Tokora: Az Kron

Book I, Creation
In the absolute beginning, before the great vault city was made, before the empire of old, there were no mountains in the homeland, no great fields, no life. Darkness sat over the universe, blanketing it in chaos and lifelessness. In this primordial void took form the world, empty and lifeless, chaotic and dead.The land was still dark and through the darkness a bright red light shone.Tokad in all his glory shone through the dark as a bright sun. The Darkness could not comprehend his light, it fled as Tokad pained it. It spoke the tongue of Gods and asked Tokad, “Are you like me, or are you my creator?” Tokad answered, “I am your Jailer, chaotic one. You have forgotten your transgression and why you have been imprisoned in this place. As you Ikta are the father of lies, and you have lied to yourself and forgotten the truth of your existence.” 
The darkness answered, “I have forgotten. May you forgive me, my transgressions? I beg you, my loneliness is overbearing.” Tokad responded, “You are the beginning of corruption and your reason for existence now, is to be a test. You will exist to solidify my followers' faith, so that I may be glorified.” The Darkness cried out in anger and pain, “What may I possibly have done to deserve such a lonely existence?” Tokad answered succinctly, “You disobeyed. Begone!”
And Tokad’s fiery body exploded into bright light. The darkness recoiled away from the light, which shone the planet that had formed, called Etta. Tokad commanded, “Beasts of Heaven come forth and stand in the midst of the darkness, so it may flee and hide as it has done since the beginning.” And out of Tokad’s light came heavenly beasts to secure the lands lit up by Tokad.
Tokad shot out of the sun and crashed down onto Etta.There he met his wife, the goddess Yora. She broke through the ground, clothed in gold, her hair was like vines, they were green and sparkled like emeralds. Her eyes were blue like the sky and the oceans. Together they created. Tokad smashed the land, creating valleys, canyons and caves. With a move of Yora’s delicate hand and a command of her kind voice, mountains soared from the ground, streams cut through the land and lakes sat upon its face. Yora grasped at the sand and the earth and formed animals, they were lifeless. Nearby was the first lake, there Tokad touched its waters. The waters turned to blood and the animals were baptised in this blood. There they gained their life. Right then all the animals souls were created: the fish, the cattle, the creeping thing, and the beast all except for the bird. Tokad commanded, into the sky, “Come down, you watchers.” So they did. Birds flew down from the heavens and flocked in front of their God. “You will watch over all the creatures. You will report to my sons and my daughters and lead them to all in need and all who are reverent.” And watching the flock depart to do the God’s commands, Tokad and Yora formed their son. A being of both Flame and Feather, one who would take the form as one of the loyal watchers that Tokad had ordered, The Phoenix. With 120 wings and 9 eyes, the Phoenix, Son to the Flame Father, was born to fight the darkness, for all of eternity. Faltering and rekindling for all of time.
The Races and The Battle
From the Great Mother’s hand was all lands and from her hands did she mold all peoples. The first among them, the seniors of all peoples.
From deep, dark stone, she created her children, numerous, hearty, resilient to the cold, and the dark, and the damp of the underground. Loyal to a fault, these first children were called the Dwarrow, and they would later be called what they are today: “Dwarves” 
They were lifeless. So Tokad went to the place where darkness had been banished. Its lands of chaos, what is now called The Nether. He burrowed deep into the earth, scorching the stone as he went. His fiery eyes met the darkness. It spoke, “Do you come to destroy me, or torture me?” 
“I know what you have done, another great act of disobedience. Come forth.” 
His bright light cut through the darkness like a blade. There stood giants whose eyes were swirled with purple. Their bodies were grey and without cloth. In each hand they carried weapons. Tokad became furious due to Ikta’s disobedience. “I gave you your own lands to do as you wish. But, I never gave you a people to mold. I and Yora had created a people for our glory and to satiate your loneliness. Yet you have again corrupted a good thing. I will not stand for your disobedience!” 
