the Combine Empire part of my new bio - with links to sources [Archive]

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Ilavatar

08-19-2007, 09:59 AM

Here is the part of my bio that deals with the Combine Empire and Luclin - the links refer mostly to sources - except for my character names and the beginnings of a description of 'good' necromancy based on RL religious scholarship in the Orient.My name is <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/characters/character_profile.vm?characterId=791186104" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Meghnad K'Vekn</a> and I am of the Teir'Dal (called Dark Elves in the common tongue.) By profession, I am a <a href="http://meghnad.eq.googlepages.com/home" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">‘good' necromancer</a>. I am the Assistant Ambassador to the city of Qeynos from the Unity Faction of the Royal Court of the Teir'Dal city of Neriak. We represent those among the Teir'Dal who seek amity and reason among the various races and cities. In these times, narrow-mindedness and bigotry predominate, even among those who consider themselves 'good'. Those of us who seek peace are often reviled by all sides. At least we have caused them to agree on something. Our task is not an easy one; nor is it even a safe one. It was not always so. Many centuries ago, during an age so distant that only the eldest of the elves remembers, there lived a noble human king named <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=24852" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tsaph Katta</a>. He had a vision of all the races living in harmony and working together to create the greatest civilization Norrath has ever known. To realize this vision he founded the <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=187310" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Combine Empire</a>. My uncle, <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=9529" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dralin K'Vekn</a>, was the Teir'Dal Ambassador to the Combine Empire.A philosopher once observed that those who do not learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them. Those Norrathians who support the bigotry prevalent today would do well to pay heed to the lessons of the Combine Empire. A human called the <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=7231" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lord Inquisitor Seru</a> headed a faction who considered themselves 'good' - a term which often indicates merely ignorant self-righteousness and is used to justify some of the most 'evil' deeds, as we shall see. Seru found abhorrent the idea that all races should live in peace and harmony. He nursed an especial hatred for the Teir'Dal. To justify his racial intolerance Seru destroyed one of the greatest empires the world has ever known and certainly the greatest ever founded by humans.Seru and his followers attempted to <a href="http://eqmac.station.sony.com/manual_detail.jsp?id=56476" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">assassinate</a> the noble king Tsaph Katta. In the civil war that resulted, Seru instituted the 'Inquisition' in which the forces of 'good' perpetrated some of the most horrible atrocities in human history, mostly among innocent civilians, in an attempt to institute their grim and narrow vision of righteousness. The followers of Katta fled to Luclin where they hoped to live in peace. Not satisfied with destroying the Combine Empire, the followers of Seru followed them there. The factions continued their war on the moon and each established a major city on the moon's surface. One was the stately and fascinating <a href="http://www.eqatlas.com/luclin/kattacastellum.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Katta Castellum</a> built in the relative safety of the far side of the moon in the Tenebrous Mountains. The other was the imposing but sterile city of <a href="http://www.eqatlas.com/luclin/sanctusseru.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sanctus Seru</a> dominating the approach to the Nexus. In the Nexus, however, followers of both factions and all races eventually set aside their differences and learned to live more or less in peace.It was in Katta Castellum that my uncle, <a href="http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=9529" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dralin K'Vekn</a>, formerly the Teir'Dal Ambassador to the Combine Empire, lived out his final years with the remnants of the founders of the Combine Empire who dared not journey openly around the moon of Luclin for fear of assassination by the followers of Seru. Nevertheless, his time there was a happy one. He found love and a blissful marriage with a human lady by the name of Aerin K`Vekn and they were blessed with a half-elf son named Yalnin K`Vekn. When I was a very young child I accompanied my father, also a member of the Neriak diplomatic service, when he visited his brother in Katta Castellum. There I learned my earliest lessons in racial harmony while playing with my cousin and his friends of many races. During that time I also met an ancient and mysterious High Elf Cleric who, in spite of my very young age, impressed me deeply with his wisdom and kindness. During the battle that destroyed the civilization on Luclin, this cleric was to give his life allowing others to escape; but he was later reincarnated, once again as a High Elf healer, in the High Elf branch of my family tree. His name is <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/characters/character_profile.vm?characterId=206610104" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ilavatar Vedarian</a> and he was instrumental in my early development when I chose to reject the evil teachings of the Overlord and adopt instead a kinder philosophy. In this life he has chosen to devote his life mostly to solitary meditation and occasional counsel, so he has not advanced as far in his chosen profession as many of his age. But I will let him tell his own story if he ever wishes.As for my story....

