A Funny Little Hood

A long time ago in England, there was a cloak maker. In his lifetime, William the Conqueror with the help of the Normans ascended to the throne of England, thus marking the Norman Invasion. Many reforms were instituted under him, one of which the implementation of surnames. Now the cloak maker had to come up with a surname for himself, so he thought towards his profession. He decided to name himself after a component of his cloaks, therefore brandishing the surname “Hood.”
                 Now this man had two sons, brothers. One brother stayed in the village, and the other left to seek his fortune elsewhere. This wayward son would return sometime later, not having found his fortune but being married and having a daughter whom they named Red after her red hair. Now the son who stayed had also married, and also had a daughter he named Red. This became rather confusing, and the parents looked for a way distinguish the girls’ names. Eventually they found that one preferred to sew, cook, and other things in the home, while the other preferred to be outdoors, riding in the forest or to nearby settlements. Thus they were named Red the Sewer and Red the Rider, sometimes called Red Sewing Hood and Red Riding Hood.
                 Now Red Riding Hood would have her adventures, and eventually meet a forester whom she would marry. The forester was eventually granted an earldom by the king for his service, at which time he and his wife had a son. Now in their son’s time, the ownership of the estate was disputed, and he became an outlaw. He felt that he could no longer use his father’s name, so instead used his mother’s maiden name. The son’s name was Robin, and he was henceforth called Robin Hood.

The Lioness Knight

Her title, the Lioness Knight, is a matter of some debate. There are times in her story that some claim she literally turned into a lioness, and that she is a shape-changer. However, the royal chroniclers of Arkathorne dissuade that theory, though they may not be the most objective witnesses. If one does not know why they would wish to keep such a secret, it shall become clear as we proceed.

