First-Flames

The First-Flames were the first deities chosen by their siblings in Yedistren to lead the unfallen spirits before mortality. As the first to take mortal vessels, they became the Elder Sherok, wielding near-divine power as lawgivers, guardians, and enforcers of divine will under the command of The Mother and The Father.

Their leadership established the Golden Age, a time of prosperity for the Free Species. However, their rule—originally a benevolent dictatorship—became flawed, breeding resentment among the High Valorèin, leading to rebellion, the fall of the Sherok Empire, and their self-imposed exile. Their most infamous act was the Cursing of the High Valorèin, a deed they would later deeply regret.

After the defeat of Malismorai, the First-Flames purified the Valorèin and ultimately chose to transcend. Before their ascension, they performed their final miracle—the resurrection of Merik Teslek, the Chosen Hero.

The True First War & The Rise of the First-Flames

Before mortality, Yedistren was ravaged by the True First War, a battle between the unfallen spirits and the forces of Malis, who had already become corrupted. This was not a war of flesh, but of spirit against spirit, with soul-destruction just as horrific as any physical war.

The First-Flames rose as Grand Generals, leading the unfallen spirits against Malis and his loyal Malisik. Their wisdom, strategy, and self-sacrifice secured victory, making them the natural leaders of the unfallen.

When the war ended, the Mother and Father decreed that the First-Flames would lead the Free Species in mortality. However, not all spirits agreed.

Opposition from the Sebuuk & Malisik

Many spirits, particularly the Sebuuk and Malisik, rejected their rule, calling them "warriors of peace" rather than conquerors.
When the ruling vote was cast, Deviant factions splintered off, led by Elidrèel, who would later become Malis.

This division planted the first seeds of rebellion long before the First-Flames ever ruled.

The Great Decision - Accepting Mortality

All spirits were eager to take mortal vessels, but none more than the First-Flames.
Unlike others, the First-Flames created their own bodies, which allowed them to:
- Retain divine memory upon entering the world.
- Sacrifice full divinity but retain power to enact the will of the Mother and Father.
- Avoid the Veil of Mortality, which stripped most deities of divine power.

The Golden Age of the First-Flames

The First-Flames ruled through the Council of the First Hundred, a benevolent dictatorship. However, their rule, though wise, became oppressive over time.

The High Sherok & Their Decadence

The High Sherok, the First-Flames’ chosen heirs, expected to inherit rule upon their ascension. But because the First-Flames were functionally immortal, succession never came.

This led to:

The High Sherok descending into hedonism and indulgence.
Apathy towards the ordinary Sherok, whom they considered beneath them.
Neglecting the rising power of the High Valorèin, allowing resentment to fester.

The Laws of the First-Flames

The First-Flames' Sacred Mandate was intended to preserve order, but some laws bred unrest:

Thou Shalt Not Murder
Thou Shalt Not Steal
Thou Shall Respect Thy Parents
Thou Shalt Not Consume Alcohol
Thou Shalt Not Indulge in the Pleasures of the Flesh
Thou Shall Cleave Unto Thy Mate and No Other
Thou Shall Take a Mate by Adulthood and No Later
Thou Shalt Not Lie
Thou Shall Sing the Praise of the Council Every Dawn and Dusk
Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
Thou Shalt Not Copulate Without the Intention of Begetting a Child
Thou Shalt Not Perform Copulation in any Position Not Approved by the Council
Thou Shalt Not Commit Sodomy
Thou Shalt Not Curse
Thou Shalt Not Utter Against the Council

The Fall of the First-Flames & The High Valorèin Rebellion

Tensions exploded when Malismorai—once a trusted figure—was exiled for attempting to reopen the sealed Black Hole to Gozog’nok. He corrupted the Queen of the High Valorèin, whose Lifemate, King Azlen, had been executed for dissent.

The Purging of the Sherok & The Fall of the Crystal Citadel

The High Valorèin, under Queen Onarèa, stormed the Crystal Citadel, burning it to the ground.
Sherok cities were purged, millions slaughtered.
The First-Flames, for the first time, were powerless to stop the onslaught.

The Cursing of the High Valorèin

In desperation, the First-Flames uttered a forbidden Eldritch incantation, cursing the High Valorèin:

Many succumbed to Rampancy, losing their minds.
The rest descended into slow madness.
Only Lifemates, young adults, and children were spared.

The Resurrection of Merik Teslek

As their final act, the First-Flames performed a miracle:

They lifted the Curse of the High Valorèin, transforming them into the Neo Valorèin.
They resurrected Merik Teslek, the Chosen Hero.

Their voices, now eternal whispers in the cosmos, left behind only a single message: "Lead with wisdom, not dominion. Serve with humility, not pride. Remember us not as rulers, but as those who sought redemption." Lerèan Muldûr, First-Flame

And with that, the First-Flames were no more.

Legacy

The First-Flames' legacy is one of triumph, tragedy, and redemption. Though their rule led to rebellion, their atonement ensured the survival of the Free Species.

They were not perfect gods, but flawed deities who learned from their failures.

And in the end, they left behind a Universe stronger than the one they had ruled.