War-on-u
I, War-on-u, after much searching, researching, exploring, have made a great discovery. One day while climbing Mt. Illapse, I spotted a small cave. As I explored the small cave, I came upon a small pile of loose rocks. After I removed the rocks, I found a small niche in the floor. Within it lay several ancient runes. Upon these runes were much ancient writing in a strange language. Also, within lay a stone clear and bright with a glow about the size of my hand.
After much study, I was amazed to find that when I put the stone near my eyes and looked upon the runes, I could read the strange writings. As I read, I found these runes to contain a vast amount of the history of Cloudsbreak, Chaos, Dream City, the Sable Moon, and the Lyrans and much more.
Rune of Genesis
In the beginning, there were a small band of nomadic travelers. Their life span is vast. It could be said that they were truly immortal. This small band traveled thru the vast reaches of the known universe and beyond for eons of time. They gained great amounts of knowledge and wisdom. Truly, some believed they had become like gods unto themselves.
In time this small band of travelers became known as Lyrans. Within the group of Lyrans where many Master and Grand Master Dreamsmiths and Dreamwrights. There came a time after much learning that they desired to rest for a spell. They came upon a region of space, known only as Chaos. They decided this is where we shall rest.
Well, no sooner had they stopped when a great meeting was called to order. All the Lyrans were there. There was one Lyran, who stood above all in knowledge, wisdom and power. His name is Bri-anti Supreme Grand Master. He said, " Here, we shall create a place of beauty and wonder. A place where dreams are real and real are dreams." He gave orders to the dreamsmiths and dreamwrights to begin at once.
In no time at all as we understand time, using the elements, they had created a grand place which they called Dream City. In this place of wonder they established eight regions where any , who were in need of rest could stop and stay. Places of great diversity. Places where one could rest from all care or learn, study and grow.
In the heart of Dream City they placed a great library for the Lyrans had much knowledge they wanted to share. Also, the Lyrans prized knowledge above all. There they placed volume upon volume of books, scrolls, and writings.
In time, only a few stopped to see and visit this place. Some stayed to learn and grow, while others chose to move on.
Rune of Chaos
A couple of reasons given for why the Lyrans chose to stop here in this region was first, its central location of the known universe. But more importantly the strange and unusual elements found here. There seem to be endless supplies all known elements plus many rare ones that caught the interest of the Lyrans.
One of the Lyrans named Su-sa-nta decided to study all the elements within Chaos. She could see how unstable Chaos was and if one was not careful a person could do damage to it. One day while mixing several rare elements together, Su-sa-nta accidentally caused a small tear in the fabric of Chaos. Within a short time as we know time, the small tear grew into two large rips, which was not totally a surprise considering the unstableness of the elements here.
The rips were so large that they came known what is now is called the Caudal and Dorsal Rifts. What was a complete shock to all including the Lyrans was that as the gases and elements mixed they formed to create what came to known as nightmares. As theses elements and gases would meld and bond deep within the bowels of Chaos, the nightmares once formed would float to the surface of Dream City via the rifts that had been formed.
Once in Dream City theses nightmares sought to rise havoc among all who dwell there. Many beliefs sprang up regarding the nightmares: some thought it was the hellspawn of Chaos itself, to others it was believed to be the souls of the departed trapped within theses forms, still others wanted only to banish them, while some chose to study them, and finally there were a few who chose to do nothing about them.
It is said the study of Chaos by the Lyrans still continues on and that many new secrets and mysteries are yet to be revealed.
Rune of The Sable Moon
After the Lyrans had created Dream City, Bri-anti , the supreme grand master saw fit that a light should be placed in the sky to shine over Dream City. There was much discussion between the Lyrans as to how to proceed. Finally, Bri-anti selected a dreamsmith and a dreamwright to complete the task.
The names of theses two Lyrans are Mik-eal and Bra-doi. As they constructed the moon, the two Lyrans made a small error. The elements they used were much too reflective. This caused the new moon to shine so brightly that there was no place in all of Dream City where darkness could be found. Not inside the houses. Not inside the caves, pits, tunnels and so on.
So to correct this mistake the two Lyrans decided to create a second moon and place it between the first moon and Dream City. The elements used in creating the second and smaller moon were so dense and highly compacted that the light from the first moon was unable to go thru it.
Now this gave way to a glorious illusion which caused the first moon to appear as though it had a hole in the middle of it. At the two polarized ends of the first moon three beams of light, seem like shafts piercing into the darkness. Because of the unusual elements used in the creation of theses two moons, the moon appeared to the eyes of all as a shade of sable in color.
So at a grand ceremony held in Dream City, Bri-anti declared from that day forward the should be known as the Sable Moon. He also said that the three piercing shafts should represent their most fundamental beliefs, which are in this specific order: Truth, Knowledge, and Wisdom.
One group, within one of the houses was so in awed by the glorious light which shined down upon them, decided to create an order to honor the Lyrans for the light they received. They called themselves the Order of the Sable Moon, which stands today. Thus, they became the first to create an organization rooted in strong beliefs. Today, you can recognize them by the symbol of the Sable Moon they wear.
Rune of Love
Truly one of the most unique aspects of Chaos, is the effects it was on dreamers who live there. The Lyrans with all their great knowledge made a complete study of and yet were totally baffled as to the causes. They knew it had to do with chaos but as to the how and why they could not discover. They pondered, they tested , they theorized, they studied yet the answers escaped them.
The effects of Chaos vary greatly. Some of the effects are almost instantaneous while others are delayed. Some dreamers receive mild effects, others severe effects. Some dreamers recover very quickly. Some never recover. A few experience have no effects at all.
One such effect is where one enters the dreamstate and immediately goes insane and begins to wound and collapse all they see. Some do recover, yet most go so completely insane and end up fleeing the city or fall into a state of eternal collapse.
