The following is an ancient Dawn Age document from Brithos. It predates the Gbaji Wars, and likely dates to the time of the Serpent Kings. It is some of Greg’s oldest writings.
It happened that in Seshnela after the Dawning, Talar Froalar married the Goddess of that land and became king. Through new laws from Malkion, the son of Froalar had destroyed the old castes and created a new one called “Engroni“. The son of Froalar was exiled for this though, and he returned to Brithos. His name was Talar Hrestol, and he married the daughter of Talar Antalos of Horalwal, whose name was Lorina. He forsook his heretical beliefs and again entered the caste of the crown wearers, serving Talar Antalos.
It happened that later Hrestol’s loyal companion, whose name was Engrion Faralz, came to visit him in Brithos. Now Faralz was originally of the caste of warriors, but refused to put aside his heresy while in Brithos. For this he incurred the wrath of King Gresat, who ordered him outlawed and killed, but Faralz fled into hiding.
King Gresat was to be married to the daughter of Antalos named Nenbra. But during the sacred ceremonies, Faralz appeared and slew the king before Malkion’s shrine. Faralz then took Nenbra, and carried her to the woods.
After this Talar Alos became king of the Malkioni. He sent Hrestol to lead the army seeking Hrestol and the foreigner did so with reluctance. Meanwhile, he secretly prepared an escape for him and his friend. When Faralz was finally caught, he was suddenly freed by an attack of the Vadeli. Hrestol fled, returning to the king to confess his loss. But there he was accused of breaking the sacred laws again by drawing his sword while fighting the Vadeli. Alos outlawed Hrestol then, who fled with his family by ship, finally landing in the Vadeli Isles.
Then a Vadeli army descended on the capital of the Malkioni. After a frightful siege, the enemy entered the city and slew people everywhere. In the battle, King Alos was killed trying to flee. The Vadeli took over the government for a time still, although the Horali fought valiantly still.
Then it was that Engrioni Faralz again returned, this time leading an army of Aldryami from Dontri’s Forest. In battle, Faralz slew the Vadeli king, but rather than punish them any more, he left them to go in peace to their homes, swearing never again to molest the Malkioni. Elrtof was then made king of the Malkioni. Faralz returned to his home in Seshnela with his wife and family.
One day King Elrtof called his talars together, saying to them, “In the fight which we just had I saw much left to be bettered. It seems to me that the only ones to do well were the heretics from Seshnela. His zzaburi said, “They were the laws made by the Founder, as you well know.”The king said, “Yet the Seshnegi can do well by being heretics. I say let us too form such a caste but not violate the laws of Malkion. Let us form a council of four men, to be called the Engrion, who will oversee all that happens in the castes and direct the workings of the nation.” Said many now, “Such would be blasphemy.” The king replied, Ïf it be so, let us who decide suffer the Creator’s wrath. Let any who learning of suffering or have complaints of blasphemy take their words to the caste leaders.”
There was none, and so was the Council of the Engrion formed.
I find the term “Engroni” instead of Knight or Men-of-All fascinating. And that Hrestol actually renounced his heresy, and that it was Faralz that returned him to the way of the Engroni.
Also note the importance of the Vadeli in the story!
Engron was the name Greg initially used for “knights”. He then started calling them “knights” because he thought he had a better chance of getting the story published.