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Night was settling on the Western Hemisphere of the planet [[Ûblâ]]. A massive ocean separated [[Ûblâ]]’s northern super continent, [[Míçra (Ûblâ)|Míçra]], and southern super continent, [[Malon (Ûblâ)|Malon]]. This body of water was known as the [[Tesparin Ocean]]. The three moons, [[Míra (Moon)|Míra]], [[Nenja (Moon)|Nenja]], and [[Kíra (Moon)|Kíra]], orbit [[Ûblâ]]. [[Míra (Moon)|Míra]] and [[Nenja (Moon)|Nenja]] are a lush jungle and an alpine moon, respectively. [[Kíra (Moon)|Kíra]] was barren with no valuable ores, and the only moon close enough to have a gravitational influence on the ocean.  
Night was settling on the Western Hemisphere of the planet [[Ûvlâ]]. A massive ocean separated [[Ûvlâ]]’s northern super continent, [[Maiçra (Ûvlâ)|Maiçra]], and southern super continent, [[Malon (Ûvlâ)|Malon]]. This body of water was known as the [[Tesparin Ocean]]. The three moons, [[Maira (Moon)|Maira]], [[Nenja (Moon)|Nenja]], and [[Kaira (Moon)|Kaira]], orbit [[Ûvlâ]]. [[Maira (Moon)|Maira]] and [[Nenja (Moon)|Nenja]] are a lush jungle and an alpine moon, respectively. [[Kaira (Moon)|Kaira]] was barren with no valuable ores, and the only moon close enough to have a gravitational influence on the ocean.  


Immense blue jungles comprised of beautiful and alien flora covered the Northern and Southern continents from the coastline to the poles. Consistent blistering temperatures along the equator fed the continents with plentiful levels of rain and tropical temperatures even into the poles.  
Immense blue jungles comprised of beautiful and alien flora covered the Northern and Southern continents from the coastline to the poles. Consistent blistering temperatures along the equator fed the continents with plentiful levels of rain and tropical temperatures even into the poles.  


On the Northern Continent, [[Míçra (Ûblâ)|Míçra]], rested flat tropical plains. Fields full of crops went as far as the eye could see. Docile six-legged beasts grazed in the endless pastures. Giant orchards produced every species of fruit. A vast grid of train tracks covered the fields, which were used to transport many products and workers. These tracks covered most of the plains. To the far north of [[Míçra (Ûblâ)|Míçra]] was a jagged mountain range of sheer cliff-faces and knife-like peaks. This mountain range created a nearly impassible ring known as the [[Polar Crown]]. No one could pass by any conventional method, other than flight.  
On the Northern Continent, [[Maiçra (Ûvlâ)|Maiçra]], rested flat tropical plains. Fields full of crops went as far as the eye could see. Docile six-legged beasts grazed in the endless pastures. Giant orchards produced every species of fruit. A vast grid of train tracks covered the fields, which were used to transport many products and workers. These tracks covered most of the plains. To the far north of [[Maiçra (Ûvlâ)|Maiçra]] was a jagged mountain range of sheer cliff-faces and knife-like peaks. This mountain range created a nearly impassible ring known as the [[Polar Crown]]. No one could pass by any conventional method, other than flight.  


The vegetation here consisted of giant trees with strange bioluminescent bark and leaves. Some trees were over hundreds of feet high and tens of thousands of years.  
The vegetation here consisted of giant trees with strange bioluminescent bark and leaves. Some trees were over hundreds of feet high and tens of thousands of years.  


Strange one-hundred-yard-high archways of ancient craftwork jutted out of the land. Mile-wide circles surrounded them, devoid of vegetation. These were [[Kroetar]]. There were eleven [[Kroetar]] on the planet. One for the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]], six for the rest of the Northern Continent, and four on the Southern Continent.  
Strange one-hundred-yard-high archways of ancient craftwork jutted out of the land. Mile-wide circles surrounded them, devoid of vegetation. These were [[Kroetar]]. There were eleven [[Kroetar]] on the planet. One for the [[Polar Crown (Ûvlâ)|Polar Crown]], six for the rest of the Northern Continent, and four on the Southern Continent.  


