The scrolls herein contain not only the history of Elanthia as passed down through the ages, but the place the great House of the Rising Phoenix has held throughout that history.

VI. A. Bandur Etrevion

The tale of Bandur Etrevion begins some time after the Unlife's power was used to create the Undead and the arrival of many power-hungry individuals who threw their lot in with it, in exchange for the quick power it provided.

Like many foolish humans of the time, Bandur and his brother Kestrel realized that the quickest way to power was by joining the Unlife or Cults as they would be called. Kestrel Etrevion was the stronger of the two, and with the Unlife's aid he became a powerful warrior and general, while his brother used the knowledge of the Unlife to further his sorcerous arts. The two grew quickly in fame and fortune, and eventually Kestrel came to be rewarded with a small parcel of land along Darkstone Bay within leagues of what would become Wehnimer's Landing. Kestrel led a small but wealthy kingdom for several years there, but eventually became restless, and took off again on extended campaigns of war.

Without Kestrel to keep him in check, Bandur Etrevion sank further and further into the grip of the Unlife. His days were filled with the pursuit of more arcane and forbidden knowledge, while his nights were tormented by dreams of the Unlife. It was during this period that he wrote his famous book "Servants of the Shadow: Power through Thralldom."

As the years progressed, the lands slowly sank into decay as the Unlife exerted its influence through Bandur and Kestral was away on conquests. Law and order quickly disintegrated, corruption was rampant, and the worst of the lands grew more depraved. Several small cults grew up during this period, rumored to be pledged to the Unlife. Eventually, things became so bad that Bandur was unable to continue with his research without constant interruptions by his advisors.. Bandur roused himself from his arcane pursuits and concluded that something needed to be done to suppress the wanton bloodshed, cruelty and disorder in the land, but not for the sake of peace and tranquillity, but more to allow him to continue to exploit and divert its resources to the efficient services of the Unlife.

Once all opposition in the land was crushed, he formed an official cult dedicated strictly to the worship of the Unlife, in which all were strongly urged to join if they wished to keep their heads connected to their necks for any period of time. The state cult filled the need of the people for leadership and direction, thus Bandur usurped the throne of Kestrel, transforming the land into an evil theocracy.

Early in his servitude to the Unlife, Bandur had pledged to the Empress Gosaena, the Queen of Lornon, to follow the ways of the Unlife. He turned his own bondage to her into the state cult, which he called The Dark Path. Followers of The Dark Path engaged in many heinous ritual practices beneath a genteel facade of prayer, meditations, contemplation, and the cultivation of physical perfection.

"True followers of the cult of Gosaena who recited the phrase, "Gosaena Throk Farok", with great fervor and dedication were promised everlasting existence by Bandur, and after death were then transformed into various levels of undead creatures."

The Legend of Necropolis of Etrevion
-By Loremaster Andraax

While all this was transpiring in the land, Kestrel returned from an extended sea voyage. Appalled at the condition of his kingdom and angered at the seizure of his throne, he exchanged many heated words with his elder brother. Bandur, now hopelessly under the control of the Unlife, slew his brother in a fit of possession and hatred.

When he came to his senses, Bandur's first instinct was to conceal his terrible transgression. He dismissed Kestrals remaining armies stating he had been lost and in a quiet and remote corner of the land, Bandur created several golems to build a burial mound to hold the remains of his brother along with some of his few remaining cherished possessions. Troubled by evil dreams and ominous omens, he began concocting mind-warping spells as well as very powerful potions to drown his mental anguish. Nothing helped to ease his mind, and the Unlife fed on him with unbounded glee as his inner conflict tore his soul asunder. Finally he could contain himself no longer.

He returned to the site of the foul deed and there planned and ordered a great graveyard and crypt to be built in the wilds. He oversaw the entire project himself, using magic powers and conjured hordes to finish the undertaking. He enclosed a large climbing area, the burial mound forming the northern perimeter, with the high rock walls and a huge gate. Inside the gate, he commanded a marvelous and perfect crypt to be built. Once that had been completed, and all of the enchantments and magical traps were placed around the graveyard, Bandur placed all his valued possessions, manuscripts and holy relics in rooms within the crypt. Upon completion he had gone totally mad and in failing health, he returned to the capital to appear before an assembly of the high-ranking priests of The Dark Path, who ran the day-to-day affairs of the land. Pronouncing the words, "Gosaena Throk Farok," told them, "There is a place that calls me, where I must go. For my brother awaits me there. Seek me not if you value your lives. Find me not if you value your souls!"

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VI. B. The Council of Light

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