The Legend of Waggaworld
In the beginning
In the beginning, there was Mana
Five tiny sparks of coloured energy fought against the endless void,
holding back the dark, holding back the BLACK! A struggle that no one
would cheer, these tiny elements fought to create, fought to BE!
Mana is the energy which flows through all things, both living and material.
Everything in the universe comes from Mana, just as everything returns
to Mana in the end. All matter in existence will ultimately break down
to one of the five kernel elements collectively known as Mana:
Earth (green): Earth is the element of life and shape. Things we can
see, touch, and taste, are all province of Earth Mana. Also known as "The
Mother Element", Earth Mana is the source of all life in the universe.
Earth Mana gives us our form, and then celebrates it with vitality.
Air (clear): Air is the mischievous element. It is the space we move through,
the space we run, jump, and fly through. But we can never see it or touch
it! Air is also the province of thought, dreams, and memory. How many
wonderful dreams slip away in the dawn? How many fantastic memories fade
with time? Air Mana giveth, and Air Mana taketh away.
Fire (red): Fire Mana fuels both spiritual and physical energy. Fire breathes
the strength to strive and win into a Wagga at birth. All living beings
are born with a kind of spiritual furnace within them, some burning hotter
then others. Those able to draw upon greater reserves of Fire Mana often
make up the leaders of their respected realm.
Water (blue): Water is the measure of life force. The abundance of Water
is life; the lack of Water is death. As a living creature ages, it gradually
loses this vital element until all that remains is a dry lifeless husk.
Water Mana is the element that unites the other Manas in a creature --
as Water Mana dissipates in a being, so do the other four elements. This
often results in disease, enfeeblement, and many of other effects of aging.
Machine (silver): Machine Mana is perhaps the most abstract of all elements.
Machine Mana is simplest answer to 'Why things are the way they are?'
Food chains, the tides, even how our muscles work, are all the province
of the Machine element. Machine Mana is responsible for the complex formula
that governs the other four elements, and nature itself. The other elements
build it; the Machine makes it work.
To look upon these ultimate creators in their true form is beyond the
scope of any Wagga -- the impossibly alien nature of their true appearance
would lead to instant madness. Thus, the five prime elements of Mana appear
to us in a much more pleasing state: an ancient and mercurial race called
Gottas.
The Gottas
The Gottas are the physical manifestation of the five prime elements
of Mana. This micro race of child-like beings is our closest connection
to the five elements in their prime state. Each of the five elements has
a line of Gottas created in their own image -- there are Earth Gottas,
Air Gottas, Fire, Water and Machine Gottas.
Where they came from or why they came is unknown. Since the first sun
rose and set on Waggaworld, the Gotta were around to see it. The long
history of the Gotta is so entwined with the fates of Waggaworld, their
origin has never been questioned. Together, the Gottas and Waggas can
control these same five elements
Together, the Gottas and Waggas
can perform magic!
Most Waggas are born with a mixture of the five elements. One may be born
with great strength (fire), but disabled by little intelligence (water).
Every so often there is a Wagga born with equal measure in each element.
It is these Wagga who hold the promise of magic. But this balance does
not guarantee an easy trip on the path of the Magi, only with great inner-focus
and much study can a Wagga hope to succeed.
Magic is by far the oldest art -- long have the chants and gestures been
ritualized so a spell is immediately identifiable from any student no
matter the teacher. The Waggas call this the study of 'Form'. 'Form' has
been used for generations to better the people of Waggaworld. 'Form' brings
rain in drought, cure in plague, and warmth in cold. As a rule 'Form'
cannot be used to harm another being or for personal gain. This must be
the benevolent influence of the kindly Gottas in the equation.
If the rituals of 'Form' were ever used for purposes other then good,
the involved Gotta mutates uncontrollably forever changing the harmony
and equilibrium of the five elements.
The Druun
Long ago when the races were young, before a Wagga even whispered the
word 'war', there was a time of unity and peace. The world was like a
big garden, with everyone sharing the rich harvest of intellect and culture.
In the centre of this utopia lived the Druun, a poetic artisan race from
the green Isle of Druuna. The Isle of Druuna was a surreal feast for the
senses; even the rainbows included colours not seen before or since! Who
can remember what glorp or pipney looks like? It is said one could find
any form of animal or plant if they looked for it on Druuna. Even creatures
thought to be extinct seemed to flourish there.
The Druun themselves were exceptional architects, and prone to building
wondrous structures here and there, all over the isle. People from all
over Waggaworld would travel to Druuna to marvel at these rare sights.
The Druun welcomed their cousins with open arms and treated visitors with
the respect normally reserved for chieftains. Often the Druun would accompany
a visitor home and teach their village the Druun arts.
It has been suggested that the Druun must have had an empathic link with
one another. Another rumour entirely, is that the Druun not only shared
a link with each other, but with their environment as well! Their connection
to the land ran so deep, that it was said they could feel when a tree
was cut down or an animal was injured.
