Fluff:Eledheluial:Forward

Over the past few years we've often discussed on the list the pro and cons
of Spelljammers in relation to groundling power structures. Specifically,
we've discussed the degree to which an Spelljammer force could easily
dominate a groundling power.  While novels don't always help us much
game-wise,  we _do_ have a specific instance, refered to in one of the
Cloakmaster novels,  where a spelljamming navy invaded and conquered a
world.  I'm refering to the Scro conquest of Spiral, refered to in _The
Maelstrom's Eye_ by Roger Moore.

I've always felt this invasion could be used to illustrate the ways in
which a Spelljamming navy might conquer a planet.  And, I was always
curious about the story behind this conquest, which went extraordinarily
well acording to the novel.  And, of course, I've always felt General Vorr
was one of the best villains ever portrayed in a TSR novel, and that he
deserved better then what he got in _Maelstrom's Eye_.  Since I don't like
to revise history (kinda of a professional ethics thing:)) I thought, hey,
why not write some fan fiction relating the story of the fall of Spiral.

So, that's what I going to do.

A few comments. First, I'm a major fan of Tolkien, and draw a lot of
inspiration from the _Silmarillion_.  Many of the names (both elven and
scro) I've chosen are drawn from his appendixes (especially the "Elements
of Elven names" appendix).  The title of my story, "Eledheluial" means
Twilight of the Star Elves in "Quenya" or High Elven.  On the other hand, I
am not a linguistics scholar, per se, nor a professional Tolkien scholar,
so I may make mistakes in the names at times.:)

Second, Spiral was barely sketched in the novel.  Since I needed more then
that to tell this story,  I've fleshed it out quite a bit in another post,
"Bralspace:Spiral[Expanded]".  So the Eledhel, the elves of Spiral, are
essentially my own creation though they are simply std High Elves with few
cultural quirks for uniqueness.  A map of Spiral, for those interested, is
available. You must ask _off_list_. Requests to the list will be ignored.

Finally, I've never written straight fiction before. That means the writing
is likely to be atrocious. Please feel free to tell me when it sucks, as a
grad student I'm used to harsh criticism.  Conversely, there is no schedule
on when the chapters will appear, I have other responsibilities which might
on occasion slow the writing.  So if a week or three goes by with nothing
posted, that doesn't mean the story is ended.

Well, here goes....

"We look on the same stars,  the sky is common,  the same world surrounds
us.  What difference does it make by what pains each seeks the truth?  We
can not attain to so great a secret by one road..."
Symmachus,  "Memorial on the Occasion of the Removal of the Altar of
Victory from the Senate House" (392 AD)

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, History, Ohio State
Adjunct Faculty, Humanities Department, Columbus State Community College