Absolver - Early Key Arts - Backstory

A nomadic tribe called the Adal, settled on a source of Essence, which they started exploiting, in a vast mine reaching down the bowels of the earth.

The Essence reacted to primordial incantations. Using the right tones and rythms, it could take extraordinary properties: emit light or energy, become lighter than air, harder than diamond, and more...

The Adalian tribe grew in power, mining essence, trading with other powers, and as centuries passed, it ended up conquering most of the nearby countries.
The Empire of Adal became the economic and cultural center of the known world.

One spring morning, a rumble was heard from the depth of the mine, and the earth split open, engulfing entire neighbourhoods. Thousands died crushed by the falling buildings, but many more died poisoned by sulfic fumes released in the air.

The Empire didn’t survive the cataclysms of the Downfall, and the few who survived fled to the provinces near the heart of Adal, which regained their autonomy.
It was time for a new order to emerge...

Amongst the survivors were members of a mystical sect, calling themselves The Guides. Their influence grew fast: traumatized by the Downfall, the populations grew to believe their prophecies of doom, and decided to follow the law of Anlek.

The Guides eventually decided to wield hard power, and using Folding magic, created a ritual enchanting masks, allowing them to revive and control their elite corps of combattants: the Absolvers.

In the mountains north of Adal, the Guides built a sanctuary, Towerpoint, in which their central Authority is located, and where they receive Prospects:
volunteers who have chosen to wear the Mask, and to join the Absolvers.