Shoaw me a place w’ere wiald groves grow, w’ere leoht flirts amid orchards ‘n bloom. Take me to w’ere mhusic echos voices untold, an’ the elms bend in autumns blow. Lete me findan again placid streams of bleo, so I moit fet the roising myst an’ morning deaw. Shoaw one time mor the blossom of aerly spring, the gentle tauch of the radian’ sun. Ooh huw I long to hiere them once o’gean, yet cold thei are, lost in thie’ pain.

-Ossias the Bard

Though limitedly understood, the history of the Lorilee spans back into time long before the Age of Man, veiled in the complexities of the Lost Years. Their culture and existence has come full circle: at one point an experienced and superior race to men, they have now fallen from grace. Vast of shape and innumerable of size, the Lorilee take on facets of the forests around them. Some look quite human with only leaves and vines entangling their body revealing an inhuman physique, while others of the Children appear with rough bark covering their bodies and animal horns growing from their heads. In all cases, the Lorilee are a primal reflection of nature’s beauty.

The Lorilee, also known as the Tuath’an’lyr, have endured a history of mixed glory and betrayal. Each grove is ruled by a single queen born of a singular bloodline that dates back to a time even the Children find hard to remember, the Age of the Three Queens. The bloodline has survived the trials of time, their control spanning across all of the Sacred Groves that lay deep within the woods. Yet, despite their elongated lifetime, the Children are beginning to dwindle. The new Queen, Lorilee of the Blood, leads the great remnant of the Tuath’an’lyr from within the forests of Ceath’an.

Residing within reclusive groves, the Lorilee inhabit the Ceath’en Isles east of the City of Denshy. These strange creatures of nature are bound to the groves, only the su’seath capable of wandering outside their overgrowth without feeling a yearning to return. While even the su’seath would not abandon their grove for the world of man, recent curiosity amongst the Lorilee have left some of the Tuath’an’lyr to range into the outside world to experience life anew.

With each bounding root, with each flowing stream, the whisper of the ancient wyrd; for the history of the Lorilee long past and long to come is hidden in the woods of old, spoken in each rock, murmured on each breeze. One need only strain their ears to hear the Great Cycles of the world, foretelling of the future and foreign ages not yet come to pass. Can you hear the wyrd? Can you hear the march of the Tuath’an’lyr?

Wood without shape, skies without dimension, the Bey’inshar Cycle speaks of titanic forces that clash through the emptiness of the universe, unsettled in their chaos, desiring shape and definition. Ath Dal an Dashar, the Dance of Chaos. These forces take hold of element and mind, becoming creators in their own right. The Bey’inshar Cycle begins with the birth and ends with the eventual disappearance of these great spirits who shape and re-shape the world. Legend speaks of three spirits each of Earth, Air, Water and Fire to whom gave the world shape and wisdom. The ancient spirits of the Bey’inshar bore out the land and filled the oceans, gave breath to the sky and glow to the stars. From the Bey’inshar were born the Dam’ilshar, great children of power who were granted the divine elements of the Bey’inshar. The Dam’ilshar were numerous, a race precursor to the Aauger and Tuath’an’dam who ruled over earth, sky, sea, and star. Yet from their power was born want and greed, suffering and control. The Bey’inshar and the Dam’ilshar came to clash, the lesser spirits of the universe trying to supplant the divine. The world was wrecked with fire and havoc, the lands trembled, the seas swallowed life, and the air became thin to breath. Chaos swelled through the universe until at last the Dam’ilshar were destroyed, but not without cost. What feeble form remained to the glory of the Bey’inshar was shattered, the elements of the universe becoming uncontrolled, tainted by the chaos of the Dam’ilshar. Yet from the pains of death came the seeds of rebirth. The end of the Bey’inshar Cycle marks the beginning of the Aauger Cycle.

… world shapers and world forsakers, the ancient spirits of Bey’inshar.
Three of earth to shape the world, to share their wisdom and lands unfurl;
Three of air to breath the skies, to birth the clouds and lift them high;
Three of water to tempt the oceans, to draw the currents with lunar motion;
And three of fire to command the dark, to light the stars and grant life’s spark.
Time will come for Age renew, when the Bey’inshar return to life imbue.

From the broken forms of the Bey’inshar are born the Aauger. Shapeless yet defined, these monstrous creatures become great giants and titans recalled in legend as Ath Caam an Thrist, or the Birth of Giants. For millennia the world basks in darkness, the absence of the Bey’inshar still reeling throughout the universe and Teryna (the earth). Through strange breeding the races of the Aauger become vast in number and size. In the north Frost giants rule in frozen throne protected in their mountains of ice. In the south Earth giants command the lands, spreading across the fledgling forests and plains. From them are born the offspring of Ogres, Ettins, and Trolls – all of the Aauger. In the far east lie the molten lands of lava ruled over by Fire Giants and Dragon-kin. And deep beneath the sea rule the Titans and serpents, commanding the ocean currents and tumult seas.

