StolenLands Lore
This page contains entries on various topics within the StolenLands world. More will be added as time goes on.
Age of Chaos
The Age of Chaos is the period dating from the end of the Age of Light (q.v.) to the present day. Dates during the Age of Chaos are prefaced with "AC". The Age of Chaos is defined by the sudden increase in monster population and the appearance of the manastorm. Specifically, the beginning of the year AC 1 is defined by the first recorded sighting of the manastorm. The main growth period of monster population was between AL 833 and AC 5.
By the year AC 3 human settlements had become so diminished by the onslaught of monsters that wars between humans were no longer practical. For this reason and for survival, political divisions were dissolved. In contrast to the Age of Light, conflict in the Age of Chaos is primarily human-against-monster, not human-against-human.
Age of Light
The Age of Light is an 837-year period dating from the beginning of formally-recorded history to the beginning of the Age of Chaos (q.v.). Dates during the Age of Light are prefaced with "AL". The Age of Light was named retrospectively to contrast with the current Age of Chaos. During the Age of Light, monster population was low and conflict was primarily between separate human political entities.
Ansi
Ansi is a goddess of life and death, praised by many but worshipped by few. It is believed that she is the creator of life in this world, but is not the grand creator of all life. She watches over the world to ensure that the forces of nature run their proper course. Unlike many other deities, Ansi has been known to show herself physically in the presence of humans.
In AL 836, Ansi appeared before a boy named Seth and warned him of an impending disaster. She implored his help, but he refused, believing her to be an apparition of demonic origin. Two years later, Seth began to realize that he had great magical powers, as well as the ability to read the thoughts of monsters. After studying monsters for a short while, Seth returned to his family to relay his profound discoveries. As he opened his mouth to speak, Ansi appeared in front of him and burned him to death.
Since that incident, there has been no recorded sighting of Ansi speaking to humans. It is believed that she is fighting to restore balance to the monster-infested world.
Beriata
Beriata is a region now located on the northern edge of the world, northeast of Morestine University. In the year AL 539 the Beriata Compound was established as a monastery. The monks at Beriata became renouned for their devotion to the arts of medicine and their spiritual development.
In AL 833, all of the monks of the monastery except for one were killed. This event is referred to as the Beriata Massacre. The surviving monk refuses to share any information regarding the event. Beriata has since become inhabited by monsters.
The Massacre roughly coincides with the beginning of the increase in monster population, and it is speculated that the monks may have been holding this increase at bay with their spritual practices.
Crimson Queen
The Crimson Queen is a triad being, formed by the merging of three monsters: Nefaros, Beledim the Lightbringer, and the Skeletal Wizard. These three are known to have once been human, under the names of Sothriam, Medda, and Calpha, respectively.
At the end of the Second Era, the three beings merged by siphoning the power of the manastorm. Further information about the Crimson Queen remains to be found/
Manastorm
The manastorm is a phenomenon which is currently being studied. It appears as a dark void with luminescent particles traveling through it. The manastorm rejects living beings as though by magnetic force, thus it cannot be entered. It once slowly expanded over the world, enshrouding everything in its wake, but it has recently become stagnant after its power was drained by the Crimson Queen.
Once found in the main manastorm cloud, the natural flow of weather had been halted, and night time was no darker than daylight. Research was being conducted primarily from the town of Erasmis, which was constructed over the ocean, along what was once the border of the main manastorm cloud. The manastorm had since expanded to encapsulate the town, and at the turn of the Third Era, the town disappeared. It is theorized, with some evidence, that the manastorm has the ability to consume portions of a world and carry them to another dimension.
Mavericks
Beginning in AC 6, a new type of adventurer appeared, calling themselves 'Mavericks'. They do not appear to conform to any known class, with individuals exhibiting abilities from three or more of the greater classes in every recorded case. This was previously thought to be impossible for humans. Researching them is difficult as they tend to avoid populated areas, and are displeasing to look at for prolonged periods due to their strange fashion sense.
Also of note is a man from Lyrin named Inutar. In the year AL 834 he was afflicted with an illness which drove him mad. Witnesses say that his skin grew scales, he became increasingly withdrawn, and he often spoke unintelligibly. During his more lucid moments he referred to himself as the 'Maverick Lord'. For a time he was cared for in Lyrin, with the help of the monks of Beriata (q.v.), but in the year AL 833, in the aftermath of the Beriata Massacre, he escaped. He has not been seen since. Whether or not he is connected to the Mavericks is unknown.
