In the far East of Elfhiem on the silver coast amongst the waves of the Swan Sea lies the Great Guild Base of Lokelonde, a magnificent citadel of white and gold towers. Nestled in a natural harbor made of white rock that shimmers like starlight. The buildings and walkways gleamed like fresh snow as waterfalls roar past and underneath them into the sea. Flawless marble statues of lions and dragons scattered the city. Along the inside of the most outer wall, green farmland stretched out. And in the center of this vast cityscape, the crown jewel and entrance to the dungeon, a grand castle that glittered like pearl adorned with emerald and sapphire with two crystalline towers reaching up into the sky.
The Great Guild Base of Lokelonde belongs to the guild called The Tears of Elvhenan who's nine founding members were the first to find and master the Evanuris or Ancient Elves class, this plus the fact that the guild scouted and recruited the most influential Elven players in Yggdrasil which once numbered well over a hundred made them a force to be reckoned with even before the taking of Lokelonde
The Lost City of Lokelonde has 15 levels. It boasts an impressive 3000 levels for NPCs which is the norm for one of the nine great guild bases but because the guilds 55 player legion had beat the level 95 dungeon and the world boss within on the first try they were rewarded special classes and jobs for Elves and Dark Elves, three world items and a host of both combative and non-combative NPCs ranging from level 30 to 75 capable of defending the dungeon collecting resources and accumulating wealth for the guild.
Thanks to the strategic location of Lokelonde being between a mountain range and the sea the only paths are a mountain pass or a secret route through the mountain which can only be accessed by the resident guild not many enemy guilds have attempted to raid the dungeon and the ones who have never made it passed the fourth floor only due to the number of NPCs they would have to go threw before even getting to the castle. Due to the nature of Tears of Elvhenan's guild master, Azanar, High King of Lokelonde all enemy elf players were offered a place in the guild and all none elves were offered mercenary positions by High Commander Evunial being the more tolerant of the two he would even take requests from Heteromorphs.
One of the main reasons guilds have attempted to raid Lokelonde was to get a hold of one item: The Tome of Algar'nan which unlocked the very potent Evanuris class for Elves and Dark Elves which the guild kept in the treasury and would only let members use unless someone was willing to pay an exuberant fee or trade something of equal value.
The Tears of Elvhenan had three main groups: The Evanuris, which could only be held by nine players at once and consisted of the senior member and those chosen to take their place, These players also acted as a council to the High King. The Eldarin, which represented the twelve strongest non-senior members who reported directly to the High Commander, and the Elvhan, which represented all other members of the guild.
As time went on, more and more members of the guild started to leave Yggdrasil, and before anyone knew it, the last day had already come, and only five members were online.
GREAT CASTLE OF LOKELONDE:
Evunial, High Commander of Lokelonde stood before a grand open window from which he marveled at the splendor of the city he had been charged with protecting for so long. He was clad in gold-embroidered white and blue formal wear toped with a blue and white fur cloak similar to the ones all the High ranking members wore. The bronzed skinned elf's silver and blue hair danced in the artificial wind as his heterochromic eyes one gold and one blue looked out to the sea. The Dark Elf let out a heavy sigh.
"Damn, I am gonna miss this place." he said as he brought up a menu "hmm, only one hour left".."This sucks!!"
He exclaimed.
Just then, another elf walked into the room and spoke. He had light skin, short spikey blond hair with one blue eye and one red. he was wearing black and white formal wear.
"Hey man, what are doing up here all alone?"
His voice was kind and welcoming.
"Oh, hey Grizz, was just taking in the view one more time while I can," Evunial replied.
Grizzly walked up and took a look out of the window.
"That never gets old." He said. "But come on, let's go, your twin sent me to get you. He wants his second in command in the thrown room."
Evunial sighed in defeat. "I guess it can't be helped then."
THE THRONE ROOM
Magnificent braziers enclosing each of the twelve marble columns light up the entire throne hall and cover the hall in warm oranges and dancing shadows. The intricately carved woodwork, hanging from the curved ceiling dance in the flickering light, while memorials and stone effigies look down upon the slate floor of this elegant hall.