Several miles south of the [[Polar Crown]], bioluminescent insects emerged and flitted around a clearing. Luminescent fungi and flora lit the jungle environment in a pale blue light. Massive nocturnal beasts had woken and were foraging for food, eating mostly the glowing plants. The calm of the idyllic, almost surreal, scene broke with sudden fear.  
Several miles south of the [[Polar Crown]], bioluminescent insects emerged and flitted around a clearing. Luminescent fungi and flora lit the jungle environment in a pale blue light. Massive nocturnal beasts had woken and were foraging for food, eating mostly the glowing plants. The calm of the idyllic, almost surreal, scene broke with sudden fear.  
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His name was '''[[Merik Teslek]]'''. He was one of, if not the most effective, hunter of the era. He, however, hunted a different quarry by trade. He was a warrior honored by all free sentient species. He served them as a warrior, and in return, he learned their arts and mastered their forms of combat. However, he was a [[Valorîin]] and unbound, stricken with the Curse of all Valorîin, [[The Curse (Valorîin)|Drothoka]]. The Curse forced him to consume blood. Days without blood led to delirium, insanity, and even death.  
His name was '''[[Merik Teslek]]'''. He was one of, if not the most effective, hunter of the era. He, however, hunted a different quarry by trade. He was a warrior honored by all free sentient species. He served them as a warrior, and in return, he learned their arts and mastered their forms of combat. However, he was a [[Valorîin]] and unbound, stricken with the Curse of all Valorîin, [[The Curse (Valorîin)|Drothoka]]. The Curse forced him to consume blood. Days without blood led to delirium, insanity, and even death.  


Merik examined the terrain and oriented his exceptional sense of direction. He knew roughly where he was. He traveled farther than usual. He was fifteen miles south of the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]]. This was strange as his home was nearly 1,500 miles south. He generally traveled far away from civilization just in case he became rampant. Generally, he only hunted on the northern borders of his family’s land. He must have used his [[hoverbike]]. Now he just had to find it. He felt his pocket expecting something to be there. He took a crystal orb out. The orb seemed to possess an infinite number of multicolored lines. He located his bike, and he moved toward it. It was roughly two miles away.  
Merik examined the terrain and oriented his exceptional sense of direction. He knew roughly where he was. He traveled farther than usual. He was fifteen miles south of the [[Polar Crown (Ûvlâ)|Polar Crown]]. This was strange as his home was nearly 1,500 miles south. He generally traveled far away from civilization just in case he became rampant. Generally, he only hunted on the northern borders of his family’s land. He must have used his [[hoverbike]]. Now he just had to find it. He felt his pocket expecting something to be there. He took a crystal orb out. The orb seemed to possess an infinite number of multicolored lines. He located his bike, and he moved toward it. It was roughly two miles away.  


There was a flash of light brighter than midday overhead. He raised his gaze to the anomaly. A great-blue-ethereal disk had opened in the sky. Shuttlecraft and other space vessels poured through, heading north.  
There was a flash of light brighter than midday overhead. He raised his gaze to the anomaly. A great-blue-ethereal disk had opened in the sky. Shuttlecraft and other space vessels poured through, heading north.  
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He swiftly retrieved his [[hoverbike]]. Kicking the bike into the on-stage, it crackled to life with the energy it drew from [[Voyd]]. [[Voyd]] was the plane between [[Yedistren]] (the plane of the Living) and [[It’slâmwâ]] (the Lethurîan Heaven).  
He swiftly retrieved his [[hoverbike]]. Kicking the bike into the on-stage, it crackled to life with the energy it drew from [[Voyd]]. [[Voyd]] was the plane between [[Yedistren]] (the plane of the Living) and [[It’slâmwâ]] (the Lethurîan Heaven).  


