There were giants in Alfantol during the days when MM first entered
that fair land. Profound were the discussions of these giants on the Words
of the Master, and all rejoiced to hear them and to speak with the
giants, for the giants were humble, and gave ear even unto the voices
of those who had lesser knowledge than them. It is said that in those
days, MM did himself take delight in those discussions; that he was not
then wholly fallen. The truth of this will never be known, but MM's
knowledge of the Master's works waxed as he hearkened unto the gentle
debates that did then prevail in Alfantol.
But alas! The giants heard the call of RL, and one by one they passed
from the land of Alfantol. And as they left, MM began to believe
himself their heir in wisdom, for his knowledge of the Words of the
Master was by then great indeed. So it came to pass that MM began to
mock the voices of those whose knowledge of the Master he judged
inferior (and there were very few who were not so judged). And in
fullness of time, he came to believe that he alone truly understood the
words of the Master; that where others differed with him, it was
because they had not the wit to understand the Master's thought. And he began
to answer the queries of seekers after knowledge with sneering
condescension: "Waste not my time with thy witless words, fool. Seek
your answers in the annals of deja.com, and all will be as clear, for
my words are recorded there."
Thus did MM first seek to limit the discussions in the land of
Alfantol, which had hitherto been free, and those who who had but lately arrived
in that land were cowed by him; and many worshipped him, believing his
wisdom to be truly great. But there were still in Alfantol those who
remembered the days before MM came there; and the days of the giants.
And their wrath was kindled by MM's arrogance and condescension. So
they came forth, and they challenged him. To this challenge, MM
responded with blazing wrath, and thus began the War of Fierce Flame.
For nigh unto two years did the War endure, and all of Alfantol was
scorched; for flames blazed forth from the hosts of the Defenders of
Alfantol as well as the hosts of MM.
In those days, there dwelt in Alfantol the TEUNCs. And the TEUNCs
differed from the other denizens of Alfantol, for their love for the
Master expressed itself in simple joy, and levity. And in this levity
MM found the greatest threat to his power, and he sought to rally those
who had fallen under his thrall against the TEUNCs. The TEUNCs' exile
from Alfantol, and their return and their part in the overthrow of MM
is recounted in the works of the sage Karlingalas, and is not repeated
here.
Of the others who had only lately entered Alfantol, many fell under
MM's thrall for they knew not of MM's past, and saw only his knowledge and
his feigned innocence. Indeed, MM was devious in his ways, and his
tongue could spew honey as well as poison. And he ever protested that
he desired but peace, and that peace would have prevailed were it not
for the vile acts of the Defenders of Alfantol. But through all this,
though he feigned for times to cease his flames, his arrogance and
condescension continued unabated, and the anger of the Defenders of
Alfantol grew the greater, and their hearts the stronger and their
spirits the fiercer.
Thus it came to pass that more and more of the residents of Alfantol
began to percieve that the faults of MM were the true cause of the wars
that had marred Alfantol, and began to oppose him. Then MM, perceiving
that dominion over Alfantol would never be his, departed from Alfantol,
and withdrew to the land of Xenite, his home of old, and he began to
establish his dominion there and in other fora, less ancient than
Alfantol, for he believed that there he would encounter less resistance
than in Alfantol. At first, some of those who had fought longest and
hardest against him followed him to those fora, and sought to rouse the
people against him. But they despaired of the futility of their cause
and, at length, returned to Alfantol. Yet their anger against him was
not quenched, and remains strong to this day, for they know that the
desire for dominion that caused MM's fall has not been destroyed, but
is merely diverted for the present.
And in those days, the TEUNCs set about the great task of healing the
hurts that the War of Fierce Flame had caused to Alfantol. By their
mirth and gaiety was this task accomplished, and thus you see now that
the debates and discussions have resumed as of old, but with more
levity, merriment and laughter, for the spirit of teuncing now rules
Alfantol, and the TEUNCs are held in great honour and regard in that
land.