Hunt of Ardorach

A path is hidden in the mountain Sanctuary of Ištîr, but the magi remember it well. All paved with the night-blue shaded stones soaked with fear and might, the so-called Hunt of king Ardorach.

— Magi from Ištîr Sanctuary

Description

Hunt of Ardorach or the Ištîr road is a memo too all the kings who would dare to commit treason against the Gods of Origin. The path is known to all magi, since the lapis lazuli stones give away a disturbingly chilly vibration and sense of fear, characteristic of a cornered animal. There are no formal restrictions regarding visiting the place. People just tend to avoid it and do not approach it, especially at night as legends say they may lose their senses.

Origin

God amongst living

Ardorach was the fourth king of Aškar and ordered his magi to go against the limitations imposed by the Gods. According to one of the stories, the demonshifting spell was casted upon his guards, who were forced into mountain wolves, and unto his slaves, who became one with the steeds. Ardorach was pleased with the result and declared himself a demigod, not needing Gods of Origin, when he wielded the power to shift bodies and souls.

Claims to the Sanctuary

In a chariot pulled by the three of his strongest molded steed, he ventured to Ištîr Sanctuary to claim his title. The pack of warrior-wolves never left his side, day and night. On the fourth day, Ardorach was passing through the forest on the very slope of mount Ištîr when he saw a stag of astonishing posture and strongly branched antlers - a prize worthy of a god.

The prey and the hunter

Ardorach grabbed his spear and ordered the warrior-wolves to round up the prey. From one of his horses he saw the struggle and unyielding spirit of the creature and all the more demanded its head. He rode strong, spear down, the stag wounded and growing fiercer with each passing second. A strike and pain inflicted! But it was not the stag that was wounded anymore, but the king himself. He watched as the rider was shocked, the wolves biting the horse until his throat was slashed open by the powerful jaws.

The last hunt of Ardorach

The warriors lost their humanity and Ardorach was the prey. He ran throught the shaded forest chased by the pack of wolves until he ran out of breath and fell to his knees. With poor sight and fading conscience, he cursed the Gods, who molded such fate. This last place, where he was butchered came to be known as the Seven Crossroads, as seven wolves dragged away blood soaking pieces of his body, each in different direction. The blood eventually soaked into the stones giving them a blue color, for everyone to remember the last hunt of the noble king Ardorach.

by Steve Halama

Magi of the Ištîri Sanctuary keep this place in good shape and form, believing the future kings will remember the pain and gruesome death of Ardorach, unbecoming of a nobleborn.

Fun fact: The feeling of fear and dread was imprinted into the stones by the Tæni Shapers of Form, using Ædian marvels: Siâp hylif

Type

Forest