The Path of the Faendryl
VI. The Undead War
[Author’s Note: The war against Despana, and our active role in it, has long been documented by the other Elven houses and disseminated among the lesser races of Elanthia. That which has not been told are our reasons for taking the actions they so readily condemn.]
In all this time, the Faendryl kept the knowledge of their new magics from the other Elven Houses. The Faendryl knew that, as the other Elves could not fathom the coming darkness, so too could they not understand the need for such magic.
The war raged, and the world reeled. It was the hope of the Faendryl that those they watched over would mature, and find their strength, halting the hordes before the Empire was threatened, but they were not ready. They had not heeded the words of Liriasha.
The Faendryl knew they faced a choice. They knew that they could defeat Despana by unleashing the magics they had so diligently researched and practiced. In doing so, they understood that the other Elves, who had never grown into the full wisdom and strength of the Faendryl, would turn from them. They would not be able to comprehend the need. On the other hand, the Faendryl knew that if they did not unleash their power to defeat Despana, the Empire, and the world, would fall into complete darkness.
No matter the decision, the Faendryl knew that the Elves would suffer. By taking action, the Faendryl would no longer lead the Elven peoples. They knew that the Empire would shatter, as prophesied by Liriasha, and that the Elves, without the Faendryl to lead them, would drift aimlessly, grasping for past glory. If they did not act, the Elves would be utterly destroyed.
They took the only option they felt open to them. Gathering their might, the Faendryl led a carefully planned assault against Maelshyve, unleashing their meticulously researched and practiced magics. Only the most skillful, those who had long practice, were given the task of summoning the demons that would utterly destroy Despana and her horde. Others, those who could not summon with skill and precision, were given other tasks suited to their knowledge of the Art.
Still, as happens in war, some of the summoners were killed. With their deaths some of the demons broke the bonds of control and began to destroy at will, with no concern as to whether their wrath fell upon the legions of Despana or upon the Faendryl and their allies. Very few escaped the bonds of control, and most of those that did who posed a danger to the Faendryl or their allies were dealt with by the Sor’Saerias, other Faendryl workers of the Arcane or Spiritual Arts, or the Palestra elite. A few, however, found their way into the ranks of the allies before they could be stopped. Fewer were lost to these demons than would have been lost to Despana had the Faendryl not called upon their might, but it was this moment that the allies would remember, this tide of war that would overshadow all else accomplished by the Faendryl that day. The Faendryl saved the world, but lost their people and their place in the world.
For the rest of his life, Unsenis Ignaas Faendryl, Patriarch XXXIV, argued with the leaders of the other Houses, attempting to explain the need and the reasoning of the Faendryl. The other Houses could not understand, could not see wisdom, and knew only fear of the Faendryl. Such reasoning was also lost upon the leaders of the other allies, and they withdrew, preferring to focus their grief and anger at their loss upon the Faendryl rather than upon Despana.
Even the Illistim, long the closest friends of the Faendryl among the Elven people, could not recognize the need for discovery and learning even at the cost of danger. It was at this time that the Faendryl understood that the Illistim love for knowledge stopped at collecting works and studying ancient lore. In the glaring light of the moment, the Illistim stood as nothing more than scavengers of works and scraps of knowledge. They were too timid of spirit for anything more. Linsandrych would weep if she knew what her people had become.
With the death of Unsenis the true upheaval began. The other Elven Houses clamored for the exile of the Faendryl. Even then, the Faendryl could have stretched forth their hand and forced the acceptance of the other Houses. They knew, however, that these things had come to pass because the other Houses had relied too long on their strength and guidance, never growing into wisdom. The hope held by the Faendryl was that their leaving would allow the other Houses the chance to grow, to become, and to finally meet their true potential. The Faendryl would return when the others were ready.
The Second Breaking had come, and the Empire would fall.