Overview
The Cataclysm heralded the abrupt termination of flourishing ancient civilizations, initiating the dawning of a new era, known as the
Third World. This world-altering phenomenon resulted in catastrophic geographical alterations, demographic upheavals, and significant disruptions in magical energies.
Geographical Impact
The Cataclysm was a cataclysmic eruption that originated from the
world's core, violently
sculpting the landscape with immense discharges of rock and magma that not only etched irreversible scars upon the earth but also
birthed an asteroid belt in the skies above. Mountain ranges were cleaved or hoisted higher, while portions of the earth were either subducted into the oceans or thrust upwards from the seabed. The epicenter of the eruption was scorched and left as an open wound to the world's core, which eventually formed an inland sea due to a subsequent flooding of water. The resultant discharge of dust and ash into the atmosphere triggered a volcanic
Ice Age, signifying the
end of an epoch and the onset of a new one.
Magical Aftermath
Arcane energies worldwide were
severely disrupted by the catastrophe, depriving many cultures, most notably the
Elves of the
Imperium, of their magical power during their most desperate hour. Initially seeming depleted, these arcane energies began to recuperate gradually. Consequently, many societies sought alternative sources of magic, while others discarded their reliance on such volatile power altogether, pivoting towards industry and technology.
Demographic Impact
The Cataclysm's destructive force didn't spare the world's inhabitants, leading to widespread loss and drastic shifts in demographics.
The Elves, being in close proximity to the eruption, suffered a severe blow. The abrupt removal of arcane energies, a cornerstone of their civilization, led to a total societal collapse. Once akin to gods, their golden age ended abruptly, resulting in the death of millions during the Cataclysm and in the ensuing chaos.
The Dwarves, dwelling within the underworld, were caught in the eye of the storm. Their expansive network of tunnels and cavernous cities was either inundated with magma or swallowed by the very rock that once provided them shelter, almost driving them to extinction.
For the northern
Humans, the aftermath of the Cataclysm forced a significant migration southward, known as the
The Great Migrations, to escape the encroaching Ice Age. Although they remained largely unscathed due to their distance from the eruption and primitive society, their way of life was disrupted significantly.
Regions across the vast eastern and western oceans were largely unaffected except for the Ice Age and the sudden decline in arcane energies. These changes prompted societies - both established and emerging - to reassess their foundations and stabilize their domains.
Cause
The Cataclysm was a direct outcome of the
War of Ascencion during the
The Claim on Divinity Act III. Here, the Elves and Dwarves vied for heavenly powers, resulting in their downfall due to their unbridled greed. The exact sequence of events remains ambiguous, with each side blaming the other, perpetuating a lingering bitterness that echoes even after thousands of years.
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