Server Lore
This information is not meant to be used IC and within Project Serpent.
Here at Lucent Microsystems, we are committed to one basic principle: Survival.
But not just our survival, the survival of all! We have worked tirelessly to not only develop, but perfect, the continued and assured existence of life as we, and others, know it.
But do YOU know what Lucent Microsystems can do for you? Well, perhaps to know that we’d need to look at how this started!
Back when Lucent Microsystems was founded years ago, our board had a goal: to use micro-technology and digital engraming to preserve humanity in a simulation for preservation, and hopefully, they could be removed into reality once again afterwards. Of course, this was no simple task, and only after years of research, billions of dollars, and liters upon liters of sweat, blood, and tears, did we finally achieve it…
But what they developed that day created something even greater than any of us could have imagined.
The Digital Engrammer had a residual ion overload, not only supercharging the engrammer itself, but ripping a hole in the simulation, our Organic Deconstructor had bugged as well, materializing, slowly, another human. Mind you, we hadn’t begun the deconstructing of our volunteer yet. This human showed all natural signs of human life, but when they awoke, they spoke in a tongue unrecognizable to any language on the face of the earth, and their clothing...oddly metallic in nature. You can read up on this more in our archives, section [REDACTED]
This was the beginning of something marvelous and ingenious. We had somehow managed to artificially rip a hole through...all known laws of space and time. We had achieved, in essence, the access to infinite realities, and infinite resources, and with it came the potential to manifest it here, in one project...Project SR:PNT.
Project SR:PNT, or “Specialized Research: Prototype Nano Terraformations” was the initiative that would ultimately propel us all into immortality.
For many years we strived to perfect Project SR:PNT, slowing bringing all walks of life from all universes together for their own survival and preservation. Now, it’s ready for you, and everyone else.
We at Lucent Microsystems proudly present to you...Project SR:PNT...the evolution of survival.
This is the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Enter Project SR:PNT OPERATION SIDEWINDER**
Operation SIDEWINDER is a branch off from Lucent Microsystems Project SR:PNT.
“Operation SIDEWINDER is a nano simulation created to test the limits of humanoid races from different universes. They are thrown into a harsh and unforgiving environment with creatures that haven’t been seen for millions of years, or have never existed at all. This simulation now has unique bio-engineered organisms that are handcrafted by Lucent scientists with bits and pieces from certain species found throughout different universes. Lucent Microsystems hopes to study how far certain humanoids can be pushed until they break. So far, 3 groups of test subject have been thrown in, each group consisting of 90 people who split off into three “factions”. All 3 of the test groups perished. Now scientists get to watch as the 4th group is thrown into this living hell, and they will study exactly how these new humanoids will react to this wasteland."
Joe Hendrickson
United Trade News
Factions
This information can be used IC and within Project SR:PNT
- The Mariners/The Children
- One of the three factions within the wastes. The Mariners are a organized and civilized people, they like to play it safe rather than sorry and only set up homesteads near true sources of water, not wells. They tend to stick within their own borders and trade mainly among their villages. They have a strong disliking for both of the neighboring factions due to their differences in governing and in lifestyle ideals. The Mariners believe that a very organized system of law and order is needed for a strong and safe civilization, meaning that they hold trials for every crime and deal just punishment. However, even with all of their hardset ideals and their uniform way of life, the Mariners are not very territorial. They will defend their homes if it was to come under attack, however if a neighboring faction was to travel through their borders to reach a destination and they didn’t pose a threat they would not attack.
- The Sand Crawlers/ Hakkani
- Another of the three factions, the Sand Crawlers are the nomadic tribes people of the north. They are a rather chaotic (save maybe a few completely sane individuals) group that never stays still for too long. They do have a main village or town that acts more as a meeting hub where they refill on water and supplies. They tend to create platforms on the back of large animals and craft homes and sometimes even government building that they can relocate at any time as they please. They do not have a very organized government and rather than have an election of any sort they occasionally fight for the right to rule. They are however completely ok with trading with outside factions. The Sand Crawlers are also similar to the Mariners in a few respects. They are very hard set in their ways, much like the Mariners, however the beliefs and ideals they have are far different. The Sand Crawlers believe in pure freedom and the will to do as they please (within reason). The still follow and respect their chieftain but are able to decide what they want to do on their own. They also have a way of dealing with crime, but it is far more harsh and immediate. They are also content with people crossing their borders and will not attack those who trespass unless it is a time of war.
