Arc 1: Genesis

> *"The land of the Crystalline is under siege. The Shardbound Empire has attempted to unite the region by force. Tariq and his family are attacked then captured by the Empire where he must find allies to save not only his family, but the rest of Illirah."*
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The Chronicles of Illirah begins in 1342 N.E (New Era) during the end of the summer season when the land of the *Crystalline* is under siege. The Shardbound Empire led by Emperor Diamante has been securing territory far and wide for years in the name of unifying the lion prides across the western savannah. He feels threatened by the alliance formed between his neighbors to the south, Silverfang Kingdom ruled by the saber tooths and short faced bears and The Forged ruled by the hyena clans. Diamante hopes to one day conquer them all. For four years the Empire has been removing any non-lion group in the region to build his land and army. Eventually the Empire's reaches spill over into the home of Tariq the homotherium of Starfall pride...

### The Story Begins

#### 49th Day of Summer, 1342 N.E

One afternoon Tariq and his nephew Jioni are out on patrol when they spot a smoke pillar in the distance-fearing it may be Empire soldiers they send a bird out to scout then return home. When Tariq’s uncle, Nyota, does not return home from patrol, the pride sends Tariq, Kannika, Ora, Almog, and Zariza in search of the missing homotherium. When Jioni comes to check in, Tariq realizes the Empire soldiers are on their way and instructs Jioni to run to his family and hide them; Tariq and the others will hold off the soldiers as best they can. They have little time to prepare before the lions, led by one known as "The Captain", are upon them. He has captured Nyota and forces Tariq to relinquish his territory. Tariq agrees, but "The Captain" has tricked him and instead orders his lions to round up the homotherium family. Starfall attempts to defend itself; in the chaos Errita arrives to save Kannika and tells her to run away. The fighting ceases when Nyota is killed by "The Captain". Almog, Tariq, and Errita are taken away. Zariza and Ora are told their home is now a part of the Empire. The soldiers take their new prisoners away while Jioni watches terrified from the bushes.

### Life Imprisoned

#### 52nd-54th Day of Summer, 1342 N.E

"The Captain", Sugilite, as Tariq and the others have come to learn, pushes the prisoners beyond Starfall’s boundary. Sugilite’s lions find different ways of ‘encouraging’ the now exhausted trio along. For 4 days Tariq, Errita, and Almog are forced to march single file, their ring of fearsome bodyguards never leaving their sides. One shoves Almog, causing retaliation from Errita and Tariq. Sugilite calls off his lions and says they need to break anyways to await the General and his ‘recruits’. While resting, Tariq checks in with his father who says he is fine, but obviously very tired. Almog tries to lighten the mood with humor, but he is tired and his joke falls flat on his children. For the rest of the day the group rests. As the sun sets the lions of Sugilite's group asks for orders from the Captain when they are interrupted by an arriving group lead by General Heliodor. This group has 3 ‘recruits’ in tow and they are ready for assessment at the Tower. Heliodor disappears as quickly as appears, leaving all under Sugilite's charge. Sugilite gets them all moving again. The newbies are Abiodun the Leopard, Nova the Wild Dog, and Masika the Leopard. During the night Abiodun helps with Almog’s shoulder, revealing himself a healer! Tariq and him talk some and Tariq vows they will get out of this together.

When they reach the Tower the next morning, Tariq and the others are weary of it. They’re separated as they arrive, Tariq is placed in a cell with a lion named Hadar and an old hyena named Glass. They assure him they'll all be out within a weeks time.

### Meanwhile...

#### 50th-54thDay of Summer, 1342 N.E

Jioni has been trailing Captain Sugilite and his group since they left Starfall in shambles. They had to handle Nyota’s body and then determine what to do next: Ora was too shut down to do much, Kannika was freaking out, Zariza too angry, so Kaya has stepped in to lead for now. That very night Jioni sneaks away, saying goodbye to Saffir. He’s been careful to avoid detection, but has had to stay back some distance from the Tower. He finds Nebula the wild dog looking for her sister, Nova, who’s been taken into the Tower as well. The two head to the Tower where they catch a glimpse of their families being escorted into the Tower. While scouting the area, the two find a snake caught in a snare set up by the Empire for small game. Carefully they extract the snake from the snare and learn the snake is named Rubble.