Tokad slammed his hammer into the stone, a great fire lit with his strike. He rushed at the giants, jumping into the air and cutting into their chests. The giants were 1000s in number. He hacked at their bones, and climbed their bodies with an axe and spear. Blood stained the stone until all of the nether was stained red, with his fiery fury the giant’s blood boiled as he fought. With every body dead, more lava oozed into the stone, melting and shifting the landscape. Soon enough no giant was left and all that stood was Tokad and Ikta. Tokad cursed Ikta that day, “You will be my tool of judgement and until then you will sit in loneliness. On that day I lift the curse you can create any foul race, or beast to torment those I deem worthy of torment.” From the remaining blood that had pooled in the Nether, Tokad scooped some with his hand and brought it back to his wife Yora. There he baptized the Darrow in the Giant’s Blood, and as Lava flowed over them, they became full of life and fruitful.
The Dwarrow were pleased by Yora in this way But, they were peaceful, unable to do harm, and thus unable to prevent such a thing from occurring again. Unwilling to teach them violent ways herself, Yora called her husband from the deep. Tokad, a man wreathed in flame, his hands red with the blood of his enemies. A god of War and Justice and Fire, Tokad quickly found the Dwarrow unsuited for the task of combat, but sought to change this for the better. 
Digging into the earth, he brought up with him a stone of deep red hue,and crushed it in hand. In his fiery grip, the stone turned to a shining liquid, as if it were the dust of gems. By baptizing his wife’s creations in the crimson, they emerged as if melded with the blood, drawn into their stony bodies. Those who emerged were joyous, passionate, and duty-bound to protect their people, no matter the bloody price. Only one side effect was seen, as if it was a cruel irony, a cost to the new fire in them. As the giant Jotunn had stood as tall as mountains, the dwarves who now bore their legacy were shrunk, now standing only as high as a man’s breast. 
Satisfied, Tokad called for other gods to join him in his new teachings of these short peoples. His sons, Ori, Kron, and Fari arose from the earth to teach the new people what they could. Ori, the eldest, a man with skin like iron and eyes like coal, taught the dwarves how to smelt, and forge, and mine. Kron, the middle child, skin red like blood, with hands of bronze, taught them martial skill, and strategy, the use of weapons of war. Lastly, Fari, the youngest brother, whose skin was fair like flour, and hair like wheat, taught the dwarves to farm, to work the field for wheat to make bread, and barley for beer. He taught them to hunt, and to raise animals. 
Tokad himself taught the dwarves of honor, justice, and law, but also the brutality of war, of bloodshed, and the horror that followed. It was a tough lesson, as if to teach his wards that war was not the first answer to all problems. He wrote in shining red upon their walls his first laws, recorded here as follows:
* 1:All Dwarrow-folk shall live by these laws, for dishonor and shame shall follow those who do not, and they shall cease to bear my blessing.
* 2:Dwarrow-Folk shall have no gods apart from The Tokora.
* 3:Dwarrow-folk shall not murder in cold blood, for there is no glory in a cowardly kill
* 4:Dwarrow-folk shall not steal, for there is no honor in ill-gotten achievement
* 5:Dwarrow-folk shall protect themselves and their own, whoever that may be, for there is always glory and honor in protecting the unprotected
* 6:Dwarrow-folk shall be truthful, for a lie is a chink in glory’s armor
* 7:Dwarrow-folk shall be baptized in fire, for fire is my embrace, and shall gain my blessing by accepting it when they reach maturity.
* 8:Dwarrow-folk shall keep their beards and braids, for in them dwells the dwarf’s honor, and a sign of their respect for the gods.
These laws were, at the time, accepted by all dwarves, and with this acceptance, Tokad gave them his blessing. 
Yora herself, seeing Tokad’s involvement in her creations, was pleased, but not one to be outdone. In response to Tokad’s teachings, Yora summoned her own followers to the land above: Bor, Sori, and Gol. Bor, a man with hair like the sea, taught writing and logic to the dwarves, the art of discussion, argument, and questions. Sori, with deep red hair and golden eyes, taught art, and creative expression, so that their metalwork was not only for tools of war or the field, and their stonecraft was for more than simple buildings. Gol, with skin the color of silver, with emerald for eyes, taught trade, and business sense, how to help the dwarves barter without being made into fools. With these lessons, the gods felt they had given their people what they could, and with their blessings given, returned them to Etta, leaving them to their own devices for a time.
