Bridge Worlds: Soterion

by Randy Blackwell

  Curse of the Kalat.

  The Elder was furious. He issued a curse from the Creator that, from that day forward, Sothseneas and his cohorts would carry the visage of the blackness of their souls. He announced that they would no longer be Miyka but would rather be called Kalat. Sothseneas and his followers immediately changed from beautiful Miyka into horrible monsters. All color left their skin, leaving a pasty pale visage; their eyes began to glow green with their greed, ; and shadows from the darkness of their souls began to emanate from their bodies. What was once radiant light turned into cold darkness.

  The Stolen Seed. The Kalat went into a blind rage. Somehow, their physical strength increased tremendously. The 5,600 remaining Kalat killed 400 Raphad, 6,000 Nepsah, 1,000 Remmys, and 4,500 Malakadam in trying to reach The Elder. All but 1,000 Kalat were killed in the battle. Sothseneas and his remaining Kalat escaped.

  The Formation of Loefel Meren. The Elder told the remaining Miyka that, because of Magus’ valor, they could remain in Emerailda. They refused. How could they stay, Magus pointed out, when their fallen brethren escaped justice? No, they voluntarily left Emerailda to chase the Kalat southwest across the Lampros River. When the Kalat trail vanished on the other side of the river,. , Magus decided to build Fort Chliaros near the river in order to continue their search. Chliaros, in modern Soterion, is no longer a fort but the capital of Loefel Meren, where King Magus still reigns with Queen Elizabeth.

  1386 B.E. Battling the Taint. In an effort to cure the Tree, The Elder gathered champions to search the lands for a cure, but none was ever found. In 1350 B.E. The Elder did find a way to contain the contamination spreading through the Tree. The taint returned in 1225 B.E., eventually resulting in the death of the Life Tree in 1100 B.E.

  1075 B.E. Gates of Hell. The Life Tree, home to all life , had long since been evacuated. The once powerful tree decayed into a large stump. Massive rock formations rose from the stump in a jagged defense around a singular onyx stone. Within this stone was a gaping cave leading deep underground. Over time, a red glow crept out of the hole and mist filled the for- est. Citizens began to disappear daily. It was clear to The Elder that no one could stay in Emerailda. He ordered all of the remaining citizens to flee central Emerailda for the forest’s outskirts. Several attempts were made to reclaim Emerailda, but they failed. ARCANE KNOWLEDGE

  1025 B.E.

  Quarantined. The center of the forest, the Core, was declared quarantined. All attempts to regain lost ground were halted.

  999 B.E. Dispersed. Emerailda had fallen. By The Elder’s command, the forest would no longer be called Emerailda. That name was special. It would now be referred to as the Emerald Forest.

  998 B.E.

  The Elder led the surviving Remmys to Caelsis, the new Faerie Kingdom. The Emerald Forest lay abandoned for 239 years.

  759 B.E. Remmys Return. A group of Remmys made an effort to repopulate the outskirts of the Emerald Forest. None who went beyond the quarantine ever returned. While the Remmys could not enter the Core, the evil within appeared to be contained. The Emerald Forest was sectioned off into three parts: the central heart of the forest called the Core, the quarantine zone surrounding the Core, and the outskirts of the forest.

  752 B.E.

  Yaarma Return. Yaarma separated from the other Malakadam in Loefel Meren to return to the Emerald Forest.

  COMMON KNOWLEDGE

  THE BATTLE OF EPHER (Shared knowledge with the other kingdoms) The Kingdoms of Soterion were plagued by an evil force, an army calling themselves Drakoni (dragon humanoids). Farms and small villages were destroyed, and travel between the Kingdoms became unsafe.

  The Kingdoms joined together to combat the Drakoni. The armies met on the Field of Epher, located in Loefel Meren where the Kingdoms of Drakonge, Loefel Mere, and Marasimlah border each other. King Alagaar (the Daqad warrior King) led the nations in a battle against the Drakoni, with the Kings and Queens of the other nations as his generals. The Drakoni fell back as the combined armies of Soterion demolished the Drakoni hordes.

