In the vast and ancient tapestry of Eldarias, the term "Elder Gods" holds profound significance, representing a group of primordial deities deeply connected to the very creation of the realms. Legends speak of a time when the cosmos was an infinite void, untamed and formless. It was the Elder Gods who, through their immense powers and divine will, shaped this chaotic expanse into the realms as they are known today.
In many locales across Eldarias, various cultures and civilizations revere the Elder Gods as the true progenitors of the divine pantheon. They are seen as the parental figures of the family of gods, having given birth to subsequent generations of divine beings. In the cosmogony of these mythologies, it is believed that the Elder Gods, in their divine union, birthed a pantheon of gods and goddesses, which can be further categorized into the Old Gods and the Intercessors.
The Old Gods, also known as the "Ancient Ones," embody the fundamental forces of nature, the elements, and the celestial bodies. They are often associated with the very fabric of the cosmos itself. These deities, born from the cosmic union of the Elder Gods, have a more distant and cosmic purpose, governing the grand aspects of reality and existence. They are often revered as powerful and enigmatic entities, responsible for the order and balance of the natural world.
On the other hand, the Intercessors are deities who focus their divine powers on the lives of mortals, acting as intermediaries between the mortal realm and the divine planes. Born from the same divine union, they are regarded as the more approachable and intimately involved deities, concerned with the day-to-day affairs of the mortal world and the welfare of its inhabitants.
The relationship between the Elder Gods, the Old Gods, and the Intercessors is likened to that of a divine family tree, with the Elder Gods being the progenitors, the Old Gods being their immediate offspring, and the Intercessors being the next generation of divine beings descending from the Old Gods.
Worship and reverence of the Elder Gods vary across Eldarias, but their importance is universal. Temples, shrines, and sacred sites dedicated to these primordial deities can be found in various regions, each celebrating their unique attributes and contributions to the realms. Rituals and ceremonies are conducted to honor and seek the favor of the Elder Gods, as their blessings are believed to bring prosperity, harmony, and protection to their followers.
The stories of the Elder Gods, passed down through generations, serve not only as a creation myth but also as a moral compass, teaching lessons of cosmic balance, divine lineage, and the interconnectedness of all things. As Eldarians continue to navigate the ever-changing tides of their world, they find solace in the knowledge that their very existence is woven into the fabric of divine history, guided by the hands of the Elder Gods.
Creation
In the annals of Eldarias, the enigmatic origins of Angra, the King of Chaos, and Ahura, the Lady of Order, remain shrouded in mystery. Yet, from their divine existence, the fabric of creation itself took form, setting in motion a cosmic saga that would shape the realms for eons to come.
Ahura, the graceful and wise, was entrusted with governing the Celestial Realms, while Angra, harbinger of chaos, found its dwelling in the tumultuous Chaos Nexus. It was Angra who gave life to the fearsome Great Seven-Headed Serpent, Maleragon, intending it to wreak havoc amidst the primordial chaos encroaching upon Ahura's domain. However, Maleragon's violent reign was brought to an end by Ahura's hand. From the serpent's demise, the oceans and lands of the world were forged, and its progeny scattered across the newly formed realm.
Enraged by the defeat of his prized creation, Angra unleashed elemental chaos upon the nascent world, unleashing Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water to brutalize Maleragon's descendants, causing untold destruction and loss of life. In response, Ahura, unable to bear the anguished cries any longer, sent forth her compassionate Daughters, Luciana and Trillaris, alongside her son Arolen, the God of Sun and Light, to restore order. Together, they captured and molded the chaotic powers of Angra into Arcana and Divine Nature.
Furious once more, Angra dispatched his daughter Kailani, the Goddess of Sea and Ice, to flood Trillaris' lands, while his son Khal marshaled an army of Sin Beasts hailing from the Heart of Darkness. Angra's son Shareth covered Arolen's light with darkness itself. This bitter conflict between the children of Ahura and Angra continues to echo through the ages.
As the offspring of Maleragon grew in power, they shaped domains across the realm, vying for dominance. The most formidable among them became known as the Worldshapers, unparalleled dragons in their might. Peace was eventually brokered among the Worldshapers by Celasdria Silver-Scaled, leading to their ascension as deities in Ahura's eyes.
In the world's youth, Ahura proposed a truce with Angra, sealed by a union that gave birth to Enesis, the Soulforger, and their twin, Idall, the Soulbroker. Agents of both order and chaos, Enesis and Idall emerged as arbiters of life and death, wielding unparalleled power over the cycles of existence.
Arolen harnessed the elemental fire to shape Thralin, an embodiment of metal and stonecraft. Together, they created the grand soul-forge within the sun's light, where Enesis fashioned the first mortal souls. These souls were infused with elemental chaos, leading to conflict between the Giant-Kin and Dragonkind.
In response to the ensuing turmoil, the realms of the dead were established as the Eclipse Domain, a place of constant struggle between light and shadow. The Gravemother presided over this domain, and the Angel Casiel judged the souls that arrived. Good souls were either crafted anew or joined the Ageless Sanctuary, while the wicked faced the Cinder Reach, gateway to The Realm of Chains.
Amidst the primordial conflicts, the Intercessor emerged from a chaotic confluence as Khyros, the God of the Tempest. Devastating wars led to the giants' decline, and the Dwarfs were forged by Thralin, embodying the very earth and the blood of their fallen kin.
Khal and Shareth's corrupted influence birthed the Orc-kin, but they ultimately relinquished control, allowing the Orc-kin to develop independently. The Soulforge's potency brought forth more humanoid races, with Luciana giving life to the Elves and Casiel shaping the humans.
Thus, the ebb and flow of mortal kingdoms and empires unfolded over millennia, fueled by the whims of both divine and sinister forces, as well as the ambitions of mortal beings. The epic saga of Eldarias continues, its future woven into the rich tapestry of divine and mortal interplay.
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