"Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with band in the furrow?? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? "

Keywords: Valhyre, Gods, Creation of the Races

Category: Lore

Joseta

The Valhyre walked the land of Denia before recorded history. Beings of great power, the Valhyre are worshipped as deities by the denizens of Denia. Seven in number their names are Kaisa, Bedain, Vastelle, Mearus, Eujan, Rackolt, and Takhib. During the dawn of the world the seven Valhyre walked on the world forming it their liking.

It was Kaisa, with the power of her singing, that brought forth living plants and flowers. Great gardens grew where ever Kaisa laid to rest. Bedain, KaisaÆs mate, traveled with her everywhere. Bedain enjoyed the colorful plants that Kaisa created but loved molding the EARTH itself. As a gift to Kaisa, Bedain created the precious gems and ores of all different colors. Vastelle desired Kaisa but was rejected time and time again. Not able to endure being in the presence of Kaisa and Bedain in their joyful union, Vastelle left the company of the Valhyre and went to the far reaches of the world to dwell there. There he raised a great mountain range with peaks that reached to the heavens. In an effort to appease his loneliness he created the BASTLUR to be servants to tend to him.
Mearus, VastelleÆs brother, resented Kaisa and Bedain, believing they were the cause of driving away his brother. But he did not want to join his brother and leave the company of the Valhyre. Dark thought fermented in his HEART on how to punish Kaisa and Bedain. Mearus bid his time looking for ways to spoil KaisaÆs and BedainÆs bliss.

Takhib was saddened that Vastelle departed for she held feelings for Vastelle and would often travel to VastelleÆs abode and visit with him. Takhib was impressed with VastelleÆs servants and after returning from a visit created servants of her own. Tall wirily creatures, fair of skin and hair, Takhib called her creations the ELDARIN. Takhib delighted in her creations and to entertain her, gifted the Eldarin with great talent in music and arts. She spent many days being entertained by her servants and traveled less to VastelleÆs abode.

Eujan was always considered the wild one of the Valhyre; he enjoyed the ever changing surface of the seas and oceans and spent much of his time under the waves. Eujan desired Rackolt and wanted Rackolt to join him but she withheld from his advances. To lure her to him Eujan created the colorful fishes and creatures of the deep. Rackholt enjoyed the creatures but still would not give in to Eujan. Eujan, as a final show of his affections, created birds and other flying creatures of the sky. Rackholt was impressed with EujanÆs persistence and creativity and relented. Rackholt did not enjoy the oceans and seas as much as Eujan and preferred the open air to the deep waters, so to make her happy Eujan created a home for Rackholt high above the clouds.

Bedain liked the Eldarin and wanted to present some to Kaisa as a gift, but Takhib could not bear to part with any of her companions. So Bedain gathered mounds of earth and clay and blew life into them and created the TROG. Small squatish beings, stout in limb and leg and as rough as the earth from which they were created, the Trogs were rough in look and tone.  Kaisa was pleased with the Trogs, even if they were not as fair as the Eldarin or as devoted as the Bastlur.  Kaisa said the Trogs reminded her of Bedain and loved them for that.

Eujan, not wanting to be out done, gathered bits of air, bits of earth and bits of sea and from that created a race taller than the Trogs but not as tall as the Eldarin, fair in looks but stout, and he called them HUMAN. He presented his creations to Rackolt as a gift and she was pleased.

And so peace reigned on Denai and the servants of the Valhyre grew in number, till a time came that Mearus wanted servants of his own, so he went and secretly stole a HUMAN from Eujan, a ELDARIN from Takhib and a TROG from Kaisa. As was his wont, Mearus had small ability in creating, mainly due of his lack of desire to be creative, but could mold and twist to his own desires creations of others. The Eldarin he stole he twisted and malformed until heÆd made a creature as vile and hideous as the Eldarin were fair. These he called tÆrork. The Trog he added more EARTH too till they became more stone than flesh and called these Jargs. The human he had a special plan for. The human he fed the blood of living creatures and created a hunger inside for all living life force. He continued until on the outside the creation still looked human but was so corrupted on the inside it desired to feed off all other living things. This he called VAMPYRE.

The other Valhyre were repulsed when they saw what Mearus had done and wanted to destroy the twisted forms Mearus had created, but Mearus fled to his brotherÆs abode. There he told Vastelle how Bedain and Kaisa wanted to rule over all the Valhyre and be King and Queen of Denia. Vastelle at first brushed off his brothers lies, but has time wore on, bit by bit Vastelle came to believe them. Maybe it was because Vastelle still harbored ill will for being rejected by Kaisa, but for what ever reason, Vastelle relented and agreed to confront the other Valhyres.

