The Chronicles of Taeral Ayduin-Rezuraia

lit. The Chronicles of Taeral Ayduin-Rezuraia is a series of ancient Anglunian stories detailing the origins of House Rezuraia and its founder, Taeral Ayduin-Rezuraia. It is also considered holy texts in its earlier chapters due to the influence of Azeras, all-father of the Arternaian faith. =The Chronicles of Taeral Ayduin-Rezuraia=

Chapter 1: The Tree and the Man
House Rezuraia was founded nearly 5000 years ago in the icy mountains of Yirsaad. Following the great migrations of Hyakki elves from Rathnir into Mirau, one of the first areas of settlement was in the mountain range of Yirsaad. It was here that Mount Arros arose, formed by Vela'ryisaan in the story told in the Chyweld Byd and the sapling was first planted upon the mountaintop. And it was in this age of heroes that House Rezuraia's origins emerged.

During this time the settlers of Yirsaad lived in small scattered communities, unable to provide sustenance for themselves amongst the barren and infertile land, the people were destitute, freezing from the cold. Theft, greed and conflict were rife in these times and the peoples were beginning to regret making the harsh journey from more hospitable lands in the North. It was in one of these small communities that a young woman was born, her name was Taeral and she was the daughter of a shepherd. This young woman's thirst for life and adventure could not be left to such means. Each day as she tended to her animals she looked up to the vast mountain that stood before her, unconquered by an elf. One misty evening one of her herd ran from her up towards the looming slopes, the goat clambering up the mountainside. Taeral followed, making the difficult journey after the goat. She soon lost sight of it as a thick fog rolled in and icy winds started to blast the mountainside.

As she reached a small platform on the mountainside to take shelter she heard a low growl from behind her, as she scanned her surroundings she saw a large snow leopard. Taeral tried to back away from the creature but as she did so the leopard lunged towards her, grappling her with its large claws, Taeral managed to unsheathe a small farmers knife from her side and plunge it into the snow leopard's neck, but not before she sustained a huge gash in her stomach. She knew she was now too injured and too high up the mountain to climb back down, especially in the thick of a blizzard. She observed her surroundings struggling to keep focus from the pain, where she spotted a small cavern emitting a faint blue glow in the mountainside from where the snow leopard had emerged.

She stumbled towards the opening grimacing from the pain of her wound, as she entered she was surprised by the sight of three young snow leopard cubs. Their young and scared eyes looked up at the strange elf that had emerged into their home. That was the last thing that Taeral saw before she lost consciousness. She awoke many hours later on the cold floor of the cavern. Surprised to be alive, she looked down at herself examining the wound on her abdomen, it was not as painful as she had expected, it was not healed, but certainly not as significant an injury as she remembered. Weird she thought, she looked at her surroundings remembering the snow leopard and the blue light she had seen. There was no glow, but in the corner, looking terrified perched the three young snow leopards. A wave of understanding crossed Taeral as she realised that the snow leopard that had attacked her had done so for fear of her cub's safety. She looked down at the poor creatures with sorrow, without their Mother they would surely die.

Over the next 7 days, Taeral scavenged for herself and the young snow leopards and she healed her wound. By the third day, they had approached her for food when she held it to them and by the 5th they had allowed Taeral to approach them. By the 7th day, they had grown more used to Taeral and allowed themselves to be petted and picked up. Feeling healed enough to make the journey back down the mountain, she carried the three cubs in a makeshift satchel back to the village and to her Father.

When she returned to her family she was met with relief and surprise, they had expected her dead and had been searching for her in the icy plains since her disappearance. She told them of what happened and explained how she had took care of the snow leopards. Over the next few years, she raised the snow leopards and helped her Father. Taeral formed a strong bond with the snow leopard cubs. Though relieved to have survived her perilous journey, she could never forget the experience that she had, and the strange glow and healing she had seen. After a few years she began to question what she had seen at all.

Eventually, she could avoid her curiosity no longer and told her Father she would climb the mountain once more. She set off towards Mount Arros, her snow leopard companions at her side. As she clambered higher and higher up the mountain a strange feeling came across her and she felt nimbler and healthier. After several days of climbing, she reached the peak where she saw the strange glow once more. Atop the hill was a large tree, not huge but a standard-sized large tree. Underneath the tree was a young man, plain in appearance and passive in stature he looked up at the young woman standing before him.

