History of the Ka'vanth
EXPULSION FROM SHALONESTI
The dark elves began as Shalonesti, House Sha'katas, who eventually became those who were discontent with the way of things, seeking both rights to past injustices as they percieved them, as well as personal power. Bannished forever for "committing the ultimate sacrelige of assassinating one of Zandreya's chosen leader, the Speaker of the Moon, and violating the safety of the Vallenwood for personal power", as well as stealing a piece of the Draconus, which is now lost to the elves. The Sha'katas became the Ka'tath.
ROOTS IN KA'TATH
The Ka'vanth began as a subsect, or even as a cult, within the ranks of the Ka'tath. They were those Ka'tath who were angered by the lack of action toward returning to the Vallenwoods, seeing the exile from Shalonesti as a great injustice. The current speaker of Ka'tath taught its members that they were to forget the past wrongs that had been committed by the Shalonesti, and that the dark elven people should abandon the thought of once again living within the lands of their birth, and that we should form a brotherhood with the high elves. These teachings sparked the fire that formed Ka'vanth, and has not been expelled to presant day. This is the driving force behind Ka'vanth- the knowledge that one day we shall reclaim our homelands.
Ka'vanth gained some popularity within the House, until a few Ka'tath were discovered to have been murdered by zealous Ka'vanth, for the reason that they were not pure in heart in dedicating themselves to reclaiming the Vallenwood.
THE CITY OF CERIN AMROTH
Rather than face persecution, the Ka'vanth abandoned the House Ka'tath, and fled Verminasia, settling east of the great Kingdom. There they built the underground city of Cerin Amroth, populated entirely by dark elven kin, and existing isolated from the rest of the world.
The Ka'vanth lay in waiting in this underground realm, waiting for a "rebirth" that had been prophesised by the holy men. With the birth of a child Tuathan to the Matron and Master of Ka'vanth, this prophecy was fulfilled. His birth heralded also the rebirth of Ka'vanth to the surface.
THE RISE OF TUATHAN
The Master and Matron decreed that Tuathan be sent to a hamlet on the surface to be raised by a family loyal to the Ka'vanth. There he was to learn the ways of the surface realm until he reached the age of forty-six, knowing nothing of the history of his people.
Approached by an unknown masked figure while visiting New Thalos, Tuathan was drawn into his own past. The mysterious man suggested that he come and find the answers that he sought. Exploring the libraries of the Conclave, Tuathan discovered hints of his past, which he later discovered were left by the mysterious benefactor.
Tuathan was brought before his parents, learned of his heritage, and was charged with leading the Rebirth (or Awakening) of the Ka'vanth to the surface. The Ka'vanth began to emerge and spread once more, being recognised as noble among the lands.
Tuathan met Alissia, a Shalonesti at the time, and taught her the truth or the Way, recruiting the woman as a dark elf, and later as a wife. Shortly thereafter, with the death of his parents, Tuathan and Alissia rose as Master and Matron of Ka'vanth.
DRAKKARA APPEARS
Tuathan and Alissia ruled Ka'vanth successfully for many years, gaining the favor of the Goddess Drakkara. The Goddess herself appeared to the leaders, giving them guidance in Her direction. There had always been plans discussed of vengeance toward the Shalonesti, but for reasons unbeknownst to any other than the Goddess herself, Drakkara agreed to assist Ka'vanth in a raid on the high elves for the sum of a tithing of jewels to her altar. When the Goddess was sufficed, she sent a group of magi to assist Ka'vanth in their battle.
A RAID ON SHALONESTI
The battle was long and bloody. Drakkara's magis began to cast immense fireballs, resulting in huge explosions all over Shalonesti. Ka'vanth foot soldiers flooded the streets, and there was a clash of forces. Blood ran that day, but in the end it was the Shalonesti who won the battle, submitting the smaller forces of the Ka'vanth into retreat. But during the retreat, a prisoner was taken: Brin Shalonost. The Ka'vanth fled with Brin back overseas to the halls of Ka'vanth.
THE TORTURE AND RESCUE OF BRIN
The captive Brin was held the the Hall of Ka'vanth, for some time, where she was made to suffer symbolicly for her entire people, tortured slowly to the point of madness. After many months, Shalonesti organized a rescue attempt, sending a metallic dragon, along with Brin's husband, the elf Cwinton. As the dragon made mock attacks on the hall, distracting Ka'vanth archers, Cwinton was able to gain entrance to the hall, and rescued Brin. During the flight back to the dragon Cwinton was shot by an arrow loosed by Matron Alissia, and injured, was not able to escape with Brin. He was beheaded, his head claimed as a trophy.
JESSA AND TIRAN KA'VANTH RISE AS MATRON AND MASTER
After many years, Ka'vanth was passed to Tuathan and Alissia's daughter Jessa, and her husband Tiran. The fall of Ka'vanth began at this time, with the morale of its members growing continuously low. Tragedy struck the halls during Tiran's reign. Jessa move on to another realm, leaving the house behind during its turmoil, and Tiran was forced to rule alone. Discouraged in the face of his solitude, his own morale declined, and he eventually abandoned Ka'vanth all but physically, leaving the house in disaray. Orderless, and lacking common unity, the house nearly died out.
