The fall of Shehadilti
A devastating war that spelled the end of Shehadilti, the great Draconic Empire, the first civilization to develop on the world of Enatyr.
The Conflict
Prelude
Dragons were the first intelligent species to exist on Enatyr, though they were quickly followed by others. Created by Nurithir the Unknowable, they were each closely linked to the environment and the land they sprung from. They were numerous, powerful and inquisitive, and sought each other out.
In coming together they formed the first civilizations. The ice dragons in the high mountains and cold regions. Flame dragons in volcanoes and deserts. Storm dragons in places where these occur frequently. Earth dragons, varying like the earth itself. Water dragons deep in the mysterious seas. This is only one of the ways to categorize the first dragons.
The younger species near these rising draconic civilizations benefited from their protection and clans of humanoids developed and became small civilizations of their own, each influenced by the dominant dragons of the region. The dragons began to interact more and more across the borders of their environments, exchanging ideas, strengthening each other, lifting their civilization to newer heights, uniting into an empire the like of which has never been seen since. Their rule spanned the world and lasted for millennia. The dragons called it Shehadilti, "the Greatest Empire", and it united millions of dragons at its height.
It was not to last. Differences that for centuries had been discussed with civility and settled by consensus now slowly began to fester and grow deeper instead. The power, wealth and advances made became too great, and minds grew set in their ways. Two radically opposing views emerged, first in philosophical discussions, but ever expanding into all aspects of life. Cracks appeared, crises developed, and the debate of how these should be answered widened the divide until it was a chasm. Long slumbering hate flared into action. The empire fractured down the middle, and the most terrible war ever fought between mortal beings raged for decades.
The Engagement
Manny battles were fought in this war, several of them changing the geography of the land where they were fought.
The dragons of the sea withdrew to the depths, where their kin could not reach them. Their civilization had hinged on contact with the surface and without it they lost much of their knowledge, slowly turning more and more bestial.
The last and most terrible battle was Oposs Annyo Ternockic, The Last Rain of Scales. It was fought over what had been the capital of Shiorilvelklar, which had been mostly destroyed in previous battles. The devastation of magic, blood and elements of this battle was so great that the entire surrounding region was stripped of all life, turning into a desert in the years after. There were almost no survivors, as both sides fought to the death and were evenly matched. Thousands of dragons died, their scales and blood raining down on the ruined city below. The dragons still call the desert that was once the center of their pride and power Vignarihlnik, ancient draconic for "the sands of ash and bone".
Outcome
The draconic empire disappeared, and many landscapes were completely changed. Most notably, the once fertile and diverse land north of the Dragonroost mountains was devastated completely, and became the Mahiri Desert. The number of dragons in the world was decimated over the course of this long war, from millions to hundreds.
Aftermath
With the first civilization fallen and devastation having rained down all over the world, there was a power vacuum. The dragons, firstborn of this world, were diminished in numbers to such an extent that they retreated from the forefront. Eventually, numerous other species tried to step up in their place, such as the giants and the elves. None however ever gained the worldwide domination that Shehadilti had held.
The split in the dragons had become insurpassable on many fronts. The vehement calling upon Nurithir by both sides during the war and their worldviews, which become diametrically opposed, led to the sundering of that elder deity into Bahamut and Tiamat. Where previously there were only dragons of an element, they became divided further into the chromatic and metallic dragons. With their number so immensely reduced, the surviving hatchlings could claim much larger territories and develop into ancient status and size more easily. Dragon ecology shifted, from large numbers with very slow growth in power and only very few reaching "ancient" levels to small in number but with a much higher percentage of them reaching that level.
With the Draconic Empire fallen and the dragons divided and changed forever, the clans of humanoids that had developed into the first fledgling civilizations under their protection and guidance collapsed as well. Some traditions and knowledge survived among the longer lived species, such as with the Gristhjovror, descendants of one of the ice dragon clans.
Historical Significance
Even the dragons themselves remember little of this war, and most other species prefer to see themselves as the first and have competing myths. But the echoes of the war are felt in all mythologies, many of them painting the dragons in an unfavorable light.
Technological Advancement
Many artifacts of power were created by the dragons during the course of this war. One example is the Arcane Prism , used to turn radiant damage against the user.
Arcane Prism
Wondrous Item
Legendary Spellcaster with spellslots of third level or higher. Requires Attunement
While attuned, you always know the spells Chromatic Orb, Color Spray, Prismatic Spray and Prismatic Wall. Additionally, you can use an Action to cast one of these spells through the Prism by spending a number of spell slots equal to the spell's level. (e.g. spend three 3rd level slots to cast the 9th level Prismatic Wall)
Reaction
Break the light: Trigger: you take radiant damage. Result: split the light into a Prismatic Spray. It deals an amount of d6 damage equal to the received damage divided by seven, rounded up. Minimum of 1d6.
You can use this property three times per day.
A clear and simply cut prism whose unassuming appearance belies its incredible power.
An ancient relic of the war between chromatic and metallic dragons. Forged by a Lauth of Chromatic dragons.
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