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Knightfall's World of Kulan: Many Beginnings, One Fate (Last Update: Feb 22, 2008)
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<blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 1844633" data-attributes="member: 2012"><p>Thanks Jester. And here's the next update...</p><p>======================</p><p></p><p>Bactra had walked the Eastern Path dozens of times in his young, life; its many twists and turns lead him through the multicolored splendor of the forest. The forest was old with trees of many varieties and subspecies. There were the grand oaks with leaves many shades of green. There were also the smaller janbrook trees with brownish black bark and silver-tinged leaves. There were alders, firs, maples, birch trees, and cedars of every shape and size.</p><p></p><p>The forest was a blaze of deep rich colors, alive with the sounds of the wilderness. Birds, insects, and small animals sounded throughout the forest like a symphony. Bactra could hear the far off cry of a hawk hunting and the skittering of some small beast under a nearby rose-petaled bush. A pair of chipmunks chattered in nearby janbrook tree, obviously fight over a nut or possibly even a mate.</p><p></p><p>Bactra also knew that Breinarch the Green stood watch over this region of the Knotwood; nothing escaping the attention of the dragon’s old eyes. Not that Bactra had anything to fear from the green dragon of the Knotwood; the dragon was a staunch ally of the forest elves and a force for neutrality as well as the Tenets of the Balance. Breinarch wasn’t one of the Majestics but that didn’t make the old dragon any less important to the Balance.</p><p></p><p>Many humans believed dragons to be either solely good or evil, not realizing the complexity of the great, intelligent beasts’ purpose within nature. They were as much a part of the world as an elf, a human, or any animal of the wild. Sure there were those dragons that fell more towards the views of extremism, but those ‘rogues’ were either actively hunted or eventually left Harqual altogether.</p><p></p><p>Bactra stopped to rest, taking in the many sights and sounds, reveling in the forest of his homeland. He had come a long way in his life, of that there wasn’t any doubt. Yet, at only one hundred and thirty-five years, Bactra knew he still had much to learn about the world. His parents had sheltered him for nearly a century, not willing to let him step one foot out of the community of Woodknot; the heart of the forest elven lands known as the Knotwood.</p><p></p><p>The fact that the names were so similar, yet different didn’t worry any forest elf’s mind. Humans, of course, found it confusing at first, not realizing that Woodknot is a physical place in the Knotwood. Of course, very few humans had ever ventured deep enough into the beautifully wild forest to learn the difference. Most just assumed the names were variations of the forest’s name.</p><p></p><p>However, the first time Bactra had met Garth Tigerstorm the human had known the difference. It was strange, their relationship. Garth was the father of Dabuk Tigerstorm, Bactra’s cousin, yet the man was younger than Bactra, only fifty-three years old. Garth was less than half his age, yet the elven wizard called the man uncle, and in return Garth sometimes honored the elf by calling him nephew.</p><p></p><p>This was what Bactra’s parents had tried so hard to shelter him from. The confusing and sometimes volatile mess that was elven and human bloodlines mixed together. None among the elven clans of the Knotwood had been happy when Garth had married Dabuk’s mother, Eiithinia Starchild. Some had even tried to forbid the joining.</p><p></p><p>However, Eiithinia had been a stubborn woman, even for a forest elf. She had moved beyond the reach of the elders of the Therani Clan, the hereditary leaders of the clans of the Knotwood, to be with the man she loved. Being isolated from her people had taken a toll on her, and she would often have fits of melancholy. Yet, she refused to be parted from her love and when Dabuk was born she became more entrenched in her life beyond the forest.</p><p></p><p>It was only after her tragic death that the hearts of the clan elders softened. They had lost one of their best and brightest; a hero of the wars against the ogres, and one of the finest people you’d ever meet. They had dedicated a sacred grove in her honor and begrudgingly allowed Garth and Dabuk to visit it. Garth had originally wanted to bury his wife on one of the many properties he owned, but he related when Dabuk had insisted his mother be buried in the grove her people had created for her.