The Dragon’s Hoard

Rumor has it that somewhere on the mountains of Sleibte is an abandoned dragon’s hoard. No one is quite sure where this hoard is hidden, or even which range it’s in, but there’s an old tavern song that some believe will reveal the location of the hoard.

“ Far over Naminoishi Mountains
Nestled deep in Ganthor’s Maw

Abandoned long since ages past

When the sun shines through
Illuminating the stones radiant heart

The path shall make itself known clear ”

The legitimacy of this song is unknown, since no one has ever found the hoard, but many old drunkards swear by it.

In the Beginning

In the first moment of time a sound was uttered. This sound, unknown to any, was the spark that was needed for the world to come to be. Upon seeing this, the two gods were content. They had made a blank slate; a world they could shape and mold to their liking. The seas were wide and vast, and the land void of life.

The world stayed like this as Jaelanai, the goddess of life, focused more on shaping the land. She wanted to see creatures of all shapes and sizes, but first she had to give them a home. She spent the first five decades just preparing the world and when that task was complete, she began her real task. From clay, stone, dirt, mud, and water, she made the first few species using that as their main component and with the elements, she breathed life into them. Each one was so different from another, and as she watched them, she smiled. She had sent them to different parts of the world to thrive. She had given them a home, and a body that would help them do what she designed them to do. These creatures were empty shells with little purpose besides amusing the goddess.

Akros, the god of knowledge, saw his sister’s beings for what they were. He saw potential but they were lacking in what they were. One day, when his sister was focused on other matters, he snuck down to the world and then he begun his task. He slowly taught them what emotions were, reason, and train of thought. He made them more like him and his sister with his gift. He made them knowledgeable.

This action angered the goddess. Her rage was unmatched as she sought her brother out and started the first war of the world. From this war magic came into the world as the two gods fought away from the eyes of those they had worked so hard to create. The magic came as their bodies began to break apart, and the larger pieces that broke off slowly changed form and from this the other gods were born. From the death of the father and mother, the new gods came. Never could they become whole again as the blood from the two originals had been lost as it rained down upon the world introducing magic into the world.

The Lost Wreck of the Saint Arturos

Long ago, before teleportation stones, men dared to travel the sea by ship, fearlessly entering the domain of the sea dragons. This endeavor was dangerous--sea dragons did not take kindly to ships on their waters, and many ships were attacked, their crew dragged down into the dark depths of the water.

The most famous of these wrecks was the ship christened the Saint Arturos. This ship was sent by the dwarf kingdom of Sleibte to the elf kingdoms of Katakarthia, in a show of goodwill. Laden with golden coins, statues, precious gems, and all manner of jewelry and finery imaginable, the actual cargo of the Saint Arturos has been lost to the ages. The fate of the Saint Arturos, however, is well known, spread by word of mouth across the realm.

Halfway across the sea between Xira and Katakarthia, the Saint Arturos came across a mighty sea serpent. Angered that his territory had been encroached upon, he demanded the crew give him an offering for his hoard for the transgression. When the crew refused, stating that their cargo was meant as an offering for foreign leaders, the serpent attacked. In his rage he lurched from the water, wrapping his entire body around the ship, coiling tighter and tighter. Wood splintered and cracked, and with a sickening crack the hull of the Saint Arturos split.

Taking on water, the ship began to sink, but before the serpent could drag the Saint Arturos down into the depths, the crew mustered and assaulted the dragon. After a fierce battle, the captain landed a fatal blow. The mighty serpent collapsed atop the ship, the weight of his dead body dragging the crew and the Saint Arturos down to the bottom of the ocean.

To this day no one knows where the remains of the Saint Arturos are. Even the sea dragons have scoured the supposed area of the wreck, and found nothing but silt and sand. Though both sea and land dwellers alike agree that the wreck of the Saint Arturos still lays at the bottom of the ocean, holding all of its treasure for the one who finally finds it.

Remnants of the Gods

When the world of Antarsia was created, there was only Jaelanai and Akros, who warred after their discrepancies. During their long battle, each god was said to have split into 8 pieces. However, there is a legend that there were two more pieces. If the gods represent their consciousness, then perhaps, these items are their bodies strewn across their ancient battlefield.

