The Codex of Breminor

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=185 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="15ab9c00dduajq.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="calendar_overview.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar Overview of Religious Holidays"><U><B><IMG SRC="00309110.png" border=0 width="9" height="17" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>       </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="17"><B>   </B><A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The World of Breminor"><U><B><IMG SRC="00511110.png" border=0 width="17" height="17" ALT="up" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>       </B><A HREF="economy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Economy of Breminor"><U><B><IMG SRC="00609110.png" border=0 width="9" height="17" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <B>In the Codex:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="codex_m.htm#age_of_the_gods" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b499ccff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Age of the Gods</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="codex_m.htm#age_of_the_immortals" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b499ccff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Age of the Immortals</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="codex_m.htm#age_of_the_mortals" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b499ccff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Age of the Mortals</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="codex_m.htm#age_of_exhaltation" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700b499ccff00.png" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Age of Exaltation</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id62____copyright_notice.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Copyright Notice"><U><B>Copyright Notice</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <I>The Codex of Breminor</I></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=430 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00ee4e93.jpg"> <bR> <div> <B>Age of the Gods</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Verdana" > <A NAME="age_of_the_gods"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="286" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="207"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_1_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Beginning</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_2" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Palace of the Gods</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="207"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_4" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Ebaron Tonar</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="207"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_4" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Four of Amulon</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_5" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Return of the Council of Timion</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_6" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>He Who Goes Unnamed</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_7" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Nine Pillars of the World</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="207"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_8" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Search for Nythoria</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="68"><div> Scroll 9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="207"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_gods___scroll_9" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Gatekeeper</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 1, The Beginning</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_1_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> All the universe was silent and cold except the flame which crackled and burned without time. This flame surged into a fire and from it came sparks that are the stars in our heavens. One spark cooled quickly and it was known as the world of Breminor. From its core came the Gods, who were born with the flame in their bodies, hearts, minds, and spirits. Their leader was Xen Kali, also called the Silent, for he seldom spoke, yet when he spoke, all took his counsel for it was true. The Gods took Breminor as their home and made it to their liking as only Gods may do. It came to pass that they built four great cities: one of iron to the north, called Rakalidon, city of the sons of Kali; one of bronze to the south, called Torkudon, city of the strong; one of gold to the east, called Allodon, city of the fair; and, one of silver to the west, called Valendon, city of the wise.</div> <bR> <div> All things were prosperous and the Gods came to love Breminor for it gave them all they could ask for or need. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 2, The Palace of the Gods</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> In the heart of Breminor was built a magnificent palace of a thousand and one rooms. It was made of a magical glass which rendered it unseen by all from without. The palace was filled with great paintings, sculptures, and tapestries, made by the Gods themselves. At the center of the palace was a garden which was forty leagues long and ninety leagues wide. </div> <bR> <div> It was filled with every kind of beast and plant known to the Gods of Breminor. There was a thundel, which looked as a horse yet could speak as a Mortal. There was a klavell, which resembled a spider yet was four hundred times its size. There were many other types of wonders in the garden. </div> <div> Also within the palace was the Great Hall. In its center was a table which was the branch of a great tree. It could seat a thousand and one guests, and if more arrived, it would grow to make a place for them. Guests were fed upon the meat of the wild boar, Takkel. When meat was cut from Takkel, it instantly grew back. Guests drank mead which was the milk of the great cow, Tona. </div> <bR> <div> All the Gods came to the Great Hall each year for a feast which lasted forty days. And the living harp called Thalin played and sang songs which could melt Mortal hearts. So it was that peace, harmony and merriment ruled Breminor for a thousand and one generations.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 3, Ebaron Tonar</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And so it came to pass that Ebaron Tonar of Valendon, who came to be known as the greatest pupil at the Academy of Timion, was coming of age and approaching his Naming. His mentor was Enfar the Wise, the greatest of the Council of Timion, which had foretold many great events. The knowledge of Enfar had benefitted all Breminor, for Enfar dreamed the dreams of Gods. He dreamed of a new Breminor, vast and beautiful, which the Gods would make and they and their children would call home. He dreamed of hills and dales, cities large and small, and rivers, lakes and seas. </div> <bR> <div> Ebaron Tonar was Enfar's greatest student. Each day Ebaron Tonar practiced his lessons as instructed, and each day he surpassed the achievements of the previous day. Enfar saw the progress his student made and announced to Ebaron Tonar that the day of his Naming was near. Then, Ebaron Tonar would know his Spirit's true Name and he would be welcomed into the world of the Gods as an equal. </div> <bR> <div> Often Ebaron Tonar tested his strength by lifting the great Palace over his head. The entrance to the Palace was two golden doors which stood the height of nine Mortals. It had walls and floors of gold and silver tables and chairs, and beds made of clouds. Around the Palace stood its Nine Pillars made of solid gold, and they stood the height of a thousand and one Mortals. And the Pillars supported the great roof of the Palace that was bigger than the sky over Breminor. </div> <bR> <div> Once, while holding the palace, he looked out into the garden and beheld Nythoria, daughter of Urak and Kalla, the most beautiful of all whom dwelt in Breminor. He ran into the garden to speak with her, still holding up the palace. She looked into his spirit and he into hers and they completed each other. She gave her love to him and he to her.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 4, The Four of Amulon</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> This was a time of great turmoil in old Breminor. The Council of Eklar caused this turmoil, for as it is the fate of the sun to rise in the morning, so it was theirs to hate. The Council of Eklar hated Enfar the Wise because he dreamed and taught of a new Breminor. It is because of this hatred that the Council of Eklar sought to send Enfar to Ackerin, resting place for all who were but shall never be again, and the Council of Eklar went about accomplishing this deed. They brought their power together and gave it to their leader, Thagen, called the Assassin. It was he who was chosen by the Council of Eklar to destroy Enfar and the Council of Timion.</div> <bR> <div> It was Thagen who was chosen by fate to destroy old Breminor. It was he who brought the Four out of Amulon to slay Enfar and the Council of Timion. Enfar was too wise for the Assassin, however, for he had foreseen of the plot. Nothing could escape the sight of Enfar. Knowing the Four of Amulon were coming, he sent all of the Council of Timion away to Alovena.</div> <bR> <div> Amulon entered the place of Enfar the Wise. Willingly, Enfar gave them his Name, thus allowing them to control him and accomplish their purpose. They sent him to Ackerin. He allowed his own fate to be sealed in Ackerin in order to save one of the Council of Timion and thus save his dream of a new Breminor. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 5, The Return of the Council of Timion</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_5"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Returning with the Council of Timion, Ebaron Tonar sought out his mentor, Enfar, for counsel. He came upon the place of Enfar. The place reeked of pestilence and Ebaron Tonar knew what deed had been done. The place of Enfar smelled of the eternal wretchedness that was the Four of Amulon. All of Breminor was called together and Ebaron Tonar told them what deed had been done. There was much dispute and because of those who were powerful within the Council of Eklar, especially Thagen the Assassin, the matter was laid to rest without resolution. But the Council of Timion and Ebaron Tonar did not rest.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 6, He Who Goes Unnamed</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_6"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Nor did the Four rest. They continued to burden the Council of Timion, taking Names and sending all but the most cunning, wise and powerful of Timion to Ackerin. There soon would be little resistance to Thagen the Assassin and the Council of Eklar and Enfar's dream of a new Breminor would die. Those that remained in the Council of Timion came together and decided that the Four of Amulon must be confronted. </div> <bR> <div> It was decided that the leader of the new Breminor, made in the design that was shown by Enfar the Wise, would be the one who could expel the Four. The best were sent to confront them. Many more would try and they joined Enfar in Ackerin. Ebaron Tonar, whose rage filled him as an exploding star fills the sky, set out to crush the Four. </div> <bR> <div> He found them on the Plains of Megar and a battled ensued. All was laid to waste. This is why our sky is barren of stars in the area called the Plains of Megar. The Four attacked him with all of their power, yet the Four could not command him for he was Unnamed and Enfar was his Namer. And his Namer had knowingly taken the knowledge of the Name of Ebaron Tonar to Ackerin. In sending Enfar to Ackerin, the Four had brought about their own undoing. </div> <bR> <div> And so it came to pass that the one called Ebaron Tonar came to be called He Who Goes Unnamed.  He defeated the Four of Amulon. He crushed all but the one called Pithulor and returned them to Amulon. Pithulor sacrificed the others to escape, and it fled, promising revenge.