  It was then that Mount Drakonge erupted in a volcanic explosion. A massive red dragon burst from the explosion. Ethereal, ghostly shadows trailed the Beast and fire bil- lowed from its eyes and mouth. Soldiers scattered when it landed amidst the armies of Soterion. No one could withstand the Dragon’s fiery breath. Hundreds of thousands died within minutes, the air filled with the stench of burned flesh.

  Only the Kings and Queens of Soterion were left to stand against the dragon. No one knows how the Kings and Queens of Soterion defeated the Dragon. They do not speak of it. Rumors continue to circulate that King Erestar Lurin (Raphad King of Philos) defeated the Dragon.

  1 P.E. (Post Epher) ( Shared knowledge with the other kingdoms)

  The Warrior’s Gauntlet. The devastation of Epher was massive. Virtually all of

  Soterion’s standing army was destroyed. Alagaar, the Warrior King of Daqad in Marasimlah,

  called for a meeting of the Kingdoms. His solution for the current issue and to prepare for

  any future crisis was to create a testing ground called “The Warriors Gauntlet”. There all

  warriors of Soterion would train as a unified regiment. The greatest warriors would have the

  honor of becoming generals of their kingdom. All kingdoms agreed and the first Gauntlet

  was held in Philos. King Erestar Lurin opened the gates of Lake City, capital of Philos, for

  people to come from all over the world and test their mettle in the Gauntlet. King Erestar Lurin gave Alagaar the position of Master of the Gauntlet. Initiates

  sparred against each other, teamed up within dangerous obstacle courses, and eventually led teams of initiates in mock battles. The Gauntlet was successful. Soon, each kingdom established its own Gauntlet,

  223 P.E.

  Council of the Tribes Formed. The Emerald Forest reformed itself as a kingdom.

  Chiefs were nominated by the inhabitants, five in all, to which has been the standing govern-

  ment to this very day. The Chiefs are:

  The Elder He visits from Caelsis twice a year to advise the Chiefs and tell legends from ages past. He is trade master of the Bards and the Rogues. Trade master in the Emerald Forest is the same as a guild master.

  Chief Bezaleel

  He is the sSon of the elder and a master craftsman. Bezaleel is a blacksmith and an “Aristo- crat” Trade Master.

  Chief Galcora

  He is a Yaarma medicine manas well as the Warrior Trade Master and an Aristocrat.

  Chief Aholiab

  He is Chief Galcora’s son and a master wood worker. Aholiab is also a Ranger Trade Master.

  Chief Madda

  He is a Remmy scribe and the record keeper for the Emerald Forest. He is also the Magi representative in the Emerald Forest. The year is 225 P.E. and recently in the Emerald Forest, the inhabitants have been plagued with horrible nightmares. The rumor is that the evil within the center forest is stirring. Though the center forest is still quarantined, from time to time curious Yaarma and Remmys have dared to cross into the deep of the forest, never to return again. The Council of Tribes has named the penalty for trying to cross into the center forest: 5 years of breaking rocks. The only creature known to enter the center forest and return is Seux (brother to Queen Ariana of the Nepsah in Caelsis). To deter children from getting curious, every year the Elder tells the story of his perilous journey.

  Characters of Emerailda

  The Elder

  None know the origins of the Elder. He is the oldest creature on Soterion, and he has proven to be a wealth of knowledge. He was the first King on Soterion but that is known only to a select few. He is the patriarch of the Remmys, who generally do what he says. The Elder has citizenship in Caelsis, Philos, and the Emerald Forest. His home is in the Great Oak Tree in Caelsis, where most of the Remmys of Caelsis live. He is a respected and revered advisor amungst the nations and is normally brought in to help with negotiations between nations. H
e is known for having an odd sense of humor which most Remmys take after. shed its own Gauntlet.

  The Kingdom of Loefel Meren

  Loefel Meren is a lush green Kingdom with fresh water springs and a mountainous region to the west of its borders. Chliaros (the capital of Loefel Meren) is nestled between the great mountains of Loefel Meren and is revered for being the best location on Soterion to live.

  The temperature there is perfect and the city is a beautiful sight to behold. Other places of note within Loefel Meren are Stoma (at the delta of the Lampros River that runs through the middle of the Kingdom), Emeo (to the north on the eastern banks of the Lampros River, Lake Limne (a popular vacation spot for many of the Nobles of Soterion), and The Field of Epher (location of the famous Battle of Epher against the Drakoni and the Great Red Red Dragon .)

