The Ragons of the lands were wanderers. 

They lived their lives in exile. 

However, they were far more respected than they were looked down upon.  In some places, they were regarded as high guests of honor.  In other places, they were seen as mysterious, dark stRagons.  In some parts of the land, they were completely unheard of.

Some could call the Ragons outcasts.  They were not ‘whole-blooded’ as one would say.  In this land of Ilterra, there were four main races: the humans, the elves, the dwarves, and the wraiths.  A mix of human and dwarf resulted in quoro; and of elves and dwarves, Jinatter.  A quoro turned out to look like a smaller version of human, only about three to four feet tall.  Quoros were common, and they had almost created their own identity.  A living Jinatter was unknown.

The Ragons were the mix of humans and elves.  The reason why their lives were outcasts was because they lived a half-mortal, half-immortal life.  They live their mortal life in full sense and feeling, but when the time comes, their immortality sets in, and they turn into wraiths.

Wraiths were the loath of all races.  They never could die, and they haunted the land like ghosts coming back for revenge.  The life of a wraith was ghastly.  They could not feel, they could not see, but they could hear and sense.  They lived forever, until fate brought them to the Fire Mountain, where they could finally finished their cursed lives.

No one knows how many Ragons roam the land.  No one really knows why they roam the land.  Some suppose that it was an instinct that caused them to explore the lands, so that when they entered the cursed immortality, they could find their way to the Fire Mountain. 

The beginning of the race of Ragons was a legend.  It goes that a band of a king’s finest riders were once exploring a desert.  One night, they were beset by the gypsies of the desert; the Desert Elves.  From there on, the human riders fell under the spell of the Desert Elves, and a whole new race was created. 

Once the fate of this half-breed was discovered, no creature with two legs would mate with them again.  So, these Ragons were forced to survive on their own.  Normal half-elf and half-man beings did not undergo such a fate, and they were called Okaras.  However, those who descended from the riders and the Desert Elves were bound to this fate.

Now the Ragons were no foolhardy beings.  They were known for being perhaps the strongest race of all.  They had the brains and senses of an Elf, the strength and resilience of a man.  They also had the weaknesses.  The overly-cautiousness of the Elf ran in their veins, but the blindness of man also was in their minds.  They were clever, and skilled with the ways of the land.  They could trace the footprints of a mouse for days, or learn the details of a trekking man.

Sometimes they traveled in groups, or pairs, but most often they traveled alone.  They often looked unarmed, but they always had a defensive trick hidden away; knife sheathed in their boot, a sling under their belt.  Their reflexes were quick like a man’s, and their senses almost as keen as a Wood-Elf.  They spent their lives traveling the land as far they could go, visiting friends, and doing mysterious Ragon business.

At the Elf- abode of l’OraVale, a great gathering was being set up.  Important beings all over Ilterra had received invitations for the gathering.  L’OraVale was the most prestigious settlement of the elves in Ilterra.  It was also considered to be the most concealed and mysterious system in the land.  It was nestled in the side of a valley, at the end of a mountain chain.  Creeks and waterfalls, bedecked with trees of every kind in every part of the settlement that it could grow in, surrounded it.  It was utterly impossible to find the l’OraVale, even if you had stumbled right into its gardens.  That was unless a resident elf of l’OraVale guided you to the doors of the house.

From the mountains in the east, the Emperor of the Dwarves, Hulakyon and six of his close council members accompanied him in the long trip to l’OraVale.  They were summoned from so far away that they had to start on the journey three months in advance.  The human kings and their subjects from the North, the Southeast, and the West also were summoned to the chambers of l’OraVale.  Elves from every forest, their ladies and their lords, also made the long trip.  A few important quoros were also invited, their invitation recommended by the Sorcerer’s council, whereas the Sorcerers were at the top of the list.

The ruler of l’OraVale was named Ejen.  He was immortal, and had seen many more years than many of the immortals.  He was considered one of the wisest and most powerful being across the land, and in history.  His daughter, Aquaren Latestar and her brother Ewendon were the councilors of l’OraVale.  Aquaren, Ewendon, and their mother Galanta who ruled in Juanedien, were all immortal, therefore, of high class.

It was early morning of the last day of January.  The sun wasn’t fully up yet, but a pale light began to bath the elegant house of l’OraVale.  The elves were up, and some of them began to play eternal music that lasted from dawn to dusk.  Music was part of the magic of l’OraVale.

The guests began to come.  They wouldn’t know exactly where the settlement was, but they knew the bell-pull to summon guides.  Three elves jumped down the mountainside, and found the dwarves resting besides the River Kakora.  They led the dwarves up the enchanted passageways, a path that they would never remember, a trip that they would never recall.  It was for the safety of the concealment of l’OraVale.

The dwarves were short and stout in stature.  Compared to a full-grown man, a normal dwarf would never grow beyond the height of his shoulder.  The dwarves were hairy, and no mistake.  Male dwarves were renown for their bushy, coarse beards, and wild hair.  A female dwarf had the privilege of growing her hair long down to her legs.  The more braids you were allowed to have in your hair, the more respected you were.

The meeting was to take place on February the fourth, so with the great courtesy of the residents of l’OraVale, the dwarves made themselves comfortable, listening to the enchanting elf music that they rarely heard in a lifetime.

The next day, the human Kings made their way to the threshold of l’OraVale; King Unomai from the North, King Tanadian of the Southeast, and King Poseidon of the West, who was also the king of the seaside.

Once again, the guides led them through the passageways to the settlement, where the trip through the rock staircases would instantly be forgotten.

In all, ninety-six humans and fourteen dwarves were at the moment dwelling in the house of Ejen.  None knew they reason why they were summoned, but the short message that all the rulers received was urgent in its words:

A great finding has been uncovered.  The rulers of the people of Ilterra are strongly recommended to attend the meeting at l’OraVale.  The meaning of this news cannot be told through my message.  The voices and ears of all the kings, emperors, and rulers alike are desired to discuss this finding.  All opinions are valued, especially at a time like this.

The gathering shall take place at l’OraVale, settlement of Ejen, Dityeer the fourth. 

                                                                                             Signed, Ejen.

By the third of Dityeer, the second month, all of the invitees had arrived, all except for a Sorcerer, and three other guests.  They all anticipated what Ejen had to say the day after.  Even though the twinkling music of the elves captivated their senses, the rulers couldn’t help feeling anxious, and worried.  What possibly could concern Ejen so greatly that all the rulers from across the land were summoned?