Prologue: Sweetheart, You Are Sadly Mistaken

III. The Forgotten Healers

The Order of Dawn, moreover the power of The Dawn, is not some divine blessing but rather a manmade ‘ability’. References to this phenomenon are well documented in Agradya, and it is believed that our ancestors dubbed this particular form of sorcery ‘Technology’. Legends speak of the Doc-tors, an order of healers from centuries past. Much regarding their order is either lost or relegated to mere conjecture, but we do have some hard facts. They were widespread and respected members of society, they dedicated significant amounts of their life to study and scholarly pursuits related to their field, and most fascinating of all; they dedicated a minimum of at least one temple to them in every major city.

Many of the bits regarded as fantasy are in fact due to misinterpretation, such as the legends of the EMT’s, mythical creatures that have been conflated to chariot riding demons who sought out injured and devoured them. I am not certain where such nonsense first gained traction, but much more credible legends speak of the EMT’s (either a group of knights or warrior monks) as wielding the mighty Amboo-lance to whisk the injured away to the temples of the Hôpitalites, home to the Doc-tors.

These Doc-tors and EMT’s operated on an arcane knowledge of the inner workings of man, and while few ancient depictions remain, there is one scrap of sun bleached parchment stored at The Institute of Archeological Rediscovery in Agrardya depicting a woman in gown and face mask acting more like a butcher than healer.

Given their prevalence, their odd methodology was effective, allowing them to thrive, at least until the rise of the technomancers. These technologists are said to have wielded a power remarkably similar to that of The Dawn, using it to stabilize the injured en route to the temples. Similar to the EMT, though described as possessing far greater power were the Army Medical Corps, found in every nation if only by a slightly different title.

The first Renata was a member either of the EMT, AMC or the Order of Doc-tor. She is quoted as saying that the Gods themselves gave this power after the collapse, as humanity was lost without their tools and were forced to relearn everything. According to Renata, The Gods took pity upon us, seeing as the weapons used in the Great War poisoned both water and the soil, leaving people reduced to living short agonizing lives.

Children died young, many were rendered sterile and a plague dubbed ‘Fallout Sickness’ swept the globe. The Order has even gone on record as saying that “The eradication of Fallout Sickness is proof that humanity was mired in taint of The Dusk, and while not cleansed completely, we shall one day bathe in the purifying rays of Dawn.” Many of the survivors were afflicted with mutations, most detrimental, but one gave rise to the power of The Dawn.

True Origins Of The Dawn

The power was described as being ‘in the blood’ and it is a known fact that it is photosensitive, drawing its power from the sun. The orders of Doc-tor, EMT, and AMC were never hereditary; there were universities and training that one attended before being given the power. After the war however, the power was recorded as being passed to children, from either one or both of the parents. In fact, if The Order were to truly enforce its policy of celibacy then there would be no more Order of Dawn. This knowledge is contrary to the Church’s dogma; and as with all contrary beliefs, opinions, facts, and has been mostly suppressed or destroyed.

Early members of The Order blamed technology for The Fall, scourging most all ruins from that era (only M-1 track of Aes Sidhe was spared as it was and still is a useful trade route). Agrardya rejected this philosophy and a new war broke out. This conflict lasted six months before Renata the Virtuous interceded and put an end to the fighting. As a result, Agrardya is not a follower of The Order and much bad blood remains between them and the rest of Silex. Another result of this falling out was the destruction of nearly all the relics and ruins in both Runandia and Briternica.

For three-hundred years after the collapse man suffered as the planet healed. All that remained of the old ways were stories and vague notions. Emissaries of Renata were sent forth from Elysia to spread the word and teachings of The Order. They brought not only hope, but also the ‘secrets’ of cultivation, simple trade and the much needed healing abilities of the clerics. For the next one hundred years, humanity would be on an upswing.

VII. Secrets of Mana

In the year 370 ATC, Asketill was founded upon the ruins of a military structure. Much of the structure remained (likely still remains) intact underground. The founders claimed to have discovered “Great archives chronicling all life on Silex,” they go on to describe “…interactive windows that displayed words and images of a bygone era.” After three days however: “the windows went dark, a woman’s voice issued warnings in an alien tongue, then the brilliant lights of artificial suns dimmed and blacked out. Doors that once slid apart as if by magic now remained still when one stood before them.” And with that, much of the records were lost. A great deal had been transcribed (though indecipherable) despite the short time frame, and still more was kept in paper form or actual books, though admittedly fewer than the windows or ‘hard disk’ information.

