Well of Creation

In the beginning, Aer was a world of light and vibrancy, held in balance by the first Life Tree. Its roots stretched deep, drinking from the magic of creation, its branches touching the skies of Aether. But like all things born of magic, the Life Tree was not eternal. Time wore away its vitality, and soon it began to wither, its leaves turning brittle, falling to the earth in golden spirals. As its life faded, Aer itself began to fall into shadow. From Erebos, the realm of darkness and decay, shadows crept across the land, swallowing forests, rivers, and cities. The vibrant world was dimming, consumed by the vast hunger of Erebos.
The death of the Life Tree signaled more than just the end of a cycle; it was a threat to all existence. Aer’s magic was tied to the Life Tree, and without its renewal, the boundaries between the realms began to weaken. Darkness seeped into the mortal plane, and the inhabitants of Aer—humans, Fey, and all creatures of magic—could feel the tightening grip of Erebos suffocating their world.
In the midst of this despair, something stirred deep within the shadows. Out of the darkness, a spark ignited. It was the creation of a new Life Seed, but this seed was not born of light, as the first had been. It was forged in the depths of Erebos, drawing upon the power of shadow to reignite the cycle of life. From this convergence of darkness and magic came the first *Narrator*—a being of immense power who emerged from the shadows, called forth by the magic of the new seed.
The Narrator had one purpose: to return life to Aer. Standing in the midst of the desolation, the Narrator found their way to a place untouched by the creeping shadows—a still, dark pool of water, shimmering faintly in the dim light. As they approached, the pool seemed to awaken, rippling with energy. It was the last remnant of magic in Aer, the Well of Creation. The Narrator knelt before the waters, knowing what must be done.
With hands raised, the Narrator called to the shadows, beckoning all that had been lost. From the depths of Erebos came the faintest glimmers of life—spirits of creatures, fragments of plants, echoes of people who had once lived in Aer. The Well of Creation pulled them from the darkness, its waters churning with their presence. It was here, within this pool, that life would be reborn.
The Narrator reached into the pool, their hands sinking into the warm, black water. They could feel the pulsing magic within it, the raw force of creation that surged beneath the surface. As their fingers closed around the essence of the new Life Seed, the pool responded, thrumming with energy. Slowly, the waters began to rise, swirling around the Narrator’s form, embracing them.
From the Well of Creation, the Narrator drew forth life itself. One by one, the spirits that had been lost to Erebos found form once more. Creatures crawled from the pool, dripping with dark water, their forms reshaping as they emerged into Aer. Trees grew from the soil, their roots steeped in the magic of the pool, and with each new life brought forth, the land began to breathe again.
But the rebirth was not a return to what had been. The new life that came from Rachna carried with it the mark of shadow. Plants and creatures alike bore an otherworldly sheen, their essence tinged by the darkness from which they had been born. And the new Life Seed, formed in the heart of Rachna, was unlike its predecessor. It pulsed with a deep, dark energy, its power tied to both creation and decay.
This was the balance that Aer would now know. Rachna, the Well of Creation, would forever be the place from which life must be reborn. Only through these dark waters could new life rise again after being claimed by Erebos. It was a reminder that in creation, there must also be destruction, and that life and death were forever intertwined.
The Narrator stood at the edge of the pool, watching as the new Life Seed took root in the soil, preparing for the next Life Tree to grow. As the shadows of Erebos began to retreat, the Narrator knew that this balance would be fragile. For every cycle, the Life Tree would die, and each time, it would be Rachna that held the key to rebirth. The pool would always call to those who remembered, to those who sought to draw life from the darkness and restore it to Aer.
And so, the legend of Rachna, the Well of Creation, was born. Its dark waters became a sacred place, a symbol of rebirth and renewal, but also a reminder of the power of shadow. It was said that only those who truly understood the balance between life and death could find Rachna and use its power to plant the next Life Tree. Without it, Aer would once again fall to Erebos, and the cycle of creation would be lost forever.

