Hældáris is stirred from his thoughts by the hand of Relmaríndë upon his shoulder. She crouches down before him and looks into his eyes with tenderness and concern. “Something is occupying your mind,” she remarks. “Many things fill my thoughts,” he says in reply, pushing himself to his feet and standing face to face with […]
Albrýndaer. Vælírian Years 1134-1146 (2nd T.A. 977-989) He was born in the darkness, far from the light of sun, moon, or stars. He knew not the elegance and nobility of mountain, valley, tree, and flower, or even the richly woven tapestry of the culture and artifice of humankind. But even so, he was born in […]
WARNING: Do not read this unless you have first read the entirety of Dawnbringer: Lightborn, as, being a sequel, it has many significant spoilers. Hældáris. 3rd Telmeric Age, Year 29 (V.Y. 1174) The waves crest white and full as the sea roils wildly under the touch of the stormy wind, spreading out beyond sight in […]
I ask myself why nostalgia is such a powerful and visceral emotion, why my mind is inexorably drawn to the early years of my life as to a haven of security and a space of precious beauty, even though it was also a time of darkness, hardship, and loss. Is it solely because in this […]
Winfred was a Relihím from his earliest days, begotten, raised among the robber band though he was too young to understand. He knew only that they went from place to place and never lacked for good food. – Where did all these things come from? was not a question he thought to ask, for his […]
Tracks through the heavy snow I tread as I make my way home to bed, the runners on my laden wain digging in the drifts on the lane. – The long day’s work is done at last and I hope for my soon repast, as the sun dips low, casting light, my weary bones ask […]
In woodland bright the gentle west wind’s call bids Eldoreth arise, depart from all, and on the shore of the great, boundless sea he hears a silent voice speak audibly in words without sound, yet still echoing, to build a ship and to go a-sailing across the wild and unknown ocean’s breadth to a place […]
Ûsric was born of Eláric of Kora in the year 564 of the First Age of Telmérion, and he was raised in the traditions of his ancestors, devoted to the Seven and the One, though his special predilection was for Hæliána, the goddess of the ocean and of the growth of living things. And though […]
The sun sends light through the thick canopy of trees, causing dappled light to dance upon the forest floor, warm and majestic, humble and serene. Hældáris walks through the dense underbrush, his leather boots damp with the morning dew. For twenty years he has lived in the citadel upon the mountain, and for as many […]
The spring sun shines warm and full upon the face of the land, bathing the mountains and valleys, and the plains rippling away to the east, in a gentle and yet brilliant light. Peaks still capped with snow look down, as if turning a kind and gentle eye, upon the small hamlet—but a group of […]