</p><p></p><p>It had been this tragedy, eleven years ago, which had first brought the two cousins together. Dabuk had been only five years old; he had been a mere babe compared to Bactra. Yet they had instantly bonded, and Bactra had watched as the boy grew into a young man guiding him nearly as much as the boy’s father had. After this it had been impossible for his parents to keep him isolated in Woodknot.</p><p></p><p>“So where are you going this time, as if I didn’t know.” The words echoed out from behind an old oak tree, to Bactra’s right, as elven wizard prepared to continue on down the path.</p><p></p><p>“Hello Joshian,” Bactra had known his kin was there before he had spoken out loud. “We’re not going to have that same old argument are we?”</p><p></p><p>“You should forget about him. He’ll but be a whisper in your life. He’ll live, age, and die in a heartbeat.” The other elf stepped out from behind the old oak tree. He was older than Bactra but only by a few summers. He wore the garments of a warrior, an archer, and a soldier, greens and browns of various shades to hide him in the woods.</p><p></p><p>“You have made this argument over and over and I keep telling you, cousin, that I don’t want to hear it.” Bactra was tired of Joshian’s anger. He and Joshian had grown up together, but since Bactra had become so close to Dabuk, his kin had come to resent his friendship with the half-elf.</p><p></p><p>“He isn’t worth it, cousin.” Joshian’s bitterness broke through his words.</p><p></p><p>“So you keep saying, yet I’ve learned as much from him as he does from me. Being a half-elf gives him an interesting perspective on life. Besides, you should not talk ill of your own brother.”</p><p></p><p>“Half-brother.” Joshian stood in Bactra’s way refusing to budge.</p><p></p><p>“Semantics.” Bactra would try not to come to blows with Eiithinia’s other son.</p><p></p><p>“No. Blood.” Joshian had his hand on his sword hilt, ready to teach his kin respect for the purity of the bloodline.</p><p></p><p>“Get out of my way,” Bactra knew his cousin wouldn’t draw on him as he stepped forward. “You cannot hinder a clan member from traveling this path. It is a crime, a crime against the laws of Therani Clan, and a crime against the memory of your mother.”</p><p></p><p>“Don’t you do that!” Joshian let go of his blade grabbing Bactra by the scruff of the neck. “Don’t you dare use her against me like that!”</p><p></p><p>Bactra was shocked by Joshian’s reaction. He had obviously underestimated his cousin’s anger and resentment. Eleven years was nothing to an elf and Joshian was still mourning his mother. However, that didn’t mean Bactra was just going to let his cousin rough him up. He still had a hold of his staff in one hand. He slipped his hand down to the center of the weapon, tucked the upper half under his arm, lifted the weapon above their heads, and brought it down squarely on Joshian’s shoulder.</p><p></p><p>It was Joshian’s turn to be shocked. He snapped out of his rage letting Bactra go. The wooden weapon hadn’t hurt him, but it had jarred him from what he had been doing.</p><p></p><p>“I-I’m sorry, cousin.” Joshian cried. “I simply miss her so.”</p><p></p><p>“I understand.” Bactra wore worry on his brow. “Do you want to walk with me to the edge of the forest? I could use the company.”</p><p></p><p>“I-I don’t really feel like it.” Joshian was trying to stuff down his emotions.</p><p></p><p>“Oh come on, it will do us both some good to catch up. We haven’t had a good talk about other things in some time. I promise no talking about you-know-who.” Bactra patted his cousin on the back.</p><p></p><p>“All right,” Joshian sighed. “After all, I have to travel southeast through Minar anyway.”</p><p></p><p>“Really, where to?” Bactra was surprised. It wasn’t like Joshian to travel beyond the edge of the forest.</p><p></p><p>“I cannot talk about it here out in the open.” Joshian gathered the rest of his things from a hollowed out knot in the oak tree he’d been hiding behind. “All I can say for now is that it is very important. Ask me again later.”</p><p></p><p>“Very well, but I expect you to tell me as soon as you can. How is Missia?”</p><p></p><p>“She is still the same,” Joshian beamed at the mention of his betrothed. “Beautiful and temperamental. What of Feliinia? You two were quite the item last summer.”</p><p></p><p>“She decided that I wasn’t her type. She married an archer from the Silver Leaves.” Bactra sighed.</p><p></p><p>“Too bad, she’s quite the radiant beauty. Did she say why?” Joshian led the way as they continued talking.</p><p></p><p>“No. She wanted someone with muscles, I guess.” Bactra laughed.</p><p></p><p>The two continued to talk as they made their way farther east towards the edge of the forest enjoying an old friendship as they passed under the canopy of the many oaks and janbrook trees; the greens and silvers of the leaves swayed in the light breeze of mid-afternoon.