Cusashorn

08-19-2007, 11:09 AM

You certainly have your history down. I'm quite impressed, though I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this topic. I won't mark it down or anything though.

Ilavatar

08-21-2007, 08:01 AM

I thought I'd post it here because most of deals, not with me personally, but with the history of the Combine Empire and explains what was going on in Luclin. Only the very last bit is really personal. Think of that as personal "lore and history" <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Also I'd be interested if folks have more information about that period. I think I covered most it that I could find in the post and links.Meghnad K'Vekn

Nocturnal Aby

08-22-2007, 12:49 AM

Since I don't know where else this can be found online, I'll let you all in on the lore from the Game Manual that came with the Shadows of Luclin expansion.<hr />On the Ashes of the Empire:The Birth of Fordel MidstAs compiled by Loremaster Traboh, Fordel Historian and Keeper of the Sacred ScrollsThe Tainting of an EmpireTsaph Katta, Imperator of the troubled Combine, was holding a grand state banquetAlmost all nation and tribes were in attendance. The dwarven, gnomish, and elven allies had ambassadors on hand as did the belligerent Tier'dal. Even the ogres and trolls were represented. All who recieved an invitation felt compelled to attend, such was the power and might of the Combine.As the guests entered the banquet hall, Katta was there to recieve them. One guest came with a smile on his lips, and poison in his hand. He had dusted his glove with empolomine, a slow-killing hallucination-inducing drug. This guest extended his hand as Tsaph welcomed him to the banquet. With this handshake, the fate of the Combine was changed.The VigilKatta's reaction was more rapid and violent than most and he collapsed during the dinner, appearing as one possessed. Possessed by evil, some muttered.The banquet hall was cleared, and only a trusted few were alllowed to remain. As Katta lay on the floor, dying, he spoke his last breath into the ear of his closest advisor, a fellow bard named Lcea. The druids then came and wove stasis spells to keep him alive, and put a sleep charm on him so that he would not have to endure pain or suffering. Then the elves of the forest came and took Tsaph away, to hide him within their realm so that no further attempts on his life would be possible.As soon as word spread around that Katta was "dead", the Combine broke into a thousand tainted pieces. The petty disagreements that had shattered the world before his coming resumed with even more passion. The elves continued to keep watch over the resting-place of Tsaph Katta while a few loyal officials, led precariously by Lcea, fortified the Loyalists last remnants.Lcea brought the brightest minds of the Loyalists together to decide on their grim future. Their situation on Norrath was precarious, and any hopes of rebuilding here were dashed while all the infighting was still occurring.Gathered in a room together, exhausted by debate, they glanced as one, upward through the darkness.There, high in the evening sky, was the familiar sight of Luclin. But something was different about the moon this evening. It shone more brightly and with more detail than ever before. The rings wrapped the moon in fire as the waning sunlight pierced them. Beyond the rings, Lcea and others could see blurry cloud formations and sparkling reflecions that hinted at bodies of water.Lcea stood up and raised her hand to the moon, "That is where we will rebuild."The Great ExodusAnd so it was decreed that Luclin would be the new home of the Loyalists. THe Combine already possessed vast knowledge of teleportation. Using this knowledge on a grander scale would be the solution to their problem.All they had to do was wait. In a few months Luclin would pass directly over the largest Combine spire located in Kunark, providing both the focus and the timing needed to complete this mystical feat.If they failed, the Loyalists would fall and any hope of building their version of the COmbine would be lost. It was essentially a costly, all-or-nothing attempt to save their way of life.THe night had come, and thousands had gathered to participate in perhaps one of the greatest magical events in mortal history.Slowly Luclin approached its perigee. THe mages began to chant and motion in the air. Glowing strands of mana poured from them, twined together, and circled the magnificent spires. A magical wind slowly picked up and swirled upward around the spires, taking the mana with it. WIth one last burst of magical energy, a great ball of light enveloped the spires and then exlpoded outward in a flash. Amoment later, the light and everything it illuminated were gone.Focus RedirectedThe bright light had winked out, leaving nothing but a black void in its wake. Moments later, flickering lights began to appear all around as torches were lit. Abovethe refugees, where the fiery rings of Luclin should have been, was cold dark stone. They were not on the surface of Luclin, but deep in the center of the moon itself. The air grew heavy with tension and fear as thought of being trapped underground filled everyone's head.As fires were lit and magical light sources were set around the group, it became clear that they had been deposited in avast cavern system located near the center of the moon.Off to once side of the encampment on a stone island was a large black sphere of swirling mist. The sphere emanated a strong magical field that seemed to pull everything towards it. This sphere, they felt, was most likely responsible for the failed teleport to the surface.But what was it? And what was its purpose?Thoughts DividedOver the following weeks