### Breakout

#### 54th-56th Day of Summer 1342 N.E.

Rubble the cobra turns out to be friends with Hadar and Glass (Tariq’s ‘cellmates’), providing Jioni a way to contact his uncle on the inside. Rubble is small, and well camouflaged at the Tower; they’re able to slink around from cell to cell and ensure communication between not only Tariq and Jioni, but Errita and Almog as well. They happen to be stuck with Abiodun and Masika, but they are unaware of where Nova was taken. This upsets Nebula and also makes her more determined to find her sister. Over the next few days, the group is able to prepare for the escape plan Hadar and Glass had concocted. It will start with Tariq feigning sickness as the guards switch off shift. This will hopefully stall the guard posted at their station, while the other guard will be in the middle of their commute to their next station; they’ll be too distracted to notice them. Meanwhile, Nebula is expected to be waiting outside ready to grab a torch and set fire to the dry brush around the Tower ensuring  a pathway is made for the stampede of animals (the Tower’s food stock) being set off by Jioni. When the guards check on Tariq, Rubble will jump out and spit at one in the face, blinding them temporarily, while Hadar and Glass subdue the other guard. The fire/stampede should be a big enough distraction to give them time to run. When the fateful day of their escape attempt begins, the first few steps go as planned. As other animals attempt to flee, the confusion allows Tariq’s group enough time to find his family/friends and escape. Nebula disappears into the crowd to find her sister against Jioni’s pleas and is lost. Almog and Tariq are separated from the others in the crowd. When guards attempt to subdue them, Almog sacrifices himself and is recaptured so Tariq can escape. Eventually Tariq is able to reconvene with Jioni, Errita, Hadar, Glass, Rubble, Abiodun, and Masika as they find a place to hide while the chaos rages on.

Survivors of the breakout, including Tariq and the others have regrouped at a watering hole several miles away from the Tower. Tariq is still reeling from losing his father as he listens to the growing arguments around him. Some think they should attack the Empire once and for all to put an end to this, however many disagree or are unwilling (most due to fear). Eventually Hadar speaks up. He reveals he was a previous Captain to Crystalspire mesa but was sent to the Tower after he attempted to step down. He had disagreed with his Emperor’s actions in the siege of a hyena clan (Glass’s clan) and was punished accordingly. Hadar has some information on the mesa: it is heavily fortified, they’d need a substantial army to overwhelm them. They could attempt to take the Empire by complete surprise but that’d be unlikely as they have eyes everywhere including the skies. Diamante is an incredibly vengeful lion, but he respects strength over anything else (this catches Tariq’s attention). He wishes nothing more than to unite all of the Crystalline prides and to finally take over Silverfang. Tariq finally speaks up and says someone should then inform King Abayomi and King Kifeda of the encroaching threat. Hadar agrees, but they’d need an actual lion from Shardbound to convince them fully; Hadar would happily go before the Kings, but they’d only see him as a deserter seeking to spread dissent. They need evidence. Tariq says he can try to convince someone there to plead their case. Errita attempts to dissuade Tariq and the two begin to argue. Tariq eventually “wins” stressing that his mission is risky, but as Guardian of their pride it is his duty to ensure their safety, even at the risk of his own. Hadar gives Tariq a list of names of lions he may encounter along his path who can be trusted, one of the names includes Sardonyx. They spend the rest of the evening carefully strategizing getting Tariq in and out of the Empire.

