TRINDLE SPRING RPG CLUB

In the immediate aftermath of Malachor's banishment, the lands most scarred by his influence began to heal under the guidance of the Twelve Gods. Divine forces led by planetars and powerful clerics embarked on a monumental effort to cleanse the abyssal corruption that had seeped into Thaloria. Known as the Cleansing of the Abyssal Blight, this endeavor restored much of the blighted terrain to its former beauty. However, certain regions resisted purification, becoming the last refuges of Malachor’s minions and the foundation for the dark realm that would endure as a persistent threat.

A major holdout of Malachor’s forces, Dreadspire Keep, became the site of the first major battle of the Fifth Age. Commanded by the undead general Thraxor Boneveil, the keep served as a hub for fiends, undead, and corrupted mortals who refused to abandon Malachor’s vision. The battle was led by the god Thanor, who fought alongside mortal armies and celestial allies. The keep fell after weeks of siege, though remnants of its defenders escaped to the dark realm. This victory established the gods' dominance over most of Thaloria and marked the last organized offensive by Malachor's forces for decades.

The gods, still walking among mortals, convened the First Conclave of Faiths in the city of Aurensul to establish the framework for worship, divine magic, and the dissemination of clerical power. They dictated that divine power would flow freely to those who upheld the tenets of their respective faiths, ensuring that mortals could defend themselves even after the gods eventually withdrew. The First Conclave also formalized the role of clerics, paladins, and other divine practitioners, leading to the rise of organized churches across Thaloria.

One of the most dangerous remnants of Malachor’s presence was the Abyssal Rift, a scar in the world left by his defeat. This rift served as a direct gateway to the Abyss, allowing fiends and other abyssal creatures to enter Thaloria. In a monumental effort led by Valkyr, God of Time and Fate, and Elora, Goddess of Knowledge and Arcana, the gods closed the rift, though they could not erase it completely. The rift was sealed beneath a massive mountain range, where it remains dormant but heavily guarded by celestial forces to this day.

Recognizing the ongoing threat posed by scattered remnants of Malachor’s forces, the Twelve Gods created the Guardians of Light, a coalition of mortals and celestial beings dedicated to patrolling Thaloria and rooting out evil. The Guardians were blessed by the gods and equipped with relics forged from the remnants of the Twelve Swords of Vulcan. The Guardians became an enduring symbol of hope, serving as both peacekeepers and defenders during the early years of the Fifth Age.

Shadowcrag Fortress, an ancient citadel in the mountainous borders of the dark realm where Malachor’s remnants still held sway, became the focus of a major offensive by the Guardians of Light. The fortress served as a strategic stronghold for undead warlords and fiendish commanders who continued to terrorize nearby regions. The assault, led by Thanor, God of War and Valor, and mortal champion Karnin the Flamebound, culminated in a decisive victory that further pushed Malachor’s forces back into the dark realm. However, the victory came at a cost, with heavy casualties among the Guardians.

As the gods walked the earth and divine churches began to grow, tensions arose between mortal nations regarding the interpretation of the gods’ will and their influence in governance. To prevent potential conflict, the Twelve Gods convened a summit in the neutral city of Auralis, resulting in the Treaty of Auralis. This treaty established guidelines for the separation of divine faiths from political leadership, ensuring that no single nation could claim divine favor over another. The treaty became a cornerstone of Thaloria’s political structure during the Fifth Age, fostering balance and unity.

A mysterious magical phenomenon, later called the Blightstorm, erupted in the region of Aelindor, where Malachor’s corruption lingered deep beneath the land. The storm unleashed waves of abyssal energy, spawning horrors that decimated villages and corrupted the land anew. The gods intervened, with Lyrien, Goddess of Nature and Wilderness, working alongside mortal druids to stabilize the region. Despite their efforts, portions of Aelindor remained inhospitable, becoming a dangerous frontier that served as a warning of Malachor’s enduring influence.

A bard named Eryndor Silverflame, touched by divine inspiration, composed a ballad known as the Song of the Silver Flame, which chronicled the fall of Malachor and the deeds of the Seven Heroes of Wayland and the Twelve Heroes of Vulcan. The song spread quickly across Thaloria, becoming a unifying anthem for a recovering world. It was said that the song held subtle divine power, igniting courage and hope in all who heard it. The Song of the Silver Flame became a symbol of resilience and unity, echoing through generations.

A shadowy group calling themselves the Black Sun Cult emerged in the dark corners of Thaloria, dedicated to preserving Malachor’s legacy and sowing discord. The cult, composed of corrupted mortals and fiendish agents, sought to reclaim portions of the sealed Abyssal Rift and prepare for Malachor’s return. They operated in secret, infiltrating cities and spreading corruption through subtle means. Though their numbers were few, their presence was a stark reminder that evil could never be fully eradicated.

The Twelve Gods decreed the creation of the Order of Tower Guardians, an elite group of paladins and clerics tasked with safeguarding sacred sites, particularly the leyline nexus at Dawnspire Ruins, where the gods had first descended. This group represented the most devout and skilled champions of the gods, blessed with divine power and equipped with relics forged from celestial metals. Their ascension formalized the role of divine protectors and ensured that the foundations of divine magic remained secure in Thaloria.

Fiendish remnants from Malachor’s dark realm, led by the warlord Vorthas Dreadspire, forged a terrifying weapon known as the Nightsteel Blade, imbued with abyssal energy capable of piercing divine protections. The forging of this weapon signified a bold resurgence of Malachor’s influence, leading to several skirmishes between his forces and the Guardians of Light. The blade’s creation revealed that even under the gods’ watch, darkness could still find new ways to threaten Thaloria.

The coastal city of Velasyr, once a thriving trade hub, became the site of a catastrophic battle between the gods’ champions and an invading army of abyssal creatures. During the conflict, the fiends used ancient magic to rupture the city’s leyline, causing an explosion of chaotic energy that destroyed much of Velasyr and left it a dangerous ruin. The event, known as the Sundering of Velasyr, was a grim reminder of the destructive power of Malachor’s lingering forces.

To counter the escalating threat of abyssal incursions, the gods led an initiative to fortify major cities with divine wards. The most impressive of these was the Ward of Aurensul, a radiant shield of celestial light that encased the city and repelled fiends and other malevolent forces. The wards not only provided physical protection but also symbolized the gods’ continued commitment to preserving Thaloria. The project also inspired smaller towns and villages to create their own wards with divine aid.

A meteorite, later called the Fallen Star, struck Thaloria in the desolate region of Aelindor, drawing the attention of both mortal scholars and dark forces. The meteorite emanated strange energies, attracting cults such as the Black Sun Cult, who sought to harness its power. The Tower Guardians launched a daring raid to reclaim the Fallen Star, engaging in a fierce battle that culminated in the destruction of the meteorite and the dispersal of the cultists. The event became a testament to the resilience of Thaloria’s defenders against the persistent shadow of Malachor.