So Vastelle and Mearus secretly built up the number of servants and prepared them for conflict. When they had a vast army at their disposal they went to confront Kaisa and Bedain. They found Kaisa alone, for Bedain was off creating a surprise for Kaisa, and Vastelle confronted her. Kaisa denied wanting to rule over the others and declared Mearus a liar and thief. VastelleÆs HEART had been turned by MearusÆ lies and grew angry with Kaisa; he grabbed for her, trying to prevent her from leaving. At that moment Bedain returned to see Vastelle guarding Kaisa.  To prevent Vastelle from reaching her, he moved in between Vastelle and Kaisa.  In his anger Vastelle struck Bedain, and the two began to fight.

If it had been just the two of them, no harm would have come to either, for they both were matched in power and strength, but Mearus came up as the two were struggling and struck Bedain. Bedain knew he could not win against both and started retreating. The armies Mearus and Vastelle had assembled assaulted Kaisa and were on the verge of taking her. Bedain fought with all his might to reach Kaisa and the two attempted to flee, but there was no way to escape, they were cut off. It was when Kaisa and Bedain seemed lost that Eujan and Rackolt came to their aid. The other Valhyre had not created their servants for battle and where not prepared for the onslaught of the creations of Vastelle and Mearus. The power of the four Valhyre against the two was enough to bring an uneasy stalemate with neither side gaining ground. The conflict raged for centuries, and Takhib tried unsuccessfully to talk reason into both sides and bring peace again. Many times Takhib would come close to bringing Vastelle and the other Valhyre together again but Mearus would poison any attempts.

While the centuries of conflict passed, Mearus in his deepest hiding, created a monster. Taking the original Vampyre, and feeding it his own life force bits at a time, Mearus cause the vampyre to become warped and more powerful than ever. Mearus gave it the power to infect others and spread its vile CORRUPTION. Joseta was its name, and never before has a creature walked Denia as vile as that.
Mearus sent his abomination out into the world to spread destruction. Joseta feed off those he defeated in battle and grew in power.  He infected others, causing more creatures like him but lesser in power to spring forth. Soon multitudes of vampyres were assaulting the forces of the Valhyre. Neither humans nor Trogs could stand against JosetaÆs horde. Even the very earth withered and died where Joseta tread.

Takhib, who to this point had stayed out of the fray and only intervened to act as a peace maker, saw the abomination Joseta and knew she had to do something. Takhib placed herself between JosetaÆs march and the other Valhyre, and did battle with the monster. Thirty days they battled, and unleashed such forces on each other that the land around them was stricken and devastated. Mountains ripped from their roots and hurled at each other, fires from the bowels of Denia were sent to engulf one another, yet still they battled on. Both combatants were weary and worn when Takhib dropped her defenses for a moment. It was all the time Joseta needed. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Joseta threw Takhib down, assaulted her a final time, draining her life force. Takhib the Valhyre was destroyed.

The other Valhyre were horrified at TakhibÆs destruction, never before had a ValhyreÆs existence been threatened by anything other than another Valhyre. Vastelle was shocked back to his senses at TakhibÆs fall and realized the destruction and ruin he had caused. He refused to rejoin the battle, instead seeking the other ValhyreÆs forgiveness. Mearus would have none of it. Surprised at the strength of his creation, but sensing victory at hand Mearus wanted to press the attack. He berated his brother for being a coward and gutless. Vastelle still would not rejoin the battle and departed from the known lands.

The shock of TakhibÆs downfall did not stun the other Valhyre for long. Knowing they had to act to prevent the same fate from being losed on themselves, the four valhyre gathered their strength.  They chose a perfect specimen from the humans and bestowed their power into him. Wargin Lestate was the honored HUMANÆs name. Each Valhyre gave their blessing on Wargin and gifted him with great strength and stamina. Kaisa gave more; she imbued Wargin with her very life force. Wargin was forever changed by the blessings of the Valhyre, his stature grew till he was twice the size of normal men, and his skin took on a deep golden color and his eyes turned yellow. His wounds healed much faster than normal and he could impart his life force into others to heal their wounds as well. In this manner the Valhyre gathered their power and created a new race of beings, the DAISHAR.  But because none were invested with the life force of Kaisa, only Wargin became powerful enough to battle against the abomination that was Joseta.

When Mearus pressed the attack again, the other Valhyre were ready. Wargin and the other Daishar marched at the head of the forces. The two forces met on the on the plains of Calid, with in sight of the city of Baisdin. The armies were so numerous that the ground shook just from their marching feet. Two leagues from each other the armies stopped.  Joseta and Wargin approached each other. Joseta could sense the life-force flowing thru Wargin and hungered for it. Joseta wielded a dark cat-o-nine tails, black smoke rolled off the whip and clung to the ground. Grass withered and died at its touch.

