The Flame of Ilder

The Flames of Ordoth is the tale of the foundation and destruction of the Draconian village known as Ilder, and its sworn protectors fall from grace into the madness of rage and self-destructive despair.

The Tale of Ilder

Ordoth Mardaar was a warrior in the Draconian village of Ilder. He had founded it, alongside Otikul Nurdesh as a place where people who practiced magic relating to nature, such as Druidry, Earth Magic, and Beastmastery, could study with nature in peace.

Ordoth Mardaar by fyrcracker

It was split off from the village of forbidden magic known as Evity, where harmful magical practices like Necromancy and Puppetry are common to find. However, neither Otikul nor Ordoth were from those places. Otikul was from the Draconian capital city of Zephys while Ordoth was born in the warlike Draconian village of Bortan as a chivalric warrior.
Otikul recruited Ordoth specifically for the purpose of resettling land that was once settled by Draconians over a thousand years prior, up until its destruction not long afterwards. A village by the name of Erdenn, a paradise of nature that was destroyed by its own people in a war that split the village in two, spurred on by Elves.
Otikul promised Ordoth that such a thing would not happen again and Ordoth, with no reason to distrust the old man, agreed to the deal. He wasn't sure how long Otikul would last, as he already seemed quite old and feeble, but he agreed and, in 498, when Ordoth Mardaar was only twenty three, he helped found the village known as Ild Erdenn (Ild meaning Old in Ancient Draconic).

Chief Protector

Otikul never offered Ordoth the role of Chief. He assumed without question that he would be Chief himself, and Ordoth was fine with this. A Chief was a world leader who answered only to the Grand Wizard if the Grand Wizard gave them an order, which they rarely did. Other than that, Chiefs were the sole rulers of the Draconian Villages, and that was what Otikul would be for Ild Erdenn.
However, Ordoth did not want the old man to die to some kind of assassination attempt or Elven attack. He had noticed that Elves had been crowding around the village in recent times to scout it out, as it did lie on the outskirts of The Elven Forest. So Ordoth asked to lead the force that protected the village. Otikul agreed, saying that Ordoth was not to be Chief himself, but would instead be the Chief Protector. This meant that he both had authority as the highest ranked protector, but also that he would protect the Chief himself.
Ordoth began training the soldiers with Bortanian training that he had learned from the Chief at the time, Clurjul Cayries. He wanted his men and women to be equipped to deal with any threat that popped up. Otikul appreciated all that Ordoth did, and said to him,

"You've done good work. You are the very foundation of this village. Your strength and leadership keeps the village going. You are the very flame of Ilder, which keeps our village burning bright."

— Otikul Nurdesh

Olthash Bifaeth by fyrcracker

Love Waits for No Soldier

Ordoth was the flame, and he was always prepared. At least, he thought he was. He was not prepared, however, for the greatest threat of all. At least, that was what he called her later on as a sort of pet name. Her name was Olthash Bifaeth, a black Draconian from Evity who had settled in Ild Erdenn.
At that point in time, three years into the founding of the city, it had stopped being called Ild Erdenn. That name was far too long, and didn't fit in with the names of villages like Bortan, Yirthum, and Tamd. Most people had shortened the name simply to Ilder.
That was exactly what Olthash called it.
As Ordoth was guarding, he felt his feet begin to move uncontrollably, marching onwards through the village, leaving his post. He tried to break free, but found himself unable to do so. And he then found himself sitting down at Ilder's finest (and only) dining establishment, "Dinner at Denn." The fanciest of Draconian cuisine was on the menu, and it was a place that Ordoth had never been able to afford in the past. He wanted to stand up and leave, knowing he wouldn't be able to pay for a meal from this restaurant. However, it was then that he realized he wasn't alone.
Across from him sat a woman who said,

"You can hardly find a good place to eat here in Ilder, and don't get me started on finding good company. But I think finally I found someone worth my time. The name's Olthash Bifaeth."

— Olthash Bifaeth

Ordoth was a bit flustered, but replied that the village was Ild Erdenn, not Ilder. Olthash then informed him that no one who was anyone called it that anymore, and that he should catch up to the times. Even the old geezer in charge had started calling it Ilder. Ordoth agreed, and asked if he could go back to his post.
He then saw that a steak was on the plate in front of him and knew that he couldn't let the meal go to waste. So, before he went back to his post, he ate his meal and even had a nice date with Olthash while he was at it. By the end of the day, they were engaged.

The Next Four Years

Ordoth apologized to Otikul the next day. He didn't intend for this to happen, but now he needed four years off to get to know his fiance, as was customary in Draconian culture. In these four years, they would intimately learn everything about each other until there was no secret between the two. Then, and only then, could they marry.

Otikul Nurdesh by Jarhed

Ordoth expected Otikul to say no to him. He knew Otikul was old, meaning that not only did he maybe not have four years, but he also needed a Chief Protector. However, Otikul instead smiled at Ordoth and said,

"So you found a woman, eh? You're a lucky man, Ordoth. After all my years, I'm still quite alone... Go ahead, have fun! I can handle myself. I may look like an old geezer, but this geezer can kick some tail. If only I could get some tail though..."

