Bjorn, known as the Guardian of the Earthstone, is one of the four Archon, elemental embodiments of the Unknown deities, tasked with preserving the balance of the cosmos. Formed from the fiery essence of Unknown, the Primus goddess of earth, Bjorn serves as the sentinel of the Earthstone and the protector of the elemental harmony within The Earth Realm. Revered as a figure of immense power and unshakable resolve, Bjorn’s presence is etched into the mountains and valleys that shape the world itself.
Appearance and Powers
Bjorn’s immense form is a living testament to the primal forces of the earth. He is a towering magma bear, his body a seamless blend of molten rock and obsidian. Rivers of glowing magma course through the cracks in his stony hide, pulsing like veins with the lifeblood of the earth. His celestial fur glimmers with the fiery radiance of molten gold and the enduring hues of hardened basalt. Bjorn’s eyes, twin orbs of smoldering magma, burn with ancient wisdom and unrelenting resolve.
Bjorn wields unparalleled control over the earth, his abilities embodying its creation, destruction, and regeneration:
- Molten Wrath: Bjorn can summon streams of magma from the ground, forging rivers of fire that consume all in their path.
- Tectonic Shatter: With a single stomp, Bjorn can fracture the earth, creating massive fissures or causing landslides that reshape the terrain.
- Impenetrable Resilience: Bjorn’s body is nearly indestructible, forged from the densest materials of the earth. He can absorb and redirect energy, using his surroundings to strengthen himself.
- Primordial Forge: Bjorn’s touch imbues stone and metal with unparalleled durability, a reflection of his role as a creator as well as a destroyer.
Origins and Role
During the Twilight of Creation, Theia breathed life into Bjorn, infusing him with the molten strength of the Unknown, a realm of tectonic fury and untamed stone. Bjorn was shaped to embody the duality of the earth: the unyielding endurance of stone and the raw, molten force of magma. As the Archon of Earth, he was tasked with safeguarding the Earthstone, a relic that channels the elemental essence of earth and binds it to the Prime Plane through the Riftways.
Bjorn became the progenitor of the Terran Drake, sculpted by Unknown in his image to act as the first masters of Earth-Rifting. These ancient True Dragon served as warriors, guardians, and stewards of the Earth Realm. However, after The Aeonic Struggle, the True Dragons dwindled in number, leaving Bjorn as the eternal sentinel of the Earthstone and the elemental champion of balance.
With the dawn of the Third Age, Bjorn began selecting the first Avatars of the Earth, mortal champions entrusted to protect the Earth Realm and guide its denizens. These Avatars carried forward Bjorn’s wisdom and strength, ensuring the elemental harmony of the earth while safeguarding its inhabitants.
The Earthstone
The Earthstone, nestled deep within the molten vaults of Unknown, is a relic of infinite power and the foundation of the Earth Realm’s elemental magic. It channels the energies of the Plane of Gaian, sustaining the earth’s vitality and balance. The Earthstone serves as the source of Earth-Rifting, enabling geomancers and elementalists to manipulate the terrain and fortify the land.
Guarding the Earthstone is Bjorn’s eternal duty. Accessing it requires passing the Trial of Bjorn, a grueling pilgrimage through the Greypeak Mountains and across the Runic Bridge, a treacherous span protected by Steel Sentinels and the Exarchs of the Earth, currently Anvel Tyrson, the Seismic Sentinel. Only those who endure the trial and prove their worth in a final confrontation with Bjorn may gaze upon the Earthstone and receive its wisdom.
Avatars of The Earth
Bjorn’s connection to the Avatars of the Earth is profound and sacred. He personally selects each Avatar, testing their resolve, strength, and character. These Avatars act as the stewards of the Earth Realm, defending its balance and leading its denizens. From Avatar Umber, the first champion who unified the Earth Kingdom, to Avatar Terra, the current protector, Bjorn’s chosen have carried forward his legacy of resilience and determination.
Bjorn’s trials are not merely physical; they are tests of character. He values patience, strength, and a willingness to endure, traits he deems essential for those entrusted with the Earthstone’s power.
Legacy and Mythology
Bjorn’s legacy is inseparable from the very foundation of the Earth Realm. His battles against the Elementari during the Aeonic Struggle reshaped the world, forming mountain ranges, chasms, and valleys that still bear his mark. His protection of the Earthstone has ensured the stability of the Riftways, allowing the elemental balance to endure.
To the Njordir, Dwarf, and other denizens of the Earth Realm, Bjorn is both a protector and a father figure. His name is invoked in oaths and prayers, and his likeness is carved into the grand halls of their subterranean cities. Though feared for his unyielding wrath, he is also revered as a creator, a force of renewal, and a symbol of the earth’s enduring strength.
Meeting Bjorn is a rare and harrowing experience. His voice, a deep rumble that resonates like a tectonic shift, carries the weight of millennia. His presence can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying, as he embodies the raw power of the earth. For those who seek the Earthstone, Bjorn’s trial is the ultimate test of their worth, and failure often results in annihilation.
To stand before Bjorn is to face the full force of nature itself—a being of immeasurable strength, ancient wisdom, and unyielding resolve. Those who earn his respect gain not only the power of the Earthstone but also the favor of an Archon whose legacy will endure for all time.