- The Midland Coalition
- The third and final faction within the wastes, the Midland Coalition. The Midland Coalition is a very solitary faction that is extremely defensive when it comes to their territory and their way of life. Their government is much like a democracy, where all people vote on what is to be done in certain situations. They don’t dislike nor like either of the other factions. They are not opposed to trade, however, if a trade agreement is not made and you trespass on their land, you best go unnoticed. They are very territorial and will defend their home regardless of what you are doing. They prefer to always defend rather than attack and they always make sure their defenses are as good as they can be. They also have a mixed way of dealing with crime. They put people through trial yet the punishments are always way to severe for the crime committed. They are similar to the Mariners in the fact that they will almost always choose to build next to a permanent water source rather than a well, but they will settle for a well if they have to.
Faction Lore
This information can be used IC and within Project SR:PNT
The Fall of the Amari
Before the Cataclysm, the Amari lived in relative peace along the oasis river that separates the western highlands from the low, rocky terrain in the east. An elaborate system of aqueducts permitted the Amari to spread their influence away from the calm, cyan waters, through the vast deserts, and over a distant horizon. Their architecture honored the gods - depicting the great winged beasts and massive worms that rose from the sands. Over the centuries, resources began to dwindle.
Springs gushed with less force, and waves of heat baked the outlying settlements to nothing but ashen ruins. Amari priests plead for mercy their gods, and their prayers were answered with a loud and resounding ‘NO’. A cataclysmic earthquake sundered the western heights - rock fell from the towering mountains as the desert tore away from their foundations. Filled with rage and fury, winged beasts poured forth from the chasm. They slaughtered everything and everyone in their path. The Amari were devastated.
Great cities turned to dust as poison, fire, and lightning swept across the land. Mighty sandstorms pummeled the once tranquil oasis, sweeping away any sign of life that wasn't tucked away in some crag or cave. Structures built atop the great dunes of sand were annihilated by Deathworms or turned black by a vengeful Phoenix.
Springs gushed with less force, and waves of heat baked the outlying settlements to nothing but ashen ruins. Amari priests plead for mercy their gods, and their prayers were answered with a loud and resounding ‘NO’. A cataclysmic earthquake sundered the western heights - rock fell from the towering mountains as the desert tore away from their foundations. Filled with rage and fury, winged beasts poured forth from the chasm. They slaughtered everything and everyone in their path. The Amari were devastated.
Great cities turned to dust as poison, fire, and lightning swept across the land. Mighty sandstorms pummeled the once tranquil oasis, sweeping away any sign of life that wasn't tucked away in some crag or cave. Structures built atop the great dunes of sand were annihilated by Deathworms or turned black by a vengeful Phoenix.
Survivors
In the south, survivors clustered together in the dark crypts built amongst the winding canyons. There, they were protected from the storms and the terrifying beasts that had risen. Hulking lizards three stories tall roamed, shredding their victims with teeth half a meter in length. Birds of the oasis, once peaceful fishers, dashed over the rocky terrain seeking larger prey to maim with giant beaks. Wolves, great cats, and stone behemoths walked amongst the ruins of a once great kingdom.
Emerging from the caves, the southernmost tribe called themselves the Amatu - the Reborn. They sought to raise the ancient city of Ab’Manka to its former glory along the banks of the river. In the shadows beneath the earth, the Amari religion had become dark and twisted. Believers supported Ja'Wik, a priest-king that ruled with an iron fist. Heretics, trespassers, cheats, and any other unlucky soul were thrown in front of his tribunal for faux trials. The trials brought no justice - only order - order as Ja’Wik saw it. The priest’s reign was long and brutal, but the city grew in his shadow. Limited resources drove Ja'Wik's forces outward from their city. Mining camps provided the stone for aqueducts, aqueducts brought the water for the massive farms, and the farms produced food for an ever hungry horde. Territory claimed by Ja'Wik was marked by great monoliths, honoring the Deathworms and their horrible role in the cycle of life.