As he fled, he did so in a peculiar manner, weaving across the land. [[Det’sikar]] grave mounds littered the [[Northern Reaches (Ûblâ)|Northern Reaches]]. The menace of the demons’ remains still permeated the surrounding land. It was disorienting and would lead many who crossed into the energy fields astray. Millions of years later, their menace still could be felt.  
As he fled, he did so in a peculiar manner, weaving across the land. [[Det’sikar]] grave mounds littered the [[Northern Reaches (Ûvlâ)|Northern Reaches]]. The menace of the demons’ remains still permeated the surrounding land. It was disorienting and would lead many who crossed into the energy fields astray. Millions of years later, their menace still could be felt.  


Clouds formed in the green sky, and with it came the day's first storm. Merik parked his bike and found shelter under a short umbrella-shaped tree. He was improperly prepared, and so he waited for the rain to calm.  
Clouds formed in the green sky, and with it came the day's first storm. Merik parked his bike and found shelter under a short umbrella-shaped tree. He was improperly prepared, and so he waited for the rain to calm.  
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He sat underneath an [[Umdra (Lethurîa)|Umdra Tree]], an umbrella-shaped tree with purple scaly bark and thick wing-like fronds. The water rolled off and trickled around him. The ground under the tree was slightly raised so he stayed dry. Many exotic plants surrounded him, some with segmented stalks that had luminescent blobs at the end. Others were like giant fleshy eggs that had flowers growing from a hole in the top; they smelled like carrion, and they attracted many scavenger arthropods and reptilians. They were called [[Anzikal]], which was crude slang.  
He sat underneath an [[Umdra (Lethurîa)|Umdra Tree]], an umbrella-shaped tree with purple scaly bark and thick wing-like fronds. The water rolled off and trickled around him. The ground under the tree was slightly raised so he stayed dry. Many exotic plants surrounded him, some with segmented stalks that had luminescent blobs at the end. Others were like giant fleshy eggs that had flowers growing from a hole in the top; they smelled like carrion, and they attracted many scavenger arthropods and reptilians. They were called [[Anzikal]], which was crude slang.  


“Little” drakes came to investigate his presence. The drakes had wings and four legs with three clawed toes and fleshy toe pads. Their jaws were lined with needle-like teeth with a beak that hooked up on the end of their muzzle. They typically came in blues and purples to blend in with [[Ûblâ]]’s native flora.  
“Little” drakes came to investigate his presence. The drakes had wings and four legs with three clawed toes and fleshy toe pads. Their jaws were lined with needle-like teeth with a beak that hooked up on the end of their muzzle. They typically came in blues and purples to blend in with [[Ûvlâ]]’s native flora.  


They were the equivalent of birds on [[Ûblâ]]. The drakes were the size of very large house felids. They were highly intelligent and would find ways to steal anything shiny, sweet, or meaty from travelers. They were called [[Rok|Roks]].  
They were the equivalent of birds on [[Ûvlâ]]. The drakes were the size of very large house felids. They were highly intelligent and would find ways to steal anything shiny, sweet, or meaty from travelers. They were called [[Rok|Roks]].  


The rain subsided, and he departed once again. He gunned the accelerator, now clear of the graves. The bike crackled with tiny lightning strikes. In a short amount of time, he arrived at the river of [[Ranthea]]. [[Ranthea]] made up the borders of the forests of the [[Fendithar]] District and the [[Northern Reaches (Ûblâ)|Northern Reaches]]. [[Fendithar]] bordered the north of his family’s lands. [[Fendithar]] was owned by no one. He had traveled nearly one thousand miles in his haste. Night fell hours later, prompting him to find shelter and rest for the night.  
The rain subsided, and he departed once again. He gunned the accelerator, now clear of the graves. The bike crackled with tiny lightning strikes. In a short amount of time, he arrived at the river of [[Ranthea]]. [[Ranthea]] made up the borders of the forests of the [[Fendithar]] District and the [[Northern Reaches (Ûvlâ)|Northern Reaches]]. [[Fendithar]] bordered the north of his family’s lands. [[Fendithar]] was owned by no one. He had traveled nearly one thousand miles in his haste. Night fell hours later, prompting him to find shelter and rest for the night.  


