An intro to The Trials of Astra
To celebrate reaching 10 subscribers, prior to the Friday release of the first short story, I wanted to prepare this little primer!
Historians often forget the hundreds of years that define the most difficult times in Astra.
Although they are often boiled down to a collection of single moments, it is a well established fact that the Trials of Astra were a strangely interwoven time in which the people of the realm were put to the test in a multitude of ways. It was a period of turmoil, discovery, fear, disease, and enlightenment. Above all else, it was a time of both hope and despair. During these trials, Astra was a realm of war, faith, and heroes. The Trials we speak of are not challenges or competitions, but instead a fight for survival. A race against extinction that started at the birth of bipedal beings that walked and talked and thought in questions and searched for answers. The race only became worse when humanoids were backed into a corner, and forced to fight for their lives.
Some think of a couple heroes when they think of the legends and myths involved in overcoming these trials, but indeed it was much more than a couple. There were timeless deities who enjoyed meddling in the affairs of mortals, champions of legend who fought with the power of the gods to defend their chosen people, and everyday people just looking to make the world a better place. They varied in their origin (human, Demigod, child of Oran-Koh, or Xella - also known as the galaxy folk in the modern tongue, or another sentient being entirely.), but each of them had one goal in mind: A better world.
This codex is the first attempt at recording The Trials of Astra in one clear and concise delivery of not only fact, but philosophical speculation, and historical implications that often followed the choices of these people in these difficult times.
Some sources have been gathered from historical texts. Others from interviews and word of mouth. All we can say is that although some facts may be disputed, the bulk of this is as close to the truth as there can possibly be within such a desperate time in history.
Lastly, the most important note to consider is ‘The End.’ The End is an apocalyptic event in Astral history that is at the center of much of the disorder. Some significant stories take place prior to The End whereas others take place after The End. Regardless, this is a defining moment in history that cannot be forgotten.
With that, let us fall into the past. Into a world forgotten and long past. A time blessed by the gods, but riddled with their flaws. Praise the Fates, and the passage of time as we step into The Trials of Astra.