The Cataclysm ended 100 years before leaving the world now locked in a<br>
vicious war. Gaia pushes to reassert the balance after the many grievous<br>
wounds inflicted on Aabahran. Wild magics released in the Cataclysm resulted<br>
in the appearance of many new races never seen before in Aabahran. Ents<br>
added to this mix and were a result of Gaia seizing some of this wild power<br>
for Her own design. Driven by need, Gaia's plan was to create Guardians to<br>
protect, to encourage and later to guard the woods and glades. Vital in<br>
their task as the forests were to sustain much of the life on Aabahran. <br>
Created by harnessing this potent magic, Ents were given life and cognizance.<br>
Charged with one task and formed with a purpose they nurtured the land. To<br>
create the Ents, Gaia selected only the oldest of trees, living wood deep in<br>
the deepest Dark Heart of the forest for she knew that the magic was wild,<br>
unweildly, raw and difficult to control. Only a select number could be<br>
created safely. Ulmusdorn was one of those selected few created as a<br>
Guardian from the living wood. A true Ent. A being of thought and<br>
understanding, caring for the will of Gaia.
The Warmasters fought the Savants, back and forth in great battles during<br>
this period and many's focus was elsewhere allowing Gaia to steadily work<br>
away at Her own divine plan. Time marched on as it inevitably does, a stream<br>
that cannot be halted even by the hands of the Gods. As the world balanced<br>
itself Gaia's potency waned. The magics released by the Cataclysm began to<br>
diminish, captured and used or merely dissipating with time. Her time and<br>
energy spent, Her Guardians fulfilling their duties the balance returned.<br>
Eventually the need for Her presence was called elsewhere. The Ents began<br>
to lose their purpose, their potency. Without direction and Her spirit<br>
they began to loose their way. The woods flourished. The trees grew. The<br>
glades swelled. Their need diminished. Soon the Ents halted their<br>
activities. Content with the results of their work and happy to let it<br>
flourish. As Gaia's power left to be focused elsewhere so did their<br>
cognizance, their life sustained by Her need.
In Her absence she was wise to select new extensions of Her will. Many have<br>
been called, Eshaine, Roykagh, Grimulfr. Some were called away. The need<br>
of Gaia greater in other lands distant beyond our shores requiring Gaia<br>
gather her strength, calling all her champions away to face some great and<br>
deadly foe. Aabahran languished. Her faithful continue small struggles<br>
against mortared stone and undead alike but Gaia is content to focus her<br>
attentions elsewhere. Pestilence spreads over thousand year woods. Death<br>
selects her champions and the light counters with Avatars. A new Guardian<br>
is needed. One of old blood. One who has been here before. She knows a<br>
place in the Dark Heart. Where one waits, Ulmusdorn, once Guardian, now<br>
needed again and awakened in an age where the moons align once more and the<br>
prophecies whisper of a second cataclysm.
Aabahran