survived, several grave wounds present on the survivors, but a victory had been won.
And then the event that changed not only the lives of the elves, but the lives of all of the creatures in the four lands forever. The rise of the sphere.
For a century and a half, the scholars of the elven kingdom have worked tirelessly to find the source of the sphere with the hopes of determining whether or not it would damage the lands again. The enormous ball of blazing flame made a pass close to the lands, scorching them to blackness and destroying nearly all life.
But the elves survived. The sphere missed much of Tow and many of the outlying villages. However, the elven forests were destroyed, and the loss of life and habitat was nearly debilitating.
After the Sphere
Rumors abounded. New races are suddenly seen at the edges of the scorched lands that used to house the elven forest. What was once certain to the elves of the Southlands was now lost in a mystery that would unfold over the last century and a half. New enemies, created by this vicious sun would slowly emerge. Trolls, mwellrets, tieflings, and dwarves to name but a few. Goblins would begin to grow stronger and eventually pose an serious threat to the peace the elves had once known.
The forests were the first priority of the elven people. A ritual was written by a man named Sarkaz Sole and his middle aged son Asceno, which they hoped would make the ground that the sphere destroyed, once again fertile so that planting could begin. They brought it to Elite Kirana and after pondering their writings she made a few changes of her own which she credited to the lingering voices of the ancestors that had been flitting through her mind.
The ritual (titled: SunMui, meaning Radiance of the Passing Seasons in old Towskish), did far more than anyone hoped. All of those gifted with the blue and white talents, were gathered in the middle of the scorched forest after several days journey. They joined hands, chanting softly for the forgiveness of the planet for whatever they had done to bring such ruin to so much life. Suddenly, in the center of the circle, working its way out, a lush, explosion of life began to bud, first with the soil becoming soft and dark, and sprouting from that the grass, winding in emerald tendrils about itself as it slowly became peppered with brilliant colors of wildflowers, and the saplings of trees which quickly grew bark, developed leaves and fruits and, soon turning into a beautiful canopy that dulled the light of the sun itself with the soft, cool greenery that the elves had longed for, for nearly a year. In the center of the circle stepped Dulcinda Kirana, moving with an almost automatic gait, she knelt near the edge of the water as the elves continued their blessed change and began to dig in the mud, picking up clump after clump and beginning to form each into a small, crudely shaped animal. Different varieties of birds, deer, bears, raccoons, snakes, any life found in the forest today started with the modeling that Elite Kirana did that day. With a gentle lift of her hand, she brought each sculpture to her lips, and with a soft kiss and exhale of breath, injected life force into their forms. As birds flitted from her lips, and rabbits hopped from her hands, the elven people, slowly began to stop their blessed chant, staring at her in wonder. And so, the elven forest, so verdant and picturesque returned to the sight of the elves, who vowed for all time to protect it and love it like their child.
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