In days not so long ago, the kingdom of Lidor and the kingdom of Arkathorne battled one another on the fields of Bloduunar. In that field is the Ridge of Kings, which marks the border between them. Yet the humans of Arkathorne and the madorns of Lidor went over that ridge daily, sending skirmishers, foragers, and cavalry. On the edges of this green field were villages on both sides, and there the tale begins.
                 A fortress was overrun by Lidorids, and the lord of the fortress was killed. His young son managed to escape the onslaught, guarded by five knights, and came to the village of Jiunar to hide. Lidorid warriors came after them, thinking to capture the lord’s son and hold him for ransom, and demanded the village give up the young boy. The villagers were too afraid of these warriors to protest, all their strong men being in the army rather than in their homes, but they made it clear to the invaders that they would not aid in the capture either for fear of the knights. So the Lidorids came to the inn to take custody of the young lord over the corpses of the knights.
                 The knights battled them in the doorway, and held them off for three hours without losing a man. Valiantly and mercilessly they fought, for the Lidorids only wanted one prisoner and the knights could not take any. At the end of those three hours, a knight was felled from a thrown spear, yet that was their undoing.
                 Inside the inn were some people who did not know of the coming of the Lidorids, and so were trapped inside, and among them were women of great note. Mailil the farmwife was there, coming to visit her friend Nirel the innkeeper’s wife, yet put to shame they were by the third. Igonle, a woman who before had but served food and drink to travelers at the inn, now took up the heavy spear that had pierced the knight and joined in the inn’s defense. Inspired was Nirel, and she convinced Mailil to take up the knight’s sword while she took up the bludgeon behind the bar. The three of them joined in the battle, which lasted another eight hours.
                 Reports from wounded Lidorid warriors were strange, that though they had wounded some of the knights, it seemed that many more fought there than they originally guessed. Some said that the knights had donned women’s garb to confuse them, yet others contradicted that. But after the eleven-hour battle, into the deep of night, they stopped. No knights still stood, either being wounded or dead, and the Lidorid’s party had too few warriors to consider the battle. So the Lidorids retreated from two village goodwives and a barmaid.
                 It was not long though that the Lidorids sent another force across the ridge, believing that they could not recover so quickly. And this is where confusion and conjecture begin, for it is said that Igonle hunted them like a lioness. She and other witnesses said that she took a warhorse with yellow coat and golden mane that had belonged to a knight, while the Lidorid survivors said she took the form of a lioness. In either case, Igonle stalked the Lidorids at night and slew many, but whether she did it with sword or claw, spear or fang, is unknown. By morning, the Lidorids retreated back towards the ridge, and Igonle returned to the village of Jiunar to rest from her hunt.
                 When the threat had passed, the young lord, named Lord Gelin, with the remaining knights said that they would provide witness to the nobility of the three women and ensure they would become knights. Nirel said that she couldn’t leave her husband and business, while Mailil admitted that she had no taste for battle nor wished to gain one. Yet Igonle was excited by the idea and accepted their offer.
                 Igonle was brought to the camp of Arkathorne’s army and presented to the king as worthy of knighthood. Now as one might know, it was unheard of at the time for a woman of Arkathorne to join in the bloody trade of knights. Lidor accepted women into knighthood, but they did not go to war, defending the home and only fighting if their household had enemies in it. While she had passed a test of valor, the king judged that she should be tested additionally.
                 So they brought forth tests befitting a trained knight. She fought against a swordsman and jousted a lancer. Every trial of arms they put her through she failed. So she was brought before they king again, and he declared, “Such courage to be put to shame. How could you fail at such tests that even the average squire could pass? Tell me why.”
                 Igonle did not straighten her neck but remained bowed as she gave the king her response. “The average squire has been given his trade, learned the sword, lance, and horse. Any one of your men-at-arms could have passed these tests, but I am not a man-at-arms. I am a village woman, whose greatest physical trial, apart from the recent battles, has been getting a new keg of ale from the cellar when one runs dry. I have never needed such skills, so I have never cultivated them. Yet there is a great difference between a knight and a man-at-arms; I displayed that difference when I joined for no reward in the protection of Lord Gelin, and when I allowed the Lidorids to flee from my hunt. If I need name it, then I would see that being a knight in your service is no honor, and I shall go back to cleaning mugs and serving roast mutton at harvest.”
                 The king smiled and took up his sword. He tapped Igonle’s shoulders with the flat of the sword, and said, “You are now Dame Igonle, knight errant of Arkathorne. Now rise and claim your arms.”
                 So Igonle was fitted with armor and taught the sword. In battle she joined, her surcoat displaying a lioness’s muzzle upon it. The Lidorids were pushed back across the Ridge of Kings and into their own territory. Yet all was not well.
                 The king of Arkathorne was slain in combat, and the crown prince, Prince Talsairn, was captured and held for ransom by the Lidorids. The king’s brother, Prince Volith, declared his brother lost and would not pay the ransom, naming himself king of Arkathorne. It was a terrible time, but it did not last.
                 Dame Igonle rode out on her yellow horse to rescue Prince Talsairn. The fortress he was held in was great and powerful, yet Igonle was brave and prepared her attack. Though the Lidorids, being madorns which are of greater size and strength than humans, guarded well, they were not prepared for so aggressive an opponent. Though not well experienced or trained, Igonle stormed the drawbridge and slew many in the bailey and keep as she searched for Prince Talsairn. Yet she fell to a spear in her side, wounded but not slain, and was taken prisoner with Prince Talsairn. It should be quickly noted that the Lidorids believe that she stormed the castle as a lioness, and only turned back into human form when she was felled, yet that and other things would be inconsistent with how most shape-changers—apart from the Ildyana—function.
                 As prisoners, Dame Igonle and Prince Talsairn were allowed to speak with one another. Prince Talsairn admitted that he had an escape planned, but the presence of another prisoner required things to change. So together they planned an escape.
                 Prince Talsairn convinced his guards to leave early to get some ale, and they assumed that he couldn’t or wouldn’t escape in the middle of the day. He then made his way to the armory stealthily, and took up his own captured arms and armor, putting Dame Igonle’s in a bundle and carrying them out. Prince Talsairn then came to Dame Igonle’s quarters and dispatched the guards before entering and giving her the armor and weapons she’d come there with. So they made their way a stealthily as they could with chainmail on, having to slay many guards who heard or spotted them. Eventually the alarm was raised, and it became more difficult.
                 Dame Igonle and Prince Talsairn then made their way to the wall to escape. There was a moat, so one at a time they removed their armor and prepared to jump. Dame Igonle was first to change, so Prince Talsairn would not have to hold off enemies without armor, a risk she was willing to take for the royal. Together they tossed their armor and weapons towards the shore and then leapt in themselves, swimming to shore and then retrieving their gear, which would have made them sink otherwise. They escaped into the woods then, and after a harrowing chase, Dame Igonle and Prince Talsairn evaded their pursuers.
                 Many leagues they walked, and there they could not retain their roles. Dame Igonle, as a knight, was sworn to serve Prince Talsairn, but he himself was also a knight and could not help but be courteous to a lady. As such, they had arguments about everything they did, from whether one or the other should set up camp to who should carry their gear. Inevitably, they decided to discard such pretenses for they sake of their fellow escapee, and each shouldered their share of responsibilities.
                 Acting as equals, they began to speak as equals, and learned much of each other. Dame Igonle learned that Prince Talsairn was not all that royalty claims to be, just as he learned of the woman behind the deeds which are now being written. It was then that they began to feel affection for one another, yet they were not sure if they should.
                 When the two returned to Arkathorne, they discovered that Prince Volith, now called king, ruled terribly. When Prince Talsairn confronted him and demanded his throne back as older son and named successor, his plea was ignored. Then Prince Talsairn took off his glove to reveal the Oliand of Arkathorne, and spoke of how with his last breath their father gave it to him. Prince Volith demanded the ring, but Prince Talsairn wouldn’t give it up. So it came to blows, and Prince Talsairn was wounded. Dame Igonle retrieved the true king and fled.
                 They escaped to Cithur, and there they prepared for Prince Volith’s downfall. Yet other matters soon concerned them, matters of marriage. They were married, the true king of Arkathorne marrying the first woman knight of Arkathorne, and one of their most noble knights as well. Though perhaps it was sorrowful to lose the kingdom, they were too happy to know it.
                 Five years were spent in exile, until Prince Volith was slain by his own wife. Then Prince Talsairn and Dame Igonle, with their two children, one of whom was yet unborn, returned to Arkathorne. Prince Talsairn was named king of Arkathorne without a struggle, and Dame Igonle was his queen. Such began the rule of King Talsairn, a fair rule where peace and plenty abounded.
                 In the closing years of King Talsairn’s reign, a fear spread over the court. King Talsairn and Queen Igonle had never had sons, only daughters, so a male heir might only be found among cousins. Yet King Talsairn named Benewil, their firstborn daughter, born in Cithur, his heir, for she was fierce yet kind. Much controversy arose in their court because of this, for they had never had a woman as a ruling queen. Yet when they remembered Queen Igonle’s title as dame, their defenders said that if Princess Benewil had inherited half of her mother’s spirit, Oliand or not, she would rule all of Camadorn if she wished. So it would come to pass that the daughter of the first female knight of Arkathorne became the first ruling queen of Arkathorne, and she was a good and chivalrous queen such as her line, both past and future, might be proud.

