Durpin’s Book of Lessons and Histories

Copyright Tartsongs, Ltd.



For an introduction to these works, please see Durpin’s Book of Songs and Poems, which can be found elsewhere in this library.



Submitted in Honor,



Elaerina Cragsinger

Scribe, House Daingneach Onoir





Lessons


A Squire’s Lesson About Honor


Durpin rummages thru his pack until he finds a small troll-skin leather book. Although intricately tooled, the book does not look magical.



Durpin says, "This is a copy of the Codes written at the Paladins Retreat."



Durpin opens the book and turns past the first few pages.



Durpin begins to read from the small troll-skin leather tome.



Durpin recites:



"The Code of Honor"



"To be an honorable person is not just to do the right thing,

nor simply to give moral considerations a central place in our lives.

It is also to want to be known and trusted by others

- especially by other honorable people - as this sort of person.

And honorable people will go to great lengths to maintain

these bonds of trust or to re-establish them when they are broken. "



"To be honorable is to affirm the importance of moral considerations

both in one's own life and conduct and in the life of the community to which

we belong.

Without the latter we may have many saints and much good behavior, but we

do not have honor."



Durpin says, "Let me know when that soaks in."



Durpin says, "Well Squire, Lets get started. Let me get thru this first lesson before we start to discuss it."



Durpin recites:



"The first lesson will be concerning Honor.

There are two fundamental things to know about Honor.

1) Honor is a relational charactistic

2) Honor is keepings ones commitments, to your God, your fellow man, and to lesser extent, to yourself. This is trust and integrity."



Durpin recites:



"Squire, you are starting a commitment to learn about Honor.

You are making this commitment to yourself, but also to me.

I, to be as good a teacher as I can be

and you, to be as good a learner as you can be"



Durpin says, "As you learn about Honor and Chivalry, you will constantly be comparing yourself to these codes of honor."



Durpin says, "This self-examination is very good, benificial, and VERY painful. ."

Durpin says, "Now, understand that we do not affirm that we are pure in this house. In fact, we learn that we are not."



Durpin says, "We affirm that we are pursuing Honor, but Honor is a direction that we travel, not a destination we have already arrived at."



Durpin says, "This is the most painful realization you will survive, a terrible initiation."



Durpin says, "It takes courage to face ones failings, and more is needed continued."



Durpin says, "You will hear whispered into your ear, "You are not worthy to serve in this house. You dishonor the house by your presence. You must resign."."



Durpin says, "This is a dark lie sent to you by a great deceiver. The Dark Ones WANT you to fail."



Durpin says, "Turning from this house is turning from a group of friends who want you to be the best you can ever become. ."



Durpin says, "Your commitment to this house is a commitment towards learning, changing, and serving, all towards the goal of Honor."



Durpin says, "This requires that you listen openly to critism, even when harshly given, to understand the possible error of your way."



Durpin says, "And then to attempt to change."



Durpin says, "Never, Never, Never believe the lie that you will advance the cause of Honor by leaving the house."



Durpin asks, "Now Squire, Why do you think the desire to leave the house is strongest, right after we fail, or become disgraced? And what does that tell you about the basis of that desire?"



Durpin says, "Ok Squire, This part of the lesson is mostly question and answer. Respond quickly, then reflect on your answer. Reconsider your answer, if you like."

[S]>rec Lets repeat the two fundamental things to know about Honor.; 1) Honor is a relational charactistic; 2) Honor is keepings ones commitments, to your God, your fellow man, and to lesser extent, to yourself. This is trust and integrity.



Durpin recites:



"Lets repeat the two fundamental things to know about Honor.

1) Honor is a relational charactistic

2) Honor is keepings ones commitments, to your God, your fellow man, and to lesser extent, to yourself. This is trust and integrity."



Durpin asks, "Would you like to hear the Codes of Honor again?"



Durpin then followed this talk with a quiz:



'A Hermit can not earn honor because he is..... What?



Durpin asks, "A Hermit can not earn honor because he is..... What?"



Durpin asks, "Why does isolation hinder honor?"



Durpin asks, "What is the relationship between trust and honor?"



Durpin asks, "How would you earn the trust of another?"



Durpin asks, "After trust is broken, is trust restored simply after forgiveness is offered?"

Durpin asks, "How would you repair a trust broken with another?"























Histories


A History Lesson


(Elaerina’s note: This was written long before the way to the Elven Empire, and its libraries, became open to us)



Durpin recites:



"The history of the lands known as Elanthia is dominated by the

Struggle between the two animating powers in the land. Life, the

Natural animating force to which all of us belong, is one side of this

Over arching struggle."



