The Legend of the Oathbound Kings

This myth spells the fall of the Kings from which the Empire rose

Summary

Long before the War of Retribution, 7 noble houses ruled from the east of the Fated Forest to the coast upon which the maelstrom breaks. In the early days of their nobility, the eladrin of the forests became hostile as the edge of the forests were being felled for construction. This costly conflict weighed heavily on the border kings and their allies thus the son of the Cloud Giant King Otar, Janir the Wind Rider saught out the Oculus. The Oculus told him that they could tell him how to stop the eladrin assault but they would exact a price from him in the future. Janir agreed. Thus, the Oculus revealed that if each king took an oath on two enchanted blades, one for him and one for them to show an equal bond between each king to Janir. Once the oaths were taken, Janir was imbued with the power of the Antler King, an eladrin legend said to dethrone their Emperor. The eladrin retreated after a final battle that not only cost both sides many lives but in Janir's new power, he slew 4 of his Oathbound kings including his father. He realized that this was the prophecized price the Oculus had given him as Badariel lead his people escaping the flood into the lands of the slain kings and pledged their new country to Ulasis. The three remaining kings returned to their homes, Oxchester developing into the power it is today and the two kingdoms remaining in the southcliffs fell to ruin. Janir spent his final days in self imposed exile, taking his blade into the Fated Forest, never to be seen again

Historical Basis

This is pretty freakin accurate. The Oculus did see the rise of an empire in their honor and did convince the Prince Janir to fight a last ditch battle against the Eladrin. Solais and the Rest of the Oathblades exist, entombed with their leaders or carried by descendents or in the hands of collectors.

Spread

It is revered by the Imperial people, who honor the sacrifice of the Oathbound but that didn't stop them from taking the lands of their former countrymen. The native peoples view it as either a betrayal by Janir or the greatest sacrifice to have been given by their ancient kings. Finally, the Eladrin hate the story and fear the Oathblades, were they ever united again, they fear the unraveling of their entire society.

Variations & Mutation

Janir the Slayer: Eladrin Version Janir the King of Kings: Imperial Version Janir the Betrayer: Southcliff Version

In Literature

Yeah the Imperial version is a kids tale