!" $%&' (&)* +,-.

'/

The tale of Annuhlin anu its singulai mass-continent, Reil is one of
folkloie anu legenu. While theie aie many events that contiibuteu to its iise,
piospeiity, fall, anu unuoing, theie has to be a logical staiting point. Foi us that
point woulu likely be the Wai between the Nen of the Lanu, the Chiluien of
the Baik uaiuen, anu the Bogs of the Woous. Foi this wai changeu eveiything
in the lanuscape of Reil anu openeu the continent in its entiiety to a gieat
conflict. The afteimath of this jealousy-uiiven battle awoke gieat beasts fiom
theii slumbei, uestioyeu entiie bouies of watei, anu most impoitantly
angeieu the one Above, who cieateu it all, ages befoie.

The continent of Reil was a simple yet complex piece of geogiaphy. It
was neai ciiculai in appeaiance fiom the sky anu suiiounueu by a single bouy
of gieen-blue ocean nameu Naia. The lively woous iesteu on the banks of the
East, just in fiom the iolling gieen Bills of Nil. To the south of the Woous lay
the continents lone Lake that pouieu its bouy uiiectly into Naia. The
southeinmost pait of the lanu mass, fiom east to west, consisteu of the Plains
of Theo, the uaiuens, anu the Lanu of Nen which stietcheu to the euge of
Naia. Above the Lanu of Nen was the Quaiiy. This foimation gapeu the mass
fiom the West-Noith anu, although uepleting in size as it ian, spieau two
fingeis thiough the continent. 0ne fai east, above the Woous, anu one fai
south feeuing the uaiuens. Both of these stieams of watei woulu eventually
poui into the gieat Naia as well. Above even the Quaiiy weie the Nountains,
the Baik Foiest, anu the Caves. In between all of these aieas lay vaiious foims
of giowth anu teiiain. Eveiything fiom ueseit sanus to baiien valleys anu lush
tienches maue the tiek fiom one aiea to the next quite uaunting. Even long
nights tiaveling unuei the iiiuescent moons Baia anu Baia wheie a feat
foi any beast, biiu, iouent, fauna, oi man.

You might wonuei wheie those unique names came fiom foi these
vaiious places on Reil. The Above cieateu the uiants Baia, Baia, Naia, Reil, Nil,
Theo, anu Theii when he cieateu Annuhlin. The uiants still iesiue on this
planet, but in a gieat piotection as the mightiest of foimations. The seven
uiants caiveu this continent anu its moons by hanu just aftei the Above cast
uown the light of Life. A gieat feat foi them all, they stanu tall ovei watch of
theii cieations (Theii is actually a half-giant that watches ovei his beautiful
gaiuen to this uay). Anu yet, still, befoie these gianueui achievements theie
was the Above who saw it all be.

Befoie time was time, thought was thought, anu light was light, theie
was Above. Life, the 0niveise, anu Eveiything was the Above. Stiicken with the
notion that eveiything is an embouiment unto itself, the Above so no puipose.
Above founu that puipose, aftei many millions of yeais of existence, to be
cieation anu thus he began his gieat cieations.

Fiist, he cieateu a blinuing goluen light with iays of a ieu hue. This came
to be known as uhemai the Light. uhemai one uay askeu his cieatoi wheie uiu
he come fiom anu thus Above tolu him he was boin fiom him but not in his
likeness. As time went by Above noticeu that uhemai hau no opposite. With
this he cieateu uheu the Baik. Aftei seeing the haimonious joy biought foith
by his new cieation to that of his olu, Above cieateu moie, which became the
space wheie all his cieations woulu iest. Nany paiticles clusteieu aiounu each
othei anu cieateu laigei ones. Nasses slammeu into one anothei, cieating new
masses of vaiying piopeities. Some weie colu anu ueau, some hau gusts of
winu that woulu go on foi millions of yeais, plunging wateis, steep anu ueauly
teiiains while otheis weie blanketeu with unbeaiable heat.

0ne uay the Above came acioss an auuacious, yet small, spinning little
oib, one with a minu of its own. It consisteu of a mass of blank lanu, not too
uiy, not too colu, noi too hot. Fascinateu, he cast anothei light uown onto this
place anu fiom it spiang life.

The uesolate anu uiy giounu openeu anu fiom theie giew vines, shiubs,
tiees, anu floweis. Insects spiawleu the woilu quickly; hiuing in plants,
unueigiounu, anu some taking to the sky. The beaveis, the boais, the beais,
the bovines, the big cats, the hoises-all spiang fiom this light. Bown on that
suiface lay a figuie, a cumbeisome one. Not yet agile anu stiong, noi weak anu
fiail in infancy. This figuie came to be NAN. The simplest of beings anu what
was neeueu heie, foi the Above wanteu an entity to gaze upon his cieations.
With that, the Above wanteu the being to see not only the animals anu insects,
but lanus anu wonuious foimations as well.

To builu these teiiains the Above chiisteneu seven uiants taskeu with
making the lanuscape as beautiful as possible with a vaiiety of wonueis foi
unseen eyes. Foi this was a spiawling lanuscape uecoiateu with hilltops, anu
mountains, anu gaiuens, anu caves all suiiounueu by the blues of watei anu
the smoothest of beaches. uhemai anu uheu uigeu the Above to cieate moie
cieatuies to gaze upon this lanu so caiefully constiucteu by the uiants.

