The Dawn of Time

In the epoch when the earth was young, and the stars themselves whispered secrets to the verdant lands below, the Elves, in their primal majesty, dwelled in harmonious unity. Their dominions were as jewels set upon the world's crown, gleaming with the pure light of prosperity and peace. Their magics, profound and boundless, rivaled the power of the gods, setting the very air ablaze with the potential of creation and destruction.

The Rise of the Miresgalnor

Yet, amidst this utopian existence, ambition's seeds found fertile soil. The Miresgalnor, a lineage of Elves unmatched in their pursuit of power, sought to ascend beyond the terrestrial, their cities reaching skyward, a testament to their unrivaled ambition and technological marvels. Their quest for godhood, however, would not go unnoticed.

They built great cities, and golems that were as tall as the titans, and more powerful. They mastered the ability to travel the astral plane and built great ships to travel rifts that were ancient even at this time. These rifts led to new worlds and knowledge.

There were many wars with the illithid (The mind-flayer) and the Githyanki people. Miresgalnor spread to many worlds beyond their own.

5,000 Years Ago: The Wrath of the Titans

The Titans, ancient custodians of cosmic balance, viewed the Miresgalnor's audacity with disdain. In a divine fury, they descended, their wrath shattering the Miresgalnor's cities, casting them into shadow. This cataclysm banished the Miresgalnor to the depths, to a realm of eternal night, yet it could not quench their indomitable spirit.

The Miresgalnor rebuilt ancient cities in the Underdark, and created a massive empire. This empire would eventually crumble through civil war into the Kingdoms of Mithilnir, Celebenhel, Cevenhel, Selfanhel Rustfanhel were formed. The Angoren returned to the world above, but their kingdom soon fell and their people scattered.

Each Kingdom, left alone and isolated to forge their own destiny.

3,000 Years Ago: The Age of the Celestial Heroes

From the ashes of their fall, in the shadowed embrace of the Underdark, the Miresgalnor were reborn as the Mithilnir Drow. In the annals of the Mithilnir Drow, the saga unfolds as a tapestry woven with threads of celestial blood, arcane mastery, and the whispers of forgotten deities. From the primordial depths of the Underdark emerged the Miresgalnor, a proud and resilient people born of exile and tempered by the harsh embrace of their subterranean realm. The Mithilnir Drow carved their dominion from the endless caverns and labyrinthine tunnels that stretched beneath the world's surface. They erected grand cities adorned with spires of obsidian and halls of shimmering crystal, their craftsmanship a testament to their ingenuity and perseverance amidst the unforgiving darkness.

Their leaders, Celestial Kings, and Queens, birthed the noble houses of the Mithilnir, with Malekith ascending to the Obsidian Throne as the greatest among them. They mingled their blood with the Drow Nobility, ensuring that all could trace their lineage back to a great Celestial Hero of this age. T'saran, Malekith's wife, sculpted the Obsidian Throne within the great hall, a symbol of regal authority that future monarchs would ascend to this day.

2,980 Years Ago: The Construction of the Hall of Heroes and the Sacrifice of Xynd'rath

The Celestials of the time were Hero Kings, who plundered ancient relics, fought great monsters, and were legends in their own time. They established noble houses.

The greatest among them next to Malekith was the Celestial Xynd'rath, whose name was sung with reverence and whose counsel was sought by the greatest of lords. He stood as the right hand to King Malekith. His origins, shrouded in the mists of the ancient forests, were as mysterious as the night sky, yet his presence was as luminous as the moon's glow upon the silver leaves of the Eldar trees. Xynd'rath, known for his gregarious wit and boundless wisdom, was a beacon of light in the darkening world, guiding the kingdom with a gentle yet unyielding hand.

He had boundless mercy for those he admired, and none for those he considered unworthy.

The tale of his noble house's founding begins with a deed of unparalleled bravery. An army of demons, vile creatures spawned from the churning chaos of the hells, besieged the lands of Mithilnir, their malice a blight upon the earth. From a portal dark and ominous, they poured forth, a tide of shadows threatening to engulf the world in eternal night. It was Xynd'rath, fearless and resolute, who stood against this tide. With a heart as valiant as the legendary heroes of old, he gathered to him a band of the bravest warriors and mages, their spirits kindled by his indomitable will. Together, they faced the horde, Xynd'rath leading the charge, his blade a sliver of starlight cleaving through the darkness.