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 7, The Nine Pillars of the World</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Returning to old Breminor, Ebaron Tonar exploded as a star in the sky. He defeated Thagen the Assassin and all the rest who were of the Council of Eklar, sending them all to Ackerin. Following the plans of Enfar, he went to the Palace and pulled down the Nine Pillars. And he thrust down the great roof of the Palace upon Breminor. Taking up the Nine Pillars under one arm, he went to the place of the Great Dam that held back the waters of the thousand and one rivers of Breminor. </div> <bR> <div> With all his strength, he took up all of Breminor in his hands and shook the ground and broke the Great Dam, releasing all its waters. And so it came to pass that the waters of the thousand and one rivers rushed over old Breminor and did purged it from the heavens. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 8, The Search for Nythoria</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Spent, he who goes Unnamed examined that which he had done. He looked far and wide upon that which was old Breminor. He saw that all who once were had come to know despair and allowed the waters to carry them to Ackerin. It was only then that he knew that there was one who he could not allow to leave Breminor for Ackerin. This was Nythoria, she who completed him.</div> <bR> <div> He searched the endless waters for the one who held his heart. For a thousand and one days he searched, yet he could not find her. And he met despair, but would not be conquered by it. In his search, he came upon three others who had survived the flood: Inkitar, Roe and Sattath. They joined him in his quest for his beloved, Nythoria, but she was not to be found.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 9, The Gatekeeper</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_gods___scroll_9"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And so it came to pass that they came to the gates of Ackerin and met the Gatekeeper. The Gatekeeper told He Who Goes Unnamed that the one he sought was within. He Who Goes Unnamed asked the Gatekeeper to bring Nythoria out, but the Gatekeeper could not. They were told that the Gatekeeper must be defeated in order to win the release of Nythoria. And He Who Goes Unnamed knew that whoever should defeat the Gatekeeper would become the Gatekeeper. </div> <bR> <div> He Who Goes Unnamed insisted that he fight the Gatekeeper, but each of his companions refused to allow this to be. They argued and it was only when Roe suggested that they allow chance to decide that they came to agreement. So it was that each of them drew a lot and Sattath was chosen to combat the Gatekeeper for the release of Nythoria. </div> <bR> <div> Sattath and the Gatekeeper took up swords and fought for nine days without resting. Both fought well but Sattath was superior and she disarmed the Gatekeeper. But instead of defeating the unarmed Gatekeeper, Sattath allowed the Gatekeeper to retrieve the sword. For so it is with they who are true warriors, for they fight with honor and are brave. They fought again for four days without ceasing. Yet the Gatekeeper grew tired and was careless, and Sattath found a weakness. It was in this manner that Sattath became the Gatekeeper. Entering Ackerin, she brought forth Nythoria from the land of the forgotten. So it came to pass that Sattath became the Gatekeeper, guardian of the ways between worlds. </div> <div> And so it was done.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Arial" >Age of the Immortals</FONT> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="392" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>A New Breminor</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_2" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Children of Nythoria and He Who Goes Unnamed</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_3" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Other Gods Born</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 17 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_4" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Immortals, Children of the Gods</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_5" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Eslar</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_6" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Land of Eternal Sighs</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_7" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Tamilon the Quick</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_8" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Crystalis, Peacemaker</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="67"><div> Scroll 9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="314"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_immortals___scroll_9" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Binding</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Scroll 1, A New Beginning</B></FONT><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> He Who Goes Unnamed built a new Breminor. He built it of his love. He Who Goes Unnamed took the Nine Pillars that had held the roof of the Palace of old Breminor and upon them he made the new Breminor.</div> <bR> <div> Four of the Pillars stood at the corners of the world. Upon the remaining five pillars, he placed the sun, Aronin, Ethalia, the Crimson Moon, and the Silver Moon.</div> <bR> <div> He Who Goes Unnamed gave the new Breminor life, spirit and beauty of its own. And he made a special place in the new Breminor, a place of magnificent beauty and life. He made it from his love and he made it for Nythoria so that they would have a place of their own. And he gave this special place her name. She looked upon it and shed a tear of happiness. The tear fell upon the land and it cleansed the land and purified it. And the land was filled with her beauty.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 2, The Children of Nythoria and He Who Goes Unnamed</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> From the love between He Who Goes Unnamed and Nythoria came their children, who numbered four: Crystalis the Peacemaker, Mylassa the Young, Nexar, and Odan the Fair. By means of her love, Nythoria brought together the ones who had come from old Breminor and her children to make the land so that the children of the children of her children might have a home. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 3, Other Gods Born</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> And as they enjoyed their new world, they came together and brought new gods to Breminor. So was it that Archin of the living earth was born, as was Vead of the four winds, Thoal of the nine seas, and Unali of the fire that consumes. So too was it that Bokali the enchanter was born, as was Kana who keeps the home safe, and Gralu who helps us find the things we lose.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 4, The Immortals, Children of the Gods</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> There was much happiness in the world and many children came to these children of the Gods. And they all prospered. These children of the Gods came to be known as the Immortals.</div> <bR> <div> The Immortals went about Breminor taking places unto themselves, changing them to their likings and making them their own. He Who Goes Unnamed looked upon this and was displeased for they changed that which he loved.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 5, Eslar</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_5"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> Long ago, when Immortals roamed over the blue-green fields of this most glorious land called Breminor, when the rivers flowed anew, and the hills and valleys had not been made, there lived a most pious and humble servant of the Gods. His name was Eslar.</div> <bR> <div> Eslar was very tall. He stood as high as the highest trees in the land, and since his legs were as round as tree trunks and his arms as big as boughs, he looked as a tree in the forest. Yet despite his size, he went about his work swiftly, as quick and as hard as a winter's gale beating against rocky shores.</div> <bR> <div> And this was his work. As He Who Goes Unnamed had told him, Eslar was to build the hills and valleys around his home. He took his work very seriously and went about it every day. Each morning, Eslar would arise and lift his great shovel in one hand and pickaxe in the other. With his shovel, he could make a ravine in one sweep, and with his pickaxe he could split boulders the size of mountains and sweep down the largest trees. As he went about his work, the hills climbed and the valleys deepened.</div> <bR> <div> One day, after he had paid his respects to the Gods, he set out for his work. He climbed a new hill and saw off in the distance a great, rolling mist that covered the land below and even now ascended the hill upon which he stood. North of the hill, he saw the farm of Toron Kalir, where the farm animals lay dead and Toron was not to be seen.</div> <bR> <div> Eslar ran down to meet the edge of the mist and he found the smell of smoke and death was carried in it. He drew in his breath and blew out a mighty wind, but try as he might, he was only able to stay its advance. Soon he was out of breath. He took up his pickaxe and entered the mist, seeking out its heart that he could put an end to it. As he went deeper and deeper into the mist, it grew hotter. Eslar could feel the mist pulling the strength from him. Still, he continued.</div> <bR> <div> After some time, Eslar came upon the source of the mist. Through the smoky cloud he could see a great beast that stood twice his height. It had five heads and each head had five eyes, one on each side and one on the top of each head. It walked on six legs and seven arms. Each arm held up a club as big as Eslar's pickaxe. The beast was covered with thick, heavy hair. Bellowing from its noses was the mist that roiled about them.</div> <bR> <div> Eslar spoke to the beast, saying, “Go back from whence you came, evil beast. You have no place in this land and you only bring death.”</div> <bR> <div> And the beast spoke to Eslar, saying, “I shall not leave until all in the land are dead. You shall be next.” With that, the beast attacked Eslar, who defended himself as best he could, turning the attack of each club.</div> <bR> <div> Eslar spoke to the beast again and said, “You shall not pass this place to cause more death, beast. I shall bring you down here.”</div> <bR> <div> Again the beast spoke to Eslar, saying, “What makes you so sure that you can defeat me? You are puny and I will squash you.” </div> <bR> <div> Within his heart, Eslar knew the answer and as he spoke it, he was filled with power again. “I am a devout servant of the Gods, and even now I do their handiwork.”</div> <bR> <div> But the beast laughed, and it was a sound that made Eslar vomit. Then the beast attacked him again. Still, Eslar turned every blow.</div> <bR> <div> Though he tired, Eslar drew up all his strength within him, knowing the beast must be put down or all should die. So he called upon the Gods to assist him, and again attacked the beast. Just when he thought all was lost, he struck the beast and chopped off one of its heads. The beast was furious and began flailing about it, but Eslar was too quick. In time, Eslar chopped off each of its heads and it fell to the ground dead.</div> <bR> <div> The mist disappeared and Eslar carried the beast off to the west, laid it down, put each of its heads atop it and buried it. And this became the Aronin Mountains, with its five great peaks.</div> <bR> <div> So great was this service to all the land that the Gods called the land which Eslar had built Eslebi, the kingdom which still bears his name.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 6, The Land of Eternal Sighs</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_6"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> Thalisar the Unworthy, who was a bard of some repute, told a tale of the Land of Eternal Sighs, in the place called Ethalia. All who heard this tale were captured by its words and could think of nothing but the Land of Eternal Sighs. And so it came to pass that the tale was told throughout Breminor and all who heard the tale wished to go to this Land, even though the tale also told that this Land was forbidden to them. So it was that the Immortals came to the kingdoms of Eslebi, Dunihk and Ishyr, where the mightiest trees in Breminor stood and they did cut them to the ground and build a fleet of ships, swift and great, the likes of which has never been seen. Only now are these kingdoms again growing trees as strong and mighty as they once held.