Empire Spotlight: Ancient Ruins of the Courtlands
An Investigation Into Pre-Third Arrival Literatures and Ancient Weaving Practices
The archeologist straightened and wiped the sweat from their brow. The bright sunlight filtered through the canopy, sending dappled spots of light dancing through the undergrowth. They stood amongst yet another ruin of the old empire - tumbling moss covered stones, remnants of small structures and once well-kept gardens, and the odd smattering of relics in various states of disrepair. This particular team had explored many of these ruins, and while the work was rewarding in its own right, they found themselves wanting for more intriguing discoveries.
Clicking their tongue dismissively, they tossed the utensil they were holding aside; despite its elegance, they’d already found multiple instances of such relics and they really couldn’t be damned cataloguing another one. A shout caught their ear from further within the ruins. One of their team had found something; and from the sounds of their excited calls, something fascinating. The archeologist sprinted towards their cries.
The team stepped one by one into the vine-covered remains of a small building. The overgrowth snaked through various cracks and gaps, holding the stones together. Inside, a strange scene was preserved - a raised podium stood in the centre of a circular room, seats set along the outside, appearing as though grown from the very floor. The floor was a strange mix of polished stone and a hard, preserved wood, arranged in a diamond pattern of interconnected squares. Gemstones stood embedded at the intersections of the lines, their purpose and pattern unclear. Some points had only one gemstone, while other points had multiple gems of differing hues.
On the podium sat a book - bound in bark, and completely devoid of the dust that had settled throughout the rest of the room. The archeologist brushed the fingers lightly across the spine. It was surprisingly supple, despite its rough texture, and gentle prodding at the bindings showed they were still sturdy. The archeologist flipped it open, drawing gasps and groans from their team. The archeologist ignored them, immediately enraptured by the writings within the tome.
The tome was written in a strange language - it resembled the language more commonly found throughout ruins in the Courtlands, but seemed more archaic. Perhaps an early dialect? Only further study could determine for certain, but the archaeologist continued to leaf through the book. The pages were smooth and strong, made from a strange paper with a slightly green hue. A small part of the archaeologist marvelled at this - the earliest known paper existed with the Dwarves of Zahargund, but this may predate even that. And despite these little wonders, the archaeologist found even greater secrets inside.
Ignis
“Fire of a brightness pure and simple make,
The warmth that holds us all in its embrace,
That thaws the icy grip of that which take,
And leaves behind but coal to mark its place.
Fire of light illuminates our dark woes,
Shines its gaze through the lies and pains so stark,
Forces the shadows into dying throes,
And grants to us the power over dark.
Fire that we grow with passion brought to bear,
That heightens all of us who draw so near,
Encroaching on all those who seek to care,
And calling all who wish to banish fear.
Ignis, the warmth and light that fills the land,
Heighten our cries, enrich at our command”
Aqua
“Water streaming throughout our verdant land,
Bringing to all your beauty and your life,
Growth begins with you and by your command,
Send away the spirits causing our strife.
Water, the source of health amongst us all,
You flow within our veins, our hearts, our mind,
Whether it be the streams or storms or falls,
To all of us you’re merciful and kind.
Water, dampen worries, grant us your ease,
Halt the raging storm that dwells within all,
Nurture us like the grasses, shrubs and trees,
That with your care all who you grace stand tall.
Aqua, of life and health throughout our land,
Allow the grace to dampen by your hand”
Terra
“Earth, stability of the land we walk,
Allow us to draw forth your strength ourselves,
To travel wide, before no challenge baulk,
Be steadfast into lands we delve.
Earth, the patient ground upon which we tread,
Mighty in your wisdom that we should wait,
Afore our rush leads us to be out-bled,
Arrogance you caution us to abate.
Earth that constricts, temper our grand release,
Ensure our magics stay within our grasp,
For constraint leads to ever lasting peace,
And keeps ambition well within our grasp.
Terra, of the earth, patient, stable, strong,
Constrict our hubris as we sing this song.
Ventis
“Wind that sweeps, ever free, endless and hale,
Your exhilaration abounds within,
Careless of if the sky and sea are seen pale,
Knowless of where you shall end or begin.
Wind of joy, bring to us the bright new day,
Carry laughter in your arms as you blow,
Upon your wings we rise from saddened clay,
And as you scatter seeds, from which we grow.
Wind, release our burdens with your zephyr,
Take them all far from here and set them free,
To you, the breeze, we follow and defer,
And follow along so that we can see.
Ventis, winds exhilarant and joyous,
Release our binds and magic as aegis.”
Ferrus
“Metal, torn earth and forged uncanny strength,
Attack and defend alight in your soul,
Shaped anew, changing, formed to any length,
Many shapes, separate but always whole.
Metal, made only by a skill unbound,
It needs it, and thus it creates it here,
In us, we develop forward, resound,
Adamant by our blades, our sword, our spear.
Metal learning always, forming ourself,
We learn along, we teach, we learn, we teach,
Using metal to grow our future selves,
Listen well to the veins, to us they preach.
Ferrous, strong and skilled, teach to us your ways,
We learn along, Weaving afore your stays.”
Lignum
“Wood that grows from soil and water and seed,
A shelter born of life and growth surrounds,
Given to us in all our times of need,
Protection from the water, wind, and ground.
Wood that feels inside, and inherent knows,
Intuition for the world it lives in,
From it we learn to witness living glow,
And understand the Weavings set within.
Wood is that knows, for wood spans more than all,
Reach the skies above, delve the ground below,
In rings and bark, seen only when wood falls,
It gives to us the gift that is to know.
Lignum, our shelter and intuition,
Can we know our magics last ambition”.
Umbra
“Shadow, dark and numb, shown behind the light,
Ever insightful into those around,
Knowing the hearts of friends and foes despite,
Their hidden nature, well within your bounds.
Shadow that remains when light shines upon,
You show the truth that hides in plainest view,
Secrets shielded by half truths become wan,
For light and shadow make the wholest truth.
Shadow comes from others afore it’s own,
For it echoes that upon which it feeds,
To multiply it’s force shattering stone,
To amplify its power as it needs.
Umbra, bring insight and truth to this Weave,
Echo our cries and strengthen our beliefs.”
Anima
“Flesh of those that call forth the Tapestry,
With you we bind the magic we call forth,
The Threads have come in answer to our pleas,
And held within the Loom created hearth.
Flesh of all kinds both varied and the same,
Malleable as this Weaving must be,
Guide our hands through releasing to this plane,
Direct our eyes so we may clearly see.
Flesh, beseeched upon by those that gather,
Manipulate these threads within our Loom,
Work these separate Threads into lather,
These souls cry out to grant the land a boon.
Anima, Threads that pull and push the world,
Release them now, as great Weaving unfurled.”
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