Arilvasca: The Dark Wars and the Mesalyen Code

After the Kartajan’s banishment at the end of the First Age, all Ascar and those with the Gift, were driven to the high north, by the Dark Forces. They fled to a place they called Arilvasca, meaning “Place of Refuge” in the Nielthien. The Ascar established a barrier formed from a great magic, separating them from the rest of the Sarlhenia, shrouding it in mystery and legend.

As the mass destruction of any evidence of magic of the Kartajans existence, Arilvasca was forgotten. The inhabitants of Vasca lived there lives in seclusion to the outside world, forming a great power in which they hoped would defeat the Dark Forces. When their strength was at its pinnacle, the Vascans broke the Barrier. For several hundred years, the Ascar and the Telloch tribes fought the yoke of the Dark Force in the Wars of the Wentar (c. 3297-3541 Second Age), finally succeeding at the start of the Third Age.

Victory over the Dark Forces came at a high price, with many places never returning to their former strength and beauty. The Vascan numbers had dwindled, until it was feared that the Barriers would fall. It was then that a great council was called. Ten powerful creatures of the Ascar and ten of the Telloch where summoned to the great city of Shai Lithel, one of the few cities the remained clean of the Dark. Together the council decided on the fate of the Barrier and Arilvasca. What they came up with is now known as the Mesalyen Code.

These are the Ten Ascar present at Shai Lithel and the Council of Morack:

Tetchuel of the Phoenix
Questar of the Centaur
Benvii of the Fire People
Tor’qenthar, Guardian of the Seven Winds
Trilak of the Kwi Star Tribes
Hantur of the Warrack
Kistra of the Minotaur
Xantu of the Rivv
Jaqken of the Siren
Nestak of the Meduse

Of the Telloch:

Reagan of Coraïs
Saa’ri of the Desert Tribes
Tamule of the Isari
Falithiyen of the Chakuna
Salen of Maltu
Ehthai Krisama of the Lyre
Aithis of the Rilkin
Coven of the Gnome
Jauwai Molteyr of the Fae
Ikilin of Poldan

The Mesaliyen Code is a series of laws and alliances formed to protect both Ascar and the Telloch from wrong. The Law united the people in hopes that they would not fight against the other and keep the old alliances strong. The Law proved to be an effective system lasting several hundred years though its first intentions failed during the Lieth Wars (119-121, Third Age). Many things have been touched by what is left of the Unwritten Laws and though it had failed in many ways, it is still one of the more important parts of Sarlhenian history.

In the Unicorn’s Peace,
Bazjra, Historian of Shentar,
Recorder of the Rivv
Year 687, Fourth Age