[ Eptian XXXIX ]

Eptih awoke in a strange place seemingly having been transported by unknown means from where he had collapsed in exhaustion. This place was a strange forest that was covered with ice and snow, all was white and it seemed that color had been exhiled long ago and in this place he found himself alone and bewildered.

Eptih was still exhausted but managed to pick himself up and trudge through the snow looking for any sign of life, he was freezing and hungry. Eptih continued to trudge around not knowing where he was or where he was going unable to find a framiliar landmark until he eventually came to footprints in the snow that gave him hope, that is until he realized that the footprints where his own. Day became night and night lasted long but eventually became day which was shorter then night and still he searched for any sign of life.

When Eptih was at his wits end he screamed out in frustration. His scream echoed and in the mist of the echo was cut off and everthing became silent. When Eptih started to turn his head to look about he became paralyzed and a force took over his body and he floated up slowly as if by the will of the very ether that surrounded him. He could not scream out as is voice was gone and at that moment the Graelim, which he was unframiliar with, appeared before him.

The Graelim surrounded Eptih in a circle and levitating there he was spun round slowly so that he could see each of them but not focus on any one. At this point a deep voice spoke up calling Eptih by his name as if they knew him well. The Graelim told Eptih many things including his father is Velid, they tell him that Velid controls the Spiritforms and that this is the true source of his power, they tell him Rhosrc is his brother and is another component of Velids increasing power. They tell him how his mother was a captive of Velid and that in this fashion he and his brother were conceived. Much is revealed to Eptih regarding the knowledge of Existence, he is also told of the true nature of the Vethrians, that of a race of slaves and that the Colossals are the most powerful beings who have created all. He is told that he himself and his brother are a hybrid race called “Norstilam” and that Ebrel, Velids main ADC is also Norstilam and that many more Norstilam have been created who will seek to destroy the Mortal way of life. He is told of the large numbers of Mortals that are working with the Velidians and how there is so much more going on in Existence then most Mortals realize. They tell him of epic struggles that are underway and how he will play a part in the coming conflagrations.

This and more knowledge was imparted to him and he had many questions, but was still unable to speak. Although the Graelim conveyed a lot of information many things were left out. Many key points that left Eptih with more questions then answers. The Graelim told Eptih to return home and use his new knowledge to attain symmetry, not saying exactly how symmetry might be attained or what symmetry might actually look like in a world that was becoming ever more complicated.

Velid awoke some time later and found himself face down in the snow. He wondered if what had just occurred was in fact a dream or a hallucination brought on by his exhaustion. He was however in the snow and unless he had been sleeping for months he had to have been moved by someone. This led him to believe what he had witnessed did happen.

Confused but feeling his strength returning he set out to return home. He had no idea where he was or which way home was so he decided on a direction which he would hold until he saw a familiar landmark or came upon someone who could tell him where he was. And with that Eptih headed off.

[ Eptian X ]

After the disappearance of Orendun there was a period of time in which the Vethrians were ineffective maintaining order being primarily concerned with their own survival and not that of the Mortals. During this time things became disorganized and the various cities attempted to declare themselves as primary. A few fights broke out between the cities, which could have turned into a great war. It was clear that had the Vethrians not returned to maintain their rule many lives would have been lost and chaos would have reigned supreme.

It was not the first time the Mortals were forced to question whether or not they could truly rely on the protection of the Vethrians. It was at this moment that they decided they would need to assert themselves better in the future, within the structure of Vethrian rule, to maintain their own safety in the future whatever hardship might develop and render the Vethrians ineffectual. This was the moment that Mortal man questioned the Vethrians and all they had achieved and thereby lost his humility.

The Triumvirate had mostly been a benign governing tool of the Vethrians and to the Mortals seemed to work quite well. But as had been shown with the situation proceeding the disappearance of Orendun it was not perfect and so a feeling for the necessity of self-reliance proliferated among the Mortals.

Meanwhile the Mortal population continued to flourish at a rate the Vethrians, even as their creators, had not anticipated which showed the flaw in the reasoning of the Vethrians drive to become equal to the Colossals and their lack of worth when compared to the Colossals.

Some time after the Vethrians had written off the hope of finding Orendun they returned again to the governing of Existence but by now the situation had drastically changed.

The Mortals began to assert themselves suggesting various ways to enter into Vethrian rule. Ideas flowered from a representative council of Mortals to have a say on all new law to allowing a single Mortal to be placed on the Triumvirate. Alas the Vethrians denied all of these options and in the end demanded that the Mortals cease consideration of taking part in Vethrian rule. By their rationale, the Vethrians had created, protected and allowed for the Mortals to flourish beyond what anyone could have fathomed and so where deserving of more respect then they were currently receiving.

As time went on and generations had gone by since the disappearance of Orendun, the Mortal population had grown and grown and all the while the Mortals became increasingly frustrated with the lack of say in their own destiny. A deep anger and resentment began to develop but not only on the Mortals part, the Vethrians became more angry with every arrogant word the Mortals spoke, angered by the seeming insolence of the Mortals and their utter lack of appreciation.

