Shah's Chosen
In the annals of elven history, there exists a saga of heroes whose deeds transcend time and space, their names etched in the very fabric of legend. They are known as "Shah's Chosen," blessed by the goddess Shah herself to embody the virtues of mercy, hope, love, understanding, grace, patience, forgiveness, and generosity. Each champion, bestowed with a unique virtue, served as a beacon of light in the encroaching darkness. Mercy, Hope, Love, Understanding, Grace, Patience, Forgiveness, and Generosity, these were the virtues that defined Shah's Chosen.
Structure
The Master of Seasons assumed command of the Gaul Do Shah militia, acted as a liason to external nations, and assumed the role of protector and provider for the people of the Gaul Do Shah Empire, answering only to the Queen and the goddess herself, should she choose to intervene. These champions were often the voice of the Queens they served under and managed the day to day governance and judicial duties, allowing the Queen to focus on managing the overall Empire without distraction.
Culture
Within the Gaul Do Shah Empire, there was no higher aspect of society attainable beyond that of royalty, and with there only being an extremely select few to move from the Tree into this role, their positions were held in the highest regard. They were granted immense power from the blessing of Shah that was imbued upon them following an extensive training period often spanning up to a century. Rumors and stories circulated among the elven people and beyond of their champions being able to single handedly turn battalions of troops, control the weather, and command the seas, and while these were largely exaggerated, their power was beyond anything before seen within the realms of Cairne.
Public Agenda
Each Champion was granted a specific virtue from their goddess, which their power, ability, and direction was dictated by. This variance made each Champion unique, and each era they presided over brought further harmony to the entire culture in its own way. They were charitable protectors of their realms, repositories of lore and knowledge, practicioners of the highest magics, and shrewd by wise ambassadors, focused on peace and balance.
Assets
Each Champion was blessed with a boon from Shah in the form of an item ibued with her essence through which the Champion could channel her power to great effect. The majority of these artifacts are lost within the Gaul Do Shah Wastes or believed to have been horded by Sharvisal Gwhynndahris when she went into hiding. While little is known presently about the exact properties of each, the information that remains is this:
- A blade named "Aran'dhel," crafted from light, it possesses the power to mend wounds and restore vitality to the champion and their allies with each strike.
- A longbow named "Elerryn," intricately carved with symbols of the dawn that shot arrows of shimmering light that could pierce through darkness, and instill hope and courage in the hearts of allies.
- A staff named "Heart's Embrace," adorned with intricate vines and blossoms, capable of conjuring protective barriers. It radiated an aura of warmth and empathy, capable of soothing troubled spirits and fostering bonds of kinship.
- A tome named "Aur'ethelas," bound in enchanted leaves of the spirit tree, it contained the accumulated wisdom of ages past, granting its bearer insight into the hearts and minds of all beings.
- A harp named "Aelin'dhel," crafted from the branches of the spirit tree and strung with strands of moonlight. Its melodies had the power to mend rifts and restore balance to troubled hearts.
- A shield named "Tirith'ronin," etched with flowing patterns of tranquility, it created a shimmering barrier that deflected the blows of adversaries and granted them the ability to create a calming aura.
- A horn named "Echo of Dawn," capable of summoning reinforcements in the form of animals and creatures of the forests and bolstering the morale of allies with its uplifting melodies.
- An amulet named "Estel'amar," shaped like a tear of the goddess, it radiated an aura of calming warmth and granted the champion the ability to negate all forms of emotional negativity in their presence.
- Amarshael "Shah's Mercy", a shimmering glaive made of pure light that granted the weilder unnatural strength and grace, and protected it's user from harm.
- A purse named "Cael'doriath," woven from threads of pure starlight, it was forever brimming with all manner of fruits and herbs, symbolizing the boundless generosity of its bearer.
- Twin daggers named "Silme'rael," forged from moonstone and silver, they moved with the fluidity of water and the swiftness of wind, bestowing upon their wielder unparalleled grace and agility in battle.
- A cloak named "Veil of Devotion," woven from the threads of twilight, which granted its wearer the ability to cloak themselves and others in a protective aura, shielding against harm and hatred.
History
This is a list of the former Champions leading up to and beyond the Blight, listed by the virtue they were imbued with, their names, their seasons, and the dates of their birth, ascention, and return to the Tree:
- Mercy Lyrindel, Spring, Born 2681 AR; elevation 2661 AR; retired 1795 AR
- Hope Auroriel, Summer, Born 2681 AR; elevation 2674 AR; retired 1576 AR
- Love Thalindra, Autumn, Born 2681 AR; elevation 2673 AR; retired 1449 AR
- Understanding Eldorien, Winter, Born 2681 AR; elevation 2671 AR; retired 1301 AR
- Grace Celeborn, Spring, Born 1794 AR; elevation 1550 AR; retired 421 AR
- Patience Valandil, Summer, Born 1575 AR; elevation 1600 AR; retired 600 AR
- Hope Aelarion, Autumn, Born 1450 AR; elevation 1300 AR; retired 286 AR
- Forgiveness Elenion, Winter, Born 1300 AR; elevation 1150 AR; retired 155 AR
- Mercy Aazd, Spring, Born 420 AR; elevation 300 AR; MIA until 215 PR, currently active.
- Generosity Eldarian, Summer, Born 612 AR; elevation 453 AR; Died defending the halflings in Fingal's Rise from his own people 23 PR.
- Grace Ioelena, Autumn, Born 285 AR; elevation 150 AR; presumed KIA 161 PR in Armuun.
- Love Malindor, Winter, Born 157 AR; elevation 25 AR; Lost to the Void's Influence 5 PR, corrupted and changed, slew Eldarian at Fingal's Rise 23 PR, currently active.
Disbandment
With the fall of the Gaul Do Shah Empire, the disappearance of the goddess, Shah, and the withering of the Tree, the ability to return to the Tree was hampered, and the organization of the Empire crumbled. There have been no Champions named since Malindor.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
2661 AR - 0 PR
Capital
Alternative Names
Master of Seasons
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Demonym
Gauldowhynna
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Founders
Parent Organization
Deities
Location
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments