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Sistrine was the first settlement of the ice-barbarians, as they migrated South as the weather grew warmer. This was the first of the great migrations, and more followed. Some claim that this was due to a change in the barbarian?s environment as the climate in the north grew harsher and survival became harder as the dangers posed by the orc and troll tribes increased. Others state that the remaining tribes people chose to follow Lekaran and Kelara, the famous figures from our myths and legends.
According to the Legend, the city was founded by Kelara as she and Lekaran led the first waves of the barbarian exiles into safer climates. After many days of walking, Kelara called a halt, Raised her staff and struck the ground, with the words:
"Sistrina has shown us the way to a greener land, and land where we can settle and defend ourselves. It is time for us to leave the snow and ice behind. Now is the time of peace and plentifulness."
It is said that where the temple to Sistrina stands today, is where her staff struck the ground, those many centuries ago. The city grew quickly at first due to its location the land was rich and the hunting was good. The threats from wild animals were minimal ? the barbarians were used to defending themselves against such creatures ? and worse.
As the city and its wealth grew, it began to attract the attention of those who wanted to plunder it, to gain its riches for themselves. There was a long period of time where outlying homesteads were attacked and the livestock and grain was stolen, and the attacks became slowly more organised and regular. At this point in time, the city erected the Watchtower, the tower in the centre of the city, to provide an early warning against potential marauders. Also, the city walls were erected, so that those in the city would be protected. It appears that the Stone of Sistrina atop the Watchtower was a later addition, if the legend is to be believed. At any rate, some hundred years after the city was founded, the first of the Wars broke out. The city managed to defend itself and defeated the barbarian alliance that had come together underneath the Rulership of Nefandar, the faceless warrior. This battle lead to the first revelation of the gift of reincarnation, but also brought a hidden evil with it.
Some fifty years after this battle, the undead attacks began. It was discovered that the city was built upon the foundations of another civilization, and that these ruins were buried beneath the city, many levels deep. From out of these ruins came many undead creatures ? the walls no longer protected the city, and neither did the watchtower because the enemy was already there. This led to many citizens abandoning the city to settle elsewhere. Under the pretence of attempting to save the population from the onslaught of the undead, a cleric who we know as Scelarus took control of the town. The watchtower that had so long stood for protection and safety now represented suppression and fear. He imposed curfews, forced the people to pay money to the temple, built up a militia to patrol the streets. Those who opposed him disappeared without trace. Only when a young cleric, who later went on to found the order of the Siristrine Knights dared to go into the catacombs to discover the source of the evil was this situation brought to an end. Myrmidor discovered at the lowest levels a Blood stone - a pulsating red stone that provokes an uncontrollable aggressiveness in anyone in its vicinity. Myrmidor could not destroy this stone, but at least he had a partial reason for the attacks from under the city. When he came back he caused a revolution and expelled Scelarus from the city. In his rage Scelarus threatened the city with the return of Nefandar. Myrmidor founded the Knights of Sistrine so that the city would be ready to meet this challenge.
Today Sistrine is the oldest city of the continent. The highest administrator is the High Priestess of Sistrina - in a world where the ancient beliefs are being questioned Sistrine is a bastion of tradition. However, not even Sistrine has been kept entirely free of the forces of progression. Sistrine is the centre of the continent, all those who wish to embark upon adventures or journeys eventually come to Sistrine in order to train. Resultantly all adventurer classes have representatives here. There is of course the temple of Sistrine for those who wish to become clerics, the headquarters of the Knights of Sistrine, the academy of magic has a representative here, the barbarians and the rangers provide guidance for those who wish to follow their paths, and finally the thieves? guild. The oldest university of the scribes is also in Siristrine, with its extensive libraries, the museum and the Zoo. The ruins beneath the city provide many with their first real taste of adventure. This first experience is enough for some, they decide that life as a farmhand really wasn't that bad after all... but some develop a taste for adventure and when they walk out of the city walls they make their way into our legends.
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