The History of Ancient Times

??Cry, Eolia, the mistress of the world,

for your beauty will be cut by your sword ??

The deathbed prophecy of Marcus from the ?Safire Code,?

prohibited collection of apocrypha, volume 2

/files/_graphic_elements/marcus.jpg

Nearly a thousand years ago, the humans were able to push the orcish tribes far into the south, to the Verks Wastes. The Empire of Eolia sprung up throughout the newly peaceful area, from the northern lands of the dwarves up to the southern defensive positions. For four centuries, Eolia led a life of peace and happiness ? trade and crafts flourished, science and art developed. Any number of god-worshipping cults lived harmoniously with the land?s many magic schools. Hundreds of thousands of slaves built aqueducts, temples and sublime palaces.

However, the peaceful life of the Empire was destroyed when a star fell from the skies, heralding a time of darkness. The one known as Farrakh had arrived, intending to claim the world. A devastating war soon swept over the central provinces. The humans sought help from the elves and the dwarves, but even the united forces of the three races were insufficient to defeat the threat. At a critical juncture, General Marcus, commander of the Human army, led an attack against the enemy and managed to slay it at the cost of his own life.

Eolia withstood, but paid too dear a price. Following the victory, constant slave rebellions began to break out in the distant provinces and protectorates.

The bulk of the Empire?s resources were spent on the restoration of the capital, where few people gave any thought to the small towns and boundary fortifications.

Over time, Eolia fell apart, breaking up into separate provinces and towns. It was the decline of the land?s greatest kingdom.

The priests of the increasingly popular Solitarius cult proclaimed General Marcus a saint. Marcus?s sword, which had been sprinkled with the saint?s blood, became the symbol of a new religion.

/files/_graphic_elements/elven legacy 3.jpg