Historians cannot agree exactly when the Old War began nor the factors leading up to the continent-spanning conflict. Many would like to believe the seeds of war began with the first conflict between giants and dragons or the continuing warfare between Ostaria and the kingdoms of Forgen Hoerth, but most point to the tieflings of Turath angering Arkhosia with their use of dragon blood in their rituals as the spark that brought the continent to its knees.
Soon after the dragons and tiefling conflict began, the dwarves and halflings called upon the kingdom of Nerath to aid them against the giants. The kingdom was all too eager to respond, faced with calls to expand the borders.
War magics between Bael Turath and Arkhosia caused immense damage to the Verdant Realms previously untouched in prior conflicts. The eladrin leaders of Cendriane called upon the combined forces and led their legions into battle. Bael Turath was hard pressed fighting on two fronts, even with their summoned hordes, called upon an ancient pact made with Nerath to lend aid. Meanwhile, Ostaria oracles dredged up forbidden magics used in their assault against the dragons into their war.
Turath vs. Arkhosia vs. Cendriane
Ostaria vs. Nerath and Forgen Hoerth vs. animorph army
Destructive spells, ancient magics, horrible sacrifices, and arcane atrocities all ceased when the disaster struck. The sky ripped open and an immense something tore through it, smashing into the ground. It was all over in an instant as the continent sank, tidal waves washed away people and cities alike, entire landmasses moved, and the world flooded.