(no subject)
Preface
By the Author
Outlining his Reasons for this History.
1. Being compelled by his Graciousness, King Leonard Halwansar, the Second of his Name, to take down the true and trustworthy account of all events leading up to, and comprising, the late WAR, made between the King and Lords of Mislast; and the traitorous Elkeyn, rebellious King of the East; to its conclusion upon the FIELDS and WAVES, which saw Victory for Right and vindication of His Majesty our King, whose throne retains its glory under EYVA and all His attendant Gods.
2. Wheretofore there were many deaths, and many brave souls lost to battle, and the precious fruit of our Kingdom, including several Lords of great and noble name, was scattered in the blood of furious combat, brought on by that Usurper whose Emperial crown was an affront to Eyva and all His servants.
3. Thus do I, my Lord's virtuous servant, engross these actions, both for the future knowledge and study of learned people here and far away, and for the greater glory of the King, the Maslaw Line, and the House of Halwansar, most gracious and glorious in victory.
Part First of the HISTORY
Being the Matter of its Telling
And Certain Facts pertaining.
The Eastern lands of Mislast, across the Wild Mountains, are ruled, and have been (so chroniclers tell) since the years of the Builders, by the Emperor in Asra. He is known as the Silver Dolphin, the Pearl Emperor, and the White Rose, or (some say) Striped Rose. The Eastern cities are divided by great Mountains, (so says the writer and trader Olum, though he also says much that is to be doubted), making it difficult to travel between by means of cart; and so they have since long ago voyaged by sea by necessity, and have become most adept in the reading of Charts and Maps, and the rigging of sails, and in short are quite familiar with travels to far away lands by the winds.
Ancient scribes have written, that the Eastern Empire, as we know it today , was founded by Sitia the First, on the date of 5623 Before Today; and on this most chronicles do agree, that Sitia came from the West in fact, around the lands which now consist of the Durbas lands, or thereabouts. He is called Kitsia by some peoples and in some histories.
Nothing is known for certain of this man's birth, but it is believed (by the unschooled commoners of the East) that he was sent from the vault of the Gods, and was charged therefrom with the power of uniting, leading and ruling the lawless cities of the Merchant States, who by that time were always fighting amongst themselves. He is believed to be counted among the Builders, who brought order for the first time across the wild lands from sea to sea; although his name does not appear in the Trusted chronicles.
And so, as happens oft in the affairs of men, a strong leader stepped forth to bring order and law to the populace.
Upon the dawn (it is told, although certain wise men do doubt this) of Tenevrar Day, as it is called in the East, upon the Year 603 in our Maslaw Reckoning, some Men of the Eastern lands discovered Silver ore in the hills, in the forest interior thereabouts, which they then began to mine.
So tell the tales, although I personally did not witness this, nor did I meet any who did; but the story is told well and often in the East, the cities of Gold and Silk.
Thereby hangs the tale, that this discovery of precious silver (Rila) in the hills of the East was the prime cause for this great war. For this metal, being much of value and sought after by wealthy and powerful men, was a great resource and fount of further wealth for the grandees of the Emperor. Whereupon they began the coinage of this silver in the city of Asra and in other places. So it is told by learned men of the East, and I believe them.
Now at this time, the Emperor of the East was one Ayra Itkilamkon, who held his court in Asra in the Pearl Palace; he was called, by his subjects, In-Tebrekni. A man of noble birth and handsome visage, he was a warrior who fathered many sons and had defended his realm oft against Couvvals and pirates alike; he was known to be over two yards tall, and strong enough to lift an ox in his younger days. Even at the time of this tale, he was about fifty or under of age, yet his limbs still held the vigor of youth. (According to a gloss in the text "On the Lives of the Most Exalted Imperial Excellences" by Pernart Ukrissing, his hair was bright black despite his age.)
And the Emperor called his ministers about him, when her heard about this new cult; and asked them, what they thought of the belief, and if it had merit, or could be considered evil. And many members of his house answered in different ways, for not much was known of the new faith at the time.
