In the beginning there was only the Null and the Void. The Boredom saw this Darkness and thus the Elements were born. Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Spirit/Ether/Love, Lightning, and Shadow. For a time, the 7 Elements worked in Harmony and the Universe knew Nirvana. It was here that Fate and Destiny were born. But eventually, the differences and fueding of Earth and Air, Water and Fire, and Lightning and Shadow would grow. The Dischord would bear witness to the birth of Entropy and its inevitable little brother Order. However, despite Order, Entropy would tear Spirit asunder and scatter the Elements with the Ether. Love would forever be scattered in pieces, difficult to grasp. This ephemeral spread across the expanse of All Things and the Elements followed. Tied closely to their Mother, Fate and Destiny stretched and spread across All Things, creating a Map, a Weave, a Web. Some Elements search to collapse the Web and restore Nirvana, while others seek to destroy the Map altogether, forever ensuring their Dominance in All Things.

This is the story of Creation told by the Church of All Things. They say that billions of years after the birth of the planet, Earth has been born and destroyed in an endless cycle of creation and destruction. Historians argue over the death of the 12th age but historians generally agree that we are living in the 13th age. I, Sir Roland, was born in this thirteenth age and have lived to see some truly amazing things. To those who might find my scrolls in the future or the next age, I do hope you use them wisely and safeguard against the dangers and warnings I will write herein. It is with this task in mind that I put my quill to scroll. May Entropy have Mercy on your Endeavors.

In my age, no small number of trinkets have been found that are thought to be of ages long past. There is a field of toxicity, radiation, magic, or negative energy surrounding these trinkets. This field causes contact with these items to be detrimental to many creatures and many cases of death and madness have been documented in conjunction with these items. Eventually I will tell you one popular story about a Mad King who is said to have carried and used many trinkets. But the story of the Mad King must follow later in these writings. Not much is known of these trinkets, although historians generally agree that it is not magic, but technology of advanced measure from a previous age. Generally, the trinkets that have been found in this age are split into two categories: artifacts and potions. To most, this matters very little and is a pedantic endeavor. In general, historians describe artifacts as any bit of this technology that can be used repeatedly and relatively reliably to promised effect. On the other hand, potions are considered to be one time use objects that are thrown, eaten, placed, or are otherwise "used up" after their cosmic power has been triggered and then depleted. It is said that the Mad King could wield more than one potion or even of these artifacts, but even that tale ends so very sadly.

One thing that is certain however, there is another world beneath ours. The glimpses of shadow in the corner of your eye, the sound of laughter in an otherwise empty room, and the cold chill that suddenly touches your spine are all signs of its existence. Most are unaware of the full depths of this other place, and even I have yet to scratch the surface of its secrets, but it has affected everything. It is a Shadow World that lives just beneath the surface of normal. Outside of the Shadow World, life continues unimpeded. The kings wage war (sometimes with devastating artifacts and potions), the serfs labor for their masters, and the bakers bake. However, in the Shadow World, sometimes called the Shadow, or the Dark as it has come to be called lately, something else ethereal, powerful and untouchable stirs. Over There, in the Dark, exists a great power that permeates throughout the Dark, as far as I can tell. It is such a strong influence that upon entering the Dark, one can literally transform. Thus, in the Dark, a mystic or cosmic power rushes throughout body and soul and All Things. The Alchemists call it the Cosmic Radiaton or Cosmos for short. This is both a place of darkness and a place of dreams.

Most in the 13th age do not know of the Dark, because fortunately most beings from the Shadow cannot survive on our world, our side, the TopSide. In my brief time in the Shadow, I have encountered numerous beasts and monsters of both abstract and literal construct. Those from the Shadow that make it TopSide and survive are called Demons. Demons wield fantastic powers against the TopSiders. Most everyone has had some encounter with a Demon (or knows someone who has). Before recently, I had written them off as viscious bedtime stories, but now I know too well of the horrors that lie beneath this veil. Those from TopSide that make a dive into the Shadow are often called Ghosts. A derogatory term, but in common use, that was coined by Dwadles (Shadow World dwellers) to hint at the fact that these TopSiders won't be around long amidst the Dwadles. In addition, on a dive into the Shadow, some Ghosts are transformed by the energy there and immediately become something else. Some become Dwadles forever, some Demons, and yet some of us, like myself, remain Ghosts. None can know for sure what the effects of the Shadow might be before entering it, but I believe the secret is in the dark heart of each indvidual. I've seen a companion Ghost turn Dwadle, a Dwadle turn Demon and a Ghost turn Dwadle. I've never seen a Dwadle turn Ghost, but I seek an artifact to remove the Dark from a Ghost turned Dwadle to thus, return her to Ghost.

There is more to write and tell, but only a limited time before my artifact is charged for my next dive into the Shadow. When I return, I will write of the Mad King. I fear I must act or perish. There are Demons who would like nothing more than to drag me back to the Dark as their trophy. May the Web lead you to Love.