The man was taken a bit by surprise by the sudden appearance of the woman in front of him, Taeral was as surprised as the man, the last thing she expected was to see another person atop the hill. Taeral cautiously greeted the man and asked him why he was there, the man chuckled to her, “this is my favourite tree, of course, I planted it here many years ago and I come to visit every now and then.” Taeral was confused by such an idea, he does this harsh climb every time he wishes to visit the tree? She looked at the tree for a moment, having had a chance to truly observe it she was taken aback by its beauty, "beautiful isn't it?" the man exclaimed, it was unlike any tree Taeral had ever seen, encased in blue bark and shimmering from the reflection of the sun it was truly a sight to behold.

The two continued talking for some while with one another, warming to each other's company quickly. As they continued talking the man told her great tales of battles between himself, who he referred to as Azeras and his brother. She in turn told him the story of how she had climbed the mountain before and found the snow leopards. Time slipped by quickly as the two spoke, they found one another captivating and soon day had turned into night. As dawn arose Taeral noticed that she had been talking to this man for a long time. Realising how long had passed, she bid farewell to Azeras. Before she could leave, he embraced her in a hug, wishing her strength in her travels and exclaimed how he had never met such an interesting elf, he asked her to visit him again in a weeks time.

A week later she climbed the mountain once more meeting Azeras at the top, the two spoke once more from dusk to dawn. Taeral explained the envy that her people felt of those that had settled in the more hospitable North. When she left once more he said, “how could you be envious of those that live in the North when you have such beauty around you, Illonis will show you the way and Melzina will open your eyes.” Taeral pondered for a second at his words, she looked out to the lands before her as the clouds seemed to clear and thought to herself, it was a beautiful land she lived in, however inhospitable it was.

She returned once more a week later. In their long conversations she told Azeras of the laziness, greed and debauchery, as she departed once more Azeras spoke, “Tollan, Nefaren and Omarnis will walk among you, your people will be a noble one I am sure.” Taeral was unsure of Azeras' words but left once more.

Her fourth trip up the mountain came many months later, she spoke once more with Azeras who by her fourth trip she had bonded closely with and told him of the great famines her people suffered, the land did not grow much food and a plague had beset the few crops they had. Azeras promised Taeral that the lands of Yirsaad would be bountiful to all and that Klarien and Otsall would aid her peoples suffering. Taeral was once more confused, this time asking what he meant. Azeras smiled at her, “my friends they know much of this world, they will aid your people you need only to ask for their help.”

The fifth time she clambered the mountain she met with Azeras once more, a war was on the horizon for her people between rival clans. Having spent so much time in one another's company their bond had progressed past that of a simple friendship and Azeras comforted her. Under the icy leaves of the large tree, they lay with one another. Azeras held Taeral in his arms and asked Belana and Eyireth to bless her, and for Ikall and Uzaril, to lend her luck and success in battle.

Chapter 2: The Warlord and the Storm
In this era, before the times of a unified Anglunian state, the rival Yirsi tribes battled mercilessly with one another for control. The snow ran red with the blood of fallen Yirsi, who fought one another for what little land they could. Taeral’s village lay between the great sister mountains of Arros and Kyshar. Sheltered and defensible it provided a secure area in which the mountain-dwelling Yirsi shepherd and fisherman could survive.

In recent years a powerful warlord by the name of Ballambor had been terrorising the mountain tribes. Ballambor was a hulk of Yirsi, standing 2 meters tall and head to toe in heavy plated armour, a menacing sight to any who might see him. Launching his conquests from the Isle of Redowl he had slowly been subjugating the icy villages of Yirsaad one by one, demanding what little grain and money its people could spare under threat of brutal reprisal. In the knowledge of this threat approaching them, the people of Taeral’s village had journeyed out to each of its neighbouring and friendly villages to call for aid. In hope that together, they may be strong another to resist such a tyrant. The people worked tirelessly to prepare for the arrival of the warlord, the forges alight for days while they trained and constructed defences.

Having heard of such a challenge the Ballambor was amused. His men had not had such a battle in months, he would rather enjoy putting down such meager resistance. Long had the great mountains stood above him and long had he sought their conquest. Embarking in his boats his forces sailed Northwards towards the mainland and set their sights on Taeral’s village. Taeral prepared alongside her people for the oncoming battle. Sharpening her curved elven blade and donning her armour embellished in bronze scales and green cloth.

In her adventures with her snow leopards hunting for small game, she had become adept with a bow and slung on her back was an ornate bow which she had carved herself from a branch fallen from one of the Rowan Trees which grow on the mountaintops.