  Loefel Meren was the first Kingdom to be formed since the foundation of Emerailda. The Kingdom is populated by the many different sub-races of the Malakadam. All Malakadam have angular features. The sub-races of the Malakadam are the Miyka, the Akana, the Gabad, and the Yaarma.

  Miyka are known as the most beautiful race on Soterion. They emit a white or yellow glow from their body that magnifies their natural radiance. Gabad are known as travelers and trend setters. They can choose to emit a glow from their body. The color of the glow depends on their mood. Gabad have skin that is a light purple hue and skin- bound wings with the power of flight.

  Akana are the scholars of Loefel Meren and are said to be the most brilliant creatures on Soterion. Other Malakadam consider the Akana ugly because of their powdery grey skin, black eyes, and gray hair.

  Yaarma are Malakadam that once inhabited Loefel Meren. Yaarma have light tan to dark brown skin. They also have a gift to be able to speak to animals.

  The Miyka

  Description: 7-8 feet tall, Red Blonde or Blue hiar, Blue Green or Hazel eyes, Peach skin, Muscular body type

  Enemies: The Miyka have a deep -rooted hatred for the Kalat. King Magus and the Kalat leader Sothseneas have been dire enemies ever since the Kalat received their curse. Racial Dislikes: Daqad

  Natural Abilities: Auto Light (emits a white light that illuminates an area of 15 feet around the Miyka), +1 physical strength attribute, +2 personality attribute, +2 physical beauty attribute.

  Cultural Facts

  Miyka are the only race in Lofel Meren allowed to be Aristocrats. Those that choose not to be Aristocrats are despised by all Miyka and are at a social penalty when dealing with their own kind.

  Origin: Miyka were made by the Creator from the same dust that made man, with the addition of a rib from Michael the Archangel. The Miyka emit a beautiful glow that adds to their beauty and allows them to see in darkness. The Miyka are also capable of great physical strength, only outdone by the Kalat. Miyka have angular features.

  A Miyka Aristocrat speaking of his own kind:

  “We are the upper crust of society. We are the leaders. We are the fearless…. Ah! Help! Get it off of me! Get the spider off of me!” ~Reginald Marque

  Culture: Miyka are a proud race, and they’re not afraid to say so. In general, they see themselves as the best Soterion has to offer. Often received as arrogant, Miyka are confident in all they do. Failure at anything is often met with pure shock. Showrad tend to see Miyka as “pretty boys.” Adam consider Miyka full of themselves, and Remmy see them as humorless.

  Not all Miyka fall into aristocratic behavior. There are several who do not have inflated opinions of themselves. Their personalities have a wide range. It’s just that most see the arrogant side of Miyka.

  There is an graceful elegance with all Miyka. Whether it be their angelic features or the radiant light they emit, the presence of a Miyka is always noticed. Life span:

  Average life span: The average Miyka lives 1500 years. Child – 0 through 13 years

  Adolescent – 14 through 20 years

  Young Adult – 21 years through 299 years Mature Adult – 300 years through 799 years Older Adult – 800 years through 1149 years Senior Citizen – 1150 years through 1349 years Elderly – 1350 years through 1500 years

  The Akana Description: Height: 5-6 feet tall

  Hair: Grey or Black

  Eyes: Grey or Black

  Skin: Grey

  Body type: Thin

  Enemies: The Akana have a mutual hatred for the Kalat, who would love nothing more than to wipe the Akana off the face of Soterion. When there were but a few Akana on Soterion, the Kalat sacrificed much to try to eradicate them. Racial Dislikes: The Akana view the Miyka as pompous snobs.

  Natural Abilities: +6 knowledge attribute, +2 learning attribute, -2 physical beauty attribute

  Cultural Facts

  All Akana have thin features and are much smarter than the other races on Soterion. They are also socially inferior to all the races of Soterion except the Kalat. Akana act as the scholars of Loefel Meren, where many become Magi. Entire Akana families get together to debate science and philosophy. They act very shy around other races, being the “social misfits” of Loefel Meren.