He did not need much sleep. His species was gifted with endurance; even the bestial species admired it. He had fought battles for days at a time with no rest. War did not take naps or sleep through the night. If anything, it had insomnia of a hellish degree.  
He did not need much sleep. His species was gifted with endurance; even the bestial species admired it. He had fought battles for days at a time with no rest. War did not take naps or sleep through the night. If anything, it had insomnia of a hellish degree.  
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“They’re well... but worried about me. Father and Grandfather have been extremely busy managing the business.”  
“They’re well... but worried about me. Father and Grandfather have been extremely busy managing the business.”  


“Do your predecessors not alternate every twenty years? Who runs the business?” [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] said. “Your grandfather, [[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]], was talking about something like that last time he was in.” Merik nodded softly.  
“Do your predecessors not alternate every twenty years? Who runs the business?” [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] said. “Your grandfather, [[Džarak Teslek|Džarak]], was talking about something like that last time he was in.” Merik nodded softly.  


“Now, back to business, Merik; it has been a few months since we last saw you. Been keeping yourself fed, without us,” [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] teased.  
“Now, back to business, Merik; it has been a few months since we last saw you. Been keeping yourself fed, without us,” [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] teased.  
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He smiled at his work. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] came out the front. “Nice to see your handiwork. They will not be harassing my patrons for some time,” he jeered. [[Lîra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lîra]] ran out and hugged Merik. “Did they hurt you? Are you okay?” She examined him thoroughly. He felt her compassion and concern. “Your mouth!” “[[Lîra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lîra]], do not worry about him,” Popus said. “I suspected Merik could deal with simple thugs. Give him about a half hour, and his mouth will be healed.” He bid Merik off.  
He smiled at his work. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] came out the front. “Nice to see your handiwork. They will not be harassing my patrons for some time,” he jeered. [[Lîra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lîra]] ran out and hugged Merik. “Did they hurt you? Are you okay?” She examined him thoroughly. He felt her compassion and concern. “Your mouth!” “[[Lîra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lîra]], do not worry about him,” Popus said. “I suspected Merik could deal with simple thugs. Give him about a half hour, and his mouth will be healed.” He bid Merik off.  


Merik grabbed his [[hoverbike]] and left swiftly. He traveled east, entering his family’s 5.6-million-square-mile estate—land held since the [[Valorîin]] restored [[Ûblâ]] after the [[Great Fires (Uublai)|Great Fire]]. Three major complexes existed on the property, with several cities bordering the edges. In the north was the [[Teslek Family Crypt]], a place of memorial and strange peace. South and directly east of Merik’s position was the immense multi-generation complex of the [[Teslek Multigenerational Complex|Teslek Manors]]—over 650 manors where his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and so on lived with their lifemates.  
Merik grabbed his [[hoverbike]] and left swiftly. He traveled east, entering his family’s 5.6-million-square-mile estate—land held since the [[Valorîin]] restored [[Ûvlâ]] after the [[Great Fires (Uublai)|Great Fire]]. Three major complexes existed on the property, with several cities bordering the edges. In the north was the [[Teslek Family Crypt]], a place of memorial and strange peace. South and directly east of Merik’s position was the immense multi-generation complex of the [[Teslek Multigenerational Complex|Teslek Manors]]—over 650 manors where his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and so on lived with their lifemates.  


The hundreds of manors, halls, courtyards, gardens, and courts comprised the massive complex—nearly thirty square miles—within a highly protected environmental dome. Merik, being the oldest, would one day join them, adding his family’s manor to the complex, or choose one of the hundreds of vacant manors. The jumbled collection was like a massive, elegant garden the size of a small village—beautiful landscaping and a melding of manors.  
The hundreds of manors, halls, courtyards, gardens, and courts comprised the massive complex—nearly thirty square miles—within a highly protected environmental dome. Merik, being the oldest, would one day join them, adding his family’s manor to the complex, or choose one of the hundreds of vacant manors. The jumbled collection was like a massive, elegant garden the size of a small village—beautiful landscaping and a melding of manors.  