Summary

1. The Origin of Aer’s First Life Tree

• Creation of Aer: At the dawn of time, Aer was created as a vibrant, balanced realm, fueled by the first Life Tree. Its magic was the source of all life, a connection between Aer, Aether (realm of light), and Erebos (realm of darkness).
• Harmony: The Life Tree ensured harmony between magic and the natural world, with the realms of light and shadow in balance, neither overpowering the other.

2. The Death of the First Life Tree

• Withering of the Tree: Over time, the magic sustaining the Life Tree faded, and the Tree began to die. As it withered, the land of Aer was plunged into chaos.
• Erebos's Encroachment: As the Life Tree’s magic dwindled, the darkness of Erebos began to seep into Aer. The shadows grew, covering the land and threatening all life.
• Loss of Magic: The fading of the Life Tree also diminished the magical energies that flowed through Aer, weakening the connection between magic and life.

3. The Creation of the Life Seed and the First Narrator

• Emergence of the Life Seed: In the midst of the encroaching darkness, a new Life Seed was forged from the shadows. Unlike its predecessor, this seed was born not from light, but from the heart of Erebos.
• Birth of the Narrator: The creation of the Life Seed summoned the Narrator, a powerful figure tasked with restoring life to Aer and bridging the gap between light and shadow.
• Calling Forth Rachna: The Narrator found a dark pool of water—Rachna, the Well of Creation—and realized that this was the source from which new life could be drawn.

4. Rachna, the Well of Creation

• The Purpose of Rachna: Rachna, the Well of Creation, was the only place where the essence of life—lost in the shadows of Erebos—could be reborn. All life in Aer, after succumbing to death, must return to Rachna’s dark waters to be recreated.
• Duality of Life and Death: Rachna embodies the balance of life and death, creation and destruction. Life is born from the darkness, signifying that shadow and decay are integral parts of the cycle of life.
• Both light and darkness: Rachna stands between both light and darkness, holding traits of both and thus existing in a state of twilight. An anchor point for the fuller Twilight that is Aer.

5. The Rebirth of Life from Rachna

• The Cycle of Rebirth: From the Well of Creation, the Narrator drew forth the lost spirits, animals, plants, and even the essence of the dying Life Tree itself. These beings were reshaped by the Well, emerging anew, though now touched by the shadow of Erebos.
• The New Life Tree: A new Life Tree was planted, this time infused with both light and shadow, its roots anchored in both creation and decay. This new Tree symbolized the complex balance between life, death, and rebirth.

6. The Legend of the Life Tree’s Cycles

• Recurring Death and Rebirth: The legend speaks of an eternal cycle where the Life Tree will always die, its magic fading over time. When it does, Erebos will once again begin to cover Aer in shadow.
• Role of the Well of Creation: Each time the Life Tree dies, the Well of Creation must be found, and from its waters, the new Life Seed must be watered. Without this, the balance will be forever broken, and Aer will fall to darkness.

7. The Role of Humans, Mages, and Fey

• The Narrator’s Prophecy: The Narrator foretold that, while Rachna would always be the key to restoring life, it could only be touched by those who understand the delicate balance between light and shadow.
• Humans and the Mages: Humans, especially the Mages, hold the ancient knowledge of how to access Rachna, but they have forgotten its significance over time, lost in the pursuit of power and control.
• The Fey: The Fey, being creatures of magic, are bound to this cycle of rebirth, though their connection to Aer and its magic changes with each iteration of the Life Tree. They are protectors of Rachna as much as they are of the Life Tree itself.

8. The Final Prophecy: Aer’s Last Cycle

• The Final Life Tree: The prophecy warns of a possible time when the Life Tree will die for the last time. After the fall of the Final Life Tree, a new Life Seed will be created and will call forth the Narrator who will call life back to Aer. But if the Well of Creation does not water the Life Seed and the Verdant does not plant the new tree, Aer will be consumed by Erebos entirely, with no hope of renewal.
• The Verdant: It is said that a chosen one—someone of human and Fey heritage—will be the one to touch Rachna and plant the new Life Tree. This chosen figure will have the power to either restore the balance or let Aer fall to shadow.

Historical Basis

There is no evidence of this myth being true. Each time Erebos takes over Aer, all things are cleansed away and life must start anew. All things are forgotten and must be rediscovered.

