The Ascendants

Ancient and powerful beings the Ascendants are relatively few in number but great in their influence across the Realms and even Earth. Their origin is vague to those outside their ranks but what scant little that has been forthcoming speaks of them being refugees from another place that had been consumed by an as yet unknown cataclysm.

The only record of their arrival into the Realms is a short passage from Great Book; that ancient tome that resides within the Exalted Library of Bel'Zanar under rigid lock and key. The author is unknown.

"And so came the Great Wyrms. Immense and terrible they were, yet fleeing something far worse, they came unto Caenar in a storm of heavenly rage. A score in number they were and many bore horrific wounds of battle. They shed their old and scarred flesh and emerged from those dying husks reborn unto new and radiant forms. And then they went out into the Realms as Gods."

TRUE FORM

As higher beings Ascendants are wrought of more than mere mundane flesh. They are creatures in whom's veins flow cosmic fire and whose true forms are immense and terrible. They are known derisively by their foes as Wyrms and though they wear the facade of mortals, they are still monsters. The Ascendants are capable of changing their forms as they will it and can appear however they choose. Most prefer to look like the mortal races they walk amongst.

GOALS

Outside their number few know what it is that the Ascendants work toward. Each of them has for centuries plotted and schemed and guided the fate of entire nations and even whole Realms. Esiak, noted as one of the most eager amongst their number to interfere with the lives of mortals, spent considerable time upon Earth. Kalik, perhaps the most capricious and meddlesome, travels across the Realms sowing discord, forming cults and both saving and endling lives.

The Ascendant called by some the Bright King and others the Father of Monsters, amongst a myriad of other monikers, is potentially the one amongst their number with the greatest and most overt impact upon the Realms. His Bright Kingdom brought a period of unprecedented unity and peace to the Realms and ended the long and grim Dark Age.

It is speculated that most of the Ascendants work toward some as yet unknown end game. Some argue their machinations usually end up strengthening the mortal races in some manner, albeit one hard to discern or even fathom. There is much argument over whether or not the Ascendants are benevolent or malicious toward the mortals of the Realms. The actions of the Bright King can be seen as altruistic and tyrannical. He brought order to the Realms yet his actions were often cold and brutal.

Ultimately, the Ascendants are powerful and enigmatic. They are Gods, yet can be slain. They are wise and know hidden knowledge but are not omniscient. They can be great and good and cruel and terrible.