History of Wraeclast

This page is an attempt to piece together the history of Wraeclast from clues from NPC dialog, item flavour text, environmental lore, and other canonical sources in Path of Exile. Where possible, information is presented from an in-universe point of view, at the time the game begins.

Note: Because information from sources like Insider Newsletters is very likely to change before it makes it into the game, while in-game lore is relatively fixed (or at least, changes can be fairly easily tracked), only in-game lore has been consulted. If you have interesting lore from other places, though, stick it on the Discussion page!

Pre-history

Very little is known about the early history of Wraeclast. However, Navali's dialogue suggests that the first event in the history of Wraeclast was the formation of the stars. The Trialmaster suggests that the Titans, specifically the Molten One, and Kalandra are all knowledgeable about the "Beginning of Time".

The Lake of Kalandra

Main page: Kalandra

When Wraeclast was a primordial molten world of ooze and magma. Kalandra arrived to the land, and there she discovered, against all logic, a boundless lake existing within it full of basalt pillars. Finding herself back at the lake every time she tries to leave with no memory of her escape attempt, Kalandra would remain trapped in the lake to this day, observing the outside world from within in isolation.

Over the years, Kalandra would receive many guests, many of which were ambitious mortals seeking fortune. Her visitors include The Clayshaper, Krillson, Master Fisherman, and Einhar. She was visited by the Order of the Djinn, who swore to free her, but, upon discovering "the truth of [the Lake]", she was forsaken and abandoned. Kalandra's newest etchings suggest that she has devised a new plan to escape.

The Titans

Main page: Warbands

In this realm of primordial magma, a race of titans walked the earth. While most of the titans eventually fell before the rise of humanity, humans eventually began to populate the volcanoes of the titans, though the titans were mostly indifferent. At one point, a human outpost belonging to El'Abin, Bloodeater was destroyed and subsumed into the caldera by a titan. The ancestors of the humans from the volcanoes, known as the Redblades, regularly worship and ritualistically sacrifice humans in the name of the Molten One, possibly due to this event, the destruction of their "home". The last remaining titans allied with the humans to fight against "the rising darkness" by forging powerful weapons for them, as well as assisting to control the first virtue gem. While the humans largely survived, the titans were almost entirely wiped out, with the Molten One being their only surviving member. This "rising darkness" is speculated to have been the Lightless, possibly in conjunction with the Winter of the World.

Primeval civilization

Main page: Primeval civilization

A primeval civilization existed at some point before the Winter of the World. Very little is known about this civilization. The only physical evidence of this civilization remaining can be found buried under the Vaal and Lightless civilizations in the Azurite Mines. While the primeval civilization is often referred to as the "Proto-Vaal", owing to this term appearing consistently in game files regarding members of this civilization, this term has never been recorded in-game.

The First King

Main page: The First King

The First King, possibly the founder of this civilization, led the rest of his people on a journey (possibly a migration) to the later site of his civilization during a cold winter. He is referred to by the three Uzaza's rings (Uzaza's MeadowUzaza's Meadow
Sapphire RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance+20 to Dexterity
5% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum LifeCold winds blasted what little grew on the icy surface.
The gifts of the land lay hidden deeper,
and only patience and persistence would free them.This item can be combined with a Mountain and Valley ring at a Vendor., Uzaza's MountainUzaza's Mountain
Sapphire RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance+20 to Dexterity
5% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum LifeThe narrow path turned to rough rocks that led towards the sky.
One last obstacle in a life-long journey
to find a land they could call home.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Valley ring at a Vendor., Uzaza's ValleyUzaza's Valley
Sapphire RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance+20 to Dexterity
5% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum LifeSheltered beneath thick ice, the river ferried fat fish towards the sea.
But the First King knew the river's secret, and the fish were not the only ones who grew fat.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Mountain ring at a Vendor.). His name is unknown; some speculate it to be "Uzaza", judging from the associated rings, while others suggest it might be "Ahn", a figure referred to by Ahn's HeritageAhn's Heritage
Colossal Tower ShieldChance to Block: 29%
Armour: (783-1202)
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 67, 159 Str+(10-20) to maximum Life(50-100)% increased Armour
+(60-80) to maximum Life
-1 to Maximum Endurance Charges
-10% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
+6% Chance to Block
+2% to all maximum Resistances while you have no Endurance Charges
You have Onslaught while at maximum Endurance Charges"It's not Karui, Azmeri or even Vaal in origin,
but one thing is certain. It is very, very old."
- Icius Perandus, Antiquities Collection, Item 46, Ahn's ContemptAhn's Contempt
Praetor CrownArmour: (257-444)
Energy Shield: (81-139)Requires Level 68, 62 Str, 91 Int+(15-20) to all Attributes
(60-140)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
+(60-70) to maximum Life
-1 to Maximum Power Charges
Gain (8-12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Chaos Damage while at maximum Power Charges
You take 50% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes while you have no Power Charges"To touch it is to be overwhelmed with the need to carve your name into history.
A face no one remembers, yet once you have seen it, you will never forget."
- Icius Perandus, Antiquities Collection, Item 48, & Ahn's MightAhn's Might
Midnight BladeOne Handed Sword
Physical Damage: (115-150) to (249-304)
Critical Strike Chance: (5.75-6.25)%
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 68, 213 Str, 113 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy RatingAdds (80-115) to (150-205) Physical Damage
(15-25)% increased Critical Strike Chance
-1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges
10% increased Area of Effect
+100 Strength Requirement
+50% Global Critical Strike Multiplier while you have no Frenzy Charges
+(400-500) to Accuracy Rating while at Maximum Frenzy Charges"Impossibly heavy, yet the ancient edge is keen as any modern blade.
A reminder that, in the end, when we lie in the bellies of worms,
it is what we make that makes us."
- Icius Perandus, Antiquities Collection, Item 47 and depicted in a Primeval Ruins mural.

Aul, the Crystal King

Main page: Aul, the Crystal King

Aul, the Crystal King was once a slave under an unnamed king who worked to quarry stone, possibly to construct the pyramidal structure depicted in one of the murals. Through predominately his leadership, Aul earned the respect of his people and led an uprising possibly to overthrow the king that enslaved them, rising to power and becoming "the Crystal King". Aul is likely the last king of the primeval civilization, as he can be encountered as a boss in the Azurite Mines. His position below the Lightless suggests that his civilization may have been buried in a cataclysmic event involving the Lightless, possibly the Winter of the World. At some point, Aul was visited by Tangmazu, and shown a vision of a future where Aul and his civilization were forgotten and destroyed.

Ahkeli, the Clayshaper

Main page: The Clayshaper

Ahkeli, the Clayshaper was a member of the primeval civilization referred to by Ahkeli's rings (Ahkeli's MeadowAhkeli's Meadow
Ruby RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+20 to Strength
5% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum LifeWhere once had stood a village, lay naught but splinters.
Some had once been her home.
Some had once been her creations.
Some had once been her family.This item can be combined with a Mountain and Valley ring at a Vendor., Ahkeli's MountainAhkeli's Mountain
Ruby RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+20 to Strength
5% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum LifeFleeing the destruction set upon her home,
the Clayshaper sought safety in the clouds of ash above.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Valley ring at a Vendor., Ahkeli's ValleyAhkeli's Valley
Ruby RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+20 to Strength
5% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum LifeThe river, once fertile and fresh,
and flowing briskly to the sea,
now stood, stained, at a standstill.
Dammed by the coagulating dead.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Mountain ring at a Vendor.) and the Abyss Scarabs whose home and family were destroyed in a cataclysmic event speculated to be the Winter of the World. After seeking refuge in the "clouds of ash above", Ahkeli joined forces with an akhara of Maraketh to found the Order of the Djinn, eventually defeating the Lightless.

The Azmeri

Main page: The Azmeri

Sin and Innocence

Further information: Gods, Sin, Innocence

Gods in Wraeclast were all once ordinary mortals. Through the power of Divinity, which comes from the power of "believers and faith", certain mortals were able to "transcend" and achieve godhood, often sacrificing their humanity. The gods were not perfect and still retained human flaws.

The Maraketh

Main page: The Maraketh

The most important commandment in our people's tradition is this: Honour the Mother, Honour the Life.

Irasha, "Maraketh Tradition"

The Maraketh are an ancient, matriarchal and ascetic race of people that inhabited the vastness of the present-day Vastiri Desert. The Maraketh inhabited the Vastiri Desert "thousands of years ago" during Kahuturoa's time, when it was a verdant region of "lush rivers and forests". For this reason, the Vastiri Desert is sometimes referred to as a "plains", despite no longer being one.

A semi-nomadic people, Maraketh traditionally live moving caravans. Their capital, Maraketh, is located to the north of the desert. The Maraketh are a matriarchal society, led by female leaders known as sekhema. In Maraketh tradition, tattoos are marks of shame or criminality. Proverbs and legends are ubiquitous in Maraketh culture.

Upon reaching their first "flower of blood" (likely period), young Maraketh women would enter a "ritual of womenhood". The women were tasked to use a spear to catch a black Maraketh Scorpion. Wounds inflicted with their poison were immediately fatal. Passing this trial deemed a woman worthy of carring the dekhara's spear. The Maraketh Coronation Ritual for sekhema involves anointment by a feather of the Great RocSekhema Feather"And how shall we know a sekhema worthy of rule?
By the anointing of the Great Roc, under whose wings we grow and soar."
- Maraketh Coronation Ritual, an animal with significant cultural significance for the Maraketh. A "sky burial" is traditional for respected Maraketh. The Maraketh have an expansive mythology. The Goddess of WaterThe Goddess of Water"The relief depicts some sort of forgotten Maraketh goddess. I have no idea what
the context is. The important thing is that you steal it before Bazira does."Can be exchanged with Faustus, the Fence in The Rogue Harbour depicts a forgotten Maraketh goddess.

Keth

Main page: Keth

Keth was an ancient city with a trade empire described as the "glory of the world". Items like Dekhara's ResolveDekhara's Resolve"A simple ornament from the days when Keth's trade empire was the
glory of the world. Protectors at the massive toll gates wore these."Can be exchanged with Faustus, the Fence in The Rogue Harbour were worn by protectors at Keth's massive toll gates. Sap of the Aturi tree, known only to grow at the "meeting point of the seven waters" was used to make the Incense of KethIncense of Keth"Sap of the Aturi tree, known only to grow at the meeting point of the seven waters.
Nothing since its disappearance has smelled as wondrous."Can be exchanged with Faustus, the Fence in The Rogue Harbour. Tangmazu's dialogue around Garukhan may suggest that they were both present in god form during Keth's glory days. No trace of Keth exists in present day.

The Faridun

Main page: The Faridun

The Faridun are those who have been cast out into the desert by the Maraketh for being "unworthy or flawed". The Faridun worship no gods. Nenet is a member of the Faridun and may have more to say about them. The Faridun cannot "earn" the Maraketh "sky burial", instead choosing to cremate their dead and storing their ashes in urns.

The Ezomytes

Main page: The Ezomytes

The Ezomytes are a race of people who originate from Ezomyr, located to the west of the Wraeclastian mainland. The Ezomyte worship the First Ones, a race of god-like immortal beings. At some point, most of Ezomyr was wiped out by a plague.

The First Ones

Main page: The First Ones

The Ezomytes believe that the First Ones's "ravaging hunt" will eventually bring them to Wraeclast, bringing forth the end of time, with the survivors being brought with them to the "Great Grove". The First Ones that are currently named are Craiceann, First of the Deep, Farrul, First of the Plains, Fenumus, First of the Night, Saqawal, First of the Sky, and the Greatwolf. Tukohama once fought a war against the First Ones. The conclusion is unclear.

