Crusade of Darkness

A beacon of Light

In the heart of the boundless void, a celestial entity named Atnaha shone with radiant brilliance, a solitary beacon amidst the dark expanse. For millennia, Atnaha lay dormant, a silent observer since the inception of the void itself. Atnaha was a creator, one of countless beings dwelling within this cosmic emptiness, yet none of these beings were aware of their divine origins. 

During its eons-long drift through the void, Atnaha’s luminosity gradually intensified, like a star in the throes of awakening. It was during this transformative phase that Atnaha birthed its first creations – the Vihrii Nari and the Mharnii. These divine beings, three goddesses and three gods, were imbued with the singular purpose of shaping a world according to Atnaha’s grand design. 

In pairs, the celestial deities ascended from the very essence of Atnaha into the profound abyss of Kir’Thiras. Mahirri and Garmak, two of these divine entities, descended upon the Harbor of Stars, gazing down upon the void that lay beneath them. With a deep inhalation, Mahirri exhaled a mighty breath, banishing the void’s darkness and replacing it with an immense sphere of luminous water. Her graceful hand movements conjured vast skies adorned with clouds that draped themselves over the sphere.  

Atnaha’s satisfaction echoed through the cosmos as it exclaimed, “Now, there must be solid ground, and against that bedrock, water should flow, shaping the lands into the very form of Kir’Thiras.” Obedient to their maker’s will, Garmak used his formidable fists to forge the initial mountains of this sphere. Together with Mahirri, they meticulously crafted the continent of Kir’Thiras, etching rivers, lakes, mountains, beaches, swamps, and caverns into its landscape. 

As time flowed like a river through the cosmos, the other divine gods and goddesses arrived at the Harbor of Stars, each tasked with a unique role in the creation of this wondrous sphere. Tiheran, with divine grace, sculpted the immense forests of the North and the sweeping plains of the South. Her artistic touch brought forth the forms of the creatures that would inhabit these lands. Narrathan, the breath of life, breathed vitality into these sculptures, transforming them into the first living creations. Flowers burst into bloom, trees ascended to the heavens, grass carpeted the earth, and more sculptures awakened, growing into integral components of the flourishing sphere. 

Decades passed in the realm of Kir’Thiras as the last divine pair, Helun and Falliohn, descended upon this magnificent world. Their divine purpose was clear: they were tasked with the crucial mission of gathering all the other gods and goddesses to witness the culmination of Atnaha’s creation—a creation so monumental that it required the combined efforts of both the Vihrii Nari and the Mharnii. Atnaha, the grand creator, unveiled his ultimate masterpieces to the divine assembly. 

Before the assembled deities stood two humanoid figures, their forms exuding a captivating beauty that was beyond mortal comprehension. They possessed delicately chiseled features, graceful bodies, and pointy ears that gave them an ethereal allure. One was male, and the other female, each equally stunning in their own right. These divine beings, the crowning achievement of Atnaha’s creative vision, were christened with the name “Eldirissi.” 

As the divine gathering beheld the Eldirissi, they marveled at the meticulous craftsmanship and divine artistry that had gone into their creation. The Eldirissi embodied the culmination of Atnaha’s boundless creativity and the harmonious cooperation of all the celestial beings. They represented not just a physical form, but a profound union of beauty and grace, a testament to the celestial artistry that had shaped the world of Kir’Thiras. With the unveiling of the Eldirissi, the divine creators had completed their monumental work, and the world of Kir’Thiras stood as a testament to their collective effort, vision, and divine craftsmanship.  

The moment had arrived when Atnaha, alongside his fellow creators, made the solemn decision to depart from the enchanting world of Kir’Thiras, leaving their cherished creations to thrive and evolve. The Eldirissi, Atnaha’s ultimate marvels, were entrusted with the monumental task of forging their own civilization. Comprising fifty males and fifty females, they became known as the “Ehr’Eldrissi” or “Athanatha,” often referred to as the “Eldirissi of the First Arrival.”  

