The Trinity
By Fon Win

Reprinted with permission.
Added 07/20/2002.

Following the Olthoi invasion, it is told that 3 entities, forever nameless to us, arose carving Dereth up like an well baked Carenzi. These entities mastered the lifestones and bound the Tumeroks & Lugians Tribes to them, just as the humans were bound so long ago. Now the lifestones snatch ones soul just prior to passing on to a glorious afterlife, and force it into a simularicum created to match the tortured soul. Thus, the entities had an bottomless well from which to pull forth their armies.

After Countless decades of war, our Elders realized that we had been duped. In a masterfull coup, were able to directly pit each entity against one another, and in the battle we overthrew our masters. This battle was so fierce it did lay bare our lands, and poisened our air, for two hundred years we lived underground. Just now, we are able to reclaim our land. There followed at time in which small inroads of peace had begun between our races, bonds of friendship grew stronger everyday.

However even with the masters gone, power struggles still continue. Many members of each race began searching for the nameless ones. They have banned together forming (perhaps even reforming) 3 groups.

To the Southwest lay the land of the Dominion, to the North is "The Order of Dereth" (as if they truely wish order...), and to our Southeast lays the Shadow Kingdoms. For some reason, their appeal is strong. They have stripped us of many strong warriors.

These alliances are known as the Trinity. Each alliance foolishy awaits for a master who will never come!

The few that remain? We fight for a middle ground, peace for all 3 races. Simply stated, Dereth is dangerous enough without this continued skirmishing. But prior to peace, we must develop trust between our peoples. Then somehow, together, overcome the Trinity be it by peace, or if need be by blood!

Recorded in song by: Fon Win, Birch Drummer.

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Just this morning, word arrived, Mithan the Axe, returning from a 2 week scouting trip into the lands of Dominion, brought word that The Dominion has discovered a mine deep in the Linvak Masif, saying that even now, The Dominion is clearing the entrance & shoring up old tunnels. He overheard some guards speak of a substance they have found in the mines, it is called calling Crozide.

We know not what this Crozide is, but the Lugians in our camp speak of old wives tales, saying it is from the ancient times, and that it has truely magical powers.

This explains why just last week we learned that armies of The Order & of Shadow are marching on the Linvak Masif. A mighty battle is about to be joined in the bad lands. My Drum aches to be there, oh what a glorious song it would make. Sadly, I'm sure, that it won't be my song to sing. But knowing my people, we'll make our own little tune!

I know not what our Elders will decide, our numbers do not support us making a move on the Mine itself. Trinidad argues before the council at this minute, "NOW is the time to strike The Dominion". I agree, The Dominion is weakened with all the resources they have sent to mines. If we march now, we can gain valuable supplies, and perhaps if lucky gain a few more of their powerfull Artifacts. Trinidad argues perhaps we might even find some of this Crozide that has been shipped back to The Dominion Forges.

I only pray my drumbeat is steady during the battles to come.

Recorded in song by: Fon Win, Birch Drummer.

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Let me tell you my friends, it has been a harrowing 2 days. The Elders, in their infinite wisdom, chose to raid the Shadow Kingdoms, instead of The Dominion. Our foundry's are getting desperately low on the essential oils found along the Shadow Kingdoms borders. However, as it had only been 2 weeks since our last sortie, I fear that they would be ready for us.

We left with a Delryd party of 20 strong warriors, but the elders refused us any archers. The archers they claimed were needed for defending the Threin. I dreaded this decision, as how were we to hold our flanks without archers to harry the Shadow Kingdoms swordsmen? The Lugian swordsmen that are aligned with Kingdom are well known for their mighty Claymores, a sword that nearly reach's the breast of a lugian. In fact, some are rumoured to wield 2 at once, I look forward with a dreadfull anticipation the day I am able to see that.

Toward evening of the first day's travel, as the night started to claim the forest, a damned Gromnatross Youth nearly scared the crap out of us. I ask you good listner, can you tell me when Gromnatrosses started sleeping in trees? We ran for our lives and fortunately only lost 2 of our group to the lifestone, leaving us 18 strong.

When we reached the refinery we thought luck was on our side, as we quickly sent their patrols to the lifestone. Our good fortune however disapeared like fog before the summer sun. It appears that a hunting party was just now returning, and with our flank exposed it was rapidly taken. Our warriors valiantly tried to hold the line, while the lone Human mage TaM, summoned bolts of lighting like an Astyrrian possessed. I, having already summoned 2 Greater Earthspirits to guard our northern quarter, saw that our hopes were dashed. Against my Qeutars instructions I attempted to summon a third Elemental, for I knew we were without hope. I fully admit now cursing the Elder Counsel. 3 good archers... just 3 good archers and victory would have been assured. I began the summons, the strain was nearly overwhelming but my beat was true, and with a tempo I had never been able to maintain in battle before, a Lesser Wind Spirit formed before me. I sent it to guard Hordakk, as he had dispatched the guards and, was busy gathering up pots of the precious oils, thus unable to defend himself.

My companions were being sent to the Lifestone all around us. "Hordakk!! Enough" I yelled, "Summon us a portal, for we must flee here, now!"

And that, is how Hordakk & I arrived not by Stone but by Portal, from the Shadow Kingdoms Refinery. Heh, would you believe four warriors of the Shadow Kingdom chose to follow us through Hordakk's portal? Mithan laid into them with a vengeance. Amazing what a man, properly trained in the use of an axe, can do.

My Qeutar was furious with me for attempting to summon a 3rd Elemental spirit. But, to my shock & dismay, he presented me with an Imbued Block of Maple. And, that my good listeners, is how I gained my title of "Maple Drummer"

One odd note to add to my tale. New peoples are appearing at the lifestones. Many are totally lost, others seem sure, and yet somehow unsure of themselves. I saw one human kneel down and run her hands through the grass, then run to a nearby cliff and dive into the river. She surfaced laughing looking up at the sky.

A few join us, other take off for parts unknown. We warn them of the Trinity, sadly some appear to have their curiosity piqued when told of the 3 tribes.

I fear, as always, Dereth dances to her own tune.

Recorded in song by: Fon Win, Maple Drummer