The War of Sealing
A Perpetual Struggle :
The War of Sealing had its origins in the mists of time, a result of the disastrous rifts that had opened between Terra and the Abyss. These rifts, once unleashed all across Faerundel, spewed forth beings of darkness and malevolence. These Demons, seemingly unkillable, sought to spread their influence and corrupt the world.
The Mortal Alliance:
Faced with extinction, the mortal races of Terra set aside their rivalries and prejudices. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragonborn and the newly emerged Orcs forged an unprecedented alliance. Each race brought their strengths to the battlefield: the Elves' mastery of Magic, the Dwarves' unyielding craftsmanship, the Orcs' raw strength, the Humans' adaptability, and the Dragonborn’s ferocity. Together, they formed the Mortal Alliance, a coalition that embodied resilience and cooperation.
The Turning Point:
The war was relentless, marked by countless battles, devastating losses, and dark sacrifices. For years, the demons seemed unstoppable, their unholy aura sowing despair among the defenders of Terra. However, the tides shifted when, to the demons' shock, one of their Demon Lords was permanently killed in battle. This unprecedented event shattered their invulnerability, leaving them demoralized and uncertain for the first time in eons. Though the details were obscured in the chaos of war, the mortal armies took this as a sign that the demons could indeed be defeated, galvanizing their spirits and turning the tide of the war.
The Binding Ritual:
The Mortal Alliance knew that victory would require more than brute force or clever tactics. The rifts themselves were the source of the demon plague, and to stem the tide, the rifts needed to be sealed. The Binding Ritual, an ancient and forbidden incantation, was discovered. It required the willing sacrifice of a mortal to serve as an eternal sentinel, a Binder, who would merge their soul with the rift to keep it closed.
The Riftwatchers:
The first Binders became Riftwatchers, standing as the last line of defense against the Abyss. They were transformed into eternal guardians, their essence fused with the rifts themselves. Riftwatchers bore the weight of unending vigilance, ensuring that the rifts remained sealed and the demons contained. Their sacrifice was immeasurable, and their names were etched into the annals of history as the greatest of heroes.
A War Without End:
The War of Sealing did not end with the sealing of the rifts. Smaller breaches continued to occur, requiring constant vigilance from the mortal races and the Riftwatchers. Generations of warriors and mages inherited the sacred duty of protecting Terra, with the Riftwatchers at the heart of every campaign. The war became a perpetual struggle, an unbroken chain of sacrifice and defiance against the darkness.
The Weight of Sacrifice
The Binding Ritual was not without consequences. Each time a rift was sealed, a piece of Terra’s vitality seemed to fade. The land near the rifts grew barren, and the mortal races bore the scars of a war that seemed to stretch beyond memory. Yet, hope persisted. The alliance’s continued unity was a beacon of strength, proving that cooperation could withstand even the gravest of threats.
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