Shadows of Luclin / Combine Empire

See also: Lore

The information compiled in this section was obtained from Roztov's Lore Library. All credits for the collection of this lore belong to Roztov for his work and contributions to the EverQuest community.

Roztov sources this information " http://www.1stfistoflight.com/~fol/public_html/codex/"

Shadows of Luclin / Combine Empire

The Last Act of Divinity

The Lord of Valour had looked on at his creations, which he had deposited in the frigid north. In what many call the last act of divinity from ages past, Mithaniel Marr cast his hand and the Barbarians evolved into the humans and what would later be called erudites of today. Amidst the chaos and the mayhem of the savage barbarians; the humans that had patroned the Lightbringer departed the frozen north of then Tunaria. With them they took the faith of Mithaniel and Erollisi Marr as they left for the world beyond what would be known as Halas.

The Formation of the Empire

The empire slowly expanded with the human migration from the savage northern frontier to include not only Humans (including the dark skinned High Men) and their Barbarian cousins, but other races as well which included the Teir'Dal, Ogres, Koada'Dal, Fier'Dal, Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, and the Kedge. It was the Humans, Barbarians, Koada'Dal, Fier'Dal, Dwarves, Gnomes, and Halflings that became the mainstay of the Empire.

Although reluctant, The second to join with the new empire after the brutish cousins of humanity, the Barbarians; were the Teir'Dal. The Teir'Dal brought with them the arts of magic which they had inherited our of the ashes of the Shissar Empire. with the Teir'Dal also came the attention of the dragons of Kunark, who oft meddled in the affairs of the mortal realms.

The Emergence of the Combine Empire

With the coming of Teir'Dal into the empire it attracted the attention of dragons. The Empire took the name Combine; which is a name oft used synonymously with dragons. The Combine Empire was at long last born.

With that, the Combine Empire made its way to the oasis within the Desert of Ro, which they dubbed the oasis of Marr after Mithaniel and Erollisi. From here they travelled across the Timorous Deep, and nestled themselves within an ancient shissar city in a lost and forgotten valley within the dreadlands. From here the Empire expanded to include the Trolls, Iksar, Giants of Kunark, as well as the giants of Kael Drakkal (You can learn Combine by spending 30 minutes roughly near giants in either Kael Drakkal or Warsliks Woods).

The Evolution of Magic

As a result of the involvement of the Teir'Dal, the Combine Empire flourished magically and dispersed the knowledge of the arcane throughout the races thereof that carried a natural aptitude to wield of it. Being they were followers of the light they shunned necromancy and magics of insidious portents, but excelled in wizardry, mage craft, and enchantment.

Similarly the Combine Empire had also encountered the great spires and pyramids throughout Norrath. They had no knowledge nor idea of their origins; yet only a small understanding did they gain of the intense raw arcane power that swelled within.

Through the continual study and research of the arts geomancy was born, or earth magic. The Combine Empire had gained the ability to transport themselves and others to various spires and pyramids within Norrath, which evolved ultimately to the wizardly teleportation spells that we know of today.

Religion in the Empire

As the Combine Empire was an empire of light, and believed in redeeming even the most unruly of individuals. Race or creed did not matter, only the spirit that lay within the beating heart. The core of the religion was based upon the Marr Twins, with Mithaniel Marr taking precedence. Over time other gods slowly began to make themselves known to the newly budding Empire either directly or through the influences of other races. Rodcet Nife, Karana, Quellious, Solusek Ro, Prexus, Brell, and Bristlebane. The worship of the gods of light races is what made the darker races hesitant to enter into the Empire.

The Fall of the Combine Empire

Tsaph Katta, emperor of the troubled combine was holding a grand state banquet.

Almost all nations and tribes were in attendance. The dwarven, gnomish, and elven allies all had ambassadors on hand as did the belligerent Teir'Dal. Even the ogres and trolls were represented. All who received an invitation felt compelled to attend, such was the might and the power of the Combine.

As the guests entered the banquet hall, Katta was there to receive them. One guest came with a smile on his lips and poison in his hand. He had dusted his glove with empolomine, a slow-killing, hallucination-inducing drug. The guest extended his hand as Tsaph welcomed him to the banquet. With the handshake the fate of the Combine was changed.

Katta's reaction was more rapid and violent then most and he collapsed during the dinner, appearing as one possessed. Possessed by evil, some muttered.

The banquet hall was cleared, and only a trusted few were allowed to remain. As Katta lay on the floor, dying, he spoke his last breath into the ear of his closest advisor, a fellow bard named Lcea. The druids then came and wove stasis spells to keep him alive, and put a deep sleep charm on him so that he would not have to endure pain and suffering. Then the elves of the forest came and took Tsaph away, to hide him within their realm so that no further attempts on his life would be possible.

As soon as word spread around the world that Katta was dead, the Combine Empire broke into a thousand tainted pieces. The petty arguments that had shattered the world before his coming resumed with even more passion. The elves continued to keep watch over the resting-place of Tsaph Katta while a few loyal officials , led precariously by Lcea, fortified the Loyalists last remnants.