Spread

This is a common myth. Most people living in Aer have heard a version of this story.

Cultural Reception

The legend of Rachna, the Well of Creation, and the cyclical death and rebirth of the Life Tree holds different levels of significance for the major factions—Techies, Mages, Lodi, and Fey—each with its own interpretation and reaction to this ancient myth. These perspectives shape their stories, identities, and approaches to the world.

Techies

Perception of the Legend

• The Techies generally dismiss the myth of Rachna as a primitive superstition rooted in magical thinking, something they actively work to move beyond. They view the belief in cycles of magic and rebirth as an obstacle to technological progress.
• To the Techies, Rachna and the Life Tree represent old-world thinking, a system that binds society to nature, decay, and the irrational forces of magic. They aim to break free of that cycle, allowing humanity to chart its own course, free of fate or mystical limitations.

Importance to Their Story

• The legend stands as a challenge to the Techies' core values. They see their mission as advancing beyond nature's limits, transcending the need for magic altogether.
• The Techies believe that, if the Life Tree dies for good, it will mark the end of dependence on magic, allowing technology to evolve unchecked. Their identity revolves around this vision of a future driven by human ingenuity and mechanized evolution, unencumbered by ancient cycles.

Techie Motto: The end of the Life Tree is the beginning of true freedom.

Mages

Perception of the Legend

• The Mages revere the legend of Rachna as sacred truth. They believe in the cyclical nature of life and death as described by the myth and see themselves as the rightful stewards of magic, tasked with ensuring the rebirth of the Life Tree.
• The Well of Creation, to the Mages, is the very source of their power. They see it as a divine link between Aer and Erebos, a place where magic’s purest form is birthed from the darkness. They devote themselves to understanding and preserving this cycle.

Importance to Their Story

• The Mages’ entire identity revolves around the legend. Their duty is to keep the knowledge of Rachna alive, ensuring that the magic required to restore the Life Tree remains protected.
• Their greatest fear is the end of magic, which would spell the end of their way of life and the loss of their identity. The Mages strive to find and protect the next Life Seed, ensuring the survival of both magic and Aer itself.

Mage Motto: “From the darkness, magic is born again.”

Lodi

Perception of the Legend

• The Lodi see the legend as a metaphor for the need to maintain balance between magic and technology, light and shadow. They do not venerate the Well of Creation as a place of pure magic but rather as a symbol of the delicate harmony needed for Aer to thrive.
• To the Lodi, the story of the Life Tree’s cyclical death and rebirth underscores the importance of balance between the realms of Aether and Erebos. They are neither in full support of magic nor technology but believe both must coexist in equilibrium.

Importance to Their Story

• The Lodi’s identity is rooted in their role as mediators, guardians of balance. The legend serves as a guide to their purpose, reminding them that they must prevent either side—Mages or Techies—from overwhelming Aer.
• The Lodi see the Well of Creation as a powerful force that must be approached with caution. They work to protect the cycles of the Life Tree, ensuring that neither the destruction of magic nor unchecked technological growth destroys Aer’s delicate balance.

Lodi Motto:“In shadow and light, we guard the harmony of life.”

Date of First Recording

112

Date of Setting

Time Before Time

Beneath the Still Waters of Rachna

I walked the edge where shadows creep,

Where waters call, where secrets sleep.

In Rachna’s pool, the dark unknown,

I felt the pull, and I was shown.

The surface black, like endless night,

A whisper soft, a distant light.

I longed to feel what lay below,

To sink within its silent flow.

Oh, Rachna deep, where dreams decay,

Take me down, far, far away.

For in your depths, I shall be free,

A part of you, a part of me.

I touched the glass, it shivered cold,

The weight of aeons, stories old.

And in my heart, a trembling song—

A fading pulse, a yearning strong.

I plunged into the quiet deep,

No fear, no cry, no need to weep.

The water wrapped me, soft and slow,

Like fingers pulling, letting go.

The light above, it slipped from sight,

And in the dark, I felt the night.

A breathless sigh, a life undone,

Yet I was whole, yet I was one.

