CHAPTER 1: A LESSON IN HISTORY
In the dawn of time, before the world of Cainoria existed as it does today, a cataclysmic event known as "The Awakening" shook the fabric of reality. An otherworldly, eldritch sound echoed across the void, signaling the arrival of a massive, crystalline pillar of light. This pillar, known as the "Spire of awakening," descended from the heavens, bathing the world in its radiant, ethereal glow.
The Spire's arrival marked the beginning of the "Day of Awakening," an era when select individuals began to exhibit extraordinary abilities and manifested crests – the Awakened. These gifted beings were attuned to the Spire's energy, allowing them to wield magical powers that would shape the course of history.
However, the Spire's influence came at a terrible cost. The intense, eldritch energy corrupted some individuals, twisting their bodies and minds into grotesque, monstrous forms. These abominations were cast into the Wastelands, a realm forged from the corrupted earth and the discarded remnants of a bygone era.
Within the Wastelands, only the strongest-willed survivors endure. Those who venture too deep risk transformation into the very monsters they hunt. Brave adventurers delve into the Wastelands, seeking to harvest the corrupted creatures' body parts and harness their dark energies. These materials are used to craft and power "Spelltech" – innovative, magic-infused technologies that have become the cornerstone of Cainoria's modern societies.
The Wastelands remain a testament to the Spire's double-edged gift, a reminder of the delicate balance between power and corruption. As the Awakened continue to shape the world, the Wastelands serve as a grim warning of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, waiting to consume the unwary.
According to ancient world, the Wastelands are a cursed realm, born from the corruption that existed at the spire's arrival. This forsaken land is said to be a testing ground for the gods, where the unworthy are cast aside and the strong are forged in the fires of adversity.
The Wastelands are rumored to be a place of twisted creatures, dark magic, and ancient ruins hiding secrets and treasures. Many believe that those who venture into the Wastelands are forever changed, their souls tainted by the darkness that dwells within.
Despite the dangers, some brave adventurers and treasure seekers dare to explore the Wastelands, seeking fortune, knowledge, or redemption. However, few return to tell the tale, and those who do are often are forever changed into warriors, their stories spread as heroic fantasies.
The 4 kingdoms of Cainoria have long since given up trying to claim the Wastelands, instead focusing on strengthening their borders and warning their citizens of the dangers that lurk within. The Wastelands remain a mysterious, ever-present threat, a reminder of the darkness that lies just beyond the edge of civilization.