Rosewood

Morning Star

Overview

An Orccodro traveler from a small island in the outer seas, she arrived in Ciaran during the Sacred Dragon War, briefly worked as a guide, and later joined Dolores' team, leading the mortal heroes to the Abyss Temple.

Chapter One

(18074–18182, Era of Frost Veil) Member of the Rogue Squad. At the Sacred Dragon War's end, Cologne Orccodros fleeing to Elgron were scattered by the Kingdom, separating families. To escape its brutality, they chose the sea. A storm soon drove them off course, and days later, low on food and water, they landed on an unnamed isle. The island was not large, but in contrast to the war-torn path home, this tranquil and peaceful isle felt like paradise. About a hundred years later, the daughter of the village chief, Karin, was born on this island, which is now known as Emerald Isle. From a young age, Karin was fascinated by the world beyond Emerald Isle. Despite limited contact—a monthly boat exchanging fish for goods—she eagerly awaited its arrival. In the stories passed down from her parents and grandparents, Ciaran was depicted as a place like hell, filled with tragedies, death, and despair. From the boat's fragments, Karin uncovered a different world.one that was vast, colorful, and beautiful, albeit overshadowed by the war. One night, her curiosity surpassed her elders' teachings, and beneath the stars, she vowed to cross the sea, even if it led to hell. Her first attempt failed when she was dragged off the boat before departure and locked in the attic for a month to reflect. A month was enough for Karin to reflect, build her own boat, learn navigation, and gather supplies, all while staying true to her vow. A year later, Karin was ready for her second attempt. With her grandfather's staff, she boarded the bamboo raft she had made and set sail, armed with only a cloth for a sail. She was then stranded at sea for 18 days before being rescued by a passing boat and sent to the nearest Ciaran mainland port. Despite setbacks, Karin reached her destination and began her journey through Ciaran, staff in hand, gathering travel knowledge. Even before Karin was born, the winds had whispered blessings upon her.With an innate sense of direction, a body adaptable to any environment, and timely luck, she was a natural traveler. To her surprise, not long after, Karin went from being someone who needed a guide to becoming a guide herself. Initially, Karin's travels were confined to southern Ciaran, where she earned a living as a guide. But as she grew, so did her desire and courage to explore, eventually venturing into war-torn regions…By the 18091, Era of Frost Veil, Karin had become a well-known guide. Karin's affordable, professional services took her to remote, dangerous areas, but her constant travel made her hard to find. But travel was everything to Karin. It was the life she longed for, and she was content with it. Climbing mountains, crossing streams, gazing at deserts, wandering forests, exploring valleys, wading swamps, camping caves, sliding tundra, praising sunrises, strolling grasslands.Everything was beautiful... except for the wars. Karin had seen much and witnessed countless tragedies. Crossing ruined walls, endless graveyards, or disease-ridden battlefields, the stench of burning flesh and blood left her dizzy, and she could only sigh. Everything began because of the war, and everything was consumed by it...But what could a small traveler like Karin do?

Chapter Two

One day, Karin received an offer she couldn't refuse. The task was similar to usual: to guide someone to a destination, but this time is was special—The Abyss. Karin had never considered going to the Abyss before, for she didn't know how to reach a place that didn't exist on any map, not for she didn't want to... and now, here was a chance she couldn't miss. Moreover, the huge reward—enough to cover a lifetime of travel expenses—made Karin hesitate not at all. She set off to meet her client. A few days later, Karin finally met Dolores. Under the protection of a magic contract, Karin learned Dolores' true aim.She wanted Karin to guide her to the Key of the Moon, the Abyss Portal, and the Abyssal Temple to destroy the god's war-fueling laboratory and restore peace. Such a fantastical plan made Karin skeptical, far more so than believing in it. She did want to end the war, but after seeing so many tragedies across Ciaran, Karin doubted if such a method could really end it. And even if Dolores' story was true, the chances of success were minimal... But, what if it could be done? Considering the enormous reward and the temptation of exploring the Abyss, Karin agreed for this job seemed like no loss to her. Karin knew the danger of the journey. While not afraid, she, as a professional, warned Dolores of the risks. They were two weak mortals chasing a fleeting hope for peace.The Squad's name was changed to "Rogue Squad," and despite this, Dolores remained unfazed. With everything done, Karin, the guide of the Rogue Squad, set off with Dolores to find the Key of the Moon guarded by the Dragon Queen, Danni. The guiding job was unusually dangerous. Passing through an Orccodro warlord's stronghold, Karin was detained as a suspected spy until Dolores convinced Rosalyn and Debbie to release her. The now larger Rogue Squad headed toward the main battlefield where Danni was stationed. With the help of two talented yet ordinary companions, they seemed to be getting closer to their goal. Karin, learning from a past mistake, avoided army gatherings, choosing wild paths and even crossing mountains to dodge scouts and patrols. They slipped past a battlefield littered with corpses and neared Danni's camp. After planning carefully, the Squad created a diversion and sent stealth expert Debbie into Danni's tent. By the time Danni noticed the Key and angel-communicating ring were missing, Karin and the team were on their way to the Alliance camp. The existence of the ring that allowed communication with angels lit up Karin's eyes—it confirmed that everything Dolores had said was true. If this war was the will of the gods, then destroying their intent could bring peace...Perhaps Karin was a not-so-clean hand toward the peace imprisoned in the Abyss. The ring was left with the Alliance, and the Rogue Squad, to avoid the Kingdom's assault on the Moon Key, headed toward Calliopsis, who controlled the Abyss Portal. This journey was even more difficult and dangerous. To avoid the Danni's army chasing them to reclaim the Key, Karin found her role as guide more challenging. She had to choose perilous, remote routes. Several times, Karin saw Queen Danni and her guards... Through her intuition, Karin shook off their pursuers. This cat-and-mouse game wore the Squad down, but luckily they managed to find Yasor's retreating army in the vast crowd and located Calliopsis. With the Key of the Moon, and Abyss Portal secured from Calliopsis, however, the passage to the Abyss couldn't be opened without magic. Danni and her guards were closing in, leaving the mages under Yasor's command as the only source of magical energy for the Abyss Portal. At a critical moment, Calliopsis approached Yasor and miraculously convinced her. Yasor, leading her forces, intercepted Danni and her guards from charging into the camp, holding them off until she was killed. On the other side, with the aid of a Yasor's mage, the squad managed to activate the Abyssal Portal.At the threshold, Karin took one last look at her world. The Abyss loomed ahead, a one-way journey, and she regretted the beauty she'd never see.Was this journey worth the risk of never returning? Absolutely. Karin stepped into the Abyss without hesitation, knowing that if she didn't return, she'd sever her last link to the world—but if the Rogue Squad succeeded...If she could return, she'd witness a world at peace, free from the shadow of war, a world more beautiful than she'd ever dreamed.

