Theoduron: The Guiding Stars

In the Era of Oversight, it was common that mortals would seek approval from the gods, from the spirits they worshipped. Especially seeking out the Uri Cœur for matters of the heart. Before the Immortal War, most races kept only to themselves. With the exception of humans, who could find themself a home anywhere. Elves kept to their tribes, dwarves to their clans, gnomes to their collectives, genasi to their planes.
Eldermountain was home to almost every race and creature. Under the guidance of Eldath, the elves roamed aboveground while dwarves lived happily right below. These two societies were one of the first to form mutually beneficial interracial trade relations. But still, they kept to their own.
Duron, a dwarf from Underel, had always been curious about what existed above the rocks he called home. Did the sky also have things that twinkled like the geodes undermount? As a child, he would sneak out to cave exits to forest watch. His parents and surrounding adults would direct him back home too quickly for his liking. As a teen, he took to painting the forested horizon from the mouths of caves. Restricted to doing so in the light of day, he would not see a star until several years later.
Theo, a high elf of the Elder Peak, always longed to see more of the world, to travel down into it, past the dwellings so high in the sky he knew as home. How would he one day speak for his people if he knew only the things presented to him? How could he make deals with a people he’s never seen, with strangers? Before he passed his first century, he convinced his father and the council to allow him to trail along to the next exchange. There only as an observer, it was here Theo caught a glimpse of a young dwarvish boy full of curiosity. He lurked in the cave but was still eager to see outside. Theo was glad to know there were others like him who sought to leave their borders.
After his trip to trade, there were less watchful eyes on his every move, and he found more less-gazed upon pathways out of the tribe. He regularly went on jaunts down the mountain, meeting other woodland creatures, partaking of the thicker air, finding plants he’d never before seen, and even some cave entrances to Underel. At one such cave entrance, he found the dwarvish boy he’d seen so many years ago.
When Duron was first found by the elf, he immediately ran away, terrified he’d done something wrong and his small painting alcove was soon to vanish. After a few days pass and yet to be accused of anything, Duron returned to his alcove. The elf returned a few days later and from either side of the cave opening, they gazed into each others’ homes.
Duron and Theo found an understanding in each other. Duron began to paint Theo with how often he visited, and Theo lengthened Duron’s painting hours with dancing, glinting lights, a spot of elf magic. They told each other of their homes and their lives. Duron spoke wonders of the geodes while Theo told him stories of the stars. They knew they could not show the other the things of which they spoke for fear of upsetting the gods and people who cared for them.
Still, they dreamed of one day running away with one another. Far from the expectations of home or race or fate.
Not a year after they first met, Theo began suggesting furthering the relationship of elves and dwarves. He went to as many trade functions as possible, few and far between as they were, and asked far too many questions of his elders and his gods. Despite his high status, he also began training with the rangers who provided for the tribe whenever he wasn’t spending the day with Duron. His father began to grow agitated at his frequent absence.
Since meeting Theo, Duron’s days brightened. He still longed to go out and see all of the sky and stars for himself, but just hearing Theo’s stories was enough for now. He still had his duties at home to fulfill and knowing he had Theo to visit in their alcove made each day worth it. Theo was, quite literally, the light of his life.
After a particularly rebellious day in which Theo tried to demand answers from the gods, and a failed attempt to push trade relations further than either dwarves or elves were comfortable, Theo stormed up the mountain to Duron’s painting alcove. He found Duron lurking, waiting still despite the late hour.
“I know you went to the exchange today. I heard it didn’t go well, so maybe you’d like to paint?” Duron offered. Theo beamed and dragged Duron into his arms.
“I would love to paint, but I know what would be even better.” Theo grabbed Duron by the wrist and dragged him out of their alcove. Onto the mountain proper, into the encroaching dusk sky, and out of Underel.
Duron struggled to take in as much of the world as he could as together they raced to the mountain top.
From here, just the two of them, Duron could gaze freely upon every star he’d ever dreamed of. Every star Theo’d told him the stories of. In the crisp, thin, night air, they stared at the sky until their eyes could no longer.
Dawn broke violently to Duron, a dwarf never subjected to the fullness of Sol before. When Sol looked upon them that morning it was also with an anger Theo had never encountered before. But he knew why if Duron did not. Theo had willfully disobeyed all guidance of the gods and his elders. Sol’s disappointed fury was well-deserved.
Duron shielded his eyes and looked to Theo for answers. Seeing him for the first time in full light, Duron wished he had his paints with to capture Theo’s radiance. He stood defiantly in the light of the morn, sure of his self and as convicted as ever. Even as he was pulled away by the elders Sol had revealed their location to, there was not a glimmer of fear or regret in his eyes.
“I’ll see you in the sky.” Theo whispered as they embraced goodbye.
Duron was guided back down to Underel by an elven ranger where he faced the judgement of his people. How dare Duron wish for beyond what the mountain and the gods provide? Duron agreed with them, he had been foolish to want more if even the gods disapproved. He took his punishment with pride, working deep underground, far from his alcove. But he couldn’t shake Theo’s smile, voice, and light from every thought as he tried to do his penance in the deep dark. Sometimes Duron even imagined Theo’s dancing lights keeping him company.
Theo was brought back before the council of Elder Peak, who could not find a suitable punishment for him. There was nowhere they could put him where he could not leave, no work he would not get out of. They turned to the gods for guidance.
On this day, the gods had no mercy. For continued peace between the races, it made the most sense that Theo be removed, relocated to a new home. However, a place on the material wouldn’t work due to his connection to Duron. Even the gods saw that Theo would stop at nothing to find his way back to him.
Voi, the shadow and dark Theo had often traversed through on his route home from their alcove, spoke forward to offer Theo a place amongst the stars. Where he could view the world he so wanted to explore, though still unable to interact with it. Where he could wait for Duron should he still want to see Theo years past.
Gods and elders alike found this to be a suitable punishment for Theo’s questions, rebellion, and disregard for others. But none told Duron.
When Duron finished his own punishment, he was reluctant to return to their alcove, fearful of what he may or may not find. But he could not resist the pull and visited a few days later. He found he was right to be cowardly in this matter.
His painting alcove of many years, his solace from all else was closed up. Rocks had been piled in to seal off the exit, then seemingly fused back into the mountain herself. Duron got the message: the gods were furious and he was never to see Theo again.
It didn’t stop him from trying (as deftly as he was able) to attend exchanges from afar, anything to catch a glimpse of him. He was barred from all attempts by others of Underel, convinced Duron would bring chaos the way Theo had.
With no chance to see the outside ever again, no hope to see the sky or stars, and no inkling of the light once in his life, Duron did not live much longer. He went through the motions of his day, contributed what he could to his family, but without the joy of his paints or of Theo’s company, he was no more mere years later.
Now, Theo & Duron spend every night and day together. Side by side with Voi in the sky. They get to see every inch of the world together and light the path for so many others to be with each other freely.