Deep within what was once one of Eventide's resplendent silver cities, now lying partially in ruins after the Destroyer's invading forces had descended, a lone wanderer picked through the rubble of a collapsed temple.
Kedar had once served proudly as a guardian priest, tending the ancient altar within and singing the old resonance hymns to sustain the protective barriers keeping Eventide's harmony untouched by outside chaos. But when the flaming hydra and its army of horrors unleashed unrelenting destruction, everything changed in mere hours.
Though the gods had intervened, turning back total annihilation just in time, the community Kedar helped anchor had been shaken to its core. Even the glorious temple where the three deities were said to have last vested their depleted essence now contained only scattered fragments of its former majesty.
Yet as Kedar knelt solemnly before the largest intact remnant with prayer stones still radiating warmth, there suddenly came a blinding flash illuminating his weary face. Rising slowly, astonishment gave way to flowing tears
There, floating before where the central idol once stood, was a hovering luminescent seed no bigger than a fist - pulsing in divine resonance! Kedar's heart pounded realizing what his soul sensed instantly - that the gods had left one last gift. A flickering piece of their immortal energy...one solitary chance for Eventide's protectors to be reborn.
Hardly daring to breathe, Kedar vowed he would carry this fragile blessing beyond the city...into the farthest reaches of wilderness where fed its power undetected until the gods could truly walk this world again
…..
In the eras that followed the retreat of the dedicated guardian priest Kedar into the depths of the ancient wilderness, his sole mission was to protect the radiant seed of divinity that had been left behind by the gods of Eventide, whose powers had waned.
Throughout the passing centuries, numerous enchanting tales and legends emerged, each one recounting the arduous journey and tireless efforts of Kedar, and how his unwavering dedication ultimately led to the realization of his noble quest.
As Kedar dedicated himself to tending the vibrant seed, channeling all his love and care into awakening its faintly glowing vitality, the ancient artifact eventually found its place in the earth, firmly establishing its roots before blossoming into an enormous structure composed of shimmering timber and verdant foliage.
Growing taller and taller over several decades, the awe-inspiring botanical entity known as Kedar and aptly named "Yggdrasil" after its origins from a cosmic seed, gradually absorbed the very essence of creation, making it a majestic and mystical being that spans the entirety of the planet. Yggdrasil, with its extensive network of roots connecting to all corners of the world, served as a conduit for the residual power of the gods.
This power, flowing through the World Tree, brought vitality and strength to all forms of life in nature. As time passed, flora, fauna, and even entire civilizations began to adapt to the omnipresent energy of the World Tree, gaining the ability to manipulate matter and energy according to their will. Throughout the countless ages that have passed, even the once-forgotten Kedar has been remembered, and the evolutionary guidance of Ydrassil has become a fundamental aspect of existence.
Psychic magicians and wizards have learned to tap into the never-ending streams of awakened genius loci that flow within it, using this connection to manipulate reality and perform extraordinary miracles.
Those races fortunate enough to find solace beneath its protective shade have been freed from the shackles of famine and discontent, as the very technologies they have developed, powered by the living runic codes derived from Ydrassil, have banished the darkness of night.
Ydrassil served as an embodiment of the divine sacrifice that paved the way for Eventide's potential to flourish, as the gods withdrew into the depths of existence until the next cosmic cycle converged.
Within the bounds of Ydrassil, mortal minds were elevated to the role of architects, bringing to life ancient ideals in a refreshed and tangible form.
Many ages had gone by on Eventide since the guardian deities engaged in a fierce conflict against Galaxor and his malevolent armies, managing to reach a deadlock and preventing the planet from being utterly destroyed.
Galaxor was subsequently imprisoned once again by the tribunal authorities, banishing him to exile for another million years.
In the absence of the gods, who only appeared sporadically through fleeting forms, various new civilizations emerged, each with their unique way of revering the almost legendary Pantheon, influenced by ancient and fragmented historical accounts.
Numerous kingdoms engaged in a relentless power struggle, which eventually escalated into a catastrophic conflict fueled by magic. This dire situation forced the enfeebled deities, who were unable to fully recover their strength due to the absence of sacred shrines on the war-torn planet, to intervene.
Kingdom yore
Within the muddy streets of Riverend, a nondescript village located along the Skystream that runs through the heart of the ancient pastoral kingdom of Yore, Underneath the heavy and ominous sky, bearing the weight of the storm, this child's arrival brought a glimmer of light and anticipation.
Anna, filled with both exhaustion and elation, couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the significance of this tiny life. She knew that this child held the power to bring about change, to transform their world and perhaps even heal the wounds that had plagued her existence.
Anna's lover, Alastar, who had promised to marry her, was taken away along with many other young people to fight in King Thessorus's campaign against the rival Kingdom of Larion.
The midwife, Mylla, was worried that the baby might not survive without his father.
Anna had already experienced a difficult life, working in alehouses to make ends meet. Now, she was faced with the possibility of losing her dreams as well.
Just as Anna was about to give in to despair, the baby suddenly stretched his leg, as if waking up from a deep sleep.
Mylla saw this as a small mercy from the gods, and Anna held her unexpected son tightly, crying tears of relief instead of grief.