The Karui

Main page: The Karui

The Karui is term commonly used to describe a race of nomadic people who originate from Ngamakanui, and archipelago of islands to the South of the Wraeclast. However, to the Karui, the term "Karui" is actually an informal name for "anyone of the blood, whether a chieftain, a child, or a kaivana." To them, Ngamakanui is really a composite term, formed with Nga ("from" or "of) and Makanui (the Karui Way) that can refer to anywhere roamed by the Karui, instead of to a fixed set of islands.

Before the Karui Way, "The King's Feast" was an ancient tradition where a conquered tribe would prepare a great feast for the triumphant "King". Through this process, the two tribes would "become one".

The Karui worship a vast pantheon of differing and ever-changing gods. Not all Karui tribes share the same gods - geographically isolated groups, like those in Western Ngamakanui beyond Ezomyr, worship gods unbeknownst to those of Wraeclast. Nor are the gods worshipped by a given tribe set in stone - they may change their gods, depending on whether their god has brought them prosperity. All the Karui tribes have very differing ideas on how the world will end.

Tukohama and Ngamahu

Tukohama's axe is called Anger, his spear is called Greed, and their victims are the minds and hearts of all Karui.

Sin, "Tukohama"

The Karui were once a "peaceful culture of farmers and fishermen", before Tukohama arrived. Tukohama put axes in the hands the Karui, and gave them the impetus to fight and conquer.

For years, the Tukohama tribe was in continual conflict with the tribe of Ngamahu, Mother of Fire. The constant raids and attacks were set both tribes back, and exposed the danger of other tribes surpassing them both. To end it, Tukohama and Ngamahu "went through the traditions together". Tukohama aided her in the forging of a legendary axe, Ngamahu's FlameNgamahu's Flame
Abyssal AxeTwo Handed Axe
Physical Damage: (218.7-234.9) to (326.7-350.9)
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: (1.35-1.40)
Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 55, 128 Str, 60 Dex20% chance to Trigger Level 16 Molten Burst on Melee Hit
(170-190)% increased Physical Damage
(8-12)% increased Attack Speed
60% of Physical Damage Converted to Fire Damage
Damage Penetrates 20% Fire Resistance"The Karui savages claim the weapon was forged by their fire god.
I'm rather inclined to believe them."
- Fairgraves, Renowned Explorer while Ngahamu gave him her ring, Ngamahu's SignNgamahu's Sign
Ruby RingRequires Level 28+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+(15-25) to Strength
Adds (20-25) to (30-35) Fire Damage to Spells and Attacks
15% increased Ignite Duration on Enemies
10% chance to Ignite
Recover (20-30) Life when you Ignite an EnemyA gift from Ngamahu,
a sign to the Karui to spread like fire.
Given to Akoya, but inherited by Kaom with the swing of his axe..

Tukohama once fought a war against the First Ones. The conclusion is unclear.

Sione and Lani Hua

We have not been abandoned by our two strongest gods. They are out there protecting us every single minute of every single day, and they cannot rest for even a moment.

Ikiaho, "Lani Hua"

Thousands of years ago, a figure that may have been Ramako, Father of the Sun visited Sione, Mother of the Sun under the cover of darkness granted by Rongokurai, Father of the Night. After many of these visits, Arohongui, Daugher of the Moon was born. Ramako claimed that it wasn't him, and that he had been impersonated, evidenced by the fact that Arohongui lacked any of the light and warmth that would have been passed down to her. The impersonator may have been a "deceiver", long ago locked away for this crime. This deceiver may have been the Raven Trickster referred to in the Viridian Wildwood, Tangmazu, or both. The Karui in the Halls of the Dead have very differing outlooks on this event depending on the tribe from which they come.

Regardless, Sione was furious, and the two sisters went out into the night sky to wage was against each other. However, when they got there, they found another threat, something that "drives even the strongest warrior to madness and panic". Since then, they have been absent from the Karui, fighting a war amongst the stars against this newfound threat. While their warriors were sworn to silence, "the feverish ones" let out the information that is known today.

Kitava, Father of Chaos

Main page: Kitava

Kitava is a "primal deity", who originated from the human desire of Hunger.

Kitava's Hunger

The three items retrieved by the exile in the Act 5 quest Kitava's Torments are related to events in Kitava's past when he was pusihed by his fellow Karui gods for his greed and hunger.

One day, Kitava consumed the entirely of a feast of birds he had offered to keep watch over. When he was found out, Tukohama pulled out the sharpest tooth in his mouth (Tukohama's ToothTukohama's Tooth"The belly cannot hunger for what the eyes cannot see."
- Karui Proverb), and slashed Kitava's face twice, forming a diagonal X on his face. This blinded him so that he could never again offer to keep watch over a feast he intended to consume.

To replace the birds, Tukohama and Valako went fishing. Although he was blind, Kitava was taken along as he could still cast his line. However, while Tukohama and Valako fished, Kitava secretly ate all their bait of grub and worms. Angered, Valako pulled out his jawbone (Valako's JawValako's Jaw"One day you eat the fish. One day you feed the fish."
- Karui Proverb) and impaled Kitava with it, using Kitava's body as the new bait. However, instead of the fish eating Kitava, Kitava ate them all. When the fat-bellied Kitava was pulled back up, they knew that Kitava had to be punished one more time.

Kitava was taken to Hinekora, Mother of Death. They asked her to kill the greedy Kitava, for the tribe would surely starve if his eating continued. Instead, she whipped him with a lock of her own hair (Hinekora's HairHinekora's Hair"What we steal in life we repay in death."
- Karui Proverb), driving him into the darkest corner of the underworld, without water and food, for the rest of eternity. There he remained and suffered bound to a rock he could not lift with all his might. Kitava vowed that when he broke free, he would devour every soul in Hinekora's domain.

The Vaal

Main page: The Vaal

The Vaal are the oldest identified race in Wraeclast, almost completely forgotten in modern times. At the height of its prosperity, it was the most powerful nation in the known world.

The Vaal were the first known users of virtue gems. Vaal bloodpriests discovered that the souls of those recently killed would, for a short moment, search for any other source of life. In this moment, they could be captured in a vaal skill gem. Then, the abilities of the gem would be empowered by these souls.

Human sacrifice and blood sacrifice were extremely prolific in Vaal society. Human sacrifice were used to empower their constructs, and through them their civilization. The Vaal also engaged in slavery.

Origins of the Vaal

Due to their antiquity, very little is known about the origin of the Vaal. It is highly unclear if the cryptic Vaal origin story about Xibaqua told by {Demon StitcherDemon Stitcher
Satin GlovesEnergy Shield: (128-153)Requires Level 41, 60 Int(15-20)% increased Cast Speed
+(100-120) to maximum Energy Shield
+(100-120) to maximum Life
Sacrifice (5-25)% of Life to gain that much Energy Shield when you Cast a SpellXibaqua's treachery was met with divine fury.
One by one, the gods reclaimed their flesh, until all that remained was a droplet of pure light:
The first Vaal. and Mask of the Stitched DemonMask of the Stitched Demon
Magistrate CrownArmour: (160-189)
Energy Shield: (193-219)Requires Level 58, 64 Str, 64 Int+(40-50) to Intelligence
+(160-180) to maximum Energy Shield
Strength provides no bonus to Maximum Life
Intelligence provides no inherent bonus to Maximum Mana
+1 to Maximum Life per 2 Intelligence
Your Energy Shield starts at zero
Cannot gain Energy Shield
Regenerate 1% of Life per second per 500 Maximum Energy ShieldFrom the flesh of the gods, Xibaqua was born.
From the carnage of Xibaqua, we were born.
It is our duty to return to the gods what was once theirs. is mythology or history, or a combination of the two. Xibaqua's naming in a variant of Glorious VanityGlorious Vanity
Timeless JewelLimited to: 1 Historic
Radius: LargeBathed in the blood of (100-8000) sacrificed in the name of (Ahuana-Doryani-Xibaqua)
Passives in radius are Conquered by the Vaal
HistoricThey believed themselves the pinnacle of civilisation, but that height toppled their empire.Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket. suggests that they and the story were well-known in Vaalish society.

Despite the name "Proto-Vaal" often given to the primeval civilization, no connection between the two peoples has been proven.

On Oriath

Although traditionally confined to the Wraeclastian mainland, spanning the majority of the regions later conquered by the Eternal Empire, it is known that Vaal culture had once extended to the shores of the island of Oriath. Queen Atziri also used Oriath as a "vault" to keep valuable goods. One such good was the Elixir of AllureElixir of AllureFamous for her many lovers, those that did not
come willing to Atziri, came by liquid persuasion., a famed love potion said to have been kept in the skulls of Atziri's favourite lovers. In the Act 10 quest No Love for Old Ghosts, the exile retrieves this potion from the Ossuary for Weylam Roth.

Contacting the Azmeri

Around 1160 BC, the Vaal first made contact with the Azmeri living in the Azmerian ranges. At the time, the Azmeri were still composed of primitive tribes. The Vaal introduced agriculture and literacy to the Azmeri, assisting them in the creation of the first Azmerian written language. While the Vaal were generous with sharing their knowledge in many areas, they never divulged any information about the virtue gems with which their skin was adorned.

Ralakesh

The god Ralakesh, "Master of a Million Faces", was a Vaal god who rose to prominence at some point before the reign of Atziri. He was obsessed with the control of humanity through their "animal instincts", and came under the control of a certain Vaal city. His experiments drove his citizens to the brink of extinction, and he was forced to enslave many of the primitive Azmeri to repopulate his domain. In the Act 7 quest The Master of a Million Faces, the exile encounters and kills Ralakesh to claim his soul and empower their pantheon.

Yugul

Yugul, "Reflection of Terror", was a Vaal scholar obsessed with the study of fear, which he believed to be an idea upon which the "bedrock" of the "great cosmos" was formed. He would induce terror in children and capture their reactions in "eldritch mirrors" designs of his own creation that could "petrify fear" for further study. He used this understanding of human nature and control over fear to enter the halls of Vaal leadership, and eventually scare enough Vaal into worshipping him, allowing him to ascend to godhood. IN the Act 8 quest Reflection of Terror, the exile encounters and kills Yugul to claim his soul and empower their pantheon.

Arakaali

Arakaali, "Spinner of Shadows" said to crawled up from the "blackest pits" during the creation of the world, was really a mortal temptress and seductress whose "lust for loin" transformed her into an arachnid. She became a Vaal goddess of fertility, who would often assume a human form and, after copulating with her victims (the genders of whom were unclear), would satiate her "divine thirst" by draining them of their bodily fluid. Her acolytes would collect the husk and give it a place in her temple, the modern day Temple of Decay. Despite primarily being known as a Vaal goddess, she was first worshipped by the Azmeri. In the Act 7 quest The Mother of Spiders, the exile encounters and defeats Arakaali in the Temple of Decay Level 2 to claim her soul and empower their pantheon.

Reign of Queen Tetzlapokal

Queen Tetzlapokal, described by scholars as a "waif of disturbing proclivities", was a devotee of the goddess Arakaali who lived at some point before the reign of Atziri. According to literature, she had a deep fascination with mortality and the "inert human form". Her subjects were requested to deposit the bodies of their deceased loved ones on the steps of her palace, upon which the bodies would be taken inside. Eramir is unable to describe exactly what was done with the bodies taken inside, but his dialogue suggests some form of necrophilia. The Vaal City rose to prominence during her reign.

