Urgael's Story

In which Avatars are chosen by the Gods to represent them to the mortal races and guide their followers' kingdoms.

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Nex and Cain's punishment for their transgression was lenient, given the circumstances. As selfish and arrogant as the god was, Nex had revealed a new innovation which could be used by the gods to guide and protect their mortal followers without worrying about the threat of destruction inherent in the divinities directly interfering with mortals: the Avatar. The Avatar was an unique being: not quite divine, but not quite mortal either. He or she was connected to their patron deity in a way no mortal could hope to comprehend, gifted with divine power, knowledge, and wisdom. The Avatars were the few mortals who could travel to the Realm of the Gods at will. This innovation went far beyond what Nex had originally envisioned. The Avatar was not just a tool for a deity to enforce his or her will upon their followers, he or she was their advocate. Through them, the gods learned more about their own creations.

Thus, Nex and Cain were sentenced to a slumber that lasted until every deity had chosen his or her own Avatar or chose not to select one. Nex's followers, however, did not forget their god or their semi-divine leader. Nex's teachings were remembered and spread throughout the humans who made their home in the Shifting Desert. Thus, when Cain returned and proved his claim of kingship and identity as the Avatar of Nex by conquering the Qarthian Tribes.

The Gods were not untouched by Time, however. Despite mortal perceptions of the agelessness of the gods, the deities knew times of great joy and great. The birth of Nigriv and Valiance were occasions of great joy for the gods, but the death and fading away of their siblings took its toll. Tywin's death in particular was a shock to the gods. He had seemed so strong, but his mental state was unstable. Braun himself had taken charge of Tywin's funeral and like all the acts of the God of Strength and Brotherhood, it was immortalized in song both in the Realm of the Gods and in the Realm of Men.

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Caspian

Atalantae... Truly, in Caspian's opinion, it was the greatest city in the world. It lacked the famous Academy at Icharus, it was nowhere near as opulent as Gela, and the dour grimness of Jukta, but it remained the largest and greatest of the cities of the Avuvians. Only the walls of Jukta rivaled the great concentric fortifications of Atalantae. Though all Avuvian cities were trade hubs, no other city had the sheer quantity and quality of goods pouring into it as Atalantae. Today, only he remembered its humble beginnings.

He was born a fisherman like his father and his father before him all the way back to the time Ulmo first made himself known to the mortal men who were drawn to the Sea. Today, his 16th birthday, was the day he would finally be allowed to take his father's ship out to Sea on his own.

"Son, please be careful," his mother warned him worriedly, "Remember the first thing Lord Ulmo revealed to us: Neither the Sea's nor his moods are fixed. The Sea can turn violent when you least expect it."

"Do not worry, Mother. I will be fine," he told her in a placating tone, the type that young men used when they wanted their parents reminded them of a piece of wisdom that they had heard countless times before. His mother sighed even as his father spoke, placing a big, callused hand on his shoulder.

"Do not sail beyond sight of land, Caspian. You do not know what it is to be on the open Sea."

"I won't. I promise," he told them.

Of course, he did not keep his promise. The wind was behind his back and the Sea air was in his lungs. The Sun was shining without a cloud ins sight. He cast his nets in the shallows, but found nothing. So, he sailed further and further, recasting his nets as he did so until, finally, he was indeed out of sight from land and had nothing to show for it. He grimaced and cursed and did not notice how the sky darkened as the day went on until, finally, it was as though the sky was thrust open as water poured from above and the waves shook and crashed against his vessel. He plunged put all his strength into maintaining course with his rudder, desperately sailing back to whence he came. Lightning flashed and he cursed at Ulmo.

"Damn you, I will not die like this! I'm going home and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" he roared. Almost in answer, a great wave crashed against his boat and he cried out in fear. He tried to drain his vessel with a bucket, but failed. His boat fell apart and he sank into the abyss.

It was beautiful he had noticed, in a grim sort of way. Despite his pride, he prayed to Ulmo to care for his parents and that they would somehow know that he was sorry for disobeying them. In that instant, he water around him seemed to glow in an ethereal blue and silver light. "Am I dead?" he asked himself. His lungs no longer burned from the salt water filling them. Then, he saw him. He was like a man, but more than a man. His hair was an unnatural blue color and his blue and silver robe did not seem wet, though they were both submerged in the Sea. In fact, he did not seem to be swimming at all. He just moved, as though he was simply willing it.

"You are a proud young man," the man said and his words seemed to acho around him, like the song of a whale and it was then Caspian recognized him, his eyes daring to the trident he carried.

