From the days of old

A rumbling from the deep shook the land.

As a beast, fair and foul slumbered.

Whispering its last breath.

Several eons prior to game start

For as long as anyone could remember, the Aspects were the creators of the world. They quietly moved clouds, wind, rivers with their will, bringing about the day and night, the rise and fall of tides, all unseen from the mortal eye. It was said that they lived in another world, one that was a reflection of the material realm, a world hidden in parallel.

Life blossomed within the valley, creatures of all shapes and statures began to roam the land, crafted carefully by an Aspect in their likeness. However, one such creature was not created, having simply appeared within the valley, that creature was a man.

Man lived in harmony with the Aspects’ creations for centuries, and while initially hostile towards them, the Aspects’ creations began to accept their presence in the Valley. But the old peace could only hold for so long. Soon, Man began to expand their territories, growing hungry for more resources to feed their young. Forests turned to villages, villages turned to civilizations. And this brought about the Valley’s first conflict.

Spurred by their differences, different civilizations began to war with each other. The fight for food, water, shelter, all stemming from their overflowing population, their need to provide for their young, stained the Valley with a river of blood that would linger long after Man killed each other.

Several eons prior to game start

Following the extinction of Man, the Aspects returned to quietly moving the nature of the Valley. However, the mark of man remained. Born from the corrupted rifts left behind, five titans emerged: Fulgur, Ardus, Spiritus, Hydatos, and Viridis. This caught the attention of the Aspects, though, benevolent as they always were, did not interfere.

The titans became known as the Primordials, each taking on elements of their environment. Fulgur and Spiritus lived within the sky, chasing each other until they became the wicked wind and chaotic maelstroms. Ardus made their home in the ground, entwining themselves with the earth’s song. Viridis and Hydatos joined hands and slumbered on the shore until they too became the forest and sea.

Many more Primordials came and went after the first five, such as Moher, Nemaeyn, Aurora and Cyaroeth, born along the coast where Viridis and Hydatos once slept, or Elio, Mawu, Nai, and Osiris who emerged from the sands beneath Ardus’ melody.

Several millenia prior to game start

Life continues in the Valley, the structures and contraptions built by Man become a mere memory in the history of the land as a new era of peace begins and quickly dies.

However, not all is well. Though long dried, Man’s river of blood still stained the land, and drawn to its presence, the Aspects became curious of it, covetous of its allure. The change happened slowly, a darkness falling over the Aspects like a dark sand. For the first time in history, they could not exist peacefully anymore, corrupted by the blood of Man.

Life became Death, Day became Night, as Aspects devoured each other, changed. Fractures split open the earth as they warred, once verdant fields became desolate wastelands and the very balance of the Valley became disturbed.

Eventually, this conflict came to a point as one Aspect– the oldest of them, grappled two others and dove beneath the earth, bringing the war to a close. Some speculate that they dove into the Abyss, while others believe that the ancients are still slumbering beneath the earth, waiting to recover their strength before continuing their war.

Yet still, time marched forward and more Primordials appeared and disappeared– this time without the Aspects to observe and monitor them, as the Aspect War too became a chapter in the Valley’s history of strife.

• Violet Eyes

It is rumoured that the realm of Spirits is bathed in constant twilight. As such, Valleyfolk born with that shade of twilight in their eyes are suggested to be able to see into the Spirit realm.

• Illuminated Eyes

Touched by the moon, individuals who develop a luminous gaze are said to be constellations reincarnated. These eyes only show during the dark hours and if they turn their gaze skyward, will find an empty spot where their stars once were.

• Void Eyes

It is said with this that the character has witnessed death, or come close to it themselves. Some also believe that this is a curse from the Valley as punishment for playing a role in the death of another Valleyfolk.