The Fall of Takish-Hiz

Ruanya Windleaf looks over a strange piece of blue ore and hides it when she sees you approach. ‘Hail Krozman. These are certainly interesting times. We are seeing all sorts of new things these days. I do need to tell you what happened in Takish-Hiz that led to the demise of many of my elven ancestors. I must ask you to remember that Solusek Ro called upon the power of sun we call Ro that would ultimately be the end of the first elven city. I must continue my fletching right now, but when you return, I can tell you more.’

Ruanya Windleaf says ‘How nice to set eyes upon you again Krozman. Like I had said, the destructive heat of the sun called upon by Solusek Ro brought the Elddar Forest to its end. As the trees withered and became petrified and the soil lost all of its nourishment, sands began to close in on Takish-Hiz. King and Queen Tak’Yaliz, who replaced the first King and Queen Tak’Hiz that were stolen by Innoruuk, commanded all of the elves to protect their city from the encroaching sands. Can we talk another time? Patchka Ceorvra needs my assistance with gathering some shrubs for her alchemy practice.’

Ruanya Windleaf says ‘Let’s begin again, Krozman! All of the elves of Takish-Hiz brought their strongest magic outside the city to protect it from the heat of sun. They fashioned aqueducts and resurrected trees and planted new ones to try to force the sands backward. As the natural resources needed to perform their magic dwindled, the elves had to look elsewhere. King and Queen Tak’Yaliz and their advisors called a grand assembly with the druids to propose an alternative that would be a massive undertaking. That’s all I have time for right now. So much to do!’

Ruanya Windleaf says ‘Lend me your ear again, Krozman and we’ll continue where we left off. During the assembly of the druids of Takish-Hiz, the king and queen pointed their faithful citizens toward a new magic art . . . geomancy. All of the citizens of Takish-Hiz were then given specific duties that would save the city. Some citizens were sent out to maintain the forest with shovels and seeds, and others were sent to the great libraries to learn and improve upon geomantic arts. I have to meet a fellow wood elf for more information on the story, but I’ll be back soon.’

Ruanya Windleaf says ‘I have more detail to give you Krozman. As the sands continued to pour in around the elves of Takish-Hiz like a merciless sea, parts of the city began to fall to the pressure of the failing earth. But the elves did not falter in their resolve and desire to save their home. The geomancers used the sands to form new walls where the stone crumbled. All the wood that cracked and split under the advancing sands were also replaced by reformed earth. Soon, large parts of the city were replaced with sandy architecture. Each day the elves fought to maintain their city, but it would be a battle that would seemingly never end. I must make an entry in my journal now, friend. Return soon!’

Ruanya Windleaf says ‘That Calliav certainly is an interesting sort. From time to time, he has visions about Takish-Hiz and tells me what he sees. Lucky for us, I suppose! Anyway, let us continue with the story. The king and queen of Takish-Hiz came to accept that much of their city was buried under the scorching sands and what remained was fast becoming unlivable. They saw some of their most faithful and powerful geomancers trapped in ruins of the city as some of the structures failed. It was time to make a decision. I’ll tell you more about that later. I have to do some foraging. We’re running low on supplies.’

Ruanya Windleaf says ‘More about the elves? Good! King and Queen Tak’Yaliz used a great horn to signal to all of their citizens that it was time to flee their failing city. They decided it could not be saved. The elves, weary and worn, left the scorched earth that came to be known as the deserts of Ro and made their way across the Ocean of Tears to a new and fertile land. They began to settle in a forest named the Faydarks that was much like the Elddar Forest once was. What they did not know is that some of their ancestors did survive deep beneath the sands in Takish-Hiz. We must discuss this another time, friend. I have a guest coming soon and I need to prepare.’

Ages of Norrath The last of the old races to decline was the empire of the Elves.

The Elddar Forest, the Elven realm of old, spread across the entire southeastern quarter of Tunaria. Tree communities and marble cities were built in the forest's clearings and meadows, their white towers and spires climbing out of the forest, higher than the tallest tree.

Legends say this prosperity drew the jealousy of Solusek Ro, Lord of Flame. He arched the spine of the serpent mountains, bringing heat from the burning sun to the ancient forest.

The rivers ran dry, it rained less each year, and while the great elven druids fought long and hard, using their powerful magics to combat the change, they could only delay the inevitable.

Slowly the forest gave way to desert, and eventually even the fair Elven city Takish-Hiz crumbled and the elves were forced to flee Tunaria, leaving much of their greatness behind.

After the fall of the Combine Empire, the remnants of mankind dwelled mostly in the center of Tunaria, inhabiting primarily the vast and fertile plains of Karana. Villages appeared and prospered, several reaching the size of towns, and two even became cities.

To the west a strong and noble band of Humans, lead by Antonius Bayle the First, founded Qeynos under the lofty principles of law.

When the Lord of Fire scorched Takish-Hiz and the very soul of the elven people, it is said that Tunare wept so that the winds blew and the mountains shuddered. Upon those winds, her tears were carried over the sands and across the waters to the east. The elves followed the divine winds, and they did feel their Mistress’s pangs within their own hearts. The lives lost to the great scorching and to the long journey that followed are never to be forgotten.

It is said that each elf who perished, whether from hurts of the body or grief of the soul, was taken into Tunare’s arms and given the balm of her blessed tears, so that she or he might at least be made into a shining, unburdened spirit. These spirits we can still see today, each a star in the

night sky, shining to remind us of our proper place here upon the earth. Each precious star will forever be mourned.

— Introduction to The Code of the Koada’Dal