The Mytharil Empire, ruled by the revered Emperor Ezekiel and guided by the counsel of the powerful Archmage Valekith, was one of the most advanced and influential civilizations in the history of the Prime Plane which existed during the Second Age. Founded by the celestial beings known as the Mythar, the empire expanded across the entirety of Tolria, a continent in the far west. The Mythar were the first mortal beings created by Unknown and were known for their angelic forms, radiant skin, and mastery of Rift Magic. This unique society, which blended arcane knowledge and scientific invention, rose to greatness by mastering Unknown and harnessing its energy for their expansion.
The Mytharil Empire became renowned for its technological and magical advancements, reaching heights that had never been seen before and influencing cultures, magic, and technology across Tolria. However, it was their own hubris, led by the ambition of Valekith, that ultimately caused the empire’s downfall, leaving behind only fragments of their greatness in the shadowed recesses of history.
Expansion and Arcane Discovery
The foundation of the Mytharil Empire’s might and influence was their deep mastery of Rift Magic, a powerful force that allowed them to manipulate the boundaries between planes and harness the raw energies of the Continuum Crystal. Rift Magic became the basis for the empire’s inventions, allowing for unparalleled advances in both science and magic. The Mythar created wonders such as floating cities, Rift-powered constructs, and teleportation technologies that facilitated their rule over the entire continent of Tolria.
With the blessings of the Unknown, the Mytharil Empire aided the gods in battling the Elementari during The Aeonic Struggle, a great war that shaped the cosmos itself. The Mythar, though mortal, were seen as the chosen protectors of the Prime Plane, and they established a fragile but powerful alliance with the True Dragons, ancient guardians of creation. Although occasional conflicts arose between the Mythar and the True Dragons due to their differing worldviews, the alliance held strong through the Aeonic Struggle.
The Golden Age of Mytharil
Under the rule of Emperor Ezekiel, the Mytharil Empire flourished, ushering in a golden age of prosperity and innovation. Emperor Ezekiel was a wise and just ruler who valued knowledge, progress, and the responsibility of the Mythar to guide the world into peace and order. His reign saw the empire reach new heights as Rift Magic was integrated into every aspect of society, from military conquest to arcane research.
During this period, the Mythar were viewed as reflections of the gods by many lesser beings across Tolria, their radiant forms inspiring both awe and reverence. The empire's greatest city, the Floating City of Netheril, became the crown jewel of Mytharil, a place where science and magic intertwined seamlessly. With the guidance of the Archmage Valekith, the empire pushed the limits of magic and technology, harnessing the power of the Continuum Crystal to maintain control over vast stretches of territory.
The Downfall of Mytharil
Despite the empire's glory, dark ambitions stirred within the heart of its greatest mind—Valekith. The archmage sought to achieve immortality and ascend to godhood, believing that the power of the Continuum Crystal held the key to his ambition. Obsessed with eternal life, Valekith fractured the Continuum Crystal into Infinity Shards, hoarding them for his own use. This dangerous act shattered the fragile balance of the cosmos, opening a rift to the Plane of Khaos and allowing the Revenant Titan known as Eyes of Stars to enter the Prime Plane.
The Revenant Titan’s arrival triggered the First Continuum Crisis, a cataclysmic event that devastated the Prime Plane and wiped out nearly all of the Mytharil civilization. As the empire crumbled around him, Emperor Ezekiel battled Valekith in a final confrontation. Though Ezekiel managed to sever Valekith’s hand, the archmage completed his ritual, causing the Floating City of Netheril to be pulled into The Shadowfell. Valekith escaped through a Rift by activating the Soulmonger Crystals, consuming the souls of thousands of Mythar to power the Rift and flee into the shadow realm.
Fate of the Champions
In the empire’s final days, a group of Mythar champions were sent to stop Valekith and prevent the Continuum Crisis. However, these noble warriors were caught in the blast of Rift-Energy unleashed by Valekith’s ritual. Their very essences were twisted and corrupted, transforming them into the monstrous beings now known as the Crimson Hand Fortress. Banished to the Shadowfell alongside Valekith, they became warped reflections of their former selves, cursed to exist as eternal embodiments of the chaos they sought to prevent.
Legacy and Legends
The fall of the Mytharil Empire left a lasting scar on Tolria. Nearly all of the history, knowledge, and advancements of the Mythar were lost in the chaos of the First Continuum Crisis, with only fragmented records and ancient ruins remaining as reminders of their once-great civilization. The Mythar, who had once been seen as the chosen protectors of the Prime Plane, faded into legend and myth, their fate largely forgotten by the surviving races of Tolria.
Despite the catastrophic end of his empire, Emperor Ezekiel is remembered as a hero. His courage and selflessness during the final moments of the crisis earned him the grace of Helios, and it is believed that Ezekiel ascended as an Archangel, a divine being who now serves the Pantheon of Primus. Valekith, however, remains in the Shadowfell, plotting his return and seeking vengeance upon those who wronged him.