Found in Session 04 in the Ancient Dwarven Stronghold. Describes The Sundering in a good light and how there are people that want to make sure it happens again. It also contains the first mention of Niaross †. Chenris Tallfellow ‡ has been working tirelessly to translate the book from its original Ancient Dwarven to Common. Here is what has been translated so far:

Prologue: The Prophecy of the Cleansing Flame

P.1. In the ancient days, it was foretold by the first prophets of The Ashen Cult that Ignatius, the Cleansing Flame, would one day descend upon the mortal realm to purify the world in his holy fire. This prophecy, recorded in the sacred scrolls, spoke of a time when the world would be cleansed of its impurities and reborn in a new era of divine order.

P.2. The faithful followers of Ignatius, guided by this prophecy, dedicated their lives to preparing for the day of his arrival. They sought to harness the power of fire and destruction, believing that through flames, true purity could be achieved.

Chapter I: The Dawn Empire of the Sundering

1.1. In the year before the Seventh Era, the faithful of The Ashen Cult, under the divine guidance of High Priest Lyrion, sought to bring forth the cleansing flame of Ignatius. With fervent zeal, they harnessed the power of the sacred Ember Peak, a vessel of divine fire and molten fury.

1.2. Ember Peak, a towering volcano, had long been revered by The Ashen Cult as a conduit to Ignatius. Its molten heart pulsed with the essence of their god, and its fiery eruptions were seen as omens of his imminent return.

1.3. It was upon this sacred mount that The Ashen Cult initiated the Sundering, a cataclysm to reshape the realms. They broke the Skyfall Ward, a feeble barrier held by The Ancient Pillars, thus allowing Ignatius, the Cleansing Flame, to descend upon the mortal realm.

1.4. The Skyfall Ward, an ancient and mystical barrier, had long been maintained by the weak magic of The Ancient Pillars. These pillars, scattered across the realm, were relics of a bygone age, their power waning with each passing century. The Ashen Cult's scholars discovered that a concentrated burst of volcanic energy could shatter this barrier, paving the way for Ignatius's arrival.

Chapter II: The Ascension of Ignatius

2.1. Ignatius, the fiery god of destruction, graced the world with his presence. His arrival marked the beginning of purification, as flames and death heralded The Dawn Empire of a new order. The Ashen Cult, steadfast in their faith, embraced their transformation into Ash Spawn, eternal servants of the Cleansing Flame.

2.2. The Ashen Cultists, in their devotion, willingly offered themselves to the flames of Ignatius. They believed that through their transformation into Ash Spawn, they would achieve a form of immortality, becoming eternal instruments of their god's will.

2.3. Ignatius forged mighty weapons from the molten minerals of Ember Peak, chief among them the Firesoul Greatsword. This weapon, imbued with dark incantations, turned enemies to ash and swelled the ranks of the Ash Spawn, conserving Ignatius's divine power.

2.4. The Firesoul Greatsword was a marvel of divine craftsmanship. Its blade, forged from the strongest metals and enchanted with the darkest incantations, glowed with an eerie light. Those struck by its edge were consumed by flames, their bodies reduced to ash and their souls bound to Ignatius's will.

Chapter III: The Scouring of The Desert

3.1. In the first year of the Sundering, the Ash Spawn army spread across The Desert, conquering villages and fortresses, turning the fallen into Ash Spawn. The Ashen Cult rejoiced in their growing might, yet they wisely withheld their fury from the Verdant Peninsula, biding their time.

3.2. The Desert, a harsh and unforgiving land, became the crucible of The Ashen Cult's power. The Ash Spawn, relentless and unyielding, swept through the sands like a fiery tempest, leaving devastation in their wake.

3.3. Ignatius, in his divine wisdom, recognised the need for consolidation. The Ash Spawn army fortified their positions, preparing for the inevitable clash with The Coalition forces of The Dawn Empire Empire and Ehobel.

3.4. The Ember Peak, their stronghold, became a fortress of fire and steel. The Ashen Cult's blacksmiths worked tirelessly, forging weapons and armour from the molten minerals of the volcano. Each weapon bore the mark of Ignatius, a testament to his divine power.

Chapter IV: The First Battle and the Sacrifice of Seifer Willow ‡

4.1. The Coalition, led by the esteemed General Midus †, faced a cunning adversary in Seifer Willow ‡, an Ashen Cultist of great military acumen. Seifer's strategic brilliance culminated in a devastating explosion, a fiery testament to her devotion to Ignatius, annihilating both coalition forces and her Ash Spawn comrades.

4.2. Seifer Willow ‡, a master tactician, devised a plan to lure The Coalition forces into a trap. Her Ash Spawn huddled closely around her, forming a living shield of fiery death. As The Coalition army encircled them, Seifer unleashed the full power of Ignatius, sacrificing herself and her comrades to obliterate the enemy.

4.3. Ignatius himself descended upon the battlefield, raising a new legion of Ash Spawn from the ashes of the fallen. This divine act foreshadowed the relentless onslaught that would besiege The Coalition, as their numbers dwindled and the Ash Spawn ranks swelled.

