The Battle at Mount Deismar
All the fate of Cerilia has been changed after the cataclysm of Mount Deismar.
Prior to the arrival of Humans on Cerilia, the continent was inhabited by Elves in the forests, Dwarves in the mountains, and Humanoids - goblins, gnolls, giants, and others - almost everywhere else. The Humans settled in year 0 (Masetian calendar) and helped the Elves to clear the lands of many humanoids. They then started to build cities, and the hatred from the Elves toward Humans come from these ages. The Humans were worshipping an unique pantheon, and each faction had a patron god (see Races for details).
When Azrai the Malevolent descended on earth to corrupt the inhabitants of Cerilia to get rid of the hated Humans, he easily gained the support of the various Humanoid races. He then gained the support of elves, underlining the fact that Humans cut the forests down and shrank their domains. He finally corrupted the Vos from their devotion to Vorynn, and marched on Anuire with his tremendous army, leading it by himself.
Although the exact location of the Mount Deismar is unknown (as it has been destroyed after the cataclysm), everyone on Cerilia know more or less what happened there. Two factions, including almost all the warriors of Cerilia, fought in a legendary battle: all Humans (but the Vos) and the Dwarves versus the Elves, the Vos and the various Humanoids. The Battle of Mount Deismar is the tragic conclusion of years of war, in year 515 of the Masetian calendar (today is around 2040, same calendar). With Azrai on their side, the forces of Evil couldn't lose. The Vos changed their side and joined their fellow Humans in the battle. A great majority of Elves also joined the Humans (but a small faction, fanatically devoted to Azrai, led by Rhuobbe), but this was not enough, Azrai was too strong...
Then the 6 gods (Anduiras, Basaia, Brenna, Reynir, Masela, and Vorynn) took an avatar form to fight Azrai, along with their champions. They finally decided to give their immortal life to vanquish their sworn brother and enemy. Followed the cataclysm.... The energy unleashed by the death of the Gods killed a large majority of the mortals, and the surviving champions were bathed in divine energy, gaining tremendous god-like powers in the process. Each god had a chosen champion, who ascended to godhood (see Religion for details).
This was the creation of the bloodlines...
The Emperor of Anuire had 3 sons: Raesene the bastard, Haelyn, and Roele. Raesene left the House of Anuire to be on his own, coveting his legitimate brothers cherished and favored by his father. He has found in Azrai his master, and was his champion at Deismar. When the god died, Raesene absorbed much of Azrai's energy, and rather than achieving godhood, he remained on earth, wielding tremendous powers. His anger and rage turned him (like most of Azrai's scions) into and awnshegh, living today as The Gorgon. While Haelyn - as the champion of Anduiras - achieved godhood, his brother Roele took on himself to rebuild the Anuirean Empire. The last descendant of the bloodline, Michael Roele, faced The Gorgon and died. However, the sword he used in the battle is rumored to wield great powers, and The Gorgon is forever since weakened by this battle (although nobody believes this point, considering the powers wielded by The Gorgon today...).
Only those champions present at Mount Deismar wielded True Bloodlines. The bloodline of Roele was a True bloodline, but has been exterminated by The Gorgon. Rhuobbe Manslayer, leader of the Elves loyal to Azrai, has a True bloodline as well. The Spider, former goblin priest and wizard, leader of the Goblin faction under the command of Azrai, also has a True bloodline. The Serpent, former Masetian priest loyal to Azrai, carries a True bloodline as well.
All other bloodlines descend from grand officers (great) to simple soldiers (minor and tainted) present at the battle, and have been diluted through the ages. Most regent are proud of their bloodlines, and strive to make them stronger and purer with better ruling... The Awnsheghlien (plural form of awnshegh) use bloodtheft to increase their bloodlines...