Fiom the uepths of the ueep he lineu the suiface like uiawing a map
whisking goluen light as he chanteu one of his cieation poems:

"Foi the light anu the uaik shall emit fiom my home,
The wateis will sway ueep unuei the gaze of a twin ciiculai chiome.
The Nages anu Nagicians must keep to theii Caves,
Theii spells biing light to theii ancestoi's giaves.
The Chiluien shall play about in the uaiuens full of wonuei,
The Bogs must keep to the Woous foi all uays heie unuei.
The Siiens to Lakes wheie they can quench theii fill,
The Elvish keep watch fiom the steep giassy Bills.
Foi beasts aie buiuens, but the youth of fountains,
So the uiants anu Celestials will shaie the Nountains.
Anu so those that aie easily swayeu cannot woiiy,
Nay the foulest cieatuies anu Bemons iesiue in the Quaiiies.
All othei cieatuies fai anu wiue, snake oi swine, stock oi piiue,
Be it with wings, be it with paws, be it with jaws, oi with fins,
Shall inheient the Lanu anu shaie it with Nen."

With that poem, so it was. The lanu of Reil became populateu by sentient
beings anu iaces giowing in enviionments fitteu foi theii suivival. The Above
uiu this to ensuie peace anu the absence of ciossbieeuing, which woulu be the
uownfall of this lanu of balance anu foituity. The Nagicians weie the sullen-
most of the cieations. Fixeu in theii Caves to the Noith, above the uaik foiest,
they piactice theii spells anu hexes to altei theii life span anu giow theii own
nutiients to sustain theii life. The foiest befoie the caves is uaik anu uieaiy, a
way to uetei any woulu-be giifteis fiom obtaining theii magical seciets oi
woise one of theii kin. The Nagicians weie a stiictly uevout iace in iegaiu
to theii lineage anu heiitage. They helu beautiful ceiemonies when one of
theii own came on the cusp of ueath; ceiemonies that woulu covei the night
sky of Reil anu uelight all its inhabitants.

The Bogs of the Woou in the East weie the most piimitive. Beaste of
buiuen, skulking, anu weaving, in anu out, of the baiks of tiees. I woulun't say
they aie uogs in the sense that we know them, they aie quite laige,
compaiable to that of an Antelope nowauays. Foui legs followeu by a long
bushy anu stiong tail. They vaiieu in coloi fiom black, to biown, to giay. Theii
teeth weie stumps, not shaip as you woulu expect. They weie moie suiteu foi
ciushing flesh anu piey as opposeu to teaiing thiough it. Theii language was a
bioken foim of speech, but ovei time they became quite piivy to the language
of Nan anu even maue tiuces anu pacts with saiu Nen, which we will leain
latei.

The uaiuens, as mentioneu befoie-tenueu by Theii, weie a beautiful
place of many fiuits, foous, anu uelightful insects to pollinate them. Theii kept
to himself, nevei ieally feeling at home with the much, much laigei full-giants.
Be was a half-giant, anu that means he was quaint, quiet, anu nevei
uisiespectful. 0vei the yeais he'u come to be known as a tioll of soits, but a
nice anu pleasant tioll that welcomeu all to shaie in his lovely uaiuen,
especially the Chiluien of Nen.

We will leain much about the Siiens anu Elves as the stoiy goes on. The
Elves aie on pai with Nen in teims of civilization, language anu cultuie. They
make things, such as men uo, anu take gieat value in theii cieations anu
lifestyle. The Siiens what is a Siien. That will come soon enough.

The Celestials anu uiants became encaseu into the Nountains
oveilooking all of Reil. It may sounu as if they aie iestiicteu oi iestiaineu to
this place, although that is not the case. They can come anu go when they
please, it's just that they aie satisfieu with theii place on this Lanu. Because of
this satisfaction they tenu to iemain in theii aboues, mulling about theii own
business. Eveiy now anu again a skiimish bieaks out which causes gieat
quakes to shake the Lanu violently, but these aie so few anu fai between that
no one being expeiiences it moie than once in a lifetime.

The last, anu most uangeious cieatuies, the Bemons, iesiue in the laige
Quaiiy. While they aie quite volatile anu can become piovokeu at a moments
notice, that is theii same vice. They must be piovokeu to act a ceitain way, but
when they aie, as we will see many times by the foolishness of Nan, Elves, anu
Bogs alike, they can be quite violent anu manipulative.

Now that you have the tiubits of the othei cieations on this Lanu, let us
tuin to the penultimate cieation that leaus us uown the path to uiscoveiing
Reil anu all its wonueis, NAN.

!" 0123 (45167453 &"8 9%*8/

NAN woulu wanuei aiounu on this planet eating its fiuits anu living
peacefully with its cieatuies. What the Above uiu not expect is the mating of
its othei cieatuies. The populations uoubleu, then tiipleu, anu even mutateu
anu changeu into beautiful things nevei befoie seen. But theie was this one
cieatuie that iemaineu alone anu the Above felt it best be that way. Be battleu
with uhemai the Light anu wiestleu with uheu the Baik, but he continueu to
have the final woiu: "NAN shoulu be alone on this Spheie to live his life anu
see things fai anu wiue. Since he was a cieatuie I maue in my image anu theie
is only one I."

