DissidiaTemplar West Marches/The World

The World

The Beginning Period

After the Armageddon, the land was ripe for new factions. (Year 0-100)

The Genesishydra lays the seeds for Monsterkind Year 100

The Genesishydra - the mother of monsters who undoubtedly survived Armageddon - in its eternal cycle, stirs once more, seeding the land, air, water, and aether beyond with her only by-product: The monsters of myth. Some hatch, grow or germinate quickly, becoming the earliest monsters of the new era. Others are buried deep and won't come alive for a millennia, or until disturbed by forces far later. Some take the form of insidious ideas, lodged in sapients' minds, growing and spreading as the thought is shared. The denizens of the land at the time have many names for the monsters that now stalk them in the dark: Eldrazi, Couroni, Felk, Kaiju, Kami, dinosaur, and even more for the particular breeds and individuals they come across, or are devastated by.

Their is no knowable purpose to the mother of monsters' spawn, but they seem to exist at a cross-point of evolution, and each breed is unique - united only by one single behavior: each works to feed, protect, or otherwise serve the ever-enduring Genesishyrda. Beyond that, their presence stirs fear into the hearts of those who can feel it, provide deadly challenge for any heroic enough to hunt them, and resources to those capable enough down them and make use of their extraordinary remains.

The Anntorii and the Curtain of Death Year 110

Somewhere in depths of time, an immensely powerful, dangerous, and presumably deranged caster erected The Curtain of Death. This nearly translucent wall completely surrounded the continent of interest, permeating deeper into the ground than any have tested and further into the air than any have reached. It has a single, baleful purpose: only one in ten of living creatures survive passing through it. All others perish, painfully, on the spot. Those that survive their first crossing are forever immune to its horrible touch, but there is no way to predict or prevent your demise without taking the ultimate risk (Heredity and astrology have so far provided no salvation).

The breadth and depth of the heinous wall means it severed the Anari's underground empire. The majority of its citizenry left within the Curtain are the enslaved, weakly Molinari. The ruling class withdrew themselves into what quickly became their new interior capitol: Anntorii, but the larger masses of Molinari rose up, embracing a form of intellectual freedom they had never known. Their greater numbers allowed them to broker for better treatment, and new positions within society. Engineer, scientist, smith and speaker were all opened to them. From there, exploration was a natural course by extension to see what now lay within their more limited domain, although it would be ages still before they sought what was above, it was a matter of course for a still expanding race: if one dimension is blocked, they would traverse in the other.

Monsterkind Coexsist Year 120

Many generations after the creation of the monsters by The Genesishydra, some of the monsters gained a level of intelligence to where they formed their own civilization. Largely separate from the world, since most species saw them as threats/enemies, these 50-500 foot tall kaiju looked very unique from one another.

The Age of a Thousand sparks Year 110

The messenger of the gods, tiny Tiktoskr, seeing the struggle of mortals against the children of the Genesishydra, steals knowledge from the missives he is given and bestows it upon the mortal races. Using the stolen secrets, the mortal races start a march of invention and innovation, creating weapons, devices, and more to aid them in their struggle for survival. The gods punish Tiktoskr's well-meaning treachery, and he is not seen by the mortal races after. The fate of the messenger-god is a mystery.

The Coagulation Period

Solitary scavengers skimming through the scree of once-cities. Some survivalists skulking across the landscape. Strong-arms setting upon those unfortunate enough to be seen. Several skills dissappear 'After', simply not useful as hard-scrabble.

Eventually small groups begin to collese, like single cell organisms clustering. For strength in numbers, for mutual protection, for possible futures. The small groups merge into larger bodies, sometimes as welcome additions of knowledge & labor, sometimes consumed as food & resources.

Structure and culture begin to reappear after basic needs are met. Some tribes continue to roam benignly, starting trade. Other roamers prey on those they encounter, marking out territory. Some tribes settle in one spot. Agriculture expands. Craft trades and specialized skills develope. Knowledge again becomes useful to have. Popluations grow, colonizing the surrounding land.