Book II, The Ancient Empire’s Judgement
	The people followed The Tokora. They grew lucious fields, bearing harvests of major magnitude. They bore cities into the sides of mountains and into the depths of the land that sprawled under the oceans. Heretical new gods began to be believed. God’s of foreigners, those that demanded murders and lying were especially prominent. The Dwarrow began to cut their braids and beards off. Saying it was untame, unseemly and disgusting. The old tradition, and that of which saves the soul was thrown to the wayside. The Baptism of Holy Blood, the practice that kept the Dwarrow strong and holy, now was seen as a nuisance. The Dwarrow even began to call themselves gods, they wore wealth as if it made them divine. Their skin was covered in gold. And diamonds. They said in their hearts, “Kron had Iron, we have gold, are we not greater than the gods.”
A prophet was brought up from among them. His name was Rhesh, a farmer whose fields were far from the mountains. He was poor, looked down upon not only for his destitute condition but also for living outside of the mountain. He stood in front of the Imperial Palace and proclaimed, “The Tokoran Gods are still here. Tokad in his righteous anger will demolish and disperse this nation.” Onlookers scoffed saying, “If he was going to destroy us it would have happened a long time ago.
“Do not mistake mercy for weakness, wicked ones!!”
Suddenly, the moon was struck with blood, the face of it bled red, and around it shone the bright light of the sun. In their wickedness they rejected this clear sign of The Tokora, their hearts deceived themselves. For two more days did the moon bleed, and on the third day Rhesh came back to the city. The people yelled and screamed at him, calling him the bringer of this ill omen. They spat at him, and stoned him. The spit turned to steam, and the stones to dust as they threw them. The crowd’s eyes all widened, as they knew The Terrible Judge was here. Tokad, with the spewing of lava, burst through the plaza’s grounds. The mountain shaked and stones cracked. Everyone bowed before him, yet this did not satiate his anger. With a booming voice that shook the sky, and shivered bones he spoke. “You wicked ones, desecrated The Tokora’s temples, you destroyed your honor, and you have broken all of my laws.” Tokad’s eyes glowed with golden lightning, and his body flared with fire. An old man, groveling on the ground, asked, “Have mercy on us, please my god.” 
“You have forgotten the law, you have said in your hearts you are greater than I. You have killed, and you have lied. In your heart, I am not your god. For your sin, you are not my people!” 
“Since you have forgone the Baptism I will baptise you all myself. But, now you will not have my holy protection!”
The mountain shaked as and lava spewed from every crevice, men and women ran around searching for an escape. But, there was none. The caves, and hollows were swallowed up by stone. In great fear, Rhesh grabbed onto Tokad. Despite the burning fire, Rhesh was not singed, nor did he feel the heat that surrounded him. 
A harmony of voices spoke, “You are to not be judged, do not fear.” Rhesh thanked The Great Judge and begged, “My gods, please. Do not destroy all of your peoples. Certainly many will turn from their wickedness and follow the truth.” Rhesh bowed before Tokad and begged again. The Judge, in his mercy, granted the prayer of Rhesh. Tokad spoke and commanded, “Go, all those you touch with this stone shall be deemed blameless until they sin again. I will open a way for you, wherever you are my diligent servant.” 
Rhesh was given a stone, directly from the hands of Tokad. It was red in color, and glowed. Rhesh ran throughout touching everyone with this stone, and commanding them to follow. Amongst the falling stone and brimming fires, he ran and grabbed the people. He took with him a number of 4941 dwarves.
Even as the lava rose encroaching on the saved, Rhesh did not fear. In the crowd they screamed in terror as it closed in on them. “We do not fear when The Tokora guides us!” Rhesh with the group ran towards the entrance that is now destroyed. As he got closer, the stones and fires cleared. They moved to the wayside, opening for the saved.
