To explain the Order of the Black Fox, my friends, one of course must start at the beginning, a place most mortals consider wise and prudent. And while there be other places to start, to be sure, that be another tale, for another time.

In the glowing warmth of the sixth month of Arhat the Fire Lion, in 332, the Year of the Amber Phoenix, a pact was made in a tiny hollow called Black Fox, named for the rare and gentle foxes that once resided deep in the shadowed forests south of Leth Deriel. Fourteen families there were, all with future-sight, all knowing the realms of Elanthia would not be remote and protected forever.

They saw that trouble would stir and whirl as winter winds, and prepared for the hordes of strangers certain to converge on their beloved lands in search of natural ore-wealth and gems, and the adventure of the wildest hunts. Troubled times already had begun, and beasts foul and vile, fang and talon bared, had begun to inch closer to the hollow. So the fourteen families came together to take control of their destiny, and met in a shimmering field on a clear summer's day with the sun blessing their skin, and agreed to this: They would send their firstborn -- be they lad or lass -- to the far northern reaches of the Realms; there to be schooled near the forestal Paladin stronghold called Theren. There, they would study the ways of honor, and how to live one's life true. And they would return to Leth Deriel, strong and right and filled with the might of knowledge.

As they disbanded on that sunny, fateful day to return to their homes, the lead speaker placed his fist to his chest and peered at each of the others in turn, saying in the ancient Elven tongue: "Fian nath dairia" ... May your path be ever straight

Within the month, their children had left the hollow, and its legends, behind.

Now, ye surely be thinking, "These fourteen children were raised as Paladins, having grown in the looming shadow of Theren Keep itself." Not so, dear friends, though learn wondrous ways they did. Ye see, 'twas customary for men and women of every race and every Guild to gather at the Keep, there to study the ways of honor and truth. They were the first children ever to be raised thusly at the Keep, and they passed fifteen Elanthian summers with those gallant leaders of learning, the Paladin Knights. They studied of honor, gentleness and strength, and of the trades of the Realms from the many people of many Guilds drawn to the Keep. Thus, each child grew to adulthood, and was able to choose his or her own path in life, and learn it in an honorable and diverse way.

They grew close, these fourteen youths, and no matter their choice of trade, considered each a member of his or her own family. Their time in Theren was fleet, as time will be, and the day came when those once children would return to their homes as men and women, all well respected in the Guilds of their choosing. Together, they made the happy journey south, there to be reunited with their loved ones.

But as the children had grown strong and wise, their homeland had fallen into disarray. The future-sight of their families was upon them, and the lands were fraught with evil beings and evil deeds. Many newcomers were starving because they knew little of the hunting grounds and the ways of survival in a strange land. The Guilds had grown weak, most of the elders having passed on or been killed in battle, and the new members struggled to maintain each Guild's ways. In truth, all of Elanthia was suffering, writhing in a lack of truth and knowledge.

Distressed but not disheartened, the group of fourteen came together, much as their parents had and in the same field, to continue the wisdom of their elders. They founded an Order, a guiding council of fourteen to which Elanthia could look for leadership on how to survive; for guidance on how to lead one's life true; and for learning how best to speak and act in brotherhood and sisterhood, so as not to offend. Most importantly, they called on the ways of their teachers to form roundtable forums for the people of the lands, where all and any could go to speak and be heard. For indeed, the Council had learned from their elders that in sharing power, one becomes the most powerful of all.

When they disbanded that day to return to their homes, the lead speaker, guided by some vague, haunting memory from childhood, placed his fist to his chest, peered at each of the others in turn, and said in the ancient Elven tongue: "Fian nath dairia ... May your path be ever straight."

Thus, was born the Order of the Black Fox.