The Golden Age of Humans and Rise of the Exalted
During this time there was first a golden race of mortal men who lived under the rule of Kronos on Creation. Created initially by Prometheus, Gaia agreed to protect them and any subsequent generations of men and shelter their growth until they became self-sufficient. They lived like gods without sorrow or toil, without old age and without fear of death. Though as mortals they died, it was as though they collapsed into a peaceful sleep. It is said that the earth bore fruit without having to be worked, and streams flowed with milk and honey.
Helios decided to bless this generation with a gift, he broke off several "pieces of himself" and granted select mortals he chose as worthy of leading the humans. They were called the Exalted ones, the first of their kind, known as the Solar Exalted. They ruled over mankind with gentle strength and helped guide them.
Men dwelt in peace with each other during this time. There was no law, and no punishment, for they kept faith with one another and the gods and no wrong was done. There were no cities, no swords and helmets, no foreign nations went to war with one another, and nobody sailed the seas. Even the beasts did not kill one another for they were supplied by the earth in the same way as men.
At this time Dike (Justice) had not yet left the Earth; and when she did, she planted her last footprints among those who cherished an easy livelihood, and kept themselves away from the clash of arms and the palaces with arrogant portals. For those who live in peace and innocence, worship the gods, feel reverence for Geras (Old Age), and have for leisure what nature and earth generously provide, resemble the men of the Golden Age.
This is what the Golden Age has been credited with, and that is why men of other ages talk of a "golden age" whenever they remember any advantageous circumstances of the past, be it a low rate of crime, low taxes, or higher profit. But were they asked whether they believe in the Golden Age of Man, most of them would refuse it credence; for a man of his times can only regard other ages as products of imagination. And yet they might show themselves ready to listen to promises of its return, so long does the memory linger.
The Exalts themselves prospered, but over time grew distant from their fellow man. A sort of loneliness set into their hearts. Selene saw what her brother had done and decided to create mates for the Chosen of the Sun. Thus, the Chosen of the Moon were created. These Lunar Exalted paired up with the Solar Exalted and bore many children. It was discovered that the power of their parents was not given to those children. Gaia felt sorry for these children and infused her own elemental powers into them. These powers small enough so that they could be passed from generation to generation. This was the first generation of Terrestrial Exalted. As the children of the previous Exalted, they were naturally obedient to them. Kronos grew jealous of his fellow titans and decided that his own chosen would subtly influence the chosen of Gaia, Helios, and Selene. He coveted his own power though, and sought the power of the Moirai, the Fates, who granted a fraction of their power to create the Overseers of Fate. These were the Sidereals. Their task was to guide the other Exalted, a task they took to with great enthusiasm. However Kronos had not counted on what would happen next, or that the Sidereals were not under his control.
The Exalts themselves prospered, but over time grew distant from their fellow man. A sort of loneliness set into their hearts. Selene saw what her brother had done and decided to create mates for the Chosen of the Sun. Thus, the Chosen of the Moon were created. These Lunar Exalted paired up with the Solar Exalted and bore many children. It was discovered that the power of their parents was not given to those children. Gaia felt sorry for these children and infused her own elemental powers into them. These powers small enough so that they could be passed from generation to generation. This was the first generation of Terrestrial Exalted. As the children of the previous Exalted, they were naturally obedient to them. Kronos grew jealous of his fellow titans and decided that his own chosen would subtly influence the chosen of Gaia, Helios, and Selene. He coveted his own power though, and sought the power of the Moirai, the Fates, who granted a fraction of their power to create the Overseers of Fate. These were the Sidereals. Their task was to guide the other Exalted, a task they took to with great enthusiasm. However Kronos had not counted on what would happen next, or that the Sidereals were not under his control.
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