The origins of the Windswept Summits.
Before the spirefall, the Windswept Summit was a mountain, slowly floating along a path on the edge of the Ten Paradises. The mountain itself however was rich in aetherquartz and the lumineth that owned it greedily extracted it, using the magical material to create weapons of mass destruction. They always promised to not use them, but sold them to others. With the riches they created grand palaces and temples along the mountain. Slowly, the lumineth were consumed by greed and the aether quartz. During the spirefall, the lumineth sat in their home, watching the destruction taking place and slowly, it dawned upon them that it was also their weapons that were causing so much destruction. When the realm started to fall apart and daemons of slaanesh started pouring into the realm, the lumineth of old did not resist. They had lost all hope, drowning in guilt and sorrow. They were devastated and all but wiped out until Tyrion rallied the remaining aelves, leading them to safety. The lumineth of the Windswept Summit cried for days, begging for forgiveness from their god. It was only when Teclis returned to his people that they truly got a chance to redeem themselves. The lumineth of the Windswept Summit were some of the first to bond with the aelementiri of stone and wind, as it was these that had been moving the mountain for so long. Perhaps sensing the guilt the lumineth felt, the spirits accepted them rather quickly. Together with the spirits, they tore down the old buildings and mines, building grand temples to the spirits instead. To their surprise, the spirits of wind and mountain spoke to them, allowing them to change the course of the mountain peak. This became the home base for the Host of Windswept Summit. In this mobility, Teclis saw an opportunity. Since the spirefall, countless artifacts had disappeared, many of which were dangerous weapons. He offered the Host of Windswept Summit a purpose. They would travel the realms to recover these artifacts. The lumineth were happy to oblige, seeing it as a chance to redeem themselves for creating these destructive weapons in the first place. Since then, the Host of the Windswept Summit has been traveling through the realms, atop the Summit, to collect and destroy magical artifacts. In combat, they employ a typical hammer and anvil style to great effect. Many lines of wardens and stoneguard act as a wall of stone upon the enemies weapons break, whilst the armies of the wind, consisting of sentinels and dawnriders act as the hammer that smashes the enemies lines.
The Windswept Summits society
Although the summit originates from hysh, it has slowly been moving through the realms and on it’s travels, it has accumulated new civilisations. When the mountain left Hysh, there were only Lumineth, but over time, those who the lumineth and spirits of the mountains deemed worthy were allowed to stay on the mountain. As such, in the low valleys and foot of the mountains, small cities have come to exist, where mortals are taught the ways of the host. The lumineth have taught them how to live in harmony with the realms, and the spirits that embody them. Still, many of the lumineth consider the humans beneath them and don’t often talk to them.
Leadership
The leader of these aelves is a loreseeker known as Alathea. Only recently has she taken over the leadership position from her father, who died under mysterious circumstances. Many considered her father the best leader the host had ever had. Caladnur was one of the youngest aelves to earn the favour of both the mountain and air spirit and be appointed leader by the council of spirits. During his reign, he had led the host to greatness, quickly expanding the army, collecting some of the most dangerous artifacts and even earning a visit of Celenar itself. Alathae, however, was nothing like that. The youngest of three, both her older siblings were as gifted as their father, quickly earning the favour of the mountain and wind spirit respectively and many suspected one of them would take over from their father one day. Alathae was not interested in the spirits. Instead, she spent her days in the libraries, studying ancient scrolls and lores. If she wasn’t spending her time in the library, she was training the art of the sword with her uncle. Always in the shadow of his brother, he had become estranged to the host and the spirits and threw himself at studying the blade. Alathae was the only one in the family that still talked to her uncle and the two have a close bond.
After her fathers death, the host gathered at the highest peak. At this highest peak, satthe Summit temple. Although it’s small and very hard to reach, to the lumineth of the Windswept Summit, it is a place of great divinity, a place only the eldest spirits are allowed to enter unless you have been invited. On special occasions however, the entire host gathered at the top. The selection of a new leader was one of those opportunities. Everyone predicted that one of Alathae’s siblings would be chosen as the next leader. Alathae was so convinced of it, she had considered not going to the event, only attending because her uncle said she had to support her siblings. When the spirits came outside, it had been one of the shortest meetings the council of spirits had had when it came to selecting the next leader.
To everyone’s surprise however, neither of Alathae’s siblings was chosen to be the new leader. Instead, the spirits proudly announced that Alathae would lead the host from now on. Instead of loud celebration, there was a dead silence. Alathae left, her brother enraged and her sister shocked. Things have been shaky since. Alathae had always been bad at working in a group, hence why she became a loreseeker. But now, she has to navigate her way through all the niches of diplomacy, war and leading her people. For the first time since the spirefall, the people of the host started to doubt the spirits again. Her sister has come around, trying to help her where she can. Alathae’s brother however, has barely spoken to her. Her uncle now helps her where he can, but this often only causes more tensions with certain people. Thankfully, the spirits stand by their decision, but they have yet to explain to Alathae as to why they made their decision.
Alathae is a jovial and energetic aelf. She constantly worries she will be unable to follow her father and struggles with the side of her that just wants to pack her things and leave and to be left alone.
Important characters
Alathae The Repentant: Loreseeker and current leader. She barely wears her helmet, with her long red hair tied up in a knot. She’s energetic and friendly, but always doubtful of her own skills.
Caladnur The Repentant: Alathae’s, Avalae and Tilrius’ father and the previous leader. Consider by many to be the greatest leader the host had ever had, he was the youngest aelf ever to be elected as leader. Recently died under mysterious circumstances
Avalae Firstborn: Alathae’s sister, Caladnur’s first child and representative of the mountain spirit. Since her youth, she has always been the most favoured as the next leader. Avalae didn’t expect her sister to be picked, but as opposed to her brother, she supports her sister where she can. A very capable stonemage and greatest strategist in the host, Alathae has put her in command of the bulk of the army.
Tilrius Windson: The second child of Caladnur. Ever since he was born, Tilrius was exceptional at magic and quickly mastered many lores, before dedicating himself to the wind spirit. A real adrenaline chaser, he often does dangerous stunts, only to show off. A true crowd pleaser and skirt chaser, his father always worried he would be picked as the next leader due to his popularity.
Taladrai the shunned: Caladnur’s younger brother. He grew up in his brother’s shadow and eventually grew apart from the rest of the Lumineth. These days, Taladrai spends most of his time with the humans that live in the valleys, where he is a very well respected member of their society. Alathae is one of the few lumineth that still talks to him, as he has forsaken the spirits, which means the other Lumineth shun him. Even though his brother was a miracle child, Taladrai is far from incapable and it is said he is the best swordsmen the host has ever seen. He’s worried Alathae will become like him and become enstranged.
Aelthinnur, the immovable: The oldest and strongest mountain spirit of the Summits. He was the first of the mountain spirits to commune with the Lumineth since the reinvention. Stoic and righteous, Aelthinnur does not break or yield. He’s an immovable wall. Only in times of great despair does he march to war, although at times he wishes these times were more common, as he enjoys the sound of enemies breaking under the might of his hammer. Together with Tiridressa, he leads the council of spirits.
Tiridassa, the unstoppable: The oldest and greatest wind spirit that inhabits the Summits. Together with Aelthinnur, she was the first wind spirit to speak with the Lumineth. It did take her longer to forgive the lumineth for their mistakes, but slowly they eroded her uncertainties. A gentle and caring soul, she often visits the valleys to play with the children and talk with Taladrai, who she has a close connection with. A master huntress, her bow can strike the eye of the enemy from beyond kilometers away. She’s more eager to help the lumineth in battle, but does not enjoy killing as much as her partner.