The First Exodus

In a scroll recovered from the depths of the dreadlands off of a wild beast within the city of the old Combine, foretold of the first exodus (Removed in a patch later). According to this sage work, a great and terrible tragedy came to pass within the Combine Empire. Fearing the worst they fled in haste across an unknown sea which became dubbed the Ocean of Tears for their great sorrow.

The direct result of this flight is why there is an isle that has sworn fealty to Qeynos (called "brother isle" by some, they declare fealty to Antonius Bayle when attacked and are on various Qeynos factions. Antonius Bayle I was aboard that fleet of ships from Kunark) The second isle that had become populated were by elven followers of Erollisi Marr (more commonly called sisterhood isle by some), and of course the Oracle of K'Arnon who dwells upon the faith of Solusek Ro, the Burning Prince.

The ships landed upon the ruins of the Caerthielian outpost of Wielle, from the Teir'Dal empire. There they erected the walls of the City of Valour, Freeport. It was then Antonius Bayle I rose up and lead an army across Tunaria to the western seaboard and built what would become the Free City of Qeynos, atop the ruins of another ancient Teir'Dal outpost.

Along the way as he rode across the lands, some of the great Kings people drifted from their ranks, as they had when they crossed the sea and remained still to the day. Those that separated from Antonius Bayle in their sojourn are what we now know as the gypsy. To this day the practitioners of the arts of wizardry, mage craft, and of enchantments can still be found within their camps, just as had been in their ancestors of the Empire. The same arts are also practiced equivocally in Qeynos and Freeport with the same fervour as well.

With the journey complete and Qeynos standing, Tunaria was no more but a fading memory. For within the new kingdom of Qeynos stood the faiths of Karana and the Nife from of the Combine Empire, and across the tongue of every man, woman, and child was the land now known as Antonica.

The elves of Felwithe retreated back across the sea to Faydwer. The influences of the Combine Empire are still found till this very day. For they too continue to practice the three arts along and still some yet pay homage to the gods of the Combine Empire, Mithaniel Marr, Erollisi Marr, and Karana.

The influence of the elves in the Empire upon the early Combine Settlers are also why there are so many half elves found in Qeynos and Freeport. The gnomes and dwarves returned to the Combine Empire, and the halflings…it is said built a small village as what we now know as Rivervale, and inherited the faith of the sage Rainkeeper. The gnomes likewise returned to Faydwer where they ultimately built the city of Ak’Anon.

The Second Exodus

Those that claimed allegiance to the standard of the empire were now split in twain. There was the Inquisition Combine who was lead by a man known as Seru. Seru was responsible for building the Inquisition of the Combine Empire and rooting out all evil from within its midst. He is also the alleged assassin of Tsaph Katta. It has been said the reason for this is a due to the fact that Seru disagreed with allowing the darker races membership in the Combine Empire, viewing them as a blight or an aberration upon the Combine Empire.

Those that remained loyal to the teachings of their former Emperor Tsaph Katta, became known as the Loyalist Combine which, were now lead by Lcea Katta. Luclin the Maiden of Shadows then chose to reveal her moon through The Veil to Lcea Katta. Lcea could see past the glint of the moons rings what looked like blurry cloud formations, and what appeared to be sparkling reflections that hinted at bodies of water.

Knowing that the Inquisition would be coming for them, she gathered her council and they made plans to depart Norrath and rebuild upon the ringed moon of Luclin. In perhaps the greatest ritual of the arts ever known in history conducted by the mages, the Combine Empire departed their city in Kunark after months of preparation...never to be seen nor heard from, ever again. One great flash of light as the spires crackled and flared with mana, and they were gone.

Instead of appearing upon the surface of the moon, they appeared surrounded by an inky darkness. Fearing the worst, the tension mounted. Slowly one by one light lanterns and torches were lit, alongside the utterances of phrases to invoke arcane light sources of the arcane nature.

It had been apparent they were deposited somewhere in the heart of Luclin in a vast cavern system. Off to one side of the new found encampment was a large black sphere of swirling mist that emanated a strong magical field that seemed to pull everything to it and was the blame for their fate. This sphere had been left over from when the Shissar had escaped to the moon in a similar fashion, escaping retribution at the hands of the gods during their first war.

Thoughts were now divided and many in dismay as it became known there was no way of returning to Norrath. Those wishing to develop a way back to Norrath would remain and those who feared being followed by the Inquisition as it was only a matter of time, departed in a caravan to the surface. Somewhere during this time the geomancer Grieg was outcast from the people, as they began to blame him for their being stranded upon the moon. Grieg built his castle in the bright side of the moon and was driven mad by the goddess Luclin, ending his research on finding the a back through the stars to Norrath.

Founding of Shadowhaven

Less then one thousand in number, those that remained within the caverns continued to build. The area around the strange sphere which had been studied by the mages, became known as the Nexus. They continued to build within the caverns, and then it happened sooner then expected. The swirling black sphere of mist crackled with eldritch energy as the armies of the Inquisition Combine slowly were pulled through to the moon of Luclin.