Expansion of the northern boundary was met with tension as a neighboring tribe laid claim to the territory. They were a peaceful people, relishing the natural state of things and, with the aid of their shamans, tamed the wild creatures of the land. These people called themselves the Hakkani. They were laid back and spiritual, worshipping the sun as a great firebird that lit the sky and sands. These peoples held an immense respect for nature and their customs and laws ran almost entirely counter to the Amatu. And thus, the two civilisations were destined to clash.
Emerging from the caves, the southernmost tribe called themselves the Amatu - the Reborn. They sought to raise the ancient city of Ab’Manka to its former glory along the banks of the river. In the shadows beneath the earth, the Amari religion had become dark and twisted. Believers supported Ja'Wik, a priest-king that ruled with an iron fist. Heretics, trespassers, cheats, and any other unlucky soul were thrown in front of his tribunal for faux trials. The trials brought no justice - only order - order as Ja’Wik saw it. The priest’s reign was long and brutal, but the city grew in his shadow. Limited resources drove Ja'Wik's forces outward from their city. Mining camps provided the stone for aqueducts, aqueducts brought the water for the massive farms, and the farms produced food for an ever hungry horde. Territory claimed by Ja'Wik was marked by great monoliths, honoring the Deathworms and their horrible role in the cycle of life.
Expansion of the northern boundary was met with tension as a neighboring tribe laid claim to the territory. They were a peaceful people, relishing the natural state of things and, with the aid of their shamans, tamed the wild creatures of the land. These people called themselves the Hakkani. They were laid back and spiritual, worshipping the sun as a great firebird that lit the sky and sands. These peoples held an immense respect for nature and their customs and laws ran almost entirely counter to the Amatu. And thus, the two civilisations were destined to clash.
Sandcrawlers: A Tale of the Hikkani
The cataclysm scorched the earth and left little alive in its wake. A group of survivors in the north banded together in the relative safety of the once wet riverbed and began to rebuild. They called themselves the Hakkani - the Redeemers in some ancient language - and attempted to atone for the sins of the Amari. Hakkani shamen proclaimed that the wrath of the gods was brought forth by the arrogance of the Amari and their disrespect for the earth.
They built temples and shrines to Pakuu, a great flaming bird that rose and fell each day illuminating the earth. Statues were built representing his dragon-like offspring which had cleansed the land of the Amari corruption. Their society flourished but resources were scarce. As their boundaries moved ever outward, they met the Amatu.
Friendly relations were attempted, but it was clear that the Amatu weren’t to be reasoned with. Their hideous aqueducts spread forth from their shadowy city like the web of a spider. With the aqueducts came settlements, forts, and structures that they called "monoliths." With each passing year, the Amatu encroached further and further into their sacred lands, raiding outlying encampments and tearing down the great bird's temples. Desiring peace, the Hakkani leadership insisted on appeasement - giving up valuable land and resources, slowly inching towards the blazing hot sands.
It became clear that appeasement wasn’t working. The Amatu priest-king, Ja'Wik, called forth enraged beasts of all sorts from the mountains to their east and west and leveled the Hakkani settlements. They were once again left diminished and without a home. Attempts to establish homes and settlements in the valley were met with violence. So the Hakkani wandered. Their homes atop mighty beasts, they marched from spring to spring, gathering what they could along the way.
Theirs is a story of tragedy and resentment. Join the Hakkani - fight back against the southern tribes, and establish a foothold along the river.
They built temples and shrines to Pakuu, a great flaming bird that rose and fell each day illuminating the earth. Statues were built representing his dragon-like offspring which had cleansed the land of the Amari corruption. Their society flourished but resources were scarce. As their boundaries moved ever outward, they met the Amatu.
Friendly relations were attempted, but it was clear that the Amatu weren’t to be reasoned with. Their hideous aqueducts spread forth from their shadowy city like the web of a spider. With the aqueducts came settlements, forts, and structures that they called "monoliths." With each passing year, the Amatu encroached further and further into their sacred lands, raiding outlying encampments and tearing down the great bird's temples. Desiring peace, the Hakkani leadership insisted on appeasement - giving up valuable land and resources, slowly inching towards the blazing hot sands.
