Adventus Arcanum

"Magic is the lifeblood of this world. We have seen what happens without it, the ashes of countless dead souls will attest to the hardships of a mundane world. Make no mistake, the Adventus Arcanum was the greatest blessing the gods ever bestowed upon us mortals."

- Zarugo Evermind in 'Introduction to the Arcane'

The Adventus Arcanum was a world-changing event that occurred around two centuries ago, and saw the return of magic to the realm of Andara, after a five century absence. When magic returned, it came back far different than it had been before it faded. New magic, as it is sometimes referred to, is far more potent, versatile and widespread. Scholars at the University of Moonhold estimate that a fifth of all mortals possess some form of magical capability, though the exact power and expression of this magic varies greatly.

Theories
The exact cause of the Adventus Arcanum is one of the most disputed and debated topics amongst scholars and wizards. From centuries of debate and research, three plausible theories have remain for scholars to argue over to this day.

Yeldervon's "Theory of Ascension"
The theory devised by the late Marina Yeldervon is the most widely accepted in terms of sheer numbers, though it is somewhat less popular within certain academic circles. The theory offers explanation for the loss of magic during the age of stillness as well as its return after the Adventus Arcanum. According to Yeldervon, Balakarnazar was once a mortal but immensely powerful wizard who spent years researching the very source and nature of magic itself. After years of study, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Not long after his disappearance, magic began to quickly fade and thus the age of stillness was ushered in. Yeldervon states that this is because Balakarnazar was drawing all the worlds magic into himself, growing his powers until he could ascend to godhood. When he did, latent magic that had resided around him exploded outwards, pouring over the lands once more.

Evidence
Yeldervon cited a number of pieces of evidence for this theory, ranging from historical documents to eyewitness accounts. Historical records from a now-extinct human kingdom mention an unnamed poweful wizard who existed and subsequently disappeared centuries ago. The timing of his disappearance aligns with Yeldervorn's proposed disappearance of Balakarnazar, and there are also records of this wizard's research causing disruptions in the flow of magic prior to his disappearance.

Additionally, multiple eyewitness accounts from what is now Calar Dunn and northern Westerlent report seeing an enormous glowing figure appear above the forest, followed by a pulse of energy around the time of the Adventus Arcanum. Yeldervon posits that this figure was Balakarnazar moments before he ascended to godhood, and that the ruin of unknown origin that sits in the centre of Gladehome, which the critterfolk refer to as the Great Stone Tree, could have been where Balakarnazar had hidden away whilst he drew magic into himself. This would also explain why the effects of the Adventus Arcanum are stronger around Calar Dunn and the Isle of Tydor.

Criticism
Much of the criticism for this theory relates to the evidence rather than the actual ideas put forward. While the theory itself is reasonable, people in the age of dawn had a much poorer understanding of magic and their accounts of a wizard's activities have a large margin for error. Additionally, eyewitness accounts are scarcely accepted as evidence by most academic circles. The architecture and origin of the ruin in Gladehome is in itself a debated issue, and Yeldervon's claim that it was used as a sort of cocoon for his incubation of power is often dismissed as little more than hearsay.

Keeneye's "Cosmic War Theory"
A far more straightforward explanation for the Adventus Arcanum is Koedan Keeneye's Cosmic War Theory. Keeneye suggests that interactions between the gods can cause fluctuations throughout the fabric of the universe, and these fluctuations can be felt on other planes, much like a ripples moving a leaf on a pond. Thus, the theory goes on to suggest that a fluctuation powerful enough to disconnect the material plane from the weave, an intangible force responsible for magic itself, could not have been caused by anything short of a cosmic-scale war between gods. Keeneye suggests that the Adventus Arcanum marked the end of these cosmic fluctuations.

Evidence
Cults devoted to the Aberrant Lords started to spread rapidly throughout Andara in the last years of the Age of Dawn, as well as a number of other evil deities. This "cultic explosion" as it came to be known, was the first time many evil deities appeared in written records, and thus it is not unreasonable to assume that their powers were greatly bolstered during this period. Thus, they would have been set up for an assault on the divine gods of the higher planes. Keeneye therefore suggests that the target of this assault was Balakarnazar, whom many evil deities would have reason to dislike, even if by proxy.

Criticisms
While Yeldervon's theory is criticised because of the quality of its evidence, Keeneye's theory is criticised for the lack of evidence. Besides an observable, exponential rise in cult activities in the decades leading up to the age of stillness, which Keeneye argues could have strengthened evil deities and thus set the stage for a war between good and evil, there is little solid evidence to support this theory.

Toberon's "Arcanic Cycle Theory"
Even simpler than Keeneye's theory, the arcanic cycle theory states that the Adventus Arcanum is simply part of a constant cycle of the forces of magic waxing and waning over the course of time. Adelulah Toberon, the scholar responsible for this theory, likened this cycle of magic to the changing of the seasons, thereby suggesting that the Adventus Arcanum was possibly not the first and certainly not the last event of its kind that would happen.

Evidence
Many aspects of the universe have been observed to exist in cycles; the phases of the moon, the orbits of the planets and even the migrations of animals. Toberon suggests that it would therefore not be unreasonable to assume that magic, a naturally chaotic and unpredictable force, would experience at least some form of cyclical change. Additionally, most scholars agree that the planes are constantly moving past and around one another, however the weave is believed to be entirely stationary. Thus, it would be reasonable to assume that when magic wanes, the material plane has moved further out of alignment with the weave, and vice-versa.

Criticisms
Though the theory proposes some sound ideas, critics argue that Toberon confuses explanations for evidence. At its core, there is actually very little solid evidence for this theory, and it relies mostly on assumptions of other theories regarding planar arcanics.

Effects
The Adventus Arcanum, whatever its cause or origin, irreversibly changed the world mere seconds after it happened.

Arguably the biggest change brought to the world was the return of magic and sorcery. Within days of the event, hundreds of thousands of people throughout the land were imbued with magic in some form or another, and found themselves able to cast spells. Dragons awoke once more in the north east, and swiftly reclaimed their kingdom with the help of their newfound magic.