The First Knight - Tales of Camadorn

To understand chivalry and the origins of knighthood, one must understand Jolend of Camadorn, and to understand what nurtured that idea one must understand his family. His grandfather was a nobleman of Mradune who married a young woman, and within their first years of marriage she died in childbirth to his firstborn son, Kelend. Afterwards, he remarried and from his second wife came two children, and older boy named Boril and a younger girl named Ekthaine. From these unlikely players come the first act of the story.
                 Kelend never felt brotherhood with Boril, and so would often make fun and bully him. Therefore, Boril avoided such pursuits that would cause his path to cross with Kelend. Boril often found that his only friend was Ekthaine, who Kelend also did not care for. Therefore, Kelend learned to be of great martial prowess, one of the great warriors of his time, while Boril observed culture and art, as well as the importance of human speech. They were two very different men.
                 As was tradition, Kelend inherited their father’s estates upon his death as the older brother. While at first he wished nothing to do with Boril or Ekthaine, he knew that there would be a great problem with that plan. Kelend was more far-sighted than most thought him to be, and he knew that his wife would never bear him children. Therefore, his half-siblings would inherit if their children didn’t immediately. Kelend had an idea of how his estates should be run, and he couldn’t bear the thought of Boril or Ektahine mismanaging their father’s estates. He decided then that he should influence their children so that they would be something he could approve of.
                 Thus, Jolend enters the story. He was Boril’s oldest son, so Kelend did his best to teach him how to be a hard man of war. Yet Boril also taught him the importance of well-chosen words, to be polite and to consume culture. Jolend had a hard time reconciling the two, for Boril was a coward when it came to arms, yet he saw his uncle’s cruelties often. Kelend said that the only reason nobles ruled over other was because of strength, and without that strength then even the king would not be safe, whether from outside or inside their borders. Yet Boril would say that nobles were appointed so that they would be raised to be wise and knowledgeable, so that their trade would be leadership. It was quite difficult to reconcile the two for some time, yet it would come eventually.
                 Jolend himself proved strong at arms, wiser than most, and a natural leader of men. It was in war that this was proven, when they the kingdom of Mradune invaded the deserts of Cithur. They took many border posts, though all their attempts to enter the interior were frustrated. The Cithurans attacked and swept up against the fortress Jolend defended, and he slew every one that drew sword or spear against him. Though when it came time for prisoners, Jolend said that they should be released with food and water to make it to the nearest Cithuran held settlement, as the war had gone on long enough and this was the best opening for peace.
                 Thus, another player enters the game. Ilunmai was a noblewoman of great convictions in Cithur and would often think of things none would give ear to so she would write them down instead. Her father was one of the men released by Jolend, and his tale of the man who inspired both admiration and fear in the same act was stirring to her. Ilunmai had often thought that Cithur needed men who were worthy of praise for both their kindness and courage, and Jolend was such a man. She decided that she needed to meet that man.
                 Yet it was not simple, as while a peace envoy was going to meet with the men of Mradune, they were not likely to accept the daughter of a lesser nobleman into it. She disguised herself as a servant but was quickly found out when she accidentally spilled food on a man. Next to him was a distant cousin who knew her on sight, and she was clapped in irons. Her cousin both defended her and gave evidence for condemnation, as while noting her inability to do this made mention that her values were quite strong. Many thought her an assassin, though whether to be for peace beyond wisdom or against it was unknown. While they wanted to kill her and be done, her cousin insisted that she be spared for now and brought with them. This did not heighten either of them in the ambassador’s mind by the time they arrived at the meeting place in the city of Zult.
                 Jolend was sent to be one of the negotiators, as despite his youth he was a balance of strength and tact they needed for these proceedings. Yet these proceedings were a fraud in the minds of some, as proven when one of the men from Mradune drew his sword to slay the Cithuran ambassador. Jolend swiped the sword aside and slew the assassin right there. This endeared the Cithurans further to Jolend, but made him some enemies in Mradune.
                 It also caused the subject of conversation to turn towards Ilunmai, and when Jolend heard of this he wondered if she truly was an assassin. So, while observed by one of the Cithuran guards, Jolend interrogated Ilunmai. He was not harsh, but he did discover much, including her intention to meet him, though she was yet to know she had accomplished it nor did she give a specific reason why she wanted to meet. So Jolend reported his findings to the Cithurans, and while they were hesitant to trust him, at least knew that Ilunmai had no intentions of killing anyone so let her go.
                 Ilunmai would then spend much of the time during the negotiations trying to gain an audience with Jolend. He wasn’t sure if it was important, so focused all his energy towards the negotiations. Finally, once the negotiations were done and the war between Mradune and Cithur was over, that was when Jolend finally relented. Thus the meeting between Jolend and Ilunmai at Zult, which many speak of, began.
                 Ilunmai was at first offended that Jolend had deceived her, and he admitted that perhaps he hadn’t done the right thing. At the same time, he noted to Ilunmai that her own tight-lipped nature had delayed the meeting. She was taken aback by this, not because it was a correction but that he took no pleasure in doing it nor did he seem defensive. It was genuine, and she knew then that she’d found the right man.
                 At length, Ilunmai spoke of a need to make things right in the world. Much had been made wrong in the world because those with power did not use it with responsibility or compassion. Yet those who felt either of those things had an inability to wield power so that it was useless in their hands. It required someone with both a courageous and kind heart, and she put forward that Jolend was such a man.