</div> <bR> <div> The Immortals brought the ships to the Sea of Fire in the north of the kingdom of Valithra, loaded the ships full of their possessions, and set sail for the Gates to other lands. For a thousand and one days they sailed until they reached the Gates and they passed through them with the blessings of Sattath the Gatekeeper. </div> <bR> <div> Sattath had not been called upon by He Who Goes Unnamed to stop anyone from using the Gates, only to prevent anyone from misusing them. Yet, she found the actions of the Immortals to be curious and she went He Who Goes Unnamed and told him what she had seen. </div> <bR> <div> Angered that the Immortals would turns their backs on his most beautiful Breminor because of a tale, He Who Goes Unnamed called upon Bokali the Enchanter to punish the Immortals for their acts. Bokali came to fleet and made the Immortals believe that a great storm was coming upon them and the seas were filled with all manner of monsters. The storm bore great winds, so that the sails were torn from the ships, and great seas, so that the ships were filled with water. And the Immortals believed that their ships were thrown to the bottom of the sea where the monsters took them. Because they believed the lies of the Enchanter, as they had believed the lies of the bard, Thalisar the Unworthy, they were no more.</div> <bR> <div> Yet some of the Immortals escaped the weavings of the Enchanter and continued their journey to the Land of Eternal Sighs. Seeing this, He Who Goes Unnamed called upon Inkitar the Warrior to meet them. Inkitar waited for them on the beaches of the Lands of Eternal Sighs. When they came ashore, they were awestruck by its beauty, though they all knew that it did not rival that of Breminor. As they came to know their folly, Inkitar came upon them and put all of them to the sword, except one. This Immortal was chosen to carry the message of He Who Goes Unnamed back to other Immortals in Breminor. Inkitar placed him upon the great ship, <I>Valetir</I>, which brought him back to Breminor. And after the Immortals were told of the warning of He Who Goes Unnamed, the messenger collapsed and joined the others who had gone before him.</div> <bR> <div> So it is that they who defy the Gods shall be punished. And so it was done.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 7, Tamilon the Quick</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> Once there was a great warrior, and he was called Tamilon the Quick, for he could unsheathe his sword and slay another in the blink an eye. Tamilon was the most pious of the Immortals for he held the land in great respect and he honored the Gods above all.</div> <bR> <div> One day, all this was to end, for Tamilon came upon a maiden who was called Toroth, who was the most beautiful of the Immortals, and second only to Nythoria in the world. And so it was that Tamilon was taken with her and his heart was hers. So blind was his love that he saw nothing else, speaking with no one besides her. He did not even eat or sleep. All of his thoughts were of her.</div> <bR> <div> As he strode with her in the gardens, he saw another warrior looking upon Toroth and he was filled with jealousy. So powerful was this jealousy that he took up his sword and brought it down upon the warrior before the next beat of his heart. Jealousy turned to frenzy as he went about the land and put every male he came upon to the sword, and though he fought with honor, none could defeat him. And so it came to pass that Tamilon was the only male left in the land because of his jealousy.</div> <bR> <div> When he had finished this deed, he looked upon what he had done and was filled with grief. He no longer thought himself worthy of Toroth's love, and he set out with only his sword, shield and armor. And he wished to join those he had slain for he went out and did battle with every manner of beast in the land.</div> <bR> <div> Yet nothing could defeat him, for this was his punishment. He Who Goes Unnamed saw the terrible madness that overcame Tamilon and he wished to punish him. He sent Inkitar to Breminor and while Tamilon slept, Inkitar poured water from the River Assir upon him so that he could not be defeated in battle. So it was that Tamilon suffered for a thousand and one battles without knowing peace. Finally, he discarded his shield, sword, armor, and clothes, and he set out into the mountains. There, for a thousand and one days and nights he lived in caves, drank of mountain springs, and ate of the land. And this brought purity back to his spirit as only the simplicity of the land may do.</div> <div> When He Who Goes Unnamed knew that Tamilon was purified by the land and cleansed of his obsessions, he spoke unto Tamilon saying, “You have suffered now for your crimes. Go you now into the world and be you pious as you once were. Keep your heart pure and you shall be of my chosen.”</div> <bR> <div> So Tamilon went down and found the world as he had known it for He Who Goes Unnamed had restored the fallen. None were angry with Tamilon for his deeds for they knew that he was repentant, and it was not for them to judge or punish him, for only the Gods may do so. Tamilon reaffirmed his friendship with all and went to Toroth, with whom he was Joined, and he never came to know jealousy again.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 8, Crystalis, Peacemaker</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> Long ago, Immortal turned upon Immortal, against the warnings of the Gods. Immortal after Immortal came down from the mountains and shores of the north.</div> <bR> <div> They came from the gulfs, lakes and islands of the south. They came from the forests and shores of the east. And they came from plains and steppes of the west. They came to do battle. It was the greatest war ever fought, a catastrophe unleashed by Immortal hands for time without end.</div> <bR> <div> The Gods looked upon the blood-red seas that were once amber plains and the Gods themselves chose to end this war. Such a decision only the Gods can make. So, Nexar, who is the keeper of the four seasons, brought all Breminor into the depths of the harshest winter the world has ever seen.</div> <bR> <div> Yet, the Immortals were greater fools than the Gods could have known, for though some now froze and fell, they continued to battle. And He Who Goes Unnamed called upon Crystalis the Peacemaker to go to the battle in the land of the Immortals. He raised his mighty hand and brought them a most undeserving peace.</div> <bR> <div> He came upon the majestic peaks of the Aronin Mountains and made a great fire. It was a fire which filled the skies and which brought the snows to melt. First came a trickle then a flow and then a stream. He worked as only a God can, for years and years, but time is meaningless to a God. He brought more and more snow to melt, making the waters of this stream well up into a lake. Yet he did not release the waters. They grew greater and greater until it was greater than any sea made by the Gods. Still he did not release the waters. And when the waters were great enough, he called forth his servants to feed the flames to keep the snow from melting. And he released the waters. Downward it flowed from the peaks, flowing eastward as his hand directed, toward the bloodied battlefields. Some paid heed and ran in fear as the will of the Gods came to end their foolishness. Yet there were some who could not quench their bloodthirstiness and they continued to wage their fruitless savagery. It was their fate to be vanquished by the great waters.</div> <bR> <div> All those who had fled now stood far from their foes on the opposite banks of the mighty river. Unable to find a place to ford, their minds turned to further ills. And they brought together their greatest tools and built a dam that was great enough to bend the course of the greatest waters. With the waters turned they once again began their war, filling the land with blood. Yet as the waters were routed, they rushed back upon Crystalis who was caught unaware and he was consumed by the flood he had created. Seeing this, He Who Goes Unnamed was filled with rage. He came upon the dam and broke it with a single word. And he went into the waters and brought out Crystalis whom he restored to life.</div> <bR> <div> Crystalis, now seeing the folly of the Immortals, place a curse upon the waters of the Crystal River. Even now those who bear ill will in their spirit are called to the river upon seeing it to join the Immortals who were consumed with hatred. Cursed are the foolish for they will join the vanquished. The purity of the River brought to the world by Crystalis, Peacemaker for all, cleansed the lands called Breminor of its deepest wounds and bloodiest stains. The River flows from the western peaks to the shores and around the world until it completes the circle. As the River flows to the River, peace shall always bring peace and the Peacemaker shall live forever.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Born of the race of Gods,</div> <div> A legend to be known.</div> <div> Protect the heart of the land,</div> <div> His way may now be shown.</div> <div> Dividing Breminor north from south,</div> <div> His blood flows through the land.</div> <div> Protect warriors, lords and kings,</div> <div> Who die at their own hands.</div> <div> His rage is filled</div> <div> By those who killed,</div> <div> Mortal ones, he'll call you.</div> <div> Crystalis makes peace,</div> <div> The wars you'll cease,</div> <div> Come eternal spring's gentl'r hue.</div> <bR> <div> <B>S</B><B>croll 9, The Binding</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_immortals___scroll_9"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> And He Who Goes Unnamed sought to seal Breminor so that no one could change that which He loved so well. He called together Nythoria and their children and told them that He wished to seal them and bind them together so that no ill could befall Breminor. But Archin knew that this would bring an end to the Age of the Immortals, fating all who would come afterwards to a temporal existence, end without end. Such would be the fate of her own children. </div> <bR> <div> Despair came upon her, and despair is the enemy of all, for without hope we are nothing.</div> <bR> <div> And when the Binding was decided upon, the Immortals came to the eastern shore at Lokibar and found a great bridge of silver, inlaid with gems and pearls, and the road was paved with gold. And at the other side of the bridge stood Nythoria, most beautiful of the Gods. It was she who welcomed them, saying, “Come to me you who are blood of my blood. Come so that we may delight in your new home.”</div> <bR> <div> But Kalir, who was eldest of the Immortals spoke to her harshly, saying, “Where are we to go with you and where does this bridge lead us? We must not be deceived by she who we love most, even more than Breminor itself.”</div> <bR> <div> And He Who Goes Unnamed came upon them in the form of an eagle, and he sat upon the shoulder of Nythoria. He spoke to them loudly and they shook with fear. “My beloved children, thou hast gone unto the land of the Gods and made thine homes. Yet thou hast tried to tame this world in thine own image. This is not as it shall be. For the land is beauty and beauty tamed is not beauty. This is the law of the Gods and thou hast broken this law. Now thou must leave this land and go to a distant place which is also immortal and unchanging just as you are.”</div> <bR> <div> So it was that they journeyed beyond the Last Horizon to Ethalia. And the Immortals went out to Ethalia and remained there without sadness or knowledge of death. The land accepted them for the Gods had made it for them and it too could not know change. Though they yearned for the beauty they once knew, they were at peace in Ethalia and they served the Gods dutifully. For their obedience in this difficult task, the Gods allowed them to visit Breminor in spirit form while in the service of the Gods. </div> <bR> <div> The Gods do not punish the obedient and pious, but only Mortals who defy their will. </div> <div> And so it came to pass.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Age of the Mortals <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="601" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Mortals Chosen</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 13</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_13" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Words of Power and Services</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_2" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Law of the Mortals</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 14</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_14" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Signs of Amulon's Return</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_3" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Essence of the Binding</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 15</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_15_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>The Bringer's Return</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_4" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Oriclia, Kom and Toru</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 16</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_16_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>After Life: Cortesian or Rebirth?