It became clear that appeasement wasn’t working. The Amatu priest-king, Ja'Wik, called forth enraged beasts of all sorts from the mountains to their east and west and leveled the Hakkani settlements. They were once again left diminished and without a home. Attempts to establish homes and settlements in the valley were met with violence. So the Hakkani wandered. Their homes atop mighty beasts, they marched from spring to spring, gathering what they could along the way.
Theirs is a story of tragedy and resentment. Join the Hakkani - fight back against the southern tribes, and establish a foothold along the river.
INSURRECTION!: The Division of the Amatu and The Midland Coalition
Ja'Wik's army grew. The defeat and subsequent dispersal of the Hakkani meant that the entire Valley of Kings, as he called it, was his to rule. Smaller, lesser tribes were crushed or assimilated as quickly as they appeared out of the vast emptiness of the desert. Through tyranny, a shaky peace was established. Decades passed and new groups continued to find sanctuary in the rocky oasis. The population of Ja'Wik's kingdom swelled with each passing year through both immigration and the assimilation of clans fortunate enough to survive his army's wrath.
However, a growing population meant the return of the resource scarcity that brought so much bloodshed just a few years earlier. Dissent spread through the ranks as Ja'Wik began reserving more food and supplies for inhabitants of Ab’Manka and fewer for the outlying settlements.
One such settlement, Pak’Norca, took up arms. They gathered the support of several other tribes and fought back. Hundreds died resisting the priest’s wrath in the ensuing revolution but, in the end, the pools of the oasis ran red with the blood of Ja'Wik's loyalists. The priest-king was driven into hiding. Occasionally, scouting parties reported finding evidence of dark rituals in ruins in the southern reaches, but the priest was never found. Dust settled, wounds healed, and the valley was at peace again.
The Hakkani began to mingle with the newly formed Midland Coalition and somewhat friendly relations were established. The zealots that had driven them away from the river were gone and the threat of the priest was no more.
However, a growing population meant the return of the resource scarcity that brought so much bloodshed just a few years earlier. Dissent spread through the ranks as Ja'Wik began reserving more food and supplies for inhabitants of Ab’Manka and fewer for the outlying settlements.
One such settlement, Pak’Norca, took up arms. They gathered the support of several other tribes and fought back. Hundreds died resisting the priest’s wrath in the ensuing revolution but, in the end, the pools of the oasis ran red with the blood of Ja'Wik's loyalists. The priest-king was driven into hiding. Occasionally, scouting parties reported finding evidence of dark rituals in ruins in the southern reaches, but the priest was never found. Dust settled, wounds healed, and the valley was at peace again.
The Hakkani began to mingle with the newly formed Midland Coalition and somewhat friendly relations were established. The zealots that had driven them away from the river were gone and the threat of the priest was no more.
The Midland Coalition: a Tale of Justice
Pak’Norca was a typical frontier settlement; full of miners and craftsmen and surrounded by high defensive walls. Guards on patrol rarely encountered anything hostile, but would certainly take advantage of a lone Hakkani if the opportunity presented itself. Life was mostly peaceful, but the work was hard and there was an air of unrest.
Over the preceding months, Ab’Manka’s demands for resources had grown unchecked. The southern city was full of lazy degenerates, as far as the frontiersmen were concerned. They practiced dark magics, raised dark temples, and drank dark wines. To the leadership in Pak’Norca, it was becoming apparent that something needed to change, and so they petitioned the king.
Ja’Wik did not take the questioning of his authority lightly. Who were these peasants to demand something from him? From the throne atop his pyramid, the priest-king called for their heads. A courier was dispatched. She was to be the first casualty in a bloody conflict.
Upon the courier’s arrival in Pak’Norca, she was taken into the custody of the guard. In the time it took her to go from the settlement to Ab’Manka and back, a new government had formed - they called themselves The Midland Coalition. Her letter was read in front of the council, she was declared an agent of Ja’Wik, and she was hung. Such is the life of the messenger.
Nine tribes and settlements joined their cause, and their message was clear: they would not be slaves to a distant king. Overnight, the river that flowed from the oasis turned red as outposts and settlements between the north and south were sacked and razed. Initially, the Amatu were offered mercy; anyone who wished to live could join the coalition’s army. By the time the rampaging forces of Pak’Norca reached the capital, that offer was no longer being extended: everyone was to die - deemed too corrupted by their proximity to the priest-king and his temple.
