Ephalon - Triumvirate
Chapter 1 - Desperation
Lore, maps and locations of interest
I see you made it here human. Well done, for a creature as lowly as yourself that must have been quite a feat indeed. Allow me to reward you by imparting some of my knowledge about the world of Ephalon.
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Let us first speak of the grand aspects that surround this planet, the twin moons which frequently light the sky at night. They rise and fall beyond the horizon every cycle; therefore they are often visible even throughout the day. However, I don't recall a consensus ever have been established with regards to their namesakes.
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Once a month, during the night when the moons are both visible at the edge of the horizon, the hour of twilight besets our world. During this strange event, the barrier between our dimension and the spirit realm weakens, allowing the souls of the departed to roam the lands. Throughout this event, Ephalon becomes strangely lit up whilst also oddly darkened. I believe the best way to describe it would be shimmering darkness.
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Let's see, what else is there, ah yes, the sun rises in the west and falls in the east, and from my perch up on Mount Arramore it allows for some spectacular sights. If you ever get the opportunity to ascend this holy mountain, I would surely recommend it; however, honestly, I'd prefer it if you stayed away.
The Gods of creation - 'The Six'
'The Six', otherwise known as the Gods of creation, they shaped our world and created the species that now inhabit it in their likeness. The six continents which cover the landmass of Ephalon are named after them.
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- Erafar, the male Ancient, whose battle prowess knows no equal. He wields the legendary Gemini Spear in the battle beyond the heavens.
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- Orythorn, the female Ancient, whose love for nature and living creatures knows no bounds. She dug out the earth with her claws and imbued it with life.
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- Arack, the male Dragon, as stubborn as he was powerful. His Skull mask imparted him with an impenetrable shield that not even the most savage dragon fire could shatter.
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- Enterra, the female Dragon, the deity whose teachings I follow. She was wise beyond measure and able to perceive the musings of Fate using her eight shackles.
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- Numen-Nier, the male Cenebrian, a God of vast knowledge, able to impart his brilliance onto others by using his gemstone.
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- Aodia, the female Cenebrian, her power was that of insight into the unknown. Her ring holds the hidden knowledge that Fate denied us.
The continent of Erafar (4th Era)
Below is a map of the continent of Erafar, the region in which the first three novels takes place.
Click the map to zoom in for a more detailed view
Locations of interest
​ The monastery of Magna Montis, I always found this an intriguing place. I was led to believe that it had been constructed as a massive cooperative project by a large group of Ancients, Cenebrians, and even a few dragons. I find that a most interesting fact since it supposedly was built during the War of Dominance. To fathom that any of the races cooperated during that horrid time is beyond imagining, though it might explain why they constructed this massive monastery high atop one of the Alluvian mountains. Assuredly, no one would come looking in such an isolated place. Ever since the end of the war, it had since been abandoned, that is until, the Order of Magna Montis, a group of holier than thou paladins took up residence there.
Caldrigo, the capital of the Ligan region, and the mainstay of the Cenebrian race within Erafar. Undoubtedly, the largest city on this continent, and even now it still grows.
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I have to confess I have never been to this city as it is beyond the Lyferene Wreath, a strange mountain range which somehow blots out almost all sunlight from reaching within its confines. The ideal place for the Cenebrians to live in, and the exact opposite for anyone else.
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Often referred to as the city of rings. Its entire infrastructure is built around the idea of increasingly broader ring walls. This method of construction has also allowed for natural expansion by merely adding another ring to the outer edge.
It would be impossible for me to not to speak of Mount Arramore. This sacred mountain is my home, well I made it my home. It didn't always use to look like this. Long ago I found a hidden chamber deep within the Celestial Grotto. I discovered 'something' there, and upon touching it, the entire mountain ruptured. I can't surmise why it happened, but sufficed it to say, to my joy, it reduced easy access to the plateau and lake Arramore. Only the Armoridians were able to find a way up to me.
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You might think I spent many a year alone up here, but you'd be mistaken. The elder dragons of the time granted me a helper, in the form of a loyal servant named Corphelax. He later became my offspring's nanny. I will remain eternally grateful for his help and wisdom over the years.
The Great Western Forest, home of the Ancients. I'm not sure what to think of these anthropomorphic wolves. I can't exactly despise them, as my helper Corphelax is a hybrid mixture of Ancient and dragon. I can't help but think that their claim that nature is the one true God is a little far-fetched.
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Their capital 'city' is Sturmvere, though to be honest, the entire place looked more like an old temple grounds of sorts. I suppose the War of Dominance had truly left them decimated. They were after all the ones who created those unholy books. It's perhaps good that I was born when I was, had I been part of the war, I would without a doubt have wiped these creatures off the face of Ephalon.
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I visited this place with my children once, during which they seemed to take a liking to the Ancients. Perhaps I should lay my presumptions to rest and let the youth of this Era guide my wisdom.
The volcanic region of the Cindarian crater was a most welcome place within Erafar. I quite enjoyed the warmth that emanated from the Abyss, the massive caldera that covered a significant portion of that region. Most importantly, there's the city of New Morath, filled to the brim with draconians, lesser forms of dragons, though dragons nonetheless.
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The city's leader that I first met was Barus Morath, though he was killed under unknown circumstances. Once things had settled down, I returned there with my daughter Selene to bear witness to the new leader that was instated. Barus', own daughter Xel Morath, a pure fire dragon was now the ruler of this place. She was a popular dragoness, and I had to admit she was quite imposing. As was the case with everyone else, she eventually bowed down to my authority as Dragon Queen-Empress, though I sensed reluctance.
There are many more places of interest within Erafar that I can talk about, however, for now, I believe I've said enough. Perhaps in the future, I will reveal more about the various locations that cover Erafar, that is if the creator so wills it.
The nine governing elements
Long ago, when 'The Six' left Ephalon, they imparted specific knowledge into their creations, the progenitor species.
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All three were gifted the understanding of the nine governing elements, the natural condition of the world which helped in the creation and perseverance of life. The nine elements are in turn split into three main aspects:
- the primary elements
- the secondary elements
- the final element
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Water, fire, earth, and wind. These four things are what created the basis for existence to flourish, our planet, known as Ephalon.
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From these four came forth the need for the secondary elements, electricity, gravity, life and death. They served as the harbingers of the eternal cycle, the cycle which binds us to this world and which advocates that we must die someday. Some refer to the element of electricity as power; it matters not what you call it since its existence is undeniable. The elusive and rare thunder dragon of old was a testament to this.
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The final element, the hated necessity which connects us all, is the Void. To create Ephalon, a pact among four dimensions was forged; however, three of them betrayed the fourth, using its needed power to fuse the others together, whilst leaving the fourth locked away and forcefully tethered just out of reach to the newly formed Ephalon. At least, that's as far as I've been led to believe things happened. I highly doubt that is how events went down. To betray a force that can fuse dimensions together, undoubtedly was a dangerous and foolish move, the consequences of which we'll likely yet to experience.
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