The Sixth Age, known as the Age of Mortal Awakening, is the current era of Thaloria, a time of self-determination, divine stewardship, and unprecedented advancement. Though the gods have withdrawn from direct involvement in mortal affairs, their influence remains ever-present through the Celestial City of Aurion, the sacred Shining Spire, and the faithful who channel divine power to guide the world.
While mortals have taken greater control of their destinies, they do so under the watchful eyes of the Celestial Guardians, a host of planetars, devas, and mortals chosen to protect the divine connection. This age is marked by both spiritual devotion and secular ambition, with powerful kingdoms, ambitious scholars, and adventurous freeholders seeking to push the boundaries of what is possible. However, as mortals ascend to new heights of power, so too do ancient evils stir, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
The Sixth Age is one of enlightenment and peril, where faith and ambition are intertwined, and where the choices of today shape the fate of tomorrow.
At the end of the Fifth Age, the gods retreated from direct involvement in the world, entrusting its stewardship to their celestial servants and mortal champions. In their final act before their withdrawal, they established the Celestial City of Aurion, a divine stronghold watched over by the Shining Spire, a sacred conduit to the divine realms. From this tower, clerics and paladins still receive divine power, and the faiths of Thaloria remain strong, ensuring the gods' influence endures.
Despite their absence from the material plane, the gods are far from forgotten. Temples, holy orders, and devoted champions continue their sacred work, guiding nations and individuals alike in accordance with divine principles. The faithful believe the gods still watch from afar, intervening subtly through visions, omens, and blessings channeled through their chosen followers.
Yet, without the gods' direct hand, mortal ambition has flourished, and with it, new challenges have arisen. The balance between faith and mortal ambition remains a delicate one.
1. Faith Without Presence
Divine power still flows through the Shining Spire, and clerics and paladins continue to wield miracles in the gods' names. However, mortals must interpret divine will on their own, leading to differences in doctrine and the rise of diverse sects.
2. The Expansion of Mortal Ambition
Without the gods to directly mediate conflicts, nations and factions must rely on diplomacy, war, and intrigue to settle disputes. Some view the gods' withdrawal as an opportunity, while others see it as a test of faith.
3. Celestial Stewardship
The celestial beings left behind in the Celestial City serve as intermediaries between mortals and the divine. They enforce sacred law, defend the Shining Spire, and ensure that divine power is not misused.
4. Magical and Technological Advancements
The discovery of etherium crystals, remnants of divine energy, has led to an era of unprecedented arcane and technological advancement. Arcane wonders are reshaping societies, leading to new possibilities -- and new conflicts.
5. The Stirring of Dark Powers
With the gods watching from afar, malevolent forces that were once kept at bay are emboldened. Cults, ancient evils, and forgotten horrors seek to corrupt or reclaim what was lost, testing mortal strength and faith.
1. The Founding of the Shining Spire
The Shining Spire, the final gift of the gods, became the center of divine magic in Thaloria. Pilgrims, scholars, and rulers alike seek its guidance, and it remains a beacon of hope against growing darkness.
2. The Etherium Revolution
The discovery of etherium crystals, believed to be remnants of celestial energy, transformed industries and warfare. Etherium-powered constructs, flying cities, and arcane-forged weaponry reshaped society, though the strain on the leyline network has raised concerns among scholars and clerics alike.
3. The Sundering of the Divine Council
Internal disputes among the faiths led to the fracturing of the once-unified Divine Council, resulting in the formation of competing religious orders and sects with differing interpretations of divine will.
4. The Rise of the Twilight Cults
Forbidden cults dedicated to forgotten dark entities have begun spreading across Thaloria, challenging the influence of divine faiths and spreading corruption in secret.
Today, the world stands at a crossroads, with powerful nations and factions competing for dominance while the faithful struggle to maintain balance in an age of uncertainty. Some notable developments include:
The Sixth Age is an era of spiritual perseverance and mortal ambition, where the faithful must navigate a world without the gods' direct hand while striving to uphold their divine will. Whether through faith, innovation, or strength, mortals have an opportunity to define their own destinies -- but they must also contend with new threats, both from within and beyond their borders.
Some believe the gods may one day return in force, while others argue that mortals have surpassed their need for divine intervention. Whatever the case, Thaloria stands at the dawn of a new and uncertain future -- one shaped not by gods, but by the choices of mortals.
"The gods have entrusted us with their world; now, we must prove we are worthy of their gift."
~~ High Cleric Elowen Sunspire ~~
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Trindle Spring Lutheran Church RPG Club | Mechanicsburg, PA