Buy

The History of Elves

/files/_graphic_elements/skelett.jpg

Elves are the eldest race in Illis. Their golden age dawned when the orcs ruled over the territories where human kingdoms now lay, when dwarves were young and warlike, and most humans were mere savages. In those days, the elves were more experienced in the magic arts than any other race. For many long years, elves were mentors to the other races, sharing their knowledge with those who were ready to learn.Dwarves and orcs were among their apprentices, but humans craved knowledge more than all others.

So it was?until the War of Dayaran. The humans of the Dayaran tribe adopted much from elves. They learned how to control magic energy and make artifacts; some of them even mastered the dragons? language. But the best of apprentices often asked themselves the same question: why couldn?t they become better than their masters?

One of the Dayaran mages decided that he knew the answer, that elves are stronger because they are directly bound with magic. He devised a way to use this connection to become the most powerful mage in the world. His name has since been erased from the memory of all living beings for what he has done.

One morning, the Traitor wounded the Great Tree, the most sacred being for all elves. His plans were a success, as the elves soon united their power to protect the Tree and heal the wound. At that moment, the Traitor used his secret weapon: a mighty spell which has become known as ?Spell of Dayaran? ever since.

A strong whirlpool arose in the magic currents created by elves. All their power and will, all their life force was sucked into the funnel. Hundreds upon hundreds of elves disappeared, having been changed into energy which was then absorbed by the spell. This process lasted for little more than a minute, but in that single minute, the elves were almost completely destroyed; had it pushed on a little longer, and even their name would have disappeared. Were it not for Essentil, the great elven mage, there may not be any elves alive today.

When the dragons saw the destruction of the elven race, they lent all their power to Essentil. In a heartbeat, the base of the Great Tree was littered with hundreds of skeletons of these magnificent flying creatures. Essentil overflowed with the force of their sacrifice, and aimed it at the Traitor. A flash of light eclipsed the sun; it thundered through the air, and the earth trembled so hard that across the sea, in the undermountain towns of the dwarves, many vaults collapsed.

When the dust settled, a desert appeared where grand forests had previously stood. Few survived, and only those who were far from the center of the spell remained standing. The conflict consumed both the Traitor and Essentil, and where the Great Tree had stood, only a pool of melted ground was left. In the center was a dead trunk, stretching charred branches into the sky.

After the catastrophe, the remaining elves went far to the north, and the ground froze over after they left. Snow and ice covered Illis for centuries. Dwarves locked themselves in their dungeons; humans and orcs remained only to fight constantly for scant loot and warmth in the frozen world.

Sooner or later, everything changes. The ice drew back; new kingdoms and new life appeared. Thousands of years have passed. Humans remember only vague legends, but the elves did not forget. They shun strangers. They keep their knowledge, so that nobody can ever do anything like this again...

/files/_graphic_elements/hero_sagittel_small.jpg

http://www.elven-legacy.com/files/video/EL_Book_intro.flv