Government, or at least controlling entities, enforce their version of cultural values. Conflict arises between neighbors when those values differ, sometimes minor things pushed by strident voices. Other major differences are accepted as actually unimportant in the greater scheme.

The body of society has re-formed from its scattered parts.

The Slosh Ring Year 210

As the curtain rises, it pushes people back but a certain species takes a very different path. One of The Gennsishydra’s own monsters, the Primordial Ooze, lived well within the underground caverns below. These primordial single celled masses of pure hunger, slowly slosh their way through life, looking for their next meal to grow and divide. After years of fighting the underground threats, the semi-intelligent Ooze species is pushed to the edge of the Curtain. With the other species afraid of the Curtain of Death's grasp, the Primordial Ooze are forced to confront it and to everyone’s horror, most of them are unaffected. Content to survive on what is outside the Curtain of Death, the Ooze eventually form a ring around the outside of the Curtain of Death, now dubbed the Slosh Ring. Now this Ring consists of few Oozes, as life around the Curtain of Death is minimal but full of artifacts that the Oozes could not digest as well as unusual cavern structure that give the Oozes the upper hand in their own territory.

The Extinction of the Heizun Tribe Year 220

With tribes rebuilding, one tribe in particular ran into issues with the space available to them beginning to push against the Curtain of Death. The people of the tribe Heizun were haughty, tall, slender, and beautiful with very dark skin (in my mind I would compare their culture to that of ancient China). They had a natural affinity for many types of defensive and divination magic, and a sort of natural sense of pride which led them to believe that they were far superior to other races. This didn't exactly earn them a lot of allies, and once they felt any remote sense of tension, they looked into fleeing. After some study, they were convinced they were equipped to pass through the curtain of death unharmed.

When the time came, they packed up their belongings and prepared for a journey to lands unknown. And as it turned out, their magic did nothing to help them against the curtain and 90% of them died immediately. The 10% who remained were not able to survive on their own, and many speculate that most of those survivors died from either infighting or aggressive enemies who either made it through the curtain or were already there. Their fate is ultimately unknown, but it is mostly accepted that the Heizun are extinct as one has not been seen since. Their old cities stand ruined and abandoned, bleak reminders that the curtain of death is not something that can be thwarted. No one has taken up residence in the cities since, believing them to be cursed.

The (Short Lived) Human Empire of Farven Period

Realizing that the lands were once again relatively safe and independent, a group of humans in the northern reaches got the idea that if they banded together, they may be able to rule it for themselves. After all, humans tended to be more ambitious and adaptable than other races, and they felt that should give them an edge. In the short term, it worked, and they made quick progress conquering other lands that were neither expecting an attack, nor prepared and able to defend from one. However, it turned out the humans in charge were terrible at keeping this mess organized and together. Corruption ran rampant among the upper circles, and the humans became complacent in their success. After only a century of rule, many other races banded together and revolted against them. When they were actually prepared and ready, they were capable of much more power and strategy than the humans could ever be. The empire fell as quickly as it had risen. Many of the longer lived races still view humans with scorn and as second-class citizens for their race's actions.

The Felling of Harl Grimwind Year 350

Failed usurper Harl Grimwind and his band of clansfolk were exiled from the Clans of the North for their traitorous actions. Harl was more a fool than a leader and dared to take his followers across the land bridge to the continent to the south. He promised his companions greener lands and rich natural resources. He did not listen to the warning of the shamans of the tribes to the south, nor have any with him to try to talk reason into him. They marched through the Curtain of Death, the warriors of the tribe they had last raided hot on their heels, seeking vengeance.

