Chronicles of the National Emblem

The origins of the rune found on the Gilnean flag have long been shrouded in mystery and have yet to be fully understood. There are a variety of theories regarding its genesis and significance, with some suggesting that it is a symbol of the first Greymane, while others argue that it was invented by the wise Pellars. Still, others speculate that it may have been a glyph of a primitive god worshipped by humans before the advent of the Light.

As a renowned explorer and archaeologist, I sought to uncover the true origins of this symbol and its meaning for the human race as a whole. However, my research into the early history of Gilneas proved to be challenging, as much of it was poorly documented and contained contradictory information.

Nevertheless, I discovered that Garalon Greymane, the first king of Gilneas, claimed independence from Arathor approximately 100 years after the latter's formation and that the Gilnean rune was already present on his sword's hilt. This suggests that the symbol predates the establishment of the Gilneas nation and was possibly associated with the Greymane family.

However, my research also revealed the existence of pre-Arathorian artifacts that bore the same symbol. These objects, which ranged from ritual daggers and urns to animal skulls, were found in a variety of locations both within and beyond the kingdom of Gilneas. As such, it is unlikely that they all belonged to the Greymane family. Instead, it seems that the symbol may have been used in primitive magical rituals that predated the learning of arcane arts from Quel'Dorei.

The history of human magic before the High Elves' arrival is not well-known, but it is believed to have resembled the primitive magic of trolls or kobolds. Given this, it is probable that the symbol had a special meaning and may have been associated with some primitive god or being.

Further research led me to Quel'Thalas, where I gained access to two elven manuscripts that shed light on the primitive humans' history. One sketch in particular closely resembled the Gilnean crest, and its accompanying text suggested that the symbol was used by powerful sorcerers who wielded dark magics and summoned otherworldly beings. While the manuscript did not specify the sorcerers' race, I deduced that they must have been human.

Unfortunately, my research was cut short, as the elves forbade me from continuing my investigations, possibly out of fear of what I had discovered. Subsequent events, including the First War, demanded my attention, and I had to put my inquiry on hold.

Despite these setbacks, I remain determined to uncover the truth behind these human mages, the powers they possessed, and why the Gilnean royal house chose the symbol for their crest. There is much to discover, and I am confident that with persistence and patience, I will uncover the answers.