### The Empire

#### 49th-58th Day of Summer, 1342 N.E

Lady Farida is up early to start her day in the Empire. She first stops by the Ravenkeepers, the brothers Chau & Berilo! They have some messages for Diamante and some for Zircon for her to deliver. She chats with them then goes to debrief with Diamante. She finds him arguing with Zircon on where to place General Kito’s forces next. When Zircon eventually slinks off to find Sardonyx, Farida relays the news to Diamante who waves her off and asks for her brother, Captain Neelam. Reluctantly she does as told, descending the mesa in search of her sister. She eventually finds her older sister Navaratna alongside Lady Corale. While Corale leaves, Navvy begins to berate her little sister till Lady Talaith steps in. She scolds Lady Navaratna and tells Farida she can escort the Steward to Neelam. They find him near the pride's Waystone talking with Mica. When Farida mentions Diamante is looking for Neelam, he immediately goes to find the Emperor, blowing off his sister and shunning her away. With a moment to herself, Farida excuses herself to the Herbalist den to have dinner (gay moment) with Sardonyx.

Later that night, Sardonyx is outside overlooking the Waystone. She can feel its energy radiating all around like a soft thrum. She grips the shard around her neck to concentrate on that feeling, but is interrupted by Zircon. He’s curious why she is out of the den. Sardonyx lies and says she wanted to stretch her legs, they get stiff being cooped up in the Herbalist den all day. Zircon is skeptical but does not press, just invites her back to the den. The two then practice Sardonyx’s skills till she is tired. While she is wrapping up herb bundles afterwards, they inquire about Heliodor’s whereabouts. While confused, Zircon says he is out surveying whatever territory is left for Shardbound to claim. They ask if there is any left to which Zircon dryly explains no. All that remains is Silverfang which he has very little interest in . Diamante’s dream of conquering them is a fantasy. They’d be better off allying with the smilodon and hyena, but Diamante won’t be swayed. He refuses to see the bigger picture. Neelam then comes to alert the Lord that a messenger has arrived for him and the two leave. Sardonyx picks up a stone Zircon has been studying and feels the same sensation as when she touched the Waystone. Sardonyx focuses on the rock, letting her magic flow into it and suddenly a force knocks her back. When Sardonyx gets back up she notices the rock has split in two; its a geode! When she re-casts her magical light to see better the geode illuminates and displays a collection of constellations cast onto the ceiling. Sardonyx rushes outside to compare the stars above her and notes they are different skies…meaning the geode is reflecting a location, but where? And more importantly-why?

Days later, Farida is laid out with the Ladies of Court (Abrik, Bijou, Esmeralda, Galena, Suraya, & Penninah), as well as Ula, who are discussing the recent news from the Tower.  Two days ago Emperor Diamante and a brigade of his own marched to the Tower after receiving news it had been ransacked and burned. Many are fearful marauders may be coming for them next. Some bring up the fire which destroyed Auroramane pride and wonder if it is somehow connected. The passage of a patrol including Bramble, a survivor of said tragedy, puts an end to that conversation. A bird flies overhead and Farida knows it’s a message for Diamante. She springs up the mesa to find Chau and Berilo. Ula tags along for pleasant conversation and to escape the heat. The Ravenkeepers have news the bird is from the Emperor.  He has a prisoner, and they’re bringing him to the mesa. Farida, while confused, delivers the message to Lord Zircon who has taken his brother’s place in his absence. The Lord seems curious, but skeptical about this stranger being brought to Crystalspire.

