Dissolution

by Kyle West

  Clerics, The: One of the Seven Sects of the Seekers, who specialize in ministry to the local Elekai population, anthropology, and Xenohealing. They are also responsible for recruiting initiates for the Seekers’ Sanctum among the general population.

  Champions, The: One of the Seven Sects of the Seekers, who specialize in the art of combat. In times of old, they fought in battles to defend the Elekai from Covenant encroachment, but in more recent times, they serve as bodyguards for other Seekers, such as Augurs, Scholars, or Sages, whose duties take them far afield in places that might be dangerous.

  Colonia: The city of Colonia was founded shortly after the Ragnarok War, as a colony of the First Empire, known of old as the Nova Roman Empire. It was ruled by the gods, and over the years, grew into the seat of an Elekai empire by the same name. Colonia’s history is divided into two periods: Old Colonia, which lasted from roughly 1–150 A.R., and Covenant Colonia, which lasted from 151 A.R. until the present day.

  Old Colonia was ruled by the Elekai, and was originally their capital city. The true descendants of the heroes of the Ragnarok War formed an aristocracy, called the Godsblood. Below them were Wilders, the descendants of those who became Elekai in the years following the Ragnarok War. On the bottom rung were the Bloodless, commoners without Elekai ancestry. However, by the fourth generation of the Godsblood, the government grew corrupt, favoring the Elekai nobility over the Bloodless masses. This, in time, led to the Annaran Uprising. The civil war lasted twenty years, ending with the Elekai being defeated and ousted from the city they had founded, their numbers greatly reduced. The Annarans took control of the city, founding the Annaran Covenant, which vowed to destroy all Elekai in accordance with Annara’s will.

  The Covenant ruled in Colonia for the next two hundred and fifty years, and at its height around 320 A.R., the Covenant controlled most of what used to be the Southwestern United States.

  Colorado River: The main river flowing through the Red Wild and Colonia. The river is much wider than it was during the Old World, and nurtures the growth of both Elekai and Covenant society. The Colorado flows not only through the city of Colonia, but under the roots of Haven, the main enclave of the Annajen tribe, along with Coloso, which is built on its mouth.

  Coloso: A Novan city at the mouth of the Colorado River. Over the centuries, it is has changed hands between Nova and Colonia numerous times. It is strategically important, because it is the gateway to Nova and it also provides a means to enter Colonia by river.

  Covenant, The: The Covenant, or the Annaran Covenant or the Colonian Covenant, began as a resistance against the corrupt Elekai aristocracy that ruled Colonia. The goddess Annara became its figurehead, but instead of an Annara that was the heroine of the Elekai, this Annara was a champion of the Bloodless and reviled all things Elekai. In time, the Annaran rebellion took place, and after a twenty-year-long war, the Elekai were nearly wiped out, and what was left of them fled into the Red Wild.

  The Covenant rules with a firm fist, using religion to control its population. It was the strongest power in the late Third Century, but by the Fourth Century, incursions by both the Shen and Nova made it lose much of its former territory. The Covenant has a policy of exiling or outright killing anyone who disagrees with its theology, and openly hunts Elekai within its borders. The Covenant is ruled by a Grand Pontifex and a Grand Council of seven members, officials appointed by the Grand Pontifex from each of the seven kinds of priests.

  Dome of Annara, The: Constructed during Old Colonia, the Dome of Annara is one of the wonders of the world. It is composed of a large, golden dome and has four turrets on each corner. In days of old, it served as a pantheon to all the gods, but over time, Annara became its chief deity. The Dome was constructed about eighty years following the founding of the city.

  Dragonriders, The: The Dragonriders are the Covenant’s elite fighting force. It’s unknown how many dragons they number, but estimates range anywhere from twenty to forty. They ride Mindless Askaleen, the only kind of dragon that can be tamed by humans. They cannot breed new dragons, but so long as the dragons are fed with steady supplies of xen and not mortally injured, they will live indefinitely.

  Dragons: The Dragons have had a long and troubled history since the Ragnarok War. The two varieties, Askaleen and Radaska, are male and female respectively. There are many generations, but only the first generation are part of a group known as the Elder Dragons, the only ones to have lived during the time of the Ragnarok War. The Elder Dragons were never born of other dragons, but instead were created during the process of Xenogenesis, the thirty-or-so-year period during the Ragnarok War that the Great Blight grew at a rapid rate. After the war and the victory of the Elekai, Xenogenesis was greatly reduced, and dragons that were born entered the world naturally.