</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_5" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Amulon Trapped in Binding</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 17</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_17" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Tala and the Nine Pillars of the World</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_6" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Minions of Amulon</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 18</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_18" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Valerig the Proud</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_7" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Bringer of Hope</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 19</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_19" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Aslon Sar the Priest-Killer</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_8_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Santava and Olood</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 20</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_20" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Galthor the Bloody</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_9" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Races and Tribes of Breminor</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 21</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_21" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Fear is Amulon's Tool</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 10</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_10" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Joining</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_22" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Fate of the Corrupted</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 11</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_11" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Knights of the Elements</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 23</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="239"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_23" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Nine Pillars of Faith</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="186"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_12" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Order of Konlar</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 24</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_the_mortals___scroll_24" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Nine Sacraments of the Church</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 1, Mortals Chosen</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Yet not all were sent to Ethalia. Those who were not sent to Ethalia were young children of the land and He Who Goes Unnamed spoke unto them saying, “You, innocent of the land, children of my children, shall inherit the wealth that is the land called Breminor. You will be my caretakers of this land and you will keep its beauty with love.”</div> <bR> <div> The children of the Immortals were alone in the world.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 2, Law of the Mortals</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> So it was that the Gods made the Binding and from the Gods the spirits of the children received the Law of the Mortals. The Law was written upon their spirits so that they would know right from wrong. And the Law came in four parts.</div> <bR> <div> The first part told the Mortals that they must honor the Gods above all else, or risk their eternal spirit.</div> <bR> <div> The second part told the Mortals that they may not kill another Mortal save the impious, who may be hastened into a next life where they may receive the Gods into their hearts. </div> <bR> <div> The third part told the Mortals that they must not destroy the beauty of the land, or risk the fate of the Immortals and be banished from it for all time. </div> <bR> <div> The fourth part told the Mortals that they would die and be reborn again and again until they were deemed worthy to sit at the Table of the Gods. </div> <bR> <div> In this way, the Gods made Mortal spirits to be as tablets upon which their many lives are written. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 3, Essence of the Binding</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> The Essence of the Binding came unto Mortal spirits and brought to each of them a physical form. The body was made to be born, live, and die as all things of the living earth. Through this body, the spirit is able to know the world, as the Immortals could not. </div> <bR> <div> And into the body was placed a heart, which was made to beat and pulse with the heart of the land. The heart brought sensitivity to the spirit. Now the spirit could feel and with these feelings came emotions that are neither good nor evil, but they can make the poet great and the fiend ruthless. Such is the duality of choice the Gods bound to the hearts of the Mortals. </div> <bR> <div> To aid in choice, the Essence of the Binding brought a mind to be place in the body. The mind gave these Mortals the power to think before they act, so they would not repeat the mistakes of the Immortals. With their minds they could understand the Law of the Mortals. With their body, heart, mind and spirit, they can become one in the spirit. It is in this way that the spirit may become a Cortesian, who is one with the Essence, the Law, the Binding and the Gods, and is seated at the Table of the Gods.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 4, Oriclia, Kom and Toru</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Yet the Binding was not whole for Archin did have despair in her heart. The Binding was made in such a way that its making could bring its own end. And so it was that out of the Binding came Oriclia, Voice of the Future. And Oriclia came to have twin sons. One was Kom, who had dark skin and dark hair, and his eyes were ebony orbs. The other was Toru, who had fair skin, fair hair and eyes which were white as the snow. The two grew and went about the world, but they did not meet each other. Such is their fate, for when they were born, Oriclia, who speaks of things to come, said unto them knowingly, “Thou shalt never come together again, for if thou meetest, the end of the Binding and the Age of the Mortals comest.”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 5, Amulon Trapped in the Binding</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_5"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And imperfection brought imperfection. The One from Amulon came upon the world when the Gods were making the Binding. It saw the beauty of Breminor and wished to curse the world and bring its pestilence upon it. It wished the end of the Binding and the end of the world for it hated He Who Goes Unnamed and it desired to gain revenge for other Three of Amulon that He Who Goes Unnamed had crushed. </div> <bR> <div> So Amulon reached out its hand and placed it into the Binding to touch the world and curse it. And, lo, it was still weakened by its battle with He Who Goes Unnamed and it was drawn in and sealed within the Binding. It was powerless to destroy the Binding from within, for Amulon too must assume Mortal form to rend the Binding asunder, for this is the Law of the Binding that all things must have a Mortal form within Breminor. So Amulon called upon its servants to join it within the Binding. Its servants tried to resist its call, yet Amulon was great in power even though it was weakened. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 6, Minions of Amulon</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_6"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And Amulon called its four Khakal, who are its arms, denizens of Aronin, and they are called Govoli, Isvadu, Dujino, and Rokulos. And it called them Archdæmons, for they each bring a form of pestilence to Breminor. They are Famine, Plague, War, and Hubris. And it called upon the one and eighty Serpents, twisting and writing. They go without names for they inhabit many forms. They can corrupt the spirit of a Mortal, until body, heart, mind and spirit welcome the corrupter. Yet they would welcome death for they are prisoners within their own forms. And it called upon its Phantoms, nameless specters in the night, numbering seven hundred nine and twenty for they can come upon a Mortal in the night and rob the body from him. And this horde came to Breminor at the bequest of Amulon. </div> <bR> <div> Yet this was not enough. Amulon went to the caves in the land of Kadilon at the base of the Aronin Mountains. There, Amulon found the peaceful tribe of Mortals known as the Kaddori. They tried to resist the corruption but succumbed to the might of Amulon.</div> <bR> <div> Amulon changed the Kaddori and made them its tool. You shall know these servants of Amulon for they grew horns upon their heads as they were corrupted. They are obsessed with murder and death. And Amulon gained this army of destruction so that it could corrupt all Mortal life, which is its desire.</div> <bR> <div> And so, too, it turned to the beasts of Breminor. From the bounty of fauna it selected several of the beasts and corrupted them to use for its own purposes. </div> <div> And so it was done.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 7, Bringer of Hope</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Though He Who Goes Unnamed saw the despair, he could not remove it. Yet, he knew he could place hope within the Binding so that Mortals would have a weapon with which to fight despair. For this he called into existence a great servant, and its spirit was one with the Binding. And he said unto this spirit, 'I Name thee <I>Bringer</I>, for thou shalt bring hope to the world and restore it to that which I intended.' Thou bearest the mightiest burden and thou shalt be accorded the greatest honor when thou hast returned to my Table. Now I makest thy spirit of flame that burns as bright as a thousand and one suns. Know that thou art made as the Binding, for thou may not be unmade, except if Amulon unmakes the Binding. Know thine death shall mean an end to the Binding, Breminor and all Mortals. Thou shalt have the power of a thousand and one Mortals for thou shalt battle and defeat Amulon for all Breminor.” </div> <bR> <div> And He Who Goes Unnamed took a great hammer and anvil and went to the sun for his forge. Raising the hammer, he made the Gamal Cross with a single blow. And within the Cross, he wove the Mysteries of the world, the Law of the Mortals and the Essence of the Binding. He sent the Cross into the world for the Bringer.</div> <bR> <div> Bringer shall be the one who will bring hope and peace eternal to Breminor. Bringer shall use the Cross, raise up Mortalkind as a single army, and extinguish Amulon for time everlasting.</div> <bR> <div> And so it shall be done. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Scroll 8, Santava and Olood</B></FONT><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_8_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> For the Bringer shall be joined by the Four of Santava, whose spirits shine like the sun itself. These companions shall be called Herald, who shall announce the coming of the Bringer; Shieldbearer, who shall protect Bringer from the agents of Amulon; Guide shall show the Bringer the way to truth and knowledge; and, Apostle, who shall be the student of the Bringer and carry the Words of the Gods into the Age of Exaltation.</div> <bR> <div> And as the Fourth Cycle nears its end, the Gods shall send the Four of Olood, whose spirits burn like the sun itself. They shall follow the Bringer to help to purify the world and cast down any who are influenced by pestilence. They shall be called Destroyer; Summoner; Inferno; and, Healer. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 9, Races and Tribes of Breminor</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_9"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> So the children, now called the Mortals, went out into the land. And the children came from only four families. As they prospered, these families grew into great races, and the races grew with the land. They came to settle and call the land their own. And the races are Humans, Khaj, Vimadi, Grateki, and Mortak. </div> <bR> <div> And for the Humans, there were four tribes, who are called Antharians, Katerians, Nexarians, and Ulonians. The Antharians stand tall and rugged as the lands they inhabit, with eyes that change from green to brown, fair skin, and hair that is brown like that of a Zargon. The Katerians stand short and slim, with eyes that are the darkest brown and skin and hair of the same color, yet the hair is not straight, but curls around itself. The Nexarians stand broad and stout, with eyes that are as blue as the open sky, skin that is yellow and pale, and hair that is as white as the sun is bright. The Ulonians stand broad, but not as stout as the Nexarians, with eyes of steel gray, skin that is red as if burnt, and hair that is red as if ablaze. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 10, Joining</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_10"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And the most worthy and pious of the Immortal servants called Cortesians came unto Breminor for a short time and looked after the Mortals. And the Mortals did grow and age and soon the children were adults, for such is the fleeting way of youth. And the men and women came unto each other and did join in another type of binding, temporal yet eternal, for though one visits Mortal life many times, it will always be the same one with which you will join. For this is the way it has been, is and shall be. Man and woman are born unto this world alone and incomplete. Yet through many lives, each spirit joins with another, man's with woman's and woman's with man's, to become one together, which is greater than the two apart. Upon death, they will divide not to come together again until the next life. </div> <bR> <div> When the Gods choose the spirits which are two but one to become a Cortesian, they ascend to Ethalia to be joined one for time without end. For the one that brings us love fills all of our needs, completes our spirit and raises us to Immortal life. Mortals are alone; yet, with their chosen one, under the eyes of the Gods only, they do make their pacts of love, beauty and enlightenment. And so, as is the way, couples that Join do so alone and then return to announce their Joining to all Mortals, who will help them to celebrate finding their chosen one.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 11, Knights of the Elements</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_11"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And so it was that the Binding was made and the children became the Mortals of Breminor. And He Who Goes Unnamed knew that He must make special caretakers for the land, lest the Mortals follow the path of the Immortals. </div> <bR> <div> So, from amongst the four tribes he had chosen to be Mortals, he picked four Mortals to come before him and he said unto them, "Thou art Mortals of the land yet thou shalt be special caretakers. Thou shalt be shown the secrets of the living-earth, the fire that consumes all, the water that purifies, and the air which blows in the four winds. Yet know that never again shall anyone know the secrets of more than one of these. This is thy commandment for thee. Hold this commandment above all others and thou shalt be called worthy and pious. Break this commandment and thou shall be cursed and outcast." </div> <bR> <div> And He Who Goes Unnamed spoke to them again, saying, "Go now thou keepers of the Mysteries of the World. Go now to the world and build schools so that you may test and condition others who might also be worthy and pious. But remember and teach thy commandment. </div> <bR> <div> "Thy purpose is clear, but the challenge is great. To helpest thou, a Code thou shalt have by which you might judge a perfect Knight. That a Knight must be true to the Gods, the Binding and himself, for to be untrue to one is to be untrue to all, and a Knight should hold nothing dearer to him than these. That a Knight must be swift to crush all who use fire, air, earth or water in a way that the Gods did not intend, for this violates my commandment. A Knight must come upon all enemies of the Gods and the Binding and reverse their misguided aims. A Knight must be valiant, for without valor, courage and bravery, he is but a weak and foolish Mortal. A Knight must separate from the corrupting effects of the material world, except that which might aid him in crushing his enemies.</div> <bR> <div> "That a Knight must not gather with other Mortals for religious celebration while Amulon threatens the Binding, save Cleansing that his spirit remain pure and Joining that he might increase the number of Knights watching for transgressions against the Binding, for as a Knight lives by the Code, he is in celebration.</div> <bR> <div> "That a Knight shall show mercy when mercy should be shown, for mercy is the spoils of the victor and it strengthens him as it lessens his enemies. That a Knight shall never allow his weapon to fall unless he is dead, for the weapon of a Knight is as much a part of him as his spirit, and a Knight who has lost his weapon has lost himself and can be of no use to the Gods or the Binding. And, that a Knight shall be prudent in all his affairs and that he shall be pensive, especially regarding spiritual matters. May you prosper for time without end."</div> <bR> <div> And so it was done.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 12, Order of Konlar</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_12"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> He Who Goes Unnamed looked out upon the children to find one whose heart and mind were hardened. He searched them for a strong body and wise spirit and he found but one who might stand the test he would give him. And He called this one to him, saying, "You shall be called Konlar and you have been chosen for a great purpose which will know no fame or glory. It is a task that cannot be won or completed. It is a continuous battle. For as we, the Gods, made the Binding, the pestilence called Pithulor, the remaining One from Amulon did come into the land and hide there. And now Amulon is sealed within the Binding away from my touch. </div> <bR> <div> Know that it shall wait until it has grown to great strength, knowing powers that are unknown to Mortals. And only then it shall seek to destroy the Binding so that it can come to face the Gods. The task I have chosen for you is the defense of the Mortalkind from Amulon. You shall seek out Amulon and its agents and put the sword to their heart. You shall fight it until the day when Bringer comes to destroy it. Until then use whatever tools you find to defend the land. Use the Mysteries and the Words of Power and Service to keep you strong and help you end the Mortal existence of Amulon. </div> <div> Four times I shall send Bringer to defeat Amulon. Its spirit shall remain until the Bringer extinguishes it. It shall be Bringer who shall wear the Bringer's Cross in the Death March at the end of the Fourth Cycle. Bringer shall eliminate the scourge of the land. You must keep the land safe until Bringer comes.</div> <bR> <div> "So take you a place far away from all others and make this place your own. Also take others into this place and give unto them the secrets I show you now. But test them well that they may be pure and true. And mold them so they shall trust no one and love no one, for while Amulon plagues the land, there is no one to trust or love. Make them ever cautious and knowledgeable in the horrors and deceits of Amulon. Keep you well the land and its people. And to test you and give you resolve, I call the Three who were also of Amulon. They answer to my call for I have mastered them and know their names. And you, Konlar, look upon the face of deceit, plague and damnation." And Konlar did so, and his heart and mind did harden further. And his wrath and rage did well up. Yet he still looked upon them.</div> <bR> <div> And He Who Goes Unnamed spoke again, saying, "I have chosen well indeed. I touch you now and purify your body, heart, mind and spirit, and make you whole that you might know what is clean and what is not. And that you know that these Three shall not threaten you, I crush them now and place them in your sky as a Moon, crimson with their blood, as a covenant between us. It in this way that you shall know they have perished and that the Last of Amulon shall perish too. Go now out into Breminor and teach you others who are also worthy. May you prosper for time without end.”</div> <bR> <div> And so it was done.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 13, Words of Power and Service</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_13"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> To the Mortals He Who Goes Unnamed gave another weapon and these were the Words which were the Mysteries and held great power. And with these sixteen Words of Power he sent six and thirty Words of Service. The secrets of these Words were told to Alhia and she has inscribed them in the <I>Book of the Mysteries</I>. It shall be that when the Bringer comes there shall be one and eighty masters of the Words of Power and Service and they shall command great forces to assist the Bringer. </div> <bR> <div> And though the Order of Konlar shall ever fight valiantly for the destruction of the forces of Amulon, few of their number shall join the Bringer to destroy Amulon at the end of the Fourth Cycle, and that number shall be two hundred nine and seventy. And the Bringer shall call upon those Mortals that resist Amulon to join this final battle and the Mortals who wish to find eternal peace shall join the Bringer.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 14, Signs of Amulon's Return</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_14"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> That you should not question the future, you shall know when Amulon shall rise. Out of Aronin there shall come a sign. And from the lands beyond the Last Horizon there shall come a sign. These are the signs that have been told to you by Oriclia, Voice of the Future. Mortals, take heed for this is your fate and you shall decide it. For when you are no longer vigilant and you no longer resist the corruption of Amulon, it shall be your master. </div> <bR> <div> So it shall come to pass that the dawn shall meet the dusk and the sun shall move across the sky no more. And darkness shall fill the world and pestilence shall reign. You shall know this time by Mortal events too. The Antharians in Ishyr, ever the enemy of Amulon, shall come to know their greatest strength, for all others shall have fallen before Amulon. Mortal holy places shall be conquered and desecrated by pestilence. And the life of the Emperor of the Mortals shall end with a sword.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 15, The Bringer's Return</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_15_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> So it shall come to pass that Amulon shall rise to power and endanger the thread called Existence that ties the Binding to all Mortals. If the Binding is destroyed so shall be the fate of all Mortals, so take heed for your Existence has an axe falling upon it and that axe has a name and it is Amulon.</div> <bR> <div> Should the axe fall, it shall mean your end and the end of the Binding. Yet He Who Goes Unnamed has shown his love for you for he shall send you the Bringer when you most need help, when Amulon has come to its greatest strength. It is Bringer who shall rise up against Amulon and break the axe before it falls upon you.</div> <bR> <div> The Bringer comes to bring peace and remove pestilence. And how is it that you shall know that the Bringer is here amongst you? You cannot be sure, so you must be ever vigilant, for Amulon is ever amongst you! You might say that because the forces of Amulon have brought pestilence to the whole of the land that it is the time for the Bringer, but it need not be so. It is for He Who Goes Unnamed to decide when you need the Bringer, and that shall be when Amulon is most powerful and most threatens the Binding. Do not say that He Who Goes Unnamed must send the Bringer, for you are mere Mortals and you do not have the wisdom of the Gods. For the Gods know that there shall be Four Cycles of Amulon, in which it shall gain great power and threaten the Binding. Beware, for the Fourth Cycle is near and in it Amulon shall gain its greatest strength and shall put asunder all the land and the Binding shall be near its end.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 16, After Life: Cortesian or Rebirth?