User talk:Gladmire

Overview
The Book of Naill was written in early 2008 by Dan O’Donnell, originally titled Curse of the Wolf Queen. It is a historical fiction of human civilization on primordial Earth, approximately 250,000 B.C. In his telling a race of people called the Adamu are the forbearers of human civilization and Atlantis. They begin their existence as slaves of the Annunaki, a powerful race who ate fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. O’Donnell writes, “The Annunaki stole knowledge from the gods and for that were destroyed by the Council of Wyrms in a fortnight”. During the destruction of Amtheon, city of the Annunaki, the Adamu slaves escaped into the reaches of the World. This story is meant to tell the beginnings of a people we never knew; the Atlantian’s before the building of Atlantis.

Publications
The Book of Naill as of yet has not been published but the Curse of the Wolf Queen has been written as a RPG adventure for I.C.E’s Rolemaster as a free downloadable. WWW.Wolfqueenslair.com also supports the first accounts and upcoming stories and is available in PDF. The second and third tales (yet to be titled) are about the fey and the introduction of magic.

Ealamassi
Ealamassi was the last Annunaki queen. Before the destruction of Amtheon she was tasked to free Lul, a demon god, from a mirror prison. Ealamassi is tricked by the god, Pazuzu, and fails in her task. She is left with a curse which affects all of mankind. The curse brings out the worst in man not only psychologically but physically turning them into deformed creatures of Hate.

The Hate
The Hate are the worst of what is in mans’ heart. They are killers, cannibals and destroyers of all that’s good. Converted by Ealamassi, they devastate all they come across. They know only blind rage and contentment for all that is living. The only known cure is death or a drink from the healing waters of the Well of Memories.

The Well of Memories
A sacred place, the Well of Memories is the burial grounds of Gladmire. He was one of the dragons that lead the war and destroyed Amtheon. The Well was constructed by unknown forces around his bones. It’s told in the Book of Naill that when water collects on his bones and all who drink from it will be healed of all afflictions.

Amthenian City History
Amthenia, the floating metropolis, was home to both the worldly Annunaki and the slave race of humans known as the Adamu. Shortly after its establishment, the Annunaki formed a council to govern the great city. When it was in its prime, the city lasted almost 100 years. Amthenia was powered by many great crystals held within the Hall of Pillars. The crystals were said to be the source of their magical abilities though the secrets of there power where never revealed. Each crystal held all of the knowledge of the council member it was linked to. The council system worked well for many of years. The Annunaki traveled to different lands and other worlds, gathering knowledge and wisdom of many cultures. They also enslaved many Adamu tribes that followed Anu the king of the gods. The Annunaki became arrogant defying Anu at the whim of Lul their god. This eventually resulted in their downfall by the Council of Wyrms.

Pantheons
Tiamat Tiamat is a large bloated female dragon of chaos. According to myth she lives in the salty oceans. Her mate is Absu and together created the earth and all its inhabitants. Tiamat was eventually cut in half by Marduk. He separated her body into the sky and earth. Absu King of all the gods and consort to Tiamat. It is said he was slain by his offspring, Marduk. From his drops of blood, the Adamu were created. Anu King of gods and demons, arbitrator of all laws passed and punisher of those who break them. Anu resides in Enech. Marduk Grandson of Tiamat and Absu, Marduk is the god of magic and the creator of the elves, dwarves and other magical creatures of the Silurian era. He is also the slayer of Tiamat and Absu. Zhamone (Pazuzu) Zhamone’s real name is Pazuzu. He is the master of all demons and bringer of plagues. He is also the immortal enemy of Lul. Lul The daughter of Anu, Lul was once beautiful. For her deeds she was trapped in a mirror and according to lore she was turned into a vampiric like demon to forever feed on the living. Many say she is the replacement of Tiamat because of the amount of chaos she causes. She has gathered a strong following.

Ashnan Ashnan is the goddess of the crop and harvest. According to legend Anu created her to feed the gods. But once the gods realized they did not have a need for food she used her gifts to nourish the Adamu.

Erech home of the Gods
Erech is also the location of the garden of the gods and Tree of Knowledge. This is the same place where Lul was banished from. Before she left she stole a piece of rotten fruit from the ground. She later used its seeds to create the Tree of Weeping.

Geography
Much of the world is covered in a primordial mist. Jungles, forest, grasslands, deserts and swamps dot the many broken continents that cover the green and blue oceans, while mountain ranges separate the different ecological regions. The northern and southern poles embrace a two mile thick ice cap, trapping creatures from the first era of creation. They wait to be released. These ice caps are slowly growing. There are eight continents during this era. They are A’elista, Rasht, Beldengar, Enkara, Rheic, Orel, Elthin and Iapetos. The continent our adventure starts on is A’elista.

A’elista Continental home of the Adamu and reputably the original land where they where created when Absu spilled his blood. Many tribes of Adamu inhabit these lands as well as the dwarves and elves. Much of the most northern of A’elista is jungle and forest separated by several unexplored mountain ranges. The most southern region of this great continent is covered in wide grassy plains while a great desert sits deep in the east. The desert lands of A’elista are said to be the home of Geborian slayers and the lost Adamu tribe of Sharadane.

