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Category: History & Legends

The demonic hordes of the abyss are infinite, and hell is constantly swelling the ranks of its armies with short-lived mortals tempted by worldly pleasures. This left the forces of heaven at something of a disadvantage. Their champions took centuries to finish their lives, and then centuries more to ascend beyond the rank of even the lowliest archon.

This was brought into focus by a great Elven champion named Valkonen. A paladin, he dedicated his life to scouring the face of the world for creatures from the lower planes. His example inspired others, and the wild and scattered elves began to unite behind him. As he grew older, Valkonen cried out to the gods of light that he and his people had so little time to do their work in the world, for their enemies were so many. He begged the gods for a way to do more, and said that he would pay any price.

Valkonen's prayer was heard, and before him appeared Dimindus, the Lord of Light, and Forsa, the Lady of Law. They offered him the chance to extend the lives of the elves, but at a cost. To change a race's lifespan would break the rules set down in creation. The elves would need to give something precious. Further, they would need to enlist the help of the Masked Maiden Leto, the goddess of bargains, cheats, and temptation. Only she had the power to change the rules.

Valkonen agreed. A bargain was struck. The family of Valkonen and his descendants would rule over the elves. The second child of every family in the royal line would be sacrificed to the gods of light and law upon being born. This was no dark blood sacrifice, though. Rather than being killed, each child would be transformed into an angel. As an innocent, they would instantly become a powerful heavenly soldier. The first was to be Valkonen's own newly born daughter, given up and made into a shining diva before his eyes. In return, each child's years of lost life would be given to the remaining elves to live.

For her part, Leto asked two things. One, that the bargain be secret; if the Elven nations learned of it, the deal was off. Two, Valkonen himself would serve as her champion after death, enforcing her corrupt bargains throughout the world. All parties agreed, and the elves began their long lives.

Valkonen's family ruled over the elves for centuries, making them a shining beacon of light in the world. Every child born to a royal bore Valkonen's own snow white wings. However, the bargain forced the Royals to be distant and secretive. The continued loss of their children, even to such a noble cause, hardened them through heartbreak. Looking for loopholes, many Royals avoided marriage or even committed relationships, limiting themselves no more than one child per partner. These behaviors and the mistrust they caused in the Elven people caused their kingdom to slowly rot from within, just as Leto had foreseen. Following the horrors of the Dragon war, an uprising led by the earth elves overthrew the royal family, and most believe that every last member of the line was either slain on the Night of Daggers or hunted down shortly thereafter.

With no Royals left to fulfill the bargain, the elves are returning to their former lifespan. Newly born elflings seem to their parents to wither and die before their eyes, and none of the new rulers can tell them why. Meanwhile, Valkonen's shade weeps as he slays for his mistress. Over the centuries, these tears have carved deep furrows in his face, and earned him the name the Knight of Bitter Tears.