The voice of the oppressed was heard clearly by the gluttonous southerners, and their wrath was absolute. For his tyranny, Ja’Wik was driven from his kingdom and he could only watch as his city burned to the ground.
The Midland Coalition is a force for justice. Join them and seek out those who would oppress and show them your wrath.
Over the preceding months, Ab’Manka’s demands for resources had grown unchecked. The southern city was full of lazy degenerates, as far as the frontiersmen were concerned. They practiced dark magics, raised dark temples, and drank dark wines. To the leadership in Pak’Norca, it was becoming apparent that something needed to change, and so they petitioned the king.
Ja’Wik did not take the questioning of his authority lightly. Who were these peasants to demand something from him? From the throne atop his pyramid, the priest-king called for their heads. A courier was dispatched. She was to be the first casualty in a bloody conflict.
Upon the courier’s arrival in Pak’Norca, she was taken into the custody of the guard. In the time it took her to go from the settlement to Ab’Manka and back, a new government had formed - they called themselves The Midland Coalition. Her letter was read in front of the council, she was declared an agent of Ja’Wik, and she was hung. Such is the life of the messenger.
Nine tribes and settlements joined their cause, and their message was clear: they would not be slaves to a distant king. Overnight, the river that flowed from the oasis turned red as outposts and settlements between the north and south were sacked and razed. Initially, the Amatu were offered mercy; anyone who wished to live could join the coalition’s army. By the time the rampaging forces of Pak’Norca reached the capital, that offer was no longer being extended: everyone was to die - deemed too corrupted by their proximity to the priest-king and his temple.
The voice of the oppressed was heard clearly by the gluttonous southerners, and their wrath was absolute. For his tyranny, Ja’Wik was driven from his kingdom and he could only watch as his city burned to the ground.
The Midland Coalition is a force for justice. Join them and seek out those who would oppress and show them your wrath.
The Children: the Rebirth of the Hakkani
Ja'Wik dragged the bodies of fallen loyalists through the sand and under the cover of darkness to a cave he'd taken up residence in. Decorated with runes of blood and colorful inks, the corpses laid silent and still as incantations echoed through the crypt. Unsettled by the rituals and the eerie white glow in the eyes of the dead, creatures with a thousand legs, or none at all, took shelter in the shadows.
They numbered twenty and one, the priest and his kin, but there was only one heartbeat among them. On an altar, he laid down. 'One life for the many', the ritual demanded. A sacrifice had to be made if Ja'Wik were to have his revenge, and he held only one life in his hands. He rested a curved blade upon his throat and said the words.
"Wake. Rise up. Go forth, my loyal children."
With one swift motion, he pulled the sickle across his throat and it opened. Dark, tainted blood spurted across the room. Like ink on parchment, it soaked in. It crept slowly across the sandy rocks to the corpses.
One by one, they woke. Eyes glowing in the darkness, they stumbled out of the cave into the starry night beyond its entrance and began their quest.
A bright desert moon rose and fell, greeting the dead each evening just as the sun greeted life each dawn. The shambling corpses began to build atop the ruins of their fallen kin. Small huts came first, and then walls, aqueducts, and monoliths.. After a time, a temple rose. The living would recall that the visage on the wall was once called Ja'Wik, but to the Children, he was "Father."
The story of The Children is one of sorrow and revenge. Join them - help spread Father's justice across the valley.
They numbered twenty and one, the priest and his kin, but there was only one heartbeat among them. On an altar, he laid down. 'One life for the many', the ritual demanded. A sacrifice had to be made if Ja'Wik were to have his revenge, and he held only one life in his hands. He rested a curved blade upon his throat and said the words.
"Wake. Rise up. Go forth, my loyal children."
With one swift motion, he pulled the sickle across his throat and it opened. Dark, tainted blood spurted across the room. Like ink on parchment, it soaked in. It crept slowly across the sandy rocks to the corpses.
One by one, they woke. Eyes glowing in the darkness, they stumbled out of the cave into the starry night beyond its entrance and began their quest.
