Collapse
Summary
The Collapse is the term used for the incredible wrenching of the Approach and surrounding lands near the end of the The Taking. The Collapse consisted of the entire surface of the land bucking, tossing itself into the air and coming crashing back down. The result is assumed to have led to the cessation of the The Taking in the northern regions like the Approach. But this is not known to be true. The epicenter of the Collapse was near the interior of the Over-Kingdom of Aendor. The effect was incredibly damaging and pronounced the closer one was to the epicenter with the outlying areas experiencing quakes and damage but not full-scale upheaval.
Refugee survivors described the The Collapse as causing entire areas of the old Kingdoms to sink beneath the earth. In some areas, it is believed that long-buried structures were unearthed for the first time in centuries. Although much is rumored, those brave souls who have sought to venture beyond the confines of civilization indicate that in areas heavily afflicted by the Collapse one can find structures from two hundred years ago laying crumpled alongside those of a much more distant age. It has become a mismatched quilt of history and ruins in these areas.
While the cause of the Collapse is not known, it is responsible for much of the swallowing of the old kingdoms and edifices from a better age. The few survivors were those who were not quite in the areas severely afflicted but close enough to have observed the disappearance and/or destruction of their legacy and their kin.
Refugee survivors described the The Collapse as causing entire areas of the old Kingdoms to sink beneath the earth. In some areas, it is believed that long-buried structures were unearthed for the first time in centuries. Although much is rumored, those brave souls who have sought to venture beyond the confines of civilization indicate that in areas heavily afflicted by the Collapse one can find structures from two hundred years ago laying crumpled alongside those of a much more distant age. It has become a mismatched quilt of history and ruins in these areas.
While the cause of the Collapse is not known, it is responsible for much of the swallowing of the old kingdoms and edifices from a better age. The few survivors were those who were not quite in the areas severely afflicted but close enough to have observed the disappearance and/or destruction of their legacy and their kin.
Historical Basis
From the Journal of Siema al Thoriae
The earth did coil like a snake, rap like a sheet in the wind, throwing the dust of civilization into the air and below its coils, churned and swallowed, and never again to see the light of day. Kirenos was gone as so many other fabled centers of our past disappeared under the earthen blanket that was shook and torn during the Collapse.
We can only speculate as to the cause of this as many theories abound. Many subscribe to the notion that the grand chantries of Aendor wrought a terrible magic to bring the hordes to a stand-still but at a terrible price. Others, including myself, believe that the Collapse was caused by the Power behind the Taking itself. There can be little doubt that some Power guided and inflamed the hordes that carried the banner through the despoiling and burning of our ancestor’s lands. Can there be any doubt that the destruction of Mankind, Elvenkind and the Duergar was the maddened goal? I think not and so it logically follows that whatever Dread Power was behind the Taking was also the Collapse’s architect.
Variations & Mutation
Various theories are considered for the actual cause of the Collapse. The majority of knowledgeable individuals believe that the Collapse had something to do with the dweomercrafting of the old Aendorian mages. In the days and weeks of panicked flight south, the dweomercrafters of Aendor and the lesser kingdoms were all called back by the Throne for a final defense. The form of this defense is unknown but many scholars today feel that it was a powerful working that caused the Collapse and stymied the subhuman hordes of the The Taking long enough to put an end to the entire invasion.
There are other theories, of course, as many deities are given credit for intervening and saving the lives of the refugees. The Church of Auredain official position is that the Divine Triune assisted MANKIND and the others by preserving their lives. The Church does not espouse the belief of some of the more stringent cults and sub-groups within and without it that believe the Collapse was the finale to our divine punishment. Such things are not said openly and clergy have been subject to significant discipline for doing so.
There is also a belief that the Collapse signified the birth of something. For weal or woe, it is unknown and usually depends on the source.
There are other theories, of course, as many deities are given credit for intervening and saving the lives of the refugees. The Church of Auredain official position is that the Divine Triune assisted MANKIND and the others by preserving their lives. The Church does not espouse the belief of some of the more stringent cults and sub-groups within and without it that believe the Collapse was the finale to our divine punishment. Such things are not said openly and clergy have been subject to significant discipline for doing so.
There is also a belief that the Collapse signified the birth of something. For weal or woe, it is unknown and usually depends on the source.
Date of First Recording
-1
Date of Setting
-1
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