Krynn's Vanguard fought a rough fight but ended up victorious, defeating the bandits.
They identified an alter that was acting as a healing space for the head of the bandits and investigated. After Kyan used Legend Lore, they learned the following:
In the ancient times of Krynn, a divine being known as Sothis descended upon the land. Sothis, also referred to as the "Progenitor God," brought forth life, cultivated the land, and created the terrain that would form the basis of Krynn. Alongside her came the Nabateans, her children, an ancient race of dragon-like beings endowed with immense power and the ability to transform into dragons. Sothis bestowed upon them and certain humans powerful symbols known as Marks, which granted extraordinary abilities to their bearers. These Marks, along with Mark Stones—physical manifestations of power bestowed by Marks—became symbols of power and authority within Krynn.
Before the arrival of Sothis, the advanced civilization of Agartha existed in Krynn. The Agarthans, who wielded sophisticated technology and dark magic, viewed Sothis and the Nabateans as invaders. This led to a fierce conflict between the two. In a desperate move to protect her people and restore balance, Sothis caused a massive cataclysm that nearly wiped out the Agarthans and reshaped the world. The surviving Agarthans retreated underground, vowing revenge against Sothis and rebranding themselves as "Those Who Slither in the Dark."
The peace brought by Sothis was shattered by a human warrior named Nemesis. Coveting the power of the gods, Nemesis massacred Sothis and many Nabateans in an event known as the Red Canyon Tragedy. He used the blood of Sothis and the Nabateans to forge powerful weapons called Relics and stole the Mark of Flames from Sothis herself. Proclaiming himself the King of Liberation, Nemesis used his newfound power to conquer much of Krynn, plunging the land into chaos.
In response to Nemesis's tyranny, Sothis's daughter Seiros rallied the surviving Nabateans and humans. Disguised as a human, Seiros founded the Church of Seiros, dedicated to worshipping Sothis and maintaining order in Krynn. She led her forces against Nemesis in a climactic battle at Tailtean Plains, ultimately defeating him and ending his reign. This victory marked the beginning of a new era, as Seiros worked to unify Krynn under the church's banner.
Following the War of Heroes, Seiros established Garreg Mach Monastery as the central hub of the church, housing the officer's academy and the main church. Over time, Krynn was divided into three distinct nations, each influenced by the church. The Abanasinian Empire, founded by Wilhelm Paul Hresvelg with Seiros's guidance, became the first nation. The Holy Kingdom of Solamnia was established by Loog with the support of the church after a rebellion against the Empire. Finally, the Qualenesti Alliance was formed by a coalition of noble houses that broke away from the Empire, adopting a more democratic form of governance.
Despite their apparent defeat, the Agarthans, now known as "Those Who Slither in the Dark," continued to manipulate events from the shadows. They sought to destroy the Church of Seiros and reclaim dominance over Krynn. Utilizing subterfuge, assassination, and political maneuvering, they worked to weaken their enemies. They also conducted various dark experiments, creating powerful beings and weaponry through their ancient technology and dark magic.
Archbishop Rhea, the current leader of the Church of Seiros and secretly Seiros in disguise, became desperate to resurrect her mother, Sothis. Believing that the resurrection would bring peace and order to Krynn, Rhea used Mark Stones and Nabatean blood in her experiments. Rhea has had twelve failed vessels, the last being Sitri, who died while giving birth to her stillborn child, the father being the former captain of the Knights of Seiros, Jeralt.
The intricate web of history and manipulation led to the emergence of several key figures. Edelgard von Hresvelg, the heir to the Abanasina Empire, harbored a deep resentment towards the church and planned to overthrow its influence. Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, the prince of the Holy Kingdom of Solamnia, was driven by a sense of justice and haunted by a tragic past, including the Tragedy of Throt—an event orchestrated by "Those Who Slither in the Dark" to destabilize Solamnia. Claude von Riegan, the heir to the Qualenesti Alliance, possessed a keen intellect and a desire to uncover the hidden truths within Krynn's history.