The Land Shatter

(Artwork by MidJourny)
In the annals of history, a significant event transpired in the year 497 of the Mage Wars Era, precisely on the twentieth day of Longlight, during the year when the Glyph's ascendance was observed. This momentous occasion, shrouded in ancient lore and mysticism, nearly unleashed unparalleled devastation upon our living world, threatening to awaken the slumbering behemoth known as Syann, the great mother beast. Allow me, dear reader, to recount the chronicle of this perilous juncture, where our world stood on the precipice of annihilation.
During that era, the Mage Wars ravaged the continent of Terigoth, an epoch marked by turbulent conflicts, rampant power struggles, and the wanton utilization of arcane forces. It is said that the dwarves and elves, masters of mystical arts, imparted their profound wisdom upon humanity, kindling a tumultuous era of sorcerous warfare. Wizard warlords emerged, their insatiable thirst for supremacy fueling a relentless pursuit of dominion. With each passing day, their unrestrained employment of potent magic brought forth chaos and ruination, gripping the land in its merciless grasp.
However, the turning point arrived with the emergence of a prodigious elementalist sorcerer known as Alanor Dorath. Driven by an insidious desire to assert his dominance and hold several nations captive under his oppressive reign, Dorath conceived a sinister plan. Dubbed "The Land Shatter," this legendary incantation sought to fracture the very foundation of Terigoth, rending it asunder and casting the realm into everlasting turmoil.
When the defiant nations that Dorath held hostage united against Dorath's tyranny and launched a valiant assault upon his stronghold, the embittered mage unleashed his cataclysmic spell. In an instant, the world convulsed and trembled, its once-steadfast ground cracking and splintering beneath the overwhelming magical forces. The cataclysm's aftermath was catastrophic, with the land torn apart, giving rise to the Broken Isles—fragmented remnants of Terigoth's once-mighty expanse.
Within this desolate aftermath, the Broken Isles bore witness to pools of ethereal Aura Water the very life blood of magic and source of lay line energy, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. These pools, tainted with the lifeblood of the ancient behemoth Syann, pulsated with chaotic magical energies, warping and distorting reality itself. The ruins of the mage warlords' once-proud dominions now lay as testament to the folly of their unrestrained sorcery, their once-imposing edifices crumbling amidst the shattered lands.
In the wake of the cataclysmic Land Shatter, the consequences of humanity's unrestrained arcane power manifested in a profound and tangible manner. The immense mother beast, Syann, an entity of inconceivable magnitude and ancient wisdom, suffered a grievous wound. The very essence of her existence, the life force that permeated her being, seeped out in torrents of ethereal energy, creating mystical pools of liquid magic upon the fractured lands. These pools, brimming with untamed power, bore witness to the immense pain inflicted upon the slumbering colossus.
As the liquid magic ebbed and flowed, the world itself quivered and convulsed under the weight of Syann's agony. The tremors reverberated across the broken landscape, a testament to the profound connection between the mother beast and the realm it had nurtured for eons. The magnitude of such a cataclysmic event was felt by all, from the lowliest creature to the mightiest sorcerer. It was a somber reminder of the fragile balance between mortals and the ancient forces that governed their existence.
The pools of liquid magic, like shimmering remnants of Syann's lifeblood, stood as a testament to the immense power contained within the wounded mother beast. These ethereal reservoirs pulsed with chaotic energies, their mere presence a reflection of the immense forces that threatened to unravel the fabric of reality. To witness the ripple upon the surface of these pools was to glimpse into the boundless depths of the arcane, where both awe-inspiring wonders and unimaginable perils resided.
In that fateful and harrowing instant, the world succumbed to an overwhelming sense of stillness, as if time itself held its breath in anticipation of the awakening of the great mother beast. The mere tremors of her slumber sent tidal waves crashing upon the newly formed coastlines, a desperate attempt to alleviate the excruciating pain that wracked her colossal form. The relentless force of the surging waters inundated the fractured and gaping wounds of the land, swallowing whole those unfortunate souls who had managed to endure the initial cataclysm.
With an unstoppable fury, the walls of water surged forth, mercilessly engulfing everything in their path. Once-vibrant settlements, already devastated by the Land Shatter, were rendered even more desolate as the waves swallowed them whole. The cries of anguish and despair echoed through the chaos, lost amidst the thunderous roar of the unforgiving sea.
