Time Zero

Some believe that the concept of distance is infinite and that the concept of nothing is false. They believe that when one reaches the end or beginning, there simply must be more beyond. One can envision this model into infinity, or one can choose to believe that there is some kind of loop in existence. Yet even in the loop, one must wonder what exists outside of that loop. There is no conceivable answer that can define the beginning or the end, because at some point, the ability to perceive or understand what lies before or beyond becomes either impossible or endless. One constant in existence is the Astral Realm. So large and vast it is that even on the prime material plane it can be seen in the sky, more clearly at night than in the day. There are many natives to the astral realm; among those that are more well known are the Dragons and the Fey. Both are powerful and intelligent creatures who are masters of the power known as magic. They are known amongst the realm as being the most powerful who dwell there. There is however a more powerful type of native to the astral realm that is less well known due to their lack of form: they are called the Anastazi. Of all the denizens of the astral realm, only the dragons and the fey know of the existence of the Anastazi because only they have the power to communicate with them.

The Anastazi have no true description, for they exist without a perceivable tangible or physical form. They might best be described as lights or colors or sounds or thoughts, or some combination thereof. Their most valued trait is the ability to create reality from concepts; to give to others, what they themselves do not possess: a physical form.

At a fixed point in time, the Anastazi thought to create a world where life could flourish outside of the Astral Realm. So wondrous was this idea that the dragons and fey insisted on helping. When Arawyn was first created, it was just a rock and the dragons came to it and sculpted its landscape. When the dragons had finished, the world was beautiful and new and unique, but even still all who gazed upon it felt that it lacked something that none of them could describe. The life on Arawyn was largely immobile, stationary and did little to interact or grow beyond being their own isolated beings. It was thought that life should move great distances, and think, grow, interact and adapt to its surroundings. From this thought mankind was created upon the world of Arawyn.

Mankind was amazing, for it was so diverse that its presence gave birth to a wide range of aspects, and individuals were so unique that each one could reflect any number of these aspects to varying degrees. So wondrous was the result of humans that many other variations were also created, and so unique and promising was mankind, that the fey of the astral realm became intrigued and came to Arawyn to help these people grow and teach them the ways of magic.

During this first age of mankind, the fey and the dragons noticed something odd about the people of this world. They displayed behavior unlike the fey and dragons had ever seen. They were so different from one another and would commit actions of such extremity unlike what the denizens of the astral realm were used to. Some would go out of their way to help and nurture others, while others would go out of their way to take from or bring harm to others. These concepts were foreign to the astral beings, and no one could quite tell where they had originated from. The Anastazi looked on in wonder and amazement. The creation of mankind turned out very different than expected and the denizens of the astral realm could not decide exactly what they liked or disliked about them. After some time, their behaviors could be separated into two general sides, and because the astral realm did not yet comprehend the words good and evil, these sides where referred to by them as light and dark.

It was decided that they would observe, and that after a trial of time had passed they would choose which of the two they thought superior, and in this image they would remake the world and all worlds thereafter. Not long after this decision, on the world of Arawyn two human girls were born named Fiona and Mirranda. The Anastazi did not create these children and they were not birthed as all others where; as far as the Anastazi could perceive, they simply were. Though not yet apparent to the people of Arawyn, it became apparent to the Anastazi that these children where the pure embodiments of light and dark, good and evil.

As these mysterious children grew, the Anastazi became concerned and alarmed at their presence. So much so, that in a panic they chose to abandon their trial and sent to the world their Null. These creatures stood for the nullification of all things and they wielded the power to do so. Before the Null could even begin their work, Fiona and Miranda immediately combined their powers to imprison the creatures deep within the dark crevices of the world.

Amazed at what had just happened, the Anastazi decided instead to wait and watch what was happening. After the Null had been imprisoned, the bonds of Fiona and Miranda’s blood could not sustain the differences in behavior which they stood for and so quickly they grew apart. A war between the two powers erupted across the landscape of Arawyn.

During the first days of this war, the Anastazi perceived something new. The Dragons and the Fey on Arawyn were beginning to become infected by the auras of good and evil. Black and white dragons were born during their stay on Arawyn and even the powerful fey began to display strong traits of moral and immoral clarity. Seeing this take place, the Anastazi banished all astral beings from the world. The dragons and the fey respected the wishes of the Anastazi, although in secret a few of them disobeyed this command.

The war waged on for many decades and eventually Fiona and Miranda became imprisoned, one by force, and the other by choice. This however proved to not be the end of the war, but instead the beginning as some powerful beings rose to great power. The Inhabitants of the world labeled these beings “The Gods”. Most of them declared their allegiances on the side of good or evil, and so the war transcended to a new stage, with new battlefields and with new soldiers. The war between good and evil raged on as strong as ever, on both the surface of Arawyn and in the heavens. With Fiona and Miranda no longer directly in play, the Anastazi decided to continue their trial. They would watch the world for as long as it takes, and then at a time of their choosing they would initiate the steps necessary to free their Null and continue with their plan.