Lore | Elysian Fields

Where it all began

In the vast open seas, there sailed a fearsome band of men known as the Crimson Corsairs. Led by the infamous Captain Blackthorn, they were notorious for their pillaging and plundering ways. As fate would have it, their ship, the Crimson Serpent, was caught in a violent storm that tossed them off course leading them to an uncharted island.

The men could not contain their excitement as the Crimson Serpent neared the island's shores. They had heard tales of hidden treasures and exotic women living on remote islands and saw this as an opportunity to satiate their desires. Little did the men know that this island was unlike any other they had encountered. It was home to a tribe of inhabitants known as the Karikans who revered their gods and had the unique gift of communing with nature.

The Corsairs were surprised to find a community that embraced all kinds of pleasures, even engaging in the ebb and flow of purposeful activities like farming and cooking. The fields were so lush and bountiful that they came to be called the Elysian Fields. The Karikan males were massive, armed with powerful bows, their breeding parts exposed in their haste to procreate should the urge strike them. The Karikan females were rare and elusive beasts, ripe in breasts and for the taking. The Pirates descended upon the females in a frenzy of lust, taking them back to their ships to ravish them to their hearts’ content.

The Karikan men tried to protect their females fiercely, they were no match for the Corsairs’ superior weapons and tactics. The Karikans sought guidance from their gods. In a sacred ceremony, the tribe's Seers and Shamans invoked the spirits, pleading for protection and a means to repel the invaders.

The gods of the Karikans known as the Aeshara, represent various aspects of nature and power. Each Aeshara possessed unique abilities and attributes, granting them the power to protect their people and maintain the balance of the island. The gods, moved by the devotion and determination of the Karikans, decided to grant them their wish: a powerful gift in the form of magical armbands to the sons of gods.

Pantheon

As the Corsairs entered the heart of the Fields, they encountered a seemingly empty village. The eerie silence filled them with an uneasy sense of foreboding. Suddenly, the ground began to rumble out of nowhere, and the leaves on the trees rustled violently. The native men had transformed into BERSERKERS - demi-gods, able to shift between human and animal forms at will. They were given incredible strength, speed, and agility, and they were able to move through the jungles with ease. The Karikans, transformed by their newfound power, emerged from the foliage as magnificent shape-shifters. Each tribe member had taken on the form of a different animal, using their unique abilities to defend their land.

The Karikans, having successfully defended their home, returned to their human forms in times of peace. A different kind of armband also granted the native women magical abilities:

the VIXENS rarely missed their mark with their bow;
the SEERS had wings erupting from their backs and had insight into the wombs.
the elusive PREYS were blessed with beauty and grace; they ran and hid in the foliage to evade the ravaging men.

Some Karikan males became the HUNTERS of the land, seeking a life of hunting or commerce as suited them. They could pick and hunt females to procreate at will.

The pirates retreated to their ships, battered and defeated. Captain Blackthorn, now humbled and overwhelmed by the power of the island's inhabitants, made the decision to set sail around the Fields and establish a stronghold away from the Berserkers. This portion of the island was shrouded in an aura of enigma. It was said to be the domain of ancient spirits and forbidden knowledge. They hoped to uncover the mysteries and harness its powers to grow stronger and reclaim their lost glory.

The Pirates ventured further into the heart of the hidden region where they discovered a crumbling temple weathered by time and cloaked in an eerie atmosphere. Within its depths, they stumbled upon a chamber that housed a collection of forgotten tomes, relics, and artifacts. It was here that the true extent of the island's power began to reveal itself.

The pirates delved into the ancient texts, trying to decipher their cryptic contents to unlock the knowledge concealed within. They continued to invade the Karikans to steal their women and hold them captive for days in their stronghold. A few of the shapeshifters perished in battles for territory and for bounty that ensued.

The Karikans had woven an intricate tapestry of traditions and beliefs, steeped in a profound reverence for their deific pantheon. From a confluence of faith and governance emerged a sacred decree: the ascension of a regal sovereign. The anointed King assumed the mantle of the earthly custodian symbolizing the seamless union of mortal and immortal realms, the spiritual medium and embodiment of their gods’ immeasurable grace.

As the Pirates grew bolder and more reckless, the wise King sought a peaceful resolution. The King believed that harmony could be restored between the pirates and the island's natural forces if both sides could find common ground. A meeting was arranged between the Captain and the King. The King spoke of the destructive nature of unchecked power and the importance of maintaining the delicate balance of the island. He offered his knowledge and guidance, hoping to steer the men away from their dark path.

Moved by the King’s words, the Captain reluctantly agreed to listen. He realized that the pursuit of power alone would ultimately lead to their downfall. Their numbers were dwindling and their resources fewer.

The Magical Seeker

The King confirmed the rumors of the Magical Seeker: the relentless pursuer charged by the King to search for one worthy to ascend to the rank of Berserker. The King offered the Pirates the opportunity to capture the Magical Seeker and compete in the tasks set by her in order to become a Berserker. The King also offered the native females to be hunted for the purpose of filling their wombs. All the babes of the island would be received by the Seers of the land who would send the freshly swaddled babes to the gods for upbringing where they would grow up wise and magical.

Under the King’s guidance, the Pirates relinquished their pursuit of power and dominance for now. They turned their attention towards protecting the island's delicate ecosystem and rebuilding the harmony they had once shattered by indulging themselves in destructive ways. As a gesture of goodwill, the King granted the Pirates armbands as well, hoping to assimilate them into the delicate fabric of Elysian Fields.

Peace hung on a loose thread.

Who will survive and thrive? How long will the peace last? Come mate and make your treaties under false peace for your advantage. Live your life at the Fields, enjoying its bounties and women.

SETTLE, THRIVE, AND PROSPER!