Old Gods

## Unspeakable Power

The beings known as "The Old Gods" were beings of pure magic that existed centuries before The Age of Technology, and were the source of all magic in the world. Rumored to have existed since before the dawn of time, these eternal beings were a peaceful race of ancients that coexisted alongside the mortal races of the world. The Old Gods were neutral creatures who did not interfere with the affairs of the mortals, and though they were worshipped by many they did not rule over any subjects directly.

The Gods would only intervene in mortal affairs when a great evil threatened the globe, and to sit idly by would mean the destruction of the mortal races. Otherwise, they kept to themselves. The only exception being that they would grant the gift of magic to those who showed themselves to be of good heart and pure intent, allowing those without the intellectual prowess that the study of sorcery usually demanded to wield the awesome might of magical ability.

## The War for Existence

300 years following the Dawn of Man and the formation of civilization, a primordial evil was awoken. Those who were denied magic by The Old Gods sought power elsewhere, and in their haste failed to realized the true scope of what they were dealing with. The spirit corrupted their souls and used them to do his bidding, and before anybody could stop them Beelzebub was unleashed.

Beelzebub was a creature of immense power that consumed the immense magical energy stored within a mortal soul in order to fuel his conquest of reality. It has been passed through the ages that he was once one of The Old Gods himself, before being locked away deep beneath the crust of the earth. Freed of his bounds and with an army of corrupted souls to feed upon and command, Beelzebub began a dark crusade against all living beings. The mortals dubbed this 15 year conflict "The War for Existence," because it pushed nearly every race to the absolute brink. The war was one of the few times in recorded history where The Old Gods took on a leading role in mortal affairs, leading their own armies to fight alongside the mortals.

## Fall of The Old Gods

In the 12th year of The War, The Old Gods feared the worst. Of their original number, only seven remained. Vivo, a god of life; Forto, a god of strength and courage; Dezerteco, a god of desolation; Akvo, a god of the deep sea; Malvarma, a god of frigid cold and winter; Konkero, a god of conquest and war; and Sunbrilo, a god of the sun.

These remaining Gods decided to make a final stand, utilizing all of their powers and strength in an effort to defeat Beelzebub once and for all. Sunbrilo was found most suited to be their champion, and so the other Gods gave up their physical forms and channeled their powers into magical artifacts that he could use in the final battle. Vivo became a life-giving crystal, able to heal even the most grievous wounds. Forto became a suit of armor, offering protection against the sharpest blades and strongest spells. Dezerteco became a fine powder of poison, able to inflict sickness upon the strongest of beings and rob the life from the earth itself. Akvo became a hip flask, the contents of which contained all the might and rage of a stormy sea and all the creatures hidden within it. Malvarma became a bag of frigid wind, able to halt the advance of even the most determined armies dead in their tracks. And finally, Konkero became a mighty sword, capable of cleaving in two even the most powerful beings in the universe.

In giving up their physical forms, The Old Gods became their purest and their magical abilities were increased one-hundred fold. Unfortunately it would cost them their lives, as they would not be able to revert the process. Knowing this to be the case, they had saved it as a last resort, fearful of what the mortals would do without their guidance. Sunbrilo marched into battle, and engaged in single-combat with Beelzebub for four entire years. Finally, on the 22nd day of the 15th year of the war, Beezlebub was slain by Sunbrilo. The mortals had won the war for their existence, but the price was high. Succumbing to his wounds, Sunbrilo died shortly after his opponent, and The Old Gods were dead. Leaving behind a legacy of tenderness, sacrifice, and bravery that would not soon be forgotten. They took with them to their graves the gift of magic, which was now a rarity once again.

## Search for the Artifacts

The artifacts used to defeat Beelzebub were never recovered, the final battle of The War was so brutal and violent that it is said to have reshaped the world itself. The artifacts are widely believed to have simply been destroyed, their magical power exhausted in what was without a doubt the greatest clash of all time. However, some believe that they still exist, and that they are somewhere within The Great Expanse. Though this is disregarded as a pipe-dream.