The Sundering - A Historical Account

The Sundering stands as one of the most cataclysmic events in the annals of history, a period of chaos and devastation that ushered in the Seventh Era. Over the course of three harrowing years, the world was irrevocably transformed by the machinations of The Ashen Cult and their dark deity, Ignatius, the Cleansing Flame, Destroyer of Worlds.

It began with The Ashen Cult’s audacious plan to harness the power of the mighty volcano, Ember Peak. Their objective was to shatter the Skyfall Ward, a mystical barrier that separated the gods from the mortal realm. The Skyfall Ward, held together by ancient pillars and weak magical crystals, was vulnerable. The cult's sinister goal was to summon Ignatius into the world, believing that his fiery wrath would cleanse the land, leaving them as its new rulers.

Once the cult succeeded in breaching the Skyfall Ward, Ignatius descended upon the mortal realm, and the world was plunged into a fiery nightmare. The cultists, who had long worshiped Ignatius, welcomed their transformation into Ash Spawn—zombie-like beings formed from their own ashes. They believed this transformation granted them immortality, as Ash Spawn did not age or succumb to disease.

For the first year, Ignatius and his newly formed Ash Spawn army remained at Ember Peak, consolidating their power. They raided villages across The Desert, converting the slain into more Ash Spawn and crafting powerful weapons from the molten minerals beneath the volcano. Among these was the Firesoul Greatsword, a fearsome weapon imbued with dark magic that could turn enemies into Ash Spawn upon contact.

As the second year dawned, the Ash Spawn army expanded its territory, capturing forts and towns across The Desert. They halted at the Verdant Peninsula, recognizing that their forces were not yet prepared to confront the formidable Dawn Empire and the elven kingdom of Ehobel. Instead, they fortified their positions and armed their troops, a decision later deemed a strategic error, as The Coalition of defenders was initially unprepared for the Ash Spawn threat.

The Coalition, formed in the latter half of the second year, was a monumental alliance between major factions, including Ehobel, The Dawn Empire Empire, mercenary bands from the Tulan and Emerald Forts, the Uvam Dynasty, and the magical university of Strixhaven. This unprecedented unity brought together humans and elves, commanded by some of the realm's most brilliant leaders: Emperor Galen Verix ‡, General Caden SteelBreaker †, Genevieve † of The Emerald Fort, and Empress Ashira Yelris † of Ehobel.

Their first encounter with the Ash Spawn army, led by the cunning Seifer Willow ‡, was disastrous. Seifer's strategic genius led to the annihilation of a large coalition force through a devastating sacrificial explosion, decimating The Coalition's morale and numbers.

Ignatius, sensing the surge of power from Seifer’s sacrifice, swiftly moved to the battlefield, where he resurrected the fallen coalition soldiers as new Ash Spawn. The Coalition faced continuous setbacks as the Ash Spawn's numbers grew with each battle, and the situation worsened with internal treachery.

The Goblin Resistance, led by General Chatiz, betrayed The Coalition in hopes of currying favor with Ignatius. Chatiz’s act of devotion, sacrificing his own son to become an Ash Spawn, marked a turning point. The goblins disrupted coalition supply lines and defenses, leading to the collapse of several key cities and the fall of The Dawn Empire Empire’s territories.

As The Coalition forces dwindled, Ignatius prepared for a decisive strike. The siege of Dawnhaven, The Dawn Empire Empire’s capital, was The Coalition's last stand. For four grueling months, the defenders held out against the relentless Ash Spawn. In a final desperate move, the remaining heroes launched a counterattack, carving a path through the enemy to confront Ignatius himself.

The battle against Ignatius was fierce and legendary. Despite their valor, The Coalition heroes were no match for the god's might. However, through a clever ruse orchestrated by Galen Verix ‡ and Genevieve †, they created an opening. Galen, possibly aided by divine intervention or sheer heroism, struck a mortal blow to Ignatius, piercing his heart and decapitating him. With Ignatius's physical form destroyed, the Ash Spawn disintegrated, and their souls were freed.

Ignatius’s parting words were a dire warning: "You may have killed this physical form, but I will be back. Mark my words, you cannot kill a GOD." Yet, in that moment, The Coalition had achieved a miraculous victory, bringing an end to the Sundering and paving the way for the Seventh Era.

The tale of the Sundering serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition and the enduring hope that even in the darkest times, unity and courage can triumph over chaos and destruction.