The Melias Prophecy

Confusing Heralds

Prophecies and predictions can play a large part in any RPG campaign. Cryptic messages and foreboding tales can herald apocalyptic destruction or miraculous saviours. The kingdom of Melias worships one such insightful text and after generations of zealous worship, the time for prosperous glory has almost arrived for the people of this kingdom. As the people of Melias wage war with the nomadic tribes of Orcs that infest their homeland, they place their hope and faith in the hands of a young king, heralded as the Kelliha, bringer of glory. Unfortunately one of the kingdoms sages has stumbled upon a cipher that shows the Melias Prophecy in new and devastating light. The Melias Prophecy speaks not of the human kingdom, but of the Orc hordes that plague the lands. Now great heroes from across the world are being summoned to stop the prophecy coming to pass. Below is the description of Kingdom of Melias and their hidden peril as well as the Orcs who opposes them; Players who discover the truth should be faced with a tough decision. Protect the humans or allow the prophecy to pass, granting the Orcs a peaceful nation of their own.

The Kingdom of Prophecy

The zealous kingdom of Melias has ruled over their lands with an iron fist for generations. Laying claim that their strict laws and beliefs guide them through the Melias Prophecy. The scripture, which by law must be present in every home, tavern and shop, has been used as a guideline for the kingdoms actions throughout the many years it has ruled the land. The expulsion and subsequent wars with the elves and dwarves native to the area was deciphered as part of the ‘Purge of the Impure.’ The passage of ‘Broken Tools’ outlaws all weapons and tools within the kingdom for four weeks every year. Each law and festival within the lands of Melias has been carefully withdrawn and deciphered from the ancient and worshipped prophecy. With the most important festival happening once every ten years with the appearance of the ‘Fire Moon’. During the three nights that the ‘Fire Moon’ appears in the night sky, a child of fiery eyes shall be born, heralding the beginning of a grand future for the people of the human kingdom. This child shall be the Kelliha and lead the chosen through a reign of insurmountable prosperity. Eight years ago the Kelliha was born and celebration gripped the kingdom for five years, as was written. Now the child king has been crowned and leads his army on the final chapter of the prophecy, ‘The Cleansing’. The armies of Melias have embarked upon a crusade to rid the land of all evil. Once this bloody crusade is completed the kingdom shall live in a land of eternal beauty and opulence. As is foretold, so shall it pass.

The King and The Sage

The young king is always covered in fine silk and cloth, shepherded by the finest knights and grandest wizards of the kingdom, who are marked by their pure white armour and robes. A pale ghostly complexion covers the boy’s skin, matched by his stark white hair. Fiery orbs peer out from beneath his ceremonial robes. While a ceramic halo adorns the Kelliha’s head at all times, granting the boy intense telepathic power. The crown of the Kelliha was discovered centuries ago as the binding ring to the parchment of the original prophecy. Without the crown the child would be completely powerless, whilst the relic adorns the child’s head, he controls powerful abilities and powers that cement his title of Kelliha amongst his worshippers.

Filiad was the sage who discovered the true translation and origin of the Melias prophecy. A royal counsellor for the majority of his life, Filiad is an avid believer and fanatical follower of his kingdoms ways and lifestyles. Upon his dire discovery, the elderly sage took the only option he believed available to him. Destroy the evidence, and protect the kingdom. Filiad quickly created ‘The Order of the Broken Tree’ as a means to protect his livelihood and the false Kelliha. Starting as a trusted conclave of nobleman and intellectuals that tirelessly sought after a means to protect the people and beliefs of Melias. The Broken Tree quickly became a highly secretive sect that hides even from the Court of Prophecy, the ruling council of Melias. Over the past two years, ‘The Order of the Broken Tree’ has been rapidly placing spies and agents within all areas of Melias. From lowly taverns and markets to knightly outposts and even within the Court of Prophecy itself. As the Order of the Broken Tree infiltrates every nook and cranny of the kingdom, they report everything they see to their superiors. Anyone deemed a threat to Melias or the Kelliha himself, is kidnapped and disposed of discreetly. Only the founding members are aware of the prophecies true meaning, while the rest of the order are under the false belief, they have been hand chosen by the Kelliha to protect his kingdom, whilst ‘The Cleansing’ is completed. The leaders of ‘The Order of the Broken Tree’ have been summoning the grandest heroes from across the world in an effort to stop the prophecy and protect their kingdom, offering rewards far greater than they can actually provide.

The True Kelliha

For countless generations Orc tribes have roamed the lands of the Melias kingdoms as nomadic groups, more often at war with one another, than the humans that now hunt them. Every Orc tribe worships the nearby restless volcano, Kelliha. The countless tribes gather in peace once every ten years under the looming presence of the volcano, placing offerings and celebrating the grand power that the mighty volcano possesses. During this three-day celebration, Shamans of all the tribes compete within the crater of the volcano to determine which tribe shall prosper the most in the coming decade. The Shaman that wins not only grants his tribe prosperity for ten years but is also rewarded with the duty to place the grandest offerings in the sacred caves of their god, Meliasal’Teth, the skeletal remains of a gold dragon. Eighteen years ago the contest was won by female Shaman who died during childbirth whilst she was within the sacred caves. With no one else allowed into the caves for another ten years the orc tribes left, unaware a small child had been born and abandoned within the caves. During the next competition a small crimson eyed child was found within the cave, the boy wore ancient armour and brandished magical swords found from within the dragons hoard. Charged by his people for trespassing he was sentenced to death in combat. A champion of every tribe was tasked to kill the child in simultaneous combat. The child defeated his numerous opponents without effort and even spared their lives, an action foreign to his people. This feat branded the boy as the spirit of the volcano; he was adopted by a tribe and named for his birthplace, Kelliha. For the passed eight years Kelliha has travelled with his tribe, teaching them skills and abilities beyond his years and Orcish knowledge. With the advent of the Humans crusade to destroy the Orcs of the land, Kelliha has begun banding the tribes together in an effort to repel the murderous armies.

The Mentor

Kelliha’s knowledge, ability and survival have been inexplicable to his tribesman. However as a babe, Kelliha was found by the Orc god’s still living consort, an ancient gold dragon named Serahs’Liun. The ancient and reclusive dragon found the baby and raised the orc as best it could, gifting the child with vast amounts of knowledge and power. Upon the Orc tribes return to the volcano, ten years later, the dragon let the boy return to his people, but has maintained a telepathic link with the boy, guiding him and continually teaching him as he lives amongst his people. Serahs’Liun has begun teaching the boy how to lead his people and mend their savage ways, the ancient dragon wishes to see the orcs form their own peaceful nation. Through her teachings and continual discussions, the gold dragon hopes to impart enough guidance and knowledge so that her child can one day lead his people without her guidance and suggestions. If Kelliha is to ever be threatened in the eyes of his mentor and mother, she will take flight in order to protect her adopted child. If the Orc king were to ever be killed, the vengeance of his ancient mother would destroy entire kingdoms.