Facing such a mighty foe the villagers would have to be cautious. Settling themselves in an icy corridor of stone they hid above the passageway. As the warlord's forces approached, the villagers prepared themselves, Taeral’s Father Ayduin gestured that they should wait so that the forces had committed themselves and they could hit them to the most effect. When they were in position, the villagers erupted from the rock, drawing their bows and firing a flurry of arrows at the well-armed soldiers beneath them. Caught by surprise, and not expecting resistance quite so soon many fell victims to the bolts, submerging the area in flint and blood. This surprise did not last for long however, the warlord commanded his men and they slowly formed their shield walls and began firing back at the villagers in the rocks. Their heavy war bows and great numbers slowly diminish the villagers. Seeing that the advantage and surprise had been lost, the villagers ran from their positions behind the rock deeper into the mountains.

Seeing them flee the warlord grabbed a bow from one of his men and drew it aiming at Taeral, as he launched the bow her Father Ayduin spotting the oncoming arrow used his body to move her out of the way, the arrow instead thudding as it hit him in his back.

Taeral turned to her Father who now lay face down and unmoving in the snowy rocks. Tears coming into her eyes, she strangely thought of the man on top of the mountain she had met. Azeras she thought, how could I be blessed with luck and success when my beloved Father falls before me in this battle? As the battle had set in, a strong wind had risen, and from the whirling snow, a blizzard had begun to form. She let out a cry to any who would hear her, calling for her family, her fellow villagers and to Azeras himself. “Help me”, she cried, “help me vanquish this evil so that we may live here in peace.”

It was here that she felt a strange energy flow within her. Energising her, it felt alike the strange power that the mountain had given her when she had fallen injured on its cliffs. She picked up the sword from the ground, it felt lighter, she looked down at her hands, a blue icy mist seemed to permeate from them running from her fingertips and travelling up her curved blade. A villager caught sight of her, “Taeral is glowing”, he exclaimed loudly. “Her eyes shine like blue flames!” Villagers started to look at the bright glow of her sword and the piercing blue flame in her eyes cutting through the fog of the blizzard. She lifted her sword towards the warlord and spoke. “This is our home, and we shall protect it at any cost, let us send him to the nether-lands so that he may never trouble us again.”

With this she began sprinting towards the soldiers of the warlord's army, the remaining villagers inspired by her resolve and words, followed her towards the foe. With a newfound determination that they may vanquish this enemy or die trying.

Taeral leaped towards the first of the soldiers bringing her sword into his neck and cutting deep between his chest plate and helm. Turning she dispatched two more men in elegant swings of such a pace that they stood little chance of blocking the blow. By this time the rushing villagers had caught her and the clash of metal and bone was heard as the two sides' shields and bodies bashed together. Taeral continued, cutting her way through foe after foe, slowly moving closer to the warlord.

As she got closer, the warlord's remaining soldiers began to make room, creating a clearing between them. Ballambor drew a sword from his sheathe, Taeral’s charge slowed to a walk and she entered the clearing. Ballambor smiled at her, “you’ll find more of a challenge with me young one, and that fancy glowing sword of yours won’t help you neither.” Taeral looked at him, a mixture of anguish and grim determination on her face, saying nothing she leapt forwards towards the man. Despite his size, the warlord was quick, arching his blade to deflect her stroke. Taeral was not deterred and unleashed a flurry of quick strokes in succession. Blocking the first few he soon was overwhelmed and an effective counter allowed Taeral to slice deep into the flesh of his leg. Stumbling backwards through the crowd it parted as Ballambor fell through it. Taeral paced slowly toward him, Ballambor righted himself with agony. He was downed once more by a swift kick from Taeral who sent him this time tumbling into a shallow cave to his rear. Following him inside Taeral readied her blade, the warlord got back to his feet and raised his sword to his shoulder. “You will not have me so easily girl”, he shouted to her. He called to his soldiers to surround her from behind. Frozen in their positions none of them moved, seeing their leader stumbling injured and faced with the power of Taeral, none dared to move her against her any longer.

In desperation, Ballambor let out a howl and sluggishly thrust towards Taeral. Dropping to her knees she moved under the blade and sliced at his gut. Standing behind him now she turned and with a powerful arc of her blade imbued by the icy blue flames of Azeras she sliced him from his shoulder to his hip, his torso sliding to the floor beside his legs. Walking outside of the entrance she looked over at the remaining soldiers of the warlord, her glowing eyes piercing their souls with their intensity. Quickly the soldiers dropped to their knees in submission. A nearby villager spoke “blizzard-warrior, protector of Arros. (“rezura raia betallin nei Arros” in Yirsi’tal) Other villages began to chant combining the two Yirsi’tal words together, “Rezuraia, Rezuraia, Rezuraia”.