A sapphire rug runs from the throne to the doors and is matched by smaller ones on either side of the hall while pointed banners with the guilds embellished crest of a golden dragon and a silver lion standing in defense of a white tree decorate the walls. Between each flag hangs a lantern, none but a few have been lit and, in turn, illuminate the artistic depictions of the highest-ranking guild members below them. Drapes cover huge windows colored the same sapphire as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with emblazoned edges and gold leaves.
Two towering thrones sit at the head of the Great hall the first, of ruby and gold, sits beneath one of the two overlooking statues of the legendary beasts on the guild's crest, The indomitable Dragon.
The throne is covered in nothing but labyrinthine inscriptions, and fixed on each of the front legs is a ruby-encrusted suns. The broad pillows are a dark scarlet, and these, too, have been adorned with burnished needlework.
The second, an impressive throne of white gold, sits beneath a great white Lion. The throne is adorned with furs and covered in hallowed crests, and fixed on each of the broad ears is a sapphire moon. The comfortable pillows are a dark turquoise, and these, too, have been adorned with emblazoned needlework. And along the sapphire rug, eight similar but smaller thrones sat four on each side for the other Evanuris.
Evunial walked into the great hall that could easily hold a hundred players but saw only three sitting and laughing about old times. Sitting on the white gold throne was his brother Azanar, Guild Master, and HighKing of Lokelonde.
The powerful Elven mage was a sight to behold, his long crimson hair flowing like fire over his pale features. His heterochromic eyes peered through his red bangs, his left gold like his brother's and the other an emerald sheen.
He was clad in his divine class gold-embroidered crimson robes, which laid loosely upon the thin red and black Dragon hide leather, which covered most of his body except for his Dragon bone plate gauntlets and grieves.
The High King smiled and stood as he saw his younger brother approaching
"Mae g'ovannen!"(Welcome) the King exclaimed.
"(My brother is such a nerd..)" Evunial Thought to himself while smiling back. "(but then again, so am I...)" he continued before replying.
"Hîr vain." (My Lord)
Just then, one of the two elves that were sitting in one of the eight thrones let out an annoyed sigh. the dark elf had short blue spiky hair and red eyes and was wearing a full set of hooded black and white plate armor.
"Can we not role play right now. I know all us senior members needed to learn those Elven languages, but come on, we got like thirty minutes left."
He said with a groan.
"Haha, fair enough, Ninja," Azanar said, his smile still evident.
"I still can't believe we have to leave all this behind."
The other sitting elf stated. He was a fair-skinned elf with blonde hair purple eyes, one light and one dark. He wore black and white robes.
"You got that right, Chaos. after all the Blood sweat and tears we put into Lokelonde alone."
Evunial chimed in. "Staying up for seventy-two hours at a time, groups of us taking turns farming all the XP and gold needed for this place. And don't even get me started on the floor, Guardians!"
The High Commander exclaimed, gesturing toward the NPCs standing next to the thrones.
"Oh, Geez, don't remind me," Grizzly said, resting his face in his right hand.
"Hahaha,"
Azanar laughed, remembering all the hours Evunial and Grizzly spent editing the NPCs.
"You and Grizz did put a lot of work into them, their personalities clans, traditions, rituals, stories, and songs, how each one feels about each other and history before and after we united all their warring clans under one banner not to mention the different languages each clan spoke." The Red King finished.
"For the record, I am still pissed WE had to learn those damn languages." Chaos said abruptly.
"Aw, come on, you gotta admit it was pretty cool to be able to talk freely while being raided, and no one understands us." Grizz reasoned.
"Besides, it was not that hard to learn," Evunial added.
"Says the nerd." Blaze snorted.
"I prefer Fantasy Enthusiast." Evunail joked.
"Soo a Nerd," Chaos said, earning a laugh from the room.
"Well, I think I am gonna call it a night guys. I gotta get some sleep I got work in the morning."
Ninja said as he looked at the time.
"Yeah, me too," Grizz stated before continuing. "Is it weird that I feel bad for leaving them all alone?" He said while looking at the NPCs.
"Nah. Besides, Azanar and I are off tomorrow, so we will stay on till the servers shut down." Evunial said reassuringly.
"Ok, man, I will talk to you guys tomorrow," Grizz said with a smile.