Reign of Queen Atziri

Queen Atziri was the last Queen of the Vaal, as the actions of her and her thaumaturge, Doryani, led to the Vaal Cataclysm and the fall of the Vaal.

Early reign

Atziri was a vain, narcissistic, and beautiful ruler, obsessed with eternal beauty and youth. Although dissenters in her court were usually sacrificed, she sometimes took matters into her own hands.

Atziri held court naked in a "throne room of mirrors", demanding the same of anyone wishing an audience with her. Scholars believe that she used her "striking physical appearance" to solicit "courtly engagements in her favour", especially from men.

"When you have nothing to hide,

you have nothing to fear."

— Atziri, Queen of the Vaal

Kishara

Kishara, a Vaal explorer from Atziri's time from travelled "every coast, cove and bay" with the help of her thaumaturgical guide, Kishara's StarKishara's StarTo the wily Kishara's eye, a star brighter than the sun., fell out of Atziri's favour for an unknown reason. Atziri took Kishara's ship and made sacrifices out of her crew, forcing Kishara to escape and go into hiding. However, before she left, she hid Kishara's Star near the Causeway. In the Act 7 quest Kishara's Star, the exile retrieves Kishara's Star in the Causeway for Weylam Roth.

Zerphi

During Atziri's reign, a Vaalish noble named Zerphi caught her attention for having lived to 168. He was a serial killer; over a period of 128 years, Zerphi had abducted, tortured, and murdered thirteen victims, all Gemlings of noble descent at their twentieth year of life. Post-mortem revealed that each victim had been tortured and mutilated slowly, all while they were still alive. When Zerphi himself was found dead next to his thirteenth victim, whose body appeared untouched, instead of that of a centenarian, it was discovered that his body resembled that of a twenty year-old.

Atziri tasked her premier thaumaturgist, Doryani, with the task of researching Zerphi's methods of achieving his longevity and vitality, ordering him to "make any effort within the realms of possibility, and to act without fear of question or consequence". The source of Zerphi's longevity may have been his devotion to an unidentified "god of death". Doryani's methods were brutal - countless Vaal between the ages of 16-26 were sent to him, yet none survived and his experiments proved unsuccessful.

The Temple of Atzoatl

The Temple of Atzoatl's construction is said to have began in the final years of Atziri's reign, with it being completed shortly before the Vaal Cataclysm. Its exact location has been lost to time and, for the denizens of Wraeclast, its existence and purpose now lie within the realm of mythology.

At the peak of Atzoatl's influence, evidence suggests that Atziri herself moved her seat of power to there. This may be why she can be encountered in the Throne of Atziri area of The Temple of Atzoatl.

While little is known about the temple's true purpose, it was used, among other purposes, for the storing of riches acquired from trade with the Karui and Maraketh; the development of mechanical technology; worship of Corruption; Doryani's experiments with gems; playing host to the Cult of Purple Flame, which worshipped Chayula; the study of cold, fire, and lightning; the study of the control of the weather; the pursuit of immortality; sacrifice; the study of Legion monoliths; the crafting of weapons and armour; and the study of maps.

The temple was filled with ambushes and traps to deter potential plunderers. According to myth, the heart of the temple, the Temple Nexus, "imbued its denizens with vigour".

At The Temple of Atzoatl, the Vaal were repeatedly attacked by a certain "horrifying murderous entity". To defend, the Vaal stationed a "great many warriors" and bred "a great many creatures" to defend against the attacks. Little is known about this entity; its origins, motivations, and ultimate fate are up for speculation.

Fall of the Vaal

Despite Doryani's failures to replicate Zerphi's success, Atziri never lost her desire for immortal life. Under her reign, she began demanding life and blood sacrifice from her subjects. As Atziri grew more desperate and the blood of the empire began to run dry, more and more Vaal were sent to the altar every day - from the common thief to the most devoted thaumaturge or most trusted advisor, none were exempt. However, it was the lower classes that suffered the most. The Vaal used these souls of those sacrifice to power their Vaal gems.

For their sacrifice, Atziri promised immortality not just for herself, but for the entire Vaal population.However, due to her history of vanity and narcissism, it is questionable whether she had ever intended to save the other Vaal as opposed to keeping immortality only to herself.

Some of the Vaal were fully accepting of Atziri's sacrifices and rituals, but others expressed disillusionment and dissentAny such protestors were quickly arrested and at her altars.

Atziri became obsessed with gems as well as sacrifice. Soon, they were too ubiquitous in Vaal society. Historical recountings of the Vaal describe their bodies as were glittering, adorned with gems all over.

Signs of the Vaal civilization's decline began showing even before The Fall.

The Vaal Cataclysm

The Vaal Catalysm, also known as The Fall, was a historical event that brought an end to the Vaal Empire, from which only 3,126 Vaal survived. The fate of Atziri, Doryani, and the rest of Vaal is unknown and up for speculation, even to Wraeclastian scholars.

Very little is known about the cause the Vaal Cataclysm. Under Atziri, Doryani's attempts to reach immortality grew in size and scope, until he began work on his final project. At the time of or in preparation for this project, Atziri took her treasures and moved them to Vaults of AtziriVaults of Atziri
Vaal Pyramid MapMap Level: 71
Map Tier: 4
Guild Character: gChests have (2500-3500)% increased Item Rarity
Area contains no monsters
Chest drop scaling is disabled. (Hidden)
Found Items have (20-40)% chance to drop Corrupted in Area"Should I depart this mortal coil,
so shall all of my treasures."
- Atziri, Queen of the VaalTravel to this Map by using it in a personal Map Device. Maps can only be used once..

The result of the catalytic reaction would be either immortality for all,

or death for all. It was a risk Doryani was willing to take.

— Doryani's CatalystDoryani's Catalyst
Vaal SceptreSceptre
Physical Damage: (102-122) to (170-230)
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Attacks per Second: (1.55-1.61)
Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 75, 113 Str, 113 Int32% increased Elemental DamageSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 20 Elemental Proliferation
Adds (65-85) to (100-160) Physical Damage
(11-15)% increased Attack Speed
(6-10)% increased Cast Speed
(30-40)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance
0.2% of Elemental Damage Leeched as Life
(80-100)% increased Elemental DamageThe result of the catalytic reaction would be either immortality for all,
or death for all. It was a risk Doryani was willing to take.

The exact details of his experiments and its fallout are extremely nebulous due to lack of documentation. However, it involved manipulating the powers of the Beast, its thaumaturgy, corruption, gems, sacrifice, "communion", the "harvest moon", "sleep", "nightmare", maps, and possibly The Elder.

Doryani did not appear to be successful. Due to the cataclysmic nature of the event, little is known about what truly happened to the Vaal. However it is known that only 3,126 survived, to seek refuge with the nearby Azmeri. When asked about the Fall, none of the survivors could say what had happened. Over time, they assimilated into the Azmeri population until no Vaal remained. Despite the ubiquity of gems in the Vaal civilization, none of these survivors had any; when the Kalguur showed them an image of one, a "great panic arose" and the Kalguur were banished from the Azmerian mountains.

"... tattered, shambling survivors, bereft of their families, their wealth, and in many cases, their sanity."

— Trinian, "The Ancients", Book 5: The Fall

As for Atziri, she managed to preserve her beauty into as the cost of sacrificing her humanity, relegated to a "nightmare realm" and unable to return to Wraeclast. Doryani's fate is unclear. In Atziri's "crimson nightmare" realm, she is joined by other Vaal who continue to sacrifice themselves to her over and over, only to rise again each time.The Trialmaster describes Atziri's realm of "crimson madness and nightmare" as being beyond the reach of his master, Chaos.

The Kalguur

Further information: The Kalguur

The Kalguur are a race of people who originate from a landmass far removed from Wraeclast. Little is known about their civilization. The Kalguur do not use virtue gems, nor do they worship gods the way Wraeclastians do. Instead, Kalguuran runesmiths craft runes on Kalguuran armour to capture and shape starlight, giving power to their armour and weapons. Kalguuran runes on related item bases may be the source of the Ward defence mechanic.

"The priests of the Kalguur worshipped knowledge, not gods."

— FaithguardFaithguard
Runic HelmWard: (51-63)Requires Level 25, 30 Str, 30 Dex, 30 Int+(20-30) to Intelligence
(25-35)% increased Ward
(40-60)% faster Restoration of Ward
(15-25)% increased Light Radius
Increases and Reductions to Maximum Energy Shield instead apply to WardThe priests of the Kalguur worshipped knowledge, not gods.

Expedition to Wraeclast

The Vaal Cataclysm did not go unnoticed by the Kalguur. They experienced the shaking of the land, the appearance of a "crimson sun", and stars falling to the land like meteors, which they interpreted as an "Omen". In response, their king Cadigan the Third commissioned an "expedition" to that land, which would carry the Triskelion Flame for protection. The trip was led by Olroth, leader of the Knights of the Sun; Uhtred, High Priest of the Order of the Chalice; Vorana, Mercenary leader of the Black Scythes; and Medved, of the Druids of the Broken Circle.

Arrival

The journey was beset by "black clouds and red lightning" and lasted almost "two seasons". The rain and fish were poisoned and had to be cleansed by the Triskelion Flame. Upon arriving to Wraeclast, the Kalguurans were attacked by "horrors" on all sides.

"On the seventh night", the clouds parted, revealing the stars. Olroth staked the Triskelion Flame and the group began building fortifications. After competing the "barrier rites", the Flame projected a "starlight barrier" with which they could withstand attacks.

Discovery of the Vaal

The Knights of the Sun soon encountered the ruins of the destroyed Vaal Empire. In it, its former residents either "lay charred", dead, or rose again as undead, "glittering" and adorned with gems. Upon seeing this, Uhtred declared the gems "unclean". Most of the Vaal had died in the streets while trying to flee. However, the richest nobles and priests locked barricaded themselves into their temples to guard their riches. In the city of Utzaal, they had gone as far to open the waterways, drowning themselves to spite future looters. They were successful, as the Knights were unable to drain its waters to reach the treasure. However, they were successful with many of the other cities, establishing Wraeclast as a source of "wealth beyond imagination".

Colonisation

Recognizing the potential bounty of the land, more and more settlers began arriving to the landmass. First craftsmen, then merchants, freemen, followed by women and children. By the third year, a village charter was established. However, the influx of arrivals soon meant that the Triskelion Flame's starlight barrier would not be enough to protect them all. Vorana and her Black Scythe mercenaries learned to keep their distance, fighting the horrors with crossbows atop constructed walls. Ten more villages were soon established.

Trade with "island-men" (the Karui) and "mountain-men" (the Azmeri) soon began, despite the fact that they couldn't understand each other's languages. The Prime Remembrancer recorded some Karui songs for later deciphering and met surviving Vaal living with the Azmeri. When he drew the shape of gem into the ground in the presence of the Azmeri, a "great panic" arose and the Kalguur were banished from the Azmerian ranges. Hearing this, King Cadigan the Third banned all gems and forbid them from being shipped to their homeland.

The Kalguuran outposts became increasingly populated by "dissidents", "pariahs", "religious fanatics" and "lost-men", all seeking "new lives in a new land". However, while the Triskelion Flame could hold it at bay, it couldn't prevent the fallout of the Vaal Cataclysm, known to the Kalguur as the "curse of the land", from reanimating those who fell on "the fringes" as "shambling creature[s] in the night".

Medved's "nature-mystics" discovered that if there were any gems nearby upon a human's death, a "breath or a vapour" could be observed leaving the corpse and moving towards the gem. This likely refers to the mechanics of vaal souls previously documented by the Vaal. Upon seeing this, Medved declared that all humans possessed "some essence" not yet understood. For this, Uhtred declared him a blasphemer, who ordered for Medved to be banished to the fringes. Medved paid a "great sum" to avoid this fate and the matter was concluded.

