The Burning

The Burning was an event that took place thousands of years ago, the exact time having been lost to history. The events of the Burning are catalogued in a book of legends, aptly referred to as the Burning Chronicles. Contemporary legends describe the world being torn asunder by Abaddon the Consumer.

The origins of Abaddon are not clearly outlined in the Burning Chronicles, mostly due to the writers not knowing themselves. The synopsis is that Abaddon was summoned by unknown forces and proceeded to destroy most of the world in his brief reign of horror that lasted 2 years. The Chronicles describe in detail the destruction of cities, the boiling of seas and the seeming end of all life on the earth. It was only the last ditch effort of the White Army, an alliance of the last remaining societies left, that managed to stop Abaddon before he succeeded in consuming all life.

The White Army, led by Emperor Leto Atreides of the now long gone Celestial Padishah Empire, faced Abaddon as he attempted to destroy one of the few remaining cities, the Padishah capital of Ozymandias. Ordering the White Army to distract Abaddon, Leto Atreides completed a ritual to imprison Abaddon under the earth at the cost of his own life. Abaddon was thus banished under the earth, where he is said to remain until this day. The Chronicle concludes by mentioning that the Emperor's personal weapon, the White Spear, keeps Abaddon trapped in his tomb.

These are regarded in contemporary society as simple legends to entertain the masses in the occasional play or novel and few today believe that the Burning ever took place outside the pages of books. The Burning Chronicles is one of the most popular tales of the age and those who can read enjoy the heroic tales of good triumphing over impossible odds.