Durpin recites:



"Unlife, that force which animates all the Undead, forms the other

Side of this struggle. As each of us are born, we enter this struggle

As Life. We are not required to serve Life however. "



Durpin recites:



"Individuals have served Life, Unlife, Good, Evil, Arkati, Honor,

Nation, Race, Creed, Their personal passions, and the list goes on.

Still, in the context of the one great struggle between Life and

Unlife, none of our lives will ever rise above the status of a Pawn. "



Durpin recites:



"Life, from all research, has always existed on Elanthia. Traditions of

The earliest days say there were Drakes who ruled the lands,

Assisted by the Arkati. The Arkati showed interest in the Mortals,

Who were the Giants, Elves, Humans and Dwarves. "



Durpin recites:



"Hobbits probably existed then also, but like bears, squirrels, orcs,

Trolls, insects, and other less important creatures, their existence can

Only be inferred."



Durpin smiles and says "Hobbits, Halflings, what's in a name, eh?"

.

Durpin says, "You can call me a Halfling when Giants are called Doublings."



Durpin smiles looking for questions.



Durpin recites:



"Unlife came into Elanthia from an outside source. Tradition points

To a portal being opened 100,000 to 150,000 years ago. Through

This portal, door, or rift came Unlife, and it entered Elanthia in its

Most powerful form, the Ur-Daemons. "



Durpin recites:



"It is believed that Anti-manna also entered with the Ur-Daemons.

The Drakes and Arkati battled the Ur-Daemons and defeated them

After centuries of battle, finally closing the portal thru which they

Entered the lands. The cost was staggering. "



Durpin recites:



"There are no undisputed activity of drakes recorded in history after

This time. All the Drakes were lost. The Arkati suddenly found

Themselves the rulers of the lands, but found themselves

Responsible for it also."



Durpin recites:



"At this time Magic is said to come the lower races, that is, us.

Because of this coincidence in time, some think that Magic is a by-

Product of the Ur-Daemon invasion and is of Unlife, but most

Believe that magic is natural and of Life. "



Durpin recites:



"These believe that the Drakes had kept the lands magic powers for

Themselves (and Arkati), but since the loss of the Drakes, magic

Has flowed out to any able to use it."



(Durpin glances up from his scroll, looking for questions.)



Durpin recites:



"For the next 50,000 years the Arkati wrestled with, but did not battle

With each other over areas of their interest.

For example Lorminstra and Luukos over mortal death,

Kai and V'tull over the martial Arts

Koar and Eorgina over leadership. "



Durpin recites:



"During this time, the Arkati settled into two loosely organized

Camps. The Lords who aligned with Koar were associated with the

Moon Liabo, and those who aligned with Eorgina, became

Associated with the moon Lornon. "



Durpin recites:



"Some believe the difference between Liabo and Lornon is simply

Good and bad, dark and light, but I do not believe it is so simple.

The Lords of Liabo appear to oppose and/or refuse the power of

Unlife which remains in Elanthia. "



Durpin recites:



"The Lords of Lornon appear willing to use what power of Unlife

Remains, however and whenever it suits their purpose."



(Durpin somberly waits for this important concept to sink in.)



Durpin recites:



"The next 30 centuries is called the Second Age, or age of the Elves.

Whether the Elves were best able to learn from Arkati, or better able

To learn and harness the new magic available to them it is not

Known. "



Durpin scratches his ear.



Durpin recites:



"In any case, from 50,000 to 20,000 years ago, the Elves were the

Dominate race in the lands. The large Elven empire was made up of

Seven Houses

Ta'Faendryl, Ta'Vaalor, Ta'Nalfein, Ta'Ardenai,

Ta'Ashrim, Ta'Loenthra and Ta'Illistim. "



Durpin recites:



"During this time, the Black Wolves were an element of human

Resistance against the empire. The Elves were characterized by their

Racial arrogance. Compared to the struggles with the Unlife which

Comes before and after this period, The Second Age was a good

Time to be alive in Elanth, especially so if you were an Elf."



Durpin asks, "Any questions before we start into Despana? Does anyone need to take a break?"



Durpin recites:



"Despana entered history some 20,000 years ago. It is thought she

Came from the southern jungles, but just who or what she truly was

Remains unclear. Through Despana, Unlife's influence in Elanthia grew. "



Durpin recites:



"Despana created the first of the Undead using the power of the

Unlife, of the Ur-Daemons which she had found. Her army of

Undead attacked the Elven Empire and would have been victorious,

Were it not for the dark arcane magic of the Faendryl. "



Durpin recites:



"The Faendryl opened a void which swallowed up the tower that

Despana took refuge in, thus ending the war."