— Otikul Nurdesh

Ordoth thanked Otikul and promised that when he would return, he would keep Ilder as safe as he could. That was not the last time Ordoth saw Otikul in those four years.
As Ordoth learned more about Olthash, he fell more in love, and vice versa. He learned that she used Puppetry, but had moved out of Evity because she hated the environment of Evity. She much preferred nature. She spoke a lot of plants, and her favorite kinds of plants. She found it amusing how Ordoth had co-founded the village of nature, yet knew so little about plants.
So Otikul would sometimes pop his head in on them, telling Ordoth things about plants. He had a wisdom to him that was puzzling. Ordoth questioned how he knew so much. What he also questioned was why Otikul insisted on bothering them. He was getting quite annoying, as they couldn't go a week in their four years without Otikul showing up. Despite him telling Ordoth to have fun, he seemed to have had no intention of allowing Ordoth that fun.
Ordoth didn't want to get angry in front of Olthash, so he put up with it. He accommodated the old man, knowing he wanted to enjoy his last years. However, it was Olthash who eventually got angry and told Otikul to leave. It seemed like there was no reason, but when Ordoth asked her, the answer she gave with a smrik was:

"I could tell you were uncomfortable having him here. You didn't want to say it, I bet you thought I wouldn't notice. We've been spending all these years getting to know each other, of course I can tell what you're thinking. It's like I can read your mind!"

— Olthash Bifaeth

Beyond Violence

Ordoth would often use his Earth Magic around Olthash. He would use COR (Control of Rocks) to smooth out the ground she walked on so that she never had to deal with bumpy roads or tripping over rocks. He would also use COP (Control of Plants) to make Olthash's favorite flowers: Purple Hyacinths.

Purple Hyacinth by Bru-nO

Ordoth's COR was what he always used to fight. He didn't like using it too much around Olthash. So in his time with her, he became much better at COP. By the time the four years were up, he was better at COP than he was at his natural COR. He could make the most beautiful of flowers. Despite growing up in a warlike state, being tought only to fight, Ordoth had now learned to love. He had moved beyond violence.
That was when he married Olthash Bifaeth. When she became Olthash Mardaar. In the year 507.

Passing the Torch

It was a few years after Ordoth returned to duty that he got the news. Olthash was pregnant. Ordoth was going to be a father of a baby boy.
Otikul again congratulated Ordoth and told him to take time off if he needed it. Ordoth did so, always being there for his wife if she needed him. Any time she needed him, she would use her puppetry to bring him back home, where she would then ask him to get her something or do something for her. It didn't happen as often as Ordoth wished for it to. He wanted to spend more time with Olthash.
He would get that opportunity when the boy was born. He was black and gold, just like Ordoth and Olthash. And on the 4th day of the Month of Chaos, 515, Oraakil Mardaar was born. The name came from Olthash as she saw him,

"Look at him Ordoth... isn't he beautiful? He's got your scales, and that serious look you always have. I think he could end up being a great mage... a protector of some kind like his dad. Or a killer.... Or a killer... Or a kill. Oraakil! Ordoth, we should name him Oraakil. That way, whenever he sees his name, he knows that he'll always have another option. Like you did. You don't have to kill. I think Oraakil will be an upstanding young man. Just like his father."

— Olthash Mardaar

Oraakil Mardaar by fyrcracker

Family Man

Ordoth did everything he could with his family. He would take them to the Temple of Helle to pray, he would take them to go to his meetings with Otikul, he would even take Oraakil on his patrol duties sometimes.
Ordoth never wanted to let his family go. He knew one day, Oraakil would be taking his place. He wanted Oraakil to be ready. He wanted Oraakil to be safe. It was why he had matching sets of Dragonsteel Armor made. Extra protective armor from the greatest Enchanters in Yirthum.
Oraakil was born, like Ordoth, with a pair of vestigial wings. Eventually they grew, but Oraakil was unable to use them very well when he was young. Ordoth tried to train him, but it never worked very well. Olthash would tell Ordoth not to stress him out too much about it, most Draconians didn't have wings anyway, so if Oraakil had ones he couldn't use he would be no worse for wear.
Ordoth continued to train him though. He needed Oraakil to be able to use them. Oraakil had to carry the torch, after all. How could he do what Ordoth did if he couldn't fly? He had Earth Magic like his father, one of the few magic affinities that hindered flying more than it helped. Still, Oraakil was unable to fly.
Ordoth had no choice but to move on. Otikul told him he was wasting time, and at this point, Ordoth couldn't question him. Otikul knew time well enough, he had enough of it in his life to account for all of Ilder it seemed. He was getting more angry at Otikul, but still, he understood. Otikul was better than ever at that point, seeming like he could live a hundred more years on top of his already seemingly ancient lifespan. Ordoth wondered if it was even possible for him to die. Ordoth assumed that even when his own flame went out, this so called Flame of Ilder, Otikul would probably still be around.

