The Collapse

Summary

The Collapse was an event on the 18th of Rort, 874 where the flow of all Magic was abruptly halted. None could draw upon it as a resource any more. The Collapse led to a collapse of multiple large societies that were dependent upon Magic in their every day lives, such as The Enphunian Empire and Urushee. The event is also attributed to radical changes in the genetic makeup and evolution of animal species, and the introduction of the Arcana Species.
The cause of the Collapse is a subject that is much speculated upon to this day, but as of yet no plausible explanations have been offered as a notable number of Arcane scholars perished either during or in the days following the event. As such, most individuals able to offer their knowledge or research into the matter are significantly less versed in the matters of the Arcane than would be required to accumulate a substantial effort into the matter.

Effects Upon Individuals

Individuals that were frequent users of Magic arts, such as Archmagi and Arcane Soldiers, would potentially fall victim to disintegration if they were actively utilizing their magic at the time of the Collapse's occurrence. These deaths appeared to be instantaneous and painless.
Those that were not killed during this initial event fell victim to outbreaks of intense sickness similar to individuals suffering from Arcane Irradiation Poisoning. While these illnesses are usually treatable by trained professionals, the combination of major disruption to infrastructures, the deaths of a significant proportion of skilled healers, and the inability to use healing magic prevented these individuals from receiving the proper care. As a result, the majority of the surviving Archmagi perished soon after.
Survivors with experience using the Arcane were typically less knowledgeable on the matter, and did not use their arts on a frequent basis. Unable to access the flow of Magic, however, most of their surviving information was lost to either memory or time, leaving written records as the most prominent source of education on the topic of Magic.

Effects Upon Societies

Urushee suffered catastrophically in the days following the Collapse, with a series of escalating incidents in its predominantly arcane-founded society causing catastrophic losses of civilian life and several major areas of the nation to become territory inaccessible and uninhabitable. Small sections of Urushee were able to recover due to their outspoken rejection of Arcane technologies, following a traditionalist movement some decades prior, and were since converted to refugee settlements for survivors of the Collapse that were unwilling to leave their former home behind. For a detailed timeline of the incident, refer to the dedicated Chronicle page.
Ionin was completely eradicated by a Class 7 Cascading Arcane Rift event, minutes after the initial effects of the Collapse were observed. Surrounding areas are still deemed inhospitable to any life to this day, with the region experiencing heavy fallout and Arcane Irradiation. For further speculation, refer to the dedicated Chronicle page for Ionin.
Enphune would collapse due to internal strife and panic following the Collapse. Significant portions of the populace were trapped or otherwise cut off due to failures in Arcane mechanisms, while other parts of the empire fell victim to widespread looting and banditry in the hours following the incident. An attempt by the Enphunian Regime to restore order was mounted, with limited success in the following weeks, before internal coups and rebellions amongst its military led to its ruling Emperor Charles Estiefort fleeing the country.
Further details of effects upon specific civilizations can be found upon their own Chronicle pages.
"We have all suffered greatly. We have all known tragic loss, across the world. What matters now is the people's will to continue their great work, and rise from the ashes of this event, that we may look to the future." - Emperor Charles Estiefort, Mir-3, 874

Ecological effects

While most areas were largely unaffected by the advent of the Collapse, those near developed civilizations that relied extensively upon Arcana in their development or day to day life have gone under radical alterations in physiology since. Notably, the areas surrounding Ionin have slowly regressed into that resembling a Dustbowl, with what little Fauna that survived going under radical metamorphosis into beasts capable of attacking and devouring other mortal life. Other areas require farther study to properly determine the long term effects of the Collapse, and it is believed that some may not manifest for several generations.

Effects Upon Wildlife

Several species of wild beasts and monsters were heavily affected by the Arcane Irradiation created by the epicentres of the Collapse. These creatures are referred to as the "Altered". They are exceptionally more hostile towards other creatures, and are capable of emitting strong, heavily unstable bursts of energy at a moment's notice. An example of an Altered Creature is the Thundera Ravager - A creature that, previously believed to be of the Ursus species, stands permanently on its hind legs, with 6 arm-like appendages that host vicious claws. Moving with incredible speed and ferocity, it employs jolts of electricity to stun or otherwise immobilize its prey, before savagely dismembering them in seconds.
While it has been found to be feasible to fell the creatures through traditional methods, remaining civilizations typically decree that regular civilians are to avoid contact with the Altered at all costs due to the danger.
Additionally, the Collapse is attributed to the creation of the Arcana {Major} and Arcana {Minor} subspecies of the Animalia. (See: Arcana Species )

Theories

Many theories circulate regarding the origins of The Collapse. As much as this chronicle attempts to remain a factual account of Erra, it is nevertheless necessary to preserve these accounts for future reference. Recurring, or popular, theories I have observed include;
The Collapse is Divine punishment for our misuse of Arcana in inventions. The Dragons caused the event, and hide in fear of reprecussion. Extraterrestial creatures caused The Collapse to weaken the world of Erra in preparation for a full-scale invasion. As above, but with Demonic creatures. Ionin caused the incident, which is why it was obliterated in the moments after the event.
However, none of these theories have any notable evidence to verify them.

Legacy

With the majority of the Magi population that were capable of passing on their works to following generations deceased, and the lack of access to the flow of Magic, the Arcane Arts are inaccessible to any individual since the Collapse. While there remains extensive records of spells and arcanum, they are now nothing more than lessons in history as they cannot be practically implemented.
Several major societies collapsed in the chaos following the months after the Collapse, with some suffering a slower deterioration from within due to an inability to adapt to a world without Magic. In the following century, the concept of being able to utilise the Arcane Arts again in any significant manner was discarded, and modern civilizations have been rebuilt as far more primitive settlements.
Eodonoran technology that only relied upon Magic to a minor degree has since been salvaged to operate on primitive electrical and petroleum based power sources, such as vehicular transportation and some basic machinery.
The estimated global death toll from events directly caused by, or related to, the Collapse stands at 2.13 Billion, which represents the vast majority of the global population (>99%).