Mages Apprentice - Prologue -
Mages Apprentice - Prologue - (c) Cederwyn Whitefurr 14 February, 2012 All Rights Reserved.
Imagine, if you will - a world not dissimilar from our own, yet society and technology is still stuck in the Feudal Age, with powerful Kings ruling vast Kingdoms across the known realm. Anthropomorphic animals evolved as humanity did, from their feral ancestors, slowly becoming sentient and aware - over millennia further evolving and becoming more intelligent, yet remaining true to their ancestral heritage of living in peace and harmony with the world around them.
For every tree a forester may take, he will replace it with a new seedling, and Hunters only take enough, never threatening a species with extinction, but maintaining the harmonious balance with nature. Their society thrives and grows, but at a controlled, sustainable pace.
***
Humanity, on the other hand, had evolved differently, a slower, less intelligent species - for the most part, barely sentient - with no signs of advancement on their evolution, they were like primitive, savage and brutal - sometimes, for sport of pleasure, a King would ride forth with his loyal retainers, and hunt these savages - who with the technological sophistication of clubs, rocks and crude, stone made weapons - were little threat to the heavily armed and steel-girded anthropomorphic species.
One species of humanity - had actually evolved, diverging from the ancestral tree millennia ago, and lived as hunted, frightened people - almost hunted to extinction, they had developed a primitive society, intentionally kept at this level of technological development, through thousands of generations of selective breeding by the Anthropomorphic people. They were intelligent - of course, not on par with the intellect of an anthropomorphic person - but could be trained to perform menial and dangerous tasks for their master or mistress - tasks a real person, would never dream to perform for themselves.
Regularly, the best were taken as slaves from their well guarded hovels - sold to wealthy and powerful Anthropomorphic Nobles and Kings, who had their new 'pets' as they refereed to them, trained to perform a variety of tasks. Even though a few Anthropomorphic creatures speculated how these creatures - at times - showed intelligence, rational thought and consideration, these precious few were often ridiculed, or outright executed for their Heresy.
It was punishable by death, to even make a joke, that a human could evolve a intelligence, on par with the dominant races of the known world. They were, a slave race, bred through generations for their ability to perform their tasks, and nothing more. Such ridiculous thoughts - that they could be set free, to live alongside their anthropomorphic masters or mistresses...was pure fantasy.
Any human, caught refusing its owner, or another anthropomorphic creature could be punished with impunity, or even, if not owned by a Noble or King - be put to death for refusal to obey orders given to it. They were - not even classified as animals - they had no rights, were shown no mercy, and were looked down at best, by the most lowly of peasants.
Rumours abounded, as they do, of only a handful - escaped slaves, who stole what they could from farmers and their former owners, and tried to build up their numbers in secret - staging raids against outlying settlements and wilfully murdering and pillaging as they struck ,then vanished back into the forest and mountains. These bandits were hunted by the soldiers of the King's who ruled their lands, and when caught,were shown no mercy or compassion, for in the eyes of the soldiers, these creatures were just beasts - who tried and aspired - to imitate their rightful masters.
***
In a world dominated by the superstitions and beliefs of countless anthropomorphic people, there was a unifying belief in the Goddess and God, two aspects who ruled over the anthropomorphic people with a watchful gaze. The Goddess controlled the warmer months, bringing forth fertility to the herds, fields and anthropomorphic people - the God, watched over them as the Goddess slept, during the colder months.
It was unknown, wether the humans had a belief, but it was widely rumoured they had not the intelligence, or the understanding, to even comprehend such.
Magick existed in the world, but only a handful of people could even dream of understanding it, even fewer - had the strength of will and understanding - to study it. For with magick, come a terrible curse. For each spell a Mage cast - it required a portion of the casters life, to power the incantation. Few ever passed beyond the long, and painful Apprenticeship - knowing as they grew in power and stature, their life would burn faster and faster...
***
Now, imagine, if you will, a dark tower, home to the Arch-Mage Kalen, an anthropomorphic Fox, who has devoted his life itself, to the study and understanding of magick...and his erstwhile young Vixen apprentice...
Let's go knock on their tower door, I believe they're expecting us...best not keep them waiting...
End of Prologue....