                 Though Jolend was not sure the point of that. Even if one man could be like this, how would it change the world? How would the lands become better because of one man who would never hold great lordship? He doubted her, yet there was something about her that made him want to believe that there was something he could do to make things better. And there would be, yet it was not obvious yet.
                 With the peace treaty in place, the armies of Mradune and Cithur returned to their homes or made new ones, yet not among either were Jolend and Ilunmail. They stayed on the border of Mradune and Cithur, in the city of Zult, discussing ways to bring about this change Ilunmai spoke of. Yet sometimes they didn’t speak of this, and instead spoke of other things. They met in public places, as if a man and woman as they were courting, yet this perception slowly became reality. As time passed, they spoke little of the idea of change and instead turned the subject to life and eventually marriage.
                 Jolend and Ilunmai were married three years after they first met, and they made their home in Zult for the time being. After the first year of their marriage, Jolend was recalled home as a plague had struck down much of his family, including his father and uncle. He brought Ilunmai to live with him and be lady of the estates of which he was lord. It was not long after returning that their commission began.
 It began as a dream, one of splendor and hope. There outline was a society, and its guardians were of noble birth. A baby boy would be born and given both a crown of gold and armor of steel. Such boys grew to be men who followed the virtues of faith, hope, charity, justice, strength, moderation, and loyalty. Though peace everlasting was not there, it was instead a land of nobility and grace, where there was a chance for goodness to thrive instead of when might made right; instead it was might for right. So late in the morning, Jolend and Ilunmai awoke, telling each other of their dreams which were the same, and they realized it was no dream but a vision, one that they would give their lives for if need be. The dream showed them chivalry and the concept of knighthood, and so their great quest began.
                 Jolend and Ilunmai set out together, leaving the managing of his estates to a trusted steward and his aunt Ekthaine. They had no children at this time, and so traveled light with only a few guards. On the way, Jolend taught these men the essence of chivalry, and while they were men-at-arms before, being nobles who fought on horse with lance and shield, it was on that journey that they became the first knights. Jolend was called the first knight, though he himself was not knighted. They rode to the king of Mradune to appeal for the idea of chivalry to be adopted among the nobility, and the institution of knighthood be created.
                 The king of Mradune thought it a fool’s idea, and said that he would remove Jolend’s lands from him if he thought it would do any good. So Jolend and Ilunmai left the king’s presence, disappointed but not disheartened. Unbeknownst to them, the crown prince overheard the meeting and was touched by their ideas, trying his best to decipher what they might mean to his life. Yet Jolend and Ilunmai rode on to find another patron for this ideal.
                 They went to the king of Cithur, for Jolend was known among Cithurans and Ilunmai was of the nobility. They proposed this idea, and while it took three years, the king of Cithur finally put forth the Proclamation of the Horse. This was a public statement, the first referencing knighthood in any way, and called together men-at-arms and other nobles to teach them chivalry. It would be another half year before Jolend and Ilunmai had taught all they could, written all they could on the matter and ensured copies were made before they departed.
                 With Cithur, one of the great kingdoms, aligned with their beliefs, they decided to travel to other lands and speak to their kings of these matters. They traveled to Nalorne and the king there was receptive to their ideas. The king of Lidor then invaded, and it was there the first test of knighthood began.
                 Jolend himself rode into battle with the original four knights and all of Nalorne’s knights. While they slew many, the carnage was small for they did not strike at fleeing foes nor civilians. They respected their enemies, and so their enemies came to respect them. After the first year of conflict, the king of Lidor requested and audience with the king of Nalorne and Jolend, where he asked, “How are your men so effective? Mine are little more than brigands while yours are winning over my own people. My people cringe at my army’s approach, but to yours they cry gladly. Why?”
                 “For we are men worthy of honor as we do not seek it,” Jolend replied. “We seek no glory or riches. Instead, we seek to make right what is wrong, to defend the weak however we can. If they give us supplies, so be it. If they need supplies given to them, so be it. We fear much but show none of it. We respect those who oppose us for we would want the same done to us. Are your men like that?”
                 It was not long before peace came between the two nations, and Lidor adopted the ideal of chivalry was well. They were soon called back to Mradune to teach the newly crowned king of their ideal. Hirajorg asked for teachers, and were given them from Cithur, Nalorne, and Lidor. Lesser nations were also given the opportunity of learning, and there was a time of peace.
                 Yet Jolend and Ilunmai were growing in years, and the commission had been much of their life’s work. While they were in their thirties, their minds went to simpler things than teachings and nobility. They wished to have children, but they had not been able to all their lives, and it seemed such a possibility was fading. But then, it was discovered when Jolend was thirty-six and Ilunmai was thirty-four that she was pregnant. They would have but one child in their entire lives, but it would be a son named Noil, meaning deep love, for that was what they felt for him. The good-hearted wanderers could finally rest.
                 Yet within Jolend and Ilunmai’s lifetime, they saw that their gift had not stopped wrongness. Not all followed the chivalry code though they swore by it, and while those miscreants were mostly punished, they weren’t always. It was never in their power to recreate the world into something flawless, but they had brought something good to the world: the ability to hope for some earthly rescue from the times. Good people were raised in this, and it was not just the nobility that followed this trend. They had not started it, not truly, but they were essential to bring the dream to the world. They lived to be a ripe age and died together in their sleep, content that now there could be heroes in the world to combat the villains. And that is the origin of chivalry, and how Jolend and Ilunmai came to be some of the few to be called “of Camadorn” as few can claim to be of all peoples of this continent of Camadorn.