It seems also that magic existed in the previous era, (in much the same sense as we know today) though known by only a select few. Our ancestors sought to harness that power, possibly given their warlike tendencies, to weaponize it. The Asketillian founders however, sought better understanding of their abilities, and word spread that the valley was a meeting place for adepts of this mysterious ability and all seeking to understand the past and bring humanity out of the darkness.

After years of study and dedication, the founders succeeded in what our ancestors failed to do. The adepts placed their power into words and symbols, making it possible for others to draw upon it. These words and symbols were placed into song or poem form as a mnemonic device. The Order felt that this too was unnatural, that the only magic sanctioned by the gods was their own and raised an army against them. Asketill did battle with The Order, destroying their army of one hundred thousand men and women, men and women whose time and lives could have been better spent saving human life rather than taking it. The founders raised a barrier (the enchanted peaks that ring that ‘Nation’) to prevent others from entering without their consent.

The global population was still less than two million, and this loss of life was staggering. The Order preached this as a lesson from the gods, that no army should exceed ten thousand men. That changed however, during the time of Morana circa 636-666 ATC and it was deemed that no battle should exceed ten thousand men on either side. The Order had cemented its hold upon the world. Populations remained low due in part to the hordes of Dusk spawn that ravaged the lands after humanities fall and rampant disease. It was not until the banishment of the beasts by the now Saint, Cecily the blind, in year 666 ATC that ‘peace’ could reign and The Order could focus on its original mandates of healing the sick and infirm. Most, if not all advancements in hygiene, sanitation, construction, food storage and production came during this time. And ninety percent of those advancements came from Agrardya, they alone remained isolated enough from The Order to pursue other ventures dubbed taboo, such as attempts to understand and recreate past inventions.

Where We Go from Here

Populations grew slowly but steadily. It was a time of wealth, arts and glory. Despite the advancements and prosperity however, memories of the past lingered in myth and dogma. As populations increased people were discouraged from having too many children, lest they return to the dark times of centuries past.

People in urbanized areas rarely had more than three children, undergoing sterilization ‘surgeries’ (a holdover term from the days of Doc-tors) that would not have been possible without the Power of Dawn. Wars still occurred, though with significantly less consequences than in the past. With members of The Order worldwide, it became a trivial matter to suffer a sword or axe wound in battle. As such, it quickly became fashionable to participate in wanton violence that even drew crowds of spectators. This spawned the so-called ‘war carnivals’ of today.

Leaders settled even the pettiest of differences with war, no different in fact than when an offended noble challenges another to a duel. The Order seemed to even sanction such displays, or at the very least, condone them. They soon became ostentatious pageantries to see who is the flashiest or best dressed. The need for armor was diminished as a wounded man could be made good as new by attending monks, not to mention it got in the way of finely tailored garments.

It became so that kings and generals rode into battle wearing cumbersome ceremonial or parade garb followed by a train of attendants. Many times, the attendants outnumbered the combatants in these spectacles. The practice continues even to this day, as seen in the battle of Silvertears, when the king of Duvachellé rode in atop a stallion decked in useless gold plate armor, a bejeweled bit and bridle as well as diamonds upon the stirrups. The king himself wore a heavy fur cape of some rare mountain leopard, ceremonial breastplate, pauldrons and gauntlets (at a total of eighty-five pounds) a bejeweled silver blade as tall as he and outrageous crown specially crafted for the occasion. The battle was fought with Sorn over farmer’s water rights at the two nation’s borders.

The matters fit for war were trivial at best, often criminal from the loss of life for purported gains perspective. Armor (if worn) was purely a decorative piece, as was the presence of a king or in some cases even the general. However, one thing could in fact be agreed upon as a wise choice in pursuit of a most unwise endeavor: War was to remain a ‘civil’ thing, not the savage battles for land and resources as seen in the years before the collapse.

Dear Professor Ofir,

We are shocked and appalled at this latest submission, especially in light of your previous brilliance in annotating the War of the Dawn. If this heretical piece is some sort of jest, we do not share your odd sense of humor Sir. Should, light forbid, you be serious about publishing this, we do not feel our firm is the proper venue. Perhaps a publisher of fantasy or even satire would be more appropriate.