Wargin only laughed and drew his sword. Forged by Bedain himself, the sword glowed bright and hummed with the energy contained in it. Lightening flashed and thunder rolled across the plains as the two joined battle. Each swing of the cat-o-nine tails was met with a parry from the glowing sword. Wargin stepped back under JosetaÆs assault.  The armies of Mearus cheered in anticipation of the victory. WarginÆs skin started glowing as the fighting intensified. Joseta reared back and swung with all his might, but Wargin brought his sword up and a great explosion erupted as the two weapons connected. Those witnessing the battle where blinded by the flash and both Joseta and Wargin were knocked back to the ground. Their weapons shattered from the force of the blow.  Shaken, the two combatants regained their feet and tossed the useless hilts aside. They charged each other,  Joseta with fangs bared and seeking a purchase into Wargin. The two grappled and fought hand to hand, Wargin glowing brighter as the battle progressed. The brighter Wargin glowed, the weaker Joseta became. Finally Wargin grabbed Joseta around the throat. Joseta howled in agony as WarginÆs grip tightened. Wargin shifted his grip and turned Joseta to wrap his arms around JosetaÆs neck.  The snapping of bone echoed across the land as with a great heave Wargrin ripped the head of Joseta from his body.

JosetaÆs body crumpled to the ground.  Wargin raised the monsterÆs head in triumph. MearusÆs army lost HEART, dropped their weapons and fled. Wargin took the monsterÆs head and with his great might threw it at the retreating forces. So great was his strength and so massive was the monsterÆs head that it fell into the retreating army with the force of a huge boulder dropped from the sky.  Hundreds of the retreating forces died from the impact and scores other died from coming in contact with the poisonous blood from the monsterÆs head. Wargin, still glowing bright, marched after the retreating armies.

He came upon the camp Mearus had set up to watch the battle. Mearus was so stunned and dazed at the lose of Joseta that he had not thought to flee the battlefield, and so was unprepared for WarginÆs coming.  He struggled not at all when Wargin clasped him in chains prepared for this by Eujan. Wargin took Mearus back to the Valhyre to await judgment.
In chains Mearus was led back to the other Valhyre. Many punishments were considered, until finally it was decided. Mearus was to chained and bound till Denia was no more. A special prison was built to house the fallen Valhyre.  It was protected from intrusion by many wards. A score of guards from each of the races, Human, TROG, and ELDARIN were chosen to stand watch over Mearus until the pillars of the world crumbled.

Centuries passed, the races multiplied and spread over the world.  The followers of the Valhyre had hunted the remnants of MearusÆ dark armies but a few had survived. Bedain offered clemency to those who renounced their actions, but only one race did; the JARG. The Jarg, being corrupted Trog and closer to the EARTH wept each time they had to battle their brethren, and only wanted to live out their time without bother. Bedain felt compassion for the Jargs, and allowed them to establish a home away from the other races and remain in peace.

Mearus, though he was chained to the pillars and well guarded, was not powerless. Mearus was cunning and awaited his chance. Slowly he sent out his thoughts, first to the guards nearest him, trying to find a weakness. The Valhyre had chosen well, however, because the guards could not be corrupted. So further his SPIRIT went out without form, and as merely a thought Mearus found a recipient. Mearus appeared to a human, Chargin, in his dreams. Mearus whispered about secrets and power beyond what the Valhyre have ever taught. Chargin did not remember the dreams but was troubled in his sleep. Mearus visited Chargin often in his dreams, leading Chargin to question the Valhyre. In one dream Mearus showed Chargin where to find large ruby gems, the size of a grapefruit and bright red, which seems to glow with a light of their own. When Chargin awoke, he could not remember the dream but he remembered the instructions, and went in search of the rubies. He found them on the banks of a river just as the instructions told. He gathered up as many as he could carry in his arms, and went home.

That night Mearus visited Chargin in a dream again, this time instructing him what to do with the rubies. As morning light stretched across the sky, Chargin awoke, gathered the rubies and went out into the area outside his house. He gathered wood into a pile atop the rubies and set it ablaze. For three days he kept the FIRE burning atop the rubies.  So hot was the fire he had to toss fuel on it from a distance and the side of his house some paces away was scorched from the heat.
On the fourth day he added no fuel to the pyre but it did not burn down till the sixth day. After the coals had cooled, Chargin dug the rubies from the ashes. One had shattered from the intense heat and 3 had developed cracks, but 2 had turned a darker red and seemed to glow. Those two he took inside his house and set them upon his table, and fell asleep. Once again Mearus visited Chargin in his dreams, instructing him to take the good rubies and go to the shores at the mouth of the nearby river.  There he would find a snake. He wass to take the snake and cut off the head and pour the blood onto the rubies.