Monarch of the Ten Rings - Tales of Camadorn

In the days of the Old Empire, the nyllians made five rings. Yet these were not ordinary rings, for these nyllians were great magicians. It is known that nyllians, while at first unassuming for being a foot shorter than a man and having a somewhat funny look to them, have the power to give blessings and utter curses that have power to them. It is their magic, and so they blessed the five rings to ensure that the wearer’s dominion would endure for as long as they wore it. Though they would not hold them long.
                 In another country, five other rings were made. Dark wizards crafted them to be used for purposes of evil. Each one was made with human magic and were made with dark understanding. Their powers were to manipulate, to dominate, to cast illusion, to alter, and to destroy. Evil they were, and the wizards were mightily feared because of it, and they did deeds which have been forgotten for the memory of them haunted all knowers.
                 Then there came Kasander, known as Emperor of All in those days, and brought down the proud and mighty. With overwhelming might he came, and with his own magic fought theirs, and with his army and wizards overcame the dark magicians. He then took the five rings, and while at first he wished to destroy them, he wondered at their power and held off on their destruction.
                 Then the five nyllian kings with their five rings were next, yet it was that no matter how many armies or wizards were sent, Emperor Kasander could not conquer them. The rings were the source of this, for in them were magics not fully understood, so the armies of the five kings were unbreakable. Until it was that Emperor Kasander used the five rings of the wizards and through deceit and corruption he took the rings of the five kings and then took their kingdoms in a single night. So Emperor Kasander embraced the power of the dark wizards’ rings, and with the rings of the nyllian kings became known in song as the Monarch of Ten Rings.
                 None could assail him or his empire so long as he wore the five rings on his right hand, and few could withstand the power of the rings on his left hand. So he named them, the nyllian enchanters’ rings were the Oliands or kings’ rings, which he had adjusted in size to fit his fingers, and the human wizards’ rings were called the Kaliands or destroyer rings. He wore them at all times, for he feared what his enemies or even allies might do if he let his guard down for a moment.
                 Upon Emperor Kasander’s death, he had left no word regarding the inheritance of his rings. Yet it seemed fair to his sons that the older brother should get the Oliands and the younger should get the Kaliands. The younger, named Heseil thought at first that he might use the Kaliands to usurp his older brother’s throne. Yet it was that the power of the Oliands made the newly crowned Emperor Inorin immune to the power of the Kaliands. So Prince Heseil began to plot a different way to the throne.
                 Emperor Inorin’s son Jeten was young and learning, so Heseil began to manipulate him. Whenever the power of the Oliands was brought up, Heseil made sure that Jeten did not listen to it and forgot whatever he knew of the power. It seemed a decent plan to Heseil, to make Jeten unknowing of the protection of the Oliands and so give him allowance to circumvent them. Yet the plan would fail, as Emperor Inorin and Prince Heseil both were killed in the same night by assassins from a scheming cousin.
                 When Prince Jeten, now Emperor, assumed the throne, he knew not the power of any of the ten rings, but he was one for great shows. Therefore, he wore the five Oliands, and would give one to any he would send out on official business. Meanwhile, the five Kaliands were given to the court magician as a token gesture, yet they had great power in them still and the mage knew that. Emperor Jeten was a weak ruler, yet popular among many circles.
                 Many generations of rulers passed, and only the court magicians truly knew the power of either the Oliands or the Kaliands. Eventually, there came an emperor who was a great swordsman and who enjoyed leading from the front of the battle. Yet in a battle, this emperor who was named Kezorn fought against a great and powerful madorn who cut the emperor’s right hand off at the wrist along with the Oliands. Emperor Kezorn left the rings behind as he fled to the rear of his army, and so began the fall of the Old Empire.
                 A series of ineffectual rulers followed Emperor Kezorn, and the army he had fought grew powerful. They soon gained allies, princes who had long grated under the empire’s rule and now wished to overthrow it. These princes elected among themselves five kings which would rule once the empire would be destroyed, and the empire put prices on their heads and named them traitors, and so began the Army of the Outlaw Kings. To each of these kings was given an Oliand as a symbol of power and alliance. So it would be that the kings would not be outlaws for long.
                 They stormed the capital the following year and destroyed it completely. Though the court wizard did his best, the five kings themselves led the charge against him and slew him on the steps of the imperial palace. What happened to the Kaliands is unknown after that, but most who know of them prefer to think they were dismantled for their base components long ago so as to make finer rings and the crystals which gave them their power were discarded and fed to pigs, never to be seen again. So it was that the capital city was leveled and the Old Empire fell.
                 So five mighty kings rose from this. They were Bevorm of Mradune, the war king; Tireth I of Nalorne, which later became one with the kingdom of Orthune, together being called Arkathorne; Sivor of Hirajorg, who was old and died soon into his reign; Hedrere of Cithur, which rules over the lands that the capital of the Old Empire once stood; and Kaborn the Incredible of Lidor, who had cut the Oliands from Emperor Kezorn’s hand. While other kingdoms may stand in their shadows, they will rule forever as long as they remember the power of the Oliands.

Voyage to Urthidun - Tales of Camadorn

In the days of the Old Empire, before their fall, a great catastrophe occurred in Hirajorg. The earth shook, shoots of fire and steam burst from the ground, and waters rose. Settlements were destroyed by catastrophe, and even the greatest city of Hirajorg, Berowaid, was lost beneath fire and water. Yet the strife of the realm did not end with the calming of the land.
                 The Old Empire had yet to incorporate Hirajorg into its realms, and so sailed an army to their shores in the wake of this. Any who would not submit were put to the sword, and those that became their slaves wished for such a death. The empire swept over the land and took what they wished. There was but one holdout on the western coast, a place that is now called the Garden of Giants.

If one is unfamiliar with the inhabitants of this land, it should be explained now. In Hirajorg and in other places of the world, there are those who some have called giants, though their proper name would be madorn. The madorns have the form like that of an abnormally tall human, usually even taller, and are rather bulky in proportions. They have curled horns most often, the shape of the curl usually denoting some heritage or another. The madorns of Hirajorg had bluish-gray skin, black or sometimes red hair, and yellow or orange eyes, yet those of other regions usually appear differently. To describe the temperament of all madorns is as impossible as to describe the temperament of all humans, but these at least were not normally prone to violence or acts of rebellion, at least not on a widespread scale. So their actions here are noteworthy indeed.

