Old Gods

The First Princes, also known as the Beloved of El or The Old Gods, are entities that have been worshiped by the human race for centuries. Their origins are ultimately unknown, although it is assumed that they are beings from beyond the Veil, similar to Demons. Before the Absolution, they resided on the physical plane, in the Black Tower. They are thought to be responsible for giving humans access to magic, and legend has it the fallout from their "deaths" is what petrified the Frozen Forest, crystallized the sea, and created the Shattered Wastes, turning much of Aridia into a wasteland.

## Pantheon:

Feavo-Aggridor; Lord of the Stars, the Wind, and Truth.

Belladonna; Lord of Poison, Flora, and Pestilence.

Lazara; Lord of Madness, Chaos, and Secrets.

Abraxous; Lord of Night, Wrath, and Waters

Razakael: Lord of Fire, Cold, and Hunger

## History:

According to the Lux-Ferous' Scriptures, the Princes were the favored children of El- the personification of the universe- and because of this were granted lordship over the world.

The Lux-Ferous lore states the Beloved of El once resided in the physical world, among the humans of what was once a massive forest. They had a grand palace at the edge of the woods, known as the Black Tower, and ruled over every land touched by the sun (aside from Abraxous, who resided within his own realm beneath the ocean). For their service, the gods granted humanity a fragment of their power, allowing humans to access elemental magic.

However, once the human race became advanced enough to access nuclear energy- and as the Lux-Ferous Empire began to collapse in on itself- the Princes' iron grip on the world weakened. Some say the gods were ready to annihilate their people with an apocalyptic spell and start the world anew, and the Lux-Ferous Empire reacted in self-defense, while others say the Three whispered in the Emperor's ear, manipulating him into state of paranoia. Others say the humans were simply tired of being subordinate to the gods. Whatever the case, the Lux-Ferous dropped its entire nuclear arsenal on the Black Tower, wiping both the children of El and their heavenly palace from the world in an event known as the Absolution.

it is common belief (for those who even believe these Princes existed at all) that it was the sheer magical energy which erupted from their deaths that petrified the Frozen Forest and corrupted all human magic, as well as polluting the land that would become the Interstate, and annihilating much of the wildlife on Aridia.

## Characteristics:

While most modern legends describe Princes as kind, benevolent deities, there are many records remaining from the time of the Empire that paint them in the opposite light. Feavo was the only one of their number who gave a damn for the world, and as the favored child, he kept the others in check.

The powers of the Five were never truly defined, and the Princes themselves are still somewhat shrouded in mystery. It is known that they were not omnipotent nor omnipresent, but like Demons and many other creatures beyond the Veil, are believed to be immortal. This begs the question whether or not their "deaths" in the Lux-Ferous's nuclear fire are permanent, or if they ever truly *died*. There are some who believe that the Princes did indeed perish after being nuked, but due to being concentrated magical energy more than physical beings, continue to exist in our world (albeit in substantially weakened forms) while the Aeterne still worship the Princes to this day, and don't believe the deities were ever banished from the physical plane.