Chargin awoke, gathered up the rubies and went to the river mouth. While he was walking in the reeds, a viper struck him on his calf. Pain raced through his leg as the poison entered his flesh. In anger he reached down, grabbed the snake and bit it in two with his own teeth. Chargin collapsed to the ground, his leg unable to support him. As the pain subsided, Chargin came to his senses.  Quickly he took out the rubies and placed them on the ground before him.  Taking up the two pieces of the snake, he milked all the blood he could out of the corpse unto the gems. The blood stung his hands but still he smeared the blood all over them. The gems seemed to drink up the blood, glowing brighter. Chargin completed his task and held the gems in his hands staring at them. In his hands the gems turned from solid red to a clear crystal, and then slowly a figure appeared in the crystals, a figure chained between two great pillars.

The figure raised its head and made eye contact with Chargin and began to speak. ôThey have imprisoned me unjustly, because I dared to speak out about their tyranny. They keep secrets from you and your kind, secrets that would allow you to equal them. These gems will allow me to speak with you and guide you with out having to visit you in your dreams. Keep them hidden and I will guide you to great power. Return to your home, let no one know, and I will contact you further.ö Chargin returned home and hid the stones as instructed. Every night he would take out the stones and communicate with Mearus. In the dark hours of the night, Mearus taught Chargin many secrets, secrets better left unknown. Chargin learned how to hide within the power of SHADOW, and to control lesser creatures. Then as the lessons progressed, Mearus taught darker secrets, how to use the power of blood to corrupt and curse.

At first Chargin hid his new abilities, but as he learned more, he grew bolder.  Soon he was outright flaunting his powers, using them to bully and scare others to get his way. There are those who are attracted to people with power and Chargin soon gained a sizable following. No longer content to stay in his home, Chargin traveled with his mob, spreading his ôenlightenmentö as he called it. Those who would not follow him, he CURSED or drove away. Word spread of Chargin and just as there are people who are attracted to power there are those who despise bullies and stand up to them. Chargin and his followers were met on the outskirts of the village by many who did not adhere themselves to his form of enlightenment and had a strong following to Kaisa. Mearus knew a confrontation here would draw the notice of the Valhyre and ruin his plans so he cautioned Chargin to withdraw and take his followers into the wilderness.

Chargin led his band into the foot hills of Draiki and there in a deep valley established the town of Meaikium. Dark was the town and darker still became the residents. Taking his closest followers Chargin imparted to them the secrets Mearus had taught him.
Meaikium became known as the dark city.  A great pyre was built in the center of the city where it was said that blood sacrifices were offered to the Chained God. The city drew those who had evil in their hearts and grew. The hills around Meaikium became inhabited by the creatures of SHADOW and malice. TÆorks, monsters, and even a VAMPYRE were rumored to have taken up residence near Meaikium. Dark smoke from the great pyre clung to the city and surrounding land like a black shroud.
The dark city and surrounding lands were avoided by all but the fool hardy or lost, and those who did venture to the city didnÆt return. Meaikium grew, and as the city grew so did the dark cloud. Chargin, under the instruction of Mearus grew powerful with the power of Shadow and blood.  It is rumored that Mearus also taught Chargin secrets of death as well.

The Valhyre did not pay much head to Chargin for they considered him no threat. Had they looked deeper, they would have seen MearusÆs influence and acted quicker. Through the blood sacrifices Chargin extended his life unnaturally for hundreds of years. Some say Chargin changed in appearance as well, taking on an almost corpse like appearance. Rarely seen anymore by the inhabitants of Meaikium, Chargin ruled through hand chosen members of a priesthood. It was the priesthoodÆs responsibility to venture out and find worthy sacrifices for the pyre.

Three hundred years after the founding of the dark city, Mearus made his move. He instructed Chargin to send out the priesthood into the surrounding lands. In the dark of night victims were taken from their homes. Whole villages were stripped, only to have the captives herded back to Meaikium to be sacrificed. Blood flowed through the streets, the stench of blood and burning flesh soaked into everything and the dark cloud seemed to take on a life of its own. Using secrets taught to him Chargin cast dark magic so powerful it shook the foundations of the world. The unleashing of such dark powers drew the attention of the Valhyre. As Mearus had predicted once the Valhyres attention was drawn to Meaikium the bonds holding him weakened. This was enough for Mearus to break from his imprisonment.

With a vengeance Mearus struck out.  Chargin led the dark forces of Meaikim behind Mearus, cutting a swath of destruction across the land. The Valhyre were caught off guard by MearusÆ freedom but they wasted no time responding. It is a small mercy that the conflict was as short lived as it was. The forces unleashed reshaped the face of Denia and devastated the known lands. Details of the battle are lost to legends and songs of old. This period came to be known as the Second God Wars. Mearus was defeated and chained again. Meaikium was swallowed by the EARTH and never found again.
The Valhyre knew that they could not keep Mearus from corrupting their creation again. They decided on the only course they could think of to remove MearusÆ influence. The Valhyre departed from Denia, dragging Mearus with them and sealed themselves in realms they prepared outside the known lands.