East of the complex were fields of grain, vegetables, and fruit. South were the orchards. Finally, there were the grazing prairies for raising beasts and the village of [[Tetorak (City)|Tetorak]], where many manors and homes of relatives and high-class workers stood. Many relatives had left [[Ûblâ]] and settled on numberless other planets, expanding the business's influence. The immenseness of [[Ûblâ]]’s farming industry made it impossible to institute any other industry. Some, however, chose to live on [[Ûblâ]], such as his siblings and their lifemates. He had twelve siblings—fewer than average for a [[Valorîin]] family—eight of them twins. Several had gone to war and returned.  
East of the complex were fields of grain, vegetables, and fruit. South were the orchards. Finally, there were the grazing prairies for raising beasts and the village of [[Tetorak (City)|Tetorak]], where many manors and homes of relatives and high-class workers stood. Many relatives had left [[Ûvlâ]] and settled on numberless other planets, expanding the business's influence. The immenseness of [[Ûvlâ]]’s farming industry made it impossible to institute any other industry. Some, however, chose to live on [[Ûvlâ]], such as his siblings and their lifemates. He had twelve siblings—fewer than average for a [[Valorîin]] family—eight of them twins. Several had gone to war and returned.  


The oldest of his sisters and brother-in-law ran the financial end of most local transactions. The oldest set of his twin brothers and twin sisters-in-law were engineers. Most siblings were mechanics, a few engineers, and the rest doctors—tending sick flora, people, and fauna. They had to keep the various machines and farming equipment running. The machines practically ran the farm’s harvesting. The machines had no artificial intelligence; they were guided by the work hands.  
The oldest of his sisters and brother-in-law ran the financial end of most local transactions. The oldest set of his twin brothers and twin sisters-in-law were engineers. Most siblings were mechanics, a few engineers, and the rest doctors—tending sick flora, people, and fauna. They had to keep the various machines and farming equipment running. The machines practically ran the farm’s harvesting. The machines had no artificial intelligence; they were guided by the work hands.  
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He approached them. The near-silent patter of his feet and the drip-drops of his soaked clothing unnerved him. It was quieter than a crypt. He could feel the intense concern and prowess held by his elders through the [[Vistrum]]—even from over two hundred yards away. The others must not have joined the intervention due to work matters.  
He approached them. The near-silent patter of his feet and the drip-drops of his soaked clothing unnerved him. It was quieter than a crypt. He could feel the intense concern and prowess held by his elders through the [[Vistrum]]—even from over two hundred yards away. The others must not have joined the intervention due to work matters.  


Merik felt cold. The Curse surged with his frustration; he suppressed it, and he knew they felt it. He finally reached them and stood before youthful-faced individuals who rivaled his age almost tenfold. [[Lûwela Nîran Teslek|'''Lûwela''']], his mother, sat with arms crossed—deeply concerned, almost indignant. Her blue eye and turquoise eye flashed. His father, '''[[Malek Teslek|Malek]]''', stood with his cyberware right hand on her shoulder. '''Jarak''' and '''Svoeldiir''', his grandfather and great-grandfather, stood next to their lifemates: '''Onja''' and '''Gerta'''.  
Merik felt cold. The Curse surged with his frustration; he suppressed it, and he knew they felt it. He finally reached them and stood before youthful-faced individuals who rivaled his age almost tenfold. [[Lûwela Nîran Teslek|'''Lûwela''']], his mother, sat with arms crossed—deeply concerned, almost indignant. Her blue eye and turquoise eye flashed. His father, '''[[Malek Teslek|Malek]]''', stood with his cyberware right hand on her shoulder. '''Džarak''' and '''Svoeldiir''', his grandfather and great-grandfather, stood next to their lifemates: '''Onja''' and '''Gerta'''.  