Yet, the cost of such courage was dear. In the shadow of victory, as the last of the demons fell and the portal began to close, Xynd'rath knew that the gate could not be sealed from their side alone. With a heavy heart, he stepped into the maw of the abyss, his sacrifice a final act of defiance against the encroaching darkness. The portal closed with a thunderous roar, sealing away the hells and saving the kingdom, but at the cost of its brightest star. Xynd'rath's light was extinguished, his essence merging with the fabric of the realm he had saved, his memory a beacon for all who valued courage and sacrifice.

In the wake of his passing, his heir, carrying the weight of profound grief and boundless admiration, commissioned a statue of pure obsidian in Xynd'rath's likeness. This effigy, resplendent in the Hall of Heroes within the grand Palace of Mithilnir, stood not only as a monument to Xynd'rath but as a testament to the ideals he embodied. The hall, lined with the statues of the valiant, became a place of pilgrimage, a sacred space where the tales of heroes were told and retold, their deeds inspiring generations to come. Thus, the legacy of Celestial Xynd'rath, the First Advisor, lived on, his wisdom and wit remembered, his sacrifice a guiding light in the tapestry of the kingdom's storied past.

2,700 Years Ago: The Death of Malekith and the Addition of Statues to the Hall of Heroes

In the golden age of Mithilnir, when the kingdom was yet bathed in the untarnished light of dawn and the echoes of creation still whispered through the ancient woods, there lived a queen of unparalleled grace. Celestial T'saran, consort to King Malekith, was a vision of elven beauty, her presence a melody that resonated in the hearts of all who beheld her. Her voice, a harmonious blend of music and magic, could soothe the most troubled soul, and her wisdom illuminated the paths of those who walked in darkness. It was said that the stars themselves dimmed in envy of her radiance, and the moon sought her counsel in the quietude of the night.

Amidst the splendor of the royal palace, Queen T'saran envisioned a realm of beauty that would reflect the serenity and majesty of the natural world. With a heart full of love for her people and the land that cradled them, she commissioned the creation of a grand garden within the palace grounds. This garden, a living tapestry of flowers, trees, and shimmering pools, became a sanctuary of honor, its paths winding like the course of destiny itself. Within its embrace, T'saran carved obsidian statues in honor of the kingdom's most revered heroes: Malekith, her noble husband, whose wisdom guided their people through times of peace and war; Vel'sharen, the Astromancer, whose gaze pierced the veils of the heavens, navigating the fates; Zha'nyl, the greatest celestial warrior, whose mastery of the Draa velve inspired legions; and Drathir, the Traveler, whose knowledge spanned the realms.

As each of these founding heroes passed, their statue was erected.

Upon the death of King Malekith, T'saran, in her boundless resilience, formed her own noble house and refused to rule. She passed the crown to her son Prince Numenor.

She continued to advise him as a beacon of hope and continuity. It was then that she remarried, her heart finding solace and kinship in the company of Astralgyx, a valiant drow minstrel whose songs of love and valor echoed T'saran's own spirit. Their love, a thing of legend, was a melody that transcended the bounds of time, a symphony of hearts entwined by fate. Together, they walked the paths of the garden, their laughter and whispers a testament to the enduring power of love.

In the twilight of her days, T'saran's light, like the setting sun, gently faded from the world, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, wisdom, and love. In honor of her memory, Astralgyx, with hands that had once caressed the strings of his lute to sing of heroes and legends, carved a statue of T'saran in the Hall of Heroes. There, amidst the figures of the valiant, her effigy stood, a silent guardian of the garden and the kingdom she cherished. Her statue, like those she crafted herself, became a symbol of the eternal beauty and grace that she embodied, her spirit forever enshrined in the heart of Mithilnir, watching over the realm she loved with the tenderness of the stars themselves.

2,600 Years Ago: The last Hero to be added to the Hall of Heroes - Kael'zorl

A young celestial named Kael'zorl whose courage and intellect shone as brightly as the stars under which he was born was the scion of a lesser house.