It is said by ancient elders who possess flight that there is another shard of Jaelanai in the sky, far higher than any pair of wings can soar. It is believed that flying too close to the item leaves many dragons weary and exhausted, causing them to dive down and land immediately. The enigmatic sensation has been referred to as Jaelanai's Love, kept in the skies to keep her wonderful creations from leaving Antarsia.

It is said by ancient elders who possess the power to dive into the depths of the cruel sea that there is another shard of Akros in the ocean sandbeds, beyond the abysmal trenches. It is believed that swimming too deep in the underwater channels will destroy anyone, sucking the life out of their bodies. This force has been dubbed Akros' Wrath, kept in the waters to keep his sister from engaging with him once more.

While no being alive on Antarsia has personally seen these items, there are postulations that they are, perhaps, weapons, intended for the gods to combine forces to wield. There are rumors that perhaps one day, a chosen soul of corruption will be able to hold Akros' Wrath, and a chosen heart of purity will be able to carry Jaelanai's Love.

The Cult of Jackroth

There’s a rumor going around about a mysterious cult that dwells in the Eye of Jackroth. They say its members travel to nearby towns, where they kidnap unwary people to sacrifice to the volcanoes, which they believe to be the ultimate representation of their god. However, no one has ever seen these cultists, and many believe the region to be uninhabitable.

So what’s really been the cause of these disappearances?

The Dragon of the Deep

Beneath the surface of Vrocheros Lake there’s rumored to be a beautiful eastern dragon. It can occasionally be seen under the ice of the shallows, but these sightings are few and far between as the dragon usually prefers the deeper portions of the lake. No one knows the intentions of this dragon, or why it’s there, but some say it grants wishes. Others say it watches over the souls of the dead.

The City of Mirages

Oslark city is believed by many not to exist. With its location in the Shifting Sands, many people believe it to be just a mirage; no matter how close one one gets to the city, it never seems to get any closer. Others get turned around completely, spit out of the Shifting Sands where they began by the region’s strong winds. Some mages believe strong magic is at work here, but none have been able to make it through to the city.

The Lord of the Mountain

Long ago the citizens of the Nkazon Desert fell prey to a being they named the Lord of the Mountain. He took the form of a massive dragon, descending from the Eye of Jackroth to raid and pillage for gold and other valuables. The citizens of Nuru began to offer tithes to this mighty dragon, in hopes of protecting their mountain home from his mighty wrath. Even the sphinx kings of Eden struggled under his thumb, and were eventually forced to use their magic to keep him at bay, lest the Lord of the Mountain ravage their city’s library for its treasures.

This went on for thousands of years, until the Lord of the Mountain and the Eye of Jackroth fell silent. Some who have lived through the Lord of the Mountin’s reign of terror still swear they can hear the dragon’s mighty roar coming from the Eye of Jackroth. Others say it’s simply the sound of the volcanoes that make up the region.

Mothers still whisper in hushed voices to their children to beware the Lord of the Mountain, and the dragon’s name has fallen into myth and legend, stories used to ward careless travelers from wandering too near the volcanoes. Still, those who attempt to enter the territory of the Lord of the Mountain are never seen again.

Legend of the Reaper

Gather ‘round children, and I’ll tell you a tale
A tale of nightmares and demons.
A tale of men and monsters

Our tale begins on a dark night deep in the depths of Death.
Hidden away from the light of the stars
A figure plotted to conquer Death itself.

He took in children, took in babies
Broke them with darkness
Their souls erased

Child after child
Lost to his desires
Until one day he spied
A child like no other

His son was special
Unique and incredible
Born out of death’s devil
But still young and malleable

He stole his son away
Filled him with power
Broke him, made the darkness obey
And made all life cower

Thus the Reaper was born
Full of death and rage
His untamed evil and scorn
The bane of every mage

For the boy could consume souls
Magic and life were his to steal
The figure reached his goals
A beast that could not feel

With one champion made
He began to make more
A whole crusade
For a greater war

Fear the Reapers
For they bring blight
But trust in the believers
For they suffer in Light