Shards of Felwyn

Stories of the Ancients

"When the four gods, Arlinn, Aspira, Sorell, and Ralthar descended upon Felwyn, they found certain parts of the world too cruel to sustain life. Everything ranging from how harsh the sun was to the strength of the current. However, there was one thing the gods found troubling to remove. This, of course, was the ferocious beasts that roamed the land. Each being decided to forge a weapon from the heavens, suited to their personality. Ralthar, the brutish commander of the Boiling Pot, forged a mighty spear. Aspira, who had domain over the Clifftop Haven, materialized a set of flying kunai. Sorell, the ruler of the Hinterland Wastes, summoned a fugue from the depths of his soul that could rid any mortal of their sanity. Lastly, Arlinn, the mind mage that took control of the Archipelago, intricately carved a gemstone that would materialize a gauntlet on his command." Lan paused for a short while and looked at Cosmo. He only gazed back in Lan's direction.

"After eons of peace, a war began to break out among the humans. The gods decided that the only way to save the humans from themselves was to divide them. Each god channeled their strength and magical energy into a large spire called the Celestial Pillar. Thrusting it into the earth, they divided the world into four distinct regions, destroying their signature weapons in the process. Now each god rules over one-fourth of the world, and it is said that if war were to spark between two of the biomes, they would have to suffer divine reckoning."

"Are you telling me that this..." Cosmo did not need to finish his sentence. He gazed downwards at the purple gemstone, contemplating just how powerful it could be.

"It is a shard of Arlinn, the Mind Mage's gauntlet. It has been given the name Dragon's Focus. In the Ancient Language, it was called Ffows y Driag." In response to the strange older name, the purple gem pulsated with energy.

"Ancient Language?" Cosmo asked, sitting down and taking a deep breath. "You've never told me any of this."

"I thought you too young for this knowledge. But I see you just had to get yourself involved with danger immediately." Lan chided. "The Ancient Language is how people communicated in the Ancient Times. Now it is used to channel magical energy. In other words, casting spells."

"So you're saying this crystal gives me magical abilities?"

"No, you'll have to learn those by yourself. However, I should have something around here to help with that." Lan got up slowly and walked over to a thicker branch of the Spirit Tree. He put his right hand in his left palm and muttered "Agored". The branch shuddered loudly and a previously hidden door swung open. Lan pulled out an old and tattered book that he dusted off and brought to Cosmo.

"Illyar Silláfur?" Cosmo attempted to sound out the letters printed in a faded bold across the front.

"In the Ancient Language, it means 'Book of Spells'. I inherited it from the elder of Coeden when I was a child. He told me to protect it, and I think it is now most protected in your hands." Lan explained.

"Are you telling me to learn magic?"

"No, I am merely supporting it. You will need it in the journey you are to embark on." Lan grimaced.

"Journey?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, that crystal makes you the most wanted person in all of Felwyn. You know Lord Galdernad's policies on magic. I suggest you learn what you can of it to defend yourself." Lan shook his head and sighed. "I reckon by in at least a day's time he will know about this gem. He knows that with that weapon comes great power, and I am sorry to say that the likes of Lord Galdernad are only interested just that."

"So what am I going to do?" Cosmo trembled. "The cave warned me to leave the island, but I've lived here all my life! I don't know how I'd leave, let alone where I'd go!"