 His name was etched into the annals of Mithilnir's history during a tumultuous period of war, where darkness sought to claim dominion over light. Amidst this strife, a formidable Necromancer rose, casting a shadow of despair across the lands. It was then that Kael'zorl, armed with nothing but his valor and a star-forged blade, stepped forth to challenge this tide of darkness. By his hand, the Necromancer was vanquished, his legions scattered to the winds, heralding a new dawn for the realm.

Yet, it was not only his prowess in battle that distinguished Kael'zorl but also the bonds of friendship and loyalty he forged. Among these was his deep and enduring friendship with King Numenor, the heir to the throne of Malekith. Side by side, they stood in battle, their swords a barrier against the encroaching darkness, their camaraderie a light that not even the deepest shadows could dim. In the heat of combat, when all seemed lost, and the specter of defeat loomed large, Kael'zorl defended Numenor with a ferocity that belied his celestial grace. With a defiant roar, he turned the tide, saving his friend and future king from the jaws of death. This act of valor not only cemented their bond but also became a tale sung by the minstrels of Mithilnir, a testament to the unbreakable ties of friendship and loyalty.

In the wake of war's shadow, Kael'zorl turned his gaze toward the flourishing of peace and prosperity. As the head of House Kael'zorl, he envisioned a realm where commerce thrived, bound by the principles of fairness and integrity. He established the first system of fair trade, minting coins that bore the seal of unity and trust, fostering an age of prosperity that bridged the divides between the diverse peoples of Mithilnir. His wisdom and fairness in trade became the pillars upon which the kingdom's wealth was built, his name synonymous with honor and equity. He built his house into one of the greatest through shrewd trading and fair dealings.

As the seasons of his life drew to their close, Kael'zorl passed into legend, leaving behind a legacy that would echo through the ages. In the hallowed Hall of Heroes, where the effigies of the valiant stand guard over history, a new and final statue was unveiled. Carved from the heart of darkness taken from the Necromancer's throne, it bore the likeness of Kael'zorl, his eyes forever fixed on the horizon of a future he had helped secure.

The six greatest houses of the age were enshrined in the hall of heroes. There were several other Celestials, many of whom had legendary deeds as well, these six were the most powerful and prestigious among all the noble houses next to the ruling House Malekith.


2,500 Years Ago: The Reign of the Mad King Numenor

In later years, King Numenor would become arrogant, and sadistic - often prone to fits of rage that bore signs of magic. Yet, as Monarch his word was absolute and any who dared to advise him were often tortured or executed. The legacy of his father King Malekith became tarnished and the Prince truly became the mad king. Many suspected it was his battle with the dark lord and the undead that led to his increasing madness.

Some believed that the children of Celestials and Drows were cursed.

Despite being a hero in the early days of the kingdom, King Numenor's later rule marked a dark chapter in the history of Mithilnir. His descent into madness and tyranny cast long shadows over the land.

Chaos gripped the heart of the Mithilnir Kingdom as the Mad King Numenor ascended to the throne of House Malekith. His mind ensnared by shadows and whispers, he ruled with an iron fist, his decrees sowing discord and strife among his subjects - setting them against one another and creating strife. Assassinations were common, but often pointless as ally and enemy of the crown alike had reason to fear their King. He saw it as sport - a great game he was playing in which every move on the board was another chance to destroy corruption - manifesting as paranoia.

As the Kingdom teetered on the brink of collapse, whispers of rebellion spread like wildfire through the land, igniting the flames of dissent and defiance.

In the darkest hour, when all hope seemed lost, the noble houses of the Mithilnir Drow rose as one, their banners unfurled and their blades sharpened for battle. Led by the valiant warriors of House Zha'nyl and the cunning strategists of House Vel'sharen, they marched upon the ivory tower, where the Mad King Numenor sat ensconced in madness and delusion. In a fury of steel and shadow, they overthrew the tyrant, casting him down from his throne and restoring order to the Kingdom.

In the aftermath of the rebellion, the Mithilnir Drow faced a reckoning of their own making. The scars of war ran deep, staining the fabric of their society with blood and betrayal. Yet, from the ashes of chaos, a new era dawned, forged in the fires of adversity and tempered by the will of the people.

House Malekith was weakened and with the death of King Numenor his heir took the throne. He was not charismatic and during this time, the noble houses grew in power and prestige. They major houses of Mithilnir became known as "The Six" and served as a council to the weak king. The council of houses would retain those powers as advisors under future monarchs. In some reigns, they weilded actual power, and others they were trusted advisors only.

