Ephalon - Triumvirate
Chapter 1 - Desperation
The Noble Ancients
My first experience with the Ancients
Corphelax, the helper who had been assigned to me by the elder dragons of the second Era, was part Ancient. It was from him that I first learned about their existence. After all, I'd grown up alone in the Great Eastern Forest, with little to no knowledge of the world beyond.
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I learned from my helper that the Ancients were a race of anthropomorphic wolves. At the time, I wasn't aware what either of those things were, so let me impart to you that which I learned that day. Anthropomorphs are effectively what is referred to as a walking animal with one significant difference, sentience. Given the origin of Ephalon, it is likely that the Ancients were created before their animal equivalents of wolves were birthed into this world.
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The Ancients almost exclusively live atop the Great Plateau in the Erafar continent. In the beginning, there were a few tribes that resided in Orythorn, but that all ended with the coming of the War of Dominance. It was during that horrid period that they all migrated to the Great Plateau to share their heinous knowledge of the Void. These beings were the ones that created the Forbidden books, tomes of power able to harness the vile energies of Limbo.
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I regret if I'm coming across as somewhat vindictive as I have to admit, that I greatly despise their use of the necrotic energies that come forth from Limbo. There is a reason why that place is sealed in another dimension! Thankfully, their practices of the Void ended along with the war.
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Grimack, the presiding elder.
I shall share with you an experience I had whilst visiting the Ancients. This visit wasn't my first, but assuredly my most enjoyable as I had brought my offspring along with me. I left Corphelax in charge to take care of them since I needed time to converse with Grimack, the elder of Sturmvere.
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Grimack had concerns about a fellow tribe that lived to the west near the Marshes of Elkor, who were acting strangely. I can't quite recall the specific details, but it ultimately came down to them having grown increasingly aggressive. I jokingly asked if he wanted me to kill them all, and I can attest that he did not like my sense of humour. He merely desired to know if I had heard of other species suddenly acting out for no apparent reason. I had not, and it intrigued me to the point where I craved to find out what was going on. Surprisingly, he beseeched me not to interfere in their affairs unless requested. So, out of respect, I adhered to his wishes.
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Grimack was currently the oldest Ancient alive, one of the few who lived in the first Era before the days of the war. He told me of a horrible dragon named Elkor, one that used to live in the marshes to the west. Grimack was part of a group that used the Forbidden book to destroy the dragon permanently. Interesting, for once I agree that their usage of the forces of Limbo was well founded because even among dragonkind Elkor was despised, no one likes a blight-dragon.
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I stayed the night and allowed my children to play with the Ancients. It appeared that Selene and Dragorax had gained some friends during our little visit. Once the two were old enough, I allowed them the freedom to visit the Ancients whenever they liked. I say once they were old enough, but honestly, it wasn't as though I could stop them without the need of employing severe violence.
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I have to admit that Ancestor lake northeast of Sturmvere was most refreshing to have a quick swim in. Not to mention the delicious fish which were bountiful in its waters. I cannot deny that the desire to return there had never crossed my mind.
Nature is our God
My offspring were most reliable in gathering information about the Ancients. Funny, the way I preface this makes it sound as though I was gathering intelligence to use against them for a sneak attack. I can assure you I was not!
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The Ancients truly believed that the 'force' of nature, that which creates the plants and keeps life flourishing is our one true God. They have gone as far as to deny the role of 'The Six' as the Gods of creation. I cannot agree with their thinking though it seems their beliefs somewhat smote my dearest, Selene. Thankfully, Dragorax remains smarter than that.
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The Ancients believe that one must not hunt more than is needed to survive. I can agree with that sentiment, if only that it is wasteful to do otherwise. They further state that to hunt for sport is penalty enough for death. I don't know if I can agree with that, but its a fair point going by the logic of the first.
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The Ancients use the same method of thinking with regards to the trees that they cut down with which to create their structures. To remove one is to plant one. I honestly, couldn't care less about that kind of stuff. I'll live where I want and how I want, that is the rule of the dragons.
Language, void-energy, origin of the name
Whenever I conversed with the Ancients, we always did so in Common. It goes without saying that my preference is draconic, though I cannot expect these wolf creatures to know of this language, nor was I at liberty to learn of their language, Antonic. Even Grimack had to admit he rarely used it anymore, only when he swore in frustration, that way the youth could not understand him. It seems the more I speak of him, the fonder I become. I guess the old man has his charms after all.​
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​ I learned a most interesting fact the other day from my daughter Selene. I wasn't aware of this, but the Ancients can naturally harness void-energy. It surges throughout their bodies in varying quantities. Sometimes among the Ancients of old, the accumulation of void-energy within their bodies became too much, and it manifested itself as green-strands of light along their bodies. I wonder if Corphelax can harness this power, I'll have to remember to ask him later.​
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I finally found out why they were called the Ancients. Presumably, the first to materialise after 'The Merging', were Erafar and Orythorn, therefore technically making them the eldest among the Gods, even if only by mere moments. I'll give them that luxury as far as history concerns, as I find it an amusing reasoning.