Mycelyites

Overview
Names/NickNames: Deity of the Afflicted, Deity of Plague, The Flawed One, Yix, The Toe

Power over: Cursed lands, Mycelium, Plague, Flaw, and Decay

Minor Entities under Mycleyix: Sacerdos, High Priest of Death and Departed; the Scourge; The Herald

To become a Follower of Mycelyix- visit the Ruined Temple in the islands of the North Eastern part of the map.

Mycelyix as the 8th Divine
Mycelyix, recently made into a mechanical creed on Crimson Ingot, is considered by many to be the eighth member of the Helmian pantheon. Mycelyix is included with the divines at the Templehelm Library, he is represented at the Arena of Anera, and he is represented during the festivities during the Festival of the Divines. Many point out that he is a natural counterpoint to Wildaven's place in the pantheon. There has been a recent backlash against this idea as a result of accusations that Mycelyix ascended in coalition with the demon Zeolix.

Notable Mycelyite Factions
Afflicted - The first Mycelyite faction, Afflicted was created by Unseen_Miner with the character Syzar. Afflicted is no longer active.

Whitecrest - Whitecrest, a Mycelyite-Akwal faction, was created by Gemini73 utilizing several characters- both Mycelyite and Akwhale. Whitecrest has housed a number of Mycelyites such as Rabol the Mad, Alexander, Virion, Boldric and others. Whitecrest is no longer active.

Stricken - Stricken, the second pure Mycelyite faction, was created by 896Down with Rabol the Mad, originally as the Stricken Order and later as the city-state of Pestilence. Stricken is no longer active.

Malignant - The third pure Mycelyite faction was created by Vanhackup using his character Valtos Daegon. He heralded the Malignant branch of Mycelyitism with this faction and eventually merged with the New Thyvorian Empire.

A new Malignant was created by 896Down using his character Aromai of the South. This Malignant is based in the city of Blighthollow and heads the state of Blighthold.

Caretakers - The fourth pure Mycelyite faction, Caretakers, was created by Unseen_Miner using the character Edyn. It is based in an Abbey on the spot where Affliction once stood and has a focus on Mycelyix in his duality with Wildaven.

Evorga - Originally a Wildaven faction, Evorga has currently seen an influx of Mycelyite members and is even ruled by The_Crawler who plays a Mycelyite character. Evorga lays claim to the old Afflicted and then Stricken city of Pestilence on the isle, as well as to the old Zeolite fortress on the north end of the island.

Modern Branches of Mycelyitism
There are a variety of different ways that Mycelyites have practiced their faith in the modern era and new branches of the creed develop from the old each passing day. Below they are listed in chronological order of appearance.

The Afflicted
The Afflicted are the first of the modern branches of Mycelyitism to resurge back into the world, heralded by the first prophet of Mycelyix, Syzar. They are almost always visibly altered by their Mycelyix worship, bearing fungal inhabitants all across their bodies and sometimes even carrying various plagues as well. These Mycelyites almost always live in isolated states on Mycelyix's isles, and they've been known to be the most violent sect, having waged war on innocent Wildavens alongside a known enemy of Templehelm, Lesh. The Afflicted are especially vengeful towards the followers of the other 7 divines (especially Wildaven) in remembrance of the Purge which originally eradicated the Mycelyite peoples. Notable Afflicted include Syzar, Sven, Damien and Dwyer Grimshaw of the Sacred Isles.

The Stricken
The Stricken came into being when the second prophet of Mycelyix, Rabol the Mad, founded the Stricken Order in service to Mycelyix as ascetics and psychonauts. They may or may not be visibly affected by their worship, though mental fragmentation and insanity are common amongst them. The Stricken originally worshipped Mycelyix the Victim, and often showed disdain and even hatred for the Sired Divines and their followers. One prime example of a Stricken is Rabol the Mad, who wrote the entirety of the Book of Posies and was once seen stabbing an Orcish Akwal in the eye. Now, the Stricken worship Mycelyix as the redeemer of the divines and the herald of Flaw- alleviating the anger that they once felt towards the other 7 divinities and normalizing relations between them and most other Helmians. The Stricken believe the Scourge to be the souls of Mycelyites who still serve their Lord in death. They worship and communicate with the scourge and live sacrifices are not uncommon - usually pigs are used. The Stricken doctrines on Planu, while once greatly unfavorable, have recently improved their appraisal of the godhead, mostly due to Phthion Damic's "Planu Paradox" pamphlet. The Stricken are excessively dogmatic and rigid in their keeping and enforcing of law. Notable Stricken include Rabol the Mad, Doomicorn, Althas, Virion and Phthion Damic.

The Flawed
The Flawed are often treated as less devout by other Mycelyites, though this is not necessarily true. These Mycelyites tend to live amongst the mainland populations of Templehelm and can be hard to differentiate between the followers of any other deity. They believe that Mycelyix is purely the god of Flaw and Humility, advocating that a person must be proud of their flaws, because that is what makes them like their kind and merciful god. The Flawed honor the Scourge, believing them to be their ancestors who now serve Mycelyix in death. Many keep Scourge shrines in their homes. Notable flawed include Xuan Yao'do, Verbrannt and Alexander.

The Malignant
The Malignant are a strain of Mycelyites founded by Valtos Daegon, the self-declared 3rd prophet of Mycelyix (Though few acknowledge this title). The Malignant generally tread upon the mainland and spread Mycelyix's decay amongst the realms of the other gods. They are not especially violent or criminal, but they can be in order to serve their ultimate purpose of spreading the spores of Mycelyix. Notable Malignant include Valtos Daegon.

At present, the order of Mycelyites who have adopted the name Malignant are far removed from the original movement of Valtos Daegon. They maintain the failed state of Blighthold in the north of Syzar's Isle and ensure that foreign entities on Syzar's Isle are removed quickly and painlessly. They do very little work on the mainland and are rather lacking in the aggression of the Malignant of old.

The Caretakers
The Caretakers are a strain of Mycelyites founded by Edyn, the Third Prophet of Mycelyix. They reside upon Syzar's Isle and believe that the dichotomy between Mycelyix and Wildaven has a special significance and that Wildaven's life must be recognized in conjunction with Mycelyix's decay. The Caretakers have made a practice of intentionally planting and fostering greenery amidst the wastes of Syzar's Isle. Notable Caretakers include Edyn.

Mycelyite Tomes
There is a large assortment of philosophical and/or religious books and pamphlets devoted to the god Mycelyix.

The Books of Posies
The eight Books of Posies were a collection of holy books of the Stricken Mycelyites and others which carried within the poetic visions of Arch-Chantre Rabol the Mad of the Stricken Order as well as a collection of prayers and rites to be used in the worship of Mycelyix and the Scourge. The eight books, which were each unique- with zero replicas- were burned by the aklar Sven- claimant champion of Mycelyix. No one outside the members of the original Stricken Order has read them and, due to their destruction, no one else ever will.

The Stricken Tenets
The Stricken Tenets were transcribed by an early Chantre of the Stricken Order by the name of Tsaran who felt that Rabol's esoteric limericks could be melted down into a collection of clear, concise points of belief. These Tenets and dogma are held by members of the Stricken Order.

This time can be found here.

The Book of Posies
The Book of Posies was put together from what the chantres of the Stricken Order could recall from the original eight tomes of the same name. It is shorter than the original collection of volumes and it does not include any instructions for specific prayers or rites- only pages of scripture stylized as limericks. After the Second Deiotakas, the only edition of the Book of Posies available was one in which the last verse had been lost.

This tome can be found here.

The Stricken Apologism
The Stricken Apologism was written by Rabol the Mad after the Second Deiotakas in order to justify the position of the Stricken Order- now popular throughout Templehelm- that Mycelyix is the eighth member of Planu's divine pantheon. The text disputes claims that Mycelyix cannot or should not belong to the pantheon and justifies his placement by his salvation of the other 7 divines during the deiotakas.

This tome can be found here.

The Redrafted Stricken Tenets
After the events of the Great Upheaval and the transcription of the Stricken Apologism, Rabol redrafted Tsaran's original text into a new version which took into account current events.

This time can be found here.

Necessity of Flaw
Necessity of Flaw is a philosophical treatise by Rabol the Mad which discusses the nature and necessity of imperfection and decay in the world- and of what a hellish world a "perfect" one would be.

This tome can be found here.

The Planu Paradox
The Planu Paradox is a response to The Stricken Apologism and Necessity of Flaw written by Phthion Damic, a chantre of the Stricken Order, after the death and disappearance of Rabol the Mad. In this text, Damic plays the role of the apologist- dealing with the clear animosity that Rabol speaks of the godhead Planu with in his own works (works which were written when it was thought that Planu had abandoned Templehelm, its gods and its mortals). The chantre explains how Mycelyix can still understandably stake his claim among the pantheon, even with Planu at its head.

