Post by graypath on Mar 21, 2014 7:58:04 GMT
The Early Years
Chapter One
The Founding
By Arthur Pepka, aka GrayPathMage
Due to his injuries, Cambrey was unable to influence events on Cambreya for months after the arrival. His healers insisted on confining him to bed for recovery. Thus, he was unable to change anything he did not like: such as the world’s name. The people had bickered about choosing a name before leaving Earth. Yet, after witnessing Cambrey’s sacrifice to protect them, they had unanimously agreed. Having a planet named for him made Cambrey extremely uncomfortable. Each time he tried to change it; he was faced with tearful eyes and sad faces. Therefore, he reluctantly was accepting the people’s choice.
Worse was the second decision the people had made. Cambrey had hoped to bring the group here, get them settled then fade into the background. He had not wanted to control anything, let alone be the ultimate authority. Now he spent his few waking hours listening to and arbitrating on every petty issue. People wanted him to decide everything and only his opinion counted.
At last, he had enough. Cambrey had his healers ban everyone from his chambers and he deputized his fellow archmages to make decisions. He then spent his remaining month of recovery planning with his new staff. Together they laid out the plan for a village to be built. This would act as a common point. Anyone who chose to risk the wilderness could, but would have to prove their ability to survive and provide for themselves before they could claim ownership. After a year, such a claim would be inspected and ownership would be recorded. Final decision would rest with Cambrey himself. When complaints occurred, Cambrey simply responded, “You wanted a decision, live with it.” Such tough love was often accepted as it was couched pleasantly and honestly.
Six months, to the day, after arriving on Cambreya, Cambrey was finally allowed to leave his bedchamber. He had experienced only brief glimpses of his new home during his convalescence. Now he could explore the majesty of this fresh world.
A hasty grouping of huts had been erected near the portal site. Essentially stone bowls overturned, they provided a safe, dry shelter for many families at once. Teams were working constantly in the area. They harvested, cleared and prepared the land for farms. Many of the native species of flora had been identified and tested. Most were harmless to humans, but those edible were marked and sought out. Already several test crops had been raised and harvested. The signs were good that terran seed would survive here and thrive. Cambrey was also advised about the presence of other intelligent species. Two groups had fled Earth before contact was cut off. The first was a large group of Dwarves. They had sought protection from their former DarkPath captures. Cambrey had wished them welcome, and now could visit their encampment. The second group was of Elves. Like the dwarves, they had been captives. Unlike the dwarves, they had not handled their imprisonment well. Deprived of sunlight and fresh air, they had weakened. Many were near death still, months after being liberated from their dark cells. Cambrey toured each camp. He found the dwarves well and excited to begin. They wished to construct an underground city. Cambrey gave his approval, provided they supply stone to the humans for construction purposes. Thus, the material they excavated would be reused, not discarded. At the elven camp, Cambrey found a sorry sight. Pallets and bedding were spread about. Each was filled with a wan recovering elf. The few elves not bedridden were busy tending those that were. Mage healers dotted the sight. Cambrey interviewed each, to only have each report that his charges were mending well. Satisfied that all was well, Cambrey turned to the pressing business of erecting civilization.
During his long convalescence, Cambrey had watched his infant son grow. He became concerned for his future education. While many argued for the foundation of a town first, Cambrey overruled them. He decided their first priority should be the creation of a school. The people had shelter and food; they would keep. But each day, children grew closer to the need to learn their own magic. Not to mention the academics. The king had a survey done for a suitable site. The scout, Samuel, discovered an ideal location. It was a naturally treeless knoll with a gentle slope. A freshwater pool was close by. Cambrey instantly approved the location and construction began. Using stone quarried by the dwarves, the foundations were laid. Soon the walls began rising. These would be massive, for protection but also for secrecy. Within these walls, the secrets of magic would be learned. Mages even bespelled the stones so none could be marred or moved. Using magic and dwarven expertise, the structure rose with inspiring speed. A small village sprouted nearby for the housing of teachers, staff, and students.
With the school well underway, Esmera was finally able to turn her husband to building a suitable residence for their family. At first, Cambrey had desired only a modest manor on a tract of land, nothing grandiose. His wife politely overruled him. As he was now treated as a king, his home would be the seat of power on Cambreya. Esmera sought out a dwarven architect and commissioned a suitable structure to be built. She left only the location up to Cambrey’s discretion. He naturally chose to be near the portal site. Slightly homesick, he would not relinquish this single connection to Earth, useless as it may be. Once built, the anchor stones would be moved to a location inside the castle.
Work progressed on both sites. While the castle began later, due to its smaller size and simplicity, the castle soon joined the school as it neared completion. Homes began to sprout in the landscape around each. At the school, this randomness was tolerated, if not encouraged. Yet when families wished to build near his castle, Cambrey brought out his town plans, organized the land into parcels, and paved simple roads. This created the seed for an organized town to develop.
On the day the castle was finished, Esmera asked her husband the name of their home. Cambrey thought before his reply. “I wish to never forget the reason we left Earth. Our homes name should be a reminder of the war we fought.”
“That is a noble wish.” Esmera said. “But would it be a proper name.”
“Bellos.” Cambrey said. “For the war we fought and hope to never fight again.” On this, Cambrey would not be swayed. Try as she might, Esmera could not change the name. Thus, Bellos Castle became the heart of Cambreya.