Caravans and runners sent to "the fringes" did not return, and Olroth arrived to discover that they had "lost a great many of their number" by "horrors never before seen". Olroth and his Knights ordered an evacuation of the fringes, and set fire to the forests in an act that led to a "vast line of flame" burning from "the southern rivers to the northern sands". The reason for this drastic action was unclear. Upon returning, Olroth expanded the influence of the Starlight Barrier, increasing its range but severely weakening its strength. Olroth the Gallant soon instead became known as "Olroth the Grim".

The Broken Circle

Olroth encountered a new entity known as the "Empty-Eyed Fiend", whom he recorded slaying a young woman slated to begin warrior training upon her "Second Passage". Observing the capability of the horrors to evolve and adapt to the Kalguuran tactics, Medved and his nature developed a new tactic previously forbidden by their beliefs: the systematic culling out of a species of horror. Olroth and his knights used this strategy to completely wipe out the "Vorniculia". However, Olroth's efforts were continually frustrated by his inability to defeated the Empty-Eyed Fiend. Seeing that the Fiend could be damaged by neither "mortal blade" nor "mortal flame", Olroth resolved to use "the gems of power", despite the Azmeri's warnings.

Journeying into the night along, Olroth set out to defeat the Fiend alone, with a gem socketed the pommel of his sword. When he encountered the Fiend, his gem cast forth a "beam of starlight" that turned a missed slice into a "cutting lethal blow". He returned to town with the Fiend's head. The summer that the Knights of the Sun began affixing the gems to their weapons and armour, Medved of the Druids of the Circle went among the people: "The future-past has become clouded. Scrying pools in this land often remain tainted with crimson fog, but this is something new. The night that Olroth departed alone, I could no longer see the past. Thus, the future is unknown." His order became known as the Druids of the Broken Circle.

Vorana, leader of the Black Scythes, approached Medved in the town square that held the head of the Empty-Eyed Fiend on a pike. She offered a gift of two axes with gem affixed along the handles, and the two began training with gems. Empowered by the use of gems, the Knights of the Sun held the horrors to a "stalemate". Many great heroes rose to prominence during this period. Annest, daughter of Medved and Corona, was sent back to the homeland to be raised in safety. Olroth's son, nearing his First Passage, went with her as guardian.

Priesthood conspiracy

A leader arose among horrors, capable of "intelligent deeds and direction". The horrors began striking where the barrier was weakest, or where the patrols did not cross. Medved sent a messenger in the dark, who was allowed to return alive. His fears apparently confirmed, Medved travelled into the night challenge the new leader, and did not return. Gwennen has "no doubt" that Medved had sought to challenge the leader of the horrors in a one-on one battle. High Priest Uhtred suspected treachery, and kept eyes and ears everywhere. They found that, every night, after fighting to exhaustion in the day, Olroth the Grim would steal into the dark, his eyes closed, as if he were asleep. Uhtred made many "devious" plans, in preparation for which he sent his son Owen back to the homeland to "avoid retribution". A week after the harvest, a dozen priests waited for Olroth outside his keep. They used "daggers of sacrament" to stab Olroth in his sleeping state. He was wounded seventy-one times, and fell. Vorana entered and killed all twelve in "in a single stroke".

Olroth was laid upon a bier and attended with medicine, bandages, and herbs. The people roared for the blood of the priesthood, but Uhtred claim to have no knowledge of the attack. On the verge of death, Olroth was encased in glass to "prevent his breath from escaping". In the town square, Vorana confronted Uhtred, asking him why his priests had killed Olroth. He admitted to the crime, responding that he had suspected Olroth of stealing into the night to fight for the horrors. With a scythe to his throat, Olroth promised that, within one week, the enemy would become "disorganized and listless", vindicating the priesthood. Vorana promised to execute him if he was wrong. Within a week, the enemy did not become disorganized and listless, and Olroth went into hiding in an "ancient site of power".

Medved's challenge

That week, a new leader arose among the horrors. It wielded two axes, and challenged any heroes that had a name for themselves to single combat. In forty-two days, it slew forty-two challenges. Vorana recognized that it was her "beloved" Medved, but ordered a full retreat and refused to accept its challenge. Two villages were destroyed.

Understanding that Uhtred had has reason, Vorana sent a messenger to speak with him, bearing a plan to draw back the starlight barrier. The Triskelion Flame would be able to completely protect a few villages safely, instead of the entire region weakly. Th survivors were evacuated to "the core lands", and Vorana found the proper rites to adjust the flame in Olroth's journal, which she sent to Uhtred by messenger. As the Kalguuran forces drew back, instead of retreating, the starlight barrier entirely vanished. She rushed to the Triskelion Flame's altar, only to find it empty. All of the ships in the harbour had been burned and sunk, save one, which had departed. Seeing this Vorana declared to the people that Uhtred was a traitor. The core villages became a "fortress tomb", defended by wall and iron, but inescapable. Upon retreating to Olroth's final resting place, his glass case was found shattered and empty. He was assumed to have arisen to fight the horrors.

Messengers were sent to the Karui and Azmeri, but never returned. New food could not be purified without the flame, and famine set in. Vorana knew that waiting was certain death. She performed the forbidden rites to insert gems into her own flesh, and left the walls.

"I will not rest until every single abomination lies dead!"
— Vorana, Last to Fall

The Shrine

"There is still one way out, one we dared not risk before, hidden under the earth and older than the oldest men... "
— The Prime Remembrancer

The survivors knew that Vorana was unlikely to return. However, one hope remained - an "ancient artifact" that had been found by the Order of the Chalice. Apparently, even the "oldest of men" had recognized its power and built a shrine around it. It was to that shrine Uhtred had fled to escape Vorana's wrath, where the survivors expected to meet him. However, the Kalguuran recounting ends just before reaching the destination.

They built a temple... around the mirror...
Under the earth... to hide from the night sky...
— Medved, on his death

The exact nature of the shrine is shrouded in mystery. Environmental clues suggest that the "oldest of men" were in fact members of the primeval civilization. The Prime Remembrancer's writings describe the shrine as an escape route, which could suggest that it is the same shrine referenced by the flavour text of Forbidden TomeForbidden TomeArea Level: (68-83)Mundus noster cecidit. Daemones ubique sunt. Librum
hunc in sacrarium conicio, ut forte alius viam inveniat...Take this item to the Relic Altar in the Forbidden Sanctum to enter.s. The significance of the mirror is also unknown - no connection has yet been proven to either Kalandra or the Mirror of KalandraMirror of KalandraStack Size: 10Creates a mirrored copy of an itemRight click this item then left click an equipable non-unique item to apply it. Mirrored copies cannot be modified..

Aftermath

Vorana was eventually corrupted, and can be encountered as Vorana, Last to Fall. During her last stand, she was followed by a novice Remembrancer. Her voice lines suggest that part of her original consciousness is still present - however, she still attacks the exile. Medved can be encountered as Medved, Feller of Heroes, and summons cultists to aid him during the fight. he claims to still possess abilities of premonition. Olroth can be encountered as Olroth, Origin of the Fall in the Runic Stronghold subarea, next to the Triskelion Flame. Upon the exile's approach, the Triskelion Flame rises and reanimated him to attack the exile. During the encounter, the exile uses explosives to damage and eventually destroy the flame, defeating Olroth in the process. Uhtred can be encountered as Uhtred, Covetous Traitor in the Precursor Shrine subarea, emerging out of a giant mirror the attack the exile. Tujen concludes that Uhtred must have fallen too to the "corrupting madness", and slain all the survivors at the threshold of the shrine. However, he is unable to explain why Uhtred, who had never touched gems, had gone mad. Uhtred's dialogue may suggest that he underwent an experience similar to when Sirus when he was trapped with the Elder.

While Vorana and the rest of the Kalguur present assumed that Uhtred had taken the flame and sailed away, while Olroth was still fighting the horrors faithfully, the inverse appears to be true. Uhtred evidently did not sail away and burn the remaining ships, as he is at at the Precursor Shrine where he had been hiding from Vorana's wrath, and Olroth is instead the one next to the Triskelion Flame. The significance of this is uncertain, and it is unknown who really sabotaged the port.

The Eternal Empire

The Eternal Empire, or the Sarn Empire, is a faction of Wraeclast founded by the Azmeri, ruled by Emperors from its capital, Sarn. People who originate from this empire are known as "Eternals". Led by General Marceus Lioneye, is one of the factions that can be fought within the Domain of Timeless Conflict. The fallout of the Cataclysm resulted in the fall of the Eternal Empire. It was largely survived by the island of Oriath.

Imperialis Conceptus (1 IC)

Imperialis Conceptus, or the founding of the Eternal Empire, marks the first year of the Eternal calendar, 1 IC.

Tarcus Veruso led "eighty thousand tribesmen and women" of the Azmeri and descended the Azmerian ranges, heading down into the lands left behind by the Vaal Empire after the Vaal Cataclysm. However, although the majority did, not all Azmeri followed Veruso. The Azmeri of The Forest Encampment are the descendants of "their original culture", those who stayed behind. To reach "the promised land", Veruso and his followers first had to traverse "the doomlands", lands ravaged by the fallout of the Cataclysm. Hunger set in, and the tribesmen may have resorted to cannibalism.

"Plant[ing] his banner" upon Azala Vaal, the former capital of the Vaal Empire, Tarcus Veruso founded the capital city of Sarn, and along with it, the Eternal Empire. According to Cadiro Perandus, the first Perandus market stall, later known as the Perandus Markets, was built on this day.

"The Vaal closed their eyes to flesh and stone, to blood and bronze. We are not Vaal. We are Azmeri. For now and forever, our eyes are open."

— Tarcus Veruso, on founding of Sarn

Reign of Tarcus Veruso

As Emperor, Veruso ruled as a "ruthless despot". He sealed and quarantined the "ancient Vaalish centres of power and knowledge", outlawing thaumaturgy in an effort to prevent a second Vaal Cataclysm. Those that "stained themselves" with "Vaalish folly" were burned for their sin. The "Tears of Maji", gems, were collected up and taken, buried under the mountains of Highgate. The caverns there were "sealed and forgotten".

He introduced the system of Legions and legionnaires, conquering many "lands beneath the Mantle" and clearing them of the "mindless constructs" and "fierce abominations" left after the Vaal Cataclysm.

The Ankh of Eternity

The Ankh of Eternity.

When Veruso's wife Chiara died during childbirth, he turned to the Ankh of EternityAnkh of Eternity"The amulet, it... whispers to me. Horrible things..." to try to bring her back. Paired with a specific "Azmerian ritual", the Ankh was said to have been a source of "true resurrection". The origin of the ankh is unknown, but the Azmeri likely already had it in their possession when Tarcus Veruso led them down into their new land. "Inscriptions" upon the ankh suggest that the Ankh was a gift to Veruso from the Vaal, more likely from one of the 3,126 survivors of the Fall.

Clarissa's dialogue suggests that the ritual resulted in Chiara becoming a monster, similar to what happened later to Tolman, but the Eternal records of the event were rewritten to describe a success in an effort to "cover up the truth [of the failure]". Afterwards, Veruso took the ankh himself and hid it "to the east", tucked away in a "shrine in the Quay". Later, as part of the quest Love is Dead, the exile encounters the ankh in the Quay and gives to Clarissa, who unsuccessfully tries to use it to revive Tolman.

Reign of Caspiro

Emperor Caspiro.

