A lecture of the Dhe’nar
by Lord Starsnuffer
Silvergate Inn, June 1997
(part 1)
Starsnuffer smiles slightly as he gazes over the floor for a moment.
Starsnuffer says, “Good evening, all, and thank you for coming”
Starsnuffer says, “In the dawn of Dhe’nar tradition stands the one who most exemplifies all that Dhe’nar strive to be. Born of the elven race, before the great divide, he grew at the knees of the Arkati, drinking in their lore and wisdom with open ears and a keen mind. He served as an acolyte to the Arkati, their voice to the elves when all stood in chaos and only that fine intervention kept the world stable.”
Starsnuffer says, “Hours spend in weapons practice honed his skill until even the most feared warriors thought twice about a duel against him. Honored as a master of the whip blades, he was also honored for his closeness with the Arkati. Through him, they honored the elves with the way, the path to power and discipline that all Dhe’nar still hold as the highest goal a Dhe’nar could strive for.”
Starsnuffer says, “This man was named Noi’sho’rah, he is considered to be the father of the Dhe’nar. He is the reason we stand before you this evening…and the reason the Dhe’nar have become what we are.”
Starsnuffer says, “Noi’sho’rah grew at the feet of the Arkati during the time just after the great Drake-Ur’daemon war…”
Starsnuffer says, “The Arkati taught the elves the ancient traditions…taught them the importance of unity…and taught them of their own virtual immortality. These things they passed on to the elves.”
Starsnuffer says, “Over time.. as the elven population grew, and other races began to evolve on Elanthia… the Arkati themselves became more scarce…however, through their acolytes, they continued to pass on their teachings.”
Starsnuffer says, “Today, you may know the Arkati better as those whom your clerics call “gods”, but remember, they were originally servants of the Drakes. However, after the great was, they were left as the caretakers of this world we live on… and felt it their place to pass on their knowledge…and teach the younger races.”
Starsnuffer says, “As time passed…the Arkati frequented the lands less and less…and the Elves grew to know their own customs… and developed their own wants and needs.”
Starsnuffer says, “Soon, the Arkati were nothing but legends to the elves…revered as gods, but never seen at all…only a few of their most devout followers – Noi’sho’rah included, were still in contact with them.”
Starsnuffer says, “After a time, the elves began to realize that they were the strongest race…the smartest.. and they felt that they should rule over Elanthia and forge a great nation…”
Starsnuffer says, “With this, game greed.”
Starsnuffer says, “The elves begam quarreling amongst each other…playing petty political games and bickering over the smallest details of who would control what…”
Starsnuffer says, “However, among the elves was one known as Tahlad…a devout follower of Noi’sho’rah’s teachings and a priest to the elves who still studied the Arkati ways.”
Starsnuffer says, “He fought to keep the elves united…to keep their goals the one goal of the people, and strove for unity among the rapidly growing elven nation.”
Starsnuffer says, “Talad’s nephew had different plans however.”
Starsnuffer says, “His nephew was called Korthyr Faendryl…Korthyr walked a different path. ..one of quick results and fast power…he saw a splitting of the elven nations into seven separate houses and fought among the other leaders of the elves while vying for leadership.”
Starsnuffer says, “Korthyr organized a meeting among the elves…to split the nation into separate houses. Tahlad was horrified by this news and rushed to the temple where Noi’sho’rah studied to tell him of the path his people were taking.”
Starsnuffer says, “Noi’sho’rah was outraged by this…it went against all of his teachings…all that the Arkati had taught him. He went to where the elves were meeting, appearing out of the darkness, he silenced the room and raised his hands to the heavens…”
Starsnuffer says, “There, Noi’sho’rah prophesied for his people…”
Starsnuffer recites:
“Know you that if the elven nations fall, if you fail to follow the true way, the dead themselves shall rise up against you. There shall come one with more power than has ever been wielded and she shall lay your nations to waste. You shall stand helpless before her, your own petty bickering pacing the way for her to take even the mightiest of your cities. Her touch shall be felt for generations and you shall never again rise to the power you had before her arrival.”
Starsnuffer recites:
“For those that follow the way, shall be a steady rise in power. The way shall lead them to safety, even in the midst of the greatest danger to face Elanthia. Those who remain firm in the faith will never need fear retribution. Lose your way and you will feel fire from the heavens. Always though, the way stands open, even for those who have lost it. Return again to your beliefs and you shall regain your favor with the Arkati. I go now to stand with the Arkati and my eyes shall be on my people always.”