Countless lives, already teetering on the precipice of oblivion, were abruptly extinguished by the relentless onslaught of the colossal tidal waves. Families torn asunder, communities forever erased, and the remnants of once-thriving civilizations were all consigned to the depths of the churning waters. The sea, once a source of sustenance and life, had become an agent of unyielding destruction, claiming the lives of those unfortunate enough to be caught in its merciless embrace.
In the wake of such devastating tragedy, survivors were left to grapple with the enormity of their losses. They bore witness to the destructive power unleashed by the wounded mother beast, her desperate attempt to alleviate her suffering inadvertently wreaking havoc upon the already shattered remnants of civilization. It was a chilling reminder of the immense forces at play, forces that could effortlessly extinguish even the most tenacious flicker of hope.
The cataclysmic deluge served as a sobering testament to the fragility of human existence in the face of nature's unrestrained might. It forever etched into the annals of history the profound consequences of tampering with powers beyond mortal comprehension. As the waters receded, leaving behind a scarred and desolate landscape, the survivors were left to contemplate the tragic consequences of their world being rent asunder and the daunting task of rebuilding amidst the remnants of their shattered lives.
By some merciful twist of fate, the great mother beast remained in her slumber, her stirring merely a sign of her immense suffering rather than an awakening that would bring about the end of all life. It would be a considerable span of time, almost a century, before the tumultuous Aura Water pools finally began to recede, their surging presence gradually diminishing. Simultaneously, the intricate network of Lay Lines, those mystical conduits of energy that traversed the land, commenced their arduous process of self-healing.
Throughout this extended period of recovery, the efforts of both arcane and divine spellcasters played a vital role in facilitating the restoration of balance. These individuals, driven by a deep understanding of the intricacies of magic and the profound consequences of its misuse, dedicated themselves to mend the wounded Lay Lines and mitigate the adverse effects caused by the seepage of raw arcane energy. Their tireless endeavors were not without their own tragic consequences, however, as the uncontrolled leakage of such potent magical radiation led to the untimely demise and deformities of numerous unsuspecting beings.
Plants, animals, and even sentient creatures who found themselves in close proximity to these leaking pools of raw magical radiation became unwitting victims of the hidden perils lurking within. Unaware of the imminent danger that surrounded them, they fell prey to the insidious effects of unbridled arcane energy. Lives were lost, and the surviving victims bore the burdens of irreversible physical deformities, forever marked by the treacherous aftermath of the cataclysm.
Within the annals of history, there exists a somber tale that lingers as a testament to the consequences of unchecked power and the destructive potential of a tormented mind. It is a story that revolves around the enigmatic figure known as Alanor Dorath, a name now spoken with disdain and bitterness, forever tarnished by the atrocities he unleashed upon the Tarigoth continent.
Alanor Dorath, once a prominent figure in the realm of wizardry, succumbed to the allure of dark and forbidden knowledge. Consumed by his thirst for supremacy and intoxicated by the twisted promises of ultimate power, he descended into madness. Unleashing his unhinged mind upon the world, he became an instrument of devastation, bringing ruin and despair to the lands that were unfortunate enough to fall under his sway.
Yet, in a twist of fate that some perceive as a twisted form of justice, Alanor Dorath met his own demise at the hands of his own creation. His final spell, a malevolent manifestation of his deranged consciousness, turned against him, sealing his fate and forever removing him from the mortal realm. Thus, he escaped the clutches of true justice, evading the retribution that his heinous acts warranted.
In the wake of his downfall, the name of Alanor Dorath became a symbol of infamy and repulsion. His family, burdened by the weight of his atrocities and driven by a profound sense of remorse and fear, chose to sever all ties to their tarnished lineage. The name itself was buried, an attempt to distance themselves from the haunting legacy that had been left behind. It is now spoken only in hushed whispers, tinged with bitterness and resentment.
As time passed, the name Alanor Dorath became a cautionary tale, a cautionary tale passed down through generations. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unbridled ambition and the insidious allure of dark forces. To describe someone as "Mad as Alanor" is to convey a sense of perilous instability, a warning that their actions may bring harm and chaos to those around them.
Thus, dear reader, the chronicle of our world's brush with annihilation during the Mage Wars Era remains etched in the tomes of history, serving as a poignant reminder of the fragile equilibrium between sorcerery and the world we live in. -From "Nearly Lost Histories an exploration of the Land Shatter" by Tazlin Kenytson

