Prologue: Part 3

Of the Eternal Waters and the Ixiold:

Camilla's birth took such a toll on Sephrum and his Kin.  Alas, the great rock was created with no essence of its own. No life. It was the Godkin who would keep her, and they mustered the last of their strength and divided across the lands—two powers were born out of this division.

          The first, the power of creation, devotion, life, was cast into hiding deep within a massive cave and over many years, and for many reasons, was furthermore housed in a tower the likes of which would have stretched until its reach pierced the clouds above. A strange event crystallized much of the massive cave's walls, and way off in the distance one would mistake it for the night sky. Inhumanly massive runes glinted the exterior of the tower, and in the dark and dank of the cave they added just a bit of light and mysticism. Similar runes also lined the archway above the cave's hidden entrance—carved into the stone face and rocks of Lilidel's western peaks.

          Long after life was given to Camilla, and after the Suivini were commissioned to build the great tower in the cave, a sudden flow of brilliant, florescent, rich-blue water began to pour from the tower's crest—a courtyard was there high above, and the water trickled from an ornate, nude female statuette.

          The waters were from an unknown origin, and they began to flow unexpectedly during the time of the Great Clash when the mortals were deceived and hatred grew amongst the many scattered factions. It is held in legend that Thruden, the first man, the one who discovered the Ixiold, stole the ancient seeing stones of the Majestae—stones once hidden deep in Faravast. The Majestae of the Cosmos were stricken with great sorrow because of this, and the waters were later believed to be the tears of Camilla, the tears of the creator—Tyrin-Ghali.

          The great tower--now the fountain of the eternal waters--was rebuilt, crafted to accommodate the erosive liquid that already began to form a pit beneath the tower--a pit deep enough that if someone fell at the wayside, they would vanish into nothingness and be many years the elder before reaching the bottom.

The second of two powers was the power of destruction—the Ixiold. Given to Sephrum by Evme, and furthermore given—in good faith—to the bearer and teacher of the great power, the Guardian Woodling of Faravast. It was ultimately, and forever connected to Tyrin-Ghali.

Pyronix – Representing the element of flame.

Aquanix – Representing the element of water.

Flurrinix – Representing the elements of wind and lightning.

Gaianix – Representing the element of the land and the trees.

The Guardian Woodling would have been easily confused for a tree—it had been sleeping for so very long. The Woodling was centered in a large round marble and brick memorial chamber. Descending circular steps dropped down, one after the other, all around.
          Silently showing North, South, East, and West, sat four statues in the shape of twisting half-mortal, half-shrubbery. Each statue held an ancient seeing stone in an outstretched arm. The stones were put in place long before the discovery of the Ixiold—before Thruden would take them for himself.

          The memorial hall was built on an island far to the east of Amilius, known to the mortals as the Island of Four Seasons, but to the many adventurers this place was called Faravast.

          Sephrum and his kin were convinced the Ixiold would be safe here, beyond the reach of any mortal—originally against Evme's wishes—but he could not foresee the destruction caused by the original separation of the Majestae's powers. Arriving on Camilla, they crashed into the ocean between Amilius and the island Faravast. A blinding light incinerated forests and charred much of the great rock—all the lands trembled in awe. The many oceans surged upon the beaches for days, and a massive crater was left, mostly hidden under the face of the deep sea. Its northern edge pierced the ocean surface, creating a sand bar that connected the mainland of Amilius to Faravast, stretching the length of a day's journey by foot.

          In their final act, the Godkin placed two guardians atop sheer peaks. Shevanel, upon the mountain Myneriff in the west, watched over Lilidel and Sanithus, while Selkies, upon the mountain Cyneriff in the east, watched over Amilius and Faravast.
          The guardians were large, reptile-like creatures with webbed wings and elongated necks. They were said to cast paralyzing fear with their gaze, and would breathe fire from the depths of their lungs.

          With their work complete, the Godkin shed their physical forms. Their essence dispersed into the thick of the Pagoda Forest in Southern Amilius, creating what would be known as the Godfolk—and Camilla was changed forever.

Next time: Of the Godfolk and Their Leaders...