Welcome to PathfinderWiki. In order to curtail spam, editing is restricted to registered users only. Please request an account here.

From PathfinderWiki

Earthfall is the name given to the cataclysmic event of the Starstone's impact with Golarion in -5293 AR^[1]. It resulted in the destruction of the empires of the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant, which were consumed by earthquakes and massive tidal waves, and the creation of the Inner Sea. The cloud of dust thrown up by the Starstone's impact settled in Golarion's upper atmosphere and blotted out the sun for a thousand years, creating the Age of Darkness.^[2][3]

Contents 1 Origins of Earthfall 2 Aftershocks of Earthfall 2.1 Elves 2.2 Aboleth 2.3 Darklands 2.4 Cyclops 3 References

Origins of Earthfall

The first known human civilization on the face of Golarion is thought to be that of ancient Azlant. Raised from barbarism by the alien aboleth in prehistoric times, the Azlanti eventually developed a level of technology, magic, and civilization the likes of which have not been seen since. But this advancement caused the Azlanti people to become arrogant and proud, and they no longer felt they needed to obey and respect their inhuman benefactors. This angered the aboleth, and in retribution they used their ancient magics to call down the Starstone from the heavens and destroyed the Azlanti empire.^[4]

Aftershocks of Earthfall

The destruction of the human empires of Azlant and Thassilon are the best-known, but by no means the only effects of Earthfall. Many other races suffered from this apocalyptic event as well.

Elves

Having been forewarned of the coming disaster by their agents in the settlement of Mordant Spire, most of the elves of Golarion fled through a magical gate to the mysterious realm of Sovyrian; they would not return for several millennia.^[1][5] Some elves refused to leave, however, deciding to take shelter in the Darklands below the surface. Although this saved them from the worst destruction of the impact itself, these elves found other dangers lurking in the dark tunnels below. Forced into making contracts with demonic forces to survive the hostile environment, they eventually were transformed into the evil drow.^[6]

Aboleth

Even though they had brought about the event, Earthfall had unintended consequences for the aboleth which they hadn't foreseen. They miscalculated the level of devastation the impact would cause, and the mighty earthquakes which followed sent their own civilization into decline as well.^[4]

Darklands

Earthfall also had an effect on the Darklands below the surface of Golarion. The dwarves of that time were still a subterranean race, living in the realm of Nar-Voth, in constant conflict with the neighboring orcs. The earthquakes caused by the Starstone's impact were seen as a sign by the dwarves who began their Quest for Sky, unwittingly driving the orcs before them to the surface.^[7]

Cyclops

The destruction of Earthfall also caused the doom of two cyclops empires, one in Garund and the other in northwestern Casmaron.^[8]

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Hal Maclean & Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 3. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5
2. ↑ Erik Mona & Jason Bulmahn. (2008). Gazetteer, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-077-3
3. ↑ Colin McComb. (2010). Inner Sea Primer, p. 3. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-277-7
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Greg A. Vaughan. (2008). Shadow in the Sky.Shadow in the Sky, p. 7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-115-2
5. ↑ J.D. Wiker. (2008). A Memory of Darkness.A Memory of Darkness, p. 7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-130-5
6. ↑ Jeff Grubb. (2008). Drow of Golarion.The Armageddon Echo, p. 54. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-128-2
7. ↑ James Jacobs & Greg A. Vaughan. (2008). Into the Darklands, p. 18-19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-140-4
8. ↑ Greg A. Vaughan. (2010). The Varnhold Vanishing.The Varnhold Vanishing, p. 7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-234-0