The War of Light

Lore & Background

In the annals of Delve history, the War of Light is often described not as a war of swords, but of wills. It began when the natural flow of luminescence from the surface was threatened by an encroaching void that sought to reclaim the world for eternal night. The factions involved were not united by blood or land, but by their philosophy regarding light: some believed it should be preserved and protected at all costs, while others argued that true understanding comes only through navigating the dark. The conflict reshaped the geography of the known world. Massive ley lines were severed to prevent the spread of the encroaching shadow, creating the deep chasms and isolated caverns that adventurers navigate today. The war ended not with a treaty, but with a Great Dimming, an event where the power sources of both sides burned out simultaneously, leaving the survivors to rebuild in a world of twilight. Today, artifacts from this era are highly sought after by collectors and scholars alike. They often bear inscriptions that warn against seeking too much light or dwelling too long in the dark, serving as a reminder of the delicate balance maintained since the war's conclusion.

In Their Own Story

The lantern flickered, its flame fighting against the damp chill of the cavern walls. Kaelen paused, his hand resting on the hilt of a blade etched with ancient sigils. Above him, through the narrow fissure in the rock, a sliver of moonlight pierced the gloom—a ghost of the War of Light. He remembered the stories told by the elders: how the sky once burned brighter, and how the dark fought back tooth and claw. Now, he stood on the precipice of that history, holding a shard that hummed with residual power. It was warm in his palm, alive. 'Some things,' he whispered to the silence, 'should stay buried.' But as the light pulsed against his skin, he knew the old war had never truly ended; it merely waited for him to strike the first match.

Reader's Guide

Historical records regarding the War of Light are fragmented, often relying on oral traditions passed down through guilds and surface settlements. The primary source material comes from the Codex Lumina, a collection of texts recovered from the ruins of the First Spire. Scholars debate whether the conflict was literal or allegorical for the struggle between civilization and wilderness. However, archaeological evidence supports a physical battle, with remnants of energy weapons found in deep strata layers dating back to this era. This history impacts current events by influencing trade laws; light-generating materials are heavily regulated to prevent another escalation. Contradictions exist regarding who started the war, with surface dwellers blaming the Deep Keepers for hoarding power, while the Keepers claim self-defense against surface expansionism.

Did You Know?

• Some artifacts from the era still glow faintly when exposed to moonlight.
• The term 'Delver' originally referred to soldiers who mined light during the conflict.
• No single date is agreed upon for the war's start, only a seasonal marker known as The Long Night.