//------------------------------//
// The Story of King Sombra’s Ring 
// Story: Ogres and Oubliettes: The Gathering 
// by GoebelTron 
//------------------------------//

The world has changed.

I feel it in the water.

I feel it in the earth.

I smell it in the air.

Much that once was, is lost. For none now live who remember it.

It all began thousands of years ago when there was peace and harmony among all others, and when the Royal Sisters and the Six Pillars came together and formed a fellowship to protect their land from any threat that would seek to destroy them.

One princess, who was as beautiful, majestic and powerful as the sun, kindhearted to her subjects as they enjoyed her dreams of peace and prosperity for everyone, and her sister, wise and determined as the shining moon, protecting her subjects’ dreams from nefarious nightmares, as terrifying as the shadows of the moon at night, filling people’s dreams to brim with fright.

Soon, a crystal seed was formed, which grew into a force of light magic, gifted with the ability to sustain and preserve life throughout the lands, a Tree of Harmony. For within the roots and every seed of this sacred tree was bound the strength and will to govern each and every part of the land.

But they were all of them deceived, as sometimes, others will soon learned that they wanted more. However, one did.

For a powerful ring was made. Deep in the lands of Infernal Kingdom, in the fires of the volcanic depths of Death Mountain, King Sombra, the dark lord, whose heart was black as night, forged in secret a Ring, to control all others around him. And into this Ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life.

One Ring to rule them all, before he began to ravage the world, in an event known as the Great Calamity. One by one, the free lands of the mystical world fell to the power of the Ring, with many villagers and their guards struggling to stay alive as they are attacked by the wickedness Sombra’s Ring brought upon them, and enslaving all men and women alike. Darkness fell as the subjects of every known region beg their princesses, the Royal Sisters and their magical friends to save them. A group led by a noble sorcerer known only as the Grand Wizard Starswirl the Bearded, and his followers, the Pillars: Somnambula, Rockhoof, Mage Meadowbrook, Flash Magnus, and Mistmane.

For a thousand years, the battle has been waged, with only the bravery of the Royal Sisters and the Pillars to protect all of their followers. But even though their magic was undeniably powerful when formed together, the dark lord’s armies continued their attacks. They had no chance against the king’s dark magic, as he began to seek taking control over the Tree of Harmony in his will. But the tides of war were soon to change, as Sombra’s power continued to raise a calamitous level against those who resisted his rule.

And on the slopes of Death Mountain, they fought for the freedom of the mystical world. Victory was near. But the power of the Ring, could not be undone.

It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Celestia and Luna took up their chances. In order to save the kingdoms, the two sisters used a huge amount of magic to conjure up a mystic spell seal. Sombra, the enemy of the free people of the mystical world, was defeated.

He was ultimately overthrown, turned into shadow, and banished to the depths of the underworld for eternity, never to be heard from again.

But not before he was able to put a curse upon his ring. A curse that caused it to carry his spirit and power.

The Ring however passed to a young paladin named Stygian, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever. But the hearts of many, are easily corrupted. And the Ring of Power has a will of its own. It betrayed him to his sorrow and guilt, but sometimes those of many can be forgiven, even if they never meant to harm anyone, but wanted their respect. And some things that should not have been forgotten, were lost forever. History became legend, legend became myth. And for two and a half hundred years, the Ring passed out of all knowledge.

One hundred years later, a prophecy warned of the return of Sombra. Hoping to prepare in the same fashion as they once did, the royal sisters and the pillars began working to locate and excavate the Tree of Harmony. However, another legend spoke of seven legendary champions from each of the mystical world’s regions who were chosen to form together as a new order, and help keep the world safe. Meanwhile, Princess Celestia was determined to awaken her and her sister’s power and prayed at the three springs of the goddess of the magical world, but their efforts were met with failure. Minutes after she and Luna had finished praying at the Spring of Wisdom, Sombra broke the seal that kept him dormant.

In a move unanticipated by the Royal Sisters and the Pillars, as Sombra’s revival grew nearer, the number of monsters found throughout the lands increased. After the dark lord’s revival, many signs if darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a shadow in the East, whispers of a nameless sight of fear. And as the Ring of Power perceived, its time had now come. But something happened then the Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable.

“What’s this?”

A young traveler, Bertram Pendragon of the Golden Oaks Shire.

“A ring.”

For many years, it was held in possession of the traveler. As long as the ring still exists, Sombra’s darkness will never fade unless, if one uses hope and love over the darkness of hatred and fear, those things are reflected across all of the mystical world. And on that dark day, there may be no hope for anyone, and no one to save us, since the greatest battle is about to begin.