There are many different lands in the world of Elmiren, each with its own
people, gods, and legends of the beginning. Here in the land of Shylar we are
taught that in the beginning there was only Shv'ai, the creator. The world and
all life come from him. For time beyond measure Shv'ai existed alone surrounded
by a vast emptiness. Eventually though, like all beings, he grew tired of being alone
and decided to fill the vast emptiness with life. He created the earth and the sky,
the mountains and the stars. He brought forth beings of great power to be
watchers and protectors of his creations. When all was ready he brought forth
his last creations, the sentient beings who would be the first races of this
new world. In the first age all the races lived together in peace as children
of Shv'ai. As time went on they explored the world around them, discovered new
things and the gods Shv'ai had made. They grew apart as each race turned to
their own interests and ways of life under a chosen god. The dwarves took to
the mountains and all the riches contained therein. The drow went underground
and became a cruel, sorcerous race. The elves took to the forests, and each
race found a new place in turn.
Ages passed and the races grew farther apart. As the distance grew so did
mistrust and envy. Quarrels arose and turned into wars. Eventually all the
races were drawn into war and the world plunged into chaos.
For ages the world lived in relative darkness. Civilizations rose and fell.
Some of the old races died and new ones came to be. All we have left of that
time are the legends of the people who lived and the gods they worshipped.
Though the people are gone, evidence of those times can be found in the
crumbling cities and ancient relics they left behind.
For those who know where to look there is another testament to those who came
before us. In the hidden places of this world the old gods live on, for once
created a god can never truly die. Zeus and his brethen still sit in their
grand hall upon the lonely mountain, and shining Ra and his court can still be
found ruling over the desert sands. So they all sit awaiting the end of time
when Shv'ai looks upon his creations in sorrow and becomes Shv'ai the
destroyer.
In the hope of forestalling that day a little longer, here in the the land of
Shylar, many beings of the races of the world have come to reside in Avirel
Township. We have put aside the gods and some of the ways of our ancestors
and learned to live in relative, if at times a bit unstable, peace.
Whether we learn from the mistakes of the past and succeed in creating a new
world is yet to be seen. A time will come when the deeds of our time become
legend and then myth. To the ages yet to come we may be the creators of a new
way or we may be no more than another chapter in this seemingly eternal ancient
chaos.
