War of Ashes

The War of Ashes is the war between multiple technologically advanced armies that emerged immediately after the First Firefall. Exactly how long it lasted is unknown, but there are no records of it lasting more than a year.

The Conflict

Prelude

To the vast majority of Aroka's inhabitants, there were no warning signs prior to the War of Ashes. There were some individuals and organizations that had gained insight to hidden actors and events, but even those who could see that a conflict was brewing could not have anticipated how quickly it would begin and end, nor that it would be the end of the world as they knew it.

Deployment

On the 152nd day of what would become the first year of the Firefall Era, Aroka's moon exploded, raining down on the planet in fiery chunks. Between the impacts, flame, and following volcanic activity, much of the planet's surface had been lit ablaze and ash blanketed the sky. As if this cataclysmic even wasn't enough, multiple armies possessing technology advanced beyond anything seen on Aroka emerged from the ashes. Exactly how many there were and where they came from is uncertain, largely due to how the war that followed did nearly as much damage as the initial cataclysm that seemed to have started it.

Battlefield

The whole planet was the battlefield of these technological giants. Great ships soared through the skies and might war machines were deployed to its surface. Arokas that tried to fight back were quickly eradicated and those that fled often became unintended casualties due to the incredible power of the armies' weaponry. Those that were able to get away noticed that the armies had no interest in pursuing Arokas, but were solely focused on their opponents.

Conditions

Those that lived to tell about the War of Ashes reported that the skies were dark grey on the brightest of days and that the only source of environmental light the majority of the days was the glow of the flames that raged across the planet's surface.

The Engagement

Clashes between the armies often kicked up so much ash that only the sounds of battle and multi-color flashes of their weaponry could be heard and seen like the thunder and lightning of an end-times storm.

Outcome

The armies suddenly disappeared and the rain of ash was replaced by snow as Aroka entered the Age of Ice. Arokans that survived fled underground to escape the cold.

Aftermath

Some believe that the Age of Ice would have ended sooner if not for the war kicking up ash, generating its own, and stoking the flames that were already raging across the planet's surface.

Historical Significance

Very few that lived during the Age of Ascension survived though the War of Ashes, the Age of Ice, and into the Age of Reclamation, though their experiences were passed down to their descendants. This has led to many different version of events. The overall themes are the same, but what caused the First Firefall, what ended the Age of Ice, and what the future holds all vary.

Legacy

The new world of the Age of Reclaimaion is so vastly different from the world of the Age of Ascension that none of its civilizations have been restored, with most having been so devestated that nothing remains of them. Only the greatest of civilizations have any ruins and even those have been damage so extensively that very few of their technologies and wonders survived. For all intents and purposes, the world ended and is just starting to begin anew.

In Literature

There are very few documents from the year of the War of Ashes that survived into the Age of Reclamation, so all the remains are observations made during the Age of Ice and after, mostly speculating what took place before the world and ended and what that means for the future.

Technological Advancement

Very little of the technology from the Age of Ascension or what was used in the War of Ashes remains. What has been found is usually broken beyond repair or has eroded to time and elements. However, every now and then, someone stumbles across something truly remarkable, usually gaining the attention of secret organizations which quickly make it disappear.

Start Date

0 FFE

Ending Date

0 FFE