Story Content

# History

## The Cataclysm

 The world was in an underdeveloped state when all hell broke loose. Not many folks remember, or even know of, the eruptions that bathed the world in magma. Those who do know of it refer to the event as The Cataclysm. In short, several volcanoes around the world that lay dormant for hundreds of years had become critically active out of nowhere. All within the course of an hour, every single one of these volcanoes erupted. Thousands of tons of debris were launched miles up into the air while plumes of ash, dust, and dirt created skyscrapers of earthen material into the atmosphere. Magmatic destruction stretched for acres and incinerated anything within its reach.

Cities, settlements, and tribes of every race were scattered throughout the lands in an attempt to preserve their mortality from the destruction. Many tried in vain but those who survived reconstructed their societies to the best of their ability and continued to thrive well after The Cataclysm’s sudden wrath upon the land. As the years went by, many survivors took note of the air seemingly having a form of electric charge to it. But the phenomenon was never looked into or considered anything influential. So it went unnoticed until the young of the generation began experimenting with this anomaly as they played. Thus the first outbreak of spell use shocked communities across the lands.

As the young grew into adults, fear gripped the public as these ‘freaks’ capable of conjuring lightning from their fingertips could possibly cause havoc at any given moment. In some cases, these individuals were gathered and executed en masse to try and purge this freakish development. However, a well respected researcher began preaching the idea that these individuals were not monsters but rather geniuses for their ability. Reluctant acceptance of this idea slowly spread as diplomats of power encouraged these ideas, deeming these individuals as ‘Mages’ and began constructing guilds across the land to help teach and hone these gifted individuals with their ability to manipulate ‘Magic’. The origins of ‘Magic’ were unclear but the unanimous theory that researchers had come to agree on was that Magic had been released from within the core of the planet during The Cataclysm.

These researchers were spot on with their theory. The Cataclysm not only had caused mass destruction, it also released high concentrations of magic into the atmosphere that slowly drifted along the jet stream amidst ash and dust. This also caused an anomaly; The creation of the first spirit. A pure spirit of air, as magic was blasted into the atmosphere, she too tumbled from the ashen plume, her eyes greeted with a scene of destruction. A being of Magic, she quickly donned her wings and let the wind take her. She slowly studied the races as she traveled and slowly developed a kind appreciation for their lifestyles and personalities.

While a kind spirit was born, so too was a twisted one. Anyone who knows of The Cataclysm’s cause have long since passed or were eradicated during the event itself but the remains of their work can still be found. Simply referred to as ‘The Ancients’, an intelligent civilization of advanced metalsmithing, technology, and mathematics had discovered Magic long before any of the other races. Their politicians believed that Magic would be the answer to create a land of peace through the use of manipulation. What better way to neutralize the constant threat of the wilderness than a force that could manipulate beasts to serve you? With these powerful beliefs, they drilled into the core of the Underdark and released spouts of Magic as they sought out a proposed magical leyline that dwelled near the base of the volcano in Typhon’s Reach. And as their beliefs fueled their work, so too did their beliefs coagulate the Magic in the caverns to manifest the birth of a new Spirit, Tarsyr.

Represented with purple, glowing energy, Tarsyr was created with the ability to manipulate and control the beasts of the land. However, like the believers who mistakenly created him, he too had greedy notions of false peace. Deeming the beasts as nothing more than tools, he sent magically corrupted beasts upon the miners and massacred the workers. As the ground ran red with blood and the caverns echoed with screams, Tarsyr would approach the magical leyline and quickly begin feasting on the Magic that spewed forth from the metal drills embedded in soil. Too enamored with his feast, even Tarsyr isn’t completely certain what caused the volcanoes to erupt. Be it the negligence of The Ancients or Tarsyr’s greedy consumption and potential release of the magical leyline, whatever caused the chain of eruptions to occur is a mystery but is one of the world’s most critical turning points in history.

## A Spirit's Grace

Following the horrendous event known as ‘The Cataclysm’, refugees of all races have begun to recognize a new phenomena over the years. Young individuals gifted with talents of manipulating a new resource called ‘Magic’ have quickly spread fear and uncertainty amongst the races. While there are some who fear these users, there are others who recognize their worth and invaluable research they could create. Deeming these folk as ‘Mages’, a theory suggests that Magic was released into the world after The Cataclysm’s fury.

The Cataclysm didn’t just leave destruction in its wake, it also gave birth to two new entities; Beings of pure magic known as Spirits. Born shortly apart from each other, the Spirits Tarsyr and Sylvie were born with very different ideals. As the years have passed, Sylvie has been guiding refugees to settle a new land while Tarsyr has bided his time, collecting power to begin his assault upon the magical leyline that resides beneath the very lands of Typhon’s Reach.

# Typhon's Reach

Typhon's reach is a rich land situated near the center of a vast, nameless continent. Dozens of leylines, veins of magical energies, weave back and forth across the continent and several of them converge deep below Typhon's Reach. Volatility brought on by the Cataclysm has resulted in the periodic release of energies which empower, or corrupt, the creatures in the caves and on the surface. As these energies manifest, the presence of ancient spirits can be felt lingering across the lands. Perhaps with proper rituals and worship they can manifest themselves.

## Braxia

A small island settlement founded on the ruins of an elven town on the western end of the lake. Sylvie and her refugees have come to call Braxia home, and can be seen coming and going at any time of day or night. Other settlements having been turned to rubble by the Cataclysm, Braxia is currently the most developed town in the valley and acts as the economic hub of the region.

## Guild Halls

Brave adventurers have ventured out from Braxia to set up Halls for their guilds. The mages found a quiet lake in the chalky cliffs of the southeast, the hunters established their lodge on the north edge of the redwood forest, and the agriculturalists can be seen scurrying about their industrious farms on the south shores of the lake.

## Spirits

### Sylvie

Sylvie is a spirit birthed directly from the Cataclysm that has acted as a benevolent guide for refugees from stricken regions across the continent. She has made herself a patron spirit of sorts for the small town of Braxia in Typhon's Reach. Her aligned element is air and she favors users of magic. Like other spirits, she can be encountered by her believers through rituals and praise.

### Tarsyr

Tarsyr is a spirit birthed directly from the Cataclysm that feeds on the leylines of the land. With the ability to manipulate and control the beasts of the land, Tarsyr seeks to purge the land of magic. Through praise and rituals, Tarsyr can be encountered by any character but he favors those who shun the use of magic.