In the north, mighty dragon kind held sway. Lords of air, masters of wind, they were unstoppable. In the bowels of deep volcanic rock did they slumber. Upon the rocky flesh of granite peaks they hunted. All creatures in the north knew who was master. Their king, who was the master of the masters, king of the kings, lord above all lords ruled upon wings of gold. Its was to them to keep watch of the skies. To make sure mother Athes was keep safe from any threat which might descend from above.

To the east, buried deep within depths of emerald green, the Mordrin, a race of ancient reptilian men, did dwell. Their task was to care for all of mother Athes. They were the caretakers, the preservers. Their gentle hands lovingly nurtured even the most pitiful of plants to good health. Hidden by shadows, they did their work in secret, for their power was the power of Athes itself. Their blood was the blood of Athes, they were nature incarnate.

Among the swaying fields of fiery gold, in the western land which the sun always touched first, the Rydyll lived, this race of messengers molded into a form suitable for their task, that of the golden horse. Their long, lithe legs could carry them faster and further than any alive. Their endurance, like that of the earth, was inexhaustible. Their power unchecked. They roamed from east to west, north to south carrying messages and news to all. They spoke from the depths of their minds, so all could understand. They lived partly the awake reality and in part in the slumbered world of dreams.

Finally, within the untracked marshes of the south, the Ulrindie lived. To them, a race not bound by masseuse form, the responsibility of keeping Athes safe from malicious magicks. A task they were suited for, throughout the planes of the various realities did they weave their protective magicks, keeping harm from the beautiful lands of Athes. For in those days, Athes was beautiful beyond compare. A land of breathtaking splendor, a world of heart-wrenching wonder.

Since the beginning it was thus, and all was in harmony and at peace.

Then one day, the earth was torn asunder! The air became like fire. The very essence of reality was horribly rent apart, and Athes cried out in pain. So it was that Armageddon befell the gentle caretakers of Athes. Bodies littered the country side. Hordes of the once proud dragons were drowned beneath tidal waves of lava. Made into molten statues of proud death. Whole islands of their land were consumed beneath angry waves of bloody blue. The gentle Mordrin simply fell, died, unable to handle the agony which the planet was feeling. The Rydyll simply fled from the waking world, only a few, a scarce handful, remained. And the Ulrindie simply ceased to exist, a whole race unknowingly sacrificed, to give another a chance at life.

Out of the voided blackness which marked the very center of the rip in reality, came a race of men. Coppery haired and bold, they walked like kings to behold what their freedom had done. Their leaders, called Druids, were mages of nature. The strongest among them fell ill and disappeared. Many more killed themselves, unable to bear what they had done, unable to cope with their own stupidity. So it was that in days after the sundering, the race of man spread out to claim the world of Athes for their own. The ancient races of Athes were few in number and did not, could not put up a fight. Over time they were changed by Athes, the reason long forgotten by all but a few. Without the guidance of their once leaders, the druids, they forgot their past and much of the higher magicks of the land. Other mages arose from the depths of humanity. These not as strong, but not as vulnerable. Four countries arose.

The time is now! The old masters of this race of man are emerging once more. The last remnants of the ancient races are letting themselves be known. Trouble is in the air, and darkness just a stone's throw away...

This is where I leave you, take up the story and make it yours. Become a character and alter the face of Athes!

Dark Magick is basically an interactive story. Interactive means that different authors will write parts of the story, and what they write will interact with what other authors write. The main purpose of this is to give people who want/love to write an opportunity to write, an environment to write in, and a place to "grow" as a writer through the feed back of other writers. If you like to write and are interested in improving your writing skills, then come join Dark Magick. Also this will be a place for readers who love good novels, rich in detail and fantasy.

There are a couple ways that you can participate in Dark Magick. Either you can read the stories that are posted here. There should be new ones every other week. (So be sure to bookmark this place!) Or you can become a writer and interact with Athes. If you wish to participate as a writer than contact me at malock@geocities.com, or come to #Dark_Magick, on IRC. Our server is Esper. You can join on dragon.esper.net, dream.esper.net, weyr.esper.net, chocobo.esper.net, or excalibur.esper.net

I am presently looking for experienced authors or people willing to learn to become one. If you hate getting criticized on your work, or hate improving your writing skills than this is probably not the place for you to write. But if you're someone with an open mind and bountiful imagination (Or aspire to become such), come and join Dark Magick!

Original design by Malock Blackmoon
malock@geocities.com
Additional design, graphics, music, and HTMLizing by Devon Valroth
devon_v@geocities.com