Astral War Military Conflict in Chardovil | World Anvil
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Astral War

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The following article is spoiler-heavy for both the Ascension and Godslayer campaigns, and will be privated after Summer Camp 2023. Anyone seeking a spoiler-free experience should seek other articles.
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The Astral War refers to the conflict that erupted among the Divine following the Ascension of Grysthel Ynkori to become the One in White. It was his attempt at usurping the Universe as what he saw as the "Overseer of the Gods".

Timeline

Pre-Conflict

Circa 1500 - 1506

The conflict is set in motion when Kossuth, the God of Fire at the time, begun to view mortals as irredeemable. He begins his plan to expunge them from the world, testing the waters to see what he can get away with before the Universe notices.

The Universe notices the destruction quickly, but cannot remove the God of Fire itself, and thus begins keeping a close eye on multiple contenders it sees as worthy to carry the mantle of Godslayer.
Ynkori Ascends
Kossuth enacts his plan to wipe out all mortals, beginning with wildfires in isolated areas while causing candles in major cities to explode, dividing mortal resources. A similar explosion causes the death of Grysthel Ynkori, who convinces the Universe to hurriedly Ascend him and bestow the power of Godslayer. In its haste, it also bestows the power of Godmaker to the new God, allowing him to choose the new God of Fire.
The One in White is Born
Instead of destroying the God of Fire, the new Godslayer defects, declating himself the One in White and the new Overseer and permitting Kossuth to continue his destruction so long as it suited the new Divine Dictator.
He runs his hands down his pain clothing, morphing it into a crisp, almost blinding white suit and obsidian shirt. He runs his hand through his hair and it turns as white as his suit, held out of his face by sheer force of will.
- The One in White's transformation
The One in White utilizes the mass death in the West caused by Kossuth's inferno to Ascend numerous individuals and forming his own pantheon of Gods. While the Universe's Gods all worked in the shadows, the Congregation of White actively visited Chardovil, using threats and bribery to coax various Eastern mortals into enacting their will.
God of Death
As the last of the surviving mortals in Chardovil West flee the continent, the Voidwalker Nadyra Yvrey gives his life buying them the time they require to escape. The Universe at last feels it has found a suitable individual to stop the One in White and explains the situation to Nadyra, who agrees to foresake his own afterlife to become a Godslayer and stop Kossuth.

Nadyra's recent and lifelong experience in battle sees him easily best and slay the God of Fire, extinguishing the flames engulfing Chardovil West. He visits the mortals on the ship to the Altraxian Continent, assuring them that they needn't flee if they don't wish to, and many opt to return to the West with him to rebuild.
God of Rebirth
Nadyra ferries the returning mortals to the shore, and as his feet touch the mainland, he finds the Universe bestowed him a secondary domain: that of Rebirth. He uses his newfound power to cover the charred landscape in a healing rain, allowing the plants to regrow and bestowing life to the animals slain in the fire.

Phase One

1506

The One in White takes matters into his own hands, using the newly restored Chardovil West as the stage to eliminate the young God of Death, seeing him as a legitimate threat to his position of power.
The Astral War
Nadyra fights alongside the mortals he saved for many days and nights, using his powers to shield them from the wrath of the Congregation of White baring down upon them. However, ultimately the One in White is able to overpower him.

Though before the God of Death is slain, the Universe, desperate to save him, declares him its Divine Champion, protecting him from the power of a Godslayer so long as he has the favor of the mortals he has protected.
Banishment
Unable to eliminate his foe, the One in White casts the heavily wounded Nadyra into the corpse of his mortal body, suppressing his memories of his life as a God to prevent his return. His Congregation is tasked with keeping watch over the body, lest he be resurrected and his memories restored. He also chooses a new Goddess of Death to replace the fallen Champion.

Interlude

1507 - 1650

For over a century, the One in White rules over the Gods, while Nadyra remains trapped. The Universe's power wanes as the One in White's grows, and a new group of mortals in the rebuilt Chardovil West choose to follow he they consider the True Overseer, dubbing themselves the Order of White.
Resurrection
Long after his banishment, Ilyxxa Gethra recovers the magically preserved body of Nadyra Yvrey, unaware of the God trapped within. Her life's work, Artifical Resurrection, finally succeeds in reviving the body, though he finds himself with no memory of his past life-- mortal or divine. All he remembers is a name: Nadyra, and names himself Nadyra Armeros, opting to leave his past in his past.
A Life Restored
Nadyra Armeros begins building a new life as Ilyxxa's lab assistant, fascinated in the work that cheated death itself. Though the Goddess of Death, Ereshikal, wishing to keep a close eye on him and ensuring his memories remain suppressed, takes him on as her disciple.
Shreds of Recollection
Armeros finds himself with knowledge he didn't know he had, and skills he cannot explain, such as expertise in wielding a scimitar and sneaking about. Ereshikal attempts to earn his favor with gifts of Negative Magic, though she also takes care to Mark him so she has direct access to his thoughts and dreams, carefully monitoring for signs of the Divine Champion.

Phase Two

1649 - 1650

When, due to some newfound allies, Armeros begins himself with flickers of new memories, the One in White decides that sitting back and allowing Ereshikal to handle the situation is not enough. Instead, he opts to take steps to eliminate the threat of the Divine Champion once and for all.
Liabilities
The One in White condemns Ereshikal for the deal she struck to place her Mark on Armeros, instead taking steps to manipulate Armeros' allies into aligning with the Godslayer instead.
 
Conflict Type
War
Start Date
1507
Ending Date
1650
Conflict Result
The One in White is slain
Nadyra become the new Overseer
"How much more time can you afford to wait for another contender, if one even appears before it's too late to save them."
— Grysthel to the Universe
The horned figure wordlessly steps through the wall of fire, flicking a nonexistent ember from the pristine white shoulder of his jacket as he turns to smile at the rampaging God. He clicks his fingers and the man across from him, wreathed in flame, staggers and gasps for air he did not need as he chokes on smoke of his own making.
"Do you understand whose authority you act under?"
God of Death by Ynix via Hero Forge
"My domain is not that of souls. There is naught I can do for the fallen save protect you."
— Nadyra, the God of Rebirth
The Universe by Ynix via Hero Forge
"Be it by fate or chance, finding him began the most interesting part of my life."
— Ilyxxa Gethra on finding Nadyra's body
A Soul Restored
While Nadyra Yvrey died a Voidwalker, Armeros has his original soul alongside the dormant God of Death trying to break free.
Nadyra Armeros by Ynix via Hero Forge
         

Combatants


One in White Crest by Ynix via Armoria

White

Leader
One in White
Members
Congregation of White (Divine)
Order of White (Mortal)
Strengths
Godslayer, Godmaker leader

Weaknesses
Few members

Secret Sigils by Ynix via Armoria

Blue

Leader
Nadyra
Members
Nadyra (Divine Universe (Divine)
Various Chardovilian allies (Moral)
Strengths
Divine Champion, Godslayer leader
Number of followers
Weaknesses
Allies in hiding, unorganized


Cover image: Astral War Cover by Ynix

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