The mystical realm of Initia is defined by the profound, ancient legacy of the Elves, who were the first civilization to achieve true dominance across the land for a vast span of time, establishing centers of power, artistry, and arcane knowledge. The greatest of these empires was called Korinth. The origins of the Elves and their near-immortality stem directly from their twin creators, the Cardinal Deities Kai and Nivaris
The Age of Elven Sovereignty
Elven civilization, built upon these divine origins, laid the foundation for subsequent empires:
Divine Patronage and Power: The High Elves and Wode Elves of the surface realms owe their long lives, magical affinity, and ethereal beauty to the blessings of Kai, the goddess of the sun. Kai was the patron goddess of the Ancient Korinthian Empire and the Sun Elves, which served as the dominant power at many moments in ancient history before the first great cataclysm, what some scholars call the elven shcism.
Many Empires: The elves were not naturally made for war against themselves or for war at all, which is why the AKE attained such unbelivably widespread dominance in it's prime. That is not to say, however, that the governance was universally appreciated. Many such dissenters formed their own empires and even in costly and bloody ways, but these empries never lasted long and are lost to time. Some of their impact can be seen in the Kingdom of the Everlasting Snow and the Myriad.
Magical Legacy: The Elves all three are unparalelled in their magical prowess, it's a natural part of their being, a harmony with the deities unseen in the rebellious races. While the knowledge is mostly lost and the power of modern elves greatly dmininshed the hallmark inventions of spellcasting and portalmancy ring out through history as ancient glories dreamed of by all modern Initians.
The Great Schism and the Decline
The long rule of the Elves was ended by a deep, ancient schism tied to the divine feud between their creators:
The High Elves: They flourished on the surface, channeling Kai’s light and serving as the foundation of great nations like Korinth. Their diplomacy, beauty, art, and magic are untold. They suffer accusations of being the divine favorites. They can be found all over the West in the Dominion and in Korinth.
The Wode Elves: While they had long fallen out of grace with their High Elf kin, the Wode Elves were quick to defend their would-be allies when the Shadar warred against them. Now they are almost entirely confined to forrest dwelling cities within Korinth Major.
The Shadow Elves (The Shadar): Nivaris, the goddess of the moon and shadows, reigns over the subterranean elves known as the Shadar. Due to the ancient feud with Kai, the Shadar are cursed to reject the sun, a condition that drove them into enigmatic underground communities. This schism led to a deep-seated hatred, with the Shadar preparing for an apocalyptic conflict to "veil the sun" and bring war upon Kai's descendants.
The monolithic dominance of the elven empires, such as the ubiquitous Korinthian Empire, had begun to decline near the age of the First Great Cataclysm. The schism had resulted in a civil war that lasted over a century and was only ended when St. Vespasian vanquished the Shadar and ended the First Cataclysm.