Paerdys

Paerdys: The Tragic Story of the Crusader Goddess Early Life and Origins Paerdys' story begins with a deception that would have far-reaching consequences across the Aina Continuum. Born from the union of Aranon, the High God of Earth, and Anicul, a goddess of fire beasts and rabble races, Paerdys was the product of one of the most cunning plots ever executed among the gods. Anicul, one of the original Eeirendel, harbored deep resentment towards the order maintained by the Ayn Auline. Her hatred drove her to seduce Aranon by taking the form of his beloved wife, Thiana, during the height of the First Black Fire War—a time when Aranon was deeply preoccupied with the ongoing cosmic conflicts.

Anicul's plan was to create a being that could destabilize the very foundation of the Aina Continuum, and Paerdys was the perfect vessel for her ambitions. Born in secrecy, Paerdys was raised in the fiery depths of Malondria, far from the prying eyes of the other gods. Anicul’s mastery over fire and chaos allowed her to conceal her daughter’s existence, but she also carefully nurtured Paerdys' innate powers, which combined the earth-shaping strength of her father with the chaotic, fiery nature of her mother.
From a young age, Paerdys displayed remarkable abilities, but she also developed a deep resentment towards the Ayn Auline, whom her mother had taught her to despise. Anicul instilled in her daughter a desire for power and a disdain for the order that the Ayn Auline represented. However, as Paerdys grew older, she began to feel a strong pull towards Zerthia, the earth realm governed by her father, rather than the fiery domain of Malondria.
This pull towards Zerthia was not merely an affinity for her father’s domain but a calculated decision by Paerdys. She saw in the earth realm a fertile ground for her ambitions, a place where she could build her power base and challenge the existing order. She left Malondria, much to the dismay of her mother, and journeyed to Zerthia, where she founded a nation named after herself—Paerdysa. This nation was strategically located east of the Zervesi empires of San and Han Alaspanar and west of the jungle nation of Nolavor.
In her early Years, Paerdys allied herself with the jungle gods Gartrin and Boria, who were initially good-aligned deities. However, these gods had been corrupted by the teachings of Malovatar during the First Black Fire War, and they found in Paerdys a powerful and charismatic leader. Together, they began to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Endraosai—a fanatical order of crusaders dedicated to the extermination of "heretic" races that had emerged after the Black Fire Wars.
Rise to Power As Paerdys consolidated her power in Zerthia, she crossed paths with Thanon, the son of Aranon and Thiana, who was unaware of their shared bloodline. Thanon, already embittered by the losses his people had suffered, found in Paerdys a kindred spirit. Their union was one of ambition and mutual respect, and together they formed the Endraosai, with the goal of restoring the old order by any means necessary.
Paerdys gave up rulership of Paerdysa, which was eventually renamed Pandaras, a move that caused a significant rift between her and her former subjects. However, she saw in Thanon an opportunity to achieve far greater power. Using her wiles, beauty, and battle prowess, she became Thanon’s mistress and co-leader of the Endraosai. Under their joint leadership, the Endraosai launched a series of brutal crusades across Zerthia, targeting races they deemed heretical.
The crusades led by Paerdys and Thanon were marked by unprecedented brutality. Entire races were hunted down and exterminated, their lands scorched and their cultures erased. Paerdys’ influence over Thanon was profound, turning him away from the ideals of the Drandsia Vatar and towards a path of tyranny and destruction. The Endraosai grew in power, becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Aina Continuum.
The Second Black Fire War The Second Black Fire War was a time of unparalleled conflict across the Aina Continuum, with multiple factions vying for power and control. While the primary focus of the war was on Te Nesavatar and his forces from Malondria, the crimes of Thanon, Paerdys, and the Endraosai were a significant subplot in this larger conflict. Paerdys used her influence over Thanon to push the Zervesi into ever more aggressive actions, making the Endraosai a formidable force.
However, as the war progressed, the forces of chaos that Paerdys and Thanon had unleashed began to turn against them. The tipping point came when Te Nesavatar, the Bringer of Death, killed Thanon in a brutal confrontation. Thanon’s death was a devastating blow to Paerdys, not only because of their close personal relationship but also because it marked the beginning of the end for her own power.
The death of Thanon triggered the wider conflagration of the Second Black Fire War. The forces of order, led by the remaining Ayn Auline, began to close in on the last remnants of the Endraosai. Paerdys, now isolated and vulnerable, found herself increasingly surrounded by enemies.
The Fall of Paerdys Aranon, consumed by grief and rage over the corruption and death of his son, finally discovered the truth about Paerdys’ parentage. Driven by a desire for vengeance unlike any he had ever known, Aranon confronted Paerdys on the battlefield. The battle between father and daughter was one of the most brutal and devastating confrontations of the entire war.
Aranon, known for his mercy and compassion, showed no such qualities in his battle with Paerdys. His attacks were relentless, fueled by a deep-seated rage at the betrayal he had suffered and the corruption of his firstborn. The battle raged for days, with neither side willing to relent, but in the end, Paerdys was no match for the full fury of Aranon.
Aranon's victory over Paerdys was pyrrhic. While he succeeded in avenging the death of Thanon and putting an end to Paerdys’ ambitions, the battle left him broken and weakened. The compassion and mercy that had once defined Aranon were stripped away in the heat of battle, leaving behind a god who was a shadow of his former self.
Aftermath and Legacy The death of Paerdys marked the beginning of the end for the Second Black Fire War. Soon after, Aranon himself fell in battle, his strength finally giving out under the strain of Years of conflict and the emotional toll of losing both his sons. With the deaths of Thanon, Paerdys, and Aranon, the Zervesi were left leaderless, and the Endraosai quickly collapsed.
In the centuries that followed, Paerdys’ name became synonymous with betrayal and corruption. Her story was recounted as a cautionary tale among the gods and mortals alike, a reminder of the thin line between order and chaos and the price of crossing it.
Even in death, Paerdys’ influence lingered. The remnants of the Endraosai, though scattered and leaderless, continued to cause trouble in the remote corners of Zerthia, and her name was invoked by those who sought to defy the established order. Her story, though tragic, ensured that she would never be forgotten, her legacy woven into the very fabric of the Aina Continuum.
The story of Paerdys serves as a dark chapter in the history of the Aina Continuum, illustrating the consequences of ambition, deception, and the pursuit of power at any cost. It is a tale that continues to resonate across the realms, a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked desire and the fragile balance between order and chaos.