  Besides Elder Dragons, there are Generational Dragons, which are the progeny of the Elders, and Mindless Dragons, which have no connection to the Xenofold. Mindless Radaska are volatile and dangerous, while Mindless Askaleen are docile and tamable. These Askaleen, while uncommon, are still used by the Colonians and Elekai as mounts.

  Eastern Kingdoms, The: The Eastern Kingdoms collectively refers to any of the countries that lie east of the Eastern Range (or Red Mountains), known in former times as the Rocky Mountains (In the Eastern Kingdoms, the Eastern Range is called either the Western Range, or the Wild Range). There are dozens of kingdoms, most of them small, but a few are more powerful than others.

  Eastern Pact: A Pact consisting of most of the nations in the Eastern Kingdoms. It was orchestrated by the Seekers as a way to prevent wars in the region.

  Eastern Range: The Eastern Range, or Red Mountains, formerly known as the Rocky Mountains, makes up the eastern border of the Red Wild. Many wild Elekai tribes live here, and the mountains are dangerous to cross.

  Elder Dragons: The first generation of dragons, who were created by Xenogenesis. They are the most powerful of the dragons, and following an unknown dispute, broke off their ties with human Elekai about one hundred and fifty years after the Ragnarok War. They have not been seen by a human since, though later generations of dragons still deal with human Elekai in a limited capacity.

  Elekai, The: An Elekai is marked by their connection to the Xenofold, which is produced by the neural network of xen in the Red Wild. They are composed of humans and dragons, and an Elekai is marked by their possessing the xenovirus, though over the years, this began being attributed to having the blood of the gods. The virus changes the host’s genetics to grant them access to the Xenofold, the collective consciousness of the Elekai.

  There are two kinds of Elekai among humans. Those of the Godsblood are direct descendants of the Six Gods, and form a ruling elite among the Elekai. Depending on their line of descent, they form one of Three Tribes: the Annajen, the Samalites, or the Makai. The Godsblood are the rarest kind of Elekai, and their abilities and connection to the Xenofold tend to be stronger than the other type, known as Wilders.

  Wilders are Elekai that, for the first two generations following the Ragnarok War, were drawn to the Red Wild by dreams and visions, only to return as Elekai, albeit weaker versions than those descended directly from the gods. Many, in fact, remained in the Red Wild, forming tribes separate from the Three Tribes.

  Included among the Elekai are also the dragons, both of Askaleen and Radaska varieties. The Elder Dragons, along with their successive generations, are also included, though they do not speak to human Elekai on account of the Sundering of the Dragons.

  In the past two hundred years, Elekai blood has generally weakened in power for unknown reasons, resulting in newer generations having less inherent ability to connect to the Xenofold than past generations, a phenomenon known as the Fading. Whether the Fading is due to mingling with the Bloodless, or another factor, is not entirely known. Elekai children born without a detectable connection to the Xenofold are becoming increasingly common.

  Elekim: The Great God and husband of Annara who gave his life to destroy
Askala, the demon goddess of the Radaskim. Though he is remembered as such among the Elekai, among the Covenant, Askala is remembered as the Elekai goddess. Elekim, within the Elekai, is given an equal footing with Annara, while among the Covenant Annara reigns supreme.

  Exile, The: The Exile refers to the ousting of the Elekai from Old Colonia around 150 A.R. They fled into the Red Wild, where according to the story, the three chief Elder Dragons, Askal, Quietus, and Tiamat, led each tribe to a spot where they were to found their cities. Askal led the Annajen to Haven in the Grand Canyon, while Quietus led the Makai south to a vast forest, where they founded Sylva. The Samalites were led north by Tiamat to Ragnarok Crater, where they founded the city of Hyperborea, which was destroyed nearly a century later.

  Fading, The: The process by which Elekai Gifts have diminished over time. It was first noticed early in the Third Century. The cause is not entirely known, but many believe it has to do with the dilution of blood through intermarriage with non-Elekai. Only among the nobility is the blood still particularly strong, but even so, it has weakened. The true reason has now come to light: the weakening of the Sea of Creation due to Hypeborea and the power the Hyperfold it created.