And so the madorns of Hirajorg saw the Old Empire coming, and some wished to fight them. Yet their elders counseled that fighting them would only end in their own destruction, so any other action was preferable. Yet there was one, neither elder nor youth, named Ijorg who would be called the Valiant hereafter. Ijorg counseled the elders that he and many others would rather die than serve under the empire. Yet the elders already knew that a third option was indeed called for.
                 So they chose to pick up what possession they would need or could not bear to part from, and march as one people to the nearest friendly port. There they hired the services of ships and crews to take them away, though they did not know where yet. With the empire fast upon the city, they put to sail before wind or wave was right, and left Hirajorg behind.
                 Their exodus was not entirely impulsive though. They had brought livestock and seed for whatever place they would settle, and what money they had left was guarded closely. They knew there were not enough ships for all of them, so it was decided who should go ahead. All but three of the elders were left behind, some couples were split, yet the children were left behind least of all. Sometimes, children would be entrusted to their parents’ siblings or family friends so that there would be room to bring them along. Ijorg the Valiant wished to stay behind for the sake of his kin, but the elders agreed that his energy would be necessary to keep the morale of their people from wasting away. It is not told here what happened to the madorns who stayed but only the ones who left.
                 The seas were calm their first weeks out of port, and while they did not go very far, their destination was still a mystery. They kept faith that there would be a purpose behind this, and it was helped by Ijorg the Valiant’s encouragement and the wise words of the elders. It was then that they continued the discussion of their flight and where it would be to.
                 Ijorg the Valiant took part in the discussion, as did the three elders who stayed with the group, whose names are recorded here. There was Lored the Old, whose father was Lored the Elder who stayed behind. There was Niliard the Fair, who first earned her name with beauty then by her judgements, and age had only been able to dull the first at all. And last of them was Broel the Powerful, who knew firsthand the heights their folk could achieve as he was a mighty man in his youth, and mightier than some even in old age. It was those three and Ijorg the Valiant that took counsel to find a new home.
                 It seemed the world was under the empire’s reign. They had heard tell of a land far to the southeast that was independent, yet it was a hostile land and deemed too dangerous for them to settle if they could even get there. When the ship captain whose craft they were using for this discussion overheard them, he noted that there were islands off the coast of Hirajorg that might prove fruitful to settle on. So they decided to allow this captain, whose name was Kroel, guide them to these island.
                 Yet as soon as the sea’s calm ended, storms of snow and rain bashed their ships. These were no galleons, for they had no ship like that at the time, but instead smaller craft. It was bad enough for the madorns being at sea, for few trusted in any sea craft to hold them, but the storm made things worse. Children cried into the night, and those parents they had left wished to join them. Yet Ijorg the Valiant joined the battle against the storm and helped the sailors in their struggles. By his lead, the madorns did what they could to keep the ship aloft, bucketing water or heaving robes. They did what the sailors told them to do and did it well. So they survived the six day storm, even if some did not.
                 Upon the storm’s end, they came across an island. It was small, and they knew that it would never sustain them all, but it was respite. The named it Joladun, or “rest island” in the common tongue, though it had other names on maps. There the people and their animals could roam about, free after weeks of being trapped onboard. Some wanted to stay, but Ijorg and the elders counseled against it.
                 Though it was there that a madorn woman would give birth. Her husband had been swept away in the storm, and it was her first child that she now delivered. Though it was difficult, she gave birth to a baby girl who she would name for the island they stopped at, Joladuni. The woman herself was named Belain the Caring, as she would often look after children and adults who were scared during the storm. Though Belain would take ill after her birth, due to fatigue gained from both the experience with the storm and birthing her child, she would recover, yet it prolonged their stay on Joladun.
                 The crew and some of the madorn men made repairs to them ships while they were ashore, while the sick were tended to by those who were wise in such matters. Captain Kroel oversaw much of this, and personally congratulated Belain the Caring upon her daughter’s birth. Ijorg came to respect Kroel, as he was a man of wisdom and empathy, though also one of courage. They became friends and leaders of the expedition, though often advised by the elders. Once the sick were well enough to travel and the ships were repaired, those who wanted to stay were greatly outnumbered so they came along when they set sail again for an island to live on.
                 Not a week since leaving the island, their small flotilla was attack by ships from the Old Empire. They had no patience for pirates nor rebels, and so attacked the ships carrying the madorns. Ijorg led the men in the defense of their ships, and Captain Kroel sent his first mate and many of his sailors to sabotage the enemy ships. Once the sabotage was done, the madorns managed to flee, the empire’s ships being too damaged to catch them. Though again several were lost, even if most of them survived.
                 Though the empire still would chase them until the Day of Fire. It was two months since they first set out from the cost of Hirajorg that a great pillar of steam rose out of the sea ahead of their ships, and a great roar echoed across the water. They knew not what it was, but then another joined in and then a third until the sea was blanketed by fog. After many hours, then the fog turned reddish-orange, and some said they saw fire towards where the pillars of steam had been. If it had not been the end of the world in Hirajorg, it seemed it was here now.
                 After three days of steam, fog, and glimpses of fire, the roaring of the water ended, and all was calm. After another two, the fog was blown away to reveal three great islands where the steam had once shot from. Upon these islands was no vegetation, but dark soil like they had seen at the foot of their mountains, and great mounds at the center of each isle. They sent men to survey the islands and found that at the center of these isles were pools of fire, yet the soil was rich indeed. So they decided to settle there, though kept the ships close at hand.
                 Then there was the matter of the sailors. Captain Kroel led them as they announced that most of them would not be returning to Hirajorg or the empire. They had come to respect the madorns and knew that they had no wish to become slaves of the empire. Therefore, they asked permission of their elders and Ijorg the Valiant—who was now called such after the storm and the battle—so that they might become one people with the madorns. The elders said that no law or ban would be passed among the madorns to keep the sailors from their people, and that they would be treated to the best of their ability just as their own. The sailors who did not wish to stay were allowed the smallest ship and enough supplies to make it back to Hirajorg. The sailors who did stay, more often than not, would marry into the families of the madorns and their children would eventually become indistinguishable from others apart from some having blond hair and being somewhat shorter.
                 Of the marriages, chief among them was Captain Kroel’s marriage to Belain the Caring. Though the groom was dwarfed by the bride—which was common between humans and madorns—it was a happy occasion. Many cheered for them and were glad in the following years when their children were born. It was the beginning of a happy time on the islands.
                 They would call the islands Urthidun, literally meaning “many home island” when translated into the common tongue, though most would more accurately say it is “home islands.” It was there that they built a new civilization, growing crops and raising livestock. They took the islands’ creation as a sign that this was land appointed to them, and so did not leave even to trade, and kept pirates and brigands from making any lair on their islands. They were happy even in their hardships in those days.
                 Yet five years after they settled, fire came from the mounds upon the islands, and they made for the ships. After three days they returned to find many of their homes and fields destroyed, but they rebuilt. Such would be the cycle for the next three hundred years as fire came from the mounds and made new land upon the waves, eventually making the three islands one.
                It was sometime after that some braved to return to the empire, to trade their excess for goods they needed. It was then they learned that the empire had fallen, destroyed by the Army of Outlaw Kings. The tradesmen brought back this news to Urthidun, they rejoiced and began to openly trade with many, though they never did allow outsiders to come to their island and instead used the isle of Joladun as a trading post.
                 As such, the madorns of Urthidun became famous as one of the only madorn cultures that took to the sea. Some say it is because they had the blood of human sailors, but other say that they had to adopt it. In any case, the location of Urthidun is unknown to any but the madorns native to the island, who are called Urthiads. It has been said to be a bastion of good and a place where there is little woe, yet others assume it is like any other land, only disconnected from the rest of the world. Yet their tale has been said, and their character can be judged from it.