Durpin sighs.



Durpin shakes his head.



Durpin recites:



"Although victorious, the war calcified age old irritations between the

Elves. The new powers of the Faendryl created fear and mistrust

Among and between the other Elves. The Elves could no longer

Unite into a single Empire, and soon the Empire collapsed."



Durpin recites:



"Despana is the first recorded example of a mortal accessing the

Power of Unlife for their own purposes. It is assumed that the

Faendryl also used the power of the Unlife to mount their final

Attack on Despana. "



Durpin recites:



"This influence on the Faendryl caused the other Elves to shun the

Faendryl. They took to the dark places, and to the Jungles. They

Began to call themselves the Dhe'nar. Their separation, and

Possibly other influences, created a distinct Elven sub-race,

now known as Dark Elves."



Durpin recites:



"The Age of Chaos (20,000 to 5,000 years ago) is characterized by

Two trends. The increased racial diversity of the lands in the wake

Of the collapse of Elven Empire was the most positive trend of the

Age of Chaos. "



Durpin idly scratches his nose.



Durpin recites:



"All societies from Kobold to Giantkin grew to fill the lands where

The Elven Empire retreated. Society and cultures were able to

Flourish all over Elanthia. Elanthia changed from a well cultured

Elven garden to one randomly overflowing with all kinds of plants,

Flowers, vegetables, weeds, and tragically also with disease."



Durpin leanw to his left.



Durpin recites:



"The Disease is the rise of Cults to the Unlife, the other trend that

Characterizes the Age of Chaos. Despana and the Dhe'nar Empire

Established that power could be easily tapped through the use of the

Unlife. "



Durpin recites:



"Groups of power hungry individuals followed in those paths and

Banded together for fellowship and protection. They formed

Various cults throughout the lands. "



Durpin recites:



"These groups flourished in this Chaotic Age, but the true cost and

Nature of these cults are often not realized until it is too late.

One such Cult to Gosaena was headed by a talented

Mage named Bandur. "



Durpin fidgets.



Durpin recites:



"This cult defiles the lands near Wehnimers Landing to this day.

Bandur built a Graveyard to house his brother, whom he killed in

His madness. Soon after a Crypt was added and a gated wall to

Keep others out. "



Durpin recites:



"Here he hid away his secrets books and manuscripts, and many also

Believe here is where he surrendered himself to the Unlife. Many

Years later Wehnimers Landing was built just north east of this cemetery."



Durpin recites:



"Recent History really only differs from the Age of Chaos in that

It is recent, and we know much more about it. "



Durpin recites:



"The Human Turamzzyrian Empire was established and has been

Growing steadily for a few centuries now. A few hundred years ago a

Trading post was established called Wehnimers Landing north of

This Human empire. "



Durpin recites:



"Today

Solhaven is on the northern edge of the Turamzzyrian Empire, and

Rivers Rest is near the heart of the Empire. "



Durpin recites:



"To the East and over the Dragonspine Mountains, the Elven houses

Still hold sway, but there is much not in their control. At the

Southern base of the continent is the remains of the Dhe'nar Empire,

The home of the Dark Elves."



Durpin beams!



Durpin says, "This is the end of my lecture for today. ."



Durpin bows.





The History of the House of Rising Phoenix and the Council of Light



Durpin recites:



"In the Lands of Elanthia two opposing forces, Life and Unlife, struggle for

Dominance. Life is the original creative force in Elanthia. Unlife entered

The Lands hundreds of thousands of years ago, beginning with the

Ur-Daemons. Unlife seeks to destroy that which is Life."



Durpin recites:



"Some of these battles are massive in scope and importance lasting hundreds

Of centuries, such as the battles between the Drakes and the Ur-Daemons.

Some of these battles are trivial, lasting only a few minutes, such as when

One friend turns another from accepting quick gain at the cost of serving

And advancing the Unlife."



Durpin recites:



"The History of the House of the Rising Phoenix occurs within the context

Of this struggle between Life and Unlife. Rising Phoenix was established

To oppose Unlife, specifically it's local manifestation the Cult of Gosaena,

An old cult of Unlife, now masquerading as the Council of Light."



