The Creationist Cataclysm, also known as the
War of Form, the
War of the Creators, or the
Death of Vildrel, was a cataclysmic, centuries-long war between the gods of the
Atovist Pantheon that ended the
Age of Form. The war and all of its history is lost to time, almost as if the contimporary records were intentionally destroyed. Though the nature of the war can only be guessed at, its results are clear: the death of the gods, the destruction of the old civilizations who built the ruins of Vildrel, and the loss of advanced technologies still not seen by modern man.
What Little is Known for Certain
The war lasted for centuries. Archeological evidence and surveys of sites in
Prekha where major battles are known to have taken place show the complete obliteration of fortifications built as early as twenty-five hundred years ago, making the best estimates for the conflict that it lasted slightly longer than three hundred years.
Its clear that
Humans and
Giants were involved in the fighting as well, meaning that there were three different types of engagements as Vildrel errupted into war: Mortals fighting mortals, mortals fighting gods, and gods fighting gods. The latter of which would have been the most devistating.
Mythological Accounts
According to common belief, the conflict was between the gods Leuthnur and Lonir, who rebelled against the other four creators, Olva, Zekklar, Grekth, and
Gaermund. The reason given for this differs by religion.
Orthodox Atovists and
Renewists believe that the war was a mutual action that was essensially
'agreed upon' by all of the Pantheon in order to ensure the world's timely end. This would essensially mean that the war was a way to purposefully kill both Vildrel and each of the gods, so that mankind could achieve the peaceful assension promised in
The Eulogy.
The
Church of Penance believes a more tragic tale. Their extended version of the Book of Zekklar tells that the four gods Gaermund, Olva, Grekth and Zekklar agreed to leave Vildrel and ascend to another world, leaving Vildrel to die. However, Lonir and Leuthnur wanted to hold onto the world and fought to steal power from the other gods so they could sustain the world of man. The result of this fighting is a world in stagnation, not put to rest like the four intended, nor truly alive.
Significance to Atovism
Though the different denominations of
Atovists believe the war had seperate causes, all Atovists believe the war was the death of
Vildrel and that humanity now lives on a dead planet, bereft of divine guidance. This is at the very heart of Atovist belief and is seen as an unchangable fact of reality.
Significance to Schulanism
Schulanists believe that the war is continuing to this day, and
Aberrations are poised to become the new gods of Vildrel. They believe that the war was a struggle for control of the gods' creation and, critically, that godhood is something that can be achieved. Schulanists view the gods as little more than ancient and powerful aberrations, pointing to the aspects of creation in
Heart Seeds as evidence. Thus, since no god has risen to take the pantheon's place, the conflict is only dormant and the struggle for control will inevidably begin again.
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