Chapter 23: The Lost Kingdoms – Ancient Civilizations of Restoria
Before the rise of the great powers that dominate Restoria today, the world was once home to vast and powerful civilizations, whose names have been lost to time. These ancient kingdoms, long forgotten by most of the modern world, shaped the lands in ways that continue to influence the present. Their ruins lie scattered across Restoria, their secrets hidden beneath layers of earth, magic, and myth.
The Lost Kingdoms were formed in the First Age, a time before the Celestial War, when the gods and titans still walked among mortals. Each of these kingdoms held incredible power, and each met a tragic, mysterious fate. The collapse of these civilizations marked the beginning of an era of darkness and uncertainty, but their legacies live on, waiting to be rediscovered.
23.1 The Kingdom of Altheria
The first of the Lost Kingdoms was the magnificent Kingdom of Altheria, an empire that once spanned much of the eastern continent of Restoria. Altheria was known for its advanced understanding of magic, particularly in the fields of illusion and enchantment. The people of Altheria were capable of manipulating the very essence of reality, bending light, sound, and even time itself. Their cities were wonders of both architecture and magic, with buildings that shimmered in the air as though held up by invisible threads.
Altherians were said to be a proud and noble people, ruled by a line of sorcerer-kings who possessed unimaginable magical power. These kings, known as the Illusionary Monarchs, wielded immense influence over both the magical and political affairs of the kingdom. Under their rule, Altheria flourished as a hub of knowledge and culture, attracting scholars, mages, and adventurers from all corners of the world.
However, the kingdom's downfall came swiftly and without warning. It is believed that the Illusionary Monarchs, in their quest for greater power, attempted to harness a forbidden form of magic—one that sought to merge the realms of the living and the dead. This act tore apart the fabric of reality itself, causing the kingdom to collapse in on itself. The once-great cities of Altheria were lost to time, their ruins now hidden beneath dense forests and shifting sands. The people of Altheria vanished, their souls trapped between worlds, leaving only whispered legends behind.
Today, the Veil of Altheria, a dense fog that is said to be the last remnants of the kingdom's magic, covers the ruins of the once-proud empire. Few who venture into the Veil ever return, and those who do speak of strange, otherworldly creatures and twisted landscapes that exist in a state of constant flux.
23.2 The Empire of Thalor
To the west of Altheria once lay the Empire of Thalor, a kingdom renowned for its mastery of metallurgy and weaponcraft. The people of Thalor were skilled blacksmiths, forging weapons and armor of unmatched quality. It was said that their creations could cut through stone, withstand the might of dragons, and endure the harshest of elements. The Thalorians worshipped the god Draxor, the god of war and creation, who was said to have blessed their forges with divine fire.
Thalor was also known for its grand architecture, with towering fortresses built from enchanted stone that could resist even the most powerful magical attacks. The Thalorian Legion, an elite military force composed of warriors clad in armor of the finest steel, was legendary for its discipline and combat prowess. The empire's influence extended over much of the western continent, and it was feared and respected by all.
However, the fall of the Empire of Thalor came not from external invasion, but from within. The rulers of Thalor grew increasingly paranoid, believing that their enemies were plotting against them. The kingdom's once-loyal soldiers turned against their masters, and a brutal civil war tore the empire apart. In the end, the Thalorian Crown, a powerful artifact that symbolized the empire's authority, was lost, and the once-great kingdom faded into obscurity.
Today, the remnants of Thalor are scattered across the western lands, with ruined cities and forsaken forges standing as silent witnesses to the empire's tragic demise. The Forge of Draxor, a massive blacksmithing complex hidden deep within the Ironclad Mountains, is said to hold the last of Thalor's legendary weapons, waiting for a worthy soul to claim them.
23.3 The Desert Kingdom of Zalmar
Far to the south, across the vast Sunscorch Desert, lay the kingdom of Zalmar, an ancient civilization that flourished in the harshest of environments. Zalmar was a kingdom of scholars and mystics, who sought to understand the deepest secrets of the universe through the study of the stars, the sands, and the very elements of the earth itself. Their knowledge of astral magic and geomancy was unparalleled, and they constructed great observatories and arcane temples to study the movements of the heavens.
The Zalmarites were known for their unparalleled achievements in astronomy, mapping the stars with precision and foretelling events centuries before they occurred. They believed that the stars held the key to understanding the fate of the world, and many of their prophecies were said to have come true. The kingdom also produced some of the most potent geomancers, individuals capable of shaping the very earth beneath their feet to their will.
Despite their wisdom, the people of Zalmar were ultimately undone by their obsession with the stars. It is said that they sought to commune with the Starborn—mysterious celestial beings that were believed to dwell in the heavens. In their attempts to reach these beings, the Zalmarites performed a ritual that opened a rift between Restoria and the stars. The magic backfired, causing a massive cataclysm that shattered their kingdom and turned their once-thriving desert into a barren wasteland. The people of Zalmar disappeared, and their cities were buried beneath the sand.
Today, the ruins of Zalmar lie hidden beneath the vast dunes of the Sunscorch Desert. Those few who dare venture into the desert speak of strange lights in the sky and whispers on the wind, as if the kingdom's spirit still lingers in the sands.
23.4 The Legacy of the Lost Kingdoms
Though the kingdoms of Altheria, Thalor, and Zalmar have been lost to time, their legacies live on. The artifacts and knowledge they left behind continue to inspire adventurers, scholars, and mages who seek to uncover the secrets of these ancient civilizations. The ruins of these kingdoms are often hunted by treasure hunters, seeking lost relics and powerful artifacts that may still be hidden within their crumbling halls.
Many believe that the fall of the Lost Kingdoms was not a mere accident, but a series of divine punishments for their hubris and greed. Some say that the gods themselves, angered by the civilizations' attempts to reach beyond their bounds, brought about their downfall. Others believe that the Titanic Forces, those ancient powers still sealed beneath the earth, were responsible for the destruction of these once-great empires.
Whatever the truth may be, the Lost Kingdoms serve as a stark reminder of the price of ambition. They are a testament to the fact that even the mightiest of civilizations can fall, leaving only ruins and legends in their wake. For those who seek to understand the past, the Lost Kingdoms offer a glimpse into a world long gone, and perhaps, a warning of the dangers of overreaching.
As the world of Restoria continues to evolve, one thing remains certain—the mysteries of the Lost Kingdoms will continue to shape the future, as adventurers, scholars, and mystics strive to uncover the truths hidden beneath their ruins.