In the wake of Atnaha’s departure, the Eldirissi embarked on a remarkable journey, flourishing and expanding across the diverse landscapes of Kir’Thiras. Initially settling in the southern reaches of the continent, they carved out their society and established the foundations of their culture. Over time, some adventurous Eldirissi ventured northward, delving into the vast forests to learn more about the world and the myriad creatures that inhabited it. 

The Eldirissi, deeply aware of the significance of their existence and their unique connection to the divine, diligently recorded their newfound knowledge within monumental temples, etching their wisdom onto sacred tablets. These repositories contained not only their accumulated knowledge but also the intricate stories of their creation. However, as centuries passed, much of this ancient knowledge slowly faded into the mists of mystery and legend. Only the eldest among the Eldirissi retained a tenuous grasp on their rich heritage, for with each passing generation, more of the profound wisdom of ancient times slipped away. 

Disturbance in the Light

Unbeknownst to the Eldirissi and their creators, Atnaha’s divine creation had not gone unnoticed in the vast expanse of the void. For countless millennia, the void had maintained a delicate equilibrium, a balance between light and darkness. Yet, the emergence of Atnaha’s creation had disrupted this equilibrium, sending ripples through the cosmic fabric. The void’s response to this disruption was swift and unrelenting, as it awakened one of the feared Destroyers, a being known as Brarrion breaker of chains.  

Atnaha, in his celestial role, had always been tasked with preserving the balance between light and dark within the void. However, with the creation of Kir’Thiras and the subsequent disturbance of this delicate equilibrium, Brarrion was stirred from aeons of slumber, his sole purpose to locate Atnaha, eradicate the celestial creation and bring Atnaha back to the heart of the void and restore the long-lost balance that had been shattered. Thus, the world of Kir’Thiras stood on the precipice of an impending conflict, a struggle to protect the divine creation from the impending threat of the vengeful Destroyer, Brarrion. 

As Atnaha vigilantly watched over his creation, he did so with the unwavering dedication of his fellow creator gods and goddesses, who stood beside him as steadfast sentinels, collectively guarding the delicate balance of Kir’Thiras. From their concealed vantage points in the unseen skies, they kept a watchful eye on the Eldirissi, guiding and aiding those who remained faithful to the divine vision. The most devout among the Eldirissi were granted the gods’ gratitude and blessings, a testament to their unwavering commitment to the celestial order.  

Atnaha’s Judgement 

Even as generations passed, and some of the Eldirissi strayed from the path of devotion, Atnaha remained a benevolent and forgiving creator. He never turned his back on his beloved creations, offering them solace and a path to redemption upon their earthly journey’s end. In the realm of the Ethereal, a sacred haven of the gods, all sculptures would reunite with their divine makers. Here, they could choose to spend eternity in one of the gardens, each meticulously sculpted in the likeness of the Vihrii Nari or Mharnii deities who reigned there. 

However, with the awakening of Brarrion, Atnaha sensed a profound disturbance rippling through the void. The creator was acutely aware that he would soon face the judgment of the formidable Destroyer. Despite the looming threat, Atnaha was resolute in his determination to preserve the newfound balance he had created within the void, for Kir’Thiras had become more than just a world; it was a testament to the divine potential of creation. 

In response to the impending confrontation with Brarrion, Atnaha issued a solemn decree to his loyal Vihrii Nari and Mharnii. He charged them with an extraordinary task—to transform the souls inhabiting their celestial gardens into formidable guardians. These guardians, resplendent in their celestial form, were adorned with majestic wings, their armor fashioned from the finest gold, silver, and the most precious gems. They stood as the valiant army of creation, each wielding a weapon of their choosing, ready to defend Kir’Thiras, the masterwork of Atnaha’s divine craftsmanship, against the impending threat that loomed on the cosmic horizon.