Curse of the Valedictorian

The Curse of the Valedictorian is the name for the terrible fate that befalls all who graduate at the top of their class at the Draconian Magic College in Zephys.

Start of the Curse

The first valedictorian of the Magic College, Cruldor Daxur of the Class of -773 led a fairly fulfilling life for a Bortanni, many would say. Yet Cruldor did not seek out battle, instead it came to him.
After he graduated, he became the Chief of Bortan, and was wrapped up in a war against the Elves, an army led by Arazion Nerifir, Elnahil Shirno, and Wallis Nalo. Those three were able to give Cruldor a challenge in combat that Bortan had never experienced before, making Cruldor a Bortanian Chief with one of the largest amount of losses in history.
In this war, known as the Draco-Elvish War, Cruldor also had to work alongside those he considered his enemies, like the Tamdians and the Evitians. It was a terrible fate for a proud man like him, to not only suffer defeat, but to suffer humiliation. Then when the Grand Wizard Kilprax Ildial died and was replaced by an Elven Puppet, meaning Cruldor had lost the war, it cemented his terrible fate.
Following his defeat in the Draco-Elvish War, Cruldor is said to have been working with his rival and salutatorian Oldruuk Uphal to overthrow the Grand Wizard. The two died mysteriously on the same night, and while no one could confirm it, it is believed by some to have been the Assassin King of the Elves, Arazion Nerifir.
To others, however, it was no person in particular who was responsible for Cruldor's end. To them, it was the Curse of the Valedictorian.

Graduation Tournament

Magic College students undergo four years of study and training related to magic. At the end of those four years, the 16 students of a class (or at least as many of them that were able to survive until then) are pitted against each other in a tournament.
The winner of this tournament becomes the class valedictorian, who is cursed. This is different from the academic valedictorian.
The academic valedictorian, who does not suffer from the curse, is the one who scores the highest on all assignments throughout the four years, including the end of school final exam on all material learned up until that point.

Theories

The theories of when the Curse itself start, initially, to all point to one person in particular: Forthash Saxan, the Evitian who got 3rd place in Cruldor's class. They say that Forthash is suspicious for a few reasons:

1. Forthash was enraged at his loss to Cruldor, as he believed that Bortanians were inferior to Evitians.


2. Forthash was passed up as Chief of Evity, with the position going to the fourth place in his class, Aampeal Ildial.


3. Forthash did not participate in the Draco-Elvish War, supposedly fearing the Elves.

There are some other theories that are less accepted by the general Draconian populace. Many other theories are suggested by the residents of Evity who do not want to share the blame for the Curse of the Valedictorian that has plagued them.
Some beliefs say that someone involved in the Bard College of Lebalos, with a belief being that there is a Witch in residence there. The Bard College is the rival school of the Magic College. Another belief is that the Elves had something to do with the curse, perhaps hiring a witch, or perhaps finding the Curse Mage. Others say Forthash himself was the Curse Mage.
No one knows for sure, though Forthash Saxan is the one most people believe.

Valedictorian Fates

• Cruldor Daxur (-773)
• A failure of a soldier and leader in the Draco-Elvish War, dying mysteriously outside of combat.
• Wiscys Nicandir (-600)
• Despite trying to help people, she was seen as evil and became the basis for the negative stigma around Witches, even being their namesake despite doing everything for the good of the world. She died alone and no one noticed for years, leaving her position vacant because so few people found her necessary.
• Nawunax Valdacmith (-469)
• As a necromancer, had his body completely erased so that it could not be resurrected, is known as one of the most evil figures in history who kept Draconian territory under his thumb.
• Brenvorth Taldis (-222)
• Resigned his position as Grand Wizard out of fear of the curse, then having his legacy mocked for all of eternity for being a coward.
• Perzita Theldrar (-42)
• Fought strong opponents, defeating all of them until one Draconian, Medroth Umtic, tricked her, with her death then sparking the Grand Wizard Struggle and ruining the title she worked to preserve.
• Narkard Leran ( 0 )
• Forced onto a leash despite his unmatched strength, ordered to do unspeakable atrocities in the name of his Kings.
• Crocak Daxur (486)
• Outlived his family, his daughter rebelling against him and his ideals and becoming disowned and betrayed by his own village, forced instead to side with the followers of Helle.
• Aaren Ildial (488)
• Currently Unclear.
• Ordoth Mardaar (492)
• Witnessing and partially causing the Ilder Massacre, losing his wife and his village and then losing his mind in the Grand Crowning.
• Salasar Feaphed (500)
• Being considered a failure in terms of fixing the Grand Wizard title, with no Chiefs listening to him, thus causing the Chief Crisis, Battle for Southern Elone, Grand Crowning, and the Coup of Zephys among other tragedies that he wished to prevent but was too late to do so.
• Luciandrid Zrarakas (515)
• Currently Unclear.
• Klamtear Beldorin (516)
• Currently Unclear.
• Ikkul Ravofarn (520)
• Dedicating his life to protecting those he loved only to be unable to hurt them to truly gain what he wanted, dying by his own hand in the Tsar Bomba.
• Urokris Erthar (521)
• Having his dream turn to ash before him as the Grand Wizard slaughters his class and all of his loved ones, then taking their own life in front of him.
• Onkesh Tazwunak (522)
• Failing at his aspirations and having his successors disparage his life's work, as well as to have his greatest achievement and inspiration mock his efforts.
• Vaphak Uphal (528)
• Currently Unclear.
• Grolcurth Hellglory (530)
• His Poison Magic malfunctioning and killing his class right before graduation.
• Vardid Liloryas (540)
• Currently Unclear.
• Coldrid Saxan (547)
• Hanged in his childhood orphanage protecting a village he once detested after dying three times.
• Orlayas Ojeux (548)
• Currently Unclear.
• Vodron Susk (549)
• Forced to bear the suffering of his friends and distance himself from his family for their safety.
• Lorakaen Darelor (550)
• Currently Unclear.
• Chivalry (551)
• Witnessed his class die to Perfection only for it to be blamed on him.
• Gimpes Damelia (810)
• Was the first to die in her class after graduation, dying and having her soul trapped inside of an enchanted item.
• Zharshalee (859)
• Currently unclear.
• Draqiroth Lealred (915)
• Tried to prove the might of his people to the world, died alone on the battlefield in an explosion created by his former best friend.
• Rhoziros Nimphonker (936)
• Never truly realized the worth of life until the moment he died, whe it was far too late. Up until then, he lived a lonely life with the closest friend he had being a man he hated, and the woman he loved never loving him back.
• Galincard (942)
• Killed immediately after his speech by Draqiroth Lealred for his allegiance to the Elves. He was never able to confess to the woman he loved, nor able to see her stand in opposition to his murderer, for she was working with Draqiroth when Galincard died.
• Kriros Regalsword (964)
• Killed immediately after his speech by Draqiroth Lealred for treason. His soul was trapped in Hell, unable to escape.
• g'Doobh (973)
• Currently unclear.