By the Author
Outlining his Reasons for this History.
1. Being compelled by his Graciousness, King Leonard Halwansar, the Second of his Name, to take down the true and trustworthy account of all events leading up to, and comprising, the late WAR, made between the King and Lords of Mislast; and the traitorous Elkeyn, rebellious King of the East; to its conclusion upon the FIELDS and WAVES, which saw Victory for Right and vindication of His Majesty our King, whose throne retains its glory under EYVA and all His attendant Gods.
2. Wheretofore there were many deaths, and many brave souls lost to battle, and the precious fruit of our Kingdom, including several Lords of great and noble name, was scattered in the blood of furious combat, brought on by that Usurper whose Emperial crown was an affront to Eyva and all His servants.
3. Thus do I, my Lord's virtuous servant, engross these actions, both for the future knowledge and study of learned people here and far away, and for the greater glory of the King, the Maslaw Line, and the House of Halwansar, most gracious and glorious in victory.
Part First of the HISTORY
Being the Matter of its Telling
And Certain Facts pertaining.
The Eastern lands of Mislast, across the Wild Mountains, are ruled, and have been (so chroniclers tell) since the years of the Builders, by the Emperor in Asra. He is known as the Silver Dolphin, the Pearl Emperor, and the White Rose, or (some say) Striped Rose. The Eastern cities are divided by great Mountains, (so says the writer and trader Olum, though he also says much that is to be doubted), making it difficult to travel between by means of cart; and so they have since long ago voyaged by sea by necessity, and have become most adept in the reading of Charts and Maps, and the rigging of sails, and in short are quite familiar with travels to far away lands by the winds.
Ancient scribes have written, that the Eastern Empire, as we know it today , was founded by Sitia the First, on the date of 5623 Before Today; and on this most chronicles do agree, that Sitia came from the West in fact, around the lands which now consist of the Durbas lands, or thereabouts. He is called Kitsia by some peoples and in some histories.
Nothing is known for certain of this man's birth, but it is believed (by the unschooled commoners of the East) that he was sent from the vault of the Gods, and was charged therefrom with the power of uniting, leading and ruling the lawless cities of the Merchant States, who by that time were always fighting amongst themselves. He is believed to be counted among the Builders, who brought order for the first time across the wild lands from sea to sea; although his name does not appear in the Trusted chronicles.
And so, as happens oft in the affairs of men, a strong leader stepped forth to bring order and law to the populace.
Upon the dawn (it is told, although certain wise men do doubt this) of Tenevrar Day, as it is called in the East, upon the Year 603 in our Maslaw Reckoning, some Men of the Eastern lands discovered Silver ore in the hills, in the forest interior thereabouts, which they then began to mine.
So tell the tales, although I personally did not witness this, nor did I meet any who did; but the story is told well and often in the East, the cities of Gold and Silk.
Thereby hangs the tale, that this discovery of precious silver (Rila) in the hills of the East was the prime cause for this great war. For this metal, being much of value and sought after by wealthy and powerful men, was a great resource and fount of further wealth for the grandees of the Emperor. Whereupon they began the coinage of this silver in the city of Asra and in other places. So it is told by learned men of the East, and I believe them.
Now at this time, the Emperor of the East was one Ayra Itkilamkon, who held his court in Asra in the Pearl Palace; he was called, by his subjects, In-Tebrekni. A man of noble birth and handsome visage, he was a warrior who fathered many sons and had defended his realm oft against Couvvals and pirates alike; he was known to be over two yards tall, and strong enough to lift an ox in his younger days. Even at the time of this tale, he was about fifty or under of age, yet his limbs still held the vigor of youth. (According to a gloss in the text "On the Lives of the Most Exalted Imperial Excellences" by Pernart Ukrissing, his hair was bright black despite his age.)
And the Emperor called his ministers about him, when her heard about this new cult; and asked them, what they thought of the belief, and if it had merit, or could be considered evil. And many members of his house answered in different ways, for not much was known of the new faith at the time.