Cosmogony - The Creation Myth
Preserved in temple hymns and imperial chronicles, this is the creation as remembered by the people of Ethelra — a myth shaped by faith, tradition, and the echoes of divine legacy.
The First Sparks of Creation
In the dawn of existence, Elgalar stood alone as the Celestial Architect, his brilliance piercing the void's darkness. Drifting amidst the infinite expanse, Elgalar conceived a realm of wonder and diversity, a canvas for the fabric of being. From his creativity emerged Aether, the fundamental substance from which all would emerge.
With divine intent, Elgalar infused life into Aether, crafting celestial bodies to adorn the heavens. Stars sparkled into being, each a testament to his limitless might and eternal vigilance.
Yet, the world remained unfinished. To populate the expansive creation, Elgalar granted life to the universe's first inhabitants—the gods. These divine entities, born of his essence, were charged with guiding the world and nurturing all living things.
As Elgalar beheld the universe before him, he saw the need for order and structure. To this end, he conceived a pair of divine beings; two radiant ribbons of cosmic energy escaped his eyes, twirling and swimming through the infinite expanse, their serpentine forms intertwining. Thus, Io and Ao came into being, twin deities whose presence would shape the very foundation of existence.
Io, the Timekeeper was to represent the relentless march of time; with each beat of his wings, time flowed onward, shaping the destiny of all things in its inevitable current.
Ao, the Realmweaver on the other hand, was to rule over space. She wove the threads of reality, shaping the boundaries, dimensions and planes of existence that defined the world and all that dwelled within it.
Where Io's influence brought change and progression, Ao's touch brought structure and form. As the dawn of our perceived reality emerged, so too did the Weave —Magic, which spread across the world, infusing every corner with its mystical energy. Their union created a fragile equilibrium, enabling the emergence of mystical forces that would determine the destinies of both mortals and gods.
The Birthing of Light and Shadow
As the world continued to unfold under his watch, Elgalar sensed the need for light and darkness to exist in harmony. Thus, he conceived two celestial beings to bring light and guidance to the realms below.
Myranthus, the Dawnsinger, emerged with the breaking of the first light. Radiant and resplendent, with eyes that mirrored the colors of the rising sun, and a voice that echoed like the sweetest song across the land, Myranthus was the bringer of new beginnings, hope, and renewal. His presence heralded the dawn of each new day, filling the world with warmth, hope, and inspiration.
Lerathae, the Moondmaiden, emerged as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting her silver glow across the lands. Graceful and serene just as the moon in the night sky, her silver hair shimmered with starlight. Lerathae was the guardian of the night, the keeper of secrets and mysteries. Her soothing presence would bring solace to weary hearts, guiding them through the darkness. As the moon waxed and waned, she watched over the world with quiet vigilance, her soft glow illuminating the path for those in need.
Together, Myranthus and Lerathae danced across the sky, their celestial forms weaving patterns of light and shadow across the heavens and the realms below.
The Keepers of Balance
As Elgalar's divine work continued, he perceived the need for caretakers to oversee the balance of the world to be. Thus, he brought forth three sister deities, each embodying a fundamental aspect of the cosmos.
Lymarel, the Elemental Matron, with hair ablaze like the flickering flames of a roaring inferno and eyes that sparkled with the fury of a tempest, commanded the elements themselves. Hers was a domain of raw power and untamed beauty, where fire danced upon the wind, the earth trembled beneath her feet, and waves crashed upon distant shores. Her unparalleled reign over the elements was felt high above the seas and storm-swept skies, where lightning dances across the horizon and the roar of thunder echoes through the heavens. Her essence would command the raw forces of nature, shaping the world with fire, earth, air, and water; she was the tempest's fury unleashed, the earth's gentle embrace, and the fiery heart that burned within every living thing.
Yssarel, the Wildmother, with emerald tresses cascading like waterfall and eyes that mirrored the tranquil depths of untouched forests, was the heart and soul of the natural world. From the moment she drew breath, life blossomed in her wake, forests flourished, rivers teemed with vitality, and every creature found solace in her embrace. From the whispering winds to the towering trees, her essence infused every leaf and blade of grass, binding all living things in a web of life. She was the soft caress of a warm breeze, the gentle kiss of sunlight upon dew-kissed petals, and the guardian of all living things.