Oh, Rachna still, with gentle care,

You carry all, you cradle air.

The sorrow clings, but I am found,

In endless dark, where we are bound.

Beneath the weight, beneath the wave,

I found my rest, I found my grave.

But even here, I dream of skies,

Of wind and stars and golden eyes.

So let me sink, let shadows reign,

I am your child, a spark of flame.

For in your depths, I’m not alone—

I yearn for life, but call you home.

Echoes of the Telling Tree

READ

Fey

Perception of the Legend

• The Fey, deeply connected to the magical energies of Aer, see the legend of Rachna as an essential part of their existence. They believe that they are born and reborn through the Well of Creation, and their souls are tied to the cycles of the Life Tree.
• Rachna, to the Fey, is not just a pool but a spiritual force that governs their lives. They view it as both a source of life and an inevitable place of return, representing the continuous cycle of death and rebirth that they are bound to.

Importance to Their Story

• The Fey’s identity is intrinsically linked to the myth. They understand themselves as part of the natural cycles of creation and destruction. The death of the Life Tree and the renewal of magic through Rachna defines their experience of the world.
• The Fey are often more philosophical about the legend. They do not fear the death of the Life Tree as humans do but instead accept it as a necessary part of the cycle. However, they do recognize the danger that comes if the Well of Creation is forgotten or blocked, as it would sever their connection to life itself.

Fey Motto: “Through Rachna’s waters, we are born, die, and live again.”

How the Legend Drives Conflict Between These Groups

Techies vs. Mages

The Techies’ rejection of the myth fuels their war against the Mages, who are desperately trying to preserve the ancient magic tied to Rachna. This conflict is fundamental, as it represents a battle between those who believe in the survival of magic and those who see its end as progress.

Lodi’s Struggle

The Lodi must act as protectors of balance, constantly caught in the middle of the Mages and Techies. They see the importance of both sides but recognize that the war itself threatens the future of Aer. The Lodi’s task is to prevent either side from tipping the scales too far.

Fey’s Fear of Extinction

The Fey are perhaps the most personally affected by the fate of the Life Tree. They depend on its rebirth for their own cycle of life and death. As the war rages, the Fey are driven to take sides—whether to help the Mages in preserving the magic or retreat into the Fold, leaving Aer to its fate.

Prophecy’s Role

All factions are aware of the prophecy concerning the final Life Tree and the last cycle. For the Techies, this is an opportunity to break the cycle; for the Mages, it’s a warning to protect the Well of Creation at all costs. The Lodi view the prophecy as a final test of balance, while the Fey see it as the last chance to secure their place in the cycle of life.

In Literature

The myth of Rachna and the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth has deeply influenced the written word in the world of Aer, shaping literature, heroic tales, poetry, and religious texts. Each faction interprets and records the myth differently, reflecting their unique perspectives on the legend and its role in their culture and history.

Techies: Rationalist Critiques and Historical Texts

The Techies, with their disdain for magic and the myth of Rachna, do not glorify the legend in their writings. Instead, their literature is filled with:

• Rationalist Texts: The Techies have authored numerous critical works debunking the myth of Rachna. These books argue that the myth is an allegory for natural cycles but that it has no mystical significance. Titles like "The Fallacy of Magic: The Rise of the Rational Mind" and "Beyond the Tree: Embracing the Post-Magical Future" are examples of prominent works that advocate for a world without magic.
• Scientific Journals: Many scientific writings aim to explore the phenomenon of the Life Tree from a technological perspective, trying to find ways to sustain life without relying on the mythical wellspring of Rachna. These texts often contain engineering marvels, blueprints for harnessing energy without magic, and ways to break the reliance on the Life Tree.

Key Works

• The Death of Superstition – A seminal text arguing for the eradication of magical thinking, seen as a revolutionary book in the Techie world.
• The Machines of Tomorrow – A manifesto calling for a new world order where machines, not myths, shape reality.

Mages: Epic Heroics and Sacred Texts

The Mages have built much of their literary tradition around the myth of Rachna and the Life Tree. Their writings are often deeply spiritual, full of reverence for the Well of Creation and the role of magic in maintaining Aer's natural balance.