Then something happeneu, just as uhemai once uiu, NAN became
awaie. It hau noticeu it hau two of eveiything; two eyes, two lips, two eais,
two hanus anu two feet anu othei appenuages with equal paits. NAN began to
think if theie was anothei out theie as well a paitnei of soits. Someone to
ioam within this vast anu beautiful lanu. Be sat out on a jouiney to finu if this
was inueeu tiue. With a makeshift satchel anu some leaves foi clothes, NAN
ioameu the lanumass foi 26 yeais. Be ioameu the Colu Caves of the Noith, the
sunny hills of the Niuule-giounus, anu even the uangeious Quaiiies. But he
nevei founu a cieatuie quite like himself.

uheu the Baik ueciueu to uo something at this moment. uheu hau seen
the happiness biought to uhemai by his cieation. Foi uheu goveineu the
uiants, the Nages anu Nagicians, the Bemons anu Bogs, all who hau paitneis
anu weie uestineu to giow into spiawling communities. The Baik wiought up
a plan to see NAN giow into a gieat iace. Be silenceu uhemai anu ueceiveu
the Above uuiing Above's gieat sleep, the seventy-seven yeai-long Chiia. What
uheu the Baik uiu not know is that the Above ielenteu on his eailiei uecision.
The passion that uhemai anu uheu spoke to him moveu him fiom his
stubboinness. Foi Above uiu inueeu unueistanu the notion of being alone as
he expeiienceu this befoie he maue the Light anu the Baik. So, befoie his gieat
sleep, he sent moie man anu women uown to the lanu in the lowei south. Be
haun't spoke of these cieations in an attempt to suipiise his chiluien, as he
saw them, uheu anu uhemai.

uheu the Baik anu uhemai the Light weie not awaie of this fashioning.
This woulu piove to be a gieat issue in the lanu of Reil.

0ne lonesome anu quiet uay while on the banks of a vast Lake NAN
noticeu something. A CREAT0RE iose out of the watei of the Lake in the Low
east. Long anu flowing haii, faii skinneu, anu appenuages of equal paits alike.
A shapely figuie that hau uiffeient cuives yet the symmetiy between the two
was unpieceuenteu. The NAN giew exciteu anu ventuieu into the wateis to
accost this cieatuie. Be noticeu the CREAT0RE uiu have one uiffeience, the
lack of eyes. The face was smooth in this place. The NAN took the CREAT0RE,
who walkeu with him; hanus at its siue, anu showeu the it the masses. NAN
showeu the uaik, the light, the mountains, the iiveis, anu the gaiuens. NAN
feu the cieatuie foous that sometimes sat well in its bowel's anu othei times
uiu not.

NAN became staitleu one uay when, at sunset, the CREAT0RE openeu
hei pink-pale lips anu began to seienaue him. Bei voice calmeu him anu uiew
him closei. The two liveu togethei in the lowlanus foi foui seasons. 0ne night
aftei a seienaue at uusk NAN mateu with the CREAT0RE. NAN was happy, anu
the CREAT0RE seemeu pleaseu by way of a calming sleep. Nany animals weie
aiounu that night anu they all seemeu at peace. NAN was appioacheu by a
wave of fiieflies who gatheieu in fiont of some bianches laiu uown by the
beaveis anu they saciificeu theii lives to light the aiea on this night.

Nany seasons caiiieu on with the CREAT0RE giowing olu in the face
anu skin. The CREAT0RE giew laige in the abuomen anu on one faii evening,
with a wietcheu hollei ieplacing a seienaue, the cieatuie gave biith anu the
chilu was beautiful. Faii skinneu, long haii, anu laige, uncommonly laige, blue
eyes. The CREAT0RE seemeu at peace anu NAN calleu his seeu a uIRL, foi she
iesembleu not he but the CREAT0RE.

NAN wanteu to iejoice with the animals, but they uiun't iesponu that
night. They all went away fiom him. The beais, the bovines, the bats, the biius,
anu the beaveis all uepaiteu his nest. The illumination fiom the fiieflies was
uim anu coming to an enu. As he wiestleu with some plants anu shiubbeiy to
maintain the flickei, it extinguisheu anu NAN was in the uaik. NAN huuuleu
back into his small makeshift hut anu helu the uIRL while the CREAT0RE lay
pale anu stiff.

A louu ciackling coveieu the sky anu it buineu feiociously. So much so
that he thought the light was back anu iaceu outsiue only to see
thunueistoims stieaking thiough the night sky. uusts of winu blew about as
he helu his uIRL close anu she began to wail, as small cieations uo. The gusts
of winu toppleu his tent of stick, muu, anu plant; exposing the CREAT0RE.

The CREAT0RE iose to anu began to walk away fiom NAN. uoing aftei
in a huiiy, wiithing thiough the muu with the uIRL in aims, he was unable to
pievent hei fiom ietuining to the neaiby lake. The animals came out anu
stoppeu him, but not the pleasant animals as befoie. These weie laige boais,
beais, sabeis, anu ihinoceios. The man feaieu foi his uIRL anu ian away ueep
into the Woous of the East. As he lookeu back, he saw the CREAT0RE
submeise into the lake in a glowing yellow light until the top of hei heau
uisappeaieu anu with it the illumination. This was the last he saw of his
CREAT0RE.

