...in those elder days, when the gods retired from the mortal word, and left behind the wisdom for their children to rule, that which had been controlled for ages by divine hand was given the seeds of entropy. All that was, would soon begin to rot and decay. Only scattered promises by the divine, fragments of light in an ever darkening world, were immutable and incapable of being twisted by the new, scorching wind that blew across the face of the earth. Forever more, it would be the hands of men that would influence the flow of destiny, and through men would come the ultimate deliverence into darkness eternal...
-From The Fallen Stone, Nineth Canticle
Once were the gods those beings that tred the mortal world, stirring the endless seas with their power, churning forth the forth and waves to create the land upon which we walk. From them came the breath of life in all that was, is, and shall be. Under their protecting hand, forever did we walk in light and peace. There were no faults to occur, nothing to fear from things dark and unknown. Yet, in mortal things was born vanity, from which came the downfall of the beauty and harmony which was produced from the god's toil. It was from the hand of a mortal that the blackness of deep evil sank into the world. The poison spreading deep into the very bones of the world, and corrupting all hearts.
War between the gods and forces from beyond the protective veil of their influence was inevitable. The darkness was driven back, but it was to forever endure. The gods, with their masterpiece ruined, were left no choice but to flee the mortal realm. Taking with them sparks of untainted good and perfection, to serve as beacons of light and hope for others. Those left behind were to pay homage to the gods, but would be in their own devices. Their fates were based on their own choices. Each now bearing the seeds of evil and malcontent, from the shadows the forces of dark and evil leered. Theirs was now the chance to take the world.
That chance was found in the mortal wizard Tergeen. Who submitted himself as a disciple of things alien and foul. Gainging knowledge of black magicks and twisted sorceries, he created bent and mutated things to serve as soldieries in an army of horror. Unleashed upon the world, a great many lands fell to his grip. It seemed all the world would topple to his wicked rule.
Yet, the gods did not abandon their progeny. Great Filhar, the Sun God, Father of Gods, Lord of Justice, gave to a faithful servant the means of fighting this evil. Many were the years of blood and struggle, but at long last Tergeen was overthrown. His armies scattered, and now left to haunt those fortresses they once held.
The world was left in the grip of a dark age, trying to rebuild a world ravaged by the forces of powers unknowable.
-From The Twisting Road, Light Beyond the Shadow
The continent of Al'roc, the bastion of light amidst a world still savage and undiscovered. In truth, merely the core of civilization as it is understood by we ignorant retches. A massive land, filled with creatures beyond counting. Many are its denizens, varied are its environs, and seemingly infinite are the number of possible outcomes for each person. Be it slave or king, dirt farm or empire. The one thing that is knowable by all, Fate and Destiny are little more than archaic concepts of superstitious rabble. It is the choices of those people who walk the earth that shape its present and future; through our choices and actions do we guide the river of time. As little impact as most make, it is still in the hands of men how these things are driven.
In the present moment, as with no other time experienced before, is the hand of mortal more capable of change. Legends recount that Lord Lodis, the great paladin of Filhar, struck down Tergeen centuries ago and darkness was suddenly banished by light. In truth, the dark wizard's body was cut down, but his spirit endured to maintain an even tighter of his empire. His face slipped from the world, but in its shadows he gained ever more influence and control. The studious scholar knows of Turgeen the wizard, but only the truly wise man knows of Turgeen the liche. The blackened spirit of the foul man, which was only a decade past destroyed in a magical cataclysm somewhere to the north.
On the surface, it seems no different to the casual observer. Wars are fought over the same strips of contested land. Would be conquerors rise and fall. And all about, the world simple turns on. However, those past wars and conflicts, upon closer inspection, were carefully guided plays in a much grander game; the ultimate conclusion of which may not have seen completion for many ages of Men yet to come. Even the wisest mind cannot completely grasp what Turgeen was set out to accomplish, but there was a guiding hand in all major plots. Everything moved to some grander tune which only the liche could hear, much less comprehend.
The past ten years have seen escalations in violence that are far more random and unforseen. Enemies that never were, have turned on each others throats. Alliances have risen where none would have expected. Powers rise in odd places, wence once there was no strength. And men of great might prove to be nothing more than frightening shadows, easily toppled with by proper force.
The world is a frightening new place, with many possibilities, and unpredictable outcomes yet to arrive. Many may be the heroes who will rise and fall, never before has the time been so rife for those seeking ancient knowledge, hidden plunder, or to simply heed the call to advenure.
((More details to come in further posts.))
See here for character info. 600 CP to play with in this build. Epic? You bet.