Browse chapters
- Book 0: Origins and Cosmology
- 1. Character Histories
- 1. Aranx's Origin
- 2. Darkon's Origin
- 3. Nulgath's Origin
- 4. Dage's Origin
- 5. Sepulchure, Lynaria and Gravelyn
- 6. Drakath's Origin
- 7. Alteon, Victoria and Greenguard
- 8. Skye and the Lothian Dynasty
- 2. The Eternal Dragon, Malgor and the Three Masks
- 3. The Doom Spirits and Carcossa
- 4. Primordials, Deities and Elemental Avatars
Aranx's Origin
The creation of the Celestial Realm and the conflicting accounts of Aranx's birth connect his family history to the struggle against the Bright One.
When Galanoth slays the Eternal Dragon of Time, the released energy forms Anethyx'o, the Bright One, which creates the Celestial Realm. Arthelyn, the First Born and Archangel of Stoicism, rules it, while Azalith, the Second Born and Archangel of Fortitude, serves as its general. The Well of Knowledge shows Aranx being created after Azalith's rebellion, but Arthelyn later remembers him waking seconds after his sisters. His trial at the Well reveals his purpose as the Third Born, Archangel of Mysteries and Celestial Guardian.
Arthelyn says Azalith stole the Bright One's creative power and made the Infernals, prompting their creator to seal her and her creations in the Infernal Realm. Azalith disputes that account, claiming the Bright One gave her its power because it considered its creations unworthy. She rejects Arthelyn's appeal to return and declares them enemies.
After the Queen of Monsters' death, Balax'el's warning sends you back to witness this history. Learning that her present-day self is missing, the younger Arthelyn accompanies you forward in time. After Arthelyn and Azalith pass their powers on, Aranx governs the Celestials and Infernals, and you and he drive Anethyx'o away.