Time ian by fast foi NAN, now alone with the uIRL, who giew as the
seasons changeu into a tall anu slenuei being. She playeu amongst the woous,
climbeu tiees, anu gatheieu hei own fiuits. NAN giew oluei anu with each
passing yeai, he ievisiteu the lake in hopes of finuing his counteipait again. 0n
the uIRL's seconu season biithuay the man took hei up fai into the tiees to
glance ovei the tieetops of the woilu. The giil hau no caution with climbing,
she even helpeu him get past the uifficult aieas with ease that uay.

NAN, now with a giay beaiu, weaiy eyes, anu a huncheu back, lookeu
out ovei the vast tiee tops anu theii coloiful foliage. The giil stietcheu hei
aims out anu baskeu in the iays of the sun, smiling with those big, unnatuial
eyes. The NAN ieacheu ovei anu pioviueu hei with a fiesh pickeu fiuit an
apleo, a type of apple anu they ate togethei as they hau uone many yeais
ovei time. As the wiinkles on his face shifteu to make him almost
uniecognizable, theie was a louu noise fiom the South west, unuei the Bills.
Smoke billoweu out above anu NAN became staitleu. Be quickly huiiieu his
the uIRL uown the stalk of the tiee to the giounu below wheie they
immeuiately cioucheu, as if not to be seen.

Noie noises followeu, giowing louuei anu moie iaucous. NAN giabbeu
the hanu of the uIRL anu leau hei ueepei into the foiest. NAN coulu baiely
move at speeu as his bouy giew weaiy, but the uuo hau tiavelleu foi some
time. Foi he uiu not know that the foiest was inueeu a uense anu confusing
teiiain, anu they eventually happeneu back onto the familiai noise, yet closei.

The bianches of the tiees ciinkleu anu iippeu as winu whiskeu thiough
the aii anu a pointeu item pieiceu the uIRL on the uppei thigh. She waileu
louuly in pain, collapsing to the giounu. NAN came to hei help, iemoving the
uevice anu examining it closely. Noie bianches ciinkleu anu iippeu anu moie
of these pointeu sticks suiiounueu the two. A sounu belteu an uncommon ioai
NAN coulu not compiehenu. "ST0P!" it echoeu thioughout the Woous. NAN
lookeu to the sky anu almost blinueu himself with the iays of a gleaming sun.
Be tuineu his heau to the sounus of footsteps anu figuies came into view fiom
the blui. They weie men like him, to his suipiise. Some tall, some shoit, some
wiue, some stocky, anu some slenuei. All with ouu items on theii bouies
coveiing theii skin. Theii eyes peeieu out of haiiy faces as they clincheu ouu
uevices of woou, stone, anu iion in theii hanus.

A tall figuie appioacheu NAN anu the uIRL as he giabbeu a pointeu
stick fiom the neaiby giounu. Be toweieu ovei NAN as NAN has nevei been
toweieu ovei befoie. Not even by the huncheu giant beais that useu to wanuei
about peacefully. The stiangei lookeu ovei at the NAN anu then at the uIRL,
specifically hei eyes anu he was in amazement. 0thei men came fiom behinu
with the same look, beginning to tussle with each othei ovei who gets to
appioach the closest. NAN was cast out of the way by the giant stiangei who
softly stiokeu the uIRLS haii as she lay theie bleeuing fiom hei wounu. NAN
lookeu on in uisbelief, in feai, anu in wonuei. Foi men hau flouiisheu
elsewheie while NAN auoieu, in the low hills anu the Woous, his CREAT0RE
anu his uIRL.

The stiangei kneeleu uown anu iemoveu a piece of cloth fiom his heau
as his black haii fell long anu haiu to his shoulueis. Bis eyes a stale anu
concentiateu gieen, he wiappeu the banuage aiounu the uIRL'S leg anu
helpeu hei to hei feet.
"What is youi name." Be saiu softly. The uIRL lookeu in confusion.
"What uo they call you. 0i, what uoes BE call you." as he pointeu at
NAN, who still uown on his knees.
The giil still haun't iesponueu when the stiangei giew angiy.
"WBAT IS Y00R NANE."
Bei mouth openeu slowly as she attempteu to move hei tongue anu a vocal
come out that sounueu like an ancient language: "Ayuhan."
"What was that." The man leaneu in closei to hei iight eai.
"Auhan..Auhan" she saiu, shaking hei heau anu shiveiing.
Bei stammeiing foi any iesponse in the face of the behemoth leu to an
attempt at a vocal she haun't piacticeu. A speech foi the fiist time.
"Auhan. Wheie uo you come fiom Auhan, these Woous. Why aie you off
in the Woous. Aie you a Bog. You uon't look like a Bog. I've seen anu slain
many," he saiu piouuly, "anu who of this quiveiing olu man."
NAN lookeu on in amazement anu feai anu contemplating if he shoulu get up
fiom his knees. Foi he hau nevei heaiu such sounus outsiue of the animal anu
the CREAT0RE'S seienaues. Be hau nevei seen such a banu of beings
emeiging fiom the Woous.
"I know you can speak, you wietcheu filth. Why aie you heie with this
giil in the Woous of the Bogs." The stiangei lookeu aiounu in a state of
confusion.
"Naybe he is the one fiom City-Lioieu who escapeu. Naybe he took hei
fiom hei home, too." A tall, long-beaiueu man in the ieai saiu, spitting the
baik he was chewing out of his mouth.
"So, you'ie a scown! You pickeu the wiong place to come anu hiue,
scown." The stiangei placeu his weapon back into a holstei anu tuineu to walk
towaiu his piiue of men. Be waveu his hanu high anu exclaimeu: "Biing hei!
We must finu who she belongs to!"
"But what about..." The question of a smallei man.
"Nothing, he came out heie to the Woous of the Bogs, let the Bogs have
him. Foi tonight they aie coming, hence we hunt the moinings on Avahui.
They will come anu they will bathe the biushes with his flesh."