After Veruso's death, his successor was decided by the "Lord's Trial", an Azmerian tradition that had brought Veruso to power and would go on to inspire Izaro to build The Lord's Labyrinth. Caspiro, a "low-born legionnaire", was the only survivor of a "labyrinth" that had killed Veruso's only son, and was soon crowned Emperor Caspiro.

Caspiro's reign was cut short, just 5 years after Veruso's death. He was "dismembered" by an unidentified entity known only as "a dark being".

Azmerian writers of the time were "unified" in their description of a "portion of [their] Empire [being] cast into perpetual night", a "pervasive darkness" that enveloped what "would become the imperial heartlands". Wraeclastian historians are uncertain of the cause of these events", suggesting alternatives such as "peculiar weather patterns" or "thaumaturgical residue".

The "pervasive darkness" that Alano Phrecia drove away is "likely" the same darkness that the exile releases in the Vaal Ruins near the Forest Encampment. The Vaal Oversoul was merely a construct built to house that darkness, like a massive totem. The exile breaks that seal in the Vaal Ruins near the Forest Encampment. Later, the Apex is used in a Vaal temple to summon the darkness into the Vaal Oversoul's mechanical body so that it can be destroyed.

Reign of Alano Phrecia

General Alano Phrecia avenged the death of the emperor, defeating the "dark being", dispelling the darkness and returning "the gaze of Solaris" to the "lands stretching from the foot of the Mantle to the Axiom Ranges". For this victory, the "Imperial heartlands" were named in his honour - land that translates the historical Phrecia Cathedral and the modern-day Fellshrine Ruins.

"... our legions drove the dark being deep into the recesses of its lair and sealed it away for eternity"

— Alano Phrecia, first Sacrato of Lurici, 35 I.C., on defeating the "dark being".

In the absence of a clear Veruso succession, Alano Phrecia was crowned emperor, beginning an "unbroken line of Phrecia emperors" that ended with Izaro.

Reign of Romira Phrecian

The Empress, Emperor Romira's wife, gave birth to two sons, whose father was Romira's brother. In "an act of vengeance", Romira held a banquet in which he fed her two sons back to her.

Night of a Thousand Ribbons

The cannibalism and incest of Romira and his family brought great shame onto his subjects.

In protest of the Emperor's activities, Sarn was burned to the ground and Romira was desposed. This event is known as the Night of a Thousand Ribbons; after Sarn's reconstruction, royals of the Eternal Empire would continue to hold festivities celebrating this event on the same day. This event is notable for being the celebration during which Emperor Chitus was betrayed and murdered assassinated by Mayor Ondar during the Purity Rebellion.

Reign of Izaro

Emperor Izaro Phrecius was the last Phrecian emperor of the Eternal Empire. Decades of incest and inbreeding had rendered him impotent. Unable to produce an heir, he turned to a "forgotten tome on a forgotten shelf" of the Sarn Library to decide his successor - a tome entitled 'Ancient Traditions of Azmerian Ascendancy'.

Izaro was inspired by the "Lord's Trial", a "rough-hewn maze festooned with wild animals and brutal traps" created by the Azmeri to determine their "chieftans". Tarcus Veruso himself, the "Prima Imperialus", was tested by one of these "trials" to a become the leader of the Azmeri. .

Izaro saw himself not as a man, but as a divine saviour trapped in a man's body.

— Izaro's DilemmaIzaro's Dilemma
Imperial ClawClaw
Physical Damage: (81-90) to (207-230)
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Attacks per Second: (1.76-1.84)
Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 68, 131 Dex, 95 IntGrants 46 Life per Enemy Hit(80-100)% increased Physical Damage
Adds 20 to 50 Physical Damage
(10-15)% increased Attack Speed
+(300-400) to Accuracy Rating
100% increased Global Physical Damage while FrozenIzaro saw himself not as a man,
but as a divine saviour trapped in a man's body.

Inspired by the Lord's Trial, Izaro built The Lord's Labyrinth as a way to allow The Goddess of Justice to choose his successor. Izaro's labyrinth involved traps such as lava and "boobytrapped decoys", the latter of which killed a trapbuilder, Xirgil, in an accident during its construction.

The High Gardens of Sarn were built by Izaro as a "test run" for the labyrinth, filling it with all sorts of "traps" and "nasty beasties". Convicted criminals were given a choice: Death, or going through the Garden. If they survived, they would be granted an imperial pardon. According to Hargan, no criminals ever made it through.

Perandus conspiracy

Unbeknownst to Izaro, treachery was already growing in his own court, primarily in the Perandus family. The Perandus family, especially Chitus Perandus, son of Julius Perandus, and his uncle Cadiro Perandus, resented Izaro and his Phrecian bloodline for having blocked their family's claims to the throne on the basis of their bloodlines. Cadiro saw the labyrinth as his family's "only clear shot" at "sovereignty".

Perandus gold has filled the imperial coffers.

Perandus minds have crafted this Empire into the marvel it is today.

And has a single Perandus ever sat upon the imperial throne? No.

— Chitus Perandus, Letters from Chitus, Letter 1

Three letters, sent by Chitus to his uncle, Cadiro, on the 3rd Kaso of Vitali, 1316 I.C., 1st Lunaro of Verusi 1317, I.C., 3rd Solaro of Divini, 1318 I.C., are known as the Letters from Chitus. These letters detail Chitus' plans to sabotage Izaro's plans for the Labyrinth and take the throne for himself.

In the first letter, Chitus expresses his dissatisfaction with Izaro's plans for the Labyrinth, believing that the Perandus family deserved the imperial throne far more than any "peasant or peon" emboldened by the opportunity.

In the second letter, Chitus describes three failed assassination attempts on Izaro's life, each time "astutely thwarted" by Izaro's men. Cousin Elano, an illegitimate member of the Perandus family, was executed as part of the failed assassination attempts to prevent any "inconvenient disclosure". Giving up the plans for assassination, Chitus turned to winning the Labyrinth for himself. Using the vast resources of the Perandus family, Chitus "purchased" several of Izaro's overseers, familiarizing himself with the Labyrinth's architectural plans.

In the third letter, Chitus describes training heavily with the duelist Kre Faarblood, a great swordsman of Sarn, only to have Faarblood tried and executed after Faarblood revealed that he was not the "noble blood" that he had claimed to be. He describes Izaro's various "hazards and living horrors", describing spikes that "pop out of the floor", spin on "shifting wheels", and roam about like "predators in search of prey", revealed to him by his bought overseers. Chitus arranged "hirelings" to place "discrete caches of supplies" scattered throughout the Labyrinth to support him during the trial, and concluded with a list of their names to Cadiro to have them executed.

In these plans, Chitus was "aided immeasurably" by his uncle, Cadiro.

The Lord's Labyrinth

On the second Galvano of Azmeri, 1317 IC, Izaro opened The Lord's Labyrinth. To commemorate the occasion, Izaro had the remains of the first claimant", "the first to challenge its treacherous traps", gilded in gold. Among the first challengers were "The Son of Sarn", Chitus Perandus, and Weylin, an Ezomyte slave, "The Son of Ezomyr". Their journey through the labyrinth is recounted by poem environmental lore objects encountered in the labyrinth.

Chitus and Weylin helped each other through the labyrinth. Chitus was as the "Guide", directing them through dangerous traps and mazes, using his bought knowledge of shortcuts, tricks, and cached supplies to give them an unfair advantage. Weylin was the "Warrior", using his superior combat abilities to slay "beast and fiend". Weylin had entered the labyrinth with hopes of becoming emperor and freeing his people, the Ezomytes, of their subjugation under the Eternal Empire. To gain his trust, Chitus told him that he had similar plans, despite having no such intentions whatsoever. At one point, Weylin was badly injured and near death, and Chitus used one of his secrets to save Weylin's life. At another, Chitus was cornered by "slavering beasts", but was saved when Weylin "struck [them] down".

Near the end of the Labyrinth, Chitus betrayed Weylin by offering him a poisoned "flask". Weylin drank of it and died, allowing Chitus to exit the Labyrinth and "ascend" as the next Eternal Emperor.

Reign of Chitus

On the first Kaso of Verusi, 1319 IC, Chitus was crowned Emperor of the Eternal Empire.As emperor, his first action was to seal Izaro into the Lord's Labyrinth, trapping him in his own creation, in which he stayed until his death. The exile can still encounter Izaro as an enemy in The Lord's Labyrinth.

Emperor Chitus was a brutal and charismatic leader as vain as Atziri, who expanded his empire into neighbouring nations "at a great human cost". Chitus' rule was heavily influenced by his "Laureate Thaumaturge", the "Father of Dreams", Malachai. In a Letter to Chitus, Malachai campaigned for the the formation of a "Thaumatocracy", or the integration of virtue gems and thaumaturgy into Eternal society.

Slave trade

During Chitus' reign, the Eternal Empire enslaved the Karui, Ezomyte, and Maraketh. Prominent members of the slave trade included Captain Sigmund Fairgraves, who shipped "Karui children" across the seas; Marceus Lioneye, who launched campaigns against the Karui and enslaved those he conquered; and brutal Ezomyte slavemaster Gaius Sentari. The Marketplace was used a market for the Karui slave trade.

The bulk of slaves were to sent to "civilization camps" run by Gaius Sentari near Highgate. There, Malachai tasked them with the job of mining for and excavating the virtue gems that had been buried there by Tarcus Veruso. To further facilitate their ability to mine for gems, Malachai used them as test subjects on which he experimented with bodily transfiguration. Limbs were "stretched, contorted, double and triple jointed", and their eyes were "injected with gloom", which, in exchange for better night vision, forced them to squint and cower in the sun. The workers were severely underpaid relative to the value of the gems they uncovered. However, when they demanded higher wages, many were sealed shut in the mines by their overseers, never to escape.

The slaves also mined for Voltaxic Sulphite and Thaumetic Sulphite. The exile can Delve for Voltaxic Sulphite in the Azurite Mines, also located under the mountains of Highgate. Some of the mined Thaumetic Sulphite, a hazardous substance that "fevered the blood" and "scorched the mind" of its slave handlers, was carried to a refinery near The Docks, some of which is later found by the exile as part of the Act 3 quest Fiery Dust.

Besides working in the mines, after being sold and auctioned off in markets, slaves were sent to work in mills and into the streets of Sarn, where they were regularly flogged and overworked to their deaths. Those who resisted were subject to being skinned and butchered.

Malachai

Malachai drew upon the work of Lazhwar, an old archbishop of the Eternal Faith, who had experimented with thaumaturgy and discovered maps to create the Eternal Laboratory. He called Icius Perandus to his laboratory to help translate some "artefacts", possibly the Golden Pages, which described the events of the Vaal Cataclysm. Inspired, he built the Reverie Device, a precursor to the Map Device. He began inserting maps into it travelling into the "Nightmare".

After touching and interacting with gems, Malachai began having thaumaturgy-related dreams. In them, the Beast spoke to him, and began teaching him "lessons cloaked in Nightmare". He began working in a similar to purpose to Doryani of the Vaal, who Malachai described as one who "knew the truth". The truth to what, is uncertain.

Malachai began on the quest to create "the ideal gemling", a synthesis of human flesh and virtue gems. Volunteers were called forward to become the subjects of Malachai's experiments, where he attempted to "unlock the raw power hidden within Virtue Gems".

Seeking "otherworldly inspiration", Malachai was known to consume a substance known as 'Ghost Wine'. For that purpose, he created the Decanter SpiritusDecanter Spiritus"Man is blinded by the mud of his corporeal self. Only
through the transformation of the material into the
spiritual can we hope to taste the full body of life."
- Malachai the Soulless, later found by Captain Fairgraves and left by him in The Marketplace, where the exile finds it as part of the quest A Swig of Hope.