This pamphlet can be found here.

Mycelyite Law
The Mycelyite peoples, through their years in Templehelm, have contributed much to the common body of law and to the laws of their own individual nations which may be of interest to the scholars among you.

The Tranquil Accord
The Tranquil Accord was a treaty brokered between Tranquility, Thyvor, Whitecrest and Afflicted after the Second Deiotakas. Syzar of the Afflicted played a large role in the formation and acceptance of the treaty.

This treaty can be found here.

A Recognition
A Recognition, as it was called by its creator- Rabol the Mad- was a document which pledged the support of its signatories to Arkhand as King of Glint and the Emeraldites. Rabol, Arch-Chantre of the Stricken Order, championed this course of action and Xuan'Yao'Du, the Mycelyite steward of Whitecrest is one of the signatories.

This document can be found here

Declaration of Impurity
This document, written by Rabol the Mad, was never truly accepted by much of the Mycelyite population and even fewer of the non-Mycelyite population. It lists a collection of strict rules regarding imports and exports of the isle, behavior of Mycelyites and mandatory acceptance of the Affliction. It bears no signatures.

This declaration can be found here.

Constitution of the Afflicted Hegemony
The Afflicted Hegemony was Rabol's attempt at a Mycelyite superstate- another failure which no one adopted. Initially, the men of Malignant were intended as the next members after the city of Pestilence; however, they were assumed into the New Thyvorian Empire. Nowadays, when Evorgan has a ruling stake in Syzar's Isle, it seems as though a Mycelyite State will never make a true claim.

The Constitution can be found here.

Western Ordinance
The Western Ordinance was a land ordinance heavily restricting activities which were considered legal use of the western peninsula of Syzar's Isle, a swath of land that was converted from desert into mycelium wastes. It was transcribed by Aromai of the South, of the Malignant and signed into law by Arch-Chantre Virion of the Stricken Order.

The Ordinance can be found here.

Cresian Royalty: I & II
This scholarly text, written by Rabol the Mad, was collected through his own experiences, conventional archaeology and communion with the Scourge. It covers the royalty of the ancient Mycenor kingdom of Blancmar and its modern Akwhale-Mycelyite successor, Whitecrest. It is an interesting look at both the past and present.

These books can be found here and here.

Mycelyite Artifacts
These are artifacts relating to the god Mycelyix.

Items Received from Mycelyix
Hand of Decay - Rotten Flesh; enchanted with Sharpness III, Silk Touch I, Decay X; Lore: ''It's fingers can hold decay without it withering away. To spread decay.'' - This item was given to King Ira of the Blightborne by Mycelyix in order to aid with his manufacturing of plagues and other such curses. Recently it was given to Aromai of the South by Queen Lim of Evorga as a tool to use in the impurification of Syzar's Isle. This artifact has disappeared, likely stolen by bandits while the Malignant were occupied with the conversion of the isle.

Horn of Reinforcing - Nether Quartz, enchanted with Knockback II, Lore: Where there is one spore... many more are sure to follow. - This item appeared on the roof of the Abbey at Affliction after a cloud of spores passed over. Aromai of the South used it to call the lich Acmog who saved her from the attacking Horde under the command of Alvos.

Incarna - Mycelium Block, enchanted with Fortune X, Lore: What lies within..

Steadfast Devotion - Nether Star, Lore: Blessed by Mycelyix - This item was given to King Ira of the Blightborne by Mycelyix and was recently bestowed upon Aromai of the South by Queen Lim of Evorga. It was used by Aromai to forge the beacon at the heart of the Holistic Faith of Mycelyix.

Other Items
Gaze of Blight - Wither Skull; enchanted with Unbreaking III, Protection IV, Thorns II; Lore: Remnants of the Rot King - This item once belonged to the claimed Mycelyite Champion, Sven, and was later bestowed upon Rabol the Mad by Drogo of Glacikaldr when the Mycelyite took up the mantle of Warden of the North. It is said that he who holds the Gaze of Blight is the rightful leader of Mycelyix's peoples.

Soul Forge
In the Lifeless Heart of the Plague Lands, a Forge has been constructed. This Forge does not rely on the gods, nor does it rely smelting of other Various Armours into Ingots. The Soul Forge receives its Energy from the Souls of the Departed, the Souls that escape the Mass Grave below. This Forge does not create Weapons to be used against the Holy Ones, nor does it create Armour to withstand the force of the Sired Divines. But rather this Forge is used to create Ceremonial Swords to be used in Sacrifice; used to create Blessed Amour so that Mycelyites may travel to the Mainland, to the Holy Lands for prolonged Journeys. The Forge will not bring back the Departed, but it will allow them to live on through the Second Era, through the Afflicted.

My Brothers, my Sisters, my Lost Family, I humbly come before you, as a New Generation, as a new Era; I ask you not for a Miracle, I ask you not for Power, I ask you not for Riches, But I ask you for your Blessing, I ask you to allow me to Honor The Lord Mycelyix, I ask you to help me in away the only the Departed can, ............. -Excerpt from Soul Forge Chant

Original Mycelyix Lore
The following is extra lore written by Unseen_Miner about Mycelyix and his revival.

Mycelyix's Story
"Lets start at the beginning shall we?. To understand The Purge, you must first know about the history of our people and our Lord. There was a time when the Sired Divines started to become known, a time called The Deiotakas.

Only three Deities were known to exist, Planu, Pallus and Zelphair. Planu was the god of the founders of Templehelm, god of the Emeraldites. Ancient Lore tells us of very strange and deadly occurrences, tales of Ravines swallowing men, the Cold storms freezing those who fell in their grasp solid. Some time later, though luck or fear, Mortals discovered that worship and piety toward one of these entities would be their salvation. That is what we are told by the Emeraldites, and we agree with them, but this is where our Lore and theirs splits off..."

The Leader paused for a moment after his last few words, the others in the background began muttering again...

"As the Sired Divines grew in strength a common thought ran between them, Flaws. Each of them had certain Flaw, one that could drive their followers away, one that they need to get rid of. Cavilons Greed Netharnas Rage Wildavens Passive, uncaring attitude Winitvals Lack of Emotion Desermas Jealousy Akwals Mood Swings

The Sired Divines would not live with these Flaws, they would rid themselves of it. They gathered at a place that none cared for, a place where only one lived. They traveled to the cursed Mycelium Islands, or as some Mortals called them, the Plague Lands. The only being that lived there was a spirit by the name of Mycelyix. This lonely spirit ruled over the Mycelium Islands and nothing more, nothing of importance, no one would care...."

The speaker Voice had a slight tone of anger to it as he continued on with his story.

"The Sired Divines worked forth a ritual to rid themselves of their Flaws, but a entity was needed to absolve them, Mycelyix would serve this purpose. The ritual worked as the Sired Divines had intended, their Flaws had left them. Cavilon no longer swallowed up Mortals, and was content with his underground riches. Netharna could now control her anger, and rarely acted on the over world. Wildaven now watched the jungles and wilds carefully. Winitval had gained and understood how to express emotion to the Mortals. Deserma no longer looked at the others with jealousy. Akwal was at peace, his tides no longer present.

The Sired Divines now free of there Flaws, returned to their domains, forgetting of our Mycelyix..."

The speaker exhaled quite loudly, as if disappointed.

"You see, they saw Flaws as a Mortals burden. Why would any worship a Flawed Divine? They wouldn't, our Sired Divines knew that.."

Syzar listened closely this story. He knew that one day the role would fall on him to relay this Story.

"And now, I shall tell you about Mycelyix...how he dealt with this...."

Part Two: The Village (1/2)
"Mycelyix, had been a minor Spirit since the creation of the world. He had risen from the power of the Mycelium Lands. These lands are rare and cover a very small part of Templehelm; if perhaps Mycelium had been more common Mycelyix would have become a Deity in the beginning, then all of this would have never happened..

Mycelyix, just as any granted with such power, decided test the limits.Thus Mycelyix set his sights on a small village.

Our Lord watched this Vvillage, with a feeling of disgust. Just the sight of these men and women in the Fertile valley where they lived; the Lush Green Jungle sat at the end of the Valley while a Sparkling River ran through the middle of it...hideous. Every day they went about the same routine, Farming, Fishing, Praying to Akwal and Wildaven, not a moment spent on self improvement, they seemed content within in this dull live, ignorant to the rest of Templehelm. Living in Huts, always smiling with not a single care between them."

The speaker paused for a moment. "Our Lord watched them for weeks before he intervened . He began to grow angry at these carefree souls living with no problems, no conflict like the rest of Templehelm did."