“Son... We need to talk.” Her voice reverberated through the emptiness of the hall. She spoke with command and firmness, but motherly concern shone through. [[Gerta Adnar Teslek|'''Gerta''']] was holding back tears. [[Onja Voorlek Teslek|'''Onja''']] was beyond words. '''[[Lûwela Nîran Teslek|Lûwela]]''' continued: “You are Of-Age, and by all that’s right, the Mother and Father have preserved your mind from the Curse. Merik, you ''must'' be bound! You are a danger to all of us and every other person you come across! Why are you ignoring M—” She became frantic, and Merik interrupted.  
“Son... We need to talk.” Her voice reverberated through the emptiness of the hall. She spoke with command and firmness, but motherly concern shone through. [[Gerta Adnar Teslek|'''Gerta''']] was holding back tears. [[Onja Voorlek Teslek|'''Onja''']] was beyond words. '''[[Lûwela Nîran Teslek|Lûwela]]''' continued: “You are Of-Age, and by all that’s right, the Mother and Father have preserved your mind from the Curse. Merik, you ''must'' be bound! You are a danger to all of us and every other person you come across! Why are you ignoring M—” She became frantic, and Merik interrupted.  
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He did not know what she was about to say, but he knew he had to stop her. Merik grew hot. The sickly smell of [[Malisik]] blood stank about him, permeating the air like rotting flesh. “Mother, please, this is not the time for an intervention,” Merik objected politely.  
He did not know what she was about to say, but he knew he had to stop her. Merik grew hot. The sickly smell of [[Malisik]] blood stank about him, permeating the air like rotting flesh. “Mother, please, this is not the time for an intervention,” Merik objected politely.  


[[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]] and [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] looked to [[Malek Teslek|Malek]] for his reaction. Merik knew they expected a reprimand—even if he was Of-Age. “Merik, where have you been? Have you been off-world?” Malek asked firmly. The color had left his face; sweat dewed on his forehead. Merik saw it with [[Valorîin]] eyes. Malek’s eye twitched for a second; he held his composure. The other elders caught the foul odor of [[Malisik]] blood. It stained Merik’s clothing; it was on his hands but could be mistaken for dried mud.  
[[Džarak Teslek|Džarak]] and [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] looked to [[Malek Teslek|Malek]] for his reaction. Merik knew they expected a reprimand—even if he was Of-Age. “Merik, where have you been? Have you been off-world?” Malek asked firmly. The color had left his face; sweat dewed on his forehead. Merik saw it with [[Valorîin]] eyes. Malek’s eye twitched for a second; he held his composure. The other elders caught the foul odor of [[Malisik]] blood. It stained Merik’s clothing; it was on his hands but could be mistaken for dried mud.  


[[Malek Teslek|Malek]], [[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]], and [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] had all served as warriors in youth and knew the scent. Malek had a cyberware lower leg and right hand, lost to a plasma blaster bolt. Jarak had a cyberware right eye. Svoeldiir had several cyberware fingers and toes.  
[[Malek Teslek|Malek]], [[Džarak Teslek|Džarak]], and [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] had all served as warriors in youth and knew the scent. Malek had a cyberware lower leg and right hand, lost to a plasma blaster bolt. Džarak had a cyberware right eye. Svoeldiir had several cyberware fingers and toes.  


“No, Father—my elders. I have been up north, sating my... thirst. We have a big problem,” Merik said formally. He grew silent. “The Horde is here on [[Ûblâ]],” [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] elaborated. He nodded firmly. “I encountered a scouting party roughly fifteen miles south of the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]]. I had finished hunting when a rift opened in the sky. I would estimate several hundred vessels landed in the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]].”  
“No, Father—my elders. I have been up north, sating my... thirst. We have a big problem,” Merik said formally. He grew silent. “The Horde is here on [[Ûvlâ]],” [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] elaborated. He nodded firmly. “I encountered a scouting party roughly fifteen miles south of the [[Polar Crown (Ûvlâ)|Polar Crown]]. I had finished hunting when a rift opened in the sky. I would estimate several hundred vessels landed in the [[Polar Crown (Ûvlâ)|Polar Crown]].”  