### A Stranger Comes to Crystalspire

#### 62nd-71st Day of Summer, 1342 N.E.

Tariq arrives to Crystalspire. Lord Zircon almost immediately demands to know the meaning of this situation. Diamante roughs him up a little but then explains the events of the previous days: while the Emperor and his lions were investigating the events at the Tower, this homotherium was apprehended by guards and was apparently asking for the Emperor directly. Tariq had explained he was a rogue seeking to swear allegiance to the powerful Empire and sought to serve the Emperor specifically as a warrior. Diamante tests his strength and while Tariq is eventually pinned by the larger cat, The Emperor admits he is someone who respects a cat who holds their own against him. If Tariq can keep up with the lions of Crystalspire, then maybe there is a future for him within the Empire. Besides, he will have no issue executing Tariq if the cat refuses to fall in line. Zircon is rather baffled by the story and immediately suspicious of Tariq's motives. Diamante brushes off his brother's concerns and asserts his power as Emperor; he fears no cat, especially some scimitar toothed beast from the mountains. Tariq is then told to rest up as he will be expected to start patrol first thing tomorrow. As a "member" of the Empire, he is expected he will play his part to keep the Empire going the same as anyone else. Tariq is sent to a separate chamber from the pride-where the guard usually sleeps and notices he is within eyeshot of someone at all times. Farida is tasked with giving the new guy a tour of the mesa which she does albeit reluctantly. He asks about the Waystone and its properties, but she gives very little information. Tariq finds the entire situation rather awkward and that first night he starts to regret his decision.

The next morning Tariq is taken for his first patrol alongside Neelam. Tariq’s unimpressed with the young male, but feigns friendliness for the time being. While out they are flagged down by a cub in distress: its Gemma, daughter to Lady Galena and patrol member Mica. She says her cousins slipped into a hole and can’t get out. Tariq takes off with her against Neelam’s orders and sees three cubs (Aquila, Agate, and Eridanus) all stuck in a deep crevasse of sorts. Tariq lets out a booming roar in hopes of alerting the pride then he precariously scales down until he is able to get to the three cubs. Very carefully he is able to get 2 of the 3 out without incident but on the way up with Agate, Tariq’s foothold slips and his foot is trapped between two rocks. Luckily the cavalry arrives and Glain is there to save his son, Agate. An assortment of guards and lionesses are there, seemingly having been searching for the cubs previously to no avail. With the assistance of Bramble and Glain, Tariq is freed, although his ankle is injured. He hobbles back (Bramble lets him lean on him) with the group to find the Emperor and Zircon with an agitated Neelam waiting. Upon hearing the heroism of their new recruit, Diamante seems unmoved while Zircon is still suspicious. Nonetheless he is taken to the Healers den where he interrupts Sardonyx and Farida. The Steward excuses herself while Sardonyx gets to work.

Tariq is formally introduced to Sardonyx while Zircon warns his daughter to not fall for any of this “rogue’s” tricks. Farida returns to alert Zircon that Diamante would like to speak with him immediately.  Once Zircon leaves, Sardonyx is curious why a homotherium would give himself to Shardbound knowing this would most likely be his fate: a prisoner. Tariq explains he is just trying to protect his own. If he plays along, maybe they make it out of this alive even if he doesn’t. Tariq asks Sardonyx why exactly she is with this pride. Sardonyx explains Zircon is her father, that she was raised by a rogue lioness he had bred with and when she died her mother’s last wishes were for her cub to find her way to the mesa where her father resided. Since she was a cub Sardonyx has had magic and quite a bit of it. Zircon helps with keeping her magic contained, the shards all Empire members wear around their necks help contain her magic. However her loyalty is not bound by blood. There are those here at the mesa who are more family to her than Heliodor and Zircon. Tariq is somewhat confused by this but says what he needs to to get Sardonyx’s trust. Sardonyx gets a good feeling from him and expresses this later to Farida that night while they are having dinner. Farida is skeptical, but trusts Sardonyx’s judgment.

