Adam the First

Birth: 800 AGF
Death: 1025 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

Adam is arguably the most famous Godshard, owing to the fact he was the first as well as one of the most powerful. Born in the town of Venito, he became a Godshard three days after he was born. Yet despite his glowing eyes and Soulsight unnerving people, Adam lived a normal life as a carpenter. But when he turned thirty everything changed. A Maelim warband attacked Venito and in panic and terror, Adam accidentally cast a spell for the first time, destroying the marauders utterly.

Confused and intrigued, Adam put on non-descript grey robes and wandered the world for a century, desperate for answers on what he was. He met famous Benelim such as High King Ioannis and deities including Terra. He would be one of the last humans to ever gain an audience with the earth Goddess. What was said between them is not known.

During the outset of the Daemon Wars, Adam returned to the Cradlelands to warn his people of the danger. But Adam had been gone for so long that nobody knew who he was. No one heeded his words and city after city fell, until at last Adam came to people who listened: The City of Primus. When survivors from all the other cities came seeking refuge, Adam showed compassion and requested they be allowed inside.

The daemons arrived soon after, lead by the monstrous daemon lord named Hanbi, who took the form of a monstrous lion. The defenders won the day, largely in part to Adam, who decimated the horde with his magical power and by besting Hanbi in single combat. Thus a bond between Godshards and the people of Primus had been formed.

After the battle, Adam sought to settle down and raise a family. Yet he was infertile, even after laying with several women. Adam was devastated by the revelation. But an opportunity presented itself when six more Godshards arrived at Primus, confirming he would not be the only Godshard. 

These six Godshards devoted themselves to Adam. The seven of them created an island off the coast of the Cradlelands, to be a safe haven for all Godshards, outside the geopolitical order. Where they could learn and study more about themselves. Adam's latter years were mostly teaching his students and writing down his story, his beliefs and what he learned. Adam was self-aware to know Godshards would be looking to him and his life story for guidance and he would not be found wanting.

Adam died at the age of two-hundred and twenty-five, surrounded by friends and students. His observations would prove to be correct as Godshards centuries after his death would still strive to follow his example, dress like he did, and use their power to help others.

Elias, Greatest of the Original Six

Birth: 920 AGF
Death: 1120 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

Birth: 920 AGF
Death: 1120 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

Elias was the most powerful of Adam's original disciples, and the longest lived as a result. Hailing from the distant Southern Realms, his foresight took him north at a young age. He would meet other Godshards in his northward journey and together they would meet Adam in Primus. 

Like the others, Elias devoted himself to Adam and assisted Adam in the creation of the island. Until the day Adam died, he was a quick study and eager to learn. As the most powerful, he lead the others upon Adam's death.

In his younger years he sought to wander the world in a similar vein as Adam. He spent a lot of his time in the Southern Realms, introducing his people to the concept of the Godshards and what they could do for humanity. After saving a king of the city-state Aninda from a rampaging Behemoth without killing the beast, Elias secured a legacy of his own in those distant lands. 

It wasn't always peaceful and prosperous however. When Maria, another one of the original Six died due to her soul being incinerated from not casting spells, it devastated him. He spent more and more time in the Cradlelands after that. He assisted the Republic of Primus in dealing with a Maelim warband, earning him much respect from the legionnaires. More and more Godshards were coming to the island and others were being discovered on their travels. One of the last times Elias wandered to his homeland he came across Sheba, abandoned in an alley. In time, the other Godshards of the original Six passed away, one by one, until at last Elias was the only one left.

He mended his broken heart by being a strong leader to the next generations of Godshards. This culminated in Elias' most famous pupil: Ruth the Uniter. Elias was a grandfather figure to Ruth, a rock of comfort and wisdom in her early years. Elias had great foresight, he saw the problems on the horizon, ambitious senators and the coming of a Maelim army the Cradlelands had never seen. Yet he saw the boundless potential of Ruth and how she could be a capable leader. On his deathbed. he declared Ruth to be his successor. He passed away at two-hundred, confirming the lifespan of a Magnus Shard. While his legacy wasn't as strong as Adams, his was a crucial bridge between the very first of the Godshards, and the next generations.

