The Ten Year Winter

Whilst the gods retreated to their domain to let us tend to their creation aeons ago, The Ten Year Winter serves as a reminder that they still hold influence on our world,

— Allegra Nightwell, historian and High Priestess

Historically

The Ten Year Winter marked the end of the Age of Conflict around 2000 years ago as petty squabbles were put aside in order to survive the harshness of perpetual wintry condition for entire decade. The first thaw at the end of the Ten Year Winter is seen as the first year of the Age of Harmony which lasts all the way up to the outbreak of the Cataclysm War.
The first few years of the Ten Year Winter saw massive casualties as the races of the world struggled to adapt to the persistent freezing conditions. As a singular event, albeit ten years' worth, it is responsible for more death than any war, even the Cataclysm War.

Essina's Wrath

Supposedly, the Ten Year Winter is a result of a celestial kidnapping. It is said Alios was captured by the Archdevil. Essina, distraught that her love had been taken from her, inadvertently unleashed her wrath on the mortal realm, which caused a decade of cold. It was only when Alios was freed by Essina and the rest of The Dia did the Winter end.
The Ten Year Winter was an unfortunate reminder that Essina is one of the most powerful gods, being one of the four primal gods.

Lasting Effects

One of the main effects of the Ten Year Winter was the unification of Aldenia. As the nations ceased their warring, they came together to share the methods and the land that could be used in order to survive. The removal of arbitrary boundaries between the Dwarves, Gnomes, Elves and Humans of Aldenia continues to this day. though Mohzall's Chasm does function as a pseudo-boundary, it is not an official one.

Type

Metaphysical, Elemental