Yet while the Aauger rule the earth, so were born the Tuath’an’dam – the ancient children. What fleeting image or power remained of the Bey’inshar is unknown, yet from An’urial, Bey’inshar of the Sea comes the first daughter and her children whom he protects against the Titans, taming the sea serpents and giving abode amongst the sea. Deep within the groves of the west, away from the giant-kin, Tam’aethon, Bey’inshar of the Earth plants the seeds of his three daughters who grow and mark the beginning of the next Great Cycle. To the Tuath’an’lyr (Tribe of the Forest, the Lorilee) are revealed the secrets of the Great Cycles that may be heard through the earth and the wyrd weave that connects all the living and inanimate.

And so the forests of the world begin to heal the blight of the Dam’ilshar, the Aauger roaming free through the world as its masters. Light is born again and life is renewed. In the heart of the world the Tuath’an’dam slowly take shape from the woods and the seas. And slowly, the power of the Aauger fades, their titanic forces too immense to sustain. As the Age of Giants comes to a close, the Age of Man begins to rise, and the third cycle beings to spin.

As the forests and planes of the world begin to calm and the Aauger pass from the world, life begins to stabilize. The Cam’layr cycle marks the birth of birds, deer, bears, and all animals of the medieval world. Deep in their groves, the Tuath’an’lyr prosper. As the Three Queens pass to become one with Tam’aethon to protect the Tuath’an’lyr, the children take on a new queen. It is during the Age of Man that the children become known as the Shaile (Shay-eel). From the earth spring the great groves and circles of the Bloodline, those decedent from the Three Queens. Uncontested by the rise of man, the Tuath’an’lyr and Tuath’an’mer reach the pinnacle of their civilization, imparting small parts of their secrets to the world of men. The Tuath’an’dam become creatures of legend, poetry of men speaking of their ancient beauty and wild forms. Yet as with all cycles, new life must also meet new death. As the world of man spreads it reach, the world of the Tuath’an’dam shrinks. The mystic forests begin to fade, the whisper of the wyrd begins to disappear, and the life that the Tuath’an’lyr could see in all of the forests begins to recede to their humble groves. Yet, the Shaile remain in their aid of mankind until the height of the Zealan Empire, when calamity swallows the world of man and sends plagues of shadows into the lands of the Shaile. What beauty and power once belonged to the Tuath’an’dam begins to fade. The ancient architecture and control over the wyrd begins to disappear; secrets are lost that cannot be recovered; life begins to see a turn towards darkness once more. The death of the Shaile Queen marks the end of the Cam’layr cycle when magic was strong and wonderful, the Tuath’an’lyr entering the Neeuv’ar Cycle.

As the power of the Tuath’an’lyr begins to fade, the glory of the forests and the wyrd begins to dissipate. The Neeuv’ar Cycle, also known amongst the children as the death cycle, sees the tragedy of Ameerath and the fall of the Bloodline into hatred of mankind. Plagued with the shadows that remained after the fall of the Zealan Empire and the dying of the world, the Tuath’an’lyr have become aware they are passing from this world. As the Bloodline grows thinner and groves begin to fade and decay, the Tuath’an’lyr hold onto their last grips of life. Yet from this confine of slow demise the children now try to escape, ranging out from what glory remains of their groves to venture into the world of man, to try and curb the destruction of the world. Some are peaceful, others hostile, yet all carry the grace of the Tuath’an’lyr and the secrets of the wyrd. For they know the Great Cycle shall continue, and the Bey’inshar shall rise again, but to what end depends on the grace of the Tuath’an’lyr.

During the birth of the Zealan Empire, legend spoke of a people inherent to the lands and seas who expressed an understanding of the world far beyond that which the histories of man could detail. Shapeless yet defined, these kin of nature took on colors and bodies that mirrored the lands around them. Legend goes to say their personality, a paradox in its own way, reflected the two poles of humanity, rarely a gray area appearing in their mannerisms. Tales tell of curious men and women venturing into their lands to witness the splendors of their domain, though their returns back to the world of man marked with a sadness and longing to return into nature’s overgrowth once more. With each account, a different story was told, but all spoke the name nature’s kin identified themselves as. The Shaile.

Centuries ago, a Sacred Grove stood near the center of the Southern Continent ruled by Ameerath of the Royal Bloodline. It was in her domain that she sought to take the hand of another in marriage and began searching for a suitor. Of those who lined up, a Child of impure blood was amongst them. Banquets and balls were held in an attempt to see whom would best suit her, yet in one of these events the half-blood came to her and expressed his lust. Looking upon the Child though, Ameerath could not return the same love and in the end chose a powerful Sprite to be at her side.

