Torches flickered among the windows and archways of the treetop building. The elder elf, in his deep, melodious tone, began his next tale.

“Now we shall talk about Gilandras. I tell not of his slaying of the last great wyrm, or even of his long protection of the elven races. Instead we shall speak of his last encounter in this world, with a force even he could not withstand.

“As you all know, Gilandras often ventured out into the wild forests searching for the evil beasts of Unhamil, and sometimes he would spend years alone on the hunt. One hunt on a summer night such as this, under the same stars you see above, he was resting in a clearing when he heard a song unlike any he had heard before. It came from the trees and flowed out across the clearing, the sounds as sweet as a summer rain. He stayed still so as not to surprise the voice that evoked such emotion in him. He heard in this melody the praise of all that grew, of the creeks and rivers which fed the roots of the forest. He heard an homage to the sun and moonlight that gave the lands warmth. And as he stood perfectly still, lost in the melody, the singer emerged from the trees before him. She struck him instantly as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her raiment was that of simple green cloth, though it sparkled as if silver was sewn into it. She danced into the clearing, her graceful movements matching the song. And where she stepped flowers grew up as if trying to caress her.

“It was then that Gilandras stood and began his own song. For a brief moment, their songs became one, but upon recognizing this second melody, she stopped and ran, fast as a deer, back into the woods and was gone.

“He chased her but could find no tracks, nor did he hear her footsteps. He searched for weeks, but to no avail. Years passed, and he was set about many tasks by his elven lords, but he never forgot her. Each night, in the wilderness, he would sing out to her and of his love for the world that her song had inspired.

“One night, at the beginning of Fall, he was singing when he noticed a second melody had joined his. He rose and walked in the direction of the second voice, careful not to stop his own melody. Through a dense patch of trees he passed, and then into a clearing which contained a small waterfall at the far end. There, the elf maiden sang, though this time she looked at him and smiled. She held out her hand, and Gilandras took it in his. They moved through the forest, singing and dancing for the rest of the night, and then lay down in the fields to watch the stars.

“Gilandras fell fast asleep, and in the morning, his companion was gone. Through the day he searched for her, until dusk and then night came, and she returned to him again, singing and dancing under the stars and silvery moonlight. Countless were the nights they spent like this, until Gilandras found a desire to return home, and spoke to her for the first time of a feeling that was his own.

“He professed his love for her and asked that she return with him and be his wife. At this, she turned from him, her eyes filled with tears. She then turned to him and held him close as she whispered in his ear, revealing to him that she was not an elf, but Lunare, Goddess of Nature. Although the elves during this time lived very long lives, Galandras still was mortal, and she could not love him back in the same way.

“Gilandras walked back to his bow and quiver, and gathering them up, walked into the forest to the East after the bright red star that appears during the fall. He followed this star into the winter and was never seen again by the elves.”

The older elf pointed up at the red star now in the sky. “That is why we call that the Star of Ellos Amal, or the Star of Lost Love. When that star rises higher in the sky, you can see three stars rise up after it, for that is the Bow of the Hunter, forever chasing unattainable love. Now, there are many interpretations of this story, but indulge me by hearing mine. I believe the story means that although one may be great, one must always be diligent to not be led astray by temptation. Gilandras meant much to his people. He was their hero and their protector. But when his heart was broken, in his weakness, he left the world and his people behind to chase the unattainable. It is the wise who know their own weaknesses and face them rather than fleeing from them.”

Thieve’s Cant for the Beginning Rogue

Taught by Tritam Swifthands

1. One of the more common signs for letting another rogue know your profession. You do it by rubbing the palm across the bottom half of the face. There are other ones, but this is the most common.
2. What the speaker says is important and should be listened to. This is also another way for you to let another know you are a rogue. It is done by placing the thumb into the forefinger while balling the fist.
3. This one means that the territory you are in is claimed. Work the profession at your own risk. If you cross the path of the current “owner” of the area doing your personal “business” it will probably rub him the wrong way. While most guilds will allow you to do some freelance business, most don’t let an independent rogue set up shop in their town or city. It is done by placing the thumb and forefinger together, with the other three fingers clenched. Then you accompany it with a downward swoop.
4. This swooping hand gesture means that whatever word the bearer brings is the word from the “higher power” of the area. Oft times this news or information comes from either a guildmaster, guild officer or a powerful thief in the area. It is done by extending all fingers except the pinky finger and doing a downward swoop.
5. This signifies that this area is a safehaven or that the signing rogue is offering a safe haven. This is done by bringing the tops of the fingers to the thumb in somewhat of a fist.
6. This one signs danger. It is done by extending all fingers and bringing together the middle and ring finger.
7. Guards on the prowl or lookout. If you are looking to avoid official entanglement then you’d best be off elsewhere. It is done by balling up your left fist and grasping your left wrist with your right hand.
8. This means that the powers that be in this area do not welcome you. Normally a quick exit of the area or city is the best move after seeing this. It is done by extending the index and middle finger and crossing them with your thumb.

