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Story: Lured by the Siren

F ar across the sea, there is a land that was once rich with magical life, now only inhabited by humans.

A land not entirely pleased with this chapter in history, feeling abandoned, over-farmed, sucked dry of all it can provide.

This land started as a home for all those seeking a place to rest and rebuild.

A land of harmony and peace, where magic flowed through the ground like the roots of the oldest trees.

It did not matter where you came from, who or what you were; you could find a home here in Halvendor.

The rulers of this land would never call themselves something as formal as King or Queen.

They were stewards of the land. Their magic thrived here, and with that, so did all of their people.

An ancient race, who came from far away, but were chased out of their homes by greed and power.

By fear for all their power could create.

So they fled, and on their journey, they found the lush shores and tall trees that covered this continent.

These forests could feel the call of their magic, and the land began to bend to the will of the Losalfar Elves, who wanted nothing more than to create a magical resting place for those in need.

Over the centuries, more and more magical beings were drawn to this haven they had built, and for a time.

Halvendor was at peace until slowly industry moved in.

Cities began to take over the lush forests that used to thrive, industry over powers.

Without the stewards of the land, the Losalfar Elves, to care for it, Halvendor falls deeper into shadow every day.

The humans drove the elves, goblins, dwarves, and sirens from their land so long ago that there are those too young to even know these sorts of creatures existed outside of the fairytales they were told.

But an elven king has returned to this land, and it hears his call.

It feels his power through the roots of every tree, across the mountains that stand tall, in every creature living and dead.

It comes back to life.

This king was lost centuries ago, tales of a siren song luring him to the rocky shores of her island home and siphoning the last dregs of his power until he was begging for a merciful death.

But not all stories are true, and the king has returned, heartbroken, but with a daughter in tow.

A daughter who is a siren, tail and all, in love with a man now ripe to take over a powerful province.

With his family by his side, this king is ready to take back his throne and restore peace to Halvendor.

While the land is happy with this elven king’s return, not every force is pleased with this turning of the tide. Some want power to stay right where it’s been for those long centuries, in the hands of the wicked.