Harl watched with horror as his clanless fell around him, screaming and clawing at the air. Shrieking in agony. Their numbers were devastated, their livestock and beasts of burdens equally culled without mercy. He was heard to shriek, clutching his head: Quote: My brothers, my quinn, my kae're... What have you done [to them]? After it was done, there were so few of them left, but they trudged on, abandoning supplies they could no longer carry. They were desperate now, more than the star-struck they had been when first setting out. So it was that when they came across the helpful and amiable, but physically unimpressive Gaelph, the humans fell to their most basest of instincts, and taking full advantage of their new 'friends' practically enslaved them, stealing their magics and used it to form the basis of an empire.

The Mysterious Vanishing of Farvenor Year 380

At the height of the Farven Empire, Farvenor, the capital and largest city of the empire of Farven was one day enveloped in a thick fog/mist. Trade to and from the huge city stopped as anyone that went into the fog vanished without a trace. As word from the capital city ceased, the other cities in the empire began to go about their business. After several months the fog lifted, all on the same day, but there wasn't a trace left of the city. No giant palaces, no buildings, no fountains or statues, no pillars that once supported the government buildings, not even an indent in the ground where the city had been. It had simply vanished, without a trace, as if it had never existed.

The nearby grasslands went unbroken throughout the entire area of the city. The only evidence it had existed was the road that had led into the fog stopping suddenly at tall grasses.

Stories tell of the great city that vanished in the fog and nearly everyone in the world (of any species/race) worry that the mysterious fog could engulf one of their cities without warning.

There are those that claim they can foretell when a fog may appear, but they are rarely, if ever, correct and just provide more mystery to the situation.

Hylkos and the Ascension of Ahniet Year 390

In the final years of the Farven Empire Ahniet, a mage of some renown, leads a group of human refugees to the Hylkos Isles. Uninhabited because of naturally occurring (and potentially deadly) spontaneous magical phenomena, Ahniet binds the local energies to create magical traps and wards defending the isles. Local civilization begins and more humans join as the situation in the empire proper continue to deteriorate.

Ahniet eventually realizes that the local magical energies are a result of a ley line running particularly "close" to the material word. Experimenting with this wellspring of energy, she undoes herself and is reborn as a demigod of humanity, protection, magic, and lateral thinking. Worshippers and most human sources in general depict her transformation as an act of brilliance. Most non-human sources are inclined to depict her ascension as nearly fatal and half an accident, an example of what humans are inclined to get up to when tampering with forces beyond their comprehension.

The Rise of the Molinari Period

Upon reaching the surface, the once great Molinari splinter off from Anari, creating two factions. The Molinari, a translucent skinned, biped, semi-aquatic race that functioned as workers and scientists in Anari society. The Anari, a hard shelled, biped semi-aquatic race that functions as warriors and leaders in Anari society. When the Molinari first burrowed to the outside, the sunlight set their evolution into full power. When Molinari are exposed to sunlight, their body begins photosynthesizing energy which manifests as arching electricity. When the Anari are exposed to sunlight, their body begins similarly generate power, but it manifests in large amounts of heat and fire. This revelation splits the Anari when the Molinari want to explore the new, tropical world while the Anari want to seal it up and stay underground and unlike when they were underground both are now on equal footing.

The Molinari fight an uphill battle to assert their place in the world Year 400

The Molinari, recently arriving at the surface, begin to explore and grow. With their new found freedom and powers, they expand from their underground cities. Building their first towns above ground, they begin to face the hardships of the surface world. After numerous assaults from monstrous Kaiju, Farven Cultists, and the Anari disowning them; the Molinari still stand, stronger than ever. This makes them the dominant people in the area.

The Rise of the Monster Hunters Year 410

As the Molinari begin to explore more of the surface, they encounter other groups, and not all of them are hostile. They make peace and have fair trade with the Technologically Inclined Lombaxes, the Ferocious Krovorian and the Scattered Humans. The Lombaxes are an ingenuities race, intuitively talented in inventing new tools from the world around them. They are small, furry, bipedal creatures and their size and lack of natural weapons made their evolution into tinkers inevitable. The Krovorian are a barbaric and strong headed race of bipedal Reptilian predators. While not the largest, the average Krovorian stand at a measly 8 foot tall, they are very much predators that enjoy hunting much larger game. The Humans, a resilient sect of bipedal primates, shows an unnatural resilience and the ability to adapt many insects species would kill for. With their combined skills, talents and abilities, they establish a Guild. A group of like-minded people, across all races, who have chosen to protect their home by focusing on the Monstrous Threats around.

