The Earthquake

The Earthquake began in an explosive jolt. Unexpecting inhabitants suddenly felt as though the world had been pulled out from under their feet. The ground tore apart like paper, trees and plants uprooted, and mountains toppled. The seas were in a torrential uproar: waves crashed against waves, great walls of water engulfed lands, and creatures of the deep were ejected from their aquatic homes and crushed against rocks or buried under sinking land masses.

The chaos stopped as quickly as it had started, but it had put into motion a series of catastrophic events. Magma shot out of the ground, spewing from volcanoes, shattering mountaintops, and even exploding from solid flatlands. Crushing waves reached far inland. Water boiled and steamed as it battled with the lava flows. Devastating winds cast a sea of fire across the forests and the plains.

Immediate Effects

Tritons and Sparrons were the most devastated by the events. The small islands of Ancea, home to the Sparrons, were swept clean of life and all evidence of civilization by unforgiving waves. The ground opened and swallowed much of the Triton city of Cerulea along with its inhabitants. Each of the two races lost over 90 percent of their population. Talponian and Gispaan cities were burned and smashed to rubble, though many citizens managed to escape with their lives.

The world quivered for days as everything settled. Its confused and terrified inhabitants, little in numbers, sought refuge and food, but it seemed nothing was left and they lost hope. Three days after the quake, in the waking hours of morning, a sudden wave of emotion washed over men, animals, and plants alike. They were renewed and confident, instantly feeling connected; safe. The world knew it must persevere, and so it did.