</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_16_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT></div> <div> How is it that you might become a Cortesian and ascend to Immortal life? So is it that you should ask your wisest Priest and this is how he must answer. You shall come to know yourself and become enlightened. You shall strive for perfection, and perfection is the body of the warrior, the heart of a mother when she cuddles her child, and the mind of the seer. Perfection is the spirit of the most holy one, unfettered and clean. Temptations shall come to you through Amulon and shall take you off the course of perfection, but turn not to temptations, instead stay your course. This shall shorten your journey in Mortal form, a form in which you shall know hunger, emptiness and pain. The journey that takes the least time is the one that is shortest, yet this is the road least trod upon. Walk here and you shall know perfection. When your body dies, the spirit does not die, for it is everlasting. The spirit returns to a new body after death to be born and live and die again, returning until it has reached perfection.</div> <bR> <div> So that you will know when you have reached perfection, your spirit shall journey to Aronin, Land of the Dead, to where it has been Sent. There you shall stand before Odan the Fair, for she is your judger. It is she that shall decide if your spirit is worthy of becoming a Cortesian. If your spirit is worthy, she shall send you to the River Assir, where you shall meet the great ship Valetir, which shall take you to Ethalia. And if you have been a warrior, you shall be taken to the great hall of the warriors where you shall enjoy the eternal life of the warrior, telling tales and drinking mead. And if you have been a hero, you shall be taken to the Hall of the Gods where you shall be in the company of the Gods for time everlasting. But if you are yet imperfect, you shall journey back to Breminor to be born again. If you have worked for perfection and lived a pious life, this journey to Breminor shall be brief. But if you choose to live the impious life, you shall suffer through the Great Desert of Aronin for a thousand and one days before you return to Breminor. Be you pious for you shall know peace. And you shall know perfection for it is the unity of the body, heart, mind and spirit through the Essence and the Law with the Binding and the Gods. It is in unity that the Gods might choose the spirit to become their eternal servant, a Cortesian. Yet, they who are the Mortals are sealed within the Binding and they are bound to its Law.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 17, Tala and the Nine Pillars of the World</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_17"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And so many Mortal generations came and went and Breminor was at peace. No Mortal raised a sword against another Mortal. Even from Amulon nothing was heard, which made many to say that the Bringer had come and cleansed Breminor of the pestilence. Yet it was not so. Amulon had come to Mortal form and was hidden in the Caves of Talon Amir that look upon the Mairel Steppes. Its power did build and it grew to great strength. </div> <bR> <div> The members of the Order of Konlar, they who are called upon to defend our faith, were the only Mortals who had not succumbed to the temptations of placidness. For the sake of those Mortals who were corrupted, they did sacrifice many to exterminate Amulon. They did battle with its servants for many years. And lo, they did come to see the Caves.</div> <bR> <div> Knowing that its predators were waiting at its door, Amulon went deeper and deeper into the Caves, toward the roots of the world itself. When it reached the roots, it came upon a great chamber that the Gods themselves had made. It was a chamber of the Nine Pillars. The Gods had set the Nine Pillars in the heart of the world, from the skies to the deepest earth, that they would support the world and keep it safe. This is the foundation upon which they built the world. And Amulon looked upon the Pillars and knew them. It descended to the chamber, followed by many members of the Order of Konlar, who ever dare to go where no mere Mortal treads. They did see Amulon reach up and take hold of the easternmost Pillar and shake it. And the land did shake and the Caves did crumble. Many of the Order were crushed under the falling earth. And all of the eastern lands did shake. And Amulon reached out and grasped another and shook it. And the land shook and the earth fell. And it did this to another and another, and many of the Order died until only one remained. Her name was Tala.</div> <bR> <div> Tala stood upon a great ledge over which others had plummeted many leagues to their deaths. As Amulon reached for another Pillar, she did take into her hands a spear and knew it to be the last hope for the Mortals and the Binding. It was the Spear of Dunlar, which was made by Ilalion, greatest of the Immortal weapon makers. And she let it fly to the heart of the Mortal body of Amulon and it passed through its breastbone and out its back, collapsing the pestilence and saving all. And lo, the land did shake again, as it does today, for the Pillars are unstable. The ledge collapsed and Tala fell with the rest of her number. Yet she, savior of the Binding and the Mortals, was raised by the Gods to be a Cortesian. And this Immortal spirit visits Mortals to warn them not to be placid, for the time of Amulon is always here and the Bringer has not yet come to save us.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 18, Valerig the Proud</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_18"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Valerig, most noble and true, of the line of Alaric, emperor of all Breminor, was a warrior, strong and brave. Once he was with his father in Dython, yet he was forced to find his own way. So with his sword he did set out. This sword was the Sword of Hallor, fashioned in the fires of smoky Matulen, and given to him by his father. He traveled many roads, served many causes, did many great deeds and caused many great events to happen. But those are other stories and this is the one of his Journey. Valerig's name was revelled from one end of the River Crystal to the other. Once he traveled through a great forest called Kalhinahr and this is that story. </div> <bR> <div> As all must know, night falls quickly in the great forests, and in Kalhinahr the trees are so thick that even when the summer sun is at its peak, it is like dusk within the forest. Valerig walked with his companions on the Way Lir where it passes from the east into the Kalhinahr Forest. He was tired and worn from his fight with the ferocious wooly-beast of Mortom, which stood four horses high and had eaten thirty of Valerig's warriors before he slew it. But that is another story, better left for later.</div> <bR> <div> Valerig came upon the forest with the two of his warriors who remained. They hungered and longed for sleep. The forest looked dark and dismal, but they would not let their fear take them. Fear was ever the enemy of Valerig and he sought it out as the hunter seeks the largest buck. He sought to make peace with himself whenever he encountered fear. So he walked peacefully into the forest so that he might find the cause of his newborn fear, a fear that sought to rob him of his inner peace. </div> <bR> <div> And his warriors followed him, for all warriors should follow their lords. He had saved their lives many times and they would give their lives gladly in return. Still, fear was with them and they walked timidly. Once into the forest, darkness fell upon them, yet they traveled determinedly. The ground was wet and they sank into the muddy earth, which only made their travels more tiring. The air smelled of damp mold that grows on the wet, rotting leaves about them. </div> <bR> <div> Valerig felt as if he were being watched, so he had his companions continue on the Way Lir while he sought out the danger. He made four complete circles about them and could not trace the enemy. When he returned, however, one warrior was lying unconscious and the other fought off three wild hounds. Valerig leapt quickly into the fold, killing two hounds with a single blow. Even though the Sword of Hallor passed easily through their necks, he was unable to prevent the third hound from ripping out the throat of the warrior who lay vulnerable. The other warrior was so caught by fear and dread that he ran into the woods without direction. Valerig slew the final hound quickly, and followed the fleeing warrior, yet he had disappeared. </div> <bR> <div> Valerig prayed for the fallen warrior and Sent him off to the Gods. He knew it would be impossible to find the lost warrior in the dark forest, so he decided to wait for the gloomy light of morning. Afterwards, he skinned the hounds cleanly and cooked one to eat, though it was tough and bitter. Exhaustion took him and he used the hides of the hounds as his bed after he had paid his respects to the Gods. </div> <bR> <div> When he awoke, he did not know the time of day for the forest loomed over him, dark and cold. It was then that he knew that the cold was a part of the fear, and that it penetrated his clothes, going deep down into his bones. Outside the forest, the blinding white sun of mid-summer burnt the grasses and brought the black flies to swim on sweaty brows, yet Valerig felt the need for warmth. Even the heat of the fire did little to shake this cold that ached in the marrow of his bones. So he put out the fire and trudged off to find the lost warrior. Dead or not, the warrior had served valiantly before and he deserved to be sought out, either to be found or to be Sent. </div> <bR> <div> Remembering the direction in which the warrior had fled, he plunged into the thick overgrowth looking for signs of Mortal hands. Twice during the next four days did he see such signs. The first was a discarded torch, long since cold. The second was the remains of an animal. Valerig was most disturbed by the second, for although the animal had been killed by the warrior's francesca, it was torn and mangled as if ravaged by a wild animal.</div> <bR> <div> The end of the trail eluded him until the fourth day, when he came upon a glade. The trees parted to allow the sun to shine brightly upon the crystalline stream that separated the glade into two parts. Its bubbling was all that pierced the silence of the glade. Valerig squinted in the bright light, for it was the first time he had seen the sun in several days. Its warmth took a bite from the chill that had settled so deeply into his bones and it drew him out into the glade. He shook off this temptation and jumped back into the trees, scanning the glade. At the far side of the glade beyond the stream, there was a small house. There was nothing else to be seen. He went cautiously from the trees and crossed to the stream. It was not deep and it gently flowed with a soft bubbling sound. Once again looking about and making sure of his safety, he disrobed and bathed in the cool stream, keeping his sword close to his hand.</div> <bR> <div> The cool water took the dirt and sweat from his body and it cleaned deeper. It invigorated his spirit and cleared his body, heart, and mind. He dried in the warmth of the sun and dressed, now renewed. He started for the small house, leaving his sword unsheathed as he approached. A light breeze brought the smell of smoke to Valerig and he went to the door that stood ajar. Cautiously peering in, he saw a small fire in the middle of the room, a small metal pot over it in which something was boiling. The smoke rose to a small hole in the thatched roof. A small, cloaked figure, hovered over the pot stirring it occasionally. "Enter Valerig of the line of Alaric," a shrilly voice spoke from under the cloak. "Enter that you might share my food, my company and my wisdom", it said. A face, old and wrinkled, appeared from under the cloak. Ancient wounds oozed from the woman's hands and face.</div> <bR> <div> Valerig's stomach turned at the sight of her. "I am welcomed in and invited to share food with an old hag. I shall happily join you and listen to your wisdom if first you tell me what I want to know. Where is the warrior who is my companion? He has passed this way." Valerig stood in the doorway, trying to focus on the hag through the smoke. He reassured himself with the weight of his sword as fear came at him from the room.</div> <bR> <div> "I did not expect such rudeness from one such as Valerig. Do you know what wisdom is?" the old hag questioned. "It is what your eternal spirit teaches you. For the ignorant cannot call upon their spirits, yet the sage calls upon it and takes its counsel. The fool hears the voice yet does not listen."</div> <bR> <div> "Answer me, hag, or all that shall be left of you is your eternal spirit", Valerig threatened.