"Background Excerpt Stillness" by Jorieke ´JoSav´ Savelkouls

In time going as far back as the Ice Ages, man inhabited the valleys north to the Balkan Region. Different clans and families living side by side peacefully, hunting, gathering, and cultivating crops in early agriculture. Domestication of the wild horse, wolf, boar and cattle was a slow and time-consuming process. Yet, upon expansion of knowledge and erudition, man not only tamed various species of mammal but also forged tools of bone and rock, ornaments of gold, silver and copper.

Man worshipped all living things as they were all born and nurtured from the lap of the Great Mother, She Who Casts Her Name In All.

During that epoch, there was no war, no odium, and no malevolence. Almighty, was the ancient balance in which none craved more than they could receive. But it could not last forever, nothing lasts forever.

Friction arose upon the arrival of a new clan. They had come from the outskirts of the World, farther than any could imagine, from the frontier of mainland to the east, until one would encounter an ocean even vaster than the one by the land of Gaul. They were the battleaxe people.

The indigenous of the valleys, who called themselves The Children of Daei or Daeiun, accepted the battleaxe people though not without hesitation.

Bringing knowledge with them of the wheel, mount, plough, and even alcohol, the nomads were eventually tolerated. Well known and admired for their weaponry such as crooning bows, hand axes, and light spears, the battleaxe people were feared for the handful of mayhem seekers amongst them, those set to control the indigenous, their culture, and their way of life. And these few nomads destroyed the fragile balance they had all fended for.

War tore up the land and knowledge was lost as to why Nomads and Daeiun were sworn enemies.

But there would be one to unite them, one who was different from them all, and yet the same.

One who had no home, and was not tied down by prejudice, rank or birthright for she had none, she belonged nowhere.

The battleaxe people were mistakenly called Kurgan, after their burial tombs, they were portrayed as savages, barbarians, or even godforsaken murderers.

Truth told another tale. Misunderstood for centuries, the battleaxe people awaited futilely for their story to be recognized. Now, truth would finally be revealed. For the battleaxe people were anything but barbarous.

This story is based on myth, and legend. However most of all, this story is based on actual events.

Where men and women fought side by side, united by the will to survive. Intrepid and valiant, nothing would ever stop them from achieving what they needed most, not even death. For what they needed was to live in peace, as equals, as they always had, since the beginning of time.

Where horses danced in flames, bursting forward in a thundering dart, they feared nothing. Courageous as they were, these animals would die for their masters, these animals were worshipped and revered, these animals were feared by those unfamiliar with their truth. For, afraid they were, mortal they were. Even if it seemed at times they were divinity itself, they did die. Yet would be worshipped by their masters forever.

Known for their skill in husbandry, their knowledge of herbs and other resources, the battleaxe people had far greater skills than weaponry or warfare. For they wanted nothing more than to live in peace alongside the indigenous of the land by the current Carpathians. This is their story, and above all, this is the story of their life.