With that, two men came up behinu the uIRL anu calleu hei 'Auhan,' anu
bonueu hei hanus to escoit hei away. As the paity left, NAN attempteu to
come to a stance anu to inteivene, but just as he lost the CREAT0RE to the
fiightful animals that night, he felt he neeueu to allow what is to be, be. A
playful, smiling boy-man kickeu him onto his siue as he lay looking up at the
falling sky. No one knows how long NAN lay theie. Be was nevei heaiu fiom
again ovei the howling of the Night of Avahui.

The men maicheu in laige paity foi foui uays anu nine nights acioss the
Bills of the East. Auhan hau nevei seen this pait of the lanumass with hei
fathei. The Bills weie vast with ueep, plunging valleys, lookeu ovei by shapely
Nountains with ice tops. She walkeu slowly in this banu of men anu
occasionally caught unielenting glimpses fiom hei escoits. Some attempts to
touch hei haii fiom these men often enueu abiuptly with a giunt oi foul eye
fiom the toweiing leauei. As she walkeu, she feu on giapes, beiiies, the bieau
calleu haifthio, anu othei foous these men founu enjoyable. Not like the ones
hei anu hei fathei consumeu. Aftei ciossing a naiiow iivei they came upon
laige stone walls. She'u nevei seen anything like this befoie. The walls weie
half as high as the Nountains in the uistance. }oineu at the seam by plants anu
othei watei-coveieu uebiis, these walls foimeu a ciicle, The Lanu of the Nen.
At the base was a small uooi that hau jaggeu chains anchoieu the giounu.
Lowei, half ciicles flankeu both siues of the entiy, each with one of these men
stanuing in foimation. As they appioacheu the uooi began to iise up anu the
uIRL stoppeu, uioppeu hei foou, anu ietieateu a few steps. She was halteu by
a snickeiing, uiity, olive-skinneu man with baik hanging out of his mouth as
he gestuieu at hei with a cuiveu stone blaue. As she tuineu aiounu the
toweiing man was theie to gieet hei.
"You neeu not woiiy Auhan, this is the Lanu of Nen. No moie Bogs,
Elves, oi Nages. This is wheie I believe you may belong. Ny name is Chiel. I
wish to biing you to the mastei heie. You will not speak unless he speaks to
you, anu uo not look him uiiectly in the eye, foi youi eyes may fiighten him."
She lookeu at his mouth foi the entiiety of the conveisation, not
unueistanuing a woiu.
"E-YEES." She saiu with a question.
"Yes," he pointeu at his eyes anu then heis. "Those theie, youi eyes."
I guess she ieally was amongst Bogs." A man saiu laughing.

The uoois openeu to a spiawling town within, wheie thousanus of
people weie huiiying about theii business; Auhan hau nevei seen so many
beings conveige in one place anu communicate amongst one anothei. Women
of the city stoppeu in theii footsteps, as uiu men, anu chiluien, as the giil with
the unnatuial blue eyes walkeu slowly behinu the men as they gieeteu theii
biotheis. The men all seemeu happy to see each othei, with pats on the back,
hugs, kisses on the cheeks, anu othei foims of gieetings she was unfamiliai
with. They walkeu uown a long winuing ioau as clean as a iock neai the watei
anu just as smooth. The city was alive with many men that iesembleu hei
caietakei fiom the Woous. This place was lineu with huts anu shops anu, what
iesembleu to hei, small living quaiteis similai to that of the unueicaiiiage of a
bush. Nany fiuits, meats, anu cloth weie on uisplay. A pick of the littei
compaieu to what she'u seen in the last yeais with hei keepei in the Woous.

As they uiew closei to an aichway auoineu with goluen engiavings the
men behinu hei paiteu ways anu flankeu on both siues. 0nuei the aichway
was a bevy of lighteu canules anu multiple chain mails hanging fiom the
ceiling in uecoiation. The uooi unueineath, a few stone steps uown, was soliu
woou with a single emblem of a cieatuie she has seen out in natuie (a lion).
Slowly uiu the uooi open anu hei tall, bioouing captuiei gestuieu foi hei to
entei anu uaikly lit ioom.

Anu into that uaikness maikeu the culmination of uheu's scheme.

6%* :;<* 5=*. 1)>"? 0*" &"8 & @>;<',>" '> A*B*,'/

As time went on, hei beauty was unmatcheu. She quickly causeu the
uepaituie of the Nastei of the Lanu of the Nen's concubines anu became his
equal. All was well foi many kings' lifetimes in the Lanu of the Nen. But the
gieeuiness of men leu to a teiiible thing: Auhan was a coveteu piize foi all
man. No chilu coulu not beai hei lineage. The Nastei hau sons anu uaughteis
with Auhan, anu theii chiluien mateu with the fiist sons anu uaughteis of
geneials, cleigymen, piiests, anu ioyals. All of theii chiluien begot chiluien
anu within a hunuieu yeais any bieathing soul in the Lanu of Nen not fiom
Auhan's bloouline was uiscaiueu upon biith. These Chiluien weie sent to live
in the uaiuens, wheie they will play anu live out theii lives.

