L'har: Where Legends are Born

L'har: Where Legends are Born (伝説が生まれたラール, L'har: Densetsu ga umareta basho) is the first episode of the Awakening anime and the first episode of the first season.

The backstory of the founding of Lorhên through the reign of Chûyin Sarati is told through multiple perspectives, until it is time for Garu Aotuyen to take the reigns and lead the troubled warrior-village to a new, brighter future.

Summary
It is 95 2A 3E in L'har. Nine mages travel together from the Vale in the south following the Fall of Babel: Vthradas, Ilmîr, Remna, Yris, Gadara, Re'ada, Lamij, Wven, and Alár. They are students of Valen Dant, one of Rah Sham's four principal students and members of the First Order of the Dragon. Upon Valen's death, nine of her elite pupils have set out north to resettle the lands once forsaken, as Valen wished upon her death bed. Leading the pack, Vthradas settles his team in the valley between four peaks, near the site of Rah Sham's Great War of Liberation where the First Order of the Dragon is believed to have reforged the Immortal. Here, a wandering mage inquires what they are doing. Vthradas explains that they are laying the groundwork for a great school for mages where people can come far and wide to learn the lost arts. The wandering mage then warns the settlers of their neighbors to the north, whom he paints as demons from an ancient time of turmoil and destruction. Vthradas thanks the man for the warning and bids farewell.

Several weeks in, Vthradas speaks with Alár, his close friend and confidant, telling him of the great things this school will do for the reviving world. Alár professes his concerns and doubts. The two discuss their vision for both their school and L'har as a whole. Vthradas explains he desires to see their community become a beacon for hope, but Alár reacts far more pessimistically, claiming all he wishes to see is survival. After some years pass, their school is thriving with students coming from all over to learn the ways of the Valeni School of Fire and to visit the Shrine of Aske built on the ancient site of the forging of the Immortal. Vthradas is on his death bed, professing to his aging friend, Alár, that he wishes for all nine to step down and allow their first born children to take their place. After Vthradas' passing, Alár assembles the Nine Founders and they each agree to step down and allow their children to succeed them. Thus, Vthradas' Rule of Succession is founded.

At the same meeting, Alár elects from the Aotuyen Clan of Es Sharam a leader. From the clan, he selects Chaiyo, a young, legendary warrior from Es Sharam. The eight remaining Founders then step down officially, leaving the school in the hands of their children and the village in the hands of the Aotuyeni. Chief Chaiyo makes an impassioned speech about peace through strength and swears to protect the village with his life by "his family's hand". He names the village Lorhên, meaning "small but mighty" in old Aeric.

In 1135 2E 3A, Chief Chûyin Sarati leads an attack at the Battle of Qa'rhois with her three top students alongside her. Meanwhile, two soldiers, Rhala Denai, and her husband Aderi, fall behind in the fight as Chûyin puts on a spectacular display of her ability in a battle with an ice mage, claiming to be the chieftain. They come across an infant in a home where both of its parents are left dead. While we never see the faces of any of the living things the Lorhêni are fighting, we see the face of this ordinary baby. The couple choose to escape fighting to rescue this infant. They succeed.

In 1137 2E 3A, Chûyin is facing scrutiny from the Valsiyo, the successors of the Nine Founders, who believe she is being reckless with the war on the northerners and that the Nine Clans may be forced to withdraw their contributions to the effort if she doesn't find peace soon. Chûyin, angrily, agrees to seek out peace, declaring she will speak with the Madrar. Chûyin meets with her students, the ten-through-thirteen year old successors to the Valsiyo.

Afterwards, she meets with King Áril IV in Liándas to discuss the state of affairs in L'har, admitting the instability in on the rise after the actions of a rebellion led by Nandahír a few weeks prior. He warns her that changes are on the rise and the people are restless. Chûyin admits she has felt great upheaval on the horizon but does not know how to stop it. Áril tells her to keep her eyes fixated in all four cardinal directions because "many paths are now converging on Lorhên."

In 1152 2E 3A, the 45th Valsiyo, headed by Damatus Aláriso, steps down upon the death of Udaran Vthradasio, giving the 46th Valsiyo power, headed by the brash, hot-headed Râgian Vthradasio, one of Chûyin's favored students. Râgian confronts Chûyin privately, telling her it was Damatus' wish that she be forced out, but he didn't have the gall to do so himself, so he is doing it for him. In a fit of rage, Chûyin publicly steps down from her position and declares she will leave the village for Over Ridge. Garu Aotuyen, her younger brother, is named successor and take office.

Garu enters office on shaky ground and with no backing from his sister, who abandons him entirely. Her parting words to him are "keep your eyes open or you'll lose everything our clan has spent a thousand years building. So... What will you do now, little brother?" Garu also enters with the honor of hosting the 56th Raiyo Examinations to establish the next generation. The Valsiyo leading all nine clans, descending from the original Nine Founders assemble to offer up the best their clans and their branch families have to offer.

Kenamas Aláriso, representing Clan Alár, enters the stadium and takes a seat next to his fellow Valsiyo. There are five of the most elite from each clan, as well as other viable contenders for Raiyo, of which enters Steph Endaras, Amos Arahm, and other major characters. The episode ends with Steph looking up to the sky and smiling on a bright future ahead of him.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Vthradas
 * 2) Alár
 * 3) Ilmîr
 * 4) Remna
 * 5) Yris
 * 6) Gadara
 * 7) Re'ada
 * 8) Lamij
 * 9) Wven
 * 10) Ah'Shvatra
 * 11) Chaiyo Aotuyen
 * 12) Chûyin Sarati
 * 13) Kenamas Aláriso
 * 14) Râgian Vthradasio
 * 15) Segîas Ilmîriso
 * 16) Rhala Denai
 * 17) Aderi Denai
 * 18) Garu Aotuyen
 * 19) Damatus Aláriso
 * 20) Amos Arahm
 * 21) Steph Endaras

Battles & Events

 * The Founding of Lorhên
 * The Qa'rho Suppression


 * Chûyin Sarati v. Cara Rho Cera
 * The Abdication of Chûyin Sarati
 * The 56th Raiyo Examinations

Abilities Used
Fire Magic Ice Magic Water Magic Teleportation Magic Manipulation Magic Enhancement Magic
 * Flame Cloak
 * Spiraling Flames
 * Infernal Meteors
 * Scorching Dragon
 * Scorching Hail
 * Spear of the Gods
 * Ice Spear
 * Piercing Needles
 * Water Orb
 * Shadow Emergence
 * Spiraling Whirlwind
 * Relentless Pummel

Trivia From the Author

 * This episode is the foundation of the entire world of L'har and everything that happens later in the show can be derived from the events of this episode.
 * The information supplied here has been changed, rearranged, and amended so many times that I'm worried I've retconned the series before I've even put pen to paper...