  Four Centuries, The: History since the Ragnarok War is categorized in four centuries, named the First, Second, Third, and Fourth. The history of the first three has often been reduced to myth, either through the passage of time or the loss of records. However, it has been reproduced below as best as the Elekai can recount it.

  The First Century is remembered as the Great Dawn and the Golden Age of the Elekai. The city of Colonia was founded, the Red Wild was at its most powerful state, and dragons and Elekai had friendly relations. In the early part of the century, gods walked the Earth, ruling from the city of Colonia. In the latter half of the century, the Red Bastion and the Dome of Annara were constructed in Colonia, and Colonia was the most powerful kingdom in North America. The First Century ended in 100 A.R., or 2160 A.D.

  The Second Century’s beginning was marked by corruption among the Elekai aristocracy of Colonia. This unjust rule led to the formation of the Annaran Covenant, which in time overthrew their Elekai rulers during the Annaran Uprising. This was followed by the Great Purge and the formation of the Hunters, a group tasked with killing any Elekai found within Colonia or Covenant lands. This led to the Exile, where surviving Elekai fled Colonia for the Red Wild. Depending on their lineage, each group founded a city in the Red Wild – Hyperborea in the north for the Samalites, Haven in the west for the Annajen, and Sylva in the south for the Makai. The Sundering of the Dragons occurred in this time, and due to the Elekai being greatly reduced in number and capacity, very little history was recorded. It is not without its hope, however. It is said that the city of Hyperborea grew powerful during this time, though its deeds have long since faded to myth. The Annajen and Makai tribes, together with the Wild tribes, fought for survival against the Covenant, which often attacked into the Red Wild. In response, the Selvan was planted along the western border of the Red Wild. The Samalites, during this time, gifted Haven and Sylva with Great Silverwoods, which they enchanted with ichor to grow far taller and more powerful than normal. The second century ended in 200 A.R., or 2260 A.D.

  The Third Century is probably the most troubled of all for the Elekai – though it’s not too far in the distant past, little can be said of it with accuracy. Reversions plagued the Wild, and are said to have destroyed Hyperborea along with killing many Elekai. The Samalites were driven from the north, and the first half of the century was marked by constant warfare against Mindless dragons and monsters. The cities of Haven and Sylva served as bastions against the Mindless, and it was decades before the reversions could be restored. The latter half of the century serves as a bright spot, because the Seekers’ Sanctum was founded and much territory was reclaimed. The Third Century ended in 300 A.R., or 2360 A.D.

  The Fourth Century, which is still ongoing, has been comparatively quiet. Its first half saw human Elekai growing to their former numbers, but the Fading, or the weakening of their connection to the Xenofold, was becoming more apparent. The Covenant, who had also suffered during the Third Century at the hands of the Mindless, blamed the Elekai and denounced them with renewed vigor. The Eastern Kingdoms were mostly immune from the Mindless, even if they were warring with each other. The Eastern Pact somewhat mitigated this, which allowed the Eastern Kingdoms to prosper in an unprecedented time of peace. Reversions were mostly contained to the north around Ragnarok Crater, where the great danger made any study of the Crater or its fabled city of Hyperborea nearly impossible. The Fourth Century has yet to end, it is nearly there. The current year is 398 A.R., or 2458 A.D.

  Four Disciplines, The: The Four Disciplines of the Seekers are Stillness, Movement, Acceptance, and Resistance. By training and merging these Four, a Seeker is expected to develop his or her Gifts and forge their connection to the Xenofold.

  Godsblood: The term used to describe any human Elekai who is a direct descendent of one of the Six Gods – Elekim, Annara, Samal, Retha, Makai, or Larana. They are less numerous, but more powerful, than Wilders.

  Great Dawn, The: The fifty-year period following the founding of Colonia that saw it grow from a village on the Colorado to a large city ruled by the Elekai. It was during this time that Colonia’s walls, the Red Bastion, and the Dome of Annara were constructed.

  Great Purge, The: Following the exile of the Elekai from Colonia, the Hunters were formed by the Covenant to track down remaining Elekai. Thousands were captured and killed over a ten-year period, and many Bloodless were caught in the crossfire. However, the effects of the Great Purge meant the possibility of an Elekai being born within Colonia’s borders was greatly reduced.