Merik’s hair stood on end. The air was charged with anxiety. The [[Vistrum]] tingled like lightning about to strike. Fear scented the hall. “Were you not able to avoid the scouting party successfully?” [[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]] asked. “Grandfather, you forget, I am [[Shíkû Brotherhood|Shíkû]]. I slaughtered them all,” Merik announced fervently. His elders sighed in a sliver of relief. [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] shook his fist at chest height and grimaced in triumph—both for [[Ûblâ]] and his great-grandson.  
Merik’s hair stood on end. The air was charged with anxiety. The [[Vistrum]] tingled like lightning about to strike. Fear scented the hall. “Were you not able to avoid the scouting party successfully?” [[Džarak Teslek|Džarak]] asked. “Grandfather, you forget, I am [[Shaikû Brotherhood|Shaikû]]. I slaughtered them all,” Merik announced fervently. His elders sighed in a sliver of relief. [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] shook his fist at chest height and grimaced in triumph—both for [[Ûvlâ]] and his great-grandson.  


“We still have time. The [[Malisik]] will be delayed—hopefully for some time. They will wait for the party’s return. We must get word to [[General Commander]] [[Benar Lazrik|Lazrik]] and [[Ig'nar Vîzra|King Ig’nar]] and [[Kîta Vakovich Vîzra|Queen Kîta]],” [[Malek Teslek|Malek]] determined. “I am quite aware of our situation—respectfully, my elders. But I have seen more war than all three of you combined,” Merik interjected, still formal. “But I am tired. I must rest before tomorrow’s journey. I have traveled nearly a fifth of a continent, and it has taken its toll.”  
“We still have time. The [[Malisik]] will be delayed—hopefully for some time. They will wait for the party’s return. We must get word to [[General Commander]] [[Benar Lazrik|Lazrik]] and [[Ig'nar Vîzra|King Ig’nar]] and [[Kîta Vakovich Vîzra|Queen Kîta]],” [[Malek Teslek|Malek]] determined. “I am quite aware of our situation—respectfully, my elders. But I have seen more war than all three of you combined,” Merik interjected, still formal. “But I am tired. I must rest before tomorrow’s journey. I have traveled nearly a fifth of a continent, and it has taken its toll.”  
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[[Din]] is the manipulation of energy from [[Voyd]] and [[Yedistren]] in a manner akin to technology. It is controlled with psionics and the use of the [[First Language (Lethurîa)|First Language]]. [[Din]] is not magic; it is well explained and defined. ''Magic'' generally refers to ancient [[Sherok]] (the Elder Species) rituals, enchantments, runes, sigils, and spells. Many ancient [[Sherok]] artifacts also fall under “magic.”  
[[Din]] is the manipulation of energy from [[Voyd]] and [[Yedistren]] in a manner akin to technology. It is controlled with psionics and the use of the [[First Language (Lethurîa)|First Language]]. [[Din]] is not magic; it is well explained and defined. ''Magic'' generally refers to ancient [[Sherok]] (the Elder Species) rituals, enchantments, runes, sigils, and spells. Many ancient [[Sherok]] artifacts also fall under “magic.”  


“What did you do, Master Teslek? You’re filthy,” [[Anîta]] noted. Merik turned his gaze to his innocent friend. “I slaughtered a scouting party of [[Malisik]] up in the [[Northern Reaches (Ûblâ)|Northern Reaches]]!” “No, Master Teslek! I thought you were done with war!” [[Anîta]] cried. “It… it cannot be… You… You are… serious!”  
“What did you do, Master Teslek? You’re filthy,” [[Anîta]] noted. Merik turned his gaze to his innocent friend. “I slaughtered a scouting party of [[Malisik]] up in the [[Northern Reaches (Ûvlâ)|Northern Reaches]]!” “No, Master Teslek! I thought you were done with war!” [[Anîta]] cried. “It… it cannot be… You… You are… serious!”  


Merik nodded. [[Anîta]]’s orb flashed violently with many colors. Her projection jittered and glitched.  
Merik nodded. [[Anîta]]’s orb flashed violently with many colors. Her projection jittered and glitched.  
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