Book III, The Voyage
Rhesh saw, as the whole of the empire, was split. Cracks and ravines of fire cascaded the land. An army of goblins rose on the horizons seeking to pillage what they could. Fires raised up across the empire in great plumes of smoke. The spirit of fear again, took hold of the people. Some cried, “Where can we go, there is nowhere safe!” Rhesh replied, “The Tokora will provide.” Rhesh heard a whisper in the wind, “Hear me, and follow…” So he did, he was led to the docks. They burned with great intensity as the blood moon sat above. The ships were engulfed with fire. Rhesh asked, “My gods, shall we sail on these ships?” Erupting out of the water is Bor, god of logic and controller of the sea. A great wave washed over the ships, extinguishing the flames. Rhesh and the people ran towards Bor, as it had been many generations since he had been seen. But, just as he came he left. In a wave, the mist covered his departure.
So they sailed, praying for Bor’s protection on the seas. As the winds wildly whipped around, in the stormy sea. The fleet was unified, even as it was pushed into unknown waters, it moved together. The darkened sky turned into blackness, and a voice of evil spoke. Unlike the harmonic and powerful voice of the gods. Its voice was raspy, every word spelled death, and it sent shivers of dread within. The evil said, “Turn to me, I will save you. Your gods allow you to suffer, I’ll bring peace and tranquility.” Rhesh spoke out into the sky, “Evil one, you lie! The gods strike you down.” A deep laugh overcame the torrenting sound of rain and waves. It made the people freeze in fear. The voice spoke again, “Make me your god, jump into the waters and I’ll protect you. Bor isn't near, nor are the rest of your gods.”
One man spoke up and declared, “The gods left us. They wish death upon us, I’d rather take my chances with this new god, then follow the old.” So he jumped and many others had also, all across the fleet. 
The man who jumped called out, “Help! Please Rhesh, help!” Rhesh answered his cries, “You have sinned, and now The Tokora’s protection is gone from you. May Tokad judge you with great mercy.” The man and the others drowned, dying in the dark waters. The voice laughed, “I give more mercy than your god Tokad, join them.” It laughed. 
A booming voice overcame the evil one. It said, “Liar, begone! You shall not lead any more of my people astray!” The darkness of the sky receded, and so did the storm. Many of the ships lay empty of dwarves. Deceived by evil.
So They brought the stragglers aboard, the 3 remaining. Now there are only 1700. A dwarf by the name of Sueyuet Dokam, was one of those who were not deceived. He was alone on his ship, he sat in meditation. Rhesh jumped aboard and asked, “Why didn’t you leap, they surely tried to bring you with them.” He answered, “The Tokora have been faithful to me, they clothed me, they fed me, they strengthened me. I am their servant and their son. No, fear will stop me from believing in their faithfulness.”
Rhesh heard the whispering voice of Bor, who guided him on the voyage to landfall.
Book IV, The Settling, and Revelations
Finally after the tormenting weeks of seafare, the dwarves landed. They set up camps and built shrines to The Tokora. Months later, they built a town. Over a decade this place became a city. King Oin II founded Erebor on this land, after both the Ancient Empire, and his kingdom Khazad-dum collapsed. Over a few decades the population of Erebor was decimated, by both disease, war, and famine. In this time the dwarves were split again, due to their forgetting of The Tokora. Many fled to Jagdas. 
Sueyuet Dokam, lived in a lone hill. Far from civilization he meditated, and Rhesh took up his duty from The Tokora. Which was to forge a line, and begin the foundations of a nation.
Sueyuet in his meditations, asked for revelation, in a dream. Revealed to him was the future of the dwarves, that they will be a dwindling people, judged and always fleeing. Unless they repented, and called upon The Tokora to bring them up from their shackles of shame, and debauchery. 
Then was shown the possibility of a Holy Empire being brought up from the dwarves, encompassing many peoples and lands. Every race worshipping the true gods, in peace and righteousness.
So he awoke and he began to pray for this to come to pass.
Book V, The 2nd Voyage, and The Duel
A century has passed, and Rhesh had been killed for his faith. His son Rhadan Flare took up the mantle, and since his birth he had been taught all the steps of bringing his nation to prominence. Sueyuet and Rahdan Flare met, weeks before the voyage to Eldham. A place meant to be a refuge to the Dwarves, who had been slaughtered many times in Rathnir. During this time Sueyuet was told of the upcoming kingdom, and Sueyuet told Flare of his revelations. They both gathered dwarves to join on this journey, for a place of safety.
