The Ancients

Who are the Ancients?

Of all of Altairus's strange and fantastical residents, none are so powerful or revered as the ancients. These beings serve as both rulers and stewards of Altairus, watching over the lands they protect in the Heart of Altairus's absence.

An ancient is any faery or magical beast who has lived for at least 1000 years. Magical beings do not age like humans; they keep growing throughout their lives, and instead of growing more feeble, they only become more powerful as they age. By 1000 years, their magical powers have grown to such an extent that they effectively become minor gods.

What do Ancients Do?

When a magical being becomes an ancient, they are revered over others for their power and supposed wisdom over younger beings. It is tradition for a faery or magical being to be granted domain over a certain land or concept of Altairus once they reach their 1000th birthday. They are held responsible for ruling over and stewarding this piece of Altairus that they were given to the best of their abilities.

In the chain of command, the ancient watching over a land is given a higher rank than even the legal rulers/owners of that land. For good reason; ancients are capable of ensuring a nation's prosperity or destruction with just a wave of the hand. Rulers and citizens alike often put great care into pleasing the ancients presiding over their land. While many ancients are kind and wise, others are quite temperamental.

But it's not all fear and supplication; ancients are sought out for wisdom and boons from warriors and scholars of all stripes. For a certain kind of tribute, an ancient may grant a wish, offer some insight into a problem, or offer their assistance in some other way. When the Heart of Altairus turned, ancients all over the world became the principle gods Altairians prayed to and sought for assistance. Even today, more Altairians recognize the ancients as gods than they do the Heart of Altairus.