At each full moon the Cauthorian people gather around the stone of sacrifice to hear the tales of old. The most recent legend is one that still lives: that of Shadow Slayer. In the days of D'sparil, the serpent rider, chaos reigned. The dark armies swept the land, destorying all who stood in their way, or those who posed a significant threat. In those times the city of Cauthor S'Gath, 'City of Shadows', was the heart of the Cauthorian empire. D'sparil cut out the peoples' heart. The assassin race was scattered throughout the most inhospitible regions of Parthoris. With no leadership or central government, opposing factions rose against each other, each seeking to dominate and re-establish order. For many years the Cauthorians lived only in small clans, wandering as nomads throughout the forsaken outer lands. Their only contact with the other peoples of Parthoris came when they had need of a skilled assassin. With the rise of Morcalavin, many of the Cauthorian clans came together to serve the immortal seraph. They dared not risk utter annihilation, the certain price of defiance. Their warriors' pride was swallowed for the sake of the people. The heretic Corvus, who had defied D'sparil and destroyed the serpent rider in his city beneath the waves, sought to end Morcalavin's reign and free the afflicted from the sickness he created. Somehow, despite being an inferior mammal, he succeeded. In the wake of Morcalavin's reign of terror the other peoples of Parthoris were preoccupied with repairing the damage to their cities, and burying their dead. They did not notice a new Cauthorian leader rise up and unite the people, once more making them strong. On returning to the ruined city of Cauthor S'Gath, D'sparil's curse was still in evidence. Wraiths stalked the shadows within the ruined walls, attacking all who tried to enter the city. The new leader, a powerful magician, employed a shield of light for protection, and drove out the shadow-demons that infested the place. Hence the leader of the Cauthorians earned a new title: Shadow Slayer. |