The Zalygtarer Elves
Mistress Hua'zur - I recently received from a doonai the attached journal. It seems to be a first-hand account of a growing situation in Lysandre that could potentially be turned in our favor, should the need arise. I thought you would be very interested, not so much in the specific story or city, but in the implications of the strained relationship between the new empire and its subjects displaced during the Great War. IYS,
The First Migration
It was the second year of the Rebellion, 835 1A if memory serves, when my parents decided it would be safest to move us East, to Khalismyr. It was a long journey, and took several months. All the while we heard rumors and updates about the how fast the Kynekin armies moved across the land. Khalismyr was our hope for the future, a respite from the horrors, the atrocities, and all of the things that we have learned accompany war. And yet eventually, with my two sisters in tow, we made it to the captial of Lysandre. It was clear from the early days the city wasn't ready for us; for the waves of refugees who had the same thought as us. We expected the Emporer would keep us safe, look after us, protect us. We were wrong.The State of Lysandre
Life in Lysandre was beyond hard. Faced with the dire circumstances of massive overcrowding, a lack of jobs, no respectable prospects for earning money, dwindling food supplies, a prevalent drug problem, and rapidly spiking crime rates, we were forced to fend for ourselves. There was really only one choice: we needed to move again. So, with a few other like-minded families, we set out from Khalismyr. About ten days North we came upon an abandoned outpost buried in the forest and laid claim to it. The familes collectively gave the place the name Zalygtarer, which roughly means the Canopy of Empty Tears.The Early Days
Given the uncertainty of the war, we placed an emphasis on rebuilding and repairing the fort for the first year or so. We had access to everything we needed to survive: game for food, rainfall for water, and ample wood for constructing shelter. Our parents taught us the skills and concepts to capture, raise, and tend the giant wool worms known we call suldordan. It was the first time in a long time we collectively felt normal; like our lives had some sort of stability.Behold the New Empire
The war eventually ended with the signing of the Thee'nor Accord, putting us all at ease. That is, until our wool trade became lucrative enough for the newly named Viceroy of Lysandre to take notice. The Viceroy's men arrived in force, demanding harsh tarriffs for usage of an Imperial fort without a writ and failing to pay tribute to the Viceroy. Dwarves from Kungaroun came and, under threat of violence forced upon us licenses to conduct business and outrageous contracts for sole authority to move our goods across the land. What could we do? Of course we paid. And yet, after everything we had been through trying to survive on our own, the demands left deep feelings of resentment.Working for Change
With our tribute paid, we have since sent envoys back to the court of Khalismyr, representing our interests. But the reports from the capital tell us little has changed since we left that place so many years ago. Our voice is but one of the masses with little hope of seeing true change for the elven peoples. We worry what tomorrow may hold for us, and so many others...
Related Locations
Comments