Chapter One
The Founding
By Arthur Pepka, aka GrayPathMage
Due to his injuries, Cambrey was unable to influence events on Cambreya for months after the arrival. His healers insisted on confining him to bed for recovery. Thus, he was unable to change anything he did not like: such as the world’s name. The people had bickered about choosing a name before leaving Earth. Yet, after witnessing Cambrey’s sacrifice to protect them, they had unanimously agreed. Having a planet named for him made Cambrey extremely uncomfortable. Each time he tried to change it; he was faced with tearful eyes and sad faces. Therefore, he reluctantly was accepting the people’s choice.
Worse was the second decision the people had made. Cambrey had hoped to bring the group here, get them settled then fade into the background. He had not wanted to control anything, let alone be the ultimate authority. Now he spent his few waking hours listening to and arbitrating on every petty issue. People wanted him to decide everything and only his opinion counted.
At last, he had enough. Cambrey had his healers ban everyone from his chambers and he deputized his fellow archmages to make decisions. He then spent his remaining month of recovery planning with his new staff. Together they laid out the plan for a village to be built. This would act as a common point. Anyone who chose to risk the wilderness could, but would have to prove their ability to survive and provide for themselves before they could claim ownership. After a year, such a claim would be inspected and ownership would be recorded. Final decision would rest with Cambrey himself. When complaints occurred, Cambrey simply responded, “You wanted a decision, live with it.” Such tough love was often accepted as it was couched pleasantly and honestly.
Six months, to the day, after arriving on Cambreya, Cambrey was finally allowed to leave his bedchamber. He had experienced only brief glimpses of his new home during his convalescence. Now he could explore the majesty of this fresh world.
A hasty grouping of huts had been erected near the portal site. Essentially stone bowls overturned, they provided a safe, dry shelter for many families at once. Teams were working constantly in the area. They harvested, cleared and prepared the land for farms. Many of the native species of flora had been identified and tested. Most were harmless to humans, but those edible were marked and sought out. Already several test crops had been raised and harvested. The signs were good that terran seed would survive here and thrive. Cambrey was also advised about the presence of other intelligent species. Two groups had fled Earth before contact was cut off. The first was a large group of Dwarves. They had sought protection from their former DarkPath captures. Cambrey had wished them welcome, and now could visit their encampment. The second group was of Elves. Like the dwarves, they had been captives. Unlike the dwarves, they had not handled their imprisonment well. Deprived of sunlight and fresh air, they had weakened. Many were near death still, months after being liberated from their dark cells. Cambrey toured each camp. He found the dwarves well and excited to begin. They wished to construct an underground city. Cambrey gave his approval, provided they supply stone to the humans for construction purposes. Thus, the material they excavated would be reused, not discarded. At the elven camp, Cambrey found a sorry sight. Pallets and bedding were spread about. Each was filled with a wan recovering elf. The few elves not bedridden were busy tending those that were. Mage healers dotted the sight. Cambrey interviewed each, to only have each report that his charges were mending well. Satisfied that all was well, Cambrey turned to the pressing business of erecting civilization.
During his long convalescence, Cambrey had watched his infant son grow. He became concerned for his future education. While many argued for the foundation of a town first, Cambrey overruled them. He decided their first priority should be the creation of a school. The people had shelter and food; they would keep. But each day, children grew closer to the need to learn their own magic. Not to mention the academics. The king had a survey done for a suitable site. The scout, Samuel, discovered an ideal location. It was a naturally treeless knoll with a gentle slope. A freshwater pool was close by. Cambrey instantly approved the location and construction began. Using stone quarried by the dwarves, the foundations were laid. Soon the walls began rising. These would be massive, for protection but also for secrecy. Within these walls, the secrets of magic would be learned. Mages even bespelled the stones so none could be marred or moved. Using magic and dwarven expertise, the structure rose with inspiring speed. A small village sprouted nearby for the housing of teachers, staff, and students.
With the school well underway, Esmera was finally able to turn her husband to building a suitable residence for their family. At first, Cambrey had desired only a modest manor on a tract of land, nothing grandiose. His wife politely overruled him. As he was now treated as a king, his home would be the seat of power on Cambreya. Esmera sought out a dwarven architect and commissioned a suitable structure to be built. She left only the location up to Cambrey’s discretion. He naturally chose to be near the portal site. Slightly homesick, he would not relinquish this single connection to Earth, useless as it may be. Once built, the anchor stones would be moved to a location inside the castle.
Work progressed on both sites. While the castle began later, due to its smaller size and simplicity, the castle soon joined the school as it neared completion. Homes began to sprout in the landscape around each. At the school, this randomness was tolerated, if not encouraged. Yet when families wished to build near his castle, Cambrey brought out his town plans, organized the land into parcels, and paved simple roads. This created the seed for an organized town to develop.
On the day the castle was finished, Esmera asked her husband the name of their home. Cambrey thought before his reply. “I wish to never forget the reason we left Earth. Our homes name should be a reminder of the war we fought.”
“That is a noble wish.” Esmera said. “But would it be a proper name.”
“Bellos.” Cambrey said. “For the war we fought and hope to never fight again.” On this, Cambrey would not be swayed. Try as she might, Esmera could not change the name. Thus, Bellos Castle became the heart of Cambreya.