It is nighttime and Tariq is out patrolling the mesa as instructed. He is accompanied by Bramble, but the older male doesn’t seem all that interested nor threatened by Tariq. The two are positioned on either side of Crystalspire with Tariq facing the Waystone. He thinks he sees Sardonyx by the Waystone messing with it but also can’t tell if he is just hallucinating from lack of sleep. He knows he isn’t dreaming when he approaches her and spooks her. Sardonyx explains what the Waystone is and its purpose for the pride. Tariq seems interested but also confused, magic isn’t really his forte. Sardonyx explains it's the reason the original pride chose Crystalspire, they noted its magic enhancing properties generations ago and have been slowly figuring out ways to extract it. The necklaces everyone wears are flashy jewelry sure, but they also act as conduits of magic. She demonstrates. They then explain it’d make a pretty fierce weapon if you think about it. She’s not ignorant to the malicious intent behind her Uncle’s campaign. He wants to unite the lion prides to rid the Crystalline line of anything else. Tariq makes a gamble and says a lion named Hadar has sent him-he wants to end this and is going to Silverfang for help. Sardonyx is not quite convinced, but tells Tariq she’ll meet him tomorrow night to talk more.

Tariq is in his chamber when Sardonyx arrives. She has a rather grumbly Farida in tow. Farida is confused why she is here and why they’re bothering Tariq on his night off. Sardonyx guides the two into a secluded part of the mesa, a chamber seldom known by the pride. Sardonyx lights the room up and shows all the paintings on the wall. They explain the legend of the Heartstone, how the original Crystalspire pride wrote about it on these very walls, and that Zircon is looking for it because wants to use it to fully control the Crystalline lineage. He’s playing along with Diamante’s games for now. Farida has a hard time believing this and the two argue until Farida finally relents. Tariq explains to her why he is here and that Hadar sent him. Farida knew Hadar and was told he left willingly, not that he was imprisoned…Farida needs time to think this all over, meanwhile though she will request a bird from Chau & Berilo. Tariq will have a chance to send a message out to his family/the rebels. She’ll come find him in the morning, have his message ready.

### The Escape

#### 72nd-75th Day of Summer, 1342 N.E.

The trio in the morning make the decision to leave that night to the southern borders, at the Arches where they expect the rebel group to be. Tariq is ready to see his family again, while Farida is rather uneasy about the entire thing. She’s betraying the only family she’s really ever known. When Sardonyx offers her strength the pair are ready to go. Tariq feels like they are almost there when Neelam and his guard intercept the group. Here it is revealed Neelam killed he and Farida’s parents to ensure their place in the Empire. Farida is heartbroken. Sardonyx is able to use their magic to distract the guard long enough for Farida and Tariq to get away, but Sardonyx is recaptured. Reluctantly the others leave and eventually find Hadar’s group at the Arches.

The group wastes no time fleeing to Silverfang. The canyons are several days away, they’ll have to keep a quick pace if they wanna get there in time to save Sardonyx. Farida is rather frantic in this time period and Tariq can understand why. He just hopes their friend is safe. Eventually they make it to the territory of the Forged & Silverfang. Hadar quickly finds guards and demands they be taken to someone who can get them in contact with the royal family; they bring word of war from Shardbound.

Tariq, Hadar, and Farida are taken to the royal family of Silverfang: King Abaymoi, King Kifeda, Princess Oni, and Prince Akeyo. They are skeptical of the news the group brings, but are willing to hear from them before making any decisions. The family’s opinions are varied: Oni immediately emphasizes with them and wants to help, Kifeda is in a similar camp while Abayomi is hesitant and Akeyo outright doesn’t believe them. Farida gives her testimony being a once loyal steward to the Emperor himself and how he has multiple times vocalized his wishes to invade the Silverfang kingdom. She also discusses Zircon’s hunger for a power source, using her magic to display this. While they have no other physical evidence their words seemingly convince Abayomi. Surprisingly Akeyo steps up to prepare his own brigade of troops to do surveillance on the Empire prior to the kingdom’s attack. Abayomi grants this and the rest prepare their troops: they’ll move on Shardbound within the week.

### Time of War

#### 79th Day of Summer, 1342 N.E.

Abayomi, Kifeda, and newly instated General Daiyu alongside the renegade crew of Tariq and the others encroach the mesa. The Forged send in their forces first, swiftly causing a distraction so that the heavier units can deliver a hard punch. It’s seemingly successful except the reinforcements from Akeyo are delayed ( This is because Akeyo takes them forward along a ‘secret route’. There they are ambushed by Shardbound forces who slaughter the unprepared group. They let Akeyo go who then smears blood/mud across his fur).

