An Excerpt from Clive Glacier: The Great Powers—Their Histories and Abilities, 3000 PSE

  Map of Yortica 3000 P.S.E

  This is not the history they teach in the courts of Madonna or the Imperial Halls. This is what I have uncovered; if I am correct, the war that ended the old world may yet return to claim the new.

  Understanding the full capabilities and depths of the Great Powers is an insurmountable task. However, through history, academic study, and careful observation, we can begin to grasp their abilities, their lands, and the key individuals who shape them.

  Every great story must begin at the beginning. The formation of the Great Powers can primarily be traced back to the time of the Shattering, an event, that ends at Year Zero of our modern calendars. The exact duration of the Shattering remains unknown—modern historians estimate it lasted anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years. During this period, monsters roamed freely across the unified continent, and it is even rumored that the great protective Walls did not yet exist.

  Eventually, this chaotic age reached a tipping point when three key figures emerged, shaping the world and the continent of Yortica as we know it today. The continent that preceded our current landmass remains a mystery, though some theories suggest that what is now the Black Sea was once solid land, home to diverse languages and cultures. The Beast Barons to the South were also believed to once have been part of this unified continent, connected through a series of land bridges. However, historical data supporting this hypothesis is minimal and has only been unearthed within the last few decades. If historical accounts are to be believed, the first casualty of the Battle of the Three Lords was likely these land bridges, which vanished during the cataclysmic conflict.

  But I digress. The Three Lords—yes, the most influential of them was the Great Serpent, Yoragrial, said to be as vast as the branches of the World Trees themselves. The second was the powerful mage Vikram Madonna, whose affinities remain unknown, as he left behind no recorded heirs or disciples. Lastly, the third—and the most well-documented—was the first Empress, Everly Shimmer von Light Sheen. Hailing from the heart of what is now the Empire, she possessed exceptional affinities for both Light magic and Spearmastery.

  Now, let us turn to the most significant event—their legendary battle. During the Shattering or Ragnarok, these three stood head and shoulders above their peers in power, suspected to have ascended to the Immortal Realm itself. Though this remains unconfirmed, what is known for certain is the cataclysmic battle that marked the end of the Shattering. Unlike the lost years before, this climactic conflict is well-documented. The details of the preceding centuries may have been lost to time, but the battle itself is the foundation upon which modern history rests.

  The battle raged for fourteen days and thirteen nights, with Lord Vikram and Empress Everly locked in a brutal stalemate against Yoragrial. According to eyewitness accounts, the shock waves from their blows could even be felt as far as the heart of the barrier mountains. Their clash ultimately reached its conclusion above the Black Sea, where the great serpent was finally slain. This battle reshaped the very world, leaving permanent scars upon the land. One of the most enduring mysteries among scholars remains the Eternal Storm above the Black Sea—was it a product of the battle, or did it predate it? Recent evidence suggests that Yoragrial may have originated from the Beast Barons, leading many, myself included, to theorize that the Black Sea and the Eternal Storm are a direct remnant of the conflict.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Other lasting consequences of the battle include the geographical separation of the Kingdom of Madonna and the Empire. It is believed that there was once a significant landmass connecting these regions, now lost beneath the Eternal Storm. The only remaining land bridge is the very one over which the two great powers continue to feud. And then, of course, there are the scars left in the form of mountain ranges, cavernous rifts, and shattered landscapes. Yoragrial’s spine alone stretches across the Empire, while the mountains surrounding Cromio, and the Black Peaks bordering the Eternal Storm are all remnants of this ancient battle.

  Following the battle, the Kingdom of Madonna and the Empire were officially established. This period, known as the Post-Shattering Era (PSE), spanned from 0 to roughly 1,000 PSE. Though the exact dates remain uncertain, it is generally believed that these nations solidified their rule within the first few centuries, likely between 200 and 300 PSE.

  The next significant event in the timeline of the great powers was the crowning of the new royal bloodlines. The founder of Madonna, King Zenker Windrock, ascended to the throne after years of conflict due to Viwkram Madonna’s lack of an heir. Meanwhile, in the Empire, Empress Everly mysteriously vanished around 800 PSE. To this day, it is unknown whether she perished or simply disappeared beyond the Walls. No records, sightings, or evidence of her fate exist in the thousand years since. Eventually, her successor, Emperor Iman Vonnegut von Light Sheen, took the throne, marking a new era.

  Between 1,000 and 2,500 PSE, both governments slowly solidified their structures as myriad rulers took their respective Thrones—and the Imperial Senate and Madonna’s Courts emerged as the dominant political institutions. Some scholars speculate that the foundations of these systems were laid even before the Shattering, though this remains unproven. Regardless, the formation of these two great powers fundamentally altered the world as we know it today.

  As time passed, new factions began to emerge. The first and weakest among the Four Great Powers was The Under. The exact timeline of its colonization is uncertain, but the first recorded exploration of its vast cavern networks dates back to 1,265 PSE. Over time, the underground civilization flourished—particularly around the World Tree at its heart—eventually becoming a vital trade hub for both the Empire and Madonna.

  Between 1,000 and 2,500 PSE, various factions rose and fell. The Coalition of Clans, the Great Pirate Alliance, and even the Kingdom of Emory all either crumbled or were absorbed into the territories of greater powers. Eventually, with all available land within the Walls claimed except for the uncharted and dangerous Beast barons, a new power arose—The Guilds. Officially formed in 2,562 PSE, the Guilds did not seize territory but instead consolidated the strongest individuals into powerful coalitions. Over the next five centuries, they steadily grew in influence, rivaling even the two ancient nations and the marvel of the under. Their rise culminated in a turning point just five years ago—but that is a story for another time.

  And so, we arrive at the modern era. The Four Great Powers now control 99% of all high-realm individuals and nearly all desirable land. The only remaining unclaimed territory within the Walls is the Beast Barons, a region plagued by spatial anomalies, illusions, and untamed beasts. Meanwhile, tensions between the two eldest powers continue to rise. The Empire, emboldened by its recent advancements, has begun taking decisive steps forward—led by none other than the Imperial Hero, Alexander Grindelwald, whom I will discuss in greater detail later.

  Now that these foundational explanations are out of the way, I can begin to delve deeper into the geopolitical and economic movements of the Great Powers throughout history, particularly in the modern age, and the key individuals who have shaped our present world. It is a complex and chaotic history, but it is also fascinating. And though no single person can claim to know it all, if anyone could, it would be me—for I have seen, heard, and witnessed events that will one day guide us either to triumph... or to ruin.