Crafter-Smith Lewis Nobbsentor invents Molinari-powered defense suits Year 412

Expanding on an idea that the surface blacksmiths had built into their heavy armor used in monster hunting--a spring powered elbow & shoulder joint mechanism that could be used to give a single devastating punch (or, in some models, launch the suit's sleave like a ballista bolt) -- Crafter-Smith Nobbsentor took advantage of the Molimari's natural abilities to provide similar abilities with more than a single-use.

The surface-dweller's armor needed to be manually reset after being triggered. This was often done by one or more squire/page assistants using levers, gears, or such mechansisms and required many rounds* of the fighter in the suit holding still. Not something that could be done easily in the midst of battle against most creatures.

• { A "round" is a short period of time. }

{ Longer than a 'second', but smaller than a 'minute'. }

CS Lewis placed several mechanical devices along the arms and legs of the armor that drew upon the wearing Molinari's electric field to provide a sustained increase in strength and speed triggered by switches in the gloves and boots. While Nobbsentor's armor suits did not give quite as strong a punch as the surface-dweller's Devastator Armor, their boost lasted several minutes before draining the wearer, providing a sustained increase in fighting damage and dodge ability that would last the length of a skirmish. And on sunny days this boost could be used several times as the wearer recharged themselves.

Variations of Nobbsentor's armor were later created that reduced the armor's weight (and so reduced its protective value) but increased the duration of the strength and speed boost. Scouts and Messengers later started requesting another variation that removed almost all the heavy metal plates and focused on providing an hour's worth of movement boost that would not fatigue the wearer. This last variation comes in two types, specific to land or water movement.

Additional Historic Notes: The Anari, seeing what their Molinari cousins had come up with, attempted to do the same using their body generated heat. Already having a shell, the Anari generally lacked in armor crafting skills. They also paid less attention to the more detailed 'scientific' knowledges, prefering to supervise, control, or fight. Their attempts were poor successes. Anari versions of self-powered armors tend to be loud (steam driven), slow to power up (have to heat the water), and bulky (all those pipes and valves over wearer's shell), and they have a high rate of maintenance issues. Also, matching their demeanor, Anari armors tend to be stronger but slower than Molinari armors.

Monsterkind Coexsist Year 430

Many generations after the creation of the monsters by The Genesishydra, some of the monsters gained a level of intelligence to where they formed their own civilization. Largely separate from the world, since most species saw them as threats/enemies, these 50-500 foot tall kaiju looked very unique from one another.

This relates since the formation of the Monster Hunter Guild brought about Monsterkind's greatest threat. They had been living separate from other races by large distances, keeping to themselves and leaving their villages if other races intruded. Now that the Monster Hunter Guild was created, though, these monsters realized they had to make contact with the smaller races. They first sent out diplomats to discuss treaties, but these were killed. They eventually sent out a large gaggle of monsters (About 30 in all) to the largest city, waving white cloths and not attacking. These too were killed and were seen as a threat. As a final attempt, they met a young Molinari with influence that learned their language and helped them work out a treaty with their people.

Upon agreeing to this treaty, Monsterkind continued to walk on egg shells, metaphorically, around the other races until they felt that they wouldn't be hunted to extinction.

There still were countless monsters that were not intelligent, but the monsters of Monsterkind managed to make a place for themselves in the world where they could coexist with the smaller races. The Monsters (uppercase to indicate intelligence) of Monsterkind are capable of reading and writing, where the majority of the descendants of monsters created by The Genesishydra, are incapable of most rational thoughts.