Starsnuffer sighs.
Starsnuffer says, “I don’t believe I need to tell you about the truth of those words…or what Despana and her minions did to the elven nation.”
Starsnuffer says, “With those words, the darkness cleared…and Noi’sho’rah vanished…he has been seen since, only in visions and prayers, but never walking among his people.”
Starsnuffer says, “He stands as our representative to the Arkati…our voice to the heavens, reminding us… the Dhe’nar, to be true to our faith…as our history shows us the terrible wrath he can inflict upon our people…”
Starsnuffer shakes his head.
Starsnuffer says, “He sits now with the Arkati…”
Starshadow shakes her head.
Starsnuffer says, “After Noi’sho’rah prophesied for the elves and ascended to be with the Arkati, Tah’lad gathered his followers, how became known as the Dhe’nar, meaning First born in reference to being the children of the Arkati and led them away from the forming elven nation, never again to return.”
Starsnuffer says, “And that…is the last time the elves and the Dhe’nar had anything to do with each other.”
Starsnuffer says, “At least…until a few lone Dhe’nar showed up in the landing one evening… but that’s another story altogether.”
Starsnuffer says, “And that was merely the beginning for the Dhe’nar…we faced many trials since then…many, many trials.. and that is what I will touch on this evening.”
Starsnuffer says, “As Noi’sho’rah instructed him, Tahlad would lead the elves first to Rhoska-Tor, where their strength would be tested and their power forged by the mysterious power of the barren wasteland. Then, when the time was right, they would move south through the Southron Wastes and into the jungles to find their promised land.”
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar spent nearly 5,000 years living in the barren plains and cavers of Rhoska-Tor. It was during this time that the Dhe’nar learned not only the art of survival, but also honed their arcane skills. The dark essence left behind by the recent demise of the Ur’daemon not only tainted the appearance and psyche of the Dhe’nar, but it also had a powerful effect on the flows of magic in the region.”
Starsnuffer says, “It is said…”
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar warrior has the soul of a dragon and the hunger of an Ur’daemon… and there is little doubt that this is true in part.”
Starsnuffer says, “The magi learned to use the dark magicks of the region…adding them to their already potent library of spells passed onto them by the arkati themselves…they mastered many mystical arts, which I will not go into detail about here.. for obvious strategic reasons.”
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar knew the power of what they learned and the importance of guarding its secrets. They kept few written records, passing on their knowledge orally. What few records they did keep were not only written in the spidery runes only a true Dhe’nar warlock can read, but also closely guarded by the magi and priests.”
Starsnuffer says, “Its said though… and this is purely rumor..”
Starsnuffer says, “…that the Dhe’nar did leave behind one tome..”
Starsnuffer says, “If this was merely forgotten…or if it was left with the notes on summoning some dark power that would control or destroy who found it…is again…a mystery…”
Starsnuffer says, “Now then… Rhoska-Tor.”
Starsnuffer says, “After 5,000 years, as was prophesied by Noi’sho’rah, the Dhe’nar left Rhoska-Tor in search of their promised land. They headed south, through the Sourthron Wastes and into the jungles, where they founded Sharath, which remains home to the Dhe’nar to this day. Tahlad, long the leader of the Dhe’nar, never lived to see the dream become a reality. He died shortly after leaving Rhoska-Tor, however his remains were carried throughout the journey and placed in a crypt in the center of their new home.”
Starsnuffer says, “Sharath, at the time… meant promised land…however…as will go into later… that meaning changed into something…different.”
Starsnuffer says, “I do love being a warlock.”
Starsnuffer says, “The Dhe’nar found home deep in the jungles far to the south of Rhoska-Tor. They placed Tahlad’s body in a crypt in the center of the jungle and began construction of a great city around it. They named this land Sharath, or promised land.”
Starsnuffer says, “Here the Dhe’nar government developed into what it is today. The people were divided into four castes: the worker caste, the warrior caste, the temple caste and the warlock caste. Each caste serves an important role in their society and works with each other in their goals.”
Starsnuffer says, “During this time the city of Sharath grew nto a sprawling mecca. The Great Temple was built, along with the Tower of Arcane Arts. Shialos du s’karli, or The library of The Way was built – in it was placed tomes documenting the teachings of Noi’sho’rah and the Arkati.
Starsnuffer says, “This is what is known to us as the “golden age”
Starsnuffer says, “Gold, as we all know it, is a completely useless metal, only valued by the ignorant.”
(end of part 1, part 2 is here)