</div> <bR> <div> "Treat me well, young warrior, or you shall find your companion dead at the end of Hallor's sword," she rasped back.</div> <bR> <div> "Then you know where he is. Hag, tell me now or you shall taste Hallor's sword!" he screamed as he jumped into the hovel. The stench rising from the pot hit him full in the face and he nearly fainted. He stopped, facing the old woman from the other side of the pot. "I have shown you more patience and respect than you are due, moldy one. Tell me now what I must know."</div> <bR> <div> "Welcome now to my home, Valerig the Proud. Be you humble in this gentle place lest you be called Valerig 'Companion-slayer', she said to him softly. This enraged Valerig and he kicked over the pot with his foot. Its slimy contents dropped into the fire. Flames leapt and smoke billowed from the fire.</div> <bR> <div> Valerig was hard pressed to escape through the smoke for he could neither see nor breathe. The fire spread quickly, engulfing the small building by the time Valerig had reached the woods' edge. How strange the pyre looked in the peaceful glade. He walked into the forest and wandered for several days looking for the road. He ate what he could hunt and survived.</div> <bR> <div> As he marched one day, he heard Mortal sounds in the distance. Through the trees, he could see a wagon cart and a mule. As he walked forward, a woman's screams brought Valerig to run to the cart. When he arrived, he saw a warrior in a tattered cloak standing with a blood-drenched sword over the bodies of two guards and the master of the cart. The sword was familiar for it was one which Valerig himself had given to its bearer. And Valerig knew the old hag's prediction would be made true. He jumped to the cart and landed between the woman and the falling sword. </div> <bR> <div> More swiftly than the eye could see, he turned the sword with his own and ran the Sword of Hallor deep within his companion. The body fell limp to the ground. He Sent the dead where they had fallen. The woman could not understand why one such as Valerig would pay such respect to a mad man. Yet she was too filled with grief to dwell upon this. Valerig took the woman and the cart to the home of her parents, wealthy merchants who lived at the edge of the forest. In thanks for his bravery and service, they offered Valerig half of their wealth and their daughter's hand.</div> <bR> <div> Graciously, Valerig insisted on only taking the mule, which he rode home in shame. Once there, he returned to the merchants a noble steed of the line of the horses of Tholl.</div> <bR> <div> At home, he sought the forgiveness of the family of the fallen warrior, paying a handsome sum in blood money for the killing. Once he told them his story, they forgave him readily. They had no doubts in him, for he had always been a true and fair lord. He did not stay at home long before he was called to service at the hand of King Hogar Anor in the Battle of the Dular Hills, but that is another story.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 19, Aslon Sar the Priest-Killer</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_19"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Long, long ago, born to Kali and Lilha Sar, both Ulonians from the kingdom of Sherna, were four children. The first child was called Aslon Sar, and the other three are unimportant to this story. Kali and Lilha showered their child with gifts because of their love for him. The emperor of all Breminor was passing through their village at the time Aslon Sar was born and it was for this reason that he gave the child a medallion of pure gold which bore the likeness of the Bringer's Cross.</div> <bR> <div> The child was as of the Gods when beheld, with eyes as black as coal and hair as white as the shining sun. Yet it was the medallion that made all the others in the village jealous of the child and they shunned him, and they would not speak to Kali and Lilha. When Mortals are jealous and they hate, they spread evil all about them, hurting all they touch. All that they come to say is touched by lies and the lies beget lies.</div> <bR> <div> These lies took form and they were spoken. Mortals came to say that the child's eyes were proof of its unnatural spirit and they said that all who stayed around the child had their spirits stolen from them. So it was that they came upon the House of Sar, those who filled with hate and spoke lies, and they took the child from his mother and brought him before the High Priest of their village. They demanded to know its Name, for in the Name they would know the truth about the child. The High Priest agreed to tell them whether the child would be good or bad due to his Name, which held his fate. After a time had passed, these Mortals wished to put the child to the sword, but they would not violate the sanctity of the most holy Church, which is the house of the Gods in Breminor, and which could not be defiled by their bloody intent.</div> <bR> <div> The High Priest took the child to the altar, blessed him and called upon the Gods to reveal his Name. The Gods told to the High Priest that the child was known to them, and that his Name was "Priest-Killer,” and the High Priest was filled with fear. Taking up the child, the High Priest returned to the Mortal crowd and told them that they must dispatch the child from Breminor for it was filled with evil and that its Name was in evidence of this. The crowd gave the child to Wilhim the Forester, who was made to give the child to wolves.</div> <bR> <div> And so it came to pass that Wilhim brought the child to the forest and he could not bring harm to the child. So it is that he shall be called Wilhim the Merciful for he put the child in a bed of leaves and returned to the town, announcing that he had given it to the wolves. Yet the child did not come to know death's grip for a passing member of the Order of Konlar, swords of the Gods and eternal enemies of Amulon, found it. And so it came to pass that the child was brought to the Order and was made a Defender of the Faithful.</div> <bR> <div> Many years passed, and Aslon Sar took his place in the world slaughtering Kaddori and hunting the servants of Amulon, as the Gods chose him to do. And Aslon Sar came to hear the call of the Order of Konlar once again. It was the time of the first Summoning of the Order, for they met the servants of Amulon at the Battle of the Origa Pass in Ishyr. </div> <bR> <div> So it was that Aslon Sar adorned his battle gear, which had been given to him by Lord Emar Alin when Aslon Sar had saved his daughter from Amulon. His armor, as his sword, was made of pure silver, and he shimmered in the sunlight. He rode his silver warhorse into battle proudly. The day was long, as a day of battle shall be, and at dusk, each side withdrew to rest and bind its wounds to prepare for the following day.</div> <bR> <div> A messenger from the forces of Amulon came forth at dawn bearing a challenge from their greatest warrior for the greatest warrior of the Order of Konlar. And so it came to pass that Aslon Sar rode out to meet the challenge.</div> <bR> <div> Neither side spoke. It was useless to discuss the terms of the challenge for Aslon Sar knew the servant of Amulon would not be bound to its word. The servant of Amulon was, as Aslon Sar came to know, a Dæmon who had taken on the form of a Priest and he was seated upon a great charger. Aslon Sar was attacked vigorously and his spirit too was attacked. Though his courage and resolve did not wane, he did tire. Yet they came to fight through the day without pause until the light faded and they withdrew without resolution. On the second day, however, Aslon Sar struck his opponent with his silver sword and unseated the Dæmon from his horse. It was then that the Dæmon attacked the spirit of Aslon Sar with greatest vigor. And Aslon Sar fell from his horse yet was able to purge himself of the invader. Once again taking up his sword, he plunged it into the body of the Dæmon, bringing its Mortal form to perish from the land for a thousand and one years. And so it was that he accomplished his fate and earned his Name, "Priest-Killer". Yet he was not to escape the day, for the servants of Amulon saw the Dæmon fall and they rushed to the field. The Order of Konlar could not gain the field in time to save him and he fell in battle, as is the fate of all Heroes. And he went to meet Odan the Fair in Aronin.</div> <bR> <div> And He Who Goes Unnamed took him from Odan the Fair, for all Heroes go to the great hall in Nythoria to join Him for time without end. Yet, Aslon Sar spoke to He Who Goes Unnamed saying, "I have served the Gods and protected the Binding, and so I wish to continue eternally."</div> <bR> <div> For his worthy and humble wish, He Who Goes Unnamed said unto him, "You have earned this wish and I grant it unto you willingly. I shall put you into the skies that you might look over the whole of Breminor." And he took Aslon Sar and he made him into the form of a Silver Moon and he placed him into the skies where all Mortals might see how a pious and worthy Mortal might come to know Immortal service of the Gods. And so it was done.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 20, Galthor the Bloody</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> It was in the second quarter of the First Millennium of The Mortals, during the eight year in the reign of Galthor Tiro II, Emperor of Breminor, also called Galthor the Bloody, that he called together the greatest priests and seer in the land that they might call upon the Keeper of the Future, Oriclia, to find when Amulon would strike out. The Emperor was filled with fear for his seers had told him that when Amulon arose, the ruler of Breminor would die. He wished to know what omens would foreshadow the final rise of pestilence in the land. So, the priests communed with the Gods.</div> <bR> <div> When the priests returned, Galthor the Bloody was told what he desired, that the rise of Antharians to great wealth and power in Ishyr would come before Amulon. Galthor responded with hubris, injustice and wrath that could only be likened to the acts of Amulon itself. Galthor called upon his armies to march on Ishyr lands, to pillage them and to put all Antharians they met to the sword.</div> <bR> <div> This was his act of injustice against the Ishyr and against all Mortals.</div> <bR> <div> And injustice against the Gods, for this was Heresy, because Galthor took Mortal lives in the name of the Gods, and in so doing, likened himself to the Gods themselves. This is why all Mortals should call upon Odan, who is most fair, to take from existence the spirit of Galthor Tiro II, for never shall this spirit rise from the depths of pestilence into which fear brought it.</div> <bR> <div> Some Antharians escaped from Ishyr, and by the grace of the Gods and of most pious and worthy Mortals, they found new lives and new homes deep within the forests of Ishyr and Valithra, for the forests love the Antharians as the Antharians the forests.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 21, Fear is Amulon's Tool</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_21"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> What is the greatest weapon of Amulon? Is it the hordes it commands? No, for He Who Goes Unnamed has provided Mortals with the means to defend themselves. Is it the powers it possesses, powers great enough to shake the roots of the world? No, for when its power becomes great enough to rend the world, He Who Goes Unnamed shall send The Bringer, who shall vanquish Amulon.</div> <bR> <div> The greatest weapon that Amulon has to use against Mortals is fear, for Mortals are so easily filled with fear.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 22, Fate of the Corrupted</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_22"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And Amulon shall stand with its foot upon the backs of all Mortals as the taskmaster who works the slave to its death. It shall crack the whip upon the backs of all Mortals and you shall jump to perform its task and that task is the end of the Binding and the end of all Mortals. This is the fate that awaits the corrupted and soft of body, heart, mind and spirit. </div> <bR> <div> For when the signs come, the Bringer shall come and the Bringer shall unite all who are strong of body, heart, mind and spirit and who are not corrupted by Amulon. And in this union, there shall be salvation, for these are the spirits that shall inherit the Breminor which He Who Goes Unnamed intended us to have, one free of pestilence and war, one free of the influences of Amulon. </div> <bR> <div> The corrupted shall know the taste of the sword of the Gods. For those who resist Amulon and suffer its pains, they shall find peace everlasting with the Gods. But those who are tempted by Amulon and who avoid its pains, they shall know the suffering that only a God can give, suffering that continues for time without end. Choose your fate carefully Mortals!