Reefside Holt Founding
The Water
Breathers once lived on land, and were part of a larger group that split to
live in the Forest, (future Stoneforge Holt)
and live by the Vast Deep Water on the beach (future Reefside Holt). For
several millennia the beach dwellers lived peacefully on the beach. Then Humans
came, and with them came hatred and death.
The beach dwellers escaped with the help of the four Shape Shifters, Sharaes, Taesar, Surfsong, and Moontide. They had changed into sea creatures (whales) large enough to carry all the survivors far out to sea and out of reach of the Humans. Once safe, the elves turned their thoughts to finding a new home. The Shape Shifters had long been exploring up and down the coast, and knew there was a small island to the south, but it was too small to support the tribe.
The Healers, Mosael, Eirdalyli, Iseka, Sea Wolf, and Sandbar, came up with the idea of altering the body to breathe water as a fish would, after long talks with the Shape Shifters. The idea was brought to Tosmodi, the new Chief.
Tosmodi thought long and hard on the idea. He saw the biggest advantage being that Humans couldn’t breathe in water anymore then the elves currently could. Finally, he shared the idea with the rest of the tribe.
Most of the tribe liked the idea, but a few wanted to know where they’d live underwater, and how they would protect themselves from the predators of the deep. The Shape Shifters told the tribe that the mountains on the mainland went deep below the water. And in the underwater mountain range there were lots of caves that could be turned into homes for the tribe. Also, their Rock Shaper, Shell, could shape the caves and make them safe and comfortable to live in.
The tribe agreed to give the idea a try, and the Healers set to altering everyone to breathe water as well as air. Unfortunately, it caused the deaths of three of the Healers, Mosael, Eirdalyli, and Iseka, who worked beyond exhaustion. The tribe was saddened, and seeing a coral outcrop not far from the cave network, they place the bodies there to rest in honour and state.
The Shape Shifters explained to the tribe that they must get rid of the bodies or they will invite predators to come and attack eventually. Tosmodi sees the wisdom in the words, but feels his peoples’ pain and loss. On the spur he creates The Final Dive Ceremony. He tells the tribe, “Let us Remember and Celebrate their lives one last time. Then the Shape Shifters can take their bodies far from here.”
The elves each take a turn remembering stories and times of each Healer’s past. While sad, they also rejoice in all the Healers had brought to the tribe when they had lived. With fond thoughts of their lost tribe members, they soon turn to exploring their new home, leaving the bodies for the Shape Shifters to tend to. The only Shape Shifter to stay behind was Moontide, to help explore the caves.
The tribe first settled in the largest cave they found. Shell shaped the opening to keep large predators away, so the tribe could be in peace. Over the next several months, the tribe slowly expanded and settled, leaving the large cave as a common meeting area for councils and celebrations.
The beach dwellers escaped with the help of the four Shape Shifters, Sharaes, Taesar, Surfsong, and Moontide. They had changed into sea creatures (whales) large enough to carry all the survivors far out to sea and out of reach of the Humans. Once safe, the elves turned their thoughts to finding a new home. The Shape Shifters had long been exploring up and down the coast, and knew there was a small island to the south, but it was too small to support the tribe.
The Healers, Mosael, Eirdalyli, Iseka, Sea Wolf, and Sandbar, came up with the idea of altering the body to breathe water as a fish would, after long talks with the Shape Shifters. The idea was brought to Tosmodi, the new Chief.
Tosmodi thought long and hard on the idea. He saw the biggest advantage being that Humans couldn’t breathe in water anymore then the elves currently could. Finally, he shared the idea with the rest of the tribe.
Most of the tribe liked the idea, but a few wanted to know where they’d live underwater, and how they would protect themselves from the predators of the deep. The Shape Shifters told the tribe that the mountains on the mainland went deep below the water. And in the underwater mountain range there were lots of caves that could be turned into homes for the tribe. Also, their Rock Shaper, Shell, could shape the caves and make them safe and comfortable to live in.
The tribe agreed to give the idea a try, and the Healers set to altering everyone to breathe water as well as air. Unfortunately, it caused the deaths of three of the Healers, Mosael, Eirdalyli, and Iseka, who worked beyond exhaustion. The tribe was saddened, and seeing a coral outcrop not far from the cave network, they place the bodies there to rest in honour and state.
The Shape Shifters explained to the tribe that they must get rid of the bodies or they will invite predators to come and attack eventually. Tosmodi sees the wisdom in the words, but feels his peoples’ pain and loss. On the spur he creates The Final Dive Ceremony. He tells the tribe, “Let us Remember and Celebrate their lives one last time. Then the Shape Shifters can take their bodies far from here.”
The elves each take a turn remembering stories and times of each Healer’s past. While sad, they also rejoice in all the Healers had brought to the tribe when they had lived. With fond thoughts of their lost tribe members, they soon turn to exploring their new home, leaving the bodies for the Shape Shifters to tend to. The only Shape Shifter to stay behind was Moontide, to help explore the caves.
The tribe first settled in the largest cave they found. Shell shaped the opening to keep large predators away, so the tribe could be in peace. Over the next several months, the tribe slowly expanded and settled, leaving the large cave as a common meeting area for councils and celebrations.