The Path of the Faendryl
V. The Founding of the Great Houses and the Rise of the Elven Empire
After the departure of the a’Niall Dhu’nari, Korthyr knew that he must gather the strength of the Elves, uniting them in preparation for the day when that strength would be needed. Korthyr spoke with the leaders of the other great families, and persuaded them to unite the already partially established cities into a great Empire. The leaders of those families would found Houses, centered in their respective cities. These were to be the Seven Noble Houses of the Elves.
Korthyr took his rightful place as the leader of the Elven people. He would not live to see the completion of Ta’Faendryl, but he was confident that he had done all that he could to ensure that the Elven people were ready to face the threat that would be brought upon the world by the a’Niall Dhu’nari.
The tides of the Empire, and of House Faendryl, rose and fell through the centuries. The darkest time for the Faendryl before the coming of Despana was during the chaos that ensued after the assassination of Zarish Aeglyn Faendryl. It was their time of testing.
Finally, the wisdom of Yshryth Silvius Faendryl brought an end to these trials and the Faendryl emerged with a renewed strength and purpose. He vividly reminded the Faendryl that plotting against the Patriarch, upon whose shoulders rests the stability and fate of not only the House, but of the entire world, is the highest of crimes. He also reminded the Elven people, and the Faendryl in particular, of their place in the world, and the desperate need of the other races for Elven guidance.
The Elven Empire once again flourished, as did the Faendryl. Understanding and growth of the magical arts, especially the Faendryl Art of al’Amayl’Ari, now commonly referred to as a’Sor’Saeri, meaning the Twofold Path, took place like at no other time in previous history. Its followers were called Sor’Saeria du’Alasi, Walkers of the Twofold Path, or simply Sor’Saerias. The Faendryl delved into the Way of Weaving and Unweaving in ways that had never before been considered. The permutations were almost boundless, the scope limited only by the individual.
By this time, most of the Elves, including the Faendryl, had forgotten the prophecy long ago uttered by Liriasha. Her line, however, continued, and had become some of the most renowned practitioners of a’Sor’Saeri. One of her descendents, Elyrien i’Larien Faendryl, was in attendance at a meeting in the Basilica Tower when a powerful reminder of this past confronted the Faendryl. Also in attendance at this meeting was Elizhabet Mahkra Faendryl, sister to Thanris Akeleyn Faendryl, Patriarch XVI of the House.
The purpose of that meeting is unclear, but some magic work was taking place. What is remembered is that at some point during the work, Elyrien was surrounded by a silvery-blue nimbus, and then slowly raised into the air by some unseen force. Tears came to his eyes, and his mouth opened, but instead of his voice it was a voice from the past, for Liriasha had come again to warn her people.
“Have you forgotten the Darkness that will come upon you? Remember now your past, and know that the folly of the Children of Ivaryn has come to pass. It will feed Death and Undeath, and the world shall tremble. Prepare now, that the Tide of Darkness may be turned and that Light may remain in the world.”
Those of the Tower reacted with fervor like never before. The Sor’Saerias, with Elizhabet at their lead, called a meeting with Thanris. After some discussion, Thanris decided to summon a Council of the leaders of the other Noble Houses. The results of that meeting were not that for which the Faendryl hoped. Those in attendance either did not believe in the ‘supposed’ warning of Liriasha, or felt that legends of the distant past had no place in the current Elven Empire.
Thanris, however, did not dismiss the warning of the Sor’Saerias, or the fervent belief of his sister. At her urging, he allowed the Tower researchers unlimited resources for their study. Word of the event, and the decision of the Council, was also passed among the Faendryl people.
For the first time, the Faendryl doubted the wisdom of the other Elves. They, however, would be ready. It was then that the Faendryl saw their place in Elven society in a new light. They had always been the leaders of the Elves, as was their right and their ability, as the most blessed of the blessed. Now, however, they must take on a new role, a new burden. As a parent watches over a child, so too would the Faendryl guard the other Elves.
The practitioners of a’Sor’Saeri, in preparation for the coming need, began to focus their research on spells that would give them an edge in battle. The other aspects of the Art, although useful, would not be as valuable in the upcoming struggle, and so were put aside. It was during this time of unparalleled research that Elizhabet found the method of breaching the Veil. Although she never recovered from the trauma of this experience, she opened the way for magics of summoning such as had never been considered.
The dangers involved with this research brought about the creation of the Palestra. The students of the Palestra became the Faendryl Strength of Arm, the Protectors of the Sor’Saerias and other Faendryl workers of the Arcane Arts. It also brought about the creation of the Enchiridion Valentia, the most important and detailed compilation on the Valences and of Summoning that has ever been created.
Although most Faendryl were united towards a common goal, there were some who nursed old hatreds. In the time of Phorien Endric Faendryl, Patriarch XXI, one such elf, Qhwinn Laurentiu, forgot both his place and the wisdom of Yshryth. He and his faction destroyed the Basilica, killing Phorien and many others. Punishment came swiftly, by the will of Nikasha Pavanti Faendryl, sister of Phorien and second Matriarch of the Faendryl, and by the Law of Yshryth. Where Yshryth’s words echoed in the Faendryl mind, the bloody stones of the square echoed in their sight. Never again would any Faendryl forget.
Some good did come from the traitorous Qhwinn and his studies. A thorough study of his research after his execution gave the Faendryl the key to cooperative magic. It was this ability that allowed the new battle magics to be taken to even greater heights.
[Author’s Note: Cooperative Magic has ever since been commonplace among the Faendryl. That we are capable of such feats is well documented among the histories of the lesser races, and its existence is not a Mystery. The method of doing so, however, is still a Mystery at the time of this writing.]