When One Flame Goes Out

It came out of nowhere. The year was 526, it was the 19th day of the Month of Reckoning. Ordoth was on guard duty in the southern section of the village, watching over a trade between some Alchemists from Tamd at the time.
Oraakil was with Olthash in their home on the Northern border of Ilder. Right at the edge of the Elven Forest. Normally, any Elven hunting parties were dealt with fairly quickly. However this was no hunting party. This was an army of Wood Elves. Some even say that some High Elves disguised themselves to participate, just to get back the Draconians for getting close to their territory.
Olthash helped the guards fight, but no sign was sent to Ordoth. No one could get to him, he was stuck with the Chief of Tamd. None of them were enough to fight the Elves without Ordoth, so they needed to get him.
So Olthash had to send Oraakil. She couldn't let him stay in the line of fire, these Elves would aim for priority targets and the 11 year old Oraakil, who looked just like the hated Ordoth Mardaar, would be their first prey. And Elven hunters do not miss their shots.

First Flight

Oraakil couldn't get to Ordoth. The Elves were closing in all around them, and the soldiers couldn't carve a path in time. There was only one way out: Through the sky.
Oraakil could not fly. He still was unable to get his wings to work. But Olthash knew a way to get him into the air. She was skilled in Puppetry after all. She could make his wings move, and get him to Ordoth. Just making them move a bit would hopefully be enough.
The eleven-year-old Oraakil Mardaar, with the help of Puppetry, was lifted off of the ground. With his mother's power and his own maneuvering, Oraakil dodged the arrows of Elves. But his mother was using all her power and focus on him, as the Elves attacked the soldiers. As the Elves attacked her.
Oraakil felt free, flying through the air. After enough time, he was able to make the wings flap on his own. He felt the wind on his scales, saw Ilder below. And he landed right next to his father. He was both happy and afraid, turning into a sort of middle ground of apathy. Still, it was enough to alert Ordoth that something was wrong.
Ordoth took Oraakil and flew to the Northern. When he got there, the Elves were encroaching further into the village. And the soldiers were either dead or gone, with no remains left.

Another Must Take Its Place

There was no sign of any remains of Olthash Mardaar. An Elven Fire Mage was there, incinerating the bodies out of fear of necromancers. They knew people from Evity were in Ilder, and were unsure what they could do. So the Elves took no chances. Though there was no proof left of it, that only proved the fact to Ordoth. They had incinerated his wife.
Ordoth's love, which had taken his mind off of the violence, became clouded now with rage. With the violence he had grown up being taught. The flowers that Olthash had loved so much grew beneath his feet, in their own garden, then setting ablaze. The Hyacinths Olthash had loved so much were no longer Purple, instead glowing a bright Orange. As in Ordoth's rage, his COP had turned to Fire Magic. Impossible Magic.
These flames of rage removed any knowledge Ordoth had of how to control plants. That was the Ordoth who loved. But this Ordoth felt rage, as his flames grew brighter and brighter. They caused the Elves to go further in, destroying some buildings with their magic. But many say that looking from a distance, Ilder seemed to have been lit ablaze by Ordoth's own flames. In its destruction, Ordoth proved his title. He was the Flame of Ilder. And now, as it was destroyed, that flame would remain with him for the rest of his life. The flame of this rage. The flame of his love, lost with no sign that it had ever existed. No sign but his anger, his flames, and the child he carried with him.

Amidst the Rubble

When Ordoth regained some of his senses, there was little left of Ilder. Oraakil was there, some citizens who had evacuated were cowering. But standing amidst the rubble, unscathed and staring Ordoth down, was Otikul Nurdesh. As Ilder's flame went out, Otikul still stood.
Ordoth's rage continued after this, building up as the years went on. He was imprisoned for his actions in the destruction of Ilder, where he remained in prison for a year, contemplating his actions. He wondered if it was his fault that Olthash had died. After a year, however, he came to a conclusion.

Ilxar Nimphonker by Jarhed

Ordoth Mardaar was not at fault in his own mind. It was everyone else. So he would turn this rage on the world. On the Elves who had destroyed Ilder, on the world that had let this become commonplace... and on Otikul Nurdesh. Ordoth wasn't sure how, but he knew Otikul had a hand in this. He had to. How else could his resilience be explained? And if he didn't, then it would be Ordoth's own fault, and he could not let that be the case.
He also killed the Chief of Tamd then. That man was no longer Chief at that point, giving the title up to his successor Ilxar Nimphonker. Still, it was his fault Ordoth hadn't responded in time to save Olthash.
Ordoth gained Mind Magic when he joined the Army of the Revolution. Fepar Tilrak gave it to him, saying that it would be best used in the hands of an experienced mage. The first thing Ordoth said when he was alone with Mind Magic was a cry out to his wife, though he knew she would never hear him.

"You used to be able to read my mind so well, but now that I can do the same... you're not here. How is this fair? That I must live without you..."

— Ordoth Mardaar

Spread

This is a story that is vaguely known of in Elone, the continent where Ilder once stood. Draconian Villages tell the story with a bit more emphasis on Ordoth's madness, saying he was always mad.
Aside from people in the Army of the Revolution, no one knows that Ordoth is the Mind Magic user, or that he escaped prison, so most people believe the story ends with his arrest and potential death in prison.