The Empire's Origins

Campaign: Resurgent Despair

Chapter 10 / EX 1-1

The Empire's Origins

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Summary

The prince learns the Dyrenell Empire was once a pious nation that followed the goddess Ilia. Having always believed Dyrenell to be a vile empire that worshiped the Other, the prince finds his thoughts turning to what manner of people used to live there.

Dialogue

Clave Loy'elune... Somethin' on yer mind, boss? Just thinking about how I had no idea this was the place where Alberius and the Other had their final battle. Ah, don't beat yerself up about it. I mean, the legend of the Founder King's famous and all, but there's a whole crapload'a vague stuff in the margins. Cleo, you were his attendant, right? Did you not know that either? I fear I was kept at some distance from the fighting in those days. Further, His Majesty was the type to forge ahead on his own... I still don't get why they had to have their final battle in a dank heck-hole like this. This place was the birthplace of Dyrenell. How's that, Zodiark? It was once the capital of the Dyrenell Empire. What?! It is true. The Empire was born here, and then the Other given life anew. I had no idea. Although when I think about it, I realize I know almost NOTHING about the original Dyrenell Empire. Indeed, we know nothing save that it was a place that worshiped the Other and eventually brought him to life. I've always found it hard to understand what humans are thinking, but this one really takes the cake. Resurrecting the Other? Did they hope to inspire their own demise? That's a good question. For what purpose did they revive the Other? It might interest you to learn that Dyrenell was not a land that worshiped the Other from the very start. In fact, they believed in the goddess Ilia. I'm sorry, WHAT? That's near blasphemy, and idiocy besides! The goddess and the Other are completely incompatible—such a foolish story could not POSSIBLY be true! Actually, I have heard the same. Once, so the stories go, a devout people moved to a remote island to practice their faith away from worldly concerns. And the name of the nation those people built was...Dyrenell. I can scarce believe it... And yet you claim these people—these followers of Ilia—somehow converted and began worshiping the Other? But why would devout believers in the goddess do such a thing? I do not know when Dyrenell turned its back on the teachings of Ilia. However, they always said they sought to "reform this warped world." That's rich, coming from the people who revived the Other and actually DID all the warping! I know not the truth of it. I know only that these people held such convictions. So they WEREN'T just a bunch of evil folks doing evil stuff and being all...evil? Makes sense to me. Ya can't bring a nation together unless ya got somethin' what everyone can believe in. Hmm... I always thought of the Dyrenell Empire as an evil place that did nothing but revive the Other, but maybe that was short-sighted of me. I mean, people used to live there. They had families. They had lives. And they must have believed in the truth of the actions they were taking. So who WERE these people...?