  Origin: Akana are descended from star-crossed lovers, a Kalat female and a Gabad male. They married and were on the run from the Kalat.,

  who eventually killed them both--but not before they had five children. Two of these took refuge in Loefel Meren, but nothing is known of what happened to the other three. Thoughts of the Leader of the Magi

  Marvelous creatures. This question I pose to you. When crossing the Kalat (who are pale as a ghost) with a Gabad (who are various purples and greens), would one not expect to get a lighter hue? Why then, is the skin of an Akana grey?” ~Omar

  Culture:

  Akana personalities tend to be in line with the color of their skin, gray and bland. Typically, Akana tend to be uninteresting in personality. Most focus on reading, learning, and other pleasures of the mind. Each one is an intellectual’s intellectual. This quality has led some to be totally blind to current events.

  On the other hand, the contempt of the Miyka has kept most Akana humble despite their intellectual superiority. Many Akana pull back into isolation.

  Life span: Average life span: The average Akana lives 1200 years. Child – 0 through 13 years

  Adolescent – 14 through 20 years

  Young Adult – 21 years through 399 years Mature Adult – 400 years through 799 years Older Adult – 800 years through 949 years Senior Citizen – 950 years through 1079 years Elderly – 1080 years through 1200 years The Gabad

  Description: 9 feet tall, Purple Black Green or Blue hair, Purple or Green eyes, Purple skin,

  Thin Average Muscular or Heavy body type Enemies: Kalat

  Racial Dislikes: None

  Natural Abilities: Auto Light (emits a white light that illuminates an area of 15 feet around the Gabad), +2 agility attribute, Flying skill of 10 Cultural Facts

  Most Gabad become Bards, Rangers, and Rogues because of their passion for life, adventure, and travel. Gabad radiate a small glow with color depending upon their mood. This glow enables them to see in darkness.

  Origin: Gabad were made by the Creator from the same dust that He used to make man, besides a rib from Gabriel the Archangel. Quote from the General of the Drakoni Army:

  “And there I was, standing over the three I had just killed, when out of the sky came a purple streak. It cut at me with a sword. I didn’t know how hurt I was, but I knew that thing was moving too fast for me to fight. So I ran. When I finally got a safe distance, I realized that it had taken off my arm so fast that I didn’t feel it. Call me a coward if you want, but had I stuck around it probably would have been my head next.” ~Grhsmkylt

  Culture:

  While Miyka tend to consider themselves high society and Akana timidly search their books for knowledge, Gabad are out there living life. They are adventurers by heart, often struck with wanderlust. Each day of life seems a wonderful gift to them. Their conduct is often brash and their attire matches their personality, which is often mispreceived as manic. They
are just “embracing the moment.”

  Called “mood-birds” by Dadaq, you can often tell the mood of a Gabad by the color of his aura.

  Because Gabad seem to be governed by emotion, there is a tendency for them to be excitable and rash. They have a strong love of life. Life span:

  Average life span: The average Gabad lives 1250 years. Child – 0 through 13 years

  Adolescent – 14 through 20 years

  Young Adult – 21 years through 299 years Mature Adult – 300 years through 749 years Older Adult – 750 years through 919 years Senior Citizen – 920 years through 1099 years Elderly – 1100 years through 1250 years

  An Abbreviated History of the Loefel Meren

  The Formation of Loefel Meren

  ARCANE KNOWLEDGE King Magus and the remaining Malakadam gave chase to the Kalat after the tainting of the Life Tree. They followed the Kalat across the Lampros River before the trail was lost. King Magus determined that a base of operations was necessary. Thus the order to build Fort Chliaros was given. Once a shamble of lean-to homes surrounded by a wooden barricade, Chliaros has grown into Loefel Meren’s capital city. King Magnus reigns there with Queen Elizabeth to this day.

  1375 B.E.

  The LM Post The LM Post was established. King Magus set up this advanced mailing system to establish regular contact with other citizens of Soterion. Randall Gabadam of the Gabad race was appointed as Post Chief.

  By 1370 Gabad became the primary mail deliverers of Soterion due to their ability to fly.

  936 B.E.

  Miyka Declaration of Nobility

  The Noble class begins to rise. All Miyka are named nobles and the rest are considered commoners.

  765 B.E. Taxation

  The Noble class sets a heavy tax system for the commoners to follow.

  761 B.E.

  Protests Begin