The Demon Tide

 

Herein is retold the most controversial of the Origin Narratives, that of the Demon Born, and the birth of Demonology upon the world.

Taken from the original texts as set out in the Exodus Chronicles, being the first and most complete account. Also here included those corresponding aspects of the main racial narratives in an attempt again to bring together all the creation myths into one complete work.

 

Nafaar Al Media

 

So it was upon the closing of the exodus, in the days when many of the children of Dwar did rest within the halls of their own making. In these great restful days did some grow restless and turn they did once more to the exploration of their realm and the discovery of those beauties brought unto the world by their beloved father Dwar.

 

Unto the myriad of caverns and tunnels did pass a group of the most hardened of Dwarves. Fresh from their long rests, they made great haste and deep unto the bowels of the world did they descend. There within a vast and wondrous cavern filled with the light of countless fungi did they discover at the cavern's very centre a construction, crafted by Dwarven hand in a style of great antiquity, stood a portal stone. Sealed it was and about it lay the tools of its making, worn and dulled by the ages, yet stacked and organised were they in the ways of the master craftsmen.

So great was the curiosity of its discoverers that messages were sent back and soon did descend a great number of the explorer's kinsmen, their intent to understand and reopen the portal in the hope of unlocking the secrets held within. Soon all about the portal stone did a camp arise. As time did pass, the camp turned to village, and the village to town, all there committed to the discovery of the secret held within.

Upon a time, many moons in the passing, did the scholars there discover the key to the portal stones unlocking, and so did those of the new town muster their numbers to pass from this realm into the lands beyond the portal.

 

Beyond the portal lay a world of shadow, bathed in the deepest darkness that light of fire could hardly pierce. No star did shine within the firmament, neither sun nor moon did shine their light upon this haunting world.

Upon stepping through did they discover that beneath their feet were worked and laid stone. All about them stood battlements and a fortress of simple design. Many moons did pass in their investigations until finally the fortress itself was known to all.

 

A square keep did house the portal stone that returned them to their realm. The keep did stand upon a cross roads of four bridges, each reaching out to join four battlements, one to each of the cardinal points. These battlements each in turn reaching out into the darkness to form a square, the corners of which were ruled by a single tower. Within each tower another portal stone did rest, sheltered from the darkness beyond. All the new portals did lay quiet and sealed, all save one which had been collapsed in purposeful method.

All, fortress and towers alike, stood upon a great spire of rock that stretched down unto the darkness below.

 

Upon a time did they first encounter the natives of this dark and foreboding land, hideous were they in both form and desire. To fire's light did these native beasts flock upon its discovery, and great was the clamour in their coming. Within hours the battlements did fall, crushed beneath the weight of the hideous onslaught were those brave clansmen. To the keep did they fall in their flight, and there did they hold the dark horde at bay. Messengers swift of foot were sent, and soon within our homely realm did an army amass to turn aside the demonic menace. Within the great cavern of portals first finding did these armies meet upon the field of battle. For many moons did the battle rage, affording none any respite, and giving no ground, until upon a final push did the Dwarven forces force back this Demonic tide unto the threshold of the portal itself. Then to thrust again and unto the other realm did the Dwarves push these pitiful fell creatures. There upon the threshold of the war ravaged keep did the Dwarven forces cease their push, yet flee still did those of the enemy.

 

Reinforcements came then to this other realm, hardened warriors of each clan, there to the heart of the dark realm did they flock for the news of this battle had spread far and wide.

So too had those of the demonic people that had through guile and stealth freed themselves of battle's wrath and fled unto the middle realm. Many of the children of Dwar had seen in their passing these hideous beasts and knew well of their origin, so to hunting did some take, to rid the world of this demonic presence.

 

As the telling of the Demon Tide did spread, unto the great cavern did come Elves, for they had encountered the Demons upon the surface and much hatred did they have for these creatures. Yet unto the heart of the dark realm could the elves not pass, their minds turned to maddness upon setting foot with the fortress. Gibbering fools never more to sing nor talk, a sad end for those who offered aid. Yet the Elves remained with the cavern, to add their magic to that of the dwarves, to bar the passing of the darker realm's minions.

So to the darker realm, and none but the Dwarves did man the sentinel watches upon the ancient fortresses battlements. Often were their defences probed either by might or by stealth, yet hold did they, these stalwart defenders of the middle realm.

 

Of those Minions of the darker realm that fled unto the middle realm, havoc did they bring by either malice of deceit upon those they encountered. Crave did many of these monsters the emotions of those who inhabited the middle realm, lust and hate, fear and sadness did they bring out in those they tormented. Most common of these were the Succubus and Incubus, the fell abominations that brought unto the world the Demon Born peoples. Others still sought little but violence, too many by name are there of these fell creatures. Fewer still sought little more than to bring more of their brethren through to the middle realm. These most of all are the feared, for much wisdom is there in the minds of these demonic thinkers and workers of the magical craft. These above all are those sought by the Dwarven Demon Hunters.