The Trials

The Trials dominate the modern world of Eulea having long since supplanted primal energies and the old Gods of the world as the primary source of power and divinity. Numbering five in total each was forged by one of the Great Gods to test mortals and push them far beyond their normal limits. While the intent for such divine intervention in the world is still unknown the impact on history by the Immortals, those who have conquered the Trials, is undeniable and has undoubtedly accelerated the progress of civilisation to heights unheard of. Warriors of all types descend on the Trials every year in an effort to conquer the challenges and even potentially join the ranks of the Living Gods should they survive and each newly empowered Immortal is celebrated as countless individuals perish each time an attempt is made.

History

No one knows when the Trials appeared on what is now known as the Lost Continent just that they appeared when the land was still rich in life and energy in the form of great towers that dominate the skyline. All but one of the great structures was sealed from all attempts to enter and none returned alive from that one for a long time. Eventually curious adventurers finally produced a champion that would conquer the tower and the truth would be revealed. Each tower was a test, a Trial created by the Gods to determine the worth of mortalkind and bestow upon the worthy great power and immortality. Thus those who conquered the Trials became known as Immortals after the greatest gift the Gods had given them. After the first group more and more people began to complete the Trial and more information became available as people flocked to the continent to try and claim the prizes within. They discovered that the First Trial had been created by Nemera to help prepare mortals for the later Trials to come and the challenge was not over yet.
The Second Trial was the work of Haphion and was much more dangerous than the First Trial and claimed the lives of many of the Immortals who challenged before it was finally conquered. Realising how much more difficult and dangerous this Trial was lead to a gap of centuries before any dared to attempt the Third Trial, the challenge put forth by Tyrarr. Even with this preparation the mortality rate was still high although the calmer heads of the longer lived Immortals did mean that it was not comparable to the previous Trials even if the completion rate was equally abysmal. Given the success of the most patient Immortals in completing the Third Trial it would be millennia before anyone even dared take the Fourth yet even that would not prepare them for the brutality and cunning of Oros. So few completed the Fourth Trial that all who did would go on to make history regardless of the era even though their total numbers throughout history have never exceeded fifty at any time.
After the Fourth there remained one last Trial which was the personal handiwork of the Twins. Until the fateful day that the Emperor walked through the gates and became the first to conquer it none had even managed to survive the whims of the Twins. So difficult was the challenge and so great the reward that the Emperor was granted godlike power or even godhood depending on interpretation. Such a reward was enough to allow him control of the world and even those who survived (and did not complete) the Trial alongside him became legends among even other Tier Four Immortals for their power and influence. Eventually, as with all the Trials, more people would survive the ordeal although only two others would come to claim the final prize at the end. Their actions showed finally showed the world what lay at the end of the long and dangerous path of an Immortal and this knowledge would galvanise further generations to chase after that goal even if it could kill them. The Trials stand to this day, inviting all with ambition and crushing the unprepared time after time with the promise of glory, power and divinity to any who can overcome them.

Observance

Those who wish to take part in the Trials must first reach the relevant tower in the Lost Continent, a dangerous and arduous task given the wild nature of the land, and enter the structure at noon when the doors will open. The duration of each Trial varies from weeks to years depending on the difficulty during which they will be subjected to a series of challenges which vary for each group. The only way to leave the tower during this time is to forfeit between challenges or to fail a challenge without dying in the process which will automatically return the individual outside where they can receive medical attention if required. No limits exist on who can take a Trial except for the minimum Tier required to take it. There are no limits on assistance that can be brought in and group efforts are rewarded just as well as individual ones (albeit with slightly more difficult challenges).

Primary Related Location

Lost Continent