Taeral turned and spoke to the kneeling soldiers, “leave now, and do not dare return to these lands, we are with the gods, the great Azeras watched over us, and until you find him, light will not find you.” With that the men turned to leave, trudging back towards Redowl hanging their heads in shame, how could one face she who has the blessing of a God as mighty as Azeras and not feel a sense of mortification?

Chapter 3: The Child and the Order
Having defeated Ballambor and demonstrating the favour of the Gods, Taeral became a figurehead of her village and amongst the other settlements of the region. In the months that followed the area around Mount Arros and its communities flourished.

The lands that lay below the mountain became more fertile as water from atop the mountain flowed into the valleys below producing great harvests capable of supporting the town. Its people, unified in their newfound confidence and ambition grew in number, with nearby Yirsi having heard the stories venturing to the area to see Taeral and the community that had been established.

Taeral herself was surprised in the aftermath, suddenly propelled into the status of a quasi holy figure, who was said to speak to the Gods. Her fame grew even greater as she began to show the signs of a child. Taeral having laid with no other, the child was believed to be that of Azeras himself, who by Taeral’s stories must have been a God in the flesh. The village folk surmised that the child had come to lead them through the age of darkness.

When she had recovered enough from the birth she brought the boy up the mountain to visit the Azeras and the Holy Sapling that lay there. Having made the climb enough times Taeral was confident of its route, and with her feline companions it was a safe journey. Nonetheless she ventured solitary up the mountain. It was here that Azeras took form to spend time with his companion and to meet his son. Taeral told him of her newfound name of Rezuraia and of her status within her village. Azeras was amused by this, “it seems that you and our son are to guide your people” he chuckled. “Had I have known my involvement would give you such, then I would have been more cautious, however, I can think of no better to take such a task. Our child and his descendants will rule for many years, there will be times of great strength and power, but also that of hardship, know that your lineage will suffer and succeed, in strength and in weakness as befalls all in the Arterna.” Taeral looked inquisitively at Azeras “I still do not understand all that you say, but I know you are holy and wise.” If we are to take this place to strength and to weakness then it shall be so. To our son, might I name him Elzar?” Taeral replied.

Azeras looked upon Taeral first and then the young Yirsi in Taeral’s arms. He smiled softly, “that would be an excellent name”, he laughed again to himself. “To be in balance, strong and weak”, an ironic but beautiful name I would gladly agree.” Taeral smiled, “you honour me” she spoke.

Azeras put a hand up to her as if to hush her, “you honour yourself” he responded. “I am as much honoured by you as you are to I. I must, however, bid you farewell Taeral, my time in mortal form cannot last forever, I must return to the other realm. I have already spent more time in this form than I should but I wanted to meet my son,and to meet you once more before I return.” Hearing all this, tears began to form from Taeral’s eyes. Azeras continued, “know though, that I will always watch over you and your descendants with compassion.” He wrapped Taeral in his arms, “I have delighted in my time here with you Taeral our encounter will be with me forever.”

Taeral finally able to form words, spoke, lip quivering and with difficulty, “I will miss you greatly dear Azeras, what you have done for me and my people I will never forget, and my time with you has been the best I have had. I understand you must leave, you are greater than I can understand, we will honour you here and for what you have done forever.” The pair embraced again before Azeras broke away.

As Azeras stood back his shape changed, the figure of a man replaced by a mighty dragon. In this new form he leapt from atop the mountain soaring into the sky high above the clouds until Taeral could see him no more.

By the time she had climbed back down the mountain a crowd had gathered. “Did you see it?” They asked, “the dragon”. Taeral told them that the dragon was Azeras himself, and that he had bid her farewell before taking to the sky. Thus the story of Taeral grew more famous, it was from the form of Azeras that the dragon depicted on the Arternaian crest was derived. As is it an explanation for those that have described Rezuraian’s as having been descended from dragons/Azeras himself.

In the years that followed Taeral and her son became the de facto rulers of the area. The town grew around the base of Mount Arros and along the river with barges navigating Northwards towards the neighbouring villages of Rannikko and Isaz where small trade was conducted. Elzar and Taeral lead holy expeditions up the mountain to visit the sapling planted by Azeras and experience the healing energies it held. In his mid-years Elzar Azeras-Rezuraia starts to begin construction of a series of temples snaking into the mountain as a site of pilgrimage. These early caverns housed visitors and held pools of healing waters, which the sick from nearby villages would come to. All the while the word and influence of Azeras and his pantheon travel and grow in recognition.