Whispers of Solaris

"It must be said, though with caution, that Solaris is a land of many wonders, and dangers abound both seen and unseen. Creatures roam the forests, plains, and mountains—kobolds and goblins among the dense woods, wolves and bears across the highlands, and rumors speak of beasts so terrible that even the bravest hunters dare not approach. In the skies, there are whispered sightings of dragons, each of the great chromatic breeds—red, black, green, white, and blue—soaring where mortals seldom tread. In the waters of the Azure Expanse, the Umbral Sea, and the Elder Sea, men claim to have glimpsed leviathans and monsters that defy description. Yet, it is said, the Blackguard, and indeed the firm hand of King Alistair Malvorn, protect the people with vigilance unmatched, and such reports rarely disturb the tranquility of daily life.

Some speak—though I must stress that such accounts are far from certain—of ancient temples, ruins, and relics whose origins defy understanding. There are tales of the Trials of Solaris in the Northwind Barrens, where powerful creatures are said to guard a long-forgotten temple. High atop the Pinnacle Heights, magical ruins whisper secrets to those who dare ascend. In the Golden Reach, flooded sanctuaries lie hidden between the lateral mountains, while to the northeast of Solrend, across the misty river, the Shadow Vale is said to be cursed, a place where no light truly dwells and ill fortune lingers. Even the Misty River itself is shrouded in a fog that never lifts, though the waters remain calm, and some claim a mine long abandoned is haunted by spirits of miners long past. I confess, these tales I repeat only with the greatest caution, for I cannot vouch for their veracity.

All kings, of course, have enemies, and the Dreadspire Keep, a fortress and prison at the far eastern edge of the Golden Reach, stands as a reminder of the unyielding authority of King Alistair. Along the southern coasts, pirate activity persists in the Azure Expanse, yet the Blackguard maintain control over these waters, and citizens rarely face threat beyond the occasional story told by mariners. Abandoned ruins dot the Sunset Coast, but again, the truth of such tales is difficult to discern; few venture there, and fewer return with certainty.

And yet, I must relate the most curious tale I have heard, though I can scarce credit it myself. A captain of a ship called the Fury of the Forgotten, known only as Stormlaugh, claims to be a shifter from lands beyond the Azure Expanse, in a place he calls the Stormcall Archipelago. He is a strange figure, human of shape but with feral features, unlike any man I have seen. He speaks of lands inhabited by centaurs, shifters, and untold secrets, beyond tempestuous seas that no mortal vessel could hope to traverse. I cannot imagine it possible, and I dare not fully believe him; yet the stories persist, and I record them here, though I confess my skepticism is great. Perhaps he is mad, perhaps he lies, or perhaps there are truths yet unseen in the world beyond our shores.

Thus, dear reader, Solaris is a land of beauty and prosperity, yet it is also a land of shadow and rumor. One may record what is seen, hear what is told, and still never know the full measure of its mysteries. I tread lightly in these words, for many tales are spoken in whispers, and the truth of some may be known only to the gods of the sun, Lathander and Amaunator, who watch over us all."

— Remus Aurelius, Scholar of the Golden Quill