</p><p>======================</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrange"><em>Up next... Jeddar leaves the kingdom of the Silver Leaves, while Dvalin says goodbye to Rikin and childhood friend.</em></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Knightfall, post: 1844633, member: 2012"] Thanks Jester. And here's the next update... ====================== Bactra had walked the Eastern Path dozens of times in his young, life; its many twists and turns lead him through the multicolored splendor of the forest. The forest was old with trees of many varieties and subspecies. There were the grand oaks with leaves many shades of green. There were also the smaller janbrook trees with brownish black bark and silver-tinged leaves. There were alders, firs, maples, birch trees, and cedars of every shape and size. The forest was a blaze of deep rich colors, alive with the sounds of the wilderness. Birds, insects, and small animals sounded throughout the forest like a symphony. Bactra could hear the far off cry of a hawk hunting and the skittering of some small beast under a nearby rose-petaled bush. A pair of chipmunks chattered in nearby janbrook tree, obviously fight over a nut or possibly even a mate. Bactra also knew that Breinarch the Green stood watch over this region of the Knotwood; nothing escaping the attention of the dragon’s old eyes. Not that Bactra had anything to fear from the green dragon of the Knotwood; the dragon was a staunch ally of the forest elves and a force for neutrality as well as the Tenets of the Balance. Breinarch wasn’t one of the Majestics but that didn’t make the old dragon any less important to the Balance. Many humans believed dragons to be either solely good or evil, not realizing the complexity of the great, intelligent beasts’ purpose within nature. They were as much a part of the world as an elf, a human, or any animal of the wild. Sure there were those dragons that fell more towards the views of extremism, but those ‘rogues’ were either actively hunted or eventually left Harqual altogether. Bactra stopped to rest, taking in the many sights and sounds, reveling in the forest of his homeland. He had come a long way in his life, of that there wasn’t any doubt. Yet, at only one hundred and thirty-five years, Bactra knew he still had much to learn about the world. His parents had sheltered him for nearly a century, not willing to let him step one foot out of the community of Woodknot; the heart of the forest elven lands known as the Knotwood. The fact that the names were so similar, yet different didn’t worry any forest elf’s mind. Humans, of course, found it confusing at first, not realizing that Woodknot is a physical place in the Knotwood. Of course, very few humans had ever ventured deep enough into the beautifully wild forest to learn the difference. Most just assumed the names were variations of the forest’s name. However, the first time Bactra had met Garth Tigerstorm the human had known the difference. It was strange, their relationship. Garth was the father of Dabuk Tigerstorm, Bactra’s cousin, yet the man was younger than Bactra, only fifty-three years old. Garth was less than half his age, yet the elven wizard called the man uncle, and in return Garth sometimes honored the elf by calling him nephew. This was what Bactra’s parents had tried so hard to shelter him from. The confusing and sometimes volatile mess that was elven and human bloodlines mixed together. None among the elven clans of the Knotwood had been happy when Garth had married Dabuk’s mother, Eiithinia Starchild. Some had even tried to forbid the joining. However, Eiithinia had been a stubborn woman, even for a forest elf. She had moved beyond the reach of the elders of the Therani Clan, the hereditary leaders of the clans of the Knotwood, to be with the man she loved. Being isolated from her people had taken a toll on her, and she would often have fits of melancholy. Yet, she refused to be parted from her love and when Dabuk was born she became more entrenched in her life beyond the forest. It was only after her tragic death that the hearts of the clan elders softened. They had lost one of their best and brightest; a hero of the wars against the ogres, and one of the finest people you’d ever meet. They had dedicated a sacred grove in her honor and begrudgingly allowed Garth and Dabuk to visit it. Garth had originally wanted to bury his wife on one of the many properties he owned, but he related when Dabuk had insisted his mother be buried in the grove her people had created for her. It had been this tragedy, eleven years ago, which had first brought the two cousins together. Dabuk had been only five years old; he had been a mere babe compared to Bactra. Yet they had instantly