Birth of the Divine

Birth of the Divine is Chapter 1 of Dirge of Umbra. This is the first playable chapter.

Player Character

 * Rataxil

Opening Narration
''Azarria rests in the centre of the Harthyia continent and was founded by Lucanaar, a soldier of the Iron Alliance. Lucanaar's descendants, the Royal Family, were joined by six additional duchies, each with their own lineage. Each duchy possessed large territory and military holdings, and exercised partial autonomy while serving under the Royal Family.''

On behalf of the aging King Ulrisg, the government was administered by the highly regarded Prince Jorrek.

''Assisting the prince was his confidant Lord Bolroc of Neintyr, and Lord Arthur of Gurdaari. Prime Minister Heobri of Pyrogna felt his position was being undermined. Calling on the avaricious Lord Heath of Everard, the two formed a coalition opposing the prince's authority.''

''The young Lord Thehrim of Cedarthyr, commander of the Royal Guard, had little involvement in governmental affairs. Only Father Oldaene of Aerismere could sense the impending crisis.''

''Just as this drama was beginning to unfold, news of calamity arrived from the east. The peaceful town of Hyperia, located in the Albion Desert, came under siege by Radalian soldiers. Reports told of a massive slaughter taking place.''

''Back in Azarria, public outcry began to grow, and before long the decision was made to subdue Radalia. Acting on his father's behalf, Prince Jorrek departed for the front commanding the lords from each duchy.''

There at his side, a warrior in his own right revered for his heroism and bravery, was none other than Lord Bolroc.

''Only a handful of soldiers remained in Azarria. Owing to a diplomatic alliance with Dalkia to the west, and the Ethereian Kingdom to the southwest, fear of any kind of aggression was virtually nonexistent.''

''However, that trust was betrayed all too soon. Kingdom of Ethereia's massive army, spearheaded by Prince Oriin, crossed into Azarria territory unnoticed and laid siege to the Tower of Valtnir. Abelia, daughter of Lord Arthur, had sole responsibility for the tower. Entrusted with the protection of the kingdom by his father, Lord Bolroc, Rataxil stayed behind at Helm's Premise. With only his loyal soldiers at his disposal, he was rightfully terrified when news of the invasion reached Neintyr.''

''Having known Abelia since childhood, Rataxil was left with no other alternative. He promptly made the decision to take up arms.''

''766 NW. It was this very turn of events that cracked open the door of fate. No one at the time could have recognized this forewarning to the disastrous events to follow.''

Plot Summary
A large Ethereian force led by Prince Oriin and his subordinate Nuncino arrive outside the Tower of Valtnir. Inside the tower, Coalne, the strongest of all Gurdaari archers, tells Princess Abelia that the tower is surrounded by Ethereian infantry and that Gurdaari has failed to protect her. Abelia tells Coalne that they did their best and to leave and save himself. Coalne refuses and tells her that he and the Gurdaari soldiers will remain till the very end.

Meanwhile, in Helm's Premise, Rataxil prepares to depart for Gurdaari. He orders Osduyne to remain in Helm's Premise while he investigates. Osduyne reminds Rataxil that they were all born into knighthood and are prepared to die fighting. Henric then appears to support Osduyne's motives, and manages to convince Rataxil into allowing them to support him on his travel. Osduyne prompted Rataxil into choosing someone to remain in Helm's Premise and protect it, believing it would be too risky not to. Henric insists Rorvun remain in the palace, trusting he would be perfect for the position. Rorvun acquiesces and remains in Helm's Premise while Rataxil, Osduyne, and Henric set out to Gurdaari.

Outside the Tower of Valtnir, Oriin becomes impatient and charges into the tower before being confronted by Coalne. In an act of protecting the princess, Coalne faces off against Oriin. However, despite his skills as being Gurdaari's greatest archer, Coalne is eventually killed by Oriin. Shortly thereafter, Oriin confronts Abelia and takes her as his hostage, intending to force her to marry him. When leaving the tower, Oriin orders Nuncino to guard the Tower of Valtnir from reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Rataxil, Osduyne, and Henric arrive in Gurdaari, but discover it has been completely overrun by Ethereian barbarians. Outnumbered, Rataxil and his companions attempt to liberate the dukedom from the invaders, and when all hope seems to be lost, his sister Gaelinn and her husband Aias arrive and help disband the barbaric horde. Rataxil is pleased to see Gaelinn and Aias, who were concerned about his well being after hearing about Ethereia's invasion. Gaelinn is reminded of Rataxil's will to frequently jump into things without thinking it through. Rataxil asks Aias about his kingdom Maerchmere and if he had to keep an eye on Saostone. Aias reminds Rataxil of a pact they made during their time in the Rastow Military Academy. On one late night, Rataxil, Aias, and Prince Sithos of Favnir took a vow to help each other if one of them were ever in a bind. Rataxil continues to show his appreciation and resumes his duty in rescuing Abelia with Osduyne, Henric, Gaelinn, and Aias in tow.

Oriin and the captive Abelia arrive in Amberhelm, the Ethereian border watch over the Gurdaari territory of Azarria and the Favnir territory of Dalkia. There, Oriin orders the border guards to pull up the drawbridge, preventing any intruders from entering the fortress. Oriin tells General Talibor that he is heading back to Raven Citadel and orders him to stay alert for Azarrian invaders. Talibor notices the woman under Oriin's control and asks him who she is. Oriin tells him that she belongs to him and is taking her back to make her his wife. Oriin then orders Talibor to stop looking at her with such lust and tells him that his needs will be satisfied once Azarria is theirs. Oriin then departs for Raven Citadel with the captive Abelia.

When Rataxil's group arrives outside the Tower of Valtnir, Nuncino tells them they are are too late and that Oriin captured and took Abelia back to Ethereia were he will force her to marry him and do unspeakable things to her. With no response, Rataxil and his companions battle and defeat Nuncino and his barbarian allies. With the remaining group outside, Rataxil enters the tower and finds Coalne's corpse, but no signs of Abelia. When leaving the tower, Rataxil is greeted by Cyrras of Cedarthyr, who snuck out of the Tri-Citadel, and Klimt of Everard, who was dragged along. Rataxil is surprised Cyrras made it all the way from Cedarthyr. Though arriving late, Cyrras and Klimt traveled to aid Rataxil and the others. Rataxil asks why Cyrras left without informing his brother Thehrim. Cyrras believes that his brother is in an odd state of mind and decided it was best to give him the space he needed. Rataxil is in no place to give another lord orders and instead invites Cyrras and Klimt into the fold. Shortly thereafter, Gaelinn asks Klimt if Lord Heath, his father, knew he was fighting in Gurdaari. Klimt tells her no and that his father couldn't stand her father Lord Bolroc, let alone permit his son to fight alongside the lord's heirs. Klimt joined Cyrras by his own reckoning and only seeks to aid him in his affairs.

Rataxil and the group arrive outside the Amberhelm border where they are left perplexed by the withdrawn bridge. On the other side, a border guard informs Talibor that the Azarrian infantry have made it past Nuncino and his army. Believing Oriin would be furious of Nuncino's fall, Talibor decides to chance it by drawing the bridge and rushing the enemy. Rataxil and the group fight off the oncoming Ethereian forces and defeat them. Rataxil and the group enter the castle, but there are no signs of Abelia. Rataxil begins to wonder where she was taken to. The group begins to suspect that Oriin must have taken Abelia into the heart of Ethereia. Aias believes it would be foolish to travel through enemy territory with only a handful of soldiers.

A royal envoy arrives just outside the bridge. Lord Thehrim walks out, greets the group, and questions their safety after the recent invasion. Rataxil asks what he is doing there and Thehrim tells him that King Ulrisg sent him to assess the state of the conflict. He reveals that the outcome of the campaign has already been decided and believes that Rataxil's father will be among the ones making their triumphant return back. Thehrim then presents Rataxil with the sword, Requiem, a gift from King Ulrisg. Rataxil takes the sword and orders Thehrim to express his sincerest gratitude to his majesty. Thehrim agrees and right before departing, tells Rataxil that he heard of his brother Cyrras joining the fray and tells Rataxil to watch over him. Rataxil looks around and notices Cyrras and Klimt are no longer present, but is quick to agree to Thehrim's request before his departure.