Eye Of Atys watches once more

[rhaenaan]

*History* - Skip ahead to the next message if this sort of thing bores you
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Many years have passed since the Eye Of Atys watched over Fyros. More years than I care to admit.

We were once a great and noble guild. The sons and daughters of the original "Eye of Wonder" and "Holy Order". Times were simpler then. Fyros and Tryker fought side-by-side as we kept the water flowing between Aeden Aqueous and Fyros. Our only clear enemies, the Kitins and some radicals among the Matis. The Zorai were still mostly an enigma. We were welcomed by the common folk of all lands and the people of Atys lived in relative peace.

One day our guild leaders were taken from us. First Caernath and then Tetsius. From beyond the leaves, Tetsius left the guild in my reluctant care. It was a great blow to the guild and I tried desperately to turn it over to more experienced and capable hands. Equally reluctant were my officers. But, the guild stood behind us and refused to let us step down. We grew as family and survived.

We flourished as a guild and grew to 200 strong. We had allies among all races and we were one of the few guilds who welcomed all, regardless of race, religion or beliefs. Our common goal was to protect Atys for all Hominkind. "For the Glory of Atys" was our battle cry.

But, then came the Kitin Invasion. Many of our guild fell in the battle that lasted for days, then weeks, then months, seemingly without end. Outposts and guard towers blossomed out of the ether. The overlords of our lands continued to drive us to craft and fight with no clear strategy for victory. Most of us banded together against this common foe. But even when Hominkind was fighting for our survival, the Kami and Karavn continued to pit us against one another. Our ranks thinned as many of us fell and refused the offers for revival. We were all tired and many longed for the peace that death would bring. Many proud Homins were lost forever in that terrible and pointless battle.

Finally, as suddenly as it had begun, the invasion was over. We mourned our dead and tried to move on.

We recruited many new Homins and brought smaller guilds into our ranks. We strengthened alliances and once more, took up the charge as protectors of Atys for all Hominkind. Our numbers swelled and we found balance, once again.

Then, came the Great Betrayal. Our ranks were infiltrated from within. Trusted guild members played us against our enemies and our allies. They carefully watered and tended the seeds of dissent within our ranks. Intrigue and espionage flourished and our noble mission became distorted and twisted. We found ourselves warring with guilds that were once our allies and found our Guild knowledge in the hands of enemies. Even worse, we found ourselves warring with our own.

Even this, we weathered (though somewhat diminished and greatly humbled).

While still reeling from the Betrayal, the PvP Wars began. The Kami and Karavan now turned a blind eye to the meek and promoted the killing of all those that did not follow in their path. Harvesters were cut down while foraging for food and supplies. Children learning the ways of their people were slaughtered outside of their gates. Guild turned against guild and the lands were drenched with the blood of innocents. Our ally guilds began to fall, one by one, and nothing could be done to save them.

It was a dark time for Atys. I watched, helplessly, as our officers and friends fell. I fought, cursing at the powers that had thrust this chaos upon us. I cried as I watched the mightiest guilds of Atys turn to mere shadows. I found myself mourning all of those who had become my family. I no longer had the strength to shoulder the burden of leadership. I somehow felt it was my fault and that I could have (and should have) done more to hold us together.

Despite the support and encouragement of my guildmates, I turned the guild over to my officers and left Atys. My intent had been to tour the world and survey the damage and destruction that the fates had led us to. For five Atysian years, I journeyed. But I longed for Fyros. The fire still burned within me and the sap was mixed with my blood.

So....five years later, I found myself back at the guild hall I had turned my back on. The guild fires still burned, but the hall was empty. The trophies and furnishings had been well cared for. The weapons and armor, oiled and in good repair. But no sign of the warriors, mages, craftsmen or foragers.

I roamed the halls for weeks before I finally found the one that had cared for the guild for all these lonely years. Braveganzar had kept the fires tended and she had grown into a mighty figure in the Fryos landscape. The young warrior that had begged me to escort her into the roots was now a master forager and craftsman. Her name known throughout Fyros for her generosity, kindness and her support for those less fortunate. In short, she was a fine young woman who had surpassed the officers and absent guild leader who had recruited her.

I have no desire to lead a guild again. I have been reluctant even to be an officer. Braveganzar has earned her place as EoA's guild leader a thousand times over. In spite of the fact that she is reluctant to be guild leader (or because she has the sense to *be* reluctant) I believe that it is time to resurrect the guild under her leadership. I formally pledge my allegiance and support to her. I speak, not as EoA's former leader, but as a guild member who shares Braveganzar's passion and love for the guild and Atys. With this pledge, I will speak no more of our history. It is important to understand the past. But, to dwell there is to ignore the future ahead of us.

.....(continued in the next message)

[rhaenaan]

(continued from previous message)...

Which brings me to my point. (in a somewhat roundabout fashion)

The Karavan have grown strong in my absence. Though I have been clear that I have no great love for the Kami, there is something to be said for balance. The future of our world hinges on the delicate dance between these two sets of false gods. The lands of the Kami need their defenders to be unified and of one purpose or they will fall. With that fall, the balance will be destroyed and we risk awakening the Great Dragon.

Join with us. Whether you join us as a guild member or as an ally, we welcome you to the fight. Too long has the balance been skewed. We must restore order and purpose to the Kami. We must protect Atys for Hominkind. To fail is to die.

Glory to Atys. Glory to EoA.

[pyrrhon]

I'm wishing you great success Brave and Rhae, my old guildmates! Here's to the revival of one of the oldest guilds on Atys! Anyone looking for a guild of mature friendly fun people would do well to try EoA!

[rhaenaan]

Mus, I know that I'm blowing your cover....but you are and always have been, a sweetie

I would never think of poaching you (as much as I long to have you back with us). But I hope that we can fight side-by-side in the coming battles.

Glory to Atys!