"Are you here to lead me to the Land of the Dead, Lord Ulmo. Or are you here to punish me?" he asked, trying to conceal his fear. The god simply smiled.

"Neither. Normally, I do not rescue foolish boys who chose to test the Sea, but I see something special in you. You have a hidden strength beyond most mortals," the god told him. Then, Ulmo approached him and pressed their foreheads together as light shined around them and Caspian almost screamed at the multitude of sensations he felt. He felt far older than his 16 years and far more powerful. He gasped as Ulmo pulled away.

"We are bonded forever," the Sea God told him, "Come. Return to our people. You are my gift to them, my Avatar."

Without knowing how he was able to, Caspian willed the water around him to propel him forward. Caspian smiled and laughed in euphoria, not questioning what this meant, simply reveling in it. He almost didn't here Ulmo's words in his mind.

"Good luck, Caspian."

The Avatar of Ulmo smiled from his place in the highest part of Atalante at the top of the highest tower of the Citadel. He had not known what it meant then, but he did not regret it now, even as he mourned the friends and family he watched grow old and die. He knew better than most that death wasn't the end.

The pass of Kal'Thundgar, one of eight mountain passes to the north of Numenor, cutting through the towering and impassible Spine of the World. It was the narrower of the eight, and only allowed for small columns to navigate its treacherous paths. Long had each pass been protected by the Frostback clan (center armor) a clan of rugged and hardy lycans who had sworn an oath to protect the mountains of the north from invaders. Such an oath as was being fulfilled this day...

The orcs of the Varish Marshes to the north west of the spine had surged out of their territory. If they were fleeing, or simply seeking to extend their lands was unknown to the lycans. However what was evident, was that they butchered and raided everything in their paths. Scouts had reported other villages outside of Numenor torched and put to the sword, and soon after their filth was crawling over the hills of Kal'Thundgar. The Frostbacks fought valiantly, holding the line and keeping the hordes from pushing to far in, but they proved to many....

Finally after months of fighting had brought renewed hope as the First Legion, had reinforced the Frostbacks and pushed the hordes back out of Numenor. The threat however was not over, as instead of route and flee, the monsters simply gathered their forces and waited to attack....

The clouds began to slowly and sporadically block the heavens above, and with it the all to familiar rains of Numenor. On most given days, the lycans would be joyed at the blessing of their god, but now it was only adding to the tension growing between the two armies that made this field their home this day.

The lycans (right armor), a race of beings considered legend by most men and mer, had gathered under the banner of the First Legion. A renowned and famed veteran army within the Empire, whos' history dated back to the founding of the Empire and the Wraith Wars. The army condensed around the opening of a narrow pass, Kal'Thundgar.

Across the field, a wide and filth infested horde of orcs had crawled from the swamps to challenge them. Their hisses and shrikes were meant to intimidate the stalwart defenders, but instead made them seem only that much more barbaric. The rain pattered against the armor of both lines, and the slow rise of steam from the heated bodies. This was an all to familiar sight to the legionaries of the Empire.

Across the lycan lines men and women (left armor) could be seen shouting orders and giving commands. They were the elite of the Empire, the third tier of military leaders. From young and brash lieutenants to seasoned and grizzled field marshals, each had the task of carrying for the men and women under them, and each was willing to risk their lives for the Empire.

"Skirmish formations" A strong and commanding voice said riding through the lines

Immediately orders were being give and the legions were shifting. Where before the infantry had made a solid line, they now split and flanked their archers.

"I was beginning to think you would not show" Khali, a hero amongst the lycans and famed sorceress, spoke as her brother trotted up beside her.

Dragonmiir removed his helmet, "What and miss another battle" he smirked "Nonsense"

A third figure rode up beside the heros, this ones blonde hair bounced softly over her shoulders "I suspect this to be short, though the lack of mages will simply draw out the inevitable" Katharine said

"Lack of magic" Khali asked raising her brow

Dragonmiir brushed the comment aside "The mages are present sisters"

"Really?" Katharine leaned forward in her saddle "Because I didn't notice a single witcher or battle mage when I rode up"

"They are here" Sargon pointed to the western forest, where a distinct hawk could be seen flying above "When we route these beasts they will head for the forest, thinking they are protected from our arrows. They will be met with far worse"

"A sure way to ensure victory" Selena said walking up "My rangers and duailsts have merged into our lines, if any orc of caliber attempts to rally or inspire this horde" she smiled and cocked her head "Well it will not last long"

Dragonmiir nodded his head, he raised his hand, and gave the signal to march. Across the lycan lines the horns of battle could be heard, and the army surged forward.