Malachai created the institution of Gemling legionnaires, armies of the Eternal Empire led by a Captain and composed of men infused with virtue gems, not unlike the exile themselves. Gemlings, empowered by gems, were far more powerful than any contemporary human opponents and gave the Eternal Empire militaristic dominance over its enemies. As a failsafe, to prevent the gemlings from turning on him, Chitus received a large gem embedded into his chest, connecting the beating of his own heart to that of each legionnaire. If Chitus was to die, the gemlings would die also.

Dialla was originally a concubine of Malachai's, among many others in the Sceptre of God. She talked too much, "asked too many difficult questions", and was given to Malachai. They fell in love, and Malachai promised Dialla that she would become his Gemling Queen.

Maligaro

Maligaro was one of the The Godless Three, a group of thaumaturgists who studied under Malachai: Shavronne, himself, and Doedre. Shavronne devoted herself to the "study of transfiguration", and, obsessed with eternal beauty, was notorious for her vanity. Doedre, known as Doedre Darktongue, was obsessed with "the meat" (human flesh) and is heavily associated with hexes and curses. Maligaro, known as Inquisitor Maligaro, was a creative; however, he worked with flesh and blood instead of canvas and ink.

The Chamber of Sins, so named by Archbishop Geofri to express his contempt for it and its master, was built by Emperor Chitus as a laboratory in which Maligaro conducted his experiments. The unholiness of the Chamber of Sins was opposed by the nearby Phrecia Cathedral, modern day Fellshrine Ruins.

Maligaro studied virtue gems, working in parallel with Malachai. A room of random support gems can be encountered in the Chamber of Sins (Level 2). For this purpose, he built Maligaro's SpikeMaligaro's SpikeMaligaro loved his tools, and took great
pains to keep them excruciatingly sharp.. The Spike's purpose was to inject "Calibric Extantia", or the "corrupt energies locked within virtue gems", into human flesh. Malachai gifted the Transmutia Device to Maligaro in an effort to support his experiments. Later, the exile encounters this device in The Chamber of Sins Level 2 (Act 2). With the assistance of Helena, they transfer it to the exile's hideout and use it as the crafting bench.

Besides humans, Maligaro also experimented with rhoas. While many of the subjects were not willing, one was: Raulo. Raulo was an assistant who offered himself up as a willing test subject to be injected with "Calibric Extantia" by Maligaro's SpikeMaligaro's SpikeMaligaro loved his tools, and took great
pains to keep them excruciatingly sharp.. He and Maligaro entered a romantic, and possibly abusive homosexual relationship. Maligaro injected Raulo using Maligaro's Spike, granting him "endless life and horrific deformity". In honour of his sacrifice, Maligaro renamed him Fidelitas, Latin for faithfulness or fidelity.

The Baleful GemBaleful GemThe withering glare of corruption, made
corporeal and pellucid in crystal. was created by Maligaro as a byproduct of his efforts to "enhance" the abilities of virtue gems. By taking it and combining it with the venom, Black VenomBlack Venom"The spider is not defined by how
it lives, but by how it kills."
- Inquisitor Maligaro, extracted from the Weaver, Maligaro created a substance known as "Black Elixir", proclaiming it to be "the most potent poison in existence".

The Purity Rebellion

The Purity Rebellion was an uprising led by High Templar Voll, who believed that gems and thaumaturgy were a "perversion" to the Empire.. He sought to overthrow Chitus, execute Malachai, outlaw thaumaturgy, and "purify" his empire. He was supported by Sarn poet and art critic, Victario Nevalius, who had grown disillusioned with Chitus' reign and thaumaturgy as a whole.

Bloody Flowers Rebellion (Derevi, 1333 IC)

Thane Rigwald of the Ezomytes killed reigning King Skothe and became the new king. He criticized Skothe for his complacency and indulgence in his kingship while the common Ezomyte people were being oppressed and enslaved by the Eternals, and not moving to rebel against or fight them.

To enlist Rigwald's help in the rebellion, Voll tasked Victario to write him letters, hoping that the poet's words would be more effective than any politician. He was right, and Rigwald began planning a rebellion. Not permitted to possess weapons, the Ezomytes had been training in secret for years.

On the 3rd Fiero of Dirivi 1333 IC, the Ezomytes rose to rebellion against Governor Gaius Sentari in the fields of Glarryn. So colourful were the thousand tartans and banners raised that the uprising became known as "The Bloody Flowers Rebellion". Though Sentari's Gemlings killed three Ezomytes for each one of their own that fell, the "Bloody Flowers" reached victory through "sheer fury-driven courage". The clans of Ezomyr, before divided, were brought together by the common enemy of the Empire after the victory at Glarryn.

"Today, clansmen, my sword is my voice!"

— Rigwald, at the Battle of Glarryn

After the defeat, Sentari fled to Sarn, only to return in Astrali with reinforcements drawn from the capital, Vastiri and southern garrisons. The weakening of forces in those areas was part of Voll's plan, as they set up the future attack on Lioneye's Watch in the south, the Maraketh ambush in the Vastiri Desert, and the final siege of Sarn.

Lioneye's Watch

Marceus Lioneye.

Accompanied by Victario, Voll visited King Kaom of the Karui in Ngamakanui, hoping to secure his assistance for the Purity Rebellion. On their arrival, they observed Kaom defeat Akoya in ritualistic combat for leadership of the Karui. With Kaom was his advisor Lavianga and his niece Hyrri. Despite viewing the Karui Way as "savagery", Voll needed the Karui to attack the southernmost Eternal Legion, stationed at Lioneye's Watch and commanded by General Marceus Lioneye. In exchange for his support, Voll promised Kaom sovereignty over his conquered lands on Wraeclast's south shore and freedom for the existing Karui slaves. Lioneye, an archer who had one of his eyes replaced with a "golden-hued" gem, would be a formidable foe for Kaom. At the feast table, Voll warned Kaom of the archery ability of Lioneye and his Gemling soldiers, suggesting to him that he too adopt archers. Enraged, Kaom responded that archers were forbidden by Karui tavukai, which forbade men from using long-ranged attacks like bows. That night, Voll set sail to meet Sekhema Deshret to negotiate the return of the Vastiri Plains in exchange for the support of the Maraketh.

"When eye meets eye, axe meets axe,

the remembered will walk the way unto the ancestors."

— King Kaom, to Emperor Voll

Sailing under the cover of night on Wraeclast's South Shore, Kaom planned to use the element of surprise to defeat Lioneye. Landing on the Coast, Kaom's men were quickly detected by camps of legionnaires, who lit signal fires and alerted Lioneye of the attack. Lioneye fired volleys of incendiary arrows onto the Karui and their canoes, removing their element of surprise, and cutting off their escape. As the Karui retreated, Lioneye ordered his men forwards, trying to catch them before their escape. Cognizant of Karui tradition forbidding men from weapons like bows, Lioneye and his men discarded their shields, believing them to be unnecessary and hindering their movement. Lioneye and his Gemling Legion, empowered by virtue gems, would have slaughtered Kaom's men like "pigs in a pen" in a man-to-man fight on open ground.However, Lioneye and his men were surprised by a battalion of female archers, among them Hyrri, who appeared over a cliff and hailed arrows over the defenceless Eternals. They had travelled to Thebrus and learnt archery with Voll's "finest military tutors".Enraged, Kaom attacked Victario, the originator of the archery plan, who rebutted that the archers were all women, and not men, satisfying tradition.

"... the final thoughts of Marceus Lioneye were naught but lament for his pride."

"It is dishonour for a man to kill another man from a distance."

— Victario, to King Kaom, citing Karui tradition

Gaining the upper hand, Kaom attacked Lioneye and severed his arm. Lioneye pleaded to Kaom that he spare the women and children, but Kaom refused, executing Lioneye and slaughtering all of the Eternals present at the camp. Upon killing Lioneye, Kaom "honoured" him by placing his decapitated head on his belt, HeadhunterHeadhunter
Leather BeltRequires Level 40+(25-40) to maximum Life+(40-55) to Strength
+(40-55) to Dexterity
+(50-60) to maximum Life
(20-30)% increased Damage with Hits against Rare monsters
When you Kill a Rare monster, you gain its Modifiers for 60 seconds"A man's soul rules from a cavern of bone, learns and
judges through flesh-born windows. The heart is meat.
The head is where the Man is."
- Lavianga, Advisor to Kaom. The discarding of their shields was the primary factor that led to the downfall of Lioneye and his men. A legion monolith guarnteed to contain the Karui and Eternal factions encountered near Lioneye's Standard eternalizes this conflict, suggesting that the fighting may have begun at or eventually reached the Climb.

Axiom Prison

Kaom's victory at Lioneye's Watch secured a safe harbour for landing reinforcements and established the first ever Karui settlement on the Wraeclastian mainland. He set his sights up north, and began advancing towards Sarn.

The next Eternal outpost in his path was the Axiom Prison, currently inhabited by its warden, Brutus; Shavronne of Umbra, resident thaumaturge; and Kadavrus, assistant to Shavronne. Brutus and Shavronne prepared themselves for the Karui attack. Brutus allowed Shavronne to use him as a test subject" for her thaumaturgy to "transform" Brutus, in a "mad attempt at immortality". Brutus, turning mad, killed Shavronne and the other residents of the prison. The Karui, despite never having defeated Brutus, were able to reach as far as the Ship Graveyard, possibly through going around the coast by canoe. In the area past the Axiom Prison, Prisoner's Gate, Shavronne created a thaumaturgical "barricade" to cut off the pass to the Western Forest. Although it is unknown if Shavronne herself ever activated it, Piety actives this barrier in Act 1 when the exile approaches it in Prisoner's Gate to cut them off. Later, as part of the quest The Way Forward in Act 2, the exile retrieves the Thaumetic EmblemThaumetic EmblemA sigil of thaumaturgy graven in granite. from Captain Arteri and reopens the passage, paving the way for Act 6.

At an unknown point in time, the Karui settlements at Lioneye's Watch had been plagued by a "black spirit", resulting in social unrest, raising of undead, and twising of the wildlife. Taking his 500 "mightiest warriors", Kaom marched onto Highgate, led on by what he though was the voice of Tukohama, Karui god of War, but was really the voice of Malachai. He sought to lead the Karui "back to glory" and "wage war on Kitava, whom he blamed for the Karui's troubles on Wraeclast. The remaining Karui were led back to Ngamakanui by Hyrri on canoe. Reaching Highgate without losing a single man, he was deceived by the Beast into slaughtering each of the 500 Karui he had brought with him, believing them to be "corrupted" by Kitava and the soil of Wraeclast. The Beast "devour[ed] his very life force", consuming him and making him a part of itself. The timeline for these events are unclear, but he reached Highgate about twenty years before Deshret created Deshret's Seal and sealed the entrance to the Mines. He ended up trapped in The Caldera of the King arena in Kaom's Stronghold.

Defeat of Titucius (Vitali, 1333 IC)

Hector Titucius.

General Hector Titucius, Ezomyte by birth, was an Eternal commander who had his joints replaced with virtue gems. Known as the "Scourge of the Maraketh", he had previous killed Sekhema Asenath of the Maraketh and taken their highest symbol of office, the Wings of VastiriWings of VastiriAnd mounting her mighty Roc, Garukhan, holy queen of the sky,
descended upon her enemies and their armies of darkness.. Later, the exile retrieves the wings from an undead Titucius in the Bath House for Hargan in the quest The Wings of Vastiri.

