Telorshed begins, "Long ago, we varanjar were kings of the oceans. We traveled to Thestra from our homelands, far away from here. They are now lost to us. We built great settlements here to further our ocean trade. As time passed, some moved farther inland and began working the land."
"Nearly a thousand years ago, the great cataclysm destroyed the ancient coasts and our inland cities. Those that survived rebuilt, but we were a mere shadow of our former strength."
Tell me more, Telorshed.
Telorshed continues, "All was going well, though slowly, when we were once again decimated, this time by the Orc and Goblin War 1. The orc and goblin forces were too great for our weakened population to fight on our own. They easily destroyed our rebuilt villages."
"The varanjar chief, Halgar, knew we had to fight back or forever be weak, fleeing our enemies. He also knew we were not strong enough to face the horde alone."
What did he do then?
Telorshed explains, "The other Thestran races faced their own battles in the war. The massive orc and goblin army succeeded in keeping us all on separate fronts. The only race on Thestra that avoided the battle was the might lesser giants. Their great fortress, Falgarholm, was impenetrable."
"Halgar the Hero set forth to Falgarholm to convince the lesser giants' king to join the war, but King Rotham was reluctant to get involved. He told Halgar to leave and never return."
What did Halgar do next?
"Halgar stood up to the king and challenged him to a duel. If Halgar should win, the king would promise to join him in the war. King Rotham had never been beaten in over a thousand fights, so he agreed to Halgar's challenge."
"The duel lasted for hours. Halgar's determination to win was so great that he rose again and again from what should have been fatal blows. King Rotham was so impressed, he called the match a draw and granted Halgar his alliance."
What happened after the alliance?
"Halgar founded our village, Halgarad, to serve as their war camp. For the next four years, the varanjar and the lesser giants held off the orc and goblin armies. The war was a near stalemate until the vulmane tribes abandoned the orcs and turned the tide in favor of the Thestran races."
"Halgar and King Rotham both died during the war. The remaining lesser giants were split in their allegiance. Some returned to the [[Sons of Torshiem]], while the rest remained here, an important part of our society."
I understand the importance of Halgar now. I am ready to begin the trials.
Telorshed remarks, "We shall see, yourname. Only the bravest and most honorable will earn their place next to Halgar and Rotham in Kortella, the Resting Halls of the Hero."