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A long time ago, there was a tribe of natives, living in the forest in harmony with all that was around them. One day, a single male warrior left the tribe lands, venturing into unknown territory - that of the Ranesti. The Ranesti were very intelligent creatures, and knew that this intruder was a human, and that some day humans would destroy their world with their selfishness. Deciding to test this human to see if he was worthy of their protection, the leader of the Ranesti approached him.
The warrior had never seen a creature like this before. There were flames at it's feet, it's tail looked like a lion's. It had a longish muzzle, with sharp canines. It was as tall as the man's hip at the shoulder, it's head resting on a sturdy maned neck. The fur was thick, like a wolf's. And to the warrior's surprise, the creature spoke to him, although it was to his mind, and not vocally.
<i>Young warrior, you have wandered far from your territory. We are the Ranesti, the Old Ones of the land.</i>
Not knowing how to speak mind to mind, the man spoke out loud.
"I have heard of the Old Ones. I did not know they had a name. You honor me to speak with me thus."
He bowed low, lowering his spear in a sign of respect.
"How may I serve you, Great One?"
The Ranesti leader gave a grave nod, acknowledging the warrior's greeting.
<i>We seek those with honor. Your coming here must have been dictated by fate. There is little time left here for us, and we must bestow our gifts on those with honor, so that they may continue to be here, even if we are not. Do you feel you are worthy, warrior?</i>
The warrior bowed down again, tears in his eyes at the thought that those who were considered the oldest creatures in existance would one day be no more.
"I am a warrior of my tribe, and not worthy of such great honor. There are great people among my tribe, the Shamans. They carry the Wisdom with them always, and teach the young ones who will be Shamans one day. Perhaps they would be worthy of such a gift."
The Ranesti watched the warrior with interest, then nodded once more.
<i>Take me to these 'Shamans' of yours, so that I may see for myself if they are worthy.</i>
The warrior nodded, taking up his spear once more and running quickly back to his home, the Ranesti seeming to run gracefully as a horse sometimes ahead, sometimes behind, and sometimes next to him. Upon reaching his camp, he ran to the shelter of the Shamans, greeted by one of the younger ones, a young girl, called D'nati. She seemed to know instantly what this creature was, and she knelt, bowing her head to the ground before the Ranesti leader.
"Great Ranesti of the Old Ways, you honor us with your presence!"
The great creature wandered closer to the girl, nudging her head with it's nose.
<i>Rise, child. We can see into your heart and know that it is honorable and worthy of our gifts.</i>
To both the warrior and D'nati, it seemed as though there were many voices speaking at once. They looked at one another, awestruck.
<i>It is to you we will bestow our gifts. This warrior led us to you, as determined by the fates. You will be the first of a new race, a merging of your kind and ours, so that our ways will never fade.</i>
D'nati started to protest, but for some reason, her voice died in her throat. Instead, she bowed once more, then rose up, standing straight and looking at the warrior with a look of sadness mixed with joy. She would no longer be the same as her people, but she would rise above them, and become part of the Ranesti's lore.
<i>From this day forward, you will be known as the Shamanesti. Your children will grow as one of us, and once reaching adulthood, they will look more like you. As they grow, and learn, they will come closer to attaining all there is to the Ancient ways. Then they will become an Elder, and your leaders. You will be the first, and you will be pregnant soon. Your children will be the first children of this race, one boy, and one girl. Then you will bring forth two more, one boy and one girl. Your role as mother will end there. You will join us as an Elder. </i>
With that, the Ranesti suddenly jumped on the girl, and she cried out as a light filled her, and she and the Ranesti leader merged into one being. The warrior looked on with awe, and rushed to tell the others of their tribe.
Thus, the Shamanesti were born. It is up to you to help raise them.
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