From the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States to the Chu-Han Contention - The History of DND (Part 2)
Naisere learned a vast array of magic from the elves, leading to the emergence of a community of magicians in society, who swiftly attained a dominant position through their formidable power. Due to the non-hereditary nature of the magicians, Naisere transformed from a primitive kingdom into a loosely governed republic under the joint rule of magicians. The royal family and nobility gradually became marginalized and eventually disappeared, while local powers could not be centralized. The First Empire of Naisere was merely an alliance from beginning to end, with its unity comparable at most to that of the Holy Roman Empire on Earth. The royal family and nobility gradually became marginalized and eventually disappeared, while local powers could not be centralized. The First Empire of Naisere was merely an alliance from beginning to end, with its unity comparable at most to that of the Holy Roman Empire on Earth.
As the situation reached its final stages, the internal issues of Naiserel became increasingly prominent. The Grand Archmage was deeply engrossed in magical research, neglecting the nation's affairs and the well-being of its people, to the extent that even the foundational Naiser Scroll was lost (this is a mismatch of expertise! Politics and academia are two different matters. If the Chinese Academy of Sciences were to take over the functions of the State Council, chaos would ensue within a year). A terrorist named Orostin once led a group of monsters to occupy the City of Unity, committing heinous acts of murder and arson. However, the Grand Archmage Council astonishingly did not take action for 33 years. Ultimately, Orostin provoked a passing 34th-level Archmage, who eliminated him with a single fireball. Despite the presence of numerous 39th and 40th-level powerhouses in the Grand Archmage Council, none thought to eliminate the threat to the nation.
The archmages in power divided the territory into various nations within the country, and when they launched expeditions abroad, they struck haphazardly without a clear strategic plan or a unified military organization, and they did not even have a semblance of a central government. The Archmage Council resembled more of a United Nations assembly, where no one could impose constraints. Eventually, they decided to focus all efforts on westward expansion, but progress was exceedingly slow. Moreover, there were too many pacifists among the archmages, and the Nezirel Empire not only failed to dominate the continent but also saw very little expansion of its territory, which was roughly equivalent to one-third of Imaska. Eventually, they simply sat back and endured the blows.
The origin of Ayo
Firstly, during the so-called Year of Turmoil, Aio cast the gods down to the mortal realm, forcing them to seek the Fate Stone Tablet. Strangely, only the human pantheon, specifically certain deities from the continent of Faerûn, were affected, while the elves, gnomes, dwarves, orcs, and even the pantheon of Muhammad remained untouched. As for the eastern continent of Karatu and other lands, they were even less impacted. With such a limited jurisdiction, how can one dare to call themselves the King of the Gods
Karthus set his sights on the goddess of magic, Miss Ryel. The spell was successful, but Karthus collapsed under the burden of the goddess's workload, transforming into a statue that sank into the desert, while the magical network was simultaneously destroyed. As a result of losing power, countless floating cities fell from the sky like meteors, shattering into pieces, marking the end of the empire's glory. Even Miss Ryel perished, entrusting her memories and abilities to a shepherdess, who became the second generation goddess of magic, Miss La. As a result of losing power, countless floating cities fell from the sky like meteors, shattering into pieces, marking the end of the empire's glory. Even Miss Ryel perished, entrusting her memories and abilities to a shepherdess, who became the second generation goddess of magic, Miss La
Thus, I envision Ai Ou as a monster from the intercrystalline realm, existing around the time just before the reign of the Felin Demon Vine. Essentially, it is similar to a spirit-sucking creature that employs mind control, but its targets are not ordinary beings but deities. However, during that era, the various deities were relatively united, forming distinct pantheons, and Ai Ou could deal with one but not a multitude. Therefore, it took advantage of the Felin Demon Vine to bring down the most powerful Naisere Empire and its pantheon, causing the Naisere pantheon, which was still somewhat united, to completely disintegrate. After the fall of the Naisere Empire, Ai Ou could then confront the isolated deities, and in turn, use the deities it controlled to oppress other more united pantheons, compelling them to at least submit verbally. In this way, obtaining the title of the King of Gods would still be achievable.
Disasters ravaged the land, yet the archmages were unable to devise effective methods to combat the Feylin Demon Sunflower. Many of them left the country, fleeing to various places in the West and North. Occasionally, some powerful archmages would attempt to create even more formidable spells, but during these times, they often encountered surprise attacks from the Feylin Demon Sunflower. The Feylin Demon Sunflower rarely left survivors and, through their magical powers, blocked the vast majority of divination and sensing spells. This nearly severed communication among people, making it difficult to ascertain whether a particular archmage was still alive. The Feylin Demon Sunflower rarely left survivors and, through their magical powers, blocked the vast majority of divination and sensing spells. This nearly severed communication among people, making it difficult to ascertain whether a particular archmage was still alive. Naturally, this also hindered the timely dissemination of news regarding the progress of the war (does it resemble the Scourge of God, Attila?)