One by one, the group of Elves said their goodbyes for the night till only Azanar and Evunial were left.
The two elves stood in the grand hall. Azanar edited his NPC, while Evunial inspected his NPC, Aenor, a black-haired Elf with orange and red eyes wearing hooded black and red leather armor one more time. He noticed his brother and walked over.
"What are you doing with Haleir over there?"
Evunial asked as he walked over to inspect the NPC; it was a pretty little elf that reached just under the Duos chests. She had slightly tanned skin, wild shoulder-length red hair, with one green eye and the other blue. She was wearing a white fur cloak made from a wolf's pelt, which hid most of her small frame.
His eye twitched after reading.
"Loves her big brother Azanar? Really?"
Azanar jumped back.
"What?" The High King asked.
"This is why people think you are weird,"
Evunial stated. A look of suspicion etched upon his face.
"Come on, bro, you know I've always wanted a little sister, but all I ever got was you."
Evunial just stared at his brother, the look of suspicion still on his face.
"Revenge wouldn't even care," Azanar reasoned.
Evunial's stare intensified.
"Uhh, Here I know, I'll put your name here too. Then it won't be so weird." Azanar said as he typed."
What..wait. Don't."
Evunial said before Azanar pressed enter. The two stared at each other for a moment before they started laughing.
"So speaking of the family, are you gonna be coming down for Christmas?"
Evunial asked, breaking the silence.
"I think Dad would be really happy to see you."
"I don't know man..you know we are not on the best terms since I started working as a game developer,"
Azanar replied.
"I know big bro, but it would be nice to have everyone at home for the holidays," Evunial stated.
"Hmmm... I will think about it, ok," Azanar answered.
Evunial smiled brightly as he finished with Aenor.
"Alright, how do you want to do this?"
Azanar asked as he walked up toward his throne, passing the NPCs gathered there.
"Well, actually, since I maxed him yesterday, I was gonna take Calagon and Aenor here for one final flight over the swan sea before the servers shut down." The Dark Elf answered.
"Calagon? didn't you get him with your Dragonkin class for getting the killing blow on the Dragon of Lokelonde six years ago?" Azanar asked as he sat on his throne.
"Yup..." Evunial answered.
"And you just maxed him yesterday?" Azanar asked, shocked.
"Well, he took a crap ton of XP, so I and Revenge just leveled him up whenever we could. Never even got to test his full build." Evunial said, lamenting all the hard work.
"Well, While you do that...I am going to sit here and bask in the Glory of Elvhenan!!"
The High King Said dramatically.
"Haha Na lû e-govaned vîn."(Until next we meet)
Evunial said as he brought up the menu before jumping out a window with Aenor and summoning Calagon, a black and red dragon Lord.
As Evunial flew out over the sea at breakneck speeds, Azanar sat before his magnificent court and raised his right hand, prompting all NPCs to kneel. he then leaned back, closed his eyes, and as the clock struck midnight, he replied to his brother's farewell.
"Savo 'lass a lalaith"(Have joy and laughter.)
"Hmm,"
The Elf king thought to himself as the clock started back at 00:00:01.
"Hmmmmmm,"
He thought again, now visibly irritated.
"Really, devs? you can't even let me say goodbye properly." "It was hard enough as it was,"
Azanar said, closing his eyes as he leaned forward and laid his face in his hands. His eyes then burst wide open.
"What the!?.."
He thought to himself as he stared at his hands. "I can feel my face and my hands. That should not be possible,"
He raised his hand and started poking the air.
"What the hell? Where is my console?"
The crimson-haired Elf said alarmed.
Just then, Azanar heard a feminine voice,
"Melda tár?"
He looked down from his throne only to see Mithrein, the leader of the floor Guardians, with a very concerned look on her face.
The Elven woman in question had long flowing silver hair, a slender yet curvy body as flawless as her face. To call her beautiful would be an understatement.
She was wearing a silver and blue dress that laid slightly snug against her skin. She saw his look of surprise and backed up.
"Ánin apsenë Melda tár!" (Forgive me, my King).
So much was going through Azanar's mind,
"(How is this possible?)"
He thought.
"(I can feel my heart beating in my chest, the warmth of the Sun Throne of Lokelonde on my back, The weight of the gauntlets on my hands.)"
He scanned the room and noticed that the other floor guardian's faces had worried looks.
"I need to figure out what's going on, but first..."
Azanar raised his right hand as he spoke. His voice was strong and commanding.
"All is well, Mithrein. Calm your self And speak in the common tongue."
The room seemed to sigh in relief.
"Of course, my King. My sincerest apologies for disturbing you, but you seemed troubled. I merely wished to inquire if all was well."
The Elven beauty stated.
"(What the hell? Her lips are moving,)"
He thought before replying.
"There is nothing for you to apologize for."
The High King said.
"You were right to enquire, but there is no need to worry. I am fine."
Mithrein's eyes lit up.
"Oh, you don't know How relieved I am to hear that, my Lord. I worried that you might have regretted your choice," she said with a sigh of relief.
"Choice?" Azanar asked, confused.
"Oh, to go with the other Evanuris to take a rest from eternity, of course."
Azanar rubbed his chin while he thought.
"Holy crap, this is really happening, and these guys think the others just went to sleep? "
Then another elf moved toward the throne and addressed the king.
The defense commander of Lokelonde, Sylvas, his pale skin marked with black runes of power ending a little after his collar bone leaving his face pristine, his black hair was shaved on the left side showing off his ears with pride as the rest of his hair flowed down the back of his head and rested on his right shoulder.
He was wearing a heavy black and gold cloak topped with a wolf pelt over intricate battle mage armor.
"And words can not express our eternal gratitude for you and Lord Evunial's kindness, not leaving us here alone."
The King shot out of his throne, startling Mithrein and Sylvas as a Realization came over him, causing him to look around frantically.
"Evunial!!" He yelled out before one of his rings on his left hand glowed, and an outside force shined around him, calming him down. Now calmed, he remembered their last conversation and watching his brother leave.
He then addressed the court. "Haleir, come forward."
The petite Elf walked up to the throne. Her wild red hair and white cloak bounced as she stopped before the Elf king.
"Your command, Dear Brother?"
She asked her king. A feeling of regret passed through Azanar before being calmed by an outside force again.
"Take your Lesser Dread Wolf pack and check the perimeter for the High Commander. Report to me as soon as possible."
He said as he waved his hand.
"It will be done."
The small beast master replied as she bowed before vanishing from sight.
"Everyone else returns to your floor and secure it."
"Yes, Sire!" The whole room complied.
Azanar sat upon his throne and looked at the guild menu while Mithrein and Sylvas anxiously awaited further orders.
"(Evunial's, Calalgon's and Aenor's names are all highlighted, so he is here, but I can't message him, which could mean the messaging system is bugged or he might be out of range. Hmmm, I could try a player contact spell, but can I even use magic?)"
Azanar thought to himself as he rubbed his chin.
"(None of this should be possible, touch, smell, in all my work in programming I...)"
He glanced upward and noticed the worried expressions on the two elves in the room.
"(Aww man, they must sense my unease. I need to stop worrying and figure out what still works and what we are capable of right now.)"
He thought as he stood up from his throne.
"Mithrein, Sylvas," he beckoned.
"Yes? my King."
The two replied in unison.
"I am heading to the ninth floor training grounds. Why don't the two of you accompany me?"
He asked with a kind smile. The two gave each other a confused look and then looked back at Azanar before nodding and vanishing.
A moment later, the trio stood before a tunnel leading into the training grounds. Azanar examined one of the four necklaces that laid upon his chest. Each one holding a brilliant jewel of varying colors.
One was blood red and encased in gold. One was black in a Mythril casing and seemed to hold the night sky within; the other was an emerald green and exuded life energy.
The one he held in his hand was a flawless crystalline jewel with bright and radiant lights dancing within.
"Excellent, the Great Jewels of Lokelonde still allow for seamless teleportation between floors." He then looked at the ring on his left hand.
"(The Ring Of Solomon. It increases wisdom exponentially, but it seems its lore power to keep Kings calm has become real as well.)"
He thought as he began walking down the corridor. As they walked, Sylvas seemed visibly bothered before addressing his King,
"My King, may I speak freely?"
"Of course, Sylvas,"
Azanar answered, continuing down the corridor.
"If I may, there is no need for you to ask us if we would like to follow your orders, your very whims are our commands."
Azanar stopped in front of the doors to the training grounds
"(Hmmm their programming doesn't seem to have been affected they are still crazy loyal. But it will be difficult if I have to act kingly all the time.")
He then turned around and looked at the two guardians of Lokelonde.
"Mithrein, Sylvas, you two were handcrafted to be the smartest and wisest of Lokelonde's guardians, and with the other Evanuris having left to sleep, you are also my greatest advisers so I would like it if when it was just us, we could speak as friends."
The two guardian's stared dumbstruck at their Lord.
"You honor us, my King," Sylvas said with a bow.
"It would be an unequaled pleasure," Mithrein said as she also bowed.
Azanar smiled, then turned and opened the door revealing a beautiful night sky.
The ninth floor was unique because it was connected to the castle but was a walled-off area that could be accessed from the outside by guild members and NPCs for training and testing builds. Azanar marveled at the beauty above him,
"This is not Yggdrasil," he thought before lowering his gaze to the training grounds. Soldiers sparred, and archers shot arrows at training dummies made of various ores ranging from steel to Mythril and even High Dragon bone.
Once the soldiers noticed Azanar, they all stopped what they were doing and lined up for inspection.
"At ease elvhan, Where is Argon?"
Azanar asked as he walked between the ranks.
"He went to check the defenses of the lower city, Sire." One of the soldiers answered.
"(Hmmm so they can even make individual decisions.. interesting.") He thought to himself.
"Send a message to him to return as soon as possible."
"Right away, my Lord." The Elf said before heading to relay the message.
"Now then time to see if magic still works,"
Azanar said as he walked to the middle of the training area, a battle arena where two massive golems stood, one a tier 6 Mythril and the other a tier 7 Dragon steel.
"Which one would you like to test your might against my Lord?"
Mithrein asked,
"Hmmm, let's try both."
He said as he stepped into the arena.
"ACTIVATE ALL."
The two golems roared, creating a gust of wind that caused Azanar's hair and clothes to flap in the wind.
"(Even though these guys were nothing to me in Yggdrasil, I feel like I should be scared or worried or may be cautious, but I feel none of that if anything I feel..)"
Azanar raised his right hand.
"TIER 9 ELDER INFERNO."
"Bored."
In an instant, a column of fire engulfed both golems. All in attendance watched in awe as flames danced, melting the golems to nothing. A few moments passed, then the light dissipated, leaving only ash.
"Truly magnificent,"
Mithrein and Sylvas said in unison.
Then the sound of loud booming claps started coming from the gate leading to the city.
"My thoughts exactly, but what are Golems to the King of the Evanuris ."
The captain said as he made his approach. He was a giant of an elf, had dark skin, light green eyes, and long black hair, which was shaved bald on the sides and styled into a ponytail reaching his lower back. He was clad in gold and silver-colored dragon bone plate armor.
The Towering elf knelt, His hand on his heart before Azanar
"My King."
Azanar placed a hand upon the warrior's shoulder.
"Rise Argon, there's no need for that,"
The High King said as he rose him to his feet.
"Now tell me, How are our defenses?"
Azanar asked.
"Impenetrable sire, only I don't believe we are in Yggdrasil anymore if the sky and location of Lokelonde are any indication."
The Giant dark elf stated while pointing upward.
Sylvas looked up and then spoke as he examined the night sky.
"The constellations are all wrong."
"And where are we located now?"
Mithrein asked.
"Well, my lady, I think it would be better if I showed you," Argon said as he walked up the stone step to the walkway on the walls.
Upon the wall, Azanar took in the new scenery. The city still laid against the sea. Its great ships still in the harbor. But where once stood an imposing mountain range was now vast grasslands.
"This is not good. We can be seen from miles around! Sylvas said, alarmed.
Just then, Haleir came up the stairs and bowed before Azanar with sadness in her eyes.
"I could not find our dear brother. I looked and looked.. but...I have failed you...I failed you both." She said, barely holding back her tears.
Without thinking, Azanar embraced The little Assassin while standing her up.
"You have failed no one, Haleir,"
He said with a kind smile as he wiped the tears from her face. The others simply watched in awe of the compassion of their king.
"All this means is that he must have been sent somewhere else in this world."
Azanar reasoned.
Argon then spoke out. "If that is the case, then I humbly ask to take a detachment of our best scouts with Haleir and two Dread Wolves to track him and the others down and bring them home. And if anything is foolish enough to get in our way..."
Mithrein then placed a hand on Argon's cheek and spoke.
"Be calm, dear Argon. I understand how you feel, but now is not the time to be rash. Cutting across this world in search of them when we know next to nothing about it would be unwise."
Azanar then questioned. And what do you think would be wise, Mithrein?"
Mithrein still not use to being counsel to Gods stuttered a bit while answering.
"W..well, I believe we should bolster our defenses, secure Lokelonde, and gain an understanding of this world before taking any actions on a grand scale."
"(Hmmm, I'd feel better if Evunial was here with me, but she does make a good point.)"
The Elven King thought before looking at Sylvas.
"And what do you think, Sylvas?"
Having more time to prepare, Sylvas kept his composure.
"My King, I agree with Mithrein. Evunial is the greatest blade of the Evanuris and has no equal among warriors and has both Aenor and Calagon at his side. I don't think we have any reason to worry for his safety."
"(Hhmm, He is right about Evunial being strong even among World Champions. But I still don't like just waiting. If only we could at least get a message to him..Wait..)
"I know what to do."
Azanar announced, causing the other elves to listen with anticipation.
"We will secure the city, and once we have obtained enough information on this new world, we will spread the name of Lokelonde to every corner of the map and bring Evunial to us."
"Excellent plan of action, my King,"
Sylvas said.
And then Mithrein chimed in,
"Yes, and once Evunial is back at your side, we can begin preparations on bringing your glorious dream to fruition."
Azanar stopped intrigued by Mithrein's comment.
"And what is my dream, Mithrein?" Azanar asked.
"To bring all the Elvhan clans under the protection of the Evanuris and show the world the true power of our people."
("Wow, I forgot how hardcore I was about role-playing the leader of an Elven pantheon when we first started the guild, all the hard work, all the time, all the attention to detail put into each guardian, they all represent a precious moment with my friends. And if they need me to be the leader I envisioned then...")
"Thank you, Mithrein." Azanar said with a smile.
"For what my lor.." She began before being cut off.
"No need to wait for Evunial's return, we can begin preparations immediately."
Azanar began.
"Haleir, take your scouts and place illusion runes at the four great gates, and in the morning, send scouts to look for any settlements nearby."
"It will be done, big brother." She said before running down the stone steps.
"Mithrein, Sylvas, make sure our anti-teleportation barriers are still functioning properly and then use illusion magic to increase the power of the runes we must be invisible."
"As you wish my Lord,"
The two elves spoke in unison yet again before leaving.
Azanar then looked to Argon. "Argon, notify the other guardians to stay on high alert and keep the soldiers sharp we may have already been noticed."
"On my honor, my King..but what of our citizens I fear they are uneasy due to our current state of affairs."
"(Hmmm, Of course, they are why wouldn't they be... I have a long way to go before I am a proper king.)" Azanar thought to himself.
"I will put our people's minds at ease Argon leave it to me."
"Of course, my Lord." The giant elf said before leaving Azanar alone on the wall.
He looked down at the sprawling sleeping city below, his keen eyes taking in every beautiful inch.
"Well, let's see if it works,"
The High mage said as he rose his hands
"TARGET CITIZENS, MAXIMISE RANGE, MAXIMISE MAGIC, TIER 8 CALMING WIND."
A burst of wind came from Azanar's hands and overtook the city riding all minds of worry.
"That's good for now. I should get some sleep, got a lot to do tomorrow...I hope you are ok out there, little brother."
Character sheets
Azanar:
Race: Elvish
Title: High King of Lokelonde
Jobs:
Archmage Warrior Lvl10
Archmage Lvl 15
Archmage Smith Lvl 10
Cleric Lvl 10
Divine Cleric Lvl 10
Elementalist Lvl 10
Druid Lvl 10
High Druid Lvl 10
Conqueror of Flames Lvl 10