“Once upon a time, the world was like a lump of modeling clay, floating between the open skies and the burning flames of the deep.”
“Like magma? My teacher taught us about it in school.”
“That’s right, sweetie, just like magma. Now, the Titans lived in the deep, the ones that would become the devils and demons.”
“I don’t like the sound of them.”
(laughter) “You aren’t supposed to, angel.”
“That’s good. Did the angels live in the skies back then?”
“Not yet. The gods hadn’t made them right away, not until the Titans fell apart and became the devils and demons. The gods were scared the fiends would shape the clay of the world before they could, because while the gods are noble and powerful, they aren’t unbeatable.”
“Whoa. How do you know that?”
“Mommy made friends with some of their angels, some of the devils too. A lot of them are just like us, sweetie. They aren’t good or bad, sometimes angels are mean about rules and sometimes devils are just little mischief makers like you.”
(giggles) “I am not!”
“You’re right, you’re a good kid sweetheart. Now, what the gods and the devils didn’t know is that there were already people living on the world even while it looked like clay to them. They were the fae, nature spirits that lived in trees, rivers, mountains, all sorts of places.”
“Why didn’t they notice the fae?”
“Sometimes people get really focused on their goals, and then they hurt people trying to make things happen.”
“I don’t want to be like that.”
“I don’t think you will, angel. You’re really good to your friends, right? And they tell you when you’re being selfish, and you do the same for them?”
“I do!”
“Then you have nothing to worry about. Eventually, the fighting between the three groups was so dangerous, so scary, they had to stop fighting. The demons and devils went into the deep, the gods went into the ocean of stars, and the fae went into the spaces in between depending on if they were mean or nice. The mortal peoples of the world were born, and they had to decide what to do with the world.”
“There was more fighting, wasn’t there.”
“You’re right, sweetie. There was a lot more fighting. Most of it was in a place called the “Nender Veil”, a valley where people fought for hundreds of years. There were many empires before us, and there will probably be empires after us.”
“What kind of place was the Nender Veil?”
“It was mostly wilderness, with a few towns and dangerous roads. Heroes had to protect travelers along these roads, and slay monsters left over from the Old War.”
“Why isn’t it like that anymore, Momma?”
“The heroes won. Kingdoms rose, cities were built, machines were made, and while it’s still dangerous in the countryside where the vampires run their courtrooms in caves and forests, or the islands with the dragons in their sunken boat palaces, the only thing you have to worry about in the city is the guard. You cannot cross them, not openly.”
“Why are the guard bad, Momma? Aren’t they supposed to be like the heroes that helped make the city?”
“You’re right, angel, they should be. Unfortunately, when the heroes got too much power many of them became just as bad as the monsters they had fought. Not because the monsters corrupted them, but because after a thrilling life they didn’t dare dream of a quiet, peaceful life of retirement.”
“They’re being really selfish.”
“They are, sweetie. They also have the help of selfish angels, demons, and fae. Do you remember when I told you the gods were good, but not unbeatable? The selfish angels worked with demons and fae like them to force the gods to step down from leadership.”
“How did they do that?”
“That’s a longer story than this one, sweetie, and it won’t make much sense until you’re older.”
“Well, who’s fighting the bad guys? Who’s bringing the gods back?”
“Do you want to do that someday, sweetheart? When you’re bigger, older, and stronger?”
“Yeah! And I bet my friends will too!”
“Then it’ll be up to you. I believe in you, kiddo.”
— From the memoirs of retired paladin Shayura Gallantheart, published by her daughter Ivy Gallantheart after the revolution.