Calissia
For 600 years the Druun looked to their beloved Emperor Kal'Tas (Druuns
live for 1800 years or more) for guidance. The heir to the throne was
Calissia, an ambitious young Sorceress eager for her father's powerful
title. For years Calissia had toiled mastering the FORM, while secretly
testing its darker limits. Eventually experimentation into the dark arts
began to take its toll on Calissia, slowly transforming her into a lonely,
treacherous villain. For months on end Calissia stole to the old Mage
Towers, trying to unleash the darkest mysteries of the five elements of
Mana. Late one night, she was successful...
Calissia had learned the unholy Ch'Adarak - a grim rite that would summon
a long forgotten race of demons into the world. Fearful for the safety
of his people, wise Kal'Tas threatened Calissia's succession unless she
sealed the Tower and discontinued the use of Dark Magic. This demand only
fueled Calissia's swelling madness, and she replied by unleashing the
Ch'Adarak upon the world.
Ch'Adarak!
The sensitive Druun were instantly aware the moment Ch'Adarak was released.
A moment later, they released a psychic alarm that could be heard across
the universe. Unfortunately, their plea for help went unanswered, as the
Demons of Unmaking had already released the Cloud of Change. So large
was this cloud that it reached across the sea surrounding both the Trolga
and Orca shelter lands. Over these lands the cloud dropped "Black
Plague Rains" which mutated everything they touched. In a matter
of moments, the beautiful Isle of Druuna transformed from paradise into
a glistening hive of decay.
Animals and insects began to take on terrible forms. Everything the Druun
once stood for was swept away, lost in the cacophonous baying of the Howlers.
For the Druun, the physical effects were negligible, but the changes to
their souls were catastrophic. The once beautiful and proud Druun became
loathsome creatures of the night. Love and benevolence were consumed by
hate and malevolence. The Drunns now found glory in war and battle, taking
pleasure in pain, suffering and cruelty. They, along with the Trolga and
Orca races had simply become Evil Incarnate.
Mupaw
Fortunately the cloud did not reach the continent of Mupaw, home of the
first Waggas. While Druuna was the centre of culture, Mupaw was the centre
of wisdom and learning on Waggaworld. All the careful records of the Waggas
were stored in a great library appropriately named 'The Great Library'.
A council of wise old Elders held a court in this Great Library called
the 'Whisper Court' (shhhhh).
The great upheaval across the rest of Waggaworld was not lost on the Mupaw
Elders, who noticed that Mana energy was becoming more and more tainted
with evil. Strange creatures began to appear on the Great Shores terrifying
the countryside for months. Eventually, Mupaw's elite guard 'The Elite
Guard' vanquished these horrid abominations. The Elders grew fearful that
the appearance of these creatures only foreshadowed a far worse fate -
the coming of Calissia and the Druun. The giant sized Druun were the most
formidable race in Waggaworld. If it came to war, it was the Druun who
were likely to succeed.
Waggawar
As always, the Elders were correct in their assumptions. Just as Mupaw
was preparing for war, Calissia and her Druun legions invaded the continent.
Calissia formed her beachhead on the Great Shores at the seafaring city
of Uhmadar -- the city fell in seconds. The Mupaw cities Gulan, Drell
and Korban were the next under the heel of Calissia's legions.
The Wagga Elders knew that Calissia was carving a straight line to the
capital city of Uhma. To make matters worse, the quarrelsome Orca and
Trolga armies had forgotten age-old grudges and joined Calissia's terrible
cause. Luckily, the headstrong Calissia ignored the warning of her cunning
General Kurn and spread her forces too thin in the mad dash for Uhma.
Wagga reinforcements arrived and slowly drove her armies back to Planes
of Kitar where both sides seemed locked in a hopeless stalemate.
Avatar?
Secretly, the Wagga Emperor Sha'Mu knew that the stalemate could not
last much longer. Soon Calissia would rally with enough numbers to overcome
the Mupaw forces. Surrender seemed the only viable option. As Sha'Mu began
to prepare the terms of surrender, the Mupaw Elder Darvo, had a prophetic
vision. Darvo prophesied that a great warrior would come and shift the
balance of power in favour of the Mupaws. This Avatar would stand in the
face of chaos and deliver the Waggas from slavery and Calissia's evil
clutches.
The child, born to Pharba parents, would bear the Mark of Mupaw somewhere
on its body. This Avatar would possess strength and speed equal to a dozen
Druun Shadow Warriors. He or she alone would change the balance of power.
Emperor Sha'Mu trusted Darvo immensely, and focused all his military power
on defence while countless scouts sought the promised Avatar. The Elder
Council meticulously inspected every child born to Pharba parents, yet
nothing was found.