2,000 Years Ago: The Ascendancy of the Drow Divinity

The establishment of a unified temple and the ascension of the High Templar marked a new era of divine guidance and prosperity for Mithilnir. The construction of the Grand Cathedral, a marvel of ancient Miresgalnor architecture, symbolized the kingdom's reverence for the divine, heralding a period of spiritual enlightenment and unity.

1,800 Years Ago: Queen Khaelor’s Madness

 In the twilight of her reign, Queen Khaelor of House Malekith delved deep into the forbidden arts of ancient magic, her thirst for power unquenchable and her ambition boundless. Consumed by visions of grandeur and dominion, she sought to unlock the secrets of the cosmos, heedless of the cost to herself and her people.

This was the second monarch in the prestigious line of Malekith to suffer a type of insanity. Some said it was a curse of hubris left over from a time of the Miresgalnor. Others believed simply that power was corrupting and centuries of rule due to the long life span of drow had driven the queen to degrade herself with acts of debauchery that were scandalous even by Drow standards.

But as her power grew, so too did the darkness that lurked within her soul. Corrupted by the very magics she sought to command, Queen Khaelor descended into madness and despair, her mind shattered by the weight of her own hubris. In a blaze of arcane fury, she consumed herself in a maelstrom of dark energy, her reign ending in tragedy and her legacy tarnished by folly and regret.

1,600 Years Ago: The Formation of the Arcaenum

From the lessons of the past, the Arcaenum was founded, a bastion of magical study and a council to the crown. This guild of mages was a beacon of wisdom, guiding the kingdom through the tempestuous seas of power and ambition with a steady hand. The Arcaenum took no noble house as their patron - offering services to all. It was a guild of astral mages that unified and codified the study of magic, lesser sons and daughters of the nobility, and those with the apptitute for magic were trained as young students. The Arcaenum also advised the royal court and has ever since, alongside the High Templar and the Council of Six.

1,400 Years Ago: Alliance with the Kuo-Toa

In an age marked by expansion and diplomacy, a tribe of Kuo-Toa, enigmatic fish-men from the north, became unlikely vassals and allies to the Mithilnir Drow. The visualization of the tribes, added a new chapter to the kingdom’s history, enriching its tapestry with tales of unity and cooperation across the divides of race and realm. The Kuo-Toa lacked a single leader to unify them to stand against the Mithilnir and capitulated through a period of conquest led by the Princes of the Mithilnir.

1,200 Years Ago: The Deep Gnomes' War of Conquest -The fall of House Delendil

 The audacity of the Svirfneblin destroyed an outpost held by House Delendil and ignited the flames of war. It was once a house that rivaled the council of six in size and wealth. This began a war that would last for a century, and result in the complete destruction of House Delendil, leaving it with no living heirs. It was only due to a temporary alliance with a clan of Dark Dwarves (Duergar) that Mithilnir won a pyrrhic victory against their foes. The Duergar betrayed the alliance when the war was over and attempted to conquer the capital city but failed due to the heroic actions of the noble houses and the crown of Malekith.


980 Years Ago: The Illithid Incursion

A vessel from the stars, bearing the Illithid, crashed into the depths of the earth, unleashing chaos. This event, marking the arrival of new, otherworldly threats, underscored the ever-present danger lurking in the darkness, challenging the Mithilnir Drow to stand united against external horrors. They enslaved many drow and escaped to places unknown.

800 Years Ago: The Betrayal of House Vel'sharen

Once again the realms of Mithilnir were shaken to their core by a betrayal so profound it threatened the very tapestry of unity that bound the kingdom. House Vel'sharen, esteemed among the noble families for their valor and wisdom, fell prey to the insidious whispers of power that promised dominion beyond their wildest dreams. It was the priests of Lloth, weaving their dark enchantments and seductions, who ensnared the matriarch of House Vel'sharen, convincing her that the path to unparalleled arcane power lay in treachery against the kingdom she had sworn to protect. Seduced by visions of power and dominion, she plotted in the shadows, her ambitions casting a dark pall over the house that had once been a beacon of honor.

There was no madness - just lust for power and ancient knowledge.

