Arrival of the Illithid

“In the heart of the Golden Grass-Sea, where the fields stretched as far as the eye could see, and the sun kissed our land with warmth, we lived a simple life. Tilling the earth beneath the azure sky, our days were marked by the rhythm of seasons, and we knew little of the world beyond our horizons. We were humble corn farmers, the Humes of the Golden Grass-Sea, content in our toil.

But one fateful eve, when the sky was painted in hues of orange and red, a sight unlike any other unfolded before us. Strange lights streaked across the heavens, unfamiliar stars blinked into existence, and an eerie aura enshrouded our world. A collective gasp escaped our lips as we beheld this celestial spectacle, never before witnessed in our tranquil land.

Whispers spread like wildfire among the Humes and the Nephran too, tales of celestial omens and prophecies. Some claimed the gods themselves were revealing their designs, while others feared the end of days. We couldn’t fathom the truth of what we were witnessing.

But after several days of celestial oddities, as quickly as they had appeared, the strange lights in the sky vanished. The stars returned to their familiar patterns, the sun resumed its daily journey across the heavens, and the azure sky once again watched over our Golden Grass-Sea. It seemed as though nothing had changed.

Yet, deep within the hearts of those who had witnessed this cosmic spectacle, a lingering sense of foreboding remained. We couldn’t shake the feeling that the world had shifted, and that the destiny of our land was forever altered, even if the surface of our peaceful existence appeared unchanged. The unknown forces of fate still whispered in the wind, and we, the humble corn farmers, stood ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.”

- Gildain Darry, Corn-Farmer

#### The Illithid

In the annals of our world's history, the Illithids' arrival remains a secret hidden from the eyes of ordinary mortals. Thirty years ago, when the celestial events bathed our world in eerie lights and unfamiliar stars, it marked a cosmic collision of realities. Unbeknownst to the citizens of our realm, a Nautiloid, a vessel from their dying universe, descended upon the desolate Frost Fen in the north.

From this alien craft emerged the enigmatic Illithids, mind-flayers who had fled the decaying remnants of their crumbling empire. Their arrival was a desperate gambit to escape the impending doom of their own universe, but it was far from a success. The crash landing left them scattered and weakened, and they were forced to adapt to the unfamiliar terrain of our world.

For several years, the Illithids struggled to establish a base of operations and regain their strength. Hidden in the remote Frost Fen, they began to rebuild, their true intentions veiled in secrecy. As the skies above the Frost Fen returned to normal after several days of celestial oddities, the Illithids' presence remained a shadowy mystery, known only to a select few who had glimpsed their otherworldly form.

Now, the Illithids slowly emerge from their hiding place, their inscrutable designs becoming clearer with each passing day. They seek to rebuild their once-mighty empire in our world, a realm far different from their own. As they begin to explore and exert their influence, the citizens of our land must brace for the unknown, for the Illithids' plans remain a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.

#### Psionic Emergence

In the wake of the celestial upheaval that unfolded thirty years ago, a phenomenon of unprecedented proportions occurred. It was as though the very fabric of reality had been woven with threads of the unknown, threading the tapestry of our existence with a new, extraordinary power—psionics.

Born from the cosmic turbulence that accompanied the arrival of the Illithids, this enigmatic force manifested in the minds of those born after that fateful day. The citizens of our world, once bound by the mundane, found themselves awakening to newfound abilities, reshaping the boundaries of what it meant to be mortal.

These psionic powers revealed themselves in three distinct classes:

1. \*\*Mind-Bender:\*\* Those who harnessed the mysterious force of empathy, shaping the emotions of others with an unseen hand. Mind-Benders became the emotional pillars of their communities, radiating auras of strength and resilience that bolstered their allies.

2. \*\*Surger:\*\* Masters of psycho-metabolism, Surgers embarked on a journey of physical and mental transformation. They could push the boundaries of their abilities, risking mental fatigue for incredible feats of strength, agility, and endurance. Their relentless drive made them formidable figures on the battlefield.

3. \*\*Cryo/Pyro-Mancer:\*\* The cosmos bestowed upon some the power to manipulate matter, either freezing it into icy submission or igniting it with the fury of flame. Cryo/Pyro-Mancers, choosing the path of Cryomancer or Pyromancer, became wielders of elemental forces, summoning Mind-Blades that brought the very elements to heel.

This emergence of psionics, suspected to be connected to the celestial events of thirty years past, signaled a new chapter in the history of our world. As these unique abilities flourished and evolved, they reshaped the destiny of individuals and communities alike. With each passing day, the citizens of our realm grappled with these newfound powers, uncertain of the role they would play in a world forever transformed by the unknown.