The event that primarily led to the founding of Eldridge was war. Exactly 16 years ago, King Evander and Queen Van welcomed a daughter into the world in a city called Pagus. It was, after all, the city where our King had been born and raised. Unfortunately, the city itself was burned to the ground as a result of the war, forcing the royal family and the surviving subjects to flee the lands of the former city. The journey was exhausting — food and drinking water slowly began to run out, while the former citizens of Pagus were deeply frustrated by the loss of their home. Traveling by sea drained the strength of many people, and some did not even survive the journey to a settlement called Arbor. It was a settlement belonging to the closest allies of Pagus, whom the royal family intended to turn to for help.
King Evander did not expect that, instead of a thriving settlement, he would also find the remnants of war in Arbor: rubble, an abandoned harbor, and traces of murder. Yet what drew the most attention was a willow tree that seemed almost to glow at the sight of the former inhabitants of Pagus. At that moment, it seemed as though King Evander had understood his calling. He therefore gathered the remaining citizens, his beloved wife, and his newborn daughter to announce their plans for the future.
"I am Evander L'Valerius Averath, and from this day onward, this land shall be our home."
And the Word became flesh, and our Eldridge was born. The date traditionally given as the founding of Eldridge is September 28th, 1457.
The construction of the city itself was difficult, but not impossible. Eldridge slowly began to grow, and the problem of hunger was almost resolved through fishing. Over time, the former lands of Arbor ceased to resemble yet another story of a tragic war and began to look more like a city born from nothing.
As Eldridge began to flourish, King Evander became increasingly religious, worshipping the Gods of Virelia¹. The father of Virelia is Neryth — the Spirit of the Seas, ruler of war, mysteries, and betrayal. In modern times, he is the patron of sailors, pirates, and knights. It is said that the Father of the Deep hears every blasphemy, secret, or lie spoken upon the sea.
His mirror image is a Goddess known as the Mother of Virelia. Her name is Lyrienna, though she is also known as the Mother of Nature. She is the Goddess of Virelia, forests, rebirth, and vegetation. Some also claim that she is the Goddess of both death and life. She embraces the dead in her arms and brings forth new life in the form of fauna and flora. In modern times, Lyrienna is the patron of shamans, hunters, and farmers.
Returning to our city, the King ordered the construction of a church, which to this day is used to spread the teachings and messages of Lyrienna and Neryth. It was thanks to our beautifully built church that more and more tourists began arriving in Eldridge, allowing them to witness the newly flourishing city with their own eyes.
Slowly, the newly constructed townhouses began to fill with people, merchants began opening workshops, and the inhabitants of former Pagus began to believe in a better tomorrow while deepening their faith in the Gods. Tourists claim that Eldridge is a city loved by Neryth and Lyrienna, and the symbol of our city is the Willow, beneath which the King proclaimed the founding of the city.
Sixteen years have passed since that speech — sixteen years of hard work dedicated to the city and its economy. Present-day Eldridge is a refuge for its people, a sanctuary of the Gods, and the blossoming flower of King Evander.
However, recently, the knights and the royal family have increasingly been receiving reports of strange occurrences beyond the walls of Eldridge. More and more citizens feel uneasy when walking through the city alone, while merchants arriving in Eldridge speak of various, almost mythical creatures unknown to any book or record.
Tension is also growing within the royal castle over the sudden illness of King Evander, and the crisis surrounding the mythical monsters only adds fuel to the fire. Unfortunately, the royal family has not revealed much information regarding our King..
The VireliaSMP Sezon II - LITE Team
