Risen

On the side of a great mountain, within the Titanic [tahy-tan-ik] Mountains rested a city named Atlas [at-luhs]. The city walls connected several of the lower peaks halfway up the great mountain Titan [tahyt-n] and the city itself was carved out of the faces of the mountain in which it sat. Grand structures were erected in some of the dales, ravines, and valleys on the mountain. At its peak was a palace which the Giants referred to as the Seat of Atlas. Here was the capital of the Giants and home of their rulers.

A Giant in gold plated armor and a plume on the top of his helmet like a mohawk, entered a hall with massive stone columns, and a huge hole in the top of a rotunda. Directly beneath the rotunda, in the center of the hall, was what appeared to be a sundial, despite being indoors. Stationed between each set of columns was a gold plated knight. At the back of the hall were two thrones, one with the head in the shape of the sun and the other with a head in the shape of a crescent moon. To the side of either throne stood a black knight and on the throne of sun sat a Giant clothed in robes, and had a crown in the shape of the sun cresting the horizon. He was speaking with others before the throne.

As the gold plated knight approached the throne, he removed his helmet and called out. “Father, I bring you news.”

Knowing that his son wouldn’t be so informal if his news was meant for a wider audience, Sol, the king, waved off the others and they dispersed to various parts of the hall, past the golden guards and columns.

“Solaris [sohl-ahr-ihs] my boy! What news do you bring me?” Sol’s voice bellowed out and echo’d among the hall so that all knew that they weren’t to disrupt time between the King and Prince.

The Prince approached, kneeling before his father, until Sol approached and embraced him in a hug.

In a quiet voice, so only Sol could hear, Solaris spoke to his father. “Father, we are receiving word from the hunting parties that there has been a new race discovered and have enacted rapture protocols. Several parties have sent word ahead that they are bringing groups of what they are calling ‘Humans’ back with them.”

“Has there been any difficulty in gathering them?”

“No father, early reports are suggesting that they are mostly crafts people, specialty focused ones like the Dwarves. It may be beneficial to ally with them. Unlike the Dwarves however, they seem frail. They have a likeness to us, but are less than half our size.”

“Ah, very well! Perhaps we can build a stronger alliance with these people than we’ve been able to manage with the Dwarves. Being more of an Elf build, they probably can’t labor as hard as the Dwarves, but that can be overcome with numbers. This sounds more like a matter for your mother and sisters and their arts of diplomacy. Send for your mother Luna [loon-nuh] when she awakens at dusk.”

“Very well, father. I have also received a report of at least one of their warriors being brought. The report was… unsettling. I fear there may be more like him.”

“Come now boy, what was unsettling about this report?”

“They said that they initially mistook him for an Elf. There have been a number of incidents where our people have slain many before realizing that they are a new race.”

“Yes, that could be problematic, but may also be used as a show of strength and may actually gain us more favorable terms. Make sure your mother is aware.”

“That isn’t all. In this report, they slew the warrior while also losing a copper in what appeared to be a draw. Then, unexpectedly, the seemingly dead Human arose and came back to life. The soldier who brought the news referred to him as a Risen.”

“I see. Yes, this could be a problem if there are more warriors like this Risen. Send word to all hunting parties that if they encounter more of these Risen, to bring them back and treat them favorably. Make sure that this hunting party in particular is notified and treat this Risen as a guest upon arrival.”

“My thoughts as well, father. I have already prepared a missive in expectation. I will send word at once and appraise mother upon her waking.”

“Good my boy! If the story is true, then these Risen must be won over. They will naturally lead the others in time if they don’t already. Now go, send word. I will bring my council up to speed and prepare for negotiations. We can’t let such potential slip through our grasp like we did the Dwarves.”

Solaris turned and left at his father’s bequeath.

“Come my council, and I will share the news of a new rapture!” Sol bellowed so all in the hall could hear and the others in robes returned to the thrones.

Once everyone had regathered the king began to speak.

“Solaris brings joyous news of a new rapture. A people kin to the Elves in appearance, but a kin to the Dwarves in culture. From what I’ve been told I think these would be a fine people to align with for labor. What areas can we prepare to subsidize to them?”