In his anger, the half-blood set fire to the Sacred Grove when even the eyes of the Sentinels were averted during Ameerath’s wedding. In that instant, when the Grove began to burn all of the Children felt a pain course through their bodies, alone was the half-blood who was unaffected. In his wraith for her love, all of Ameerath’s children died that evening, their souls never to part the world. It was in that moment and the days after that others of the Royal Bloodline heard of this betrayal and from it their souls blackened and their hatred for humanity strengthened.

The Grove that once stood is now merely blackened roots, but the surrounding forest has slowly been corrupted into something beyond even the comprehension of the Children. Though the physical nature of all the Children died in that evening, their spirits reside within the darkened forest and their hatred festers. Those men who dare venture through it rarely pass out of its entanglement once more. To an onlooker however, the forest merely seems a decaying land.

In the time after Ameerath’s death was learnt, all the other groves hardened to the sight of humans near them, cursing their blood as the reason the half-blood destroyed their sacred grove. Time has lightened the hearts of the Children towards their own kin, yet not against those who are fully human. Still, the Children see the Satyrs and Centaurs as outcasts, never to come near to the Sacred Grove. Those few groves that stand to this day are veiled within the dense surrounding forests, rarely approachable less the adventurer be seen by one of the Grove’s guardians.

The most common form of the Children, sprites contain creatures of all different natures. Their forms vary in sizes and shape, either humanoid of more of a primal composition. Females reach a height of 5 feet while males can peak at 8 feet. These creatures are the heart of Lorilee society and those who most often live closest to the grove. Their personalities are either compassionate or cold, personable or introverted. Not all of these Children share the same views as their Queen and many of them at times venture out beyond the Grove to return when their longing for its embrace grows too great. Where as the rest of the Tuath’an’lyr take on the name of their Queen, only the su’seath take on names of their own, perhaps a manifestation of their more independent mindset.

In a way outcasts of the Children, these creatures are the culmination of human and Lorilee blood. Most often they live on the outskirts of the grove acting as guards similar to the Sentinels, their hatred for humans far surpassing that of any of the other Children. They see their half-human nature as a curse and hope to prove themselves to the other Children that they themselves aren’t as weak or dull. Unlike the other Children, they do not feel the longing to be in the Grove and nor are their lives tied to it. Should the Sacred Grove ever fall, they themselves will live on though their existence after is rarely marked with good fortune and health.

The most primal of all the Children, these creatures appear as entities of stone and wood. Their existence carries the sole purpose of protecting the grove from outsiders and thus their abilities to interact with the other Children are severely limited. Like the elements they are born from, they have little ability to communicate or feel.

These creatures are much smaller then sprites but are those most often seen by the world of man. Both men and woman rarely exceed 4 feet, and reaching that is considerably rare. Their personalities usually reflect that of the Queen; it is not often that a sylph expresses an opinion of their own creation.

The smallest of the Children, will-o-wisps are generally primal in appearance and hard to see by natural eye other then at night. These creatures reside within the grove and it’s surrounding forests, rarely venturing beyond. To those clever enough to look, they appear as small lights within the leaves and streams that encompass the forest.

The most ancient of all the Children, the Royal Bloodline is expression of Lorilee perfection and beauty. They are a blend of the primal nature of the world and humanoid shape. These creatures are the most powerful of the Children, some having lived back to near the birth of the Children from the world. Reclusive, the Bloodline is rarely seen outside the Grove as they have little reason to leave. Some however do find it entertaining to conceal themselves and walk amongst the world of man for a short time, though due to the dwindling number of Children such escapades are now frowned upon. All of the Royal Bloodline carries a name given to them when they a birthed, yet only when crowned do they reveal that name to anyone.

Members of the Royal Bloodline are tied to the very heart of the grove. When a grove dies or is burned, any of the Bloodline tied to that grove also die, taking with them all the children. Such was the case of Ameerath and those who belonged to her grove. Killing a member of the Royal Bloodline who is ruling over a grove can see that grove fall into desolation if another member of the Bloodline cannot be raised to the throne quick enough.

When a member of the Bloodline is raised to rule over the grove, they reveal their true name and the children of that grove take on the Queen’s name. Thus, in the age of the Queen Shaile, the Tuath’an’lyr were known as the Shaile. During the current rule of Lorilee, the Tuath’an’lyr are now known as the Lorilee.

Na thail aeul ath eerna; I feel it in the earth;
Na aitha aeul ath mer; I see it in the water;
Na bretha aeul ath ayyr; I breath it in the air;
Ath teryna se annuadel; The world is changing.