What came next was inevitable.

The Mortal rebellion started in a far off area of Existence fueled by a growing rage that by now had more to do with Mortal pride then any great ideal of self-reliance. The rebellion caused the Vethrians to see the Mortals in a new light, they had never thought that the Mortals could be capable of an outright rebellion and as such lost the affection they had for them. No longer could the Vethrians see the Mortals as their children, now they were competitors, a new opposition to their place in Existence.

The Vethrians sent envoys in order to negotiate an end to the rebellion with the rebels but as negotiations between them commenced other cities started their own insurrections fearing the Mortals who initially started the rebellion were making a special deal with the Vethrians that would give them power over all the other Mortals.

The Vethrians were now forced with a dilemma, either decimate the rebellious Mortals as an example or allow them some form of representation within Vethrian rule. Both options seemed to the Vethrians equally problematic and an invitation to disaster.

[Special note: Decimation, as referred to here, is intended to be the older definition which means the killing of every tenth man, not the indiscriminate slaughter of all souls.]

[ Eptian VI ]

Now secure to thrive the Mortals built up their settlement and took over many of the nearby Sreoth settlements that were now abandoned. They worked hard as the prospect of annihilation can spur on mortal beings to achieve things thought impossible all so that the primal fear felt when facing death might be avoided later as a result of today’s labors. The Mortals had seen how the Sevtolhal, however powerful, were unwilling to risk themselves for the safety of the Mortals and that their existence could only be secured by their own efforts. The Mortals knew they had been given a chance by the Sevtolhal and were keen on taking it and establishing themselves as a power that could not so easily be wiped away like they had in their past.

The Sevtolhal having sacrificed a number of themselves to the Mortal cause decided that they could not afford to lose any more of their numbers and so dedicated themselves to governing the build-up of the Mortals. For the Sevtolhal, a disciplined and capable Mortal race could act as the ultimate buffer from any future conflicts that might arise, especially since the Sreoth were still out there, most likely angry and if given a chance would destroy the Mortals but especially the Sevtolhal. The Sevtolhal decided to further the progress of the Mortals by governing them themselves.

It was at this time, when the Sevtolhal were establishing their rule, that they decided to rid themselves of the name the Colossals had given them “Sevtolhal” and call themselves “Vethrians” as a tribute to the one Colossal who had been their advocate “Vethria”. The Sevtolhal, now called the Vethrians no longer saw themselves as a slave race but a creative race capable of building a new Continuum in Existence that they would rule over with their proxy the Mortals. Although the Vethrians had faced many setbacks in their time, they felt they were on a course destined for success. At minimum they felt their successes would gain them favor with the Colossals of the Seud Pnaoneth who had banished them and possibly a return to the Continuum. But now the Vethrians considered another path, one that would make Existence their own, recast the laws of Existence that now limited them, and directly challenge the Continuum in the future for control of all the realms. But for now they had a seemingly blank canvas that needed to be worked out and so they set about to achieve perfection.

[ Eptian I ]

The Sevtolhal fell to existence having been cast down by Aeyrom and the Seud Pnaoneth. Their new world, a lowly place, was to them the worst punishment they could have received and they fostered many deigns of an eventual return to the Continuum. However the Sevtolhal were now mortal in this new world and as such could have their physical body killed releasing their spirit which would be dammed to roam Existence forever, as had been the decree of the Seud Pnaoneth and ultimately the design of Aeyrom.

With the fear of being dammed to remain in Existence forever the majority of them were quite cautious and so the Sevtolhal debated amongst themselves, endlessly discussing their options. Some felt they should hide in order to cheat death and damnation but others felt they should use their power to control their new surroundings and thereby avoid death, more so at least than by cowering and hoping not to be killed.

One unknown that thwarted any quick decision was that they did not know what power they had in this new place and if they did have power how would it or could it be put to use to affect the inhabitants. As creators of the Mortals they expected to be able to rule over them but as for the aboriginals they were not as sure. Any action against these aboriginals could be a disaster if their strength proved too weak to force them to submit to their rule and if they overpowered the Sevtolhal.

In the end however it was decided that the only real option was to confront their new surroundings head on, to establish their power as the supreme power of existence and to build Existence into a great world, one that could nearly rival the Continuum. The Colossals would marvel at their work and then allow them to ascend to the Continuum once more and in positions of honor for what they had accomplished.

They decided to split their numbers into three parts and to leave two thirds behind so that if their strength was to weak to establish dominance all would not be killed. The one third that was the vanguard would risk everything for the sake of the others, and if success seemed likely they could call upon another third of their numbers and still have the remaining third in the rear capable of moving forward or back as the situation demanded. Their plans rested on the success of the first third and if they were victorious they would be honored however if they were defeated they would be damned to roam Existence forever in spiritform.

[ Colossus VI ]

There was relative peace during this time and only a few of the various factions challenged the authority of the Seud Pnaoneth, those rebel factions however were put down quickly and without pity.