As the matriarch descended deeper into her machinations, the fabric of House Vel'sharen began to unravel, torn asunder by the conflict between loyalty to the kingdom and the false promises of a power that would ultimately consume them. The kingdom watched, heartbroken and betrayed, as one of its pillars succumbed to the corruption of ambition and the allure of forbidden magic. Yet, from the ashes of this strife, a flicker of hope emerged in the form of the heir to House Vel'sharen, a young soul who bore the weight of their lineage with the courage and resolve of the ancient heroes of old.

This scion, having witnessed the devastation wrought by their mother's treachery, resolved to confront the darkness that had taken root in their house. In a confrontation steeped in sorrow and betrayal, the heir faced their mother, armed with the conviction that the honor and legacy of House Vel'sharen were worth more than any promise of power. The battle was fierce, a tempest of magic and steel that would forever be etched in the annals of Mithilnir's history. In the end, the heir emerged victorious, but the cost was great; the matriarch's fall marked the collapse of House Vel'sharen, its foundations shaken by the betrayal that had nearly been its undoing.

In the years that followed, the remnants of House Vel'sharen embarked on a long and arduous journey of redemption and rebuilding. Guided by the strength and vision of the heir who had saved them from ruin, they forged new bonds of loyalty and honor, stronger and more resilient than ever before. The house that had once teetered on the brink of destruction rose anew, its commitment to the kingdom and its people unwavering. Through trials and tribulations, House Vel'sharen not only reclaimed its place among the noble families of Mithilnir but also emerged as a testament to the enduring power of loyalty, righteousness, and the unbreakable will to stand in the light, even when shrouded in darkness. Their resurgence was a beacon of hope to all in Mithilnir, a reminder that even the deepest betrayal could be overcome by the strength of the heart and the purity of one's convictions.

660 Years Ago: The Forbidden Ritual of House Drathir

In the heart of House Drathir, scholars and researchers of ancient knowledge delved deep into the forbidden secrets of magic and history, their thirst for understanding driving them to the brink of madness and beyond. Among their ranks stood Lady Seraphina Drathir, a prodigious sorceress whose hunger for power eclipsed even the darkest depths of her kin. She sought the power of lichdom and to raise an army of undead. The madness of her desires began to turn her into a banshee - an ethereal ghost.

It was she who uncovered the forbidden ritual, a dark and twisted magic that promised untold power to those who dared to wield it. With whispered incantations and sacrificial rites, Lady Seraphina delved into the depths of the void, seeking to harness the very essence of darkness itself. She would be known in legend as "The Lady of Darkness"

But as the ritual reached its crescendo, a darkness stirred in the depths of the Underdark, its malevolent gaze fixed upon the world above. The fabric of reality trembled at the brink of collapse, and all who beheld the unfolding horror knew that doom was nigh.

In a desperate bid to save their people, Lady Seraphina was defeated by the Prince Naen (Minstrel Prince) of House Malekith and the council of Six, her soul consumed by the darkness she had sought to master. And though the ritual was halted, its echoes lingered in the shadows, a grim reminder of the dangers that lurked in the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.

In the same century, following the death of their father, Prince Naen and Prince Dunblade of House Malekith stood poised on the brink of civil war, their swords drawn and their hearts heavy with the weight of destiny. Naen, the Minstrel-Prince, wielded his enchanted blade with a song of death upon his lips, his soul tormented by the shadows that lingered in his wake. Dunblade, the rightful heir to the throne, ruled with an iron fist and a cruel smile, his subjects trembling in fear at his every whim.

As the Kingdom descended into chaos and bloodshed, brother turned against brother in a battle for the soul of the Mithilnir Drow. In the shadowed halls of power, where treachery lurked and betrayal whispered on the wind, Naen and Dunblade clashed in a duel of destiny, their blades flashing like lightning in the darkness. But in the end, it was not steel that decided their fate, but the will of the gods themselves.

As the sun rose on a new day, Naen stood victorious, his blade stained with the blood of his brother and his heart heavy with sorrow. Dunblade's reign of terror had come to an end, his name consigned to the annals of history as a cautionary tale of hubris and folly. And though the scars of war remained, the Kingdom endured, its spirit unbroken and its people united once more under the banner of House Malekith.


