The Curse of the Timelock

Summary

At the end of the Age of Awakening, the forces of Shadow tried to overthrow the dominance of the light. In the ensuing battle, the very fabric of reality was rent and Chaos flooded through the cracks. The victory of the Light was bittersweet, as the Dark was tainted by the Chaos forever and warped beyond all recognition. Now reality is frozen in an infinite loop. Though time progresses, the Elemental Lords are doomed to die and be reborn again and again until the curse is lifted or the world meets its end.

Historical Basis

This event should not be possible, as Oblivion is one of the four Keystone elements and critical to the very foundation of reality. Even so, many otherwise credible historical texts recount this event as though it were fact. Only a few of the more extreme cults dispute the outcome of the first war.

Spread

This legend is known to anyone who bothers to study history. It is the reason for mankind's reverence of the Light.

Variations & Mutation

There are two wildly varying versions of this legend, but not even the Elementals agree on which is correct.
The first claims that Lord Chaos forged a terrible weapon, the Blade of No Consequence, to strike down the order forged by the Lord Timekeeper. His blade rent the Lord Oblivion, twisting her and her children with the Chaos Taint. This version claims that only the Mortal Ascendant can take up the Blade of No Consequence and break the curse.
The other claims that the Timelock Curse is a holding action created by the Timekeeper to stop the taint that corrupts Oblivion from destroying reality in its entirety. Until the taint can be purged, the Lords of Shadow are doomed to remain stagnant in their pain.

Cultural Reception

The heroism of the Light Elementals is part of the foundation of the four great kingdoms.

Date of First Recording

Unknown.

Date of Setting

This begun the third era.