Arkûl's Cataclysm

5,000 years after the end of the Uprising sparked an era of learning. Understanding what had just transpired, to learn more about their oppressors, and most importantly, the now free people's origins. In the last century of learning, there were a seldom few who did not the name Arkûl. In the century after his death, there were a seldom few who did not fear the name Arkûl.

Summary

Born in the Dawn City of Carcosa, Arkûl Viccera was an elf of intense curiosity. Fascinated and intrigued by the colossal corpse of the Ancient One that was the foundation of Carcosa, he made it his goal to catalog and describe as many of these creatures as possible. Visiting ruins and ancient battlefields, sunken cities and deserted texts that took many years to decipher, he traveled D'aalla and learned. Living in seclusion, there were none to notice the effects of his research. He traded correspondence with fellow academics and scholars, and those that noticed the changes kept quiet, all in the name of knowledge. In the year of 5,938, Arkûl was found in the Icerend Empire. And it was there the world was nearly lost. Those who were nearby either died, or were driven so mad that all speech was unintelligible. All we know is what remains at that eldritch crypt. Scholars call it a temporal schism, a moment in time doomed to repeat until Pelor's light fades. Those even miles away are attacked by nausea and paranoia. The closer you get, the worse these feelings get. Soon, you can spot it. An Ancient One, alive, knowing, seeing. Screams permeate the area, deafening roars far from humanoid. Arkûl stands at the base of this creature, the earth beneath him sunders, falling. The Ancient One takes flight, then the process repeats. Those quick enough have said to been able to speak with Arkûl. It is reported that Carcosa was affected, the corpse shifting, moving, breathing. Ruins lit up, notes and texts from the Ancient Ones grew larger, longer. High Elves appeared. The night sky shifted, noises from far in the cosmos, the chill from beneath the stars affecting us all. But, those are just rumors.

Historical Basis

The only thing legend about Arkûl's demise is the effects of the Cataclysm, things fabricated, things embellished. Those that doubt the event ever took place need only visit the Crypt.

Spread

Very few know who Arkûl actually was, the scholar. Many only know him as the man who almost ended the world. After his "death", most research done during the 5,000 years were locked away, if not destroyed.

Variations & Mutation

Some believe Arkûl was actually destroying the Ancient One, not summoning it. Some believe that he never was a scholar, his goal was always to end all. Some think he was a High Elf in disguise, some believe him to be an Ancient One himself.
A small cult has formed around Arkûl, seeking to find and uncover his writings. They see him as a messiah, and wish to break the schism.

Cultural Reception

Despite all that transpired, those from Carcosa still see it as a point of pride that it was the birth place of Arkûl.

In Literature

After his death, most writing strayed from nonfiction, and only fools now write about Ancient Ones.

In Art

A colleague of Arkûl, Forine Nimblefinger, created a painting that is still talked about, considered a masterpiece. It is titled, "A Broken Mand" Forine never mentioned the error in the title, claiming there is no error.
In Arkûl's Crypt, one can find a tapestry that is said to hang there, detailing the events that took place. The materials that make up the tapestry are at least 20,000 years old.

Date of First Recording

5,938