</div> <bR> <div> For at the right hand of the Bringer shall be the Four Santava and they shall help to bring peace to Breminor. Behind the Bringer shall be the Four Olood and they shall bring justice to Breminor as the Gods intended. And Amulon shall be purged from existence, as its servants and those who follow it shall be.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 23, Nine Pillars of Faith</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_23"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And so came the end of the First Cycle to Breminor. Mortals lived in a world without rules, save the Law of the Mortals. The great cities they had inherited from the Immortals began to fall into disrepair and ruination. In their bodies, hearts, minds and spirits, Mortals hungered. This hunger was the seed of despair, which grew into a weed that infected their spirits. </div> <bR> <div> Neither did Amulon sleep during the First Cycle. Pestilence and its minions were all about the land, sewing the seeds of discord and despair. All seemed lost. Khakal sat upon the thrones of many kingdoms, and Amulon sat as an emperor over these. </div> <bR> <div> But as the Gods had promised, they sent their servant, the Bringer of Hope, so that the tide of Mortal anguish and suffering may be turned. The Bringer raised a Mortal army and marched upon Amulon and put it to heel. To prison, Amulon and its minions were confined, in the heart of the Aronin Mountains. Then, the Bringer created the Four Seals, one each of the purest Bronze, Iron, Silver and Gold. The Four Seals were placed to secure the prison. </div> <bR> <div> Once the First Cycle had been completed, the Bringer was ready to return to the Gods until needed again. The journey to the Thoradeed was a long one, and the Bringer and the many who had fought together discussed much. </div> <bR> <div> Once they reached the Thoradeed, and were waiting for the Gods to take the Bringer, one of them, Zamat the Pious, who had fought by the Bringer's side throughout the battles with Pestilence, spoke to the Bringer. Zamat asked the Bringer to explain the Law of the Mortals that He Who Goes Unnamed had written on Mortal spirits. </div> <bR> <div> Zamat asked this. “Master, I understand the first part, to honor the Gods, and this I keep in my heart. So, too, I understand the second part, not to kill others save the impious, and this, too, I keep in my heart. Master, the third part, I understand, and I have not harmed the beauty of the land in any way. Yet, the fourth part, confuses me.”</div> <bR> <div> “How so?” the Bringer asked.</div> <bR> <div> “Master, I know that Odan the Fair sits in judgment over all the dead and decides which are worthy to sit at the Table of the Gods and which shall be returned for rebirth. Yet, I do not know what worthy is. Can you tell me how to make myself worthy, Master? I wish to hasten my existence in this world and join you and the Gods in food and drink for all time.”</div> <bR> <div> The Bringer told all of the fellow travelers to gather around so that they could hear. “There are Nine Pillars upon which the world is build.  Now I will tell you about the Nine Pillars of Faith which you must follow to being worthy to sit at the Table of the Gods. Hold the Law of the Mortals true and observe these parts and you shall sit with the Gods and enjoy food and drink forever. </div> <bR> <div> “The First Pillar is that you must seek a cleansing of your body, heart, mind and spirit to sit at the Table of the Gods.</div> <bR> <div> “The Second Pillar is that you must give of yourself unto the Gods each day, in prayer and in the fruits of your labors.</div> <bR> <div> “The Third Pillar is that you must seek the blessing of the Gods when joining with another.</div> <bR> <div> “The Fourth Pillar is that you must not take another's property to be your own.</div> <bR> <div> “The Fifth Pillar is that you must not take someone who has been joined to another as your own.</div> <bR> <div> “The Sixth Pillar is that you must resist despair in all of its forms, because it is the well from which Amulon draws water to quench its thirst.</div> <bR> <div> “The Seventh Pillar is that you must not speak falsehoods to bring injury upon another, for such falsehoods are reflected back upon you and darken your spirit. Pestilence dwells in dark places. </div> <bR> <div> “The Eighth Pillar is that you must behave well to strangers who travel through the land and treat them as you would your own, for we are all travelers on a journey to perfection.</div> <bR> <div> “The Ninth Pillar is that your spirit must be sent from this world to Odan the Fair for judgment, or else it may wander the world until the Binding's end.</div> <bR> <div> “If you do these things, she who judges you shall judge you well.”</div> <bR> <div> Then Zamat said this. “Master, we are bound to such a short existence and we cannot remember from one lifetime to the next. We shall need guidance to become worthy, and such guidance must not be as transitory as we are.”</div> <bR> <div> The Bringer said unto the whole assembled crowd, “What Zamat has said I know to be true. The Gods did not intend for you to go through this life and the next without a guide to help you attain perfection. Instead, you must build a Church for all who live in Breminor that they may come to know the Gods. Use this Church to remember from one generation to the next what should and should not be done. Teach the children that they may shorten their journey to perfection.”</div> <bR> <div> Zamat asked this. “But Master, what do we know about building a Church? How will we begin?”</div> <bR> <div> And the Bringer said unto him, “You shall begin this work, Zamat, also called the Pious. I can see your spirit and you are close to joining the Gods at their Table. In the time that remains, I call upon you to make this Church, and I make you its first bishop. Select others from all Breminor to ensure that it is not a thing of one kingdom or another, but a Church for all that dwell in Breminor.”</div> <bR> <div> Zamat said, “Master, we know so little to do such a thing.”</div> <bR> <div> But the Bringer replied, “Have faith. Look to your heart and your spirit, for there you will find the Gods, and they will talk to you and tell you the true path.”</div> <bR> <div> With that, the Bringer was carried upon the wind back to the Gods. Zamat called all who remained together, and they built the Holy Church as the Bringer had told them to do.</div> <div> And so it was done.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 24, Nine Sacraments of the Church</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_the_mortals___scroll_24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> In order that you, Mortals, might see your way to everlasting life, the Gods shall chose the most pious of your number, and they shall be the priests of the most holy Church of the Gods. The priests shall go out amongst you to prepare you for your Journey. The Priests shall carry through Breminor the Nine Sacraments of Mortal Life, which the Gods themselves gave to them to aid all Mortals. </div> <div> Four of the Sacraments shall all Mortals come to know, and they are Naming, Cleansing, Joining and Sending. </div> <bR> <div> Naming shall give you the Name of your spirit. A Priest shall do this at your birth. </div> <div> Cleansing shall shed the impurities of pestilence from your spirit. You shall seek out a Priest to do this each year. </div> <bR> <div> Joining shall bless two Mortals and unite their spirits. Sending shall free the spirit from the body, heart, and mind that it might go to Aronin for judgment by she who is Fair. </div> <bR> <div> Five of the Sacraments shall servants of the Church come to know. And they are Serving, Instruction, Cloistering, Ordination, and Selection. All Mortals who assist the priest must receive Serving. Any Mortal who reveals the truth of the Gods to others shall first receive Instruction. Those who shall serve the Church in a monastery shall receive Cloistering. All Priests shall receive Ordination. All who Mortals select as their bishops shall receive Selection. </div> <div> This is the will of the Gods. </div> <bR> <div> Age of Exaltation <A NAME="age_of_exhaltation"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="292" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#age_of_exhaltation___scroll_1_1" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Coming of the New Age </U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="210"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_exhaltation___scroll_2" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Cleansing of the Land</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="210"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_exhaltation___scroll_3" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>Healing of the Land</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="71"><div> Scroll 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="210"><div> <A HREF="#age_of_exhaltation___scroll_4" TITLE="The Codex of Breminor"><U>End of the Binding</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 1, Coming of the New Age</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_exhaltation___scroll_1_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> The seasons of Breminor shall unfold. As the Vortex was Winter at the Beginning, and the Age of the Immortals was the Spring, and the Age of the Mortals the Summer, so shall the Autumn come to Breminor. It shall be called the Age of Exaltation. Autumn is a time when the Mortal form reaches its peak, just before the darkness of Winter creeps upon it and it sleeps so that in the Spring it may be born again to Immortal life. And so shall it come to pass in Breminor.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 2, Cleansing of the Land</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_exhaltation___scroll_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> The Destroyer, the right hand of the Bringer who is the right hand of the Gods, shall come upon the world and shall remove all pestilence which plagues it. And the Destroyer shall rule over Breminor for a thousand and one years until all who have been touched by Amulon are purged from the land. The Destroyer shall raise the sword of the Gods above the heads of all Mortals. </div> <bR> <div> In this, the Destroyer will be joined by Summoner and Inferno. If they pass you by, you shall be called pious by the Gods themselves and you shall come to know Immortal life. Yet if you are impious, they shall bring down the Sword upon your spirit and your spirit shall come to an end. For so it is that the Gods have made you and the Gods can unmake you. Cleanse your spirit for the time of the Bringer is at hand and the Destroyer waits for you. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 3, Healing of the Land</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_exhaltation___scroll_3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And when the Destroyer, Summoner and Inferno have gone through the land and removed the pestilence, Breminor shall be called a world without flaw, for all who remain shall be true to the Gods and true to themselves. All who are not pure and true of body, heart, mind and spirit shall be gone from the world for their spirits shall be crushed. All who remain shall be shown the way to life everlasting by Healer, servant of the Bringer, who shall bring all Mortals to know the Gods.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll 4, End of the Binding</B><B> <A NAME="age_of_exhaltation___scroll_4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> And so the world shall be without the pestilence of Amulon. It shall be as a golden age for Mortals shall no longer know war, disease, or hunger. Amulon and its servants shall be purged from Breminor. Healer shall go out into the world and reshape it in the image that He Who Goes Unnamed had designed. For this is the will of the Gods that all who are pious live without pain or affliction in the most beautiful world until they come to know life everlasting.</div> <bR> <div> And when the last of the Mortals has come to know Immortal life, then shall the Gods undo the Binding, for then and only then shall there be no threat to the beauty of the land called Breminor.</div> <bR> <div> And so it shall be done.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Copyright 1986, 2000 by Breminor.com. <A NAME="copyright"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A> All rights reserved.</div> <div> Version Date: 1 June 2000         Primary Author:  Stephen Castillet</div> </td> </tr></table></body>