Eltharel, the Grey Lady, with skin as pale as moonlight and eyes that held the mysteries of the beyond, was to rule over the realm of death and the afterlife. Hers was a solemn duty, guiding souls on their final journey through the shadowed realms beyond the veil with silent reverence. In her realm, time held no dominion, and every soul found peace beneath her watchful gaze. From the first breath to the final sigh, she was the gentle hand that closed weary eyes, the whispered promise of eternal rest, and the silent companion who walked alongside the departed on their journey into the unknown.
Together, Lymarel, Yssarel, and Eltharel formed a trinity of divine power, and though their realms may be separate, their destinies would forever be intertwined.
The Trickster’s Gift
In his grand design, Elgalar, the Celestial Architect, breathed life into one final prime deity, Feonar, the Wanderer, who embodied the chaotic and ever-changing nature of the universe.
Feonar had a charm that could sway even the most stalwart, his appearance ever-shifting and his laughter like the tinkling of bells. With eyes that sparkled with mischief and a smile that could turn fortune in an instant, his presence was felt in the unexpected twists and turns of fate as he traversed the realms.
Feonar's influence touched every aspect of the world as he held sway over the fickle whims of fate. From the turns of fortune to the caprice of the elements, his hand could be seen in the most unexpected of places. Yet, Feonar's domain extended beyond mere chance and luck. He reveled in the chaos of the universe, delighting in the unexpected and the extraordinary. To him, every twist of fate was a story waiting to unfold, every moment an opportunity for adventure and discovery.
Despite his penchant for chaos, Feonar was not malevolent. Instead, he reveled in the joy of life and embraced the chaos of the world with open arms, viewing the unpredictability of the universe as a thing of beauty. To him, every twist and turn was a chance to embrace the unknown; a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was always hope and the promise of better fortunes to come, but also that during times of prosperity, the tables could turn in the blink of an eye.
The Birth of Eldareth
As Elgalar's divine work came to completion, the pantheon of deities he had created, ventured forth into the vast expanse of the cosmos. United in purpose, they sought out a place where they could collaborate and bring forth a world of their own. Guided by their collective wisdom, they traversed the universe, searching for the perfect spot to breathe life into their vision.
After untold eons of exploration, they found it— a celestial gem nestled in a distant corner of the universe, where the stars burned bright and the celestial energies pulsed with potential. There, amidst the nebulae and shimmering constellations, a world was waiting to be born. Thus, they began their work, shaping anima into the world that would come to be known as Eldareth.
Together, the deities joined their divine powers, weaving magic and shaping the world according to their vision, each deity contributing their unique talents and essence to the creation of Eldareth.
Myranthus and Lerathae painted the skies with vibrant hues, from the golden glow of sunrise to the deep indigo of twilight and Magic flowed through the land, its presence felt in every whisper of the wind and every shimmering pool of light.
With the assistance of her first creations, the Primordial Titans and an ensemble of smaller elementals of various sizes, Lymarel shaped the world's landscapes, from the jagged peaks of towering mountains to the tranquil shores of crystal-clear lakes. Yssarel breathed life into the forests and plains, filling them with vibrant flora and fauna, bringing forth life in all its wondrous diversity—creatures and beasts to roam the plains, birds to soar the skies, and creatures of every shape and size to inhabit the land, sea, and air.
With their combined powers, the deities breathed life into the land, populating it with a multitude of diverse races, each imbued with their own unique gifts and abilities. From the hulking giants to the cunning halflings, and from the noble humans to the fierce orcs, every race found its place in Eldareth.
But it was not only the mortal races that called Eldareth home. Mythical creatures roamed its forests and skies, from majestic dragons who soared through the heavens to elusive fae who danced in the moonlit glades of the Feywild.
As their work came to a crescendo, it was Feonar, who added the final touch to the world. With a knowing smile, he sprinkled the land with the seeds of chance, ensuring that fate would forever remain a mysterious and unpredictable force in the lives of mortals and gods alike.
And thus, Eldareth was born—a world of boundless beauty, wonder, and infinite possibility, where mortals would forge their destinies. And though Elgalar's work was done, his watchful eye remained upon the world.
- Commissioned by decree of the Concord Assembly, compiled by the Imperial Archivum of Calvessa.