History of Terasil: Difference between revisions

Terasil was the first tangible realm to emerge from the [[Primordial Void]], formed by [[Oras]], the Primordial [[Spirit]] of Earth, from the chaotic essence of [[Astram]]. In its initial state, Terasil existed as an infinite expanse of solid stone—featureless, unmoving, and untouched by the other elemental forces. It stood in contrast to the realms that followed, embodying permanence, structure, and endurance.

<noautolinks>{{main|The Era of Isolation}}</noautolinks>

Before the arrival of the other primordial elements—[[Tejas]], [[Jala]], and [[Shasae]]—Terasil existed in a state of absolute geological stability. The landscape was marked by plateaus, stone fields, and cliffs shaped only by the interplay of light and shadow. During this period, the first sentient beings of the realm, the [[Orasians]], began to emerge from the living stone.

The Orasians became stewards of the land, shaping its terrain and constructing enduring cities such as [[Kar-Thal]], carved directly into the Citadel range. Their traditions—stonecraft, [[orasia]], and meditative communion with the earth—remain central to their identity and spiritual practice.

<noautolinks>{{main|Great Erosion}}</noautolinks>

With the advent of fire, water, and air, Terasil underwent a profound transformation. Rivers carved gorges, winds reshaped cliffs, and volcanic forces fractured the once-continuous stone. Known as the [[Great Erosion]], this epoch marked the transition from an infinite landmass to the more bounded geography of [[Elemara]]. The [[Citadel Mountains]] became a protective core, preserving the heart of ancient Terasil.

As surface erosion intensified, subterranean life expanded. The [[Minthari]], emerging from the deep strata, established mining settlements and forged extensive tunnel networks. The development of the [[Deep Roads]] facilitated trade and cultural exchange between the Minthari and Orasians, creating a shared domain beneath the shifting surface.

Over successive generations, the inhabitants of Terasil adapted to the presence of other elements, integrating them into ritual, architecture, and agriculture. Regions such as the [[Emerald Valley]] transformed through geological and cultural effort, representing the realm’s gradual diversification. New ecosystems emerged, but the underlying earthbound identity of Terasil remained intact.

Terasil today endures as a realm defined by continuity and resilience. Its landscapes—mountains, valleys, and underground cities—bear the imprint of aeons of transformation. While the [[Orasians]] maintain ancestral customs rooted in spiritual [[attunement]] with stone, the [[Minthari]] continue to innovate through craft and subterranean exploration. The realm stands as a testament to endurance in the face of elemental change.

== Bibliography ==

* ''[https://adarislibrary.org/docs/books/history/stone-echoes/ Stone Echoes: Early Orasian Rituals and Records]''. Compiled by the Archivists of Kar-Thal. [[Kar-Thal Stone Archives]] (Volume I).

* ''Before Wind and Flame: A Chronology of Isolation''. Recorded during the Third [[Orasian]] Assembly, inscribed within the Chamber of Stillness.

* ''Subterranean Networks and the Rise of the Deep Roads''. Minthari Ledger Archive, translated by Yeda Rohl of [[Minthal]].