Background Info
From Legacy of the Zodiac EX
Contents |
Background Info / Story
This page has the background info on how the Zodiac came to be in the first place, and all the trouble it caused. By reading these you will gain an understanding of the "Legacy of the Zodiac". The story is broken down into sections based on the time period of that section and such.
Legacy of the Zodiac (Chapter I - Before EX)
Part I
Centuries ago… the world wasn’t as it is today… Some lands were the same as they are now. But there were many that were not. Armies waged war against each other for control of lands and for wealth. Armies ravaged through cities and towns destroying all in their path… Women… children… anything… Rivers of blood flowed everywhere… Skulls were bashed against rocks and stones… There was one sword that was said to have the power to destroy an army with a single blow… The sword was called the Zodiac. The sword had the power of the twelve mighty Zodiacs. Aquarius, Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Taurus and Virgo. If any man was to brandish the Zodiac, certain doom would be the fate of the earth, and all of its populace…
Part II
The Zodiac was a double edged sword. On one hand it has supreme curative capability. It could transform an inhospitable wasteland into a luscious forest. Whereas on the other hand the Zodiac could decimate anything in the vicinity. The Zodiac was originally created by the twelve Zodiacs as a weapon that could mend wounds of the earth and raze anything and anyone that would cause detriment to the earth. All of the Zodiacs added a fraction of their powers to the sword. With the realization of the damage the sword could do in the hands of a human, they decided to seal away the Zodiac at the heart of the earth; where no man could grasp it. The only way to get to the heart of the earth was passage through the Zulu Gorge, a passage that let right to the heart of the earth. The zodiacs created several beings; branded as the Sentinels. The Zulu Gorge was situated on the great southern continent; Celestria. Celestria was called home by a clan called the Celestria Guard. They were engaged in countless wars with the clan of the north; the Crimson Knights. Wars prolonged in a never –ending cycle of death. Clans changed over time, old ones passed away, new ones emerged; alliances were founded. In time though, Celestria was at the hands of the northerners… Fearing that the Zodiac would be in danger soon, the Sentinels ventured down to the heart of the earth; through the Zulu Gorge. The Sentinels planned to do away with the Zodiac, so that no human could ever brandish such a sword. They all rained down on the Zodiac; willing to give their lives to rid the earth of the sword. Thus was not their duty, their duty; and soul purpose for creation was to protect the sword. Alas, they awakened the Zodiac, which then proceeded to use all of its vigor to wipe out the Sentinel’s. This in turn wiped out the earth. While the earth was in its final precious moments, the Zodiacs gathered to try and stop what was about to come… The sword overtook them and merged with the Zodiacs…
Part III
When it looked like all was lost, and the earth ceased to exist… The Zodiac used its supreme curative prowess; it was too late to restore the earth. Instead, a fresh earth was created. The sword consumed enormous amounts of its power… The sword was at a critical point, where it couldn’t continue creating the earth. The power of all the Zodiacs that the Zodiacs imbued the sword with could no longer be contained, the power burst out of the sword in a rainbow of colors, only to disintegrate… Like a chain reaction, the Zodiacs used this opening to escape from the sword. Together they finished creating the new earth. They decided that the only way they could truly lock away the Zodiac, was by either destroying or sealing away themselves. But now that the power of themselves that they each put into the Zodiac was gone, no one without all of their power could wield the sword. Even so, without the pure energy of the Zodiac within the sword, it was quickly becoming tainted with darkness… The Zodiacs sealed themselves and the Zodiac away in another dimension… Finally ridding the earth of the Zodiac, as well as putting the fate of the earth in the hands of the humans…
Legacy of the Zodiac EX (Chapter II - Aftermath)
Part I
That was three centuries ago… The Zodiac hasn’t been seen or heard of since. No one has seen the Zodiacs either. Humans have changed quite considerably since then. War remains a part of daily life though, as it always will be with humans. Four main continents exist, the Northern Continent which consists of places such as Haven. Haven was remodeled from hieroglyphics that depicted how Haven was before what the humans called “the great destruction.” The hieroglyphics were left by the Zodiacs, in an attempt to guide the humans in the right direction. The Zodiacs left secrets all around the new earth, from damp caves to high mountains. These secrets hinted at what actually happened. They were very well concealed though. Many people had different theories about what happened, and a few have even slain each other over it. The second continent is the great southern continent of Zhu Jin. This is a continent host to many creatures and tribes. The third continent is the western continent, which consists of mainly Ryoko and Kenshi. Ryoko is home to many groups of dragons, as well as dragoons. Kenshi is home to a few monks and wandering rogues. The fourth continent is the eastern continent, which consists of a large city called Shinjoku. It is surrounded by a large wall to fortify its defenses. Many gather there, such as fishermen. But mainly it is home to many great samurais. Each continent consists of an army or “clan” which resides in the continent. They are the main source of war these days. They are not always opposed to each other though, they form alliances and the like.
Part II
With the rise of the guilds, a time of great war begins. Which guild will rule supreme? Which continent will boast the strongest army? Will the Zodiac ever be found? That is for you to decide...
--Scythe 9:07, 4 May 2009 (EDT)