Antediluvians

The Antediluvians stand as enigmatic monoliths—beings of unfathomable age and wisdom, yet tinged with an existential dread that permeates the very fabric of their being. They are the last remnants of a world that has not just changed but has been irrevocably shattered, its arcane splendors extinguished in a cosmic cataclysm that defies both reason and imagination.
Born from the Epoch of Miracles, these ancient souls were once the stewards of a universe ablaze with arcane grandeur. They danced under the light of the Stars of Power, those Celestial bodies that once governed the fates and fortunes of Rolara. But they also witnessed the Extinguishment, that unspeakable event when the stars themselves were snuffed out, plunging the world into an age of darkness and despair.
The Antediluvians are not mere survivors; they are living reliquaries of a bygone era, their minds a repository of lost arts, forgotten languages, and arcane formulas that now exist only as echoes in the cosmic Void. Each memory they harbor is a haunting melody, a spectral imprint of a world that has passed into the realm of myth and nightmare. They are the keepers of Rolara's lost innocence and its lingering corruption, their souls a battleground where the forces of light and darkness wage an eternal, unwinnable war.
Yet, with the recent reignition of the Stars of Power, the Antediluvians find themselves at a cosmic crossroads. They are both relics of the past and potential harbingers of a future yet unwritten. As Rolara teeters on the precipice of a new Epoch, these ancient beings must grapple with their own existential quandaries. Are they the guardians of arcane secrets too perilous to be unleashed, or are they the mentors to a new generation of heroes and villains who seek to harness the reborn celestial energies?
In the unfolding cosmic drama of Rolara, the Antediluvians serve as both cautionary tales and prophetic voices. They are the living epitaphs of a world that has tasted the nectar and the poison of arcane power, their existence a testament to Rolara's insatiable quest for understanding in a universe that defies comprehension. As such, they stand not just as characters in Rolara's grand narrative, but as profound reflections of its very soul—its fears, its hopes, and its ceaseless yearning for a miracle in an age of horrors.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aida, Altynçürä, Fatima, Nurbanu, Rezeda, Yana, Zifa

Masculine names

Ansar, Azgar, Elbrus, Erik, Ilyas, Sabir, Toktamish.

Family names

Antediluvians are so few and so unique. They are the only ones with memories of the traditions that come before. Antediluvians typically only use given names, regnal names, or other chosen names.

Other names

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Tatar names
Turkish names

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Old Tathar is similar enough to Oldcommon that Antediluvians who spend at least a year studying Old Tathar can become conversationally fluent by the end of the first two months, and sound like a native by the end of that year.

Average technological level

Antediluvians have all mastered reading, writing, and basic calculations for minor arcane formulas.

Historical figures

In the annals of Rolara's history, few figures are as enigmatic and awe-inspiring as the Antediluvians—beings who have transcended the limitations of mortality to become living relics of a bygone era. They are the remnants of a world that once was, a haunting reminder of the Epoch of Miracles, and the catastrophic Extinguishment of the Stars that followed. Their lives are a tapestry of cosmic horror and romantic tragedy, woven with threads of arcane knowledge, existential dread, and the melancholy of eternal life.

Sorcha Zall'ag: The Undying Queen of Slagborough

Sorcha Zall'ag, a name that sends shivers down the spine of even the most fearless, is a figure shrouded in the veils of eternal night. As the Queen of Vampires, she rules over Slagborough, a Domain of Dread enveloped in an ever-present mist of sorrow. Her reign is a paradox, a blend of dark majesty and melancholic isolation. She is not the first of her kind, but her agelessness makes her a living testament to the arcane horrors and romantic tragedies that have befallen Rolara. Her very existence is a cosmic enigma, a fusion of eternal beauty and the existential dread that comes with immortality.

Icaghor: The Fallen Monarch

Icaghor, once the Lugal of Tatharia, is a man of great contradictions. Born in the far northern parts of the Ancient World, he united the Tathar tribes and established laws, customs, and traditions that have endured for millennia. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and his contributions to education and governance were monumental. Yet, his legacy is tainted by his desperate acts to evade the cataclysmic floods. Fleeing to Aikibira, he stole barrels of liquid from the Fountains of Youth, an act that would haunt him for a millennium. His life is a tragic symphony, a blend of grand achievements and unforgivable sins.

Clyde: The Reclusive Outlaw

Clyde, the Antediluvian recluse, is a man out of time and place. Once an adventurer alongside Icaghor, he chose a different path when the world was drowning. Retreating to the secluded island of Aikibira, he founded a settlement for outcasts and criminals, a haven for those who, like him, were lost in the tides of history. Despite his advanced age, he appears no older than 50, thanks to the Fountains of Youth on Aikibira. Yet, he remains isolated, haunted by the unknown fate of his friends and family, and burdened by a terrible secret he has discovered during his long seclusion.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Antediluvians saw nude bodies as the highest form of art. Those very few who can even remember the Magus Aetas (a.k.a. the Age of Wonders, the Epoch of Miracles) can likely remember the beautiful gowns and masks worn at balls that revealed just enough skin to be considered modest while still seeming beautiful.

Known or self-proclaimed Antediluvians

1. Icaghor the Antediluvian, the Lugal of Tatharia
2. Clyde the Antediluvian
3. Zystrone, the one-eyed fortune teller of Gorgon Wharf. 
4. Sorcha Zall-ag

Languages spoken

• Old Tathar