Meanwhile, Sardonyx has been able to slip to the Auroramane folks the deceit of the pride and they throw insurrection over Zircon who is still at the mesa. They reveal the truth and he gets away with Sardonyx on his heels. The main trio meet up at Crystalspire and search for Zircon. They overhear him and his son General Heliodor plotting to escape. The trio intervenes, but Zircon monologues long enough for Heliodor and Diamante to ambush them. Zircon tries to reason (read: manipulate) with Farida and get her to surrender, but she refuses and attacks Zircon. Sardonyx provides a distraction so she and Tariq can escape then fight their captors. Tariq slips and before Diamante can kill him, Farida attacks him. Diamante bites into Farida’s front leg, crushing the bone and mauling her before Tariq and Sardonyx push him away and into the dirt. Zircon, who is sick and tired of his brother’s fumblings, kills Diamante and then attempts to kill the trio. Sardonyx cuts that shit off fast and launches herself onto Zircon. They fight but due to the rain the mesa is slick and they tumble off. Sardonyx holds on but Zircon grabs onto her back and legs and rips into her. One firmly placed kick sends Zircon plummeting down onto the Waystone, impaled.

### The Aftermath

#### 79th Day of Summer, 1342 N.E.

Silverfang begins to arrest and take away those responsible not already dead. The agreement stands: Silverfang has little interest in expanding beyond their walls, the rest of the grasslands are free territory once more. Farida and Sardonyx need medical treatment and are taken away. Tariq has time to rest with his nephew who is very happy to see him. Hadar thanks Tariq for his help and lets Tariq know his sister is at the Tower with his father. They’ll be at the mesa in a few days to pick Tariq and Jioni up. Tariq eventually looks for his friends who are in the herbalist den with Abiodun and the Silverfang herbalists. Farida will need to be taken to Silverfang for more treatment once her energy is back up. Hadar and the Auroramane folks will reside at the mesa to keep it safe till they return, if they so choose to. They all say their thank yous and goodbyes and that’s about it. Tariq, Farida, and Sardonyx all silently watch the Stars and think about all that’s happened.

### Epilogue...

#### 19th Day of Winter, 1344 N.E.

Sardonyx, succumbing to dehydration and heat exhaustion, begins going over in their head what has happened over the past few months:

* Farida has taken over the mesa, the Auroramane folks now comfortable living among their new pride. She has taken over assisting Hadar with 1) ridding the region of Shardbound influence 2) creating a new landscape (i.e. getting families home and opening up land for rogues to traverse through like in the old days. Farida has taken to this Leader position well with slight setbacks: nightmares over the incident with Diamante still haunt her. Her leg could not be saved and Sardonyx worked with Forge Hyenas in Silverfang to create a prosthetic for Farida. She is getting used to it but is mobile in and out of it. There are days where she is able to take things in great stride and days where it can be very hard to process everything. Sardonyx is there to help, but so is the rest of their pride. They are a unit.
* The mesa itself has been transformed into a sanctuary to all and a place where the arcane touched and come to hone their skills. This has included the arrival of Aries and his family...who happen to be the remaining survivors of the Auroramane pride.
* Sardonyx found Zircon’s notes on the Heartstone and quickly became obsessed with finding it. Their biggest fear was someone else finding it and using it for the same intention as Zircon such as Helidor or any of their lackeys who knew. They sought the guidance of the historically adept lions of the Oasis however became lost in the unending landscape of the desert.
* After traveling for days on end without food or water they collapse at the bottom of a large dune and send out a silent prayer and ask for forgiveness from Farida for being as driven to obsession like Zircon. They close their eyes and let the darkness take them over. They feel themself slip away into near nothingness. Everything simply stops.
* Then they wake up, a lioness named Callisto standing above her...a necromancer.