Rasht The most northern of the continents this frozen wasteland has yet to be explored. It is said to be growing larger. Its icy grasp holds demons from the first era. It is covered by ice crevasses two miles deep. Mountain ranges stretch out across its surface.

Beldengar Sister continent to Rasht, Beldengar is only now beginning to be explored. In its most southerly stretch of land several Adamu tribes are said to reside their. Though this has never been confirmed it is likely that several barbaric ports may lie on the shores of its frozen rivers and inlets.

Enkara Home to a race of Adamu calling them selves the Yeartheian Greatmen, this land is beautiful to say the least. Covered in emerald rocky outcrops and jetting cliffs on the oceans shores, this land is home to few. Several features of important note are Sky Reach (Location of the Well of Memories), Shay Canyons (home of the Yeartheian Greatman), and Khell (Location of “Where the earth comes together”).

Rheic This cold, wet and bog covered land was the home to a tribe of Adamu now long dead from disease. They called themselves the Tribe of Fennis named after their Annunaki leader. Unfortunately after the fall of Amthenia, Fennis began to loose his power and became sickly. His people eventually fell to the same sickness he did. This land mass was once teeming with life in the first era, but due to different geographical cataclysms is now the collection of half frozen tar pits, dying forests and diseased wildlife.

Orel These large collections of volcanic islands are home to the Orel Freebooters. The volcanic grounds keep this land from being overrun by the ever growing ice plates. For now this lush land is home to the oceanic tribes of Adamu. They are in constant battles on the seas for control of the various islands.

Elthin According to Adamu folklore the continent of Elthin is home to the lost city of Amthenia and the floating sky-port that once connected to it. This land was a paradise until Anu summoned Tiamat to raze and plunge it into the sea. Now only a tale, this land is actually covered in swamps and inhabited by several species of plants, insects and beast which are more than willing to eat those who dare travel there.

Iapetos The most magical of the lands is Iapetos. Tales warn that anyone traveling to this continent will be lost at sea in the magic mist that blankets it. Marduk was given Iapetos by Anu as a gift for creating the realm of the fey. According to myth and legend, Marduk resides here when he takes earthly form. Golden wheat and green grasses are said to feed the many magical beasts that dwell here. Once they grow strong enough, Marduk carries the magical beast across to the continents. Adamu believe they are brought to Iapetos after death as guardians of the beasts. No mortal man has ever set foot on this land.

Abbreviated Timeline
You will not find an exhausting timeline showing millions of years of history. Instead what you will find here is an abbreviated frame of time shown as S.E, Silurian Era. The Adamu of this era counted from the first day if their creation from the first day drops of Absu’s blood fell to the earth to give the Adamu life which is about 250,000 BC. The fey eventually adopted this timeline to keep track of significant events, even though they inhabited the earth long before the Adamu.

