Creation

The generally accepted creation theory of the world is that the Gods, a family of ultra-powerful beings from some unknown other place in the universe, created the solar system and everything in it. Their first creation was Tirolis, the source of life and light. The next creation was Ceriastis, to provide balance, law and contrast.   They then created planets to contain life, as they wanted others to be able to enjoy the paradises they were building. They created Zanthar and Scartia orbiting Tirolis, with the hope of creating worlds of hope, peace and cooperation. They created Arkius orbiting Ceriastis as a source of dispensing their will unto the creatures they were creating.   On Zanthar, they first created the Elves, then the humans, the dwarfs and the gnomes, and gave them the land to rule. Over time, they decided to create other beings to explore other aspects of life, and created the Tritons, the Tabaxi, the Tortles, the Firbolgs, the Goliaths and the Giants. These lesser races would be subservient to the prime races, occupying a smaller place in the world.   On Scartia, they created other less intelligent races, to manage the creation of food and resources to service Zanthar. This included early forms of goblins, Gnolls, bugbears, and other creatures more bestial than person.   On Arkius, they created the Celestials and bade them build incredible shining cities, to be the source of all law and light throughout Ranthia. They were beacons of light, wielding powers of healing, truth and justice wherever they went. The Gods provided portals between the worlds to allow the angels to spread their will and the Scartians to distribute their supplies, and all was well.   After many millennia of peaceful existence, some of the Gods turned from their family and became evil. Led by Hel, this cabal included Aegir, Loki, Surtur and Thrym. They corrupted some of the most powerful celestials on Arkius, creating the first devils. They experimented on some combination of celestials, the races of Zanthar and the Scartians and created demons, unleashing them on Arkius in an attempt to cut of the will of the Gods that remained true. They perverted some of the races of Zanthar, creating merfolk, fey creatures, and many other monstrosities.   This started the ongoing war between good and evil that continues today. The forces of the evil Gods continue to corrupt and taint the goodness of the prime races, and push into the last bastions of light on Arkius. Most elves, humans, gnomes and dwarves worship one of the original family of Gods that remained on the side of light.