Galen

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Galen was King of the Eastern Kingdom with his wife Queen Marah from ~170 years ago until his death ~70 years ago.

His captain of the guard, Maecas, account the events surrounding his death. "I was the captain of the guard for his father, and then for Galen. His Queen was Marah, and their daughter, Rheya. One fateful night, I lead the Royal Caravan on a journey to Vesuva.  There were seven of us aside from Rheya and her parents, but we were still a large enough group to draw unwanted attention.  Normally we could stave off a large band of kobolds or goblins, or a good number of orcs.  But this assailing band was blanketed in shadow, deepening the dusk we traveled in to nearly midnight.  There were spellweavers among them.  They used human assassins to kill Galen and Marah, while harrying us with a swirling darkness that seemed to randomly eject poisoned arrows.  We could not fight the shadow that consumed us.  When we were released of it and the darkness lifted, only two of us remained.  The human assassins had melted into that midnight vortex and vanished; we could find neither trail nor sign, their passage being masked by arcane ululation.  We collected the bodies of your parents and our fallen comrades, fashioned a reed and grass sledge, and made the journey back home. When we arrived and told Galen’s council what had happened, they slew Roannin where he stood for his incompetence.  They spared my life out of respect for my service to the previous king, and commanded me to exile to the Western Kingdom where I could serve out my life as a warrior for their kingdom.  I eventually rose through the ranks to become the General of the Western Edge, and happened to meet Queen Nissa for the first time about 25 years ago.  She mentioned something which accorded with a reading Queen Marah made of the Leylines. Nissa said a silver dragon was born, and they collected her, and took her to the Spear in Vesuva; and there were yet Dragon Seeds in that horde, and that horde was accessible.  So I searched to find them, but could not; and eventually I was waylaid by Jarek some 20 years ago, and figured I would retire in Vesuva after we located the seeds, perhaps build a forge, and start fabricating enchanted weapons.  But, life got in the way as we searched, and the true nature of the story crossed with my own, the further we dug. Had I not witnessed the Queen Marah herself telling me that she felt the birth of a silver dragon in the leylines some 175 years ago, I wouldn’t have thought Nissa was correct.  Galen and Marah knew what it meant, and why we had to go to Vesuva.  But we were too late, for the Leylines are open to read for any who know how.  Galen and Marah were killed, their reign ended, and my exile was immediate.  I dared not to even cross into the Middle Kingdom.  But I never gave up hope, either.  I’ve been training Sîpanna at my fighting academy which hones her skills tremendously, and she stays in the Spear of course, inside the penthouse which is for her living quarters and her study.  Cathartic oversees her magical training.  We must train her because we knew this day was coming.  For the forces of darkness to spread, they must put out the light.  They have been mustering this advantage for nearly two centuries, and they are ripe to unleash it.  But we have the advantage: the Spear-Tip is well trained and powerful, the Lady of Light is stern and unyielding, and the Karthus exposes all who cross it.  They are desperate to strike to buy more time to find The Black Egg, so they must draw their feint now in hopes of taking advantage of temporary weakness, as Sîpanna is not yet fully grown. rom my youth we were taught of the birth of King Galen’s and Queen Marah’s daughter, and how it would end them.  A dark and sinister end met them, as foretold by the Song of The Ancients:

Wild wind black, and howling bold Hackles raise, harrowing baleful strike Strength ebbs; ruin’s harbinger Birth-gift of Ash and Elm

Spear-Tip forged, Fair-plains Spire Strength from Middle Kingdom Kin; Safety made from Daughter’s dangers; Death comes quickly on Darkness’ door.

Day-star shines, bright-kin gather Daughter given from Dark, Day becomes Saves Spear-tip, delivered from death Avenged Daughter and accomplished kith.”

This outlines that this elven princess will save Sîpanna.  It is our honor to have your trust and your service."