Guardian of the Worldgate

Written by Yerran

The creation of the world engine was a desperate attempt to unmake the destruction wrought on the world by the Ancient's own hubris during the Age of Desolation, but upon its completion none stood at the forefront to use it, for none considered themselves worthy, and so it has rested, deep beneath Kaln Igni, the centre of Light's Talon.

Guardian of the Worldgate

The current owner of the title is a huge Ruby Dragon called Immalatius, who has held the position for over a thousand years. Her lair rests above Sun's Gate, the only way into the stronghold of Kaln Igni and down into the World Engine resting below. The title grants her power above the High Lightbringer and the council should the stronghold come under attack. She commands the forces of the outer defences and the bastion walls throughout the mountains, though rarely leaves her perch above the gate herself. Her position, though military, is considered by the defenders and soldiers of Light's Talon as almost religious. Any that pass through the gate will pray to her for protection and those that man the bastion call on her in times of need, for she is truly the first and last line of defense against the intrepid powers that seek to wield the power of the Worldgate.

There is another role of the Guardian, one not known to most as none have sought to use the worldgate in a thousand of years. They are tasked with judging the worthiness of any that wish to approach, bestowing tests of strength, fortitude and wisdom upon them as well as testing the mettle of their key. The key to activate the worldgate is an amulet, broken into six pieces and discarded across the temples of Lenwir. Though collecting them is only the first step, for to remake the key you must give up something of yourself and that is what the Guardian must test.

History of the Guardian

The first guardian, a Silver Dragonborn by the name of Kelentiuar, was the last Champion of Auwelle, Patron of Starlight and served upon the frontlines during the Age of Strife. When the portal exploded he returned to Kaln Igni and the world engine to find it again under assault by the same host of demons, devils and outsiders. He knew then that what they had created was as much a prize to darkness as to the light. He founded Light's Talon and built the fortress of Kaln Igni to forever be a places of strength in the Forever War. That was 2500 years ago, and since then battles have raged on and off across The Flametip Mountains as the forces of Talon's Light have kept the darkness from the power of the world engine. Since the first Guardian, there have been eleven. The position is passed through divine favour and the next is chosen during a great festival upon the death of the last. All have fallen in 'The Forever War', since they are all granted the Creators' gift of 'Everlast'.

Power of the Worldgate

The Worldgate as they call it, or world engine, is a structure of incredible power, absorbing residual magic from across the planet and drawing it in. None have sought to activate it for fear of what it might do as only the purest of hearts can bend it to the will of the Light. But it is said to be able to remake the cosmos themselves, to bend time and space, undo events or grant your deepest desires. A worthy prize for any that wish it.

Kaln Igni

The fortress at Kaln Igni is vast and terrifying, sitting amongst huge mountains and volcanoes. Every inch of it has been blessed as have all of its soldiers and each and every one of them is prepared to give their life to see it protected.  Other forts, walls and bastions exist throughout the Flametip Mountains, but Kaln Igni is the heart of Light's Talon, spiritually, militarily and culturally.

Type

Religious, Military

Cut off from the World

Most among Light's Talon are unaware of the world outside their own, focused entirely upon 'The Forever War' and what their failure would mean. The soldiers and fighters no not that the rest of the world has forgotten the Age of Desolation and the battle against the true enemy, for to them they live it every day, patrolling The Flametip Mountains for intrusions upon their realm and closing the invaders' portals.

Article cover image use permitted under pixabay CCL.
Credited artists: Azuredrops