"With Jealously in his eyes, Mycelyix sent forth just a few of his Spores into the Jungle. Within moments of landing on the leaves they began to decayed almost instantly; once the Spores spread to the Trees they began to Twist and Distort, the dark brown bark turing to Black. Still the Spores spread, traveling into the roots seeping into the ground; the Jungle floor turing into Mycelium, mushrooms already beginning to sprout. The river bank becoming Black where the water touched the Polluted surface. The Black film began leeching across the River, leaving only a trial of dead fish as it approached the Village..."

The speaker had a tone of almost joy as he reached this part of the story.

Part Two: The Village (2/2)
The simple minded fisherman sat basking on one of many finely crafted docks in the unusually cool night, the sun ever approaching the horizon. Watching the river reflecting the red aura of the sun, he noticed the darkness further down the river, he stared with curiosity as it seemed to approach him.Once it reached the dock beneath him his ignorance got the better of him. With a leap of blind faith in Akwal he dove in, perhaps believing it was a test by his Deity.

Mycelyix had been enjoying the view of the now Tainted Jungle when he heard the most perfect cry of horror, perhaps the first cry of horror ever to break the wonderful perfection of this Paradise. His focus returned to the Village. The crowd that had been gathering at the at the Village center had formed a circle around that poor fisherman, or what was left of him. Being of Akwal was most unfortunate, perhaps being of Wildaven would have spared him slightly; but it would matter not, his fate was sealed.

The Black water he had foolishly jumped into acted as acid to his Pure skin. The moment he touched the water, he immediately thrashed out of it. Only by some miracle did he climb onto the shore, and staggered into the Village center. The last thing he saw was the faces of his close friends and family staring down at his body with disgust and horror. The priest of Akwal quickly pushed his way through the crowd to see the man. The mans tunic had been completely destroyed accept for the small sections that had been burned into into his muscle and bone. Almost all the skin had taken a liquid state and was beginning to mix with the puddle of blood below. Lastly the priest noticed a small Red Mushroom that had sprouted on the mans now visible heart; the priest decided to removed this insult to purity off mans heart, he had least deserved that. The priest grabbed the Mushroom and plucked it off the fisherman.

The Sun had risen to its highest point, the bodies now baking in the heat gave off the perfect smell. The once busy Village center was now nothing more than a heap of bodies with fragments of the fisherman at its center. The priests body lay near him his arm completely destroyed. The rest of the Villagers lay around half dissolved turned into mere puddles by the explosion. The Death and Decay in the Village, the Polluted River and the Twisted Jungle made this the most beautiful day in Paradise...

Syzar's Story
The following entries describe the rebirth of the faith of the Mycelyites, Syzar being the first of the new fold.

Part One: Death before "Life"
He watched this soul stumbling about his Plagued Lands, with a trail of Red blood flowing behind him....Red. How strange thought Mycelyix, he had not seen this Red blood in a very long time, instead he remembered the Dark Purple blood of those that Worshiped him long ago.

Worshiped he thought...only a few Worshiped him, most mortals with half a mind would stay away from his lands. However those desperate or insane enough would seek out his lands and Pray for Acceptance. They would offer up riches that Cavilon himself would be jealous of. These gems had no meaning to Him, but they possessed something he wanted..something that made him jealous...Life. No man in his right mind would agreed to give up their Spirit, but breathing in the Spores of Mushrooms long enough would drive them into insanity. Drive them to laugh at Death itself. Drive them to Slit their own throat in his Name. To offer up their Bodies and Spirit to Him, with their Last Breath. Mycelyix would reward their Sacrifice with a new chance at "Life", these Reborn would join the ranks of the others, join His children, the Scourge.

His trance ended when he noticed the Mortal fall onto ground, his wounds fatal. His bloody robes torn nearly to shreds, the tip of an arrow and half the shaft sticking out of his thigh. His right arm sliced parallel with the bone, deep into his flesh were infection would kill him over night. Perfect, thought Mycelyix...Perfect. He watched the Mortal struggling for his last breath, with barely a whisper he muttered "I would give up anything for another chance...."

With a motion of His hand Mushrooms began to appear in the pool of blood around the unconscious Mortal. Mycelyix wondered if the Mortal knew what he had just given up...

Part Two: First Breath
Come now, do you want to sleep away the day? Syzar awoke to raspy whisper that asked the question. His eyes opened, then immediately slammed shut, it was high noon, Deserma's Sun had just welcomed his eyes. Syzar opened his eyes once more but this time more slowly, adjusting to the bright light. He glanced at his right arm and screamed.

The deep gash was no longer there, but it had been filled with some strange Purple mass. It seemed to be the same material that made up the land, but it grafted on to his flesh and taken its properties. It was however still releasing the Spores into the air though holes in his ..."skin"... Syzar would have threw up if he had eaten in last three days. When Syzar could stand the sight of his arm, he touched it with his other hand. It felt no different to him than normal flesh, warm, Alive. He withdrew he hand quickly the feeling of it Pulsing with the rest of his body made him sick. He groaned in disgust as he looked at his other wounds, all filled with the same Purple mass. He felt has he was about to pass out again when he heard whispers coming from everywhere in the same raspy tone, someone, or something was laughing; Laughing maniacally. He slipped back into unconsciousness, terrified of who was laughing.

Part Three: Mind Games
Syzar once again woke up, opening his eyes he saw Winitval's Moon. He sat up against a very large Mushroom, he could not see his sickly wounds that made him pass out earlier in the day. He sat there in silence, for a moment confused, terrified, exhausted. He brought his hands to his face to wipe away some blood when he noticed in the Moon light that his skin was oddly pale, and had a faint glow to it. "What is wrong with me?" He asked aloud. "Nothing" Came a reply from every direction.

The voice echoed in his head, the same raspy whisper that laughed at him while he passed out. Syzar forced his body to stand, and glanced back at where he had slept for the past day, two days? Where he had been sleeping was covered in Mushrooms and his own blood. The largest Mushroom had grown behind his head and it was what he had used to supported his body when he sat up. The ground all around was releasing Spores, he immediately thought of his arm and felt sick to his stomach once again. He started walking away from where he had slept, he didn't know where but anywhere was better than this Plagued Land.

After hours of walking he found himself in a forest, exhausted he put his back against a strong Oak Tree and fell asleep.

Mycelyix watch Syzar walk in circles around the Large Mushroom for hours, talking to himself about how beautiful the forest was. After quite sometime Syzar had sat down in the same spot and fell asleep again.

This one was doing quite well thought Mycelyix, most had become completely insane by now..just hallucinating was very impressive...

Part Four: Imposter
The Mortal Syzar had awoken sometime ago, and Mycelyix watched how he react to seeing he was still in the Plagued Lands. He watched with a Dark smile as Syzar had given up trying to flee the area and was asking for his Tormentor to reveal himself. He will show Syzar himself...

Syzar had be walking around the Plague Lands looking for the Source of the Voice, when he heard the laughing once again. But this time he could tell where it came from, from behind a nearby Giant Mushroom.

"I am tired of these games, Show yourself!" The figure that stepped from around the Mushroom was...Himself.

"You seem surprised...what did you expect?" Replied the Imposter with a grin.

"Not this, not me! What are you?! Some sort of Demon?!" Syzar shouted at Himself

The Imposter's face quickly went cold. "Demon?! Is that what they call me me now? Hm?"

"I don't know who you are! And who are you talking about?" Syzar quickly replied

The Imposter began to laugh once again " You should have seen your face! Did I scare you Mortal?"

Syzar said nothing, stared angrily at the Imposter in front of him.

The Imposter final stopped laughing after a few more seconds and spoke in the Voice that seemed to resonate from everywhere " I am Mycelyix, Deity of Mycelium and Plague!"

"Deity?" Syzar was taken back, he was standing in front of a god. "How come I have never heard of you? Did you abandon Planu and the others? Did you bring me back to Life? Where have you been? Why did you take my form? Do you have any followers?"He flung many questions at the Deity

"I have one follower Mortal, the rest of your questions will be answered it time."

"But one follower, who is it? Who follows a lost god?"

Mycelyix smiled. "My dear Syzar, you do."

Part Five: Understanding
"Very funny Mycelyix, but I worship another Deity." Syzar said

With a smile still on his face Mycelyix asked "Do you? Tell me now, which one did you worship?

"I worshiped Deserma..no it was Cavilon...or was it Akwal...." Syzar replied, his memory failing him.

"I asked for one Syzar, not three. Try again, this time answer the question correctly."

