Unlimited Story

Genesis, a world overflowing with life and unfathomable beauty thanks to its four cores: Earth, Air, Water, Fire. These vital components lived in harmony responsible for the rugged lands, pristine waters, vivid blue skies, and molten core. From these bountiful lands humans were born and came together to form their first city, Bastion.   Beginning in Bastion, the number of humans exploded as did the number of new cities. Together they linked arms and shared their prosperity. Living a simple life, they remained in service to not only one another, but to Genesis, believing they were not masters, but caretakers of a blessed gift. Together their eyes looked out at a beautiful and welcoming world ready to be explored.

Every corner of Genesis was special in its own way. Plants and animals adapted to their environments as did humans. Spreading across the uncharted corners of the world, discoveries were happening everyday. Tales of this vast world captured the imagination of many for generations to come. This thirst became the foundation for innovation, allowing humans to cross long distances on land and sea.   The reach of humans was long and wide. Vast portions of the planet were settled basking in the gifts Genesis provided. Some of these gifts were rare and it became clear that this made them valuable. Finding value in riches, humans dedicated themselves to seeking out fortune. In that search a source was revealed.

EARTH CORE / STONEWALL

  A hidden secret of Genesis had been found. The first core, the Earth Core was discovered in Mount Durn, in the Guldrin Mountains. Surrounded by valuable metals and gems, it was clear this mysterious floating orb was the key, but how?   For generations, the core remained untouched as the inside of the mountain was excavated. The wealth was distributed to a few select mining families, the most prominent being the Stonewalls. By wealth, clout, and sheer force, the Stonewalls took control building a city in their own name. Eager to keep their riches to themselves Stonewall was the first to completely break ties from Bastion to become the first core capital and claimed the Western Territories as their own.   Generations passed as Stonewall thrived by plucking precious minerals from the earth. Cities and trade routes grew without relent, until the mountain was plucked clean. Panic erupted as inflation soared. The core capital fell into anarchy leading to a mass exodus.   In a dark empty city a single man, Mavid Stonewall, experimented on the core. He used alchemy, time, and immense pressure to create the Mavid Stonewall Formula manipulating the Earth Core to convert worthless materials into riches. This new source of commerce, the ‘Gold Core’, revived Stonewall and its immense fortune.  

WATER CORE / DANARAN

  Following Stonewall’s dramatic and well publicized exit from Bastion, a massive wave of separatism grew. Multiple factions sought to break away, pointing towards Bastion’s weak leadership and the corruption stemming from Stonewall’s wealth. Violent protests broke out as factions fought or banded together attempting to overpower Bastion. Over the years one faction grew to be the largest and most fanatical, ‘Whitewash’.   Whitewash’s leader, Hegris Covach, led marches into the heart of Bastion to vandalize everything in her path. Hegris made wild demands, threatening to rally Whitewash again and again until the government would give in.   During this time Bastion’s government was vulnerable, still attempting to purge the widespread corruption that bled from Stonewall’s purchased favors. It took years for the Bastion Investigation Agency (BIA) to wipe away the corruption, while Hegris and Whitewash gained momentum.   Bastion was put on full lockdown. Civilians were starved, injured or worse. The newly elected president, Orvis Connel, took immediate military action. Within the month, Bastion’s forces were organized and retook the city. Hegris, Whitewash, and their constituents were detained. President Connel had thousands in custody, but had no plan. Whitewash couldn’t be let off the hook, but Bastion didn’t have the resources to imprison all of them at once, and death wasn’t the right answer. President Connel knew the entire world watched him. He wanted to show mercy, yet send a message.   After meeting with several advisors President Connel decided exile was the most fitting punishment. If Hegris and Whitewash wanted their freedom they could have it across the Emerald Ocean in the unsettled lands of the Northern Territories.   Over half died trying to establish civilization. Dinosaurs roamed the lands, they found humans to be easy prey. Colonies split up all across the vast island and the surrounding isles clinging onto life, until one finally established a foothold on the Laticauda River. For an unknown reason the river teamed with life surrounded by fertile land. Those who lived off the waters found themselves revitalized and free of disease.   This is where Danaran was established. The city went through dozens of reconstructions, losing many in the process. Intense rains, and flooding would wipe buildings out overnight. Eventually a clever woman, Anima Vosh devised a way to tame the mighty Laticauda River using dams to control the water. After three decades and the loss of half of her workers the structure was complete and the Laticauda River was tamed.   From that point on Danaran flourished. Anima was praised as the almighty savior of Danaran and rose to power overnight. She branded and exiled those previously in power as well as their supporters sending them to the frigid north. Anima and her kin ruled, uncontested. They expanded their empire and eventually found a treasure deep in the waters of the Laticauda: the Water Core. A secret they kept from the world for generations.  

