In the Beginning

As told to our children's children since we came to Norsca.

Many years ago in the frozen northern wastelands there existed the tribe of the Black Wolf. They were nomadic hunters who lived off the vast reindeer herds, following them through the seasons.

The tribes name originated with their worship of a totem animal, a great black wolf. This wolf was purported to imbue the tribes warriors with strength, cunning and ferociousness in battle, something their enemies were well accustom to.

On one of their annual migrations, the tribe accidentally strayed to near to an entrance to the Underdark and unknowingly camped far to close for safety. Late one night the tribe was attacked and overwhelmed by a large raiding party of the Malandanti. Despite their fearless spirit, all of the tribes warriors were slain along with the old and infirm. The women and children were captured and taken down in to the Underdark to become slaves.

Over the next ten years the children grew to adulthood suffering the whips of their overseers in the Malandanti mines. All this time memories of the upper world and the worship of the great Black Wolf were carefully nurtured and maintained in secret. Every night, all swore an oath that they would one day return to the world of light where they belonged.

(Cont: The First Meleki - Joining the Wolves)