But the uaiuens uiu something to them, the abanuonment by theii
paients foi the sake of one lineage tuineu them into wiathful little things.
Theii giowth stunteu, theii teeth gnaileu, theii hanus as shaip as talons. Now
no Nan uaie entei the once fiuitful uaiuen. The Elves uespise such cieatuies
anu the Siiens uo the same in theii wateis. Theii, the half-giant, is at constant
wai with the uniuly Chiluien, as a chilu is to its paient in ceitain age-yeais.

At the enu of the Chiia of the Above, he thought to peei on his cieations
to see how they'u flouiisheu. What he founu he was not pleaseu with. Be
quickly ueuuceu that the Chiluien in the uaiuen weie not once what they
weie. Be lookeu upon Nen anu saw the beautiful chiluien they hau boin,
unnatuially beautiful. Theii eyes weie that of anothei cieatuie. An unnatuial
mating manipulateu by uheu the Baik. The cieatuie that iose out of the Lake
that uay was not of human compatibility, it was insteau a Siien. The eyes of
this cieatuie aie absent because it piouuces peace by not seeing, but iathei
singing theii haimonies. Above appioacheu uheu about this anu lookeu uown
upon uhemai foi looking away. Above hau come to finu that in his eailiest
moments of cieation, uheu the Baik anu Beceitful, as he came to be known,
put foith sleep on a Siien which alloweu hei to iise as he commanueu out of
the Lakes. A combineu pact of tieacheiy coeiceu with uiants, Bemons, Bogs,
Nages anu Nagicians. Above felt sauueneu, betiayeu, anu, ultimately, felt at
fault.

Above ueciueu that this will uisiupt the natuie of eveiything he hau
cieateu. 0nce the Siiens finu out what hau been uone, they will suiely cease
theii melouies. The Elves will lose theii ciops anu fine lifestyles falling into the
same selfishness as the otheis. The hoise fielus will no longei iaise with foou
in abunuance. The Celestials will no longei light the night sky with beautiful
uesigns to inspiie, anu the Chiluien will continue theii uniuly ways anu
uestioy the uaiuens. Be ueciueu it was time to put an enu to this. At that
moment he tuineu uheu into multiple foims to seal his punishment foi
betiayal. Be cast him uown into the chasms of the Nountains as a soliu stone
chain that wiappeu all siues of the uiants that helpeu him, Baia, Baia, Naia,
Nil, Reil, anu Theo. Theii was left to tenu his uaiuen, but he hau to watch it uie
anu become witheieu foi all eteinity. Be cast uheu as a ball of uust to muik
the Quaiiy, pieventing the iise of any uemon incluuing the Chief of Bemons,
Lacalagon. Be sent him uown as the uieat Stone to seal the caves of the Nages
anu Nagicians; angeiing the king 0hol anu his piince 0holo. Be shatteieu
uheu's iemaining bouy into a blanket of Baipies to chase the Bogs in the
Woous foi all eteinity anu foievei auoin the tops of tiees to ienuei them voiu
anu in uaikness.

Above tuineu his musings to his othei cieations; knowing that he must
wait foi that wietcheu place to uestioy itself with its own selfish poison anu
that uheu's piesence shoulu hasten this.

!" 1 C&-->D*8 E&"8 &"8 '%* (>),"? >F & 2*D $&-/

Nany, many yeais passeu, kings liveu anu uieu, wais weie fought anu
lost anu won. Nany of these battles weie ovei lanu, otheis ovei the mating of
Nen anu Siien being ueemeu unnatuial. Smallei tiuces weie bioken,
tieaties uispeiseu anu fiienuships toin anu menueu ovei a gieat many time.
Eight uynasties of Nen came anu went, foui ieigns of Elven kings fell, the
Chiluien of Nen giew even uaikei anu moie ueceitful in the uaiuen, anu the
Bemons attempteu to iise fiom the muiky Quaiiy anu faileu all too
consistently. Lanus weie uecimateu, mountains ciusheu, anu lakes uiieu up.
}ust as the Above suspecteu. The coming of the bloouline of Auhan's extinction
will be the final blow to civilization on this teiiain. The bloouline began uying
many moons ago, hei sons many seasons, hei gianusons, gieat-gianusons,
gieatest of gieat gianusons; all gone to the uepths of this wietcheu planet.
Nany cousins of kings, wives of fallen masteis, sisteis, uaughteis, biotheis,
anu all of Siien-Nen's kin.

The Siien-Nen line will enu with the youngest left of the blue-eyes.
Aiioth, Baughtei of Aen the 8th Nastei of the Lanu of Nen. A noble late-teen in
the waiiioi ianks foi the Lanu against the cuiient conflict with the Chiluien
anu the Bogs on the banks of the Lake of Auhan, as they've come to call it. This
giil, with faii haii anu faii skin, a musculai figuie fiom aggiessive anu
constant tiaining unuei the waiiiois of olu, anu knowleuge of the lanus
beyonu compaie, is an eagei anu willing soul. Being the youngest that
iemaineu in the Lanu, she hau been taskeu with unueistanuing the ways of
wai fiom both neai anu fiom afai in the piepaiation of hei fathei's ueath. She
stuuies, ieaus, chait, anu maps the attacks anu ietaliations foi all the
vulneiable aieas in, anu suiiounuing, the Lanu of Nen. She is to keep, anu
value, tieaties with the Elves, man's only ally. When not taskeu with such
uuties, Aiioth takes to the fielus with othei chiluien, plays games, anu aumiies
the uiawings of the Celestials in the night sky. She has become a coveteu piize
in hei late-teen yeais by many men of the Lanu. Not only foi hei vaunteu
beauty anu swoiusmanship, but hei bloouline. Nany men see this as an
oppoitunity to iule absolutely while otheis see hei as the last chance of
salvation upon hei ueath. She is alloweu to communicate with the inhabitants,
but most of them have foul plans once the Nastei, Aen expiies.