an encampment grew in the cave while scout ventured into the surrounding caverns. They gathered as much information as possible about the cave system in hopes of learning more about their predicament. During this time they located several caves that extended upward towards the surface, thoguh further exploration ruled most of them out as possible exits. Some were just too dangerous and lacked the resources needed to sustain life. Two, however, showed a lot of potential for supporting a civilization.With the choice of which path to take narrowed down, another problem was encountered. A good number of those who had come to Luclin were now having second thoughts about leaving Norrath. Even if the managed to build an empire here, how would they return to Norrath to sow those seeds?The PartingIt was time for a decision to be made. THose who wished to develop a mean of transport back to Norrath would stay in the caverns and those wishing to go to the surface would do just that. Those remaining would be in considerable danger, as they feared the opposing elements of the fractured empire would surely have the ability to bring an army to Luclin. It was only a matter of time.And so it happened. The majority gathered their belongings and joined the caravan to the surface. The remaining few set to the task of building a city and developing the necessary tools to create a working portal to Norrath.A New StartThose who remained below were few in number, less than a thousand, but in those few were some of the most skilled craftsman and brightest mages. They carved stone and mineral from the caverns to construct their homes and workshops. The mages researched and studied the black sphere in hopes of learning of its origin and inner workings. The area that held the sphere soon became knowns as The Nexus.An Enemy's SearchIt happened dooner than expected. The air within the Nexus became electrically charged and the mist began to swirl around the blach sphere. Soething was coming through. Within moments, an army began to arrive. Those who were researching the Nexus were on hand to meet the arriving army. Tensions were high between the two parties. Although the residents here no longer sided with the Loyalists, the new arrivals were unaware of that.However, it seemed they were just as surprised to find someone on the other side of the portal. In addition, the people remaining at the Nexus had not been idle. Fortfications and guards prevented the newcomer army from simply seizing control of the area.After a period of time, the officers of the invading army met with the official of the Nexus. THe people of the Nexus protested that they simply wanted to go back to Norrath and not get involved with the Combine dispute, and made this very clear. The new arrivals wished to chase down the remaining Loyalists and then return to Norrath. They were shocked to learn that there was no way to return to Norrath as yet.Not comfortable remaining in what was possibly enemy territory, the dedicated and committed members of the army set off to build a stronghold of their own. They wen the opposite the way the Loyalists had gone. Building a new fortress, they would have time to organize and prepare to engage the Loyalists. Many were ordered to stay with those who were researching the Nexus, for the leader of the army refused to give up hope on returning to Norrath. And so the town numbers nearly doubled with the added researchers.The newest residents of the Underground city segregated themselves and created their own little settlement right next to the one already there. An invisible boundary was the only thing that separated them.A Srong FootholdThe construction of the cavern settlement continued along with the research. As time passed, the differences between the two factions of researchers dissapated and they worked more closely together each day. Perhaps, they thought, only with a combined effort would they have a chance to reopen the portal to Norrath and return home. At this time, a number of families who had played important roles in either the construction of the city or in the research of the black sphere became very prominent in the city workings.It was time to make their little settlement a city. A general council meeting was held with the heads of families and owners of shops attending. They elected a group of council members who would decide on a political structure for the city. Because of the diversity of those who came to the city and the different times at which they arrived, it was decided that a general council would run the city. A name was also chosen from a list of those proposed.The word Fordel was a name taken from a family survived by onla a widow. THe entire family was lost in ascouting party during the first couple of months on Luclin. Previous to the loss, their family had been one known for great craftsmanship, they had played a vital role in the city's construction. Fo that, the community honored them by immortalizing their name in the city they helped construct.The word Midst was taken from a long line of mages who researched the great portal on Norrath to bring them to Luclin, and continued to this day on the research for a way to return. Many a mage carrying this family name had spent long horus probing and writing by candlelight in the service to the community. For that, the community honored them in their city's name.The name was to be "Fordel Midst", and it would ever their have from the shadows. <hr />The document had lots of punctuation errors, but most of the spelling errors are probably mine =P I realise a lot of this was more on the Shadowhaven part of things, but I thought it was still fairly important, as it helped tell of part of the history of the Combine.