It was a bright morning, but apparantly there had been some rain recently, as water droplets were still falling from the leaves. The sun was low on the horizon, and the light shone through the leaves of the trees making silver beams bright enough that you\'d think you could touch them.
This is where I first awoke. It was actually the water from the leaves dropping on my face that first brought me to my senses. I remember nothing before. I staggered to my feet, instinctively knowing which direction to walk to find a stream of water.
After satisfying myself with as much water as I could drink, I sat down. I felt something sharp poking me. Shifting to one side I reached down and pulled out a small nut. It had apparantly fallen from the tree under which I had awoke. I placed the nut in my pocket, though I\'m not really sure why.
It is an interesting sensation to suddenly be brought into being, without the slow learning process of becomming self aware. There were questions I couldn\'t answer. How come I knew a language, could walk, was fully grown... how come I knew what growing up was? It was simply as if I remembered everything - except any memory of a life led. Had my memory been erased? Had I simply been suddenly summoned into being by an unknown power or diety?
Time went on, and I traveled the countryside, meeting the first beings like myself that I had ever met. Had I not known my own reflection from the various streams of the land, I would have thought them to be strange beings indeed. After several nights had passed I began to dream.
The first dreams were incomprehensible - flashes of thought - no images. They were disjointed - frightening, yet they seemed to have a pattern. It was like a musical resolve - the sounds and pure thought seemed to be building to an answer - a knowledge just out of reach.
Eventually it came to me - not the grand knowledge I expected, but something more subdued. It took me a long time to come to even get to understand any of it at all. But then I knew - I had a purpose - a purpose yet to be realized, but with intelligent intent. One day I hope to learn what it is I\'m supposed to do - to be...
In my travels I encountered a small village. Weary I stumbled into a bar to find myself face to face with a strangly familiar dwarf.
Valbrandr: Induane! Its you! Lishom come quickly - its Induane!
Lishom: Induane? A miracle truely! We had all but given up hope. We thought we were the only two who made it throught the crucible.
Induane: Who is Induane? I fear I do not know that name.
Valbrandr: Come then, there is much to tell old friend. Perhaps some good ale and the company of friends can jog your memory.
After a pleasant night of drinking heartily and tales of the past, I learned many things. I was taught the history of The Sentinels of the Ragnarok, and how we came to be here under the azure light of the crystal. I was told stories of heoric deeds which were credited to me, but of which I have no memory. That night I slept well, dreaming, always dreaming...
The next months flew by, and before long I felt right at home. There were many friends to be found, Jekkar, Lordbug, and Ashamn all from neighboring towns visited often, and after each visit I looked foreward to the next. I felt at peace, invincible, as if nothing could damage the sheer perfection of my daily life.
Then it happened. The attack came from the south and we were ill prepared. The thriving town Valbrandr and Lishom had built up was a peaceful town, with little defense. The children and women were killed along with the men, though all fought valliantly. I rember vividly the image of a woman holding a baby in one hand and a sharp sword in the other, charging at our nameless attackers. I\'d forgotten alot of my past, but some things you never forget. Valbrandr had sent for help, but soon it was obvious that none was comming. The fight lasted nearly a full day, but in the end we were forced to flee. Every shred of the town and its inhabitants were gone, and Valbrandr, Lishom and I were all that was left standing.
Eventually we made it to Ojeveda, where we were taken in by the Enkidukai. After a while, we felt strong enough, and made our way to Hydlaa to find our friends. The story of this encounter can be found
here. After a time, we began scouting for the location of our new town, which was to be called Vaalnor. Finally after days of searching, we found the perfect spot. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small nut I had found on that first fateful day of my memories.
Induane: When I awoke, I found this small acorn like nut Valbrandr, I do think I shall plant this seed here as a marker for our town. I will water and care for it for my lifetime, making sure it grows tall and strong.
Valbrandr: WHAT?! IT...It...it can\'t be - but thats a nut from a Yggdrasil tree. Where.. how... the Yggdrasil tree is from our home world, how is it possible to find one here?
I was taken slightly aback, but without another word, I dropped to my knees. Shaking slightly, I dug a shallow hole in the fertile soil, and placed the small nut inside. I covered the hole and fetched some water from a small pouch I kept tied to my belt. I watered the spot on the ground and rose to my feet.
The ground began to shake, and there was a sound like a thousand scrolls being torn, and then a blinding flash. Temporarily stunned, I staggered back, then looked. Before me stood a huge tree, its bark the purest white, its leaves the purest green.
\"This,\" Valbrandr whispered, \"was intended to happen - it was fate...\"
