DB69
04-30-2007, 04:06 PM
<p>With one last violent upheaval, Luclin split asunder as the Nexus burst forth from the center of the moon. Propelled by the vast amounts of magical energies that were being wielded as the war raged upon and within Luclin, the Nexus launched into space and began to fall to toward an unsuspecting Norrath. Few lived that day that witnessed the horrifying site of the Nexus tumbling through the skies before crashing into the planet. Those that did survive the cataclysm could only later describe it, as a ball of liquid fire and lightning radiating all colors and none ever before seen by the eyes of gods or men. Thundering into the Lake of Ill Omen with such force that it bored a hole deep into the center of Norrath, the Nexus' impact sent shockwaves through the planet and that set off a chain of events that would reshape the face of the world. But nowhere would the greatest change be felt then on the continent of Kunark. For at the moment of impact, the energies that surrounded the Nexus exploded sending a tsumani of pure magic across Kunark, engulfing it entirely.</p><p>In the days to come as the survivors of the great Iksar crawled from the rubble that was once their home and as they began to search for others that might have lived so that they might rebuild their lives, they began to notice things...strange things. Such strange things as reports of rat-like creatures spotted near the rim of the impact crater and of the disappearance of the ever-present undead raiders. The bearers of such tales were usually laughed at and ridiculed. No one believed in walking rats and no one cared about where the undead were or why. That is until one day. On this one day that started like so many others something strange happened. The Iksars got a visitor. A rat-like visitor.</p><p>They appeared outside of town down the road some distance from the main gate. They were in a fair sized group but only one approached the settlement. The others stayed back as to represent no threat the Iksar. The strange ratman stopped out of spear range and shouted in Sebilisian that he ment no harm and only wanted to speak with the leaders of the town. Warily given permission to enter the little rat creature was given an audience with the leaders of the town. The little creature told them that he was Ratongan and that he had learned their language by hiding and listening to the scouts at that had been sent out to the crater. He is cryptic about were the Ratonga come from but it is plain that it is from deep within Norrath. He tells that his people have traveled far and wide and have seen many things. He tells of a dark castle on the southern edge of the rim that is surrounded by sea of undead. The entire land for a great distance around the castle appears to pulsate to a sound that only they must hear. To the north of the crater lies a land of giants. Fierce and cunning these monsters seek and kill all who trespass there. They are constructing a fortress higher than any mountain has ever risen. And finally to the west live dragon-like creatures that dwell within a vast underground fortress that it shares with Humans, Dwarves, and Elves. Much is told to the Iksar leaders of what is happening in the land which surrounds them and none of which bodes well of the Iksar. The Ratonga leaves after all is said but returns again after several days. The days pass on and the relationship between the Iksar and Ratongans grow, each knowing that their very survival is dependent upon a strong alliance with each other.</p><p>Upon the battlements of Karnor's Castle looking down upon his vast army that he has called to him and the old Iksar smiles. He looks over at his advisors and generals and wonders what truly has happened, what change has come over them all. It was the day of the Rending when that blast had nearly destroyed the very walls on which he now stands. He felt the effects immediately as if a fog had suddenly lifted. His mind was clearer than it had ever been and he could see that he wasn't the only one. He could see a greater level of intelligence, not only in himself and his retinue, but also in the masses swaying before him. Specters, ghouls, zombies, all manner of undead had heeded his call but for how long. He could see some fighting his will to dominate them. Fighting with this newfound sentience they had gained in what some call The Great Awakening. Some had already fought the call and fled. No matter. If any before him refuses to bend to his will, he shall destroy them. He will not be denied any longer his rightful place in the world. Norrath will soon bow before the might of Venril Sathir! </p>