Maria the Tragic

Birth: 930 AGF
Death: 1030 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

Maria was another one of Adam's original Six disciples. She learned under Adam and sought to carry on his teachings. But Maria had a crippling stutter that made it hard for her to cast spells properly. The desire and willingness to help others was there, but she couldn't follow through with it in spellcraft. Eventually she decided to focus on helping people with her words and guidance only. 

Unfortunately, due to her nature as a Majorus Shard, spellcasting was an important aspect of her lifestyle that couldn't be ignored. This fact was made apparent when her soul began to burn up from the inside out. Despite the other's best efforts to help her, there was nothing anyone could do but watch as her body and soul incinerated from the build-up of magical energies. Before she died, she begged the others to write down and remember her demise, lest others end up with the same fate. Even in the throes of agony, she was selfless, worried more for others than herself. 

Maria would be the first Shard to not die from natural causes.

Ruth the Uniter

Birth: 1100 AGF
Death: 1325 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

Abandoned by humans due to her deafness, Ruth was raised by the Benelim huntresses Leela and Katherina. Chaffing under the prejudices that Benelim held toward humans, it was perhaps a turn of fate that a Shard entered her when she turned seven, making her the first known late-bloomer. Reluctantly Leela and Katherina took her to the island, which at this point was known as Adam's island. Elias and the other Godshards welcomed her with open arms.

Ruth had a difficult time growing up, as the myriads of influences left a conflicted impression upon her. She was exposed to the culture of humans and Benelim, she saw the best and worst in both peoples. Her inability to speak orally proved to be a critical hurdle that needed to be overcome, lest she end up like Maria. Ruth was grateful for the immense support of her fellow Godshards, Elias, Megan and her best friend and eventual lover Sheba.

Through the efforts of Elias and the timely and rare assistance of High King Ioannis, the first magical spells were cast via Benelim Sign Language. An empowered Ruth began to rapidly increase her power and skill soon after. She spent time in both worlds for a while, Sheba right beside her as a guide and friend. When she turned twenty, she reluctantly succeeded Elias after his passing. A month later a slew of problems would put Ruth to the test. Senators in Primus sought to take over the island under the guise of "helping them", and a fiercesome Maelim army led by one of the last remaining firstborn known as The Butcher, assailed the Cradlelands from the west. Despite the protests of her adoptive Benelim parents, Ruth opted to say and fight.

Though her own power and determination, combined with support from Sheba and the then Consul of War Clodius, The Butcher was slain and the senators stood down. But the Maelim weren't done yet and a decade after her victory, the same Maelim army attacked the Realm of the Golden Wood. Maelim raiders sent by the same army attacked the city of Submersio in pursuit of Katherina, culminating in the wounded Benelim saving Clodius' life. It was all Ruth needed to convince the Republic of Primus to help save her other adoptive home.

The Maelim army was defeated and their leader, The Scythe, the daughter of The Butcher, slain by Ruth's hand. Ruth effectively united her two worlds, bringing an age of peace and prosperity to both. Her later years were largely those of study, documentation and building. Especially after Sheba's passing at the age of one-hundred and ten. A long standing dream of Ruth's was to turn the camp on Adam's Island into a proper settlement. The humans and Benelim had centuries of history to catch-up on. There were plenty of spells and works that needed to be documented. Ruth would name the new chronicle after Sheba in her name and memory.

By the time of her passing at two-hundred and twenty-five, the foundations of the Island City had been laid, her peoples had come together and her legacy was pure and true, second perhaps only to Adam himself. Among the Benelim she was known as Amica, friend.

