World History

## How Ethereal Came to be

In the beginning, the world of Ethereal was a desolate place, void of life and magic. However, the gods saw potential in this world and decided to breathe life into it. Together, Vecna, the god of strength at arms, Aureon, the god of law and knowledge, Beory, goddess of magic and death, and Gilean, the god of chivalry and valor, created four realms, each with its own unique characteristics and governed by a powerful leader.

## The Realms

### **Tamriel, the realm of strength**

Vecna was the creator of the first realm, Tamriel, the realm of strength. Tamriel was a rugged and mountainour land filled with fierce warriors and powerful beasts. Its leader was a mighty king known as Ulfric, who was loved and respected by his people. Vecna would watch over his realm closely before creating an honored order by the name of High Hrothgar that dwelled in their highest mountain peak. These people soon took on the name of “The Greybeards” and established a respected alliance with the king and the realm’s people. Vecna gifted Tamriel a fierce protector in hopes that his people would never come to harm. This protector went by the name of Paarthurnax and took the form of a dragon.

### **Mordor, the realm of intelligence**

Next came Beory’s creation of Mordor, the realm of intelligence. Mordor was a dark and treacherous land filled with cunning wizards and ancient lore. Its leader was a mysterious figure known only as Sauron, who wielded powerful magic and commanded an army of fearsome creatures. Beory wanted this realm to be a sanctuary for the intelligent and granted all that dwelled in its land the ability to wield the most powerful magic the world had ever seen. Beory gifted Sauron with three rings. Each ring holding a power strong enough to destroy all who got in the wearer’s way. These rings were frowned upon by the other gods and destroyed. Beory secretly gifted three more to the realm of Mordor and hid them deep in the ruins within the dangerous lands in hopes that someone worthy would one day find their power.

### **Hyrule, the realm of wisdom**

Then came Hyrule, the realm of wisdom. This realm was created at the hands of Aureon. Hyrule was a peaceful and prosperous land filled with wise sages and magical artifacts. Its leader was a beautiful queen named Zelda, who was revered for her wisdom and compassion. This realm holds the most peaceful land created out of the four and is home to the largest magic school in Ethereal. Aureon gifted his people with a golden tri-force that represented balance between Power, Courage, and Wisdom. It holds the ability to grant any wish to those who obtain it. This tri-force was heavily protected by Hyrule’s royalty and served as a talisman to the people of Hyrule.

### **Vyradell, the realm of power**

Finally, there was Vyradell, the realm of power, created by Gileon. Vyradell is the largest and most powerful realm in Ethereal filled with miles of open land and sea. It was the center of the world and held sway over all the other realms. Its leader was a mighty sorcerer who has only ever been known as the Archmage. He wielded unimaginable power and ruled with an iron fist. Gileon gifted his people with an orb of life. This orb granted the power of resurrection to any and all that the seer of this orb wished. This orb was heavily protected by Archmage who thought to preserve this orb unless severe tragedy had fallen among the realms. Archmage hid this orb deep within his own castle’s dungeon, where only he would ever know the path in where to find it.

## The First War

For many years, the four realms coexisted peacefully, each focusing on its own strengths and abilities. However, tensions began to rise when Hyrule and Mordor became rivalries, each seeking to outdo the other in matters of magic and knowledge.

This tension eventually erupted into war when Mordor sent an army of dangerous beasts to Hyrule in an attempt to take ownership of the tri-force. With Hyrule and Mordor launching attacks on each other's territories. Tamriel and Vyradell initially stayed out of the conflict, but as the war escalated, they were forced to take sides.

Tamriel allied with Vyradell, and together they launched a massive assault on Mordor's forces. Hyrule, meanwhile, sought the aid of dark magic and summoned powerful demons to fight for them. The war raged on for years, with each realm suffering heavy losses. But in the end, it was Vyradell that emerged victorious. The Archmage's immense power proved too much for Hyrule and Mordor, and they were forced to surrender.

In the aftermath of the war, the people of Hyrule and Mordor struggled to come to terms with their defeat. Both sides had suffered tremendous losses, and the bitterness between them ran deep. However, over time, a new generation of leaders emerged, determined to put the past behind them and build a brighter future.

Under the leadership of Zelda's wise and compassionate successor, Hyrule began to make overtures of peace towards Mordor. At first, the response was cold, but gradually, Mordor's rulers began to see the benefits of cooperation and the two realms began to work together on various projects of trade and research. Despite this, old rivalries and grudges still lingered among the people of Hyrule and Mordor. There were still those who believed that their realm was superior and resented having to work with their former enemies. However, the new leaders of both realms were determined to build a better future, and gradually, their efforts began to pay off.

Long after the war, while the rivalry between Hyrule and Mordor still exists, it is a much more muted affair. The people of both realms have come to see the benefits of working together, and while there are still those who cling to the old ways, they are gradually being marginalized. Vyradell and Tamriel are still in close alliance and seek out to keep peace between the realms. Vyradell has since then become the center and connection of the world. Its leader holds power and control over the laws and peace among them all. Its center displays the largest castle in the world and stands as a home to many, no matter their realm heritage. Magic and warfare still reign supreme in this world, but there is hope for a brighter future. The fate of Ethereal remains uncertain, but with wise and compassionate leaders at the helm, anything is possible.