Writing | A Brief History of Athlium Dorn

 Long ago, Athlium Dorn emerged from the mists of myth and legend as a small village nestled in the heart of a lush, sprawling forest. The land was blessed with abundant magic, plentiful vegetation and a grand river with crystal-clear water that ran off the mountains from far away.

Over the centuries, Athlium Dorn flourished under the guidance of its wise and benevolent rulers and a lineage of noble kings. It was a distinguished realm steeped in grandeur and prosperity, known for its breathtaking landscapes and majestic castles. They possessed incredible magical prowess and wielded their powers responsibly, ensuring the harmony between the natural world and the enchantments that permeated every corner of the land.

The kingdom began to flourish under the wise and just rule of King Dornlim the Great, a beloved monarch who led his people with honor and integrity. During his rule, Athlium Dorn became renowned for its academies of arcane knowledge, attracting scholars and mages from far and wide. These esteemed institutions nurtured the gifted and provided a haven for those seeking to deepen their understanding of all things magic, and education.

As the country expanded, magnificent cities rose, adorned with majestic spires and ethereal architecture never seen before in all of Gor Ganna. The capital, Atheldorn, stood as a testament to the nation's beauty and the balance of its rich and magical heritage. 

Great battles were fought, the echoes of which reverberated through the ages. These conflicts tested the mettle and resolve of the people of Athlium Dorn, forging them into a united front against the encroaching darkness. The flourishing realm stood strong for over nine-hundred years.

However, like any land of great wonder and power, Athlium Dorn faced its fair share of threats. In the year 102 ABB, King Malam was in his twenty-second year of rule after the passing of his father, King Talad, when his younger brother, Lord Eldrem, who held a position of influence and trust within the royal court, grew resentful of his brother. Initially, Eldrem had embraced his role dutifully, supporting his brother and the kingdom's interests. However, unbeknownst to everyone, a seed of hatred had taken root in his heart.

As time passed, Eldrem’s jealousy festered and consumed him. He coveted the throne, yearning for the power and recognition that came with it. Fueled by his dark ambitions, Eldrem conspired with dark and evil foreign forces, those of great kingdoms, elves and sorcerers, amassing an army hidden deep within Unorian Mountains, north of the border.

Eldrem waited for a rare moment of vulnerability from King Malam, and the moment came to him unexpectedly in the middle of the night when the Queen fell ill and died. The kingdom was set to mourn for ten days, and probably more as Queen Adelheid was beloved by all. But on the first day of mourning, when the entire realm was attending the Queens memorial, Eldrem attacked. 

In a cowardly act of betrayal, he orchestrated a meticulously planned attack, ambushing King Malam and the Dorian people. The unsuspecting monarch fell victim to his brother's treachery in a bloody but quick battle. 

Athlium Dorn’s once-proud castle was plunged into chaos as Eldrem’s men seized control, imprisoning or executing those who dared to resist. The kingdom mourned the loss of its benevolent ruler and despaired as it fell under the iron fist of a traitor.

King Eldrem ruled the kingdom through fear and oppression until eight months after his crowning when he was assassinated by his closest ally Grotfang the Cruel. Grotfang the Cruel took Athlium Dorn to war eleven times, and each time the kingdom suffered greatly. In just four years after the fall of King Malam, Athlium Dorn had fallen. The war torn kingdom was destroyed, Grotfang was killed, every statue was toppled, every wall was brought down, every hall of great knowledge emptied and every single Dorian who rebelled was slain.

So was the fall of Athlium Dorn.