AIR CORE / APEX

  Following the mass exile of Whitewash, Bastion entered a Golden Age of peace and reconstruction as well as re-organization. Bastion loosened its control over its territories. They enjoyed freedom and prosperity to become the capital of the newly formed Central Territories. Colonies sprawled out into the vast grasslands, forests, and ridges to the south. The open grasslands offered a huge opportunity to hardworking farmers, while forests provided endless supplies of timber.   As colonies continued south they came to an impassable mountain range that stretched high into the clouds, coated with snow. Strange clouds swirled and lightning hung around the highest and largest mountain, named Apex. Many were eager to be the first to climb Apex; they failed miserably often never to return. Those who survived often had elaborate stories about the strange animals that lived there and terrifying humanoid creatures. Quickly Apex became the epicenter of far reaching tales and fantastical stories. What mysteries lived up in the icy ridges?   Fixated on this phenomenon, hundreds flocked to the mountain everyday. A tourism business grew overnight to supply naive climbers with equipment and lodging along the base of the mountain. Still no one was able to handle the grueling climb.   Years later, a well known thrill seeker, Galvin Strafe, took up the challenge. Galvin had an obsession with Apex. He climbed several noteworthy peaks in the Guldrin Mountains to prepare. This gained him and his team sponsors eager to fund the expedition. Together with three of his closest friends and two veteran guides, they scaled up the mountain. After three months Galvin returned, shambling down the mountain. On him were the journal entries of his lost teammates clearly depicting the existence of a core on top of Apex.   News flew across the land as bigger and better supplied teams rushed up the mountain to confirm the Air Core’s existence. Knowledge of the wealth and power the Earth Core brought, filled the imagination, but how this core could be used eluded everyone. Entrepreneurs sunk fortunes into Apex, to build the necessary infrastructure to reach its peak and research the core.   Decades passed and no one could solve the mystery of the Air Core. As interest faded, funding dwindled, and businesses collapsed. Apex became a joke, nicknamed the ‘Fail Core’, it was left dormant for decades.   Undeterred by naysayers two retired scientists, Herish and Andrea Watson began work on the Air Core. Instead of trying to recreate their own version of the Mavid Stonewall Formula, they believed the Air Core could fulfill a far greater purpose than making people rich. During an unexpected yet pleasant mishap a fraction of the core’s energy surged into their testing device. It gave readings that were completely unheard of. This changed their mentality and led them to believe the Air Core could be used as a power source. For years the pair performed experiments, using alchemy, wires, and magnets. Twisting, turning, and spinning the two eventually unlocked the core’s power. Copious amounts of core energy and electricity was harnessed to provide a power source far beyond anything seen before.   From that point on everything happened in a flash. Apex became a core capital and claimed independence from Bastion as well as the possession of the Southern Territories. This separation created animosity between Bastion and Apex that lasted decades, but eased due to favorable trade relations.   Under the guidance of the Watson’s, Apex became the technological hub of the world. The couple started a business, HAW Power. They ensured that energy as well as their inventions, that dramatically improved the quality of life across the mainlands, could be available to everyone fairly. Following their passing, a statue was erected to honor the beloved couple’s kindness and generosity. HAW continued to follow the Watson’s vision providing electricity and necessities at an honest price.   With this new standard of living the Southern Territories became dependent on the Air Core, siphoning its power without restraint.  

FIRE CORE / GOLGOTH

  During the peak of Whitewash’s violent marches and Bastion’s corruption, multiple peaceful factions broke away seeing nothing but selfishness and greed. These factions sought to return to a simple life in service to humanity and Genesis. They journeyed far to the east and were disconnected from the rest of the world.   From these factions five tribes were born. Each tribe took claim to a different portion of land to live how they saw fit. Some were nomadic while others settled down and grew crops. For generations the tribes prospered. This often caused political tension over territory and resources, but through patience, understanding, and diplomacy the tribes remained in relative peace. Until outsiders arrived at their shores.   Ships from Danaran arrived offering prosperity while they prepared for a hostile takeover. They sabotaged crops, spread disease, whispered lies, and washed away generations of trust. As the tribes stood on the battlefield prepared to go to war with one another a pack of wolves remained between them. This unusual behavior put a pause to the war. When approached, the wolves led the tribesmen to Danaran’s forces prepared to crush the warring tribes. United the five tribes drove Danaran from their lands and discovered the reason for their subterfuge… a core.   The tribes learned that Danaran possessed their own core and wanted to claim this territory in hopes of finding another. This news brought the tribes together as they scoured the lands for this mysterious object, finding it nestled in the heart of a volcano. The Fire Core was discovered.   Realizing the implications the tribes agreed it was best to keep this knowledge hidden. Combined they built a city, Golgoth, as they claimed control over the Eastern Territories and reconnected with the outside world.