A History of Asheron's Call

 Asheron's Call (AC) unfolds on the mysterious island continent of Dereth, set within the broader fictional planet called Auberean. The lore is deep, nuanced, and evolves dynamically through a series of in-game events and monthly updates. 

 Long before humans arrived, Dereth was inhabited by an advanced, magical race known as the Empyrean. They were highly intelligent, possessing powerful magical artifacts, constructs, and portals. Their civilization eventually collapsed due to internal conflicts and misuse of magic, leaving behind ruins, mysteries, and hidden artifacts scattered across Dereth.

The Empyrean are pivotal to the game's lore, as their lost secrets and magical technologies form the backbone of numerous quests and story arcs within AC.

 Humans first appeared on Dereth through mysterious portals, originally created by the Empyrean, unintentionally activated by a mage named Asheron Realaidain—the figure from whom the game gets its name.

Human arrivals formed three distinct cultures, each drawn from different areas of a homeworld called Ispar:

• Aluvians: Inspired by medieval Europeans, characterized by honor, bravery, and feudal traditions.
• Gharu'ndim: Influenced by Middle Eastern cultures, with a strong emphasis on trade, diplomacy, mysticism, and spirituality.
• Sho: Modeled after East Asian societies, renowned for discipline, honor, martial skills, and spiritual depth.

Each culture struggled to adapt to the harsh and alien environment of Dereth, navigating conflict, cooperation, and the exploration of Empyrean ruins.

 When Asheron unintentionally opened portals, humans were not the only beings transported—fearsome insectoid creatures called the Olthoi also arrived, enslaving humans and threatening to consume all life on Dereth.

A major early story arc involved human rebellion against the Olthoi, ultimately ending with the heroic efforts of players defeating the Olthoi Queen. These battles became foundational legends that shaped Dereth’s lore and united its peoples against common threats.

 Another significant threat arose from the enigmatic and powerful entities called the Virindi—extradimensional beings with powerful psychic and magical capabilities. Virindi explored human emotions, experimented on humans, and became influential adversaries throughout the game's history. They attempted to control and manipulate humanity to serve their mysterious purposes.

Additionally, other beings and factions emerged, including:

• Shadow Spire and Shadows: Corruptions of Empyrean magic and life force, driven by dark intent.
• Tumeroks and Lugians: Indigenous races with whom humans had complex interactions—sometimes allies, sometimes foes.
• Undead and Drudges: Common foes that players battled frequently across the landscape.

 The conflict known as the Shadow Wars brought forth one of the most significant story arcs, focused around the struggle against a dark entity named Bael'Zharon (The Hopeslayer). Originally an Empyrean named Ilservian Palacost, Bael'Zharon became twisted by Shadow Magic and sought domination over Dereth.

Players played a crucial role in freeing Bael'Zharon unintentionally, leading to massive battles, chaos, and heroics. Eventually, through community-driven efforts, Bael'Zharon was defeated, but the scars and impact of his shadow still lingered in Dereth.

A defining characteristic of AC’s lore was its evolution through regular monthly updates. Players directly impacted the world by engaging in quests and events that advanced storylines, unlocked secrets, and changed the political and magical landscape.

These monthly updates ensured Dereth's world felt alive and dynamic, continually enriching the lore, allowing players' actions to influence historical events and outcomes.

 Two significant expansions enriched Dereth’s history:

• Dark Majesty (2001): Expanded the lore with the discovery of Marae Lassel, a new region filled with Empyrean secrets, dangerous creatures, and intriguing lore involving Empyrean magics and artifacts.
   
• Throne of Destiny (2005): Introduced the Viamontians, a militaristic Isparian kingdom that arrived via portals, bringing additional conflict, complexity, and fresh stories involving human politics, Empyrean ruins, and inter-culture tensions.

 In January 2017, after 17 years, the servers were shut down. However, the legacy of Dereth and its intricate lore still resonates deeply with players who experienced it. AC’s story is remembered fondly for its depth, player agency, and the living history it created. 

•  Asheron Realaidain: Empyrean mage, tragic figure, whose efforts to save his people inadvertently led to human and Olthoi arrival.
• Bael'Zharon (Ilservian Palacost): Fallen Empyrean villain, embodiment of Shadow corruption, central antagonist.
• Elysa Strathelar: Aluvian hero who led the human uprising against the Olthoi Queen.
• Gaerlan: Formerly human mage seduced by dark magics, becoming a recurring villain.
• Martine: A tragic figure transformed by Virindi experiments, illustrating the subtle and nuanced narratives AC explored.

 Asheron's Call set itself apart through:

• Depth of Worldbuilding: Richly detailed histories, diverse cultures, complex magic systems.
• Player-driven Narrative: Player actions genuinely influenced game lore and history.
• Dynamic Storytelling: Frequent updates creating a world that evolved and reacted over time.

The depth and complexity of AC's lore inspired future MMORPG storytelling, paving the way for interactive, evolving worlds that players could truly shape.