Many eons ago (even as dragons see it), there was a dragon of immense power
and strength. This dragon was more powerful than any of his brethren, and
soon bent the rest to his will, and he began to lord over them. Not only was
he powerful, but he was extremely intelligent. He studied magic in all its
forms, and soon amassed a vast repository of the greatest arcane tomes on
Ifreann (what remain of this library makes up the core of the library at the
mages college, Mount Kallador, Tynntangial). This dragon, the largest and
strongest, now also possesed a magical knowledge base greater than the most
powerful arch-mages on Ifreann. It was becuse of this great power, that he
became to be known as the Dragon-demon Xeen.
Xeen started out as a just ruler, and the dragons of the continent of the
Draconis Marche were happy with his wise and benevolent leadership. However,
as he grew older, and amassed even more magical knowledge, Xeen began to
change. He began to abuse his power, as well as the dragons that were his
subjects. His abuse of power became so great, that many of his subjects began
to flee his realm, and many refugee settlements started up at the far western
side of the continent. Meanwhile, Xeen's power had become so great, he
declared himself a god, and demanded the other dragons worship him as such.
When Xeen learned of the refugee settlements, he went into a blood rage,
and with the dragons loyal to his evil nature, made war against the dragons
who had left his realm.
Not much is remembered of the Great Dragon War, also known as The Sundering.
It lasted many centuries. Thousands of dragons were slain, as were millions
of the human creatures who fought on both sides. What *is* known is that Xeen
was ultimately felled by the combined might of the good dragon's and their
allies. The continent of the Draconis Marche was decimated in the final
battle and sank beneath the sea, all save for the range of mountains in the
west which thereafter became known as the Dragon's Isle.
The carcass of Xeen disappeared. Some say it was hidden away by the evil
dragons who had served him, others say that it accompanied the rest of the
Draconis Marche when it sank beneath the sea. What does remain is Xeen's
curse: That he would someday return more powerful than ever, and take back
that which was taken from him. And those who had defeated him, and their
progeny, would then pay the ultimate price for their treachery and folly.
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| Johny Enright / /_ __ \ Database Administrator |
| jenright@cs.itc.hp.com ( / / /_/ ) Hewlett-Packard |
| (719) 590-3633 \ / / Colorado Springs, CO, USA |
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