The Founding of Emlenor, Part II: The Birth of Magic

The land of Armenor

          It was Armenor, in fact, from which all life sprang.  In the plain now called Zedroc, the various races were placed according to their kinds.  Most humans remained where they were and built towns (one of which stands to this day), though some traveled north and others south; gnomes chose to reside in the plain while a small group made north; dwarves scattered in any direction where they could find mountains; giluzions made northeast, settling in a fertile valley between two spines of hills; giants turned north toward colder territories; elves immediately separated into three factions and populated a forest in each of the three lands; scaldrons scattered in every direction; most aquins fancied the seas of the north, though some found their way to the turquoise waters encompassing the southern land; dryads flitted here and there from forest to wood and wood to forest, as they do to this day; petreins inhabited the stony regions of Marnon, and cared not for Armenor or Prevelas.  Despite the variety of races and the preferred regions of each, they lived peaceably with each other and offered hospitality to all.  For many years there was but one language, a precursor to the modern common tongue (nigh unrecognizable to speakers today); but naturally, each race developed its own inflection and vocabulary. In that early era, Prevelas and Marnon were yet free of country or border, and war was unknown.  It was not until the Corruption that animosities grew.

After the Greater Gods completed the creation of Emlenor, they formed a throne room high above the world and filled it with the light of their presence; it was in this place that they desired to receive adoration from the lesser gods, and to give them commands pertaining to the cosmos.  Thus, they blessed Crel, Gelnarost, Rulisce, and Argelas with spiritual bodies capable of standing and moving about the temple, and of soaring to the farthest reaches of existence.  Above a throne of gold the Gods shone as a single luminous sphere, and with a unified Voice they proclaimed their ordinances.  The lesser gods rejoiced in the Three, exulting in their love, power, kindness, and the flawless nature of their creation.  At times they soared across the vault of the heavens, appearing as white streaks of light to all who lived below; and during their flight, the gods would behold the sprawling fields and rolling hills and glistening seas, and would thence return to their temple with copious praise.

The peoples of Emlenor settled in their respective regions and prospered wherever they roamed, but the Gods knew that man was destined to live a joyless existence if detached from his Creators.  Therefore, they summoned the lesser gods to their temple one autumn evening with a new decree.  Crel, Gelnarost, Rulisce, and Argelas heard the Voice and heeded it, and to the temple they flew with joy and expectation.

“Our exalted Gods,” said Crel, whose love for them was unparalleled.  He walked through the open gateway and into the temple.  “We have heard your call from every corner of the universe.  Please give us this day’s instruction, that we may hasten to fulfill it.”

Gelnarost, Rulisce, and Argelas appeared behind him, ascending steps of gold before entering the throne room.  They shone as brilliant reflections of their Creators, and unbroken smiles adorned their faces.

“Our children,” spoke the Voice, “we delight in thy obedience, for it stems not from compulsion but from love, which we have shown thee from the beginning.  It is in love that we created all things, that man may know it for himself, as it first existed among us before anything had been made.  Now man expands into new territory, multiplying across the lands and building his kingdoms.  This is good; yet it is not good that he may forget the love of his Creators, for apart from it he shall live without hope.  Thus, we charge thee with this important task: join in declaring our love to the leaders of the races, that they may spread it abroad.  Again, we say to thee: give our love to the leaders of all creation.”

“O highly honored ones,” Gelnarost, whose obedience surpassed that of the others, heralded them with a bow, “we rejoice in doing all that you ask.  But how, prithee, shall we give your love to the world’s leaders? How may we be sure that our words of your love will be implanted in the hearts of our hearers?”

“Thou hast great wisdom, Gelnarost,” the Gods told him.  “It is in love that we created all things, but it is by our power that we were able to do so.  That power lies within thee, though thou know it not; for our love and our power are inseparable, and inasmuch as our loves resides in thee, so does our power.  Thus, we decree that thou grant this power to the races, beginning with the leaders; and as they proclaim it to others, the peoples shall receive power within themselves.  And they will call it ‘magic.’