The Corruption of Starlight

Ages flowed like rivers upon Eltheran, and the Nextborn flourished under the watchful gaze of the Archai Eldan'Dux. Yet, within the heart of every paradise lurks a serpent, and so it came to pass that Eltheran witnessed its first taste of corruption.

The Elves, the graceful Nemoren, possessed an innate connection to the magical energies that flowed through Eltheran. They called it Aenwyn, the starlight essence, a potent force that mirrored the celestial realm of the Archai Eldan'Dux. The Nemoren, with their reverence for nature, used Aenwyn to nurture the land, coaxing life from barren soil and weaving shimmering illusions that danced with the aurora borealis.

However, a small sect of Nemoren, power-hungry and consumed by ambition, saw Aenwyn as a tool for domination, not creation. Led by a charismatic rogue named Xylarion the Shadow-Weaver, they delved into forbidden lore, seeking to unlock the true potential of Aenwyn.

Their experiments were reckless and brutal. They twisted Aenwyn into grotesque shapes, warping the natural world around them. Lush forests withered and died, replaced by twisted mockeries of their former beauty. The once-harmonious flow of Aenwyn became a chaotic torrent, spewing forth unnatural energies that tainted the land.

The other Nemoren were horrified. They pleaded with Xylarion and his followers to cease their destructive experiments, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Driven by their lust for power, the rogue Nemoren continued their dark magics, forever altering their very beings.

The Divine One, ever watchful, observed this descent into darkness with a heavy heart. A tremor of disapproval shook the Magisterium Aethel. The Archai Eldan'Dux, filled with anguish, witnessed the corruption of their creations.

As a consequence of their actions, a terrible transformation befell Xylarion and his followers. Their once-graceful forms contorted, their skin turned a sickly green, their eyes glowing with a malevolent emerald fire. Their connection to Aenwyn, once a source of beauty, became a twisted mockery. They were no longer the noble Nemoren, but a grotesque parody – the first Fae'Mara.

The Fae'Mara, driven mad by their tainted essence, fled into the desolate wastelands they had created. Their rage and hunger for power knew no bounds. They preyed upon the innocent, twisting the natural world further to fuel their dark magic.

The remaining Nemoren, hearts heavy with grief, were forced to take action. A fierce conflict erupted, the first taste of violence on Eltheran. The noble Nemoren, wielding Aenwyn with sorrow and restraint, fought to contain the chaos unleashed by the Fae'Mara.

The war raged for generations, scarring the once-pristine landscape. Eventually, the Fae'Mara were driven back, banished to the fringes of Eltheran. Yet, the memory of their corruption served as a grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the devastating consequences of misusing Aenwyn.

Eltheran bore the scars of this conflict. Lush forests gave way to barren plains, and once-vibrant ecosystems lay dormant. The discovery of Aenwyn, a gift from the Divine One, had brought both beauty and destruction. It served as a harsh lesson, a constant reminder that even in paradise, the potential for darkness always exists.