Races

Voraath - by T.A. Saunders ©2003 v1.7

There are different theories as to how the Voraath gained sentience. Largely, the Shar'Vaire accept that despite their precautions, that there had been an ‘aberration' that did not have the natural obedience and docile behavior his or her fellows had. Perhaps smart enough to not reveal this intelligence, he or she spread their aberrant bloodline throughout the Voraath, making an eventual generation of aware and clever beasts to rise up against their sorcerous creators.

The Moon Elves tell a different tale. There is a legend amongst their few and scattered people that one of these Voraath was captured by the Elves near the end of the War of the Eternals and was pitied upon for being this unthinking thing that did whatever his cruel masters sent it to do. The Moon Elves prayed to their new matron goddess, Zorah to grant this poor creature the will to overthrow his masters and be a free creature.

This boon was granted it was said and this one Voraath was sent back to his people and mingled amongst them, freeing their minds with a divine touch, rather than some mistake the Shar'Vaire had made. As more Voraath were freed, more became aware of how they were abused and how their lives were being spent recklessly for the pleasure of their masters.

The truth of the matter has been lost in the smoke of war and the weathering of Time. What is known is that the Voraath learned how commune with Zorah and Kaal, through druidic and shamanistic practices; this allowed them to wield divine power, where any form of sorcerous power was otherwise lost to them. This lends credence to the Elvish tale of the Voraath's uprising, but is not solid proof. The Shar'Vaire contest that Zorah and Kaal interfered directly to punish the wayward Shar'Vaire for their arrogance.

The Voraath that knew how to fight taught the other ones that were not so instructed by the Shar'Vaire themselves. Those who showed aptitude in practicing shamanistic or druidic magic were shown by those who learned themselves. Always in secret, always when the Shar'Vaire in their lax confidence were not looking upon them.

Finally the chance to strike came with the great political upheaval caused by Surik Dur`lane's overthrowing of the Imperial Mageocracy. During the fighting between Shar'Vaire factions, the Voraath launched their own offensive on their weakened masters. The Voraath had taken up with a Kal`aire named Ma'hayre and Surik's own brother Mourne Dur`lane. Both were opposed to both the Shar'Vaire regime and the possibility Surik might come to rule. The rebelling Voraath were convinced to trust the pair and followed them into the multi-faction civil war. After several days of fighting, D'Mir in chaos and the Voraath's freedom assured, the Voraath, Ma`hayre and Mourne parted company to seek out their own destinies, with a solemn vow by the Voraath that they would recall both heroes in their legends.