For the spirits of our great ancestors and memory of the Ancient Wyrd fade from this land. And as the cycle turns towards its end, so do we step out from the protection of our groves; the last march of the Tuath’an’lyr.

Bey ath eerna ore nassa ambra; Let the earth bare our destiny;
Bey ath faarnyn thoron nassa harr; Let the oceans mirror our grace;
Bey ath ayrsa dorno nassa himna; Let the wind carry our whispers;
Bey Tam’aethon arh dor’nathan. Let Tam’aethon be reborn.

Keeper of the Earth,
Lord of Masterful Foresight,
The Arbiter of Renewal,
The Forebearer of Destiny,
The Keeper of the Wyrd.

Tam’aethon is God of the Tuath’an’lyr, lord of the groves and father of all the forests. His domain has passed on to the hands of the Royal Blood, decedents of the Three Queens who lay in eternal slumber. His presence is recognized with the coming of spring, the arbiter of re-growth and renewal. Woodsman and the superstitious tie Tam’aethon as a great spirit of the forests, one that can bring hardship or grace within the ancient woods of the world. For in the deepest forests where overgrowth has claimed each stone and stream, the ancient wyrd fills the land. Heard in the creaking branches and the swaying leaves, it is the whisper of the world to come.

It is said the Three Queens were the first daughters of Tam’aethon, born of the Bey’agrid known to early men as the World Tree. For the Bey’agrid was wrought from the very veins of Tam’aethon and towered towards the heavens, its seeds bearing all the gifts of Tam’aethon. Knowledge of the World Tree’s location has faded from history, yet the legend of the Three Queens whom the Bloodline descends from remains.

The Three Queens came to symbolize the grace and sacrifice of the Tuath’an’lyr, each Queen giving up their lives to eternal slumber in order to protect the future children of Tam’aethon. It is said they continue to rest in the depths of the forests and mountains away from the eyes of man, their spirits wandering the world, whispering onto the winds that the Tuath’an’lyr know their grace continues.

Lady of the West,
Mistress of Ceath’an,
Tempest of the Forest,
Seed of the Setting Sun

Lady of the Frozen North,
Mistress of Wisdom,
Daughter of White,
Seed of Twilight.

During the spinning of the Aauger Cycle when the world teamed with giants and beings beyond shape, so came to be the Queen of Winter, Naessa an Haair. Born from the seeds of of the Bey’agrid, she was the wisest and last of the Three. The daughter of twilight; her spirit lives on in the tale of her sacrifice.

In the Caam an Thrist when the Aauger shaped the world with their titanic forces, creatures both magnificent and cruel were born of the world. Wrought from putrid fire and insatiable malice, the heart of Mâin-ka-shâtar burned darkest of the Aauger. A great dragon, his wings were a shadow upon the lands of the Tuath’anlyr that threatened the existence of Tam’eathon’s children.

With scales that could not be pierced by blade or magick, with breath that could scour the land to its very bones, Mâin-ka-shâtar came to dominate the world of Teryna. For years to come his flames would extinguish the life of the Tuath’an’lyr and Aauger alike, his shadow blocking the very gift of light, and none could defeat him.

It was Naessa, wisest of the Three, who beseeched the Giants of the North to draw the ire of Mâin-ka-shâtar less all of Teryna fall prey to his grasp. There in the north as Tuath’an’lyr and Giant alike fought against Mâin-ka-shâtar in a battle which could not be won, Naessa sacrificed herself to the maw of Mâin-ka-shâtar. In the bowls of fire, beneath skin and scale which could not be pierced, Naessa became herself the lands of frost to extinguish the malignant flame of Mâin-ka-shâtar. From his veins burst the arctic streams, from his bones spired the frozen mountain peaks, and from his scales glimmered the plains of ice. In the bowls of the mountains of the frozen north Naessa slumbers, imprisoned in the lifeless bones of Mâin-ka-shâtar until the last breath of the Neeuv’ar Cycle.

Yet even in eternal slumber the spirit of Naessa an Haair wanders. Legend speaks of a great two-headed wolf that stalks the frozen north. Its teaming white mane slashed with the frozen blue blood of Mâin-ka-shâtar; its eyes burning the azure of the moon; the beast of eternal twilight.

In frozen prison of winter streams,
In a world of frost where eternal white gleams,
The great wolf wanders as the ancient queen dreams.

Those of the Tuath’an’lyr who give homage to Naessa during winter or seek her spirit’s wisdom drape themselves in silks of blue, white, and violet. It is not uncommon to dye the tips of ones fingers blue or violet, a symbol of the blood-drenched claws of the two-headed wolf.

Lady of the South,
Mistress of Grace,
Daughter of Flowers,
Seed of the Rising Sun.

The Simuthail is the ancient tongue of the Tuath’an’dam. For a complete reference, see the language page.