Cùl-tìre

The world is young once more, rising from the ashes of chaos. Six hundred years ago the eruption of the super-volcano beneath Mana Nui cut off Cùl-tìre from the sacred energies of the Empyrean and left the old gods powerless to influence the course of mortal affairs. The cataclysm ushered in a great winter, and the kingdoms of the old world, which had grown so reliant on the magic drawn from Mana Nui, fell to ruin. For five years, ash choked the earth, and the volcanic winter that the eruption brought lasted for three full generations. Until, one day, a young noble from the badlands of Soli swore to end the world’s suffering, and left to seek out the guidance of the old gods. After many years of searching, Sarki Awa uncovered an ancient relic, and was rewarded with the power to unite the disparate peoples of Cùl-tìre.   With the power of the Empyrean now flowing through Awa’s immortal hands, the young noble quickly gained a sizable following back in Soli, and word soon spread to the neighbouring kingdoms of Maba and Desh. Slowly, but surely, Awa set about bringing the land of Cùl-tìre together, forging the Awanna Empire from the ruins of the old world. However, not all of those who survived the Age of Ash believe in the tales of the ascendance of Awa. There are those who doubt the divinity of the empire’s leadership, and those who still pray to the old gods for salvation, who await their return from out of the darkness.   The various nations of unbelievers clash with the Awanna Empire on the island of Slèitear. The farthest flung colonies of the mighty Empire dominate the northern half of Slèitear, while five Ionadi Kingdoms stretch from the central regions to the southern coastline. The Ionadi believe that the gods are dead, and that their death was for a purpose, to allow humanity freedom from their whims that they may forge their own destiny. In the mountainous regions to the west lie the remnant tribes of the island's first people, the Ciadrì. The Ciadrì believe that the old gods still live, and their culture is steeped in superstitions and rituals, performed in the hope of regaining contact with them. The eastern coast of the island plays host to the Tūmanako Iwi. These new tribes are recent arrivals from the east, where the husk of Mana Nui rises from the waves, its once divine frame now the source of tainted energies that have driven the people of the surrounding islands to flee their homes in search of safer shores. They do not know why the old gods have forsaken them, but they know the dangers of what lies in their wake.