bonded, and Bactra had watched as the boy grew into a young man guiding him nearly as much as the boy’s father had. After this it had been impossible for his parents to keep him isolated in Woodknot. “So where are you going this time, as if I didn’t know.” The words echoed out from behind an old oak tree, to Bactra’s right, as elven wizard prepared to continue on down the path. “Hello Joshian,” Bactra had known his kin was there before he had spoken out loud. “We’re not going to have that same old argument are we?” “You should forget about him. He’ll but be a whisper in your life. He’ll live, age, and die in a heartbeat.” The other elf stepped out from behind the old oak tree. He was older than Bactra but only by a few summers. He wore the garments of a warrior, an archer, and a soldier, greens and browns of various shades to hide him in the woods. “You have made this argument over and over and I keep telling you, cousin, that I don’t want to hear it.” Bactra was tired of Joshian’s anger. He and Joshian had grown up together, but since Bactra had become so close to Dabuk, his kin had come to resent his friendship with the half-elf. “He isn’t worth it, cousin.” Joshian’s bitterness broke through his words. “So you keep saying, yet I’ve learned as much from him as he does from me. Being a half-elf gives him an interesting perspective on life. Besides, you should not talk ill of your own brother.” “Half-brother.” Joshian stood in Bactra’s way refusing to budge. “Semantics.” Bactra would try not to come to blows with Eiithinia’s other son. “No. Blood.” Joshian had his hand on his sword hilt, ready to teach his kin respect for the purity of the bloodline. “Get out of my way,” Bactra knew his cousin wouldn’t draw on him as he stepped forward. “You cannot hinder a clan member from traveling this path. It is a crime, a crime against the laws of Therani Clan, and a crime against the memory of your mother.” “Don’t you do that!” Joshian let go of his blade grabbing Bactra by the scruff of the neck. “Don’t you dare use her against me like that!” Bactra was shocked by Joshian’s reaction. He had obviously underestimated his cousin’s anger and resentment. Eleven years was nothing to an elf and Joshian was still mourning his mother. However, that didn’t mean Bactra was just going to let his cousin rough him up. He still had a hold of his staff in one hand. He slipped his hand down to the center of the weapon, tucked the upper half under his arm, lifted the weapon above their heads, and brought it down squarely on Joshian’s shoulder. It was Joshian’s turn to be shocked. He snapped out of his rage letting Bactra go. The wooden weapon hadn’t hurt him, but it had jarred him from what he had been doing. “I-I’m sorry, cousin.” Joshian cried. “I simply miss her so.” “I understand.” Bactra wore worry on his brow. “Do you want to walk with me to the edge of the forest? I could use the company.” “I-I don’t really feel like it.” Joshian was trying to stuff down his emotions. “Oh come on, it will do us both some good to catch up. We haven’t had a good talk about other things in some time. I promise no talking about you-know-who.” Bactra patted his cousin on the back. “All right,” Joshian sighed. “After all, I have to travel southeast through Minar anyway.” “Really, where to?” Bactra was surprised. It wasn’t like Joshian to travel beyond the edge of the forest. “I cannot talk about it here out in the open.” Joshian gathered the rest of his things from a hollowed out knot in the oak tree he’d been hiding behind. “All I can say for now is that it is very important. Ask me again later.” “Very well, but I expect you to tell me as soon as you can. How is Missia?” “She is still the same,” Joshian beamed at the mention of his betrothed. “Beautiful and temperamental. What of Feliinia? You two were quite the item last summer.” “She decided that I wasn’t her type. She married an archer from the Silver Leaves.” Bactra sighed. “Too bad, she’s quite the radiant beauty. Did she say why?” Joshian led the way as they continued talking. “No. She wanted someone with muscles, I guess.” Bactra laughed. The two continued to talk as they made their way farther east towards the edge of the forest enjoying an old friendship as they passed under the canopy of the many oaks and janbrook trees; the greens and silvers of the leaves swayed in the light breeze of mid-afternoon. ====================== [COLOR=DarkOrange][I]Up next... Jeddar leaves the kingdom of the Silver Leaves, while Dvalin says goodbye to Rikin and childhood friend.[/I][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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Knightfall's World of Kulan: Many Beginnings, One Fate (Last Update: Feb 22, 2008)
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