A Primal Failure
A brief study on the decline of the Primals
Gilil, 759as
Preface
The Primals were mayhap the most advanced civilization in the history of Ivaenlis, their legacy stretching far and wide, with an overarching influence second only to the divine Starborn, despite the striking differences between both cultures. While the later decided not to meddle in mundane affairs, the former shaped the world according to their own whims, terraforming continents, creating storms or clearing the skies as their heretical ways saw fit. But what led to the downfall of such proud and mighty species? Despite my best efforts, I fear I will not be alive to find a definitive answer to this most intriguing question. However, I do hope this document may drive fellow historian and connoisseur alike to find the truth that lies behind the elements and, perhaps, the hidden city of Maelnys itself.
Origins
I cannot conclude when the Primals were first conceived, but I have reason to suspect they emerged from the energies the Starborn used to create the cosmos itself. Drawing from that essence, the Primals expanded across Eurolis, the single landmass that dominated the planet at the time. As the Age of Elements progressed, other species inevitably made Eurolis their home: Human, Halfling and Centaur, to name a few. While the Primals did not actively shun the younger species, they were also not particularly fond of their curious and ephemeral existence. As such, few non-primal testimonies detail the architecture, traditions or rituals performed by primal citizens.
Social Hierarchy
Upon venturing into the Archive of Lustris, I learned that primal culture relied upon a strict caste system. Beings referred to as Archons held most positions of influence within primal civilization, while the vast bulk of primal society was comprised by the Genies, lesser, ageless immortals. Various scriptures detail the Archons as being formidable entities, capable of manipulating the remnants of the energies the Starborn employed to conceive Ivaenlis. I believe that no more than a dozen Archons ever existed, but was incapable of determining if they lived within the same seasons. Amongst the archons number Aeria, Celestia, Firmis, Glacis, Ragnir, Tesla and Umbra, as well as a few nameless others.
Other species were delegated to the lower caste, never fully integrated in primal society. The Gnomes, Salamanders, Sylphs and Undines, are an interesting case, as they too occupied this inferior rank in spite of their many similarities with the Primals. Born of Human parents myself, I believe these four species to not be related with the Primals, justifying their position within the primal hierarchy.
The Fabled War
As Feykind was born, so too was the Age of Fables. Despite being a young species, the Fey rebelled against Primal hegemony and tensions slowly escalated into a full-blown war that lasted for millenia, culminating in the defeat and near extinction of the Primals. Many scholars describe the Severance as the fulcral moment in the Fabled War, but I believe the Primals had already been defeated long before that event.
During the first centuries of the conflict, both Fey and Primal refused to put their lives at risk. To this effect, the Primals created the Orcs and the Fey the Hobgoblins, both envisioned to wage war upon one another. The Hobgoblins achieved several victories over their counterparts, forcing the Archons themselves to take upon the battlefield. Now led by the Archons, the primal armies enjoyed several victories against the Feykind who, notwithstanding their natural resistance to the energies handled by the Archons, were nevertheless forced to retreat. Yet, even in defeat the tree folk proved cunning, using the newly raised primal offensive to unite the people of Ivaenlis under a common banner. Soon, the Primals were besieged upon all fronts, losing most of their territories to the joint forces of their enemies. While most historians believe the siege of Maelnys to have lasted centuries (forcing the Feykind to provoke the Severance), I suspect this was not the case, due to a particular myth I’ve uncovered in Lustris.
The Fury
Legend has it that an Archon named Tesla, the Fury, met the armies of the alliance, at the gates of Maelnys, single-handedly routing their forces. Under her leadership, the Primals knew not of defeat and Tesla became revered in Primal society. However, when the Archon launched a final offensive on Uyren Nalore, Tesla was presumably defeated, returning to Maelnys with stillness and sorrow in her eyes. As Tesla passed the city’s gates, she was never seen again.
Inconsistencies and Thesis
While it is difficult to determine the veridity of Tesla’s feats, several Fey scriptures mention a sudden turn for the worse in the war, despite not being clear as to why. Other documents relate several successful attacks on Maelnys, contradicting the common thesis of a long-lasting siege on the capital. A different text mentions that the Fey had no reason to trigger the Severance as, preceding the event, the Fey kingdoms were enjoying several years prosperity. These inconsistencies lead me to believe the true reason behind the Primal’s defeat lies within Tesla’s disappearance. While I lack the time or evidence to back these claims, I hope my insights may prove useful to whoever reads this thesis.
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