02-23-2012, 07:48 AM
The five worked together to fight back the Amorians as effectively as possible. Latlan and Forar were used as training grounds for any able-bodied soldier, teaching them how to combat the Amorian's superior physical prowess and guerrilla tactics. Though the Amorians were thought to possess the strength of two or three soldiers, they were far from invincible. Latlan and Forar became countries of war, their citizens dedicated to serving the soldiers directly. The mines of Myrn overflowed with miners, all of them knowing how important the ore and minerals they mined were to outfitting the people fighting to keep them safe. Trade routes were quickly established between Mryn, Latlan, and Forar.
With most of their younger citizens devoted to fighting back the Amorians, Elmont and Hal'lal did what they could to study their enemy. Reports of enemy activities poured into Elmont, whose strategists analyzed how the Amorians move, attacked, and fought. While most of Anyria had their sights set on the war with Amoria, Hal'lal had not turned their attention away from the mysteries of the crystals. It was the scholars of Hal'lal that would truly turn the tides of the war. Many mocked them as they suddenly appeared on the frontlines, old men and women wearing the robes of scholars without weapons or armor.
Though the Amorians preferred quick strikes against vulnerable targets, enough of them had crossed the White Wall to make camps a necessity. Those camps would be the target of the scholars' attack. Two dozen of Hal'lal's citizens crossed the lines, approaching the enemy camps with easy, measured steps. The plains of Forar was the perfect spot for them to demonstrate what they had discovered. From within their robes, they produced crystals taken from fallen constructs. Raising them high, the scholars themselves began to glow with an unearthly energy. The ground beneath the camp began to churn and, in an instant, a gaping maw opened in the earth, swallowing the entire camp and anyone who had been in it. They were certain that such magic wouldn't work directly against the Amorians, but it didn't need to.
News quickly spread throughout Anyria. What were once trophies and baubles became sources of immense power. As more and more Anyrians learned to wield the power of the crystals, the Amorians pulled back across the White Wall. They had been prepared to deal with five mages, not a country full of them. It seemed like, overnight, the war had been won. The victory, however, was eclipsed by the proliferation of magic in the world. People went from talking about how to fight to how to study, which crystals were best, and what kind of spells they would love to master. Everything had changed.
It turned out that not everyone carried with them the ability to harness the crystals' power. It was never clear why some could use magic and some could not, but soon everyone hoarded whatever crystals they could find or buy. Lives were dedicated to how magic should be used or studied and, as is often the case, disagreements about the use of magic began to crop up. Alarmingly, people abused the power they gained, lording their strength over those who were numb to the crystals.
Fights began to break out between mages. Some saw themselves as righteous vigilantes, some were driven by greed, others were just looking for a good fight. Spells flew about Anyria, virtually unchecked. Law keepers without any magical prowess could do nothing to stop the acts of violence. It quickly became clear that the use of magic would have to be regulated. There would have to be some way to monitor the use of crystals and the casting of spells. The Heirs convened once more to discuss what they could do.
With most of their younger citizens devoted to fighting back the Amorians, Elmont and Hal'lal did what they could to study their enemy. Reports of enemy activities poured into Elmont, whose strategists analyzed how the Amorians move, attacked, and fought. While most of Anyria had their sights set on the war with Amoria, Hal'lal had not turned their attention away from the mysteries of the crystals. It was the scholars of Hal'lal that would truly turn the tides of the war. Many mocked them as they suddenly appeared on the frontlines, old men and women wearing the robes of scholars without weapons or armor.
Though the Amorians preferred quick strikes against vulnerable targets, enough of them had crossed the White Wall to make camps a necessity. Those camps would be the target of the scholars' attack. Two dozen of Hal'lal's citizens crossed the lines, approaching the enemy camps with easy, measured steps. The plains of Forar was the perfect spot for them to demonstrate what they had discovered. From within their robes, they produced crystals taken from fallen constructs. Raising them high, the scholars themselves began to glow with an unearthly energy. The ground beneath the camp began to churn and, in an instant, a gaping maw opened in the earth, swallowing the entire camp and anyone who had been in it. They were certain that such magic wouldn't work directly against the Amorians, but it didn't need to.
News quickly spread throughout Anyria. What were once trophies and baubles became sources of immense power. As more and more Anyrians learned to wield the power of the crystals, the Amorians pulled back across the White Wall. They had been prepared to deal with five mages, not a country full of them. It seemed like, overnight, the war had been won. The victory, however, was eclipsed by the proliferation of magic in the world. People went from talking about how to fight to how to study, which crystals were best, and what kind of spells they would love to master. Everything had changed.
It turned out that not everyone carried with them the ability to harness the crystals' power. It was never clear why some could use magic and some could not, but soon everyone hoarded whatever crystals they could find or buy. Lives were dedicated to how magic should be used or studied and, as is often the case, disagreements about the use of magic began to crop up. Alarmingly, people abused the power they gained, lording their strength over those who were numb to the crystals.
Fights began to break out between mages. Some saw themselves as righteous vigilantes, some were driven by greed, others were just looking for a good fight. Spells flew about Anyria, virtually unchecked. Law keepers without any magical prowess could do nothing to stop the acts of violence. It quickly became clear that the use of magic would have to be regulated. There would have to be some way to monitor the use of crystals and the casting of spells. The Heirs convened once more to discuss what they could do.