The beginning of the Dark Age was not marked by a great cataclysm, instead is a single moment of silence that was heard throughout the world. One of the great ten gates just ceased to function. The masters of the gate immediately rushed there, but they could not get it started. Then the thought started that nobody wanted uttered, what if this happened to all the gates.

One of the new masters, Gelin, forged a plan to save him. Each of the cities contained a giant crystal that served to gather and harness the magical essence for all to use. He would take these crystals by force and use their power to sustain his own existence. By these words, he gathered about him powerful followers and began the thousand-year war.

At first the cities fell without defense, as during the decades of peace and prosperity people lost the will for war. However, soon enough the cities began to mount their own offensive against the forces of Gelin. Occasionally larger cities would conquer the smaller ones, as their own crystal could no longer sustain their war.

They created powerful monsters and essence-infused warriors to do battle on a titanic scale. However, in the end the cities began to fall as their armies were defeated or joined Gelin. Once his victory was assured many of the remaining masters began acts of desperation. Some used the last of the crystals to move the city to different realms, while others mounted assaults on the gates to close them permanently.

Gelin slew the last of the masters who opposed him and built his throne from their skulls. From high atop the black mountain of Barshnor he ruled with an iron fist. All would swear loyalty to him or suffer under his power. Even the sun refused to shine, as the years were populated by a dim half-light punctuated by storms. He ruled for thousands of years until the Magi returned.

Main Article: Gelin

Gelin’s evil is not without questions; however, who he is still unknown. He was mentioned in some of the oldest records, still more spoken than written, as one of the weaker masters. This may be true, or simply a desire to paint the masters in a better light — no scholar may ever pierce the truth.

Those paintings seen show that he was a giant of a man, standing over eight feet tall with broad shoulders and wrists larger than a man’s leg. It is believed that he was human; although his face is vaguely elven, and he has decidedly reptilian eyes. Most accounts agree that his hair was the deepest black and he engaged in perversions that would cause a demon sickness.

Upon that note, it should be pointed out that it is not entirely certain Gelin was mortal. There have been several successful scripts written that discuss the possibly he could have been a demon or fallen angel. While the power of mortal magic seems beyond the capabilities of the gods or devils, their lesser servants can most definitely use it.

The only account that can be completely known is that he was responsible for the thousand-year war and ruled the world during the Age of Darkness. If this was truly one thousand years, or many times more, is simple guesswork at this time. However, it will always be known as one of the greatest evils throughout time.

No scholar can agree on when or why the Magi returned. Since they are no longer around, it’s difficult to answer these questions. However, it’s known that they gathered under a banner of the only city to resist the rule of Gelin. Selena, ruled by King Hukna, was located in the southern mountains and refused to bend knew to Gelin.

It was here that the Magi held a great conference. They would send forth word and gather a great army of light. Several of the more powerful creatures of legends had fled Gelin and even now lay hidden or slumbered away from his prying eyes. The Magi would rouse these creatures to support this army, which would be led by King Hukna.

The King sent his five daughters, all trained in the arts of battle, to the far reaches of the world. They would gather forth his army and meet him beneath Barshnor for the final battle. The Magi divided themselves; some accompanied the king’s daughters, while the rest prepared to destroy the gates.

As the armies gathered in size Gelin sent forth powerful armies to crush the rebellion before it gathered steam. However, as the Magi began destroying the gates he knew his real enemy had returned. With his personal guard he met the magi at the last of the gates. The accounts vary, but they all say that only Gelin left that accursed place alive; however, while the gate still stood it was sealed shut.

Gelin then turned to meet each of the armies in turn. He destroyed three of them before they could join King Hukna’s main army. These towering battles have been immortalized in song and verse — and are still considered some of the best ballads. Before he returned to defend his city, Gelin swept through the army of light and slew King Hukna for daring to openly challenge his power.

In the final battle, the strongest champions of light made their assault upon Gelin in his great City of Eternity and forever destroyed his soul. It is believed that Princess Irik’ian was responsible for finally slaying Gelin, in revenge for the death of her father.

It was the return of the dwarves that turned the tide of battle in favor of King Hukna. The dwarven history speaks of his eldest daughter, Dak’rein, performing a great act of kindness upon a young dwarf that had ventured to the upper world. This dwarf, who would later become King Orak Peacebringer, was about to become the meal of some giants.

Dak’rein slew the giant in a single blow and freed the young Orak. Orak was so thankful for his rescue that he invited Dak’rein and her followers into the tunnels of his homeland. The other dwarves were so shocked by the story they pledged their allegiance to her cause if she could pass the Test of Truth. She is the only recorded non-dwarf to pass this test — and the dwarves keep long records.

Just as King Hukna reached the based of the mountain, Gelin attacked with his forces, trying to scatter him before his remaining two daughters arrived. Just when things seemed hopeless, Dak’rein and her army exited the dwarven tunnels and fell upon Gelin’s army rear flank. His army nearly routed and it was only Gelin’s overwhelming power that allowed him to retreat to his city.

The dwarven army refused to bow to the crown King Hukna, but they did pay deep homage to his fathering of Princess Dak’rein. Their scrolls say the dwarven army will still march as one if a descendent of the Hukna family ever calls for aid — and there is nobody who would question this vow.