Last Gift of the Elder - Tales of Camadorn

It was the Elder who taught us magic. No one knows who he was or what he was exactly, but he was ancient and powerful. Yet most importantly he was knowledgeable. He knew the gifts given to each better than they did and taught them how to use them. Without him, shape-changers would think themselves humans. To us, to humans, he taught much.
                 He taught we humans our magic and learned much of ourselves. We learned to grow kasult crystals from bits of rare salts and use them to store our understanding of the world. And he taught us how to take that understanding of the world and use it to shape that world in new ways. And that was his great gift to us all, each a knowledge of their magic, yet it was not his last gift.

A call went out to five who were worthy. They were Kaler the Forrester, Mashor the Fisherman, Nald the Mason, Ufol the Mariner, and Ijord the Trapper. These five were called, and they would answer.
                 Mashor the Fisherman was perhaps the first to rise from his home, and from there he traveled onward. He met up with Nald the Mason, who was second, and journeyed onward. Ufol the Mariner sailed towards the calling as best he could, and Kaler was brought up from his forest by Mashor and Nald. Last of all was Ijord the Trapper, who rose from his dwelling in Hirajorg, where fire flows from the earth, and water either freezes or boils, and traveled to the coast where he met Ufol the Mariner. Yet despite this, they all arrived at the same place at the same time, the mountain of the Elder: Hithermount.
                 So the Elder gave each a kasult crystal, grown in the tears of a lion, and in each came a complete understanding of a thing. To Mashor the Fisherman was the crystal with the understanding of water, ice, and snow. To Nald the Mason was the understanding of earth and stone. To Ufol the Mariner was granted the understanding of air, wind, and weather. To Kaler the Forrest was granted the understanding of beasts, birds, and plants. Yet to Ijorn the Trapper was given the most dangerous of all the gifts, the understanding of fire.
                 Then Kaler the Forrester spoke up. He thought anything he did not understand was nonsense and included this as such. So he said, “We are no magicians. How are we to use any of these?”
                 And the Elder spoke. “Many a wizard has no understanding of what he wields, only what others have wielded. Yet you already possess the right understanding of what your magic shall bring about. Nald the Mason knows what stone is, its weight and its weakness, yet if you asked a magician he would not know a thing, only that it may be raised in dramatic display. And you, Kaler, you know nature as one season moves to another, and how each animal and plant work together though they do not know it, and you know not to upset that balance.
                 “Yet perhaps the most important understanding is Ijorn the Trapper’s.” All eyes went to the man from Hirajorg. “He knows both the power and importance of fire. He knows it can burn, wipe away villages and towns, and scar those who get too close. Yet he knows also that from the deepest depths of the earth comes fire from which the most bountiful harvests may grow. He knows that the difference between freezing and relaxing is a good hearth. Yet he knows that hearth will destroy him if he becomes careless about it. You five were no accidents; you were chosen to be wizards, and most importantly, to know your power better than all those in the world now.”
                 And so the Elder passed, though how is not known. He did not die, but disappeared from the world, as if his work was complete. And perhaps it was, for a humble wizard named Gilandros came forth to teach the five who had received the gifts. And from those five came the greatest wizards of all time.
                 Each held his crystal a different way. Kaler the Forrester, now known as Kaler of the Green, set his crystal above the head of his axe, as in that way his mastery of the woods would be complete. Ijorn the Trapper, now called Ijorn the Fiery, carried his crystal in a peculiar staff which from the crystal upwards became a torch. Nald the Mason, now called Nald the Earthen, took his pick axe and set the crystal where wood and iron met, much like Kaler of the Green had done, yet it was useless now to swing though that use was not needed. Ufol the Mariner, now called Ufol the Longwinded as a joke, placed his above his spyglass, so that he may at once know where both are and if a storm was coming. And as for Mashor the Fisherman, he was known as Mashor the Simple, as he placed his crystal in a lantern which he could hang from his belt. Yet what is a tool if one does not use it?
                 The five, once Gilandros had taught them all he could, became known as the Order of the Ways. This order was not like other wizard orders, who would conquer as a king or for a king, but instead they served to guide. In their understandings came wisdom, and the Order of the Ways would teach magic in different ways so as to understand the nature of things. While they would occasionally lend power to a cause of arms, it was only if all five agreed to it, as they knew that the kings of the day do not last forever, and they had become unbounded to all. So they gave advice and dealt with guiding destruction away from the people.
                 Though it could not last, as the mortality of humans is a sure thing. Their crystals could not be used by any others, except those of their choosing. So each of these wizards had taken apprentices, and the one who most pleased them was chosen to carry on the power of their crystal. Yet a pact arose that no one could study under more than one of them, nor carry more than one crystal to use. So when Nald the Earthen died, his apprentice took his place and became Bunond the Stalwart. Such the Order of the Ways maintained themselves for many years, and though wisdom might give way to foolishness sometimes, they endured as guardians against evil and advisors to the wise. Such was the last gift of the Elder.

