Chapter 4 (oh look I almost stopped writing this sh*t)

Doorways

When the Illrs arrived in Englyn they settled at the foot of the cliffs at Goor along the Western Sea. No one knew where they came from and no one paid them any attention. The cliffs separated them from the rest of the inhabitants, and they were quiet and kept to themselves. They lived a solitary life for many years, mainly surviving on a fisherman's lifestyle, but it is believed, and this is just here-say,  that their leader, Pauve, received a vision of the goddess Skapa, the creator, coming out of the sea on golden rays of light forming the land and the water and the sky to her liking. Once her creation was complete she held it out to Pauve. He came to believe this meant he and his people were entitled to Skapa's creation, the whole world, as though she had made it all for the Illrs.

They reeked havoc on the Lagoons, massacring the whole population of Mer-people. They advanced on the Elf kingdom that laid deep within the caves below Goor. But instead of another mass slaughter, an allegiance formed. No one knows how this happened, perhaps it was due to the Elves' belief that they should not have been run out of the main city of Torris and banished to Goor many years ago.

News of this alliance and the tragedy that had befallen the Mer-people reached Torris and the Palace of Gull, where Queen Ase ruled under the wise and watchful eyes of the Viss; the elder council. The council became divided, some argued the queen's army should go out and meet the Illrs in battle, others believed negotiation was possible. Eventually most of the Viss were swayed to the side of battle, but the three who could not be persuaded left the council declaring war was not the way of the this people.

The Elves and the Illrs journeyed towards Torris, burning down villages and towns along the way, murdering or enslaving the residents. Those they captured, were forced to fight along side the Illrs and their comrades. They were forced to kill and rob their neighbors and then turn over their plunder to the Elves and the Illrs. Many took their own lives rather than remain under the rule of their cruel captors. Many were tortured solely for the amusement and entertainment of the evil leaders.

The journey took many months and while they traveled a small group of rebels formed within the city limits of Torris. This group of rebels were heavily influenced by the three elders who left the council, believing non-violent action towards the Illrs would lead to a peaceful treaty. Their plan was the ride out to meet the advancing enemy in an attempt to negotiate. To avoid this plan from unfolding, the Queen made a declaration that anyone participating or aiding in this rebellious group should be turned in and rightfully punished. The punishment was unknown. Anyone who with held information or members of the rebellion would also be punished in a similar manner. Friends turned on friends. Family turned on family. A majority of the group was imprisoned and then the punishment was revealed; death. Those who escaped, hid in the woods outside of the city gates, with the hopes of carrying out their original plan. While their motivation and beliefs were inspired by the three elders, those three shunned Viss members did not condone the actions of the rebels. The three retreated to an abandoned temple in the poverty ridden section of the city, to pray and mediate in hopes of being enlightened with a solution. They pleaded with the gods and goddesses to show them the way, to show them how to avoid war, but they only answer they received was silence.

Then the enemy arrived. Queen Ase knew her people would not survive if she did not lead them out of Englyn. In a final act of desperation she asked the Viss to find a way to exit their world and enter a new world. As the Illrs and the elf army stormed the city limits, Queen Ase's legion remained behind to face them. This gave the queen enough time to gather as many survivors as possible and move them to far side of the city, out a secret entrance in the city wall and into the forest. Any legion member that survived the attack was to meet up at the old temple ruins deep in the woods. Very few of Ase's army lived, but the people were safe, for now.

Deep in the woods Queen Ase lead her people to the ruins of a temple to an ancient goddess. It once stood mighty, a brutal fortress. Forgotten and abandoned, only rubble remained. The three Viss awaited the arrival the survivors, but they were not alone. The living rebels stood beside the Viss members. The shunned Viss council proposed a solution. There wasn't much time, the Illrs would eventually find the path to this secluded location and act out their rage upon the people. The Viss's suggestion was to open a portal to another world. Queen Ase and her people could journey through the portal and start a new life in the wilderness of that other world. There would be no kingdom, no throne, and there would be no power. That other world already had inhabitants that conquered and ruled.

There was no other choice.

There are three doorways that connect the human world to the world of Englyn. When Queen Ase led her people out of Englyn, the last three surviving elders of the council sacrificed themselves to keep those doors open, but hidden from those who wished harm against Ase's people. Although they are called doorways, they only work one way. Once one is used it closes forever.