The Age of Hellfire

The Shattering

Roughly around 4009 BC, Xinavane the Witch Queen of Maladar rose up from the Nine Hells, shattered a portion of the Aether Veil, and ruled over a portion of the Material Plane that is now known as the Ashlands. Xinavane's ascension from the Hells and into Vanea created the Breach - a miles long chasm that belched devils up in the thousands to serve their mistress. It also shattered the northwestern portion of the continent into islands now known as The Shattered Isles.

It was during this tumultuous time that the Knights of the Aetheric Order was formed, charged with the sacred duty of harvesting Aether from the Ethereal Plane and funneling it back into the Veil in order to strengthen the barriers between the Planes.

Up until this time in Vanea's history, dragons were plentiful. However, understanding that all of Vanea faced utter obliteration, the good-aligned dragons banded together with the mortal races of the world to drive back Xinavane's forces. It is estimated that 90% of dragonkind was wiped out during this time, including the legendary behemoth Raduselon, the Titan. His bones still tower, bleached and petrified, in the northmost regions of the Ashlands.

When Xinavane was defeated and her forces eradicated or driven back into the Abyss, her wicked soul could not be contained in one place. Neither could it be allowed to return to the Abyss and reform. Therefore, three vessels were crafted by the Anchorites of Tal'Qavash to contain the three pieces of her soul. The Shard, to contain her malice. The Cask, to contain her thirst for tyranny. The Censer, to contain her rage. These dangerous artifacts were separated and hidden away.

A sect of holy Paladins has taken possession the fortress of Queensfall to guard against any Abyssal incursions. Their numbers are dwindling, however, as over the centuries less and less devils have come through. Today it is seen as a dead outpost with the last documented incursion happening more than a century ago. But the echoes of evil can still be heard there today.