The Rending

The Rending was the event that turned the land north of the Hollow Mountains into the Wastes of the Mad Mage. On the 17th day of Illeth in the year 1144 of the Age of Arcana, a massive blast of energy shook the continent of Istros and the islands of Nelorn'tol. The force of the blast tore holes in the veil between planes and destroyed portions of the foundation of all magic in Novredall. Energy and creatures from different planes poured into the material plane. Those living in the north who survived the initial blast fled south to escape the unpredictable phenomena and monsters now unleashed on the region. 
The monarchy was quick to pin the blame of the event on an archmage named Lillian Moonfall. She had been experimenting with magic that would allow people to travel across planes. Though it was possible to travel to the ethereal and shadow planes, which are mirrors of the material plane, the many others were impossible to reach. 

The Planar Children 

Children born of celestial, infernal, and elemental blood were incredibly rare before the Rending. Before 1144, only 5 were believed to exist. Soon after the blast, dozens of children touched by planar energy were born. The aasimar, touched by the heavens, were welcomed as miracles to their families and temples across Istros. The tieflings and genasi, born of the hells and elemental planes, were seen as a scourge on the land. Whether loved of hated, all of the planar children were seen as valuable assets to someone.

Related Historical Events

• 1144 A.A.
  The Rending