The Ascent

"It came from the Wilds out west. Faster and larger than it had any right to be. Blotted out the light in the sky - or became it, can't right remember what grandpappy told me.
Anywho- once it took up the center of the sky, it done open its mouth big and wide-like.
Anyone in their right mind would think it the end of days! A dang massive-sized Gigas took over the sky and was going to eat 'em all! Yet- it was what happened next that is the crazy part and why it was called "the Ascent."

— Elder Morla

The Ascent by Retry (via Midjourney)

The Ascent

Standing as a wide-spread legend that covered many events that occurred simutaneously; the Ascent serves as the major turning point in the world. There are a handful of varitions that have been documented or stored through the passing of stories scattered across the world. The most prominent version is the one pushed by the Feahe religion within the confines of the Holy Empire of Barbahlia.
The world documented or told within those stories prior to the event tell of a land connected and full of wonder. The art of magic was well practiced in many cultures and civilizations to aid in the ways of everyday life and warfare. Magi-tech was starting to become more and more ingrained in life serving to bolster those who did not practice, could not practice, or held no skill with magic.
While there were disagreements, skirmishes, wars, and disasters within the world; there was no documented lead-up to a trigger for this event. Or at least, one that was visible to the public's eyes. The mysteries and effects as to why the Ascent occurred still plague many remaining scholars to this day.

The Effects

While the events that occurred on that very day vary based on the storyteller, the effects are well known and documented. Each having a world-altering affect to them, making it difficult to lay claim to which was the most dire.

The first event

The first documented catastrophy was the disappearance of the FeatherFolk. An entire lineage vanished from the face of Caeloc within a single day. Leaving behind all their belongings and non-Featherfolk relationships. This created large voids within societies that had lost many important figures, business owners, skilled workers, etc. very quickly.

The second event

The second catastrophy was the rising of the land. Large chunks of land that varried wildly in size, from small parcels of land to a small country; were ripped from the land and hoist into the sky above the clouds. Leaving behind many societies and much of the population.
The parcels of land that were spared were outfitted with magitech engines that held the land locked in place in the sky, over the hole it left in the crust below. The altitude and orientation never changing. These engines were put in place prior to the event leading to wild speculations as to who did such or why only certain areas were saved.
Many lives were lost during the ascension of the later named, Shells. Many more were believed to have been stolen away when an odd veil erupted from the holes in the land left behind. The Clouds were expansive and covered the lands below like a thick fog for many many years before any above could finally see through them. What was left behind was desolate and snowy tundra void of any organic life that should have been present.

The third effect

The final effect that was noticed not long after the ascension of the Shell was the absence of magic. Magical items suddenly became mere trinkets. Powerful illusions faded. Constructs that provided magically created substances such as water, wind, food; halted and became mere statues. Any uttered incantation or magic circle sputtered and fizzled out.
With the departure of the Featherfolk, so too did all magic in the world of Caeloc.
What powered and fueled business, agriculture, warfare, and even daily life faded away. The only objects that seemed to carry on working were the various pieces of magitech machinary. Such as the very machines that now held what was left of the world afloat in the skies.

Life after

While many held their own tales and beliefs to how or why the world was changed for the worse. Life finds a way. Without the existence of magic or magical items, many were forced to change their lifestyles or occupations entirely. Magitech machinary stayed around and became the primary tool employed to keep civilizations going.
With the wide swaths of space between the Shells, travelling by air became a necessity for trade and warfare alike. Large portions of airspace became hunting grounds for massive creatures that hindered those who now traversed the sky. Mining and fighting for the finite amount of resources left in the world has taken center-stage as the various civilizations attempt to cling on to life in this world that is slowly dying.

Summary

• Without warning a large catastrophy took place
• An entire lineage of people vanished in a single day
• Large portions of land were pulled from the crust of the planet and hoist into the air
• A thick fog covered the lands left below assumingly killing off those unfortunate enough to be left behind
• All the magic in the world vanished forcing those who remained to rely on technology

Historical Basis

With the presence of the Shells, generally all but the most gullible have to admit that something happened. With glimpses of the world below possible the dots can be connected that the land they walk upon was once down below as well. Old artifacts and documentations show the past existence of the Featherfolk, despite none being present in current day. However, the existence of magic can often be a subject of debate.

Spread

Knowledge of the event as a whole is fairly common within the various remaining cultures. Something happened and the world was broken. Details on the numerous events that happened on that day become muddled based on location and level of education.
The typical layman might wish to know "Why are we in the sky" when they reach the edge of a Shell for the first time in their life. However, such curiosity tends to stop there as there are other issues in the world that demand attention. Only those who are truly curious or scholars tend to dig deeper. When such individuals begin their search, they are directed to either long-lived elders or last remaining libraries.

Variations & Mutation

The granular details of what happened that day and how tend to shift based on culture. The most prevailent variation is the one that serves as a part of the religious scripts for the Holy Empire of Barbahlia. Where the world was sundered and would be returned to one by their leader.
Other cultures have minor details here or there on what happened. Such as a massive glowing Gigas appearing and eating all the Featherfolk. Or the machines that flew into action to repair a hole in the sky that was pulling up lineages one at a time. Or how it wasn't just the Featherfolk who were spirited away.

Cultural Reception

The story serves as a sort of creation myth to the Holy Empire of Barbahlia. For they have claimed it their sovereign's destiny to repair the world that was broken.
For other cultures it was a disaster that had ruined the world. They view the event as a form of punishment that was heaped upon them for wrongs they hadn't committed.

Date of First Recording

2 M.R.

Date of Setting

-6 M.R.