On this trip to Elder’s Hammer, the waves became like a fierce animal. It gnawed at the ships. Sueyuet sat in the middle of the deck as the ship careened viciously. Men were thrown off the ships and men were flung from side to side, holding on to anything they could. Flare was within the captain’s quarters at this time. The clouds darkened and the same laugh from before was heard. Sueyuet cut through the wicked ones laughter, “I know your name Ikta, you wicked thing.”
Ikta laughed louder and said, “I came to destroy you. Your gods judge you even still, yet you follow them.” 
A black cloud of smoke, darker than night itself floated onto the ship’s deck. The voice that came from the dark sky, now came from the smoke. It said, “I came to destroy you.” 	
A figure clothed in black came from the smoke. Its face was paler than snow, its purple veins popped out of its sickly skin. Its face had no nose, and its hair was a long constant black void of darkness. The hair moved as if it lived, it creeped across the ground like a snake. Ikta’s mouth opened with a grin made of razor sharp teeth, they were iron and rusting. “But not alone.” Its white hand gestured to the black smoke behind it. From out of the smoke came Rhesh, his beard was gone, his skin was pale and his veins popped through his skin. Sueyuet stood, “Rhesh, what are you doing?” Rhesh looked on, without even acknowledging those words. It's as if he couldn’t hear them. Ikta grasped Rhesh’s hands. Out of his knuckles grew claws of sharp iron.	
“Your prophet, now a champion of chaos.” Ikta ‘s smile creeped across his face as he laughed deeply. The cackling sound, creeped up the spine and shivered hearts. Ikta smiled with a grin wide like a shark, its eyeless face staring at Sueyuet. All the men around him stood like stone, paralyzed by fear. “Gods save us.” one cried. Ikta’s face lost its grin and he commanded, “Kill them.” Rhesh ran at them with the ferocity of a ravager beast. His eyes glowed with a purple swirl. His teeth bared as he rushed at them screaming. The soldier men rushed out from the hull. Shields, swords, axes, and bows in hand they readied. One tried to cut at Rhesh, but it was to no avail. His sword was sliced in half. Rhesh stabbed his claws through the dwarfs head, his blood staining the iron as he ripped his head off of his shoulders. The rest were struck down, cut after cut. Death after death. 
Then came Sueyuet. He sat in front of the captain's quarters, meditating. Ikta screamed, “Do you taunt me? You will be slaughtered!” Sueyuets eyes opened, and they were filled with fire, “Not today. Gods give me strength!” A booming sound was heard. Through the clouds of darkness a sword of fire and judgement punched through. It struck with the force of lighting in front of Sueyuet. From the Heavens. The Tokora spoke in one voice, “Sueyuet Dokam, faithful servant. You are our champion!” Sueyuet clutched the sword's handle in his grip. Its handle was blackstone and its metal was netherite forged by the god Ori. As Rhesh’s claws came down to crash into Sueyuet, the fiery sword met his claws. Rhesh was thrown to the deck. Yet, it didn't deter him in his beastly rage. He charged at Sueyuet with a flurry of strikes. Sueyuets swords met every strike with fiery force. The clang of iron filled the air. Sueyuet looked into Rhesh’s eyes and said solemnly, “You’ve been corrupted, old friend. I’m sorry.” Sueyuet slashed away his claws, and cleaved into Rhesh’s heart. His blood creeped down the blade, corrupted. It was purple in hue. Rhesh’s eyes met with Sueyuet, the purple glow vanishing. As blood poured out of his mouth he said, “I'm sorry friend, thank you. For stopping me.” Sueyuet’s eyes poured with tears. His head whipping towards Ikta, he stared at him with fiery eyes, “I'm going to kill you as Tokad killed your army!” Ikta smiled, “Not today.” He laughed madly as he faded into the black smoke. 
Book IV,
Category:Literature
Category:Dwarves
Category:Traveler's Era