Avatar I - Romak
A small Imperial Scouting brigade was on a reconnaissance mission deep
in the Musko wilderness when they came upon a small farm. The owner of
the farm, a Pharba named Daman, invited the tired soldiers to eat and
rest in his home. While Daman's two younger children, Chitar and Romak
were serving the meal, the soldiers noticed the younger of the two had
a strange symbol on his chest. The sergeant asked the boy if he could
inspect the markings and Romak allowed him without hesitation. Romak's
chest held the mark of the Mupaw Elders in perfect detail. The young boy
Romak was, indeed the child of Darvo's prophecy. Romak was the promised
Avatar!
Romak's family was immediately moved into the Imperial Castle of Uhma
for his training to begin. The news that the Avatar had been found, was
withheld from the public. The Elders feared that Calissia would learn
about his existence and have her spies kidnap him. Romak was learning
the mystical arts of Chi at an unimaginable rate. By the age of ten he
possessed the strength of five Imperial Guards. By the age of sixteen
he possessed the strength of ten Elite Guards, and surpassed the Monks
and Great Elders in their knowledge and abilities.
It was time for the world to learn of Avatar Romak's existence.
Romak Victorious!
As a test, Emperor Sha'Mu gave the Avatar a small host of twenty men
and ordered him to liberate a small outpost near Luma. This outpost contained
at least sixty of Calissia's legendary Shadow Warriors. The greater body
of Mupaw Elders protested that this test was a suicide mission. But Darvo
reassured them that Avatar Romak could not only liberate the outpost,
but do it alone if need be! To everyone's surprise, Darvo was right. The
outpost was liberated within a few short minutes. Rumour has it, that
Avatar did in fact order his men to stay back and that he single-handily
defeated the sixty fiends.
Word of Avatar's victory spread quickly, bringing new hope to Waggaworld.
Calissia, on the other hand, was outraged by this impossible defeat and
threw her entire legion at the walls of Uhma. Avatar Romak met Calissia's
forces in the Frama Valley (now known as The Valley of Courage). Romak
knew that his success at Luma Outpost would assault Calissia's vanity
and cause her to act irrationally. Frama Valley was a well-known site
to all Waggas, and possessed many natural defences. The Mupaw force's
ingrained knowledge of the valley allowed Avatar's army to surround the
Druun and gain the high ground. Suffering heavy losses, the Druun forces
could only retreat back up out of the valley and to the Great Shores of
the Blackened Sea where they landed so long ago!
When her last ship departed, Calissia was not aboard it. She had remained
to strike one final blow to the defiant Mupaws.
The Final Battle
Calissia stood alone in the surf as the Mupaw forces surrounded her.
Her intent was obvious, single combat with the Avatar Romak. Naturally,
Avatar accepted this challenge, with the hope that this would settle all
accounts and prevent future invasion. The battle was on! So powerful were
Calissia's spells, their effects could be seen in villages across the
lower rim of Mupaw. What looked like a celebratory light show to the simple
townsfolk was slowly signalling the death of their Avatar. The punishment
young Romak endured seemed impossible to sustain, but still he ordered
his men to stay back.
The ground of the battlefield became charred, filled with craters several
feet deep. The duellists were growing incredibly fatigued. Calissia showed
signs of weakening as each spell was less and less powerful. Finally,
Avatar knew he had the upper hand and struck with all his might. Calissia
fell to the ground defeated, her magical reserves exhausted. As she lay
in the surf, broken and beaten Avatar lowered his hand in a warm gesture
of peace. Though wounded and depleted of power, Romak could see Calissia
for the beautiful and vital woman she was. Calissia smiled at Romak accepting
his kindness, her hand joining his for an embrace under the grey sky.
Calissia's mastery of 'Form' was so complete, that she had managed to
summon one final spell with no gesture or incantations! From her hand
sprang forth a quick black pulse, which pierced through the heart of the
Avatar. This 'Dagger of Betrayal' was Calissia's final answer to the Avatar's
gesture of peace.
Still not quite comprehending this ultimate betrayal, Romak dropped to
the sand dead. Calissia cackled with defiance at the stunned legions of
Mupaw as they looked on at their dead hero. Her laughter was cut short
however as her legs collapsed from under her
With his final breath, the Avatar had managed a crippling blow to Calissia's
side. So fast and perfect was this strike, Calissia would never walk again.
In the end
For months after, Mupaw mourned over the death of the Avatar. In his
short life he managed to free Waggaworld of its worst nightmare and bring
hope to the shattered people. Emperor Sha'Mu was preparing an enormous
statue commemorating Romak's life when he received news that Darvo had
another vision: the coming of another Avatar!
And so the cycle of the Avatar began. Every few generations a new Avatar
is born with the Mark of Mupaw, and follows in the footsteps of Romak
defending the world from Queen Calissia. It is said that one day an Avatar
will come, whose powers are so great that he or she will be able to restore
the tainted Mana fields bringing harmony back to the world.
The Elders have held the name of this Avatar in secret for twelve centuries
- his name is Temu.
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