History of Ten'ra Agalith

by GM Tvini

The tale of the first Ten'ra Agalith takes place long ago, when the Dragon Spine Mountains were even sharper than they are today. Shard had just been founded, and the people were busy building lives. The traders traded, the bards drank, and everyone else bustled about their lives, caught up in the mundane and forgetting their duty to the gods.

Still a young city, the temples had not yet been built. Eventually, the gods noticed the lack there was no place for the faithful to worship save for two small shrines. Hodierna and the gods of Light were forgiving. The Dark Gods were not. Strange things began to plague the city and the mountains. A hot rain pitted the young streets of Shard. Youngsters disappeared without a trace. Traders stopped making a profit. But the people had put the gods aside, and didn't know why this was happening.

In desperation, a young cleric, Serillyn, went down to the Lake of Dreams to think on the situation. She sat at the edge of the shore for three days. She prayed. She meditated. She became weak with hunger as she fasted. Finally, Eluned took pity on the Serillyn. A mist rose from the lake, taking the form of a young woman with flowing hair. The vision spoke to the Serillyn in cool whispers, telling of the dark immortals' displeasure.

Fearful, Serillyn ran back to the Elders of Shard and chastized them for their shameful lack of respect for the gods. As the Elders listened, they realized that the cleric was correct. The gods had led the people to this place, had helped them prosper, and it was only fitting that respect be paid. Hopeful that they could make amends, the Elders called for a special tribute to be made to honor their patron gods.

Hearing of the proposed ceremony, folk came from far and wide to pay homage to the Dark Gods. Days passed as the visitors begged for relief from the Dark Gods' wrath. The elders ordered that construction be started upon the temples. Prayers were whispered, incense burned, hymns sung, and gifts of mead and harvest offered with elaborate ritual. Some even suggest that members of the Mountain clans who had settled in Shard offered sacrifices more precious. This is mere fancy for Shard was ruled by the traders at that time, and they certainly would not have allowed it for fear of souring business.

The efforts of the people appeased the gods, and the city began to prosper once more. To this day, the people of Shard still celebrate that reconciliation: Ten'ra Agalith. Heaven Truce.