"I...I can't remember. I can remember...passing out for the first time...that's the last I remember...nothing else." Replied Syzar realizing that Mycelyix could be right

"You see? If you did worship a Deity before, I could not steal their follower. You just can't accept the fact that you asked for my help with your last breath. You cried out for help, saying you'd give up anything for another chance. I accepted your deal Syzar, I will give you a second chance, but I took your old life."

"You saved my life?" Syzar asked

"Did you not just listen to what I said? Mortals, always asking things twice. Now I see myself as a Deity with a follower, but without a shrine. Do you see the problem? Go begin to embrace your new life, or loose this one as well." Mycelyix replied with a sharp tone

"Yes Lord Mycelyix." Syzar replied, and set off to craft the shrine.

Part Six: Plague
Syzar had finished building the shrine to Mycelyix, not much of a shrine; but he had made due with what little materials he had available. In the process of building the Shrine, Syzar had collected a few Mushrooms and wanted to test a some ideas.

Syzar sat in the shade of a nearby Mushroom, he seemed less tolerate of the Sun than he could remember, or maybe he was always like this, I didn't matter anymore he had begun to embrace his new life. Back to the expment, in the pockets of his tunic he found a few Oak leaves, these would serve as a perfect test.

He set the leaves on a shred of his clothes, then took the Mushroom and ripped off pieces of it and dropped them on the Oak Leaves. What happened next amazed him. Immediately the Leaves began to decay, letting off a thin toxic smelling smoke, the Mushrooms however were growing larger, they destroyed the mass of the Leaves and used it as fuel for their own bodies.

"Experimenting are we?" Mycelyix spoke as he became visible, again in the form of Syzar.

"Yes, my Lord...I was trying to learn about the Mushrooms here, and why they destroy everything."

"You're barely scratching the surface...it takes more than the Mushroom." Mycelyix replied with a grin.

Syzar didn't reply, he was not sure what to say back, he had embarrassed himself in front of his Deity

"You seem to have an interest in my Plague though, at an apprentice level now...but with some guidance, you might just become my new..Alchemist. Yes Alchemist, lets call it that." Mycelyix said, a bit of excitement in his voice.

Part Seven: Whispers
Syzar had begun the collection of Mushrooms for the first batch of Plague, as Mycelyix had ordered. When the Whispers he had heard on his first day returned to him.

"Look at the new one....why is he alone....he's a weak one I could kill him.....he not even a true follower.....only a servant..."

They spoke to themselves continuing to talk about him. He had finished collecting the Mushrooms and sat down in the shade. The Whispers had still not stopped, so he had decided to do something about it.

"Enough! You are driving me insane!" He shouted.

Silence. Then they began muttering to fast for him to understand. Silence.

Then one single voice spoke, "Finally answered us have you, about time...we were beginning to become quite annoyed with you."

"Who are you?" Syzar asked back. Speaking to himself no longer bothered him, he had become used to it by now.

"We are the followers of the Lord Mycelyix, well were followers...before the Purge"....Voices in the background began talking to themselves...."Before the Purge, we were called the Scourge. Named by those that didn't quite understand us, or maybe they did...either way they destroyed our Home and hunted all of us down that didn't offer ourselves to the Lord. Since then we have looming over the last of the Plague Lands, waiting for Lord Mycelyix to choose a new follower, for a new generation." The single voice spoke, the tone it carried seemed to be one of power, perhaps the leader."

"Purge?" Syzar asked, his curiosity growing.

"Yes, the Purge, the reason why you are alive...listen closely. What you learn just might safe you and Mycelyix..." The Leader said. Much quieter in the background the other voices began mumbling to themselves, excitement in their voice.

Part Eight: Catacombs
The Leader had taken a break in his story, and had told Syzar to go explore, he was now allowed to enter the Ruins. The first of the Ruins was the Catacombs.

The entrance was, well, Ruined. The back wall had given way to the weight of the surrounding dirt, only a small entrance remained. He had been looking at the entrance when a voice, one he had not recognized, began speaking to him.

"This wasn't always like this, it was built using the finest Stone and embedded with Rare Gems. But even The Lord Mycelyix himself could not stop Time." The voice had a certain air of royalty or rather power to it.

"Who are you?" Syzar asked, curious.

"Forgive me, how inappropriate. I am Sacerdos, High Priest of Death and Departed. A very important role in Mycelyite culture and land." Sacerdos responded.

"I am honored to meet you, High Priest. Would you, perhaps, consider showing me around the Catacombs?" Syzar asked, worried he may have crossed a line asking the Priest for a favor. "Of course, it's is imperative that you learn our ways and customs. I will never deny you knowledge, no one should deny you that." With saying that Sacerdos manifested before him.

Sacerdos had the same pale skin and purple eyes that Syzar had. He wore faded grey robes with a dark purple tunic underneath. He bore a strange black and purple marking on his left cheek. Syzar could not make out the marking in its entirety because of the hood he wore, it did not hang low as most did, but enough to cast a slight shadow over his face.

"Come now, enough staring." Sacerdos said walking into the catacombs.

The fist room they entered was circular, with three different paths leading out of it. The first path they took was the left one, it led to an outdoor area. It had two high arches that sat precariously on the cracked walls. The third arch had already collapsed, thus the back wall could no longer support the dirt behind it. Only half of this area was still accessible.

"Back when I still walk as a Mortal, this area is where the recently Deceased would be laid out in the Dawn of the day after they perished. All that served under The Lord Mycelyix would come to pay their respects. At Dusk, a final Ceremony would take place, led by me, after the Ceremony the body will be taken to its final resting place." Sacerdos said.

"Where is the final resting place?" Syzar asked.

"We took the Left path to get here, the Middle path leads into the, well, those that have left us. I encourage you to visit, and to pay your respects. Now I must go, restore this place to its former glory and I shall be able to manifest myself once again and for longer durations." Sacerdos replied. Then disappearing.

(Story will continue in journal form, switching to first person)

Ancient Lore
This sections contains lore regarding Mycelyix and his people in the ancient days, before the revival of this once-great god.

The Many and One Isles
In the ancient days there were many islands of people devoted to Mycelyix in the west, each one having evolved independent of the others. They each have a distinct culture and view of the lord of decay. Far to the east lay the Mycenorion Confederacy, far removed from its kin.

Shou'Ye
Location

Shou'Ye was the southern most of the central Plagued Isles, almost the closest to the magical barrier around Templehelm. It was home to a group of Mycelyites known as the Yin'Kang.

The Yin'Kang
A simple, reserved people, the Yin'Kang have lived on Shou'Ye longer than anyone knows, their origins quite possibly being there. Mushroom harvesting, fishing, and cattle raising are all common professions for the majority of these people; however, about 10% made up an "upper class" of religious leaders known as the He'Shang'Que.

He'Shang'Que
This monastic order serves as the governing, religious, and protective body of the Yin'Kang. One can only be born into the He'Shang'Que, though not by familial ties as most cultures do this sort of thing. On the day of a male Yin'Ka's birth the Scourge are consulted, the Dun is interpreted, and the infant tested - females are not considered. Only with adequate results in all three categories is one accepted into the He'Shang'Que, and those that are accepted are immediately taken away from their families to be trained in Yin'Ka tradition, religion, and combat.

Religion & Ideology
Mycelyix, Lord of Flaw and Sin, is worshipped by those of Shou'Ye. His constant struggle to overcome the flaws thrusted upon him are an inspiration to the Yin'Kang, who strive to embrace their flaws, while still not allowing these flaws to control themselves. Flaw is strength, but one must keep it in check.

The Scourge are revered as all who served Mycelyix in life and continue to do so in death. The He'Shang'Que frequently honor and communicate with the Scourge, and it is not uncommon to see Scourge shrines in the homes of Yin'Ka commoners. Animal sacrifice is common practice when there are available offerings, and pigs are generally most desirable for this.

The Siniu, or mooshrooms as they're called in the common tongue, are seen a sacred beasts, which are never allowed to be harmed. When prepared properly the future can even be divined by interpreting the Dun, or stew, of a Siniu.

Large gatherings are also common, usually incorporating the entire population, or a large portion of it, and involving hymns of praise, readings from the great book, and a shared meal afterwards - all in honor of Mycelyix.

Characteristic of Decay: Solitude
In the beginning days, the Yin'Kang looked upon their land and saw solitude. To them, Yix's decay revealed the fundamental separation of the world as it tore apart and assembled the environment, only to repeat the cycle. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this solitude admirable. It is for this reason that the Yin'Kang prefer structured, hierarchical worship to individual prayer- why the Yin'Kang isolate themselves from their fellow Mycelyites and one another. To this solitary people the idea of togetherness is a falsehood and the interplay of persons a shallow, insincere mechanic of life.