A bright desert moon rose and fell, greeting the dead each evening just as the sun greeted life each dawn. The shambling corpses began to build atop the ruins of their fallen kin. Small huts came first, and then walls, aqueducts, and monoliths.. After a time, a temple rose. The living would recall that the visage on the wall was once called Ja'Wik, but to the Children, he was "Father."
The story of The Children is one of sorrow and revenge. Join them - help spread Father's justice across the valley.
Bonus Stories
If you wish to send in your own lore stories please send them via email or via private message on discord.
Guilty Dreams
This is the first interaction between the Hakkani and The Children
Neighboring tribes avoid Ab’Manka whenever they can. Seeing a corpse walking, day or night, was not a comfortable sight. Their eyes unnerve the living, and raspy voices were difficult to understand. Only through necessity do the northerners come south to trade.
One curious elf made her way into the temple on a warm afternoon. None of the city's inhabitants were visible on the streets, and she desired to know more about the ominous structure. Quietly, she pushed open the great iron doors and snuck inside. Paintings on the walls seemed to watch her as she gazed upon the scrolls and artifacts littering the chamber. The door slammed shut.
"Sister.."
"Sister.."
"Welcome home.."
Glowing eyes lit up around the perimeter of the room and the elf's hands muffled a shriek. One of the dead stepped forward and, in a voice that sounded like sand pouring on stone, whispered, "Have you come to repent, sister..?"
"No.. no.. I.. repent? Repent for what?" she stammered. Nervously, she looked around. None of them were moving, so she could only see the eyes in the darkness of the chamber.
"Father demands... justice.." one of the shadows shouted, in its raspy voice.
The corpse that had approached her placed a withered hand on her shoulder and stared into tear-filled eyes. "Sister.. do not be afraid.. we mean you no harm.. we only wish to.. enlighten."
She trembled. The elf knew nothing of these.. creatures and did not want to provoke them with any sudden movements.
"I.. I was curious.. What are you? Who are you?" the terror in her voice was apparent.
"Father chose us. He sent us here, again. We died once, all of us.. We want only to spread Father's love.." said the shambling horror, inches from her face.
"Father? Who is 'Father'?" the elf demanded.
"Father was our king."
"He gave his life for us."
Voices whispered from the shadows, glowing eyes fixed on the elf. 'A king?' she thought. 'There aren't any kings here.. there hasn't been a king since..' She stood silently.
A torch floated through the darkness, lighting the braziers on the walls of the chamber - the body baring the torch seemed to wince every time a new light blazed to life. Flickering orange light danced on her face, illuminating the streaks that tears had made across her dusty skin. The corpse standing in front of her smiled as a clink brought reality back into focus. She hadn't even noticed the shackles being fastened to her wrists, the soft jingling had been drowned out by thoughts of war and bloodshed that had plagued the valley a few short years ago.
"Father brings justice.." it whispered, leaning into her pointed ear. Its breath on her skin felt like a hot summer wind. The raspy voice was more clear now, almost like it was speaking directly into her mind.
"Sister, you stand accused.." it started, interrupted by raspy shouts from the crowd 'Guilty.. Guilty!' "You stand accused of crimes against the state. Villainy.."
The crowd hissed at the sound of the charge.
".. stealing resources from the king's supply.." Hissing continued. ".. of treason.." the raspy voiced seemed to boom as the charge left his lips. "taking up arms against the state in rebellion, and of murder - killing citizens of (city) in cold blood."
Her eyes darted around the room. She'd been surrounded by the hissing crowd, unable to move, and shaking in terror.
"How... do you plea?" The voice inquired. The empty white eyes stared at her, judging.
"I uh... innocent!" she proclaimed. "I never.. I"
Raspy voices wailed around her "nooo!", "guiltyyyy.."
"I never did any of that!" the elf shouted, drowning out the raspy corpses. "That was your tribe! It was a civil war!"
Calmly, the corpse stepped towards her, gesturing to the crowd for silence. "Civil war, sister?" it inquired. It sounded.. genuine.
"Y...yes! You killed each other! My people.. we could only watch.." she stammered, referring to the neutrality that the Hakkani had claimed during the conflict. The bloodbath had not completely spared them, but they strove to avoid getting directly involved.
