Prologue
In the beginning, there was only silence and darkness. Then, in a great cosmic marvel, the universe imploded, giving birth to the Primordials: four immortal beings embodying immense power. Kaos, Lilith, Leviathan, and Tartarus, four siblings in name only, coexisting for eons and creating galaxies ruled and destroyed by their hubris.
As time passed, the Primordials grew bored with their solitude. With great humility, they decided to forge a new galaxy together. Thus, Aethoria was born, and within it, a tiny planet covered in vast oceans, massive landscapes, and utter potential – Neth.
To ensure balance, the Primordials divided Neth into four territories, each reflecting their unique essence.
Tartarus oversaw Infernia, a realm of eternal fire and brimstone, where lava rivers flowed like lifeblood and beasts were forged in fire and darkness. The twisted rock formations and burning cities stood as testaments to Tartarus' power.
Lilith governed Umbra, a land shrouded in mysterious darkness, where ghostly moonlight filtered through the canopy above. The whispering forests and shadowy echoes of cities create an eerie atmosphere, home to the Shadowfolk – creatures woven from magic and darkness.
Leviathan dominated Aquaria, a realm of aquatic abysses and bioluminescent creatures. The coral reefs thrived with vibrant life, contrasting with the crushing pressure and icy currents. The Aquarians, noble and peaceful, were Leviathan's creations. With their majestic, flowing forms and gentle nature, they ruled the oceans with wisdom.
Kaos, the strongest of the Primordials, oversaw Chaosia – a region defying logic. Wild magic storms and unpredictable reality distortions made landscapes shift like sand in storms. Earthquakes birthed new mountains while swallowing others. Kaos' power warped reality, bending logic and reason.
The Primordials created life in their image, but Kaos sought something different. From her own essence, she fabricated three new species: the Darklings. The Hollows, born first, were too powerful for their fleshy bodies and eventually burned out. The Casters and the Briefs followed, each with their own purpose. The Briefs, with their shorter lifespans, were meant to coexist and evolve.
However, each Prime had their own selfish reasons for their involvement with the Briefs.
Tartarus wanted to study mortal suffering, Lilith sought entertainment, and Leviathan aimed to maintain balance. Kaos desired to study weaker beings, fascinated by their brief, fiery lives.
The mortal's existence was complex.
They were free to make choices, to love, to hate, and to live fleeting lives amidst the darkness.
And as the humans grew in numbers, so did their intelligence, ignorance, and arrogance.
They began to question their existence and created false gods to worship.
Scorned by her creations' betrayal, Kaos vanished from Chaosia, entering a period of contemplation and seeking answers from her siblings.
Leviathan questioned if this wasn't the purpose of the Briefs, to have their own petty failures. Tartarus offered to take them off her hands and control them himself.
While Lilith, ever protective of her sister, sought vengeance.
For their disobedience, Lilith ordered all other Malevolent to purge the lands and make examples of the Brief's 'leaders'.
The Shadowfolk and Infernians ravaged the territories, leaving destruction and despair in their wake.
For decades, Lilith ruled over the Briefs with ruthless disregard, treating them as mere chattels to be exploited and sacrificed, their life force fueling her dark power. After decades of genocide, the Briefs were forced to remain loyal to Kao's sister and remember their place in the cosmic design. In Kaos's absence, human civilizations crumbled and Lilith's darkness spread like a stain across the land.
The Briefs, once full of hope and promise, were now beset on all sides by the Malevolents.
In desperation, a group of survivors banded together, seeking refuge from the wrath of the Primes and their minions. They formed a secret society, hidden from the prying eyes of their tyrants, and worked tirelessly to preserve their way of life. The Society became a beacon of hope in a world torn apart by darkness and chaos.
After years of contemplation with Leviathan and his noble Aquarians, Kaos returned to her creations with a plan to bring the Primordials together in a historic gathering to discuss *The Brief Accord. There, the leaders of The Society convened with the Primes and their Proxies, as Kaos sought to forge a lasting truce and end the suffering of the Briefs.
*As the Keepers, we have come to understand the calamity that befell the world during the Brief Accord.
Thus it is written:
Driven by insatiable ambition, Tartarus launched a perfidious assault upon Kaos and Leviathan, shattering the fragile truce forged by Kaos in a final, desperate bid for concord among the Primes. As the very fabric of reality began to crystallize, Kaos, in her final, mighty exertion, sundered the world, creating the Great Rift that would forever sever the realms. By sacred oath, she bound the Proxies of the new Nether to uphold the tenuous balance between the realms, charging them to prevent the darkness from consuming all. The ancient crystals, imbued with celestial power, remain the sole key to the Primes' confinement.
We, the Keepers, have sworn to protect the crystals and maintain the balance. Our duty is clear: safeguard humanity from the threats that lurk within the Nether. We will continue to watch over the crystals, ensuring the Primordials remain bound and the realms remain separate.
—The Society's Archives: A Compendium of Knowledge
