The Beginning

In the beginning, the universe was commanded by the forces of nature. The elements of fire, water, terra, air, and magic churned and boiled in the primordial aether, a swirling confluence of phenomenal energy that quickly grew in both magnitude and power. As their intensity reached a fever pitch, the elements manifested as almighty, all-powerful beings: the Elemental Titans. Domriel spewed forth from the ashes and smoke; Galemara rained down in torrential floods; Ariuk erupted from rock and stone; Eylawen billowed out of steaming clouds; and Kotu surged through fissures in time and space. These Titans would harness the powers of their elements to forge the Elemental Planes of fire, water, terra, air, and magic.

As each worked to cultivate and expand their domains, the Titans fought bitterly for ultimate control of the universe. For every monumental achievement, an equally magnificent act of destruction would follow. Domriel’s raging pillars of fire would drown under Galemara’s rolling waves of endless seas. Ariuk’s precipitous mountains reaching toward the heavens were eroded to dust by Eylawen’s unceasing, galeforce winds. The otherworldly battles endured until the conflict culminated in a catastrophic collision of immense proportions. The ferocity of the elements coalesced and formed the Great Convergence, giving birth to two new Titans and restoring balance to the universal order. Bonrah, the Titan of Virtue, would rule over righteousness with piety and benevolence, while Raphos, the Titan of Corruption, would govern wickedness and depravity with an authoritative fist. These Twins of Morality demanded a singular realm be constructed, one to be shared equally and peaceably.

A New Realm Is Born

And so the Titans joined forces to shape the realm. Ariuk formed the mountains and the valleys, while Galemara poured the rivers and seas. Eylawen exhaled the clouds and wind, and Domriel stoked the flames to transform and renew. Kotu then blanketed everything in mystical wonder,  calling this new realm Alethon.

While they forged and toiled on, the Titans also formed alliances with one another. These alliances brought forth a cacophony of lesser gods, known as Paragons. Kotu allied with many of those Paragons, bringing forth the First Mortals to inhabit the new world; the elves, the dwarves, and the humans. Because the Paragons inherited weaker incarnations of their forebearers’ power, they were not allowed to enter Alethon. The First Mortals, however, were permitted to call this new world home. They spread far and wide across their idyllic paradise, while the Paragons could only look on with envy.

The Age of Paragons

Despite being forbidden from entering Alethon, some of the Paragons still chose to fraternize with the First Mortals. This introduced the orcs, gnomes, gargans, and halflings to the land, who were collectively called the Oddities due to their unique appearance and different customs from their First Mortal heritage. The Titans were displeased with the Paragons’ disobedience, but the Twins of Morality found it amusing. As long as the balance of the realm remained intact, the Paragons were permitted to continue their actions with only minor repercussions.

Using Kotu’s magical gift, the Paragons came to the realm and created a diverse world filled with diverse flora and fauna. There was one among them, however, who was not content with simple creatures and wanted to make his mark on the realm. Ysyus, the Paragon of Imagination used his powers to transform some of the world’s animals into even more extraordinary beings. He used the hair of goats to create the indulgent Sylvans. He used the scales of coelacanths to create the fish-tailed Mer. From the manes of wild horses, he made the conscientious Centaurs. He used the horns of bulls to create the pugnacious Minotaurs. His greatest creation, however, was the reclusive Dragors, which he made using the breath essence of mighty dragons. Once the Mythic communities were discovered, the Titans issued the Paragon Sanction, forbidding any further acts of creation.

For thousands of years, the realm grew and evolved. Its diverse creatures and people adapted quickly, migrating across the idyllic world. Some formed nomadic or tribal societies, while others swiftly constructed great cities. As they expanded, they developed religious beliefs and traditions that reverenced the Paragons, who sometimes defied the Sanction and bestowed gifts upon them. Consequently, the first Harbingers were crowned, wielding incredible abilities that often disrupted the balance of power. The Titans were infuriated by the Paragons’ ongoing interference, leading to frequent conflicts among them. Sometimes, this conflict would spill over into Alethon, causing chaos throughout the realm.

The Century of Darkness

In the year 4137, Ariuk and Domriel had finally had enough. Known to hold the strongest grudges, they brought about an explosive volcanic eruption. Hot ash and molten rock spewed forth into the sky, sparking a celestial conflict that would block out the sun for 100 years. Ariuk and Domriel’s defiance of the peace accord enraged Galemara, who raised a great tidal wave that washed out the elven city of Ellathyr and created a massive blanket of dense fog. Isos grieved the loss of her precious children, causing Eylawen to conjure a colossal storm that covered half the realm, the remains of which still churn the Ragewater Sea today. Raphos and Bonrah attempted to intervene but were not immune to a sense of injustice. Bonrah’s children had amassed a significant following, causing Raphos to become quite jealous of his boastful twin. As a result, he sent down all four of his children to wreak havoc across the realm.

As the Century of Darkness dragged on, chaos erupted and wars broke out throughout the realm. The peaceful coexistence between orcs and gargans was shattered as they fiercely fought over limited resources in their mountainous homes. Dwarves sought refuge in cliffside caves, displacing gnomes who suffered greatly from the Titans’ wrath along the coast. Humans turned to forests and swamps, angering elves who considered themselves protectors of these natural wonders. The Mythics withdrew, hiding from the treacherous First Mortals and Oddities. Some believe the Titans wiped them out entirely for their abhorrent existence. Halflings, who worshipped Bonrah as the Bringer of Peace, were mostly spared, but this made them outcasts among other ancestries, leading to harsh mistreatment by all.

Kotu’s March

Kotu, the wise mediator, emerged as the beacon of hope amidst the chaos and conflict that ensued between Alethon and the Arcane Realm. In a bold move, he traversed the veil between the two worlds, becoming the first Titan to set foot in Alethon. His immense stature, engulfed in a swirl of pulsating auras of light and color, glided across the realm, surveying the devastation and depravity caused by the children of the elements. After careful consideration, he arrived at a final conclusion: The Paragons must be held accountable for their actions.

Upon returning from his trek across Alethon, Kotu summoned both the Titans and the Paragons to face his judgment. The Paragons were shackled and restrained as Kotu issued his verdict. He declared that all Paragons would be stripped of their power and sent to Alethon as mortals for a thousand years. They would age and wither, only to be reborn again and again until their sentence was served. The Titans, relieved at the prospect of no longer presiding over their unruly offspring, agreed without hesitation. The Paragons were promptly dispatched to serve their harsh punishment.

A Paradise Lost

Despite the passage of centuries since the harrowing Century of Darkness, the natural world remains ensnared in the never-ending battles of long-standing enemies. The First Mortals and Oddities continue to engage in violent clashes, their conflicts fueled by matters of religion, politics, personal vendettas, and persecution. The Mythics, once a source of wonder and awe, have vanished into the shadows of obscurity, casting doubt upon their very existence. Meanwhile, Alethon, a once-idyllic land, has yet to regain its former glory, and the Paragons’ banishment from the realm looms ominously, hinting at the imminent arrival of a reckoning.