ALISSIA CAPTURED BY GOBLINS
It was during this time that former Matron Alissia was captured by renegade goblins, for reasons that are uncertain to the history books. Her time of capture lasted several years. It is presumed that she began to go mad during this time, and that over the years the madness only increased, evidenced in many of her latter actions within Ka'vanth.
CYRIAN KA'VANTH APPOINTS HERSELF AS MATRON
In the state of disarray, one Ka'vanth by the name of Cyrian began to try and rebuild the house alone. Believing that she was acting with honor to save the house, she took the role of leader, beginning to make decisions for Ka'vanth without consulting Tiran. Eventually she deemed herself the new Matron of Ka'vanth, without following the proper process, and thus negating the validity behind the title. Under the guise of Matron, she brought new recruits to the house, giving them all the basic foundated teachings, and the name of Ka'vanth- though she did not have the authority to actually do so.
ALISSIA ESCAPES, RECLAIMS KA'VANTH
Alissia eventually escaped from the goblins that had held her captive, and was suprised when returning to the halls of Ka'vanth to find Cyrian as Matron. In the face of her madness, she grew quite irate at Cyrian's actions, accusing her of committing the highest dishonor. Usurping the power of leader from Cyrian, Alissia reclaimed Ka'vanth, appointing herself as Matron. It is here a great argument began.
HOUSE IS SPLINTERED, CYRIAN BANISHED WITH HER FOLLOWERS
Cyrian refused to grant leadership of Ka'vanth back to Alissia, and the argument (which often became public) between the two brought a split within our organization, each member siding against member in the view of what they believed to be true and correct. Eventually the majority sided with Alissia, and Cyrian was stripped of the title and name of Ka'vanth. Others closely involved within the alleged 'mutiny' of the house were also reprimanded. Even others left, because they had seen the madness within Alissia, and feared the future of Ka'vanth. But Alissia's supporters were fierce in their opinion. Tuathan was once again appointed by Alissia as Master of the House.
ALISSIA DIVORCES TUATHAN, DECLINE OF A MATRON
One can not say whether the next few years that followed were good or bad for the Ka'vanth. The Matron implemented many new seemingly purposeless divisions within Ka'vanth, and began to entertain members within the great halls, socializing and drinking wine, eating fine foods. The fire that was once behind Ka'vanth was beginning to dwindle into days of lazing about, enjoying the finer things in life. Alissia hosted many strange guests within the halls, acting odd herself, oftentimes paranoid. Out of nowhere she divorced Tuathan and stripped him of his title. Once more, Ka'vanth was sent into disorder, and many left.
(More History to Come, as it is Written, including the Following)
THE DEATH OF TUATHAN, ALISSIA VANISHES:
ZALINDRIEL DIVINELY APPOINTED AS MATRON:
DARISTEN BEGINS TRAINING OF DEATHDANCERS:
KA'VANTH PLEDGES LOYALTY TO ARKANE:
KA'VANTH GAINS STATUS IN ARKANE, ASSISTS IN WAR FOR INDEPENDANCE:
KA'VANTH SCORNED BY LEADERS OF ARKANE, MANY DEFAULT TO VERMINASIA:
ZALINDRIEL RECIEVES DIVINE GUIDANCE TO APPOINT URSAH AS MATRON:
URSAH APPOINTS LYAN AS MASTER:
KA'VANTH PLEDGES LOYALTY TO VERMINASIA:
KA'VANTH MAKES THEMSELVES KNOWN AT RHIADORA SHALONOST'S CORONATION:
URSAH IS CAPTURED AND IMPRISONED BY SHALONESTI:
PRINCE NATANIALATHAN IS BORN TO STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES:
VERMINASIA ATTEMPTS TO LIBERATE URSAH, LYAN EXCHANGES HIMSELF FOR URSAH AND CHILD:
LYAN ESCAPES SHALONESTI PRISON:
THE DEATH OF FAEHLLA - RELATIONS GROW TENSE BETWEEN VERMINASIA AND SHALONESTI:
URSAH SURRENDORS HERSELF TO THE SHALONESTI:
VERMINASIA BETRAYS LYAN - EXCHANGES HIM FOR URSAH:
LYAN IS REMOVED FROM KA'VANTH - NACTONEES ASCENDS AS MASTER:
NACTONEES BECOMES PRINCE OF VERMINASIA:
LYAN GOES MAD, THREATENS LIVES OF OWN CHILDREN AND URSAH:
URSAH DIVORCES LYAN, MARRIES A HUMAN, XERIAN DARKBLADE:
NACTONEES ASCENDS AS MASTER OF KA'VANTH:
URSAH AND XERIAN BECOME KING AND QUEEN OF VERMINASIA: