Long ago. Many thousands of years ago, it was the Alyien who ruled this land. Their ruins of pale white stone still scatter these lands, overrun by nature and plagued by the decay of time’s passing. Many call these places cursed and many keep their distance in fear of what might happen if you get too close. Dark magic, the undead, ghosts and ruinous spirits. Foolishness all of it, for often their own cities lie upon such ruins and their kings live in palaces built of their stone, or even some older parts are the very corridors built by the Alyien. What they should fear are cults, bandits and the odd terrible creature that make these ruins into homes or safehouses.
However, the common man’s fear has a basis in truth. Many simply assume that all Alyien were evil, even though so little is known and none of them remain to this day, or rather, no living ones remain to this day. For, they do remain in places that should be feared, in places deep and hidden. The Alyien built many necropoles for their dead, where they do remain to this day. These places are ancient, hidden and often full of the nefarious dark magic so often feared by the common man. So then, the fear is simply misplaced to the common and unremarkable ruins of the land, when it should be placed on these ancient spaces.
While there are a few notable exceptions, most ruins that remain to this day are of three very distinct types. The first is priestly. The religious iconography is plentiful and the few texts found always relate to their beliefs. Open courtyards, both above and underground, are very common in these constructions with minimal fortification elements. Some like to call these places ‘temples’, yet I find it to be a rather dishonest decision to assign such a purpose when we do not actually know their purpose, even though it seems to be related to religious matters.
The second typical and distinct type of ruin is the military ones. In many aspects, they are very similar to all other Alyien ruins, ‘priestly’ and notable exceptions alike. They are built of the same white stones, and courtyards are still very common. The difference lies in the fortification elements, where ramparts are always present. Furthermore, these courtyards often have further elements that would allow a defending force to decimate any attacker. Yet, strangely, we have never found any signs of battle. That has led for some to argue that they are not forts or military outposts. However, those with such views have never been able to explain the armouries found. Further exploration is needed of such forts, and any textual proof would be most noteworthy if it could be found.
Lastly, there are the necropolis of the dead. These are the places that should be feared. For not only are they full of traps, and tunnels to confuse most explorers. But, ancient magics run deep, and they are not safe to explore. What can be said with certainty however, is that these places were used to house their dead. If they were used for anything else, it is not known.
Excerpts from
'Alyien Ruins: a typology' by Lord Alfonso de Soier, 1352 AS.
The Alyien are so often seen as the evil that once held these lands in their grasp. Such views are not completely unwarranted, but I find it hard to believe it is the whole truth. Whatever the case may be, it is important to note that we do not possess all the facts, and likely never will. However, we do possess some facts, that can be used to make certain assumptions.
The origin of the Alyien is shrouded in myth, and very few facts, if any remain. They saw themselves as divine offspring, meant to rule the world. To lead all people, including our own ancestors to salvation. Perhaps this was their belief, and their purpose in their early days. But, as is so well known, it did not remain so. Our ancestors found themselves to be little more than slaves with time. Exactly how this came to be is not known, but the later stages of the history of the Alyien is better documented.
The feature most obvious to these later stages is infighting among the Alyien. These conflicts are mentioned in certain texts, such as the inscriptions within the Be’dan temple ruin. However, they contain few concrete details about the actual conflict, as it is only mentioned in passing. These conflicts are the context of their time and as such there is good reason to judge their actions according to this context.
The reason as to why they are so often seen as pure evil, is their interactions with the realm of Zhalexa. While little is known about the realm itself, some remaining inscriptions and our own legends from the time of the Alyien make it clear enough. Zhalexa is the daemon realm of Apsor, a god of daemons, destruction and blood. His power is apparently great, though it seems he has difficulty to gain access to our own realm of existence without help from here. The Alyien knew this, and granted him both blood sacrifices and limited influence in our realm in exchange for soldiers and powerful magics. There seems to be a very simple reason for this relationship between the Alyien and Apsor; power. Power that in the end consumed the Alyien and became their downfall. For they became too reliant on granted power, and when The Order of Artié formed and sealed our world from that of Zhalexa, their entire civilisation came to fall.
Of course, some of Alyien’s servants remain and daemonic worship was widespread for at least half a century before it was properly removed. Some remains of this do exist, but they take the form extreme fanatics, or raving lunatics. After all, most spout claims of Apsor’s return because of a prophecy even though we know that realm to be sealed away. While some have suggested a purge of these underground elements is required, I see little point. These remnants are not large, or organised and pose no threat to our realm of existence any longer. Furthermore, every time such elements grow into a cult of any real size, they quickly become noticed, arrested and punished according to law. Therefore, I see little reason in wasting resources to support an extensive purge.
Excerpts from
‘A History of the Alyien and their culture’ by Master Richard Verendé, 1293 AS.
My Lord Alesvar,
I write concerning the interrogations of Halst Aresti and his apprentice Henry Aster. It is with some regret that I must inform you that Halst’s heart gave out during his interrogation, before we managed to break him. I admit surprise that such an old man had such resistance. His apprentice however, was less resistant to pain and his heart, young and strong, did not give up so easily, not allowing him to escape through death's door. We secured some answers, yet others remained out of reach. I will send you the full transcription.
As we suspected, the major cults are not actually the original remnants. The major cults are something newer, and less sinister than the original remnant that we should be hunting. The original remnant, according to Henry are smaller units called S’tets. A single S’tet consists of a master and an apprentice. Apparently, it is an old Alyien word meaning shrine, or house. Though I have yet to confirm this with any scholar. Halst was the Master of Al’e S’tet, the house or shrine of Al’e, which apparently is the Alyien name for what is now Alesvar.
I prodded Henry for further information concerning other shrines but the only answer I receive is that he doesn’t know and that only the Master knew of the others. Now, in hindsight, I believe he was indeed telling the truth about that matter. Though he did say that they exist throughout the old Alyien Empire, so he obviously knew of that other shines did indeed exist, even though their exact location was apparently unknown to him.
He also spoke of Halst’s goal, and why he was so careless about being seen and discovered as he was. Apparently, the collection of shrines is searching or waiting for the son of Apsor. I was unable to gather more details other than words about a prophecy foretold by Alexter of the Alyien before their fall. Alexter was, apparently the last Master of Al’yien S’tet who sacrificed the Alyien to open a way to Zhalexa; the so called ‘last act’. I have never read anything like it, but I shall likewise raise this matter to some scholars at the university. Lastly, if you wish to know more about Apsor and the prophecy, I recommend ‘A History of the Alyien and their culture’ by Master Richard Verendé. The work is old, but many consider it to be of a high value in the study of the Alyien.
Your most humble servant,
Sir Adrian de Veré
A letter from Sir Adrian of The Order of Artié to the Lord of Alesvar, written 1365 AS. following the execution of Henry Astar.
