The Earthstone is one of the four mystical Worldstones that anchor the fabric of reality within the Prime Plane and maintain the balance of the Continuum Crystal Cosmology. Each Worldstone channels a specific elemental force, and the Earthstone embodies the essence of earth, stability, and growth. Its power sustains the land, nurtures life, and grants resilience to those who dwell in its shadow.
Purpose and Influence
The Earthstone exerts immense control over the element of earth and all life that springs forth from it. It is not merely a source of physical power but also a symbol of endurance, balance, and renewal. Its presence shapes the landscapes of The Earth Realm, influencing the mountains, valleys, and fertile plains, and acting as the foundation for all that lives and grows.
The Earthstone also serves as a critical tether for the Riftways, enabling the flow of elemental energy between the Unknown and the Prime Plane. This connection ensures harmony across the cosmos, stabilizing the land and maintaining the natural cycles of life and death. It is through this connection that the Njordir were bestowed with Earth-Rifting by the stones guardian, Bjorn.
Cultural Significance
For millennia, the Earthstone has been revered by the nomadic Earth Genasi tribes that once wandered the Earth Realm. These early worshippers saw the stone not only as a source of power but as a divine entity, a lifegiver and protector. The Earthstone was central to their spiritual practices, inspiring rituals, festivals, and ceremonies that celebrated the cycles of growth, harvest, and renewal.
The tribes that revered the Earthstone were eventually unified under its influence, forming the foundation of Earth Kingdom. The Earth Genasi were gifted the art of Earth-Rifting by its guardian Bjorn, a profound ability to shape the land, move mountains, and cultivate life from barren soil. This mastery of the earth became the cornerstone of their culture, fostering prosperity and unity.
Bjorn the Magma Bear
The Earthstone's consciousness is manifested in Bjorn the Magma Bear, a primordial being of colossal strength and unyielding resolve. Bjorn not only acts as the stone’s eternal guardian but also embodies its essence, inspiring awe and reverence among those who encounter him. His molten form represents the raw power and resilience of the earth, and his presence serves as a constant reminder of the Worldstone's indomitable nature.
">Helios], the god of light and creation, fashioned the Terran Drake in Bjorn's image, entrusting them to safeguard the balance of the Earth Realm. Though many Terran Drakes fell during The Riftfire Rebellion, Bjorn remains a steadfast guardian of the Earthstone.
Echoes of the Earth
Since the dawn of the Third Age, the Earthstone has selected a perpetual lineage of Avatars, mortals who embody its elemental spirit and wield its power to maintain balance in the Earth Realm. These Avatars are chosen through the Trial of Bjorn, a sacred rite overseen by the Archon of Earth, Bjorn the Magma Bear.
Lineage of the Avatars
Avatar Umber: The first Avatar, chosen by Bjorn, who unified the Earth Realm and established the Earth Kingdom. Avatar Umber repelled the incursions of the Frost Giant and secured the fledgling society’s survival. In his later years, he undertook a sacred pilgrimage to the southernmost peninsula of the Earth Realm, where his body transformed into the The Earthen Eternal, a mountain-sized statue that still overlooks the land as a symbol of his eternal guardianship.
Avatar Rok: Rising during the tumultuous Earthen Wars, Rok quelled the power struggles that erupted after Umber’s passing. He forged lasting peace among the tribes of Earth Genasi, Dwarf, Njordir, and Orc. In his later years, Rok led a coalition to battle Malekith alongside the Exarchs of the Earth and the Runewrights, sealing him in a great tomb. During this battle, Rok vanished, leaving behind a legacy of unity and strength.
Avatar Terra: The current Avatar, Terra, has guided the Earth Kingdom through a time of relative peace. With the aid of The Sunsations, Terra uncovered secrets surrounding Rok’s disappearance and the lingering shadow of Malekith. Terra remains a steadfast protector of the Earth Realm, bridging ancient wisdom with modern resilience.
The Exarchs of the Earth
The Earthstone is also protected by the Exarchs of the Earth, an elite order of Earth-Rifting masters who serve directly under the Avatar. These powerful elementalists specialize in distinct aspects of earth manipulation:
- Lava Rifting: Harnessing molten rock as a weapon.
- Flora Rifting: Cultivating and commanding plant life with precision.
- Gravity Rifting: Manipulating gravitational forces to reshape the battlefield.
The Exarchs ensure the Earth Realm remains in balance, standing as defenders of the Earthstone and enforcers of the Avatar's will.
Legacy and Mythology
The Earthstone remains a cornerstone of balance and harmony within the cosmos. Its influence is felt in every tree that grows, every mountain that rises, and every life that flourishes. Its Avatars and the Exarchs stand as beacons of stability in an ever-changing world, safeguarding the elemental harmony that sustains existence.
Through its connection to the Riftways and the Plane of Gaian, the Earthstone ensures that the cycles of growth, decay, and renewal continue unabated. It is a symbol of strength and unity, a reminder that even in the face of chaos, the earth endures.