The Sunfire Calamity

The Imperial Holy City: Cráddscon Ebreunda

In the year 485 E.I., during the late Luminous Ascendancy Era, the Luminous Empire began construction on a divine metropolis within its Imperial Westlands. Cráddscon Ebreunda. This city, which would become the heart of the Empire, took nearly 400 years to complete. In the year 885 E.I., upon the city's completion, many imperials would readily enter Cráddscon Ebreunda. And it would become the vast epicenter of the Empire's faith and prestige. Although. The initial goal had been to erect a hallowed citadel. In time, Cráddscon Ebreunda grew into something more.   For the faithful. It became a symbol of divine hope, discipline, and worship. But, for the Empire, it represented a solid pillar of its unity.  

The Imperial Cathedral: Tower of Itradoná

At the very heart of Cráddscon Ebreunda was the Imperial Cathedral. Better known as the "Tower of Itradoná." This cathedral took nearly 200 years to construct. The clergy christened the tower in honor of a great patron, Maiden Itradoná, a sickly-born princess of the Caatoben̂ imperial family.  

A Raging Sunfire: The Blaze that claimed over 2,000

In the year 763 V.O., on the 22nd of Plum Orchard, the Tower of Itradoná was struck by several bolts of lightning, causing a massive blaze. This initial flare would grow into a titanic wildfire. It consumed not only the Imperial Cathedral. But claimed many of the manors, inns, and shops surrounding it. It's believed that more than 2,500 natives perished in the blaze that night.  

Northern Blame: Rumors and Fear

Many fearful citizens surmised, then concluded that the ones at fault for this great misfortune were the Rànkierd. The leading tribe of the Imperial North. Specifically, the Rànkierd monks Aviel Brovech and Tambion Gadrie. The two foreign monks were visiting the city at the time of the incident. Innumerable whispers spread throughout the Empire, like fierce winds. Tales of thunderbolts, directed to the cathedral as if by fell witch mysticism. Of course, representatives of San Rànkiel stated that this was nothing more than a cruel misunderstanding. A statement which eventually evolved into blame, "that this was an underhanded trick by the impure South to persecute and humiliate the Empire's greatest peoples."   These words only served to stoke the flames of greater loathing, and soon, too, war.  

Sunfire Calamity: Demands for Retaliation

As in the incident, many of the priestesses who perished were of Hrénic and Ynellian descent, two of the three factions who'd previously sided against the northerners in the prior war of secession. And it would be they who pushed the Imperial Synod to act.   Of the many dead recorded, there were 2,000 citizens and over 500 clergy. In the following years. Many of the locals would dub this disaster the "Sunfire Calamity." As, like a sunfire, this blaze would harbor an unstoppable reckoning. A vengeance, devouring many tens of thousands. Signaling the bloody beginning of the Second Secession War, later known as the "Retribution War."