With the defeat of Koton a period of peace settled over Putarrha. King Dain (the Red) established the dwarven stronghold of Dormun Deep and ruled until his death 78 years after the final battle of the war. During his reign several noteworthy events happened including Gwainor’s ill-fated endeavor to create the caverns of Tagonir. One of the most noteworthy events, however, was the raising of the elven princess Myrlani.
As a sign of trust and their new-found friendship as a result of the Koton Wars, the elven kind Wenafokiel gave his only daughter over to the dwarves to be raised as the royal ward of King Dain. Princess Myrlani remained with the dwarves for 83 years, even after King Dain had died and was replaced by Dwainor II. She returned to Skatim Keep in the Aelb-widu only after her father had disappeared (King Wenafokiel was never seen or heard from again). For the next 17 years Myrlani ruled the kingdom and spread love and trust throughout Putarrha. It seemed that a lasting peace had finally come to their land.
But this was not the case, for deep in his fortress stronghold on the island Circe, Pwatok, son of Koton, watched the events of the world with great interest. Soon, so very soon he planned to conquer the world and spread his black word of hate. But first he needed to finish his device of power, The Sword of the Sightless Eye. The metal for the sword was forged by the demon Narkon, its edge was tempered a thousand times, each time using the blood of a different life. Then Pwatok tortured the earth itself until it wept a single red tear. He fixed this tear to the blade. Upon gathering all these powers into the blade, Pwatok began raising his armies. Pwatok’s gathering of arms went unnoticed by the elves and dwarves of Putarrha.
Pwatok was forced to begin his conquest prematurely due to the creation of the Sword Myrlani. He trembled at the thought of the blade for he knew that it was the only blade that could defeat him. So, although his preparations were incomplete, he decided to cast the seeds of war. The war went against the fair inhabitants of Putarrha. In a few short months all that was left unconquered was Skatim Keep. During these dark days, the Arch-Mage Thelenon came to offer his advice. Many desired that Myrlani cast the Jarin away as it was his blessing that brought the wrath of Pwatok. Yet in her wisdom she set aside such foul advice. She received Thelenon and asked him for his advice. And that Eldritch sage told her the story of the White Elder of Artogon.
‘When Alsheinor had finished the creation he was pleased with what he had done. While he was observing Eilan, a star fell from the heavens and burrowed itself into the flesh of Eilan. Into this dead star Alsheinor breathed the vapour of life. Being pleased with his work, Alsheinor left.
The seed of life that was left behind grew into a most beautiful White Tree which was named by the dwarves ‘White Elder of Artogon’. In the spring the tree grew splendid blue leaves, in the summer the now green leaves sparkled with the morning dew, and in the fall the leaves became gold and red and royal purple, and in the winter the tree sprouted silver leaves showing life in death.
Of all the things that lived, the Evil ones hated this tree the worst. Each day they tried to think of ways to destroy the tree. Yet neither fire nor lightning nor cold of winter nor heat of summer could kill the tree. The Evil ones finally decided that the power must be in the fallen star beneath.
So the Evil ones uprooted the tree and found the ember of life and cast it back into the heavens. And the White Elder of Artogon died, and those who loved Eilan mourned its passing and gave up all hope.
Yet there was one who was too young to lose hope. This elven child, barely half a cycle old, went to the dead tree and found a strange ball hanging from one of the silvery branches. He took the sphere and placed it on the ground. And after many springs a new tree, even more beautiful than the first, grew in that spot.
So it is with hope and death. Without hope, life is barren, but even in death there can be hope.’
With that Thelenon left the great hall. Myrlani thought on what he had said and found her own wisdom.
All the while Pwatok was gathering his forces about Skatim Keep. As the sun rose the following day, Princess Myrlani led her small force out to meet him. In the battle that ensued Myrlani sought out Pwatok. Finally she found him and they engaged in individual combat. The battlefield became calm as the two champions battled each other. But it was clear that Pwatok was the stronger. Then, in the heat of battle, Myrlani smiled and dropped her guard. Pwatok immediately took advantage of the situation and slew Myrlani. Upon striking her body, The Sword of the Sightless Eye shattered into a thousand pieces. His power destroyed, Pwatok fled the field.
When Myrlani’s captains reached the spot all they found was a thousand shards and pieces of Pwatok’s sword. Amoung these shards there was a flawless jewel. There was no trace of Myrlani’s body or the Sword Hope. The power of Pwatok was broken at the battle and it is said that a White Elder grows in the spot where Myrlani died. It is even rumored that Pwatok himself dare not look at this tree. |