On the History of the Future
by: Sebastien

To make this story more clear to you, I will explain to you events that will happen in the future, but have already taken place. In what you would call the future, I call the past.

At some point in this history, when mankind was at a high point, there was a great tremulous event that caused civilization to regress. This event is called the "catastrophe" since nobody knows what really happened. It is assumed that something similar to the extinction of the dinosaurs happened or Noah’s Great Flood. There are several theories on the matter, but the point is that something huge happened.

As mankind began to regress, a second Dark Age took place. Very little is recorded about this time. The one thing we do know is that at this point elves made their first appearance. With their arrival from underground, came great divisions and oppositions. Elves were seen as a threat and we waged war against them.

For centuries, elves and men never trusted each other. For elves brought with them their great powers of the elements. Men could not fight against such power. Thus, the age of magic came about. Men started to delve into their own powers finding they too could wield similar strength.

By this time, the elves had grown weary of their struggle with men. Few of them dared to help men discover various powers. The first elven-men alliance was created between the king of Gaulland. This sealing had started the Age of High Magic. At this point, men discovered the power of time. It was a dangerous period, for now men had a power that excelled the elves.

Friendliness between elves became based on what race the elves came from. Generally, Elves of Light and Water were friendly with men. While races like Earth, Fire and Wind wanted nothing to do with them. It was then that a fateful prophecy was revealed.

Yaurmish was a hermit skilled in the power of Tempus. He spoke of "The Two" who would tear down the walls between the kingdoms of elves and men and fuse them together. Also, these two would reveal the most powerful magic know to man and elf. It was unclear what this power is exactly, but it has been the cause of most of the feuding currently. Yaurmish spoke of the Golden Kingdom as well. It is said that this kingdom was formed long before the "Great Catastrophe". It was the most powerful kingdom on earth! The time of the Golden Kingdom was already a common legend among men and elves. Until now, no one believed it really existed.

Currently, Gaulland is divided into seven kingdoms. Five kingdoms belong to the Elves and two to men. The greatest and oldest Elf kingdom is Luxior, Realm of Light with Sereenis'la as its capital city. These elves of Light follow their own counsel of elves with one as their head elf.

The next most powerful kingdom is Telras, Realm of Earth. Its capital city is underneath the Thundering Mountains, Marb. Elves of the Earth are an ancient race that prefers to mine under the mountains. They are not to be confused with dwarves.

Then there is the Kingdom Valon, Realm of Water. Ava’ra is the capital city. It is on an island that was formed during one of the great wars. Elves of Water can be powerful, but prefer to keep quiet.

Next, the Kingdom is Ignac, Realm of Fire. The elves of Fire have their capital at the base of a volcano. It is called Vohr. Elves of Fire are the most fearsome of fighters and are men’s most formidable adversary.

Finally, the Kingdom Thywnd, Realm of Wind. These strange elves have no capital city. They tend to be nomadic and live in the wild. The elves of Wind keep out of almost everyone’s business. They care not for the cares of men or fellow elves.

The greatest Kingdom of mankind would have to be the legendary Golden Kingdom. Its whereabouts are lost to us. The capital was destroyed long ago. People of the Golden Kingdom are said to be still around, but they are unknown to us.

The second greatest Kingdom is Pravignon, my home. Pravignon is also the name of the capital. This kingdom in turn is divided up into sub-kingdoms, which are ruled by their noble. The most desirous state is called Horen, formerly known as Aquitaine. At this time, Baron Peregrine rules this land.

As things stand now, King Leon the Second rules Pravignon. The land of Horen has rebelled and formed as its own kingdom and has an alliance with the elves of Earth and Fire. The Elves of Water are lead by their queen, Artemus. The elves of Light have just lost their leader and are having a new election soon. I do not follow the politics of the other Realms.

Sebastien de Chat