Dhurnae
Location

Dhurnae, the land of humility, was seen as a bit backward by the other peoples of Yix. The people uniformly denied skill and constantly admitted fault; something which made them seem incompetent to many. Dhurnae was the westernmost of the isles, perhaps more magically in tune than the other islands due to its proximity to Templehelm's borders.

Government
The Dhurns, like all Mycelyite nations, were a purely religious society. These humble people were governed by a system of druids. There was no one ruler, for none would dare to claim the ability to organize and lead so many others; rather, the druids gathered as a whole to make decisions on behalf of the people. These gatherings would typically take place around the ancient monoliths of Dhurnae, giant rocks protruding from the ground and covered in strange curving and intertwining symbols. At these points, the druids would listen for the will of Decay and speak such to the people.

Citizenry
The common people of the Dhurns were predominately farmers. On their plagued island, these simple folk would till the soil in order to grow the famous megafungus of the lands as well as smaller, stranger varieties of naturally occurring fungus. The raising of mooshrooms was common and their beef and stew was a staple food in any Dhurn household. Due to their simple, unassuming lives, the Dhurns were rather uneducated. They left any decisions up to the druids and followed their words, or rather the words of their god, unfailingly. Culturally, these lower class farmers were very superstitious. Symmetry in the face of a newborn was viewed as a bad omen, so many children were scarred in some fashion at birth to keep good fortune for the family. In addition, any patterns in cloth or another material were intentionally flawed so as to not invite evil into the home.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - The people of the other isles primarily viewed the Dhurns as rather backwards and zealous in their odd beliefs. Despite this, the Dhurns were historically hailed as some of Yix's most devout children.

Aurites - No Contact

Dark Fae - No Contact

Zeolites - No Contact

Emeraldites - The Dhurns hated the Emeraldites for all that they stood for and all that they were. In battle, one could only tell Dhurn from Mycenor by the expressions they held; the latter showed joy, the former showed loathing. This attitude was returned by the Emeraldites who wished to rid their new territories of the 'savage' natives.

Mycenorion - The Mycenors viewed the Dhurns as useful allies and, of the druid class, as powerful magi. Throughout the Mycenor campaign in the west, the Dhurns stood by their side as willing allies.

Characteristic of Decay: Flaw
In the beginning days, the Dhurn looked upon their land and saw flaw. To them, Yix's decay was essence of imperfection, eating away at natural perfection. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this flaw glorious. It is for this reason that the Dhurn scorned perfection, it is for this reason that the Dhurn rose against the newly Sired. To this imperfect people, the very thought of superiority or the merest utterance of hubris was a mortal sin. They deemed perfection as worthy of the blade and they brought it forth unto the invaders once they began their conversions.

Mardoscoroga
Location

Mardoscoroga is the northernmost of the western isles.

Government
The Mardoscorogan government was a rather odd Theocracy, control of the ever-changing priesthood switching hands weekly. The priests' sermons were always different, expressing the values of every other island on a regular basis as well as those of the heathen peoples of the mainland. There were seven levels of the priesthood, each individual advancing or declining in rank on a semi-daily basis. Often times, one who was an initiate on one day would end up as an Arch-Magister the next morning.

Citizenry
The citizenry was divided into castes, these divisions hardly permanent. Each caste performed different tasks; fishing, hunting, writing, performing, preaching and governing, trading, farming, and various other needed jobs. It has been noted by many a historian that the cultural works of the people of Mardoscoroga are the least uniform in their composition. One cannot tell from simple examination whether one of their vases originated one thousand years before Emeraldite arrival or the day that the island fell to slaughter and one might just as easily mistake a Mardoscorogan linen for the work of the Dark Fae or the ancient Zeolites.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - The people of the other isles primarily viewed the Mardoscorogae as somewhat less than devout. In addition, the strange, flighty people appeared to be incompetent, superstitious, and altogether ridiculous by their more southern counterparts.

Aurites - The people of Mardoscoroga occasionally negotiated trades with the Aurites, though this was a rather uncommon occurrence as the people of the sun often lacked the patience to deal with a Mardoscorogan's ever-changing tastes.

Dark Fae - No Contact

Zeolites - No Contact

Emeraldites - The Emeraldites came first upon the Mardoscorogae of all the Mycelyite peoples. They saw them primarily as heathens to be converted to the faith of Planu and the early years of contact with Mardoscorogae lead to further conversion.

Mycenorion - The Mycenors viewed the Mardoscorogae as ridiculous fools of no use. It was not questioned, when the Mycenors relayed to the western isles further south that the people of Mardoscoroga were eradicated, whether or not the easterners had found them eradicated when they arrived; however, it was certainly present in the thoughts of the others.

Characteristic of Decay: Change
In the beginning days, the Mardoscorogae looked upon their land and saw change. To them, Yix's decay was constantly eroding, molding and reshaping the landscape about them, eating away at the natural stasis. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this chaos great. It is for this reason that the Mardoscorogae scorned consistency, it is for this reason that the Mardoscorogae converted at once to the faith of Planu. To this dubious people, the very idea of sameness as a positive lead to ostrasization from society. They deemed stasis the realm of lower peoples and so, in their love of entropy, fell apart when times demanded a steadfast position.

Amanita
Location

Amanita was the smallest of the western isles. On it lived a distinct race, also called the Amanita, which worshipped Yix in their own way. The Amanita are a race of fungal beings very similar in appearance to the fungi which grew on all the isles. They are a unique form of consciousness, a collective mass of individual personality as well as group thought and sentiment. When one Amanita dies, one (or more) "spawn" from the remains of the dead.

Government
Amanita had little formal government for the Amanita did not require much. The hivemind generally came to its own agreements amongst itself when decisions were required. The closest approximation of traditional government might be a Direct Democracy. The small hamlets that the Amanita developed were under the guidance of what they refer to as "Seers". These Seers were apparently given the ability to see things "as they are not". This is likely a form of divination granted by Mycelyix.

Citizenry
The Amanita of Amanita, racially distinct as they were, were a peaceful race, each one of them, for the most part, equal among his peers. They revere the Seers, a rather odd situation given that they and the Seers are simply parts of one whole. Mostly farmers, fishermen, and various other menial laborers, the Amanita lived simple, happy lives.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - There was little contact between the Amanita and the other ancient Mycelyites. Occasionally, an Amanita would go to learn of the other islands in order to contribute to the collective knowledge of the species; however, this was not a very often occurrence.

Aurites - No Contact

Dark Fae - No Contact

Zeolites - No Contact

Emeraldites - Despite the proximity of the Amanita to Mardoscoroga and the north from which they came, the Emeraldites did not come upon the small island of Amanita until the later stages of their invasion. It was of little value to them, though the many sailors of the emerald empire which stopped there often went out seeking food. They didn't truly care whether they were eating fungus of the stationary or of the sapient sort. Slaughters were common.

Mycenorion - No Contact

Characteristic of Decay: Life
In the beginning days, the Amanita looked upon their land and saw life. To them, Yix's decay was not just a necessary part of terrestrial life, but the very core of it- their very being. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this life joyous. It is for this reason that the Amanita found happiness in simplicity, it is for this reason that they greeted the northerners as friends only to see them as butchers. To this simple, biologically intertwined people, the very idea that others who live might carry malice, vice, or deceit in their hearts was unthinkable. It is for this reason that they fell so easily to those who hungered for flesh.

Yavas Oukami
Location

Yavas Oukami was the isle, aside from Shou'Ye, placed closest to the Southern half of Templehelm- which in those days shared in much of the trade of the northern half. The isle, too, participated in this trade and adapted many of the mainland flora, fauna and fungi to the purpose of worship and commerce. The Yavan people called this isle home.

Government
Yavas Oukami was governed primarily by wealth. Merchant Princes directed the flow of resources and dominated politic in the isle and smaller trade colonies scattered upon smaller fungal islands in the surrounding sea. The plutocracy functioned as if by decree, the rich simply paying for things they wished to be done. Mycelyix always seemed to keep the foundations of one's wealth rather uncertain, though, and positions of power changed hands often.

Citizenry
The people of Yavas Oukami were eccentric in their taste for experience. Hedonism was a driving philosophy of the romantic people who centered their lives on wealth, otherworldly pleasures and living in the moment. Soma and the Vial de Fleur among other opiates from the mainland were popular as entheogens- often being utilized in tandem with the native fungal concoctions. Ancester Worship of a sort was as popular in Yavas Oukami as it was in Dhurnae; however, the dead were viewed not simply as guides but as divine beings who bestow wealth and beauty. It must also be noted that the focus on wealth in Yavas Oukami was not a sort of gold-seeking greed but rather a recognition that wealth was required for greater pleasures; drugs, sex, food, etc., as well as for paying debts and bills while taking part in various mind-altering practices; meditation, food deprivation, sensory deprivation, etc. Interestingly enough, the original Chantry of the Scourge was borne of a plutocrat's wish to possess an isolated location for his own explorations into the world of forms on one of the satellite islands north of Yavas Oukami.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - Yavas Oukami was a source of much external wealth and product for the isolated peoples of the Mycelyix in ancient days.

Aurites - The Aurites were active trade partners with the Yavan people.

Dark Fae - The Dark Fae took part in semi-occasional trade with the Yavan people.

Zeolites - The Zeolites were active trade partners with the Yavan people.

Emeraldites - The Emeraldites did not reach the shores of Yavas Oukami until after having met the people of Dhurnae and Mycenorion. Suffice to say, there was no trade to be had.

Mycenorion - The Mycenors were active trade partners with the Yavan people.

Characteristic of Decay: Beauty
In the beginning days, the Yavans looked upon their land and saw beauty. To them, Yix's decay revealed forms and noumena through its jarring influence on the soul. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this beauty sublime. It is for this reason that the Yavans embraced the moment, it is for this reason that the Yavans delved into their drugs and their pleasures. To this fanciful people, to live a life focused on the observable was deplorable when one could so easily escape into outer realms of pure creation and true being.

Po'Poroi
Location

Po'Poroi was an island of dwarves- people of noticeably smaller stature than their counterparts on the other isles. The Poroi, as the natives were called, had no explanation for this and seemed to think that it was everyone else who was large, rather than the other way around. Most of the development on Poroi was underground, in sprawling cave-complexes and subterranean cities. This was due to the difficulty involved in besieging tunnels that are too small for the average person to stand up in.

Government
Po'Poroi was governed by direct assembly, in which only employed individuals were allowed to take part. This form of democracy functioned well for its time and the Poroi attemped many times, unsuccessfully, to introduce the institution on the other isles.

Citizenry
The Poroi were excellent craftsmen, botanists and alchemists. They were a hardy, industrious people who traded heavily with their neighbors in Yavas Oukami and the other Isles of Yix. Additionally, the Poroi supplied many of the necessities of life for free to the holy men and women on the Sacred Isle. The Poroi believed steadfastly in good, honest work and in fine craftsmanship. They often worked themselves to their own limits- their equivalent to a fast being working non-stop until one physically cannot work any longer.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - Po'Poroi was the primary source of labor among the many isles- where Yavas Oukami brought in the most material wealth it was the Poroi who crafted and worked with that wealth.

Aurites - It was not unheard of for Aurite slavers to come seeking industrious Poroi citizens, though this seems to be the extent of their relations.

Dark Fae - No Contact

Zeolites - It was not unheard of for Zeolite slavers to come seeking industrious Poroi citizens, though this seems to be the extent of their relations.

Emeraldites - Like the Yavans, the Poroi were eradicated without any attempt at civil contact by the Emeraldites.

Mycenorion - It was not unheard of for Mycenor slavers to come seeking industrious Poroi citizens and during the war against the Emeraldites, the Mycenors shipped out massive numbers of Poroi for just this purpose.

Characteristic of Decay: Creation
In the beginning days, the Poroi looked upon their land and saw creation. To them, Yix's decay molded the land, masterfully crafting vast landscapes and laboring behind the forces of nature. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this creation majestic. It is for this reason that the Poroi hone prize their crafts and hone their skills of generation, it is for this reason that the Poroi work ceaselessly and without question. To this industrious people to be idle was to forsake the divine and to craft shoddily was to spit in the face of Mycelyix.

Wassere
Location

Wassere lies south of Mardoscoroga and Amanita. The people- called the Wasn- divided themselves by gender in their settlements- the males living on elaborate systems of docks on the fringes of the island and the females living in a large settlement at the centerpoint of the isle.

Government
Wassere is governed by an aristocracy drawn from its female population who direct the rest of the isle by way of decree- sent by eunuch servants to the men on the periphery. There is little known to us about the operation and election of this aristocracy, though the common belief is that women were trained for the role from a young age and the fittest of the bunch were granted the honor later on.

Citizenry
The Wasn are strictly divided by gender on account of the habit of Wasn males to mate, forcibly if need be, with any female he might come across. The females act as breeders and governors in the interior of the isle and the males work as fishermen, shipwrights, merchants and pirates from the dock-settlements on the periphery. When a male reaches the age of 30, he is expected to walk into the interior to mate and then submit to death. His male offspring are then sent back out to the periphery and are taken in by the community there. Some males, though, are castrated and kept from birth. They are raised an envoys to the males from the female governors as well as general purpose servants.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - Wasn pirates were a hassle for anyone in the vicinity and they often stole the women of neighboring isles for their own pleasures.

Aurites - No Contact

Dark Fae - Wasn pirates were a hassle for anyone in the vicinity and they often stole the women of the mainland for their own pleasures.

Zeolites - Wasn pirates were a hassle for anyone in the vicinity and they often stole the women of the mainland for their own pleasures.

Emeraldites - Wasn privateers, contracted by the Mycenors, provided the bulk of the navy in many of the confrontations against the Emeraldites in the west.

Mycenorion - The Mycenors admired the Wasn for their skill as seafarers and naval warriors, though their women often had to put Wasn down for obvious reasons.

Characteristic of Decay: Unity
In the beginning days, the Wasn looked upon their land and saw unity. To them, Yix's decay revealed the fundamental unity of a changeless, connected whole. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this unity just. It is for this reason that the Wasn males desire so strongly to mate, to become one with one another, and why such a mating results in their death- no unity such as that can be unforged. To this people focused on connection, the ideas of separation and change is so foreign and disturbing that they could not entertain them seriously without serious emotional trauma.

The Sacred Isle
Aside from the other Isles of Mycelyix, each of them inhabited by uniquely flawed societies and peoples, the Sacred Isle of Mycelyix was devoted solely to common religious exchange between each of the western cultures. The most devout from Shou'Ye, Dhurnae, Mardoscaroga, Amanita, Yavas Oukami, Po'Poroi and Wassere were sent to the Sacred Isle to train.

Mycenorion
Mycenorion, the distant isle, was spoken of with reverence on the tongues of those from the west. In truth, Mycenorion was but one of several eastern isles. In the beginning days, far before the arrival of the Emeraldites and their gods, the Mycenors conquered the eastern seas in their triremes, wielding blade and shield. They made their homes all across their ocean, claiming the other islands of Yix as their own and spreading plague to those that lacked his influence. By the arrival of the Emeraldites, the Mycenorion Confederacy extended from where Redwall stood before the second deiotakas, west to the massive landmass where Whitecrest once stood, and south to their original land, Mycenorion.

Government
The Mycenorion Confederacy was composed of many smaller city-states spread across the eastern ocean. Each city-state held a monarch above the rest and each monarch pledged him or herself to the service of the king of Mycenorion. These kings, chiefs, and lords commanded the military of their holdings and the King of Mycenorion commanded the whole of it all. Individually, governments would differ between each state, however the monarch generally held most of the power. Warring between states was common when a common enemy was not kept, though no serious confrontations ever divided the entirety of the confederacy.

Citizenry
The people of the Mycenorion Confederacy are at home in the plague and sea. They waged war across the coastal lands of Templehelm and they did so on the high seas. Death and war were their virtues and the death of a Mycenor was cause for celebration.

Notable City-States
Blancmar - The westernmost settlement of the Mycenors, the Blancs consider themselves to be the greatest warriors of the confederacy. While a tad provincial, a Blanc trireme filled with local warriors is the best thing one can ask for in a fight against the Emeraldites. This state held out as a bulwark against the foreign interlopers until 1 AD when the island fortress fell under invading Planite forces and the newly born gods from above.

Kriole - A western settlement of the Mycenors, Kriole lay to the south-east of Blancmar and to the south-west of Sanbaala. Most notably remembered for the valiant efforts of its people in the Siege of Ironshard, Kriole fell to the Emeraldites in the year 1 AD, shortly before Blancmar.

Mycenorion - The capital settlement of the Mycenors was the final citadel of the eastern people to fall to the rapidly oncoming waves of Emeraldites, doing so in 35 AD.

Nodrei - The northernmost settlement of the Mycenors sat upon the island where modern-day Redwall once stood. As the Emeraldites advanced further south along the eastern half of Templehelm, both by land and by sea, Nodrei would become nearly as important as Blancmar in the defense of the confederacy. This most sturdy of strongholds held on until the year 3 AD.

