This section explores a few of the historical events involving the Ascendent, highlighting their monumental influence on Ysterra's evolution and shaping.

The Red Canyons

The Red Canyons, as they are known today, are a haunting aftermath of a cataclysmic battle, forever etched in the topography of Ysterra. The canyons, their expanse stretching for hundreds of miles, are perpetually stained crimson—a chilling reminder of the armies that were defeated there. The very sight of these shadowy depths has been known to unhinge the sanity of those who gaze upon them too long. It is whispered that the mournful howl of the wind threading through these canyons carries with it the despairing wails of the otherworldly beings who met their end in this harsh landscape.

Though the Red Canyons stand as a symbol of the Ascendent's hard-won victory, they also serve as a stark reminder of the cost of such an encounter. The pain and turmoil that birthed these canyons are woven into the very fabric of their existence. They stand as a testament to the sacrifices made, the lives lost, and the unfathomable strength summoned in defense of Ysterra. Their existence underscores the brutal realities of such monumental events and the irreversible impact they have on the world and its inhabitants.

Creation of Arqtyrsa

Ysterra faced a devastating threat when a rift tore open from the volatile Elemental Planes, spewing forth unchecked torrents of elemental forces, predominantly water and air. The world stood on the precipice of a catastrophic flood that threatened to submerge its continents and unleash fierce, civilization-shattering storms.

Amidst this turmoil, it was Balriel, the Lord of the Blue, who bravely rose to confront the imminent disaster. The epic clash between the mighty Balriel and the elemental forces lasted for an eternity, with time seemingly losing its hold as days blurred into nights and back again.

The struggle came to an end with Balriel sealing the tumultuous rift, but not without leaving an indelible mark on the world. The fierce conflict had sent an entire landmass plunging deep into the Prime Sea, creating an underwater abyss. Yet, life persisted amidst this upheaval.

In the wake of the cataclysm, the survivors, transformed by the rift's potent magic and Balriel's divine influence, evolved into an array of sea-dwelling beings. Tritons, Sea Elves, and Water Genasi emerged, each species a testament to their miraculous survival and adaptation.

Over time, this diverse community of beings gave rise to Arqtyrsa, a vibrant underwater civilization nestled within the depths of the Prime Sea. A product of tumultuous beginnings, Arqtyrsa flourishes in seclusion, its existence concealed from the rest of Ysterra by the unfathomable depths and tumultuous waters of the Prime Sea.

The Black Timber Woodland

In its prime, the Black Timber Woodland was a jewel of Ysterra, a testament to the rich, boundless vitality of the world. Its expansive terrain was carpeted with emerald foliage, crowned by towering trees that kissed the sky with their leafy canopies. The Woodland hummed with the symphony of life, its verdant woods vibrating with an organic energy that could be felt in every rustle of leaves, every chirp of woodland creatures, and every whisper of the wind.

Yet, a harrowing encounter with a potent entity from the Plane of Shadow would forever transform the once vibrant forest. As the entity threatened to drain Ysterra of all its life force, Nekrad, Holahdril, and Luniesh rose to challenge the foe. To vanquish the shadowy antagonist, the trio channeled the Woodland's vitality, intertwining their might with the forest's life essence. The intense struggle took its toll, the extraction process rendering the lush woods into a desolate, shadow-soaked wasteland.

As a consequence of this battle, the once thick barrier between the Material Plane and the Plane of Shadow in the Woodland thinned drastically. The aftermath created a gateway through which denizens of darkness and beings of undeath now escape their shadowy world, seeking to infiltrate the living realm of Ysterra. The Woodland became a hauntingly beautiful fusion of life and death, a paradoxical landscape where the living is imbued with the essence of shadow and undeath.

Now, the towering trees, once radiant with life, stand as foreboding spires of darkness. The vibrant greens have been usurped by a pervasive gloom, and the once lively symphony has been replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by the rustling of unseen creatures. The trees, stretching hundreds of feet into the sky, are clad in a dense, dark canopy that cloaks the forest floor in near-perpetual twilight, obstructing almost all sunlight.

Yet, this shadowy woodland is not without its protectors. The Wardens of the Veil, an organization dating back more than a hundred generations, stands guard over the forest. They tirelessly work to contain the woodland's deathly essence, keeping the shadowy entities and the undead at bay. The wardens ensure these creatures remain confined within the dark forest, preventing them from venturing beyond into greater Ysterra. Despite the Black Timber Woodland's haunting transformation, it stands as a stark reminder of the world's resilience and the unwavering resolve of those who vow to protect it.

Tearing the Mountains

In the annals of Ysterra, not all tales of the Ascendent are shadowed by fierce battles and strife. Some stories, passed down through the ages and recorded in ancient texts of unclear origin, recount the benevolent uses of their power to encourage unity and cohesion among the world's diverse cultures. One such tale tells of a time when the continent of Insaris was bisected by an imposing mountain chain, hindering connection and understanding between the East and the West.

The Aelress Mountains and the Zansit Mountain Range, as they are known today, were once part of this singular gargantuan range, stretching the full length of Insaris, from the frost-capped northernmost peaks to the sun-baked southern foothills. This impenetrable barrier left the inhabitants of the two sides isolated, their stories and cultures developing in distinct silos, untouched by the influence of the other.

An Ascendent, whose name has been lost to time but whose deeds echo in the chiseled pass that now connects the East to the West, sought to end this separation. Driven by a vision of a unified Insaris, they channeled their formidable might and split the mountains asunder, creating a passable route through the otherwise impassable terrain. This unprecedented act served as a tangible bridge, encouraging interaction, trade, and understanding between the peoples on either side of the mountains. The echoes of this ancient tale, ingrained in the very stones of the mountain pass, serve as a timeless testament to the Ascendent's intent for unity and peace among the diverse cultures of Insaris.