Manifestation

Indeed, from a magical perspective, the Land Shatter was an extraordinary feat of spellcraft, a manifestation of both the brilliance and madness that resided within the mind of Alanor Dorath. It is through the lens of arcane understanding that one can appreciate the intricate workings of this catastrophic event and the profound consequences it brought upon the world.
To comprehend the magnitude of the Land Shatter, one must delve into the fundamental fabric of reality itself. Lay Lines, those ethereal pathways that criss-cross the world, are conduits of magical energy, channels through which arcane power flows. They are the lifeblood of the arcane arts, connecting various planes of existence and serving as a wellspring of mystical potential.
Alanor Dorath possessed an unparalleled comprehension of the interconnectedness of these Lay Lines and the delicate balance they maintained. With his twisted genius, he devised a spell of unparalleled complexity and precision. By manipulating the elemental forces and exploiting the nexus points where Lay Lines converged, he unleashed a torrent of raw elemental energy, overwhelming the very fabric of the Lay Lines.
The consequence of this audacious act was nothing short of cataclysmic. The Lay Lines, unable to withstand the sudden influx of energy, ruptured and shattered, akin to a bursting dam unable to contain the force of a raging river. The resulting chaos rippled across the world, destabilizing not only the Lay Lines themselves but also the interconnected planes they sustained.
It is crucial to note that Lay Lines, by their inherent nature, are resilient and cannot be obliterated or eradicated. The Land Shatter, however, demonstrated that they are susceptible to damage, that their intricate balance can be disrupted with disastrous effects. The repercussions of such damage reverberated throughout the world, as the harmonious interplay between planes was thrown into disarray.
On that fateful day, the world bore witness to an unparalleled cataclysm that reverberated across continents and sent shockwaves through the very essence of magic itself. The Land Shatter, as it came to be known, unfolded with a surreal and devastating display of arcane power.
As the spell took hold, the world convulsed in agony, as if the very fabric of reality strained under an unimaginable burden. The skies shimmered with a pale blue light, an ethereal hue typically seen only in the arcane spectrum. This otherworldly radiance bathed the land, casting an eerie glow upon all who beheld it.
The initial assault of the Land Shatter was marked by a deafening chorus of pain. Magic users and magical creatures, intimately attuned to the mystical forces, found themselves doubled over in anguish, overwhelmed by the raw and uncontrollable energies that surged through their beings. It was a moment when even the most skilled and experienced practitioners were rendered helpless by the magnitude of the upheaval.
Across the Terigoth continent, the very land fractured and contorted, reshaping the familiar landscape into a twisted nightmare. Mountains rose and crumbled, their once stalwart peaks reduced to mere ant hills in the wake of a tempestuous child. Lakes and bays drained away, leaving desolate basins where water once teemed with life. Massive fissures split the earth apart, their jagged edges aglow with disquieting magical hues.
Amidst this chaotic maelstrom, the forces of nature itself seemed to rebel against their established order. Elements transmuted with bewildering intensity, giving rise to scenes of unimaginable horror. Cities were consumed by fire as earth transformed into flames. Structures, once anchored to solid ground, plummeted thousands of feet into the ethereal realm of air. And some unfortunate locales sank beneath the surface, swallowed by an abyssal deluge of unfathomable waters.
The aftermath of the Land Shatter bore witness to the transformed Terigoth continent. What once stood as a vast expanse of land was now cleaved in twain, a fragmented mosaic of broken isles. The central heartland, once a thriving and cohesive expanse, became a shattered patchwork of disjointed remnants, forever altered by the merciless forces unleashed upon it.
The impact of the Land Shatter extended far beyond the physical realm. It shattered the perceptions of those who experienced it, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the world. The cataclysm served as a haunting reminder of the awesome power of magic, a reminder that the boundaries between stability and chaos can be perilously thin.