Thirdly, if Eo can truly create the world and the realm of books, then what use is the theft of the Fate Tablet by the Three Gods of Death? For the supreme rulers, laws, contracts, and oaths are all meaningless; lying with open eyes is a fundamental skill of those in power. Their actions indicate that Eo's authority is not absolute and can be challenged. If Eo is an external conqueror, it becomes quite understandable—it's a rotation of emperors, next year it will be my turn. Their actions indicate that Eo's authority is not absolute and can be challenged. If Eo is an external conqueror, it becomes quite understandable—it's a rotation of emperors, next year it will be my turn.
Xadu was a student of Kael'thas, merely a novice among the many great archmages of the time. He was not particularly responsible, focusing solely on his research even as the Empire teetered on the brink of collapse. On the eve of Kael'thas stealing the power of the goddess of magic, Mistral, he successfully developed a method to move the entire floating city to the Shadow Plane, leaving the Material Plane. However, due to a malfunction, he became trapped there for a time. When he finally resolved the issues and successfully returned the floating city to the Material Plane, he discovered that the Empire had already fallen. This cowardly individual lacked the courage to clean up the aftermath and, fearing pursuit by the Fel Lord, chose to hide in the Shadow Plane to escape disaster. This hiding lasted for over a thousand years.
Subsequently, there was another piece of information indicating that Ao is a visitor from the Crystal Wall system, while Selune and Shar are the oldest deities of the Toril world. The arrival of Ao occurred after the birth of the Toril world. Upon calculation, I found that many things made sense, which is why I adopted this explanation
The primary culprit behind the downfall of the empire is the Felin Moguai, a creature solely intent on the destruction of humanity. They rampage across the surface world using the "Magic Drain Spell." This eternally effective magic drain can also absorb life essence; any being that enters its spherical area of effect will be slowly drained into a lifeless husk, and even the land will gradually turn into a desert
Naiseryel Civilization
This refers to the contact with the same spirits and the spread of magic (basically coinciding with the demise of Imaskar)
Later, Naisere discovered the famous Naisere Scrolls, giving rise to many great archmages and constructing marvelous floating cities. However, it did not take another step down the path of centralization. Naisere also attempted expansion, but unfortunately, despite possessing the most splendid civilization on the continent at that time, the most powerful magic, and the backing of the mightiest Naisere deities, it was unable to form a united front during actual combat. Even in the effort to eradicate the common enemy, the orcs, it could not muster the strength of the entire nation. Naisere also attempted expansion, but unfortunately, despite possessing the most splendid civilization on the continent at that time, the most powerful magic, and the backing of the mightiest Naisere deities, it was unable to form a united front during actual combat. Even in the effort to eradicate the common enemy, the orcs, it could not muster the strength of the entire nation
His floating city is named Yinhun City
As for his ability to bring down the gods, it may seem impressive, but in reality, it was merely a matter of catching them off guard. Emperor Muzong of Tang also made large-scale adjustments to the garrisons, and while the seemingly unruly military governors appeared to be obedient, in the end, it proved to be of no use; they merely established their power in a different location, causing numerous disturbances. Everyone is well aware of the state of the Faerûn continent during turbulent years. You have disregarded the fate stone and made empty promises; who would truly respect you? (Having a boss who enjoys mistreating employees, fails to fulfill promises, constantly replaces old employees with new ones, and provides no welfare for those who retire is a situation where it would be better to unite and remove him; anyone would be better than him!)
Here, it feels somewhat akin to the developmental trajectory of humanity from primitive tribes to tribal confederations and then to despotic kingdoms. Old Naisai aspired to seize all power in one fell swoop, but unfortunately met his demise. Subsequently, Young Naisai had no choice but to take a few steps back, decentralizing power to local forces, thus to some extent returning to the position of a tribal confederation leader. Originally, the royal family could have gradually reclaimed royal authority thereafter, but the subsequent upheavals rendered Naisairel forever unable to establish a centralized imperial state
However, if Ayo is an outsider, then everything makes sense. Because one tends to pick the softest persimmons, Ayo has only conquered or, one might say, controlled these disunited deities. At most, they may nominally submit to him, but if he were to issue commands, it would be tantamount to courting death for Ayo
In the DND rules, the Overgod Ao is the most enigmatic existence. Some interpretations suggest that he is the sovereign who created the world, but looking at the births of Selûne and Shar, it seems that this Overgod has created nothing but light and darkness, not even matter. Creation cannot be so half-hearted! The God of Genesis took seven days to shape the world into something recognizable, even creating humanity. Pangu opened the heavens and the earth; although he only had an axe, at least heaven and earth appeared, and he later transformed himself into rivers, mountains, stars, and a multitude of other things. In comparison, Ao seems incredibly lazy. If Selûne and Shar were to learn from him, wouldn't this world be hopeless? He has not intervened in the battle between light and darkness, and the archmages of the Nezheril Empire possess immense power. How is it that the Nezher gods are so formidable, yet no one knows of Ao's existence?
