In the annals of Golarion's history, few events are as cataclysmic and far-reaching as Earthfall. This catastrophic event, occurring in -5293 AR, irrevocably reshaped the planet, leaving an enduring mark on its geography, civilizations, and the very course of history.
The Sky Falls:
The precise cause of Earthfall remains shrouded in myth and speculation. Some scholars attribute it to a celestial collision, a rogue asteroid or comet drawn into Golarion's orbit. Others speak of divine wrath, a punishment for the hubris of ancient civilizations. Regardless of its origins, the result was undeniable: a colossal impact that shattered continents, unleashed tsunamis of unimaginable scale, and plunged the world into darkness.
The Shattering of Azlant:
The most devastating impact occurred in the Arcadian Ocean, where the legendary continent of Azlant, home to a technologically advanced human civilization, once thrived. Earthfall shattered Azlant, sinking it beneath the waves and leaving behind only a scattering of islands. The Azlanti, despite their ingenuity, were ill-prepared for such a catastrophe. Their once-great cities crumbled, their knowledge lost to the depths, and their civilization scattered to the winds.
The Birth of the Inner Sea:
The impact in the Arcadian Ocean also created the Inner Sea, a vast body of water that now separates the continents of Avistan and Garund. This new sea forever altered Golarion's geography, creating coastlines, altering weather patterns, and opening up new avenues for trade and exploration.
The Age of Darkness:
The dust and debris ejected into the atmosphere by Earthfall plunged Golarion into a thousand-year period known as the Age of Darkness. The sun was obscured, temperatures plummeted, and plant life withered. This period was marked by hardship and struggle, as civilizations fought to survive in a world transformed.
Legacy of Earthfall:
Even millennia later, the legacy of Earthfall endures. The Inner Sea remains a testament to the cataclysm's power, and the scattered remnants of Azlanti civilization continue to intrigue and inspire explorers and scholars. The Age of Darkness shaped the evolution of Golarion's races, forcing them to adapt and innovate to survive.
Earthfall in the Age of Enthronement:
By 4250 AR, Earthfall has become a distant memory, a legend passed down through generations. Yet, its impact on Golarion's history and culture remains undeniable. The Inner Sea is a bustling hub of trade and travel, connecting diverse nations and cultures. The ruins of Azlant, though submerged, continue to hold secrets and treasures that lure adventurers and scholars alike.
The Exodus and the Quest:
Earthfall's shockwaves triggered two of the most significant migrations in Golarion's history. The elves, forewarned by prophecy, departed Golarion entirely — fleeing through the Sovyrian Stone to their ancestral homeland across the stars. They would not return for millennia, and those who stayed behind (the Mualijae of the Mwangi Jungle, the Snowcaster elves of the far north) were forever changed by the choice to remain.
Deep beneath the surface, the dwarves of Nar-Voth felt the tremors and recognized the sign their god Torag, the Father of Creation had promised: the signal to begin the The Quest for Sky — a 300-year march from the Darklands to the surface that would define their race forever.
A World Forged by Cataclysm:
Earthfall serves as a reminder of the fragility of civilization and the power of natural forces. It is a story of destruction and rebirth, of loss and adaptation. In the Age of Enthronement, Golarion has recovered from the cataclysm, but the echoes of Earthfall still resonate, shaping the world and its inhabitants.