"You.. what tribe do you claim, sister?"
"The Hakkani.." she mumbled, meekly.
"Ah.. the wanderers. Those that stood idly by as hundreds perished.." The grin on its face was gone now. It stared at her, disappointed."We couldn't.. we wouldn't get involved!" she protested.
"Lives could have been saved. We were.. decimated. Your inaction was action enough." the voice said angrily.
'guiltyy..' the crowd hissed.
"For your inaction - for standing by as the rebels slaughtered the innocent... No, you've not committed treason.." the voice lowered. "You are not guilty, sister. Not of those charges.."She looked around nervously. The eyes all stared at hers. The sound of her heartbeat seemed to echo in the small stone chamber. Was the room getting smaller? Were the lights.. dimming?
"But," the word had a bite to it, and the elf felt wary of the words to come. "For your inaction," the corpse repeated, "you shall be punished." The word cut through the air like a blade. The hand moved from her shoulder to her brow. The skin was dry, like a dusty fabric, and seemed to soak the sweat from her skin. "As you sat in the hills and watched blood be spilled, you shall always watch. Every night, as the moon rises, you shall see it again in your mind. For the rest of your years, you will watch my people die when you shut your eyes." The corpse shut its eyes and the torches were extinguished.
Darkness filled the room like water filling a vessel.
A sharp clang broke the silence. The giant metal doors behind her screeched as they opened up into the sunlight. The corpses were all gone. Hands still shackled, the elf stumbled out into the dusty square towards the bird she'd arrived on. Her heart pounded like a drum in her head while she escaped the city. She wouldn't die on this afternoon. She wouldn't be killed by these.. things..
Arriving just before dusk to her campsite, the elf laid down beside a crackling fire and began to doze. The words of the corpse seemed to echo in her mind. "You will watch my people die." the raspy voice had shouted. She tried to shake it off, and she shut her eyes.
Moments passed.. perhaps hours. Who could know how long she'd been asleep. The vision came to her, just as it had promised. Men, women, children, beasts of all sizes being chopped and cleaved by rebel swords. The elf stood still in the midst the carnage. The air around her was silent, except for a slight ringing in her ears.
A small green child - an orc - was running towards her, arms stretched out, crying for help. Time slowed as a small steel object sprung from his chest - an arrow. The boy's expression morphed as peace washed over him. Bright red blood sprayed across the elf's face. His body fell limp and slid forward across the dusty stones, stopping at her feet.
She screamed.
One curious elf made her way into the temple on a warm afternoon. None of the city's inhabitants were visible on the streets, and she desired to know more about the ominous structure. Quietly, she pushed open the great iron doors and snuck inside. Paintings on the walls seemed to watch her as she gazed upon the scrolls and artifacts littering the chamber. The door slammed shut.
"Sister.."
"Sister.."
"Welcome home.."
Glowing eyes lit up around the perimeter of the room and the elf's hands muffled a shriek. One of the dead stepped forward and, in a voice that sounded like sand pouring on stone, whispered, "Have you come to repent, sister..?"
"No.. no.. I.. repent? Repent for what?" she stammered. Nervously, she looked around. None of them were moving, so she could only see the eyes in the darkness of the chamber.
"Father demands... justice.." one of the shadows shouted, in its raspy voice.
The corpse that had approached her placed a withered hand on her shoulder and stared into tear-filled eyes. "Sister.. do not be afraid.. we mean you no harm.. we only wish to.. enlighten."
She trembled. The elf knew nothing of these.. creatures and did not want to provoke them with any sudden movements.
"I.. I was curious.. What are you? Who are you?" the terror in her voice was apparent.
"Father chose us. He sent us here, again. We died once, all of us.. We want only to spread Father's love.." said the shambling horror, inches from her face.
"Father? Who is 'Father'?" the elf demanded.
"Father was our king."
"He gave his life for us."
Voices whispered from the shadows, glowing eyes fixed on the elf. 'A king?' she thought. 'There aren't any kings here.. there hasn't been a king since..' She stood silently.
