The story begins five thousand years ago, although Aquilora’s history stretches back even further, much to the dismay of some. At the end of the First Age, the primordial beings—the Dragon-Fly, the Sea Serpent, the Fungal Tree, and the Great Giant—all perished, and the balance of Aquilora was shattered. It took some time for civilization to realize the full extent of this loss, but by then, it was already too late. Contamination and corruption spread unchecked throughout the domain, bringing about the end of the world for all sentient life.

Yet they did not go quietly. The era of the Great Corruption Wars began—a desperate struggle against the dying of the light, the twilight of humankind. During this time, seven heroes emerged. Their origins were as mysterious as they were remarkable, but together, with their armies, they pushed back the darkness that threatened to consume the world.

Unfortunately, the end of the war did not save mankind from its ultimate destruction. Contamination still threatened to wipe out everything that remained. The heroes of the war, now elevated to the status of gods, divided among themselves.

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Then, Lord Hayazaki, wielder of the Divine Needles, issued an edict to the scattered remnants of humanity:

“Go forth and spread. Gather allies, conquer the darkness and the monsters that lurk within it. Plant the Needle of Law and Order on every piece of ground you seize, and in return, I will grant you a blessing. A blessing of sovereignty, a blessing that crowns you ruler.”

A frenzied expansion followed. The remnants of mankind spread across the world, conquering every part they could and placing the Emperor’s Needle at each point. The Needle drove away contamination, and those who followed the Emperor's law were granted some protection against corruption.

All of this was an effort to bring about the Great Renewal—a mankind freed from the sins of its past.

Now, three heavenly realms govern the lands of Aquilora: the Diving Realm, where the gods reside; the Realm of the Lords; the Realm of Man; and the Under-Realm, the least explored.

Today, mankind entrusts their souls to their sovereigns, whose souls, upon death, are transposed to the Great Needle, so that one day they might be reborn into a world free from contamination and corruption, where they can once again swear oaths to a greater being.

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It is ironic, however, that the mountain clans have come to dominate this new age and seek the divine oathship—that very thing that once bound us so long ago.