In the depths of time the children of Mauruvian emerged from the void and came to the land. They flourished and their knowledge and wisdom grew but as the world outside evolved, the peoples of the West appeared,

      At that time the Grelates came - from where they would not say. They each stored the knowledge of Mauruvian in their minds and became the living libraries, transmitting the knowledge between themselves and their employers when secrecy was needed, or the written word failed. They designed and helped to build the sea-gates and Mauruvian became safe again as the water rose.

      The Mauruvian pilgrim, Hartlin, discovered signs of a great cataclysm that awaited the world. He told the rulers of Walasian but it was some time before his warning reached Mauruvian. Almost too late, his prophecy was heard by the privileged but the many wondered why tunnels were being dug and stone structures built.

      When the shelters were ready the privileged slept. Their people and the Shunned, however, were left unwarned and unprepared…