Sanbaala - Sanbaala was, originally, a city of the Mycenors. The Sanbaalan Mycenors aided Kriole and Blancmar in the Siege of Ironshard and was a hub of trade amongst western Mycenor cultures and between the east and west Mycelyites. The city of Sanbaala fell the year following the captures of Blancmar and Kriole, unable to sustain its people while under the siege of the Planites. A traditional mass-suicide of the defeated Mycenors took place throughout the final hours of the city's defense. It is oft said that when one stares at the grounds of the ancient city, he can faintly make out the spore-ridden ground which had once been.

Thoroi - One of the frontier city-states in the vicinity of Blancmar, Sandbaala and Kriole, Thoroi played a small role during its time as an independent state. The period of its independence was only about a month long and was ended when Blancmar soldiers razed the city for insubordinance in the war against the Planites.

Foreign Relations
Western Isles - The western isles were the only foreign bodies in Templehelm which the Mycenors held in friendly relations. They were brothers, after all, born of the plague and death just as any Mycenor. Hence, the western sea was spared by those of Mycenorion and her children defended from attack by their brothers of the west.

Aurites - The Aurites were foreign to those of Mycenor. The plague-born could not fathom such ridiculous devotion to the sun from such an advanced people. They did not even recognize the force of death as something to be revered and so, as their coastal cities burned, no reverence was left them. At the time of the Emeraldites' arrival, the Mycenors were actually in the process of expanding their claims along the North-Templehelm coast in the taking of several Aurite towns and villages, though in time they'd be faced with a far greater threat and be forced to drop their campaign. Eventually a formal truce was struck as the two nations embarked on their own respective campaigns against the Emeraldites.

Dark Fae - Lord Pohawten's territory was directly north of the city of Sanbaala. The natives in Darkroot Jungle would come south on small trade boats to exchange goods. After a long hiatus, trade began to flow again after the Zeolite Wars.

Zeolites - The Zeolites, had the Mycenors come across them before the arrival of the Emeraldites, would likely have made a worthy enemy of the warrior nations. This was not to be, though. During the great wars of Decay, the Zeolites pushed their own fronts against the Emeraldites and the people of Mycenorion treated them as allies, though no formal agreement was ever made officially. During the early years of war, the Aurites were exterminated by invading Planites, though rumor still holds that the Zeolites held a hand in the matter, perhaps even working directly with their enemy. The Mycenors disregarded this though, as such a betrayal, true or not, was not uncommon amongst their culture.

Emeraldites - The Mycenors waged many wars against the Emeraldites, seeing the new arrivals in Templehelm as a means to honor their deity through war and as a threat to the ancient balance of power.

Characteristic of Decay: Death
In the beginning days, the Mycenors looked upon their surroundings and saw death. To them, Yix's decay was the act of killing, the end of life, the snuffing out of the light that is the soul. They looked, they enterpreted, and they called this death beautious. It is for this reason that the Mycenors conquered, for this reason that they warred. To this brutal people, to live without killing was to fail morally and face damnation. As such, it was tradition for every Mycenor to either die by the hand of the enemy or die by the hand of thyself.

Joint History After Emeraldite Arrival
The following is a chronological list of occurences which involved or affected the whole of Templehelm's Mycelyite population in the ancient days. BD stands for Before Deiotakas, AD stands for After Deiotakas. Keep in mind that the information given here is sketchy at best, modern Mycelyite peoples having pieced it together from the words of the Posies, of the Herald, of Mycelyix, and from various histories and texts kept by the mainlanders. Any years given are simply estimations.

Emeraldite Arrival [ Circa 110 BD ] - The Emeraldites arrive in Templehelm, making their first encampments along the northern coast. No contact has yet been made with the ancient Mycelyites. In these early years, the Emerald peoples begin to spread across the north repopulating rapidly from the 1,800 individuals who sailed to the new land.

Western Contact [ Circa 101 BD ] - Emeraldite Scouts land their ships on the Isle of Mardoscoroga by accident. Local Mycelyites treat the strangers hospitably, sending them off with fresh supplies after a few nights rest. Word soon reaches the other isles of the foreign presence and further scouting missions on the part of the Emeraldites lead to the discovery of several other isles.

Eastern Contact [ Circa 98 BD ] - Emeraldite Colonists cross from the western into the eastern sea for the first time. Spotted by a Blancmar trireme, it was consequently hunted down and decimated by the trained Mycenorion crew.

Northern Confrontation [ Circa 96 BD ] - Emeraldite explorers begin to work their way down to the eastern seas by way of the northern passage around the continent, rather than through the central seas. The first flotilla of explorers, these ships now armed in light of the original outcome of going east, numbered about 10 ships- 6 of which were outfitted for battle while the rest carried supplies, colonists and livestock. Two Mycenor triremes met the group north of Nodrei. Both ships were felled, though only three Emeraldite ships survived the encounter and they returned north to relay what had happened.

The First Plague War [ Circa 95-90 BD ] - The first plague war is the first conflict which united at least one of the western isles with those of eastern Mycenorion. It is certainly not the first conflict between Mycelyite and Planite as the Mycenors had been combatting the new arrivals since their first meeting. This conflict was spurred by a wave of Planite evangelists encroaching on the sanctity of the western isles, most notably the Isle of Mardoscoroga. This most northern of the isles had been far removed from the others for centuries and the arrival of the new faith had yielded many converts to the followers of Planu. This is when the first of the westerners began to violently oppose the Emeraldites. These were the druids of Dhurnae.

Invasion of Mardoscoroga [ Circa 95 BD ] - Spurred by their neighbors' utter disregard for their patron and their betrayal of Decay for the perfect god that the evangelists promised was high sacrilege in the eyes of the Dhurns. In just days after hearing of the northern isle's conversion, a command of 30 druidic warriors lead 500 untrained farm-hand crusaders northwards. The primitive Dhurn force belted together the stalks of the megafungi and their druid commanders willed the crude rafts towards their destination. Within the week came the Night of Reprisal. The entire Mycelyite force, minus one boy who had drowned on the trip north, charged the shores of unsuspecting Mardoscoroga. As they marched inland, the number of the force nearly quadrupled with dissatisfied locals. The druids lead the lines, casting wave after wave of decaying force towards the primary settlement, Bandro'Dan. 2,000 died, 50 of them Emeraldites and 1,700 of them Planite Converts. Only 150 of the attacking force fell victim to the blades and magic of their enemy and the day was won.

Foundation of Ironshard [ Circa 95 BD ] - Soon after the disaster at Mardoscoroga, a small mission settlement in the northwest of Templehelm is converted into a citadel from which the Emeraldites can exert their control, both in religion and military, over the western isles. This is the walled city of Ironshard.

The Vile Return [ Circa 95 BD ] - Nearly three months after the foundation of Ironshard as a military position, the navy of the Planites first breaches the waters of Mycelyix with bad intent. 20 warships, armed to the teeth head south to Mardoscoroga. On board these vessels were 70 battle-mages of the Emeraldite army as well as 400 trained soldiers, not the simple clergymen who came before. The Planites strike at night, with stealth, slitting throats and silencing hundreds with their foreign magic before the druid commanders realized what was happening. The Mardoscorogae, true to their nature, immediately ran to the invaders to beg for forgiveness. What met them were the blades of soldiers, not the mercy of preachers. In a fit of madness at the infidelity of the native islanders, the Dhurn druids cast forth a hex of revival, through the thousands of spores around them, from the keep of Bandro'Dan. In seconds, those traitors that once lay dead and those faithful Dhurn laborers, silenced in their sleep, rose once more with decay in their veins. The screams of Planite bastards rung true in the skies that night and in the light of the next day, the battle was declared won. The cost for this victory, unfortunately, was the death of 3/4 of the defending force.

Siege of Mardoscoroga [ Circa 94 BD ] - Within the next month, a small fleet of Mycenors from Blancmar, Sanbaala, and Kriole sail to the defense of the remaining Dhurns on Mardoscoroga. Some 500 Mycenor warriors come from the east with food, supplies, weapons and ships. The following weeks are spent building up massive walls of fungus on the coast and spreading new, poisonous, eastern varieties where the enemy will land their vessels. The Emeraldites arrive, nearly 800 in number, and begin the shelling of the island from their ships. All manner of projectiles are used; massive rocks, massive vials of magical acids and poisons, even the diseased corpses of Aurite and Zeolite enemies which had fallen in the recently begun mainland struggles. The last one, a primitive attempt at biological warfare, was later abandoned due to the nature of the defenders. Despite the bombardment, the Mycenors whipped the remining Dhurns into shape and held the island for well over a year with few casualties. Battles raged at sea, occasionally, when Mycenor triremes would go on suicide missions into the sides of Emeraldite ships. The siege was finally terminated when the Emeraldites began to see the campaign in the western seas as too prolonged and costly in the grand scheme of the fast, widespread conversions they had hoped for. The invading fleet was recalled to Ironshard for further instruction and the Mycelyites rejoiced.

