I. Noi'sho'rah

(80,000 - 55,000 years ago)

At the dawn of Dhe'nar tradition stands the one who most exemplifies all that Dhe'nar strive to be. Born of the elven race, before the great schism that split the elves into seven nations, he grew at the knees of the Arkati, drinking in their lore and wisdom with open ears and a keen mind. He was one of their acolytes, their voice to the elves when all stood in chaos and only their intervention kept the world stable. He was Noi’sho’rah.

Countless hours spent in weapons practice honed his skills until even the most feared warriors thought twice about dueling him. He was honored as a master of the s’hai f’Lach schlast, the dual whip-blades, long swords whose thin, flexible blades are very like whips, used by several small groups of highly skilled elven warriors. He is also known for his closeness with the Arkati, becoming one of the first Lorekeepers among the elves. Through him, the Arkati honored the elves with the teachings of The Way, the path to absolute spiritual power and discipline that all Dhe'nar still hold as the highest ideal.

As the elven nation began to disintegrate from within and splinter into its seven separate houses, Noi'sho'rah found one among them who still listened to the words of the Arkati and still honored their ancient wisdom and insight. This young Dhe'nar priest, Tahlad, was one of the few who showed understanding when the elven nation became fractured by the manipulations of the power hungry.

The elves began to walk a vastly different path than the one the Arkati taught them, seeking only quick results, instant gratification, and swift ascension to power, forgetting the tenets of the true Way.

Tahlad’s nephew, Korthyr Faendryl, was one of these power-hungry elves. Alongside a coterie of his closest advisors, family members, and sycophants, Korthyr proposed that the elves as a whole would now seek a new path that was vastly different from the true Way. His entreaties were less than flattering and the young, sorcerously powerful elf had many confrontations with his elder uncle. Korthyr advocated that the elves who followed him spend their time poring through the old tomes documenting the Arkati and their teachings and master the powers of sorcery, then lord their might over the lesser races.

Tahlad brought the news to the temple where Noi'sho'rah, now growing older but no less honored, listened with quiet displeasure. Noi'sho'rah was wise enough to see the inevitable dissolution of the elven nations and counseled Tahlad, showing him secrets revealed to him by the Arkati that would strengthen him as he endeavored to hold together the disintegrating ideals of elven unity.

Noi'sho'rah took the news himself to the Arkati, informing them of the failure of the elven nation and the impending disaster that awaited them in their decline. Nothing of that meeting has been recorded, except the results.

Noi'sho'rah returned one last time before the gathered masses of his people, warning them of the doom that awaited if they continued on their current course, maneuvering and fighting for positions of petty temporal power.

Korthyr laughed in Noi'sho'rah’s face, taunting him for holding to obsolete beliefs and for denying the growth in power Korthyr pursued. Noi'sho'rah was disgusted with Korthyr’s pedantic and unenlightened words and raised his hands to the heavens. Clouds of roiling darkness descended to shroud the entire elven capitol in complete darkness at Noi’sho’rah’s command.

All eyes were blinded and only Noi'sho'rah’s booming voice echoed across the city as he prophesied for his people.

"Know you that if the Elven Nation should fracture, should you fail to follow the true Way, the dead themselves shall rise up against you bearing fell blades and wielding sorcerous might. There shall come one with more power than has ever been wielded and she shall lay waste to the Seven. You shall stand helpless before her, your own petty bickering paving the way for her to take even the mightiest of your cities. Her ruinous touch shall be felt for generations across the width and breadth of the Lands and you shall never again rise to the power you had before her arrival."

"For those that follow The Way, succor will be yours through a steady rise in power. The Way shall lead you to safety; even in the midst of the greatest dangers the world has ever known. Those who remain firm in their faith will never need fear retribution. Lose your Way and fire from the heavens shall light your path and the mountains themselves will rise against you."

"The Way stands open, always, even for those who have stumbled and lost their sight of it. Return to that Way and the Arkati and their children will smile upon you and past glories will again be yours."

When the darkness cleared, Noi'sho'rah had vanished.

He has been seen since, in visions and prayers, but never has he walked among his people. He stands as the Dhe’nar representative to the Arkati, their voice in the heavens.