Over the course of [i]Akash: Path of the Five[/i], players are exposed to tidbits of lore hinting at the mystery behind events plaguing the Al'wan (elemental) people. By design, this was not explored in depth, in part because we wished to keep the focus of the story on the characters and romance, but also because we feared that too much world-building and exposition would be considered distracting to some players. It has quickly become clear, however, that there is indeed interest in some of the events which have led the elementals to the precarious position they now face. So, with little fanfare, here is a very brief history lesson. Please note this is not essential reading: the story is designed to be enjoyed on its own. However, we are happy to provide this look into the lore for those with lingering questions about the narrative. [b]**Spoilers Ahead!**[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/714c97eb262dd0a94aec3a3bfc600108799bf040.png[/img] The Al'wani people live in a world governed by 5 elements: [b]Fire, Wind, Light, Water, and Earth. [/b] Their creation myth holds that the Goddess forged them from the very elements themselves, and split them into tribes scattered across the realm. These tribes are individually represented in each of Aurora's classmates, as well as various other characters she meets over the course of the game. It is important to note that the village of Akash is unique among elemental settlements because it is the only elemental society where multiple races of Al'wan live side by side. This is not out of any animus, however, but rather because Al'wan tend to prefer environments that best suit their particular element. Akash is dominated by male elementals because, as noted in the beginning of the story, the numbers of their women have long since dwindled; this is something quietly referred to as [i]Khifad[/i], or [b]"the great decline."[/b] Though Aurora is not the only girl in the village, she is the first young woman to come of age in Akash in over 200 years and, thus, is sought after. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/fbf698c23f092379334dc39bb08cfc50a1cc250e.png[/img] Events take a turn when, in the latter half of the game, Aurora comes into possession of a mysterious jewel that is initially used by Shaman Lee of the human village of Haven to negate the elementals' natural magic abilities during their raid. It soon becomes clear, however, that the jewel is far more than a nullifier of Al'wani magic: it has the ability to enhance their powers and amplify the wearer’s power of persuasion. More importantly, it has some connection to the Goddess - the very nature of this connection is up to Aurora to explore. During Elder Borasco's lecture, reference is made to Lucerna of Munawar, a 'notable elemental female' who died protecting her people. Should the player choose to listen to the lecture, they will learn that Lucerna was known to be the last of her line, and died during a great battle. What is NOT stated by Borasco, however, is that the event of her death marked the beginning of the modern era of the great decline that the Al'wan now face. After the jewel surfaces in the story (having been found by the humans in 'some old elemental ruins,') it begins filling Aurora's dreams with visions of elemental children. More specifically, she is confronted by a manifestation of an elemental girl in the final dream. The girl of Aurora's vision is Lucerna herself; The pendant belonged to her last, and is thus imbued with her essence. It is far more ancient than her, however, and is, in fact, an artifact of the Goddess, passed down through the Al'wani matriarchy as a physical connection to their deity and their spirituality. A key point, as well: the jewel ultimately is not what saves the elemental people at the end of the day. Though its appearance is providence, it is ultimately up to the wearer to utilize it correctly. This is evidenced by the fact that, when the jewel alone is used to exert Aurora's will, the results are either a violent or nonviolent maintaining of the status quo which, as we will explore in another update, is presented as an unacceptable situation with no real solution in sight. Rather, it is only when the jewel is used to restore their spiritual connection with their Goddess and their past which, ultimately, ends their patriarchy-induced societal decline. As always, thank you for taking the time to learn more about our game! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/35639313/02978c45c194b3059b418a760de01b5edf273698.png[/img]