Emeraldites - EL

Emeraldite History
The Emeraldites claim to be the first people to populate Templehelm hundreds of generations ago. The Emeraldite Kingdom was once a huge Empire that controlled most of the land and seas across the known world. An Emeraldite Scout is said to of been the first to find the continent now known as Templehelm; when tracking a fugitive Rogue that had escaped from the gallows after attempting the assassination of an Emeraldite King. When the Scout returned to the Emeraldite Capital of Kilali - He watered down the bad news of losing the trail of the Rogue with the news of an uninhabited land that was full of beauty, wonderful abundance and tranquillity. The Ruling Family of the Emeraldites couldn't wait to see it for themselves and when they finally visited the land for a holiday - they fell in love with what they found there - and as they soon worked out that it was actually also a perfect position in the world to launch their conquests; they made it their home.

The Emeraldites worshipped Planu for as long as their history has been recorded. And their settling in Templehelm is said to even pre-date the coming of the "Sired Divines". Over the generations, the Emeraldites waged many wars in distant lands from the safety of their castle in Templehelm. But one prolonged and ultimately disastrous conflict saw them lose nearly everything in just one campaign - Everything but Templehelm. The Emeraldite history books tell us that it was only through their intense worship of Planu and the construction of a magnificent Temple in his honour that protected them from the onslaught and successful invasion from their enemies.

The Emeraldites would continue to offer protection to those that continued to migrate to Templehelm and came in the search for the fertility and riches the virgin land provided, as long as they paid their taxes and offered their first-born to the Emeraldite Army.

The Deiotakas
There is a time in the History of Templehelm that the Emeraldites call "The Deiotakas" - a word from an earlier form of the Emeraldite tongue which translates as "The birth of gods".

The Deiotakas refers to an era in Emeraldite history books that mainly chronicles reports of strange occurrences in Templehelm. These include stories of trees leaping from the ground and falling on Woodsman. Camp-Fires reaching out and snatching children. Ravines opening up and swallowing whole villages. The seas rising up and then pulling boats down into the deep abyss. The sun burning so hot it cooked pigs in their pens. Ferocious ice-storms blowing across the land and freezing people solid where they stood. The time of Deiotakas caused chaos and despair amongst the Denizens of Templehelm and most left en-mass. The Emeraldites and their Planu Oracles believed that these supernatural events mark the coming of the Sired Divines. All Denizens that did not flee and either embraced or respected the new forces at work - found that they could avoid the wrath of these new Deities by worshipping one of them - and soon found that they could even commune with these powerful forces. The Emeraldites never surrendered to these forces as they appeared to be immune to the wrath of the Sired Divines - according to the Emeraldites, this was due to having the Blood of Planu in their veins and with the construction of an awe inspiring temple to Planu; the site of this Temple is now called Planu Heath

The Caretakers
The Emeraldites believe themselves to be the only souls that have the blessing from Planu himself to reside in Templehelm without worshipping one of the Sired Divines. The Emeraldites are believed to of accepted a deal with Planu to be blessed with divine power; and in return - would make an oath to protect and care for the inhabitants of Templehelm until the end of days. Every Emeraldite King since the 'Planu Promise' was made, takes an oath to not interfere with the affairs of other Kings in Templehelm - To not claim dominion over the Land of Templehelm and to protect it from any external forces.

Emeraldite Power and Lore Keeping
Emeraldites claim to have the blood of Planu in their veins. And this blood gives them great magical power - although this power is very rarely seen - what has been witness has been described as god-like.

The Emeraldites are regarded as the keepers of the official History of Templehelm, and the only authorities on the existence of the known.

This is due to the Emeraldite Kings claiming to be in direct contact with Planu, which grants them the ability to verify the claims of those in the land. The Emeraldites have always had a belief and a saying "Our King tastes truth in the wind".

Occasionally an Emeraldite King will make decrees to verify various claims - or validate them by adding literature into the Emeraldite Library.

The Current King and the Emeraldite Castle
The current King of the Emeraldites is named Meraldian. He resides in the Emeraldite Castle, which is marked on the official Templehelm Map.

Meraldian is said to be a keen hunter and spends most of his days hunting on the grounds around the Emeraldite Castle.

Meraldian has hosted many a banquet and is reported to be quite approachable and only follows strict Emeradlite Royalty protocol when receiving guests in the Emeraldite Castle Throne Room - possibly out of respect for his ancestors that have always conducted serious business in this room.

Many have said that not displaying a respectful disposition in the Throne Room will result in getting thrown into the Emeraldite Castle Dungeon.