Age II: The Rooting (~7,000–5,000 Years Ago)

The world takes root in the soil of its rebirth. The first cities rise, and the whispers of the Ancients guide the young races.

Overview

The Age of The Rooting is the age when the seeds sown in the thawed earth began to take root, growing into the first permanent markers of civilization. Where once the land had been an unbroken wilderness of glaciers and beasts, now the first cities rose like mushrooms from the soil—small at first, then burgeoning, spreading across the land. Peoples who once wandered as nomads, following the rivers, the winds, and the herds, began to settle, build, and plant the seeds of their stories into the very earth itself.

This was the time when humankind first looked beyond mere survival and began to shape the world to their will. They turned their eyes to the sky, their hands to the soil, and their hearts to the forgotten whispers of the Elder Kin, who walked the forests and valleys with them, imparting knowledge and old ways. The fire of knowledge burned brightly as the first written symbols were etched into stone, telling of lands far beyond the hills they knew, of gods both kind and cruel, and of their place in the endless web of life.

Yet, even as the world rooted itself in stone, in soil, in myth, the shadows of ancient conflicts stretched long. New alliances and new rivalries would soon rise, and the songs of peace would clash with the drums of war. The age of settling was also the age of reckoning, as old wounds—buried under the ice—began to surface. And with these conflicts came the first great migrations, as peoples sought safety and power in new lands.

Land & Climate

The land during the Age of The Rooting was still wild, but it had begun to be tamed. Forests that had once stood untouched now bore the marks of axe and flame, as early settlers cleared paths, built homes, and established farms. The rivers, once mystical veins of the earth, were now channels for trade, marking the borders of young nations and settlements. Fertile valleys were cultivated, and crops, once wild, were sown and harvested, their roots mingling with the very essence of the land.

This age saw the rise of great forests, where towering trees became revered and protected. Ancient groves became the homes of the first spiritual leaders, who communed with the spirits of the trees and the land. Sacred mountains, whose peaks had once been veiled in ice, now served as watchtowers for the first cities, their peaks often crowned with shrines, where prayers for fertility, protection, and wisdom were offered.

Despite this, the climate remained unpredictable—storms could strike without warning, and floods would occasionally tear down settlements, reminding the people of the old world’s volatility. But from the chaos, the world grew stronger, for every destruction led to a rebirth. The land was an ever-shifting mosaic, and its people learned to adapt, to plant deep roots in the soil, and to leave behind lasting marks upon the land itself.

Peoples & Cultures

During this age, the great river civilizations began to rise, with the Riverkind leading the charge. These were the tribes and clans that understood the flow of water—those who built their villages along the great rivers that cut through the land, like veins of the world itself. Their gods were the rivers, and their rites honored the great floods that shaped the earth. The Riverkind also held knowledge of agriculture, the cultivation of the land, and the importance of community, and they built the first permanent settlements.

Alongside them, the Forest Dwellers—those who lived in harmony with the ancient groves—began to grow in strength. They had always revered the trees, seeing in them the spirits of the ancient world. They built their homes in great treetop villages and formed close-knit clans, united by a deep understanding of nature’s cycles. They were also the first to form alliances with the Elder Kin, learning from them the ancient ways of balance, magic, and the subtle arts of living in harmony with the land.

As cities grew, so too did the rivalries between emerging kingdoms. The Stone Clans—mountain dwellers, skilled in masonry and stonework—began to carve their strongholds into the peaks, creating towering cities that touched the skies. These people, practical and forthright, viewed the land as a resource to be mined and molded, seeing the very rocks as both foundation and weapon. With the rise of these new city-states came the inevitable rise of warlords and kings who sought to expand their territories.

Meanwhile, the Skykind, a mysterious group of wanderers and nomads, began to leave their mark upon the land. They were the first to craft ships that could ride the winds, sailing across the heavens on the currents, spreading tales, trading goods, and sharing knowledge from the farthest corners of the world. The Skykind were considered to be the heirs of the ancient stars, blessed by the celestial beings who had guided the world’s first peoples.

Magic & Mysticism

The Age of The Rooting was also the age when the mystical began to settle into the bones of the world. Magic was no longer just a force of nature—it was becoming something more: a practice, a study, and a means to shape the world. The first Mystic Orders formed, seeking to harness the magic of the land and the stars. These orders were often led by the Elder Kin, who had long understood the ebb and flow of the earth’s energies.

