The Cataclysm

The Great Cataclysm came around the year 2069 AD when it seemed humanity was the brink of self-induced annihilation. Across the world nations were riddled with economic problems, failing governments, ever increasing populations, social collapse and of course the omni-present dangers of a world long abused and all that entailed. Technology had not wrought the changes the more optimistic envisioned and instead it brought with it a whole new array of problems.

The doomsday clock was ticking closer and closer to midnight and humanity did not seem to have noticed, or had other things on its mind.

So when a series of catastrophes struck that saw the death of millions, the collapse of civilisation and the reshaping of the world it seemed that Earth itself had grown weary of humanity, punishing it for its transgressions and poor stewardship. The ultimate wrath of Mother Nature.

That is one theory.

Another is that, quite simply, a singular event of truly apocalyptic force triggered a cascading effect globally resulting in destructive earth-quakes, volcanic eruptions, superstorms and tidal waves of unprecedented scale. Global regions were devastated as the oceans rose and reached far inland. Faultline's in geological unstable areas were sundered and even mighty mountains collapsed. The skies were filled with ash and smoke from numerous volcanoes and humanity, those that endured the initial disasters, sought shelter where they could and prayed to whoever they thought was listening for salvation.

As to the nature of that singular event of truly apocalyptic force, that remains a mystery.

It could be said that there was nothing supernatural about this apocalypse. It was simply bad luck.

And perhaps that could be a reasonable assumption where it not for the strange forces unleashed. The nature of reality as humans knew it had changed. Esoteric energies... magic... and other mysterious forces had been introduced into the world alongside beings from outside our mundane physical resistance. It would be long before these changes, these invaders, were truly noticed as global temperatures plummeted and the survivors of the Cataclysm had other concerns upon their minds. They would need to find a way to endure, to keep alive in the ruins of the world that was gone.

A New World

Wounded though it was, the world slowly but surely healed. In its long, long history it had been dealt horrendous damage before and always after a period of rebirth and regrowth, a new Eden would invariably rise. This was no different. Humanity too, rose from the ruins of the old world and had weathered the long darkness where the skies were thick with ash and smoke so what little sun could pierce its gloom was weak and filtered. Tribes formed and they persevered through the short but deadly ice age as oceans receded and long buried land was revealed. Despite the catastrophic loss of life humans still killed one another over resources and territory, fighting to the death to protect what they saw as theirs. Still, humanity survived and grew. Lost knowledge was recovered. New nations formed as charismatic leaders and brutal warlords rose to prominence with promises of safety and raised settlements that grew and prospered, attracting wanderers from afar seeking stability and sanctuary.

The forces unleashed during the Cataclysm were seen as normal now. Creatures lurked in the ruins of old cities, hungry for flesh. Mysterious beings wandered amongst the tribes and burgeoning nations, displaying mystical powers and offered to teach the curious in exchange for food, shelter or adoration. Cults dedicated to the worship of strange new Gods proliferated with some deities having very physical forms to which the faithful would offer sacrifices in exchange of protection and power.

As magic slowly spread the forgotten technology of the past was unearth and brought to life where possible. Though much was beyond the ken of those who found it, humans are adaptable creatures and with enough time were able to utilize these relics and in so doing brought back a little of the world that had been lost.

This New Dark Age

It has been seven hundred years since the Cataclysm. New nations have formed, driving back the dangers in a world humans no longer can claim to be the dominant species. Beyond the safety of the towns and cities and fortified settlements, the wilderness is dark and dangerous, populated by things once relegated to myth and fiction. Even the dead may not rest easy as those of corrupt spirit may summon their souls back from beyond the veil and press them into horrific servitude. The greedy and unwise make unspeakable pacts with eldritch horrors in exchange for power, careless of the ramifications and true risks to not just their souls but the world. Seekers of knowledge lost will turn upon their fellows weapons of yesteryear, drunk on power and revelling in the damage they unleash.

This then is the world. A new dark age has fallen and whose to say if humanity will rise out of it this time. Or will the human race sink deeper and deeper?