Elarion

## Map

**Elarion** was a human city and settlement for humanity within Xadia before their banishment to the West of the continent. It was destroyed by Sol Regem, the first King of the Dragons, as punishment for Ziard's use of dark magic to protect his people and prevent starvation.

## History

2000 years before the birth of Azymondias, the city of Elarion was founded near a place that would later become the Border. Due to harsh weather conditions leading to famine, the city would initially face a time of struggle and starvation, leading the citizens to suffer. Pitying their situation, one unicorn named Leola wished to help them, as they did not believe humans deserved to suffer just because they were born without magic. Despite being warned by the elves not to trust the humans, as they believed that they would have been born with magic if they were meant to use it, the unicorns gifted a few wise humans powerful stones containing vast energy, called Primal Stones. They then taught the humans how to draw runes and speak in Ancient Draconic, the language of the dragons, in order to cast spells. This era marked the turning point in history for humanity known as the "Rise of Elarion". Humans began building great civilizations, developing the arts, thriving and growing. However, one day, a mage named Ziard came into possession of a powerful staff, gifted to him by Aaravos, one of the "Great Ones" that saw potential in humanity, which led him to the discovery of dark magic.

During the reign of Sol Regem, which dates back 1200 years to 1000 before the present, dark mages and their followers began to hunt and poach magical creatures throughout Xadia, as they needed fuel for their spells: A griffin's talon, a feather from a Moon Phoenix, any part of a creature where magic was concentrated. Perhaps the most valuable and sought-after prize of all was a unicorn's horn. Eventually, the humans hunted the unicorns until they went extinct.

Some time before the division of Xadia dated approximately 200 years after the reign of Sol Regem began, the mighty Dragon King himself met Ziard on a mountaintop near the city, where he presented him with an ultimatum: give up dark magic or witness the destruction of Elarion. Ziard refused and used his magic to attack the Dragon King, effectively blinding him for life, though the mage was killed in the process. Sol Regem later carried out his plans and destroyed the city with nearly all its inhabitants. Only a few people managed to survive due to Aaravos's intervention. The city was since then abandoned and presently lies in ruins.

## Geography

Elarion was located in the southern region of Xadia, specifically southwest from the Sea of the Castout and southeast from the Moonshadow Forest. It was built near a river branch of the sea and was surrounded by mountains and green hills. It is now lying in ruins.

## Midnight Star

Elarion, trembling seed,

lay down to earth in icy night,

and in the cold

her roots took hold

defying winter's deathly bite.

Elarion, fading bloom,

afraid to wilt and dim and die,

she searched the dark

for but a spark

and caught the dragons' hungry eye.

Elarion, frightened waif,

reached bone-white branches to the night,

the stars she asked

their light to cast

and stop the dragons' fiery might.

Elarion, unworthy whelp,

Wept as the stars turned black the sky,

They donned their masks

They turned their backs,

And left Elarion to die.

Elarion, dying husk,

did wilt and whimper in the dark,

'till the last star

Reached from afar

His touch: a blaze, a gift, a spark.

Elarion, searing white,

Embraced the great one's night-black flame.

And when she bowed,

Her faith avowed,

He whispered, "Aaravos", his name.

Elarion, black-eyed child,

her twisted roots spread deep and far,

The humans' might

sparked by the light

of Aaravos, her midnight star.

## Trivia

* In Elarion's Midnight Star Poem, the city is referred to as "black-eyed child", referring to how the eyes of a user would turn black upon casting dark magic.
* A popular fan theory suggested that Aaravos is the "Great One" who has gifted Ziard the relic staff that led to the discovery of dark magic. This was supported by Elarion's Midnight Star Poem, and later confirmed by Claudia's statement that he was the one who gifted humanity magic.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Book Three, Chapter 1: "Sol Regem"
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Book One: Moon (Novel)
3. ↑ Tales of Xadia - Official Handbook
4. ↑ San Diego Comic Con 2019 - CartoonUniverse Details
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Book Four, Chapter 7: "Beneath the Surface" (Claudia confirms that Aaravos gifted humanity magic)
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Elarion's Midnight Star Poem
7. ↑ 2019 San Diego Comic Con
8. ↑ The Dragon Prince Official Website - Midnight Star