The conclusion is that they can now coexist more or less without the threat of being hunted, despite the presence of the Monster Hunter Guild. Many of Monsterkind actually join the guild to help combat the other monsters, but most prefer to live in peace in their own villages.

Time of the Webbed Moon Period

The Arachnos, spider monster people with centaur-like configuration, and one of The Genesishydra’s most heinous offspring, follow the Molinari to the surface. While they cannot abide the direct touch of the sun itself, they lurk in caves, slinking out at night to ensnare, kidnap and abduct fresh prey which they drag down their holes, suck dry of most nutrients and then their nest mothers plant a host of eggs in which explode out of their host-corpse a while later numbering in the thousands with some of the features of their dead food source. Nearly every sentient race has the possibility of being turned into these vile creatures and so all become prey to the newest terror of the night. The people are forced to limit any outside nightly activity. Fire and Light production become a major development focus, for they are what can drive back the Arachnos. Cultures gather around Beacons of Mana, naturally bright fonts of magic that follow the stars movements and are further brightened by the inventions of the races surviving around them, but this attracts the attention of more sinister, less picky monsters as well… Worship of the Light becomes a major religion in many communities, due to its new-found usefulness. Eventually, a band of heroes representing most of the races slays Arachne, terrible Queen of Arachnos, direct Daughter of the Genesishydra, and the land is able to begin to recover.

The Molinari Invent Artificial Sunlight

Building upon the work of Lewis Nobbsentor, Molinari scientists are able to create a device that uses their own electrical currents to power artificial sunlight. At first it was clunky and difficult to properly use and manufacture, but a scientist by the name of Gwenaelle Syran is credited with not only coming up with a way to mass-produce the device, but leading an expedition below the surface to gather the materials needed to do so. Once completed and distributed, the arachnos were much less of a threat than before and were promptly dealt with. The devices also had many other practical and religious applications, and are used in religious ceremonies worshipping the light, while also making crops easier to grow in areas with harsher conditions. And to clarify Gwenaelle was not directly involved in the defeat of Arachne, she merely helped that process along.

An Equal and Opposite Reaction

The suddenly expansionist nature of the Molinari, combined with the paramilitary "Monster Hunting" guilds and their advances in armor, begin to alarm some of the factions/races that rose back to power after the fall of Farven. Many of the older members of the long lived races, after all (Elves, Dwarves, Delmvalmi) personally remember the rise of Humanity and the resulting consequences. The innovation of artificial sunlight further exacerbates the problem (from some perspectives) by effectively removing a threat to the Molinari's rear that might have checked further expansion.

Political pressures are building when events come to a head in the Larjenhoff Incident. A group of Monster Hunters kill a dragon demanding tribute from the eponymous frontier town, a largely human settlement unwilling to acknowledge the sovereignty of a supernatural being. Many members of the more conservative races consider this to be an act of murder, particularly the disciples of the various Seinaryu ("holy dragon") movements. Violent clashes between Monster Hunters and Seinaryai break out, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Leading factions of the Dwarven, Elven, and Ogrim (Orc/Troll) races quickly establish the Heilga, the "Sacred League". Foreign Adventurers (Monster Hunters) are promptly banned from operating within Heilga territory. A policy assuring mutual defense of independence is quickly adopted, drawing in more of the non-aligned races/factions concerned with losing ground to a new world order. Even the (mostly) pacifistic Delmvalmi join the league, under the written caveat that their telepathic powers will be used to defuse battles and negotiate peace, in their usual custom.

An unusual sort of cold war starts to set in...