Sheba the Cheerful

Birth: 1100 AGF
Death: 1210 AGF
Shard Type: Minorus

Sheba was found by Elias when she was only three days old. Even as a child, she was a bright and cheerful soul. She always had a smile on her face, always something nice to say. It would be revealed that Sheba had one of the first known passive abilities, that of charisma. When a seven-year old Sheba met Ruth, she instantly felt a connection. The feeling was mutual and they soon became friends and when they became adults, lovers. Sheba became a teacher, and quickly became a beloved fixture of the island.

Sheba would prove to be Ruth's rock time and time again. When Ruth had to stand before the senators of Primus to argue her case for the island's independence, it was Sheba who translated her signs, which in combination with her passive charisma, made them quite the team. This ensured their independence was maintained. When Ruth's stress and frustrations caused her to lash out against some builders, alienating people around her, it was Sheba who was that voice of reason.

After the liberation of the Golden Wood, Sheba would continue to be a teacher on the island up until her death at a hundred and ten years old. Her legacy was such that Ruth insisted the newest chronicle be named after her. She would get her wish and the Sheban Chronicle remains an important piece of history for future generations.

Mikel the First Mago

Birth: 1075 AGF
Death: 1120 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

Mikel was a potent Godshard originally from the north. Like countless other Godshards, he was drawn to the island due to rumors of like-minded people. He was one of the more powerful Shards of his day, and he was something of a guardian to many of the other Shards as a result. Mikel was also a pioneer of the concept of magical leanings, and he was the Shard to coin the term and proposed the first theories regarding them.

He had three magical leanings: elemental, abjuration and metallurgy. Indeed he would discover many spells in these areas, a crucial and understated legacy. Tragically Mikel would be killed by The Butcher, who strangled him so he couldn't cast a spell, reminding the Godshards that they were still mortal, they were still human. 

Evelin the Stubborn

Birth: 1304 AGF
Death: 1404 AGF
Shard Type: Majorus

Evelin was a divisive figure among Godshards. The Adamites say she had strong convictions, sticking to her beliefs no matter what. The Sacerdozio Godshards say she was abrasive, sanctimonious, pessimistic and close-minded. The truth is no doubt somewhere in between.

Evelin hailed from distant Yanneros, from the town of Humasha. She was an outlier among Godshards, for she didn't become one until she was fourteen. Some say is was this that made her so stubborn and abrasive. She was a contemporary of the Godshard brothers David and Solomon. When they approached her with their plans for an organization inspired by Ruth and Sheba, with Godshards going out into the world like Sheba, and others staying in sanctums like Ruth, she dismissed it as folly. Such an institution would be too rigid in its beliefs in her eyes.

Evelin was forced to take the matter more seriously when it looked like the brothers would actually get their way. The Island City was to be the capital of this new organization. Evelin was outraged and she was not the only one. She confronted David at the altar of the Great Basilica. The two argued fiercely, to the point where Shards on both sides were nervous it was going to turn into a fight. Accounts vary, some say it was Solomon who prevented it from escalating, others say Evelin backed down of her own accord.

But Evelin refused to join this new order, she renounced the Sacerdozio and the Island City, officially breaking away from them, cutting off communication with them and never looking back. Likeminded Godshards joined her. Thus the Great Schism was complete. They dubbed themselves Adamites and took certain rules and vows which would define the Adamite tradition. Despite her stance against rigidity, certain practices became more mandatory after the Schism. Adamites must wear all grey outfits, and they must be solitary. The only time they must regularly be together are when younger Adamites are being trained as apprentices. 

Evelin returned to her homeland of Yanneros, and she and those like her became acclaimed heroes throughout that empire. Evelin was as driven as any other Godshard in this matter. Yet she spent a lot of time ensuring the Adamite's 'territory' remained secure, convincing local powerbases in Yanneros and parts of the Triad to reject the Sacerdozio envoys whenever they came. To some this undermined her effectiveness as a Godshard, and later in her life she clashed with even her fellow Adamites over this matter. Whether it was due to this or her failing health, she withdrew from public life soon after.

