The Grand Eternal Library

Brief History of Tera XVI Part 1

     Galen flips through the books of the Grand Eternal Library. He notices you watching him.
     "You know, it's rude to spy on people." Galen sighs. "Though I suppose it's not your fault. You're just curious. And confined to the structure of the narrative." Galen laughs. Sitting down at a table he opens the book.

     In the beginning Earth started as it had in many realities. Or dimensions. Or timelines. Whatever you feel comfortable with. A molten rock bound by gravity. A few time measurements later and, boom, human civilization.
     But there were these cosmic beings that were born through the mysteries of the universe. They came to earth but could not interact with the material realm. Frustrated they prepared to leave but were confronted by a man who possessed insight into the immaterial worlds.
     He made a deal with the cosmic beings. In exchange for their knowledge and secrets he would grant them material vessels with which they could interact with earth. The  cosmic beings agreed. And so the Four Elements of Power came to be.
     To the first he granted the form of a Phoenix and the aspect of flames. To the next he granted the form of a dragon and the aspect of gales. To another he granted the form a mole and the aspect of stone. To the last he granted the form of a school of fish and the aspect of oceans.
     With their new forms they went out to the races of Earth. They taught them their Elemental Affinity and helped them to thrive. This continued for centuries until the Patron Deities discovered that they could create life. Knowing this the three youngest deities made humanoid beings in their images.
     The Water Deity made the Suijin. The Earth Deity made the Erddamon. And the Wind Deity made the Himmelboer. These new races frightened the Old Races of human, elves, dwarves, and orc. And a terrible war ensued. The Earth was plunged into chaos.
     Seeing this The Fire Deity made a great sacrifice and fragmented his soul. The fragments became humanoid beings of fire. And the last of his physical being fell to earth and became an eternally smouldering pit of embers. This was the birth of The Incandescent. They built their home at the base of the mountain where the Phoenix Embers feel. This was the birth of their home. Ember.
     Using their superior strength and powerful command of fire they put a swift end to the war. Peace was established and the eight races lived peacefully.

     Galen looks up from the book.
     "You still with me? This next part might be boring if you hate knowledge. But knowledge is power. Any Arcane knows that with knowledge and a little willpower you can tear reality asunder."

   
     So we'll start with Incandescent. Or Fire Demons.  Fire Demon is a name given to them during the war due to their affinity for battle. A single Fire Demon can defeat an entire army.  Though, their population is limited to 100,000.
     Incandescent do not reproduce sexually. They are clinically sterile and infertile. Instead when an Incandescent dies their soul returns to the Embers of the Phoenix and a new Incandescent child is forged in its fires.
     The child is then given to a couple who wishes to raise them. Upon the child's eighteenth birthday they stop aging only appearing to age at their own behest. Every ten thousand years they mark a cycle. Upon their third cycle they are officially considered adults. Once official adults they can request a home.
     Homes in Ember are modular. Each segment is equipped with living quarters, a kitchen, and bathroom. There are additional segments that aren't considered basic necessities. These include libraries, nurseries, and training rooms.
     The economy is based off a communistic trade and barter system. Ember manufactures everything they need. Clothes, lumber, light masonry, and tools. Food is predominantly various wild game and local fruits. Everything else is imported from other regions.
     Being a peacekeeping warrior society means that things are pragmatic and disciplined. But not stiflingly so. Despite their occupation and minimalist lifestyle they are a community of close knit families.
     While majority of Incandescent live in Ember about a tenth of their population leave to travel the world. This is considered a great honor as since ancient times the Incandescent have served as the prime example of what people should aspire to be.
     Incandescent have a strong sense of justice and drive to promote fairness and equality. For this reason their word is highly regarded and their opinion is valued. They are not without flaw however. Many times a younger less experienced Incandescent must be taken under the wing of an older more experienced mentor.
     When an Incandescent returns to Ember they are celebrated and honored in a grand banquet. They tell tales of their travels and share their gifts from the outside world with their family and friends.
     Festivities in Ember are plentiful. Every sixth full moon a Festival of the Rekindling is held. Fires are lit all over Ember. A grand tourney is held. And all the finest musicians perform in a week long musical festival.
     But for Incandescent this is because they know that doomsday can come at any moment. The Incandescent do not just protect peace. They protect earth from threats that come from beyond the stars.
     Many times invaders and beings of conquest have descended upon Earth. And many times the Incandescent have repelled threats. But despite their strength there are threats that even demigods cannot combat.
     In these instances a greater being is summoned. Not from the Embers of the Phoenix. But from the undying star that birthed the cosmic forces of the universe.
     The records call them Phoenix Souls. Cosmic beings born in the image of the Phoenix. They are forged and tempered by the dying wish of the cosmic being that came before them.
    
      Galen hasn't looked down at the book for a while. He's been talking as if reciting from memory. He grins.
     "I know a Phoenix Soul. Good dude." Galen pulls the tab on a soda. "He has a pet goat. Fell from the stratosphere into his house. Shook off the dust and grabbed a beer." Galen stops. "It was actually a god."

     So next are the Suijin. Or Water Gods. Their population is regulated much like Incandescent. However, their population is one million. They share this trait with the Erddamon and Himmelboer. Along with the inability to reproduce sexually their population is regulated by their patron deity.
     Suijin live in cities built on the backs of giant sea turtles. They form a symbiotic relationship with the turtles. In exchange for defending and grooming the turtles' shells the turtles allow them to reside on their backs. The largest turtles are the urban districts with medium class turtles making up much of the suburban districts. The small turtles are predominantly considered rural areas. 
     There are four cities in total. Riptide, Wavesurge, Farshore, and Frostback.
     Riptide is comprised is three large turtles and sticks close to the shoreline. Due to this fact it gets the most trade with port towns and us fairly prosperous. It's government is a monarchy with the Dai-Umi Royal Family currently on the throne.
     Wavesurge is the largest comprised of seven large turtles. This city's migration route takes it near the southernhemisphere along the equator. The proximity to the equator means much of the landscape of Wavesurge is jungle. The government here is also monarchy with the Dai-Nami Family firmly planted on the throne and beloved by the people.
     Farshore has four large turtles that migrate far from the shore, hence the name, in a single file line. The migration pattern brings them near only three port towns making the deep ocean treasures their divers recover much sought after prizes. The government is a republic with their two hundred thousand citizens electing a Lord of the Commons every two years.
     Finally is Frostback. This city has only two large turtles. It also has the smallest population with only an estimated fifty thousand citizens. The migration route is primarily confined to the upper northern hemisphere. The turtles migrate south in the summer to melt their ice cap covered shells and relieve the weight they carry. Due to this fact buildings here are little more than igloo and bulky tents. Aside from the harsh weather the only wildlife in abundance are Sicklehorn. A moose like creature that collects and sharpens ice on its horns to use for hunting. Life on Frostback can be grueling but Suijin born here inherit a unique genetic mutation that allows them to freeze their water powers to create ice. The government here is a tribal council that decides hunting patterns and oversees the training and education of the next generation of council members.

     Galen yawns and leans back in his chair.
     "Fishing is considered a great honor in for Suijin. Something they pride themselves on. They don't have gills so their skin filters oxygen out of water." Galen sips his drink. "They are also the best at swimming. Which, you'd hope they'd be. Living on the backs of turtles and all. Himmelboer are too light to swim deep without weights. Erddamon sink like stones. Fire Demons can swim if they are taught at a young age, but almost none are. Y'know, cause they live way up in the mountains."

I do hope you keep reading. As I flesh out this world of mine with each new chapter. Up next I'll discuss the Himmelboer and Errdamon societies.