Many dreamers experience a effect called Awe Struck from the power of chaos and will wander the wayside endlessly for days or weeks. Usually this effect is severe at first but with time grows mild. In some cases the effects completely dissipates.
But the greatest and most powerful effect in all of chaos is the effect called Love. Not even the Lyrans are immune to this effect. It can strike anytime. Also, a dreamer may have it once recover and get it again. Love is so powerful that it changes the very soul and being of the dreamer. With some dreamers, they even seek ways to be affected from Love.
Most would agree that the effects of Love are harmless, yet a few would argue that point. For most the effects can be most beneficial and even enjoyable. Early signs of the effect of Love are picking flowers and singing to oneself, spending much time drawing hearts in the mud near a creek or river, and a sure sign is when two dreamers can be found together constantly, like bonded with a piece of strong rope.
So powerful is Love that it has caused dreamers to create rituals around it. The most common ritual being one called marriage or binding. Here dreamers exchange vows and promises. Then the whole group act out in unusual and strange ways. Some drinking fluids, some singing, some dancing, some jumping, the effects of the ritual vary greatly.
In a final analysis, The Lyrans decided that the effect called Love. Is so powerful that it becomes a force unto itself . They decided the rewards far exceed any negative aspects. Now, the belief of most is simply this, if a dreamer is affected by Love, then Love is the reward itself.
Rune of Peace
In the beginning all the Lyrans could be found in Dream City every day and every night. And peace was the order of the day. As those first few dreamers arrived in Dream City ,they too felt the peace and joy. Life was good for all. Now this way of life went on for some time as we know time.
Changes did not begin to occur till the word got out to the outer lying regions and dreamers began to flock in large numbers to Dream City. As the population of Dream City swelled so did the problems. Soon the term overcrowding was commonly used to describe conditions there.
But that was the least of the problems arose from so many. Soon petty squabbles became the norm. Fights broke out over simple matters. The Lyrans began to stay away from Dream City. Now, only a very few Lyrans visit Dream City. Their appearances grow rare indeed.
Peace and joy are also a rarity theses day. All this happened yet the worst was yet to come. Soon there was those, who sought to great power and authority over others. Some abused the arts given to them. Others fought over land and deed. Fights became riots and the riots became wars. And with wars peace was lost. Joy was banish by hatred. Violence bloomed were flowers once grew.
No one sees the damage but it is there. The damage grows more severe each day. Slowly, the beloved Dream City is dying. The once beautiful library of Dream City was been looted and trashed. The wounded and dying can be found everywhere.
Some Lyrans wonder if Dream City will ever return to its former glory. Here and there a voice can be found calling for peace. For it is only in peace that the dream can truly exist. There is no place for hate and violence in the dream. Only peace and joy can restore the dream to its fullest measure. Let peace return, let peace grow let the dream survive.
Life of War-On-U
There once was a lad born to goodly parents. He was a happy lad. His parents were both fatesenders (tricksters) from the dream but chose to never tell their son of their past. Instead, they allowed his fate to take its own course. You can imagine their house was always filled with laughter.
Well, the lad grew to manhood and was of large stature (nearly seven cubits in height), and though he was big and very strong, he was always gentle and kind to all. As he grew he developed a love of study and learning. In fact, he hoped someday to become a healer and helper of others. He could be found on many a night down at the old archives of the town deep in study and thought.
One late night while helping the librarian clean, this young man found a piece of parchment. It was very dusty and had stuck to the back side of a old desk in one corner. The man put it in his pocket and finished the cleaning.
When he got home and had went to his room, he pulled the parchment from his pocket. He sat down and started to read. On this parchment was a description of a wondrous place. A place called Dream City. It gave some directions on how to find it And a few brief explanations of opportunities there. Deep from within the very soul of this man rang out a overwhelmingly desire to go to place. So strong was this call that that very night he packed a few things, left a note to his family, and set off on his journey.
The journey was long and hard, but the man was determined to make it. Finally one day he came upon the outer steps which lead to Dream City. He ran to the portal and entered. He has awe struck. It was even more wondrous than he had hoped for. One of the first places he found within the city was the great library. He leaped with joy.
But sadly this joy was short lived and harsh reality hit. For his parents had never mention where he got his name and a good name he thought it was. Never understanding his mother’s chuckle at the speaking of it sometimes. For this man was called Landru his whole life. Well as soon as his left sanctuary and threshold, he was attacked and collapsed time and time again. Seemed like all hated him and only desired to banish him. Landru learned quickly to hide and would not speak to any for fear of attack. He hid in the outlands and flats finding shelter and food where he could.
Then one day Landru spied a man who looked different from the others. He looked important. With nearly all his energy gone Landru fell before the man and cried for mercy. Landru said "master help me please I am at my end" Now this was truly a different man, he was kind, gentle and giving. He explained why some might have attacked him cause his name was the same as a darkmare of the dream. This kind man helped Landru and taught him what he might do. This man’s name is Roland.
Landru thought on the words of the wise man and came to a decision. He must leave Dream City and return to Cloudsbreak and begin anew. So Landru left, bought new clothes and changed his name. Now his new name he chose seemed fierce in nature. He hoped it might deter any further attacks upon him. Then he reentered the dream.
It was true, life was different, dreamers showed more respect. Things went well. He began to study and grow. He chose to be a soulmaster and fulfill his hopes of being a healer and helper. One day while hiking in the Trinities he came upon another man who was kind and giving. This person taught him to hunt. His name is Veles and he is a great hunter.
Now the man noticed something the same about the two men. They both wore the same symbol on their chest. And he decided it was time to learn more of the beliefs and soon found he wanted join himself with the house called the Order of the Sable Moon. He did just that and can be found there today. His name is War-on-u.
The End