Well that’s about it for now lad. Remember these well, as it can mean life or death…

Third Age – Age of Kingdoms or the Time of Man (Elven)

• 1  The first men are encountered by the Elves. They are barbaric and live in the deserts and arid lands that were left from the conquests of Kaldrath. The Elves at first believe them to be inferior and kin to goblins.
• 224 The first human cities are built. The Elves begin to take notice of their “barbaric” neighbors and even train them in crafts and skills. The humans excel in all and their cultures and population grow rapidly.
• 1789 The Dwarves awake from their slumber.
• 3174 The Druid council is formed in the North.
• 4134 TM The Empire of Ish (called the Ishian Empire in the North) is formed in what becomes known as the Southlands. The first emperor of Ish is Da’atra Tiria. The Tiria family still rules in Ish now.
• 4467 The city of Selardor is built. It is ruled by Adomar Aradan.
• 4526 Olaekin Baleband is born.
• 4558 Olaekin Baleband has conquered most of the North as a warlord, and builds the city of Pardalor.
• 4629 The Mages of the West are formed. Ruled by three wizards they congregate in a large keep( Keep of Ismaren in the Misty Moor, later called the Miragol Swamp) along the Western coast (Above the Vale of current times). Distrusted, they spend most of their time in solitude.
• 4656 Strange stories come from Pardalor. Stories of Orovari, orlocks, and goblins openly entering the town. The Orovari migrate north to the lands of Uthgard. House Ka’Dail begins to unite the tribes of Orovari. Questions about the King, Olaekin Baleband begin to arise. His unnaturally long life ( currently 130 years) and his seclusiveness earn distrust within those of the kingdom. He is also rumored to be a practitioner of black arts.
• 4695 Emperor Kalah of the Ish bans the use of books. During this time many of the ancient texts and tomes are burnt. He also empowers the people of the Jaldur desert, promising them their own nation if they rid the Wildelands of the elves. This leads to a genocide of the wild elves and though they finally push back and defeat the Jaldurians, they are left weakened and forever scarred.
• 4735 Some Mages split from from the keep and form the tower of Eredar in the east. The first archeons are trained to keep a watch on the powers of mages.
• 5054 Uthgard begins its war to control Atheles (The Great War, The Aradan War)
• 5057 Small border skirmishes between the Ishian Empire and Endamas begin.
• 5059 The Ishian Empire begins invading the Westlands.
• 5069 Olaekin Baleband, now known as the Warlock-King, defeats a large force of the Ishian Empire’s Army.
• 5073 The Ishian Empire, worn down by years of war, pull their troops back and fortify their borders. The elves stop their war, the high elves retreating into their forest and some of the grey elves and wood elves that are left lend their aid to Selardor.
• 5075 The Warlock-king and his armies march on Selardor itself.
• 5082 Selardor (Capital city of Aradan) is destroyed. The city is evacuated, including the king’s newlywed wife and his son. Aeerumar Aradan, last king of Selar Dor is slain by one of his advisors, Caroth. Uthgard uses an artifact to open a rift from the battlefield into the heart of the city, insuring victory.
• 5086 War on the West is declared by the Warlock King and his kingdom Uthgard
• 5087 Bordon repels Uthgard’s forces
• 5090 Invasion of Norhan (Northlands) almost reaches Seahaven and is repelled. Uthgard retreats and there is an uneasy peace for years.
• 5132 Second invasion by Uthgard. Seahaven and Bordon, with the help of the Ishian Empire push back the forces of Uthgard and the Warlock King is slain. He uses devastating magic again, ruining the Eastlands. The Disappearance happens.

The Fourth Age

• 5280 Years of hardship follow as the remnants of the Uthgard army are still strong and cause problems all along the North and Westlands. The Ishian Empire becomes solitary, allowing no traffic to and from their country. The process of rebuilding and relearning is slow.
• 5368 Empire of Zhouyin invade over the sea. Tyr falls under control of their empire. Lands of the Eastlands (Old Aradan and Uthgard) fall under the control of Zhouyin.
• 5402 The beginning of the Plague. The Zhouyin Empire falls in disarray. Many return back over the sea, and have not been heard from since.
• 5414 Knights of the White Eagle rise to power in the Northwest. They use their religious zealotry to sway people’s emotions during the outbreak of the second Plague.
• 5555 Fall of Grace of the Knights and their Church. Still powerful, but no longer in direct control of the Northan kingdom.
• 5629 The Third plague ravages Atheles, leaving the cities and kingdoms separated and superstitious.
• 5677 The first recorded instances of the Return.
• 5683 The Dark Return. Magic flows through the lands. Demons return to the murky forests. Long lost tribes appear on the horizon. Wars break out dubbed the Return Wars.
• 5684 The Return Wars end in the winter. 
• 5685 The lands struggle to keep an uneasy peace. Norhan solidifies its rule of the northlands. Uthgard and Tiren sign an alliance which offers trade to all in the East. The Westlands settle back into comfortable city states looking to Bordon for leadership, but they do not swear fealty. The Ishian Empire opens its borders and allows small bits of traffic. 
• 5698 South Keep, once a single fortress outpost along the Ishian border, starts to become a well known trade town in the West.
• 5707 Current day.

A Far East city in Atheles.

Toryn is a significant historical hero of Uteria. Losing his parents to superstitious townspeople when he was a child set him on the path of a vagrant. The homeless musician who raised him set him on the path of a traveling minstrel.

In a world divided by people who would abuse magic on the one hand, and superstitious people who would destroy all magic on the other, Toryn’s life work is devoted to learning the truth, and to spreading that truth through music, magic, and storytelling.

Read more about Toryn in the fiction story by Dane Clark Collins: Crossroads of the Never.