Cultural Extinction : Mardoscoroga [ Circa 94 BD ] - The few remaining Mardoscorogae died during the Siege of Mardoscoroga. Very few remained wholly loyal to either Planu or Mycelyix for long and the Posies have long held the idea that nearly every one of them faced erasure for their infidelity. It is rumored that when the Mycenors arrived they slaughtered the remaining islanders when they heard of their betrayal of the plague. This is certainly backed by the friendly feelings of the Dhurn towards to the prideful Mycenors throughout their alliance, something that would have never existed had the easterners not done something extraordinarily positive in the eyes of the Dhurns.

Siege of Ironshard [ Circa 94-90 BD ] - The Emeraldites, none too familiar with the eastern Mycelyites, had expected the defending peoples to simply rejoice at their victory and go on their merry way. Unfortunately for the Planite conquerors, this was not the case. The Mycenors, dealers and takers of death, invited the chance to chase the Planites north and the Dhurns, who had taken up Mardoscoroga as a colony of Dhurnae, were glad to send a detachment of their own druids as battlemages. As it was some 700 Mycenors, freshly reinforced with more men of Blancmar, Sanbaala and Kriole, sailed north to Ironshard with 50 Dhurn druids. The numerous poems and prose on the subject list a multitude of heroes who sailed forth on this expedition, feared names such as: Lobarious the Greater - Hammer of Blancmar, The famed Katyroi Twins - Raiders of the Aurite Coast, Kateheriah Kriole - Heiress of Isle Kriole and Sword-Singer extraordinaire, Durand Mycogea - Death-Weaver of Dhurnae, Sumer the Blue - Gilled Fiend of the Blancmar Royalty. These infamous sowers of death and destruction would lead even more greats to their greatest points in in the battles to come. The massive party of war met land at the western tip of the territory of Ironshard and made camp with decay at their feet. They made to sleep the first night, leaving the Emeraldites to make preparations for the assault of the "savages" the next day.

Sumer's Last Stand [ Circa 93 BD ] - During the second year of war, Sumer the Blue leads a small force of 20 Mycenor warriors and a few Dhurn druids. Legend holds that it was after a night of heavy drinking and general merriment. The aim of the force, as reported by those who stayed behind (Yix knows none of the fools lived), was to live up to an ancient children's rhyme regarding the men of Blancmar. "Death in colors of the sea, Come those faithful numb'ring 23- Follow good Blancmar royalty, to your death in good glory- Praise be Yix, he shall raise- All ye soldiers to the second, when the land once more is razed- Focus good and fight well, perhaps ye'll see the Planite's hell." Of course, this was nonsense; however that didn't stop the rot-addled hero Sumer from leading his men into an excursion that would kill them all and decimate a good hundred Emeraldites along the walls of Ironshard. It is said that the explosion shook the very bonds of time with its force.

The Shardian Whores [ Circa 92 BD ] - Another, rather poor, scheme of a band of drunken Mycenors is what was deemed the March of the Shardian Whores. Essentially, a band of women, and womanly men, dressed themselves as parlor-girls and marched right up to the city walls. 10 died and four were badly burned before they were dragged back to camp. Many a tavern song reminisces over this foolhardy plot.

The Capture of Ironshard [ Circa 90 BD ] - The siege of Ironshard finally ended when the joint Mycenor-Dhurn force was supplemented by Zeolite troops from the inlands and sufficiently overwhelmed the interior forces. No Planite was allowed to leave- all were slaughtered. The city of Ironshard's defensive position was heavily utilized in the following years as were the Mycelyites' newfound Zeolite allies.

Death of Tral Lra [Circa 90 BD ] - Tral Lra, the Mycenor warrior-king of Blancmar is assassinated on the same day that Ironshard falls to the joint alliance of Zeolites and Mycelyites. The circumstances were mysterious; however, it is alleged that Zeolite nationalists killed him in repayment for past grievances.

Cultural Extinction : Aurite [ Circa 76 BD ] - The Zeolites had always held an enmity with the Aurites and in 76 BD they made a temporary pact with the Emeraldites to destroy their ancient enemy. A mass slaughter was held in all Aurite lands, where Zeolites had been welcomed as allies just days before, and the people were eradicated almost completely in mere days. The last of the people of the sun held out in a small city of the Swallowing Sands for another month, its obscurity and potent presence of magic-users helping to hide and defend it for a good while before the unholy Planite-Zeolite alliance marched in.

Betrayal of Ironshard [ Circa 76 BD ] - Ironshard was reclaimed by the Emeraldites around the time that the Zeolite betrayal of the Aurites took place. Most of the historical evidence points to the fact that the Zeolites also handed this necessary stronghold back to the invaders. At this point, the war begins to tip in favor of the northern colonists rather than the Mycelyite peoples.

Renewed Zeolite Alliance [ Circa 70 BD ] - Mycenorion, to much uproar in the frontier cities of Blancmar and Nodrei, formally reinstates its alliance with the mainland Zeolites and begins planning and coordinating their war effort alongside those whom they had broken off contact with 6 years prior during the year of betrayals. In those six years, precious little conflict had occurred directly between the Mycelyites and the Zeolites and each had been carrying out separate wars against the northern invaders.

Western Insurrections [ Circa 63 BD ] - The Mycenor states of Kriole, Sanbaala and Thoroi refuse to support the local power- Blancmar- in the war effort against the Planites, citing their lack of self-rule as their primary grievance. After a month of faltering in the war against the invaders, King Illiae Odisseon of Blancmar grants the protesting states the right of self-rule and moves to conscript every able bodied man available into the greater Blancmar armies.

Razing of Thoroi [ Circa 62 BD ] - The newly installed government of Thoroi objected to Odisseon's movement to conscript such a massive chunk of their population and cut off contact with Blancmar, Kriole and Sanbaala. Blancmar triremes set to sail north to the war front were redirected to Thoroi to deal with the insubordinate state. The city was burned, it's women and children taken to strengthen the people of Blancmar.

Destruction of Pikemont [ Circa 60 BD ] - Illiae Odisseon leads the armies of Blancmar to siege the coastal fortress of Pikemont. The king breaches the Emeraldite walls atop a southern plague-beast, a massive mammalian creature born and bred for war- augmented and trained with strange fungal strains and drugs.

Slaughter of Kazmal [ Circa 27 BD ] - Mycenorions of Blancmar and Nodrei, fighting alongside inland Zeolites at the mountain Kazmal are felled in droves at the hands of Planite paladins and battlemages who rained down lightning and hail from atop the great mountain. This is a major defeat for the anti-Emeraldite forces and a stepping-stone on the path to their eventual failure.

Death of Illiae Odisseon [ Circa 11 BD ] - King Illiae Odisseon of Blancmar dies at the hands of the Planite champion Mirall the Mindless- who was infamous for cannibalizing his fallen enemies, estimated at 300 in number. Funeral processions march through every Mycenor city as the death knell's rung across the confederacy. These bells rang not just for Illiae, but for the Mycenors as a people.

The Fourth through Seventh Blancmar Purges [ Circa 9-3 BD ] - King Lian Odisseon of Blancmar commits four instances of mass slaughter against both Zeolite and Emeraldite alike during the death throes of his people. These genocides were said to have claimed tens of thousands of lives in total and were used to replenish the undead forces of Lian's armies- called the Afflicted- as he campaigned through mainland Templehelm.

Cultural Extinction: Dhurnae [ Circa 4 AD ] - Dhurnae is left in flames as Mycenor forces retreat to the eastern seas in order to defend their own lands. The only Dhurnae left in Templehelm are those in service to Lian Odisseon.

Second March on Anera [ Circa 1 AD ] - The Afflicted march on the heartland city of Anera where they meet staunch resistance, legions of Emeraldite paladins and scores of Emeraldite battlemages. Like the former siege of the city, undertaken by Lian's father Illiae, this advance fails miserably and the Afflicted as well as the living among Lian's army are decimated beyond reconstruction.

Death of Lian Odisseon [ Circa 1 AD ] - The particulars of King Lian's death are not known; however, it is believed that his body was in use among the Afflicted by the Dhurn druids of his army for the final weeks of the siege.

Siege of Mycenorion [Circa 33 AD] - The Mycenors of Mycenorion did not partake in the mass suicides which befell the Confederacy and, instead, stood strong throughout a 2 year siege of their city. In the end, the Planite horde overwhelmed the Mycenors with their unnatural abilities and divine aid.

Cultural Extinction: Mycenor [Circa 35 AD] - Mycenorion's fall in 35 AD marks the end of the Mycenor culture and that of all the ancient Mycelyites.