Interlude: The Birth of the Rankings

Long after Asalan had sung the world of Narn into existence and the Great Evil was vanquished by the first wielders of the Aryas, the world entered an era of growth and prosperity. The Tracient clans multiplied, each distinct in their strengths and abilities. For generations, peace reigned, guided by the wisdom of the Grand Lords who had inherited the sacred duty to protect Narn.

But peace was not eternal.

As the centuries passed, power began to corrupt the hearts of some Tracients. Even those who once swore loyalty to Narn turned their backs on their homeland. These renegade Tracients, many of whom were exceptionally powerful, threatened the balance that Asalan had entrusted to the world. Entire clans were drawn into their treachery, casting aside their vows to Narn to follow their wayward leaders.

The chaos they wrought was devastating. Entire regions were left in ruins, and their destruction almost rivaled even the ancient battles against the Great Evil. The Grand Lords of the 3rd Era,- 30 million years after the great battle-desperate to prevent history from repeating itself, knew that Narn could not survive such betrayal again. They devised a solution—one that would transcend time itself.

The System of Özel and Hazël

The Grand Lords of the 3rd Era, wielding the full might of their Aryas, combined their power to create a system that would forever weave itself into the very fabric of the universe. To enact this system, they invoked a Mana Vow at the cost of their lives—a sacrifice so great that their very existence became part of the Worlds essence.

This system gave birth to the Özel and Hazël rankings. It was a safeguard, a way to identify and measure the strength of every Tracient who reached exceptional levels of power. Whether or not they wielded an Arcem, Tracients who achieved a certain level of mastery over Mana would automatically be recognized by the system as Özel, their strength quantified and ranked.

The Meaning of the Rankings

Özel:

Tracients who have reached the threshold of extraordinary power are designated as Özel. Their rank is determined numerically, based on their overall strength and capabilities. An Özel possesses power that can alter the landscape itself—a single Maximum Mana Blast from an Özel can vaporize an entire mountain.

Hazël:

When an Özel surpasses even greater milestones, they ascend to the rank of Hazël. This is the pinnacle of Tracient abilities, reserved for those whose power transcends the limits of ordinary understanding. The gap between an Özel and a Hazël is immeasurable. Where an Özel can destroy a mountain, a Hazël's Maximum Mana Blast can obliterate twenty mountains with ease.

Even among the Hazël, there is a hierarchy. Each Hazël is numbered, with the rank of Hazël #1 signifying the strongest of all. These numbers serve as a marker of their capabilities and allow the Grand Lords to observe their strength and determine if they pose a danger to Narn.

A Legacy of Vigilance

This system, woven into the essence of the universe, ensured that no Tracient could rise to power unnoticed. It was both a safeguard and a reminder of the cost of betrayal. The Grand Lords of the 3rd Era gave their lives to create this order, leaving behind a legacy of vigilance for the generations that followed.

Now, as the 200th Era unfolds, the echoes of their sacrifice resonate. The Özel and Hazël system endures, a silent observer of those who rise to power and a measure by which strength is known. But as the prophecy of the Stone Table begins to take shape, the question remains:

Will the system be enough to protect Narn from the shadow that threatens to consume it once again?