It was also during this time that Vethria was secretly meeting with the Sevtolhal teaching them why they been created and what power they could develop. Vethria was always trying to show the Sevtohal their true power, make them aware of their capabilities and incite them to assume a higher position within the Continuum with the intention of counteracting their docile nature and creating within them a desire for power and action.

The Sevtohal were worked hard as slaves and were treated harsher. They had no rest from their misery and yet slowly began to understand their capabilities although they lacked the vigor to do anything on their own. The Sevtolhal had been created to follow orders and so taking the initiative was not in their nature but Vethria continued here secret work nonetheless.

At about this time a member of the Seud Pnaoneth named “Iantiam ” led a union of banished Colossals and attempted a small coup that quickly got out of hand. As Iantiam and his rebels attacked other Colossal factions from the Periphery began to join in so a small rebellion that should have been put down quickly grew into the biggest and most dangerous rebellion yet. Because of the surprise nature of the attack and the fact that insiders were part of it, the Seud Pnaoneth was caught off guard and much damage was done. It began to look as though the Seud Pnaoneth might be destroyed and although at first the few Seud Pnaoneth held off the attack the amount of exiles joining the fight and the destruction from within began to break down the Seud Pnaoneth defenses. Once destruction seemed inevitable some members of the Seud Pnaoneth changed sides hoping to be with the victorious side in the end.

The Seud Pnaoneth, as a last resort and once again on the suggestion of Vethria decided to enlist the help of the Sevtohal, making them soldiers and in order to keep their loyalty, offered them their freedom if the Seud Pnaoneth should be victorious. Aeyrom was opposed to this option but put up little resistance when it went before the Seud Pnaoneth as he knew the options were limited and that causing needless aggravation at that time may have caused the Seud Pnaoneth to perish.

The Sevtohal took the offer and fought along side the Seud Pnaoneth and eventually the tide was turned. The Seud Pnaoneth began to be victorious and in failure the various factions resorted again arguing and fighting with each other. There was dissension among the exiles and support for the rebellion from the periphery ended. And so the Seud Pnaoneth again managed to survive certain destruction.

After the war only 13 Seud Pnaoneth remained and these hunkered down to keep control over the Continuum from their new weakened position and so with victory came a tenuous position.

> Colossus VII

[ Colossus V ]

It was just after the creation of the Sevtolhal that large numbers of the Exiled Colossals, angry with the Seud Pnaoneth for banishing them and unwilling to submit to their rule, joined together in a weak confederation to destroy the Seud Pnaoneth. At first it looked bleak for the Seud Pnaoneth but Aeyrom was strong and ruthless in his protection of it. What was most responsible for th victory of the Seud Pnaoneth was infighting of the various coalition factions. This weak confederation eventually began to fight amongst itself diminishing its efforts to destroy the Seud Pnaoneth. Aeyrom knew he had escaped ruin by a thin margin and that had the factions not weakened and split the Seud Pnaoneth would have been destroyed. Because of this Aeyrom feared all the Colossals combined power and thus became more paranoid of their possible reconcilement.

Vethria, during the bleakest part of this rebellion, had argued that arming the Sevtolhal so as to create warriors of them would ensure the victory of the Seud Pnaoneth. Aeyrom however continually rejected the idea, even when it seemed the Seud Pnaoneths days may have been near an end. Aeyrom began to suspect Vethrias intentions at this time but decided to ignore for the present what seemed inconclusive awaiting evidence that could not be denied in the future whether it be what he suspected or not.

One thing though was certain, the hope that Aeyrom had that many of the Exiled Colossals would come over to his side proved to be unrealistic and that the Exiles combined force was still to be feared. So Aeyrom sewed discord among them as his best means of ruling over them. As for the Sevtolhal, Aeyrom began to despise them and realized just how big a threat they could be. Aeyroms’ fears were partially assuaged though knowing that he had illegally designed them to be docile and disciplined. That Vethria and some of the other Colossals felt they could be turned into a warrior class troubled him and made him wonder just what attributes the Sevtolhal had that may eventually overcome what he had designed into them. Not to mention that their purpose as a slave race to serve the Colossals of the Seud Pnaoneth and the harmony this provided for seemed directly related to them not being warlike.

After the war the Seud Pnaoneth consolidated its power and reorganized the Continuum as had never been done, always attempting to bring to the Seud Pnaoneth some of the various factions an in turn increase their power.

Aeyroms many fears multiplied and his aggression was taken out against the Sevtolhal. He was now even more suspicious of them and the possibility that they might be co-opted by the exiles and turned against the Seud Pnaoneth. He watched them closely and saw their capabilities increasing as they had been designed to learn and implement that knowledge. Aeyrom saw Vethria continually advocating for them and demanding better treatment of them all the while himself dictating that the Seud Pnaoneth demand more and more from them, with worse and worse treatment. He employed them to build massive structures and infrastructure to keep them busy and so the Continuum was rebuilt torn down and rebuilt over and over.

> Colossus VI