White Horses - Tales of Camadorn

Many stories tell of shape-changers, those who may have one form and turn into another. Most of the time this is an animal form turning into a human-like form, though they retain certain traits between these transformations. For example, one whose animal form is a stallion will turn into a man, and a mare will turn into a woman. Yet this example is not random, as the subject of today requires first an understanding of the most blessed and benevolent of all the shape-changer folk: the Ildyana.
                 The Ildyana have aided the world many a time, following their fates wherever they are needed, and being perhaps our greatest earthly ally against evil. Their animal forms are that of horses, yet how can such a word as “horse” describe them? They make the most beautiful and mighty of all horses and are unassailable through normal means. That might and beauty is also present in their human-like forms. Their magic also is unlike most of the world, yet it will be illustrated well enough in our story today that I need not describe it.

Long ago, the kingdom of Mradune invaded the country Orthune, which fought against them with the help of their allies from the kingdom of Nalorne. The kingdoms fought fiercely, and the balance of power shifted many times during that war. Yet in the closing days of the war, Mradune seemed invincible, and so despair gripped many hearts.
                 Though in that despair or despite it rose one of the most valiant heroes of the old kingdom of Orthune: Jorold the Swift. He gave battle to Mradune, but he was not enough to stem the tide. Therefore, he sought out an Ildyana to serve as a mount so that his land would be saved. He knew this hope might be vain, but it was all that was left.
                 In the forests, he found what he described as the most beautiful thing he has ever or will ever see. A woman, white in hair and pallor, yet with dark eyes. Graceful she was, and the beauty of her white gown was only surpassed by the beauty of the wearer. Her feet were bare despite the rough ground, yet no dirt or twig could be seen on them or the hem of her dress. It was as if she were separate from the world yet visible. And she asked in a voice like sunlight, “Why have you come to the forest?”
                 The woman’s beauty baffled him and so he could not withhold any truth from her. Jorold said, “I seek an Ildyana so that I may ride into battle without fear and save my country from tyranny.”
                 The woman nodded with a smile. “And is that the only reason?”
                 “Yes,” he said, truthfully. While some mighty seek glory, Jorold had no aspirations towards that. He already had more than enough for himself, and so wished only to save his fellows from the rule of Mradune.
                 A light surrounded the woman then, and when it faded there stood a magnificent white horse. It had no saddle nor was it shod, but a finer horse could not be found in all the stables of the kings. Jorold now knew that he had been speaking to an Ildyana. She said, “My name is Haryain, and it is my fate and my wish to ride for the good of your kings.”
                 So Jorold rode her back to the camp of Orthune’s army, and there it was war. Orthune and Nalorne had been giving battle to Mradune for a day now, and it was now time for the sides to rest before the next battle. The camp was well fortified and well supplied, but it would all be for naught if there were no soldiers to fight. The next day would see fierce battle indeed.
                 In preparation, Haryain was fitted with a saddle. However, she would not bear any bridle nor be shod, for neither was necessary. She would not be housed with horses either, but instead she transformed into a human and had a tent of her own. Yet these accommodations did not keep her from battle.
                 On the second day of battle, Jorold rode out on Haryain, who wore no armor for it was not necessary. They were at the point of every cavalry charge and gave the army of Mradune the most trouble. They forced the enemy towards their camp and it was like that when night fell and the armies withdrew from each other, yet not to their camps. Smaller camps were made and defenses raised to keep their ground on the battlefield. It would be necessary for the third day.
                 On the third day, when Mradune’s cavalry charged, the lines of Orthune and Nalorne were greatly diminished. Men with spear and shield were sent in to secure victory, yet King Uril of Orthune led his cavalry against the side of this force. At King Uril’s side was Jorold the Swift astride Haryain, and they charged valiantly. Though as they charged, arrows fired from Mradune’s line and struck many a man, including King Uril and Jorold the Swift. The charge was broken up, and so Orthune’s men retreated to their back.
                 King Uril was carried back, but he died before he could reach a healer’s touch. An arrow had pierced Jorold’s chest and he fought for life, yet it seemed a losing battle. Haryain carried him back to the walls of the camp, though it did not seem enough. So Haryain placed her hands on Jorold, and when they pulled the arrow out, the wound closed and left naught but a scar and dried blood. There was a cost though.
                 The next day, as they prepared for battle and Haryain transformed into Jorold’s steed, he noticed something. A scar shaped and placed similarly to his own from the arrow wound. He asked, and she responded, “Just as you shall carry your scar for the rest of your life, I shall carry this one. To save you from the wound, I gave it to myself and healed both of them. Let us not speak of this again.”
                 So Jorold prepared to ride out upon Haryain as Mradune closed in. Jorold led the cavalry out through a gate unwatched by enemies and led the crashing of steel against those enemies in front of the camp’s walls. Caught between the hammer and the anvil, Mradune’s army quickly fell apart and they soon surrendered. Thus the war ended with the dissolvement of Mradune’s army.
                 Yet as the sun set on the day of victory, Haryain bade farewell to Jorold. Yet he could not bear to part with her, so asked for her hand in marriage. She said, “It is neither my fate nor my will to do this. Yet know that you are not the last Champion to ride an Ildyana, and there will be one who shall decide the fates of many. Farewell, Jorold, as you are greatly blessed.”
                 So Haryain returned to the wilds, where the Ildyana hide and only come out when they are fated to. Jorold indeed went on to be greatly honored, raise a family, and be at peace, yet he would never forget the most beautiful horse who was also the most woman he’d ever seen. And that, for good or ill, is how it ended.