"Do I wish the Sundering never happened? Hardly - it needed to happen. Sometimes, we forget our place in this universe, and only the wrath of the divine can remind us of that." - Cleric of Pelor
History
The Age of Ascension stands as a defining era in Elyssara's history, characterized by the audacious ambitions of humanity to reach the divine realms. Scholars and historians have long been captivated by the breathtaking feats of architectural innovation, magical mastery, and unparalleled audacity displayed during this age...as well as the religious implications of achieving deific status. As with many periods of great exploration, it was a time of grand dreams, extraordinary aspirations, and, ultimately, unforeseen consequences.
At the heart of this age lies the remarkable construction of the Godswalk, a monumental structure that captured the imagination of an entire world. Rising into the heavens with its spiraling architecture, the staircase aimed to provide a direct link between the mortal realm and the divine planes. Cities and city-states pooled their resources, combining architectural expertise with arcane knowledge, to bring this colossal project to life.
The culmination of their efforts was the First Ascension in 3800 CY when a daring group of mortals successfully ascended the staircase and made contact with the gods. This unprecedented achievement sent ripples of wonder and fear across Elyssara. The achievement marked a pivotal moment in human history as well as in the relationship between mortals and deities.
However, as the Age of Ascension progressed, the gods grew wary of the consequences of this bridge between realms. Their concerns manifested in the divine Council of Celestials in 3600 CY, which would lead to the fateful event known as "The Sundering" in 3500 CY. As scholars recount, the gods, acting to protect the delicate balance between the mortal and divine realms, initiated "The Sundering." They shattered the Godswalk, obliterating its remnants, leaving behind only the base of the staircase to remind mankind of their place in the cosmos.
"The Sundering" left a profound impact on Elyssara, both physically and metaphysically. Yet, the era of unbridled ambition marked by the Age of Ascension was transformed into an age of caution and reverence for the gods, reminding all mortals of the boundaries between the realms. This age serves as a fascinating chapter in Elyssara's history, where the quest for the divine illuminated both the heights and depths of human nature.
Scholarly Data
Begin Date: ~4,500 CY (Marks the end of the Age of Creation)
End Date: ~2,500 CY (Marks the beginning of the Age of Radiance)
Significance: Monumental
Minor Era Events
The Arcane Academies (4200 CY): The Age of Ascension saw the rise of arcane academies that flourished in pursuit of knowledge and power. This era marked significant advancements in magical understanding.
Exploration of the Astral Sea (3900 CY): Mortal sages and explorers ventured into the Astral Sea, a vast, mystical realm that connected the divine realms to the material plane. Their journeys were fueled by a desire to unravel the secrets of the cosmos.
Major Era Events
Construction of the Godswalk (4500 CY): Early in this age, the Godswalk was built by a coalition of skilled architects, artificers, and mages, with the support of several notable city-states. The ambitious project aimed to bridge the gap between the mortal and divine realms.
The First Ascension (3800 CY): A group of audacious mortals successfully climbed the Ascendant Staircase, reaching the divine realms for the first time. This act of unprecedented boldness filled the world with wonder and fear, as they had made direct contact with the gods of creation.
The Council of Celestials (3600 CY): The gods, observing the humans' desire to ascend, convened a divine council to discuss the implications of these bold endeavors. The council was a turning point, leading to profound shifts in the gods' interactions with mortals. The gods watched mankind, diligently searching for the virtues that the gods shared with them, granting some of those they deemed worthy access to the divine realms, and bestowing boons upon those most fortunate to receive them.
The Sundering (3500 CY): Driven by the fear of some particular mortals gaining godlike power and violating the boundaries between the realms, the gods initiated "The Sundering." They shattered the Godswalk, evaporating the fragments in a cosmic blaze of power, leaving only the base of the staircase as a reminder of mankind's position in the multiverse.