Both parties were surprised to see each other, but the people of the Nexus were not without guard for they had built fortifications and had been prepared for their coming. The officers of the invading army met with the locals, who made it clear they wished no part in the Combine dispute. Only in returning home. The new arrivals wished only to chase down the followers of Tsaph Katta, and were shocked of discovering they too shared the fate of their enemies.

Not comfortable in possible enemy territory the Inquisition set off to build a town of their own, going the opposite way of the Loyalists. Many were ordered to remain behind with the people of the Nexus doubling their numbers. These people built another settlement to the one right next to the one already there, which they called Fungus Grove.

The construction of the settlement continued. Over time the differences of the researchers dissipated, working more closely to try and reopen the portal to Norrath. At this time the families that had played either important roles in the construction of the city or the research upon the sphere in the Nexus, became prominent individuals within the confines of the city.

From this point on a general council was elected to run the city. A name was also chosen from the list of those proposed. House Fordel was taken from a family that had survived only a widow. The entire family was lost in a scouting party within the caverns in the first couple months of the great city. They had also been great craftsmen, playing a vital role in much of the cities original construction. The word Midst was taken from a long line of mages who had helped research the way to Luclin, and had spent many hours by candlelight trying to search for a way home to Norrath. Hence Fordel Midst came to be; a haven of shadows.

The Netherbian

Who or what are the Netherbian? Within the house of Midst it is spoken that the Netherbian had plagued the settlers for many a days when the city of Shadowhaven was young. Within the Library of the House of Midst, great doors were built that contained the darkness; of which was the Netherbian. What lay in wait behind this darkness and why? What is the source of the evil that is the Netherbian? To this day the door is kept guarded by the watchful eyes of monks who hold charge their charge therein.

The Fate of Two Cities

Upon the edges of the Twilight Sea within the Tenebrous Mountains, was built in darkness, the city of the Loyalist Combine lead by Lcea Katta; Katta Castellum. The city of the Loyalist Combine lays plagued by Vampires, but from where are their origins steeped? Was Tsaph Katta the spawn of a vengeful Mayong Mistmoore, that despised the light of the Combine Empire and their association with his most hated of enemies? If so was that truly a poison placed upon the hands of an assassin, or was it garlic powder? Even to this day, in Katta Castellum can be found all the tools of the vampire hunter. Woe be to the those that dwell into the embrace of darkness.

Who is Nathyn Illuminous and what is his connection to the Coterie of the Eternal Night which prey upon passers by within the Tenebrous Mountains, and Katta Castellum. Nathyn Illuminous is a vampire of long standing within the city and a mage of some rapore as well. Who is Nathyn Illuminous and what are his plans, and why is he allied to the Coterie of the Eternal Night? Is Nathyn Illuminous Tsaph Katta? It is also said that Tsaph Katta yet lives, in a resting-place of designation by the elves. Does Tsaph Katta live in stasis or in eternal torment as a creature of the night? Or, has he simply passed on?

The Caretaker of the city graveyard of how when Norrath reaches its epicentre that the ghosts of the dead from the early settlers of Katta Castellum retell the early days when the city was first built upon the edges of the mountainous passes. Is that why Lcea Katta stands within the shrine of Marr from time to time? Is she dead...or alive?

Within the bright side of twilight did Seru and his followers build Sanctus Seru. From here the Inquisition Combine calls their home, in their battle against those of the Combine Empire. Did Seru meet a fate worse then death at the hands of Mayong Mistmoore upon a mission of the inquisition? was Seru himself embraced by the Lord of the Damned and the Inquisition of the Combine Empire turned in a vicious tool of vengeance and hate against the Empire and the dragons of Kunark?

One thing that is certain, with them came the vampires. And vampires must feed off the blood of the living, and within the dreary mountain passes of the Tenebrous Mountains...the living dead did dwell in a place of eternal darkness and endless torments.

What is the truth? Where does it all begin? Where does it all end? Only in dark shadows is the light of the truth...

Tsaph Katta and the Fate of the World

(Roz note : The prophecy of Trakanon has now been proved to be nothing more than a myth.)

Did the Combine Empire see the end of the world? Was the purpose of the Empire to prepare for the coming of Trakanon's Prophecy of the end of days, at a second war of the gods?

It was Trakanon that held the legendary Truthbringer for some time, until passing it to a troll that inherited the faith of the Combine Empire, and then the blade of his god. Was it Trakanon that orchestrated the rise of the Combine Empire in secret? Awaiting his fourth hero...

...and so I walked through the darkened city streets of my forefathers. All was eerily silent. I had heard the stories of strange unholy fiends that did come in the night to torment the children and the beloveds of others. Making the sign of the coveted evil eye I fastened the wooden stake at my belt along with a few vials of holy war, continuing upon my way. When I was given them by the old man I had no idea what he meant at first when he said, "ere son, ye'll b'needin this...". It was with a dark chill that made the hair stand up upon the back of my neck, as I made my way through the twisted streets of governed darkness. Was I being watched? Was I being...followed? Not wanting to fully know the answer, I made haste through the gates...and was no more within the walls of the city of the Combine.