Durpin recites:



"The Council of Light's history starts long before Phoenix, and before the

Founding of Wehnimers Landing with Bandur Etrevion and his Cult of

Gosaena, Empress of Lornon."



Durpin recites:



"In exchange for Power, Bandur pledged to serve Unlife through the Lornon

Empress Gosaena. This practice was common during the Age of Chaos

(allowing Unlife a presence or channel in nearly every village through out

Elanthia.) Unlife provided power to Bandar, but also planted decay. It

Slowly drove him mad. "



Durpin recites:



"In one fit of madness he slew his brother, Kestrel, whom he dearly loved.

In his remorse, the truth of what he had become became clear to Bandur.

With his last lucid efforts, He built a graveyard, or Necropolis, to house

His brothers body, his research, tomes, and items of power, and finally

Himself. "



Durpin recites:



"The gated walls were built to protect the lands from the decay of Unlife

Which now permeated Bandur, and all that he had become. This Graveyard

Is located south west of Wehnimers Landing. It predates the Landing."



Durpin recites:



"The Wayside Inn was built some 200 years ago. A market place sprang up

South of it. The market, including a river dock with easy access to

Darkstone Bay, became so successful (wealthy) that walls for protection

Were built and a government established to fund the marketplace's

Protection. "



Durpin recites:



"At some time during these events, the market became Wehnimers Landing.

The Graveyard was on the other side of the river, hidden in a thick grove of

Trees a short distance south of dock."



Durpin recites:



"The Graveyard had been ignored for many decades, centuries perhaps. One

Evening a calm hooded figure entered the graveyard, possibly the first

Mortal to do so since Bandur surrendered to the Unlife there. "



Durpin recites:



"He revived the Cult of Gosaena, gathered together the Cults descendants

From the time of Bandur, and brought the Cult within the Walls of the

Landing. "



Durpin recites:



"In order to hide its true nature, the Dark Master wrapped the Cult in a lie.

The Dark Master created the secretive Council of Light. The Cult offers the

Same bargain with Unlife that has been so successful for eons, i.e., power

With little effort in exchange for the slow eventual destruction of life, spirit,

And soul. The Cult was very successful."



Durpin recites:



"In the Landing, a woman named Kasel was speaking out against the Unlife

And the Organization known as the Circle of Light. Wisraith Winterwind

Overheard Kasel, and took the cause as her own, She had encounters with

Unlife before, encounters which both frightened and encouraged her in her

Plans against the Council, and therefor, against Unlife."



Durpin recites:



"Wisraith Winterwind, Lythe L'Green, FxG Lyons, Riverwind, and Eillie

Were the first to band together to take action against the Unlife. Their first

Actions were at once highly successful and a complete failure. These

Infiltrated the Council chambers."



Durpin recites:



"They managed to slay The Grand Taskmaster, The Master of Services, The

Master of Gifts, The Grand Inquisitor and even the Grand Poobah. This

Success however resulted in an unholy restoration of the five members in a

Manner which prevents any future harm from coming to them."



Durpin recites:



"Lady Wisraith realized the folly of their attempt, and looked for other ways

To confront the Unlife. The House of the Rising Phoenix was founded to

Oppose Unlife, specifically its local manifestation, the Council of Light. "



Durpin recites:



"Knowledge and Honor are the weapons chosen by the House to combat

Unlife. Phoenix is the first house recognized and established as an Official

House of Elanthia."



Durpin recites:



"Lythe L'Green, however, chose another path to oppose the Unlife. He

Succumbed to the madness of destruction, and would not be turned. Lythe

Confronted and killed every follower of the council he could identify. "



Durpin recites:



"In doing so, he unwittingly advanced the cause of Unlife, sending souls

Into the Unlife in numbers even the Unlife had not expected. He soon paid

The price required of those who advance the cause of Unlife. Lythe

Increased in his madness as the Unlife tormented his soul. "



Durpin recites:



"Expelled from House Phoenix, receiving only hatred or pity from his

Friends, Lythe succumbed to the Unlife. He died in great agony as the

Unlife meticulously disemboweled his soul."



Durpin shudders.



Durpin recites:



"The House of the Rising Phoenix continues to strengthen and educate the

Citizens of Western Elanth, preparing them to face the deception of the

Unlife and its puppet Council of Light with Knowledge and Honor. "



Durpin recites:



"With these two weapons, Phoenix is prevailing over Unlife in small but

Meaningful ways, helping many to escape, and preventing many more from

Starting down the dark path. Phoenix presently has well over 2,000

Members."



Durpin says, "That is the end of this lecture. Thank you for you attention."