History of the Ages

"The conflict between the Brothers of Barald and the Empire waged on, heedless of all consequence. Despite our pleas for sanity, they continued to wage their mad war of ideologies. Together, their forces met upon the great plains of the Grasslands with the intent to fight a battle to end all battles.

    At first, it seemed as if the Brothers of Barald were winning; they had pushed the Empire back and had the opposing forces on the run. Despite a bold push by Imperial armies which saw New Hemming fall, and the Imperium reclaim the northern crest of the Black's Mar region, they could not fully shatter the backbone of the Omicron. Facing isolation in enemy territory, they razed the outer districts of New Hemming and retreated towards their frontier encampments to defend against the counter-offensive. The failure of the Imperial gambit excited Omicron commanders. A siege upon Vandermere itself now seemed possible, and even the reserves were mobilized for a dramatic invasion across the Grasslands. Morale was high and the perceived freedom that the rebel alliance were so willing to kill for seemed within their reach. However, fate is often cruel.

    My sister and I left Kemduhrm when it too seemed gripped with madness. The Dwarves of Haragurum were preparing their siege weapons with every intent to join the War of Man. This should not have come as a surprise – many of the Stonekin had already allied themselves with the rebel cause. What was surprising was who they planned to lay waste to – and the result of their action.

    His armies expended, frontiers failing, the Divine Emperor in Vandermere unleashed his vilest scheme. Siding with the Empire, the Dwarves of Haragurum fired a barrage of incendiaries from behind the walls of Kemduhrm that rained down upon the Brothers of Barald, decimating them. Worse yet, the alchemist’s fire they used seeped into the surface fissures, eventually igniting the coal deposits that were buried beneath the earthen ground. It was clear then that the Dwarves of Haragurum had betrayed the clans of Nan Buldihr and Kun Badur in forging a secret alliance with the Empire. The Glasslands became a raging inferno - countless men and women from both sides burned alive as the flames rose. In an instant, the war between the Rebels and the Empire was over; the Battle of the Scarlet Fields, as it was called, was at an end - but there was no victor. Both sides retreated – some seeking refuge in Tel Vinrae.

    It was then that Ambassadors from both warring parties came to the Eladrin. After years of debate, a treaty was finally formed – Imperial and Omicron peoples would remain neutral within our city, and all warring factions would find peace within our walls. The Eladrin created open trade contracts with Northern, Eastern and Western Mileria, including the Elven Nations and Dwarven Holds, regardless of which faction they were under control of. In turn, they swore to operate in Tel Vinrae with only peaceful intent. No matter their allegiance, while within our city, they would obey our laws, and find punishment accordingly if any such laws were violated. Should any of these groups or peoples decide to claim our lands, our people, or the Southern Nation, or forcefully change our ways, or find the signed terms unfit at any time, it would be considered an act of highest offence, and in turn, we would retaliate with appropriate action – The Eladrin would join the revolt, and fight only for one side – Tel Vinrae.

    And so the Council of Baraldamere was formed beneath what is known as the Trade Concordia. Upon signing, all thirteen Eladrin High Houses were present, as well as Emperor Xalvador Berinon I (of House Merek), Omicron leader Terrowin Barald and his children, Clan Korthic of Kun Badur, Clan Rakseg of Nan Buldihr, and Clan Askafr of Haragurum, as well as Ambassadors from the Southern Elven Nation.


    One hundred years later, the Grasslands, now called the Burning Wastes, are an unforgiving region of Mileria. It is rumoured that strange, dark things now lurk with the smouldering ruins of Tinker's End, and also New Hemming--that famous city of art and culture, and site of the war's deadliest siege. Thought to be one of the greatest historical trade sites and ceremonial places, the sacred halls of Kemduhrm have been left to burn – yet the Dwarves' superior architecture defiantly remains nearly untouched – but no less defiled. The perceived betrayal from Haragurum changed the entire dynamic of the Dwarven Clans, who now come close to war with each other.
  
    Through the years, more sought to work with Tel Vinrae beneath the Trade Concordia. Now, there are thirty-five different parties that hold active seats within the Council of Baraldamere – and even still, the Eladrin are at peace with the various groups that now call Tel Vinrae home. But peace is a liquidated term that seems to only ebb and flow through the years.

    The Races of Man continue their petty wars, however futile it appears. The Empire and the Brothers now sit and scheme upon the Council of Baraldamere, desperately trying to out-manoeuvre each other politically. Officially, the purpose of the Council is so that the world will never see another Burning Wastes, although I must admit my scepticism. The Council of Baraldamere has only existed for seventy years (a lifetime for man, but a moment for us) and the Brothers of Barald and the Empire have both shown that they care more for their own advancement than any real form of peace.

    Other forces in the city scheme as well. The Eamane Anarion, more commonly known as the Thieves' Guild, still sulks through the shadows laying claim to that which is not theirs. They now have an uneasy alliance with a gang involving an enigmatic man known only as the Fiend; an information broker that seems to play various factions within this city against themselves. (Interestingly enough his intent seems to be the independence of Tel Vinrae.)

    Our great city still stands, some say more glorious than ever. The great war between the Brothers and the Empire brought many refugees within our walls. Men have forsaken their own alliances in favour of a new life under the aegis of our protection. Even our lesser cousins, the Elves, have found a true home with our city walls; one they never truly had even in their once-great kingdoms.

    We are at the cusp of a new time - the Golden Age. Despite the Shadow Wars, there has been a relative peace over the last century. Mankind has managed to make many advances - some of their own, though most under the Eladrin's guidance. The Dwarves are beginning to create technical wonders of their own – evening bringing aid to the advancement of our Soulless protectors. However, whether or not they will live up to their potential is yet to be determined.

    One thing is certain, however; Tel Vinrae will continue to prosper and serve as a beacon of hope and sanity for the dark world. And we, the Eladrin, will guide all willing to follow us to a world of peace and prosperity. However long it will take, only one truth is certain: as the Fair Folk of this world, we shall always prevail."

~ Excerpt from the journal of leading scholar Solodael Lash-Ra`el, Eladrin Historian and High Mage at the Academy of Philosophies

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