The Celestials

Celestials were once a prosperous race, living in the lands of Israidius. Many Calamians fail to understand how a race so imbued with goodness could come from the Dark World. But Israidius is not exactly the place many believe it to be, and it hasn’t always been the way it is today.

The Celestials were a generous people and often helped those in need around them. They were well regarded as craftsmen, especially for their potions, books, precious gems, and metals. At one time, they were the largest producers of cihadon ore, a durable bluish-gray metal, which rivaled the strength of Calamia’s finest crafted steel.

Their lives were changed forever when a world-shattering event known as the Corruption took place. In a massive cataclysm, spirits of darkness called the Ahgeon were released. These spirits ran rampant, and their influence spread like a plague across Israidius. Those closest to the devastation were killed instantly. Their bodies were possessed and twisted into demonic shadows of their former selves. The survivors fled to the Sanctuary, a land controlled by the Athdraki Lord Jeremas, but the damage was done. The Forsaken race was born.

Jeremas offered the Celestial refugees protection within his lands, and they accepted. But they refused to become involved in the war with Calamia. Jeremas declared that so long as they stayed neutral, they would be left in peace. Their agreement made, the remaining Celestials began a new life within the mountains of the Sanctuary, creating their capital of Moon Spire.

The city was built upon a mountain peak surrounded by forest. It was given its name because the mountain was always silhouetted by one of Israidius’ moons. Moon Spire was, in fact, more of a citadel. Many obsidian towers and homes with golden domed tops were built, giving it the look of a fantastic castle. At the base, homes were also constructed into the mountain itself, featuring many levels and balconies. It was a grand place, rich in culture and lifestyle.

The ancient texts of the Celestials, preserved from their old holdings in the corrupted lands, were housed within a great temple built for Evithanon. One particular item was kept out of the main library and put into a small, empty room. This text, engraved in stone, was referred to as "The Prophecy". A Celestial Elder named Paramethius Asapteau wrote the Prophecy, believing that Evithanon had sent him a vision. Fearing the grim future it foretold, he broke the tablet in half, leaving the first section behind and taking the rest with him. Where he went is unknown, but some say he fled to Calamia. Because Paramethius was one of the strongest mystics of his time, the other elders could not discount his writings, but few wished to believe that such an ominous prophecy could come to pass. So they locked the broken tablet away and spoke of it rarely.

The first part of the tablet states:

The years went by, and after a time the prophecy was forgotten.

Following the War of Daishevar, the Celestials renegotiated their neutrality agreement with the new leader of the Athdraki, Gornaz, and continued to live in peace for several hundred years. Then, in 764 ADW, Derrek the Hope Slayer, flying the Athdraki Lord’s flag, attacked a group of Celestials he caught out in the open.

His actions were an act of war, but some of the elders, still hoping for peace, attempted to contact Gornaz. Their efforts failed, and none of their emissaries returned. Derrek, sporting a pair of wings strapped to his armor, was later seen taunting Celestial troops along their borders. The Celestials were disgusted. It was obvious that Derrek intended to destroy them, so they declared war on the Athdraki and all those who sided with them. They had many skirmishes with Derrek and his army over the years.

In 866, Lilithia Etendaria was born. Daughter to Kyrin and Isadrasei Etendaria, she was the first and only Celestial child to be born without wings. She came as a complete shock to the family and to the Celestial people. Rumors spread like wildfire. Was the prophecy really true? With the shadow of their enemy looming over them, Lilith grew up in difficult times and found her handicap as well as to the prophecy to be a great burden. She wasn’t treated cruelly, but there was really no place for her within society. The Celestials did not fear her, but they did fear what she represented. Her family, at the request of the church, placed her in the care of Father Aetheocyn, a wise, gentle elder and the leader of the Celestial Council. Lilith quickly formed a bond with him that she lacked with her own parents.

In the year 880 ADW, while part of the Celestial army was fending off a demon attack, Derrek led a monstrous horde of demons against Moon Spire. The Celestials defending the citadel tried to hold the army back, but the demon horde was just too great for them to over come. Three fourths of the population died that day, slaughtered by Derrek’s army. Only a few escaped thanks to the efforts of Father Aetheocyn. The old man managed to open a portal to Calamia, but the gateway was unstable and everyone that entered was transported to random regions of the new world. Father Aetheocyn held the portal for as long as he could, but soon died from magi burn.

The Celestial prophecy had come to pass. To this day the Celestial people remain widely scattered and separated. While many have been lost to the Ahgeon, those who remain try to stay hidden, but strong and productive within this world they now call home.