The information from the following military sequence is taken from Garivaldi's "The Purity Chronicles", "Book 4: The Red Sekhema's Saddle".

In exchange for her military support in the rebellion, Voll promised Sekhema Deshret, the Red Sekhema, the return of the Vastiri Plains to the Maraketh. She agreed on the condition that she have Hector Titucius' skin with which to fashion a rhoa's saddle. He agreed.

To this end, Deshret and her akhara (Maraketh for tribe) set a trap for Titucius and his Vastiri Legion using their knowledge of their environment. They had long been recording the comings and goings of "viscous" dust storms that ravaged the Vastiri Plains, and could predict one such storm within a day's march from Titucius' camp. To lure them there, Voll identified a number of Eternal spies within the Maraketh and fed them false information regarding a potential "tribal uprising".

On the third Galvano of Vitali 1333 IC, the desert storm and Deshret's akhara descended upon and completely destroyed Titucius and his Legion. Deshret claimed her prize, and it was said that there was "no more comfortable saddle in all of Vastiri than Deshret's".

Death of Geofri

In 1332 IC, one year after Kaom's victory at Lioneye's Watch, Victario arrived at The Chamber of Sins in a carriage with Lady Dialla and Malachai. After being greeted by Maligaro, whom Victario remarked had gems implanted in his head, and his slave and assistant Raulo, they entered and observed the young Black Death, its venom, and the Baleful GemBaleful GemThe withering glare of corruption, made
corporeal and pellucid in crystal.. Raulo mentioned that combining the venom with the gem would create the "Black Elixir", a poison "strong enough to kill even the most powerful gemling". The guests observed Maligaro transform Raulo into Fidelitas with Maligaro's SpikeMaligaro's SpikeMaligaro loved his tools, and took great
pains to keep them excruciatingly sharp.. Malachai told Maligaro that he would soon give him the Transmutia Device, which he claimed would allow him to "directly manipulate the intelligence that dwells within virtue gems."

Later that night, Victario snuck out to Phrecia Cathedral, using the code phrase "Death to Sin" and the sign of a templar descry on his palm to enter, indicating that he was a member of the Purity Rebellion. He came to Geofri, Archbishop of the Cathedral with warnings of the experiments occurring at the Chamber of Sins and of Maligaro's possession of the Transmutia Device. Sent by Geofri, Victario, along with a squadron of templars, returned to the Chamber of Sins and began demolishing Maligaro's documents and equipment, making sure to pick up the Black Elixir for later. However, they were ambushed by Maligaro, his allies and his creations, who revealed to Victario that he had been under "thaumaturgical observation" since his arrival and began massacring the templars. Taking Victario prisoner, they moved on to Phrecia Cathedral. Geofri was slain at the foot of Corutino's shrine, a shrine dedicated to Saint Corutino the Golden Hand, with Maligaro's Etcher. Archbishop Geofri later reanimated as an undead guardian, who is later encountered by the exile guarding the Golden HandGolden HandAn open palm raised in peace,
cut down by the slaves of war. in the Act 2 quest Through Sacred Ground. In the chaos of the battle, Dialla, sympathetic to Victario's cause, freed him, asking him to cut her with a shard to broken glass to make it appear that he had overpowered her and escaped. Escaping through the Phrecian Forest, Victario left on boat for Sarn.

Siege of Sarn (Divini, 1334 IC)

On the way to lay siege to Sarn, Voll and his Army of Purity burned Maligaro and Doedre at the stake for, among other crimes, hereticy, torture, murder, and enslavement. Before his death, Maligaro created Maligaro's MapMaligaro's Map"Certain maps can only be rendered in the most vivid of viscera."
- Inquisitor Maligaro, formed out of his own "viscera", which served to transfer his spirit into an "existential safe house" in Maligaro's Sanctum. Upon finding it, Geofri tried to destroy it, but failed and locked it away in the ruins of Phrecia Cathedral, modern day the Crypt under the Fellshrine Ruins (Act 7). In Act 7, it is there that the exile finds the map, goes to the Chamber of Sins Level 1 (Act 7), and uses it to finally defeat Maligaro in the quest Essence of the Artist.

On the last day of Divini 1334 IC, High Templar Voll laid siege to Sarn, with the support of Ezomyte, Karui and Maraketh rebels under the respective leaderships of Thane Rigwald, Hyrri of Ngamakanui and Sekhema Deshret.

Battle at the Grain Gate

Returned to Sarn, Victario began work inciting the populace in rebellion. He began creating the Ancient Graffiti later encountered by the exile in The City of Sarn, The Slums, The Battlefront, The Docks, and The Ebony Barracks. Using the phrases "Monkey King" to refer to Emperor Chitus and "The Blackest Monkey" to refer to Malachai, the graffiti conveyed a highly critical view of the two and urged the Sarn population to revolt and "throw off" the Monkey King off of their "backs". Caught in the act of writing one of these graffiti by Sarn guards, Victario was saved by Marylene and a gang of rebels, who brought him to the underground Sarn rebel base hidden in the Sarn Sewers, where they attended to a romantic affair. The underground hideout was also where Victario kept his three stolen Platinum Busts, which the exile later retrieve for Hargan in the quest Victario's Secrets.

At the Sarn Arena, Malachai demonstrated the power of Gemling legionnaires to Lord Mayor Ondar. He watched with horror as a single Gemling defeated four Ezomyte slaves, convicted for having conspired in the Bloody Flowers Rebellion despite there being no evidence to back up such a claim. At the Warehouse District with Victario, Mayor Ondar recounted this story. After learning from Ondar of Chitus' plan to create an entire army of said Gemling legionnaires, Victario resolved to lead an uprising and dethrone Chitus. Ondar begged Victario to promise to spare Chitus' life, but Victario was unable to give him his word.

Victario's rebellion began. First, they spread information about secret storehouses of food that Chitus had been stashing away for his legionnaires. Starving families started riots and caused Chitus to send his legionnaires to defend the storehouses, diverting troops away from the rebels' true target - the Grain Gate Garrion, a place Victario had identified as the most weakened by the diversions. The Templars, under Voll, Ezomytes, under Thane Rigwald, Maraketh, under Sekhema Deshret, and Karui, under Hyrri marched upon the Grain Gate.

Upon blasting open the Grain Gate, Victario's forces were met by a squadron of Gemling legionnaires, led by Emperor Chitus. Dialla, whom Malachai had adorned all over with gems, going so far as to implant them into her spine, grabbed Victario and threw him against a wall, preparing to fire a blast and kill him. Marylene jumped inbetween them, saving Victario but sacrificing her life in the process. The forces of the Purity Rebellion were eventually pushed back by the Gemlings, Victario escaped, injured, and the attack on the Grain Gate was unsuccessful.

Assassination of Chitus

In the Sarn Slums, Victario grieved over Marylene's grave. Ondar approached him, offering condolences and discussed Chitus's role in abetting Malachai. Victario became convinced that Chitus had to be killed for the rebellion to be successful. He led Ondar into the rebel sewers and showed him the Black Elixir he had took from The Chamber of Sins, a poison he claimed to be potent enough to kill even Chitus. He demonstrated its effects on a captive Gemling, killing him.

Soon later, Ondar met with Dialla, Malachai, and Chitus on the Sceptre of God, where he raised concerns to Chitus about the Gemling legionnaires rising up and betraying him. In response, Chitus revealed that he had had a master gem implanted in his chest that connected the heartbeats of every Gemling legionnaire to that of his own. Thus, if he were killed, they would fall too. In anticipation of an assassination of Chitus, Malachai sent Official Orders to Captain Alsarus and his legion, requesting that they gather at "the warehouse" to that they would be "beyond the perimeter of his heart gem's influence". These gemlings survived, and are later encountered and killed in the Grain Gate by the exile for Maramoa in the quest The Gemling Legion.

"The heart of each soldier beats in time to the heart of his emperor."

— Emperor Chitus

During the celebration of the Night of a Thousand Ribbons, Victario ambushed the event, crying out "Death to Sin!". The waiters tore off their masks, revealing themselves to be undercover rebels and drew arms. Ondar, who had had gems implanted in him for this event, betrayed Chitus and killed him, impaling him with a claw infused with the Black Elixir. Mortally wounded but kept alive with the power of thaumaturgy, Chitus, enraged, cut down Ondar with an axe, splitting him in half. With the death of Chitus, the Gemling leonnaires fell, and Dialla and Malachai were captured. After Chitus' death, grieving legionnaires buried him in the Imperial Gardens and a plum tree was planted over his grave. The plums from that tree grew to be extremely poisonous, and the exile later retrieves one of these plums for Captain Fairgraves in the quest A Swig of Hope.

Faced with the siege of Sarn and uprisings led by Victario in the Slums, Docks, and Warehouse districts, Lord Cadiro Perandus met with Voll on the 1st Sacrato of Phreci, 1334 and negotiated Sarn's unconditional surrender. A week later, Voll of Thebrus was crowned Emperor of the Eternal Empire.

In the months leading up to the revolt, Cadiro organised "steady stream" of "unremarkable carts and wagons" leading out of the capital. By the time House Perandus fell, he had stolen the entirety of the kingdom's treasury and hidden it in "caches throughout the land". The outstanding debtors of the Perandus family, of which there were more than that of any other family in the Empire, were trapped by the power of Prospero in eternal servitude to Cadiro after their deaths to defend these stolen troves.

Reign of Voll (1334 - 1339 IC)

Crowned Emperor of the Eternal Empire, Voll, the "Emperor of Purity", set to destroying the Empire's virtue gems, executing its thaumaturgists, cleansing it of thaumaturgy, and destroying its "signature extravagances".

Although he was initially sentenced to death by "living conflagration" in the Crematorium, Malachai saved himself by promising Voll a permanent "end to thaumaturgy" in exchange for his life. Voll's decision to trust Malachai would become known as a fatal mistake that led to the Cataclysm, an event that brought an end to the Eternal Empire. For over a year, in the Solaris Temple, Malachai worked on the Rapture Device, a device he claimed would able kill the Beast, the origin of all thaumaturgy. He completed the Rapture Device on the first Fiero of Eterni 1336 IC.

The following day, Malachai and Lady Dialla, accompagnied by Voll and his Highgate Legion, arrived at the mountains of Highgate. They set up the Rapture Device in its current location in the Crystal Veins. First, to power it, they used The Eye of FuryThe Eye of Fury"Fear becomes Hatred.
Hatred becomes Fury.
Thus is Man transformed
from Martyr to Maker."
- Malachai and the The Eye of DesireThe Eye of Desire"It is a cruel joke that
Man was born with more
Intent than Life."
- Malachai, taken from King Kaom and Daresso respectively. Kaom had been lured to Highgate by the Beast/Malachai's voice disguised as Tukohama, but how or why Daresso reached Highgate is subject to speculation, even to Wraeclastian scholars. However, it is known that Daresso had left Sarn in search for a cure for Merveil's transformation into a siren at the hands of the Star of WraeclastStar of Wraeclast
Ruby AmuletRequires Level 28+(20-30)% to Fire ResistanceGrants Level 10 Frostblink Skill
(30-50)% increased Cold Damage
+(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances
60% increased Area of Effect of Hex Skills
You cannot be Cursed with Silence
Frostblink has 50% increased DurationCorrupted"I offer to you an eternal oath
that binds your heart to mine;
a bond that not even death will break.
Will you accept?"
- Daresso, to his beloved.

