The Foundation of Zeth

This is an article on the History of Feyworld

Years: c. 100 NC to 120 NC

Age: The Long Night

Continent: Aurea

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The Rise of the Triarchy

In the thousand years after the end of the Second Age of Man, the last remnants of human civilization were falling to its own decay. Ancient Aebasa was consuming itself with internal strife and debauchery. Seven men, last of an ancient order of wizard-knights, looked upon this conflict with grief, and saw, indeed, that even their great magics could not curb the death throes of their once-glorious people. They pondered long and hard on what course to take, and many of them were ready to give up when Livio the Wanderer finally had a vision. His vision was of a great city, far to the north, one which was not yet born. One which he and the last of his Order must build. The others argued amongst themselves over whether Livio’s dream was true, but one of their membership remained strangely silent. He heard all that his colleagues had to say, but ventured no opinion of his own. Finally, after hearing their discussions for a month and a day, he gathered his books, his weapons, his wife and children, and told the others that he was to set forth to establish this city, not to rebuild the society he left behind, but to construct a new Kingdom of Man, one that would last the millennia. He asked that his brothers join him in his quest, but knew that he could not force them. He asked for each to vote, as the people of Aebasa had for centuries, on the destiny of the Order as a whole. All but one voted to join him... only the dark-minded Gabiniolis dissented, but even he agreed to obey the will of his brothers.

Thus, Zepharoklos and his six brothers formed the Covenant of The Septira and set forth across the Aebasan Ocean towards the unexplored north. Eventually, after several adventures, the seven arrived on the shores of a great peninsula. Following the lead of Livio’s visions, they moved inland, through a deep and magical forest, and over fertile, rolling hills. Finally, they reached a wide, grey river which flowed into a bay on the other side of the peninsula. Livio announced that his visions had ceased and he was uncertain as to what to do next. Zepharoklos hefted his great axe and plunged it into the hill upon which they stood. From the wound he created, a howl of pain erupted, almost deafening the wizard-knights. Suddenly, a golden form, brighter than any they had seen, erupted from the wound, breathing flame from its two heads. The great dragon swept down upon the seven, buffeting them with its powerful wings. The seven quickly drew upon their Magic and Courage, and the winds subsided. The dragon then swept upon them again, this time picking all seven up in its vast maw and dropping them into the grey river to drown. Instead, the seven rose from the water and walked to shore, empowered by their Magic and Courage. The dragon swept down a third time to rend them with its claws, but the seven wove spells of protection around themselves, composed of their Magic and Courage, and the dragon was again rebuffed. Enraged, the dragon swept down a forth time. This time, he called upon his rage and fury, and let loose a stream of flame that engulfed the group. Again, their Magic and Courage protected them. When the dragon saw that they had avoided all of his attacks, he landed on the broken hill and addressed them.

"You have done what no other has or could: you have vanquished me. I will grant you your greatest desire."

Six of the brothers looked to one another, wondering what to ask of the beast, but the first, Zepharoklos, stepped forward and spoke. "We have come to build a city, one which will last forever. You have shown us where this city is to be built, and for that we thank you. But that is not worth your life, that which we spared. We demand of you that you protect this city, and all that it rules, for all eternity."

The dragon considered the man’s words, and then nodded slowly. "I shall endeavor to do thy bidding, but even dragons do not last forever. One day, I shall be vanquished by less merciful foes, and there will be none to protect your city."

The six brothers nodded their heads, agreeing that Zepharoklos’ demand was impossible. "Upon that day, I shall return, and I will be the dragon," Zepharoklos said to him, and his brothers knew this to be true.

"Agreed, upon one condition. I must know your names."

Six of the brothers gave the great dragon their names, but Zepharoklos did not, knowing what great power came with knowing one’s name.

"I will tell you my name, great dragon," Zepharoklos agreed, "but only on the day of your death."

The dragon agreed, and departed to find a new lair, giving his old home up to the Septira. As the dragon left, the brothers looked upon the great hill that Zepharoklos had struck, and it had broken into seven pieces by his might. "It is in this place," Zepharoklos announced, "that our city is to be built." And the seven set about building and populating their Great City.

This foundation occurred 631 years before the foundation of Great Empire at the same place.