The Celestial Cipher

"Seek out the Cipher in the depths of Hell and ascend to where our gods now dwell."

Summary

Only the oldest of beings upon Avaria may recall a time when the civilisations of the world would pray those beings known as gods. The people would seek guidance and favour, and some select few would champion a god's cause and be granted a fraction of their power. Then, with the Sundering of Heaven and the gods were silenced.
In the ages to follow, the mortal survivors would pass on tales of the powerful and benevolent gods to the future generations. Some saw in these tales hope, that one day the gods would return. Others believed they had ascended yet further and left their creations to fend for themselves. Yet more declared that the gods were all wiped out by some other, greater foe. After generations of debate one theory prevailed, the gods had chosen to test the mortals.
Only once a worthy soul had overcome an arduous journey and found the clue the gods had left behind would they ascend to the celestial realm and upon this magnificent victory they gods would be pleased and return their benevolence to Avaria.
Over the ages, the Cipher was added to describe the prize one would need to obtain to earn passage to the beyond and so began the long and bloody wars for the Cipher. Each civilization convinced that they could shape the world to their own agenda if only they could find the Cipher. Bloody conflicts played out all over Avaria and many species were lost entirely.
Those who survived came to worship the structures left behind such as the Realmgates and mysterious Obelisks convinced that if only they could pray en masse that the gods would surely hear them.
In recent centuries, as the world grows more savage and histories are lost, the few who still believe in such beings as gods have taken the myth as a lesson. That they must overcome their own hell to earn the Cipher as ascent upon death.

Historical Basis

The Myth began as theory and was told by the survivors of war. Soon after it became a cultural tenant. There is however no evidence of any Cipher existing.

Spread

The Myth was once spread among most of the civilised races, now its meaning has been lost and those who cling to it as seen as old fashioned and foolish.

Variations & Mutation

Thought the prevailing version spoke of the Cipher as a physical prize that would allow one to ascend there are many variations.
The Aelvari, longest-lived of the current races took it to mean that one must conquer their own darkness to be worthy. This is the currently held belief amongst the council races.
The Drakkar, however, believe that when a worthy enough champion rises amongst their tribes the great egg (moon) will hatch and the gods will return.

Cultural Reception

To most in the Empire, the legend is the stuff of myth and fairytale, thought the fractured religious factions hold to it as fact.
The humans, in particular, put little stock in the legend and prefer to forge their own destiny.
The Gnomes of Sparkhaven have little need for the legend and believe that they can build anything that a god could possibly provide.
To the Dwarves of Stonefangs, life is cyclical, they come from the stone and return to it leaving behind only their deeds. They believe this is their Cipher and should the soul of the mountain deem them worthy they may ascend.

In Literature

Books are rare in Avaria but there exist several tomes in Asunar and Dragonsarch that discuss the ancient legends. The theme of ascension is prevalent throughout the artistic community and many songs have kept this myth alive through the generations.

In Art

In the City of Argent's Gate There is a mural of the myth on the walls of the Crimson Hold.

Date of First Recording

-1800

Date of Setting

-2500