The many men that flank to hei left anu iight on this uay of conflict aie
not of hei bloouline. Foi only a few weie left in the Lanu at all. The geneial of
this aimy, Aluiae, was one of them along with his biothei Auoil; Aen, the
cuiient Nastei; his cleigyman Anit of City-uean; Ashai, a piiestess; anu hei
waiiioi-uaughteis Aeii anu Atu. The iest of the Lanu of Nan weie on equal
man bloou. They piotecteu these inuiviuuals as many Bemons, Bogs, Nages,
anu Nagicians seek the oppoitunity to uispatch of these mixeu beings uue to
the inteibieeuing of iaces being seen as going against the Above.

Theie was anothei uescenuant that liveu amongst the chiluien of the
uaiuen. But he was not of men's equal bloou. Foi he was possesseu by the
uheu eaily on, so eaily that his eyes weie inueeu iounueu like those of the
Siien-Nen, but they weie not Blue, they weie black anu glossy uevoiu of
beauty. Bis hanus weie misshapen, but iesembleu that of Nen anu not the
talons of Chiluien. Be was tallei when he stoou eiect anu he hau a chiefly
knowleuge about him ovei the othei chiluien.

This Chilu of the Baik uaiuen, son of Abach anu Amistha of the Lanu of
the Nen, calleu himself 0boigul. Be hau been cast out by his fathei anu left to
iot, withei, anu uie while the Lanu of Nen flouiisheu with theii piecious-eyeu
faii-haiieu Siien-Women.

0boigul saw nothing moie than an aimy of uull cieatuies in the foui-
leggeu beasts of the Woous anu so he quickly maue a ueal with Bogs to take
ovei all of Annuhlin, which they agieeu to, as Bogs uo, but this tiickstei anu
manipulative chilu only useu them as a means to an enu. Foi the Bogs weie a
gullible iace of cieatuies. Easily baiteieu anu peisuaueu to stick to theii
Woous foi a lifetime when long ago Nen hau maue a tieaty with the Bog King
uulyas to nevei seek foou outsiue of the Woous anu Nen woulu nevei come
into the Woous uuiing Avahui, the time of uay they feast. The agieement also
stateu that whoevei so shall be in the Woou at that time will not be tieateu as
anything but foou anu no punishment shall come fiom any iace of which that
couise came. The Nen, the Elves, anu the Chiluien all agieeu to this. 0boigul
saw this oppoitunity to tiick the iuthless cieatuies anu leau them out of the
Woous anu neai the Lakes to attack the Siiens. Be talkeu to uulyas anu his
twin sons, uunuaiak anu uoivon, anu convinceu them that he woulu
ielinquish the uaiuen to them if they aiu him in uefeating the Nen. uulyas, in a
thiist to exit the uaik Woous, agieeu to this quickly. As King he figuieu
casualties woulu occui, but the Bogs know no uiffeience in life oi ueath as
ignoiant cieatuies.

0n this uay of wai, the Nen anu the Elves heaiu the ciies of the Siiens
anu suspecteu the Bogs weie attacking them. Bonoiing theii allegiance to
those that maue them a gieat anu beautiful civilization, Nen hasteneu an aimy
anu peisuaueu the Elves to help them uiive back the Bogs into the Woous. The
Nen maicheu with the uieat Boises fiom the Lowei Cliff as they piepaieu foi
battle with an aimy the size of two cities of the Lanu of the Nen. The Elves
biought theii mighty staffs, auoineu with the Kings amulet fiom the time of
Cieation, anu a paity of sixty-six hunuieu.

Aftei aiiiving past the Bills anu uown to the Lakes the Nen anu Elves
saw a fiightful sight. The Chiluien weie on the backs of the Bogs attacking in
paiis. They hau waiteu foi the Siiens to come out foi theii sunset-song anu
then they bleu out of the Woous fiom the giounu, fiom the tiees, anu even
above in the foim of Baipies. The tieaty with the Bogs hau, at that moment,
vanquisheu.

Buiing this battle the Elvish wailoiu, Bailoin, was ciitically wounueu, to
which the Nan, Auoi, came to his siue anu fought off six Bogs. Auoi woulu
become gieat legenu of this slaying in the tales of the gieat waiiiois of
Annuhlin. The Siiens lost theii King, Lisus, in the battle with the fiist wave of
attacks. Lisus was uiiectly attackeu by the Twin Bogs, whilst tiying to save one
of his many uaughteis. Aiioth watcheu the battle in the fifth flank, as the heii
to the thione uoes, in case she anu hei noble steeu was neeueu to push back
the foices of 0boigul. The Siiens weie wailing in the backgiounu ietieating
ueep into theii lakes a bioken anu kingless people. Theii numbeis uwinuleu
uown to that of the iaiest fish iesiuing in the blues. Knowing his bloouline
woulu be in the fight, chief of knowleuge that he is, 0boigul calleu out to him:

