Collected Lore of the Astyan People

[Tee]

The following are part of a series of books written by historian Agathe Croncelle, and donated freely to the Osronan and Therian libraries. They give an interesting depiction of the historic Astyan people, after extensive studies by the author in numerous ruins and historical landmarks.

Of particular interest to many historians - and other certain types of reader - are well-documented details included in each volume of the original scripts in question, including full sketches of once-powerful Astyan runes that typically surrounded the sites.

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'Time Before Time', scripture on Moonfall ruins, est. 301AC

In the beginning came the Creator; who among mortals is known as Kraus, who came from fire and ruin into nothing. With the Creator came the Divine Ones, and their coming created upon their new world a great and mighty energy.

The shaping of all life began with spark, seed, and stream. From chaos; order, and from order; further chaos, forever entangled in the lifeblood and beating heart of our world, and the relentless flow of Time.

It is written that the first of us took shape in this age, when the Divines laboured and toiled and then watched the growth of the new world's creations. The first of us explored this world with awe and wonder, and grew prosperous and strong through the teachings of the Angelic Host*, and the Children of the Divine.

So was born the Infinite Kingdom*, through Knowledge and Compassion, Creativity and Energy, Curiosity and Power for the betterment of all. So was born the Kingdom of Astya.

* 'Infinite Kingdom' has many translations in Astyan; generally most were an attempt to remind everyone of their ancient lineage.
* 'Angelic Host' is often translated several ways due to the word in question being similar to others in the original Astyan and time having taken its toll on existing writing. A secondary translation reads 'Divine Elders'.


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Last Address to the People of Astya, Regent Aurea Petrakis*, c. 282-3AC



People of Astya.

Grim days are upon us. It is true that our ancient enemy, Mordred the Perfect, has returned to our lands. No doubt you have seen the huddled refugees, and worried over the massing reserves of soldiers and Archmagi.

I am here today to reassure my Kingdom that there is nothing to fear. Indeed, it is this fear that Mordred uses against us, dividing our strength. Take heart! We have endured for millenia and we will continue to do so after this crisis has been dealt with. Even now, our most powerful Archmagi begin the necessary rituals to deal with Mordred before the threat reaches us.

While it is true that our armies have suffered against the forces of Mordred, we remain strong and vigilant. Our runesmiths are working tirelessly to ensure every soldier is protected against the Occultic arts; our artificer-magi have developed powerful new variants of our standard battle armor; the barriers and wards protecting our cities remain fully powered.

To those fighting for our very survival, what more can be said about your bravery and selflessness? The Legions*, the Scout Forces*, the (untranslated)? The very world trembles at the coming of Mordred, but the warriors of Astya remain defiant.

So draw your blade! Empower your armor! Know that while your heart still beats, the very lifepulse of Eternia itself flows in your veins. You are the Children of the Creator!

Astya Eternal!




* Note: The original speaker of this speech is in dispute; both an Aurea and a Petrakis were certainly present at the time, but no documentation exists for such a regent despite the wording being accurate.
* 'Legions' is the closest modern approximation to the original Astyan word, which was a generalized term for soldiers with subtle differences between command structure.
* 'Scout Forces' is sometimes mistranslated in other writing as 'Rangers'. This is inaccurate; the Astyan word for Ranger meant more of a nature Mage than a military combatant.



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Dirge of the Thirteenth, Pre-Osronan Military Ruins, c. 293AC

Farewell fellow warrior, a long and sad farewell ;
to thee, to thee, eternal light and life;
gone, not forgotten, amid the ghosts of Hel ;
(Last stanza missing)


* Note: Of interest is mainly the reference to Helheim, which did not appear in the modern pretext at all in earlier pre-Essharan writing.  It's possible there's a more archaic term the Astyans used for it that has not yet been translated correctly.
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Rear Leaflet: The Original Author, Agathe Croncelle, Known Roustabout and Weirdo. Whereabouts Unknown.