Chapter Three

Meanwhile, the Rogue Squad reached the Abyss. Despite disruptions diverting them from the temple, they pressed on toward their destined point deep within. Karin had heard countless tales of the Abyss, but standing in its legendary landscape awed her. Its harsh environment and hidden dangers surpassed all she'd imagined. Karin's years of travel guided the squad through trials, helping them endure as they neared the sacred temple.Karin spoke with demons, learning that the Abyss was not just darkness, but a realm of war, suffering, civilizations, and wonders. She began to see it as an extension of their world.They reached the sacred temple, its defenses impenetrable and kingdom soldiers guarding every entrance. One misstep meant certain doom. The torment of being so close yet so far was unbearable. Karin halted the squad, acknowledging their limits. They had come so far, but now, with no way forward, they could only wait for a miracle.And then, against all odds, the miracle came. A horde of demons attacked the temple, drawing the attention of nearly every guard.This was the only chance—the best chance, and the last chance. With a final, desperate push, the squad breached the temple. Dolores, holding the Key of the Moon, led them to its innermost chamber. As the Key activated, the "Storm of Sorrow" began. The calamity struck without warning. Without the aid of an unexpected ally, Karin knew she could never have led the squad safely out of the Abyss. And yet, against all odds, the Rogue Squad succeeded—though in a way no one could have foreseen. The destruction of the Abyssal temple and the loss of the god's laboratory may have shattered its resolve to continue the war. The world staggered under the "Storm of Sorrow," leaving both the Kingdom and the Alliance too weakened to fight. Karin felt immense gratitude for being alive, but the sight of the ravaged land weighed heavily on her heart. As Dolores once said, the eternal war had ended—at least for now. The storm of conflict had finally subsided.The world lay in ruins, scarred by calamity, and most survivors, unlike Karin, couldn't thrive without a broken civilization. The cost was high, but it was finally over. Before the Rogue Squad disbanded, Karin received her reward from Dolores, hugged each member, and turned toward the distant horizon. Once again alone, Karin chose not to return to her old life as a guide. She had earned more than enough to live on, and now she set off on a new journey—one that spanned the entire world of Mirren. For a time, Karin's whereabouts grew shrouded in mystery, yet reports of her presence emerged from nearly every corner of the world. This time, no war stood in her way, and she was free to explore a world made brighter by hard-won peace. The seasons changed, and even Karin's energy began to fade. Her journey couldn't go on forever; it was time to rest. Her map showed only one place left to visit. That place became her final stop. After leaving Emerald Isle, Karin settled there and wrote The Wanderer's Journey Through the World, earning widespread fame. In the end, Karin returned to her roots, finding peace in Elgron, her unvisited homeland, and laid her restless soul to rest.

Historical Notes

Emerald Isle: Emerald Isle, once a desolate land on Ciaran's far western seas, was discovered by orccodros fleeing the Sacred Dragon War, sparking the rise of a secluded civilization. The island stayed isolated, its residents enforcing strict no-contact policies and keeping it shrouded in mystery. By 233 in the Era of Eternal Flame, its disappearance was noticed, but no one knew when or why it vanished from maps. Elgron: Located southeast of Ciaran, across the Storm Seas, Aelgron is the ancient, revered homeland of the orccodros who later settled in Ciaran. The Wanderer's Journey Through the World: Though it may simply be classified as a hefty travelogue, this book documents nearly every known corner of the world of Mirren. Karin's book meticulously details transportation, landscapes, and customs of distant lands. Some entries remain invaluable references, making it a "sacred text" for future explorers. Karin is celebrated as one of the greatest travelers of the late Era of Frost Veil.