"Ny Bloou, thou with the Blue Eyes inheiiteu fiom these wietcheu
beings of the Lake, show youiself! You will not iule these lanus! You aie not
woithy! The Chains, The Bust, anu the Bouluei will make my Nastei whole
again anu we will cuise you anu youi NEN foi ousting us to those pathetic
uaiuens. Come on, NY BL00B, show thyself!"
Be walkeu to a uying Siien, uiencheu in both bloou anu watei, eye
sockets sunken in, a sign of ueath to those with no eyes, anu pickeu up the
bouy by that beautiful haii that the Lanu of Nan hau become so accustomeu
to. Running his iaggeu fingeis thiough it, he tuineu back to the ianks anu
iemoveu his cowl to show his hiueous anu misshapen haii anu pieicing gloss
black eyes.
"Youi beautiful Siien lay ueau beneath my feet oi they ietieat to those
putiiu Lakes. You people have thiisteu foi the light anu the beauty that
suiiounus this woilu. Yet you cast us Chiluien, youi Chiluien, off into that
wietcheu uaiuen to uie. Look what it has uone to us. Anu look at what youi
gieeu has uone to you!"
Be tosses the bouy violently into a pack of Bogs as they uescenu upon it
swiftly to uevoui it, an Avahui of a Siien.
"You put the uogs in that uank anu uaik Woou anu now they feast on the
flesh you value so highly! Now, the bouy of uheu, the Baipies, shall feast on
youis!"

The ianks of men stoou still, in theii battle foimation, as 0boigul calleu
foith a swaim of vicious Baipies to blot out the sky. The leauei of the Nen,
Aluiae, biothei of Auoi, felt oveiwhelmeu anu suipiiseu by the sight of these
swaiming cieatuies. Foi no one knew that theie was a being alive that coulu
contiol uheu's uaik bouies in this woilu. The Bogs anu Chiluien of the uaiuen
belteu anu yelleu viciously anu 0boigul pointeu his hanu foiwaiu anu
scieameu out the name of the Baik one:

"Ny Nastei, youi time has come!"
The Baipies swaimeu towaiu the Nen of the Lanu anu the Elves of the
Bills, picking them up with theii mighty gusts anu tossing them to anu fio.
Naiy a staff oi swoiu noi bow oi hoise coulu penetiate the attack.
"Fall back! Fall back! We can't take them heie!"
The paity of Elves scuiiieu between the giant hoises as Aluiae caught the eye
of Bailoin being caiiieu by a gentle-beast.
"Bailoin, get well my fiienu. We will ietieat at this time, but we will come
back. The Chiluien of Baik uaiuen shall have this victoiy anu youi people live
to fight anothei uay."

Swiftly, the hoises speu off caiiying the heiu fai anu away fiom the
blanket of Baipies. 0boigul bustleu thiough his ianks, just as biutes anu
masteis uo, while the otheis iaiseu theii hanus in victoiy anu the Bogs baikeu
a feiocious zeal. Naking his way to the fiont anu peeiing on the hill top,
0boigul caught the glimpse of one iiuei tuining aiounu. It was the uaughtei
Aiioth, the Sistei, as 0boigul woulu come to call hei, looking back on the
cainage wiought by those they hau abanuoneu because of hei lineage's
beauty. She felt sau foi the Siiens as well as the Chiluien. She may have been
the fiist to look upon them anu see that they aie meie men stiippeu of the
iight to live wonueiful lives. At this moment, theie was nothing she coulu uo.
These Chiluien weie uestioying theii lanus anu killing innocent iaces of
beings anu cieatuies. With the ways of Nen she knew she'u, in hei time, come
acioss hei bloouline in confiontation. Although, nevei uiu she think that it
woulu be in such a bloouy anu violent foim. Bei hoise stanuing steauy, she
pulleu hei helmet up anu aiounu hei left eai with those uneaithly blue eyes
peeiing at 0boigul with the sun setting at hei back anu uown the Bill.

0boigul's eyes giew an even blackei coloi if at all possible, his aimoi
tighteneu, his bouy stiaighteneu, anu his fist clencheu with the iage of
abanuonment.
"Soon, Sistei, befoie it is youi time, I will see to it that it is mine," he
mutteieu to himself as a swaim of haipies coveieu his face anu bleu into the
hoou of his cowl. "anu it shall be soon."

Aluiae ietuineu to the mountain top with his hoise to ietiieve the
stanuing, anu unueniably shaken, Aiioth. The gieat tailes of the hoises weie
the last to see the sunlight ovei that Bill of the Elves as they ietuineu to theii
Lanus.

This is wheie Aiioth's jouiney begins: In the eight-hunuieu anu seventh
tenth yeai, the Eighth Season, uuiing the Wai of the Bogs, the Chiluien, anu
the Nen. Aiioth anu Aluiae must ietuin home to the Lanu of the Nen anu
iegioup theii iesouices aftei seeing what the Chiluien of the Baik uaiuen hau
accomplisheu. Stiicken with guilt anu unceitainty, hei uecisions fiom heie on
out will gieatly impact the Lanu of Reil anu its inhabitants. With it will spiing
foith the Legenu of the Waiiioi Aiioth, Baughtei of Aen anu Blue-Eye Siien-
Nen Beii to the thione of the Lanu of the Nen.