Spoiler
In the Middle, the waters of life flowed east through the great Bjoulsae. Darkness of thought continued to plague the Kingdom, as it had since the start. Only the Firmament remembered, the Star of the East and the Cloud of the West and all their servants in their vigilance. The lights of the night sky guided those with the wisdom to heed them.
Reymond often found comfort in the warmth of the Star of the East, after a morn's toil. Again and again, he would down a strong oak and roll the bone-timber into the rapids. In spite of his old wounds, Reymond could cut with the strength of two men with his good arm. The task was strenuous and dangerous. The bleeding trees attracting wild beasts. Reymond fought off many a foe to keep the prizes of his labour, tempering both his body and fighting spirit.
Reymond had lived on the banks of the Bjoulsae for most of his life, trading his lumber with denizens along the river. Evermore would receive most of his service, being perched on the near hill, while the Horsemen and hamlets downriver received the rest. Reymond would deliver the wood himself, something no other cutter would do, riding atop the Bjoulsae’s white waters.
On a day of fate, Reymond glanced up at the Many Pointed Star and lost his footing, dragging him under the curtain of logs. He battled the waters for a chance at Cynarete's mercy and protection, but her mercy was nowhere to be found. The Bjoulsae claimed Reymond for her own, ushering his body to the deeper waters of the Illiac.
Reymond awoke to the kiss of life, granted by a child of Vilgryl. The bay folk looked upon him with black eyes, reflecting back his own visage. “Awaken, Ebon King. For your pains are not over. The responsibility of kings is ever lasting towards those they rule, even in death and rebirth.” A priestess of regal stature approached him, laying her hands upon him. The priestess anointed him with mud from the Bjoulsae, signifing his role as a divine arbiter.
Reymond remained in the Bay Kingdom, a realm unknown to the Kingdom of Ebon, taking on six fish-wives in his stay. He joined their court and had many children. Reymond lived there among them, living a life of peace that was not to be found on Land. A peace that could not last. Meredie came before him, bidding him to answer his Lord's will by service in the light of the stars once again. Reymond begrudgingly agreed, for he did not belong in the waters. The destiny to exert Magnon’s will on the Kingdom of Ebon was his and his alone.
Reymond returned to his wives and told them what Meredie had bade of him. His wives told him to neither worry for them or to delay his return. Each of his wives presented Reymond with a piece of armor made from godsblood. They said, “Don the blood of the earth, husband. Let it protect you in your struggles. Your descendants will rule the depths in your stead, until you may unite the Kingdoms of Bay and Ebon as one.” The priestess spoke in turn, “Our Liege's Lord brought you here in order to receive this gift and message. Journey to the surface and lead your people, who have been led astray during your absence. Reaffirm your Lord's laws and mediate the Kingdom's conflicts. Let the blessing of the Divines affirm your Will of Purpose.”
Reymond departed for the land, his heavy ebony carried upwards by the tides of Vilgryl. On shore he found his golden mare dutifully waiting for him. Mounting his steed, the Ebon King charged forward in the service of his Lord yet again.
Reymond often found comfort in the warmth of the Star of the East, after a morn's toil. Again and again, he would down a strong oak and roll the bone-timber into the rapids. In spite of his old wounds, Reymond could cut with the strength of two men with his good arm. The task was strenuous and dangerous. The bleeding trees attracting wild beasts. Reymond fought off many a foe to keep the prizes of his labour, tempering both his body and fighting spirit.
Reymond had lived on the banks of the Bjoulsae for most of his life, trading his lumber with denizens along the river. Evermore would receive most of his service, being perched on the near hill, while the Horsemen and hamlets downriver received the rest. Reymond would deliver the wood himself, something no other cutter would do, riding atop the Bjoulsae’s white waters.
On a day of fate, Reymond glanced up at the Many Pointed Star and lost his footing, dragging him under the curtain of logs. He battled the waters for a chance at Cynarete's mercy and protection, but her mercy was nowhere to be found. The Bjoulsae claimed Reymond for her own, ushering his body to the deeper waters of the Illiac.
Reymond awoke to the kiss of life, granted by a child of Vilgryl. The bay folk looked upon him with black eyes, reflecting back his own visage. “Awaken, Ebon King. For your pains are not over. The responsibility of kings is ever lasting towards those they rule, even in death and rebirth.” A priestess of regal stature approached him, laying her hands upon him. The priestess anointed him with mud from the Bjoulsae, signifing his role as a divine arbiter.
Reymond remained in the Bay Kingdom, a realm unknown to the Kingdom of Ebon, taking on six fish-wives in his stay. He joined their court and had many children. Reymond lived there among them, living a life of peace that was not to be found on Land. A peace that could not last. Meredie came before him, bidding him to answer his Lord's will by service in the light of the stars once again. Reymond begrudgingly agreed, for he did not belong in the waters. The destiny to exert Magnon’s will on the Kingdom of Ebon was his and his alone.
Reymond returned to his wives and told them what Meredie had bade of him. His wives told him to neither worry for them or to delay his return. Each of his wives presented Reymond with a piece of armor made from godsblood. They said, “Don the blood of the earth, husband. Let it protect you in your struggles. Your descendants will rule the depths in your stead, until you may unite the Kingdoms of Bay and Ebon as one.” The priestess spoke in turn, “Our Liege's Lord brought you here in order to receive this gift and message. Journey to the surface and lead your people, who have been led astray during your absence. Reaffirm your Lord's laws and mediate the Kingdom's conflicts. Let the blessing of the Divines affirm your Will of Purpose.”
Reymond departed for the land, his heavy ebony carried upwards by the tides of Vilgryl. On shore he found his golden mare dutifully waiting for him. Mounting his steed, the Ebon King charged forward in the service of his Lord yet again.