The Floating Isles

Long ago, during a great and terrible conflict known as the First War, the realm of Aedelore was torn apart by the wrath of two powerful dragon gods: Taninsam, the god of fire and renewal, and Tohu, the goddess of light and wisdom. Their clash, driven by ancient tensions between the forces of light and darkness, unleashed catastrophic magic that would forever alter the landscape of the world. At the heart of the conflict stood between prominent figures: Lordean, a revered High Elven priest of Tohu, orcs and trolls and the ancient city of Nortaq, known for its alignment with dark powers. Lordean, a devout servant of the light, was instrumental in leading his people in the war against those who sought to wield forbidden magics. His devotion to Tohu and the preservation of the elven way of life made him a hero among his kin, but it also made him a target for the enemies of light. As the First War escalated, Lordean and his followers confronted the forces of darkness, led by those who had forsaken the gods in their pursuit of power.

Nortaq, a city of vast knowledge but corrupted by its ties to dark magic, became the central battleground. The ancient elven priest, filled with unwavering faith, called upon the divine might of Tohu to strike down the dark forces. But even his powerful connection to the goddess could not prevent what was to come. In the war’s final days, the battle between Lordean and the dark forces of Nortaq, trolls and orcs reached its peak. Taninsam emerged. The explosion of fire & magic that followed tore the very fabric of reality. Nortaq was burned to ash by Taninsam’s flames, leaving nothing but smoldering ruins in its place. Lordean, despite his pure intentions, was caught in the divine conflagration. His mortal body was consumed by the overwhelming light of Tohu, and his spirit was lifted into the realm of the gods.

The magic he unleashed was so powerful that it shattered the land around him, lifting massive chunks of earth into the sky. Thus, the Floating Isles were born. These enchanted islands, suspended above the world by the lingering magic of Tohu and Taninsam, became a new frontier of wonder and mystery. The very land where Lordean had fought for the light was now untethered, forever drifting in the skies above Aedelore. The Floating Isles are now regarded as sacred by the elves, seen as a place touched by both the divine light of Tohu and the destructive force of Taninsam. The islands are a paradox—beautiful and serene, yet dangerous, with residual magic that has a life of its own.

Glowing runes can still be seen etched into the surfaces of some islands, relics of the battle between light and darkness, a reminder of the cost of tampering with such immense power. Scholars, especially those of elven heritage, have established temples and libraries upon the floating masses of land, seeking to understand the mysteries left behind by Lordean’s final act. They believe that his spirit still lingers in the ethereal spaces between the realms, watching over those who venture to these mystical islands.

Though Lordean is no longer among the living, his name is spoken with reverence, for he embodies the ultimate sacrifice—a hero who gave everything in the pursuit of peace and light. His story, along with the origins of the Floating Isles, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between light and darkness and the lasting consequences of divine intervention. Today, the Floating Isles remain an ethereal reminder of the First War’s devastation. They float silently above the oceans and lands, visible from afar as majestic, floating monuments to the power of the gods, and to Lordean’s ultimate sacrifice.