  Great Silverwoods: Great Silverwoods are hybrid trees that are purposely grown to be much larger than they would naturally be by human Elekai, usually Seeker Sages. Haven is the largest one in the world, and measures about a quarter mile high. Two Silverwoods Trees joined in the middle make up Sylva, though neither is as large as the Haven tree by half. It is said that Hyperborea, when it existed, contained over a hundred Great Silverwoods in its groves.

  Haven: The main enclave of the Annajen Tribe. It’s located deep in the Grand Canyon.

  High Line: The High Line among the Annajen is believed to go all the way back to Elekim and Annara, and describes the lineage of Annajen royalty.

  Hunters, The: The Hunters are an order of priests within the Covenant clergy that exists to hunt down and kill all Elekai, as well as pursue apostates and heretics. They also hunt for unguarded Mindless Askalaeen in the Red Wild to train as mounts. They are one of the seven orders of priests that make up the Covenant government.

  Hybrids: Hybrids are either Earth plants that naturally evolved to grow in the xen, or were designed as such by Elekai. The Silverwood is one example, and many crops that grow naturally in soil were evolved to grow in the xen.

  Hyperborea: Hyperborea was the capital city of the Samalites and the seat of the empire by the same name. Its history is mostly forgotten, even mythological, and many believe the city never existed at all. It is speculated the city existed for at least one hundred years in some capacity, and it fell sometimes in the early Third Century from an attack of Mindless monsters. It is now known that it was the Shen who destroyed the city, an attack which set the stage for the first Mindless Wars.

  Ichor: Ichor is a rare, pink liquid that exists below the surface of the Red Wild in limited quantities. It has properties of creation and restoration, and is exceedingly rare.

  Inherent: An Elekai who has the ability to manifest, even without training. These Elekai are usually only found among the Godsblood, but still rarely at that. About one in a hundred Elekai have the Gift of Inherence.

  Judges, The: One of the Seven Sects of the Seekers, who specialize in the reading, interpretation, and formation of law. They not only oversee the Seekers’ internal affairs, but those of other courts, including those of the Bloodless with
whom they have diplomatic relations.

  Larana: The wife of Makai and the goddess of love.

  Liberation, The: The Covenant’s term for their victory over the Elekai in Colonia. The Elekai call it the Annaran Uprising.

  Lost Gifts: It’s come to light that Shanti has abilities that don’t fit within the bounds of the traditional Twelve Gifts. One of these Gifts, Consonance, describes her ability to connect a non-Elekai to the Xenofold, thereby making them Elekai. Another is called Bonding, the ability for several Elekai to link and possess a far greater ability to channel the Xenofold’s power than any of them could alone. Severance describes the ability to do the opposite of Consonance; cutting an Elekai off from the Xenofold entirely, either temporarily or permanently. Another is called Tethering, the ability to possess and control a being with a connection to the Xenofold; this includes Mindless monsters controlled by the Hyperfold, whose loyalties can be temporarily overridden if the one who is tethering is powerful enough.

  Makai (The Tribe): One of the Three Tribes of the Elekai. Their patron god is Makai, the god of war. They have a martial society that emphasizes war and combat. They are aggressive, and are the only one of the Three Tribes to openly attack either the Covenant or Nova.

  Makai (The god): One of the Six Gods, the god of war and combat. Makai is the patron god of the tribe of the same name, and the husband of Larana.

  Manifestation: The process by which an Elekai first gains connection to the Xenofold. It usually happens at some point in the teenage years. The very strongest, during manifestation, will have eyes that turn completely white during the episode. For most Elekai with the potential to manifest, it has to be trained out of them, but for about one in twenty-five – called Inherents – it will happen whether they’ve been trained or not. Elekai of strong potential are sought for training at the Seekers’ Sanctum.

  Mindless: Mindless refers to any plant or animal born within the Red Wild that is not connected to the Xenofold. They are typically born in Northern Wild reversions. Usually, they are violent and attack any who are not Mindless, and Mindless have been seen to attack each other at times. In respect to dragons, Mindless Radaska are wild and violent, while Mindless Askaleen dragons are docile and tamable.