Yggdrasil Letter

Legacy of Eldrin Ylyndar

The faint scratching of quill on parchment echoes as the wavering light flickers across the old man's face. For hours, he's sat at his desk, writing and scratching, tossing page after page into the fire roaring in the hearth. For one of the fair folk so often full of delicate words and intricate phrases, he cannot find the right words to explain his legacy, the words that will be the future of his children and his children's children. With all the elegance of the Elvish script, he struggles to bring forth the words that are in his heart.
Hours later as the candle has burned down and the hearth is full of nothing but a smoldering pile of failed attempts, he places the quill against the worn wood of the desk top, ink well nearly empty while the page is full of his heart. Centuries of teaching, of conflict, of resolution, found their way from his hand to fruition, a letter of explanation, of instruction, to those that would follow behind him. With the last flames of the candle, he melts the wax and forms the seal, the parchment closed with a final touch of his ring.
Years after the passing of Eldrin Ylyndar, the conclusion of that laborous night would be found tucked in the library of the Ylmaris Citadel by Eldrin's grandson, Alaric. With his grandfather's words close at hand, Alaric Ylyndar would lead the Knights of Yggdrasil and his clan to their future, one that was believed in and made possible by a lonely letter that would become known as the Yggdrasil Letter.

Purpose

The purpose of the letter was to leave various bits of knowledge and wise teachings that Eldrin Ylyndar had gathered over the centuries to the next generations. He had intended the letter to be found soon after his passing by his son, but it was found nearly a decade after he passed by his grandson, Alaric Ylyndar.

Historical Details

Public Reaction

For the Knights of Yggdrasil, the letter gave a solid foundation upon which their faith build, giving them tenets which they should follow in order to uphold the oath that they swore. The letter was seen as the centerpiece of the organization, everything about being a Knight of the Order that one should follow.
For the Ylyndar Clan, the letter gave some much needed guidance. In the years after Eldrin's passing, it seemed as if the clan and the Knights were just existing, a far cry from the organizations of old that were led with integrity and wisdom. This letter gave Alaric Ylyndar a basis for which to move forward with as he became the leader of the clan and eventually the savior of the Northern Outposts.

Read the Document

Yggdrasil Letter

Original

Translation

To my children,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you have found some knowledge in grieving. While it is not the best of emotions, it is one that has much to teach us, about love, empathy, our own hearts as well as those of others. Do not let your grief for me remove you from the path that we all must walk. In time, the pain will lessen and you will find solace in your newfound knowledge.

Within these words shall be my legacy, the teachings of the Order and of our clan that I have discovered and taught again over the last seven centuries. These teachings will serve you well throughout your lifetime as they have served me, bringing greater knowledge and peace in the most troubling of times.

The Order has brought great peace and safety where little could once be found. Without these tenets, we cannot serve our people. Keep these close in mind as you lead the next generations of our clan and the Order. Let these teachings guide your decisions for the safety of our people

Kindle the light. The fringes of the forest and tundra merge in our care. Here the world is dark and lacks the light that brings hope. Be the light that you wish could shine upon us. Let your actions bring hope in the darkest of situations.

Serve and protect. You have become the light of hope for our people. Never waver with your convictions nor let selfishness stray you from your duty to serve and protect those of our homeland.

Preserve your spark. Never let the spark of hope within yourself dim. Delight in the mundane, the magical, the whimsical. Allow yourself moments to rekindle the spark inside you, moments of rest to care for yourself.

Humility. Remember that we are all the same. While you may protect those of our homeland, you are not better or more worthy than someone else. In your humility, practice respect and compassion.

Honesty and integrity. Knights of the Order are nothing without either honesty or integrity. Your words and actions bring hope and light to the world, do not let either of those be empty promises to those that rely upon you.

Honor and duty. You have been tasked by the King to serve and protect, a worthy cause, but one not without great responsibility. Let yourself be an example to the people, do good, but protect and be responsible for your own words and actions.

It is these tenets that have kept us safe for all these years when the Giants of the north lurk so close to our doorstep. Do not stray away from these, as I hope these shall be your guiding light in the coming years and the darkness that always comes. Remember well, my children, all that I have taught you and believe in the light you shine upon the world.

Eldrin Ylyndar

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Type

Text, Letter

Medium

Paper

Location

Yllvalion

Authors

• Eldrin Ylyndar