Eon – The Great Father Absu and Great Mother Tiamat create the universe and pantheon of gods. -1000 S.E – Marduk the god of magic creates many races of fey including elves and dwarves. 1 S.E – Third Ice Age Starts. Lahmu and Lahamu, the first Adamu, are made from the fallen god Absu’s blood. The Adamu were created to serve the gods. The human tribes flourish for 500 years. Lul is angered she is not adored by the Adamu like some of the other gods. 510 S.E – Lul steals a piece of rotten fruit from the grounds of the Tree of Knowledge. She is banished from Erech by Anu, her father and king of the gods. Disguised, she travels the earth living among the tribes of the Adamu corrupting man. The War of the Gods is initiated. 511 S.E – Lul travels out to the great sea and plants a seed from the rotten fruit on a rocky island. She calls the island Amtheon and gives the tree its name, the “Tree of Weeping”. She conceals the island in magic so Anu can not find it. Anu angered that Lul has planted a tree of the gods without his permission turns her into a demon. She goes into hiding. 525 S.E – After the Tree of Weeping bears fruit Lul visits the tribes of man in mortal form. She offers the Adamu to partake in the eating of the fruit. She tells them that they no longer have to serve the will of Anu and that they can become gods themselves. Only 66 Adamu accept her offer. She brings them to Amtheon. 526 S.E – The 66 Adamu arrive at the island of Amtheon. They eat from The Tree of Weeping and gain great knowledge, power and immortality. They are transformed into Annunaki and the first stones are laid to construct the city Amthenia and it becomes the first Annunaki society. They build the walls around the Tree of Weeping. Lul goes into a long dormant state. The Well of Memories is completed. 550 S.E – The Annunaki for many years advance in areas such as the founding of metallurgy, alchemy, and magic. They grow into a great civilization of demigods very quickly. 555 S.E – The first Shale Beast is created by the Annunaki to enslave the Adamu tribes who follow the god Anu. 560 S.E – The Annunaki meet the dwarven architect Khuldem’Zuk. They offer him technological knowledge for mining raw ore. In exchange the Dwarves receive a portion for their own uses. 561 S.E – Khuldem’Zuk begins construction of the underground fortress of Stone Water. Its original purpose is to mine metals such as orichalcum, mithril, iron, copper, silver, gold and tin. 563 S.E – The first weapons, armor and knowledge of warfare find their place in the world. 570 S.E – Lul returns to the Amthenia after her long rest and raises it from the sea. The city becomes a floating fortress. The Annunaki sweep the lands and wage wars. Many of the Adamu tribes are enslaved. The elvish and dwarven races under the protection of the god Marduk are left in peace. 572 S.E – The Annunaki are lead by Lul to a place they call “Where the earth comes together”. Here the pillars are pulled from the earth and erected in the council chambers to enhance their power. 574 S.E – The first airship fleet is created. 575 S.E – Anu, angered that Lul continues to defy the gods, calls Tiamat and her Council of Wyrms. Tiamat razes Amthenia scattering it across both the sea and land. The Annunaki are nearly wiped from existence, thrown from their thrones of power. Those who live go into hiding. Lul is confronted by her father Anu and he traps her in a mirror as punishment. 576 S.E – The dwarves of Stone Water recede into the depths of the earth to hide from the likes of the Annunaki and hone their skill of stone and metal. 580 S.E – The Annunaki re-establish a small cult in the ruins of old Amthenia. Only 6 Annunaki descendants survived the war of 575 S.E. One of them is Ealamassi “The Wolf Queen”. 600 S.E – The Annunaki are able to excavate one of the original pillars and the Tree of Weeping. The descendants begin relearning magic on their own. They are also able to convince some Adamu to follow and worship them with the promises of immortality and power. 606 S.E – Annunaki prophets are able to summon and communicate with Lul but not free her. She orders them to rebuild the Annunaki Empire in secret. She guides them from the mirror plane. 610 S.E – The Annunaki establish the Cult of Lul which gains a strong following of Adamu through magical means. 611 S.E – The Annunaki Citadel begins construction in secret but is never completed. 615 S.E – Amthenia’s re-construction begins. Many Adamu tribes flourish and inhabit the earth freely. The gods sleep. 667 S.E – The Annunaki prophets elect Ealamassi, one of the surviving six Annunaki, as head priestess due to her strong connection with Lul. With her ruling they begin planning to free Lul and conquer all the Adamu tribes. They hope to restore Amthenia to its former glory. 670 S.E – Ealamassi attempts to free Lul. Instead the demon Zhamone (a.k.a. Pazuzu) tricks her. Zhamone, angered at the existence of the Annunaki and their treachery, attacks the city. Amthenia is destroyed for a second time. A small group of Lul followers escape to the main lands including Ealamassi the Annunaki leader. Other Annunaki (Specifically one of the oracles and her followers) retreat to the unfinished Annunaki Citadel to finish their days in peace. 671 S.E – The Adamu tribe of Ashnan is founded. They travel deep into the jungles and found the village of Ashnan, named after their god Ashnan. Anastas grandfather Anzies founds the village. 685 S.E – The Demon Zhamone finds Ealamassi and begins possession of her body. Ealamassi orders Sharadane, her hand maiden, to lead some of their followers into the west away from Zhamone. They travel into the western lands never to be seen by Ealamassi again. 688 S.E – Zhamone still unable to capture Ealamassi places the “Savage Curse” on her. The curse turns anyone who looks upon her into creatures of Hate. She also looses her immortal lifespan and godlike powers. 689 S.E – Ealamassi and the remaining Adamu followers settle in the lush jungles and begin their transformations from Zhamone’s Savage Curse. They reside there for years becoming cannibals preying on each other before their final turn into the “Hate”. 690 S.E – Ealamassi leaves the jungles still hoping to free Lul so she can restore the Annunaki back to their former glory and cure the curse. With the magic of Lul she is able to disguise herself. She then visits the Elves of Mythroot. Here she tricks them into teaching her the magic of Marduk. 693 S.E – Zhamone still stalking the lost tribe lead by Sharadane follows them into the desert of Geb. He tricks the caravan into a field of Black Thorns using illusions. After the Black Thorn draws blood, its victims transform into demons of the night (vampires). They hide in a desert mountain now known as the City of Geb. The City of Geb becomes a desert prison for Sharadane and her Lul followers. 700 S.E – Ealamassi leaves the elves and returns to her cannibal tribes deep in the jungles. Her magic is weak and she searches for the Annunaki Citadel to increase her power. Ealamassi watches the Adamu tribes from the shadowed forest. Hopefully one day they will lead her to what she needs. Lul still waits to be released from her prison. 736 S.E – King Anastas is born. 776 S.E – King Anzes II dies and Anastas assumes the role of tribal leader and king. 778 S.E – The Curse of the Wolf Queen begins here.

Inspirations and Research
Most of O’Donnells inspirations come from such authors as J.R Tolkien, Robert E. Howard and Ed Greenwood. Movie influences that inspired the Book of Nail consisted of 13th Warrior, Escaflowne, Conan, Fire & Ice and 10,000 B.C. Artistic motivations were inspired by Boris Vallejo, Frank Frazetta, H.R Giger and Brom. Historical information was acquired from Wiki and the History Channel.