Corruption of Othos - Gressar

Aemarda buckled under the punishing force of Etayen colonization during the Ascension era. Those who came in direct contact with the colonial nations were displaced, enslaved, or forced to coexist within an entirely alien society. The Volad were one such unfortunate people, situated between the ancient Demhezzar and Vestanir, whom among the latter they derived.

 

In the middle centuries of the first millennium, the Volad were approached by an Etayen named Val’thar. He had heard word of their legendary plight and sought to lend some assistance while simultaneously forwarding his own esoteric ends. The full legend of the Blight of Grestovich is told elsewhere, but suffice to say these few things on the subject. Val’thar promised the Volach of the Volad, known as Agmundr, to grant them some transformative powers to counter their enemies. This could not be achieved to Vojûn alone, however, but required some greater conduit of power. Val’thar suggested a Volad artifact known as the Eye of Aebaster, which was a large fragment of pure Esheryne gathered during the early years of Volad settlement upon their island and thereafter prized by the Volachs.

Val’thar plied his skills upon the Esheryne rock. The room smoked and seethed with the raw Vojûnic power brought to bear for the purpose. The Volad were mistrustful of the work, but Volach Agmundr was desparate to seek some respite for his embattled people. Val’thar isolated himself with the halls of the Volach, remaining there for hours while those outside openly wondered to his progress. It must be known that Val’thar was following no set formula or design. The craftswork at his fingertips was entirely his own, and this volatile and unpredictable. He desired to create an alternate form for the Volad to adopt in battle, being that of the bear. Creating such a product with unnatural powers was a more difficult craft than anticipated, however. The Vojûnic power was mere clay and he the sculptor, but the piece was made more potent by the power of the Esheryne stone.

When every attention was considered and resolved, Val’thar declared himself ready to unleash his creation. The Volad Volach stood in attendance alongside his court. Val’thar held the Eye of Aebaster in his grasp, and without further delay imbued immense Vojûnic power within it.

After the transformation of the Volad and the immediate slaughter of Val’thar, the Gressar entered a new era of their racial history. They were no longer Aemar like their ancestors, but a new breed of horrible beastial monstrosities.