• Heroic Epics: Stories of legendary Mages who ventured to protect the Life Seed, replant the Life Tree, or guard Rachna from the forces of darkness fill the libraries of the Mages. The Saga of the Firstborn is an example of an epic poem that recounts the tale of the first Mage who, according to legend, was born from Rachna’s waters and went on to restore magic to Aer.
• Sacred Texts: The Codex of Renewal is a collection of ancient scriptures that detail the origins of the Life Tree and the Well of Creation, guiding the Mages in rituals meant to preserve the magical energies of Aer. It also contains prophecies about the end of the current cycle, when the Life Tree must die again and be reborn through Rachna’s waters.

Key Works

• The Codex of Renewal – The sacred scripture that every Mage must study, describing the origins of Aer and the responsibility of the Mages to maintain the cycle.
• The Wellkeeper – An epic narrative about a young Mage chosen to guard Rachna, told over generations as a testament to loyalty and duty.

Lodi: Philosophical Writings and Parables

The Lodi approach the myth from a philosophical standpoint, seeking balance between magic and technology. Their writings are often reflective and meditative, contemplating the nature of existence and the harmony between Aer and Erebos.

• Philosophical Essays: Works like On the Nature of Cycles and Harmony in Shadows explore the deeper meaning of Rachna as a symbol of balance. The Lodi believe that both magic and technology have a place in Aer, and their literature often features dialogues between fictional characters who represent the two sides, debating the value of each.
• Parables and Fables: The Lodi are known for their short, allegorical stories that illustrate the dangers of imbalance. One of the most famous is The Tale of the Blind River, which tells of a river that ran dry when its waters were no longer nourished by Rachna, a metaphor for the loss of balance between light and dark, magic and technology.

Key Works

• Harmony in Shadows – A widely revered text that philosophizes on the nature of balance, considering both the Light of the Life Tree and the darkness of Erebos as necessary parts of existence.
• The Tale of the Blind River – A fable that warns of the consequences of imbalance, frequently cited in Lodi teaching.

Fey: Mystical Poetry and Oral Tradition

The Fey rarely rely on the written word, preferring oral traditions and songs to pass down their knowledge of Rachna and the Life Tree. However, in their rare writings, their deep connection to magic and nature is vividly expressed.

• Mystical Poetry: Fey poetry often explores the beauty and terror of the cyclical nature of life and death. Poems like Rachna’s Song and The Waters of Birth reflect on the deep, almost spiritual relationship the Fey have with the Well of Creation. These poems are usually sung rather than read, meant to evoke an emotional understanding of the myth.
• Epic Ballads: The Dance of the Waters is an ancient ballad recounting how the Fey are reborn from Rachna’s dark waters. It is a song of life, death, and renewal, often performed at sacred Fey gatherings and dances.
• Oral Legends: Many Fey legends are passed down orally from one generation to the next. Elders of the Fey gather young ones around to tell the story of how the first Fey were born from Rachna’s pool and why they must protect its magic at all costs.

Key Works

• The Dance of the Waters – An epic ballad that has been passed down through Fey oral tradition, telling the story of their birth from Rachna’s dark waters.
• Rachna’s Song – A famous mystical poem that explores the beauty of creation, life, and rebirth through the imagery of water and darkness.

Cross-Cultural Impact of the Myth in Literature

• Heroic Tales: Across cultures, there are countless variations of the hero’s journey tied to the Well of Creation. Mages focus on the heroes who protect it, while Techies might write revisionist accounts of those same figures, depicting them as misguided.
• The Theme of Rebirth: In nearly all literary traditions of Aer, the theme of rebirth permeates the myth of Rachna. From the Mages’ sacred stories of renewal to the Lodi’s philosophical reflections on cycles, the idea that life returns from the dark waters after death is a recurring narrative.
• Conflict Writings: The ongoing war between Techies, Mages, Lodi, and Fey is often framed through the lens of the Rachna myth. Each faction writes stories or poems that paint their view of the myth as the “true” one, and this fuels the propaganda that motivates soldiers and citizens alike.