Anari Scouting and Immersion

After the Molinari begin exploring the surface world, the Anari have difficulty controlling the rest of the populace. Their once noble religion, each supporting each other in their strongest area, begins to shake and crumble. Their cast of holy warriors, who every morning would bathe in the rays of the sun to get their powers, let in through a small opening, choose to investigate the surface. The exploration is fruitful but ultimately splits the Anari people. Those who see the surface are enticed by its splendor and agree to stay with their Molinari cousins, while those who only hear tale think of it as heresy. Eventually the remaining Anari holy warrior cast disconnects themselves from the surface but melting the entrance into the underground. This begins a new era in Anari history, where the warrior cast now develops into metal artisans with their fire abilities while the Molinari apply their curiosity and intellectual talents to the other threats at hand.

The End Period

The region draws outside eyes, ready to explore it's dangerous wilds. (Year 900-Present)

Magictown University Founded Year 900

The magic-users of the world have magic schools throughout the land, most have been abandoned for many years, but some still exist. One of the biggest schools had a student who went only by his last name "Johnson". After graduating when he was in his early twenties, he decided that the magic schools of the world (particularly the one he graduated from) were too exclusive and shunned the less fortunate. The poor would be denied because they couldn't afford it and most of the less respected races (including the Monsters and ogrim (orc/troll), among others) were outright denied entry due to extreme racism. Johnson took it upon himself to set out and found a school of his own that would be far more inclusive for the magically adept.

He gathered a following at the school he graduated from and began construction on his own school a few miles away. With the use of magic, the school came together far quicker than it would have without its aid. He had members of each race help him, including a few Monsters. The school was a success. He made lots of money mainly from donations from approving members of the discriminated races, which he spent almost exclusively on the school and the students. He earned the nickname Magic Johnson for his efforts.

There was, of course, bitterness and rivalry between him and his alma mater as well as other magic schools, but it was never enough to close down the school. In time, Magictown University became grudgingly loved even by some of its most hated enemies.

Magictown University had to be rebuilt in one of the rival school attacks and, instead of rebuilding on the spot, he decided to move the school to a far off land, to better protect the students and staff. He gathered all staff and many of the students into a group of ships and took them across the sea to the continent that, unbeknownst to them, was fringed by the Curtain of Death.

When they passed through it, 90% of them died instantly. It was catastrophic for the school. Luckily, enough of them survived that they were able to rebuild a functional school, albeit less than it's former glory.

The survivors noticed that they were able to pass through the Curtain unharmed (it seems the 10% that survive it do so every time). Magic Johnson was one such survivor. He advertised the school to foreigners and many were still interested despite the guaranteed 90% death rate. At first anyway. After the first trip, though, only 10% survived and foreigners stopped traveling to the school.

Luckily for the school, previous survivors, from earlier shipwrecks or voyages, had made a series of villages near the coast that supplied enough students to sustain the school, albeit with far fewer magically-inclined individuals. Trade was possible by way of the survivors (and their descendants) passing through the Curtain of Death and making trades with foreign ships. Survivors of the Curtain of Death, then, pass on descendants who also can survive the Curtain.

The conclusion is that Magictown University exists to the present day behind the Curtain of Death, but is less of a magic school these days.

Colonies of the New Land

Cornia, a large multi-species sovereignty far off from the continent in interest had - due to political upheaval - an overpopulation of its jails. Since whole houses were seized, not merely the perceived perpetrators of a given crime, this meant all classes of citizenry was present. To alleviate this burden, the ruling monarch came up with the clever idea to reduce the burden: Under the guise of 'seeding the colonies of their empire' she bade that golem-ships full of prisoners (pulled at random to prevent any from trying to overthrow it) were to be sailed to 'The New Land'. There, they would supposedly be given control of the new colonies or jobs within. Anyone who knew about the far-away land however, knew that this was essentially a death-sentence: Due to the terrible conditions of the golem-ships and the pervasive Curtain of Death that surrounded the entire land, nearly everyone who was sent would perish. If they did survive the trip over, then they were abandoned without supplies into the unforgiving shallows before the golem-ships started their months-long voyage back.

Incredibly, some do survive this hellish ordeal. They face the dangerous wilds of the unexplored land. Banding together is their only hope of survival. They call their eeked out existence of rag-tags Hell's Point.