She passed away at one-hundred, quite young for a Majorus Shard. Some say it was due to how late it was when she became a Shard, others say it was due to her combative attitude putting too much stress on her heart. Evelin, despite her flaws is still revered among the Adamite Godshards. They see her as someone who kept the true teachings of Adam alive, preventing it from being swept away by the Sacerdozio. Furthermore, Evelin would prove to be correct as the Sacerdozio would struggle to adapt time and again in the face of crisis and corruption. Sometimes being abrasive isn't a bad thing...

Aaron the Shade and Miriam, the Shard of a Thousand Faces

Birth: 1500 AGF
Death: Unknown, possibly 1535 AGF, no later than 1725 AGF
Shard Type: Maximus

The twin Godshards known as Aaron and Miriam are among the strangest and most enigmatic of the bunch. Nominally Adamite, they blurred the lines and historians even to this day struggle to comprehend what they were doing. However dubious it might have been in execution, they had achieved their goal, the reunification of Yanneros.

What is known is Aaron became a Godshard first, three days after he was born. Miriam only became a Godshard when she turned seven. Even before then, the bond the two shared was indomitable. A single Maximus Shard can change the course of history, as seen with Adam and Ruth. Two Maximus Shards was a different beast altogether. They wrote little about who they were, only that they came from the slums of Farya, the capital of Yanneros and hated seeing the empire they loved splintered. Even among other Adamites they kept most things to themselves. Their estranged mentor, Ling, taught them in the Adamite way, but he never really felt like their teacher, more a vessel for which to learn what they needed.

Once they came of age, they put their plans to work. Miriam became one of the greatest shapeshifting Godshards of all time, and she specialized her skill even further by crafting a new magical leaning: Personalization. She could take the form of any person she wished, including her twin brother Aaron. Once she mastered this power, no one save her brother ever saw her real face again. Aaron on the other hand founded the magical leaning of Stealth, although most of his spells were lost upon his demise, for he never cataloged what he discovered. With these powerful abilities, the two Godshards started to worm their way into the politics of the Empire of Yanneros.

At this time, the Empire had become decentralized in the wake of the Daemon Wars, civil war and poverty was rife. Sons of the previous emperor carved out petty fiefdoms for themselves. Even the Adamite Godshards struggled to reform this immense empire. Perhaps this is why the twins were so divisive, they did what other Adamites couldn't. Or wouldn't. Miriam would take the form of officials, family members, governors, and manipulate their attitudes and mindsets. Lie and deceive to force matters out into the open, to make conflicting parties open up to each other. Aaron meanwhile would strike at the heart of the corruption. Sometimes he spied on criminals, gathering evidence to get them arrested. Other times he was harsher. He would slaughter spies, murder hired thugs, assassinate corrupt officials whom were pawns of Mendax. The worst fates came for the blackmailers, poisoning the few honest men and women with threats of violence and humilation. To these wretches, Aaron burned them.

Working together, their influence reknitted the Empire of Yanneros like a repaired piece of clothing. Their efforts encouraged people to rise up against corruption. The other Godshards were conflicted. On the one hand their efforts did go a long way to bring lasting peace back to the empire. On the other, their methods were against the Adamite way, they were devious, underhanded, and roped into the local politics. The Adamite way was supposed to be loose, but was this too far? Yet it worked all the same. After their task was done, the fate of the twins was unknown. Aaron was last seen surrounded by a dozen Nagas in an abandoned barracks, the serpentine fallen angyl assassins of Mendax were ordered to kill the Godshard for his trespasses and for stopping their evil God's schemes. 

Yet his body was never found and Miriam similarly disappeared, likely hiding in plain sight as one of thousands of people in the empire. Rumors abound of them taking refuge in the Triad or in the Land of the Sea Peoples. No one knows for sure. To the frustration of other Godshards, they wrote very little of the spells they discovered, stifling the increase of knowledge that was important to the Adamite way. On top of everything else, it is easy to see how their legacy was as strange and conflicted as their lives. However compared to other Godshards, there were worse things...