200 Years Ago: The Grand Tournament of House Zha'nyl

Two hundred years ago, the realms of Mithilnir were witness to a spectacle of such grandeur and magnificence that its memory still dances on the tongues of minstrels and fills the halls of the great houses with tales of valor and camaraderie. Hosted by House Zha'nyl, the Grand Tournament was conceived as a celebration of martial prowess and unity among the noble houses, yet it transcended its own premise to become the most legendary tournament in the history of the kingdom. Over the course of two months, the event unfolded like a tapestry of ceaseless revelry and competition, drawing the greatest warriors from across the land to compete under the banners of their houses. The air was thick with anticipation and the spirit of competition, as epic battles were waged in the arenas, each combatant vying for glory and honor in the eyes of their peers and the adulation of the gathered masses.

It was Lord Vaelor Zha'nyl, the patriarch of House Zha'nyl, who conceived of the Grand Tournament, a spectacle of skill and strength that would test the mettle of the finest warriors in the land. With banners unfurled and blades sharpened, warriors from across the Kingdom gathered to compete for honor and glory.

But amidst the clash of steel and the roar of the crowd, whispers of treachery echoed through the halls of House Zha'nyl. For hidden among the contestants lurked agents of rival houses, their blades honed not for glory, but for the taste of blood. The assassins slew many members of the noble houses including the the house Malekith. The efforts of Prince Galanor and the knights of House Za'nyl turned the tide and prevented the Queen's untimely demise.

The deaths were shocking but the Prince insisted that the tournament continue.

The tournament lasted for another month with great honor on the battlefield and revelry off the field. The feasting was legendary and entertainers from great distances made their way into the capitol.

The climax of the tournament was a series of contests between the Prince of Malekith and a renowned Drow Knight of Zha'nyl, a matchup that quickly became the heart and soul of the tournament. Day after day, they met in the arena, their battles a symphony of skill, strength, and indomitable will. They jousted with lances that gleamed under the sun, led mock battles that showcased their strategic genius, and crossed swords in duels that seemed to bend the very fabric of time with their intensity. Neither would yield, and in their refusal to concede, they forged a spectacle that would be remembered as the pinnacle of the tournament's grandeur. The people of Mithilnir were captivated, their days filled with the thrill of the contest and their nights with tales of the day's deeds. The tournament became more than a competition; it was a testament to the indomitable spirit of the competitors and the unbreakable bond of fellowship and respect that formed between the Prince of Malekith and the Knight of Zha'nyl.

The Prince would eventually die of wounds inflicted in the heat of battle after failing to yield - leaving the crown without an heir for the first time in the history of the Kingdom. The mourning for the fallen prince was considerable.

His mother Queen Morathi did not seek vengeance against House Zha'nyl. Her son had fallen in battle honorably and it was his own stubbornness to fail to yield that cost him his life.

The splendor of that tournament came at a cost that could have easily overwhelmed the coffers of House Zha'nyl. The death of the fallen prince could have cast a shadow over the entire event. However, Recognizing the importance of the event not just as a celebration but as a cornerstone of unity and shared heritage, the other great houses and the crown stepped forward to share the burden of the expense. Their contribution was not merely financial but symbolized a collective commitment to the values celebrated by the tournament: honor, bravery, and the bonds that transcend rivalry. Thus, the Grand Tournament of House Zha'nyl was not only preserved as the greatest of its kind but also as a beacon of unity and shared purpose, a legacy cherished and upheld two hundred years hence.

The Queen was never the same again - she retreated to her studies and became inactive in the affairs of the kingdom.


10 Years Ago: The Tragedy of Queen Morathi

The most recent of sorrows to befall the kingdom was the mysterious madness of Queen Morathi of House Malekith. Locked away for her own safety in a dark tower, guarded by the sacred Szarkai, albino elves sworn to silence, her tale is one of mystery and sorrow. This poignant chapter serves as a reminder of the fragile line between brilliance and madness, and the shadows that linger close to power.

This being the third monarch to suffer madness - it was decided that it was best to keep this a secret from the people. It could lead to rebellion and lack of confidence in the legitimacy of the crown.

Through the ages, the saga of the Mithilnir Drow unfolds, a story rich with triumph and tragedy, a testament to the unyielding spirit of a people who, from the depths of despair, continually rise to etch their mark upon the annals of history. In their tale, we find the reflection of our own struggles and aspirations, a mirror to the enduring quest for greatness that defines us all.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:27, Sun 03 Mar.