Secondly, Ai Ou easily drove the gods down, yet he lacked the ability to discover the whereabouts of the Fate Stone. If it is said that one can always find a reason to accuse, then why does he choose to conceal his existence from mortals? Even if the supreme god does not care for faith, there is no need to hide! By organizing some followers among mortals, he could also monitor the actions of the gods. After much contemplation, I can only conclude one possibility: the gods have united for some reason to block information. Most likely, they find it shameful; if Ai Ou truly is the sovereign who created the world, what is there to be embarrassed about in submitting to him? Therefore, Ai Ou must have employed some very insidious means to coerce the gods, and his identity is also highly suspect. In any case, serving him would be quite disgraceful.
Originally, there were still some inhabitants on the ground in the Empire. Although the floating city was gone, it was merely a return to the pre-liberation state, living a primitive life devoid of magic. However, the Felin Mogu slowly transformed the Empire entirely into a desert. The remnants of Naisere struggled for 300 years under the threats of foreign invasion and land desertification, ultimately leading to their demise. After the desert completely engulfed the Empire, it also ceased its expansion. It is said that a powerful creature known as the Saren Spirit defeated the Felin Mogu, but it all seems to carry the scent of conspiracy (similar to the Soviet Union's inaction during the Warsaw Uprising, watching the German army breach the city, and only intervening to 'liberate' after the insurgents had perished, which feels too contrived). The last batch of Naisere civilians, who were reluctant to leave their homeland, became the Bedai barbarians, surviving as guides and bandits in the desert.
In my book, the King of Gods, Aio, is somewhat akin to the emperors of the late Tang Dynasty or the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in China. In name, he rules over the world; not to mention the Central Plains, even the southern states and foreign tribes pay him tribute. However, this is all superficial. If he were to issue any commands to the warlords, they would simply consider him mad. Even among his own subordinates, they are merely a group of regional governors who listen to orders but disregard proclamations, effectively functioning as independent small states. Any orders sent down would be subject to reductions and adjustments, and if any warlord were to grow slightly stronger, they would ambitiously seek to usurp the throne beneath him.
In the year 3859 B.C. (DR), in order to combat the hordes of orc bandits, the fishermen from seven villages decided to form an alliance for mutual assistance (with a level of civilization comparable to that of the Eskimos). Among them, a village chief named Old Naisai became the leader of the alliance. Later, Old Naisai proclaimed himself king and changed the name of the kingdom to "Naisairel," meaning the land of Naisai. He ruled with oppression and was unpopular among the people, ultimately leading to his assassination. Young Naisai ascended to the throne (Shifu?) and established a new governmental system—loosely based on democratic principles. Naisairel has a single king, whose eldest son can inherit the throne, but each village chief holds one vote. The king's vote is equivalent to five votes from the chiefs, which still grants him far greater power than any individual chief.
At the time of the empire's collapse, there was a group of fortunate individuals who survived. They also resided in the floating city, yet did not fall. This was due to their exceptionally lucky lord, Shado, who would later be known as Talamant Tanshul. Shado is his honorific or nickname, which signifies his research in a niche field—shadow planes.
In such a chaotic situation, one would normally strive for improvement. However, Ai Ou seems to prefer a long slumber, likely due to the adverse effects of crossing the Crystal Wall System. Instead, he resorts to merely intimidating the deities, relying on his most loyal sycophant, the guardian god Heim, for protection. He resembles the disdainful Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang, who was known for favoring courtesans in his court. Thus, I have arranged for him a fate akin to that of Zhuangzong—since you believe in the guardian god Heim, it is simple enough to have him switch roles and become the god of betrayal, cutting you down. Whether he returns to his original profession afterward is another matter altogether.
The young archmage Kael'thas, by the standards of a lich, served as a firefighter for a time, defeating demons that came to take advantage of the chaos. However, most archmages were indifferent to his life and death. After many years of fighting alone, Kael'thas finally felt despair, believing that such passive resistance could hardly salvage the future of Quel'Thalas. Thus, after years of research, he created a type of magic and applied it to himself. This spell, known as "Kael'thas's Avatar," is a unique level 12 spell. It has the ability to temporarily steal the power of a god.