The Legend of King Caedryn
The Legend of King Caedryn
At the heart of Tarnith's mythology lies the tale of King Caedryn the Verdant, a noble and just ruler who united the warring clans of Tarnith under one banner. Guided by divine visions and the wisdom of druids, he wielded the Blade of Whispers, a mystical sword forged by the gods of Tarnith’s ancient past. The sword was said to grant the bearer the ability to hear the spirits of the land and command the respect of all who lived upon it. Caedryn’s Rule Caedryn's reign marked a golden age in Tarnith’s history—an era of peace, prosperity, and magical wonder. His court, Caelwyn’s Hold, was a fortress of stone and oak nestled amidst the verdant hills, where The Knights of the Emerald Flame, druids, and bards gathered to protect and honor the realm.The Verdant Veil and the Feywild
Tarnith lies at the edge of the Verdant Veil, a mystical barrier separating the Material Plane from the Feywild—a realm of wild magic and boundless beauty. During the Midsummer Moon and Winter Solstice, the Veil thins, allowing glimpses into the Feywild and occasional crossings of fey creatures. Druids and bards warn of the Feywild’s dual nature: a wellspring of inspiration and a source of dangerous temptation. Ancient pacts were made between Tarnith’s first kings and Feywild rulers such as Queen Lyris, the Blooming Empress, and King Caernon, the Thorned Sovereign.The Pact of the Fey-King
Long before Caedryn’s reign, King Branoc the Bold entered the Feywild and forged a pact with Queen Lyris during a war with otherworldly invaders. In return for aid, Branoc offered his descendants as Wardens of the Veil. This covenant granted Tarnith rulers the Emerald Sigil, a relic that linked them to Feywild power—at the cost of eternal vigilance and balance.The Court of Seasons
The Feywild’s presence in Tarnith is channeled through the mythic Court of Seasons, four powerful fey courts:The Wild Hunt of Tarnith
Led by Lord Aelric, a cursed warrior turned wraith, the Wild Hunt rides out during the Night of Veils when the veil between life and death thins. Aelric’s spectral riders punish the wicked and test the brave, chasing them through forests and dreams.The Shadowthorn Rebellion
Not all welcomed Feywild influence. The Shadowthorn Rebellion was led by knights and mages seeking to sever Tarnith’s fey bonds through necromancy and dark sorcery. They were ultimately defeated by the Order of the Emerald Flame and druids, but the cost was steep. The final battle cursed the Forest of Nightshade, turning it into a haunted glade filled with vengeful spirits.The Order of the Emerald Flame
Caedryn’s elite protectors were the Order of the Emerald Flame—a legendary fellowship drawn from all corners of Tarnith’s mystic traditions. Bound by the Oath of the Flame, they guarded the realm from mortal and supernatural threats. Notable members included:The Druidic Legacy
The Druids of the Veil act as intermediaries between the material realm and the Feywild. They commune with the Primordial Spirits—entities embodying Tarnith’s forces of nature—and maintain Fey Glens, sacred places where rituals honor fey pacts. The most sacred of these is the Glade of Seasons, where all four seasonal courts converge.Relics of Caedryn’s Age
The Fall of Caedryn
Like the fall of Camelot, Caedryn’s end was marked by betrayal. Dorian Nightshade, once a trusted ally, sought the Cauldron’s power and led a coup. During the Siege of Caelwyn’s Hold, Caedryn was mortally wounded. Before dying, he cast the Blade of Whispers into the Mists of Avalonreach, a hidden glade said to touch the Feywild. After his death, the kingdom fractured. But legend says Caedryn will return in Tarnith’s darkest hour to restore balance and unity.Related Articles
Order of the Emerald Flame Cauldron of Eternal Wellspring Blade of Whispers Mists of Avalonreach Glade of Seasons
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