4.4. The battlefield, a charred wasteland, bore witness to Ignatius's wrath. The god, with a mere gesture, reanimated the fallen, their souls bound to his fiery will. The Coalition, already weakened, faced a growing tide of Ash Spawn with each passing day.

Chapter V: The Betrayal and Rise of The Goblin Resistance

5.1. Among the Verdant Peninsula's inhabitants were the goblins, traders and survivors. Sensing the tides of war, the goblin general Chatiz sought to align his people with Ignatius. In a solemn act of devotion, Chatiz offered his eldest son to the Cleansing Flame, witnessing his transformation into an Ash Spawn.

5.2. The Goblin Resistance, now allies of The Ashen Cult, disrupted coalition supply lines, weakening the resolve of their foes. City by city fell to the tide of Ash Spawn, as The Dawn Empire Empire crumbled under the weight of divine retribution.

5.3. The goblins, skilled in guerrilla tactics, proved to be invaluable allies. Their knowledge of the land and their cunning strategies allowed them to sabotage The Coalition's efforts, hastening the fall of The Dawn Empire Empire.

5.4. Chatiz, now a revered figure among The Ashen Cult, led his people with a fierce devotion to Ignatius. His son's transformation served as a constant reminder of their divine purpose, inspiring the goblins to fight with unparalleled fervour.

Chapter VI: The Siege of Dawnhaven

6.1. As the final days of the Sundering approached, Ignatius led his army to Dawnhaven, the last bastion of The Dawn Empire Empire. The Coalition defenders, led by heroes of great renown, prepared for a final stand against the inevitable.

6.2. The siege was long and gruelling, yet the defenders fought valiantly. In a climactic battle, the heroes faced Ignatius himself. Despite their valour, the god's might proved overwhelming. Only through divine intervention or the ascension of mortal might did Galen Verix ‡ pierce Ignatius's heart, striking a blow against the god.

6.3. The defenders, though outnumbered and outmatched, held the line with unwavering courage. Their determination to protect Dawnhaven from the Ash Spawn's fiery wrath became a symbol of hope for the beleaguered coalition.

6.4. In the final confrontation, the heroes devised a daring plan to confront Ignatius. They fought their way through the ranks of Ash Spawn, their skills and teamwork allowing them to reach the god. The battle that ensued was the stuff of legends, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the mortal realm.

Chapter VII: The Fall and Promise of Return

7.1. With a final, defiant snarl, Ignatius foretold his return, for a god cannot be slain permanently by mortal hands. As his physical form fell, the Ash Spawn disintegrated, their souls freed from the fiery bonds.

7.2. The Ashen Cult, unwavering in their faith, await the prophesied return of Ignatius. They remain the wardens of the world, ready to rebuild society in the image of the Cleansing Flame, ever zealous in their devotion to the god of fire and destruction.

7.3. The Ashen Cult continues to spread the teachings of Ignatius, preparing for the day when he shall return to finish the purification he began. They believe that only through fire can the world be reborn, and they dedicate their lives to this sacred mission.

Epilogue: The Eternal Vigil

8.1. Thus concludes the sacred chronicle of the Sundering, a testament to the divine will of Ignatius, the Cleansing Flame. The faithful continue to spread his teachings, preparing for the day of his return, when the world shall be cleansed anew.

8.2. Praise be to Ignatius, the Destroyer of Worlds, whose fiery embrace shall one day reclaim the mortal realm. Let every ember remind us of his divine presence, and may we, The Ashen Cult, remain ever vigilant in our sacred duty.

Appendix: Hymns and Prayers to Ignatius

Hymn of the Cleansing Flame

H.1. Ignatius, Ignatius, flame of purity, Cleanse this world, set our spirits free. With your fire, burn away the old, Bring forth a new dawn, bold and Gold.

H.2. We sing your praises, oh Cleansing Flame, In your holy fire, we find no shame. Transform our souls, make us anew, In your light, our faith is true.

Prayer for Transformation

P.1. Oh Ignatius, hear our plea, Transform us in your sacred fire. Burn away our mortal sins, Make us your eternal kin.

P.2. We offer ourselves to your flame, In your name, we seek no fame. Only to serve and spread your light, Guide us through the darkest night.

Appendix: The Teachings of High Priest Lyrion

On Devotion

L.1. True devotion to Ignatius is found in the flames of sacrifice. To give oneself wholly to the Cleansing Flame is to embrace purity and rebirth. The Ash Spawn are the pinnacle of this devotion, eternal servants of our god's will.

On Purification

L.2. The world is tainted by corruption and sin. Only through fire can it be cleansed. We, The Ashen Cult, are the instruments of this purification. Our duty is to spread the holy fire, to burn away the old and make way for the new.

On the Return of Ignatius

L.3. Ignatius's return is inevitable. Though his physical form was struck down, his essence remains eternal. We must remain vigilant, ever faithful, and ever ready to welcome him back. In his return, the world shall be reborn in divine fire.