Localization

In the wake of the Land Shatter, the Terigoth continent, once a sprawling haven teeming with life, suffered a fate that forever altered its landscape and vitality. The cataclysmic event ruptured the very essence of the land, leaving behind a shattered realm scarred by the residual effects of seeping magical radiation.
Once known as the largest continent in the world, the heartlands of Terigoth were a thriving hub of diverse cultures, inhabited by countless beings ranging from human civilizations to mystical creatures. The region pulsated with life, its ecosystems rich and vibrant, supporting a tapestry of flora and fauna that flourished in harmonious coexistence.
However, with the eruption of the Land Shatter, the heartlands of Terigoth were plunged into chaos and desolation. The raw power unleashed by the cataclysm permeated the once fertile grounds, saturating them with dangerous magical radiation. This lingering contamination tainted the very essence of the land, seeping into its core and altering the delicate balance of energy that sustained life.
Even in the present day, the remnants of the shattered Terigoth bear the scars of this ancient catastrophe, both in physical and meta-phsyical form. Some of The land is still infused with an eerie and unstable aura, a testament to the lasting effects of the magical radiation. These damaged and yet to be fully healed lay lines that once served as conduits for arcane energy now fluctuate unpredictably, emitting waves of hazardous power that pose a threat to unsuspecting beings who venture too close.
In these blighted places lingering magical radiation has left its mark on the land, transforming once thriving regions into treacherous and inhospitable environments. Plants and creatures that were once abundant now struggle to survive amidst the poisoned soil and erratic energy flows. The ecosystem that once thrived in harmony has been disrupted, leaving behind a fragmented and wounded realm.

(Art by Midjourny)

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane

".. Even Hordain Thurodas wished to rule the world and defy the gods, not go so far as to unmake it. The act of capriciousness, greed and evil committed by the coward responsible for the Landshatter will be compared by every mage who comes from this era. A mage was allowed to cause this devestation, We ALL as Magi must make amends and ensure such never happens again." -Remos high arcanist and advistor to the Kingdom of Paladius.
I have never felt such agony as that day when they wounded our grand dame, we were born from her and we shared in her suffering that day! It was then and only then that every wyrm no matter how mighty was forced to take a knee from the raw sympathy pains that surged through our bodies -Valerous the Silvered-Bronze, great wyrm dragon
"From the shattered fragments of the Terigoth rose a new world, a tapestry woven with resilience and the spirit of survival. In the aftermath of the Land Shatter, we witnessed both the depths of destruction and the heights of resilience. Life, tenacious and unwavering, found a way to flourish amidst the broken remains of what once was" -Starisa Wiesstien co-founder of the High Guild of the Arcane former mage warlord of Abjuration.
"I clung to a piece of crumbling earth as the world shattered around me, praying for salvation amidst the chaos and the rising tides." -Quote form an unnamed survivor who later died of magical radiation poisoning.
"With tearful eyes and a heavy heart, I witnessed the land shatter, and in that devastating moment, only my faith in the gods and my unwavering duty kept me from giving into the fear that the world itself was ending" -Lady Artoria Queen Regent of the Kingdom of Paladius.