Malachai's true purpose was to use the Rapture Device to tear a hole in the Belly of the Beast, allowing him to enter the Black Core and take control, giving himself absolute power over thaumaturgy and the ability to trigger the Cataclysm. Malachai planned to betray Dialla, and "break her heart" by telling her that she had to sacrifice herself to "fuel" the device. Before activating the Rapture Device, he wrote Malachai's Dedication, dedicating it to his deceased pupils Maligaro, Doedre, and Shavronne. At some point, he revived the three, and tasked them with guarding three vital organs he had left behind, Malachai's HeartMalachai's HeartMy heart forces blood through my veins.
But one who may bleed may die, and
death is no fitting end to genius., Malachai's LungsMalachai's LungsMy lungs breathe the same air as
the foolish and the weak. May I be
yet another step removed from them., and Malachai's EntrailsMalachai's EntrailsMy organs tether me to mortality
like a chain. This chain holds me
from my true potential.. These organs were the only objects that tethered Malachai to mortality, which the exile later takes advantage of when they collect the organs to access the Black Core and kill Malachai in the quests Corpus Malachus and The Eternal Nightmare.

However, Dialla was too "selfish", and, despite Malachai's begging, she did not sacrifice her life and only a small rupture was created. To the confusion of many Wraeclastians, Dialla would remain alive for centuries, where the exile later encounters her in The Solaris Temple Level 2 as part of the Act 3 quest The Gemling Queen. Malachai entered the Beast, and initiated the Cataclysm.

The Cataclysm (~1339 IC)

The Cataclysm brought an end to Voll's reign and the Eternal Empire as a whole. Due to the devasting nature of the event, first-person recollections and general sources discussing this event are scarce. For reasons unknown even to Wraeclastian scholars, the effects of the Cataclysm were mostly confined to the Wraeclastian landmass, notably not affecting the island of Oriath. While Wraeclast's flora and wildlife were spared from the worst effects of the Cataclysm, the animals and soil have experienced mutations and corruption. The appearance of water elementals and rock elementals may have been caused by the Cataclysm.

Humans experienced the rotting of living flesh, nightmarish visions, tentacles growing from one's body, and general madness. Gemlings seemed to have been especially affected. In Sarn, the sun turned in to an "orb of blood", and the sky was thrown into darkness by a tempest that had descended from the Highgate. Within an hour, the capital had fallen. Victario was killed. In Ngamakanui, they experienced the moon "turning crimson", fire raining from the sky, and the boiling of the sea. Tempests and plagues were also observed, although they eventually passed. The dead were reanimated. Gemlings and citizens of Sarn were transformed into the Undying, mindless monsters that could live for hundreds of years.

During the first moments of the Cataclysm, General Adus and his elite legionnaires sought refuge in the Highgate Refinery. Later, in Act 9, the exile encounters Adus there and kills him for the Trarthan PowderTrarthan Powder"Blow it all down! The emperor must have his gems, no matter the cost!" in the quest Recurring Nightmare.

Voll, horrified by his failure, escaped to the Dried Lake and wrote Voll's Confession, apologizing to his "Empire of Purity" for his folly and begging it to survive him. He and his undead legion stayed there for centuries, harassing and attacking the nearby Maraketh at Highgate. Later, in Act 4, the exile encounters and kills Voll in the Dried Lake to acquire Deshret's Banner in the quest Breaking the Seal.

The year after the Cataclysm, Wraeclast suffered an especially harsh winter, killing many of its few survivors.

Deshret's Seal

Twenty years after Kaom and his warriors descended into Highgate, Sekhema Deshret and her 'akhara', the Kiyato, seeking to end the source of the corruption. However, reaching the entrance to the Mines, she "faltered", and instead chose to seal the entrance shut. The entrance was sealed before all of the miners inside could evacuate, resulting in many having been trapped below. The humanoid monsters encountered by the exile in The Mines Level 1, The Mines Level 2, and The Crystal Vein, such as Pocked Miner, Pocked Goliath, and Tunneler may be those same miners, kept alive by the thaumaturgy of the Cataclysm.

At one point, Voll killed Deshret herself and took from her the key to opening the seal, Deshret's BannerDeshret's BannerWhen the sun sets, the plains should be red.. Deshret's soul was later captured by the Godless Three and trapped in The Mines Level 2, where the exile later finds and rescues her in Act 9 in the quest An Indomitable Spirit.

Oriath

Main page: Oriath

Oriath is a small island off the south-east coast of Wraeclast founded by the followers of Innocence banished from the Azmeri. Notably unaffected by the fallout of the Cataclysm, Oriath largely served as the successor to the Eternal Empire. Oriath is governed by a theocratic dictatorship from its capital of Theopolis by the Order of the Templar, led by the High Templar. Building its wealth off of the back of Karui slaves, the Oriathans built their empire on naval mobility.

Theopolis contains historical archives, duelling arenas, and the headquarters of the Ebony Legion. According to the Research Journals, Vaal ruins exist near the city of Oriath, which contains a pyramid.

It also contains the Court of Divine Temperance, where criminal are tried and prosecuted for all kinds of crimes, from violent crimes and expression of heretical beliefs to operating an establishment without a license. No matter the reason, many of these criminals are shipped off and exiled to Wraeclast.

In ancient times, Innocence and his followers were banished from the Azmeri mountains and sent to Oriath. This may be when Oriath was first colonized. By the time of the Empire's fall on the mainland, Oriath was a well-established and prosperous nation.

In the Phrecian Forest in the Inner Empire in Wraeclast, is the Fellshrine, the ruins of an old Templar cathedral. So the Templars, which is the current theocracy of Oriath island, have a long-standing link to the mainland at Wraeclast. And obviously the past leader of Templars, the High Templar Voll had an interest in the Empire. (Read #The Purity Rebellion (1333 - 1st Sacrato of Phreci 1334) for details.)

The in-game area of Act 5 and Act 10 are all located on Oriath island, such as Oriath Docks, The Cathedral Rooftop, Oriath Square (The Ruined Square, The Ravaged Square), The Templar Courts (The Torched Courts), The Chamber of Innocence (The Desecrated Chambers), etc. Due to the proximity, presumably they are in fact with in the Oriath capital, Theopolis.

Oriath, the in-game town, was destroyed by Sirus in Conquerors of the Atlas epilogue storyline. The Siege of the Atlas storyline shows the epilogue of its events a year later: The Templar order was reduced to a number of splinter groups, Oriath was abandoned, and its survivors settled in the Karui Shores.

Daresso and Merveil

Further reading: Daresso, Merveil

Daresso grew up fighting in the Grand Arena of Theopolis. At thirteen, he fought beasts and animals, and at fifteen, he fought and defeated Barkhul.

During a fight in the Grand Arena, Daresso was near death. However, he looked up and suddenly locked eyes with Merveil, who was watching. He fell in love, and defeated his opponent with newfound purpose. Daresso soon challenged the reigning King of Swords, champion of the Grand Arena. A giant of a man, faster and stronger than Daresso, it took over an hour before Daresso finally defeated him, pushed on by his love for Merveil. As he slew his opponent and became the King of Swords, Daresso knelt in the sand, and asked Merveil's hand in marriage.

I offer to you an eternal oath that binds your heart to mine; a bond that not even death will break.

Will you accept?

Daresso, to his beloved

When Daresso and Merveil were wed, a "most elaborate ceremony" was held. Walking down the Basilica aisle, Merveil's wedding dress was so long that it took six people to carry its train.Merveil's Wedding DressMerveil's Wedding Dress"Let's just hope she wasn't wearing it when she wandered into the sea!" can now be encountered by the exile as a Heist target.

As a present, Daresso gave Merveil the Star of WraeclastStar of Wraeclast
Ruby AmuletRequires Level 28+(20-30)% to Fire ResistanceGrants Level 10 Frostblink Skill
(30-50)% increased Cold Damage
+(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances
60% increased Area of Effect of Hex Skills
You cannot be Cursed with Silence
Frostblink has 50% increased DurationCorrupted"I offer to you an eternal oath
that binds your heart to mine;
a bond that not even death will break.
Will you accept?"
- Daresso, to his beloved, a necklace implanted with a virtue gem once found in the throat of Kalisa Maas, a renowned opera singer. The necklace gave her a great singing voice, which she used to perform in the largest concert halls of Oriath.

Modern times

The dates on Letters of Exile range from "1597 IC" to "1599 IC" and the Incursion trailer starts to count down from "1600 IC". This allows an estimate of some point during the campaign or endgame taking place during 1600 IC.

In the modern age, Wraeclast bears no major civilizations, just a few disorganised descendants of the Empire and undead. It also bears a number of people from Oriath island. Some were shipwrecked, but many were exiled for crimes minor or major.

The "current" (before Act 3) High Templar is a man named Dominus, who controls the Blackguards as well as the Order of the Templar. Templars are the theocracy of Oriath. He recently acquired an interest in the history of the empire(s) on Wraeclast. Dominus works in a laboratory at the top of the tower known as the Sceptre of God, but his assistants General Gravicius and Piety gather information and resources. The Templars wandering in Wraeclast are mostly from Blackguard legion.

Gravicius set up a temporary barracks in Sarn, near Lunaris Temple, and seems to be responsible for seeking out the artifact known as the Twist and perhaps the Ribbon Spool. Piety was originally named Vinia, and worked as a thaumaturgist and prostitute in Theopolis, Oriath. "Currently" (Act 1 to 3) she is more of an archaeologist, roaming Wraeclast investigating the works and techniques of the Empire's most famous thaumaturgists including Shavronne and Maligaro, as well as trying to reproduce their experimental results for herself. Like Malachai, she implants Virtue Gems surgically, although judging by the detritus in the lowest floor of the Lunaris Temple, she has not yet reached Malachai's level of skill.

League content

Expedition

In Path of Exile: Expedition, the exile meets Gwennen, Tujen, Rog, and Dannig, Kaalguurans who have returned to Wraeclast to unearth the secrets of their pasts. Rog claims descent from Owen, son of Uhtred, and Gwennen & Tujen from Annest, daughter of Vorana and Medved.

The King

The modern-day Kalguur are highly apprehensive to speak about the King of the Kalguur and try to avoid speaking about him when asked. This is possibly out of fear that they would be punished if they spoke out against them.

I've never heard of this 'gods' thing before setting foot here, but I know of at least one... man... who would fancy himself a god. Best we not mention Divinity to those back home.

— Dannig, "Gods", possibly referring to the King of the Kalguur.

The Failed Rebellion

When asked about Luck, Gwennen's dialogue refers to a failed rebellion, during which she was saved from an incoming arrow by another that deflected it in its path. However, if the exile asks again about the rebellion, she will pretend that she never talked about it. When asked again, she will substitute the failed rebellion for "an unspecified war".

Necropolis

In Path of Exile: Necropolis, the exile meets Arimor, an undertaker who describes himself as "the last true citizen of the Eternal Empire". He claims descent from a line that as worked tirelessly to achieve some mysterious end, which he refuses to divukge to the exile. He admires Chitus' reign and proclaims him a "visionary".

Arimor claims to have worked with several exiles before the player's, among them Torr Olgosso and Igna Phoenix, who set his lab on fire. Mastermind Catarina was also once his apprentice, although she likely betrayed and left him.

Arimor tasks the exile with defeating monsters all over Wraeclast that have been haunted by various spirits. Among these spirits are those that belong to historical families from the Eternal Empire, among them the Grattus, Veruso, Phrecia, Perandus, and Nevalius families. While exocising the spirits to create items, Arimor refers to several gods, notably among them "Thruldana", a god that has never been mentioned before.

See also

• List of Historical Figures

External links

• Complete Lore Compilation v3.9.2b (PDF) by justathetan (original post),

• Kitten Cat Noodle's Complete Lore Series