A torch floated through the darkness, lighting the braziers on the walls of the chamber - the body baring the torch seemed to wince every time a new light blazed to life. Flickering orange light danced on her face, illuminating the streaks that tears had made across her dusty skin. The corpse standing in front of her smiled as a clink brought reality back into focus. She hadn't even noticed the shackles being fastened to her wrists, the soft jingling had been drowned out by thoughts of war and bloodshed that had plagued the valley a few short years ago.
"Father brings justice.." it whispered, leaning into her pointed ear. Its breath on her skin felt like a hot summer wind. The raspy voice was more clear now, almost like it was speaking directly into her mind.
"Sister, you stand accused.." it started, interrupted by raspy shouts from the crowd 'Guilty.. Guilty!' "You stand accused of crimes against the state. Villainy.."
The crowd hissed at the sound of the charge.
".. stealing resources from the king's supply.." Hissing continued. ".. of treason.." the raspy voiced seemed to boom as the charge left his lips. "taking up arms against the state in rebellion, and of murder - killing citizens of (city) in cold blood."
Her eyes darted around the room. She'd been surrounded by the hissing crowd, unable to move, and shaking in terror.
"How... do you plea?" The voice inquired. The empty white eyes stared at her, judging.
"I uh... innocent!" she proclaimed. "I never.. I"
Raspy voices wailed around her "nooo!", "guiltyyyy.."
"I never did any of that!" the elf shouted, drowning out the raspy corpses. "That was your tribe! It was a civil war!"
Calmly, the corpse stepped towards her, gesturing to the crowd for silence. "Civil war, sister?" it inquired. It sounded.. genuine.
"Y...yes! You killed each other! My people.. we could only watch.." she stammered, referring to the neutrality that the Hakkani had claimed during the conflict. The bloodbath had not completely spared them, but they strove to avoid getting directly involved.
"You.. what tribe do you claim, sister?"
"The Hakkani.." she mumbled, meekly.
"Ah.. the wanderers. Those that stood idly by as hundreds perished.." The grin on its face was gone now. It stared at her, disappointed."We couldn't.. we wouldn't get involved!" she protested.
"Lives could have been saved. We were.. decimated. Your inaction was action enough." the voice said angrily.
'guiltyy..' the crowd hissed.
"For your inaction - for standing by as the rebels slaughtered the innocent... No, you've not committed treason.." the voice lowered. "You are not guilty, sister. Not of those charges.."She looked around nervously. The eyes all stared at hers. The sound of her heartbeat seemed to echo in the small stone chamber. Was the room getting smaller? Were the lights.. dimming?
"But," the word had a bite to it, and the elf felt wary of the words to come. "For your inaction," the corpse repeated, "you shall be punished." The word cut through the air like a blade. The hand moved from her shoulder to her brow. The skin was dry, like a dusty fabric, and seemed to soak the sweat from her skin. "As you sat in the hills and watched blood be spilled, you shall always watch. Every night, as the moon rises, you shall see it again in your mind. For the rest of your years, you will watch my people die when you shut your eyes." The corpse shut its eyes and the torches were extinguished.
Darkness filled the room like water filling a vessel.
A sharp clang broke the silence. The giant metal doors behind her screeched as they opened up into the sunlight. The corpses were all gone. Hands still shackled, the elf stumbled out into the dusty square towards the bird she'd arrived on. Her heart pounded like a drum in her head while she escaped the city. She wouldn't die on this afternoon. She wouldn't be killed by these.. things..
Arriving just before dusk to her campsite, the elf laid down beside a crackling fire and began to doze. The words of the corpse seemed to echo in her mind. "You will watch my people die." the raspy voice had shouted. She tried to shake it off, and she shut her eyes.
Moments passed.. perhaps hours. Who could know how long she'd been asleep. The vision came to her, just as it had promised. Men, women, children, beasts of all sizes being chopped and cleaved by rebel swords. The elf stood still in the midst the carnage. The air around her was silent, except for a slight ringing in her ears.
A small green child - an orc - was running towards her, arms stretched out, crying for help. Time slowed as a small steel object sprung from his chest - an arrow. The boy's expression morphed as peace washed over him. Bright red blood sprayed across the elf's face. His body fell limp and slid forward across the dusty stones, stopping at her feet.
She screamed.