"I thought Arewan was to accompany you" Selena said to Dragonmiir

He looked to the forest where the hawk still circled "We will see her soon enough"

Valiance bowed "May I?"

"Come" Sylvanas said gesturing with her finger, she strutted past Valiance without a second thought, making her way out of Throne Room. After a few minutes of walking through corridors, she came to the Training Room; a simple barren and empty room in which the gods and goddess would train with one another. This room was unique however, as it would mold and shape itself to the desired setting the trainees wished.

Sylvanas smiled, as the room began to shift and mold, a heavily forested grove birthed into being. She reached over her shoulders, gripping the hilts of her blades. With a graceful and quick pull, they were released from their sheaths, and with a quick twirl of her wrist the spun around to mimic her turn to face Valiance.

"I do hope your ready dear cousin" Sylvanas said lowering the tips of her swords. Her grace mirrored that of her mother, the fluidity in which she moved. The determination in her eyes however would strike unease in any god, for it was the same look that the god of shadows had. A look that let the opponent knew, regardless of their strengths and skills, they would fail.



Cal Azroth

The Council gathered in the War Chamber, a place of power from which much of the Empires decisions had been made after Numenor had been secured. This room held the ruling class of the Empire, the "elite"; military officials, masters, and nobles as well as the ruling clan. The War Chamber was designed in an rectangular shape with rounded ends. This allowed the council members to see and speak to one another evenly, as well as give a complete view of the World Map, the enchanted floor at the center of the chamber. The floor itself had been molded to represent the whole of Ashariel, and enchanted by the Black Tower to change as the mortals of the world moved across its face.

High King Lucius Dragonstone sat at northern end of the War room, where the royal family resided, the stain glass wall behind letting in the warm glow of the morning air. The council members were present, all that could be mustered as many were dispatched to different regions or currently occupied by urgent assignments. Upon the floor walked the upper class of the military officials; High General Marrok Darkfang, High Admiral Darius Ironforge, High Marshall Alyssia Thunderstorm, High Guardian Blake Lightsheild, and High Ranger Elizabeth Silverwind.

"What issues are facing us currently warriors" Lucius said gesturing to the officials

Darkfang was the first to speak, moving to a small gap in the Spine of the World, there two armies clashed; one a solid wall of formidable men and women, the other a rabble of creatures from the depths of darkness "Your sons' troops have halted the orc advance sir" he watched as the rabble fled to the trees, and was met by mage fire "They have routed the army and killed most of the leadership. All that remains is securing the pass"

Lightsheild spoke next, kneeling in the icy snow of the north western spine "Troubling reports from the Howling Tundra my lord" he gestured to the tiny figures stumbling across the tundra, and the thick fog "The Stonehides report creatures of the undead attempting to claw their way up the mountians' cliff, some even attempting to pass the Ice Gate"she pointed to the fog "I have sent a detachment of Warden to this area" He looked to Lucius "Strong magic is at work he, dark and powerful magic"

"If they find anything, and I mean anything. Deal with it appropriately, should they need the Guardians or Stormguard they shall have it" Lucius said standing

Ironforge spoke next stepping lightly across the waters "The Crystal Sea is proving far more treacherous past the Isle of the Huntress. But out marines have proven stalwart, there are far more island chains for our people to expand"

"No challenge from Ulmo?" Lucius asked. They all knew of the unstable peace between Sargon and Ulmo. Sargon had raised Numenor from the seas, there for shrinking the domain of the God of Water. Her towering mountains shielded much of the land, also diminishing Ulmos' power and influence in the land. Sargon had tried to quell his brothers anger by agreeing that his mortals would not interfere with Ulmos', this however could be contained for only so long.

Ironforge shook his head "No challenge sir, but our ships have spotted strange vessels on the horizons. We do not know my lord"

"Find out" Lucius ordered stepping onto the floor and walking across the map "Silverwind"

"Yes my liege" The Ranger said stepping forward "The forests are quiet upon our side of the Danius River. But rangers report an increase in activity from the north of Faderlan"

Lucius rubbed his chin, most of the issues in activity were stirring in the north. Though he was not worried, the great mountains of the north were almost unnavigable by anyone but the lycans. That is assuming they were able to cross the breadth of the Danius river that flowed out to sea. "Have Seekers sent to the north, watch for anything that may come from the Tainted lands" those lands belonged to the beings of Baraku, and were known well for testing the other mortals.

"Yes my lord" Silverwind spoke

Lucius turned to Marshall Thunderstorm "Have your agents incerase their numbers, and strengthen reports"

"Yes my lord" Thunderstorm replied