Sacred groves, ley lines, and mountains of power became focal points for these early magicians. They could call upon the rivers to cleanse or flood, the winds to carry whispers, and the earth to reveal hidden truths. But with magic came responsibility, and those who used it were often bound by ancient oaths to maintain balance with the world. The most powerful magics were those that worked with the land, shaping it for the betterment of all. To misuse magic, to seek dominion over the earth or its creatures, was considered a grave sin.

But not all magic was benevolent. In the shadows, there were those who practiced forbidden rites, seeking to command the dead or bend the elements to their will. These practitioners were often hunted or cast out, their knowledge feared and misunderstood.

Creatures & Beasts

The world of the Age of The Rooting was still full of mystery and danger. Great beasts roamed the land, though they were now more symbolic than real, as many had already faded into myth. The Titanic Beasts, like the woolly mammoths and the moonfang lions, were but whispers on the wind, and their bones lay buried beneath the roots of ancient trees.

However, the Beastkind—creatures of the wild, both mundane and magical—still roamed. These included the mighty Firehawks, whose feathers were said to hold the power of the sun itself, and the Silver Elk, whose antlers were prized for their magical properties. These creatures were revered as sacred spirits of the land, protectors of the wild places where humankind had yet to tread.

Conflict & Memory

The Age of The Rooting was one of both growth and conflict. As the first cities rose, so too did the tensions between them. Tribes and kingdoms fought for resources, for land, for power. The Stone Clans and the Riverkind often came into conflict, as the mountain dwellers sought to expand into the fertile river valleys.

Old conflicts also resurfaced—the Elder Kin, though peaceful, held knowledge and artifacts that many sought to control. Their ancient ways were feared, and there were those who believed that the knowledge they guarded could be used to rule the world.

Yet there were also periods of great peace and cooperation. Trade routes were established, and alliances between the Riverkind, Skykind, and Forest Dwellers flourished, allowing for the exchange of knowledge, goods, and culture. The age’s great cities began to trade with one another, and in the quiet of the temples and groves, old magic was shared and refined.

Artifacts & Ruins

The ruins of this age are still scattered across the world, though much of it has been reclaimed by nature. The Sacred Pillars—tall, stone monuments with carvings that tell the stories of the first cities—stand as relics of an age long past. These pillars were erected by the Stone Clans, and they hold the history of the rise of the first kingdoms, their wars, and their alliances.

The Riverstones—a series of large, enchanted rocks found in the depths of sacred rivers—are believed to hold the memories of the Riverkind. These stones are said to hum with magic and are used in rituals to ensure a bountiful harvest and a year of peace.

Legacy of the Age

The Age of The Rooting planted the seeds of civilization—agriculture, cities, and written language. It was the age when humankind first took root in the land and began to shape it. The rise of cities and kingdoms would eventually give birth to the great empires of future ages, and the spiritual practices of the time would continue to influence generations to come.

The myths of this age—the stories of the great beasts, the first magics, and the rise of the kingdoms—are told and retold, echoing down the ages. The great cities of the Rooting may have crumbled, but their foundations, both physical and spiritual, remain deeply embedded in the heart of the world.

Optional Extras

Named Tribes or Heroic Lineages:
The Earthbinders – A tribe dedicated to the nurturing of the earth and its creatures, they were known for their deep connection to the soil and their ability to heal the land with magic.
The Skywalkers – The first of the Skykind, they were a nomadic group that traveled the land on floating ships, seeking knowledge and wisdom from the stars.
Moon Phases or Celestial Events:
The Full Moon of Harvest was considered the most sacred event of the age, marking the time when the earth gave freely of its bounty. It was believed that the moonlight could imbue the crops with magic, ensuring prosperity for the coming year.
Major Taboo or Law:
It was forbidden to speak the names of the Titanic Beasts, as their spirits were believed to still walk the land. To call upon them was said to invite the wrath of the old world.
Sidebar: “How This Age Is Interpreted Today”
The Age of The Rooting is often remembered as the time when humankind first took root in the world, establishing their place in the natural order. It is seen as a time of both great growth and great conflict, as the first cities and civilizations rose and the first gods were truly called upon by mortal hands.

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