Recent rumors have surfaced that Mavericks have some connection to Zeygram. The stories vary--some say they are his agents, some say that their existence heralds his return, some say they are unwitting pawns in some scheme of his. Each of the two times that Zeygram was released from the underworld, it has been by the hands of a Maverick.
Morgaine
Morgaine's name is now praised as that of a hero. Born in the town of Norwood, her potential was recognized at a young age, and she underwent self-imposed training to fight the monsters which had just recently started to infest the world. Only a few years into her training, she was abducted from Norwood by three shrouded figures who are now known to have been Nefaros, Beledim the Lightbringer, and the Skeletal Wizard. These three are known to have all once been human, and to have become monsters by the sheer force of their will. The abductors harmed nobody except Chadis, the one man who attempted to save Morgaine. It is recalled that Morgaine herself did not attempt to resist.
Morgaine was not heard from again until the end of the Second Era, when Zeygram was released from the underworld. The heroes of the world could not defeat Zeygram with their combined power, and a sorcerer known as Cherry pleaded for help from Morgaine despite not having been able to find her. Cherry reported hearing a girl's voice whisper softly in her ear, followed by a moment of absolute silence. It is believed that Morgaine's spirit then initated a call to heroes in order to seal Zeygram back into his prison. Many heroes sacrificed their very lives for this cause, and Zeygram was once again sealed beneath the earth. With this act, the Third Era was born.
Morgaine was saught for help upon Zeygram's second release in the Final Era, but there was no response.
Nefaros
Nefaros is one of the few recorded incidents of a human becoming a monster far before the Age of Chaos. He was known as Sothriam from the years of AL 624 to AL 659, when he was a knight in the Smotanian Military. He was known for his prowess in combat, making measured strikes which would often fell foes in a single blow. He was known also for his arrogance and occasional disobedience to the knights' code, for which he was expelled one year prior to his transformation.
It is said that Sothriam became a monster by the sheer force of his own hatred and desire for power, but it has not been proven that this is possible. His transformation was sudden, and witnessed by the townspeople of Smotania, many of whom he then slew before declaring his new name of Nefaros.
Nefaros has since been seen challenging those who boast of their power. He is an expert hunter and seems to be able to track down a foe anywhere in the world, though he does not often attack anyone but his target. He seems immune to the effects of aging, and death in combat is only temporary for him, as his presence has been seen to be constant despite his losses in combat.
Recently, he has become part of a triad being known as the Crimson Queen.
Persona Guardian
The persona guardian is a humanoid being first spotted in the Third Era. It has been seen only rarely, and it does not seem content to stay in any one area for long. Though it is always seen carrying weapons, there are no reports of this being initiating battle with anything. The persona guardian was first seen during a ceremony which took place at the Hall of Honor in order to strengthen the barriers which protect towns from monsters. The persona guardian spoke when it appeared, shouting for the whole world to hear that the human spirit must never die, and that the proof of the influence of heroes lives on within itself.
Triad Spirits
The term "triad spirits" refers to three beings of great power, known to humans as Death, the Jester, and the Unknown Warrior. It is known that they in some way share identity with Zeygram, but specifics remain a matter of speculation. They appear outwardly to have their own personalities and motives, and have even been known to fight amongst themselves.
In the Second Era, it was believed that the Unknown Warrior defeated the Jester and Death, but it has since shown likely that it was a ruse to fool humans. It is uncertain if their ultimate plan succeeded, because while it did eventually lead to the release of Zeygram, he was again sealed shortly thereafter.
Zeygram
Zeygram is a being of unknown origin who is believed to have the ability to travel between worlds. His destructive will is unparalleled, and he is known to be one of the greatest threats to mankind. His mere presence is known to shatter the protective barriers which have been established in the remaining human strongholds.
Near the beginning of AC 5, a group of twenty of the most powerful priests in the world banished Zeygram by sealing his soul beneath the earth. In doing so, they sacrificed their own lives for the good of mankind. A monument marks the location of Zeygram's sealing at the Arms of Fate, a distance west of Roland Bridge.
Zeygram has since been released from the earth twice. In the first incident, Zeygram was released by the hands of a Maverick named Orinasu, who is believed to have conspired with the Triad Spirits in order to do so. Fearing the destruction which would be wrought, brave heroes rose up and sacrificed themselves to seal Zeygram anew with the guidance of Morgaine's spirit. The heroes were successful despite taking losses, and the Third Era was born.
In the second incident, a Maverick with an ancient and unpronouncable name suddenly released Zeygram upon the newly born Final Era. Zeygram still roams the world now.