In a time long before our own, there existed a great city of pure light, vast beyond mortal comprehension. An eternal golden light filled the streets, and the rivers sparkled like liquid opals. In this realm dwelt beings of pure radiance, their life unbothered by shadow or doubt. They were the Lumeni. Yet this utopia was not to last forever, as light casts shadows, and in those shadows grew a darkness; a darkness with teeth and hunger - Skathfada, Devourer of the Bright.
What followed was a ruthless battle between the Lumeni and the minions of Skathfada, one which sadly, the Lumeni were losing. When Skathfada's darkness consumed the great city, all seemed lost to shadow. But Eranis, keeper of sacred mysteries, gathered the last remaining light into her being and fled into the endless void. For uncounted ages she traveled, pursued by shadows, until at last she discovered a small realm surrounded by iridescent mists - Caelwhyn, as yet unformed and awaiting purpose.
Here, in her exhaustion, Eranis released the last light of the ancient city. As it touched the Myst that surrounded Caelwhyn, it transformed, taking the form of Anwyr, the Blazing Dawn. Together, they raised the great firmament to protect their sanctuary, and in doing so discovered that their combined powers - divine light and primordial Myst - held the seeds of creation itself.
From this power they brought forth five more divine beings: First came Teriesh, who would guide destiny; then Vimyar, master of craft and stone; Braethorn, keeper of grace and wisdom; Qi, sovereign of the winds; and finally Aagronak, guardian of necessary shadows. Thus were the seven Lumeni made whole.
Each Lumeni, in their divine wisdom, created beings in their own image. Teriesh brought forth humans and halflings, adaptable and full of potential. Vimyar shaped the dwarves, goliaths, and gnomes from the very substance of Caelwhyn. Braethorn sang the elves into being during the first twilight. Qi granted life to the aarakocra, kenku, and dragonborn, that they might bridge earth and sky. Aagronak formed orcs and goblins, teaching them the strength found in darkness.
Life in these early days was simple but prosperous. When disputes arose between different peoples, the Lumeni themselves would intervene with wisdom and fairness. Divine magic flowed freely, granted by the gods to those who showed aptitude and dedication. The first temples were built not out of religious necessity, but as places where mortals could gather to learn directly from their divine parents.
As populations grew, mortals began to explore beyond Tyr Shoga's shores. Small settlements appeared on nearby coasts, though all maintained close connections to the divine city. Trade routes were established, cultural exchanges flourished, and the first great works of civilization began to take shape.
Yet this golden time was not to last. Strange beings began to emerge from the Myst - spirits of varying power and intent. Some were benevolent, offering gifts and knowledge. Others were dangerous, testing the boundaries of the Lumeni's protection. At first, these appearances were rare enough to be handled directly by the gods, who would defend their mortal children from any threat.
But as the spirit encounters grew more frequent, the Lumeni began to understand a troubling truth. Their continued presence in the mortal realm was drawing attention from beyond the Myst. Perhaps even the attention of Skathfada, the demon of darkness who had destroyed their original home. The gods faced a difficult choice - maintain their direct guidance of mortality and risk drawing their ancient enemy to this sanctuary, or retreat to a separate realm where their divine power would not endanger their creations.
In the end, they chose to create Solas, a new realm of pure light. They appointed certain mortals as clergy, teaching them to channel divine power and maintain connection between gods and mortals. Then, in an act that would forever change the nature of Caelwhyn, the Lumeni departed the mortal realm.
Thus ended the First Age, when gods walked among mortals, and began the Age of Men, when mortals would learn to walk their own path.
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